first things first

The first of August and what a promising month it seems to be.

The first weekend in a while (since some time in June) that is free from plans. We have, in recent months, been somewhat inundated with weddings, stag dos, hen dos, dress fittings. All very lovely occasions, but at times fairly relentless (I am toying with the idea of some wedding themed posts, as I feel I am something of an expert bridesmaid/wedding guest these days). It is an eerie, but welcome, calm this evening, although I am so full of things that I want to get done now we have some time that it may turn out to be an even busier weekend than normal.

The first day that I can finally, properly, look forward to the new job. I have, since February, been due to start a new role next week. It is a secondment rather than a complete move, but as such it has been more than a little testing trying to co-ordinate a range of different organisations and departments to all approve the temporary transition. Today (nothing like cutting it fine) it has at last been confirmed, and I can now allow myself to get excited, and believe it is actually happening. I've also used it as an excuse to order some refills for my filofax, and some new pens. I will always associate the first day anywhere with an overwhelming desire to buy new stationery.

The first summer where we have had a garden that feels like a space we want to use. Over the last few months there has been much in the way of garden makeovers, a new drive, a new fence, a new shed, and lots of lovely new plants that so far Millie has managed to leave rooted (another post I am thinking of writing although I fear I may have missed the boat by forgetting to take before pictures). There are a few final touches required, the chairs need a re-paint and the fence needs staining, but I've got fingers crossed for some sunshine this weekend so that we can finally get it finished. I've even got grand plans for a mini herb garden on the table under the kitchen window. Then some lovely summer evenings beckon, and perhaps our first al fresco dining.

The first of Amanda's August prompts over at writealm is "modest", and I read the above paragraphs and think it feels quite fitting. An uneventful weekend, a meal in the garden, the first pages of a new diary. None of these are particularly exciting, but for me, they bring a sense of serenity, of order. There feels, finally, to be a pause, a sense of things calming down, and plans coming together. I have high hopes that August will be filled with simple pleasures, a month of modest joy feels promising indeed.

The obvious omission from the list of firsts is that this is my first blog post in a fair few months, but let's just pretend it's like I've never been away.