Let’s face it, there isn’t much down here in my sleepy little corner of the world that sends my stress levels through the roof. I think the last time I got in a complete tizzy was when we were building the bloody pool but if the past week was anything to go by, I can still reach near-meltdown point. I’m not even going to mention the weather because although I did ask for rain, in hindsight I should have perhaps negotiated the quantity. And if you’re wondering why this blog is a little late today, I had to race to Toulouse Airport this afternoon as brother Simon’s imminently flying off guest had left her phone and passport chez nous. At least I know Giselle (my car) can hit 200 kms/hr. Naturally, Simon had left instructions to meet in the main car park which, being the start of the tourist season, was wonderfully over-crowded – thankfully his bizarre dress sense (shorts and a pink plaid shirt) stood him out from the rest and Sheila’s necessary bits were delivered successfully. He’s promised to pay any speeding tickets.
The week started with a trip to the dentist to have my X-rays done before she puts the implants into that new faux bone that was fitted last November. The new toofs are going in this Thursday which, up until a few days ago, didn’t bother me – picking up the array of medicine from the pharmacy however sent me into panic mode. It hadn’t occurred to me that the upcoming little procedure would need post-surgery drugs and Denis’ surprise birthday party is next weekend. I’m going to have to spend the time between events loading myself up on painkillers and strapping ice packs to my face so I won’t look like an over-fed hamster.
Speaking of things over-fed, the garden is now resembling a jungle. On the plus side, the lettuce are now ready – delicious even if I say so myself and the wisteria is now hanging off my balcony in all its purpleness. On the minus side, Denis hasn’t been able to cut the weed-covered lawn because of the wet weather so trying to find the dog poop is near-impossible. Until you step in it of course. But the whole property is looking rather spectacular nonetheless with the roses blooming and lilac trees flowering – now we just need the sun back again so we can enjoy the outdoors a bit more.
Mind you, it was just as well that D wasn’t able to do much in the way of work chez moi as most of the rest of the week – post dentist, has been spent arguing with my laptop. Honestly, I almost gave hope of ever publishing my opus. First there was all the problems the week before with my idiocy over the size of the document and then when I finally found the right buttons to re-size it, the bloody laptop didn’t have the measurements I needed in its larder. Not only that, the margins were all wrong and every time I fixed those – the photos moved onto random pages. Thank the Gods I managed to get hold of Callum who was out paint-balling in Melbourne somewhere and he sent me ‘blonde’ instructions as to how to locate the custom files. And that was just for the hardback version. Setting up the Kindle ebook required the patience of a Buddhist monk. Each page had to be reset by hand, chapter headings put back where they are supposed to go and yes, playing hide and seek with the various photos. The only bright side I can see to this whole hugely stressful experience is that I’ll know what to do for the second opus- that is if I can ever get the energy back to finish it.
But finally, finally, after almost two years of tap tapping away, The Book is ready. It has been fun and exhausting both at the same time but I am proud of it. Launch date is May 17th which most of you know is significant as it marks five years since my T passed away. Don’t worry, I will remind you lot every week until then but in the meantime, as promised, you can see the cover…
““A good book isn’t written, it’s rewritten.” ( Phyllis A. Whitney)
Widow plus woofs 