UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
General Chat - anything Goes
>
Pop in for a chat!
Glad that things are seeming better today Alicia, let's hope they take your feedback on board so that it is better for other people
I still have to figure out the best way to give them that feedback - so it is appreciated instead of ignored.
Alicia wrote: "I still have to figure out the best way to give them that feedback - so it is appreciated instead of ignored."you're a writer, work it into a story, seriously I think that might do the most good
Evening, quiet day at work. Decided to go for a walk along the canal after work, and saw what I think is a grey heron, never seen one on the canal before, there must have been something good as it was still there when I came back, despite bicycles going past, and someone on some kind of electric scooter. Was happy to pose for me too. I feel so lucky to see this wildlife and looking forward to what I'll get to see over autumn and winter. Didn't realise the roadworks were going to affect the crossing I use to get to the canal though, so had to do extra steps finding ways to cross it both times! What a good idea Jim.
Hmmm. I don't write non-fiction books, but I sure write a lot of words every day.My first effort - I wrote the surgeon this weekend and just read her response - didn't penetrate: she said she was sorry I had so much pain.
That's a shame Alicia
Not very helpful, is it?I have a video appointment with my own doctor to discuss pain relief, but she isn't available until Thursday, so I'll grit my teeth and make it until then with what I have.
Meanwhile, pain keeps me from getting anything else done, and from good sleep.
The surgeon did her job well, from what I can tell - at least that part is probably finished.
Sorry there is such a delay in being able to have a conversation about pain relief, especially as not sleeping well will delay your recovery.
Erratic sleep is practically a given marker for ME - they call it 'unrefreshing sleep.'Under normal conditions, it's not great. Right now it's erratic and pitiful. I take 3-5 naps daily anyway; after each, my brain feels a little better for a while - that's when I can write.
It's not a way I would have chosen to live, but you make do with what you get!
Evening, been wet and windy for most of the day, had a frustrating day at work and have had to book 2 more meetings for Thu, as a pre meeting for an assessment on Friday. At least I ended the day having a nice cuddle with Lucy while reading my book. Then when I was sat with the girls, my friend rang, she's doing a jogging challenge in October and found having someone with her helped, she could focus on jogging with someone as a stopwatch, luckily I just sat in the car while she jogged round Lidl car park as I'd put my coat over my pj's! I certainly understand the term 'unrefreshing sleep', can't remember the last time I did wake up feeling refreshed, even if it feels like I've slept through. Wish I could learn how to nap though, if I try after 3pm, I don't sleep again till 3am! You certainly do have to make do with what you get, I don't see the point of being 'woe is me', it is what it is, and accepting it is better than getting annoyed at limitations.
You're right, Desley. 'Woe is me' never fixes anything; you have to grab anything by the throat and throttle it into obedience. I am doing that, slightly more successfully each day.But take it from me, that if erratic chunks of sleep all night and naps several times a day are what it takes, you learn to appreciate that you have a way to get rest and reset your brain (by blocking input to it for even a half an hour), and you CAN function. Fighting naps would be a very bad idea for me - I get progressively psychotic (not exaggerating) if I try. WITH the naps, I can write fiction.
Most people don't need naps; some need naps as they get older; I have no other choice. Shrug.
But I do resent them a bit: I'm not a toddler! Just a bit.
Blimey it's all go! Jim I hope your daughter is recovering well, Alicia, I hope you are recovering well. Desley! As usual you seem to have been properly busy! It sounds as if life is good though, which is great to hear. :-)
Life has been very hectic for me which is why I haven't dropped in but it's good hectic. Mum was on great form today and Neil out of The Young Ones (Nigel Planer) bought a copy of my book at the weekend. He seems a genuinely lovely chap. Some author friends and I took a stall opposite him at Norcon and he appeared to enjoy watching us having larks, and came over to say hello. He also took a sneaky photograph of my costume. Yes (MTM pumps air). I have managed to write blogs the last two weekends and I think I'm in a position to sort of plan my next book, or at least, work out what scenes I know are in, make a list and write them. Should keep me busy for a bit.
