Week 25: One Year, No New Gear

 I know I haven't posted this in a while but I am still on track, In my effort to save the planet I am shunning fast fashion (and even the slow one) and wearing all that's in my wardrobe.

With my retirement thrown into the mix I did use my monthly emergency purchase to buy my hot pink trouser suit. I went out with a bang!

So now I am into week 2 of retirement. For the first couple of days I was lounging around in sports wear

without actually doing any sport!

and lots of leggings and comfy clothes.

Think of what we wore during Lockdowns....

AND WE ALL KNOW HOW HORRIBLY WRONG THAT ALL WENT!

So after a couple of days I began to dress properly. I then encountered Problem #2

A huge part of my wardrobe was actually my school wear- "nice" dresses, skirts, tops etc. And it's really something that I won't wear as a civilian! So a bit of tweaking will be needed if I'm to see the year out.

I discovered that a furry gilet makes lots of "transition " pieces. Oh, look at me , being all fashionista,

Goodbye dear Readers

 

When I set up this blog on the first of January 2010, I never thought, in my wildest dreams that it would still be going strong in 2022. Alas all good things must come to an end.

I am retiring in three days time, so it's a whole new phase of my life. Now I don't see it as entering the autumn season of my life, but rather an Indian summer. You know that unexpected but very welcome time when you think that summer is over ( or in an Irish context, it never arrived in the first place) but then you get a time of unseasonable warm weather, totally unexpected, and you get a new burst of energy and enthusiasm. Well that's me now.

So I'm saying "Goodbye" to A Girl for all Seasons, but not to blogging!

I've done my research and now my blogging niche has changed. I'm starting up a new blog, titled

Not dead, just retired

and my focus will be on doing all the things I've wanted to do, but didn't have the time or energy to do. I want to show that there is more to retirement than knitting and chair aerobics.

So i want to thank you all most sincerely for all your views, likes and comments over the past decade. And I hope you will continue to follow my journey into the unknown charters of Retirement. xxx

Me Too

 What do Rodger Federer and I have in common?

Both of us retire this week!!! 

Rodger retired last  night and I will retire next Friday.

What do Rodger Federer and I NOT have in common?

I can't see Nadal crying after my departure., damn.

Room to Improve

 

In June I cleared out my classroom ( for hopefully the last time) and I brought a lot of stuff home.

Why? I have no idea.

It got thrown into my "office" which then became a dump room. A total DISASTER AREA>

I had great plans to re-invent it, a bit like myself.

It was only when I got Covid that I managed to tackle it. Luckily I was fine with the old virus, there was only one day that I stayed in my pjs as I had no energy.

Well, tah dah! Here is my finished dressing room....and I LOVE IT!

A new career for me perhaps? Maybe if Dermot Bannon hangs up his high viz jacket and his hard hat!

Week 18: One year, no new gear

 Yes it's been a couple of weeks but I'm back.

I was away in bonny wee Scotland for a much needed catch up with Jennifer. While we did a lot of touring around the Highlands, we did also visit several retail centers! Now I'm no martyr,as I was on holiday, if I saw something I really liked then I was buying it.

One thing I have discovered is that I have become much more discerning when it comes to clothes. I found myself asking, 

"Do I really want/need this?" and most times the answer was

"No." or "I already have something the same as that." 

I'm hoping this phase will soon pass!

However I did see something that I instantly fell in love with and had to buy.

This pair of gloves!

Now this most definitely comes under the term "Necessary Purchase."

They may not seem very necessary at the moment but mark my words. When we are in the depths of a snowstorm or blizzard next winter and I swan in with my hot pink gloves, you will be sooooo raging that you don't have a pair.

See, a Necessary Purchase!

After I arrived home I came down with Covid.

So the past week has been a mixture of clearing out and painting my old office, wearing paint splattered ripped tee-shirts and saggy leggings...

and other days having zero energy and spending the day in my pjs.

Neither of which I photographed to inflict upon you.

I have finally tested negative and have one week left before school reopens.

Here's to a great week!

Covid Day 1

 Thanks for all the messages wishing me well and quick recovery. I didn't know what to expect when I woke up this morning.

I felt pretty normal.

I went for an early morning walk along the canal. I even walked on the grassy side so that I wouldn't meet anyone....which I didn't.

I then came home and got started on my "office" clear out.

Before:

I told you it had become my "dump" room.

After:

Granted I was tired after it and I went to bed for a power nap, but hey, I'd do that on a normal day.

After I got up I cooked a roast chicken dinner which I ate, so my appetite isn't affected.

Here's hoping the rest of my isolation goes as well. 

So I'm not superhuman after all!

 After spending the past two years in a crowded classroom, half of that time unvaccinated and in a non mask-wearing situation, I honestly began to think I had some kind of superpower as I was one of the very few who didn't contract Covid.

After my flight home from Scotland I took a test yesterday to be on the safe side before meeting up with anyone, and it was negative.

This morning I went swimming. My breathing felt a bit off but I thought that might be because I haven't exercised in a while. i went for lunch and I couldn't finish my chicken wrap!!! Then I knew something was definitely wrong. I came home and did another test.....

It turned red immediately.

So how long do I have to isolate now? Luckily I have my week's grocery shopping in. The back lawn is calling me for a little sun bathing. This is the one time I am thankful that I live alone. I don't have to stay in my room.

Stay safe out there. It's not gone yet!

In Flight entertainment

 

I was flying home from Scotland last night.

I wasn't ACTUALLY  flying, I was on a plane.

