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[Barbara]

I have recently published my memoir, I would love to get some reviews and hear your options, thank you.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Barbara - really? if only you could have read even the last few posts

Guaranteed none of us will read your memoir now though!

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Jud - yes Mr R is doing a lot better thank you. They're starting to make noises about him coming home, which will be fantastic. Although there's a lot of recuperation needed - nine days unconscious, intubated and in intensive care really knocks it out of you!

[Barbara]

Sorry, not sure what I did, I am not very familiar with Goodreads, but I am trying to learn

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

This thread is not for self promotion, if you'd read back to the last page you would have seen that (and further up this page Alicia also nicely pointed out how things work around here).
You could start by reading this - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
and then, after reading this, https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
you could start your own thread in our Meet the Authors section where you can plug your own work as much as you like!

[Barbara]

Will do Thank you

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, very wet and windy today, got woken up about 5am by the weather. Despite that, there was still bits of snow on the hills when I came home late. I have been naughty today, bought a book, and some tealights (kind of wish my sis hadn't bought me that tealight holder, keep buying them!). At least I was good when I went to the retail park after work, and didn't come home with much more than I went for, and even decided against Baileys ice cream.

[Alicia]

Best kind of naughty.

[M.T.]

I am still running round like a blue arsed fly so just popped in to say that I'm not dead! Mwahahahrgh. Now I have to sort out some signage for McMini's band, and an inventory of the T-shirts they're going to sell. I'll need to colour code them with stickers or ... I dunno ... roll them up and put different colours of tape round for each size.

This supposedly 'small job' that would 'take no time at all' is as complicated as I feared. Ho hum. I've also completely borked my website so am having to make it all over again. Also a bit of a pain.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, well, that's been an interesting weather day, blue skies, snow, sleet and rain! Still forecasting more snow. Needed to go to the chemist and it was dry at lunch and forecasting snow after work, so went in my lunch break, but it started sleeting as I was a minute away from the house! And got back 5 mins before my tealights/votives arrived, don't know how I'd have coped missing that delivery! :)

Possibly Alicia, I'll try and post it tomorrow, but I saw a nice quote from an author along the lines of 'no, I probably won't read these books, but I'm supporting authors so they can write more'! Oh dear MT, only you!

[Alicia]

Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "Jud - yes Mr R is doing a lot better thank you. They're starting to make noises about him coming home, which will be fantastic. Although there's a lot of recuperation needed - nine days unconscious..."

Waiting to hear more. I hope you've been able to catch some rest.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "Jud - yes Mr R is doing a lot better thank you. They're starting to make noises about him coming home, which will be fantastic. Although there's a lot of recuperation needed - nine days unconscious..."

Sorry R, missed this post, glad that he is doing well enough that they are talking about him being able to come home, even though that will present challenges, it must be nice to know they think he is improving enough for it.

[Jud]

Morning!

I feel like I've wasted the morning. I've been sat at my laptop for the last 2 hours not really doing anything (I did finish reading a short story so it wasn't a complete waste). Ugh, I need to get up and take the dog out.

Glad to hear Mr R. will be getting home soon. He'll be better off somewhere he can actually get some sleep and with his home comforts.

Desley, I don't know where you get your energy/motivation from! Can I have some?

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another day off, friend had suggested going to big Sainsbury's, glad she did it over the phone as I did cringe when she said it, as that was neighbours idea of a way to spend my days off! However, I didn't do chores first, in fact I watched a film (my target was one a month, didn't hit it last month, made up for it this month, have watched 5 already and still more I want to watch), and we ended the trip to a cafe, I like that she doesn't think it's been a good trip if we don't stop for something to eat or drink before coming home. The cafe we went to has been closed for a revamp and only open a week or so, we didn't like it as much as the old one, it's in the nature reserve I like to go to, and they have tried to make the most of the view, but they lost the atmosphere and the strip lighting affected both of us. But on the plus side, they had vegi options for me, and gluten free cake for friend. I'll probably go again, when it's nice and I walk early, I might call in for breakfast or a drink when I do my nature reserve walk.

