My busy social calander

What have I been doing in the past couple of weeks.

A big first was going to my beautician, I am working my way through her treatment list, and had my first ever pedicure. When my husband got home I found out why I have never had a pedicure, he does not like painted toe nails. Well tough I am off this summer and wearing some lovely sandals that need a little more decoration.

I have been fitted with my prosthetic, which is an eye opener to my cup size. I don't think it is reflective though as the operation was to the chest wall and I have to be built up to fit the bra. So not a chicken fillet!!

Popped into the office and had lunch with what of the team there was. Some were off on their jollies, others were working at other sites. Those that were there it was great to see and catch up on their adventures on the Race for Life walk. (See previous blog).

I caught up with another friend at Toastmasters and was the Grammarian for the evening with a well used word as words of the day go. In case you want to use it the word was Edify - be an uplifting moral or intellectual influence on. We were also treated to what I hope to be an International winning speech.

Went down to Brum to see friends and family. We timed it well as a cousin was celebrating a biggish birthday and we could spend some time with them at their open house B-B-Q. We got to catch up with other family members and not at a funeral which has been the case over recent years. We then watched England's opening match at friends with friends. Pizza delivery was well timed and those not into football or who would disrupt the match were sent out to get the curries and chip shop take aways. We finished the weekend with a lovely lunch with our kind hostess, as unfortunately the host was at work.

I have also caught up with some very old friends, that is friends of long standing. It was a PowerTalk Topics Contest at Cheshire Communicators. I didn't do a bad show even if the topic was sooooooooo not me. In the end there was a worthy winner.


I had a fabulous and quite unexpected lunch with a friend and caught up on all the gossip, not that I am one to gossip. I even went to the Trafford Centre without buying anything (wonders will never cease).

Most importantly of all I now have something to watch in the daytime. The start of the World Cup heralded my summer. We will not talk of England, but I do think it will end in tears, whose and how I won't say, it just won't be pretty. Still to come is Wimbledon my days and weeks are planned.

Feet not touched the ground

I have had another very busy week and this one started with a bang and carried on to treatment day. One thing I have tried to do is carry on as normal where possible. This on occasions has been difficult but I am always up for a challenge, but I have yet to learn when my body is ready to say no more.
Saturday, 22nd May
Today was one of those days that I could be myself and carry on as though nothing had changed. I was off to an event I had  not been to for a while and see friends I had not seen for at least a year. I was going to a PowerTalk International council meeting. Some workshops and of course the business meeting/AGM. A great day was had by this delegate and I even learnt something, which is always a bonus. There were some new members who I had not met before. I am now looking forward to next years meetings and doing the same. I even got up and had my say in both the workshops and the AGM.
This was followed by being picked up by my husband and went off to some friends to help celebrate a birthday. They were putting on a B-B-Q. So it was Burgers and Snags (sausages) all round. Early to bed, just beating the little man to bed. Kids are great, there was not comments on the lose of hair or the strange shape of body without the prosthetic. Wish we could all be like that. My only comment about the evening was that it was too hot. I struggled to sleep due to the heat, and then my husband decided that he could not sleep down stairs and joined me, first time we have shared a bed since the operation.
Sunday, 23rd May
Not quite the early morning I expecting when the curtain fell off the window, up with the birds is one thing but up when you hosts rig the curtain is another thing. Still we trooped down stairs and started playing on the Wii, it got quite competitive at one point and had to be stopped so we could get ready to go to the pub for lunch. A nice roast lunch and conversation extending the birthday party a little.
Monday, 24th May
My body is now rebelling and I am rebelling, I am shattered but I don't want to be beaten. Saying that the newly covered sofa is calling me and recorded items have to watched. No I have to go and get some cushions. Off to John Lewis and the purchase of four cushions for the sofa. They look fabulous.
Tuesday, 25th May
Duvet day at last. I have a very important thing to watch. Richard Armitage in Chris Ryan's: Strike Back. I also have to record it for a friend, who does not have Sky One. Brilliant programme, another DVD for my collection me thinks. I am just happy with the ending, I hope they make a new series to finish it off nicely, but I know what these programme makes are like and would like us just use our imaginations.
Wednesday, 26th May
Started off the day as all days should start on the beauticians bed having a facial. Relaxing and invigorating at the same time.
Once home had a text from a friend who is free for lunch and so it was with my face on and my glad rags that I drove into Manchester and met up with so old work colleagues. Had a good chat and then went to the office to those that could not make it to the lunch but were still in the office. Everyone was eager to know my news and say that I looked so well. This all sounds so well and good, but when you feel so knackered that you could just curl up under a desk and go to sleep it is not always welcome.
Suddenly realised that my parking ticket was about to expire so I left and moved the car to another car park. Made my way to Waterstone's and did a little more shopping. I then settled myself in a Starbucks and put pen to paper and now starting a more detailed version of events for a possible book (see Bucket List).
Met up with friend for our pre-theatre dinner. We decided to go to Cafe Instanbul on Bridge Street, Manchester. On arrival she told that this was her second Turkish meal of the day, as her boss had taken the office out to another Turkish restaurant on Deansgate. Still we both enjoyed our meal and nearly forgot about the time until my alarm went off and we suddenly realised we had to get to the theatre.
We arrived at the theatre with some time to spare. We collected our tickets from the box office and changed our arranged for the final production as part of our season tickets at the Royal Exchange. Today's production was Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. I had forgotten how witty it was and the wonderful dialogue, some of which we do see in My Fair Lady but it is usually then interrupted by a song or missed out completely. The girl, Cush Jumbo, was brilliant. The rest of the cast was good too. As always a good production in the round.
I even got home before my husband, who was also out with a friend to see Robin Hood, with Russell Crowe.
Thursday, 27th May
Another day of out and about. Firstly it was a quick trip to the hospital for my pre-treatment bloods to be taken. I was picked up and would be chauffeured all day. Following the hospital we then went to pick up another friend and went to the Lowry Outlet Centre for my important shopping and also for a Birthday lunch. Some items were purchased and we decided on the Italian restaurant for a change.
I was then dropped off home for a couple of hours rest and recuperation before getting ready for my next car to arrive and be whisked off to Manchester again. Tonight was Orators and I was taking on the role of Topics Master. A good night was had by all and I enjoyed just doing the normal week by week diary of events that I had before all this happened. Of course it is not the same but there again  will ever be. I had a quick chat with some of the members and networked with some of the guests. Got home and went straight to bed. God knows how I will feel tomorrow!

