One of my Spaces friends has made a recent post about blogging and how  hard it is to incorporate how you feel at the time of making the post or during a certain part or sentence in  a  post.

Here is the post in question.

Blogging is Like Talking , Right?

When l blog l want it to read like (sound like) l’m talking to someone. Easy and natural. l’ve noticed that most others do it this way as well. So if l would say it a certain way, l want to write it that way. l almost always use contractions, so that’s what l use in the blog.

l’m finding myself limited by my lack of computer time. l want to express myself in natural, but brief, ways and l don’t know what to use. Exclamations are where l end up most frustrated. Earlier today, l was writing a note and l wanted to write a word that would indicate: the noise one makes when one forces air out the mouth indicating contempt or humours derision. l’ve seen someone use it, it starts with a “p”.

l’m wondering if there’s a correct way to write/spell this: when indicating perhaps “oh, so cute” aww or awe or ahww.

l know some words l might want to use are not “computer” but have been written by many authors. A few l’ve come across, and had the foresight to jot down are: …ahem…Eeeekk!!….Some l wrote down and sadly, lost them :(

Then too there’s the fascinating world or computer talk. Here’s my list so far – l’ll include the translations for anyone who’s a newer newbie than me:

LOL or lol  = Laugh out loud

LMBO  = Laughing my butt off

ROTFLMBO = Rolling on the floor laughing my butt off (l’ve heard there’s an optional f in front of the first R – l’ll leave that one to you)

PMSL  = Peed myself laughing (Kimmy guessed this one just by looking at it)

TTYS  = Talk to you soon

Well, if friends would be so kind… log in so to speak. Add some talk. Add some exclamations (please). Add some regular words that indicate people doing/thinking – like the example above – clearing throat – ahem.

Now I will  repeat the same post but making use of the Smiley plug in for writer, obtainable by choosing + Add a plug in, then selecting the Smiley one.

Blogging is Like Talking , Right?

When l blog l want it to read like (sound like) l’m talking to someone.    Easy and natural. l’ve noticed that most others do it this way as well. So if l would say it a certain way, l want to write it that way. l almost always use contractions, so that’s what l use in the blog.

l’m finding myself limited by my lack of computer time. l want to express myself in natural, but brief, ways and l don’t know what to use. Exclamations are where l end up most frustrated.  Earlier today, l was writing a note and l wanted to write a word that would indicate: the noise one makes when one forces air out the mouth indicating contempt or humours derision. l’ve seen someone use it, it starts with a “p”.  or   or of course

l’m wondering if there’s a correct way to write/spell this: when indicating perhaps “oh, so cute” aww or awe or ahww. 

l know some words l might want to use are not “computer” but have been written by many authors. A few l’ve come across, and had the foresight to jot down are: …ahem…Eeeekk!!    ….Some l wrote down and sadly, lost them :( 

Then too there’s the fascinating world or computer talk. Here’s my list so far – l’ll include the translations for anyone who’s a newer newbie than me:

LOL or lol  = Laugh out loud 

LMBO  = Laughing my butt off 

ROTFLMBO = Rolling on the floor laughing my butt off (l’ve heard there’s an optional f in front of the first R – l’ll leave that one to you) 

PMSL  = Peed myself laughing (Kimmy guessed this one just by looking at it) 

TTYS  = Talk to you soon

Well, if friends would be so kind… log in so to speak. Add some talk. Add some exclamations (please). Add some regular words that indicate people doing/thinking – like the example above – clearing throat – ahem.    

By far the best ones in my opinion are the Insert MSN, Yahoo and Custom Smiley's available from the Writer plug ins site here at http://gallery.live.com/results.aspx?c=0&bt=9&pl=8&st=5 . Note that you will have to start Writer by right clicking on Writer then selecting ‘run as Administrator’  for them to work correctly in the new beta’s of Windows Live Writer.

that is what Smiley’s are for!

TG 

Wishing all of my friends on Live Spaces a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

TG   Oh and don’t forget  to keep blogging!

This post is about a video that K and I are in the process of constructing, and rather like the new beta of Movie Maker itself, it is very much a ‘work in progress.’  In it, we are trying to do our own personal take of the opening sequence in the film ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ which starred Daniel Day Lewis as Hawkeye.  It is meant to be very ‘tongue in cheek’ by the way.

I can’t put titles and things in yet because these have not been implemented in the new beta by the team.  Of course I could use the old Movie Maker which I also have on my computer, but just like the new incarnation of Movie Maker itself, I want to have this video creation evolve with it, so do please remember that when you view it.

