Feet not touched the ground

I have had another very busy week and this one started with a bang and carried on to treatment day. One thing I have tried to do is carry on as normal where possible. This on occasions has been difficult but I am always up for a challenge, but I have yet to learn when my body is ready to say no more.
Saturday, 22nd May
Today was one of those days that I could be myself and carry on as though nothing had changed. I was off to an event I had  not been to for a while and see friends I had not seen for at least a year. I was going to a PowerTalk International council meeting. Some workshops and of course the business meeting/AGM. A great day was had by this delegate and I even learnt something, which is always a bonus. There were some new members who I had not met before. I am now looking forward to next years meetings and doing the same. I even got up and had my say in both the workshops and the AGM.
This was followed by being picked up by my husband and went off to some friends to help celebrate a birthday. They were putting on a B-B-Q. So it was Burgers and Snags (sausages) all round. Early to bed, just beating the little man to bed. Kids are great, there was not comments on the lose of hair or the strange shape of body without the prosthetic. Wish we could all be like that. My only comment about the evening was that it was too hot. I struggled to sleep due to the heat, and then my husband decided that he could not sleep down stairs and joined me, first time we have shared a bed since the operation.
Sunday, 23rd May
Not quite the early morning I expecting when the curtain fell off the window, up with the birds is one thing but up when you hosts rig the curtain is another thing. Still we trooped down stairs and started playing on the Wii, it got quite competitive at one point and had to be stopped so we could get ready to go to the pub for lunch. A nice roast lunch and conversation extending the birthday party a little.
Monday, 24th May
My body is now rebelling and I am rebelling, I am shattered but I don't want to be beaten. Saying that the newly covered sofa is calling me and recorded items have to watched. No I have to go and get some cushions. Off to John Lewis and the purchase of four cushions for the sofa. They look fabulous.
Tuesday, 25th May
Duvet day at last. I have a very important thing to watch. Richard Armitage in Chris Ryan's: Strike Back. I also have to record it for a friend, who does not have Sky One. Brilliant programme, another DVD for my collection me thinks. I am just happy with the ending, I hope they make a new series to finish it off nicely, but I know what these programme makes are like and would like us just use our imaginations.
Wednesday, 26th May
Started off the day as all days should start on the beauticians bed having a facial. Relaxing and invigorating at the same time.
Once home had a text from a friend who is free for lunch and so it was with my face on and my glad rags that I drove into Manchester and met up with so old work colleagues. Had a good chat and then went to the office to those that could not make it to the lunch but were still in the office. Everyone was eager to know my news and say that I looked so well. This all sounds so well and good, but when you feel so knackered that you could just curl up under a desk and go to sleep it is not always welcome.
Suddenly realised that my parking ticket was about to expire so I left and moved the car to another car park. Made my way to Waterstone's and did a little more shopping. I then settled myself in a Starbucks and put pen to paper and now starting a more detailed version of events for a possible book (see Bucket List).
Met up with friend for our pre-theatre dinner. We decided to go to Cafe Instanbul on Bridge Street, Manchester. On arrival she told that this was her second Turkish meal of the day, as her boss had taken the office out to another Turkish restaurant on Deansgate. Still we both enjoyed our meal and nearly forgot about the time until my alarm went off and we suddenly realised we had to get to the theatre.
We arrived at the theatre with some time to spare. We collected our tickets from the box office and changed our arranged for the final production as part of our season tickets at the Royal Exchange. Today's production was Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. I had forgotten how witty it was and the wonderful dialogue, some of which we do see in My Fair Lady but it is usually then interrupted by a song or missed out completely. The girl, Cush Jumbo, was brilliant. The rest of the cast was good too. As always a good production in the round.
I even got home before my husband, who was also out with a friend to see Robin Hood, with Russell Crowe.
Thursday, 27th May
Another day of out and about. Firstly it was a quick trip to the hospital for my pre-treatment bloods to be taken. I was picked up and would be chauffeured all day. Following the hospital we then went to pick up another friend and went to the Lowry Outlet Centre for my important shopping and also for a Birthday lunch. Some items were purchased and we decided on the Italian restaurant for a change.
I was then dropped off home for a couple of hours rest and recuperation before getting ready for my next car to arrive and be whisked off to Manchester again. Tonight was Orators and I was taking on the role of Topics Master. A good night was had by all and I enjoyed just doing the normal week by week diary of events that I had before all this happened. Of course it is not the same but there again  will ever be. I had a quick chat with some of the members and networked with some of the guests. Got home and went straight to bed. God knows how I will feel tomorrow!

