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That lady owes you a lot - kindness of strangers and all.You'd think stores would like that and encourage it - and some do: you can pick up a basket or shopping cart in the back of the store as well as the entrance.
Evening all, woke myself up about 3am and not sure I got properly back to sleep. Not too bad a day at work, though new colleague was training all morning but did clear some stuff from last month. We have been told we have to be in the office full time for the Christmas weeks which I'm grumpy about. Got a few chores done too. Did an energy saving session, though only remembered 20 mins in. I remember going to b and m once for 2 things, as i was just getting the last thing, while balancing the rest, someone stacking shelves did offer to go and get me a basket, i declined as i might have been tempted then! I have been known to go to a till to get a basket when I've seen things
Hi, would like more book friends 📚 feel free to add me I'll add back. I like most genres of books and currently reading a book called "The Christmas Cottage" by Sarah Morgan it's good so far.
This Paxlovid stuff seems to be working for my husband - he's two days ahead of me with covid - so I have some hopes for me.Mostly I'm just trying to get through the days right now - but if the horrible-aftertasting meds shorten the attack to five days, definitely worth it.
Evening all, slept through till about 5ish and not been coughing as much today. Had a 2 hour meeting at 9, despite that, I did get some old bitty stuff cleared so feeling like we are getting somewhere with the backlog. Feeling a bit sorry for new colleague, she seems to be getting awkward things that I'd not had to deal with until I'd been there a while. Got a call from one of the managers, they've realised the office isn't open between Christmas and New Year, so got asked if I minded working from home in between, obviously said that was fine! Glad the meds seem to be working Alicia
Interesting that they want you to work WHEN THE OFFICE IS CLOSED, from home.I'm guessing it means they are new managers? Seems a bit odd.
Glad the cough is better.
Husband was disappointed - he retested yesterday, and is still plague-ridden. He was to take his last Paxlovid last night, and is still sleeping - hope it will show up negative on his next test. I think he has cabin fever.
Evening all, pretty much slept through, feel like cough is improving though forgot to take my tablets to work so had no antihistamine. Getting toothache now though, hopefully will settle. Colleague was off today, but me and new colleague managed OK, still struggling to get emails under 280 though. Had lunch with one of my work friends, was a very random conversation that flitted round, then a woman on the next table (who I've never seen before!) joined in. Went to coffee shop, was persuaded to try a decaf white mocha with almond and mint syrup, was rather nice and she's thought of next weeks drink too, for someone who doesn't drink hot drinks, she makes them well and good at choosing flavours! Not new managers, but think the building was open last year, so assumed it would be this year too. Sorry that hubby is still positive
My mother, and her mother, my Mamina, would talk to anyone anywhere (assuming that was okay with the other person).It embarrassed me as a teen - everything embarrasses you as a teen - but I watched them, and now have the gift.
Knowing WHEN to talk to strangers, and how to stop if you're making them uncomfortable, is part of the gift, but I've met and talked to the most interesting people in the world.
I do my bit: Maggie, my Airwheel S8 self-balancing hoverboard with a bicycle seat, is as close to an automatic ice-breaker for conversations as you could find, as I float down the corridors and aisles in stores and church and...
