The new regime

So I have finished work.  Well, I say finish 'work' I haven't worked so physically bloody hard for ages.


Day 1 -

• Cleaned the bathroom from top to bottom, literally (daughter walked in and said "Oh, it's bright in here!") You've got to ask just how mucky it was before..... no don't ask that.
• Mowed the lawn at the front, put weed and feed on the back and blitzed all the dandelions with spray.
• Sorted the house insurance.
• Chased the car insurance
• Did two loads of washing
• Cooked tea
• Hoovered all round

Felt saintly and full of the joys of being at home

Day 2 -

• Ironed for two hours (felt like about 5)
• Changed the daughters bed
• Did more washing
• Sorted my wardrobe (winter coats to the back, summer stuff to the front)
• Went out and bought more wooden coat hangers
• Sorted the flowers that I received last week into new smaller vases with fresh water
• Sorted some magazines to give to a friend
• Chased the car insurance
• Thought about doing some crochet
• Hoovered all round

Felt out of sorts and fed up with being at home

So that's it, the highs and lows of the new regime after two days. 

At least the flowers are cheering me up!

(Can't get blogger to upload a photo so this is a tiny one of one of the bunches I received.)

I discussed with my husband the fact that I felt guilty about doing something that wasn't a 'job'.  He suggested I make a list then aim to do two jobs a day.  After that take time to myself.


Luckily there isn't 'point gable end' on the list but there are some biggies.  I might sneak 'knit a cardigan' onto the list or 'crochet a shawl' or even 'read ten chapters of current fabulous book'.... It might make being at home a bit easier I think.

Random thoughts and a nice surprise

Today is a cold flat white day, I'm waiting for the cloud to burn off and lift my mood.  I finish work tomorrow and although I'm ready to go I feel a bit flat.  So, I look on my phone for something to cheer me up that I can share.

The pieris is flaming up and adding a bit of heat to the garden colour.

My daughter used my phone to take pictures of big bad Max.  She said he looks like he's doing knitting.... no he doesn't, he looks like he's nicked my warm spot on the sofa... I love this cat, all 7.2 kg of him!

Then..... one of the lads comes into my office and gives me this.....and gives me a hug to say thank you for giving him a job all those years ago and for the help I've given in the intervening years



I am touched and thrilled.

And then as I'm waiting outside by the coffee van for my latte these arrive..... from friends and colleagues to say best of luck in the future

They smell heavenly....

So without the sun my mood is lifted and I feel ready to move on.

 

 

Lets talk cars.......go on you might enjoy it

Are you into cars?

I am.  I always have been.  As a small child on the long car journey too and from my Grandparent's house in Blackpool I would try to name different makes and model of car.  We spent a lot of time in the car and I got quite good at it.

My first car was a mini - old style - the colour of Mr Bean's mini.  It cost about £700 and I loved it.

More recently I have been lucky enough to have a company car and when I chose my last car I decided that it would be all that I wanted.  I love it and it goes like stink (105bhp in case you were wondering)..... This is it in all its stylish loveliness.

But now it has to go back and I am looking for another car. 

I had two requirements of the new car:
1) Buttons on the steering wheel
2) Alloy wheels

Simple enough.  Oh, and I had a budget as I will be out of work so we couldn't go mad.  I have spent hours looking at used car sites and in the end I have chosen this baby. 

Fiat 500 twin air (85bhp), but a much lighter car.  Isn't it gorgeous?

So now I may be leaving work and leaving behind my lovely little A1 but I am looking forward to having fun in my Fiat 500.  I did a test drive on Saturday and it sounds just like the original 500 when you hoof it......

After the test drive I couldn't stop smiling.  My husband said that when he saw my face he knew we would have to have it, I looked so happy.

I pick it up in a couple of weeks and I can't wait!

Robin Hood got nut'in on me.....

