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Evening, another dry day. Morning started off well, and got to catch up, then my colleagues all had a meeting, and some urgent stuff came in and I had no back up! At least got through it all and finished on time. Was another dry day, so went to feed Mister at lunch, had more people stopping to comment on him! There had been an accident, so popped in candle shop to see if she knew anything, and she was very hyper, so had a chat with her, the building has been sold and their lease is up at the beginning of May, very sad. Aww, what a wonderful age Jim
Jim wrote: "Fine today but yesterday still showersWent to a funeral yesterday, a lady who had been 101
https://announcements.telegraph.co.uk..."
So much of her life NOT mentioned. May her memory be a blessing to her friends and descendants. Love 'The Worshipful Company of Farmers.' Are you a member, too?
Evening all, lovely day today, even though the phone did say 0 when I woke up. Got out for a walk about 11, drove to a reservoir I don't often do as it's too short, car said 1 when I left, but had got up to 4 an hour later when I got home. Nice walk, there were actually geese and gulls up there, there isn't normally any birds, so I had no food, not that they were close enough to feed. Then parked up and walked round to feed Mister, but someone must have beat me to it, no one was really that interested in the food, so I gave up, and went to coffee shop for a drink and toastie, but they'd been that busy they had run out of food completely! Glad they have had a good week, I came home and ate party food! Also got a reduced trifle in co-op, going to start that shortly. Pulled the decorations down and did some chores after lunch, it feels very strange having a full weekend to myself after the amount of fairs we were doing end of last year.
Alicia wrote: "Jim wrote: "Fine today but yesterday still showersWent to a funeral yesterday, a lady who had been 101
https://announcements.telegraph.co.uk..."
So much of her life NOT mentioned. May her memory be a blessing to her friends and descendants. Love 'The Worshipful Company of Farmers.' Are you a member, too ..."
She insisted that most of her life wasn't mentioned. She did many things, it's because of her that the Settle to Carlisle railway still runs. Indeed she set a strict time limit on the eulogy at her funeral :-)
The Worshipful company of farmers is a livery company
https://farmerslivery.org.uk/
I'm not a member, they do do a fair bit of good but it's not really my world
"Leadership and management within the Agricultural Industry." A guild of sorts with a bent toward fellowship - and parties. Ah.Since you're everything from management to itinerant worker...
And that was sweet of her. What a lovely lady.
Evening, another nice day, didn't think it was as cold till I went for my walk, it wasn't as sunny and quite a cold breeze. Did see when I got back that there is a cold weather warning for the next 5 days. Mister was on the opposite bank when I went for my walk, shouted over to him, he opened his mouth a couple of times, then carried on cleaning himself, so told him I'd feed him when I got back, though when I got back, he was nowhere to be seen, not even in the car park! Lake looked lower than it did on Mon, which is strange as we've had rain since then. Glad there were people in the bird hide though, as there were some unusual birds that I didn't recognise, was told they were female goosander. One of the blokes saw 11 deer on his way there, I just saw one today. Starting the year off well, have cooked again so I have lunches for work. Wow, what an interesting outlook on your own funeral!
Alicia wrote: ""Leadership and management within the Agricultural Industry." A guild of sorts with a bent toward fellowship - and parties. Ah.Since you're everything from management to itinerant worker...
And ..."
At one point I probably knew enough people to get nominated, but whether I would consider the fees worth the cost I don't know. I live too far north to be handy for taking part in the various functions etc
She was a lady. She also had reached the stage where she knew her mind. A lass I know who used to keep in touch with her, actually used to take her out for tea every other Sunday or so, phoned just to ask how she was.
She was told, "I'm 101, and it's time I was moving on."
Mentally she was still absolutely sharp, but frailty was getting her down, she was a lady who had always done things and was a great person for going out and meeting people and enjoyed parties and the chat and the people
After 34 years of disability and chronic illness, I know it's not likely to get better, but, for me and some of us post-viral illness people, including the new long covid ill, the research may still turn up something we can use. I'm praying.But I'm 74, not 101 - and it does just keep getting harder in general. We'll see.
