NST A May Meditation

apple_muncher

I'm having fun now doing my marking. But I only started a few days ago, so it could just be the honeymoon period!

After a good night's sleep of about 11 1/2 hours, I feel much more like myself. Add to that that we're on half term and Pip only has 2 exams left.

We're suddenly going to have our kitchen remodelled and the (plaster) wall between it and the dining room taken down and a breakfast bar put in. Dh wants a dishwasher (we've never had one) and we'll be extending into the under stairs cupboard which is accessed from the kitchen. 

Our builder friend also suggested moving the square archway that separates the dining area and the lounge, but after talking to some neighbours, we fund out that it contains the supporting beam for upstairs, so we'd best keep it!!! Not moving the archway means that we won't have to move pipes, electrics and a radiator. And that will reduce the total cost.

The same friend has offered up the whole top floor of his house while the work is going on - it's basically a self-contained flat and should allow us the privacy we're used to.

He'll also project manage it and he's popping over this evening with the builder who will do it.

We like this friend!

It'll cost rather a lot, but it'll be worth it.

grandmanerd

I was worried because the promised estimate hadn't arrived but I had a message today to say they'd both been ill. As they're going to sort most of what needs doing at grandma's house (calling in other tradespeople to assist where necessary) I feel I can put that to one side for the time being. 

I've had a mostly relaxing day (one series watched and another underway) but did an awful lot of ferrying stuff to the bins yesterday (over a dozen sacks and bags). 

I want to thank everyone who's taken part this month and all those who've read along. Sorry my limited internet access has meant minimal participation on my part. The frame to the laptop screen has two breaks in it and the keyboard and screen are apart for an inch and a half at the right hand side - I expect to come apart in my hands each time I pick it up. However going for short quotes that could be posted before the internet cut out again, has worked reasonably well.

Grateful for a relaxing day (needed several ibuprofen gel top ups yesterday), wearing a clean dress (I keep putting on the worn out ones with lots of small holes in the hope that I can tackle some of the messy jobs), making progress.

ditty1234

Sorry for intermittent ness in May. Busy days.
This evening I was happy for a lovely countryside group run, even if getting up the slope in the wooed was disgustingly muddy! 
And I'm grateful for the young adults mostly getting on, since they will both be around all summer.
Big hugs to everybody. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Love that, @grandmanerd. Glad you're doing ok @Esmeralda2662.

NSD#18
Was still tired when my alarm went off, contemplated whether to do yoga or not, but did it anyway. Work went ok, didn't join in the PE games today, as still not 100% after being ill. 

Listed a pile of DS3's books on local page. I've sold the book I'd listed on eboy yesterday 😊 Did 2 sewing jobs after tea, then my jigsaw for an hour. Received an email about upcoming films at the cinema, one of which is free on Monday. Booked 2 seats for me & mum. One of the main actors is originally from our island, though I didn't work at our school when he attended it.

Grateful for managing to get through the working day, a film to look forward to, time to do some jigsaw

grandmanerd

Note to Self   
Along with all the Growth and Healing, remember to give yourself time for Integration,
which is a fancy word for 'Allowing !!!! to settle'.
It looks like doing nothing. This nothing is necessary.
(Serenity and Spirit)

lcc86

Evening turtles 

Yesterday was a busy day at work, I managed to do some yoga first thing before heading in. I had to drive to a visit over an an hour away, on the plus side I get a nice expenses payment for doing so, so that'll go towards the credit card. I listened to an interesting podcast on the way as well. 

I decided to get an online subscription to National Geographic magazine, I used to have a paper one years ago but thought it's something I can read on my future commute. Digital subscription was much cheaper than a paper one (£24 annually) plus I get access to every edition dating back decades so I think it'll be worth it for me, and if it isn't I'll just cancel next year.

Still hadn't heard anything about the new job so chased that up this morning, they are going to chase with HR at their end. I also chased up some volunteering that would line up really nicely with the new job as well, so we'll see what comes of it. 

Cycled partway to and from work today, I woke up at 4.30 for some reason this morning so almost talked myself out of cycling in but am glad I did it in the end as it counts as a nice workout! It just started raining as I got to the train station on the way home, by the time I got up to the platform it was a deluge so I'm very grateful I missed that!

Have finalised my budget for the month ahead. We are going to book a mini break but definitely not the one OH had his eye on haha.

DawnW

No work today as we had to take my brother to hospital for a scan. His mobility is very poor, and he will need ambulance transport going forward, as although we had the wheelchair for most of the time, I was worried he would fall, particularly on the stairs to his flat and getting in and out of the car. I definitely couldn't have managed without OH. He wasn't having a good day. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Stopped off at L*dl on the way back, and bought some easy food for him. He seems to like fridge items rather than the cooked meals I offer to warm up for him each day (there are lots of different ones in his freezer). Also bought bread and milk, so he is fully stocked up now. Brought home some stale bread and fed it to the birds. Better than it going to landfill!

Did some gardening this afternoon - potted on some plants, and tied in the remaining new loganberry canes. I cut most of them back the other day, but left 3. These will bear berries next year. It looks as though there are going to be lots this summer, which is good as I have nearly run out of jam, and so has DD.

A neighbour gave me some little marigold plants. I haven't done anything with them yet, but will plant them in pots I think. They are the small, French type, with very pretty flowers

Made a mushroom risotto for dinner, as I had mushrooms that needed using, and lots of parsley in the garden. Very filling and yummy

Work tomorrow, and it has been a tiring day, so an early night is called for I think!

Grateful for gifted plants, time in the garden and a tasty, frugal meal.

Thrifty_Taylor

Feel proud that you've helped your brother today @DawnW. Good that you're thinking through options for future appointments, to make things easier for your brother.

Did yoga before breakfast. Had a good day at work. Walked to drop off sewing afterwards, before heading home. Watched 'the street' episode from last night with DS1, then me & DH met DS3 & GF for a meal out to celebrate them finishing their exams & leaving school (though DS3 is still officially on their books til sproutmas, but doing extended work experience). Nipped to L1DL after the meal for pudding & snacks to watch their film with.

Grateful for a nice meal, that DS3 had strimmed part of the garden, time with DS1

grandmanerd

The opposite of negativity is not positivity.  It's purpose. 
We don't always feel positive because we aren't meant to.
But seeking that which gives you purpose - that will sustain you,
even when the light is dim and you feel lost.
You'll find your way again.
Nanea Hoffman Sweatpants and Coffee

Shrewbie

Good morning turtles, I've been rubbish with posting. Came back to UK for best friend's hen do (well two hen dos) and my Mum and her partner have covid, so now I'm pretty sure that I have it (will test this evening) so won't make it to the day hen do tommorrow, but hoping to be able to go to the weekend hen do in Cornwall next weekend, fingers crossed. Feeling pretty rubbish but will use the time to rest and spend some quality time with Mum and the dog. Thank you so much @grandmanerd for the thread, I loved the quotes, they really helped me. lots of love to all.