Since the last post that seems so much longer than six days ago I’ve been increasingly more tired.
So tired I’ve found myself “snoozing” in the afternoons once I get home from work.
But more worrying is yesterday my legs started to feel like they did a few weeks ago when I had the chest infection when they decided they were not going to work properly.
Luckily I managed to manage my legs at work so although they felt weak and not able to rush around, they didn’t decline any more.
It got me thinking what is my body reacting to again that it’s hitting my legs once more?
Is my tiredness linked to this struggle going on in my body?
I think if there is no improvement in a day or two a trip to the doc might be in order.
That will be a second visit in the space of a month. Unheard of! Before the last visit they hadn’t seen me for years.
The little monsters have had the odd flea. So it was off to the vet to get the good stuff to remove them. The vet weighed them. Dolly was 10 kilos! How is she as heavy as my base weight for doing the TGOC? I agreed with the vet she needs a diet. I’m not over feeding her. But mum needs to cut down on treats. In our defence Dolly hasn’t grown in size since having her. Her future is less food, longer walks (legs permitting).
I have been gaming. Played one or two new games. But that will be the subject of another post.
I had hoped to write this post a couple days ago. However I’ve been shattered and trying to “recover”.
So last Saturday I drove the four hours plus from Wisbech on the eastern side of the UK to Blackpool on the north western side of the country.
I’ve never been to Blackpool in my fifty seven years on this earth.
I’d seen the signs for Blackpool as I drove up the motorway towards the Lakes or Scotland.
But until now I’ve never had a reason to turn off.
After parking my car in the multi-storey car park I had a little walk to find my hotel.
The hotel was on the corner of the road and was basically a converted three storey house. Checkin was finding my key and door code in an envelope in the hallway.
My room was on the second floor (the third floor was for staff). What I hadn’t realised when booking that none of the rooms were en-suite on the floor, but instead had to share a toilet and shower.
But it got worse. The toilet had no lock, and no toilet paper.
In my room there were no towels, and the pillows looked awful. Too soft and thin.
But the view of the sea from the room was cool. Plus the hotels location was actually great.
If I threw a stone I’d have hit five or six chippies. Two minutes from the dirtiest McDonalds in the country, 10 mins from the conference, five minutes from Primark, TK-Max, Poundland, and other shops. I think it’s best to say it was more or less on the sea front.
Luckily I had enough time to make it to Primark and Poundland to purchase some towels and toilet paper.
My May the Fourth teeThe bedView from my roomMy own wash basinWorst camo everMy tee for Wes StreetingHome for the four days
There was no breakfast included in my booking. However if there had been I don’t think I’d have eaten it considering the state of the hotel.
So for three of the four mornings I had a McDonalds breakfast. I’m not very adventurous and always go for the double sausage egg McMuffin, hash brown, white americano. Some times I add a second hash brown, and if really hungry a second breakfast McMuffin of some kind.
Sunday morning I got chatting to the manager at the McDonalds. It would appear this was the worst weekend of the year to be in Blackpool. Apparently this weekend each year is the Young Farmers AGM, who it would appear treat it as a three day stag weekend.
The conference itself was very interesting, and the debates informative.
‘First time delegate, first time speaker’ was greeted with a round of applause from the conference floor. But it felt very much like ‘long time listener, first time caller’ to me.
I was wearing a different themed tee each day. Such as a Star Wars pride tee for May the Fourth, or a V for Vendetta tee for the day we had a Labour guest speaker (turned out to be Wes Streeting).
I wasn’t overly social in the evenings. There was a branch meal Sunday evening at a Wetherspoon’s, plus a company sponsored meal Saturday for union reps in their employ.
On the last day of conference I got up early, packed, checked out (put my key through the letter box). Then with more stuff than I came with made the up hill walk to the multi-storey car park. Paid and then made my way to the car park next to the conference.
After parking I went to the Greggs round the corner from the conference, bought a bacon butty, hash browns, and a coffee. I had these outside sat at one of the benches in front of Blackpool church in the morning sun.
The conference didn’t finish until 3pm on the Wednesday. Another four hour plus journey back across the country, saw me arriving home at just gone seven thirty.
