Friday

In the garden ...

... these photos show the first three stages in the life cycle of this rambling rose. It gradually loses the pink and yellow and ends up as a white rose (not the one in yesterday's photo) but it's not doing too well this year so will also be cut right back once it finishes flowering. 

Yesterday my friend Julie called round for a kerb side visit; she had Miss P with her, who was a bit grumpy and in need of a sleep, but it was lovely to catch up with them. I didn't realise it was quite so cold out and got really chilly when I was talking to them so it took me ages to warm up afterwards. Miss P has really grown and brings back happy memories of her Mum at the same age.

The decluttering continues! Yesterday was mainly devoted to taking photos for the next lot of adverts, and also of the coins to request valuations. I haven't finished sorting the coins so will continue with that today and maybe make a start on placing the adverts. I also sorted out some things to sell to Vintage Cash Cow, a company I've used before, so I can send all of that off as soon as I find a suitable box.

I think I've found a piano teacher I'd enjoy learning with but obviously it depends on her having spaces and whether we feel we can work together. The thing that made her lessons stand out above the rest is that as well as solo playing, she also likes to encourage duet playing and sometimes trios which is something I'd really enjoy trying. This has spurred me on to clear the music room and once that's done I will contact her - hopefully I can go on a waiting list, assuming she has one, if she doesn't currently have any spaces. 

So this means that I need to work out the best way to clear the music room quickly but in a way that allows easy access to all the stuff that still needs to be sold. I can probably move all the smaller things into the playroom and, with a bit of re-organising, the bigger and/or heavier items can be moved back into the dining room but it feels like a step backwards. I'll have to think about it.

Yesterday's walk was restricted to the garden so I am hoping to get out today. It's supposed to be sunny until about 3pm so I'll go out after breakfast and walk along the towpath. Most of the day will be decluttering, broken up with breaks for coffee and phone calls with some Italian practice and piano playing thrown into the mix.

*************************

My August decluttering challenge:

• 1st = a set of plastic measuring spoons (I never use them)
• 2nd = a white shirt (band uniform that is now too big) 
• 3rd = odd balls of wool (going to my sister, who can make use of them)
• 4th = a map quiz book (completed and unlikely to want to do it again)
• 5th = blue cardigan (big holes in both elbows so only fit for the bin!)
• 6th = a pile of half completed puzzle books (going to my friend's sister)