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Evening, had a couple of weird instances with neighbour today, with where she is now parking her car, it's hard for me to get my rubbish bin in and out for bin day, I'd got it out yesterday when she was out, but the neighbour who puts them back couldn't get it back, so she left it near my door. I heard neighbour tell her lodger to put it back when she moved her car when they went out, I was going to wait till her car wasn't there and do it myself. Then when she came back, she knocked on my door, the rescue Lucy is from is having an Easter fair on Sun, she asked if I was going, as she was going to bake them some pies/quiches but didn't want to drive over there with them, I could hardly say no seeing as I'm going and it's raising money for them. It's in Sheffield Pam.
Civil is good, as you live near to each other.The bins would be an irritant - will you have to deal with that one of these days?
The bit about bins rather reminded me of a quote I once saw. People are apparently best thought of as moderately polite hedgehogs forced to huddle together for warmth :-)
Evening, full on weekend! Went for a walk through the nature reserve yesterday, saw a couple of frogs and loads of frogspawn, so will be going up there more often, hope they survive this year. Then neighbour came over about 3 with the first of the quiches, I asked if it would take long for them all to be ready, as I was going out at 6. She was bringing them over in 2's, towards the end Lucy was getting fed up of not being able to sit on my knee, so chose to sit on the stairs glaring at neighbour! Lucy doesn't hide her feelings well! Went to watch a film with friend, we changed our mind, and glad we did, we watched 'Where the Crawdads Sing' - I was aware of the book, but thought it was quite romancey, until the film came up saying murder mystery, the book was on offer the other week, so I did buy it. Film was wonderful, and while I'm going to hold off on the book for a while, I am looking forward to reading it. Ended up doing 11.5k steps. Today was a gorgeous day, went to the rescue for their Easter fair, with the baking from neighbour and some food and bits from me, went to say hello to volunteers I'm friendly with, two of them were swamped on the tombola, so I just dumped my bags under the table and started helping, was doing that about an hour! Never seen it so busy, and the normal tombola was sold out in record time, and before the bottle tombola, which is unheard of, must have been the sheer amount of easter eggs. I did win 2, so think I'll give them to niece and nephew. Decided to do food shopping on the way home, didn't realise that 3pm on a Sun is the busiest time in Aldi! I tried a different one, that didn't have the hot cross buns in, so I went to the one I normally go to and finally got them! That was also busy. Was disappointed not to miss first nice drying day of the year, but did decide once I'd unpacked the shopping and made the bed that as I was 2k steps off my target, I'd do a quick walk around the park to hit step count. And now just had a nice soak in the bath, so good weekend all in all.
Civil is good Alicia, and what I wanted, being asked to take donations to the fair I was going to is a bit weird. There isn't much I can do about the bin situation unfortunately, but I do wish she wouldn't park quite so tight, I had to put things in it from the side rather than the front yesterday as I couldn't stand between the bin and her car!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, full on weekend! Went for a walk through the nature reserve yesterday, saw a couple of frogs and loads of frogspawn, so will be going up there more often, hope they survive this year. Then..."Asking for a favour might be hard for her - but was also hard for you to refuse.
It sounds as if you had a great weekend! All that nice walking.
Evening, bit of an emotional day, I've resigned, and my boss decided to pay my notice period in lieu, so at least I can be flexible for interviews, better start job hunting! I am hoping that there is a job opening soon in the local library, I think I'd like that job. Finally managed to get the housework done, my mind hasn't been on it the past week, and then as it was such a glorious day (although a cool breeze making it not quite as warm as yesterday), me and friend went for a walk after she finished work. I'm going to try and get out for a walk every day while I'm not working, I often find it hard to get off the sofa to do chores, but can get off the sofa to go for a walk. Did some washing this morning and got it pegged out for the first time this year, neighbour knocked on after it had been out a bit, as the sheet had come off the line, another odd encounter where she was neighbourly enough to point it out, then ignored me! Well, I'm not really sure it was a favour Alicia - it was more she wanted to do something nice for the charity, but didn't want to bake and then drive, so I got the job of taking it! Yes, I'm lucky to live in an area with such nice walks without needing a car, and walking helps me both physically and mentally.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, bit of an emotional day, I've resigned, and my boss decided to pay my notice period in lieu, so at least I can be flexible for interviews, better start job hunting! I am hoping that there ..."I didn't see that coming, you resigning.
