Happy Saturday part two

My soon to be in-laws are moving from a four-storey five-bedroom house to a one-storey three bedroom house. When we walked in I gulped and thought, they're never going to get packed in time!

I hate moving. No scrap that, I loathe moving. We have already decided that when we move down to Cornwall, we're getting someone like Pickfords in who will pack and transport everything to the new location (putting the right boxes in the right room). We know it will cost an arm and a leg but for our mental health and stress levels, it's worth every penny!

We actually got quite a bit done and set them firmly on their way. We turned up with 10 boxes, lemon slices, organic ale and enthusiasm! Oh, and Mr P who was adorable and well behaved. We took a break after an hour or so, went for a walk over the common and then came back for tea and toast and a bit more packing.

Now we're back and I'm making a romantic meal for my beloved :0)

Going into the egg business...

Well it’s a bit soggy this morning but that’s why umbrellas and hats were invented…

I got home last night determined to do all the washing up, eat a healthy meal and walk the dog. All of which I achieved. Normally when the healthy partner is away, the less healthy partner takes the opportunity to eat pizza and drink beer but I thought I’d buck the trend and have a salad and a diet coke. What’s more, I’ve brought the rest of the salad in for lunch today. Get me.

Didn’t sleep that well, dropped off ok but then woke up at 4am and had trouble getting back to sleep.

Two people want to buy our eggs! We were a bit thrown because we’d not really thought about selling them (3 chooks does not an egg industry make). But of course, we’re delighted that people think they’re that tasty so we’ll come to some arrangement I’m sure.

Tonight, I seriously need to sort out laundry and clothes in general as well as tidy up the bedroom. I’m also making dinner for my partner who is back this evening. The dog will be pleased. He’s been a bit grumpy and I think he holds me responsible for her not being in bed this morning…

Park life

I haven’t blogged about my park for a while. For those of you who regularly read my blog you’ll know it is generally an unremarkable park, but the birdlife is astonishing we even have woodpeckers and parakeets. I was walking a grumpy Mr P (my partner is away on business for 2 days and he doesn’t feel he should have been left behind) and was letting my mind drift and I was struck yet again how fantastic parks are generally. They can’t all be fancy with herds of deer, or lakes, or top of the range sports facilities – and in fact thanks to the Tories and in no way helped by Labour – it’s remarkable we have these green spaces at all. Just this morning there was one jogger, three speed walking grannies, four dog walkers and one new dog walker training his German Shepherd puppy (very cute but I do hope he can grow into his ears!), two people taking a short cut across the park, one cyclist and someone pushing a pram and getting a bit of fresh air with their baby…

Not bad for 7am on a Monday morning in an unremarkable park, eh?

Yesterday I was recovering – not from drinking too much but standing too much. It was a fairly gentle day with tea and chocolate in the afternoon with friends who are currently renovating their house. It’s chaos but exciting as well, and I can’t wait to see it all finished. (It did make me a little wistful though, if we had got the house, we would be - if not doing, then planning - renovation work as well.)

Afterwards we went for a walk with the dog and then back on the sofa, feet up, telly on. I was trying to keep my mind off work but occasionally I would feel a sense of dread as I thought about the long stressful week ahead.

Still haven’t heard about the job – still got everything crossed…

Good day

I had a great massage this morning, then we went for lunch at the blackbird bakery in Crystal Palace (and picked up some just baked hot cross buns), went to a garden centre, walked the dog and now we're home, with our feet up, the fire on and a feeling of contentment. I also ordered a new digi camera: slimline, pocket size, burnt metallic orange, very stylish! It's not always advisable to take my big and very expensive camera everywhere. (Especially down the pub for a friend's birthday or get together!) So it's been a very good Friday indeed...

Lovely day for a walk in the park

The first thing to say is that she’s not eating… give it time, seconds normally…

I really enjoyed walking the dog this morning. There were dog-walking pals in the park, but I avoided them because all of a sudden not having to talk to anyone or do anything other than walk – slowly! – was quite delicious. I did actually then see a friend I hadn’t seen in a while and we walked round together catching up. But for about 10 minutes the world was blissfully quiet and still.

However it seems to have left me a bit unprepared for the day, I got back home and forgot to clean my teeth (yuck!) and moisturise (less yuck, more irritating) so I had to make a pitstop in Boots to get toothbrush, paste etc. I’m working from home tomorrow so I’m looking forward to a lie in, not having to commute and wearing the most casual of attire after three days of being gussied up. (3 days and I haven’t even seen the bloody inspectors!)

(She’s eating again… lol!)

Pouring myself a cup of ambition

I’m off to do a bit of photography this afternoon. It was decided that in light of our upcoming inspection it would be nice to have some original framed pictures of our borough and our housing… it’s a lovely day for it, very nice light.

My mood is much better today as well. Could be something to do with getting a little perspective as well as belting out the best of Dolly Parton on my way to work… either way, I’ve already done lots this morning and I feel back in control or back in the saddle as our Dolly might say… (Still think I need a pay rise!)

So it’s confirmed, we’re off to see this house on Saturday in the wilds of Cornwall. We’re also going to check out a place in Devon which seems rather lovely. Although I suspect not as rural which puts me off. But you need to squeeze as much in as possible when you long-distance house hunt.

