Salad Days and trying to look after Me

Today would have been my Mum's birthday.  Sadly missed, went far too soon and still a huge hole where she used to be as well as for my Dad.  Mum and I used to argue a lot although I loved her dearly, I think because we were very much alike and neither of us would give in easily.  Today would have been her 90th Birthday bless her heart.

Meal Planning:

I am trying to get into a new habit of arranging the main meal of a day of a morning.  As it has been so unbearably hot, we do not want loads to eat.  As I have a lot of salad stuff in at the moment I have decided that for this Saturday night's tea we are going to have a meat salad platter each followed by some Strawberries and cream for pudding. Simple straightforward and does not demand too much attention which suits my mood at the moment.  It is also using up what I actually have available to me without going to the shop to top up.

Activities Today:

I have not done much at the present for today because of the heat.  I am going to potter a bit shortly as it cools down but the humidity/heat always gives me a lack of energy and even though I am supposed to be in the Sun to top up Vitamin D levels, (I am on Vitamin D meds), the fair me does not really like the Sun very much and I end up going bright red, often have prickly heat rash and then blister and skin.  Bit of a quandary therefore, but I do try and have about 20 minutes of natural Sun a day where I can.

Parcel Arrival Delivery One  - Shein:

Some of my parcels have arrived but I have a problem with the length these days of dresses.  Because I have lost the three inches in height it does make a bit of a difference. From 5ft 5 inches to 5ft 2 inches.  I cannot wear heels these days either as that always used to take clothing up a bit depending on the size of shoe. I have therefore decided that as there is not an alternative sizing for my height and because I like the dresses that I am going to take them into town and get the length sorted.  I could potentially do it myself but both dresses are extremely slippery for cutting and sewing and because my sewing bits are not to be found at the moment this might be the easiest option for the present.  It would be easier if I could do it myself at the moment, but just not in the position too.  I have the sewing machine (not the cable at the moment) and the Over-locker and the Embroidery machine.  Maybe as the house gets cleared more, I will be able to deal with this in due course as my sewing bits will be a lot more collected, together and accessible.  

I do have a wardrobe full of fabric to work through at some point as well.  Once upon a time, I used to make a lot of my own clothes and my step-daughter's clothes. Something that I want to do again because some of the fabrics I have are lovely.

However am very pleased with the two dresses, and the long-sleeved Navy top that have arrived. The are perfect in size and fit.  For the dresses it is just the length that needs adjusting.  

There is a red floral longer dress which curls up under my shoes so is far too long, and a navy blue square necked bodice dress with a frill on the bottom and a lovely navy blue lace on the frill.  It really is gorgeous the lace and the dress, just nice and simple but is far too long for me as it is.  The beautiful lace is dragging on the floor and needs to be seen not trailing the floor.  This is an ongoing problem I am having from wherever I buy from. However, I am fed up of being in trousers all the time.  I ended up wearing trousers to work for keeping me warm, ease and practicality and the habit kind of stuck.  However, I want to get back to my dresses, lovely skirts, tops that sort of thing.  The things that please me most and are more pretty and feminine.  

I have over the past ten years or more gone down from a size 24 to a size 16 (not the smaller end of size 16) - not by dieting but by keeping moving and doing lots of walking.  I am still not small but more comfortable with my size than I was. I have always where my size is concerned felt a bit big, bulky and clumsy. like a dray horse, big and strong but a dray horse is more sure-footed than I am!

I have also had some boots arrive and some sandals, both of which fit both on foot size and width and also the girth of my upper calf.  Eureka!  I am very happy about this.  So much so have ordered another pair in Red, slightly different style. These ones are natural colouring Cowboy boots.  The bother I have with footwear really grieves me as I have always been one for a strappy pair of shoes with a little stilletto/stem heel on them.  Now these days I wobble a lot.  So common sense has had to play a part especially as I don't want a broken neck.  For the best part on everyday wearing and comfort I wear a pair of Skechers slip-ons.  Extremely comfortable and hold the feet well which is essential for my age and build.  

These are my second and first orders with Shein #Shein and I must say that I am extremely pleased with the quality of the fabrics and the workmanship thus far.  I would just add that this is not a promotion, just speaking my own truth about something I have experienced from my own point of view.  Each of us have our own truths and perception and everyone of us differ.

My order consisted of two dresses, a pretty shirt navy blue top, a pair of sandals and a pair of boots.

There has also been a delivery from a different company more on household bits and pieces than the clothes front although I am awaiting some tops from them and some shoes.  I have also had a few more embroidery kits arrive.  

I have a thing about Bees, I am desperate to have my own one day no matter how long that might take.  My Granddad (we called him Pop) on my Dad's side, was a Beekeeper until he was badly stung and suffered from Anaphylactic shock.  He was really poorly afterwards and was advised to give up his beloved Bees as the next time he might not be so lucky.  I always remember lovely honey from his hives which we used to have spread on toast as part of a Winter breakfast following a big bowl of porridge.  Good sustaining food for cold Winters which we used to have quite regularly then.    More on the Bee thing in the next post.

