Well we are feeling the force of Storm Austen here today and Storm Boelo is set to hit on Saturday. Thankfully we are only under a yellow warning here in London of strong winds and heavy rain but some parts of the country have seen disruptions for travel etc and in Brighton, (where one of Nick's sisters has a house) part of the derelict pier was washed away into the sea. (Details here.) Storm Boelo will also mainly affect northern parts of the UK so hopefully we will be ok. It is a bit disconcerting when your Prime Minister starts telling us all we should have a 3 day supply of water, food etc in our homes ready for any disaster.
Thankfully it's not all doom and gloom here and Susanne reminds us each week to find the good things from our week and then we link up here. Thanks Susanne.
1) Well firstly I'm thankful for a safe and warm home when the weather is like this. It's nice to be able to settle into a comfy chair with a cup of tea, a cozy blanket and either a book to read, knitting to do or TV to watch.
2) Of course I could also do a jigsaw. I managed to pick up 4 1000 piece jigsaws yesterday for £8 after spotting them on a Facebook local group and the person selling them was just around the corner from me. Always nice to get a bargain.
3) Family time this week - we babysat grandchildren Nathan & Ella on Saturday and then we had them and their Mummies here for dinner on Tuesday. It was parents evening at their school and both of them got good reports from their teachers.
4) Getting out and about. Nick and I went out for Sunday lunch last weekend which was nice. Then on Wednesday I had a Knit and Natter group meet up which was nice. I have a new project started. And today, despite the weather, a group of us met up for lunch at a local restaurant. This was a group started by a local organiser for people who wanted to meet up for coffee/lunch in the local area. We signed up via the library. There are a few members that are also part of the Evening Book club plus some others and it's nice to meet up with different people and have a good chat. We're planning a Christmas meal next.
5) Being retired. Not having to get up at a set time. Being (mainly) able to enjoy my hobbies when I want. Going to bed when I want. Staying healthy. Things I probably take for granted and shouldn't. So many other things too and it's good to stop and think about all the blessings I enjoy. We have been part of a child sponsorship scheme for many years now and this week we were given a new child to sponsor who lives in Malawi. Reading about his community and their struggles reminds me of how fortunate I am.
Have a good weekend all.
Yes to your #5!! I always enjoy your five, Wendy!! Have a blessed and happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat is disconcerting to hear that you should be disaster ready for the coming storm. Glad you stayed safe and warm. So nice that you have your grandkids close by. So many grandparents rarely see their grands. Those look like lovely and challenging puzzles. I can't wait to retire and enjoy blessings like in your #4 & 5
ReplyDeleteI have never had the patience for jigsaws and I don't have to get up at a set time I choose to do makes my days feel organised
ReplyDeleteI love being retired! The best part I think is not having to get up early in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI love my jigsaw puzzles, too.
Your outings for lunch and coffee/tea and knitting sound like much fun.
It's fun, too, to spend time with grandchildren.
Have a good weekend!
I have always loved a good storm. Of course, I don't want there to be damage to property or people but there's something about being cozy and warm while a storm rages outside that I love.
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be faring OK in the storms, it's windy and rainy but nothing too bad, yet! Eek! It is so nice to stay inside when it's awful outside.
ReplyDeleteThose jigsaws look fab and what a bargain!
I had no idea you were getting storms. I will be retired (hopefully) in 4-5 years. Wishing you a beautiful weekend. ☺
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't get any storm damage. It is nice to be safe and cozy. Glad you had some good family time and the kids got good reports from their school. It's nice you were able to get out and meet some new people. I like the retired lifestyle, too. Somehow I ended up not having as much free time as I had thought I would, but overall it's a much less stressful lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI could get up when I want too but now that I e been getting up around 5-6am for three years to do my Bible reading every day, my body won't let me sleep much past that! It's ok though, I get so much more done when I wake early and start the day off right with God. 🤗😘🙏
ReplyDeleteWe don't get many storms here, but we do need the rain. Nice to have time with the grands and your knitting group. I am happy to be retired too!
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