Sorry for the late arrival of this post but on Friday I just couldn't summon up even a shred of positivity.
Things are (like the weather) a bit brighter today.
First grateful is my SIL Judy (David's sister) who not only took him to his hospital check up on Thursday but has also collected D and Max today for an outing. It will do both of them good and I have some alone time..I had big plans for the "h" word then decided against.....I tackled the "i" word yesterday, which is more than enough for one weekend.
Mother nature is my next grateful. As I'm now banned from smoking in the house (D hasn't smoked for two weeks now - he's finding it difficult but is persevering) I had my coffee outside this morning and watched the seagulls and red kites gliding on the thermals. The red kites I was expecting but as we're about as far from the sea as you can get in the UK the gulls were a surprise. Beautiful sight anyway.
Amazon is my next one for excellent service. I ordered the boy's Christmas presents (from his wish list) last night at about 9 p.m. This morning I had an email telling me they'd been sent off and they'll be here tomorrow. Sorted! Now I just have to finish my wish list....
Royal Mail delivered this week too - I sent my Secret Santa parcel off on Friday and it arrived yesterday. I'm just hoping the other four parcels I sent arrive too. They also delivered parcels to me...crafty parcels at that!! The RAKs I won on WeScrap and Janet's blog. Wonderful goodies that I've a made inroads to - I've managed all of one Christmas card this week. :(
Friends are my final grateful for their emails and phone calls checking up on us.
OK, Friday again and time to list my gratefuls at the end of a strange week..
Firstly I'm enormously grateful to the NHS....in particular the South Central Ambulance service and the staff of the Oxford Heart Centre (based at the JR hospital in Oxford).
They, literally, saved DH's life last Sunday when he had a heart attack.
He's home now with the right artery unblocked and with a stent in place to keep it that way.
You hear so many bad things about the NHS (and we've experienced them too) but in an emergency they ROCK!
Next up is the boy who came home on Tuesday to see his Dad and to help me.
It's been lovely having him for company...watching the football, working our way through the Twilight films (at his girlfriend's suggestion - think she must want him to take her to see "Breaking Dawn") and sharing housework etc.
Friends have helped too...by offering lifts, texting (even if I didn't recognise their # - sorry Jo!!), phoning to chat, emailing ...generally just keeping me connected to the world....bringing books for DH to read (he's so not used to sitting around and resting) and healthy treats.
I'm waiting for Sainsbury's to deliver as, apart from walking Max and hospital visits, I haven't left the house this week.
I've tried to craft but ended up binning my efforts....so not in the right frame of mind.
As yet, we don't know how long DH will be off work. We do know he's not allowed to drive for a week.
I'll update when I have more news.
And finally...people have said I must have panicked when DH was having the attack...
I didn't panic....'cos I didn't realise what was happening and neither did he..
Just got on and made the phone call.....
A big thank you to all of you who have been in touch since Sunday.
For those of you who haven't seen my FB status...David had a heart attack on Sunday and has been in the JR Hospital in Oxford.
It was sudden and frightening but we were lucky that help arrived within 5 - 10 minutes of me making the emergency call. We didn't realise what it was (he had no pain) but knew it was serious. They call it a "silent" heart attack.
The blocked artery has been cleared and a stent inserted. He's looking so much better, albeit very weak and is due home today. He'll be off work for about a month and can't drive for a week at least.
Obviously some lifestyle changes are imminent too!
The boy came home yesterday to help out for a few days. It's lovely to see him just wish it was a nicer reason for his visit.
Max has been very subdued and bewildered at being left alone for longer periods than normal.
I'll keep you all updated as and when we have more news.
In memory of Uncle John, the Uncle I never met.
He was killed in North Africa at the age of 19.
We don't know where he's buried but his name is on a memorial in Libya.
My first grateful of the week is him, and the many others like him who have given their lives for our freedom.
Friends who have been keeping an eye on me by phone and email.
Family who have also kept an eye on me and have tried to help by issuing invites to stay.
The calming effect of crafting..this week I've been making Christmas tags and getting my fingers inky and messy and prompted this question:
Why do Glossy Accents become black when they dry on your fingers?
The pleasure of baking. I made the Black Magic Cake that I found on Pinterest....it really is a contender for "best chocolate cake ever". Thanks to my guinea pigs..DH and Pat's DH and son. :)
A Maze of Memories for Scrap Club where I did this LO last Saturday:
Things to look forward to....especially Christmas in the NE....train and hotel booked. :)
The boy - for understanding why I'll be in the NE for Christmas and not with him...first one without him which makes me sad but it was going to happen one day.
