This and That For This Sunday

The school crossing gear has been resurrected from its storage place, and is stacked in the car, ready for my first day back after about 8 weeks. Just remembered this morning to check that my boots, shoes and thick socks were ready to go as well. The weather's looking okay, as I ease myself back in; the minimums aren't too low. 

I've had the sewing machine set up for a couple of weeks now. The first task was to shorten the straps on this bag. I think it's going to be my day bag for overseas day trips. After much searching I found it at "Bed, Bath and Table" - has a zipper for closing, and is extra, extra light. The shape isn't perfect, but once its full of things it should be okay. 

Last time I had the green check bag which was absolutely perfect, except it couldn't be closed. It was extremely light, the right size and shape to fit in a multitude of disparate things - handbag, layers, water bottle, packed food etc. Because of my body shape, and age, it's impossible for me to use a back pack. There was no zipper to keep it shut, when required; I had to use extra strong clips which were always going missing... 

I've made a couple of small pillow cases, and now I'm working on some hankies, about 2 a day. I've bought some more flannelette fabric to make some more full size pillowcases. 

Today, we did a favourite Sunday outing to pick up some small items and paper.  I'm sure you can guess where this is.

Only Just Remembered

I've only just remembered that I post on Wednesdays. The day got away from me - we have a catchup with the travel agent tomorrow. I spent a bit of time going through bits of paper I've been collecting from here, there and everywhere, writing notes of questions to ask and looking through the itinerary. Lots of fun, but I forgot about posting. Tomorrow, we're also out for an afternoon coffee at Proudfoots Boathouse; if the weather is anything like today, it'll be glorious sitting there with good company. 

So, I'm enjoying the last few days of sick leave, and enjoying the flexibility to make catchup arrangements. Back to the inflexibility of school crossing hours next Monday; all shall be well...

This and That

I've finally finished a book; it took several days even though it was a feel good, easy book to read (kind off). It's the third in a series of recently published books, but the writing style does take a bit of getting used to. There are two stories running parallel, which I generally object to - I mean if you've got a story to write, write the story, and write the parallel story in another book... Anyway, once I got used to it, it was a very nice read. I'd tried the first in the series from the library, and I liked it so much, I went into Collins Booksellers and bought all three. 

The computer tech person came on Thursday and spent a good hour or more fixing up little bugbears on my laptop, and connectivity issues with the new modem. I'd done most of the connectivity to the various devices, but the receiver into the house was beyond my capabilities. We talked about the NBN, yet again... A problem for another day. Our DVD player no longer plays DVD's - good for recording and playback - so I'd bought a little DVD player to connect to the laptop. Brad got that program installed and I'm all good to go with the DVD series I received at Christmas. 

A Little Outing

We had a big outing yesterday; an early start for a run to Geelong for a dental appointment. I had a sedative anaesthetic, but it was a short, easy procedure, so we were on the road back to Warrnambool by 1.30pm. I was sleepy yesterday, but I'm feeling bright and shiny today, with a pretty positive outlook after the tensions of the last few weeks. 

I even did a little cleaning job today, one that only comes along every 6 weeks. Nothing heavy, just a bit of dusting to get my desks sorted out and clean for the next 6 weeks. 

After that, I was at a lose end, so ventured forth on a little outing to Spotlight, for myself. Bought some nice flannelette to make some new hankies, and a couple of pillowcases for my bed, to give it fresh look. My old hankies are pretty thin after being used continually for the last couple of years, and I've now been cutting them in half to use as pads on a couple of wounds (still healing after the surgery). The supply is getting low. Jim will have to set the sewing machine up for me - too heavy to lift from its storage place.

I'm trying to make a fresh start on my walking routine, now, as well. Making the effort to get moving, regularly, so I can build my fitness back up. No weights for another couple of weeks yet. 

Struggling to Read

Yes, I'm struggling to read at the moment.  Just can't concentrate. I'll read about 6 to 8 pages, and I just can't be bothered to learn and remember the characters, and who's who. And these are books in a series of familar authors and plot lines. I'll watch a couple of TV episodes, and then try reading again - to no avail. Last night I finished watching the final in the "Patience" TV Series (a wonderfully satisfying conclusion, with a teaser at the end to know another series is going to be made).

I couldn't face reading so I spent a pleasant hour online seaching for things to do in and around Helsinki, on the couple of free days we have there, in September. 

All went well at Bette's funeral. It was a lovely service, and arrangements regarding the refreshments afterwards went smoothly. Mostly everyone donned their aprons and pink shoes and sallied forth to serve food, collect dishes, and wash and wipe. Jim and I finished up with the floors, and returning the church to normal, after everyone left; we were exhausted, but happy to know that Bette is safe in the arms of Jesus, and I'll be joining her some day. 

Not All Sweetness and Light

It hasn't all been sweetness and light getting over my recent surgery.  Only three weeks but it feels like forever. I've had a couple of complications which have necessitated extra appointments, but both are being resolved satisfactorily with a bit of extra TLC. Now at the end of today, I'm feeling the best I've felt for a week... May it continue..

The weather has turned nasty - cold, blustery and rainy - Jim and I are needing to wear our beanies around the house, and back and forwards to and from the office. 

Tomorrow we get the church and hall set up for the funeral, and I pick up the flower arrangments for the altar. Guild was meeting this afternoon - about half are going to be away on Friday, so the rest of us are just going to have to muck in, and get the lunch served and cleaned up as best we can. 

   

Unusual Week

With the funeral of our esteemed Bette coming up on Friday, we have a busy and unusual week ahead of us as we try and juggle logistics of who's doing what and when. One of the drawbacks of not having a pastor in situ, who would normally liase with the family, the funeral parlour, the musician etc. All shall be well.

Yesterday, the large windows across the front of the house were washed down, ready for winter. Thank you, Jim!

Wrecked

By the end of yesterday we were both wrecked... Jim drove to a funeral, three hours away, and then three hours back. I dealt with the NBN that went nowhere - after 20 minutes they left with a flea in their ears, and unlikely to return anytime soon. I spent the rest of the day on the phone - texts and calls - sorting out details of an upcoming funeral here at the church. Made a welfare visit to an older friend, and then a podiatrist appointment, so all in all a busy day.  Then we were out for a pub meal for a birthday...

 

A Stressful Day

A stressful day coming up tomorrow, for sure. The NBN is coming onto the property to do an upgrade and install cabling, outside utility box and inside connection box. Can they do it?? That is the question...  The office where the modem and computers are is way down in our backyard, and I cannot understand how it could be doable with concreting, walls, roofing etc between the street and the office. We shall see. 

I'm confined to the property as well, to be on hand to make decisions, which is fair enough, but I feel like I'm too old now to understand these complex arrangements, especially with fixed infrastructure. And no-one on hand for back up... 

 

A Bit of Light Weight Day

All things considered, it's been a bit of a slow, light day. The service this morning waas centred on solace and consolation, after the tumults of the last 12 months in the congregation. The theme was especially apt, considering it was Good Shepherd Sunday. A member is very ill, and is receiving "end of life" care, while she waits for the good shepherd to receive her into Heaven. 

After a couple of emails and messages were sorted, and a light lunch, we ventured forth to consider a couple of small jobs at the church. We decided not to proceed in case there was a funeral this week, so ended up at Officeworks for a wander and a little shop. 

The day's been glorious again, in a row of such days; normally by now I'm in my winter weight polo shirts, but summer ones are still the order of the day. 

Another tricky week coming up, what with one thing and another - it's hard not to get stuck into things around the house.  I'm still on LIGHT duties!  And definitely no school crossing duty as yet!