20 in 20 - July Update

Ha another late report!  But here goes:

1. Fill out weekly/daily planner
This is mostly still working although I do end up being a few days behind at times.
✅
2. Garden projects: Get window boxes for front garden plus big planters. Stepping stones for rear garden.
On hold until we have the new garden to work on.  For now it's just maintenance and keeping it tidy.
❌
3. Plan a lunch date/date night with Nick once a month (theatre/cinema/meal/outing)
What's a date night?  Been so long since we had one I've forgotten what it's like lol.
❌
4. Eat at 6 new-to-me restaurants
See above!
❌
5. Complete the A – Z blogging challenge
Done ✅
6. Plan Family weekend for my birthday
Next year?
❌ 
7. Take up an exercise class
Not happening!
❌
8. Plan a road trip/holiday with hubby.
Hopefully one day!
❌
9. Visit the beach
At some point!
❌
10. Complete my reading challenge (52 books for the year)
I managed to read 9 books in July so I'm way ahead of schedule now. Quite a few of these were added to my Kindle app - books are about the only thing I'm spending money on right now! Full details can be found on my Goodreads page here.
✅
11. Keep a gratitude diary
This is a big fail.
❌
12. Blog at least once per week (plus regular memes)
I crept up to 21 posts in July with a few original posts so a better month overall.✅
13. Take a photo each week and blog about it.
I might have been a tad late with some of these but keeping to the plan.✅
14. Read 12 books on my TBR pile.  
Completed!  ✅
15. Finish knitting WIP (blanket of squares)

No change during June. (But I have made 2 out of 3 blankets for the coming Grandchildren.)❌

16. Try out a new recipe or do a bake each month 
Nick has taken over the cooking for the time being.❌
17. Visit/see Noah every month
We didn't manage this in July but we have been in August.  ❌
18. Get damp treatment done in house
At this point in time our house still has a buyer and they are aware that damp treatment is needed.  We reduced our price to reflect that so we won't have to get that work done.
❌
19. Maintain weight
Fluctauated during the month but no overall gain.
✅
20. Be kind to myself. Whilst I think it's good to set myself challenges sometimes life gets in the way or I just have days where I really can't be bothered. I need to accept this and not be hard on myself when things don't go to plan.
Things are definitely not going to plan this year!  But I am being kind to myself.
✅

Well 40%  ✅ in July.  Slightly up on June.  The move is going ahead slowly.  Covid-19 continues to dominate our lives and I think we're all a bit out of sorts with all of that.

Hopefully when we move it will give us a kick start to be more motivated.

Up and Down

Well it's been a week since I blogged properly (excluding my weekly photo) and it's been very up and down.

The downside was the ongoing saga with the house.  The survey on our house threw up issues relating to the roof, specifically the supporting structures, and also the electrical wiring.  A bit of negotiation followed (a drop in price) and hopefully we are back on track ....except today we are waiting for a survey to be done on our drains. 

The surveyor failed to notice we do actually have an inspection chamber for the drains.  No doubt he has reported that he was unable to check the drains and advised having a survey done.  We understand but ....if he had only asked while he was here we could have shown him where the inspection chamber is and also confirmed that we have never had a problem with the drains!  The buyers might still have wanted to get a survey done but at least they would have been working on correct information.

We don't anticipate any problems with it and we have made it clear we are not dropping our price any further.  Fingers crossed.

The survey on the house we're buying didn't really throw up any major issues but there are a few things our solicitor will need to check with regard to the building works that were done in the past to do with planning permission etc.  Again we're hoping that will all be ok.

All this uncertainty though is not good for my mental health which is already suffering from the pandemic.  It's hard to knuckle down and get on with sorting/cleaning etc when nothing seems certain.

So that was all the down side to the week - 2 steps forward, 1 back but still slowly moving forward.

But lots of ups too! 

Nick took a lot of rubbish we'd sorted to the tip and our gardener came this week so the garden looks tidier and the patio no longer looks like a rubbish dump.

