26th December

So, despite a friend telling me last night that he was dipping out of my life again for probably another 26 years, I actually slept pretty well, but that could have been exhaustion or the herbal sleeping tablet I'd already taken just before he decided to tell me this. 

I woke this morning, not exactly sure where I was.  For a second, I thought I was still at my cousins.   I didn't feel too bad, not as tired as I have done these past few days.  I got up, had cereal and jogged for 30 minutes.  I hit the Next sale for new work pants which I was desperate for.  It's so easy at this size, I picked up five pairs!  No intention of keeping them all, just need a couple so I'll see which fit the best and return the rest.  I then headed for Starbucks and the queue was almost out of the door.  I took up my seat which was still vacant, and read for 10 minutes hoping the queue would dissipate, but it didn't, so after a while, I joined the queue.  It took me longer to get coffee than to get pants.

I'm reading Eat, Pray, Love... still.  I've just read the part where the author is thinking that if she steps out of society for much longer, she may not be able to return.  She's already become, "Crazy Aunt Liz," with no husband and no kids, currently no address.  I've totally connected with her, for the past 36 hours, I've had a running conversation with my cousins about how things, (couples,) seem to work out for the best somehow.  How years ago, being a "spinster", "old maid" "maiden aunt" was so derogatory, regardless of circumstance, as was; "being on the shelf." 

So, on my way home, I called in at my eldest sister's and saw her, B, my two grown up nieces and great nephew for a couple of hours, then returned home, alone, on Boxing day evening, as I do every other evening.  Then I spontaneously contemplated getting a cat. 

I was sitting there, on the sofa, (your sofa,) thinking that it might be nice to have a cat, with a silky, smooth coat.  Then it actually dawned on me what I was contemplating and swiftly decided that I wasn't quite ready to be a cat lady.  I've no doubt that I will, eventually, become, "crazy cat lady" however, I'm not quite there yet.  Not quite.