And it all goes belly up.

So what did I get done on the remainder of my holiday? Nothing, nowt, not a thing, zippolla.

Why?

Well, one key contributing factor in this was I had an accident, an accident at work while doing a bank shift. The result was a bruised back (along with several other bruises) and a sprained wrist. They did question as to whether my scaphoid bone was broken but though the walk-in-centre shuts at 10pm x-ray shuts at 5pm,yup I can see the logic in that. I arrived 5 minutes to late. Anyway they put a splint on my wrist which though effective is restrictive and sent me on my way with the advise if its no better by Monday come back and we'll X ray it.

New year, new challenges

I know its only September but for me the new year begins. That is the new academic year.

It only seems 5 minutes since I handed my last essay in way back in May, then I was looking forward to a summer of freedom and to be able to enjoy the warm weather free of the stresses of study. It didn't transpire like that though. I started a new course and the weather by and large was rubbish with the odd warm rain free day here and there, mostly when I was at work.

I am on a fortnights holiday, the idea behind it was to have some time to unwind and chill out before the new year began. What happened? Work was desperately short staffed and I ended up volunteering for 4 shifts. Things are "up in the air" at work and my attempts to get a new job have so far failed. However on opportunity has arose, to do something I really enjoy-a little bit of teaching.

During my holiday I have done a few things, I have visited my nana and had a day out, where it rained heavily, all day. I had other things planned but they have failed to transpire. Still there is time yet to do something with the remainder of my holiday other than housework and studying, although I don't start till the middle of the month I want to get started early I have my study notes just not the relevant textbooks. This last module looks to be both interesting and tough and I desperately need to do well in order to get a "merit".

Life is very busy at the minute as not only have I got my studies to concentrate on but also I have the new summer term coming up and I have training to do for the leaders of the children's clubs I volunteer for and I need to get myself up to speed with the latest policy documents in preparation for this. Plus I have been asked to do a talk to the children on issues affecting them.

I took my nebuliser in yesterday for its annual service, I was shocked to discover that it now costs more than buying a cheap but half decent nebuliser, this is without all the other costs that come with being a nebuliser user.

All the animals are fine, I have two guests. Foster boys, they are delightful animals but there isn't the room for them and they are getting under my feet a bit but all the same I am enjoying their company.

Talking of pets, I must dash as I have my friends gorgeous cat to feed and I want to spend some time with him like I normally do and I don't think his mummy would be too keen to come home exhausted only to find me still invading her house and her cats attention.

Further explanations

I have just come back from 4 amazing nights away one night at Nottingham, at a party to celebrate my sisters wedding. Some people where amazed that I got someone up dancing who had not taken to the dance floor for 20 years. I caused some amusement by sticking my inhaler in the top of my dress. At the beginning of the night we were given a free glass of champagne. Except I had 5 free glasses.

The next 3 nights were spent in the Lake District where I got caught up, indirectly in the horror of yesterday. My thoughts go out to the families of the dead and injured, let us not forget too the devastating effect it must be having on the perpetrators family, they are just as much his victims as those he shot killed and maimed. I feel that it makes my struggles in coming to terms with my own current situation almost inappropriate and irrelevant in light of the bigger picture of what has happened.

My last post was written on my mobile while sitting on the beach at Arnside, I have really appreciated having the time out. I always feel so much closer to God when the business of day to day life is allowed to melt into the back ground.

Having time out also gave me time to stop, think and reflect. These last few weeks have been incredibly busy and have allowed little time for this, yet much has happened both work wise, personally and individually and I needed time to process it all. Some of it easy to do, some of it harder.

The one thing that I really needed to do was process what my consultant had told me and I will at some time soon dedicate a post to it however, at this stage I feel not quite ready to do this. In my last post I referred to the fact that I needed to change the focus of my life on reflection I don't think it is so much changing the focus of my life that I need to do but rather re adjust my life in order to come to terms and learn to live with the fact that this is it.

This is proving to be a massive challenge to me as I have come to realise that while I need to come to terms with thing and get my head around it at it were I don't want to, because to do so would be to accept that this is what my life is going to be like and I really don't want to accept that. But I know I have to, and I can't work a way through it, it's like trying to pick a pathway through dense woodland in thick fog. I know I will get there but right now not sure how.

During this time the words of Jeremiah 29 v 11 keep going around my head

"For I know I have plans for you" declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

Update

Well its been a while since I last blogged so time for an update.

My essay is progressing not as quickly as I would of liked but it is getting there.

The guests Fred and Barney went onto their foster home a couple of weeks ago, the lady who collected them and I have promised to keep in touch as we both love piggies. Fred and Barney have, since their arrival in foster care been offered a wonderful forever home which is great news for them.

Its not long now till I fly out to Italy and the wedding, the events with the volcanic ash cloud worried me greatly, as did it my sisters. The news that the navy were getting involved along with it been announced that the situation may go on for several months combined with infromation that its next door neighbour, a much bigger volcano may also erupt filled me with dread. I wasn't bothered about making it to Italy, I was worried about letting my sister down. It will certaintly be a great wedding story to tell in in the years to come. I feel very sorry though for those trapped abroad and those who lost long awaited holidays as a result of the ensuing chaos.

Me and B didn't make it to South Lakes Animal Park. Unfortunately my asthma chose to play up, whether it was a result of the fall out of the ash cloud or not is debatable but the end result was I had only 1 hours sleep certainly not enough to safely drive my car. So instead we have planned to go in June and spend a few nights at a youth hostel. However we did manage the planned fireworks on the evening. The fireworks were bought for bonfire night however, it is only now that we have found time to set them off.

