The Final Furlong

Dottles1

I know how you feel Savingolmes, a bit of sun does cheer me up no end.  Well Friday was a lovely day.  I decided that I was not going to do any work, not college, marking or even private.  After one or two early pangs of guilt I quickly took to it like the proverbial duck to water.  Instead I caught up with friends L, S & P to see how they were all getting on and had a good old chin wag.  Then yesterday I cleaned the window in the office, put the light shade back up and the curtain rail.  I then shopped from home for curtains and found a pair that friend A gave me a few months back which are a perfect match in colour and length.  The joiner is coming round on Wednesday after work to give me a price for the shelving I would like (depending on cost) so everything decorating wise is moving along nicely.   If the price is right I'm hoping to get he work done before the carpet fitter comes on 25th, fingers crossed.   Also on Saturday,I managed to get a few cosmos seedlings potted on.  I'd been hanging on to see if I could put them straight in the garden but it has been so cold here at night that I didn't want to risk it.  The forecast is to warm up a bit from tomorrow although the showers are to continue until Thursday I believe.  I'm so glad I live at the top of the hill rather than the bottom.
My son has invited me to be in a "bubble" with his family so I'm really looking forward to going round having a cuddle or two with GD 4 (and my son if I can catch him) hopefully this week.  It feels so long since I had a hug and whilst I don't mind all the rest of it, I do miss physical contact.
well I'm off for some shut eye now
See you tmorrow
Dottles x

Sun_Addict

Good news that you’re in a bubble with DS and your GD, hope you get lots of cuddles. I’m looking forward to seeing my DS and GKs again. I live at the top of a hill too and am so grateful that I do.

savingholmes

Glad about the bubble. My parents had hugs this week off the newest grandchild and were thrilled to bits. Well done for taking some time just to relax.

Dottles1

Hi all, I'm back.  Well that's one more hectic week done.  The students always get a bit anxious at this point in the course which causes melt downs and irritation, so I've been dealing with that this week as well as marking like a fiend to get them over the line.  That has meant 3 long days working into the evening to keep on top of it but I've only 3 more weeks of teaching and one of finishing of and checking portfolios left, so not long now.   This morning will be marking but I have set a deadline to finish at 12 as it's not my working day and then I have a few admin jobs to do for my business so that will be the afternoon taken care of.  I have planned in a walk with Tilly at lunchtime as the weather forecast says it will rain again late this afternoon.  I have a zoom meeting with a client in the morning so with associated admin about 2 hours work then I am free for the weekend.  Yipee !!
I started back at college this week for just one day a week which was a bit eerie as it was so quiet.  only 5/6 students turned up for each class for various reasons but I don't blame them and am going to keep the online classes going as well so that nobody loses out.
I haven't yet been round to DS's for my hugs due to work commitments (both mine and theirs) but am hoping to go tomorrow after they finish work.  They both work from home as well as GD home schooling but they finish at 4 pm on Fridays.
Friend D has been emptying her kitchen cupboards of unwanted tins including tomatoes and chick peas and has offered them to me so I'll be popping round there to pick them up later.  I can't imagine how anybody considers tinned tomatoes as unwanted but hey ho it's my gain.  She also has some other stuff such as UHT milk that I won't use so I'm collecting that too and donating it to the food bank for her.  She is shielding at present due to health conditions so it will be a doorstep chat with me at the end of the path.  
I worry at the speed of lock down reducing, it seems that some people are behaving as if it is all over and forgetting about social distancing and fearful of a second wave happening.  I know that it is important for the economy but I still believe that lives must come first.  My Dad would have said " you can only do your bit, so do that" and I'm trying to make that my mantra at the moment.
On that nte I am going to get myself a cup of coffee and get started.  Sitting here won't get things done
have a great day all
Dottles x

savingholmes

Hi Dottles - I am with you and am bemused at how some people behave. It's like they are ignoring everything and think they will somehow be immune. I hope they are right for their sakes but still.... How  nice to have a friend giving you free food - at the same time weird that anyone could ever have too many tins of them... Perhaps they were the one that bought the nations stock LOL

