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Popping in early, as for the first time in years, I have plans for NYE, already had to give up the idea of straightening my hair thanks to the weather! Sat here not at all wanting to go out, but seeing it in with family, and paid for a travel lodge, so kind of got to! Doesn't help that Lucy disturbed me at 11.30pm and then 5.10am! At least I'm off work so have been able to take my time doing stuffHope everyone has a good one, and hoping for a good 2025!
Anyway, all the best for 2025 to everybody
Evening all, that was an interesting NYE, not quite what we expected! Got up this morning to find the heavy rain had caused flooding which meant some trains were cancelled and others stopping at a different station to the one i wanted, but at least it was only 6 miles from home, so able to get a taxi, to find if I'd messaged A, she'd have picked me up (she told me not to feel cheeky in future!). At least by the time i got home we had some blue skies, even if it didnt last for long! Ready for bed now, back in the office tomorrow! Hope 2025 is a good year for everyone!
Happy New Year everyone! At least the high wind of last night has dropped.
The days are already getting longer, but it takes a bit for us to notice.I think the longer days and more sun are what get me through the cold of winter.
Evening all, woke up to snow, so decided not to try and start the car, so got the bus to work. Then found one of my friends from another team was in who lives near me, she gave me a lift home. Not a bad day at work, had my one to one, they are looking at 'evolving' the role, so have been asked to shadow a couple of things which i said yes to, not sure helping with training but will try. Others will be done by new line manager which is the colleague who moved with me, which is nice. Getting new colleague to do more stuff which are things I've been doing, bit hard letting go, but slightly nice too. Managed to end the week at only 155 emails which is amazing after recent numbers. Might actually get to do some other stuff. Weather isn't supposed to be great this weekend
Weather is supposed to be pretty grim this weekend, I think you have to assume you spend Sunday at home. Catch up with your reading :-)Looks like good news about work. The fact they think you are up to evolving the role does seem to indicate they have a good opinion of you
Evening all, woke up with a headache so glad i could gave a lazy start. Did a half hearted clean of the bathroom then the dentist rung 35 mins before my appointment to cancel it, apparently he wasnt feeling well! Thinking of changing dentist, this app should have been on Thu. Battery pack came after lunch, got one of the neighbours to help me, it started the car. He suggested i drove it to Halfords as they do a free Battery check, it showed only 31% charge so suggested a new one, they were charging £100, so said i needed to wait till payday, so he told me to keep the Battery pack with me. Its on a retail park i rarely go to, so went in Matalan and Poundstretcher, bought ftlm both. Then did Aldi and bumped into a colleague from old team, and petrol, so its had a few stop/starts snd been fine, just probably could've done with a longer drive but it was freezing. Then had to do a couple more chores, so not the day i had planned! Luckily not much planned for Tomorrow Jim. Didn't think of it like that, thanks
Snowing here but also thawing at the moment. Got out and fed cattle early by 'snow light' because the day is only going to get worse (promising us heavy rain)
Paperwork got done in three excruciating days; it's taken me all of January to recover - today may be the day there is enough brain to write!Hope everyone else survived the year change!
Evening all, woke up to a decent amount of snow, it was still snowing but light and very windy, so seemed to be blowing it round. We chilled in bed for a few hours, then it was still snowing but thawing at the same time. Haven't left the house, had rubbish to put out but didnt even do that. Took decorations down, and did a bit of a half hearted clean in the other rooms, cats finally got their new beds (well, two of them, still can't decide where to put the third), started raining about tea time so street is a slushy mess with snow forecast early hours, will see what its like in the morning!
Today we have virtually no snow, not raining or freezing but in the wind it's coldJust come in for a coffee and to warm up.
Evening, woke up to a slushy street, but neighbours left with no issue, so decided to drive to work, car got me there and back. Paths were better than expected. Office was fairly quiet. Not much urgent stuff, so got my to do list down a lot. Decided to nip to Lidl, finally got their Bailey's style drinks. More slush the closer to home, so skipped Sainsbury's. We're supposed to have more snow and below freezing temps overnight, so will see what tomorrow brings, manager is more concerned about us staying safe than going in the office. Dentist rang after lunch, they apologised for Sat, earliest appointment they could offer was 3rd Feb, though she's put me on a cancellation list.
