The Final Furlong

Dottles1

It was Beanie and I won't be doing that again in a hurry.  It didn't help that there was a chilly breeze too and I was frozen by the time I got into the store.  
Hello Seasidegal, I find the balance between keeping up to date with what's happening but just getting on with it is less stressful for me.  Enjoying the wildlife and garden are a result of the slower pace of life that is inevitable at present, a positive to come out of something so dreadful.  I for one intend to keep it up.
Well it's a bright and sunny morning here if a little chilly.  Tilly has not yet ventured out from under the covers but it's back to work for me today.I have found that I spread my workload over more days now which gets it done but also gives me time each day to relax instead of coming in at the end of the day and falling asleep on the sofa after I've eaten.  I have quite a bit of admin to do for the college so have decided to work a few hours today as well as co teaching a class online.
Last night was my turn to organise the family quiz which was good fun though I think I am considered a hard taskmaster.   DD1 has accepted the challenge to organise next week's and one or two have suggested that we continue this after lock down has ended.  I'm up for that, it's a good way to connect with everyone at the same time which can be a logistical nightmare in the flesh.
It is GGS's 3rd birthday tomorrow, I had his present sent directly to him and will see him via face time.  His mum is planning to have a party for him in the summer, he won't know the difference and will enjoy his presents anyway.  
I must say that I find I am eating well at present.  It is partly about having more time though I can't think what I filled my days with so they can't have been that necessary.  It is also due to careful planning and being creative in order to use things up and therefore reduce the number of trips to the supermarket.  I have used items from my cupboards that had been there for months (and survived:)).  The funny thing is that I always thought I did this anyway which just goes to show that there is always room for improvement.
I have also started a charity shop bag that I add to as I sort a drawer or cupboard, that way it is out of sight and can be disposed of quickly once the shops open again.
Feeling very positive today.  I'm off to get ready for the day.
Have a productive or restful day, whichever suits you.
Dottles x

savingholmes

Sounds like you are doing well and your garden will be beautiful in no time. Ouch to the queues! I couldn't wait that long. Enjoy your day

Seasidegal58

How are you dottles?

I've too have a charity shop bag ready for when the lockdown ends. At the moment it consists of a couple of things that the dress agency didn't sell and some egg cups but I hope to fill it up a bit more when I start to sort out my clothes!

Dottles1

I'm the same Seasidegal, I have some shoes in mine but need to sort out my wardrobe and the 'junk' drawer in my bedroom.  I have quite a few paperbacks that I have read which I usually give to the charity shop but I'm going to put these on the front wall for people to take if they can use them.  Though it is quite quiet around here, we do get a fair few dog walkers passing on their way to the field.
I'm feeling quite chilled today.  I planted quite a few vegetables yesterday and then read in the sunshine for a bit.  I had to move my chair into the shade for a bit as I have a south facing garden and it can get a bit intense at times.  I am surprised how many plants had self seeded around the garden in such a short time but they will fill up a few gaps in the front borders and save me money at the same time.  Today is a bit cloudy but fairly warm, it's being close to the  North East coast that brings the temperature down but it's till pleasant.
I worked far too many days last week. It is so easy to open the lose the boundaries when working from home,I don't mind but I can get into a spiral of not taking time for myself.  That said I have 48 papers in to mark now in addition to my weekly load, which I'd planned to start over the weekend.  How many have I done?  None !  I may make a start this evening before the family quiz but we will see.
I try to group all my jobs into one trip out if I can so , as I had to go to the post office, I picked up some bread and dropped the present off for friend P's new grandson.  I knocked and stood at the end of the path and had a lovely chat with friend's daughter.  Then she brought the baby out so I could see him from a distance.  Oh I was itching for a cuddle but will have to wait until lock down is over but it was good to see him.
I have taken a bean and ale casserole out of the freezer for this evening which  will have with sliced potatoes on top, savoy cabbage and roast parsnips - yum.  I'm eating some really tasty meals at present and loving it.  I also managed to get a 'click and collect' slot at As*a for Monday 4th late last night so I placed an order from bed and a now meal planning to see what, if anything, I need to add to it before the payment comes out.   I'm off to put the oven on as I'm making myself hungry.
Keep safe all
Dottles x

savingholmes

Glad you are keeping well and safe. I am decluttering / sorting the garden rather than the house as if I fill a charity bag I want it gone. I suppose I could fill the boot of my car considering I am going nowhere.

