+++ Whoops! Here comes the cheese! +++

dawnybabes

How lovely to have some flowers to look forward to. 

The first year after DH died we decided we was starting some new traditions, so we now have a real Xmas tree, we had DH photo put in a star that we hang on the tree so he can be with us. 

redofromstart

Thank you - I think my positive optional focus for next year will be the garden.  

I found his crochet box (something he didn't actually master!) and watched a very helpful tutorial on granny squares yesterday, so that is something I might have a go at to fill the evenings. Easier on my hands than knitting and I think requires less actual skill. There is plenty of wool and various hooks so free to try at least.  My Grandma taught me make them about 40 years ago so long since forgotten.

I also frittered (using a gift card) on a couple of big river jigsaws for a similar reason.  Although now I want dry roasted peanuts and a glass of wine - it is the rules after all. 

'Must Do' jobs for today 
Tidy the fridge and make sure access is clear - replacement fridge freezer is arriving tomorrow so I can switch off the garage freezer until the external electrics are repaired
Do something about the remains of the turkey 
Find the diluting refill for the handwash or order some more

'Maybe' jobs
Sort through the old decorations, and exit anything damaged or not to my taste before I put away the few bits that we did have out.
Actually open the box and ask someone to assemble the small drawers I bought for the paperwork in my little study.  

PennysIntoPounds

Get the peanuts and wine to go with the jigsaws. I'll let you off the smoking jacket on this occasion x

rtandon27

Aye @redofromstart - feet up and relax - it's Twixmas afterall!

redofromstart

She is sulking because she was removed from the boxes etc

KajiKita

Awww … bless her. ❤️

Meanwhile Chloe is, and has been ALL day, lurking in the dining room. We think there must be a mouse ….

KK

astrocytic_kitten

My void likes waiting till the edges of the jigsaw are done then lie in the middle of it as you try to work on it

EssexHebridean

I can’t recall how HRH dealt with jigsaws - although allowing that all boxes were officially hers the moment they entered the house, she almost certainly tried sitting in it! 

LadyWithAPlan

dawnybabes said:

How lovely to have some flowers to look forward to. 

The first year after DH died we decided we was starting some new traditions, so we now have a real Xmas tree, we had DH photo put in a star that we hang on the tree so he can be with us. 

This is a lovely idea 

the flowers sound lovely REDO and personally I think you deserve the peanuts and red wine 

redofromstart

Earlier today @Cheery_Daff mentioned the 'down to earth' blog on another diary in relation to slow living and mentioned that recent posts had been about coping with the loss of the authors husband, and I ventured off down a wormhole, but I found it really helpful reading. This post summed it up for me. 

The key bit goes:  'I gave up sitting and thinking about life with Hanno because that’s not how I want to live. I want to be self-reliant and productive. I work all through the day and while I work, I remember sometimes what Hanno and I did together. I realised I had to get on with my life, that Hanno would have expected that and I didn't want to give up. My purpose now is to create the life I want to live in the home I want to stay in. Having a purpose helps me get through many things and it also helps me to keep going. Being thoughtful in all areas of my life, not just housework, helps a lot too. It helps me understand what makes tasks easy or difficult, it helps me decide what I should do and what doesn't matter that much. All actions have consequences, and more importantly, inaction has consequences too. '

That absolutely sums up where I would like to get to.  It was written nearly a year on from the loss of her husband.  That is my gentle, kind to myself, non smart target of where I would like to be this time next year.