Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Woozle
Here is Woozle with her fat Granny. After the fall on her head on Saturday she has two slightly black eyes and she is a lot quieter than usual, but just as interactive, endearing and sweet. I think she might have a bit of a headache as she has quite a lump on her forehead. Her functions are all fine and she isn't miserable - just quieter than usual. Bless her!
Thoughts on Hearing and Listening
I want to write a few thoughts about hearing after having an in depth conversation this evening with someone I care about very much.
In South Africa, when referring to the proper upbringing of a child, a phrase is commonly used : you must bend the tree while it is still young. This refers to the formation of good character and manners, proper attitudes and accepted moral practice while young enough to incorporate good habits into normal development.
Just as a child’s body goes through normal developmental stages, so do their psyches.
But what if the normal psychological development is interfered with? What if the tree is ‘bent’ the wrong way while the personality is still forming? The adult then has a personality that is different to other peoples’ and permanently altered. This is what happens in severe and chronic child abuse. When the child reaches adulthood they face a constant struggle to relate to a world peopled by others whose psychosocial development has been normal. They are not usually understood and often find themselves living on the margins of society.
The hypervigilance that develops as a means of survival and protection as a child continues into adulthood. And it uses a heck of a lot of energy. One of the effects may be that the adult is frequently accused of not listening, and that accusation is often justified. The effort of attending to every word being spoken is quite intense so survivors tend to ‘tune out’ routine chit chat especially when tired.
Paradoxically, while not listening to idle chit chat, the survivor is constantly scanning for unusual sounds that may warn of danger. The woman who may not hear her friend tell her in normal pitch that she had debated whether to buy a blue dress or a floral one will hear a slightly unusual sound – such as an unexpected creaking – that nobody else will hear. At once, she is on the alert. Developing such skills in early childhood may have been lifesaving but carried into adulthood this habit can cause relationship problems between people.
And the non-abused or chronically traumatised population finds this difficult to understand. Or, if they understand it when it is explained to them, they forget about it a few weeks later and begin judging by ‘normal’ standards again. The difference is that without the constant inner turbulence of chronic trauma survivors, they have the energy and ability to keep these things in mind. The survivors rarely have the emotional energy available to keep explaining. And so the cycle continues of survivors covering up the fact that they aren’t listening to idle chit chat by making appropriate verbal or postural signals as active listening is frequently too much for them. Although they hear unusual sounds other people do not hear they may be confronted by people who may accuse them of deafness when they can’t be bothered to summon the energy to debate the respective merits of raspberry ripple or vanilla ice cream.
Hans Selye who subjected rats to stress and examined their behaviour and their adrenal glands came up with what is known today as the General Adaptation Theory. Basically, chronic stress messes up your adrenal gland function and it explains a great deal about why many sufferers of chronic long term trauma are the way they are.
It seems to me that the trauma survivors did not seek to be chronically traumatised and that it is hardly fair to expect them to function normally in a world that has never been normal for them. It would be a great deal easier all round if those fortunate enough not to have gone through that could make some adaptations and accommodations. They have after all, the energy and the ‘normality’ to do it so it will hardly require much effort for them.
But such a sensible approach would only work in Cloud Cuckoo Land. Besides, survivors learn very young that life isn’t fair.
You can read more about Dr Selye’s discoveries here http://www.brainconnection.com/topics/printindex.php3?main=fa/selye
There is some fascinating material there.
In South Africa, when referring to the proper upbringing of a child, a phrase is commonly used : you must bend the tree while it is still young. This refers to the formation of good character and manners, proper attitudes and accepted moral practice while young enough to incorporate good habits into normal development.
Just as a child’s body goes through normal developmental stages, so do their psyches.
But what if the normal psychological development is interfered with? What if the tree is ‘bent’ the wrong way while the personality is still forming? The adult then has a personality that is different to other peoples’ and permanently altered. This is what happens in severe and chronic child abuse. When the child reaches adulthood they face a constant struggle to relate to a world peopled by others whose psychosocial development has been normal. They are not usually understood and often find themselves living on the margins of society.
The hypervigilance that develops as a means of survival and protection as a child continues into adulthood. And it uses a heck of a lot of energy. One of the effects may be that the adult is frequently accused of not listening, and that accusation is often justified. The effort of attending to every word being spoken is quite intense so survivors tend to ‘tune out’ routine chit chat especially when tired.
