Saturday, 18-04-26

Morning, everyone.  It's a beautifully sunny day here today; I'm not sure how warm though as I haven't gone out yet.  However, I'm comfortable in my lightweight dressing gown rather than my snuggle hood so I suspect it's quite nice.

Yesterday was a this and that day.  I went to SW group (half a pound off) and then on to do a very small shop in Morrisons.
I did a fridge check and planned my meals for the next three days to use up as much as possible.

I had a phone call from One Traveller - one of the group managers has changed.  No worries.  And they confirmed that the hotel provides room towels as well as pool towels - the list only said pool towels.  So that's a space saving.

Getting there!

I've just popped out to get something from the freezer and just look at the buds on my clematis.  It's obviously happy there.  I remember its first year when I counted about five flowers and the next year was about eleven.  It is quite mature now, of course.

The blueberry isn't doing too badly either.  Not as smothered as last year but there should be a decent amount of fruit, all the same, fingers crossed.

On to today which is definitely 'getting the rest of the clothes ready' day.  I know what I will be taking but I need to get it all out and, probably, draped all over the sofa!

I also have Lindsey's loaf to start and some carrots and parsnips to get into the freezer.

And I need to walk round to Morrisons to pick up my prescriptions.  I asked yesterday but they weren't ready.  

If it is really nice and warm later, I might sit out in the lovely sunshine for a while and read.  Bliss.

All the best, everyone.  Take care and have a lovely day.  xx

Friday, 17-04-26

Good morning, everyone.  We have had rain overnight and it's a very dull start to the day.  The forecast isn't great but it isn't bad.  We will see.

Yesterday was great!
Chris came over as usual and we chatted non-stop.

Then I drove to Val's.  She decided to take me to Cressing Temple (I LOVE Cressing Temple) for lunch at the Tiptree cafe there after which we wandered around the grounds and sat in the walled garden in the warm sunshine for a good chat.  It was just lovely and I wished I had my camera with me.  I will go back again soon, it's not that far away really.  Ditto for Hyde Hall.

The online chat didn't happen so I had the evening to myself which was very nice.

Today starts with Slimming World Group, then I have just a little bit of shopping and a little list of stuff to work through.  I suspect a lot of the day will be spent chilled though.

Have a lovely day, everyone.  Stay safe and keep smiling.  xx

Thursday, 16-04-25

Hello again, everyone.
Just a short one today because there's not much to talk about really.  Life plods on, you know!

I enjoyed Groove online very much although I prefer face to face when possible.  
A couple of things arrived - I have bought Alex a cabin bag like mine because he needs one and his birthday is coming up and I got one of those RFID card holder things.  It struck me as sensible.

That was about it apart from all the usual stuff.

Today is busier.  After coffee and chat with Chris, I am off to Val's home for another chat and more coffee, probably.  And in the evening there might be an online Slim Win chat, I'm not sure yet.  I would also like to start putting clothes that I'm packing on the spare room bed.

I have a recurring bad dream about not packing before a trip to go alongside the one about not being ready for an exam or doing the wrong syllabus and the one about Alex as a little boy getting lost . . .
What does that say about me, I wonder?

Do you have any recurring dreams.  Not nightmares, just a bit not very nice?  Do share in the comments . . .

xx

Wednesday, 15-04-25

So, here we are, half way through April already.  Time is flying past!  Yesterday was sunny but cold, today (so far) is a lot milder but it very much looks like rain.

Yesterday started with a jolly good Groove session down at the hall plus the walk there and back with Chris.  I'm doing another one live online this morning instead of personal training.
You see, I'm at the end of one block of PT sessions but wont be going for the next two weeks so we thought it made sense to start the new block in May.  As I have a few catch up sessions, I'm joining the Wednesday session but online as Shimmy Studio is full.
Actually, it suits me fine because I have a clear run of the rest of the day.

Kay came, worked her magic and went again.  She is coming again next Monday (it's usually fortnightly) because she won't be coming the following week so that's worked out nicely really.

Today, after Groove, I want to go through my packing list, get together what I can and acquire anything that's missing.
The other day I decided I needed a . . .  well, not exactly a jacket but something light to throw on when I'm out if it's not that warm in Crete.  I have a couple of zip up hoodies but they are rather showing their age now.  I found a denim overshirt, nice and loose but not too baggy and made of soft fabric.  It's just perfect for what I wanted.

