Wednesday 11th February 2026 If we took a holiday I've not felt well since Christmas. I'm run down, stress bucket is full and I'm burnt out. So I've booked myself a little jaunt. Heading up to Norfolk on Saturday for 3 nights. My first holiday not in Felixstowe and first trip to Norfolk since 2019

Tuesday 10th February 2026 Everything Counts A welcome quiet day at home alone. Needed some space from the world today. Caught up on Traitors Ireland and that was intrigue enough - of course I loved it! Done a few little jobs - simple tasks but made an impact. Being taken out for lunch tomorrow.

I've tallied it up, and I have 21 days left at work.

Only just noticed that those awfully nice people at RedBubble have got one of their nice offers on at the moment. You can save up to 35% of your Earth money on everything and that includes my tat too. There's 20-25% off T shirts and 20% off notebooks & journals. Whoopie!🍾🎉 Andydrewz.redbubble.com

Monday 9th February 2026 Tell me lies Picked up an extra day of work today. I'd hoped to get away at 2pm but ended up doing the full day. Strange things going on. Trying not to get too involved. Lost track of how many days I have left. Need to reconnect with that. Pleased to have tomorrow at home

If you see this, quote with a robot that isn't from "Star Wars", "Star Trek", "Dr. Who" or "Transformers".

Home. Shattered. I may just turn into a puddle of mush and seep away.

Why on earth did I agree to cover today???

Sunday 8th February 2026 Everybody hurts Second day of sick headache. Think it's related to my eyes. Went to bed this afternoon and the pain had eased, but still feeling sick when I woke up. Had a big bowl of soup and a session with the heated eye mask to reduce the congestion. Feeling better now.

Good morning! I've been to Walden and picked up loads of bread and rolls to give away through the Community Fridge scheme. Mild out but still a lot of drying out needed. Picked up bird food for the tits from Aldi (special buy) and very excited to have Coal Tits already investigating the feeders ♥️

Saturday 7th February 2026 I can't stand the rain Another wet day. Roads were like rivers heading into Dunmow early this morning - so much run off from the fields, and flooded fields breaching onto the roads. Gutters, drains and ditches all seem to be a thing of the past. Got my eye sorted. Happy

Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work. "It'll all come out in the wash"

Now with added Police Boxes and Crown Court.

Ladles and Jelly spoons I have completed the sitting room cum study makeover. I'm very happy.

I was on Specsavers doorstep at 9am and explained the whole eye situation. They were brilliant! Fitted me in for an urgent health check, took a proper history and thoroughly examined my eye. The spot was there! I've had an ulcer. It's inactive but showed up for some reason. Will fade over time. Fab!

Friday 6th February 2026 In Your Eyes Woke up with a pain in my eye, and two white spots on my cornea. My GP won't do eye exams, so it was off to A&E. I got a referral to the Eye Clinic when I pushed. They rang me this evening and said to go to my opticians because they have the same equipment!

Well about time! Won £15 on the Postcode Lottery. It'll be the big one next month!

Been called back for a second interview next Friday as they can't decide between three of us. Will be given a set of financials to analyse, and then have to give a 15 minute presentation without IT or aids about what I've discovered from the data. Total interview time 1.25 hours. Gonna feel longer!

Thursday 5th February 2026 Motivation Another day another dollar. It's becoming increasingly hard to remain interested in work. I've run out of energy for all politics and nonsense. It's all just tiring now. How many days left? I should hear tomorrow about the job I interviewed for last week.

Absolutely shattered this evening. Glad to be home.

The first episode of The Wombles was originally broadcast on this day in 1973. The series was based on the books by Elisabeth Beresford, directed and animated by Ivor Wood and narrated by Bernard Cribbins. Mike Batt provided the memorable theme tune.

There are a couple of things that still worry me four months on from Clio dying, but the biggest is that if there's an afterlife, there won't have been anyone there she knows to meet her, and it breaks my heart that she's alone.

Wednesday 4th February 2026 Pandora's Box Colleague opened up a big old can of worms today, that I'd thought we'd laid to rest a year ago. Hasn't touched me, but is a reminder why I'm leaving. Came home and did diy. New floating shelf installed correctly is sagging. Not happy. Will fix tomorrow.

Everything can just fuck right off today. Thank you.

