I should imagine that this post might very well be a little disjointed in places; due to the fact that I am still suffering from a particularly nasty flare up of Fibro pain. Having self medicated with numerous prescription drugs, all of which were prescribed specifically for the management of this condition; I am feeling ever so slightly woozy.Yesterday can only be described as a lovely day; spent in the company of some dear girl friends. We played Kaluki in front of a blazing hot fire, talked & laughed for hours; interrupted only by a delicious homemade spaghetti ala bolognaise. A dessert of home made cookies & apple tart followed; accompanied by a cafetiere of steaming hot Italian coffee.
My contribution to the proceedings was the packet of proper spaghetti, ie the very long stuff, which was all we could buy way back in the seventies. I thought we could have some fun, after all, the modern stuff is less than half its length & therefore much easier to handle. How; one asks is it possible to eat such a dish tidily? Remarkably, we all managed it; very well and with no nasty accidents! All I can say is that it is a good job that we all share the same whacky sense of humour…
One of our friends is just ten years my senior & celebrated her birthday a few weeks ago. Being super organised I have been carrying her birthday gift around in the trunk of my car for some time now. The stylish, grey & stone coloured bag; with its black grosgrain ribbon ties and handles had, in the meantime, disintegrated to a shadow of its former classic elegance.
On producing this battered, torn offering a bemused look of curiosity flickered briefly upon the face of the belated birthday girl. One can only imagine what raced through that blond head of hers…! Forever the sophisticate; she politely opened the battered and torn package, to discover that carefully nestled within was a gift which every girl would delight in receiving.
The huge cream coloured Estee Lauder tote bag was overflowing with goodies; the matching cosmetics purse was generously filled with complementary skin care products, mascara, Silver Ball eye shadow compact, Rose Tea and Bois de Rose lipsticks, a small bottle of perfume, and various other accoutrements. Having been the recipient of such a gift some years ago I knew that that my efforts would excuse my tardiness.
I can’t help think that it is the thought which counts in any given situation. It is so easy to be blasé; to take things for granted and to be complacent. The truth of my gift is that I took the time to gather nice things, which ordinarily would be outside of my friends’ budget and would nevertheless be enjoyed once received. My friend is quite aware of this little quirk of mine and is truly appreciative. It is nice to be nice, isn’t it?
At the end of our day together we all went our separate ways; me to the study, to complete my blog and the two girls to Tullamore. BJK was very kind and took LB off to complete his homework assignments at the kitchen table, while BB sat at the dining room table to complete his.
I was delighted that after the previous day’s discomforts, the pain had settled significantly, having enabled me to win a hand or two at cards. The big jackpots were won by BJK & PCD; who were barely able to carry their winnings at the end of the festivities. One hundred one cent coins can be remarkably cumbersome!
After an easy day yesterday I drifted off to sleep in the happy knowledge that all were fed, watered and generally looked after. I had even mounted the four steps leading up to LB’s high bed; we lay there chatting generally about the day’s events and our wishes for the future. With a little coaxing Gypsophillus, the smaller of the two bitches climbed up the ladder and joined us for a nice warm cuddle! It’s funny how some days are so much nicer than others, isn’t it?
Imagine my horror when, at four o’clock this morning I was finally forced to succumb to intense pain. No matter how I lay, nothing relieved the discomfort on my right hand side. First one part of my body ached and then another decided to join in the fun.
Finally I surrendered myself to yet another of my famous cocktails, or at least an approximation of one. Instead of the usual dose of 60mg Codeine and 1.5g Paracetamol and 20mg Zydol I settled for the slightly less effective dose of 45mg Codeine instead. Lucky for me I had found the one remaining Zydol capsule at the bottom of my little plastic stash bag in my bedside cabinet. Beggars can’t be choosers and frankly I was too uncomfortable to go out to the icy cold car, parked in the driveway!
Two hours later I had had enough! DG’s rhythmic snoring was as consistent as the pain! Six am found me brewing strong, strong coffee on the stove top. On the other side of the kitchen the microwave sprang into action; producing a nourishing bowl of wall paper paste. Microwave Porridge is surprisingly nice, especially when served with maple or strawberry syrup! For those of you who are uninitiated regarding actually cooking in your microwave ovens, why don't you give it a try:
I can’t help think that it is the thought which counts in any given situation. It is so easy to be blasé; to take things for granted and to be complacent. The truth of my gift is that I took the time to gather nice things, which ordinarily would be outside of my friends’ budget and would nevertheless be enjoyed once received. My friend is quite aware of this little quirk of mine and is truly appreciative. It is nice to be nice, isn’t it?