By the time I’d made a fuss of the dogs, unloaded the car I was in bed.
The two days at work had been very taxing because I was knackered. So as I type this post up I’m hoping a day of taking it easy will be enough to recover.
I’ve had backend issues that have got in the way of writing posts.
I use the Jetpac app on my iPad to write these posts and recently it decided to stop working!
Well not connect to the site. It wasn’t showing any written posts, drafts, photos. It was as if the blog was brand new, containing nada.
Yet log into the blog via a browser and everything was still there.
I hated having to use the WordPress post editor. It’s horrid. It really puts me off writing. Yep that’s how much I hate it.
However managed to resolve the issue this morning. So normal service can resume.
I’m currently on day five of seven of the steroids I have to take to try and clear up a chest infection I’ve had for over three weeks. Probably more likely over four.
It all came to a head last Friday when during work I slowly started to lose the use of my legs! I could move them but had no control over how they moved. My footsteps got gradually heavier as I walked. It got so that I was at times struggling to stand. Luckily I had a flat top that I could use for support.
I have to admit I was a bit worried. It felt I was getting a glimpse into mums world.
There was no way I could continue at work so I went home early. Calling the doctors on my way to get an appointment.
I rarely go to the doctor so it must have been serious.
A rest at home before my doctors appointment made a big difference. At the doctors the diagnosis was the chest infection was stressing my body so much that it affected my legs. I was prescribed the steroids.
Luckily Saturday was a day off when I could relax and take it easy. Which did include a gaming afternoon at Diego’s. More on that maybe in another post.
So that’s been life for the past week or so. Why I’ve been quieter than normal.
It’s been nearly a week since I’ve posted anything.
So you know what means.
Yes a proof of life post. Where I tell you I’m still alive and life has been happening.
Indeed life has been happening.
I’ve been off on a union three day health and safety rep course. Which was great fun, really informative, and inspiring. It also meant that Dolly had three days and two nights with mum. While I was off chilling out in a hotel and enjoying the English breakfast buffet (the black pudding was not even remotely close to the black pudding from Stornaway) mum was getting the full Dolly experience. Such as Dolly barking at the tv. Currently and previously I’ve never had a dog that has paid attention to what is on the ol’ tv. But Dolly does and she will start barking for what appears to be no reason.
I did cave (with a little promoting by Duncan) and ordered some more Stornaway black pudding. Yes including the postage it is a tad more expensive than buying it from a local supermarket. But it’s worth every penny. I think it’s that good.
Last Sunday afternoon after my shift I did play a game of Battletech with Diego at the Wisbech St Mary Sports and Social Club.
We used the mechs from the Alpha Strike starter set.
Our game ended in a draw due to running out of time. Our gracious host was closing up.
It’s been a busy week so there has been a distinct lack of posts.
I’ve been on a two day union event this week at Wyboston. It was a great event and very useful and inspiring. The only draw back was the luke warm evening meal, and a white americano that just a hot watery milky drink.
This union event was also a big deal for Dolly. It was her first overnight with mum. I was wondering how Dolly would handle it, and also how mum would get on with three dogs sleeping on the single bed in the living room.
When I called mum Wednesday morning to see how they got on I needn’t have worried. Instead of the usual phone call while I’m away (for whatever reason):
Mum: did you sleep ok?
Me: yes
Mum: well I didn’t your dogs wouldn’t settle and wouldn’t let me sleep.
It went completely different. Mum actually got some sleep, and managed to find space to sleep with all three on the bed.
With this first test passed with flying colours. I’m not worried about the two nights away for the health and safety course in a couple of weeks.
I did play some games last Friday. And hopefully I’ll get to talk about them in the next post.
I’m continually left speechless and amazed by people’s generosity when I see how much that has been donated for this 28 Miles in February.
The current total is £279!
That is such an amazing amount.
I’ve said previously I thought that when I signed up I didn’t even think I’d get close to the initial £150 target.
Then when that target was passed I thought it’d be cool to hit £200. But now with £300 so close. I’m just wow. How is this possible?
