It's not my birthday until tomorrow, but much of the birthday activity seems to have happened already. Did I make myself a birthday cake - well, actually, no - but maybe I will tomorrow.

My son phoned to say he and his fiancee have acquired a cat - christened Otto for the time being, until another name presents itself. I rather like Otto, so hope they decide it suits it. My brother appeared with some flowers - very kind, very unexpected. I am not expecting a visit from my sister.

Peter gave me flowers too - excellent(see photo above). Have to admit I'm feeling rather old, but maybe that'll pass ....... I'm never at my best just before my birthday, tend to feel better once it's over with.

Counting my blessings is good, so I've been doing some of that - and I'm having my hair done on Tuesday, so that should help the illusion of not aging too much.

Took my car in to have a new exhaust and surgery on the catalytic convertor yesterday. The garage had ordered the wrong part, so the car's still incredibly noisy and has to go in again in a fortnight. Sigh. Should I change it for a smaller model? Really don't know the answer to that question. It's not too heavy on petrol on the motorway journey to and from work, and it is very comfortable and reliable. Decisions, decisions, too many decisions!

It's Monday, it's raining, I'm a bit gloomy.

Above, a knitting project I finished last week. She's now on permanent loan to my mother, sitting on the shelves next to her bed where mum can see her (and talk to her if she so wishes).

In a minute, I will start writing reports, minutes, timetables - all the stuff on the agenda for today. Meanwhile, I am still trying to get my head around moving and everything that will go with it. I keep telling myself that change is good, but with an alarming lack of conviction.

It's not the moving itself, it's all the upheaval that I'm dreading. Everytime I walk past a shelf of bits and pieces, I have a strong urge to bin the lot, even though I know that really it's not a good idea.

Patience never was a virtue of mine, and things have not improved as I've got older.

Grrr.

"Things fall apart - the centre cannot hold ..." Yeats (I think). In fact, even if the bike above is falling apart, it's being held together by plants, so maybe not entropy after all?

P and I had a serious talk about moving yesterday. We decided to move west, to somewhere halfway between my work and his. Then we mentioned it to Becky - so now it's back to the drawing board.

Funny that, I think she'd go to France tomorrow, but move up the road - no thanks! I suppose France would be an adventure, unlike a few miles west.

I'm not doing enough swimming recently. My neck and shoulder are very sore. Note to self, make sure I go swimming at least once next week!

It's the end of the working week and I'm punch drunk with meetings and driving and just LIFE.

We're almost out of bread and coffee (so a trip to the supermarket is on the cards). I have a ton of things to do (but not until tomorrow, apart from the shopping) and I'm trying to wind down.

Becky is going out later on, which will Peter and I on our own again (which I'm fine about, to be honest - being elderly parents is hard sometimes, both on us and on Becky. Actually, maybe it's not the oldness, perhaps it's just because she's the last one, so effectively an only child. It feels very odd, not having lots of kids around!)

P and Becky are about to make tea, apparently - something elaborate with anchovies and capers. I wouldn't mind just a simple boiled potato, but hey, if I'm not cooking, I don't much care.

Above, a photo of Swansea's Sail Bridge last Saturday afternoon - one of those lucky photos that turned out much better than expected.

Better go and appreciate my fancy tea now ......... more later maybe.