Best Laid Plans?

Up until today it seemed to be one of those slightly frustrating weeks where not much was going to plan....... although it seems too much hassle to get bothered about it - methinks the Reiki has helped me stay chilled (or is that down to the bitter weather we're currently having? LOL).

The Fascia guy didn't turn up on Tuesday to review what was needed for the job and revise his costing (we'd asked him to add an extra job to what needs doing). OK, no sweat, he seemed to want the work so I figured he'd contact us eventually and left it there.

Wednesday morning I'd got my head round having the walk down the High Street to see the Herbalist for our two hour session..... only to get a phone call first thing, from the receptionist, to cancel the appointment. Poor Jan seems to have come down with one of the bugs that's doing the rounds here at the moment and is off sick - she'll be phoning me when she's back at work to reschedule. OK, I didn't mind too much: people can't help getting sick and the weather was blooming freezing, so it wasn't exactly filling me with enthusiasm about venturing out in it, but I really would like to know what I'm doing with my diet, so I can make those needed changes and get used to them a little before the festive season starts properly. I want to know what I am OK to eat and drink and what I have to avoid. Oh well, I'll just stick to doing the little things I'm currently doing, as they seem to be working for now.

With not having to go out Wednesday I got some extra time for reading and managed to finish Picture Maker by Penina Spinka - more about that in the side bar and on The Reading Corner. Another enjoyable read and again I've registered it with Book Crossing and also added it to my list of swaps - it's open to anyone that wants it, so give me a shout if you'd like to read it next. :0)

In the afternoon I got a phone call from the fascia guy to apologise and explain he'd been ill, losing his voice for a few days. I could tell that was genuine, as I had to ask him to repeat some of what he'd said - he was so hoarse I struggled to make out what he was saying. He arranged to come round Thursday morning instead.

I didn't pick out another book straightaway in the interests of my stitching mojo which, up until Tuesday UFO Night, seemed to have gone awol in protest. Subsequently Night Watchman came out of the bag on Wednesday night as well this week and here's where I got up to:

I got some more of the background done on the right hand side and also stitched a little more of the Watchman himself. I love the way this is turning out...... although I am biased, as I do love owls. :0) At bedtime I finally chose my next book: Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine, and made a start on it before settling......... am hoping I can better balance the reading and stitching this time round, so I can have a new small start on Friday (Sea Stars SAL today).

This morning started off well, with the arrival of a chart from my last Thread Bear order. The first one went missing enroute, unfortunately, and Kate had to wait for new stock coming in before she could send out a replacement for it.

Couldn't resist this, as I thought it would make a nice Spring/Oestre picture. :0)

He may not be a white rabbit but he seems to have brought a little Luck with him: not only did the fascia guy turn up today but he's having everything delivered tomorrow dinnertime and is hoping to make a start on the job in the afternoon, if not then definitely on Saturday. Yay! Come Summertime we'll only have the windowsills, back door header and bay tiles to repaint to make it look all fresh and tidy again. :0) I must say, though: I do not envy the guy his job at all at the minute - working out in this weather would finish me off for sure. I'll keep him well supplied with warm drinks while he's here - he's a young lad about my DS's age so the instinct to mother him is strong, especially as he's been poorly, bless him. LOL

I've also dug my box of Christmas cards out from the bottom of the wardrobe, ready to start the marathon writing session it always involves. At the moment I'm hovering between prevarication and total avoidance - there are other things I'd much rather be doing than working towards a bad case of writers cramp. Yes, folks, I'm in a full on "Bah, Humbug!" frame of mind and that despite the messages from Dad. I can't help it: I love the quiet celebration of the Yule Festival, which is far more in keeping with my beliefs and outlook on life, and just can't abide all the hype and hysterical frenzy that seems to be mandatory at this end of the year. Right, I'll stop there and climb down off me soap box before I thoroughly depress anyone who has managed to get into the Spirit of the Season. LOL

Whatever you are doing, I hope you are all managing to stay warm and cosy now Winter seems to have got underway. Thank you for visiting. :0)