Anyone been to Bingo recently? I did, tonight, for a friend’s birthday.

Did you know they don’t say things like “two fat ladies” for 88 or “Maggie’s den, number 10″ anymore? In fact, it all seemed terribly complicated at first, linking in with other local clubs, then a big national game, but we got the hang of it in the end, and a good time was had by all. We didn’t win anything (we were waaaaaaay too slow apart from anything else!), but we all said we’d go again, and it’d be easier next time. Besides, I’ve got my own proper bingo stamper pen now, I’ve got to go again to use that!!

Today was my last day temping for my “old” company. They hadn’t run out of work; indeed there would have been 2 maybe more days a week for at least the next month if not longer - but I have chosen to call it a day.

Let’s remember WHY I resigned in the first place. Back at the beginning of December, Mum hadn’t even had her trial day at the home, but landing up in hospital from stress induced problems had finally convinced me that things just could not continue as they were : work plus Mum was Too Much. Either Mum would like the home, in which case waiting for a room to become available could take a while & I’d need a lot of time to sort through and clear her flat, or she wouldn’t, in which case I’d have to look for a job with less hours anyway. I also desperately wanted to get off the treadmill for a bit, and get myself back to 100%.

As you know, things with Mum happened one helluva lot faster than I ever could have anticipated; not only did she like the home, but there was a room available straight away, and so January passed by in a bit of a blur - I had already committed to doing 2 days a week at the old place, but now had a flat to clear too, as Mum couldn’t afford her care home contribution and rent for more than a few weeks. This month I have been able to ease off the gas a little, but because I still had the involvement with work, I still found myself concerned with matters while I wasn’t there - had this happened OK, had that been remembered etc etc. I never have been very good at switching off.

And so, with the start of serious job hunting, I took the decision to have that time off the treadmill NOW - before someone offered me a job with an imminent start date. It’s a gamble, and I may end up having to go back to some sort of temporary work in 6 weeks or so if I’m not back in gainful employment - but better that than having to start a new job too early before I’ve had chance to catch my breath. That wouldn’t be fair on a new employer, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be fair on me.

It’s been a lovely last day too, with kind words, and chocolates, and more kind words, and more chocolates and flowers and cards…just really, really nice. And all along, I have had the same deep sense of calm, and absolute assurance that I’m doing the right thing.

If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard the “did the earth move for you” line today, I’d be an exceptionally rich woman. And, I have to report, the earth did not move for either Chris or me last night - in fact we both slept through the whole darn thing. Weren’t even woken up by any cats freaking out, in fact knew diddly squat about the whole earthquake thing until I saw it on the news this morning.

I feel like I’ve missed out!!!

Today marks Chris’ fortieth day of not smoking - hurrah!!!

He did actually light one up about a week ago - more out of curiosity than need - he wanted to know what it would be like. He achieved about four puffs before deciding the taste was horrid, put the cigarette out and went to brush his teeth - now that’s a result!

Well they don’t. Gas cookers I mean.

Our new one was fitted today - and whereas the old one had a battery powered ignition, this one requires an electricity point. And what do we not have anywhere near the cooker? Yup, an electricity point.

So, for now, we have a rather Heath Robinson arrangement involving an extension lead draped across the kitchen, and on Friday, our pet Sparky is coming to look at fitting an electricity point in the vicinity of the cooker. Why is nothing ever easy?

In other news, I had another job interview this morning, which really did go very well - and I have a good gut feeling about it. It’s another small company recruiting their first sales admin position, but this lot really have their heads screwed on and are going places. I should have some news by the end of the week - keep ‘em crossed!

So yesterday I had to buy a size larger in trousers - today, I was assessed as needing a whole size smaller in bras. Well, sort of smaller. It’s complicated, let me try and explain whilst still sparing the blushes of some of my more sensitive male readers.

I have been aware for a while that I’ve been wearing a badly fitting bra. I thought it probably to do with putting on a leetle weight, but was concerned that my profile was heading away from buxom wench and careering towards a more Hattie Jacques/Matronesque appearance. So when friend Jan suggested a trip to Nottyham and a fabulous bra emporium, I readily agreed.

To most women, there is really only one place to be fitted for and buy bras, and that is the great goddess M&S. However, there is another, in the opinion of a growing number of women, much, much better service for the fuller figured lady provided by a relatively new kid on the block, Bravissimo. Jan has long since been a convert; I have bought tops there and been impressed, so was keen to try their fitting service.

