It's Time for some new Chickens... Yippee!

Our original girls were down to just two, Auntie Mabel and Auntie Marjorie-Jess.  Yes you've got it, we are not a hundred percent which she is, so she now has joined the prestigious double barrelled group. We decided to wait until spring, when the weather was reasonable and also when Greyhound man's dogs were not lurking.  Grehound Man works on some of the land around us and is named as he has greyhounds... you would never have guessed!  He's not our favourite person.  He leaves his dogs in the house that he uses when he's here for a few days at a time, and we know for a fact he doesn't come back and feed them every day.  To be honest if his dogs are hungry and they come looking for chickens what can we say, nothing, the poor dogs. So we hadn't see GM for a while so we thought we would do a chicken shopping trip.

Auntie Marjorie-Jess and Auntie Mabel, before their new play mates arrived

We went to the same place in Cordoba we bought our last ones from. Well when we eventually found it again. We arrived about 20 minutes before siesta, struggled to find somewhere to park the car as two dogs were sprawled across the allocated parking area. We expected to look at a 'menu' as previously, but no this time we were allowed to follow the two young men and see for ourselves.  We explained that we lived in the campo and wanted the chickens just for eggs, we wouldn't be eating them.  We 'Ooohed and ahhhed' over some pretty ones but were put firmly in our places and told we need strong campo chickens, that would be hardy.  True of course.  There was also a gorgeous little Silkie but it was a male, and we really just want females, so he was out of the equation too.  A pure white  egg was shown to us, proving some of the chickens were already laying.  That didn't matter to us, we knew it would take them a few weeks to settle in their new home before laying again.

We chose our new girls, two of each, white, brown and black, and watched whilst they were unceremoniously hauled out of their cages, and shoved into a big box.  It always looks so undignified but I'm sure upside down is maybe the way it should be done.

A hour back home in the car, and we took them straight round to there newly cleaned out chicken room. Even the boys knew something was going on!

For a few mornings we kept the new girls in, Alan would pop round and manage to let Auntie Mabel and Auntie Marjorie-Jess out, to give them some peace from these new youngsters.  Luckily they all seemed to get along just great, with no squabbles that we were aware of.  A few days later we opened the rustic old doors and let them feel the fresh air on the faces and be free for the very first time.  Wonderful! 

                            

Eye Eye!

You are up to date with my gnashers, now my other problem, my eye.  I have been going to the eye department every month at the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba, and really cannot fault any part of my treatment.  After a few months of steroid eye drops, which haven't worked, I went onto a course of four steroid injections under my eye. When I attended the next appointment I thought it was simply going to be the same again. These injections have caused me no problems at all, although it's rather a strange feeling as you can feel the steroid fluid fill the baggy bit under your eye, as the contents are being flunged in. It remains puffy for a few hours, but it's not painful.  

I had a shock when my consultant, that I see every time, informed me the treatment was not working (which of course I was aware of) but she wanted to try a different treatment. She said those words I had been dreading (in Spanish of course!!)  "We need to change the treatment.  You need a steroid injection into your eye, or we need to try some steroid tablets!" GULP!

It was something Alan and I had discussed may happen at some point, but we have been waiting for an appointment from the rheumatologist.... ok that's something to complain about, as we have been waiting a few months now.  I wussed out of the injection in the eye.  I know people say you have drops in it, and you don't see the needle coming etc, but I couldnt find the words to ask her!  When I said to Alan "Did you think I was a big baby?" He said he thought I had done the right thing. We had discussed it would be a idea to have a consultation with a rheumy consultant first, and he or she would be looking at my sarcoidosis as a whole, and not just in my eye.  That didn't make me feel so bad.  I was prescribed a huge dose of 80 mgs every day, along with a stomach protector, and a vitamin D pill also to help prevent osteoperosis.  This is a bit of a concern as it is a known fact that people with sarc should not take Vitamin D, but once again, I struggled to find the words and took the presciptions knowing that at some point I can ask another consultant. 

