Saturday 31 December 2011

SATURDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2011

Mum and Dad very kindly went off to get my car from the garage this morning, they were gone a while as it was over the other side of Birmingham.  It was good to get it back as we will use it to get down to Andrew and Sarah’s this evening.  It was literally a full day of football today and the game on the TV was Man Utd Vs Blackburn, with Blackburn pulling off a surprise victory.

Matt, Andrew, Roachey and Russ were going to be on a high this evening as Villa won at Chelsea, which was a big win, there were some surprise results all round really.  For some reason we are playing tomorrow at West Brom, I would have gone but it is a 12.15pm kick off and I don’t think I’ll be long up by then on New Years Day. 

So Mum and Dad started getting ready for going over to Helen & Jeremy's, the theme being a touch of sparkle.  John and Hil game to pick Mum and Dad up and they loaded the car up and as they were pulling off the drive Matt & Layla arrived, so they had a quick catch up before leaving.  Matt had been making some Balti pies with the pie maker I had bought him for Christmas, which looked amazing and I was taking round some pigs in blankets. 

So we packed my car up with all the food and drink and also my ramps to help me get into Sarah & Andrews house in my buggy and then we set off.  It was really easy to get into the house in my buggy, which was great and their kitchen was a really good space and that’s where we were for the evening.  It was a meaty buffet & Andrew had made a curry.

It was such a good evening, with drink flowing I pulled out of the hardcore drinking and stuck with my Vodka & cokes.  We all downloaded this remote app on our phones, which meant we could add songs to the playlist throughout the night, which was a brilliant idea.  Some shockers were unleashed towards the end of the night.  The spread was amazing with treats from the Indian sweet centre & Matt’s pies and the curry of course.  The countdown was on to midnight and when it finally arrived the old classic was sang, hope you had a good night? HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!


FRIDAY 30TH DECEMBER 2011

This morning we got up and went off to the fort to do our first bit of sales shoppig, to be honest it was quite difficult as I was in my manual chair so didn’t really feel up for shopping and couldn't find any bargains to be had, but it was a good trip out nonetheless.  Mum was mainly looking at baby clothes with Zoe & Warren’s on the way in the next few days and then of course Layla & Matt’s due at the end of February.

In the afternoon we received a phone call from the garage to say my car would be ready for collection this afternoon, but I think we are going to pick it up in the morning as mum is doing some cooking for New Years eve.  I am not sure whether I mentioned it but it has been in the garage due to a white van driver taking off the driver side wing mirror on the day I finished work before Christmas.  Mum was driving into Coleshill and the road wasn’t wide enough for the two vehicles with parked cars always taking up part of the road, the van didn’t wait and smashed the mirror, so hence why I had to go to the fort in my manual this morning.  It is strange how reliant I have become of my vehicle, we have only had it 6 months but it has been very annoying being without it for these few days.

Mum is cooking some smoked Salmon soufflés, which John had made for starter on Boxing Day and mum is now doing them as the starter on New Years Eve.  They were really nice, so we were all watching them rising in the oven making mum panic.  They are going round to Helen & Jeremy’s and they are each doing a course so mum has also decided to do some soup for those that don’t like seafood.
 
Once they had been made, we had some tea and I then settled down to Liverpool Vs Newcastle, it was a really good game but Uncle Allan had mentioned that my youngest cousin Alex was going to the game, as he is a big Liverpool fan unfortunately.  Matt & Layla were coming back from Cornwall today with some friends from Australia who are visiting England, they are staying at Matt & Layla’s tonight before going on to see some friends for New Year in Norfolk.  

Friday 30 December 2011

THURSDAY 29th DECEMBER 2011

Dad & Allan were playing golf this morning, so Julie, Mum & I had a lazy morning with a bit of breakfast and just catching up.  The weather was bleak so that stopped Julie & mum going for a walk so they decided to just stay around the house and wait for the Bowell brothers to get back before having some lunch.
When they got back Allan had taken the money in the golf so there was a lot of banter flying about over lunch.  Once we had finished, Allan & Julie packed all their things together and headed off to Oxford where they were meeting Sophie & her boyfriend plus her boyfriend’s parents for something to eat on the way home.  It was great to catch up with them both, it would be really good to see more of them & the family and hopefully this will happen in 2012.
This evening I just caught up on some TV and we just grazed on the bits of food that were left, it wasn’t long before I hit my bed.  Hopefully we might go to the sales tomorrow, see if there are still any bargains to be had.

Thursday 29 December 2011

WEDNESDAY 28TH DECEMBER 2011

It was a morning of catching up on Christmas television I had recorded over the last few days.  I woke up feeling a little flat, so it was good to keep my mind occupied, I normally find the days between Christmas and New Year difficult, as I do tend to look forward to things and see them as a target to get to and then once that has been reached until I find another one, I am not very good.  I was however looking forward to New Years eve and New Years day but I didn’t want that to arrive as this would mean the end of the festive period.

Allan & Julie arrived mid afternoon and we had tea & cake and caught up on all the news, Sophie (Allan’s middle of 3 children, our cousins) was now working in Oxford.  This is good news as it may mean we see more of the family, Uncle Allan & Auntie Jan and Emma, Sophie & Alex have lived in Crawley, in Sussex.  Which is long drive from the midlands so hopefully Oxford could be a meeting point.  We don’t see Auntie Jan very often but have seen more of Uncle Allan over recent years with Dad playing golf with him on a few occasions.

