I expect there'll be a few typos, spelling or grammar errors as I'm hoping to type most of it on a Kindle Fire HD. It won't be easy that's for sure, given the problems typing and seeing what you have typed as you type. Well, one thing's for certain, it's impossible to type it up in landscape. There's just not enough display space for the keyboard and the actual blog type. I must admit though that it reminds me of typing up the early years of this blog on a Psion Revo. Nostalgia fest.
So, what's changed in the past two years? Well, I suppose the biggest change has been my Man going into a nursing home: Ashgrove House on Hollinwood Avenue. It's most definitely the best solution. She was wandering at night and in danger of heading outside her sheltered accommodation and not being able to get back in. Her grasp of the reality around her was becoming tenuous. Eventually, in May 2013, the bullet was bitten and we engaged Social Services. I have to say, Social Services were wonderful and they made what could have been a very traumatic experience so much easier. The home itself is wonderful. They provide in house entertainment from singers and musicians, bingo and trips out to sing songs in the spacious lounge and mundane, yet profound (from the inhabitants point of view) and quotidian tasks as folding the washing. She has regular visits from doctors, opticians and the rest; I should have organised it a year earlier I think. Still, hindsight eh? A wonderful thing.
The second big change must be the election of Dearest - she is now a Labour Councillor on Bentham Metropolitan Council. After many years a semi-active Party member but a member of the National Executive Committee of her Banking Staff Association, she finally took the plunge and stood in a bye-election caused by the death of a long standing Councillor friend of ours.
I must say, she is the best, hands on, constituency Councillor you could ever wish for. Engaged, positive, innovative, proactive: a really great servant of the local community. Mind you, she is my wife and I do love her dearly. What she can't stand is the manoeuvring, the infighting, the politicking that goes on from dawn till dusk of the majority of the rest of the Chamber. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
The third big difference is the change that Littlest has brought to our lives. What a gorgeous, entertaining, happy (mostly), bright and friendly little boy he has turned into. He stays at ours overnight most Saturdays and it's a privilege and an absolute pleasure. He's talkative, has a great sense of humour and has introduced us to so many great Pixar and the rest movies such as Rio, The Ice Age Series, The Shrek Series, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and many more.
He's soon going to have a cousin too as Eldest and Eldest's Darlin' are expecting another little boy due at the beginning of May. Heady times. Littlest will be (and is) a United fan whereas Smallest will be enrolled in City's fan club the day he's born I would imagine. Proper Mancunians. Love 'em.
And I suppose the fourth big difference over the past couple of years is the succes of the football club I have supported since the 4th February 1967. Fa Cup, Premiership and hopefully - on Sunday - the Carling Cup. The Champions League and the Premiership again don't look like they're on the cards, but I'm just thankful for the - mostly - exhilarating football we City fans have been presented with under Mancini and Pellegrini. Thanks.
I'll have to re-acquaint myself with posting photographs again.
Anyway, till next time......adios.
The second big change must be the election of Dearest - she is now a Labour Councillor on Bentham Metropolitan Council. After many years a semi-active Party member but a member of the National Executive Committee of her Banking Staff Association, she finally took the plunge and stood in a bye-election caused by the death of a long standing Councillor friend of ours.
I must say, she is the best, hands on, constituency Councillor you could ever wish for. Engaged, positive, innovative, proactive: a really great servant of the local community. Mind you, she is my wife and I do love her dearly. What she can't stand is the manoeuvring, the infighting, the politicking that goes on from dawn till dusk of the majority of the rest of the Chamber. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
The third big difference is the change that Littlest has brought to our lives. What a gorgeous, entertaining, happy (mostly), bright and friendly little boy he has turned into. He stays at ours overnight most Saturdays and it's a privilege and an absolute pleasure. He's talkative, has a great sense of humour and has introduced us to so many great Pixar and the rest movies such as Rio, The Ice Age Series, The Shrek Series, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and many more.
He's soon going to have a cousin too as Eldest and Eldest's Darlin' are expecting another little boy due at the beginning of May. Heady times. Littlest will be (and is) a United fan whereas Smallest will be enrolled in City's fan club the day he's born I would imagine. Proper Mancunians. Love 'em.
And I suppose the fourth big difference over the past couple of years is the succes of the football club I have supported since the 4th February 1967. Fa Cup, Premiership and hopefully - on Sunday - the Carling Cup. The Champions League and the Premiership again don't look like they're on the cards, but I'm just thankful for the - mostly - exhilarating football we City fans have been presented with under Mancini and Pellegrini. Thanks.
I'll have to re-acquaint myself with posting photographs again.
Anyway, till next time......adios.
