Back to basics

Last week CHS came shopping with me, he spent £91 in the supermarket and I still had to do two top up shops for milk and veg.

Yesterday I shopped alone, I spent £24, hopefully I will not need any top up shops as I have lots of veg and milk in.

Next weeks meal plan.

In no particular order.
Roast turkey, turkey, ham and mushroom pie, Turkey and noodles, spaghetti bolognese, fish pie, pork chops, chicken and ribs.

I'm freeeeeeee!

Well that's it, it's all done and dusted. I'm officially retired.

I came home laden with gifts, chocolates and gift vouchers.

The head made a nice farewell speech, my line manager declined to speak.

Tonight I'm going out for a celebratory meal.

Ooopps

I get these lumps, just small ones about the size of a pimple and mostly on my face. They are irritating and unsightly but that is all. After a few months they dry up enough to be removed usually with a scalpel.
I currently have on on the side of my nose and I was getting tired of it, so out came the medi wipes, mirror and scalpel.
Oh bugger, it popped but then it bled and bled and bled.
And then it stopped, there is no scab, no soreness, nothing at all.

U3A

I have joined the U3A, there is one a few miles away.

I shall start with quilting and circle dancing.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Are you lonesome tonight.

I think my only real concern about retirement is that I will become lonely and isolated.
I don't know many people on the Marina and there are very few women here anyway.
CHS will, I know, come home each evening, rant about work until the evening meal is ready, he will then fall asleep in the chair until it is time for bed.
I'm struggling to find any clubs or activities to join in with that a are within my budget.
Time will tell.

So I went to the laundrette

I wanted to establish the time and costs involved, from although dd2 has offered to do washing and drying for my when I spend time with dgd9, I want to pay her for doing it.
Dgd9  is three years old but the 9th grandchild.

So I went into the laundrette and bade the attendant, who was stood behind the counter a cheery hello, she merely grunted  in reply.

I read the instructions and started a wash going, I went to buy a loaf of bread whilst the wash was on.

I returned to the laundrette and once the machine had finished it's watery tango I emptied the washing into the dryer and sat with my crochet waiting.

After a few minutes a very flash Audi parked on the double yellow lines out side the laundrette and three people entered.

There was a woman in her 40's, her daughter who was in her 20's and a toddler.

The laundrette attendant immediately came out from behind the counter and stood with her arms folded.

The older of the two women came over and started to ask me about my crochet. She had no discernible accent but her speech had a very unusual cadence. I recognised it immediately.

After about half an hour I went to remove my bedding from the tumble dryer and left the towels in to continue drying.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed the younger women walking over to sit beside my bag that I had left by the bench. I'm sure she rifled through it whilst my back was turned. I didn't say anything as my phone and purse were in my pockets, all that was in my bag was my crochet, a loaf of wholemeal bread and some empty carrier bags.

I'm glad my daughter has offered to do my washing for me, I don't want to have to use the laundrette again.

In case you are wondering the wash cost £4 for a twenty minute wash and the dryer was also £4 for an hour's drying, plus £1 to park. It could have proved a lot more expensive if I hadn't recognised the didicoy patois!

It's the final countdown.

One more week before I retire and it's a four day week at that.

It hasn't sunk in yet and probably won't for a few weeks as it will just be like a normal school holiday.

Even though I gave around 4 months notice my job was only advertised on Tuesday and the closing date is next Tuesday.

Two boats to clean next week, it will be easier not having to fit them in around work.