But still hanging on even if my eyes do look a bit like this! By yesterday, having pretty much completed my applications, plus having had a further conversation with the colleague I am considering working with outside the NHS, I was feeling just a tad more positive. This feeling was, I have to admit helped along a bit by the knowledge that my Agenda For Change back pay was sitting languishing in my bank account. I am no mercenary but there is nothing like the knowledge that you can go shopping if you want to to help keep you going through the day!

So what will I do with this money? Well obviously I will be stashing most of it for a rainy day in a highly sensible way. But unexciting as this sounds, I am today off to Currys to buy myself a new cooker. It is sad to say that last time I did such a thing was in about 1986 when armed with back pay from the nurses clinical grading review I bought myself a lovely new gas cooker. At this rate I will be buying the next one when I retire!

My thoughts this weekend turn to three things. Firstly of course Christmas, it is now December and I really need to get myself into gear. I need to do a bit of present planning, card buying and generally start to get ready. Secondly is my next course assignment, due in on 5th January and I must prepare for the final push to writing the thing up. Finally of course, I need to start to consider my interview which will take place between12th and 14th December. Never had such a fun December to look forward to!