Nothing now could take the wind out of my sails...
So the "feeling lousy" turned out to be down to PMS, but it came as a surprise as I hadn't even finished my current pack of pills when I was getting stomach cramps. I think this is my uterus' revenge for skipping periods (oh how wonderful the pill is) - extra uncomfortable cramps and periods, for no real reason.
I think the PMS explains why I haven't been sleeping that well for the past couple of nights - despite being very tired I have been waking up every two or three hours, turning over quite restlessly, and going back to sleep. I'm probably only awake for a matter of seconds, but it feels like a lot longer and I'm not getting into proper deep sleep.
Still - there are good things to report! Today is Friday, it's Pay Day, it's also Increment time of year so my official wage has gone up, and it's the start of a three-day weekend!
I have new boots too - real line-dancing boots! I had to order them online because I will never have time to get to Blackpool to buy them, and was worried that they wouldn't fit, but they're perfect. I bought these boots because they are the plainest ones I could find (no tassles!) and they are lovely. The leather is still very stiff so I have spent every day in work this week wearing them under my desk and flexing my ankles and toes so that they will loosen up. I think they go really well with my usual work clothes!
Last night I put the finishing touches on my costume for tomorrow's parade. We're wearing black boots, black trousers (not jeans), a black shirt, with a silver top hat, silver bow tie and silver waistcoat, with tails attached to the bottom. We have to sew the tails on ourselves so I started that last night. Still have one more to sew on because I am very slow. To finish off the outfit we have a black cane! We look like a more camp version of Fred Astaire.
So - my weekend. In case I haven't mentioned it enough, I will be dancing in the Manchester Pride Parade through the streets of the city centre with my fellow line dancers. We're meeting at 11am, judging is from 12:30 and the parade starts at 1pm. We can't bring bags with us as there's no where to store them, so I will be walking to the meeting place in my outfit and can only take my door key and some cash in my trouser pockets. No camera, which is very unfortunate! To make matters worse, James is working tomorrow morning so he won't be there when I'm leaving to get a photo of me in my outfit. I am DETERMINED to get a photo somehow though!
I think the parade will be very tiring so I'm not making huge plans to go drinking or partying afterwards, although I would like to explore the Gay Village with all the decorations and stalls in place. I'm aiming for an early night though, as on Sunday, weather permitting, we're dancing on Canal Street in the afternoon to entertain the crowds wandering around the area. Last year it was rained off, apparently, but I'm hoping it'll be okay this year as I love dancing outside with an appreciative audience, and the others all say that this weekend is the best time for that.
Then on Monday, again weather permitting, I suggested that James and I do something together as we've not spent any time with each other for WEEKS. We both plan a lot of things that don't include the other person - I think we have very different interests. I've optimistically suggested that we go walking (yes, this is technically MY interest, not his) as practice for the walking that will probably be required in Iceland. We're not planning any huge hikes, but there are a few waterfalls and viewpoints that I think require some walking and we've never been walking together so we'd better have a run-through first. We'll probably go to Edale as I know the routes really well so won't have to worry about map-reading and boyfriend-minding at the same time.
Then it'll be September - how the year flies! I'm thinking about having a frugal month to prepare for our holiday as I think it will be quite expensive out there. I'd rather scrimp a bit for the next few weeks and be able to buy things I like when I see them in Iceland rather than worrying about money all the time. I'd also like to avoid dipping into my savings if possible, but this might not happen and it's not a big deal if I have to use them. So, no clothes shopping, no music purchased from iTunes or Amazon, no meals out. I'm allowed train fare (because I need the trains to go walking!) and to get my hair cut before I go away, but that's it really.
Although, I did see a lovely pair of earrings and matching necklace in Accessorize that I really wanted. We'll see how much I spend over the weekend at Pride and maybe there'll be enough left to get them! After all, it's not September yet...
I think the PMS explains why I haven't been sleeping that well for the past couple of nights - despite being very tired I have been waking up every two or three hours, turning over quite restlessly, and going back to sleep. I'm probably only awake for a matter of seconds, but it feels like a lot longer and I'm not getting into proper deep sleep.
Still - there are good things to report! Today is Friday, it's Pay Day, it's also Increment time of year so my official wage has gone up, and it's the start of a three-day weekend!
I have new boots too - real line-dancing boots! I had to order them online because I will never have time to get to Blackpool to buy them, and was worried that they wouldn't fit, but they're perfect. I bought these boots because they are the plainest ones I could find (no tassles!) and they are lovely. The leather is still very stiff so I have spent every day in work this week wearing them under my desk and flexing my ankles and toes so that they will loosen up. I think they go really well with my usual work clothes!
Last night I put the finishing touches on my costume for tomorrow's parade. We're wearing black boots, black trousers (not jeans), a black shirt, with a silver top hat, silver bow tie and silver waistcoat, with tails attached to the bottom. We have to sew the tails on ourselves so I started that last night. Still have one more to sew on because I am very slow. To finish off the outfit we have a black cane! We look like a more camp version of Fred Astaire.
So - my weekend. In case I haven't mentioned it enough, I will be dancing in the Manchester Pride Parade through the streets of the city centre with my fellow line dancers. We're meeting at 11am, judging is from 12:30 and the parade starts at 1pm. We can't bring bags with us as there's no where to store them, so I will be walking to the meeting place in my outfit and can only take my door key and some cash in my trouser pockets. No camera, which is very unfortunate! To make matters worse, James is working tomorrow morning so he won't be there when I'm leaving to get a photo of me in my outfit. I am DETERMINED to get a photo somehow though!
I think the parade will be very tiring so I'm not making huge plans to go drinking or partying afterwards, although I would like to explore the Gay Village with all the decorations and stalls in place. I'm aiming for an early night though, as on Sunday, weather permitting, we're dancing on Canal Street in the afternoon to entertain the crowds wandering around the area. Last year it was rained off, apparently, but I'm hoping it'll be okay this year as I love dancing outside with an appreciative audience, and the others all say that this weekend is the best time for that.
Then on Monday, again weather permitting, I suggested that James and I do something together as we've not spent any time with each other for WEEKS. We both plan a lot of things that don't include the other person - I think we have very different interests. I've optimistically suggested that we go walking (yes, this is technically MY interest, not his) as practice for the walking that will probably be required in Iceland. We're not planning any huge hikes, but there are a few waterfalls and viewpoints that I think require some walking and we've never been walking together so we'd better have a run-through first. We'll probably go to Edale as I know the routes really well so won't have to worry about map-reading and boyfriend-minding at the same time.
Then it'll be September - how the year flies! I'm thinking about having a frugal month to prepare for our holiday as I think it will be quite expensive out there. I'd rather scrimp a bit for the next few weeks and be able to buy things I like when I see them in Iceland rather than worrying about money all the time. I'd also like to avoid dipping into my savings if possible, but this might not happen and it's not a big deal if I have to use them. So, no clothes shopping, no music purchased from iTunes or Amazon, no meals out. I'm allowed train fare (because I need the trains to go walking!) and to get my hair cut before I go away, but that's it really.
Although, I did see a lovely pair of earrings and matching necklace in Accessorize that I really wanted. We'll see how much I spend over the weekend at Pride and maybe there'll be enough left to get them! After all, it's not September yet...