Autumn Goals

Having a goals list for this past term has been a little bit of a lifesaver. I know I banged on about being overworked but this week, when I have some downtime (last night I watched the Bake Off final and then went to bed, what a treat), I'm appreciating even more how busy it was. However, thanks to The List, I did prioritise some nice things and even did things I might have otherwise cancelled because I'm very much a list-ticker. 

Not too bad. Let's start with the non-ticks. The kayak did not come out, though I did make plans with my friend Lizzy to go on a joint paddle, but the weather wasn't really friendly and, as Lizzy has recently moved, she didn't have much time either. I did one glow swim but couldn't manage to fit another one in, Thursdays have been busy. And 11 gym visits is not too shabby, especially when combined with almost weekly PT and yoga sessions. I'm noticing the benefits of not having taken the summer months (when I'd usually go to the quarry to swim) off the gym. 

I fitted in the woodland walk this past Sunday, when we went to Lacock for a wander and then a Sunday lunch which was much-hyped but ultimately quite disappointing as we waited ages and the food was tepid. But nevermind. The foliage was beautiful (thankfully not all blown away) and it was that gorgeous crisp sunny autumn weather. 

As you can see, Mr Z was overjoyed to be there. 

I got out the tin of pumpkin that I thought was a couple of years old, only to find it had gone out of date in 2021. I opened it with trepidation and it seemed good, so I made it into pancakes with this recipe - the loaf cake I like so much needed a bit more than one tin and I couldn't find any for sale, and couldn't be bothered to make my own. 

Trick or treating with the smalls happened. Lara went as Tinkerbell and had the best wings. Mati was Peter Pan in what looked suspiciously like a Robin Hood costume. We got rained on towards the end but it did not spoil my second year in a row admiring the efforts of Kingston residents to spook the local children. 

Matching jumpers. I should also have bought matching torches but you live and learn. 

I saw Poppy's play in Bath, it turned out an old colleague's husband was one of the musicians and I think I saw an ex-student in the audience. The back garden could definitely have had more tidying but it is much much better than it was. I need to do a tip run, really. I made mango chutney and crab apple jelly.  I wore all the old BPAL autumn perfumes I've got and decided I've gone off them, so I should probably get those on eBay at some point; but I did rediscover one that I really like, so I've started wearing that more. And I have ticked the Christmas jumper because I have knitted about a third of it, but it's the complicated third with the colourwork, so I am hoping it will now be plain knitting and I can get it done by the start of December...it's on the Autumn 2 list as well. 

And I now HAVE THE BOOTS! As previously mentioned, I did hope they weren't going to fit but, they do, and they are lovely. A bit hard on the toes as I'm not used to pointy shoes, but I will persevere. And cut my toenails. 

Don't be judging my dirty mirror, I am much too busy to clean you know.