Sunny weekend

What glorious weather we are having. I'm so loving these sunny days. I went to work yesterday to practice my presentation in front of my supervisor. I still have some work to do on it over the week end before the first presentation on Monday morning. Boy will I be relieved on Wednesday lunchtime when my second one is over with!

The children have had a relaxing week's holiday. Charlie has done quite a lot of revision, Harry had a sleepover and Rosie had a friend round and then spent the afternoon at church yesterday making pizzas and cakes with her cell group.

A friend came round last night and stayed for tea. Plans for the weekend include ; getting Harry's kit bag ready for Aberdovey on Monday. He will be away until Friday- how we will miss him. He is so looking forward to it. Buy Graham's dad a birthday present and take it round or invite his parents over tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will stay fine so we can have a BBQ tonight before watching the final of Britain's Got Talent! Not sure whether Susan Boyle will win though

I'm going to a different church in the morning with the friend who has been to our church for the last 3 weeks. Somebody who she works with has invited her and I offered to accompany her. My friend is really searching at the moment and I pray that God continues to reveal Himself to her and that she finds a church that is right for her.

My niece is slowly recovering after major surgery on Monday. She will be in hospital for 2 weeks and then will start Chemo and Radio in 5 weeks time. I spoke to my sister this week who seemed really flat and clearly is struggling not only with coping with her daughter's illness but looking after her 2 and 4 year children.

Half term holiday

The children are off school for the week and we had a lovely trip to Thorpeness and Aldeburgh over the bank holiday weekend. However we nearly didn't go as Lulu went missing. She didn't come home the night before we were due to go and eventually came home at 4pm the following day! Our neighbours had agreed to look after her so as soon as she came back we left. It took us 2 hours to get to Suffolk and we had a great time. The weather was glorious on the Sunday so we went to the beach and then out for a meal before returning to the hotel. The hotel was reasonably priced and included breakfast the next day. We were all in one room but it didn't feel too cramped. After breakfast the next day we borrowed the hotel's bicycles and cycled to Aldeburgh along the beach road. We stayed on the beach all day before returning to Thorpeness about 6pm when we set off home. I felt so relaxed and chilled afterwards- we all did.

On Saturday we bought a BBQ! Can't believe we have never had a bbq before. So we invited friends round and had a good evening- think that's why the cat disappeared as we were so noisy! 7 lively children in our garden playing hide and seek is enough to make anyone run for cover. Thankfully we didn't upset the neighbours this time.

A lot has been happening in my life over the last week where God has really been moving. It has been so exciting, and I should have written about it when it happened. My niece had major surgery on Monday for endometrial cancer. She had a hysterectomy and bowel resection which will be followed up with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, whilst all this is terrible, I believe God has really turned the situation round. From being told she had ovarian cancer with a tumour on her liver to having endometrial cancer which is treatable , I believe and know is an answer to prayer. God is an awesome, supernatural God. My sister asked me to ask my friends to pray for my niece. So I sent a text to about 20 people asking them to pray. Some of them also prayed in their home groups, as did we. The next news I had was from my sister to say that the prognosis was now much better and that the cancer was not ovarian cancer as was originally diagnosed. She also said that she had been praying and that was pleased to have been reminded that even though she has faith as 'small as a mustard seed' God will hear her prayers. She then told me about finding a piece of twine which some flowers had been wrapped up in on her kitchen floor in the shape of a cross! She had left the twine ( which was circular in shape) on her kitchen unit and could not understand how it was on the floor and had changed into a cross shape! She felt peaceful following this and then that day had the news that her daughter's cancer is treatable. I was also able to read two psalms over the phone to her ( 100, and 121). From having no faith, my sister is now on a journey with God.

Whilst all this has been happening, a friend of mine who I took to a ladies event at church has been to church with us for the last three weeks and is coming to a short Alpha course next week!

Anyway, must finish here as we need to go and feed various pets of friends who are away. We've been looking after ( in total) 4 hens, 3 cats- excluding Lulu, 1 rabbit, 3 gerbils, I hamster and i goldfish!!

I'm also preparing for my 2 presentations next week- can't think about it too much as I won't sleep. I know God will be with me and that ' I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'

Trip down Memory Lane

I have had some bad news this week as I heard that my niece has bowel cancer and a tumour on her liver. She has a 2 and a 4 year old. My sister is devastated and we can only pray. I pray that God will reveal Himself to all their family throughout each step of the way. She is going to Christie Hospital next week to discuss the treatment.

