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[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I think they are supposed to be involved in the referral process Alicia, my nephew was supposed to be being referred for something (maybe ADHD actually), and his teacher had to fill in a form for t..."

Anything to save money, eh?

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, volunteering wasn't bad today, we decided to re-arrange furniture, which my knee didn't appreciate! Had a nice stream of customers. Had a couple of awkward conversations about my name though, I had to ring her as she was running late, said it was Desley and she apologised for calling me Lindsey and said she didn't know why as she knows a few Lesley's!! Then at the end of the day, her friend came to help with unpacking and she was telling her how nice I've been at her calling me Lindsey rather than Lesley and how she thought I looked like a Lesley and not a Lindsey! Then I left before them and they ended up parking behind me, I thought I might have forgotten something, but turns out the spot I keep using is at the side of her house, so I feel much better that I'm not taking up someone's space, as she doesn't drive. Was supposed to walk to Aldi, but got thrown by them parking behind me, so rather than just get the carrier bag like planned, I got in the car! Aldi have brought out new biscuit flavoured teas, they are a standard item, but I bought a box of all 3 flavours just in case, can't wait to try them in the morning, and then I was naughty and a candle fell in my basket at the till - I am impressed it's taken me this long to cave, and it was only £2.99 and identical to a Yankee one I love that they have decided to discontinue. Hadn't hit my step count when I got home, so did a quick canal walk as I am rather tired, no babies to feed today though.

Thanks - I've been told since a teenager that I have an old head on my shoulders!! As vegan friend said, its a fantastic opportunity that you wouldn't normally get.

[M.T.]

Jim wrote: "I would be very wary of getting a private diagnosis of AHAD

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-655..."

Yeh ... this too!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, cloudy day, was planning on trying a new walk, but knee isn't great after yesterday and that walk involved a hill, so just did a longer canal walk, unfortunately in the direction where there are no benches! Not much wildlife, on the way there, saw a single tiny duckling screaming, eventually saw some adults, so tried getting them to hurry up by throwing food for them, they eventually got to the duckling and it seemed to swim off behind them. On the way back, met a couple of women walking 6 dogs, so said hello, one of them was enjoying a fuss so much she was leaning against my legs refusing to move! Then saw a really chunky fish in the canal, didn't look like any of the ones I saw last year, but there are 4 different kinds in the canal. Then just did some washing up and chilled, to rest my knee.

[M.T.]

Sounds like a good day Desley. Hope your knee is soon better again, rest up and take it easy. It's all go here. I'm doing stuff for McMini's band and at the same time trying to understand how I start the process of applying for an NHS Continuing Care grant for my Mum.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, woke up to rain, but it was dry by 10, so went for a walk, but it wasn't forecast to stay dry, so just did a long enough canal walk to hit my step count, at one point I saw a deer just enjoying some grass on the canal bank, stood for about 5 mins watching it, it only looked young. Then as I was looking down to put my phone in my bag, I saw what looked like an odd log in the canal, but when I looked closer it was just a fish, a couple of foot long! Then decided I fancied cooking something to make a change from lasagne, so nipped into Lidl and got a jar of sweet and sour sauce, which I cooked for tea, and got two portions for the freezer. Pretty chilled afternoon, resting my knee for tomorrow, going to the 1940's weekend in Haworth, not looking forward to the steep cobbled hill!

[M.T.]

