Normal service will be resumed shortly...

Hi everyone.

If you're wondering what has happened to me in the last few weeks I've had a slight interruption to my normal routine (I know, what routine??....).  I was a guest of the good 'ole NHS for 3 days while they replaced the painful arthritic bone in my right knee with an 'Oxford' right medial unicompartmental knee replacement joint.  Just call me the bionic woman!

As you know I've mentioned my dodgy knees a few times on this blog but it was getting to the point where they were really beginning to slow me down.  Not something I'm too used. After 2 different specialists gave me the brush off, saying I was too young for any surgical intervention (how lovely to be too young for something!), I finally saw a Mr Simon West who specialises in knee and hip joints.  A very tall and charming man who I have to say was excellent.  As I said to him 'God has a lot of work for me over the next 25-30 years and these knees have to carry me around'.  To which he replied 'Well, we'd do something about them then hadn't we'.  (I do like a man of action........)

Op Weds, Up Thurs!
 Bit blurred - my daughter couldn't stop laughing...

Less than 12 weeks later I found myself lying in the operating theatre, having had a spinal block anaesthetic (yes, I was awake throughout the op - or should I say DIY considering the drilling and hammering!).  It's a really funny sensation when you suddenly see your leg in the air and have no idea how it got there!  The whole experience was incredible and every single member of the hospital staff, from the porters to my surgeon were superb.  Nothing was too much trouble and I was relaxed and calm throughout which I put down to a combination of prayer and professionalism.



If you're wondering what my 'jammies say it's 'Feisty but Fabulous' - didn't really expect sensible did you...? 



Me -2 sticks, 1 knee replacement, 4 days after op. 
My friend -1 crutch, 1 hip replacment, 4 weeks after his op



Anyway, it will be 3 weeks tomorrow since the op, I'm back living in my flat (and successfully negotiating the 46 stairs!) and experiencing less pain already.  The benefits are more than just the alleviation of the pain in my right knee.  Because I've been a good girl (I can do as I'm told sometimes....OK, occasionally......Oh OK - on very rare occasions) and listened to my physio, I'm really conscious of my posture so am walking correctly which has meant the pain in my left knee is so much better already. 

A very kind friend offered to have me at her house for the first couple of weeks as the stairs would have been a bit much straight away.  The photo on the right was taken on the first Sunday after my op on the Weds.  I'm amazed how much mobility I have so quickly and am so grateful to all my friends who have been praying for me.  As you can see I'm not the only one who has had replacment parts recently and I'm pleased to say Roy is making excellent progress as well. We'll soon be able to give the youngsters a real run for their money!

Anyway, I'll sign off for now but will be back soon. 

God bless as always

Jules xx

Cracking the technology!

Well, September seems to have come and gone before I could get to grips with the technology for uploading some videos.  But a very kind and patient friend of mine has persevered and hopefully you'll be able to view some of the things I've been up to recently.  I'll try and get at least 3 posts on in October to make up for it.

I mentioned in my last post I went dancing with my Mum and Dad so here's a little clip of them taking their customary Friday afternoon exercise.  I love dancing but have to confess ballroom isn't always the easiest to master but Dad did manage to steer me round the floor without us ending up in a heap.  My parents have always been an inspiration throughout my life and as you can see, they have no intention of stopping any time soon!

I was reminded this weekend of my day out in London for the Olympics as a group of us went to Wembley Stadium on Saturday
and walked up the Olympic Way.  Unfortunately due to being, what's the expression? - vertically challenged, I didn't really see much at all of the men's triathlon except the tops of cycling helmets as they whizzed past in one direction, then back again in the other.  But the atmosphere was amazing and I'm so glad I went....apart from it resulting on me taking part in The Audience! (and no, if you've been watching you haven't missed the episode I am in.  I think it should be screened sometime later this month)

Anyway, I shot some footage of the triathlon so here's a little reminder of the amazing atmosphere we've enjoyed in this country over the summer....

