Wot I did on my Holidays

Firstly, I was immensely grateful for all the support I received from you lovely people in the blogosphere.  Thank you.  It meant a great deal to me.

I read a lot more.
I have eaten good dark chocolate.
I have enjoyed wine. 
I slept more.
I finally got the last of the spring bulbs squeezed into the ground.
I wandered around the garden, smiling as things poked through the soil, and admiring the blaze of autumnal colour.
I marvelled at the first hyacinth, blooming two or three months too early.
I watched the birds.
I watched, played with and laughed at the cats.  The self same cats raised my blood pressure.
I have washed the kitchen floor far too many times since a certain cat (thanks Jazz) has decided to pooh in the kitty litter tray and piddle on the kitchen floor.  Regardless of how many times I change the kitty litter.  Grr.

Jewel has claimed this green shopping bag as her own.  She even hides her acorn shells in it.  When Jazz attacks her as he is doing in this photo she shrieks for support and bites down hard on his ears.  Win/win.

I went to the dentist - clean bill of health (hooray).
I went to the doctor.
I had a pap smear - clean bill of health (hooray).
I had a blood test.
I got called back to see the doctor - and had to wait over a week to get in.
No clean bill of health.  Dammit.   I have been diagnosed as hypothyroid (an under-active thyroid), and my liver function isn't all it should be either.  Oh joy and bliss.  The doctor tells me that my likeness to a barrage balloon, my fatigue, depression, brain fade and the fragility of my nails are all likely to be linked to the under-active thyroid gland.  And my rapidly increasing girth could well be the reason for my reduced liver function  (think foie gras).  Most of these symptoms are shared with MS so I had assumed that it was at fault (again).
More joy and bliss.  Yet another medication to take.  For the rest of my life apparently.  And, for the moment, they are insisting that this one be taken on an empty stomach - two hours before any food.  I love my early morning cup of tea.  Next stop a visit to a specialist - towards the end of next month at an estimated cost of between $250 and $750.  Have I said joy and bliss yet?

The smaller portion got a call from the hospital.  His next, and hopefully final surgery, is now scheduled for the 19th of this month, with a pre-admission clinic on the 13th.  He tells me his sister is likely to come down to stay with us again.  Joy and bliss.

I was on call for Lifeline.
I did a shift at Lifeline.
I was on call again for Lifeline.  Suicide in progress - fortunately averted.  A successful but stressful night.
I spent a Saturday monitoring, nurturing, coaching and assessing a group of fledgling counsellors who are close to completing their training and going onto the phones (under close supervision).
I went to a meeting for Lifeline.  After dark.  I resent this.  After dark is bed time.

We bought a car, since our current car is old enough to vote and has some idiosyncratic quirks like needing the dashboard to be thumped (in the right spot) before the fuel or the temperature gauges work.  The speedo is a rule unto itself.  The new one is likely to come into town next week - just in time for himself to enjoy it for two or three days and then not to be able to drive it for six weeks.  I don't drive, but the car will be quite happy in the garage waiting for his return to health.  Or his sister can drive it.

I think I need another holiday.