What a shame you feel you've wasted time Jud. Ironic you think I have a lot of energy/motivation, I feel quite lazy these days since 'retiring' from my voluntary work!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, different day at work, we had a meeting that was over lunch, so food was required, but the people who normally sort that out were busy, so I got the job of going to Morrisons to collect the food, just as I was leaving, my colleague who'd arranged the meeting realised he hadn't asked for any cake, so said I'd get some while I was there, and had to walk past the hot cross buns, so got some lemon drizzle, I've had those before and they are lovely. Even managed to finish work on time. My bunion on my 'good' foot has been really sore this week, yesterday I couldn't even lie on it in bed, and it isn't much better today, walking is quite painful, glad it's been wet most of the day.

[Alicia]

Sorry you feet keep giving you so much trouble - makes it hard to get your steps in.

I've had some luck with topical pain creams - they have the advantage that you can put them right where it hurts.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Alicia wrote: "Sorry you feet keep giving you so much trouble - makes it hard to get your steps in.

I've had some luck with topical pain creams - they have the advantage that you can put them right where it hurts."

Thanks Alicia, I use magnesium gel, as magnesium seems to work better for me put directly on my bunions, and it normally works, but I did have to resort to Voltarol gel on Wed

[Alicia]

Sounds like a good plan. I'm starting to fall apart (even more) - it is annoying.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, wanted a nice catch up day today and instead got given two tasks that people needed there and then, so that took up most of my morning, then had our fortnightly meeting and had things that also needed doing directly after! I sometimes wonder if I'm slower than I used to be. Had one friend come round after work to collect her delivery, and one come to bring me soup, which were both nice. Did my nails as I've got a lot on tomorrow, tried my nail stamper for the first time, I did a test first on my old nail varnish which worked well, then when I tried it for real, it was a fail, I was just about to give up when the closest to a four leaf clover worked, but couldn't do the heart. Got new strawberry and rhubarb melt in, very nice.

It is sadly Alicia, I did forget to say that I do try and not let pain stop me getting my steps in, it's a tough balance as not enough movement and I do feel myself stiffening up, but too much and the pain makes you wonder why you bother, I should probably find a balance so my body doesn't resort to things like cramping to force me to slow down.

[Alicia]

It's hard to achieve balance when the reaction to walking too much for a day isn't felt until that night or the next day(s).

I guess I'd keep track for a few weeks, do a few experiments such as pushing through pain or not - and seeing what the consequences were - but it's a lot of work, on top of all the other things you have to monitor and decide. I can't walk much, so it's academic for me, but I will notice when my steps in my apartment become curtailed - but I save my real energy bits for making sure I can write. I know taking care of myself is critical to being able to write, in principle, but it's erratic in practice, and it almost seems like a random throw of the dice on any given day.

I do the best I can, as we all do.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, getting fed up of waking up before 6am on my days off! Went to get my feet looked at this morning, it was kind of like a pedicure, having them soaked, nails trimmed, exfoliated, massaged, but because my feet are so ticklish, it wasn't actually all that pleasant, so when she said that most people come every 4 weeks, and would I like to book the next app, I said I'd see how I get on! I am going to go back to a podiatrist next time they need cutting, she was convinced that my new nail is growing back thick due to a fungal nail infection, but the old nail looked the same and it wasn't. Craft fair was quiet, but got to chat to my surrogate aunty. Lucy's meds were ready so I called in on the way to lunch, as I had to drive past it, noticed it was in a different bottle so was questioning it before accepting it, until he mentioned the price, then I decided we'd just have to live with it. This bottle cost £20.96, it's normally £103.30!! And she has 4 bottles a year. Lunch was nice, and I managed to get the new limited edition Aldi Bailey's - Raspberry Ripple flavour. Shame I couldn't get the new caramelised biscuit or jaffa hot cross buns though. Came home and decided that as I hadn't had to spend as much on Lucy's meds, I could get the nice blue heated throw I wanted, as it was £20 more than the grey one. And I may buy some more wax melts too.

Yes, that is very true Alicia, it wouldn't be too bad if you got a fairly instant reaction and could adjust, I'm wondering if this bunion pain is related to walking in my boots that are a bit small 10 days ago! I wonder if my new medication will help as this isn't necessarily related to my arthritis, but it is supposed to reduce inflammation, so suppose it won't differentiate.

[Jim]

One thing I learned (having large, broad feet) is that if footwear is too small, I no longer use it. It just causes too much trouble.
Amazing the new bottle, a quarter of the old price! Go for it.

