Saturday – A Day to regroup.

Saturday – A Day to regroup.

Hi there.

Thanks for checking in with me. Glad you’re here. Saturdays are my Regroup-and-Consider-the-Week-ahead-Day. Saturdays are my Laundry-and Clean-the-Kitchen-Floor-Day. Saturdays are my Switch-off-from-the-World-Day. What about you? What are Saturdays in your world? Or have all your days rolled into a chain of 24-hour episodes? Having had our routines wiped away, I’m hearing plenty of “what day is it?”!

I have always worked from home a lot. Especially any art-related tasks. They ALL get done here in what has now become the Daily Doodle SHAC-Shack. And I usually work every day – including weekends. If this blog is construed as work, then for sure I work every single day. Just checked. 2,653 blogs, One day at a time. Our Paul has helped in places though!

When we all went to Hawaii last year, for example. God, I am glad we did that trip when we did. The whole family together. At the time I was wincing at the expense. New Mexico, California, Maui. Blimey. Now I am so very grateful we were able to do it when we did. I haven’t seen my son Mark since. He’s in San Fran you see. Couldn’t come home at Christmas because of his new job and no accrued holiday. And now he can’t. So his planned trip home in July has been postponed. Postponed though. Not cancelled, eh. That’s almost a year. Thank goodness for Facetime !! Can’t do a damned thing about it, so I have to turn it round. Be glad he is ok. Be glad he has a loving girlfriend, be glad he is super smart, has a roof over his head and some good friends. And Grace too, in New York of all places! Shit!!! The other side of the States! But again, she’s super smart and safe, working for Clarity from her home. She has a loving partner, Mark, who even went out and bought a car, so he could drive to and from his workplace in NY, to reduce contact. Here’s a pic of all 3 of them, last time they were in our kitchen here. Mark, Grace and Mark. Check out the arms and shoulders on Grace’s fella! And we thought our Mark was a giant!!

Even before the Pandemic sent us home, I spent a great deal of time alone actually. And whilst I might say I’m fine with that and I actually enjoy my own company, that’s easy to say when you know you’ve got a loving husband coming home every evening, kids Facetiming you almost daily from the States, parents to call every evening. That’s not really alone, now is it. I’m sure many of you reading this are properly alone. Not just till somebody gets in. That’s for real. I imagine that takes a whole helluvalot of discipline to do daily – especially now. I hope you are coping. I wish there were more I could do. Our daily doodle sessions might help, you know, just give you somewhere to be and something to do every day if you are feeling a little rudderless. Just a thought.

Back to work tomorrow. Paul and I pick n pack orders together on Sundays. And then it TV HOCHANDA at 2-4pm with our lovely new and reworked clever corner stamps.

Then at 6pm the One Day Special. We’ve added a last minute set of fantastic stamps to that show. Brand new, fresh out the oven. We do what we can, and this we can !! Didn’t even have time to get them to the ever clever Design Team, to make samples for the show – but hey ho! Trust me! They’re blimming fabulous! Smaller than usual 2×2 inch and 2-way overlay printing stamps. Looky looky!!! Here’s a little play with just ONE pair out of the four!! Superb.

I have to stay busy. It stops the mind from wandering. There’s an old Beatles song with that line in it, I‘m sure. Fixing a hole….Let me find it for you …

I just listened carefully to the lyrics. Wow. How interesting. Especially the verse about taking the time for a number of things that weren’t important yesterday…

Ironically, Dave is painting the dining room in a colourful way as I write. We are cut from the same cloth, he and I.

Fixing a Hole

The Beatles

I’m fixing a hole where the rain gets in
And stops my mind from wandering
Where it will go

I’m filling the cracks that ran through the door
And kept my mind from wandering
Where it will go

And it really doesn’t matter if I’m wrong I’m right
Where I belong I’m right
Where I belong.

See the people standing there who disagree and never win
And wonder why they don’t get in my door
I’m painting my room in the colourful way

And when my mind is wandering
There I will go
And it really doesn’t matter if I’m wrong I’m right
Where I belong I’m right
Where I belong.

Silly people run around they worry me
And never ask me why they don’t get past my door
I’m taking the time for a number of things
That weren’t important yesterday
And I still go

I’m fixing a hole where the rain gets in
And stops my mind from wandering
Where it will go

Stay safe.

