The aids and I had a pretty bad day on Thursday, there might have been crying. Friday was better. Saturday I had a good five hour stretch. Today was rough again, I suspect because of the five hour stretch. I am pleased with them overall, but I still have a long way to go before I feel comfortable.

The sandwich press I bought to replace the old one turned out to be the TR39 not the TR40. So on Friday Stoat, Mal and I went and returned it to Tesco and nipped next-door to Comet and bought the proper one. Then we had a lovely picnic lunch by a lake. There were swans, moor hens, geese and a passing doggy or three. Stoat made quick sandwiches that featured red pepper hummus, potato salad and lettuce. It was delicious. I never would have thought to put potato salad on a sandwich. After that we went to Daily Bread where I intended to only get tomato purée and cumin. I walked out with those and two kinds of oats, almonds, figs, all spice, currents and sultanas. Everything there is so lovely. I intend to use most of those things in my quest for perfect granola. The almonds will also be ground up and put in my bread.

Saturday Weasel and friend went to Belfast to meet another friend so instead of sitting around feeling sorry for myself* I invited myself to my in-law’s. They were very kind. Mal took me to the local cheap clothing place while Stoat got a few things for lunch. I got a green shirt that says, ‘I am a green shirt’ on it. It made me laugh. I got another shirt as well, both for the grand price of £6.48. I was pleased. We had lovely lunch, a wonderful walk where I acquired a silicone pastry brush. I’m very excited about the oils and butters I’ll get to spread about – followed by being able to wash the brush! Bliss.

* Yesterday was also the Fourth Annual Ice Cream Tour. I planned the first three and managed to convince myself I was a valuable member of the community. Then I got sick. Same story over and over again. I tried to plan it myself and when I couldn’t I asked someone else to do it. I haven’t gone back to the forum since, I can’t deal with seeing everything move on without me in that arena too.

We played games upon our return. Including Scrabble. I drew the letters to spell ‘sandwich’ – I had a blank tile that could be the A or the H. There weren’t any spot available on the board. I begged with Doodle and Mal – we had to find a way! So we started the cheating. Doodle and I swapped turns so he could put ‘minstral’ down – with the L coming off the board. I was able to use the A and sandwich made it on the board! On two triple word scores. Plus 50 points for using all my tiles for the first time ever. It was awesome.

Today I got up and went to the Quaker meeting by myself. The loop system for my hearing aids was excellent, I could actually hear people! There’s an older couple who always attend, the man looked like a pirate today. He had gold hoop earrings, fine white beard, gold necklace and a teal velour tracksuit. I had to force myself to look away. When we were there last time, the two of them were wearing matching outfits. They crack me up.

Weasel didn’t go because her feet were dead from wandering all over Belfast. So we met at the cinema afterwards to see Wall-E. I got there first so I bought the tickets, even just using my talking programme I could hear the ticket girl, so that was awesome. We treated ourselves to popcorn and soda – we were sharing so decided to get the bigger size for 50p more. It was the size of a small pony. I couldn’t believe how much we got. Next time we’re totally getting the regular size. I rarely buy things at the cinema, and I haven’t even been for 10 months anyway so I was out of my depth.

The theatre didn’t have a loop system like we thought they would. But my music setting worked great. Weasel brought Fergus with her so he sat on my lap and enjoyed the film too. The man behind me decided to kick my chair regularly. The film itself was enjoyable. I was a very obvious film, no hidden meaning. It was sweet. I don’t think I’d bother seeing it again, but if I walked into a room where it was playing I’d probably watch. I’m pleased I can go to the cinema again.

Tomorrow I have to take a shower. I also arranged to go help Eleanor with something. Doodle is coming over in the evening. I’m fairly nervous about how I’m going to make it through all of that. I’m hoping to cycle to Eleanor’s parent’s house. Ah well, I won’t know where my limits are if I never try to reach them.

Weasel and I finished watching War of the Worlds today. The 2005 edition. I think we want to see the earlier version. Tom’s acting was bad. The daughter should have been left to die, she had issues. I don’t understand why Boston happened to survive. Or why the machines vapourised all those people when they needed their blood for the plant things. I laughed a lot though, so the continuing theme of me being so bitter and angry that I relish in other’s suffering is still strong.

We also have Outbreak, Flood and Dante’s Peak recorded and ready to watch. I haven’t been to LoveFilm to add others, but I’m sure we’ll get there in the end.