Thursday, August 28, 2008
Beloved Woo Monster
I'm quite pleased with this generally, but I want to find out how to blur the sharp lines between the photos. I tried using the 'blur' tool, but it didn't have much of an effect. I'll experiment a bit more but not now. Its late - or early, depending on your point of view!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Happy Birthday
It was Michelle's 25th birthday today.
We had a family meal of roast lamb, followed by birthday cake, which Caelyn and Nigel had made themselves.
She got 3 boxed sets of Nip and Tuck, a soap about cosmetic surgery. Caelyn had made her some earrings and a necklace of real silver, freshwater pearls and turquoise. It looked stunning. She also got some biltong, cards, notelets, cross stitch for the long evenings at work, Body Shop Gift Vouchers, creams, chocolates and other jewellery.
25 is a landmark birthday and she was a little sad because she had many things she had wanted to do before she was 25 and a lot of them haven't been done. That list aside, what she has achieved and overcome is pretty impressive.
She and Wendy had some good fun and games. Wendy ate a huge amount, mostly cauliflower. She had meat, potatoes, green beans and butternut, but it was the cauliflower she was wolfing down, and we let her. College starts again next week so Madam Wendy will be back in nursery school while her parents are studying. She needs to be around other kids.
Even the dogs did well out of Michelle's birthday. Both Brakkie and Denim had a bone from the legs of lamb. The cats of course had lamb meat but it would be wasted on a dog - they just seem to inhale that sort of thing without it touching sides.
I will post more photos tomorrow as I still have a fair bit of editing to do. Hope you like the one just above this text.
We had a family meal of roast lamb, followed by birthday cake, which Caelyn and Nigel had made themselves.
She got 3 boxed sets of Nip and Tuck, a soap about cosmetic surgery. Caelyn had made her some earrings and a necklace of real silver, freshwater pearls and turquoise. It looked stunning. She also got some biltong, cards, notelets, cross stitch for the long evenings at work, Body Shop Gift Vouchers, creams, chocolates and other jewellery.
25 is a landmark birthday and she was a little sad because she had many things she had wanted to do before she was 25 and a lot of them haven't been done. That list aside, what she has achieved and overcome is pretty impressive.
She and Wendy had some good fun and games. Wendy ate a huge amount, mostly cauliflower. She had meat, potatoes, green beans and butternut, but it was the cauliflower she was wolfing down, and we let her. College starts again next week so Madam Wendy will be back in nursery school while her parents are studying. She needs to be around other kids.
Even the dogs did well out of Michelle's birthday. Both Brakkie and Denim had a bone from the legs of lamb. The cats of course had lamb meat but it would be wasted on a dog - they just seem to inhale that sort of thing without it touching sides.
I will post more photos tomorrow as I still have a fair bit of editing to do. Hope you like the one just above this text.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Michelle's Birthday Tomorrow
It is Michelle's Birthday tomorrow. It is odd to think that my First Born will be 25 years old.
She has done so well in her work and studies over the past year and my wish for her is that she will do just as well in the year ahead, and that she will find fulfillment and joy in every area of her life.
Go for it, darling. You're on a roll.
Love you loads.
She has done so well in her work and studies over the past year and my wish for her is that she will do just as well in the year ahead, and that she will find fulfillment and joy in every area of her life.
Go for it, darling. You're on a roll.
Love you loads.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Routine Family News
On Wednesday, Caroline came to stay with me. We enjoyed some time on the scooters together. She is an animal magnet - Brakkie, Spikky and Jack were all over her. Jack especially gave her lots of cuddles. He is such a sweet cat. Caroline bought her gerbils and they are incredibly cute. Wendy was fascinated by them. Here is a pic of Caroline and Jack sharing a cuddle.
Wendy has been having rather spectacular tantrums, which we hope she will grow out of soon. Kate has a couple of good articles on the subject so at least she is looking at different ways of managing them.
Sean went to Austria on Tuesday and came back yesterday.
It is Michelle's birthday next week. Her father has been reminded, but it remains to be seen if he sends her a card. Usually he doesn't and it crushes her because she thinks there is something lacking in herself. Her boyfriend is dreading the non-appearance of a card too because he remembers all too well how hurt she was last year. We are watching, waiting, and hoping for the best.
Melanie's son Wesley was 21 last Wednesday. There is an irony attached to that. Melanie had Wesley by emergency Caesarian, which is a painful and debilitating op. On his 21st, she was having painful surgery to remove stones from her glands. Poor Mel. I hope she feels better soon.
Wendy has been having rather spectacular tantrums, which we hope she will grow out of soon. Kate has a couple of good articles on the subject so at least she is looking at different ways of managing them.
