The Final Furlong

Dottles1

it is, Savingholmes, and you don't have the same pressure as you do with your own kids.  Grandparents tend to put aside time when they have their grandkids so that they have our undivided attention which you couldn't do if you had them all the time.  I feel very fortunate that I have good relationships with mine.
On Monday I put up the bird feeders that my son bought me for Christmas and a bird box that I brought from the old house and repainted.  I may be a little late with the birdbox but at least it's up now.  We have been really fortunate with the weather, some rain and very windy but also some sunny spells though bitterly cold this morning.
Last night I went to see the film 'Bombshell' with friend P, using my free tickets.  It was a good film, all about sexual harassment in the workplace, I'd definitely recommend it.  P bought us a lovely hot chocolate to take in so apart from the petrol money which was minimal, I had a free night out.
Today I'm meeting my work team for lunch so not an NSD today.  I think I'll make sure I buy in any bits I need for the next few days then I can rack up a couple as I'm behind with my February target with only 4/12 so far.
I placed 2 adverts for my private work yesterday, both paid for from work done previously.  I plan to write the text for the new website and consider whether to place a third or wait and see what come in from these two first.  It's good to feel that I'm doing things towards the next stage in my life.
Tilly has just been out and has run in and got under the quilt on my bed.  I'm guessing it's cold out/  I'm off to extract her.
Dottles x

savingholmes

Good luck with your adverts and your plans. Pets make the world brighter too don't they - I never understood how much until we had them.

Dottles1

Thanks Savingholmes I really appreciate the support I get on here for my ramblings.  I find I can make sense of my thoughts by typing them.
Well it's been another productive day today.  I completed some private work this morning followed by writing up the information for my website which has now been sent off.  It's funny how something that I have been putting off only too about n hour to complete in the end.  I also made a tomato sauce with onions, garlic and peppers left in the fridge and had half with pasta and garlic bread from the freezer.  The other half has been frozen for another day and I now have enough meals in the freezer until payday next week so just a few vegetables to buy this weekend.
This afternoon I did some more sorting out, moving towels into the bathroom and sorting out some sheets for the charity shop.  I took down the basket I keep spare toiletries in and sorted out surplus to requirements - there are only so many hand creams I can get through and somebody else might welcome them - so off to the chazza for them too.  This evening i will go through the toiletries in my bottom drawer to look for surplus there too (yes I have 2 areas of spares).  Then over the weekend I may go through my wardrobe and either pair up outfits or get rid.  
This morning Tilly, seeing a door that had blown open, made a break for it and spent an hour and a quarter of freedom before I noticed.  I was in my office having a meeting with a client so was unaware.  She always comes back home but I worry about traffic and, more importantly, the postman as she hates him.  Fortunately he had already been by then so lawsuit avoided but she was in disgrace for a little while.
The wind here is blowing hard and I'm keeping an eye on the fence between me and the neighbour, hoping it holds at least through the night then I can have a look at it in the morning. At least it's cosy inside with lams on and throws on the sofa.  Tilly is fast asleep perched on 2 cushions, exhausted from her adventure.
Hope you are all having a cosy evening too.
Dottles x

beanielou

Blowing a hoolie here~~again 

Dottles1

Don't know about you Beanie but I'm fed up with t now.  Bring on spring I say.

beanielou

Cant be soon enough Dottles.

Dottles1

I had an unexpected call to join DIL and GD4 on a trip to a small local seaside town to blow away a few cobwebs.  The sun shone whilst we browsed the independent shops, walked along the front finishing off with a cuppa.  Coming home, the heavens opened and that set the tone for the day so nothing got done outside apart from topping up the bird feeders.  I was then hit by a stomach bug which had me laid up for the rest of the day.  I think I feel ok this morning, just a little delicate, but I guess I'll fid out when I try to eat.
I plan to get on with some more decluttering today if possible.  I found shower gel and shampoo that I'd forgotten about whilst sorting out so that will save me a few pennies. and I'm making up an overnight toiletries bag to use up some of the small bottles I have.  Having it ready packed will be handy for short trips. 
The main meal today will be roasted squash and chick pea curry with rice and naan bread, all from the freezer,  leaving enough to cover meals for the rest of the week, though I've been invited to friend D's for tea on Monday.
So, apart from the decluttering, I'll be walking Tilly between the rain showers and spending some time reading my book.
A lovely lazy Sunday
Enjoy your day whatever you have planned
Dottles x

lucielle

We've managed to get out and about today.  Enjoy your book.  I've just finished a good one by CJ Carver,  I'll  have to read some rubbish till I find another good one.
L

Dottles1

Good morning all.  
I've woken up to glorious sunshine this morning.  It's still cold though I haven't put my nose outside the door yet, but everything looks so much better with a little sun.  We had a little snow yesterday, mostly gone by the afternoon but you should have seen the fuss made over social media.  What is happening?  We are northern and should be used to bad weather and cold.  Could it be that one mild winter has turned us all soft?
Yesterday was quite a productive day for me.  I sorted out my prescriptions, having locked myself out of the GP's website (what a numpty) and had to call in to have it reset so while I was out I dropped off some surplus bedding at the charity shop.  I started the ball rolling towards retirement by contacting the pension providers, one application done, one to ring today if I have time and one to ring back in April after the pension increase has gone through.  The one I have to ring includes completing a long health questionnaire to ascertain my life expectancy, such fun !!  I also got rid of a few more toiletries but haven't tackled the big drawer of doom, which contains samples and gifts received, yet. 
tea at friend D's was good last night.  We pottered around in the kitchen together making tuna pasta and salad, chatting and catching up.  I quite liked cooking with someone else though that might be because she lets me just get on with it.  I'm not sure about tuna pasta though.  As a lifelong vegetarian who has only recently started eating fish for health reasons, it seems like a strange combination.  I don't think I would make it again.
It's back to work for me today with 2 new classes starting this week, one of which will be a  9pm finish every Tuesday so I am determined not to go in until lunchtime to balance this, especially as I have a 9 o'clock class the next morning.  I think I'm interviewing until about 7.30 on Wednesday too.  
Anyway I'd better get on if I want to get the bed changed, the hoovering done, walk Tilly and make that call before work.
Here's hoping you all have a fab day
Dottles x

   

Seasidegal58

I've just caught up with your diary dottles. I'm so pleased to hear that you've got a retirement date for July. I bet you can't wait!  You'll still have some time to make the most of the end of summer with your free time!😀