Life's Ups and Downs........

 
This is our staircase. Some time ago Son suggested(firmly) we get a second handrail. 

It took a while for Hubby to find the style that would match our existing banister and of course it had to be ordered specially as it's a different size to those in stock and he wanted the finished ends. It arrived last Friday and it took Hubby a couple of attempts to find the right stain to go on an almost white pine as the colour also needs to match. 

Son came Saturday morning and together they fitted it. Not as straightforward as they'd hoped. Apparently they started by measuring up from the stairs in a few places but that didn't exactly agree when they put the spirit level across from the banister. The bottom screws were going into brick wall but the wall at the top is a straw partition wall, which took drilling and filling with resin as well as the rawplug.

And Sunday Hubby sanded and varnished twice more so it's nicely smooth. 

Son is happy he's looking after the oldies hahaha

Sunday my foot was still really painful and as it had been four days I thought it time to ring the Oncology 24 hour help line. They were really helpful, said yes it was definitely a side effect of the drug. Rest with it raised,  use a warm compress like hot water bottle or wheat bag and increase the paracetamol to all four doses a day or even add codeine. I queried the increase in pain relief as I have chronic kidney disease and can't check my latest blood test results. They checked and said kidney function result was good. We don't have a wheat bag and couldn't see how a hot water bottle would stay against my foot so we tried ('we' means my idea but Hubby had to do it) a wet tea towel rung out and microwaved for one minute placed inside a plastic bag and then inside a long very thin fleece to wrap around my foot. It worked and by Monday morning it had eased a lot. I had a follow up call on Monday from the help line and they said it will be reported to my Oncology team who may want to lower my dose. I spoke to the Oncology Nurse on Tuesday after I phoned her. She hadn't read her emails (and this was already 3pm) so I told her what had been happening. I told her I was about to run out of pills so she said she'd put a request into pharmacy (she'd said that last Tuesday and obviously hadn't). However she did prove helpful when I said I needed my blood test results and she scanned them and emailed them to me. Better than the reply I received from the consultant when I'd emailed asking for a copy of my blood test results and he said he didn't know how and it was probably something for the IT department, unfortunately he didn't say he would forward my email or give me any information on how I contact them! 

We hoped to go out for a walk somewhere on Wednesday but then they forecast rain around lunchtime so we changed that to some necessary shopping as Hubby needed shoes and slippers. I took advantage and added slippers for me to his purchases. 

As a treat we tried a cafe we saw built some time ago but had never tried. We both had a really nice lunch and bought cake to bring home for later. 

The weather has certainly got a lot colder and Thursday morning we got up with our heating on, which comes on automatically if the house drops below 19°C. It did the same Friday morning. 

There were two apples left in the fruit dish going a little rubbery so I thawed some pastry and made an apple and cinnamon thing to have with our afternoon tea. 

Hubby got a message from Daughter asking to borrow the hedge trimmer along with the ladder and Hubby of course. As he had already booked an afternoon slot at the tip and needed to fill more bags at home to make it worth going, he helped Daughter first then Daughter and R came back with him and helped him here. They stayed for lunch too. 

Definitely feels autumnal now and I'm so looking forward to the yellows, reds and golds of nature. 

Have a good weekend.

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Suddenly September........

 
Saturday night I agreed to go with Hubby to join our friends and see Scarecrow play. Our friend Paul is the drummer for this very popular local rock band. 

It was a very well attended gig and the music is good, Hubby enjoyed it,  but unfortunately for me far too loud, hurting my ears and too hot in there.

Sitting in one place for so long also gave me backache, I had to turn my chair 180° to watch the band and turned back in their break. Gosh I'm getting old and grumpy. Glad to get home but my back hurt enough for me to go to bed then get up shortly after and take paracetamol before I could sleep. I used to go to lots of these with friends years ago but never because I was a big fan, always to please other people and it was the same this time.  Hubby can go without me another time. 

Had a lovely long phone call from CousinS on Monday. An hour long catchup with family news and a lot of laughter. 

As I'm quite short car head rests are not always the support for me they should be. Our new car is particularly bad as it doesn't go right down and my neck is over that gap. 

So my first prototype cushion. Elastic to slip over the head rest, larger roll of stuffing at the top to fill the gap and tapered down for lower neck comfort. 

That was the theory and it was sort of right but needs to be thicker. I really thought the upholstery was black (must have been our previous car) so I'll make the next one grey if I can find suitable fabric in my stash. 

Daughter and R popped over on Wednesday and it just so happened we had taken a cake out of the freezer the night before so it was nice to all share it. 

Blood test on Tuesday and she found a vein without too much trouble, thanks to my drinking non stop for about 30 hours before and making four bathroom trips during the night. When they are GP requested blood tests I get to see all the results online but unfortunately these are requested by the hospital Oncology unit so nothing goes online. My specialist nurse works part time so I'll have to wait until next Tuesday and phone her. 

Friday was my annual Cystoscopy. Not a nice procedure but I'm grateful they still check. Thankfully it was totally clear. When I mentioned about needing my blood test results to one of the nurses there she tried to look them up but hinted that it really wasn't her place to pass them to me, so I stopped her as I don't want to get anyone into trouble trying to help me. 

Now into my fourth week of these cancer meds I'm noticing some side effects. Nothing major just a general yucky feeling and more tired. I also think my usual aches and pains are worse as I've got plantar fasciitis (under the foot pain) again in my left foot which isn't easing with the usual exercises. However the twitchy eye thing is easing off now so that helps to remind me that all these things are temporary. 

Hope you are enjoying the last of the summer warm days. 

See you next week when hopefully I'll not be grumpy.

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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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Food, Fun, Family and a Little Bit of Medical........

