The Blog from Bressay

It’s been lovely this week lots and lots of sunshine (although still had a bit of a wind with it some days).

At the weekend I got a letter from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary informing me I’d be staying a business week with them (Mon - we think Fri).  I really want to get things sorted out but can’t until I see my Doc next week and see when I’m going to get discharged.  Mam and Dad will be going with me but won’t be staying as they are both Polling Booth Clerks for the European Elections.  Martin is coming back up with me whenever I get discharged. 

Didn’t see Gran on Tuesday again.  Dad did for a few mins.  She’d had a lie in and by the time they had finished with other webcamers it was time for Grans dinner.  Went out to enjoy sunshine on Tuesday at The Peerie Shop Cafe and had a lovely couple of cups of Peppermint and Liquorice Tea.  If your into your herbal tea I’d highly recommend it.  It was lovely sitting outside in the sun and chatting to folk.

Wednesday I had a day off as I’d been out Monday and Tuesday and have a busy couple of days coming up so I needed the rest and had a mainly bed day.  I was supposed to be going to Community Council but I knew if I did there would be trouble after.  The Clerk is next door neighbour so I’m going to see if I can get the minutes from him to peruse.

Today I’ve been practising tune for Sisters wedding coming along nicely and thinking of seeing if she wants to me to play Ode to Joy as her and her man walk back down the beach together.  Also been doing a bit of chucking out and cleaning.  I had to rescue escapee sock from hoover but all ok in end.  I’ve been trying to clean our white, plastic furniture and have found out the reason it’s not cleaning up.  It’s been outside for far too many winters so the newer ones are coming up good but other not good I’m afraid will try and persuade Mam and Dad to put it all in the Shed this winter (PS if anyone wants any boxes we have loads looking for a good home).  Woody has not had the best of days between strimming, fiddling and hoovering.  He’s hoping for a far quieter night.

The Chinese is coming across tomorrow night again.  Trying to persuade Mam & Dad that it would be a nice idea and have a night off cooking.  Still working on it though.  I’m also off to the CAB in the afternoon to sort the stuff for my submission to Tribunal out, still not heard when the date will be.  If I had to put a bet on it will come up when I’m in Aberdeen!

Saturday we’ve got folk coming over and hopefully the phone that my brother ordered from eBay will have turned up.  Sunday it’s the Camera Club AGM.

I’m hoping to get more washing out very soon as I’ve managed to get one load on but I’ve been thwarted by folk getting to machine first and other folk strimming the grass.  Tomorrow I shall get to machine first and there will be no strimming.

Just when you think that Spring has arrived and your planning everything in the garden, up comes the weather forecast to inform you that it Storm Force 10 tonight and 7-9 tomorrow.  When it’s windy there is nothing better than being tucked up in bed listening to it howl outside after being battered by Woody running and jumping all over you as he’s taken a maddy because of the wind.  It makes me appreciate being at home more.  I love all sorts of weather (maybe not too sunny and hot though) and missed it when I was South as I didn’t feel that there was the range that there is at home.

Not spoken to Gran this week.  Technical problems down in Edinburgh.  The PC wasn’t working so they just had the laptop and too many people to get around.  We heard that she was up and about so happy about that.  It’s fingers crossed here that all will be ok for next week.

Martin is thinking to come up in June so I’m looking forward to that.  Not sure when but if he comes up at end of June he’ll be here for Dad’s birthday and if he comes up at begining of June he’ll be here for MLS’s birthday.  Mind you we were discussing get out nails done again.  Not sure if he’s be up for getting his done as well.

I’m resting good style this week not helped by slight tummy bug the house came down with at beginning of week.  Very glad we had two toilets that’s all I’m saying!  MLS came to collect Teacosy and it was a quick switch as she’s got the cold.  I didn’t want to give her my germs and she didn’t want to give me her germs.  It was quite funny to see us as she said it’s the least we’ve ever spoken to each other.

Speaking of bugs, germs etc.  We got the Swine HypeFlu leaflet  through today.  Looking at the symptoms I think that I have had Swine Flu for quite a bit of my life lol.  I do worry about the male half of the population though.  How many of them carry tissues about?  Thinking about it, it’s usually the women that do in their handbags and the man usually nicks them when the need arises or they resort to sleeves lol.

