living from weekend to weekend

I enjoyed a most restorative weekend and I think my batteries recharge will last for the week ahead. 

I finished podcast recording late on Friday, about 23:30 pm. I a moment of what can only be described as temporary loss of my faculties I have agreed to podcast every two weeks on a Friday at 22:15. But it is better than any other day of the week really because on Saturdays, I can stay in bed longer

I spent a good while pottering around on Saturday morning, cleaning what needed cleaning (rather a lot after a weekend away...). It is quite relaxing really, cleaning is. I can think of worse chores. Jack and I went for a long walk and I did for once not care about him exploring the wilderness around us and disappear for ages. He is rather small and therfore tricky to spot in the undergrowth. He also has a habit of finding and entering badger sets, not a good idea. All was well on this occasion. 

I took Alistair winter coat shopping because we have no hand me downs at the moment. I put a positive spin on this by reasoning with myself it would be a good opportunity to spend a bit of one-on-one time with my youngest, who is struggling with life a bit. We really need to follow up his CAMHS referral, it has been 15 months since his clinical pre-screening. The waiting times are shocking, and detrimental to Alistair's development. Alas, shopping. We visited three shops but found that teenage/young adult sizes are no longer stocked in store. Weird, yes? We did find a extra small adult jacket that had all the features he asked for (non-detachable hood, pockets, black, waterproof). On our way back we stopped at  IKEA on our to buy a toilet seat, toilet brushes and picture frames. Glamourous. We chatted and generally had a good time together. 

To wind down, I made a new sleep mask because I left mine in our London hotel last weekend. An sleep mask is essential for my good sleep, I guess a bit like a weighted blanket for others. I used the free Closet Core pattern, which is quite fun and made without elastic but with velcro closure instead, which is good because the elastic always wears out too soon.

On Sunday I was taking it easy because I am participating in a study that required me to eat specific foods at specific times on this day, with fasting in between. Some of the food was blue to track gut passage time. It was also disgusting, even the natural coloured stuff. I had to collect a poo and a blood sample. I have quite a few more tasks to do over the next two weeks, for example logging food for three days, and use a blood sugar sensor and track that regularly. I am interested in the gut microbiome and its effects on physical and mental health. Participating in the study hopefully provides more data for the researchers and a maybe an understanding of how my body reacts to foods. I am most interested in my microbiome profile. Fingers crossed I am hosting the good guys.

In between eating blue food and pricking my finger for blood I refilled bird feeders, listened to a story, cut fabric for the half blocks for my Ice Cream Soda quilt, unpicked a faux turtle neck from a long sleeved t-shirt and replaced it with a simple crew neckband. I forgot to plant the tulip bulbs. After finishing my last test I finally had a decent hot and milky coffee, which was wonderful. 

I am already looking forward to next weekend. Work is so busy this time of year, it is all I really do during the week. That and staying on top of family meals, teenage activities and keeping the laundry pile from collapsing. 

Thanks for visiting.