Somehow, I feel the world is a better place because of Aldi Baileys - Raspberry Ripple flavour. I am going to have to try some :-)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, decided to have another Sunday where I didn't get dressed and leave the house, even though my foot wasn't as sore today. I did have to wait for Amazon to deliver my new heated throw, which is very nice. Have spent the rest of my extra money on books and wax melts, think a mix of something I need and something I want is acceptable. And even better, Lucy has had 2 lots of her new medication and been fine with it, even though I was thrown as the old one had a yellow tinge, this is clear, and as they've used a larger bottle than the amount of liquid, I initially thought I hadn't drawn any liquid up! Failed at cooking though, have attempted two things to find out I didn't have enough stuff in the house, despite all the supermarkets I've been to this week! Tried watermelon bubblegum wax melt today, like that one too. Bought new wax melt storage today, think I now need something to store the 10 boxes of tealights I bought since my sis got me a cute tealight holder.

Yes, I think I'm going to have to accept that too Jim. I'm glad they have finally got a new supplier that is so much cheaper and seems to have a better date, the bottle they'd decanted my quantity from said August. Wouldn't have put you down as a Bailey's drinker!

[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I'm wondering if this bunion pain is related to walking in my boots that are a bit small 10 days ago!..."

I'd say it was probably 100% certain - every step you took in shoes too small hurt your feet; I agree with Jim on that.

It's sometimes just as bad if the shoes are too big, and your feet move around too much in them.

How prior generations managed, I'll never know.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

I do actually buy boots a size bigger, as they are comfier, shoes I need to buy the correct size though, but when I have thinner tights or shoes on, they aren't as comfortable.

[Jim]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: " Wouldn't have put you down as a Bailey's drinker..."

I actually like it to be honest.
But if you have any dark chocolate digestives, but some vanilla ice cream in a bowl, crush a couple of dark chocolate digestives over it, and pour some Bailey's over that :-)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another frustrating day at work. Finished a cute book today, The Cat Who Saved Books - I'd love to inherit a quirky old bookshop from a relative, and there was a talking cat. Got my time slot for my meds being delivered on Wed (my day off!), 8-12, while I am normally awake at that time even on a day off, it's slightly different having to be up and decent at that time! Forgot to say Jim, when me and friend were driving home last week, we saw lambs, is it not a bit early for them?

Now that sounds yum Jim. The hardest bit would be vanilla ice cream, don't tend to buy plain ice cream.

[Jud]

I enjoyed that book too Desley! It was very cute.

I'm meant to be listening to a lecture but I'm too tried to concentrate I was working last night until 11pm (midnight before I got to bed) and then woken at 6:30. For many people this is plenty, if not too much sleep but I need much more than that!

[Jim]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Forgot to say Jim, when me and friend were driving home last week, we saw lambs, is it not a bit early for them?

Now that sounds yum Jim. The hardest bit would be vanilla ice cream, don't tend to buy plain ice cream..."

A lot of people lamb in February. Indeed in recent years February has been a better month for lambing than March!

Treat yourself to a small pot of vanilla ice cream and some dark chocolate digestives , you know it makes sense :-)

[Pam]

Jim wrote: "Treat yourself to a small pot of vanilla ice cream and some dark chocolate digestives , you know it makes sense :-)"

Sounds yum!!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another frustrating day at work, but at least I'm not there the rest of the week. Got a more accurate time slot for my medication delivery tomorrow, 8.29 to 10.29! So at least I don't need to be up and presentable quite so early. Was hoping for a wax melt delivery tonight, but she drove home on auto pilot so took my melts back home with her! At least my new storage arrived today.

Oh dear Jud, I'm with you on needing more than that amount of sleep. You're the second person who has heard of it, wasn't expecting that from quite a quirky Japanese translated book! I might just do that Jim, there is only peach+ rose and amaretto ice cream in the freezer. Actually, I have Amaretto's version of Bailey's, that could be a good combo!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, weather pretty much held up today. Got a text at 8.22 saying I was the next delivery, so very impressed with the service. They did manage to forget to put cotton wool pads in the bag, I did ring to point it out, mainly in case they do that to someone who isn't able to go and get some as easily as I can. Then me and and friend went out for breakfast, and a walk, we called in the candle shop on the way back for an ice cream, our feet were killing - I have done 14,761 steps today! Came home, did a face mask and slathered my feet with cream. Had my wax melt delivery, got too much choice for tomorrow now!

