Just Gilly

  To keep it brief, very un-Gilly-like, I had stress and anxiety on Saturday and came to the sad conclusion that it was best not to return to my job at the restaurant. I have no idea what caused my distress - I did enjoy the work and my colleagues were so lovely, but it is what it is. Yesterday it was my son's graduation and it was his 22nd birthday. He looked so smart and grown up (sorry, he wouldn't let me use a photo). His birth just seemed such a short time ago. Life just flies past as a rate of knots. The sun was shining and we had a lovely day. Hopefully he'll be graduating again next year!  I've bought a dress, well several actually. However, one is for my cousin's wedding in November. It's a style which I'd say is new for me, but I love it and can't wait to wear it. Think Marilyn Monroe on steroids. The only problem is, that for a dress in my size, my very voluptuous bottom half doesn't match my not so endowed top half. I either need to nip a...

  When my boss gave me time off work to sort my head it didn't occur to me that I might not go back. I've spent these last few weeks catching up with me, Gilly. Seeing family and friends in Newcastle and catching up with friends up here. I've started baking again - those apples are the first off the tree and went into a crumble and toffee apple pudding. I've been writing (fingers crossed Prima magazine like them) and creating my art (photo to come). I'm feeling great and recovered. I did the whole pros and cons about working in the restaurant. Great girls, fun job, good exercise. But I do feel like a fish out of water. I'm not a natural for sure. However, I can't be in the house too long without my mental health suffering. I need to be busy! The odd day watching This Morning is ok but not recommended long term. I need to get the balance right, for me and my family. I popped to see my boss yesterday and we have agreed one shift a week to see how things go. It...

  I awoke on Sunday morning, sat down with my breakfast and watched the Queen's coffin leaving Balmoral. It was going through Aberdeen which is just down the road. I felt I should have been there but I couldn't work out where I could go, where I could park or stand. The roads were already closed in preparation and I had missed my opportunity. I'm not sure why but I had a massive desire to see her before it was too late. I called Ellie to see if she was working Monday, she wasn't, and she agreed to come to Edinburgh with me. Half an hour later she rang back to say she'd found accommodation at the Haymarket should we go today (still Sunday)? Oh yes we should! We arrived in Edinburgh about 5pm and wandered over to the Royal Mile. Lots of people, lots of barriers and lots of police. It was only at this point did we realise that the Queen's coffin wasn't accepting visitors at St. Giles until 5pm Monday night. We knew there'd be mad queues first, so we needed ...

  I thought having both my children return home to live for a bit would be fun. But no, it only means that there is more than just Mark taking the piss out of me! To be fair, Isaac isn't too bad (unless I've done something really funny) and sometimes stands up for me. I've told them that it's abuse but they don't care. I even threatened to go on strike - they laughed and told me to go ahead as they wouldn't notice! (Bloody cheek! - Well, Mark and Ellie both work from home and they do do most of the housework! But still, I do my fair share! If I ask Mark to dust for me he tells me he thinks it's dusty enough!). I demand respect from them as I'm the oldest - but this just reminds them to call me the old woman. I asked Isaac why they were so rotten to me - apparently they are showing their love! Pah. Load of rubbish, they are just big fat bullies. I was brought up not to mock the afflicted and I'm very afflicted. I can't help being a bit ditzy, or c...

  I'm a very lucky lady and I appreciate it. My husband gives me nearly everything I'd like and rarely says no. When he does say no I usually respect it. Hot tub? No, Great Dane called Alfred? No, Great Dane called anything? No, Porsche? He thought long and hard about this one before saying No. When I was in Newcastle I just happened to be in Next Furniture and I sat on this amazing over sized 'Snuggle Chaise' armchair. OMG how comfy was this. Best thing in the world. I promptly sent Mark the photo announcing that I would be buying one, once I had decided what colour. His response was to ask if it was replacing my bed?! Funny! Now, we are going to be redecorating the living room next, and replacing the sofas was always on the cards. But when I told Mark that I was absolutely going to buy this Snuggle Chaise he started to use words like too big, won't fit, look ridiculous, a hint of No? At this point I would have just bought it and he could suck it! I waited with bai...