I’ve been having a bit of a time of it lately. So far this week I’ve had 4 ultrasound scans, two abdominal, two vaginal. A cystoscope (camera up my urethra and into my bladder), And a biopsy of my womb wall.
I feel fabulous!! …Joking of course. I feel absolutely dreadful. The physical discomfort is bad enough but the emotional turmoil is horrendous.
(Oh and on top of all that I’m struggling to decide whether to splash out and risk having a tooth repaired, which may not work, or have it taken out to start with and be done with it).
I’m scared, I’m exhausted. I’m living on my nerves. I know it’s best to get issues looked into. I just can’t ever rid myself of the dark clouds of uncertainty or fear.
The good news so far is my bladder is all fine, it’s had a very thorough check and it’s all good. The consultant isn’t sure why it decides to wake me up overly through the night but has offered me Amitriptyline for it. Still not quite sure I’m going to go down that route yet. I feel a bit apprehensive about taking something so…not sure what the word I’m looking for is? Drastic? Hardcore?
I’m now waiting patiently for the results of the womb lining biopsy. He seemed pretty hopeful that it wasn’t anything nasty. So I will hold onto that hope too, in the absence of a definitive answer, it’s all I have for now.
Like I said in my last blog. I’m determined not to spiral into my normal seasonal anxiety. Although my body is definitely trying it’s best to derail me.
So what’s new other than my innards causing chaos? Well, Chris and I headed to Portmeirion in Wales again.
We were meant to be in Iceland and NYC, but we decided to push that back until March next year.
Restriction uncertainty and Omicron just made us a little hesitant to go away away.
And if you can’t fly off to far flung places. Wales is as good a destination as any! :)
We fell in love with Portmeirion last year. And this was our fourth stay. It’s never let us down weather wise. It’s always been glorious.
I was jokingly saying to the ladies at the spa that I didn’t believe it ever rains in Wales!
But then storm Arwen turned up and we discovered it very much so does.
But we still had some days of blue skies and sunshine. But also, gale force winds and torrential rain and at one point snow too!!
Once we discovered Portmeirion we set ourselves the goal of staying in all the suites. You’d need to Google it. It’s an amazing place.
All the buildings in the photos are scale models of homes the architect saw in Italy. But they are all available to hire, because they are part of the hotel.
It’s weird, it’s quirky, and it’s very reasonably priced to stay.
The rooms aren’t top of the range or high tech. But they are interesting and of great modern historical importance.
We had a spa day. We lazed around, we went for a drive further up the coast, we chased the snow storm (to no avail in Wales, but we certainly found it on the drive back home).
It was a lovely holiday. It was just nice to be together. We had an amazing time.
The food in the two restaurants there is always good.
from Wikipedia - Portmeirion is a tourist village in Gwynedd, North Wales. It was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village, and is now owned by a charitable trust. The village is located in the community of Penrhyndeudraeth, on the estuary of the River Dwyryd, 2 miles (3.2 km) south east of Porthmadog, and 1 mile (1.6 km) from Minffordd railway station. Portmeirion has served as the location for numerous films and television shows, most famously as "The Village" in the 1960s television show The Prisoner.
We were meant to be heading to the Peak District after our stay in Wales, but sadly that was cancelled due to storm Arwen causing power cuts.
We headed back home and straight into the snow.
I was delighted. If you know me you’d know I love snow!!
Chris very kindly stopped at the services on the M6 and let me play in it. We knew the snow storm didn’t go as far as Essex. So it was our only chance. :)
Coming home earlier than expected wasn’t so bad. It left time for door scaping. Yes! It’s a thing!!
Along with wreath making, door scaping is my favourite crafting activity.
If you think you’ve over done the Christmas lights, that’s the point you add even more!
My 7 foot tree in the living room has 1500 lights. My 4 foot tree in the dining room has 1000 lights. More is more in this case!
Just as a side note. If you’re worried that Christmas is going to be cancelled by the government for a second year in a row, please know that Christmas is a feeling ~ not a calendar date.
We spent Christmas last year separated from loved ones. So we dried our tears and re booked it for June and it was wonderful. It was everything December Christmas is. But probably, in all honesty even better.
We then had a Pre Christmas Christmas last weekend, as all the family were together and it was equally as magical as the 25th of December should be.
So I feel very blessed and lucky this year. I’ve learnt that the magic of Christmas isn’t just for actual Christmas.
We’re not religious. But we are big believers in family, love, magic and gifts.
I’ve had quite a few friends round for wreath making. I’m even considering opening up to a wider audience at some stage. I found something I enjoy and I’m actually quite good at, so why not?
Last Wednesday we went off to London. I was very kindly invited to a wreath making session at Boodles, in their Sloane Street store.
I was so happy and grateful to be invited. I wasn’t sure what it would be like but it was brilliant. I met some really interesting people. I love people watching, I love jewellery and I love wreath making. This session had it all. I had such a lovely time.
Plus I got to bring home a beautiful wreath, a new beach bag and I bagged myself a new pair of flower arranging scissors. :)
Chris went off and did a bit of Christmas shopping while I was at wreathing.
We met up after I had finished and went for lunch.
On the way back to the car, whilst walking down Sloane Street, we passed a shop, I mentioned to Chris I’d like to get a new winter hat from there.
He said “oh right, what colour would you get?”
I said “probably cream” as it would go with everything.
We got back to the car, he opened the boot (trunk) to put my wreath in and then he rummaged around in there. He then pulled out a bag and said “Happy Christmas!” As he handed it to me.
