Chétjie's Blog - my personal musings...

My faves from a brilliant facebook group:

1. You have test strips all over you purse, car, and bedroom (funny coz it's so true! opened my handbag the other day and had about 6 of them fly out, nice one)
2. You think it’s funny seeing the look on people’s faces when you give an injection in a public restroom (restroom? I just do it at the table, am relatively discreet so only get caught now and then ;-)
3. You use being low as an excuse when you do something dumb, but get extremely offended if you're in a bad mood and someone tells you to test your sugar (SO SO true! get highly offended when in non-sugar related bad mood and asked if I shouldn't be testing my sugar levels)
4. You get incredibly tired of having to explain to people 'no I don't have the same thing as your 800 pound grandma...' (especially if you're type 1) (ok, choking I'm laughing so hard - I usually get the old "ooohhh, yes, my cousin/aunt/friend's brother's ex-ex girlfriend's sister DIED of/had a toe amputated because of that!" NICE conversation starter)

Some brilliant quotes listed on a fellow Type-1'er's (Scott's Web Log) blog at: http://sstrumello.blogspot.com/

Here they are:

I'm a bit of a collector by nature and am learning how to live graciously (and at times decidedly ungraciously, just ask my poor housemates) with two auto-immune diseases:

1. Type 1 diabetes since I was 14 (legal druggy, woo hoo!! I can shoot up in public without getting arrested, I also know what cool words like lancet, hypo/hyperglycemia, Somogyi-effect mean) and
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis since Christmas last year.

This year saw me finally crossing over to having had diabetes for more than half my life - an amazing blessing to get to this point still healthy, with all the fears I had about ever making it unscathed to year 15! Every day is still a mission, but I'm grateful to have come this far.

Today marks one year (TADAA!!! anniversary so I am allowed to get soppy!!!) since I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.). What a year it has been! Hard to imagine that this time last year I could barely walk. Every day is a study in learning that I am not super-girl and don't have to be!

God, is good and sovereign in all things I believe (comments and thoughts and questions more than welcome!) I am so grateful for the support of loved ones and friends!

“If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer--His grace sufficient, His promises unchangeable.” John Newton

Ola sports fans... This post is not about that Seinfeld episode (although that is a goodie), it's about the latest exciting event in my life.

Are you sitting down? I have had my nose pierced. Feel free to gape with awe and admiration or gawk in abject horror at the pictures of the adornment (or "Nose bling" nice term Ang, I like it! need to get my hoody out) on my schnoz (yes, it's not a small nose, but mom tells me I should be proud of my aristocratic French heritage that led to this nose *cough*)

This is actually something I've thought about (but not too seriously) doing since I was about 20. Then yesterday, I decided to phone and make an appointment. I dragged my lovely and super supportive colleague (and nose ring wearer for over a year) with me (thanks Chanteletjie) to the appointment today. Well, the "piercer" (I had NO idea they had an official job title!) Phoebe was super, I was close to chickening out, but she calmed me down. If I had known the pain I was about to go through, I probably would have run (click here for gross info on cartilage and what goes on when you pierce the nose).

Anyway, after copious right eye-ball watering (just the one!!! was funny) I was able to view the result. And I do like it, if I get sick of it I can take it out and it should close without too much hassle, the hole is tiny anyway.

Now - my hysterical friend Miss Angela B gave me the following, thanks Angel.

Angela's List of 10 Advantages of Wearing Nose Bling

1. You will automatically be deemed the coolest gal at church
2. It diverts attention away from your ears
3. You have an extra place to hang a Christmas decoration
4. Now you can use all those lonely earrings that lost their partners throughout the years and get more jewellery gifts on your birthday!
5. You'll have a legitimate reason to stick your finger up your nose in public..."I'm just putting in my stud," cough cough
6. Earning greater respect from the Hindu community
7. Meeting some cute guys at the tattoo slash piercing parlour
8. You can use your nose as a pin cushion when sewing
9. You don't have to dress up for fancy dress parties
10. You can reflect light into a colleague's eye simply by twitching your nose, they'll never be the wiser!

Thought I was going to say "TRIFFIDS" didn't you?

