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Morning all, raining here. Turned out yesterday only one of our charity shops is open on a Sat (am sure at least one other is open during the week) so didn't come back with anything. Getting takeaway breakfast and cake today, looking forward to it. Surprised it took several attempts for them to get fed up of you Patti, not surprised you then went to a different agent. Good luck sorting out Madrid, when does the school term start?
Apparently they're planning a face to face meeting for staff on August 31st.We're assured social distancing, etc will all be enforced but I'm still feeling very reticent.
Also worried about touting around the city looking at apartments.
Oh well.
My travel arrangements are not progressing amicably at all. My OH is the same as yours Mary. It’s a wonder he hasn’t got a spreadsheet and flow chart for his possibilities. He won’’t wait to see if quarantine is going to be announced on Monday. He’s tying himself in knots wanting to be ‘Action man’. I know he’s bored but acting precipitously isn’t a solution for me so I’ve dug in and put my imaginary earplugs in.
Lynne mine has settled down now and we are officially staying put.It’s overcast but very pleasant out so I’m just sitting on the patio about to start editing my latest.
Cheers
MTM
It's distinctly chilly here, I'm going to put a jacket on when I go out to fill the feed bins
Had a bonus when I rang to order breakfast, they can't offer the discount scheme as they are takeaway only (randomly it's a café in a care home, but open to the public), but they are offering 20% off everything in August if you collect, so we got a traybake (6 for £10), a full English breakfast and 2 vegetarian breakfasts for £21.88! And ate at my neighbours house again, which was nice. Would definitely go again, even at full price it was worth £5, we couldn't eat the toast that came with it, and I'm still full, so think tea will be cake! There are a couple of items on the lunch menu I wouldn't mind trying (although not sure their maths is right, the meals that should be £7.95 are currently £5) so might have to do that, shame they are closed on a Fri and Sat. Between that and the two meetings at work being really positive, I'm feeling quite happy at the moment, but then feel bad for being happy in the current climate. My heating kicked in for a bit earlier, was wondering what the noise was at first!
That place sounds like a real find Desley
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "then feel bad for being happy in the current climate...."It won't help others, and it will hurt you. Go ahead and feel happy when you find the silver linings. There are few enough of them.
Patti, you fly all over the place and then go to bloody Wales.Why?
I frequently ask myself that, Mike
Well, that brunch was definitely worth it – I had a bit of cheese about 7 (supposed to have some every day), and cake about 8.20 (really good, but needed some cream – will take 3 days to eat it all though) and that was it, so even for £5 it would have been worth it. Quiet in the office today, less people than on Fri! There were that few cars when I drove round the corner that I had a slight panic I wouldn’t be able to get in the building! I did manage to forget my breakfast today though, and don’t have my usual stash of food in the drawer, must rectify that. Was going to do Mon and Thu in the office, but have been asked to help another department tomorrow, so will be in again then.It was Jim, it’s somewhere I was going to try earlier in the year, but then things went crazy! Shame it is takeaway only, as it overlooks the park – hope they continue doing takeaway, would be nice to get something from there to eat in the park if the weather is nice. Think I’m going to go on Sun to try one of the lunch items. My only issue now is they do really good food but just a basic drink range, the one I have been going to are a bit basic on food but good for drinks and cake. Thanks Alicia
Good morning all, well after a lot of ‘words’ that mostly fell on deaf ears we are booked to go away. It may change - it probably will when I’ve given all the food away. I daren’t leave a freezer on after the time the power failed and we had to replace it as we couldn’t get rid of the smell. We recently had a new freezer and a power failure so no worries if it’s empty. We can do the quarantine if it’s still on when we come back so that’s sorted. I’ve got my head round it, I’ve said my opinion so if it all goes wrong it wasn’t my idea. 🙂
Yesterday was a long day, got asked to do some printing which kept crashing my computer, so had to work late, went to bed early but still felt drained when I woke up. Glad I came in the office today, our old estimator is in today, first time I’ve seen him since he came out of retirement and we are using my boss’s predecessor on a consultancy basis, he is in today, first time I’ve seen him since he left 6 years ago, he doesn’t look any different! A lot more people in the office today, typical when I’m helping another department which involves ringing people! Brave of you Lynne, not sure about the rules there, but I saw an article yesterday saying that you can even get fined for walking your dog while in quarantine.
Morning all! Hoping to get some writing in today - yesterday was basically lost to having had a dip in the pool. Pool was great - it is very hot here right now. Exhaustion afterward was expected, but not welcome.Another resident tested positive - that is always worrisome. Into quarantine they go. Contact tracing has been done. Apparently a podiatrist who came here and saw several residents has also tested positive. Regular precautions should be enough for not passing the virus on further.
