The Annual Catch-up: part one (of possibly many!!)

 So, another birthday has gone by in a flash. As has quite a lot of the past year!!

another year, another cake

Most exciting news? Well, after a regular trip to the docs for blood tests, (all OK thank goodness!), we went for our lunch at Poppyfields.

long hair, don't care but do love that lavender at Poppyfields

 But after THAT, we took the bus, yes, BUS, one stop to the big Sainsburys. Well, only Sainsburys now. I haven't been on a bus since before COVID.  It was quiet, I thought we might've mis-timed it and caught all the hooligans, (sorry, schoolkids), going home, so that made it much easier!!

Once upon a time, I'd have walked from the surgery to the supermaket, done the meander around the aisles, had a bit to eat and got a taxi home with all the grocery shopping. Now I am just revelling in the fact I could walk to the pub without panicking or tripping myself up with my 'drunken walk'. It's a nervous thing I think...I swear I must look like I've slurped several pints and am worst for wear!!

The panicking is still an issue. But gradually I am improving.

Thank heavens for the Volunteer Car Service. That's all I can say.

Halfway through last year I needed to make several hospital visits and they took me. It was a private hospital, set in the grounds of a big Mental Health facility. It was a struggle, believe me, but eventually, on the third or so visit, we staggered through the stunning grounds to a little cafe. It was heavenly. 

 

 

Even when they threw an MRI at me, (stuck in a tube that only left me room to breathe), I managed. Upshot of the visits? Well, I am trying to cope without them Botoxing me in my 'lady parts'!! What does bother me is, why, the fibroid I have, that rests just by my bladder, has grown, when at the time it was found, (several years ago), I was told "at my age" it would shrink in size. No one seems that 'bovvered' and to be honest, who wants major surgery to remove it? So, I'll live with it for now.

Another brilliant thing to have 'achieved', is that, again, for the first time since before COVID, I got to visit my hairdressers. Bliss. I have never had such long hair. Whereas I did love it, I was not up to the care it needed. Bathing has become an issue, even just standing for any length of time, to have a shower, is painful and scary. So shorter hair is easier to wash in the handbasin if necessary. Investment in a sturdy 'bath seat' has been a good, if at times, demoralising purchase.

Mr B celebrating Valentines' Day. Always there to support me. Whatever.

Exercise and diet are needing much improvement. My diet is not awful, but with no walking, all food is too much food!! I don't drink caffeinated coffee anymore. Very few fizzy drinks, and preferrably no orange or citrus drinks. Same with food, citrus is out along with spicy food. I am Missy Bland!!

Grumble just sleeps through eveything

More crafty/garden goodness to follow!

Zxx

BEDM - Day 3 "Self Care Sunday"

Having woken up this morning with yesterdays' make-up still on, well, I'd guess I'd suggest taking off your make-up before going to bed as a good step to looking after ones-self!

 

To be fair though, most of it was Laura Gellar stuff which is a mineral make-up and therefore not too awful to have left on.

 



 

A gentle walk through the park to Aldi was up-lifting for the soul and spirit as we were in the sunshine and missed all the rain.

 

I have a stash of daily meds to take to keep me 'healthy'. Two lots for high blood pressure, which is all over the place at the moment(!), anti-histamine, anti-depressant and something for my overactive bladder.

 

I'm think crystals are a positive force. How? Not really sure but they've been good for me. Regular heavy-duty massage for my neck/spine because of scoliosis. I quite fancy taking up Pilates, which is a fantastic thing. Working in a dance environment I was introduced to it donkeys years ago and, with hindsight, wish I'd pursued it.

 

Having been in a really rather horrible dark place with clinical depression my self care has left a lot to be desired. I don't think anyone has ever sat next to me and thought "She smells", but daily ablutions really didn't figure in my day, (not very much did), and even now it is something I have to consciously think about as opposed to doing it on 'auto-pilot', if that makes sense.

 

Even now it is a struggle to clean my teeth even daily, let alone twice a day! Thank goodness I have strong teeth and a caring dentist!

 

 

My garden has quite seriously been a life-saver and I would say grow something, wherever you live. The garden isn't very big but I cram a lot in and the excitement when, like today, my broad beans began to show...WOW!!

Then you get the good thing of eating fresh produce, which really is just the best.

 

And there's the thing - just do the best that you can do.

YOU deserve it!

Zxx

BEDM - Day 1 "A Sense of Purpose"

Well hello to the world of Pennyblossoms!

 

 

I think that BEDM has come just at a good time, (yeah, like, um, the beginning of May?).

I ground to a halt after loosing Tabby and just retreated into my shell. Either that or I was just being a grumpy git!

Think it might be time to invest in some new glasses!
What else can you do with 2 Flake Ice Cream cone plastic tops?
(Answers on a postcard please)
Me...grumpy git?

For those who don't know me or need a re-cap, I'm Zoe, not actually 'Penny' but called this blog after a storyline in an episode of The Big Bang Theory, a show I love so much that when I watch it on E4 I'll watch it again on E4+1. I am getting scarily word perfect on some of the episodes!