Today I sent my alarm later than normal and when I went down to the park with the dog, it was chocka with mutts. Most of who know Pluto so he went round with about 8 other dogs, happily sniffing and running around while I chatted to the neighbours. I got to speak to a nice guy who lives one street away – also a gayer; he has two terriers one of which hates Pluto. Absolutely hates him. He went for him twice today and we don’t know why. Of course, being a rescue he may have been attacked by a black dog, developed a pathological hatred, and you wouldn’t know anything about it, but it is so strange. P was very mellow about it. He barked and snarled back but didn’t attack or get upset. He’s so amazing! Anyway, it is a bit of a shame because this guy is lovely but he gets so embarrassed when his dog plays up. I say slap the little bugger with an ASBO and be done with it…

First it was a nice pub and now Sydenham is getting a bit carried away, because we have a brand new, decent coffee shop and deli called the Blue Mountain Café. I almost crashed the car when I saw it for the first time. It looks lovely and we will definitely be going very soon. Nice independent bookshop (service is a bit hit and miss, but what can you do), nice friendly pub, nice coffee shop… who do we think we are?! Dull-wich?

Happy Halloween!!

No time for slacking

I’ve come to work for a rest – it’s been a busy weekend! On Saturday I worked on my karma by doing lots of errands. I took my mum to see a new flat and then took her shopping because she can’t manage shopping like she used to. I also took the opportunity to do a big shop for us (and just so you’re in no doubt about how sad I really am, I bought a new pair of slippers and was very pleased!) and when I finally got home and unpacked, it was straight back out to pay the first visit to a friend’s dog whom I was looking after for the day. By now, my plans to go and watch the rugby were well and truly scuppered. Disappointing, but it left a bigger question, what to do with the 30 doughnuts I bought for the supporters at half time? (They are now composting and I’m hoping to grow a doughnut tree as a result.) I then came back and picked up my own pooch and we headed down to the woods for a couple of hours. Then back home; late lunch, feet up for an hour, and then back out again to give our friend’s dog her evening walk. Back home I did some laundry, sorted out the photos that I did on my assignment last week and then collapsed in a heap…

On Sunday was partner was supposed to be running the 5k hydro-active challenge for her work in Hyde Park, but having been ill, she decided it would be better to walk it instead. So three of her colleagues ran the race, and three walked. I took photos and clapped encouragingly when they got back. And I even managed to buy my partner a present (because I was very proud that after being so ill, she still turned up and completed the challenge); a new Adidas training top designed by Breakthrough, the breast cancer charity. Appropriate really all things considered.

After which it was off to Oxford Street - a place I usually avoid at all costs. But we needed to visit the jewellers to buy our wedding rings! The sales assistant was a young guy, whom I mistakenly stereotyped as being more interested in selling than service, but when we enquired about wedding rings, he asked, is it for you? To which we replied yes, and he gave us a lovely smile and said, ‘congratulations!’ and was really helpful. I’m really excited we’ve bought them. It actually felt pretty special just trying them on in the shop – imagine how we’ll feel on August the 30th next year!

We fitted in a visit to HMV where my partner bought me a CD I wanted, Waitrose (where she bought three types of loose vegetables and used NO packaging!) and then it was finally back home, where we cooked a roast and then slumped in front of the TV…

I don’t feel I’ve stopped for two days. Tonight I’m aiming for a really early night because work is piling up again and I need to stay fresh and focused…

S’all go!

Pay day!

I’m a bad girl. I’ve just ordered two tops from American Eagle… pay day anyone?! I have just paid all my bills so I felt I needed a little sugar.

I need to take the hound out for his morning constitutional because he’s looking at me like he’s been abused… oh sure you feed me premium dog food, you love me and spend time playing and stroking me, you walk me twice a day and you think it’s funny when I do sideway’s rolls (don’t ask, but it’s like a crocodile doing a death roll) and I have access to a lovely garden but you haven’t walked me his morning and frankly lady, that’s what counts… I’m such a bad mother…

I’m a little ashamed of our window boxes. There, I said it. Tomorrow we’re off to Homobase to get new boxes and some flowers and plants. Our pansies have wilted and the lemon conifers look like they’ve been through a very rough detox. In short, our boxes are not up to our usual high standard. And as I sit here typing away I think it’s time to bring them into the back garden where they can be revived and supported through plant group therapy…

Anyway, I’m supposed to be doing some work not documenting the chaos in my personal life. Although I suppose if all that’s wrong is the dog hasn’t been walked and the lemon conifers need a water, I’m doing OK…

:0)

Sandwiches

I’m going to a drinks reception at City Hall tonight with my partner. It’s the Mayor’s reception to celebrate International Women’s Day. I’m not sure why I got invited - is there a “enjoys free booze and all round good egg” invite category…? - but I do seem to be on a list for LGBT and Women's stuff...

I left the car at home because there’s no parking near the GLA unless you’re a blue badge holder. Consequently I commuted by train today and had to sit near someone who needed a bath. It’s just not what you need in the morning when you are so much more delicate. I didn’t feel claustrophobic on the train which was a huge relief. (My claustrophia had become almost unbearable in the last few months of commuting by train and was the second reason I made the decision to drive to work; the first reason being my uber dodgy knees. I have always suffered claustrophobia to a greater or lesser degree but it got markedly worse since my mother’s diagnosis of breast cancer two years ago.)

Yesterday was a special day. It was the dog’s first ‘evening walk in the park’ of the year! He always has his morning walk in the park, but during the winter I road walk him in the evening. It gets so dark and there are no lights so I can’t see the other dogs and people. And if you have a dog off the lead, you must be able to see everything around you in case the situation dictates that he needs to be put back on the lead, or even that you need to change direction because of an overly aggressive dog etc. So yesterday I got home and we went and enjoyed the last of the sunshine.

I have lots to do as per, but all I can think about is the rather lovely sandwiches I made for my lunch. When it comes to this time of the day, I have a one-track mind…