Evening all, another nice but bitterly cold day, and was freezing in the office too! Got shown something new today, luckily it seems fairly easy to do, but something we rarely need to do, so might forget by the time I next need to do one. Still no cat litter in B & M though, might have to try the smaller one tomorrow. Rang the vet to order Lucy's meds, they have changed the regulations now, and cats have to be seen every 6 months, rather than every 12, so they can order it, but can't dispense it till she has been seen, so she is going on Thu. Unfortunately her usual vet left last year, so it will be interesting to see who is on and how they cope with Lucy, receptionist did type 'handle with care' on her app! Have now got 'clip Lucy's claws' on my to do list for tomorrow, she will likely get suspicious then, I haven't been doing them as often since she doesn't go monthly anymore.
All the regulations which are meant to catch and punish people doing the WRONG things are annoying and make life difficult for those trying to do the RIGHT things.Punishing those who don't need it always seems wrongheaded.
"This is why we can't have nice things."
Jim wrote: "Fine today but yesterday still showersWent to a funeral yesterday, a lady who had been 101
https://announcements.telegraph.co.uk..."
That's impressive! It must have cost them an arm and a leg! My poor Mum got three lines and that was £300! Sorry, I shouldn't say that but it just popped into my head.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening all, another nice but bitterly cold day, and was freezing in the office too! Got shown something new today, luckily it seems fairly easy to do, but something we rarely need to do, so might ..."Bless her, I loved that little detail, that when you clip her claws she'll get suspicious. That's the kind of behaviour I expect from my cat.
Jim wrote: "She was told, "I'm 101, and it's time I was moving on."Mentally she was still absolutely sharp, but frailty was getting her down, ..."
Bless her heart. She sounds brilliant. Much like my own mother, who was telling me, five weeks before she died, that if she 'went' I was not to worry because she'd be quite alright.
I'm afraid we wallowed in it, everyone spoke and it was a requiem mass ... although we did try to make it funny and it was a warm day, warm enough for it to be really quite pleasant in the church but at the same time, it was also absolutely sheeting down with rain, so it's not like anyone was particularly eager to go outside.
Now it's time to fill in the probate form! Oh joy.
I hope I'm that sure when it's my turn that it will be okay.
Alicia wrote: "All the regulations which are meant to catch and punish people doing the WRONG things are annoying and make life difficult for those trying to do the RIGHT things.Punishing those who don't need i..."
The ridiculous part about it is that those professionally doing the wrong things cope easily with the regulations as they know them and have got all their ducks in a row, which is easy when you can just lie and forge stuff
The only people 'caught' are the honest ones who try and do it properly
M.T. wrote: "Jim wrote: "She was told, "I'm 101, and it's time I was moving on."Mentally she was still absolutely sharp, but frailty was getting her down, ..."
Bless her heart. She sounds brilliant. Much like..."
Yes, glad your Mum's funeral went well. You get to a stage in life when you realise that there is such a thing as 'a good funeral'
Evening, bitterly cold wind again today, that got worse during the day. My bro sent pics of snow in Jersey, that was crazy! We had some interesting IT issues at work today, and IT's way of fixing them caused more issues than we started with! Needed a new top coat, went to both Superdrug and Boots at lunch, neither stock the one I want, so will have to buy it from Amazon, at least I tried to buy it in person! Went to retail park after work in an attempt to get litter from the small B & M, none there either, so nipped in Pets at Home and ended up paying double what I normally pay! Then made the mistake of seeing what new things/offers Asda had without picking up a shopping bag, they had enough for me to need a basket, then play Jenga getting it to the car without buying another bag! Wasn't a fun drive home though, one part of the road is a 50 zone and quite an exposed road, I had to drive at 40, and even then could feel the car moving with the wind! Have heard some wheely bins blowing over in the last half hour too. Clipped Lucy's claws then did my toe nails while I had clippers out, have now got a sore big toe as too much came off! Nice to see you posting MT, glad your mum's funeral went well, good luck with filling in the probate forms.