Constant stress is also not good for writing, but likely to go on for a while, so I try to minimize it - acknowledge, and then don't dwell on it. We are still being fed! I turned something brought into something much better (added wine, carrots, simmered). Not bad.
Have found a way to have some very low carb chocolate desserts - much happier now.
Stay well out there!
Nice to see an old colleague, Desley.
Glad you've sorted out more of the vacation mess, Lynne.
Alicia wrote: "Morning all! Hoping to get some writing in today - yesterday was basically lost to having had a dip in the pool. Pool was great - it is very hot here right now. Exhaustion afterward was expected, b..."Remember that the test brings it's own issues. According to an article in the BMP
“Further evidence and independent validation of covid-19 tests are needed. As current studies show marked variation and are likely to overestimate sensitivity, we will use the lower end of current estimates from systematic reviews, with the approximate numbers of 70% for sensitivity and 95% for specificity for illustrative purposes.”
Tests do not work well in environments with low levels of the virus (which would hopefully include where you live.) So if you do 100 tests in a population with no virus, you'd still get five false positives
Batten the hatches. Storm Ellen is here, very wet and windy. Lovely day to take the car for its service and MOT. Does anyone’s know if when a Covid test is done the testers change their PPE. I heard about flu jabs for the coming winter season starting early because it would take so much longer as the person administering it would have to change between each patient who are presumably fit. On the other hand the people queuing at a testing station all have symptoms of covid. Just asking as it’s a great great way to spread it.
Rubbish weather.Dave has gone to see his father again, so I'm sorting and packing while he's not underfoot.
This pissy weather is not helping with my enthusiasm.
Same here Patti, the weather is awful, it’s getting me down a bit.
Not sure if you remember me mentioning visiting one of our schemes were we had converted a pub to apartments, well it won an award yesterday! Bit grey and dull here todayGlad you got in the pool Alicia, even if it did affect your writing. Sorry that you have had another resident test positive, I’m finding that element more stressful as things open up. Great you have found some low carb chocolate desserts. Yeah I did wonder that Lynne, I know even the vet has to change aprons etc between but they aren’t seeing the client as well as the animal, so surely the ones at the testing stations should be even stricter? Glad Dave has been able to see his dad Patti, good luck with the packing. Have you got flights and stuff booked now?
Eh up! Decided to get going early and write a 'scary short' for our Facebook crime group, ready for Halloween. Did it. I can get stuck in to short stuff but it's the long haul I find it hard to concentrate on. Raining again! But my potted lilies have been luscious this year. Two pots, of highly scented whites, still are.
Kath wrote: "Eh up! Decided to get going early and write a 'scary short' for our Facebook crime group, ready for Halloween. Did it. I can get stuck in to short stuff but it's the long haul I find it hard to con..."I've been getting my head round specificity and sensitivity with regard testing
It's something I've had to understand for dealing with TB but it's a transferable skill with the current virus
But for writers it's a real lesson in choosing the names of your characters
specificity and sensitivity are far too similar!
Anyway it went on the blog
Hallo everyone. I hope everyone's doing ok. I've been popping in every so often to catch up. Work seems to have settled into a new routine now, a crazy one but it seems to be the norm for now. I've got a couple of weeks off at last, so of course I went down with vertigo the day before my leave started! Thankfully, that seems to be clearing up as I'm supposed to be heading home for the first time since March tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
Jess has been a wonderful nursemaid the last few days though, looking after me while my boyfriend's been at work.
Went out to one of our civils sites today, a £6.8m road in Blackburn, really interesting actually. Luckily we picked the only nice day of the week to go walking round a field! Nice to see you Claire, sorry to hear your leave got affected by vertigo.
Did the sussex run yesterday. I'm knackered but have spent a lovely morning sitting outside enjoying some sunshine. Oh... not the morning. I see it's nearly three o'clock. Oops. Just planning McOther's 60th. Obviously, I have to make a cake and ice it in a suitably silly manner. Also hoping I might manage to make some Canadian meat pie. :-) He grew up in Canada so we are making some Canadian and Scottish delicacies and having them as a picnic. Should be fun.
Claire, commiserations about the vertigo. I get it so I can empathise. Bummer we're not going to France but I will have more time to organise a proper Birthday for McOther. :-)
Kath wrote: "G'Day!I bought a loose top in Asda's sale last autumn (you know what a snappy dresser I am!), ideal for the warm weather when you don't want to burn your arms. It never felt very comfy and as I un..."
Ha ha Love it, I can just see your face when you realised. x
Jim wrote: "But for writers it's a real lesson in choosing the names of your characters: specificity and sensitivity are far too similar!..."Not to me! The roots are different. But I see your point.
