11/12/2025 recovery day and gentle socialising

After an emotional evening last night and a shockingly bad nights sleep with some wonderful nightmares, I had about as much energy as a drowning slug today. 

The busy week has been exhausting so today was a much needed rest day. I did a few bits of laundry, and most importantly washed my trainers ready for the next leg of the  trip to NZ. I was a bit worried about them as I’d been in the garden at Julie’s and also I had worn them quite a bit through th summer doing the garden and the bees, I may also have dropped honey on them

When I was harvesting which isn’t ideal. If NZ wasn’t so fussy about soil and agricultural diseases getting into the country I wouldn’t have been so worried but understandably they are very strict in such things, and I didn’t want to lose my trainers! They’re bright pink.   

They came out lovely and clean so I was able to hang them on the line before mamma came to pick me up to take me out for lunch in Warwick. We ended up in Miss Mauds again and this time mamma was in luck with the crab sandwich. I had a tuna melt which was bloody massive.  

After lunch I wanted to go and get myself a pair of long shorts, I bought two pairs with me but am really not feeling them, they’re too short. I mean they’re not Hot pants or anything, and my arse cheeks aren’t hanging out, they just feel a bit ‘young’ although the one pair I bought in NZ last time Si and I came over, and Si said they were fine. I don’t feel fine in them at all. It’s a proper first world issue if really is.  My intention was to buy shorts that ended about 2 inches above the knee but do you think I can find any?  Could i heck!  I did however find a lovely pair of blue and white wide leg trousers with blue scalloped bottoms in the sale for under a tenner. I also wanted another strapless top, and I’d spotted a linen shirred waist skirt in KMart that would work as a top far better than it would a skirt for me at my age! (I’m pretty sure it would not have covered my backside as a skirt) I picked it up before going to Coles to get food for dinner for Julie and I and afternoon tea for mamma and me. 

I left mamma sitting on a very comfy seat in the Mall, I keep forgetting she’s nearly 86 but even I could see she was shattered today after her busy few days in Margaret River, doing lots of driving and  walking around the museum.  Thankfully she was having a lovely time watching the world go by so I didn’t feel so bad keeping her waiting. 

With my shopping done we found the car … first time! And went back to Mammas. We parked up in the garage and as usual Mamma kissed her finger tips and pressed them to the photo of Jim as she went by. In the sunlight you can see where her fingers have touched his lips every time she passes by it, it never fails to bring a lump to my throat. Carey, Julie and I always called them The Love Birds. They were the perfect pair. On the 21st December it is the third anniversary of Jim’s death. It's terrifying how fast the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday I was linked to the livestream for his funeral. Si and I couldn’t attend as we were on holidays. There’s a surprise, us being away.  

Mamma's feet were very swollen so once she’d made us a drink and put in the movie, I put her feet up and spent an hour massaging her feet and legs which really helped with the swelling.  I think she’s going to visit the Dr about it as it’s happening a lot and she’s worried about it. I’m hoping it’s because she’s just been really busy since I've been here and it’s a temporary thing.  Even the simple act of massaging her feet came with some unexpected memories of Si. He loved having reflexology and reiki massages and twice a week without fail we’d do each other's feet. He had me teach him reflexology and initiate him for reiki because he wanted to be able to give me what I gave him. Si always gave Me so much more than I was able to give him, I sometimes feel he had the rough end of the deal. Not only did he learn reflexology and reiki, he also took acupressure and massage courses so he could treat me daily to keep me as fit and mobile as he possibly could, learning lots of different techniques to manipulate and stretch my body and try and ease my pain. Anything to keep me as the best version I could be so we could enjoy as long as possible together. Well that didn’t go how it was supposed to at all. 

Mamma nodded off while I was massaging her and I was actually glad because it meant I didn’t have to the emotions bubbling out of me hide behind the “everything is fine” mask. I was just able to sit and remember Si and let them out. 

Once the film finished and mamma awoke, nicely refreshed from her nap, she took me back to Julie’s. Before she did, I sorted out the shopping and left her half the fruit I’d bought for afternoon tea and two eclairs for her to have later on. Julie was home by the time we got back and mamma came in for a drink with us before heading off. 

I cooked dinner for Julie and I, before I’d gone out I’d put the pork steaks into marinade in cider , honey mustard seeds and garlic, so all they needed was cooking off in the frying pan while I made up the salad. 

Not a very exciting day but a much needed recovery day I’m bleeding knackered

Much Love

Mrs Leonard

X.