solariana posted a link to a roundup of all Joey's performances and unmasking when he was on The Masked Singer last season. I enjoyed watching it a lot, and man, the guy can sing. You can watch it here. Thanks again for posting the link, Jacie.

I really enjoyed Strictly last night, but suspect either Michelle or Chris is going. I have to admit, I'm enjoying Chris more and more each week, both his very enthusiastic amateur dancing and as a person. Plus, his accent is so comforting to me and reminds me of home each time I hear him speak. He posted a pic on Insta of him and his wife at the Costco we go to, and now I keep imagining bumping into him there one day.

Apparently the last no tags story will be uploaded today meaning the collection will be complete, and what a great collection it is. It'll be interesting to see if anyone else guesses mine. I say anyone else as Turlough has already guessed mine correctly via email and had only skimmed the stories at the time. But, I'm putting that down to having known me and my writing for a million years.

It's been raining hard all night but there's no splashed water on the window, so I'm saying the gutter cleaning has worked, so, it was well worth the cost.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Last Christmas at the cinema. It's everything I love in a Christmas film and is going to be cheesy as hell, so bring it on! James has his last 2am finish tonight then is off for three days, so I've been contemplating going tomorrow. But, he's also got his next counselling session at 5 then we're at the theatre straight after. So suspect Tuesday will be more realistic. But, Tuesday I'm there, cheesy Christmas film, Christmas coffee from Costa, happiness.

Like many people I've been waiting to see the new John Lewis Christmas advert, and I like it, Edgar the pyromaniac dragon is fun. I also like Asda's for how magical it is, the one for Sainsburys, though it take a while to get going and the McDonalds one is lovely. But, my favourite so far just for being a bit different is for Ikea. This is very very, very very, very very very very unacceptable

Talking of. I'll be putting up my Christmas card poll later today. I know a lot of people don't send them now but I still love Christmas cards and enjoy sending them.

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It was my youngest nephew's birthday on Wednesday. He turned four and really is a great kid, but man, he's exhausting. Also, stocky and tall, so you know about it when he rockets to jump on your lap. We went to see him and stayed for a few hours, but things got a bit fraught towards the end when the supervisor lady turned up late so his dad couldn't come into the house. So, once she did we took off.

It was just a long day, really, and one that started early as I had a really disturbing dream that woke me up, and then Milo jumped on my head, so I was up before 6. Which worked out nicely in the end as it was the first Sainsbury's double up day. For anyone that doesn't know, you collect points with your grocery shopping and then on the run-up to Christmas Sainsbury's will double them, so we got double the amount in goods that we'd saved points-wise.

But man, it was chaos by the time we were leaving. For the first time you had to double up via the app or online only. In previous years you had to go to a desk and assistants would check your card and then issue paper vouchers that would be used the same as cash. This time you had to double up online and get paper vouchers in the post, or double up via the app and have a digital card to use. That's what we did and it was easy enough, but we're well used to paying via our phones and using apps, obviously a lot of other people weren't. Add on the fact that for the first time they'd limited the amount you could double up to £100 per card and well, as we were leaving the queues to customer service desk were long and tempers were being lost.

But, we bought all the toys we needed for our youngest relatives plus some for the toy drive, got a load of clothes which will be presents at Christmas, a few odds and ends gifts as well as buying a beautiful tealight holder which is in the shape of three stags that make an arch, as well as splashing out a little on a really good frying pan. I'm sure they have an actual name but it's one of those speckled ones that feel hefty, are non-stick and it's great. I made scrambled eggs in it when I got home and it was so easy, they didn't stick at all.

Thursday we met up with Pauline and her daughter for lunch and to pay for our Christmas dinner gathering, then we did have plans to go to the cinema. But, instead, we ended up going back to Pauline's and staying so long we missed the show we wanted. So we just came home and pottered a bit.

