The Final Furlong

beanielou

Sleep well x

Dottles1

We had continual storms and rain here from about 3 pm yesterday and I discovered 2 leaks in the conservatory.  I had hoped that it was to do with the amount of water coming down in such a short space of time but I'm not so sure..It appeared to be coming in at the top window seals so I'll need to get somebody to have a look for me.  Hopefully it might be just a case of resealing, fingers crossed.
I did however, manage to cut both lawns before the deluge so the garden looks better and very green at present.  I had some seedlings delivered yesterday that I'd ordered ages ago so they're waiting to go in as I don't want them to get battered, and everything else has now had a good watering (there's always a plus side to weather).  as there was not going to be any outdoor jobs completed, I got a pile of marking done and I'm almost on top of it now, so quite a productive day really.  I then made a chilli and ate it in front of the TV watching 2 dvd's I'd borrowed.  Chiili was fab and 2 portions gone into the freezer for another day.
I woke this morning to more rain and a strong breeze though the sun is trying hard to make an appearance.  Tilly and I will need to pick our timings for a walk very carefully today I think.
There are flooding reports all over the area here,  I'm lucky being at the top of the hill as everything drains away pretty quickly but lower down have been hit pretty hard.  How is everyone else doing in their areas?
So, agenda for the day...
I have some more marking to do, Tilly to walk, try to put some of the furniture back into the office, dinner to make and family quiz at 7 pm.  Not a bad day panned, I think I've already started easing myself into retirement and like it
I hope you all have a dry and relaxing day if possible
Dottles x

savingholmes

Glad that you are easing into your new lifestyle. I have loved working from home more - although the rest of the fam being around is a challenge. Love the marigold growing. I have some in flower at the moment that I grew from seed and it is a nice feeling. 

Dottles1

Evening All
I can't believe it has been so long since I posted !  Where does the time go?  I have had an industrious weekend.  One of my pension providers contacted me to say that they needed a copy of my birth certificate and my divorce certificate before they could pay my pension.  This surprises me as none of the others needed to see them.  Now I have to say that I have been divorced for 22 years and well before I joined that company but I thought hey ho just go with the flow.....could I find either of them anywhere?  Could I heck.  Then I remembered taking them to my solicitor last year but apparently that was only the divorce certificate but at least she is now sending me a copy of it out in the post.  The birth certificates (I have 2 as I was a forces child born in Germany) are nowhere to be seen.  Anyway I set to looking for them and went through every drawer, envelope, file, cupboard and handbag with no joy.  On the plus side I cleared out a charity shop bag full of old papers, cards and manuals for items I no longer own so it wasn't wasted effort.
I rang the pension company this morning to relate my problem and as just told " oh don't worry, just send us a photo of your passport page in an email".  So problem solved but I still need to find those birth certificates. No doubt they'll be in some ridiculous place that I have put them  for "safe keeping".
I also managed to get a telephone appointment with the doctor today after being pressurised by friend S who threatened to ring me every day until I did so.  It turns out I have IBS and have been advised to google the fodmap diet by the GP to see which foods I should avoid.  As I expected the pains in my shoulders and arms are a continuation of the osteoarthritis that I have in my ankles and fingers and I'm now getting it in my hips too.  So more googling of hip exercises this time and advice to lose some weight, which I was expecting. I have actually lost 11lbs in the last 3 weeks so I'm already on with that.  I now have to pace my exercise with more but shorter walks but that will be easier to do once I have finished work.  Not long now, this is my last week of teaching and then one more of marking portfolios before 2 weeks of annual leave.  It seems to have come around so quickly.  I have marked 30 pieces of work today and so now only have 25 assignments to do and then the portfolios but they wont be handed in until next week.
On the private work front I have had a lot of interest, mostly from people wanting to start in September so no firm bookings as yet but I'm confident.  My advert has raised an enquiry from an organisation that would like to refer to me so I had a chat with them this morning and it all sounds positive.  It's all feeling doable at present.
It feels like life is full of ups and downs at present but overall not too bad.  I'm hoping for some better weather from the 15th so I can spend some time in the garden planning my projects.
Well time for sleep I think
Good night all, sleep well
Dottles x

beanielou

Good to hear from you 😊

Chrystal

I can't believe you only have a couple of weeks before you leave work.  It seems to have flown by.  Sounds good for the SE work.  X

