OK 2008 - I submit!

What have I done to 2008 I ask myself. Firstly we had the Header Tank fiasco, closely followed by the Demise of Daisy. Now what I hear you ask.

Got a call from Val whilst I was in work on Friday. She was in agony. A Flare Up had hit her.

Long story short. The flare up hit whilst she was downstairs on the sofa. Once she gets hit by one then she stays wherever it hits. So Friday night Val had to try to sleep sitting up as when we tried to get her to lay down (about a 10 minute exercise) she was in pain (lots of). Tried it a bit but it failed so had to sit her up again. Another 10 minutes and a lot of pain. Numb bum kicks in so she has to try to move, each time - yep you guessed it - pain.

The Doc came out and upped her steroids and painkillers but it still takes time to take effect. Val was hoping for a jab (cortisone?) as she has had that in the past. Eventually the feet, ankles, left knee, elbows and hands relented a bit, unfortunately the right knee decided to carry on. It is now Monday evening, luckily Ches was not on duty today so she was able to stay the day.

Friday night I was on Al's put up on the front room floor. Val was awake most of the night and it was not fun. Got a bit better on Saturday and with a lot of pushing, pulling and pain (for Val) we got her up the stairs to bed (via the loo!!!) Saturday afternoon.

She is now able to get down the stairs with walking stick and taking it very slowly, so that's a bonus. She can drink without having the cup/glass held and sucking through a straw (we have a stock of plastic ones for this very eventuality!). Reminds me of a story about straws and drinking!! Later methinks.

I will have to ring in work tomorrow and give it a miss as I am not happy leaving Val alone all day. Even though her condition has improved, she still couldn't go down and make a cuppa for example. Couldn't get back up and wouldn't be able to lift the kettle!!

Oh isn't arthritis fun!!!!

On the positive side Podga and HR have both been busy. I think we may be going for a "cook off" with our two "chefs"- I am happy to judge lads!!!

Podga wrote first so over to Blue (I am not really a Tractor Boy) Skies
"Suffolk Sojourn 32/137. Hello Playmate - I wondered what had happened to you - the header tank trilogy explained all. Hope it is all under control now - although HR's ramblings in retrospect seem to have confused the issue. Sounds like he would have just emptied a couple of magazines into it - after creeping up in the dark (or was that computer fixology?) Anyway - glad the chutney went down well. Sales were astronomical, and I only have one jar left, which is being kept for posterity (For a maxi comparison session in the future - with the Sep 01, Oct 03, Sep 04, and Miss Belinda's Nov 06).
In your excitement you forgot to mention whether Al got her pounds' worth as your boys dispatched Hull out of the cup. I hope you both enjoyed a worthy result. Tractor Boy's are still 2 points above Pilgrims however - let's see what this weekend brings. Please note, by the way, that my affinity with Ipswich FC is purely geographical and a distraction owing to your unerring support for the Pilgrims. If in different leagues I wouldn't be bothering - honest. Meanwhile -Onwards and Upwards Tractor Boys. My true loyalty (since 1961) is with Man U. Eat your heart out Leon and the faltering Gunners.
So glad that Ches is enjoying her new vocation and obviously enjoying it. And sorry to hear of Daisy's sad demise - I hope Al has come through OK - big kiss for her from CT.
Has work resumed on the Hall/Stairs/Landing yet? Careful on that ladder Paulie - helmet and yellow vest remember.
Finally - is HR issuing some kind of culinary challenge with major descriptions of his menu triumphs? Watch this space for Sunday Lunch with a difference when my Parent's in Law come this w/e - my own recipe Potted Shrimps followed by Suffolk Pork etc and then Apricot Millefeuille. Pig Out !!!! Blue Skies Paulie and love to all. "

Quick answer to the big question is that Val had planned to resume "Operation Hall" this past weekend, unfortunately the Universe decided otherwise. Have to put the big ladder up for the next stage so hard hat might be needed. I have one in work along with H&S hard boots!!

Al loved Argyle (as always) good game a great result. Shame half our team seems to be leaving, one is even rumoured to be heading to Tractor land - why? Money I suppose, certainly not better football or a shot at the Premiership!!!!

Now it is the turn of HR aka (yep he must have got jealous of Podga aka Blue Skies aka Brownfingers!) Brevity. Cook off fella's.

" Start here. Is now a good time to say that Dad took me to see the Canaries play Stoke City at Norwich when Stanley Matthews was in the team (and was not yet Sir Stanley)? Still don`t know who won !!
Ref Daisy: make sure you buried the right one Paul ! Is Al accounted for? Be suspicious if the burial mound is bigger than your average hamster! Finally : thanks for the gen on the TV Rabbit. I had hoped it was a keen girlfriend ! End here !!"

And now I hand over to Brevity!!

"Paul you were supposed to precis my emails not chuck my ramblings on the blog then blame me for verbosity ! That's cheating.
Start Here. From now on I shall restrict my input to "the weather in Devizes was crap today"
PS changed name by deed-poll to "Brevity" End here."

Oops sorry Brevity, finger slipped and the bit before Start Here sneaked in!!!! I didn't know you were a supporter of that superior team in East Anglia. A Canary man heh? Maybe I should stop using Russian red and go for Canary yellow???? I too was taken to see Stoke City by my old man, Argyle won 2-1 as I recall. The start of a love affair with Home Park. Did you know that Pele also came a cropper at Home Park, he visited with Santos and they left defeated by the Mighty Greens.

Time to get tea down before the Soccer starts. Liverpool and Aston Villa I believe. Still, I suppose I will have to put up with a lower standard of football compared to the Mighty Greens.

Al and I were hoping to get to Pompey for the cup match. Looks unlikely now due to ticket demand. Latest plan is for a bunch of us from work (and Al) to head to Bristol City in March. Val and Ches (if she isn't on duty) will drop off at IKEA. Got to ask Gray and Sandra if they are interested and Lin, if you are reading this, Val hasn't forgotten you. We might get a convoy going!!

I wonder what Leon is cooking up for us!! (Well I thought it was funny)