Friday Five!

Have a great trip KFDancer. Hopefully all okay with your brother. 
Happy Friday!

1.) Was supposed to be heading to London tomorrow, but airport chaos and flight cancellations have ruined plans. All good though! 

2.) Last few band rehearsals this weekend before playing a musical festival next weekend 

3.) Have gooseberry gin on the go 

4.) Pollen counts seem quite high. Achooooooo. 

5.) Meeting free Fridays at work mean I can get my head down and finish things uninterrupted. It's been really nice for my productivity as I feel a bit more on top of things. 

OMG, you may have to send me a sample of the gooseberry gin.  One of the best gins I've ever had and I bet homemade is even better!!!!   

Two weeks missed in a row, so doing a Saturday post!

1.  Trip to Florida with family was really good.  Too short but maybe good to leave wanting more?  Was just awesome to see the 5 cousins just being immediate best friends and having a ball together all week. At the resort, we had landline phones. So the kids kept calling each other. Was so fun. My kids really know nothing about (old) phones and had no idea of phone etiquette. It quickly became thing thing to do to call each other all the time. It was soooo cute.

2.  Only one fun moment with my brother talking about a friend of his who WAS coeliac but some healer and everyone prayed over him and he no longer is coeliac. I then explained that some people are silent coeliacs (no symptoms) and that it sucks that he will die from bowel cancer in a few years. My mom then had to use my name.  And my brothers.

3.  We got our curtains for most of the house up this week and we get wallpaper this coming week (I hope was scheduled 3 months ago but haven’t had a reminder through). I’ll upload some photos.

4.  No issues with Heathrow on either side of the trip but USA side (particularly Charlotte) was awful.  Dramalama!

5.  Looking forward to cruising at the end of this month.  We have to do Covid tests 24 hours prior and hope we all pass!  Kids get their second jabs tomorrow. Husband and I both had positives in June so fingers crossed that we have enough short term antibodies to let us on the ship. My husband has discovered a colleague (that he really likes) is on the same trip with his wife and two kids. EVERYONE at his work now knows that they are “going on holiday together” and the banter has begun. 

Happy Friday all!

1. Finally getting some courgettes out of the garden. They've been a bit slow!   

2.)  Watching Drum Corps International Finals week over various internet channels. Technology is amazing (used to have to wait for tapes and later DVDs).  I've been a long DCI fan since I'm a total music nerd and marched myself.

3.) Lots of music stuff for me happening in the next few weeks too!

4.) Brewing a Yorkshire Bitter tomorrow. 

5.) Smoking a brisket tomorrow!

My Friday Five:

1. Had a great trip to Orlando last month... was very hot and tiring, but much-needed . I was able to just spend a few days only thinking about what Disney rides to go on and what I was going to eat that day, and not about work, or my dad, or the general stress of life .

2. Went up to Edinburgh with my family last weekend. We stayed with my aunt, and on Saturday, we went out for lunch, went hunting for the two giraffe statues that one of my friends designed and painted, saw a couple of Fringe Festival street acts, and watched the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Then on Sunday, we went walking in the hills and to our first Highland Games, which were taking place in the park by my aunt's house. It was a really fun weekend, though I wasn't too impressed that the RAF Flypast at the Tattoo was done by an A400... the same plane that caused me a ton of stress in Ascension and was the reason for me being delayed 4 days flying out and 7 days coming home!

3. Off to Rome in 2 weeks for the Supernatural convention that I should have attended in 2020! It's been postponed several times due to Covid, so I'm glad it's finally happening, especially as I get to meet up with several friends there that I haven't seen since 2019

4. Heading to Disneyland Paris for a week in September with my mum, and we're going to see Wicked in London on the way. I've seen it before, but it's been 12 years and I can't remember much of it.

5. This month was the first month since March that I didn't go into complete emotional overdrive when I was PMSing. While I was in Ascension, I would find myself crying uncontrollably for about 2 days right before my period and I was dreading it happening when I got back, but this month I was actually fine. I was caught off-guard when my period started the other day because I had been waiting for the crying to start first!

Oh ksand, seems like so real positives all around!

Friyay!

