Ridgeway Cottage anyhow

At last, things are starting to get a little bit easier and I can start getting on with the whole living thing. After the overly complex stitchery I started on one of the flowers for my embroidered dress at the beginning of the week, it felt like I would never get it either right or finished. My mood darkened, but I kept at it and then suddenly it was finished. The kitchen is no longer the sensory nightmare of the last couple of months, as long as I am the only one in there. I even managed to gather a harvest from the allotment and make a potato curry with my homegrown produce. I’ve also managed to not only go properly outside but took on my own autistic/ PTSD challenge. In true over the top ADHD style, I went on a day trip to The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, the perfect overwhelmingly stimulating environment to anxiously await the boy’s Kent Test results. If I can cope with needle-felted Sherlocks, then I can probably start to engage in some of those day to day act...

This week has been difficult because I had a migraine. There is nothing more grounding than not being able to stand up or sip water without being sick. Strangely though, this I have felt less lost in my own world and there were times, when the headache shifted slightly, that I felt moments of real clarity.  The weather is still pleasant and the light lasts long enough for us to fit in up to three walks a day for Sherlock, although on some days I have been barely able to manage one. Being lost in my thoughts of the woods, the colours of the autumnal leaves and the crunch of acorns under foot, has been preferable to the psychological trauma associated with PTSD. Sherlock, as always, has taken his role of family pet very seriously and even when he’s not been sure of what he’s supposed to be doing, he has shown true collie commitment. Actually both pets have been showcasing their characters this week. Herbie is adamant that the weather is warm enough to remain outside and has moaned ...

I’ve had quite a lot to reflect on this week. Being given a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder on Tuesday has helped me to identify why I’m currently unable to live an ordinary life. My tiny house in which to keep unwanted thoughts that I can now label as PSTD. Anyone who has ever spent more than 24 hours with me, will know that one of the last I’m the last to fall asleep and the first to wake up. I challenge anyone to ever say “oh yes Susie’s your typical three meals a day girl.” If you have even seen me eat, you will probably not be surprised to hear it is out of politeness and the only people, other than my husband, to ever hear me say “I’m hungry” are direct blood relatives. This is the new dog friendly cafe at Westgate on Sea for when you’ve walked the dog in the rain. Everyone knows I have my coffee black and strong. I don’t like milk (it’s for baby cows) and it’s unlikely that I’ve had enough sleep. I started to suspect things were not as the should be a while ago but o...

At the start of August my world was turned upside down and it wasn't the learning to do a handstand Cody programme. I had three things on my summer bucket list this year. 1. Gardening 2. Yoga - handstands and mermaid pose especially 3. Design a tattoo As we approached the summer holidays, I was so excited. This was my year, I'd put in the ground work and the kids were big enough not to need me to be the queen of summer holiday entertainment. Then I got a phone call and my life became a run away train and I am still trying to get off because it keeps whizzing past stuff I want to look at. So I'm not saving anything for best anymore. I'll be wearing sequins and wellies to Sainsbury's, I've got my own Susie version of the double man bun and do you know what?... I am going to do Flowers on Friday on Monday. Hold on to you handbags, I'm going to be living my life on the shed roof. This is the second flush for the campanula. It was here in the spring and back fo...

  When the early morning mist roll in, despite being burnt off by the sunshine later, there is no denying that my lizard baking days are numbered and it's time to go back to work. But for one last day, I can potter around my garden with care free abandon, dead heading the dahlias, collecting seeds and ignoring the various kid related plastic debris that always accumulates in the summer holiday's. To quote Mountain from The Soda stream Shame advert , 🐬  🐬  🐬 "Can't you hear the dolphins crying" 🐬 🐬 🐬 For short bursts of time I can remain motionless, totally absorbed in the moment before my recently diagnosed ADHD powers cause an explosion of ideas firing at 1,000,000 miles per hour simultaneous. Most of August has been highjacked by my diagnosis of ASD. My senses were sent haywire by sensitivity to the medication I was given and I couldn't even go in my own garden. It rained in my garden and in my heart. However no matter what h...

It's warm in the garden today. The grass has browned and the pavement is too hot to walk on bare foot, but I love it. There's a second flush of roses Flowers in the jam pan succulent mini garden Hollyhocks reaching the skies Dahlias a plenty Sweet peas climbing the sunflowers Marigolds grown from seed Fiery red nasturtiums Happy Friday everyone

The transition from May to June sees a shift in the garden. The nigella are smaller and daintier with the larger blooms going to seed. Some of the roses are beginning to fade and drop their petals which are being dried for bath bombs. The purple sprouting broccoli is a mass of yellow flowers, frequented by bees. Although the majority of my fox gloves are pink and purple, this white one has appeared in the shady area. Foxgloves, helichrysums and lychnis are flowering in Zoe's corner. There is a riot of colour by the back door. The peas are in Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone