Eternal Refuge

Yes, I often think that anyway.

However for those of you who can get BBC1, watch some of The Great Sewing Bee this evening.  And the reason ... one of the contestants is Jiffy's Marni ... yes he would be so happy to sit and watch the program. Here is the details of the program if you don't know about it.  As I started watching it last week I got 2 texts from friends asking if it was Jiffy's favourite person ... and yes, that's his Marni.  She did well last week, so hopefully that will continue.

I still haven't quite finished the photos so will sort and do them later ... and I will get caught up with you all, I promise.  I know I said I was going to do that yesterday and didn't but that is because I got involved in some on-line scrabble ... so I can always say I was "brain training" ... great excuse!!!

And before I get on with that -


May 4 is "Bike to School Day". Is that something you did when you were in school?
Sometimes. Dad often dropped us off though so we walked home.
When I was at college I always cycled to the station a mile away.


So off to sort photos x

Well, sadly today is the day I didn't want to see.

Yesterday it got that my poor Little Man got very wobbly, and couldn't turn over when lying down, or stand up, very easily.  And he slept , spluttering in his sleep, so I realised that he was really struggling, which meant I had to take the initiative and take him to see Marnie.  He didn't actually wake up as I picked him up and put it in the car.

I was at peace with my decicision ... even though the house feels incredibly empty.

I have literally known him since he was 7 weeks old, as has his vet.  The lovely thing is that as he was sleeping on her table and we were talking we were both stroking him, and both were crying ... that meant a lot that Marnie could be with him for those final few minutes.

I am going to have him buried, which won't be till next week (or even the week later), but will be going to that funeral.

Anyway my darling boy, I shall miss you ...  you really helped me to cope with saying goodbye to Mum & Dad, you gave me lots of laughs, lots of cuddles ... and lots of love.

( And a few photos )

Sadly I ended up in A&E yesterday ... and Jiffy didn't want to be left out so I had to take him to his vets today.

Yesterday morning I had quarter of an hour of severe flashing lights in my good eye. So knowing about my retinal op in '88, and the problems of strokes I decided I needed to get things checked out. So lucky I live near the hospital, and it means I didn't have too bad an afternoon. However I did confuse the nurse practioner I saw. She asked about headaches, well I have had one off & on for weeks with this flu bug! She wanted to test my eye sight against the good eye (which is my bad eye with only 50% vision), she wanted to check the retinas (with my "good" eye badly damaged already) and her final test was to check the optic nerve ... colourblindness tests (great, unless you are badly colourblind!!). Anyway, she was happy, but took the precaution of speaking to the consultant ... and overall the diagnosis was that of an Ocular Migraine.

So Jiffy didn't want to be left out. He spent last night rubbing his ear, and today scratching his side. So he is on steroids, antibiotics and ear drops.

So glad to see we were able to make use of medically trained ladies.


And -
3 What city or other location were you born in?

I was born in Essex - for those who know what I mean, I shall say "Yes, I am an Essex girl". For those who don't know, Essex girls have a "certain" reputation. It mostly comes because from Roman days there has been a barracks at Colchester (the county town) and is used for recruits ... so on their weekends off, they head to town ... and ... !!!!!!

On a side note, my grandmother was also an Essex girl. She actually "picked up" a soldier in Trafalgar Square. Yes, my grandfather was a member of the Coldstream Guards.

Whats the last thing you apologized for?

Actually about an hour ago I was putting the antibiotic ointment into Jiffy's left ear, and it was sore for him (we only went to the vet this eve), and I was apologising that I was making his "poorly ear" feel even worse.




The list of 365 questions can be found here

As you know he was due surgery on Tuesday and all went well.  His Anal Glands have now gone (and so is that infection) and the huge wart on the side of his face has gone.  Although benign it was large and he was scratching at it occasionally.  So, as he had to have an anaesthetic Marni decided to do them both.

As ever it is hard to get him re-starting drinking.  He was happy to eat but it was over 24 hours before he drank.  This photo was taken just as we came home - you can just see the scar on his cheek - he has 8 stitches in it, so that should give you some idea of the size.



He had his check up today, and all going well ... except for the fact he now also has an ear infection on the other side.  So he has certainly been a "busy" boy.

Jiffy loves Marni and al the staff, and even today was happy to see them all.  I am glad.  However when I went to the supermarket today I was even happier.  The cashier and I talked about dogs (I had bought food), and her dog had cut his leg and needed one suture under sedation - £300!  Jiffy's 2 ops under anaesthetic were £350, which I though was a pretty good amount really.  Although I may send him out begging if he does similar again!!

Anyway, the good news is that he is doing well.

We go tomorrow to meet a lady who may look after him while I am away.  So hope he is on my best behaviour, as I don't want to have to cancel my plans for London.

When we were kids we had a record player with a few 78's .... a few hymns, a version of Black Sambo, Peter & the Wolf .... and this amazing song. It became a true family favourite.



