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Carol
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Jun 25, 2025 03:05AM
Usual walk to the coast this morning; the beach and sea deserted although a ship was motionless on the horizon so was probably an enormous container vessel.
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Evening all, a wet start to the day. Fairly quiet at work, had a fun lunch, 4 of us played connections and started to show a 5th colleague. Just at the end of lunch, got a letter through with a new appointment, fortunately back at hospital closer to house/office, so let manager know, and it was only this evening i realised an app at 10.15 am when i moght get dilating drops could affect how much time i need off work, am going to ring on Fri and get someone to give me a definitive answer so i don't waste more time off work (i have plenty of flexi and leave, so not exactly an issue, but the principle). Counted caterpillars when i got home, 142 (and not convinced thats accurate!), but they are Cinnabar moths feeding on ragwort, so might need to pull some of those plants up as can be toxic to cats, as can the caterpillars. There are also 3 plants on the next street with caterpillars on. Saw Malachis owner in coop, just said i was fine, wasn't the place to tell her about Lucy, she's been more interested in water than food, but enjoyed sitting in the open doorway.
Hugs to Lucy.And Desley.
Evening all, had a late start, set off at my old usual time, took 50 mins to get to work, but at least i was there before 9. Fairly quiet day at work, decided to get petrol on the way home, got some bargains too (its easier to do that petrol station on the way to work, but a decent shop attached and often get bargains. Bumped into a colleague from a different office so had a chat, didn't know he lived locally. Had a check of caterpillars when i got back, some are dying, maybe too many for the food supply. Lucy waa demanding when I got home, ended up giving her 2 lik e lixes tonight, and she's not done bad with her other food during the day.
caterpillars can also attract their own parasites, so it might be that large numbers of them drew attention. Or as you say, they may just be outgrowing their food supply
I think they can eat other larva so they might be becoming cannibalistic if there is not enough ragwort!Sunny here, quite amazingly. Our last hot summer was I believe in 1976!
Evening all, overcast but really humid, so didn't end up doing as much housework at lunch as planned, but did get some washing done. Did some elearning this morning, getting to the tough subject's now. We got a new site yesterday so had to find them all again. Lucy has enjoyed me being at home and just sitting in the doorway. Went to shops after work but no bargains.These are brightly coloured as they are toxic Jim, so not sure many predators would go for them and we don't have that many birds
Not many birds here either, Desley. Wild life has been decimated in our country.
Evening all, was my monthly trip with C today, didn't have to leave till 12.30, so a lazy start then a bit of housework (not too much as really humid and that affects my asthma), before showering. Traffic wasn't good, turns out some extra roadworks on the journey. We ended up going to a craft fair (one we haven't been able to get on!), one of C's friends was there and a couple of people i know from our monthly one (its rare now we go to fairs and don't know a stallholder!), it was a good fair, came home with some treats including Toffee Apple Curd. C needed to pick a parcel up from Asda, i asked if we could look at clothes, bought a couple of dresses, hopefully I'll like them! Then on the way home, popped in Tesco as i rarely go that part of town, got some nice stuff but the club card i found didnt work, luckily the cashier asked the people behind me, so saved £12.40! Might have accidentally bought a candle. Lucy has been demanding food today, i actually worried i hadn't given her tea, so gave her more food to find she'd already eaten half her tea!
Evening all, woke upat 4am with an itchy hand (was a bit itchy Fri, was bothering me while out with C yesterday), when i got up just before 7 it was swollen and red, run cold water over it, put germoline on and elevated it, then just before i went to the craft fair, went to see if there was any arnica in the cupboard and found some hydrocortisone cream (fortunately in date), so put that on and went to fair, thinking maybe i caught it on one of the ragwort plants last week, then something else while we were walking yesterday, its not painful, just itchy, the redness and swelling are fluctuating. Wouldn't say its much worse than this morning, but might pop to chemist after work tomorrow if the same (if worse, I'll speak to 111). Lucy wouldn't get up this morning so didn't get her medicine, luckily I'm WFH tomorrow so can try again. Fair went well, was our monthly venue but for a local cat charity, they said about it being quite, but our 3rd best this year and hopefully some who will buy again. Downside is A has to make a lot this week as we have 2 fairs next weekend. I got to cuddle dogs and was good and didn't buy more cake. Got some bargains on the way home and Lucy has been asking for food and enjoying fresh air.
