Tuesday, November 22, 2011

W. H. Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Dear friends
These last two weeks have not been easy and matters have not been improved by my choice of Funeral Care.
Martin only came home to Basildon on Friday, nearly a fortnight after he passed away. The Co-Op, for some reason known only to themselves, had to engage a private ambulance that comes from Scotland to pick him up. This only comes with a driver and the hospital insist on two persons to collect the deceased. This meant that the Cambridge Co-Op had to send a team, to assist, and the dates had to be co-ordinated.
This was all told to me in a jolly, jokey fashion that I found inappropriate, and at a cost not yet disclosed to me. I was even called back into the office as I was leaving Martin this morning to offer me a couple of tags to hang on the Christmas tree that will go up on 1st Dec. Two words sprang to mind, but I continued in my usual polite and pleasant fashion. I sometimes wish I could relax and say what is really running through my mind forgetting my Father's teachings. "Never let anyone see that they have hurt or upset you Princess"
Tomorrow is my husbands Funeral, then I shall be a Widow.
The bright day is done
And we are for the dark
Goodnight Sweet Prince.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

What a beautiful day today

Dear friends
Thank you for bearing with me. Things have been a bit hectic.
On Monday I was contacted by the Coroner's Office. Addenbrooks Hospital had been unable to issue a Death Certificate as the cause of Martin's death was unsure. So the Coroner requested a Post-mortem.
My sons and I made what arrangements we could for Martin's Funeral but a date could not be fixed.
Tuesday, the Coroner's Office called again to say that following the autopsy no definite cause of death could be established. An Inquest has been opened and adjourned awaiting the results of the tests that have to be done on the samples taken.
In the meantime an Interim Death Certificate has been issued so that we can go ahead with Martin's Funeral.
I spent today in the place we call Martin's Garden. Martin was not a gardener and until recently could not distinguish between a Daff and a Tulip.
We have a parcel of "wild land" at one side of our house. Over the last several years we have been turning it into a lovely place for wild life. I have been eradicating the bramble that overran the ground and killed of all the bluebells that used to flourish.
I have planted the ground with lots of Spring Bulbs and native perennials. The Digitalis (Martin's favourite), aquilegia, primrose, cowslips and evening primrose I have already established. Thank goodness it was such a lovely day.
Hugs
Cally x

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Rest in Peace

Dear Friends
My dear husband, Martin, passed away this morning.
Thank you all for your support during the last 4 months and beyond.
Hugs
Cally x

Friday, November 4, 2011

Gift Box


This is my effort at an handmade gift box for the Art Deco Bauble. It was quite a rush job as my journeys back and forth to
Addenbrooks leave me quite tired.











Crafting with love
Cally x

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Tooth trouble

What a morning I had. After 3 attempts (covering several months) at trying to persuade a tooth implant to stay on my Dentist gave up and ordered me a cap for an upper pre-molar. I went last week and had a colour match and today the cap was delivered to the dentist and she fitted it. "Just bite on that" she said, I obliged, and snapped the tooth in half. Amazement all round "That has never happened before" exclaimed a shocked dentist. The dental nurse found it most amusing. The Dental Lab was phoned "That has never happened before" was repeated. I am now sporting a funny looking excuse for a pre-molar (a molar sized down) until we can have another go next week. Fingers crossed.

 This is my most recent project. I made them at a workshop with Sharon on Tuesday. Sorry I have not worked out how to turn the photo round.


The red one is intended as a gift for Ying, one of Martin's ICU nurses who is leaving on Friday to work at Harlow Hospital. I wish her loads of luck.
I still have to make a box for it.


Martin had an MRI Scan on his brain today. All looks ok there. So still no answer as to why he is not waking up.
This was shortly followed by an Ultrasound on his liver. The Doctor said there was no obvious problem but he was going to look at the results more carefully on his computer.
I am hoping to meet with the Transplant Team tomorrow and find out where we go from here.
Crafting with love
Cally x

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Little Claire Candy

I would like to say a great big thank you to the lovely folk at Little Claire.
Following the Workshop at Crawley, the Blog invited people to leave a comment on the post, which I did.
Much to my surprise, I was one of the lucky participants to win some Candy.

