I find this time of year to be very unsettling.

There is little reason for this but nevertheless, I am unsettled.

There is the deal of getting a grocery delivery at a time when all the slots are booked. I booked my slot at the beginning of the month and managed to get one of the last free ones. So I have been tweaking the order adding bits that I remember we are nearly out of and then removing stuff because we have nowhere to store it. There is this completely irrational feeling that I have to stock up on stuff “in case we run out”. It’s bollocks. Anything urgent can be bought in the village but I still fall for it every year.

There is this constant nag that I have forgotten something. But then there is the simple fact that there is nothing important to forget, or remember for that matter. Groceries are coming on Tuesday. I have to collect our swag of drugs during the week [ordered last week from the chemist because they are very busy at this time of year]. That can be any day before Thursday. Herself is running low on fags [and even more important, I am running low on baccy] so that has to be tended to. I also have to slot in my mandatory coffee in the coffee shop at some point, probably when I am stocking up on nicotine.

I have an invitation out to lunch on Friday which is a red letter day. The last time I was invited out to lunch was by my boss who was trying to fire me and waited until the main course before swinging his axe. He was an utter cunt and completely spoiled my appetite. It’s a long story and one I would rather forget. Friday’s lunch is just me and a friend and there is no ulterior motive. At least the friend won’t try to fire me. Or maybe he will.

On the upside, this is Winter Solstice week. That is my great source of joy. The evenings won’t get any lighter for a while but at least they won’t be getting any darker. It is a week when my mood lifts considerably and Friday’s lunch can be our little celebration, as Friend has the same attitude.

Plans for Christmas are somewhat vague. I know it involves Daughter and the Grandkids at least once during the day, but that kind of loose planning is just what I like. Timetables are history and I believe in just following the breeze and taking things as they come. No expectations means no disappointments.

So that’s my week.

Now I have to shampoo the carpet yet again.