Saturday 1 February 2014

first things first

(Widespread Panic - Shut Up And Drive)

The first of February.

The first time The Husband has brought me breakfast in bed this year. He went to pick up a parcel from the post office and returned with McDonalds. I think as much for him as for me, and not the healthiest start to February, but it was a treat, and a surprise, and marked the start of a happy day, and hopefully a happy month.

The first trip to a new park with Millie. Since our holiday, where we had a secure field to let her off the lead, we have been trying to find somewhere similar that we could take her. There are two local parks both just a few minutes walk from us, and I always favour one over the other. Recently we remembered that the less-preferred park has tennis courts which are enclosed, and rarely used. So the three of us trotted merrily down the road hoping that no-one had got a sudden desire to play early morning tennis in the winter. The tennis courts were deserted, so Millie had a great time running off her lead, chasing a ball, flying face-first into the net at one point, but quickly learning her lesson.




The first hot drinks of the day, coffee for The Husband, hot chocolate for me, as we defrosted from our walk. Ginger nuts were dunked, and we watched a tv programme whilst the dog played at our feet.

The first visit to my Grandad's of 2014. Me, my mum and my Auntie gathered there, and he rustled up a lunch in the way only my Grandad can. From a seemingly empty fridge came forth plates of ham and salmon sandwiches, crisps, crispy bacon butties, an array of biscuits, and the best cups of tea in the world. The easy familiarity of a house I think of as home, curling up on the sofa for cuddles with my family, watching property programmes and guessing house prices, picking our dream homes. A lovely, lazy Saturday lunchtime.

The first signs that I am catching The Husband's cold. That little tickle in the back of the throat, a few too many sneezes in a row. The cold that has sent him to bed early every night this week, that has seen a few colleagues off work for weeks at a time. The cold that I was thinking myself lucky not to have caught. Plenty of medicine for me, and crossing of fingers that it doesn't take hold.

The first supermarket shop of the New Year, having opted for home deliveries these last few weeks. Which brought with it the first fresh flowers of the year too. Roses in pale pink, and tulips a delicate shade of lavender grey. Now trimmed and arranged, cheering up the hallway and bringing life to the living room.

Tonight the first episode of season two of The Mentalist (likely followed by the second, third, fourth episodes). The box set was a gift for finishing my exams, and the first season was the background to our holiday. It is a while since we have had a series to watch, and tonight we have the first Chinese takeaway of the year to enjoy alongside it.

Finally, the first day I have restarted the 365 project. I got seventeen days in and then it faltered, and then failed altogether. I have about eight photos from the last two weeks, but I fear to use those would be akin to emptying out the detritus from the bottom of my handbag and putting that on display. However, I missed doing it, deciding which moment to commemorate. I am in a quandary about how to proceed. The Boy and Me suggested switching to a 52 photo a year challenge, but I enjoyed the daily snapshot and the weekly round up. She then suggested running from now until 1st Feb next year, which I considered. Then I thought I would be frustrated if next New Year I couldn't start at the same time as everyone else. My final option is to take two photos a day, until I have caught up. What do you think? Is that allowed? Pretty please? It is my first time after all...

8 comments:

  1. I am taking a new approach with challenges - I use them as a guide and a push toward creativity and bend the rules when I need to. You gotta have fun!

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    1. i have always been a stickler for the rules you see! But, you are quite right, this is something I do purely for myself, so it should be fun rather than punishing. Thank you for visiting.

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  2. Its hard sometimes taking photos daily, I tried 365 for the first time last year and have to admit I dropped out after a few weeks, sometimes four children, work and life make keeping up hard. But this year I'm back and determined to complete the challenge. Good luck x

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    1. thank you for visiting! I have work and life, but no children as an excuse! Good luck with the challenge this year, I look forward to your photos.

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  3. breakfast in bed is a great way to kick off the month!

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    1. it certainly was, perhaps another new habit to start! thanks for visiting again.

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  4. Beautiful shot. Thanks for linking up to Project 365, new linky already live.

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