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[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, forgot to say when I went to coffee shop yesterday, old manager served me, after asking 'what ridiculous concoction are you having today', I wasn't sure, she actually went and looked in the cupboard and found 2 flavours that weren't on the list, so ended up with orange. She also said that if she sees any new ones available, she'll order them for me, though she thinks they are going to have cherry for the winter, which will be nice. Had physio this morning, ironically as I was leaving there was a random ladder propped up against the scaffolding, first sign of action since they put it up 2 weeks ago! One of the scores she did today was higher than she'd like, so she wants to see me again in 5 weeks (would have been a month, but she's off that week), and given me stretching and strengthening exercises to do till then. Got round to ringing the dentist about the hole I found on Fri, they initially booked an app, then rang 10 mins later to rearrange it as he's on leave that day - good job there is a shortage, or I'd have been tempted to change with how many times apps get rearranged there! Better day work wise, still not finished a task I wanted to, but nearly there, although part time colleague only has two days left with us next week. Nipped to the shop after work for milk, was dry when I left, so had my coat with no hood and trainers on, walked the long way to get more steps, then it was bouncing down as I left the shop! Throat hasn't been as bad today fortunately.

[Jim]

Orange seems a bit strange :-)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another rubbish night sleep. Been quite a miserable day and now very windy too. Finally finished a task at work, I normally enjoy this monthly task (only one who does), but other colleague has been doing other things this week, so it's been hard seeing other things building up. And things still aren't in place yet, manager finishes tomorrow so will have to handover a lot of outstanding stuff, then we only have a week till we move. And the new manager is off for two weeks after tomorrow, so we haven't had chance to meet her and find out anything she expects (like office days, glad I've already had a chat with her about that, I'm going with what we agreed unless someone complains!). Did a little walk to the shops after work, got a reduced pizza for tea.

It was OK in a mocha, they probably use it more in hot choc, though I did see a contestant on Junior Masterchef say orange works well with coffee.

[Jim]

I'm not sure about coffee, chocolate orange is a success in chocolate :-)

Last night was cold!

[Jay-me (Janet)]

Yesterday was very wet. And I agree Jim it was cold.

Today after Zumba I went for a walk around using the walking app to collect points. My Fitbit wasn’t working - it seems to give up when the battery is still 60% full.
So I will treat myself to a new tracker. Is the strap that you recommended metal Desley? Is that your tracker with the rainbow? 🌈

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, much nicer day today. Slept through till 4.30, dozed till 5.30 and laid with my eyes closed till the alarm went off. Got convinced to try a new coffee syrup today - tiramisu. She thought it would be nice in a white mocha, so went with it, it's like coffee but with a creamy taste. Will try that in other things too. New heated blanket came today, Lucy loves it, should have heard the loud purr while I was putting it on the sofa. Not sure it's as warm as the last one, but has a nice fleece lining.

It is classed on the website as mesh metal Janet, and while the default screen for the tracker is a rainbow, I changed mine to a cat.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, woke up with a bad headache, then after being awake for a bit, was feeling sick when sitting up or trying to focus on phone/tablet, so decided as I had no plans, I'd lie down and close my eyes, woke up just over an hour later feeling much better. Decided as it was nice, I'd go for a walk after breakfast, went up to the lake, sat and had a read on my favourite bench and decided I felt up to walking half way round it. It is very low (though was told in the bird hide that it deliberate, they need to do some works, so are keeping it low), saw the swans and cygnet when walking round, people think this years is a girl, she is nearly as big as her parents. Walking round to the hide saw heron and egret from a distance, then in the hide saw some cormorants. Apparently I missed a fox again. Decided to see if the cafe there had any nice cake, got a blackcurrant crumble slice and a peanut butter hot choc. When I was nearly home, I smiled at a woman sat on a bench, and she struck up conversation with me, couldn't stop her talking, eventually (like at least half an hour later), I said I needed to have lunch, and was going to check co-op for bargains, she asked if she could come with me! I said yes, so ended up walking round the entire shop, rather than just the bit I do to check bargains. Seemed to make her day, even though it made me have less time for housework, and back was sore from standing so long, got the essential stuff like washing my clothes done (even if it was then too late to peg them out), and just done a small amount of tidying till my back hurt. Have done over 12k steps which is great, but headache has come back a bit.

