Moving On

 

I am so relieved that we finally reached the end of January and we can move onwards towards spring. I have never been fond of this time of year. Gloomy, wet days. Leaving for work in the dark and returning home long after the sun has set. Saturdays and Sundays are usually filled with preparations for the week ahead, leaving little time for more pleasurable activities. And the cold! It isn't so much the low temperatures but usually it's  the damp and wind that fights its way through the warmest of clothing, making my body tense up and leaving me feeling achy. 

My initial plan of action, this year, was to power on through the month regardless. Surely if I could simply keep going, I wouldn't get so caught up in my dislike of January, the days would feel less depressing and, just maybe, we might even have a more wintry winter :) This did not work out as I'd hoped. The snow didn't arrive and recently I have been plagued with extreme tiredness, and persistently feeling under the weather. I am eating healthily - meal planning and getting one large weekly shop have been a huge help - and exercising, but I just can't seem to shift my malaise, which is why I haven't been spending a lot of time online. I have spoken with my GP, who expressed concern, and I am now waiting on the results of some blood tests. 

Moving forward, I intend to look upon January as my reset month. A time of quiet and calm. No expectations. Perhaps I really don't need to read up on ways with which to beat the January blues, I could simply hibernate instead.

J. X

Early January

I never meant to be absent for so long. Almost as soon as we'd rung in the new year, I was back at work and it feels like I've hardly stopped since then. Even so, January is now beginning to drag on just a bit much for my liking, and I find myself yearning for spring. Not long to wait now, or so I keep reminding myself :)

On New Year's Day we went ice skating. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon and it felt good to be back on the ice again after my accident just over a year ago. My back is completely fine now but my confidence has definitely been knocked.

It's been an incredibly cold week here, with temperatures down to -6. We've experienced snow, frost and ice and thankfully the new boiler I had fitted last year hasn't had any issues. The same couldn't be said for my old TV, however, which after 16 years of loyal service, finally gave up, and there is now a shiny new model in it's place. 

It is early on Saturday morning and the wintry weather has been replaced by cloud and rain. Lily's tennis lesson has been cancelled, and so a more relaxed weekend is in order. It comes as quite a relief actually, as it will give me a chance to catch up. There are a few chores I could do with getting out of the way. Then again, besides the weekly shop, it's no big deal if they don't get done. The main thing I need to do is to write a menu plan. Since returning to work my hours have changed (yet again!). Only slightly on this occasion, but I am finding it even more of a challenge to make healthy choices when it comes to eating and I have noticed my energy levels have slumped. I realise preparation is the key, but with being short on time I clearly I haven't been prepared enough. I will clean out the fridge and make that my priority today. 

J. X

Farewell 2023

 

The year ended similarly to how it began. With a gentle stroll. 

It's been a positive one, all considered. I've visited some new places, climbed a few more fells and most importantly, made some wonderful memories. 

I would just like to take an opportunity to thank everyone who visits here, I appreciate your kind words and friendship more than you know.

May the New Year bring you peace, love and happiness. 

Here's to 2024! 

J. X

Coffee and Crochet

Another photograph from yesterday because, quite honestly, the weather has been so dark that it would have been impossible for me to have taken any today.

 

It's been an ordinary sort of day. This morning I went out for coffee with a friend, who I hadn't had a chance to meet up with on the run up to Christmas. It had been quite a while since we'd last seen one another, so it was lovely to enjoy a catch-up over coffee and a particularly delicious toasted teacake :)

Whilst we had been in the cafe, the rain had turned rather heavy, and stayed that way for the remainder of the day, removing any hope I had of getting out for even a short walk and showing me exactly why I dislike this time of year. I  had to remind myself how I had noticed the tiniest shoots of wild garlic in the woods yesterday. A promise of spring, even if, at this moment, it feels like such a long way off.

This afternoon I did some housework, and then I finished off my crochet. The headband is made from pure wool, so it's going to be lovely and cosy. Perfect for those cold days when I can't wear a hat.

J. X