First day in ages with nothing needing doing outside the apartment - I may be catching up on sleep, and it really helps.My mouse had been horribly erratic lately - husband gave me a brand new one. Then he thinks the other one just needed cleaning, so he poked away at that one, but I told him he can keep it as a spare as I like the new one better! It's difficult trying to do things when your mouse keeps double closing tabs and windows.
I am trying to give up my Diet Coke - not the caffeine (I have tablets for that), but the potassium benzoate they use as a preservative, and the phosphoric acid. Seems to be less irritating, but I REALLY miss what was my one remaining little indulgence - I can sympathize with people who have to give up coffee or tea, and I will give it a few more days before being sure, but it is depressing not to have my little treat in the mornings.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
Hope your hand is a bit improved, Desley, and if not, perhaps the chemist can help.
My mouse has also been erratic lately, Alicia, and I have been remiss in keeping an extra mouse as a stand by but I changed the battery and it's working again. I only drink water, either boiled or cold. Tea or coffee has a bad effect on me- it makes me anxious and somewhat 'hyper.' I used to drink herbal tea but have now stopped because of it staining my teeth. If I need a 'buzz' I eat dark chocolate which doesn't seem to have the same effect as other caffeine products so I think it must be a lot less.
Evening all, woke up around 4am again, hand is much better today, barely itchy after my antihistamine this morning, and much less red, still a bit swollen but i always find swelling takes a while to go. Very hot today, think it got up to 28 snd phone saying still 23 at 9pm, much cooler tomorrow. Couldnt get hold of eye ward today. We t to shops after work, there are ragwort plants along the canal but no sign of caterpillars. There was an interesting tiny bird circling one part of the canal and keep diving, there are lots of tiny fish so maybe hunting. No bargains though
Carol wrote: "My mouse has also been erratic lately, Alicia, and I have been remiss in keeping an extra mouse as a stand by but I changed the battery and it's working again. I only drink water, either boiled or..."
If you know how to open your mouse and clean it, that may be all it needs. Human hair and grease from fingertips, and just plain dust, gets inside the things. A pin, a little bit of alcohol and it may be as good as new. I'd just forgotten to do that to mine!
Evening all, traffic this morning, looked like they were setting up more lights for roadworks on the way. Played word games at lunch, had to sit near the other kitchen, which is close to where i sit, so someone else saw and is interested in joining in! Traffic seemed bad on way home, luckily i needed a couple of things from Iceland, so only took 25 mins to drive home, even with 2 new sets of roadworks, so 3 in total. Hand is pretty much back to normal now, just going to do one last lot of hydrocortisone cream to be on the safe side
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "one last lot of hydrocortisone cream to be on the safe side..."Glad it's better and you don't have to get medical attention for it.
Evening all, woke up to rain, which changed my plan to do some washing while WFH. Did get a bit of housework at lunch. Turned out quite warm in the end, Lucy has eaten well. Went to shops after work for milk. Hand is pretty much normal
Very sunny here again. I feel sorry for everyone who is suffering from the heat but for me it seems a welcome relief from our usual summer weather.
Evening all, had some face to face training this morning, was quite interesting. Then we had a team lunch as a couple of colleagues have birthdays next week, was really good, and i opted for a burger so i didn't need to make tea, have only needed crisps and fruit. Was really nice and wouldn't mind going back. Decided to pop to Lidl in way home to get more treats for Lucy, she's refusing the tonic but enjoying lik e lix
Is it just me, but there do seem to be an awful lot of roadworks at the moment
Evening all, left at 7.36 and pulled up at 7.49, was there before colleague so i waited 10 mins for her and was still early. Decided to get a biscoff milkshake at lunch, i didn't see them put any biscuits in it, but tasted biscuity. Went to m and s after work to get something for A, couldn't get a reduced sandwich which was disappointing. Started raining on the way home, got quite wet and windy and not summer like!
No rain here yet but I am hoping, as the trees and bushes need it.