People use their pets the same way, or sometimes their baby in a stroller - to connect. When appropriate.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Got a call from one of the managers, they've realised the office isn't open between Christmas and New Year, so got asked if I minded working from home in between, obviously said that was fine!.."My father used to say that if you cannot get hold of a supplier or anybody between Christmas and New Year, you don't need them the rest of the year either :-)
I have to confess I've always thought of them as two different days off, separated by a week or pretty normal work
Well, that was a lovely day, had to collect something for work from library, so walked past a dog owner I knows home, not seen her for a bit but curtains were closed. Went to hairdressers, they were running late, so got extra reading done. At one point, while the owners daughter was colouring my hair, the owner came over to ask how I was and told me I'm one of her favourites, I always brighten the room. Her daughter agreed and said she always smiles when she sees my name in the book, which made me smile. Then as she was drying my hair, dog owner came in, so we waved at each other, then I had a chat once I was finished, said how spooky it was that I'd walked past her house, then bumped into her! Took sis and the kids for a carvery, the play area was disappointing but food was lovely, plenty of variety, think 6 veg and 4 kinds of potatoes, I had cheese, onion and potato pie, couldn't finish it, did wrap my half Yorkshire pudding to bring home! Cakes looked good, but also massive, sis bought is some to bring home, I went for cookie and cream cheesecake but it's a bit disappointing. We went to go to Iceland on the way home, the charity shop next door and across the road were still open, so we called in both, got presents for both kids and an extra present for my sis. Car asked for petrol, called in morrisons and remembered there is a massive b and m next door, so we went there too. So very expensive day! One of our crafter friends had commented about missing us all, so I suggested 4 of us meet for a brew in Jan, she came back suggesting lunch at Wetherspoons, me and A were fine with that. She replied saying she's very lucky to have us all in her life, she's made so many good friends, but me, A and the other woman coming are special, that brought a tear to my eye, especially coming after the hairdressers comment. I'm so glad I offered to do the fairs with A, neighbour certainly did me a favour, so much happier now. Barely coughed today too. I do talk to a lot of people i don't know in the lift/kitchen, hope i know to stop if I'm making people uncomfortable. And talk to a lot of dog owners.
A good day there, which you built yourself :-)
Jim's right. People can be shy, and appreciate when someone starts things going.I'm an introvert and don't get out much - but talk to a lot of people when I do (and then wonder sometimes why I'm so exhausted!).
People are fascinating.
Why is it, only now at this time of the evening when it's already been dark for three hours, and I'm sitting here listening to the wind rattling the slates yet again, that I remember that I hung out a washing earlier? And then I think well it can stay out. An extra rinse shall do it no harm (although there is no rain forecast) and hopefully the clothespins are resolute in their holding duties!I've been a bit quiet on here lately - husband has been in hospital again but all OK now, thankfully. Although I do make frequent checks to evict any spammers in our group, and read the new posts. I'm a champion lurker! :D
So sorry to hear your husband has been in hospital - we're both stuck with a case of covid that doesn't want to go away, and are going mad with cabin fever (do you call it that in the UK?).The washing should still be there. Here's hoping!
Thanks for your behind-the-scenes doggedness and persistence. Non-trivial these days.
Evening all, didn't want to get up this morning, Lucy let me stay in bed till 7.10, then was a pain with the water after her meds, never known a cat hiss at you, making you think they'd swallowed water, then let it dribble out when you syringe the next bit! Sure shes got hamster cheeks! Did some chores, then it was time to put the decorations up, had told a friend who was excited, she looks forward to my pic every year, and this year there is enough for 2 pics! And have thought of something for next year. Also did a test of Christmas nails, plus a foot mask, so a bit of relaxing. A can be shy, which is why I agreed to do the fairs with her. Sorry to hear husband has been in hospital, hope he's OK now. Fingers crossed for the washing too. Yep, i describe it as cabin fever Alicia.
Hi RosemaryWe've actually had some still days, no wind, no sun, damn all daylight :-)
But hope he stays on the mend
Both covid negative this morning. Phew! That was a scare.
Evening all, didn't sleep great. Odd day at work, feel like I was busy with not much to show for it! They were interviewing for a part time person but no one got the job, it'll be readvertised, that made me feel a bit fed up. Had a lot of compliments about my hair, quite a few people in the new team haven't seen it after a hairdresser app. The Tropic lady was at work again, went to say hi, she had someone with her, so said I'd go back, used stairs i don't normally use, stopped at the wrong floor and wondered why i couldn't find my lunch! Went back after eating and had a nice chat. Ratty neighbour had come to pick something up, struggled to park, but we had a nice chat and she gave me a Christmas card, she put all 5 rats names on it! Glad you are both negative Alicia, hope you dont get any lasting effects
Alicia wrote: "Both covid negative this morning. Phew! That was a scare."That's good news :-)
Evening all, that was a frustrating day, got stuck in traffic (more roadworks), then had someone ring for advice before I'd got my headphones plugged in. Luckily meeting started late and finished early, but then had some unexpected stuff to do which meant I didn't get through as much as I wanted. After desperately trying to get the emails under 280 since Thursday, they are now over 300, which got me down, someone gave me a hug and one of the managers asked if there was anything anyone could do to help, which is good. Stayed chatting to people as traffic reports weren't great, took 40 mins to get home and there was nearly a crash in front of me when a porsche boxter decided to try and nip down the side of a bus!
