On a sunny Sunday











Oh man, I am tired. I really can't string two thoughts together. Last week was another stinker with far more work than I could handle. I can't wait for the summer term to finish (five more weeks to go). I am not feeling great, the burden of long working days is taking its toll on me. I might speak to my union representative, I feel completely unsupported and this spring alone, I worked through three holidays.

With that of my chest, I can move on to the pleasantries of life. The weather has been glorious. It is hot and sunny and I am loving it. I like the warmth of the sun on my arms. Sitting outside in the evening sun is just wonderful - if it wasn't for my irritating neighbours with their new hot-tub that produces a noise like an industrial vacuum cleaner. The new sound of British summer! I hope the novelty wears off soon, it makes me really cranky when I am trying to enjoy some downtime. They are so bloody noisy.

Lockdown is easing a little, we are now allowed to meet up with one other household per day, and outside with appropriate distance. James went for a walk with a friend on Friday. Saturday was Annie's turn, she went on a bike ride with one of her friends. Today, finally and with great anticipation, Alistair is meeting up with his best friend for a bike ride. I have yet to go for a dog walk with my friend. I was looking forward to this but this lockdown has been much harder on the kids than it has been on me and Richard and it is only fair that they get first dibs. Other than that, we are still staying at home.

Alistair and James decided to camp in the garden. They put up my old NorthFace tent. This was my home for five months when I was travelling around Australia back in my golden twenties. Of course they didn't go to sleep until after midnight and decided to move inside at 3 am, when Alistair needed the toilet. I am surprised he didn't just pee in the garden! I struggled getting back to sleep and briefly considered going for a run but that seemed a bit weird, although with the heatwave, it might be the best time of day for running... In the end I opted for a podcast to lull me back to sleep. Always works. I am tempted to camp out but the tent smells like it has been sitting in the garage for 20 years. Which it has, of course.

I am in between sewing/knitting projects and I feel a bit at a loss. I sorted through my pattern box instead and put those in the recycling that were fails, or that I no longer like. The majority of my patterns are pdf printouts and not suitable for charity shop donation. I like a good tidying up campaign. Thus motivated, I decided to do a big clean in the bedroom. I even cleaned my necklaces that are displayed around a mirror. They should really be around my neck but I only bother now when I have live online tutorials. The windows are sparkling, no dog nose prints at all. Jack likes to canvas the street during the night (he has a basket right next to the window).  I remembered the school uniform spares box under the bed and thought that the primary school polo shirts and jumpers that Alistair never grew into won't be needed ever again, at least in our house. I calculated that we've had a child at primary school for the past 15 years! I am not sure if I am sad to miss the final P7 play and assembly or if I am relieved. Alistair is not bothered at all, which doesn't surprise me the least.

When I was sorting through my pattern box I remembered a shirt dress pattern. I bought fabric for this last year, a pretty orange floral that I used to bind my latest quilt. I measured myself and noticed that my butt is a fraction bigger than previously. I blame Richard and his tasty sourdough bread. A fresh loaf is ready most mornings around 10 am. It is divine with butter and a generous spoonful of jam. We have loads of flour, including some lovely rye and strong wholemeal, I managed to get an order in with Shipton Mill two weeks ago. Our local shops still don't stock flour.

I sewed three masks for those of us that have to go shopping. Mine is made  with the final piece of butterfly fabric I found in my quilting scraps box. I admire anyone who sews mask for friends and family, it is just about the most boring sewing project ever. Alistair wants a mask but I can't see him needing one anytime soon. I doubt he'll volunteer to do the weekly shop! Sam tells me that quite a few customers are not wearing face coverings, which they should. He himself wears disposable ones when on the shop floor but not when he is behind the perspex shield.

My birthday garden bench is scheduled for delivery on Tuesday, I am so excited! I hope the weather stays warm and sunny for a while. I might make some cushions for the bench. I hope to take a day off next week, for my own sanity and to assemble the bench and then read a book in the sun.

On the topic of birthdays, our cat Pippin is 13 today! She is currently basking in the sun and enjoying life.

Ending on a positive note: I just arranged for that longed for dog walk tomorrow evening. I am dancing with joy.