We had a shock on Bressay last week the Headmaster of the Primary School died.  There is a Memorial Service on Friday and the bairns have been getting the church ready with photos and other things.  I can imagine that it will look beautiful when finished.

Hmmm yes paranoia has slipped into my mind.  Why I hear you ask?  Well I’m waiting for supporting letters to come from ex employers for my DLA Tribunal.  The first one from ex employer 2 was sent about 3 weeks ago so I called at beginning of last week to enquire whether it had been sent and they agreed to re send it.  Ex employer 1 also sent theirs at beginning of last week and still no sign.  All my other mail has arrived and I’m starting to think that the DWP are nobbling my mail…….

*If you’re of an easily embarrassed nature please look away now*

It’s been trials and tribulations in the bra department here.  I’ve been using a lovely company called Bravissimo to order a good bra for me, they believe in throwing the measuring tape out and going on how it looks and fits.  I’m now on order no.4 :shock:  Trying to get the right size has become a bit of a battle.  The first one from Bravissimo was lovely but didn’t fit so tried same style in different size still didn’t fit.  The lovely woman at Bravissimo said that the company that makes them are notorious for having very small back sizes for the actual size.  They suggested another one which was sent but didn’t fit so are sending another one which should fit better.  All I can say is hurrah for Bravissimo!  I asked whether they needed anymore money for postage and packing and they said no it was more important for them to find the right size for their customers.  The women that I’ve spoken to are all very knowledgeable about where wires should be and how many hands you should be able to get under the back bit and are very patient with you.  I’ll update you on order no.4.

*those who are easily embarrassed can look now*

I have just about everything for Gladys Emannuel.  The apron arrived on Tuesday and the Nurses Dress arrived today.  I’m a woman of a larger size so wondered if they were trying to tell me something when I saw that the dress was made by a company called “Harpoon”.  I have a plan navy dress which I plan to add white cotton round the cuffs and the collars to make it more 1970’s nurse instead of generic nurse.

Brother has finally decided what he is wearing to his birthday bash but will remain a secret until a week on Saturday….

Tomorrow is Jams birthday and I’m getting very excited about it.  We’re going for a meal and then some pampering.  Saturday heralds the arrival of birthday boy Martin so will have a small family get together.  It’s going to be a weekend of excitement.

Woody has been loving the nice weather and wandering outside more as we’ve started to leave the kitchen window open.  He also likes hiding in the daffodils and is still learning to make friends with the other feline neighbours round about.

I’ve finished doing my work for the first client I’ve had. Really enjoyed it and hope to get some more at some point.

It was a lovely day here but it’s turned into a bit of a rainy one now. Felt very spring like and Woodys been out for most of the day.

I’m hoping to start getting up to our croft so I can tidy up outside our old croft house. It’s so overgrown you can’t even get near it never mind into it. I’ll be wielding the every trusty shears to get it mown down but in parts I may need a machete!

It’s been pandemonium here today Dad had loads of stuff to do and then Mam and Dad went out (I was working so stayed here), came back and are heading back out again tonight on 6:45 ferry. I’ve decided that it’s safer to stay in bedroom so that I don’t get under anyone’s feet.

I’m still on the hunt to find accomodation in Dunbar after my Sister had to change the date for her wedding. It was all booked and we were ready for 18th July and then a couple of weeks ago she got a call to say that the venue was very sorry but it had been double booked. After that they had problems with the cameraman and other things. The wedding will now take place in August so now it’s just hunting for a place that will take 7 of us. We’re hopeful of getting somewhere in a caravan park.

Got a letter through on Friday from ZETrans announcing a meeting at the Bressay Hall on Wed 25th at 7:30. We will be hearing more about the plans for a bus on the island that would connect with the ferries and whether it would go to Lerwick as well or not. Also looking at doing different things with the ferry service. I think this could be an interesting one.

Also waiting to see when the next Community Council meeting will be as they are doing their Environmental Plan which I would like to see and possibly have a say in.

