Brilliant to be able to post again.

its enjoyable finally being  back online thanks to the Lipstick mouse, what a wonderful invention from shannon electronics.

brilliant to be able to communicate again, nearly lost hope began to think i would never be able to use a computer ever again,

now my life has been given a huge boost thanks to richie getting me the lipstick and a new laptop.

have to learn how to use both,windows8 looks very different to vista.

hope to be able to post regularly soon.

Brilliant being online again.

Feels wonderful to be able to do this thanks to the LipStick invented by Shannon Electronics.
 http://www.shannonelectronics.nl/

this invention is life changing, i  sent a mail with positive feedback to the inventtor thanking him.

Brilliant to be able to do this again, but it is tiring learning something new,i am tired now but happy.

Thanks to all my dear blog friends for your ccomments, they made me very happy.

Hope to answer them next time,lots of love to  you all.

Really apppreciate your visiting my blog especially after nearly two years of silence.

When i lost all function in my hands it was no longer possible to use my laptop which was extremely upsetting, i had hoped that my little finger on my left hand would keep going for awhile longer.                          
More from me next time, i need thc and  a drink.                                          

Really moved.

It was so good seeing my blogs again yesterday, first time since March 2013, its so good to be back.

I was really moved to find comments from dear blog friends  which I had not expected to find.

Thanks for your lovely comments, I hope to be posting reguarly soon as I get the hang of this LipStick mouse invented by people from the Technical University in Delft.

It is not very difficullt but it is quite tiring moving the mouse with my lips I am quitee tired after doig this short post  so will stop now for today.                                                                          

Just to say hello.

Just to say hello and Herrad is learning how to use her lip mouse and hopes to be blogging again soon
Richie

Feeling positive despite limitations.

 

Roberto Matta

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

Two appointments I was dreading one yesterday and one today went very well which was a tremendous relief for Richie and I.

The appointment yesterday was with my case manager as well as my advisor, they both work for the councils mobility Department.

They are both very good women, who have to work within tight parameters nevertheless they do as much as they can for me who is admirable.

2 other people were also present and they were Percy from Welzorg and Ruud from a company called Summit, they make the custom-built wheelchair backrest.

We were both not looking forward to this meeting however as soon as Jacqueline my case manager arrived the appointment started positively.

She suggested we make a list of all the things we did not like about the wheelchair, and there were many points all of which were noted.

By the time everybody was here the list was completed, at first the four of them turned their attention on the wheelchair examining it thoroughly.

Finally Percy said that there was nothing that his company Welzorg can do to improve the wheelchair finally there were no more prevarications.

Right away Jacqueline decided that the only cause of action now was that I needed a new wheelchair.

This means a new supplier so I do not have to deal with Welzorg anymore about my wheelchair which was fantastic news this cheered me up tremendously.

On the 30^th of January I have an appointment at 1400 with Annelies my advisor and somebody from the new wheelchair supplier Beenhakker to discuss the new chair.

In the meantime Ruud from Summit will temporarily adjust the backrest on the wheelchair, as soon as it known which wheelchair I will get he will make a custom built backrest for the new wheelchair.

Richie and I are very pleased with how things went yesterday this really is progress and this time we will make sure the new wheelchair is a good one.

At 1200 today I have an appointment with the doctor from the rehabilitation clinic as well as Milou the wound nurse.

This was the appointment I was dreading the most as I knew that Janneke the Dr was going to cut some hard skin off around the edges of the wound.

In order to stop myself lying awake all night thinking about it I took a sleeping tablet which worked very well.

The procedure seemed to take forever luckily I don't feel a thing nevertheless I was relieved when it was all over as it's not my favourite activity.

Janneke was very positive about the wound saying it was looking good and nearly healed up which was good news.

Hopefully trimming off the hard edges will help the wound to finally heal; it would be great if that were to happen at the same time as I get my new wheelchair.

Despite my increasing limitations I'm feeling very positive about the future and I'm looking forward to being able to get about again.

Precious moments.

                  

Roberto Matta

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

After I had written Friday’s post I found a piece of artwork by Roberto Matta and tried to publish on my blog sadly everything froze which was frustrating.

Deciding there was no need to panic I closed up my laptop thinking that I would be able to put the blog post on my blog on Saturday afternoon.

As usual everything went differently on Saturday so I did not spend any time using my laptop that day nor on the Sunday, nevertheless I managed to relax and enjoy the weekend.

