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Beautifully sunny tho a frost first thing... back into garden later today. Seemed to take all day yesterday making 6 easter cards (fabric collage & stitch) but pleased with them, and had my one exercise, walking to the postbox and back! As Kelly says... must, must, must exercise! All this baking is not good!
Back to rations today. After seeing again the medical staff working last night in the news, masked and protected urging everyone to stay in if they could I’m certainly not going out shopping. I’m being careful and making food last as long as possible till I get another delivery. Their working conditions looked like a nightmare. I assumed they can’t even have a drink of water without repeating all the protection gear. I only wore a mask for a short while when visiting daughter last year and I was so hot and uncomfortable. Working a full shift in a mask, visor, plastic overall and gloves must be physically awful. Husband wears one for a short while for certain car jobs or spraying and cant wait to get it off.
Alicia, i made a Victoria sandwich for all of us. Nothing different for Billy, he can have a sugar rush once a year. He loved it and tried to mug us for our slices at tea time. He doesn’t get much in the line of leavings or scraps as my mantra is he’s a dog not a dustbin and we both usually eat everything served up.
Neighbour at the end mentioned before Christmas he had a crack in the gable wall, decided today is the day to have it investigated, they started at 8am, but have now disappeared, don’t know if they are coming back or not. Managed to get my meds yesterday, but nearly shouted at someone while walking to the chemist – I’d struggled to cross the road waiting for the family of 3 to get far enough up (and they weren’t walking together!), eventually managed it, then they decided to stop on the pavement to talk to someone on the other side of the road, making it awkward for me to get past them. I did however forget to get my viscotears when I was there, so will have to go back later in the week. Very impressed the chemist did them the same day, you normally have to wait 5 days. I’m finding working from home more tiring than when I’m in the office, think it’s because I actually do more work due to fewer distractions! Had an e-mail from Asda saying they are also reducing the price of Easter eggsYes, I am looking forward to seeing what the new M & S has Pat, when things are normal, it will have a café which our old one didn’t, so hoping they will do some fresh baked goods. Good luck getting your eye drops ordered. Glad the cake bucked up OH Lynne. Sorry you weren’t feeling great last week Kelly. Read the blog Alicia, sorry you are having sleep issues. I normally struggle when things on my mind, but for some reason I am dropping off fine at the moment, just waking up very early and not feeling like I’ve slept through, which I find more frustrating.
Lynne (Tigger's Mum) wrote: "Alicia, i made a Victoria sandwich for all of us. Nothing different for Billy, he can have a sugar rush once a year."I looked it up - sounds lovely. Billy will survive - he must wonder what the heck is going on, but isn't going to argue with you. I can imagine the look on his face - who says dogs don't have expressive mugs?
Our housekeepers are working with masks on - sure it makes their job a lot harder.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Read the blog Alicia, sorry you are having sleep issues. I normally struggle when things on my mind, but for some reason I am dropping off fine at the moment, just waking up very early and not feeling like I’ve slept through, which I find more frustrating...."Glad you can sleep - especially since you're currently a working person, and that is impossible to do well exhausted.
I'm dealing with it - it seems to be different every day. But I don't have the pressures of working people at jobs AND I take the rests I need because trying to write, my one joy, is literally impossible when I'm too tired: can't produce a thing. I baby myself every day to get an hour or two in which my brain will condescend to consider producing fiction.
You'd think I'd pick something easier, like knitting!
As they say, if you can do anything other than write, do it.
But I wrote yesterday, and the current scene is coming along quite nicely. I'm excited.
I know you mentioned on your blog you couldn't take many things, but have you tried something natural like magnesium? Could just be a food rich in it such as broccoli or any dark green leafy veg.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I know you mentioned on your blog you couldn't take many things, but have you tried something natural like magnesium? Could just be a food rich in it such as broccoli or any dark green leafy veg."Yup. Magnesium every night. I've added a bit of extra calcium - muscles have been threatening to cramp more than usual.
The CBD oil spray helps sometimes - but also leave me groggy the next day, and I can't write.
I'm used to it, and try not to stress about it - stress makes it worse.
Thanks!
Morning! It seems the less I need to do (sister bringing in shopping, no leaving the house except for a walk) the less time I have. I've been getting a lot done in the garden and I'm trying some experimental cookery. I'm cultivating the natural yeast on dried fruit - a tablespoon of raisins. I soaked them in warm water for an hour or so, took them out (and ate them!) and added a couple of tablespoons of bread flour. The notes I read suggested it should start working overnight. It didn't. Too stubborn to admit defeat, I left it overnight again - and it's fizzing slightly! I'll let it work for the rest of the day then beat in a couple more tablespoons of flour. You have to build it up gradually, adding flour and warm water as you go, over a period of days. It smells fine at the moment. The risk is you get a sour yeast. If I'm pleased with the result I shall pull off a walnut sized bit of the dough before shaping and baking and start again.Never a dull moment. And I have beta reads in a long queue! People seem to have decided lockdown is the best excuse to get stuff finished!
