Cate's Diary

I'm reading a lot of articles on play and happiness and also reading people's blogs who built their own camper vans. It relaxes me to research, but I love good fiction and want to get back into that, too. So lovely you can sit inside on a rainy day and read a whole book!
 
Hi, Marsia. Researching the things you like can be very relaxing, but I love really getting into a good fictional book. I order books from the library, after reading book reviews, otherwise, it would cost me a small fortune.
It is definitely a housework day today. G's siblings are coming for lunch on Friday & while the house is tidy...ish, the windows & floors could really do with some serious cleaning.
Happy December!
 
It was a really interesting book, Em. I had to push through the switching backwards & forwards in time at the start, but then got really fascinated. I think it's well worth reading. Make sure you get to the end though as there's an interesting twist. It took me by surprise. I read the book in a day with doing lots of other stuff.

Oh cool, maybe I will check it out so. I love a good twist.

Happy cleaning and happy December! 2020 is nearly over, hahaha.
 
Oh, Liza. Can’t you get back into reading?
I keep trying and will keep on trying...I think a good work of fiction is one of the most wonderful finds in this world.
t is definitely a housework day today. G's siblings are coming for lunch on Friday & while the house is tidy...ish, the windows & floors could really do with some serious cleaning.
Always a good motivation when visitors are coming to get the housework done!
 
Oh cool, maybe I will check it out so. I love a good twist.
Happy cleaning and happy December! 2020 is nearly over, hahaha.
You may hate the book. I thought I was going to, but it got me in. I didn't see the twist coming at all.
2020 nearly gone? Phew! I have had worse personally, but I know it has been bloody hard for most of the planet. Hopefully, people will learn to value the important things more- love, family, friendship, nature, music, the arts......
I keep trying and will keep on trying...I think a good work of fiction is one of the most wonderful finds in this world.
Always a good motivation when visitors are coming to get the housework done!
Escaping into a good book of fiction to me is my meditation.
The house is much cleaner. I mainly attacked windows & G did the floors. No-one may notice, but we will :)

It has been so stormy here, but I managed to get out quickly for 2 walks with Arch. It is so windy though. They warned of damaging winds & I made sure not to walk under any trees.
 
So wonderful to have a clean house and clean windows all at the same time. This year has been hard for us, but not solely because of the pandemic, but it does draw family closer and make you really appreciate all the positives in life! I love stormy walk days. Hope you enjoy your company!!
 
Hi, Marsia. The windows only had a quick clean. We need to work our way around the house & do them properly, but that will have to wait. I think this year has drawn our family closer. I don't like windy walks & yesterday was so windy! In the early evening, G looked out & saw that a big dead gum tree had fallen on our beautiful walnut tree, that was our pride & joy. It used to be the family joke but had grown into a magnificent tree. It has not been totalled but is a big mess. G has gone to golf this morning but will come home early to deal with it. I'm glad I wasn't under it when it fell.
I had said I was going out to catch up with the golfing ladies this afternoon, but I don't think I will. I don't like going anywhere later in the day & have to do some shopping so may go into town about 11 am instead. It is so cold out there today. Snow is predicted above 800 metres today & I swear the wind must be coming off the snow. Brrrr!!!!
 
Oh God, I feel a chill just reading your post. I hope you can save the beautiful walnut tree. :cry:

I thought of you tonight Cate. I was listening to the radio driving home from the pool and someone had texted into the show I was listening to from Tasmania! The DJ then started talking about his time there and mentioned Hobart and everything. It was cool.
 
Thanks, Em. I hope we can save it too.
I love our connections in the forum. I am glad you are back at the pool too :)
 
So sad about your tree. So glad you weren't out in that! I hope you had a relaxing afternoon snug in your warm house. I got goose bumps reading your description, too!
 
My parents have a gorgeous walnut tree on their property as well. It got damaged by construction workers a couple of years back but it recovered. Fingers crossed yours will as well.
 
Hi, Marsia & LaMa. I wrote a longish post last night & then lost it & gave up!
I had a good day Tuesday & again yesterday. R has arrived for a few days & will help us clean up the tree. G was going to use the chainsaw up a ladder & I put my foot down. R is going up the ladder with a handsaw today. I think the tree will be ok but will check to see if there's anything we can do to help.
More cleaning up today.
I did some Xmas shopping yesterday & managed to purchase a wooden Xmas tree, which is being delivered on Sat afternoon. This makes me happy. I had admired a really beautiful rustic one in a shop window, made from old fence palings & the woman who made it was in the shop yesterday & I told her how much I loved it & was it possible to order one. I was really surprised when she said yes. She's going to deliver it to me. I had just bought R a Xmas present, which I loved so walked out very happy. Archie got lots of walks in so he was happy too.
R will be going backwards & forwards between now & Xmas while he moves all of his stuff out of the house. I told him I'm going to make more fuss this Xmas b/s K9 will be spending it with us as she can't travel home to be with her family. I'm buying lots of Dutchy treats. It seems to be a big thing over there so much more effort & fuss will happen. I can do it. I'm not much into fuss. I have left it too late to buy a special Xmas decoration though.
 
I think your house looks perfect for some simple decorations Cate, without any fuss required! A few fairy lights in the trees outside would be magical.
 
Thanks, Em. R has some outside lights he's going to rig up for us & I will put up some of my simple decorations. I got rid of the plastic crap & tinsel I had. G's brother & SIL make tree hangings for each of their nieces & nephews & great nieces & nephew each year so I will be hanging them up when D fishes them out of his shed. They also purchase them one each on their travels. They will look very classy.
I'll make a fuss with the treats & I'm sure K9 will appreciate the effort.
 
The wood tree sounds lovely, and I really prefer simple decorations - I think they do look more classic. I love buying Christmas presents for people. So nice R will help with the tree!!
 
That's nice to hear you enjoying the Christmas preparations and that you can have family with you for it Cate--sounds like it should be really special :)
 
Cate your preps sounds great . I’m getting on with mine too . I still hoping to get a new decoration this year . I buy a new one every year . Have fun
 
Please put up a picture of the tree once it arrives! I'm sure K9 will love your Christmas ideas - the company is so much more important than the trappings. That said: really curious to hear what treats you're planning!
 
Right- before I get sidetracked!
"grouphug: everyone xoxo
The tree was delivered in the morning & I decorated it quickly before G's family arrived. We had a lovely day & they didn't leave until 5. We had 8 humans & 3 dogs. Arch got a bit cranky with the pup, just growling & one snap in the air in his general direction. That was after about 3 hours.
I haven't had much time the last couple of days. R is going back to Hobart today, maybe until Xmas eve. he still has stuff to move & papers to sign etc.
I'll wait until I finish the decorations before I take a photo & post it :)
 
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