Their press is not nearly good enough. With the help of the ever patient and good humoured assistant I have got the best fitting bra (well, bras - I bought 3) I have ever had, in a smaller size round but a cup size up - which means I look more va va vooom than oooh matron - well worth the money!!!

When you’re out buying trousers for forthcoming interviews because the ones that go with your favourite brown jacket don’t fit anymore, what’s the last thing you need?

To come out of your cubicle in size 16’s (Principles always come up small, right? RIGHT?!), to nearly run over a staggeringly pretty, and diminutively petite blonde deciding the size 8 dress she’s trying on is too big…

Grrrrr!

Oh.

To cut a long story short, I had to email some information to the engineering company ahead of my interview yesterday - which I did from work (with their permission I hasten to add) on Wednesday. I specifically pointed out that I was using my work email, and re-advised my private email address for any reply.

Then we had the interview yesterday, which you’ll have gathered I thought went pretty well, and the agreement to go in for a trial half day today.

I’ve just had a phone call from work, as the person going through my emails there in my absence had seen a reply from this firm - sent at 5.45 yesterday evening - telling me (quite curtly apparently) not to bother coming in today. They’re forwarding the email to me at home.

I said I had misgivings didn’t I? Even though the opportunity sounded great, my gut last night was telling me something quite different. One of these days I’ll learn to listen to my gut. It’s never been wrong before.

ANYWAY - on a lighter note, I’ve had my telephone interview (more of a chat really), and am now waiting to find out if I’ve made it onto their interview shortlist for next week. Fingers crossed.

Yes, I have another interview tomorrow - bonanza!! More about that in a mo.

Today went - well I think - it was a bit odd really. If that NHS interview I had back in January was the epitomy of a structured “classic” interview, then today was completely the opposite!!

In a nutshell, they’re a very small engineering company (5 people in total) who desperately need someone to take on their administration so they can get on with the job of growing the business. I’d be setting up systems virtually from scratch and trying to ensure the office runs smoothly. Quite a lot of the work would involve Sage - which I’ve been very upfront about knowing diddly squat about - but I’ve been told it’s quite easy & straightforward to pick up and use - can anyone verify this? Anyway, they seem quite keen to have me aboard, and whilst I must admit to having reservations, it is an intriguing prospect. To help me (and them!) decide, I suggested I spend half a day there, which I’m doing tomorrow afternoon.

Ah yes, tomorrow. When I came out of today’s interview, there was a voice message on my phone, asking me to ring this other company to fix a phone interview. Which I’ve done, and I shall be trying to verbally impress at 9.30 tomorrow morning. They’re a much bigger affair, and far more established - but I’ve no idea what they’d agree to hours or salary wise. If they even like me enough to want to meet me in the flesh!!!

And in the midst of all this excitement, Mum had her second cataract op today - which went well, so another few weeks and we’ll be able to get her new glasses, and hopefully her sight will be much, much better.

Another job interview! - Monday this time. That’s a 33% strike rate against the 6 applications I sent out last Friday, not bad!!

It’s been a bit quiet on the old jobs front of late, as the supplements have been somewhat light, and other things have had to take priority. I got my act back together on Friday however, and fired off 5 email applications, 1 postal one and put in a request for an application form for a seventh.

And already this renewed effort has borne fruit - I have an interview on Thursday!

So, do I take Mum to hospital in confident career woman attire, or do I dash home and fake it in between?

Chez Baggins is the proud owner of not one but two new shinies :

A double oven gas cooker - ooo!

A 32″ flat screen TV - OOOOOO!!

This means we can a) get rid of the fairly serviceable but definitely decrepit cooker that came with the house, and b) our existing, smallish tv/video combi can go to Mum, who only has a very little portable at the moment, and no room for two separate units.

Woo hoo!!

Having spent a fair portion of every weekend so far this year sorting/decluttering/flogging stuff etc etc , I decided a break was in order, and thought that Mum deserved a treat.

The good weather suggested a drive out (something’s she’s always enjoyed), and a phone call to an old friend of her’s (from junior school days no less) sorted a lunch date. So she and I motored down to Buckden in Cambridgeshire today, taking an unplanned but very pleasant detour via Melton Mowbray (bloomin’ roadworks!), and had a thoroughly nice day out.

