CAT Scan

Well today I had my CT scan (or CAT scan) to confirm that I had a brain. Thankfully, the radiographer took the scans of my skull, as opposed to where my colleagues think my brain is located, my ar$.. (enuff!!!-Ed.) I was actually a tad nervous, and it flippin' hurt my neck, which didn't help.

The CAT Scanner earlier today

I'll hear from the consultant neurologist in 10-14 days time, who will want to discuss the findings of the tests, the neck x-rays and CT scans with me. If I don't hear anything, I'm to phone up and chase them for an appointment. So that's done and dusted. I don't expect them to actually find anything, but at long as the rule out serious stuff, I'm happy to jump through the hoops. At least they're investigating what is causing the pain now, and hopefully, it may result in finding a solution.




The real CAT (CT)Scanner. A kind of cute mechanical doughnut. But without the icing.






Had you goin' there though didn't I?! You thought my cat was a neurologist!!

Ha ha ha!


(Celia scrambles round her handbag for Prozac)



...................

MERRY XMAS AND A FAB NEW YEAR!!!

Greebo sends you lots of mews and cuddles, and hopes that 2007 shall be the purrfect year for you xxxx

Greebo patiently waited for Santa Paws (see what I did there?)

Happy New Year everyone! D and I had a cracking time, and we hope you did too.


We blasted off by visting Karen and Stef down in Shropshire, and we had a lovely weekend. I wanted to return the next week, as there was a reunion of the Dorchester club, but we couldn't afford it. Not after the central heating boiler broke and cost £325 to be fixed 10 days before Xmas!

Stef, KC, me (oh dear) and D .....................................Stef & KC...the New Boosh?




D and I then saw the 'Gang' on Xmas Eve out in Blackpool, as has been tradition for 8 years now.


It was abit sad as Andrea is moving to Portsmouth next week to be nearer Lee when he comes home on leave from the Navy. It's been killing him driving up the M6 all that way when he docks returning from active service months away from home. Plus he hopes to be able to request Shore duties in a few years, so it makes sense to live where you'll eventually find your Shore job anyway!

Andrea and err...me.

She seems really used to the idea now, and excited about her new job and househunting! So we wish Andrea and Lee all the best with moving to Pompei- will miss you babe but we'll keep in touch!

Christmas Day

Dad came over for Xmas dinner at 3.30,


after we returned from seeing Darren's family and pressie swapping! Jake, D's nephew- and Godson- is super cute- only 17mth old but soo intelligent!

A lovely Christmas Day was had by all.




Darren Dad and I


Hogmany

We saw 2007 in with Ann and Tez, after a lovely Chinese restaurant meal in town, followed by a few drinkies in the pubs afterwards. Lee and Dee dropped by for a few jars, before Ann Tez, D and I picked up Charlotte from John and Lynn's, and saw in another new year in Woodland Grove. Possibly for the last time, as they plan to move this year.

Yep there are alot of changes to get used to in this New Year, 2007...and I'm sure they will be all positive!!!

Wishing everyone a grand New Year,

hugs

Celia Darren & Greebs xxx

Howdie everyone

Hello all four of you that read this!! Tee hee....yep, hello dear readers. I apologise for not blogging sooner, but I have either been poorly with my neck, off training with work, or indeed, poorly again, with flu.

I shall work backwards for ease...

1) I presently have Flu. I am off work but hope to return tomorrow, as I think I am getting better (i.e. I am now bored to death by daytime tv as no longer sleeping for 6 hr stretches). Darren kindly shared his bug with me, and so we have been off work together- how sweet...(cue vision of two miserable civil servants fighting over the Kleenex & TV remote controls on the sofa and/or bed).

2) Training- Completed my fortnight's training to be an in-house coach. I can't wait to put my skills into action after the New Year! Yes dear reader, the big pilot that I was involved in earlier in the year, has moved forward. Senior management have decided that the pilot was great, and are rolling it out across the department. So I was picked to join 8 others (the others all being from another dept) in being trained as counsellor/coaches. I am in my element, as at last I am able to put my Psychology and counsellor training into practice within the work environment, and I took to it like a duck to water. The boss is impressed with me, so I hope to update you soon on how that is going!

