This week started with my trying something new. I decided to go along to a Qi Gong/Tai Chi class that was being run locally. I'd never done either discipline before and was interested to see if I would like it. I had to cycle there, as it was taking place in a studio in a local park a couple of miles away. Unfortunately, it was raining on Monday morning, so I got a bit wet riding there.
The class itself was interesting in the sense that it was something completely new to me. However, I'm not sure it's for me, to be honest. I enjoyed it well enough, but I'm just not sure I want to go back.
After cycling back home, I got changed and headed out to do the weekly shop. It was a bit of disaster, as heading out so late meant that I got snarled up in lots of traffic and couldn't even get to my usual Lidl store. The traffic was so bad that I took a detour, which was equally as bad, if not worse and I ended up going to a different store instead.
I bumped into an ex-colleague from my old job whilst out shopping, which was unexpected. It was nice to see her, but it made me realise how over that workplace I am. I'm definitely not sorry that I'm not working there this Xmas.
On Tuesday, I'd made sure to book early to get into my usual class at the gym. I enjoyed the class and then on the way home, I stopped off at a local shop to collect a parcel, an item that I had ordered on Vinted. I rarely use Vinted, usually only when I want to find an item that I've seen that I really like, but not in my size and then I try to find it in my size on Vinted in order to purchase it. In this instance, I bought a dress that I already have in a different colour and that I really love and enjoy wearing.
When I got it home, I realised that it was the same size as the one I have. It was listed as a size up, which I was looking forward to, as since putting on some weight the other one has got a little snug. Anyway, it fits and is wearable, but I was a little disappointed. I just need to alter the sleeves, which I did with the original dress when I bought it.
I decided to tackle the ironing basket on Tuesday afternoon. It had gradually been building up again. I only really fill it with towels, tea towels, pillow cases and clothing that gets especially creased when washed. At least in the Autumn/Winter it's not too hot to iron. I always watch a bit of TV as I do it. On this occasion, I decided to watch the Netflix series about Victoria Beckham, which is in 3 parts. I managed to watch all three parts and still didn't finish the ironing, there's still towels to iron, but they shouldn't take too long.
Wednesday morning, I got up and decided to tidy round a bit upstairs, putting away some laundry and other items. I then decided to cut out the wadding for a second gilet. I bought cotton wadding this time and have never used it before, for my quilts I've always used synthetic wadding, old woollen blankets or duvets for wadding. I bought a couple of metres, but could have managed with just one metre. The second metre will come in handy for something, maybe even another gilet or even a jacket at some point. Once I'd cut it out, it was ready for all the layers to be basted together for quilting. I'm looking forward to getting started on this project.
I decided to go for a walk in the afternoon, as it was a lovely day and it was due to rain heavily all Thursday, so I took the chance whilst I could. I went on a slightly different route, which made it a bit more interesting and managed over 8000 steps, which is better than sitting on my bottom.
I also started some online Xmas shopping today, as LB had given me a few ideas of things she wanted for Xmas this year. I ordered a couple of them more or less straight away, seeing as I have the budget set aside.
OH was working on the roof on Wednesday, doing some pointing on the chimneys and replacing a couple of tiles. He's rented a scaffold tower to paint the end of the house, as the scaffolding wasn't put up there. It was due to be delivered later this week. Once this end has been done, it will be finished. I'm looking forward to all the scaffolding coming down, as it does block a lot of light in the kitchen. It will happen eventually, I just need to be patient.
After almost a full year of builders working on neighbours' houses on both sides and OH working on our house and garden, I'm looking forward to things gradually getting back to normal and getting back our privacy and peace. It will be worth the upheaval though, as OH's hard work has transformed both our house and garden at the back.
On Thursday, I returned to the gym. I dropped into a local charity shop on the way home and bought one item of clothing, a sewing pattern and a book which looks like an interesting read.
When I got home, OH's scaffolding tower had been delivered and I got an email from Amazon containing a voucher. Apparently, we'd won a prize for The Keenest Gardeners on our allotment site this year, which was a surprise. They've re-named the prize from being The Best Plot for some reason, not sure why. I'm not complaining anyway. It has been added to OH's Amazon account, seeing as he did most of the gardening.
I did a bit of sewing in the afternoon, starting on another alteration project. It's going okay, but may take a little while. Most of what I did today was unpicking, to be able to proceed with it. I'll post about it in another alterations post at some point.
Later, OH and I continued watching this week's Celebrity Traitors, which is becoming more annoying by the day. I won't say why, as it may be a spoiler for someone, but it's quite frustrating to watch. We're also watching Riot Women on Iplayer, which airs on Sunday evenings. It's very watchable, with quite a few well known British actors in it.
I had a day at home all day Friday, which was lovely. I was able to continue with an alteration project. I had a late start though, as I didn't sleep well. What I was hoping would be a productive day turned out not to be, but life is like that sometimes.
Saturday was more productive. I went out to the gym first thing, which was okay. I wasn't feeling it, but I needed the exercise.
After lunch, I finally got my new overlocker out and set about re-threading it, which seemed pretty straightforward, until it became unthreaded again and I had to start from scratch. Of course, I didn't follow the instructions, thinking it was simpler than it was, only to spend a frustrating hour being unsuccessful. Eventually, I got the instructions out and it turned out that you had to thread the different threads in a particular order. Once I did that, it worked and I could continue with my dungaree dresses, which I managed to finally finish. This felt super satisfying. It was a learning curve, but in a good way in the end.
OH spent the day working on the back of the house and made good progress. Hopefully, I'll be able to post soon about the results, once he's finished and the scaffolding comes down.
Sunday was a busy day at home. It was nice to get the extra hour to lie in. It actually made the day feel really long. I've posted separately about what I got up to.
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