[Alicia]

Having about 75% success figuring out how to use built-in features on my new MacBook Air.

But I can't figure out why Favorites shows a generic single letter icon for some sites, but seems to have picked up the proper icon for other sites.

Meanwhile, really digging in to writing the final PC trilogy novel, and am determined to do it faster than previous volumes, so I've taken on two changes at once - new novel, new computer - NOT recommended (but somehow surviving). Trying doing THAT without a brain! It literally hurts by the end of some of these sessions.

My new assistant seems impressed that I can do this stuff at all - I tell her I've been doing it continuously a lot longer than she's been alive. That's a weird insight, because, like my grandmother, I've never felt a day over 18.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Fingers crossed you can finish the final faster than the other two Alicia, brave of you to do it with a new computer.

[Alicia]

I didn't have much of a choice - my old computer (which I will still use for some programs which cannot be updated (32 bit vs. 64 bit something or other) was starting to run hot; its case is warped. And when it runs hot, the fans start up and I can't take the sound, either.

I hope this will preserve my old machine for the things I can't do on the new one - software updates can take many years, or, like my program Freedom, never be done.

But it is weird to be poised between machines. Indefinitely.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, mixed day weather wise, but managed to have a good afternoon. Despite ending up doing 15k steps yesterday, I could still walk today. Went to the retail park for my third attempt at cat litter, and managed to get it. then me and friend were going to go for a walk, but it started raining on my way home (saw a lovely rainbow though), so we just sat in and had a chat instead. Risked going to Lidl and only got slightly wet, came home and decided while I was damp to go to the library as I keep getting cravings to go to it, was just getting the stuff out of the boot as I saw one of the local dog owners I've mentioned, as soon as her dog heard my voice shout hello, he dragged his owner (finally found out her name today!) across the road and partway down my street for a fuss! It's so sweet. Didn't realise just how much community things my library is currently offering, and even when I'm reading on my kindle, I'd be welcome to sit in there if I wanted a change from my house, they want it to be well used, and not just for book lending. Only managed 4.6k steps today.

oh, that's a shame, never good to have things forced upon you.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Afternoon

Didn't get chance to post yesterday, mixed day weather wise, it started off wet and windy then just windy, so thought I'd do a canal walk and drop stuff off at charity shop on the way, only by the time I got to the charity shop, the sole of my foot had cramp like pains (bunion had been sore since getting up), I tried persevering, but it wasn't getting any better by the time I got near the canal, so gave up, got a cake and came home! Decided to organise my nail varnishes to include the ones I've bought this year, then put my recent wax melts in my new storage (nearly a drawer full!), and went to my friend's after tea for a couple of hours. Mixed weather again today, tried getting out for a canal walk, took some books to the co-op book swap, and they'd had more books since I went on Tue, so I took 4 books and came back with 4 books, but didn't have a bag to walk along the canal with them, so I came home, realised it was looking rather grey and did a long walk to get some eggs - that took two shops, and got caught in a couple of showers, still need to do some walking round my house to hit my step count, but the rain went quite heavy about 5 mins after I got home, so that was good timing. Got round to resizing some pics at least

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Sad graveyard: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...

Path made from gravestones, the only thing I found unsettling: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/user/...

Gravestones for edging: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/user/...

Lucy testing out the new throw and cushion: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/user/...

[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Sad graveyard: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...

Path made from gravestones, the only thing I found unsettling: https://www.goodreads.com/phot..."

I assume the stones cut up for edging were completely illegible?

It seems very wrong to put the stones on a path for people to walk on - whatever lettering there is won't survive that.

Lucy looks lovely.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

We had archaeological advice, so hope they gave the right advice. The ones on the path are an access path only, the public won't have access. Just on your comment on the pic, we've had to get permission to move gravestones as the catacombs were collapsing after being there since the 1800's, they are hoping the improvements will last 100 years.

[Jim]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Sad graveyard: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...

Path made from gravestones, the only thing I found unsettling: https://www.goodreads.com/phot..."

I'd guess that in the UK the vast majority of graves are forgotten, because families have died out, moved on or whatever. We will be contacted people looking for their grandparent's grave and they aren't really sure which church yard it's buried in.
To keep the grass and briars down and make sure people can still access graves, in Cumbria a lot of churches just let sheep graze the churchyard.

