Thursday 13 February 2020

Weathering the Storm



It's been quite a week. I was just beginning to get over my cold when I was hit by the arrival of another virus, which had me laid up over the weekend. I hadn't felt quite right for much of Friday, but couldn't put my finger on what was the matter, thinking that perhaps I was just over tired. Once again it was short-lived although, unsurprisingly, I've spent much of this week feeling wiped out. I'm definitely ready for the half-term break now. Hopefully it will give me the opportunity to get myself feeling well and recovered once again.




Being unwell is not much fun but the arrival of the storm meant we were not going to be having much of that anyway. The wind howling around the house and the rain battering the windows kept me awake much of the night, which was no bad thing, as I was able to notice water dripping through the ceiling and chimney breast! The last time this happened was around seven years ago when there was another really bad storm and rather than being any structural damage it seems to be caused by the rain blowing up and under the eaves, and one of the chimney cowls. Fortunately, there is not much in the way of damage and the damp has already dried out. I was more concerned about the wiring. I was able to isolate the electricity to the upstairs lights until such time the wiring could be checked, and so for a few days we were dependent on the lamps in the bedrooms, which was fine but what would we do about Lily's bath time?
The answer was obvious really. Around the house I have many candles, which have been gifted to me over the years but don't get lit very often, if at all. For once they could actually be useful. Therefore, this week, Lily has been enjoying bubble baths by candlelight, and they have proven to be so popular she would very much like them to continue! 🕯🕯🕯  Perhaps if they are so enjoyable maybe I should try one for myself.
The weather wreaked havoc for several days, during which time I rested, taught Lily to play dominoes and demonstrated how to make (far too much 😆) popcorn. I was relieved when it finally blew over.  Mog had also been unimpressed and had spent her days sat staring out of the cat flap unhappily, venturing out only when absolutely necessary. The sudden quiet came as a bit of a shock, having grown used to the  roar of the wind and the sound of the rain against the windows, not to mention having the constant worry of any flooding or damage, although, as we are forecast another storm this coming weekend, we may need to batten down the hatches once again.
J. X




53 comments:

  1. I'm sorry that you have been unwell. It sounds like you have made the best of the situation. I hope you are back to your healthy self soon.

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. I'm feeling much better now. X

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  2. Hope you are feeling a little better. More gales here too. One seems to merge into the next. Glad Lily enjoyed her baths by candle light. What fun :). B x

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    1. I think there will be more candlelit baths over the weekend. With the next storm imminent I will turn off the electricity to the lights as a precautionary measure. X

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  3. I'm so sorry to hear about your viruses. Having a rotten cold. and feeling such lassitude is the pits. I'm glad that your leak proved temporary. I was saying the other day that no families I know seem to play board games or cards any more. I love dominoes. When I played my Dad I couldn't beat him at all and I could never understand why. There is so much more skill than I possess. I used to love Chinese chequers. Do you play that? If you are ever looking for someone to play Monopoly please do NOT call me! Good luck with Storm Dennis. PS Treat yourself to the candlelit bath.

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    1. Two viruses in quick succession wasn't much fun but I'm feeling much better now, thank you Graham, and I'm relieved to know you are too.
      Dominoes came about as Lily went dressed as one for a recent 'Number Day' at school, so I thought it only right she knew how to play. We've been having great fun playing (once the correct rules were established), and no, I'm not a fan of monopoly either. I find simple games work best.
      I've never heard of Chinese Chequers so I've had to google it. Other than it also being a restaurant in Stowmarket, it looks fun. I might look at getting a board :)

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  4. Yes, we too can do without another storm so soon after the last one. All around he Yorkshire Dales the land is sodden and the becks are already full. There is apprehension in the air.

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    1. It's miserable for those who have been affected and for those bracing themselves for what might happen. Stay cosy and dry in your bungalow, Pat. X

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  5. It sounds like you had it far worse up there than we did down here. Sorry you have not been well - my daughter who lives nearby has been struck down with a cold then a stomach bug then this coughing virus, whilst little Freddie has had a cold and conjunctivitis. So many things going around at the moment I feel I want to keep indoors just to avoid it all! Hope you begin to feel better over the weekend - perhaps have a long candle lit bath yourself - sounds very relaxing. x

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    1. It's been wild, Vivien, and now we're having to brace ourselves for the next storm.
      It sounds as though I have been affected in the same way as your daughter (germs are an occupational hazard for me) but I'm relieved to say I'm feeling much better now, and yes, I might just treat myself to that candle lit bath. X

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  6. I'm sorry you had a rough week, Jules. I hope you feel all well soon. Perhaps a nice bubble bath by candlelight will help? :)

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    1. Thank you, Nil. I think I will treat myself to one this evening. X

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  7. So sorry to hear that you've had to deal with another virus before you had fully recovered from the first one! Hope you are feeling better, now. Glad you came through the storm without much damage! I love the photo with the rain against the window! And that bowl of popcorn is making me want some! Hope you continue to feel better and there won't be too many storms to come.

