A friend.

I've just had my best friend from New Zealand come to stay for a couple of days.  We had a day in London and a day at Windsor Castle.  I am going to miss her dearly, seeing her again after all these years reminded me of just how much I do miss her.

I feel sad now.

Popcorn has come home

Popcorn came home a few days ago.  Sadly his mate died and his owners decided they didn't want him any more and asked if I would take him back.  Well I couldn't say no, so now I have to decide which group of boys to house him with and hope that he gets on with them.  He will bring my numbers back up to 20 again.

Music Practise Update:

Day 4:  Had two days off as wasn't feeling the best and it is no good playing when you aren't up to it.

Today's 10 minutes went well. Still no trembling in the hand so that is a really good sign as before I couldn't even hold the clarinet for 10 minutes without my arm shaking.  No pain while playing, embouchure still needs to toughen up, but it has only been four days so far.

1st November - here already

Things to look forward to in November

My friend from NZ is coming to stay for a few days early next week!  We have known each other since our children were babies, over 21 years now.

Further healing of my pain. (I'm thinking positive here, even though feel quite sore at the moment, hoping it is just a glitch as I had treatment this morning)

Coming off medication and going back onto Raw Foods Diet.

Catching up with housework, clearing clutter and making crafts on my To Do list.

Continuing with clarinet practice.

Day Three:  Another 10 minutes today.  Easier than yesterday - embouchure not as worn out.  Not much pain.  Yeah!  Looking good.

Music Day 2

Another 10 minutes practice completed, just scales and finger exercises.

Embouchure still finding it tough which is understandable.

Thumb a bit sore and started to feel it in the wrist, but otherwise all okay.

No discernible after effects from yesterday I am pleased to report.

A bit of fun:  Today's photo from the 365 Toy Project (A photo a day)

The book I started reading last night...A Hidden Affair.  Will report back once I have read it.

Enough is enough!

This was me performing in 2007

The one below is my last performance I played in pre-TOS decompression surgery, December 2008.  I had thought the pain was bad then, hence the surgery, little did I know that nearly four years later I still wouldn't be playing.  Not only that look how slim I was!  Now I feel dumpy and frumpy!

I was so sure I would be playing again that I had a couple of concerts booked for the April 2009.  I had to cancel.  I also got offered a permanent position in an orchestra which I had to turn down.  I had been working towards getting one since coming to the UK in 1995!

Well enough is enough!  No more!

First 10 minutes practice done this evening.

Embouchure ached - will need a lot of practice to get that in shape again.

Surprisingly I didn't think my sound was too bad.

Right thumb felt the weight a bit.

Time will tell what other effects these 10 minutes will have, but I will do the same tomorrow, and next day and the next.  I am determined to fight.

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I picked up a couple of books on the 50p stall at Sainsburys Supermarket this afternoon.

The one below slipped into my grocery basket by accident ;-) the other day.

Now which one shall I start reading tonight I wonder?

An update

So how am I doing at reducing my debt and selling my dolls you may be wondering?

(Part of this post is a direct copy from my Sewing For Sasha Blog)

I have managed to sell 7 of my beloved Sasha/Gregor dolls, but am happy to report they have gone to some really lovely homes.  It has been really hard and a couple of dolls in particular I really miss.  I have sold almost all of my Tressy collection as well as various other dolls, amounting to about 45 dolls in total, (oh I wish they brought in the sort of prices Sasha dolls do!)  including the Sasha dolls.  Sadly some I made the mistake of starting the listing at 99p thinking that I would get more than one bid, only to have to sell a gorgeous Crissy family member in her original clothes at that price - heartbreaking!  On a whole most buyers have been really lovely, but I did strike one pretty horrible buyer unfortunately.  Then of course there are the dreaded evilbay and paypal fees, that seems to reduce the amount brought in significantly as well!

I have managed to reduce a significant part of my debt, (will feel so much better when the dreaded credit card has been cleared) but do have a bit further to go so will have to do some more hard thinking and reducing.  I am finding it easier to resist, although it is still difficult at times!  Especially hard was going to the Sasha fun day and looking at all the wonderful items available and having to say no.  I am learning what I really like and making do with things I already have.

I have started doing a 'Doll Inventory' going through all the dolls I have collected and gathered over the years and accessing the what, whys and wherefores...  quite an interesting process.

I am making reasonable progress at the sorting and tidying, but it has to be done in stages, depending on how I feel physically.  I have volunteered to do the Christmas dinner this year, so I have a deadline to get things really sorted and cleared for now.  Usually my MIL has Christmas round her place, but she found it really difficult coping with it all last year, so I said come round here instead.  I better start planning!

As usual I have fallen behind on some things and need to catch up, but I am hopeful I will get those things done this week.  I have so many things and ideas I want to do and put into action, but just don't seem to get to do many of them, is it time?  Is it organisational problems?  Or quite what?  I really don't know.


Latest health update:

I went to see a different person today who has a completely different approach to the general medical profession and he came up with a completely different reason for many of my problems and as such I received a treatment for the problem today.  I go back and see him again on Thursday to see if there are any changes.  I am hopeful, but then I always am!

We had a lovely weekend with our older son who came home for a couple of days.  It was so nice to see him again and we all went out for a meal on Saturday night which was good.  All is quiet again now.

Oops, forgot I've put the dinner on...must dash!

Coil Pot Making

Something a little different at Thursday Girls quilting group today. Coil pot making, which was great fun.

Almost finished the base

Working round the sides

Finished!

Very pleased with this, it was fun to make and relatively easy.  Have a few more project ideas to work on now.