Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

It's only the second time I've seen one, and previously it was in a field close to this one. There were two of them: and admittedly I wasn't close enough to be absolutely sure but they were bigger than rabbits and had long ears - then when they decided I was an unwanted presence, the rate at which they 'hared off' was remarkable.

VelvetFreak

Just popping in to say hi! I'm glad you guys all seem to be doing well. Stay safe

Cherryfudge

Back to work - but no clients! We started off with a  briefing by a senior manager then did what few jobs we could find to do while waiting for our first referral, but they didn't turn up. Apparently people are discharged from hospital between 8am and 8pm so at 8.30 we shut up shop. It means I don't have the sleep in to do but I'd rather be at home.

We are going to have a uniform, complete with NHS-style laundry requirements. I'm not sure how long it will take for these to come through and it's just a polo shirt so I need to sort out something that's not jeans to wear with it. I might just get some plain lightweight cotton trousers I think as I know we are going to be very warm over the summer with extra PPE.

What was quite nice was getting time to clean out the goldfish at work.   Poor things needed it and probably won't get timely cleanings out for a while. 

DS2 has been in touch to say his housemate tested negative so they are both back to work and he'll be on a Covid ward from Thursday. I said we'd pray and to keep in touch, and his sister said to be careful... not much else we can say really. I also heard from a friend that her step daughter and fiancé are both quite ill: he's been to hospital but is now home again. And then Boris Johnson going into intensive care! I think I have seen enough news for today and will stay home tomorrow (I went for a run today so I don't need to go again till Wednesday).

Some spending has occurred: J has a birthday so £35 on a present and I will find a card in the stash. Other than that I spent 99p on an ebook that I think SunAddict mentioned.
 Decluttering was only some out of date eye drops.

Tonight I'm thankful for extra time at home, for DS2 having had enforced isolation (!) and for a quiet start to the new way of life at work. Also for a clear blue sky with a couple of stars on the way home.

Cherryfudge

I forgot to mention that DH has returned his work laptop to the office and is currently in the process of installing Windows 10 on his Dad's old laptop. He couldn't find the mouse but amazingly I had come across a forgotten one in the kitchen drawer a couple of days ago which we're going to try out. Otherwise it's down to sharing this one with me: he might struggle for enough computer time!

greenbee

If you’re up to sewing there are patterns online for scrubs - the trousers for those might be good for under PPE, and you can make them from poly cotton sheets/duvet covers if they are thick enough and the right colour.

Cherryfudge

greenbee said:

If you’re up to sewing there are patterns online for scrubs - the trousers for those might be good for under PPE, and you can make them from poly cotton sheets/duvet covers if they are thick enough and the right colour.

Thanks greenbee, I will have a look though my sewing skills are a bit limited. Certainly sounds about the right weight of material and I don't think we are limited in colour schemes (!) as in theory we are still allowed to wear our own clothes for work. We change out of whatever we wore from home as we arrive, and back into it after work, then we can either take our things straight home to launder or they can go into work laundry which to me is the better option. Everyone has gone up a size as we hear they are slim fitting and the workplace is generally overheated!

Cherryfudge

Today has improved as it went along. Obviously DS2 is on my mind, though he's not back at work for a couple of days yet. However, as H (who also works in a hospital) has pointed out, he will have the correct PPE in work.

I hung about much of the day feeling a bit low and not getting much done but eventually got my act together and tried doing today's J0e W1cks exercise, though slightly against my better judgement as I've known pushing myself into exercise to backfire. This time, weirdly, I paused the video while the washing machine was making a lot of noise, and couldn't get back to the programme later. At least I am half J0e W!cks'ed!  

It's was beautiful outside: DH took his bike out and went miles. Now he says he doesn't know why he feels tired. I planted up a hanging basket with some begonia tubers I'd saved from last year then tackled about a square foot of ivy that had got under the lawn. It took quite a while. The fruit bushes are starting to come into leaf so I only have a few more days with relatively easy access under them to get rid of the weeds. I also watered everything as it's so dry. I hope it's not too late for some plants where the pots had tipped over and they were looking very sorry for themselves.

Dinner today: I found DH had bought lamb mince instead of beef so I had a go at a sort of tagine with apricots, prunes and honey. It was okay but a bit too sweet really. At least we tried it. 

