I hate Spiders

What!!! Why!!! I turn it to this wobbly frightened wean when faced with dealing with a spider!
I know they are small ( this one had a 1" diameter I. E. huuuuuge)they are harmless! I have never been bitten, stung or chased by one.
They are very unpredictable though and run very fast and you suddenly cross them unexpectedly. Ohhhh Ahhhh.
well today I came across an ENORMOUS Spider in a sink, just as I was entering to have a pee ( sorry too much information) there it was. I had to get a paper cup and some paper and be very brave and after catching the wee beastie I took him over to some grass to escape,
Ihe reason for my bravery was that I was with a girl who is very nearly blind. Just the thought of her going innocently to wash her hands and the spider unseen...... it is not Worth thinking about

A Truth

This is a short paragraph I have given for a Headstart event I am going to soon.

I started on a life time’s journey following a car accident in 2002 where I received many injuries, including an acquired brain injury (ABI).
Just as well we do not know what is ahead of us! I loved my job as an advisor in Argyll and Bute Education Service. This had involved a lot of driving, for example going from Glasgow to Campbelltown and back in one day.
Following the accident I was initially in a wheelchair unable to walk. I had to learn to talk again and it took me quite a long time to come to terms with the fact that I would not go back to that job, or in fact life as I had known it.
But 7 years on I am still improving and gaining confidence, employing coping strategies that help me to live as full and active life as possible. Not the life I had dreamed of for my future, but one with quality nevertheless.
I am currently Chairperson of Headway Glasgow. This organisation has played a very significant role in supporting me through the whole process, and I my aim is to help by supporting others who may be involved in a similar journey

Fancy Meeting You here

Sometimes you just feel your in the right place at the right time. My friend Margaret and I were just walking up Byres road when I recognised a person I knew. This was a new member of our Headway group, but I didn't know his name. But as I introduced him I just had to be honest as say ' sorry I don't know your name' (sometime it just pay's to be honest)
So with lot's of enthusiasm we got into a long conversation and shared a bit of our experience, and I hope helped Jim to see that although recovery is slow it always continues. you never get back to where you were pre-ABI, but life always gets better and quality of life carries on improving.
Jim had his acquired brain injury a few years ago, so it's still quite recent for him, but an important job for us veteran ABIist's is to role model what is possible after 10, 20 or more years

History

We had a great day out at Lanark Racecourse where we went to a Medieval Festival on Saturday. It was good to see so many adults dressed up for mock battles. Lot's of Booing for the English. Cheering for the Scottish and even louder Cheering for the local soldiers.
There were Jesters juggling, Roman soldiers parading, WW1 equipment, dancers performing to very old insrtuments, and so much going more. We had a picnic and bought coffee to sustain us. But I did wonder where a McDonald's would be on the way home if I wanted a fish meal thing!

Back In The Big Town

There is quite a contrast between life in a rural setting up north where I visited recently and here back in the 'Big Smoke' as people used to say when they had smoky chimneys. I love them both and could slip into either.
Here we have so many people, busy traffic and so many amenities. But in the rural setting your life seems to slow down, be less materialistic, and you have more time to stop have a chat and enjoy the scenery round about you. Everybody waves as you pass in the car. Shopkeepers know you by name. Even I who just go up a few times a year get 'Hi Susan, what can I get you today?'
But I also can enjoy the theatre, shops, swimming baths and all that goes with a city.
Maybe I am lucky. I can go to both.

Crofting

Down at the croft in Kinlochbervie the rabbits had been in and eaten some of the vegetables, so we set about mending the fences. A wee breeze to keep the midges away and a dash to the car for a wee picnic when it rained.
But we got the work done and before we knew it 4 hours had passed, I had a few blisters on my hands from shoring up the chicken wire tight to the main wire but really enjoyed my day.
There is nothing quite like eating vegetables you have just picked. we had scummy tatties, spinach and I even tried some fresh unpicked beetroot ( I usually hate beetroot) The carrots, turnip, cauliflower and cabbage are not ready yet, but I look forward to visiting my son's croft later in the year and having a taste fest'

Shingles on a beach

I have managed to catch Shingles, clever Eh. Apparently if you've had Chicken Pox, then the virus stays in your system thereafter and when your resistance is low you get this effect. An area of your skin develops blisters ( In my case it's my scalp)Luckily I had already diagnosed Shingles from what I'd seen on other people, so when I went to the doctor early on, there was no surprises. What has developed though is that now there is an anti-virus tablet you can take. In my case because Ive also got in my eye, ointment which is very effective although giving me blurry sight.
Although it was a hard call, I decided to come up to my sons in Kinlochbervie and be occupied instead of lying low at home ( in my comfort zone) and having time to feel sorry for myself.
I'm not very good at giving in though, so resting up and doing nothing is very difficult, but at first if I moved too quickly or did too much , I felt as if I were about to pass out, so I just had to stop and say KEY'S.
Now I'm feeling a lot better although not a pretty sight with blotches all over my face, but I am well over the worst of it
Just keep taking the tablets ( I know)...

And the beaches are lovely up here, so great to walk on, we played a game of frisby on Oldshoremore yesterday

Catching Up and Keepin Up

Went out for a lovely meal last week with very good friends that I have known for ages.
Unfortunately when you have an acquired brain injury, friend's quite often drop away and you tend to find only the real friend stay loyal and keep in contact. These friend's have stayed by my side and I value their friendship very much. We went out to Peter's West End, using the 5o'clock.com facility which has suited our needs very well and we have tried out lots of places.
Again today we went for a walk, along the Forth and Clyde canal , this time from Maryhill to Clyde a lovely walk, with plenty of rests and it took us a good few hours, but well worth it. the 'Nolly' is a great resource to have on your doorstep.

River Clyde Walkway

With frequent stops and lots of rest we walked from the Kelvin Art Gallery area along to Glasgow Green on Saturday and really enjoyed the whole experience.
I walked by the Bond helicopter landing pad where a family open day was in progress, with lovely accompanying BBQ tang in the air.
Just as we passed the new Millennium pedestrian bridge, it raised up to allow a boat to pass through.
we had a good close up view of the river side flats, which although must be expensive have a great location. There were lots of swans and ducks on the river