I know I have been silent for a long time. Things have been fine really, just not feeling up to talking.

When we last left off, I was going to see Horatio. I went, it was perfect. We had a lovely Friday together including a trip to a garden centre where I purchased fancy things to make my own herb garden:

I have chives, oregano, rosemary, parsley, lemon basil, rocket [x2] and coriander.

Horatio decided we should take the ‘interesting way’ to the shop, so it took us three hours to get there. I was exhausted by the time we arrived, so I didn’t get to see as much as I might have. The drive home was much quicker and involved a stop at a wonderful little cafe where I had a delicious veggie burger.

Saturday we spent the day with some friends from UKA. It was near perfect, we got there around 1pm and didn’t leave until midnight. We ate, played games, had a walk and lots of delightful conversation. I really hope we’re all able to get together again.

I’ve been battling ear infections the entire time, in both ears. I stopped drops on Monday and so far everything seems stable. We shall see if it maintains. Meanwhile, I see an ENT tomorrow just to check nothing more sinister is happening.

I finished Weasel’s skirt on June 1st – I started it April 12th. This is it:

I think she likes it. I am pleased with it. I’ve started my skirt now, I have about seven inches done.

I finally got Mal’s sewing machine and I found some fabric I like on eBay. Four colours, two metres each plus courier next day delivery for £30! It arrived yesterday. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and experimenting trying to ensure that I don’t mess up too badly. I’ve even requested a book from the library. I haven’t sewn properly for years, so I am going slowly.

I started therapy last Friday and had another appointment today. Honestly, I haven’t figured out how I feel about it all. I’m very confused. She suggested I come up with five good things about me/my life every day. I didn’t know what to do. I spoke with Weasel tonight and she suggested I start as generally as possible. I was still stuck so she asked me if I was loved. I said yes! I am loved and I love other people. And I could list loads of them. That made me feel much better. I also tried to make sense of the idea that if I don’t think my life sucks than it doesn’t. I’m still working on that one. Also the idea that I can’t be angry at god unless I think he exists. I’m hoping this is progress.

I finally had to admit that my Puzzle Quest character was not going to win the game. I like well-round people, I should have been working on building her fire skills instead of balancing all of them. So I have started again with a Wizard this time. Maybe I’ll finish this time.

I’ve lifted weights twice this week and started the One Hundred Push-ups programme. I’m hoping that if I do them both on the same day I’ll be able to stay motivated. I’m battling the stupid ‘why bother’ question as best I can.

I finished Weasel’s skirt today! Took me six weeks. I haven’t taken any photos yet, but when I do I’ll share. The waist band was harder than I thought it would be. I didn’t line the stitches up as well as I originally thought. I may have to re-do it some day, but Weasel is happy for the moment.

I did yogalates today for the first time in ages. It went fairly well. Then I got brave and decided to lift some weights. That went much better than I thought. I’m going to have to buy some new ones eventually, but I’m okay for the moment.

Horatio managed to get Friday off work, so I cancelled my rail ticket for Friday-Sunday and I’ve got a single for Thursday and he is going to drive me home on Sunday. We have plans to go to Betty’s Cafe again, check out a sports shop so I can get an idea of what weights are available and a garden centre so I can look into creating a herb garden.

I am re-watching The Brady Bunch again. It cheers me up. It was excellent to watch while knitting and while sorting papers. I dumped everything off my desk got rid of most of it.

On Friday I managed to get eight tickets for us to see Tori. I went to the first site and got row Y which wasn’t great, but not horrible either. So I went in another browser and tried again, I got row L in block 4. I bought them. Only to look at the seating chart closer and realise the stage was on the other side to what I thought! D’oh! I was checking around to see if there was a chance for a second show and ended up on the Hammersmith Apollo’s website where they were selling tickets via text [mobile phone]. So I did that and got row R! So now I’ve put up that I’m selling the Row L ones everywhere and hoping for the best.

Also on Friday, I managed to have a great deal of fun singing. I put my headphones on so I couldn’t hear myself, only the song we were covering. I couldn’t even hear Weasel or Doodle, but goodness I had fun. I’m sure I sounded horrible, but I don’t care. I very much want to do it again.

Saturday we went to see Stoat and Mal. I got her sewing machine. I had a go and all the different settings and I’m very pleased with it. I’m hoping to set it up tomorrow and practice stitching things together. I haven’t got any proper fabric yet, but I’m sure I will soon. When I have money maybe.

Weasel and I went for a walk yesterday evening after it cooled down. We walked by a swan’s nest I’ve been watching. When we got there the swans were no where to be seen and I was scared something had happened to them. I could still see three eggs in the nest. We were just going to leave when eight teenage ducks and their mama showed up. They climbed on the nest and made themselves at home. While we were watching them the swans came back with the one hatched baby in tow. As they approached the nest the ducks got off and when the swans swam by the ducks got back on. Weasel took a video of it, so when she puts it up I’ll share.

Mal and I have sorted out a self-catering cottage for all of us to visit in early October. I’m very excited. It is up in the Lake District. The area is incredibly beautiful. The cottage has an open fire, lovely for the evening. I’m thinking it will be very good to have a distraction that soon after BlanketGirl leaves… Which makes me realise I never told you she is visiting. Tori announced her tour dates and BlanketGirl’s finances smiled upon us so we did it. She arrives here on 1st September and leaves on the 22nd. I’m beside myself with glee. We saw Tori together the first time in 1996, my niece was there as a bump. 13 years later and on the other side of the world we get to do it again.

I was shaking the bread out of the pan yesterday and it hit my chest, now I have a fancy burn. Bah.

Oh, and remember when Michael Bay ate a bowl of cereal? Jason Bourne cooks a quiche…