Morning all.
Thank you to the lovely people that messaged me. I am fine. I always bounce back. But thank you for your kindness. Much appreciated.
And also, I’m so pleased the gravel down the loo story cheered so many. My bottom says you’re welcome. Hahahahaha.
Anyway, what have I been up to? Not a lot really. I was feeling the post holiday deflation, with the added fun of pointless bleeding so I wasn’t feeling too chipper.
But I did give myself a talking to and went for a brisk walk…round a shopping centre. I was going to go for a hike in the countryside but then I remembered I’d hate that, so the shopping idea seemed far more soothing.
I popped to TK Maxx and had a lovely mooch round there. Bought a dress. It’s a bit out there and a size or two too big, but I thought I could easily add a belt to it.
Got home gave it a go, remembered I’m not really the belt type. Hahahahaha.
I just craved cosy comfort. The weather, the coming back from holiday, the state of the country and the world…it’s all very depressing really.
I’ll make the dress work, and if all else fails, and I give in to comfort eating the dress will fit in time anyway! :)
I’m leaning towards comfortable, warm wear.
The blog provider still isn’t playing ball. I have no idea why it compresses some of the photos, but it’s incredibly annoying.
If you press and hold on the squashed ones you can see the full photo, as shown in my example below. Why that one has loaded on fine I have no idea.
Who knew my blogs were going to have an interactive feature?!?! ;)
Hoodie from Gilly Hicks, Gilet from Belstaff, Trousers from Next, Shoes from Christian Dior
This outfit is so cosy. The hoodie is from Gilly Hicks, and I believe it’s part of their lounge/pyjama wear range. But as it’s deliciously cosy and warm I’m wearing it out and about.
Maybe I’m not far off popping to Tesco in full pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers? Who knows, only time will tell. Hahahaha
For me, trainers (running shoes) are an odd choice of footwear for trying clothes on. A slip on would be far more conducive to speed and confidence. Any bending down can make air inside my stoma bag squeeze out of the filter too quickly. This tends to ruin the filters ability to filter bad smells out.
I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve got fully dressed, only to bend down to put my shoes on, then have to go back and start again with a fresh bag because I’ve deactivated the filter.
I’m not sure anyone near me would notice the smell it emits if the filter has been compromised, but I do. And in this particular situation, it’s all that counts.
Anyway. I did managed to try things on, and keep the filter fresh. I can do this by weird contortions and bending in a certain way. Is it ideal? No, slip on shoes, no bending down shoes would be better. But as it was a chilly day and my feet were freezing I went with these.
I had a nice time as it happens. I got out the house, spirits lifted. No need for a yomp across fields. :)
We had a lovely evening on Wednesday. We invited Ben and Kaitlyn over for pumpkin carving. It’s still a thing, even though my boys are all grown up. It’s still a nice thing to do if they are about.
Of course if there’s an occasion I will definitely scape it. It’s only right for pumpkin carving and curry night. :)
I do love a theme and I do love a scape. :)
And then came Saturday. Ben, Chris and I went off to visit Milly, Sam and Zak. We had a fantastic day planned. And I planned my outfit accordingly.
It wasn’t a freezing cold day, but there’s definitely an autumnal nip in the air, so I bought a whole new stack of thick tights whilst on my shopping jaunt the other day.
I cut holes in my tights for my stoma to poke through. I find this less likely to cause any filter issues or pancaking. Some people don’t have a problem with normal tights, worn in the traditional way. But because I’ve had a few incidents in them I only ever cut holes now.
You might get a similar effect if you give maternity tights a go if you don’t fancy hacking into brand new tights.
The pumpkin patch that Milly and Sam go to is really good. Although the patch was quite depleted by the time we visited there was still plenty to find. And half the price of the one Chris and I went to the weekend before.
It also has a sandpit and play equipment. I would definitely recommend Bourne Valley Pick Your Own if you’re in the Andover area.
We had a fantastic time picking the perfect pumpkins, it’s pretty scientific stuff you know, it’s not just grab and go. Hahahahaha
We then all headed to a pub for a fantastic lunch. Then back to Milly, Sam and Zak’s house for pumpkin carving. I left that to Zak.