I hope your job search gets you a new, better job quickly.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, had a couple of weird instances with neighbour today, with where she is now parking her car, it's hard for me to get my rubbish bin in and out for bin day, I'd got it out yesterday when sh..."Thanks Desley. I don't think it would've been there but I'm sure they do this in quite a few churchyards.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, bit of an emotional day, I've resigned, and my boss decided to pay my notice period in lieu, so at least I can be flexible for interviews, better start job hunting! I am hoping that there ..."Wow, unexpected. Hope whatever you get is a good 'fit' for you.
Jim wrote: "The bit about bins rather reminded me of a quote I once saw. People are apparently best thought of as moderately polite hedgehogs forced to huddle together for warmth :-)"Like it, Jim!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, bit of an emotional day, I've resigned, and my boss decided to pay my notice period in lieu, so at least I can be flexible for interviews, better start job hunting! I am hoping that there ..."That came out of the blue. Still, knowing you, it was for good reasons. Just hope the job hunting goes well now. People with a work ethic like yours are sought after
Gosh Desley, had you been thinking about that for a while or did something happen? I hope you find something that suits you. I'll be on the job hunt soon too!Got my results back for the assignments/exams back in January and passed everything so far. I didn't do as well on the exam as I hoped but just means I should come out with a 2:1 instead of a first (unless I tank all my other assignments). That is a disappointment I can very happily live with (especially when I am top of the register so if I got a first I would be the first person across the stage at graduation. NO THANKS!)
Sorry too many parentheses there.
Kids have been in London for nearly a week but they are on their way home now. Can't wait to see them later.
Evening, I'm rather enjoying being jobless, another nice sunny day, got a washload done (and another encounter with neighbour asking if I want to move my washing so she didn't drive through it!), then when friend finished work we went for a walk round the reservoir I discovered during lockdown and went a bit off track a couple of times, investigating, we did regret one when the path petered out and we weren't sure if we were going to get through the field, won't try that again in a hurry! But done over 10k steps. Have been burning easter jar candles today, Easter Cookie while chilling in bed this morning, and Hot Cross Bun now. Thanks everyone, there has been a situation developing over the last couple of weeks, I just didn't want to say anything till it was resolved. Glad you seem happy with what your results are Jud.
A bit of chilling and destressing will help when you finally start looking for jobs.
Evening, today was quite a tough day, it's been wet practically all day, I had deliberately left some errands to make myself get dressed and leave the house (although these days, that means get dressed, leave house, come back and put on daytime pj's!), then I've been doing job stuff, applied for a customer service job at WeBuyBooks, not sure what makes me think I'm qualified for that kind of job!! :) Finally tried my caramelised biscuit hot cross buns, took me 4 Aldi's to get them and not worth the effort! I'll try toasting one tomorrow to see if that improves it. Forgot about the conversation I had with rheumatology yesterday, I was trying to arrange my 12 week bloods, she asked if I wanted some blood bags sending so I could take my own - I said I'd rather get them done at the hospital - self injecting is one thing, but taking my own bloods seems too far! Apparently the next one will be a telephone consult, got an appointment through earlier for Oct! So that will be 7 months, not the 6 months I'm supposed to have. That's what I think Jim, it's been a challenging couple of weeks and I needed a few days to relax and get in the right head space.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "That's what I think Jim, it's been a challenging couple of weeks and I needed a few days to relax and get in the right head space...."
Especially after the disappointment of the caramelised biscuit hot cross buns!
Actually the only ones I've found there were anywhere near as nice as normal ones were those with apple in :-)
I rarely buy normal ones Jim, think my favourite this year were either the St Clement's from Tesco or the Lemon Drizzle from Morrisons. That reminds me I'm driving past a Morrison's tomorrow, probably shouldn't, but I might just call in for another pack!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I rarely buy normal ones Jim, think my favourite this year were either the St Clement's from Tesco or the Lemon Drizzle from Morrisons. That reminds me I'm driving past a Morrison's tomorrow, proba..."I confess to a liking for lemon drizzle cake :-)
I enjoy it but rarely eat it as I have to fight Lucy off, it's one of her favourites!