I'm down in Southampton for a few days with friends and I have to say the weather is certainly starting to feel rather wintry.  The sun was lovely earlier today but it's rather cold and wet now so I'm looking forward to curling up under the duvet this evening with a good book.

As you know I normally write this in the morning but I was keen to see if I had indeed managed to upload the video footage and so far so good.  I'm going to close now and get this posted - then we'll see if it really works!

I hope tomorrow you're able to enjoy at least a little sunshine along with the rain and like me tonight you will have somewhere warm and cosy to sleep. 

God bless
Jules xx

Quick post in before end of the month....

I've been enjoying a week of R & R with my Mum and Dad in Norfolk so this is a quick hello before we're into month 9 of 2012 (where has the first 3/4 of the year gone?).  I'm hoping we've still got a few more weeks of sunshine before it's time to start donning the wellies and jumpers. 

In my last post I referred to a project I recently got involved in.  If you check out the link below you'll get a little more of an idea.  Still can't say any more but stick with it and it should become self explanatory.........

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-audience

    It's been great spending some time with Mum and Dad this week, especially as they have such an active social life.  It started with going out to dinner Saturday night, church Sunday morning, shopping and lunch in the city Tuesday. I played some duets with my Dad at the Good companions club on Thursday, and then ballroom dancing this afternoon!  I need to go home for a rest - not sure how long I can keep up with them.

I've got some nice piccies and if I can crack the technology I'll be able to show you their prowess on the dance floor in my next post.  

As I said this is a quick hello. I hope everyone has been getting their fair share of the sunshine and not experienced too much of the wet and windy weather.

God bless and be back soon
Luv Jules x

The amazing adventure continues!!......

Hi everyone

I am having such an amazing time at the moment and once again have struggled to find time to write this blog.  Some time in the future I might get a bit more time to write but at the moment I'm too busy just living life to the full!

Taking a break recently...

I'm supposed to be doing some financial 'churchy' stuff at the moment but as I need to be in the right mood (can be a bit boring) and I've been discussing what needs to be done with one of my team all morning I thought I'd give myself a break. Unfortunately I'm not in the park today or I might get my chair out again.

This is a quick whirlwind tour of what's been happening since I left the NHS.  So, sorry if it's in bullet point form but there's so much I'll be here all week if I go into too much detail.


Firstly 3 questions:

1 - Did I make the right decision in giving up a full time paid job and the chance of securing (relatively easily) a position in the new structure? 

Answer - absolutely 

2 - Have I done the right thing in putting my trust in Jesus to walk side by side with me and be my running partner as the pace picks up (see my Olympic link there??? - not original I have to confess but I'm sure Tim won't mind)

Again - absolutely

3 - Is He showing me in so many ways He knows I have to put bread on the table and pay my bills and is making provision in so many amazing ways?

Oh yes - so many stories even in just 2 months I could share (if anyone wants to know more specifics feel free to email me - happy to share).  Stories on the next bit.....

Messing about on the river........

Evening everyone – unusually I’m writing this blog post in the evening.  I'm determined to get 2 posts on for July so not under the duvet (I'll fall asleep) but propped up on the sofa.

I spent yesterday and this morning in my office at home so decided earlier today to take my laptop and head off into the countryside near me to write whilst soaking up some sun (yes, I know we’ve had grey skies and rain again but the sun did make some brief appearances today and it’s been quite warm which as I’m sure you’ll agree constitutes a ‘good British summer’).

I enjoy exploring the B roads locally and finding little villages I’ve only seen on the map and discovering beautiful countryside. My other great love is water - any water. Rivers, the sea, waterfalls, lakes – I just love the sound and soothing effect water has on me. So I was delighted to spot, as I drove between villages I’d not visited before, some fishermen (or more precisely those large fishing umbrella’s under which they sit patiently waiting for the fish to bite). So I pulled into the car park and wandered along the bank of a lovely lake chatting to a couple of the devotees of the rod ‘n’ reel.

