A Day in the City complete with mini rant!

It seems a bit daft to go into Edinburgh for a day out when I work in the centre of town every day! But, I never actually do anything in town, I get the bus into town, spend all day in the office, and then go home. So, yesterday we decided to spend some time in the city and maybe start a little bit of Christmas shopping.

Frazer had been curling with some mates in the morning so I got the bus up to Edinburgh to meet him - seemed daft to take two cars. We had lunch in a Chinese buffet - tried Saigon Saigon this time and it was excellent. I always think it must be a sign of a good Chinese restaurant when Chinese people eat in there! It was delicious, and, as normal, we had far too many of the startery things and ended up too stuffed! We had a wander through Harvey Nichols - mainly because I had never been in there - and saw the view from the restaurant at the top, which is stunning. Unfortunately, there were people sitting right by the window, so I didn't get a picture. Harvey Nicks was pretty amazing, but you'd need a mortgage just to buy half the stuff in there!





We walked past the protest camp in St Andrews Square a few times. I've looked up why they're protesting, and I do kind of get it, but I'd have more sympathy for them if they wen't just a bunch of immensely middle class students with enough money to buy brand spanking new smart massive tents to be extremely comfortable in. We saw one of the protestors wandering around chatting on his mobile which kind of gives off the wrong signals! I don't disagree with the principle, what I disagree with is that some of the people protesting are people who have quite clearly benefited from rich mummies and daddies and they're basically just looking for attention. Yes it's very unfair that the rich (and the banks) get richer and the poor get poorer - I think that's basically it. However, there are always jobs out there for those who want them - as long as you are willing to do anything to earn a penny. It's constantly in the news how there are so many unemployed graduates now - why are they hanging around waiting to jobs to present themselves to them, and why aren't they doing temping jobs (of which there are many if you look at temping websites) or working in Tesco or somewhere? I'm sure prospective employers would look far more favourably on a CV which states that someone has been temping for a year in a bank than being unemployed for a year claiming the dole. However, I digress...! Go ahead and protest if that's your thing - they do have a point after all - but don't be hypocritical about it and do it just because you're jumping on the bandwagon.





Anyway, from one extreme to the other...we went to The Dome for a drink, although we didn't actually manage to get one. The Dome used to house e head office of the Royal Bank of Scotland, but in 1993 the bank moved all the business to the St Andrews Square building (outside which the protesters are camped) and the building was transformed to what it is now. It is absolutely stunning - on a summer's day when you walk in, you feel as though you should order a Singapore Sling! In the winter it is full of lights and garlands with cinammon attached so not only does it look Christmassy, it smells it too! It is beatifully opulent! It was packed out though, so I just took some photos and we went back to the car slightly disappointed, but we had a really lovely day, just the two of us.



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Location:Edinburgh

Isobel's Coconut Slice

I made this today for the first time in years. My dad's cousin Aunty Isobel used to make it, and she would always bring a big tin full of it every time she came to see us. Yummy :-) A word of warning though - blind bake the pastry first otherwise the botom ends up soggy, as I've discovered today!

Under the Weather

I've been feeling a little below par for a while now. Really since the first gallbladder attack at the end of June. I haven't felt well since then, and I'm weary of feeling ill. I just want to be well again.

As you know, I had my gallbladder operation at the end of August. I thought that would fix me - I thought it was just a case of recovering from that and I would be back on track again. But my body obviously had other ideas. Last Friday I was at work, and about five minutes before my lunch hour started I started to get pain in my stomach. I waited until my lunch hour startedand went to the toilet thinking maybe I just needed to go. Within minutes I was again in intense pain, like the first attack, and I started panicking. My team leader came in and I managed to tell her I needed to go home. I told her what was wrong and how it felt, and she went off to get our first aider who, it turned out, had had the same problem herself so she understood every bit of it. I phoned Frazer to ask him to come and get me, but within five minutes an ambulance had been called, so I let him know to meet us at the hospital. Our first aider came with me, and it was a huge comfort to know that she understood everything I was going through.

It took ages to get to the hospital, and every bump in the road (Edinburgh roads are in a dreaful state) hurt as the morphine hadn't kicked in yet. When I got there they stuck me in a cubicle in A&E and left me for a while. A nurse came in to help me get changed, then left. A doctor came in eventually (she was about 12!!!) and asked a few questions and left. Another doctor came in after a while, asked some more questions, and left. I was left on my own, in pain for about four hours, bar maybe three visits of about 10 minutes each from doctors who asked the same questions again and again. Within that time they took me for an X-Ray. Eventually they allowed Frazer to come in - the first aid lady from work had had to leave by that point. The morphine had started to work by this point and the pain had eased a little. They took me down for an ultrasound, but couldn't find anything. My stomach was really hurting from all the prodding.

