Post 246: I love you all.
Without much happening today I chose to relax mostly.
My right shoulder rotator cuff issue, if that’s what it is, is a real nightmare some days. It’s the pain as well as the lack of movement when trying to do ordinary tasks that end up making you look like a total div.
It’s not helped by the pulled muscles in my back from turning my head to the right smartly while driving the other day.
Pain is very sneaky and it builds without perception. Sneaky and unwanted like a summertime ant invasion. I need Nipon for my shoulder.
It could be worse and if I limit the movement of it I’m ok all day. Just another small problem to add to the other small problems we all have in growing up, growing older, trying too hard to be the person you want and should be — but in reality, can’t be.
It’s all about managing expectations.
Half of the MacMillan forums worries are about managing expectations whether great or small.
We all struggle with the gradual falling away of our faculties and it’s mostly a hard and painful experience. If only we didn’t remind ourselves every day of how it was and what’s fallen off today.
As we get older and wiser we still struggle with the changes to our current normal.
But I’m staying in bed today, what the hell.
Oh bugger! I’ve not fed Mr Vicious, oh crap!
It’s 11 o’clock and I’ve got to quickly get out of my funk and go feed the cat. Poor thing, he’ll eat my hand off when I get there.
Wow I’ve slept well. I’m feeding the hungry cat and pondering the fact that I’ve had half a days rest already. 12 hours of sleep.
I wish I felt more recovered but I must admit it must be good for me.
Yesterday’s walking to the pub and back must have taken its toll but my legs don’t feel it.
My Darling’s at work and I text her about my sleepiness to which she replies with a few heart emojis. I settle down in my chair in front of the tv as per usual and ponder which k-drama series to watch.
I’ve caught up with two series that release one or two new parts each week which is very annoying and these days rare. But my patience is rewarded with a great storyline when the next chapter is told.
While I ponder the lives of many fictitious Korean families I remember that I didn’t tell you how Olive the Amazon’s MoT went. Well it was a huge success.
A very helpful mechanic who lives nearby volunteered to drive the Volvo from my garage to their garage for me due to my weakness and pains just now. The only trouble was the early start as he came round at 7am to pick it up.
But all’s well that ends well and at 5:30pm he returned smiling, with a piece of paper with a PASS certificate.
Happy Christmas Olive.
I know the 350 miles I drove this year is minuscule to the normal annual mileage but this year was not normal.
Perhaps I’ll get a few more outings in it in ‘26, I do hope so. I love that car and its regal feel from its plush but simple red interior and its steady progress along the road that is more Sunday-driving than weekday-racing.
I’ll have to imagine some routes I can later drive along at a more pleasurable than fast pace.
I must also get my passport renewed soon which is another positive that is essential so my horizons don’t diminish too much.
I don’t know if I’ve got the drive (pun not intended) to get to Sweden with Olive like I did a few years ago, but I’ve not rulled it out.
My cancer pathway is littered with good intentions and tattered dreams.
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Resolutions.
It’s the time of year for those.
I don’t normally make the typical New Year’s Day resolutions but maybe this year I should. Any suggestions?
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When my Darling got home she got started on a big batch of chilli in the slow cooker. Oh how good that smells.
You can keep your plug-ins and bottles of Christmas scents with those sticks poking out the top — I’ll have a slow cooker with a winter stew any day.
I can’t wait but before that, chilli non carne, is in my lap, but before that happens we have godchild guests with the usual Christmas exchanges of presents and gossip. Ha ha, yes that’s the way to go — a Netflix fireplace roaring on the tv and tea, beer and chatter until they went happily into the dark evening outside to their next destination at the British Legion.
It’s so lovely to have a natter but it’s daunting to think that our little baby god—child is 39 next birthday. OMG where did all those years go?
Were we really that young when we stood up for this little child. It’s remarkable when you are jolted back in time with such an “old” friend.
With the beautiful chilli cooked by my beautiful Darling and served, it was the perfect end to the day if it wasn’t for “Strictly”.
Even I was teary eyed at the final few dances and as the presenting was at the end of an era it was extra special.
It’s not really my thing but I’ll watch it all the same. I even voted, online. My choice wasn’t the eventual winner but all three dancers were brilliant.
My Darling went to bed after the glitter-ball was handed over and went to bed happy — happy too that her dancer had lifted the trophy for this year.
Now it really is Christmas.
5 sleeps left to go.
I better get my worn copy of Dickens ghost stories out and read the very first story called A Christmas Carol.
It’s a silly tradition of mine and makes Christmas for me.
The one thing the story reminds me of is the ability in all of us to love.
And with that in mind.
It’s nearly Christmas and to all that read my blog and comment so often, I love you all.
Thank you and good night.
PS
The ever present sleepy cat, Mr Vicious (Sid), was on my lap again today — this the selfie. I’m not sure he was up for it but he stayed put.
I love him too.