My pet peeve is TV shows or movies which have more than one character with long blonde hair, or some other very specific look - and I can't tell them apart.
Here at the retirement community it is that we have a whole contingent of older women with grey/white hair - and approximately the same haircut. With masks added, it becomes almost impossible. With masks, hats, and sunglasses you haven't a prayer.
Started a Christmas story today.I'll get me coat!
Kath wrote: "Started a Christmas story today.I'll get me coat!"
Christmas going to be cold?
;-)
Well it’s definitely a touch autumnal here. I was surprised how the trees were startin to turn on Wednesday and now we’ve had this storm they look really battered. We should have fetched the garden bin in but left it out and the damn thing blew over and smashed the gas meter cover completely off last night in the wind. It’s still quite wild out there.
Wild wind here but the sun is shining. For now anyway.What is a Canadian meat pie, Mary?
Moose or beaver?
Mountie or lumberjack, probably.Morning all. Sun's out, between light showers and the wind is building. Might have to give the hut a miss today. The town is full of English holidaymakers who couldn't find room in Devon or Cornwall, so had to come to Scotland :D
Jim wrote: "Kath wrote: "Started a Christmas story today.I'll get me coat!"
Christmas going to be cold?
;-)"
It usually is here!
Still wild and windy outside. I don’t know why but I’m feeling frazzled. My brain is working overtime and I feel as if it’s overwound like a clock. One more turn and it will break. I tried deep breathing etc. but that didn’t work., can’t find any rescue remedy but I know there’s some in the house. Might have a G&t at lunchtime but I don’t want a headache to go with it.
Wet and windy here, was going to get a hot choc from the coffee shop round the corner at lunch, but decided against that! Am even contemplating driving to Lidl for the food shopping. Had a bit of a surprise this morning when I went to put the rubbish out and saw the Bengal sat in my neighbours outside kennel! She does appear to be wearing a collar now, but didn’t come to see me. Hope the tourists don’t leave a load of rubbish behind R! Nice to see you Kelly, I keep meaning to message you! Not surprised you are feeling so frazzled with the recent holiday arrangements Lynne
Patti (baconater) wrote: "Wild wind here but the sun is shining. For now anyway.What is a Canadian meat pie, Mary?
Moose or beaver?"
It’s a Quebecois thing, Tortine or something ... oh dear, I’ve lost the info for the moment ... grr. It’s beef and veal plus onions and celery and some herbs in a pastry case. Apparently it’s very good. I was going to try and do one in muffin cases!
Ah, tourtiere.Photos please, Mary
Still blowing well here.
I know exactly how you're feeling, Lynne.
Im feeling much better this morning. I didn’t take the Gin cure but I did take a migraine prevention pill. Feeling a bit manic is a precursor to a migraine for me. By manic I feel I must do everything I need to do before I can allow myself to relax. It was close as to a panic attack I imagine. I’ve caused a few in my time but I ’ve never experienced one before. Have a good day all.
Morning all, wet and windy again today. Did some food shopping with neighbour last night, but accidentally locked her in the car when I popped to get her prescription and she had a meltdown and stormed home and hasn't responded to my text, so no idea if we are talking. No plans today due to the weather, not even much housework as cleaner is coming on Tue (figured best she cleaned the kitchen before I bought 80l of cat litter!). Was going to lie in bed watching TV, but Lucy wasn't with me, might try and persuade her later. Glad you are feeling better today Lynne, hope it lasts
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Morning all, wet and windy again today. Did some food shopping with neighbour last night, but accidentally locked her in the car when I popped to get her prescription and she had a meltdown and sto..."That’s a bit harsh! I hope it all calms down. Maybe she’s claustrophobic or something.
Lynne (Tigger's Mum) wrote: "Im feeling much better this morning. I didn’t take the Gin cure but I did take a migraine prevention pill. Feeling a bit manic is a precursor to a migraine for me. By manic I feel I must do everyth..."
Glad you feel better Lynne
Patti (baconater) wrote: "Ah, tourtiere.
Photos please, Mary
Still blowing well here.
I know exactly how you're feeling, Lynne."
Yeh that! Ugh. I’m not sure they’ll look very good. I have to go over the recipe and get my ingredients in a minute! Quite blustery here still but it’s mostly sunny. Off to a nice wine bar this afternoon for the first of McOther’s birthday celebrations.
Other news, I’ve just completed a blog post in the record time of one hour! Woot.
Cheers
MTM
Patti (baconater) wrote: "Ah, tourtiere.Photos please, Mary
Still blowing well here.
I know exactly how you're feeling, Lynne."
While you are here Patti ... I wonder if you could give me some advice about the tourtiere ... Would these keep for three days in the fridge if I made them and cooked them tomorrow or should I do them later on. They are to be eaten on Wednesday but I was going to cook them first and then serve them cold (or reheat?).