A couple of times they played it to people who were superior about their taste in music.

Tim has just sent me the link, so had to listen ... and had to share.

So you can listen while you ignore my ramble!

First let me apologise for my lack of LJ, lack of birthday wishes, lack of keeping up.  I started back at work this week, and although I only work 3 1/2 days a week I was absolutely shattered by the time I got home.  So my evenings were spent snoozing in front of thf the TV, and going to bed early.

6 years ago I was still an osteopath, and riding regularily.  Since then the chronic fatigue hit, and I spent time caring for Mum & Dad.  Everyone has been telling me that I need to find myself.  I haven't really had any "me" time ... ever.  Mum was very clingy, and it got worse over the years.  Yes, I knew she was like that and accepted it, but now it's hard to think that I only have myself (and Jiffy) to answer to.  Anyway, one thing I have decided to do is to join a gym ... gulp!  I never thought I would do such a thing.  The one I have joined has a pool, jacuzzi and sauna as well aas regular revues for the gym, and loads of classes.  So I have had the basic gym induction over the last couple of weeks ... and this morning I actually did my first session today.  I am aimimg to help my posture, build up my stamina and strengthen my core.  So, watch this space!!

I saw my osteopath again today, and he was pleased with how well by body has coped with the latest changes.

Poor Jiffy has to have surgery .... The infection in his anal gland is getting slowly worse, and the benign wart on his face is now being scrathed, so I presume it feels sore.  He is booked in for early October, so a nervous time for me, as he is over 10 now.

However to take my mind off things I took him to a nearby town for a lovely walk this afternoon ... in fact I even treated myself to an ice-cream.  However, as I was texting a very special friend, I still feel guilty, as there is housework that needs doing.  It feels wrong to fritter my time away, although I have to admit I feel pretty relaxed as I type this.

Well still haven't got round to reply to comments, but I really hope that now I am getting back into a routine I will have more focus and get caught up,   Also will be able to catch up with you all ... if I have missed anything, let me know.

Strictly Come Dancing has started, so must focus on that ... the countdown towards Christmas!!!!

Happy Birthday jen_nsync_landl ... hope you are having a good day.

Yesterday Brenda sent me a link to this photo .... her 5 boys, she said.  They are on holiday, so it seems as if they are enjoying family time together.


Nick, Dan, Andrew, Joe & Tom

This morning I had to go to Mum & Dad's to meet the gas engineer to service the boiler, and then the people who are doing the final empty and clean of Mum & Dad's.  It'a the start of the end, and yet it still hasn't sunk in.  This last year has passed over me, yet somehow I can't come to terms with things.

Dad is ok, although a bit low emotionally and finding this warmer weather harder to cope with.  But the staff are monitoring him, and I have managed to get in 5 days a week.  I ususally take Jiffy about every 10 days.  Dad loves seeing "the boy" as he always calls him, and he livens up the staff no end.

Speaking of Jiffy I also took him back to the vets this morning.  He had an infection in his right anal gland.  I have been having to apply warm compresses to him, and it's getting batter.  If it hadn't improved it would have meant surgery, so that's good news.

Once we had seen Marni we went for a walk locally to her ...( Brunel Woods )

Oh well, back to work tomorrow ... but only for the day, then out again with Christine on Friday.

Hope you are all having fun x

Wow, can't think why I have not been on-line ... no real reason at all.  So here I am, and I must try to reply to owed comments.

My cough is still with me, but the GP now thinks I am OK ... in other words, it's stress.  As is the fact that I am getting jaw pain, which is also caused by me grinding my teethin my sleep - so next week I am being fitted for a guard to wear at night.  Even Jiffy is getting more skin irritation, which his vet thinks is aggrevated by stress.

The Bank Holiday weekend has been about the same as normal ... housework, gardening ... and repeat.  As Marni had talked to me about stress I realised I need to take Jiffy for longer walks ... so that has been a positive start to each day (for us both, I hope).  She had the sorrow of nursing her younger sister through terminal cancer last year, so can truly know what it is about.  She was just 40 when she died ... no age at all.

Well I must get on and reply to past comments, and try to catch up with your news ... if I have missed anything, please let me know.

Will catch up with "me" news later.

Jiffy had a tough morning - First he gets to the Vet ... no Marni.  So he has to see her friend Kathy, who he has met before, and gets on well with.

Then Kathy empties his anal glands, and exclaims "YUK" ... hopefully at the gunk, and not aimed at Jiffy (he has a bad infection)

Then she forgets to give him his biscuit, till he reminds her.

Then, I clonked him on the head lifting him off the table and through the door to the scales!

He is now on 2 lots of anti-biotics ... as well as getting some worming tablets ... So, he should soom be bug-free!

Poor Jiffy had to go back to the vets again this morning ... his skin allergy is back ... it's a rare month that doesn't see him going there.  Although it wasn't Marni he enjoyed talking to some other dogs, and reminding his vet of the day that she had forgotten to give him his biscuit!