Yesterday I was at Kayleigh's to keep her company while she waited for someone to fix her boiler and while there managed to buy tickets to see The Bodyguard at the theatre on Monday. Kayleigh really wanted to go and we priced up the tickets and with carers and theatre member discount they were a great price, so somehow within minutes, we had four tickets. Then on the night, the hot water wouldn't work, but after checking out the boiler I realised the pressure had dropped. A bit Googling to remind myself how to do it and I increased the pressure and had hot water again. No lie, I felt accomplished even though it's a small fix.

Today we've had the gutters cleaned so that's another job ticked off the list. My brother's friend offered to come do it and gave mates rate, which was great. Apparently one of the gutters had a mini tree growing in it, so no wonder it kept overflowing.

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I've been to Costco today and amazingly came out without buying anything apart from the cat litter we went in for. I was tempted by a giant light-up snowman but it was a little out of my price range. If only I had a spare £100.

But, I did buy my first sparkle deer of the year! Also, a hippo tree ornament that's so ugly it had to come home with us. see.

From Costco we went to James' first counselling session -- it turned out the phone call last week was only to schedule and get things started. The office is in a business centre which is shared by lots of different offices so I got to sit in the shared kitchen and watch tv while James had his session. It looks like it's going to be good for him. There's a lot going on with him, stuff tied to his condition and how its getting worse plus the job he does, the melting point of the bad day last week being a call where someone had breathing difficulties like mam. These sessions are arranged by his work and the results fed back to them, so that should help too.

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I've read all the stories that have been posted for no tags, and have enjoyed them all. I won't post recs yet as quite a few still haven't been posted but will do so when they're all there. Saying that, at the moment it could easily be summed up by saying, read them all.

Included in those posted is the one for my prompt, which is just lovely and a lot of fun. Though I was surprised to see the main pairing wasn't one I'd actually asked for. Not that it mattered as I really enjoyed the story and use of the actual prompt. Obviously, with it being a double-blind challenge I don't know who wrote it, but in case nonnie reads back later, thank you! Your story was great and please don't worry about the wrong pairing thing.

Yesterday I also read a Leverage story I really enjoyed. I'm not sure if I got it from a rec on my flist, maybe Dine? But, however I came across it the story was great. It's OT3, always my favourite in the fandom, and is nicely long, paced well and has a ridiculously hot sex scene. Like A Map of a Place You've Never Been

I watched Strictly last night and was happy with the result. As a bonus the leaving dance made me laugh a lot. Blackpool next week, which is always fun, if only for the fact they tend to throw everything at the dances, including props and backup dancers.

Today I've been out, got some groceries and am now bundled up in my dressing gown as it's a bit nippy out there. But I have hot tea, and the heating has just clicked on, so it'll soon warm up.

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I posted my no tags story yesterday. The challenge is still anon at the moment so I can't link. But, if you're interested in bandom you should go check out all of the stories. I haven't read any yet -- that's my plan for this afternoon -- but just with a quick scan, there's some interesting stuff. You can see them here.

The cold seems to have arrived abruptly, I had to break the ice on the birdbath for the first time yesterday morning and there was the first ground frost of the year. At least it's been sunny this morning, though it's gone overcast now. I've been out in the garden tidying up a bit, especially around the raised bed in front of the window. I suspect the gutters are blocked as water has been cascading into the bed and splashing soil everywhere, the window was filthy this morning with sprayed dirt. I'll have to arrange for a handyman with a big ladder to come and clean them before winter sets in completely, so that's another job for next week.

James has a stomach bug atm so is off work again. Not ideal in the slightest with him just going back recently, but there wasn't a chance he could go in. He's been sleeping on the couch most of today, so hopefully will be feeling better by tomorrow.

As for me, I'm going to make a big mug of tea and get reading. Corey is a bit of a tea fan so when I was shopping with him he recommended a smoky china tea but I'm not sure if I like it or not. It's very smoky and I'm really not sure about the after-taste. I'm going to try it again but I suspect the box may end up going to Newcastle. Which is fine, it's not like I haven't a cupboard full of other teas to drink.

