I wrote a blog straight from the heart last night, typed my emotions onto the blank screen and then lost the lot. Trev has my computer almost up and running, well running slowly. I need a new filter now, we replaced the modem that took the brunt of a lightning strike on the transmission box at the corner of our street during a mighty thunderstorm a week ago. Trev was in the middle of rebuilding his computer at the time and the surge that resulted from the strike killed off that tower. He bought a new tower and that still seemed to have problems. After ringing our telco , our ISP etc the problem seemed to be the modem and the ADSL filter, we replaced the modem and tonight will replace the filter. Fingers and eyes crossed! You know all those emails that promise you seven years of bad luck if you delete them? I think I have deleted one too many!

Ray has some more problems, the incontinence has moved from once every few days to twice a day. We blamed the new medication, Ebixa (Namenda) at first but the problem went away for a few days and then came back with a vengeance so I am doubtful of what is causing it. I know he is feeling miserable because of it and I am sick of cleaning him up and giving him extra showers. I know the change of seasons doesn't help as we are alternately having warm and humid days and cold and wet days so it is no wonder the older members of the population who inhabit the circles in which Ray moves, are coming down with all sorts of minor diseases. I have that "let's wrap him in cotton wool" feeling coming on again.

Ray did go to Camp Breakaway but had a morning when everything went wrong, including a bout of incontinence before he was able to get out of bed. I had a phone call about that today as a "report" was put in on his problems. He will be able to go back there in the future but with a "one on two" minder to make sure he is safe. I knew this was going to happen but it is sad when someone has "special requirements" marked on their file. As stroke survivors know, once you are labelled you are treated differently.

I took advantage of my three days. I used one to do some extra chores at home and used one to go out to lunch with a friend. After lunch we went to the movies to see "Quantum of Solace". It was not really my kind of movie but it certainly was a distraction from the every day. James Bond, whichever actor is curently playing him, lives a life that is nothing like mine. And that is good. The dangers of my job are domestic, the dangers of his international. Both of us struggle to do our best.

We had the delight of our grandkids on Friday. Alex and Oliver caused the usual chaos. Those two little boys have so much energy. This Granma is racing to keep up with them. I managed to get Tori to stay overnight and we had a busy Saturday of doing the stuff she can only do without her brothers around. This included colouring in, building a block tower, jumping on the trampoline for ten minutes of uninterrupted bouncing etc. In the afternoon we took her to an outside mall where there is a water feature and she was able to paddle for a while. I forgot to put sunscreen on her and she got a bit pink on the shoulders but she loved the afternoon out. Ray managed to forgo his afternoon nap and came with us so it was a good time for all of us. We had a walk around the inlet and it was so peaceful. When school holidays come that will all change so it is nice to go now before the influx of tourists hit our lovely area.

I've had a couple of sad phone calls lately about old friends with health breakdowns. I don't know why but it always seems to come just before Christmas, doesn't it? And I want my Christmas this year to be bright and cheerful and one to remember. I know we will only have lunch here with our local family and then probably Ray and I will be alone for the rest of the day but it can still be a light-hearted, happy time. We usually get some phone calls from friends and ring a few ourselves so there is that tenuous contact across the miles. I guess Christmas is built up to be such a "family occassion" that the reality can be somewhat of a let-down. Only a month till Christmas Day and so much to do. I'm sure it will be a joy to shop for gifts...well hopefully.

So it is back to normal for a couple of weeks, then Ray has a short time in respite ( yes, it finally got worked out so he can get the room he always has) and then the run up to Christmas. I wonder sometimes where the time goes..... it's a sign of age I suppose. I am still so missing you all in chat. Hopefuly next week all my computer woes will be behind me....