turps

If anyone ever wants to make podfic of any of my stories you have blanket permission to do so. The exception being any co-writes, in which case you'll have to ask the permission of the other writer.

All my stories are uploaded at A03.

If anyone ever wants to friend me, feel free. I always enjoy meeting/reading new people but at the same time, it doesn't bother me if people read and don't comment at all, or even comment very occasionally. All are welcome.

I read in lots of fandoms but the main ones right now are The Musketeers and MCU, though that's 99% winterhawk.

I also still love bandom and popslash and had a brief intense fling with Downton Abbey, so often dip into those fandoms when the urge hits.

I'm very much an OTC person, and my past and present loves include Tom Paris, Blair Sandburg, Brennan Mulwray, Chris Kirkpatrick, Mikey Way, Aramis, Clint Barton.

I have a long-lasting and deep love for h/c, but read pretty much anything.

I still write on occasion, nowhere near as prolific as in my bandom days, but sometimes I feel the need to scratch the writing itch.

Mostly I post about real-life things, my family, my cats, walks to the beach and the cinema. Along with my husband, I have an Odeon Unlimited card so we got to the cinema a lot.

I'm a carer for my husband who has AMC. He has a full-time job but I help him a lot in the house and do a load of surveys, product tests etc for extra money. They're all boring, tedious and often pay pennies, but I've found as long as you slog through a certain amount a day it all adds up.

I have one son who went away to uni and never came back. He still lives relatively close, though, so I still see and chat to him often.

I had a gastric bypass a few years ago and lost a load of weight. I don't really talk about it on here now, but it's something that changed my life and something I'll never regret.

I very rarely friends lock posts, usually only photos of people and mainly just keep plodding on through my life the best that I can.

There's no need to comment if you want to friend me, but if you want to, go for it.

James has been binge-watching The Pitt, either two or three episodes a night depending on if it's a work night or not. So, I've been watching too. At the same time I'm downloading and watching the new season. So, what I'm saying is there has been a lot of The Pitt in my life lately.

We've just hit the festival shooting eps in season one, and it was a reminder that while I'm still enjoying season two, so far it's not as strong in the kicked in the gut feeling as the first. Though, maybe I'm just getting used to that emotion in terms of the show. Who knows?

I got a phone call from the doctors yesterday cancelling my appointment for tomorrow. It was a joint one for my B12 injection and routine check, and while waiting for that wasn't an issue, the new suggested date of the 20th of next month really wasn't ideal for my B12 which I need every three months. Thankfully, they were able to split the appointment and fit me in for the injection next week, otherwise I would have been flagging energy wise by next month.

And talking of medical stuff. I finally got my new compressions last week, nearly three months exactly from the day the script was handed in. The magenta pair are very, very pink, and the jean blue pair look pretty much the same shade of my other blue ones. I do wish they were still doing the mango yellow, but, at least I have them now. Though, what's weird is the seam is on the side of the leg and not the back like every other pair I have. I assume it's to stop the feeling of walking on the seam, which doesn't bother me, but I can imagine would some people, but does mean I keep pulling them on wrong, assuming the seam goes to the back.

We did a grip strength test in class yesterday. Rosie emailed everyone their results, and I'm pleased that one hand has the average grip strength for my age while the other is slightly over. And hey, I'll take it.

The Ring Doorbell has suddenly got very specific in its notifications. Before, it would say for example, a person is walking past your door. Now, it gives details, a person is walking past with a trolley, two people are walking on the roadway carrying a bag, and my favourite so far, two people with a beige dog are walking past your door. Though, I was startled by the notification that popped up saying 'someone is trying to open your door' then when I went to check, it ended … with a blue envelope. Turned out, it was someone delivering leaflets.

I was talking to my neighbours the other day, and they mentioned their young daughter always waves and says hello to the camera when they walk past, and after checking she does. One day I'm going to use the speaker and say hello back.

