Ups & Downs

I have felt a bit ‘flat’ this week and very much lack lustre.  As with most weeks, this one has had its highs and lows.   I went to the gym on Monday morning as I have done every morning this week but I had to force myself.  On Monday afternoon I went round to number 2 to see Sue.  Unusually I hadn’t seen her since last Thursday; she’d had an action packed weekend so char and a catch-up were badly needed.  Sue was in good form and it’s so nice to see her upbeat and with a smile on her face.

Tuesday, I was back at the gym and I was supposed to be going to Robinsons with my friend Jane for lunch but she sent me a text cancelling first thing in the morning.  I have been feeling a little paranoid of late; Mads & Steve cancelled us on Saturday evening and I have a spelt of family and friends not returning my calls and emails.  It makes one wonder but I think my paranoid is unfounded, just Claire being a typical Cancerian.  I was disappointed at not seeing Jane but her daughter was feeling very poorly and Jane was taking her to A&E.  This was far more important than lunching with me and totally justified as Lauren is taking a gap year in Australia in a couple of weeks’ time and Jane wanted her in good health before she goes off which is totally understandable.

The weather was horrible on Tuesday and on Wednesday for that matter. Days that are grey and dark almost as soon as they start tend to get me down.  I almost feel like I could be a hermit and literally have to force myself to go out.  This was the case on Wednesday; I hit the gym early and then stopped off at the city centre.  I had a bit of shopping to do and then went to Specsavers for an eye test.  I had a feeling that my eyes had deteriorated and sure enough my eyes had got worse and I needed new reading glasses.  It wasn’t too bad, Spec Savers had a 2-4-1 deal so I only paid £89 for 2 pairs of glasses and that price also included the eye test.

Sue picked me up from the flat on Wednesday evening on the way back from her dads and we went back to her house for our usual Wednesday night get together.  Originally she was going to come to mine and I had invited Jan and was going to order a Chinese takeaway but then Jan called to cancel as she had an evening event.  But Sue had stuff in her fridge so I went to her.  She cooked me sea bass along with asparagus and mash and it was really delicious.  Of course the evening involved lots of wine and dancing in the kitchen and I literally fell into bed when I got home. 

It felt fun at the time but not so great the following morning! I decided against the gym and instead Phil and I drove over to Overstone.  We wanted to pick up a few things from the caravan and also pick up post from the manor.  The caravan was cold and felt very unloved.  I think we do need to go and spend a weekend there so I can at least give the van some heat and also give it a good clean at the same time.   Phil had a few letters to collect so it was worth the trip over.  Driving on the way back through Stoke Goldington, we were interested to see that the new pub refurbishment formerly the White Hart now called The Maltings was nearing completion.  We will definitely give this a go when it opens.  When we got home I put a lasagne in the oven which we had with some salad.

After lunch, Phil went to the OU library and on the way back he popped into B&Q to buy some stuff to cover the pipes at mum and dads bungalow.  I forced myself to the gym even though I didn’t really feel much in the mood.  But as always, once I was there and working out I was glad I’d made the effort.  Rather than go straight home I decided to check out the new M&S at MK1 just by the stadium.  It was opening day and I was given a glass of Cava when I walked in the door which was a nice surprise.  Primark isn’t open yet and neither is H&M but this will be quite a convenient place to shop once it’s all open.  Last night was a foul, filthy night and I was glad that me and the DH were safely tucked up warm in the flat.

And that just about sums up our week, not very exciting I’m afraid and hardly worthy of a blog posting. But I’ve been struggling to write of late so I am forcing myself to do an entry. If the time comes when I really am forcing it then I will surrender and give up once and for all. I am reluctant though and reverently hope this writer’s block is down to either lack of a project or SAD syndrome.  I suspect it’s a mixture of the two but only time will tell.  This morning I am off to pick up Sue as we have a Groupon voucher for a manicure, pedicure and lash extensions at a salon in Pottersbury.  It was a really good deal, all 3 treatments for only £24.00.   This is my first ‘Groupon’ experience and I am a little anxious.  I’m really not sure about the lash extensions because my eyes are really sensitive and I can’t even wear mascara.  But Sue’s up for anything and I’m sure we will have a laugh whatever happens.  Fingers crossed.  All will be revealed on Monday.