IN BRIEF

Tuesday 21st August

Emailed a shop in London about stocking my bags last week. Initial reaction was good and order received today for my 'minimum order' of eight. Collected Lucy from boyfriends and we went to Ikea for bits and pieces. Was encouraged to buy a 'Dime Cake', but would recommend it to anyone!

Wednesday 22nd

Strange to have some company today. Had email back from college friend who agreed it would be good to meet up. If only it was that easy... Was hoping to go shopping and buy birthday presents for my mum's birthday on Sunday when we plan to visit.
At third attempt (started on Monday) managed to contact person at Nuffield Hospital about 'next step'. Upshot was that I went to see consultant again at 4.15pm. We made a joint decision about me needing another herniogram as he is refusing to believe that his mesh could have failed and that Hermione is back.
Despair is setting in...

Thusday 23rd August

Awoke to sunny day feeling optomistic. Ended day wondering how I would survive through to Friday.
Lucy had been asked to organise meal for her Maths class mates. Fine- but the teacher, who had asked her didn't get in touch and didn't show.

Friday 24th August

Made a start on the bags which have been ordered by a shop in London. If I just take it steady, perhaps I can make them without help.

Sunday 26th August

Today was my mum's 79th Birthday, and for the first time in years we had planned to spend the day with her. It wasn't me that prevented us, but we didn't get there and I was so disappointed...


IN BRIEF

Monday 13th

One of my plans this summer was to get some things on Etsy to sell. Spent all day uploading my Swarovski rings I have made to sell.

Tuesday 14th

Have discovered that although my bags on Etsy have expired, it's one simple click (and 20 cents) to reinstate them.

Thursday 16th

First contact from someone wanting to buying one of my bags - but he's had a problem paying through Paypal. Although I email him straight back, he hasn't got back in touch. I resolve to make some more bags in anticipation of a deluge of orders.

Friday 17th

Open up my emails this morning to find I really have sold my very first bag through Etsy, Hooray!! - reducing the postage has paid off. I plan to spend the day making more bags, but am thwarted at the first hurdle as I am on my own today and can't even lift the laminating machine out of the box. Luckily I go and find a neighbour who is more than willing to come over (once he's finished his lunch) In the meantime, Robert phones to say he is on his way to Derby having visited the hospital in Leicester only to be told that his implant (teeth) is not what is causing him pain - it has to be the tooth next to it, which his own dentist can fix...

After tea Robert suggests that we go to the cinema to see the Bourne Ultimatum with Matt Damon. Good idea, but Hermione is complaining that I have done too much today already. We ring to tell Lucy our plans (she's at boyfriends) and she tells us in no uncertain terms that she is upset that we are going without her even though she has no interest in seeing that film. When we arrive at the kiosk, the only tickets left are two rows from the front - if the music is too loud then this will make Hermione worse, so we make a quick decision to wait for the next showing and upgrade to 'posh seats'. Having made our purchase, I suggest we buy one for Lucy as we now have time to collect her. Outcome? We do something as a family for the first time since April and everyone enjoys the film, including Lucy!

Saturday 18th August

Graham spent all day at work getting an order ready. First time he's had to work at the week-end in a long time. Felt well enough to drive to Burton for a spot of Retail Therapy (it was tipping with rain, so there wasn't much choice) Robert does really well, a shirt and a pair of trousers - I can't decide...

Sunday 19th

Graham at work until noon. Have promised Robert a trip to The Yorkshire Sculpture Park for a spot of lunch and a walk round. We leave at 12.30pm and trickle down the slip road at Junction 29 of the MI to find the traffic stationary. Eventually we arrive and queue at the restaurent to watch the last Meat and Potatoe pie be awarded to the people in front... Our Lamb and Mint Pie is reasonable...
Hermione is chomping at the bit for a long walk, but three quarters of the way round decides that she's had enough and is no longer capable, I get very depressed: "I should be better by now" I say through a shower of tears - everyone is very understanding...

The rain stayed away for the afternoon and having recharged our batteries with a cup of tea we headed to Doncaster to deposit Robert at the train station and returned home.