Apart from a few last touches the bedroom is now done and decorated.

We still need to put up the new curtain hooks and I'd like a new bedside table and lamp that looks nicer, and James needs a small basket or container to keep his tablets and bits and bobs tidy on his shelf, but the main bits are done. Maybe not 100% perfect, but I'm proud we did it all on our own.

I actually enjoyed wallpapering, there was something very satisfying about hanging it and because it was paste the wall and not paste the paper kind, it was easy to shift it around to match the pattern. I only had to do one tiny patch where I cut off the top overhang part on a slant but the rest was fine. I even managed to cut it around the shelf in the corner. It was just a shame that I had to open a second roll just for a few inches of wallpaper that needed to be hung at the far side. Apparently, that wall is one wallpaper roll big and just a touch over.

Some of you may remember but that wall used to have a sliding door into the bathroom when it was used as a wetroom. Since we got that taken out the wall has been bare plaster, so we're talking many years here. So, actually having wallpaper there is a big change.

( Some photosCollapse )

Randomly, my In-laws decided to invite us out for Sunday dinner today, their treat. So catching up with comments and online stuff will have to wait until tomorrow as I want to have a tip and charity shop run first.

And also a cinema visit later I suspect. It's been too long.

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It's been such a beautiful day today, temps in the low 20s and even warmer tomorrow with gorgeous sunshine. Not that I've been able to get out in it as Tinker was at the vets this morning and this afternoon I was decorating.

Good news for Tinker, her thyroid is being managed with meds, bad, after more blood tests her kidneys are acting up so she needs B12 injections weekly for the next four weeks and maybe special food for kidney issues. But wow, is that stuff expensive, and Sarah the vet obviously knows that as she said any food would be good as long as it's aimed at a senior cat. I've also ordered a supplement that's supposed to help cats with kidney issues and that should arrive next week. To keep costs down Sarah said they could teach me how to inject the B12, and yeah, no. If it's something that has to happen weekly long term I may change my mind, but as of now I'd prefer my cat to actually like me. I'm already covered in scratches after a battle to get her into the carrier.

As for costs. I'm trying not to think about them.

In my daily decorating update. As of today three walls are completely painted and I put up two curtain rails and hung our new curtains. We were in the right place at the right time yesterday as B&M heavily reduced all their curtains so we got pairs that should have cost £50 for £8 and the ones we got for the bedroom were only £3 a pair for thick lined curtains. I mostly got the rails up okay, except for one bracket which just wouldn't go in no matter what I did. I have to admit I was very tempted to take a hammer to the whole thing at one point. But, it's up and the curtains look good. Tomorrow I'll need to use the drill to put up the tie back hooks so I'll try and make the bracket look better then.

Tomorrow should be the last day of decorating. Our bedroom used to be two smaller bedrooms so is in an L shape. We've a superking size bed in the narrow end of the L meaning there's only about a foot between the side of the bed and the wall, while the other side of the bed is against the wall. So, to paint that wall and wallpaper the end wall the bed needs moving, and the thing is heavy. Which is why we've left it until we've got a full day to crack on from first thing to just get it done.

At which point I'll probably collapse, vow never to look at a paintbrush again and everyone on here will breathe a sigh of relief I've stopped going on about it. That or you'll never hear from me again as I'll have fallen out of the window while tangled in wallpaper.

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You get money in one hand and it goes out of the other.

We got a letter yesterday that contained a parking ticket from the car park attached to the Durham cinema. You get discounted parking there which costs 1:50 for four hours. Which always makes me grumble as the other Odeons all have free parking, but they're in a different county to Durham which makes you pay even if you have a blue badge in their car parks.

Normally four hours is more than enough time to park and watch the film, even if you need to fit in a swift stroll to the Starbucks at the end of the road to get a latte. But when we saw It the film itself was nearly three hours long, add in the adverts, the trailers, leaving time to queue up to pay for the parking, first at the desk to pay and then at another desk to input your reg number, and first finding a parking space then getting to the cinema and well, we went 14 minutes over and now have a £60 fine. I've appealed but don't hold up much hope as technically they're right.

Today I've started decorating so am now nicely paint splattered with very achy arms. But, I've painted the ceiling and done a first coat of most of the walls. Already things are looking much fresher and now we just need to decide on the final colour. At first, we were going for white, but now the base coat is on it's looking a bit clinical so I don't know. I think a topcoat with a bit of colour is needed. Tomorrow I need to move the bookcases and paint behind there and do the little patches you always notice when you've tidied up and put away the paint. It shouldn't take that long though, and the ceiling was the job I really wasn't looking forward to, so I'm glad that's done.

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Yesterday we went to Gibside, the National Trust property we like as I can get in a good walk while James uses the trapper scooter. In all the route we take is a few miles through some beautiful forest and mostly pretty deserted. They have a couple of small cafes, and we stopped at the smallest mid-route. I was happily eating my carrot soup when a wasp landed in it, it's a good job I was nearly done as I was most displeased. Then the wasp had the nerve to fly away, land on the cafe window and drag a soup trail up the glass from its stinger as if to demonstrate it had had its stingy little feet in my food.

They also have surplus fruit and veg for the price of a donation, so we picked up apples, raspberries, runner beans and this weird squash that's in the shape of a toilet seat. There were also courgettes available but yeah, no need for them. I had an apple when I got home and it was so beautifully tart. A weird shape which meant unless it was in the wonky range it wouldn't reach a supermarket shelf, but so delicious. If you're interested I posted some photos here on Insta.

