• It isn’t easy to stay positive when the skies are gray and overcast and the leaves are gone from the trees and my gardens are taking the winter off and Christmas is over and we’re into January. Yes, I know all about a positive attitude and, truth be told, I’m pretty positive most of the time. But some days are just harder. This is one of them. I’m also what I call ‘sinusey’ (so is Don) and that isn’t helping.
I have things to do, of course. The top priority is to work on Jane Eyre. And I’ll do that after I finish writing this post.
Anyway, enough of that. I’m sharing my current mood because a) it’s my blog and I talk about that sort of thing, and b) I know some of you suffer from the same winter blues and it might help you to know you’re not alone.
• Dove Cottage: A few days ago, I realized I was going to have to paint the window trim before I did any more of the stone work, otherwise it could get messy. I had a picture in my mind for a long time of a pale blue window trim, which I think I’ve seen in pictures of French stone houses. Never mind that this is an English cottage. I mixed up some light blue from the paints I had on hand and painted two coats on all the windows.
I hated it.
So I decided to paint over the blue and use the same color I used on the roof.
I’m not nearly a precise enough painter to keep the window trim from bleeding onto the stones, which is why I stopped and painted the trim before I add the next round of stones. You can see the pale blue in this photo. It just looked like it shouldn’t be there. Somehow, the combination of the dark gray, the stones, and the blue was too much.
I can’t wait until I get to the point where I can add the grout between the stones. I think it will make a huge difference. I have do some touch up to a few of the stones that were already next to the windows, as they have a bit of trim paint on them. Better a few than all of them!
• I’m also working on updating my Filofax planner for the year. I sort of fell away from it in the last half of 2019 (probably because I didn’t have much coaching work) and I miss having a sense of order and structure to the day that a planner provides. Plus, it helps me to see that even though we both seem to be semiretired these days, I actually do quite a bit every day. Also, it’s a way to record the days I’ve worked on coaching jobs, the shows, when the contract started and when it ended. I also write purely personal stuff like what movie we watched, what book I’m reading, and my thoughts about them. I’ve been using planners for over 30 years and I got my first Filofax in 1990. I have an app on my phone and laptop called Wunderlist to remind me of certain things like when a bill is due, but as for planning, I function best when I have to write it down. If I don’t write it down, I often forget about it.
So I bought a 2020 calendar insert and I’m ready to roll. Don used to keep a calendar in order to remember what days he had to travel into the city for auditions, what the travel expenses were, and what days he worked. He hasn’t done that in a few years, probably because Margaritaville took up most of his time. So he bought a planner the other day, though his is much simpler than mine. He likes a small planner that he can put in his pocket.
There’s a big ‘planner’ community out there and it’s fascinating to see how people individualize their planners. One could easily be distracted by all the photos and YouTube videos of them. Take it from someone who knows.
The Hill-Sparks household is determined to be organized in the coming year!
Happy Tuesday.
Claudia,
Thanks for sharing that you are feeling kinda blue. I am having a terrible time with winter blues this year. It’s nice to know I’m not alone in this.
You’re welcome, Kandi. I understand! Feel free to share here when you’re feeling blue.
I seen an expanse of winter ahead and it definitely gets me down. xo
Kinda done with the whole winter thing. We stocked up last night with groceries and made sure the car had a full tank as the prediction is for snow starting today and then a deep freeze for at least a week.
I really like the dark colour for the window frames!
It reminds me of eyeliner and aren’t windows the eyes of the house?
Oh no to the deep freeze!
Yes, windows ARE the eyes of the house. You’ve made me feel good about my decision! Thank you, Barbara.
I don’t have time to individualize my planner. If I’m going to do art, I’m going to do art — either paint or the sketchbook or the fiber. But like you, I keep good track on things. Originally, it was because I was working and had to, as well as for itemizing on taxes, but they took that away last year and the year before when medical was messed up and now charity (unless you’re super rich) so there you have it. But I do like a pretty calendar/planner. I often get one from the Met but I’m always open to options!
Much better choice on the trim. I love the light blue conceptually but I think it would look all wrong, washed out, with the stone and room. This is lovely. (I feel your sinusey day!)
I don’t individualize my planner with drawings or art, I do it with the inserts I need for what I do. I like things clean and drawings, etc., aren’t my thing with a planner.
The blue didn’t necessarily look washed out but it sure didn’t work! Thank you, Jeanie.