We are missing the props and costume in this effort. K is of course playing the part of  Hawkeye hunting the deer with a rifle in her hand (not yet purchased!) and she needs a long black wig for more authenticity.  An Indian outfit of tunic top and matching leggings might not go amiss either but we might draw the line at moccasins due to our usual inclement (wet) weather which will no doubt turn the main area of the shoot into a virtual  quagmire most of the time.

As K is a born actress who loves any of this ‘role playing’ then she is naturally enthusiastic about the creation of this video. Note that at the end of the shoot in the park, she has to stop to catch her breath!  Also she did a bit of a boob by smirking as she ran past me during one shot.

It will evolve as Movie Maker evolves and will then include the title ‘Last of the Mosaics’, the director and producers name (Mum aka me!),  So as the Movie Maker team develop and incorporate more features into the new Movie Maker, so our Video will evolve.

For those who might be pondering the title of the intended video ‘Last of the Mosaics’ that is what K is.  She is a Mosaic Down’s Syndrome, and they make up just 5% of all Down’s Syndrome born . It basically means that she has a mixture of Trisomy 21 chromosomes and ‘normal’ chromosomes. Hers are in the ratio of 70% Trisomy 21, 30% ‘normal’ hence the name Mosaic which i this context means a mixture.

Hope it brings a smile to your face, and you enjoy it!

TG 

Just to bring some Christmas cheer and to wish all of my Spaces friends a very merry Christmas and  a happy new Year.

TG

What has amazed me these last few days is just how much my mood and well being is influenced by the weather. Yesterday when I did my annual posting of Christmas cards tour it turned out to be a lovely sunny day, and today it has been a welcome repeat.  Just the sight of the sun and I have become a different person! Okay, its weak and emanates no warmth at all, but I am amazed at the effect that it has on my well being!

I went down into town again this morning, it was chilly but not as cold as it has been. Not the ‘creep through your bones’ kind of cold thank goodness after which I usually take a good two or three hours to thaw out from.

I took the camera with me again and took some snaps of the park looking all forlorn and empty of children, then into Tesco’s for a few bits and pieces ( I hardly seem to need much when K is not in residence, I can’t think why!) where I also took some pictures of all the Christmas plants on sale.  I love Poinsettia's they always remind me of Christmas time, in fact if I could have carried it, I would have purchased one.  Might buy one on Sunday when we do our main shop and always get a taxi home.

Then into the town itself where I bought a pizza slice from Hartley's for my dinner (shouldn’t really eat it, and will no doubt be paying the price this afternoon and evening with griping tummy pains and bloated silhouette!) followed by buying another treat that I also shouldn’t have, a ‘Galaxy ‘mistletoe kisses’ chocolate bar (oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound I always say!)  

Since arriving home, I have given the bathroom a good scrub and then spent my time uploading the pictures I took to Flickr and my Live Spaces blog.

This afternoon, I might read a book or watch some of my recordings from my PVR.  K has rung me with a report that one of her friends had been ill this morning in the day care centre and she was quite upset.  It’s her fancy dress party tomorrow, and I have asked her to take lots of photos with her camera, so I will put them on Flickr and Live Spaces as soon as I can following her return on Friday.

So, looks like if I want to stay happy and gay, I have very little choice but to ‘up sticks’ and go and live where it is sunny all year round!

TG Keep blogging won’t you?

Here is a video showing what some of the animals who are outside in the cold would like for Christmas.

Have a look here at  http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/doonething/christmas/

Enjoy. 

TG

I think that most of you will have already guessed what the prognosis would be regarding my visit to the doctor’s. Depression.   So I am back taking anti-depressants, although this time not the same ones as I used to take before. I am now taking Citalopram 20 mg, whereas previously I was taking Amitriptyline tablets.  Apparently these are considered ‘old’ anti-depressants and have negative effects on the heart which is why I was informed after my heart attack that I could no longer take them.

She also prescribed me some E45 cream for my horrid itchy eczema and a large tub of Aqueous cream for the shower.  She is a luvvy.  She spent a good 10 minutes talking to me, took the time to explain the reason why following a heart attack the older types of anti-depressants are considered to be not suitable, and even printed me out a leaflet about these new ones that she has prescribed because as per usual I couldn’t make up my mind whether or not to ‘soldier on’ without taking any, or take them.