Of we went to our pharmacist friend, armed with pages of prescriptions and a new stage of my life as a 'pill popper' has begun.  That first month I was taking 6 tablets a day! 

The steroid pill I have been prescribed is Prednisone. Apparently has many side effects, especially when reducing the doseage.  I have purposely tried to avoid looking at these, as I don't want to be looking for what could be a side effect, if you know what I mean. One of the the main problems with them is that they make you want to eat your body weight in food. I have looked up why your appetite increases so much, and it seems to give a false adrenaline.  For me I can feel very shaky, almost like I'm low in sugar, but even when eating, this feeling doesn't always go away.  I have also had palpitations that wake me during the night, and I will be awake for a good couple of hours, plus severe hot sweats, again especially at night time.  Of course 'me age' doesn't help, but I never had that before these pills.  However..... I have felt better than I have physically for years.  I was aware after just a few days, I wasn't reaching for headache pills.  I have suffered with headaches most of my adult life.  Not migraines but severe enough to take tablets most days.  In the three months of taking the steroids so far, I had one slight headache one day, that's fantastic for me!

My consultant saw me one after a month as usual, when all the normal tests were done on my eye.  Although I could see no difference with my sight, the scan of my retina showed an improvement during that first month, which was fabulous.  We were able to already begin to reduce the Prednisone already!  I am now taking 40 mgs a day, which is still very high, and my doseage is lowered every ten days.  Until next week when I only drop 5 mgs. Off to the hospital again on Tuesday next week, so let's hope she's still happy!

I have now sadly put on about three quarters of a stone in weight.  Having said that, if I hadn't of been doing the 5 x 50 challenge, (I shall tell you more about very soon) it would have been sooo much worse.  I also now have, well I don't think it could be described as a moon face... more Sponge Lorna Square Face!

My eye after an injection under it

Strange pupil shape, after drops to dilate my eye

Sorry about the smudged mascara!

Some great jokes for people on steroids!

Teeth Update March... All Done Wooo Hooo!

As I said in my last blog post, which was about my trip to Brighton for Maisie's birthday, I had to extend my holiday slightly... terrible shame. When I had gone back in December for Baby Jaxon's birth, I had the bite registration plus impressions done. That was all ok apart from as my old nan would have said "I'm a good 'ealer!" Whenever the posts of the implants had to be exposed for impressions to be made, the skin on my gums would grow over the posts again very quickly. This meant I would have to have lots of injections to numb my mouth (as I'm a coward with pain, but I'm fine with injections) to expose the posts again. Well this was done however the laboratory were not completely happy with the results. We considered finding an English speaking dentist here, but then thought it was better to just extend my stay in Brighton so the same procedure could be done again, and then hopefully the implants would be all sorted for my return back to Spain at the end of the week.

Just a little reminder.... For a few years I had a problem on the left top side of my mouth, with old crowns, and a chipped front tooth that was failing very quickly. I knew eventually something sensible would need to be done but I was dreading the thought of what.  

The first consultation when the decision was made, not just to do a couple of extractions but four, and I would need a partial denture was a tough one.  As a child I had a brace and hated the feeling of it on the roof of my mouth.  It made me feel sick whilst eating, and I never kept it up.  I feared I would feel the same way.  

The extraction process and drilling into the jaw bone for the implants caused me very few problems. I was sedated, although I think I remember most of what was going on, but I really couldn’t have cared less what was being done.... it’s good stuff, you know! Having to be without a partial denture for just a few days was difficult. I felt old and ugly but hey it was only a few days, then I got a phone call a day earlier than I was expecting to say it was ready.

The denture looked amazing and it was great to have teeth again, even falsies. I have to admit I felt rather down wearing them though. I couldn’t eat lots of things, even a nice salad would be too crunchy, and I really hated that feeling of the plastic in the roof of my mouth. It rather felt like a made to measure shoe horn!