When I got back to A&E from the ultrasound there were no cubicles free, so I spent the next two hours in a corridor. I was less than impressed. Edinburgh Royal Infirmary has only been open about 5 years, and whoever designed it should be shot. They do not have the capacity to serve a city and they do not have enough staff. The service I received at Borders General Hospital when I was rushed in there was FAR superior. And yet you would think that it would be better in a brand new hospital in our capital city wouldn't you?

They gave me some more painkillers, and eventually decided that it would be better for me to go home, and request an MRI scan from Borders General. They think I still have a gallstone left inside, but it didn't show up on the ultrasound which is why they want the MRI. We waited another hour while they typed a letter for the doctor and a prescription. Despite us saying we had to get home to Isla they still did not stir themselves to get a move on. Unimpressed.

Anyway, I had every intention of going back to work on Tuesday after I had seen the doctor on Monday, but she signed me off for a week. The paramedics had said that I probably went back to early, and the doctor said that because of Friday, and because I am constantly tired and haven't been well for months that she would sign me off to "take things easy"! So, obviously now we have a pristinely clean house, I'm cooking interesting and never done before recipes, and I've made all my Christmas cards! There's organisation for you!

I'm still not feeling brilliant, but mymum and dad are coming over at the end of next wek for my mum's 60th, so I'm looking forward to that. Sometimes all you need is a bit Mummy hug!

Cranachan

This is not the most diet friendly of desserts, but oh my god it is delicious!! Save it for a special occasion!

100 Fun Questions Survey

100 Fun Questions Survey from Quizopolis.com

Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? - Closed
Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel? - Yes
Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? - Out
Have you ever stolen a street sign before? - No
Do you like to use post-it notes? - Like is a bit of a strong word but I do use them
Do you cut out coupons but then never use them? - No
Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees? - Neither!
Do you have freckles? - Yes, on my back and shoulders
Do you always smile for pictures? - Yes
What is your biggest pet peeve? - Misuse of the apostrophe!
Do you ever count your steps when you walk? - Yes, all the time, a legacy of my grandma teaching me to count by walking up and down stairs!
Have you ever peed in the woods? - Yes
What about pooped in the woods? - Probably!
Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing? - No
Do you chew your pens and pencils? - No
How many people have you slept with this week? - 1
What size is your bed? - Superking :-)
What is your Song of the week? - Don't have one this week
Is it okay for guys to wear pink? - Kind of
Do you still watch cartoons? - Yes
Whats your least favorite movie? - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - I hated it
Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some? - Not telling you - you'd know where to find it then!
What do you drink with dinner? - Diet coke or pepsi normally
What do you dip a chicken nugget in? - Garlic mayo
What is your favorite food? - Steak
What movies could you watch over and over and still love? - Anne of Green Gables, Love Actually, Mamma Mia
Last person you kissed/kissed you? - Frazer
Were you ever a boy/girl scout? - No, but I was a Brownie and a Guide
Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? - If I was skinny, maybe
When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? - Oooh, a long time ago
Can you change the oil on a car? - I can check it and top it up, but not change it - that's what garages are for!
Ever gotten a speeding ticket? - Yes
Ran out of gas? - Yes
Favorite kind of sandwich? - Ham or smoked salmon
Best thing to eat for breakfast? - Tattie scones and marmite!
What is your usual bedtime? - Around midnight normally
Are you lazy? - I definitely can be!
When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? - I was a vampire once
What is your Chinese astrological sign? - Dunno
How many languages can you speak? - 2 - English & French
Do you have any magazine subscriptions? - No
Which are better legos or lincoln logs? - Lego, cause I have no idea what the others are
Are you stubborn? - Oh yes!
Who is better...Leno or Letterman? - Neither
Ever watch soap operas? - I used to, but I recovered :-)
Afraid of heights? - Yes
Sing in the car? - Yes
Dance in the shower? - No
Dance in the car? - No
Ever used a gun? - Yes, but only an air rifle
Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? - Never
Do you think musicals are cheesy? - Nope, love 'em!
Is Christmas stressful? - No, I love it
Ever eat a pierogi? - Don't think so
Favorite type of fruit pie? - Apple
Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? - Teacher ewwwww
Do you believe in ghosts? - I wouldn't like to say they don't exist
Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? - Yes, often
Take a vitamin daily? - No
Wear slippers? - Only in the winter
Wear a bath robe? - Yes
What do you wear to bed? - Nightie
First concert? - Never been to one
Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? - Asda or Tesco
Nike or Adidas? - Nike
Cheetos Or Fritos? - Neither - ick!
Peanuts or Sunflower seeds? - Neither
Ever hear of the group Tres Bien? - No
Ever take dance lessons? - Only when forced to at prep school
Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing? - Yes, being a civil engineer cause he is one!
Can you curl your tongue? - Yes
Ever won a spelling bee? - Yes
Have you ever cried because you were so happy? - Yes
Own any record albums? - Many!
Own a record player? - Not any more
Regularly burn incense? - On the very odd occasion - it's been a while though
Ever been in love? - Yes
Who would you like to see in concert? - Dara O'Briain
What was the last concert you saw? - None
Hot tea or cold tea? - Hot tea I suppose
Tea or coffee? - Tea I suppose!
Sugar or snickerdoodles? - Sugar
Can you swim well? - Yes, very
Can you hold your breath without holding your nose? - Yes
Are you patient? - Definitely not!
DJ or band, at a wedding? - Band
Ever won a contest? - No
Ever have plastic surgery? - No
Which are better black or green olives? - Neither, they're foul!
Can you knit or crochet? - I can knit, if someone casts on or off for me!
Best room for a fireplace? - Sitting room
Do you want to get married? - Yes
If married, how long have you been married? - Not married but been together 2 years now
Who was your HS crush? - HS? Dunno
Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way? - No, not my style
Do you have kids? - Yes, 1, Isla
Do you want kids? - Yes
Whats your favorite color? - Purple
Do you miss anyone right now? - My mum and dad
Did you watch, Next Great American Band on FOX? - No

