Up The Farway Tree

I'm Back!!!

I more or less gave up writing my blog because so many people had trouble logging in etc that it seemed more hassle than it's worth, especially when most people catch update on facebook.   However I came up with the idea today to create a google account that everyone can use for log in if they are having trouble with their original one.   So going to give blogging a try again....!

Given that we are now in April I have 3 months of blogging to catch up on.   Looking back January and February were fairly quiet.  March was very busy with a trip to USA so may need a blog entry of its own :-)

January
I finished off my Autism essay for part 1 of the module and just got the results this week telling me I had passed :-)  There is no grading but it was marked as excellent in all the areas so can't ask for more!  I need to enrol for part 2 now (another 6000 word essay) and hopefully by end of the year I will have my Post Graduate Certificate!  I am finding it really interesting and learning that Autism is so much more complex than I ever imagined. 

February
Health wise I have been really good and had CF clinic in February, with got a good report.  My shoulder is still bothering me so I was back at orthopaedics and I am now waiting on more physio to try and help stabilise it.  Joints in general have been bad actually and recently been getting these weird sharp pains in sternum and ribs, which doctor thinks is inflammation in the tiny joints connecting to ribs.  All part of my CF joint stuff.  However, in the bigger picture - it's nothing compared to the sick lungs, so not complaining!

We had my lovely friend Louise and her family for the weekend which was fab.  We went to the science centre, which I think I enjoy more than the kids.

Mum had her 2nd hip replacement and is making a good recovery - after getting in trouble a lot on the ward for doing too much ;-)   At least that's both surgeries behind her now and she can start to recuperate properly.   I think she is hoping that dad has got used to doing some of the heavy housework.  I doubt it ;-)

March
USA for 2 weeks - will blog separately!  We had big group of friends staying last weekend - 11 of us for dinner and 7 to stay.  Busy!  It was fab night though and worth the many duvets I am still washing now...

I was also speaking again at George Heriot school about organ donation, and this year, my good pal Kirsty also did two sessions with them - which went down really well! 


Last Sunday was of course Mothers Day.  Since mum is not able to sit for long periods she wasn't keen to go out for dinner - so I took dinner there and cooked it instead, which worked out well :-)  Fillet steak  - can't beat it!    

A CF lady, Emma, is currently organising a campaign called The Little Yellow Duck Project in memory of a friend, Clare, who died waiting on transplant.  The idea was inspired by  Clares mum, who is marking her anniversary by carrying out random acts of kindness.  Emma has got all the crafty type people on board to make little yellow ducks (by any medium - knit, sew, clay, bookmarks etc) and they are going to be left in random places for people to find.  There will be a tag saying to take the duck home and a link to a website which will explain the story and urge people to join the organ donor register - as a act of kindness.  Ducks have become the symbol simply because Clare loved them!   I have so far made some from fimo modelling clay and discovered 'shrink plastic' for making keyrings so trying that too!  I will post when the website is ready!