Because I live in Spain, I opted for a dentist in the UK I trusted, and of course could understand. It did mean that the length of time between the first appointment with extractions to the final fitting of the implants was a year. It would probably have been around 6 months if I had lived locally, with healing time included. 

Well I now have had my new implants for a couple of months and I find it difficult to find the words to describe how they have changed my life! I feel much more confident just knowing I don’t have a denture, AND I can eat and totally enjoy my food again. I would advise anyone considering for a moment about getting implants, that ok it’s not the nicest of procedures. I wouldn’t say painful as there can always be a top up of injections to anaesthetise any pain. I did feel a little wiped out after long procedures in the dentist chair.... BUT ... Is it worth it? Totally! Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Would I go through it again? Yes I would!

Is this an advertisment for implants? Well it wasn't meant to be!

Brighton for the Beautiful Maisie's Birthday

The beginning of March saw me budget-airline-hopping back to the UK, to celebrate my beautiful granddaughter Maisie's fourth birthday. I had been in touch with Maisie's mummy lots before the trip, and I was over the moon to be invited to watch Maisie in both her swimming and ballet lesson during the week. Getting permission to watch a ballet lesson is a pretty big deal too, so I was very grateful!

I had actually booked to travel to Brighton the week after Maisie's birthday as I knew Mark, my son was having Maisie that following weekend.  I also sneakily extended my stay as my dental procedure needed another appointment too.

I arrived on the Friday, and was very happy to hear that plans had been made for Maisie to have a sleep over at my daughter Frankie's house with Kaci.  They are so alike, they think are are total princesses, so girly, into hair and nails and all things pretty.  It was great for me to read them both a bed time story that first night.  Plus at four years old they are not yet thinking about staying up all hours chatting, they were happy to just turn over and go to sleep!

On the Saturday we celebrated Maisie's birthday.  First stop  was to meet up with Mark and Maisie, plus a good friend of Mark and Frankie's, Martin and his little boy Dillon. Dillon is two weeks younger than Maisie.  Mark and Martin were in the same year as each other at school and were mates, but he will always be remembered by me for looking after Frankie when she had too much to drink one night when she was under age, naughty girl!  Martin looked after her and brought her home... good lad! It was great they were able to share the day with us.  The Sea Life centre was the first port of call and the kids loved it.

Touch a starfish... poor starfish!

Mark with Kaci and Maisie

Martin and Dillon

Next stop the pier and chips!  It had to be done, and it didn't disappoint!  It's one of the few things I miss here, chip shop chips... yummy!  The kids had a great time on a few of the rides too.

Photo bombed by a seagull!

After a super day all together Kaci went to her daddy for the rest of the weekend, which gave me time to have lots of cuddles with my gorgeous new grandson Jaxon.  Little Jaxon was 3 months old, and had already changed so much.  Bless his heart he has had a few health problems too.  He has been suffering with reflux, and a flappy or floppy larynx.  In other words he kept bringing his milk back up, and he had terible tummy ache since he was born.  Poor little mite was always crying, and almost constantly bringing his knees up in pain.  It must have been so difficult for Frankie.  Time after time at the doctors they told Frankie there was nothing wrong.  Eventually one day Frankie, going on her mum's intuition, paid a visit to the children's accident and emergency department at the the local childrens hopsital.  A doctor diagnosed it within a couple of minutes.  At least that put her mind at rest and they are keeping an eye on him, plus he has some medication too to try and control it. 

The following day the sun was shining brightly and Mark, Laura (Mark's girlfriend) and Maisie all came over to Frankie and Jordan's flat and we had a lovely walk along the seafront.  Although I have to admit these days, I see the sunshine and expect some heat from it.  Yes I know it was only March.  So a hot chocolate was the order of the day, before heading back again.

The holiday flew by, as it always does.  I loved spending my time with my children and gorgeous grandchildren.  It was great to be able to let Frankie have that extra hour in bed some mornings. It's not easy with two little ones. As for me, I loved my early morning wake up calls. 

