Hey everyone
First up, yesterday I warmed myself up by having a lovely cup of gingerbread tea!
This was so delicious! It was from Jemma for Secret Santa, so thanks Jemma 🙂 It reminded me of the loose cinnamon tea you used to be able to get from Whitards- spicy and gently sweet. It would make an amazing latte I think. I needed warming up as we attempted a walk- we only went out for 20 mins and that was enough for me (standing up straight is still quite hard and sometimes sore)- with the effort of the walking and the cold cold wind.
I also got a little surprise this week:
A card made by my class (how sweet- it is a stained glass style-they cut out the holes then covered in tissue paper- this is the style we did for the Christmas cards this year only they did a tree/star shape)- they all signed it too (made me quite tearful), and some lovely flowers from work.
I also feel rather strange as I keep on getting “Get Well Cards” through the post. I am not one used to being unwell, and I did not really feel like my situation warranted the cards. Andy keeps telling me off- I suppose I was in hospital last week.
Today I found out that my “urgent” appointment is not until the end of January (and I think this is where they discuss the options and not when they would actually do the operation) which is annoying as I am getting annoyed at myself for not being well. It seems a long way away! That is a long time without running (I suppose the pain might keep getting less, but at the moment even walking is uncomfortable)- might have to cancel the Brighton Half marathon. Which I know is not the end of the world but you know this illness has already scuppered our holiday plans, made me miss 2 weeks of work and so I was hoping it would be sorted sooner rather than later. Moan over!
I am trying to find things that keep me occupied that involve sitting down! I can potter about a bit, but not for long (which is just ridiculous in my opinion but it is how it is). Ages ago I made some Christmas cakes (which can be made the day before so if you fancy having a go see my post here) so I decided to start decorating them this week. The Pink Whisk website has a brilliant how-to, so have a look there if you fancy having a go. I used the boards I got from Dunelm Mill which come with bakery-style white card boxes- perfect as they are gifts to go in little hampers for our parents.
On went the marzipan (stuck down with warm apricot jam- I did the top as a circle and then the edges as a long sausage shape which I then moulded together). This had to be left to set/ harden overnight as then the icing would stick better to it.
Then on went the icing. This was rolled out into a huge circle, draped over, smoothed on top and then smoothed around the side. All the extra bits were cut off and used for the next cake.
I have not decided on the decorations yet. I will do one as a parcel, as I loved learning how to make the bows. But I also saw the cute gingerbread man cake on the pink whisk which I am tempted to try, or a cute polar bear (snow-lar bear) cake. Who knows. Which one would you choose?
Over the weekend I have a give-away to announce too, so stay tuned.
Awww sorry to hear you were in hospital! Lots of love from me 🙂 I would soo love that gingerbread tea mmmm!
Thanks Nic 🙂
Nuts to that – if you don’t deserve a get well card, then show me a person who (that?) does! Huge hugs – I know I went insane when recovering from the operation to remove my cyst in terms of exercise, but I’m actually really lucky that I wasn’t a runner beforehand because it could easily have twisted or burst the horrible thing. I get a sense that you’re feeling down and even a bit guilty but it’s essential not to do anything that could burst that cyst – the complications from that are just awful (and include septicemia) so you’re definitely taking the right approach. It’s just sh*t (pardon my language) that they’re making you wait so long for an operation though – they were going to make me wait too until my Mum near had a nervous breakdown in the hospital, and luckily the ultrasound man of doom was there to back her up (I swear he was more frightened about the whole thing than me!) I really do not rate the NHS at all – it’s terrible that you don’t get your operation until the end of January. Snarl.
Can you defer that race entry?
Wishing you all the best!
xxx
P.S I would make the Polar Bear cake – it’s so cute!
I did not even think about deferring it. Andy has a place also and the hotel is booked, but I suppose I could go and just support? I was thinking I could run/walk it, but now not sure if that will even be possible.
