Week 46 - new stuff

I have given the blog this week the title of "new stuff". It would be misleading to suggest that this week was particularly unusual...I do get a lot of stuff online and then delivered in any normal week. Mark goes to the super market on a Tuesday night and gets all the groceries, but anything even like toiletries, shampoo or whatever I get online now. And of course clothes...I haven't bought masses for me, but I do buy stuff. The girls always seem to need some thing or other, pants, jeans, new jumpers. I rarely get stuff for Mark. I mean, when he gets a new item of clothing, it is usually me buying it, but he so rarely wants a new thing. Last week though we were watching some silly clothing thing on the iPlayer. There was a chap in a slim fit roll neck and I thought it was just the kind of thing that would look good on Mark. He works all day in the workshop and it can be chilly in there (even with the underfloor heating). I thought it would be flattering, good for layering and smart also. Now that everyone has been working from home so long, the idea of smart has changed. Smart - comfortable is about the peak of smart these days and I think a nice fitting but cosy roll-neck is smart-comfortable. Anyway, I found a tall fitting one I liked and ordered it. I thought it looked lovely, and he was very happy not to take it off after trying it on, so that must be success.  

On Tuesday morning I decided I would try a run for my 7:30am exercise. It's the first time I have felt that it was light enough outside for running at this time. I did a couple of laps of the park and then had a bit of a cool down walk up to the clock tower and around.

Wednesday was a busy day workwise and I ended up with a meeting scheduled across lunchtime so I couldn't get out. Mark was also mired in work, so I suggested to the girls that they go walk together. They weren't keen at lunch, but when Woo had finished her school work, they both went off together.

It was lovely to see them coming back, talking so animatedly together. They must have had a great time and enjoyed each other's company as they then decided to do some poetry reading together.

After tea we got a recital from each of them. Bunnykins chose a sonnet from Macbeth. And Woo went for Sea-Fever which she connected strongly with her longing to go surfing. They were both confident and enjoyable performances.

Oh, so back to the theme of new stuff...my cushions for the outdoor space arrived on Wednesday. I was very excited to see them in situ but was too busy to even unwrap them. I really like the colour and pattern, though I did think that they might stain easily and I should have gone for a dark floral, but hey. They do have zips to allow you to wash them. Anyway, I digress...

It was of course games night. We played a couple of hands of sevens, but then decided to go for something different and played Happy Families. We have a set of cards that are themed with Roald Dahl books. Bunnykins played a blinder to start off. Mark had asked her for one of her BFG cards, then another. At this she broke into wails about how she now wouldn't be able to get them back because she didn't have any BFG cards left. Given this was our first hand and that Bunnykins can get emotional, this seemed entirely in keeping. So I calmed her down and said that she should have kept quiet because if Daddy had asked her for a third card, she wouldn't have had it - but it would have then been her turn (we were playing the version where the turn passes to the person who has been asked for a card but doesn't have it, not where you go round in turn). She looked saddened by this realisation and the play continued with Mark asking me for something and then it was my turn. After a short time it was then Bunnykin's turn to ask. She turned to Mark with a grin and asked for each of the 3 BFG cards that he held. 😂 So originally she had had 3 BFG cards and had clearly put on such a convincing performance we were all stunned! 

It was really fun (not that these photos do that justice). The girls are really good at the memory skills that are required. Each time a questioner failed (i.e. asked someone for a card they didn't have) if there was then a penny drop moment as to who actually did have the card, there would be theatrical eyebrow raises and "oh dears!" as the implications of who would get to ask were assessed. We played the game quite a bit a few years ago and the girls showed an aptitude then, I think it will be a Wednesday night favourite.

On Thursday I had to start early to make sure that I was ready for a big meeting with Danish client. When it came to lunch time, I didn't have meetings before and after (which I normally do), so I was able to be a bit more relaxed about how long we took. So too was Woo. She normally has to dash back to start lessons at 13:45, but it was PE after lunch, so taking a longer walk didn't seem like a bad thing. The weather was pretty damp, but we had our umbrellas and it meant the park was quieter so all round it seemed a good thing. 

We had a good march around, then went to get a hot drink and to take one back to Mark. Woo was doing her special Totoro umbrella walk, which Bunnykins then joined with. 

When we got back, Bunnykins got on with some baking. She was very independent again. Mark obviously works next to the kitchen, but the only interaction he had was when she needed help opening a jar. 

I managed to finish on time, which was good because Woo had an options information evening. We had got the tea in the slow cooker earlier. Bunnykins helped me serve up the food for everyone, then Woo, Mark, and I sat watching the presentation. 

Bunnykins was happy to eat on her own and listen to her music. She came in to tidy away the dishes and to bring us the freshly made jam tarts - which were yummy. 

The presentation was useful and clarified quite a bit about the process. We still had some questions, so I left Mark and Woo to get those answered on the live Q&A session and I went up to join Ben. 

Ben has been preparing for an interview that is coming up to hopefully do a Masters in Music Therapy. He had been getting a bit stuck with some of the pieces he had to prepare (they do require and test for a certain level of musical ability), so tbh we spent most of the time going over his performance piece choices and looking for other suitable choices. It was useful, and by the time we finished we had two good options that should showcase his talent and passion for music. So we then just played Feeling Good for a little while, which I find personally quite a therapeutic piece. I can really get into the feel of that song. I am no Nina Simone, but when I sing it, I feel all sorts: the slowing down and mindfulness, the simplicity of happiness, but also its complexity. That you can feel good and be in a somber and slow and serious mood. And on top of that, the chords are pretty easy and it's not tricky to play. The main difficulty is playing it slow enough to get the right mood and feel. 