3) Neck. Well I've been to see the Neurologist at the local hospital. Neck XRays were taken, lengthy neurological tests were done (which left me in pain lol) and blood pressure taken. My left arm reading was different from my right- (L was 167/70; R 140-70) which apparently, isn't good. They're supposed to be the same. My left side is still noticably weaker than my right (which annoyed me, because I've been strengthening my left side lol). This also concenred the Consultant as I am left handed- your dominant side is invariably the strongest, as you unconsciously use it more. So I am to have CAT scans in the New Year. They have no idea what the problem is, but it could be arterial (as the blood pressure reading shows the heart is having to work harder to push the blood round my left side). Eitherway, at least things are moving on. I am not being ignored and just given tablets and shoo'ed away anymore. At least its being investigated, which is an improvement to how things were six months ago! Although I feel shattered sometimes, I feel myself. I even managed to go out and join in the Xmas work Do, and even had a wee dance and drinkie. Unfortunately it meant being laid up in bed for 2 days afterwards unable to move- but at least I'm managing to even try these days!!!!

So there you go...I'll try not to leave it so long next time,

but until then...happy sneezing!!

Cxx

Janet & Patrick's Wedding

Paddy & Janet xx

Well, I had the honour of being asked by Paddy and Janet to be a guest at their wedding, in Ireland, Friday, 3rd November, 2006. As I was stuck with D at the time, he came along too lol.
D and I flew over to Dublin from Blackpool on the Wednesday morning, hired a car, stayed overnight in Dublin, and set off to drive to Athy, Kildare, Thursday afternoon, to meet up with everyone in anticipation of the wedding on Friday.



Janet had organised 3nights BB and evening meals for around £300 each couple (not at all bad for a 4 star) if people wanted, called the Clanard Hotel, in the middle of the countryside. It was also the place where the Reception was to be held, so it was perfect as the location. I thought it was also a great chance to have a nosey round central Ireland whilst we were there as we could stay until Sunday.

Not every hotel comes complete with it's own sheep...

or donkeys...but this one does!!

Well what can you say....the setting, deep in the heart of the beautiful Emerald Isle; the bride, glowing and beautiful; and the groom, tall and handsome. Just looked perfect.

In other words- never as I'd ever seen 'em before (ducks out of way of flying sharp objects...) ha ha ha!!!


I've always had a massive soft-spot for Janet. Afterall, she is Ann's little sister (well not so little, but I've known her since she was 10, so to me she'll always be the wee one). She's now a young woman of 31. That's a long time to know someone- to be irritated by, to sometimes wish you had a baseball bat targeted against their head, be sad for, to be happy and excited for, to care about!



Janet and Paddy got married in Moone, Co. Kildare, where Paddy grew up before moving over to the UK to do his degree and become a Farm manager. Janet worked as an accountant for the Co-op (farming side), and that's how they met...awwww!!!!! Her uncle John gave her away, as her dad Trevor has been passed for 16 years now. Her Mum Marian, passed away last October. Both Trevor and Marian's own wedding day photo was on the top table, and were mentioned in the speeches, causing me and others to cry, to be honest, in a weirdly sad but nice way.

Walked down the Aisle...

The weather was crisp and bright, and the service was beautiful.

All official now- it's too late missus!!

I must admit I was very taken aback and surprised by how emotional I felt...Janet and Paddy have been seeing each other a quite a while, and she even sold her house in Manchester to live with him down in Lincolnshire.

But to see her being married, was just something I wish her Mum and Dad had been able to see. They would have loved Patrick- he's a brilliant, smart and funny guy, and his family are amazingly warm people too.


There were loads of people that flew in for the Day, and there must have been 100+ people. Paddy and his family know how to party- and party we all did, in true Irish style!





Fantastic day and night had by all xx

arrgh the Dress...lol...

Janet & Ann's Aunty Lynn, me, the new bride & Ann (the Sat nite meal before we left Ireland)

Charlotte taking after her Dad (Bulmers...hmmmm....)

.....

Addition to the family....

May I present...Mr and Mrs Waxpeople...

Ok, yes, this may be a tad weird/inspired/ etc etc....

margery flippantly said the other day that she wanted a ladyfriend for Mr WaxBlob/Bugeyes/whatever...


So I did it lol!!

Now packing for the wedding, flying tomorrow morning, suitcase nearly packed, hire car booked...wish me luck...Celia in a dress...even told my Dad tonight and HE was amazed! I just hope Janet appreciates the effort !


love


Ceals xxx