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When I did the last one of these, I did not intend to make this into a monthly personal blog post, but then again, I’ve been busy. Also, the State of the Suzy posts were meant to be every month – who knows…?

A is for Anniversary. Yesterday was our 3 Years 4 Months anniversary. We didn’t do anything special (see under C) but we had a little celebratory meal inside the day before, in addition to the events under C.

B is for Busy. Yes, been busy again.

C is for Civil Partnership. I was at a friend’s, which was my first, yesterday. Malc and Ray got hitched in the Hotel Russell. A handful of random photo shots here, but suffice to say, we enjoyed the day.

D is for Driving Licence. Well, I got the full “clean bill of health” from the HD Clinic earlier this year, so I decided I would apply for a driving licence. I’ve never had one before, and I did know that one day, it would be refused or revoked on medical grounds. Well, it transpires that as my meds sometimes make me sleepy, they aren’t even giving me a provisional. (They even sent me £50 application fee back, which came in handy the week before payday!)  So, Plan B was to apply for one of these travel permits (“bus pass” as they are otherwise known), or ENCTS (English National Concessionary Travel Scheme). Bear in mind that I’ve now been refused a driving licence, I now qualify, so nothing to lose! I took the application down to the council offices in Letchworth a week past Friday (22^nd July), and arrived in the post yesterday (31^st July)! So, yes, I now get free travel, across most of England, off-peak (or all day in London & Herts). As you can probably imagine, this may well save me some money! Before anyone reminds me that this is subsidised by the taxpayer, my income is taxed too, so I am still contributing substantially towards the cost. I knew I’d be refused a driving licence one day, the HD would see to that. However, it was a bit of a surprise, but Plan B was a good one! (Plan C was to appeal Plan B, then Plan D was to appeal Plan A). Interestingly, driving licence applications give you six months to appeal in England or Wales, or 21 days in Scotland. Why the difference?

F is for feelings. Again, doing very well.

G is for Girlfriend. Caroline is now working in Stevenage, following the relocation of her work, earlier this week.

H is for Hospital, which was under A last time (Addenbrooke’s). Well, I’ve had the dietician appointment, fine; some good points included a kilo and a half less since my referral letter! I am still waiting for the call back re the other appointment from the Gastroenterology department, so my Doctor is now chasing.

R is for Randomness. Now, Dougie (thebustocrookes) does an interesting thread called #randomchocolatetuesday where he takes a random chocolate, photographs it, then eats it – the posts are a lot better than this brief recap. So, if I had to do one Random thing, what should it be, and when? In previous work, when I didn’t work Fridays, I had my own personal policy of “try something new Friday” – back in the days before this blog! So, what should mine be? Transport related, GF food related, Health related, Love related, Clothing related, Shopping related, Coffee related? Thoughts would be welcome…

S is for Shopping. End of month means a few new things, as ever. However, I mention this as I’ve got a new wardrobe – well, got some more clothing, ordered online. MY account was clear, and it’s around this time of year that I need some stuff for both seasons. Some stuff I’d not had on in a long time… C seems to like the way the slinky vests go around my chest!

T is for Tigers. Well, I will try and keep transport stuff separate from these posts, but Tiger Line/Woottens are my main employer, so there may be the odd sighting or report here! In my post earlier today, I explain how things are going, with a picture of one of the repainted buses. Monday 9^th August is the target date, and I’ve just got the resetting of the Wayfarer (ticket machines), setting up the electronic blinds (the traditional blinds for the new Tigers have arrived, and been fitted) and the last bit of route learning, and the launch. Duties are being issued to drivers this week, and all going well, we’re ready to roll on 9^th August 2010. You can see a set of pictures here, which includes some “mid-way through” shots.

On top of all that, there are some other projects that I’m doing, behind the scenes.

No word from me here (although I’ve been busy on Facebook, Twitter, and the Forums!) might mean you suspect the worst! Please don’t, as things are  - I dare to say it, but – looking seriously improved for me. Improved you say – isn’t it hay fever season, the global turbulence from the Icelandic ash cloud that I’m not going to attempt to spell, and much more besides?

Further to my last post, I did say we intended to experiment, prior to getting the blood tests back for Coeliac disease. We decided to experiment with a gluten-free diet for me. So far, things are looking up. Why do I say this? Well, “the obvious symptoms” are largely gone. I appreciate it will be a while before my gut is back to “normal” – especially after 31 years of gluten attacks – and I’m not under-estimating it. Other notable boosters include an upturn in my feelings (or is that the increased prozac? Maybe a bit of both – but surely not just yet, as it would take some weeks before a change should be noticeable – or does it?), and an increase in my peak flow. So much so that I am going to take the meter into the docs with me! The last I checked, my weight was going down slowly, but in this time of turmoil, who knows if it will stay that way...!

As we go into what could be life-changing news, I do not intend to under-estimate it. However, for something that’s been upsetting my gut for 31 years (and now getting worse), it’s now the right time for change. (with apologies if anyone’s turned off, thinking this is turning into an Election broadcast!)

So, what else have I been doing?

Friday 9^th April was a day at Helpline. The following day (Saturday 10^th April) we went into Cambridge, intending to add me to Caroline’s bank account (it’s at that stage of the relationship readers, and it’s going to be much easier!), and some shopping. Sunday 11^th April was a quiet one to catch up!

