A Touch Of Cancer............

I'm back!  Oh, so you didn't notice I'd been away eh??  It's actually been just over three months since the last blog but trust me, I haven't been idle in that time.  I have had a few shocks, a trickle of tears, a brush with self pity (honestly, five minutes max) lots of laughs, a shed load of cards and even pressies, some amazingly, heartwarming moments ..............and two rounds of chemotherapy thrown in for good measure. I haven't taken one single photo.

First hat.  I do look slightly manic!

 I guess you've worked out why I haven't been blogging then?!  It's a bit of  bummer but I seem to have cancer, or as I prefer to say, a touch of cancer.  This phrase is actually one used by the dad of my great pal, Annie and I love it.  It implies a temporary hitch, nothing too serious and so that appeals to me.  Mine is the peritoneum/ovarian type (of which more in a future blog, mainly to raise awareness).  My mantra at the moment is "Survive and Thrive" which trips off the tongue quite nicely I think!

I have no intention of turning my blog into a platform from where I can whinge or moan about life being unfair or provide an endless stream of detailed, medical minutia about 'living with cancer' stuff (well not yet anyway!).  There are many other blogs which serve that purpose far better than I can, so I will try and stick with upbeat, positive, funny stuff whenever possible.  This doesn't mean I am trivialising my illness in any way (how could I?) but I need to be upbeat, positive and have a laugh whenever possible,  that's the reason - it's all me, me, me!  So, today's blog is short to ease myself back into it, or in truth, re-learn how to do it because they have 'updated, improved' the templates etc.  I hate it when they do that because it takes me bloody ages to know what I'm doing - then they change it - arghhhh!! See, moaning already.

Me in the morning!

As my hair has rejected me for a while, I thought you might like to see some of the hats I now have in order to cover the ol' head and also the very beautiful scarves I have received as gifts.  I feel like an actress, darling!  I considered tattooing it but was afraid I might get carried away and end up with tattoos in inappropriate places!  You may wonder why there is also a photo of a baby monkey with sticky-up, bum fluff hair?  Then I will tell you.  In our family, we can occasionally verve towards 'bad taste' humour and I certainly have over the last few months.  I woke up yesterday, washed my head, towel dried it, looked in the mirror and fell about laughing at the image staring back at me.  I was going to get David to take a photo for the blog but decided it might be a bit of a shock for some readers. Instead, he found the monkey photo which I think sums up the look I have right now, precisely - well you have to laugh and the monkey is far cuter than me!

Finally for today, I do hope I haven't put you off reading the blog again.  Some of you might even have read JoeJo's FoodandBiscuitsblogspot.com so will be aware of all this. It will be interesting and perhaps useful for me and I will try to make it as amusing, fun, informative and entertaining as possible, although maybe not all at the same time!

I will write in a future blog about how wonderful my family and friends are.  I may have cancer but I am also, without a shadow of a doubt,  the luckiest person in the world.

Lots of love

Sue xx

Happy Birthday Karen!

Phew, another VIP birthday!  This time it's my 'baby' sister, Karen.  She lives in London, has done since she was 17 and she loves it there, although she hasn't lost her local accent at all !   Karen is always full of enthusiasm and exuberance and really enjoys life.  She can always 'be bothered' when frequently I can't, something I really admire in her.  She too is a musician, as well as having the 'day job' and so parties are always fun!  I am pleased that as sisters and as a family, we are close.  At Christmas I made her a collage of the different generations on each parent's side.  She was so moved to receive it and said it was "better than diamonds."  No expense there then.  This comment, so typical of her, will from now on, be another family gem!  Have a great day Squis, we love you loads!

Happy Birthday David!

The bulk of our family birthdays are around this time of year - not much planning there then.  I won't list them all but it was Joe's last month, Nick's (stepson) earlier this month and today it is David's. Unlike Joe, he is not named after a song (I know!) but after our GP at the time when I was pregnant with him.  Dr H would call often to check on me and so naming our new son David, seemed the logical thing to do and David Doctor was chuffed!  

