MIA

 Just a quick post to say my computer has died. I'm using Husband's but not at home on it so don't like doing much.

Be back soon - or more likely after Christmas.

The generosity of others

The hustle and bustle of the last few weeks is behind me; the next weeks seem calmer, less time-precious. So I was relaxed this morning. I had a list of things that needed doing but all could be taken at a leisurely pace. I didn't need to go outside so could wear my sloppy indoor clothes. 

Then I couldn't find my comfy trousers and for an instance I was on the verge. Throwing things out of my wardrobe, muttering maniacally to myself, hyperventilating. 

Then I stopped, and shrugged. "Okay, I'll have to walk around in my knickers."

Having pulled myself together, you'll be pleased to hear I put my jeans on - but only because I would have been cold!

Did I mention I was collecting donations for twenty bags I'm making up, on behalf of Zac's, for vulnerable women working on the streets? People have been very generous and I was able to sort it all this morning and put things in bags.

And I hung my wreath on the door.

It's the bit of string adding the finishing touch that really makes it, I think!

I've also watched The Christmas Chronicles parts 1 and 2. Never seen them before and isn't Kurt Russell a fab Father Christmas?

Husband and I are watching Mr Mercedes. It is really rather horrible and a bit slow but addictive. I have to know the good guy gets his man in his end.

Just a minute!

Making teas and coffees after the service today, nearly got into a fight with someone who suggested we should have champagne to celebrate.
"Celebrate what in particular?" we, i.e. Kim and I, asked.
"That it's been 28 days since a small boat came across the channel."

If he'd stopped there it would have been fine. He didn't. "Not bringing more people over here to rape and murder us."

You get the idea. Really, as Kim said afterwards, "He couldn't have picked two people more pro-refugees if he'd tried."

I said, "It is worth celebrating that no-one has died risking their life trying to cross the channel." In 2024 seventy-seven people drowned trying to cross the English Channel.

And it is. The days without small boats being stopped while coming across made the news yesterday. The fact that the work of the Labour government is leading to fewer illegal immigrants was greeted not as good news but as, "oh, well it will start again," and "it's not good enough," and the like by all the commentators. 

* * * * *

Still with church, we had a guest speaker this morning. These days I take notes so I can say something about it in the next week's newsletter. My notes are indicative of the level of interest the speaker arouses in me. Some take pages. This morning's . . .

Yet several people have commented on the whatsapp group, saying how powerful it was. I think that was because the speaker had a dramatic style. Loud voice, long pauses. He certainly wouldn't have got far on Just A Minute (panel game, speak for a minute on a subject with no repetition, deviation, or hesitation.)

In fact, JAM may be the way sermons should be conducted in future! I shall suggest it.

It's all about me

Was a bit late for my wreath-making workshop this afternoon because I stopped to let a seagull cross the road.

After being part of the catering team on duty at church yesterday for the funeral I had a Me Day today. A lovely walk over Mumbles Hill with my cousin, Rhian, stopping off en route for my belated birthday North Pole at Fortes. If you recall it had featured in my birthday celebration plan only to find Fortes closed. I made up for it today.

It was the main reason I suggested Mumbles Hill for a walk.

Then this afternoon it was the wreath-making workshop. About twenty women who'd never made a wreath before, we all came away with something resembling a wreath.

The teachers showing us how.

Early on in the proceedings.

The end result.

Someone or several someones has been very busy, making postbox toppers.

My own worst enemy

The company has now offered 100% refund - and I don't have to return the jumper! We'll see if the refund comes through before I celebrate too much though.

* * * * *

Zac's now offers breakfast plus optional grammar lessons. Felt like a teacher this morning explaining semi-colons and colons, and advocating for them. As well as ranting about 'would of' and explaining that 'would've' is fine, but not attractive.

But when we got on to 'ain't' and 'innit' I drew the line. Talking to Londoners you see. It is in both Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries, and even Mr Chambers has given in.

I did not know until just now that analphabet was a word, meaning, before you make up your own definitions, ignorant of the alphabet.

* * * * *

Busy baking this afternoon for a funeral tomorrow. Made a sponge and some brownies, and, as I had two soft bananas, a banana cake as well, but that will go in the freezer I think. In the middle of baking my Sainsburys order arrived. I began putting stuff away and then I had the brilliant idea of sorting out the pantry first. I am my own worst enemy.

