| Help me! |
[Mar. 11th, 2008|06:23 pm] |
I'm running the Race For Life again this year too to raise money for Cancer Research UK - please sponsor me!
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| Race For Life 2007 |
[Apr. 22nd, 2007|05:14 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  hopeful | ] |
I'm running the Race for Life again this year to raise more money for Cancer Research UK. This year I'm running 5km round the City of London on Sunday 3rd June in memory of both my Grandad and my uncle, who were both killed by lung cancer 30 years apart. I'm hoping to raise more than last year's £412.50, so would be VERY grateful for any sponsorship you can afford!
Please Sponsor Me!
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| Need Help... |
[Apr. 20th, 2006|07:13 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | hopeful | ] |
As a result of everything that's happened with Uncle John, my mum, my sister and I have decided to take part in this year's Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research UK. It's kind of my way of fighting that useless, helpless bystander feeling.
So despite my strong anti-exercise stance, I will be taking part in a 5km race round Stanmer Park on 1st July - more information at www.raceforlife.org.
The whole point is to raise money through sponsorship, so I've set up an online sponsor form at www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/annettenewman - if you are able to, please sponsor me and help stop other people having to go through the torment of cancer. (And if you're feeling really generous, Jenny's sponsor form is here: www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/schumacher, she'd love your sponsorship too!)
And if anybody has any other fundraising ideas, we're open to suggestions! I've already had one request to run dressed as King Kong, does anybody have any better ideas please?! |
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| So much for experts... |
[Apr. 20th, 2006|06:04 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  upset | ] |
Some 'experts' the hospital turned out to be! Apparently, when they told my uncle they couldn't find any cancer, they were only talking about his lungs, they 'hadn't realised' he had liver and bone cancer too. When the pain, supposedly from nerve damage, didn't start to fade like he was told it would, he went back to the hospital and they discovered it wasn't nerve damage, he'd actually broken his hip (and had been walking around on it making it worse because they hadn't found it last time he asked about it). They booked him in to operate, then turned around and said the cancer was too far gone, his bones were like honeycomb so they couldn't do anything, and gave him two and a half weeks to live!
This was at the end of February. Fortunately, my uncle has always been a typically stubborn Newman and wasn't going to have anyone telling him what he was going to do, and two and a half weeks came and went, then a month. He was obviously in agony though (he refused to take as much morphine as he needed because he didn't like hallucinating), and we could see him gradually deteriorating with each weekly visit.
He eventually died, surrounded by his wife and children, on the 10th April, and the funeral is on the 25th.
It still doesn't seem real, this time last year we didn't know there was anything wrong... |
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| Just had to share... |
[Feb. 17th, 2006|03:12 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  jubilant | ] |
I shouldn't really be online at work but I had to share with all those who've been praying for my uncle. I've just had a text from him - he got his latest scan results yesterday and they can't find the cancer! He's far from out of the woods, it could come back at any time, but it is definitely good news.
He still needs lots of prayer and is still in lots of pain (apparently it's nerve damage caused by the radiotherapy) but things are looking better.
Thank you Lord!!! |
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| Oops! |
[Feb. 10th, 2006|08:37 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  cold | ] |
I've just realised how long it's been since I updated.
OK - for the last seven months in a nutshell ( check behind the cut )
So that's my life up to date, kind of a large nutshell, but quite concise for 7 months of my life.
In other news, my uncle's finished chemo and is now having radiotherapy, so please keep praying. He's finding it really tough at the moment and is getting fed up of feeling constantly weak and tired.
Also, my mate Wendy's just had a little boy, after a somewhat less than straight-forward pregnancy - congratulations and we'll keep praying for God's strength and healing for you.
Oh yes, and I might be going up to Milton Keynes for the Monsters of Rock gig in June, just gotta check the bank balance first!
So I think that's just about everything, if I've forgotten something I'll just have to get myself more organised and post again!
Hope all is well with everybody out there, i'm off to find some pizza and a beer... |
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| Still here! |
[Jul. 1st, 2005|08:32 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  exhausted | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Green Day - King for a Day | ] |
In case you'd started to wonder, yes I am still alive, just about! It's just been an incredibly manic last few days.
First off, Green Day were absolutely awesome, I can't wait for the DVD (that was apparently being filmed there - working title 'Green Day - Live at Milton Keynes', imaginatively enough!) to come out. The only downside being the intense heat and severe lack of cloud cover or shade, resulting in a slightly pinker, more peely version of me than I'd really like.