Cheers
MTM
I should probably have mentioned earlier but you might all be interested to know that all the Edinburgh Book Festival events are available for free on their website https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/There's some good stuff, even if it's not coming from a tent in Charlotte Square. Edinburgh is a VERY different place this August...
Morning all, had a rubbish night sleep due to some drunken people arguing at 1.30, I was still awake at 3.30! Lucy woke me at 7.30 for breakfast, have tried a couple of times to get back to sleep but with no luck. Everything OK with neighbour, she didn't want to talk about it but I got the impression that due to various things, she'd had some kind of panic attack made worse by not being able to get out of the car. The irony is that when I realised how long the queue was, I went back and asked her if she was OK to wait or wanted to come back after the food shopping. We seemed to get on a bit better yesterday actually. Turned out another neighbour had had a fall on Fri, he went to hospital but managed to loose his keys and phone, but didn't want to wake any of us up, so I got the job of going to the local hardware shop to get a replacement set of keys done, unfortunately I looked like a drowned rat after getting back, even though it's a 5 min walk! His daughter was very grateful, and we have all told him to just knock harder next time - I said even if I couldn't have woken the neighbour who has his keys, he could have slept on the sofa, better than sitting on his doorstep for hours. Being naughty today and having lunch from the same place as last week, trying salt and pepper halloumi burger today. Not supposed to rain till this evening.
I do think peoples nerves are a bit raw at the moment. i wonder seriously if the changes to our lives have done it as there seems to be a lot of violence where there might have been a verbal argument before. There’s certainly plenty of shocking video clips of protests worldwide and over reactions.
Lynne (Tigger's Mum) wrote: "I do think peoples nerves are a bit raw at the moment. i wonder seriously if the changes to our lives have done it as there seems to be a lot of violence where there might have been a verbal argume..."I think you could be right. People are getting hacked off by it all
Even those who agree with how things are being done are stressed
Yes, I completely agree Lynne, her lodger who was in the car with her thought she had over reacted, but as I said to her today, it's how it made her feel, doesn't matter whether it seems rational to anyone else
Hello!! I'm still aroundDry here at the moment, it was wet all weekend.
We are in one of the areas that is subject to extra lockdown, Mum's daycentre was hoping to reopen this week, but is also in the restricted area. We haven't seen my brother or sister since March.
I'm currently looking after Mum, she was shielding until last month.
We have spent our time doing baking (we have made bread several times), gardening, crafting, pickling and we intend making jam next.
I am still furloughed part time but working part time mostly from home.
I have read a lot and have made good use of both my Kindle Unlimited Subscription and Audible Subscription.
Morning all ... blustery but sunny here.Lynne I agree. People have a very short fuse at the moment. Life is just the same but about seven times more difficult because of all the extra pissy administrivia we all have to deal with. Most people are pushing two rocks up hill instead of one.
Cheers
MTM
Glad I’m working from home today, it’s sunny so got an extra washload done. Also need to do a few bits ready for the cleaner coming tomorrow so can do that in my lunch break. 4 day week this week, but 3 meetings! Lovely to hear from you Janet, shame you haven’t been able to see your family. Glad you have been able to find enough to do, any idea when you will be back full time? Glad you’ve been able to make use of KU, I currently have 3 months free but not sure I’ll find enough books to read.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Glad I’m working from home today, it’s sunny so got an extra washload done. Also need to do a few bits ready for the cleaner coming tomorrow so can do that in my lunch break. 4 day week this week, ..."I've been working part time/working from home for just over a year now, as I've been caring for Mum so have gone into work whilst she was at daycare. Hoping that will continue once daycare reopens.
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Still grey and horrible in Wales. Business as usual.
Thanks, Mary. Its nice to be out of Myanmar. Poor sods who remained or accepted jobs at our old school are regretting it bitterly.
Yes, I'm getting all the gossip. ;)
We're gonna have to rebook our cancelled flights to Madrid soon and find a temporary place to stay while we flat search.
We're gonna hold off as long as possible. I don't want to be waiting months for refunds again.
We did manage to get a cash refund for our cancelled flights out of Myanmar before we left. It took a lot of polite persistence. They wanted to deal with us by email but I was having none of it. We sat across the desk at the travel agents several times until they got sick of us and handed over our money.
They had to, really. It was the agent that all the expats use and is highly recommended in all the travel books, etc. They couldn't afford to piss us off as they know businesses there succeed or fail by expat word of mouth.
I went to a different agent to book our final flights out and their business has sky rocketed because I've been recommending them all over. The lady who owns it keeps sending me thank you messages on facebook messenger.
She's lovely.
This is the laptop I got, Desley.
https://store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/Pr...