Made for walking

Best buy of 2010. I got a pair of these at the start of the winter and have hardly taken them off since.

They're docs, so they've got the non-slip airware sole. They don't slide around on the ice, and they're the most comfortable footwear ever!

AND they look good!

Management-speak b*****ks of the year

(From a government communiqué)

"..sunsetting low-impact functions....."

WHAT??

I think it means stopping useless work. Worthy of a Plain English Campaign golden bull award, I'd say.

Talking of sunsets, here's a sunrise snapped over Sherwood. Solstice tomorrow ..

Befuddled

Trying to organise a fuddle to take to Jane in hospital over the weekend  (if she's well enough),  but getting bogged down with logisitics and variables to do with people, timings and snow.

For the uninitiated, 'fuddle' is a Nottingham word meaning a gathering where everyone brings food. I'm guessing it's a fusion of the words 'food' and 'huddle'. There will doubtless be lots of these going on in offices across town at the moment. I don't think fuddles exist outside Notts (but correct me if I'm wrong).

Nice idea but can be a nightmare to plan - who's bringing what where when why etc etc. Maybe it should be called a muddle...

What a lovely dentist!

He took a real interest. He asked loads of questions, none of them about teeth! He wanted to know how, where and when I found my lump; how big it was (precise dimensions please); what operation I had; which bits of me are being irradiated and who I'm spending Christmas with. Oh and he also cleaned up my teeth. They look a lot better now.

Nobody told me

Chemotherapy affects teeth. Just when I'm starting to feel human again with hair and fingernails returning,  I've noticed bits of teeth have gone black. I look like a 'before' model in one of those cosmetic makeover programmes, or someone with a 40-a-day habit.

And this really pisses me off because I've always looked after my teeth. I only have two fillings and these I've had since I was ten.

Google led me to a forum full of horror stories about molars crumbling and front teeth falling out - the internet is a dangerous thing!

Hoping it's just plaque which a few trips to the hygienist will sort. Booked into the dentist later so I'll find out the worst. Funny how despite being cut open, poisoned and irradiated this year, a visit to the dentist can still induce such dread. It's a primeval thing.

A toast to absent friends

Feeling festive after putting the tree up earlier, and looking forward to the usual round of celebrations.

But this year this is tinged with sadness because there'll be one party-goer missing and that is Jane, who is currently in the Macmillan Centre in Derby Royal.

Jane, who could always be relied upon to come out and party; who would brighten up a room just by walking in; who can liven up the dullest of proceedings.

She has fought off cancer so many times in the past and bounced back more vibrant than ever. And despite her grim prognosis now she still faces up to life with immense courage and good humour.

This year, we will have to take the party to her....

They don't give you the 'all clear'

They just zap you with everything they've got then send you merrily on your way, with a wave and a smile and a 'come back next year'.

I thought they'd do a scan or something.

Saw a registrar yesterday, who looked about 19. He assured me the pimple on my tongue (a small thing but it's wreaking havoc with my neurosis) is NOT anything sinister like a secondary cancer but merely a pimple on my tongue. He also refused to refer me to a cognitive behaviour therapist because he says I'm not depressed. I know I'm not, at the moment anyway. I just fancied talking to an expert about the way I think.

Been dog walking again this morning. This time she behaved herself. She found a flourescent pink squeaky ball in the snow, which helped.

Going for work Christmas do later. Question is, what to wear? Can't go for anything vaguely low cut as it will show off the radiotherapy marks. (They draw on you daily in enduring marker pen and I can't be bothered to scrub it off). Think I'll go for something warm but mildly festive, as it's still bloody cold out there.