She also warned me that I won’t feel any benefit for about a fortnight.  So.  Another pill to pop.  Have rung K (she had rung me but I must have been down at the Doc’s) and told her how I went on.  She doesn’t seem to like any of the bedrooms at her respite care home.  Remember last time when she spent the first few days ‘bedroom hopping’ for one reason or another?  Well the one that she is in now is also not to here liking.  Apparently she can’t get to sleep because of ‘banging pipes’ keeping her awake.  So she will no doubt be pestering the staff to move her to another bedroom!

Took my camera down with me (don’t quite know why) and took some pictures on my journey down to the doctors. It was bitterly cold and I have tried vainly to capture that. Then once I had got my prescriptions, I ventured into our local Wilkinson's to take their many different and varied decorations and other Christmas things, followed by the usual pictures of all the Christmas buns  and goodies in our local bakery shops. Looks like Black and gold is the new colour this year for all your Christmas tree decorations as there were lots of it about on the shelves. Pictures are below in my photos.

TG   Take care and keep warm!

I read this article on the BBC news pages this morning, and it gave me quite a chuckle so I thought that I would share it with you. I know there are many of us with health problems of one sort or another, but after reading this, I can’t make my mind up whether to be envious or glad that I live here!

What do you think? See here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7779126.stm

TG Will post later after I have visited the doc’s

Some users have posted and contacted me personally because they can’t find their friends that they had made in the old version of Live Spaces.

Well let’s try and help to find them!

Firstly they are not now called or known as friends anymore on Windows Live. They are still there, but are now part of your NETWORK.  So first of all, go to your HOME page.  At the top of your HOME page, you will see the choices of HOME, PROFILE, PEOPLE, MAIL. PHOTOS. MORE and MSN.

First of all, select PROFILE. This takes you to your personal PROFILE where all of the details that used to be on your SPACES page were found.

The PROFILE contains all of the details about you and your recent activities not only on Windows Live but also if you have chosen WEB ACTIVITIES then any recent activity on those will be visible as well.  Do take note that anything that you have chosen in your settings to only be available to yourself such as for example your birthday, will be visible to you on this PROFILE page, but no one else will be able to view it.  On this page on the top right hand side is your NETWORK with little AVATARS or pictures of your friends and contacts contained in it.

 It is here where you should be able to find your old SPACES friends. They should now be part of your NETWORK.  Can’t see them or their little AVATAR or picture?  Then select VIEW MORE to see more of your friends and contacts contained in your NETWORK. 

Note that I have deleted their names for this blog.

You will then be taken to this page, which lists everyone on your NETWORK including your HOTMAIL contacts, your SPACES friends and any MESSENGER friends that you might have if you use MESSENGER.  Need to find a particular friend in amongst all of this list?

Just click on MANAGE YOUR NETWORK about the list of Contacts and friends, and you will be taken to the following page where you can type in the name of your missing friend into the search bar on the right hand side of the friends and contacts list. 

 Unless your friend has left Windows Live then you should be able to find them by using the search function in your NETWORK list.

TG 

 Because many users of Windows Live Services are now having problems navigating the new layout and pages and also finding areas that they wish to access or keep to the fore, I have decided to post some How-to’s in order to help them both to get to grips with the new layout and terminology used, and to learn how to use most of the new choices available to them.

And if they don’t feel that they need some of the new additions to be able to completely disable them from their own personal set up on their Windows Live HOME page via the settings.  These how-to’s will be posted to both my blogs so that my friends who are finding things difficult can access them as well as others who read my more ‘technical’ clubhouse space.

So first of all I will focus my ‘How-to’s’ on the areas which seem to be giving ordinary users so many problems, then I intend to move onto the other aspects of the new set up on Windows Live.

1. Where’s my Space?  I can’t find my SPACE, where is it?

Since the new changes,  when you go to Windows Live you will arrive on what has been called your HOME page.  You can think of this page as a collection of all of the things that you tend to use and access on Windows Live.  But you can’t immediately see your SPACE.

In order to go to your SPACE (blog) you need to click on the MORE tab at the top of your HOME page.  A list will then be   available to you, and SPACES is the fifth item on that list, so click on it.

You will then be taken to your SPACES page, and on this page you will see the title of your SPACE at the top followed by two choices,  GO TO YOUR SPACE, and RECENT COMMENTS. 