[Jim]

On the positive side you've probably made the day for what sounds like a lonely person
But I do wonder if the headache is just because you're tired?

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, was an OK day weather wise till about 7pm. I did a washload first thing and have got it dry outside, which is nice. Still not been able to find motivation to do all the housework, but certain bits have been tackled, which I can live with. Have had a nice soak and finished my book too. Realised while sweeping the girls room this morning that I've had them for 7 years last Fri, can't believe it's been that long. Nearly took a pic of Coco last night as she keeps sleeping on the table behind the rocking chair and not moving, today she came out and sat in front of the door and had a wash, then Chanel came and sat near there, then ate some tea even though that was near my feet. So they still might not like being touched, but they are less bothered by being close to me.

Yes, I hope I did Jim. I suspect a combination of tired and stress, given it was managers last day and things are still up in the air (such as who will be our manager!). Hope everything is OK with Alicia and her family, hope no one has been badly affected by the hurricane

[Jim]

I think that once you've recognised that there may be a problem, you're on the road to dealing with it.

And yes, hoping things are OK over there for you and yours Alicia

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, very wet and windy today, managed to get to work fairly dry, but very wet on the way home. Hectic day at work and none of us felt like we got through enough. Did go down to where the new team sit to find out the desk situation (hot desks, but certain people have favourite desks), looks like we should be OK to still sit together while there is only two of us. Met someone who I have dealt with over the phone a few times, she was very welcoming, so feel we are moving to another nice team at least. It was so miserable after work that I didn't even bother to go bargain hunting. While sat with the girls tonight, Chanel came out again, managed to get her rainbow cord toy and played with her for a bit, she actually touched my (blanket covered) feet, nice to get her to come that close.

Oh, forgot to say yesterday Jim, my themed month for October is non fiction and Classics (don't have enough of either for a whole month), wasn't sure I'd have enough, so bought your newest book just in case :-)

[Jim]

Obviously a classic :-)

[Alicia]

We're all fine - not near any of the storms, thank goodness, even though youngest daughter is on the East Coast (in Troy, north of New York City). Thanks for asking.

My new assistant started today - I had only met her by text! Lovely girl, and a sophomore in college, so I may get a couple years if she has the time in her studies.

Maybe I'll catch up with the writing now - I had a summer without help, and I really am quite useless at anything physical, and most mental stuff if it needs a lot of time. Just having her here got a bunch of those delayed chores done - I have pills set out for four weeks now - and all the recycling went out.

I am fortunately to have the help, and even two hours twice a week makes a huge difference in my life (my limitation, not hers).

Envy you seeing a cygnet, Desley. Enjoy your reading. I'm aiming for 'classic' - and, since I consider 'historical' anything older than 25 years, may actually qualify for that, too, soon. For whatever that is worth. But writing was very erratic this summer, and I keep worrying about not being able to finish.

[Jay-me (Janet)]

It’s been very wet the last couple of days, but as my niece in Sweden tells us there is no bad weather just bad clothing. So I shall get myself wrapped up and go out- Barney is demanding milk so I need to stock up. I’m also getting ingredients for a few batches of slow cooker meals. I found a recipe for Tuscan Chicken which I made a couple of weeks ago, I had some for tea on Sunday. I use less chicken and more mushrooms and vegetables when I make any meals from recipes I find.

I’m looking through Audible to find something to listen to.

[Alicia]

If you live in a place with, uh, challenging weather, you can either be happy about it - and use what you have - or complain.

When I was in college there, I never minded the weather in Seattle - because it nourished the most gorgeous trees. That part of Western Washington State is GREEN. The hikes in the mountains with the Seattle U. hiking club were breathtaking. I don't think we hit the same mountain lake twice.

[Jim]

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "It’s been very wet the last couple of days, but as my niece in Sweden tells us there is no bad weather just bad clothing. So I shall get myself wrapped up and go out- Barney is demanding milk so I ..."

