The OH’s Grandfather, Philip, passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning. Despite his long illness it was still a shock - if nothing else in it’s speed. He had been much better in the day and was taken out of bed for only the second time since the 22nd December. The OH is, naturally, bereft. He had the joy of knowing his Grandfather as both a boy and a man (he lived with him for a number of years in the early 1990’s). His stories relating to both periods show his love and admiration for a man to whom he had no biological link, but for whom he cared deeply. The late night addiction they shared to “Prisoner Cell Block H” in the period where they were housemates was testament to their combined love of really shit television!
We’ve had the task, not only of informing the family (many of whom have not seen him in over ten years) but also of arranging the funeral. The latter hasn’t been helped because, as Grampa was a coal-miner for many years, he has had to have a post-mortem. The OH has a meeting with the Coroner in the morning as they can find no cause of death - and are having to retain the lungs for further analysis. Hopefully, this will not delay the funeral, which is due to take place a week tomorrow.

It’s the first funeral I’ve had to help organise and, as a non-religious person, I’ve found it very difficult. I’ve always been quite clear about what I want after my death. Grampa, unfortunately, except for his wish to be cremated and his remains scattered, wasn’t as precise. We are meeting with a Baptist Minister on Monday and hope that this will help to clarify things. We are meant to pick hymns, music and readings. Neither of us has the first clue, really. All we do know is that we don’t want a very flowery service (he wasn’t that sort of man) and no singing of “The Old Rugged Cross”, which is perhaps the worst hymn ever written.
It is also staggering how expensive the whole thing is. Luckily Grampa had some money put to one side, but we are already well over £2k and we aren’t having anything grand, by any stretch of the imagination. We also have to pay quite a large chunk up-front ourselves, as nothing is taken on trust anymore. It’s quite a lesson in the need to be prepared.

So, it’s not the happiest of homes here in the Gene Puddle at present. However, in my logical way, I see it as the end of the mans suffering. Hopefully, from here on in, everything will run to plan and Grampa will be put to rest in a dignified fashion.

RIP - Philip Thomas 1921 - 2007

When you haven’t written for some time, it becomes increasingly difficult to start again.  Call it bloggers block, if you will, but real life has rather overtaken events.  You know, the combined joys of the festive season, coupled with extended hospital visits to the OH’s Grandfather who is seriously ill with pneumonia and keeps ripping out his nasal feeding tube.  He’s 85 and I could, if I’m being logical, say that perhaps he’s just had enough with 20 years of extreme ill-health, both physical and mental.  The discussion we had about his wish not to be resuscitated with him and his doctors on the Friday before Christmas should have been a sign, but nonetheless he’s still here and the doctors keep doing further investigations on both his lack of swallow (a huge problem) as well as his deteriorating lung capacity.  There is a point where we should just be able to let go.  Unfortunately, life just isn’t that fair.

Despite this, OH and William enjoyed Christmas - with myself doing the usual Bah Humbug about the whole event.  I did have a wonderful run up to the period however, with My Dear Friend visiting from Ireland - a joy mirrored by the fact he now lives my weather about 24 hours before it reaches me.  Hence, it rains a lot and he chose to live there.  Chortle.  Following that, my Friend the Artist arrived for a visit, which not only helped in the general run up to Christmas psychosis, when I would otherwise have bought a million things I didn’t need in the general panic, but also lent another pair of hands to the wrapping.  The latter was done after a skinful of wine and I did fear that William’s trike - which had been assembled around 1.30am - would not be road-worthy.  We’ve dismissed this subsequently on a lovely - although cold - afternoon in a local park.

I’ve also been to a couple of gigs.  Same band - Revolver.  They’re a local band who do some really, really good covers.  The first gig was particularly good - opening of Electric Six’s “Gay Bar” and closing with a seasonally punk version of “White Christmas”.  Good night all round - enhanced by the presence of said Friend the Artist, Auntie Katie (who resides in Leicester), the Duchess, Robbie, etc - and the fact that my ego inflator (Dave the Floor Layer) is the drummer only made it better.  They aren’t playing now until the 16th February (The Castle Hotel, Barry - in case you are interested), which is a shame.  Both gigs were great and I even danced (what can you do when “AntMusic” blasts out followed by The Cult‘s “Rain”), which is a rare occurrence.

We went to friends for New Year’s Eve, which was great and upped the bar on catering - with three types of curry, breads and assorted samosas and bhajees laid on.  There was much alcohol, including freshly prepared Pina Colada’s for the fool hardy of us still there at 2am!  It was good to spend time with the gang of friends we went out with a lot before William was born.  Despite protestations to the contrary, it is difficult to go out once there is a small child in the house - especially when baby-sitters are at a premium.  It’s not just the cover for the night itself - it’s also about having to be alert at 8am when he decides that it’s time to rise and breakfast is demanded.  New Year’s Day didn’t start until 11am (William was with my parents) and the fact that we didn’t have to get up was not so much a pleasure as the biggest treat of Christmas.  OH did basically all of the child-care over the period - but the stillness of the house when only the two of us are here is so .. well, unusual, I suppose.

In saying all that, William does continue to be a revelation to me.  As someone with no experience of small children before he came along, his ability to amass new information is frightening.  He is like a sponge and will laugh so loudly that the whole of the house comes to life.  When My Dear Friend was here, he showed his particular talent for making farting noises with his hands.  William is still asking about when he’s coming back.  Similarly, my Friend the Artist does a rather good line in raspberry blowing on belly and William loves her for it.  To top all that, the all important Auntie Katie was also home for a few days and William relishes the time they spend together - as I know does she.

His other Auntie - otherwise known as the woman with the best calves in Barry - has gone into hospital today for a long-awaited surgery that will keep her under wraps for longer than she would want.  I keep thinking of her - hoping the 7 hour operation that she’s wanted so desperately for so long - goes well.  We’ll see her in a few days - taking her daughter with us - but it’s strange to go a week without having coffee with her.

So you see, I haven’t been idle.  Sure, there’s been some watching of the cricket (of which, least said soonest mended - I hope), Torchwood (as the OH said, we’ve come a long way from the outrage over the peck on the cheek in EastEnders between two gay characters) and This Life +10 (which I sat through, loving each and every second), but it’s been a steady stream of stuff into 2007.  And now we’re here.  I don’t do the resolutions thing.  It’s pointless at the end of the day.  However, I will try over the next year to:

* spend as much time with the OH and William as is feasible - and not be grouchy too often;
* visit my friends, instead of them always visiting me - wherever they live;
* re-build my golf swing - which was coming along quite nicely at one stage;
* get to Edinburgh during the Festival - not with work but to enjoy it;
* refuse to watch any crap, reality, life-sucking, TV.  This includes Big Brother;
* get the kitchen finished and decide what the hell is happening with the hall;
* start going to gigs again - and find someone to hold my hand whilst doing it;
* do a proper holiday - which doesn’t involve TV characters of any description;
* enjoy the moment..

I will, also, try not to let this site die.  I’m going to have a re-think and may even get some “guests” in to do some stuff.  I’ve got friends with computers, you know, who aren’t all as Luddite as me!

Happy 2007 - wherever you may be.