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[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, woke up feeling rubbish, very wet and windy today, not left the house. Colleague is back and not happy at workload, we have a few days to get it down before I'm off. Lost a bit of time with system issues. Saw the pigeon on the street behind at lunch and neighbour saw it about 8pm, just as i was about to let Lucy out, still walking away from people

[Alicia]

Carol wrote: "What are you writing, Alicia?..."

Thanks for asking! I'm working on the final volume of my mainstream literary trilogy, Pride's Children (reviews for the first two books, PURGATORY and NETHERWORLD are on Goodreads, and more on Amazon).

ARC requests - for those who will CONSIDER writing a review (I don't nag) - are always welcome. (PURGATORY was Indies Today 2021 Best Contemporary novel, and NETHERWORLD a finalist in 2022.)

If you read mainstream fiction.

[Carol]

Very interesting, Alicia. Congratulations for Purgatory winning Indies Today Best Contemporary Novel.

[Carol]

Ankle gave way again on walk yesterday so meandered slowly to the Downs this morning and sat on a bench to enjoy the view.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, still quite congested, i realised last night that I shouldn't have taken my injection last week due to antibiotics, rang rheumatology today and said i wouldn't have done any damage, but would have exacerbated symptoms so could explain why this cold doesn't want to go away. They couldn't help about my check up though, told me to ring the bookings department who also couldn't help, but think i got the same nice guy from last year, he sent a message for me. Hectic day at work, got loads of really awkward things that needed to speak to manager about so felt i didn't get through much. Went to shops after work and popped to chippy for a potato fritter

Hope nothing serious with your ankle Carol

[Alicia]

Carol wrote: "Very interesting, Alicia. Congratulations for Purgatory winning Indies Today Best Contemporary Novel."

Thanks! It was a surprise - I had paid them for an Editorial Review (the only kind you are allowed to post on Amazon that are paid), and had no expectations. The reviewer did such a nice job - I credit her.

Hope your ankle is better quickly. Ouch!

[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening all, still quite congested, i realised last night that I shouldn't have taken my injection last week due to antibiotics, rang rheumatology today and said i wouldn't have done any damage, bu..."

I seem to have lost a comment - my klutzy fingers.

Just wanted to say medical instructions aren't always clear or complete - hope no long-term damage, and that you get over the congestion. It's hard to work that way.

[Carol]

It can be complicated when you are taking various medications, plus antibiotics etc. Had a problem last week when husband was prescribed an antibiotic for an eye infection but discovered when we read the instructions that no one with a blood or marrow disorder should take it. Much toing and froing with medical departments but it was evidently the only antibiotic which could be prescribed. In the end he refused to take it as by then, in any case, we had realised it was viral not bacterial.

[Carol]

Did usual walk but somewhat more carefully and sat on a bench looking at the view across the bay. Overcast here.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, didn't feel all that great today, probably tapered down the paracetamol too quickly, am really bad at that. Was drizzly when i left, got a bit heavier when driving but luckily stayed dry while walking to office. Had bought some mojito flavoured grapes last night to take to office, mixed reaction- they are mildly minty, not sure worth the money. Another day with awkward stuff to deal with, but pretty much got through everything. Gave a colleague a lift home, its quite nice to have company and then we pop in Sainsbury's, no bargains today. Looked out of the window after tea and noticed a massive furry caterpillar on the underneath of the bush outside my window, saw 3 in total. Does explain the holes in those leaves, thought it was the other caterpillars! Annoyingly i wanted to cut those down this weekend! Never seen so many caterpillars on my street

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, rubbish night sleep and did not want toget up! One of our systems was down for maintenance today, so we could only do certain things but managed to find enough to do and we weren't needed to help answer the phones. Had word game lunch with 2 colleagues, including one i don't normally have lunch with, it was different. Went to coffee shop, my favourite barista is leaving, but not sure when. Had to get Lucy more chicken so popped in Lidl.

[Alicia]

Husband had minor surgery Thursday morning; he thought he had been lucky - not post-op pain - and then it hit late Friday night, and was a doozy. Apparently not from the surgery itself, but from the position!

That, and another problem for which he had to go back immediately after a friend brought him home have made this little adventure (he WALKED over there!) take both of us out for two days, and I'm not much help, but managed to talk him into taking his pain meds (duh!) and letting me find the heating pad.

He usually takes care of me, and he needed my walker!