When I got home I also got a phone call from the doctors saying the results of my blood tests were in and my calcium levels were too low and had I been taking my tablets. As I have been, and have been since I was prescribed them, I need to go back and have a retest in a fortnight and if it's still low they'll think what to do then. Hopefully, it's just a case of upping the dose on the tablets, because I wouldn't have said I have a particularly calcium limited diet.

Today we've been to see Downton Abbey at the cinema, and it was great. I haven't actually watched any of the tv show -- but suspect that will change now -- so wasn't sure if I'd understand what was going on. But they've obviously kept new people in mind and everything was understandable. What did throw me from the story a little was they used Beamish museum for an outdoor shopping scene so I was watching and thinking, I've been there, looked through those windows, walked into that shop, many many times.

Apparently, it's supposed to be an Indian summer this weekend, which is nice but seems to have blended in with actual summer. So no doubt I'll be out and about enjoying the sunshine. I need to sort out the garden too as its looking a bit straggly. The plants are starting to come to the end, which is a shame, I'll miss walking past the tomatoes and plucking off a cherry tomato and eating it like a sweet.

Maybe at some point, I'll even write a few words of the bodyswap. Stranger things have happened.

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We had some good news today. If you live in the UK you'll have seen all the ads saying the time limit to claim for PPI was coming to an end, so if you wanted to do it, do it now. So, we did because we were young and stupid when we first moved in together and took out loans we're still paying off now. Neither of us expected anything to come of it, but today we got a letter saying we're getting some money back. Not much, but enough to pay off the vets bill and put a small amount back into savings. Which the way things have been going will soon be swallowed by another vets bill, but hey, money. They say a cheque will be coming in the next four weeks so I'll be keeping an eye out for that.

James is off driving baby fannish niece and her friends to an awards ceremony. It's being held in a place on the outskirts of our town, which would have been a pain to get to on public transport. So he's driving to pick them up, coming home until the event is finished and then will drive them all home. Meanwhile, I'll be lounging in a hot lobster bath and having a read before watching some tv.

Before that, I'm clock watching as it's nearly time for Tinker's meds. She's been grumbling at her bowl for over an hour now but there needs to be 24 hours between each dose and if I'd fed her before she wouldn't have eaten the dosed up food. So I've had to put up with her wounded looks and scorn towards her neglectful catslave owner.

I'm planning to decorate our bedroom and that includes wallpapering a wall. I've never done that before and am a bit nervous about such things as matching patterns, but nothing ventured nothing gained, and if I do mess up at least not many people will see. I just need to find the perfect wallpaper now, something bright I think as our bedding is everything from dinos to stags to colourful cats.

Well, it's 6. I should go feed that tragic cat who's making it clear she hasn't been fed for at least two weeks. How she's managing to stand is beyond me!

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Strictly started last night. As always I didn't recognise half the celebs, but none were especially irritating which is good. Though I hope the talk about AJ and his partner looking amazing together and have chemistry already isn't going to be a full-time thing, I'm still cringing about the 'kiss kiss' comments about him and Molly from a few seasons ago. I missed Pasha, and that Gorka wasn't a main dancer, especially as he said in comments to his announcement insta post that it wasn't his choice. But, do like Neil and Johannes stepping up.

I still think AJ is ridiculously attractive, which is stupid as in his acting segments he still has all the personality of a lump of wood. There's just something about him and I may have looked up AJ focussed Strictly fic up in the past. Sadly, what there is is terrible, like, I try to erase it from my mind terrible.

It's a shame Jamie Laing had to leave the show due to being injured as he made me laugh a lot in the celeb Bake Off and think he would have had a good partnership with Oti, who is all kinds of fantastic. It's also good to see Will Bayley take part as he has arthrogryposis, the same as James.

So yes, Strictly is back and TV is sliding nicely into the usual autumn schedule. Which means I'm also watching Celeb Masterchef where I have to admit that I've developed quite the soft spot for Joey Essex. I mean, what? How did that even happen?

Stuff that isn't reality tv. Yesterday I went to see the new It movie and liked it. It's been years since I've read the book and had been spoiled about some things going in, but enjoyed the whole thing, even though I didn't find it at all frightening, and I'm usually a wuss about things like that. Plus, it had one scene that completely melted my cold black heart.

Earlier in the week, I'd gone to a spiritualist circle in the local Costa. It was the first time I'd done something like that, though have been to see spiritualists before. It was interesting and I'd go back, though it did mean I'd had three big coffees from Costa that day as I had two at the meeting and one in the morning after going to the doctors for blood tests.

I've mentioned before that I share care of Megan, mam's cat, with Kayleigh. She looks after Meg day to day, buying food, litter etc and we pay for Megan's insurance and buy extra litter as Megan will only use the expensive kind. It's good she has the insurance as she has an ongoing skin condition that means she needs almost monthly treatment with antibiotics and steroids. Mostly that's paid by the insurance but last time she needed bloods doing to make sure the meds aren't harming her, meaning we got sent a nearly £100 excess bill. I swear these cats are making us bleed money atm.

Other than that, I haven't really done much as James had a bit of a backslide health-wise. Though I think he'd picked up a virus and it wasn't an actual part of the flare. It's a nice day, so soon I'm going to drag him out for a short walk, and maybe pick up a bonfire spiced skinny latte while doing so. I mean, it would be rude not to when the Costa is right there.

