Swimming on Wednesday and there were just 4 people in the pool and no one had booked the fast half so we all spread out and were able to go up and down rather than round and round. I'm aiming to go 3 times a fortnight if possible and if I don't get fed up with driving.
On Thursday it was an early start with a drive over to the coast to collect the nearly 4 year old Eldest Granddaughter and bring her back here for the day (she's had a cold so couldn't go to childminder for a few days). 45 minutes drive there and back twice in a day ...............very glad it's not a regular thing.......I could never be a commuter!
I think we had every game out of the cupboard to play during the day. She's getting very good at numbers and counting, and talks and fidgets non-stop. I spent the evening after getting home again in a state of shock flat out on the settee!
On Friday I saw a man about some tree cutting. Next door neighbours are worried about the Ash tree in the boundary at the bottom of the garden, branches overhang their hot tub and it's so big that if it were to come down sideways it would land on their new timber framed/glass extension (which must have cost them a small fortune). The two damson trees are dropping damsons on their decking and on their driveway - so they are coming down to hedge height too - should mean fewer wasps too. This work will be done in December and will provide me with wood for winter of 2022/23 - that's looking forward a long way, but I've said often that I'll stay here as long as I have wood for the fire and enough energy to carry it into the house.
This week I'm Grateful for
- Being able to help out with grandchildren (as long as it's not too many hours!)
- A long list of jobs that need doing soon, so I'll never be bored.
Just a couple of days off the blog has given me time to prepare some posts for next week, so I will be back Monday with drivel or ramblings of some sort.
Have a happy weekend
Sue
I hope your neighbours are contributing towards the tree work as it seems to be mainly for their benefit.
ReplyDeleteThey've offered to chip in but it's going to benefit me in less worry and wood for the woodburner
DeleteOur grand-daughter is only a baby.So far, but even just going anywhere to help out nowadays, absolutely floors us. Once she is crawling, then the 'fun' will begin. One of the reasons we are reducing the work in our garden.
ReplyDeleteI do feel very old when I look after any of the Grandchildren!
DeleteNot sure I could have managed to look after my 4yr old if I'd got the driving there and back as well (and half of that with a chatty child in the car seat) but I'm sure her parents were so grateful for your support, and she will have loved precious grandma-time.
ReplyDeleteI admire your weeks with Rosie - one day is all I can mange
DeleteThat gladdie looks as though it was determined to make up for the failings of its brothers and sisters. It's glorious!
ReplyDeleteThere should be 12 like this - too dry again
DeleteDon't know what happened to our gladioli. I always lift them out over winter but last year when I put them back in they just disappeared. I think in some soils you have to get new ones every few years.
ReplyDeleteI've been told we are one of the only countries where we expect a garden once planted to go on for years. Many places it is normal to have to have new stuff each year
DeleteI look forward to your ramblings. I think the blogs I enjoy the most are about ordinary, mundane, everyday things.
ReplyDeleteThank you........I think that's a compliment!
DeleteWe are with Leslie on that. It is life affirming to know thzt people out there live 'normal' lives that aren't all about acquiring the newest, being the first, or having greatest and most exciting time that anyone anywhere is having.
ReplyDeleteVery normal here - hopefully Not boring
DeleteYou sound to have enough jobs to last last you through the Winter Sue - still if we are going to be isolated we want plenty to do.
ReplyDeleteI want to be prepared for whatever the winter throws at me
Deletewe are enjoying the granddaughters that we now live close to. 20 minute drive now that was 9-10 hours before! They will be here tomorrow for lunch and the afternoon so daughter and hubby can have a date. We had them on Thursday too so Emily could go to the office for a change. It's fun and exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you moved - good to be close
Deleteyour blog is one of my favourites, it's certainly not drivel xx
ReplyDeleteThat's good on both counts
DeleteI fetched 2 of my grandchildren over for a few hours one day last week - this was after I'd spent time with them at a cafe (for fish & chips) plus a walk around the top of Kit Hill nearby. The 14 y o boy is no trouble (he made cappuccinos for me and himself and a hot chocolate for his sister) but oh boy my 9 y o granddaughter is never still - and never quiet. After driving them home, I sat (collapsed) into an armchair and slept for an hour. If I'd lay on my bed, I'd have slept for much longer, I'm sure. My d-i-l keeps dropping broad hints about me having them for a long weekend . . . . .
ReplyDeleteOh dear - I was hoping that by 9 years old things would be calmer
DeleteLoved the colour of the gladioli, it looked good in the glass vase. Last Saturday my youngest son and four year old Granddaughter came round, after lunch we went for a long walk looking for Bramley apples and blackberries(a very fruitful walk) then onto the play park before coming home to tea. When they went at seven I slept in the chair for four hours, then from eleven till eight in bed. This week I said no to walking with them after a busy week, I’m exhausted, I think my seventy two years are catching up with me!
ReplyDeleteThere should be 12 gladioli like this - too dry I guess.
DeleteIt rained nearly all day that Granddaughter was here so we didn't even get outside.
Still not heard from our joint acquaintance since April.
That is a long drive to pick up your granddaughter! It is wonderful for the two of you to have time together though. One on one time with a grandchild is good for you both. I used to keep my two grandchildren every other weekend and it gave us a much closer relationship. I was in my 50's back then so I had a little more energy, but they still wore me out!
ReplyDeleteIt's not even that many miles but the roads are all twisty and lots of 30MPH limits through towns and villages so takes an age
DeleteLove it!! Yes, it's exhausting, but in a good way, Sue. We (90% me!) have Miss 2y7m every Monday, and pick Mr 5y4m up after school Mondays and Tuesdays. We had them both Friday afternoon, overnight (getting her to GoToSleep was a nightmare and she was in our bed from 3.30am!!) and for most of yesterday ... so the collapse afterwards was pretty complete!
ReplyDeleteToday is a Quiet Day - it's Father's Day here, so we will go to them for dinner tonight. And, then, I'll have her on Monday! I'm not yet 68, so I have plenty of energy... and she keeps me young or so I tell myself.
If Colin was still alive I know he would have loved to have had all the grandchildren here more often.
DeleteHope you had a good dinner out
Oh, I had to laugh about your "state of shock flat out on the settee" - I SO identify with that :))
ReplyDeleteI didn't do much once I got home that's for sure
DeleteLaughing at you being in a state of shock at the end of your child minding session. I can definitely relate to that. Sienna is a little live wire as well and I'm absolutely convinced it's a girl thing. I bought a bunch of gladioli last week. They're a lovely flower. xx
ReplyDeleteI am glad you were able to watch one of your grandchildren for a few days. Sad she was sick but hopefully she is much better. Sometimes a parent stays home with them when sick. We are getting our gutters on house replaced later this month, which is a good thing. Many holes in them and that won't go well after this house has been painted this summer. Painters actually put tape on spots that had holes then painted over them. They even painted the gutters. Will have a different color for house ones (colonial grey) compared to garage ones, but don't need them paint fig cluster (purple) again. Need to save money. Have a blessed week!!! -BeckyL
ReplyDelete