One foot in front of the other, MT. You WILL get there.And I am positively emerald with envy of you in that cape and hat.
Alicia wrote: "One foot in front of the other, MT. You WILL get there.And I am positively emerald with envy of you in that cape and hat."
Mwahahahrgh! Yeh! I LOVE that cloak and the goggles just added to the hat so I've written them into the w.i.p. Only for a moment, but a moment is enough, right? (More mwaahahahrgh!).
Evening, very wet today, according to the travel updates I've heard today, it has caused some localised flooding. I was very glad to be working from home, mainly because I woke up at 4am and struggled to get back to sleep so then didn't want to get up at 6.30 and wash my hair, but could take my time. Then heard that the road I use to go to work had an accident and traffic was bad. Fairly quiet at work, so managed to catch up a bit, which is good as I have 4 meetings tomorrow, which might take up all morning and a bit of the afternoon and 2 on Fri, which again might take up all morning and a bit of the afternoon! Lucy helped me sit and read after work again. I'm actually jealous of people who can nap Alicia - one of my colleagues can get home at 5, have a nap and still sleep through the night, I wish I could do that (heck, I wish I could just sleep through the night!). Really MT, it's felt fairly quiet in my life?? Life is good though, thanks. Glad you had a good weekend at NorCon, even if you didn't sell that much. Glad your mum seems on good form and you can get down to writing for a bit.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I'm actually jealous of people who can nap Alicia ..."It took me YEARS of sticking with it to get where I am - it's one of the few things which has helped with the ME/CFS, but it takes a while to learn to quiet your mind, how long a good nap is for you, to live with going to bed and getting up that many times a day, and to figure out how to use my mind to count breaths so it would stop thinking!
And now I benefit from it, hope I'm noticing the crash symptoms sooner so I don't waste time awake that isn't useful time, and can sleep almost anywhere at any time (where sleep is sometimes deep, sometimes just resting).
Necessity is the Mother of Invention - and after years of saying "I cannot learn to do this stupid thing," I learned - because it helps me.
I have no idea if it helps people who are not sick, but I had no good other choices than turning my mind off periodically, to let it catch up.
If you're curious, even ME/CFS people I tell what I do, often reply they couldn't possibly.
Evening, that was a long day at work, first meeting was 8-10.50, I went upstairs to discover the meeting had been rearranged and was downstairs in the meeting room I'd just left! Then my 11-12 meeting finished at 12.50, luckily my 1pm meeting was delayed till 1.10, so I managed to have a cup a soup and bag of crisps! Then I had to try and do some paperwork for the first meeting, as I was supposed to be getting a call at 2 to find out where I was up to, that didn't happen till 3. So left work with a headache, so despite the fact it was dry (although very windy), I couldn't be bothered going for a walk, and just sat on the sofa reading. Good job my walking challenge doesn't start till the end of the month, I'm not doing very well! Quieting my mind is part of the reason I struggle with sleep, I woke up early this morning thinking about work, wish I could switch it off!
You sure have a lot of meetings at work!Glad you took time to rest and care for yourself (isn't that what a good book is - self care?).
Hope it was a good one!
Too many sometimes! Will be glad when colleague is back off mat leave in 2 months, I won't have as many meetings then. Yes, I think books class as self care. I'm struggling a bit with it, it's classics month and I've started with Dorothy L Sayers Short Stories.
There are a couple shorts I love - with Peter and Harriet. One is Talboys, and I forget the title of the other. Enjoy!Sayers taught me SO much about believable romantics.
