We're in the last quarter of September and it's that uncomfortable time when you begin to detect a chill in the air, yet it's not quite cold enough for the heating to come on. I'm leaving for work in the pitch dark at 5.30am and it's pitch dark again by 8pm, in just a few short weeks, it will be lights out by 5pm.
Pretty tired this week but on Thursday, it was time to donate blood again. My pin prick test to check iron levels, (were they prick your finger, squeeze out some blood, suck up a droplet and launch it into a solution to see how fast it sinks.) was interesting, I think it has 15 seconds to sink, light weight droplets float casually at the top of the solution, devoid of iron, just where they dived in. Well, my droplet sat there for an age, just as I was timed out, apparently, (I didn't see,) but the droplet started to fall right on the bell, according to the nurse. Either it did or they're desperate for blood. Anyway, I donated all 470mls then slept like a log, despite the sore arm.
I've just discovered Richard Ayoade in "Travel Man: 48 Hours in New York". I know he's been around on TV for a while but I've never actually watched anything he was in before, he's very funny, has that really dry sense of humour that I love. It would be a hoot to travel with him.
I had a lovely day off on Friday, quiet coffee and read first thing, managed to find myself the Holy Grail of jeans in Gap, with 60% off. How long have I been looking for jeans with absolutely no, or just the faintest hint of stretch? True, blue, old school jeans that give the tiniest bit to your body. Jeans that don't cling on like Spanx. Anyway, rather that schlep around the mountains of denim tugging at each jean leg I passed to measure stretchability, I asked an assistant who right away took me to 'Sexy Boyfriend Fit'. Has the barest of stretch but when they're on, you can't feel it. For the first time in years, I don't have jeans clinging to my legs. They feel great on and I feel great in them.
After the Gap triumph, I headed to a different Starbucks to meet up with Tracy. We talked for 2 hours, had a great catch up. There is a saying which I can't remember just now, but I think it ends with 'old friends are gold.' And it's true, I'm amazed when I find 'new' friends but old friends are something else, by the time you add up all of the matches, hatches and dispatches, laughing, dancing, crying, it all equals pure gold.
So after the catch up, I headed to Jan who had 10 month old Everly for the day. I was only calling in for half an hour but was probably there for an hour after cuddles, walks around the garden, butterfly spotting and feeding Everly her bottle. I am completely in love with her. I think she likes me but she seems to like everyone :)
After a quick grocery shop, I headed home and Bee arrived 10 minutes later, then, off we headed to watch "Bridget Jones's' Baby". After being deafened by the adverts and trailers, the film finally started thank God. I have to begin by saying that I adore Renee. Initially, I didn't think it was as good as the original, I thought there was a lot of coasting off the things we loved about the original and I thought it was just going to be passable, as was the second edition, however, the final third of the film won me over, absolutely hilarious. You have to go and see it.
Love you. Miss you x
Saturday, 24 September 2016
Miss Jones
We're in the last quarter of September and it's that uncomfortable time when you begin to detect a chill in the air, yet it's not quite cold enough for the heating to come on. I'm leaving for work in the pitch dark at 5.30am and it's pitch dark again by 8pm, in just a few short weeks, it will be lights out by 5pm.
Pretty tired this week but on Thursday, it was time to donate blood again. My pin prick test to check iron levels, (were they prick your finger, squeeze out some blood, suck up a droplet and launch it into a solution to see how fast it sinks.) was interesting, I think it has 15 seconds to sink, iron deficient droplets float casually at the top of the solution, just where they dived in. Well, my droplet sat there for an age, just as I was timed out, apparently, (I didn't see, the droplet started to fall right on the bell, according to the nurse. Either it did or they're desperate for blood. Anyway, I donated all 470mls then slept like a log, despite the sore arm.
I've just discovered Richard Ayoade in "Travel Man: 48 Hours in New York". I know he's been around on TV for a while but I've never actually watched anything he was in before, he's very funny, has that really dry sense of humour that I love. It would be a hoot to travel with him.