I had a text from DD asking how I was so I was honest and said I was worrying. She's very helpful to talk to (she works in mental health) so a few words with her and I felt supported. She said she worries too and both of us are trying to live mindfully. We sent prayers and hugs to each other - I'm getting much more open and expressive which has to be a good thing.  

I was supposed to have my zoom meeting this evening but only one other person could make it so we just chatted, and I came away feeling considerably better for having a good laugh. As a group we're going to have another try at meeting tomorrow. Then I messaged an old friend and had a great chat, so I'm finishing the day on a much better note. I must remember to reach out to people when I feel low.

I haven't spent anything but DH had an interesting financial experience. The other day he found a cheque book of his Dad's for an old account. The last cheque in it was dated 2013 when he lived in a different part of the country. DH's Dad was an accountant and hadn't mentioned the account at all when the Power of Attorney was set up so DH assumed it was long-since closed but today decided to ring the bank just to check. The account is still open and has money in it, and what's more, there's another account in his name with the same bank! DH now has to send off the documents to prove the death and that he is Executor. We don't know what's in there, but as DFiL had never mentioned it, we are assuming he thought it was closed and there won't be much there.

Other than that, I've decluttered some papers. I didn't count, but a few handfuls. I suppose the increasing mound of ripped out ivy is also decluttering.

Tonight I'm thankful for good friends and having a laugh.

in_need_of_direction

I I do think we will all come out of this with a greater appreciation of friendship.  It’s too easy to let things slip normally.  Glad you enjoyed your interactions

Cherryfudge

Yesterday was beautiful and we lent the garden to J and L to get some sun. They live in a flat and are really outdoors people so it made sense. It was nice to see them in person, albeit at a distance, and have 'real' conversations! Before they came I did a bit more weeding and really I ought to push on with it this afternoon before work or the rest of my onions won't get planted (the packet says autumn, but there's nothing I can do about that! At least they won't go to waste. The ones I put in the other day seem to be okay, and the garlic I planted some weeks ago is growing well).

Yesterday I did week 5 run 1 of C25K which was a little more demanding, and the weather a bit warmer so I was pleased with myself for getting through it without too much struggle. I also discovered a beautiful blackthorn hedge so I will make a mental note and look for sloes later in the year.

In the evening I had an online meetup with a couple of friends: we aren't very techy but we got there! This morning was a Z00m meeting with J and L and as many family members as we could get together (DS2 and H were both at work but those able to work from home pushed their work laptops to one side and some left a bit early). This was all in honour of J's birthday: it was really nice to see them all, including all three of L's lovely grandparents who are isolating, and even L's auntie and uncle through a window as they dropped off groceries for grandma and grandad! J and L's toddler goddaughter was a star of the show - and without the virus we probably wouldn't have seen them for months.

Today's plan is to do more in the garden and more on my course before work, and DH is going to get some shopping. We are doing as little as possible and my neighbour who gets an online delivery is going to add a few bits to her order for us. She still can't get flour but tins of fruit are very welcome - and crème eggs!

Spending
(yesterday) ebook 99p

This morning I'm thankful for family time via Z00m, for a selfie of DS2 which he apparently took through a blood bag (! I suppose it keeps the phone clean) and for the freedoms I have to go out in the countryside.

Cherryfudge

Yesterday's dreaded work was all right in the end. We only had one patient and he has now gone to a nursing home. Wearing masks was novel but oddly somehow relaxing as we're no longer having to rely solely on disinfection and social distancing. We have to go through a different entrance and change into work clothes like real hospital staff. A colleague gave me the tip to take a pillowcase to put work clothes in so they can go straight in the washer and not risk contaminating the environment.

Apparently I took today as a day off in the dim and distant past about a month ago (that other world), so I have three days off. There's an online Good Friday service at 12 from the churches of the town so we're planning to attend. Other than that it's due to get warm this afternoon so I need to fit in my run while it's cooler.

And other Kindle devotees may have noticed there are a number of good recipe books available for 99p each at the moment... I bought another yesterday and Lord of the Rings (first part) was on offer for 99p too, so that's £1.98 spent.

DH got most of the shopping but has to go back today for a couple of things he couldn't get. I couldn't get my head completely round the list yesterday (work was on my mind) so I may have items to add. I don't know what it came to but we must be spending a lot less than we usually do. Will have to check the bank later. I've finally remembered to out my prescription request in but I doubt that will be collectable before Tuesday.

Time I went and did something useful.