For today - March.

A highland coo, on the road on Saturday this week as we along to the beach! I had to shoo it away to get by....!

FOR TODAY, once again taking part in the regular Simple Woman's Day Book.

Outside my window dwarf narcissi bloom nodding their little heads together in the sunshine.

I am thinking about moving forward and how to achieve that as best I can and the opportunities ahead.

I am thankful for my son getting a work placement over the summer that will see him learning and staying home with me for three months, selfishly I'm excited for him for both.

In the kitchen, meal planning means the roast we had yesterday has turned into an easy meal for today and more for other days. It works even though I hate it!

I am wearing tartan PJ's with a fleecey top, bare feet toasted by the open fire.

I am creating my new life, updating cv's and have applications to finish this week, each job very interesting and exciting!

I am going, this week, nowhere new, but maybe I should as I'm leaving within three months. After 13 years on an island have I really seen it all?

I am wondering how my daughter feels heading into the final few months at her school. Fledging off to university after it finishes, is exciting, but I'm sure that change is both exciting and scary all at once.

I am reading snow drop texts as one of the job's I'm applying for is in a Snowdrop garden - so it pays to be properly researched!

I am hoping the sun shines this week and the nights are cold and clear - its been such a good week or so for the aurora borealis and such a treat to see it - I hope it pops out again this week.

I am looking forward to a lovely long sleep - I did a lot of preparation for work yesterday and a long day today - I think its time to sleep.

I am learning to be patient and allow life to happen. Also, that I need to respect myself and my decisions so others can too.

Around the house the dogs are snoring, the fire is crackling. Its good. The kitchen is quiet but the lamp is on, signalling we're all home and happy.

I am pondering if I jobs which sound idyllic are also affordable - life isn't just about money the choices we make. I need to make sure mine are right for me and I know my family will support them.

A favorite quote for today, 'Be so happy, that when others look at you, they become happy too!'

One of my favorite things, the snoring ones, by my side.

A few plans for the rest of the week: teaching, writing, job applications, negotiations.

A peek into my day - leafing through our lovely wedding photo book, fun memories of our wedding and the 'raffle' of wellyboots at the door of where we were all staying. My friend has made this particular photograph into a wall photo for me - it hangs on my walls with great joy reminding me of friendship and love and acceptance for who you are in your heart.

Want to join in? Here's how to take part over at the Simple Womans Day Book! Enjoy the other posts and thanks to Peggy for organising it all.:

______________________________

For today..........

I've been inspired by many and especially Robyn to join in with the Simple Woman's Day Book today. It helps to focus on what's happening in life, where you are, what's really important and mindful to think about. And to start us off here's a cheeky photo of one of the cool 'men' in my life. Haggis, a real bundle of life!

Anyway on with the daybook entry!

FOR TODAY........

Outside my window, the sun shone and it was WARM. Bulbs poking through the earth, snow drops popping their heads up and the start of the swelling of buds on trees, perennials popping up. I also saw a dandelion flowering away, I'm not thinking about that, as bonnie as they are it means the weeds are also waking up!

I am thinking about if I can take some time in April to travel to my (new) husbands house and begin to reorganise some of the rooms in order to help fit my bits and bobs in when I move down to join him in a few months. Eight years of living in two houses, in two lives, often apart, often together will take a bit of organising! So for a while I'll move into his until its sold and then we'll hunt for a forever home together.

I am thankful for the companionship of my daughter in the evening, often just for a meal, before she studies again AND for my two little dogs, who come along to work, wait patiently whilst I am busy and are always so grateful for the time we spend together. They're great company, I enjoy the daily walking which takes me out of my life and into the wilds quite often.

In the kitchen, I'm grateful to have plenty to allow us to be working through the stores and the freezers to use up food we have to try and save some money. I'm grateful for a daughter with a good appetite who'll share these feasts with me.

I am wearing my bright red wellington boots, lots and lots of layers and a fine fleecy hat - at 59oN, its a tad chilly out even when its sunny.

I am creating space in my home, we've only three months left here, so the decluttering, the rehoming and the pondering continues as we look at what we NEED to move and what's helpful to donate to others. 

I am going, well I HOPE I'm going to a work meeting at the end of the month on the mainland of Scotland which means I might be able to spend a day after it with my son at university. He's 400 miles away (a ferry ride and a long long drive) and whilst we skype every Sunday (Proof of Life), and sometimes talk through the week, I miss his presence, he's a lovely young man.

