Bob's Blog Page 57
You are reading Page 57 of Bob's Blog/diary/dream/story/journey/novelistic memoir.
He is 85 years old and counting.
He is also very much aware that this blog is of no significance whatsoever -
at the time of writing!
Sunday 1st December 2024.
Dear Reader,
Just to remind you that this website has reached 100 pages which is a maximum this old codger can deal with. There are apparently unlimited 'Dynamic Pages' but your favourite blogger hasn't a clue how to create them.
So, he might delete a few pages but not to worry they will be available on PDF or you can download them yourself. This won't be happening until after Christmas so no worries. #Jingle Bells!
There is, of course, the possibility that your favourite blogger could be deleted as well, but only a possibility!
Loadsa love,
Bob.
Monday 2nd December 2024.
Dear Reader,
Today, I will be talking to the children of Year 6 at The Royal Kent School, Oxshott about my war experiences. #Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye. #Cheerio, here I go, on my way. It's a sell out!
Yesterday, the carer didn't care very much, might as well do it myself.
Love you lots,
Bob.
Tuesday 3rd December 2024.
I had the kids singing along with Vera Lynn. #We'll meet again #Don't know where don't know when. I've decided I want to be a teacher, or a comedian or a clown?
Wednesday 4th December 2024.
At 1.06 am I took OMP (Old Mobile Phone) downstairs put her into a bucket of cold water and took her outside. She was making blood curdling noises, unresponsive to touches, switched herself on and off and getting extremely overheated.
She had been murdered by Alexa who didn't like OMP playing her relaxing story while Alexa played her relaxing music. Alexa .... OFF.
In the morning OMP was at peace. Quite sad really.
And if you can understand any of the above let me know!
Thursday 5th December 2024.
Being a 24/7 carer has it's advantages but I've yet to discover them. Without help from 'My Angels' I would probably need a 24/7 carer myself. So, I guess that's an advantage, I don't need one? I might want one but I don't need one. 'Want' and 'need' are different things, I learnt that when I was a door to door salesmen selling Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Friday 6th December 2024.
Nahiko from Japan and Elmbridge Borough Council arrived yesterday to discuss bathroom improvements for disabled Nannies. It looks like an all singing all dancing wet room might be the best answer. Meanwhile Grandad designed a one handed toilet roll that doesn't unload reams of tissue on the floor. He stuffed a used toilet roll middle in the middle which will give constant or adjustable friction when pulled. Amazing? He might patent the idea!
Saturday 7th December 2024.
Sorry about that, it'll soon be history. What was that?
Eva the Occupational Therapist put Nannie through her paces yesterday. Followed by a wheelchair ride to collect some more pills and on and around the upper parts of Cobham., I used to dream about living in the upper parts of Cobham but now I don't, too far from the ducks, doctors, dentists and pharmacies.
By the way the Climate Action Teams around the globe are getting interested in you know what. Just thought I'd mention it. I need to 'have a dream'. I've even applied for funding from The National Lottery, most of it's my money anyway!
I recently signed up to 'Borrow My Doggy', thought I might find an old black Labrador for company but all I got was a million emails so I unsubscribed. Great idea but a childish website. Unlike some?
Received an early Christmas present from Alexa, sorry Eliza, Thanks Eliza. I can now ask her to solve all my problems!
Alexa, relaxing piano. Please.
Sunday 8th December 2024.
Alexa. How do you 'get a life' when you are disabled or a 24/7 carer?
Monday 9th December 2024.
Surprisingly Alexa had quite a lot to say, she'd obviously thought about it :-
Spend some time reflecting on what a life means to you, consider if it means more friends, more outings, more time with family or something else. Once you have specific goals in mind spend time trying new things each week to help you reach your goal. You could try hiking, biking or finding something fun to do in your city. Invite your friends or family to come with you. if you can, practice living in the present by only doing one thing at a time so you can enjoy your life more.
Either that or get on with drawing your Christmas cards while listening to Englebert Humperdinck?
Tuesday 10th December 2024.
If I had time to 'reflect', time to try new things, time to hike, bike or do one thing at a time who's going to get my dinner?
Wednesday 11th December 2024.
Yesterday I tried to concentrate on 'one thing at a time' but when you are a 24/7 carer how the **** is that possible? In between essential/urgent/hurry up/it's too late tasks I did manage to send a million emails to 'Climate Action Teams' around the globe but I've decided they are all 'Climate Inaction Teams'.
What's the point of emails when they all say 'We'll get back to you in 3 days' but zilch. Might as well write a letter and send it via Father Christmas.
Thursday 12th December 2024.
