End of the Holidays

I cannot believe that the kids go back to school next week. Felt full of energy this morning, (must have been the pink Champagne... I think I have now discovered a drink that I like the taste of!!).

Popped round to see Lisa and Lindsay and twins, then took R & O last minute school bits shopping. When we got back I hit the sack. 


Dad emailed pictures of the children from Shuttleworth yesterday.... 

My next chemo is on Tuesday, when the school goes back, that has come around rapidly too.










Why is "abbreviation" such a long word?

Wedding Anniversary

30/08/98

Add your own caption!

Mum and Dad took the kids to The Shuttleworth Collection today. 

Married 14 years. Today is our Ivory anniversary. Back in 1998 we got married in the stable at Tewinbury Farm and then followed with the reception in the barn. 

Followed by two weeks in Cuba.

I also got great-granny's ring back today, it is so beautiful, and reminds me of my granny who also wore it and was able to be at our wedding.

Cuba, Honeymoon. Don't dare 
even think about a caption!

We celebrated our anniversary with some pink Champagne (thanks B & K xx) and a Thai takeaway.

It was an emotional wedding. Even the cake was in tiers

Too Tired

Today I worked... then slept. That's it.

50th blog post, 
7000 pageviews, 
so I deserve a day off! xx


Dyslexic man walks into a bra


Chemo Queen will return to normal services tomorrow.

Rhyme Time

A Bloggy Bald-erdash Rhyme

Mum and dad arrived today
   armed with their gardening kit,
I headed off to a short-staffed work
   Where I worked very hard (I do admit)

The children helped the gardeners
   to plant the pretty flowers
They weeded, pruned and tidied up
   It must have taken hours

On getting back from my day at work
   I headed straight to bed
The kids stayed out for tea today
   Whilst I rested my baldy head!


Not a poet, did quite know it!

Problems with Flyaway Hair?

Cuz Tim popped round this morning, he tried to encourage me to buy a convertible sports car, but I don't think that Common Bob enjoys flying. Also as I have to keep out of the sun for quite a while now perhaps it was not such a great plan. I did get a bit excited about the idea for a while though! Watch this space... who knows. 

Tommy took the kids down to see the Annual Crayfish Festival on Folly Island, Hertford. And guess what.... I slept!

Oscar caught a fish!

For Sale: Parachute. Only used once, never opened, small stain

What a Happy Birthday

Happy birthday hubby. The children came through early in the morning and Tommy opened his presents. We had a leisurely morning getting ready to go out for lunch in town. We had decided that if I felt up for it the 4 of us would pop out for lunch. 

Surprise!!

We entered Pizza Express where 22 of our friends were waiting ready to surprise Tommy! He had no idea, I had organised it with Ju the day before. We had a room to ourselves and then moved through Hertford via the music festival to a few pubs throughout the evening. 

We all had a fab time. xx

I wondered why the Frisbee was getting bigger, and then it hit me

H matched the menu

Cake'n'candles

Nocturnal Nuisances

The days before painkillers.

Yet another bad night's sleep: Tinnitus, vein ache, snoring hubby and a howling cat outside! 

Got up early to go out to breakfast, as arranged, in Hertford, with mum and dad, to celebrate Tommy's birthday and our wedding anniversary, but I just didn't feel up to it, so instead mum and dad came here for breakfast and we all had another family game of Cranium. 

Tried to do a bit of pottering in the garden, but got too tired so retired to my boudoir. That's about all folks for this dreary Saturday. Tommy's birthday tomorrow.

PS. Since I have been bald I have discovered a birth mark which I had not previously been aware of, I have that red blotchyness at the nape of my neck. 

The magician who loved his chocolate could perform a lot of Twix

Laid back at the Dentist

I had trouble getting to sleep last night, it was just a few side effects of chemo; breathlessness, bone ache, pains in left arm, headache, sore mouth and heartburn.

Hold onto your hair!

This morning Rebecca, Oscar, Common Bobbie and I went to the dentist.... I was so worried that when Mr Black (looks more like Mr Grey) reclined the chair Bob would slip right off the back! 
I've been to the dentist several times so I know the drill! Actually he get's on my nerves!!! Enough.

Mum came to collect more ironing and dad mowed the gardens again.

Helen took the kids to Knebworth House for the day whilst I popped over to Welwyn Garden City to try and find Tommy a birthday present, I had wanted to get him something extra special this year as he has been so wonderful; but to no avail.

Knebworth Park slides.

