Plodding along

Plodding along is where I feel I am now.
Plodding, according to the dictionary, means:

adjective

1. slow-moving and unexciting.

   
   

   "a plodding comedy drama"

   • (of a person) thorough and hard-working but lacking in imagination or intelligence.

     
     

     "plodding, methodical Ralph Bellamy"

So why am I in this category?
At times I certainly feel thorough, hard-working and lacking in imagination or intelligence, therefore yes?
Especially so when the back pain from fractures in my spine are stopping me from simply straightening up, not even standing up, never mind walking...
There is also the despair and changing mood but I maintain a positive attitude and soldier on.
I am able to do more, not everything but I am less impaired though still quite disabled by it all.
Plodding is a feeling I get that is probably due to the plateau I've reached, certainly a peak of improvement has been attained through thorough and hard-work that has now reached the period of little or no change in my physical, emotional and cognitive difficulties.
Compared to a year ago, where I was in a coma and my life was at risk, there's a massive and impressive improvement. If I compare myself against what I consider normality, I would say I am 60% of the way there.
Am I being ungreatful?
I don't think so. I love life and I am propelled to getting better by the love and support from family and friends. I am so thankful to have them all. They've fought for me, with me and pushed me all this way but I am still wanting more. Not from them but certain from me.

I used to wear a suit and tie, nicely polished shoes and dressed for success. Now I wear comfortable, supportive lace-less, slip on shoes, jeans and t-shirt, jumpers etc. They are still clean and smart but it's a way from where I 'power dressed'. Then again, I am retired so no real need to wear a suit to walk Rosie to the park or plod along at home.
I am unable to wear lace ups because I struggle to get to my feet... I can't reach them. They are an appendage too far!
Hence one of my 'sillier goals' is to be able to wear one of my lovely suits, lace up shoes, tie and shirt.. Take Julie out for a posh, romantic meal.
Months ago, our son Sean asked me what I wanted to achieve in losing some of the weight I'd gained from the sedentary life I had now acquired.
Same goal but with March 23rd as a goal date because it would be our 35th wedding anniversary. Reality is we can at least get a nice meal in a restaurant but I may not look as dashing as I aimed to be... Although I would be there and this was a tremendous success and personal journey of hard graft but still only a little way over half the way there.

Many years ago, I was on a conference when I worked for Astra Pharmaceuticals that later became AstraZenecca. We were in the Algarve, Portugal.
One of the speakers was Frank Dick, the former director of coaching for UK athletics. He was a powerful and inspirational speaker. Among the many things he said, he spoke about 'Valley people' and 'Mountain People'.
Valley people, are happy with their lot and never seek to improve on what they have. Mountain people are the polar opposite, they achieve one goal, climbing that mountain, they are not happy with this and push themselves to climb the next mountain and so on. Now their is nothing wrong with either, though as a Mountain person, I cannot be satisfied with my lot  though circumstances push me to, I need to carry on climbing

Balance, karma maybe?

Sunday is a day to recover and recharge your batteries and Monday is hectic for those in employment ... So retirees should get some rest? Not in this household!

We are up early, no lay in , up with the lark, and looking after 2 of our gang. Daisy is with us all day and Heath comes just after 12,for lunch and joins his sister in some lunch, games and.... Sweeties with the grandparents!

Today, we had a visit from a friend and work colleague, Jane.
She arrived laden with sweets, flowers and a big hug for us all.
We hadn't seen each other since February last year so there was a lot of catching up to do.
Julie and I enjoyed the visit, it was great to have a couple of hours of socialising, catching up with gossip, laughing and showing off the grandkids, with plenty of tea and coffee flowing.

Jane had to go and collect her daughters and as they live in a neighbouring town, left early enough to avoid the traffic.

The summary of this is that although I have retired, I keep in touch with all my friends. Its an aspect of work I miss but I enjoy catching up with colleagues whilst still carrying out grandparents duties.
Life balance?

By 7pm... We are asleep on the sofa, energy zapped out by our little munchkins

Catch up at High tea.

It was such a brilliant catch up with good friends / colleagues yesterday.

Catriona was chauffer for me, picking me up from home and then Penny and driving us to a posh tearoom in a boutique hotel near Ongar... Due to PMI (Poor Memory Issues) I cannot tell you the name of the place but it was extremely chilled and very posh!
We were shown into a large conservatory, sitting at a table which was set with emaculate precision.
The cutlery sat welcoming and clean, awaiting the food to be served.
I noticed and older colleague of ours sat to my left and I turned, smiled and briefly chatted with her, Janet.
Janet was a health visitor who'd worked in the same offices as we had about 5 years + ago. She'd retired and asked "have you retired now?"... I wonder if the walking stick and my gait prompted her question or do I look really old anyway?
No need to answer this one, I know!!!

After a catch up, we had our tea served... Tea with scones, cakes and sandwiches (with the crust cut off), served in a timely manner and with a smile.

I hadn't seen Julia, Penny or Catriona for many months so there was a lot to catch up on.
We have worked together for many years and have been good friends, all of us are specialist nurses in different disciplines but all forward thinking.
We have always done what is best for our patients and colleagues and I was very proud to be their manager for a few years too.

Two main reasons for our meeting: I had retired and now Penny was retiring.
It was like we'd only seen each other the day before... Lots of chat, laughs and memories shared.

Tea was great, lots of choices of tea, I went for the ceylon (Sri Lanka) tea... Strong and full bodied. All poured through a tea strainer as the tea was loose leaf tea.. Catriona!
She kept on forgetting about this, in all fairness, she is the younger one out of us all and usually never drinks hot beverages of any sort!

The sad fact about our meeting is that two of us, by today, will have retired.

Penny has always been the consummate professional. Caring, unpreterbed and calming, in all the years I've known her, I'd say I've only seen her angry once and that was only angry with a tiny 'a'...
She has done so much for her service, single handedly being a force for effective cardiac rehab in West Essex. I have a lot of praise and respect for Penny. She will be missed but she has given many, many years service to others and now it's time for herself, family and especially her grandson. Good luck Penny 😉👍.

We chatted for ages, sharing photos of our children and grandchildren with anecdotes to boot... Sharing tales of our ailments and how different the patient experience is.
It is such a shame that we shared poor parent experience when receiving care!

Time passing quickly and soon the previously bright conservatory becoming darker as dusk set in. It was a good 3 hours gone quickly though there was nearly a year to catch up on.

It was time to say goodbye and although our daily interactions will never be the same, our respect and  can I say love, for our colleagues and friends, will always be there.

There were a few cakes left over so I was obliged to take them home for our grandchildren to polish off... Boy did they enjoy them! Especially as Daisy wasn't feeling well so the cakes were very much a Medicinal must.!

Till the next time
Cheers....