Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

That sounds dire, @VelvetFreak ! I hope ours isn't so miserable - though we have central heating and a log burner and I'm planning my winter running gear (need new batteries for my lights but I have new snug head bands, plus my old trusty fingerless gloves, long leggings, trail shoes, neon jacket etc.) so I'm planning on getting some daylight! I'm lucky enough to live right on the edge of town so I have a choice of running environments. However, I am sure calorific puddings and slow cooker dinners will feature too! Well, I can't not, can I?  

Oh, and fluffy blankets - good thinking! I should check everything is laundered and maybe use an extra-nice fabric conditioner. I always have fluffy fleeces to wear indoors, so much so that I'm lost in summer when they are too hot. And slipper boots - don't forget the slipper boots. I love mine.

There's an art to winter and I'm determined to master it!

Onebrokelady

VelvetFreak said:

I am sorry you guys are heading into winter We have just come out of it. Not to discourage you, but it was HORRID. So cold. So boring. I don't think it was a particularly bad winter (weather-wise) but the current state of affairs made it awful. Every single weekend was miserable/raining/windy so it was impossible to go out to get any sunshine or outdoor exercise. You probably have proper heating so you won't hate it as much as I did (hopefully). I would advise you to embrace all the good aspects of winter such as slow cooker meals, baking (weight loss be damned), fluffy blankets, watching movies, wearing the most comfortable clothing possible, etc.

Whereabouts are you Velvet freak. I normally hate winter and I'm still not keen but I've learned to move with the season and embrace the chance to try and hibernate a bit with woolly blankets and thick jumpers, I light my candles and crank the heating up, I would love a wood burner but can't have a fire in my house 😟

Onebrokelady

Cherryfudge said:

That sounds dire, @VelvetFreak ! I hope ours isn't so miserable - though we have central heating and a log burner and I'm planning my winter running gear (need new batteries for my lights but I have new snug head bands, plus my old trusty fingerless gloves, long leggings, trail shoes, neon jacket etc.) so I'm planning on getting some daylight! I'm lucky enough to live right on the edge of town so I have a choice of running environments. However, I am sure calorific puddings and slow cooker dinners will feature too! Well, I can't not, can I?  

Oh, and fluffy blankets - good thinking! I should check everything is laundered and maybe use an extra-nice fabric conditioner. I always have fluffy fleeces to wear indoors, so much so that I'm lost in summer when they are too hot. And slipper boots - don't forget the slipper boots. I love mine.

There's an art to winter and I'm determined to master it!

I read lots about the Danish concept of Hygge and it changed how I view winter completely. It's still not my favourite season but I don't dread it like I used to. I have made a head start by buying my lovely fluffy slippers, I've washed all my scarves and gloves and my favourite blankey is ready and waiting on the back of the settee 😊

Cherryfudge

Onebrokelady said:

I read lots about the Danish concept of Hygge and it changed how I view winter completely. It's still not my favourite season but I don't dread it like I used to. I have made a head start by buying my lovely fluffy slippers, I've washed all my scarves and gloves and my favourite blankey is ready and waiting on the back of the settee 😊

There's a book I refer to as 'The Hygge Book' - I gave copies to my daughter and daughter-in-law and I have it on Kindle. It's there to dip into every autumn! I also joined a Facebook group about hygge which is fairly quiet till autumn, then springs to life with pictures of woolly socks and tawny leaves!
The other thing I'd like to chase down preparatory to winter is an online group I read about on the BBC a few weeks ago and of course I can't find the article again. It's people sharing the view from their window, from all over the world. It brings me exactly to that holiday point of particularly nice accommodation where I imagine I actually live there. It's like a host of holiday views to pick and choose from, but complete with houseplants, cat etc.

Cherryfudge

I had a rubbish night's sleep last night as DH was restless. In the end I took to the sofa but stopped to play on my phone and have toast and coffee to settle myself down, then wasn't really comfortable. Anyway once DH got up, I went back to bed and when I woke up again I felt a lot better.

J has been borrowing the lawn today: officially I think it's been the beginning of autumn but the first half of the day was still like summer. She had to go and do some work visits and when she got back the cloud had come over and she decided to go home... very much looked like the end of summer. However, it's been so mild this afternoon that we've been sitting with the doors open.

DH got a social outing as someone is retiring from a committee and had a garden 'do' for the others. He really liked going out to meet actual people, and bought a gift from a yard sale the lady was having as she's moving and needs to downsize. So A gets a garden implement and a charity gets a donation: win/win.

I had a walk into town and bought paint and stuff for the old house which I must remember to reclaim from the estate though I might use it up here if there's some left. I'm going to repaint the front door frame and the house name to add to 'kerb appeal'. The assistant in the shop was coughing badly so although she was using hand gel and had a screen between herself and me, I was very wary. I kept everything from that shop in one bag and disinfected it when I got home. I did some grocery shopping as well. There were definitely some gaps on the shelves, just as in the first lockdown. It seems to be more the best sellers that have gone, such as standard bags of sugar though there were plenty of bigger bags. No shortage of flour: they are still selling off some of the large bags produced to meet demand earlier in the year!