I don't want to embarrass him (oh yes I do!) but our David has real empathy with people and can, for example, tune straight into my mood, knowing if there is something 'not right' - spooky! He is strong, solid and supportive of me and the whole family. He took up playing the guitar at a very early age (as the collage shows!) and is now a talented musician, whose musics can tap into a range of emotions.  You can see for yourself by going to - http://www.youtube.com/davepilla

His 'day job' working with people with learning difficulties, requires dedication, compassion and a level of understanding I for one don't possess.  From last weekend, the lead up to his actual birthday has been........eventful for the wrong reasons!  So, I can only say 'A Very Happy Birthday David' and that I am looking forward to celebrating with you very soon. Oh, and here's to the new flat and a good night out! xxxx

                        It seems that all I ever did was take photographs but glad I did!

The Hug

A whole week without blogging and I'm not even sure where the time has gone.  I guess having to get everything ready for the workshops and going to my pa's (kitchen being done) took longer than I thought.  Until I am out and about taking photos of places again, I 'm not sure what to blog about - must try harder. There's something new - me being stuck for words - ha!  As today is Valentine's Day though (what, no cards here?), I thought putting this poem on the blog  would be quite sweet and extend the lurrve' to include those other than your own true love (cats included). Surely everyone appreciates a hug and so today, why not share yours around, I dare you!

A HUG

It's lovely what a hug can do,

Cheer you up when you are blue.

A hug can say "I love you so"

or "How I hate to see you go.

A hug is "Welcome back again"

And "Great to see you, where've you been?"

A hug can soothe away the pain,

And bring a rainbow after rain.

The hug: There is no doubt about it,

We scarcely could survive without it.

A hug delights and warms and charms,

And must be why we have these arms!

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers, 

Sweet for sisters, even brothers!

Kittens crave them, puppies love them,

Heads of State are not above them.

A hug can break the language barrier,

and make your travels so much merrier.

No need to fret about your store of them,

The more you give, the more there are of 'em.

So stretch those arms without delay,

And give someone a hug today!

                                                    I don't seem to have lots of 'huggy' photos!

Happy Valentine's Day!

ROYDEN PARK

Short post today but I wanted to remind any of you with kiddies (or even if you just behave like one!) that the steam trains are running again at Royden Park, luv 'em!  Went there for a walk yesterday which was lovely although I stubbed my toe - doh!  I can just hear my mum saying "Pick your feet up!".  I didn't go out with a view to taking photos so only took a few and none of the train, which was a bit daft.  The walled garden will soon be glorious too. You can walk in Royden and onto Thurstaton for miles, so well worth a visit.  Do you think the wall plaque (in the collage) is a bit scary? 
I have quite a few blogs about different parts of the Wirral now so just scroll down the list on main blog page to find one.  Also, if you have somewhere you think would be worth a mention, along with some photos, then just email me and I will go along and then blog on it.  Almost everywhere will be glorious in Spring!

HOW DOES IT FEEL - to be made redundant and become unemployed?

I thought I would round off last month's blogs to do with goals, careers etc with a piece I put together some years ago, which may ring a bell or two with others. This is followed by a few pointers which, no matter how hard doing them might be, are perhaps the best way to start getting your life back on track (I would say 'move forward' but I hate that corporate expression) unless of course you have a winning lottery ticket and I wouldn't rely on that! Wallowing is not an option but knowing you are not alone with your fears and worries can be a bit of a relief. Your personal experiences and opinions might be totally different but if you have anything to add, then please feel free to share your views with us.

How does it feel?:

• To be a bit frightened and fearful about the future
• to feel overwhelmed
• To feel a failure
• To see a lifestyle you took for granted, vanish
• To wonder how on earth you can pay the bills
• To become an expert in juggling who gets paid first/at all
• To dread the postman's visit
• To feel really mean telling the children they can't have a couple of quid (Don't worry, they will survive this!)
• To see your confidence and self esteem eroded
• To be 'tired of'......
• To wonder why you bother
• To feel invisible
• To feel alone
• to find out who your true friends are
• To be open and raw to perceived criticism
• To wonder what you actually DID with your money
• To see that turning these events into 'positive opportunities' is never as easy as the book says
• To realise how expensive it is to be poverty stricken

The (slightly) positive side:

