Creating Memories

Week in the Life 2019 - Sunday

Sunday 12th May - Day seven of Week in the Life with Ali Edwards

Despite going to bed so late last night, we were up and ready to face the day super early. Stuart made us boerewors and black beans with a poached egg for breakfast, which I started to prep for a day of gardening.

By 10am we were very busy outside. Stuart built a table for the community garden water butts and got the new tabs installed and sealed. He also cut all the grass our garden grass. I worked on the community garden clearing lots of bramble and a few branches from the apple trees. We both then used the strimmer on the flat plot to clear the long grass ready for mowing. At the end of the day we lit a bonfire to burn some of the cuttings from the first garden clearing date a few weeks ago. It was a braw fire and so mesmerising to watch.

Stuart lit the braai so we could have chicken, boerewors and raw veg and pickles for dinner outside in the warm sunshine. We showered, washed hair and watched a bit of TV before I prepped lunches and we crashed into bed at 9pm.

I'm so grateful for the day working outside in the sunshine and fresh air. I went to bed with a full heart and clear mind. Yay for Sundays and the final day of week in the life. Although we will have many more days outside as the summer comes, I am thankful for this project and the opportunity to document the detail of our life.

This week I will order some large prints and type up all my journaling ready to put my album together.

Week in the Life 2019 - Saturday

Saturday 11th May - Day six of Week in the Life with Ali Edwards

Aaah Saturday, hello my friend.

We started our day early, heading out to meet friends for breakfast. It was good to catch up and talk about our Vegas trip (yet again!). I had scrambled egg, bacon, sausage, grilled tomato, toast, beans, mushrooms and hash browns, followed by a small (naughty) pastry and coffee.

After breakfast Stuart took me to Debenhams to look for a dress and another bra. Since my fitting I have only bought 3 and that isn't enough when trying to keep up with the washing, but should be enough to see me through the last 2 stone of weight loss. I forgot my purse at home so Stu paid for my underwear, and we didn't find a dress that we liked.

Then we went to Brookfields Farm butcher to collect the first batch of boerewors for the village fete and freezer meat for the next few weeks.

We dropped the meat and home and I picked up my purse before we went up to the big M&S in Biggleswade. I needed a new black cami to wear under sheer tops as my size 28 (!! YIKES) is just way too big and bulky under tops. I bought a 16 ( :) ) Stuart bought a new pair of jeans, down two sizes (!!). Celebrating these wins.

We decided to do the grocery shop while we were out.

When we got home we packed away the groceries and prepped our freezer meat and cut the boerewors to size before packing it back up to go in the freezer. We picked up 10kgs and have decided to order another 20kgs for the fete. We don't want to sell out in 1 hour again!

I made myself a large bowl of popcorn and retreated up to my craft room while Stuart watched rugby. I caught up with my OLW album by copying my April journaling from my planner onto the prepared pages. I also looked through my camera gallery to see what I have that will fit into the May prompt. I have two relevant photos so need to just take another 2. I also planned out my Vegas instax album which I will finish off in the next few weeks. I'm so happy to be keeping up with all my crafting projects, and feel like I am doing ones that most fit with my life right now.

I came downstairs at 6 to do a bit of bathroom cleaning and settle down to watch TV and get on with my latest crochet project.

Stuart made us pork chops and veg with gravy for dinner, and then we watched two movies, The Children Act and Sully (which was brilliant!).

We went to bed just before midnight.

So looking forward to the final day of documenting. Lets go Sunday!

Week in the Life 2019 - Friday

Friday 10th May - Day five of Week in the Life with Ali Edwards

Another early/on time start for me today. I do love these bright light mornings, that pursued me to get out of bed. I filled up with fuel this morning on my way into work.

I started my day with 2 toast and marmite and a mug of coffee. And spent the morning dealing with the intercompany invoices.

I ate lunch, a banana and yoghurt, at my desk while watching AE week in the life videos to get me in the right frame of mind for the documenting piece of this project which starts next week.

I left a little early today and took an alternative route home, just to mix things up. I felt a need to be off the beaten track.