I had a lovely day off on Friday, quiet coffee and read first thing, managed to find myself the Holy Grail of jeans in Gap, with 60% off. How long have I been looking for jeans with absolutely no, or just the faintest hint of stretch? True, blue, old school jeans that give the tiniest bit to your body. Jeans that don't cling on like Spanx. Anyway, rather that schlep around the mountains of denim tugging at each jean leg I passed to gauge stretchability, I asked an assistant who right away took me to 'Sexy Boyfriend Fit'. Has the barest of stretch but when they're on, you can't feel it. For the first time in years, I don't have jeans clinging to my legs. They feel great on and I feel great in them.
After the Gap triumph, I headed to a different Starbucks to meet up with Tracy. We talked for 2 hours, had a great catch up. There is a saying which I can't remember just now, but I think it ends with 'old friends are gold.' And it's true, I'm amazed when I find "new" friends but old friends are something else, by the time you add up all of the matches, hatches and dispatches, laughing, dancing and crying, it all equals pure gold.
So after the catch up, I head to Jan who had 10 month old Everly for the day. I was only calling in for half an hour but was probably there for an hour after cuddles, walks around the garden, butterfly spotting and giving Everly her bottle. I am completely in love with her. I think she likes me but she seems to like everyone :)
After a quick grocery shop, I headed home and Bee arrived 10 minutes later, then, off we headed to watch "Bridget Jones's' Baby". After being deafened by the adverts and trailers, the film finally started thank God. I have to begin by saying that I adore Renee. Initially, I didn't think it was as good as the original, I thought there was a lot of coasting off the things we loved about the original and I thought it was just going to be passable, as was the second edition, however, the final third of the film won me over, absolutely hilarious. You have to go and see it.
Love you. Miss you x
Pretty tired this week but on Thursday, it was time to donate blood again. My pin prick test to check iron levels, (were they prick your finger, squeeze out some blood, suck up a droplet and launch it into a solution to see how fast it sinks.) was interesting, I think it has 15 seconds to sink, iron deficient droplets float casually at the top of the solution, just where they dived in. Well, my droplet sat there for an age, just as I was timed out, apparently, (I didn't see, the droplet started to fall right on the bell, according to the nurse. Either it did or they're desperate for blood. Anyway, I donated all 470mls then slept like a log, despite the sore arm.
I've just discovered Richard Ayoade in "Travel Man: 48 Hours in New York". I know he's been around on TV for a while but I've never actually watched anything he was in before, he's very funny, has that really dry sense of humour that I love. It would be a hoot to travel with him.
I had a lovely day off on Friday, quiet coffee and read first thing, managed to find myself the Holy Grail of jeans in Gap, with 60% off. How long have I been looking for jeans with absolutely no, or just the faintest hint of stretch? True, blue, old school jeans that give the tiniest bit to your body. Jeans that don't cling on like Spanx. Anyway, rather that schlep around the mountains of denim tugging at each jean leg I passed to gauge stretchability, I asked an assistant who right away took me to 'Sexy Boyfriend Fit'. Has the barest of stretch but when they're on, you can't feel it. For the first time in years, I don't have jeans clinging to my legs. They feel great on and I feel great in them.
After the Gap triumph, I headed to a different Starbucks to meet up with Tracy. We talked for 2 hours, had a great catch up. There is a saying which I can't remember just now, but I think it ends with 'old friends are gold.' And it's true, I'm amazed when I find "new" friends but old friends are something else, by the time you add up all of the matches, hatches and dispatches, laughing, dancing and crying, it all equals pure gold.
