Hilarity at Transplant Clinic 

I was down in Newcastle for my 6 month check up yesterday and couldn't really have asked for better results.  Blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function were top notch, weight was stable and apparently my x-ray (if it weren't for the metal clips) looks like a 'normal' persons x-ray.  It's not like me to want to be normal, but in this case it's great news.  Best of all was my lung function - for the first time in my entire life I hit the 3litre mark which gives me a lung function of 109%!!  Imagine three of those litre coke bottles and compare this to one tiny coke can, which is what I had pre transplant.  Wow!

The day itself was really long and drawn out, as we were 2nd last to be seen by the doctor.  We arrived just after 7am and left clinic at 12.30.  Yawn.  Mum however kept me amused all morning, although not deliberately.  I will not repeat some of her classic moments which are too embarrassing to even put in writing but believe me, there were many - including pressing the 'help' button at the car park instead of the 'take ticket' one.  At one point we were in the waiting room (imagine a room the size of a box room with seats around the walls) and mum was asking me something she had already asked me last week.  She then said I should do some memory tests on her.  So in the waiting room (where everyone else is silent and reading magazines) I was timing her for one minute on my phone to name as many animals as she could in one minute.  For starters most 'normal' people categorise them into groups eg, pets, farm animals, jungle animals when listing them.  Mum of course had her own system of trying to do them alphabetically.  So she starts.."alligator, antelope, bison, bear, buffoon, cow..." at which point I was like "whoa, wait a minute.  Buffoon?  What's a buffoon?"   "A stupid man" she says.  So then of course mum shreaks VERY loudly as she erupts into one of her manic laughing fits, which I couldn't help but join in.   I am not sure if it is more amusing she just made up an animal and didn't appear to notice, or that her brain apparently categorises stupid men along side large animals.    I know that I am turning into mum, especially when on route to the canteen she said "I dare you to start skipping" and I duly complied.  Despite the fact two people were walking immediately behind us.  Life is too short.

Other news in is that I am going to be Maid of Honour at my cousin Sarah's wedding!  I am delighted :-)  No dates are set yet but it is likely to be next spring.  Let the planning commence!

It was Fathers day on Sunday so I will leave you with a cute picture from when I was very small.  This is Claire on the left, dad then me.  I would also like to note that dad got three Fathers day cards - one from me, one from Corey to his Scottish dad and one from Sarah.  My card was the best though ;-)

Long time no blog!

No particular reason I haven't blogged so no excuses either.   We are still living with the giant tree in the garden as waiting on written quotes for removing this, so we can send these to insurance company.  It is a slow process but Seb is very happy about the tree still being there and has now become extremely adept at climbing the tree and running around on the hut roof.  It is getting a bit embarrassing to be honest because I suspect neighbours along the entire street can see him up there on a daily basis!  The birds are also loving the tree and we had some super cute baby goldfinches a few days ago.  I am worried that birds are building nests in it though - there is a wee dunnock collecting all Seb's fluff from outside the back door (where we shook the rug!) today, so a nest is in production somewhere - hopefully in the hedge.  We have also had a fox coming right up to the front of the garden because it thinks it is hidden in the tree - I think Seb is picking up the scent because he is barking even more (!) than usual outside!

Goldfinch - they were shaking their wee behinds!

I have had a nice couple of weekends - last week we had a wee impromptu BBQ at Kirsty's on the one day we had nice weather, and I was at my friend Stephanie's hen night on the Saturday.  I have known Stephanie since we were 5 - so that's 27 years.  That makes me feel rather old :-) 

This weekend was much quieter and I spent quite a bit of time making cards and invites (for Anne's birthday) and experimenting with jam jars and glass paints.  My friend Lu had been making tea light holders from jam jars to use outside so I thought I would try painting one with glass paints.  It was a partial success but the paints are really old so think they were bit sticky and lumpy.  I am also rubbish at putting the squeezy lead stuff on because my hands shake too much.  It is kind of cute though..

Finally I will leave you with some pics of Seb today :-)