Paradoxically, while not listening to idle chit chat, the survivor is constantly scanning for unusual sounds that may warn of danger. The woman who may not hear her friend tell her in normal pitch that she had debated whether to buy a blue dress or a floral one will hear a slightly unusual sound – such as an unexpected creaking – that nobody else will hear. At once, she is on the alert. Developing such skills in early childhood may have been lifesaving but carried into adulthood this habit can cause relationship problems between people.
And the non-abused or chronically traumatised population finds this difficult to understand. Or, if they understand it when it is explained to them, they forget about it a few weeks later and begin judging by ‘normal’ standards again. The difference is that without the constant inner turbulence of chronic trauma survivors, they have the energy and ability to keep these things in mind. The survivors rarely have the emotional energy available to keep explaining. And so the cycle continues of survivors covering up the fact that they aren’t listening to idle chit chat by making appropriate verbal or postural signals as active listening is frequently too much for them. Although they hear unusual sounds other people do not hear they may be confronted by people who may accuse them of deafness when they can’t be bothered to summon the energy to debate the respective merits of raspberry ripple or vanilla ice cream.
Hans Selye who subjected rats to stress and examined their behaviour and their adrenal glands came up with what is known today as the General Adaptation Theory. Basically, chronic stress messes up your adrenal gland function and it explains a great deal about why many sufferers of chronic long term trauma are the way they are.
It seems to me that the trauma survivors did not seek to be chronically traumatised and that it is hardly fair to expect them to function normally in a world that has never been normal for them. It would be a great deal easier all round if those fortunate enough not to have gone through that could make some adaptations and accommodations. They have after all, the energy and the ‘normality’ to do it so it will hardly require much effort for them.
But such a sensible approach would only work in Cloud Cuckoo Land. Besides, survivors learn very young that life isn’t fair.
You can read more about Dr Selye’s discoveries here http://www.brainconnection.com/topics/printindex.php3?main=fa/selye
There is some fascinating material there.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Andy Came Through
Michelle got a Birthday Card from her father, Andy today. She is at work so I texted her to say it was here as she had been very disappointed not to receive one. She asked how I know it was from her dad, and I said it
a) had a South African stamp
b) had his name and address on the back and
c) I recognised his handwriting!
Of course I haven't opened it so I don't know for sure that its a birthday card but it looks to me as if that it what it is.
Thank you, Andy. It will mean a lot to her.
a) had a South African stamp
b) had his name and address on the back and
c) I recognised his handwriting!
Of course I haven't opened it so I don't know for sure that its a birthday card but it looks to me as if that it what it is.
Thank you, Andy. It will mean a lot to her.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Family Celebration
These family celebrations took place yesterday, Sunday.
Michelle's actual birthday is today and she has today off duty so she and a group of friends are going to Thorpe Park which is a permanent funfare sort of thing, with rides on roller coasters etc.
I hope she has a wonderful day.
Michelle's actual birthday is today and she has today off duty so she and a group of friends are going to Thorpe Park which is a permanent funfare sort of thing, with rides on roller coasters etc.
I hope she has a wonderful day.
A Woozle Prezzie
Woozle found a roll of wrapping paper
Richard decided to wrap her up
Here she is! A Woozle prezzie!
The Great Escape
Richard decided to wrap her up
Here she is! A Woozle prezzie!
The Great Escape
The Cake
Making a Wish over the cake that Caelyn made and Nigel decorated
She blew them all out in one go.
She blew them all out in one go.
Birthday Celebration
Michelle opening a card
Sean looking on
Richard feeding Woozle
Woozle and Richard having a game
Sean looking on
Richard feeding Woozle
Woozle and Richard having a game
Birthday Celebration
This is the pudding my mum made. Strawberries on meringe nests with melted chocolate over the top. Simple but great.
Michelle's Birthday
Yesterday when we celebrated Michelle's birthday, Caelyn and Nigel had been invited to John and Jean's for a barbecue. Caelyn hadn't been to one since arriving in England 10 years ago. They had a wonderful time.
When Michelle and Richard came in the early afternoon, Michelle went to bed because she had worked the previous night. She was terribly upset that her father hadn't even sent a card. She says she knows it is stupid to be so upset because he has never sent a card before but she still keeps hoping. We have this with Caelyn's birthday too and both of them will be in a right old state at Christmas. He has got our address and I send him reminders and posting a birthday card won't bankrupt him, but he just doesn't bother. The kids get upset and I'm left to deal with it. Charming!
