Reports of Zombie's demise...

[IamtheZombie]

have been greatly exaggerated. She may be a wee bit battered and bruised, but she bends and doesn't break.

Most of you probably know her back story but, for those who don't, here's a very brief recap:

The last 2 1/2 years have been absolutely horrendous: family crises, a breast cancer diagnosis and 20 months of treatment for that, bereavements and sorting out her late MIL's estate. As you can imagine, she found it a struggle at times.

Just under a year ago, DZOH began an "inappropriate" on-line relationship with a woman he "met" playing scrabble on Facebook. At the time he was spending most of his time at his mum's house in Nottingham sorting things out and putting it on the market. The on-line relationship fairly quickly progressed to a full blown physical affair. The woman lives in Wales and he would pay her train fare to come to Nottingham to see him. Zombie was fully aware of everything that was going on and tried to do everything she could to save her marriage. He left Zombie in mid-February, first staying in Nottingham before moving in with her in mid-March. He continued to come back to DDS to take Zombie to her hospital treatments. In mid-May he started making reference to coming back to her. He finally did so in mid-August. Two weeks after he came back they went to Kos for a fortnight. Halfway through the holiday he told her that he was leaving as soon as they returned to the UK. Which he duly did on Friday, 13th September.

Zombie went through all the trauma, drama and devastation between October and August. That is behind her. She's relieved that that it is finally over. A few nights ago she realised that she was sitting here completely relaxed and smiling for no reason. It's as though an enormous weight has been lifted from her.

She's currently packing up his belongings, deciding what she needs to replace, etc. He will come with a man and a van in a few weeks time to remove everything. There are obviously other pracicalities to be sorted out but they are doing so in as amicable a manner as possible.

Can Zombie please ask those of you who are Facebook friends with her NOT to say anything publicly on there about any of this.

Onwards and upwards.

Zombie smokes, Bewitched, so have no hesitation in giving proper hugs and MWAHs.

No, Jacks, most don't. But, if you're a non smoker, the smell of smoke (which we smokers no longer smell) can be unpleasant. Sounds like Bewitched and Zombie are just trying to be courteous social outcasts smokers.

Exactement!

Most of my friends are non-smokers and although I know they love me, and don't hold back with hugs, I'm aware that it sometimes might be a bit yuck.

I will not be holding back with Zombie

Jacks I have no objection whatsoever to biting, it's recoiling that I'd rather not inspire!

Not quite enough to make me give up though.

[puff][puff]

[mwah] x

Zombie needn't worry about the meet-up, most of them are non smokers but actuallyIreallyFancyaFagcanInickoneofYours !

That's why I've asked Porto to bring me some duty frees

Hope all OK.

Morning.

Everything is fine, Bewitched. Zombie was just busy yesterday and then had an early (for her) night. She took a couple of sleepy pills and slept for 10 hours with only 1 loo visit. She feels very refreshed this morning.

She's meeting XZOH for lunch today to return more of his belongings.

I love the smell of cigar and pipe smoke, I spooked a cigar man recently by inhaling loudly rather close to him.

And I like all and any hugs, smoky or not.

Hope your lunch goes well, Zombie.

Thanks, Fid. It will be fine. We're getting along very well.

All sounds good.

Enjoy your lunch

Thanks, Bewitched. Lunch was lovely. Got a couple of more things sorted and he went off with a carful of his things.

The only down side to the day is that Zombie thinks she may be coming down with her first cold in over 2 years. Sneezing, drippy nose and sore throat developing. She's having a lemsip and will go out tomorrow for some lemons so she can herself some proper hot toddies.

I think you would benefit from some beautiful music.

Here's some Peter Andre singing a duet with his ex, Jordan. This is the original recording before the sound engineers got to it. He does have a very nice voice. Jordan's singing is possible the most turd shattering noise ever made.

(You can skip to about 1:10)

OMG, Tiggy!! Zombie has just learned that she does NOT have the flattest most off-key singing voice in the world. Maybe she can get a recording contract.

I read your OP and could actually hear The Eye of the Tiger playing in the background.

Very much hoping 2014 brings nothing but fun times.

Thanks, Sauce. Zombie had never thought about how appropriate the lyrics were.

Zombie better get with those hot toddies quick.

All previous promises of hug tolerance are off.

I can't do drippy, sneezy hugs.

You gotta love that good old Brighton girl, she's my role model.

Zombie is doing the best she can, Bewitched. Lemsip and straight whisky tonight. Once she gets some lemons tomorrow it will be proper hot toddies. She will be neither sneezy nor drippy by the time of the meet up.

Ach, sod the lemons , stick with the whisky. And a bit of honey for the throat

A steam tent with drops of olbas oil speeds it all up too.

So glad your lunch went well and hope you feel better soon.

((((holdingbreath-hugs)))) x

Zombie really, really likes her hot toddies. She's having a lemsip now and hopes that will reduce the sinus headache and body aches so she can pop into town in a bit. She doesn't really feel like making breakfast so could also hit the greasy spoon.

My favourite hot toddy went like this:
Grants 50% ABV whisky + Stones ginger wine + lemon juice + some Ribena (blackcurrants also high in vit C and I like it anyway). The extra alcohol used to feel as though it was squirrelling up through the blockages in my nose/sinuses - fab!

But then later I discovered I was wheat and barley intolerant (I'd like to think that explained the spectacular chundering after drinking whisky, but I suspect it was more to do with the actual quantities imbibed...) and so gave up on the whisky, switching to brandy instead. Not quite as good, sadly. And didn't go with the ginger wine either. Or blackcurrant.

Aaah, I love whisky mac, try rum Thumb (haha) I don't know about the ginger, but rum and black is a very nostalgic tipple from my youth

Zombie should really try the steam/olbas oil, it's brilliant for clearing a stuffed up head, which relieves the headache. Take care that you don't scald your nose though.
Not a good look!

Hope Zombie feels better soon

Rum is a very good idea, Bewitched, thank you! Dunno why I didn't think of that one before [dim]

Menthol is another good thing to clear stuffed nasal passages - if you can get the crystals and put them on a little charcoal burner, it's MAGIC! But don't get too close (I did this once and I could feel the stuff going right up into my brain, I swear)

Sod's Law will mean that you now don't get a cold for years, so you won't be able to test efficacy!

I am on team olbas Zombie but know if you have a supressed immune system things are difficult.Can we do anything to help? crap films? just anything or are you ok just lying low for a bit? lots of love

Spooky, soleil. Zombie has just replied to your PM! Zombie was only immunosuppressed when she was undergoing chemo nearly 2 years ago. She's fine on that front now.

Zombie's cold is quite mild. She was achey a couple of days ago but that has passed. Now it's just needing to blow her nose every hour or so and cough up some gunk on a similar schedule. She's got lots of lovely lemons, Jack Daniels and Manuka Honey so the hot toddies are going down a treat!

Get well soon lovely zombie!
Hoping the hot toddies work.

Thanks, Wolfie. They certainly help her not care about the cold.

Zombie has just realised that today is the 2nd anniversary of her mastectomy. She wonders if champagne is appropriate...