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Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Cross posted Janet, do hope the new meds help your mum. Wow, that does sound a lot of rain."Just to second that, hope things pick up for your Mum
We seem to have had much the same rain, I went up the drive to unblock the drains to discover they weren't blocked, there was just so much water running down the road the drains couldn't cope
Evening all, that was a frustrating day at work, I tried getting three things done, but had to keep leaving messaged, and people rang back when I was in the middle of something else! Although have just remembered I did do some other things too, and I did a 30 min training session, which colleague had said was interesting, and I agree with her, the title was Prevention something, had no idea what it was going to be about, but it was about people working together to improve lives, as the town I live in has a life expectancy of a decade less than other parts of the country, which was quite shocking to hear. Raining at lunch, so didn't go out, but sun was out after work, so did my long walk to the co-op, no goslings and no bargains today. Decided as the weather is supposed to be nice again this weekend that I'd do one little bit of housework each evening, the one I picked today did get rather half heartedly done, but better than nothing. Booked Lucy's booster, the vet she liked earlier this month isn't at my branch till beg June, but will need to finish early, have provisionally booked it as can't see boss saying no (I still have over 13 hours flexi!)Another thing Alicia is that the hospital test might be better (I do feel there is a difference between the two), but Specsavers have been monitoring my eyes longer than the hospital have, and every time I go, even if they don't do the special scan, they do have a picture of your eye and always have all of them open, this time he actually checked a few to see if my floater is always in the same place, which apparently it isn't. So I think they would pick things up quicker. They are also nicer and don't rush as much as the hospital.
Glad that works for you and your eye appointments - it's not cookie cutter when one place pays more attention and gives you less stress than the other. I'd feel questions were answered better that way.
Evening, came in to a reply from big manager thanking me for my hard work and diligence on one of the tricky things I'd done yesterday (I needed her approval as my manager is off this week), so that was a good start, not that the day carried on like that! Didn't seem to get through enough work again, even though I had a short lunch. Did have an interesting conversation with a colleague though, she was asking if we'd heard more about the move and said that it would be a shame to lose me, she said I'm a really friendly, happy person that seems to get on with loads of people (she's really shy, bit like I was at her age actually!), which surprised me as it's certainly not how I've been described previously, but I was also quite touched. She's one of my colleagues who admires my nails. Had my dentist app this pm, was weird going in the place, as it used to be a bar, so last time I was in there, it was very dark and now it's really bright and open. The dentist was really nice, and doesn't seem a money grabber, I went in expecting to be told I need 3 fillings, but he said that I actually only need 2, even though one has a hole, off the xray its fine and it's my choice if I want it doing, so said I'd leave it for now. Going back next month for fillings, opted to have both done together rather than separately, dental injections are one of the things I hate most.
Good on you for getting the dentist stuff started. They're waiting for me to get back to them, after the insurance company finally approved the procedure, but other medical stuff has to come first (and a bunch of it's the husband's).Not looking forward to any of it!
Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "Hello again, hope everyone is OK I'm keeping busy with various people coming or phoning about mum.
The palliative care nurse came and has suggested an increase in the pain medication so instead o..."
So sorry about your Mum. Mine was sick for a lot of last year so I can empathise. Thinking of you.
Alicia wrote: "Good on you for getting the dentist stuff started. They're waiting for me to get back to them, after the insurance company finally approved the procedure, but other medical stuff has to come first ..."Ugh yes ... many, many spoons I'm guessing.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, came in to a reply from big manager thanking me for my hard work and diligence on one of the tricky things I'd done yesterday (I needed her approval as my manager is off this week), so tha..."Yay, nice pat on the back there and well done with the dental stuff. It's always a good sign when they pass up on a chance to make more money. Sounds like they are a good one.
