Mixed Wardrobe........

 
Wet and windy Saturday, so Daughter and Son cancelled their planned walk and came here instead, R came too and Son brought cake. This was the last night for R's month long Theatre in the Forest run so she spent her time creating cards for the cast and crew etc. Hubby helped Son replace the cigarette lighter in his van and Daughter spent a little time in her car trying to get the software to recognise her phone but had to give up. The dog was in and out of the garden, she usually hates going out if it's raining but there were squirrels to chase so she put up with getting wet. We all came together each time the kettle went on and to have lunch. 

Was a bit windy Monday morning but we managed coffee morning outside and it was quite warm each time the sun broke through the clouds. No extra neighbours this week even though it was a bank holiday. Hope they've all found places to have fun. 

Tuesday friendM treated me to lunch as a late birthday present even though she'd given me wrapped gifts already. Always good to have time just the two of us as normally we go out with others. 

Wednesday evening was out usual gang meal in Prezzo first. We had gone early as wanted to get to the pub a bit earlier because Open Mike Night is always busy and often we can't get a seat. Prezzo of course was the busiest we've seen it and our poor waitress was desperately keeping up but it did all take a lot longer than we'd hoped. 

As you can see we did get a table in the pub and this pic was taken late and the girls had already finished their drinks and moved on to coffees (I'm still on water) when two of our guys had just finished at the pool table and we were waiting for our third friendF to take his turn at the mike.

Good weather later this week for Hubby in the garden and for watching all the gold finches on the bird feeder. 

A phone call from the Oncology Consultant to see how I'm doing and he said he'll check again in a months time. 

And that's about it for another week. 

Till next week I'll say TTFN.

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I'm Not Winking At You........

 
After 10 days of being a Tudor and practicing new skills as a glass bead maker, Daughter time travelled straight here to unload her car into our garage and shed.

Eight of us met for a late lunch, four couples, old friends having a good catchup. Hubby and I were the last to arrive so sat the furthest apart, as they prefer to have a boys end and a girls end as often very different conversations. Every one enjoyed a full mains and dessert but I chose a lunch wrap leaving most of the salad and fries that came with it (new meds make me feel a little sick if I eat a lot). At dessert time I did have to nip down to the other end of the table to taste Hubby's biscoff cheesecake. 

Afterwards back to friendsN&T for coffee/tea sitting out on the patio in lovely weather. Only downside was I managed to trip and bash my knee! Maybe I'm an attention seeking drama queen.... or just plain clumsy! 

Second week of these little triangle pills and seem to have my first obvious and consistent side effect, which isn't one I was warned about or expected. 

The lower lid of my right eye twitches, not all the time, but always when I lift a mug to my mouth! I lift a mug lots during a whole day. So obvious Daughter saw it twitch from across the room! Daughter and I tried all sorts of movement combinations and no wiser but very amused. 

Pleased to report my birthday orchid is still alive and looks quite happy on this window sill, which only gets direct sunlight from late afternoon. 

So a short one this week as all the other stuff is normal day to day stuff. 

Enjoy your long Bank Holiday weekend (unless you're retired like us when it makes no difference).

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Feeling Hot Hot Hot........

 
Saturday afternoon our friends arrived. They brought balloons and a beautiful orchid.

 There should have been four of them (people not balloons) but unfortunately friendM got double booked and although he would have preferred being with us, the other event took priority. 

Tea and cake then all in one car to The Wilford Bridge pub and all enjoyed a lovely meal. Then just five minutes down the road to Sutton Hoo to see A Midsummer Night's Dream performed by Red Rose Chain actors. My second time of course but for Hubby, friendsL&K and friendL not only their first time for this but their first time coming to Theatre in the Forest. 

They loved it and praised the energy and enthusiasm of the whole cast. They told me to pass on their praise for R's talent and characterisations especially her facial expressions which made them laugh. And we were included on Bottom's selfie

Back home and as they were sleeping over we stayed up late chatting with the girls on tea and the boys on beer. Eventually all up to bed. 

Sunday was my actual birthday (yes I know I seem to have been celebrating for a while). Opened all my cards and some extra presents friends had given me last week. 

Also answered all the pings on my phone from relatives and friends sending birthday wishes. Eventually everyone was up and ready for breakfast. 

Son arrived bringing more gifts, Mum's Spec Stand amused us all. 

I'm very lucky and loved.

The guys left about 1pm and we later heard it wasn't the easiest journey home with road closures etc. Usually about an hour and a quarter, this time almost two hours. 

 Monday morning we actually enjoyed coffee morning in the heat as there was a good breeze

Monday afternoon my new pills arrived by a special medic delivery van and Tuesday morning I took the first one. 

Every few years the pond gets too much sludge in the bottom and it keeps blocking the filter and the pump. It's a major physical job so I'm not too sure why Hubby chose the hottest days of the year to start it. 

Firstly he created a temporary pond to hold plants and fish he may need to evacuate. Unfortunately the old black liner seems to have a hole as the patio is getting wet. Abandon plan A.

Then the net came off the pond and he pulled out the lily pads and oxygenating plants that had taken over the whole surface. 

Now he's hoping he can keep running the little fishing net along the bottom and get a lot of the muddy stuff out.

Also in the garden we have the apple tree. We had a good and healthy crop last year so I thought we'd solved the problems of disease in every core of previous years. This year they are not ripe yet but going rotten on the tree or falling off. So no edible fruit and no decision yet as to the tree's future. 

We regularly get squirrels in the garden, probably due to having four birdfeeders. Recently we have this regular visitor who is almost tail-less. We will never know how this happened but watch in amazement as it looks fully active and healthy, hangs upside down to steal from the feeders without a tail to hang on with. Although very funny when hopping on the grass it looks like a little bunny. 

