Whatcha Doin' - 2022 Showing 751-800 of 1,312

[Jenn]

Fluff is good, and sometimes smutty-fluff is better 😉 lol Welcome back Sarah 😁

[Sarah]

Agreed, thanks Jenn!

[Kristie, Moderator]

All good news, Sarah. It's excellent that your boss and colleagues are fantastic. That makes all the difference in a work environment. Glad that your boss is supportive and allowing you to make changes so you don't burn out as well. I love that.

[Janice, Moderator]

Great to hear from you Sarah! I hope you get a good sale on your boat.

[Sarah]

Yes I was worrying a bit with the job. I have a lot of dementia patients and many are not able to engage in the same way as my other patients. The town i work in has a large elderly population due to nursing homes and retirement complexs. And i was worried that most of my job was going to be that, especially when I'm struggling with it. But at least there are options now.

I've had lods of enquiries on the boat over night but only one serious one so we'll see how it goes.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I did my mental health internship at a geriatric living facility, so I completely understand that. Working with dementia patients is very difficult.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Good to see you, Sarah! What a big jump putting the boat up for sale. Glad you have had some interest, and I agree, showing the boat every weekend would be a pain so I hope you have a quick sale with some good people.

Great to hear that you have such a supportive work environment as well, that is interested in helping you not burn out. That's pretty rare. Hope some of the work is interesting, and while I completely understand working with dementia patients must be incredibly draining, I am sure that you are making a difference there. Even if the patients don't know. Good to have a balance of work though, and great to hear they are cognisant of that.

[Sarah]

Thanks guys. Yes I have realised that the service I offer them will be different to other people and they'll still get some benefit from it, even if it's just a bit of company for an hour.

I am off to see Groove Armada play tonight in Bristol Amphitheatre. It's going to be hot and sunny today so perfect for an evening outside by the docks. It's their final gig ever. Huey Morgan is doing a dj set before too which I'm looking forward to. First solo gig for me so I'm looking forward to it.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Have fun at your concert, Sarah!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Enjoy Sarah!!

[Saar The Book owl]

Enjoy the concert, Sarah, it's a great band!

[Janice, Moderator]

The heat wave hit us the other day and I've been hiding out in my basement. It's a couple degrees cooler and more tolerable today. I'm going to catch up on my road trip tracking if it stays bearable up here. If I need to escape, it will delay my tracking so please bear with me.

[Kristie, Moderator]

We have a trip coming up next week with outdoor activities planned, so of course we are now expecting stormy weather there. I am really hoping the weather ends up being at least decent. We are planning to take our grandson white water rafting and ziplining. It would stink to drive all the way there (7+ hours) only to have everything cancelled and get stuck inside playing board games which we could do at home.

[Janice, Moderator]

I hope the weather cooperates too Kristie and that you get to go white water rafting. I have never been, but it looks fun.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thanks, Janice. I think he'd really enjoy it.

[Janice, Moderator]

Will you go on the raft too?

[Margo]

Kristie wrote: "stuck inside playing board games which we could do at home..."

I thought that only happened on holidays in ireland ;-P Hope the weather is good to you.

This is a holiday weekend here so of course it's raining! Our town starts its week long annual festival tomorrow so there's a parade. It usually rains on our parade :-D

[Kristie, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "Will you go on the raft too?"

Yes! Craig and I will do the ziplining and rafting. :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Kristie wrote: "stuck inside playing board games which we could do at home..."

I thought that only happened on holidays in ireland ;-P Hope the weather is good to you..."

Hahaha... It rained when we were in Ireland, but we were still out and about. I don't think you can avoid it. lol

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh man, it was 5 years ago this weekend we were in Ireland. No rain though for the 8 days we were there!

Hope you all have fine weather that isn't too hot where ever you are for your fun.

We however had -6C last night. Yet the wattles are out singing the end of winter. Bring on spring.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh and it's midnight and currently -4C

[Sarah]

The concert was amazing, thanks everyone. I had a lot of fun. I danced a lot so feeling pretty tired today. my watch tells me I did 22k steps in total yesterday lol

I had a viewing on my boat which went well, he seemed interested so fingers crossed. I found myself getting a bit protective of my boat lol, it was a lovely home and i want it to go to a good owner. I didn't expect to feel that way. It is 100% the right decision though, just feels weird getting rid of my own home and renting. Only temporary I know . I'll have my own home once again.

Oh wow Kristie, you so some fun things with your grandson. I've always wanted to do both of those activities but never have.

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm glad the concert was a blast, Sarah!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm glad you enjoyed the concert, Sarah. It's always difficult to start venturing out to things like that on your own. Now that you've done it and had a great time it will be easier next time.

Thanks. We love to try new things. We did a weekend like this many years ago with our youngest daughter. It was a lot of fun. At the time we were living in New Hampshire and the place we went was just a couple of hours north of us. The place we are taking G is about 7 hours south, so a longer trip.

