The Final Furlong

Dottles1

Welcome tedlewis, it's good to have you on board.  Please feel free to comment if you feel the urge, the more the merrier.
Thanks savingholmes, she came out of isolation on Friday and thankfully is now well.  DGS hasn't seen her for a month as he only gets home every other weekend.  I spoke to him yesterday and he was telling me that he's worried that if the north east goes into tier 3 he might not be able to come home at all.  I guess we will just have to wait and see. 
 I finished upholstering the dining chairs using some materiel I had left over from another project and am very pleased with the result and now jus need to work out where to put them post furniture move around.  I used to have a large armchair in the bay window but have moved it to the opposite side of the room since the doors went in.  This meant moving other furniture to accommodate it but I now have a lovely view of the garden and take in the view (I live at the top of a hill).  I can see me sitting there with my cuppa in the morning watching the birds.  I never used to sit in it before so there's another piece of furniture brought back into use.  
DS came over for a coffee yesterday and has offered to jet wash the patio as he's off this week.  That will be great as there is still evidence of brick dust from the builders.  That stuff does take it's time to go doesn't it?
On Saturday friend C popped over for a socially distanced open air coffee as promised.  She arrived with lunch and so we spent a couple of hours catching up over coffee and pasta salad .  There was some sunshine and though not exactly warm it was ok wrapped up.  I keep a basket of throws handy in the living room for chillier evenings which is now being utilised for outside visits.
 have quite a bit of private work on today so apart from walking Tilly, I'm not expecting to get much else done.  I made a huge cottage pie yesterday so have left overs with sprouts and broccoli for tea this evening and 2 further portions which went into the freezer.  I won't be finished until 7pm so that is an easy  "bung in the oven" evening meal.
Jobs for this week are to pollyf!11@ a couple of cracks and paint the ceiling and window sills of the bay.  I really enjoy being able to fit in jobs and things I want to do instead of being bogged down with marking all the time. Though I am still busy with work I feel that I now have a life and can enjoy my home.  I feel very fortunate especially in these difficult times where some people are struggling to pay bills or feed their kids.  I am so impressed how individuals and businesses in the local area (and nationally) are stepping up to help out with meals for kids this half term, but it is a disgrace that they should have to.  Many of these are businesses that are finding it hard themselves, the government should hang their heads in shame.  Friend P and I are still selling plants and some other things to raise a little money to help the local food bank.  Every little helps.
On that note I'd better get on and get ready, there's work to be done.
I hope you all have a fab day.
Dottles x

beanielou

Have a great week x

Dottles1

evening all.  It's a bit late for an update but I'm wide awake so why not.  Today has been utterly, deliciously lazy!  I mooched around  this morning, I was going to tidy up the last of the beds in the back garden but it has rained more or less continuously so didn't bother.  After sausage (veggie) buns for lunch with a large coffee I settled on the sofa with a blanket and Tilly and watched a film.  I know, in the middle of the day and all that!!  I must say it was great.  Later when the rain eased a bit,  Tilly and I ventured out and walked round the perimeter of the village.  It wasn't as cold as I'd expected, just a bit soggy and it seems that we are due much the same for the next few days.  Still it was good to be outside and seeing the changing colours of the leaves.  I walked over to DS's and had a cuppa and chat with DGD then came home and made pesto pasta for tea.  As pay day is due on Saturday I am trying to use up what I have in though I will need to buy a couple of things like sweet potato and some salad but so far so good.  I'll do my budget for next month on Friday ready for a weekend shop.  I also need to move some money around to pay for the blinds which are due to be fitted anytime now and for the electrician.  I'm expecting to receive a little more in my pension payments due to the tax errors last month so may be able to put a bit more than usual into the separate pots.
I feel well rested now and so will plan in a couple of jobs tomorrow as I don't have any private work until about 4pm.  All in all it's been a very enjoyable day.
Goodnight all
Dottles x

