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Evening, another dry day, not as sunny and warm as yesterday but it got my first wash load dry and part of the second. Went for a walk along the canal and noticed a couple of benches, so that might be my new summer walk, it's long enough step wise and I can still sit, drink and read. Felt a bit behind housework wise after my busy week, I intended to get on top, but still quite tired, so done part of it, need to do more tomorrow as I've got the engineer coming to do the smart meter on Tue. Bed change day today, got my new bedding on, contemplated putting the winter bedding away, but one of the neighbours said it was a bit early for that - she said some old proverb about clout and May?
Finally back home after almost 8 months. Just wanted to say I've really enjoying reading your posts on here, Desley, whilst I've been away!
Welcome back - it seems like only yesterday that you were leaving!
Nice sunny day, checked my calendar and I only have one meeting, and no deadlines, and it was a quiet day so I got chance to catch up a bit, although I got bored of going through junk e-mails! Did my walk at lunch, a woman was trying to walk her puppy through a field with horses and she wouldn't walk through the gate, so I bent down and offered her a fuss to get her to walk through (I needed to walk through said gate!), she was very happy with that but one of the horses was quite curious about what was going on and wandered over, one minute I was bending over stroking a dog, next minute there was a shire type horse stood at the side of me! Went to the expensive petrol station on the way home, as I like some of the stuff the shop sells, but they were out of my favourite crisps. Then when I got home, I had to move all the bags of cat litter etc that live on the trap door ready for the smart meter in the morning, he's just rung and it will be between 10 and 12, so won't affect my lunch, and it's supposed to rain tomorrow, so my exercise will be putting everything back! Aww, thank you Stuart, I often feel like I'm talking to myself and wonder if it's worth it, but I shall continue, especially now I seem to have slightly more interesting things to talk about. What are your plans now?
Well I am cracking on now with the final draft of my next book, doing some nursing shifts, captaining my chaotic cricket team and generally trying to juggle everything until I go away again in September!
Thanks Alicia. You wouldn't believe how long it already feels I've been back!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Nice sunny day, checked my calendar and I only have one meeting, and no deadlines, and it was a quiet day so I got chance to catch up a bit, although I got bored of going through junk e-mails! Did ..."You're not talking to yourself Desley. I read with interest but hardly ever think of something intelligent to say in reply!
I think of it as listening in on an English life - makes me wistful sometimes, as it reminds me of all the books I've read set there.
Glad to know I'm not boring you all! I'll try and upload some pics this week.
Alicia wrote: "I think of it as listening in on an English life - makes me wistful sometimes, as it reminds me of all the books I've read set there."This brought a smile to my face!
Stuart wrote: "Finally back home after almost 8 months. Just wanted to say I've really enjoying reading your posts on here, Desley, whilst I've been away!"Yes that struck me :-)
Pam wrote: "You're not talking to yourself Desley. I read with interest but hardly ever think of something intelligent to say in reply!..."
Just to second that
Evening, rather stiff and sore tonight, after all that lifting. If I'd thought, I'd have held off buying cat litter till the meter's had been changed. The bloke did offer to help put things back, but decided to take advantage and mop the trapdoor, it's not often it's clear. It did take him a bit longer as they'd done a quick fix the last time they installed a meter, so he had to move it slightly. Annoyingly, he didn't have the battery pack promised, but luckily I had a couple of tasks that didn't need access to our server, so boss was fine with that. According to LinkedIn, today is my 18th work anniversary, I knew I went back around Easter, but that's a moveable target, so I wasn't sure when it actually was, can't believe it's been 18 years. Despite all the lifting, I still went for a walk with ratty neighbour after work and we ended up in the candle shop - technically I bought something as she didn't have her purse, but she paid me back when we got home, and they have no plans for new scents till next month, so I can ban myself till then. Glad I'm not as boring as I think!!
Happy anniversary - 18 years. Wow. Is that adulthood at work?
Evening, that was a nice day. Morning was a bit boring, but then I had that event to go to, it was very weird sitting in a normal looking room. It finished earlier than expected, but I'd just gone over my hour parking, so decided that as I hadn't had a full lunch break, I could nip into Sports Direct, and ended up with an entirely different pair of walking sandals than expected, these have plaited type straps over the toes, which I thought might be more flexible and they look prettier than some walking sandals, so won't mind sitting eating/drinking in them. Went for a walk with ratty neighbour after work, decided I really fancied chips, so went to the chippy and bumped into an old friend, we chatted like we had only spoken weeks ago, not years, so have said we'll go out for a drink soon, hope it happens. That's one way of looking at it Alicia!
