The decorators have gone, for now, and I have slid into panic-mode in relation to James’ visit and my husband’s frailty and bad temper and my own increasing incompetence. Clean clothes for next week? Both houses are dirty. Food, I think I’m on top of that one. In fact, everything will be fine, and my husband will welcome spending time in the company of someone other than me. Someone he loves.

You’re right, Tamar, that the colour of the paint has changed – and improved – markedly as it has dried. The unpleasant blue tinge has gone, to my eye, although it is still appreciably lighter than the old paint. I found the old paint tin, and sent the men off with it, as well as speaking to the boss. It will be interesting to have James’ opinion (and his children’s) although nobody pays much attention to James on non-Sino subjects. What matters, in the end, is what my husband thinks – even more than what the dining room looks like.

The irony of the current situation is that we now have a beautiful, fully-restored ceiling. If only they had been a little bit more careful with the walls, the job would be finished. As we expected it would be, this time last week.

Knitting (I can scarcely bring myself to write the word)

I have received the box of yarn with which I am meant to be creative. Six different yarns, including a skein of sari yarn which is something I have always wanted to try. I am vaguely thinking a child’s sleeveless vest in entrelac. The first time I tried entrelac, not entirely understanding the instructions in Sheila McGregor's "Traditional Scandinavian Knitting", I had to cut the yarn at the end of each square. That early ineptitude could become a virtue, with each square different.

There was no text at all included in the box, and for the moment I can’t find the exchange of emails which launched me into this project. I have promised to mention the sponsor in my blog from time to time. I looked at their website when the proposition was put to me – they supply materials for all sorts of crafts in a brilliantly well-organised site. No yarn, although needles are there. Perhaps this blogger-competition is their movement into yarn-selling.

But this is of no use since I can’t remember their name. “Home” comes into it. If anyone can find the blog entry in which I mentioned my invitation to join the competition, it would provide a date which would help me find the emails.

And as for actual (as opposed to prospective) knitting, I am engaged on the ribbing of the current toe-up sock. Another session with Judy’s Magic Cast-On looms.