Tidying up

I'm visiting Dad this weekend and, as he is suffering from a cold and chest infection, he didn't feel like going out today, so we set to on the piles of paperwork, unread stacks of magazines and numerous unsolicited catalogues and other advertising rubbish that continually flows through his letterbox.
After working from 9.30 this morning until 5pm, with a half hour break for lunch, we had it more or less sorted. Mind you, I did have to sneakily remove a few items which had been on the 'uncertain' pile, but then, as I pointed out, if you decide to keep things 'in case they might come in useful', you  are placing an added burden on yourself. You either have to find somewhere to put it, or having decided that the object will be useful, you are then obliged to find a use for it, thus creating extra work for yourself. Far easier, quicker and more satisfying  just  to chuck it in the bin or recycling box.
Then you can sit back and enjoy the experience of tidiness and space. There is nothing like de-cluttering to give that sense of satisfaction!
Are you listening to me, Keith? Make sure NASA is suitably de-cluttered by the time I get back!
I have always wanted a minimalist look in my home.
I'm still waiting...

Flexible working is good for heart and soul

Flexible working is good for you, it seems.This report was covered this morning on BBC Breakfast. Most people would probably regard its contents as common sense. It's a well known fact that the more control you have over your life, the more content and positive you are likely to be and  one of the main causes of depression and stress in the workplace is the lack of control over one's life. However, I had to smile at the comment from The Federation of Small Businesses that 'working from home did not suit industries such as retail or construction.'
No, really?
I smiled to myself at the thought of a burly road digger looking out of his window and saying to his wife,
"Can't be bothered going in to work, today. I'll just dig a hole in our road instead. Ring the boss and tell him I'm working from home, will you, luv?"

Euro Millions

I made sure Keith had bought a lottery ticket for the Euro Lottery as it was a rollover week.
The news came through that a couple from Britain were sharing the prize with someone in Spain.
"Looking good," I thought, as I heard the news on BBC World Service sometime during the early hours of Sunday morning. I contemplated waking Keith up to check his computer and see if it was us, but decided against it. The surprise would be all the more pleasant after a decent night's sleep.
"Check all your email accounts," I said yesterday. "Are you sure there's no email?"
Today, there was a couple being interviewed on the news about their fantastic £56,000,000 win.
It wasn't us.
You know what? I was REALLY disappointed!

A day out in the sun

Last Sunday, Keith and I escaped with Paddy for a day out in the wilds of Nefyn and Pwllheli. I think we were probably in almost the only part of the country enjoying wall to wall sunshine. If you don't believe me, check out the slideshow for yourself!

Videos

What you can do on two wheels

Check this out and feel the pain!

Meanwhile, this weekend...

...we're back to this, about five inches of crisp, white snow and, guess what the forecast for our area said on Friday? This weekend was to be dry and sunny. In fact, Keith and I had even planned to go over to the coast today to give Paddy a run on the beach. Such is my touching faith in the weathermen!
So, Paddy and I went for a walk in the snow and then I did the Big Garden Birdwatch.  Although the intermittent sleet and snow didn't really help, I had visits from bluetits, great tits, a robin and a couple of dunnocks and house sparrows. Blackbirds and starlings were there none but starlings have been conspicuous by their absence round here this last year anyway. Keith thought Paddy might like to join me to watch for squirrels and cats and even made up a tick sheet for him. Unfortunately, he had a bit of trouble holding the pen - Paddy, I mean, not Keith.
The bucket of grit, shovel and brush are back by the front door and Keith has set off to do a job out in the sticks.
"You've got your crampons and grit bucket, haven't you?" I checked.
"But this is Wales, not Russia," I thought as I closed the front door.
Here's hoping February will be better.

Springtime

The tail end of January always seems to be a bit of a nonentity for me. Christmas is over, the new year isn't quite so new any more and winter, short days and long nights seem to be stretching endlessly ahead. Until, that is, you spot these ....
As it's not a very good photo, only snapped on my phone camera, perhaps I need to identify it as the first snowdrops - at least chez Jennyta.
Very uplifting, seeing these frail-looking little blossoms braving the cold. Perhaps Spring is not so far round the corner after all.
Let's hope it's not taking the scenic route!