It's not 'frosty' here but is occasionally a bit slippy underfoot so be careful
Evening all, woke up and there was light covering of snow on the car, but everything was soft so went in the office. We had more snow during the day, panicked at one point as everything went very white but luckily it didn't stay. Morning went well, was really happy, then afternoon went downhill including my computer locking me out, so couldn't ring IT on Skype but when i went to see them, got told to ring off my personal mobile! Then had to restart it as it wouldn't load outlook. Paths back to the car were slippy and barely supposed to get above freezing tomorrow, glad I'm WFH. Dentist rang offering a cancellation for 2pm on Sat but am having lunch at 12 so declined
Weather wasn't too bad here yesterday, thawed a bit, drove over an hour to a funeral, roads fine. But afternoon no signs of ice, but we did have some sleet showers as I drove home
Evening, woke up to below freezing temps, glad I was WFH! Was hard enough opening the wheely bin! Frustrating day at work where i was busy but cant see much for it. Rang garage, they were cheaper for the battery, could get one this pm, so its being replaced tomorrow, had no plans to leave the house today, but will be -5 in the morning, so went tonight, quite handy as i was nearly out of mik and was going to have to use my emergency carton - though Coop was really low on milk, had to buy blue top. Another filling has come out, no pain but catching my lip, so need to ring dentist tomorrow.
Sister texted me from Mexico, asking if we are near the fires that are ravaging Los Angeles.We're close to San Francisco, so no, but it's not a pretty scene in Southern California.
In the past year we've had a tsunami warning, a tornado, fires, and some earthquakes. Oh, and a lot of flooding and some heavy snow, and mudslides. None of them too close, but it does make you think. It's a big state, crosses many latitudes.
Evening all, woke up and phond said -6! And supposed to be colder tonight. Not a good day at work, someone did make me cry by thanking me this morning! Then loads of urgent stuff came in, so didn't get through what I wanted. Car was ready mid morning, so went for it at lunch, still lots of ice, though had blue skies. Now got to find the PIN number for the entertainment console. Forgot to ring dentist, tooth isn't painfulGlad to hear from you Alicia, was hoping you weren't close to the fires, my geography isn't great.
Fair enough on the geography - I don't know most other country's states, either (though I do know Mexico's - or used to - because I went through pre-university education there, and it's part of the curriculum).California is tall on a map: 5-6 times taller than it is wide. So it covers a lot of latitudes. Its left side is the Pacific, and it goes from beaches to Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the 48 contiguous states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). So quite a range of climates and ecosystems.
Los Angeles (and San Diego) are in the lower half (Southern California), San Francisco at about the midpoint vertically, and Northern California is relatively uninhabited. (Off the top of my head - I may have some bits wrong.)
Evening all, had a rubbish night sleep, then woke up to below freezing temps and had to go in office. Took a while to defrost car and driving to work the pavements were getting whiter, my usual free car park involves walking up and down a steep hill, so opted to pay £5 to park. Had a bit of a technical issue which caused a lot of extra work which meant temp measures today and follow ups next week. So something i wanted to do on Wed still hasnt been done. Walking friend has broken her wrist, and we both finished at same time so I gave her a lift home and went in to see her new house and say hello to the cats, her eldest was one of my fosters, so he waa all over me, her female ive met a couple of times and happy for a cuddle, not met her youngest, hes a scaredy cat, had to entice him with food. They were all obsessed with my scarf, we couldn't smell anything on it, tried it with Lucy when i got home and she wasnt interested. Ready for bed now, not much chance to relax this weekend. Wow, thats really interesting Alicia
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "...went in to see her new house and say hello to the cats, her eldest was one of my fosters..."How nice to be remembered by a cat you lavished love on!
Evening all, slept through till about 5.30, then let Lucy lie on my shoulder to keep me in bed till 7, still didn't want to get up! Was meeting some crafter friends for lunch, walked to A's, paths still weren't good and the hills are still very white. Had a good 3 hours having lunch and getting to know them away from a fair, I'd originally suggested 4 of us meet for a brew, but one invited 2 more people and changed it to lunch, but really glad she did, one of the additional people thanked us for including her, as she struggles in Jan, and it really helped her, so will do it again next Jan. Two of the women have big birthdays this year, one wants a meet up for that, might go somewhere nicer than Wetherspoons for that! Food wasn't bad though. Did a couple of chores when i got back.Lavished love is a bit of an understatement for that cat Alicia, his mum wasnt a good mum, i had to spend hours with them getting her to feed him, she was a lovely cat so was happy to nurse him on my knee. Not sure why i didn't do supplement feeds. He was her 4th litter, and the only one to survive
All the more reason to celebrate if he's the only survivor. At least you could get the mother cat to nurse him somehow - clever of you.I'm changing my bedtime - we've been going to bed too late, and then I get little of the daylight the next day.
Husband is erratic - but I'm just not going to stay up with him to all hours. It is harder for me, and doesn't help my writing OR my getting anything else done.
