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User
Posted 26 May 2024 at 15:08

Kids eh?

A few minutes in the sheets (or the back seat of a car) creating them, and a lifetime worrying about them!

Our bluetits fledged Friday morning and were hanging around in a nearby tree. Having watched them on our nestbox camera over the last few weeks they've become family. They don't ask to borrow the car or money though, but we still worried that they might not all make it, especially with two days of monsoon rain.

Anyway, not to brag, but we're now in a villa on Lanzagrotty with the eldest and grand daughter. Nightmare drive to Gatwick though, had to go the long way round when there was an accident on the M25. Just made it in time to get some use out of the lounge, the highlight being a pancake machine. 

As for gardening, I can't help myself, I've already gone round picking up bits of palm tree. 

Salud!

Kev.

User
Posted 26 May 2024 at 15:13

Yeah, sines and co sines and tangents, plus quadratic equations. God only knows, how I'd have got through life without knowing them. 

 

User
Posted 27 May 2024 at 09:17

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Anyway, not to brag, but we're now in a villa on Lanzagrotty with the eldest and grand daughter.

Nice move Kev. Typical bank holiday weather here, cold wet and windy. Have a great time. Any blue tits over there? 😊

Edited by member 27 May 2024 at 10:43  | Reason: Emoji.

User
Posted 27 May 2024 at 10:47

Have a great time Kev. ☀️ 🍻 🥘 

Phil

User
Posted 27 May 2024 at 11:51

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Nice move Kev. Typical bank holiday weather here, cold wet and windy. Have a great time. Any blue tits over there? 😊

And to add insult to injury, I'm sat at work! Have a great time 👍

User
Posted 27 May 2024 at 15:29

Hi Spongebag

I am just about to PM you with my thoughts.

Regards

Pratap

Edited by member 27 May 2024 at 16:09  | Reason: Not specified

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 27 May 2024 at 16:06

Hi Kev

As a retired academic (Lecturer/Reader/Deputy Head of Electrical Engineering Department) I am sorry and angry to read about your daughter's experience at her university during the pandemic. I totally agree with you that some universities have totally failed in their duty of care, both academic and pastoral, during the Covid lockdown and ought to be challenged. I guess many personal tutors failed in their duties to keep in touch with their students during this period. They should have provided the necessary virtual face-to-face contact via ZOOM.

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 27 May 2024 at 19:32

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Spongebag

I am just about to PM you with my thoughts.

Regards

Pratap

Hi Pratap, 
Excellent, many thanks for taking the time to do this. 
I’m grateful for this chat, reading all your comments about this predicament has given me some comfort. It’s a good example of the value that this site provides.

cheers

Spongebob

User
Posted 28 May 2024 at 12:42

Thank you Adrian. I am afraid the subject is a bee in my bonnet. I don't regard myself as a conservative but you can imagine that I wasn't popular with some of my very left wing colleagues!

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 01 Jun 2024 at 11:24

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Guess that you all might be expecting and waiting for the usual Friday happy SpongeBob pi$$ef up Friday msg. 

Where were you last night Spongebob? I look forward to our Friday night natters.

It's all extremely subdued this end. 

For six years, prior to my prostatectomy, 16 months ago. Me and my younger brother used to take it in turns, a month about, caring for my mum. She lived with us at our respective houses. From the day dad died, we took over caring for her, she was 93 years old at that time.

Even at that age she was physically fit, could still touch her toes, and was mentally alert. She'd spend most of her days off doing wordsearches, crosswords and reading. She was a school dinner lady for over twenty years and adored kids. She was still most happy when she was with her grandkids.

Unfortunately whilst caring for her, both me and my bro were diagnosed with PCa. This coupled with other health issues made continuing to look after her impossible, and we had to put her into a local care home. She was 100 years old this January, and got a card from Chaz and Cami.

Unfortunately, a few days ago mum began to fade quickly, and currently is  now on 'end of life' care. I know she's had one hell of an Innings and no-one can live forever, but it's still sad to see her in the state she is. She was always as bright as a button, but just in the last week, although still just responsive, she doesn't recognise us anymore.

