Baggy is having a personality transplant.

Thursday is Hormonal Hannah's new Tuesday! Her counselling has moved to today. Clever Bird realised that perhaps she shouldn't take her anti-depressant until after she got home as they are definitely spacing her out. She drove there very slowly, much to the annoyance of the commuters on the windy country roads. But better safe than sorry and all that sensible stuff. It was another tough session, but with more revelations for Baggy. Apparently Freda Fretter can stop worrying about Baggy's brain shutting down whenever something is too bad to face, it's just a coping mechanism that she has mastered so well that it happens automatically. It's only a bad thing if she never faces the issues. But she is not just facing them, she's dealing with them slowly but surely. Progress has once more been made. Clever Bird is also fairly sure that the anti-depressants are already having some kind of an effect too, even though Baggy's only been on them for three days. There was slightly less blubbing today and when Baggy went for a walk and a cappuccino after the session, Creative Clara felt compelled to write some more of her novel!

On the way home The Domestic Goddess insisted on heading off to buy some more storage crates, scrubbing pads and bathroom cleaner! Freda Fretter was slightly worried that Baggy was actually excited about getting home to attack the rest of the bathroom with The Goddess! This is not exactly "normal" behaviour for Baggy as you well know by now bloggees. But neither was Baggy being in the shower this morning with her "Daily Shower Cleaner" spray and a cloth to wipe it all down. Baggy is turning into her sister! Mind you, that's no bad thing, she might even end up with a sparkly house!

Two more hours spent on the bathroom! One crate filled with "stuff" from said bathroom - ridiculous. Clever Bird reckons that she can fill another two. No wonder The Goddess can't keep places clean. But she's determined to at least try. Next step re-painting it now that she can get to the surfaces........

Baggy is a little hyper!

Furry Mama took Minty Mutt to the "pop-up" Post Office in the village this morning to post Creative Clara's latest sale from Realuv. For once, the six hours a week that it's open for worked for Clara! Usually Baggy has at least a ten-minute drive to the nearest one, but for two half-days a week, Baggy's village has its own Post Office in the village hall. Just as well today was one of the days, as Hormonal Hannah's anti-depressant tablets, are still making Baggy a bit too "spacey" to be driving anywhere! Her parcel posted, Baggy set off with Furry Mama and Minty for a pleasant (if rather warmer than they were expecting), walk.

Now Clever Bird isn't entirely sure what's going on with Baggy at the moment, but sitting still and relaxing doesn't seem to be much of an option. She decided to take advantage of this fact and rustled up The Domestic Goddess. Question bloggees - how long does it take to clean a teensy-weensy shower? Five minutes? Fifteen minutes? Baggy took The Goddess in at 11.40am. It started well. Wiping down the tiles and grout; trying to clean the glass of the dried soap; scrubbing off limescale. Clever Bird rolled up Baggy's jeans as she paddled in the water and cleaner. Trying to squat down to do the lower tiles and round the shower base was interesting. Baggy got stuck at one point - it is a very small shower. Getting the yucky weird stuff off, (mould(?), not sure what it is), wasn't so easy. Clever Bird decided Baggy needed tea. Baggy taking it in the shower - not so bright. Squatting down with it in her hand - even less bright. Spilling it on her foot - dumb. Trying to get back up without moving the mug out of the shower - classic Baggy. So once The Goddess had cleared off the new tea stains from the shower and washed Baggy's feet off, she dried off her handy work. It was 1.30pm!!! Nearly two hours bloggees. Two hours to clean a teensy-weensy little shower. And no, it wasn't that bad bloggees. Truly it wasn't! Not great, obviously, but not glaringly mucky. But now it is all shiny and sparkly, Freda Fretter is embarrassed how unshiny and unsparkly it must have been when The Goddess started. Then Freda cast a glance over the rest of the bathroom.

