I think I've discovered the answer! The question was where does the time go and why don't I seem to get as much done these days as I used to?a
Today I am having a rare treat - I am on my own for the whole day - DH has gone to London to a stamp exhibition (yawn, yawn!) I decided that rather than going with him to London and amusing myself there I would take the opportunity to have the house to myself for a change. Before he retired he was gone from home at 7.15 and rarely back before 7.00 in the evening and occasionally he was abroad for his firm - usually for several weeks at a time so I was used to being on my own and I have not yet quite come to terms with his being here all the time! a
The alarm went of at 6.30 this morning and having taken him to the bus station I was home just after 8.00 am. When I got back I set to and tidied the kitchen, did the breakfast dishes and I now have two loads of washing blowing on the line, have dusted and vacuumed the whole house and tidied and sorted out the stuff which seems to take over every available surface in our home, had all the windows wide open for a while to let the Spring air in, had a cup of coffee in the garden listening to the birdsong, done Tuesday's ironing and had a wander round the garden with my camera and it is still only just noon!a
The answer my friends is to get up early and to get on with it and not spend half the morning faffing about and checking e-mails etc as I usually do!! Sad but true!
There are signs of spring everywhere now - the birds are singing fit to burst, the leaves are softly unfurling in that wonderful pale spring green, the sun is shining and all's well with the world just at the moment!
a After lunch I intend to go for a walk and when I get back to get on with something creative - not sure what just yet but hopefully something will inspire me by then! I am alone till the bus gets back about 9.00 so still have plenty of time before I don my wife's hat and go and fetch DH from the bus!!
Better go and get myself something to eat and not spend too long at the computer.....
Hope you too are enjoying a sunny spring day - or at least those of you in the Northern hemisphere!
Remains of last week's fresh flowers - picked over this morning
Here they are when I bought them.
Hope you too are enjoying a sunny spring day - or at least those of you in the Northern hemisphere!
Remains of last week's fresh flowers - picked over this morningHere they are when I bought them.
It's so good sometimes to be on our own at home ! I really enjoy that once in a while. And you are so right : there so many things that can be done when you get up early and don't turn the computer on ! Hope you're fine.
ReplyDeleteYour spring flowers are so much further along than mine, and I live in the south. Our weather has been crazy this winter so I am thinking that my flowers are not sure if they should pop up or not! I do get up early, but after hubby is gone I'll sit at the computer a short while and look at email, etc.. I used to blog more at night which I think I'll start doing again since trying to do it in the morning leaves me feeling guilty as to all the thing I have to do. I must say though by 7:45 I start exercising so that helps get me away to start my day!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love being at home on my own at times - I thought that was going to happen today, but Mr VTT has come back early - he works part time, and is giving thagt up next month and will be at home working every day......hmmmm...we'll have to work out some things I think!! Great to see signs of life and colour in the garden, though that includes the weeds of course :( Yes, you can waste hours on the pc, as I am now!! Must away!
ReplyDeleteI love being on my own sometimes, I seem to get a lot done - funny that...........
ReplyDeleteI love getting up early too so much can get done then more time to 'play'
Julie xxxxxxxx
I do think you have answered the question. It's starting the day late that makes the day fly away. I to spend too much time in the am on the computer and drinking coffee too long and listening to the morning news. I'm going to start getting earlier and not going straight to the computer. It will be hard because we still have winter here, but I will try. I didn't use to dilly dally so much. Thanks for the reminder!!! xoRobin❤
ReplyDeleteYes, you have the answer! When I was snowed in alone last year I got sooo much done in one day, it was amazing! The cats were the only "time wasters".. ha ha. Liz xx
ReplyDeleteSo much spring beauty around here! We still have snow but are promised it will melt down this weekend, I have my fingers crossed. Have a lovely weekend/Anna x
ReplyDeleteI really miss having the house to myself from early morning - we rarely get started now before 10.a.m (although we get up at 7.00a.m. it takes us till them to sort out M-in-law, and someone has to do a hot drink at 11.00a.m. and lunch at 12.30. Husband often says it's like being back at work without the pay and weekends!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Jane! Although I am at home alone every day when my husband is at work, I think the problem is not getting up early enough and then switching the computer on!!
ReplyDeleteToday I did not put it on until 3
o'clock and I have my whole house cleaned, washing on the line, which I'm going to bring in and iron now.
It is too tempting to lie on a bit in the mornings when you don't have any children or pets at home any more to see to.
So the solution is up early and no computer until later in the day!!!
