It feels really nice typing 'done'. The last of the rubbish was removed from the dining room on Wednesday (taken by the bulk waste removal service Thursday, except a broken Christmas tree which was stolen on Wednesday evening while me and my son ate our tea next to the front room window, we found it funny). 

I dusted in there Friday evening and shampooed the carpet yesterday. Now the dusting will become part of the regular cleaning schedule and I will spot clean the carpet and rug as needed. 

Next task for the room is a lightshade and new curtains, which will happen when I see something I like. It isn't necessary. Same with pictures to hang up on the walls. 

Unfortunately, the pictures don't come with the smell, which is the lack of cat piss. 

The next big household task will be painting the bathroom (in February, I can't afford paint in January after Christmas). I've already booked the time off work. I think in the back of my mind, I knew the housing association used inappropriate paint in there, but with everything else, it wasn't a priority (even though I now need to scrape off the old paint that is peeling). As such, I will be coming down much harder on people interfering with my life, whether that is through inflicted help that I don't need or want (and is more a projection of the person's own lack of worth and poor self esteem), or causing unnecessary problems (employer's phone policy, trying to involve me in social media drama or start it with me), or bullying (some people absolutely detest that a single mother has a degree and tries not to be in poverty, my very existence really offends them, especially if I point out that their alleged 'help' only causes further problems).  

A new review of Stara has come in. Stara is a bit of a weird one. It is very extreme and disgusting and violent but it does end on a bizarro note. 
Get your copy now:

• From amazon.
• ​From godless. 

And while you are on godless, don't forget to pick up your copy of Crowfield. It would really mean the world to me to be in the top 100 for 2025. I'm only a few places away. Learn about council estate Britain through fiction (I really need some new hoop earrings). 

Get Crowfield on Godless.