Sean went to Austria on Tuesday and came back yesterday.
It is Michelle's birthday next week. Her father has been reminded, but it remains to be seen if he sends her a card. Usually he doesn't and it crushes her because she thinks there is something lacking in herself. Her boyfriend is dreading the non-appearance of a card too because he remembers all too well how hurt she was last year. We are watching, waiting, and hoping for the best.
Melanie's son Wesley was 21 last Wednesday. There is an irony attached to that. Melanie had Wesley by emergency Caesarian, which is a painful and debilitating op. On his 21st, she was having painful surgery to remove stones from her glands. Poor Mel. I hope she feels better soon.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Bubbles
My Mum bought Wendy some bubbles and she had a lot of fun with them. Unfortunately she poured some of the mixture onto the dog, so he is in for a bath tomorrow. I had fun making this picture of her. I need to sleep though because I have the headache from hell. I went to Margate Hospital today for a minor surgical procedure and I don't feel quite as well as I would like.
I hope you like the picture too.
Spare a thought for Michelle. Her NVQ Assessor is going to be following her around at work tomorrow to assess her in practice. She will also examine Michelle's written modules. She has worked very hard. The work other people take a year to do, she has done in two and a half months. You are allowed to do the modules at your own pace and Michelle simply put her head down and worked worked and worked. It should go well but even so, she is nervous. No one deserves to do better with all the effort she has put in.
I hope you like the picture too.
Spare a thought for Michelle. Her NVQ Assessor is going to be following her around at work tomorrow to assess her in practice. She will also examine Michelle's written modules. She has worked very hard. The work other people take a year to do, she has done in two and a half months. You are allowed to do the modules at your own pace and Michelle simply put her head down and worked worked and worked. It should go well but even so, she is nervous. No one deserves to do better with all the effort she has put in.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Swirls of Movement
I was playing with my digital art program yesterday and the picture below is the result.
I love the swirls of movement and I can 'see' the sea. The movement of the picture fascinates me. I have always loved art but have no talent for it, which is why I am so fond of my Photoshop program. It allows me to go way beyond my natural abilities. I hope the picture draws you in as well.
The original photo this was created from is further down this page in a post titled 'Swans'
I love the swirls of movement and I can 'see' the sea. The movement of the picture fascinates me. I have always loved art but have no talent for it, which is why I am so fond of my Photoshop program. It allows me to go way beyond my natural abilities. I hope the picture draws you in as well.
The original photo this was created from is further down this page in a post titled 'Swans'
Monday, August 11, 2008
New Links
I have added some new links on the right side of this page. Please take a look and remember where to find them if anyone you know is in need of the information contained there. I hope you never need them.
They are about Family Justice in the UK, the secrecy of the family courts that allows grave miscarriages of justice and what to do if you fall foul of Social Services.
Families with chronically ill children are particularly at risk. If the local Authorities do not agree with the medical treatment a child is getting, they don't hesitate to come and snatch the child away in an ambulance and restrict contact between the sick child and his parents. Children with ME are especially vulnerable to state sanctioned child snatching and the damage to the sick child and their family is felt for years and years. In fact, no one ever really gets over it.
They are about Family Justice in the UK, the secrecy of the family courts that allows grave miscarriages of justice and what to do if you fall foul of Social Services.
Families with chronically ill children are particularly at risk. If the local Authorities do not agree with the medical treatment a child is getting, they don't hesitate to come and snatch the child away in an ambulance and restrict contact between the sick child and his parents. Children with ME are especially vulnerable to state sanctioned child snatching and the damage to the sick child and their family is felt for years and years. In fact, no one ever really gets over it.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
A Great and Thought Provoking Read
The NiceGuidelines Blog by Dr Speedy is well worth a look. It is written by a GP who is also a bedbound ME sufferer, and he asks some very pithy questions.
The cartoon, below, comes from his Blog. If you don't 'get' it, you don't understand much of the ME/CFS scene and it might be a good idea for you to change that.
The cartoon, below, comes from his Blog. If you don't 'get' it, you don't understand much of the ME/CFS scene and it might be a good idea for you to change that.
More Good News
My mum took Caelyn and Wendy swimming at the Hythe Imperial Hotel last week. My mum has a gym membership there and Nigel was in Tonbridge so wasn't available to take his ladies out. Wendy gets cabin fever if she doesn't go out regularly, and Wendy with cabin fever is not comfortable to be around.
Caelyn has passed her Beauticians course and she began chatting to the lady who runs the beauty salon in the hotel. She has offered Caelyn a Saturday job doing facials, waxing, manicures etc, but she said that she could offer her 40 hours a week if she passes a therepeutic massage course. She is getting the details of the course to give to Caelyn.
