September ...ing

September used to be the month during which we have our last camping trip, always something to look forward too. Now, with our Happy Camper group "losing" children to adulthood, and marriages breaking up, we no longer go. But we all have those glorious memories of bacon rolls and campfires, and much more. And that is a good thing. I am sharing some old photos in memory of some fabulous camping trips (also nothing new on my camera). The new September for me is a month of never ending commitments, and all of it work related. Beginning of term, personal development reviews (mine and others), new and old project students all wanting to have an hour of my time, reminders to re-take expired HR courses, to name a few. This year I have the added bonus of having to review and redevelop an entire MSc programme, with a deadline in early October. Still, life is happening around this and some of it is fun, too. 

Slowly cleaning upholstery around the house. When the outline of my head is clearly visible on the back of my favourite armchair, it is time to give it a good scrub. Boring but ultimately satisfying.

Also tidying/cleaning the utility room (aka dark cave where stuff gets shoved in, never to be seen again). I did this while listening to a science podcast about near death experience. Satisfying to see some order, and the floor. 

Painting our hallway walls and all the woodwork. I can't take credit for this of course but I do make tea and coffee for our wonderful decorator Davie. We went for "natural slate" aka warm medium dark grey. It looks perfect.

Choosing new lights for the freshly decorated hallways. We need three.  

Looking forward to Mondays. I go to ballet on Monday evenings. I am trying to remember the names of all short sequences of dance we have been learning. Brushing up on my French at the same time. 

Cursing our bad luck with postal services. We sent two parcels to Annie in Norway. One took 5 weeks to arrive, the other 3. We only tracked the second one, it took almost two weeks to leave the UK. Then it was stuck in customs for a few days. 

Coaxing two reluctant teenagers to work on their first portfolio piece for their English National 5 qualifications, a personal essay for one, a discursive essay for the other. Let me tell you, it is not easy. 

Having conversations about the teens life pre-adoption. I hope this helps them understand aspects of their life that they find more challenging as they grow older. 

Spending too much time on an epic fail sewing project, The Assembly Line Apron Dress. I shall fold it up nicely and donate to charity, maybe there is a body out there that can wear it. I made as a warm up to dungarees but might now review this plan.

Listening to The Creation Node by Stephen Baxter. Solid first contact science fiction, I rather enjoyed it. Now listening to In Ascension by Martin MacInnes. This is on the Booker Prize long list, which includes a few books I'll enjoy. 

Eating porridge for my breakfast. It is this time of year when a warm breakfast is welcome. I like mine with fruit. I made apple sauce with fallen apples from our tree, a nice porridge topping. I also bought frozen cherries because the cherry season is now well and truly over. 

Airing the winter duvet for those long cold nights ahead. 

Watching birds feasting on the cleaned and replenished feeders. 

Saving up for a shopping expedition in Chicago next month, while I am at a conference. I want to go to Anthropologie to top up my smart wardrobe. We have a branch in Edinburgh but their plus-sized choice is very limited. 

Cracking- on with my ice cream soda quilt. This has been two years in the making, I think although I am not sure, and I want it finished. I have 8 more blocks to make, then connect them all. I "need" my design wall back as I have another quilt brewing in my mind, which I want to start soon. 

So that was September. Thank you for visiting 😊