Hope this is as serious as it gets - I was pretty close to useless, but did manage the cleanup before we looked like a TV crime scene.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, woke up early and felt drained, so had a lazy start to the day, tried my new cherry bakewell teabags. Am off work now for a week, so decided to spread the chores over the week, and put fun things on my to do list for the week. Had a hairdresser app at 1, did a bit of housework first (not as much as planned), saw an email that company shop had cat food offers so rang my sis and asked if she wanted to come, so picked them up after hairdresser, didn't get one of the advertised offers, but got some good bargains. Sis needed cat litter, so called in retail park on way home and got a few bits myself, including things I'd forgotten from lidl yesterday! Didn't get home toll nearly 6, felt rubbish and realised i needed to make the bed! Been quite throaty and coughing today

Sorry to hear hubby had some side effects from his minor surgery and hope things are on the up now

[Alicia]

Thanks, Desley - he's asleep now, and I'm going to do the same. The extra stuff, while you do it willingly, takes its toll.

Glad you got your shopping in - won't do to run out of some things, cat litter being one of them.

You need to take some care with yourself - people like you and my husband - overachievers! And then it hits, and you need to rest. To be ready for the next 'interesting' challenge coming down the Pike.

[Jay-me (Janet)]

Hello I m popping in, trying to keep up with what has been happening with you all. Hope you are all recovering from your various issues.
I’ve been busy since my house went on the market. My brother came over to help me get ready for the estate agents photographer, I had my hair cut and the highlights done so now it’s is short, curly and grey with blonde highlights rather than shoulder length dark with red highlights. My sister in law asked brother what my hair was like & he said he hadn’t noticed.
The house went on the market on the Thursday and by Friday the next week I had 3 offers. I have accepted one and am keeping my fingers crossed that it goes through smoothly.
Brother and sister in law came over and helped emptying the loft - all my university and work study books disposed of and four boxes of wool given to a friend of my sister in law. Plus other things that I had stored up there taken to recycling- they were in the loft since before I started caring for mum so obviously I don’t need them now.
Sister in law has now seen my new haircut and says it makes me look 20 years younger.

I bought myself a good pair of walking boots, the shop adjusted them to fit. I’ve been on a couple of walks and they are really comfortable.

I’m still trying to get straight at my new house tidying the overgrown garden etc. The cats have decided to take over the front bedroom - that is the one I need to make into a guest room 🙄. I’m hoping that I can get a catio so that they can sort of go out- they are indoor cats which is best as we are on a very busy road- more than usual now because it is being used as a diversion whilst roads through the town centre are closed. The latest section of road closure is for two months and is the one way system from the bus station past the shopping mall. This shopping mall is due to be demolished soon- apparently waiting for specsavers to move out. So I can’t see the road situation improving for a while.

I’ve been using my bus pass to go places to start walking around, today I am considering going to Hebden Bridge. As long as I can get buses there are plenty of places within reach that I can visit.

The weather is promising so the towels that have been washed overnight will be hung outside before I go out for the day. Hope you are all enjoying the weekend and the weather is good where you are.

[Carol]

A traumatic time for you and your husband, Alicia. I hope the pain is now subsiding.
I'm still recovering from my illness- a bad cough and infected eyes from the previous week so I hope you are not going down with that, Desley.
A very busy time for you, Jay-Me, which you seem to be coping very well with. A walk at Hebden Bridge sounds lovely.

[M.T.]

I’ve hardly been on line for what feels like weeks. Real Life getting in the way again, this time, summer hols and trying to get my son’s ADHD diagnosis finished before he goes back to school. It should help, I hope.

Alicia, I’m so sorry to hear your husband hasn’t been well.
Desley, I see you are as busy as usual.
Janet, well done, I really hope all goes well and the house sells.
Carol, I hope you are recovering well!

I just popped in to say I’m still alive. The notification thingy has stopped emailing me and without these, I forget to come and see how everyone is.

Next week is busy, am going to see the guy who narrated my books in Fiddler On The Roof and the next day have paid for a Spitfire flight for McOther. I thought it was about time I bought him something smashing after he has bankrolled me all these years. All three of us get to see the plane close up, and by paying a little bit more, I’ve managed to get them to involve an ME109, which is what McOther would really like to go up in!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, Lucy made me stay in bed longer than planned as she wouldn't come out from under it and it was her medicine day, she eventually surfaced at 10am, just as i was about to give up! So between that and the weather forecast being better than expected, i did less housework and didn't watch a film. Took plastic to coop, and called in cafe, got an iced flavoured latte and cake, had lunch, then sat outside in the sun and finished my book. Still got a yucky throat and cough, and tooth is getting worse, so going to ring dentist, if they give me antibiotics, saves me going to the doc!