Under these two choices is WHAT’’S NEW WITH YOUR NETWORK.  This page contains all of the recent posts to their blogs of your SPACES friends who are on your NETWORK and also any  additions that they may have made to their SPACE or their COMMENTS made on other peoples SPACES next to the small picture that they have chosen to use as their AVATAR .

In order go to a friends SPACE, just click on the title of their recent post or entry which is on the right hand side of their picture.  You will then be taken to their SPACE.

To go to your own SPACE or blog, just select GO TO YOUR SPACE.

To see the recent comments made on your SPACE or blog, then click on the RECENT COMMENTS at the top.

Some of you  might want to consider making this SPACES page a FAVOURITE page in Internet Explorer or whichever browser you are using, then you will be able to navigate straight to it if all that you wish to do is go to your SPACE and/or read your friends SPACES and comments without having to go through your HOME page in order to do so.

TG    Next how to find your SPACES friends!

Seeing as the rest of Live has had a facelift graphics wise, I thought that my space needed the same! And after seeing someone else's blog on my other space (well Ryan’s actually) I thought I would use the same theme as he was using as it looked so cool.

I might mess around with it a little bit, as this text is a little bit indistinct because of the themes transparency, so maybe some tweaks are needed.

Do tell me what you think of it won’t you? Do you like this or the previous theme? Can you read the text okay? Is it too flashy for this old granny?

TG

Here’s some pics of K off to respite care in the Access bus. Note the happy smiling face. Glad to see the back of her morose neurotic Mum no doubt!

The windows of the Access bus were so dirty that you can hardly see her and will have to look closely.  She has taken the Elf outfit with her packed in the case, which weighed a ton by the way owing to the thick jumpers that we had to pack.  She was on the bus by herself and so looks somewhat lost. She will ring me when she arrives there as always.

So, all by my lonesome now for a week! Will have to keep myself occupied both mentally and physically.

TG

I have just rung the doctor’s up to find out if the results from my recent blood tests for thyroid function had come back and guess what, it’s not that!  So now I will have to see my doctor and try to get to the bottom of why I am feeling so tired and jaded all the time, plus my other symptoms.

I am now stumped, so I will have to wait and see what she advises.  As no letter or phone call had appeared I rang the surgery to find out the results.

Hmm, don’t know what to think now, although a friend on my other blog on Live Spaces has said that I could be anaemic so will just have to wait and see.

Trouble is K is off into the wide blue yonder this afternoon for a week (respite) whooping it up with all her parties to attend, places to go, things to do etc, etc, thus leaving me in this lethargic state where I am going to have a devil of a job to entice myself to function properly.  This is when I tend to get a little scared.  In the past, it has been because of my commitment to look after K that has kept me from teetering over the edge and ending up in hospital having to be treated.

She has kept me going, because I had to do so for her sake, and when she goes to respite and I feel as I do now, I really begin to panic. At one time I used to enjoy being on my own, but not now. These last few years I have tended to need her more than she needs me.  Our roles have reversed in a sense, and in a way she has taken on the role as carer and I have become the vulnerable one.

All this is so out of character to the independent person that I used to be. I saw my cousin have to endure having to go into hospital for treatment for her depression.  She didn’t have another person who relied on her to take care of them in the same way that I have.  You can’t ‘turn inwards’ on yourself if someone is reliant on you for their needs, they have to come first and foremost in everything you do.

Did you know that there is a higher incidence of depression in carer’s? Why? Well I’m afraid that I don’t have the answer.

So, off to the doc’s first thing Monday.  See what she thinks and says. Will keep you all posted on the outcome.  Sorry to be dwelling so much on me and my symptoms, will try to lighten up in future!

TG

It’s been a very up and down week for me this week, I am now functioning at dead slow speed, both mentally and physically, and I just wish that they would hurry with the results of my blood test.  Quite what I shall do if it comes back saying my thyroid is running okay I haven’t a clue!

On Tuesday following my visit to the doctor’s to have blood taken, I did some shopping.  K had requested a sandwich from her favourite sandwich shop in town.  I bought and paid for the sandwich.  On my return home whilst siding the shopping, I couldn’t find the sandwich.  Yes you have guessed it, I had left it in the shop on top of the counter.

Luckily the staff there have become friends over the years, and so as soon as we entered the shop today, they asked me about leaving the sandwich and then compensated us by deducting the price of the abandoned sandwich from today's purchases.  Its just a good job that K and I are so well known around here, and especially in my case, compensations made for my lousy working (non existent at the moment) brain.