Love and hugs

Barb xxx

18 thoughts on “Saturday – A Day to regroup.

  1. Thanks Barb, it’s great to refocus the mind and concentrate on what’s good at the moment. Whilst I live on my own, and yep whilst I too enjoy my own company and am used to spending time on my own, at the moment it’s just plain strange, and on some days very challenging.
    Thank goodness for the SHAC-Shack, it’s invaluable for adding some order and structure to life, and whilst I was waiting to donate blood yesterday, what did I do, but start a little thank you doodle. Wouldn’t have done that before.
    Thank you and God Bless, Claire x

  2. Those stamps look so cool. I have started playing with the sets that arrived today and will be posting Tuesday Hubby’s test results permitting. Always something crafty to keep me going. I face timed my Dad today as it’s his birthday. He had to have a virtual card this year. Stay safe.

  3. I was just thinking similarly today, that I was glad my Australian aunt and uncle were able to spend last summer over here, and that her son and his family came up for a couple of weeks from Bristol. It was so good to spend time together and create memories to cherish. My cousin from Denmark was also over and we had some lovely times with him and his kids too. Special times.
    Today we are in the garden fixing the decking, planting plants, fixing the green house, although the floor still needs more work done to it once we source the wood for it. Nice to spend time in the garden, waving at neighbours as they go by.

  4. Thank you , Barbara for all that you do to keep us sane. Having discovered that at the age of 71 I can draw and doodle gives me a real boost. Although I have a few people to be worried about at the moment, I still have an awful lot to be thankful for. My lovely husband (no. 2!) and I celebrate our silver wedding anniversary later in the month. We should have been on the Isle of Mull then but hey ho, we’ve got the maps and books so we’ll be there in spirit. Please know how much we appreciate the time in the Shac Shack with you . Xx

  5. Hi there, I am used to my own company but fortunate, maybe, that I still see people I know when I have to work or go to the Co or our wee garden centre which is open because it is attached to a hardware store that sells pet food. That said, I woke up this morning and had absolutely no idea if it was Friday or Saturday. I was busy all day yesterday but I couldn’t remember if what I did was done on Thursday or Friday!! However, it was all good. The sun has been shining all day so it has been a good day. Hope you have a good evening. Hx

  6. I am quite happy and content in my own home so lockdown is not proving too much of a problem. The hardest part is I am missing all my lovely grandchildren, Joss will be 14 on Monday and I never miss his Birthday. The youngest ones are growing fast and I miss their cuddles but they are all safe and I have to be grateful for that. In the meantime plenty of craft will see me through. xx

  7. A lovely picture of Grace, Mark & Mark and lovely memories for you. When all this is over, hang the expense, have another memory making holiday together. You deserve it.
    Haven’t heard a single word from any of the few of my family members still left, old contact numbers have changed so no chance of me contacting them. Never mind, we have Ray’s family and a few good friends who keep in touch and with these we are blessed.
    Started some doodles today but got distracted and made a mess so gave up. No point in forcing the issue as I woud get so non-relaxed I’d scream. Will try again tomorrow when calm.
    Still having trouble printing the weekly parchment download but hope Ray can sort it out soon as I really look forward to having this extra inspiration each week.
    Got to go – dinner was early but dessert has just arrived.
    Take care, stay safe. 🍒🍒🍒

  8. This new computer doesn’t like me, it dropped the t in my email address so Ihope the review approves my screed and no, it wasn’t my typo!!!

  9. I love your shac shack. Love trying to draw but not very successful. Worse luck I don’t always manage to get the right day. What comes on is the previous day.
    I am on my own with family all over the world. Just been talking to my son in SF , Danville. Had lots of facetime and calls today as it is my birthday and my eldest granddaughter who lives in Sidmouth. Her little son is 3 on the 7th. We have had a lot of birthdays lately
    Had some money so can now send for some things . Look forward to seeing the programmes . Thank you for all your hard work helping us xxxxx

  10. I am alone, but not lonely. My motto is the same as yours Barbara, “if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you always got!” Of course I miss seeing my six lovely grandchildren, but they are in touch almost daily, and thankfully, busy and well. I’m in touch too, with loads of people and in different ways. Loving doodles, something different at just the right moment. Thanks Barbara.x