1.  Been a crazy week at work.  My son didn't want to go to a camp this week as his sister is at a camp for older kids.  And ALLLLLLL of his friends are on holiday.  It's also a good thing he wasn't book in anywhere as my little IBS child has had more than IBS this week and would have been sent him.  Thankfully he seems to be past it now.  He was fine in himself and eating loads (BRAT diet since Saturday), but think it's finally cleared.

2.  My daughter's camp was a musical theatre camp, which makes this former dancer VERY happy!  She did it with a friend from school and seems to have been really enjoying it.  We go see her perform at 2pm.  I can't wait!

3.  The wallpapering was done this week, except the master bathroom because the decorator won't wallpaper a bathroom.  So, guess what's now on my husband's to do list (it's bathroom rated wallpaper).  I think he just wanted to get away on holiday earlier.

4.  My husband is off to the Arsenal game in London tomorrow.  I need to find something cool to do with the kids that won't exhaust me.  We have a lake with a "beach" nearby so plan to go there. 

5.  Supposedly going for a pre-birthday day out with my husband but think there are issues with sitters.  Honestly, I don't have tons of energy and don't want to have a massive day out.  I'm hoping that he booked in the local Gin tasting + afternoon tea but I'm guessing he hasn't!   

2.  My daughter's camp was a musical theatre camp, which makes this former dancer VERY happy!  She did it with a friend from school and seems to have been really enjoying it.  We go see her perform at 2pm.  I can't wait!

This is awesome!!

@phatbeetle - Oooh, count me jealous of your brisket!

@ksand24 - Sounds like some great positives all around.

@KFdancer - Oh no, sorry to hear that his IBS was playing up. Wishing your daughter well for her performance!

Happy Friyay y'all!

1. There have been some stronger glimmers of light for my uncle. I feel that I can start to relax a little and not feel that any day might be that day.

2. I got my powerchair, and I'm kind of scolding myself I didn't get it earlier. I have so much more freedom now, to actually leave the flat more often - and without pain and crushing fatigue. I think I hadn't really gotten to the "acceptance" part of New Me, and that's why I kept resisting one (despite it being recommended by 3 different health professionals). But now that I have one, I feel so empowered to be independently mobile again (even if for now, mostly to appointments). But that'll change. Museums? You're next!

3. I still have an annoying persistent cough (since the beginning of June), and I'm slightly annoyed that my GP (who is usually quite good) is somewhat dismissive of it. I had chest pain and had to visit A&E, and the A&E doctor wrote to my GP suggesting that I need further lung investigations (beyond the scope of A&E) and a few specialist referrals since it looks like my lungs are struggling to clear what should be a non-complicated upper respiratory infection (very likely to due previous Covid infection, of course!). But my GP has given me more medicine and wants to wait another 4-6 weeks before considering further testing and referrals, to see if I just need more time to fight the infection on my own. I wouldn't mind, except I'm starting to feel pretty rotten due to the continuous coughing and lack of sleep (from said coughing). Grr!

4. I'm really missing work. I had just started to get back into the swing of things earlier this year after being off with long Covid, and was even looking at a few career opportunities,  and now I'm signed off again due to this cough that cannot shift - and being a potential infection risk. (totally understandable where I work!) But I'm itching to get back to my job. I miss my job, I miss what I do, I miss my colleagues. They are genuinely like my UK family by now.

5. DH and I have USA and French MREs we're going to try out this weekend.

Aquila, hope that cough goes soon!!  Bit annoying that the GP isn't taking it a bit more serious!

Happy Friyay y'all!

1. There have been some stronger glimmers of light for my uncle. I feel that I can start to relax a little and not feel that any day might be that day.

2. I got my powerchair, and I'm kind of scolding myself I didn't get it earlier. I have so much more freedom now, to actually leave the flat more often - and without pain and crushing fatigue. I think I hadn't really gotten to the "acceptance" part of New Me, and that's why I kept resisting one (despite it being recommended by 3 different health professionals). But now that I have one, I feel so empowered to be independently mobile again (even if for now, mostly to appointments). But that'll change. Museums? You're next!

