February ....ing

I need to clarify what I meant by being bored in my last post. It is that kind of boredom that comes from not feeling fulfilled by the daily going ons. My mind feels numb while I am keeping myself busy otherwise. Anyway, almost the end of the month so time to sum up February.

Walking daily. Somedays more than other but usually around an hour. We've had a few beautiful days, making walks very enjoyable. With the days getting longer, it is also easier to walk later in the day, which is nice.

Listening to The Leavers by Lisa Ko. I enjoyed the story but found the narrator annoying. I'll be remembering this book every time I am having my nails done (rarely). I also listened to Century Rain by Alastair Reynolds. This was a fun and free science fiction book on Audible. I just started listening to Home Stretch by Graham Norton, really enjoying it so far. 

Reading for work. I have been updating question banks to be up to date with current literature. Quite enjoyable but also a bit inefficient because I keep finding rabbit holes to explore.

Cooking occasionally but not enthusiastically so. It is such a chore and I am glad Richard does most of it now. We like different foods but eating meals I am not keen on is preferable than cooking meals myself.

Eating out! A rare opportunity arose for all six of us to go for dinner. We met at Non-Viet on Great Western Road. As always, the mango salad was my favourite. 

Working to contract. Well trying to anyway. Emails remain unanswered and items on my list unticked. Alas, I am tired and and have no enthusiasm left to go above and beyond. 

Treating myself to a cream egg with my after lunch coffee, because I deserve it.

Planting trees and litter picking this weekend. We filled 23 bin bags with litter and planted 260 trees. Replacing the mattock with a spade worked a different set of muscles.... I was exhausted but it really feels good to transform a piece of wasteland. It also feels good to be physically tired. I think someone in that neighbourhood walks a grizzly bear, there were gigantic poos dotted all around the waste land.

Trying to beat the itch to order a few perennials for the garden. A sure sign that the spring is in the air at least on some days. I failed of course, three new bare root perennials will be dispatched in March.

Planning my me-made summer wardrobe. I decided 2023 is the year when when I will wear trousers in all colours of the rainbow rather than boring old denims. I might even make shorts. I spent all my pocket money on fabric, enough for two pairs of trousers, a jacket and a blouse.

Tracing patterns and cutting fabric in preparation of some long needed sewing. Needed for my mental wellbeing rather than out of necessity for clothes. Apart form a pair of knickers I have not used my sewing machine since early January. First on my list is a simple jacket for spring and a blouse with a large collar. More of that another time. 

Thinking about patterns for the African wax print fabric I brought home from Malawi. Any suggestions? The patterns are big and bold and colourful. So nothing that requires much pattern matching.

Feeling nervous about an upcoming interview as a potential mentor for one secondary school pupil. As care experienced children, both my youngest boys are lucky to have a personal mentor at school. I want to give something back by becoming a mentor for another care experienced young person. 

Wondering if I'll make a good mentor...

Feeling a bit peeved Richard thinks "angry" is an apt description of my personality. Maybe the men in my house need to take some responsibility for that. It is tiresome not to be heard. 

Getting tipsy at my friend's house last weekend. We planned to catch-up over coffee but Prosecco seemed like the better choice for a late Sunday afternoon. 

Looking forward to spring. Not long now. 

Loving the bird song now that the wild birds are getting ready for breeding

Thank you for visiting 😊