Sunday saw central London being overrun by bicycles in the Hovis London Freewheel event. Approx. 14km of roads in central London were closed off to non-cycling traffic (all the way from Buckingham Palace to London Bridge). Was very very well organised (thanks event organising team people)!!!

Was awesome taking part in this with me mates Jill "Wobbly Starter", Simon "The Machine", Lauren "luscious in Lycra" and Katy "Thunder Thighs" (and about 38,000 other bods on bikes)

Here we are in central Lon'on (nice photos Jillos!)

Oh my days... Mosey on over to Diabetes Mine and have a looksie at this post: NEWS FLASH: SF Design Firm Unveils the Diabetes "Charmr" in a nutshell, it's a design proposal for a funky little gadget that will make my (and 10% of diabetics world-wide (the approx. number of Type 1 diabetics)) life a lot easier. It does integrated monitoring and allows you to have much tighter control of blood sugars and insulin dosages.

If you submit to the cliché that a picture is indeed worth a thousand words (or are just lazy, like me) have a look at the proposal on YouTube:

Meet the Charmr. Watch the YouTube video below.

Bring it on!!!

BEAUTIFUL lyrics from Casting Crowns...

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

No, I'm not talking about the "comfort" of my fabulous new arm-chair

Been looking at verses about God's comfort... Have been really encouraged. I have a whole list of them, but this one struck me today in particular...

"My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life."
Ps 119:50

So, last week I found a really comfy, good quality and cheap slouchy arm chair on e-bay. I put in a bid, and left it at that. Well, turns out I won the bid.

Before I launch into my thrilling  'not quite picked-up pick-up' story, I first need to explain WHY I wanted a slouchy couch, because I so understand that you're just DYING to know

I LOVE slouchy arm-chairs. They are brilliant... They allow you to snuggle up with a good book, or snooze, or day-dream or think. They're great for when friends come over and you're having a cry or laugh about something. I believe they are the reason the 10 second rule (law in some homes) was invented (which allows you 10 seconds grace to return to your seat upon vacating it before it's open season for other people). Prior to which there was mob-like violence when chair poaching occurred (especially when said chair was particularly comfy!!). If you haven't heard about this rule, then clearly you've been doing your posterior a disservice in terms of the seating you've exposed it to!!

Basically, I drove all the way across London with Tammy (my housemate after fetching her from work) to fetch the chair. We arrived (not quite Thelma and Louise style, but pretty darn close) at the pick-up point at about 9pm last night.

We (when I say we, I mean the guy selling it and his son) spent an hour trying to get it INTO my car (hmmm... it appears I might have been grossly over-optimistic about the size of my car in relation to the arm-chair - tee hee, SHURRUP boys, I know what you're thinking! don't say it... 'girls').

We (again, the guy and his son) even started unscrewing bits and pieces inside the car (in the boot) to make room and STILL couldn’t get it in!

Oh we laughed so much. I felt like SUCH a girl!!! We were both shattered this morning when we had to get up for work after getting home rather late. But we’re still giggling. In our defence (OK this is a rather pathetic defence) I did buy the arm-chair from flat living Brits who were terribly proper and polite and convinced for quite some time that we COULD get it into the car. I'm fairly sure that if I’d bought it from South African boys they would have seen in the first 10 minutes it wouldn’t fit and given me some chiding advice! so funny…

SO, I’ve hired a small van and will be driving through with Tammy tomorrow to get it. I am SO shipping that thing home if/when I leave the UK after this episode.

It's a great arm-chair, and I've decided to name it Mildred - Solid, supportive, comfy yet slightly resistant to change/moving. I think the name suites!

Today was a truly fantastic day...

Firstly, I went cycling for the first time since October. Good friends will know, I'm slightly mad about cycling and was getting quite into it at one stage. A couple of health issues over the past 6 months have meant that I haven't been able to get out there 'Tour de France' style. So it was amazing to be able to manage half an hour tonight, with relatively little pain.

Secondly, the car I bought this week arrived tonight - Basil is now safe and snug in our driveway.

Yeah hooray, blessed... 

