Did I Party?

You bet your life I did, but the dancing was a bit disappointing, I was ready to give it my all, but alas only one night out of the three was I able to Strut my stuff.

I will have to think on a different slant for the future as I sat with my feet tapping and no one wanting to dance.

What’s the matter with every one? Dancing is the best form of exercise you can get, come on wake up to the music.

I had one night when I really went for it, I danced until everyone else on the floor gave up and I am sure no one there knew Parky existed.

Maybe that’s why the next night no one moved, it must be that I am such a good mover that no one wanted to look an idiot dancing at the side of me.

I stayed at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, which must have been a very upmarket in its time. Seems a shame that the bedrooms are so hot that we had to resort to leaving the bedroom window open all night to make it cool enough to sleep.

The lifts or lack of them caused a great talking point, who had ridden up and down several times as they found it difficult to get to the floor they wanted, and those who were late for their meals as they had stood waiting outside the lift getting more and more irate.

I had my usual discussion about getting a sharp knife to cut my food; you have to ask any and every waiter or waitress. That way you give everyone the opportunity to come up trumps, and perhaps run a book on who will manage get you one first.

Tonight I will be going to the local pub to celebrate the end of 2010 and to see in 2011, so now I am going to snuggle down on the settee and watch T.V. and maybe have a cat nap then with a bit of luck I may be able to nip out minus Parky.

Party Time

Well that’s it I am ready to go away for my Twixmas Break. I have enough clothes and shoes for every eventuality; a girl has to think about everything.

We get the coach at 7.40 in the morning. Are you sure that there is such a time?

So no staying up half the night playing poker or any other games online, I have to be up and sorted

Let’s hope the snow allows us to get away, I would hate after all this preparation to have to empty my case back into the wardrobe. In fact I think I would cry, I so want to wear my party clothes for a change.

So happy partying to all family and friends, I will tell you if I manage to escape Parky and DANCE, DANCE, DANCE,

Family and Friends

Thank you to all those family and friends that have taken stick from me, when I am feeling a little below par. For looking out for me when I have been bolshie and insisted that I don’t need help. For caring enough to take my ranting when the frustration of living with Parky gets a little too much to cope with.

I know I am a difficult person at times and that maybe I am better living by myself and doing what takes my fancy at the time.

I may rant and rave but in my heart I know that there is a lot of kindness around me, but as I have spent so many years coping with other people’s problems I can’t seem to let others cope with mine.

My eldest daughter when quite small would never let you do things for her; her answer was ME DO IT MYSELF. So I’m afraid that is what I am trying to do, and I can honestly say I know how frustrating it is to have to stand by and watch when every part of you wants to help.

Please everyone don’t be insulted it’s not you I am having a go at it is Parky. If I take my anger out on you it’s because I can’t take it out on Parky he just gets his own back he controls me and to be absolutely honest that’s what I really hate about him.

Parky Hates Spacebags

Have you noticed those adverts for Space bags, those are the ones that with the air taken out they take up less space.

It’s really clever you are shown a full bag and they open it up and out comes duvets, pillows, cuddly toys, jumpers, and anything else that can have the air removed, but they never show them being filled.

I have just had a fight with a spare duvet, and Parky is no help what so ever!

It took me ages to get it in the bag; I was laid on the floor pinning the duvet to the ground while trying to ease it into the bag. My next fight was with the top trying to get it to match up. That done I got the vacuum sweeper out and attached the hose to the sucky out bit on the bag. After spending quite a time sucking air out I realised I had a hole in the bag.

BUM BUM BUM

Do I now start all over again, not if I can con someone else into doing it, wish I knew the makers I could ask for a demo?

My Rock

It’s the first Christmas without my lovely Dad. He was an incredible person and has left a big hole in the family. He knew everything (so he said) and was never stuck for an opinion on anything. He would have put the world right given half a chance.

His love for my Mother was awe inspiring, they always walked hand in hand, he never liked it if she was away, and his whole life was geared to her. When he died they had been married 63 years, just imagine all that time with one person.