I came home and fell into another deep sleep for an hour or two before the twins came home for tea.


In the evening we all played Cranuim, I think I have the excuse of chemo cranium.

Ooh I've got brain ache.

We went to the zoo the other day, there was only one dog in it, it was a ShihTzu

Birthday Bank Holiday

Last self-injection this morning (for this chemo course).  Ohhh, me bones hurt.

My last day at work until Tuesday, yeah, it's a bank holiday weekend. Tommy's birthday weekend. 

Rushed home from work to see the kids, but they arrived a bit later as they had been to the beach! Lovely to have them back.

That's now over 6,000 page views to my blog, share it with your friends, and remember if you want to comment just type your message with your name, in the comment box, then comment as: anonymous (drop down list). Easy... go on, try it.

I suppose I should show you my Brighton Mohican style, I had refrained from showing it as I don't like the picture, but... whatever, got to keep your interest up!

What grey?

I used to like Russian dolls until I realised they were full of themselves!

Spaghetti Blog-onaise

If you leave alphabet soup on the stove and go out, it could spell disaster.

Oh, I just don't know what to eat..

For lunch I had vegetable sushi and fruit salad, I am right off carbs, cannot be bothered to eat but am hungry, but for what, who knows? 

Answers on a postcard please.

So for dinner, Peking Duck with Mandarin Pancakes.

Now there's an idea for hair!

Why does the word 'monosyllabic' have five syllables?

Staying in to Wash my Hair

Your Chemo Queen felt so fatigued this morning, which is day 8 from chemo 2, (the worst times are usually between day 7-10). Called work to let them know I would not be able to make it in today. Gran and Grandpa arrived to pick up the children to take them back to Suffolk for a few days, and then I slept all morning. I dreamt that Tommy had a pigeon.... having Google'd it; see what I have found... 

Seeing a pigeon in a dream means glad tidings. It is also said that Allah Almighty will accept the prayers of one who sees pigeons in his dream. In a dream, a pigeon also represents a trustworthy messenger, a truthful friend, a comforting beloved, a chaste wife, striving to sustain one's family.

Bob gets a Bath

Bob in a bowl.

Bob in the shower.

In the afternoon, I dragged myself out of bed to wash my hair. First time in ages that I haven't got shampoo in my eyes!! Ha ha. 

Called my GP today to get some meds for chemo related ailments. 

TC went to the local farm shop to get steak for dinner, it was just what I needed.

If ignorance is bliss, then I must be the happiest thingamajig in the whole wide whatchamacallit!

Splashing good time

Oscar and Rebecca went up the road to their friends house today whilst we were at work. They had great fun playing swing ball and having water fights in the back garden with a barbeque for lunch. Sam sent me this photo as evidence of Rebecca, our super tomboy, actually wearing a dress, as her shorts had got so wet! 

After work I took them to Lorna's house to play for tea with the girls. They spent most of their time in the pool. But also found time for trampolining and hide-and-seek. 
I could have just dived in, but don't know how good Common Bob is at swimming.... I did find this picture of an alternative, which I am sure Oscar could help me with though:

Perhaps a bit uncomfy, maybe I should opt for the norm;

What disease did cured ham actually have?

Sweltering Sunday

This lovely weather we are having is great for some but I have to keep away from the sun, and Boiling Bob is no fun to go out with, but I wasn't ready to do the turban thing in public yet, so suffered in sweat.

Giant Yorky pud, with roast gammon & the works

Another lazy Sunday; lie-in, uniform shopping for the twins, power nap.... all followed by a gorgeous Sunday roast.... thanks chef.


Do you ever get that feeling, when you're half way through eating a horse, that you think to yourself, 'I'm not as hungry as I thought I was'

Bob-a-Job

Common Bob's first official day at work today. Back to my desk after nearly two weeks holiday, they were gentle with me on my first day back, I sat out of the searing heat in the air-conditioned office. The Saturday girls did all the hard grafting showing applicants around the properties. Super boss let me go a bit early, I came home and went straight to bed for a deeeeeep sleep. Tommy took the kids to the park to play football and to hunt for tea. He is so special, absolutely does everything and never complains or whinges. Shopping, cooking, washing, tidying, bed changing, (must teach him how to sew) etc. He informed me that we had won 2.9 on the Euro Millions today, yes that's right, £2.90. 


Humpty was pushed.  Mona Lisa was framed

Bob does Breakfast

Paula, Julie, Kats and Heidi... class of  '82.   Classy of 2012!