Dottles1

Afternoon to all.  It's quite blustery here today with some light showers butt the sun keeps showing it's face so I have risked a lie of washing.  I'm keeping an eye on it but even if I can get it partly dry I'll be happy.  I love the smell of clothes that have been dried outside.  As promised I have knocked a few jobs of my list this morning.  The cracks in the plaster have been filled ready for me to sand later when it has dried, the small bed has been cleared and planted with wallflowers that I got from the farm shop last week but couldn't get out to plant due to the builders.  I have planted out the winter lettuce into pots in the courtyard so they are easily accessible in soggy weather and I can nip out and cover if frost is forecast.  also I've booked Tilly's flea and worm treatment and an outdoor coffee with friend P on Friday afternoon.  Not bad for a morning's work if I say so myself.
In the vein of using food up I had eggs poached in tinned plum tomatoes for breakfast which were yummy.  I add a pinch of chilli flakes and sometimes add sliced peppers but I didn't have any then  let the tomatoes thicken a little, I'd forgotten how delicious they are.  This evening I think I'll have a Quorn and mushroom dish I have in the freezer which was left over from when I made a pie.  I could have it with rice as it will be quick with me finishing a bit later this evening.  Tomorrow I will make a spinach and chick pea curry, also with rice.  It's funny how I always seem to eat better towards the end of the month when using stuff up.  I've been watching a few cookery programmes lately and fancy having a go at making bread which I have made it in the past but it was always heavy due to kneading it enough I expect.  I've realised that I have the ingredients in for soda bread so that is going to be my first attempt.
Seeing as I have private work between  4:00 and 7:30 pm I think I might have an hour with my magazine and a coffee.  
Dottles x

beanielou

You are always such a busy bee 

Dottles1

Ha ha Beanie, not yesterday I wasn't.  anyway I made that soda bread and it is delicious, I've had to put it away wrapped in a tea towel because if I see it I'll eat some more.  It was so easy to make as well, think I'll be doing that on a regular basis from now on.
Goodnight friends
Dottles x

Dottles1

It's Friday yay !!  I had a surprise phone call yesterday from GD4 asking to come over to hang out for a while.  We ended up going to Costa in the village for a hot chocolate and a toasted sandwich for lunch and a catch up.  It's always lovely to spend time with my grandkids.  
Today was more private work and a trip for an open air coffee with friend P at the local garden centre where I also managed to pick up a Christmas present while I was there.  I've been struggling to balance the business month ending as I seem to have a substantial sum too much in the account.  I've double checked the incoming and outgoing spreadsheets and just can't see where it has come from so I gave up and got on with my monthly house budgets.  I have transferred the extra amount into a separate savings pot so that if it all becomes clear I can transfer it back but it is infuriating when I can't see it.  Still better to be over than under (I think).
I had a letter from my solicitor yesterday with my ex's response to her letter.  He is still refusing to sort the payment out so I have authorised an application to the court as I am fed up of this dragging on now.  He needs to realise that he can't negotiate with a court order.  I was really cross when I read his letter but I do realise that is what he is probably hoping for so gave myself a shake and rang up to say go ahead.  It is unlikely that we will get a court date until next year so I am going to put it out of my mind until then.
I am looking forward to a peaceful weekend, we are forecast more rain so I doubt many outside jobs will get done.  I do need to but an outside light ready for the electrician's visit in case we go into tier 3 next week.  We were expecting an announcement today but have had a reprieve as discussions are to continue o Monday.  I fully expect it to happen as cases are rising at an alarming rate here.
I thought about getting a few extra items in my shopping this week in readiness but don't want to contribute to another shortage on the supermarket shelves, it's hard to know what to do for the best isn't it.  
On a positive note I sold some more plants in aid of the food bank yesterday, so that's another £5 in that pot.  I'll take it round with some food items I have next Friday as it's the only time I am off when they are open.
I am going to sort out some food now and chill out with the last Gardener's World of this year.
Take care all
Dottles x

beanielou

Thanks for supporting the FB   
Enjoy your weekend  x

Dottles1

Evening all.
I woke up feeling really flat this morning which is not like me at all.  I think it was the thought of going into lock down again which I heard leaked last night and particularly they are talking about concerns for the over 60's now and I fall into that category.  I made myself write a meal plan for this week and do an online shop for collection tomorrow then took Tilly out for a walk between cloud bursts which all helped.  Listened to Boris this evening, talked to DS and DD2 and am back to thinking that it is what it is.  I'm gong to continue to be sensible and realistically not much will change for me.  I'm so glad that I'm not still teaching at the college as it must be so stressful.  I will check how/if the new restrictions will affect business on Monday then I can work out what to do.
How is everyone else getting on?
I have a few things to go to the charity shop so I might take them tomorrow before they close and I think I shall get started sorting through my wardrobe as I've been promising myself I would for a while now.  I am also going to sort through the Christmas cards I have and decide if I need to buy anymore and make a start researching for presents.  I do have 2 more birthdays before then but I know what I'm getting for one and waiting for the other to tell me what she would like as se mentioned asking for skin care now that she is at university and not earning.  I feel like getting organised and it always makes me feel as if I have some control over things even if it is only Christmas shopping
Well I think I will watch a bit of tv if I can find anything worth watching and if not I sall read my book.
Take care all and stay safe
Dottles x

beanielou

Keep plodding 😊x