The Final Furlong

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Hello Dottles - i haven't posted for a while on your diary but i try and keep up. All is sounding good except that you need a solicitor to sort out what a solicitor presumably already sorted out before. And so frustrating the lack of support with assignments. 
Happy Birthday!! i hope i've read that right and it's today? How is Tilly? I think i missed her on your recent posts.

beanielou

Happy happy birthday.
Have a lovely day 🎂🍷

savingholmes

Belated happy birthday. Hope you had a good day. 
Good luck with the money side of things too. The veg growing sounds good. 

Dottles1

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, I had such a good day with presents, cake and bottles of prosecco.  I feel quite blessed.  Tilly is fine Stripey, she's currently asleep alongside me as it's far too early for her to think of getting up yet.
Yes I am still in bed but guess what ?  I RETIRED YESTERDAY!!!
Yes it finally happened.  I awoke this morning early with that familiar " what have I got to do today" feeling and slowly it dawned on me that I can do whatever I want.  Such a good feeling.  It may be different along the line when I am working out income but for now I'm just going to enjoy it.
On Tuesday I had students dropping in to hand in their portfolios through out the day and received so many gifts, cards and kind words.  It is so heart warming to know that I have made a difference, even if only a little, to somebodies life and makes it all so worthwhile.  Wednesday, my lat day was very different however.  I managed to get a lot of work done and write a detailed handover with what was left to do so was pleased with that but not a word from the team or management to acknowledge that I was leaving.  I can't even say that I am hurt, just disappointed that it has had to end this way.  
Anyway, I shared a bottle of champagne in the evening with my son and daughter in law who cooked a delicious Italian meal and had lots of good wishes from family and friends.  I have lovely caring people around me and am well out of that situation.
So today I'm off to a local NT place for a wander with friend A and then out for lunch and tomorrow I have a little private work in the morning then GD4 is coming over to walk the dogs and hang out and have lunch.  In the evening my grandson is taking me for a birthday meal and I think that will conclude the birthday celebrations for this year
Right mow I'm going to get up and have a leisurely breakfast before taking Tilly out.
Have a lovely day everyone
Dottles x

Dottles1

Morning all
Last night was the first time that I've been out for food since lock down began and I was surprised how pleasant it was to eat in an environment where it doesn't feel crammed into a small space.  The food was delicious too.  It is so strange (but nice) to have  my grandson taking care of me, making all the arrangements and picking me up at my door.  He and I were such good pals when he was little and it feels a bit like role reversal but in a good way.  GD4 came over yesterday afternoon to walk the dogs and christen the mini barbecue I received for my birthday.  However, the showers were on and off and though not too heavy, were enough to drive us inside to use the oven.  She stayed for a few hours chatting and just "hanging out" as she puts it.  I love hearing all her tales of her friends and conversations such as "do you think ghosts exist?"  she is such a joy to spend time with.
So that is birthday week over, though I have another gift on it's way from America, it's now time to get on with adjusting to the new regime.  Friend P is coming over today to bring some chives that she has dug up and split from her garden so that will entail coffee and a catch up on how her new kitchen is coming on.  I also want to get some housework done as everything feels a bit messy at present.  I have lots of things to find homes for so some re-organisation is needed.  I also want to wash and replace the blind in the office and fill a couple of holes in the wall where a picture used to hang and paint over them.  
I have a new project to make a notice/pin board for the office so will head out to the charity shops to find a suitable picture frame if I can't find one at home.  I have a couple of ideas but I don't want it to look too "officey" so watch this space.
Tilly and I managed our 10,000 steps for the first time in ages yesterday so I'll be trying to do the same today though the forecast doesn't look too god so we may have to dodge the showers.  My new plan is to make the time to take care of myself because I really need to fend of the aches and keep the joints moving,  It would be far too easy to let this slide and become old before my time.  Some times it's just so painful but I'm hoping it will get easier with continued practice.  I have also lost 12lbs over the last 5 weeks.  I don't expect a loss this week with all the birthday indulgences but if I haven't gained I'll be happy.
All in all, I'm feeling very blessed.
Here's hoping the rain holds off today where you are.
Dottles x

beanielou

Have a happy weekend. 

Great weight loss. 

Seasidegal58

Just caught up with your diary dottles after a while.
A heap of congratulations on your retirement!  Have a virtual bottle of bubbly to help celebrate!🍾🥳

You must be so pleased and relieved - I'm very jealous. It was very nasty of your colleagues not to acknowledge your retirement but, hey, you don't have to ever engage with them anymore. And the lovely accolades and gifts you received from your students must have made up for the unpleasantness many times over.   

Well done on the weight loss too!

Chrystal

What @Seasidegal58 said   Plus just want to say it's lovely to hear you sounding so happy.  XXX

Dottles1

Yes Seasidegal, it does make you realise what and who is important in life and thank you for the virtual bubbly .  Thanks Chrystal, I am happy, it's as if a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.  It does feel a bit strange though and  expect it will take a little while to get rid of that "I should be doing something" feeling.  I'm now looking forward to being more self sufficient around the house, batch cooking, growing veg, sewing, knitting etc.  I will still have to make efforts to bring in private work but it won't feel like such a chore as I enjoy it (and I won't be carrying others).
That said, I gave myself an easy day yesterday,despite my good intentions.  I still managed to do the housework, pot  the tomato plants into bigger pts and plant up a hanging basket with surplus begonias that someone had gifted me.  This morning, I am meeting DD1 for a socially distanced coffee.  She lives in a small market town nearby.  It is very pretty so I may take a walk down by the river before coming home.  I have some emails to send out for the business and a form to fill in for a company that wants to work with me so as it is still early, I might get those done before I go out.  Th sun is shining here so this afternoon will be a potter in the garden tidying up the borders, a walk with Tilly and perhaps an hour with my book and a coffee.  Bliss.
I hope you get some sunshine today too, wherever you are
Dottles x

Dottles1

It's been a soggy sort of day here today.  Though not heavy, the rain has been constant but I'm hoping that it will clear up for tomorrow.  At least the garden will be happy.  I've completed a few reference requests for students that were outstanding, been to buy some material to make my notice board and a couple of throws to put on the seating so that I can change them and wash them after each use.  Tilly went to the vets for her booster today.  She was collected from the car by the nurse and trotted off quite happily without a backward glance, not much phases her.  The vet reported that Tilly is well and being looked after - err well obvs!! - she has the life of Riley, whoever he is.  It is good to hear it from a professional though. 
I've also looked out the filler for some small holes in the office so will do those this evening as well as wash the blind and put it back up ready for resuming private work on 3rd August.  
It's odd but after months of suffering with IBS, I haven't had any symptoms since leaving work.  It's early days yet but I am wondering if stress is a contributing factor. 
Nothing doing in the garden today as it is far too soggy but I plan to get out and top up the front borders tomorrow with the top soil I put to one side as I have been given a Hosta and a Jerusalem sage that I need to find homes for.  With a little shuffle around they will both look good in the front garden.  The idea is to do an hour a day so that I don't get too achey.  Ooh I almost forgot, I picked the first courgette yesterday and had it for tea in tomato and veg pasta.  Very yummy and hopefully lots more to come.
That's me for to day, I'm going to read my book for a bit before getting on with the jobs.
Bye for now
Dottles x