keeping busy

  Been getting lots of bits and pieces done lately. Everything I do around the house or in the garage is to the background of the day long reporting of all things happening regarding the death of the Queen. Poor King Charles. He must be utterly exhausted. It's different for the Royals, they know what is expected of them and they just do it. I can't imagine anything worse than having to be in the constant glare during such grief. Seeing the Queen's children standing around her coffin last night as people trouped by made me feel very uneasy. I switched off and got on with other things. But as I say, they are different, they are strong of will, have traditions and are loyal to them, regardless of how difficult it might be for them beneath the façade. I have such respect for them.

Yesterday I needed to visit a few shops,so toodled up to Asda, The Range, and the B&M. It was in The Range that I spotted this little black and white pumpkin. I picked it up, put it back, then picked it up again. I really wasn't going to buy as it I have no intention of buying a ton of tat again now we've got rid of so much, but the pattern matches the kitchen floor so I wanted to get it. It's small and was £2.99, so I thought ok, I can have that. I don't feel bad about it, because afterwards I went to the B&M and saw a box of 8 small plastic black and white pumpkins, which included two harlequin ones. Pre-Purge-Sadie would have just bought them immediately, but Grown-Up-Post-Purge-Sadie thought no need, I've got this one and that's more than enough. Growth.

The reason for needing to visit these shops was I'd run out of paint stripper. I am in the process of removing the white paint from the nest of tables as having them stained darker works better for the rooms we use them in. It's a task I can tell you. Taking longer than I hoped, but I'll get there.

We have our Christmas crackers in the house. I knew that Nancy & Betty would have discount on purhcases for the first week so bought them nice and early. Violet chose the pattern, I love her choice. I also ordered two Christmas cards while I was at it, not that I use them. Bill likes to have some decent cards to send, but I stopped sending cards years ago and don't regret the decision. I bought them for him to use.

Yesterday and today I have spent time in the garden getting rid of the spent tomato, pumpkin and courgette plants. We only managed to get one pumpkin, but better than none, I have a large dish full of tomatoes so won't need to buy any this week again, and we had two final courgettes on Sunday. The garden is tidier without all the straggly faded leaves.

Now the huge Purge has been completed, I can take time to tackle smaller decluttering tasks. I've been working on the drawers of the bureau in the Garden Room. So full of junk they would jam when opened and you'd have to jiggle or shove a ruler in there to try to make enough room to slide them open. I have been ruthless and thrown out so much. I've still got more to do with old bank statements, which I think I'll burn at the weekend to get rid of. One drawer is full of candles, tablecloths and napkins, so always looks busy, but I have thinned it out so it's better. Once I've had a final declutter I'll share photos, not that I took any before ones, they were too full and shameful to share and I think we all know what drawers full of crap look like. One thing I can say is the top drawer is spacious enough for me to stash the Christmas crackers in, the box itself is roughly 34 X 39 cms, so not small. Take it from me when I say that is nothing short of a miracle, especially as there is room to spare, so I'm really pleased about that.

Ironing to do. Back tomorrow.