We moved all our daughter's stuff over to our son's garage for now so our bedroom is no longer cluttered with lots of boxes.

We saw a few members of Nick's family this week and we babysat Rory a couple of times.  We've also had a video chat with Nathan which was better than usual.  He often wants to call us but then gets distracted easily and doesn't want to chat but doesn't want Mummy to chat either. 

Nathan and Rory and their parents also got together this weekend in a park so that was nice for them.

We had hoped to see our eldest son at the weekend but that visit was cancelled when his Father-in-law thought he might have picked up the virus.  Thankfully he was able to get tested quickly and the test was negative and now he's feeling fine so we all breathed a sigh of relief and hopefully Matt will visit next weekend.

We've had rain - not the best thing for getting out to walk but it's saved me the job of watering the garden.

All our family, including the pregnant DILs and babies are well. 

Hold that thought!

20 in 20 - June Update

Well we're almost a week into July so this update is a bit more timely than last month! Here we go:

1. Fill out weekly/daily planner
A few slips ups but mainly I'm still doing this and it does help to keep me organised although it's harder to stay focussed some days.
✅
2. Garden projects: Get window boxes for front garden plus big planters. Stepping stones for rear garden.
No projects until we move.
❌
3. Plan a lunch date/date night with Nick once a month (theatre/cinema/meal/outing)
Well in theory we could get out now - restrictions have eased a lot over the last few weeks but we are still being very cautious.
❌
4. Eat at 6 new-to-me restaurants
Maybe at some point we'll feel brave enough to try and make progress on this.  Not just yet though.
❌
5. Complete the A – Z blogging challenge
Done ✅

6. Plan Family weekend for my birthday
We have a lot of celebrations to catch up on but no immediate plans.
❌ 

7. Take up an exercise class
Not happening!
❌
8. Plan a road trip/holiday with hubby.
Hopefully one day!
❌
9. Visit the beach
At some point!
❌
10. Complete my reading challenge (52 books for the year)
I managed to read 6 books in June so I'm still on track for this.  Some were from my TBR pile including The Book Thief which I really enjoyed.  I added a few more to my Kindle app - books are about the only thing I'm spending money on right now! Full details can be found on my Goodreads page here.
✅
11. Keep a gratitude diary
I'm still failing at this but I do try and do the Friday blog post relating to this each week.
❌

12. Blog at least once per week (plus regular memes)
I dropped down to just 16 posts in June with hardly any original posts so not a good month overall.❌

13. Take a photo each week and blog about it.
I might have been a tad late with some of these but still trying to keep to the plan.✅
 
14. Read 12 books on my TBR pile.  
Completed!  ✅

15. Finish knitting WIP (blanket of squares)

No change during June. ❌

16. Try out a new recipe or do a bake each month 
Oh this is not happening!  Motivation on this front is very low at present ❌
 
17. Visit/see Noah every month
Well this will need to be reviewed now that we can actually get together with family members.  My son is planning to come to London soon but now we are in the process of moving we'll just have to do the best we can.  ❌

18. Get damp treatment done in house
At this point in time our house still has a buyer and they are aware that damp treatment is needed.  We reduced our price to reflect that so we won't have to get that work done.
❌
19. Maintain weight
Fluctauated during the month but no overall gain.
✅
20. Be kind to myself. Whilst I think it's good to set myself challenges sometimes life gets in the way or I just have days where I really can't be bothered. I need to accept this and not be hard on myself when things don't go to plan.
Ha "sometimes life gets in the way"  little did I know!
✅

Well only 35%  ✅ in June.  Of course much of that is still due to Covid-19 so out of my control.  Restrictions have eased a lot over the last few weeks but it is still scary how many people are still contracting the virus and people are still dying.  I really don't want to risk getting it or giving it to other members of the family.  We're being as careful as we can.  The planned move is taking up our time now too.  It's still not guaranteed but we're doing our best to sort out all our belongings so that when contracts are exchanged we'll be as well placed as possible for moving.  I'm trying not to let it all overwhelm me but it is a lot to get our heads around - we've lived here for over 27 years now and for Hubby he'll be moving out of the area he has lived in all his life!

