The Final Furlong

beanielou

We had our family quiz last night too. 

Dottles1

I hope that you enjoy it as much as we do Beanie.
I am so happy that I can now have a friend round for coffee in my garden and the I can visit my son for a drink.  I won't be rushing to socialise much just yet as I still feel cautious about the risk involved but it's a start in the right direction.  I just hope people don't go crazy or we'll be back where we started.
I haven't been around much as I had 42 x 3,000 word assignments dropped on me on Tuesday (I am on holiday) to be marked initially by Friday.  That was impossible and I vocalised that strongly so now they have to be done by Sunday evening !!  Now I remember why I'm leaving !!
I have 15 left to do so I'd better get on with it.
See you on the other side
Dottles x

beanielou

When you are on holiday!!
You are better than me as I would have refused point blank.

savingholmes

I too would have told them to tickle off. Not long to go now.

Dottles1

I know Beanie and Savingholmes but it's the students who would suffer.  It's all down to poor management and poor planning  from immediately above me, she can't say no to those further up as she is scared to be seen as "uncooperative".   I'm not the only one but nobody else seems to dare say anything.  I guess most people are just glad to have a job these days, but I see good teachers burning themselves out as colleges become more corporate.  I've had some very frank conversations with those who are following in my footsteps in mind, but it has fallen on deaf ears.  It just reinforces my decision to go and it's right for me.  I now have 23 x 2000 word assignments to do plus my regular marking and then other admin stuff due to COVID which has been given to me this evening and needs to be done by end of day on Monday.  bear in mind that I don't work (supposedly) on a Thursday and Friday.  as usual she sits on the work and then gives it out at the last minute expecting it turned around quickly.  I'm so cross and she knows it.
RANT OVER !!
Anyway I had some private work this afternoon and have done some research for my business.  I have another coaching session tomorrow so I have done everything I need to for that and can check up on how my web site and business cards are doing.
I have bought myself a small (very small) lean to greenhouse which arrived today.  It is a mixture of wood and perspex and will fit nicely into the side garden where I grow my veg in pots and keep the seedlings etc.   Friend P's husband is coming over with her to put it together on Saturday morning (socially distancing of course)  we will sit in the garden in the garden around the corner 2 metres apart drinking coffee and chatting while he sorts it out.  That sounds fair to me!!
I want it fixed to the wall so it doesn't tip over in windy weather.  I'm so excited and glad that I lived with the house and garden before making changes.
I will need to go to the local farm shop tomorrow to pick up fruit and veg for the week ahead, I also need to buy paint as the decorator is coming to paint the walls and ceiling in the office while I'm not using it.  I was a bi concerned about having someone in the house but he will be at one end and I will stay at the other as I will be teaching online from the conservatory.  Tilly is going to stay with GS's girlfriend for the day so minimum barking and no paint being trottted through the house.
Speaking of Tilly, she has loved the warm weather, spending all day in the garden or lying on the step in the sunshine, just coming in for food or a drink.  It must be lovely to be a dog.
Well I'm going to sign off for today and sort out some food.  I think it might be fish, sweet potato wedges and mushy peas, I feel like having some comfort food.
Evening all, I'll be back over the weekend
Keep safe
Dottles x

savingholmes

Mad for you at the incompetence of others but as you say you are doing it for the end user not them. Good that you are getting your home and garden sorted and your new business too. Sounds exciting.

Dottles1

Well a very busy couple of days in the Dottles household.  The greenhouse putting up did not happen yesterday due to the weather conditions here.  Very windy with heavy showers and cold so I had a very spendy day buying paint and a carpet for the office, but went after 6.pm as it was far too wet and cold to stand outside in a queue to go into a DIY store.  When I did get in there was a pitiful selection of colours in the emulsion section so I plumped for a neutral putty/pale grey shade that will go with anything and a tin of white gloss.  I'd already had a nosy in the garage earlier and found an almost full tin of creamy white Crown emulsion that will do for the ceiling - as Foxgloves would say, shopping from home.  In the past this would have gone on my credit card to pay off monthly but this time, even though it has gone on my for points credit card, I have the funds set aside to pay for it when the bill   comes in.  That feels so good.I also managed to pot up some plants between showers, walk Tilly, do the housework and mark a few assignments so quite a productive day.  Today I cleared the furniture out of the office, took down shelves, curtain rails, blinds and shelves ready for the decorator on Wednesday and took up the carpet which is now stashed down the side of the garage ready for when I can get a slot at the tip.  Obviously I couldn't call in the troops to help and am now stiff and achy everywhere.  I think I could do with a hot bath to soak my muscles.  I do have a sense of achievement though.
We have just finished the weekly family quiz and now I think I'll do a bit of marking before I settle down for the evening.
I hope you are all keeping well.
Speak soon
Dottles x

savingholmes

Great progress. I am sure you will love it when it's done. In the past I have used Am**** for paint. Not sure what they are like at the moment though.

Dottles1

Do you know Savingholmes, I've never even considered Am**** for paint.They really do sell everything don't they.  The office is now painted and looking pretty good, though I have to wait until the 25th for the carpet t be laid as apparently it's taking longer to get supplies in.I don't mind as I can start to cull what is going to go back in there, but It is like sleeping in a second hand shop at the moment with everything stuffed into my bedroom.    The decorator kept to his word about social distancing, He was at one end of the house while I was teaching at the other.  He brought his own drinks and wiped all surfaces and handles down with disinfectant wipes after he had finished.  It's really strange how we are becoming used to this way of living now, but better to be safe than risk getting this awful virus.
I've been head own and working hard this week and am going to put a few hours in tomorrow as well to try to clear the back log.  At least I can say that I'm beginning to see the end in sight (even if it is still on the horizon).  I also have to find a couple of documents to send off for my final pension to be sorted so want to get that done by Friday and some admin bits and pieces to do for my business.   I've not been sleeping again for the last couple of nights, hence the early morning diary entry.  I know it's just because  My head is so busy so I'm determined to take some me time this weekend and just sit and read my book or watch a film.  I just seem to be chasing my tail at the moment and haven't done many of the jobs I thought I would get around to during lock down still slow progress is still progress I suppose.
I have also got back onto my weight loss journey to try to get a bit fitter and I suppose self-care comes into that category.  My GD in America wants to lose some weight so we are doing it together and weighing in each Monday via face time to keep each other going.  I started putting my food into My Fitness Pal and can see that my portion control is the main problem.  It is making me think about what I'm eating and how much and I'm hoping that it will become a habit of change.
I really wish the rain would stop now, we had it everyday since Friday and looks like it's forecast until Sunday at least.  I think the gardens must have caught up by now and I want to get back out there.
Well I suppose I should at least try to get some sleep
Take care all and keep safe
Dottles x

savingholmes

I am praying for sun too. I've felt like I was dragging myself around since the sun went into hiding.