I’ve had an amazing week. Ok, so I’m very lucky that I enjoy most weeks. Why wouldn’t I? I live a really happy life. I don’t take that for granted. I very much do celebrate it.
Last week, many wonderful things happened. First one. I was offered a job that I hadn’t even applied for. I turned it down, but it felt incredible to have been asked. I decided, that rather than a paid position, I’d offer guidance and advice for free instead of actually doing the job that was offered.
I like my life exactly as it is, I’m not someone that wants more. I’m someone that’s content where I’m at right now.
Happy to offer advice for gratis. I actually derive pleasure from that. Weird though that maybe, I like things that make me feel good. It’s one of the reasons I love volunteering. It feels good.
If I were to examine my enjoyment of volunteering further it’s probably because I feel the need to justify my survival to myself, when people far better than me haven’t made it.
Survivors guilt is a tricky head space to be in. It tormented for for many years. And then I found a passion for voluntary service and it not only gave me purpose but it helped heal a wound in me.
I am so grateful, happy and blessed that I got lucky enough to still be here (it’s only down to luck). But I needed it to mean something because I felt distraught that some of my friends and family haven’t always been lucky enough to survive.
I find solace in volunteering.
So then comes the second good thing. One of the companies that I work with on a voluntary basis, through Bowel Research UK featured me on their Instagram. It went down really well. It’s a very nice feeling to be well received by others. It’s not the be all and end all of living a happy life, but it certainly felt nice.
Ostique are a brilliant company. I’ve been assisting them through my volunteering with Bowel Research UK. Follow Ostique on Instagram, for the full story of what their innovation is trying to achieve.
I shared it on my Instagram too. Obviously no one is liking the photo because they think I have a great body.
But I think it’s helpful to the bagged and un bagged alike to see positive images of people with changes to their body but still comfortable in their skin.
That’s exactly what I am. I’m perfectly comfortable in my skin, content with my life.
My good fortune continued, a friend of mine, Laura, whose son used to go to school with my boys, contacted me to say hi, but also to ask if I’d like to have a look through some stuff her mum was giving away due to moving.
Errrrr, yes please!! Of course I would love a rummage!
How thoughtful and kind is that!! :)
My passion/obsession for car boot sales, antiquing and table scaping has flourished into me now being offered beautiful things from people without me having to leave my own home. :)
I picked up some beautiful new blue and white things for future dreamy table scapes.
Then without me even mentioning Laura’s mum’s offer of scaping goodies, my friend Kim said her mum asked her to ask me if I’d like some of the cabbage chinaware that I’ve been collecting. She had some from way back when, that she no longer used and would I like it? Would I!?!! Hell yeah!! Please and thank you very much!
So now, added to my collection I have a large serving plate and lidded serving bowl. :)
I was so touched that others thought of me and wanted to add joy to my life. Really, how nice is that. :)
I feel lucky, because I am lucky. :)
I have made donations to Cancer Research UK and Parkinson’s UK in thanks.
Chris told me to get my gladrags on on Friday last week. He booked us an impromptu meal in London at Chutney Mary. I couldn’t think of a nicer way to spend a Friday night.
As we arrived we were greeted like old friends. And one of the waiters that’s served us many times excitedly told me that my favourite dish was back on the menu!
Going to Chutney Mary is the equivalent of going to Cheers Bar! A place to go where everybody knows your nammmmmme…
I guess that makes us Norm or Cliff! Hahahahaha
Basically it’s our local, just a 50 minute drive away. :)
Dress Diane Von Furstenberg, Shoes from Jimmy Choo
Chris raves over these Corn Ribs. I tend to avoid corn. I can eat most things, but I get a tad fearful of corn after experiencing it clogging me up a few times.
To be fair I was probably already clogged up but the addition of sweetcorn didn’t help.
But I really wanted to experience the taste sensation! So I asked if I could possibly suck one.
Chris said “ok”, with an air of ‘what the f’ thrown in.
So I gave them a go!
Chris said he felt incredibly conflicted, watching me sucking on a corn rib, was deeply disturbing/erotic viewing.
hahahahaha I cracked up and cackled like a witch.
After all that I said “yeah, they’re ok”.
We ate loads, Butter Chicken was back on, thank goodness. It’s absolutely delicious.
And what would life be without Gulab Jamun!?
We fed ourselves up because we knew we had a weekend of hard work ahead.
We planned a weekend of She shedding!!
Chris has a similar shed to this in our courtyard garden for his office and gaming. So now we have His and Hers. :)
The changes, though subtle, nearly half killed us. With his dodgy back and my hernia we muddled through.
And what a difference it made!
I’m so happy it’s getting closer to being finished.
It’s so beautiful.
We were exhausted, but overjoyed with how it looks.
Saturday night a friend came over and we decided to head out for dinner.
We could barely lift our arms up, or move come to that, having shovelled one ton of decorative stones, amongst others things.
I made the suggestion that we take my car…
…and if I ever make that suggestion again please kick me!!
My car is apparently a four seater, it’s marketed as a 2 plus 2.
But as I found out, the plus 2 must refer to Borrowers or something! Maybe Lilliputians at a push!
It’s not designed for big girls!!
We arrived in style, yes, but I had raging indigestion from being all bent up in the car, before I’d even reached the restaurant. Hahahahaha
We had a fantastic night out, a delicious meal, curry. And yes, I know we only had one on Friday night but I find there is no limit. :)
It was so nice to catch up with our friend.
We woke up Sunday morning feeling the effects of the day before’s garden efforts.
So Chris said let’s just leave it for now and go for a drive - with me in the front this time.
He was right of course, we really couldn’t have done any more work in the garden.
His back was reminding him of why he’s waiting for spine injections, and my hernia was keen for me to know I’d pushed my luck too. ;)
We headed off for Saffron Walden, to visit Audley End House, although we just focussed our time strolling round the gardens.
As it was just walking round, enjoying the last few days of summer, I didn’t take a bag to carry spare stoma supplies in. This is a little risky.
I have no problem whatsoever having a colostomy, but what I do get pissed off about is having to carry bag changing stuff with me at all times.
I remember I was beyond delighted when I was able to stop carrying a nappy changing bag with me when the boys were small. Only to grow into the need of carrying stoma supplies at all times.
On occasions where I can leave everything in the car, I do!
Sunday was one of those days. I enjoy the feeling of freedom.
Freedom to move round with no baggage, literally. :)
Dress from Tesco, Shoes from Christian Dior
It was a beautiful day out. And nice to do something on the spur of the moment too.
We then came home and sat in the garden and enjoyed the spoils of our hard work.
I am so happy with my new She Shed. I think we’re going to have many happy days ahead. :)
Our little community of friends helped build it. And my friend’s mums have helped kit it out. If that’s not lucky I don’t know what is. Xx
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On a side note. I’ve just had my flu jab, so here’s a gentle reminder for those that get them, they are available now (I understand many people don’t want one, don’t need one etc, but having had flu 22 years ago, and still haunted by it to this very day, I always have one).
I noticed in the news that in the UK flu jabs were expected to be delayed. But actually Chris and I have had them earlier than we usually do. I couldn’t be happier.
Last year it was November or at least getting on for it before we could source one.
But serendipitously I found out they do them at Christchurch clinic where I volunteer for their covid vaccine centre.
So Chris and I are flu season ready now. ;)
He got his for free on the NHS, because he is in the old age group, something I keep delightedly mentioning. Hahahahaha.
Have a great weekend. Xx