BIG DANIEL LITTLE DANIEL

I feel so much better about the wheelchair situation.

Much to my surprise, John  said not to sell Big Daniel yet. He must have known what was going to transpire.

Even if Big Daniel had fitted into the new Ms Jeeves, I would NOT have been able to handle him on my own, not even with the ramps. That had not occurred to me. As it is, I was in serious trouble when I tried the first time and he didn’t fit, he toppled back and I could only keep my body still and yell for help. If he had fallen I hat to think what 80kg falling on my legs would have done. So taking Big Daniel anywhere on my own is a no no. He does fit in the car when the batteries are removed and he is then folded.

Little Daniel is very comfortable to sit in. The seat is very like a padded high backed office chair.Most importantly, he fits whole in Ms Jeeves. I find it easy to get him up and down the ramps. I have taken him to the supermarket and to the Spiritualist meeting in Littleport and I had no problems.

Ms Jeeves is a wonderful car. Easy to drive. Very comfortable. Economical to run. The bells and whistles are extraordinary. It controls my mobile phone through Bluetooth technology. My iPod plugs in via USB and audio cable. It has DAB Radio. The lights come on automatically according to how dark it is. The mirror automatically adjusts so no glare from lights behind at night. The Cruise Control is definitely a leg and fuel saver for me. It has an alarm. The steering wheel and the seats are fully adjustable in an out and up and down, like Octavia’s were.She looks very smart too.

I am very sore today. I feel really bruised to the touch. I assume because I have done a fair bit this last couple of days. Moving is like trying to walk in treacle and I am fatigued. However, crucially, I am well in my mind and feel content again.

I was somewhat taken aback by just how out of equilibrium I was when it looked as though I was going to be without the freedom I thought Ms Jeeves was going to bring me. I am lucky that it has all worked out and I have the new freedom I was after. It has shown me how important my attitude of gratitude is and how living each day the best I can and only dealing with today is. There will likely come a time when I can’t walk at all or generally find it very much harder to do what  now can do. It is not definite and I continue to  endeavour do what I can to keep mobile.

JEEVES

OKAY so there was fairly major hiccup. When I got Jeeves home and set up the ramps for Daniel to go up, Daniel didn't fit, the ramps collapsed, and I was left trying to keep an 80 kg wheelchair from falling back on me, damaging Jeeves, and crashing to the pavement. I yelled for help and fortunately my neighbour heard me and came to help me at once.

I tried again, having lowered Daniel's back as far as it would go. There is no way Daniel will fit into the back without being taken apart, which would defeat the object of me being free to go out without help.

After being quite upset about this development and eating a pot of Haagen Dazs to help me think, I order another w/chair, to come express delivery tomorrow. This one is not only half the weight of Daniel but the top folds right down onto the seat so will go into Jeeves no trouble.

There is otherwise loads of room in this car for luggage, dog crates, and the w/chair. In fact I think I can get dog crates, trolley and w/chair in.

I have the iPod set up, the mobile phone set up so the Jeeves answers it at the press of the button. Jeeves also accepts voice commands. Oh and Jeeves is Ms Jeeves.
Needless to say I have hurt myself supporting the weight of Daniel.

I have no regrets with this car. Daniel doesn't fit by less than inch! Yes, that was a boob I could have done without.

I was not prepared to have a people carrier, no room for seats in the house when removed. Plus I don't like them. I needed a car with the back totally flat when rear door opened, unlike Octavia that had had a dip.

It has Cruise Control too which will save my right leg some pain. Good fuel (diesel) economy, very comfortable.

Our planned trip to Edinburgh is still on.

WELL I NEVER

When I put the cones in my online shop, I really had my doubts they would sell. I put up 6. In less than 24 hrs, 5 have sold. So much better than Ebay. None of the hassle. It s going to be a pretty full time job to get shot of all this yarn but it must be done. I can’t stomach the idea of binning it.


I have been dyeing and I have learned a lot recently. First, I have learned that unlike Kemtex dye powder, Landscape and Gay Wool (behave!) dyes must be put into boiling water to dissolve. I have also found that dye is best used cold and painted onto cold yarn. I wash my hanks first, I don’t soak them. I also found I do not need to use anywhere near the amount of dye I have been. Today I dyed 4 hanks from the same mixtures. After the first, I diluted and dyed another hank, then diluted and dyed another and then diluted and dyed another. I didn’t reach pastel! Yes the colours grew less strong but did not pale as much as I thought they would so clearly I am using too much to start off with, even for the strongest colours I need less dye to make it strong. This means that all he dyes I have will last me long long time.
I feel so content recently. I only wish my body would allow me to do more though I am grateful for what I can do.
I have really learned how not to hassle myself and let pride get in the way. I swim Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I don’t force myself to and I don’t force a particular amount of laps. I stop when I know I must.
Of the seven dogs, only two are coated. That really was a hard decision to make but it is the right one fro them and for me.
Today, I am just about done in. I am sore and tired so instead of forcing myself to carry on, I am resting. That demon whispering in my ear all the time about me being lazy and good for nothing is dead.
I am flattered that my hand dyed yarns are selling so well.
We should have the car next week. We were going to Edinburgh for 5 days on Easter Sunday but have cancelled. The weather is crap. They reckon up there is getting 8 inches this next couple of days. Here is blowing fiercely with rain and black clouds with worse to  come. The wind blew the dogs over when they wanted to go out. They changed their minds and came back in. Did I mention that I have taught Luque, six years old, to give his paw? I find that amazing. I don’t use treats, just praise.
We have re booked Edinburgh later. I am determined I WILL see that city! John has loads of times and all I know who have been say it is gorgeous.
The heat sensations are to do with C7 vertebrae compressing nerves. I was offered Gabapentin, and epilepsy drug which also deadens nerve pain but I didn’t take the offer. I take 20+ pills a day as it is. Besides, it isn’t so bad and the pk’s take care of it mostly.I just Googled Gabapentin. You should see the side effects! F*ck off! No way!)
I am watching Series 3 of The Secret Diary of A Call Girl starring Billie Piper. It is very good. Funny. Moving. Billie Piper is beautiful and an excellent actress. She is beautiful whilst still being real, her face has character.