 

20 in 20 - May Update

Well we're nearly into July and I realised I haven't done a May update yet!  That's what happens when you've spent so much time in lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic and everyday feels like groundhog day!  But yes life does go on so here goes:

1. Fill out weekly/daily planner
I'm still doing this and it does help to keep organised and focussed.
✅
2. Garden projects: Get window boxes for front garden plus big planters. Stepping stones for rear garden.
Well we're keeping the grass cut and doing bits and pieces but now we hope we'll be moving there will be no more projects here.  As for the garden at the house we're hoping to buy - there will  be a lot of projects!
❌
3. Plan a lunch date/date night with Nick once a month (theatre/cinema/meal/outing)
I think I need to think outside the box for this one!
❌
4. Eat at 6 new-to-me restaurants
With restaurants closed this might not get completed any time soon.   There are plans to try and reopen them to some degree in July but we won't be rushing anywhere until things settle down a bit more.
❌
5. Complete the A – Z blogging challenge
Done ✅

6. Plan Family weekend for my birthday
Given up on making any plans right now although my daughter might come for a picnic this week.
❌ 

7. Take up an exercise class
Well I might if I could!  Yes I know you're probably all shouting "what about all the online ones?"  but I really can't find the motivation right now.(Yep no change from my March update.)
❌
8. Plan a road trip/holiday with hubby.
Hopefully one day!
❌
9. Visit the beach
At some point!
❌
10. Complete my reading challenge (52 books for the year)
I managed to read 9 books in May so I'm still on track for this and quite a few of those were from my TBR pile.  I did also get a few for my Kindle app. Full details can be found on my Goodreads page here.
✅
11. Keep a gratitude diary
March April May was not a good month for this.  Improvement needed.
❌

12. Blog at least once per week (plus regular memes)
I managed 28 posts May although a lot of those were either regular memes or book reviews.  There were a few original posts so not bad overall. ✅

13. Take a photo each week and blog about it.
Going to plan although the commentary is sometimes short and sweet.✅
 
14. Read 12 books on my TBR pile.  
I read 6 books from my TBR pile during May bringing my running total to 11.  Only 1 to go!  ✅

15. Finish knitting WIP (blanket of squares)
Still not finished the WIP but 2 blankets finished for the Grandkids on the way - 1 more to go.
✅

16. Try out a new recipe or do a bake each month 
Well I'm going to  stretch this one a bit.  We are still having HelloFresh deliveries and also Simply Cook from time to time and many of those are new recipes to us.
✅
17. Visit/see Noah every month
We haven't seen him since 29th February so this target definitely won't be met this year.   ❌

18. Get damp treatment done in house
At this point in time our house still has a buyer and they are aware that damp treatment is needed.  We reduced our price to reflect that. 
❌
19. Maintain weight
Fluctauated during the month but no overall gain.
✅
20. Be kind to myself. Whilst I think it's good to set myself challenges sometimes life gets in the way or I just have days where I really can't be bothered. I need to accept this and not be hard on myself when things don't go to plan.
Ha "sometimes life gets in the way"  little did I know!
✅

Well 50%  ✅ in May.  It was still a difficult month thanks to Covid-19.  At the time of writing things have been eased a bit but we are still being very cautious, particularly with pregnant DILs to consider.  We have seen 2 of the Grandkids though and it looks as though we will be moving at some point so lots to get my head around with that but definitely feeling more positive.

19 in 19 - April update - Alice style.

Now that the A-Z writing challenge has finished does that mean I'm allowed out on Sundays?

Oh hello Alice.  I wondered when you might resurface.  You've been very quiet this past week.