Bodhi and Kayleigh dropped in for a little while yesterday. While here Bodhi went and stood in front of the shelves in the living room and asked why I had all of that stuff, meaning my display of Funkos. So, I explained, like her, I liked superheroes, at which point she said, if I liked superheroes where was Spider-Man? Sorry various Hawkeyes, Ronin, Winter Soldier etc, you're just not superheroes enough it seems. But sigh, judged by a four-year-old and found lacking again.

The craft fair on Monday was a weird one. Despite being there from before nine to four, the time seemed to fly, and yet we only made one sale, so didn't even get the table price back. Mainly it was due to location, when we'd first been offered a spot it was mentioned there were tables outside and inside, and while that was true, there was actually only one table inside, the rest being in the pub garden, so it wasn't very often people actually saw the one in the foyer at the back. Which of course, was the one we'd been assigned. I mean, it was good to be warm with some decent music to listen to, but you need people for sales.

One bonus was the pub was just over the car park from a Morrisons, so I went there for two meal deals for dinner, because nearly £5 for one drink of Pepsi Max from the pub was only going to happen once.

The organiser did ask if James wanted a table at the next event, but thankfully, it's the same date as the monthly maker's market in our town we always attend, so we didn't have to make up an excuse to turn down the invite.

A couple of people have been reading and commenting on many of my bandom stories lately, and getting those comments has been delightful. I especially liked the one on Painted Ponies where they commented, and when i replied, replied to that comment with even more detailed feedback, saying they'd thought I'd have been long gone from the fandom. And nope, despite the lack of actual writing, still love that ridiculous band, still hanging onto to the edges of the fandom with a few other fandom bandom olds.

Funnily enough, the last comment was on Caged where the band is saved by Spider-Man, adding to the Spidey mentions this week.

I was in Lush the other day buying a bunny bath bomb for Bodes, and they had these ( sparkly ET bath bombs )

I got excellent mail from dine, thank you!

They cancelled Starfleet Academy, which is typical considering how much I enjoyed the show. I know we still have the second season to watch, but I wanted more.

The Pitt is finally being shown here, and one morning James saw his first episode, and said he wanted to see episode two as soon as one was finished. And I was like, I know that feeling! It was strange seeing these early episodes again, knowing what was going to come for each character. Strange but good, I mean, it's not like a rewatch is a bad thing.

Let's see, since I last posted one day I Bodhisat from after school to about eight so the mams could go on a date. Bodhi is really into KPop Demon Hunters right now, and I lost aunty points for being unable to belt out the songs while she pretended to take out some demons. I was also told I was terrible at concentrating and asked why I walked strangely. Then, when I told her it was because I have a poorly knee, she wanted to know every detail of how that happened, and you and me both, Bodes.

Wednesday it was class, there was only me and three older guys who turned up, so it was a focussed class. ( cut for exercise stuff )

We went to see Project Hail Mary at the cinema. I thought it was great, but for those who like to play along with the game, James fell asleep watching it.

Though he gets a pass as he had a busy end of the week, volunteering to go teach pyrography to a group one afternoon, which he was nervous about as it's not something he'd done before. Then the next day, had to go for a health screening that included the longest attempt to take blood yet. Seriously, nearly an hour, and two doctors later I was ready to call it on his behalf when finally, the younger doctor finally managed to find a vein.

He's at work today, then off from tomorrow starting the last week of his use it or lose it annual leave. As of now our only concrete plans are going to the Odeon to the The Magic Faraway Tree, which I'm looking forward to so much, and James to do his second pyrography class. But, I'm sure the remaining days will soon be filled.

Oh, and Murphy caught a mouse yesterday. I was having a sleep-in and woke up to James at the bottom of the bed holding a mouse. Turned out Murphy had caught it downstairs, then when James went to see what all the commotion was, ran upstairs. I'm just glad James did follow and get the mouse from him, as I would have hated to wake to it actually on the bed with me.

