Some of My Favourites.

Jerry Lee Lewis is one of the founding fathers of Rock 'n' Roll. He was one of the original Sun Records quartet along with Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash who between them defined the moment.

Am very thoughtful and quite dreamy now which is pleasant especially as I woke up crying today.

Do not know why, just woke up with an extremely wet face, had some thc and dried my face and did my arm exercises.

Which was really funny as had just said to myself no arm exercises today, and the next minute I am doing them intently.

After the arm exercises Richie did the leg exercises and massage and I took the baclofn tablets and some more thc and I was set to read the papers and my emails and blogs.

Had mailed Sita, she is also from Trinidad and she sent me a link to a clip she had posted on her blog and which I found right away on Youtube and posted on my blog.

The pictures on todays post are very influenced by thoughts of Saturday at home in Trinidad.

All ready to carry on enjoying Saturday in Amsterdam.

Hope everyone is having a good day wherever they are.

By David Rudder & Carl Jacobs

Trini to de bone

[intro]
Islands in the sun
Islands in the fun

[verse 1]
Welcome, welcome one and all to de land of fete
Trini to bone, Trini to de bone
When it come to bacchanal, well they can't beat we yet
Trini to bone, Trini to de bone
Look, sweet women parade abundantly
De bredren dey full ah energy
Some people say God is a Trini
Paradise and all convincing me
God gave us a spirit fiery
But nut’in in de world don’t bother we
But look a smart man gone wid we money
We still come out and mash up de party

[chorus]
(Sweet sweet T and T) Oh how I love up dis country
(Sweet sweet T and T) No place in dis world I'd rather be
(Sweet sweet T and T) Oh how I love up meh country
(Sweet sweet T and T) All dis sugar can't be good for me

[sub-chorus]
(Oh oh) From Toco to Caroni
(Oh oh) Maraval to Sans Souci
(Oh oh) From Scarborough to Buccoo Reef
(Oh oh) Profiling on Fredrick Street

[chorus]

[verse 2]All these years I spent abroad in de cold, longing to be home
Trini to bone, Trini to de bone
God I pray that some sweet day, I will no longer have to roam
Trini to bone, Trini to de bone
De problems we have are plain to see
We prove we could stand de scrutiny
All and all, a true democracy
How we vote, is not how we party
There's no place like home some people say
Though some have to leave to make their way
But in their hearts I know their destiny
To come home and big up they country

[chorus]

[sub-chorus]
(Oh oh) From Couva to Signal Hill
Oh oh) Arima to Charlotteville
(Oh oh) Matelot down to Port-of-Spain
(Oh oh) We playin' mas sun or rain

[chorus

bridge]
(rudder chant)
Look ah Trini gyal dey, she breaking away
Tobago gyal, oh what a bacchanal
De men gone wild, de wickedest style
De gyal look back, dey on de attack
De style just change, man re-arrange
De fete gone clear, cause nothing can compare to a Trini rising
Oh no no, nothing can compare to a Trini rising

[verse 3]
As crazy as we might seem to be
We still fight to be a family
Indian, African or a Chinee
Syrian, French-Creole and Portuguese
We vex with a spirit fiery
Some people say God is a Trini
Sweet women parade abundantly
Now de problem is plain to see

[chorus]

[sub-chorus]
(Oh oh) West mooring to Los Iros
(Oh oh) From Sando to Mayaro
(Oh oh) From Penal to Grand Riviére
(Oh oh) Sweetness in abundance everywhere

[chorus]

[end]
No no no no
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Sweet T and T.

The opening track on the LP Jonathan Goes Country. A choppy album but worth getting for some great original tunes.

Roadrunner by Jonathan Richman

Recorded at Joey Ramone's Birthday Party at NYC's Coney Island High in May,1998. A rare live performance of Roadrunner by Jonathan Richman and original Modern Lovers bassist, Ernie Brooks.
Recorded at Joey Ramone's Birthday Party at NYC's Coney Island High in May,1998.