 
Mmmmmm Chinese takeaway as Son and fiancé came for Saturday evening. It was so hot (I'm talking about the weather now not the takeaway) we had all the doors and windows open and still needed our electric air cooler fan. The heat was probably why I slept so badly, thankfully no plans on Sunday to be energetic for. 

I'd been given a locally caught sea bass that had been sitting in my freezer as Hubby isn't particularly keen so I decided to add a large variety of fish and veg to it and make a fish pie. 

Unlike the supermarket extras the bass was really hard work skinning and boning before cutting into chunks. I'm still working at getting the smell off my hands and keep rinsing from an out of date bottle of lemon juice I keep in the fridge.  Hubby did all the mash which was a big help. All worth it as it was yummy and six portions now in the freezer for other "can't be bothered to cook" days.

Blood test at the surgery was successful but far too complicated. I arrived at my appointment to be told that that nurse had called in sick and they would have to rebook, I explained the urgency of the hospital request and another nurse agreed to fit me into her already busy morning "only a blood test, won't take long" she said. She went online and found the list of what is needed, however it wouldn't print off for her the lab lables as it would only go to the printer at the hospital where they had previously tried last Thursday, this could also be a glitch following the recent IT worldwide chaos. She eventually gave up and decided to do it the old way and wrote everything out manually. Then apart from having to run around the surgery to find a long fine needle getting the four phials filled seemed the easy bit. Phew!

Wednesday morning at Specsavers I had my first pair of hearing aids fitted. In the evening we met up with our usual friends, eating at Prezzo then onto the Grosvenor pub. It was their monthly open-mike music night. I've never really enjoyed open-mike night as it's too loud to have a conversation, I think the aids did improve the clarity a little although I'd have preferred if they had improved the level of talent. 

Thursday friendM had invited me along with her sisters H&T to lunch. Our respective men dropped us all off and met at the snooker club. FriendM has recently moved back into her house at Felixstowe Ferry. We all really enjoyed the huge variety of fresh seafood she served with crusty cheese bread. This is definitely my favourite sort of spread mmmmmm. 

As my contribution I'd made this rhubarb cake. 

Not sure why but it's not supposed to look like this. The rhubarb should be all over the top covered in a sprinkling of brown sugar that once baked gives a thin shiny, crunchy surface. This time the sponge rose above it all but it still tasted really good and I was complimented by everyone. 

Friday and Daughter had to come over for a shower as hers has decided to trip the electrics as soon as you turn it on (she's called her landlord so I hope it gets fixed soon). 

Thursday night was the opening night for A Midsummer Night's Dream by Red Rose Chain Theatre and Friday night we went on Press night as a family. 

Far left with the accordion is R and I'm a very proud Grandma as always. 

The plan was I would go with Son and fiancé (Hubby was dog sitting) and in her car Daughter had M and O. One of my oldest friends friendKK should have met us there but couldn't leave a very sick relative she is caring for as no other family member was available, she'd tried so hard and was so disappointed. Then last minute fiancé decided she wasn't feeling up to coming so we went in one car and Hubby was left dog free. 

It was wonderful as always and my Facebook review read

"We were there tonight and the show was brilliant. The whole cast, super quick costume changes, the puppets, the songs, the humour, the whole atmosphere created that makes the audience clap cheer and sing along. 

I've already tickets to come again. 

Thank you Red Rose Chain 👏"

After the final applause there are always a few speeches and thank yous. This time included the background of how Theatre in The Forest started 25 years ago. Daughter then reminded us that she'd come every year for 19 of them and that R and E were just three years old at their first one and now R is in them! 

So I'm ending this week's with a smile on my face.

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Smelling The Roses......

 
This made me laugh when a neighbour sent it to me. What are the chances of another couple having the same names as Hubby and I, and performing locally. 

I went for the Oncology appointment and the consultant confirmed that lymphoma needs treatment that will control it as it can't be cured. It will be one pill a day for life that targets cancer cells to inhibit growth (it's not chemo). Told it will give unpleasant side effects which will then need to be managed but as everyone is different that's ongoing and will hopefully settle after about three months. CT Scans every four months. I was actually ready to refuse all treatment (the nine previous cancers had without doubt damaged my fight reflex) but for the first time ever Hubby insisted I have it which is what I needed. 

After two vampires made five bloodless attempts I stopped them and have now made an appointment at the surgery for Monday. That was possibly my fault as I didn't know I would be needing a blood test today so didn't drink the gallons I would normally have to as my veins are notoriously shy. 

I was given a leaflet and told the specialist/Macmillan nurse would call me in a day or two to make arrangements. I'm hoping I can start the treatment after the 11th August as I've plans before that I don't want to miss. 

Of course as soon as we came home I reported all this back to our children and my siblings. Then later I emailed my ex-work friendR as I knew her husbandJ had similar treatment for myeloma. They were both so supportive and reassuring that it made me feel a lot more positive than I had. 

Now I'm gradually going through the people that also would appreciate knowing and checking my calender and warning those we should be meeting up with later in August that I need to see how I feel at the time. 

I've also emailed the Courts to ask to be excused from jury service that I'd already agreed to, that's also end of August. 

Didn't realise I was so busy until I started to cancel and let people know. 

I will try to tell it how it is, as my diary can't just be the good bits, but that's enough serious stuff for this post. So I'll share some of my garden. 

Not too many rose blooms out although there's lots of buds getting ready. 

And the ones that are in bloom are beautiful. 

I love this huge lavatera/mallow display especially as the original came from my mum's tiny little garden. 

Stunning acanthus needs a bit of a weeding around it. 

And I've had my first ripe plum off the tree, so the others shouldn't take much longer in our current hot sunny weather. 

Till next week, don't forget the sunscreen and drink plenty.

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