Today is exercise only class again, but until then, this house isn't going to tidy itself. I may even put the first wash of the year on the line as it looks sunny and breezy out there.

Happy Mother's Day to all that celebrate today. I got a lovely text from Corey saying he'd phone on his way home from work. Which is thankfully around 8 today and not late shift bar closing hours.

It was the Consett Cats craft fair yesterday. I knew going in we wouldn't make any money due to the location, and that's exactly what happened. But what I did do was get to talk to many other adopters, give some money to the rescue from items that did sell, and come home with a Consett Cat tote bag and a ridiculous amount of baked goods and cake. Even more cake than I planned as I was talking to one of the bakers at the end of the afternoon and she asked if I wanted to take three leftover cupcakes, and really, how could I say no?

There was also an Easter egg drive in the run up to the fair, with the donated eggs being put in brown bags and sealed up for a lucky wheel spin. At first they used the wheel correctly, but they'd had so many eggs donated by the end of the fair anyone spinning the wheel won an egg no matter if it landed on win or lose. At £2 a spin I got the eggs I need for the nieces and nephews, and maybe a spare for myself.

There was another good thing, the lady on the table next to us was a professional shopper for M&S for her day job and she was giving us tips on stall product placement and most interesting, the new trends coming in. Apparently, it's going to be tissue box covers, decorative trays that hold candles etc that can sit on coffee tables, wooden bangles and hare decorations. Now, most of those James can do, maybe not the bangles, but the rest, yeah. So, I think he's going to try for some of those for the next fair, which is this coming Saturday.

I enjoyed the season finale of Star Trek Academy, and am glad that season two has not only already being announced, but shown as wrapped via an Insta video from Karim Diane. It really has been my favourite new show recently, and there's not a character I don't like.

I've also watched the last ep of Call the Midwife, and what a bittersweet episode it was. The show did lose it's way a little at times, and was often the Dr Turner show, but I did enjoy it and will be watching the film and prequel show while waiting for season 16 to eventually be show, which will be a while from what the show creatorshave stated.

It was the second craft fair of the year yesterday, and it went okay. Quiet with only a few sales, but at least we made our table costs this time, and even had money left over after buying coffee. Not that it started that well, it was held in a church, which is a lovely venue, but to get there you have to park on the other side of a very busy road and go down to the greenman crossing. We did that, James carrying the A Frame we use to hang the hanging stuff, me trundling the festival trolled loaded with two big crates and three bags. Finally got to the other side of the road only for some guys in a passing van to yell we'd dropped a bag, and yep, there it was sitting on the other side of the busy road.

Thankfully, some lovely ladies grabbed it and brought it over to me, but still, not the best start.

We were talking to the organiser at the end of the fair, and I was saying how we hadn't made the table cost at our last fair and she was worried the same had happened that day. I could reassure her that wasn't the case, but even if it was, it's our risk to take. At this time of year we're really just out keeping PyroRex's presence going, hanging on until people have spare money again.

To which end, we're at another fair next Saturday, this one in aid of the cat rescue. Historically, not a good one for sales at any time of the year due to the location which has no passing footfall, but a cause we believe in so we'll be there trying to raise some funds for both us and the cats.

Right now James and my Sil are out watching Chris McCausland's stand up show which started at 4. It's their thing, watching comedy shows together. It's also a show they've been waiting a long time for as James bought the ticket back in 2024 as a Christmas present for my SiL thinking the show was happening in 2025, but in fact, it was actually March 26. So, after all that time I hope they enjoy it.

He sent me a message earlier, and I thought he'd managed to see Chris or something, but nope, he'd spotted one of the new Just Eat robot delivery things that have just arrived in Sunderland and sent me a video of it trundling past. They are cool to see, though, I do wonder how long it'll be before one ends up thrown in the river wear or vandalised.

And now as I have an evening alone I intend to have an early lobster bath and book. I know, shocker, right?