But it was time to meet one of her closest friends for coffee and a catch up. Clever Bird decided that Baggy should shoot into the village shop before she went next door to the café - The Goddess needed rubber gloves.  Correct bloggees, two hours of Baggy's hands in chemicals without gloves! Baggy's feet too for that matter, but Freda didn't hold out much hope for the shop having rubber gloves, let alone rubber socks. Well she was half right - no rubber socks. Much yacking and catching up was done. Victoria sponge was consumed (yeah quite!). Then after a couple of hours and two cappuccinos, while walking Baggy home, Clever Bird concluded that coffee and anti-depressants may not be the best mix. But she made it back on her jelly-legs. And what did she do when she got in? Sit down and relax? No, she got her new rubber gloves out and had The Goddess set to on the toilet, sink and some of the tiles. An hour later, with the smell of chemicals wafting through the house, the bathroom is about one third cleaned. There's nothing like a bit of deep-cleaning to lift the soul apparently. Hormonal Hannah is a little concerned that Baggy seems to be enjoying The Goddess's work, but Clever Bird thinks that she should just take advantage of the situation while it lasts. Autumn cleaning is fun..........

From little acorns.........

Baggy woke at silly o'clock once again, feeling more than a little nervous, not for herself, but for her husband. Calum was due to have some major dental work done at 8.00am this morning and Freda Fretter was as worried as Cal was. Clever Bird decided that as Baggy would need to drive him home, Baggy had better not take Hormonal Hannah's anti-depressant tablet this morning, as she was worried that Baggy would be way too spaced-out to be safe behind the wheel. As it turned out, it wasn't a problem, as the work didn't happen! Calum had to have two teeth out six weeks ago, and was today due to have posts screwed in to take new teeth. Having the teeth out was apparently agony! Today, after an x-ray, the dentist declared that he couldn't do anything today as his jaw bone had not "grown back enough" for him to operate. Ewwwwwwww! No wonder it hurt six weeks ago. So after all the worry, they ended up just heading home again, with a new appointment in two weeks time. (For a repeat performance of the worry).

As Calum had taken the day off, a bit of window-shopping in Sudbury, was followed by a breakfast in town. When they got home Baggy took Hannah's anti-depressant and went all "spacey" again. Lots more ideas were hatched for Baggy's (yet to be revealed) business plan. Then Creative Clara suddenly came over all inspired. She hadn't written a word of her novel for weeks, possibly months, but this afternoon she felt the need to write. In fact, once again the novel seemed to be writing itself. Her pen didn't stop flowing. Clever Bird realises that the anti-depressants can't really have kicked in after only a day, but something's been re-released in Baggy's brain, that's been blocked for some time. In fact she only stopped writing when Clever Bird realised that Clara had had another order from her little Etsy shop Realuv, the second order this week. It might be little, but Clara must be doing something right with it for it to be noticed amongst the few million shops on Etsy! From little acorns.......

Baggy has given in to the drugs.

Baggy had to get up with the fairies (and Calum - or maybe that's the same thing), anyway she had to get up at stupid o'clock, as she had a doctor's appointment at 7.40am. Frankly, that's just wrong. How Calum does it nearly every day is beyond Clever Bird. Baggy drove to the surgery, trying to keep her eyes open and was there by 7.30am. Today was the day for Clever Bird to discuss sorting out Hormonal Hannah even more. She's already being helped (a little) by the HRT, but Baggy's counsellor is of the view that Baggy needs to consider anti-depressants. The doctor has already suggested them twice and nearly had her head snapped off for her trouble, as Clever Bird is very anti them. Why? Because she's scared of them. She is well aware that Baggy has an addictive personality, plus she really doesn't want to admit to herself that Baggy is suffering from depression (as opposed to feeling rather down at the moment). Also, she's been on them once before, many years ago.

"When was that?" asked the doctor. "Oh, it must have been at least fifteen years ago" responded Baggy. Clever Bird has since realised that it was actually over twenty-five years ago!! "What were you on, can you remember?" "Yes, I'm pretty sure it was Prozac, but I was on Valium at the same time and had no clue what planet I was on. So I'm rather scared of drugs. My body seems to soak stuff up like a sponge". The questions continued. Baggy began to have another out-of-body experience, which she tried to explain to the doctor. More questions. "Have you ever thought that it might be better if you weren't here?" Clever Bird wondered whether to be honest or not. Concluded that she had better be, as surely everyone has thought that at some point. Haven't they? Burst into tears. Apologised. Said she was "fine", but sick of feeling like this. "Like what exactly?" Good question doc. "Well, urmmm, kind of 'squashed'", said Creative Clara.  "The counsellor was concerned that my mood swings are so dramatic that I could do with 'levelling out'" said Baggy in a little voice. "Yes, counselling can be adversely affected. What happens when you're feeling up?" "Well, I do stupid things like buying a camper van, or other expensive stuff I can't afford". "I see". Much thinking. "Well, you know that I believe that you would benefit from being on anti-depressants". Okay Freda Fretter, do not speak.