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It was a parcel delivery kind of day yesterday. My Lush dupe wax melts came -- though I haven't had a chance to try them yet as I didn't get home until late. A bottle of relaxation oil from one of the product testing companies, and then, while I was out, the prints I'd bought for James. That was so frustrating watching on the app and realising no way would I get home in time to get them. A signature was required, and knowing I'd be out again today I rearrange to pick up at the depot, only to come home and find out the delivery person hadn't left a calling card, which is needed for pick up. I got onto chat with Yodel and they say as long as I have picture ID and proof of my order I'll be able to pick up, but I remain dubious. And ha, I shouldn't have been as it's now much later than when I started writing this and I picked them up without issue.

Other than that, did the tip run for my SiL, picked up the doll, went grocery shopping and met Corey for tea. And spent about an hour parked up on Newcastle quayside just people watching as James had a snooze as we were early for meeting up. After tea, Corey needed to get some groceries so we offered to take him to the supermarket. I went shopping with him and ended up paying for all of his stuff. He didn't ask but when he went to get out his card I just felt nope, my treat.

Other excellent news in terms of my in-laws. My SiLs partner is being allowed to move back home from next week. Two supervised visits for two hours first, then if that goes well full time on his own. Him leaving wasn't related to the thing I talked about in another post. So it's great he can go back as it'll take a load of pressure off.

Today we've been to see the Aeronauts, which was really great. We watched on iMax and I have to admit it made my stomach twist often with the high up scenes and the two leads had good chemistry. Also, we got given free bars of Aero chocolate when going in, so, score. When we left we got stuck behind a load of fire engines and police cars as someone had fallen in the river. Due to the constant heavy rain, we've had the river is really swollen just now, so he was lucky someone saw and pulled him out.

Then it was home to take Tinker to the vets. Sadly she peed all over me again, and the couch, and a blanket. She's fine once she gets to the vets but is terrified about going in the carrier. She had to have bloods today as she'd lost weight, but all her bloods were good, so she doesn't have to go back for six weeks.

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Happiest of belated birthdays to the most lovely wenchpixie.

I'm sorry I didn't get online yesterday to say so, but I hope you had a fabulous day ♥

It was a busy day yesterday, not that there was anything stand out and that time consuming, but it all added together to take time. In the afternoon we went to Metrocentre had a mooch around the shops taking in the Christmas decorations and then went to the cinema to see Sorry I Missed you. I'm not actually sure if this is on wide release as it's one of those small British films made which is part-funded by Lottery money. It's set in the northeast, mostly Newcastle so it was good to see so many places we knew. But man, it was bleak, the whole story obviously based on Amazon delivery drivers and zero-hour contracts. It also had one of those ends that leave you sitting there and thinking the hell?

We also managed to find and buy a specific doll my youngest niece is desperately wanting -- and then somehow set the click and collect location away from the Metrocenter. Thankfully it's a pick up at a shop close to Company Shop, so we can pick it up next time we go there. But still, how we managed to do that I don't know. But still, another gift done.

Today we're meeting Corey for tea, but before that need to go help my SiL with a tip run and James has his first telephone counselling session. He had a really bad time at work a few days ago and while he's feeling better now OC Health have arranged talking therapy for him, which I think is the right thing to do. So, I'm going to go sort out more stuff in the spare room that can be taken to the tip while he does that.

We've got vague plans to maybe go to the cinema after meeting Corey as he lives close to Silverlink Odeon. I don't know if that will actually happen though if it does, great. If not, there's always tomorrow.

With the announcement of more shows and new merch for MCR, my hope that there will be a world tour continues to grow. Also, my respect that they managed to keep such big bookings completely secret remains. So many people must have known, and yet nothing was spilled.

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I've finished my no_tags \o/

I'm going to sit on it tonight, give it a read through tomorrow and then send it to beta. Amazingly, in the last two days, I've written more than I have for most of the year. It was nice to feel inspired again. Hopefully, that inspiration will hang on for other stuff and I won't go back to writing barely a hundred words every now and then.