I'd taken the Monday off work too so we just chilled in Emberton Park Monday morning before heading back. It made a nice change to just be able to relax and switch my brain off for a bit.
As a result of this fantastic weekend of me-time, I then had a week to try and pack up my life (and those of you who know me will be having kittens at the thought of how many boxes and bags were needed - suffice to say another rainforest bites the dust!) and move to my new flat before the end of June. Finally, after much help from several friends (Thank you everybody!), and several consecutive all-nighters I finally moved my last box into my new flat at 3am this morning. So I was 3 hours later than I should have been, it's an improvement on last year! At least I had time for some sleep before going into work this time!
Now I'm finally in my own place, I have to leave it for the weekend, as I'm going up to Gloucester for Tom's ordination. This means I have to now find some presentable-looking clothes to take with me, and judging by the state of my living room this could take all weekend in itself! I might just stop off at Matalan on the way and treat myself to a new outfit!
So yeah, my life has been charging off on it's own lately, dragging me along with it, but hopefully that'll change soon and I can get back to normal. I could definitely use the sleep!
On a more serious note:
Another prayer request for my uncle - he went back in to start his second bout of chemo yesterday, and was told the results of his bone scan. The cancer has spread there too. He's still being really positive and just saying 'well we'll just have to pray harder then!', but my cousin has taken it quite hard that his dad's so ill, so he could probably do with some prayer too!
Thanks for all your prayers, I've got to go to bed now, I'm nearly asleep at my desk! |
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| Off to Milton Keynes! |
[Jun. 17th, 2005|09:03 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  excited | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Minority - Green Day | ] |
I'm going to see Green Day this weekend! Should really be packing to move next weekend* but nevermind, I'm going to see Green Day!
* oh yeah, forgot to post that - the flat's all mine, deposit paid, tenancy agreement sorted, ready for me to pick up the keys next week! |
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| Prayer Update |
[Jun. 13th, 2005|06:48 pm] |
Just a quick update before I dash off to tutoring.
My Uncle John started Chemo last Thursday, and also got the results of another scan while he was there. It turns out the cancer had spread to his liver too. They said that it's good they found it now though - the chemo he's already on will combat the liver cancer too, and they'll just adapt the rest of his treatment to accomodate the extra needs. He seems to be coping quite well though, which kinda worries me in a way coz I'm not sure if he's in denial or not. He's also got to have bone scans and check the old grey matter is OK too.
Again, any prayer gratefully received.
Must dash or I'll be late. |
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| I've got a flat! |
[Jun. 6th, 2005|06:41 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | cheerful | ] |
Having left work Friday slightly underwhelmed to say the least, I thought I'd try my luck with flat-hunting elsewhere. When I was looking this time last year, there was one flat I really liked the look of but couldn't imagine affording. For some reason (not quite sure why) I gave the guy a ring, on the off-chance it might be available again. "That's funny," he says, "I'm just on my way to pick up the keys now, do you want to arrange a viewing"!
So 11am Saturday (such times do exist on Saturdays!) I went to check it out, and it is one amazing flat! On a little estate that reminds me a lot of a nicer version of Park Village; complete with off street parking and views of both the sea and the Downs (depending on which side of the complex you are); plus it has loads of storage and the choice of gas or electric cooker (I miss gas cooking so much!) - the only downer being the rent (not far off £600pcm). Anyway, I told him I'd speak to my parents to see if they'd go guarantor and took a few photos for a virtual tour for them, and would get back to him. I then sent the photos home and gave the parents a virtual tour over the phone and left it with them.
I get a call back from Mum yesterday to say they've managed to work something out and to take the flat if it's still available, so first thing this morning I call again and the guy says fine, it's yours, I'll hold it for you, just bring the deposit in ASAP! I am now officially not homeless at the end of the month!
Thank you Lord! (Now I just need you to show me how I'm gonna afford the rent....) |
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| Looks like I spoke too soon |
[Jun. 3rd, 2005|07:40 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  pissed off | ] |
| [ | music |
| | playing in my head only: Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff | ] |
Why is it that as soon as things start to look like they're improving, everything gets thrown back in my face again?
Having told work that I'd like to take the flat that Mum and I both really liked, they've now decided 'oh, sorry, we're not letting that one out after all, we're going for Building Regs straight away, but you can have your pick of the other flats that are over-priced and not in any state to be let out to normal people'. So thanks for nothing, Work!