Crafting with love
Cally x

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Relax. What's that?

What a busy day I had yesterday! Flu jab followed by a colour match for a tooth cap then to the bank to sort out my account. What a waste of time the latter was. When I have more time I must get that sorted properly.
A Registrar from the transplant team wanted to speak with me yesterday. Martin has a CMV virus, a member of the herpes family that 50% of the population carry. We live with it and it does not trouble us, not until your immune system goes down as in a transplant patient.
It is also suspected that a fungus called aspergillus has taken up residence in Martin's lungs, and that is very bad news. The secretions that are being removed from his lungs are a dreadful colour.
He has been given a course of immunoglobulin that was flown in from Germany, we don't have this particular one here.
The ICU Consultant, tonight, said "take one day at a time"

Monday, October 24, 2011

What can I say?

Marion made me a lovely lunch, and, gave me a big bag of her handmade cards to help raise funds for the Charity, PINNT, that Martin and I belong to.
I was very shocked when I saw Martin this afternoon. Where he had had the tension sutures between the bottom of the sternum and his bellybutton the skin was very inflamed. I wonder why they had not been removed before, knowing how prone he is to infection.
I stayed in the room, for the first time, whilst his nurse and physio rolled him. This is to help dislodge the secretions that have built up in his lungs. Then they are suctioned off with a catheter that is passed down his intubation piece. That was when I saw the awful raw patches on his back, bottom, undercarriage and heels.
Martin did not have a cystoscopy after all but another broncoscopy. His windpipe is swollen so a biopsy was taken.
When I pulled up onto the drive tonight I drove straight through the closed garage door. I think my brain just went to sleep. What a wally!!
Hugs
Cally x

A lovely morning

Yesterday I spent a couple of hours at Hyde Hall. The garden is growing in leaps and bounds. I spoilt myself with a cream tea {and it was only 10.30 in the morning}
Martin's sedation level had been lowered and he was awake for some of the time. Although still intubated.
I have spoken with Martin's nurse this morning, for an update. He remains intubated but is off dialysis. This morning his tension sutures were removed {they are huge things that can remain in for 3 months}as the site was looking a bit inflamed. A Cystoscopy has been planned for this morning.
I have a treat for today. I am going for lunch with Marion.
Hugs
Cally x

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Martin's progress

This afternoon I went to visit Martin with two of our sons and my Sister. He has now been sedated and intubated as he was finding breathing very difficult, his lungs being full of secretions.
The dialysis seems to be going well. His platelet level (clotting) is very low and this stops the machine from clogging up. 
Whilst we were there he had a chest x-ray and a procedure (bronchoscopy) to wash the secretions from his lungs. This involved going into his lungs with a camera to check out what is happening. His heart rate is very low now, it had been very high. All the staff are very kind and answer any question I pose.
Unless things change dramatically over night I hope to go to Hyde Hall (RHS Garden) in the morning to blow away a few cobwebs. And, eat a slice of Chocolate Cake all to myself. Martin and I always shared a slice on a Sunday morning.
Thank you for dropping by.
Hugs
Cally x

MaeRose

A couple of photographs of our Granddaughter MaeRose. It looks like she has worry wrinkles on her forehead already. I think that can't be correct.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Humphrey Workshop

Today has been a bit of a roller coaster. Yesterday, Martin's sister, Lynn, and I visited Martin.
To us he seemed a bit better, the pseudomonas infection in his eyes was almost clear and his conscious level had improved.
This morning I spoke to the HDU Sister and she explained how worried they all were about him. She called back after an hour and explained that Martin had been transferred back to Intensive Care and to make sure I kept my phone with me.
I called ICU when I returned from the Workshop this afternoon and the Sister looking after Martin told me that they had managed to get the line in for dialysis and he was on CPAP to help with his pneumonia.I shall phone again in a while and see how he is doing.

 We made these three Humphrey cards during a Workshop at Sharon's and coloured them with normal ProMarkers and FlexMarkers. Available at her shop  
http://www.ewe2cancraft.co.uk


This flower was made with a Woodware Daisy Punch. We cut two flowers and creased the centre of each petal round the tweezers blade. The charm is also from Sharon's shop. She has a huge variety.

