Wednesday

 Good morning.

Yesterday, I wrote:

I am determined that it is going to be an easier day as I'm still weary (my own fault this time).  I have some ironing to do and I might pop to the allotment, just to water and harvest at some point but I won't be doing anything too heavy and I am sure that I will nod off from time to time.

. . . which just goes to show that 'The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley,' as Burns so wisely wrote.

It started off according to plan.  I picked some tomatoes from the garden, got myself washed and dressed in a leisurely way, albeit feeling slightly guilty about cancelling the swimming although I knew it was the right thing to do and anyway I have a strict rule about not drinking and driving that made it the only option.

I checked over the planning for the afternoon, watched some YouTube, did some mending, set up the ironing board and got that done, sorted out the kitchen and thew day's meals and then went online to check emails.

To back track a little, Tuesday is usually the day I have an aquacise class now that the gym is open again but I left it a bit late to book and all the places were taken.  I clicked the 'waiting list' button without any expectation that I'd get a place.

You can guess, can't you.  Yes, there was an email saying I had a place.  I glanced at my watch.  Fifteen minutes!  However, it felt right and I knew I was OK to drive so went into full speed mode to change, pack the swimming bag and dash off.  Yes, I was a bit late and missed the first five minutes or so but it was really nice to be in the water, working away, and I was so glad I went.  My shoulder had been playing up rather but the exercise smoothed that out nicely so that was an extra bonus.

On the way home, my petrol warning light came on so I took a detour to the filling station and then to the allotment where I harvested green beans, tomatoes and courgettes (lovely!).  By the time I got home, it was time for late lunch, followed by shower and hair wash and there was just time to sit down for fifteen minutes before my student arrived.

So that put paid to any ideas I may have had regarding a leisurely afternoon with a few snoozes but, on the other hand, I felt great!  The positive feeling continued with a good tuition session with an enthusiastic student who, according to the mum, 'really loves coming here'.  Nice.

So, while the plans for an easy day were blown right out of the water (sorry), it was a super day and I feel loads better this morning.  

Looking at the diary, I see that I have personal training midday and some tuition late afternoon but that's it.  So perhaps I will have that relaxing day today instead.  I can hope!

I know it sounds rather previous, but at this time of year we (the family) like to get our Christmas arrangements sorted out and, fingers crossed, rules permitting, I should have five for Christmas dinner, six counting me.  It's time to start thinking about things like making the Christmas cake, something traditionally done over the October half term, ordering the Kellybronze turkey (expensive but superb) and this year I shall make the Christmas pudding too.  This last is bitter-sweet because Mum always made the pudding and after she became not able to there were some in her freezer or we bought one she particularly liked.  However, how difficult can it be to make a steamed fruit pudding so I want to start looking up recipes.  Delia, of course (the cake is a Delia one with additions) and maybe Jamie, Nigella and Mary will all get a look in before I decide, but I will go all traditional and not make it until stir-up Sunday.

Stir-up Sunday is November 22nd this year and this is what Wiki says about it:

Stir-up Sunday is an informal term in Anglican churches for the last Sunday before the season of Advent. It gets its name from the beginning of the collect for the day in the Book of Common Prayer, which begins with the words, "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people". But it has become associated with the custom of making the Christmas puddings on that day.  . . . . Most recipes for Christmas pudding require it to be cooked well in advance of Christmas and then reheated on Christmas Day, so the collect of the day served as a useful reminder.

As I get older, I do love a bit of tradition.  However, there will be no charms in my pudding.  Like Mum, I reckon it's not that safe and one could easily break a tooth or choke.

I've gone on for long enough.  It's cloudy this morning with no early sunshine (shame) but things still need to be done so, as Diane says, I will get this show on the road - after another coffee!
Have a great day. xx