Sunday, May 21, 2017

A DIFFERENT SORT OF WEEK


Hello dear Readers.
Mr C gave me another orchid for Mother's Day...
which is very generous because I seem to have the touch of death with them, and lose them after a few months...


and we shared these pink bun treats, all in the cause of Breast Cancer research...very important!


All too soon Monday morning saw us arriving at the hospital at 6.00 am, along with about fifty other people who were facing surgery that day.

Later that day Mr C had his right knee replacement surgery...
As some of you know, my dear HB already has mobility difficulties due to prior medical events, and it is crucial that this surgery is successful.

The rehabilitation in his case is necessarily somewhat experimental rather than predictable, and he is still in the hospital.  After a week of daily visits and the inevitable anxiety of a wife watching her husband in awful pain, I am quite the exhausted one...and I'm not even the patient!


In some ways I think it is better to be the patient oneself than to watch a loved one suffer extreme pain.  So far he is doing his absolute best to meet prescribed goals, although it has been a two steps forward, one step back, sort of week.


While doing quick trips to the shops, I found this glass water bottle to take on my daily walks.  It was 25% discounted which I took as a sign to reward myself with a little treat and replace my old bottle...


Brett Whiteley, Australia, [1939-1992] White dove feeling the universe 1985-92. QAG 
One day I did something I've not done in ages - went to the movies by myself.
Just had to see 'Whiteley' a bio-pic/doco about Australian artist Brett Whiteley.
He was a larger than life character, twice winner of the national Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes, and his work is held in all the big Australian galleries.
The movie is excellent - go see it!





Seen on my walk - loved the sunlight on those orange berries..
I'm doing my best to keep my spirits up, missing my mate of 45 years - we are rarely separated for more than a day or two...


It is high time I introduced our grand-puppy, who recently reached her first birthday.  Her name is Harley Quinn Moon Unit, or HQ for short.
She is fluffy and fun, and is generally adored by all she meets.
As she seems to love the camera, I predict a modelling career, as soon as she out-grows her love of rolling in puddles and mud....


Naturally I am a sucker for a pretty country wedding in a centuries old church, with touches of pink and cute children in attendance...


Here are a few snaps for those who missed Pippa's day..



Pretty little Princess Charlotte..


Loved Kate's dress and hat...

which reminded me just a tad of the hat I wore to our son's Irish wedding :)


OK, they were both pink...


Have a lovely week.

XXXXX
















32 comments:

  1. That settles it for sure, Kate DOES read your blog, she copied your hat for this wedding!!
    Hope your sweet hubby recovers soon from his surgery!
    Also, my mother-in-law in England is a wonder with her orchids. Let's see, she only waters them once a week, I think, and has them on her windowsill in the kitchen, it is kind of northwest facing, so only gets a bit of sun, I think.
    I must tell you, the cardinal that is depicted on the water bottle, it is perfectly well done! (So many times, they don't get that gorgeous bird right!)

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  2. Good tips for orchids; I only water weekly but maybe in our hot climate that is not enough! And pleased to know my cardinal is the real bird; hope to see one at Christmas in Canada!

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  3. Beautiful orchids. I only trust myself with the hardy tree living varieties. Sending love and healing to your guy xxx Love to see that movie too.

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    1. Maybe if I bought actual orchid mix to plant them in??
      Thank you for the good wishes, passing them all on to G. xxx

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  4. Hello Patricia...
    Sending get well wishes to Mr C...must be very fido cult for both of you.
    Love that water bottle with the Cardinal! What are the odds?
    Enjoy your week...get that hubby home 💕
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Hello Linda and thank you for the good wishes, which I pass on. He was a bit happier today as they packed the knee in ice, very effective. I know, who else round here would buy a water bottle with a cardinal - only moi! Hope the man is home by week's end. Cheers.

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    2. Hoping you get him home....soon!

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  5. Patricia, I do hope your husband heals quickly with his knee surgery. I bet you're exhausted coming and going. I really like the hat you wore to your son's wedding, and the color is soft and pretty. This is a lovely picture of the orange berry trees on your walk. And your grand puppy is adorable. Thinking of you tonight, as you wait for your husband to come home from the hospital.

    love, ~Sheri

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    1. Thank you Sheri, I do find it tiring and keep trying to work out why! Pink hat says Hi, and I was glad to have an excuse to show it again. We are hoping Mr C comes home by week's end, but he is definitely not ready yet.

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  6. My mum had both knee's replaced and I remember her saying it was incredibly painful but she persevered and ended up with 2 excellent knees. I think she said that even though painful she made sure she did her rehab exercises so perhaps that is the trick. My father grows orchids and just like you I have the touch of death to the ones that land in this house. He told me to take them out of their little plastic pot and carefully and gently tease away the soggy moss surrounding the roots. Once the roots are clean re-pot using orchid bark. Water once a week and let the water drain and feed with aquasol once a fortnight. I have 2 that are still nice and green and have been in flower for months. Good luck and I hope your husband makes good progress.

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    1. Thank you for all this interesting info. Mr C is very good with his exercises, although he is unable for technical reasons to use half of the available equipment. It will take a little longer, but he will get there in the end! Meantime, I will print out the orchid tips, and seek out some orchid bark. Thank you!

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  7. Yes, I have always loved guipure lace and it was a luxurious gown while also elegant in its simplicity. While I liked the pink dress, I agree she looked a bit washed out, not sure why, perhaps the wrong shade of pink? HB is enjoying the Iceman machine today, hope it gets the swelling down a bit.