Mum laid on a really nice evening meal with leak & potatoes soup to start followed by cold meats and a really nice butternut squash dish, then Christmas pudding & cheese.  Once we had finished our meal Auntie Hill & Uncle John came over to join the four of them for a drink and I retired to my room for Celtic Vs Rangers before I went to bed.

Wednesday 28 December 2011

TUESDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2011

It was an extremely lazy day today, I couldn’t get any energy to do much at all really.  Mum & Dad were cooking and cleaning the house ready for Allan & Julie coming tomorrow, Allan is a vegetarian so mum was trying a new dish for the evening meal.  The house felt extremely quiet with Matt & Layla gone back, they had made it down to Newquay in good time as they had set off early.

They had taken a few things to eat on the way down, hopefully the weather will stay dry for them so they can have some good walks whilst they are down there.  I was just pottering about crazing on the food that is left over from Christmas Day and then in the evening mum but out all the leftovers for tea and she had made some coleslaw, which was really nice.

My evening was mainly taken up with watching Swansea Vs QPR and then Norwich Vs Tottenham.  In the second game Gareth Bale scored 2 goals to win it for Spurs but even more importantly to give me much needed points in my fantasy football team, I have had a nightmare week this game week. 

Tuesday 27 December 2011

MONDAY 26TH DECEMBER 2011


We all started the day with a good lie in, which was most needed after yesterday proceedings.  Matt was having a go with his ipad whilst Layla was making a salad to take with us round to the Waggotts.  I made sure  I didn’t have breakfast so I had maximum space for the feed that was coming our way.  So by the time we were all dressed and we had loaded the car up with presents, food & drink it was time to head over.

It was really good to see Simon (Auntie Hil’s brother), Sam (Simon’s wife) and the kids Daisey & William.  The last time we saw William he was a baby, now he is 20 months and into everything, it was certainly exciting to think about Matt & Layla having this to come, he was so fascinated about the presents he had got and was intrigued by all these people entering the house.  Once we had settled in and got drinks, Simon went to get Alf (Hil’s Dad), he lives at St Josephs, which is a residential home for elderly people in Coleshill.


So Uncle John has been cooking some chicken on the BBQ and they had a ham joint along with my favorite Pease pudding.  Grandma Mary (Mum & Uncle John’s Mum) always cooked Ham & Pease pudding on Boxing Day so we have grown up as this being a bit of a tradition.   As well as this there was a homemade pork pie and loads of amazing salads, then Auntie Hil comes into her own with the puddings, this is her specialty, all things desert.  It was such an amazing feast we were all absolutely stuffed. 

So after playing a game of junior pass the bomb (to which I was terrible at), it was time to distribute the presents.  Each year we do a secret Santa, where a member of the Bowells buy for a member of the Waggotts, we did this for the first time last year and it worked really well so we have done it again.  I had a really nice long sleeve shirt and also a cardigan with a T-Shirt build inside it.  They are both items I will certainly get a lot of wear out of, so I had certainly done well.  After a while of eating more cheese with a cup of tea it was time to head home, it has been a really nice couple of days.  Matt & Layla were heading back to their house as they were off to Cornwall in the morning, so we all went in the car back to Coleshill, they loaded all their stuff into the Aldi and off they went..

It wasn't long before the 3 of us were in bed, we had Uncle Allan (Dads brother) & his girlfriend Julie coming tomorrow afternoon & they are staying the night, so that will be nice. 

SUNDAY 25TH DECEMBER 2011

It was a really nice start to the day, we had decided we would open presents in the evening as we have an open house on Christmas Morning, so it is normally a bit of a rush.  So we had some poached egg & ham on toast and got ready, once we were all dressed we had time for the 5 of us to have a bucks fizz before people started arriving.

Before we knew it we seemed to have a few more people than we normally have, but we had made some roasted nuts, smoked salmon on bruchette & mince pies so they seemed to go down well along with some mulled wine.  It was about 2pm before people went so then it was time to start cooking our dinner.  This year we have gone for duck for our Christmas dinner a little controversial but a good decision I think, we have also got a piece of pork as well. 

So we sat down for dinner about 5pm, crackers and all.  It was worth waiting for, we had a lovely seafood mousse followed by the works including my particular festive favourite, pigs in blankets, it is good to have the full works on this special occasion. The draw back being we didn’t have room for pudding, so that had to wait until later in the evening once we had opened presents.

We had opened one present at the table, I had a really nice red v-neck sweater, so then we retired from the table to open the rest of our gifts.  We all did really well, Matt got an Ipad & I got dinner at Purnell's and Layla was given a lovely couple of days in Cornwall, which included a meal at Jamie Oliver’s, fifteen restaurant.  We had all given Mum & Dad some new pans, which they had wanted for a while, along with a meal at an indian in Birmingham called the Rajdoot.