The problem with the UK is that whatever you leave the house in can be too hot one moment, too cold another, and not waterproof enough five minutes later :-)

[Jim]

Alicia wrote: "That part of Western Washington State is GREEN..."

It's true, Green needs rain :-)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Urgh, looks like my laptop has died, hopefully it backed things up to the cloud first! Yesterday's main news is that I have an interview on 17th. Had a bad night sleep, so not felt great all day, and first day with just two of us doing all the work

[Jim]

How much is stress wondering about the interview?

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, thought last night I might be starting with iritis, woke up and eye was still red, so rang eye ward when they opened, got someone who asked questions and had to ask a doctor, she did ring back and offered an app, unfortunately an emergency had come up so was waiting about an hour and a half, a nice nurse was on and offered us all a drink, never had that before. Definitely iritis, forgot how tiring hourly eye drops are, though they have also given a steroid cream for bed. Luckily work wasn't too busy with how long i was gone. I saw something on a website yesterday that has created a lot of work for us, but means we can be proactive, so have been congratulated for raising it. Ordered Lucy's meds last night, went up to collect them after work, the box looked strange but they assured me it was right. Got home and had a proper look, they had given me the wrong meds, so need to go back on Mon and get the right one!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Part of the poor night Jim was a burglar alarm going off till 11.45pm!

[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "...the box looked strange but they assured me it was right. Got home and had a proper look, they had given me the wrong meds, so need to go back on Mon..."

That is one of THE most irritating things that can happen - you actually asked them if it was the right stuff - and they TOLD you it was, and they were WRONG. And now YOU have to fix it.

No matter how much they apologize (if they even do), they have wasted gobs of YOUR time. My sympathies. Mistakes DO happen, but their attitude doesn't help.

[Alicia]

I should be catching up soon - the new assistant is lovely and quick to learn - I spent the summer without support, and got rather behind.

Already enjoying her making my low-carb crustless quiches - a slice for a quick breakfast makes my day. And she did my pills for a month!

When I'm without an assistant, I realize how useless I am for all the physical tasks. Watering the plants (about six of them) wipes me out for days.

And it's always enjoyable to have a college student around to talk to - even with a 56 year age difference!

[Jim]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Part of the poor night Jim was a burglar alarm going off till 11.45pm!"

That doesn't help anybody

Wonder how many people have been arrested as burglars after having broken into a building to try and switch the alarm off :-)


(and getting the wrong meds when you've specifically raised the matter doesn't help either!)

[Jay-me (Janet)]

Jim wrote: "The problem with the UK is that whatever you leave the house in can be too hot one moment, too cold another, and not waterproof enough five minutes later "

Exactly! On Sunday I walked for about an hour and a half. I set off in brilliant sunshine, about halfway I got soaked in a heavy downpour, by the time I was almost home if was brilliant sunshine again and I had almost dried out. As I reached home my neighbour's daughter was getting out of her car. She has just come over from Texas for a few weeks, our chat had to be cut short as we both dashed into our houses before we got soaked in another heavy downpour.

I have managed a couple of decent length walks this week and will go out for another in a little while. It is sunny at the moment.

I looked at Richard Osman's books on Audible, but found that I can borrow the first three straight away from the library, but the fourth book isn't available until December. The newest book which is a new series is apparently loaned out until July next year! Unless that just means that they haven't got copies yet.

Yesterday my walk was through one of the parks, there were lots of ducks on the lake, all mallards that I could see plus a few Canada geese. This afternoon I plan to walk through a different park which also has a lake. I'm hoping for more variety in ducks.


Update. Back from walk very few ducks on the lake, more on the river but all mallards. Also at the lake 3 Canada Geese and one coot.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, last day working with our current team, we were in the office and lots of people brought goodies, then some of us, including old manager, went for tea, which was nice

I'm just glad I know something about medications and double checked before using it, though next time I will do that in the vets!

[Alicia]

The coffee plant I've been nurturing since Feb. of 2019 when we moved into this apartment has flowers! The neighbor who gave us one of his sprouted beans (two tiny plants with two leaves each) has actually grown a few beans on his.

