It is stress or change which drives most growth. Kim, the guy who helps in the garden, was here and we discussed how to manage the tree by the pool where the roots are cracking the pavement. He said we should just cut the whole tree down. He said that if we cut off a limb from a tree, it will grow back multiple new stems to make up for the loss, nature knows how to ensure it’s survival. The same if a tree lives in a windy area, the roots of that tree or plant will be stronger because it has to survive challenges daily. People are a lot like this, stress and trauma will force us to either be strong and still flexible or we may break under the pressure.

I love the tree and the concrete is already cracked, a new pool renovation is down on the cards at some point, but for now we will enjoy our cracked pool with our grandkids this summer! I also love the tree, it is so lovely and has beautiful energy.

As a compromise, Kim cut down the hedges at the top of the wall above this area to allow in some light to the plants. He cleared the whole area by the pool of vines and weeds and cut the multiple chaotic shrubs into a nice shape and removed the ones that were just scrawny wiggly woggly stems.

It is a running family joke about the disasters that befall me when Norm travels. This trip, the drama was happening almost right out the gate. Norm left on Sunday afternoon and on Monday morning I was really struggling: struggling to wake up, struggling to function, stumbling, tripping, spilling… awwww *Fergie’s voice*… think Monday on meth.

Because of the steroids he is taking, Finn needed to go outside as soon as he opened his eyes, so I had to get up and make my way downstairs with creaky, sleepy, stiff knees, but I managed (usually they get woken up in the shower). I then crawled back upstairs to shower and afterwards I went back down and fed the cat, then the dogs, then gave Finn his first round of medications. I put some minced ostrich on to cook for Finn (we add a spoonful to the bottom of his bowl of kibble to entice him to eat it). By this time I was feeling like I might just be in charge of things.

Then Kim arrived so I made him some toast and coffee and took it outside. While he ate, I sat down to chat with him about what we were planning to do in the garden over the next few weeks as my friend is giving me lots of plants. I heard a loud clatter in the kitchen and went to check. I saw the frying pan right at the edge of the stove, the ostrich meat half eaten and Finn looking guilty while licking his lips. Ignore the excess dust from the renovation, it has been washed multiple times since then (another stress and irritant as I am highly allergic to dust).

Then about an hour later I had recovered from being annoyed by the ostrich meat situation, and Chichi called me into the kitchen to say that water was gushing out of the cupboard under the sinks. We felt around under the cupboard to see what was wet and then the entire row of pipe just dropped off right in front of us!

This situation meant I had to try and remember the name of our plumber as Norm was still in the air and I never deal with them. I found the number and then had to actually make a phone call. To those who know me, I would rather stick needles in my eyes than pick up a phone and make a call. Then the plumber was so busy chatting, he misunderstood what the issue was and thought it was a blockage so the guy who arrived brought the wrong tools. Eventually they managed to sort it all out and we were advised to not use the sink for 24 hours. I was so afraid I would forget and use it that I put a banana in each sink so that my brain would find the sight of a banana so curious it would hopefully stop my hands.

Thank goodness Chichi was here to deal with the chaos as I was just too overstimulated to function by then! Then that afternoon when I was letting Chichi out of the gate, I managed to hit the panic button. Twice. Then I could not remember the security company to ring them to cancel.

That was fun and not at all stressful. *Heavy Irony*

I managed to feed myself and then I got the kitty cat and went to cuddle on the sofa and zone out with a bit of Netflix. The internet was down and it would not bring up any of the wifi options on the telly and I realised Chichi had turned it all off at the plug. I turned it back on and tried again but I did not have it in me to deal with it and so I just went to bed at 8.30pm.

On Tuesday everything started off fine but then I had a phone conversation and got very upset over something at work. I do not want to discuss it publicly at this moment. It upset me so much, I have put my LinkedIn page status to indicate I am open to offers. My autistic sense of fairness was poked.

Wednesday I had a session with my therapist from the Neurodiversity Centre. It came at a great time as per the previous paragraph!

That night I had a taxi collect me and I met up with the girls at the local Japanese restaurant Izakaya Kukai for dinner. It is owned and ran by the renowned sushi master Arata Koga who was recognized as 7th Sushi Master in the world. We are very privileged to enjoy his cooking. Luckily we had booked a table as the place was completely full. I met Tamlyn and Louise. I am trying to get in as much time as I can with Tam as she is moving in a few weeks.

Each of us ordered a little starter as we were starving. Lou had the Bang Bang Prawns and I had tempura prawns.

Tamlyn had the pan fried Gyoza dumplings with ground pork and prawn.

We all ordered the same thing as our ‘main’, a dish on the specials board which contained 5 different items and we think it was called Kensai 5. There was a skewer of gorgeous tender swordfish, some very soft calamari, breaded eggplant with a gorgeous sweet, sticky sauce, and little crispy pieces of chicken thigh. In the centre was a bowl of edamame.

We all chatted non-stop, I updated them on all of my dramas for the week. I needed a vent and I am grateful for their ears and their support. They shared what has been going on with them. We were all away in a couple of hours, well fed physically and emotionally.

Last night Tam and Rene came over for a girl’s night. It was supposed to be a DVD night. Yes, you heard that right I did not mistype Netflix. We were chatting online about the old skool Friday night routine where we went to the DVD shop as a group, rented movies, stocked up on snacks and then spent all weekend cuddled up watching films in the evenings. We missed that vibe so we decided to do a double header of Hocus Pocus 1 and 2. The only challenges? We did not have the DVDs. Tam brought her Disney+ and I had Netflix but we ended up just ordering pizza and talking all evening! It was a warmish evening and we sat out in the back patio most of the evening just laughing. I really enjoyed it and it was just what I needed, to laugh uproariously from my guts.

Last Saturday I went to a new circle called ‘Spiritual Conversations’. It is held at a woman’s home nearby and there were 4 of us there. I was agitated with excitement and was all over the place. I literally struggled to keep quiet. I had to keep apologising. One of the women said she ‘loved my joy for life’ so I hope that means I was tolerated.

We talked about the New Moon in Virgo which is my sun sign. It was lovely meeting the other women, one of whom had just bought a Pomeranian and had so many other things in common with me! I definitely want to arrange to meet her on her own to get to know her better.

I just have so much going on with the new floors, Norm traveling, me traveling, everyone coming here for Bree’s birthday at the end of the month, it is all so much! But I went to the group. I am not going to go this week. For one thing the cost to go every week would be a grand so I cannot justify that, but also Norm arrives home this afternoon!!!! I am so excited to see him, I may sleep all afternoon once he is here to assume responsibility because I am responsibilitied out.

The point is, I am making an effort to make more friends and spend more time with other women. I asked the universe and it has delivered. I just have to reach out.

Tomorrow Norm and I are going to lunch with Wes, Caitlin and Bree at Veldt DBE. I am trying to focus on my gratitude and not the traumas from this week. I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Until next time, Kisses from the Kitten xoxoxxo