LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH!

So how's the week been for you all? In my area it's been half term for the schools, I love half term ! The roads are almost empty when heading off to work in the mornings, so I arrive in half the time nice and early and can just relax while I wait for others to arrive before starting the day.
Plus it also means less customers because they are off elsewhere with their children etc, so as it's quieter we get a chance to catch up on things at work.
We are constantly being given information to read and then be tested on to make sure we are compliant etc and at this time of year when the powers in charge are setting out their new year goals we barely get a chance to catch up, so half term gives us a little space to at least make a start.

For those of you who are yet to be thinking of retirement I can tell you its a double edged sword.. mentally you have made the decision to go on a certain date but then things start happening and you start thinking.. I could go earlier... I could go next month... I could go next week !!!
That's what's been happening to me! When I said last month , to my area manager, that I'd be going in July and would probably put it in writing a few months before hand, she told me that when you retire you can in fact just say your going anytime!!
It seems another member of staff ,a few years back, decided that due to some big changes happening at that time, that she didn't want to have to train for , said to her that she wanted to leave now! as in at the end of that week, so the area manager phoned HR believeing that a months notice at least needed to be given, only to be told no! if she's retiring she can in fact just decide to stop ! So she did !

Now I want to get to July before I leave but it will depend on how things go ... watch this space...

For the third weekend in a row we have had heavy rainfall and gale force winds for the weekend, although this weekend's weather as not been given a name. Luckily the worse of it around here was overnight and into this morning. The day is bright and blustery with fast moving white clouds.
Spring must be on it's way as my mind re the garden is starting to come out of hibernation and where as I have admired most of it from the safety of the french doors, I'm now starting to venture past the studio and into the rest of the garden, with thoughts of cutting back and clearing up appearing!
Fresh green shoots are starting to appear and those early daff's and primroses are adding their colours to barren area's.

These crocuses are adding a splash of purple to the raised garden. We need to plant more bulbs in this raised bed later in the year ready for next year.

Violet and Sapphire's garden shed awaits the warmer weather and their attention. They are still asking after a greenhouse but may have to settle for using a part of ours.

On the doll front, I have sold another non sasha doll but still need to be hard and add on some more dolls to be adopted.
The only things I have bought dollwise, is one outfit and a wooden table, even I am amazed at my willpower !
There is only one doll I would like to get, if I can, before I retire and she's a very pricy one, so whether I do remains to be seen. But wanting to add her to my collection is helping to stop me wasting money on other cheaper dolls.

And on that note I'm off to look at things to sell to make some space and add funds to the wanted doll fund, have a lovely healthy week ahead.

Dee

16th FEBRUARY IT MUST BE SUNDAY!

Already half way through the month! I have had a lovely ..ish week ! I always keep a week of each years holiday allowance for the next year , it needs to be taken by the end of February, so I always have a week around this time of the year.

Like with all my 'spare' time I have lots of things that I think I will get done in the time I have free but like every single time, only a small amount of whats planned , a small amount of what isn't gets done and a lot gets left for next time! But I am pleased that I have managed to get a few things done on my list along side some that wasn't.

It also give me time to chop and change things around. This house seems to be notorious for having piles of items left on most of the available flat surfaces. Beside where I sit on the sofa, being one such place, I'll read my post etc and then place on the little cupboard at the side of me and there it will stay for weeks until finally I get around to moving it all and sorting it out!
But this time I decided that I needed to redefine the area and hopefully stop the pile up of items happening.
I had an idea and then went in search of something I'd actually bought for the dolls to use.

It was the little book rack ! Now my note books and other books plus a couple of dvd's that we've not yet watched can be stored tidily until needed. It was the perfect size for the space as if made to measure.

On friday I was bitten by the 'throw it out ' feeling and so I did throw out some items that have just sat around in cupboards or drawers never being used or needed. Part of me is itching to rearrange furniture but that I have managed to resist so far or should I say for now.

I treated us to some Morris and Co bedding , so now have to decide which bedding will be moved on. I only ever buy quality bedding which means nothing ever fades or wears out, which means it can be hard to get rid of it because it's in lovely condition.

I also purchased another set in Strawberry thief design before Christmas. It must be a good seven years since the last time I bought any actually quilt sets ,although I have bought new sheets during that time.

And I have finally stopped the idea that you keep the good things for special occasions and now I'm making sure to use everything and enjoy it.

I'm writing this at present on Satureday with the wind gusting around the house and the rain falling. I do love the sound of the wind, although it can be destructive when it's this powerful, I still enjoy the sound and seeing the trees moving and feeling that force of nature.

But since I've been 'stuck' inside due to the weather this afternoon/ evening, it does mean my being good as slipped somewhat ! No dolls... yet .. but I have ordered some storage bags and three books , oh and a small doll sized old table... so far....

It's now Sunday and the storm battered the house most of the night , waking us up on occasion. First thing this morning the wind had gone and the rain had stopped but not for long. It's now windy again but nowhere near as bad as overnight but the rain is falling again making puddles on the patio.

So another indoor day. I'd love to say that means I'd been extra productive but in fact, by the time I've read the Sunday paper from cover to cover  discussed what I've read with Paul and had a cup of tea or two it's soon lunchtime, then suddenly it's late afternoon!
I'm selling a couple of non sasha dolls on ebay and need to take a few more photos and add more detail of one of them, so that's still to do, before the light does!

I had been hoping to take a few dolls photos but alas it's too wet to be dragging dolls out of the Studio to the house and back and too dim and untidy to take photos in the studio at present. One of the first things on our list is sorting out the electrics for the kitchen and studio just need to ring the electrician and get him to come and give us a price and a date for the work.
Then we can get on with the kitchen/breakfast room, followed by the bedrooms then the hall, stairs and landing can be finished.
I've already changed my mind about the wallpaper for the hall as if we got with the red/gold it won't match in with the colouring of the tiles in the entry, so I am looking at other papers now but still loads of time until it will need buying!

Well it looks like the rains stopped for a few minutes so I'm off to the studio to grab a few things.

Have a lovely healthy doll filled week ahead.

Dee