Evening, another full on day, and not enough work done, I really need to stop being distracted by something more important part way through something and end up with multiple half finished things! Got about 4 to do lists too! Started the day off well though, I got paid more than expected, can't quite work out why I've had more underpayments repaid, but I won't complain! Then at home time, big manager came to me and said that the move has been extended, and she's got permission to keep me, so I have a job till September at the moment, so that's good. Had a busy time after work, needed cat litter from B & M, then decided to call at the chemist and see if Lucy's medication was available yet, she couldn't see it on the computer, but offered to keep my prescription and ring on Mon to see if they can order it, then had to get a few bits from Lidl (mainly cat treats, as we have run out). So very tired now and ready for bed! Well, I've been putting it off for years Alicia! Though to be fair, I did try and get the first hole sorted, but it was just after Covid, and they said that as it wasn't hurting, it wouldn't be a priority, then got an app cancelled by text and had to ring to rearrange, which I never did, then they closed last year!
M.T. wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Good on you for getting the dentist stuff started. They're waiting for me to get back to them, after the insurance company finally approved the procedure, but other medical stuff has..."More spoons than I have on a good day, and leaving none for writing, as well. Sigh. I have no margin of safety. And the paperwork/tax stuff is still unfinished because husband has too many medical appointments and new problems keep cropping up to take his time and attention. I'll do it the minute he lets me/gives me his spreadsheets, but am trying to figure out how to do it all on my own - with no spoons!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "...they closed last year ..."Ack! That's a huge one to sort.
Alicia wrote: "Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "...they closed last year ..."Ack! That's a huge one to sort."
Yes, luckily I was walking past my new one and saw a sign saying taking new patients, and you were able to e-mail them, so could do it as soon as I got home on a Sunday.
Alicia wrote: "M.T. wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Good on you for getting the dentist stuff started. They're waiting for me to get back to them, after the insurance company finally approved the procedure, but other medi..."Oh dear, hope you can get things sorted.
Evening, that was a lovely day. Decided to go to lake looking for cygnets and ducklings, and figured if my foot was too sore, I'd relent and drive up and pay for parking, but my foot seemed fine in my sandals, so risked walking up, and went through the nature reserve, saw lots of butterflies and a couple of small river trout. Got stopped part way by a bloke was tidying up the path that gets boggy, he was telling me about stuff, including a tree that is older than me that they think is going to need chopping down, which was sad. Sat and had a read/rest at my favourite bench, then walked round to the bird hide, one of the photographers was there, I'd just missed the swans, so waited for a bit, he left after a while. Thought I'd give them till 1pm, they turned up at 1.01! And the swans/cygnets and duck/ducklings all turned up together, I threw some food, the ducks came out of the water for it, the swans just swam past and went back to the nest, but briefly got to see the cygnets. Then someone else came in the hide and told us that last years is a female, she is still hanging around, though her parents keep pushing her away. No goslings today. Bumped into ratty neighbour on the way back, good job as she reminded me tonight was the night I was feeding the rats! When I got home and had eaten, it was rather cloudy, which was good as I got a bit of housework done and finished my book. The rats were lovely, though Ritchie seemed to be a bit confused with my nail varnish and was biting my nails hard, he's actually ripped one of them with his teeth! The alcohol she has bought me this week aren't things I'd choose myself, but will give them a go. So done nearly 10.6k steps and foot feels fine, probably won't do that long a walk tomorrow though.
good about the foot, let's hope it keeps OK
Your walks always sound so lovely. And full of wildlife. Glad it didn't hurt to go on the latest one.
Evening, woke up feeling very drained and didn't want to get up this morning, made myself around 8am because of Lucy's medication. Sunnier than yesterday, got my bed stripped, sheet washed and back on the bed. Kind of did my to do list, things look a bit better anyway Went to the shop as I fancied quiche for lunch tomorrow, as I was walking past the street where the neighbour whose name I only recently discovered lives, one of her dogs came running down the street to say hello, so felt like I had to take him back to his house, and had a chat with them, went the long way to co-op and a bloke stopped me to show me a shoal of about 20 large fish, clearly sunbathing, I was too busy looking for goslings so wouldn't have seen them. Did see 5 goslings too. On the way back from co-op, bumped into Malachi and his mum, got a lovely greeting from him too. Then sat outside in the sun and read half of a 700ish page book. Sciatica is twinging a bit now. Well, it wasn't a painfree walk, but better than it has been recently. We are lucky to have so much wildlife without needing a car.