At the end of our day together we all went our separate ways; me to the study, to complete my blog and the two girls to Tullamore. BJK was very kind and took LB off to complete his homework assignments at the kitchen table, while BB sat at the dining room table to complete his.
I was delighted that after the previous day’s discomforts, the pain had settled significantly, having enabled me to win a hand or two at cards. The big jackpots were won by BJK & PCD; who were barely able to carry their winnings at the end of the festivities. One hundred one cent coins can be remarkably cumbersome!
After an easy day yesterday I drifted off to sleep in the happy knowledge that all were fed, watered and generally looked after. I had even mounted the four steps leading up to LB’s high bed; we lay there chatting generally about the day’s events and our wishes for the future. With a little coaxing Gypsophillus, the smaller of the two bitches climbed up the ladder and joined us for a nice warm cuddle! It’s funny how some days are so much nicer than others, isn’t it?
Imagine my horror when, at four o’clock this morning I was finally forced to succumb to intense pain. No matter how I lay, nothing relieved the discomfort on my right hand side. First one part of my body ached and then another decided to join in the fun.
Finally I surrendered myself to yet another of my famous cocktails, or at least an approximation of one. Instead of the usual dose of 60mg Codeine and 1.5g Paracetamol and 20mg Zydol I settled for the slightly less effective dose of 45mg Codeine instead. Lucky for me I had found the one remaining Zydol capsule at the bottom of my little plastic stash bag in my bedside cabinet. Beggars can’t be choosers and frankly I was too uncomfortable to go out to the icy cold car, parked in the driveway!
Two hours later I had had enough! DG’s rhythmic snoring was as consistent as the pain! Six am found me brewing strong, strong coffee on the stove top. On the other side of the kitchen the microwave sprang into action; producing a nourishing bowl of wall paper paste. Microwave Porridge is surprisingly nice, especially when served with maple or strawberry syrup! For those of you who are uninitiated regarding actually cooking in your microwave ovens, why don't you give it a try:
Microwave Porridge
1 cup organic medium flake oatmeal/porridge oats
2 cups boiling water
1 pinch of salt
Mix all ingredients together in a deep sided microwave proof bowl without lid.
Place in microwave & heat for 5-6mins on High (800W); stirring half way through.
Remove from microwave oven, stir thoroughly and add cold milk to taste.
Stir again & serve.
Serving Suggestions:
Natural yoghurt & honey to taste;
Stewed apples & cinnamon
1 tsp Brown sugar;
1 tbsp Strawberry syrup;
1 tbsp Maple syrup;
1 tbsp Lyles Golden Syrup;
1 Banana; chopped.
1 cup organic medium flake oatmeal/porridge oats
2 cups boiling water
1 pinch of salt
Mix all ingredients together in a deep sided microwave proof bowl without lid.
Place in microwave & heat for 5-6mins on High (800W); stirring half way through.
Remove from microwave oven, stir thoroughly and add cold milk to taste.
Stir again & serve.
Serving Suggestions:
Natural yoghurt & honey to taste;
Stewed apples & cinnamon
1 tsp Brown sugar;
1 tbsp Strawberry syrup;
1 tbsp Maple syrup;
1 tbsp Lyles Golden Syrup;
1 Banana; chopped.
By & 7.39am I had already caught up with my e-correspondence; the majority of it destined immediately for the discard pile. I had caught up with Fly Lady and Neasa from Conemmara, and vowed to embark upon my first scrapbook project ever using my recent Stash Win from Craft
Journal. Seeing as I was the lucky recipient of several colourful pages of card stock, some pretty Christmas embellishments, two packets of dried flower petals, some die cut navy blue dresses, handmade paper envelopes and notelets,
Anita’s outline stickers in silver and gold, a pretty little gift box and a couple of other bits and pieces I shall rise to the extended challenge issued by The Midlands Craft Club! If nothing else it will be a constructive way to fill my day, which would otherwise be a complete waste of time; due to my incapacity!!! I didn't get my scrapbook layout done yet, but I have had fun taking photo's and showing my stash off! Tomorrow's a new day, which hopefully will prove to be better than today has been.
Thanks for dropping by today. You have kept me sane; well almost!
Polly Px
Vinca Cards
