Wednesday 29 August 2018

Riding high




You find me riding high on a wave of purchased popularity here at Above The River Towers. I've bought the eldest two something they each really wanted (hoodie; bike) and I am quite frankly flavour of the month, yes I am. Well, flavour of the day at the very least, we all know it won't last.

The last of the roses are blooming here. I've been giving the garden a post-holiday tidy up, although there are still quite a few jobs to be done. The days seem to be ridiculously rushed at the moment though, as the boys try and cram everything into the last week of the holidays. My head is in a spin. Not helped by the coffee I should add. I never used to drink it, but somehow I have started having a cup or two each day. Some of the coffee out there is seriously strong, especially if you're not used to the caffeine. It's probably not the best idea for someone who regularly struggles to sleep, but I seem to be sliding down a slippery slope. I am already eyeing up portable coffee cups made from eco materials like bamboo and cork. There's a bewildering array.

On the home front I have been having a light declutter. Nothing major, just cupboard tidying, removing things we don't use, sending books to the local community bookshop, that sort of thing. I do so love decluttering. The boys just seem to require an unending stream of stuff. I am quite strict about what comes into the house, but even just the necessities just, well, big. Big piles of food, big piles of laundry, big piles of books and more bikes than I can shake a stick at. The littlest boy has somehow managed to acquire three. One that he found at a local community shop. Another one that does something different (BMX?) that he also found there and bought with his own money. And one that his brother outgrew that he purloined. The middle boy has his eye on a second bike that does something different to his normal bike. I fear it is for doing dangerous stuff. He has shown me videos of someone riding something similar along the edge of a three-storey building. It makes me feel a bit peculiar. Anyway, I am pushing back against the tide with a smidgen of clearing and tidying. It's that end-of-summer energy I think. Clearing the way for all the new ideas and plans.

I have also been decluttering here on the blog, as it seems the spammers have found me. All very tedious. I deleted almost 100 messages the other day. What on earth do people gain from it all?

Any plans at your end for the last days of summer? There's still time to eat ice-cream at the beach, declutter the garage and take up a new vice. Let's do it.

16 comments:

  1. It’s that time of year when the decluttering bug descends. Facing the thought of a new term and cooler days ahead somehow is invigorating. I’ve been retired for three years from teaching but I still feel invigorated at this time of year. Hope you get rid of your spammers. I have to admit that's why I put on monitored messaging to avoid the problem. Happy ice cream eating :) B x

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  2. I plan to declutter the built in cupboards in L's room next week, with a view to decorating once it's done. I probably have enough vices, but I can't wait to hear about yours! Pox on all spammers! :0) xx

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  3. Love decluttering!
    And ice cream. : )

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  4. My kids went back to school this week and I have started a declutter in peace, I have an ever growing pile of stuff to take the the charity shop. Although it is a little bitter sweet as some things like the wooden play kitchen have simply been outgrown by a pair of ten year olds.

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  5. Good for you de-cluttering. I have lofty plans but they usually get forgotten!

    I hope the boys make a smooth transition back to school. I always found that my days became a little more peaceful when that time of year rolled around!

    Jane

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  6. we are also de-cluttering to make way for greener pastures? + spring?

    such pretty flowers x

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  7. Dear CJ, how many things can you gather as you travel in a fortnight? Too much stuff...... When I get to Glasgow tonight I need to have a declutter - and it will be the weight of things that guides me as I chuck things out. Good post. All the best with your decluttering. Regards, Robyn

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  8. I regularly declutter here. I don’t quite know where it all comes from. Despite my best intentions to live lightly. Even the dogs seem to accumulate stuff! Your roses look lovely xx

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  9. Hi CJ
    I started drinking coffee at age 43... Why? I'm not sure, but I just suddenly wanted to join the club, it kept me alert and satisfied my sweet tooth cravings. I drink mine with milk and a teaspoon of sugar (do I dare to say that as sugar is the new drug apparently???) Anyhow, you drink your coffee if you fancy it. Why not? Everyone else is doing it. So go ahead and enjoy being on top of the world for a day or two and watching the last beautiful blossoms brighten up your day. It all sounds heavenly healthy to me.
    Xxx
    Annette

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  10. I try to declutter regularly, but rarely succeed. Lovely rose. I stopped drinking coffee a couple of years ago, and have always preferred tea. An ice-cream on the beach sounds like a good idea but I'll have to make do with some blackberries on the plot. Enjoy your weekend. xx

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  11. Ah CJ, there must be something in the air. I too feel I'm on that slippery slope, like you I don't usually drink coffee but I'm finding I need to have a shot of caffeine to keep me going during the day. It's bad because again like you I don't sleep well.

    I was gobsmacked the other day when the neighbour told me the children are starting back to school this week! It seems like yesterday that they were all looking forward to having time off over the summer.
    Life is whizzing by, for example I looked in the mirror and though my goodness my hair is awfully long again, doesn't seem five minutes since I had it cut shorter, but it's actually about three months.

    I'm hopeful we'll have more sunshine days before the night pull in though, then maybe I'll sit awhile in the garden and s-l-o-w down.

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  12. That's funny. We had minimal back to school shopping this year. The boy has most things. Just a new pair of jeans to replace the shorties. But on a whim, while I was out I bought him a sporty sweatshirt and I was given one of the most genuine thank yous I'd received in a long time. Materials. I know. I'm glad it will be used and appreciated. We are a layers town.

    The last week of holidays is always a whirlwind. Enjoy -- have an ice cream for me!

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  13. I was full of energy and new plans a few days ago but a house full of guests, a lovely but long wedding yesterday and too few hours sleep have left me totally lacking in energy. Maybe tomorrow!

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  14. That last rose is a beauty! My 4th of July rose is in bloom right now which pleases me no end. I'm glad your boys got to have some things that made them happy, what a good mom! I'm doing some decluttering too.. but cannot believe how much stuff I unearthed and now I don't know where to put it! LOL! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  15. Ahh a light declutter. talk dirty to me. or clean in your case. you strike me as an incredibly organized and tidy and clean person (i am acknowledging these are not the same thing). I AM NOT. I am that person that finds things when they clean. I have much shame, but still have aspirations to get my crap together.

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  16. I need to de-clutter some more here. Seems more comes in the house than goes out. I was so good at it a few yeas ago, now I am in a big ole mess again. It is good to be in favor with the boys even if it only lasts a few minutes.

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