So after the catch up, I head to Jan who had 10 month old Everly for the day. I was only calling in for half an hour but was probably there for an hour after cuddles, walks around the garden, butterfly spotting and giving Everly her bottle. I am completely in love with her. I think she likes me but she seems to like everyone :)
After a quick grocery shop, I headed home and Bee arrived 10 minutes later, then, off we headed to watch "Bridget Jones's' Baby". After being deafened by the adverts and trailers, the film finally started thank God. I have to begin by saying that I adore Renee. Initially, I didn't think it was as good as the original, I thought there was a lot of coasting off the things we loved about the original and I thought it was just going to be passable, as was the second edition, however, the final third of the film won me over, absolutely hilarious. You have to go and see it.
Love you. Miss you x
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Here Miss!
I'm here, I'm alive. I'm two weeks back to work and I've survived. It took 90 minutes this evening to travel 18 miles to get home after leaving this morning at 5.30am and I'm clinging on to the bright side. Don't ask me what exactly this bright side is, because I really haven't put that much thought into it, but let's just say I have a fixed smile on my face, everything is fine. Everything is fine.
After crawling to our home town, I had to go to the pharmacy to pick up my blood pressure tablets, which should have been ready days ago, and they probably were ready, but I didn't know that until I called them this morning to chase up, as I only have two days left and I hadn't received the text message to say that they were ready, like I should have. The queue to the counter, was beyond the door, not the fault of the staff and everyone was patient, but something is going horribly wrong there and it was not what I needed after the journey home.
So, prescription collection eventually completed and then grocery shop, I came home to vent to the only person I have here, and she's not there on the other end of the phone. Such is life, you've got to laugh.
Anyway, it's the weekend, two whole days of relative freedom.
Also, I think my sense of humour is on life support. I know that my humour was always an acquired taste, but you know I was funny. I can't remember that last time I made anyone laugh.
It's now Saturday and after waking at 5.30am for no apparent reason, I decided to rise at 6ish. It's a beautiful day and after my morning coffee ritual, I came home to do some hard core gardening for ninety minutes, I think I'll be sore tomorrow... more sore.
It's only 16 degrees but it's a beautiful day, blue skies, brilliant sunshine, actually broke a sweat in the garden. A few leaves have started to fall and it won't be long until I'll be wearing a jacket for my coffee to ward off the chilly air.
The highlight of my day... M&S Frankincense & Myrrh Christmas candles have arrived in the outlet next to coffee, so, this officially heralds the arrival of Autumn, i.e. the run up to Christmas. Not looking forward to Christmas this year. Anyway, I love the scent and by January, I will be officially sick of it, but until then, I'm just going to enjoy.
Hope it's sunny with you Col x
After crawling to our home town, I had to go to the pharmacy to pick up my blood pressure tablets, which should have been ready days ago, and they probably were ready, but I didn't know that until I called them this morning to chase up, as I only have two days left and I hadn't received the text message to say that they were ready, like I should have. The queue to the counter, was beyond the door, not the fault of the staff and everyone was patient, but something is going horribly wrong there and it was not what I needed after the journey home.
So, prescription collection eventually completed and then grocery shop, I came home to vent to the only person I have here, and she's not there on the other end of the phone. Such is life, you've got to laugh.
Anyway, it's the weekend, two whole days of relative freedom.
Also, I think my sense of humour is on life support. I know that my humour was always an acquired taste, but you know I was funny. I can't remember that last time I made anyone laugh.
It's now Saturday and after waking at 5.30am for no apparent reason, I decided to rise at 6ish. It's a beautiful day and after my morning coffee ritual, I came home to do some hard core gardening for ninety minutes, I think I'll be sore tomorrow... more sore.
It's only 16 degrees but it's a beautiful day, blue skies, brilliant sunshine, actually broke a sweat in the garden. A few leaves have started to fall and it won't be long until I'll be wearing a jacket for my coffee to ward off the chilly air.
The highlight of my day... M&S Frankincense & Myrrh Christmas candles have arrived in the outlet next to coffee, so, this officially heralds the arrival of Autumn, i.e. the run up to Christmas. Not looking forward to Christmas this year. Anyway, I love the scent and by January, I will be officially sick of it, but until then, I'm just going to enjoy.