• To have time to examine and re-evaluate your  life and priorities and to learn the difference between wants and needs
• To get to know your family better
• To see the importance of creative, lateral thinking
• To recognise what's important in life
• To understand that whilst money really isn't the measure of everything, having enough certainly oils the wheels and cushions life's blows

Next Moves:

• Put your mind to work and remember your attitude is everything.  You don't have the luxury or feeling sorry for yourself.  Toughen up.
• What you believe about yourself and your life is what shapes your destiny.  Check yours.
• Take action, blame no-one, get organised and you can get past this
• Be kind and supportive - of yourself too
• Be a doer and not a talker
• Start now!

It can be hard I know,  and for some more than others.  These are difficult times but getting through them will make you stronger, you just have to keep at it.  Go back and look at the first blogs around goals and careers too. Good luck.

Leeds Visit - The World In A Weekend

My sons live in Leeds.  They went to University there and like many others do, they stayed on. It only takes a couple of hours to commute to and with friends who have children as far away as Cambodia and Australia, I can hardly complain. And well, it is a fab city! You can read more about them at:
Foodandbiscuits.blogspot.com

http://www.youtube.com/davepilla
as I can tend to go on a bit!

So, it was that I found myself there for the weekend, staying with Joe and his lovely fiance, Jo, knowing that I would be well fed and looked after!  On the Saturday afternoon whilst Jo was preparing our Burn's Night feast and Joe and David were celebrating a great win - to do with football and somewhere called Manchester.............I decided to take a walk around the lake in Roundhay Park, which is right by where they live and is one of the largest parks in Europe - see www.roundhaypark.org.uk  

It was the late afternoon of a day that had been very sunny and this often provides good light for taking photos - which as regular readers know, I do - often! Hardly surprisingly, it was very busy and after a while I went off the path up to what is apparently a folly but I thought was the remains of a fortress, and had a good nose about before going through some enchanting woods, then reaching another lake, this time with a fountain. Whilst this was more of a stroll for me, I  very much enjoy walking.  This is because it is a good way, for me at least, to clear my head, chew over worries or generally think about love, life, ideas, dreams and schemes. 

On that day my thoughts turned to what was going on around me and I came to see that this busy park, if only at this moment in time, was representative of an ideal world.  Oh, and how did she reach that one then?!! Well, I reached it by seeing that it was full of:

• Different generations, from tiny tots on tops of shoulders, giggling groups of teenagers, to much older folk, some in wheelchairs and being pushed by friends or family 
• I heard different languages including Polish and French and a few unknowns, in addition to English, with a few different dialects too
• Leeds is a multi-cultural city and this diversity was very evident 
• Different types of families, some clearly 'well heeled' and some seemingly less so
• There were certainly many different breeds of dogs!
• There were walkers, bikers, rowers, joggers, skaters and some prepared for the muddy conditions and some not

It felt safe, ordered, genteel almost and I could sense the presence of people from years ago promenading along (you had to be there perhaps!). Everyone was out to enjoy the same things but maybe they weren't all pondering about them: 

• The beautiful cold, crisp day
• The park itself which even in winter displayed many colour variations through the trees, hills and general foliage
• Being connected to something bigger than ourselves
• The promise of things to come, due to the few early snowdrops and other shoots of crocuses
• Watching a child see different things for the first time, or trying to stay upright on their Christmas bike
• Quality time with family and friends having some fun together

Also during the two days away, we heard the exciting news of three healthy births which was so lovely.  Sadly though, we also had news of the death of a dear friend's mum.  She had reached what many would deem 'a good age'.  She had though, just had a successful knee operation so the manner and speed of her death has left the family devastated.

In just the couple of days I was away, I saw how great it can be when everyone comes together to enjoy the same things rather than become fractured and fight due to the differences. I felt and shared the deep joy or great pain which are also part of the cycle of life. Bizarrely, these lines from a song came into my head too.  They are from 'Nature Boy' written by Eden Ahbez in 1947, made famous by Nat King Cole and featured in the film 'The Boy With Green Hair' (which I have!).  They go like this:

        "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return"

That is certainly how I felt when I went away for a weekend ..........and saw the world.