I really am touched, and so proud of my friends and family who have given so much to something I’m doing in memory of Nan. We all know how close I was to Nan, and how much she meant to me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to express my gratitude to everyone for their generosity. The words “thank you” don’t seem enough. But at the moment they are all I have. Thank You.
If people are in a position to donate, and feel they would like to then I’m really appreciative of that, and very grateful for the generosity.
Returning to work on Wednesday after basically two weeks off was a bit of struggle.
I’d gotten used to the relaxed, gentle start to the day. Ok my waistline wouldn’t have taken much more of the breakfast routine. The ham I cooked not only gave mum and me a couple of meals (ham, egg, and chips). But also was a major part of my breakfast. Along with eggs, beans, the best black pudding I’ve ever had from Stornaway (part of an amazing hamper that was sent to me by Duncan’s parents), and sausage. So not quite the full English. But still bloody good.
Dolly feels like she has always been with me. She has fitted in that well.
Obviously Dolly has had to adjust to the work day routine. Which she has done really well. Better than me I think!
Mum did hurt her shoulder Thursday lifting Dolly onto her bed. Luckily mum seemed back to normal the next day.
I need to say a big thank you to all those that have donated so far. The initial target of funds to raise was £150.
This figure was a default when the charity set up the donation pages when I signed up.
I didn’t think I’d even get close to this total.
But the generosity of my friends and family I actually reached that target on the 2nd January.
The actual current amount raised so far is £168.
Which is amazing. I’m stunned.
I’m taking a low key approach to fundraising because I know how difficult times are for folks financially. I don’t want people to feel pressured to give money. I’d much rather people are made aware of the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, the work they do, and the impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia has not only the individual with it, but also the loved ones around them (often acting as the carers).
If people are in a position to donate, and feel they would like to then I’m really appreciative of that, and very grateful for the generosity.
Yesterday I got up early, drove down south to literally meet a lady about a dog.
The dog in question was a seven year old pug named, you guessed it, Dolly.
Naturally the owner needed to meet me and make sure I was going to give Dolly a loving home.
I think it’s stating the obvious to say Dolly’s owner was very upset having to find Dolly a new home. I’d be the same.
In the run up to this day I’d not said much about it. I was trying to manage my expectations and hopes. If it fell through I knew I’d be heart broken. I wanted to try and limit the amount of hurt.
But I passed the test both by the owner and Dolly.
Dolly did amazing on the way back. The M25 was horrendous as was the bit of the M1 that I take. I think the M25 from basically the M3 junction where I got on to the M40 junction took nearly two hours.
So when I got a chance to stop at a services on the M1 I did so. Dolly really needed a moment to answer the call of nature and stretch her legs.
When we eventually got home the boys were following Dolly around as she explored her new surroundings.
Considering how stressful the day was for Dolly she had a pretty good night. Only a couple of “accidents” downstairs to clean up. I woke up with Dolly cuddled up to me on the bed.
I know one thing Nico and Loki need to up their meal time game. Dolly is a food hover. And blindingly fast. They won’t be able to just eat when they want now. If it’s left Dolly will have it.
We are now learning how to live together as a pack, learn each others routines, get used to being comfortable together. It’s a good start so far. But it’s a long journey.
Obviously the days got busier as it got closer to the big day. They also got more challenging as my chest infection has not started to clear up. But my energy levels have gradually improved thankfully.
Instead of finishing at midday Christmas Eve, I took a two hour break and then did a four hour shift at a local express store. So I finished actual work at 6pm last night.
Having started at 5am that morning as I had my other shifts since returning from illness (except Sunday store opens at 7am then). Yesterday was a bloody long day and this may be stating the obvious but I was to say the least very knackered when I got home.
But now I’m looking at a nice break from work and not back until the 8th January. Which if the next bit of this post comes off is great timing.
My planned gaming session for this Friday might not being going ahead, and need rescheduling. Instead I may have to be making a journey to take a step closer to a possible major big news announcement.
Yes I know that’s a big tease. But I’m trying to manage my own expectations and hopes so if it doesn’t happen I’m not too heart broken over it.
Anyway it’s that big day every kid, big and small has been waiting for. Which leaves me just to say to every reader of this blog from myself, Nathan, my Mum, and the two attack chihuahuas Nico and Loki.