I tend to stick to a similar time for bed, unless I'm physically out of the house somewhere. I think you sleep better
Evening all, slept through till 5.30 again, was going out for afternoon tea with C, as its her birthday this month, still a lot of snow, and the canal was frozen! Sky was so white it was a struggle to tell it apart from the hills, not sure we had daylight. Went to a bookshop/cafe in Manchester called House of Book and Friends, they do occasional afternoon tea with limited space, so its taken a while to get a booking. Most expensive one we've done and yhe only one where the only drink option is tea! Its in a Grade 2 listed building that i believe is an old bank, stunning building and well decorated with book lamps, typewriters etc - even the toilets had bookshelf wallpaper. The food itself came in boxes that looked like books, each one was a 'chapter', though the order was scones, cake then sandwiches, we didn't eat that way round! Think its also the only afternoon tea that was dainty enough that we ate it all and not overly full. They are a community group so asked that instead of a tip, to ask about the pay it forward scheme and donate either the cost of a coffee or book, we did a coffee each. Went to a couple of shops on the way home, did treat myself to a Lindt pick and mix, its expensive but i rarely go. Cold when i got home though, so had a nice bath. Not done anywhere near enough housework though. I stick to the same bedtime even at weekends, and do seem to wake up around same time
Evening all, still some snow around! Fortunately last week's technical issue seems to be resolved, just some calls to check on people. Felt a very long day even though I had a full hour for lunch so actually worked a bit less than a standard day. Dentist has got me in on Sat. Went to retail park after work for litter, pet's at home were out of what i wanted, but offers meant i still spent £26! Then did b and m, Asda and Sainsbury's. Yes, thats the one Jim
Evening all, been drizzly all day, and not sure we've had any daylight. Despite not much urgent stuff, didnt feel like i got through enough stuff. Went to coffee shop, my favourite barista is finishing for a 4 week sabbatical, I'll miss her. Got my first payslip, way more than i expected as i appear to have been paid for a week ish in Dec too, so not a true reflection. Had to get petrol on way home, got some decent bargains in the shop, then popped in Sainsbury's and got more. Booked next afternoon tea for me and C, there are no sandwiches on this one, place we've been to before. About 10 mins after booking, A messaged with 2 dates gor fairs at a venue we did last year, first is same date as my afternoon tea is booked, but first person to book gets me! I'm glad actually as its day before our monthly one, not sure I'd want a whole weekend of fairs this early in the year
Assistant came today - so I'm a lot tidier now than before she arrived - but I'm wiped! She magnifies my efforts so much that we get a LOT done, and I sometimes struggle to keep her busy.And I don't want to waste HER time, so I push myself - and then crash. But my desk is clear, the laundry done, papers filed, a repair job and a sewing job both worked on, and it was time well spent.
Tomorrow, when she doesn't come, I may get some writing done - if I can make sure to get enough sleep segments. Crazy way to sleep, but if I get the total time in, I'm far more coherent the next day.
Though I do feel a little silly sometimes having TWO meals of a slice of quiche and some cantaloupe in the semi-darkness in the middle of the night. Almost always results in another good chunk of sleep. Crazy things, bodies.
What is it they say Alicia, 'if it's stupid and it works, it isn't stupid' :-)
Are the fairs still holding up for people coming through the door Desley?
Jim wrote: "What is it they say Alicia, 'if it's stupid and it works, it isn't stupid' :-)"Thanks. I'm going to remember this one, Jim. So true!
That I can write at all seems a miracle sometimes, but, as someone said (who?), if I'm Catholic, it's my business to believe in miracles!
And find the little ones every day among the pedestrian acts of living.
Evening all, a very misty day, think we saw a brief bit of blue sky. Was taking a colleague out to install some equipment, it was quite interesting and I might do some on my own at some point. Going to start doing new tasks from next week, I'm kind of excited but apprehensive as its on top of what we already do, and still outstanding things. Glad assistant sorted stuff out for you Alicia, hope you get enough sleep, i often find having something to eat and drink if i wake in the early hours helps me get to sleep. Jim, none have started yet, feel like there are people, but not necessarily spending, even our monthly one where we have regulars is very up and down.
Alicia wrote: "And find the little ones every day among the pedestrian acts of living..."And there is true wisdom
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "none have started yet, feel like there are people, but not necessarily spending, even our monthly one where we have regulars is very up and down..."I do wonder if people are going to feel financially squeezed so will turn up to be sociable but not buy
Or whether the fairs will offer an economical way of buying nice presents for people so being a way of saving a little money :-)
Evening all, had blue skies today, worked part of the day without light on! Hectic day at work, didn't get to do some of the things i wanted. Haven't only left house to put recycling out though, as missed delivery last night as i wasn't expecting anything and it was 7.30, so was being redelivered today. Of course by waiting in, it didn't come till 7. Got a few chores done, but still behind.