It sounds like firework displays are going off everywhere right now. Whizzes and bangs and when I look out of my bedroom window all I can see are explosions of lights in the distance. Which is beautiful, but I don't think the cats agree.

I ordered some wax melts that are supposed to smell like Lush product dupes. They're arriving tomorrow, so we'll see.

Other than that I have nothing. I just didn't want to break my posting spree yet.

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I pulled up the remaining tomato plants today and tidied the greenhouse a bit. It was sad seeing them go, like the last bit of summer going into the bin, but, they'd provided tomatoes for months and their journey was now over. I need to wash down the greenhouse tomorrow and finish getting it ready for winter. I would have done it today but it'll be a dirty job and Kayleigh was supposed to be popping in. In the end, she didn't so I could have done it, but oh well, waiting a day won't hurt.

Other than that I did get out for a walk and timed things badly doing so as it started raining as soon as I walked out the door. I've also written a big chunk of my no tags story and should get it finished tomorrow, which is fantastic as it's not putting too much pressure time-wise on my beta.

Amazingly I'm being productive with Christmas gifts and got word that some I've ordered for James have been dispatched. He's into Banksy right now so I've ordered him the canvas of the male and female versions of kissing cops. He's previously mentioned they'd look good on the landing, but he's got no idea I actually found and ordered them. Now, I just have to hide the things until Christmas.

I enjoyed the Strictly results show last night, with the second pro dance attracting my attention. I didn't really take that much notice of Graziano last season with him going out so early, plus, AJ has mainly been my focus, despite him having the personality of a plank. But, I started to follow Graz on insta over the summer and really enjoyed his posts, and as the show progressed, liked how he never complained about being benched as a main pro, and of course, his friendship/bromance with Johannes which now includes them dancing together on the show last night. If that's something you're interested in, you can see part of the dance here.

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I have a no tags prompt and am happy with it. My beta has also agreed to beta during the week, so all I need now are the words.

I always forget how nervous I feel when I'm sitting refreshing at claim time and double-checking I've signed out at least four times. But it's done, and looking at the list of claims, there's going to be some excellent fic next week. And so much Mikey and Pete. The Summer of Like lives on it seems ♥

I've had a very lazy day today. Tidying and cleaning, reading fic and answering comments. I've even done my mini nano word target plus more for today so I'm feeling nicely accomplished. Also, very lazy. I must get out for a walk tomorrow.

Tonight though, it's Strictly, the new His Dark Materials, and of course, bath and book. I finished my re-read of The Inn Keeper Chronicles last night and don't know where to go next. I'm sure I'll find something, though.

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Just a quick one as I need to get ready to go get my B12 soon.

I'll be saying nothing new to anyone in terms of news and links, but omg, MCR is back! It was the last thing I was expecting when I checked my phone last night. Them performing together, new photos of them together. Hopefully new music -- please let there be some new music, if not now in the future. Them on the stage together again. Be still my heart! I really hope some of my friends can go to the concert and seeing all the happiness on my flist has been lovely this morning.

Which leads nicely to the fact that a new round of no_tags is up. You can prompt now so get thinking of those prompts. No tags is one of my favourite challenges, and I can actually take part this time as timing-wise it's pretty perfect.

Finally, mini_wrimo is happening. This is also a favourite challenge of mine and one I've taken part in for years. I'm only going really low word count wise, just 100, but those 100s add up if I force myself to actually write on the days I have no desire to do so.

I'm off to Mog on the Tyne after the doctors, so a post about last week will have to wait for now. Something I'm sure you'll all be on the edge of your seats waiting about.

In conclusion OMFGMCR!

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Happy belated birthday to doomdays. I hope you had a great day with your family and Salem ♥

I hope the cats body clocks adjust to the clock change soon. Having Tinker launch herself onto my chest from the windowsill is a very abrupt start to the day, especially when it's just gone six in the morning.