Slowly I am beginning to understand that there's not much I can do when things either go wrong or don't go according to plan, its better that I remain relaxed.

However it is not always easy for me to keep calm and be patient, that is not really me as I am very impatient person, despite that I have learnt how to deal with it.

The weekend despite not going according to how I wanted was extremely enjoyable, Richie and I laughed a lot and dogs were very happy too.

today I'm just enjoying the fact that I've been able to access my laptop, check my e-mails and write my blog, hopefully also my Dutch blog.

Richie took the dogs for a long run to the Amsterdam Woods, where I'm sure they are having a fine time, as I am being able to write this.

The other thing that I have learnt very clearly is that it is important to enjoy everything possible to make the most of every precious moment.

Friday, 11 January, 2013. The tipping point.

Roberto Matta
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta

Writing yesterday was very enjoyable it made me feel a lot better; it is so good to have an outlet for my thoughts as well as my feelings.

I was very touched that I received so many supportive comments from blog friends, it was really lovely to see them all, and I was very moved by them.

Thank you for visiting and leaving your comments I really appreciate it so very much, probably more than I can express in words.

While I'm writing this I got the television on without the sound, it is the Antiques Roadshow on BBC two, a programme I like watching a lot these days.

It’s been a relaxed day to day, my pain as being managed well using THC, which I inhale using a vaporiser which is better for the lungs then smoking.

At the moment Richie has taken the dogs for a charge around the Rembrandt Park as well as plenty of playing with sticks and each other.

When they get home Richie is going to make us a delicious dinner of toad in the hole with roast potatoes, roast parsnips, cabbage and gravy.

Which I'm looking forward to, it's just the weather for it too as it has got a lot colder today, temperatures plunging from 10° to 5° and 3° tonight.

I have a lot of things swirling around in my mind that I want to write about, and am planning to do just that in the next days.

One of them is the death of the young promising medical student as a result of the brutal rape on the bus; there is quite rightly a lot of anger in India and elsewhere in the world.

It seems that this is the tipping point for the position of women in India and worldwide, hopefully 2013 will be the year when women stop being second class citizens.

Today I am taking it easy and just enjoying getting back into writing my blog regularly, I'm going to stop now and publish my post and enjoy the evening with my Darling Richie is tipping point

Taking one day at a time.

 

Roberto Matta

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

Getting back into writing my blog every day is proving more difficult than I thought, especially when everything seemed to be going against me.

Last Thursday when I wrote my first post since I stopped blogging on the 11^th of December I was very happy until I tried to post it on my blog.

I had chosen a picture by Roberto Matta, however when I went place it on my blog everything froze and nothing would cooperate with me.

After a while I tried to publish my blog post without the artwork but that did not work, in the end I was so frustrated that I decided it was better to stop and try again another time.

However everything went differently to how I planned and I did not manage to get back to using my laptop until Monday this week.

Then I was surprised to see that my blog post despite all the problems had been published on my blog just without artwork and a title and labels.

After I added the missing artwork, title and labels I realised I would have to stop as my index finger was not cooperating with me.

So I reluctantly shut down the laptop and decided to relax which is not always as easy as it should be, but I did my best.

Luckily this week I've been able to do my arm and leg exercises Motomed without the discomfort I have been experiencing in previous weeks.

Because the curvature of my spine is progressing it means that the backrest on my wheelchair does not fit me well anymore and does not support me as it should.

The result in recent weeks has been the I am sitting leaning to the left which is not a pleasant way in which to do 45 minutes of exercises.

I was getting quite downhearted thinking in due course I would not be able to do these exercises which are vital for my well-being.

Luckily Richie has been able to sit me in a wheelchair in such a way that I am able to do the exercises on the Motomed without any discomfort.

Hopefully my joy will be made complete when I can successfully publish this blog post with artwork, title and labels tonight, then I will be happy.

Taking a break.

Roberto Matta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta 

When I decided to take a break from blogging on 11th of December I did not intend to stop for as long as I have, as it's now three weeks ago that I wrote a blog post.

On 11th of December there was a lot going on here, we had the unexpected visit from a good friend John, who we had not seen since 1993 apart from a brief visit in 1999.

It was quite incredible; it was very emotional but lovely to see him again after all these years, a very special visit from a special person who is a close friend of Richie’s.