Evening all, dry but cloudy today, went to coffee shop at lunch, could see the hills for the first time in days, there was still some snow on them! Another busy day at work though at least i started with a list of 10 things, got 5 off it, plus did at least 3 things that weren't on it. On the way to coffee shop bumped into two neighbours, then another 2 in coffee shop! Was telling owner about my afternoon tea as she is a reader too, she sent the name to her hubby to look into. Then had a conversation about them doing afternoon tea. Went to shops after work, but have wanted to go to bed since 6!
We've had some grey days where it always seemed about time for bed :-)
Evening all, woke up feeling drained and headachy, luckily not much on, so have chilled quite a bit, just done a couple of chores. Had a dentist appointment in the afternoon, he put a new filling in, and didn't charge me as he said it was one he did so under warranty, didn't think it was one he'd done, but didnt argue! Then decided to check for bargains, walked home from Sainsbury's the long way and bumped into Malachi and his mum, first time this year, she'd also walked a different way home! So had a nice chat with her, even though it was really cold, she said there was enough snow in the park to build a snowman!
We don't get snow in Davis, California. I do miss it.Not the clearing it away part. Not the cold part. Just seeing it freshly fallen and so clean.
Evening all, woke up feeling drained and headachy again, so haven't done much, not even left the house! Feel guilty for the amount of TV I've watched this weekend. Forgot to say yesterday, realised i was out of cat litter, so checked online to see if it was in stock, it was cheaper online, and they were doing an introductory 10% off, so ordered 6 bags, cheaper than i paid last year and ready to collect tomorrow. Then decided to buy them some new toys, Chanel is asking to play everyday now.
Sorry you're not feeling well, Desley. Drop the guilt: your body needs rest to fight whatever it is off. Take it. Watch TV, even totally junk TV. Eat whatever makes you feel better. Take naps if that helps.
Sometimes just chilling is important, Desley
Evening all, slept through till 5.30 and didn't feel as bad today. Drizzly day, we are doing new things at work this week, each of us is doing a day each, new colleague was starting it, so i had to deal with the urgent stuff, 8 things! And some were messy and took multiple calls, so only got to do 2 things that i planned. Hadn't made anything for lunch, so popped to Greggs, wasn't that bad, got a vegan sausage roll and potato wedges for less than a Boots meal deal costs. Finished late, went to retail park, nipped to Asda to get some veg to cook tomorrow, got a carrot and coriander soup mix plus a few bits, then nice man at pets at home loaded all the bags in the car, they'd put 2 20l bags in a box, so will be interesting taking those out tomorrow. Lucy likes the laser toy too.
Evening all, woke up early, then about 30 mins before the alarm Lucy came and laid on my side, that helped me get back to sleep! Didn't want to get up, luckily could have more time in bed as WFH. Luckily only one urgent thing just after lunch so managed to get through some stuff. Made carrot and coriander soup after work, went to shops to get some bread to go with it.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening all, woke up early, then about 30 mins before the alarm Lucy came and laid on my side, that helped me get back to sleep! Didn't want to get up, luckily could have more time in bed as WFH. L..."If your weather was anything like ours, it was a good day to work from home :-)
As I expected, our facility's deciding NOT to replace our heat exchanger this summer, but to refill the coolant - EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A LEAK - was ill-advised.Exactly as I predicted, we have lost our heat right in the middle of winter! Hope they manage to fix it quickly and more permanently this time.
They thought to save money by not replacing the unit when it failed (heat exchangers do both heating and air conditioning), but refilling the working fluid has a cost, people's time (including ours - which they don't count, our technicians, and the contractor's) has a cost, and the units are old and should be being replaced prophylactically instead of waiting for total failure and then having to pay emergency contractor rates!
If you don't hear from me for a while, I may have turned into a popsicle.
Update: they refilled the cylinder, but will still have to decide if they repair the unit or replace it, as this is a temporary solution.
Better than nothing. The contractor was very nice.
Evening all, woke up with a headache which hasn't shifted all day. Was my first day doing our new stuff, of vourse my first two weren't straightforward! Enjoyed ot though, its basically completing the forms we process, so we can shape it a bit and ensure its right! Very heavy day, all 3 of us felt it. Didn't like my soup though and got another portion for tomorrow! Had to lend my sis a cat carrier after work, then couldn't get qway, plus had to get a bottle of milk.
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There might be snow on the fells tomorrow