Despite thinking about this for much of the time I have had a good week but I am so tired today and it is only 9am! I really need to rest this weekend. I really don't know how people manage to commute to London every day. Two days was enough for me!

I had a good day on Thursday. Graham was at home all day and took the children to school. My friend dropped me off at the station and then I arrived at the L.S.E. at 9.30am to be told my seminar didn't start until 4pm that day! I wish I was better organised!! So, I decided to make the most of my time and walked to Trafalgar Square and went to the National Gallery. I haven't been there for years and it was brilliant. I saw amazing paintings of famous artists including, Turner, Constable, Renoir, Van Gogh, Manet and Monet. I did wonder why us Brits had all the French Impressionists' famous works and why they weren't in France. I had my lunch there and then wandered next door to the Portrait Gallery. Again, I was in awe to see lots of really famous paintings. The one that I was really moved by was a portrait of the Bronte sisters, painted by their brother, Bramwell. I have seen a picture of it so many times in different books and to see the original was great.

I then walked to McDonalds and had a coffee and did my emails as there is a free wifi connection. My feet were killing me after so much walking and I continued walking to Convent Garden and then back to the L.S.E. for the 2 seminars.

I was shown into a plush lecture theatre and listened to two seminars which were very interesting and relevant to my work. It finished at 6 and then I walked to St Pancras via Holburn and Russell Square, taking pictures of the two nurses' homes where I lived in the late 1980s.

I got back to Bedford at 8.00pm and Graham's friend collected me from the station on his way to our house to watch the football. Sadly, Leeds lost which means they stay in division 1 for another year. Graham and Charlie were really upset and didn't take my comment that 'perhaps they should support a team that wins from time to time' very well!

Another early start yesterday and I arrived at the L.S.E for a 9.30am start. I listened to four seminars presented by researchers from main European universities. By lunch time I was brain dead and badly needing some air and light as I had been sat in a small dimly lit room for over 3 hours. So I left and after a couple of texts to my friend, Helen who had come up to London from Sussex we arranged to meet outside Russell Square tube station, right next door to where we used to live! It was so good to see her. We worked out that we hadn't seen each other for five years! Yet, it was as if it was yesterday. We had a great time reminiscing and catching up with all our news over a long lunch in a restaurant we used to go to when we lived together. We then had a walk around the area and felt bold enough to go into Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital where we also worked together. Helen and I did our nurse training together in Manchester and came to London together as well. Helen was with me when I met Graham on holiday in Greece and she went out with Graham's friend for several months. Helen was our bridesmaid and after a couple of bad relationships she eventually met her husband who she married five years ago. We were delighted when she found happiness at last. We have kept in touch via the phone, cards and email, but she moved south shortly after she was married and we found it difficult to meet up.

Anyway, we both said we wouldn't leave it as long next time.

We visited the wards where we both worked and some really friendly doctors and nurses showed us round. I even signed the leaving card for a consultant who I worked with 21 years ago who is retiring!

We then found a Starbucks and had coffee and a cake before more walking around. Our next and final stop was a Yo Sushi! restaurant which neither of us had been to again, and neither of us will go to again either! The food wasn't very nice, but we didn't each much as we had been eating all day.

We said our goodbyes and I walked back to St Pancras in the rain. My feet are aching so much today and I even have a couple of blisters.

I got home at 9.30pm and went straight to bed- shattered.

Back writing this after having our cell group this morning. It's a lovely day. Rosie has gone to a farmers' event with a friend and Harry has just come back from a marching band parade for CCF at school. Charlie is having a late breakfast and Graham is reading the paper- not sure how we are going to spend the rest of the day, but I know I don't want to do much.

My tooth problem persists and I had another failed root canal attempt on Tuesday. Apparently the nerve is dead inside the tooth but there is still some inflammation. My neck and shoulder are still sore and am not sure whether they are connected. Will go to the Dr next week if it is still painful. Another appointment has been made with the dentist next month to finish off the root canal treatment. I feel I am falling apart at the moment health wise.

12th May 2009

I've had a good weekend despite the nagging pain in my jaw which seems to have radiated to my neck and shoulder! Back to the Dentist tomorrow, but not sure whether he'll be able to do the root canal if I'm still like this.