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We were supposed to be getting our new smart meters for the gas and electric put in today. The electric meter is behind the tumbler so I had to take shelf off above that and remove everything on it -- which was a lot as it's such handy storage, and pull out the tumbler itself. The meter man arrived, came in, went outside to look at the electric meter and it turns out we can't have a smart meter as they need wood or plastic meter cupboard doors and ours is metal. So we need to get that replaced before things can be changed. Silver lining I guess, I've been decluttering lately and managed to sort everything out from on top of the tumbler, so that's good.

Other good things. My opposite neighbours have a new pug puppy and have called it Pugsy Malone, which I think it's a brilliant name for a pug.

It was my fannish niece's birthday two days ago. She turned 17 so I'd say I can't call her baby fannish niece any more, but Corey is 23 and I still call him the kidlet, so I guess she'll be keeping her name.

I had a great mail day, thank you frausorge for the fantastic postcard and teigh_corvus for the gorgeous star, I posted it on my insta so if you want to look at T's work it's here. Thank you for the card and message too. I know it's a total coincidence timing-wise but it was the perfect thing to read yesterday ♥

Tonight it's the last of the theatre shows we booked a while back, so in a few hours, we're off to see The Book of Mormon. It's supposed to be very funny, though very offensive and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

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It would have been mam's 71st birthday today. As I'm sure a lot of you know, we had a complicated relationship, but despite that, I'll love her always and would do anything to have been able to talk to her today.

Due to being pretty much housebound in her last few years, she spent a load of time on FB, and so many people have posted on her wall today. Including people who obviously just see the birthday notification sent automatically by FB and as a result post a happy birthday without realising she's not here. I understand why it happens, but man, the hope you're having a happy day posts are kickers.

I've also been to the doctors with James today and he's got another two weeks sick note. He's getting better, his muscles starting to loosen up but still spends a lot of time asleep, though the only way is up from now on. Fingers crossed anyway. Again I queued up for half an hour only to have to leave when James got an appointment on the app. I'm sure people think I'm daft walking away, but it's the only way to be sure of getting an appointment.

So, as the appointment wasn't until 9:40 and it was only 8:30 we had a mooch around Lidl and bought yellow roses -- mam's favourites -- for myself and Kayleigh, and then had a coffee in Costa, went to see the doctor, then to see Kayleigh for a couple of hours and then home.

Tinker is doing much better, though I'm giving her the thyroid meds in food now. I was using the syringe but it meant wrapping her in a towel and each time she fought back scratching my arms and chest and then yesterday she got so scared she actually peed herself, and nope, not doing that to her every night for life. So, I googled and while it isn't the ideal way to give the meds, with food it is.

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We had Tinker to the vets this morning, and may I express another, ouch. I keep joking about having to survive on courgettes and tomatoes and this new bill hasn't changed that. But, she should be okay, which is all that matters. We took her as she kept sneezing thick green snot out of one nostril, plus, just hasn't been right in herself for a bit. I thought she was missing Freesia at first, but the longer it went on the more I knew something was up. Turns out she has thyroid issues that mean tablets for life, plus, has been given antibiotics to see if she has a nose infection, but if they don't clear it she may have a polyp, meaning a scope and sedation. She's an old cat and Sarah the vet was lovely but clear about the fact worse case scenario is a tumour and if that was the case it would be cruel to operate at her age. But, that is the worst case so fingers crossed, she's just picked up some kind of sinus infection.

Then James had to battle Npower on the phone after they tried to increase our electric and gas bill to a ridiculous amount despite our usage dropping. 90 minutes he ended up on the phone but got things sorted in the end. It also ended up with us getting a smart meter next week so that should help us keep an eye on usage. Though I suspect I'll be put off boiling a kettle and will never touch the tumbler again once it's installed and I can keep an eye on costs.

The latest heat wave broke today, which I'm very glad about. I don't mind the heat and sun so much during the day but the nights I want to be cool. We had an excellent electrical storm when I went to bed last night and some brief downpours, but sadly the temp was still high. But, like I said it's dropped a lot today which is good.

We went to see Angel Falling yesterday at Durham, I actually enjoyed it more than I expected, though that's not saying much as it really is a popcorn lowbrain summer movie I'll never want to see again. We'd also been to Durham just for a stroll the day before, but in that case I'd been too optimistic in terms of how James could cope because heat, sun, cobbles and a hell of a lot of hills wiped him out big time.

Bake Off started last night. I enjoyed the episode but am surprised at how many of the bakers are young men. I like a bit of diversity in my bakers and haven't got that at all this season. I still enjoy the show but doubt we'd get things like bingate now.

Once I've done the cat litter trays I've nothing to do this afternoon so I plan on some fic reading. I have some new bandom stories tabbed that I'm looking forward to reading and a few MCU. For that fandom I've been reading Your Daughters Shall Be Soldiers, Your Sons Their Patron Saints series. It's focussed on Clint and Steve's friendship and written in a very interesting style. Clint/Bucky is the pairing, but it's very background, the focus very much on Clint and Steve, but warning. It's based around Clint dying in a horrible manner so while I do rec, only read if you're in the right headspace to do so.