So yes, the clocks went back and cats aside, I'm okay with that. It did mean when we went to my aunt's on Sunday our dinner was already pretty much ready to serve as we walked through the door at 1 pm. That surprised me as normally we sit and chat for a bit at first, but it turns out she hadn't changed her kitchen clock so had started to cook earlier than needed.

It was a good visit, and as always I came home with leftovers, some muesli, fake yellow rose petals and some corn on the cob holders. Oh, and my oldest cousin also bought me some new instant coffee pods. Sometimes mam and my aunt seem nothing alike, sometimes, like when I'm leaving the house with a bagful of stuff, it's obvious they were cut from the same cloth.

It was good that dinner was nice as the food where we'd gone with Pauline the night before was poor. The company was great and it was lovely to think about dad, but the actual food, nope. Thing was, we were all too polite due to the occasion until we got out and everyone said they hadn't really enjoyed what they'd eaten. The people in charge are relatively new and I just don't think they have the details right yet. The sauces in the holder were empty and instead of going for new ones the guy serving searched other tables and eventually brought other bottles that were also almost empty. There was a place setting missing, none of the steak eaters got steak knives, just things like that that showed lack of care.

We normally go there for our Christmas meet up, but after that and disappointing food we're going elsewhere this year. That's been like herding cats trying to get a date as along with us there's Corey coming and my uncles' family. But, I think I've managed to pin it down so we're off to pay the deposit this morning.

James is mid-way through a week off. An actual planned one this time and not sick related, so we've been out and about every day. Yesterday we went for a walk at High Force and it was beautiful. Another crisp sunny autumn day where it was a pleasure to be outside. You can see some photos of that here, including video of the waterfall itself that was looking nicely impressive. On the way back we called in at Durham as I'd bought an afternoon tea at Patisserie Valerie. It was bought on a voucher and only cost £10 for two, and I'm glad about that as the actual tea wasn't that great and I would have been feeling ripped off if I'd have paid the original £25. I've seen amazing afternoon teas elsewhere, but this one really wasn't.

Today we need to go pay the deposit, and after are heading off to Metrocentre after to see Zombieland 2, then the Bake Off finale tonight. Tomorrow I'm giving blood in the morning and also taking my niece and nephew out before the fostering people come in the late afternoon. Who knows, they may actually turn up this time.

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Today we've been to see The Addams Family. It's a kids film, so nothing much to say about it really. It was amusing enough and really short so we had plenty of parking time to have a quick walk around Durham after.

It's market day, so after a slow walk to the market square, we shared some food and talked to this lovely couple who had a huge Bernese Mountain Dog. He was only eight months old and already eight stone and I had to laugh as he was getting so much attention from people stopping to chat and ask for a stroke. I was surprised the couple weren't still on the bridge when we came back an hour later.

It was the first day it has felt properly crispy cold when we've been out and about, I even had frosty breath, but it was the cold that feels okay, and not the dreary and wet kind that burrows bone-deep.

Now we're home for a bit before going out again. It's dad's anniversary today, four years, and along with my brother and his family, we're meeting up with Pauline to get something to eat. Then tomorrow we're at my aunt's for the day, so it's going to be a sociable weekend.

I'm glad the humiliation day prompt is over for whumptober. Normally I'll read anything but everyday humiliation isn't my thing at all so yesterday I missed my daily dose of whumptobers.

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Thank you dine for the card. You're so very welcome ♥

We went to see the new Maleficent film on Wednesday, and it was great. I enjoyed it so much and has thankfully bucked the trend of recent films that I neither loved nor hated. Well, apart from Rambo, that firmly remains the thumbs down pile. Maleficent isn't a perfect film by any stretch and has its ridiculous moments, but it was colourful and engaging and I enjoyed it all.

We were actually going to see it on Monday originally, had booked the tickets and everything. But, a bit of drama with the in-laws happened and we were half expecting to have my niece and nephew delivered to the door that night. But, that didn't happen and everything worked out well in the end. Though, my SiL now has to fit three home/parenting help visits a week into her packed schedule. How she's supposed to do that when my niece and nephew are at school I don't know, but that's for social services to work out.