When I got home I took a few photos around the garden and spent an hour doing a bit of crafting at my desk. I wanted to get all my Vegas photos printed and in the album ready for the journaling and embellishments.

Stuart and I spent the evening chatting in between him making us a chicken curry for dinner. We ate late but where still in bed by 10. We're so rock & roll on a Friday night!

Today I wanted to observe the light in my usual spaces. It is so easy to forget to see what is around you all the time.

Yay for the week finishing and bring on Saturday

Week in the Life 2019 - Thursday

Thursday 9th May - Day four of Week in the Life with Ali Edwards

Today was a day of highs and lows, the sweet relief from the good news I received yesterday vs the reality of how things are for people who didn't receive good news. I had a lot of conversations with people are not happy and ensuring I listened with a good and attentive ear.

We had our weekly team breakfast which as always was a fun event and I'm so glad I have this crazy bunch to chat with. I had toast, beans, fried egg, a sausage, bacon, mushroom and a couple of hash browns.

Mid morning I had a call with my new manager. I have a contract to sign and I needed to talk through some things to make sure this was going to be a good fit. I think it is and I am excited for the future.

Today is knitting club. I really do love Thursdays at work. We had a few more frank and slightly tough discussions with people who have been badly effected by work decisions. A real low in the day but cathartic to have these opportunities to talk.

Lunch was at my desk and consisted of a yoghurt, banana and pear.

The rest of the day was made up of spreadsheets and emails, and a conference call that was a bit of a waste of time! Some days this happens.

I headed off for home at my usual time and realised I should probably put some fuel in the car but really didn't feel like it. Should I play a bit of fuel chicken (!!)

When I got home I made myself a nice lug of coffee and called my mom to fill her in on the events of the day before.

Then I washed a dried my hair. It's got so long and really a pain to get dried in a style, who's got time for that! I just dried it straight and put it up in a plait.

After chilling on my chair for a bit I collected the girls and went for our weekly slimming world weigh in. I was delighted with my 1.5lb loss despite being slightly off plan over the weekend. I'm so determined to get this final 2 stone off and being in the best possible health for my future. Yesterday was a really wake up call that I have been very lucky to have escaped serious ill health with my weight.

Stuart had dinner ready when I got home at 9. Jacket potato with beans, ham and chorizo, sprinkled with cheese. Followed by jelly, yogurt, berries and meringue with a hi fi bar.

And then to bed.

What will Friday hold for me I wonder?

Week in the Life 2019 - Tuesday

Tuesday 7th May - Day two of Week in the Life with Ali Edwards

I found it really hard getting up this morning, hitting the snooze button way too many times. Of course this meant I was late for work and out of routine the whole day.

Breakfast was yoghurt with a pear and an apple late morning.

The morning flew by in a bit of a blur, and then it was lunch time. For lunch I had a jacket potato with tuna and cottage cheese. It was just okay! After eating we did a lap around the campus to soak in a little bit of sunshine.

I managed to squeeze in a little time to get my Monday blog post done and then answered emails.

My journey home was uneventful and pretty mundane. Wondering how I can change up my route and routine to make the most out of the hour I spend in the car each day. Need to work on that!

When I got home I saw Cherry so had a chat to her about the plans for the community garden. I missed the first clear up day so hoping to find time this weekend to do a bit. So loving our community and how we work together.

I then made a mug of coffee and sat on the bench outside to call mom. I had missed a call from her on Sunday as we were visiting friends and she had missed my calls earlier in the day as she had been in Stirling. It was so lovely to sit on the bench outside the back door and enjoy the end of the days sunshine before heading into the warmth of the house.

I put on a quick load of washing to catch up from our weekend away.

Dinner prep was easy tonight as we had plenty chicken left over from last night. It was a joint effort with me making the cous cous (and prepping lunch) and Stuart chopping up the chicken.

After dinner I worked on Lucy's baby blanket and we watched Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix. It's such a silly, hilarious series!

And then it was shower, hang washing and bed time. Earlier tonight than usual.

This week I am working on getting back into good habits, like moving more and drinking more water.

Bring on Wednesday.

