Moving forward and upwards

MovingForwards

Popped to a certain orange shop today.
--Found some floating shelves to put up in the kitchen.
--the remaining garden tools I wanted.
-- other bits my OH and I added.
Then made the mistake of going to see the plants outside:
-- four herbs pots, good size plants. 
-- two roses (red and pink).

The roses are going along the wall facing the communal path, adds colour, bit of privacy and gives bees something to visit.
-- Will need another two roses and two herbs some point.

Been out in the garden, found another stump, definitely no more in either section. 
--One and a half to come out / hack up now.

Did I say I found a bag of small pebble fragments? They have been dropped onto part of my section of the communal path to cover some weeds / grass that popped up. Looks good as a temp cover until I order the ton bag.
--Going to also do the actual communal patio / bin area as well, then it will flow nicely from the building, around the communal section, down the communal path. Making it look tidy, fresher and looked after. 

I'm resting for the remainder of the day as I'm having too much fun and I've overdone it.

savingholmes

Glad you have been able to get so much done between you and OH. Gardening can be great physio as long as you pace yourself. 

MovingForwards

savingholmes said:

Glad you have been able to get so much done between you and OH. Gardening can be great physio as long as you pace yourself. 

Thank you.

My upper body is coping ok, with simple things like trimming twigs, using a trowel to move the soil from around the stumps. Upper proper physical isn't within my capabilities as I have tried, but that's because it takes whole body effort.

My lower half can't do anything and why I have to sit down to do my simple tasks, but then I struggle to get back up which makes me laugh.

I do feel guilty as there's all these big plans, but it's down to my OH to do them.

How do you cope and have you changed how you do gardening?

savingwannabe

I just cannot get my head round how much you are doing. Parcels, unpacking, gardening, manual work and then time to visit the orange shop too!!! The garden and your plans are sounding fantastic. 

savingholmes

I have a foldable step stool that I am using as impromptu seat when needed we also have other chairs / benches in the garden. I can then sit on those to weed or plant. I am using what should be an outdoor table as a potting table so that is helping me with doing work at different heights. We haven't really done any digging but only pruning but because of that have spent a fortune on compost. I know it wouldn't have got done though if I had had to dig and if you watch Charles Dowding you can see the no dig method works well. 

MovingForwards

savingwannabe said:

I just cannot get my head round how much you are doing. Parcels, unpacking, gardening, manual work and then time to visit the orange shop too!!! The garden and your plans are sounding fantastic. 

Thank you! I'm determined to get it done to enjoy it while the nice weather is around, autumn and winter will need some form of fire pit for me to sit outside.

Have to get unpacked as I've got things everywhere and seeing it all is a bit disheartening.

Also, when I'm back in the office it will be harder to juggle doing the garden, unpacking and the interior plans to make it more homely.

I would rather get as much done now when it's a case of finish work and straight on with tasks, compared to getting home then having to do it. I won't have the energy and need the relax / unwind space to walk into, sit down and enjoy it.

I've a good false work / life balance at the moment and need to work out how to keep that going when things are 'normal'. Need to figure out my flexible working application and get that submitted.

MovingForwards

SH thank you. Wanted to check in case there was a trick I've missed!
-- I've a folding stool I take out if I'm in one area doing the same task.
-- OH put an old table in the secret garden.
-- I sit on the ground if I'm working different bits and need to be low. I've learned to check where I'm sitting beforehand due to parking myself on a load of nettles 🙈

OH is doing the no dig method. Aside from the sections he has dug out to bury old / new garden waste. 

As I've now got internet I can look around for the bits required for the communal garden / bin and path areas, plus the shared path. They will get done by July. 

This morning is work, then I'm off until next week.

This afternoon I will be doing the prep for the compost area, sweeping the leaves up, lifting the roof felt then cutting / bagging that for disposal. Followed by some unpacking.

In theory, the garden and secret garden will be ready for planting next week, after the surgeon has been. Which will tie in nicely with buying the compost and getting that down.

savingwannabe

OMG It sounds totally amazing- what you are doing. Occasionally I water a flower or two I am a lazy gardener. I will have to start soon as I am so embarrassed when I compare myself to you. lol. Weather is bright here but a little chilly still hope it is ok by you have a good day. . 

MovingForwards

I hope it's as good in real life as it is in my head when it's done!

I honestly feel like I don't do much compared to all of you.

A bit more time booked off next week!

After work I decided to do some unpacking, two boxes and two bags done, so many more to do.

Went for a bit of a walk round my village. Some of the buildings are fantastic and the work that went into them all those years ago is unbelievable. I then went off to have a look at the water, before deviating off a little bit for a closer look. Fabulous photo opportunities and the ones of the building I will convert to B&W and sepia to see which I prefer. 

Popped into the shop on my way home, got lunch for a few days and breakfast for about 5 days, grand total of £1.52.

Then I went to the butcher's, poor guy is being run ragged trying to keep his business going and do the deliveries after. Picked up a T-bone for my OH to thank him for everything he had done, I'm having pork. Cost just under £18.

Might go into the garden to do the felt cutting and sweeping in a bit, just letting lunch and my meds settle a little.

MovingForwards

The T-bone and ice cream was appreciated and went down well.

Had another drop off yesterday 🙈
--Only the charity donation stuff I sorted when packing, left to come over. 

I've decided to organise the hallway cupboard before I do any more unpacking. It houses the boiler, vacuum, coats etc and things were just dumped in there. It's got shelves and could do with another couple put up.

My home only really requires a little bit of TLC / personal touch to make it more 'me' and a little more functional:
-- walls / ceiling repainted; I've loads of trade white to get through.
-- lounge units (either side of chimney breast) and door to be painted white, currently mahogany and will blend them into the room, rather than stand out and be quite dominating.
-- change unit / door handles throughout to chrome (from fake brass); already started buying them.
-- extra shelves in pantry / boiler cupboard
-- shelves fitted in kitchen; have them
--front door; damaged by previous occupants dog

Don't get me wrong, I want a different kitchen / bathroom / flooring / tiling, everything plastered, doors / skirting dipped to strip years of paint off, lounge units taken out and done properly, pipes boxed in nicer, wood burner fitted etc. Over time it will be. I don't need to rush, everything works.  It will all be done ready for when I retire, to see me through that time of my life, which was my plan all along.

Yesterday OH gave me money to pay for the orange shop and another shop I did. I've paid half of it off my CC and put the other half into savings.
--I know it all should have gone on CC, but I'm mindful I've the tree surgeon to pay next week from savings; the dregs of my PPI money, which I think has been spent wisely 😁 and I'm trying to build my pots up quickly.

I've managed to save a few hundred into savings since my purchase completed!

Today is a beautiful sunny day, clear blue sky and I will be out in the garden. I never did the compost area yesterday so that's today's task for me.

Hope the weather is good for you 🌞