Sometimes there are things in life you don't like and, whilst it may not ALWAYS be possible, you can often turn it round and make that negative a positive.
Now I don't like paying extra for a green garden waste bin.
It's not the money I mind - it's £38 a year I think. I just wish they would include it int he council tax bill. Yes I know that wouldn't be fair on people who don't have a garden but presumably they could include it int he council tax bands that do. That way I wouldn't SEE the money - it's just part of the service we pay for. It is the paying EXTRA that I don't like. I guess we are very lucky int his area as we have just three bins - I know some places have more. We have a general waste bin, a recycling bin (we are actually very good at recycling) and a paid for green garden waste bin. And woe betide you if you use them incorrectly. We are incredibly lucky with our recycling as it all goes in one bin, tins, cans, paper, card, cartons, the lot. No sorting - so we count ourselves blessed. It's a bit of a challenge that our general waste bin has moved to fortnightly like the recycling. I am dreading it int he summer. One of the main things we throw in there is litter waste. Our cats are indoors and they use litter trays and it's not a pleasant sort of rubbish!
Anyway I digress. Turning a negative into a positive.
Our green bin collection starts this week (they don't collect for a few months in the winter as I guess they assume everyone is like us and avoids the gardening when it is cold or wet) and so we were motivated to get out in the garden ad fill the bin! If we hadn't paid the extra we probably wouldn't have bothered. So thank you council - you made us clear a load of dead leaves and pine needles and reveal soil again! Positive into negatives.
I am, however, struggling a little more to find the positives int he billions of pine needles that fall. We love our pine trees but oh my - everywhere is covered. The lawn is barely visible and they do the grass harm. I am surprised there are any needles left on the trees.
Spring is in the air though and the birds are singing their hearts out morning and late afternoon - and eating us out of house and home again.
I am pleased that I finished the photography challenge on UKS and the pages that went with it. There were three challenge pages to complete.
A page with multiple pictures from the challenge
a page following a sketch that was posted and using at least one of the winter snap pictures
and a page using the picture of yourself that was part of the challenge (a photo taken this week)
I chose to scrap a page using that picture about loving my life. I was very nervous this time last year. I had handed in my notice and hoped I was doingt he right thing. I was getting ready to be part of the interview process for my successor and worrying that I had made a mistake.
A year on from them I LOVE my life.
We don't so anything earth-shatteringly wonderful but it is all just lovely. We go for long walks, we laugh, we enjoy lie ins with the daily paper, I scrap, I volunteer, I go to art classes. It is just a lovely life and so much less stressful. I am away from some people's negativity, surrounded by smiles and positivity and sharing my life with my best friend. No-one knows how much time we have so making the most of every moment and smiling your way through the days is key.
It was a very cathartic and happy page to scrap.
Barb you asked if we were really that close to the Hollywood sign. I did use a zoom but not a massive one. We were very close - the closest you can get legally!
Today I am thankful for
- a cleared garden - well in part
- our wonderful refuse collectors. Complain about the time scale or the cost if you must but they do a jolly good job and are always very helpful and friendly and it's not a very nice job.
- my retirement life - I love it Nigel was worried I would fin it hard to get used to but I took to it like a duck to water. I was ready for the change, ready to lose the stress, the angst, the worry, the pressure, the accountability. 29 years as a Head - been there, done that. Loving just being a nobody!
And, Karen, you can see in your photo that the stress is gone! You look relaxed and rested-- maybe even a bit younger, too. Stress can really do a number on the body, and you just look healthier and happier! I am so glad for you-- I KNEW you would love retirement. Just because a person is retired doesn't mean their life is over. (Maybe it was that way back in the old days). It's just a new chapter in the book of life. :-)
Posted by: Barb inAK | February 19, 2017 at 10:26 PM
These layouts are just gorgeous! TFS
Posted by: Moanica in Georgia | February 20, 2017 at 11:34 AM