Friday Feeling

Haven't really been up to much this week so not sure I have got enough words to warrant a blog but I'll have a go. Monday (Valentines Day) seems so far away now but I seemed to recall that I started the week off with my usual stint at the gym followed by a shop in Asda. Harriet had the day off work as she was scheduled to meet Jessica in London and accompany her to the hospital for her yearly check up. Afterwards they had planned to go shopping but as neither of them had much money, Harriet decided to stay home. I did suggest that we go to the cinema to watch a movie; at first she said yes but then decided it was too sad to go with her mum to the cinema on Valentine's Day. I didn't think this was a problem but I think she was afraid someone might see her and that would not be good for the street cred.

So I went to the cinema on my own and watched Black Swan. It was a bit of a weird film and not one that captivated me. There was a few scary parts but it didn't really rock my boat. Still, I enjoyed my crisps and my family sized bag of minstrels and was back home in time for Phil finishing work.

On Tuesday I made red berry vodka jellies from a recipe torn out from a magazine. It was in readiness for Sandy coming round for supper the following day but I knew that Phil wouldn't be able to resist having one so I only put in half of the caster sugar, one tablespoon instead of two. Phil tasted it and said it was very bitter; he really wanted to put on some of the half fat cream fraiche that he knew was in the fridge but I wouldn't let him. Funny though, the bitterness didn't put him off and he managed to finish off the whole glass!

I was early to the gym on Wednesday morning which was good because I wanted to do some weight lifting before going into my Body Combat class. The instructor explained that Body Combat is a combination of Kung Fu, Kick Boxing and martial arts. She wasn't wrong and after only a few minutes into the workout, I was struggling. Once again I made a right fool of myself. I've had a go but it isn't for me. I'd made a pact to myself that I would try all the different classes but having tried 3 and being crap at all of them, I wondering whether it is worth carrying on and I'm wondering if I am just too old? 

After lunch on Wednesday I made some tomato soup, this time with only one chilli instead of 2 because I knew that Sandy doesn't do spice. I also cooked simple Goan chicken curry from a recipe that Shirley gave us. It didn't taste quite as nice as hers but the end result was accepable. Sandy came over after her singing lesson and I think she appreciated my efforts. At least I think so, she said the soup was a little spicy but she ate everything I served her, which is always a good sign. Unless of course, she was just being polite.

The new Reebok cycle bike hasn't seen any action this week but with good reason. Last week I went into Roy Pinks Cycle Shop and brought a new seat for the bike. Unfortunately when I got it home Phil couldn't fit it because the fixings weren't compatible. When he took off the seat that came with the bike, he noticed that it was broken. Now, we're not sure whether it was broken when we first fitted it or whether it broke with the weight of Phil's 17 stone, but either way, it was obvious we needed a new seat. I phoned up the supplier and demanded a new seat which was delivered yesterday, which I thought was really good customer service. I also went online and ordered a super size large gel saddle cover, which when it arrives, should make it a little easier on the bottom.

Emma popped in for a cup of tea yesterday morning. Actually, I made her a cup of my special diet Cho Yung tea instead of the Typho. Emma is on a diet in readiness for her holiday in 17 weeks time and I thought my tea may help. She's doing really well and has lost a stone in 5 weeks which isn't bad going. The house next door to Emma has sold and we were curious as to who had brought it. It was only on the market for a few days before the sold sign went up but whoever has brought it, has certainly got themselves a lot of house for a really good price. No doubt we will find out in due course because they are bound to come back for a second viewing and a measure up. Emma, is particularly pleased that the house has sold because she fell out with the next door neighbour after a boundary dispute shortly after moving in. We haven't had any interest in our house recently so I think perhaps it's time for me to get out my paintbrushes for a spruce up. No forget I said that, need to get the units back up on the wall in the garage, that must be top priority.

Lots of friends who follow my blog have been asking me on email how Alan is doing. Well, the answer to that question is,not so bad, as far as I know. Sue phoned me last Monday to say that they were home after being discharged from Willen Hospice last Friday. I already knew that this might be a possibility but I hoped not, because Alan really wanted to stay at Willen and the thought of returning home was making him anxious. He is on a plateau at the moment, getting no worse but no better. The only treatment he is receiving is palliative pain relief which is good as long as it keeps on doing its job. Sue says that they had a reasonable weekend with no dramas and long may that continue. All being well, and by that I mean stable, I am hoping to meet up with Sue sometime next week. It will be good to see her.

My Friday feelings have started early, I have been up since 3.30am, for once woken by my need for a pee rather than Phils.  I went back to bed and tried to go back to sleep but it wasn't happening so I came downstairs, put the underfloor heating on, made a mug of tea and penned this blog.  I'm not quite sure of the reason for my insomnia but perhaps its got something to do with the fact that we are back at the Macmillan unit today to see Dr Camilleri.  Today Phil has to decide which treatment option he's going for.  Its no big deal I guess but some days I wish this cancer cloud would just disappear.