restarting

1. The clearout continues... we took some more junk to the skip on Sunday (this time from the garage) and the brown bin is full of branches.
2. My own sorting-out has started too... I'm trying to relearn how much I should eat each day, and maybe lose the stone I've gained in the last year or so.  Not a diet (honest!) but "recalibrating" my thinking to know what a reasonable level is - I'm hoping it will help me to readjust so that I can stabilise at a good level.
3. And I've restarted knitting again after a long break over the Christmas holiday.  There's a 2nd mitt to finish after its friend was made last December, and the last piece of the garter stitch blanket when I don't want to concentrate on counting stitches.  And I've got 2 takers for handmade items in Pay it Forward 2012.

Staying in

Well, I've not left the house today (too wet and windy for the planned trip to Keswick) but have sorted through a few more cupboards and found more stuff to go to Oxfam.  I definitely like being able to open cupboard doors without worrying that something will fall out!

A knock on the door this morning was a delivery of flowers, with a message to say Happy New Year.  What a lovely surprise!

The New Year Clearout begins

1. I feel very satisfied to have finally started clearing out some of the stuff we've accumulated and just don't need. So far, we've taken 2 boxes to the Salvation Army shop, with 2 more ready to go, and have thrown out countless plastic tubs without lids (among other things). The kitchen cupboard is no longer overflowing... next stop is the dresser in the dining room.
2. We popped into town for an hour or so this afternoon - it's so windy again! It felt good to blow the cobwebs away, but I'll be glad when it all dies down again.
3. We had friends over for dinner this evening. I'd made a beef stew (winter food!) and it was good to be able to relax and catch up with each other again.