It's over 5' tall, uses our only little slice of an East-facing window, and has the most interesting leaves - like Pringles, with ridges. Never knew you could grow a coffee plant indoors until they gave us Castor and Pollux (only one made it - don't know which).

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, first craft fair of the weekend today. I did end up buying a ring, necklace and pair of earrings from one stall, then a necklace from a second (they were selling things to raise money for guide dogs), plus some melts. I had also been accidentally bought 3 nail varnishes yesterday (didn't intend on 3, but they were £4.49 for 1 or 3 for £9, so the third was practically free!). Fair was quiet at times, but we took enough to pay for the table, had a decently priced cafe, so happy to go back in Dec. Finished at 2, so did a bit of washing up but really tired

That's good Alicia, interesting to see if it will grow beans too.

[Alicia]

Probably not enough coffee beans to roast (husband is connoisseur), and there was something about your have to go around with a small brush and cross-pollinate the flowers (his job - I've got enough on my plate).

We'll see.

Sounds like you had a good craft fair, and yes, the third nail varnish was 0.02, so free - great deal.

I LIVE with tired - my sympathies. It's so hard to get anything done.

[M.T.]

Desley, glad the fair went well and hope you are gradually catching up on your sleep. Had a mad week myself this week, hence my absence.

Alicia, love that you called your coffee plants Castor and Pollox. Good to hear you have a new assistant too. Hope that will give you a bit of slack to recoup some energy.

Jim, you have a new book out? You kept that quiet! I must go and buy it.

Janet, glad you got some walking in.

All has been a bit hectic this week. Had a contact lense measuring appointment as I'm going to try contact lenses too. Loving the varifocals, it was great to sing the hymns without having to take my glasses off this morning. Also it was harvest so afterwards we had a fairly enormous lunch. Well ... I did.

Went wombling yesterday, didn't find much of note but did get a rose farthing from Charles 1st's reign. It's always lovely to get a hammered. I dunno why but it makes it feel worth going. I also found a bit of what I think might have been a Roman pot as it has a design on it, but it's just a small metal fragment. Wish I'd found the whole thing. I'm hoping I might be able to go back next week as they're having another dig.

Did an event last week and absolutely died on my arse. Sorry if I've told you that already, I can't remember. I've kicked the HRT into touch so I am quite a lot more ADHD than usual but I think I'm remembering slightly more stuff although still forgetting loads. And there has been a bit more writing this week.

And that's the news from Bury St Eds!

[Jay-me (Janet)]

Good evening

I haven’t done much walking this weekend. On Saturday my brother and SIL came over, brother went to the football and SIL helped me to start clearing out mum’s wardrobes. Several bags ready for donation and SIL took anything that we were disposing of to the recycling centre. All clothes and shoes sorted, what is left is craft and her watercolour supplies and some Christmas decorations.

We also found a box of photos, which I started to look through last night. There are photos of my great grandparents and some of great grandma’s brother and his family, as well as mum and her brothers and sisters.

I haven’t felt like walking today, I felt tired and headachy. So I’m going to have a relaxing evening listening to the radio.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, craft fair at our monthly venue today, got lots of nice dog cuddles, including an amazing one from Jeff now he let's me pick him up. Got some nice golden syrup sponge cake, and rather than a Halloween burner, I bought a glow in the dark candle, Alison bought a burner from them, so another person whose gone from just smiling at us to one we both struggled to get away from! I think I am going to get a Christmas burner from them though. They are looking at a new format next year, so hoping we'll still get on.

Nice to see you MT, hope you get to the next dig. Glad you were able to do some sorting Janet, we haven't got round to that after 4 years! Not surprised you felt tired and headachy after that

[Jim]

M.T. wrote: "Jim, you have a new book out? ..."

Over the last nearly two years I've been involved with the 'South Lakes Poverty Truth Commission' as a community commissioner.

https://cumbriacvs.org.uk/about-us/so...