Ben informed me the other night my carving skills are deeply lacking. Hahahahaha (I have now bought a special carving set. Sam and Milly had one and it looked pretty easy to use. (I have no idea if it’s the tools or just lack of ability on my part, but I’m going to give it another go later this week).
My outfit needed to be as durable as the planned day ahead. Which is why I chose a dress. I am far far less likely to have a bag leak in a dress. Do I really want to be having a fantastic day of fun with my family, but all the time worrying that any tight clothing could cause a problem? Nope!
Dresses in summer is are the easiest option, and dresses with tights in autumn/ winter is a close second.
Then Chris, Ben and I headed off to Bicester village for a further bit of retail therapy. I was delighted as I managed to finish off my Christmas shopping. Yes! Already!!
I only had my mum and dad’s, Milly’s and a few bits for Chris to get and I got lucky and completed Christmas in one go. :)
It was so lovely being with Ben for a shopping trip. It doesn’t happen very often now he’s grown up, left home and then the pandemic stopped most shopping trips for a time.
Although he’s a grown up, a home owner and in a good job it’s still nice to spoil your baby (mum, this applies to really old babies too ;) hahahahaha).
Press on the photos for the full size version.
Awwww, look at her, living her best life in her natural habitat. :)
Bicester was decorated beautifully. And yes, I agree prematurely, but actually, as I was finishing off my Christmas shopping, it was wonderful to have Christmassy surroundings.
By the time the lights are on in London and other shopping area’s, I’ll be hiding away again.
Chris bought me some shoes from Gina. I’ve really really wanted a pair for ages, and even though I appreciate they are not going to get used till next spring/summer, it’s good to have them ready and waiting.
That said, they are rather festive and gaudy so maybe they’ll get a look in on Christmas Day.
He had offered to get me some in Selfrigdes last weekend. But they are over £650 in there, which is a bit steep, and I knew they are much less in the Bicester store. So I held out. I know what you’re thinking “gosh, she’s good, and so frugal too!” Hahahahaha hahahahaha. Okay, so maybe not! But a saving is a saving. :)
I bought the nude colour ones, because they will literally go with absolutely anything and everything. I love all the different colours they sell, but I do think they’d be more restrictive.
The nude seemed to be the best option, even though the display of colours is so tantalising.
He also bought me a rather smashing coat too, it’s so cosy and warm. It’s a beautiful blush peachy pink colour so I may very well end up looking like a marshmallow. But I’ll be a very toasty one, so that’s very apt. :)
It was a wonderful day. Family time, pumpkin patch time, pub lunching time, shopping time. It had it all. :)
Then came Sunday. What to do when you have literally no responsibilities. No kids, no pets, just us.
It’s sounds bleak doesn’t it, and I totally agree I feel it is sometimes. But actually life is moving as it should. The boys have their own lives and families which is wonderful.
It means Chris and I are free as the proverbial birds.
So we got on with paperwork filing and the car wash.
Errrr, I was hoping for something a little more thrilling than that.
Kim rang to say she had pumpkins going spare as they weren’t going to be about for Halloween, and did I want them?
Yes please! As I speedily slip from keen interest in pumpkins to obsession. Hahahahaha
So off we went to raid Kim and the twins pumpkin patch, or as they call it, the front door step. :)
I did feel a tad guilty, even though the girls won’t be needing them. Anyone walking past must have thought I was the Grinch that stole Halloween! Haha The girls very graciously even helped put them in my car. I have given them a few pennies to buy a comic. It seemed only fair.
On the way to Kim’s I noticed the badge we got at Fortnum and Mason a few weeks back. The badge is very special. It entitles the bearer and wearer to Free toppings for life on a build your own sundae.
This sounds incredulous…until you remember the ice cream is £8.50 for two scoops to start with. But, free toppings is free toppings (for life) and I’m all in.
I said to Chris shall we pop to Fortnums to claim our free toppings?
I say ‘pop’ to, it takes a good hour and twenty minutes most times. But like I said, with no responsibility to be anywhere for anyone it’s easy to pop anywhere you fancy.
