Mid May
Yes, it is the middle of May, but actually the month has been anything but mid. In comparison with my usual monthly activity it’s been THRIVING. I’m not sure whether it has felt busier because I’m off social media and actually noticing stuff, or if the planets have aligned somehow for this May. Whatever the case, I have a lot to talk about.
Without further ado, here are my highlights (in no particular order, unless I say so) from May 2024 (so far).
Part 1 of renovating the mouldy spare room:
Does everyone have a mouldy room in their house where they dump all the things that they don’t use, but also don’t want to chuck out? Well, I do.
It had not been decorated since the 1970s, it was PACKED with stuff that no one was using -old clothes, old computers, boxes of photos, the carpet was moth-eaten, and there was an early 20th century wardrobe that was WAY too big for the square footage of the room - this had also been taken over by the moths.
It was a room that I was overwhelmed by the thought of dealing with. The only problem was, my family from The Netherlands were coming to visit and I needed another spare room.
THEREFORE, MOTIVATION HAS ENTERED THE BUILDING.
The first weekend of May saw a flurry of activity clearing the room of all it’s vices. Donating the tiny shorts that I used to fit into 7 years ago, deconstructing the Victorian Ikea-esque wardrobe that had overstayed it’s welcome (don’t worry, it was rotten and gross and we recycled the wood), and washing dirt from every millimetre of wall space.
Then the painting began. We didn’t spend money. On the walls we used the leftover sage-ish green that we had used on the kitchen a few years ago, and the skirting board went from grimey white to brilliant fresh cream (also leftover from the kitchen). It made an instant difference. I use the word ‘we’ because it was a group effort including me, my sister, and my parents - one of those surprising times when we actually got on with a task without disagreeing or bickering.
The hoover had an astronomical task. In fact, we used two hoovers simultaneously. You would be disgusted with the amount of moth larvae shells that were embedded into the carpet. It was VILE. The condition of the carpet was evidence enough, but these maggot-like shells were just the cherry on top. HOWEVER, the hoovers did their job and all that remained was the scabby carpet, which we covered up as best we could with thoughtfully placed (and newly polished) furniture.
We had a spare single bed and mattress in the garage which we built. Not gonna lie, building this bed was as stressful as hell, I thought my dad would blow an artery, but we got there in the end.
The room was now clean, tidy, smelled nice, and thankfully, mothless. Ready for a guest.
…
There are still things we have to do in there, like reseal the window and get rid of the ragged carpet, but things are looking up for our little spare ‘oom.
Advancing my Running
Man, I know it’s stereotypical for my middling age, but I am absolutely LOVING running. I’m consistently amazed by how far I can run now and how much fitter I am becoming. This time last year I couldn’t even run 5K and in March I ran a half-marathon (21.1k). I feel stronger, I feel like I have more energy, and most importantly - I can eat carbs whenever I want,
This month I’ve started a 5k training plan with Runna (the best app ever, I highly recommend if you want to start running). My goal for this year is to run a 30 min 5k - my fastest is currently 35 mins and 27 seconds. Runna also has short mobility and pilates sessions which I have scattered through my week and these workouts have already been making a difference to my stability and balance when I’m running. It’s great because it’s not THAT much of a commitment and honestly, I’m stoked about it.
My advice to you is - start running, I highly recommend. You can begin here and work forward - Couch to 5K
Shoehorning Pedro Pascal into my reading
I’ve been proper enjoying thicc novels at the moment. My current read is Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry it’s a Western, I’ve got to page 160-something and have enjoyed every second so far (if you know me at all, you know I love a Western).
I’ve already cast the characters in my head. There is this one guy called Jake Spoon, who is middle-aged, has big brown eyes and curly dark hair and is a bit of a ladies man. He’s not reliable, but he’s likeable. He’s like type of person you always want to see at a party, but he doesn’t always turn up and then the party isn’t as good - you know what I mean? Anyway, at this point in time I feel like Jake Spoon should be played by Pedro Pascal. I would like to see this happen.
This month I have also read:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling - which I LOVED - a solid 5/5.
You are Here by David Nicholls - very cute, realistic 30-something romance - 4/5
The Botanists Daughter by Kayte Nunn - Not my thing, I hate-read it - 1/5
Revisiting an old friend
I was homeschooled so I don’t have old friends, but what I do have is old video games - Games in which I whiled away my many lonely hours and escaped to worlds where I could be free and independent and get better at stuff and have companions - LOL.
One of these games, and maybe the most favourite of all, was Final Fantasy X a Japanese RPG where you play as one of the most embarrassing (but also precious) main characters to ever grace the screen - Tidus. With Tidus you explore amazing lands, have no problem needing oxygen underwater, and get that sweet sweet levelling up satisfaction.
Recently, I ordered the remastered version of FFX for PS4 and started playing it again yesterday. OMG it was so nostalgic and it didn’t disappoint. It felt just as adventurous, cheesy and wonderful as it did back when I played it as a teen in 2001 - over 20 years ago, jeez
I was going to write more, but actually, this feels the right amount. I’ve been having a nice time being with family, and not on social media. I’ve also been painting a bit more, but I think I’ll talk about that in my next blog. Another thing I’ve found is that my attention at work has been a lot better and I’ve been a lot more productive in that aspect too - I will not talk about that in my next blog.
Bye for now.
Minnie