He was not a member of the Ramones,he was an inspiration to The Ramones.

He put together the band The Modern Lovers in 1970.

For more information about Jonathon Richman:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Richman

Was woken up at 7.15 by a group of workmen who were having very loud discussions outside the bedrooms of our building.

When Richie got up to close the window to shut out the noise I asked for some thc and once I had breathed it in I fell asleep again.

Wonderfully the pains I normally feel as soon as I awake did not happen then otherwise it might not have worked.

Slept until 10 am feeling better than yesterday, think that yesterday morning I was feeling so bad cos I could not have a poo the day before.

So the extra pain was due to an urgent need to go to the toilet, now I know this will insist on going earlier to the toilet.

Well whatever feel quite bright and cheerful today and am enjoying the sunshine.

Hope everyone is enjoying a good day today.

Feel better in some ways than yesterday, although have discovered there are some pains that are not temporary but there all day and evening and in the night.

Luckily I can sleep through this which is great but finding it practically impossible to fall asleep once I wake up.

This morning it was the pain in my neck and just above, not the worse one that I have but bloody annoying as there is nothing you can do to relieve the pressure that is undoubtedly causing the discomfort.

The new pain is in my arms feels like something is wrapped tightly around the arm just by the armpit, its not very pleasant as it also feels like I am battling against a great force every time I lift my arms.

Yesterday was just telling Richie how nervous I was about the results from the lab and wanted to phone the Vets only for the phone to ring and it was the Vets.

We had good news about Spike, the little lump they removed was not malignant it was the result of a blocked pore.

It came as a great relief to both of us, think Spike and Marleen sensed that we were more relaxed and tried to milk it for as many dog biscuits as they could.

Instead of food they got an extra walk which is so much better than a biscuit, they have been getting two walks a day this weeka and are much happier dogs for it.

Happy dogs means a relaxed atmosphere and charming dogs who want to play.

My physio will be here shortly to put me through a gruelling 30 minutes of exercises.

Here she is now.

Have a good day.

Was in masses of pain this morning when I woke up, started crying and got very scared and worried.

After some THC could cope with the pain as the THC relaxes me vey well, this is good as it means I am relaxed enough to enjoy the day.

It also means the pain is not in total control of me, would find life so much more unbearable without the THC.

Still can’t believe THC is denied BR @ The Wheel of Fortuna.

http://spinfortunaswheel.blogspot.com/

This morning caught me out thinking about the prospect of saying goodbye to my love and best friend Richie.

Know this probably won’t happen for a quite while but just the idea of doing so makes me very sad.

As I write buckets of tears are flooding down my face which is unpleasant these days as tears irritate my skin.

Am very conscious that I have to keep control of my emotions, which is not easy to do, but can’t let myself get ruled by sorrow and fear.

Have to really keep on top of that otherwise I will be ruled purely by my emotions.

The tears keep flowing, in a way it is good as it does give me some relief, which is so important otherwise I will go mad.

Now I feel alot better for crying and writing my fears down.

Once they are expressed it all feels so much more manageable.

It means that I can enjoy the early evening now all those feelings are no longer bottled up inside me.

Attack on Teheran University.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8104466.stm

From Tara.

From Stephany.

From Kimberly.



I have been given three great awards by three wonderful women.

The Awards are;

* The Positive Attitude Award from Tara.@Living with Multiple Sclerosis on 12 June

http://livingdaytodaywithmultiplesclerosis.blogspot.com/

Please visit Tara; she is a wonderfully positive woman who is getting

on with her life despite and because of MS.

Her blog is about ‘ Living with Multiple Sclerosis is a daily battle. MS is the invisible disease or at least for most people. We fight many emotional and physical symptoms all the time. We need as much support as we can get. However due to the invisible symptoms we tend to not get a lot of support and that brings on more emotional stress which in return brings on more MS symptoms. A Vicious cycle.’