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  8. I hope that all goes well for Mr C and that he is soon able to do be more light of foot! Love your water bottle, perfect for you!

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    1. Hello dear Amy, and thank you for the good wishes. Hopefully after about 10 weeks he will be up for some new adventures. That water bottle was good karma, just when I needed a little cheer-me-up!

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  9. Reading you inspired me lot my friend !
    You sound a very strong and brave lady who is not only an amazing fighter but a brilliant positive spirit!!!
    I believe soon you will get relief from circumstances and share a long healthy more 45 years with your soulmate .
    Fuluffy is cutest lovely pet.
    Your water bottle is very pretty.

    Orchid is absolutely Gorgeous.
    My prayers are with you my friend

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  10. I love how crisp the blush color looked at Pippa's wedding. I can't imagine the cost of those society weddings, but they are lovely.

    So you've been holding out on us, Trish ... with your fur baby, a cuttie!

    Mr. C did good. That's a beautiful orchid. Such a vivid color.

    My thoughts and warm wishes are with Mr. C with him regaining his mobility! I, too, think it's less stressful to be the patient than the family of the patient.

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    1. I suspect The Wedding cost millions - would be fun to see a few more photos, but unlikely!
      The fur baby belongs to our youngest son - isn't she the prettiest girl :)
      We don't know when Mr C will come home - he has quite a way to go before he can walk very much. I am getting into the routine now, and the girl at the hospital coffee shop knows me :)

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  11. Patricia, I'm a bit late here, but I do hope Mr C is on the mend! I so agree that watching a loved one in pain is terrible, so my deepest sympathies to you both. HQ looks adorable. Does he live with you? I predict he will never grow out of puddle plunging :) Hoping your mate gets home soon!

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    1. Not late at all Val, and he is still in the hospital, and still in pain, poor man. Progress is very slow, and some days they push him too much which results in going backwards the next day. HQ belongs to our youngest son and his wife, and only comes here for visits. She is such a girl, posing for her photos, but then there are the mud puddles, hmmmm. thank you for dropping by Val, and I hope you are having a pretty Spring over there.

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  12. Dear Patricia - I do hope that Mr. C is feeling much better now that the week has progressed and that he will soon be back home with you once again. It is awful to see someone that you love in pain - both of you take care, and hoping to learn some good news from you soon.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary, It appears now they plan to send him home on the 15th day after surgery, all being well. Just a few more days to go, and I'm sure he will be glad to see home once more. Happily Little Aussie has just come to visit me for the weekend, and to go to the hospital to cheer his PaPa!

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  13. Nice to be back after my bit of a break! Sending healing thoughts to your hubby. ;) Love all the pics - especially of your adorable grand puppy!!

    Best of luck with this orchid. Lol! Have a wonderful weekend Trish. xoxo

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    1. Good to see you back Carrie - sometimes we need a little break. Healing thoughts are greatly appreciated. Happy weekend to you xxx

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  14. Hi Trish. Good to read Mr C is on his was to recovery, please send him our very best wishes. Have a feeling a weekend with Little Aussie will be filled with fun. Now, on to Pippa's bridal gown. I too am a huge fan of guipure lace, loved that. Not a huge fan of the keyhole back, reminded me of the bridal gowns I made in the 80's. How cute were the little ones. On dailymail.com have images of the flowers at the church and reception, stunning. Have a super Sunday, it is a little foggy out our way. Take care. xox

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    1. Hi Nina, Will pass on your good wishes; hope to have him home in a few more days. Twins re the guipure lace! Mmm, yes now you mention it, the 'heart' shape was a keyhole back from the 80s! (There is nothing new under the sun as Mother used to say). Yes, the little ones were adorable, especially their floral headbands. I see that Style Arc have already released a pattern of Kate's pink dress, which of course I will not be able to resist copying. That fog today!! Went out to Moggill for 8.00am - could barely see to drive!!! xxx

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  15. You are spot on that it is easier to be the patient! I can't be the only wife to tell you this - don't get him a bell! But seriously, my husband had both knees replaced and after all the physical therapy (almost a year) everything in life was better. They did a little tweaking and cortisone shots until he was comfortable, but that was just during the first five years.
    Love the pink hat. You have great eyebrows.

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    1. Beryl!!!!! How are you? So good to see your face again. Ha ha, re the bell :) We do have one, but it is up on top of a tall cupboard, possibly put there when I got tired of it on a previous occasion. Both knees replaced all at once, O my, that is brave. I expect we will be going to therapy for a very long time. At the hospital they are noticing all his bad habits with posture and walking, so this could be a long haul. Glad you like my wedding hat - maybe now HB has a new knee, he can take me to the Races and I can wear it again (she says, wistfully....)

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  16. Good Morning Patricia (it's morning here). : )
    Just wanted to get back to you and tell you that Yes,
    I'm part Spanish on my mother's side, as well as French Canadian. And on my father's side I'm Greek and Polish. : ) I had a friend growing up who was ALL GREEK, and I always appreciated and admired that. : ) Wishing you a wonderful week, Patricia.

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    1. How exciting Sheri, you have all the best and interesting nations in your family tree! Thank you for sharing it with me.

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  17. I love the fairy-tale photos of Pippa's day. Couldn't be more charming. And your week doesn't sound too bad either :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. hi Amalia, It was a very charming day, wasn't it. Pippa's will go down in history as one of the notable weddings our our time. Mr C came home yesterday so we are having a nice reunion here at the Cardinal nest!

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