This evening was supposed to be study but the close work is hurting my eyes at present and there was very good telly so we watched 'Bake Off', 'Repair Shop' and a programme on dyslexia. We also listened to Boris: I'm relieved that he says these new restrictions are likely to last six months. It means we know where we stand instead of all the chopping and changing (that's if they keep to it). In my opinion they shouldn't have tried to get office workers back into their offices as they tried to do a couple of weeks ago, if people can do their jobs from home, and it limits viral spread, let them work from home. Mind you I'm not an office worker so I can't give an informed opinion. We do know a young couple who are getting married very soon and will have to reduce the wedding party, which must be very tricky as well as disappointing. I've texted the bride to be to say lots of people will be with them in spirit, and they are having a  video link to their wedding so I expect plenty of people will join them that way. I'm pleased that shop workers will have to wear masks - some do anyway, but I've also seen some shop staff without masks who weren't social distancing, either. The bit that really seems strange is closing pubs and bars at 10. Yes, if people go on drinking they will become less inhibited so later opening increases risk but surely the virus is equally as active earlier in the evening?

I've taken advantage of the nice weather and got all the bedding washed but all the pillow cases bundled inside the duvet cover in the machine and it showed its age by ripping! I've found another to replace it for now but I'm going to miss this one, it was quite a favourite.

I'll add in the receipts tomorrow: I've paid a whole £1.67 into the Executors' account: it was cash I found at the old house. I still need to reclaim for the paint and for the last two trips over there. Right now I need sleep!

Tonight I'm thankful for seeing J, having the wherewithal to replace a duvet cover (there were times it would have been a worry) and for the new clothes line prop DH made! The old one was getting shorter and shorter but it had been out in all weathers, probably for 30 years.  

Sun_Addict

Although I love spring and summer, I quite like the cosy feeling of autumn and the falling leaves. I've usually had enough of winter by January. 

As an office worker I'm glad there's a U-turn on the being encouraged to go back into the office. Although I walk to work so wouldn't be using public transport, I don't feel comfortable yet sitting in the office with people who might be carrying the virus. Those that have been back in for whatever reason have reported lack of social distancing and ignoring of the one way system by young colleagues. The pubs closing at 10pm seems an odd one as I think the determined ones will just go out earlier, drink quicker, then probably carry on back at someone's house. Might mean pubs being busier too with shorter opening hours rather than staggered out over the evening. 

Cherryfudge

Another thread has reminded me about fairy lights for winter. Also unscented candles as DH struggles if I light smelly ones!

Today I've been full of sneezes and feeling a bit sorry for myself, it's rained quite hard all day (which we needed) and I've lost my knitting needle gauge. On the other hand, I've made 266 'paper decisions' - things thrown out from a box retrieved from Mums office space. I kept a stack too, but I think more went than were kept. I've also sorted out and packed up my summer clothes ready to go in the loft. There is temporarily plenty of space in the drawers till I get more wintery things down.

DH's sister spotted something that no one else has - there's a problem with DFiL's will. DH has contacted the solicitors who drew it up but we are still waiting to hear back. It looks like a clerical error on their part but it means part of the estate isn't accounted for - given DFiL's profession, this won't be his error.

Tomorrow we are off to the old house again - more packing, painting, searching an chucking out. 

Tonight I'm thankful for finding a little knitting pattern to keep my hands busy but not for too long. Also for being able to pick out a few little-worn clothes to be sold or donated - I still have too many but I'm okay with letting these go.

Cherryfudge

Another poor sleep. The sinuses this time, and an itchy nose. You forget what a cold is like when you go months without one, which is what had happened to me. I doubt I've ever sneezed as often!

We are off to the old house soon: DH has got some shopping in and booked a place at the café in the next village for tomorrow. I hope I'll be more sociable by then but at least everything is designed so we don't breathe on each other!
I've disposed of another 30 'paper decisions' this morning, and last night I found and tried out a doll's knitting pattern that Mum had helpfully left in the middle of copies of irate letters to planning committees, papers on how to run a charity and correspondence with friends. Eclectic.

My excuse is I need something easy to knit or crochet and my favourite doll from childhood was looking rather chilly.

Cherryfudge

Spending 
Housekeeping on 22nd £!5.67
Sundries still to add
Keys for Estate Agent £25 - to reclaim from estate

Sun_Addict

I have fairy lights on all year round. I’ve got a twig garland round the fireplace with lights on and a twig tree, both meant to be Xmas decorations but look good whatever the season. Mr SA also struggles with scented things which is a pain 😩

Sorry to hear about the will problem and the cold 👎