Crafting with love
Cally x
p.s. I was looking at the Little Claire blog and saw that I had won a prize in the draw. What a lovely surprise. I will show it to you when it arrives. Such a lucky girl.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Little Claire Workshop

What a lovely time Marion and I had at the Little Claire Workshop on Saturday.
We made a total of 11 cards.
If you get the chance to do a workshop with Little Claire it is worth the effort.
Here are a couple of the cards that we made.
I did not visit Martin today. I have had such bad migraine's that I decided to spent the day gardening and getting some fresh air. It was a very productive day.
I spoke to the HDU Sister and she said there had been no change since I saw Martin yesterday.
He is still very confused and poorly.

Crafting with love
Cally x

Friday, October 14, 2011

As promised

Martin was still away having his scan when I arrived at Addenbrooks this afternoon. It was a Positive Emission Tomography Scan {PET Scan} and takes 3 hours to complete.
His nurse, David, was able to tell me about a few things that had been spotted. Firstly a swelling in the esophagus. Since a short time after the transplant Martin has been complaining that he could not swallow properly. Several endoscopy's have not indicated any problem!!!
They also saw what looked like several pockets of infection.
So far we know he has pseudomonus in his eye and a resistant form of enterococcus. Now they have swabbed the poor chap north, south, east and west.
David explained Martin had had a very bad night and the ICU Consultant had been called in to help. His lungs had filled with fluid and that was dealt with by the chest physio and a diuretic.
Let's hope he has a better night tonight.
If Martin is stable tomorrow I have booked to go to a Little Claire Workshop at K2 Crawley with my good chum Marion. 

Crafting with love 
Cally x

Things with Martin have improved a bit. He still has a problem with his heart, following the heart attack, and is on beta blockers until the Cardiologists can give him more help.
He still has an infection and today he will be given a "special scan" to try and pinpoint the source. I'll let you know what is so "special" about it when I find out.
Yesterday his sister, Lynn, came with me and she noticed a real improvement since last Thursday.
He is speaking a few words and has had a few spoonfuls of water and yogurt to see how his swallow is. Not brilliant I have to say. Most of it dribbles out, his mouth seems to have forgotten how to work.












    LINDSAY MASON DEMO DAYS
http://lindsaymason.blogspot.com/
Last Saturday I went to the Demo at http://in2crafting.blogspot.com and spent a lovely couple of hours watching Lindsay demonstrate lots of techniques using distress inks and PPI products.
On Sunday she was at Pinnacle Crafts http://livelovelaughcraft.blogspot.com using alcohol inks and more Personal Impressions
Lindsay has a fab range of stamps she has designed for Personal Impressions.
These two cards are hers. The top one uses one of her stamp sets {which I had to buy}
If you check out these three blogs you will see more of her work.

Crafting with love
Cally x

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Demo Day

I am treating myself to an hour or two at In2crafting this morning in the company of Lindsay Mason . 
She is doing a Demo Day there and I am looking forward to seeing her again, a very talented lady.
Martin is still very poorly. They transferred him from Intensive Care to  High Dependency on the Transplant Ward.
He sleeps most of the time. Has to be hoisted out of bed for the Physios to help him. His speech is minimal.
Where will it all end? He did agree to be shaved on Wednesday (hasn't had a shave since he went in for his transplant on 14th July) If I hadn't known it was Martin in that bed I would have walked past him in the street.


This is a card I made at a Workshop with my lovely friend, Lynne Salmon at http://stamparoundtheblock.blogspot.com
I sent it to Ray and Eunice when they moved into their new house.

Crafting with love
Cally x

Sunday, October 2, 2011

From Bad to Worse

This is how she looks today. Scruffy, but happy. She hates being groomed.

I really hoped, when Martin was transferred to the HDU on the Transplant Ward, that things were getting better. For the last two nights he has been put on a machine that forces oxygen into the lungs. And now, it is thought, he had a silent M I last night because of the troponin in his blood stream.
I have been warned that when I visit this afternoon he may well be back in Intensive Care.