Aaah but all the costumes and cats and stuff will be great fun.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, not going to the 1940's weekend in Haworth again, I'd read online that they were expecting 40k people over the weekend, it felt like they were all there today! As it's not a very big place, it was very crowded and couldn't really enjoy much. We drove to Oxenhope and got on the steam train in, which was nice, then they had put on free vintage buses to get people up and down the hill, we were just in time for a ride on an open top bus, and there were only seats left on the top, that was nice if a bit scary, railings were a bit low, luckily me and friend are short so didn't have to duck for trees like some of the passengers! Luckily I'd suggested not having lunch as we'd have struggled, it was so busy. Did enjoy seeing the Spitfire's fly over though. We just managed to get on the steam train coming home (they aren't all steam anymore, every other train is diesel, and they just change the engine over!) and we ended up in a carriage that reminded me of an Agatha Christie book, so felt that was quite fitting really (the one going we got on what was more like a dining carriage), especially as the other 4 people were dressed in 1940's clothes. Then came home and finished my book, don't think I mentioned that I got an ebook on loan from the library, downside is that you can only read them on tablet or phone and it was too sunny to read on tablet, so had to start another book on kindle till the sun went over a bit. Have reserved the third book, though it's not available till end Aug.

[Jim]

sounds like you had a decent day.
My daughter does Swing dance and from memory that involves making herself a lot of 40s clothes

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, clear blue skies and highs of 21 today. My calf muscles were very sore after walking up and down the steep cobbled hills yesterday, so just did a gentle canal walk, bumped into two ladies who'd come on the train to go to the lake and said they'd heard it used to be a holiday destination, so they got a history lesson while showing them where to go! On the way back, I fed a large gosling family, 8 of them! Got home, put a washload on, ate and washed up while waiting for it to be ready, then sat on the deckchair and read all afternoon

It was good Jim, shame that I read that one of the shopkeepers takings were down 60% , which seems an awful lot to lose

[Jim]

It does doesn't it :-(

[Stuart]

Hi lovely people!

Finally returned from a mind blowing four months backpacking through Jordan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Landed with something of a back to reality bump, but have thrown myself head on into the old writing shenanigans, so let's just see what the summer holds!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, that day was different than planned! Woke up at 7 to a text from friend saying her tyre was looking flat, and she might need help with the school run, so said yes as I was up, had a quick cup of tea and got dressed in case I was needed. She text back at 8 saying it was fine, so I gave it 10 mins just in case, then figured that as it was blue skies and I was dressed, I might as well go up to the bird hide at the lake and see if there was any different wildlife at that time - did see the heron in a different place than usual, chatted to a nice woman in the bird hide (who told me about some free parking too!) who said it was likely drying it's wings. Then as I was leaving the bird hide, I saw movement in the field and noticed rabbits (including a couple of babies) and some squirrels playing in the sun, so stopped to watch them and ended up chatting to another nice woman! While it was nice to get back just after 10 having done nearly 10k steps, I'm not sure I'll be in a hurry to do it again. And despite starting off with blue skies, by the time I'd showered and eaten, it was clouding over, so I spent the rest of the day alternating between chores, watching TV and dashing out to read in the sun.

Nice to see you back Stuart, how long are you staying this time? It does Jim, especially as pretty much all the shops are independents.

[Stuart]

Sounds like a lovely day! There is no moment in life that cannot be improved upon by the unexpected visitation of a heron!

Back for at least 18 months this time, as I have to work the full year if I want to take early retirement next August. Also, my eldest is getting married to the woman of his dreams in November 2024 and I wouldn't miss that for anything.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Ironically Stuart, I was thinking that I need to find new walks, as these days seeing cormorants and herons is pretty much a weekly occurrence! Suppose having to work a year to get early retirement isn't too bad, and no, you can't miss your son's wedding!

[Jim]

Stuart wrote: "Sounds like a lovely day! There is no moment in life that cannot be improved upon by the unexpected visitation of a heron!

Back for at least 18 months this time, as I have to work the full year if..."

seems like a plan ;-)

[Stuart]

It's the only one of got, so just have to see how it goes!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another day that didn't turn out as planned, was just chilling in bed when I got a text off friend, she'd set off to school, only got a couple of miles up the road when the tyre warning light came on, so I got dressed and took her son to school, called in a B & M on the way home, seems to have improved since I last went in, even had freezers. Once she'd got her tyre sorted and an errand done, we went for a walk through the nature reserve to the new RSPCA cafe and she treated me to a mocha as a thank you, we were lucky as it was really cloudy when I got up and was sunny by the time we got out. Then spent the rest of the time finishing my book, part of it read outside. Could do with more cloudy starts to the day so I can do chores!

