Here goes…
So that cold I mentioned last time progressed. Thankfully it wasn’t as bad as that virus I had in March, but it wasn’t great either.
I spent the week grumping because I was at the mercy of the viruses life cycle.
Which meant I went from feeling too rough to get up, rough but got up and washed, rough but got up washed and dressed in day clothes but no make up, to okay-ish, washed, hair washed, day clothes and make up.
All done and dusted in the space of a week thank the gods.
And back out into the world for fun and games.
I think that’s what bothers me the most about illness, how it has the liberty of interrupting your plans.
I found that a very difficult part of cancer treatment, amongst all the other shit storm I was going through. I hated being a slave to cancer’s time table. It doesn’t suit my nature, or indeed anyone’s!
Life is for living and being fully immersed in fun and living life to the fullest.
And then along comes cancer and you have to be at its beck and call. Absolute piss take.
Illness in any form can go do one.
If you are poorly in any way right now, know that I am sending love and gets wells, and hopes that you can get back to the fun stuff very soon. Xx
The progression of the germs…
Thankfully I felt far more human by the weekend. I said to Chris that I was happy to do whatever he wanted, I had no great desires.
He said he wanted to go into London, which did surprise me actually, but he was insistent.
He had a plan.
Top from Me & Em, Jeans from Levi, Shoes from Scarosso.
First stop Chutney Mary for lunch, because he said as my nose had been so blocked I could do with a meal I could taste.
Perfect choice, as we hadn’t been in a while, since we discovered Amaya, so it was nice to be back on familiar ground.
And then he completely and utterly surprised me.
He’d bought membership to The Royal Academy of Arts, which I had no clue that he’d done.
Neither of us had ever been to the summer exhibition. It’s a very famous event.
A friend of ours used to go every year, even when she was very ill with cancer. She was determined to go, so she did. She was incredible like that.
Anyway, as I walked into the exhibition hall I was struck by how completely and utterly I understood her love of it. So much so I felt her presence and could feel her passion for art.
She was a fabulous artist herself. And these works just oozed her vibes.
It was a surreal experience and one that I’m so glad we had. Whether the art work on display was my cup of tea or not was irrelevant. I loved the exhibition!
We then headed over to Harrods as I needed to get some make up, and I’m not buying it without collecting my clubcard points on it.
I bloody hate buying anything from anywhere else because I want to get the points added. It feels like a waste of money to shop elsewhere.
I also wanted to go and see their Christmas shop. A few years ago I got a beautiful budgerigar Christmas ornament there, and I’ve been searching around for another one ever since. I can’t find them anywhere which is disappointing.
They have a lot of pretty stuff, but I own so many wonderful decorations I don’t need any more (don’t tell Chris I said that because he might hold me to it). 😬
I want to reserve the right to change my mind about this. 🤩
I bought my make up and we headed home after a really lovely day.
Big announcement;
I think I have cracked jeans!!👖
These ones are dreamy! 20/10!
They are Levi’s 723.
This pair is so soft and buttery, any of the 700s range are.
Apparently the made for outlet ones are even more soft and stretchy.
So if like me you struggle to get jeans that work well with your stoma I would recommend trying the 700s range (preferably from an outlet store).
A few months back I bought a couple of pairs of Paige jeans, and they too are soft and buttery, but they were very expensive.
The Levi’s are equally great, but much much cheaper.
I did buy some jeans from the brand Good American last week. They were quite dear, but I’d seen so many ads for them on instagram I felt sure they’d be worth the money.
I couldn’t have been more disappointed if I’d tried. They didn’t fit at all, even though it said one size fits four dress sizes.
They didn’t feel great or look good. So that was a miss sadly. The reviews on the ads were really encouraging, so I think it’s just my body shape that was off.
I’ve have some success with Tesco skinny jeans, but find the other styles don’t work for my height and shape.
The following day I assumed we’d just stay home and chill. But he had other plans planned.
A Sunday roast at the pub we like, followed by banger racing ( I don’t know what they call it in any other part of the world).
But it’s racing with old knackered cars and full contact is allowed.
Whereas Stock Car racing is racing with old cars, but no contact allowed.
Banger racing is riotous ridiculously good fun. I’ve no idea how it’s legal in a world ruled by health and safety. But it’s incredibly entertaining.