This is a lovely card that I made at a workshop and sent to my best friend, Wendy.
We share soooo many secrets that not being "best friends" is not an option ;0)

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Good News at last

After almost a fortnight, in Intensive Care, Martin was transferred last night to the High Dependency Unit on the Transplant Ward..
His first, almost legible words to me were "I could murder a Pint" I gave him an ice cube.
He is very weak and unable to move himself, but hopefully, with physio his mobility will slowly return.
I just wanted to show you a picture of our lovely Taff. She is a blond Briard.
Up until a few months ago she was groomed every 4 weeks by Natasha. Then Natasha went on Maternity leave. I must take a photo of how she looks now. She has not had much{read any} grooming from me as I have been spending so much time at the Hospital.
Crafting with love
Cally x

Monday, September 26, 2011

Another week

Martin remains in Intensive Care. His nurses are so kind. I have noticed a large number of them are American.
He is supposed to be on constant dialysis to help remove the ammonia in his blood stream, but the machine keeps clogging. The Doctors are talking about a liver biopsy this week and maybe putting in a trachaeostomy, but with his clotting levels so low that presents a problem of bleeding.
Let's hope this week is kinder to us.


I have no idea how I managed to put the photo here;0) When I have time I will go back and investigate.

I made this card, a very quick one I confess, and not my usual style for my niece's husband.
Sorry about the duck in the background..
Crafting with love.
Cally x

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Update and card

I really don't know where to start.
I had hoped, when I went to Addenbrooks yesterday morning, that there might be a slight improvement. Martin had been put on dialysis to help clear the ammonia from his bloodstream. The machine had clogged after 12 hours and it was not put back on until 4.30pm yesterday.
The ammonia levels had been reduced slightly.
The liver would normally pick up the ammonia in the bloodstream and change it into Urea {check you beauty products girls, lots of them contain Urea!!!} It is then returned to the bloodstream, where the kidneys pick it up, and, out it pops when we have a wee.
Martin was pre-comma when he was sedated and put onto a ventilator on Monday. They have tried to take him off the ventilator, but when they reduce sedation he becomes very agitated  and will not respond to simple instructions.
This is a card that I made at a Workshop with, I believe, my lovely friend Sharon. She will slap me if I an incorrect.
I gave it to my Brother-in Law, Tim, yesterday along with a pair of "Gold  Leaf" gardening gloves. For any gardeners out there - the gloves are fab. They are made of the softest leather, but, really protect your hands.

Crafting with love
Cally x

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Update

Martin was transferred to ICU early Monday morning. His condition had deteriorated over night. He was not responsive to painful stimuli's. 
It has been a very tiring couple of days.
The Doctors are constantly monitoring him.
Yesterday afternoon sedation was withdrawn to see if Martin could breath without assistance. He can, but he became so agitated and, seemingly, unable to understand simple requests. So a light sedation was administered to calm him. The breathing tube remains in place.
The team want to "sit down and talk to me" today. Good or bad?
Cally x

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Hospital visits

I would like to apologise for my lack of blogging.
I had hoped that, on my return from Crete, I would find Martin slightly improved.
The opposite has happened.
Sunday night he was taken back into HDU on the Transplant Ward.
He is very poorly.
The Doctors cannot find the source of the problem and it now affecting his brain as well. Today they are going to try a lumber puncture to see if there is any infection there. His clotting factors were too low to do it yesterday.
Cally x 

Sunday, September 4, 2011

A weeks R&R

I am not having much time to blog, what with my exciting life.
Tomorrow morning I shall be packing, then visiting Martin before I head North. Tuesday morning I am off to Chania in Crete with my Mother and sister for a much needed break.
Martin's little nuclear isotopes have found the source of his infection. It is behind his new stomach, where they suspected it was all the time.
Tomorrow Mr Butler decides whether to operate and remove the infection. It is hiding behind a lung as well, making Martin short of breath. The worry being that this could then start up other problems with the grafted stomach. Why is life never simple?





