Time off

Even though I am not at university I still have lots of homework to do.  Each of my four students have set me some work.  I have to email a student each week to send in my homework to them.  So really there is no time off!

Today my 90 year old mother in law has been testing me on my spellings and the sentences I had to write, she is a hard task master!!

Great news I went up to the RVI hospital at Newcastle just over a week ago to see if I could be accepted on the Limbs Alive research project and fortunately I was. So I have now been given the laptop and video games to start working on my right arm. 

Whilst up in Newcastle I met with my fellow class mates so we could go through our presentation on Aphasia awareness.

To date we have got 3 new lambs a set of twins and a single, Liz is really pleased with the new arrivals (2 girls and a boy). Just waiting for the next one to lamb

On holiday

We now have four weeks off for Easter holidays to give the students a break, hope you are all working hard and revising for your exams!

On the last day I was given homework from all 4 of my students, this includes sending them emails with an update of what I have done.

I do have to go up to the university next week for 2 hours in preparation for our presentation to 10 people to make them more aware of Aphasia (Liz is not amused at having to go up there!)

We have had Senna to visit twice in the last week which is really good, also good to see John and Ceri.  Senna just makes herself at home and looks for the old toy box, any treats and rabbits!  She spotted a group of very young ones playing yesterday, her eyesight is amazing

We are now on tender hooks waiting for the arrival of our lambs which are due anytime now, last year we had deep snow, this year we have had a few foggy days but it is now warm and sunny, perfect for lambs. 

When John was here yesterday he set up our Wii which we haven't used for years but Liz thought would be good to get me using my weak arm and leg.  I had my first game of golf in over a year albeit indoors and virtual but it was great fun, need to get in some practice so I can beat John!

New research

I have been approached a few times to take part in new research since my stroke and have always agreed as I hope it will help others in the future, however, the latest idea seemed a little strange but I am willing to give it a go.

I am getting a new friend to stay, her name is Mary and she is a chimpanzee as a leading university have discovered that the communication skills including hand gestures and facial expressions of chimps can help people with Aphasia.  She arrives next week so I will have to take her to the Aphasia centre in Newcastle with me as she can't be left at home alone.

The university is looking for more people to take part in the research so let me know if you are interested.

Another topic discussed last week

We also discussed world events which had caught our eye in the news.  I talked about the International Space Station.  Have enjoyed watching the coverage this week from Houston and the ISS

Another beautiful part of Teesdale!

Beautiful Teesdale. High Force

Another week

Finally achieved the goal of emptying our old oil tank, been a long boring job of trickling 150 litres of oil out but got their in the end! 

Had a good week to get out for a walk as weather been really good, Wednesday was so warm you could just imagine Spring had arrived and the cafés and bars on the Newcastle quayside were full.  Haven't had any rain for a out 8 days now and Liz is starting to complain the grass will never grow (starting to sound like a farmer as they are never happy with the weather) 

Therefore was disappointed as this last weekend has been so windy I haven't been able to get out for my walk.  I usually don't see many people when I am out but it is surprising how many people notice I haven't been out walking! They must watch me from behind the curtains!

The theme for this week at the Aphasia Centre was travel and on Wednesday I had to take in a photo of any area of outstanding natural beauty I had visited.  As I live in an AONB I downloaded a picture of High Force waterfall which is in Teesdale,  I was tempted to take a picture of our view as it is  just as beautiful.

I did some more reading skills with the students this week, still struggling with some spellings which is frustrating as it is random ones I get wrong.

The debate on Friday was "should lottery money be used to fund the arts" which I disagreed with because I believe some of the funding which goes into art is a complete waste of time. I think some of it should be for funding deprived youngsters to go on outdoor courses (so they could go for free) that way they would learn some life skills. Some youngsters who live in cities don't see outdoor life.

Also on Friday I started writing My Story which will be part of our project to make people more aware of Aphasia.  My group of five are all writing their stories of what happened to them when they had a stroke, my problem is I don't remember the first 3 months.