When I decided to take a holiday from blogging I only meant to stop during John's visit which was from 8th of December until 16th of December.

On the day after John left I decided to extend my time off from blogging to enjoy the days before the winter solstice and then Christmas before writing again.

Apart from time off from blogging I wanted to see what life would be like without my laptop and my connection to the outside world via the Internet.

I discovered that I can live without my laptop and the Internet; however my conclusion is that I can live without but I'd rather not have to do so.

I still have so much that I would like to write about, during my time off there were days when I could feel that I was overflowing with ideas for my blog posts.

Last night I decided I would start blogging again from today; it's not easy as my left index finger which I rely on is not functioning well, and is becoming inactive.

I should have made more of an effort learning how to use the Seetech computer in August instead I chose to write using Dragon voice recognition.

So now I have a problem because I can not use the laptop like I used to and it is very frustrating to feel that my index finger won't work that is so frustrating.

There is nothing worse than sitting in front of my laptop unable to click on any items or to scroll down or to surf the net or do anything much.

The Seetech computer worries me, however I will not let fear rule me and I intend to learn how to use the Seetech computer so I can keep writing and communicating.

I have not only missed the writing I have also missed the communications with blog friends who have become important for me, I'm glad to be writing again today.

Join the conversation.

.Roberto Matta.

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

It is very good John is staying here with us, it is nice to hear Richie talking with him in the front room, that is when he is not in the here with me.

My physiotherapist Matilda was here this afternoon 1400 for my Monday physiotherapy session.

She left at 1430 and I've been trying ever since to get my post dictated to the voice recognition software which was not easy.

Mainly because either the Dragon voice recognition software just did not cooperate with what I was dictating and just seemed to invent words.

Or because John was in the here wanting to talk and Richie would come in as well and before I knew it was a wonderful three-way conversation.

I'm going to stop now and look for artwork by Roberto Matta I will publish this on my blog and join the conversation.

A Special Occasion,

 

Roberto Matta.

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

Yesterday Richie was very busy all day with me, the dogs and shopping for us and for our visitor who we were looking forward to a lot.

It was very exciting waiting for 20.00 when John said he would be here, and he was, it was very nice to see him again after so long.

We came to the conclusion that we had not seen each other since 1998 when we were still living at the Haarlemmer Dijk, before we moved in 2000.

Seeing John again was so natural, it did not seem like 14 years ago it felt like we had only seen each other a few weeks ago.

Good to be able to relate to each other just like we always did, nice to feel so relaxed in each other's company.

Richie is cooking dinner for the three of us, John brought us some vegetarian haggis, most of it is in the deep freeze, Richie has made some for us tonight.

Which we will eat with mashed potatoes and swede which is what is traditionally eaten on Burns night in January on Robert Burn’s birthday.

It really is lovely to see you a good friend like John again, I'm so very glad that he is here visiting us, this really is a special occasion being reunited with such a good friend.

Happy Anticipation .

 

Roberto Matta.

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

Two weeks ago we suddenly got a phone call from John a good friend of Richie's, from the oil rig where he is working, telling us that he would be coming to see us for a visit.

The visit was planned for the 8th of December for a week, which he hoped was okay with us, as he did not want to make problems for us.

We immediately reassured him that it was not a problem in fact it was the opposite; it was excellent news that he was finally coming to visit us after all these years.

it is absolutely not a problem to have such a good friend of both of ours, visiting us here, in fact it is the opposite it is a pleasure to have him visiting us in Amsterdam after all these years.

On Wednesday John phoned us to tell us that he was still on the oil rig due to the fact that unexpected snowfall meant he could not get a flight back to Glasgow.

He hoped that it was going to still be possible to get a flight back home to Glasgow, but may be it would have to be postponed until a later date; he promised that he would keep us informed.

We didn't hear anything more until around 1200 today when the phone rang and it was John to tell us that he would be arriving approximately at 1900 this evening.

Now we are both looking forward to seeing him again, how very typical of John to suddenly come and visit us, I think it is going to be a very good weeks visit.

Not gone to plan.

Roberto Matta.

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

It is amazing how today has totally not gone according to our plan; we were going to be ready for a good friend Anja visiting us around 15.00 this afternoon.

Anja rang just after lunchtime to say that because of the unexpected snowfall, where she lives there was over 20 cm of snow.

Apparently the bus service was not working at all well so she would not be able to get into Amersfoort in order to catch a train to Amsterdam.