Take This Survey at Quizopolis.com
http://www.quizopolis.com/survey/4769/100-Fun-Questions-Survey/


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Honey & Lime Marinated Pork Chops

We seem to have a big of a pork chop theme going today!! This one is truly delicious!

Pork Chops With Mustard Sauce

Flowers

My mum and dad sent me a big bunch of roses this morning - aren't they beautiful! Made my day :-)

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Jobs and Ops

There's lots to tell you today!

The first thing is that I have a job...it's working for the same company through the same agency, just in a different department, so I only had about ten days out of work. I have to say that the recruitment consultant has done a sterling job and I really appreciate all her help. I can't tell you much more about it as it's working for a bank, but I think I'm going to enjoy it. I'm working in the middle of Edinburgh now, rather than on the outskirts, so I have to use the Park & Ride. It's a brilliant and convenient service, but I don't think I'll ever be convrted to being a public transport lover!

The second piece of news is that I had my operation yesterday! I had been told it would be the middle of September, and when I got the letter from the hospital it said the 25th August, so I was all prepared to go in last Thursday, having organised time off work etc despite only having started on Tuesday! As I walked out of the office on Wednesday afternoon the hospital called to tell me that there was now an emergency booked in for Thursday so could we delay until Monday. It was a bit of a disappointment having got myself all psyched up for it, but it did mean that we could have a nice relaxing weekend with more than a few drinks on Friday evening!

So, at 7.30 yesterday morning we prresented ourselves at Borders General Hospital in Melrose. We spoke to two or three different doctors and nurses to fill in various different forms, and I was informed that there was a good chance they would have to perform open surgery rather than keyhole, so theere were a few tears as I had got myself a little worked up by that point! I was meant to be second on the list but got moved down to third, so I had to sit around in the most attractive get up you've ever seen! 1) a hospital gown, 2) Frazer's dressing gown, 3) surgical stockings - white and 4) my red slippers! Highly appealing! They let Frazer stay while we were waiting, and then they kicked him out as it was only a day ward and there was nowhere for him to wait. He walked me down as far as the theatre doors then we had to say goodbye. That was scary. They put me into a little ante room, beyond which was thr theatre itself. I had to remove the dressing gown and sit on a trolley while they did blood pressure etc all the while flashing my bum to the world through the back of the hospital gown! I was having a lovely little chat with the quite handsome nurse while he put in the venflow etc, and the next thing I knew was waking up in the recovery ward!

It hurt...a lot! I kind of drifted for a while - no idea how long as I wasn't exactly with it - but after a bit the surgeon came to see me. They did manage to perform keyhole surgery luckily, but the surgeon said that the gall bladder was extremely big and full of stones. Sometimes when there's something wrong with you you're not quite sure if you actually are in that much pain or if you're being a bit of a hypochondriac, so it's quite a relief to learn that there was actually something quite wrong with me! Strange logic perhaps, but it makes sense to me! Apparently the operation took about 2 hrs which is a long time for keyhole, and the nurse had told Frazer that because of the time she thought that it was probably open surgery. But no, they just had to hoik out a massive gallbladder!

Frazer and Isla came to collect me in the evening. I could have stayed in if I thought I needed to, but I thought I would be better off at home in my own surroundings and with the people who love me. And there was a bunch of flowers waiting for me! I never stop thinking how lucky I am!

So, I'm in quite significant pain, on a scale of 1 to 10 it's probably around a 6 having taken painkillers. So, I'm just taking it easy! I stayed in bed watching rubbish this morning, and sat on the couch watching rubbish this afternoon. Isn't daytime tv rubbish! I have got a bit addicted to Come Dine With Me though! I love how bitchy they are behind each others' backs, I love seeing what they consider to be fine dining, and I love love love the narrator!! He makes the programme! It's mindless nonsense that requires no brain power to watch - perfect recuperation watching.

I have a freezer full of home made soup, and am going to give Isla some cooking lessons over the week so I don't stretch myself. But doing nothing is boring...oh well, hopefully recovery won't be long!


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Banana Bread