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I got a letter from my doctors yesterday saying I'd been formally discharged from the weight loss surgery programme at the hospital and my doctors would be taking on my care from now on. Now, considering my last appointment at the hospital was at the back end of last year and I was told I was discharged then, I'd say the doctors are running a little behind.

For some reason my computer has decided to not detect my kindle fire. It still charges fine, but when I attempt to use calibre it just doesn't see it any more. It's not a huge deal as official kindle books will still upload wirelessly, and obviously I can read fic directly at the page, but any books that I download that aren't kindle version just aren't happening.

James' flare has turned into a big flair which isn't really much of a surprise. Thankfully it's only his right side that's affected badly and as he drives one handed anyway, can still drive for short distances, though it is only short as he gets very tired easily right now. As soon as the doctor saw him on Monday he signed him off work for two weeks with a review then to see if he needs more time, Sadly all he can do is be patient and wait for all his ligaments and joints to loosen up again. I've been mean by making him go out for walks because the last thing he needs is to seize up completely, which is what will happen if he sits on the couch for a fortnight. We've had wanders into town to have a coffee at Costa, been to sibs dinner on Thursday, and to the cinema at Durham.

I'm so glad that's opened now, it's such a short drive away and fits into the whole gentle walk thing with a lot of resting. We went to see Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which I really didn't like at first, got into it and started to enjoy the aesthetics and feel, and then sat wide eyed and wincing at the end. I also came out thinking there was bound to be fic, and yep. This is the best I've read, capturing Cliff's voice so well, though, obviously, contains a load of spoilers.

Today the heat has rocketed back up again and we're apparently going to have another heat wave over the weekend and bank holiday Monday. The weather is just so weird, I was feeling autumn in the air last week and now we're right back to what feels like high summer.

The date for Strictly has been released -- though Gorka isn't a main dancer this year, sadness, and Bake Off starts next week. Bring on the autumn tv, even if it is scorching out there.

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I got to meet Kayleigh's new girlfriend today. She's very nice but a bit quiet. Though Kayleigh said she's normally very talkative, just was nervous, so hopefully, she'll feel more relaxed next time.

James has a doctor's appointment for this afternoon, and I suspect he'll be signed off for at least a week as his hand is bunched right up and he's aching all over. Though I wasn't impressed with him this morning. Technically you can get an appointment at our doctors a few ways, by phoning up at 8:30 and getting an appointment via the app. What actually happens is unless your call is answered in seconds all the appointments will be gone when you get through, and very few appointments actually appear on that app. So, what people do is queue up at the doctors before it opens. Which is why I was there before 8am this morning, and yet was still 6 people back.

So, I waited, listened to the people around me put the world to right, and at 8:30 started shuffling forward as the door opened. Now, meanwhile James is loading and refreshing the app so we could go for a double-pronged approach, and as I moved he indicated to me that he had an appointment with one of the good doctors and I should leave the queue. So I did, got in the car and he actually didn't have an appointment, just had the screen open to select one, and before our eyes, those appointments were taken. Thankfully while he missed all the morning appointments he managed to snag one late afternoon, but really, why he shouted me out of the queue I don't know.

lucifuge5 has been reviewing the Kate Daniels book series, so I've been having myself a reread. I still like that series a lot, and it's very nice comfort reading with characters I like a lot. Also, from beginning to end the series remains enjoyable, unlike another magical creature book series featuring a strong at first female lead that quickly became nothing more than an excuse for orgies in word forms and featuring a pathetic excuse for a book -- yes Micha, I mean you -- that I still want to throw out of the window and berate myself for actually buying.

I've added more to my winterhawk bodyswap story. However, it's heading more towards humour which isn't ideal as it's for a h/c bingo prompt. I may have to make them fall out of a window or something.

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Sibs dinner was cancelled on Friday, today I was supposed to go spend the afternoon at Kayleigh's but she's got such a bad hangover she was good for nothing but sleeping it off. No one wants me. It's to cry! /overdramaticmoment

Actually, I haven't been alone as James was supposed to be at work but is having an AMC flare so has a clawed hand atm. Hopefully staying home and resting means it'll be a minor one because there's really nothing he can do but stay rested and warm and wait it out. Though, he will need a doctor's appointment tomorrow for a sick note.

So today I've caught up on all my surveys and read some tabbed fic and even looked for and uploaded some new icons. Ones I haven't used here but uploaded are comic Clint and pizza dog and this one is Alexis from Schitt's Creek because she's fantastic and I love her enthusiasm. So three new ones and I'll hopefully look for some non-fannish ones tomorrow. And for people still reading on LJ, sorry you constantly only see my default icon. Eventually, I will sort my icons out there, too.

If you ever go on Insta I recommend 1bike1world. Dean is a gruff looking Scottish guy who found a kitten on the side of the road near the Montenegro border, and since then he and Nala have been having adventures biking together. I love the bond between them and his love for mismatched croc shoes. He's got his first meeting with Nala pinned in his stories, and bet he never thought that months later he'd end up with 652k followers.

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Two days ago we took my niece and nephew out for the afternoon. Included in that was taking them to the aquarium, and man, I'd forgotten how expensive it can be to do things as a family. Over £30 and that was with me getting in free as James' carer and two kids tickets. Then we were in for less than 30 minutes. Thankfully things are looking up for my in-laws. My SiL is still working side by side with social services doing everything they ask, and it's working out for her.

