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\nI am delighted to be able to begin this blog with good news! I have just heard that my heart tests have all come back clear, with just slight arrhythmia, which is not in any way a concern to the cardiologist. I am feeling far better than I have been and my energy levels are slowly, but surely, improving. Interestingly, the anti-body test for Covid came back negative, so I apparently didn’t have it back in March, which has come as a big surprise to me and means that my weird symptoms were not in any way connected with the virus. \u00a0I’m not any closer to knowing why any of it happened, but I will be seeing my GP so we can work out whether beta-blockers or something similar might be the way forward. I’ve been told to build up my activity slowly this week, but all things being even, I will be able to drive by the weekend, and will be back with you at the Q on the evening of Tuesday 7th July! Honestly, it is such a relief now the wait for the results is over, and I have to thank you SO much for all your support here and on the various social platforms. I think it’s been the not knowing and having such a long time to think about things that has made it harder. As we’ve often said, it doesn’t matter how many times you tell yourself it won’t be anything, there’s always that negative whisper that says it just might be\u2026 It may sound trite to say it, but I really do mean it, as it is such a comfort to have that support and has helped me enormously to stay positive over these last few weeks. \ud83d\ude0a Bless you.<\/p>\n
Because of my ‘enforced’ rest, I haven’t really been doing a great deal, but I have been lucky enough to have a visit from my sister Jenny – it’s been months since we had any time together and I really enjoyed seeing her and Linda. Also several old friends, whom I’ve not seen for ages, popped along, with another visit from Sam and Jack. The weather was so beautiful, we were able to sit outside and have a good old catch-up at a safe distance.<\/p>\n\n
Having far more time on my hands, I also decided to do a bit of baking. I had to sort out a few cupboards before I found my baking tins – some really tatty ones that I’m ashamed to say were given to me in 1980! Rather than going for the usual non-stick or sprung-based tins, I treated myself to a couple of lightweight aluminum ones and they produced the most even sponges I think I’ve ever baked – mixed with my KitchenAid<\/strong><\/a> of course! I filled the cake with fresh cream, strawberries and strawberry conserve – delicious! \ud83d\ude42 On a savory note, I made my own basil pesto and that too was a success, made in my little Ninja<\/strong><\/a> blender with plenty of garlic.<\/p>\n Colin bought one of those little basil plants you can find in the supermarket, so I’ve planted it out in the garden and am hoping it will continue to grow.<\/p>\n I’ve not been sleeping too well, but then I haven’t done for years! The heart monitor didn’t help as I kept catching my hands in it at night, but I did find a few beautiful sunsets last week, and I loved this ‘kiss’ that was created in the clear blue skies over Berkshire.<\/p>\n Our bedroom has two large windows in it and the sun shines in throughout the afternoon and evening. Wonderful because of the light, but it does leave the room really hot. I decided to invest in the Meaco<\/strong><\/a> Meacofan 650 Air Circulator<\/a> – hot flushes on top of temperatures of over 24 degrees aren’t conducive to a good night’s sleep, but this I’m hoping will make all the difference.<\/p>\n I was so chuffed to know that a number of you have been saving the stories I read for Ali’s Story Time on Instagram<\/strong> <\/a>and Facebook<\/strong> <\/a>and listening to them at bedtime as they help you to sleep. Cecelia Ahern’s wise tale was very popular and thank you for your suggestions of new authors. I’ve looked at Amanda Prowse and also Marcia Willets, and I am awaiting delivery of a collection of short stories from Tom Hanks! \u00a0I have to find stories that take no longer than 15 minutes to read otherwise I can’t post them directly to Instagram, just Facebook, and that’s a shame. If I find a really good one, I may read it over two Saturdays – what do you think? I intend to keep up with it for as long as you’re prepared to listen, and thanks for sharing them too. I think over 2,500 folk listened to last week’s tale from Maeve Binchy. \ud83d\ude42 You can find all of them on Ali’s Story Time QVC<\/a> on YouTube if you’ve missed any.<\/p>\n I have to admit to being very relieved to know that the hair salons will be opening this weekend, along with my dentist and the local optician, although in truth it’s probably a blessing that I can’t see my reflection that clearly at the moment! I’m booked in for a cut and colour on the 14th<\/span>\u00a0July and cannot wait! I’ve been using Color Wow’s<\/strong><\/a> Platinum Root Cover<\/a> for my parting, but using talcum powder for the rest of my head! It gives it volume as well as lightening the dark bits. Needs must and all that\u2026 Reading some of your comments over these last weeks it sounds as though you’ve been pretty inventive too when it comes to colour and cutting.<\/p>\n Colin finally took the clippers to his incredibly long and curly hair-do. Look how much hair he shaved off! I had to do the back obviously, and it was like shearing a sheep\u2026<\/p>\n Here’s a picture of my man with his shorn head raising a glass with me to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary last Friday. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, so we ordered a rather special takeaway meal and set a table up in the garden. It was great to get dressed up and eat al fresco, and I think the mood was enhanced as we’d both finished off these incredibly impressive pina coladas that Colin made earlier! Here’s to the next five years \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n And so to work, which is where I will be heading next Tuesday the 7th<\/sup> July, joining you at 7pm for an hour of beauty, which I’m pretty sure will include the Rio<\/strong><\/a> Facelite LED Anti-Ageing Face Mask as it’s our TSV that day (look for item number 402808).<\/p>\n At 8pm I’ll be back in Studio C for my regular Diamonique<\/strong><\/a> show. I’ve really missed seeing all the new jewellery and having been in touch with the buyer, I know there will be some fabulous designs and colour for you to choose from. \u00a0I did also want to mention the four-piece Summer Fragrance collection from Shay & Blue<\/strong><\/a> that is our Today’s Special Value on Thursday (look out for item number 242576). Dom Devetta, the founder of this British business and creator of the perfumes, has brought together some of his most exclusive and original fragrances so that we can keep the summer with us always. I know you are going to truly appreciate them.<\/p>\n Well I’m off to do some ironing but hope you can join me on Saturday at 7.30pm on Instagram<\/strong> <\/a>and Facebook<\/strong><\/a> when I’ll have another short story for you. Take care, stay safe and do keep in touch with me here or on the other social platforms.<\/p>\n With my love,<\/p>\n Ali xx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I am delighted to be able to begin this blog with good news! I have just heard that my heart tests have all come back clear, with just slight arrhythmia, which is not in any way a concern to the cardiologist. I am feeling far better than I have been and my energy levels are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":97809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[251,21],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Pesto.jpg\")
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