Evening, had a change of plans today, as the weather was nicer than planned, so I did a canal walk, then went to the library to see what the salary was to make sure I could afford a career change before setting my hopes on it, and I can, so I e-mailed asking about job shadowing to see how I find it. Even had enough enthusiasm to do a bit of decluttering, done over 9k steps. Decided to do some reading on the bed after feeding the cats, as the sun was shining there, and Lucy randomly decided to lie on my side, but so far up she started with her paw on my cheek, then shuffled down and was slightly choking me!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, had a change of plans today, as the weather was nicer than planned, so I did a canal walk, then went to the library to see what the salary was to make sure I could afford a career change b..."Shadowing might be like an internship. What a great idea.
Alicia wrote: "Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, had a change of plans today, as the weather was nicer than planned, so I did a canal walk, then went to the library to see what the salary was to make sure I ..."Well, from what I read, it might just be a couple of hours, but at least gives me chance to see what it's like
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Well, from what I read, it might just be a couple of hours, but at least gives me chance to see what it's like ..."does seem a good idea, you get to meet the people as well as the job
Evening, lovely sunny day and not as much of a breeze, so was nicer to be out in it. Went to local market town as they had an artisan market on, and was very wellbehaved and didn't buy any wax melts. Did a bit of food shopping on the way back, had some lunch and then realised I was 2k steps off my target, so I decided to walk to the canal and read my book for a bit in the sun, was enjoying watching llamas in the field and geese and duck fighting on the canal, until a group of people came and sat on the next bench laughing, drinking and smoking weed! Turned out for the best, I walked the longer way home, and ended up bumping into Malachi and his owner and sat down with them for a bit, was talking to her about job hunting, and she gave me some food for though. Turns out part of her job is helping volunteer groups, so she gave me suggestions of places to go that are cheap for when the weather isn't great but I want to get out, so just need to work out whether my morning plan or my afternoon plan is the best! Then came home, did one chore, and then sat and read for a while, Lucy stuck to my legs today, which was much nicer!
Evening, another nice day, took my sis and the kids to the local park as there was a free Easter Egg hunt (not that they needed anymore!), they didn't make it easy though, it was sponsored by a local estate agent, and they picked an 11 letter property related word. The playgrounds were heaving though, so we ended up having a wander through the village, and then going to the canal, treated everyone to an ice cream, just a shame the kids didn't quite appreciate sitting in the sun watching the geese/ducks as much as we did! Took them home about 3, then sat and read for a couple of hours.
Evening, another day that was nicer than forecast - admittedly a lot cooler and breezier today. Did a half hearted attempt at Sunday chores, so I could get out, ended up later than planned, neighbour shouted through my open door that she was going to fold my washing over and put it back when she got back, rather than drive through it. Foolishly decided to put my recycling out before going for a walk and got collared by ratty neighbour, who'd heard voices and was hanging around waiting for me to finish so she could ask me about it! She was clearly angling for me to ask her to come with me, but I wasn't in the mood, so I didn't offer! Ended up talking to her for about 30 mins before she finally let me go for my walk - at one point, she actually said 'I know you want to get off, but can I show you this picture first'! One of the things she said was that she doesn't like walking round the park as she feels the odd one out as it's mainly families, and where do I walk so I don't feel the odd one, have to say it's something that has never occurred to me, I just walk where I feel like! Mind you, I'm sure some people must walk past me sat on a bench on the canal reading my kindle thinking I'm odd, but I don't care about that either! Went to the nature reserve, the frogspawn is still there, I know we've only had one day of rain since I was last there, but was still surprised at how dry it was. Made myself a nice Sunday lunch, and doubled up on everything apart from the protein, so got enough for tomorrow too, then finished my book.
the ability to sit and read in the park is the sign of a deeply civilised person :-)
I don't often read in the park, there are normally too many kids playing in there for my liking, I prefer the canal, nature reserve or a couple of the reservoirs (I'm disappointed that one of the ones I like doesn't have a bench!)
Invent an elderly couple who loved the area and start collecting money for a bench in their memory :-)
Jim wrote: "Invent an elderly couple who loved the area and start collecting money for a bench in their memory :-)"Beautiful Idea !!
Evening, day started off nice and bright, but by the time I'd finished faffing around, it was raining and the sky was getting darker, so I decided not to go for a walk. Supposed to be bad weather all week, so decided to do a room a day, but then found it hard to get motivated to do the kitchen, the sofa was so comfy! We had some hailstone around teatime as well. That is a very good idea Jim!