Hope it's sunny with you Col x
Friday, 16 September 2016
Paranormal
You know that I have a, what... fascination? Interest? ...in the paranormal. Let's just say that I have an open mind. My Mum once told me that, whilst washing up in the kitchen one day, at the family home in Liverpool, she felt a touch on her shoulder and heard the name; 'Babs', my Granddad's pet name for my Mum as she was the baby, this was around 1949, 1950, after he had passed away. It was Granddad's voice she heard.
One night after school, long before Jan was married, I was eleven or slightly older and some discussion at high school triggered the conversation between me, Mum and Jan that evening over dinner. I heard how Jan and Mum, after visiting Auntie Peg whilst she was ill, had driven away in a taxi watching Auntie Peg, at the door, waving them goodbye... surrounded by a halo of light. Mum and Jan had not immediately wanted to say what they saw, but later, it had come out, and they both had witnessed this strange glow.
That night, Mum sat in the chair by the window in the living room and Jan and I were kneeling beside her, I don't remember what we were looking at, a book of some sort. Jan and I both, instantaneously saw a figure walk past, behind us. I just saw the lower half of a woman, imagine maybe Ginger Rogers, 1940's, a confident woman striding past wearing a just below the knee skirt, maybe pleated, which cascades behind on every step.
Jan and I looked at each other. Mum must have asked 'what?' and whatever we described, Mum sprang into action with both Jan and I scurrying behind her. Mum checked every room like the lioness she was, there was no one living, to be found.
Jan and I have discussed this night many, many times before, but never before have I asked her what exactly did she see?
I am in no doubt what I saw, this week, I asked Jan what exactly did she see, she said she saw white and old, like clothing from The Railway Children, a woman. Our accounts don't match exactly but in that instant, we both saw something.
In the last couple of weeks, I've started to watch Celebrity Ghost Stories. I have had to stop watching at bed time. I came to realise that while I am open to the paranormal, I only apparently believe in friendly visits from loved ones, not from angry spirits who wish to do harm, which is what most of these stories consist of.
The one exception is Loretta Lynne, her story was wonderful and what an amazing lady.
One night after school, long before Jan was married, I was eleven or slightly older and some discussion at high school triggered the conversation between me, Mum and Jan that evening over dinner. I heard how Jan and Mum, after visiting Auntie Peg whilst she was ill, had driven away in a taxi watching Auntie Peg, at the door, waving them goodbye... surrounded by a halo of light. Mum and Jan had not immediately wanted to say what they saw, but later, it had come out, and they both had witnessed this strange glow.
That night, Mum sat in the chair by the window in the living room and Jan and I were kneeling beside her, I don't remember what we were looking at, a book of some sort. Jan and I both, instantaneously saw a figure walk past, behind us. I just saw the lower half of a woman, imagine maybe Ginger Rogers, 1940's, a confident woman striding past wearing a just below the knee skirt, maybe pleated, which cascades behind on every step.
Jan and I looked at each other. Mum must have asked 'what?' and whatever we described, Mum sprang into action with both Jan and I scurrying behind her. Mum checked every room like the lioness she was, there was no one living, to be found.
Jan and I have discussed this night many, many times before, but never before have I asked her what exactly did she see?
I am in no doubt what I saw, this week, I asked Jan what exactly did she see, she said she saw white and old, like clothing from The Railway Children, a woman. Our accounts don't match exactly but in that instant, we both saw something.
In the last couple of weeks, I've started to watch Celebrity Ghost Stories. I have had to stop watching at bed time. I came to realise that while I am open to the paranormal, I only apparently believe in friendly visits from loved ones, not from angry spirits who wish to do harm, which is what most of these stories consist of.
The one exception is Loretta Lynne, her story was wonderful and what an amazing lady.