Caelyn is as pleased as punch. The Hythe Imperial is a top class hotel and working there would look great on her CV. I'm sure she will do well as she is a hardworking girl who is friendly and approachable.
Life is really looking up for that little family since they moved to Hawkinge.
Caelyn has passed her Beauticians course and she began chatting to the lady who runs the beauty salon in the hotel. She has offered Caelyn a Saturday job doing facials, waxing, manicures etc, but she said that she could offer her 40 hours a week if she passes a therepeutic massage course. She is getting the details of the course to give to Caelyn.
Caelyn is as pleased as punch. The Hythe Imperial is a top class hotel and working there would look great on her CV. I'm sure she will do well as she is a hardworking girl who is friendly and approachable.
Life is really looking up for that little family since they moved to Hawkinge.
Well Done Michelle!
Last week, Michelle had a work Supervisory interview. Her manager said several times that she had 100% trust in her and that her work is excellent and that she is one of their best people. A lot of really great things were said and it boosted her morale.
Michelle discovered quite by accident that she has a talent for working with adults with learning disabilities. Her work history had been poor as she couldn't find her particular niche in life. Being at a loose end, she went to work for one of her grandmother's friends. The lady lives in Norfolk and has a residential home for adults with learning disabilities, and it was there that the bug bit her. She loved it so much that she felt funny about being paid for having so much pleasure and enjoyment. When she came back to Kent she got the job she is in now. She has slogged away, not taking sick leave, being conscientious and hardworking and studying for her NVQs. She has worked overtime when needed even when she hasn't felt like it. She hasn't missed a day for well over a year.
She loves the job and the reason I am so proud of her is that she has poured heart and soul into it and worked jolly hard. I would be proud of her whether her Supervisory was excellent or not. The fact that such wonderfully positive things were said is a great bonus. It does everyone good to be told that they are well thought of and getting it right. She deserved it and its fantastic that she got it.
No one could deserve it more.
Finally - congratulations to Richard, who passed his work Probationary period.
People on holiday in Yarmouth
Below are three albums of photos taken when we were on holiday last week on the Isle of Wight. I have divided them into People, Seascapes and Swans. To see all the photos in the albums, double click on one and you will land up on the Photobucket site where you can view them individually or as a slideshow.
Photobucket Album
Seascapes on Isle of Wight
There were loads of boats about because it was Cowes Week.
Photobucket Album
John of Gaunt's Speech
At Sophie's request, Sean did his 'John of Gaunt' speech from Richard 111. We fell about laughing.
Swans
On the River Yar's Estuary, just outside the Old Mill, a family of swans has made their home. Two adults with four cygnets. I was enchanted by them. I hope you enjoy these photos.
Off they go into the sunset together
On the grassy roadside.
The Old Mill
Off they go into the sunset together
On the grassy roadside.
The Old Mill
Seascapes
I love these seascapes. I took them on the Isle of Wight this week on the road just beyond Freshwater Bay. To me, they are wild and dramatic pictures. They were taken through Sean's car's windscreen and in some of them the reflection of the dashboard is visible. Not bad for a point-and-shoot digital camera. I'm really rather pleased with them.
Some children catching crabs outside the Old Mill
Some children catching crabs outside the Old Mill
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
A bit about the Old Mill
I found the information on the Old Mill on the internet. I will post a link to the author's site at the bottom of this post.
The Mill causeway was built in 1664 to seal off Thorley Haven which
had silted up. This would have formed a mill pond for the first
(wooden) mill, believed to have been built at this time.
The present Mill was built in 1793 by William Porter of Newport. He
was a colourful character, a self-made man who could neither read nor
write. Yarmouth Mill was his last venture as the Newport Bank, which
had financed him, took fright at the extent of his empire and withdrew
its support. Porter was ruined.
Steam power was introduced at a later date, certainly by 1845 (old map
of that year), to supplement the weaker tides. The remains of the old
brick chimney can be seen to this day at the north-east corner of the
building. In September 1875 Mr J. Blake, the miller, "entertained his
workers and their wives in his commodious steam mill".
An agreement dated 10 October 1899, held by the County Record Office,
Newport, (ref..ELD87/38/11/55) between James Blake, merchant of
Yarmouth, and Alan Bradbury, coal merchant of Southampton, was for
"the lease of a further part of Yarmouth Mill for six months and for
the purchase of the stock in trade of the Mill" The adjacent gas works
had been built in 1859. A further document (ref. ELD87/38/11/66) dated
19 March 1900 concerns the transfer of the legal estate, including the
Mill, mortgaged by James Blake for £1641. In the 1901 Census the Mill
is shown as unoccupied.