In contrast, look at Sean. He has visitors from Austria. He had posted a card but was very disappointed that he wouldn't be present at Michelle's birthday celebration. So he made a plan, and asked his ex wife to have his visitors over for dinner and he shot down to Folkestone for the celebrationthen caught the train back home. He really made an effort and it was very much appreciated.
Richard helped with the preparations while Michelle was asleep. He cleaned the loubge, put balloons and banners up, took trays and cutlery in and generally was very helpful. When Caelyn and Nigel got back from the barbeque they mucked in to help too. Wikth so much help, everything was a big success.
When Michelle and Richard came in the early afternoon, Michelle went to bed because she had worked the previous night. She was terribly upset that her father hadn't even sent a card. She says she knows it is stupid to be so upset because he has never sent a card before but she still keeps hoping. We have this with Caelyn's birthday too and both of them will be in a right old state at Christmas. He has got our address and I send him reminders and posting a birthday card won't bankrupt him, but he just doesn't bother. The kids get upset and I'm left to deal with it. Charming!
In contrast, look at Sean. He has visitors from Austria. He had posted a card but was very disappointed that he wouldn't be present at Michelle's birthday celebration. So he made a plan, and asked his ex wife to have his visitors over for dinner and he shot down to Folkestone for the celebrationthen caught the train back home. He really made an effort and it was very much appreciated.
Richard helped with the preparations while Michelle was asleep. He cleaned the loubge, put balloons and banners up, took trays and cutlery in and generally was very helpful. When Caelyn and Nigel got back from the barbeque they mucked in to help too. Wikth so much help, everything was a big success.
Richard slept over
Richard slept over while Michelle was on night duty. He wasn't very well, but Brakkie cheered him up in his hour of need.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Cakes and Catastrophes 3
Here is Nigel making the icing for Michelle's cake.
After Wendy fell over the back of the sofa, we were busy comforting her and recovering from our own fright when something made Nigel get up and go to the kitchen. A teatowel had caught fire and was burning a plastic tray. It smelled evil and we opened all the windows and doors. It could have been very serious but thank God, it was a minor catastrophe and all was brought under control very quickly.
At least the third thing has come and gone now. Until it does, it feels like waiting for the second shoe to fall.
Michelle is on duty tonight so we went to go and get her boyfriend who had some tummy trouble. We thought he could do with Caelyn's care and attention. She is very good at curing people with minor illnesses.
Poor Richard! Did he think going out with Michelle was like going out with anyone else? Well, truth be told, Michelle has a family like no other. Richard seems mad enough to fit right in, bless him!
After Wendy fell over the back of the sofa, we were busy comforting her and recovering from our own fright when something made Nigel get up and go to the kitchen. A teatowel had caught fire and was burning a plastic tray. It smelled evil and we opened all the windows and doors. It could have been very serious but thank God, it was a minor catastrophe and all was brought under control very quickly.
At least the third thing has come and gone now. Until it does, it feels like waiting for the second shoe to fall.
Michelle is on duty tonight so we went to go and get her boyfriend who had some tummy trouble. We thought he could do with Caelyn's care and attention. She is very good at curing people with minor illnesses.
Poor Richard! Did he think going out with Michelle was like going out with anyone else? Well, truth be told, Michelle has a family like no other. Richard seems mad enough to fit right in, bless him!
Cakes and Catastrophes 2
Catastrophe Number Two involved our poor little Woozle. She was standing on the sofa, climbed up it and went head first down the back to land on her head! We got such a fright. It was reassuring to hear her scream. We applied icepacks but she will have two black eyes in the morning. She must have hit her head on something on the way down if you look at the pattern of the bruises. She has an "egg" on one side of her forehead and a bruise on the opposite cheekbone.
Yet she was comforted and began playing again within less than 10 min!
I have bbeen watching her with my old 'nurse' head and I noticed that there was no loss of consciousness, pupils are equal and reacting, no lethargy, no abnormalities of gait, she is well orientated and responding well. I suggested that she will have a headache later but we should not give her paracetamol syrup because we don't want anything to mask reactions.
She is fine but our nerves are still suffering.
So that was Catastrophe Number Two. It was by far and away the worst.
Yet she was comforted and began playing again within less than 10 min!
I have bbeen watching her with my old 'nurse' head and I noticed that there was no loss of consciousness, pupils are equal and reacting, no lethargy, no abnormalities of gait, she is well orientated and responding well. I suggested that she will have a headache later but we should not give her paracetamol syrup because we don't want anything to mask reactions.
She is fine but our nerves are still suffering.