I love writing, and used to write a lot more than I do now (yes, even poetry - but that was a lifetime ago).

Fans of "In Her Shoes" will be familiar with the poem Cameron Diaz reads during the wedding scene. I thought this poem was lovely and not just because it featured in a decidedly uber-girly chick flick  And here it is:

i carry your heart by E.E. Cummings

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate
(for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

It was my birthday yesterday and a very dear friend (I'm allowed to publish her work as long as I don't mention her by name) wrote me a FANTASTIC poem... Wow, scary how well she knows me! I am the quirkster (it's late, humour me!!)

And here it is:

There was this young woman with wild curly hair
Who could cycle, throw and ski with great flair
Roché was her name if I remember well
She said she was from Oz but no-one could tell

She was a bit strange, fun and quirky
Although her gym dealings were a bit murky
Apparently she joined up with a female partner,
Allegedly only to run, swim and walk faster!

Roché you're a fantastic person and this poem to you I bequeath
And no, there's nothing stuck in your teeth!

William Cowper's 'Light Shining out of Darkness' (from the Olney Hymns (1779)) is truly beautiful.

As I read it, and think about what he is saying, I find in my heart deep empathy, and understanding, and wonder. I am in awe and wonder of a sovereign God - a God I believe is perfect and holy and wonderful, no matter what we go through. It's in the fire of suffering, the darkness of crying in the early hours, the bleeding heart and sadness for what loved ones are going through that this truth is most apparent and most real - God is sovereign and amazing.

And here is the poem, that says it so much more eloquently than I can:

"God moves in a mysterious way,
     His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
     And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
     Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
     And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
     The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
     In blessings on your head.

Judge not the LORD by feeble sense,
     But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
     He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
     Unfolding ev'ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
     But sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
     And scan his work in vain;
GOD is his own interpreter,
     And he will make it plain."

WARNING - disjointed and rambling post... Lots on my mind at present!!

So, yes, I am a fabulous and lovely singleton (and modest too!! ).

Would I like to get married one day? Sure I would. But if I don't then hey, that is OK. Do I have days where I feel sorry for myself that I'm single? Sure I do. Do I have days where I am unbelievably grateful that I am single, you bet. 

I digress - For me, marriage is a life-time commitment. It's about till death do us part, and sharing your life with someone else, as you live to serve and worship and glorify the most important thing in the whole world, the most important thing in all of time and in all of history - Jesus Christ. Marriage is something God came up with. I'm not talking about tacky and cheap and heartbreaking Hollywood sagas, or painful infatuation that doesn't last beyond that butterflies in the stomach feeling. I'm not talking about chick flick happily ever afters. I'm not talking about some shallow and unrealistic 'you complete me' type scenario, or about looking for a fix it for your hang-ups in someone else. I'm talking about a committed relationship - where you choose to make vows and to stick it through in sickness and in health, in the good times and the bad times, in the times when you're irritated by habits and in the times when you're puppy dog eyed in love.

At the end of the day, whether blessed to be married or blessed to be single it has to be about God - loving Him heart and soul, glorifying His name. That's what I want. That's what I want to want, and it's one of my biggest prayers - that I would want to want God and His glory, first and above all other things. I'm so self-involved! I don't want to get side-tracked. 

Why am I ranting? I've reached that age, late 20's where I chat to many girls who are wondering why they are single, struggling to come to terms with it. We're so influenced and conditioned by media and society. It breaks my heart to see so many of us chickie-birds struggling with this! Chatting quite a bit about this hot topic with one of my best buddies.

Check-list if I ever do end up with a boy:

1. MUST be a man after God's own heart (madly committed to God and delighting in him, wanting His will first)
2. MUST be real - not arrogant, or super-spiritual or acting like he knows it all. Humble and so grateful to God - that is a VERY attractive quality. Able to admit when he's wrong, and gentle and loving enough to tell me when I'm wrong.
3. MUST be respectful and gentle - something my mom told me long ago, respect is a very important, if highly underrated quality. Respect people and if you do end up getting married make sure you are committed to respecting him, and that he is committed to respecting you.
4. PATIENT - I am ditzy! so patience would be lovely.
5. HUMOUR - able to laugh at himself and at me.
6. QUIRKY - must have his own personality, however quirky that may be.