I couldn’t believe how many girls are banger racers. I feel like I’ve wasted my time on this planet!? I’d have been a brilliant banger racer…mainly because that’s how I drive for the most part anyway. 🫣🤩
Top from Jessica McCormack, Jeans from Levi’s, flip flops from Haviannas.
The jeans were dirty from the day before, which is the key to dressing for banger racing.
It’s fabulous, but filthy!! We had to shake the grit and dust off our clothes before I could put them in the washing machine.
Next time I’m taking an N95 face mask, and darker clothing. Other than that I can’t wait to go back!
A few of my friends messaged me to say they were surprised I was there, they couldn’t quite picture it being something I liked.
FYI, I pretty much love all and any experience I get to have.
It doesn’t have to be all flowery quaint afternoons teas, I don’t live in Bridgerton times.
I love adventures, big and small.
When I find something that works for me and my stoma I buy multiple pairs of them. I usually have at least 2 pairs of any kind of trousers that I’ve had success with.
Success being measured on the lack of leaks or pancaking.
The Levi’s were on special offer in the outlet so I bought 6 pairs of them, in a few different colours ways and lengths.
I am short so I prefer the 28 length for flat shoes. And the 30 length for heels.
But I also bought some 30s and had them taken up to 29 inch legs.
Top from Me & Em, Jeans from Levi’s, Shoes from Chanel
I had to postpone a lot of things due to the cold but I was so happy to re book most of it.
I had a lovely day planned.
When I was 18, just out of NNEB training college as a Nursery Nurse I got a job looking after a 12 week old baby.
And now that baby is 35 and her sister who came along two years later has a daughter of her own.
So I went to visit them all, my old bosses, the girls and the baby. And it was heaven.
I absolutely bloody loved that job. To me it was easy because I loved playing. I still do come to that, I would recommend silliness and play no matter what your age is.
It’s a huge responsibility to keep someone’s child alive for them while they go to work, but the upside is I got to cuddle babies all day and play to my heart’s content. So I can’t see any downsides 🤩🥰😂
Cardigan from Maje, Top from M&S, Jeans from Levi’s, Shoes from Scarosso
My first babies.
I mean. How lucky was I? I’ve had two girls and two boys to look after.
I lived the dream (not necessarily anyone else’s dream of course, solely my own).
Then the weekend brought another gym session with Chris. We’ve really got into this getting in shape together malarkey.
Building bone density and muscle mass with the hope, fingers crossed that it helps us lead longer healthier lives. And if it doesn’t? Well, at least we know we tried, and that’s really all that counts.
Then it was back home to get washed and dressed for a weekend trip.
We’d been invited to a friend’s birthday party, which was held really close to where Sam and Milly live. So we combined the party trip with seeing them.
We spent Saturday afternoon with them, went to the party, then all day Sunday with them.
Top from Maje, Jeans from Holland Cooper, Shoes from Dior
The party gave me the opportunity to try and exorcise a demon.
I checked with the birthday girl if my dress was suitable for the event and she said very much so. So I wore it again.
I wore it to Ben and Erin’s wedding a few weeks back and ever since I’ve been sick to my stomach with remorse.
What is a lilac dress became very very pale in the sunlight, and their wedding day was glorious sunshine, and it’s been haunting me ever since. It’s a terrible faux pas on my part. Unintentional though it was it’s keeping me awake and causing me a huge amount of anxiety.
Erin isn’t bothered in the slightest, she’s a very nice person. But I’m bothered. I feel I fucked up immeasurably.
I wanted to try and reframe the feelings I’ve been feeling.
It’s a beautiful dress. But I think it’s done now.
I will have it dry cleaned again and then sell it.
(Or get it dyed, depending on how the customers on Vinted behave. If they offer me peanuts for a very expensive dress I will dye it a darker colour and wear it to a black tie do or something).
Just know that future weddings I will be in dark blue or black like I’m entering a classy goth era, I’ve banished myself from the light colours.
Dress from Self Portrait, Shoes from Jimmy Choo, Bag from Kurt Geiger (about a hundred years ago, and it’s now falling apart).
The birthday girl was a sensation in fuchsia! Absolutely stunning!
And I don’t think I’ve ever been to a party in such an extraordinary looking place.
It’s absolutely incredible.
We had such a lovely time catching up with friends.
Happy 40th birthday Laura! 🩷
Look at this place!!
As we were nearby Sam and Milly’s so early in the morning, Sam suggested we go to a car boot sale.