I am wondering if I should commit to a date for leaving Orkney now, or leave it a while to ponder the best option for us all. I'm also wondering what on EARTH I should do when I leave for a job, but I'll leave that one for now, I've haivered long and widely on that subject!

I am reading a lot of information about Scottish Independence and the arguments for and against.  I haven't firmly made up my mind, so reading more about it all is helpful to me. I'd like to make my own informed choice.

I am hoping tomorrow is bright and I can take the dogs for a long walk before a work meeting in town.

I am looking forward to seeing the trees unfurl and the bulbs pop up from their slumber, its not long now!

I am learning that its OK to ask yourself what you want out of life. Your own happiness is important. And, its OK to respect others choices, which make them happy too. 

Around the house the smell of the wood burner permeates the air, book shelves are slowly reducing as many are rehomed and others are packed. I'm looking at my gathered things and wondering which of them are special to our family and which we'll keep.

I am pondering what my new garden might be like, its perhaps a silly thing to many but its where my heart sings so I'm so looking forward to finding a place to be alive in. (again)

A favorite quote for today - from my boss today -  'that's a face that'd get a jammy piece at any door'. I'm hoping that was a compliment, not that I'd actively rob folks of food on their doorsteps..........

One of my favorite things is my new breakfast cup that my son bought for me, I use it every morning with my hot chocolate, its a huge teacup which reminds me of our time at Xmas.

A few plans for the rest of the week: working, walking, working and walking, repeat several times, I've three work events on this week and its nice to be busy but I can't neglect my hounds needs either as is it gets me outside too.

A peek into my day a wee walk at lunchtime around the edge of some of my old research plots and peeking over to the work polytunnels, looking over the bay to the boats. I love this view out to the bay. The sky and sea so blue, it could be summer! Underfoot the hounds hunt for hedgehogs and sausages, in no particular order. They're always hopeful.

And, thank you for reading, here's how to take part:

Please do think about taking part by using this link.

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

The Simple Womans Daybook - January 2011

The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Written with many thanks to the simple woman, who likes to look at the world with many others by taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of simplicity...beauty of the everyday moments. Anyone can join in and the link for the simple woman's day book is here
~*~*~*~*~

FOR TODAY...
Outside my window...sleet, rain going past at about gale force 8! The winter here is long, wet and very windy!!

I am thinking...about my daughter far away in Italy on a school exchange, I hope she’s enjoying her Italian family and isn’t too nervous.

I am thankful for...the hens still laying (8 eggs a day, even in the winter!) and that we’ve the space to make plans at home for a new house for them.

I am wearing... jeans, several jumpers, fleece, tights, knee length stripey socks and a hat indoors, it’s COLD!

I am remembering...I must go to the bank for my son before it closes.

I am going...home later to try and do more work on my thesis, slow and steady will win this race.

I am currently reading... a thesis on willow growing in this climate from a previous student in my department and constant re-reads of my own chapter sections.

I am hoping...to get everything finished in time and to get on with my life again, no more study for me after this!

On my mind... my vegetable plot at work, I’ll need to start working on it again when the students come back in February. I’m looking forward to that.

Noticing that... the days are getting longer again, its now light until 5pm – which is amazing!!!

Pondering these words... how much can I get done in the week whilst my daughter is away.

In the kitchen...grain is in the slow cooker every evening to make a hot breakfast for the chickens, good for them in this cold weather.

Around the house...most of the Christmas decorations are down and in their boxes but a few are still hiding on the walls.

One of my favourite things…waking up and finding my partner is with me, it doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s lovely.

From my picture journal...Peedie my cairn terrier in the snow outside the door - he got covered very quickly!

The Simple Woman's Daybook, December 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook.
Written with many thanks to the simple woman, who likes to look at the world with many others by taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of simplicity...beauty of the everyday moments. Anyone can join in and the link for the simple woman's day book is here
~*~*~*~*~
FOR TODAY

Outside my window...snow, alot of snow, the sun is not up yet (8.05am), and its beginning to get light. There is a pheasant standing on my bird table (!) and other birds (starling, robin, blackbirds, rooks, curlew and house sparrows) needing some extra food all chattering around the bird table

I am thinking...about the week ahead, hoping the snow might melt, the radio has said again the schools are closed, I've taken work home, we can spend the day at home quietly just being.