Been a little cooler now at the end of this week which suits me. Hope you've enjoyed the heat or managed to stay cool depending on your preference. 

Wonder what next week will be like?

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Mostly Smiling.........

 
We had a lovely Sunday. Daughter and Son did my pre-birthday bbq. I was told not to do a thing, so I didn't willingly. Hubby helped of course but they provided everything. The weather was very kind, overcast but still very warm and occasional spots of rain that never came to anything. Conversation was lively as D had brought friend and so had R and together with O there was banter and nonsense and laughing. 

I was bought lots of flowers and a pretty new jug. M told me he now has a "jug dealer" which amused me. 

Not sure when or how, but Tuesday I suddenly noticed that a small broken remains of a tooth that had been like it for a few years had disappeared??? It was definitely there on Monday as anything odd in your mouth attracts your tongue doesn't it. It did wobble but never hurt. I felt sure it was big enough I'd have noticed if it fell out while eating or brushing my teeth but it didn't. I'm totally perplexed, where did it go? 

Tuesday was a meet up lunch with my old work team, four of us plus three spouses. We nearly forgot the group photo and remembered when we were already back at the carpark. Love that we still meet after 15 years, so long as I organise them all. 

Wednesday afternoon and still no contact from the hospital, I rang again. I spoke to the Specialist Oncology Nurse who told me she had never had me added to her list. I told her I had seen the consultant three weeks ago who said she would phone me, I also left a message for her last Wednesday, finding out she was on leave, but she never got that either. We made arrangements to meet the next day. 

I now know this department will need me to chase them every time things don't happen when I'm told they will. 

Meeting went well and the medication will be delivered early next week. For now my head is a little all over the place. 

Wednesday evening was out with our usual friends. As it's nearly my birthday we always try to go somewhere a bit different. Unfortunately friendM tried my choices but took my fourth choice before there was a table free for six. That's a problem at the height of the holiday season at a seaside resort. We were lucky and had a good meal in our favourite Mediterranean restaurant. 

Thursday evening yet another meal out with three friends, two of which we only catch up with on birthday celebrations. FriendH drove me and friendJ and we met friendM there. I have parcels from M and H to open next Sunday and J insisted on paying for my meal. 

Not the best photo of any of us but a lovely evening. 

Friday there was some confusion with Doggy Day Care arrangements. Son had booked extra tickets for Midsummer Night's Dream as fiancé didn't make it last time, so I booked in their dog, but apparently it was mentioned a long while ago that we might need to have Daughter's dog. They don't always get on well together so it's avoided. Daughter sorted it with M so we will only have Son's dog here. 

Hubby went out for pool practice and probably because she prefers him to me the dog was quite restles, don't let this calm pose fool you, it didn't last long.

Meanwhile pre-show at the Theatre in the Forest Son met with our star of the show R.

By the time they got back, stayed for a cuppa and finally took the dog home it was really late, together with the fact I'd not slept the night before, I waved them off and went straight up to bed. 

As often happens, I've a busy weekend so wanted to get this post done early, but tech had other ideas! My tablet was acting like it had been taken over by aliens doing very weird things then suddenly lost all charge. So I'm finishing this on my phone with apologies if I've missed any glaring typos. Think I'll hit publish while I'm winning. Hopefully see you here next week.

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Every Picture Tells a Story.......

 
Just a few photos from last Friday night at Red Rose's, Theatre in the Forest, Sutton Hoo, The magical performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

We were there and it's hilariously brilliant. Already reading lots of great reviews. 

Actor Vincent took a selfie with part of the audience and I've highlighted where we are sitting. 

In the programme R drew the characters for the storyboard. 

Hubby brought in the last few plums and the first very nearly ripe fig. 

Daughter, R and O came for showers Monday afternoon, plus the dog who didn't shower of course. Daughter and the electrician keep missing each other's phone calls, but hopefully her shower will get fixed soon. Always nice to see them though even with an ulterior motive. 

Wednesday afternoon, as nobody was due to come round, we used the carpet shampooer borrowed from M. Thankfully Hubby started on just one area of the beige carpet in the hall. It just got very wet and looked much dirtier in patches. This is the result. 

 I noticed that the clean water was going down fast but nothing was coming up into the dirty water container. After some online research Hubby found that a vital part of the machine was missing. M managed to find it and dropped it round. The carpet needed a couple of days to dry out and no longer be swollen up in waves, then Hubby shampooed it again. It's better than it was but not totally clean looking!  

Just four of us out Wednesday night, no FriendsT&F as F has covid.

Thursday morning Daughter came over with O who needed a shower, they stayed for an early lunch then off to Colchester. O has borrowed Hubby's axe to take to Kentwell for when he joins the woodcutters (something else for me to worry about).

Thursday afternoon Son and fiancé arrived, it's fiancé's birthday. They left their dog here when Hubby took them to the station. This trip was in London to see Romeo and Juliet staring Tom Holland. Their train back didn't arrive till 12:30am and Hubby managed to stay awake to pick them up. All worth it as they said they'd had a brilliant evening. 

Friday on my primary school's Facebook page someone had posted this picture. It is my final year in 1964 and I'm front row, second one in from the right. 

Friday lunchtime Daughter arrived with R and the dog. Her shower was being fixed and it's always a good idea to remove the dog, plus they both showered here. All had lunch before R had to go to work. Daughter came back and stayed until M messaged to say their shower is fixed and the guy has left. 

A very ripe harvest of figs this time yummy.

No pictures of the heavy storms they keep forecasting as they never happened, so Hubby keeps watering. We have an outside thing planned for the weekend so hope the sky isn't saving up the storm till then.

Enjoy yours. 

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