Thanks to my Angels (that's you) one of my emails landed on Nicky's desk in Aberdeen, she has arranged a TEAMS meeting later today with Johnathan and Matthieu in Paris. They are part of a French multinational who might be interested in you know what but they might change their mind when they find out I'm quatre-vingts sank!
Later today. The TEAMS meeting turned out to be disappointing so it's carry on caring and carry on Christmas cards. For some reason 'Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket' keeps popping into my head. Sweet dreams.
Friday 13th December 2024. (Lucky for some!)
I hate TEAMS meetings, especially when they're not on your TEAM. Might as well do something useful and fit some new coat hangers, I've been meaning to do it for 50 years. Concentrate on one thing at a time.
This weekend I shall be visiting a secret place in Oxshott where my grandfathers ashes are scattered, there is always plenty of holly there. If you want to join me let me know. He never lets me down.
Another delivery of free disability aids arrived yesterday, this time it's a swivel bath seat, all we need now is a 'Virtual Reality' headset and we've got a flight simulator.
Saturday 14th December 2024.
Yesterday, my pulse rate was hovering around the low 40's let's hope something exciting happens today!
Sunday 15th December 2024.
The sight and sound of The Elmbridge Ladies Choir singing their hearts out with Jingle Bell Rock at The Cobham Garden Club was really exciting. Even Nannie in her wheelchair was singing along. The cauldron of burning logs was warming and so was the mulled wine! Grandad burst into a quick step which sent his pulse racing. What more is there?
Monday 16th December 2024.
A respite solitary 'Walk in the Secret Wood' yesterday was consumed slowly. The secret wood is full of Holly trees but not a berry to be seen. Except, that is, for one where Grandad's Grandad's ashes are scattered. I only took an armful and left plenty for you and the birds. Thank you Grandfather. For some reason I used to call him Pashad!
Later today I'll be nipping over to The Ability Store in Bookham to get some more grab rails for the bathroom. Nahiko from The Council said she'd fit them but it'll be another 6 months if you wait for them. Let me know if you want/need any grabrails. It happens!
Tuesday 17th December 2024.
Today, I will be doing what Alexa tells me i.e. 'Do one thing at a time and enjoy your life more'. My shopping list has 34 items on it. One at a time?
Yesterday, my dermatologist, the lovely Dr Nicola, found another piece of sun damage on my hand which will have to be excised. It probably happened when I was playing tennis with Brigitte Bardot in St Aygulf on the Côte d'Azur in the summer of '58. Remember? Either that or the summer of '64 when I was driving my soft top Morris Minor to The Skim'. Remember?
Wednesday 18th December 2024.
Grandad (that's me) was intoxicated driving Ivans 'MG' Duster to Bookham to get the grabrails.
He was even more intoxicated to get a replacement washer for his 50-year-old shower diverter valve.
He was on cloud nine on the twisty drive back (past Cossins Care Home?) to Downside. The Plough at Downside beckoned. Duncan, the barman (who had flown from Brazil to Paris on Concorde) brought up Bob's Blog on his bartop laptop and showed great interest in The Oxshott Village Sign and Tidal Stream Energy.
Grandad reminisced in the cosy snug bar, the speakers oozed John Lennon's 'Imagine', memories of log fires, Babychams, Bouffants and perfumes were even further intoxicating, his pint of Sword Ale was sobering!
Thursday 19th December 2024.
Sorry about the scrolling but I need to conserve 'pages'. Today it's day surgery on the hand which might mean I can't do the washing up. Nannie can't do the washing up either so any offers?
(Later) OK, to be expected. The jolly Dr Barr and his team sliced a rasher off the back of my hand bandaged it up and sent me away with a Merry Christmas. A call to 'Action for Carers Surrey' failed to send me a washer upper so, 'Alexa' 'Can you do the washing up?' 'Better not, I don't mix well with water'. What do you say to that? Don't tell me, on with the Marigolds or buy yourself a dishwasher you ..... .........
Hope you don't mind me chatting on to myself. It's good therapy for knackered 24/7 carers.
Friday 20th December 2024.
Dear Reader,
Today, I've decided to move. 53 years in the same house is too long and it's too bloody cold and damp anyway. I'm not joking. I've found a light and airy place 100 yards from Waitrose! Watch this space.
Love you lots,
Bob.
Saturday 21st December 2024.
Thanks for the inspiration Hartley, I don't suppose you need reminding but today is winter solstice, so, from today we can look forward to a brighter future. Today, I shall be seeking the 'Rightbrightmove'!
By the way, I found the above picture in a magazine in the waiting room while waiting for my hand surgery. Just thought you'd like to know.