Thanks for visiting xx





Comments

  1. Happy birthday Pippin.
    Hope you have a much needed rest on your new bench next week with the sun shining and your neighbours hot tub silent. That would really annoy me too. Enjoy your walk , with a good natter no doubt. B x

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  2. Always good to have something to look forward to. Hopefully the bench delivery and your walk will lift your spirits.

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  3. Enjoy your walk tomorrow Christina. It’s been such a pleasure to meet with family and friends even if only one at a time and at a distance. I hope you don’t feel so tired next week xx

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  4. Lovely to read your news....and to live vicariously through your summer garden! Don't you just love when the kids want to camp out? One simply knows that it will be a super late night, a very early morning and that they will invariably have a grumpy tired day the next day!! However, kids get so much excitement from the thought and the organising that one just has to let them do it!
    Sending you some strength to get through your next few weeks xx

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  5. I made 62 masks this year and that was by far enough. I gave them to neighbors friends and family and was quite pleased until I saw one of my friend whom I made four for wearing a paper mask. She told me mine were much too hot. Isn't that the purpose? To have a mask that actually blocks all the germs? I let it go and am glad I made them for her anyway! Stay safe and hope you get some rest.

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  6. Summer weather sounds glorious! We never got to the mask wearing stage and are probably one of the success countries in the world for covid management and stats... ONE active case now - around 4000 being tested daily. Total of 1504 cases all up. But masses of job losses etc like rest of world. Back at school, but no parents allowed in (i hear this is normal in UK schools anyway in normal times - our parents are usually in and out of school all day long - gates never locked) - cleaning students and wiping down desks, but that's about it. I am OVER the stress being put on us by management - so much for of teaching staff !(e-mail 3.29 pm Friday afternoon of a long weekend to have some extra planning ready for entire school by Wednesday - ah NOPE. I'm having a weekend! Not doing crazy hours for anyone anymore!). I hope your work craziness slackens!

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  7. Looking forward to seeing your new bench. I sympathise about your noisy neighbours in their hot tub. We have a chap locally who must go out of his way to buy the noisiest garden equipment possible. He also has a variety of cars that he enjoys sitting in and revving. What was it Satre said about Hell being other people?! Happy birthday to Pippin and have fun on your walk. xx

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  8. Your rules over there seem much more restrictive than ours, but you were hit harder.

    Enjoy your walk.

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  9. oh wow! 6 months in the tent sounds glorious!!!

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  10. I hope you manage to get your day off with your bench. I've been busy with scrubs bags for the nurses but as I've now reached my target I am going to stop unless there is more demand for them in the future. Now I will have to decide what project to work on first. I have a couple of big cross stitch projects on the go so may be its time to bring one out of the project box and get on with a little bit of stitching. By the way I am with you can't stand hot tubs.

    Mx

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  11. First, thanks Christina for the condolences comment for my husband's aunt. She was indeed a special woman and will be greatly missed not only by family, but friends as well. Glad to read your school term will be ending, but 5 more weeks to go. YIKES on having a heat wave as we are having more cooler days now after 1 really hot one last week. Good that your family members are able to socialize with friends, even if only 1 at a time and ever better that your turn is coming up! Last weekend we socialized with friends at their home for takeout Chinese food and a gamne of dominoes. Visitors are still a no-go here at the mill apts.

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  12. Ooh you would look great in a shirt dress. Great to read your news but not the bit about overworking, it is getting harder I think. We are now going to be teaching year 6 and still providing home schooling and feedback for those staying at home - double workload. Anyway hope you like your bench and for the record - bloody hot tubs! Love Jo

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  13. Lots of positives despite being overworked. I hope this week is better for you and you find a sunny day to enjoy the new bench!

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  14. Hello! I so enjoyed all of your lovely plant photos. Your strawberries look delicious! I hope you get some much needed rest this weekend.

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  15. The boys are funny, sleeping outside is fun and then you remember that nice cosy bed inside. I hope you managed to get your day off, the weather has taken a bit of a turn but hopefully it will pick up so you can enjoy your new bench. Take care. x

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  16. Lots of fun sleeping in a tent I loved it when my boys did.. and lovely flowers, I recognise some as same as mine, we have aquilegias self seeding all over the garden.

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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