The next few days are to be dedicated to preparing for my hols and packing so if you don't hear from me for a while this is why.

By for now

All change

Lots of things are happening here, some mundane whereas others are exciting.

My studies are going well there is just the issue of sorting out my semester B essay which I did a year early. This time last year in fact so I am hoping that I don't need to re sit it as I passed it without problems.

My health continues to be very up and down at the minute my joint problems are causing me significant problems but I have already blogged enough about this previously so I won't expand much on this other than to say I am in a a great deal of pain at the minute, I am very grateful for being prescribed strong painkillers. It is presenting me with some concern as this flare has been more painful than usual. I am hoping that this is just a blip rather than an indication that my joint problems are deteriorating as they inevitably will.

Earlier in the week I broke my mobile phone, a real pain in the neck I took it over to the store where I bought it from and who I have insurance through and was informed that I would need to pay £50 excess for the repairs which didn't please me. I was even less pleased given the fact that I had less than 4 months on my contract and my current contract does not meet my usage thus my bills are expensive. I explained this to the sales person and he told me to go and sit down in one of the chairs provided which I did. After a few minutes natter with the sales guy I came out £110 in my pocket to pay off my current contract, and a new contract that meets my usage needs. Plus I got the phone I really wanted, free. The iphone. I know that they have been very hyped up and some may argue, over hyped. But, it is brilliant and there is a wide range of apps many of them free or costing a few pennies. Instead of carrying my bible with me as I always do I now have a study bible on my i phone. I have put lots of other apps on it, some of my favourite CDs and have down loaded lots of pod cast. The only drawback with it is that when in use its heavy in the battery.

In three weeks time my middle sister will be married, and I will be in Italy. She is getting married in Italy at the end of the month a very exciting though expensive holiday looms. Not only will I be attending the wedding but I am also her bridesmaid and will have the honour of giving her away. I am spending two nights in the south of Italy where the wedding is to be held and then a few nights in Rome.

While I am away my piggies will be staying with a friend. Sadly there have been a number of issues arising with their regular sitter to the point that it seems our friendship will inevitability fizzle out, its sad and difficult to deal with. I have tried a number of avenues to try and resolve the issues but to no avail and I feel that I know have to accept the inevitable. She no longer wishes to remain in the friendship.

Anyway my friend who lives just up the road has kindly offered to take my piggies, I am not sure that she knows what she is letting herself in for but I know that they will be well cared for and loved. Thomas is a lone pig as he has fell out with previous cage mates. Its a situation I am not comfortable with, although I have no real desire to have four piggies at the same time I am conscious that they like the company of their own kind and I am fearful he is getting lonely sitting in his cage all day on his own. So to this end my friend M has offered to try and bond Thomas with a piggy called Bob, M helps run a small animal rescue and Bob is a lone boar who is very lonely on his own. He has also been in rescue since his birth last year, he is now 10 months old and really needs a loving forever home. I am not convinced it will work out but I hope it does for both of them. The trouble is also that I have seen pictures of Bob and have fell in love, it would not be practical or fair on Bob to take him in on his own though, so unless he and Tommy get on he will continue to look for a new home. This is Bob

Just before I head off to Italy I am going to South Lakes Animal Park with my friend B and at the same adopting her a giraffe. Just to note it will remain at the animal park, we will not be bringing it home with us.

My guests Fred and Barney are still with me but they may be moving on to permanent fosters in a few days time. I will miss them greatly but its another step for them on the route to a loving, caring forever home.

So lots happening at this end and as I said at the beginning of my post some are exciting and some are pretty mundane.

Explantion of silence

I haven't blogged for a while, that is not because I have given up blogging again but rather because I have been away. I was going to write a post about it before I went away but never got round to it.

Very briefly, I will post more about it later we went to Somerset, by "we" I referring to my amazing and wonderful friend B who I went with. B has a brilliant sense of humour and being in her company made the holiday so special, we laughed so much and together we visited some lovely places and saw some fantastic (and funny) sights.

September and the start of Autumn

Firstly may I apologise for yesterdays little rant.

Tomorrow is the 1st September, the beginning of the end of summer and the start of Autumn. Thoughts turn to darker nights, already by half eight its dark and cooler weather. Not that we have had much of a summer.

I love the early autumn months and plan a visit to the top of Sutton Bank to witness the many beautiful colours of the trees from one of my favourite vantage points and take a few photos as well. I may well ask a friend to join me.

Its also the start of the new university year, I head into the second year of my graduate diploma, despite the advice of my tutor I am still sorely tempted to study for the remaining 2 modules in one year despite knowing that its really not a good plan given the struggles I faced last year.

I also have something fantastic to look forward to this month, something that will be very exciting and great fun. I am going on holiday. On the 19th September me and a very good friend B will be heading off to Somerset for a week of sightseeing and silliness. Can't wait.

Animal guest house

Let me first of all introduce one of my piggies, this is Sparky.

I love this time of year not just the weather (or rather the odd day were the sun comes out and it doesn't rain) but the fact that my friends all go on holiday. Let me reassure you I am not happy that my friends are on holiday, I miss them while they are away. I am pleased for them that they are able to get away and enjoy their breaks away. I am pleased because they leave their pets behind and in my care.

Today three more piggies will be arriving, its gets a bit squashed with an extra cage but we manage. Sparky and Harry, who is currently enjoying a Handel CD are in the living room. Tommy remains in the hallway, whinging and an empty cage stands next to it ready to receive the guests.

Next week my friend B heads off on her hols and for a week I will be cat sitting in addition to guinea pig sitting. He's such a gorgeous lad, though a tad spiky at times so I have the joy of caring for him as well.