Inside said bag was a cream hat from the store I had just that minute said I’d like a cream hat from!!!
And this is why I always say don’t marry a dick head. :)
Dress from Oasis, Tights from Heist, Boots from Valentino Rockstuds
We had a fantastic lunch in Madhus Brassiere in Harvey Nics and then headed off over to the Savoy for a cup of tea.
A little birdie told me (thank you Belinda) that it would ‘snow’ between five and six pm. Belinda is neither a witch or a weatherman, but she knows her stuff.
Because it did indeed ‘snow’!!
The Savoy looks incredible this year! If you’re staying (lucky you, it’s a wonderful place to stay), or if you’re just passing through for a cuppa it’s definitely worth a visit. Who knows, it may even ‘snow’. :)
After the Savoy, we had a look round Covent Garden for a bit and then decided to come home.
We drove out of the carpark and straight away got stuck in traffic. Chris noticed the satnav was saying a ridiculously long time to get home. So he did no more that turn the car around re parked and took me for a winter evening walk round London.
We found a little Christmas market. Which was lovely. He bought me some wooden decorations and a gorgeous little Alpaca ~ the epitome of Christmas!! Hahahahaha
We popped to F&M, seemed rude not to as we were passing. It too looks amazing.
Blending into the Christmas scenery, like a festive chameleon. :)
It was such a lovely, unexpected evening. After walking round and sightseeing, we got home earlier than if we had sat in the traffic that we were stuck in when we first tried to leave London.
Then on Thursday onwards we had the best time!!
Milly, Sam and Zak came up for a long weekend, plus Ben and Kaitlyn came over too. It was heaven, absolute heaven!
They won’t be back up to stay with us until after Christmas, so we made the most of this visit.
Like I said, Christmas is a feeling, not a date on a calendar.
The house was full of wonderful chaos. It felt whole. It doesn’t always feel that way since both boys left home and my dog died, so it was a lovely treat.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my life with Chris. Having children young means we’re still young enough to have a fabulous life together now. I just miss a busy house sometimes.
But maybe I have the best of both worlds. Freedom to do as we please. Plus wonderful weekends like this one.
Milly was selling her homemade, eco friendly home wares and gifts at a local craft fair. (If you are looking for fantastic eco friendly products then Boundless interiors (find them on Instagram) is definitely the shop for you).
It was an amazing visit.
Milly and I had a lovely time and did some crafting. Well, wreath making.
Milly let Zak choose the ribbon colour (she’s clearly a very nice mum, because as my boys will tell you, I’d never have let them make such a bold decision for me. Hahahahaha).
Sam was reminiscing about their childhoods, where I wouldn’t let them “help” me decorate the tree. And that I provided them with a tree of their own, away from public gaze! Hahahahaha
I stand by this parenting advice. :)
I bought Zak the little felt Christmas tree to decorate as he wishes. :)
The ribbon colour made the wreath come alive! It was a spectacular choice to coordinate with the fruits.
He’s clearly a genius. And so is Milly for following his creative direction. :)
It was such a lovely weekend. I even cooked, from scratch. My famous chicken casserole. It is a crowd pleaser. The recipe for which has been shared far and wide. Well, Braintree and Poland. But that’s quite good going really.
Then Sunday came, and Chris and I were out with some of his clients. Luckily, as I’ve said many times before, we have only ever had wonderful, warm, friendly clients. So going out with them is always a pleasure.
All dolled up, but still some time to do a quick puzzle with Zak before we had to leave. :)
I bought this dress is Ralph Lauren. It was originally something like £375 or £275. But then discounted time and time again. I bought it for £75 in Ralph Lauren in Freeport outlet village.
I was, as you can imagine chuffed to bits. And then it dawned on me that maybe I wouldn’t be going to any Christmas parties this year - the way things are heading.
So I decided to wear it in the day time on a Sunday!
I have a few sayings that I live by;
“Always leave somewhere better than you found it”
“Other people’s opinion of me is none of my business”
and “If not now, then when?!”
And Sunday was definitely a now day! Tinsel all the way!!
We took Adam and Jess on one of the Belmond British Pullman train trips. We’ve taken quite a few clients on them before. But we’ve never done a Christmas one ever. It was absolutely amazing!
Jess was very excited that Holly Willouby was on the train, So too was Emma Bunton, AKA Baby Spice and Nicole Appleton, of All Saints fame, clearly they’re also big fans of Art Deco trains and festive food (you get a 5 course meal on board).
It was a very a fun ride along the Kent coast.
Eating, drinking and merriment galore, a perfect Sunday activity.
There was a singing troupe. I saw them early on on the train ride, and they complimented me on my lovely dress, so obviously I will give them top marks for a great performance. They were without a shadow of a doubt the best singing troupe I’ve ever seen on a moving train…including the mariachi band I saw on the Central Line once!!
So yes, we’ve been having a ball lately. Even while I’m not having the best time physically or emotionally. It’s possible to live both experiences at once.
Why and how? Well, it’s very simple. We’re here for a good time, not a long time. So make the most of every second. Even if it’s scary sometimes. :) xx
I managed to squeeze in some volunteering at the vaccine centre too. It’s now freezing cold and wet out side showing people the way in, but it’s even more important to get people that want to be vaccinated done.
Not everyone does, and that’s ok, you do you. But I know I did, and Chris did. And Ben even tried the other day but he was a bit early.
In my battery powered, heated coat I was toasty warm and meeting and greeting lovely people. :)
I hope you are well. I hope you are enjoying the build up to Christmas. I hope you are happy and safe. Xx