Thanks Desley. It's been bitter here too. Very cold but crisp and clear.
Evening, another cold day, was surprised when I went out at lunch and it was drizzling. Went to feed Mister, he wasn't there again, but there were a lot of ducks and geese who started climbing out of the canal when they saw me, so fed them instead.
Evening, another dry but cold day. Got to do something new at work, another thing that we don't have to do very often. Went to the canal at lunch, still no Mister, but got a load of mallards jump out and come to me, so fed them. Lucy was at the vets after work, I did panic slightly as I finished work as I hadn't seen her when I popped down for my afternoon drink, she was hiding in her tunnel, and wasn't that easy to get out, though at least she didn't bite/scratch. Was really busy at the vets, I saw one of the vets I knew and prayed we weren't in with her, she isn't that confident with cats, but instead we got quite a young female vet who I've never seen before, but was very calm and patient with Lucy, and got the checks done. She was looking at her blood tests and saying that as they haven't been done since May 22, she'd quite like them repeating. Lucy was chilling in her carrier, so I said that if she was brave enough, she could give it a go, Lucy was good for her. She then took her in the back with the vet nurse, came back, apparently they need 0.7ml for the in house test, and at 0.67ml, Lucy started fighting them and blew the vein, she wouldn't let them put pressure on or bandage it, so she was very apologetic that Lucy was bleeding and would have a bruise. I was grateful the only blood shed was Lucy's! She said they will attempt to run them, but if it isn't enough, I'll get a refund. She forgave me quite quickly actually, so she must be mellowing in her old age!
Wish we could explain things to pets. Hope she's okay.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Evening, another dry but cold day. Got to do something new at work, another thing that we don't have to do very often. Went to the canal at lunch, still no Mister, but got a load of mallards jump o..."It's always tough when they don't like it. Sounds like you and the vet did well between you to get any blood. Poor old Lucy. I'm glad she forgave you quickly. :-)
Evening, Lucy's day got worse, it was the girl's time to be out overnight, but Lucy wouldn't stop crying at the bedroom door, so I opened it, she ran out hissing, realised there was no one on the landing, ran downstairs, came across one of them, and flew back in my room and under the bed, she didn't come out till I switched the light off, though at least she came up to me for me to cuddle her! Hectic day at work, a few urgent things came up, so had to shuffle things to get them all in, and didn't do much of the backlog. Vegan friend J messaged this morning asking if I wanted to go for a walk at lunch, not seen her this year, we started at the canal, no sign of Mister, just a load of mallards, then she likes to do partway through the nature reserve putting out nuts and seeds for the birds and squirrels, so we did that, it was really nice to have a catch up. Popped to Lidl after work, struggling with food inspiration at the moment, came back with bread and potatoes, not all that great! Went to sit with the girls when I got back, Coco was on the chair, but I'm being mean this year and turfing her off it, fed up of being uncomfortable sat on the floor, I only go in for an hour a day, she can let me have it! She actually let me get close enough to her to sniff my finger, then I got to slightly brush her side as she ran off, closest I've got in 5 years! Vet rang me, there was just enough blood for the machine to give them some results. Her SDMA (early kidney function detection) is 17, it was 16, and I think the top end of normal is 13, so definitely some decline, but her Urea and Creatnine are both low end of normal, so not a major concern. Her creatnine is identical to what it was in May 22, and her Urea has gone up by 2, so that's fine. Globulin still slightly high, but identical to last time, so vet wonders if that is her normal, as the markers are obviously an average. Slightly curious, one of her liver markers is slightly low, but she said as there is nothing else out, she is happy that doesn't mean anything significant. So all in all, she is happy with her, and good results for a cat whose had early kidney disease for nearly 6 years. She's currently snoozing next to me on the sofa and actually touching me, which is a rarity for her.