That's about it at present. It's late and it's time to hit club duvet!!! Wow - talk about gut spilling sagas...

Ran into one of my housemate's this morning (Tim-Tam), shortly after getting up.. She very excitedly told me to look out the window... I was cold and still half asleep so I pointed at the window. She's VERY perceptive and understood what I was getting at  - I'm not very vocal before my first cup of coffee... Not one to easily take offence, she ignored the tone of my "open the darn window for me NOW" and very graciously opened the window. I was then greeted by the gorgeous view down into our snow covered backyard.

WOW - it snowed last night, about 3 inches in total and at that time of the morning, it was all lovely and untouched. So eventually all the housemates (4 of us, plus lovely Dalene who is staying with us at present - and it was her first time seeing snow!!) gathered at the window to look outside.

OK OK, I know what you Brits and people who are used to snow are doing right now - you're rolling your eyes aren't you?? But come on!!! us Southern Hemisphere bunnies are used to the sun (that's the big yellow thing up in the sky now and then) and tans (that's what happens when your skin isn't fluorescent white. This colour change is as a result of spending time outside in the sun).

So I took my camera outside and took about a trillion photos (OK OK, SLIGHT exaggeration).

Hmmm - funnily enough though, out of the 5 of us, it was the Welsh lass (the rest of us are saffers) who was the most excited! and I suspect she's probably seen more snow than the rest of us put together...

What a lovely surprise this morning - especially as it's only 2 days before I head off for a 4 day weekend in Austria (skiing with a group of fabulous friends).

So will prolly only blog again upon my return. Till then, don't miss me too much, I will be back!

- Roché "the hills are alive" Naudé

Gee, how original are my post titles!

So, that book I blogged about Friday a week ago (Friday encouragement) - the one about suffering and encouragement, well I finished it on the train this morning and here's another pearler of a quote out of it.

“For devotion to stand the test of time and endure through every season of the soul, it cannot be based on the ever-changing circumstances of our lives - it must have its foundation on the never-changing worth of God” Matt & Beth Redman “Blessed be your name” – Worshipping God on the road marked with suffering.

WOW.... 'Nough said!!!

So encouraged when I started reading a book on the train today (lent to me by a friend last night - thank you Elen, you are a star and so very thoughtful!)

“God remains as faithful as the day He created you in love, and as powerful as the day He spoke the world into being” Matt & Beth Redman “Blessed be your name” – Worshipping God on the road marked with suffering.

No matter what happens, the above remains true - even when everything around you, and everything you see, seems to contradict it.

So, if you've ever had the pleasure *cough* of travelling on London public transport during rush hour, you'll be familiar with the sardine-can effect (actually sardine-can is at times a euphemism!). I had quite a chuckle this morning...

I got onto my train and found a seat at the end of a row, a couple of stops later a guy who appeared to be carrying some modern-day form of the plague (if the hocking/coughing was anything to go by) came and sat next to me. Very sweet guy, very polite - but man - I started having flashbacks to Dustin Hoffman in Outbreak. I tried to edge away from him as subtly as possible (I've become a bit of a germ-o-phobe since being on immunosuppressants but that's a story for another day). I kept expecting him to cough up a lung or to start bleeding from the eyes.

About two stops later a petite woman who had, how shall I put it, a very generously proportioned derriere wedged herself into the space between my seat and the seat on the opposite aisle. She was standing, which meant that said derriere was smack bang at shoulder height. Let's just say my shoulder got intimately acquainted with her... I was so grateful that it wasn't a guy!! 

Dilemma time - do I move closer to plague boy or snuggle up to Miss Booty? Well, the decision was pretty much made for me when I barely dodged Miss Booty's battering-ram elbow as she turned over the page of her newspaper. I snuggled up to cough-a-lot. Had a really good giggle afterwards...

This year at church in our mid-week Knowing God small groups we are studying the gospel of John. As a Christian, God's word - and what it shows about God, and Jesus Christ just absolutely blows my mind. God is amazing - and his love and mercy are simply incomprehensible. The gospel of John shows us SO much about Jesus.