So that was Catastrophe Number Two. It was by far and away the worst.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Cakes and Catastrophes 1
Preparations are under way for Michelle's birthday. We are having a family celebration tomorrow evening, so today her sister baked her a cake.
Wendy had her first experience of licking the bowl.
Like kids everywhere, she thoroughly enjoyed it.
Why did I title this post "Cakes and Catastrophes"?
Well, you know that bad things happen in threes.
After the cake was mixed, the Kenwood mixer, which is admittedly ancient, burnt out and there was a dreadful smell of burning plastic.
That was Catastrophe Number One.
Wendy had her first experience of licking the bowl.
Like kids everywhere, she thoroughly enjoyed it.
Why did I title this post "Cakes and Catastrophes"?
Well, you know that bad things happen in threes.
After the cake was mixed, the Kenwood mixer, which is admittedly ancient, burnt out and there was a dreadful smell of burning plastic.
That was Catastrophe Number One.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Advertising Slogans
IN A PODIATRIST’S OFFICE: “Time wounds all heels.”
ON A SEPTIC TANK TRUCK IN OREGON: “Yesterday’s Meals on Wheels”
ON ANOTHER SEPTIC TANK TRUCK: “We’re #1 in the #2 business.”
AT A PROCTOLOGIST’S DOOR: “To expedite your visit, please back in.”
ON A PLUMBER’S TRUCK: “We repair what your husband fixed.”
ON ANOTHER PLUMBER’S TRUCK: “Don’t sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.”
ON A CHURCH BILLBOARD: “7 days without God makes one weak.”
AT A TYRE SHOP IN MILWAUKEE: “Invite us to your next blowout.”
ON A PLASTIC SURGEON’S OFFICE DOOR: “Hello. Can we pick your nose?”
AT A TOWING COMPANY: “We don’t charge an arm and a leg. We want tows.”
ON AN ELECTRICIAN’S TRUCK: “Let us remove your shorts.”
IN A NONSMOKING AREA: “If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action.”
ON A MATERNITY ROOM DOOR: “Push. Push. Push.”
AT AN OPTOMETRIST’S OFFICE: “If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.”
ON A TAXIDERMIST’S WINDOW: “We really know our stuff.”
ON A FENCE: “Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!”
AT A CAR DEALERSHIP: “The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment.”
OUTSIDE A MUFFLER SHOP: “No appointment necessary. We hear you coming.”
IN A VETERNARIAN’S WAITING ROOM: “Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!”
AT THE ELECTRIC COMPANY: “We would be delighted if you send in your payment. However, if you don’t, you will be.”
IN A RESTAURANT WINDOW: “Don’t stand there and be hungry, Come on in and get fed up.”
IN THE FRONT YARD OF A FUNERAL HOME: “Drive carefully. We’ll wait.”
AT A PROPANE FILLING STATION: “Thank heaven for little grills.”
AND DON’T FORGET THE SIGN AT A CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP: “Best place in town to take a leak.”
ON A SEPTIC TANK TRUCK IN OREGON: “Yesterday’s Meals on Wheels”
ON ANOTHER SEPTIC TANK TRUCK: “We’re #1 in the #2 business.”
AT A PROCTOLOGIST’S DOOR: “To expedite your visit, please back in.”
ON A PLUMBER’S TRUCK: “We repair what your husband fixed.”
ON ANOTHER PLUMBER’S TRUCK: “Don’t sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.”
ON A CHURCH BILLBOARD: “7 days without God makes one weak.”
AT A TYRE SHOP IN MILWAUKEE: “Invite us to your next blowout.”
ON A PLASTIC SURGEON’S OFFICE DOOR: “Hello. Can we pick your nose?”
AT A TOWING COMPANY: “We don’t charge an arm and a leg. We want tows.”
ON AN ELECTRICIAN’S TRUCK: “Let us remove your shorts.”
IN A NONSMOKING AREA: “If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action.”
ON A MATERNITY ROOM DOOR: “Push. Push. Push.”
AT AN OPTOMETRIST’S OFFICE: “If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.”
ON A TAXIDERMIST’S WINDOW: “We really know our stuff.”
ON A FENCE: “Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!”
AT A CAR DEALERSHIP: “The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment.”
OUTSIDE A MUFFLER SHOP: “No appointment necessary. We hear you coming.”
IN A VETERNARIAN’S WAITING ROOM: “Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!”
AT THE ELECTRIC COMPANY: “We would be delighted if you send in your payment. However, if you don’t, you will be.”
