Saturday 3 February 2018

One Daily Positive - Week 5

It's been a crap week. For those who've been reading my blog for a while, thank you for sticking with me as it's been all doom and gloom the past 6 months, starting with me being ill, my dad dying and me being isolated from my husband and home for 5 months, then a house move, still having health problems and seeing an oncologist and now the sudden death of my ex SIL. Fo those of you who have just started reading my blog, sorry, I can't guarantee it'll get any better. As I live in Dubai, life is always going to be slightly more complicated being so far away from my loved ones.

I'm pleased to report though that my mum finally moved house this week, quite an emotional time for me also as when I next visit the UK, my dad's entire life will be packed into 3 keepsake boxes and his essence will not have moved with my mum, I'm really not looking forward to my next trip home, for a funeral either.

28 Sunday Woke up to the news my ex SIL had died late last night, she was more than just that though. She was my friend and a surrogate mother to my children since we left the UK. She battled and beat breast cancer in 2016, but sadly it spread to her lungs and brain and she was given only a few months to live just under 3 weeks ago. She remained positive, had great strength, but sadly 36 hours after being admitted to hospital on Friday, she passed away. This photo was taken in 2013 when she and my niece, Lizi, came to visit us in South Africa. RIP Christine.

29 Monday Took Peter to the airport he's off to Saudi for the day, dropped my car off for a service and to get the window and air con repaired, met a friend for lunch and she gave me a lift home, will collect the car in the morning. Had my nails painted to reflect the colours of breast cancer support and awareness. Shocking pink for Inflammatory Breast Cancer, grey for brain and ivory for lung.

30 Tuesday Peter got home in the early hours as his flight was delayed due to technical problems and they had to change planes, he dropped me a the garage to collect my car, I did some shopping, and coffee and blogged and visited Safa park to take some more during/after photos of the Dubai Water Canal.

31 Wednesday Dropped Bob at Paw Parking and met my friend at Kite Beach for lunch and a stroll. Some 15kms and 4 hours later we got back to the car. Came home had a bath, a little sleep, then off to the pub for quiz night, we won again.

32 Thursday I spent the day cleaning the house, I struggled to get motivated, it's been a difficult week. I finally got round to food shopping at 5pm and hubby surprised me by meeting me in the supermarket to help out. By the time I got to sit down the cat had pinched my chair.

33 Friday I popped out in the morning to get some meat and have a coffee, met a woman at the mall and we sat chatting for a couple of hours which cheered me up no end. In the evening we had friends round for a BBQ and had a fantastic evening, one of the best for a long time.

34 Saturday We headed out to the beach for breakfast, coffee and a walk. I sat in the garden blogging and had a nap late afternoon before taking my friends car back from last night and joining them to watch the rugby and have dinner.

On the blog this week:

My Sunday Photo - Dubai Marina Now and Then 2015-2018
Triumphant Tales, Tweens Teens Beyond, Best Boot Forward - Getting out of a rut and blowing my own trumpet.






34 comments:

  1. My condolences on the death of your sister-in-law and a good friend. What a tragedy for all who knew and loved her. The image of kites in the sky is most beautiful. Love your comfy chair too, I can see why your cat would want to be in there. So would I.

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    1. thank you, still getting my head round it all. the cat is always pinching the best spot in the house

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  2. You have had such a rough time...I am so sorry about your sister in law.
    It really does look like you had a good Friday evening. I'm glad. It sounds like you had a perfect Saturday too! x

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    1. thank you, it always helps to spend time with friends when you're so far away from family

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  3. So sorry to hear about your sister-in-law. It sounds like she was very special to you. Some lovely pictures this week - I love the kite beach photo and your chair stolen by the cat!

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    1. Thank you Sarah, it was lovely to spend the day on the beach and just switch off

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  4. I love your chair! So sorry for your loss - sending sympathy. What a special lady she must have been.

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    1. thank you, it appears it's actually the cats chair now

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  5. So sorry for your loss. Sending love. #365

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  6. Kite Beach looks amazing, glad to hear that you got some unexpected help on Thursday (I like that), and hooray for having a good time on Friday

    Sorry for your loss, do take care x

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  7. Sorry to hear about the death of your sister in law. Kite Beach looks stunning and not what I imagine when I think about Dubai. Sounds like the second half of your week was better.

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    1. Kite Beach sadly is being turned over to the tourists and not as quiet and relaxing as it used to be

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  8. So sorry about your SIL. Secondary breast cancer is worse than the first when you think you've beaten it. My mum died of exactly the same - beat breast cancer, then brain and lung secondary. Horrific disease. Hope the funeral and visit home goes as well as it could.

    I love your char te cat's had.

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    1. Thank you Emma, sorry to read about your mum also

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  9. I do love that photo from Kite Beach. I was so gutted to get your message about your SIL, just so horrid. I know it's very mixed feelings to have your Mum in her new home, but glad that the stress of all the paperwork etc for the move is now done with. Let me know if you have a free day when you are over and we'll sort out a coffee date x

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    1. Thank you Mary, will meet for coffee for sure

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  10. So sorry to read of another loss of a family member, life has not been kind to you lately. We are all here for you and |I think it is good that you are blogging this for your family to look back on in years to come of the sacrifices you have made and the help you have been to them all. You do yourself proud.
    Glad you found somebody to chat to over a coffee and that you are putting in some semblance of normality with your barbecue and that you enjoyed the evening.

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    1. thank you Elaine, it has been a tough few months, been making more of an effort to get out more and meet people which is helping

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  11. That chair looks amazingly comfortable and kite beach so stunning! #365

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    1. i wouldn't know about the chair, the cat spends more time in it than i do

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  12. Sorry to hear your sad news, it must be hard to be far away and then go home for this reason. Sometimes life isn't always sunshine and rainbows and in those times I find that blogging can actually help. Hope your Mum likes her new home even if it is a difficult transition x #365

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    1. thank you, there are too many trips home for such occasions recently, mum seems to be loving her new home

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  13. You have had such a rough time, so sorry about your sister in law. I'm glad you had a nice evening though and a good Saturday xxx

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  14. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your SIL, you certainly have had a rough time these past few months.

    Loving your chair..and my cat generally takes my space too!

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    1. thank you, the cat is taking over my entire life right now

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  15. That chair is awesome!
    So sorry about your SIL sending my condolences x #project365

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    1. thank you, shame I can't enjoy my chair for myself

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  16. Love the symbolism behind your nails. Sorry this week has not been kind #project365

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  17. Oh dear - life can just get so hard and get us down in the dumps. Hope things improve soon.

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