Week in the Life 2019 - Monday

Monday 6th May - Day one of Week in the Life with Ali Edwards.

A late start for day 1 as it's a bank holiday here in the UK. It was lovely to spend the day pottering about the house only venturing out briefly to do a small grocery shop. Over breakfast, bacon and cheese toastie, I spent some time with my 2018 and 2019 Get to work books, doing some menu planning and list writing for the BBQ and 'after fete BBQ' that Stuart and I will be running/hosting at our village fete on the 9th of June. I also painted the menu board and road signs with chalk board paint so we can get them written up and displayed.

Stuart was very busy in his garage for most of the day, tidying and tinkering.

Before preparing lunch I planted out my chilli seedlings and re potted two tomato plants that I will be keeping. The rest will go to the village plant sale on the 18th of May.

Lunch was a cold buffet plate and cup of coffee.

There was a royal announcement in the afternoon, that Prince Harry and Meghan have given birth to a baby boy. Lots of excitement on the news!

It got very cold in the late afternoon so I settled in my chair to paint my nails, toes and fingers, and watch TV.

Dinner was a yummy roast chicken, with roast potatoes, roast onion, broccoli and cauliflower, lovingly covered in gravy!

Tonight the house was so cosy and the light from the bathroom and my lounge lamp so warm, I couldn't resist capturing them both.

Giving thanks today for slow days at home. Looking back through my photos at the lived in house, with 'stuff' on all the kitchen counters, the un-vacuumed carpet, the bed linen that needs to be changed. The dirty mirror in the bathroom, the windows that need to be cleaned, clutter next to my chair. But it's our home, our space and I'm so thankful that we have a place that is safe and secure and full of love and kindness.

Bring on Tuesday!

Week in the life 2018 - Thoughts from a newbie

Before I tackle the task of printing photos and putting my Week in the Life album together I wanted to gather my thoughts on how I found doing this project from a total newbie point of view.

First off, I absolutely didn't think I had nearly enough content in my days to make this project work. I don't have kids, I work full time, with 8 hours a day sat pretty much in the same spot and I don't have a super fun social life. HOWEVER that really DOES NOT MATTER! I DO have so many stories to tell.

The stories are about me, and how I fill my days right now. They are also about how I feel in the space and time I live in.

In the weeks leading up to the 'documentation week' I had a page in my Get to Work Book (link on the left), that I used to jot down things I do, places I go and tasks that fill my time. I knew that I wouldn't do or photograph every single one but I wanted to be aware of these activities so I could look out for them if they did crop up. Ali did lots of FAQ's and general information posts leading up to the week so I made notes of anything that I felt I could include in my project.

I was pretty nervous on day 1. I didn't want to mess up and forget to take the photos and write notes and then waste the kit I bought. Sharing the photos and words each day here on the blog was definitely the way to go. If I had tried to do the album at the same time I would have missed so much actual life. Of course all this advise is on Ali's blog and I'm SO SO SO glad I listened!

I think I kept it pretty simple and I know that there is so much more I can focus on in the years to come, like a theme for the day (thankful), using the 'ing' words (love this idea!) and using 'around here'.

Right now I am taking a big breath and remembering my days from last week and how similar or different they are to the days of this week.

I will share progress and the finished album and possibly some more thoughts about that process. If you happen upon this post and you are keen to do the project but don't think your life is interesting enough, you really don't need to worry about that. We all have a story to tell!

C xx

Week in the life 2018 - Sunday

Sharing my words and photos from Sunday

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A promise of some sunshine today.

This morning I helped set up for church service. While our church is undergoing some essential restoration work we are holding services in the village hall. It was a jam factory in the second world war.

And is also the building that Stuart and I were married in when our church had essential maintenance work.

After lunch I took some time to do my Bible study homework. This is the first Bible study course I have done, and the first time I have actively read the Bible.

A quick vacuum and dust. I'm not a fan of housework!

And some time upstairs writing in my memory planner. This year I am using one from Heidi Swapp.

And while Stuart is watching TV downstairs, I watch The Crown on my iPad, and do some of my Rosy Little Things spring cross stitch. I could have watched on the TV in our room but the light is not great.

