Catching up on sleep

The sunflowers continue to grow, but no sign of a flower yet

Monday again!  How did that happen so fast?  

For some reason, N and I have struggled to get a good night's sleep for nearly two weeks now, and by the weekend we were beginning to struggle.  Sleep deprivation is no fun at all, and takes us back to when we had to do nights at work.  Everything becomes a chore; simple things become difficult.  By 7 o'clock last night N gave in and went to bed, and I followed shortly after.  I'd like to say we both slept for 12 hours solid, but the 5 or so uninterrupted hours we managed is considerably better than the 2 or 3 hours we've been getting by on recently.  Not too sure why exactly we've had problems sleeping - certainly there have been a few things we've been mulling over - but it has brought home to us the benefits (or not!!) of a good night's sleep.  Sleeping tablets are not the answer, although I did resort to them in desperation, so I shall have to find alternative remedies.

The new water-harvesting system on the shed front has proved very successful!

FIL has returned safe and sound to Manchester, and although it was unfortunate that he was a little under the weather during his stay with us, for him the most important thing was having company and having someone to talk to and interact with.  His visit has given N and I quite a lot to think about, and we have talked at some length about aging, and how some people seem to be able to accept getting older whilst others seem to fight the advancing years.  I think there is a lot for us to consider and learn from, especially how different generations deal with old age.  Perhaps it is to do with how content and satisfied you have been with your life, goals achieved, being happy with your lot.  Maybe if you feel you have missed out on 'something' in life, the prospect of time running out leads to panic and the need to search out whatever it is you feel has eluded you.  I don't know, but it has made me think.

These are the grape hyacinths I rescued from DILs garden at the beginning of the year.  They flowered in Spring then died right back.  Now the little bulbs have split and spread and new shoots have emerged.

Anyway, a (relatively) good sleep had us up and about this morning, trying to make up for lost time.  Phone calls made to sort out travel insurance - and money saved in the process, so major ticks off the list there!  Washing on the line and dried by the afternoon.  My on-going project is finally making good progress so I'm pleased with that, too.  We've replaced a couple of pans in the kitchen and N has fixed a batten to the kitchen wall for storage.

Out in the garden, we're starting to think about preparations for autumn and winter - beds being cleared, fed and dug over.  The cabbage seedlings have had mixed success, some are doing well but some have been nibbled at.  We may have to supplement them with established seedlings from the nursery.

Still plenty of tomatoes in the greenhouse  

I had lovely phone calls with both my children yesterday evening.  I caught up on their news and we had a good old chat.  Lots of exciting plans to look forward to over the next few months.  Talking with them always puts a smile on my face :-))