I wanted to share with you a card I made for my friends Janet and Ken {they love their garden}
It was both their Birthdays in January, but it was a rotten month for them. Ken suggested they celebrate an Half Birthday in July. So I made this card for them.
Crafting with love
Cally x

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Another Shrubbery Tale

Yesterday afternoon was spent, back in the shrubbery, arguing with the Pyracanthus. I have managed to fill 2 green bins, which the bin men kindly emptied today. So I shall be back out there tomorrow. 
Hopefully Martin is starting to feel a bit better. He had the naso-gastric tube removed a few days ago and he was able to eat a little.
He has had a trip to Nuclear Medicine this morning. I shall hear all the details this afternoon.

Here is a card I made, again, some while ago. Not much time for crafting at the mo.
But saying that, my good friend Marion and I have booked to go to a Little Claire Workshop in mid October. I am really looking forward to it.


You may have guessed, I am fond of LOTV
Crafting with love
Cally x

Sunday, August 28, 2011

It's Sunday, where did the week go?
Yesterday I spent most of my time in the Shrubbery. What a state it has gotten into in the last 6 weeks. I am now covered in scratches inflicted by the Pyracanthus. I had to rub Anthisan on them last night.
Also, I started to tidy up some of the Craft Table as I cannot find a thing.



I made this card for my friend, Lynne, when she started her On-line shop
Have a peek, if you get a chance. She has 20% discount on her sentiment Digi's and stamps plus some Clearance items this weekend.


Crafting with love
Cally x

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

More Mae Rose

Cody, Seth and I went to see Bret, Gemma and little Mae Rose this afternoon So here are a few more photo's




This is Cody with his neice.
This is the fab card from my lovely friend Veronica


How nice is that?

And, now the Candy I won courtesy of Mandy at Crafty Fox Cards



I shall be using it to make some Christmas Cards for the Charity, PINNT, that Martin and I belong to.
We have a get together in November and I shall be asking all my friends to donate one of their lovely cards to help us raise funds for a very helpful Charity. I hope they won't mind making an extra card when they are making their own!
I am off to see my new Granddaughter shortly with out 2 other sons, Seth and Cody.

Crafting with love
Cally x

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Busy Day

What a day I have had.
First thing this morning I got stuck behind slow moving traffic on my way to a Workshop, in Burnham, with my friend Sharon. Got a tad wet walking from the car to her house. Luckily she made me a reviving cup of coffee. I will try to post the cards I made tomorrow.
I purchased some lovely charms, metal embellishments and paper flowers from her shop
  My Shop
Then I went on to visit Martin at Addenbrooks. He is still very low. The Psychiatrist saw him whilst I was there and has upped the dose on his medication. Back home around 8pm and Cody had cooked me a lovely meal. 

My friend, Veronica, sent Martin and I a lovely card she had made to congratulate us on the birth of Mae Rose.

Crafting with love
Cally x 

Monday, August 22, 2011

Mae Rose



Here we have a photo of our new Granddaughter and the card I made for Bret and Gemma.
I went to visit Gemma and Mae Rose at Southend Hospital yesterday.
Martin was transferred from high dependency on Friday afternoon to the Transplant Ward. A step in the right direction I hope.







Mae Rose on her way home. Sorry I can't work out how to turn the photo round.

Crafting with love
Cally x



Friday, August 19, 2011

A Granddaughter

Just a very quick blog.
We have been blessed with our first Granddaughter today.
Mae Rose arrived at 3.37am this morning weighing 6lb 8oz.
Gemma and Baby are doing well.
Our son Bret is as proud as a peacock.
Hugs
Cally x 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Martin's Birthday

Today is Martin's Birthday. Seth and Cody came to visit their Dad with me. Bret could not make it. He had to take Gemma to the Hospital. They are expecting a baby at the end of this month and poor Gemma was having a bit of a problem. She is being kept in overnight, just to be on the safe side.
Martin still can't keep anything down.






I wanted to show you this card designed by my poorly friend Lynne at "Stamp Around The Block". The Sentiment is one of her own making. It was made as a topper, which she kindly let me have, then I turned it into a card for Natasha and Chris on the arrival of their little girl Poppy. Such a lovely card, but not mine!!


