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

Saturday, 11-04-26

Morning, everyone, welcome to Saturday.  Will I ever, no matter how long I am retired, ever stop feeling a sense of release on Saturday mornings?  I wonder . . .

It's very dull outside.  No sunshine this morning which is a shame, but no rain (yet)!  

Yesterday was pleasant.

I may not have lost any poundage at group but I did win the raffle - nothing exciting but very useful!  

Then I pottered - decluttering, sorting things out for the holiday, dealing with finance stuff, all that sort of thing, and I've started looking at what needs using up in the fridge.  I can always offload stuff onto Beth and Alex but I'd like to use as much as possible.  I need to plan some meals to work with what I have, don't I?  For example, I have a pak choi (from Oddbox) which is something I don't usually use so I need to look it up.
Any ideas?  

Remember the Temu shorts that made me look like Lofty?  Well, I re-ordered and they arrive yesterday and they are fine.  The only thing is that two pairs are rather thin but it will be hot and I wear longish T shirts anyway so I'm not worrying too much.  The third pair are fine.

Today will be nice.

I'm starting with more sorting and decluttering before being picked up for a meal out with my Slimming World walking friends.
We're going to a community pub in Roxwell where I lived for two years four decades ago.  It's a lovely village but I wasn't very happy there as my marriage and life was slowly and steadily falling apart.  So no worries and it IS a pleasant village, somewhere I would have been happy to stay had circumstances been different.  Still, I am fine and well settled here.

The pub has a story -  here's the link.

And then I will be home for some more sorting.  :-)

It must be the time of year!

Well, better stop waffling and get moving.  Have a lovely day, everyone, whatever the weather.  xx

Friday, 10-04-26

Hello, everyone. 
It's cold and dull and I'm glad I didn't put away my warmer coat.  Also we are a third of the way through April.  How???

AND - counting today and travel day, just twelve days to go.  Eeek.

I decided to pop into town yesterday, while it was still nice, rather than today so I hopped on the bus after a lovely chat with Chris.
I got stuff done.  
I didn't find what I was looking for but I got an alternative.  I remembered to pop into the bank to check that my debit card was OK for Crete and I got some stuff in Boots - Imodium (essential) and other bits and bobs including a new blood pressure monitor.  I recently had to do a week of readings and my old monitor was really playing up.  I think I might do some more readings, just for reassurance, because can I rely on the old readings?  I don't know.  I sent them off anyway but if the new readings are significantly different, I will send them off too.

When I got home, my cabin case was on the doorstep and it is perfect, just what I wanted.  Yay.

Today starts with Slimming World group and then the day's my own - apart from all the usual stuff, of course.  :-)

Have a lovely day, stay well and be happy!  xx