This Weekend

After recently complaining about how much I needed to catch up with things at home, this weekend I've made definite inroads into the backlog.

I didn't book my usual class at the gym for two reasons, one being that I've not been enjoying the class quite as much recently, so am giving myself a break from it.  The second reason is, that I was planning on going to a local hospice Christmas Bazaar, but I didn't end up going to that either.

It wasn't because I don't want to support a good cause, but I figured that charity needed to start at home this weekend, as the house desperately needed some TLC.  In addition, I figured that I would probably buy lots of books and other stuff that I don't really need. (Albeit at very good prices with the proceeds going to charity) When push came to shove,  I just stayed home and did some domestic chores instead.

I started by changing the bed linen which was overdue.  Then I cleaned the bathroom and downstairs toilet, followed by hoovering and mopping through the house.  I also sorted out a couple of small things that I've been meaning to do or put away for a while. It's often these little things that you just don't get around to doing during the week, that cause a clutter pile to accumulate, which eventually gets so big that it begins to impede your daily life.

It felt good to get  these things done and I feel like I've reclaimed my home and my life a little and restored a bit of balance.

On Saturday afternoon OH and I headed off to the local mall to look at small laptops, as he's buying me a new one for Christmas.  This is mainly because he wants to reclaim his spare work laptop from me, as I am a little heavy handed when typing (a consequence of learning to type on a proper typewriter many years ago) and the buttons get depressed a little too heavily, which in the end damages the keyboard, sometimes fatally.  He's hoping to prolong the life of the one I am currently using, by removing it from my clutches. I don't blame him really.

I must say that I don't mind having a new one all to myself, and a smaller one at that, as it will make life much easier when travelling. The one I currently use is large and heavy and quite cumbersome. I'm not an iPad type of girl really and prefer to use a keyboard rather than a touch screen, so small laptop it will be. I'll probably end up with quite an inexpensive one, as the kind of things I use it for don't merit my getting a fancy all singing/dancing one.

Anyway, after visiting the mall, I caught the train on to the CS for the manager's leaving do. It was a pleasant enough evening and it was interesting to meet some of the previous volunteers who had come back to the shop to celebrate with the manager.

I didn't stay too late, as I had to catch a train back across London on my own, on which lots of youngsters were heading out for the night.  It was strange to think how old and boring I am now in comparison. Having said this, I quite enjoy being that way and like nothing more than staying home on a Saturday night.

Sunday, was a very quiet day here. I did the usual dog walk before heading off to the gym. I managed to do all of my weekly shop, rather than as usual finishing it on Monday afternoon, so I will be able to come straight home from the gym today for a change and get on with other things.

The remainder of Sunday, I did some laundry and a little ironing and then cooked us some dinner.  I caught up with watching Strictly from the night before and then had a bath before watching one episode of  The Crown. It was my day for taking it easy.

I'm looking forward to starting a new week feeling a bit more on top of things at home.  It makes such a difference mentally, as it frees me up to focus my attention properly on everything I need to do outside of the house. How's your weekend been?