Crafting with love
Cally x

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The Saga of the Tooth

This is an on going tale of grief. About 6 weeks ago I was eating dinner when there was an almighty crack. It was jolly uncomfortable to eat after that. I sought advice from my Dentist, Miss Sutton. She explained I had broken the pre-molar. After a lot of drilling, killing and extraction of the roots then impressions taken I was ready for the back of my tooth to be replaced. It lasted less than a week and it fell out. All that money, no NHS service around here.
I took it back to the dentist and it had to be cleaned ready for re-insertion. It went back on today, fingers crossed.
Martin felt very tired today but his temperature is under control, more finger crossing.


This is the card that I sent to Willow for her Birthday this year. I do not claim it as my own work. I made it at a Workshop run by my wonderful and generous friend Sharon. You can find her on ewe2cancraft.blogspot.com. We share a love of LOTV stamps. She also has an on-line shop which you might like to take a peek at.

 
Sorry, I haven't remembered how to add stuff to my sidebar.
Crafting with love
Cally x

Monday, August 15, 2011

Kelly's of Corwall

I am worried about my friend, Lynne.
She is having terrible migraine problems and has cancelled workshops for the last 3 weeks.


This is one of the cards that I designed "all by myself" with the aid of her book, her stash and her valuable advice ;0)
Martin remains much the same. I washed his hair properly today, the first time in a few weeks. He is feeling neglected by his dedicated nurse today so I had to say something. Now I am in their bad books I expect.
I did manage to get him to eat a few spoonfuls of Kelly's of Cornwall Chocolate Ice cream. I am not a lover of Ice cream but this was very nice.
Today a few LOTV Sentiment stamps that I bought on Ebay arrived, they are a lot smaller than I expected. Another case of caveat emptor.

Crafting with love
Cally x

Sunday, August 14, 2011

I did make it to Stampendous at Stevenage where I bumped into my lovely friend Marion along with her friend Norma.
I was not sure whether to go. The ballcock in the bathroom had died and there was water flowing into the front garden {well, the garden could do with a nice drink} Then, the tumble drier had a hissy fit {yes, I do use it in the summer. A combination of tumble and line dry means almost no ironing}
I did enjoy being there and kept my spending down. Except, of course, some absolute bargains.
The car radio packed up, more worry. Then, trying to make my way to the A1, to visit Martin I was stuck for quite a while getting past all the cars heading to Knebworth. Why were they going there is a mystery.
Martin is still the same, no improvement. He had an Ultrasound to check his new liver was ok, and it is. 



I claim this card as all my own work. I went to a workshop with Lynne at www.stamparoundtheblock.blogspot.com She let us pick a sketch from her book "My Little Book of Sketches" and from then on we were on our own. I chose the LOTV stamp and worked from there.
Green and purple, a lovely combo I think.
Crafting with love
Cally x 

Blog Candy


A lovely lot of Blog Candy up for grabs, so take a peek.
www.cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.com

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Seth Did It

Not much change with Martin. He is still running a temperature and has no interest in food. I gave him a nice wash this afternoon and washed his hair as best I could for a chap sitting in a chair.
When I got home I found Seth had managed to transfer the photo's from my trusty old phone to my desk top.
Looking through them I realise that I have not taken pictures of most of "my" cards before I sent them, only the cards I have made at workshops. Silly me.
And now back to the drawing board.  The few photo's I do have do not want to be recognised by this machine.






I made this one for Martin on his Birthday last August. He was always out riding his bike. To add the photo I had to transfer the photo from one folder to another. I can see this is going to be a long process.
I hope to go to Stamperama at Stevenage tomorrow. Better check that I have some cash ;0)

Crafting with love
Cally x

http://donaldas.blogspot.com



Friday, August 12, 2011

Fraught Friday!

The Man from Bennetts called this morning and said he would be round for his money. I was very brave and said there was no way I could pay in cash. And, I wanted him to check out the work before I paid.
When he arrive I showed him the mess the men had left in the garage and told him they had pinched some beer.
He tidied up the mess and swept some more sand in between the blocks. There is no way I can recommend them.
Martin has been away from his room most of the day having procedures {don't ask!} He is still very poorly and unable to eat. He did try tonight but it all came back. He was scheduled to see the Micro-biologists this morning but missed them as he was in Ultrasound for hours, I kid you not. The M-B people can prescribe different antibiotics but need to review his history first. That was with him in Ultrasound.