The daughter and I have been doing archery.  We had a two hour session at a centre near York (GTS Adventure).  The sun was shining and we were paired with a couple of girls a similar age to my daughter.  The instructor, Grant, was ex-army and an excellent teacher.

"Ok raise your arm to shoulder height with your palm facing the floor and hold it there"

Hang on..... I've been painting, my shoulder is stiff, "hold it there" are you mad? 
But, it is ok and I manage to master the holding of the bow. 

"Now pull back the string until your finger touches the corner of your mouth,

keeping your elbow high"

Oh....my......God......that's bloody hard.........

"Now let go"

The arrow hits the target with a satisfying "thwunk"

Oh, I got this.

Two hours later we have had to change the rules of a competition as none of us can aim precisely, although we can all manage to hit the target.  We have laughed, picked arrows up from the target and several out of the ground.  No-one has been injured.

Grant has been polite.... "Nice shot"
And not so polite..... "Hmmm, that was a bit s**t" (he was right it was).

We have had a brilliant morning and by the end of it my arm and shoulder have eased out and I am buzzing with the joy of the few that I got right in the centre of the target.

It is only driving home that I realise that the end of my middle finger is completely numb.  I must have twanged it with the string so many times.  Three days later and the feeling is just about returning.  Who cares, it was totally worth it.

When I mention it to my husband he points out that in the years prior to the battle of Agincourt every man and boy had to practice with a bow shooting arrows for a minimum 2 hours a day.  He asks how I would have coped.

I reply by sticking two fingers up at him.

Happiness

Today is International Day of Happiness so I asked my daughter what makes her happy.

When the cat gives me love, was her off the cuff reply (he is being difficult at the moment and is aloof with her and loving with me).

She picks him up for a cuddle and he sits in her arms and does not rub his head on hers.......

Hmmm, not so happy today then.

 

On the way to work she puts a on a song, Mr Brightside, and we sing along together.  She starts dancing and then I get in trouble for over emphasising some word as we sing.  As I sit there and we laugh together I realise that among many other things our car journeys each day are pockets of happiness for me.

Happy Happiness Day to you all!

My Desk

Last week one of the lads was going round and taking photographs of us all.

It made me think....

I have spent years sitting in this office of mine and maybe I should capture a bit of it.  So this is one part of my desk (this is by my right elbow and is clearly a bit of a dumping ground).

I decided just to take the photo exactly as it is, without moving anything.  These are some of the highlights of this corner of my space....

 

The smiling green round-headed chap moves his head from side to side when it's sunny

 and was a 'calming' present from my Dad

 

The Minion came from Maccy D's (I love minions)

 

The postcard was bought from the Chantry Chapel in Wakefield which is opposite the Hepworth and is the oldest and most ornate of the surviving bridge chapels in England 

 

The pebbles, that you can just see, are there because I have pebbles everywhere

 - they are Suffolk pebbles

 

The Hubba Bubba was bought from Lucy Sparrow who did a complete corner shop in felt

http://sewyoursoul.co.uk/tag/felt-cornershop/

 

The biscuits are my stash from the coffee van.

 

It is going to be a nightmare moving out of this office, as I have soooo much stuff here.

I suspect many trips to the bin will be required..........

Counting Sheep....

What do you do when you can't sleep?

 

A combination of age and circumstance mean that I am not sleeping.

 

I asked around......

 

Sally counts sheep

Brenda steps into the en-suite for 5 to re-set her head

Sue makes a cup of tea

Elaine reads her ipad

 

None of these are working for me.  But I read somewhere that

regulating your breathing with a sleeping person helps, so that was my plan.

 

I'm awake, husband is obviously asleep.

Ok, here we go

 

In..out..in..out..in..out............................

 

Hang on he's stopped breathing?

 

I do a further 4 breaths in and out before he breathes again.

 

So now I'm even more wide awake.  Bother. 

And now I'm concerned about him. Double bother.

 

Not such a good idea then..........roll on 6.30 am.