Hope you're all keeping well.
Struggling today, not helped by having a rubbish night sleep. Sun shining isn’t helping bizarrely! One of the dogs at the rescue I volunteered at had to be PTS last night, she had been ill since Fri, feel sad for her as she had been at the rescue at least 4 years, such a lovely dog (ridgeback cross), her favourite thing was hugging people. Neighbours son lost his dog yesterday too. Workmen haven’t been back, so whatever they were doing wasn’t much, fortunately. My playlist ended about 15 mins before I finished work yesterday, so sat in silence, and realised that Lucy snores really loudly, she was in the bathroom and I Could hear her! Nipped to the butchers at the start of my lunch, took £1 with me as medium eggs are 85p, they only had large at £1.35, but bless him he let me take them for £1, will overpay the next two boxesSorry taking the magnesium isn’t helping, I tried it once but no joy, maybe I should try again. Glad you have been filling your time Kath.
Is that how you make a sourdough starter Kath? I was going to look it up as a friend was talking about it yesterday and having to give the little being a name. Like one of those Tamagotchi thingys but for grown ups. Fabulous day for weather here, extremely high and low tides and flawless blue sky.
Been a bit up and down as all the work I've been able to forage via the internet has dried up. I've had to call UC, first time since that useless fat slug Nigel Lawson deliberately crashed the economy in the 1980s. Still, there you go.For anyone affected, HMRC have announced to the professionals involved that their portal to claim the 80% of wages assistance will open on 20 April.
That's actually quite fast and for once I'm impressed
Lynne (Tigger's Mum) wrote: "Is that how you make a sourdough starter Kath? I was going to look it up as a friend was talking about it yesterday and having to give the little being a name. Like one of those Tamagotchi thingys ..."Yes. Not sure I'll be that keen on sourdough bread but, nothing ventured...
This definitely seems to be the time to get things done. Though I'm tempted instead to write a novel about a pandemic
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Struggling today, not helped by having a rubbish night sleep. Sun shining isn’t helping bizarrely! One of the dogs at the rescue I volunteered at had to be PTS last night, she had been ill since Fr..."So sorry about the rescue.
And that you're not getting good sleep. I can compensate during the day, but it doesn't sound as if you can, and that must be exhausting.
Neil wrote: "This definitely seems to be the time to get things done. Though I'm tempted instead to write a novel about a pandemic"I suspect you won't be alone in this :-)
Seriously I would start a novel in the pandemic and then have it continue into the period after. That period is going to be fascinating :-)
Good luck with that Will, OH has just been sorting daughter’s UC out for and with her via phone it has taken him hours. One of her problems is she can’t concentrate for very long periods plus her short term memory isn’t good. Take care Desley. Losing dogs you know like at the shelter or your friends is sad. No wonder you didn’t sleep well.
I must have fallen into the emergency guidelines for the self employed, as it's been awarded already.They will tell me on 9 May how much if anything I've been awarded... with a payment a week after that.
Glad we have a full freezer.
I see online that they have had 1.2 million new claimants in 3 weeks
The number seems reasonable, the paper said one million a week or so ago
Well, just to make yesterday worse, my boss rang just after lunch, I’m being furloughed from end of play today. While I always expected to be the first in my department, as I provide the admin support, it has upset me more than I expected (although in hindsight, part of that is due to already being tired and emotional yesterday). I am able to think of some positives about it now, including the fact that Lucy won’t have to be shut in when it is nice like yesterday and I don’t have to do the boring task that I struggle to find motivation for. I’m just thinking about it as the minimum 3 weeks, and classing it as a bonus holiday, so when I set up my to do list last night, it wasn’t my normal housework related one! Top of the list is volunteering, then there are things like reading a book a week, watching a film a week and finding new walks. I doubt it will be over in 3 weeks, but my brain can cope with that. Work have been quite good, my boss is setting up a way for me to be involved in the daily team chats, so I’m still included (I said I was happy with them staying at 8.30, but I might not use my camera as I don’t always want to be dressed that early!) and I checked with HR that I can still take part in things like the Friday social chat, she said they are trying to increase opportunities for light relief, for everyone, not just furloughed staff. I will also be getting weekly phone calls to make sure I’m OK (which will be interesting, my boss didn’t do that when I Was off sick the other year!). Obviously didn’t sleep well again last night, not sure what I did looking at the state of the bed this morning, don’t think I’ve ever got the spare pillow on my side of the bed before! So tomorrow’s task will be putting all the work stuff away and rearranging the desk again, am considering putting my old box upstairs to watch things saved on it. Hope you can get daughters claim sorted Lynne. Wow, that’s impressive Will, took my friend longer than that just to get confirmation of the claim, but she has also been told 9th May and that was either last week or the week before!
