Tuesday 15 February 2022

Tuesday - long post alert!

 Morning!  It's fine and dry today after a day when the weather was a right mix of sun, rain, a moderate breeze, sometimes all three at once.  However, there was a pink sky earlier so who knows?

Yesterday started off the tuition first thing.  It suits us all to do this at 8:30 when we can; it gives us the rest of the day and that can be important for a family half term.  After we had finished the work, I spoke to mum and we compared dates.  SATs for Y6 start on May 8th so May 2nd (a Bank Holiday, I think) will be my last ever session with my last remaining student.  I nearly added 'ever' to that last sentence but you never know . . .  So, assuming I miss one over Easter, that's nine more sessions, that's all.

Then I came home to find that work had started next door.
Next door, the other house in our semi-detached pairing, has been empty since October or November (I forget which).  The new owners have come over occasionally and have introduced themselves.  A few days ago they knocked at my front door and presented a card and a little gift - a pretty little tin of posh tea - explaining that they were having 'a bit of work' done in the house before them move in.  I did realise something was happening after seeing a lot of boxed and a new bath being put in their garage.
Anyway, they were apologising for the fact that there would be work vans, mess, clutter and noise for the next six weeks or so.
They were right.

I don't mind - a new bathroom and kitchen (I noticed - not being at all nosey, of course) plus they seem to be taking all the plaster off the walls is going to generate a lot of noise and it will be so very nice for them when it's all done.

My little patch of grass at the front is taking a battering but it will recover!

I escaped the noise to go to circuits.  Lindsey has upped the level again and introduced some balance ball stuff which I found really tricky.  I know she's going to put them into my Wednesday session too so I'd better practise a bit.

The rest of the day was spent doing homey stuff.  The back stitching is taking forever and a day.  I started with the trickiest bit which is the bicycle and that's all done now.  I didn't get it 100% correct but it looks fine.  The rest is a lot easier.

I tried to take a photo of some clouds in the horizon - maybe I should have used the black and white setting - it might have been better.  I must play about with Photoshop and see how I can change it.


Finally, I had a delivery or two.  I'm still getting stuff together for when I get Hire a Hubby round to improve/repair various niggly things in the house so one item was a light fitting.  Another was some toiletry stuff.  And I ordered two cross stitches that I just fell in love with.  They look complicated but there's no back stitching (yay) and they can be done in 'sections' which always makes it easier.
Here they are, taken from the Amazon pictures.


I just totally fell in love with them at first sight!!!
They will keep me out of trouble, won't they?

Today is my Nothing in the Diary day.  I'm sitting here with wet hair so the first task will be to dry that and then I think I will trundle off into town (using the car) and do a bit of wandering around.
Apart from that, it will be the usual stuff, I think.
Enjoy your day and stay safe and well.  And be happy.  xx

20 comments:

  1. Those cross stitch pictures are just lovely, Joy, you'll have fun doing those and the finished pictures will be beautiful. I know how annoying it can be when there's noisy updating works going on next door in a semi detached house - we had exactly that for weeks and weeks before our neighbours moved in, it drove me to distraction. We had to go out every day just to get a bit of peace. I hope the works don't last too long. Enjoy your trip into town. xx

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    1. They're expecting to move in at the beginning of April. However, the workmen seem to have finished for the day by around two so it's only the mornings. It's OK.
      xx

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  2. Sounds like your new neighbours will be lovely ones. My new neighbours barely nod to me and certainly didn't tell me in advance they were gutting their house. They actually moved out for a month! I really like that strawberry picture! :-) xxx

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    1. They seem really pleasant. Jenni and Keith were lovely too so I've been lucky.
      xx

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  3. So glad your new neighbours sound OK - it makes all the difference. I have a lovely neighbour at home of nearly 40 years, unfortunately, she is next door but one and we have neighbours in between us who are a bit up and down, sometimes nod sometimes not and have security cameras and lights everywhere. Cross stitch pictures are quite delightful, you will enjoy doing those. x

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    1. It does make a big difference, I agree. A shame you and the lovely neighbour are separated by someone more erratic.
      xx

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  4. The strawberry one is absolutely gorgeous and I can see why you fell in love with it. Your new neighbours do sound nice.

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    1. I'm so lucky. I hope they think I'm as nice. xx

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  5. The cross stitch pictures are lovely - should keep you busy while work is being done.
    Nasty weather forecast today - I shall stay in the dry and warm

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    1. It turned rather nasty here too but only right at the end of my shopping time.
      xx

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  6. It sounds like the new neighbours are thoughtful people which must be a relief. Good neighbours make all the difference.

    The new cross stitch pictures are lovely. xx

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    1. It is a relief. I did wonder what they would be like. xx

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  7. It sounds like you are about to have really nice neighbours, it will be worth the noise and mess. And yes I LOVE a Nothing in the Diary kind of day.

    That strawberry cross stitch is gorgeous.

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    1. Isn't it? Quite detailed but basically, just follow the pattern and it will be fine. :-)
      xx

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  8. Those cross stitch pictures are gorgeous. You are going to have a wonderful time stitching them. Big plus is no backstitching.

    God bless.

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    1. That's what I thought. A huge advantage!
      xx

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  9. I like the photo. It looks very moody. I hate backstitching. I must say it is the thing I don't like about cross stitching lol.

    I hope the work is completed soon. I must admit that I don't like any deviation to my routine and all that noise would drive me crazy.

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    1. Thanks, Sharon. :-)
      As the saying goes, what can't be cured must be endured and I'm sure there will be times when I have things done that make a noise.
      xx

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  10. The cross stitch pictures are lovely. I especially love the strawberries. X

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    1. Thanks, I love them both but have a few things to finish before I start either. Why did I get them? Because they were there. lol
      xx

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