I've also come to the realisation that certain people I thought of as friends are even more two-faced than I gave them credit for, and I'm not sure what bothers me most - the fact that anyone can be that two-faced, or the fact that I let myself be taken in by them.
And finally, the icing on the cake, just as I started to think things couldn't get worse and had to start improving - my uncle has been diagnosed with lung cancer and starts chemo next week. He seems to be really positive about it all though, and is proving to have a deeper faith than any of us realised.
I'm getting sick of feeling like this, I'm usually the strong unfazed one that people bring their crises to. It seems like lately I'm spending most of the time I'm not at work shut away on my own crying. I barely cried at all over the last 10 years, now I'm making up for it, and I hate it. I want the old me back!
So, yeah, all prayer gratefully received! |
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| Things are looking up..... |
[Jun. 1st, 2005|07:38 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  optimistic | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Disturbed - Meaning of Life | ] |
What a weekend! Loads of football, a dramatic grand prix, and a trip home to see if I can sweet-talk Dad into paying some of my rent for me!
The sweet-talking didn't quite work as well as I'd planned, in that I still have to pay my own rent, but I went through all the flat options with Mum & Dad and showed them the photos (I'd actually had the foresight to take my camera with me to the viewings!) and Mum loved the same flat as I did, to pretty much the same extent. She even had ideas about how to work round the washing machine issue, and told me to take whichever flat I really wanted, so it looks like I have a flat sorted. Now I just need to work out when the hell I'm gonna find time to pack up everything before I need to move - by the end of the month! - and sit down and actually work out a budget.
On the whole, I guess it was a pretty good weekend - pretty chilled, if a little nervewracking at times (I think I felt sick with nerves almost all day Monday!).
Quick afterthought - On the subject of good weekends, anybody going to HTH this Saturday? |
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| Forever Blowing Bubbles |
[May. 30th, 2005|07:45 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | ecstatic | ] |
| [ | music |
| | I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles | ] |
Yes, another football post:
WE'RE BACK IN THE PREMIERSHIP WHERE WE BELONG!!!!!
Congratulations lads, you did us proud! And get well soon Jimmy Walker - that knee injury looked nasty, I'll be praying for a speedy recovery for you!
No time to post anymore, I'm off to celebrate! I still can't quite believe it! |
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| I never thought I'd say this, but..... |
[May. 26th, 2005|11:33 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | cheerful | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Still the remnants of You'll Never Walk Alone | ] |
Well done Liverpool - what a comeback!
That was one thoroughly deserved victory, and an amazingly entertaining match - that's the sort of match football's really about!
Meanwhile, back in the real world....
I went to look at the 'discounted' flats available through work today, and really like one of them. The only downer (apart from the rent, that goes without saying!) is that there's nowhere for a washing machine. Alternatively, I can have a smaller flat :o( that costs less :o) and can accomodate my washine machine :o) but the bathroom is across the corridor :o( - I now have some serious thinking to do! At least I've got a long weekend coming up.
Other than that I've done very little today, the highlight of my evening has been chatting on Messenger and finding some more Random Internet Quizzes here and here. ( Results ) |
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| I am still here, honest! |
[May. 23rd, 2005|07:11 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  indifferent | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Some bad advert that's been buzzing round my head all day | ] |
I haven't completely disappeared off the face of the planet, I've just not felt much like acknowledging it's existence lately.
Since posting about how wonderful my Bank Holiday weekend was, everything's taken a bit of a nose-dive. My new home seems to have kinda fallen through (I can still have a flat, just for at least £100 a month more than I was initially told), leaving me a month in which to find an alternative (affordable) option, and find the money for a deposit (not an issue originally), and somehow find the time and resources to actually arrange moving.
Just as I was getting to grips with this idea, my uncle was found to have severe (terminal?) lung problems and a few days after that my grandad passed away.
At times I just wanna blow a huge childish raspberry at the world and hide under the duvet and pretend it all doesn't exist, other times I wanna beat the living daylights out if it and prove that I'm bigger than anything the world could care to throw at me. A lot of the time both options seem like too much effort and I just go back to sleep - which only makes things worse because it leaves me even less time to find a flat, etc.
