The weather's been pretty yuck this week with non-stop rain and howling winds, but nowhere near as bad as in the north and west of France. Apparently winds hit over 200 km an hour (over 120 miles/hour) in Brittany, and while we got howlers it obviously wasn't that bad. A few downed trees and landslides but as far as I'm aware, no major damage round here! The net result of all the rain is that we've got snow on the mountains at the back of my house, so I'm guessing the snow line is at around 1,000 metres. I'm at 800 metres so I expect it won't be too long now! On the positive side I have an appointment to get my winter tyres put on on Wednesday so that's one thing crossed off my to-do list!
I follow a couple of hiking groups on FB of people who hike in this region and the pictures they are posting are just out of this world. They're also very helpful in that if anyone asks, say, where is a decent walk, not too long and suitable for children, someone will always chime in with a suggestion. I've seen some fabulous hikes on these groups, but of course I'm in no shape to be attempting any of them right now. What I have realized though is that I don't mind going out in the rain and since I know I have some waterproof trousers (somewhere), next on my list might be a gentle hike, come hail or high water - though hopefully without!
On the first of every month I have a short to-do list which includes, amongst other things, charging all the metallic lighting strips that I bought about a year ago. I have five in the house and one on the cellar stairs, so I'd charged them all by mid-day on 1st November and then wouldn't you know it we had a power cut a few hours later! So good timing all round. I felt pretty pleased with myself as I flicked all the power strips on and as I'd recently bought an independent power pack to charge my phone I knew I was going to be all right for a few hours. Of course the first thing to go when the power goes off is the heating, because although I heat with fuel, I need electricity to run it. And boy am I glad I had that wood burning insert installed. My neighbours use pellets but I decided to go with wood (and my trusty new chainsaw) so that I would at least have heating in the event of a power cut. So all in all it was ok, even though we never know how long they will last. In this case it only lasted a few hours, but we have had the electric down 24 hours previously, so I'd say we got off easy. Mind you, doing my monthly "charge everything that needs charging", I'm struck by how everything you buy today has its own charging cable. I've got a box of the bloody things and they're all different and while I'm used to it now it can get very confusing. Come to think of it, I have a drawer full of different cables that have been hanging around for years but in the end I reckon I'll just end up throwing the lot as I can't figure out what they're for!
The plumber stopped by on Friday and with the help of his young assistant managed to get my very large (and heavy) shower base up the stairs and installed in the larger bathroom. It was quite a relief to get that out of the garage because I was then able to move more stuff into the garage rather than having it all sitting outside (as it has been since last April) covered in two large tarps. On the off-chance I mentioned to him that I was going to take a trip out to the charity store when he left as I had two large electric leaf blowers that I wanted to get rid of and did he know anyone who might like them? And he instantly said that he would take them. So I pushed my luck and asked if he was interested in my battery assisted bike too (all for free, I might add) and he jumped at it. So I got rid of three more large items that were taking up space and now have a very happy plumber! I know some people say to sell this stuff on FB Marketplace or wherever, but I can't be bothered and while I know all about "sunk costs", in the end I'm just glad to get rid of it. So score for me and score for him!
While he was here I stayed out of his way downstairs and decided to get a bit of sewing done. In the same vein as T'Pol, I'm sick of having unfinished projects lying around the house so I've decided that this year at sewing club is going to be dedicated to finishing projects and using up some of the beautiful fabric that I have (before the moths get to it)! So I was quite proud of myself when I finished an advent calendar for Charlie that had been hanging around for a couple of weeks. I had seen a picture of an advent calendar "tree" so winged it and tried to make the same thing. It has small cars and chocolates in each pocket and is as wonky as hell (right brain, left brain again), but at least it's finished and it was made with only good intentions!
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| Ha ha, look at numbers 1 through 5! Talk about wonky! |
I'm like you, I give stuff away. My mom used to always say that I could make some money if I sold things, truthfully, I don't really care. And that calendar looks darn right spiffy to me!
ReplyDeleteIf you try to sell things round here you always get a reply from "Jean-Pierre" who "likes your article (they never say what it is) and since he's currently travelling on business in Africa could you ship it to him if he sends you the extra"? So no, I can't be bothered with that stuff. Also as a woman they tell you not to give out your home address so it would mean me meeting someone somewhere too, so nah, I'll just give it away to someone I know or off to the charity shop. And I'm glad you like my wonky calendar. I didn't realize how bad it was until I hung it up!!!!!
DeleteA good clear out is always good! We need to pick up leaves in the back, I should've asked you for one 🤣
ReplyDeleteI would have gladly given you one of the leaf blowers if you had but asked! But to be honest, they're heavy and even when we did have trees I always raked the leaves - if I did it at all!
