Feeling better generally. Still tired though of course, but what’s new. Finally sorted out the pain control. 2 x 50 mg Tramadol 3 times a day, 2 paracetamol three times a day, in between the Tramadol. The background pain is much more manageable now. Still hurts like hell if I move awkwardly or accidentally bash the offending thumb, but generally speaking I can deal with it now.

Sold all my machine knitting stuff on ebay. What an absolute nightmare. Really complicated, stressful, I was angry, tearful, confused, worried. But it’s almost all gone now. I’m waiting for a courier to pick up the big machine, the electronic one, which includes the ribber and all sorts of other stuff. Three boxes weighing 14 kg each, the fourth box weighs only 3.5 kg. But it took some packing up, it really did. Hubby had to help, because I just can’t manage heavy weights. And it’s all going to Iceland! Yes, Iceland! and somebody is coming to collect the electric yarn winder this week sometime. She lives in Middlesborough, which is a good 200 miles away from here (300 km) but is coming to Birmingham for the Christmas Market, so will be in the area. Just waiting for a phone call to confirm day, time, etc.

Then the next project is to sort out the room. Very exciting. I do know what’s going to happen to it, and it’s not much really, but still. Holes in walls to be filled, walls to be painted, big grey Ikea Billy bookcase to go to the knitting shop which is on the verge of opening, shelves to be moved to the other side of the room and their configuration rearranged, ooh, can’t wait.

Today I have done my ironing and for the first time in years managed to burn my arm. Bummer. Also have sewn 1″ wide elastic strips, one each side at the bottom, of the fitted sheets which are too wide for the bed. The plan is that I can tie them up under the bed, to stop the sheet travelling in the night. I end up with a horrid wrinkly sheet in the morning because I’m such a restless sleeper, so decided this was the best option, as it’s very expensive to buy sheets to fit. We’ll see. The bed is being changed tonight, so the new amended sheets will go on then.

It’s really cold here. Maximum 2C or 3C in the daytime. But I’m ok with that. When it’s very cold, it kills the germs, and helps reduce garden pests like slugs.

Older daughter phoned yesterday – is coming to stay for a few days in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait. Also, hubby’s eldest son is coming up at some point from Brighton (a good 3 hour drive) with his three children and his partner. Very exciting.

Am all ready for Christmas, presents bought, just need to do some baking. Two chocolate cakes, two carrot cakes, and two dairy free fruit cakes (for me!), which I will freeze in slices, as only I like it, and nobody else. The carrot cakes go in the oven together, so do the fruit cakes, but I have to make the chocolate cakes separately, as the food processor just doesn’t cope with the quantities. Starting this afternoon as I didn’t wake up till 11.30 am, with one of the chocolate cakes.

Will have to stop now. More anon.