One thing that we did was have a facebook page, (because whatever you are now you have to have a facebook page) and and I sort of ended up doing a weekly 'column' or 'blog' on that looking at various issues which have arisen

These I collected as part of the process of giving the PTC a legacy (technically they only last a year between launch and closing ceremony then the area will form a new one with entirely new commissioners to keep it fresh, I think some areas are onto their fourth, but they do tend to try and keep old commissioners 'on tap')

Rustic Rants: Thirty-six Dispatches from A Rural Poverty Truth Commission

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, had a day off today, I didn't want to get up at 7.30, but needed the loo. Happy with the amount of half hearted housework I've done, nipped to the vet, and the person who served me said 'you were right to query that box. We've had a conversation about it', decided as I was out in the car, I'd get a few bits from Lidl and cooked a sweet and sour, which has done tonight's tea and tomorrow's lunch. Also had a nice soak in the bath and tried two of my new nail varnishes, so a mix of productive and rest, plus only got to do drops every 2 hours.

[Jim]

looks like a win all round :-)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, first day sitting with new team, less disorientating as i thought (especially as when we sit on the hot desks on the opposite side of the wing im confused all day) and everyone was friendly, few people went out of their way to check on us. Lot quieter for most of the day too, ehich helped. I felt like i got through a decent amount, though colleague didn't feel the same way. Things are building up with only two of us, and still dealing with the issue i discovered last week, which isn't helping. Went to coffee shop at lunch, had filled my card so got free drink, did ask if they wanted me to pay for the syrup and they said no, they offered me the new pistachio sauce, and then decided it would taste nice in white mocha, it was very good. Nipped to b and m for cat litter, on the way home saw a lovely double rainbow, it started bouncing it down as i got to the top of the street.

[Alicia]

Sounds like a lot to absorb with the new location, Desley. Hope it settles out quickly.

Spent some time lately looking at photos and movies of the devastation from major hurricanes in our lower Eastern states, and the path Hurricane Milton appears to be going to take through the middle of Florida. Pretty scary stuff.

Had my first 8-hour sleep in years - it took six segments of from 1 to 2 hours, and me putting myself back to bed each time (with breakfast eaten in the dark at dawn). I need to concentrate on keeping that going - I've been a zombie, and zombies can't write books.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another not bad day at work, though colleague is feeling more stressed than me. Did have to get involved in something the new team would normally do this pm, as it was an emergency. Got some decent bargains after work too. Keep forgetting to say, when I've been out since Sun, there has been more houses decorated for Halloween, part of me feels its a bit early, but I love Halloween

Well done on the sleep Alicia, hope it continues and you continue staying safe over there.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, sunny, but really cold when i went to the dentist just after 10. He's done a filling, but tooth needs a crown, which isn't cheap, and another two appointments (though he will knock what i paid for the filling off!). I was just realising that the reason i am less bothered at work is I'm not being interrupted by calls for the other team when i ended up being interrupted numerous times and had 4 part finished tasks!

[Alicia]

Not getting interrupted is a huge boon.

[Jay-me (Janet)]

Hope that the new working situation continues well for you Desley.
And that your new helper helps with your life and writing Alicia.

I've been doing more walking, this week I walked around a local reservoir - there were reports of a rare bird being sighted there. I didn't see it and the 4 people with huge cameras appeared to be searching rather than focused on one spot. I did see 2 jays in the park.

I didn't go out yesterday as I was waiting in expectation of the cupboard I had been promised. But it still hasn't arrived. The dining room furniture was supposed to have been collected earlier this week, but that is still here due to the person having broken his wrist.

Today is zumba day, I think we are still in temporary accommodation as the leaking gym roof is taking longer to repair.

My post today included a letter telling me that I wasn't going to get winter heating allowance. Since everybody knows about this my first thought was how much has it cost to write to everyone telling them.

I've also seen plenty of houses already decorated for halloween. Much too early. Even though we are in Pendle Witch country we never really made much of Halloween. People would climb Pendle Hill on October 31st but there was never much more than that. The big celebrations were always Bonfire Night, which doesn't seem to be as popular nowadays. There seem to be fireworks going nearly all year anyway. I still don't bother celebrating Halloween myself.

[M.T.]