Layla had received some amazing baby clothes and all sorts from Australia off her Grandma and Mum, it was really nice and Mum & Dad had also given her and Matt a box full of items to get them started when the little one is born.  It is very exciting as the due date is getting closer and closer, it is really nice to think at Christmas there will be a little one in the family again, I think it will bring a whole different light on it.  After we had all finished it was quite late, so a quick cup of tea and everyone else had Christmas pudding before we all went to bed.  It has been a brilliant day and we had another one ahead of us tomorrow round at the Waggott's, with Simon, Sam, Daisy & William as well, so we needed a good nights sleep before round two.

Sunday 25 December 2011

SATURDAY 24TH DECEMBER 2011

I had quite a lazy day just catching up with the last bit of preparation for Christmas, for example writing cards to go with Mum and Dads presents and also Matt & Layla’s.  Also Dad & I went and got a few last minute things from Tesco and something to line the stomach this evening before going out in Coleshill.

Matt & Layla arrived about mid afternoon with a car full as they were now staying until Boxing Day, so it definitely felt like Christmas.  I’ve found it a weird sort of day, not really knowing what to do with myself so when they arrived it was great and we trying to guess what was in al the parcels from Australia.  It was great because everyone had gone to town with Layla being pregnant so the tree was well surrounded.  We decided to crack into the Christmas cake, which had been made by a family friend Penny, as much as Dad wanted to keep it for Christmas Day, it needed to be done.

Matt started making the tea so he & I were going to eat and go down to the Green Man, as Layla was having a little sleep she was going to meet us down at the pub later.  It was great to see everyone out and Layla came and joined us before heading up the high street, we tried to get into the Coleshill Hotel, but they had locked the doors, as the place was packed so we ended up in the George & Dragon.  It was pretty quiet but we quickly changed that and everyone was on good form, which made it into a really good night as Christmas Eve always is.   Layla left early to phone her Parents & family back in Australia and I was pretty tired so left the others to it. 

Saturday 24 December 2011

FRIDAY 23RD DECEMBER 2011


So it was the last day in the office for the best part of a fortnight, it was so quiet I carried on with looking into some hotels for the JCI ready for the first day back and also booked a couple of hire cars for the location team who are filming in Herefordshire.  The weather was awful outside, I was meant to be meeting Layla at Marks & Spencer to get the starter for Christmas day but left her to it as I wasn’t going to make it out in these conditions.

Anyway at about 3pm people were beginning to leave and I had done everything I needed to so I dropped Dad a line and he came and picked me up.  Once home the relief was good, it didn’t feel like a normal Friday and it wasn’t.  I was really looking forward to the break, a few people were going for a drink after work, part of me wanted to go, but I knew it was going to be a good night tomorrow in Coleshill, so I think I made the right decision.

When I got to bed it took me a while to get to sleep, I think it is part of the relaxing process but I seemed to have a lot of work related thoughts going round in my head.  Mainly about the meeting I have on 10th January, I was thinking about the plus’s & minus’s of a move with all points going round in my head.  It would be a big first step to living independently as I would be moving to a completely different city.  But if I don’t and move out locally, at present that would probably mean also looking for another job.  So whatever I choose, 2012 is a year of big change. 

Thursday 22 December 2011

THURSDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2011

Hilary & Hannah were finishing for Christmas today so tomorrow out of the Production Management staff it is only going to be myself in the office.  We were definitely beginning to wind down, I spent part of the day trying to clear my desk as I was beginning to get more & more grief about the state of it.  We were also beginning to look at logistics for the first JCI back after Christmas which is on Animal Welfare, because there is a bank holiday on the Monday we will only have the one day to finalise things when we come back.

In the evening I contacted Sarah (GP) with regards to the ratification of my CHC funding, I wanted to make sure I had spoken everyone involved before I broke up for the Christmas break, I am probably not as good at doing this as I should be.  We then had the leftover Spaghetti Bolognese for tea, somehow it always seems to taste better on the second day.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

WEDNESDAY 21ST DECEMBER 2011

It is such a good feeling when you wake up at full speed after the opposite yesterday, I had a very productive day at work today, which was good.  We had some information about the revised relocation package, with the main difference being they have agreed to cover the difference in stamp duty for home owners, as property will be more expensive in Bristol than it is in Birmingham.

I spoke to Angie from the Rowan Association just to fill her in on the fact my funding had been ratified and then next step, she emailed over to me an agency list.  I asked if I could get in touch with her in the New Year to get some advice on these agencies and any recommendations she has, it would be good to get a perspective of someone who is neutral as the only agency I really know is Pulse who Layla works for.

When I got home Dad & I went over to see Nathan, Amy & Elsie, it was Amy’s birthday on 17th December so it was great to find out what her weekend had been like and to hand over Birthday & Christmas presents.  I also had Elsie’s present which Tori, a friend of ours had made.  It is a really nice picture with her name spelt out and each letter is a picture, Amy & Nathan seemed to really like it.  Once home, Dad had made a spaghetti bolognese, we were all ready for it and it went down well, I was beginning to feel like the Christmas break couldn’t come soon enough. 

Tuesday 20 December 2011

TUESDAY 20TH DECEMBER 2011

Today was a day of survival, it was hard but we got through it.  I was dropped off by Matt and was the first in the office, the place was like a ghost town.  Eventually people started turning in looking, as I felt pretty rotten, I think I was just feeling tired more than hung over but spent the morning deciding what I needed on my stomach.