  11. these look like great sets – more to go on the wish list! I’ve had a busy day today – Saturday morning is when I do the shopping & dropping (to my inlaws who are housebound, & my close friend who’s recently bereaved). Despite all the pressure of working as a senior nurse, I feel blessed in so many ways – both my sons are living at home with me, all three of us are working (for the NHS), we get so many donations of food & goodies at work, and my NHS ID badge gets me to the head of the queue at the supermarket! It’s not the way I would want any of it to be (I haven’t seen my sister since New year, and we can’t be together for the anniversary of my mum’s death on Wednesday), but I do try to find at least one thing to be thankful for each day. Take care & stay safe

  12. Hi Barbara and everyone, hope you all are keeping safe and sound.
    I like you don’t mind my own company , as at the moment it give me time to myself to craft which is very calming .I take the husband to the allotment each morning and pick him back up, this is his downtime .
    Nobody close to him and he goes early , so back by the time the rest of them get there.
    Instead this year my large flower tubs would be planted with flowers for mid year, we now have radishes carrots & beetroot growing just a bit different this year.
    Miss the family but call them each week , just to check if they are all ok.
    Looking forward to your shows tomorrow.
    Keep safe and look after one another.
    Lynn xx

  13. I’m blessed to still have no doom not on my own but have never gone ‘‘tis long with out seeing our girls and Grandchildren we do get to FaceTime daily’s d watsap all time for Katie it’s only six months since moved into supported living and had never been away from us so long but is doing brilliant few wobbles this week as her birthday tomorrow and we cannot be with her but the staff are brilliant got cake we sent decorations to put up she will have a brilliant day we will FaceTime tomorrow morning while she opens her presents together. But one special think today got to see a video with my only auntie today in her care home they were all dancing dressed up so missed seeing her so good to see her happy will visit her as soon as they say I can. Lots love Joy loving the 10am drawing time miss them over weekend but got tv shows tomorrow xx

  14. Hi Barb,
    I’m another one who doesn’t mind being on my own. Although I’ve obviously got Dave, he has got to be outside whether it’s gardening or going for a long walk, so I do spend a lot of time on my own. I can happily lose myself in a good book or listening to an Audible recording or my music. I’ve got my crafting and pottering in the garden to keep me going. To be honest, lockdown is not much different from retirement except I don’t get to see my friends or my sister and can’t go up to Newcastle for look around John Lewis and Fenwick when I want. Obviously , can’t get away for holidays but as I was in limbo waiting for knee op , they were already on hold. I do feel for those people who can’t see their families and who are on their own and if you’re used to going to work every day ,then being at home is strange. Mind you, I would find going to work hard now after 8 years of retirement!! Liking the look of the new stamps, but they will have to go onto my wish list for the time being. Looking forward to the shows though. Love and hugs to everyone,Alison xxxx

  15. Glad that Mark and Grace are well,I don’t know how I would cope without my chats with family thank heavens for modern technology! I can’t believe it’s May already! Have a great weekend. Xx

  16. Modern technology keeps us all in touch. We had a video call with friends on Messenger this afternoon which was lovely, and our son in Australia Skypes us a lot so we feel connected. Will be pleased to be able to go out and about a bit more though when they loosen the restictions a bit, and of course I know we will be observing the social distancing for the foreseeable future even then, but so be it. x

  17. Hello Barb, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, about family, distance and how hard it is. Time to be very grateful for modern technology. Looking forward to the shows. Would love to know how Dave is painting and what colours. Take care and stay safe everyone. Bx

  18. Hi Barbara. Saturdays have become the day I go and pick up our bread for the week from our local bakery. We are so lucky that they are still baking every day and open really early so I go before the majority of people get up so I feel safe.
    I love being at home where I feel safe and happy in the knowledge that I have so much that I can do to keep me busy and focusing on anything other than what is out of my control!
    I am very glad I retired from teaching when I did as I’d got used to being home a lot more so lockdown hasn’t really been difficult.
    And then Saturday evening we facetimed Amy and her lovely hubby and also simultaneously his parents and his sister so we could join in with the quiz they were organising. It was great to see them and we had a giggle even if we couldn’t answer all the questions.
    I am looking forward to the shows today and love the look of those stamps. More to add to my wish list!
    Hope the picking and packing goes well.
    Love and hugs Xxxx
    I

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