Time out

Ah, yes! It’s so good to take some time out, isn’t it?

Of course, we continue to potter along with our projects – John beavering away on his car most days, and me, labouring on the decorating of the dining room. Not much to report on either project, other than we work at them but nothing much to show for our efforts just at the moment – but in between times, we have taken a little bit of time out.

On Friday, we spent a lovely afternoon round at Pete and Dawn’s to wish Dawn a very happy birthday. Such a lovely afternoon – not only with dear friends including Alison and Peter as well, but also with Lizzie and baby Arthur, and Lucy – the recently married ‘Mrs Henshaw’. We oohed and aahed over Arthur who determinedly held fast to any finger on offer to take him for a walk throughout the house; and over his speech. Boy, that boy can talk!! Marvellous.

More time out yesterday, too. After a hiatus in visiting, it was time to go and see Mum. Bless her, she is much the same and was absolutely delighted to see me.

She had a nasty bruise on her arm though – and she had no idea from whence it came. She shrugged. “No, it doesn’t hurt,” she said, “it just looks unsightly.” And it did – but I was relieved she wasn’t suffering. When I left at tea-time, the staff were on their drugs rounds, so I didn’t get chance to speak to them about it. Might give them a ring tomorrow and ask about it. Although I doubt they’ll know where it came from either!

We spent our time together singing ‘Que sera, sera’ (quite a lot), looking at photos, and a bit of light chat. Mum also spent some time folding, unfolding, refolding, pleating and un-pleating a tissue that I’d given her. By the time she’d twizzled it round and round to her satisfaction and popped it in her pocket, she was exhausted….. then she started on another one. Oh, the concentration……

Of course she didn’t want me to leave, looking anxiously at me lest I fail to return at some future date. In the end, it reminded me of when I was handing the children over to the childminder/nursery staff/infant school when they were little. I had to peel her from me and ask one of the carers to take her for her tea. Heart-wrenching really.

After the visit to Mum on Saturday, we gathered ourselves together to go over to Michael and Danielle’s for a barbecue. What a relief to have something other than jobs to do. And to have someone else cook. Lovely. Food was delicious (just as I like it) and the company great. We enjoyed it and came home just after the boys had gone to bed. We were as tired as the boys, I think!!

This morning was another bash at those projects. John was excited on his – he has bought himself a new toy – a drill press, so that he can punch holes into pieces of steel. The drill, and his unsteady hand, had failed to provide the finish he was after, so off to Machine Mart we went. Apparently, it’s a wonderful piece of equipment and works just as he’d like it to.

He tells me that ‘he who dies with the most toys wins’……. I think he’s definitely winning…….

This afternoon was another time out. We went over to Dave and Chris’s to see how they were doing after Chris’s knee op. Oh, it was lovely to see them. And Chris is doing very well and making good progress. Lots of exercises and rest and she’ll soon be as good as new!

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, chattering about this and that. In fact, I was so relaxed that I just closed my eyes for a moment to concentrate on the conversation….. apparently, I didn’t snore.

Replete with coffee and walnut cake we stayed on until just gone six o’clock. Wow! How time had flown! I had been anxious not to outstay our welcome and tire Chris out, but not a bit of it. “No need to rush off, ” Dave grinned. So we didn’t. Smashing.

Had a lovely phone call from Paul in Port Isaac this evening where he and the family are enjoying some rather good weather and some R & R. So glad for them all. It’s been a stressful time one way and another – not only in recent months, but over the last few years. They all deserve some respite. Fingers crossed they all come back refreshed.

Take care everyone. God bless.