Thanks Sneaks. Yes, it was definitely for the best. I've just come back from the vet, it was very peaceful, just as if she were going to sleep. Now I've just got to tell the children when I pick them up from school. :(

I think I'll try and distract myself with some PhD work.

======= Date Modified 24 Jun 2011 12:01:25 =======
Oops, double post. Not sure how I've managed that! :$

Oh Moonblue, that's so sad. I agree, it sounds like it was for the best, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with.

Today is my last chance to get things done before I go to summer school for a week, and then off on holiday for two weeks straight after that. And my data collection isn't happening. It's so frustrating! The organisations I'm studying had agreed it would all go ahead but now it's just delay after delay with getting the actual emails inviting people to take part sent out. It looks like one lot will have to wait until after my holiday now. Hopefully the other lot will get sorted, waiting to hear back. Grrrr.

Otherwise, it's laundry, last minute shopping and packing for summer school. If I don't come back here again today, see you all in about three weeks!

I'm sorry to hear that Moonblue :-( Don't feel worry about it if you can't focus on work this afternoon.


I have now worked my way through my methods chapter and have been for a short lunchtime run. My next goal is to revise and amalgamate part of my literature review and part of my method.

Thanks, Batfink and Star-Shaped. To be honest, I also feel relief. The last few weeks have been difficult and I knew we would reach this point sooner or later. At least it's done now. She looked very peaceful. :-)

I've added a few references to Endnote (not a great achievement) and will now spend some time adding some info from a paper to my lit review.

======= Date Modified 24 Jun 2011 13:54:47 =======
Hi all! :)

I haven't used this thread in a long time, hope to join in again.

Just completed writing up the results of the pilot study. Comes to around 2500 words. Is that too short/long? It was a small study?

so sorry to hear about your dog Moonblue.

chococake, the story of my pilot is in my methodology chapter and runs to about 2000 words. The pilot was a failure in that it didn't achieve what I wanted it to but succeeded in that it prompted significant research re-design. For me 2000 words was about enough.

Right, I have done:

- finish findings section
- add in the discussion I've already written
- iron 4 shirts
- put clean-clothes-mountain away
- Pack a bag for 5 days for hubby to work next week
- Pack a different bag for me and hubs for this weekend
- wrap presents

I still have to:

- print out so can read over and work on issues over the weekend.
- wash the dog
- hoover entire house
- clean bathrooms and kitchen
- have another shower

All before 4pm, then...

- drive 2 hours to pick hubs up
- go out to a birthday dinner

Thanks Ady. Sneaks, you look like you'll be busy ;)

My methods chapter and a chunk of my literature review are now more or less thesis ready! Everything is really starting to come together (I am ignoring my introduction which I haven't even thought about, and my half drafted discussion chapter for now!).

My final goal is to start drafting out a job application and finish a bit early to tidy the house and pack to go away for the weekend in the morning.

I've done everything but wash the dog - including driving to london and back, the dog will have to stay dirty. Now just got to change re-make-up myself and go to this evening thing - I have 30 mins to do that and find hubby's PSP so he'll be entertained tomorrow, he is like a small toddler

Well I am envious of those with a weekend away, Sneaks and Star-Shaped enjoy! Ok so I have had a very nice family day with hubby and the kids, some sunshine and a BBQ. However, reality returns with some more viva Qs to address. Got a bit behind as I was applying for a clinical job last night....sounds very positive (they are desperate to fill and I am qualified moving close by) except I will have to relocate 20 mins nearer and deal with childcare for three days a week 7am til 8.30 pm. Why are things never straight forward :-( Oh well, will forget about that til after my viva now.

When is your viva Dunni?

I had a nice weekend away but I have been very slow to start this morning. I have to send a full draft of my thesis to my supervisor 2 weeks today. He was really impressed with the draft of my literature review and method so I don't have nearly as much work to do to redraft it so I am starting to feel complacent which isn't good at this stage! My first goal is to address his comments on a chunk of my literature review.

Hi Star-shaped, sounds like you are on track for a full draft! Just got to keep working at it as really submission is not far away (up)

I have my viva middle of next week (ok trying not to panic) and really I have got behind with prep. I have addressed quite a few Qs but need to re-read them and some papers. This week may be full of sickly babies with 1x chicken pox and 2x major green snot. Really bad timing :-( On the up I am feeling better although tired, yeh!

I'm having an odd week. I realised on sunday that another deadline is due tomorrow, and I haven't done any of the work for it. so I blocked out today to do it, but then there's been a family illness, meaning that I'm left looking after a little girl for the rest of the week, so haven't started work yet. Its just started raining though, so that's good - hopefully it will get cooler :-)

anyway, PhD is taking a back seat until I can do this work!