Due to a muddle up by software company they took total amount out of my account instead of direct debit.  So cue lots of calls etc.  Anyway they paid back the sum and said that they would refund my banking charges wwaaaaheeeyyy. 

They then asked if they could get the statement by fax…….

I was quite happy with that as I remembered I has fax software with my printer.  Waiting for statement to arrive which it did on Saturday, I thought leave it until Monday and set everything up.

This morning fax software not working as computer couldn’t find the modem I’m using to connect to the internet (I’m using a wireless connection so I think that is the problem).  Tried several different way eventually realised it wasn’t going to work so I asked my Dad if he could send it using the software on his.  2 hours later it was done.  Called to see if software company had received it and was informed that it would take an hour for the person that is dealing with my account to receive so fingers crossed that she has if not it will have to be by email as Dad is going out this afternoon.

Tomorrow I have a meeting with my first client up here so I’m a bit excited and hope that I can do something for her and get my first job.  I will be hoping to speak to Gran tomorrow as well.  Last week we weren’t on for long as Gran had a cold and we were cut short by technology as well.

Weather wise things have calmed down greatly.  The ferries were off yesterday and it was generally a day to stay in apart from my Wonder Woman friend who walked down to the shop and back.  I say more power to her elbow!  Woody did want out but gave me a completely disgusted look when I opened the door and it was a flying gale outside, I may try to be in control of a lot of things but the weather is out of reach my furry friend.

At night I was teaching my Brother the wonders of Facebook, Bebo and Windows Messanger.  He doesn’t have a computer but does have his mobile (and my computer when he’s over) so he has caught up with some friends that he’s not been in contact with for ages.  In between doing that it was off to the Camera Club.  I had my dues all ready to pay but unfortunately the Treasurer wasn’t there.  Things appear to be on schedule for the calendar (famous last words eh?) so looking forward to getting the last of the photos in for that.

Today is nice far less windy.  Woody has been out twice but still is too windy for him.  We let him out round the back and he appears two minutes later at the front kitchen window.  I’m assuming it’s too windy however he maybe laughing at the fact that this seems like a good game for him to play with me.  We’re hoping to get the car back today, which would be great as the courtesy car we have now is the tiniest (and tinniest thing) I’ve ever been in.   It’s a Toyota Aygo and I’m sure if I sat on the bonnet it would crumple completely.  Glad Martin isn’t up as he would never fit in it at all and Mr FourX, just don’t consider it, you may get a leg in but that would be it!

No more snow in Bressay the very last of it was washed away today.

Mam has had her arm replastered in replendant purple.  Looks fab!  The surgeon is happy with her so I’m very glad that things seem to be on the mend.  Only 4 weeks to go after this and it will be off for good (fingers crossed)

It was lovely while the snow was here although Woody wasn’t too happy about it.  He was out this evening and got soaked.  I’ve never met a cat that doesn’t mind getting wet.  He’ll quite happily go out while it’s raining (as long as it’s not hitting off the ground) come in soaked.  I usually get and old towel and bundle him up like a baby until I take the worst of the wet off him.  Then he usually goes for a sleep.

Speaking to Gran tomorrow so I’m looking forward to that but will need to get the puzzle head on need to beat the boys this week!

Was at the Camera Club last night and things are going well on the calendar front, as the pavements were clear decided to wheel myself back to the house.  It was good just to out in the night and the air (it is just as good being out in the daytime too!)  I need to start taking more photos and actually learn about digital cameras.  I find it easier reading from manuals that are printed rather than ones where you have a CD rom so I’ve not got round to it yet.  Hoping to maybe do a class later in year.

I did start again with my knitting last week.  I’m not the best (Mam is great at it) but I’m starting just doing squares.  I’m doing a pink square first in plain then will do one in a purl.  I was thinking about making a scarf out of the squares in the Chakra colours but we will see what happens.