She also has a website called Welcome to Creative Custom Canes

http://www.creativecustomcanes.com/

Her favourite quote is

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein

A good quote to be inspired by.

On 13 June I received two more awards:
* The Compromiso Educativo Award from Stephany@:Soulful Sepulcher

http://bipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com/


Stephany describes herself as ‘ An open-minded free spirit. I am not a medical professional. I believe in the human spirit; that we all have untapped resources within ourselves to succeed beyond our dreams. I believe that one voice can and does make a difference.

Here is a quote that inspires her: '

‘I am on a journey. Take a walk with me. Life is short. So stand tall. "Always go too far, because that's where you'll find the truth.’~Camus

* And The Positive Attitude Award from Kimberly@Living my Life with MS.

http://myjourneywithms-kimberly.blogspot.com/


Kimberly’s blog is about her personal journey with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Her intention is to pass along the message of HOPE. She blogs with humor and sarcasm, sometimes anger, but always honest, often brutally so. She is simply trying to make lemonade out of the lemons life throws.

Please go by these three blogs they are all very well written and from the heart.

Thanks for the awards Tara, Stephany and Kimberly hope you have a good day today.

Here are the guidelines for this award:

Post it on your blog.
Nominate others with positive thinking/attitudes.
Post links to their sites and notify them.


The Positive Attitude Award should be passed on to 5 or more as you choose.
And The Compromiso Educativo Award to one or more.


I would like to pass The Compromiso Educativo Award

To Ana @ Just Ana
http://justana-justana.blogspot.com/


The Positive Attitude Award

To Ana@Hella Heaven
http://hellaheaven-ana.blogspot.com/

To Kimmy@I Hate MS
http://noshimmykimmy.blogspot.com/

To Odd Mum Out@ Odd Mum Out
http://oddmomout3.blogspot.com/

To Lover of Life@Life in the Second Half
http://lifeinthesecondhalf.blogspot.com/

To Lauren@Living With MS
http://lauren-livingwithms-aolcomlglbgl2003.blogspot.com/

To Blinders Off@Living With MS
http://living-with-ms.blogspot.com/

To MsMichel@Lovin’Life
http://msmichel.blogspot.com/

T o Cranky@Musings of a Cranky Caregiver
http://musingsofacrankycaregiver.blogspot.com/

To Stephen@One Life Living the Dream
http://wonlife.wordpress.com/

To Princess of Snooze@ Wobbly teetering blogging
http://multiplesclerosisprincess.blogspot.com/

To Random Thinker@ Why are all the good blog names taken?
http://whyareallthegoodblognamestaken.blogspot.com/

Flowers on friend's balcony in Edmonton, Canada.


Woke up and seemed to successfully drift off again only to be disturbed three times by small spasms before a big spasm totally woke me up.

Not the best way to wake up and this morning I really needed to sleep abit longer but there was no way after the feeling of getting a powerful kick in the lower back.

This happens all the time when my foot suddenly jerks and often kicks out as well.

This happened ages ago when I was sitting in the wheelchair and my foot spasmed and kicked out straight at poor Spike’s nose.

Poor dog, he did not trust sitting close to me for awhile especially as I did laugh when my foot kicked him in the nose, but could not help it as the expression on his face was so funny.

This morning tried my best to block out the pain that flooded back when I became conscious but could not do anything to change my situation.

Tried very hard to drift off to sleep again but each time my shoulders and arms would feel painful and as if they would not be able to move again.

Started to cry then, softly at first but could not control my crying and found that after a few attempts I could not stop.

Not my favourite way of waking up but can't be helped as that is the reality of my situation.

Someday it all feels worse than other days; yesterday was a particularly painful day made worse by my body constantly slumping to the left and my right side trying to keep my body upright.

Richie did adjust me frequently but each time within a few minutes I was slumped once again.

