Great to see friends

 

It feels like February has been the longest month of my life. Which is fortunate really because there is so much to do at work (always so much to do).

I'm now officially old! On Thursday I had an appointment to see the knee specialist. I arrived very early - exactly 24.5 hours early to be exact. The appointment was at the Amex and on the Wednesday I set off with plenty of time to make sure I didn't keep anybody waiting. Much to their surprise actually - because the appointment wasn't until Thursday.

On the Thursday I arrived slightly less early - and had the appointment. Turns out that I have arthritis in my left knee. What was strange was that they could see nothing wrong with my left knee. I saw the x-rays - I was very impressed with my small but perfectly formed knees. The problem was it was very difficult to see why they were causing me so much pain. Very strange.

On a plus note I expected them to tell me I was too fat and should lose weight. They didn't - not that I think they wouldn't have been correct - but it must have been a day they decided not to nag.

So no knee operation (which is what I was anticipating), they are going to send me some exercises to do until I can get an appointment with the physio. Hopefully we can build up the muscles around the knee to take some of the strain.

It does make me feel old though - knowing that I have arthritis. I think I'm quite young to get it. If I survive long enough I hate to think what pain it's going to give me as I get older. There is the potential for many years ahead of me walking on my rubbish broken legs.

My weekend was utterly insane. I got up on Saturday and walked dog down to village to do some food shopping for the week. Then headed home. I did some pre-cooking then leapt in car with son to pick up one of his friends who lives near Ashdown Forest - in fact just down the road from Pooh Car Park (which always makes me giggle). What a lovely place to live.

The other thing I did was de-spade the house. I've got some friends staying over next weekend (girls weekend). So knowing that both of their houses are immaculate I looked at my house with somebody else's eyes. It wasn't a good moment. Suddenly I saw cobwebs everywhere and clutter and going into our bedroom I was horrified.

There's nothing I can do about the clutter - well short of throwing stuff away - which I can never do because they are all gifts from people I care about - or things that have memories behind them. This is why I keep saying the easiest thing would be for my house to burn down. Then the decisions would be made for me! I think the photos are the only thing I'd be devastated to lose.

Our bedroom was horrific. Basically I only go in their last thing at night - the cleaner is the only person that sees it during the day. The state of the place was shameful. I have to say that husbands half of the room was far worse than mine. One of my friends will be staying in our room over the weekend. So I got the duster and a bowl of water and sponge and set to work. 

On husbands side of room he had years and years of rubbish - things like gifts son had made him aged about 3 for Fathers Day (obviously not rubbish son - if you're reading this xxx). But also about 14 years worth of receipts and paperwork. I got all this stuff and put it in a big box which went under the bed then spent a couple of hours tidying and dusting. I must admit it looks wonderful.

Friend who is staying in there now may not be able to come because her MS is really playing up (which is very sad) - but I'm still grateful I did the exercise.

Once back home I went to my office and spent the afternoon getting some stuff done for work. Then got myself tarted up and in the evening we went to see friends.

I haven't seen these friends for absolutely yonks. They spend half the year in the UK and half the year in Crete so when you only have  Saturdays the opportunities to catch up with them are few and far between.

It was lovely to see them actually - they freaked me out by telling me their son was nearly 30. I remember when their son used to come over with them for supper and he'd sit in our bedroom with a playstation to entertain himself. He can't have been much older than 8.

So that was another moment in the week when I was reminded I was knocking on a bit. Other people's kids shouldn't be allowed to get older. It freaks me out!

We nattered long in to the evening. It was wonderful I can't remember the last time I laughed so much. I'm not a great one for going out and so the fact that I felt so energised and had so much fun just goes to show what great friends they are. They admitted that they (like me) got so comfortable with their own company during COVID that they don't catch up with people any more. I feel honoured that we're one of the few they have stayed in touch with.

I can't wait to see them again. I've never been to Crete before - maybe our next cachup could even be over there. How lucky they are to have a place over their as well as in the UK. Jealous.

Sunday continued to be extremely busy. After a couple of cups of coffee I went back to my office and continued working. Once finished I took dog for a walk and then started to deliver magazines (son's job). He'd gone with the friend who stayed over to another friends to spend the day playing D&D.

I delivered about 3/4 of the leaflets before my legs gave up. I then spent what was left of the day curled up on the sofa with my legs not working. Oh apart from the bit of the day where I cooked supper for the family.

I'm feeling a bit knackered if I'm honest - it would be nice to have the opportunity to be bored. Not that 90% of what I'm doing isn't actually boring - but I'd like to be able to relax at some point. Crazy thought huh!