Yesterday I went to see The Art of Racing In the Rain at the cinema. We were talking to one of the men we know who works there and he was joking we should just take a sleeping bag with us and stay there. I didn't tell him we also regularly go to two other Odeon locations. Anyway, I enjoyed the film, though as it focussed on a dog and had a warning of emotional scenes I knew I'd come out crying, and yep.

After that, we met up with Corey for some dinner. He's doing so well right now. For various reasons, he didn't fully graduate uni but a letter came for him and we took it to him and it's his degree certificate, so while he didn't do the whole walking on stage thing, he's still got his qualifications. I'm so incredibly proud of him, uni was so hard for him, especially losing his granddad, great nanna and then nanna during his time there. He was diagnosed with SAD a while back and ended up on meds to help cope and looking back repeating the last year was probably a mistake as uni wasn't a good fit for him at that point. But he tried his best, has worked full time through all the years to self-fund himself and has a good job now. He's also recently cold turkey stopped his meds which I wasn't impressed about and told him so, but he says he's feeling better off them than on, and that he thinks having left uni completely has done more for his mood than any meds. It's still nothing I would have advised, but I'm taking him at his word as he does seem happier now. Though he'll be happier when the freshers come to the city as he'll get more shifts at work.

It's been another horrible rainy cold day again today. We did grocery shopping earlier and have been in since, candles lit, salt lamp on, and it very much feels more like autumn than summer. Though I did pick a few more courgettes that caught my eye when I was putting rubbish in the bin. I have seven huge ones in the kitchen right now. So, some sweetcorn and courgette fritters may be in my future soon.

We paid the remainder of Freesia's vet bill, and while I'm glad the debt is settled it's still a case of, ouch. But at least we won't starve with our glut of veggies.

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Amazingly, James didn't fall asleep in the cinema and we had a really nice night out. Good Boys has some funny parts and a much better ending than I was expecting. Plus, it was nice to be at the cinema without a load of kids around. I don't mind them in the slightest, especially as some of the films we go to see are technically aimed at kids, but things are much calmer and quieter when it's an adult only showing.

Lack of an actual Costa aside, I'm really enjoying the Durham Odeon, it's much smaller than our other two regular Odeons but so nicely plush and you can't beat the location. I mean, look at what I could see as I stepped foot out of the door last night.

( Durham Cathedral at nightCollapse )

Plus, it took just under 10 minutes to drive home which was great. So yeah, we'll do later showings there again. Especially so as the riverside is being renovated right now and a lot of new non-chain restaurants are opening/about to open.

In yet another example of how cats can be gross, I realised this morning one of mine had been sick while sitting on their cat tower and it had splattered down the wall. Thankfully I've been able to clean up the mess and it hasn't stained the wall but even so, really cats? Really?!

I've been working on another h/c bingo prompt, but also need to get out and tidy the garden soon. This alternating rain and the heat has meant it's looking very jungle like out there. Plus, when I was hanging out the washing I saw a courgette that's very close to club size.

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We've got advance screening Limitless cardholder only tickets to see Good Boys at the cinema tonight. The movie starts at 8:15 and James will pick me up after work and we're going to get something to eat beforehand. It's a film James really wants to see, which is why we're going to this preview showing while he's in the middle of his workdays, but I'd say the odds of him actually staying awake through it all are low. I mean, we're going to Durham with the super plush and comfy recliners, he's doomed to fail, really.

I saw this meme doing the rounds, and thought I'd give it a go.

List your top fanfic on AO3 for every year, sorted by kudos.

Behind ( here as the list got a bit longCollapse )

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It's been raining constantly since I woke up, heavy rain too. So it's been the perfect weather for some tv watching, meaning I'm all caught up on Legends of Tomorrow. I don't know if many other people actually watch, but that last episode was great. Weird but great, which pretty much sums up the Legends. Next up, Supergirl I think.

I filled all the bird feeders with seed a few days ago, and one of the crows must have been trying to feed on one of them as seed is all over the garden path. Between the places to shelter and the seed the garden has been little bird heaven this afternoon, everywhere I looked there were sparrows and blue tits. Very bedraggled looking ones, too, their feathers all damp and fluffed up.

I read an excellent winterhawk crossed with Queer Eye where Bucky was the hero getting a makeover. The voices of the Fab Five were perfect and I was sad when it was over. From Soldier to Slayer.

A lot of new winterhawk stuff has been posted due to the reverse bang, but man, I wish more people would post full stories. I know I'm being all 'shake my stick and get off my lawn fandom old' but I much prefer to get stories all in one go, especially if they're actually complete.

I was in the greenhouse picking tomatoes earlier, and there's something incredibly soothing being in a greenhouse in the rain. It's a shame we haven't got room for a big greenhouse as I'd love to have a comfy chair in there so I could read with the rain pelting down overhead. Sadly I can barely get myself through the plants so a chair is nothing but a dream.

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The wasp man came yesterday and said we got the award for the angriest wasps. Which, thank you wasp man, but it's an award I really didn't want. I was considering spraying them myself with wasp killing foam but realised I was really underestimating how high the wasps were considering you have to go up four steps to the front door, plus, didn't have a ladder. So, wasp man, it was. He turned up in his full beekeeping gear and sprayed them and horrified me even more by saying the slight bulge in the toilet ceiling was part of the nest and that if we'd have left it the wasps would have quadrupled by October and probably burst through the ceiling. He took a video of the angry wasps to put on his FB so I'll have to keep an eye out for that. And ha, he's put it up on FB, you can see it here.