It was a pretty quiet office as a lot of people had finished for Christmas or were in an edit, a group of us took ourselves off to Nando's at lunchtime to try and help our state, this helped probably for about an hour before the slump kicked in again.

Eventually it was time to get home and a quick bit of curry, which was bought back by Mum & Dad from the Balti Cottage last night and into bed.  I tried to watch Blackburn Vs Bolton but didn’t even get to half time before having to turn it off to go to sleep.  Hopefully tomorrow I will wake up feeling like a different man.

Monday 19 December 2011

MONDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2011

So tonight is the Countryfile Christmas party, these are pretty unique events with this one being even more special because it will almost certainly be the last one in Birmingham.  We tried to concentrate on work matters throughout the day but it was pretty difficult, I bought in my secret Santa and put it in the sack with the rest of them, once I had made a pretty rubbish label.

I had to phone round organising a runner for the first week back in the New Year as Jack our regular runner is in on leave, so I sorted that out as well as finishing off some music, which was outstanding.  I also received a phone call from Chris (CHC assessor) to let me know that my funding had been ratified, so I would hear from someone in the first couple of weeks of the New Year regarding the next stage.  This was brilliant news and maybe another vodka & coke will be had this evening, Chris was also letting me know that his part in the process was now finishing.  During a process like this you see people come and go, people that are really good at their job.  It is hard then to see these people then move onto other cases as in an ideal world you want them to carry on with you.

It was nearly time, Dad arrived to help us get ready at work, so he bought in a change of clothes & my chair, which was great.  I was staying at Matt & Layla’s this evening as we were going to the Drop Forge in the Jewellery Quarter, I hadn’t been before so was really looking forward to it, we have already pre-ordered food and that sounded really nice.  Once I was changed two of my colleagues and myself jumped in a taxi for a couple of early drinks at the Rose Villa Tavern.

Eventually most people gathered at the Rose Villa Tavern before walking round to the Drop Forge to meet everyone else.  We sat down for food where I had chosen the beef main course followed by the panna cotta, it was really good especially the main course.  Once everyone had finished we retired to the bar downstairs where Santa gave out everyone’s secret santa presents and then the main even, the Craven awards.  These are given out for particular antics that have taken place throughout the year either in the office or out on location.

The categories and nominees are chosen by people in the office and then the script was created by Dan, he had done a brilliant job, in total there were about 10 categories.  I was lucky enough to win one called the  “the tarquin shineyhorse award” this was the award in dedication to the shineyhorse, which members of the team receive when they do something beyond the call of duty, it is owned and awarded by our Production Manager Hilary.  I had been nominated for this as not only had I broken the leg of the horse when I had received it during the year, but I also managed to break many things under the wheels of my chair including my mobile phone, which still bares the damage.  As you can imagine these events won me the award, I received it off JC and carried around with pride for the remainder of the night.

Eventually I called it a night, so I asked if the venue could help me out with a cab and before I knew it, it had arrived.  It was good staying at Matt & Layla’s as it meant I was able to get to bed quickly, but I had to wake Matt up, which I felt a bit bad about.

Sunday 18 December 2011

SUNDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2011

This morning was nice & relaxing, Dad was playing golf & mum was getting ready for Layla & Zoe’s surprise baby shower.  Zoe & Warren are some friends of ours who live in Coleshill and are expecting there first child on 9th January.  So all the girls were getting together with Mum & Auntie Hil, a couple of other mums were going as well.

So Dad arrived back from golf and Hil picked mum up about 2pm before they headed down to Sarah & Andrews, where the gathering was being held.  Mum was really looking forward to it, so they went off with the assortment of presents, ready for a lovely afternoon.

There were 3 live games on the TV this afternoon so Dad and I settled in for an afternoon of Football.  Matt, Andrew & few of the lads were off to Aston Villa Vs Liverpool, which was followed by Manchester City Vs Arsenal with the early game being QPR Vs Man United

Mum arrived back early evening, it sounded as though it had been a really nice afternoon with good food, good company and distributing lovely presents.  It was a nice evening, Dad & I had sausage, wedges & beans for tea in front of the final of Xfactor.

Saturday 17 December 2011

SATURDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2011

It was a bit chaotic when we got up this morning as Dad phoned to ask if he could pick me up earlier than expected, we were going for lunch to Richard & Chloe’s but beforehand stopping by to see Jeremy & Helen’s new place.  So Dad picked me up at 10.30am, when he arrived I was still eating my bacon sandwich, so I finished that before heading back to Coleshill feeling a little bleary eyed.

Helen is Richard’s mum and they have both moved into new places in Balsall Common, Jeremy & Helens place is fairly modern, whereas Richard & Chloe’s is very old.  Both equally nice, I have wanted to see Jeremy & Helen’s for ages, so was glad we popped in for a coffee before heading to Richard & Chloe’s.  It was a really nice day the 9 of us, Richard had done a really nice beef dish in the slow cooker, which was just what the doctor ordered on a freezing winters day like today.  Chloe is pregnant and is only a couple of weeks ahead of Layla, so it was really good for the two sets of soon to be parents to get together. 

Richard & Chloe have done quite a lot of structural work to their house since moving in but they have done a really good job with it. They have moved to Balsall Common from Nottingham so it is good that they live so close to Helen especially when the baby is born.  We left Balsall Common about 6pm before heading home for a lazy evening in front of the Strictly Come Dancing Final.

