Wedding central - the flowers for the tables...

Ah well.... the flowers are half done. For those of you who missed this, I am doing the decorations for my friend's daughter's wedding reception on Saturday. Yesterday, I showed you the kitchen with 20 pots of real live ivy scattered around. This is the same idea I used for Andrew's wedding, and it worked so well, it has been used again and again. Weddings do not have to cost the earth.

I had the 20 tin bucket thingies (from Ikea), and I put a piece of wet oasis for fresh flowers in the base of each, and then around the ivy to wedge it in. The ivy is untangled, so it winds its way across the round tables. Then I add some artificial silk flowers to each pot. Lilies, sweetpeas and carnations. They are very life-like and look so real that people sniff them to see if they have a scent! They will all be kept and used again and again. The lilies have been used about 5 times already.
I have looped ribbon and wired it too, so that went in next. A couple for each pot. I also wired a single large crystal bead, and wound the wire round a pen so it makes a spiral, and each pot has about 2-3 of these in too.
These are some of the long wired strings of beads which will be wound around and through the ivy when we get to the hall. If I do it now, it all gets caught together when we transport them there. The candles on the tables pick up the crystal beads and they sparkle in the dark and look wonderful. The light catching them is beautiful. Each pot will have about 3 strings of beads in the ivy. The actual pot will also have beads wound around it when they are on the table.

This is getting to the point where I can't do anything more until Friday when the fresh gypsophila arrives. Every pot will have sprigs of fresh flowers in as well.

That plastic bag in the front of so many of the photos is full of individually wrapped strings of wired beads. They have to be kept separate or they all get hopelessly tangled. These are the ones with thinner wire, so they are more flexible. I have no idea why I did not move it to take the photos.

So this is what my kitchen looks like as I write. No. There is nowhere to eat on the table at the moment. But it is just for a few more days, and then they will be gone. They look lovely. Well, everyone who has seen them says they do, and I am happy with them so far. It is amazing what the addition of gypsophila does to the arrangements. As they are now, they look fine. I hope the bride is happy.

And after the wedding, we will strip down all the arrangements, wrap the wired beads again, pack the flowers , buckets and ribbons into boxes to go into the loft, use the ivy in the gardens, dry the gypsophila, and throw away nothing. And each arrangement cost under £5 to make. See? It can be done. I will post photos of the hall after the wedding.

So it is all quiet and peaceful around here. It should be. It is 3 something am. Do not ask. I have been to bed and now I am up again. I may sleep better on the couch. This is not quite what I anticipated for the summer of 2008.

The memory eater is alive and well....

You know, not 10 seconds ago, I had 3 great ideas for posts. They are gone. The moment I hit the "new post" button, my brain takes that as a message to "delete all contents". Immediately. I do not lie. I was even going to write all 3 and line them up ready to post in the days to come. Maybe I should write about diminishing memory capacity here instead.

Are you like me? I read wonderful posts, with quotes littered all over the place, and I think, oh yes, I remember that one.... and I really do, but until I read it today, it is lost in the backwaters of my mind. I read it, savour it once again, and 5 minutes later?? Vanished. Bible verses are exactly the same. I can manage the first verse of Genesis and Psalm 23. There was a time once, when I could even identify the author of a well know quote. When I used to know poems by heart. Great hunks of Shakespeare. Useful stuff. Now I keep my mouth shut.

It is not as though my mind is idle. It whizzes all over the place, wrestles with its own demons, dances through memories, solves complex calculations, creates beautiful pictures, whirls through dreams, absorbs millions of written words. It thinks. It works. It does all that. But how much more has it forgotten?? It functions in every way it has to function, and as a mother, it is required to function in 29,502,387,537,363 ways at the same time at warp speed. It can do that. And I made up that number. You know what I mean. But can I remember the names of my friends' children? Hahahaha. I now call everyone "sweetie". It works for me. And I don't appear totally brain dead.

Quotes are in the same category as names. Shopping lists are there too. Important dates as well. Appointments. Thank heavens for a phone which beeps to remind me of these things. And my mother - see below. Music is another thing. I used to recognise classical music - and modern for that matter - instantly. Now I can say if I remember the song, but the person singing or the composer? Pah. Gone. The words? Unless I am singing loudly, they are also things fading away into the mists of time. Does this matter? Probably not, I agree. But it is so frustrating to admit that my memory is filing so much stuff in the "irrelevant" file. I want to decide what is relevant. That would be everything, of course.

Ironically, my memories of my childhhood and youth, or the years from about 3-25 are crystal clear. After that, it sems to all get jumbled up. I have even been known to call my own children "Andrew, Diana, David - whoever you are.....". Please tell me I am not the only one. Heaven help me if had had more children. Maybe glasses would have helped.