Dottles1

Yes I thought that Savingholmes, however it is my gain so I won't grumble.  I had a productive day yesterday, I put the marking off until the evening ad got down to reviewing my utilities.  I changed over gas & electric, mobile and broadband and saved myself £25 per month !! I also came away with faster broadband, more data and free minutes for the mobile.  I'm quite pleased with that.
Friend P is coming round with her husband to put up the greenhouse tomorrow as it seems to be the only day with a good forecast this weekend.  We will have to sit in the garden but at least we get to have a catch up.  
I did some private work via Zoom this morning and have done the housework and am waiting for the joiner to arrive to give me price.  He cancelled on Wednesday rearranging for today but I haven't heard anything even though I sent him a message.  I'm now wondering if he is going to show.  
I really need to cut the grass but it doesn't get chance to dry out before the rain returns and we have just had a short storm so I can't see me doing it tomorrow either.  We are paying for the May heatwave aren't we?  Ah well it will stop eventually I suppose otherwise I'll have to build an ark
Off to read some of my book now with a mug of coffee.
Take care all
Dottles x

beanielou

Enjoy your weekend

savingholmes

Need an arc here too. Hope the weather improves for both of us

Dottles1

Thanks Beanie, I hope your weekend is shaping up too. Well Savingholmes, I can't complain about the weather yesterday at all.  It was dry and sunny and hot, though a bit breezy.  I took advantage and got quite a bit done in the garden.  Both lawns have been cut, my they were long, but their looking lush now after all the rain.  The greenhouse is finally up and looking so cute and fits perfectly into my small space behind the garage.  I still have a couple of trays of seedlings which are now sitting happily in here.  I have some marigold seeds left over so I'm going to sow a them today once the rain stops (yes it's back !!).  I know it's a bit ate but I think they should be okay and they may give me some later flowers in the borders.
As the forecast is to dry up around lunchtime but with possibly an odd shower in the afternoon, I should be able to potter a bit later on.  I have 2 cucumber plants growing away nicely which I want to transfer to a large pot I have and prop some trellis behind it for them to scramble up.  I've never been very successful with cucumbers in the past but I'm hoping the south facing garden will make a difference.  Everything has been a bit hit and miss this year on the veg front.  I have lost quite a few seedlings along the way however, there is lettuce in abundance on my little patch, in pots of course but thriving anyway and 2 really healthy looking courgette plants (I sowed 5) so I should get plenty form them in the next few weeks.
On the flower front, I have around 15 begonias which are ready to pot on.  Though not my first choice of flower, they were given to me by a friend who had over estimated how many the would need and I have several empty pots due to the scarcity of seed earlier in lock down.  I have no idea what colours they are so it will be a surprise when they flower.
I shall also do an hour of marking (ooh I nearly got through a post without mentioning it) later and then I think I'm off to DS 's to share his Father's Day tea.
It's not a bad life here at Chez Dottles.
Have a fabulous day whatever you have planned
Dottles x

Dottles1

I'm back, another working week over though I plan to get a little marking done each day now to keep on top.  I usually teach online fro the conservatory but today has been so hot I've moved around the house in an attempt to keep cool.  It didn't work and was very uncomfortable.
The joiner didn't turn up to give me a price for the shelving again so even though I texted to remind him as requested.  Well he's had his chance now I'll look for somebody else as I've already wasted a week and a half waiting for him.  I'd rather he said he didn't want the work. Grrr!!  Anyway, the carpet fitter is due tomorrow so at least things are moving on a little.  I have a small sofa bed in there which I'm considering getting rid of and an armchair which is very comfortable but needs recovering.  I'm wondering about loose covers for it if I can get them for a reasonable price or whether to buy 2 second hand chairs and replace both.  Hmm maybe I'll keep looking.
On an MSE note I have managed 13 no spend days this month so far and look like I'll get to my target of 16 for June.  I joined the monthly challenge a few months ago which really helps by making me think before buying and grouping my purchases together when I know I have a spend day coming up.  It has highlighted to me how many times I used to pop to the shop for some essential item or other and ended up buying other things that I didn't even know I "needed".  Hopefully there has been enough time in lockdown to form a new habit.
Okay , I'm going to try to get some sleep as I want to be up early and have Tilly out before it gets too hot otherwise neither of us will want to bother and that's no good for anyone.
Night all
Dottles x