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    1. I feeling much better now, thank you Bless. One virus at a time I can cope with but one straight after the other wasn't great. The popcorn is a new addiction and, of course, I always end up making far too much at a time :)

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  8. Rather surprised you don’t have snow photos after the storm...we had lots of hail and rain...oh and power cuts. Dennis doesn’t look quite as ferocious as Ciara did thankfully. Yes I vote for candlelit bath times always. x

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    1. We don't have snow here, Jackie, although a few miles up the road it's a very different story. I hope you're keeping safe and warm in your lovely cottage. X

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  9. I do hope you're feeling much better now, it sounds like you're run down catching one thing after the other so I'm sure you'll be glad that half term is here at last. Make sure you get plenty of rest. The storm lasted much longer than I thought it would, it's a bright, crisp day here today, I think it's the calm before the (next) storm.

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    1. Thank you, Jo. I'm feeling much better now but I'm glad of the half term week to recuperate fully. X

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  10. We had a quiet, warm day yesterday and ventured out for our beach walk. Alas the wind is whipping up again and forecast for 5 days of wind and rain. John will pop into town later and get in some shopping so hopefully we'll not need to venture out except for absolute necessity. Take care and get well soon. Love and hugs being sent, Jane x

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    1. You're wise to hunker down, Jane. I went for a good walk yesterday morning as I think I'll be stuck indoors all weekend. X

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  11. Oh you poor sweetie, I do understand the exhaustion from a night of screaming, roaring wind. Colds here too, so much sympathy from our windswept house to yours.

    Your description of Lily embracing candlelit bubbles baths made me smile 🕯, and I hope you are soon able to be reassured about the electrics. Take care over the next couple of days - right now the wind speeds are frightful outside and I expect you are having to endure similar. xx

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    1. It's a horrid feeling isn't it. I hate feeling so anxious as to what damage I might be waking up to the following morning.
      The electrics are fine (she says tentatively before the next storm arrives), I only left them off for a couple of days as a precaution and until they could be checked properly. The candle light baths, however are continuing :D
      Stay safe and I hope you'll be rid of your colds very soon. X

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  12. Oh how I wish I could rest for a few days! It sounds like you and Lily have had some welcome downtime during the latest storm. I hope you didn't have to go to work when you were feeling unwell and fingers crossed that's the winter colds over for a good while.

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    1. The resting part was probably more like a few hours. A few days? Chance would be a fine thing :D Fortunately, I was ill over the weekend so I was fine to work again on Monday. I hope that's my yearly dose of illnesses out of the way now. X

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  13. Sorry to hear you've been laid low with a virus on top of your cold Jules, I really hope by now you're beginning to feel much better. I can just imagine Lily enjoying candlelit bubble baths, I think I would to if I was her age :)

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Eunice. I've been thinking of you. Xx

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  14. I hope those nasty germs get seen off with your down time during half term.

    Oh baths by candlelight.....how wonderful. I may well treat myself to one this evening and I have just found a face pack while tidying in the bedroom....perfect.

    Stay safe and keep warm.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. That's my plan Sheila. I hope to build up my strength once again over the break.
      I think I might try a candle lit bath this evening, although knowing my luck I'll set my hair on fire! :)

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  15. Oh mercy! "When it rains, it pours" as the old saying goes! Being unwell, and having such a storm. No fun...

    What you can see, of the water damage, has dried out. But what about the part, you can't see? If it is still wet under there, mold could grow... -sigh-

    Bubble bath by candle light. Such a cute (though necessary) idea.

    Feb. seems to be stormy for that area of the world. Best of luck with the coming storm.

    Oh, and lovely photos, again.

