Claire's October

It’s been a long time since I last blogged.  I’m not really sure why but I haven’t felt the urge to sound off but I think I can put this down to the simple fact that I haven’t been up to anything much.  Harriet had 3 internal doors fitted in the upstairs of her house mid September and I offered to paint these for her.  Fortunately they had already been sanded down but I had forgotten just how much I hate glossing, especially doors.  I put on 3 layers of undercoat first and then one coat of gloss to finish, it seemed to take me forever.  I was pleased when they were done.  Harriet & Billy’s house is almost done, they just need to get new curtains and they want Phil to fit some new aluminium sockets in the kitchen then that’s it until next year. 

Phil and I went to La Manga in Spain with Ian & Sue. Sue wanted to show Ian the part of Spain when she spent so much time and it gave me a chance to catch-up with my step dad and partner.  I did have my reservations about going because I knew I would get a lot of pressure to spend lots of time with my step dad.  It wasn’t the best of weeks away, it was better because we had a car and also we hired an apartment off the campsite.  The apartment was very comfortable and the weather for the first part of the week was great but then the weather changed and we had lots of rain along with thunder and lightening.  Personally I was glad to get home.  I sound like a right grumpy woman I know, and I am getting much worse.  I actually like my own company, sad really.

Unfortunately we had a late flight back from Spain and the following day Phil started his MSC at Cranfield.  Not the best start with only a few hours sleep and his first week did not go smoothly.  Phil got on much better the second week and he actually came home on Friday evening, happy and more confident.  Phil is loving his student life and I fear I have lost him to the world of academia. Oh well I suppose if it makes him happy that’s the main thing.

Last weekend we went to Sue’s son Matt’s wedding reception.  It was at the Holiday Inn by junction 14 on the Newport Road.  It was such a rainy day which was a real shame considering it was bright sunshine the day before and the day after.  We got there for 2pm and got home by 10pm.  Lots of celebrating and we were suffering the next day so it was a duvet day even though Phil should have really been studying.

I have updated my CV and have applied for a few jobs but I have not been successful in getting an interview which is rather depressing.  I did apply for a job stacking shelves at John Lewis and was successful with the online tests.  The group interview put me off so I didn’t pursue it any further.  I applied for a cleaning job and was interviewed by a nice girl called Caroline.  She took me on her books and I am hoping that she will have some cleaning jobs for me in a couple of weeks.  Basically I go in people’s houses, clean to a bespoke spec and get paid £8 an hour.  She says that because I don’t mind ironing and am willing to work weekends that she will be able to find me lots of work.  So it’s official, I am a scrubber!

Last Monday I got rid of the Freelander Land Rover.  I had 2 blokes out from the newspaper, the first chap only offered me £75 so I sent him away.  The second bloke offered me £200 which I accepted.  I probably could have got a lot more but I just wanted to get rid before the winter sets in.

My sister Julia came down from Suffolk on Saturday and stayed the night. The reason for her visit was that it was the first anniversary of my mum’s death and Mike, Janice & Pat wanted to mark the occasion.  I did lunch at the flat and then we went to see Harriet who was in the midst of cleaning.  To fill time me and Julia went to do a spot of shopping freeing up the flat so Phil could study.

Sue and Ian were booked to come out for dinner on Saturday evening but they cancelled because Sue had a dodgy tummy and so Phil decided to opt out.  So it was just me and Julia that met up with Mike and the others at The Bull in Stony Stratford.  I hadn’t seen them for ages so it was nice to catch up although Janice and Pat were not in the best of health.   Janice has DVT in both her legs and Pat is on medication for a dodgy hip.  The meal was okay; Pat very kindly paid for us all and I felt bad for her because at the end of the evening she was spewing her guts up in the toilet.  Julia thought this was down to the medication that she’s on and not down to the food at The Bull. I think she’s right but I wouldn’t recommend The Bull.  I certainly won’t be going back.

Phil made bacon sandwiches on Sunday morning, Julia went home and Phil took himself off to Cranfield leaving me home alone.  Not for long though, I went to the gym and then went to The Odeon to watch a film called ‘Gone Girl’.  There was only me and 2 other couples in the cinema.  Gone Girl has only just been released but I had seen it before on the television so I think it must be adapted.  Shame really because I remembered the entire plot so really wished I had opted to see a different film.  Still it killed 3 hours as I went in at 11am and came out at 2 pm.  Phil went to the library at Cranfield and I cooked lunch which we had when he got back.

Tomorrow I fly to Sharm el Sheik with Sue and Ian for 10 days.  Phil was booked to go but he can’t go because of his course schedule. When Phil decided he couldn’t go I did say to Sue that I probably wouldn’t go but then following day the weather was foul outside so I changed my mind.  When I look at the weather today I am so glad I did.  Today I have packed my case and Phil is taking us to Luton airport at quarter past seven tomorrow morning. 

I have cleaned the flat from top to bottom, changed the bed and stocked the cupboards.  Phil will be fine; actually he’s probably quite looking forward to having the place to himself.  He will be able to have all his papers scattered everywhere and will be able to study to his hearts content.  I on the other hand, am looking forward to 10 days of lying vertical on a sun bed sipping a gin and tonic.  Yes a holiday is just what the doctor ordered, rest and relaxation before I start my new life as a scrubber.