Night Out

Well yesterday was all about getting ready for a night out.

I had an idea of what I was going to wear and had to change it as it just did not suit me since the op.  It looks like a new wardrobe is in the offing.  Still I had a relaxing bath and the usual ablutions.  I even went to the time and trouble to put make up on.

My chauffeur picked me up bang on time and we then made our way into Manchester.  Orators (Toastmasters) meet at the Rainbar, (if you want to come they meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month) in the boardroom on the top floor.  The one thing I was worried about was the stairs to the top, which taken slowly were no problem at all.

Fellow members were surprised and happy to see me, one even saying that I looked better now than I did before the operation and treatment so far.  What were they getting at?  (Answers on a postcard please...).

I took part in the Table Topics, extemporaneous speaking of up to 2 minutes.  The theme of the evening was Community and I had to talk about what virtual community I would invent on the internet.  As I have started this blog and got into the swing of using FB and other networking sites I wanted to leave it as it was and use what was already there with the community set up with fellow bloggers etc. We have the ability to comment on blogs and share ideas through the words we type and the feedback we get from other likeminded people.  I have "virtually" met so many people through my blog and FB that I come to see that the world is such a small place.  Well words to that affect.

We had two good speeches an Icebreaker (first speech) and a final speech.  All very well executed and enjoyable showing how people can develop using the workbook within Toastmasters.  All the speakers, including the other five topic takers, were evaluated by other members.  Another learning experience for all, one to see if you agree with the evaluator and two to see if you spotted some of the same things.

At the end of the evening there is usually a vote for best Topic Taker, best Speaker (if more than two speakers so was not done last night), and best Evaluator.  To my shock and horror I won best Topic and my chauffeur won best Evaluator.  After years of not being very good at Topics I have now won best Topic two meetings on the trot.

The meeting finished early and managed to get home before 22:00.  I have had a slow morning but not feeling too bad today.

So far today I have watched the last episode of a series on Sacred Music by BBC Four.  All about one of my favourite composers J S Bach.  I recorded it a few weeks past and only just got round to watching it, along with the three previous episodes about the development of Sacred Music.  What a way to wake up in the morning!

Easter Weekend

I have been thinking a lot about the Easter story this weekend, as well I should I hear shout at the computer monitor, but I think this year it has meant more than anything.  Not that I am religious but I do pray in my own way.  It is surprising that when I say this I am considered as some sort of freak or not even religious only on the grounds that I do not formalise my prayer with going to church and be told how to pray and when to pray.  My only other thought on the matter is that some unknown man we call Jesus died for something he believed in, I believe in chocolate, that Sunday should be a family day if not a religious day and that we should love our fellowman/woman/person (sorry Mrs Harriet HarPERSON - watch Matthew Wright for reference) no matter what.
Soapbox dismounted with full double back flip scoring 6 from the Russians (must have been impressive).  I am now sitting on this Sunday afternoon in the conservatory with iTunes on shuffle and the cat (he has adopted us) sitting next to me.
What a weekend.  Not only did the trip to buy the all important post operative underwear went better than expected but had the opportunity to play with my nephew on the wii and watch the grand prix (what were you doing Webber next time drive like you are an A380 so that Vettle can not pass you on the first turn and Button remember you can overtake a Ferrari when there is downshift problem just have the nerve you had in Brazil last year), sorry Murray Walker just took over there or something.
Finally I settled down to the listen to the chocolate voice of Mr Richard Armitage in the final part of Clarissa, as Valmont before him he stuck the rapier in deeper than it need to!!!  As much as it was a wonderful adaptation I have to that Sean Bean just edged it as Robert Lovelace, but I think that is because I could see the wonderful costumes.  They do say that radio has the best pictures but sometimes it can be a little difficult.
As with all things during this time I have set myself some small highlights and objectives my first one will be this week.  I will be attending my first Toastmasters meeting since the operation, I have a fellow member picking me up and will bring me home when it is all over.  I am really looking forward to seeing a room full of people and even getting the opportunity to see if I can still give a 2-3 minute speech.  To some this sounds like torture but believe me when you have taught the butterflies to fly in formation it gets easier (not easy but easier).
Please do follow the links on the left to some of my favourite blogs, websites (for more information) and have a go at the vote it is after all only for fun.