I have been so lucky to have him as my Dad; he has been my rock at times of extreme stress. I don’t think he understood my Parkinson’s or the affect his illness had on me and there were times when I stayed away as I found it hard to cope.

Parky has been less visible since he died, I expect that is because I am not waiting for bad news all the time

We both knew that we had a special bond. It was really nice that on his last good day while we were on our own we were able to tell each other how we felt.

Paying Bills

I have decided that it’s time I sorted out what comes in and what goes out, that’s money I mean. No sign of either a lottery win or a payout on my premium bonds, so that’s it will have to stop spending (Yuck)

First I have sorted my gas and electric out, I did have them with Marks and Spencer’s, but the tariff has gone up and for the sake of M and S vouchers it isn’t worth my while. Besides that our local store is closing down, we are gutted, they say that they are not making a profit. I bet they would if they made it into a food hall.

Next I want to sort out internet and TV, See I am on a role.

I know that I have spent far too much over the last few years; I want to know if Parky is to blame, is it the medication I am on do you think?

I go from not caring to worrying in a matter of minuets. I will stick my head in the sand for a little while longer.

Hey just had an inspiration now I have a drill perhaps I could make things to sell, watch this space.

Another Gadget

I have a new toy and I really really like it, yesterday my younger daughter and family brought my birthday present round and they could not have got me anything better.

It’s a DRILL I have already put a mirror on the wall, repositioned a shelf, and put my family tree up. I have one or two other ideas but I had better see how I get on.

It has a spare battery and all these amazing settings on it, I opted for hammer, well how easy was that?

Why didn’t we do woodwork at school when I was a girl, just think of all the things I could have made?

While my grandchildren were here I gave them their Christmas presents early as I know they will have plenty on the day and I wanted to see if they were alright.

I bought them all the same so I was a bit worried that I had made a mistake. My eldest is 12 the next one 5 and the youngest will be 2 in February. They had a Didicar each, and all three loved them. What a great Nanny I am.

Yellow for the eldest, Blue for my boy and Pink for Littlie, they came in flat pack of course, so with a bit of help from a strong Male friend I had them ready. I had a go on each of them as they were put together, I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I am 63.

Happy Birthday to me.

So I now don’t know if any of the daft things I do are because of my age or because of Parky. My mum has often said that I am going through a funny age, but I am sure she has said this all my life.

I don’t think I look any older but then it’s not wise to spend too much time in front of a mirror. My hair has been white for years so you can say I have aged into it.

My day is planned out and for once I am up and dressed, instead of walking about in my dressing gown until lunch time

I am waiting for daughter and grandchildren to arrive, then out with Mum for lunch.

This evening I am having a Wii party. I think I had better sort out what games I’m good at so that Parky doesn’t come out to play.

Laughter

This lady is great

Click on the link and watch the video,

http://www.caregiverstress.com/2010/07/a-reminder-that-laughter-is-the-best-medicine/

I hope that I can be as amusing as her, while dealing with My Mate Parky.

Who cares if the decorating doesn’t get done, if the room is a mess so long as we can laugh? I am terrible I often see the funny side of life when others look on stony faced, and that is inclined to make me giggle even more.

I would rather watch a comedy than something meaningful and dull. I have a very young taste in entertainment. My Granddaughter has lent me some of her D.V.D’s she’s a treasure, I have watched Shrek so you can see the sort of thing I like. I did once go to the cinema on my own to see Jungle Book, I was asked later if I had enjoyed the film as I had been recognised by my laugh.

101 Dalmatians where Cruela DeVil ends up in gunk absolutely made me laugh until I cried.

I think we should have a News Paper that only tells us the good things that happen, no doom and gloom allowed. The whole aim of it would be to bring joy to all.

Memories

I have just been asked to help my Granddaughter with her homework; she wanted to know what it was like for me when I was her age.

Gosh that took a lot of remembering. We in fact have one thing that unites us and that is the school she now attends was the one I went to, so I told her what it was like when I was there.

I got quite carried away as all those memories came flooding back. I told her about the head master and the teacher that had no control over his class.

