Mrs Duck has been to my house and seen it tidy (organised chaos theory). In my head I do want to be tidy, but brain to hand connection, she get severed! I am also intrinsically lazy.

At the moment I am using the following excuses: Still sorting out after losing Ian; having work done on the house; am going to declutter antiques soon and put some up for auction, but I haven't had time; my heart's not into it yet; the dishwasher's full; it's too humid to iron; this dog is constantly shedding; I'd rather be in the garden; I'll do it next week; the world's not going to end if I don't...

I had a man playing about with my flue yesterday evening, and now I keep getting soot on the hearth. House smells lovely.

Andrea (sitting at an old desk which is to be replaced any day now by the half built one).