Sandals sound nice, but I really want some of those chips now.
Evening, so glad it is a long weekend, should try and rest, as it appears I have 5 meetings in 3 days next week (and 2 on my short day!), really hope I stop waking up at 5.50 (this morning was 5.15!). Another sunny day, so got to walk round the lodge at lunch, a colleague is hoping to join me in a couple of weeks too. I thought last night that I should probably thank my neighbour, it's made me put myself out a bit more than I was doing, as well as feeling better mentally by doing more stuff that I enjoy, like walking and reading, without being held back. Sadly Alicia, it isn't all that good a chippy, I really wanted salt and pepper chips but wasn't getting in the car to go the one my neighbour uses.
You'll have to tell me where the good chips are if I ever get over there!
Welcome home Stuart! Family gone home again now. We've had son, daughter-in-law and the six year-old livewire here for a few days. I'm shattered! It was our son's birthday on Wednesday and it's years since I've had the chance to make him a birthday cake - so sticky rhubarb cake it was.
Grandson was keen to help me with some 'gardening', which was code for splashing everything with the watering can. He also dibbed out some lettuce seedlings in a totally random arrangement so I'll have to go back and fill in with the remaining seedlings. When I thanked him for his help, he said, 'No problemo'.
Now trying to catch up.
Happy Easter, Kath, and to all UKAKF members.
Happy Easter all. Easter might not be a great time to go crowdfunding, but we did it anyway!! For our upcoming Cornish crime thriller FALLEN KESTREL. Won't push too hard, but if you could take a look at the campaign to see what you think and share it that would be marvellous. Just launched. On INDIEGOGO at https://igg.me/at/LA-Kent-Fallen-Kestrel . Also got a radio interview coming up - Tuesday evening 7.30 BBC radio Cornwall. More on the blog. Sharing would be great if you get that far. Hope everyone has a pleasant Easter and some family time and a bit of a rest . . . . . .or a bit of a walk . . . . . or whatever you enjoy in time off!!
Kath wrote: "Welcome home Stuart! Family gone home again now. We've had son, daughter-in-law and the six year-old livewire here for a few days. I'm shattered! It was our son's birthday on Wednesday and it's ye..."
Sounds like a really good family visit :-)
Evening, that was a nice day - Lucy insisted on a lazy morning, I went to go for a walk and as I stepped outside realised it was a nice day so just went the long way to Lidl so I could get a wash load on, good job as I got a message from Amazon saying my delivery would be here in 1-2 hours, so went home, put the washing on, then went and had a biscoff frappe from coffee shop and mini egg blondie to bring home, then decided it was so nice I was going to do the bare minimum housework and instead sit outside reading, did do a little walk round the park to hit my step count then finished my book. My bro has booked flights to come over in August, I told my sis-in-law I'd take her to the candle shop, she also wants to go to the coffee shop!Ooh sticky rhubarb cake sounds delicious Kath.
Thank you Kath! Definitely down to earth with a bump. Because we had to sell our cars, we have basically gone from roaming wherever we chose, to being stuck in a room in the middle of nowhere. Still, at least I've found some time at last to write
Alicia wrote: "Housework can usually wait. Read."Yes, I do have that attitude more now, I am hoping for a bit of rain at some point this weekend to make me do some housework, but like an hour or so, would rather have time to walk and read!
Glad you've found some time to write Stuart
HelloNot having much of a successful day, I have been trying to write an essay and I've only managed 500 words so far, another 2500 to go. Gareth has tested positive for covid so he is keeping to a room on his own (drinking beer and watching football!) while I supervise the kids and try to work. It is not a successful combination.
I'm going to be 12 hours short on my placement hours too, assuming I can actually go in next week. This happened last time I had an assignment due. Gareth got 1 single positive lateral flow (the PCR was negative though), I'm beginning to think he is planning it so he gets all the peace and quiet!
Sorry to hear that - doesn't sound fair. Are there tasks - laundry and cleaning and reading to the kids via zoom come to mind - that he could do while isolated, that would be helpful for the family? If he's not too sick.Can you get an extension due to covid in the family?