I’ve warned her it’s back to the grindstone next weekend - I want my dining room back!!

Don’t start fretting, you’ve not fallen through a rip in the time vortex, and you don’t have to work another 2 days before the weekend - this is just a desparate attempt by me to balance the books as it were.

You’ll remember that I’ve given up chocolate and full fat coke on weekdays during Lent? And you will of course be aware that yesterday was Valentine’s Day? If you’re really good, you’ll also recall that Chris and I have a favourite pub/restaurant we frequent on such occasions…you know where this is leading don’t you?

It’s not my fault that the only dessert they offered that I fancied contained (well OK, was 100%) chocolate…and it was a set menu, so it wasn’t even as if I would have been saving any money by declining…so I traded yesterday for tomorrow, and will now not be eating chocolate again until Sunday. I only drank diet pepsi yesterday if that makes it any better…

Eric mugged Bones. I think he thought he was going for Pickle, I didn’t see how it started, but I did see a thoroughly alarmed looking Bones upside down in a roll with an equally surprised looking Eric. He (Bones) then exited stage left at an impressive turn of speed for a near nanogenerian (if I’ve got that right you’ll know he’s nearly 90 in cat years) - but was decidely shaken, and needed a lot of reassurance before he settled down again. Poor old boy.

I think Eric should get community service, what do you reckon?

I must have caught some off Chris :

Him - Day 28

Me - declined FREE chocolate TWICE today

Woo hoo!

Yes, I hate them, Yes, I look like a prat in one. It was bloomin’ cold at 6 o’clock this morning, OK?!

Cars (we filled both of ours to the brim) loaded, we headed off and joined the queue just after 7, and there we sat until they opened the gates at 7.30. Unpacking the cars in any sort of sensible order was soon abandoned, as we dealt with a steady stream of buyers who represented every possible variant of the human race! By midday almost everyone had gone, so we repacked the remains - three categories : home with us (for now), home with us (for charity shop) and not coming home…TIP!!!

In all we did very well, adding another £100 to the kitty after we took the float and admission price out. We are now zonked on the sofas, totally ker-knackered! It’s debateable as to whether we’ll make the pub quiz tonight; Chris says he wants to go, but then he’s snoring rather loudly at the moment, so we’ll see…

BTW - today is Day 25 of Chris not smoking! - nearly a whole month!!

…because tomorrow we have to get up at the crack of sparrowfart (I love that expression!) for the car boot sale. Actually, make that slightly earlier than crack of sparrowfart, because we have to load the car too - a spate of attempted & successful car break ins in the area has deterred us from doing that tonight.

So, if you happen to be awake at around 6am tomorrow morning, spare us a thought before you turn over and go back to sleep!

Some friends popped round this evening, and on their arrival, informed us there was what appeared to be stray dog outside, which had just been kicked by a passing dog walker when it got too interested with their dog.

Closer investigation revealed a rather scruffy looking mutt who growled - in a scared rather than aggressive sort of way, but after That Alsation Incident, my backside and I weren’t taking any chances - so I backed off. I left some cat food out for it (which it scoffed), and came back inside to phone the police.

Who weren’t interested. They might have been if we’d been on a main road and the dog could have caused an accident, but otherwise they referred me to the local dog warden or the RSPCA.

So I rang the local dog warden. It’s 7.30pm, and there’s no answer.

So I rang the RSPCA. Who weren’t interested, as the dog wasn’t injured. They too suggested I rang the dog warden, but confirmed they only work office hours.

Luckily this story has a happy ending, as it transpired mutt was the rather elderly and doollally hound of a neighbour (who had no idea he’d got out, but were very glad to have him back), but what if he’d really been a stray? Apparently I would have to have left him outside, no shelter, until 9 o’ clock tomorrow morning when I could have rung the dog warden, and would just have had to have hoped he’d stay put til then.

Don’t know what you think, but I think that’s crap.

Auction day today!

Some pieces of furniture (including a couple of items from Chris’ Swansea stuff) in this morning’s sale, and three lots of china, silver plate and silver in this afternoon’s. A fun day, excellent for people watching! And a good end result, which, when they’ve taken off their seller’s commission, leaves us with about 4 months worth of Bones vets/drugs bills!

Weather still looking promising for Sunday, so fingers crossed we’ll be car booting then and getting rid of some more stuff. I may have my spare room back by Spring at this rate!