We ended up buying some more Christmas cards, me because I have realised that there won’t be enough for me to send of those remaining from last year, and K because she likes to have her own box of cards to send.  I am enclosing some pictures of the boxes of cards that we purchased and no prizes for guessing who’s is who’s.

I do like and prefer the glitter covered Christmas cards, and I always try and send those if they are  available. I think the glitter and ‘sparkle’ adds to the Christmas spirit somehow.

We missed attending our Exercise class last week because of the rotten weather, and today we had donned our exercise outfits all in preparation for a good work out, only to find that it had been postponed because there was a Special Needs Bazaar taking place in the room where the class is held.  So another one missed!  Mind you, how I would have faired doing a work out I can’t imagine, as I am nearly asleep at the keyboard now!

TG   Take Care won’t you?

Well, I have spent the last week trying to get to grips with all of the changes made to the Windows Live Site (formally known as Live Spaces) and think that its time to voice my opinion and feedback regarding the changes made and why many are very unhappy about where the online Live services are heading.

Why should my opinion matter a jolt?  Well because I believe that I speak for the ‘ordinary user’ rather than the much more savvy wise computer user who might for example work for Microsoft, or work in a computer capacity, programmers, etc, or what could be loosely described as ‘computer geeks’ (no offence!)

Why are so many so disillusioned with the changes and leaving to take up residence elsewhere?  Well after getting feedback from some of my Spaces friends who are leaving or planning to leave, the consensus view is obvious.  You all seem to have grossly misjudged how and why your online Live services were being utilised by the vast majority of ordinary users.

They all viewed Live Spaces and their space in particular as the hub of their particular usage, including making new contacts, using mail services, using the photo element, etc. Their actual Space was the catalyst for all of this.  So first and foremost they view their blog or space as the most important element and everything else then revolves around that Space.

But the changes that you have made have taken away that emphasis from them. Their actual Space has now become almost an afterthought ‘tagged on’ to this ‘networking’ theme that now takes precedence over everything else.  For them, it was never about making friends/contacts first and foremost, it was about writing a blog/having a personal Space, then hoping that like minded people would then read your blog or view your Space and either comment or leave a message and become a Spaces friend, then they would be able to partake of each others Spaces and a sort of online relationship would evolve.

Now on your ‘Network’ or Home page, Spaces doesn’t even get a mention!  You have to click on the more tab to find it.  If a friend, and I still will refer to them as friends, leaves a comment on your blog, you then have a mountain to climb to find their blog or reply to their comment. The whole emphasis has now been removed from most peoples reason for being on Live in the first place!

And why refer to everyone as your ‘Network’?  A network to my mind is a collection of computers which are connected to each other in some way, or a method of connecting online, it certainly doesn’t conjure up a vision of a collection of people!  What was wrong with Spaces friends, or even Live Contacts?

But surely the ultimate goal was to encourage more people to use your Live services?  I for one have encouraged people that I know personally to use Live Spaces, especially if they wanted to begin blogging, but I don’t think that I would now continue to do so because it it now no longer ‘fit for purpose’.  Okay, you might feel that blogging is old hat, and that is why you are all trying to move away from that particular  emphasis in your online Live Services, but I beg to disagree with you.  Having and writing a blog is the largest growing area on the Internet, as it allows an ordinary person who isn’t too computer literate to have in a very loose fashion their very own website. Their own area of the Internet where they can make it their own, use it for anything they wish, either for their own consumption, for their family and friends or for everyone.

Especially amongst us ‘silver surfers’ it has become a wonderful way to make new online friends, and that is why so many of your users are now so disillusioned. 

Why bother taking any notice of someone like me?  Because we are the ‘bread and butter’ of your existence , the forgotten ordinary users who actually use your services day in day out. That’s why.

TG

I have been invited to take part in a trial to test whether or not raising HDL cholesterol (the good sort of cholesterol) with niacin is useful for preventing heart attacks and strokes in people with circulatory disease.

Apparently my medical records suggest that I am a suitable candidate for this trial and my own GP has obviously consented to my participation.  Of course I didn’t hesitate about taking part in this, anything which helps to prevent heart disease such as heart attacks and strokes is of great importance and help to others.

The only problem is that it is being held at the pathology department at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary , a hospital that I have never visited and I am not familiar with it at all. I will need to make two bus rides from where we live, one to Huddersfield and then another one to the Infirmary itself. I might contemplate making a ‘dummy run’ before the appointment, which I have done in the past whenever I have needed to reconnoitre the route and layout of anywhere that I haven’t visited before, not only to familiarise myself with the actual building, but to also time the whole route so that I will have some idea about how long it takes to get there from home.