In later years the Mill became a private residence and was eventually
owned by A.J.P.Taylor, the historian and TV personality. It is still
owned by his sons, Giles and Sebastion, but it now comprises a number
of holiday apartments for renting.
The Mill causeway was built in 1664 to seal off Thorley Haven which
had silted up. This would have formed a mill pond for the first
(wooden) mill, believed to have been built at this time.
The present Mill was built in 1793 by William Porter of Newport. He
was a colourful character, a self-made man who could neither read nor
write. Yarmouth Mill was his last venture as the Newport Bank, which
had financed him, took fright at the extent of his empire and withdrew
its support. Porter was ruined.
Steam power was introduced at a later date, certainly by 1845 (old map
of that year), to supplement the weaker tides. The remains of the old
brick chimney can be seen to this day at the north-east corner of the
building. In September 1875 Mr J. Blake, the miller, "entertained his
workers and their wives in his commodious steam mill".
An agreement dated 10 October 1899, held by the County Record Office,
Newport, (ref..ELD87/38/11/55) between James Blake, merchant of
Yarmouth, and Alan Bradbury, coal merchant of Southampton, was for
"the lease of a further part of Yarmouth Mill for six months and for
the purchase of the stock in trade of the Mill" The adjacent gas works
had been built in 1859. A further document (ref. ELD87/38/11/66) dated
19 March 1900 concerns the transfer of the legal estate, including the
Mill, mortgaged by James Blake for £1641. In the 1901 Census the Mill
is shown as unoccupied.
In later years the Mill became a private residence and was eventually
owned by A.J.P.Taylor, the historian and TV personality. It is still
owned by his sons, Giles and Sebastion, but it now comprises a number
of holiday apartments for renting.
Outside my Window
This is the view outside my window at the Old Mill in Yarmouth. It is the estuary of the River Yar and a subsidiary of the river is what powered this house when it was a working mill.
I have been watching a family of swans who are at home here. Two adults and four cygnets. They are so beautiful to look at. Here is a photo, taken at twighlight. My camera has a twighlight setting and the shutter stays open a bit longer. My hand shakes so most of the photos were blurred and had to be deleted. I'm glad this one is ok.
I have been watching a family of swans who are at home here. Two adults and four cygnets. They are so beautiful to look at. Here is a photo, taken at twighlight. My camera has a twighlight setting and the shutter stays open a bit longer. My hand shakes so most of the photos were blurred and had to be deleted. I'm glad this one is ok.
Yarmouth Update.
Sean and I are in Yarmouth. To my great disappointment, my health is being problematic. I have had to spend a lot of time in bed and much of that bed time, asleep. The people with us are lovely but inevitably the happy chatty conversation at meal times quickly causes brainfog and mental exhaustion. I’m still struggling with nausea too.
I haven’t even been up for taking many photos, which is unusual for me. I usually manage some even if I can’t participate in other ways.
Well, I’ll be back in my own quiet dark bedroom soon. I’m glad I declined the invitation to Sean’s Mates weekend. I’d never keep up with them.
On a more optimistic note, I’ve felt worse than this before and always felt better after a few weeks. So here’s hoping!
I haven’t even been up for taking many photos, which is unusual for me. I usually manage some even if I can’t participate in other ways.
Well, I’ll be back in my own quiet dark bedroom soon. I’m glad I declined the invitation to Sean’s Mates weekend. I’d never keep up with them.
On a more optimistic note, I’ve felt worse than this before and always felt better after a few weeks. So here’s hoping!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Arrived in Yarmouth
Sean and I arrived safely in Yarmouth yesterday and we had dinner with Marie and Steve at the Wheatsheaf. The Old Mill is primitive but very quiet. Being a mill, it is right on the river. When we arrived there was a family of swans - two adults and four cygnets - just outside the door. I have a 'twighlight' setting on my camera but the shutter speed of course is slow and I ruined some photos with shaky hands. I got a couple of nice ones though.
Sean got me a pay-as-you-go mobile broadband modem from 3 because he needs to use the computer for his office work while we are away. Yarmouth is a poor signal area and it isn't strong enough to email or upload photos so you will have to wait until we get back.
It is Cowes Week and the weather is cool and wet and looks to be the same all week. This suits me perfectly because there won't be highly energetic running around. The option of a peaceful and sedate holiday is more within reach now, thank God.
Sean got me a pay-as-you-go mobile broadband modem from 3 because he needs to use the computer for his office work while we are away. Yarmouth is a poor signal area and it isn't strong enough to email or upload photos so you will have to wait until we get back.
It is Cowes Week and the weather is cool and wet and looks to be the same all week. This suits me perfectly because there won't be highly energetic running around. The option of a peaceful and sedate holiday is more within reach now, thank God.
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