In response to the last comment. I have been sick for last few days. Not enough to stay in bed but enough to make every minute a strain. You may wonder why.So did I. I was told that overall I have a 5-10% body strength which helps me to sit up etc. So in a normal day I have a constant battle against the forces of gravity which pull me down into a slumped position (which I hate). As you can imagine, slight illness can make this a huge and difficult battle.

I have had my e-mail go down for the last 5 days and I am not happy.

I spent the day with my son Alex on Sunday. We spent several hours revising some science before watching the football.

Last night I went to his school for a very poorly arranged parents teachers evening. The boy has great cognitive ability and poor scores.I don't know how to help him with his poor motivation and focus.

I would just love to do more.

What a ghastly day. Just felt yuch the whole time. Anyway found this quote and would like to hear your view.

I believe we shall come to care about people less and less. The more people one knows the easier it becomes to replace them. It's one of the curses of London.

E. M. Forster (1879-1970)

Is this the price for city living?

What about the effect of the web and virtual relationships ?

What next?

Ruth's Introduction to my Blog

I have been yearning to sit down and update you all on the crazy goings-on of my convoluted life.There is always some priority I feel I must attend to first, by the end of which, I have too little time to do a thorough job.

There's work, health, farewells and hellos to talk about. Not to mention, leisure or should I describe it as active parenting. Much debate about whether leisure is the appropriate term in this case and so I will clarify this by saying that I view it as a time when I don't actively think about my work.

How does one work effectively with a person that was part of your life in a very powerful way and at all levels?

I don't like to "let go" of people. I like to remain at peace with people who mean something to me, or have done in the past. So I always keep a door open. Difficulties in relationships are seldom caused by malicious intent and this mixed responsibility is an important learning opportunity. I was very nervous about whether this was a good idea regarding a situation I faced. I needed some office assistance and they had some time. Going from the context of our past to this new situation, meant boundaries needed to be established and care taken to ensure maintainance of working standards.

I have to say it's working well and I have seen a big improvement.

Now last week was a busy time for me. I did as much as I could on Monday to Wednesday knowing that on Thursday and Friday I would be out.On Thursday to a hospital appointment in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury. A 4 hour round trip. I used my time there to see nurses, friends and doctors who I had known. I got home late.

Friday was a lunch and a farewell from friends and colleagues at work. More about this as soon as the pictures arrive!

This weekend was an opportunity to spend time with my children, as Ruth was busy I had the other 2,Alex and Carmen over. They went through a stage when they were younger of irritating each other over everything. Now they get on well together and seem to enjoy each other's company. We went to watch the local football team, Rushden and Diamonds They won, which is always a bonus for sitting in the cold.

After the game we grabbed a video and watched a soppy movie which Carmen mistook for a comedy.

Waking up this morning I found easy as I had spent the night half awake, as usual. The other 2 slept till eleven and we had tea and biscuits. After spending time outside and a phone call informing us our plan to have lunch with my friend was cancelled. I offered to teach them how to bake scones. They loved that. Polishing off a batch of scones between them.

I have to say a day like today is just for coffee, chocolate cake and a good book. As I can't do that anymore, I will write this blog...

So I slept well waking up at my usual time of 3am but managing to fall back asleep. When I woke again at 5 the radio had a short piece which stuck with me. It was about being in a hurry. We have made a virtue out of being busy. We are proud that we somehow fill our lives with endless activity. What I enjoyed in that piece was the story about a reporter and a vietnamese man. They were travelling through the countryside while the journalist wrote his article. On one occasion they sat under a tree for lunch. When they were done, the man looked at the journalist and said, "Some day I must teach you to eat an orange."
"What do you mean? I have just finished one!", he replied.
"Well when you ate it you peeled it, put a segment in your mouth, then began seperating another piece. Which you held in your hand. You never thought about the orange or enjoyed it ,you were thinking about the next piece. So you never really ate the orange. "

This is so powerful. We have forgotten how to enjoy the moment. Thinking about the next mouthful or next moment deprives the current of it's pleasure.

I asked Ruth to film the gift she bought me for Christmas. I was quite refreshed and a little saddened by it.Let me explain, I laughed when I first saw it because it's so cute an idea; at the same time I was quite heartsore that she remembers that before my accident I would sing just like that! here it is "What a wonderful world "

How can time melt away like it does? I have spent the day doing a mixture of filing and work for a client. I am busy contemplating customer satisfaction studies. I enjoy the work and sometimes the only drawback is my ability to jot down notes as I go. I have had a friend in to help me with the office and this is going quite well. We have almost finished the filing of the backlog afterwhich we will revamp the system and reduce the bulk.

Tomorrow I pick up my youngest,Ruth. We are both looking forward to spending time together. We plan to read, watch a movie and Ruth wants to bake a cake. So a busy time!

My garden wall which I mentioned on the 15th January has now been assessed to belong to the neighbour. I spoke to them today regarding the situation. Isn't it strange that this is the only time I have met them. And it took a broken wall to do it!

Tonight after my dinner I went to my computer, did some work and then had a cuppa and my first slice of mum's fruit cake. Delicious! Smothered in brandy and full of fruit (especially cherries). This was a treat Thanks Mum!