Another card I made a long while ago. I do hope Seth can get the photo's off of my other phone as I am running out of cards to post. I will end up showing holiday snaps at this rate!!
Now for a blog for everyone to check out www.pixiedustpaperie.blogspot.com Hope you like it.
Crafting with love
Cally x

Thursday, August 11, 2011


Still old ones!!

Martin is still running a temperature. Tomorrow the Microbiologist is going to check out his room and his person to see if they can sort it out.
When I washed him this evening, he made his nurse wait until I got there, he was shivering with the fever. His whole backbone sticks out and has bruises on each nobble.
I tried to help him eat a little but he complains it is too chewy or it tastes awful. The taste is linked to the reflux I think.
Still no joy with the phone photo's. Keeping my fingers crossed that it can be resolved.


This is another old one from last September. I made it for Tim, my sister's partner. He obviously like cricket.


This is another one I made after a session with Di at In2crafting. I am so in love with red and green.

Crafting with love
Cally x

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Another Fine Mess

Another long day. Defrosted the freezer and washed it out with Bicarb. 
The men from Bennett's turned up {at long last} to lay the block paving on the drive. Made them the usual tea and choc biscuits and soft drinks this morning. When I got home a 7.30pm Cody told me they had pinched some beer whilst we were out this afternoon. He know exactly how many cans he should have ;0)
Martin had most of his lines removed today in an attempt to find out what is causing his temperature to spike. I think it is just attention seeking.
I helped to wash him this afternoon and saw exactly how the flesh has fallen off him. It is so sad.


I made this card for my niece, Willow, last year. As soon as Cody puts the photo's from my mobile onto the computer I will show the one I made this year.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Freezer

Today I finished emptying my big freezer. The bin men come tomorrow and the rest has gone in the recycling bin. I did all the fish last week but put that in frozen so it wouldn't smell tooooo bad.
In the morning I must gird my loins {whatever that is} and defrost the big white smelly monster. Thank goodness I have a huge packet of Bicarb.
Martin had an endoscopy and ileostomy this morning. During the night his abdominal drain fell out {I suspect mischief there} and his nasogastric tube came out whilst he was having a shower. He claims he coughed then sneezed and it fell on the floor. Bear in mind this was taped to his nose and goes all the way into his stomach {more mischief?}

This card is one I made for a Sketch Challenge {my very first attempt at one} at In2crafting. Wickford.
 




I made this card a couple of years ago for my friend Roz. One of her dear Basset Hounds passed away and I liked the idea of a rainbow.

Happy crafting
Hugs
Cally x

Monday, August 8, 2011

I'm so excited

I have my first follower. Though not a lot to follow really. Ive no idea how to go forward with the blog.

The company, Bennet's of Chadwell St Mary, have not turned up, yet again, to carry on with work on the drive. If they let me know they were not coming I would not have to get up so early:0( It has "only" been 3 weeks so why am I worried.
I can't park my Mini in the garage and yesterday afternoon, 2 little local horrors, thought it ok to try and relieve me of my dust caps. Luckily, I was in the kitchen and spotted them. I waited until they sauntered past and requested they return my property. The excuse was " I am skint, my family are skint, I just wanted to get some money" They can't have been more than 8 or 9. If that is the attitude what will they be like in a few years time?
Martin is poorly again. He was sent for another CT Scan this afternoon, to try to find the cause of his high temperature, and fluid is still in the abdominal cavity, so they have popped in another drain. The last one only came out Thursday. The endoscopy and ileoscopy planned for this afternoon have been postponed until tomorrow morning. It sounds like neither the new stomach or the new intestines are working, not rejecting, just being bone idle.
Now the reason for my excitement. I have won some blog candy from Crafty Fox. I don't know what it is but it will be a surprise, yippee. Thank you Mandy, as soon as I find help with the blog I will post you on the sidebar.
Hugs
Cally x
Wow, I may have been able to add a picture.
I made this card for my nephew, Jonny, a poker player no less. He assures me he wins more than he looses.






I love the red and green combo here. This was inspired by a workshop I did with the lovely Di over on di-designs-cards.blogspot.com