Which meant a very early start as Sam wanted to get ahead of the curve for all the bargains.
I’m not a huge fan of early starts, and there were no bargains to be had as it turned out. But that didn’t dampen our spirits.
Cardigan from Maje, Top from The PDKF Store in Jaipur, Jeans from New Look.
We decided that we’d call it a day on the bargain hunt, so Sam suggested a trip to Stone Henge. It was only 25 minutes or so away from the boot sale.
So we headed over.
Chris is a very clever man, I think very very highly of him.
Thirty three years ago I also thought very highly of him, and someone advised me at the time not to, because it would only lead to disappointment if I put him on a pedestal…well, he’s been up there 33 years now and he’s still rising 🥰
We got to the visitors centre and Chris worked out that for Sam, Milly and Zak to go in that one day it would be £75 (Chris and I are already members of English Heritage).
So rather than pay £75 for the day ticket. He paid £111, and bought them an annual membership. Which means they can go to as many sites as they like as many times as they like.
It means we can go visit some places together too. Which will be lovely.
(£75 to see some big rocks is shocking by the way! This country is a rip off).
They’re nice enough rocks, placed magically by ways unknown, but still, that’s an awful lot of money.
I saw some people doing some weird hand gestures by the stones and thought they were a load of weirdos…so I decided to join them, because life is always that little bit better for being weird. 🥰🤩😂
From the big expensive stones we headed to a very nice pub. Sam had booked lunch in a rather quaint Hampshire village.
After lunch we went for a walk around said village, which was utterly delightful.
I found this glorious hat in a little boutique, and had to buy it.
And this beautiful basket in a vintage/antique store.
It’s exactly what I wanted for my cosplaying ‘rural French life’.
I have this little reel I play in my head, carrying my basket over my arm filled with baguettes, leeks and carrots…or any bountiful headed vegetables that can spill over the top, bonjouring my way through the village, all whilst the sound track to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast plays out in my mind’s eye.
The hat? Okay, I accept , it’s never been in the play-reel before, but I do think it added something to the charm.
I wandered off from the others and Milly asked Zak where Nana was.
And he replied with some exasperation “if you see a weird hat, that’s her”…
😂🤩🥰
*This is a segue/tangent I appreciate, I’m nothing if not skittish.
But I’ve been experimenting with the Ai function on instagram Stories.
I don’t have any desire to change anything about my person, I am who I am and that’s what you’ll get. I see no reason or point to changing my appearance in photos.
People who know me know what I look like so it seems futile.
But I have been removing background distractions like carrier bags and piles of stuff.
And as in this case the ugly road safety equipment.
It’s just so easy.
You go to the little button with the stars, circled in red below.
Then just type in your needs and desires…
How clever is that!!
And while I was there I added some different textures and ambience to the photo below.
It only allows you to do 5 or 6 a day. But it’s very effective…and free!
I had a vision for the basket and it turned out beautifully. It’s made a really lovely table display for the dining room.
It’s definitely made a change from flowers anyway.
Then on Monday it was a bank holiday in the UK, actually it was in England, I have no idea about the rest of the realm.
Monday was a real multitude of events day, and it was so much fun.
I had agreed to attend an online meeting with EAES, before I remembered it was a bank holiday, and that we had arranged to meet friends for lunch.
Chris suggested that we head up to London early, so I could get settled and join the meeting, and then carry on with our day after that.
It was a very good idea.
Outfit all from Maje, Shoes from Hermes.
He’s a member of a few different galleries in London, which give you access to private dining and meeting spaces.
I have never had a meeting in such a palatial setting. The National Gallery is one of our favourite places to visit, but having a zoom meeting was a first.
The meeting finished earlier than I expected, so we had time to head to the Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery next door before we headed to the restaurant.
I get very emotional about anything Marilyn.
She was my first love and obsession. I actually thought I’d seen every single image of her available in the world.
But there were a few on display that I’d never seen before.
It was very special, I did blub a bit. Marilyn got me through some lonely times in my teens.
I had friends, of course I did - as if I wouldn’t be out there inflicting myself on others. 😬🫣😂
But even so I felt lonely a lot of the time, I didn’t understand me like I do now.
And besides, once I met Chris when I was 20 all those insecurities and feelings mostly vanished. I’ve never felt lonely since then.
He gets me, he probably understands me more than I do.
But before Chris there was a very strong connection to Marilyn Monroe, who had been dead for many years before I was even born, so it was an odd experience.
