Wednesday

 Good morning, everyone.  It's chilly and dark and, by the looks of the windows, raining too.  Yesterday was dull for most of the day but we had a glorious hour or so of sunshine which was lovely.

I was most impressed with the Covid arrangements in Specsavers when I arrived at nine yesterday morning.  It's only a small place, unlike the one in town, but they had it all well organised and there wasn't a single moment when I didn't feel 'safe'.  Also, after I had explained about my hearing difficulties which have been seriously compounded by masks which not only muffle the sound but prevent me from supporting my hearing with lip reading, the optician replaced her mask with a face visor which was brilliant - no real problems after that, no more than I always have.  I was grateful.

My sight has changed but only slightly.  My distance vision is the same but my shorter vision is slightly worse.  Mind you, I knew that.  All the cross stitching I am doing should be a lot easier once I have the new glasses.  They were very careful to check that I was happy about having new ones; as she said, it wasn't strictly speaking necessary.  However, quite apart from making the close work things I do easier, my current glasses are getting a bit wobbly, the arms have lost their spring and they don't 'grip' so well.  So - new pairs.  Two new pairs (an ongoing offer they have) and as my prescription sunglasses are fine, I'm having two 'all the time' pairs.  No change in style as Beth wasn't with me to advise and I can never see properly what new frames look like without my glasses on - which rather spoils the effect!

I pick them up in a fortnight - three days before Christmas and parking will be a nightmare so what I will do is get to Sainsbury's much earlier and do a nice big shop to take me over Christmas and the New Year, go back to the car and wait (if necessary) before picking up the glasses at nine fifteen.  Killing two birds with one stone sounds OK to me.  I'll start the list today!

Once I was home and had sorted out the shopping, I made another sixteen veggie sausage rolls and they are now in the freezer, all bagged and ready to use.  It was just an assembly job; the pastry had been in the freezer and the filling was made the day before.

It was a good chat with Dad.  No connection problems now and we sorted out all sorts of bits and bobs.  I'm driving up to his next week, bearing Christmas goodies of one sort or another plus some Which? magazines that we share and anything else we think of before then.  It's not too far and I feel quite happy about driving there, dropping the stuff off and driving back again.  The car could do with a longer run anyway.

The rest of the day was spent wrapping more pressies, etc.

Today is busy.  A chat with Val, personal training and then the dreaded dentist will fill my time.  I think today is the day he finishes the implant work - I think.  I'm not totally sure but I do hope so.  I'll know by late afternoon anyway!  I must remember to talk to him about the other tooth.

Today's musical advent calendar choice is a big one - I mean long.  I couldn't decide which of Benjamin Brittens's Ceremony of Carols to share so I'm linking to the whole lot.  Feel free to forward to what you like.
I sang this while still at school and loved it, although Britten's style isn't my favourite.  I guess it is all wrapped up with happy memories.

I hope the quality is OK.