Tag: it gets better

Slow time

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Hi, This week the Ever Lovely Mrs J and I have been trying to slow down and be kind to ourselves. The internal less than friendly voice that nags me – Major Panic? – does not seem to like this. So, I’m doing what I can to just kick back and drift gently into Christmas. Perhaps it’s hangover of the now-now-now of work culture that needs to jog on for both of us. Sure, there’s wrapping to be done and we do need to get a few items in food wise. With the kids being teens and neither Mrs J nor I feeling in need of anything in particular, I think this year’s wrapping activity may be thankfully low. Both […]

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…and breathe

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Hi, The out of office button’s been pushed, the timesheet goblin fed, and I can close the laptop lid until next year. Oh, that feels good to write. Due to a spot of luck around holidays, I’ve managed to save some days back to match the Ever Lovely Mrs J and the kids’ break too. Not that I imagine the teenagers will surface before Mrs J and I are back from our morning walk 🙂 I am planning on slowing down and taking a break from the busy-busy of work. I was talking to a friend last night and indeed work colleagues have said similar, in that November and December really seem to have hammered people’s energy levels. I would […]

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Not quite blue

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Hi, Last month I was sorting out my closet and having a bit of a tidy up. The half height built in cupboard – or skyscraper if you’re from The Shire 😉 – doubles as my main store for Lynn clothes (we will ignore the tall ‘dress cupboard’ and half cupboard for tops 🤭) and also impromptu storage for Christmas presents. My hand fell to an old wig that’s been resting at the back, unworn since before COVID was a twinkle in a patient zero’s eye. I had bought it years ago and while it was not quite me, it was a lovely ‘do. Pre restyle it was shoulder length (see Xmas Do of yesteryear) and after Steph recut it […]

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Xmas do, Oh Xmas do…

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Hi, With missing the opportunity to be fancy last month – thank you sneezy cold 😋 – I was feeling the need of some time in prettier garb. I think as I put in the comments for Wednesday – and your experience may be different – I think there’s an external view that for part timers like me, it’s just clothes. You know, you throw them on, along with the slap, and that’s some box ticked or pleasure centre tickled. It isn’t. 🙂 I would also add, as a left leaning apologist liberal 😉 that if dressing floats your boat, you’ll get no judgement from me. Personally, the time spent in my other clothing validates me. That while I’m mostly […]

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The pond, the rock, and the ripples

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Hi, Given the slight wobble a few days ago, I’ve been attempting to try a bit more self care this week. That’s despite two rather serious issues at work around security. I’ll not say any more as part of what I do is keeping secrets: perhaps true organisationally and at the individual level too. However, the impact of such emergencies can be the ringing of the proverbial fire bell and it’s all hands on deck to sort it. With the stress levels rising, I’ve been mindful of advice from the Ever Lovely Mrs J, as well as that from those of you who commented or emailed in. Namely trying to take regular breaks, enjoy the moment while outside, and indulge […]

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Script: Door to door

Shade, Uncategorized

Scene: Two smartly dressed women are walking down a gravel driveway towards a small cottage in a village. The cottage has an old fashioned greenhouse nearby. Doris: Would you like to go first this time? Georgia: I’m a bit out of puff after that hill. Would you mind? Doris: Of course not. Doris knocks on the door and both ladies wait. Georgia: Do you think they’ll answer? I wonder if word has gone round? Doris: Well, they’ve got one of those fancy iSpy doorbell cameras. Best smile now… No, your other best smile. We’re not auditioning for Crime Watch. There’s the sound of a door creaking open from the garden. Alice is stood in the doorway of the greenhouse. Alice: […]

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