The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

FairyPrincessk

Morning all,

OH and I are doing the shop today so we can hopefully enjoy nicer weather tomorrow. Still, trudging back in the rain with the shopping won't be fun.

I get particularly cheesed off with those who are 'generous' with their germs. OH is a teacher and I lecture at Uni, so we're both exposed to all sorts of stuff. We're fairly good now at not passing it between us. We have to be, as I spent about two years with ongoing chest infections and was starting to need an inhaler. I just don't recover well from colds. OH can sometimes miss a day here and there when he absolutely needs to, although he hates to as it makes things worse for other staff. If I miss a day it means cancelling on students as there is no one to take over. I try to emphasize to my students that I would rather them take time off to recover than have them infect their colleagues. Unfortunately it is not a widely shared view. I do know that some of them will try it on ,but honestly I think it is a sad world where we don't have a system in place that allows people to be ill. We used to get penalized when I was in school/uni if we took time off. I distinctly remember my mother having to go round and round with a particular teacher at my school who refused to send me coursework when I was home with glandular fever for three weeks. I did have a doctor's note and was told not to return until the fever had broken for at least 48 hours. I not only slept almost non-stop during that time but lost a stone (that I really did not need to lose) and yet the teacher thought I should be penalized for missing school. Eventually my mum had to get the head involved. When I was eventually well enough to go back I always dreaded going into her class and she treated me like some sort of lazy scum. I was an excellent student and was already miserable about missing school.

Tonight is Jambalaya for tea, but lots of chores in the mean time.

Softstuff

I used to be subject to every cold, cough or flu going Hester. I worked in a video games shop and parents used to take the kids to the doctors surgery nearby, then bring them into the shop to get a game to go home sick with! I had so many illnesses there I couldn't shake the laryngitis and the doc was worried about permanent damage.

In more recent times, we don't mix as much and sickness tends to be rarer, which is fortunate for my vocal cords.

It's an interesting way to manage workplace absences Hester, wonder what would happen If the person with the front door keys doesn't show up

FairyPrincessk

I just realized I forgot to reply to Nursemaggie this morning. You're right--it does make the wool last longer and wool is so very expensive. It is just a simple ribbed scarf, so I don't really have to think about it which makes a nice change from my last project. I'm hoping I'll get faster with practice. The scarf should be warmer than what he currently has, and certainly smarter. It is basically identical in pattern, but it is a synthetic wool and has pilled terribly. He had a smarter one given to him but wouldn't wear it as it was a bit short, so I'm making this one the same size as the one that he likes.


Aldi run finished and we've just had our lunch. I took the two spare jacket spuds cooked the other night and chopped them up with some spare chorizo for sandwiches that we won't be having, a pepper and spring onions and fried it all off together in a sort of hash. OH said it was nice 'like posh prison food' which he claims is a compliment. We also shared a grapefruit and I'm just having a coffee. Now I'm off to change bed linen, sort out the damp washing that needs to finish off outside, put away what is dry, do a bit of ironing and vac upstairs. OH has cleaned the bathroom and bleached the tile grout and disinfected the kitchen surfaces. I guess he is trying to get off on good behavior :rotfl:

Hard_Up_Hester

Softstuff, that has happened, we all stood outside for 2 hours until the next person on shift arrived at 8:30. Just as the students arrived, it was chaos!

pollyanna_26

Quick heads up for Mar and any interested . I don't know if you are already aware Mar but following Peters epic escape ( in my opinion ! )
from incarceration in your shed , he has been filming with Ruth and Alex . Full Steam Ahead series . Starts Thursday 21st July BBC2 .
I even checked and yes it is being shown in Scotland . x
CH4 Are starting a series on attempts to build a new society from scratch in the Highlands - Monday 9pm . Might be interesting but will reserve judgement . Called Eden and meant to span a full year .
I need to catch up on posts but noticed Softstuff and her OH are unwell sending get better soon vibes and Karma to those who spread their germs .
I need to get in the garden for a couple of hours . Weeds everywhere and lots of herbs ready to harvest . We have had a number of very wet and humid days . I have to check the garlic planted in October and need my lavender plants to dry out so I can bring in the biggest lavender crop I've ever had . Bees and other insects are all over the plants .
Back later
Take care all
polly

milasavesmoney

Interesting conversation today!

We are meeting a siding contractor this morning to see if he will replace the damaged siding on our mobile home rental. He said he doesn't normally work on mobile homes but he's willing to take a look. He's been in business here for a long time and would be the best person to do the work. My DH can usually talk people into doing things they don't really want to do ( a superb BS artist ) so I'm counting on him to make this happen.

Yes, it's inevitable that we will get sick with colds/flu but be so cavalier about passing that illness to others defies logic. I'm simply astonished!

I made something very similar with chorizo, potatoes, green onions, orange bell pepper and spinach...all saut!ed to go with dinner last night. My husband wouldn't even taste it. :mad: :wall: I fed it to the dogs.

Hard_Up_Hester

Ooh, ooh, ooh Pollyanna, I shall go and look for that now. I know you posted it for Mar, but I'm a big fan too.

camelot1001

Does anyone else find that they hold their breath when talking to someone with a cold? I'm surprised I don't get ill more often as the school children are always snotting and sneezing all over me, then there's the vomit .....

Woke up this morning in the mood to make something so went along to Dunelm an bought some material and wadding and am making DD some place mats for the table. I'm so bad at following instructions I had to unstitch the first one as the filling was on the outside!! Onwards.

mardatha

I LET HIM OUT TO MAKE THE PROG! HE DOESNT WANT TO ESCAPE!
thanks pet

pollyanna_26

Mar Man cannot live on jelly babies alone . My theory is he took the door apart with his excellent skills and ran downhill rapidly !
Am now wondering if I should have alerted Hester , I dithered about telling you but the thought of you and Hester in mortal combat or worse still joining forces is very worrying . Be good both of you and admire from afar .:D
polly