Where has the time gone?

I cannot believe that it is now 2 months since I blogged. It was also 2 months ago that my Mum had a stroke. She had had a minor stroke 9 months earlier whilst she and Dad were on the boat. Paramedics were called and they carried Mum down the towpath to the nearest hospital, after a few hours she was released and returned to the boat. She could not speak properly, but after a few days resting on the boat her speech returned. This time my Dad returned from a meeting to find Mum speaking gobbledy-gook - he immediately knew what had happened and took her to the doctor the following morning. My brother still does not understand why Dad did not call 999 and get Mum into hospital, but I think he was scared that she would be admitted and not allowed home. I was in a meeting at work the day Dad phoned me on my mobile, so when I saw the missed call I knew something was up. I drove down to see them the following day - the M6 on a Friday is not the fastest of roads, but I just wanted to be there for Mum. It was a long journey, but Dad was so pleased to see me for some support that it was really worth it. Mum really could not speak - we had to guess what she was trying to say, she was not really aware of what was happening, and she slept a lot. My Dad has never run the house, Mum always did it. He did not know how to operate the washing machine, had no idea about cooking and has never had to plan meals, shop or clean the house. Unfortunately my Nan always felt that men/boys were there to do the earning and manual tasks and that was how Dad was brought up. Now he had to take control. I showed him how to cook some simple and healthy meals - if he had his way it would be versions of pie and chips! I was pleased that I made the journey and when I returned home I made sure that I kept in touch with them daily and then slowly returned to weekly so that I could hear the difference in Mum as she progressed. A month after the stroke she managed to see a specialist and get scans etc. During this time Dad contacted the Stroke Association and through their help and support Mum has managed to improve in her speech. She still gets very frustrated when she cant get the words out, she is fully aware of what we are saying, and is very observant, but the words cannot get out.

'im indoors has been made redundant so now only has a few weeks to get a new job before his last pay packet. Very stressful, and to top it all he has to sell his flat which is nearer Glasgow than here as he cannot afford to keep it on without a job. Thing is that having the flat opens up job opportunities in Glasgow, without it there is a lot of commuting to do - horrid situation really.

My brother and his fiancee brought Mum and Dad up to visit on Saturday and we have spent the last few days together until they left this morning for the long drive down south. Mum thoroughly enjoyed her visit and I think it did her the world of good. She managed to do some gently walking, each day managing a little bit more - after all she has been more or less immobile for 2 months. I would have loved to have spent more time with my brother and his fiancee, but it was good for Mum and Dad to spend time with me. My brother has a lovely Boxer called Bruce who is 3 years old and worth a small fortune apparantly - they insisted that he is my nephew!
What a gorgeous brute he is.......

My brother is getting married in November and I have been asked to be a bridesmaid - never in my life have I been asked to be a bridesmaid. She has her best friend, her two daughters and her 14 month granddaughter as well, and the theme is coffee and cream. So I have now bought a dress - which she loves, and now have to buy shoes, pashmina and a bag!

All is quiet now that they have all gone home, so I spent the afternoon digging up roots of shrubs that have got past it and some brooms that have self seeded where they were not wanted. I am now exhausted and am sitting with my feet up watching Beechgrove Garden (a brilliant Scottish gardening programme - much better than Gardener's World in my opinion).

On Sunday, my neighbours decided to cut 2 rather large trees down that were planted on the boundary of our two gardens - they were far too close to the houses and actually touched my roof, so down they came. We had my neighbour and my pal on chain saws, the youngest son of my neighbour (age 12) scooting up and down trees putting on the line for us to guide the trees down to the ground, and then some of his pals and his older brother on wheelbarrow duty clearing the logs. My neighbour's wife provided us with bacon rolls after she returned from church and then helped us to clear the fallen branches and later burnt them in the field. It is so amazing what a difference these trees have made to the amount of light coming into both of our gardens.

Last friday was the last junior golf session of the year, so we had our prize giving. We had 41 children between the ages of 8 and 17 playing golf, these were later joined by parents and siblings so you can imagine what the noise level would be like. They were very well behaved, and enjoyed the meal provided for them. It was great handing out the prizes to the kids and seeing their response. After the prizes "the oldest junior" (now no longer playing with the juniors, but working behind the bar at the clubhouse) presented me with a card and golf gift voucher from all the parents - this was a total surprise and totally not expected - to me it is just great to see how well the kids have improved over the year - that is the biggest present of all.

Now to start turning my mind to winter activities - drama, curling, living!

Lets hope it is not another 2 months before I blog again!

Morning sun over the hills