Moving on

badmemory

Why do they always have things like drainage trays where no reasonable person can get at them.  Why don't they make freezers & washing machines & the like so that they are easy to pull out & sort out behind them.  How anyone copes who has all their appliances behind doors in their fitted kitchen I do not know.

Cherryfudge

@Laura_Elsewhere, I was all set to vacuum the back of the freezer, and it turned out to have a cover to keep the dust out. There's a niche at the bottom which we vacuumed just in case there was a need to. And yes, @badmemory, it's about as hard to get to as it could be!

Cherryfudge

I cleaned out the bird feeders before work and got so carried away that I was nearly late! How's that for free entertainment?  I even managed to get them all back together which has nearly defeated me in the past, so there's hope for the aging brain yet.

Work was two hours: this is inclining me to look for a more regular income but I wouldn't want to give it up. I enjoy it.

With it being early-finish Friday, it was still light when I got home and the bird feeders had dried out so I've refilled them. I also put the fat balls out of their box into a mouse-proof container: I really don't want to attract rodents.

We've arranged to meet J and L at the car boot sale tomorrow and give them lunch. The forecast is very nice again - summer isn't over yet, it's just cooled down a bit.

Cherryfudge

Saturday was a full day. I'd not got to sleep at a decent time as I was worrying about the house being in a state, but too tired to do anything about it. In the morning DH did a lot of the work but between us we managed to tidy up and put a curry in the slow cooker before going out to meet J and L at the car boot sale. We all had a wander round: DH got quite a nice painting for £5 and I got a novel for £1. Then we spotted a stall of toys including one that had been an absolute favourite of D's when he was small. I bought it for us to give him as a fun present on his birthday (£1). We aren't sure he'll remember it but I think he probably will.

We got home before they did (cue a further tidy) and they brought us a jam roly poly as a contribution to dinner. It was really good, and the curry was okay too though that was only because at the last minute DH remembered he'd not added the main spice, and hastily stuck some in!

We had a local walk to give their dog some exercise but in fact she ended up sitting patiently in front of an antique shop while DH and J investigated it. I stayed with her admiring a rally of Harley Davidsons that filled almost the entire side street, then we went home and picked blackberries (not many good ones left now) for J and for the neighbour who's been very generous with apples. J and L took some apples back too, and a plant that I offered them: glad it has a new home as I have two and not really space for both.

I was a bit worn out and went to sleep at tea time just for a few minutes but that was enough to revive me. I've since washed my hair and done the ironing, and also watched Last Night of the Proms.

I've been trying to prepare a session on Noah's Ark for the children tomorrow: I haven't come up with anything amazing though there was a nice craft activity in the pre-prepared pack which should be fun. I wonder if water play, story, a couple of songs, colouring craft and snack is enough? I will check the email we get sent about timings but last week went over time - just as well little ones can be let loose to do 'free play' when timings run over. Memo to self: if doing water play, take a spare towel.

And the fridge is far too full again. There's one lot of porridge left which I'll have for tea tomorrow, and some soup for lunch. DH can have the rest of the salmon and we will take the rest of the curry with us while we're away next week. I have a feeling I'll also be taking a sort of veg box too as there are carrots, broccoli, ginger, peppers, leeks and possibly more needing to be used up. I'll see if I can come up with some more soup tomorrow afternoon.

Cherryfudge

This morning felt chaotic but all worked out thanks to people being helpful. I don't think the running order had been sent out but someone got me a copy and someone else scanned it and found the relevant bits so we knew when to clear up. Afterwards a group that DH is involved in were having lunch in the building so I took the opportunity to do a spot of cleaning. The pre-school group's term is only three weeks old but the room needed attention and now looks better. I felt I put in loads of steps getting things back in the right places but my Fitbit says that's feeble of me and I've not yet done 8,000, including walking home.

Anyway, that's it for me leading sessions till October, though I'll do the rota this evening then people have notice for October times. It's possibly a bit early but if I leave it till we get back, that doesn't seem like much notice.

We got home around 2.30 and both had a rest! DH has now gone out for a walk. He has had lunch already (a Nigerian rice dish with prawns which he said was very tasty but I don't know what it was called) and insisted I try some of the remainder of the buffet so my lunch was three Rich Tea biscuits, two cheese straws and some Spanish omelette, followed by porridge, jam and cappuccino when I got home. Nothing like a bit of variety - and I've finally finished one of the jams from the fridge.

Incidentally I was so pleased to have finished up the older oatmeal when I made that big batch of porridge. There was a just a small bag of it left to use... then I found an unopened larger bag hiding in the larder. I've just checked and it was out of date in 2016. I'm not going to attempt it, it must be rancid by now. More space attained.

Having done the washing yesterday I have another two washes today. One's the towels from the activity this morning and the other is mostly jeans to take for roaming around Scotland.

I see the advert is out for the admin post. I'm thinking about it and might take it with me to chew over. It seems to be a maximum of 22.5 hours, with the option of job share which is interesting: it would be fab it there happened to be someone who's a whizz at the spreadsheets and maths side of things and they therefore want someone else who likes Word and Publisher and has a nice phone manner.

I am going to make lists for our time away: food, clothes, etceteras. This year I will not only pack my case, I will remember to take it with me.

Cherryfudge

Some cooking got done. DH finished the salmon for dinner and I had some cold meat and roast potatoes with veg, then I pulled all the fresh stuff out of the fridge and invented a soup to use up gammon stock. leeks, a carrot and some potatoes. Most of that is now in the freezer.

There were some mushrooms which I've sliced up and put in paper bags in the airing cupboard to dry. It seems to work well as long as the air can get to them.

We are going to try to be relaxed tomorrow and not attempt to start out before lunch. It's not all that long a drive and there are a few bits of jobs to do first.

I've also started to tackle the rota for October and it's not good news, but it doesn't have to be out yet so there's time for things to change.

I haven't spent anything today but DH got some groceries.

KeepOnKnitting

Have a lovely time away. 

in_need_of_direction

Your soup sounds great. Enjoy the break.

peb

Have a good time away,  maybe try to not think about courses, possible jobs, rotas etc and have a mental break from it all

Cherryfudge

Thanks for the good wishes everyone! It's just for a few days but I cope better with it being a shorter time and we can go back when we choose until about this time next year when the house will be needed by the owners again. @peb, you have a very good point! I'm putting various things on hold.

First thing today I had a visual migraine, which had probably been on the way as I was tired. Thankfully mine are pain-free and only last 20-30 minutes, so if I'm going to have them, this seems to be the best way. Interestingly, the arthritis has been quiet recently which is odd as it had been playing up. 

I'm finishing off a few bits and pieces before we go so I've just texted a client from the Wednesday job with a couple of things they may be able to get on with and now (oh, excitement!) I've got some ironing to get out of the way, so I can take the items with me. Houseplants were watered last night, garden tubs are still to be done. Then there's packing...