My toe seam-free socks have arrived and are lovely, just what I needed.

I really don't think anything is missing but I should know by the end of today.  I've sorted out my medication and, fortunately, have a new prescription in the offing so, as recommended by One Traveller, I can take unopened boxes.
Apart from the meds, there's loads of bits - blister plasters, sun cream, anti-bug spray . . .  etc.
I'd like to get most of it done by the weekend and everything bar actually closing the case finished by Sunday evening so I have a clear day on Monday.

Right, well, time to wrap this up and get the day started.  Have a lovely one, everyone, and maybe you will get some sunshine,  xx

Tuesday, 14-04-26

 Morning, all.  Tuesday lands and this time next week I'll probably be at Gatwick.  Woo hoo.

Life is just plodding on at the moment.  Circuits was good, I did some housework and Kay couldn't come.
Now, just to say, Kay is going through a very difficult time and I totally understand if she needs to reschedule.  She always lets me know and I have every sympathy for her at the moment.  She's a very reliable person but sometimes Real Life gets in the way.
And if she can't come this afternoon, I will understand that too.
(Just in case anyone was thinking she cancels a lot)

Today is Groove day.  Chris feels her back is much better so, as the weather is good, we will  be walking down to the hall and back again.  
I'm trying to keep up with the washing this week so I will do a small load.  It's OK because my solar panels will be providing the energy.
And then Kay comes this afternoon, I hope.
I have a little list of things to sort out/do so will work through that.  Nothing major.

Just a very normal sort of day really.
How about you?  xx

Monday, 13-04-26

Good morning, everyone.  It's a bright start to today after some rain yesterday so fingers crossed.

Thank you for your lovely, understanding comments regarding decluttering the possessions of loved ones.  I think with all decluttering, there's a sense of loss - after all, I must have wanted it at some point.

I try to think . . 

Why did I get this in the first place?  Does that reason still hold water?

Do I really love this - if so, why?  Is it the attached memories or is it something else.

Is it beautiful?  If so, why?  Would it be better if someone else could find it beautiful too.

Do I use/wear this.  Will I ever use/wear it again.  Do I have something else that fulfils the same purpose?  If so, which one do I prefer?

It's still not easy but it helps to apply a bit of reasoning.

Yesterday I . . .

made four loaves, two for Beth and two for Lindsey

got the ironing done and everything put away

tidied a superficially very untidy kitchen

weeded a bit (before the rain came)

took Beth's loaves round to her and had a good old chat

the usual reading, telly and crochet

boxed and wrapped a parcel for posting today - it took longer than I expected

Today is Kay-day.  Excellent.  I need to sort a few things out before popping over to Lindsey's for circuits and Kay will arrive shortly after I get home, all being well.
I have a load of whites to wash and, hopefully, line dry but I haven't looked at the weather forecast yet so we will see.

And a bit more sorting things out for Crete.  Woohoo.  Eight days to go!

Have a lovely Monday, everyone.  xx

Sunday, 12-04-26

Hello, everyone.  Welcome to a pleasantly sunny Sunday morning.

I got quite a lot done yesterday as well as eating out with my SW friends (Caesar salad - delicious).
I sorted through my shoes and have some to take to Lindsey for her next pop-up shop.  Ditto for summer tops.
I've been watching back episodes of 'Sort Your Life Out' and am trying to be more ruthless and less emotional about stuff - for example, I brought a lot of stuff back from Mum and Dad's when the house was sold and, yesterday, realising I had no use for them and that they weren't good enough to donate, I binned them.  
It actually felt better than I thought it would.  I suppose there's a time for that sort of thing.

I got going early today and now I have the dishwasher and the washing machine earning their keep, two loads of dough (yeasted and sourdough) doing their thing and rising - I hope - and veg ready for my Sunday dinner.
The sun's shining and there's a breeze so the clothes should dry nicely outside which feels lovely!

Just an ordinary day, really.  Nothing terribly exciting or different but it will be nice, I hope.

Take care and all the best.  See you tomorrow.  xx