[Stuart]

Just shows you never know what the day will bring, and what opportunities for doing good it will offer up!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Had a completely different day today, back in Feb I'd seen an advert for a theatre showing of a Peter James book, 'Wish you were Dead' and one of the theatres was close enough to get to, so asked a work friend who lives near there if she'd be interested and she was, and today was the day. As it was a day off work, we met a couple of hours before the show, had a mooch round the shopping centre opposite the theatre, then lunch at Nando's. I was well behaved and only came back with some lychee and rose bubble bath, I am enjoying being frugal. I've been to the shopping centre a few times, but always gone in the car, for some reason today I went on public transport, it isn't as easy as I thought, and the Transport for Greater Manchester directions were rubbish, ignored them coming home as I'm sure they made it more complicated! Was 1 train and 2 trams each way, good job we'd decided to go earlier as the train was late due to signalling issues, then helping someone out meant I missed one of the trams, then got off at the wrong stop! Fortunately I'd put my comfy shoes on, as I thought if I hadn't done enough steps, I could get off the train a station early and walk home along the canal! So am on 44 consecutive days, which is where I got to last year when I had to stop due to toenail removal, can't wait to see how much further I get this year!

Definitely Stuart!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, that was a long day! Got there at 8.50 to help set up for the conference (we catered for 41 people in the end), and didn't leave till 5.50! Did get fed, a doggy bag and praised though - I did hear her tell someone that 'Lesley' was here today and she's amazing! We did end up with the awkward recounting of my name, even her son (who hasn't met me before) said 'yes, you do look like a Lesley rather than a Lindsey'!! Turns out I answer very well to Lesley, she shouted me from the other side of the crowded room and I still got up and went to see what she wanted! I was 2k steps short of my target, so came home, fed the cats and went for a quick walk. Injection day again, I did manage to do it correctly this time, although did bleed again - good job you have to alternate sites, my thigh is still slightly bruised from 2 weeks ago.

[Alicia]

You're going to have to hand it to her in writing, DESLEY. :)

If you've already done that, well, I have no idea what I'd do.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Well, I did initially have an e-mail conversation with her, and my e-mail address is my name, plus I did end it with 'Regards, Desley'!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, quiet day by my standards, although still rather enjoyable, even though I do feel rather drained after yesterday! Had my hair done this morning, then friend offered to buy me breakfast/drink, I'm not sure why, but just had a mocha as I had my doggy bag from yesterday. Then we went to the candle shop for bird food, and ended up with an ice cream each. Annoyingly I'd forgotten to pick up my shopping bag, so had to come back home to get that, before going to Lidl to get picnic stuff for tomorrow. Then I was supposed to do chores, but got bored half way through, and decided to just finish my book instead.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, hopefully the end of my busy week now! Took my sis and the kids to Heaton Park, we called in Home Bargains on the way, I like Home Bargains, but don't like my local one, so I generally stock up when I go, so I may have been naughty and bought wax melts! Then we got to the park to realise they are setting up for Parklife, so part of the car park was blocked off, and the 'overflow' was a field, yet still charged you for the privilege! Also meant the path I'd used when I went with friend last year was blocked off, so we had to go the opposite way round and I got a bit confused coming back, but we got to the car bang on the ticket time! Saw cygnets (not seen any for years, there used to be a breeding pair at my old work, but not sure what happened to them), baby moorhen, and a few peacocks, one a really unusual colour and in a tree - I think I knew they flew, but given their tails, they look very odd perched in a tree! It was so busy though, being a nice day and bank hol weekend/half term, and they had a fair on, so would be nice to go again when it isn't quite so busy, and now we know the animal centre is only open till 4, we had to look at the pigs and goats through a gate. Took her to Aldi on the way back, was naughty in there too, so way overspent this weekend, hoping I can be good rest of the month. Then took them to candle shop for ice cream but it was a bit late and the geese were mainly settled in the field, so we didn't really get to feed anything today. Hit 13k steps today as well.