Given the lifetime of a cat, to have early kidney disease for that long makes me wonder if it's her normal
Evening, G messaged this morning while I was just contemplating what to do to ask if I wanted company on my walk, so I said yes, not seen her this year. She was happy to do the shorter reservoir as it's her favourite. As I hadn't hit my step count, we parked at the co-op, walked round to see if Mister was there, which he wasn't, so just fed the mallards that came up to us. Left G at co-op, picked up my prescription, got a sandwich and cream cake from the bakery, bumped into one of G's neighbours I've not seen for a while and had asked G on our walk if her neighbour was OK, so nice to see her. Popped in coffee shop to get a coffee and had a nice chat and got some TV recommendations from her. Did a couple of chores, but pretty much chilled this pm, Lucy did insist on some cuddles, which I felt she deserved. I'm going with not Jim, just because of the fluctuations over the years, her SDMA has ranged from 10 to 17, but that picks up from I think 30% loss of kidney function, whereas the standard Urea/Creatnine tests pick up I think from 70%. At least it shows her renal dry food actually does do something.
I've never had anything to do with these tests so wasn't aware of that. But as you say it does look as if the diet you are feeding her is doing something
Evening, woke up and it was -1. Did some chores, and as I had a rubbish night sleep, decided to just do a short walk, went to see if Mister was back, which he wasn't, bumped into some dogwalkers, was weird wishing each other Happy New Year so late into the month, had a little chat about the fact we can't do the usual walk, they did try yesterday, but they have 4 small dogs, and their smallest only has 3 legs, so it was too much for them. Decided to walk the other way along the canal for a bit to see if he has just moved downstream, despite the sun and it was up to 2, the canal was still frozen in places. Disturbed a squirrel having a wash, it was cleaning it's tail, dropped it's tail, and was touching it's belly a bit confused, till it realised I was watching! And saw a heron in one of the ponds, not seen one in the flesh for a while. I'm not actually sure I'd have an SDMA test done on a cat again - changing her diet so early may well have bought her more time, but then there is the knowing, going through regular bloods and everytime she isn't herself, wondering if her kidneys have got worse.
Tough, being responsible for their welfare and health.The companionship and affection are costly but worth it, we hope for them, too. To whatever degree they are self-aware - which is uncanny sometimes.
Evening, bitterly cold today, was -2 when I set off to work, 0 when I got to my car after work, though -1 when I got in it to come home, phone is currently saying -3. Not a bad day at work. Snow forecast for tomorrow, if the snow is bad, I'll brave going to work on the bus, a colleague lives up the road and doesn't drive, so gets on the bus, he kindly offered to meet me near my house and get on the bus with me - if it's not bad and I risk driving, I'll offer him a lift.
snow turned to rain with us about 9am and it's been a wet day
We've been in California, near San Francisco but inland, six years now - and this is the first winter the weather has been what I expected: cool in the winter, with regular bits of overnight rain that accumulates as the water for the year, much of it in the form of snow in the Rockies and the Sierras.World weather patterns are changing, and it's not good.
Evening, woke up about 5am and nothing outside, heard a neighbour leave at 6.20, looked outside and there was snow, then when I came down at 7.20, there was no evidence my neighbour had driven off the street! So I messaged my colleague and arranged to meet him, we did get to work a bit late, but luckily we have flexi. I was going to get a return ticket, but he gets a lift home from his OH, so said she'd drop me off too, then another colleague who lives in my village also offered, so good to know if I have car issues, there are people willing to help. About 11.20, the fire alarm went off (and we have the weekly test at 11am on a Tue, so not that!), so we all had to go and stand in the assembly point, luckily it had pretty much stopped snowing by then. There are some works going on in the car park we use as an assembly point, and something like a tractor decided it needed to leave the car park, so we all had to move, which wasn't easy given how slippy the carpark was! We were out for quite a while, apparently there was some issue with the roof ventilation, so they had to make sure it was clear before we were allowed back in. Then the afternoon was a bit rushed with everyone wanting everything at the same time! Was due a couple of parcels today, two different neighbours took them in, not sure why neighbour took my parcel in (I refuse to take hers in!), but at least she sent one of her lodgers across with it! Still snow out, and it's supposed to snow a bit more overnight, but drop to - temps overnight, it's at least now showing a low of -5, was showing -8 this morning!
we got down to about -3 but it's above freezing now, and the forecast for us is light frost tonight then milder and wetter until at least the middle of next week
Still don't understand how animals outdoors don't turn into blocks of ice. ALL of them.I know I would.
