It's not been the best week and searching for positives has been hard. It was the 2nd anniversary of Stephanie's death on Wednesday, the day after Peter's birthday. The boys and their families have been amazing with their support as have many of our friends. Work has been extremely difficult for me, but 4 colleagues went out their way, 2 recalling that I disappeared for a month round about this time of year after starting the job in 2025. They didn't know the date but two and two together and were super nice checking in on me and two colleagues just stepped up a gear sensing something was up, so there was cake for the four of them and an explanation on Friday. They said it wasn't necessary, but hell, it so was.
Saturday 3 October The worst and the one of the best days. Parkrun was awful, then off to my nephew and niece in laws for the day for great nieces Happy 3rd Halloween as she calls it. Niece and the Things joined in as did Niece in-laws sister and husband. Party food and games. We left early with the longest drive home, getting back at 7pm, bath and an early night.
Sunday 4 October Woke up in a crap mood, no running, but did manage a coffee and some shopping and a wardrobe sort while Peter watched the delayed grand prix and the rugby from Australia. I did some gardening potting up some herbs ready for over wintering, did some tidying and some paperwork. Video calls with the grandchildren. Grandson had his Achievement Certificate from school on display in his window so everyone who went past could see how proud he was. We had dinner and watched TV and bed by 10pm.
Monday 5 October Into work a little early to recover an Aston Villa mug I'd hidden on Friday as a joke. I chased up my booking for the hotel for the London Marathon. We have the payment ref on the credit card but no email. I also chased up a refund on half a coffee from a Starbucks machine, an over payment on a parcel for VAT and a few other things that I've been feeling I need sorting. I needed new slippers and DIL benefitted from the 2nd free pair. Peter had 2 new t-shirts as birthday bonus and I discovered the peanut butter bites in M&S were 25p more expensive if you bought the halloween wrapped ones.
Tuesday 6 October Peter's birthday. I bought him some beer he'd been drinking when we were in Crete along with his favourite Liquorice. We don't do much gift wise. I drove into Worcester after work and Peter caught the train. We met in Starbucks for a coffee and had a walk round the City before picking up some dinner. Mine exploded in the microwave and it took me longer to clean it up than it did to cook. We rarely use the microwave other than to warm up soup or beans. We had video calls with the grandchildren.
Wednesday 7 October Off to The Cotswold Designer Outlet Village after work to remember Stephanie. We wanted to do something and be out the house. The Village only opened just over a year ago and being close to Gloucester would've been somewhere we would have started taking Stephanie to, we'd already discussed it as we'd been taking her to the one in Street and Bicester. I picked Peter up after work and after a walk round we chose Zizzi for dinner. We'd forgotten about the non-gluten menu and the Blue Light Card 25% discount until seated. It's much colder out now and I'd left my coat in work. We were home by 7.15pm and after a bath I was in bed by 8.30pm.
Thursday 8 October Awake early at 5am so sat downstairs with the cat and a cup of tea and did some blogging and tidied my work bag, still a last minute dash out the house at 7.50am though. Don't really care much after this week, they're lucky I've made it into work with it being Stephanie's anniversary, a migraine and getting whacked on the hand in classroom some unnecessary immature behaviour that got out of control, that still hasn't been dealt with, along with being sworn at numerous times which is almost a daily occurrence. Peter went to Lyme Regis for the day with his friend to 'messing about on the water' in a fishing boat and after work I went shopping for our grandsons Halloween box of tricks and the youngest winter coat plus he NEEDS a Bluey t shirt according to his older brother. I'm not visiting over half term this year as they're on holiday.
Friday 9 October A long day in work, full on cover and a different class at opposite ends of the school, hardly had time to eat, drink or pee, but my colleagues made it happen. An incident just before the bell and me staying late to call a parent. Off then on a drive to Monmouth to put the world to rights with one of my oldest friends of around 28 years. Her mum died the same year as my dad and her partner died in this January having been diagnosed with terminal cancer the week before Stephanie died. Life is shit sometimes. We still managed to talk shit late into the night, settling down to sleep around midnight, after she collected 3 of her adult children from the pub. It's such a joy to be part of a family having watched them grow from babies into adults.
On the blog this week:
Two years on without Stephanie
Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week
Word of the week - World Mental Health Day
Left top to bottom: Parkrun, winter footwear, new slippers.
Right top to bottom: Highest number eldest grandson could think of, Stephanie's meal out, new coat for youngest grandson, parking up at friends house for the night.
Tough week, but it sounds like you have some caring people around you with your friend and work colleagues. Hopefully next week will be a more uplifting one for you. Hope the work behaviour issue gets sorted and doesn't just get ignored.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday to Peter too.
I love how your colleagues were so sweet!
ReplyDeleteThat is good you have support, especially from your work colleagues.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a lovely time with your nephew and niece in laws. Happy belated birthday to Peter and what a lovely way to remember Stephanie.