Sadly the proposed visit had to be postponed until next week Friday when hopefully the weather will allow Anja to get to us in Amsterdam West.

My plan had been to get my blog posts done so that I could concentrate on other things, now I'm just going to do what I can and enjoy the evening.

A relaxing night.

 

Roberto Matta.

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

Amazingly today has been a very pleasant looking day, with blue skies and weak sunshine sadly none of the snow that fell last night remained on the ground this morning.

Yesterday it rained all day and our three dogs did not like going outside, they seem to think that it was all Richie's fault that it was so wet outside, that they were almost refusing to go outside until it was dry again.

Yet when they went out later on and it was snowing they were delighted and jumped and played exuberantly in the falling snow, according to Richie it was a pretty sight seeing them play so happily.

Richie has taken them to the Rembrandt Park so that they can run and play to their hearts content and get rid of some of their excess energy, then they will come home happy for their dinner afterwards they will be relaxed and content dogs.

No sooner had I written this when the door opened and Richie and three dogs were back from the Park, by the sound of the dogs running around they had a good time which is good news for all of us as tonight will be very relaxed now.

What a relief.

Roberto Matta 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta 

Neither Richie now I were looking forward to the catheter change, especially Richie was not looking forward to having to do it once again.

I did not realise that he was having such dilemma about it otherwise I would not have asked him so very late on Saturday whether it could be done on Sunday.

Later on I realised that gone one o'clock Sunday morning was not such a good moment for that question.

I did not ask him again until Monday afternoon when I enquired whether I should ask is that our general practitioner or the district nurse to do the catheter change.

Richie said that when I asked him too late on Saturday night it had not been a good moment to him as he was panicking about doing the next one.

We agreed that Wednesday would be a good day to change the catheter, and today that is just want Richie did.

Last night a sleeping tablet allowed me to sleep without any worry about the change of catheter, this worked very well and I had a good nights sleep.

Half an hour before Richie before Richie inserted the new catheter I took a valium tablet which relaxed me for the procedure.

The whole catheter change went quickly and well, before I knew it was done; afterwards Richie and I were both extremely relieved.

First Tuesday with Jools Holland on TV.

Roberto Matta.

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

The first Tuesday without the prospect of good music on Later with Jools Holland was not such a nice one, but I soon took my mind off it by listening to music by Bach.

Listening to Bach’s music is always an uplifting experience for me, I do like the classical composers Beethoven's is one of my big favourites.

I remember years ago when there was a sale at a WH Smith shop in Reading when everything was so cheap that I bought over 40 LPs.

I had a wonderful cross-section from Richard Wagner to Jimmy Witherspoon, Bessie Smith and many other wonderful artists.

I also bought a lot of rock 'n' roll, some rockabilly and punk music so great range of music which is what I enjoy listening.

In the afternoon I had an appointment Peter from the rehabilitation clinic, he was here to discuss the wrist supports which allow me keep using the Motomed.

As well as the exercises which I do in bed utilising the handle that dangles over the bed which I can no longer use to pull myself up with.

I now have two new handles to use in bed which will be easier for my hands to hold onto, a good appointment which was very useful for Richie and myself.

Keeping in touch.

    

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

Roberto Matta.

This afternoon a good friend Christoph came to visit us, we both met when I got a job working at a Sykes call centre.

It was not the worst of these call centres, which often resembled industrial milking parlours and had no care whatsoever for their workers.

Sykes certainly did get everything they could get out of their workers without giving very much back to their workforce.

When I started work there Christoph was one of the first people I met, he was a very supportive and friendly colleague, whom it was good to work with.

One thing that I did get from working at a Sykes call centre was a very good friend, I'm so glad that we are still in touch with each other.

At most places that I have worked I have kept in touch with people I've met that I like, it is nice to still be in contact with colleagues who have become friends.

         

Enjoying Life.

 

Roberto Matta.

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

Yesterday was the first time since I began writing my blog every day in February 2009 that I did not write a blog post.

This was because I was getting too involved in introspective thoughts, thoughts which would just go round in circles.

Yesterday I wanted to do something different to break the cycle, and it worked instead of writing I spent the day relaxing and enjoying the world around me.

It reaffirmed again for me why it is important to enjoy and make the most out of each precious moment.

Enjoying the moment is really what life is all about; sometimes like yesterday I need reminding that it's not a cliché but reality, it is important to enjoy life.