Evening, it had started snowing again when I went to bed, but stopped at some point, but dropped below freezing (apparently up the road registered at -5.8, but always colder up there, I've left my house in rain and it's turned to snow by the bit they register temps at). My street looked very icy, and could hear neighbours car struggling to grip, so I haven't left my house today. Hoping it clears a bit tomorrow, only bought a small bottle of milk yesterday and realised this morning there was no bread to make breakfast with! There is either a stray cat, or a new house with a cat, it was sat in front of my house this morning, while Lucy was going mad in the house hissing at it, I had to shoo it off 3 times, she wouldn't go out to scare it herself though! According to my phone it is -5 and will be until 9am tomorrow, will briefly get to a high of 1 degree, but then back below freezing and possibility of snow. I want it to be clear on Fri! No, I don't either Alicia, must have better insulation than us humans.
It's little birds' tiny wee thin legs that worry me in the cold! It's been really bitter cold here the past couple of days, no snow though
All the exposed parts still have to work if the birdie needs them.
Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "It's little birds' tiny wee thin legs that worry me in the cold! It's been really bitter cold here the past couple of days, no snow though"me too! Putting food out for them every day.
Alicia wrote: "Still don't understand how animals outdoors don't turn into blocks of ice. ALL of them.I know I would."
A lot better insulation. Thicker skin, better hair and I think they do fat coverage better as well :-)
But keeping dry and out of the wind is important
Actually today it might have been below freezing but there was no wind and if you were in the sun it was quite pleasant. But the minute you went into the shade you felt it
Evening, bright day, but bitterly cold. I braved going out at lunch for some milk, the top of the street was like sheet ice, and the roads/pavements didn't look much better, so decided to to to Sainsbury's rather than Co-op, that felt dicey enough! Colleague told me it's going to warm up and be very wet for the next week or so, not sure which I'd prefer. Busy day at work, especially as I'm having a rare long weekend, and didn't want to leave my colleague with half finished things.
Evening, well, my day off didn't go as planned! Had my usual ridiculously early get up, opened the door for Lucy at 6.20am and there was fresh snow on the ground, which I wasn't expecting! Was taking C out for afternoon tea as it's her birthday tomorrow, realised I hadn't bought a card for her, so when it got to a reasonable hour to leave, I went round to the papershop, it was much easier walking on the pavements today than yesterday! Scraped a ridiculous amount of ice off the car, sat in it to pick C up, to discover it wouldn't start! Luckily I'd factored in a 30 min buffer due to some roadworks, so she had time to come and collect me, and drive us there, which was a shame as it was supposed to be a surprise! Garage weren't able to collect it today, they can get it on Mon and hopefully it will just need charging, so have had to get permission to WFH on Mon, and then go in the office on Wed to make up for it. Had a lovely afternoon, it's the first time I've been to the place we went with someone happy to have afternoon tea, C opted for the chocolate afternoon tea (place is known for their chocolate!), so I thought I'd do the same, it was very nice, if very rich! Had to bring cake home, was weird not buying cake to bring home, but I have enough I think! If you tell them there is a birthday, they bring out a special plate where they write 'Happy birthday' in chocolate, and put a sparkler in a cake and bring it out, and when I glanced at the bill, there didn't seem to be a charge for it. Downside of not driving was that I didn't get to do any food shopping on the way home! Glad that I didn't have many plans for the weekend, though was going to get Lucy's prescription (at least it was just an excuse to get out of the house, we have enough time).