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "Hope that the new working situation continues well for you Desley.
And that your new helper helps with your life and writing Alicia.

I've been doing more walking, this week I walked around a local..."

I hope Zumba wasn't too leaky and yes, they go nuts about halloween round here too and as a refugee from Sussex, I'm not used to that at all.

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, sunny, but really cold when i went to the dentist just after 10. He's done a filling, but tooth needs a crown, which isn't cheap, and another two appointments (though he will knock what i ..."

Bummer about the fillings but yay for no interruptions.


I have rather blown today to the four winds. It's 20 to 4 and I've only just had lunch. Got home from the gym to immediately have to go pick up McMini from school so he could help out with a concert they were putting on at the cathedral in town. He was very down and he's reached that time of term when he starts to burn out so he begged to be able to stay home and not go back. I told him it was OK, although I'm not 100% happy with too much time off for burn out, but at the same time, he has a gig tonight and they want us to stay until the end which is about 11.00pm and it's 40 mins away. Today at school finishes at 5 and we have to be at the gig at 6.30 so it was going to be tricky. I was going to sell merch for the band but I'm not sure I have the spoons.

Very tired this morning. I finally remembered to look for the northern lights last night. They were actually eastern and western lights near us but I finally got some fabulous photographs but got a bit engrossed and didn't go to bed until 1.30pm. On the up side, after photographing one of the town landmarks as a test, I did, at least, look at my watch before going to the next one and decided to go home instead!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, really cold today, when i opened tje bedroom curtains, neighbours roof was white! Felt like i got through a decent amount of work, but emails are up by about 20, and other workload is up by 4, colleague has sent an email pointing out we are struggling, so will see. Went to coffee shop at lunch, tried tiramisu syrup in white choc, it was a bit too sweet for me (and that takes a lot!). Been quite sinusy and headachy today.

[Jim]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening all, really cold today, when i opened tje bedroom curtains, neighbours roof was white! Felt like i got through a decent amount of work, but emails are up by about 20, and other workload is ..."

It got colder as the day went on here. Look after yourself with the headache and cold.

[Jim]

We never used to do anything for Halloween round here either. There was mischief night when kids would swap gates from one house to another, or fight battles with bangers because fireworks were available.
Kelly's Heroes was on the TV and I knew lads who are now leading pillars of the community going with lengths of drainpipe and firework rockets, hunting Tiger tanks around the streets of town.
Now a lot of Tigers, but buses were an appropriate substitutive ;-)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, didn't get on yesterday, we had a meet up in Manchester, it was an arranged catch up with ex colleagues, we got invited for leaving drinks. Thought as we were meeting at 2 that I'd be home and in PJ's for a reasonable hour, got home about 10.15! Had the hairdresser wash and straighten my hair, was £25.50, so might do it myself next time! Had a good time though and hopefully will get invited next year. Been quite tired today, foot and throat have been sore, so done minimal housework and rested, apart from putting recycling out, not left the house. Got maple and pecan pie from coffee shop on Fri, ate it tonight after tea, let Lucy have a sniff as usual, she tried to take a bite out of it!

Mischief night sounds interesting Jim!

[Alicia]

MMM! Pecan pie is my favorite - haven't had any in years.

Glad you had a good time with the colleagues. Such stamina!

[Jim]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Mischief night sounds interesting Jim!..."

Allegedly more fun than just dressing up and begging for sweets :-)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, that was a day and a half. We haven't been getting many faults the last couple of weeks, think we got 8 today! And a couple i habe to finish, got the main issue fixed but noticed other things. We had a meeting with the new managers about the issue i found the other week, apparently the manager we thought we had is moving in Jan, someone new started today! Wemt to Vodafone after work, still can't sort out my phone, its being reported again, but she checked my usage and thinks my plan of buying the handset and keeping my SIM only will be a good deal. As i was in a different part of town, i did call in farmfoods and got a couple of bits, then got some bargains from Sainsbury's. Changing office days this week, will feel weird!

The pie was really good Alicia, hope she does it again.

[Alicia]

New managers may need time to sort themselves out.

Hope you get the phone figured out - that must be annoying.