That's it for this week, which has been another week of very mixed emotions and intense discussion.
Off to link up to Virginia's blog.
OK....another Friday has rolled around and it's time to dredge for gratefuls in what has been a very rocky week.
First is family.....I had a brilliant weekend adventure in the NE....the party was a hoot, despite me being used as a guinea-pig for the punch*.
They were all waiting to see what happened to me before anyone else would drink it....well, I was still standing when we left at 10:15 and I even managed a couple of brandies in the hotel bar where my evening continued with lots of laughter, before a rather lovely end to the night.
Photo of all the mad costumes - this is the clean version...the light sabre was in a rather rude position in the next version!
Princess Leia's costume was finished off with a pair of army boots - very fetching!! Mark has just arrived back from 6.5 months in Afghanistan - he's a navy medic.
*The punch...I only found out late in the evening that it was pure alcohol..no lemonade or soda or anything resembling a soft drink. Funnily, I didn't have a hangover ....it's the mixers what cause the problems!! lol
Friends are next..from the one I met for coffee in London on my way home to those who have emailed and left supportive messages on FB.
Lots of thinking was done over the course of the weekend and decisions were reached.
Sadly, DH and I are separating after 30 years. No final decision on divorce has been reached and for the foreseeable future we'll still be in the same house (for financial reasons).
Obviously, this past week has had painful moments and lots of discussions.
We've spoken to the boy and he's taken it reasonably well, although he's concerned for both of us.
I'm sad but relieved at the same time...and trying to look forward.
The Devil Mistress makes her first appearance alongside Dracula (aka my little brother).
Dracula and the wicked stepmother (aka my SIL)
This was before the party......
Please ignore any photos that may surface on Facebook........I didn't realise the punch was totally alcoholic (i.e. no lemonade or anything soft) ....
More photos to follow (when my bro emails them to me).
I think it's safe to say that a good time was had by all. :)
This post comes to you courtesy (well, not really...I've had to pay for Internet access) of a Premier Inn in the NE of England...they won't let me reveal the exact location for security reasons...
Before I start my list we have a winner of my birthday giveaway!!! My random number generator (aka Sir or He who must be obeyed...yes, he nabbed that before I could) chose 7...so congrats to Carole...you'll be getting a parcel in the post next week :).
And talking of parcels.....Max apparently received a parcel today..much to the bemusement of DH. Having read Penny's blog today I think I know who it's from - thank you Joanna!! Max sends lots of doggy licks...not only to your hands and face but also your ears (the ear licks are reserved for very special people). The mouth licks are reserved for me..usually at 6 in the morning..bleugh!
So, onto my gratefuls...
Old friends are first. I was taken out for a meal tonight by family friends that I hadn't seen for about three years as Doris has been battling leukaemia and wasn't well enough to make Dad's funeral. Good food, good company and lots of chat....perfect!
Parcels...for me this time! Two prizes arrived on Wednesday...my kit from WeScrap in USA and the art journalling DVD from Scrap 365 (this was pretty good as I only emailed them my address late on Mon evening). Haven't had time to do more than look at them yet.
Next are two of my favourite shops - Lush and Marks & Spencer who provided goodies for me to buy on Tuesday in Windsor. This winter I shall be wearing mainly purple...from top to toe and (after today) from the skin outwards. :)
I must mention Strictly...this year I wasn't going to get sucked in especially as I was out at a crop the night of the first show....but....I succumbed and watched the second show..I was absolutely blown away by Jason Donovan. His performance was amazing for a first dance. Apparently he spent all day Saturday practising and deserved to win..at least that's what ....shameless name dropping alert here......Brendan (Cole) said when I bumped into him in Waitrose on the Sunday.
Anyway, the show is keeping me amused on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Short break there whilst I amused the reception staff - went out for a last cigarette wearing my pj's (black flowery satin) and raincoat..this is as nothing to what they'll see tomorrow night when the Devil Mistress arrives back from the party..esp. since I found some earrings to complete the outfit...they're a bit OTT even for me.
Today I went to Dad's house for the first time since it was emptied -a really weird feeling seeing the rooms like that.
And now some confessions:
- I had to buy a birthday card for my nephew today...I know I'll be drummed out of the crafters' union but I totally did not have time to make one (ie. I forgot!!)
- I upgraded my phone on Tuesday and today I had to go into a phone shop to ask how to answer calls on it. I've been having to ring people back as I couldn't work out how to do it. How sad is that?! Apparently I have to "swipe" not "stab". And, yes, I had read the instruction book but answering calls wasn't mentioned.
I'm off now to link this to Virginia's post.
Look out for photos on Sunday. :)