And the most frustrating thing of all is that my 82 year old mother has a memory as clear as daylight and as sharp as a razor. She remembers EVERYTHING. Genes are not all they are cracked up to be. Or it could be all the crossword puzzles she whizzes through. Do not ever offer to play scrabble with her either.

Maybe I should occupy all the time I seem to have by reading a thesaurus. And if anyone knows how to get rid of the memory eater, please feel free to let me know.

Mind you - I am a star when it comes to nursery rhymes. I can remember them all. I am a genius after all. It is the small things which count, people........

Creating from the couch.....

My kitchen is starting to resemble wedding central here. I am going to SIT at the table and do 18-20 centre-pieces for the tables from tomorrow. The beading is done. Jean and I did quite a bit on Sunday afternoon, while I lay on the couch, and Margaret brought me all the ones they made for her daughter's wedding too. I can't tell you what a difference it makes to work beads into flower arrangements!

Like at my son's wedding, I am using silver pots (well, tin, really) and pots of trailing ivy in each, and then flowers in amongst the ivy. I will post photos during the making of them later this week. I wire beads, spaced randomly apart, and then wind them around the trailing ivy so when the tealight candles are lit, they sparkle. I may be winding some around the pots too. Then there is the ribbon to sort. Because I can't drive at the moment, I issue orders and the stuff arrives! It is great fun.

In the corner of my lounge, I have bunches of twigs which have been wired with little lights and when you plug them in, they make beautiful features out of corners, and Nicky has managed to find some to use for the wedding too. So on Friday, I will take up position at the place where the reception is being held, and will supervise the decoration. No. I will NOT be climbing all over the place. I promise.

However, because I am a control freak, I will need policing. My friends think this is hilarious. They will be there to stop me. It is just that I have the picture of what it can look like in my head. Now I have to be able to tell other people what to do to make it happen.

To make the hall look beautiful, we are also gathering potplants from all our friends' homes too. Different heights and sizes, to bank the entrance ways and the corners of the stage. It is going to look stunning. There will be photos. Many, I suspect.

There is no need to spend thousands, you know. Especially when it becomes a community event with everyone helping, just like it was for my son's wedding. And just about all the stuff I am using will be re-usable for the next event, or for our homes or gardens. Margaret's daughter, who teaches art, wound about 20 strings of wired beads around a vase in the entrance to her home, and together they look like a very classy huge bracelet. Fun, beautiful and very cheap!

The knee update is that I spoke to my doctor again, and she is trying to book an emergency appointment with the consultant. I should know in a day or so when that is likely to be. That is when I will start looking seriously at other options, if I have to. I cannot wait till November to get this sorted.

As the swelling subsides a little, I have to say that it is getting more uncomfortable. And I am aware, and so is the doctor, at last, that my unusually high pain threshhold is actually very dangerous. Most people would be in great pain. I am uncomfortable, so medical professionals tend to underestimate the extent of the damage, and also, I tend to inflict further damage because it doesn't hurt as much as it would a normal person. Sigh. I am abnormal. I can walk. I should NOT be walking without the crutch. Most people would not be walking at all. And the reson I am so tired is that my body is trying to heal things I cannot feel. Weird? I know.

Anyway. I have creations to create. The rain has stopped for the moment. My son will go and get the milk I need for my coffee. When he rises from the pit, that is. There is stuff to do.

Two years....

If you are over 50, watch your legs!

I called a friend of mine in Scotland today. Just to catch up. From the couch. And after telling her about the knee woes and the fact that the waiting list appears to be 18 weeks long for treament - that means November - she said "we should live closer" or words to that effect.

Why? Well, she raced out into the garden 2 weeks ago, as her dog was upending all her plants, slipped, met a tree, and broke her ankle. I tell you, South African women are tough. She dragged herself inside, and then drove to fetch her son with a broken ankle. So, after a few new casts on her leg over the past 2 weeks and a complete set of crutches, there she is, left leg, like me, elevated. On her couch. I should clearly be in Scotland on the other couch.

That makes Judith, Susie, me, Mary, and Cheryl. The count is rising. It is an epidemic.

So

If you are over 50, walk carefully. Do not chase dogs. Do not turn. Do not bowl cricket balls to children, or any other balls, for that matter. Do not wear slippers. Do not dance in your kitchen. Do not climb over rocks. Do not run on the beach. Do not spin round to try to catch naughty children in class. Do nothing at speed.

In fact, just get a blanket and go and lie on your couch. I will let you know when it is safe to move again.

