What a beautiful sunset at the end of our hack this evening. It’s always bittersweet – end of summer and evening hacks, beginning of autumn and evening schooling. Appreciating it while I can.

Woke up feeling more determined today. A good conversation with an old friend last night helped get some things straight in my head.

Braved the outdoors and made it to the yard. Gave Buddy a good groom, lunged him before doing some groundwork.

So it’s been a year since I found out I was being made redundant and my little house of cards came tumbling down. I’ve been in reflective mood today as a result. It’s been one hell of a year. I thought I’d be in a very different place than I am. I don’t feel like I’ve moved far or achieved much in the past 12 months.

To say it’s been challenging and full of twists and turns is an understatement!!

I didn’t see a broken ankle. I didn’t see a global pandemic. I didn’t see lockdown. I didn’t see both of my parents being in and out of hospital. And so many, many more.

It’s been scary. It’s been emotional. It’s been one of the most challenging times of my life.

But I’ve made it through. I honestly don’t know how! There have been so many times when I wanted to give up. But I’ve dug deep and kept moving forward.

It’s so hard having to face so many things on my own. I’m so grateful for the many wonderful people I have in my life who’ve picked me up when I needed it.

It’s not all been bad. There have been so many wonderful moments too.

I know things will get better. I know I will be in a very difference place this time next year. I just have to keep moving forward and trusting the process.

Blimey! That was some storm!! Can’t say I slept very well. Too much crashing and banging. The top of my holly tree has snapped and nearly taken the sail with it. I honestly didn’t think it was going to be that bad. I’d have taken the sail down had I known. I also left one of the seat cushions out. Needless to say that’s a tad soggy.

Lost some of the buddleia on the train track behind my house. And my pheasant tree has blown over. I can see broken branches on the trees across the tracks. I haven’t been out to check the rest of the house yet. Fingers crossed everything’s OK.

Hope everyone is safe. The clean up will have to wait till I’m feeling better and the weather improves.

Today I have mostly sat on the sofa and listened to the weather. It’s been awful here. Hope everyone is safe as there seem to be lots of trees down.

It’s a miserable day. This chest infection is making me feel miserable. So medicinal cat cuddles are the order of the day. If anyone needs me, I’ll be on the sofa.

So I finally had my hair cut today. It was in a bit of a state so glad to have a streamlined version. It seems 10 months between haircuts is way too long.

I’ve not been able to stop the tears today. Very emotional all day. I think the last few weeks have caught up with me. Even had a good blub with my hairdresser. And outside the doctors when they wouldn’t let me in to get more antibiotics as I’ve now got a chest infection.

Not my best day, but a long way from my worst.

Day 357: cake! When your lovely friend delivers a care package to make you smile. Her sticky ginger cake is SO yummy! Thank you Helen at Weddell & Turner

I deliver evening meals for the vulnerable on a Monday. It’s so rewarding seeing people’s smiles when I turn up. Tonight I got a gift in return, this stunning dahlia. Had a chat about how beautiful the grower’s dahlias were and he gave me loads of tips. He said he’s going to pick me a bunch for next Monday. I have dahlia envy as the display was something else. Hard to believe we’re in mid-September!

I’m home after another stressful week. It was great to spend time with my parents. Even if it was a very different kind of visit (with a lot of angst).

Nero and the kittens were very pleased to see me. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.

Thanks again for all of the lovely message wishing my parents well. Fingers crossed for no more hospital stays!