On the plus side though, I did have a good day with family that I haven't seen for years on Friday (all the old family photos started to come out at Grandad's wake so we all had a good laugh at those!), then a good day hitting the West End on Saturday for Becky's birthday (thanks again for the invite!) so I guess I just need to stop wallowing in self pity and count my blessings! If I stop to think about it, I do have so much to be thankful for, I just need to get my act together and stop looking at all the negatives.
On that note, I guess I should stop procrastinating and go take a look a some property ads..... |
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| Hooray for great mates! |
[May. 5th, 2005|08:00 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | thankful | ] |
Given that I was expecting the Bank Holiday weekend to be a bit of a non-event, I actually had a really good weekend. Saturday wasn't overly fantastic (I slept until about lunchtime then spent the rest of the day collecting travel brochures and translating the word 'hello' into umpteen different languages, both in preparation for Explorers on Sunday morning) but Sunday things definitely picked up.
Explorers went well, a little chaotic at times, but still productive and fun. I then went home to my parents' for the remainder of the weekend, and texted Steve to see if he fancied a pint seeing as I was home for more than just a few hours. I got an incredibly rushed phone call in reply saying that he was literally on his way to a BBQ but I was welcome to go along too. (Seemed a bit like gatecrashing at first, but I was persuaded to join in.) I had a great time, really chilled and it actually felt like I was socialising for a change, rather than just being at the pub with other people (no offence meant to the usual pub crowd, I'm just usually still in a work frame of mind and not able to switch off and relax!). I was actually meeting new people and making new friends, which is something I haven't done much of for ages, so I really enjoyed myself. (Thanks Richie for letting me gatecrash!)
The night just kept getting better though. Steve and several of the other BBQ-goers are running in the Dublin marathon in October, and I was told (not asked!) that I had to go and be part of their 'Support Crew' - apparently the majority of the people there who weren't running were going over to Dublin anyway to cheer them on & drink plenty of Guinness (not sure which had top priority!) A hundred and one reasons why I should politely decline (money, work, Mum's birthday...) flashed through my head, but the more I heard, the more convinced I was to say to hell with it and go. So by Monday morning (I didn't get in until gone 3am) I'd agreed to go and spend five days in Dublin with a bunch of nutters, most of whom I barely know - and I can't wait! (And no I wasn't drunk, I was driving so only had a half of cider as soon as I arrived!) I never thought I'd see the day when I'd even go see the London marathon, let alone fly overseas to watch one, but I'm actually really looking forward to it! Thank you Steve for 1) inviting me to the BBQ in the first place, 2) inviting me to join the Dublin trip, 3) not letting the matter drop until I'd agreed to go, and 4) organising everything so I don't even have to plan anything! You're a real blessing mate! (Thanks to the rest of the group for making me feel welcome and urging me to go too!)
I think I spent most of Holiday Monday either catching up on the sleep I'd missed or making Nan's birthday card and present, but even now several days on I think I'm still on a bit of a high from Sunday night.
I love my friends! Thank you for being so great, God bless you! |
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| Another Random Internet Quiz |
[Apr. 30th, 2005|02:25 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  calm | ] |
I'm beginning to wonder why I wanted to start up on LJ, I never seem to have anything to post. The highlight of my day has probably been faffing about with random internet quizzes. According to The Country Quiz........
You're Ireland!
Mystical and rain-soaked, you remain mysterious to many people, and this
makes you intriguing. You also like a good night at the pub, though many are just as
worried that you will blow up the pub as drink your beverage of choice. You're good
with words, remarkably lucky, and know and enjoy at least fifteen ways of eating a potato.
You really don't like snakes.
Take the Country Quiz at
the Blue Pyramid
Not overly accurate, as I much prefer snakes to potatoes, but it killed a few minutes.
Good grief, is this really all I have going on in my life?.... |
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| Getting organised? Me?! |
[Apr. 24th, 2005|08:00 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  working | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Puddle of Mudd - Control | ] |
OK, so I've been meaning to do this for ages but never actually got round to it. So I figured while I'm sitting in the office at 8pm on a Sunday waiting for the blasted computer to convert umpteen property particulars files into pdf format, I'd actually get myself organised and sign up. So here I am, finally with my LiveJournal sorted and still no pdf files arrived yet.
Now I have got myself online, I can't actually remember what I was going to post. I think I used up all my brainpower trying to outsmart the office computer.
Oh well, I'll recharge my braincells with a little caffeine and try again later. |
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