Your work ethic is impressive, Desley!Rats live around 5 years - it is very special to get one of their few Christmas cards. How sweet.
That 300 figure just sort of hangs there pretty much whatever you seem to do!
Evening all, slept through but woke up feeling drained and headachy. Better day at work, between us we made a dent in the emails and got them to 250, new colleague is off for 2 days now, me and other colleague are going through my to do list on Fri to see if there is anything that can be given to new colleague now she is learning more, think there is. Wet and windy most of the day, had to go to shop for milk, but got some bargains. And earlier in the year, 50 was a high number of emails Jim!
So why have you suddenly become more popular?
Evening all, got confirmation that my references were sorted, so needed to sort out an official start date, spoke to agency who said that as I'm staying within the council they placed me in, i didn't need to give a weeks notice, so i officially start on Mon! Downside is the gap between pay days, probably worst timr of year. They have also changed their mind about home working, now we have to be in the office for the Christmas weeks! Had Covid jab at lunch, arm is a bit sore and itchy. Not too much urgent stuff and colleague had some time to go through emails, down to 210, not been that low since Oct! Other numbers are creeping up though, so thats tomorrow's priority. Its not that we are more popular Jim, just the result of halving the number of staff combined with me finding an issue that took a lot of work (and that still isn't resolved) so a massive backlog
One consolation is that if you hadn't found the issue, imagine the trouble when it erupted on its own!
Evening all, very relaxed day in the office, and got through a decent amount of work, even though we got some urgent stuff. Some of our crafter friends were near my building, so went to say hello at lunch, was only expecting 2 of them, but there were 4! One i haven't seen this month, she gave me a massive hug hello and goodbye, she doesn't normally! Lovely to see them though, and they have been invited to our Jan meet up. Took advantage of leaving the building to get a bottle of nail varnish too. Had an early finish as we were having Christmas food and drinks, came home, fed the cats, got changed and back in an hour! Then others were late, but the menu had improved so it was an ok burger and chips. Then went for one drink somewhere i really don't like. Left at 8.30, which was later than planned, but nipped into Aldi and got most of my Christmas lunch and a few treats, including more Bailey's squirty cream. Absolutely Jim, i was apologetic in the beginning, but that is what colleagues and big manager said, it explained a random trend we were seeing and definitely helped people
Seriously, somebody who can pick up trouble early (before it becomes a problem) and point it out so it can be dealt with is worth their weight it gold.People like that are vital in organisations. OK it might be a bit of a nuisance at the time but the amount of time, effort, money and aggravation it can save can be enormous
Evening all, forgot to say yesterday my arm was so sore after my Covid jab, randomly it was less sore sleeping on it than on my other side! Less sore today fortunately. Woke up about 5.30 with a pounding headache, tried getting back to sleep, woke at 6 needing the loo, felt a bit dizzy so went back to bed, Lucy started fussing at 6.45, so got up, took paracetamol, made a drink, fed the cats and lounged in bed till 10, felt much better, though tried to eat a cereal bar and a tooth really hurt. Been very wet and windy today, there was a dry spell just after i finished some chores, so went checking dates on trifles, it started raining as i was leaving coop, went to coffee shop for a decaf mince pie mocha and had a little chat, won't see them till next year. Got presents wrapped but took it easy with housework as legs didn't feel great coming home. I was surprised at how positive colleagues were, i was apologising and saying i shouldn't go on the Internet, but they said how good it was i found it, and it has potentially saved lives. And got to use it in my interview too
"Won't [X] until next year" is starting to make its appearance.So many things I have had to put off - maybe I'll catch up someday.
