This photo was taken about 5 years ago at Sutton Hoo, when mum could still totter along with her wheels.  She has given permission to tell you this story.  She had a hospital appointment yesterday and when it was over I had to go and get the car, so I left her in the reception area, parked alongside a lie of chairs.  When I got back I saw a friend who came to say a few words.  Then mum said,"When are you going to get the wheelchair"  "What wheelchair" I said. "The one to take me out to the car" she said.  My friend and I looked at her. "Oh, I'm sitting in it aren't I" she said.  Oh we did larf.  And that's the blessing, that mum and I do still have lots of laughs!

I'm giving another cheer for the NHS today.  I don't know where hubby and I would be without cheap medicines. I started looking up how much they really cost and it was quite a shock!

I'm afraid today's blessing is simply that the thumping great headache that I have had today, for no good (or bad) reason, is finally beginning to lift

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I woke up this morning feeling enthusiastic about really REALLY getting on with the tidying and sorting and de-cluttering that will enable us to get the men in to rearrange the furniture. And to seriously do something about making Christmas cards to sell in support of our local hospital's cancer unit and to re read my novel and get it on Kindle. PHEW! Wish me luck.

I am blessed with lovely friends who know me well enough to trust that me that dinner will be properly cooked and unlikely to cause illness, even if the kitchen is a bit of a mess, and the rest of the house for that matter.

OK, settle down, this one is a bit serious.  I spent the last 10 days thinking that there might be something seriously wrong with my health.  If you read yesterday's post then you will know it was a false alarm.  I found a lump.  There was a perfectly healthy explanation for it.
Most of those 10 days I didn't actually think that much about it but having, not long before, had a long conversation with someone who has only been given months to live, I did wonder how I would react if the news was bad.  The first blessing from all this is that I do think one feels God very close at times like these.  (The picture is the Town Steps in Aldeburgh, put through a FotoSketcher program but I chose it for the light and dark sides of the way)  If you have a faith then problems and troubles can make you feel closer to Him.  He never goes away, of course, but your connection to Him can become stronger.  That's certainly how it was for me.  And I even started thinking about how, having cancer, might give me some really good opportunities for witness.  And then, when I knew I hadn't got it, I realised that the opportunities were still there, just different ones.

I had a bit of a health scare 10 days ago, but today found out there was nothing wrong

After 2 days of doing quite a lot, I ran out of steam today so have been mostly resting. I am so grateful that I don't have to push myself too much when this happens now, I get over it so much more quickly

It would be exceptionally unfair of me to inflict a photo of my wonky teeth on you all without "enhancing" it in some way.  I went to the dentist. Nothing needs doing and they are now shiny and sparkly clean

I am so glad I don't belong to the rat race any more - having a lie in

Today I shall be having a lazy day

I have recently been plagued by little bitey things that leave me with big red itchy lumps that last for weeks.  It happened last year as well so yesterday I actually remembered to put on the Citronella and I think it has worked. 

 When life gives you lemons make insect repellent!

I'm in an "up and at 'em" sort of mood today!

A bit of rain and some cooler weather.  The flowers will grow, the grass will stop being brown and Janet will be able to get lots of jobs done.
This picture is one I actually painted with paints and a brush, it is dated 1998.  Maybe I will get round to having another go one day.

While singing hymns and eating strawberries in church yesterday afternoon I met two ladies who are involved with Suffolk Family Carers. I do already belong but they gave me a lot to think about and it was very kind of them to talk to me about things for quite a long time afterwards too.

I had a pretty well perfect day yesterday.  The walk was great, although the route had to be changed at short notice due to a sign going up saying there was a bull in one of the fields we were meant to cross.  Then we ended up the wrong side of a big barred metal gate that was locked so we all had to climb over it with the help of two gentlemen of the party.  Some of us took a shorter route back to Bucklesham Church while the others went up to Brightwell.  Some risked the field and had to run away from the bull and the cows that were with it!  I got to know a couple of people walking and another two during lunch which was just fab (although service rather slow)  I had lambs liver and bacon and mash and beer battered onion rings followed by a chocolate marquise with orange sorbet.  I got back about 3.15 and put my feet up on the settee for a while and pottered about a bit and then in the evening me and the OH watched a DVD of Morse and I had some cheese and biscuits and a lovely glass of Old Rosie.  The picture is a screen shot of Google Maps satellite photo of where we walked.  I think I did a bit over 2 miles in the end and it has encouraged me to make the effort again.

As part of the "Holiday at Home" that St Michaels organised, I am going for a three mile walk today.  I am looking forward to it, and the pub lunch that follows.  I feel like I am going to manage it.  Here's hoping I am right.

I like this poem.  I know that not everyone who reads these posts shares my faith, and I hope I never try to force it on people, but I will talk about it.  Some of you know that the last few weeks have been quite difficult and, while I don't exactly feel that I have been carried, I certainly have felt God very close to me and known that he was ready to pick me up if I needed it.  It is a blessing that comes with troubles, feeling His presence.  It has been there in quiet times on my own and there in the huge support I get from some very special friends.

I can sit comfortably at the PC again!  So I got on with some administration type stuff yesterday and then I drew a picture with the Sketch Pad program.  And the grass has been cut by the ever wonderful Sally.  Win Win Win

I think my back is near enough better, so one more lazy day today and then back to the grindstone tomorrow