I know I’ve been a bit slack with my blogging this year but I truly did not
expect it to be December, life and all that.
Work has been keeping my nose to the grindstone, I believe the last time I
mentioned it I was having to apply for my own job. Well thankfully we didn’t
have to go down the road of filling out an application form but I did have to
have an interview and yes thankfully I got the job! Well I say thankfully, my
role has changed dramatically and at the moment I’m mostly hating it. I’ve
decided to give it until the Spring and see how things pan out, if nothing else
we have literally more new staff than old staff now, including a new Director, a
new Departmental Head and for me a new Line Manager so I figure they all need
time to bed in. I have had to bite the bullet and accept a work i-phone, the
technophobe inside me is weeping (I still don’t really know how to use it and it
took me 2 months to even go and pick it up from IT!!)
I have been insanely busy without having a clue what the hell I’m doing
most of the time which makes me miserable and very stressed, here’s hoping it
settles down.
This included a last minute 4 day trip to Delhi where other than a
quick nip to Khan Market which is right near the hotel (I bought some earrings and a scarf in Anouki and thought of Vix!) I spent the whole time
holed up inside working. There were some plus points I did have a lovely view
out of my hotel window (when I got to look at it) and there was also a troop of
monkeys that I spotted from it one day, who’s antics were a great break from
reviewing applications and writing up notes. I’m sure if I was a local I would
think them a nuisance but as I’m not I was enchanted. It was also full on
wedding season in India so every day there was a huge ceremony at the
hotel, these were very noisy but fascinating and the dresses were stunning, so I
enjoyed watching when I could.
I’ve also been to and fro the doctor. In keeping with last year when they
invited me to get my boobs squashed the day after my birthday, this year they
invited me for a health check on my actual birthday!
I booked in for later that
week and found the whole process quite interesting as it goes. It was awesome to
know my cholesterol was actually very low despite my huge dairy habit, and that
my BMI was in the right range, though at the top end.
I have been piling on weight lately and just cannot shift it, indeed the
getting on the scales bit was rather horrifying. The nurse was lovely and we
talked menopause which I assumed was the cause whilst she took an armful of
blood, it turned out I hadn’t had full bloods for over 7 years so she
decided to take extra and run them.
I got a text 2 days later to say I had flagged for thyroid and could I book
an appointment ASAP, which was surprising/alarming and also impressive for
speed.
It seems many of the symptoms I’ve been putting down to the menopause
might well have been the thyroid, including the sudden rapid weight gain, and
the utter exhaustion I’ve been struggling with. So at the moment they are trying
to get the right level of thyroxine for me, it means regular blood tests and
doctor’s appointments until it’s sorted and then 6 monthly blood tests for
possibly the rest of my life.
On the plus side at least the drugs have kicked in
and I am back to my usual everyday level of tiredness and my weight has
stabilized, obviously I’d love to lose what I’ve gained but in all honesty I’m
just delighted to have stopped putting it on. A colleague at work with an
underactive thyroid gained a terrifying three and a half stone before they got
her stabilized!?!
I know I left you hanging in my last post so to answer the questions
Himself had a symbol that is a Star Wars reference on his wrist and yes we had a
fabulous time on Bournemouth.
We went a week later than usual this year as we
were meant to have been going to a wedding the previous weekend. We were worried
the weather might be ropey but instead it was scorching hot, that crazy super
hot weekend as it goes (remember that? instead of all this interminable rain)
We
had a big walk planned, catching a bus to Barton on Sea and walking back via the
coastal path.
It was glorious but a little too hot if I’m honest and by the time
we caught the Mudeford ferry I could have done but we still had another five and
a half miles to go! We stopped for a drink and a pee and then again for an ice
cream but by the time we got to Boscombe I was definitely done. I needed food, I
needed a rest, I was frankly hangry. So we stopped at The Harvester on the
beachfront and had dinner.
Food and wine later the last 2 miles were a breeze
and even better by the stunning huge full moon over the sea which made my
Cancerian heart very happy.
The next day Himself disappeared to the cinema to see an obscure low budget
weerwolf film and I met my friend Alison for antiquing and a good catch up. In
the evening we went to our favourite restaurant before walking back to the hotel
via the beach so I could go and moon gaze again. It was a blissful break.
October brought our anniversary where we celebrated with cocktails at home,
pizza at the local pub, then back home for The Rocky Horror Show by candle
light.
I also met my Friend Alex for a catch up and a wander round Blenheim
Palace somewhere I ashamed to say haven’t been for more years than I care to
remember. The weather was meant to be bad that day but when we arrived it was
still dry so we had a good yomp around the grounds, until the rain set in.
We
decamped inside where they were setting up for a wedding in part of the house. I
did feel for the poor florist and caterers who were having to work around hoards
of dripping wet and gawping tourists!
We got thoroughly soaked walking through
the grounds into Woodstock to have afternoon tea before catching the bus back to
Oxford. This was not without drama because some muppet had parked their car
blocking a slip road and our driver ended up having to call the police to clear
it as the bus couldn’t get through! The bus then decided not to start again once
the road had been cleared so we had to wait and get on another one, all in the
relentless pouring rain.
November was India, a long overdue session in the pub with old colleagues
and friends from my library days, my Dad’s birthday and my parent’s 55th
anniversary. We collected Dad from his care home and wheeled him swathed in
plastic and under a huge umbrella to a local Greek restaurant where the whole
family converged and ate much tapas.
This is my parents celebrating their engagement. My Mum made the dress, she
says she literally snipped the last thread moments before she actually had to
put it on and go out! She says it was dark red brocade.
Which brings us to December. It’s been a whirl of work, of meeting friends
and family and eating much food. I also had a day off to go to London with my
friend Charlotte to see the Pre-Raphaelite Sisters exhibition at the National
Portrait Gallery which we both loved.
Today I am also off work because it’s Star
Wars. Himself has already done the midnight screening so this will be his second
pass.
He’s home for Christmas this year so we will have the morning to ourselves
before meeting my Mum at Dad’s care home before going home with her for a
couple of days. Bliss.
My Mum has a new cat. I won’t go into the full details because they make me
absolutely furiously angry, but let’s just say he has been badly neglected by
persons known to the family, who should know better and want prosecuting in my
opinion. He is a pedigree British Blue, less than 18 months old, so still a
baby. Tomorrow he has to go and have one of his back legs amputated because
it is beyond saving.
My Mum has lost her heart and a sizable chunk of her bank balance to Bobby
the cat.
Apparently he is gorgeous and cuddly and doesn’t bite or scratch despite his pain and everyone at the vet’s surgery are in love with him too. I have yet to meet him, that will be a Christmas treat. I do miss having a cat so I’m fearful I will want one even more after our visit!
Apparently he is gorgeous and cuddly and doesn’t bite or scratch despite his pain and everyone at the vet’s surgery are in love with him too. I have yet to meet him, that will be a Christmas treat. I do miss having a cat so I’m fearful I will want one even more after our visit!
I shall sign off here as I need to get ready to Star Wars. I hope you all
have a wonderful Christmas whatever you are doing and here’s to 2020.