Nothing like a good sort out…


As I should know, because I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve found a lot of other things that I had to do to do so that I could avoid having a good sort out and the longer I did it, the more of a marathon it seemed, which was another reason not to do it. I'm not proud of admitting that but I bet I'm not the only one and I know we're friends so you won't judge me

Then, they started setting up for a music festival on Harbourside so the peace is replaced by noise, the weather is muggy, the pressure is low, and my knee is too painful for a long walk. At first, I was the sort of fed up that ought to come with danger signs for my poor family. Then, suddenly, I realised I wanted to do at least phase one of the massive sort out. I don’t mean ought to, but the sort of want to that meant that I was happily planning how I’d tackle it while it hurt too much to sleep. So, the charity collection in aid of children with limited lives and their families has been booked, and I have gone through my wardrobe like the proverbial dose of salts as I sorted out clothes I haven’t worn in decades and am never going to wear again, and they’re now bagged up and ready to collect.

In their place are cedar wood hanging blocks to keep them smelling nice and deter the moths. All my winter clothes are now organised into types, and goodness me, I have some gorgeous ones. I’ve also got far more pairs of jeans than I’m happy about, but I will wear them out, which is more than I will for the stuff that’s going onwards.

Someone, somewhere, might be into retro clothes from the 1990s. If so, they’re in for a treat, and I’ve been spending a lot of time explaining to my twenty-something daughter that we did dress like that then, and someday people will laugh at her choices, so she should enjoy your fun while it lasts.

So, what, I ask myself, made the difference this time? Oddly, it was two new habits that I avoided for years because I thought I’d end up wasting time, but took up while my joints haven’t been good. Browsing Pinterest and setting up boards for the seasons left me realising that I am a very predictable little bunny indeed. Better still, my new selfie taking habit left me realising that the pictures I like of dresses on hot days and V-necked jumpers, long jumpers, cardigans and t-shirts or lightweight jumpers and sweatshirts over slim jeans on cooler days look best on me, because they suit my shape, my style and my arthritic fingers. They all machine wash and will tumble dry if necessary, although I’d much rather dry them on the line. I love everything I have left and I can’t remember ever saying that before, so if Pinterest and selfies are bad habits, then I need more like them!

So here, as promised for ages, and put off for ages, is a picture of me as I am now. Now as slim as I was, greyer than I was, and I’ve played with one of those virtual hairstyle toys and I can’t wait to be properly grey. A change of make up, a change of style, but not a glow up or whatever you call it. This is me, and I like her!

Me also has some books on special offer this week and they’re the first six in the Windy Bay series. They’re A fresh start, Starting Over, Second Chances, Endings and beginnings, Building a future and A Healing Time. They’re all set in the sadly fictional Studland village of Windy Bay, where time goes more slowly, people are kind, there’s a welcome for anyone who needs it, and things happen that couldn’t happen anywhere else. The awesome Ladies of Windy Bay are older, wiser, demon bakers (not literally) and they help things along whenever it seems necessary They also don’t waste time asking if someone needs help, because they know that sometimes the more you need help, the harder it is to ask for it.

Windy Bay isn’t real, but I’m lucky enough to know a lot of ladies like that, and I’m working hard to become one. So see you on Saturday, when hopefully I’ll be in less pain and in a better mood, and have done some interesting things to share with you. In the meantime, I shall gloat over my wardrobe, and the danger warning about my mood has now been lifted so everyone’s happier, I hope, including you.