In very excellent news, RelentlesslyCheerfulPhysio gave me permission to ride an exercise bike! I’m also down from two weekly visits to one. I am very much enjoying the work on the reformer, must find a pilates class.

The go-ahead for some cardio was especially exciting as last week saw Bessie-in-residence and she was constantly plying us with baked goods.

coconut cake from women’s weekly: best ever collection

flatbread from women’s weekly: best ever collection

I rocked up to the gym on Thursday evening with my current book (on kindley) and cycled away merrily for half an hour. It was exhausting and delightful.

On the way out I ran into the FatController (who has been very sweet with texting regularly to check my progress**) who asked when I thought I’d get the all clear to return to training. I hadn’t the heart to tell him that RCP thinks he is too extreme for me – perhaps when I get the go ahead for proper exercise we can work out something a little less intense for my remaining four sessions. Sadly, there is little chance of much more tyre flipping in my future.

**unkind people might think that he is concerned with securing the not insignificant revenue stream.

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In exciting and surprising news, after learning that you can paint when it is rains-ish, we dragged out the paint-brushes and rollers and attacked the top floor landing.

We also acquired possibly the best tool for painting (apart from the brushes and rollers and tape) ever:

Halogen work lights! An absolute bargain at $28.

I’ve done a good deal of the cutting in, but Don is much superior at cutting in and an absolute master with the roller. I am better with the finicky tight spaces and trim, possibly the result of all that knitting and sewing and embroidery, so the division of labour works nicely. It works particularly well when I can overcome my guilt at my lack of mad rolling skillz and sitting idly about when the rolling is happening.

Also, at rolling times I cook and wash the brushes. See: guilt.

The white looks amazing! The whole area is so much brighter and infinitely less depressing. I really question the taste level of whoever decided on the ghastly vomity, poopy, mustardy colour. I am quite certain that it has never been fashionable in any sort of world I have inhabited.

After seeing the amazingness of the white, we are inspired to work our way down through the levels over the next few weeks.

However, I suspect the excess of trim will keep me occupied for the next 3 years.

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There are changes and secrets afoot at SML and apparently all will be revealed in the coming week. Based on past experience I will believe this when I see it.

MrT told me on Friday that he is sworn to secrecy, but that I will be pleased. I responded with my usual cynicism – unless there is a Reckoning, I am unlikely to be pleased.

In other SML news, Dr12 told me last week that I will be named as project manager for what I consider to be a really very exciting project – which not only appeals to my inner nerd, but speaks to my long-term experience and knowledge, and will look killer on the CV. I’m really very pleased about this development. Dr12 is utterly bonkers, but I have heard from a variety of sources that he values my opinion and m4d skillz.

I think I could get to like this New World Order.