I'm trying to come up with a good audiobook that he can listen to and we will also enjoy for the drive. I have considered Anne of Green Gables or maybe The Hobbit. I don't know yet. I need to take some time to think about it. I don't want to use a book that I have earmarked for something later in the year, but also don't want to listen to a children's book that isn't very good. I know I have a few on my TBR that could work. Anyone have any great middle grade books you'd like to recommend? Or even an older (maybe YA) book as long as there isn't any sexual stuff or anything too gory/scary?

[Janice, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "I'm trying to come up with a good audiobook that he can listen to and we will also enjoy for the drive. I have considered Anne of Green Gables ..."

I read the first book of the series a while back and have just started watching the Netflix series, Anne With an E. It's really an enjoyable story. Your grandson may not be too keen on listening to a precocious 11 year old blabbing her flights of fancy though.

I took my grandson and granddaughter on a road trip a few years back, and we listened to Cinder. They both really enjoyed it and couldn't wait to get back on the road and pick up where we left off. When we finished the book, they clamored for me to quickly purchase and download the next book in the series to listen to on the way home.

My grandson and I also enjoyed Magyk on another road trip. (My granddaughter wasn't with us so it's not like she didn't enjoy it.)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Good suggestions! Thanks, Janice. We've done a bunch of the Rick Riordan stuff in the past and he enjoyed those. I loved the Lunar Chronicles series. He might really enjoy those too. I own Magyk, so I'll push that one to the top of my list with The Hobbit. I'd love to find something that both Craig and G would enjoy. I may come up with a few options and have them choose before we leave.

I just grabbed Breadcrumbs from the library because they had the audio available so I'll add that to their options too.

edit: I also have The Thief that I bought forever ago and didn't realize it was a kids book at the time. I haven't listened to it yet, so adding that one too. And Serafina and the Black Cloak, which we started a few years ago and I thought he was too young for it. It would probably be perfect now.

[Janice, Moderator]

That is the trick - finding something all ages would enjoy. Looks like you have a few options.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "That is the trick - finding something all ages would enjoy. Looks like you have a few options."

I saw that you read Steelheart and enjoyed it. I looked it up and it is supposedly ok for his age group. (The site states there's violence, but I would expect that.) I was wondering - does it end on a cliffhanger? I know it's part of a trilogy, but he'd only have time to listen to the first one while he's here. Thoughts?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Maybe Coraline or The Graveyard Book? Neither I think are too scary, and as good kids books, things get resolved by the end.

Not sure if there is an audiobook, but Howl’s Moving Castle and it's sequels would be a good option too.

Will think of more overnight

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thanks, Rus. I've read both Coraline and The Graveyard Book. Howl's Moving Castle would be good, but there is a waitlist for the audio at the library.

[Dawn]

I only have suggestions from reading them like 25 years ago, but The Boxcar Children, Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, How to Eat Fried Worms, Stuart Little, The Borrowers, & Tom Swift and His Motorcycle. All of these can be read as standalones, and also probably not necessary to start at the beginning of the series. I found them all on audible despite their publication age. All of them are great kids books, even the 'scary' parts aren't scary. No sexual stuff at all. Barely any romance even.

And authors: Gordon Korman (maybe a little older, characters tend to be teens) Roald Dahl (kids books with despicable characters, The BFG is my favourite), & Beverly Clearly (beloved west coast author).

All of these should also be entertaining for adults as well, though they can be really short.

[Dawn]

Oh and I listened to The Flying Flamingo Sisters not long ago as I got it free from Audible. Pretty good adventure story.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thanks, Dawn. All great suggestions. I remember some of those from forever ago. I considered some classics that I enjoyed when I was younger or when my girls were younger as well.

I feel like I should mention that my grandson is 13, so I'm not being completely irresponsible with my Steelheart suggestion. lol AR Bookfinder rates it as a 5th grade reading level and a 6-8th grade + interest level.

The weather report for the area is getting worse. I'll be so disappointed if we can't do any outdoor activities. Our Air B&B is nonrefundable so changing our plans is difficult and there isn't really anything to do there indoors. We chose a place that is pretty much in the middle of nowhere planning for an outdoor vacation.

[Janice, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "Janice wrote: "That is the trick - finding something all ages would enjoy. Looks like you have a few options."

I saw that you read Steelheart and enjoyed it. I looked it up and it ..."

I'm sorry. I don't recall. It's been a few years.

[Kristie, Moderator]

No worries, Janice! Thank you.

[Esther]

hey!!!! I have not been online much lately. Life got in the way.

@sarah, Good luck selling your boat. you put a lot of live and energy in it. it deserved someone worthy.

@Kristie good luck with the weather!!!

Say, anyone figured out how to recommend a book with the new (beta) book pages? I am usually good at figuring things out but this one baffles me. Is the option gone?