Friday 16 December 2011

FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2011

I was in the office today as Marcella finished on Tuesday for Christmas, so Dad dropped us in as normal.  Everyone was definitely beginning to relax for the festive period as filming for the year had finished so we were just penciling crews and logistics in for the first week of 2012.  I met up with Mum and Dad for a coffee at Café Gusto during my lunch break as they were in town doing some shopping.

Matt met us after work and we headed down to Penny Blacks, it was the leaving do of a couple of ex colleagues of his, who work in the communications department at the BBC.  When Matt worked at the Mailbox earlier this year he worked alongside one of the girls and was covering for the other one, who was on maternity leave.  It was really good to meet them, it felt a bit strange that even though we work in the same building for the BBC we hadn’t met but it was good to put faces to names.

Joey & Russ then joined us for a few drinks before the four of us headed over to meet Andrew and Sarah at the Figure of Eight on Broad Street. They were on a work party of Sarah’s ex colleagues, we had a quick drink before heading off to the Victoria, we were having a few problems getting in as they were being a bit funny about how much space there was in the pub and my chair.  So we headed back home, to be honest I had drank enough and was feeling pretty leathered, so Matt & I got a cab back to Hockley, think it was a wise call.  

Thursday 15 December 2011

THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2011

Dad had his Cardiologist appointment today, it is the first consultation appointment he has had since his Cardioversion treatment.  He was looking forward to finding out his progress and to ask questions but was also quite apprehensive about it.  When he arrived he was actually seeing the nurse and not the Cardiologist Dr Beattie.  The nurse is called a heart failure nurse, which isn’t the best of titles, Dad spent about an hour with her going through everything.  She explained that Dad will be on some medication for the rest of his life but that she was very pleased with his progress, the heart will take some time to get back to full function but they were pleased with how it was going.  The most important aspect of the hour long appointment from Dad’s point of view was him being told he could start drinking in moderation again, with the Christmas festivities coming up, this was the news he wanted to hear.

I was feeling a bit washed out today after the brilliant day I had experienced yesterday, I heard later in the afternoon that I have been shortlisted for the Production Co-Ordinator pool.  These interviews were meant to be tomorrow but are now going to be in late January, so I have a bit of time to do some work in preparation for it, this is a big opportunity for me and one I need to do myself justice in.  If I was to be successful I think it would make me more inclined to think about the Bristol move.

Hannah who has been helping us out on Countryfile had her interview for the Production Management Assistant Pool today, it was quite strange as she was being interviewed by our Production Manager but she will do well as she is really good at her job.

When we got home it was a quiet night with the remainder of the curry takeaway we had last night, I am staying at Matt & Layla’s after work tomorrow night so I got a few things together in preparation before hitting the sack. 

Wednesday 14 December 2011

WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2011

So today was a pretty astonishing day, we woke up this morning not really knowing what to expect from today’s meeting.  As people started arriving Chris CHC assessor, Fiona (CHC Team Leader), Sarah (GP), Val & Lynda (District Nurses), Amin & Gurbash (Social Workers) and the 4 of us.

As we were going through the DST (Decision Support Tool) I think it was fair to say I felt a little out of my depth.  I find it hard sitting in a room where people are discussing your reliance on others, throughout this process it has always been something I have struggled to get clear in my mind, but it is something I have to be honest with.  We were going through the domains (headings) on the form, which included behaviour & cognition where I don’t really have any care requirements but also others such as mobility & skin (Due to my open wounds caused from my Crohn's) where I have high care needs.  Each demain we had score from no needs, low, medium & high, some demains also had a severe option.

So after 2 hours and a lot of talking Fiona who was chairing the meeting, which meant she didn’t really participate in the discussion, as her role was purely to oversee proceedings, asked everyone if they thought my primary care requirements were health.  It was purely the decision of the professionals and not of the 4 family members, but as she went round the table everyone was in agreement that my primary need was indeed health.  The final person to make a decision was Chris (CHC assessor), he made it unanimous. 

This was brilliant, for Chris to agree was a massive plus and after nearly 18 months of this process to finally get this outcome was the best way to end the year.  Fiona also confirmed that she would have agreed if she had been in Chris’s shoes.  Everyone has helped me so much along the way, which has kept me going after hitting a lot of hurdles.  So Sarah, Lynda, Amin & Gurbash left and Fiona and Chris stayed with Val just to go through the next stage with us.  Once it has been ratified on Friday someone will be round in the first two weeks of the new year to go through the details of my care package and to talk about agencies.

They will talk about the details of my care package whilst I am still living at home and then also discuss if I am to live independently what they will put in place to assist with this.  I was finding it hard to get my head round all the details, I felt like I should be going mental but I felt quite flat.  I think when I start seeing it all in action early next year I will get more excited.

It was hard to go into work after, so much was going round in my head thinking about what impact this will have in 2012.  When I arrived, the office was empty as everyone was out at lunch for our Production Managers birthday, which was yesterday.  It was quite nice actually as it meant I could knuckle down a bit and catch up on some stuff which needed sorting for people going out filming later today.