I’m an organized, list maker, planner type of person. I’ve kept a planner since I was a teenager! I have the Wunderlist app on my phone, too and I’ve only used it once. I do much better with writing things down on paper. I even keep a running to-do list on the front of my fridge.
The winter blues haven’t truly hit me yet. I’ve had days here and there, but nothing where it’s constant. I think it’s because we’ve actually been having a mild winter so far, plus some sunshine. I know when we have those strings of gray days and it’s unbearably cold, the winter blues will hit full force. I bought one of those SAD lights that are supposed to help. I did use it in mid-December when we didn’t have any sunshine, but the only difference I noticed was that I wasn’t as tired in the afternoons. Didn’t help my mood any.
I use Wunderlist frequently. I really used it when I had to schedule a lot of book reviews. So, I’ll still use it but I much prefer, as you do, writing it all down. I have to see it on paper.
Good to know about the SAD lights. If it isn’t going to work, I’m not going to invest in one. Seems silly! Thanks, Melanie!
I know some people whom the light has worked for, so everyone is different. This one wasn’t too expensive – $40 – so perhaps it’s at least worth a try? You never know, it might work for you. I’m also going to try it again once the weather is on a non-stop gray streak.
I’ll think about it, Melanie!
I really like the trim color…sets the windows and doors off nicely.
Our weather has been so unusual this winter for southern Wisconsin. It’s been warmer than normal…and very little snow, except for our 13” in October. It’s been nice for a change. But, more often, it’s also been cloudy and rainy. I am not complaining…a mild winter is good for my spirit.
Enjoy your day! ;)
It was insane here in December but right now the highs are in the 40s and will dip to the thirties for a couple of days. No snow on the horizon – snow showers here and there, but so far, so good!
Thanks, Donna!
I’ve always like having a planner. I like putting things down on paper.
Boy, I understand! I’m the same way. It seems real when I write it down.
I know what you mean about this time of year, Christmas is gone, New Year is over, the weather is normally miserable, hardly any daylight – what a perfect day to have a birthday! Normally I would be working but for the past few years, I’ve booked it off and determined to do something despite the weather.
I received some lovely gifts today including one from my close friend Karen which is a day trip to the coast when the weather improves😀
Happy Tuesday
Happy Birthday, Dee Dee! Don’t let the weather get you down on your birthday. But as a late November birthday girl, I often run into the same issue. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you, Claudia xx
xo
to deedee …
happy birthday! hope the weather cooperated and you’ve had a great day doing just what you want when you want … and enjoy that trip to the coast!
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy xx
I like the window frames. they look nice. Went to the store today and it was so nasty and gloomy looking. We are going to get rain changing to snow over night. I just hope it is not too much snow. I like the idea of having a planner. I do keep a record of all the books I read. I like to add a brief review and the date I finished the book. I also keep a record of family and friends anniversaries and birthdays. I like to write down the time and dates of certain television shows I intend to watch with the channel number ,too..
Marilyn
I think it helps to write things down, Marilyn. I especially like to keep a record of the books I read. Thank you!
sorry you are having a harder and sinus-y day. hope it’s soon easier and not-sinus-y.
as a person with low-level, year-round depression, i’ve tried one of those “sad” lamps and (as melanie said she experienced), i also felt less tired but didn’t think it lifted my mood. i’ve benefitted more from walking, praying and doing something creative every single day. still, i might get back to using that lamp. being “less tired” is a good thing.
glad you and don found planners you like, that will work for you. in my family, we use wall calendars (and keep them, too).
your dove cottage looks great! i know it’s “a labor of love” for you, but still i applaud your attention to details and the time and patience that requires!
hope you are having a nice night.
kathy in iowa
You can’t beat being ‘less tired!’ We use wall calendars here, as well. Planners, wall calendars, and lots of lists! Thanks, Kathy.
I love the cottage transformation so far. Which Filofax do you use?
I use the Kensington (personal size.) That particular style has been retired, however. Thanks, Jan.
I have 2 Filofaxes. A Finsbury A5 size for work and a Malden personal size for everything else. I highly recommend both but the Malden is my favorite. I love Jane Eyre. I look forward to hearing about your experience with the show.
I’ve been eyeing an A5 Finsbury for my desk, as it’s hard to contain my scrawl in a smaller personal size. Someone who reads this blog is sending me her personal Malden in ochre! Just because. I’m so touched by that gesture!
I’m looking forward to seeing and using the Malden because I think they’re just beautiful, Jan. Thank you!
That is awesome Claudia!
xo