IN A RESTAURANT WINDOW: “Don’t stand there and be hungry, Come on in and get fed up.”
IN THE FRONT YARD OF A FUNERAL HOME: “Drive carefully. We’ll wait.”
AT A PROPANE FILLING STATION: “Thank heaven for little grills.”
AND DON’T FORGET THE SIGN AT A CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP: “Best place in town to take a leak.”
Advance Notice of Forthcoming Attraction
It is Friday 24 August today.
On MONDAY 27th, it will be Michelle's birthday.
The Celebrations kick off on Sunday night when we will have a big family roast dinner with pudding. She will be working until lunchtime and because she will have worked a 24hr shift she will need to sleep before celebrating anything.
On Monday, she and a bunch of friends are going to Thorpe Park.
She has come a long way this year in terms of working and studying and in learning to let go and move on. She has done very well indeed and she is a lass to be proud of. She has an astonishing amount of courage and fortitude. She is funny and sweet and a fabulous Auntie.
On MONDAY 27th, it will be Michelle's birthday.
The Celebrations kick off on Sunday night when we will have a big family roast dinner with pudding. She will be working until lunchtime and because she will have worked a 24hr shift she will need to sleep before celebrating anything.
On Monday, she and a bunch of friends are going to Thorpe Park.
She has come a long way this year in terms of working and studying and in learning to let go and move on. She has done very well indeed and she is a lass to be proud of. She has an astonishing amount of courage and fortitude. She is funny and sweet and a fabulous Auntie.
Then Richard popped round
Richard popped round after his shift at work. All I can say is that it must have been a very stressful shift because, as you can see, the poor old love was reduced to dancing with an onion. Not an onion exactly, half an onion. Dear oh dear! I think the lad is overdue some holiday leave LOL.
The Parents
This is Rachel, Nik Naks and Oscar's Mum. She and Caelyn were at school together and they were best friends there so it has been very nice for them to be back in contact. They have started their own Blog and when it is all set up, I will post a link to it.
And this is Pappa Stuart with baby Nicole. He doesn't approve of her being called Nik Naks - quite right too!
And this is Pappa Stuart with baby Nicole. He doesn't approve of her being called Nik Naks - quite right too!
Nicole at 11 weeks
Little Nicole is 11 weeks. She has been nicknamed Nik Naks. I wonder how peaceful she would look if she knew that LOL
Bathtime Fun
Here are the two little ones enjoying playing in the bath. They were pouring water into different containers and splashing around.
They had so much fun that the mothers - and the bathroom floor - were completely soaked at the end of it.
They had so much fun that the mothers - and the bathroom floor - were completely soaked at the end of it.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Silversmith Story
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the
fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one
needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames
were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought
about God holding us in such a hot spot. Then she thought again
about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of
silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit
there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being
refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there
holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the
entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too
long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for
a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the
silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's
easy...when I see my image in it." If today you are feeling the heat
of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep
watching you until He sees His image in you.
God Bless
fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one
needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames
were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought
about God holding us in such a hot spot. Then she thought again
about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of
silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit
there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being
refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there
holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the
entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too
long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for
a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the
silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's
easy...when I see my image in it." If today you are feeling the heat
of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep
watching you until He sees His image in you.
God Bless
My ageing friends
Here are Fat Father Jack and dainty little Madam Spikkeldy. They are getting on in years now.
They are mellowing too. Not too long ago, they would never have curled up together in so friendly a fashion.
They are mellowing too. Not too long ago, they would never have curled up together in so friendly a fashion.
Bye now
Here she is wearing the body warmer her Auntie Michelle bought for her.
Hasn't she got a lot of hair? And it shines so beautifully too.
Saying goodbye to Oscar.
Hasn't she got a lot of hair? And it shines so beautifully too.
Saying goodbye to Oscar.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Another drink spiked
The daughter of a friend sent this to me by email. It is an account of how her drink was spiked. She is a very respectable, hardworking teacher. Read on:
Hi Sue
The question is, who would do such a thing as to spike either my or Michelle's drink? Why bother? I look back at that evening and ask myself who would've wanted to spike my drink and why? Nobody tried it on with me that night. I was with a bunch of very good friends and some of their friends. Maybe the glass had something dodgy about it before I even drank out of it, i.e. maybe it wasn't anything to do with anyone of our party. I'll never know. But what I do know is that I didn't drink enough to be sick about forty times and be banged up in bed for 3 days, having lost just about any ooomph about me and about life.