The pamper day at church was fantastic and my friend really enjoyed it too. We did Salsa dancing, scrap booking and had manicures. The lunch was really nice too. There was a fashion show where all the models wore charity shop clothes. They looked wonderful too!

Church was amazing as usual yesterday and my friend came with us. She enjoyed the service.

We are so missing Rosie. She has phoned every night and is having a great time. She arrives back this afternoon. I can't wait to see her little face as she steps off the coach.

Working from home today and tomorrow as I am going to London for a gerontology workshop on Thursday and Friday, which is really exciting. All the European gerontologists whose work I have been studying for the last 8 months are coming to London to discuss the effects of population projections on the elderly and their carers/families. I am not staying in London though and will come at the end of the day on Thursday. It only takes 35 minutes by train and I don't want to be away from the family. Graham is going to work from home so he can do the school run. On Friday I am meeting up with our bridesmaid who will travel from Sussex. I can't wait to see her as I haven't seen her since 2005 when she got married.

Anyway, must get on with work/housework

Toothache-ouch!

Despite the permanent pain in my face and jaw which is slightly relieved with painkillers I am thankful to God for a good week. The gospel concert was amazing on Monday. I particularly enjoyed Martha Munizzi- her voice is amazing. Ce Ce Winans was also fab and when she sung ' Alabaster Box' it sent shivers down my spine. I thought Kirk Franklin was a bit of a showman, and unfortunately we left shortly after he came on the stage as it was 11.45pm and we had been there since 5pm so didn't get to hear all his songs.

I went to the dentist on Tuesday as every time I had a hot or cold drink I had an agonising pain in the whole of my left side of my face. I didn't have toothache at this stage though. So the dentist deduced that an old filling needed to be replaced and proceeded to remove the old filling and then refill it. After he had finished he told me that the whole tooth was cracked and that if the filling didn't work I would either need a root canal filling or an extraction!

The next day the pain began and then in the evening I was feverish and felt shivery with flu like symptoms. Graham was worried that I might have Swine flu!!! So I returned to the dentist yesterday and he decided he would try a root canal. Anyway, he had to stop mid procedure as the root is inflammed and infected. It was so painful despite having a numb jaw from the anaesthetic. So, I am now on antibiotics and have to go back on Tuesday for another attempt. I can't eat ( good thing perhaps ) or drink properly. But I know God is with me through this.

Charlie and Graham had a fantastic time in Italy and returned on Monday looking all suntanned. Rosie has gone to PGL with school today until Monday. How we will miss her. This is the longest time she will have been away from home.

Tomorrow we are having a ladies event at church called 'Shine'. It should be good and I am looking forward to learning about scrap booking, and having a manicure. A facial is probably not a good idea though. It is an outreach event and I am taking a friend with me and I pray she has a really good time and will want to come back to church.

I am chipping away at my work but don't feel stressed yet about the impending deadlines and 2 conference presentations which I have to give. I keep reminding myself that God 'has not given me a spirit of fear'

Sunny Rivington

Despite spending over 6 hours driving today we had a nice time with mum and we went to Rivington and my dad's memorial tree. The weather was stunning and the views of the surrounding hills( West Pennine Moors) superb. Graham and Charlie were in Venice today and are having a great time away.

Kerry's garden

I've had a really good few days. The weather has been stunning with the trees and shrubs really looking amazing. I so love this time of year.

I had supervision yesterday and my work was thoroughly criticised- which is good as I want to pass my probation in a few weeks. I really appreciate the input from my supervisors and whilst they are supportive and encouraging they give me the kick I need to continue.

Charlie and Graham are in Italy!! Charlie is on a rugby tour along with his friend from church. They are going to Venice tomorrow- how awesome is that! Shame we can't be there but it is a dad and son thing, and it is great that Graham and Charlie are having quality time together. So, the rest of us are going to visit my mum tomorrow for the day, which will mean an early start and over 6 hours in the car! But it will be worth it to see her.

I went to a friend's this afternoon and we sat out in her garden. What beautiful wisteria on her house- I couldn't help but take some photos.

Harry has finished his exams but he doesn't think he has done very well. Never mind.

It is a Bank Holiday here in the UK which means no school or work on Monday. So I am really looking forward to my gospel concert on Monday.