Talking of. They were supposed to come on Wednesday at 4, but we got a call saying the fostering team couldn't make it, so it's now been pushed to next Wednesday. On one hand, it's a little frustrating, but on the other, it's reassuring that they obviously do see us as an extreme emergency back up only, as there's no hurry to get things started.

On the recommendation of wenchpixie I've been watching Zomboat, and it's a lot of fun. I'm also three episodes into Prodigal Son, and really liking that, too. Other than that I've been powering my way through Station 19 on the nights and still watch Christmas movies too

I've also been working my way through Life in Pieces on Amazon, that's a cute show and as it's in little bite-size chunks it's perfect to watch while I'm doing surveys.

Today we need to go to Kwik Fit as Clem has a flat. Poor James had a bad shift at work last night, he wasn't feeling well, got told he would be being put on a stage for absence after all and some other stuff went on that wasn't good. He finished at 11:30, got home just before midnight and realised he had a flat. Thankfully mobility cars come with roadside assistance, so he phoned last night and someone is coming out today between 10-12 and driving with him to Kwik Fit, where again, as part of the scheme, the repairs are free. Which is great, but he really could have done with doing nothing but rest before his shift tonight.

ETA: The RAC man has been and I've just spent nearly 30 minutes looking for the locking wheel nut box in the car. I had the boot emptied, all the door panels searched, under the seats and it was nowhere. Then when the guy was on the verge of breaking the wheel nuts by force to put on a temp tyre, I looked under the boot cover, and there was the wheel nut box, in the little holder where it's supposed to be.

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You will forever be one of my most favourite people ever!

Fingers crossed it won't be too long before we can be boring and constantly refresh DW together *g*

Hope you have a fabulous day ♥



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A lot of fantastic people were born this week, so very happy birthday to solariana. I hope you're having a good day, and you get some excellent kitty cuddles.

The social worker was supposed to be here today but phoned to cancel the exact time she was supposed to arrive. So, I have a gleaming house and no one to check it yet again.

She says she's coming on Wednesday instead, but I guess we'll see.

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I was supposed to be going to my aunt's today, but Kayleigh has come down with a cold and feels terrible and as she was my lift the visit has been postponed until next weekend. I suspect she's got the same cold I've had since last week, not enough to knock you off your feet but enough to make you feel rough. I was feeling much better today and thought I sounded it until Kayleigh said I should phone Irene as it still sounded like I was sick. But no, she can have that job. Not that my aunt will be mad we're not going, just, she always buys and makes a load of food. Hopefully she won't have started to cook yet and it can all be frozen.

It does mean I need to plan and make something for tea. I was planning on being fed by Irene and her sending leftovers home for James.

Which means an unexpected day in for me today. Though, I may take a quick walk to the chemist to pick up my new compressions that were delivered there yesterday. It was raining hard earlier but the sun has come out, so it's a nice afternoon to get out.

In the last few days we went to see Gemini Man, which was okay. Though the young Will Smith was a bit weird. Well done for the most part but still weird. James did get to be dramatic on that visit and fell up the steps at the cinema. Because he can't straighten his arms he can't break any falls so when he goes down he goes down and has to hit the ground. There wasn't a thing I could do as I was behind him on the steps and just had to watch as he bounced off the seats and landed in the aisle. He was fine, nothing hurt at all, but it was a bit of a dramatic moment.

Then two nights ago he was drinking a can of pepsi max in bed and managed to drop it. To say I was unamused was an understatement as I was woken up and had to strip the bed. Thankfully one of the things we got from mam's was a super king size quilt. We've never opened it as while we have a superkingsize bed, we only have a king quilt as finding superkingsize bedding is a bit difficult. So that was opened and used and it's a really nice quilt. It was very expensive when mam bought it -- why she did so I'm not sure, she only had a double bed but I guess it was just part of her online shopping addiction she developed -- and is made of this crinkly material that's very strange. It's thick, very warm but rustles like plastic. Thankfully it can also be jammed inside kingsize bedding, so no need to buy more.