[Alicia]

Cygnets always remind me of The Ugly Duckling.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, relaxing day by my standards! Sunny, but not as warm and quite windy today, which meant I could get my bedding washed and put back on the bed! Yesterday friend said she'd made Bailey's cupcakes for a birthday, and saved me one - she always says she will and I never get one, so decided to be cheeky and ask if I could go up today for one, and they had no plans. Did chores while waiting to hear what time was good for them, then they decided to go for a walk and we met at a pub half way between our houses, turns out her parents had called in there for a drink too, was really nice to sit out for an hour and a half ish in the sun, having a nice gin and a chat with people, then walked them partway home as I hadn't hit my step count

I often think that goslings are really cute, but the geese they grow into aren't always as cute, said that to someone recently, and they said humans are the same!!

[M.T.]

Sounds like you are properly busy Desley, even though you are officially having time off! Been a hectic week here, but I managed to go car booting this morning with McOther which was lovely. I spent £5 on a knackered plastic box full of needles and sewing stuff. I've ended up with a lot of 'vintage' cotton reels and some needles from the 40s or 50s, I should think. There was also some really cool 60s marketing on a pack of buttons that were in there ... the cotton will all be extremely useful but the reason I bought it was because I saw a tiny little wooden fishing reel style tapemeasure in there. I reckoned that, alone, was worth the £5 I paid for the box. Turns out a pin tin in there is worth £5, the needles were probably worth a bit too because they're so old, and there were two plastic pin tins from the 1970s ... a long time ago though because one had the price lable on it still ... 15p from Woolworths! Mwahaharrgh! The tapemeasure is clearly Victorian as the markers on the cotton measuring tape are hand drawn. It's also worn smooth in a way that only something that's been used by someone their entire life can be. It's gorgeous and I'm dead chuffed. It also has a doppleganger for sale on ebay for £29 so I'm feeling all smug that I've got a bargain as well as happy with what I think is one of the loveliest things I've acquired in some time.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

I absolutely love old sewing stuff, I inherited both of my grannies' boxes. There is nothing as good as a button box either.
I can't report on any goslings, but I've been enjoying watching a small eider family over the sea wall. Four very cute wee ducklings! I also didn't know until recently about the noise that eider make, it's definitely not a quack - more like Kenneth Williams. Ooooh

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another nice day, if cool and breezy. I've decided that unless friend wants to go for a walk as soon as she gets back from dropping kids off, that I have to do my daily chores before I go for a walk, seeing as I don't seem to find the inclination after (and that's what I did when I got furloughed, which this kind of feels like, apart from being unemployed!). Just did a little canal walk today, then realised I still hadn't got any eggs, so went back to Lidl, luckily 3rd time lucky!

sorted out some pics today too

Cygnets: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...
'Normal' peacock in a field: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...
Peacock in a tree: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...

Yes, certainly keeping myself busy MT! I used to enjoy car boots, not been to one for ages, but that sounds like an absolute bargain! Nice to hear from you R, was only thinking about you earlier. It's nice watching baby animals/birds grow up.

[Jim]

Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: " it's definitely not a quack - more like Kenneth Williams. Ooooh ..."