I watched little Maisie in her swimming lesson, although she had a few tears, I think she was tired after a busy day at nursery.  Her ballet she got totally stuck into and concentrated really hard, bless her, even though I was watching.  Good girl Maisie, Nanny was very proud of you!

As always I managed to catch up with a few special friends, not all of course... some are already on my list for next time. I, of course managed to see Uncle Charlie, who thankfully was keeping well.  It was my job, this trip, to try and organise him a free buss pass. What an ordeal!  Having tried three different offices in town, we were told "I can see your uncle is over 65, but I'm afraid if he doesn't have a passport, driving licence or birth certificate with him, we cannot issue him with a free bus pass!"  Uncle Charlie's answer to this was "Tell the lady I swam the channel, a couple of months ago... and I did it in record time!"  Bless him!  Still no free bass pass  So we went back to his pub instead!

Kaci and I had a little scoot along the seafront one morning.  Well Kaci scooted and I walked and we enjoyed an ice cream together, whist her mummy had a bit of time with Jax. She wanted to wear her Spanish flamenco dress, but it was a bit nippy so she was wearing lots of other clothes underneath it.

Two more exciting things to do before travelling back to sunny Spain, the first was the final part of my implants (yes, the teeth still)  the second was a lovely night with the family.  As I'm not the worlds best cook, Jordan (Frankie's boyfriend) who is a very good cook, offered, or maybe I even asked him, if he would cook something nice on my last evening.  We invited Mark and Laura over too.  It was a really lovely evening, and the food was lovely, thanks Jordan.  It really finished off a lovely holiday.  Thanks so much for having me!

Our Geri

One evening a few weeks ago now (as I'm so behind ... sorry) the dogs were going bananas!  There had been a stunning cream mastin wandering around at the bottom of our track.  We were unsure if it was the one belonging to one of our neighbours, Rafa. We could see one on the hills with him earlier during the day, or was it another, that had just turned up?

After last years summer guests left, Alan and I decided to move upstairs for some comfort during the winter. The last couple of years we have used the same apartment throughought the year but it's not great in winter. There is a fire place for an open fire, but depending on which way the wind blows, most nights we had to have a window open as we were getting smoked out.  Defeating the object really!

.

We were sleeping upstairs, Arthur and Blue, the mastins were in the big kitchen.  This is the best place for our Big Arf as he knows he's off duty, and sleeps all night unless something wakes him.  The little ones, Geri, Carlos and Miliko were sleeping in our bottom apartment, where we normally sleep.  Carlos and Miliko sleep on one sofa, and Geri on another.  We removed the cushions from hers so it's not so high.  She likes to jump on and off the sofa, all night long.  Mainly to have the odd drink during the night, and to have a potter around, and at nearly 16 years old she could just manage this leap without too many problems.  

After a noisy night with the dogs, the following morning I  found Geri lying on the floor with her back legs totally in the splits, the following morning.  Her breathing was fast and shallow and her heart going really fast.  I thought she'd lost all the power in her legs. Our poor Geri is totally deaf, and practically blind with cataracts. I carefully picked her up, bringing her little legs gently together and lay her on her sofa, whilst I lay next to her.  I knew Alan would come looking for me if I wasn't back in the kitchen thinking about breakfast, pretty soon... and this he did.  When Alan found us laying on the hairy Geri sofa, I was really thinking the worst but Alan, ever calm said "We'll let her rest, see if she wants a little food or water, and we'll give her an anti inflammatory." She suprised us by eating a little, so the pill was no problem then we rested her for a hour. We stayed with her and got her up after an hour, but still she had no strength in her legs.  She had a little more food and drink, which was a good sign, then we rested her again and she slept quite soundly.  The next time when she woke up we carried her outside, and stood her up. Previously we had been standing her on the tiles inside the apartment.  I kept one hand under her tummy as a bit of support, whilst Alan spent most of the time trying to distract 'The nightmare that is Miliko' from getting excited seeing her, and bowling her over with affection. After about 10 minutes of me practically crawling around on all fours supporting her, I took my hand away, and she walked a bit.  We took her back indoors again, so not to over do it, where she slept for another couple of hours... well she is an old lady! When it was time to take her out again, we still carried her, and after just a few minutes of me supporting her, she took off and almost ran round the corner, squatted and weed.  We were delighted!

