Friday check-in


I am back in my little office/sewing room, it is freshly painted and all very bright and lovely. I am glad it was finished on Thursday afternoon because I really needed to get back in for my evening podcasting session. It is more quiet at the back of the house. Of course at 10:30 pm it is generally quiet anyway... yes, it was a late recording because the podcast home is in New York. It went well and I enjoyed myself. I have a most debilitating form of imposter syndrome so always worry about coming across as uninformed and inarticulate when talking science with eminent colleagues. 

Annie was also on air, live in her case. She was talking to Radio BBC2 Scotland about her experiences as a learner driver during the pandemic and the prospects of up to 8 months waiting list for a driving test. She sounded very grown-up. Funniest of all was that she mentioned her dad shouting at her while practicing her driving. Richard hardly ever shouts but it is good to hear that I am not the only flawed parent.

I might brave the world today and go to Ikea. I know, the excitement. I have two unframed little pictures that I would like to put in a frame. I also want to replace one tiny frame that is hold together by two rubber bands because it is falling to bits. I am rather fond of the photograph, which I picked up at a charity shop before I moved to Scotland (almost prehistoric).

I have been eyeing new sewing machines. I am using a second hand Janome CLX301 and I really like it. I also have a Janome Memory Craft 4800C that my mum bought me at least 15 years ago. Both work just fine although I tend to use the simpler model because I prefer the backstitch on that one. It is a simple as that. So in other words, I do not need a new sewing machine (but I am still looking). I fancy a machine that has an auto threader because I find threading the needle difficult. I also really want a machine that sews buttons on and one that has a bit more space to the right of the needle for quilting larger quilts. I added the most coveted models to my birthday wish list, along with two different tents that I also fancy, a few house plants and a shoe horn. For my birthday, I want the shoe horn most of all, thanks for asking. 

I started two new courses this week and it is awfully quiet on the virtual learning platforms. I hope things will get more lively as the courses progress. In the meantime, I am working on stuff that has been gathering virtual dust. I am delighted to tell you all that my contract is now open ended and I have returned the paperwork so all good until retirement (pending funding of course). A scary thought.

My basil and parsley finally germinated. I had given up hope. My cucumber plants didn't like being in the porch, I think it is still too cold. The plants look a bit faded and not quite right. I hope they recover because I have big plans pickling gherkins for the winter. I love a pickled gherkin. 

On that note, I'll sign off for the weekend. I plan to spend much of it doing nothing, preferably in the garden. It is vitamin D production time of year (not too hot to burn but warm enough to expose skin). Have a good weekend. 

Comments

  1. I saw an article declaring that the UK is out of the pandemic. I couldn't click, and it didn't say officially, but whatever the exact case, I think you are doing well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My cucumbers are also not looking great. A bit yellow round the edges and not growing very fast. I went quite early with the tomatoes, cucumbers and beans this year and I'm running out of space to put them, but there are still frosts most nights. A new sewing machine would be a very lovely thing, and very well deserved I think, you make some beautiful things. I am wishing all the good things for you for your birthday. Hope you have a good weekend. A pile of work to do here, but I really need to do some gardening as well. And ferry the urchins about to things as well of course. CJ xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. I must start some cucumbers, hopefully I’m not too late! I’m impressed with all your podcasting, I always hate to hear the sound of my voice and would never volunteer. Hopefully your birthday list comes to fruition especially the shoe horn lol! Have a lovely sunny weekend. B x

    ReplyDelete
  4. *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* and I hope you get spoiled and get something good. We must be near in our birthdays as mine is on Sunday. Maybe your veggies will perk up. We planted nine new dahlia tubers in our raised bed today. Now the long wait for flowers.
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm also thinking about buying a new sewing machine. Mine isn't working properly and fixing it can be more expensive than a new one.
    My wish list for my birthday includes books, walking boots and some shorts...they still have a week to get everything 😉

    ReplyDelete
  6. Since you mentioned an upcoming birthday, Christina, advance good wishes to you. Hope you get the shoe horn and the sewing machine. Hope Annie doesn’t have to wait 8 months to drive, not a happy prospect. Good and bad news about the plants and basil and parsley have done well inside on our windowsills, but never tried any indoor veggies. Hope your gherkins pick up so you can enjoy your winter treat.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Best wishes for your upcoming birthday! Hope you get exactly what you want and have a terrific year filled with good health and many happy adventures! ...Then you can share them with me in a blog post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy birthday! You made me laugh about the driving lessons. I had wondered how the learners managed wearing their masks - I need glasses for long distance vision and can imagine them steaming up nicely at a critical moment! Congratulations on the contract and I hope you get your shoehorn! :O) xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's exciting about your retirement. I hope the plants perk back up; the cold can shock them. I spent an hour sunbathing today. That vitamin D is so important.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is a great picture. Hope your cucumbers perk up.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hope you get all things you want from your birthday wish list especially that shoe horn :)
    A new sewing machine sounds great and one that is auto threading will be brilliant. My eyesight is not as good as it once was and threading needles is a real issue I could well do without. Enjoy your gardening and I hope you get loads of gherkins later in the year. Have a good week x

    ReplyDelete
  12. From one gherkin fan to another... Three of my seeds from six have come up when it was warm at the end of March and then they have been checked back a little bit with these colder temperatures. Good to get back in your room and get sorted but these things disturb so much stuff don't they. Fingers crossed for that shoe horn!!! Jo xx

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

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

Labels

Show more