As I said my intention was to sit with my laptop and write. I got chatting to Tim, who was in his usual Tuesday afternoon fishing spot and was invited to sit and keep him company. I collected my folding chair from the boot, along with my laptop and a snack and settled down on the bank. Then I discovered my laptop wasn’t charged and I hadn’t remembered to put the lead in the case so couldn’t even go to a local coffee shop, plug in and write there! So – lesson learnt. If I intend writing in the open air, make sure I’ve charged my laptop!

Tim and I got into conversation and it transpired he’s a very experienced IT consultant, with a generous spirit as he offered any help I might need in building my website (more on that in a later post). I have a feeling I might be making a few more trips to the fishing lake...............and so the story continues....

On location.......

Morning everyone from not so sunny Southampton. 

Since my last day at the NHS my feet as the saying goes haven't touched the ground.  So for any of you who have been enviously thinking of me laying in bed in the mornings, agonising over who to meet for coffee or lunch and then deciding which film to watch in the afternoons let me assure you I'm working as hard ( if not harder) than ever.  And I'm loving it................

My first day, and I mean literally my first day being the Saturday saw me up at 06:00 as we had the Watoto Children's choir from Africa come to Bedford and perform in Harpur square at lunchtime then give the most amazing concert in the evening at Bromham Baptist Church.  My job (very ably assisted by a friend of mine called Oscar) was to prepare a meal for them and the helpers which was an absolute delight.  Especially when my friend and I presented 'Jelly on a plate' for dessert accompanied by an enthusiastic (if not necessarily tuneful) rendition of the old nursery rhyme 'Jelly on a plate, jelly on a plate, wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble, jelly on a plate!'   Despite the laughter the children (and adults) seemed to enjoy such a simple dessert dished up with lots of ice cream and fruit.

We were then repaid a thousand fold when the children gathered to say thanks and sing a blessing to all of us who had prepared their supper. I think I speak for all when I say there wasn't a dry eye in the place, and that included the guys.  This was followed by a massive round of hugs, smiles and thank you's making it one of the most memorable catering gigs I've ever done.

The choir is coming to the end of their 6 month tour for this year but have a look at their website to see what amazing work is being done with these beautiful children who's lives have been turned upside down by war, disease, abuse and many other traumas we pray our children never have to experience. www.watoto.com

So, then a lovely Sunday with the family before getting stuck in to trying (pretty much in vain) to get my office at home organised and wade through all the outstanding paperwork, get the car MOT'd (failed but only a tyre needed so really grateful for that) then down to Southampton on Thursday morning.

You'll see in the right hand column the link to the Anne House website and for those of you who have been reading my blog for a while know from my Easter 2011 posts what an amazing exhibition of Prophetic Christian art this is.

When I emailed Anne to say the answer to my prayers about work was 'resign' and told her the date I finished I got 'Great - exhibition going out to Fareham, Hampshire 29 June -can you come?'  So, here I am at the start of what we believe is an exciting time for both of us with Anne painting again and me being able to devote significant time to following up on enquiries for the exhibition, other projects involving the art and generally supporting Anne in this powerful ministry. 




A few of the paintings from New Generation  - creation section



 

Crown of Thorns and other depictions
of the new life we can all have

 (more piccies in the next bit)

Last day at the office.......

Hi everyone

Having made a momentous decision to resign I can't believe the month is already up!  So many things have been happening and I've had lots of confirmation I am doing the right thing. I'm really excited now about the future and where God is going to lead me.

I wanted to just get a quick post on today of all days as I'm trusting it is heralding the most amazing new phase in my life.

I'm also very mindful of my colleagues, many of whom face a very uncertain future in the NHS.  Most of the people I work closely with are 'at risk' which means they are having to go through the awful process of applying either for their own jobs or in many cases new posts as theirs has been deemed unnecessary in the new structures which have been introduced.

I've never used this blog as a political platform and don't intend to start now but for anyone who is facing such an uncertain future I wanted to send my thoughts, best wishes and prayers to you all. 

My hope is now I will be in a position to write more often, actually make a proper start on my novel as well as get involved in many other projects.

Have a great weekend.

God bless
Jules xx