Batteries hold less charge in cold weather, so you can have problems
Evening, when I got up this morning, I decided to test the car, as it was a balmy 2 degrees, and it started! So I decided to quickly get dressed, and go to the vets and local market town for their Lidl to give it a bit of a run, it got me there and back, and I stopped a couple of times for shopping, and it started again, so fingers crossed it was just the cold, not ringing the garage till I get to work on Mon though, but have let work know I'll be in as usual. Downside is that the battery dying meant the entertainment console was locked, and I have no idea what the code is for that, need to go and find the manual - on the plus side, didn't need to worry about that draining the battery, and I drove without the heater on to be on the safe side. So at least I got to leave the house, and got both Lucy's prescription and some food shopping. I got a bargain in Morrisons, they had a reduced hoody, was down from £18 to £10, then it scanned through at £8! They had pink and grey, went pink this time as last one was grey, and its very warm, doesn't look as warm as the other one, but feels warmer on. Then I decided to go to the chemist, they have recently changed hands, so thought they might have been willing to do Lucy's prescription, but got the same 'we haven't seen this for years, suggest you try elsewhere' - seeing as the one who normally orders it gets one with a decent date, it's clearly still manufactured, all they do is request it from their supplier. Difference between an independent chemist and a chain! Then just did chores and chilled. Ah, that's interesting to know Jim.
This is quite an interesting quick guide https://www.exidegroup.com/eu/en/news...There were a lot of electric vehicles experiencing difficulties last week, especially in places where it got really cold
Evening, rather boring day, not left my house due to the storm, getting worse now, heard a couple of wheely bins blowing over while typing this. Found my manual, I apparently need a radio pass card, which aren't supposed to be kept in the car, so no guarantee there was one in it when I bought it second hand, will have to ring Nissan when WFH to see if they can reset and how expensive, might be cheaper to use a cradle and play music through my phone! I did have to take a lot of snow and ice off the car, more than I remember doing previously, so fingers crossed it was just the cold.
I remember having to dig the cars out of quite a lot of snow - but in California we have no snow where we are, and haven't acquired a car!I had recently lost the ability to stand and help, so it's just as well.
was windy here, but we're coastal so not surprising :-)
Evening all, that was a day! My car made it to the office and back, but I only remembered half way home that I was supposed to have let the garage know and couldn't ring from the car as I don't have hands free. Despite it being after closing time, the owner did answer, and said he just thought it must have started once it was warmer, and thanked me for ringing! We had a meeting with one of the big bosses this morning just titled 'update', seems they are starting a 30 day consultation to look at moving the two teams that make up my department but putting them in two different places, not quite sure how I feel about that, and as I'm agency, might not be included in the consultation as I'm technically not directly affected. At least one of my colleagues said that if I'm not in the meetings, she will bring up anything I want and tell them that it's essential I get transferred to the new team with her. One of the managers caught up with me and my other employee who is casual, so also not classed as directly affected. She said that consultation is just that, and no guarantee it will go ahead, but that she feels that there will be a place for both of us, but maybe one on each team. Hopefully the new team is short staffed so there will be the chance of a permanent job for me. I'm used to being an optimist, so the fact that I feel quite laid back (well, did feel a bit sick at first!) and 'what will be will be' is quite an odd feeling for me. As I was in the office, I decided to go to Boots to see if they can get hold of Lucy's medication, they didn't, and told me there are supply issues, turns out there are 3 chemists within walking distance of the office, did all 3 at lunch, then 3 I drove past to get home, none have it in stock, or can order it in - luckily I plan for this, and we have enough medication for a month, so can try again next week, though have a couple to ring tomorrow. Wind picking up again, wasn't too bad on the way home, but heard a few wheely bins blow over since I got home. I decided I deserved to buy nail varnishes after that day!
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Went to a funeral yesterday, a lady who had been 101
https://announcements.telegraph.co.uk...