Prosperous & Creative Soul & MFW Year 3

savingholmes

Thanks DIA, Jwil, KK

I took a photo of myself yesterday as part of verifying my identity on something - and my face finally looks like my profile picture again on FB and other places. I now need my body shape to tighten up some more too - but that requires more exercise than I have been doing. It showed wearing makeup also helped with the look I wanted - as I tend to compare myself to this profile pic of my 'best' day when I was wearing full make up as it was a planned, professional photo - rather than to one on days when I went make up free which is most of the time. I'm going to put some make up on today too. All of that to say - I feel like I've reclaimed my face with my current weight loss. Anyone who has been through that blurred features stage will know what I mean. Plenty more to go - but really encouraging.

It was also encouraging in the shops yesterday - as in some XL or XXL was too large. It varied by shop though.

Beautiful day out. My cleaner turned up - and has put fresh bedding on. It always helps. She's also going to sort out the room of doom aka the utility / store area.

doingitanyway

Good you are feeling better about yourself.
You've made me realise that makeup is something I have let go since I have been moving around.
I am going to rectify this.
Hope your day goes well.

SandyShores

Well done on the making the returns savingholmes.  

Another one here who has been neglecting make up.  I never used to wear much, particularly for work - one eyeshadow, mascara, blusher, lipstick - but I'm going to start again as it does make a difference.  I usually add a bit of foundation and possibly another eyeshadow and liner for the evening but need to buy a new foundation.

Fresh Bedding - always lovely

savingholmes

Thanks DIA and Sandy

Glad mentioning makeup helped. I don't want to be a slave to it but there are times it helps.

Sat in my garden having MnS Chinese for lunch. So nice to have actual sun. Below is a dicentra I planted (love lies bleeding).




Fatsia and variegated Euronymous and hyacinth above and burgundy aquilegia. 
You can see it's full flower season 

Lovely hearing birds here. Insects less so even if necessary...

Hope you are having a good day where you are 

MovingForwards

Nice interest.
Glad the resturns are finally on their way back.
Would your old cleaner be interested in the gig? Assuming she could find a sitter.

Enjoy the garden, it's looking gorgeous and relaxing.

jwil

Lovely photos!  And great that you are finding yourself again

savingholmes

Thanks MF.

No to the old cleaner. She seems to have ghosted me. Didn't reply last time I texted.

I've asked the agency if they can provide someone to cover next week when my cleaner is on holiday as because she missed last week and I gave her slightly non-standard things to do this week - there's not a lot of visible difference in my house yet.   She hoovered a little in the front room and possibly part of the kitchen. She made my bed. She got side tracked and ironed a piece of crumpled bedding for the spare room but that wasn't my priority although I perhaps could have made that clearer. She has made the room of doom a bit better. I realised afterwards that the glass shelves for the FF are still bubble wrapped in a different room which explains why she didn't put the drawers back in the FF. But I was frustrated she didn't come and ask me where they were as I specifically asked her to do that task as the drawers are taking up unnecessary space outside the FF. I hadn't written it down however so she may have lost track.

I'm getting the sense she just wants a structured routine and to come in and clean and nothing else as I completely threw her today. I'm still frustrated that she's having so much time off when she's just started but I'm probably being unfair. If the agency can provide some cover - I need to get them to as that's part of why I pay them a fee. I'm also conscious my last cleaner came for 3.5 hours - and that was more than enough hence her ability to also do side projects like organising or even painting - but I'm only booking this girl for 2 hours so shouldn't compare the two. I'm also missing the companionship of my last cleaner. 

I've done a load of washing today - just put it in the dryer. I keep forgetting the airer... but it's a blanket and sheets so wouldn't want to risk it dragging on the ground which it probably would if I attempted it. I just did some hoovering but the battery ran out before it was done as the cleaner didn't put it back on charge. I told the handyman not to come for a couple of weeks due to £ - but he couldn't have come anyway due to some family stuff and I don't know if he's planning to come next week. This is hard for me as I need more predictability. I'll follow up on the latter as then at least I'd know.

I'm also struggling with getting things together for my review - as I asked for 3 supporting letters and for someone to review my form. I've only had one of the letters back and really I should send it off tomorrow or ring them for extra time - assuming I could even get through. That is probably the real source of my stress and irritability.

beanielou

Interesting about the cleaner. I have a new cleaner & she solely cleans. No helping with bed or to hang washing out. Just cleaning. I was a bit surprised but in a way I know where I am now & can utilise my other person to help in other ways. 

jwil

Your previous cleaner was more of an assistant rather than a cleaner.  I would imagine that most agency cleaners are expecting to clean and not do anything else.  Is it worth seeing if you can find someone privately so you can set out the sorts of tasks you want help with? I.e. not just the standard hoovering, dusting etc.  Maybe a local FB group would help identify someone.

That's frustrating about the forms, hope you can get what you need.

savingholmes

Thanks Beanie and Jwil

I need to think of options re the cleaner. She is good at cleaning however so I should probably just let her play to her strengths. It could be a good call to look for someone else on top, more money though, although I'm frittering plenty of that currently.

Yesterday I painted some of the front fence. It already looks heaps better even though I haven't finished. It took a long time but I listened to a story at the same time and mostly sat so it was fine. The wood here seems very thirsty. I've used 10 litres already and I wouldn't say it was a big amount of fencing. I'll have to open another tub next time I paint. I've already bought it though. It really does smarten up the place.

I've still not had the review stuff back so that is stressful. I may try calling them for an extension - I hate that though. I'm not sleeping well at the moment either and was wide awake until 1.30am and only slept lightly after that.

I may rejoin the NT and see if I can go to my fave garden soon. It should be full of azaleas, rhododendrons and a yellow flower whose name escapes me in a tunnel. 

I need to follow up on the cat person - they replied yesterday and then I forgot about it.

At the weekend I want to sow some nasturtium and sunflowers. I then plan to put some along my front fence but want to give them a head start first. My wildflower lawn isn't materialising yet at the front. Hope it does soon. Very impatient. I have lots of weeds but not the variety the seed packet promised so don't think those have come through yet. I have some self sown yellow poppies that looks nice scattered around the place. 

Right best make myself finish getting ready for work - and start!