Sounds like a plan Desley. What better way to relax than with a book? The walking will be there tomorrow! :-)
Evening, that was a long day, did 1.5 hours more than I get paid for! As long as they accept one thing I sent just before I finished, the extra work this week will have paid off. Unfortunately there won't be much time to catch up, I have been given another research task to do. Despite it starting raining as I was leaving the house, it stopped mid afternoon, so I did a little walk (shorter than planned, popped in candle shop to ask them a question and chatted to them, then realised I was starving!), and then came home and read.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "popped in candle shop to ask them a question and chatted to them, then realised I was starving!), and then came home and read..."who needs food when there is a book to read :-)
Sounds like you've had a busy week but I suspect you prefer that to just sitting about getting nothing done
Evening, nice sunny day today, was a bit chilly when I went to the hairdressers, but was warm after I left, and they like to put me in the chair in front of the window, so while I was sat reading, I had the warmth through the glass on my back, I do like going to the hairdressers. Then I had to go to the market to buy some wax melts (had to, because she had a limited edition scent called The Old Bookstore, and I couldn't resist my house smelling like a bookstore - not sure about it actually ), and got a few other bits while I was out (including a second bottle of a limited edition nail varnish that I love, as I know they are only out for a short time and never seen again). I did have some self control though, was tempted with 4 bottles of limited edition bailey's type drinks, but then realised I normally get money for my birthday so I might as well wait a few weeks - I did buy the hot chocolate ready for it. Not sure what's happened, but since I got back, my arm where I had my flu jab has started hurting when I stretch/lift it - oh well, might be a good excuse not to do much tomorrow :) Got another update from United Utilities, the water level has gone up slightly, but is at 36.2% and should be 73.8% at this time of year - it also said this is the driest year since 1976, so hopefully we get a few wet weeks to help that. Well, I suppose there is that Jim! I do think there is nice busy and crazy busy though, I much prefer the former. And also, the task I've had this week isn't really part of my job, but a director asked me to get involved, so I suppose I should be pleased they think enough of me to help, it's quite an important thing for the business.
Well, it's a year since neighbour fell out with me (not that I marked it on the calendar, but when someone picks a week before the first anniversary of your mum's death to fall out with your, it tends to stick in your brain! I actually think her timing was deliberate, thinking it would make things harder for me). I'm not actually sure I thought it would go on this long, but then she has fallen out with other neighbours for longer - there is one woman she hates, she hasn't spoken to her in the 21 years I've lived here. Well, other than to shout at her and call her selfish! I am fairly certain now that she was lying about the reason, as the catio is still there. Feels a bit like I've been on a journey of self discovery and quite like the new me, I do feel so much better without her in my life and I like how I'm spending my extra spare time, and I think the cats do too - couldn't get Lucy off my knee the other day!
I don't regret not being the one to walk away, I think that worked out for the best, but I do regret allowing her to control me for so long. Ironic that one of the things that stopped me walking away was a fear of being bored and lonely, and in fact it's been the complete opposite!
You did the right thing for the right reasons - I do feel sorry for your neighbor, but she brought all of this on herself.I hope some day she can fix that - for her own benefit - but it's really hard to become self-aware and change yourself, and she doesn't sound as if she has developed that capacity.
You've done a great job of taking care of yourself in this long year.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I don't regret not being the one to walk away, I think that worked out for the best, but I do regret allowing her to control me for so long. Ironic that one of the things that stopped me walking away was a fear of being bored and lonely, and in fact it's been the complete opposite!..."There's a lesson in that for all of us. Actually walking away can just open new horizons and provide new opportunities. Good on you :-)
Yes, as the saying goes 'as one door closes, another opens', and the fact I'm happy with my reading, walking and playing games - who cares if it's a 'simple' life and a lot of solitary activities (well, unless you count Lucy sitting with me!). One of the friends I've done more with this year says she's having a great time, so that's fine
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Yes, as the saying goes 'as one door closes, another opens', and the fact I'm happy with my reading, walking and playing games - who cares if it's a 'simple' life and a lot of solitary activities (..."that is good :-)
Evening, nice bright day, but chilly, should have put boots and gloves on today! Went for a walk with a colleague today, he's worked there 29 years and never been to the lodge behind the building before, so he thanked me for showing him - I'll need to start taking walking boots to work, that's the only place I've walked recently where you can tell we've had rain recently. Then had a nice chat with our MD as I was leaving, before going to friends to take her wax melts, ended up there for a couple of hours having a chat and when I drove home at 7.15, there was an amazing moon, so glad I got the chance to see it. This week's attempt at ombre was slightly better than last week, going to try a different technique next week, hopefully third time lucky.