Evening all, the girls had the run of the house last night, i didn't fully shut my door while watching TV and Chanel popped in 4 times! First time Lucy was in the floor and hissed at her, then Lucy went under the bed and on the fourth go, Chanel was fully in and trying to pinch Lucy's chicken, so had to tell her off. Woke up at 6.45, didn't need to leave for craft fair till 9.45! Popped in Lidl on way to get a sandwich, as not done this craft fair before so wasn't sure if I could eat there, glad i did, there was only a BBQ, said vegi options but not something I'd trust! We only took £2 more than the table fee, but it was a really fun day, was a charity event for Mencap, it was such a good atmosphere, hope they raised a decent amount. I may have come back with a necklace. On the way home, we saw the swans and all 3 cygnets, but that was because they are getting dangerously close to the road. Don't recall all 3 surviving this long the last couple of years. Was home just before 4, spent an hour doing some chores, but still enough time to relax.
Sad that you have noticed the cygnets didn't all make it in previous years. It's the way of the wild, but humans get so attached it feels wrong to lose them.But the cygnets are full adults relatively quickly, if they survive - and humans take forever to grow up.
Sounds like a good charity to support (googled it).
Baby creatures always tend to look adorable; every year seagulls nest on the roof opposite and this year they have managed to produce three offspring which today I noticed jumping up and down on the roof in preparation for full takeoff!
Carol wrote: "My mouse has also been erratic lately, Alicia, and I have been remiss in keeping an extra mouse as a stand by but I changed the battery and it's working again. I only drink water, either boiled or..."
Hope your mouse is staying well. You don't realize how much you use it until you find yourself having to constantly compensate for its current weird behavior.
Carol wrote: "Baby creatures always tend to look adorable; every year seagulls nest on the roof opposite and this year they have managed to produce three offspring which today I noticed jumping up and down on th..."Happy fledging, babies. It includes one of God's greatest gifts: flight!
Evening all, waa our regular monthly craft fair today, quiet for both stallholders and customers, there were some no shows which is unusual, plus some regulars on holiday. Two of them were there for the last time as moving out of area, one of them is one I'm friendly with, so did cry when I hugged her goodbye. Did spend quite a bit and the only reason we made enough to cover the stall fee was because I bought some of the new summer scents, hoping to show them to colleague and sis, hopefully get some orders. Forgot to say that A has had hoodies made up with the logo on, got some compliments on them. Went to shops after work and got some bargains
Evening all, quite a nice day, so as i was WFH, managed to get some washing done. Had to go out and install a device this morning, foolishly let the sat nav direct me, took me the opposite way than I'd have driven and ended up hitting some roadworks, annoyingly the sat nav told me just adter I'd hit them, luckily was able to get home without the sat nav and no roadworks. Went to shops after work even though i didn't need bargains as I wanted some fresh air.
Every so often somebody tells me a tale which convinces me that I really don't need a satnav :-)
check the story of The Doomed Prince. Pharoes stories.
Evening all, manic day at work, colleague was off and ended up with quite a few urgent things, was a long day too as whizzed to work so got there early! Was supposed to have Equality and Diversity training this afternoon, but I was the only person who turned up (should have been 10!), so we gave them 10 mins then cancelled, rebooked for Sept. Had to go to retail park to get litter delivery, popped in Asda and B and M while there, got Lucy more food and treats. I'd forgotten to bring my peg bag in yesterday, so i popped it in the boot of my car as it was easier than the house! At least i remembered to take it out when i got home, I'd have been searching the house! I definitely have a love/hate relationship with my sat nav Jim!
Evening all, startes off a bit dull and drizzly so didn't do any washing. The charity who's summer fair we were at on Sat raised £976, hopefully they are pleased with that total. A couple of the other stallholders commented on how lovely the atmosphere was. Went to shops after work for bargains, got my favourite sandwich reduced, it was only 40p, i normally get it for 79p pr 99p, nearly bought one for Fri, but wasn't sure it would last.
Evening all, whizzed to work again this morning, going to try setting off 10 mins later tomorrow. We've been having issues with Skype which is our only way to make external calls so been a bit restricted to what we can do! Two more people joined for word games at lunch, completely changed the dynamics but was fun. Went to coffee shop at lunch. Popped in Aldi after work to get some chicken for Lucy, obviously came back with other stuff! Popped to Sainsbury's for bargains but didn't find anything, G was just going in as i was leaving so had a brief chat with her.
