A Quiet Week… With a Few Thoughts Along the Way

Not a huge amount to report this week, but sometimes those quieter weeks still bring moments worth sharing.

I took part in an online focus group looking at housing requirements for Thalidomiders as we age. We talked about whether our current homes still meet our needs, what works well, what doesn’t, and how we see things evolving in the future.

When asked which part of my home I value most, there was no hesitation — my kitchen.

Since living independently, I’ve had two homes and I’m now on kitchen design Mark III. Each version has improved on the last, incorporating lessons learned and small adaptations that make a big difference. I spend a lot of time there, so it needs to be practical, accessible… and somewhere I genuinely enjoy being. It’s probably the one space in my home that feels completely “me”.  If you fancy seeing my kitchen, I filmed a little “tour” some years back (2020).

I was also due to attend a talk at our local museum about the history of Jackson’s Department Store — a place I remember well. It’s recently been sold and is now home to Rosa’s Thai restaurant (where I had that rather disappointing meal not long ago!).

My memories of Jackson’s are a little mixed. We mainly went there for school uniforms, and I vividly remember trying on skirts as a teenager and being told by a shop assistant, “Well, if you lost weight, you’d have more choice.”

Fourteen years old — and I’ve never forgotten it. Words stick.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the talk anyway. I received an email beforehand explaining that both lifts to the first floor were out of order, leaving only two flights of stairs. Not much use when you’re a wheelchair user.

Just one of those frustrating reminders that accessibility still isn’t where it needs to be.

On a more positive note, Saturday evening took us to our local gem — The Progress Theatre — for a comedy night.

It was… alright.

The compare (who openly admitted she’s actually a children’s author, not a comedian) was, somewhat ironically, the funniest part of the evening. The main act didn’t quite hit the mark.

That said, I’d booked a wheelchair space, which meant a free companion ticket — so I can’t complain too much. A slightly underwhelming show, but a perfectly acceptable price tag. A rare little win.

Sunday was a quieter, productive day at home. I shortened the sleeves on a cardigan and a bargain Rab fleece I picked up on Vinted.

I do love buying pre-loved clothes — even more so because I often end up cutting them up and adapting them anyway! Sewing is one of those skills I’ve picked up out of necessity, and while I wouldn’t call myself an expert, I’m definitely capable.

For someone with shorter arms, it’s not just useful — it’s essential.

Food this week has been wonderfully varied (and very enjoyable):

Homemade lasagne, tuna with chopped cornichons on toast, chicken noodle stir-fry with lemongrass, cheese and onion quiche with salad, southern fried chicken fillets, Thai chicken and salad, Cumberland chipolatas with mash and veg, cold sausage with cottage cheese salad, rump steak with spicy chips and greens, ham hock salad with pitta, pork stir-fry with plum hoisin, and cod with ratatouille, mash and green beans.

Definitely no complaints there.

I also took the opportunity this week to try out my new vlogging camera — the Osmo Pocket 3 — and I absolutely love it. It’s small, easy to use, and performs exceptionally well.

I used it to film my latest YouTube video, where I talk about how I’m titrating down my Mounjaro dosage now that I’ve reached my goal weight. If you fancy taking a look, I’d love to hear what you think.

A quieter week, perhaps — but still full of small moments, reflections, and reminders of what matters: a home that works for you, words that stay with you (for better or worse), and the simple pleasure of good food and practical skills.

Weight this week: 55.05kg (about 8st 9lb)

Last week: 54.7kg (about 8st 8½lb)

Weekly loss/gain:  +0.35kg (about +½lb)

Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)