Evening, day started off nice, but we had weather warnings from 3pm, so I didn't faff too much today and got out for a canal walk, started at Co-op and ended at Lidl to see if there were any bargains, there weren't, but did come home with another 3 books from the book swap, might have to ban myself! Got to the bit of the canal where I normally turned round and realised I had loads of time, so I could walk a bit further, went to the next bridge and spent 10 mins in the sun, watching mallards and enjoying the birds singing, it was very nice. Had some admin to sort out, took 3 different departments to sort out a new broadband deal! Went to do Lucy's tray, and it was a bit gloomy by that point, so asked Alexa to put the bedroom light on, but absentmindedly said 'Alexa, switch bedroom light on for a minute would you please? - turns out she takes that quite literally, and it takes more than 1 minute to do Lucy's tray, I had to finish it in the gloom!
I confess I am rather glad the thick walls and rubbish broadband have spared us from Alexa even if we wanted one :-)
Wouldn't have an Alexa as a separate device if you paid me BUT we (actually mostly the husband) uses it/her on the TV to capture his requests rather than type questions into things like IMBD with THE MOST ANNOYING fake keyboard ever, one letter at a time.As for me, my phone has Siri enabled - I use her to find quick research information for me on the internet when I've blocked the computer's access, so I can keep writing. The rest of the time she/it must be bored.
I'm a very fast and accurate typist, so typing what I want is the easiest way on the desktop/laptop; waiting to correct Siri's understanding is second-best.
Evening, got very wild last night, heard a few wheely bins blow over, so was very surprised this morning to calm and blue skies, although the forecast was to change late afternoon, so I went for a walk about 10 (and had someone behind me drinking Carling out of a can!), did a canal walk in the opposite direction, turned round at the right spot though, it was going rather cloudy and a cold wind, nipped in the co-op for milk, and it started raining while I was in there. The geese on that part of the canal are used to being fed, and one reminded me of Lucy, normally I just say 'no food today geese' and they swim off in disgust, one today jumped out of the canal, puffed itself up and hissed at me! It's no wonder people are wary of them. I always refer to Alexa as 'she', as it's a female voice. I mainly use mine to listen to music, remind me when I'm supposed to do things and switch lights on and off.
Evening, quite wet and windy again today, luckily I was waiting for a nurse to come and supervise me doing my medication, but I hadn't got a time slot. Got a phone call at 1.30 to say the nurse had rang in sick and would I feel OK doing it myself, which I said yes to - glad I waited till after I'd done my walk though, I tried my thigh this time, a lot more painful, won't be doing that again! I also got caught in a couple of showers while on my walk. Annoyed with ratty neighbour, her landlord is trying to arrange access to do her annual boiler check, and as she knows I'm not working, she keeps asking me if I'm available, the first couple of times I genuinely had things on, but this week, I just don't want to be tied to letting someone into the neighbours house so I said I didn't know what time I'd be in, she then rang trying to persuade me, but it didn't work - I think I'm more annoyed because she's working in a school so sure she could have found a time she could be in herself.
Glad you say no when yes would be inconvenient. I'm sure you say yes plenty of times, but people shouldn't take it for granted that you're sitting there waiting to let repairmen in for others.
Thanks Alicia, I was worried I was being selfish. I do take parcels in for her if I'm about, she doesn't seem to have any issue asking for favours!
Being attuned to what YOUR limits are is the important part.If you say no a couple of times in a row, you might find that the other person works a bit harder to do something YOU need, and not take for granted that you never need anything.
You are NOT selfish by my standards at ALL.
The selfishness comes in taking others for granted, it's not you who is being selfish
Hello!The dog has been sick this week so we haven't take her out since Monday. There seems to be a wee doggy virus going around so thought it safer to keep her home and she has just been sleeping most of the time. This morning is the first time she was looking to get out so we went out to the park to give the kids exercise too. Last day of the school holidays too.
A career in the library sounds amazing Desley. I'm a little jealous.
Hello, you lovely people!I know it's been ages since I've checked in but I do think of you often. I've been struggling a bit with some chronic but non life threatening health issues, which has rather consumed a great deal of my day to day energy.
I now truly understand the 'spoons' concept.
Anyhoo...
Dave retired at the end of last of last school year after 47!!!! years of teaching. He's now a man of leisure, hoping in vain that I will keep him in the lifestyle that he hopes to attain.
I've stepped down from class teaching to a role as a learning assistant. In theory, anyway. Most days I'm covering absent class teachers. I love being in front of classes, doing my teacher dance.