The other day I got excellent mail from misbegotten, thank you so much! ♥

Class wasn't on this week, and isn't on next week either, yet again cancelled via the main Friday newsletter and not Rosie herself. I really hope she's okay, and more selfishly, that she's back asap. I'm missing my routine, and my friends from class.

It was the first craft fair of the year last Saturday, but sadly it was a bust with all of three sales totalling £7. A profit that was quickly reversed by the £15 table fee, two cups of coffee and a toastie for £4, two goes at the cat rescue tombola for £2, two strips of raffle tickets for £2 -- though we did win a very cool 3D printed elephant from that -- and Bodhi and Kayleigh calling in to see us, which resulted in me buying Bodes a Stitch cup for £5. So yeah, that £7 didn't last long.

But, on the plus side, we met up with our crafting friends again, and it wasn't just our stall. Talking to people who've been doing the craft fair circuits for years, the first few months are always apparently dire for sales, which makes sense I guess. I know the woman who has the table next to ours had no sales either, and she has a fantastic stall as she does the fairs as a full-time job.

So, this coming weekend off, but then three different Saturday fairs in March, and I have to have hope that they will be better. But some crafty plusses, James sold another piece from the craft shop and just got another commission from TikTok, so those are working out nicely. Another story from TikTok, apparently, once you hit over 5k followers, brands can get in touch about collaborations, where you get sent free products and get commission for selling them on your page. James got his first two offers yesterday, a face roller, and what keeps making me laugh each time I think about it, a wine glass that's cut in half, so you can drink half a cup of wine. Sadly, he said no to rolling his face and the strange glasses.

I don't think I said, but I got a call from the pharmacy last week saying the manufacturers of my compressions had just been in touch saying they didn't have the mango yellow colour. Now, this was weeks after the script had been put in, and only hours after I'd called into the pharmacy to ask if the compressions had arrived yet. You could say it was a total coincidence that the manufacturer happened to pick that afternoon to get in touch with the pharmacy to say they couldn't fulfil part of the order. Or you could say the pharmacy messed up again somehow and had just sent over the script when I reminded them. I know which one I'm leaning towards.

Bodhi's on half-term holiday from school this week, so I've seen her a few times. She was here for a few hours on Tuesday and was most disgusted when she found out that not only was I married to a boy but that I had kissed him too. Apparently, that was all kinds of wrong and yucky *g*

She was also here yesterday and had me doing back to back games of the floor is lava, copying the actions from videos we were watching on tv. Thankfully, she left just before the Bluey version that had Bingo doing the worm across the floor. Because spinning I could do, jumping, too, just! But the worm, not so much.

Challenge two.

Make a Top Ten list for your favourite series and tell people exactly why you love it. This can be in any format - tv series, book series, radio plays, movie sequels, something else not mentioned here. Your series can be as short as two vaguely linked pieces of media and as long as... well, the sky is your limit. Whatever you like!

I went for tv shows and book series I've loved, which are behind ( here )

Bodhi and Kayleigh have just been for a visit. Kayleigh went upstairs to do some resin work while I played with Bodhi downstairs. We were watching Pango on the computer and the fox character did something silly. So I said he was a silly fox. At which point I was soundly told off for using unkind words. So yet again, consider me told.

A few days ago dine posted about the festivids being live so I went to check them out and found an excellent MCR video. I enjoyed it lots, and also enjoyed seeing the names in comments of many old bandom fans. It's nice to know they're still out there, even if they don't come here now.

There is also a great The Pitt one here. Just, be aware of the content notes, but you know, it's The Pitt, such a brilliant show, but it'll rip out your heart and stomp on it.

And a more up-beat The Pitt one here. But again, The Pitt so up-beat along with scenes of medical stuff, blood etc.

To end on three separate things, The Craft Shop posted photos of James' restocked shelves here on Insta if anyone would like to see.