Spent today's energy on a writing task that was time-sensitive, but at least I got it finished - the ball's in their court for now.
Merry Christmas to all - and to all a good night! Don't know when and where we'll be available, but at least we're not sick any more.
Evening, didn't want to get up this morning, But Lucy was fussing from 6.40 and its her medicine day. Saw on Facebook that one of the regular crafters was in hospital, she's had a small heart attack, but is doing well. Met C for breakfast this morning, we checked the menu just to check they were still serving our favourite (cheesy scrambled eggs), i had french toast syrup in my latte, wouldn't have it again. Then went gor trifle but all the good dates had sold out, less than 24 hours! So will have to hope one of the shops gets more in. Mixed weather again today, so havent done much outside (or inside to be fair!), did try catching a neighbour in to give her her present but she wasn't in either time. Amazon brought me a delivery that required my date of birth, was awfully confused, when i opened it, it was a present from my bro. Absolutely Alicia! Merry Christmas, glad you aren't sick for Christmas and hope you have a good one
I’m still not over this cold - mostly waking with a blocked nose but otherwise OK.Yesterday my brother and sister in law came over and helped me move furniture. The wall units from the front room went into the dining room and my bookcase and oak drawers are now in the front room. We moved the settee across the room and it is now in front of the window. The chair that was in the window and mums chair which was facing the fire are both on the wall facing the settee. So far the room looks bigger.
It has totally confused Barney- he used to come in the room and instead of walking straight to me he would turn right, jump on mum’s chair then onto the chair by the window, along in front of the Tv, up onto the mantel and then jump down to sit on my knee. He keeps coming in and stopping short when the chair isn’t there. Then I get the hard stare.
My sister in law also helped me put up the Christmas Tree. But I couldn’t find the lights or the angel for the top.
If I don’t get back here before Christmas- Happy Christmas to you all.
Pam wrote: "Merry Christmas Alicia."Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, too, Pam - and a great New Year.
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night." The inimitable Mr. Dickens.
Evening all, went for my blood test before work, got there at 8.10, they hadn't set up for the day, and 3 people in front of me, she got through the first 3 in 10 mins, then made me wait 7 mins! I offered my right arm but she wanted my left, she tapped it for a while yoll I said 'it's not obliging is it?', she said she'd look at my right arm and decide, then commented how good that vein was! She did hurt while she was putting the needle in. Only 20 mins late on my first day. Had a couple of frustrating things but numbers not bad. Had a bit of a team lunch today, which was nice and pretty much finished on time, though ended up chatting to a few people i won't see till next year, then needed a couple of bits, so too late home for A to drop things off. Sorry that your cold is Lingering Pam, cats are funny with change, when my car was having its MOT, Lucy kept looking confused when i opened the door! Merry Christmas
Alicia wrote: "Pam wrote: "Merry Christmas Alicia."Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, too, Pam - and a great New Year."
Thanks Alicia.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Amazon brought me a delivery that required my date of birth, was awfully confused, when i opened it, it was a present from my bro"I've heard they do that if it's something that needs the recipient to not be a minor, e. g. alcohol
By the way, it's Janet who has the lingering cold, not me.
Merry and Healthy Christmas to you all :-)
Evening, not a bad day in the office, people must have assumed we had finished, had a couple of urgent things but managed to get through some of the backlog, and as it was quiet, one of the big managers said some of could finish at 4, i was finishing something off, but left at 4.20. Did a mixture of dropping presents, getting petrol, getting bits - went to coop after work, no big trifles, so got 4 individual ones, thought I'd checks Sainsbury's just in case, they had a family size one! Luckily the individual ones have a date of 10th Jan! A dropped off presents, her sis has crotched a catnip toy for Lucy, very touched! Pretty much ready for tomorrow, not been able to give G her present and a donation to charity Lucy is from in the morning to go with her Christmas email. Have a lovely Christmas everyone. Often alcohol Pam, though have had it with a cutlery set too
Merry Christmas everyone, hope everyone has had the mind of day they wanted. Mine has been lovely and chilled, did a nice nature walk, saw 2 herons (and got yo see one catch a fish) and some cormorants, bumped into a couple of people i know, then watched a film and finished my book. Lucy has done well for presents too.