Her room is full of photos, telling the story of her life. Pictures of her and dad when they first met, she was a nurse and he was a soldier. Photos of her with me and my bro when we were toddlers, right through to photos of her with her greatgrand kids. It makes you think of your own mortality.

Although she is being very well cared for, the poor old gal has no longer got any quality of life.

At least I can get some comfort from knowing that she, unlike myself, is a 'believer' and is looking forward to being back with dad.

In-between visits we'll just be waiting for the inevitable phone call.

It's like were all living in limbo.

Edited by member 02 Jun 2024 at 08:23  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 01 Jun 2024 at 13:20

Ha ha - yes, trying to learn a lesson by keeping off social media after a few drinks 🤔
Very touching story about your mum. My mum is 90 this year, she used to be very active and always bright as a button. She’s always read books, tons of them. The last few years haven’t been good for her as she has lost her mobility, ironically seems to have originated from her being pulled over by her dog whilst out on one of her long dog walks. I’ve been amazed by her dogged determination to get on with it. She still orders us all around and tells us off even though me, my brother and sister all in our 60s 😬😬.

Coincidentally, I was reading an article about end of life experiences in the Tory Mail this morning. Very interesting, this nurse describing what she’s experienced whilst caring for end of life - people seeing a bright light etc. It would be nice if there really was a heavenly place that we will end up going to - if so let’s hope that you can get a decent pint there and watch a decent game of footy ⚽️🍺

Oops can’t forget to add that it would also be a nice thought that you could get fantastic never ending curry and would be good too to have my mountain bike there, they must have some good trails to ride up there.

Anyway, got to go cut the grass now. Also the missus wants me to put a trellis up of all things 😱

 

Edited by member 01 Jun 2024 at 13:35  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 01 Jun 2024 at 17:01

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Also the missus wants me to put a trellis up of all things 😱

Is that a euphemism? 😉

 

User
Posted 01 Jun 2024 at 17:07

Just back from cutting the grass and putting up a tressle 🫨.
Whilst doing my Alan Titchmarching in the garden I was mulling over this heaven business and it dawned on me as to what an absolutely fabulous football team there must be in there. God has pick of the best, just think Bobby Charlton, George Best, Eusebio, Johan Cruyff, Bobby Moore, Pele etc (not sure Maradonna would get considered, I know he is worshipped in Naples and Argentina, but would God forgive him for cheating with that handball?). So I bet you do get some excellent footy up there 😀.

Of course no heavenly team would be complete without my football hero, Bradford City and Northern Irish legend Bobby Campbell. He terrorised lower league Centre Half’s. Mind you God would have his work cut out dragging big Bobby away from the heavenly bar. I remember many years back, at Oldham, it was a corner or maybe a cross from open play, the ball floated into the Oldham penalty area. Big Bobby went up for the ball with the Oldham keeper and both ball and keeper were battered into the net (No VAR in those days). And the ref gave the goal!! Joe Royle who was Oldham manager went absolutely ballistic on the touch line. The good old days 😬

User
Posted 01 Jun 2024 at 17:28

In God's team, I suppose his lad would be in goal.

Jesus saves. 🙂

I've been in the garden this morning. Cutting the grass and trimming shrubs and conifers.

Just won 60 quid on the Derby. Now watching Leeds and Castleford rugby league, should be a good close game. Followed by golf, the Canadian Open. Just as well me and the wife have got individual viewing rooms. She hates most sports. 🙂

Just remembered there's  also T20 cricket. Birmingham v Nottingham and the TT highlights to fit in. The old remote control will be getting hammered tonight. So might I, I've  got a fridge full of Stella.😁

Edited by member 01 Jun 2024 at 18:03  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 01 Jun 2024 at 18:01

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

In God's team, I suppose his lad would be in goal.

Jesus saves. 🙂

Just as well me and the wife have got individual viewing rooms. She hates most sports. 🙂

My missus the same, hates sports, although she did put up a good pretence when we first met, but I think a cold night at Port Vale soon put an end to that.