I know exactly what you mean, and I think you've described it perfectly :-)

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Thanks for the photos Desley, love the peacock up the tree
Beautiful still and sunny day here - I've risked taking the big easel and a big canvas down to the hut as there's a chance it won't get blown over. I've been sticking to smaller works so far this year due to the permagale.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, had a rubbish night sleep last night, so found it hard to find the motivation to get dressed and leave, luckily it was cloudy till 3, so no real rush. Eventually got out, but then it was busy due to half term, so just did a quick walk through the nature reserve, got on the canal, saw some goslings, was trying to entice them over when a pair of adults got very tempted, they literally jumped out of the canal in front of me, so close that one wet my leg! They were a bit too close for comfort, so threw some food away from me to get rid of them, then the group of 8 goslings appeared from the field, they are so big now and going a different colour. Eventually the family I originally wanted to feed came. Saw a few trout of various sizes swimming in the river, they are so fast! As I was coming home, I heard a dog that sounded like Malachi barking, so looked over and saw it was them, so went to say hello, think she was pleased as he'd been barking at a squirrel, so a cuddle from me distracted him then he settled down. She was having a lunch break outside to give him some fresh air, she did say she appreciated face to face conversation rather than just over the phone/screen. Bizarrely she said she rarely sits in that part, and I rarely walk that late!

Glad you liked the pics R -it was funny, we'd seen a 'normal' peacock on a wall, heard a call which sounded like it came from behind us, turned round to see the one in the tree! Hope you managed to use the big easel.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, my day did not start well, Lucy woke me up at 4am being sick - amazing how the sound of that can not only wake you up incredibly quickly, but with quick reflexes too! Got back to sleep sometime after 5, then she demanded breakfast at 6.30 (she may have been told to eat her supper, and I went back to sleep till 7.10). Took her for her boosters, was nice to chat to the vet, seeing as now I only see her once a year, rather than at least once a month! Did my volunteering again, had some really nice customers in today, downside was just as we were going to have a coffee break, a family came in, so never got our coffee, typical on the day I could have done with some caffeine! Another mixed day weather wise, 10 and drizzling when I left, 16 and sunny by the time I got back. ETA, I did see a random thing in the vets, when I went in, I glanced round the waiting room to see the best place to sit, thought a bloke was holding an odd black puppy, until he got called in the consultation room, turned out it was a black lamb!

[Alicia]

Hope Lucy is okay - just something she ate or a fur ball.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Alicia wrote: "Hope Lucy is okay - just something she ate or a fur ball."

Thanks Alicia, it was just a fur ball, or I'd have checked with the vet before taking her, although she ate some grass after I came back and brought it back up. Must be the season for it, went to feed the girls and there was a fur ball in their room too, that's the third one this week, hopefully one from each of them, so will be fine for a while!

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

I grew up with cats, but I don't ever recall them creating (nicer way of putting it than regurgitating) a furball! They were Siamese so maybe not hairy enough?

Bloomin freezing here again today. The sun didn't manage to push through at all and the wind from the northeast is just so cold. I couldn't do more than a couple of hours painting before I gave up and went home - not my most productive day tbh

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, cool and cloudy for most of the day, think it only got to 14, which I actually appreciated! Did a hill walk that I've been curious about for ages, shan't be doing it again though! The footpath ended up going through a farmer's field, and they'd put a gate at the other end, which fortunately I managed to climb over! Also didn't come out where I expected it to. Nice wildlife walk though, had to walk along the canal to get to the hill, saw another young deer, this was quite shy though, so didn't stay for long. As I was just about to go over the bridge to get to the hill, I saw a goose family, so stopped to feed them first, but they didn't get much as one of the parents kept hissing at me, and I don't trust geese that much! Then got some stuff done in the house, including updating my book challenge - including the two audio books, and an 86 page novella I downloaded just so I had something I could read in one day yesterday, I've read 12.5 books this month! Think that is a record for me, and 3 of them were over 500 pages.