Evening, another nice day, nicer than forecast actually, at one point the car said 20! I wasn't sure we'd do many steps, so I did 2.5k before going out with my friend, then we ended up doing a nice canal walk, even saw some ducklings, thought it was too early for them (had seen lambs on Wed), so my new walking sandals have been broken in by doing around 9k steps and my feet are fine (11.7k in total, not sure I'll get to 12k today)! Had some lunch while out, then went into a garden centre, I only came home with some smoked nuts. Had to drive past Tesco to get home, so decided to call in, don't often go, there were some good clubcard deals, but I don't know where mine is, I commented to the cashier that I was going to miss out on a couple, so she asked the bloke in the queue if I could use his, he agreed (he did get the points after all), so I saved £1 - if I'd known about that trick, I'd have got some other stuff. Sorry to hear that Gareth has Covid and you are struggling with your coursework.
Here our phone number is used to look up our card at stores - you always have your phone with you.Also, you can take a picture when you find your card - all they really want is the numbers. Here, anyway.
I did have the app on my phone, but it needed my card number to reset it, which is tricky when you don't know where your card is! Some do work off your postcode, but not that one unfortunately. At least it stopped me spending more, as there was 25% off Yankee Candles with your card!
Evening, that was a nice day. Woke up at 4 with cold feet, then Lucy started fussing at 6.50, but when I stroked her, she decided to go back to sleep, but I gave up trying at 7.15. Decided as there were 2 more days of the weekend, that I'd do the upstairs today and the downstairs tomorrow, was a half hearted attempt admittedly, went for a walk after brunch, was only interested in hitting my target to keep my streak up after yesterday. Then sat outside reading till it got too cool, before continuing in my indoor reading spot, read a whole book (460 pages), was a very good day and hoping for more days like that this year.
I didn't even leave the apartment - but I finished a chapter. You can see what my priorities are.
Sunday was a glorious day here, Easter in shorts :-)
Evening, another nice day (enjoying saying those words!). Dry, but more overcast and cool than it has been, my sis asked if I wanted to meet her and the kids at the candle shop, which I said yes to, did my housework, then decided to check co-op and Lidl for any Easter bargains, Co-op had no proper eggs at all, Lidl had some deals, I decided to get the kids an ice cream instead. Sis treated me to a couple of wax melts and a votive. Dropped them off, then went to friends house to help her with an app, then we went for a walk - sandals have been a bit uncomfortable today, but then I have done nearly 12k steps, they have had a lot for breaking them in! Then came home and read nearly half of a new book.
Impressive - 12K. Be careful not to get blisters - they'll slow you down for a while.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, another nice day (enjoying saying those words!). Dry, but more overcast and cool than it has been, my sis asked if I wanted to meet her and the kids at the candle shop, which I said yes to..."sounds like you had a good day :-)
Evening, the forecast rain never materialised, so I managed to hit my step count, although did fail at getting conditioner from either the chemist or the bargain shop. Also sorted out my broadband, I was going to ring as I hadn't got anywhere with the online chat, but something made me check my account first, and turns out they are offering 12 month contracts if you pay upfront, so what would have been £29 a month went down to £20.50, downside is I have to pay £4 a month for TV, which I don't think my box can get, so might try online chat to get that sorted. And finished the book I started yesterday, this could be my best reading month this year. I do have a slight blister Alicia, but it isn't sore - my knee is though, but then I have done an awful lot this weekend.
You are living the life I planned to live, Desley - keeping active, doing interesting things, getting around.
How do? That really isn't fair, Jud.Been catching up on the gardening since having visitors and I'm now at the stage of *almost*wanting it to rain! Flipping gardeners, never satisfied!
Evening, what a day! Woke up half an hour before the alarm, so closed my eyes again, then woke up again thinking it was a long half hour, to discover I'd set the wrong alarm, luckily I didn't have to wash my hair today, so got to work on time, as I had an 8.30 meeting, so couldn't use our flexible working! That meant I only had a small breakfast, which turned out not to be a good thing as my 12-1.30 meeting went on till 2.10! And I only had a small lunch. Good thing was I got to work to find a bag of books on my desk, I only had one to give her back. Stopped at the reservoir on the way home for a walk, as I hadn't got out at lunch, got a bit of a sore knee today, but I'm not too surprised after this weekend! Now excited at the new monthly challenge on one of my games. Aww, bless you Alicia, that brought a tear to my eye. As you know, it is fairly recent, it finally feels now, after my voluntary work and neighbour, that my life is my own, and Covid helped me get back into walking and reading, and realise that I need to do what makes me happy, regardless of what other people think. Does help I have some lovely online friends who judge me less than some of my real life friends :-)
Thanks for posting - I go along with you on your walks through your words.Judging? No one has the right to judge you, so just ignore them.
We usually do enough of a number on ourselves in that department - I don't think we need help, except maybe to relax.