Can't believe your brother didn't notice such a drastic difference in your hair Janet. Glad you got interest in the house, hopefully it'll be smooth sailing. I do like Hebden Bridge, I'm going to Todmorden this week. Nice to see you back MT, your festival trolley looks similar to what we bought for craft fairs, but had issues getting the waterproof cover over our bags, it would only hold 3 (we have 4), so we just carry 2 each! Feel bad as it wasn't cheap

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all tooth did get worse, i got up to a message from A saying that she wasn't well and cancelling today, which worked well for me. Dentist got me in at 10.35, he gave me a second course of antibiotics, asked for amoxycillin this time, but warned it might not fully clear until the root canal treatment, and he would try bringing ot forward. Went to chemist who had a 30 min wait so came home, did a few chores and chatted to ratty neighbour- not seen those caterpillars since so decided to cut the weeds down, partway through i saw one caterpillar and a snail, so stopped - never seen a snail on those either! Went to shops as well as chemist, got some bargains for lunch. Was cloudy but warm after lunch and Lucy was asleep so went for a little canal walk, couldn't walk as far as i wanted as mouth hurt, so sat on the canal bench and read for a bit, before coming home and reading more. Was supposed to be going for a walk tomorrow, might have to rethink that!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, woke up at 3.30 with toothache, then again at 7.30. There was so much pressure i thought i was going to be ringing the dentist again, but after getting up and moving round, it settled down. A noticed i was up and asked if I wanted to go with them to Ponderosa Zoo, I'm not a fan of zoos, but this does a lot of conservation and some of the wildcats they released have bred, so i felt ok with going there, some of the enclosures seemed a bit small, but they didn't have loads in each enclosure. There were lots of play areas, so we got to spend time sitting watching her niece play, which was good when the sun came out. She wanted something from the gift shop, i accidentally came home with a necklace and bracelet! Only i could go to the zoo and come home with jewellery, A is a bad influence and tells me i should buy them! Eating and drinking has been painful today, should probably stop being stubborn and take more painkillers- don't know why, but I get resentful at taking extra tablets! Was sunny when I got home, so sat outside reading for a bit.

[Jim]

It does seem it might be worth pestering your dentist

[Carol]

I agree with Jim, Desley.
Overcast here but looking forward to sun this afternoon. Just back from walk to the coast. The sea very calm and no one on the little beach at the foot of the cliffs.

[Jay-me (Janet)]

Yes I would also say go to your dentist.

I enjoyed my trip to Hebden Bridge, walking along the canal and looking at the shops and market. I made a round trip going through Todmorden on the way there and Haworth and Keighley on the way home.
Todmorden is somewhere that we have usually passed through on the way to the garden centre, but never stopped.
I’m thinking of Haworth for my next trip- it is somewhere that I have been to many times but a good place to walk around and possibly get a steam train ride as part of the trip.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, struggled to get to sleep last night but slept through till nearly 8. Took sis and kids out today, but was so hot she was concerned about them going on the playground, we had a mooch round the market, a little walk round the park, then had lunch. I went for a jacket potato but was painful to eat it, so only ate about half. Nipped to Aldi for a couple of things but got home and realised I'd forgotten milk! Was home about 3, it had got to 30 by that point, so sat and read for a bit before going for milk. Found a cleaner who can come and do a deep clean, and for what seems reasonable extra, clean the carpet and sofas too. I'm going to do a half hearted hoover/sweep/mop tomorrow, but focus more on finding homes for things as she might be able to come next Tue. Forced myself to eat a cup a soup as not hungry but a bit headachy

Glad you enjoyed your day Janet, i didn't find there was much to do in Haworth but then i struggled recently in Hebden Bridge and Todmorden today wasn't that great

[Carol]