[Esther]

Esther wrote: "Say, anyone figured out how to recommend a book with the new (beta) book pages? I am usually good at figuring things out but this one baffles me. Is the option gone?."

Never mind... I finally found a way...

[Dawn]

Well, now I feel like most of those suggestions are maybe a little young. I was kinda aiming for the books I liked at the same time as Anne of Green Gables. Though that is hard to pin down as I still like Anne.

I will recommend A Deadly Education then, I really liked the whole trilogy.

[Prosenjit]

Its 5 AM in the morning in Bangalore India. I have been working like a donkey over the last week, the last weekend and its going to be a hard slog till Tuesday when we submit a major project at work!!! I am so keyed up was unable to get to sleep last night, so stayed up and finished a brick sized book :-) Coffee and some crispy South Indian "Dosas" will keep me alive during the day today. :-D

[Marnie]

Buzzing by to say hello. Life sure has been nutty lately and it seems I will forever be a cyclical reader.

Janice I scrolled a bit and am so pleased you are going to be able to drive again. That bit of independence will hopefully be a giant mental boost!

[Janice, Moderator]

Marnie wrote: "Buzzing by to say hello. Life sure has been nutty lately and it seems I will forever be a cyclical reader.

Janice I scrolled a bit and am so pleased you are going to be able to drive again. That ..."

Thanks Marnie. It's great to see you posting again.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thanks, Dawn. I actually like your younger suggestions as well. He doesn't mind when we listen to younger books or watch younger movies. He's pretty laid back about it.

Thanks, Esther. I have my fingers crossed that the forecast improves.

[Janice, Moderator]

I thought of another for you Krisitie. The Bloody Jack books.

[Saar The Book owl]

My first week off from work has passed, 2 weeks to go still. No, I'm not counting them, but has anyone got the same problem that your bioritme is going nuts the first week, because you're still in 'work mode'?

I'm studying for my 2 re - exams, but we do almost daily some things together. We've been at sea, at a circus festival...Sander is enjoying his vacation from school. Friday we're going to a huge zoo, but this Wednesday it's Rammstein concert! Yes!!

[Sarah]

Oooh enjoy Rammstein Saar!

I read Steelheart too Kristie, I think he'd really like it. I don't think it was a cliff hanger, but I couldn't say 100%. I bought the next book in the series, or got it in a giveaway, but didn't rush out to read it straight away so I don't think it could have been.

I had a lovely day in Avebury yesterday, wandering around the stone circle and out to the long barrow. Rusalka, you and Lexx sprung to mind often whilst I was there!

The viewing on my boat went well and they seem pretty interested so hopefully I'll hear back in the next couple of days. I have a few more wanting to view at the weekend if it's still available.

I have to do an online speed awareness course on Friday as someone might have been caught speeding on the way back from the airport after a holiday in Madrid. Oops! At least it's better than points on my license.

[Janice, Moderator]

Oops, Sarah. LOL!

Saar, one of my bosses years ago always maintained that you needed 2-3 weeks off because the first week is like that. The most I can take off is about 10 days, so I have to get into the mindset of vacation time right away. People have suggested that I take my laptop with me and do payroll and other things. It sort of defeats the purpose in my opinion. One summer, I took a week and went camping with my daughter-in-law and grandchildren. We were at a lake that was close by. The trailer next to me were clients. He brought a booster for his cell phone and it rang all the time. He was working out in the oil patch during the days. His wife manned the phones during the day.

Lot of the campers, like my client, only stayed there at night. At 6:00 in the morning, you could hear them all leaving for work. I have clients who go out of country, like to Mexico, and take their lap tops and are working daily. How is that a holiday?

[Kristie, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "I thought of another for you Krisitie. The Bloody Jack books."

Sarah wrote: "I read Steelheart too Kristie, I think he'd really like it. I don't think it was a cliff hanger, but I couldn't say 100%. I bought the next book in the series, or got it in a giveaway, but didn't rush out to read it straight away so I don't think it could have been."

Thanks, ladies!

[Sarah]

Inndeed, what those clients were doing doesn't sound like a holiday to me Janice. Evven when I was solely self employed, I didn't take a laptop or chexk emails while I was away on holiday.

[Cherie]

I agree with Sarah. When I am going on holiday, I do not take my laptop or answer work related phone calls on my cell. I really try to stay off the grid entirely while I am gone.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I agree. When I'm on vacation I'm not working. Otherwise it's not vacation, just working from a different location. I've intentionally chosen places were we have no internet or spotty cell reception before so Craig can't work while we are away. He can never seem to get away for more than a week and will sometimes say there is a call or meeting that he just can't miss. I always think they'll be fine without him. They knew we were going on vacation and should have planned for him to not be there. I can't stand when employers expect you to be available during your time off.