I had a lovely walk in the park a few days ago. It was good to get out in the sunshine and stretch my legs. I did a loop that took me down to the river, and when I got there all the swans that had been lurking on the field above started streaming down. There were easily hundreds of them and they'd obviously become used to people feeding in that area. Sadly I had no food to give, so had to inch my way through the river of swans all the time being given beady looks from swans that looked like they wanted to peck me down for grain. If you haven't seen on Insta, some photos of that are here.

Supergirl has started again. And the Good Doctor, The Walking Dead and many other shows both new to me and old favourites. And what am I watching during the day? The Christmas movie channel. Man, I'm a sucker for them, I love every single clichéd stupid moment of them. Yesterday James asked why I like them so much, especially as they seem to recycle the same actors and plot. And it's just, they make me feel cosy and content even while knowing 99% of the time they're painting an unrealistic picture.

I also wrote words yesterday. Who knows, I may actually finish that bodyswap one day.

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Tinker was back at the vets last night. She's put on another nice chunk of weight so she doesn't have to go back for a month. Though is still going to get B12 injections every fortnight. So, I was taught how to inject her. Sarah the vet asked if I'd done it before and I said I'd self-injected blood thinners, so she confidently said it's easier than that and I'd be able to inject Tinker. And I did, a bit fumbly this first time but I'm happy to do it again in two weeks. I just hope Tinker stays as still at home as she did at the vets.

It's best we're doing it at home as Tinker gets stressed going in the carrier. So much so I got more scratches and got peed on again yesterday putting her in, so the fewer visits the better. Not that I can blame her, in the last six weeks she's been to the vets multiple times and had many things done to her. All frightening for an old lady. We also bought a new carrier while there. They were selling pre-loved carriers for £5 and they were in much better condition than the one we have. So it made sense to get one and we'll keep the other for a spare.

I felt sorry for vet Sarah. She'd been in hospital for two days before on IV antibiotics as she'd had a horrific throat infection, but had to come back to work the day after discharge as the other vet is in Dublin for two weeks and they were unable to get a locum. It's fantastic she's so dedicated to the cats she came in, but she was obviously working on fumes alone.

It's Kayleigh's birthday today and my plans were to have a walk up and spend the afternoon. But she's had to nip to the Metrocenter, so I'm going up later. Which also means I can get a lift up as James is on his way home from work. I hope she's not too late though, as I want my bath and book time before Strictly.

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To the surprise of no one I'm sure, I did order the fox dress and it came yesterday. I suck at selfies, especially ones where I'm trying to show an outfit, but you can sort of see me wearing it here.

Yesterday I'd got a day ahead of myself date-wise and was messaging Kayleigh making plans to go to hers as it's her birthday today. Except, it's not until tomorrow. Thankfully I was talking to her or I'd have turned up early, and then no doubt would have been early for my middle nephew's birthday which is actually on Sunday.

But, at least I got to the post-office and posted some stuff. So I'll give myself one tick for getting stuff done correctly.

It was my oldest nephew's birthday a few days ago, but as he's still in foster care we couldn't see him. We did send presents and a card, and James is on the list for a weekly phone-call so got to say belated happy birthday last night. Hopefully, he'll be back home in February, until then he's with a wonderful foster carer who's looking after him beautifully.

Next Wednesday we've a social worker coming to assess our house and start off a police record check as emergency carers of my youngest niece and nephew if they ever have to leave home. Very much a worst-case scenario situation which I'm sure won't happen as my SiL has turned her life around big time, but needs to be in place as a backup. The house is in good condition right now and apart from the spare room, is well decorated, and neither of us has bad records, but it's still unnerving to think about.