Alicia wrote: "M.T. wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Good on you for getting the dentist stuff started. They're waiting for me to get back to them, after the insurance company finally approved the procedure, but other medi..."I can believe that. Hope you get it sorted.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, woke up feeling very drained and didn't want to get up this morning, made myself around 8am because of Lucy's medication. Sunnier than yesterday, got my bed stripped, sheet washed and back..."
Glad you got your walk in, even if it hurt.
Chunder birds were go again at the weekend. Feeling better this morning but cancelled my gym appointment. I'm going to go sit in the garden and read now.
Evening, rubbish night sleep, and quite cool and cloudy today. Was a really stressful day at work, didn't get much finished off from last week, and more urgent new stuff came in, so still got loads of half done stuff, colleague suggested I go on busy in the morning and just try and get things cleared, some of the things I need to do then need approving by her, and she is off next week, so really need to get them done early enough for her to have time to approve. We all had awkward stuff today, when one of the managers asked if we were all OK, she got a no from all of us! Nipped to Aldi after work, alcohol and chocolate fell in the basket, some cheesecake slices nearly did too, but they were too short dated. Got home and ratty neighbours other half hadn't quite left enough of a space for me, luckily he moved it a bit so I could get in, not what I needed after today! Then while I was reversing in, noticed other neighbour was behind waving me in, when I got out she did try talking to me, she mentioned that she had a traumatic day yesterday, so I just said 'thanks, bye'! Hope you have had some rest and feel better MT
Evening, slightly better night sleep, and slightly better day at work, though still not finished things I started on Thu. Maybe tomorrow! still finished on time. Had a couple of surprise announcements this afternoon that might prove interesting in time. Went to the coffee shop at lunch, as I was leaving one of the girls stopped me, it's the other girl's birthday, and as I'm one of her favourite customers, she wondered if I'd sign her card, I was really touched and obviously said yes - did sign it 'crazy coffee lady' so she might guess who it was from! Have worn my purple sketcher type shoes to work this week, my feet have been quite happy - did realise the insoles in my boots needed replacing. Rang the chemist at lunch, Lucy's meds are still out of stock, so picked prescription up after work. Was chatting to one of the colleagues I have nail varnish conversations with, she was saying she is off in a couple of weeks, so might need pics if I do anything that week, so have set up a WhatsApp group for the 2 who always like to see what I do, so far tonight we've just shared pics of our pets, one has a cat and dog, one just a dog.
Comfortable walking shoes - glad you found you already had them. Our poor feet carry a lot!
Evening, wet and miserable all day, so haven't left the house today. Work not much better, urgent stuff came in, so ended up dealing with those rather than the things I still haven't finished, colleague has suggested I block out an hour tomorrow to blitz through things. The afternoon wasn't good either, took a call for the other team and it was a bloke so fed up he is feeling suicidal, that wasn't an easy call to deal with and then had to let people know. Just feels a bit never ending at the moment, though at least part time colleague has got through some stuff so we can ignore one bit at least for tomorrow to catch up on backlog.Another good thing Alicia is that I'm getting less bothered by what people think and wearing/doing what I need to be comfortable, and can play the health issue card if needed, though if anyone noticed me wearing purple trainer type shoes in the office, they didn't comment! Bit obvious given Mon was a black and white dress with black tights and yesterday was a black and white top with black leggings!
Good for you - I'm sure you are properly and modestly dressed for work in an office, and that's really all they can ask for. Or should be.
Evening, woke up with a headache, suspect I didn't drink enough yesterday. Morning started off well, nothing urgent came in, so got through things I didn't get to do last week, was just finishing one thing when something urgent came in, so had to do that. Afternoon was also fairly quiet so managed to get through more of the backlog, until I was in a position where I'd had to leave a few messages and everyone rang back one after another, and before I'd finished anything! Stayed a bit late and got the important stuff done, and should box the rest off quickly in the morning. Rained most of the day, but wanted to go to the shop after work, as I was locking the door I noticed a parcel behind ratty neighbours bin getting wet, so thought I'd take it in for her, turned out to be my parcel! Told Amazon I wasn't happy with my delivery. Felt quite chilly after tea, actually put the heating on for an hour. Yes, definitely Alicia!
