Narrative Self

Towards Carn Brea on my dusky run this evening

I’m sprawled on the sofa with a warming hot water bottle under my left hip and a purring cat on my lap, and I’ve just finished a mug of delicious, steaming hot chocolate.  The sort with chilli and cinnamon in it. The only way I could be more relaxed right now would be to be asleep.

But I deserve this rest.  Well, I think I do.  I’ve been for a run.  Ok so it was less than 3 miles and it was slow (my hip was aching ), but a run’s a run isn’t it?  And managing to force myself out of the door in the freezing cold at dusk deserves more than just a mug of hot chocolate (or two…).  It deserves at least a rest, and quite possibly a medal too.  Remind me to take something to cover my ears next time though.  I was wearing a cap, but something a tad longer might’ve been more appropriate in the biting wind.  I’m glad I wasn’t going any further like that – my ears would’ve had frostbite by the time I got home.

There’s another reason I think I deserve a bit of a rest.  I’ve been cleaning.  Clearing the decks.  Not that I’ve got very far and I certainly didn’t physically wear myself out doing it.  It’s more of a mental struggle.  Finding the motivation to sort things out after the decorations have been taken down is exhausting.  Once the residues of Christmas have gone I always want everything to feel fresh and clean, like the new start any new year promises.

I decided to start not with dusting and hoovering, that would have been too simple.  I started by washing all the cushion covers on the sofa.  And then the loose covers.  (Bearing in mind it’s winter and things take a whole lot longer to dry – was this wise?!)  Once clean I realised that there was plenty of fraying and even holes in the loose covers and on the seat cushions.  It’s an old sofa.  I bought it second hand when I moved here three years ago.  Though it’s old, it’s a good quality, Laura Ashley job.  The frame is fine and I replaced the seat cushions with new foam soon after I bought it.  I made new cushion covers for it too.  But then I ran out of cash and the replacement of the loose covers would have to wait.  They’re still waiting.  They’re very worn and the previous owner washed them at too hot a temperature, so they’re a bit shrunk (not that you can see that) and faded too.  So a simple wash became a mending job.  I’ve darned and patched and restitched and it’s looking fine.  Who knows how much longer it’ll last, but a few months would be great.  I’m lucky really, someone recently said my home was “very shabby chic”.  I know which word is true in that sentence, I thought, and it ain’t chic.  Anyhow, a few patches on the sofa don’t look out of place.  Just a shame it has to be out of necessity and thrift, rather than a design choice!

So one job finished I moved on to the next: clearing and wiping down my desk.  Why does everything (including Lego) get dumped on my desk? I hate things to look cluttered.  I’m not minimalist in any way, shape or form, but things should be in their rightful place, books on bookcases, plasticine and Lego in someone’s bedroom!  Clearing my desk has been exciting – it’s made way for some wonderful gifts I was given this Christmas…

Well spotted - I've moved on from the hot chocolate!

I was so lucky to receive an exceptionally thoughtful gift from my friend Chantal, the V&A patchwork diary, a wee pink cat from Kim (very cute!) and a whimsical black and white paperweight cat (he has a very heavy bottom!!) from Kim’s grandparents.  Each time I sit at my desk I’ll see these gifts and think of the very special people that gave them to me. (I’m feeling sentimental, get over it!!!)  So my desk is all fresh for the new year…

I love my little space!

And as it turns out, so does somebody else!

Purrrrrr!

Back soon
love Stephie x