"I've sent a prescription to the chemist, but it doesn't open until 8.00am. Just take half a tablet a day for the first week, then one a day. Come back and see me again in three weeks". Baggy ambled out to her car to wait for the chemist to open. She almost nodded off. Home again, Furry Mama decided to take Minty Mutt straight out before Baggy decided to go back to bed. Fifty minute walk. Home to a cooked breakfast (including some sausage for Baggy and the mutt). Then Clever Bird decided that Freda needed to let her read the blurb on the anti-depressants. Citalopram. Well!!!! Freda Fretter told Clever Bird that she was an idiot for agreeing that Baggy should take such terrifying drugs. Clever Bird got cross and shoved a half-tablet into Baggy before Baggy ran off. Creative Clara immediately began to think that Baggy was experiencing a number of the side effects! But imagination, or not, Baggy is now feeling rather spaced out! The doctor said that they would make Baggy feel more "laid back". Baggy said that "laid back" would be good, as opposed to the "tether about to snap" mode that she was getting used to. Calum said, "He hopes they work, even though he hopes that they don't". What? "Well, I don't want you to get addicted to them and need them. But it would be good if they helped". Okay, so Baggy has clearly been more of a messy nightmare than even she realised. Clever Bird did say to the doctor that her husband was a Saint for coping with her at the moment. Let's hope they don't space Baggy out too much. The gang have a lot to do..............

Grotty and Wesley may have finished Baggy off today.

Grotty Groom was determined to get Baggy to ride the Boy Wessles today. She hasn't ridden for over a week. She was also keen for Calum to ride Joey, as they've had about three weeks off. Fortunately for Grotty it was a cooler much more overcast day today, so Clever Bird was optimistic that Wesley might not head-shake too much. They headed over at lunchtime, having totally forgotten to eat anything. The Boys were still out, so stage one was to get them in. By the time they were in and groomed and tacked up, the sun had come out, but it was still pleasantly cool. Clever Bird wanted them to stay on the roads, as being on the grass seems to make Wesley's head-shaking worse. They mounted up and Calum headed straight up the hay field. Sigh.

Within ten minutes Baggy's back was burning from Wesley's constant pulling on the reins, as he threw his head about. As Calum turned left onto the lane, that Grotty was expecting him to turn right on, Clever Bird piped up, "Urrrrrm, where are we going?" A long explanation followed, which included going down a very steep hill. A hill much too steep to go down safely on any horse as the tarmac is so slippery, let alone one that's tossing its head about so much, that he'd already tripped over once in the first ten minutes. Calum said, "Actually, maybe we should go up the hill, rather than down it". "Good idea". Phew. They did a 180deg. turn on the single-track lane and headed off again. Baggy was soon in agony. Back burning. Stomach hurting. Neck aching. Fingers dying. Clever Bird was thinking that perhaps Grotty should just head back. But Freda Fretter was worried that this was just an excuse because Baggy was not feeling confident. So when Calum asked whether Baggy wanted to head back, Grotty said "no".

They rode for an hour and a quarter. Wesley got a little agitated when he got hot and whenever they went on any kind of grass he was rather keen to go fast, but fortunately he didn't. They were both very good lads. But by the time they got back Baggy felt quite poorly. Then Calum pointed out that it was nearly 3.30pm and so far today they had had a cup of tea, and nothing else. That would explain why Baggy spent the next ten minutes draped over Wesley's stable door, trying to feel less weird, as Wesley nuzzled her. A cup of tea helped! Horses washed down, then more grooming done, while Grotty waited for Wesley's new neighbour to come in. He's a very large six-year old, who seemed quite keen to say "hi" to Wessles. Cute.