Thanks for the card, roses and the Jameson's Cliff and Briff. Much appreciated. I hope you can make sense of all this. I plan to resume digging soon!
Sunday 22nd December 2024.
A conducted tour by Bev around Flat No. 11 was disappointing. Despite having a walk-in bath and a dishwasher it turned out to be a dark move instead of a bright move. No kitchen window and wall to wall claustrophobia. Back to the badgers den!
How is it that you can make up your mind about something one day and change your mind completely the next? It's a prerogative afforded to Old Badgers. Fitting another grabrail will bring on deep joy.
Monday 23rd December 2024.
As my regular reader (there's only one and that's you) will know, I send a million emails around the globe regarding you know what and get zilch response, except automatic reply's saying 'Bugger off, I'm on the slopes with my Pina Colada and I might reply when I get back'.
Well, yesterday I was reading a BBC report about funding secured for solar panels on the roof of Bourne Hall in Ewell, you can read it HERE. You might know Bourne Hall?
On the end of the report it says 'send your story to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk'. I sent my story. Which story? The one about a (nearly) 86 year old who has dreamt up a ground breaking idea for generating energy from tidal streams. What's the betting there is zilch response? Bourne Hall should be nice and warm now. That is if the sun shines! I might nip along there and post my email to Santa!
Tuesday 24th December 2024.
Wednesday 25th December 2024.
Forgot to mention, had another eye injection a couple of days ago but no worries. I can still see the calendar. It's Christmas Day already, so, A Very Happy Christmas to all who have nothing better to do than read this exciting blog.
We are having a White Christmas in our street. It was a bit of a problem wheeling Nannie through the snow in her wheelchair to the Crib service but we managed.
The kids did a fine job with their 'Away in a Manger' play, it was a bit different in my day!
Thursday 26th December 2024.
Dear Santa,
Thank you for the socks. It would be a bit cheesy to say that my old socks have become very Holy so I won't. I expect you will be putting your feet up for a year in front of your cosy log fire.
That would be nice.
Loadsa love to you , Rudolph and his friends,
Bob.
This afternoon I dropped off in the middle of 'The Glenn Miller Story' which was made at a time when guys wore ties and gals wore white gloves at parties. I dreamt that I was to be a Great Grandad and Nannie was to be a Great Granny. I woke up and discovered it wasn't a dream.
Many congratulations to Hannah and Mike, a proud moment for all.
Friday 27th December 2024.
This time of year inspiration comes and goes in bucketfulls. But Great Grandad (to be) is too knackered to recognise it!
Saturday 28th December 2024.
You will probably want to know how Great Granny (to be) is doing. The short answer is not very well. The stroke in April knocked out her left leg, left hand and arm so now she is unable to use either. You can imagine the frustration, especially when her 'awareness' is unaffected. Because of the stroke and her broken hip in October (now healed) she is uncomfortable practically all the time which is difficult to witness. She bravely manages everything with one hand, fortunately she is right handed. She now has regular Physio from Sav', her favourite Physio from Epsom Hospital although she is not great at daily exercise discipline. She has 'carers' in for the morning wash and dress, tasks being shared by family and professionals.
She is surrounded by mobility aids supplied free from the NHS but yet to get confident using them, including the stair lift (self funded). Great Grandad (to be) uses it on occasions!
Despite all the above she is able to display an air of acceptance and positivity most of the time. She still hopes to regain movement and strength in her left limbs. Trips in the wheel chair interacting with friends and neighbours are an obvious source of pleasure, especially if they are babies, toddlers or black Labradors!
Sunday 29th December 2024.
And if you wish to know how Great Grandad (to be) is he'll be in The Bear , River Hill, Cobham around lunchtime today. He might buy you a Babycham!
Monday 30th December 2024.
Following a mountainous Sunday Roast plus x pints of ale and a healthy discussion with his favourite sons-in-law about shirking responsibilities. Grandad has decided that rather than swanning off to Cornwall or a sailing holiday around Menorca, a life fitting grab rails is the only sensible option. Got the Tee shirt!
John, Bob and Mike aboard 'Ventum'. Puerto Pollensa 2008.
Tuesday 31st December 2024.
Captain Bob (alias Young Bob, Old Bob, Great Grandad (to be), Grandfather, Old Codger, etc.) would like to thank you for scrolling and wish you and yours a very happy, healthy and wealthy New Year. He will make one prediction. The development of his innovative, ground breaking, game changing proposal for Tidal Stream Energy will be inevitable.
Bob's Blog Page 57
You are reading Page 57 of Bob's Blog/diary/dream/story/journey/novelistic memoir.
He is 85 years old and counting.
He is also very much aware that this blog is of no significance whatsoever -
at the time of writing!