Tuesday 3rd February 2026 Changes Every Day Another good night of sleep last night - almost 7 hours. Slow start to the day, then got up and did jobs. Was really cold lunchtime so went back to bed for a warm. Finished the wallpapering this afternoon. Very pleased. Bought H a book for her birthday.

The Traitors Ireland is (for me) the best Traitors ever! Episode 6 had a weak ass trial but my goodness more than made up for it with everything else. That Round Table and the fallout post banishment. Electric! Can't wait for more ♥️♥️♥️

Monday 2nd February 2026 (Forever) Live and Die Been feeling displaced today. Thinking a lot about life and death. I watch lots of old programmes and have developed the bad habit of thinking "he's dead" or "she's dead" - even animals in films. I think it's all rooted in losing and missing Clio.

Today is Candlemas - which is a beautiful name. A chance to celebrate 'the return of light' Artist: Roger Hall

Good morning! I've slept for a solid seven hours and woken up to a light morning and birdsong.

Sunday 1st February 2026 Whatever it takes Nice day, although it has rained continuously. Volunteered for the Community Fridge and spent the rest of the day at home wallpapering. My hyacinths have bloomed and the scent in the bedroom is exquisite. First thing I have really smelt in a long time.

Good morning Sunday and hello February! Been and done my volunteering for the Community Fridge. Picked up lots of apples, cabbages and spuds and dropped them at the hub just before the church service. I'm sure the parishioners will make good use of it. Think I'll wallpaper tomorrow. Feeling clumsy.

Saturday 31st January 2026 January February Nice day at home. Cleaned up and reorganized my desk. Swapped some rugs over and was blown away by how much lighter the study/lounge is as a result. Been nice weather so had the doors and windows open for fresh air. Wallpaper delivered. Tomorrow's job.

I've got my back door open #notaeuphemism

Good morning! Cup of tea in bed. Too early for a slice of cake. Have a super Saturday!

Friday 30th January 2026 Inside a dream Feeling hopeful but not necessarily confident. Over-prepared for the interview today, and I think due to anxiety over-answered the questions. I could have been more succinct. My gut is I won't get this one. It's a good job so bound to be strong competition.

Noooooooooo! 😭

Post a favourite tv/movie mother

Thanks everyone for your hopes, prayers and reassurance. Just in the door. It was a good interview, and I interviewed well, but it was stressed a couple of times that competition was really tough. I'll hear next Friday, and it will either be a yes, no, or we want you to interview again. Exhausted

Today's the day! If everyone could pray for me between 2.15pm and 3pm 'cause I really want this job, that would be terrific! *nb Candidate is already feeling sick with nerves so needs all the help possible.

Thursday 29th January 2026 I'm going slightly mad Questioning whether I'm going to last the next 60 days. People have really wound me up today. It's like flying ant day - today the problem people all came out to play! On the upside, got my redundancy letter and authorised time off for interview.

The Council of Europe has just voted to ban conversion practices.

Wednesday 28th January 2026 Jealousy There's a whole load of stuff mixed up in my redundancy that I didn't expect to deal with. My colleague who wants to stay and be the manager is having a reaction to my having time off to interview/look for work. It's very tiring. I've had headache for two days.

@jve-joe.bsky.social 62 days #countdown

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Remember When Went shopping for interview clothes today. Settled on a look and not going with a suit, shirt and tie. I'm too old for that, and it's not an executive position. Scoped out the new job and met one of the staff incognito. Doing my prep. Went to the museum.

Well I didn't have a Green Party video on the list for things that would make me cry today, but here we are!

I bought this same postcard as a child and was transported as soon as I saw this skeet. We went to Walton and parked in a big field on the edge of town.

Monday 26th January 2026 January Rain Despite the foul weather, it's been a day of progress. TV is now up on the wall in it's new position and everything is hooked up and working. Had a nice early dinner mid afternoon and then a late supper catching up with YouTube. Been prepping for my interview

Lads and lasses - I've got an interview on Friday afternoon. Wish me luck!

Well, I've managed to get it up. Ignore the wonky shelves - temporary heat shield while I wait for the proper one to be delivered. Cables will be hidden. All that aside - I'm feeling quite pleased.

Good morning 🌞 #TraitorsIreland has dropped and I'm on it. Every time I see Andrew Moloney I'm convinced I know his face from somewhere. I love the way he's playing the game.