Slow Living - Doing It Old Style!

Cherryfudge

I don't seem to have had many slow days for a while, in fact I completely overdid things at the end of last week and have caught DH's lurgy, resulting in bronchitis - but that's coincided with an opportunity to slow down a lot and do some nice things, further aided by having cleared the dining table in honour of having a visitor, so while she's out I spread out a project and got stuck into sewing it up. I'd only put this off for a couple of years...

The lovely warmer weather has also been good to me: I've mown the grass/moss and spent some time tidying a tiny corner of the garden. Being out of doors after so many wet months is great. I found a currant bush had died off and another had grown in a very strange shape so I've made space where the dead one was and drastically cut back the other. It probably won't fruit this year but I'm sacrificing that to get results in future - and I've taken cuttings so perhaps there will be new bushes to come.

On the subject of gardens, ours is a constant battle against ivy and I saw @leftatthetrafficlights that you'd been making laundry liquid with yours. I'm tempted to have a go but I wondered whether it's okay with sensitive skin. Does anyone have experience of this please?

mrs_slapshot

I had a very busy weekend catching up with friends both days. Yesterday was a lovely slow day - slow for me! I still got lots done (non paid work day) like shopping, housework etc but I also had a really lovely walk with my son and his dog. I bought us lunch of bacon sandwiches, coffee and a sausage for the dog. Just a lovely day. 

Then back to work with a bump today. Awful day, lots of work overdue, still catching up from being poorly. What is it they say - you’re only ‘x’ bad days at work away from retiring!! 

I’m hopeful my request for a few weeks unpaid leave will be granted. Will give me some time to catch up with myself and help support my son. He’s now moved into the house he inherited, with his girlfriend and dog. My house feels very quiet with out them! But it’s also tidy and I can start to do my old habits again like the miracle morning (book by Hal Elrod - I think) or yoga at bedtime. 

Valli

Cherryfudge said:

On the subject of gardens, ours is a constant battle against ivy and I saw @leftatthetrafficlights that you'd been making laundry liquid with yours. I'm tempted to have a go but I wondered whether it's okay with sensitive skin. Does anyone have experience of this please?

In one of her reels Nancy Birtwhistle puts cut ivy leaves into a net bag and uses them ‘neat’ as it were.  I’d try it if i had access to ivy.


Today will be a slow day, i’m starting with a coffee in bed.  I need to drop my car in at the garage later and i’m hoping to do some knitting.   I have a baby cardi to finish. 

Cherryfudge

Valli said:

In one of her reels Nancy Birtwhistle puts cut ivy leaves into a net bag and uses them ‘neat’ as it were.  I’d try it if i had access to ivy.

Oh @Valli, I wish you were my neighbour! We have so much ivy, I spend my summers pulling it out! You could help me. I think I'll get a big handful - they seem to recommend 60 leaves - tear them in half so the power is released and add them to a net bag in the wash. I'll soon enough find out if I react to it! I've been okay pulling it up in the garden though.

Valli

I wish I were too, Cherry!  Ironically there was lots here when we moved in, the 'extension' (converted coal store) was covered and we pulled it away...and, in the process, the massive spider population migrated, too...

I had to be very slow - I had to sit still until the mouse canme out from behind the units in the DR and I could 'encourage' it out through the patio door...I am convinced my cat has ADD...she brings them in, 'loses' them then forgets about them.  Last year we dealt with 6 in one day - ALL ALIVE

Brie

Thankful for calm seas as I'm not a very good sailor.  Some doodling done.  Surprised one of the waiters by asking to borrow an empty teapot to sketch as with flat seas and nothing but the horizon it's indoor stuff or nothing at this point.  Might change in half an hour as there's a water colour class, likely beginners but there's always things to learn.  

Annoyed though to discover the library is just a reading room with fake books on the shelves.  We've only 2 books between us and OH is likely to finish his in another day or two.  

Then again everything is included.  Food, drink, artic jackets...

Wednesday2000

I used to have a cat like that. She used to bring in live birds too! In the end we built my cats a cat enclosure so they could go outside, but not catch anything.

It is a beautiful day today. Very warm and sunny. I walked up to a charity shop and bought a few things. The shop is holding an Easter fayre this weekend that I might go to.

We are off to London tomorrow. I was looking on the calendar and we have a night at a hotel booked at the start of April. The day after is a meditation gong bath that I was considering going to. I just checked the price and it is £20 for one hour. That seems expensive to me so I will give that a miss!

Smudgeismydog

I’ve been so busy with handovers in work over the last 2 months, but finally managed to spend a couple of hours in the garden today. Although the ground was still very wet, I could see lots of buds on the shrubs, and the birds were singing so loudly to keep me company. For the first time since I handed my notice in, I was able to picture how I might spend some of my time in retirement. 

I have arranged some dates with friends for a cuppa and chinwag over the next few weeks, and I’ve also booked 3 days off work next week so we can get away for a couple of nights. Honestly, I can’t wait to have a change of scenery and some leisurely walks.

Cherryfudge

Valli said:

I had to be very slow - I had to sit still until the mouse canme out from behind the units in the DR and I could 'encourage' it out through the patio door...I am convinced my cat has ADD...she brings them in, 'loses' them then forgets about them.  Last year we dealt with 6 in one day - ALL ALIVE

Crickey! Perhaps it was one mouse coming back? Perhaps the car is in league with them and enjoys seeing you chase them?

Brie said:

Annoyed though to discover the library is just a reading room with fake books on the shelves.  We've only 2 books between us and OH is likely to finish his in another day or two.  

I would feel cheated! Perhaps you could trade books with fellow travellers, or treat yourselves to downloadable books?

Wednesday2000 said:

The day after is a meditation gong bath that I was considering going to. I just checked the price and it is £20 for one hour. That seems expensive to me so I will give that a miss!

I had to look that up and it sounds so relaxing! However, I'm sure you can do a DIY version virtually free with a  bit of planning (then set up in business and your fortune is made). Enjoy London.  

Smudgeismydog said:

I’ve been so busy with handovers in work over the last 2 months, but finally managed to spend a couple of hours in the garden today. 

I'm loving having garden time (not retired yet but not working many hours either). I'm sure you will find lots to do once you finally leave work, but you will also have a lot to offer should you choose to do some volunteering. I've been approached to help with a few things which I'm thinking over but will probably say yes to. I'm finding having a small commitment most days is really good for my mental health - structure and social contact and all that. On the other hand, there's a lot to be said for pottering among the greenery, and it's very MSE as well!

Cherryfudge

My only old style slow thing so far today has been eating a home made Victoria sponge. It was very nice, too.