Got up this morning managed to have leisurely breakfast.  I have an odd breakfast of Oats mixed with yoghurt, it’s honestly yummy just think of it like a certain cornered yoghurt and cereal mix

Spoke to Gran and we did puzzles today.  There was a new resident that we got introduced to so he was included in the fun and games.  Have to say the boys were quite good but the girls were getting better in the end.  Gran is doing well can’t believe she’ll be 101 this year it’s fantastic!

While Uncle was here told him that Camera Club meeting will be this Sunday and not next Sunday so that was duly put in as an appointment on the phone.

Mam and Dad went over to Lerwick but I decided to stay as wasn’t feeling 100% and the streets were still really bad.  I really need to find out if they do snow chains for wheelchairs……..

Went to let Woody out and heard water gushing from somewhere thought it might have been problems with our overflow but going a bit more into the garden found it was my next door neighbours (and co-incidently one of my best mates) house that had sprung a quite considerable leak.  Where I was looking it looked like it was coming out the kitchen window.  So rush to phone friend not answering aarrrgggghh! Sent text to call me urgently which she did. Explained problem and then on closer inspection pipe had gone on outside.  Much toing and froing with phone calls to let her know what was going on needed to find Stopcock to put water off.  Didn’t have strength to do this thankfully other neighbour was just about to go to ferry so he managed to turn it off.

Friends Mums Friends (if that make sense) came from down the road to see if they could help as Friends Mum had called them.  Son did what he could, I clunked to the floor face first.  After having profusely apologised for said clunking, the problem was getting sorted and will not take much for it to be righted so thankfully they have water this evening.  It’s amazing what a bit of frost can do to metal.

Friend came through this evening so sneakily gave her some Word Searches to sell at her work.  (When starting this forgot how much of a sales person you need to be)  We chatted for ages which minded me we’ll need to go out for a proper chat at some point, make a date and stick to it!  We’re terrible at things like that, life seems to get in the way.

All this has not bothered Woody, who was in the huff earlier as I wouldn’t let him out to “play” with the blackbirds and robins in the garden.  He’s forgiven me now and is currently sleeping.

Thankfully it’s been a far better Monday than last Monday.

We had more snow here but not as bad as the North and West of Shetland.  Woody has been exploring in the snow.  Mostly managed to forget to take camera with me but here is a couple of him when it started snowing:

He has discovered that he can get in and out of window today, being in a upper 1/4 villa before he wasn’t allowed out windows.  He has also been watching the other cats there are about 6/7 in the very close vicinity.  Today we had three on the fence posts so there was some hissing and making known that this is his territory now.

With the snow arriving I have meant to go and build a snowman but found not really been able.  We stocked up on food and stuff last week so we knew if the worst came to the worst then we’d be ok. 

Didn’t manage along to the Camera Club last night as I was told it had been cancelled so I wasn’t best pleased when I found out that it was on and a lot turned up.  Grr.  The Chairman called up today and said that there would be another meeting this Sunday as we are doing a Calendar for next year.  We’re trying to get everything as prepared as we can so it’s not a huge rush at the last minute.

The moon was lovely earlier on this evening at about 5 it seemed really big.  I have taken pictures but not transferred them to the computer yet. 

At the moment I don’t have the best camera but it’s my first one and I’m hoping to save up and get one with a large optical zoom on it.  This may be boring but I do internet survey, the kind that are quoted in the news etc. so for everyone I do I get points and get to choose what the reward is so I’m saving my points towards a camera.  Last year on one of the panels I’m on I managed to save up and get £70 of vouchers for clothes which I’m planning to use next time I’m south (unless next time is hospital visit)

Tomorrow we (plus my Uncle) will be speaking to my Gran who is in a home in Edinburgh.  They have people from a scheme called Moose in the Hoose which lets them use the computer.  They get help with emails and set up times to speak to people on the webcam.  We usually have a lot of fun as it’s not just my Gran and the Moose in the Hoose people there but other residents as well.  We always have the puzzle as well and there seems to be the boys against the girls.  Of course the girls are quite good at this but the boys are catching up.  I think using technology in this way is great it means that people they may not normally are able to “visit” them on a regular basis.  I hope it gets used in other places as well as Edinburgh.

Ooh gone for the essay today looks like lol hope you managed to stay awake!  Questions will be asked later