Evening, didn't get chance to post yesterday, laptop needed charging. Was a nice sunny day yesterday, so took advantage and did a canal walk at lunch, think the fisherman appreciated someone to rant to about dog poo being left, then a quick walk round the park after work as I hadn't hit my step count. Complete different weather today, has been raining pretty much constantly since 7am, but fine rain, so will hopefully help the water levels. Had a couple of meetings today which meant I didn't end up with a proper lunch break today, glad I was working from home!
You mean proper British people don't pick up after their dogs?I'm devastated!
Evening, rather random day, was 5 when I got in the car, 3 when I got to work, when I left, it was 15 when I got in the car and 13 when I got home! Of course we picked a nice warm day to check the radiators are working!! Did take advantage of the nice weather though, went for a walk at work with colleague, as she's just been on hol, then went to co-op after work, but had to walk long way due to the roadworks, so am on 9.5k steps - going to rain for the next 5 days unfortunately. Did start the day with an 8am meeting and didn't get through all my tasks before being given more, although I did like one of them, asked if we had anything we could donate to a school and we've managed to go way beyond what they thought they were going to get, love when we exceed people's expectations. Sadly Alicia, there are lots of dog owners who don't clear up after themselves, it seems a bit worse along the canal, maybe because there aren't people to notice.
Shame on them - they shouldn't take on a dog if they aren't willing to do the few minimum required things.Makes you wonder what else they neglect in taking care of their animal friend.
Evening, mixed weather, it was dry at lunch, so I went for a walk by myself, so turned back earlier than I did with colleagues, and glad I did, as it started drizzling when I got back in the office and been raining on and off since, so not hit my step count. And ended up working late, so good job the docs cancelled my asthma review! I know Alicia, the fisherman said he pulled one bloke and his logic for leaving it was that it was on the grassy canal bank, so would break down naturally!
They always have a 'reason' that exempts them from following the rules and the signs.Didn't occur to that guy that some little kid would step in the half-broken-down dog stuff before it all became one with the Earth.
And that some harried young mother would have to clean the kid up before letting her cranky (and now smelly) youngster into the car to take him home to feed him when she was already late. Along with their dog who loves to roll in it...
Etc.
Evening, we got a dry period between rain today, so I decided to go for a walk but part way to the canal, my hip started hurting, and I had to do chores when I got home, so decided to just walk to the candle shop, see if they had what my sis wanted to pick up tomorrow, good job I did, as they open later on a Sun, so I picked them up for her, then decided to go to one of the other cafes to try their home made parkin, it's very nice! Haven't hit my step count, but hey ho!
Evening, today was the second anniversary of my mum's passing, so I took my sis and the kids to local market town and for lunch, market was half empty though, and there was only one charity shop open, but I managed to get the book I've been looking for all year! At least I got them out for a few hours, and the weather stayed dry, but the kids were so hyper, it wasn't that much fun. Luckily I'd done enough chores yesterday, so I came home and had a bath.
Kind of you to give hyper kids a much needed outing - kids have had a hard time during the pandemic. The book you've been looking for was karma's reward to you.
Just to say that I think Alicia has nailed it :-)
Jim wrote: "Just to say that I think Alicia has nailed it :-)"There have to be rewards, or humans would long ago have learned not to risk anything.
But the rewards can't be too easy or too common , or humans will take them for granted.
Pesky humans.
