The weather last weekend was hot but the heat was tempered by the insane winds we were having. The wind howled all day Saturday and Sunday.

I did not mind as I was having a do nothing weekend. I watched several movies and series. I ate popcorn. I spaced out and it was just what I needed. Poppy alternated playing outside, torturing Finn and lying with me.

Norm went to the shops on Saturday and came home with some beautiful proteas for me and a bacon and egg bun.

Proteas are like beautiful pieces of art.

That night we had a takeaway dinner from Casarecchio of Portuguese steak, chips and salad. It was delicious. I saved half of my steak for a steak salad for lunch.

On Sunday I continued with my zone out in front of the telly theme and I had only had popcorn for lunch so I was starving by 5pm. Norm went to quickly walk Finn and to pick up dinner from a local venue. After an hour of waiting he went up to ask what was taking so long as it did not seem terribly busy, but when the front of house staff went to the kitchen they discovered our order had not even been given to the kitchen. In their haste they burnt my food as well. By the time he got home it was 7:45 and I had been waiting to eat for almost 3 hours and was raging with hanger and feeling quite nauseous. The staff were mortified as we eat there at least once a week. They gave us a complimentary creme brulee, but if that was the US they would have comped our entire meal for the terrible service. We were very unhappy!

The Black Friday sales are on and I have ordered some summer dresses as it is heating up here. This kaftan arrived this week and I really love it. It is loose and comfy and cool.

This one also arrived. It is lightweight and comfy and perfect to wear around the house or over a swimsuit.

And finally this one, my favourite! I love the ties at the neck.

That is me kitted out for my trip down to stay with Lily in the New Year to help look after Roo and Amelia. I wanted some cool comfy dresses that look presentable as people always pop in when there is a new baby in the house (exactly when they should keep their arse away, but people will be peopling and I will be kaftaning).

I also took the opportunity to stock up on coffee pods and collagen. I also ordered some creatine monohydrate which is supposed to help with muscles, bones, sleep, energy, mental clarity, and all manner of other things I need.

I have ordered presents for both Bree and Amelia to open on Christmas morning. They will all be together at Lily’s and Norm and I will be in the USA. I ordered a little stables and horses for Amelia and a little wooden barn and animal set as well as a dinosaur counting set for Bree.

On Tuesday I used the voucher the kids gave me for my birthday to get a Thai Oil Massage at The Protea Day Spa. I told the masseuse she could use ‘medium pressure’ and it felt so painfully fabulous, and the next day I felt like I had been pummeled by Mike Tyson. I have this twisted masochistic belief that if it hurts then it must be good for me. How such a tiny woman can inflict such pressure I have no idea. I love the stretches that she did, my posture felt amazing! (I am sure it did not look any different but I felt taller.)

Norm has been away this week and the dogs missed him terribly. He followed the advice of the animal communicator and explained everything to Finn and reassured him that he is not meant to defend me, the house is well protected with beams and alarms. Finn and Poppy are either standing guard at the window with Poppy wrapped up in the curtains like they are her bathrobe.

Or they are busy play fighting with each other.

Yesterday I had my annual gynae check up.

The worst part of it all was having to drive there and back. It is a 45 minute journey mostly on motorways and I detest it. Usually Norm drives me but as he was still away it was not possible. My prolapse is not worse, but she has referred me to physio who specialises in recovery from pelvic floor issues. She has put me onto HRT to commence once I am back from the USA as it may help with my osteopenia and possibly with the mental health issues I have been struggling with. She also found a tiny little lump in my neck which she says I must monitor.

I cooked for myself while Norm was away, even if it was just to make a nice salad and baked potato, I prepared my own food. I also had a moment of realisation that I only have my own tastes to cater for so my ‘salad’ consisted of only the things I like. I forgot to order lettuce in my shop but that was fine, I added a base of cucumber instead! I am not a cooked vegetable fan so I just chucked bits of raw veg into a bowl and had that.

I find when I have no timetable to adhere to or no expectations to meet, I do not mind cooking.

I made chicken wings with mash and carrots, I was distracted and my carrots burned. But it was fine.

Do not get me wrong, Norm never pressures or guilts me, we are equally responsible for provision of food. Whether by cooking, takeaway picked up by him or an app delivery arranged by me. The important thing is we get fed, it is just not always very healthy.

Before he went away, Norman and I finished the miniseries ‘Lazarus‘ which is based on the Harlan Coben novel of the same name. I love Coben’s writing, I do not read the books but I watch all of the films and series based on them and they are always brilliant. The endings almost always have a shocking twist and this one left us openmouthed and shouting OMG!!! As someone who almost always knows the ending of movies, I like that his writing keeps me guessing. I did guess that the final scene was something Laz needed to investigate very early on in the series, but I won’t give it away.

The series had some moments of humour too, it was not all ghouls and murders. I love the supernatural aspect of this one too. I do not want to give anything away, so watch it yourself. I give it 4 Kitten Stars as a few things were dubious to my over-analytical mind⭐⭐⭐⭐

I pottered about with my plants this week. You can see the dust here as it was the day before Kim came to deep clean the back area.

Yesterday Kim came to work on the garden. He asked me was I feeling better? I had not told him I was unwell, but he is very empathic and he said he could tell I was not ‘the Lisa he is used to’ but he did not want to ask if I was OK when he could see I was struggling. I told him what I was dealing with and he listened and offered advice and support. He completely understood why I have this dilemma. He is such a good man our Kim.

Kim planted some mixed variety cactus seeds and some barrel cactus seeds at the front in the new beds by the road side. He took down loads of dead vines from the trees and he cleaned the back area of the house as it was full of dust from the builders.

I cleaned the bird baths and fed and watered the birds. I put my new lizard in one of the water bowls and think he looks the biz.

Still the wind blew when we were sitting at the front of the house.

And even when we were sitting at the back, it was protected only in my little corner of the house.

Last night I sat outside in the back watching the light fade and all of my little solar lights come on one by one, listening to the tinkling of my many little windchimes and thinking how blessed we are to live here. How blessed I am to have food to eat, a warm, dry bed, running water and the many blessings we have.

Both Bree and Amelia have been sick all week. Bree went to the doc twice as she was very sleepy and had a fever. Amelia and Lily have both been coughing terribly so they went to the doc too. Bree had to go onto antibiotics which have finally seemed to get on top of her fever and her appetite is back. It is so worrying when they cannot tell you what the problem is!

I am off for a facial this afternoon and then will have a quiet weekend with the animals. I hope the wind calms a bit so we can sit outside without being windblown.

I am stuck listening to this song on repeat. It is the best thing about season 2 of ‘Nobody Wants This‘ IMO. I felt Season 2 just replayed Season 1 with different backdrops and a few new storylines. This song sounds so dreamy and magical, but the lyrics are distinctly reminiscent of a toxic relationship. It is quite unsettling to read them so I just do not sing them. I want to enjoy the music rather than ponder the violence of their interaction.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and week ahead. Until next time, Kisses from the Kitten xoxoxox