Well, that was a long absence. Actually, the longest gap in almost 12 years (what?) of blogging.
It wasn't planned time out but down to a number of unexpected happenings that got in the way.
Truth be told, I suddenly lost interest in all things blog related. Hopefully, it was a temporary blip and normal service will be resumed. I've always enjoyed reading posts on my favourite blogs whilst using love those cupcakes to document life chez moi, a journal of sorts which has become a useful personal record to look back on.
The laptop also decided to play up, with irritating niggles at first and then a big problem which necessitated a long stay in laptop hospital and which even Dr. Paul couldn't fix. (It was only a matter of time as I'm always dropping it or spilling a mug of something hot and heavily caffeinated on the keypad.) So, the purchase of a replacement is somewhere on the to do list.
Of course, life doesn't just toss the lemon pips our way and every now and again a whopping great lemon hits the side of the head.
Long time readers may recall that, for over 6 years now, the mister has been treated for severe depression. In that time, there has been no visible sign of improvement (quite the opposite) and, for a year, probably longer, I've harboured concerns that something else was going on.
Turns out there is and a few months ago he was diagnosed with dementia.
It's a rare form which affects language, communication and the processing of information more markedly than memory (speech, the ability to read, write, understand what people are saying and eventually swallow is lost) but which ultimately will go the way of all dementias. And I'm sure most of us are aware that that's not a pretty picture, from whichever perspective.
Clearly, this wasn't part of the plan and being thrust into the role of carer will take some adjustment.
But it is what it is.
Time to dig deep.