Well I thought you might want a break.  Wasn't that kind of me?

Yes it was Alice.  It's been a busy week and I really wouldn't have needed you wittering on in my head too.

Wittering on!  I do not witter.  Anyway isn't it time to do your 19 - 19 update for April?  It is now the 5th May you know.

Honestly?  I'm not sure there's much to update.  April was such a busy month what with babies, visitors and then completing the challenge.

Well that's one thing for updating for starters.  There must be more!  Lets have a look.

Ok Alice.  Anything for a quiet life!

1. Be more organised, plan ahead and waste less time
I think you were definitely more organised in April.
It was a case of having to be with the challenge & visitors.  But yes I think you're right I was more organised.

2. Work on the garden
You bought & planted flowers!
I did.  And I organised getting the shed roof repaired.
So 2 for 2.  This is going well so far.

3. Plan a lunch date/date night with Nick once a month (theatre/cinema/meal/outing)
Actually we managed 2 nights out that I can remember.  We went out for his birthday and then last weekend we ate out on Saturday.  
You're on a roll.

4. Eat at 6 new-to-me restaurants
Well we ate out a few times during the month but none of them were new to us.
What about the pub with the girls and Nathan?
Well it's like the pubs from last month - we're hardly likely to go there again.
But surely that doesn't matter?  You included a restaurant in Skegness last year that you'll never see again.
Fair point Alice but I'd like to think there's at least a chance of revisiting a new restaurant.
That's silly.  What if you don't like the restaurant?
Ok.  You win, this time!

5. Complete the A – Z blogging challenge
Success!!!
No need to get that excited expecially as half the work was mine!

6. Family weekend away for my birthday - in June
No progress here Alice.
I'll put my thinking cap on.
Just no nasty surprises please.

7. Look after my health – eat well, sleep well, play well
Well I think this month was quite balanced, apart from you keeping me awake Alice!

8. Visit my brother
At some point! 
He'll have forgotten what you look like.
No chance.  We're friends on Facebook.

9. Visit the beach
We're off to the South of France for a few days next month so this one will get done then!
Ooooo goodie a trip away.
I haven't decided if you're coming yet Alice.

10. Complete my reading challenge (52 books for the year)
Well this is one I know you'll get through.
Well I hope so.  I'm still on track, ahead of shedule in fact and April was a good month.
I read:

A Widow for One Year - John Irving.  4/5

Liar Liar - M.J. Arlidge 3/5

Where the light gets in - Lucy Dillon 4/5 

Still Me - Jojo Moyes  4/5

My dear I wanted to tell you - Louisa Young 4/5

Accidental Heroes - Danielle Steele 3/5

The Fallen - David Baldacci 3/5 

End Game - David Baldacci 3/5

As always, details and reviews can be found on my Goodreads site.

11. Keep a journal
Well this still needs work but I can see slight improvement.
Thanks Alice.

12. Blog at least once per week (plus regular memes)
Well I nearly managed every day thanks to the A-Z challenge but some of my regular memes got missed some weeks.
A good effort!

13. Organise/Take more photos
Hmm that pile of photos and albums behind the sofa are gathering dust!
Alice do you have to reveal so many of my secrets?

14. Update my clothes/accessories/make up etc regularly
I've pinned up the trousers that need shortening!
Yes and they've been sitting on the sewing machine for over a week now.

15. Do more crafting – move the sewing machine!
Shall we say "No comment" on this one?
Well I guess that's better than a sarcastic comment from you Alice.

16. Try out a new recipe or do a bake each week
I really don't think that all these Hello Fresh meals count for this Wendy!
 
17. Visit/see Grandson Noah every month
We missed him in April.  But we'll see him soon as it's his first birthday this month!
Maybe if you spent less time drooling over his photos on Lifecake you'd get more done?
But I miss him Alice!