Yep, I manage to view my sports separately too, leaving her to her Netflix or whatever it is she watches 😬 (can’t be that good as it appears to need Prosecco goggle eyes to watch it)..

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 12:11

Hi Spongebob,

I read your post about the rear end issues following RT. That was Feb I believe. How is it going now - are things settling down and you getting out with confidence again. Sorry if I missed an update elsewhere.

Thanks Ross

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 12:42

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Spongebob,

I read your post about the rear end issues following RT. That was Feb I believe. How is it going now - are things settling down and you getting out with confidence again. Sorry if I missed an update elsewhere.

Thanks Ross

Hi Ross,

Yes, I had a few dodgy moments towards the end of my radiation and then for a couple of weeks afterwards. I used to reach for the Imodiums (in fact they were cheaper Imodium substitute) quite often, There was a spell where I didn’t think I could get around the dog walk without needing ‘to go’., so chickened out and didn’t get out for a week or two. But glad to report that this has since settled down.

I still have a few slight changes in my bowel habits. I now tend to need ‘to go’ before I go to bed - that’s definitely new for me. And then early morning, I wake up and need ‘to go’ urgently! I’ll be knocking the bathroom doors down if they were occupied when I wake up 😬

I’ve also found that exercise can also bring it on, just like it does for cocker spaniels. Tried a bike ride the other day only for an hour, but then urgently needed ‘to go’, lucky for me I was back home in time. And, yesterday did a 5 hour trek in the Dales, up Ingleboro but then had an uncomfortable last hour walking back, checking off the yards with an unbearable urge ‘to go’. Fortunately made it back to a cafe in time, without having to reach for a spade behind a tree.

So yes, things have settled down a lot, but not back to normal yet.

How’d things with you? Are you going through similar or about to go through similar?

cheers

Spongebob

User
Posted 06 Jun 2024 at 17:50

Hi guys , Just checking in with you all. Hope you’re all keeping good?

Had a busy day and I’m knackered now. New electric garage door this morning. Wow, what a difference …. 

Ikea delivery this afternoon and no I haven’t started assembling yet. That’s is for tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow morning back to Lakeside to change me new suit trousers. I got big gut size now with Steroid belly and that means the trouser legs are a bit wide. So someone told me to go for slim fit trousers with narrower legs. So back we go to see if that works…….. Don’t you love a bit of shopping….

I also removed a radiator and pipe work from the conservatory this morning to make way for a new fancy vertical one that will take up less room. Did a bit of polyfilling and painting in there too.

Also got a young lad here removing a hideous concrete wall down the side of the house which causes a bit of a flood in the garage occasionally, so we can put some drainage down. Poor lad he’s working so hard i feel quite guilty……! But it really is too much for me now. No stamina or strength left…😕

So all in all got a few ticks on the list of jobs… that’s what i like.

Was hoping for a glass of wine in the summerhouse when the missus gets in from work but the suns gone in and it’s got a lot cooler now. 

So take care guys, keep busy 👍

Phil

User
Posted 06 Jun 2024 at 18:19

Bloomin' Eck Phil you make me feel tired just reading about all the work you do!  You've got more stamina or strength now than I had pre diagnosis.

I'm so glad that you're cracking on with life despite your treatment. Good man, you put me to shame.

I hope you and the wife enjoy a glass of wine, you deserve it mate.

User
Posted 06 Jun 2024 at 20:26

Blimey Phil.

You've put me to shame too, hopefully my Mrs doesn't read your post or I'll have to up my game to keep up!

In my defence, I have been busy doing some volunteering at our lido, some bricklaying to repair a wall that's been driven into a few times. I was only supposed to sort out a wobbly step and got roped in to more jobs. 

As for wide trousers.. maybe flares are back in fashion? 🤷🏽‍♂️

At least you've saved the wine for another day, should last a bit longer until the next booze cruise 😁

Cheers all.

Kev.

 

 
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