Home now to a healthy salmon supper, but Clever Bird suspects that Baggy will be rather stiff tomorrow, but at least Grotty has done her first long hack out in quite a while........

Some conversations just shouldn't take place.

Conversation: "When did I start to look so old?" asked Hormonal Hannah of Baggy's husband. "When you let yourself go grey". "Oh!" Ouch. "But I thought you liked my hair grey". "I do, but it makes you look old". "Oh!!" Ouch. "Well, we are old aren't we? Mind you, you're quite a lot older than me", said Calum. Ouch, ouch, ouch. "Oh". "I thought perhaps it was because I've lost over three stone and my skin has gone old-lady baggy and wrinkly", said Freda Fretter in a little voice. "Well, that doesn't help either". "Oh!!!!!!!" Big ouch. "Well, you could always do some arm exercises; there are weights in my car". Hmmmmm! Creative Clara is too embarrassed to mention what he suggested for the baggy chins. Note from Clever Bird to the rest of the gang, if you don't want to know the answer, do not ask Baggy's husband the question!

Conversation: Hairy Biker Hen phoned the garage to book her motorbike in for his first MOT. "I can't believe he's already three years old, he only has about three hundred-odd miles on the clock." "Well of course that's an instant fail now". "WHAT? Nooooooo!" "Yes, sorry, but it's deemed to be cruelty to motorbikes". "Oh!" Ouch.

Conversation: Sitting at Ipswich hospital with Baggy's husband after he'd just had his second visit of the week. An ultrasound on Wednesday a Flexible Cystoscopy today. A kidney x-ray to be arranged. "You won't have any holiday left at this rate. Will you have to work over Christmas again?" "Probably". "Oh". Feeling sad. "When is Christmas this year anyway?" asked Clever Bird. "December the 25th". Sigh.

Conversation: While watching the end of the film "The Golden Compass". "I do like the name Serefina" said Calum. "Yes, it's a lovely name", agreed Creative Clara. "Well, if by any quirk of fate we end up with a daughter, it would be a good name". "That would be one ****ing dramatic quirk", spluttered Baggy.........

Baggy is seriously fed up!

Fat Club. Yes. There's always next week, but at least Baggy enjoyed seeing her friends. Over £400 spent on the way home by Furry Mama! Poor Minty Mutt needs his medicine and bearing in mind that the house still has fleas, she also bought everybody treatments. Although Clever Bird is wondering whether that will help, bearing in mind that Furry Mama has religiously treated them every month this year, hasn't seen a flea on any of them, but they're still in the house.

Healthy lunch cooked and eaten and just finished as Calum arrived home. He noticed that there was post in the letter box. Psychic Ploppo had a bad feeling about it. She was right. Letter from the solicitor (so that is probably another £150 on the ever growing bill), trying to persuade Baggy to still buy the piece of land in the garden of their other house. Effectively, nearly £5,000 for a piece of land that is about fifteen feet square. Bearing in mind, as Clever Bird knows, that the red line on the land registry is a "guide line" only; it can be out by a few metres!!!!!! Hence needing the extra bit of land outside the garden boundary, bought by the enemy, so that the land registry know where the "red line" goes! It's not rocket science. Well Baggy didn't think it was, but the enemy won't sell the extra few square feet , because "it makes no sense on the ground". Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Hormonal Hannah gave Baggy a meltdown. She is not sure how many times she has to explain the situation to the solicitor. SHE HAS HAD ENOUGH AND IS NOT INTERESTED IN BUYING LAND THAT ADDS NO VALUE TO THE PROPERTY FROM A MAN WHO IS JUST OUT TO MAKE MONEY. And breathe. Clever Bird got Calum to phone and tell the solicitor this AGAIN. He doesn't work on Fridays. Calum spoke to his secretary. Freda Fretter knows that in spite of this, Baggy will get a phone call on Monday explaining to her why she is making a mistake. Even Calum is not understanding why Baggy is getting so stressed about this, but she has had enough. Every call, every letter adds serious money to the bill and is getting them absolutely nowhere. The trick now will be for Baggy not to comfort-eat her way through this week as well........