To cap the day off when I got home we had a really nice evening with Matt & Layla coming over for a takeaway curry, Dad had also been to get the Christmas tree as well.  Even though it wasn’t decorated yet, it was still great to have it and it started feeling like the start of the festive period.  The curry was lovely and was the best way to celebrate the days events, I was completely stuffed though once we had finished.

Tuesday 13 December 2011

TUESDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2011

The nerves were beginning to kick in for the meeting tomorrow, it was going to be a key point in the process where a final decision will be made on whether my primary care need is health, social or a joint package as it is at the moment.  Even though there is a lot more riding on tomorrow, I didn’t fear it as much as I was the meeting last Friday.  The only slight concern I have, as well as the final result, is I am not sure what role Fiona (CHC Team Leader) will have during tomorrows events.

Chris (CHC assessor) gave me a call just to check everything was alright with having it at our house again and I just confirmed with him the process and that a final decision will be made by the professionals at the meeting, which as stated previously would be ratified if required.  The complication comes if we can’t agree a result and it has to go to appeal, at that point CHC brings in an independent panel to make the decision, which would very much delay the process, but hopefully it won’t come to that.

One of our Production Co-Ordinators has been off sick this week at work, so I have been helping Lizzie who job shares with her out.  This has been really good with my application for the pool in, it has meant I have been doing a few things which I wouldn’t normally do, for example raising the contracts for our camera crew, which is a nice change.

It was Hilary Poole’s birthday tomorrow, one of my colleagues who I worked with on Countryfile earlier this year and now she works on See Hear.  So as I wasn’t in, in the morning I gave her a card before I left, I go to lunch quite a lot with her and we get on really well, there used to be a lot of laughs when we worked on Countryfile together mainly at her telephone conversations she used to have with her partner.

Monday 12 December 2011

MONDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2011

Once I had been taken to work Matt was using my car to take the AV equipment back to Wolverhampton, the house was beginning to look a bit more normal after being taken over by quiz stuff.  I think mum was relieved as she can start sorting for Christmas with writing cards & wrapping presents.

I sent my tax information off to Dave today, which I am relieved about, as he has been chasing me for it.  So that was one big thing to cross off the list, hopefully I won’t owe the tax man too much this year but we will wait and see. 

At work I had an invite today to my informal consultation meeting which is on 10th January, everyone has the opportunity to have at least one of these and it is to explain the options we have going forward with the relocation.  This is with Manjit (Head of Production Talent) & Aileen (Head of Production) for our department.

The Christmas period will be a good time to take stock of my options and to write a few notes & questions for this meeting.  As well as my personnel provisions being in place I need to make sure I make the right decision for my career as well, it is a lot to think about over the coming weeks & months.

When I got home it was a lazy night watching Chelsea Vs Manchester City, it was a brilliant game with Chelsea winning 2-1, which is a good result for the rest of the Premiership.  It is always good on a Monday night having an early night in front of a good football game. 

Sunday 11 December 2011

SUNDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2011

Today was a day of recovery, we were up early though to go and clear the AV equipment from the Town Hall and we also had to pay them for the hire of the venue.  Dad was playing golf in the morning so when he got back Mum and Dad took back the glasses to Sainsbury’s 


We continued to get some great feedback from last night, it re-iterates how much people look forward to the quiz each year and it seems to be a date that people put in their diaries.  This support for the family & the Brittle Bone Society is very much appreciated, over the years it has helped contribute to the funding of wheelchairs as well as raise a lot of money for the charity itself.  We are very lucky to live in such a close community, where this is the case, the family have been doing this quiz for over two decades and it always takes us by surprise that we manage to fill the venue each and every year.

The rest of the day was quite relaxed watching the football and just having a lazy Sunday.  Also I had to get my tax documents sorted to send off to a family friend Dave who helps Matt & I out with our tax return forms each year, these need to be in the post tomorrow.

Saturday 10 December 2011

SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2011

Matt was up early this morning as he had to set the AV equipment up in the Town Hall for tonight before the market traders were in for the day.  So him and Andrew were there for 8am and then onto El Cantino for a full English, which I think sorted out the hang overs from last night. 

Russ & Joey then came and joined Andrew & Matt for a run through, they did it at ours as Mum and Dad were at an auction they go to each month, where they sell all sorts of different things, mum came back with a couple of nice Christmas presents.  I went off to get some bits from the high street for this evening.

We were allowed back into the town hall at 5pm, so Dad helped Matt & Layla transfer all the stuff over where the others were waiting to help kit the hall out.  People started arriving about 7.15pm and the hall soon filled up for an 8pm start, it was a great night again and we had some really nice feedback.  A lot of money was raised again and a team made of my cousin Richard and some of his friends were Brittle Bones Quz champions for 2011.
It was great to see a team from the younger general win this year, the team that came second were also a young team so it may be the start of a new dawn.  The Purity Ale also made the bar extremely successful and some great raffle prizes meant we sold lots of tickets so this and also the hard work of the organizing committee all contributed to it being another great success.

