Tension, Day Off & Collecting Rebus

Had a bit of a tense afternoon at work on Thursday. A colleague opened criticised something I was doing and didn't back off when I politely made it clear that it really wasn't their concern. A frosty silence ensued after that and I was glad I didn't have to be there for the next four days. It really rankled with me as I had helped this person out with their work that day and had done quite a few other personal kindnesses that week to help them out (using up some of my own time at home). It is one of my less pleasant character traits that I don't forgive easily and I store stuff like this in my head for ages after they happen - I certainly won't be doing any 'favours' next week and for some considerable time I don't think.

Anyway, yesterday I had a day off and made good use of it. Went to see a friend in the morning, dropping off some recycling in Tesco's on the way and earning some clubcard points. The reason for the visit to the friend was to drop Peter's camera off as it is no longer working (after 8 months of very infrequent use) and I hope to get a replacement as it was purchased through my friend's catalogue. It was nice to see my friend - she has just changed job from a very stressful one to a much less stressful one and she is clearly much happier - it's much less money but if she can manage on less I think she's done the right thing.

Next it was off to see my parents who have just returned from travelling around he UK in their motor home. They made sure I was loaded up with a huge bag of fallen apples, a bag of runner beans and plant before I left. You never leave my parent's place empty handed. Whilst I was there a BT guy was fixing a problem on the telegraph pole outside their house and, as a kindness, made a change to improve their Internet connection speed. Their existing speed was so slow it was unbelievable and over the years I've made calls to their Internet provider and BT - Peter and I have also fiddled around with their computer no end - so to have it fixed is wonderful!

On the home front Peter has been treating me this week. We watched a programme on Ian Rankin recently where he was talking about his Inspector Rebus novels and touring around Edinburgh explaining the settings where the books take place. After the programme I expressed my wish to collect all the Rebus books and read them in order. Whilst Peter has been on a course this week in Poole he has been going into a secondhand book shop and purchasing any novels he can find in the series - I think he has brought about 8 home this week which is very thoughtful. Peter doesn't normally read novels, he's more of a 'factual' book guy but he is getting stuck into the first book 'Knots and Crosses' which for some reason has really pleased me. I guess it's because I love reading fiction so much I want others to see what they are missing. My dad was the same, never read fiction at all until he retired and now he's always got a book on the go.

Today have been up since 6.00am as felt really awake and it's been lovely to sit in the conservatory and watch the sun brighten the garden, having forgotten what the sun looked like! Not many birds around at the moment but I have seen one of our grey squirrel visitors - I do find them lovely to watch. Hope to poke around the garden today - tackled the grass yesterday which is a chore - so I can concentrate on 'prettifying' stuff today.