Yesterday we also went to Newcastle to the limb centre yet again. Thankfully, that time it was a short appointment just to make sure James' new leg was working for him. Though, it started a bit frantic as we realised that his appointment was actually half an hour before we thought and we had 30 minutes to get to Newcastle, which is doable if traffic is okay, but just. In the end we arrived a minute late which was fine.

After that, we bought Subway salads for dinner and ate them on Newcastle quayside looking up at the Tyne bridge, home via the horse fields where I got to stroke some ponies and then to the doctors so I could get my B12. Then back for wasp man.

This morning it was lashing down with rain so it felt like a cinema day -- and yeah, I know, to us any day can be a cinema day. We went to see Blinded by the Light and enjoyed it lots. I loved how it was a mix of Bruce Springsteen music and 80s music and fashion that reminded me of my childhood. Despite some uncomfortable moments it was nicely feelgood and just what I was in the mood for.

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Our downstairs toilet is on the side of the house, and for a while, I've been hearing a weird noise at ceiling height. At first, I thought it could be a slow leak or something, but no water damage was apparent. So, then I figured it must be the wind hitting the wall. Today I went outside and realised it's actually wasps that are getting into the wall. Now I know every time I'm in there my skin is crawling hearing the noise and knowing it's them moving around the bricks.

Now it's a case of waiting to see how much it'll be to get the problem sorted, as no way can we leave them. Thankfully none have got inside and I've shut the windows that are round the corner from the wasps, but seriously. Wasps. Why?!

It was very rainy and cool this afternoon, but that was nice after the hot days. So I was sitting with the window open next to me with a cup of mint tea and listening to the rain. Though, did have to answer the door to a parcel delivery man who brought me some dishwasher tablets to test. Which great, rub it in considering the dishwasher still isn't fixed. Now it's sunny and hot again, I suspect all the plants will have jumped up another few inches by tomorrow.

Tonight we're having a tomato sauce made with a load of different veggies and especially chopped courgettes. Soon we're going to look like the things. So if you follow me on Insta and I post something where I have a green tinge, you know why.

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I was talking to Kayleigh earlier and she said her b12 was due and it got me to thinking mine should be due soon too. As I get the injections three monthly I use text message reminders and the app from my doctor's to remind me but had nothing. Getting in touch with the doctor's it turns out I was supposed to have been there four days ago, which, sigh. Thankfully they're not mad and have made me another appointment, but really phone, you had to act up now?

Telling Kayleigh after she was saying how she feels like a dead frog, and yeah, I get the feeling. I need my three monthly energy boost too. It doesn't help that I've also got a minor head cold atm and James is on the last day of four late shifts. I'm not a natural night owl at all and these 3 am bedtimes are about 5 hours too late for me.

To the surprise of no one I'm sure, my brother didn't manage to book a holiday. I mean, who would have thought that flights to popular holiday destinations in the school holidays would be full? Apparently not him. So they're off on holiday at the end of the month instead, so maybe sib dinner can happen next week. Hopefully on a day when I don't look like Rudolph's tired and washed out sister.

I've been catching up on some tv and finished the latest season of The Flash yesterday, and am now working my way through Legends of Tomorrow. I'll be watching more of that later, and more new Queer Eye as I've been rationing the new eps. Though fell asleep during the one I was watching last night which wasn't on at all.

I may have also been watching the Christmas in summer film channel but let's not talk about that

I follow all of the Queer Eye five on Insta and JVN and Antoni have been teasing they're in a relationship, up to and including creating an insta account with their smush name. All of them are very touchy-feely -- the fact they hold hands so often delights me because hello fab five, indulge my hand holding kink always, please -- so it's not really a stretch to understand why people think it could be more. I just feel for those people who're so invested in wanting it to be real despite them posting that they're nothing more than very good friends having a joke.

And on the topic of insta, I posted some photos of my garden the other day and how it's getting taken over by plants. When I sit in my rocking chair I'm surrounded by greenery on all sides, which is kind of cool. But, already the courgettes are starting to mount up.

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I wasn't amused this morning when Milo woke me up by being sick on the bed. Right on the sheet and between me and James so it wasn't like I could easily take off the quilt cover and go back to sleep. I know it wasn't his fault but I really didn't want to wake before 8 considering I didn't get to bed until 3. I see a nap in my future at some point today.

I listen to the radio in the kitchen via Alexa. Each morning I'll tell her to turn on Sun FM -- our local radio station and switch the kettle on at the same time. At least half the time she'll respond by playing Sam FM, a radio station which I discovered in based in Oregon. At this point, I just mostly leave it on that station as the music is good with little talking due to time zones. But really, Alexa needs to learn to understand my early morning mumbling already.

It's August now and the reality shows that I'll be watching throughout the autumn and into winter have started to make themselves known. Bake Off has released a trailer, though no start date as of yet. The Strictly celebs have started to be revealed and next week Australian Masterchef starts, which is my favourite MC of all. Though, I see that the three judges have been sacked due to wanting more money, but I can't look for more details as it's inevitable I'll see a spoiler for this season's winner.

