What a Week ...

Sorry I've been away for a bit ... Last Thursday night I went to a classmate's 21st birthday party in Sheffield, and when it was time for us to go clubbing, I started feeling unwell, so I tried to drive myself home to Chesterfield, got worse, and ended up going straight to A&E (Accident and Emergency, or the emergency room). Turns out my gall bladder not only flared up, but it was really badly infected from all the gall stones in it, so I was in hospital until Wednesday. They gave me lots of nice morphine, but they didn't take my gall bladder out, firstly because it was too infected to operate, and secondly because there is a waiting list for people who want that kind of operation, so I have to wait a few months for that. Gotta love the NHS. You don't have to pay for treatment, but you have to wait ages for anything to be done. If I had private insurance or any money, I could be recovering from surgery right now.

It was a bit scary at first because of not having my family close by (or even in this country), but I didn't have to go through it alone. My ex-husband and his wife not only went with me to A&E, they visited, brought me things I needed, brought the kids to see me, and took care of all four of my kids, even the two who aren't my ex's! I was really touched by that, more than they know. I don't think I could have made it without them.

My friends from uni were brilliant as well. I had messages from most of my close friends, and Laura (the girl who had the 21st birthday party) said if I stayed in much longer she'd not only come see me, but she threatened to bring me grapes! But best of all, Rich kept me half-sane by keeping in touch every day and coming to see me during visiting hours. He even brought me a box of chocolates, even if he did nick one of the two Fudges in the box -- turns out they're his favourite as well as mine. His mum even said she'd give me a lift when I was discharged if I had no other way home (which made me feel really good since I always miss my mum and love knowing someone else has one as thoughtful as my own), but the ex picked me up, risking a parking ticket in the process! Since I was discharged, Rich has been a sort of minder, making sure I don't over-do it and checking on me regularly. Shame no one was acting as a minder for him last night since he has a nice hangover today! It's self-inflicted so I have no pity for him. Well, maybe a bit. I'd rather have a hangover than abdominal pain.

While I was in hospital, I received an official divorce petition, so Simon has started the ball rolling on that. I laughed my head off at the grounds for divorce because there's very little in it that's true -- though the bit about me taking care of my own children is right, and he did get the degree I'm studying for right as well -- but if it makes him happy to believe what it says, I'm not going to argue. I did realise that when it said I formed an "association" with a male classmate when I was in Brussels, it was right to a degree. It's called friendship, and I'm glad of it. It's turning out to be one of the best friendships of my life so I will never regret it.

Today Rich took me (I have no car at the moment and probably shouldn't be driving anyway) to see my new solicitor, and I think I found a good one. She's nice and friendly and seems to know what she's doing. Of course since he's planning on becoming a solicitor after we finish uni, Rich was interested in what's going on with my divorce, and he did take his opportunity to discuss the LPC and training contracts with my new solicitor. The cheeky git. Still, knowing him as I do, I fully expected him to do just that. It's one reason why I took him with me. Might as well get as much info and make contacts while he can.

I've lost some more weight, as is to be expected. For the first time in recent history, I'm below 10 stone. When I weighed this morning, I came in at 9 stone 12 pounds!

Hey, thanks to everyone who took the quiz! It's funny how people who have known me the longest scored lower than that those I've become friends with more recently! Still, with some of the questions, I'm sure that's to be expected. I would like to know who "Secret Admirer" is though ... He/she got 100% correct!

Take Melinda's Quiz!

Take My Quiz - on - QuizYourFriends.com!

More Weight Loss

With all the stress of the past month, I've lost more weight. In fact, when I left for Europe a month ago, I weighed 11 stone 4 pounds. Now I weigh 10 stone 2 pounds. Well, I did until I ate that pack of chocolate chip cookies last night!