If I drank too much that night, then maybe I'd've been sick once or twice and been OK after that. But no. My friends assure me that there were 3 bottles of wine between about 8 of us. I think I had about 3 glasses, but I can't remember exactly. My friends assure me that I didn't drink 3 bottles of wine all on my own!
It's a mystery.
But also quite scary when you go out on your own and live on your own. If it wasn't for a very kind friend of mine who managed to somehow get me home, who knows where I'd've ended up - at the end of the train line somewhere, unconscious? Or maybe someone would've taken me to hospital? Who knows.
A very unpleasant experience that I don't ever want again!
I'm so sorry to hear that it happened to Michelle too.
Hi Sue
The question is, who would do such a thing as to spike either my or Michelle's drink? Why bother? I look back at that evening and ask myself who would've wanted to spike my drink and why? Nobody tried it on with me that night. I was with a bunch of very good friends and some of their friends. Maybe the glass had something dodgy about it before I even drank out of it, i.e. maybe it wasn't anything to do with anyone of our party. I'll never know. But what I do know is that I didn't drink enough to be sick about forty times and be banged up in bed for 3 days, having lost just about any ooomph about me and about life.
If I drank too much that night, then maybe I'd've been sick once or twice and been OK after that. But no. My friends assure me that there were 3 bottles of wine between about 8 of us. I think I had about 3 glasses, but I can't remember exactly. My friends assure me that I didn't drink 3 bottles of wine all on my own!
It's a mystery.
But also quite scary when you go out on your own and live on your own. If it wasn't for a very kind friend of mine who managed to somehow get me home, who knows where I'd've ended up - at the end of the train line somewhere, unconscious? Or maybe someone would've taken me to hospital? Who knows.
A very unpleasant experience that I don't ever want again!
I'm so sorry to hear that it happened to Michelle too.
Not much going on
I haven't been near the computer much lately as my health hasn't been too great. I'm having trouble sitting and I haven't had that for ages. Nausea is a big problem too and on Saturday I did my Sue-Classic of waking myself up vomiting. I really hate that - its a rotten way to wake up. I have a fair amount of pain and sensitivity to stimuli such as noise. Today I put a load of laundry on and did the washing up. I had hoped to tackle the lounge and passage today but that won't be possible. I'm going to have to go back to bed now.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
See this? Its a Pub Safety device for young women.
Last weekend, my daughter Michelle's drink was spiked at a nightclub she was visiting with a group of friends. Fortunately, her friends did not leave her when she became argumentative and aggressive. They took care of her and took her safely home. All the alcohol she had had was half a pint of lager, a glass of wine and two Wickeds over about 5 hours.
She was in and out of consciousness, she can't remember big chunks of the evening, she had chemical burns in her throat and her tongue was very swollen. She had vomiting, diarrhoea and headache for two days. The NHS said with all her symptoms, her drink was definitely spiked and probably with some homemade cocktail of substances. I am happy her friends realised she needed looking after instead of leaving her to her own devices while she was argumentative and aggressive. She could have ended up dead in a car boot somewhere. We were all very shocked and upset about it.
My first reaction was to tell her to stay away from nightclubs, but she is over 21. She didn't want to put herself at risk again though, and I suggested a Tommy Tippee toddler cup. She thought it was a silly idea but she saw the cup in the photo when she was in town and she bought it. She says she isn't going to let some grotty little anonymous low-life interfere with how she lives her life and she took it out with her tonight.
It has a cord to hang round the neck. The top screws off for the barman to pour her drink into, then she hangs it round her neck. When she wants a sip, she has to twist the top to make the straw pop up. It will be virtually impossible to spike a drink in that.
If it isn't possible to stop louts spiking people's drinks, then this seems a reasonable safety measure to me. I hope it will start a trend.
Friday, August 17, 2007
My dear friend Lisa
My dear friend Lisa came to visit yesterday and she stayed over. It was great catching up with her again. She is such a sweetie.
Good Companions
These are the two cats I am lucky enough to share my life with.
During my years of illness, they stayed faithfully close to me, giving comfort and companionship in times of pain and fever. They are getting old now.
During my years of illness, they stayed faithfully close to me, giving comfort and companionship in times of pain and fever. They are getting old now.
Monday, August 13, 2007
My photo editing program
I felt restless this evening so I was working in my photo editing program and came up with these two pictures. I find it relaxing and absorbing. It involves sitting at the computer though and I'm not always well enough to do that. I suffer no illusions about my brilliance - or lack thereof - but I enjoy it.
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