That sounds an interesting walk, Jay-me. I have never been to Haworth, which I think is known as Bronte country for obvious reasons, and look forward to hearing about your walk there. Have tottered along on own walk to the Babbacombe Downs this morning. Lovely warm summer's day although overcast.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, slept ok. Was cooler and cloudy today, which was good as was hoovering, ended up getting carried away with myself and doing something off tomorrow's to do list. Popped to coop after lunch with soft plastic and to get money for my massage, then chilled for a bit before I left. Massage was lovely, should have had a facial too, bit my jaw is sore to touch so decided against that! I have booked in again for a months time, hoping i can have a facial then. Didn't have tea, but did call in Morrisons to get Lucy chicken.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, was woken up at 1 by some cats fighting (even though I knew mine were in, i did get up to do a headcount!), then the bin men woke me up at 7.30. Had a couple of chores on my list, then as it was sunny, sat outside reading as i wasn't meeting G till 5, though she was running late! We did an immersive sound walk at a local reservoir, you got given headphones and they had done a little script of someone being mother earth, and interviewed a couple of local people, it was really interesting. Then we went to a pub I've not been to for years, sat outside next to a woman with a dachshund, so i was stroking the dog and we ended up chatting to her, so was out longer than planned, popped in coop and got something reduced for tea.

[Jim]

sounds like the tooth has calmed down?

[Alicia]

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "Hello I m popping in, trying to keep up with what has been happening with you all. Hope you are all recovering from your various issues.
I’ve been busy since my house went on the market. My brother..."

Wow - that's a lot to do. Taking down a household is always a lot of work - so many decisions, most of them final, and many made under time pressure.

You have a lot to catch up on!

[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening all, was woken up at 1 by some cats fighting (even though I knew mine were in, i did get up to do a headcount!), then the bin men woke me up at 7.30. Had a couple of chores on my list, then..."

Hope the tooth is permanently fixed.

Do the pain meds bother you in some way that makes you not want to take them? A lot of them affect my digestion - so it's always playing side effects vs. pain games.

[Alicia]

Carol wrote: "That sounds an interesting walk, Jay-me. I have never been to Haworth, which I think is known as Bronte country for obvious reasons, and look forward to hearing about your walk there. Have tottered..."

Would love to visit Bronte country some day - I still have my childhood copy of Jane Eyre, and tell people that if they like it, they might like my fiction (reviewers have mentioned that).

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, Lucy woke me up by snuggling my face at 7am, felt a bit drained. Did more decluttering than planned, went to take my old inhalers to the chemist to be recycled- even though they all had lids on and in a bag, he took it incredibly gingerly! Decided to have a walk through nature reserve, couldn't muster the energy to walk further to the lake, sat a couple of times on benches and read in the sun, saw lots of butterflies but no interesting nature. Back has been quite stiff today

[Carol]

There seem to be more butterflies this summer than last in my garden but I think that is because the buddleia bush was severely cut back but has now become rampant again. It is known as the butterfly bush and its fragrant mauve flowers really entice them. Years ago I saw hundreds on just one bush but now I am pleased if I see just three or four. How times change!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, Lucy tried waking me up at 5.50, got up at 7! Felt drained, so decided against walk, did my Sunday chores, decided i felt like cheese on toast, so decided to take soft plastic to coop and if nothing interesting there, to get a toasted cheese sandwich. Coop had a reduced margarita pizza for 89p, so figured that would do. Was chatting to neighbour when i got back and felt a pain on my hip, came home to find out I'd been stung! I was wearing a maxi dress, no idea how it got there! Hoping it was a wasp and not horsefly, it has got better, i couldn't see it well, so when ratty neighbour came home, asked her to see if there was a sting in, she didn't think so. Lucy has ended up with 4 lots of wet food so far as she keeps waking up and screaming at me, don't know how she's going to cope when I'm in the office tomorrow!

[Alicia]

Desley, Lucy is probably smart enough that she doesn't bother screaming for service when you're not home! No point in making that effort if you're not there to serve her.

Cats are smart.

[M.T.]

Wow everyone's been busy. Still no notifications dammit. Glad all is well. Spitfire flight and meet and watch Gareth day was a success too.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, filling fell out while brushing my teeth this morning, cant decide whether to get dentist to put a temp filling in, or if leaving it open will help the infection, its not painful. Sting was still red, though hadn't affected my sleep, a Google search showed that is normal though. Stressful day after a week off, trying to catch up. Had a nice word games lunch though. Got petrol on the way home and only realised when i got home that i was supposed to get some yoghurt from Lidl! Ratsitting till Wed, they were happy to see me, she left me a bottle of wine and box of maltesers, first time she's ever given me non vegan choc, and i do like those- not a wine drinker, but will come in handy for a raffle prize.