One lesson we were asked about Kane and Able the teacher looked at myself and another girl and said we should know the answer. We just looked at each other and it was quite a while before it dawned on us that we both have a twin, as the policy was to separate twins we had forgotten that’s what we had in common

Whenever I tell people that I have a twin the first thing I am asked is are we identical. I can honestly say that no one has ever mixed us up; the fact that he has a beard may have a lot to do with it.

He took a lot of teasing when I was pregnant but unfortunately he did not help with labour pains.

Let me see what was I talking about?????????????

Yes homework, as I am putting it all down on Yahoo messenger I realise that I have not read her last message. Thank you Nanny I have enough now I’m off to bed.

So it’s good night from her and good night from me

I'm in a Pickle

Started out with good intensions, get my Christmas cards done, tidy things away, put some Christmas Decorations up.

What have I done? NOT A LOT.

Last night I started to paint the kitchen, why I have no idea, well I must have thought it was a good idea at the time. One coat covers all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I now have a kitchen half finished, a front room with Christmas cards all over and a pile of decorations that want something doing with them (not sure what) My bedroom would be fine if I could only find the bed and the back bedroom has got to be even worse.

The conservatory, well that has to take the first prize as I have been dumping in there for a few weeks, it ends up as a cloths drying room at this time of year.

Parky has decided enough is enough and brought me to a halt, I know I just won’t listen to advice be it good or bad.

So if anyone wants to try me with any good ideas I will do my very best and listen, honest.

Wii perfect

It looks like using my Wii for exercise is a good idea, clever me for doing the  right thing for a change. So while I’m a penguin trying to catch fish, or a tightrope walker I am not being lazy and skipping house work, I am trying to get to grips with my balance!

So if anyone wants any games testing, Parky and I would be only too pleased.

Not the ones where you have to shake the Wii remote as fast as you can, I’m rubbish at that. I can’t do the steps to music, by the time I get the message from my head down to my feet; I have missed the steps anyway.

Dancing Queen

I am going away for what is called a Twixmas break. That means I go between Christmas and New Year, I am really looking forward to it as its time I reverted to the party animal that is locked away inside of me.

I am going to put on my glad rags, and who knows maybe I will dance the night away. I will try to be good and take my pills on time so that Parky will forget to stop my enjoyment.

I may have a few glasses of wine and indulge my desire for chocolate (bet you wondered what was coming)

But don’t tell anyone that the posh frocks I am taking with me are my charity shop bargains, in fact I have been to a Christmas dinner today and I have one on now, a little number in red.

My brother's ex wife is going with me, we have always been like sisters, so look out Twixmas, you haven’t seen anything yet.

I would tell you where we are going, but I can make an idiot of myself without the help of others!

Messy Me

My third bedroom is my office, and this is where I spend a lot of my time. It is always a bit messy and failing that very messy.

There are usually bits of paper and ends of sweet packets. I can see a couple of pegs, a cuddly toy and who knows there may even be a partridge in a pair tree lurking about.

Hard as I try I can never seem to get clear, and it doesn’t help that when I try to tidy the rest of my bungalow I end up putting bits I don’t know what to do with in here.

My late husband used to say that when I tidied up a pile of things I just made it into several piles, and over the years I seem to have perfected that.

I try to kid myself that a lot of things are not mine, like mums paperwork or my grandchildren’s toys. But a lot of it is mine and it wants getting rid of.

I don’t seem to be able to just throw it out; I can recycle, but not throw.

Don’t we all have those pots that have in them little bits that we can’t get rid of because you know that when you do you will come across the thing it belongs to.

Merging Mail

My computer enables me to do so many things, at the moment I am in the process of making my Christmas cards, and with the help of mail merge I can do the labels for the addresses.

Every year it takes me a while to get mail merge to work or should I say for me to remember how mail merge works. I have had quite a few Parky moments with that.

I have resorted to putting my greetings on labels so that I don’t have to write anything at all, my writing is not as bad as it used to be when I had a spider for a pen. But the computer is so much easier and this way I can say "I FOOLED YOU PARKY".