I started Friday with some yoga, then got dressed for the day. 

I was able to spend the morning on one thing without too much interruption. I was writing an article about Internal Carbon Pricing. It was really nice to just get stuck into something that I could do on my own and to be able to focus and get into a flow.

Mark went off for a run with Jason at lunch. The girls and I had lunch and a quick march around the park, then I was back to work. I had a client call regarding a potential project. There were six of us on the call, one was the project manager who was a single parent with a 4yr old and a 7yr old at home. We started talking about home schooling while we were waiting for everyone to join, we had a good rapport already. So, my heart broke for her when as she had to start presenting her element you could hear hell breaking loose in the blurred out background. She excused and muted herself briefly to offer some instruction to her children, but after a minute she was then hit in the back of the head by a ball. At this point she calmly handed over to a colleague and went on mute with video turned off, while one can only imagine what she was yelling at the kids. It did put into start focus how lucky I am with how independent the girls are. 

My eyes were getting really sore and dry by the early afternoon, I needed a break and my standing desk gizmo had arrived. Mark helped me get it set up. The idea is it can sit on my desk, and has a lever to allow you to go between sitting and standing heights. I love my desk. It's a gingham effect 50s kitchen table that was in Mark's family. I don't want to get rid of it and we have no room to put it elsewhere, so this gadget that just sits on top of the desk is perfect. 

Because I wanted to test out the new cushions, I had suggested that we ate out on Friday. The request was for Fun-du. I went and got everything set up. It's not so easy to see how they look in the dark, but I think they look great and they are really comfy. 

We had another lovely evening out.

We also tried the marsh mellow toasting kit that the Pattons had sent us for Christmas. It had a gel fuel burner with it. We brought out some chocolate biscuits for smores.

On Saturday, Mark made us pancakes (with Bacon for me and Woo). Then we all got on with various things. Another delivery arrived, which was some pot plants. It is a bit of an early valentines gift to each other. I had chosen a plant for Mark to have on his desk and it had been his idea to get me a pot plant for valentines, which I thought was a great idea, but he preferred me to choose - which was fine. 

I chose two for my study as one was reduced and came in the cute little pot with feet.

Mark typically makes us ramen for Saturday lunch. Bunnykins was enjoying some pickles in hers (not sure it's traditional...).

After lunch we went out for a walk. It was a lovely afternoon, really bright. 

So much so that I put on my shades much to the consternation of the girls. But my eye was still so dry and sore that I did need it. And I thought I looked cool....😂😎

We got back and I had a quick shower before having a call with Hannah. This was one from which children were excluded. We had a bottle of prosecco each and some snacks. I had a couple of coats that I had ordered to try and I showed those and we chatted about shopping and all sorts. It was just like being back at the Duck and Willow. 

I even got a burger delivered to me.

So it was just like being at the happy place! Well not quite like it...Hannah didn't get any food delivered for one 😞, but we also had another thing happen which has never been a feature of our going to the pub.... Hannah and I were talking (I was probably about 3/4 of the way through the prosecco also) when we could both hear Woo coming down the corridor making a horrible choking noise. I jumped up and opened the door and there was Woo unable to breathe, looking a state. I immediately grabbed her and got behind her. I leant her over and smacked her on the back then went to Heimlich. She gasped and said she was OK. The door is directly in my webcam view so Hannah had been watching all this at close range. So I then quickly reassured Hannah who was pretty fraught by it. Then sat down with Woo on my knee for us all to calm down! 

Woo had inhaled her saliva, which is a bit odd, but she was clearly struggling and while her life may not really have been in danger, I was glad she came in and glad that even with so much prosecco that I was able to respond appropriately. 

Woo was dispatched once she settled down. But then we had M join us a little while as it was getting time for tea and Hannah had a couple of hungry people she needed to sort. I really hope we can do it again soon. 

On Sunday, Mark normally is off for a run, but Jason couldn't make this weekend. Instead we all had breakfast together, then I got dressed ready to do a mock interview with Ben to get him prepared for the upcoming one he has. He did brilliantly. 🌟

Meanwhile, Woo and Mark went for a nice and muddy 5K trail run and Bunnykins got on with some art work in the workshop. 

I spent some time trying to sort out another photobook, then had a bit of a tidy around the back room before sitting down to read for a while. I realised as I took this picture, just how much I like this skirt. 

I put it on this morning with a big cosy jumper and warm socks, but went for bare legs. I haven't felt cold, being in the house all day. There is something about this outfit that just makes me feel glad and I have been trying to articulate it in my mind since I realised it. I think for one, I associate this skirt with summer and evenings out. I associate it with holidays.

But it is a lovely long length that can keep a chill off on a cool day, or you can wrap up in curled up with a book. It has pockets and is well made and feels luxurious and generous. The fabric is soft to the touch. Then it is a print with colours that clash and mix with other things I have in a way that makes me feel happy. I realise it is one of the things that helps me bring a sense of order and peace to my mind. There is something "just right" about this skirt, that I can get a bit lost in when the rest of the world is a bit too muddled. If that sounds weird...I'm OK with that. 😀

Sometimes the stuff I buy and bring into the house is "stuff", it's clutter that weighs me down with where on earth it has to go or worrying about waste and frivolousness. Sometimes the stuff is about bringing order and completing a section of the endless jigsaw puzzles in my head. This week's stuff has been the latter. The cushions, the plants, a jumper that works well for Mark. So, it is just stuff, but a small highlight to my week nonetheless.