Does one wish people a 'Happy Boxing Day'?
Happy Boxing day! Hope everyone had the kind of day they wanted. I had to see family, but not too bad. Weird weather the last couple of days, very foggy but not too cold. Forgot to say on Christmas Eve, one of the managers got us all a notepad and pen with positive quotes, my pad says 'believe in yourself' and pen says 'you are amazing'. Funny Alicia, don't think it's normal, but thats how i decided to start this post before reading your comment.
Evening all, really foggy all day and was only 1 driving to work. Office was dead, but we only had a couple of urgent things, so managed to make a dent in our to do lists, even if the numbers didn't reduce, felt good to look at things we haven't been able to, and got to finish on time. Was freezing in the office though, and vknfused most of the day about what day of the week it was, kept referring to things that happened on Tue as last week! Run out of sugar this morning so popped into Lidl, of course spent £20, getting paid on Mon and looks like my final wage, been paid for hols, so should be enough till my first wage on 15th. Impressed I've stayed up this late, been shattered since 4!
Evening all, woke up feeling drained, so have only done the bare minimum. Not as foggy, but drizzly, made myself go to Coop with recycling then popped on coffee shop and had a nice chat.
Had two events which required me to leave our apartment (nap, eat, get up and make self presentable, go somewhere - event - sneak out as early as possible, come home, get comfortable, eat, nap) yesterday, and I'm surprised I managed to do ANYTHING else.I try not to be a total hermit - but the loss of energy is profound and long-lasting, so I also don't do more than a tiny fraction of the available ones.
And then I love talking to people - gave a new staff member a lesson on riding my Airwheel S8 (about 10-20% of people will try) - talked to people I haven't seen in months - so I always overdo it in a big way.
Then crashed, both times. I hope I can muster SOME energy today - we have tax stuff to do before Dec. 31 at midnight - and I want it off my list!
The calculus of energy and the cost/benefit assessment are a part of everything. The party was a dear friend's, just down the hall, and with people I mostly knew - and it still blew my energy budget to smithereens.
But it's lovely to see people! I wore a mask the whole time and so did spouse (he was not planning to repeat the covid experience), but you never know if you were careful enough.
But I need people, and not all online, at least part of the time!
Anyhoo. Reality sets in. Paperwork MUST be done - no more parties until it is, and no writing.
Happy New Year to all - and a great 2025.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening all, woke up feeling drained, so have only done the bare minimum. Not as foggy, but drizzly, made myself go to Coop with recycling then popped on coffee shop and had a nice chat."It has been pretty wet and drizzly hasn't it. Never proper day light
Evening all, Lucy woke me up at 4.50 with her snoring, so between that and socialising, went to work feeling so drained i was feeling sick and lightheaded (though ironically, given the time of year, think not eating enough has been an issue). Had a very hectic day at work too. Nipped into b and m to try and get a hot water bottle without a cover, failed, but got a half-price one with a cover, 2 presents for a neighbour and a present for my sis! Did well with reductions in Sainsbury's too. I said to my bro yesterday Jim that im not sure when we last saw daylight, feel like we might have today, no gog at least
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I had a lady who arrived behind me in the queue at a check out who was doing that. She'd just nipped in for one thing and realised she could get the stuff for the office as well. When I saw her stuff was just getting unstable, so I stepped to one side so that when the pile finally collapsed she was bending down trying to put it on the checkout :-)
The lady behind the checkout and I both applauded :-)
We put her through first because it was the easy way to sort things, and I grabbed her a trolley that had been abandoned by somebody