Hi all, i'm new to this group and to goodreads (just became active last week). Please forgive me if this isn't the right forum here. My new book by Gemini Books in London comes out next week in the UK: How America Works... and Why it Doesn't. Any advice on how to share the news in the UK? Thank you.
William wrote: "Hi all, i'm new to this group and to goodreads (just became active last week). Please forgive me if this isn't the right forum here. My new book by Gemini Books in London comes out next week in the..."1. The usual advice is to participate in a group and contribute to it with comments and posts (if it is a good group for you) before you start trying to sell them things - normal human reciprocity.
2. Here there is a section where authors can have their own thread - it is handy to use that to mention your books. I post a quick note there if I run a sale or a shiny new review - remember to change the subject line if you do.
3. Read older posts to get situated in a GR group - is it something you want to be part of?
Make sense?
PS I'm one of our rare US members - they've always been lovely to me. But I have no idea how to sell more in the UK, which I'd love to do.
Thank you Alicia. This is very helpful and much appreciated.
Welcome William. Yes, what Alicia said.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Told Amazon I wasn't happy with my delivery. .."I bet you weren't. Round here Amazon are better than average, but they take photos of where they've left it.
Blimey Desley, sounds like there's a lot going on. I hope things lighten up a bit soon but glad you got to finish everything off. Hope the parcel dried out!Hello William and ... what the other said from me too!
Evening, rubbish night sleep, was awake for a while about 3am, so started the day with a headache, but fortunately not much urgent stuff so I managed to blitz through loads of stuff, though we thought something urgent came in late afternoon, but turns out they didn't want to speak to us until Tue. We are shortstaffed next week, so wanted to get through plenty today. Was dry at lunch, had to pick up something from the library, then went and tried a decaf Dirty Chai, not keen on that, won't have another. Was telling her about the other coffee shop, and she said you never know what impact you have on other people's lives, they considered dropping a day at the other cafe, but realised they have a regular who doesn't seem to see many people other than them, so they decided to stay open, which I thought was lovely. One of the managers is really struggling with shingles, so sent her a sending hugs meme, she replied saying 'thanks, you are so lovely'. Treated myself to a chippy tea
Thanks for all the welcoming advice!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, rubbish night sleep, was awake for a while about 3am, so started the day with a headache, but fortunately not much urgent stuff so I managed to blitz through loads of stuff, though we thou..."Ugh, shingles! Poor thing that’s grim. I’m sure she appreciated you caring. Sorry you slept so badly. Hope you get a better night’s sleep this evening! :-)
William wrote: "Thanks for all the welcoming advice!"
Any time.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, rubbish night sleep, was awake for a while about 3am, so started the day with a headache, but fortunately not much urgent stuff so I managed to blitz through loads of stuff, though we thou..."It's bad when you wake up and cannot get back to sleep :-(
Oh and what on earth is decaf Dirty Chai, and why would anybody drink it :-)
Getting up, eating something, and going back to bed helps me get through the broken nights - if I don't get enough net sleep, no writing. I don't stress about it - just keep putting myself back to bed.
Keep going girl, lots of us are cheering you on and hoping for unbroken nights.
Anna wrote: "Keep going girl, lots of us are cheering you on and hoping for unbroken nights."Thanks for the cheering!
Nothing I can do about the broken nights, but I am very good at getting myself back in bed in optimal conditions, and settling down again - whether it's 25 min. or almost two hours. It adds up to almost functional, especially when I'm good about getting the 3-5 naps I need daily. Weird, but it is part of my ME/CFS, and I'm not going to add angst or worry to make it worse.
Good to hear from you.