I am thankful for...the children helping with chores, the dog needing a walk and my partner arriving safely home to his house 300 miles away and of course the hens still laying everyday.

From the learning rooms...my camera - taken it out and trying to use it more each day!

From the kitchen...everyday the hens are having hot food for breakfast, so the slow cooker goes on at bed time to give them a tasty warm treat of soaked grain and scraps in the early morning. Morning drinks at the moment are hot chocolate, which are very nice, but those are for me not for the hens!

I am wearing...pyjamas, a fleece, hat, pigtails and a cosy puppy at my toes.

I am creating...a new vegetable garden which will hopefully be finished by spring and I'm trying to slowly put pictures up on the walls, still not found a place for many of them since we moved in March.

I am going...south for xmas, to visit family and friends dear to me and have some quality time together.

I am reading...Raising Hens for Dummies - learning more about my hens.

I am hoping...that my drive down to the family will be fine and filled with beautiful scenery through the highlands down toward central scotland.

I am hearing...the wind whistling around the house again!

Around the house..the xmas decorations are beginning to come out of their boxes and go onto shelves.

One of my favorite things...boiled eggs in the morning, fresh from the hens, who are thankfully still laying even in the snow!

A few plans for the rest of the week: take some eggs into work - finish a section of the thesis, do some extra work to earn some money - walk the dog oh and play in the snow, of course.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...my children, for once actually having a hug - OK there was bribery involved as my son (16) wanted my daughter (14) to take the dog - her price to take the dog, was a hug! A family walk on a sunday towards a local stone circle here nice when we get out together - and very lovely to see them have a hug - even if they are only being bribed to have one! I like that we still do family things, even now they are a bit bigger.

A view toward the Ring of Brogar, a local stone circle we often go walking at with the kids and the dog, very different in the snow.

Ring of Brogar, well a bit of it!

Have a lovely December and Christmas everyone!

The simple womans daybook - November 2010

Written with many thanks to the simple woman, who likes to look at the world with many others by taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of simplicity...beauty of the everyday moments. Anyone can join in and the link for the simple woman's day book is here

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...the hens are clucking looking for some food, the dog is chasing his shadow and the sun has come out to play.

I am thinking...about going to Finland, I've been invited for a conference, its short notice but I've never been there before - I've alot to do at work, but trips like this don't come up very often - I'm very torn.

I am thankful for...taking the time to walk up the track today to talk to my son about the day at school, I'm glad we can still talk, even if sometimes I forget what volume I am talking at - I need to remember his a young adult.

From the learning rooms.......I have learnt today - that if I leave myself a note within my work its normally for a good reason! Having spent the whole week battling with some of my field data - If I'd read the little note I'd left myself - I would have sorted the problem out in a jiffy!

From the kitchen...tonight we had yorkshire pudding with chicken, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables from the garden where I teach. My daughter made a cake, whilst I'm not a really big cake fan, this one looks great - almond and mixed nut.

I am wearing...jeans, a flowery fleece hooded top, a hat (indoors!) and pigtails, its so unbeleivably cold here - howling winds, sideways rain and freezing cold - inbetween the sun today which we did see for a short while, its dark at 3.30-4pm - crazy!

I am creating...warm rooms at the moment - putting up blinds and curtains to make the house warmer. I can't think about much except being cold!

I am going...to a concert soon with my daughter and her friend, their first 'rock' concert -'Paramore' in Aberdeen which is a long way from here! I'm nervous and excited all at the same time.

I am reading...The Belagarion by David Eddings - my sons favourite - we often read the same books - good way to find something  mutual to talk about. My magazine arrived 'Country Living' but its all about xmas and I don't want to read that yet!

I am hoping...the price of petrol doesn't continue to rise - £1.29.9 a litre here now, very expensive! I'm driving over 400 miles a week and this makes life very expensive indeed!

I am hearing...the sound of my daughter in the bathroom, my son in his bedroom and for once this week, NO howling gales rattling the roof. The dog is fighting with his bone in the hallway  - I think the bone might be winning!

Around the house...we've candles on and a few lamps - looks cosy - the laundry needs hung up inside and the washing up is done!

One of my favorite things...harvesting the chilli's - I've to harvest another plant tonight - then I think I'll watch a bit of my favourite TV programme 'House' - series 7 on the go at the moment.

