13th October: Lashing rain

If anybody ever tells you that South Australia is a dry state, disbelieve them. This has been an outrageous day for rain, near invisibility on the road. I simply had to trust in the driver in front of me, and the person behind me had to do the same. Wicked. It is the kind of rain that could knock you down, seriously you poms don't know what rain is. Consequently, I have been soaked through twice today. Had the curious experience of a student consultation session with both of us visibly steaming from the knees. We chose not to speak of it. Silly really.
Found Simon in good spirits at lunchtime, we worked through our shortlist of abstracts, came up with ten, then six that fitted with a loose theme. This selection process feels so much like being in a star chamber. I worry about those that we are rejecting. Some of them we know are so good that they will go on to find places in other journals and we reject in the hope that they will. Simon even rejected his own paper. Now that is professional.

We spent some time with the occupational therapist discussing the equipment that we will need at home. She has ordered an electric wheelchair, a self-propel shower chair, and a whoopee cushion (air filled cushion for the chair, quite expensive); we also asked about ramps and things that we will need. It may take many months to get the wheelchair and Simon has to convince everyone that he can drive it without running people over (a sort of driving test). For this reason, we have to get Simon to keep paying attention to his right side, where his vision is impaired. So even though it would be more convenient to have everything in his room arranged on his left side, we have to deliberately arrange it on his right hand side to force him to pay attention. Sometimes, I think about what I know about learning theory and wonder why we can't be more creative and sophisticated. Tom Bourner, and others, any thoughts?
Great news from the Swifts Ladies Netball team, they have replied. Good on ya Swifts.
Tomorrow I have planned to take Simon to see our new house (we have until Wednesday midnight to pull out of the contract), I hope he likes it. Important that I get him there before we decide. Gerry is also going to check out a building problem indicated by the ant surveyor, a bit of damp that would attract termites and must be dealt with. After this we will go to the Barn restaurant in McLaren Vale for a lovely meal. I have asked the taxi company for their best, mature drivers. Fingers crossed about that.
Today, Simon declared that he wanted to be free of the hospital by the time Asher arrives so that they can go out on the lash together. I have promised to do all that I can to make that possible. Asher, I hope that your muscles are in good shape! Looking forward to your visit and good luck in your new home.

Marian x