Irene’s Belated 50th Birthday Party/Housewarming

A higher pain day, decided to push myself through to go to my friend and former neighbour Irene’s belated 50th birthday/housewarming.

Had a wonderful afternoon and early evening, met a good few of her lovely family.

Music, food, laughter and a long overdue catch up. 

I crowned Irene with the birthday headband which I got for my birthday back in December! 

Due to my poorer health in recent months, I still need to have my birthday lunch so it will be a belated one, something to look forward to.

Irene has been a wonderful friend to me since I was her neighbour when I lived above her in Summerhill, Dumfries when I lived in a homeless flat. 

She gave me a CD player when all I had was two suitcases and my degree certificates and used to say I had a good voice when I used to sing in my flat. She was a very tolerant neighbour!

Luckily, I found a job with the NHS a couple of months into that (almost) year of living in homeless accommodation and we have been firm friends ever since despite not seeing each other face to face as regularly due to our respective health conditions. Spoonies reunited!

She is such a kind, compassionate woman - wish there were more like her. We discovered many years ago we have a lot in common.

I took loads of photos of the party and of Summerhill and felt very emotional being back there for the first time in years, some wonderful memories and more made today.

Irene has been in the process of moving and her new place is taking shape. I hope she’ll have many happy years there.

The dress she is wearing in this photo was just a pound from a sale rail in a charity shop - she is brilliant at finding fashion bargains!

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend :) xx