3 Days In...

...and my holiday thus far has been packed with activity and excitement.

* I have laid in till at least 7-AM every day.
     Today I really pushed the boat out and set my alarm for 8 (Whoo!).

* I have visited Best Friend 3's new flat that her and her beloved moved into on 1st May.

* I have walked Bingo myself every morning (something I can only do when on holiday).
     During which time he has; tried gamely to have his wicked way with 5 dogs (only one of which was a bitch. Likes boys best, does Bingo), rolled joyfully in various patches of (probably wee soaked) heather/ferns/grass, chased umpteen amount of ducks and geese (along with the odd cat and squirrel) and caused one cyclist to abruptly dismount to avoid running him over.

* I have fed the ducks on Springfield's Stack Pool, and squealed with delight at the adorable ducklings and baby coots (cootlings?).
     Michael James was there and he squealed too, which was incredibly sweet.

* I have tried (and failed) to use white vinegar mixed with bicarbonate of soda as a cleaning agent.

* I have watched 3 episodes of Q.I. on YouTube and 3 episodes of Catchprase and Blankity Blank on the television, the former on my own and the latter with mum (she hates Q.I. Finds it "vulgar and silly").

* I have tried (and failed) to book tickets to a circus.

* I have written 3 pages of one of my ongoing stories.

* I have visited The Great Aunt twice, once bearing a string of cultured freshwater pearls for her birthday. The whole family chipped in to afford them, but I and I alone take full credit for finding and arranging the delivery of them, which due to the length she needed being an unpopular one was harder than one might have thought. So go me. She was so happy to receive them: it was exactly what she wanted but not what she had expected.
     While visiting The Great Aunt for the second time, I was able to have a piece of my mother's homemade birthday cake. My helping was small (damn you, mum. "Let's not be greedy" my arse!) but it was still especially yummy and anyway, my piece had TWO chocolate buttons on it, so ha!

* While hanging the wash out (or getting it in? I forget which), I have seen a nice fat black and yellow striped furry caterpillar curled on a twig in the hedge in our garden munching determinedly on a leaf. This is the first time this has ever been witnessed by me. Very exciting.

* I have seen the first advertisement of the year (of many) so far dedicated to the upcoming father's day - June 15th - and burst into tears, leading to Best Friend 3 having to comfort me in the toilets of Marks & Spencer. She even hugged me, which for Best Friend 3 - not being touchy/feely as I am - is a very big deal and shows just how much I mean to her.

* For the second time in as many weeks, mother and I have seen one of the three herons that frequent Springfield Park perform a full body slam into the water after a fish (which he caught, incidentally); another exciting wildlife encounter.

* I have rejoined the choir (after my temporary departure following dad's death) and found to my utter delight that this summer we are performing the songs from the Gilbert and Sullivan musical HMS Pinafore! How fun is that?!

* I have vacuumed every day, and not only dealt with all the nooks and cranny's in the bathroom that I tend to leave until they are desperate (concentrating instead on the three biggies: toilet, sink and bath) but also have cleaned the inside of the fridge, which is a job that I have been putting off for far longer a time than I care to admit to. Go me again.


...As I said, three days packed with fun and excitement (or at least it is exciting for me).
     And it's not over yet. I have the rest of today - reserved for relaxing, TV watching, writing and casserole cooking - and then 4 more days before I have to go back to work, some of which I already have plans for:

* This Friday mum, Bingo and me will be heading up with The Great Aunt to The Grandpapa's for our fortnightly ritual of fish & chips followed by games, and this time it is my turn to choose (and pay, unfortunately, but still).

* I shall be hopefully meeting Best Friend 1 and Squidgeum tomorrow for our weekly cuppa/chat/window shop, which is always nice.

* And! As a grand finale, to make up for the lack of circus tickets (long story), The Cousin and I will be using the money we would have spent to indulge in a full slap-up meal out followed by cocktails!
   
And that's just the stuff that's planned. Who know's what might happen in between.
     Whee!

I am such a lucky girl. I have been feeling so tired and sorry for myself that it's been difficult to remember that, but I am. I have a loving family, friends, a job - it may be tiring and not be the sort I want, but at least I have it; more than can be said for so many others right now - money to spend on nice things and treats, distractions, hobbies... I am a very lucky girl indeed.
     Remind me of that the next time I start whining, Blog, OK?

Alice x