June.... ing

It is time for my monthly June...ing post, as always inspired by my friend Jo over at Three Stories High. Look out for her own June...ing post, we usually post quite close to one another.

Listening to "Everything under" by Daisy Johnson. I am enjoying it so far but need to concentrate to not lose track of the various threads of the story.

Also listening to Women's Hour (podcast version) and several nerdy science podcasts. This Week in Parasitism anyone? I love it.

Cutting fabric for Sam's moving out quilt. It is going to be a black, grey and white affair with a pop of colour. His choice, not mine. The design is very simple, I am cutting the fabric into strips of identical width and then cut each into various different lengths. Then it is just a matter of sewing strips together - a doddle.

Knitting the second sleeve of my Matilda jumper. Did I ever mention that I can't stand knitting sleeves? It took more than a month to complete the first one.

Quilting the postage stamp quilt. Well, almost quilting. I received four spools of colourful variegated hand quilting thread for my Birthday and I was looking forward to using these but I don't think I am brave enough.

Avoiding the news. What is there to say? The Trumps are in town. No doubt the Conservatives view this as an excellent distraction from the chaotic leadership context and the general dismal state of affairs.

Shopping for a shower room. It is going to be expensive but if we don't get the work done, the heavy old shower tray will probably break through the floor at some point... I am not even joking. Richard took up the floor boards next to the tray and it appears that the bathroom fitter just plonked it on the joists, no floor underneath. We have chosen all that is needed in your average shower room and have a surveyor visit scheduled to do some final checks.

Waiting for an MRI appointment to have my knee scanned. It is particularly when switching gears in the car but doesn't bother me much when walking. The x-ray was all clear and I am speculating it is a meniscus tear, if my memory of knee anatomy serves me well.

Taking medication for my Raynaud's syndrome. This has become really uncomfortable and I am still wearing double gloves when riding my bike now, in June, to keep my fingers as warm as possible. I haven't found a solution for my feet yet.

Worrying about the increasingly fast rate of progression towards complete decrepitude.

Spending an afternoon playing with a child that is not mine, while mine are out on Scout trips. I am such a soft touch, I just couldn't turn that wee boy away last Saturday when he rang the bell to spend the afternoon with James and Alistair. We had a lovely time, doing our own things for a bit (lego, sandwiching that quilt), then playing board games and working on a puzzle together.

Wondering if the good weather is passing us by? It has been an unusually miserable May and June has not brought us any reprieve from the rain. I am a bit fed up with wearing waterproofs from top to bottom to cycle to work.

Cooking not much at all. I am happy to leave this chore to Richard and Annie. Neither mind, which is good for me. The food they prepare is good, too. Double-win.

Reflecting upon a workshop Richard and I attended at our adoption agency to learn more about adolescence. Adolescence is difficult at best of times and maybe even more so for children that have experienced early childhood trauma and neglect. Adopted children are often emotionally considerably younger than their years, which no doubt makes them vulnerable. Knowing that we can get support from our agency after all that time is wonderful (it has been more than seven years since the monkeys came to live with us).

Keeping my fingers crossed for the cygnets that have hatched on the canal. They are almost one week old now and there are still five. Last time I checked at least.... Life on the canal is dangerous.

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by and saying hello. Wishing you a lovely second half of the week xx