Obviously we moved back downstairs that same day, there was no way we could risk that happening again, we were feeling so guilty as were were not sure how long she had been in that position for.  The barking from the other dogs was of course them trying to let us know something was wrong.  They are always right too!   Bless her, she did take a few days to recover but she is doing well.  I thought we were going to lose her that morning. 

Bless my Uncle Charlie

Regular readers of my blog will remember me mentioning visiting my Uncle Charlie, when I'm in Brighton.  He is some character! He is my mum's brother, and she followed him at school. Unfortunately his reputation meant she had a bit of a raw deal!  Uncle Charlie and my dear mum were two of seven children, a good catholic family from Glasgow.  U.C was the sickly one of the family and as a youngster was in and out of hospital with health problems, I'm not sure exactly what but I do know he only has one kidney. Would you believe he is the only one of that generation alive.

I remember very clearly when he and his dad, my papa, came down from Scotland to live with us.  Papa was becoming frail and U.C just happeened to still be living at home.  U.C however has always liked a bit of a drink, so he didn't stay too long.  I'm sure mum would have encouraged him to find a place of his own. I remember us having great fun together. For a while I started judo and he was only 4ft 9 short, and we would do judo together, in the living room.  U.C travelled the world fighting for his country during the war.  He says he was in the SAS, I'm not sure if they had an 'SAS' in those days, or if he was in an elite group that was similar.  Even now he loves to talk about his paratrouping days.  He loves to remind us he was always first to leave the plane, and last to land, due to his height and weight.

This February he reached the grand age of 93.  He is doing well but getting a little more confused, as you are allowed at that age.  A couple of months ago, I had a panic phone call one morning from Frankie.  She is first point of call with any worries with him.  He has a carer once a week, plus people doing quick calls twice a day, mainly to ensure he is eating.  Touch wood this works well most days. I received the call from Frankie it was to say U.C hadn't been at home for his evening meal.  That is quite unusual as he tends to go to the pub Monday to Saturday with a day off on Sunday however he's usually home by late afternoon. Luckily he goes to a regular pub where everyone knows him.  He doesn't realise it's a gay bar (that's why he left his last regular) everyone is so friendly towards him, and the bar staff really look out for him.  I'm not sure what goes through his mind when he sees the occasional act performing there.  Regulars are called 'Sally Vate' and 'Miss Jason' possibly he blames it on his cataracts!  Anyway.... Frankie received a phone call to say he wasn't at home, so she didn't worry too much thinking he had just stayed for a slightly longer session than usual.  The following morning another phone call came through, he wasn't there and his bed hadn't been slept in.  Could this have meant he had been out all night?

Frankie phoned this hospital, he is quite a regular sadly.  He does have the odd fall, and is quite well known to the staff.  This day however there was no sign of him.  The next call was to the police station, plus Frankie and I both put his photo on facebook, and it zoomed around Brighton in no time.

I was distraught!  We know he will not live for ever but it was devastating to think he may have collapsed somewhere in the street and been there all night.   The next couple of hours went passed in slow motion. Things weren't looking good.  I then got a quick message from Frankie, "He's in hospital, but we don't know how he is yet!"  At least we knew where he was.  There wasn't much of a jigsaw to piece together but apparently he had fallen in the street and some kind soul had phoned an ambulance.  It seemed a little strange that when Frankie initially phoned the hospital they had no record of him being a patient, they simply said he was between wards?  Luckily he was back home the same day!

