I am about to start my first full week off work in a year. Professionally this has been a very hard year and, of course, I had a breakdown in June last year. But since then, in personal ways, there have been many rewards, especially since I started blogging properly late last summer.
I was reflecting on how I have coped in recent weeks when I have been dogged by fatigue and stress. Things I have been grateful for:
- My work friends. The ladies I work with have really looked after me but some deserve special mention. Hayley has been her usual supportive self and we hope to meet up for a coffee next week on a day we are both off work. Binoti brought me home-made curry and rice to warm up for tea last night. Heather has been doing a lot of my data processing and calculation as I have often been too tired to concentrate. Helen and Nicola both sent supportive texts when they found out about my doctors appointment on Wednesday. (I have been fighting an infected insect bite on my left leg for nearly two years and there were signs of it flaring up again. Thankfully after just two days it looks like it has responded to the latest batch of antibiotics)
- This afternoon my colleagues arranged a little coffee-break send off for me because my taking a holiday is such a rarity!
- Nicky at the gym. She recently returned after several months away and it has been so lovely to work with her again these last two weeks.
- You folks. I cannot express how much my WP friends mean to me. I feel loved, inspired, amused, supported, encouraged.
- In the last couple of weeks I have had much appreciated gifts through the post again, from WP friends:
A second Puravita bracelet from Roda. My long buried bohemian side is emerging and I am proud to wear these! Here I am holding a pot of seedlings from Morning Glory seeds Roda sent earlier!
And a T-shirt from Dominique, inspired by a blog comments conversation a little while ago! The package also included coconut snacks and Bounty bars. She knows the way to my heart!
More fun than Bubble Wrap? I’m getting there!
What I wanted to say here is a huge THANK YOU!
I go into my week off feeling positive and determined to move forwards even further.
Anyway: For those expecting a geeky plant post (it is Friday after all) I attach some flower pics taken in the last week or two.







Lamium orvala, white and normal forms.



The tiny Turbinicarpus schmiedeckianus ‘macrochele’ which has a huge name. My index finger for scale!

You are just adorable! And, that t-shirt is fabulous! Go Dom!!! I just want to come and sit in your greenhouse and soak up so much knowledge! And that rosemary…wow! Those blooms are amazing!
Super D, you are such an incredibly talented man, with such a sweet and kind heart. I wish you a wonderful week off! And now, I have visions of you playing in a massive pit of bubble wrap!😂💚
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Want to join me in the bubble wrap too?😄❤
Thank you so much for your words and your friendship dear Roda.
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Woohoo! Bubble wrap party!
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😂😂😂
I’ve seen rosmarin lately, it is a beautiful plant
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Enjoy!
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Those flowers are gorgeous. :0
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Thank you 😊❤️
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Wonderful photos and glad you are getting back on your feet 🌱
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Thank you Luda. I feel great this morning. Slept 12 hours straight.
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Wow – that is wonderful !
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Before i retired, when i worked as a teacher for the multiply handicapped, for part of our Halloween Party in the dark auditorium, we would plaster bubble wrap all over the dark hallway floor leading to the auditorium. All the wheelchairs and feet walking across it was quite insane! 🙂 Bhraahaahaahaa!
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What a brilliant idea! I have to use this somehow. We always have loads of bubblewrap at work…
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Very cool.
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Enjoy your week off 🙂
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Thank you!
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Lovely post. It is good to reflect on the support network that is there for us. I love the teeshirt!
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Thank you Ali. Sometimes I need to remind myself how lucky I am.
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What lovely gifts. Enjoy your holiday. it is always good to recharge.
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Thank you! I had forgotten what it feels like!
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Really glad to hear you’ve had lots of (well-deserved) support.
The flowers are breathtaking!
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Thank you so much. I feel actually happy today. 😄
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I like the idea of a Bubble Wrap Party. Let’s double the pleasure and make it a Garden Bubble Wrap Party! Glad to hear you enjoyed the t-shirt. It fits you perfectly. Now, all you are missing are shades and trousers! These handcrafted bracelets are so cool by the way. On my way to visit Roda and Puravida’s sites. Have a great week off work Darren. Enjoy this well deserved time to do the things you love most. xoxo
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Bubble wrap party it is. We should invite Linda and the dogs. Walter would love it!
Thank you for your kind words. xoxo
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Great idea. As long as Walter stay in the garden. Don’t want him near my living room. I have seen what he can do! 😊 Poor Walter… I feel bad already for saying that.
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😊😊😊
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Haha, don’t feel bad! I was thinking the same thing! Poor Walter, indeed! Pffft!
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Poor Walter! Goes to say how easy it is to get a bad reputation. 😄
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Have a wonderful week off work, Darren!!! The flowers are as always beautiful and you look great in that T-shirt! 😄💜
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Thank you Sarah😊😊💕
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Delighted to hear you are looking after yourself and having time off work, enjoy every minute and I hope you have something special planned! Have fun!!
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Thank you Marie😊❤️
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We love your plants but we love even more the bubble wrap fun man❤️
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Aww, thank you! 😍😘
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Enjoy your week off😀
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I intend to😊. Thank you!
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What a feast for the eyes this post is! Gazanias are now a registered weed here because they spread so easily. You’re looking especially splendid for the start of your holidays!
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Thank you!😄. Lots of South African plants are weeds in Aus!
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Such a positive post! Have a great week off!
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Thank you😄
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wising you a wonderful holiday… and beautiful pictures as always!
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Thank you Jen😄
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Bubble Wrap Garden Party! Yayyyy! Pop pop pop!
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That t shirt is the best!! Absolutely love the picture! Bubble wrap garden party for sure 🌞 You are brilliant Darren and I am so happy that you are finally on vacation.
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Aww thank you Lisa. Much love to you too😄❤
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Take care of yourself and enjoy your break!
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Thank you Laura😄
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Awe so wonderful D. We love you lots and I am glad you feel it. I’m sorry I’ve been away for awhile but my heart is always close. Xo ❤️
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I know my friend. Yours is not even so far geographically now!😊❤️
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I know. I should take a train. How fun it would be. 😉
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😊😊
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