They’ve been quite good getting daughter sorted. They rang both her and her partner for telephone interviews so she’s in the system ok. The weather here is amazing, flat calm, really warm and sunny so we sat outside to eat at lunchtime.
It’s hard to adjust when you’re used to working Desley, I’ve worked from home then retired but still occasionally think I ought be up and ready to go to work. It’s strange times for everyone.
Yes, its my sanity I'm worried about more than the financial impact Lynne, but keeping the 8.30 video chat, even if a colleague thought I was mental for agreeing to that, will help with that, and then I can plan what I will do for the day. The alternative was 4pm and I think that would have had more of an impact on all of us. Alicia, I forgot to comment about the housekeeping post on your blog, I appreciate they need to find a new routine, but surely as hygiene plays a big part in beating this, leaving resident's apartments unhygienic when some aren't in a position to maintain was a really bad idea, glad they did a U-turn on that.
Maintaining a structure to your day is very important Desley, yes. Although having an animal in the house will help with this I'm sure!I am struggling to maintain anything approaching a normal level of productivity to be honest. Although to be fair I know have enough work lying around the house to fill a reasonable sized gallery. And it isn't helped when a submission I have been working towards is given a six weeks extension. It turns out I need a little of the tyranny of deadlines. Also having no income coming in isn't helping either
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Yes, its my sanity I'm worried about more than the financial impact Lynne, but keeping the 8.30 video chat, even if a colleague thought I was mental for agreeing to that, will help with that, and t..."It is always a shock, being laid off, even if you expected it and it makes some sense.
I'm pretty sure they're now going to find out all you did for them, and they aren't going to like having to do that themselves! Good staff are hard to find - and do a lot more than is expected of them.
Make sure a lot of this time is used for what you want - that way, when you look back in however many weeks it was, you have something enjoyable to show for it. I hope Lucy enjoys it - the nice weather is here.
Priceless: refusing video so you don't have to get dressed. Let them imagine.
Hope you adjust quickly to having more freedom.
Just thought I'd put this in herePeople are running low on money, in some cases very low.
https://www.trusselltrust.org/
Most foodbanks are part of the Trussell Trust (link above) which is effectively a franchise, providing us with IT and data support etc.
Because of the virus the usual systems of people getting vouchers are breaking down, so my advice at the moment is to phone your local foodbank and explain your situation to them. Many of them are writing the vouchers themselves and even delivering in some cases.
I like the attitude a lot of people round here have, they just treat it as a bank. When things are good, they make deposits, when things are bad, they with withdrawals.
Another rubbish night sleep, so if I feel like a nap in a bit, I will! I have half a dozen things on my to do list, main one being taking all the work stuff back out of the bedroom and taking the old box upstairs. Supposed to be 21 but cloudy today, although currently blue skies, so should be nice to go for a walk later, maybe even read on the doorstep. Thanks Alicia - furlough is slightly better than laid off, I am still technically employed, just getting 80% of my wage for doing nothing! They certainly are, I have been fixing people's mistakes this week! That is why my to do list isn't housework related, I'm using this as bonus time to do fun things like read more - I can always revisit it. I think I'm always worried that I'll enjoy being lazy too much!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I think I'm always worried that I'll enjoy being lazy too much! ..."I don't think you're the type. Enjoy it while you can - there will be a lot of cleanup jobs when people get back to work.
Beautiful day here again. Second day in a row we had lunch outside. I needed ‘medicine’ this morning. Well it had tonic in it and i feel much better now but very sleepy. Nap time I think. Made hot cross buns which turned out well.
Missing the family a bit, little lad is usually with us on Fridays. He’s lost his other front tooth so he’ll look quite different next time we see him.
Hot cross buns are quite a cheery way to celebrate a crucifixion, it always seems to me.Had another unproductive day. I should really find myself a mission/project.
Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "Hot cross buns are quite a cheery way to celebrate a crucifixion, it always seems to me.Had another unproductive day. I should really find myself a mission/project."
I'm still painting the living room ceiling. Just a thought, Rosemary
Will wrote: "I'm still painting the living room ceiling. Just a thought, Rosemary..."Well painting ceilings made Michelangelo's name for him!
Well, didn't quite get through my list (not sure what happens to washing up in my house, I've done some every day this week but still not got to the bottom of it!), however I did get another couple of hours sleep, hit my step count for the first time in weeks and finished my book, so am happy with that. Chemist was open, so even got the eye drops I forgot on Mon. When I did a second walk round the park, there were two policemen as they had had reports of a group of kids causing a disturbance. Sorry you are still struggling R, I forgot to comment on your post the other day, do hope you can find some kind of project. How long have you been painting the ceiling Jim?