Some cats, however sleek or furry, never seem to bring furballs up, I seem to be unlucky and have 3 that do! What a shame it was too cold for you to get much done.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, struggled to get to sleep last night as the Alexa reset itself three times, it's very bright! Randomly, the street lights went out too, but the alarm clock carried on telling me the time! Nice blue skies, so did a quick canal walk, glad I took my jacket though as there was a cold breeze. On the way back, I realised I needed milk and had coupons for free things at Lidl, so went, realised something was up when the car park was empty and there were people just stood around, asked a couple what the problem was and no one knew why the shop was shut, the sign said unforeseen circumstances, so we all waited in the hope they'd be resolved quickly! After a bit someone eventually came out and said those weird power things had stopped the tills working, I gave up then, but everyone else hung round! Had to wait in for my medication so decided that as I'd brought the upstairs wax melts down, I'd put them all in brand order. I did see some that I bought 3 years ago that have never been used, and some that only had one or two left in, so am working my way through those, then I'll start on the duplicates.

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

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, glorious weather this weekend, 20 both days, although a bit breezy. Had a chill day yesterday, friend's friend was up from down South, so we went out for tea, it was great being able to sit outside in a beer garden till 9.30pm! Just some idiots spoiled it at the end. I'd walked up to the lake, saw something odd in a field, wondered what it was, got a bit further up and realised it was a deer. When we were walking back to the car, we did see geese and goslings settling down for the night, it was so random seeing people still out feeding them at 9.30pm! There was a full moo that looked stunning against the pale sky, so we drove up to the reservoir to get pics, unfortunately they didn't come out that well. Went for a quick canal walk this morning, then to Lidl to get the stuff I wanted on Fri, then cracked on with getting the bathroom ready to be ripped out tomorrow - I obviously haven't done much in the way of sweeping and cleaning, seems pointless when it is being ripped out in the morning. Also had to do some stuff in the kitchen as they'll need access to both the fuse box and the stop tap. Did manage to relax and finish my book after though. My bathroom sounds very hollow without the usual stuff in, the girls don't seem impressed at their extra furniture (had to clear the landing too, to give them as much space as possible).

[Alicia]

Hope the bathroom upgrade goes well!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Thanks Alicia, I'm dreading it, never had a bathroom replaced before, and they are having to replace the tiling on the walls and the ceiling as well, so hoping it won't be too noisy for the cats, they are all likely to hide, it's nice weather, so I'll likely stay outside reading most of the week, got the library if it's too cool, and know where there are some toilets!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Thanks Alicia, I'm dreading it, never had a bathroom replaced before, and they are having to replace the tiling on the walls and the ceiling as well, so hoping it won't be too noisy for the cats, they are all likely to hide, it's nice weather, so I'll likely stay outside reading most of the week, got the library if it's too cool, and know where there are some toilets!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, day one of the bathroom renovation went better than I expected. They arrived pretty much on time, and before he left the door open to bring stuff in, his first question was 'are all the cats shut away', I was pleased he'd remembered I have cats. They had pretty much everything out in a couple of hours, I was so relieved the tiles had come down so easily and the walls behind were fine, given they'd been there over 20 years, I thought they would have been harder to get off! Checked in with the cats partway through, Lucy was under the bed in a spot I can't reach, and the girls were spooked. He needed to go in my bedroom to disconnect the jacuzzi element of my bath, so I went to show him where, Lucy was on the bed, and accepted fusses, even got a bit close to him checking out what he was doing (she doesn't like men!). Waited till the new suite had been delivered, so I could agree where they would live, then I went for a walk through nature reserve to lake, saw quite a few fish, and both sets of goslings, but kids were feeding them. Mid afternoon they were being noisy again, so checked the cats, Lucy was just like 'bored in here now, can I go downstairs', Coco was fairly fine, Chanel was so spooked, I took advantage and stroked her, and hoped she might associate it with feeling a bit better during something scary. Stayed in all afternoon for an Amazon delivery of towel rail, and it didn't arrive till 5.30. Before he left, he did advise to watch the cats as there were holes under the bath no one knew about that he'll have to patch up, I'm keeping the bathroom door shut, and not letting the girls out overnight, there is stuff in the front room, kitchen and on the landing, I can supervise Lucy, but not them, and I'd hate for them to be injured, it's only a week (and maybe not even the full week). Had to leave some rubbish outside ratty's neighbour, so was checking she was fine with that when she came back, and she told me to feel free to use my key and let myself in to use her toilet if I need to. And other friend also said 'you have a key, let yourself in if you need the loo. Do you need to use the shower tomorrow?', I do have such good friends. The irony is that I've only ever liked my bath, always hated the tiles and mirror, at first I couldn't afford to replace them, then I didn't like the idea of the mess, when I finally got my head round it Covid happened, and the bit I was dreading went smoothly!