 

I have a long-suffering partner, who is known as Mr B on this site, because one blogger commented about 'Mr Blossom'. He isn't, but the name serves a purpose.

 

Pucker Up on the 1st May
Mwahh to Mr B

I said out loud to him "Ah, yes...Pennyblossoms; I'm fat and 50, that's my introduction", to which he replied "Not fat, fabulous". That sounds a lot more positive, but I am very overweight, due in part to laziness, mental health issues and medication (probably).

But a lot better than when I started this blog at the end of May 2009.

And actually I'm nearly 55!

Zxx

Pucker Up

link here



Zxx

Luscious, Lilac Locks

I did it!

I got out of the house and into the hairdressers!

Woop woop.

 

 

I had to cancel my opticians appointment last week. But today, after a half-decent night, (as opposed to a night of very little sleep punctuated with numerous trips to the loo!), I caught the bus into Jimmys' End. Not quite as far as the town centre, and only one bus, but still, I am chuffed to bits.

 

And to top it off, I have a fabulous new haircut and colour.

Double whammy!!

Zxx

 

Nice Legs, Shame About The Boat Race

The last time I left the house; at the Vintage Jumble, on the 10th January!

 

 



Do take the time to watch/listen to the following little ditty.

Well...it makes me laugh!

"Madonna" & "Child"

 

When Mr B comments on how good it is that I went out in the back garden the other day, you know things aren't as good as they could be!!

Zxx



#BEDM "5 Fave Posts"

This is a hard one (5) to choose; I don't normally blog every day but when something I want a record of happens. So...

 

Number 1

 

RIP Millennium Dome. Long Live The 02 Arena!

A little piece about backstage at the O2 Arena. You follow Pennyblossoms? That makes you a VIP in my eyes!

 

Number 2

Pink Pan(t)s
If you know the TV show 'Smack The Pony' I'm sure you know where I'm coming from. This post may be 3-4 years old, but just thinking about it still makes me laugh.
Would you like a leeetle deserrrt?

Number 3



A post(card) from Plymouth.
Photos of the sea, from one of our twice-yearly trips to Devon. Mr B goes on tour there and me and the 2 cats go for a holiday. We usually rent a basement flat on West Hoe and have been going there for years. We first took the cats when Rene was about 3 months old; she will be 15 years old this year.

Number 4

Getting rescued by a hunky copper! Say no more, honest Guv!
http://penny-blossoms.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-knight-in-armour-in-his-dashing.html

I have suffered from Clinical Depression for years and have popped in posts about how/what has affected me during the 5 years of this blog.
I like to see and read how I have improved and the total nutcase-ness of this situation proved how well I have progressed.

Number 5A

Danielle, Mrs Bossa, Char, Helen, Alex

The Northwest Bloggers Meet-Up.

Alex made me an honorary member and I had a fabulous day meeting unknown people!!!

That is the amazing-est thing about blogging...I have met such fab people who (I hope) I can call 'friends', that I keep in touch with and care about deeply.
Lucky me!
I mean, wouldn't you want to spend a day in the company of these lovely ladies?

To think I may never have met Pearl doesn't bear thinking about!

But I'm gonna be cheeky here and add another post which ties with 5A and call it 5B...

Number 5B

 

http://penny-blossoms.blogspot.com/2011/11/boozy-bear.html

One of my meet-ups with the wonderful Vix.

Yep! Blogs and Bloggers are fabulous!



Just A Note

Just to say...thank you to those of you who have commented and to those of you who have 'followed' and those of you who want us to 'follow' each other.

 

The last fortnight I have started a new course of CBT on a one-to-one basis. I am incredibly lucky to have been offered this option on the NHS, but, there is no denying it is difficult to do and also very tiring -mentally and physically.

 

There are ideas for short and long term goals, including, (possibly), coming off my  meds.

This in itself is a BIG THING for someone who has been on anti-depressants of one type or other for nearly 20 years.

 

So, please forgive me for not popping over and saying 'hello' or anything! I hope you can appreciate why.

 

*****

Todays' photo item is 'chore'. I think mine will be "putting out the bins"; whereas it IS a good thing, with all the options, the 'bin police' and all the other paraphernalia, it has become a bloody great chore!

More of that (photo) later!

Z xx

Spanish Week @ Pennyblossoms

Hola! from Euroblossoms!

Here we have another video from Mr B. Again, as with the swifty-swallows yesterday, this was filmed about 7 o'clock in the morning, after the crew had worked through the night!

I was a busy ZoZo today; had my hair cut at lunchtime, met Mr B for lunch, (he's on his summer break), and then had my Support Worker come and visit. Phew!

Off to Brum tomorrow, to see the osteopath. I missed an appointment cos' I couldn't get there and had to cancel a couple of appointments due to root canal tooth treatment, so am in dire need of a crunch! Mind you, Andrew specialises in Cranial Osteopathy, which is much gentler.

Another meeting with the SW on Thursday, doctors appointment Friday and then THIS

Still haven't download my photos from the Vintage Garden Party. I do believe that dear Margaret is probably still waiting to see her photo up 'in lights', so to speak. So...

...looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!
Z xx