Sunday, 11 September 2016
Sadness
I'm feeling pretty sad at the moment. Nothing in particular and yet for a thousand different reasons. I have question after question circling in my head like an angry, loud vortex. I'm desperately trying to see the glass half full, and I know that I'm lucky, with my health, a job and a roof over my head. So what's going on?
Physically, I'm tired. I work out, I eat well most of the time, I aim for enough sleep... just. So why am I aching, tired and so low on energy? This is all hypothetical by the way, I'm not expecting an email full of answers.
Had physio yesterday, atmosphere seemed different for some reason. My neck was very stiff but on the plus side, my mid back, which is always like concrete, is miraculously, moderately mobile. Maybe it's not 'normal' but much better than usual for me. I put it down to jogging on my new rebounder and told my amazing physio all about it. We're going to try to leave it as long as possible but I do think I'll need another session at some point.
Today's highlight was Everly cuddles. Yep, my baby great niece just makes everything better. Don't see that much of her but I always greet her with, 'Hi, you know me, you like me', and she is always fine and even stretches out her tiny, chubby arms for me to take hold of her, maybe it's chance, maybe it's genetic, or maybe she likes me?
It's now three days later and I feel a little better, Everly definitely took the edge off. Nothing has changed but I have, I suppose re-acclimatised to... life. Life as I know it anyway. It's a life governed by the clock, by time, it's not particularly satisfying, work doesn't do that for me, but it does pay the bills. I'm still searching for that sense of happiness, whatever that means.
Physically, I'm tired. I work out, I eat well most of the time, I aim for enough sleep... just. So why am I aching, tired and so low on energy? This is all hypothetical by the way, I'm not expecting an email full of answers.
Had physio yesterday, atmosphere seemed different for some reason. My neck was very stiff but on the plus side, my mid back, which is always like concrete, is miraculously, moderately mobile. Maybe it's not 'normal' but much better than usual for me. I put it down to jogging on my new rebounder and told my amazing physio all about it. We're going to try to leave it as long as possible but I do think I'll need another session at some point.
Today's highlight was Everly cuddles. Yep, my baby great niece just makes everything better. Don't see that much of her but I always greet her with, 'Hi, you know me, you like me', and she is always fine and even stretches out her tiny, chubby arms for me to take hold of her, maybe it's chance, maybe it's genetic, or maybe she likes me?
It's now three days later and I feel a little better, Everly definitely took the edge off. Nothing has changed but I have, I suppose re-acclimatised to... life. Life as I know it anyway. It's a life governed by the clock, by time, it's not particularly satisfying, work doesn't do that for me, but it does pay the bills. I'm still searching for that sense of happiness, whatever that means.
Friday, 9 September 2016
Two Whole Weeks
Hi Hon,
Well, I've just been off work for two whole weeks, the first time off for five months and boy, was I ready for it.
I have continued to de-clutter and re-organise, I emptied the garage with the assistance of Jan, on probably the hottest day of my two weeks off, (my car read 38 degrees when I went to move it after the de-clutter.) I went on to paint the living room, ceiling is white, (used the paint that goes on pink and dries white so that you can see where you're painting.) walls are the palest stone you can imagine. Beautifully calm and just what I wanted.
I have ached more than I knew that I could while I've painted, shoulder has practically seized up, but it's the moving of heavy furniture on your own which is the toughie, combined with climbing tables, ladders and steps to complete the task.
Bee came over one day to 'help' and I assigned her to the patio, it looks amazing and she did a brilliant job, it was so overgrown before.
So my haven of calm just needs new carpet and curtains, hopefully before Christmas then I'm set for a couple of years I reckon.
I'm quite proud of my effort with everything, especially the organising and de-cluttering. God knows I've been trying for years, but I think I'm finally becoming the organised person I've always dreamt of being ;)
Well, I've just been off work for two whole weeks, the first time off for five months and boy, was I ready for it.
