Smithers to the rescue

I am still struggling with exhaustion and feeling utterly overwhelmed by the enormous number of tasks which are mounting up daily. Just as I seem to be making progress and can see some light at the end of the tunnel full of jobs vying for attention, I find more have mysteriously been added at the back, and I’m no nearer completion. As a result, tears are never far away from the surface, which I am well aware is a warning sign, and I’m trying to relax and take care of myself. 

Smithers and I were planning to spend today quietly, but it actually turned out to be quite a busy one. We were asked by The Traveller if we would mind him having a couple of visitors this afternoon (a friend of his girlfriend’s, with her 2½ year old son), so of course as soon as I knew they were coming I made a couple of lemon cakes. Some time later while they were here our middle son arrived unannounced, with our five year old granddaughter, with whom our little visitor was very taken, and he loved it when she played football in the garden with him. When it was time for him to go, he was distraught that she couldn’t come home with him!

Smithers was the hero* of the day and did all the catering and giving of hospitality while I sat and rested. He was also very perceptive because he opted to ice both my lemon cakes when they were sufficiently cool, and not freeze one, which is what I usually do. Our guest really enjoyed her piece, and my men between them managed to polish off most of the rest of the first cake so at least we have another one now to start tomorrow.

These lovely flowers were brought by our guest, which was very kind and quite unnecessary, but much appreciated. 

*Smithers is also a gifted counsellor. When I’m feeling low, he often tells me, very seriously, that he knows just what I need to do. "Pull yourself together, woman!" he says, and we both dissolve into giggles. It never fails to cheer me up.