PS: Is anyone else watching the Wimbledon final???? I am going grey, and my blood pressure must be stratospheric. I keep rushing in and out like a lunatic because I can't bear to watch and I also can't bear not to. I feel an email coming on to Mr Federer.

Some American on the phone...

I have a really lovely friend, Chris at His Unfinished work, you know. Well, I sincerely hope you DO know her. And if you don't, now would be a great time to pop over to visit her and get to know her.

She is funny, strong, open, and just a delight. And she is coping with the aftermath and rehabilitation her mother is going through as a consequence of a stroke. She has started another blog too, Post stroke to diarise her journey as she and her sister help her Mum through rehab. Not easy. Not easy in any sense of the world. Especially as Chris also has her own family and her work not to mention all the other parts of her life which all need her as well. The link is in her sidebar.

So where was I??? Oh yes. There I was reclining on the couch with icepack in place, and a heated wheat bag on the toes - don't ask - entertaining my friend's husband who had brought all the beads I am stringing for their daughter's wedding next Saturday....I don't think I mentioned that I am doing the decor?? From the couch?? For a wedding of 150 people? In a large hall? Which needs lots of decoration???? I may even string fairy lights around the crutch.

I digress.

There I was, watching the tennis and chatting to Bob, making arrangements for him to climb round my attic as I clearly cannot, and all the things for the wedding are up there, and David walks in with the phone. Hey, Mum, it is some American on the phone for you. Hello I said? And there she was. Chris. She called ME!! I can't tell you what a wonderful surprise it was, and how much I loved the fact that we could chat so easily, as though we had known each other for years. We laughed, and talked about so many things, which only old friends could do. We knew so much about each other. No explanantions were needed.

So for 15 minutes, we chatted and laughed and had the best time. And there was Bob, looking rather bemused - I totally ignored him, because, you know, SOME AMERICAN was on the phone. My priorities were very straight. Clear. And at the end of the conversation, he was magnanimous about being ignored, and asked if I had been talking to an old friend. Oh yes, I said. Well - I have never actually MET her. He has never heard of blogs, my friends. He has no idea what he is missing. I think he thinks I am slightly odd. Weird.

But we all know I am not. The blessings I have received from blogging are wonderful. I wouldn't change it for the world. I love what I do here, and I love all the wonderful friends I have made. Today was good. Great. I spoke to a virtual friend in real life.

So go on over and say hi, people, and I know you will add her family to your prayer lists too. I am heading back to the couch. Still grinning.

The perfect distraction!

My best friend, who has been so much a part of my life forever, it seems, came to visit yesterday. Not unusual?? Well, she and her family live in Auckland, New Zealand. They are on holiday. So they came to see me! I can't tell you how wonderful it was. And always is. It is nearly a year since I saw her in New Zealand, and got to discover the world she lives in for myself. Instead of imagining it all.

This is the other Linds I have talked about many times before - the friend I made in the first year at uni in res back in the dark ages. The friend who married and had her family at the same time I did, and who I can call any time of the night or day. Even if she lives on the other side of the world. Near my daughter, which is wonderful, because there is a "mum" I trust implicitly close by!

We share so much history. So we sat on the couches, looked at photos, laughed, drank tea and coffee, watched the tennis, and it was a lovely time. Nothing changes, except for the lines and creaks of our not-18-year-old-any-more bodies! I wish you could have seen her face as I hobbled with the crutch through the restaurant last night. She looked at me with a grin and didn't have to say a word. I said something along the lines of "say it and you are SO dead..." and she laughed. The next time we go to a restaurant, I will be wearing high heels and doing pirouettes. (Which could well have me back in the same knee postion again I suspect.)

Perfect distraction. Wonderful time. I love my special friends!

Medical matters matter.....

The medical fraternity and I have long since had "issues" and you will know this if you have been here a while. Remember when I arrived at A and E the Saturday before last?? Torn lateral collateral ligament??? Yes. That one. Hmmmm. I have applied icepacks to the outside of my knee ever since. Rested and done what I was told to do. I follow instructions well. (Hahahaha - I can hear you, Diana!) I try.

Today, I went to the physiotherapist. My doctor, who I think is wonderful, sent me. She said they are experts in knee injuries. They are. They fix international athletes all the time there. I hobbled up a flight of stairs to the consulting room, and after taking my history and all the rest, he performed a battery of tests which left me gasping and wincing.

And guess what????

I have not torn my lateral collateral thingy. No. I have ruptured the medial collateral ligament on the OTHER side of the knee. And I have completely ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament inside my knee. The *****y thing is unstable. And now I have one of THESE things to contend with.

I have spent the past 2 weeks ice packing the WRONG side of my knee. Move over, Tiger Woods.... you have company.