Monday 12^th April was a visit to the depot of Stagecoach Bedford, with other members of the Anglia Bus Forum (you can see my pictures here). Tuesday 13^th and Wednesday 14^th was a mix of working from home, and deliveries.

Thursday 15^th April was a day at work – for the first time since getting the job with Woottens and Tiger Line, I was in the office for meetings, snaps, and much more besides! I took a few snaps in the yard, and you can see them here.

Friday 16^th April was another day on Helpline (one passing c2 snapped!), with similar the next day, Saturday 17^th April.

On Sunday 18^th April, I had my Ratification Interview for Switchboard. This was a basic run-down on what I’ve done so far, after reaching the 35 hour mark in volunteering on the phones. Success, so now I can drop the word “trainee” from my titles! We then went for a lunch (I had some Gluten Free stuff, without troubles) and then we visited the British Museum for a bit, before returning home. You can see the pictures here. Pics include Caroline and me.

Today, Monday 19^th April, and busy at home.

Yesterday (Sunday) we went out to Harvester – I'm starting to enjoy the food, and C got a really nice lunch as well. In the evening, we watched Lost and Delirious, which was a fairly powerful movie! I was sure we had Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood, but we could not find it, so have requested this one next from LoveFilm.

Earlier on, I did a State of the Suzy, which I intend to do monthly. Even through only little effort, my weight is down by half-a-kilo. Does not seem like much, but I was more worried that, given everything, my weight would continue to rise substantially. I'm not that heavily built, but heavy enough.

Also mentioned in my State of the Suzy post was the fact that I'd got a letter to choose and book my own gastroenterology appointment via the NHS. The letter mentioned a choice of Saffron Walden Hospital, Addenbrooke's (Cambridge) or Lister Hospital (Stevenage). The website sounded easy enough, so I logged on after C went back to work after lunch. No appointments for any of the three of them were available! So, phoned them up, and my details have now been passed onto Addenbrooke's. In theory, I should hear within a fortnight, so I am hoping that I do. Two steps forward, one step back!

When the landlord came for their quarterly flat inspection on Thursday past, she asked me “Is everything working okay” and I mentioned the light switch between the lounge and the kitchen does not work, and has been baffling us! Well, the electrician called me up today on my mobile, and wanted to come round for a look at it – well done! It wasn't the bulb or the pendant, but a loose wire behind the switch plate.

Will be making dinner shortly!

On Thursday, I was working at Switchboard, followed by the Women's Group meeting into the evening, Got home at a similar time to Tuesday, having had a wonderful day of it! I could have stayed later, but I had a 1030 start on the Helpline the following day.

Since I got home on Friday, I've been feeling a little odd, and it has now continued into a cough/cold, sounding rather hoarse (not horse as I initially wrote on Facebook!) Well, it has developed into the same feelings as earlier in the month – wheezing, coughing and spluttering, coughing up gunk. My doc is off today, but I think my body is missing what it had earlier in the month! Saturday was a quiet one, and we went out for lunch on Sunday.

Today, quiet one for me, C is back at work, but preparing for tomorrow. One bit of news though – I have got a letter from the OU with regards to being assessed again for T175, and it's to be in by 3^rd June 2010,with result expected early August 2010. At this time, that is all I have.

It's been an interesting weekend. I'd planned to go out yesterday to Stevenage, and we stopped for lunch first at Harvester once more. After this, we stopped at Hobbycraft. This time I was interested in a paper cutter, and it is a replacement for the one I've got that is now going blunt, and does not have cutting grids on it, so I felt good about buying a replacement – even at half price! Also bought some other bits and pieces, before getting back in the car.

From there, proceeded via Knebworth and Woolmer Green before going back onto the A1(M) for a junction or so, and coming off at the top end of Hatfield. From there, onto Hatfield Railway Station, where a semi-intentional stop resulted in the snapping of a uno Solo on the 608 (see the snowy pictures here). From there, on via Hatfield Business Park and Parkhouse to The Galleria. Nothing purchased in the relocated Paper Mill Shop (having spent a bit in Hobbycraft!) but we did stop at Julian Graves (more beans for the Jelly Bean machine) before stopping at The Body Shop, to pick up a little something. The last time I was there, I purchased an annual Love Your Body discount card (already saved the cost of it back!), which also entitles a £5 gift in the month of your birthday. So, got a nice body butter, shower cream, body scrub and lily gift set, in Moringa. Originally £12, down to £7. 10% off with card, £6.30. Deduct £5 for birthday gift, pay £1.30. ;-)

Today, we went to The Temeraire, the Wetherspoon's pub in Saffron Walden. We both had a nice meal/brunch. As we left, I spotted that they are doing a special Burns Week menu in a few weeks time – I think Caroline would like to return then!

The snow is largely melted, and the roads are mostly clear. The snow is now coming down again, but it is very light, and not lying.

On an aside, I was upset again last night. Maybe tiredness, maybe wearing off the amitriptyline (I did not have any for a few nights). For something relativity little, I'm confused as to why my mind is doing this. Never mind, weather permitting I've got three days/nights out this week, at least two next. Just two, but that will be made up by the special plans we have for this weekend!

As for new year stuff, well, we are going to watch our weight this week, and make possible changes accordingly. Other things that I said I'd do, or consider, are still to go ahead. Intending also to get out and about more, and will try and meet everyone at some stage!