Press for full size us :)
We did invest in one of these advent calendars a few years ago. It’s pricy, but it’s really durable and refillable. I think it is an investment piece that will stand the test of time. Obviously I used to fill it with goodies for the boys. But now I do a door each for Chris and I.
Chocolate for him, non chocolate for me (I have a food intolerance to chocolate and caffeine).
So although it is a big outlay to start with, we are saving on advent calendars…so we should have made our money back by Christmas 2056. :)
Anywhere at Christmas time is a feast for the eyes, but especially so in Fortnum and Mason. The shop is made for it.
We had such a lovely time browsing, we had to wait for a while for our table, but that’s not really a problem in there. I stocked up on biscuits (cookies), candles, and I bought a glass tea pot for fresh mint tea (that’s how they serve it in Chutney Mary).
We then went to our table to order a little snack before we ordered sundaes. It was at this point our friends (family) James and Tanya called to see if we were in town as they had seen my Instagram Story of the ice cream counter in F&M (and who says social media is a bad thing??! Our friends only knew we were there because of it).
They’d just had a lovely lunch with their friends Sandra and Dominique - at Ave Mario, (a sister restaurant of Gloria, that I went to with Ben a few weeks back - And very nice it was too.
And by the way, hello Sandra, welcome, so look forward to meeting you).
Anyway, they said they’d head over to join us, which was wonderfully, deliciously spontaneous of them.
We only had a table for two so we asked to move, it took a few minutes wait for a bigger table, but as James and Tanya were running across town that wasn’t a problem.
My prawn sundae before my build your own sundae with free toppings. :)
Sundaes and Sundays come to that, are serious stuff!
We decided against using our badges (what!?!? After all that build up!!!). Let me explain my plan.
I now have 5 badges!! Which means if Milly, Sam and Zak want to meet us up there. Or Ben and Kaitlyn, or Kim and Matt…you get the gist. We now have enough badges for free toppings for all!
Just to reiterate, I fully comprehend that the toppings aren’t ‘free’ if you are paying over the odds for two scoops of ice cream. But technically they are, so let me enjoy it and be happy. Hahahahaha
After filling our faces with ice cream, we headed off into the night, window shopping in exorbitantly expensive shops (which were closed - as if that was the only thing stopping us purchasing from them hahahahaha).
We did find an art gallery (shop) on New Bond Street that was still open so we had a little peruse around it.
But most of all we had quality time together. Time that wasn’t intended or promised when we woke up Sunday morning. I love days like that.
James and Tanya had to get back home for their dogs.
I miss my dogs, I loved every minute with them. But they are a huge tie.
I very much enjoyed my 17 years of dogging…errr, no, hold on a minute…I very much enjoyed and cherished my 17 years of dog ownership…that’s better. ;)
But I am enjoying not having to worry about anyone but ourselves.
So Chris and I headed to a hotel we stayed at a few weeks ago for a non alcoholic night cap.
It was a fantastic day. The perfect end, to a perfect weekend.
xx
I thought it’d be a great idea to get back out on my bike on Monday. Turns out I was as wrong as wrong can be!
I cycled a mile and a half. Thought that would be enough for one day. Attempted to cycle home again and realised I’d over estimated my level of fitness. It was up hill all the way, and I was sadly far too out of condition.
I had the mortifying embarrassment of having to get off my bike and lay down before I fell down.
Oh yes, laid down on the mud, in full view of passers by. (Which by the way of the four people that walked past, Zero asked if I was ok.
Apparently grown arse adult women laying in the mud is perfectly normal!? Well, maybe it is round here! :)
I had to call Chris to come and get me as I was in so much bother. Cold, clammy sweats, nausea, black blobs in my eyes and whooshing in my ears.
How utterly ridiculous. I cycled 23 and a half miles in one day last year. And now I’m back to less than a mile??
This was my view from the floor as I laid there hoping I wouldn’t throw up in public. Hahahahaha
I will go and try again, but I will hydrate thoroughly first next time, and pump the tyres up as they’re a bit on the flat side, having not ridden it for 11 months, And perhaps just cycle up and down my road till I’m back up to a bit more stamina. :)
Have a great week yourself. xxxx