drums

Well, the next door neighbour kindly got his son a set of drums for Christmas...or birthday (another January baby?!)- or whatever, the drums have appeared. I'm guessing this as they appeared today- I say 'appeared' but I mean 'stormed into my lounge'! I hope it's a passing phase as I do not relish knocking on their door...but I will if I have to. Courtesy, people, courtesy.

It's been a flying day getting ready to go to LA for 10 days to a work conference, been studying and studying and trying to make sense of some of this stuff. I forgot I had a hair appointment (couldn't cancel the day before!) so that put a stopper in my afternoon- and I've got a ton to do before I farewell these digs tomorrow- I always like to come home to clean sheets, clean towels, no dishes in the dishrack, no dirty clothes awaiting my attention and nothing speaking to me when I open the fridge...so I've been sweeping, washing, sorting, folding and scrubbing and I'm almost there.

Then there's connecting with a few people before I go...well, it's a nice thought but might have to save a few for when I'm back. Correction. I will have to save a few for when I get back.

Have had an interesting week with birthdays, stockings, the theatre and to top it off Billy Connolly. All of these had a general thread of connection and that would have to be...ME. I finally broke down and bought some stockings the other day. I had to- it's been -4! So even though my legs are having pseudo-sunburn (psycho-sunburn?)- I don't know, whatever, they feel like they are on fire but look normal- and it hurts to cover them- but the -4 nights are hurting more! So I bought some stockings thinking they were hold-ups and they were not. I tried to wear them anyways, walked about 100m, stopped and took them off- they were almost off anyways. A few days later I got some that I didn't need suspenders for- and they were a minor success. Legs still burning but not as cold, therefore not as pink, therefore not as 'who-does-she-think-she-is-with-bare-legs-in-winter'-esque. All good.

Saw a theatre production in the city and it definitely wasn't the best one I've been to, and I wouldn't recommend it- and although I slapped-up up, dressed-up and actually went up, there was definitely no chat-up as even though it was a 'man-fest' all the men present were looking for something I don't presently have…another man. Yup, they were lovely, they were pretty and a lot appeared available- but they weren't looking for ladies- they were lookin' fo' laydees.

Now, last night at Billy Connolly I laughed till my cheeks hurt. Then I laughed till my tummy hurt. Then he said the 'cee' word a few too many times and it just wasn't funny anymore. He made up for it- but I think he lost quite a few of us as there really was no point to that much use of that word- and everyone I was there with agreed. It was still a bloody brilliant show though.

ttfn

it's been so long, I wonder if I remember how to!

Kew Gardens, during the snowfall on January 13th (dad's 60th!)

Well, January has almost come and gone but there are still a few days left to squeeze in some good things...

Like birthday celebrations- how many people do I know with birthdays in January?! It's been birthday overload. I must remember to take extra precautions in March- in fact, make that the last fortnight in February, ALL of March and the first fortnight in April! Not that, in any case, I'm thinking or planning those events at the present time- but these things must be duly noted for future reference!

January has been a good month for catching-up. On work and play and things that you do in winter. Movies, old friends, new friends and home-cooked meals with my favourite people.

I haven't done any crafting or had my sewing machine out for an age- and then the other day I noticed that there was a split- UK Women's Bobsled style- in my trousers- my one and only pair of trousers. So out came the machine and lo and behold I made the draft stops for the doors and windowpanes I've been meaning to do for a few months as well! Now onto more birds and cupcakes. Might see if I can find someone to teach me to knit- or crochet!

And let me not forget about being grateful. I have lovely, kind friends; I have a warm place to eat, work and sleep; I have a smile for everyone I see and mostly these days of our English winter have been not too bad!

This morning I was reminded that thoughts don't come with a spell checker: something that edits and warns before they are spoken! Need to think about that one. Tracyisms abound.

I have had a lot of fun with new friends these past few months and I was thinking about when someone becomes a 'friend' instead of a 'new' friend. Surely there's not a time limit? Is it about shared experiences? Common pursuits? Secrets? Laughter? New Year's Eve and sailing? Cinema and sport? Surely it can't be Monopoly and cards. But I suppose it's all of those things - and so the 'new' just 'are' now.

Hi ho. Work is calling- yelling- my name.