Tuesday, 18 October 2011

Brrr .... Autumn is definitely taking hold.

Every year, I have this "battle" whereby I wonder how long it will be before we switch the heating on.

Well, in June we had an exceptionally cold snap, when I switched it on for a couple of hours, since then, it 's not been so bad, and in fact we had a heatwave less than 2 weeks ago. Most odd, but most welcome.

2 nights ago, however, it was just too cold. So, on went the heating for the evening. Yesterday, I was the only one in the house, and fully clothed in warm socks and cardigan, but my fingers were going numb. I gave in, and on the heating went.

Therefore, I hereby declare Autumn has set in, 17th October 2011. I wonder how long it will be before I start setting the timing controls to bring it on for the morning, that will be a sad day indeed !




In the meantime, I guess I ought to check we have coal aplenty ... apparently snow is predicted ?!

Brrrr

Wednesday, 12 October 2011

oops!

Well, let's just say accounts nor gym got done ....

But, I did get up earlier and have had great fun pottering, I've finished the first "pot holder", I ended up top sewing the binding, but it actually looks pretty passable.

On the second one, I am going to attempt to attach the front and back using the sewing machine.

The other thing I have thoroughly enjoyed doing, which I almost consider as "naughty" is watching tv during the day .... well, ok, not actual daytime television, but watching "House of Eliott", a great British drama series based in the '20's about a house of fashion / couture ... I just love the clothes and the concept of great dress making.

My husband has laughed at me watching it, but keeps dropping in for a recap of where the characters are up to, LOL !

Back to work tomorrow, but, it's ok, for once I'm not dreading it. Friday, on the other hand, may be another matter. More on that, later ....

Ciao x

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

"Me" time ....

I've been so busy, yet time has once again disappeared on me.

Last week, however, I made a conscious decision to take a day off to myself.

Now, if you don't have children, or never have, you may not understand the implications of this.... but if you're a busy mother or father, you will totally understand where I'm coming from.

Pre-parenting, I had 25 odd days annual leave, DH and I used to take a fair amount of it together, but I'd always take at least a solid week off, and several days off to myself.

Roll forward 8 years ... and I have 19 days annual leave (perils of working part time) and a child of school age, which means, juggling childcare and leave ... all leave is dedicated to looking after DD when she's not at school, leaving a couple of "emergency days" for illness etc.

Whilst I love my DD to pieces, I am also someone who needs their own space. A very difficult proposition at times, especially when working from home, whilst DH works from home, and then being a parent the rest of the time .... my own space, had become non-existant.

"Me time"..... almost seems a lost concept.

So, after having had to work the other Sunday, I managed to gain some "time in lieu",  that combined with the fact that college was cancelled today due to it being an "Admin day", I decided to capitalise on this ... and took Monday off.

I was determined that it would not involve childcare, domestic godessness, chores, hubbie's business paperwork, or anything that was for someone else.

I, unfortunately, didn't manage to ship DH out of the house for the day ... but hey, small issue !

I have to admit, to doing very very little on Monday morning, but I've been wanting to do a number of sewing projects for a while, so Monday afternoon, I finally managed start researching them, and getting out my sewing table.

Tuesday, today, I had another lie in ... I obviously needed my sleep ! But managed to get out of bed by 11 and today, I've had great fun pottering around starting to make a pair of pot holders, and being very pernickety on the bindings (ripped 4 times so far!), I am way too Virgoan at times.

It is mental space which I've needed from the world, and with it, has brought forward my energy to actually do what I want to do, rather than just looking at it, and feeling overwhelmed.

Tomorrow is the day I do DH's accounts, but tomorrow, I am going to juggle things, I want to do more sewing, and go to the gym ....

All of these, are good signs for the Winter ... I normally go to sleep for the Winter, and shut down by now until March ...

I must learn how to insert a photo into this blog .. so that when I have finished this pot holder pair I can show you ...