I’ve watched every movie hundreds of times, I’ve played her songs equally as often.
I don’t even remember how I collected and curated so much information about her, and so many images?
There was no such thing as the internet. So how on earth did I have a bedroom covered in posters and stuff?
How odd, I had loads of stuff but I can’t remember how, obsessions must be so much easier to fulfil these days.
I was mesmerised, I watched and studied her, more so than I ever did for any exams…which does explain a lot.
And she’s still the guru that I live by…because diamonds really are this girl’s best friend 😂
It’s absolutely spectacular.
It was all sold out for the dates I was available to get there. Chris didn’t want me to miss out, so he joined the gallery as a member, which means you get access wherever you want to all the paid for exhibits.
He is the diamond 💎
Then we walked over to Chutney Mary to meet up with our friends James and Tanya who recently got married in Vegas.
The new Mr and Mrs Hyphen Hyphen. 🤍🤍
We didn’t know what to get them because now they have each other they have everything. So we treated them to a curry. I think that’s always the best way to celebrate anything.
From there we decided to walk to Liberty’s. I wanted to see the Christmas shop. I am still in pursuit of another budgie decoration. None to be had sadly, but it’s nice stuff to look at, and yes, I appreciate that I have visited two Christmas departments before the end of August. 🎄
We had a look around a few of the shops nearby as it was a bank holiday the shops were open normal business hours.
Do you know the shop Theory?
I’ve seen it on insta loads. I’ve never looked before, I didn’t know it was ridiculously expensive.
I tried on a pair of trousers. They felt very M&S, but the cut and fit were better. Significantly so. I felt I looked pretty good in them.
Anyway, they felt incredible on and that felt amazing and a rare treat from a trouser.
I tried them with a beautiful rust colour fine knit jumper.
Chris said he loved them and to get them.
I went to the till to pay and the sales assistant said -
“That’s £445 to pay please”
It turns out Theory looks like M&S but priced like fucking Prada.
I told the shop assistant to leave the jumper thanks ~ £200!!!! (For a fine knit thin jumper that Zara sell for £25).
And I’d just take the trousers please, because I do struggle to get good ones, that I feel confident in.
It’s all very M&S vibes in there, it’s business and bland almost. It never occurred to me it’d be expensive. I told the sales assistant this too. 😂
Yes, I often pay that sort of money in Maje or Me and Em for things, but the designs are more sophisticated and desirable, it seems a very different prospect to this shop.
We stopped for coffee and cakes in a little Greek restaurant.
My Greek friends take their time when drinking anything, they chat and chill. I drank mine in about 30 seconds. I am English to my core.
We had such a fabulous day and weekend as a whole. I feel very lucky and fortunate for this adventure called life.
A few extra bits of life recently…
I went into Waterstones a few weeks back and asked if they could recommend a read for me.
I wanted a Hallmark movie Christmas movie in book form, but not necessarily set at Christmas. And she recommended these books by Laurie Gilmore.
Well, I tell you I cackled with laughter the other day.
I was three quarters of the way through a very quaint sedate read, when the story took a turn and I thought, well you don’t see that on a Hallmark movie!! 🍿🫣😬🤩😂
Okay, so it’s no Fifty Shades of Grey, but it’s definitely a step up from a made for daytime tv film.
Anyway, I went out the next day and bought the rest of the series. Turns out I’d started with book 6. So I have one to five to get through yet. 🥰
I’m trying to keep healthy for as long as possible.
Although recently I have had a few mishaps with a couple of missed meals here and there, which has lead to savage constipation, as indeed it always does.
A foolish combination of upset over the dress, and the stress I feel when Chris is away for a few nights, and that was me done. Constipation city!!
But I had a lovely abdominal massage today, it was absolute heaven, and I’ve eaten a stack of kiwis and pysillium husk so hopefully I will be freed up soon.
Every day should be a good mixture of all the different types of fibre and enough protein and calcium to build muscle mass and bone density.
Without that piece of the puzzle I won’t get any of the other health benefits I’m working on.
Porridge with chia seeds and cinnamon, berries, nuts and 90% dark chocolate to start the day.
A combo of chick peas and black beans with tinned fish for lunch;
And then fish or chicken, potatoes and veg for dinner.
Unimaginative but so so healthy. 🥰
Keep well, avoid any germs 🦠
See you again soon. Xx