The weather has changed and it's time to swap the summer tops for the winter ones.  If I didn't have so much it would be far easier.  Some of these tops are ten years old - at least.  I hate to get rid of them in case I *need* them in the future.  How dumb is that?  If I don't like them and don't wear them........nuff said.   So this time I'm really having a major purge.  After all, I've been buying what I need as I need it.  I've realised that in fact all the things I no longer wear, no matter how good they still are, I've had my use from them.  Very few are new, unworn, or things I need to feel bad about getting rid of.  In the 'good old days way back when' people kept stuff forever and expected clothes to last forever as well.  My mind has to accept that times have changed in this as well as everything else.

After I wrote that I went back and finished sorting out my clothes.  Big job but well done.  I got rid of a lot of things including shoes.  Some are ready to pass on to a charity, some have gone in the bin.  Sadly some of my favourite tops, new this year, have got holes in already.  Instead of keeping them I've binned them and proud of myself for doing it.  I deserve better than to wear raggedy clothes even if they are ones I love.   I can actually hang up all the clothes for this winter now and can see them all.  I will even be able to see all my shoes.  The best reward is that I feel good about it days later.  The thing remaining to be done is to iron/freshen many tops.

I met up with some of my new classmates on Friday.  It was a lovely afternoon and I feel so happy to have met these ladies.  It's distance learning but there are several of us from this town doing the same course so we can help and support each other.

The weather isn't being kind to my body.  I've been so achy for days that I struggle to get comfortable.  And to add to misery the ol' asthma has been worse.  I've had to use my puffers at least a couple times a day and even during the night.  Other than that things are great.  I'm happy. 

and life is good.  I seem to keep busy doing not much of anything specific but enjoying it.  The house is generally in a reasonable state and we have clean clothes.  There is always stuff to be done but nothing urgent.  That feels good.  I can sit and relax with a drink and not feel that I 'should' be doing something else.  It's taken a long while to feel this way. 

I have finished all the books for the Transworld reading challenge for this year.  All the books were good, and one was better than good.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to do this again.  There is something wonderful about having a brand new book and reading something by an author I most likely would not have tried.  I plan to read more by the authors I've discovered this time around.

Here's a silly thing:  I was unable to sleep so had the tv on one of those teleshopping channels that are so good at sending me to sleep.  They were banging on about a steam cleaner.  Remember that I bought one a few years ago because of these ads.  It seemed like a good idea.  I already had a wallpaper steamer that has attachments but it's pretty big and heavy.  I bought the smaller hand help gizmo but never found it as good as I expected.  When I was watching this program I realised where I was going wrong.  I dug it out a while ago and found that the gizmo is fine, it was the user at fault!  Now I will have to find it a new home where I can get it out easier.  It just proves you are never too old to learn.....(you can laugh here if you like)

Well, I think I'll give the mutts a walk now.  It will do them good and it will also be good for me.  It's a nice day and I might as well go out and enjoy it.

On Saturday I got my course materials from the Open University.  Oh boy, what fun opening a box of books and CD's.  The best bit is that I understand them and think I will enjoy them.  I was a bit daunted wondering what I've undertaken: would the books be written at a level that I'm not comfortable with, would the CD's be aimed above my abilities.  But hey ho, it's all good.

My final book from Transworld arrived today and I'm looking forward to starting it when life slows down a bit.  New books are always exciting to me.

I've been out socialising two days this week and will be out again tomorrow.  It's amazing how much I've been enjoying myself seeing various old friends.  Once again I've realised how restricted my life has become.  I used to walk so far and go so far compared to what I do now.  I'm trying hard to get better and my walker which I call Charlie helps a lot.  We'll have to see how it goes when the weather changes.  I've also accepted two invitations for next week and one to an ongoing group.  From never going out to being out a lot!

I've also realised this week that I finally have a goal and something to aim for - my degree.  It's been a long time since I've felt so motivated.   I'm enjoying the sensations this brings me.  And the joy knowing about it has given Andy is an added bonus.   Since I've been retired I've found it hard to look forward, especially when I'm in pain.

I've joined the Facebook group for my course and am enjoying being part of a bigger group all doing the same things.  It's so good to know we all have the same hopes and fears, that we are all excited about it.

And this weekend is the 50th reunion for my high school class!  I can't go as it's in the US but my former classmates are being very good about keeping me in the loop.  They will send me photos of the event.  I've sent my best wishes to all.  I hope they will have a brilliant time.  I really don't believe it has been that long since I was in school.  It makes me feel old.

I'm chuffed to bits today!  A nice deliveryman brought my course materials for the Open University.  I've had a lot of fun looking through them, seeing what I have to use and do.  I haven't looked at the actual textbooks yet, there is enough other stuff to look at for starters. 
I've also been following a forum and the Facebook page for my course.  I have most of the supplies that I might need so am good to go.

Yesterday I went with Andy to Wellingborough and found a lovely new hairdresser.  My hair was ittitating me no end.  I'd cut some of it myself last week but it needed a good cropping.  I had it cut very short.  It feels wonderful and I'm glad I had it done.  It's so short it is sticking up in places but that is okay.   

Let's see what else I can remember about the last couple of weeks.........I've done a lot of housework, the gentle, quiet stuff that needs doing every now and then to make it all look good and run smoothly.  Like descaling the showerheads and nice jobs like that!  

I read the wonderful Transworld Challenge book The Labyrinth of Osiris.  It was brill and I completely recommend it to anyone.  It is a complex story with several stands which weave into a super whole.  I did not foresee the ending at all (which in itself is surprising.)   Unfortunately the author, Paul Sussman passed away earlier this year.  

I've done more studying and generally enjoying life.  There hasn't been much to tell about.