Sore toe

James stubbed his toe on the bedroom carpet this morning. He was carrying the breakfast tray and trying not to step on the capering furry Tom at the time. This was noteworthy for two reasons. Firstly I think it is unusual to stub your toe on the carpet (rather than a door or a table for example). And secondly because of the severity of the damage done - James showed me his bruised and swollen toe this evening and it looks as if he has broken it! He says it is "agony" and is understandably concerned about his hill-walking trip tomorrow. However he has to go because he is the organiser. Oh dear.

Grandma was back at the eye clinic today for another injection in her eyeball - I think it's to do with macular degeneration. James drove her there and brought her back for lunch. She is braver than me about medical procedures I have to admit. 

Friday film evening

I have been looking forward to seeing the film of "Gone Girl". I read the book when it came out and really enjoyed it, but we missed the film when it was in the cinemas so I have been watching and waiting for it to come out on Netflix. So tonight we settled down with a tasty tagine and some flatbread to watch it. James and Davie had not read the book so they had no idea what to expect and it was fun watching them react to the different revelations and guess what would happen. David cottoned on pretty quickly. I was actually just a wee bit disappointed in the film; it seemed more predictable than the book - but then I did know the story! And, like the book, I felt that the second half couldn't quite live up to the first half. However we all enjoyed it and it was a pleasant Friday evening.

Kittens update

Tom Kitten sat on the bedroom window sill this morning and watched his Daddy get into the car and drive away. He looked very curious and thoughtful. Soon afterwards he and Ruby barged their way into Davie's room - I could hear them scratching the door and thumping against it until they got it open. Then they both trashed Davie's room by throwing things off his desk which woke him up and I could hear his cries of dismay. After he ejected them, they scampered up and down the stairs and came running back into my bedroom where they jumped around playing with my socks and rolling about on the floor (play) fighting. They also attacked my feet through the duvet as I moved them about. Then they found out that the electric blanket was back on and burrowed under the duvet purring very loudly. All this in about fifteen minutes as I ate my breakfast. Kittens are great! 

Further update at 11.30 p.m. Just as we all "climbed the wooden hill to Bedfordshire" about half an hour ago we heard a dreadful crash from the back room (in which we confine the kitties at night). Davie led the way as we rushed downstairs. Tom and Ruby were found crouched at the scene of the crime, staring at the remains of a pottery chocolate fondue set that I bought in France, and that they had just knocked down off a shelf. I'd like to say that they looked guilty but actually they looked a bit shocked but excited. They watched in fascination as we swept up the shards of pottery and then, far from being ashamed, they took the opportunity to escape out of the back room and run upstairs. Little thugs. 

Out in the world

I'm getting on fine with Frugal February so far, and have embraced supermarket "value" brands which are very cheap. The low cost cheese tasted absolutely fine in our mac'n'cheese last night, and James seems happy with the own brand butter despite his initial doubts. However Davie has drawn the line at the "Tesco value diet cola" and go has declared that he will buy his own Diet Coke from now on. Fine by me.

In other news, I went for a walk today to build up my stamina for my return to work. I felt as weak as a kitten setting off into the frosty morning (not that our kittens are weak - they are all muscle and bones). However the sun came out and I enjoyed being outside and felt quite invigorated. Having the kittens around has been great over the last couple of weeks, they are so funny and affectionate. They know all the household noises now and ran to meet me when they heard me opening the front door. It has also been really good to spend time with Davie, who constantly amazes me with his scientific knowledge and well thought out and mature views on world news, including the grim news this week regarding the murder of the young Jordanian pilot. 

John Donne told us that no man is an island but Voltaire advised us to tend our own gardens - I myself have absolutely no idea how to make the world a better place.

Post op check-up

I was at the hospital for my follow up visit today. James took the afternoon off to come with me which I appreciated both for driving me and for the moral support. However I felt a lot less nervous today because I knew they weren't going to do anything to me with a scalpel! The consultant seemed a lot cheerier and chattier than on the morning of the operation; James said that he is probably more preoccupied on his surgery days. The good news is that everything looks to be progressing well as far as he could see (although he will be able to see better at my next appointment in three weeks when the gas bubble inside my eye is gone). The gas bubble is indeed gradually dispersing as I thought and I can clearly see the curved "horizon" between the gas and the liquid. The only problem that my sight is cloudy which may mean I need a cataract op - apparently this can be a side effect of retinal surgery. But it's not definite - the consultant says there is a 50% chance it will be ok. So I left the hospital with a light heart and we went home for a nice cup of coffee and an evening watching Deadwood.

Eye eye

There have been some developments in the eye sight in my left eye. Where until yesterday I have only been able to see light out of that eye, I can now see the top half of my vision, although it is very cloudy, like a steamed up window. The bottom half is still like looking through a bubble. When I could only see out of one eye my vision was clear, but now I have double vision reminiscent of that of Clarence the Cross Eyed Lion, as fellow fans of Daktari will recall! Oh well at least it's progress to report to the doctor tomorrow on my return visit to Gartnavel.

Meanwhile I have started on a big clear out at home, because until I'm allowed to go back to work I might as well do something useful here. I'm doing a room per day and once I get started it's actually very enjoyable. The kittens are helping me and keeping me company. And I have had some very nice visitors today too, so I'm feeling rather cheerful. 

Frugal February

I watched a very interesting programme the other evening called "Eat Well for Less". Two jolly although rather excitable presenters spent time with s family who spend a huge amount on their food bill (a lot more than us) and helped them to cut down while still enjoying their meals. This was done by planning better and using cheaper supermarket brands rather than the big brands. 

Three things stood out for me. Firstly I was impressed at the amount of savings involved. And when they didn't know the brands the family mostly couldn't tell the difference between the cheaper and more expensive stuff. Secondly I was amazed that the family had £1000 worth of food stockpiled. We definitely don't have as much as that but I bet we have hundreds of pounds worth of food in freezer and store cupboards, a lot of it forgotten about. And thirdly I was fascinated by the fact that cartons of fruit juice from concentrate are not only much cheaper than the fancy "not from concentrate" juices that I gravitate towards, they are just as good, with no additives. And they are better for the environment because the concentrate is much lighter to transport. The whole programme was a real eye opener for me (my good eye that is, ha ha!) so I have decided to give it a go. Roll on Frugal February!