I think the NHS has an important job, and I am glad we do not have to have private health insurance, but this experience has made me see how unorganised it is as a whole. Plus the waste of money- I was keen to leave hospital from Friday (it took from Tues-Friday for them to actually do the scan to find out what was wrong) but because the doctor was always busy I could not be signed to go home- what a waste of their time looking after me when all they were doing was giving me paracetemol! I suppose I am feeling a bit down (today I was meant to be flying to NYC which I think is not helping- if I was healthy then we would be about to start an amazing holiday) so thanks for that.
i am hoping that you will do the cute polar bear cake! i’d love to do a similar version, but i’d call it ‘the cute puggle smooshie mouthed monkey’ cake. and i’d probably not even want to binge on it, for complete adoration of the puggle-ness. for examples of aforementioned puggle, see: my puggle gwendolyn @ http://www.nicoleandgwendolyn.com. 🙂 x
Aww, that’s so nice that your class made you a card 🙂 I remember when Izzy was in hospital, all her classmates drew pictures for her, so sweet.
Urgh, I can emphasise with NHS delays too – I had an appointment with a consultant at the end of June, then had 2 appointments for tests in July, then didn’t hear anything for ages. A couple of weeks ago I finally heard that I’ve got an appointment with a different consultant on 28th December (Liam’s 1st day back at work – joy!) and then presumably I will have to get another appointment with 1st consultant before they finally decide what they’re going to do. Grrr. Sorry – ranting on your blog!
I hope they manage to sort you out a bit more quickly! Luckily I’m not in as much pain as it sounds like you are, so it’s just uncomfortable/annoying rather than unbearable!
I also meant to comment on your other post saying I’m so sorry you’ve had to cancel your holiday. You’ve had such rotten luck with December holidays 🙁 I hope you still manage to enjoy Christmas as much as possible.
I love that gingerbread man cake decoration – I’m obsessed with gingerbread men at that moment – every time I see a gingerbread man Christmas decoration I have to stop myself from buying it!
Really sorry to hear about you being unwell Maria. It must be really frustrating for you, especially having to cancel your trip, hopefully the operation won’t be too long after your appointment though. Fingers crossed for you. Get well soon 🙂
Gutted for you 🙁 it’s not fair, you’re so lovely and this is just horrible, I’m not surprised you’re not in the greatest of moods! I really hope it starts feeling better soon and you can enjoy Christmas; what a lovely thing for your class to do.
And I’d go for the polar bear, it’s gorgeous 🙂
I have a box of that Gingerbread tea in my cabinet from last year as I remember not liking it, but maybe I let it steep too long! I’ll have to try it again with milk!
Errign- try it with milk it is yummy 🙂
Eleanor- I think the polar bear has won! Looks tricky but I will have a go I think.
Lauren- yep I hope I don’t have to wait too long for it!
Lucy- that is a crazy amount of time to wait! I should not moan as mine is quick compared to you.
Nicole- I did try and comment the other day but think maybe my comment went to spam? 🙂
Hope you feel better soon. I was in hospital with my 2 year old daughter last week. The WORST nights sleep I have ever had and I can’t seem to catch up! I was doing so well with my running programme before she fell ill that I’m a bit gutted it’s all gone a bit pear shaped. You must be so frustrated. Hope the Strictly final is cheering you up!
Emma you must be psychic- I was watching Strictly! Although I was hoping Jason would win- loved his showdance 🙂 I know that I will pick up the running once I am better so trying not to get too annoyed with it all.
I’m so sorry it’s going to take you so long to get an appointment! The NHS is always inundated at this time of year – I had a minor rash scare last week, and the NHS Direct was down, the queues at the walk in centre were 2 hours long and my doctors had no appointments until Jan!
Your Christmas cake looks fantastic; I love making ‘marzipan fruit’ with any leftover marzipan at Christmas.
Ali love the marzipan fruit idea 🙂 Might have to give that a go later on 🙂
I know what you mean about the NHS too- I do appreciate they get busier at this time of year.