After two people on my flist were talking about it I've started to watch Prodigal Son, and I can see the attraction, very much so. I'll be watching episode two later so hopefully, it's as good as the first.

I've also been catching up on recorded tv and the other night finished the last eps of 911. I do like that show and loved the public getting involved to help Buck. Now I've moved onto Station 19 which I'd watch more of tonight but it's the celeb Masterchef finale and I need to watch that, and last nights ep as I didn't get to see it.

With whumptober and kinktober my inbox is overrun with MCU notifications from AO3. Thankfully most fills are short because omg, so much fic.

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Somehow space baconcat seemed an appropriate picture for this post.

You're such a lovely person and make so many people happy with your mail and posts. I hope you have a good day with Olivier snuggles and a day without stupid people.



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Hello there, Mikey Way. Please keep posting pics from one of my favourite eras where you look hot as all hell. I do appreciate it a lot.

We've been to see Joker today. What a film, gritty, unnerving, disturbing and if Joaquin Phoenix doesn't get a handful of awards I'll be very surprised.

We were supposed to meet Corey afterwards for a catch-up and something to eat, but he's not well and is working tonight so I told him to stay in bed and we'll meet up on his next day off instead.

Came home and stopped off to buy a traditional ox sandwich from the Feast. Personally, I'm always dubious if it is actually ox, and James always complains that they're dry. But, it's a Feast tradition, even if I haven't had one since I was a kidlet.

It's the fireworks tonight, but I think I'll just watch them from the front doorstep. I'm tired and a bath followed by my pjs and wrapped in a fluffy dressing gown watching the fireworks from home sounds more appealing than battling the crowds.

I'm trying to talk myself out of buying this dress. It has foxes on it and I love it a lot. But at the same time, I really don't need more dresses. But, foxes! There's also one with pandas on in the sale....

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James went back to work yesterday. On a phased return at first of four hours a shift, going up two hours after his next set of shifts and again until he's back to full-time hours. The only thing was, he was told he was in 9-1, got to work and it was actually 9-1 at night and not a day shift. They let him stay as he was just reading emails etc yesterday but is back on a short night shift today. He should have double-checked, but neither of us expected a phased return to finish at 1 am. It means he won't even be leaving for work until 8 tonight, which is weird.

Lots has gone on since I last posted. It was Pauline's birthday so we took her out to eat, had the meal out with my In-Laws which was very nice, then yesterday, Kayleigh was in an accident that wrote off her car. Thankfully she's fine and it was the other persons fault so she won't be paying out. Her car has already been taken away though, which is why we picked her up from work earlier and took her to pick up a hire car.

We've been to see Ad Astra, where James outdid himself and fell asleep five minutes in, and the new Rambo which was stupid had no plot and was far too violent for my taste. All of which I knew before going in but it was a film James really wanted to see.

We lost our parking appeal and a few days ago got a letter to say we owe tax money. Not a lot but even so.

Tinker is doing better. She was in for her third B12 yesterday and has put on weight each time. She has a check-up with the vet next week -- yesterday was just the assistant to get the injection -- and hopefully, she'll go to being monitored over months and not weekly.

I went for my latest lymphodema appointment, which I'll cut for ( detailsCollapse )

Houghton Feast started last night. The fairground is in town and the huge ride that towers over the shops can be seen from my house again. We didn't go to the opening show as it was raining but will walk into town and go to the parade later. I do like Feast time when I go outside and can smell chips, candy floss and toffee apples and hear the faint music of the fair.

I've decorated the landing using the leftover wallpaper from the bedroom, turns out that papering bumpy walls isn't as easy as smooth plasterboard but I did it and even worked out how to cut in the light switch and plug. I've also put up the new curtain hooks and some decorative shelves, so the bedroom is looking good. I had planned on painting the downstairs toilet, but haven't got around to that yet. We've got a really bright lime green for in there, it may look terrible and too much, but I figure why not give it a try?

I haven't written a word or even read anything fannish for a while, but will hopefully change that once I'm back from the Feast.

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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.

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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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