Dottles1

I'm keeping my charity bag in the garage Savingholmes as I need it out of sight.  I will need to have a good tidy of the garage when I get some time, probably half term as work is crazily busy at the moment.  It's the end of the year for HE students with all the marking that entails, whilst the FE teaching continues and amasses marking too.  Still I'm not complaining as it's good to feel useful at present and know it's all coming to an end for me soon (11 weeks to go until I finish).  
I had an emotional emotional day yesterday as one of my HE groups ended for the year, a class that I have taught for about 2 years and they have one more to go.  They had made a video with a short clip of each student saying goodbye and thanking me, added quotes about great teachers and overlaid the whole thing with the song "This is Me" from the Greatest Showman.  They include a poster with my photo which said "the legend has  retired so if you want to talk there will be a consultation fee".    I am so touched that they went to so much trouble and humbled that I have touched so many people and inspired them to be the best they can be.  That's what it has always been about for me.  They played the video in our online class and most of us cried.  I have arranged with the college that I can be at their graduation next year as I wouldn't miss that for the world.  It's becoming real for me now and though it is still the right decision for me, I can feel that old tug of staying for others.  What a way to end though.
On the home front I have many jobs to do this weekend.  The lawns need cutting and more work to do on the front borders, the hose could do with a big clean and tidy and the car needs washing and hoovering.  I also need to nurture the seedlings I have potted up recently.  I now have some courgettes to plant as well so need to get the borders in shape ready for them.  I booked myself onto another online CPD workshop on Saturday so that will be 10 till 4 pm taken up so it looks like being Sunday before I get much done. I am mostly working 41/2 days a week at the moment to get things done but that should slow down in a couple of weeks so I'm just going to get on with it for the moment.
It's a bit colder here at present but still sunny.  We've had a little rain but not as much as the garden needs and  ended up getting the hosepipe out in the week as the pots were looking very dry and that's unheard of in April usually.  I just want it to rain in the night and be warm and sunny throughout the day, not too much to ask is it?
Tilly is spending hers days sleeping and barking and begging for treats from the tin.  I'm beginning to wonder if I've been a bit too indulgent with her as every evening we go through the same ritual; she barks until I get up to let her out but she wont go out or eat but sits in the kitchen looking at me as if I should know what she wants.  We are having more playtime, tug of war with her ragger toy and mad runs around the coffee table but this is her solution to lock down and only one walk once per day.  I actually enjoy spending more time with her whilst I'm at home, even though she barks during my lessons!!
Overall I'm still staying positive, though I do feel sad when I see the totals of those who have died, such loss and heartbreak for those left behind and  I'm counting my blessings that mine are still all well and being sensible about distancing.  Like many others on here, I'm also grateful that I can afford to cover my bills and eat reasonably well as I know that's not the case for everyone.  I'm so glad that I had started managing my money before this virus hit as I'd already formed new habits of spending and budgeting.  I'm still keeping up with the monthly NSD targets on the DFW Challenges thread as it keeps me accountable and organised.
I have a phone call booked in with friend P this evening and I want to finish some admin for work and walk Tilly beforehand so I'd better get on.
Take care all and have a great weekend if you can
Love Dottles x

savingholmes

The video sounds like a well deserved tribute. I too am glad we started getting better with money before this crisis hit. Our dog doesn't understand why we are all home all the time and underfoot. She's on her season now so only taking her out very late at night when no-one's around. DH nearly had trouble last night as someone had 2 dogs off lead. He thinks they must have been female or neutered though as they were interested but didn't cause trouble.

beanielou

How lovely 

Dottles1

It's still a worry though isn't it Savingholmes as you don't know until you get close.  I don't let Tilly off the lead when we are out just now in just in case.  She's already been spayed when I got her so I don't have any worries on that front.
I attended the online workshop yesterday which was very good except that it's a long time to be online, especially as I am spending most of my working week at the computer.  It was only asking for a donation though and by a well respected theorist so excellent opportunity.
At last I have managed to mow the front lawn today.  I had a lie in with tea, toast ad my book followed by a nice long walk with Tilly.  I've cooked a fabulous lunch of yorkshire puddings, cauliflower and shepherds pie base from the freezer and am now on the sofa with my laptop and later we have our weekly family Zoom quiz
I still have to update my cash pots after payday on Thursday and I might update my signature as I haven't done so since January.   I promised myself a day without work and that's what I've had.  Fabulous.
"See" you all tomorrow, have a good evening
Dottles x

savingholmes

Glad you are having a nice restful day and that yesterday's course was worth it.