* * * * *

And did you know that a wall is considered to be adjoining up to three metres away from your wall?

I was just thinking it must be time for the pinger to go for the brownies when it occurred to me that it had been quite a long time and had I forgotten to set the timer?

Yes, I had. I think I might just get away with it, at least the ones in the middle.

Maltesers or coke?

A quieter day today, hooray! Had a lovely walk with Husband along the sea front.

I know it might not sound like it but I am being more sensible and trying to learn to say, "No". 

Remember that jumper I wanted to return? Their offer is currently at 80% refund and I get to keep the jumper. I am holding out for 100%. But it's not a bad jumper. 

* * * * *

An email had me fuming this morning. It's about something Zac's is dealing with and I can't talk about it yet but, oh, I was cross.

* * * * *

Elder Son messaged me earlier to say that, according to the man on the radio, Maltesers are now more expensive per gram than cocaine and sirloin steak. I had to check that out in case I should take up dealing in Maltesers. (Though I can't help feeling there's something wrong with my logic there.)

Turns out Maltesers cost £32 a kilo; pure cocaine costs £28,000 a kilo. Although you can get .05g of crack cocaine for £5. At least you could back in 2023.

Just another manic Tuesday

Been manning a Zac's stall in the beautiful Brangwyn Hall today. Each year the council puts on a Christmas lunch for the homeless and vulnerable. All the agencies working in this field were represented, and there was a huge supply of clothes available as well as free haircuts. 

Our stall wasn't the flashiest but all our chocolates went! And I was able to remind or tell people that Zac's was open again for breakfasts and coffee bar.

I thought I'd have to rush from there to writing group but when I explained my situation that had got worse/busier - I'll explain that in a minute - one of my writers suggested postponing and everyone agreed.

There are four study leaders at Zac's. Sean, because of family health issues, is out of the picture for the rest of this year leaving three of us. Stu was due to lead tonight but he and all his family have been taken ill. Now when he messaged the group yesterday afternoon to tell us and ask for a replacement, my first thought was, "Okay, I can do that." Then I stopped, pondered, and decided to wait and see what the other one said. 

Eventually he replied that he could do it if absolutely necessary but would prefer not.

So guess who's doing it? 

As I was in the Brangwyn this afternoon Husband went along to GrandDaughter2's Christmas concert in school, and very much enjoyed it!

And now I'd better go and think about what I'm going to talk about tonight! (Second week of Advent so peace.)

Breathing again

I have never been so glad to take off my trousers.

Long explanation. I wanted to wear a Christmas jumper for the Man Shed meal but I'd washed my jeans and they were still wet. So I squeezed into a pair of jeggings. I've gone up a size since I last wore them. 

I mastered the art of breathing but bending my knees was tricky.

I see adverts for all-in-one body shapers. It's all very well squeezing everything in but where does it go? 

As it turned out I was wearing a pinny anyway so nobody saw my jumper.

Meanwhile a curious email from the seller of the baggy Christmas jumper. "We will give you 30% back as compensation and you keep the jumper. How does that sound?"

Hm, I don't know. I'll try it on again and decide. And consult the experts i.e. Husband and Elder Son, about whether this is an even bigger con.

Not quite finished

The article I needed to write is almost finished: I just need a final short sentence to end it. Something not too trite about brighter days being on the horizon.

My donkey monologue is also drafted but I need to time it as we're squeezing lots of writings in to the carol service so have to keep them shortish.

The prayer went down well yesterday - thank you for the lovely comments on it - so this morning I was feeling quite relaxed and calm. Then I realised my cleaner would be turning up in ten minutes and I was still in my nightie. 

But I've finished my Christmas shopping. Now it's just waiting for deliveries, which make every day seem like Christmas as I have no idea what's expected when, so they're all surprises!

The trouble with ordering books for people is that they arrive and then I want to read them. Speaking of reading, I am struggling through 1984. I get the point but it's very cheerless - obviously - and I can't see a happy ending so think I will abandon it and find a jolly Christmas murder to get into!

I sat down and watched Happy Ex-Mas yesterday afternoon. Usual sort of Christmas standard film, not going to win any Oscars, but very pretty.

