If we were having coffee, I’d tell you I’ve had another hectic week. Here we are in September; the days and weeks are passing so quickly it seems that we are already galloping towards December and Christmas at breakneck speed!
In the shop, if I thought last Tuesday morning was crazy busy (see here)
This week came close. The morning started well when I spent nearly an hour helping a guy from Uzbekistan who could not speak English or Portuguese to find some long-sleeved tops. (Thank you, Google Translate!) I love it when a customer goes away happy. Apart from that, I had lots of potential customers browsing, but unlike last week, not many sales. I think it is because we need an injection of new stock. Some of the clothes have been there since the beginning of the summer, and with the tourist season drawing to a close, the regulars are only interested in new stock and new bargains
We still have boxes of summer clothes stored out the back. Having started up and run three successful businesses over the years, I am no stranger to thinking creatively outside the box. Dare I suggest to the head honcho we change around the summer stock? Hmmmm… I am not that brave!
Anyway, there was no one to take the afternoon shift (again), and I had to close at one and be gone shortly after, as the art course started at 14.00 which in my estimation, gave me less than 40 minutes to get home, freshen up, have some lunch and join the group.
And guess what. You couldn’t write the script? People started bringing in boxes and bags of donations right at closing time and, once again, insisted I unpack the stuff and give them back the bags. They are only supermarket bags at a few cents… hmmm maybe I will sort out some bags so we can trade bags… I tried to smile… honestly. But secretly I wanted to eat them alive.
Art Course – Tuesday afternoon, still hot and breathless from the morning’s endeavours in the shop I started a new project with my local art group. It was a chameleon. Our teacher painted a brilliant example, and the colours (lime green, orange and blue/purple) really popped! I won’t show you the picture due to potential copyright issues.
Anyways, I was relieved to see she had prepared a template for us to use. I can draw up to a point, but… a chameleon would have been a challenge.
The idea was to create a fun chameleon experimenting with different techniques and colours.
WE had to choose our background colours. I pondered and procrastinated until I chose
The bluey/green leaves and pink flowers were stencils, and we used spray paint to apply. Spraying offers a different effect. I like it. I still need to fill in the detail.
Next, I am trying to decide on the colours of the chameleon itself. Here are some test colours before I proceed on canvass. What do you think?
I’m unsure. I think a glass of wine might help me decide which colours to chouse for the chamelian which work with the background.
What colours do you think I should choose?
Line Dancing – Monday was my first week back after several weeks break and every muscle in my body screamed at me to stop.
‘Come on,’ I reasoned ‘, it’s not that hard. Line dancing is hardly aerobics or Zumba.’
‘That’s as maybe if you hadn’t spent two hours this morning grafting in the garden.’
Yeah, to be fair, I did walk several thousand steps around the garden, pulling weeds, watering, repotting, and discarding dying plants!
So, back to line dancing, we started learning a new dance. Sadly, the music doesn’t excite me. I prefer something with more oomph! Does anyone else do line dancing?
Health – Finally, if we were having coffee or a glass of wine, I tell you that I finally put my motivation in top gear and went to see the doctor because I am constantly tired, but can’t sleep; every muscle and bone in my body aches, so I am constantly in pain, numbness/pins and needles in my feet/hands which I’ve had for years and it is not neuropathy which makes me depressed and extremely grumpy to live with, and I am still well overweight.
I don’t normally consult ChatGPT on medical issues, but I wanted a clear Summary of Symptoms for my GP appointment because I get so anxious when I see a doctor; my mind goes blank… so armed with 3 x A4 pages of notes etc. The notes kept me on track, and I managed to pin her down to the fact (she suspected last year but wouldn’t say) that I do have fibromyalgia and probably sleep apnoea. I now have a referral to see a sleep specialist and a nutritionist to help me change my eating habits and lose weight. I also have several pages of blood tests to see if anything else shows up. Phew! After our lengthy chat, mentally I already feel much better and more positive moving forward.
What about you. Does your mind empty when your doctor asks for a detailed explanation of symptoms, whe whens and where’s and how longs?
My thanks to Natalie for hosting the weekend coffee share. This week she shares
Piglet in Portugal 
So sorry about all your health problems! Despite being in pain and not getting enough sleep, you lead a very active life. Hope your problems get a proper diagnosis and that something can be done to relieve your discomfort. Keep us posted.
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The chameleon turned out well.
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