Things To Look Forward To

Sometime things really get on top of me, like they've been doing lately. Every now and then I feel overwhelmed and end up in tears, though I'm glad to let that pressure out instead of bottling it up. It helps to try to think of things to look forward to to help me get through the harder times. So, in the not too distant future I have these:

1. Finishing university.
2. Kate's hen night.
3. Kate's wedding.
4. The British Grand Prix and meeting up with friends there, perhaps even camping.
5. Karting with Mark Webber and the Club.
6. Maybe having a real holiday, even if it means going somewhere on my own.
7. Moving into a new house as a permanent residence.
8. Walking the Kinder Plateau.
9. Trying to do something else on my list of lifetime goals.
10. Doing as many of the things as I can on my list of goals for 2006.

I need a date for Kate's wedding. Anyone know of a nice single bloke who likes going to weddings with puddled women?

My Sister the Comedian

I had an email from my sister Kim in which she commented that she's finding it hard to keep track of "all" my ex's. I replied asking if she can't count to three since that's all I have, and this was her response:

Of course I can count to three. For is it not written in the Book of Armaments, Chapter 4, Verses 16 to 20:

"Now did the Lord say, 'First thou pullest the Holy Pin. Then thou must count to three. Three shall be the number of the counting and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither shalt thou count two, excepting that thou then proceedeth to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the number of the counting, be reached, then lobbest thou the Holy Hand Grenade in the direction of thine foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.'"

I laughed so hard I had to post it!

Chill Out Sunday

The past couple of weeks I haven't had much of a record of getting to bed early. I've either been out late, sitting up drinking and chatting, unable to sleep because of stuff going on at the time, or just unable to settle in the new house. Last night I got myself off to bed early and managed to sleep late this morning.

Unfortunately, in between I had a bad gall stone attack. Yep, I'm getting myself back to the doctor this week to do some ass kicking.

So far today I've done pretty much nothing. I've sent some emails, made bacon sandwiches for the boys, and vegetated. My plans for the rest of the day involve Tesco, washing my hair, and meeting up with Gautier tonight to work on the next round of our moot.

Back to uni tomorrow, with a 9.00 lecture! Ouch!

Back Online

I thought that I would have serious withdrawal after being offline since Sunday night, but I think I've coped pretty well! They switched my phone line on today, and now I'm back! I've had to go with dial-up since my stay at this house is only temporary (even if that temporary turns out to be several months), but once I get a permanent property, I'll sign up for broadband again. Since I'm not downloading anything, I've been pretty surprised at my dial-up connection though. I was prepared for it to be a lot slower than it is.

Anyway, I'm obviously in my "new house" and settling in well. I've had quite a bit of time off uni this week to get things sorted out and try to get my head around all the changes. Needless to say, I've also spent a lot of time in the pub! Not one of my local pubs though because I feel a bit safer where I don't know anyone. Well, I didn't know anyone, but I seem to be making some friends there thanks to Rich! I'm hoping that they'll keep being just as friendly if I do go in there without him. Of course I probably will do just that.

Next week it's time to start getting other things sorted. I need to get in to see the doctor because I never did get an appointment through for the scan that is supposed to confirm my gall stones so I can go on the waiting list for the surgery. (I know, long run-on sentence but that's just how my brain is functioning right now!) Hopefully I can do that on Tuesday because it looks like there will be no classes due to industrial action. I know my criminal justice policy lecture is cancelled (thank heavens, that's two hours straight of yawning I'll get to miss out on!).

I've changed a couple of my 2006 goals (or did I mention that on here already?) because there's no reason why I need to get rid of the butt-ugly carpet and wallpaper in the living room of my old house now. I'm also not buying a caravan this year because I've got other things I need to get, like furniture! Rich and I started coming up with a new list of goals for me when we were enjoying a bottle of vodka Thursday night, but it's not one fit to post publicly on my blog! The things I can come out with under the influence of Smirnoff! I do know that I've promised that one day he can go to Texas with me, since he's never been to the US, and while we're there, I have to buy him a cowboy hat! Well, what are friends for?