DeleteSounds like Charlie is going to have a fun Advent as well as Christmas ! Think the adults might be getting some fun from those cushions too.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of sets of REALLY bad teeth too so I'll have to dig them out!
DeleteI prefer to give away rather than sell. I have sold a couple of expensive items - collectable crockery and jewellery - on FB but for most things I don’t think it’s worth the bother. And I get good karma from giving away things on my local buy nothing fb group - I’ve received some great things in return. Your plumber will probably be more inclined to do some little extra things for you.
ReplyDeleteAs to bloody charging cables. I toss them when they’ve bred in drawers and become a tangled mess. I am sure I’ve tossed a couple they i later needed. I can’t see why they can’t label the cords more obviously - with a bright tag saying what it belongs to. Or why they can’t be made universal like power plugs.
I'm like you with regards to trying to sell stuff. I don't need the money and I don't want the hassle so if someone else can get good use out of it I'm more than happy with that. And I'm glad someone else feels the same way as I do about those bloody cables. I genuinely have a drawer full from when my husband left and I'm pretty sure they could all get pitched. In the end I suppose if you did end up needing one of them you can always go out and buy another one, can't you!
DeleteSeems like your timing is exquisite right now for getting things done just as you're needing them! Good for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course it feels good to give things away. Plus- perhaps if you have a plumbing emergency, your plumber will feel far more inclined to get to you swiftly! Which is a sort of barter, if you think about it.
Whoopie cushions! Yes! Who doesn't want to be that sort of grandmother?
I know as soon as the weather cools that I come back to life so I'm not surprised I'm on a roll right now (long may it last). And you're right that I suppose it would make the plumber "sweet" - he was definitely thrilled with what he took away! As for whoopie cushions - I can't wait because Charlie already has a wicked sense of humour!
DeleteThat's an adorable calendar and I'm sure Charlie will have a ball with it.
ReplyDeleteAt least Charlie won't mind that it's wonky, but I have an idea he might be wanting to "jump ahead" a few days because he loves cars - and not every pocket has a car in it. We'll see, I guess!
DeleteI had rather give away than try to sell. It is just too difficult to arrange times for them to look at then make a final decision only to cancel or change their minds at the last minute.
ReplyDeleteI love Charlie's Advent tree!
I agree absolutely. Then there are people who try to haggle over what is already a very low price. Not to mention if it's something big you've either got to give them your home address (which, in particular for a single woman, is very much a no-no) or lug it to a meeting point. So yep, I'm fine with giving it away. I just hope they get pleasure out of it! And I'm sure Charlie will love the advent calendar, especially when he sees the cars!
DeleteI prefer to give things away instead of selling them. I remember years ago I had a garage sale. First and last time for that.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the advent calendar that you made for Charlie. It is adorable. He will have so much fun with that.
My friend and I once signed up for our village's vide grenier (garage sale organized by the village). Never again, as you say. Some people love doing them and seem to make a lot of money, but I know I'll never be a salesman (person?) of any kind so yep, I'd rather give it away. And I hope Charlie likes the advent calendar. Well I know he'll appreciate the cars (and possibly the chocolates too)!
DeleteI am sure Charlie will like the advent calendar. Why don't you ask the guy if he can get rid of the rest of your items. I bet he would be willing.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea. I'll have a look round to see what else he might be interested in. I know some people will take anything and can use it and others take it so that they can sell it on, but either way, I'm just happy to get rid of it!
DeleteI made advent calendars for all three of my children when they were very young and had to fill them with little presents (all separately wrapped I might add!!) until they were all well into their teens! They loved them and loved trying to guess what was in them. I had to think well out of the box to keep the cost down - laterally make up and scent samples were a winner! I used to spend most of November sourcing tiny presents to fit the pockets lol. Charlie will love it I'm sure, but you might have to fill it from now till he's 20 lol.
ReplyDeleteI get fed up with the stupid people who waste your time on the market places too. I've sold a few things but like you I'd rather they go to a new home, especially when I've already had my moneys worth. x
I briefly considered wrapping them but Jen feels very strongly that we should stop using wrapping paper and make more "permanent" (less wasteful) gift wrap. I feel the same way but there was no way I was sewing 24 gift bags!!! And I'm with you on market place - I just can't take the hassle and of course there are too many scammers out there!
DeleteStart making bags for next year, after Christmas. Use comics or magazine pages to wrap. The gifts are small, so a magazine page will work. You can do that this year to keep him from seeing the cars.
DeleteGood idea! Thanks!
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