    💕 💕 💕Happy Valentine Day💕 💕 💕

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    1. It's been pretty miserable on all counts, WoW and I can hear the wind picking up again as I type this. Don't worry, the reason for the delay in switching the electricity back on was so that the wiring could be properly checked and fortunately I am able to isolate the upstairs lights so nothing else was affected.
      I'm keeping my fingers crossed this next storm won't be so bad. X

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  16. Good grief, that storm cloud looks like it really meant business! I don't think we've had it half as bad here as other places which seems strange as we're generally know for lots of rain lol. There is something very special about candlelit baths especially if a bit of excitement like the power being off is added to the proceedings. Hope you're well and truly over your illnesses now. Fingers crossed Dennis the Menace blows in and out fairly quickly for us all. Stay warm and safe. xx

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    1. There have been plenty of dramatic skies recently. The weather has been wild, and I'm relieved that, so far at least, we've escaped mainly unscathed.
      The candle thing is funny, Lily loves it. It reminded me of when she enjoyed getting 'bathed' in front of the fire a few years ago when we lost heating and hot water.
      Yes, fingers crossed this storm passes quickly. X

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  17. Hope you are feeling better. We too are once again battening down the hatches getting ready for yet another storm. Hope you don't get anymore damage...I am a great fan of a good long soak in the bath with a scented candle.

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    1. I'm sure, where you are, you'll be far better prepared for this wild weather. I hope it passes you quickly and you don't suffer any damage. X

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  18. On the bright side, at least you know what to do if there is another leak. Pesky Dennis is supposed to be blowing from a similar direction to Ciara, so we are on the alert, too.
    I can remember the very first time I saw my mother make popcorn, I was amazed at how so few kernels popped and became transformed into something so good to eat. Magic! It still makes me smile when I make it for the grandchildren.
    I hope you manage to rest and regain your energy levels.

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    1. I'll be switching off the electricity as a precautionary measure this time. Yes, at least we have an idea what to expect this time.
      Making popcorn is fab isn't it. It's quite magical to see it in action. Yet, even now I still overestimate how much I need. It's the same with pasta and rice. I end up making far too much for my needs. X

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  19. I'm holding on to knowing spring is just around the corner. Hopefully we will see some lighter days and an end to all this persistent rain. X

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  20. I hope you manage to weather it well, Jules!
    Ciara destroyed a couple of fence panels and now Dennis is doing his best to finish off the job! We have no plans to go out at all this weekend. I do hope the half term breaK will help you rest and recover. It's a horrid time of year and all the worse when you don't feel well. Take good care of yourself. XXX PS, I'm back blogging again - I missed it too much!

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    1. Thank you, Eloise. It's been an anxious time for us but I'm hoping we've seen the worst of the weather now, and I'll be sure to get someone round to check the roof once the weather eases off completely. I hope you don't suffer any further damage. I'll be over to check out your blog soon. It will be good to see you back again :)

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  21. I am sorry to hear that you have been ill. I do hope you are feeling a little better now and this week has been a good one for you.

    Water and electrics don't make a good combination do they, I hope that Storm Dennis doesn't bring you the same problems.

    We love a candlelit bath here, we have candles in the bathroom for that purpose. I remember the same as a child, I am old enough to remember the time when electricity was rationed in the 70s due to strikes, it often went off in the evenings and we would have candlelit baths we loved it although I am sure it was a real headache for my parents.

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    1. Thank you, I'm beginning to feel much better now. I'm sure I've said that before but I hope it's for good this time :)
      The storms have been such a worry and now that the weather has eased off I'll be getting a roofer to check things over for peace of mind. Lily has enjoyed another candle lit bath this evening. I wonder when the novelty will wear off?
      I hope you've made it through the storms without any damage. X

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  22. Sorry you’ve had a double whammy of virus, Jules. Hope you’re feeling better now. I do love a relaxing soak in the bath with just candlelight! Hope storm Dennis hasn’t caused too much havoc where you are xx

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    1. Thank you, Ann. I'm feeling much better now, although it took longer than I thought for the virus to leave my system. I've managed to get out for a walk this afternoon, so I'm sure a dose of fresh country air will have done me the power of good.
      I hope you've survived the storms intact. X

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  23. I do hope you are feeling much better now.
    As if Storm Ciara wasn't bad enough we now have Storm Dennis!
    Stay safe, dry and warm …

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. I really feel like I've turned a corner these last two days.
      I hope you've managed to weather the storm. X

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    1. Thank you, Sandi. I'm feeling a lot better now. X

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  25. Baths in candlelight, that's a lovely treat.
    I hope you are feeling much better now and been able to enjoy the half term holidays, not that the weather has played nicely for you.

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    1. Thank you, Julie. Unfortunately, we've been stuck indoors most of the week, as the weather has not been kind. X

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  26. hope all is back to normal by now, we had quite a battering and the woods are still so deep with mud you can't really get far. I had forgotten how lovely a candlelit bubble bath could be until you mentioned it - my son is having salt baths daily to heal some surgery at the mo, so there's never any hot water but I might have to indulge next time there's some left!

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    1. I actually had a candle lit bath myself last night, although, I'm sure it would have been more relaxing had it been by choice rather than necessity.
      I hope your son has a quick recovery. Xx

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