Coaster success

I have managed to cut three coasters from my piece of oak that I took from a big fallen tree when Mum and I visited the wood. I am most pleased with this as I initially was somewhat surprised at just how difficult to saw through oak can be. Still apart from the first one being a bit dodgy my perseverance has paid off. Hard work though, I think I'll stick to delivering babies as opposed to forestry.

Maisy, previously our dog before moving onto a new home, arrived back last night and has been lovely to have here. Her temperament from Bill is so totally different and he changes himself under her influence. But Mum was right, lovely though it is to have her here I think that when she goes we'll be secretly pleased to see her restored to her rightful home. In the mean time packing must be done for my visit to Cambridge. Normally I would dread the journey, but it's amazing how after a few travels with rats and mice any journey made without them seems like it will be really easy, even if lugging a huge bag. Kind of like travelling with children, although you can't really keep them in a box and get away with it.

Right, back to my dragon whilst I sniff the soup in anticipation.

The house

Well here are some pics of the new house. And I have to say I am stupidly nervous about putting them on here for two reasons. Firstly I feel like I'm really tempting fate. My solicitor was hoping to be able to exchange contracts before I left Sheffield and then I would be able to relax somewhat given it would make it nearly impossible for anyone to pull out, however due to the opposite soliciors being shoddy and closed early for Christmas this couldn't happen. So I'm nervous that I'll put these up and then it'll all vanish before my eyes. Oh no!

But more silly than that I feel really defensive. I know it'll never be to everyone's tastes, and there are things that I'm not so fussed on, but it's gonna be mine, and that feels really special, and in a way a little bit tender and raw. So here's opening it up to being seen. The outside looks a bit confusing as the black bit looks like it might be next doors door but it's were there used to be a sort of porch bit, which is now indoor storage. My most fav bits for looking at are the kitchen and bathroom as they are well beyond anything I thought I would be able to have, and are two places I will enjoy spending time, firstly starting my tea cooking and then going and lounging in a warm bath with a big glass of wine!!!!! Ah bliss. This is what I need to return my sanity in Sheffield I think following a pretty pants time with some shite housemates. I want to get back to looking forward to cooking, as much for the process as for the outcome, rather than working out what I can run in and grab and then run out with to avoid contact with the evil ones. Plus I genuinely think it'll give Neil a chance to enjoy being around in my space without having a stressed and stroppy bunny to contend with as that's how I end up - it's a miracle he's hung around this long to be fair.

News to report - just had a lovely visit from Kathryn and children who it is wonderful to finally meet. What a lovely thing to do at this time of year with open fires and crumpets. I've lost my heart to Dillon which I think was fairly inevitable. And now I'm back to reading my book Eldest which I have to say I am engrossed in. Neil did well choosing that as my present before Christmas (as we're having them afterwards really), I'm thoroughly engrossed in the world of elves and dragons. I think part of me would love to vanish into that kind of world, and certainly to be around a dragon - the voice of Saphira in the book is perfect. However since this is unlikely I think I will be forced to stick to midwifery and continue to dream about dragons between babies. I tried to do some work this morning for the dreaded exam but it's really frustrating cos in a way I need to just be ready to react, but that makes it difficult to reassure yourself through preparation, so instead I've been reflecting a bit more generally on some of the women I've had recent contact with. We very rarely get the chance to think about things in this whole fashion which is a bit of a joke given the type of care we are meant to be giving, but I think thats just as valuable at the moment as struggling to remember physiology. In a single day on community I take in enough to occupy me for a week so it's good to ponder it all as a whole at the moment, and hopefully return to them somewhat refreshed.

At least that's the plan - the small voice in my head whispers.

Merry Christmas

Yet another long time since my last post I'm afraid. Still I am back now, having had a wonderful Christmas day of wine and food and sleep and cosy time spent with Mum. Just the way to relax. The women and babies of Sheffield have two weeks rest from my prodding and poking.
And I certainly needed a relax - phew. I went out into community with my community midwife from the first year. Back to the same area and have already seen a woman I saw two years ago back for her third baby. It's like a totally different world from hospital - demanding in a new kind of way. Needing to be able to answer questions about anything you can imagine, and a few things you can't. Plus the tricky thing of being on the constant look out for a problem developing in Mum or Baby without robbing them of their 'normal' experience. Tricky line to draw - and I think that's why everyone goes on about midwives as autonomous practitioners as everybody makes those choices differently. So I'm currently trying to develop my own style - PHEW!
I have two home deliveries booked for the week I go back to Sheffield, and I am so hopeful they hold on and choose an optimum time. Chance will be a fine thing, but here's hoping.

Mice and rats doing well, currently attacking carrots, a shoe box and toilet rolls. And fingers crossed the house will be mine on the 18th of January, a few days before my exam, but then I'll be free to play with it to my hearts content. Woooowoooo.

New experience

Yesterday I donated platelets for the first time. It was really interesting in a slightly alarming way. It is like magic the way that they cycle blood out of your body spin it to extract the platelets and then put it back in, all through the same needle. Very clever. I gave enough for two people, and it was meant to take 88 minutes. However I ended up on the blooming machine for 99 minutes as my body didn't process the chemical well enough.

That was something that I was really curious about. How can they keep blood outside your body without it clotting? Surely if it didn't clot then the platelets wouldn't be doing their job and would not be worth taking. The answer is that they mix your blood with an anticoagulant which then goes back into your body and is broken down straight away. Only that's what mine didn't do as quickly as it was going back in. Every time the blood was returning I had a feeling like when you put tissue paper over a comb and blow on it - bizarre tingling feeling. Very strange, so they lowered the rate at which it went back in and it all went away. It was amazing really.

So now the greedy platelet people have got me giving every month! Oh dear. Still having looked after women who needed platelets I think it's a good thing to do.