a little bit of procrastination goes a long way

I am in procrastination mode.... I should be marking assessments and writing feedback but I am finding it soul-destroying to type and retype the same old phrases. What I really want to say is "are you living under a stone or what?" or "did you wipe your b**t with the detailed guidance notes I wrote?" but of course I don't because the students deserve constructive and actionable feedback, irrespective of this being another nail in my coffin.

I honestly don't know if I can do this job much longer. At the end of last week, I was quietly sobbing in my comfy corner, hoping that Monday was delayed for once. It wasn't. My colleague (who is leaving) says that our working environment feels like being in an unhealthy relationship, we give a lot and get very little support. It often feels that way. 

Alas, life goes on. I am currently doing training as first responder for victims of gender based violence. I am really enjoying the training but it is also emotionally difficult.

Alistair has not lost anything yet this week. I am taking this as a win. another football.

I also discovered by sheer accident that the boys' school runs a holiday club twice a week, free of charge, food provided. They kept that quiet but are now going and of course they are enjoying it. It is run by a grassroots charity that works with schools. I found out that they provide a full time youth worker to our school. Another useful snippet of information that I was completely unaware off.

I have finished sewing the Marcel Dress by Chalk & Notch. I made the short version with a pieces of denim chambray that was left from a previous project. The dress is made from mostly square pieces and is good for using up remnants because you can space the pattern pieces side by side without much of a gap. Now I should probably try it on. 

I should also try on outfits for a meeting in London next week. I fear jeans and t-shirt won't cut it. 

I decided to finally buy a little bird made sculpture made by Barbara Franc, a mixed media sculptor whose work I have admired for a long time. My bird is a bullfinch, crafted from recycled tins and wire. I am glad I bought it because it makes me happy. I had saved up money but have been hesitant to spend it on fripperies now that all the essentials are so expensive. But artists have to eat, too and I am glad I am in a position to support at least one artist.

Lupin and Jack are scared of Rascal, our lodger. Just as well he has a jingly bell. On approach, they make a beeline for the nearest exit, flattening themselves into a corner. Sometimes, Jack needs to be carried past the beast. It is quite comical and I am not sure why they are so wary of him. Rascal also likes to share a bed with me but disapproves of Richard sharing it, too. He bites Richard's toes most nights. Never mine. I shall miss this mischievous creature when he moves to his new home in the not too distant future. 

James has discovered baking. He made two batches of peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies already. He is incredibly messy, there is butter everywhere and only a kitchen deep clean will remedy this. I am in a forgiving mood because the cookies are very delicious indeed. 

I was out walking Jack today and I spotted an otter swimming in the canal. It took me a moment to understand that what I was seeing was an otter and not a giant swimming rat. I couldn't make sense of it. I have previously seen otters in the Kelvin but never in the canal. Pondering this sight, I carried on my walk and promptly forgot to go to an important meeting at work. I've sent my apologies and hope I will be forgiven. Jack took the opportunity of me being distracted by thoughts of otters to run away and chase irresistible scent trails. He took his time coming back but come back he did and all is good. 

Alistair and I have the house to ourselves this weekend. James and Richard went to Northumberland for a weekend of road cycling with the bike club. Alistair and I went for dinner together. He ate a gigantic started of prawn cocktail and then couldn't finish his equally gigantic pizza. That's lunch for tomorrow sorted. 

I hope to spend much of my weekend sewing and listening to books. I recently finished The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, which has been on my wish list since it was first published. I love this author. The book is really a social history of Cyprus, with a bit of lost love and lots of sorrow. The other book I spotted on my Goodreads friend's list of recently finished books. It is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt. This was such an enjoyable easy book, just perfect my tired brain. By coincidence, both books included unusual narrators. I the first one, this was an old fig tree, in the latter Marcellus the Pacific giant octopus. 

On the sewing front, some of my t-shirts need mending and I might finally make a start on that button down denim skirt that has been on my essential clothing wish list for months. 

Thanks for visiting today 😊