Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

[Dimity]

It was only 4 people total @NatureLover so hardly "family" at large - I'm estranged from most.

When fruit "sets" it means it's been pollinated and the baby fruit are starting to grow. I've had hardly any flowers on my cherry tomato but noticed 2 little fruit today. 

I'm battling to get stuff done. I worked for 3 hours yesterday and the same again today but I don't seem to be getting anywhere yet. I hope you're having better luck.

[NatureLover]

Ah, I see (re your family), @Dimity .

Thanks for explaining what "setting" means. I have a question: do the flowers automatically mean there will be fruit? Or do they need to be pollinated by a bee or similar? I ask as my tomatoes are all under bird netting, so bees presumably can't get to them...

I'm glad you have some fruit 🙂

Well done for doing two lots of 3 hours' work. I'm really struggling but forced myself to do 1.5 hours today. 

[Dimity]

Hello @NatureLover 

Tomatoes do need to be pollinated - so perhaps you could take off the netting for a while and  put it back later? 

I put in an extra hour yesterday untangling the hose on the hose reel. I've not done very much today but I had a nice long chat to an old friend. 

My back has started complaining a bit with the extra work I've been doing. I'll try to pace myself and alternate with lighter tasks.

Have the dogs been home for the holidays?

[NatureLover]

Thank you for the tip about the tomatoes, @Dimity  - I will do that. 

And how will I know when they've been pollinated? When tiny fruit begins to grow? 

I'm glad you had a nice chat to a friend. Well done on the hose unravelling which is problematic! 

That's tricky about your back, just when you want to be achieving more. Sorry to hear 😥

Yes, both dogs are here and I'm nervous to step outside. 😣 I'm trying to do watering and gardening early, before the dogs and owner get up. 

I have a coffee today with a friend. Am anxious as the friend said there's a lot of Covid around at the moment, and I have a family wedding to go to on the 9th. I'm planning to wear a mask inside and to the shops, then sit outside for the coffee. 

(The wedding is for my abusive father's side of the family...relations would be further badly damaged if I couldn't attend this wedding.)

Out to do watering now. Good luck today with your back and your tasks...

[Dimity]

@NatureLover yes I'd leave the netting off until you can see the tomatoes growing. The birds probably won't be interested until the tomatoes start to colour.

It must be difficult for you to have to plan your day around what the pesky dogs might be doing.

Yes I've heard there's a lot of Covid around - apparently there's an updated vaccine for it. I was a bit nervous before a big gathering a few weeks ago but it turned out OK. 

It sounds as though things are a bit strained with others in your father's side of the family, not just your father personally. I hope the wedding invitation isn't too stressful for you. Members of my family have stopped inviting each other. It's well over a decade since I saw most of them.

I'm slowly pressing on, hoping it will get easier. I haven't got to the boxes yet.

[NatureLover]

Hi @Dimity , I've taken the bird netting off the tomatoes. It's not the birds I'm worried about, it's the possums. Years ago I had a veggie garden here, and the possums ate everything. They even ate my rose bush (thorns and all) a few years after that. 

I'm glad you were OK after your big gathering. I didn't know there was an updated Covid vaccine, thanks. I'm due for one in January. 

Yes, the dogs are a problem. I've been slowly adjusting to the well-behaved dog, but the other male one freaks me out. 

I wore a mask out this morning, shopping for cheap wedding jewellery for my outfit, plus the library for books. My silver shoes are arriving today. 

What do you have planned for today? Good luck with your chores / decluttering, whatever you decide to do...

[Dimity]

Wow silver shoes @NatureLover ! Is the dress code formal?

Your possums must have been very hungry. I think the ones here are content with the gum trees, although I've had things chomped in the past.

I'm tired. I repotted a number of things, dividing some. There were also chores of course. But the big news is I unpacked and set up my high intensity reading light. I've been able to read printed text this evening.  It will be a game-changer.  It was very expensive, over $300. I've had it for a while now but kept procrastinating about trying it. 

This is my fifth day post-Xmas of spending about 3 hours working on the house and garden. I know it's not really much but it's a big step for me. I'm trying to reduce mindless screentime. I'm starting to see progress so I hope I can keep it up. 

Have you had an opportunity to interact with the male dog while the owner is there? (Treats, sit/stay etc). It would be nice if your dog whisperer friend could help out as promised.

[NatureLover]

Congratulations @Dimity  on unpacking your reading light! I'm so glad it will be a game changer for you 🙂

And well done on repotting  and chores 👍 and also for doing 5 days in a row of 3 hours a day. I'm glad you can finally see some progress, that's exciting. 

Yes, the dress code is cocktail! I have my posh dress (black, silver and red) and yesterday went out for the silver jewellery. Unfortunately the silver shoes were too big. I've had great trouble finding some silver wedding shoes that suit (low heel, larger size, not leather etc). So I quickly ordered some cheap silver sandals...I hope they will arrive in time. (I googled all the silver sandals in the shoe shops near me, with no luck.)

I haven't interacted with the male dog yet - have been too scared. I just freeze up when I see him (the freeze, flight or fight response). He's away again now, not sure for how long.

I'm aiming to do 5 hours today if possible 🤞Good luck with your 3 hours if that's what you're aiming for.  

[Dimity]

Happy New Year @NatureLover .

Thanks. Yes it's nice to see progress. I did 3 1/2 hours today. It's really quite tiring but hopefully I'll get fitter. I'm trying not to lose track of time during my breaks. I'm still making sure I get out for a walk, although I'm not walking far.

Were you not confident of exchanging the silver shoes in time? Fingers crossed the silver sandals arrive in time. Your outfit sounds very stylish. I bought a new dress for my occasion but it didn't look very smart, many of the other guests were quite elegant. I think I misjudged what was expected. 

Do you celebrate the New Year? I don't. I haven't been invited for many, many years. I sometimes make resolutions but this year I just want to get by. I'll have a 3 month convalescence to get through and I'll see what's possible after that.

Best wishes for tomorrow,  and the year ahead.

[NatureLover]

Happy New Year, my dear friend! ❤ @Dimity 

No, I don't party on New Year's Eve but I do rejoice in the new year - it's a fresh start.

Well done on your 3.5 hours yesterday. 

No, the wedding shoes wouldn't have been returned and replaced in time. I'm happy enough with the cheap silver sandals though, and tracking is indicating they'll be here in time 🤞

That's nice you got a new festive dress. 

Most years I don't make resolutions either - I just hope to get by, like you said. But this year I've resolved to spend less money. I've already been tracking my spending for a few months, and as of today I'm going to try going back to cash and seeing how that works and if I can cope with the germs. 

Is it a 3 month convalescence after your surgery? Wow. That's tough. 

I was pleased with my efforts yesterday: 3 hours' housework plus 3.5 hours doing my 2025 calendar. My calendar has every week's bin, every work shift, and every birthday on it, plus all sorts of reminders when to pay rent, book appointments and post cards etc. I use the calendar with the biggest squares I can find. 

Good luck today. And heaps of best wishes for your new year 2025, all year.