[Alicia]

Glad it's going, as it sounds, better than you expected.

[Jim]

Hope it goes well, it's amazing how easily our worlds can turn upside down

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, things went slightly downill after I posted last night, heard a drip, took two attempts to find it, luckily it wasn't that bad a drip and I contained it with a pan and a towel till he got here this morning, as my stopcock requires tools to turn it! He's motored today, bath is in and sealed, he showed me where the sink was going to go, and I went silent as what I hadn't thought about when I agreed to move the sink was where the laundry basket will go, so we are also now moving the toilet (handily, it will go halfway between the bath and the wall, so will look better), so it can fit there - I have now decided I need a new bath mat and laundry basket! Went for a walk with friend this morning, we went through nature reserve and got a drink, she did say I could stay in hers for a bit to chill, but I wanted to see where things were up to, it's ironic as I don't like sitting around in my house when there are workmen, but I like to know where they are up to! Ironically on the way back, I bumped into a colleague who left about a year before Covid, I'd asked his opinion a few times about my bathroom, ironic that I bumped into him the week it's finally being replaced, especially as he lives a 20 min drive away! Chanel wasn't as spooked, she moved when I tried to stroke her. Friend came round after she'd fed the kids to see where it was up to, and helped me pick the flooring, she's also excited to see it finished!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, he's really motoring with the bathroom, most of the wall panels are on, tomorrow we'll have to brave going in the loft to see if he can remove some pipes, so the girls will hate that. Really good day volunteering today, owner was quite tired, so we were going to have a chilled day, one of the other volunteers popped in, the three of us ended up having a really good conversation, then one of her friend's popped in, so another long conversation. We were just about to have something to eat and drink when a delivery arrived, so we ended up unpacking that, displaying it and marking it up for sale, it was enjoyable. One of the things we did was check and update the events calendar, I noticed the other director was doing something at a book festival in Nov, so I googled it, and they are asking for volunteers to help at the festival, I'll be sending them an e-mail this week! Another thing I meant to say was that I forgot to take my anti-inflams on Sat, and I haven't really noticed much extra pain, I will take today's dose, but looks like I can drop those down to weekly on this new medication, might even manage to stop them!

[Alicia]

Progress, Desley!

My new assistant started today - and the mess I couldn't handle by myself magically vanished with a little help. I think it's the psychological side, not just the actual assistance. Even though I talked a lot.

I have been very fortunate in getting University of California-Davis students - they are intelligent, amenable, efficient, and a general pleasure to have around, even if it's only for two hours twice a week, which is the most energy I can afford to expend. And they've been recommending the next one, too, so I haven't had to go post a job in two years. K will be a junior in the Fall, so potentially I have two years of assistance; AND she has a car. We will escape to the Arboretum and such periodically, which is really good for the spirit (and they have a solid path mobility devices work well on - intentionally).

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Trees are good for the soul :) as is the sea
Still blooming cold here, that northerly/easterly wind has been unrelenting, whilst we have to endure the national forecasts banging on about high temperatures coming this weekend, and do look out for your vulnerable neighbours etc etc. Frankly they're more likely to suffer hypothermia. It does get a bit tiresome.
Bet you'll love your new bathroom once it's finished Desley. All the stress of the work will soon be forgotten.