And ending my week long documenting project with a photo of us. (Not happy with the quality of this photo, poor lighting and the front camera on my phone have made it so grainy. I may reset and take it again. That's allowed isn't it?!)

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I ordered some large prints of a few of my photos from this week to include in my album. They are due to arrive on Friday, and as Stuart is off racing motorbikes on Sunday I will enjoy time to work on printing the rest of the photos and putting my album together.

Thanks so much for all the visits and to those who shared their days on Ali's blog. I have loved to see the similarities and differences in our daily lives and look forward to the completed album links ;)

C xx

Week in the life 2018 - Saturday

Sharing words and photos from Saturday

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Rain is coming!

Up and out of bed to do some work in the garden before the rain comes. Stuart installed power sockets with USB connections in our bed side tables for phone and fitbit/garmin chargers and bedside lamp and electric blanket plugs. Current read, The Book of Dust, by Philip Pullman.

But first coffee, on our bench watching the world go by but slightly hidden so I can be in my pajamas, ha!

And a morning cuddle from my boy.

Reality is a bed full of clean dry washing waiting to be packed away.

My chickens know that when I fill up their food container I also layer it with treats!

While Stuart mows (a little short maybe), I tackle the never ending ivy problems we have in our garden.

This Elderflower tree is so full of ivy that we have no idea what sort of state it's in. Hoping for the best!

And then the rain came, so we cleared up, showered, had lunch and then had afternoon cuddles with my boy.

We did our monthly grocery shop today. In the past 6 months we have totally changed the way we shop. We now go to Morrisons, always with a list and shop the specials for all cleaning products and non perishables. Sometimes that means we end up with multiples of some stuff and sometimes it means we change up what we cook, but we have way less waste and we keep to a budget. Also we went in the afternoon, where we always used to shop in the morning, and it was much quieter and much nicer.

I love this road back from Letchworth but it scares me. People drive way to fast and there are potholes. But Stuarts truck just glides over them! And it's still raining.

I did three loads of washing today. Everything but our gardening gear. Hanging it all inside.

Dishwasher unpack and dinner prep. We have a tiny kitchen but we manage to dance around each other, ha!

Pita with chicken mayo, olives, feta and jalapeno's, topped with lettuce.

Ending the day with evening cuddles from my boy.

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I have loved today.

C xx

Week in the life 2018 - Friday

Sharing my words and photos from Friday

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Friday is pink shirt day.

Not happy with rain being forecast for the weekend, after such amazing weather last weekend.

Most days I sit in my car for lunch. I watch TV via the iPad and BBC iPlayer, and I knit. I like being outside and I like being by myself.

Most people on my floor went off to a meeting this afternoon so it's very quiet. I really like this photo.

More of my journey home from work. This road is a little tricky to turn on to and sometimes there are scattered remains of a crash on the road. I'm really cautious with a car that can pull away quickly but people sometimes drive way to fast!

This road is long. The motorway runs alongside and I'm always grateful to have this alternate route home.

I love this village, Old Welwyn.

I left work a little early today and the roads were pretty clear,

Stopped at Waitrose in Hitchin to collect a parcel I ordered from John Lewis. Internet shopping has really made life so simple.

And the journey home from Hitchin, our lovely little market town that is so close to home.

I really wish the sun was shining and the sky blue. The day was quite dull.

The best part of my day. Turning into our lane. It's a dead end so no passing traffic, except for everyone that's lost!

The mug I ordered from JL. We have a Royal Wedding later this month and I had to have something to commemorate the occasion!

Laundry prep. I used to try do washing during the week but the reality was I always had a basket of wet washing to hang up before bed and it just made me grumpy. So now I just do it all over the weekend. It takes minutes to pop it in the washing machine and if it's hot it's hung outside and if it's not it's hung on the clothes dryer in the spare room. BALANCE - life is a balance of holding on and letting go.

Pizza for dinner. This is a 'The Greek', which was delicious! First time I've ordered it but I fancied something other than a Hawaiian.

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Thanks for the visit guys!

C xx