We're still in Madrid but plan on moving on ASAP, while remaining in Spain. Our next move will be to our forever home, touch wood.
Love you all and I do intend to rejoin our amazing community properly when life allows. Please do feel feel free to message me through here or Facebook, if we're connected.
Patti (baconater) wrote: "Hello, you lovely people!I know it's been ages since I've checked in but I do think of you often. I've been struggling a bit with some chronic but non life threatening health issues, which has rat..."
Just happened to log in.
How wonderful to hear from you! Congratulations to Dave - and your life will change, as did mine when the hubby retired from teaching.
Looking forward to hearing more about your forever home.
Evening, another day that started off nice, but was raining by the time I was ready! Luckily I wanted to see if my prescription was ready, so had an incentive to get out, bumped into a friend and her mum, not seen them this year, so was nice to catch up - unfortunately my prescription wasn't ready, had to go back after 3, which threw my plans out! Decided I deserved a treat, so got a mocha and a cake, then went to the library to read while having my drink - ironically I found it quite distracting! Even though I'd picked a seat with the biographies rather than fiction, my eyes kept wandering to the shelves! Had to turn my back on one of them, a book was in the wrong place (fixed that as I was leaving though!). Had a message from ratty neighbour earlier, wanting to know if she could borrow some money, as she had forgot to get money for the window cleaner - she certainly has no problem asking for things!! Thanks Jim and Alicia - I suppose if I was selfish, I wouldn't be bothered by saying no to someone who is more a neighbour than a friend! Glad the dog hasn't been too poorly Jud. Patti!!! So nice to hear from you!! Sorry to hear you've been dealing with some health issues, hope Dave enjoys his retirement, and good luck finding the forever home.
Patti (baconater) wrote: "Hello, you lovely people!I know it's been ages since I've checked in but I do think of you often. I've been struggling a bit with some chronic but non life threatening health issues, which has rat..."
Holy smokes! I disappear abroad for two weeks and you come back! Lovely to hear from you and hope you will get your forever home and the pesky chronic health issues sorted. xx
Hello everyone!Blimey Desley! You've had a pretty adventurous couple of weeks. Hope you get to work in the Library as it sounds brilliant. Well done on the setting boundaries etc.
Jud, I hope your pooch is back on form.
Alicia and Jim hellooo! Waves.
Have been in France and Italy, which was very nice but not as warm as I'd hoped. Can't win em all though.
Waving back - Davis, California, has been warm - I need to get out more.I have started my balcony garden - have a little piece right outside my writing window which is maybe 7' x 15'. Our first plant - an indoor-started one which desperately needed more room - has been transplanted to a much bigger container, and is perking up beautifully now that it has more room. The cuttings from the process are growing in a pot, too. I hope to add California native plants that do well in shade, including succulents (it faces due North, gets lots of light, but no direct sun).
Evening, a dry day today, decided to go for a longer canal walk in the direction that has benches, and took my kindle, stopped off at some of the benches along the way and read a bit! Saw what I thought was a heron on one stretch of the canal, but a bloke who lives in the houses overlooking that stretch said it was a cormorant, which I have seen one on of the reservoirs, but not the canal. Didn't quite get as far as I wanted as I saw a fisherman and decided to ask if the fish were around as I hadn't seen any, he said there were none last week, but some yesterday. chatted to him so long I got hungry (when I'm not working, I often forget about breakfast), but still did 10.5k steps. Am starting to think about decluttering/deep cleaning, taking it as a positive that my mind is relaxed enough after the hectic few weeks I've had. It certainly has MT!! Glad you ha a good hol, even if the weather wasn't as warm as you'd hoped. Good luck with the balcony garden Alicia.
For some reason I thought cormorants were exclusively sea birds, so that was luck.My plant outside was drooped over - not enough water getting to the stems and leaves - but we keep checking that it has the water in the container, and today they are standing very much more upright! Progress.
I was good with indoor plants in New Jersey - had some that were 40 years old - but putting a plant out on the balcony is another step - we don't have frost, but the temperature varies quite a bit. I'm glad to see it recovering. When we get blooms I'll know it's completely happy (may be too shady).
Hope you are getting rested - thinking about deep cleaning is a good sign.
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Path made from gravestones, the only thing I found unsettling: https://www.goodreads.com/phot..."
Wow! Which town is that grave path in Desley? I saw that in a churchyard many years ago but can never remember where I saw it.