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 😊
You are very creative with your inging. I would be stumped straight off. You pics of the crocuses and snowdrops (I think they were) were so lovey to see.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly the kind of boredom you mean, I hope more fulfilling things are round the corner waiting for you. How lovely to have all your meals cooked for you, I can dream of such things but it is unlikely to happen anytime soon round here. That is a lot of litter, I do hope once you have cleared the area and made it nice the littering will stop. The bird song is amazing isn't it, so loud at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful that you are walking so much every day. I need to be doing the same. I feel so much better getting exercise. And yes, you absolutely deserved the chocolate cream egg! Your Sunday afternoon catch-up with a friend and maybe a few too many glasses of Prosecco sounds delightful to me! Sometimes it's fun to just let go and enjoy the moment:)
ReplyDeleteI am certain you will make a fantastic mentor. X
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - getting tipsy on Prosecco on a Sunday afternoon sounds like a remedy for anger brought on by those who don’t listen. I enjoyed this a lot and it has inspired me to write my own February…ing post.
ReplyDeleteThat was me. Don’t know why I appear as anonymous.XDoris
DeleteThe angry comment made me laugh. That is me too when I have to deal with those in this house. Well done on the tree planting, that must be very satisfying. Those crocuses, wow! And I feel exactly the same about cooking, but sadly I do all of it here. Whatever I make, someone always moans. Roast yesterday - littlest boy hates that. Pasta today, you would think it would be difficult to go wrong, but both complained about it having sauce on and there were also comments about the aubergine, which I did realise was risky but went ahead with anyway. Good luck with the mentor interview, lovely that you want to help someone in the way that your youngest boys were helped. Enjoy the rest of the week my friend. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI think you’ll be a good mentor. You seem like a thoughtful, reflective, caring parent and a lateral thinker - all great qualities for mentoring.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be a great mentor. My mom went on strike on time and boy did that teach us a lesson. My dad made sure we thanked her for doing our laundry, making dinner, etc. after that...Let the men try it and see if they don't get frustrated, too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the mentoring interview Christina. You would be a fantastic support for another young person. Glad you enjoyed the creme egg, a bit too sweet for my liking but other chocolate and me have always been friends.
ReplyDeleteI bet the wasteland you have been working on will be looking fantastic after all your hard work with the other volunteers.
Since we are under a winter storm warning for this weekend, the spring blooms looked wonderful, Christina. Actually, we don't mind the snow as we have not had very much this winter, so the plan is to do a bit of snowshoeing if we get enough of the white stuff. I really enjoy your end of month catch-ups, which are always so interesting. As others have said, I agree that you will do well with the mentoring since you have experience with children and isn't it nearly the same thing?
ReplyDeleteYour blog is always a tonic Christina, I'm sorry about the bear poo! it's shocking the mess. People are always complaining on Facebook too about dog owners. I hope you reach a good balance with work hours. Take care Cathy x
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