And later on I'm going to help dish up the Christmas dinner for the Man Shed in church. Man Shed started about six years ago with three people; this year they have thirty-one men coming for Christmas lunch, and as the organiser said yesterday, "For some of them it's the only Christmas lunch they'll have."

I'm not a regular volunteer but she said she needed some people to man a production line filling the plates. I'll try and get some photos too.

The weather has been grim the last few days with really heavy rain and short intermittent dry patches so I haven't been getting out and getting photos. I'll have to look for an old one to brighten up this post.

Oh, Daughter just messaged me to ask which hotel I preferred (for our Iceland trip). One advertises that it has the oldest human remains in Iceland. Perfect, that's what I look for in a hotel. 

Our tree last year. 

No fool like an old fool

I should have known better. Ordering a Christmas jumper online. It arrived. It looks like the picture, maybe not quite the same texture, but it drapes off my shoulders.

I decided to return it. Only to find a message from the seller along the lines of, we fooled you now we're not giving you back your money. The excuse is they're re-organising their warehouse and to contact them before returning goods. I'm trying to do that but don't hold out a lot of hope

I suspect if I return it I'll end up with neither jumper nor refund, so I'll have to pretend off-the-shoulder is THE look for this season. 

I was misled because the shop was called 4.9*Good Find* online store. I should have checked. My own fault. Looking at reviews now I see nothing but 1* and complaints.

I'm usually so careful but the jumper looked so pretty . . . as did the t-shirt I bought in another store. I'm not even going to think about that. 

* * * * *

In much cheerier news, I was asked to light the second candle of Advent this morning in church, and to read a prayer for peace, today's theme. I wrote this prayer:

Prince of Peace

For our battle-torn, battle-worn world

we pray.

For the invaded and the invaders

Peace for the innocents

Justice for humanity

Courage for the peace-makers.

For our community

behind locked doors 

we pray.

For the abused, and the abusers

the lost and the frightened.

That they may discover your peace.

For us

as church, as individuals,

for the broken,

wearied by inner turmoil

burdened by outside pressures

grant us your peace 

we pray.

Thank you, Prince of Peace.

I was also called a blessing to the church this morning! You can fool some of the people etc.

* * * * *

Now that's interesting. I thought I might as well see if I could return the t-shirt or if there would be similar problems. This time it says, your refund is being processed, no need to return the item! Have to wait and see if the refund comes through I guess, although this seems to be more of an Amazon thing.

On the verge

I search for running socks: plenty of choice.

Running socks with toes: bit more limited.

Brightly-coloured running socks with toes: not that many.

Brightly-coloured running socks with toes available in Italy: one. 

Brightly-coloured running socks with toes available in Italy that come in the right size: none.

You see why I am on the verge?

Husband emerges briefly from his little room where he is playing computer games. I tell him of my woes. He says, "You think that's bad? My lesbian girlfriend just told me she's pregnant." (Husband is a teenage lesbian in The Last of Us part 2.)

This called for chocolate. 

There are a lot of reasons I wish Younger Son and Nuora hadn't moved to Italy; this is just a seasonal one.

* * * * *

I didn't have time to cook dinner yesterday thanks to my last minute theatre trip so I called into a supermarket on the way home to pick up a ready meal. I opted for a Meal Deal Special: main, side, dessert, and drink. There were no bottles of wine in the section so I asked an assistant if they were hidden somewhere else. He went off to the warehouse to check.

While I was waiting I glanced at the cooking instructions and realised the meal I had picked would take 40 minutes to cook. We'd already be eating late; that was a bit much. I wanted to put the meal back and get pizza instead but didn't like the thought of the man coming back and finding me gone. So I waited and hoped he'd not be able to find any wine so I'd be justified in putting it back.

He found the wine.

So I thanked him, put it in my basket, and went away. 

I strolled around a few aisles and then crept back, making sure the man wasn't around before I returned the Meal Deal to the shelf and got pizza instead. Then I saw him at hte end of the aisle and had to run away again quickly.

This is my life now it seems. Hiding from shop assistants, contemplating buying donkey ears, and wondering if I should take my own fire-lighter to church tomorrow.

The Maltesers are out.

But here are George and Harvey keeping watch.

Explanation: our Harvey was named after the invisible rabbit in the film of that name. 

