Mood board #18 by jaydubblah featuring peacock wall art

It seems I may have worked out how to paste my Polyvore mood boards into my blog. So lying on my back in varying levels of agony has given me time to work something out!

This post is a bit longer than most.  I have spent most of yesterday in bed, my back gave way the night before and it has been very, very painful. I have been unable to stand up straight and have not been able to sit down at all. I couldn't sit at the PC so discovered how to do a blog post from the iPad, although I am limited to photos that are already on my blogs.  This one is of me smelling the roses, a long, long time ago.  So, the blessing?  Well, it has been an enforced rest which I could not have justified by choice but probably could do with and my mum was so good about not coming for the weekend and my hubby so concerned, and friends being so nice so I feel loved even if I feel concerned about how long it is going to take me to recover.  Hopefully I will feel able to get to the chiropractor by Monday.  And it's a blessing to be able to have a little moan here, so, thanks for reading this and if you are inclined to prayer please say one for me.x

I had to say my piece earlier on FB andTwitter as I am not able to sit at the PC and at that point couldn't work out how to do the blog post on the iPad. What I said was that I am blessed with lovely friends who try to cheer me up.  So here's a picture of a spider in the bath to give you all a laugh. xxx

I was here until 8.25 this morning, I didn't set the alarm last night (deliberately) and I had a lovely lie in.

"Don't fight it, just live with it"

I am beginning to learn to make this my new motto.

When you don't have paid work, or you work from home, then Bank Holidays are a bit of a non-event but for me it means my Monday afternoon is free so I shall be going to an Antique Fair 'cos I really need more stuff (irony)

Some of you, well one of you at least, will be aware of my Pinterest addiction. It is just like having a whole magazine shop to myself with a pair of scissors and an enourmous scrapbook.  It is, in itself very relaxing, but yesterday I discovered Zentangle. 
Basically, and at its purest, it is a form of meditation.  You draw a few random shapes and then fill them in with small, repetitive patterns.  I started one last night but it was so relaxing I didn't finish it, so this is a WIP.  Do Google it, some people have taken it way beyond the original intentions and to astonishing lengths

There is something vaguely anarchic about deciding not to finish reading a particular book.  When I had to read things for school seems to have made me forget that I am free to stop if I am not enjoying it

I had such fun with my friend who helps me with my garden. I managed over an hour and I don't hurt (much) this morning.  

My hubby had a letter from the GP asking him to come in for some checks.  This, of course, is because he is very, very old (LOL) Now, at church on Sunday we saw a video about a charity called Mercy Ships.  They take a huge ship which has been fitted out as a floating hospital to ports around Africa and offer treatment to people who would otherwise have no access to decent medical help at all.  They really do help the blind to see and the lame to walk.  We complain about waiting lists but imagine what it must be like waiting and just hoping that the ship might come your way.

In some ways I am struggling to find things to say here at the moment, not because there is nothing to be thankful for but because life seems to be rippling along on a fairly even keel, with no lows or highs.  But that is a blessing in itself.

I managed to sleep last night, even tho' it was 26 degrees in my bedroom! 

Picture courtesy of Phillip Martin 
Free Clip Art

I tried to find a picture of a lovely roast lamb dinner but none of the ones I did find looked as appetising as the dinner I cooked for Sunday lunch.  I should have taken a photo!  What with breakfast at church and a walk and a visit to the Sparkle residence and a dvd of Morse in the evening, pretty much a perfect Sunday!

I spent a fabulous evening in the garden, potting and pottering, didn't come in until a quarter to nine.

The next sign of summer coming is when the sun shines through the window in the small bedroom, through the door, across the landing and into my bedroom.  It's just for a few minutes that the angle is right but it is special

There is something quintessentially English about dead heading the roses in the sunshine. Very soothing, concentrating on the task in hand which puts all else out of mind, and appreciating the beauty of nature. And relax.

A few nights ago I realised that I couldn't find my house keys. I became increasingly convinced that I had left them hanging in the lock and that someone had taken them. At about 11.30 we barricaded ourselves in for the night and in the morning hubby started to look for a locksmith while I, with faint hope, continued to search.  I did find them, of course, although why they were where they were I shall never understand.  The relief for both of us was enormous!

For the first time in a few weeks I managed to do my fasting day and I woke up so full of energy this morning that I started to do stuff and forgot every word about my post for the day, so that's why it is a bit late, but that's a good reason

I wake up to Radio 3 and this morning they played a Gilbert and Sullivan overture, which took me back to one of the happiest things in my childhood.  My dad was a leading light in the Amateur Operatic Society (more than one actually) and I used to sell programmes and then stand at the side and watch the show.  I would sometimes go with him to rehearsals as well.  And, of course, I got to go backstage and I was fascinated by the whole thing.  That's my dad right in the middle of the photo, I couldn't find a G&S so this is Die Fledermaus.

I've got a busy day ahead and I'm actually looking forward to it!

The sun shone long enough for me to take a few photos of what is in the garden at the moment.  I am particularly delighted to see that I will hopefully be getting apples this year!

I had a good day yesterday, especially a really lovely afternoon shopping and chatting with one of my BFFs (aren't I lucky to have more than one!)
But I slept very soundly and haven't been up long so I'll just share some more good FB advice

Sometimes you can get some very good advice on Facebook

I  had a bit of time to play around on the PC so I "framed" one of my old watercolours.  I copied a postcard picture years ago and I like this painting because I feel it is restful and reminds me of the lovely times I have had in Paris

It was only through God's grace and kindness that I stayed calm yesterday. That included providing me with a good friend who I knew wouldn't mind me letting off steam to her and a very pleasant walk in the sunshine in the afternoon.  Otherwise the day was, well, let's just say " a little trying"

I don't have time to work out why this picture keeps coming up on its side.  Anyway, yesterday I was able to start putting things away in the new bathroom cupboards, even tho' the bathroom isn't finished yet. That meant I could shift some other stuff into the other bedroom so I could clear my desk and get some card making done

The picture is just random today, I took it on my phone at Sutton Hoo.
The nice thing that happened yesterday was that one of the teenagers at church come and talked to me, of her own free will! And it was a very interesting conversation.  I always feel rather privileged when a "young person" feels I am worth talking to.

I overslept!  Off to church in a minute, looks like a lovely day for a walk.

Bank Holiday weekends don't usually mean anything to me as I am at home all the time anyway, but I am looking forward to a long weekend without bathroom fitters.  The picture is one of a group of 4 I did some years ago at our previous house to make a postcard to send to people when I was having a staycation, in olden times when I got paid a wage.

I took a photo of some may blossom as I went up to the post box yesterday and then did a bit of fiddling about with it.  The smell takes me back to the walk along the "cinder track" which was a short cut to primary school.  Not a walk I would allow a small child to do on their own these days, but things were different then.  I am tankful that God and my mother's prayers kept me safe.