18. Make progress on the house plan
Woo hoo.  Roof works done.  Now on to the works that need doing in the kitchen.
You mean more banging and crashing?  It was very scary when those men were on the roof!

19. Lose 19 pounds  Did you even get on the scales this month Wendy?
Umm it seemed a bit pointless when I knew I wouldn't like what they registered.
Yep time for walkies!
I'm not a dog Alice.
Maybe you should get one.
Now that's the best thing you've said all day.

 

Weekend Round up 31/8/15

August?  It felt more like November today.  Wet and chilly.  Typical bank holiday weather really.  But the whole weekend has been pretty damp and dismal.

After a restful week away the weekend has been busier.  On Saturday I went shopping with my daughter in central London.  Not my idea of fun but she needed to get her shoes and underwear for the wedding.  Her dress has arrived so she needs to arrange her first fitting.  Hence the need for shoes and underwear.  She managed to get both sorted.  And we managed to fit in lunch so it was nice to have 1:1 time with her.  Once done I carried on looking around for a wedding outfit.  I saw a few things but nothing that leapt out at me so the search continues.

Yesterday I spent much of the day working in the front garden getting it weed free before next week's jumble trail.  We also checked out what we have in the loft and started sorting out books and other stuff we can put out for sale.

Today we met some friends for brunch and then continued sorting stuff.  We have So Much Stuff!  Hopefully some of it will get sold and what doesn't will need to be disposed of one way or another.  I'm determined that whatever is left does not get put back into the house.  My lounge might look a bit messy for a while!

I am getting much better at not hanging on to things though and it's obviously rubbing off on hubby - he's not only sorted out some CDs to go but also some records!  I never thought that would happen.

I don't think my house will ever look minimalist but hopefully we will be able to see the walls from the clutter.

Saturday Summary

Well I decided to do a round up of the week and initially I was feeling quite down about it as another week has passed and not much has been achieved in the house.  But then I stopped myself and remembered that I'm supposed to be positive and focus on what I have done.

Firstly this is my third blog this week which is an achievement in itself based on recent weeks, especially as there was no Hodgepodge this week to keep me motivated.  I even managed to think of a topic on Friday that I may try and make a habit of.  (Friday Five News Stories.)  This gave me something different to think about rather than my routine logs of my days.

My days were fairly routine this week but that enabled me to keep on top of chores.  I did meet up with some old work colleagues on Tuesday evening.  Two of them are a married couple who are currently teaching out in Zambia but were home to visit family and friends.  It was good to be able to catch up with them.

I visited my sister-in-law on Wednesday and did some ironing for her.  This is something she'll struggle with for a while but she is doing so much better than she was.  I've also managed to do a few walks and today I've spent time with hubby.

I even picked up my knitting this week.  I'm just knitting squares for a blanket at the moment but every square helps!  I've joined an online reading group and I've read this month's book.  (The Other Child by Lucy Atkins.  Can't review yet as we're supposed to wait until the 18th to give everyone a chance to finish it.)

The main achievement though has to be sticking fairly well to phase one of the South Beach diet.  Phase one is quite hard as you're not supposed to have any fruit, no carbs, no alcohol and caffeine free drinks.  On the first day I did have decaffeinated tea all day but I had a terrible headache by the end of it.  I don't know if there was a link there but I switched back to ordinary tea after that and I've been fine.  I've also had some strawberries because we already had them and I couldn't bear to see them waste.  I've also had two small glasses of wine.  Other than that I've been fairly good, even passing up our regular Friday evening take away.

This phase is supposed to be done for two weeks so only 8 days to go.  I wanted to try and shift some weight before our holiday with our extended family as that's bound to involve lots of nice food and not much exercise.  Although I think I will just have to try and motivate myself to get out and walk more this year and not over indulge on the cakes etc. 

For any of you out there who struggle with keeping your weight down you could be forgiven for looking at pics of me and thinking why all the fuss?  I'm not exactly fat but the weight has been creeping on gradually for a while now and I decided it was time it had to stop. There's also the minor incentive of having to find a wedding outfit to fit.

