Sunday Musings

Today, I was all set to go to the gym, then got a call to say the class was cancelled.  As a consequence, I thought I'd sit down and write a blog post.

Little Bird is away this weekend, at a Birthday Camping Party in Kent. We are heading out later today to pick her up.  It's probably a 3 hour round trip, but we'll have an afternoon out.  The camping party is being held in some woodland owned by her friend's parents, which is quite exciting.  We'll take the dog along and probably have a nice walk.

Today, is also the day of the Jumble Trail event, which on account of Little Bird requiring our taxi services, we will be unable to attend or take part in.  It would have been a great opportunity to possibly sell a few things or even to buy a few, but we won't actually be around to do so. In all honesty, I could go and have a wander around for an hour this morning now, before we head off to Kent, but do you know what, I don't think I will.  My house is already still far too full of stuff, I just don't want to add to it.

As I was out walking the dog this morning, I saw the odd stall already set up, but unfortunately, the weather is looking a bit grey and it looks like rain is on its way.  I hope it holds off for participants. At least their stalls will be on their own doorsteps, so they don't have far to go to seek shelter. There appears, from the number of emails I received, (I got one every time someone new signed up) to be over 200 people participating this year, which in a couple of square miles is quite a lot.

Not wanting to bring more things into our house, is a far cry from how I used to think.  Any opportunity to attend a jumble sale, charity shop, table top sale and I was there and would usually come home with some huge haul that had cost only a few pounds.  I was a sucker for recreational shopping, albeit second hand.  That's how I got where I am now.  These days, the only hauling I'm interested in, is hauling things off to the charity shop or to give and take events locally.  How things change!

I do admit to sometimes placing online orders for clothes and other items, that is probably my worst habit these days and one I do need to curtail, but other than this I very rarely go out shopping anymore, unless it's for food or there are specific things I need to get.  I do like to go shopping with Little Bird occasionally, as a mother/daughter outing, but save for this, trips to the mall seem to almost be a thing of the past, save for nearer Christmas when there's shopping for presents to do.

Talking of Christmas, I know it's a bit early to mention this word, but some of us do like to do our shopping early.  This year I seem to be a little behind on buying presents in advance.  I have got a few things stashed away from the January sales, and I have added the odd item here and there, but not nearly so much as in previous years. I think this is because I have been out shopping less and seen less things whilst out and about.

I'm going to try to take extra care this year not to buy presents that are not likely to get used.  I'm sticking to consumables mostly or very practical usable items, preferably natural and ethically sourced, where possible.  Also, several of the children we buy for have got to the age where they would prefer the money or a voucher, to be able to spend it on what they want. I'm happy to go along with this, as it keeps things simple and is often better received than things they didn't actually want.  I think I will be turning my attention more towards this in the next few months, if there's any spare cash, to spread the cost.  (More likely, this will be after the summer holidays, as there will be expense enough before then with a possible holiday and school items to purchase for Little Bird).

Anyway, I'm going to go now and put a few plants outside the house for people to take for free if they want them. Call it garden decluttering if you like.  What are your plans for today?