Of course it might turn out that once I get there for this initial appointment they then discover that I am not suitable for it. I have to take all of my tablets with me to show them, then they will do a blood test to ascertain if I am suitable.

So that’s something to look forward to in the new year, and will help to make me feel as if I am contributing something!

TG take care.

Under normal circumstances I don’t really like to post about my health and any problems that I might be going through, but on this occasion I feel that it merits it as any who have had the same will then perhaps understand why my posts have sort of dried up, and why I am finding it so hard to get out of bed in a mornings, never mind post to my blogs.

For quite a few years now, I have had a slow down of my thyroid.  This can be quite common as we get older, and has tended to happen in my family any way, my mother had it and my sister also has to take thyroxine for her thyroid dysfunction.

I have now been having to take thyroxin for about the last two to three years.  Every year I go for a check up, and every year it has slowed down some more requiring my tablet strength to be upped.  I started on 25 mgs, then 50, then last year it was upped to 100 micro grams. 

Once you have thyroid dysfunction, you do become aware of the symptoms, although me being me, I also ‘swotted up’ on what they actually consist of.  Suddenly this last month or so, I am exhibiting classic under active thyroid symptoms as follows

• Tired all the time so that I can’t keep my eyes open during the day.
• Hair thinning.
• Weight gain. (well I have stopped losing weight even though I am eating exactly the same amount as I was when I was losing about a pound a week.)
• Depressed and very tearful.
• Poor sleep patterns.
• Dry and flaky (and itchy) skin.
• Can’t concentrate.

I have booked an appointment for some blood taking for testing to check this.  I was due for it checking anyway, but what has amazed me this time, is how quickly the symptoms have begun, from feeling more or less myself in October, to suddenly now feeling really grotty.  Usually it has tended to happen much more gradually over quite a few months.  And why do you feel fine for say about a year, then its running slow again? (I like to think of it as your internal timer or clock, which regulates everything about your system.)

Hopefully it will all be because it is now running slow and once my tablets are adjusted then I will feel back to my old self again.  If it isn’t then I haven’t a clue as to why I have suddenly slowed right down! 

TG  

As promised here is the full outfit complete with shoes with bells on.  She tried it on last night over her pyjamas and insisted that I take these pictures ‘for my blog’.  She does enjoy it when she is the focus of my blogging and insists on me reading the whole thing out to her before publishing it.

She keeps a diary herself ( a rather large one actually) and insists on recording just about everything that happens during the day, including anything that I  do as well, so when she wakes up, I get usually asked ‘what time did you go in the shower Mum?’ ‘What are we having for tea?’ Where are we going tomorrow?’ and other things of a similar description.

I have told her she should begin her own blog but she doesn’t seem too interested in this idea.

Its quite nice outside today, blue sky, sun shining but very cold.  We are doing our shopping when K arrives back from day care.  She has set off this morning dressed up for a Christmas dinner they are having at dance class, and she has taken her camera with her so she must be intending to take some snaps of the proceedings.

TG That’s all for now.

Just a post letting you all know that Santa’s Little Helper (aka K) is now complete with Elf feet for her forthcoming appearance as an Elf at the Fancy Dress party that she is attending in a fortnights time. 

We actually ended up sending for them from the same place as her costume, so I could have bought them all together. As she will be at respite during that week, the whole ensemble will have to be packed into her suitcase and taken with her, so its a good job that they are fairly light in both weight and thickness.

When she goes to respite during the winter, obviously the clothes that we pack are more substantial.  Jumpers, jeans, etc take up far more room in the suitcase than thinner summer t-shirts for example and weigh far more.  Since my heart attack occurred, I don’t tend to struggle carrying the suitcase downstairs now, I leave it to the Access bus driver to do.

So I will probably take another picture later of her with the entire outfit on.

We were intending to do some shopping this afternoon, but as its snowing (and slippery underfoot) this has been abandoned as K refuses to walk whenever its slippy.  Well she will walk, but very slowly and clinging like a limpet to me.  She has slipped and fallen in the past and pulled me down with her.

Anyway, I have a nice hot Lamb casserole all ready for us to consume for our tea, I do tend to do a lot of casseroles when the winter arrives, just what you need inside in my opinion!

TG