Hmm actually, reading back over this it wasn't such a bad week after all!

Weekend roundup of the week! 2/8/15

Well we've started a new month and I failed miserably with the goals I set myself for July.  However, in my defence, taking care of my sister-in-law and falling flat on my face did rather disrupt my routines.

This week I have managed to walk most days.  I spent a day with my sister-in-law on Monday.  On Tuesday I had lunch with my "Ladies" and on Thursday I managed to do a bit of gardening.  Friday I did some errands plus some shopping and spent the evening catching up with my eldest son who was here for the weekend.  

Yesterday we went to look at 3 properties for my daughter as she and her partner are away at a wedding.  They had stopped looking for a new place while they were getting the wedding organised but now they seem to be house hunting again.  The trouble is sellers often arrange open days for viewings rather than letting prospective buyers make an appointment.  Property is changing hands very quickly still in London so when a house comes on the market you have to get in quickly.

The first two we looked at were not suitable.  One was billed as a two bedroom flat but the second bedroom didn't even have enough room for a double bed.  The other one was a first floor flat with a shared garden but access to the garden was via the front door and then around the side of the house.  No direct access once inside the flat.  It was also quite small.

The third property was definitely the best of the three but this was on a sealed bid sale with offers due in by tomorrow.  Without having seen it themselves it would be silly making an offer and I didn't think it was worth rushing into.  So the search goes on.

Today I've been to Mass and then cooked dinner for my son and me.  Hubby went to work so that he's not under so much pressure tomorrow for a deadline he has to meet on Tuesday,  He didn't work very late though and we've just got back from a walk on the common.  We were going to stop off at one of our local pubs on the way back.  It's a nice pub in a really lovely location, overlooking the common but the management is useless.  There never seem to be enough staff on duty.  Tonight their coffee machine was broken and it was karaoke night.  With only instant coffee available via a kettle we decided to carry on for home and put our own kettle on!

Update, Saturday 8/9/12

A quick update!   

The electrician came on Thursday but couldn’t locate the problem immediately and wasn’t able to spend a lot of time on searching – promised to come back on Friday to sort it out.  So I managed to use various extension leads to enable the kettle to be boiled, the TV to work and the internet to be connected.  Had to disable the catch on the cat flap so that all and sundry could get in but we didn’t seem to have any unwanted visitors overnight.   

He came back on Friday as promised and located the fault which was on one of the kitchen sockets.  Unfortunately he wasn’t able to reconnect the socket without major disruption to the floor or the walls so we opted to remove it.  When I have the work we’re planning for the kitchen done we will be moving and adding to the sockets we have so it’s not a major problem.   

However the 3 trips home and back during work time meant my work schedule was disrupted so I left work on Friday feeling quite frazzled, especially as we are experiencing a mini heatwave here at the moment.  My office has a lovely sunny outlook but it’s not conducive to sitting for too long at the computer which is what I need to be doing right now.  Well not literally right now – it’s Saturday!  And I am being lazy.   

Have managed to catch up with Michael during the week – he’s fine, back in Vermont and settling into his volunteer placement.  Matt’s girlfriend Amy is here this weekend which is nice as we haven’t seen her for a while with holidays etc.  She is just about to start her teacher training course.   

Rebecca has also had power problems this week – but external failures so the power company have had to resolve them.  When I spoke to her earlier she was in the middle of her second power cut – not good when you’re off to a ball later and need to dry and straighten your hair!  Fortunately while we were talking the power was restored.  Just hope they’ve fixed it properly this time.  Ok, off to do some chores now.

PS - Guess what?  When I rang the foot clinic as instructed by letter to get an appointment I just got the answerphone again telling me that if I was ringing as an existing client to make an appointment, to leave my details and they would post one to me!  Why can't they just post it out in the first place!  I'm looking forward to being able to provide feedback on their service ;)