Evening, that was quite a nice day, weather was good, so asked two colleagues if they wanted to walk at lunch, only one could make it, but when we were setting off, someone else was going for a walk, so he came with us too, don't know that much about him, so was nice to hear stuff about his life. Then had my one to one with my boss, she's happy with my work, and was thinking of things I could do next year as I'll have less things to do when colleague is back off maternity leave, and ironically one of them is something I've been asking someone to take over most of the year, but one of the directors asked her to ask me. At first I wasn't keen but then I realised I'd own it, so I'd have control over some of the elements that annoy me, got some ideas already! Don't think she found anything negative, which is good as I do feel behind! Then did a quick walk round the park after work, so have done nearly 9.6k steps today. Aww, that's such a lovely thought Alicia, thank you. Taking them out again this weekend, but this one is child oriented, so they'll have much more fun.
I still miss my godmother, Nena, who always bought me a new Nancy Drew for my birthday and Christmas. She had a Studebaker, and crisp marceled hair, and was my mother's aunt. She was very special.Your munchkins will remember how you made them feel.
Evening, very nice sunny day, actually got a washload dry, so going to test out this theory of dry pavement, dry washing. Went out at lunch, was thinking about a wax melt I'd seen on Sat, but it didn't smell as nice as I hoped, but I got a free sample of a Halloween scent, so that was good, then had to get some milk. Busy day at work, don't feel I got through enough. Went for a walk after work, and bumped into my cleaner, so stopped and had a chat with her, so didn't get quite as much walking done as I wanted, but she's had a tough year and I don't see her that much now. I've at least hit my step count and done a few chores. Hopefully they will Alicia, they certainly seem to enjoy seeing me.
Evening, very windy today, nearly changed my mind about putting the washing out. Went for a walk at lunch, decided to go to the coffee shop on the way, nearly knocked on my neighbours who also like going there, but decided against it, then they turned up while I was waiting to be served! Did a bit of a longer canal walk at lunch as it was supposed to rain, but didn't quite hit my step count, it was still dry after work so decided to do a quick park walk, but was quicker than planned as the wind was worse, lots of wheely bins blown over, in fact just heard another one! Don't know what it is about wind, but it makes you feel cold indoors even though the thermostat says the same as it usually does!
Evening, miserable day, don't think it's stopped raining, had to drive to work with full lights on, and the clocks haven't even gone back yet! Don't think we saw daylight. Another hectic day where I don't feel like I've done anything I planned!
We started off with a downpour, thunder and lightning, and this afternoon was just drear with some drizzle.As you say, it's barely daylight at times
Evening all,Sorry it has been so long. Feeles like a month or two and is actually been a couple of years!
Hope everyone is well
Lindsay wrote: "Evening all,Sorry it has been so long. Feeles like a month or two and is actually been a couple of years!
Hope everyone is well"
Time flies! Welcome back - hope you have more time now - or less stress.
You were gone long enough for some of us to publish more books. :)
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
UK Amazon Kindle Forum
Books mentioned in this topic
Can I Come HOME Now?: A True Story of Childhood Trauma (other topics)Mrs Boots (other topics)
A Rare Benedictine: The Advent of Brother Cadfael (other topics)
A Rare Benedictine: The Advent of Brother Cadfael (other topics)
Look What the Cat Brought In (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jasper Fforde (other topics)Dawn Elissa (other topics)
Thanks, Desley. Yesterday, not so good. Today is MUCH better - little by little regaining pain control and slowly moving toward 'better' - but it is such a relief to have the operation over with.
Have had long talks with my four sisters in Mexico - got a lot of the stuff that happened out of my head that way (and because I'm regaining some control). It all helps, and the surgery result is still stellar, and my ME/CFS body seems to be getting the right ideas now that I'm off the opioids.
Not so worried any more, don't have a temperature which might indicate an infection, gut is starting to behave...
But I will try to give them some useful feedback about pain control pre- and post-surgery - for people like me who already live with a lot of pain - because they didn't do it particularly well.