Oh man, we were told James needed a telephone interview about finances for the stairlift change, so he's been fast asleep on the couch and I've been listening for the call which was supposed to come between 10 and 12. But the woman has just turned up in person. James was asleep, not dressed, no leg on, nothing. Talk about awkward. But, it's done and now we're on the waiting list for a new stairlift. He's been assessed at medium need, which is fair enough as the one we have now still works, and it should be fitted after a few months.

Ever get the feeling it's going to be one of those days?

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I saw this on my DW network and thought I'd give it a go.

Comment with any of these words and I'll answer the question for them!

monday: do you struggle with the 'boring' parts of writing?
tuesday: name a fic you have posted which you think is overrated?
wednesday: name a fic which you have posted which you think is underrated?
thursday: have you ever written a high fantasy concept?
friday: most self-indulgent fic you have ever posted?
saturday: what gets you excited whilst writing?
sunday: how frequently do you take requests or prompts, if at all?
fortnight: what wip do you plan on posting next, if at all?
january: what was the first fic you posted this year?
february: have you ever written and/or a holiday-centric fic?
march: do you listen to music whilst writing?
april: have you ever written and/or posted a crackfic?
may: a fic you have regretted posting?
june: have you ever written and/or posted a marriage fic?
july: what’s the hottest fic you have written and/or posted if you write smut at all?
august: are any of your fics associated with certain genres/artists/songs/etc?
september: share a comment or review which still warms your heart?
october: name the darkest or angstiest fic you have written and/or posted?
november: do you have any rituals or requirements for getting in the mood for writing?
december: have you ever gifted a fic to someone?
recent: the most recent fic you have posted online?
ancient: the first fic you ever posted online?
seconds: shortest completed fic?
minutes: how long does it normally take you to complete a fic?
hours: longest wip or completed fic?
tomorrow: favourite ways to write fluff?
yesterday: favourite way to write angst?
today: have you made any progress in any wips today?
calendar: do you have a schedule for posting?
forever: do you balance fic writing with original concept stuff?

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I went to one of the local national trust properties yesterday. It was only a short drive away but we'd never been before. Just a small site with a small house and grounds you could explore. Thankfully we went before the heavens opened on the afternoon, so managed to stay dry.

The afternoon was grocery shopping including going to Company Store where we hit the jackpot as they had cat food in stock. Not lots as it's very much a case of taking a chance of what's there on the day, but we did get a great big 80 sachet box of one kind, a 40 sachet of another, plus we got four kinds of cat biscuits so the cats are well stocked up.

Which reminds me, last time we were there we bought two huge bags of washed spinach and don't seem to be putting a dent in it. I've been using it in salads and omelettes but it's not something I really cook with. I'm going to wilt it down and freeze before it goes off, but anyone have any foolproof spinach recipes they enjoy?

A few days ago we saw Horrible Histories at the cinema. If you've ever seen the Horrible Histories tv shows it's those in a movie form and it should have told me everything that we were the only people in the screen without a child. I mean, it wasn't bad, but more like I spent 90 minutes watching something vaguely entertaining with jokes and a 'plot' aimed at 5-year-olds. Which of course the whole thing was.

Other than that I went to see my brother yesterday as it was his birthday. Sib dinner will have to wait though as he's going on holiday on Friday. Not that he's actually booked anywhere yet. So within four days, they have to pick, book and pack for a holiday for a family of four. All I can say is good luck to him.

Our garden has gone crazy with the alternating heat and rain. It looks like a jungle and just in the last day, I've picked four big courgettes. I'll need to get the spiraliser out of storage as I can see loads of courgetti in my future.

Today I've been having a reread of some of the Fraction Hawkeye comic books. I do enjoy that verse and version of Hawkeye. And of course, pizza dog. Lucky is awesome. Fingers crossed it'll put me in a writing mood. Not tonight though, tonight is for a long bath and then more Queer Eye.

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Thank you Camp Sparkle people for the card complete with messages. It's nice to know I was missed, and that the way I pronounce monkey is still a thing *g* I hope you all had the best time ♥

Like many other places, we've been hit with a heatwave. It was 30 in Durham a few days ago, which was just wrong. The days have been okay as I've been walking to get groceries first thing so have been back in the house well before the sun gets the hottest, but the nights have been stifling. Despite having fans going up and downstairs, the poor cats were flopping everywhere. In Pansy's case under the quilt that was hanging off Corey's bed. I guess she wanted some shade as all I saw when I looked in the room was one tabby leg sticking out.

Thankfully today has cooled loads, so much so it's been raining constantly since I woke up. Which is fine, the grey and coolness is a relief, but I'm sure I'll be complaining about it by tomorrow if it's still raining.

Along with James, I've been binge-watching season one of Stranger Things. We'll be moving onto the next season from tomorrow when he's off for a couple of days and not falling asleep on the couch as soon as he's home from work. It's fun so far, well, as fun as something so creepy can be, though not a show I'm tempted to be fannish about.

For my fannish fix I'm still reading winterhawk, and can't see that going away any time soon.

Also, the Picard trailer makes me so happy. I'm really looking forward to it, especially as Santiago Cabrera is part of the main cast. Plus, Seven!

As I wrote Umbrella Academy for my last h/c fill I want to do winterhawk next, so have just been looking at my card. Doing so I've realised I've picked an awkward first choice as now I only have a choice of two lines. Going up, hunger/starvation, wildcard, body/mindswap and therapy, or side to side, dystopia, bodyguards, exhaustion and forced body modification. I know forced body modification seems the obvious one. But, it's not speaking to me. I really should have picked a corner.

