Keeping calm

I might have said this before…….I hate the prep before painting and decorating….. oh, fiddle, fiddle, fiddle!

Before you can even start your painting jobs there’s stuff to do. It may seem trivial and ‘not even prep’ to some people (not naming John, of course) but, all the hulking in of the big steps; then making sure that the brushes and paint tray are clean enough to use (because you left them in a state last time you painted); the searching for the right pot of paint; the clambering up for it because it’s on the top shelf; the seeking out of dust sheets; then the spreading out of the dust sheets; and the shifting of the furniture – all, all, of it is exhausting! Not to mention the unscrewing of light fittings, the clearing away of the drapey cobwebs and the washing of the walls and ceilings with multiple changes of water.

So I was up early enough to get on with most of the prep this morning, before I made a conscious decision to ‘keep calm and carry on’. There was an oasis of yoga to look forward to at 11.15 this morning but, above and beyond that, I sat with a book Michael had given us for Christmas about mindfulness. It’s actually a sort of workbook that takes you through a whole series of grounding activities. I had flicked through it before now, but I made a conscious decision to sit down and get seriously started on it. Half an hour of bliss. Then of course, another hour of bliss in the Zoomed yoga class in the SnuGym, which was perfect. John’s draught excluding work was marvellous and not a whisper of wind anywhere. Well, not through the doorways anyway.

As soon as the yoga session was over, it was a quick change before my first singing lesson. Yes, a singing lesson. Now, I hear you saying, who on earth has singing lessons? Well, those of us who can’t really sing – or think they can’t sing.

I had joined a choir about four years ago but my attendance was a bit hit and miss and I wasn’t always able to take part in the concerts because it was at the time when John was really poorly. In the end, I withdrew a couple of years ago, for what I thought would be about six months, but I have never got back. Our choir mistress, Melissa, advertises singing lessons, so I thought I’d have a go. No longer confident about my singing, I figured it would be great to be able to sing something other than hymns.

I had also been encouraged to have a lesson because Sue D had had one bought for her before Christmas and told us that she’d enjoyed the experience.

Melissa was wonderfully patient and encouraging, and in fact, I wasn’t really as bad as I had thought I was. Very rusty and not at all confident but, to my delight, she got me singing a whole song before the end of the session. Another one booked for next week now.

Meanwhile, John was tinkering about with poker and spreadsheets. Andrew is setting up a sideline cottage industry of making preserves – jams and pickled vegetables or fruit – and had done a business plan that John was casting his eye over. John was pretty impressed with the work done and didn’t have too much to offer in the way of any changes. It’s work in progress and at the development stage but it’s looking good so far….

After a bite to eat, and a little more prep, I got on with painting a portion of the ceiling in the extended part of the lounge. It may look swanky and quirky but it’s a little devil to paint because of all the curves and arched areas. I puffed and sighed my way through it, but I managed to achieve just what I had set out to do. One coat of paint on that bit. Yes. I kept calm and carried on.

I nipped over to Mum’s this evening to return her now-mended broken glasses which had caused panic stations today, before settling down to watch a bit of TV. Several people have said what a good series Bridgerton is on Netflix, so I thought I’d try the first episode. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will watch more – although I don’t think John is going to be a fan.

We caught up with the news too, and noted that there were no figures on the instances of infections or deaths due to COVID from the government today. A glitch in the system…. maybe tomorrow…..

Take care everyone, God bless. And feast your eyes on this little beauty…… we’re hoping it’s going to take the market by storm!