Sunny afternoon

I'd seen the musical, Sunny Afternoon, advertised months ago and thought that I'd probably enjoy it, and then forgot about it. Then yesterday I saw that a friend had been to see it and recommended it, and it was in Swansea this week. I checked the ticket availability and there were plenty for yesterday afternoon; I mean who goes to the theatre on a Friday afternoon?

I thought about it but decided I had too much to do - see previous post.

Then at about 1.00 pm with the show starting at 2.30, I stroked my chin philosophically, and said to myself, "What is life if I don't live it?"

Then booked a ticket and went to the theatre!

I had a perfect view. The arena was less than half full but it was a Friday afternoon! And while there were younger fans in the audience for Bob Dylan this audience comprised of people 'who were there'.

It was the story of the 60s band, The Kinks, and their rise to fame, including law battles and being banned in America, as well as transvestism and socialism. So it was really interesting but mostly great fun, great music, and loads of life and energy. For the finale - a rousing rendition of Lola - I think almost all the audience was on its feet, dancing and clapping.

It still amazes me how they got away with Lola in the 60s. Permissive they might have been but some things weren't allowed to be mentioned, and in a pop song aimed at 'young people' at that!

This is what you call procrastination

My head is creaking again. Or rather my brain is.

It's not painful or bothersome just puzzling.

It's been a day of bits and pieces, lots of little different things. 

Friday - I think

I began this on Wednesday, and I can't remember what I was talking about. Yesterday was Zac's for breakfast, a lovely walk in the sunshine with Husband, some confusion over having a grandchild for a while and going to a play at school, as opposed to a school play - quickly resolved when play was cancelled - according to Daughter "the theatre co broke down." I know how they feel.

My attempts to finish my Christmas shopping came to a very confused end, with emails flying back and for between me and a small business artist. Mixed-up addresses, change of plans, wrong payments, etc*, I thought I'd finally resolved it last night but overnight came up with a better scheme so will email artist again. She will block me next year I'm sure. *Not all my fault!

I have an article to write by Wednesday, a monologue to write by Tuesday, and a prayer to perfect by Sunday. Plus finish shopping. And I thought I was organised this year.

Apples on the tip

Dynamite!

It wasn't that hard. 

On the menu we had three cheese and tarragon mushrooms,

followed by bouillabaisse,

and finished off, a bit later, with cream sponge.

It was the fish soup that was marked as a challenge, and it wasn't. Unfortunately the fishmonger doesn't get fresh mussels on Mondays so I had to omit those, which was a shame as they're Husband's favourite, but I didn't think of it being a Monday when I planned the menu.

I hadn't thought about a cake either but at the last minute decided I'd make a quick sponge.

The day itself was damp and grey and the shower too heavy to get out for a walk. Or rather we mistimed it. So it was a quiet day. In the evening we watched Netflix's House of Dynamite. Well, that was terrifying. An unidentified nuclear missile is heading for Chicago, and the film's about the protocols that swing into action. And it's down to the President, in the last few minutes to decide whether to retaliate before the missile strikes or wait and see. The fact that they're not sure who has launched it, or if it were deliberate, or anything really is rather worrying. The thought that it could be Trump rather than Idris Elba making that decision - and I think we all know what he'd do - now that's terrifying.

* * * * *

Only seven of us in exercise this morning. It seems there is a virus rampant among the community. It's held in a church that runs a foodbank, and Monday evenings they get surplus from M&S. Any goods which can't be used in foodbank get left out for anyone to take. This morning there were literally buckets of bunches of flowers. I took two for me and four more bunches for my Zac's ladies.

A touch of Spring on another gloomy day.

A challenge

Lovely tea party, not too much food left-over, and a good game of You Think You Know Your Family.

Church Sunday morning and I was honoured to be asked to help hand out communion. We have bits of bread (gluten-free also provided) on plates and individual little shot glasses of red juice.

Then a blustery walk with Elder Son, GrandSon3, and Theo, to Three Cliffs beach.

Husband's birthday today.

I am cooking a meal for him tonight. A new recipe, level of difficulty labelled as 'A challenge', has me ridiculously stressed. I keep telling myself I'm not a beginner cook and I don't see how this recipe can be that difficult anyway. So we'll see. Watch this space.