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We went to see Rock of Ages at the theatre last night. For any of you Strictly fans, Kevin Clifton was part of the cast, and therefore I got to see more of Kevin from Grimsby gyrating and crotch thrusting than I ever expected. It was a great show, though, and ended with the audience on their feet and dancing along to Don't Stop Believing. Which is always a good time.

I did have a strange seat neighbour. She was a Rock of Ages mega-fan and was talking up the film and other productions she'd seen. She was also short and working her way through a few beers so got a bit loud, though in a cheerful way. Then she moved for the second act going to a seat a few rows behind which had no one in front, which I hope was because she kept complaining she couldn't see properly and not because she thought I was crowding her. Which, logically I know I wasn't, I was firmly in my own space/seat, but I still can't help over-thinking things like that.

We also went to the beach yesterday with my youngest niece and nephew, and man, I've forgotten had much hard work it is to look after a five and three-year-old. Kudos to the single parents who do it day in day out as at one point my nephew was heading out to sea while my niece decided to go the other way. You need eyes in the back of your head and at least two pairs of arms. But everyone survived, even if we all got soaked, and yes, that included me as I ended up knee-deep in the water despite wearing a maxi dress.

The situation with my in-laws kind of exploded last week and my SiL has pretty much gone to being a single parent without any warning. She's also having to attend multiple meetings and as she can't spilt her self in half we've been taking up the slack as much as possible by looking after the two youngest. Which is why I was at the beach yesterday and have visited three different play parks in the days before that. It's a horrible situation though, and I feel for my in-laws so much.

Monday I went with James to see Lion King and enjoyed it loads. Though had forgotten how traumatising the story is at times.

And last week I posted fic. Just a short gen The Umbrella Academy thing for h/c bingo. I told myself that this year I would get a bingo line, and to do that gave myself permission to just write short and not worry about getting beta read. Then spent nearly a day self-editing and second-guessing myself that it was good enough to post. So, I should have just cut that step out and asked my beta to check it over anyway. But, if you're interested, it's here

At some point this afternoon I'm going to have a walk to Kayleigh's. She's just gone official with her new girlfriend so has been in that loved-up time where I haven't seen her for a while as she's with her GF. No doubt I'll be a red-faced sweaty mess when I get there as yet again it's in the upper twenties but it'll be good to catch up. Especially as we need to arrange sibs dinner for my brother's birthday next week.

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It turns out we weren't actually getting the new stairlift fitted on Tuesday, just the man was coming out to do an assessment and to get things rolling to get it fitted. It's not an issue as it's working fine atm, so now it's just a case of waiting.

Something I learned this week. How to cut a watermelon easily. So, ever since I've eaten watermelon I've cut it in half and the scooped out the flesh, which is a pain. We both love the stuff and James takes it as a snack to work, so we've been buying the pre-cut slices as I found cutting the whole ones a pain but those slices are expensive for what you're getting. Then I saw something on FB which said you actually cut them by halving them, then cutting the peel off from the top. It was a revelation! Cutting watermelon is so easy now, and while I'm sure people are sitting there shaking their heads and wondering how else you'd cut watermelon, it just never occurred to me before.

But a food fail. I eat sugar-free jelly and fruit most nights. I've been making those little packets for years now, sometimes adding fruit to the jelly mixture, sometimes putting it on top when set. This week I added pre-cut frozen fruit and was puzzled when neither pot set. Then realised the fruit had pineapple in. No way would it ever set, so goodbye liquid jelly, no snack for me that night.

We have a baby crow that keeps coming into the garden with its parent. It's there now and I keep looking outside to watch it. It's got this little round fluffy head and makes the most adorable squawk. Of course, it could be many different baby and adult crow combos, but I like to think it's the same ones who know we keep all the feeders well stocked.

We went to see Stuber at the cinema and it was okayish but at a few points was heading toward, is this over yet? territory. But what was great was the couple sitting behind us. Never have I heard a more responsive woman, she made me laugh with her gasps and delighted laughter and then when we were leaving the man of the partnership chatted with me saying how great the film had been. I just smiled and agreed.

Our dishwasher has sprung yet another leak. It did the same a few weeks ago and we got a repairman out who said one of the spinners had split, so ordered a new one. Once we'd changed those the leak stopped. But then two days ago I set the dishwasher away, went in the bath, and came down to the whole kitchen floor covered in water. I don't know what's up with it this time, but I guess we'll need to get another repair-person out. At least if something is going to fail I'd rather it be the dishwasher as I can easily cope with washing dishes by hand, clothes not so much. But I do miss the convenience.

New Killjoys starts soon. I'm very much looking forward to that, and new Queer Eye eps tomorrow \o/

I'd planned on getting some writing done today, waved James off to work, only for him to be back half an hour later after he got ill on the way in. Not that he stops me writing. He knows I do it and is encouraging, but I like to be in my own little bubble when I write. Ha, but saying that, I managed to create a bubble and have written a nice chunk of an Umbrella Academy fill for one of my h/c bingo squares.

Now I just need to catch up on the sunshine challenges. One of which is reccing and one asking for stuff. Problem is, right now I'm not sure what to say for either.

Finally, for the people heading to Camp Sparkle, have the best time! I'm sorry I can't be there yet again but I'm sure you'll have the best time as always. Sparkle on, give many hugs and admire Chris for me.

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