3. I still have an annoying persistent cough (since the beginning of June), and I'm slightly annoyed that my GP (who is usually quite good) is somewhat dismissive of it. I had chest pain and had to visit A&E, and the A&E doctor wrote to my GP suggesting that I need further lung investigations (beyond the scope of A&E) and a few specialist referrals since it looks like my lungs are struggling to clear what should be a non-complicated upper respiratory infection (very likely to due previous Covid infection, of course!). But my GP has given me more medicine and wants to wait another 4-6 weeks before considering further testing and referrals, to see if I just need more time to fight the infection on my own. I wouldn't mind, except I'm starting to feel pretty rotten due to the continuous coughing and lack of sleep (from said coughing). Grr!

4. I'm really missing work. I had just started to get back into the swing of things earlier this year after being off with long Covid, and was even looking at a few career opportunities,  and now I'm signed off again due to this cough that cannot shift - and being a potential infection risk. (totally understandable where I work!) But I'm itching to get back to my job. I miss my job, I miss what I do, I miss my colleagues. They are genuinely like my UK family by now.

5. DH and I have USA and French MREs we're going to try out this weekend.

Hope you feel better soon!  Here's a little light reading hot off the press on Long Covid

https://erictopol.substack.com/p/some-light-on-long-covid?utm_source=email

Happy Friday!!

1.) Gonna help the in-laws sort out their garden this weekend 

2.) Need a holiday 

3.) Calm before the storm of several busy weekends ahead 

4.) Work computer is grinding to a halt this week...  Really been annoying   

5.) Celebrity MasterChef...Always a hoot!   

Friday!

1.) Decided randomly to take next week off work.  I need a break. 

2.) Not sure what I will get up to.  But I need a break. 

3.) Have some orchestra rehearsals this weekend and the concert is next weekend 

4.) Figuring out what to brew next 

5.) Some really cool looking clouds this morning! 

Friyay!

1.  Well I think everyone knows Ive had a FAR too eventful week health wise but as I type this knowing I've had treatment for relief of symptoms and antibiotics that she hopefully keep me feeling better and better, I have a positive outlook on the week.

2.  No idea if we will go on the cruise this weekend.  It's such a tough choice.  Seems to be safe from a medical point of view (consultant said if anything bad was going to happen, it would have happened at the hospital yesterday, there's truly no risk at the moment).  They won't have all the test results until after we are back anyways.  We shall decide soon. We really do HAVE TO DECIDE SOON.    I can sit there any enjoy watching my family just as much as I can sit on the sofa at home.  It's just would I enjoy it MORE if I'm back to full health.

3.  I have some amazing friends.  I can't believe how many people I had to call/message yesterday to let everyone know how it went.  I've received three bouquets of flowers.  Means so much!  I've cried a lot this week but this has been such happy tears.  My daughter asked Daddy to get me my own panda to take to the hospital which I did (and they made me leave with my things).  But just knowing I had "my panda" there made me feel like I had my daughter there.

4.  My daughter is truly excelling at diving.  She's done a few camps this summer and is joining the competitive squad starting September.  She's so excited and WANTS to do this.  She'll be competing at South East regionals in the Spring and will hopefully qualify for Nationals which will be next July.  I only want her to love it and enjoy it and as she is LOVING it and ENJOYING it, I am one very happy and proud mother.  She had the opportunity to go off a 5 meter board for the first time last week.  She climbed the ladder, walked to the edge and DOVE off.  Not even a JUMP first.  NO EARTHLY IDEA where this newfound bravery and confidence has come from but she is blossoming right in front me of.  LOVE IT.  And her hair is a bit green.  :p

5.  My son is a character and is going through a fantastic lying phase and lies really badly.  So lots of discipline but then laughing after he's been sent to his room.  OH!  He is a cheeky guy! 

If we don't go on the cruise Sunday, which leaves from Southampton we will be in Southampton for my daughter to have a extra session of diving (their pool is INCREDIBLE there).  BUT, we would literally watch our cruise ship pull away!!!!!  UGH, that would be sad. 

A cruise may be just what you need.  But I guess worth weighing up the risks. Would your travel insurance cover anything, should it go awry?  I wouldn't have thought it would?