Social whirl

I know I have not blogged for a while but I have been busy and tired in equal measure.

The last week has had some ups and downs.  Let us start with:

Saturday, 10 April 2010

One of my best buds came over we watched the Grand National, even though neither of us had a horse in our respect office sweepstakes, by the end we found out that my husband had the horse that came third but hats of finally for AP McCoy for finally getting round and coming first.  Before, during and after the race we played a game of Scrabble, a hard fought game with some very interesting words, and more to the point NO cheating.  The day was finished with a Chinese take away, not sure if it is something I should be eating but I enjoyed it all the same.

Tuesday, 13 April 2010

After a couple of days of playing on my laptop and sorting out files from my laptop on to the wireless external hard disk.  Also worked on my family history with some success but still working on how the software works and the reports it produces.

For today it was all about catching up with friends I had not seen for a while.  They are members of a PowerTalk group in Cheshire but also members of my club, Rovers.  We discussed the recent weekend in St Andrews which I had regrettably missed.  It was nice to see old friends and know that whatever is going on each other’s lives we can just chat about anything.

While in Knutsford I was very naughty, well not so naughty.  I visited one of their many antique emporiums and did a little bit of window shopping. I found a couple of Birmingham silver pill boxes, which I am partial to and then I saw a Victorian laptop, okay writing slope, but I just thought it was a little too expensive, maybe next time I visit I might have the confidence to barter.

Wednesday, 14 April 2010

Gee the days are rolling by. Today was another busy day. I spent my time relaxing before finally making the decision to go into Manchester latter than my original plans.  Ordered the taxi and then caught the train to Oxford Road.  Unfortunately it was the stopper, so all places between Warrington and Manchester were covered.  Did my usual trick of doing my make on the train, normally to the dismay of other passengers and if I have friends with me them too.  Wandered to my usual Starbucks and had a rest and my treat of Classic Hot Chocolate with Peppermint syrup.  While walking on to my next project I bumped into an old work colleague who thought I looked really well. I have to say that I don’t think I looked that good but they do say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I did not have a mirror handy to see what I looked like.

Went to another of my favourite places, Waterstones the bookshop, I bought a poetry book I had seen the day before in Knutsford and I also got an up to date copy of Romeo and Juliet in lieu of going in July.  Just for background.

After my little spending spree I then sat for a few moments in one of the nicest churches in Manchester St Anne’s Church.  If you have seen The Forsyte Saga with Damian Lewis, it was used as the location for a family wedding.

My friend and husband joined me in Pizza Express for a bite to eat before going on to the Royal Exchange to see Shakespeare’s ‘A Comedy of Errors’.

Thursday, 15 April 2010

I definitely did too much the previous two days and spent the day sitting relaxing catching up on TV.  The highlight was a visit from a couple of girls from work, so we sat in the conservatory and had a good chat. Very much appreciated.