Not the best way to sit and type holding on to the table or the side of the bed to keep upright and be able to keep typing.

Today after Richie readjusted me and got my abdomen quite straight so now I am more upright and not slipping over which is brilliant.

When I can sit like this it makes my life a lot easier as then I do not have to call out for Richie to help me every few minutes.

Gareth came by with strawberries and chocolate on his way to the Schipol Airport for a couple of hours which was very nice indeed, really lovely having him visit.

What I do like about Gareth coming round is he is popping by and not coming to visit me in bed.

Poor Karin, my ex volunteer friend always sat by my bed like I was dying and she’s some sort of Good Samaritan.

Made us both feel dreadful.

Not like Gareth‘s visits which are always very relaxed and relaxing, he is boarding his Plane home about now.

Although we are both very sad to see him go we do already know that he will be back in September something to look forward to.

The sun made a brief appearance while Gareth was here but has gone away again; think we will be getting the rain they have been predicting for some time.

Makes sense as Wimbledon starts next week and there is nearly always rain for the tennis and Mid Summer’s Day.

Thanks to Richie and Gareth and my neighbour Willes and not forgetting the dogs I feel a lot brighter now than I did earlier today.

Tomato plant.

Pepper plant.

Pepper plant.

Potato plant.

Gareth came round again yesterday at 14.30 and stayed until 18.30 and as always with a particularly good visit from a good friend the time just flew by and he had to leave again.

Very pleasant talking with Gareth and enjoying the delicious strawberries he brought with him and the chocolate.

I was advised to have a strawberry with a piece of chocolate which was very nice indeed; it was dark chocolate with lemon.

Yummy!

Certainly could cope with alot of visits like that.

I am in lots of pain today there are not too many parts of my body that are not painful, think my face and neck and my arms from shoulder to elbow are not painful.

Everything else hurts like hell, the discomfort is increased by the hot muggy weather so feel hot, sticky and longing for a breeze.

Trying to not focus on my pain but it is difficult to do so keep spending to much energy on it and have to adjust my focus time and again and tell myself to think about other things.

This morning realised again how little movement I have, can only lift my head and my arms.

If I want to raise abit of my body I need the handle that hangs down over the bed then I can get my shoulders off the bed.

Tried to see if I could do this on my own without the aid and could not do anything but lift my head up.

It is really strange to find myself in this situation as it is something that I have read about.

Did not expect that I would be experiencing it myself, sadly, so now I know what it is like to be very handicapped and 100 % dependant on others.

And that is not easy at all, in fact it is bloody difficult and for all concerned, took me ages to get used to the idea of someone else washing and dressing me.

Still do not like it at all, the one good thing for me is that Richie does it all and he is so good that it is much less intrusive than the agency carers

Now that I have personal experience I know how one manages, you just do, you just get on with it and hope for the best of times even in this ghastly situation.

I have managed by being myself and staying that way too, think I used to worry that everything even that would change drastically and unrecognizably.

The changes to our lives have been immense; think we are still reeling from the speed and the intensity of the progression of the MS.

The biggest frustration is not being able to do anything to change what is happening, think that is part of our conditioning.

We tend to think that anything can be solved or cured or mended, so something like MS is a terrible shock to everyone coming into contact with someone with MS.

Guess that is why some people can’t bear to be in touch, it is not they suddenly don’t like me.

No it most likely is fear and the realisation that there is nothing they can do to change things, plus the fear of confronting something that is scary.

As if there was a risk of getting MS just by being near to someone with MS, as if proximity alone would be enough.

Have lost a few people that I thought were good friends, they have all not said anything just do not get in touch anymore.

My email address is most likely on the blocked list so there really is nothing that I can do to change this state of affairs.

It is very sad.

Think that it is best to put away all ideas of changing the situation either of the MS or the ex friends and focus on relaxing and enjoying the moment.

Bloody hard to do especially today