Our congregations are so small they cannot afford to pay anybody to cut the grass

[Alicia]

So MUCH history.

It's on the list: pass on to our children where the relatives, at least in a direct line, are buried - and I don't know when it might happen. I'd have to dig most of it out myself.

Being ill for a long time really ruins your plans.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, weather stayed nice today, so got out for a walk, was going to do a canal walk, but there was a bunch of noisy teenagers in front of me, so turned round and went to the nature reserve instead, saw a heron swooping in on something, which was fantastic to watch, and then a bit further, two mallards came from under a bridge looking a bit surprised (rather low level bridge, only just above their heads!), then there is a little waterfall, so they looked a bit apprehensive, so I watched to see what they'd do and they were sensible enough to fly off. Came home and did a couple of chores, was just getting undressed to wash my clothes when friend asked if I wanted to go to co-op, so put top back on and went round, may have come home with a book.

I love the idea of coming across a graveyard with sheep grazing in it Jim! Another thing I'd suggest is including in your will what you'd like doing with your remains - my grandparents thought of it, but sadly my mum didn't, so she's still on top of the kitchen cupboard waiting for us to figure out what to do

[Jud]

Hey ho!

I only recently found out where my Grandfather was buried. He died when I was 15 and the first time I was at his grave was when the kids were little (pre-lockdown) so at least 15 years later... I always felt I couldn't ask about his grave because that would involve reminding everyone that he was dead and it would be ridiculous to show any kind of emotion. But I'm glad I know where he lies now. Should really find out where my Dad's parents are buried, they died before he was married.

Well that was more depressing than I meant it to be, it must be the early morning lecture on 'caring for the dying' still influencing me! I was glad to get out in the sun for a walk with the dog after.

Must go, I'm being summoned by the littlest, he's 6 now so not very little and he should have been asleep ages ago!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, met an ex colleague for a brew and to be shown round her grandparents old farmhouse they are converting into a house for them and a house for her parents, it's got stables, so got to meet two donkeys (not sure I've met any in the flesh), although one looked more like a goat, and a few horses, which was nice, and it was lovely and warm in the sun. Was very happy when I realised at nearly 7.30 that it was still light, which reminded me I was doing a step challenge between the clock changes, managed 44 days hitting my step count, which is lower than I'd have liked, but then we have had some rubbish weather this winter.

Glad you have finally found out where your grandfather is buried, hope you can found out where your dad's parents are buried.

[Alicia]

Jud wrote: "Hey ho!

I only recently found out where my Grandfather was buried. He died when I was 15 and the first time I was at his grave was when the kids were little (pre-lockdown) so at least 15 years lat..."

I was a little younger than that when mine died, and I don't remember if I was ever taken there. I really should find out while one of my aunts is still alive - it's either the Spanish Cemetery in Mexico City OR the columbarium under the old Basilica de Guadalupe - both places I'm unlikely to visit unless I somehow get a lot better. I miss my Papa Memo.

[Jud]

In the Blood by Steve Robinson is a Kindle Daily Deal!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, don't think it's stopped raining today. Risked going to the co-op for a bottle of milk, and while in the queue heard them talk about Salted Caramel Bailey's being on offer, so stepped back to see what it was on for, and noticed it was £4.88! Asked if that was true, and they pointed out the gin and whiskey that was also on offer, so also picked up a bottle of Sipsmith's Sloe Gin for £6.25, think they are both normally around £20 a bottle, so seemed too good to turn down!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, mixed weather again. Nurse came at lunch to show me how to use my new medication - luckily it's like an epi pen, so very easy to use (even if I had an obsession with holding the button, when you can let go after pressing it). It was very easy, although they are going to come back in a fortnight to talk me through the next dose, just in case. Went for a canal walk, unsurprisingly the levels are high with all the rain we've had, looks like they've done some works to what I assume is the canal overflow

[Jud]

We actually had lovely weather yesterday. Looks a bit driech today though. MIL is singing at an event round the corner from us so we're going along. Getting my hair done this afternoon too. I have so much uni work to get done though I was hoping to have this morning to do some and it looks like that plan is out the window. It feels like I never have time for studying and yet that seems to be all I do.

At least the kids are away to London with my mum and dad so I don't have to entertain them this weekend.