Friday, I sat in my car waiting for the crates with my shopping to appear. I’d chosen to click and collect the groceries from the supermarket, as it was going to be a busy day and I didn’t have time to wait around at home or shop. Every time the door to the depot opened, I looked around to see if it was my turn. After the third time, it hit me. I can turn my head without it hurting my neck. I can’t remember the last time that happened. This is positive progress.
For the last three months, I have exercised, cut back on certain foods and nurtured my gut flora. I’ve kept going even during those weeks where I can see no progress. Am I more flexible? How’s my posture? I seem to be more balanced and increased my stamina, but am I? I can measure weight and inches lost (down a dress size and a third of the way to my target), but it’s more difficult to gauge fitness improvements.
It’s a small difference, but I’m going to take my neck movement as a win. A definite sign that I’m making progress.
Crafting progress
Progress in one area of live always seems to spur on progress elsewhere. I’ve been lackadaisical in my crafting, this year. I’m not sure why. There have been a few almost finished projects that I knew I could finish quickly, but I lacked the oomph. This week, after seeing my fitness progress, I picked two projects up and finished them. A dishcloth and a pair of socks. The former is now beside the kitchen sink and the other is stored away in my gift box. I’m ready to tackle the next easy win project.
Reading progress
I don’t give myself enough time to read. If I leave it to bedtime, I’m asleep before I turn the first page. I love reading. As a teen, I’d spend all day, squirrelled up somewhere with my nose firmly in a book. Unfortunately, not a luxury when you run a busy household.
What can I say, this week I gave myself time. Gifting myself a sliver of the day to indulge. Most of the books I buy are from charity shops, so I’m usually behind everyone else in terms of titles. I read the Lamplighters. It’s written mostly as if an interview is being recorded. It was an easy read and I enjoyed it.
Next up is Where the Crawdads sing. I’m a couple of chapters in and am hooked. I’ve also bought a couple of embroidery books. Oh my goodness, I am so inspired. Tough choice on which project to do first. If you look at the top of the Sisters gonna stitch you should just be able to make out the number of papers I’ve bookmarked.
Watch this space.
Organising progress
I’ve been on the look out for a yarn swift to deal with all my hanks. For those of you who don’t have a yarn obsession, which I totally understand, a yarn swift replaces the need for hands awkwardly holding up the yarn loop as someone else winds the yarn into a ball. If you saw my stories on Instagram, you’ll have seen it in action.
I found one in a charity shop. So pleased. No more waiting around for someone to lend me their arms. I can now make progress processing my yarn and storing it ready for use.
Other progress
Eldest had her birthday. We spent her last birthday in Paris and it does not seem a year ago. We’re enjoying spotting places we know, while watching the Olympics. Anyway, it’s the first birthday this year that we’ve all been home. We started off in the gym (her choice), which everyone enjoyed. Birthday tea (with jelly!), followed by bowling and a Chinese takeaway. I think she had a good birthday.
Hero went to the vet. No further progress with his neck pain, but we do have a new course of action, so fingers crossed we can get to the bottom of the problem. He is always very good at the vets and loves all the staff, but he’d rather a thermometer was never brought near him again.
The cinnabar moth caterpillars are making progress with the ragwort in the garden. We’ve had so many butterflies and bees, unlike everyone it seems. I’m grateful to see so many of these caterpillars this year.
Another week shimmies by and it’s time to join in with Anne’s word of the week linky. Hope you all had a good week.
Great read. You have really made some good progress. I hope it continues too.
Thanks. Me too.
Well done on your progress. I’ve been really slack on the crafting front this year. I don’t buy wool unless it’s already in balls. I have tried to wind it and I just find it annoying. I do like your new ‘toy’ though. I hope you find out what is wrong with Hero soon. And belated birthday wishes to your eldest.
I’m planning to get out my spinning wheel out, so I should be producing lots of hanks of yarn, which will need turning into balls too. Making this later stage of the process easier means I have one less hurdle and I might see it through to the end.
That is great that your neck isn’t hurting, it sounds like all the hard work is paying off. Well done with your craft progress. That yarn tool looks so useful.
Happy belated birthday to your eldest. It sounds like she had a lovely day.
Aww! Poor Hero, I hope he is feeling better soon. x
It is good to see changes, however small they are. It turned out to be a lovely birthday too. Thank you.
That’s great that you’ve had positive progress from the changes you’ve made and can turn your head without your neck hurting. Nice to finish off some craft projects too. Love the colours on those socks. Lovely to have some time to read too. I’ve not managed to read very much over the summer. Glad your Eldest had a nice birthday. Love the photo of the cinnabar moth caterpillar. We have ragwort in the garden but I’ve not spotted any caterpillars or moths so far this year. #WotW
Not all our ragwort were lucky to have the caterpillars, so I wonder if the numbers are dropping. I saw the adults flapping around earlier in the summer. They are my favourite caterpillars.