Just in time

I made up the cards I designed last weekend in time to post them today, which should mean they arrive in the UK before Xmas. I am relatively happy, given that I only had two days to create them, but I would really like to have had longer to give them greater finesse. Still, I shall now start a new batch, and I'll be able to take more time because there is no urgency.

Bean surpassed herself today - in good ways. 

Her stitches came out and she barely flinched, which surprised me greatly. I did have her in a headlock, and the vet nurse took it all very slowly, letting her sniff her hands and the scalpel (carefully) while we chatted calmly. It all worked. So now the sock of shame is a  thing of the past - consigned to the washing machine and then back onto my foot where it belongs. 

From the vet, we went straight onto the post-exam debrief and social get together. In past years this has been a dreadful affair, dominated by cliques of teachers and ex-teachers. I am the only non-teacher involved in supervision and had no way into nonstop school talk. So I had braced myself and was prepared to sit like a lemon for an hour or two before I could politely leave.

To my surprise the atmosphere was completely different this time. Everybody was relaxed, chatty, uncliquey and friendly. Two of the people who supervised in previous years have stopped, and perhaps their absence made the difference. Whatever the reason, it was lovely to sit around in the sun and shade, eating cheese (some of it mine), crackers, pastries and delicious sweet meats, while discussing the exams and life in general. 

Bean was invited too, and instead of being anxious and restless for the whole time she settled down in a sunny spot (and later a cool spot) after about five minutes. From time to time she circulated, to receive praise and pats, then she retired to her slumber zone once more. 

What a chilled dog. It is the first gathering I've taken her to for about a year because she was so edgy and fidgety before. Today was a great success.

We are both exhausted now though: that's more social interaction than we usually have in a week.