Evening all, i left later this morning and it only took 10 mins to drive to work! So hopefully I'll be able to start going at my old time, that extra half hour at home will be nice. Stressful day at work, still having Skype issues so couldn't do certain things. Had 3 people join for word games and now we've set up a WhatsApp group for when we aren't all in the office to share scores. Got up to 29 today, and phone showing still 23. Went to shops for bargains and then realised i had bought a ready meal on Tue that needed eating by today!
Trying to help a new assistant get started has made this week very unproductive for me. It takes a lot of time to bring people up to speed, even when they have skills.It is very hot here (100°F), and they're finally finishing the remodeling, so we never know what noises we will wake up to. Apparently they have to cut into a building to install windows that open because the air circulation isn't removing the heat. The electric saws and jackhammers right outside my window have been making it hard to sleep. They start early - this heat is very hard on the workers.
All this for things I didn't think were necessary! Six months now of constant construction noises.
i am locked at home in Northern Ireland. As today is the parades day
Evening all, another hot day, got up to 27 and still 24. Woke up early with a headache, did some chores while it was relatively cool. Then went round to Rushbearing to help Lucy's rescue, got there and they had quite a queue, so jumped in and helped, then went and checked out the other stalls, they were the only proper tombola which helped. One of my colleagues was on a stall, so had a quick chat, two colleagues from other teams came to our stall and had a go on the tombola, was nice to see tjem. Won a few things, but let them keep 2, kept a pet blanket though. Bought Lucy her own slice of lemon drizzle cake, i got cherry bakewell cookie Had a quick look in Sainsbury's but no bargains, too hot to walk to coop. Came home, cooled down for a bit then sat outside and finished my book. Lucy has been very demanding but eaten well, i showed her the piece of cake and she was devouring it! Saved some for tomorrow. She is looking thin, one of the volunteers takes her cat with kidney issues for a fortnightly injection, contemplating asking the vet, but wondering if that would be too much for her.
Beautifully sunny here again today. I know many people are not coping with the heat but we have a cool house and a shady garden so don't have a problem.
Went to a meeting yesterday. The building where we'd been loaned a room had aircon, but nobody from the building was about being Saturday.So we switched it on. Another hour later people were putting jackets on so we switched it off as we couldn't work out the settings :-)
Evening all, had a rubbish night sleep, so have had a lazy day. Cooler, windier and cloudy today, so wasn't too hot while doing a half hearted hoover. Went to coop to take soft plastic and got a reduced quiche so that was today's tea and tomorrow's lunch. I had contemplated an iced coffee but wasn't warm enough. Was just pleasant enough to sit outside reading for a bitAh yes, that invention we rarely use so often end up too cold Jim!
Yes it's the first time I've been in a room with aircon working when I was part of the meeting as opposed to just passing through the area
I am also not used to aircon and several years ago was unfortunately cooped up ill in an apartment in Maryland for 4 days with aircon that I tried to make work but couldn't. Whether that was me or the equipment I had no idea. The windows would only open a fraction and the heat outside was like a furnace. I resorted to being half naked and reading Outlander set in the misty damp of Scotland which took my mind off my own sweltering conditions.
I don't believe I've ever experienced aircon other than in a car. We've had it warm here but no more than about 25 which is quite enough for me thank you :) Raining today though!
Evening all, set off later today and only took 15 mins to drive to work! Been a very chaotic Mon though, glad I'm off the next two days. Played word games for a bit at lunch then old colleague came for a chat. Went to shops for bargains, not much. We've had some rain, was wet round my car. Rain forecast for tomorrow, typical when I'm off work! Lucy got some new biscuits today, they've gone down well.
Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "I don't believe I've ever experienced aircon other than in a car. We've had it warm here but no more than about 25 which is quite enough for me thank you :) Raining today though!"
Waves of rain yesterday but fine and dry as well :-)
Today it's just chucking it down
The sun definitely does not appear to have his hat on and to be coming out today! Never mind! We have just had a wonderful run of good weather and its memory will probably just have to do us for the rest of our summer. Weeded in between showers.
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