As I've again been thinking more about what it took for Jesus to humble himself, come to earth as one of us and die for us I was reminded about a sermon I heard last year. I did some digging and found it again.

The sermon was given a number of years ago by Dr. S.M. Lockridge. It really meant so much to me when I first heard it. Lockridge goes through a whole list describing God. You can listen to the original here. Or read it below:

The Bible says my King is a seven-way king....He's the King of the Jews; that's a racial king....He's the King of Israel; that's a national King....He's the King of Righteousness....He's the King of the Ages.....He's the King of Heaven....He's the King of Glory....He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King. Well....I wonder, do you know Him?.... David said, The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He's enduringly strong....He's entirely sincere....He's eternally steadfast....He's immortally graceful....He's imperially powerful....He's impartially merciful....... Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son....He's a sinner's Saviour....He's the centrepiece of civilization....He stands in the solitude of Himself....He's august....He's unique....He's unparalleled....He's unprecedented....He's the loftiest idea in literature....He's the highest personality in philosophy....He's the supreme problem in higher criticism....He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology....He's the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion....He's the miracle of the age.... He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him....He's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour...... I wonder if you know Him today?

He supplies strength for the weak....He's available for the tempted and the tried....He sympathises and He saves....He strengthens and sustains....He guards and He guides....He heals the sick....He cleanses lepers....He forgives sinners....He discharges debtors....He delivers captives....He defends the feeble....He blesses the young....He serves the unfortunate....He regards the aged....He rewards the diligent....and He beautifies the meek....... I wonder if you know Him?

Well, my King....is the King....He's the key to knowledge....He's the wellspring to wisdom....He's the doorway of deliverance....He's the pathway of peace....He's the roadway of righteousness ....He's the highway of holiness....He's the gateway of glory....... Do you know Him?

Well....His office is manifold....His promise is sure....His light is matchless....His goodness is limitless....His mercy is everlasting....His love never changes....His word is enough....His grace is sufficient....His reign is righteous....and His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable....He's incomprehensible....He's invincible....He's irresistible.

Well, you can't get Him out of your mind....You can't get Him off of your hand....You can't out live Him, and you can't live without Him....The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him....Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him....The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree....Herod couldn't kill Him....Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. Yea!!!, that's my King, that's my King.

Father..."Thine is the Kingdom....and the Power....and the Glory....Forever"....and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever...and ever...and when you get through with all the forevers, then.... AMEN!....AMEN!

OK, I had to laugh BIG time last night... Was having coffee with one of my dearest friends at Starbucks, when two guys we know came along for a quick chat. Note - I'm not going to mention names here, identity protection and all that and in case the parties involved read this blog

Was good to see them, as haven't seen them in a while. Now - I've lost a bit of weight over the past four months or so (HA HA - TAKE THAT Heathrow injection!) and one or two people have commented that I'm looking good (I think in part it's also coz I'm feeling healthier, and exercise agrees with me!!) See it's all about ME, how modest am I??? 

SO anyhooo - last night one of the two lads, let's call him 'BOB' says something along the lines of 'Gee Roché, you've lost so much weight, you're looking great' Now.. me being me.. BLUSHED big time (something I'm really good at, a pity I can't earn money doing that as it comes so naturally) and said 'thank you! you've made my day'... Now, Bob if you're reading this, take note of the following very carefully...

It would have been fantastic if Bob had stopped there, but he followed up his compliment with 'yeah, you were a porker, but now you're looking great'. Can you spot the word that is problematic here? I had to stop myself from chuckling - and I said 'Oh, so I was a porker was I?'  Bob, didn't pick up on the subtle nuances of the tone I used when posing that question, but latched on with great enthusiasm and said something like 'yeah your were, but now you're looking great' . I think I did laugh then, and then I said 'so, what happens if I pile on the weight again over winter??'  to which Bob responded 'Just see that you don't'.