So I will now battle my way through the minefield of mail merge and get my Christmas cards completed.

I was right yesterday, the parcel I opened was a birthday present, so I will just say a thank you to my Daughter who is also my spell check, my P.R. and all round organiser.   

My Daughter Made me Cry

I have opened a package and had a lovely surprise, in it is a book called Me and My Mate Parky Volume 1.

It has my Skydive picture on the front, and on the first page is a foreward from my daughter, saying how proud of me she and her husband are.

Then it is full of my Blogs up to Nippy.

When you go to the last page there is a photo of my Dad and me, with the words keep on blogging, I of course cried.

Bum - just had a thought I wonder if this is a birthday pressie I have opened too soon.

On the 19^th of this month I will reach the grand age of 63, so have I spoiled a surprise.

I will tell her that it wasn’t me who opened it but Parky, he definitely wanted to know what was in the package. Do you think I can manage to get away with that?????????????????   

Train for York

It looks like my trip to York is on tomorrow; I had better get a bit more organised than I have been. I have the gifts wrapped and the bag hanging on the front door. I have my lift to the station booked, better put my pills with them now while I think about it. I would be in a heck of a fix if I forgot them.

 Now that didn’t take long.

I went into the kitchen to get the pills, pots still on the side so filled the dishwasher (also known as the magic cupboard). Looked for something to put a drink in to take pills with on the go, no luck - will have to get something on way to station.

Came back to the computer and saw my train tickets so thought I had better put them with pills, do you get the drift? And I really have no idea what to wear in the morning.

I bet the trains will be cold so something warm to travel in, then when we hit the shops it will be red hot so that you have to lug your coat with you.

When I need my purse I have the added bonus of Parky who finds it great to make me look stupid. While I am trying to get either my money or my credit card out he just stops my fingers working. I have decided to go for a small rucksack  and hope that I won’t look as if I am on safari, well it is lepard pattern!

Fingers Crossed

Plans seem to be in the balance all around. It’s amazing how we come to a standstill as soon as we get snow.

I have three lady friends who I met on a singles holiday; it must have been a meeting of like minds as we have stayed in contact for what must be eight years.

Each year before Christmas we meet up to exchange small gifts and have chatter, shop a bit and eat. As we are spread around England we have opted for York.

York is an excellent place to meet up; it’s a lovely City and has a good rail service. We arrive within 30 minutes of each other, and the same when it comes to departing.

So Monday is the day, very happy to see my friends, but will the snow stop it happening, trying not to get in a tizz, as that’s when Parky will latch onto head.

My Passion

What about an afternoon in good company and your favourite thing to eat, that’s what happened at our last Parkinson’s meeting, Our group is a very friendly mix of people who enjoy each other’s company the last Friday in the month.

We either have a speaker or maybe a quiz, but this time we had a lady who makes Chocolates for a living. Her passion for my favourite subject, and the samples she brought with her, made for a very enjoyable afternoon.

[MUM - me here   hee hee - is it worth saying that maybe the 'happy' effect of chocolate keeps the stress away - so therefore it should be on prescription for all Parkinson's patients?!?!]

My daughter keeps an eye on my blogging as I am terrible at spelling. (think I am dyslexic)
I found this comment above and thought you would like to see how in tune she is with me. I second the above statement.

Who knows I may even let her add an odd fact now and then!!!!!!!!!!!

Parky Caused by Crop Spraying ????????????

Where I used to live, the field at the back of me was sprayed using a small aircraft, as the plane came over it released the spray both ways so in fact we got a double whammy.

I wonder what was used, and if the quantities were correct?

To make matters worse the leaflets which were sent round telling us to stay indoors and close the windows were delivered after the event.

The young man delivering them had protective clothing on, so that says a lot.

Would it be possible to test people with Parkinson’s to see if they have a build up of any of the chemicals, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

I am not technical enough to understand what this would take but surely it is worth looking at.  I don’t for a moment thinks this would help me, but it may make a difference to someone in the future. I would even volunteer myself for trials how’s that.

But then again it is probably too late as this happened over 20 years ago, but wouldn’t it be interesting?