Watching paint dry

I woke up feeling decidedly crappy. Very frustrating when the weather was so nice.

After walking the Baby Sprocker and doing maid duty, I thought I’d rest up. But I didn’t want to waste the good weather. So I painted the side fence and shed. As you do!

My theory was that it doesn’t take that much effort to paint… It’s not that physical, right?!

It took a lot longer than I though. I’m definitely not firing on all cylinders. Even Bert got bored of watching paint dry and took himself off for a nap. I think I should have joined him.

Still I’m very pleased with the result. And neither of us ended up covered in paint!

Breathing space

Today has been one of those days where I took time out for me. That didn’t mean I neglected my animals of course. It just meant that I knew I needed to take a bit of time to recharge my batteries too.

I took Bert out for a walk in the sunshine this morning. He met a deer for the first time. I say met, dear Bambi was a bit startled when the Baby Sprocker came bounding over to say hello. Thankfully one of them had pretty good recall (eventually). I’ll let you guess which one.

When I got back, even though there were a million and one things I could do, I sat in the conservatory and listened to a podcast. Now it’s warming up, the conservatory is a blissful place to be. The kittens joined me and Bert so it was almost a full house.

After Puppy College and coffee with a friend, it was the Oversized Labrador’s turn to run rings round me. Literally!

One paper, it might look like I didn’t really do much. But I did what I needed to do. And that’s what counts…

Day of rest

My get up and go, clearly got up without me this morning. By the time I crawled out of bed, I was feeling rather unmotivated. Cut myself some slack. After all, it is the ‘day of rest’. Whatever that is!!

I found the warm spot in the conservatory and sat roasting myself there for a few hours. Catching up on some online learning.

Then headed to the yard to take Buddy out for a leg stretch. It was a very sedate affair. Even if the wind was swirling about a bit.

I’ve got a busy few weeks coming up. So made the most of the day. Even though it feels like I wasted the day in some ways. I need to take a leaf out of my animals books. The kittens are pros at self-care. So is Buddy in his own way. One day I’ll crack it… till then, I’m being kind to myself.

Human beings

Today was one of those days where I felt torn between doing and being. So I did a mix of both.

I sat on the patio in the glorious sunshine. Having breakfast, journaling and topping up my Vitamin D. It felt so good to just be. To fill my lungs with air and empty my head onto the pages. I even practiced observing my garden, without making a mental note of the things that need to be done. That is very hard for me.

As I was on a writing roll, I drafted the latest newsletter for Carleton Riding Club. An easy bit of doing.

Even easier was taking Buddy out for another long hack. We did the same ride as yesterday – but in reverse. Well you’d think Buddy had never been out before! He was very confused by it all.

As I rode along, I remembered this saying. We are human beings not human doings.

I’ve got a busy period coming up, with lots of doing. So glad I took the change to focus on being. For a change.

Rest

Spontaneous trip to Suffolk. Was going to come down tomorrow. But Simon suggested I come down tonight as well. He didn’t need to ask me twice!

Bailey was very happy to see me. So lucky to be greeted with such joy every time I visit.

We may have been slightly invested in Come Dine with Me. Wow, people really have no filters. Karma won as the most opinionated person came last. Made us all laugh.

Waking up

This is a sight that always makes me smile. The first signs of Mother Nature waking up. Snowdrops are such cheery little flowers. They almost look like they’re smiling too.

I’ve noticed that I have little signs that get me through Winter. This is definitely one of them. Winter is a time to rest, restore and rejuvenate. So that we can Spring into action. Not sure I’ve done that much resting so far. I’ve done a lot of driving. I know that.

Still the nights are drawing out. We’ve made it through the 600 days of January. But I’m not counting any chickens just yet.

Spring is my favourite season by far. It’s a season of new beginnings. I find it a very hopeful time.

Sickbay

It’s been a while since I’ve been in the sanatorium. It was exactly what I needed. And I’m feeling the benefits from it.

I napped, I listened to podcasts, I caught up on some training, I rested, I was fed when a friend popped round with food. And after watching Lightyear yesterday, I watched Toy Story and Toy Story 2.

Part of me feels like I’ve wasted the day. The other part knows it was the right thing to do.

I’m feeling better in myself. And that’s what counts.

Escape

And rest…. Today I slept in. I lounged about. I caught up with friends. I did the things that fill my soul. I took Buddy out for a long hack. I let the air fill my lungs. I felt the cold on my face. I admired the changing view as the leaves turn.

I came home. I ate good food. I rested. It’s not often that I do that. But after a week of little sleep, even less food and a lot of rushing about – it was very much needed.

Setting sun

Today I’ve rested, I’ve cried and I’ve spent as much time as I can outdoors. Today was about me. The past week and yet more parental angst finally caught up with me.

I woke up feeling quite discombobulated. I’ve had one night at home in October. Funny how it goes like that. Things that were all planned out perfectly, ended up crashing into each other. Guess that’s life huh?!

After two long dog walks and an even longer hack, I sat in the conservatory with the dogs and watched the sun set on another day. Thinking about all the good in my life. And believe me there’s a lot!!

That’s the thing about life, you get a do over. Tomorrow is another day. It’s my last night in Beighton, so watching Strictly and getting lots of puppy cuddles.

Overgrown

I woke up feeling rather crumpled and pretty snotty. So I decided to have a restful day. But this is me, so it was active rest.

After a well overdue catch up with a good friend this morning, I ran a few errand and pottered in the garden. This corner was rather overgrown with ivy. It was starting to annoy me. Today was the day to clear it. Felt like I was going at snail’s pace though. Honestly, I am my own worst enemy.

It was only after climbing up a ladder and feeling really dizzy, I decided that maybe I should try actually resting instead.

See I’m growing. Even if I am still dizzy and feel like I’ve been punched in the face. Early night for me!