Heidi picked me up this morning and we went into Hertford to meet Kats and Julie, met mum along the way, we had coffee and breakfast and a catch up. 

Had a sneaky snooze this afternoon before attacking Oscar's bedroom. 

Lauren came round later with ideas for a breast cancer fundraising do. 

Back to work tomorrow.


Venison's dear, isn't it?

Bald-a-Bear

What a Buzz

Off to the Science Museum today with Tommy, the kids and Common Bob to learn about space travel ready for their year 5 projects. 

We all had a great time, loving all the interactive bits. Spent ages in the museum and had a lovely lunch there too in the Deep Blue Diner. Walked through Carnaby Street to Hamley's.

Fluffs and Fudgy

I can't believe that we never seem to come home from London on the train without Build-a Bears! (purchased at Hamley's). We had a fantastic day... but boy am I beat now.

Oh, did I mention that I bought some lovely new shoes in Carnaby Street? £120 down to £14!!!!




I am absolutely loving all the comments coming in, would love to hear from you all as I now have 5,000 hits.


Exit signs? They're on the way out!

Born a Pisces... Married a Virgo... now with Cancer!

1966

The last time I had this little hair I was three months old. 

I was so tired last night, but didn't sleep as my body was really jittery, got up early to edit my blog, and do some catching up on the house, but after that had a really lazy day, got out of my PJs and showered at 3pm! Sonia came round for a catch up, Tommy took the kids to play football.

My left arm is painful and bruised from all the poisonous chemo running through, but I am drinking litres of water to flush it through as instructed.

 NEWS FLASH: 
 I now officially hate the taste of wine! 


Mum made us eat all sorts of vitamins and supplements, until one day I nearly choked on part of The Sunday Times

Kaptain Keymo 2

Kaptain Keymo by Oscar & Rebecca, 

Am I glad my needle is not that big!

Chemo 2/6

Tommy and the kids dropped me off at the hospital again, got a super comfy window seat this time with remote recline, thought I was on a flight, but the drinks trolley never appeared. 

Ice and a slice?

Rebecca went to play at her friend's house where they made me some lovely perfume.

Tommy and Oscar picked me up from Lister hospital, only 2.5 hours this time. 

Marrow-lyn Monroe

My lovely life long friend Deb came over and we had a girlie evening in, she brought me a lovely package of organic healthy goodies, including a new wig stand (she said it was a home grown marrow... yeah, whatever). Tommy took Oscar to the football, where Oscar got to kick the ball back onto the pitch; sign him up. 

Conjunctivitis.co.uk 
– that’s a site for sore eyes

Keep Calm and Chemo On

Back to Stevenage (where I took my driving test all those years ago). Tommy and the kids dropped me at the Lister, I saw the doctor (oncologist) who said that the bigwigs (my word... but quite apt I feel) had discussed me in their meeting and have decided to definitely operate after the 6 sessions of chemo. Still feeling really tired in the afternoons and my nailbeds are peeling away. Wore Common Bob for most of the day, but feel more comfortable without. 


I saw an advert in a window that said: “Television for sale, £1, volume stuck on full.” 
I thought, “I can’t turn that down.”

Feeling Light Headed

Smileys are naturally bald.

This morning Mr Todd cut off my mohican, I now look just like him (minus the beard). I now have to wash behind my ears and I didn't quite know where to stop my make-up line this morning! We have had such a lovely relaxing time in Brighton, and it has been an easier transition period for me (the changing faces of Paula). We packed up and headed home at lunchtime. Thanks so much to Pete, Chris, Olivia and Scarlett and their students for making it such a great time.

My little brother with Skinhead O'Connor

Came home to more lovely cards and flowers from friends and family. 

Back to the hospital tomorrow to see my Oncologist and to have blood tests ready for chemo 2 on Tuesday.

Drilling for oil is boring

Last of the Mohicans

Plucked up courage to open my eyes when I washed my hair this morning, only to see clumps disappearing down the plughole. So Pete, AKA Sweeney Todd, cut my hair short before scalping me with his clippers. He left me with a Mohican! So Chris and I set off into town to lunch and shop. No one batted an eyelid at my hair in Brighton, so I bought a bright red wig to wear... still no attention! 

Pete and Tommy took the kids skateboarding, most came back damaged!

Whoop, what a day... all finished with wii dance.


My Ultra Sensitive toothpaste doesn't like it when I use other toothpastes