Puzzles

Ey-oop! I bought a lovely jigsaw puzzle last Christmas for the festive period but, with one thing and another, I didn’t have the appetite for it then. Anyway, I bought one of those roll-mat things that nurtures your jigsaw puzzle while you labour away at it and then keeps it safe when you want to put it away. So I thought I’d get it out and start the puzzle just to see if the mat worked.

Oh, crikey! I was disciplined during the day today – hardly touched the puzzle at all. I was disciplined all evening. But, just as I went to draw the curtains on retiring to bed, a piece caught my eye and I saw where to slot it in. Ha! That was it then for the next hour. I’ve had to drag myself away. I was supposed to be going to bed! And I still haven’t tested the mat out. Ah, well, maybe tomorrow ?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we’ve had a busy day today. I toddled off to yoga this morning and came home to find John up and at ’em. Poor man, he’s got so many things on his mind – jobs to do, you know – that he hardly knew where to start today.

First off, he pulled out the washing machine, which had died on us the other day. I feared the worst, but Superman had a look and said it was ‘just the belt’. Oh, giggle, giggle. ‘Just the belt’. Well, I wouldn’t even know where to start – the whole thing is a puzzle to me! But naturally, John did, and does, know where to start. Honestly, he is just amazing.

So he repaired the washing machine. “Do you want a hand?” I asked. “No,” he replied. “Oh, I thought you might need some help stretching the belt onto the gubbins.” With his head in the machine, he replied again, “No, I’ve done it.” Wow!

That job done, John thought he’d then carry on with a job he started the other day: up a ladder clipping wire mesh to the underside of the fascia board where the squirrels get in. He’s had a go at it before, many years ago, and it’s time to refresh the area. He’s doing a very good job, but of course, the effort has taken it out of him and he’s exhausted this evening.

Mind you, it’s not surprising really. He never does things by halves and even got the scaffolding out! One plank, which gave me the heebie-jeebies, but still. He just never gives up. No puzzle there – he’s just Mr Determined.

So while John tinkered about with that all afternoon, I tinkered about with cleaning the utility room. Oh, and the SnuGym, which I might rename ‘The Retreat’ since we have given away the sports equipment that was languishing in there.

I have been painting and decorating in recent weeks and have managed to use almost every paint brush we own, then fail to wash them, just putting them in water to soak. Yes, yes, I know. Those of you who are perfectionists will be squirming in agony at the thought…… sorry!

There were tins of paint everywhere, paintbrushes, rollers and roller trays to clean up. Tools cluttering up the work surface and the new bird feed holders and bird feed I’d recently bought, ready and waiting to be put outside. The sink, too, of course, was splashed galore and needed a good scrub. Fortunately, it’s all water-based paint I use, so I knew it would all come off. But it took me all afternoon. Nearly finished. Just another windowsill to paint before the next project. What will that be, I wonder?

Both of us were worn out this evening so we sat and stared at the TV. The Great British Bake Off is back……. that’ll keep us entertained for a few weeks – Yippee!

In other news, Graham is home from hospital after his operation and not doing too badly. We had a wonderful conversation the other day on the phone. I was absolutely thrilled to talk both him and Gail. It was so lovely. Obviously, we’re still thinking of him and sending positive vibes. The results of his biopsy for the temporal arteritis come through on Thursday, so fingers crossed it’s positive news and a little pill is all he’ll need to take.

Still on the health front, positive vibes would be appreciated for John, too. Although it all looks hunky-dory, he’s struggling with his breathing just at the moment, so I’m keeping my eye on him……

Susie Dent’s Word of the Day is ‘bethink’ (10th century): to take thought and reflect; to return to oneself for a moment.

Hmmm……. that sounds like a good idea. And ‘The Retreat’ might be a good room to do that in.

Take care everyone. God bless.