just chilling

On Holiday

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Admittedly it is for a given value of “holiday” where that value equals making sure that Lady M rests, takes her medication, and has plenty of drinks but it’s still the start of a three week staycation that would only be better if we could arrange for myr s and co to be nearby as well.

Oh well, can’t have everything. Yet.

I’ve done the groceries, which should cover most things this week, and spent most of the day pottering around and throwing things out into the recycling. Payday is next week, so I’m being particularly minded to note some purchases to help bring some more order and utility to how some things are stored. In other words I’ve been spring cleaning and nesting. It’s not even a slight stretch to infer that I’m reclaiming some control over my surroundings given recent stresses.

We didn’t even have gaming night yesterday. That will return next weekend. I may even do some preparation for it rather than winging it…

Christmas Eve

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Lady M has been working today, I have not. I’m enjoying the fruits of the decision to take time before Christmas even with everything else going on in the world. By fruits, I mean putting my feet up, reading, playing games, watching YouTube videos, and maybe a couple of quiet drinks between snacks. There’s a definite feeling of overdue indulgence to today that is very welcome right now.

Inspired by a friend’s post on social media, we have given each other a pre-Christmas Funko, and resisted pressing each other to open any more. It’s a nice little thing I may do next year too, in line with our habit of giving little birthday presents in the week leading up to them.

All in all, it has helped keep positivity up, despite everything. It may not be the Christmas we hoped for, but it will be a good day tomorrow for us here. I hope it is for you too.

Christmas Eve Eve

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I decided to deliberately have a day of doing very very little today. I managed to break the back of preparations for the one-off yesterday so I’ve given myself the day off. Instead I’ve watched The Muppets Christmas Carole and The Muppets Treasure Island while stretched out on the sofa.

On a not unrelated note we also did a lot of Christmas supplies shopping the last couple of days for basics, fun stuff, and yes alcohol. If we have to be in lockdown we’re going to do so in comfort and ease.

My biggest problems today have been checking in on a colleague (Lady Sz) for reasons, and resisting the urge to start passing presents to Lady M to open early. There are worse problems to have.

A Few Days Off

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And…. Relax…

I’m visiting lady s for a few days as I had more leave to book this year than Lady M. After a long week, it’s been good to switch off. Lady M and I drove down on Sunday afternoon and dropped off presents for the household, then I stayed on – much to the cub’s bemusement.

The stress levels have been slowly dropping as we’ve watched films and YouTube clips. In between, we’ve been having a tidy up before Christmassing and generally taking it easy.

Tomorrow we’ll be seeing the cub at his school Christmas play, before Lady M returns and whisks me away so we can finish packing to go visit family next week.

Amusingly, Lady M had forgotten that I was going away at one point as she was hoping I might pick her up from drinking with colleagues this week – I mention this to forestall any visions you may have of Lady M somehow languishing like Rapunzel in her tower. One of our many strengths is that each of us are equally comfortable and in need of time alone as in being with each other (as wonderful as that is)

A Pause

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It’s raining again. I’m warm, in bed, and a light breeze from a cracked open window carries the scent of that rain and the pattering of rain against panes and windowsills in a gently erratic white noise extravaganza.

Ssshhhhhhhhhh!

Lady M is asleep beside me, snoring gently. Her pain levels and general mental resilience are not great at the moment, so I’m glad she’s resting.

Although lady s is not here, a check in on her earlier also had her disclosing that she’s not doing well. Like Lady M she’s dealing with chronic pain, and they’re both finding it draining on a physical and emotional front.

I’m tired, but it is a healthy tiredness born of the physicality of the job at the moment rather than the stresses that can feel so overwhelming. I’m on the bounce back up from getting past last week and the anniversary of the attack.

Now I’m merely concerned for my partners’ respective health and resolved to keep my own state positive so I can support them as they may want or need.

So I’ll drift off soon, lulled by the rain and the warm embrace of my duvet. It’s a good pause.