Ups and downs and ups today.

Baggy woke up feeling fairly positive, despite another terrible night's sleep - or more accurately - lack of sleep. But the feeling didn't last. A phone call from the estate agent soon put paid to that feeling. Baggy was soon fighting off Freda Fretter, but in trying to explain the latest ridiculous situation with Dad's house to Calum, Hormonal Hannah joined the fray. In spite of Calum's offer to take over and try to sort out the situation, she had Baggy in tears (again). Poor Calum, stuck in his lorry hundreds of miles away, with his wife unravelling on the phone, which of course set Freda off again, but thankfully Calum is a strong rock. But still, Baggy felt ridiculously stressed once more and Hannah was telling her that she wouldn't be able to manage the latest confrontation that was going to be required with the so-called professionals. She also couldn't face calling back the Funeral Directors, the Lawyers and the Damp Proof Company, all of whom had promised faithfully to call her back before today - what is the matter with companies these days? She decided to leave it and go out for some fresh air. Furry Mama took Minty out - he chose the route - they went to the dormouse sanctuary.

Even though it was a little warm today, The Domestic Goddess had words with Furry Mama about letting the Boy go in the stream. The new rugs are too nice to be totally covered in mud. So Furry Mama agreed to avoid the stream and stick with the dry grass. They headed back home. Minty Mutt spotted his chance; before Clever Bird could let Furry Mama know what the Mutt was about to do, he'd done it! Straight in a ditch. A very very steep-sided ditch. In fact probably five feet straight down! Freda Fretter panicked. Minty Mutt is on daily painkillers for the osteo-arthritis in his hips and there was no way that Baggy was going to be able to get him out of there!

Not helped by the fact that Baggy was dressed to go out - not to dig a dog out of a ditch. Dress, summery shoes, silk over dress, not practical. Baggy took Freda away to have a think about what to do next - nothing! Furry Mama spoke to the lad, "Well you got in there you stupid mutt, you're going to have to get yourself out!" The photo above is him mulling that over! Thankfully he managed it - just.

The walk helped Baggy, but a couple more phone calls when she got home and some checking of paperwork, set Hormonal Hannah back off. Baggy was soon back in a black fug. So Clever Bird decided that as Baggy had to go out to get her hair cut, she would go via a shop she popped into yesterday to kill time on the way to the dentist. She had spotted a cool mac. She hadn't tried it on, as it was expensive, but Creative Clara loved it. It was a little wacky and a bit different; an upmarket pack-a-mac. As she drove to the shop, in her dresses, without a coat on, the Heavens opened. Psychic Ploppo decided that it was "a sign". Mac bought - retail therapy done - tick. The shop owner cut the label off the coat, (that Baggy refused to take off). Baggy left the shop wearing her therapy.

Next stop Long Melford to get her hair cut. Clever Bird had of course got Baggy there early, so off she trotted to her favourite café. The best cappuccino was ordered, along with a to-die-for sausage roll. Comfort eating therapy done - tick. Diet blown - "shut up Freda Fretter". Baggy didn't care, she felt better (sorry Fat Club).

To the hairdressers. Baggy's hair has not been cut for eighteen months. It was very long and very dry. Freda Fretter asked her hairdresser (who is more than a little scissor-happy) for a trim. "Please only take an inch off or I'm likely to have a meltdown". Three-plus inches later, Baggy's hair looked and felt a million times better. Pampering therapy complete - tick. Baggy treated herself to some very expensive shampoo and conditioner for her grey hair (that she's determined to grow out). More retail therapy - tick.

Baggy set off down the High Street in the rain (with wet hair so that didn't matter) and her lovely new wacky mac on, feeling a "few" dollars - certainly not a million, but quite a few. She looked up at the sky and realised that it was raining around her but not on her - the clouds had circled her, and the town. Baggy felt very happy to be alive - she just might need to find cheaper coping mechanisms.........