Eh up!Jim, we usually put a couple of things in the foodbank trolley each week when shopping. Knowing we wouldn't be in the shop (my sister, the youngster, is doing our shopping) we sent them a cheque. You can get around things if you're determined.
First cucumber through this morning
Kath wrote: "Eh up!Jim, we usually put a couple of things in the foodbank trolley each week when shopping. Knowing we wouldn't be in the shop (my sister, the youngster, is doing our shopping) we sent them a ch..."
Yes folk are very generous and very supportive. Unfortunately the supermarkets have removed the trolleys/bins in a lot of shops as part of their precautions
To be fair they are also making stuff available for us. One lets us buy stuff by the pallet load
Like a lot of the foodbanks we've now got a way of donating through facebook and similar
But the fashion in this town is men shaving their beards to raise money. These chaps and sending in serious amounts of cash which is brilliant.
Morning all, another rubbish night sleep, so unless I get some more sleep, won't be doing the stuff on the to do list, or going for a walk. Food shopping as soon as I can bring myself to get dressed, need to put a washload in and then chilling, hopefully it will be as sunny as forecast and I can sit outside reading.Glad that supermarkets are now helping foodbanks, I saw an article that when our M & S relocated, rather than taking some of the stock with them, they donated it to the soup kitchen, they think there is enough for months. That is a good way to raise money Jim
Yes, my worry is we might run out of bearded men before the crisis is over ;-)
Jim, glad the food bank is doing OK and hope the supply of bearded men holds.Ro hope the ceiling painting goes OK.
Desley, hope you sleep better tonight.
I am mostly vegging out today. Morning all ...
Well, today has been a wash out, didn't get any more sleep, so no motivation to do anything. On a positive note though, I got some chocolate lollies from Lidl and have posted one through each of my neighbours letterboxes (except the vegan neighbour, luckily I had some vegan chocolate in, so she got that), and used my walk to post some vegan chocolate through my friends letterbox, which was appreciated as the only choc she had in was hot choc. One of the neighbours has left some gingerbread bunnies on my doorstep as a thank you (I was going to do it anonymously so they didn't feel they had to reciprocate, but then realised in the current climate that might be a bit offputting, so put stickers on them). Also forgot to say, my idea of taking my old box upstairs didn't work, turns out it is so old it only has SCART connection, which neither TV has, and I got rid of the SCART/HDMI connector last year!
busy day in the sunshine, spent afternoon welding a cattle crush to a big piece of steel we had lying about, so now it's not going to move when we're giving dairy cows a pedicure :-)
Forgot to say Jim, one of the houses I walked past earlier had put a list of people they were thanking in the window, which included farmers
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Forgot to say Jim, one of the houses I walked past earlier had put a list of people they were thanking in the window, which included farmers"It's nice when we're not forgotten.
Normally if we are remembered it's by yet another inspectorate with an empire to build :-)
Bright sunny morning - but will have to get out in garden as it's not going to last! Some much needed rain heading our way - who'd have thought we'd need rain so soon after all that flooding! Happy Easter (if Happy is quite the right word!)
Morning, did get some sleep, although feel I could have more. I clearly needed it, when I went to give the girls their supper, I realised I hadn't given any of them their tea! Mouth is really sore today. Was supposed to rain today, but nice blue skies, was hoping for rain so I didn't feel bad staying in doing housework. Thought you would appreciate that Jim
Its greyish here after yesterday’s lovely weather. I wouldn’t mind the rain, it might wash the bugs and the zombies off the streets ! The sparrows were having a lovely dust bath in one of Billy’s paths through the garden. I can get right round the shrubs if I bend double to dobie height.. They’d all grown bushy again from when the last hooligan dog grew older and slower. It’s not normal to have dust in a Welsh garden.
Better get lunch on the table, it’s the highlight of the day.
Happy Easter to all.
So much for the promised rain! Its been a pleasant afternoon, even a little sunshine
Looked gorgeous here - hardly a cloud in the sky - but the wind was from the NE so it was baltic. I didn't go out for a walk but from what I could see from the windae the links and the beach were being walked but not too busy. We have spoken to both daughters as it was husband's birthday today so feeling a bit happier. Also a rather good bottle of wine with fillet steaks delivered by the butcher has helped.
Yes Easter Greetings to allA bit cold and blustery this evening, a foggy start but we did have some shirt sleeve weather in the afternoon
Easter greetings everyone. It was lovely ask day until about five and then we had thunder and lightning.
Trying to get my energy up for a trike ride - it's still daylight in California.Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all who celebrate.
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Well, working from home is a challenge, everything takes so much longer to do. Never mind, just is what it is. In my other jobs am run-ragged, but guess it's better than nothing to do!
Wasn't feeling that great last week. Seems there is a bug going around the island with most of the same symptoms as you-know-what.
Also, must, must, must exercise!!!