Our Anniversary

 

I wasn't very with it yesterday.  I didn't even look at what the date was.  I guess I was distracted by the non-storm-here and the bit more snow, and my brain not being totally in residence.  Then I got a message from Gabs, has a parcel arrived yet.  I hadn't heard anything come through the door, but went out to check and saw tyre marks in the snow, opened the door and a big pink cardboard box was outside, containing this lovely gift.  Keith and I would have been married 38 years yesterday - and I had not been awake enough to remember.  I felt gutted to have forgotten.  Living alone, especially in winter, few things happen to make you aware of the day or date.  Anyway, 4 of the super-duper chocolates really hit the spot, and the Prosecco is in the fridge for when I am not on steroids or Anti-biotics.

The flowers got the Pippi seal of approval . . .

 A snowy view from Tam's side bedroom window.

One from the other window.  A heavier fall of snow on the hills.  It's slowly melting in my yard and garden and is meant to be much warmer next week.

My friend Pam popped round at lunchtime with chips for us to share, which hit the spot.  It was good to have company as I do get lonely here on my own in the winter, and have scarcely been out since getting back from NZ.

Needless to say, the steroids have prevented me sleeping beyond 12.30 a.m. when I went to the bathroom.  I'm on them for another four days . . . I have the heated blanket round me and will take up a hot water bottle when I go back to bed.  I was too hot earlier, so the hotty botty will warm my feet without making me too hot generally.  The winter duvet with bed heater is a bit too efficient!

I have been watching a rather dark "Nordic Noir" Swedish drama on tv.  It's called Land of Sin, and is very good, but I can only watch one episode at a time and then have to watch Crusoe or Lucy Worsley to cheer myself up! Last night I found Lucy Worsley's Blitz Spirit, which I hadn't seen, so began to watch that.  The first episode dealt with the background to the War and how people reacted, and included bits from MO diaries (Mass Observation - set up to try and gauge how people really felt about the war).  Oh, and that iconic poster "Keep Calm and Carry On" which was never actually used (patriotic ones used instead - Your Freedom is in Peril, Defend it with all Your Might etc) and it was only when the last? copy of KC&CO turned up in 2000 that it became so famous, used on everything from mugs to cushions to t-shirts to wall prints.  There was a paper shortage in 1940, and 2.45 million KC&CO posters were pulped.

I wonder how we would cope if/when there is WWIII.  A whole different ball game now that atomic warfare (according to Putin) is the first line of defence, not the ending . . .  They are already talking of conscription.  

I could have had an evening out last night - it was the History Society's Christmas meal, and I'd paid a deposit.  However, I still have no appetite (managed to force down a boughten Pukka steak and kidney pie for tea, with veg) and the lane would probably have been icy on the return from town, and I felt yuk and NOT in the mood for socializing.  I shall go out today for a paper and some fresh air.  Builth High Street is shut off for road repairs for 5 weeks I think. The workmen managed to cut through the main electricity cable in the week, causing huge sparks and noise.  That won't have helped the shops, who are already well down on takings from the other roadworks before Christmas, and now no on-street parking.  We can at least use the car park on the Groe for free for an hour to visit the shops.

Well, it's 20 to 3 now and I am still wide awake.  I am going to be shattered for the next few days, but my sinuses are clearing up and my chest improving too.  Needs must.

Update - I was still awake approaching 6 a.m., but warm in bed . . .  I shall be fit for nothing today.