A few plans for the rest of the week: working, I'm teaching vegetable gardening on Thursday 'Growing peppers and chillies - I'm needing to redo my budget and must talk to someone about moving the polytunnel from the place where we've taken it down to this house, so I can finally get on with growing more things.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing.......my very first home grown and saved jalepeno chillis in a jar in the fridge - they might even last me the year, they are mega hot!!!!  I'm very thankful and proud of the fact I managed to grow them, the greenfly didn't get them and I got 8 whole chilli's from one plant! If I can grow more of my own food (this is a very, tiny, teeny, small start) then I can stay home more and be with the family.

The Simple woman's day book

October 6th 2010 with thanks from the Simple woman's day book

Outside my window...this evening a storm is brewing and whistling around the house the roof is rattling!

I am thinking...of my friend's wedding we will be attending at the weekend - I can't wait to see their happy faces when they commit to each other!

I am thankful for...the company I have at home with my children and my little cairn terrier and my friends new, old, those I know in my virtural world, hoping to meet soon and those I already know and love!

I am wearing... pyjamas, long stripey socks and a hooded fleecey top

In the learning room...trying to learn to be more trusting with my children, to allow them the freedom to be more independant without my need to protect them. They need to be able to fly alone sometimes without my watchful eye.

I am remembering... I promised myself an early night, a chapter of my book and the luxury of a long sleep.

I am going...to meet a friend for lunch tomorrow - to ask a favour and take some home grown produce to her for her family.

I am currently reading...for work, several books on herbs - I've a class to teach tomorrow and I need to refresh my mind before I finalise the lesson. For fun I'm reading 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle' by Barbara Kingslover about a families attempt to feed themselves wholly from the region where they live.

I am hoping... the sea is calm for our ferry crossing and the roads safe for our long drive on Friday, I hope it will not be troubled and we arrive safely at our destination around midnight to be welcomed by my partner with open arms.

On my mind...mulling my need to over protect my children, if its more about my needs than theirs.

Noticing that...there is a flower out here in gardens which is bright baby pink - so fresh and pretty and vibrant amoung the gardens making ready for sleep.

Pondering these words...'You need to learn to trust me Mum...........'

From the kitchen... a feast of chillis being harvested, bottled, frozen and kept for the year ahead.

Around the house...the scent of candles fill the evening air as the evenings get darker, we allow ourselves the treat of lighting them to make the house cosier.

One of my favorite things.... my grannies leather sofa - weathered and worn, holes in the arms, cushions and blankets draped over it - newly moved into the sunny room to be slouched into, woken up in and wrapped under blankets on reading books. I miss both of my grandparents, their old, worn, loved sofa will always have a place in my home; being as an important part of my childrens life as it is for me.

From my camera...my mothers day card, hand made by my daughter - precious and original, full of thought and love - just like Hazel.

If you want to join in on the day book please see The Simple Woman's Daybook  for details. Thank you from me!

For today............with many thanks to the 'simple woman'

Outside my window... the ferry has popped over the horizon of the sea and the sky is blue and cloudless; beautiful!

I am thinking... about returning to work and wondering how to restructure my life to get a better balance....


I am thankful for... my children, my partner, my friends and my little dog, for living on a beautiful island and being able to enjoy it.


From the learning rooms... time scheduling and working on an achievable thesis structure.


From the kitchen... marmalade from fruit that would have been spoiled, is now recycled and just jarred up sitting glinting in the sunlight

I am wearing...pigtails, stripey jumper, warm cord trousers and very colourful rainbow knee length stripey socks!


I am creating... a time/life plan for the next 6 months which will make life happen and homelife happy


I am going...to walk the dog down to the beach later and must get some writing done


I am reading... alot of books about willow and for fun 'The Accidental Gardener' by Michael Powell


I am hoping...I can find a solution to a work/life balance and find inspiration to get my thesis finished on time!

I am hearing... Radio scotland and the sound of the birds chirping in the garden and the dog chasing the birds!


Around the house... its very quiet, the door is open, its sunny and peaceful


One of my favorite things... being in the garden, I'll try and get out later for an hour, my reward if I can write a good section of thesis today


A few plans for the rest of the week... thinking of returning to work properly, parcels to post, children to collect, a visit to the Dr's and an evening class to organise - I'm helping with teaching 'Vegetable gardening' on Thursday!





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