A quick update…
Hi there
Just a quick update. It’s been a while since I blogged! The days just seem to run away with me! Many many thanks for all the kind messages, cards, and gifts that Dave and I received last week. So thoughtful and generous!
Dave is definitely making great progress, which is very heartening. I see the pain levels subsiding in his eyes as the days go on, and I see it in his movement too. So things are certainly moving in the right direction. It’s amazing how we adapt, isn’t it? He has the right mental approach to all of this post-op rehab too – which is the secret. He is just grateful to be living in the solution – albeit gradual. One day at a time, and one step at a time.
I remember when mum had her mastectomy, and we thought it was the end of the world. Fifteen years on, and two hip replacements later, she is actually pretty amazing. Still as sharp as a pin mentally, lives in her own home, no carers – apart from brother Steve, who takes her to the doctors and shopping. Does all her own cleaning and cooking, washing and ironing. 88 this year. Long may it continue. I shall be over to spend a day with her next week, as soon as I know Dave is fine alone all day. Which is imminent.
And so we march on, eh? I also know how many of our Clarity friends struggle with health issues – physical and mental. There is a lot of pain, anguish and anxiety all around. I really do get it. And I hope we help a bit. I do think that we have a unique community, don’t we? And just because I’m not posting and blogging daily, that doesn’t mean I don’t think about you and send love across the waves.
That’s it, isn’t it? We have a lot in common – a lot more than you think – and when there is a family issue, we circle the wagons. I like that.
I did disappear into the garage the other day, for a therapy session! AKA pottttttery. 😂😂😂😂
Then I sat in the living room with Dave, and burnished them all with a spoon…
Pinch pots, drying nicely. Not ready to go in the kiln yet though. But that’s the trick. Patience. They need to be bone dry. If they go in too soon, they will crack. And so we wait.
Have a great day. Enjoy your day. I am going to try and have the best day I can today! And then I will have another run at it tomorrow!
Love always
Barb x x x
27 thoughts on “A quick update…”
Lovely blog and wishing you both well. You are certainly right that many of us have struggles along the way. Clarity community is certainly a godsend.
I truly think that is the key to a happy life – having the best day we can today! “Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow will take care of itself” as my wise old nan used to say ❤️
Great to hear that Dave is progressing well.
Looking forward to seeing what colours you decide on for the pinch pots – I see one of these or one of the pencil pots joining my BG originals collection in the near future!
I start to feel twitchy and unsettled if I am unable to some kind of parchment craft each day – it’s my way of de-stressing after a day at work! Keeps me sane!
Take care Barbara and remember to travel gently xxx
So glad things are progressing well for you and Dave. You have had a difficult few weeks but somehow you always find time for everyone else too. You are amazing and you are really appreciated. Thank you for ‘being there’, be it in The Shac, on Clarity T V, on Facebook, through your lovely blog etc. Always a delight to hear your news. You and your loyal team are amazing and you all seem to have the same uplifting and caring personalities. We’ve known Paul for a number of years and recently we’ve been introduced to Jazz and Louise. They are all a joy to watch and listen to. The design team are great and everyone involved at Clarity Towers. In this uncertain world, Clarity is a constant. Heartfelt thanks to you all. x x
Glad to hear that Dave is improving and feeling less pain. Rehab and physio is the key to regaining mobility and flexibility. I had total hip replacements at age 52 and 58 for congenital hip dysplasia which I didn’t realize I had until age 50, but the hip surgeries “saved my life”. Amazing how our bodies repair and we move on. Enjoy your pottery and visit with your Mom.
So glad to hear that Dave is doing well! Your pots look great- hope doing some pottery helped you to relax!!
Glad to know that Dave is doing well, they say if you do what you’re told it should work but not everyone does what they’re told ! It’s also good you’re spending some time together albeit not in holiday mode but you can imagine ! And all those pinch pots !
We’ve just this minute come off the phone from ordering a ‘log cabin’ for the garden replacing the shed which isn’t that hold but we don’t like it! That might be on its way across the road fingers crossed they are welcome to it, if not someone else will be lucky to have a free shed! It will be something for us to look forward to. Holidays abroad are off the menu at the moment so this will be our ‘holiday’ this year (apart from a week away with the big kids!).
Sun is out and warm so I’m off out to the shed to move contents into the garage or bin ! I’ve also got to sort the garage as I go. Hubby will supervise his COPD limits him a bit but he’s full of good ideas …. Not! Luckily our Mark will be taking up the old decking, extending it a bit and putting down new and then erecting the summer house when it comes ! He’s a stone mason but can do anything like that so it comes in handy!
Have a good day x x
Regarding Dave Knee Op. he may or not be aware, that if he uses Bio-oil rubbed gently and daily onto the heal d site of his op, it I’ll reduce any scaring! My friend has had two knee replacements and used this and it’s unbelievable -you can barely see his scars! Highly recommended (of course you may already know this but just wanted to share).
Keep up the good work, 🥰🦋🌻💕
Thanks Heather… I have just ordered some !
Thanks Heather. I have just ordered some!
so happy to hear you are both doing well..The sun is shining today so hopefully everyone will feel a little brighter xx take care xx
So pleased that Dave is improving well and that you managed to do some pottery. Having sunshine helps too. Take care.
A positive frame of mind is a great way to heal and it seems Dave is very positive. Good that you are having some together time although I suppose your brain is still whirring with ideas.
The last two years have been hard for us and I don’t know what I would have done without Clarity crafting. Although I can’t always watch at tv time being able to rewind is a bonus and I can totally relax while viewing. Have to admit that I fell asleep listening to Paul’s soothing voice, a result of two bad nights sleep, so it is great the programmes are saved.
The pots look great, look forward to seeing them finished.
