spinning heads and spinning plates

I often say this here, but don't you think time is flying? I sometimes wonder if I skip a day or two without noticing. 

I am still feeling a little "funny" after an episode of severe vertigo on Friday. I get this occasionally, most unpleasant and probably something to do with my inner ears. Usually, I just ignore the vertigo but on this occasion, I found it difficult. I stopped work early and went for a walk. Fresh air is cheap medicine. For distraction, I popped into the nail studio on Queen Margaret Drive and had my nails done in teal. I had a pleasant chat with another customer, a retired journalist. For further distraction and because I deserve it, I stopped by a small shop called A Fond Kiss and bought a pair of silver earrings to replace lost ones. On my way back home I stopped by a neighbourhood cafe for a cuppa and resting the head. I eventually returned home, with the vertigo still in my head. I am going to see my GP next week and ask for a referral to an ENT specialist for an opinion.

I felt well enough for my Saturday volunteering. We had planned to continue the tree planting in a nearby park, adjacent to small primary school. It was the children and their adult helpers that had started the monumental task of creating a small woodland area, with 350 saplings planted about ten days ago. We were going to finish planting the area up the steeper slopes in the park. Alas, upon arrival, we were met with a scene of destruction. Someone (caught on camera, humans) with a great deal of anger destroyed the entire planting site, pulling up saplings, smashing the protective sleeves and braking the supporting stakes. It took the entire morning to clear up the mess. So much destruction. We didn't replant, just collected all the debris. There were very few saplings still rooted. I am lost for words. 

Home a bit earlier than usual, I spent the afternoon working on a blouse I am making. A little later, I realised with some surprise that I am actually done, just the button holes to make. I'll be taking some photos next week. I found cute little buttons in my trusted button jar. 

I have been given notice to vacate my office to accommodate a new admin hub. It seems that as senior lecturer, I do no longer qualify for a permanent desk but I suppose I don't use my office much so shouldn't be a annoyed as I am. I can't really hotdesk, moving around my microscope and slide collections, plus countless books so will need to find some storage space for the the equipment at least. The books I'll keep at home. Like any respectable scientist and teacher, I have many. So today, I spent some time reorganising my little room at the back of the house, clearing up shelf space for books. I was surprised how much space I managed to free up. I'll ask Richard to search his workshop for coat hooks to fix to the back of the door to hang up the now packed away tripod and other bits and bobs. 

When I was done with all that reorganising, I traced the pattern pieces for my denim jacket and listened to a book. 

Sam came for quick visit and brought me a bunch of tulips and a soft salty pretzel for mother's day. I love a soft salty pretzel. Annie sent me a sweet card and messaged a photo of her and a friend just coming out of the North Sea in honour of the strong mothers in their life. James sent me a text from his residential school trip to wish me a lovely day. Alistair meanwhile had all forgotten about mother's day but agreed to hoover the stairs as a special gift. 

We are having a roast chicken for dinner. All in all, a good Sunday.