Friday 9 December 2011

FRIDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2011

So we got another step closer today to hopefully getting CHC funding, Chris Tonks was really good today going through my assessment and with the help of Sarah (GP), Val & Lynda (District Nurses) and the 4 of us updated it.  In the assessment we did in March we didn’t really mention much about my brittle bones, so we updated it to reflect the impact this has on my social life as well as the impact this has on my other medical requirements.
There were 10 of us in the dining room this morning and it worked out really well, I have been very apprehensive about this meeting during the week.  It all of a sudden seems to be turning a corner so the panic has been starting to set in a little bit particularly last night.  But today seems to have put my mind at ease a little.
At the end of today’s meeting Chris explained that Fiona (CHC Team Leader) would be chairing the meeting on Wednesday where we will go through the Decision Support Tool (DST).  There will then be a decision made at the end of this meeting to decide if my primary need is health.  If this is the case, then the decision would then go for ratification but this is normally a formality.  So it looks like Wednesday will very much be D day.
I was working from home for the rest of the day, which was nice.  As I think due to the relief very much had a slump.  So after logging an episode & checking my emails I had a bit of a rest as we were going out this evening with Matt and some friends to the Wolverhampton Civic Hall to see Ocean Colour Scene.
So after having a bit of early tea, Matt & I picked Warren up en route to Wolverhampton and headed to a pub to meet up with the rest of them.  There was 13 of us altogether so I think it was going to be a good night, it was the Moseley Shoals 10th Anniversary Tour, I have been really looking forward to this since Matt & Layla bought me the tickets back in July for my birthday.
It was a brilliant night, the venue was really intimate, we were up on the balcony so it was a really good view.  It was the first time I have been to the Civic and I really enjoyed it.  Warren drove us home which was really good of him, so he drove the beast for the first time, Matt stayed over in Coleshill as he had to be at the Town Hall early to set up for the quiz.

Thursday 8 December 2011

THURSDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2011

Chris Tonks my CHC assessor phoned me this morning just to double check we were still alright to hold the meeting at our house tomorrow and to check attendees.  This was fine and we agreed that he would confirm things with Val (District nurse Manager & Amin & Gurbash (Social Workers) and I would confirm the meeting with the rest. 

Mum & Dad were collecting the sausage from Spencers the Butchers today and then Uncle John was coming round to help them start making a couple of batches of Cassoulet for Saturday.  Mum was working this morning and then it was all systems go with the production line this afternoon.

Matt & Layla were coming over for the final Brittle Bone Society Quiz meeting this evening & to pick up some of the sausages so they could distribute it out to get the rest of the Cassoulet made.  So we had some dinner together & then they went off for the meeting at the Coleshill Hotel, it was coming together nicely so hopefully it will be another great success.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

WEDNESDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2011

So my application had to be in today, but I had a few problems getting someone to look through it as my Production Manager Hilary was informed she was going to be short listing for this pool so she obviously felt a little awkward about assisting me.  I decided I would approach a PM who currently works on See Hear who I have worked with a little bit on Gardeners World Live a couple of years ago, Debbie was lovely and gave me some good feedback and bits to amendment, via email as she was in London for the day.  So I spent some time making these changes before submitting it finally.

Once that was sorted I was feeling a little shattered to say the least, I had a couple of training courses in Excel & Powerpoint on Monday which I had forgotten to mention.  Then with concentrating on this as well, the last couple of days have been a bit hectic but enjoyable, it didn’t help that I had quite a late night, last night with going to the gig so I think I’ll be in bed early this evening.

It was Champions League night with both Manchester clubs fighting to stay in the competition.  For Manchester City their destiny wasn’t in their own hands and United had to win to progress.  I decided to watch the Manchester United game, it was very frustrating as Manchester United outplayed Basle but ended up only with a draw and despite Manchester City winning both English teams ended up being eliminated.  

Tuesday 6 December 2011

TUESDAY 6TH DECEMBER 2011

Today was about concentrating on a job advert, which had been sent round about a Production Co-ordinator pool.  This is the next step up from a Production Management Assistant and they always recruit a pool of co-ordinators each year that would be available at short notice when gaps arise on productions.  I have applied once before but was unsuccessful so thought I would give it another shot.  So I finished off the application form today and sent it over to my Production Manager to have a look at before I submit it tomorrow.

With regard to the Social Services assessment, Dad had a look at the changes myself & Layla had made and then we sent it back to Amin.  I also contacted Lynda my District Nurse about the meeting on Friday, as she assisted me a great deal in filling in my original CHC assessment, so it would be good if she could attend.  Val her manager phoned me today to talk through the meeting that took place last Friday and to go through how my assessment can be amended from the original one that was done in March.  So I suggested if she and Lynda came to the meeting on Friday we could kill two birds with one stone, she agreed.

It was a quick turnaround when I got home as I was off to see Kasabian at the NIA with Stuart & Tony.  I was really looking forward to it, I had seen them at V and wasn’t very impressed but was looking forward to an arena gig.  So there was enough time to have a quick change before they arrived, we took my car so that I could go in my chair as we did when going to the NEC a couple of weeks ago.  It was a really good gig and the crowd was well up for it, which made it even better.

Monday 5 December 2011

MONDAY 5TH DECEMBER 2011

First thing this morning Fiona Rickards was in touch about my new CHC assessor and that they would be in touch this morning to liaise with me about the meeting on Friday.  His name is Chris Tonk and he is normally in charge of CHC appeals but has been taken off them to concentrate on resolving this, sure enough Chris was in touch within a couple of hours.  When he phoned he went through his history and the process that the meeting on Friday will take and the subsequent meeting after that, this was all sounding very positive.