Bless... Bob - I appreciate the compliment, and realise you meant it well, but here's a little unsolicited advice, you might want to have a leeetle think about what followed it. I laughed last night, but this morning, being a chick and all, I'm thinking - hmmmm... not so sure about the porker comment? Is that all that counts? I know it's not... Just some food for thought (no pun intended).

oink

I've been mulling over part of an article I read today that really struck me. The author Decca Aitkenhead devoted a couple of paragraphs to talking about boasting, and how annoying it is. The line that struck me was this: "...everyone knowing that a boast is self-doubt in disguise". Have a think about that. I've spent a little bit of time thinking about what comes out of my mouth, and how much of my conversation is focused on "my accomplishments/see I'm better than you" type statements.

I agree - self-centred boasting is primarily done when there's insecurity. After all, if I'm good at something, do I really need to prove it by boasting about it? (Don't confuse boasting here, with being honest about your strengths).

As a Christian, I've been looking at some of what God's word says about boasting and motivation behind what we do/say. So easy to let self-interest rule our lives!! Challenging me BIG TIME today (NIV links below)..

1. Ephesians 2:8-10
2. Galatians 6:13-15
3. James 3:5

I went to the physio today for the first time in my life (or my 'virgin' time as my friend Ca would put it, yes, sadly it took me about 8 seconds to twig the first time she said that)... Basically, the pain in my left knee and right leg  just sort of reached agonising level... I've been popping a lot of pain pills recently (and I HATE doing that...). I think I've caused the Nurofen share-price to sky-rocket.

Prepare yourself for a poor Roché/dry your eyes Roché type saga (NOTE: if you're a loving kind person, you'll opt for my first description, if selfish and unfeeling, the latter! )

I woke up this morning very VERY sore - and hobbled my way over to the physio. APPARENTLY, I'm NOT supergirl! and DO need to stretch before I exercise and after! I'm still trying to recover from finding out I'm not invincible.. I'd arrogantly assumed that 'thinking about stretching' was equivalent to ACTUALLY stretching (laziness - not good!).

Turns out I have ITB in my left leg (hmmm.... thought that was predominantly a running injury??) and right leg is suffering from soft tissue damage (and hamstring tightening, and then some medical terms that flew STRAIGHT over the top of my currently blonde head).

The good news - it's not irreparable, the gutting news - 6 week recovery estimate (no cycling ).... AAAI - but I am so relieved to know what is going on... He'll be reintroducing exercise/stretching etc. as the weeks go by (and yes, I got a talking to about not stretching in the past! you can rest assured, I will most definitely start doing it!). Had ultrasound and something else today (that I can't pronounce, but it made my entire leg spasm cramp like - how physios manage not to burst into hysterical laughter with some of the things they see, I do not know). I'm loose for the first time in a while, but the pain, she continues.

Man I LOVE TO MOAN, well done if you've gotten this far (through my woe is me, pity party), SUCKER!!! NO DOUBT - I'll talk about my journey with the physio often so as not to disappoint you, my waiting-with-baited breath audience...

Last night I went to the West End with 6 girlfriends...

We had dinner at the theatrical operatically middle-eastern bling decorated Turkish Sarastro restaurant. Was great to try out a new place. The table-cloth and napkins were made of crushed velvet (slippery little devils), and we sat under a balcony section (with padded roof). We also had a mute waiter - who did a lot of smiling and 'I don't know' type shrugging - I'd like to think he was simply befuddled and struck dumb by our beauty (BUT I suspect that he doesn't actually speak much English and with 7 chicks nattering at once, even the most well versed English Lit professor would have trouble)...  I really enjoyed it, food was good, and the company even better!

We then rushed off to watch Footloose. It was BRILLIANT.. Great music and really well acted. It was a tad raunchy and let's just say, am glad I was there with a bunch of gals. I am now well keen on watching the movie.

We realised the audience was about 2/3 girls when during "I need a hero" the crowd's enthusiasm became monster HUGE (especially when James Bond, a fireman, a marine, a sailor and lifeguard popped up on stage). It was 'Village People' but without the campness - laughed myself silly...

Afterwards we walked in the drizzle back to Waterloo and caught a train... Spent about 15 minutes giggling like silly school girls... No, don't ask - it was funny enough to have 3 of us in tears... Let's just say that a pie can be a messy thing to eat...