Now that that's out of the way, we have some other changes. The allotment that we took on in one of the most recent posts, we have now let go in favour of a couple of other, better plots - one a few miles away, so a cycle ride or short car drive if we have something heavy, and the other a half hour walk away. Both in full sun, lovely plots with enough that needs doing to keep us out of trouble. I am going gently as it is the first year in both but am hoping to have some produce, and also want to put a lot of energy into improving the soil, especially in one of the plots where it is very poor, in the hope of growing much of our veg in future years. It is the first time since living in Swansea that I've really had a gardening project that I can get enthusiastic about, and although I would prefer to have a garden rather than allotments, I do feel some excitement about putting my time and effort into them in the hope that they reward us.
We also got a dog - that has been a big change. Something that has been on the cards for years but which we wouldn't have done while my Mum was so ill and we had so much travelling to do. Despite warnings I have been suprised by what a big change having a dog has been, but on balance it is a good one. I enjoy the walks, training has been pretty successful, and he is a sweet natured creature, who I think once we are past puppyhood will be a very calm and easygoing member of the family.
I have also made efforts to revive my art practice which I had assumed was long dead. My Mum's last illness provided a need for distraction, as well as a desire to make her happy and proud while I still had the chance, although too little too late, in fact I was offered my first exhibition in the last week of her life, well past the point that she could have had any pleasure from it. I have continued to have some success with several group shows and a few sales last year. Things feel rather slow this year - I am trying to resist the urge to self-sabotage and chuck it all in, and trust that if I keep working, keep building, I will get good results. But it feels like early days at the minute, and my enthusiasm comes and goes. Nonetheless it is nice to feel like I have that part of myself back again.
Money continues a struggle, more and more each year it seems, as the goal posts shift time and time again. I am still stay-at-home while W works full-time, though recently I've had to turn serious thought to looking for a job outside the house - easier said than done when you have two children and no family to help out. I have a lead that I'm waiting for to see if anything comes of that in the next couple of months, if not I will have to find something else. We are at a point now where we simply can't afford to get any poorer, and there is nothing left to cut back on. So strange and sad that after over a decade of working hard and living frugally we are probably as poor as we ever have been.
That's about all that's going on right now. I will try to update the blog now, especially once the allotment really gets going.
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