This Time I'm Really Going To Do It

Watty1

Tidied up for friend staying who arrives tomorrow and realised there is still just too much "stuff" in this house.  Another new year project will be to embark on a de-clutter.  Today I simply boxed up Christmas decorations that were not being used and tidied up the one good spare room for my visitor arriving tomorrow. I'm not going to even attempt decluttering at this time again that is for January.

However a handbag that has been languishing on Vinted sold for £60 and the buyer confirmed all ok today.  Really pleased with that and the £145 rent that arrived from UK Power Networks for the substation in the field. Both will provide money for the end of the week purchases.

Suffolk_lass

Just caught up and I wanted to mention that Brantano on-line offers for MuckBoots are a regular thing - we have more than one pair each and the ones I have with neoprene legs are wonderfully warm (and were half price).

Also stone chippings for your path - check out an aggregate bag from a local builders merchant. Ours do several different ones and I confess to mixing the bigger gravel with the decorative ones to keep costs down (and the bags are just brilliant for garden waste). Also block paving on sand - personally I would not feel competent to pressure wash and would use a spray on rinse off cleaner at dusk (to minimise the danger to pollinators).

I'd love to hear which plant your gardener has recommended more of. My gardener came yesterday and finished cutting down everything in the front garden. It needs some digging out, dividing and some pernicious weed clearing, before planting for more than one season. And my front Rosemary hedge is a disaster. Lots of woody half dead varieties, ravaged by Rosemary Beetle, which is prevalent here. My hedge was further damaged by drivers parking on the grass verge and driving over the roots of three thriving plants and literally snapping them off.

Watty1

@Suffolk_lass   The idea of mixing cheaper chippings with the decorative is nothing short of brilliant and had not occurred to me.  I've got some samples coming so I can check the look but this will save a substantial sum so thank you.

The plant my gardener recommended was C. salicifolious - Willow-leaved Contoneaster    I have one that was once in a pot that someone gave me.  It outgrew the pot so I put it in the border by the drive. It has grown to have a very dense base that has supressed weeds and shoots up delicate long strands.  It flowers (tiny) and has (tiny) berries.    It has survived the 3 years of neglect going through the drought and the rains of this summer and still looks good. He suggested as it was so happy I clear the border of everything that died of and just put more of those in and I think it is a sound idea. He sent me 3 options for planting under my office window (which is almost level with the path as the house is built into the hill as well.   I'm to buy the plants and he will pop in.

Watty1

Great time with pal who stayed for a few nights. I confess to drinking rather too much and so had a hangover one day but in spite of that we had a fabulous time.  London Horse Show was wonderful, we enjoyed a bottle of champagne in the champagne bar and I did my shopping.     Sensibly I had nothing to drink on shopping day and accordingly bought very little.  I didn't buy the winter coat I had my eye on - it was everything I wanted but the zip would have driven me mad as it was by my knees!   I did however buy a super riding coat (£179) that my pal has suggested is so beautiful it should not be allowed near a horse but kept for "going out".    I'm not sure on that one as it is warm and waterproof and ideal for dog walking, riding etc.      I didn't find riding boots or insulated wellingtons in my size (my feet are tiny so that was the reason) and the LED dog lead I really wanted for WattyDog was no where near as good as in the ads or videos.   So the shopping list remains as wants and I'll keep it in my handbag for when out.

I'm so off buying on line after the struggle to get a refund. I just don't need that kind of struggle just now.

Finally pal suggested I hibernate between Christmas and New Year just to give me a chance to recover from the year and that seems a lovely idea although slightly impractical with work and the animals, but I do plan to rest as much as possible.

ajmoney

Watty1 said:

Finally pal suggested I hibernate between Christmas and New Year just to give me a chance to recover from the year and that seems a lovely idea although slightly impractical with work and the animals, but I do plan to rest as much as possible.

I have 3 days to myself between Christmas and New Year and am thinking about doing this too.

Watty1

Friends birthday yesterday and she had arranged an afternoon tea in a private Manor House catered by a local village shop.  The food wasn't great but ok enough but just wonderful company.  Six of us laughed away through the afternoon.

As usual my anxiety creeps up at around the 3.5 hours out so at that point I came home, bought the horses in and fed dog and cat.   I was struck with what a wonderful life I have and how the house is all mine.  The deep gratitude I feel for that is wonderful.    Feeling calmer I then took up the invite to pop next door and found they had invited all the immediate neighbours in for a Christmas Drink.  Lovely couple of hours laughing and chatting.

I might have lived in this house for a very long time but the ex did not really have many social skills and would always decline such invitations so I never went either.   Alone I feel I can pop in, have a glass of fizz and just enjoy myself.  I almost felt like the new person in the neighbourhood, although of course i know them all I have never really socialised.   I realised what a lovely community had built up in the time I was away and/or struggling.  I went to bed very contended and happy.

Suffolk_lass

Honestly, Muck Boots are wonderful - they have some options on sale direct at this link (I preselected fleece lined and waterproof) and they start at size 3 or from Brantano at this link (usually a bit cheaper). I buy our stuff via Brantano and always quick and good

Chrystal

Fabulous post @Watty1 Lovely to hear you sounding so upbeat and positive.  Sounds like a great community that you can now participate in.  ((hugs)) XX

LadyWithAPlan

I find as a single woman my local community very supportive which is why it’s hard to also think about moving 
however I also know wherever I move to I find a way to build and be integrated into my local community- it’s good to be part of something 
so glad you are properly connecting and appreciating your life.  
Mind you with horses and dogs you will never get a quiet life  

I can’t date people who are not social as I am such a social person - I don’t want my wings pinned down Some people really do want to constrain their partner, it can border on an kind of control.. 

Watty1

Dear Muck Boot fans
Do Muck Boots run true to size?  My shoe size is a 2