Hope you're OK Beanie? 

savingholmes

Things are sounding positive. Glad you are okay. Nearly at the break now and then on to semi-retirement / self-employed work -

Dottles1

Hi all
Thanks Beanie and Savingholmes and I know Chrystal, it's crazy how fat the time has gone.
Sorry for being so intermittent with my posts but I have been soooo busy work wise.  That should improve after next week :)   I have taken Monday off as It's my birthday I've invited friend P over for afternoon tea in the garden as the forecast looks good.  I had a lovely day yesterday, my youngest DD came up from Manchester to bring my present and have lunch then DD1, GS & GD2 all came over with their partners and GGS her partner, GD2, her partner and GGS .  I was a little anxious about social distancing but it worked out ok as we stayed in the garden.  I made veggie fajitas and sweet potato wedges and DD1 brought some cakes.  I really like that kind of casual outdoor dining.  I will see DS and his family on Monday as they just live within walking distance.
Garden wise I had a man come over and trim back the shrubs at the front side of the garden.  This is a patch that is grassed but very bumpy and coarse.  I have planted an apple tree (donated from DIL) there which has taken well and has lots of apples on this year.  Last autumn I decided to sow a wild meadow but the only thing that came up was grass, grass and more grass so I've had it cut back again.  I have been toying with the idea of putting raised beds on it and growing veg and fruit bushes on the patch but have decided to give the wild flowers another try.  Our local council ow grows these on the roundabouts and grass verges and it looks so pretty as well as being good for the wildlife.
Talking about veg, I have my first courgette from those I planted in pots and continuous lettuce. I love being able to go out into the garden and pick something to g with a meal.  The tomatoes are a bit slow to take off but I might pant them into larger pots today.  The cucumbers were planted out a couple of weeks ago but are not doing much at all, matbe the forecast warm weather will get them going.  I feel as though I've been muddling through with my veg growing for the last couple of years so I'm looking forward to being more prepared next spring.  Even though I'll never be self sufficient as I don't have the space, every little helps and tastes so much nicer.
I don't think I mentioned but I have a new solicitor dealing with my divorce settlement ad lack of pay out, She has written to my ex telling him he is in breach of the original consent order and that if she doesn't hear from him in 14 days she will make an application to the courts to force him to take his pension so that I get paid.  She is fabulous but I'm glad she's on my side rather than the other way around.  Hopefully that should get things moving.
The private work enquiries keep coming in but I don't expect to be fully up and running until September/October.  That should work out okay as my July wage will tide me over until the end of August and I should have a lump sum by then so will be able to cover any short fall in September  if necessary.  I am going to recommence face to face work from 1st August for those who would prefer it whilst offering online for anyone who is still cautious.  I have planned to have a hand sanitising station by the front door and throws on the seating which will be changed after each visitor.  I've also rearranged the furniture in the office to give a 2 metre distance so I feel comfortable with that so long as everyone complies.
I am taking the 2 weeks after I finish on Wednesday as holiday from everything as the last few months have been so full on and I need a rest and to gather myself together before the next stage begins.  So to that end I still have another 9 assignments to mark as the help that was promised never materialised.  I'm going to do some today but then I'm passing them on as I want to spend the 2 days in college checking portfolios.  I have stated this to the course leader but am going to follow it up in my final email to my line manager as I fully expect to be slagged off one I'm gone.  I know it doesn't really matter as I'm not going back but somehow it does.
well my friends, on that note I'm about to change the bed and put the washer on as I have a tradition of clean sheets and clean nightwear the night before my birthday.  A small thing but it's my way of indulging myself
Have a lovely day, whatever you are doing and I hope you get some of the sunshine we are having here.
Dottles x

Chrystal

Fantastic news about your new Solicitor.  Let's hope that does the trick and EX gets his backside in gear!

Was your other solicitor a man by any chance??

It really sounds as though things are coming together for you at last. (happy dance emoji needed here!)

I'd also be letting the line manager know what's been going on.  Apart from anything else the promised help not materialising is extremely unprofessional, never mind being a dirty trick to play on someone   Hopefully Karma will kick in and whoever it was will get their just deserts.

Wishing you a Very Happy Birthday and a fantastic year as the start of your new life, XX

beanielou

Hope the divorce comes together soon & you can draw a line.
Not long to go on the work front.
They will miss you.