Evening, woke up at 6am, but a nice sunny day. Decided to go for my walk before housework, then realised it was a nice day and there was stuff at the lake, plus my foot wasn't good, so did a short canal walk, saw two gosling families on the way there, both on the other side of the field. Did find a new coffee shop at the end of the walk, but the sign didn't say they took card and I had no cash, so didn't go in, despite them also doing cake. On the way home one of the goose families looked like they might be coming in the water, so shook my food bag, 2 adults and 2 of the 3 goslings came over, one of the adults kept reaching up to my hand, so the gosling's did too, but they were too small, but they got it from the water. Did see some odd tadpole type things in the canal, attached to reeds and stones, but not sure what they are, as thought tadpoles needed shallow water. Tried to sit at my favourite bench to read in the sun, but they are being overrun by stinging nettles, so had to perch, which wasn't comfy. Went to co-op to get something for my sis, and ended up coming home with a reduced carrot cake for me, still cheaper than a blondie. Didn't do quite as much housework as planned, but did finish my book. A came and dropped off my sis's present, she did a fair today that I didn't go with, as it was supporting the RSPCA, which I don't, she didn't do well, so that's another bank hol weekend fair that wasn't worth it. She said that people were saying it was quiet at the lake, which is unusual for a nice day never mind the bank hol weekend. I often find getting up, having something to eat and drink helps Alicia. I wish I could nap. Jim, a dirty Chai is a chai latte with coffee added, though I did decaf coffee as their coffee does affect my sleep. Didn't like it and wouldn't have it again, like both things separately, but not together. Didn't actually finish it.
It took YEARS to learn to nap, Desley.I started with very short stints of lying in a quiet dark room - with a timer. Ten minutes. Counting breaths. Eventually I could go longer, and then I started being able to sleep most of the time when I got the conditions ideal.
For the longest time after I worked up to it, I'd do 35 min. on the timer - 5 to get settled, 30 for the nap.
Now I can rest any time, fall asleep most of them, and often let it go on for as long as the body wants.
I find even 10-15 min. a lot better than nothing. But it took some doing. I don't try to think about anything in particular, or meditate. But if a thought comes in, I acknowledge it and go back to focusing on my breathing. Whatever happened was never counted as a failure.
Like most things, it's a learnable skill.
Thanks Alicia, that makes me feel better. My biggest issue seems to be getting my brain to switch off - and not just for a nap, for sleep in general
Modern lives - even my tiny one in my office that overlooks the flagpole - are very busy.Learning to take those breaks was very helpful to calm and reset my mind - and then I can tackle the next thing on the list.
It even helps in the middle of the night: I tell my brain, which is inexplicably awake, whining, and not doing anything helpful, or useful, "Now is not the time. I can't do anything right now - I'm too tired. Tomorrow will be the time, maybe, IF I get some sleep."
Then I start my counting/breathing pattern (it doesn't matter which - I have several), and voilà, it's morning! That's how I get through.
Evening, took my sis and the kids out today as it's sis's birthday on Thu. I had wanted to go to a market that some of the crafters we know go to, but the forecast was rubbish and it's outdoors Woman in coffee shop recommended a Brewer's Fayre (pub for Alicia) that has an indoor soft play area and does a carvery on a Sun, so we went there, and really enjoyed it, though sadly found out they got told on Wed it is closing. Such a shame as we would have happily gone back, the play area was an additional cost, but meant we could eat in peace while they were playing, and they have tables that you can look into the play area. Funny how that's twice recently where 'plans' have ended up either being a walk/food or food/shopping and while I feel it is a bit boring, the other people have really enjoyed it. We did B and M and Aldi after. When I took them back home, my sis's cat ended up on my shoulder to have a cuddle, commented on how sharp her claws are and ended up with the job of clipping them, she did not like me for that, but luckily we had bought dreamies while shopping, so she forgave me then! Had been home about 5 mins when the rain came down incredibly heavy and we had thunder and lightning, at one point it was that close the house shook! And then we had some more heavy rain that appeared to have hail in it! Glad you have found something that works Alicia.
We had hail today and bright warm sun a few minutes later... it must be because I bought an umbrella.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "...luckily we had bought dreamies while shopping..."Totally confused - I looked up Dreamies.
Now I know more than I need about cat treats and how not to spoil your cat - but it makes sense. And cats need their nails clipped...
My grandmother liked to say, "You learn something new every day," and was pleased when she got that day's nugget. Go, girl!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "a dirty Chai is a chai latte with coffee added,..."I can see why you didn't finish it!
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I'm keeping busy with various people coming or phoning about mum.
The palliative care nurse came and has suggested an increase in the pain medication so instead o..."
Best wishes and prayers for your mum, too.