I have continued to de-clutter and re-organise, I emptied the garage with the assistance of Jan, on probably the hottest day of my two weeks off, (my car read 38 degrees when I went to move it after the de-clutter.) I went on to paint the living room, ceiling is white, (used the paint that goes on pink and dries white so that you can see where you're painting.) walls are the palest stone you can imagine. Beautifully calm and just what I wanted.
I have ached more than I knew that I could while I've painted, shoulder has practically seized up, but it's the moving of heavy furniture on your own which is the toughie, combined with climbing tables, ladders and steps to complete the task.
Bee came over one day to 'help' and I assigned her to the patio, it looks amazing and she did a brilliant job, it was so overgrown before.
So my haven of calm just needs new carpet and curtains, hopefully before Christmas then I'm set for a couple of years I reckon.
I'm quite proud of my effort with everything, especially the organising and de-cluttering. God knows I've been trying for years, but I think I'm finally becoming the organised person I've always dreamt of being ;)
Sunday, 4 September 2016
Bellissima
During my last visit to my amazing physio, she made it perfectly clear, that, for whatever reason, I should not make future appointments. I have increased my range of motion during the past three years of sessions. I am maintaining through exercise. I am scared stiff of dissolving back into the pain and immobility of a few short years ago. Jan tells me that maybe my physio doesn't want to take any more of my money but I'd be quite happy to hand it over for the maintenance and the peace of mind each session brings me.
Still, faced with the fact that I can't have physio anymore, I did some research. My favourite trainer in the world, the amazing Ashley Borden, recommends using a rebounder for muscle, joint and lymphatic health. Rebounding, (on a mini trampoline,) is what Astronauts use to regain bone and muscle density, apparently.
The brand Du jour is Bellicon and you know that I'm a sucker for a good sales pitch. Well, Bellicon, (German excellence,) is recommended by Ashley, who I trust, and so, I did the math, (how many physio sessions would pay for the Bellicon,) and then I ordered.
I'm six weeks in and the Bellicon, together with my Fitbit, is spurring me on to move and be active.
Instead of sitting on my pre loved sofa, (previously owned by you prior to NZ,) watching TV in the evening, I now watch the TV whilst lightly jogging on my Bellicon.
So, just 6 weeks later, I've lost 3lbs by doing nothing else other than lightly jogging when I would have been sitting. I've gained 7lbs since Christmas last year, which I desperately want to get rid of and I know, that movement is the key. I walk to and from the car for work, I go for a long walk on lunch and the rest of my 11 miles per day is clocked up on my Bellicon.
It's supposed to get rid of cellulite so I'll let you know about that one, early days yet ;)
Love you, I'll be back soon x
Still, faced with the fact that I can't have physio anymore, I did some research. My favourite trainer in the world, the amazing Ashley Borden, recommends using a rebounder for muscle, joint and lymphatic health. Rebounding, (on a mini trampoline,) is what Astronauts use to regain bone and muscle density, apparently.
The brand Du jour is Bellicon and you know that I'm a sucker for a good sales pitch. Well, Bellicon, (German excellence,) is recommended by Ashley, who I trust, and so, I did the math, (how many physio sessions would pay for the Bellicon,) and then I ordered.
I'm six weeks in and the Bellicon, together with my Fitbit, is spurring me on to move and be active.
Instead of sitting on my pre loved sofa, (previously owned by you prior to NZ,) watching TV in the evening, I now watch the TV whilst lightly jogging on my Bellicon.
So, just 6 weeks later, I've lost 3lbs by doing nothing else other than lightly jogging when I would have been sitting. I've gained 7lbs since Christmas last year, which I desperately want to get rid of and I know, that movement is the key. I walk to and from the car for work, I go for a long walk on lunch and the rest of my 11 miles per day is clocked up on my Bellicon.
It's supposed to get rid of cellulite so I'll let you know about that one, early days yet ;)
Love you, I'll be back soon x
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