Stay well.
hi Barbara,
lovely to hear from you and great to know Dave is progressing in his recovery.
I know the physio is hard, but you get out what you put in. pretty sure Dave is sensible enough not to over do things too soon!
your mum sounds amazing. I’m on a train back from visiting dad. 86 & living alone, getting on well despite a few wobbles now and then. Getting out each day and seeing people boosts him like your posts boost many of us on here. Human Connection matters.
keep on keeping on. One day at a time is the way.
best wishes,
Alison xx
It’s good that Dave is making good progress after the op. I have a very old stamp bought at an exhibition of several little hedgehogs on a trampoline with the caption ‘Hope you bounce back soon!’ It always makes me smile and made me think of Dave. I’d just like to say a big thank you for all the Shac tv, they are amazing. On Monday I enjoyed watching so much and felt a big whoosh of gratitude for all you do. You’re right when you say crafting should be on the NHS. Take care xx
Hi Barbara and Dave,
So good to hear you are both bumbling along nicely, and you can now see a light at the end of the recovery tunnel. They say you reap what you sow, so all the hard work you have both put in to Dave’s recovery is definitely paying dividends. I also used the Bio-oil, when I fell and my glasses punctured my cheek. It was absolutely amazing and you can hardly see the scar now days.
The pinch pots look brill, I’m looking forward to the open days they are so amazing, can’t wait! Thank you for all you do to keep us company.
Sending love and big hugs to you both and all at Team Clarity
Penny xXx
Thank you for a lovely blog. So glad Dave is recovering well and that you get to spend time with him. It’s a while since I replied to a blog. Have had a couple of rotten weeks due to different bugs but now feel ok and with this lovely sunshine have spent a few hours working in the garden which helps so much . Thank you for my sale parcel and another great plate for March I have been busy with cards for March birthdays . Love your pottery. Glad that helps. Really enjoy your times on your tv. Much better than the old days . Love xxxx
Lovely to hear things are improving and Dave is on the right road to recovery. I look forward to seeing your pottery makes and pleased you make time to enjoy your pastime. Wishing you both the very best xx
2 amazing people heading our ‘family’ – pointing us in the right direction in staying Safe, happy and creative. Where would we be without you both. Have the best day you can tomorrow both of you – I love your sayings Barb, they often come to mind throughout the day.
So pleased for you both that Dave is progressing well and that you’ve been able to do some Pottery. You shouldn’t worry about blogging we all know that there are only so many hours in a day and that you have a lot on your plate. Take care and travel gently xx
Pleased to hear David is recovering well, and you have been able to do some pottery, the pinch pots look fab. Best wishes to you both and all the lovely Clarity team. xx
Glad to hear that everything is going in the right direction for Dave, a positive mind has a great part in the recuperation process. The pottery for you is like Clarity crafting is for all of us – a great way to forget everything else going on in our lives & crafting should definitely be on the NHS !!
We have just had a few days in Edinburgh & I had a text message from a friend to say my card was on the SHAC on Monday. I was glad that it had arrived in time as the post had been collected early on the day I posted it but it didn’t register until the envelope fell into the postbox & by then it was too late to take it to the post office. I have now caught up with all the sessions I missed, just need to do my homework !!
Enjoy your day with your mom next week, hopefully she will be at the Open Days again in May as I am sure she loves to chat to everyone.
Totally understand where you’re coming from regarding the days running away with you. Great to hear Dave is progressing in the right direction. I heard you say you had made some pinch pots whilst sitting with him and it’s lovely to see them. Unfortunately as we age our bodies do take a little longer to heal, but having the right attitude and ‘doing as the doctor orders to rehabilitate’ does help. Some folks seem to think that once they’ve had an operation that that is the end of it; wrong it takes effort to recover. Thinking of you both.
Hi Barbara
Good to hear Dave is getting better, he has a good nurse.
I loved the show on Monday, colouring with the water brushes, learn something new everytime I watch, thank you.
Well the big day has arrived, tomorrow I will be demonstrating the lighthouse collage at our Craft club in Lane End, Olivia and Leah will be helping me.
We attended the Summer Retreat last august and made the Cottages collage
Take care love to you and Dave
Janet Cummings xx
Hi Barb, so pleased to hear that Dave is recovering well. I am sure Nurse Barbara is very good at her job 🙂 Your pots look lovely, and it is great that you managed to get some Pottery hours in. Your Mum is doing amazing for her age. I am glad the sun is out. Am doing some crafting, but not cards or paint, helping our neighbours get ready for their son’s engagement on Saturday (Hindu Chunni Ceremony) by making bows for the gifts for the Bride to Be, and Decorating coconuts (Nariyals). I did it for their daughter too, and they were so happy they asked me to do it again. A lot of work and patience. Take care and enjoy the warmer weather everyone. Bx
Good news all round Barb! And you do so much for us in so very many ways. I have loved all things Clarity for more years than I can count – and watch nearly all your shows, often on catch up. Since major abdominal surgery last May and then compression fractures of my vertebrae with oseoporosis, I am just beginning to get back on my feet a bit more – though have been unable to sit and play with all my lovely stash ( quite a few new stamps am longing to get to amongst it all!) since May last year. But watching the shows and scrolling through all everyones beautiful art work, and all the tips and tricks and giggles you give us all in your and Paul’s shows so encourage and cheer me so much.
Bless you and Dave and all your wonderful team millions – you are all amazing beyond compare! thankyou SO much! lots of love,
Rosemary T xxx
Great to hear all good with you guys and you’re managing what life throws your way. Well done you, you’re an inspiration. 🌈
I’m wondering if you’re likely to make & sell pottery paint brush rests and paint mixing palettes? I like your style & I’m into watercolour painting at the moment so would love to combine the two in some way. One day maybe? 🥰