Low and behold he did the same thing again a month later, however this time, he was missing for dinner and breakfast once again.  No signs of U.C in the hospital and once again the community police kept a look out for him.  Facebook pleas were posted and shared all over the Brighton community. The bar has a facebook page and the regulars were aware he was missing once again.  Mid afternoon I received a message "Charlie's just walk into the bar, and he's fine!"  No one could get out of him where he had been!  He was totally unaware that half of Brighton had been looking for him.  He just sat at his favourite table and ordered a double brandy (they always give him a single) and spent the rest of the afternoon there! He is a worry to us all!

My dear Uncle Charlie and I

Christmas in Brighton (Gulp, are we really in March?)

When I found out my daughters baby was due mid December a decision had to be made. It took seconds, to be honest it was a no brainer.  Alan immediately said I must go.  He knew it was where I wanted to be. There was a chance of course that the baby could be late, so the plan was that I would arrive five days after Frankie's due date, and come back to Spain on New Years Eve.  Although more than anything I wanted to be in Brighton, I also felt bad that Alan would be here home alone over the Christmas period.  Our good friends Pat and Pedro said he had to join them for Christmas dinner, which was so kind of them. It was good to know he would be with friends.

Coincidently my great mate Jo was spending Christmas on holiday with her hubby and gorgeous daughters, and was desperate for a house sitter.  This worked really well as I could spend the days with the family, then disappear to give them some peace.  I could catch up with Alan online during the evenings too without appearing to be too rude plus I could house sit, in a beautiful house too I might add!

As my first grandson had already arrived, it was just a case of enjoying him and my lovely family to the max. He was certainly gorgeous and Kaci although just four, was simply the proudest big sister in the world! Cuddling him whenever she could, feeding him and dashing around getting things ready for mummy when he was being changed.

As always time is so precious but I managed to squeeze in a few special friends.  I was over the moon to meet up with two lovely friends that live in Germany, they were spending Christmas in Brighton.  I was so happy we could have a quick drink together.

Chris Jens and I.
I stole Chris's photo, as it had the three of us in it..

Of course I was staying with a four year old.  Obviously that meant Christmas had been an extremely exciting prospect for months. Stockings had to be laid out, and even some glittery oats or similar was left in a trail outside, to ensure the reindeer knew where we would be.  It had been a few years since I had enjoyed being round little ones at Christmas, and it certainly didn't disappoint.  It is hard to beat that magical look that says "Santa's been!"  Father Christmas stockings were opened first thing, and then other presents from family and friends a little later.

You have to dress up as a princess on Christmas Day!

Kaci's own baby

Christmas Day I was extemely happy to be invited to Jordan's mums house, that's Frankie's boyfriend, and spend time with Shelley's lovely family.  I must admit as I come from a small family it was slightly daunting at first, but I had a lovely time with a very nice Christmas dinner.  I was made feel very welcome and it was lovely for all the children to play together, and see them all beautifully dressed up for the special day.

On Boxing Day, Kaci went over to spend time with her daddy, and his side of the family. My son Mark also saw his beautiful Maisie too. My heart really does go out to families with parents not living together.  I can see the difficulties from both sides having both my son and daughter living apart from their childrens mummy or daddy.  Also on a selfish note it does mean that the family can never spend a Christmas with us here in Spain, as the other parent must be taken into consideration, of course.  However amicable things are, there will be times when the other parent want to spend special times with the child and cannot, and that is heart breaking.  It was wonderful to catch up with Mark, Laura and Maisie on Boxing Day morning.

My two beautiful Rapunzels 

The weather on Boxing Day was fabulous, with gorgeous blue skies, so we took the opportunity for a stroll along the seafront before a scrummy cold lunch at Shelley's. 

One of the highlights for me was being able to invite Mark and his lovely girl friend Laura, Frankie and Jordan and the babies to Jo's house for some wine and nibbles.  The girls played great together and it gave us all time for a last get together before my journey home.  Oh dear, I do hate goodbyes.  Thank goodness it's Maisie's fourth birthday in March and we shall be getting together soon.

Mark and Laura

Frankie, Jordan Kaci and Jaxon

Me with my three gorgeous babies!