Layla came over after work to stay the night with Matt being away.  Matt works as a freelance copywriter and is currently away with an agency, which carries out projects for Goodyear, it was a trip to try and win new business for 2012.  Matt also does some work for an agency, which carries out work for M&B, he looks after the accounts for Harvester & O’Neill’s.

Once I was home from work Mum & Dad had there regular Monday night gathering watching Strike Back., whilst Layla & I went through the social services assessment so we can get this back to Amin.  The idea was we are to get it back to Amin tomorrow so he  can then amend it in time to bring to the meeting on Thursday. 

Sunday 4 December 2011

SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2011

We were all looking forward to Nathan, Amy & little Elsie coming to visit today, so after a slow morning with Dad playing golf mum & I got ready in time for their lunchtime arrival   Even the Stollen cake came out which Dad had bought from the German market in the week.

It was great to see them & Elsie was brilliant a very content little girl and I had a long hold of her, which was amazing.  Amy & Nathan were so relaxed with her, which was great, more than I can say for myself as Elsie was wriggling on my lap, I was a bit nervy but relaxed soon enough.  It was a great couple of hours and Dad made it home from golf to see them as well, so that was nice.   Looking forward to going over at some point soon.

Dad walked 18 holes for the first time today since his illness, which is pretty big news.  This was as the course was very wet so buggy's weren't allowed, so it was either walk or come home, so decided he was just going to walk some and see how he felt and ended up playing the whole round.  As much as this is great, he still has to be cautious until he visits his consultant on 15th December, but it is a step in the right direction.

Later on in the evening Layla came over for some tea as Matt had gone off to Luxembourg for a couple of days and she wasn't feeling very well as she was full of cold, so mum cooked up some food for the 4 of us.  Sarah came over after tea to go through the original CHC & Warwickshire Social Services assessments to update them.  Also it was great to work out how Sarah can assist us in the meeting on Friday.

Saturday 3 December 2011

SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2011

So we were all heading off into different directions this morning, Sarah & Layla were heading to the Birmingham market.  Mum, Dad & I were heading to Sainsbury’s & Costco & Matt was heading to Andrew’s for a run through of the questions.  Between about four houses we are going to be pulling together batches of sausage cassoulet for 200 people for the quiz so we were buying in bulk.  I never realised tins of tomatoes came in the size they do in Costco it was quite something. 
When we got back Mum and Dad got ready as they were going round to some friends for the afternoon for a Christmas gathering.  So I had a pretty relaxing afternoon on my own, whilst Matt & Layla were at Aston Villa Vs Man Utd. Matt has a season ticket with my cousin Andrew and a few mates, one of which couldn’t make the game so Layla had their ticket.
When they got back the 3 of us went round to Andrew & Sarah’s for the evening as Andrew had made a Chicken, leak & Ham pie.  It was amazing and we had a really nice evening, I hadn’t been round to their house since they had done the kitchen so it was really good to see it finished.  We headed back quite early as Matt was off to Luxembourg tomorrow with work, so it was an early start for him in the morning.

Friday 2 December 2011

FRIDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2011

I was in the office today as Marcella was on leave, so Dad dropped me in as on a Friday as it is Alison’s day off.  After yesterdays meeting I was pretty tired so was very much looking forward to 5.30pm.  I caught up on inputting the music details I have been logging from home plus it was the big draw of the secret Santa, I didn’t pull out the best of picks but never mind, time to get the thinking cap on.

On the way home we picked Layla up from work, once Dad had dropped us back at home he then took Matt off to an awards evening he had with work which was being held at the Crowne Plaza at the NEC..  It was a black tie affair so he looked very smart so I think a good night was going to be had.  Matt & Layla were staying over this evening  so Layla, mum & I made a plan for tomorrow as far as food shopping for the Brittle Bone Quiz next weekend.

Thursday 1 December 2011

THURSDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2011

So it was a busy start this morning getting everything together for the meeting, which was being held at Dan Byle’s MP office in Bedworth.   Layla headed off to get a letter from Sarah our GP before we set off for 9.30am.  At the meeting was my previous & existing Social workersGurbash & Amin, Fiona & Mags from CHC & Angie from the Rowan Association as well as the four of us.  There was also someone from Dan Byles's office taking notes.

The main purposes of the meeting, which became clear very quickly was that Fiona & Mags from CHC wanted to know what had gone wrong and why the process had taken so long from my original CHC assessment to now.  But also to apologise and explain the process fully, as part of the delay was with my assessment going to panel for ratification which Fiona was in charge of.  Fiona is Estelle’s (my CHC assessor) manager and Mags is Fiona’’s manager, they then outlined how the process was going to move forward.

So a meeting will take place next Friday 9th December where we will update the original assessment and then a new Decision Support Tool will be completed at a meeting the following Friday.  I think we all came away thinking the meeting had been very positive as much as it was frustrating that we were taking a backwards step it sounded like everyone was fully behind a decision going for ratification before Christmas.

Once we got back from the meeting I worked from home for the rest of the day and Mum & Dad were heading into town to the German market he with some of Mum’s old work colleagues.  This also included them having lunch at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant in Birmingham, a very nice afternoon was had.  It was a very quiet evening and I grabbed an early night, after the meeting this morning I felt shattered but relieved.