Update.

Hi Blog. It's been a while, hasn't it?

I haven't felt much like posting the past couple of weeks, really; to start because I've been too busy. What with work and my shifts at the charity store and the dog and housework (how horrid housework is when it's too hot and there's seeds everywhere?) and errands and choir practice and helping mother with school planning and cooking (again, though; when it's hot...), suddenly there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to do everything I need to. And it's just SO HOT - did I mention that? - and humid and sticky and... =sighs=. There's no sign of it cooling down yet in the near future; in fact, it's going to get hotter, apparently. I'll be so happy when it does. At least in snow and ice you can wear boots to try and prevent you from slipping...in weather like this there's only so many layers that one can remove; particularly when out in public to maintain decency, and what's more, I'm apt to burn so have to slather myself in sunscreen which makes me even more sticky, and... ugh. Just ugh.

Also, I've not felt much like chatting in the build up to Stan's funeral. That was Thursday just gone. I had to change at work as soon as my shift finished, no time even for a shower. I had to just chuck my cleaning uniform in a bag, slip into my black skirt and blouse and then walk as fast as I could up to The Grandpapa's flat where he was waiting for me with a taxi to take us to the cemetery. It was uncomfortably warm even then, at 9am and I was drenched with sweat by the time I got there. Not particularly attractive, but it was the best I could do in the circumstances, so there it was.
    The service itself went off well, or at least as well as something like that can. Ann held herself very bravely. She cried, of course she did, from start to finish, but she held herself upright and erect and managed to keep herself from screaming out in front of others the desolation that must have been inside of her.
    Afterward there was a reception at the Stourport British Legion - Stan had served in the Navy. And the Royal Navy. And the Merchant Navy. Oh, and the the Army itself. Every part of it, actually, other than the Air Force - but we (Aunt Bett, The Grandpapa and me) didn't go. We wanted to make Ann happy, but we had already paid our respects to Stan and the thought of all of the crowds and the crush in a tiny hall in that heat was just unbearable, so we cried off and went to toast him in the quiet coolness of Stan's favourite pub - The King & Castle - instead, just the three of us. Then we had a meal in the nearby fish'n'chip shop before I trudged home to tend to the dog and get dinner ready so that I would be ready in time for choir practice. There were plenty of people that went with her, though, so that was alright.

Anyway, that's what's been happening. There's a story idea floating around inside my head, too; one that's been cannily avoiding being caught. Annoying. I'll get a-hold of it sooner or later, though, and get it down. I'll actually finish one or other of them one of these days, too. ...She says... =shakes head=

Got to go. Rehearsal for the concert tonight. I am SO NERVOUS that I'll ruin it, somehow.
    Fingers crossed that I don't.

Alice
        xxx