A little bit of history on the feet front

A few years ago I had a Bunion joint sorted out on my left foot.  The operation went well, what happened after (although I was not told about it at the time), was that the Tendons around the joint replacement did not grow and knit as they should have).  Eventually they did knit but took a lot longer than they should have. I had had to come off the auto-immune medication the Hydroxychloroquine 12 weeks before the operation as it potentially would have interfered with the surgery from what I was given to understand.  

It was also suggested that my toes on that foot should also be sorted out at a later point.  There was to be a second operation on my other foot which also has a very deformed joint.  After what happened with my first foot, every-time I mentioned about getting the other one done, everyone backed off and fobbed me off all of a sudden and that is where it has stayed. I have soft-tissue connection disorder as well, and I am wondering if this is the crux of the matter.  It is not pleasant having the surgery as you are incapacitated with not being able to do anything and are just sat down for many weeks after the operation.  You also have to wear a sexy shoe or boot!  Not sexy and are on crutches. However it did make a heck of a difference to my foot and being able to walk properly afterward which was the difference.  My feet will never be photo-worthy, and are larger than they were, but I can now walk around which to me is the main thing.

Looking After Me:

For a long time now, I have not really bothered with myself and I am trying to sort that out and start to look after me a bit better than I have been.  Part of getting overwhelmed I think, although not the only reason.  Life is for living, and I am what I am and I am fast coming to the conclusion that wearing nice things and looking as good as you can, helps an awful lot when it comes to a peaceful mind and thoughts.  If you feel good, about something it makes you react very differently.

Tomorrow, I have plans for tackling my hair and am going to put a colour on again.  I have worn my hair grey for a while, and to tell you the truth, with grey hair I feel older, and do not recognise myself in the mirror. With a nice colour on helps lift me that little bit and makes me feel better about myself.  All I will say is that you have to do what is right for and pleases you at the end of the day.  This is your journey and  you deal with things for yourself as to how you see fit and which are right for you.

Exercise:

We should all exercise on a regular basis. I am speaking from real life issues at the moment.  I exercise where I can, although not as much as I should do which depends on fatigue level.  If I feel good I do more.  I do however concentrate on stretches as they help unfurl the body and releases those little aches and pains a bit.  I have been concentrating for a  while on upper arm stretches and movements, but I am starting to work on my legs as well.  The rotor arm condition needs regular upper body work in any event.  I am keen to work more on my legs and exercising them to help with my core muscle work which I am trying to retrieve at the moment.  Slow work hopefully will get there.  It is for my own benefit at the end of the day.

On the Food Front:

There was an offer on Frosties and Cornflakes this morning at my local shop and so two boxes of the Frosties have come home and one of Cornflakes. I am going to get another Cornflake though as they are ideal for baking as are the Frosties, especially chocolate Crackle cakes.  I also intend to buy in some Rice Krispies as well so that can do the same with them.

I quite like the Deliciously Ella cereal but refuse to pay £4 for a small box.  At the moment it is on offer at £2.95, so each time it is on offer I buy in a couple of boxes or more where I can so that I end up with a little stockpile.

I bought more Reduced Raspberries this morning.  I nearly have a kilo in the freezer now in order to make some Raspberry jam for the Pantry shelf.  I will probably wait until I have 2kg in berries before making the jam, which hopefully will not take too long as Raspberries are regularly reduced at my local shop. I use a lot of Raspberry jam.  I have already made Raspberry Vodka and there is a Peach and Raspberry jam that I also want to make.  I shall therefore carry on collecting them until I have enough fit for my purposes.

In the meantime, I am going to do the same with Strawberries as well when I find them reduced or at a good price.

I also bought some reduced Meringue shells 5 packs for £1.20 instead of £2 something each pack.  The beauty of these if they are intact is that they make a quick pudding with some fruit, cream or ice cream and are handy to keep in the Pantry.  Even the broken ones can be kept in a jar and then added to a homemade Eaton Mess when  you have enough to hand which is absolutely delicious.  Especially as it is Strawberry season, but you can use with the majority of fruits.

Goat's Milk has been bought in with some Goat Yogurt for the starter as I am going to have a go at Making Goat's Milk yogurt for a change.  Not done this before so very much a learning curve.

I also have some Rhubarb Cordial to make.

So a few little things going on.  Hopefully this is the start of things to come!

This evening I watered up the garden by hand again.  Then came in and sorted out my shopping bags, and in turn the fridge.  Then set about sorting tea out for us both which because of the weather was a meat and cheese platter each, with a little bit of salad leaves, coleslaw, cucumber and tomato.  There was two different types of ham, Salt Beef, Pastrami, Salami and some Colston Bassett cheese which was to die for.  We then had a glass of fresh orange juice to wash it down with.  Went down very nicely indeed.

A busy evening and will be a busy day tomorrow.

Have a lovely one.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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