I have been appallingly bad at updating here (and at reading my buddies). For a few days I had the excuse of an ailing ISP. For the rest I can only lay the blame at sloth's door.
So, what has been happening in the world of me?
The short answer is - lots. None of it earth shattering so I'll just give the highlights.
One real highlight was my mail. I went up to post my parcels to B (and her mate Pete) and I collected more packages than I sent. There were two from the girl, three from her (ex)Pommy mate and one from my Mum. Aren't parcels fun!
The B parcels were lovely. She had sent me four more pashminas (gold, red, aqua and emerald) and a stunning bed set. The set is a king-size spread with two matching shams. It is silk, deep chocolate brown and a rich glossy cream, a stunning traditional Islamic pattern and heavily fringed. It smelled a bit funky (because of the vegetable dyes) so I have sent it off to be dry-cleaned.
She had also sent me a beautiful carved marble vase. It is a deep earthen brownish grey and has the most hypnotic depth to the stone. It almost looks three dimensional.
The other three parcels were a "thank you" from her mate, Pete, for the parcels I have been sending him (I wrote my own thank you and told him he was a very naughty boy for spoiling me). When I first posted to him, he offered to pay B for the contents. She said a very firm "no" so he asked if there was anything else she thought I would like as a way of thanking me. She mentioned that I collect balls and eggs.
He went ever so slightly overboard! Fourteen (yes, that's 14!) marble eggs (and stands) in all sorts of colours. Some solids, some composites of different stone. There is a deep red (think blood clot), a brilliant ocean blue, the palest of sage greens, tobacco brown. There are striped in cream and brown and mosaic in pale pink and white. I think he bought up every marble egg in the whole country.
What a sweetie!
B had also sent a parcel to her Dad. He got three of those weird rolled felt hats the men wear over there. (They are called pakols.) He got a camel brown, an earthen brown and a pinkish fawn. He looks a right burk in them!
The package from my Mum was, erm, interesting. The gift was a clutch bag. My immediate reaction was "Britany". It is kind of, well, ugly. And tacky. Vinyl, printed and (out of alignment) textured with black and white snakeskin, with a silver chain handle with weird tacky dangly things on it (love hearts and such). Poor Mum, of late all her taste is in her mouth. (I blame the macular.)
She also included a card with the usual birthday greetings and, sticky taped in the centre, on a bit of cut up (yellowed) lined paper, she had put a joke. (Q: Why don't pygmies use tampons? A: They'd fall over the strings.) She is a very weird old lady. But her heart's in the right place.
And, speaking of new stuff, I had a bit of a shopping spree. We had a work do to go to and I decided something new was called for. Something to wear with a pashmina. I ended up buying two black cocktail frocks (because I couldn't choose between them), some red shoes (with the highest heel I have worn in yonks), one of those new U bras and a new (not Britany) evening bag.
What else has happened in my week of sloth?
There is still no news on Mr Minyamoo. It has been three weeks. I think we are going to have to draw a line through his name in the family bible. He's gone for good.
I have probably bored you all enough will my whole lot of nothing doings. I'll send you all to sleep in another update about our weekend at The Vines some other time.