Vivienne x
I really love mornings too. It's when my best ideas come and when I'm most productive creatively. The lighter mornings and longer days are really just perfect :-)
ReplyDeleteA x
Yes a lovely day here too. I have been chopping back a huge bay tree hedge, which has opened up my view of Glastonbury Abbey. I am quite shattered after lopping and sawing all afternoon, but so worth it. Isnt it nice to see some colour at last?
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, look at all those beautiful Spring flowers, how wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I get so much more done when I'm home alone and also when the computer is switched off!
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers photos, our snowdrops have just come out, will need to get some photos soon, we're a bit behind you with the other flowers though. :) x
I feel as if I'm coming out of hibernation! The garden is waking up and so am I. So much to do and now I *want* to do it. Today, Mr R worked in the back garden, while I worked in the front - that worked quite well!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane, It had been a beautiful day in the SE.
ReplyDeleteTemps reached 14C.......lovely and warm, perfect weather for gardening.
I think having hubby at home all the time makes it difficult to 'get on'
I spend a lot of time alone and plough through everything at an amazing rate. When Mr P is at home I do not get nearly so much done.....
Thanks for sharing you spring blooms......
Such a wonderful post ... so true ... everything you say! I do have a habit of lazing around in the morning and then just wondering where the day went. Never enough hours in the day I am heard to mutter. I too am struggling to come to terms with never having much time to myself. We both worked and gave up at the same time so I have never enjoyed being at home on my own. Time to one's self is so precious! Lots of love x
ReplyDeleteYes , we all seem to agree you have the answer -on several different fronts!
ReplyDeleteI also spend too much time faffing around on the computer in the mornings. I am sometimes still there at 9:30 then whatever I do is started late.
I LOVE having the house to myself. Can't concentrate on my sewing with someone ( you know who !) following me around turning off lights, asking questioons, ranting about polititians and the latest news story about government rorts etc. No radio, no TV, no music, just my thoughts for company.
I'm not keen on housework at any time but absolutely refuse to do it after lunch so if I don't get moving early it can drag on and on.
Cheers
Helen
My window is flung open as I write before going to work and Spring is most definitely in air today.... can't wait to get out and get my hands dirty. The house can wait.......
ReplyDeleteI do get up early, but spend far too much time at the computer.
ReplyDeleteI have been cutting back a little and it is making a difference to the number of things I get through in the day.
Beautiful flowery spring photos.
The gardens are getting on as the weather's getting just a little bit warmer - as your photos show so well.
ReplyDeleteEarly morning, a bit further on in the year, is lovely as you can hear for miles in that fantastic singing silence which goes as the day advances.
Don't worry about housework, it'll still be there tomorrow!
I can get so much more done when I have the place to myself. It does help that I am an early riser too! You have some lovely signs of spring in your garden. I can't believe that it is March next week!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, an early start and no computer is the key to having more time in the day and getting lots of other things done! And being alone you don't get distracted in the same way as if there is someone else there to chat to and drink tea with! I loved your flower pictures - the viola ones are my very favourites. Have a great weekend. Helen x
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to your pleasure of day on your own - what treasures they are. Beautiful photographs as usual Jane, everything weems to be coming on in a great rush this week.
ReplyDeleteJill x
lol I know what you mean, when my hubby has a week off I usually get half of what I usually get done done :-) Glad you enjoyed your 'me' time today .
ReplyDeleteSo true, the capacity to be alone is a wonderful thing, but perhaps more precious if we know we will later have company? Your post really made me reflect, wonderful photographs, I am about to patrol my small garden now! thank you.
ReplyDeleteAhh, Jane, such a lovely fresh post! We are about to enter Autumn, which I do love, but we are having hideous humidity. Our garden is sullen, and silent.
ReplyDeleteI love to see your wonderful crocus and other Spring flowers peeing through. Primrose (Cowslips?) were among my English Grandmother's favourites in our NZ Spring.
OMG!! that should read, "peeping through" Not what appeared!!
ReplyDeleteFortunately the sun comes in where my computer is in the morning and I can't see the screen properly til late morning. I often cut out a cushion or something to sew then get up around 6 am and do a few hours sewing before breakfast..I do have to feed the dogs first though or they won't settle and let me work! I always make sure the kitchen is clean first too..just so I feel organised myself.
ReplyDeleteHello! I came to you via Floss at "Troc,Broc and Recup'"...I've enjoyed reading your blog very much and I've bookmarked it to return again. Some thoughtprovoking posts, some beautiful photos and lots of joy. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like to visit me, I'm at dormouse.wibsite.com and fatdormouse.blogspot.com (the second one is my weightloss blog) Thanks!