Evening, another long day, had a lot of prep to do this morning for the lunch time meeting, although it went down well. At least the 12-1.30 meeting today finished by 1,45, only because half the people had a 2pm meeting, so a short lunch so I could get things done before the director finished, as he's off tomorrow. Was going to walk round the reservoir, but ratty neighbour messaged asking if I fancied a walk so I said yes. We walked up to the local lake, and then sat outside one of the pubs in the sun having a soft drink, it was lovely. Then walked home through the nature reserve and saw a deer, that was so unfazed by us, I got a few pics and even people walking through a gate didn't make it flinch. Then called in the co-op to see if we could get anything reduced for tea, forgot how slow she is in there, and I needed to get home. Just feel a bit bad for Lucy being cooped up. Thanks Alicia, I'll try and do better posting pics for you, but I guess as an author, you are good at visualising things. No, I am starting to realise that people don't have a right to judge, and actually, a true friend wouldn't - nothing wrong with rolling eyes when I buy things I don't need, but not to tell me how I should/shouldn't spend my money. You are right, I'm normally really bad at relaxing, and think I should be doing more productive things with my time!
When you look back at the end of the year, books read, steps walked, things you did for pleasure - those will stand out, and leave you good memories. Time with friends - gold.The 'shoulds' don't. Do what you have to do, make them as easy as possible (voice of experience), leave a lot undone.
Because of the ME, I do as little as I possibly can - and tidy as I go so I don't live in a mess - so I have energy for writing. That gives me a lot of pleasure - and the time, with my brain on, is hard enough to get that I don't feel bad at all about spending it that way.
Morning! Sunny again. Off to Leeds tomorrow to meet a great friend. First time since November 2019. Can't wait!
Kath wrote: "How do? That really isn't fair, Jud.Been catching up on the gardening since having visitors and I'm now at the stage of *almost*wanting it to rain! Flipping gardeners, never satisfied!"
Got the last of the maize sown so a drop of rain now would be useful :-)
Evening, another long day - woke up an hour before the alarm as I thought about something I needed to do at work! So windy, most of the empty recycling bins have blown over. Didn't get a full lunch break again today either, I had to go to the post office, to find the most unhelpful assistant, who must have noticed 3 of us in the queue holding collection tickets, so he just made us wait to the side till he had all 3, then he went to find them, but had mis read my surname, so missed it the first time. Then went to coffee shop for a blondie, and only had 10 mins left to eat, before my second meeting. Needed to go to Morrisons and retail park after work, invited ratty neighbour (she split up with her partner yesterday so will be home more), forgot about how slow she can be - in Aldi, I could have walked round the entire shop before she finished in the veg section. Got home 3 hours later, but I hadn't hit my step count, so power walked round the park, least amount of steps in a day for the past 14 days, but didn't lose my streak.You are quite right again Alicia, I said something similar to my friend, I'm glad I'm relaxing more about housework, I'd rather be having fun with friends than refusing to make sure the house is tidy (and lucky I have a cleaner so I can do the bare minimum!). I need to learn how to tidy as I go, so I don't have to spend part of my weekend tidying. Enjoy spending time with your friend Kath.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I need to learn how to tidy as I go..."I learned this the hard way: if you START with clean, and pick up the one or two little messes that occurred while doing/cooking, you can be back to clean immediately - and it STAYS clean.
I had a two-bedroom rental paid for by my employer when I first went to Cape Canaveral to work on submarines for three weeks. When time came to leave, I couldn't believe the amount of time it took me to put things to rights - or it would cost me a large cleaning fee! All my own mess. And more mess because it compounded every time I was in a hurry.
Next time I cleaned as I went, and on the last day tidied up just the things I'd used that day - piece of cake. Sigh.
Evening, another sunny day, but windier than yesterday, it was hard to walk in, even the canal looked like it had waves! Went to coffee shop, they'd had a massive rush and it was quiet when I got there, so they sat and had a brew with me, we chatted about all sorts, felt like I was there for an hour - liked that they were talking to me about their new menu, as they are struggling to think of something vegan. Then came home and did a mix of housework and watching TV, till the sun hit indoor reading spot, then read my book, ate my twisted blondie (mix of blondie and brownie), and did my face/foot mask. I'm still learning sadly Alicia - the cleaner can come on Fri lunch, by Sun lunch the kitchen can look like she hasn't been! What did you do when you were working on submarines, not sure how much I'd like that?
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Got my tomatoes and various other seedlings potted on yesterday and they're looking delightfully perky this morning! I love this time of year.