I had been anxious about going on holiday. I mean I hadn't been in an airplane for over three years and then there was the queuing fiasco at the airports. Flight over went without a hitch  and the flight back was........

delayed for over two hours! We were supposed to take off at 9.30 but  didn't board until after midnight.

By that time I was exhausted and ready for a little nap on the flight home. But it was not to be.

A few rows back there was a young woman, in her early twenties sitting on the aisle seat and across from her was a VERY handsome man in his mid twenties. Well she wasn't wasting that opportunity.

Even before take off she started the conversation.....and I swear she never took a breath for the whole flight home. She...and I (by default, I wasn't eavesdropping I couldn't help hearing the whole conversation) discovered his name, where he was from ( New York), why he was going to Ireland         ( researching a book he was writing)...my ears pricked up even further when I heard that, where he had ever travelled to in his life, where he would like to go to, where he should go to in Ireland....and so on.

At one stage I really felt like quietly taking her aside and advising her to pause once in a while and allowing him time to answer fully and maybe even start a topic of conversation of his own choice. But I figured that was too forward of me, though I did come very close when she started to teach him how to say "Hello" and ask someone's name and give your own name IN IRISH!!!

I swear, we had a lesson on 

"Dia duit" and "Cad is ainm duit?" and " X is ainm dom."

And as he struggled with the unusual Gaelic phonics I had to bit my lip to prevent myself from blurting out

"You're wasting your time. NO ONE SPEAKS IRISH IN IRELAND. You'll be grand with your English."

After 45 minutes the pilot's voice came over the intercom

"Cabin crew, prepare for descent."

I immediately thought

"Fair dues girl. Now he better make a move before we land."

But there was no talk of meeting up on his trip or of her being his tour guide.

The plane landed, we stood up to retrieve our overhead luggage. I was keeping an eye on proceedings, what can I say, I was totally invested by this stage.

He got his luggage and said

"It was nice meeting you," and went off down the aisle.

I don't know about her, but I was very disappointed in him. I mean she had played a blinder for almost an hour and who could blame her.

I half expected to hear an appeal on the radio today from a lovestruck woman who was looking to meet up with the hunk who had been on her flight last night!

Johnny Depp and Chocolate

 We went to an “ immersive film experience”last night.

I had no idea either what it was.

It was a screening of the mouth watering Chocolat where a French woman and her young daughter open up a chocolate shop in a remote village, shaking up the rigid morality of the community. 

We were greeted with a box filled with handmade chocolates, pastries and alcohol! Then when prompted throughout the film we removed a numbered package and “were seduced” by something chocolately or alcoholicky!

The bonus was Johnny Depp before he went all weird, with the best Irish accent by a non Irish actor… and yes Jamie Dornan, that includes you!

I hope they do Cocktail next!

In search of Nessie

 No journey  to Scotland would be complete without a trip up the Highlands in an attempt to catch a glimpse of …..

Of course The Loch Ness monster.

After passing through some amazing countryside…

… we arrived at the shore of Loch Ness. I was of course ready for action.

No success from the mainland so we took a cruise up and down the loch.

Lots of things to see but alas no sighting of Nessie. After we had alighted from the boat we made our way dejectedly towards the gift shop. 

YOU’LL NEVER GUESS WHO I MET THERE!!!

 …

 

All shook up

 Last night Jen and I headed to the cinema to see Elvis. 

Going to see it is a bit like going to see “Titanic”. You know exactly how it’s going to end. The fact that it keeps you totally immersed in it until the very end is a result of the pure brilliance of the director. 

Yes there are some artistic liberties taken. It’s a piece of drama after all, not a documentary.

Tom Hanks is his usual brilliant self. I hadn’t seen Austin Butler in anything before but his performance had all the energy and sex appeal of The King himself. However it wasn’t an imitation of Elvis but rather an interpretation, which makes it all the more powerful.

So as you have probably guessed both Jen and I LOVED it. And I think our opinion counts, as on a previous holiday we actually went to Graceland. We’re true fans!

I’d thoroughly recommend going there too!!!

Elvis has left the building.

Shiver me timbers

 I’m visiting Jen here in  North Berwick in Bonny Scotland. On an exploratory walk around the beautiful town we went into a park.

I was very surprised to see this flower bed.

A SKULL AND CROSSBONES!

It seemed a very odd choice of image for a stately garden. But then I was told the background. 

Robert Louis Stephenson used to holiday here as a child. He spent his time playing here on the beach.

How could you Not be inspired to write Treasure Island here. I can almost see a pirate ship appear over the horizon!

lámha suas - if you recognise this!

 I've started clearing out my "office" to make way for my dressing room.

And in answer to lots of questions....yes, I am retiring later this year. After 37 years I have decided to hang up my teaching aids and start the next chapter of my life.

I ordered a skip and started decluttering. I didn't figure on it being quite so emotional. It's not easy throwing away a huge part of ones life.

Anyway, when I came across this....the curriculum I started off with back in 1985 I got a little shiver of horror down my spine and it reinforced the fact that I am so doing the right thing!

Week 15: One year, no new gear

 Summer is flying by. Sunshine clothes ( that fit me! ) are in short supply. So I took myself to a local second-hand/ previously owned/ previously loved shop to look for something I could wear. I figure I'm not cheating as 

1) I'm not buying anything NEW

2) I'm actually preventing it being sent to land fill

After racking through the rails I came to the conclusion that I had as good at home, so I just bought one skirt for  4 euro. See below

    

                                                                                       

                                                                                 This is my £4 skirt

Fiona texted to go for a walk so I had to do a quick change!