I’d had a very busy week, I’d worked my first full time hours (well mostly) week, 90% from home and one afternoon at a work event, my day off had involved a huge gym session where I’d managed significant strength increases and tacked on some additional non strength work afterwards.

Come Friday evening, like I was pre stroke, I was pleased the week was done. Richard had gone out for a meal and catch up with his friends but rather than spend the evening alone I invited my best friend over for beers, we had a very nice evening too. We could have done it in the pub if it weren’t for walking being so slow and laborious and the continuing frustration of not being able to carry 2 drinks.

In my head I’d essentially written Saturday off as I expected to be very tired. I was, but not flat, with an hour laid in bed doom scrolling and allowing myself to rest I decided mid to late morning was enough. Got up, dressed and joined Rich downstairs. My dad briefly nipped over;

Saturdays usually revolve around me going to my parents and eating all their food and seeing my sister and her kids, just a nice bit of family time. it has continued post stroke even more so now I drive myself there. currently mother is away on holiday so dad came to us to do one quick job we needed help with.

Once that was done, I had a bit of lunch. Rich walked the dog and we made a plan to do a shop for food for dinner and some wine, I had, roughly, in my head planned a grander day out but Rich was grumpy, not at me, just the world, so I never raised it. I went for a walk, Rich cut the grass. Come evening we had pizza and drinks, just us, quiet but nice.

Sunday I expected the week to catch me and be flat all day. Surprisingly I was up, bright, sparkly and ok at mid morning, showered, dressed and told Rich I wanted to take him out, I’d drive us to the place I wanted. We could get food, look for a gift and possibly some clothes.

Rich agreed, said his bad mood had lifted and off we went.

I drove, it’s a fair-ish drive, no stress,

Clothes shop was great, it’s a designer led shop and between the realisation I couldn’t afford all the clothes I liked and neither did I have the ability to try them on, I left feeling quite sad, in my head it was a snoopy moment with a cloud over my head as I walked out,Rich wasnt sad he was hungry so we went into a restaurant, it’s a chain I’m familiar with, Rich had a very late brunch, I had tapas (all of which was edible using just a fork or the one hand). We both really enjoyed the food.

One quick browse for a gift was fruitless and we left for home, both regretting we’d driven as we fancied a drink outside the restaurant in the rare sunshine and the cocktails looked great.

We talked in the car driving home about a pub visit with the weather being so nice, but we didn’t want the dog alone all afternoon. Slight change of plan and we’d walk to our closest pub, all 3 of us and sit in the sun.

We did, I walked there, keeping up with Rich and the dog. Had one outside but it dropped cooler. I went inside to finish my drink, Rich was going to walk back with the dog home at the speed she likes then return in the car to get me. It worked out brilliantly.

Once home we snacked. Caught up on tv and chatted through the evening. It had felt a brilliant weekend.