Enjoyed the blog MT. She won't Alicia, but felt bad on her missing on the extra meals, she's still painfully thin

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I did my trip over to Haworth on Sunday. I have to say that despite living near and visiting Haworth many times I have never been to the Brontë museum.
I had a nice wander down the main street (very steep and cobbled) lots of eating places and touristy shops. Then walked through the park- there was an artisan market on, lots of food stalls and various crafts.
Then I carried on down the hill to the railway station and sat eating my sandwich while waiting for the steam train to take me back to Keighley for the bus home.

[Carol]

If it's not painful perhaps it would be better just to leave it for the moment, Desley. Until it's properly fixed it probably won't improve.

[Carol]

That sounds lovely, Jay-Me. Very interesting with the artisan market as well.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, slept through till about 5. Tidied the last bit of stuff ready for the cleaners to come and do a deep clean, hid a couple of things in ratty neighbour house, they were quicker than expected, was disappointed with a couple of things they missed in the kitchen. Their standard rate for a monthly clean is nearly double what i was paying, so don't think i can justify that. At least the carpet and sofas have been steam cleaned. Another stressful day at work, and system issues again. The rats were very happy to see me, i was even brave enough to stroke both girls, though the nippy one was stroked gingerly from behind! The nice girl was standing on my arm. I got them some reduced carrots and some of my leftover grapes. Sting has been itchy today, luckily have some hydrocortisone cream left

Ooh, I've been to Haworth when there is an artisan market in the park, it was quite nice. I'm thinking that Carol, it seems less painful without thr filling putting pressure on

[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening all, filling fell out while brushing my teeth this morning, cant decide whether to get dentist to put a temp filling in, or if leaving it open will help the infection, its not painful. Stin..."

I can see how you'd be worried about a kitty who is too thin -makes ME want to give her treats!

The problem with a temporary filling is that it will take almost as much effort as getting a permanent one - and then you have to do it all over again. Hope they can get you in for a permanent one quickly.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, was worried about Lucy this morning, didn't seem like she'd been upstairs for the litter trat, came down and she'd been sick and was sleeping in an odd place, but enjoyed a fuss. She's been better since i got home, with her new food delivery! Frustrating probation review again, but nice lunch with colleagues. Sting is really itchy yoday and still a bit red. Remembered to go to Lidl for yoghurt, obviously came back with more, then Remembered my cat food parcel that i figured I'd need the car for, and was right!

[Carol]

Hopefully Lucy is improving. Stings can itch for some time, I believe.

[Carol]

Sunny here today but a chill in the air- more like autumn. Summer nearly over.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, slept through till 5.30, didn't get back to sleep. They had done an upgrade on something overnight and there was no Internet in the building and those of us working from home struggled to access things. I had a few things i could do and luckily was going out installing some equipment at 10.30 and it was back up and running, just a bit slow when i got back. Had to feed sisters cats at lunch, could only find 1 cat though. Went back adter work, could still only find one, so she rang with suggestions, found her under niece's bed after 15 mins on the phone, she never goes there! Ratty neighbour bought me 2 little gifts and we had a nice chat

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening all, Lucy had me up a couple of times, just walking round yowling! She was unsettled after we got up, and has been howling this Evening too. She seems wobbly so gave her some gabapentin, she's just been really loudly chewing on turkey, so need to check her mouth tomorrow. I've felt rubbish today, running a temp, headachy, achy, sore throat - probably shouldn't have gone to work really. Rang doc at lunch, they got me a face to face appointment at a different surgery at 7pm. Sorted out sisters cats on way home, couldn't spend as long as i wanted as wanted to eat before my app. Was there early and got seen early, my chest sounded clear but I was running a temp so she wanted to do blood tests and chest xrays, they have booked my bloods in for 9.30 tomorrow and there is a walk in clinic for xrays till 12, so will be able to do both, and feed cats between the two! Downside is I've had to cancel craft fair, we could have done any of the three days and picked tomorrow. A isn't feeling well either, so she might not do it. Will prob nip to Asda afterwards and get something for a weekend treat. Do feel rubbish, ready to go and lie in bed, just taken paracetamol. She didn't look at my sting, it just looks bruised today and less itchy

[Carol]

Hope you're better soon, Desley. You have a busy life and it is difficult to be 'out of action.'

[Jim]

Just to second Carol in this. Hope you get better soon

[Alicia]

Hate when you have to decide to do something when under the weather - please get well soon.