So I asked what happened next. I need an MRI scan. But first I need an appointment with an orthopaedic consultant who will order the MRI. Sounds simple. I am considering emigration as I speak. I believe there is a waiting list for the Orthopod. Then there will be another waiting list for the MRI. And then..................... there will be another waiting list for the procedure where they insert a camera into my knee and do something. Fix something. Tiger Woods does not have waiting lists. I may be 110 by the time it is all done. I need my knee to work.

And in the meantime, it is back to the couch. And icepacks. I have exercises to do to keep the muscle in my thigh in shape - what shape?????- and to strengthen the leg. I am to get strapping for the knee.

So there you have it. I am going back to the doctor tomorrow, as work is not an option given the crutch, the possible kneebrace and the need to keep off my feet. My knee is unstable and could give way any time. Gee. Thanks. Not to mention what the little darlings would be tempted to do with the crutch. I am also going to tell her to try all consultants in a 100 mile radius. I may even be tempted to call the hospital I went to yesterday and ask for a fast track to their MRI scanner. They may agree, seeing that I was grace personified at our meeting.

I am absolutely dazzled by the medical expertise I encountered at A and E. They didn't even X-ray it. The physio rolled his eyes when I said no, they didn't. It will not surprise you that this is the hospital I am in the midst of wrangling with over Geoff's treatment. Now I have even more to complain about. Not yesterday's hospital. That one is sorted and fine. The other one????? Not by a long way.

So I am a little irritable. Here is what calms me down.......

Have you ever seen such an unusual fuschia?? It is huge and beautiful..............

Comatose, that's what I am

Today, I went to Oxford - no I didn't drive - I was driven, and didn't walk much either! I could get used to this being driven bit. Very relaxing.

Anyway, I went to Oxford to finally have that illusive meeting with the surgeon who operated on Geoff. He is a super man, and spent an hour talking to me. The rest of their posse sat and listened to our conversation. I don't think they understood much of it. We ironed out some things related to the Inquest, and established some common interest in discovering whether the infection I think G had was actually the one which escaped detection.

We also talked about the other hospital, and what could have happened, what should have happened, what did happen and what should happen now.

All in all, I am happy with the time I spent talking to him, and the course our conversation took. I feel as though some good things have happened as a consequence. They have also made changes in the way the families of people in the CCCU (Cardiac Critical Care Unit) are treated, and that can only be good. It is great to have made a difference. Or been part of the process.

So

Here I am back on the couch. Half asleep. Comatose. I can't believe how tired I get venturing off the couch. Wimbledon obliged by having rain while I was out, and the tennis is back on as I speak. I may still be on this couch in the morning.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......................

And the sun shone....

Well. Today is going to be hot. It is expected to reach 28 degrees, which is lovely. The sun is shining, the doors are open and the birds are tweeting outside. The roses are huge and beautiful, and as you open my front door, the scent of the massed petunias is gorgeous.


More Wimbledon later today, and after last night's epic fight back by Andy Murray, the nation is euphoric. The fact that he meets Raphael Nadal tomorrow is beside the point. I do love watching tennis. Even if I do have a tendency to fall asleep during crucial sets. It's that sofa, you know. Nothing to do with the quality of tennis at all.


I am off to see the doctor in a short while to see what is happening with the knee. I have been wearing jeans most of the week. This is so that I do not obsess about the state of it. I can't see it, therefore all is well. I am very good at being an ostrich. However, I did look closely at it last night. Not good. I think it could be more swollen than last week. And after a week of lying on the couch 90% of the time with icepacks and pillows, I am not impressed.

I keep thinking of the things I love to do, like walking in the mountains, and so I have concentrated on trying to let it heal. I need to walk in the mountains this summer. The thought of going to Switzerland and having to sit and look at the mountains is not great. I want to be up there in the forests.

David has been a star. He is watering my garden for me too, and so it is not expiring. He went off to his Leaver's Ball last Friday and had a wonderful time. I looked at him in his new suit and thought, what has happened to that tiny 6lb baby who was born 19 years ago? When did he grow up?


So, after seeing what the doctor has to say, I will be returning to the couch. I am still waiting for the Amazon parcel to be delivered. It has been dispatched. I just have this sneaking suspicion that it might be coming via Outer Mongolia. Sigh.

I will be back with an update.

*Update*:

I am back from the doctor. More of the same. As in couch and icepack. Physio starting on Thursday. No way I will be back at work yet, given the state of the knee. Appointment with orthopaedic consultant when available. Heaven knows when. The physio means going privately, as the waiting list for the NHS one is over 4 months! But we have a great physio, who is a sports specialist therefore knees are familiar territory. Even though I am , by no stretch of the imagination, a notable sports person. He will fix me.