Cherry takes the reins

Sun_Addict

As much as I like to be busy at work, sometimes it's nice just to have a quiet day when nothing much happens and you can regroup ready for the next onslaught.

Seasidegal58

I agree with SA - it's great to have the odd peaceful day at work. 

Have a good weekend Cherry. 😀

Cherryfudge

Peaceful days at work are continuing! In fact as we have minimal staffing and no clients this weekend, I'm working an hour less tomorrow and can probably take Sunday off. This might confuse me utterly as we caught up with online church this evening so today, Friday, feels like Sunday, and Saturday will set back to normal when we have our fish and chips. Sunday as a day off when I've worked on Saturday; well, that never happens, then I'm off as part of my regular rota early next week. Apart from that I work predictable hours.  

It was quite an odd work day as I was with people I've worked with many years and it's been more like having the day with friends in some ways. There really wasn't much left to do apart from reading up the new paperwork and odd bits of cleaning. The chap who's been in fixing our electrics for a few days worked quietly in the fuse cupboard and was probably entertained by us getting more relaxed as the day went on! I did manage some laminating and descaled the washing machines in the morning, then read some of the necessary paperwork after lunch, so I'm not entirely being paid for nothing.

After work it was drizzling so I decided to stay indoors while DH went for a walk, but it soon cheered up and turned into a lovely end to the day - sunshine and orange leaves. I gathered up paper copies of photos that I'd had made for friends and took them round to people's houses so I had some exercise after all. It was really to chat to a friend that I've not spoken to since March.

And another lazy evening in front of the TV - but I wasted yesterday's as I then stayed up playing on the computer.

So this evening I'm thankful for glorious autumnal colours, chatting to friends, a brisk walk and the possibility of Sunday off.

(Nothing spent).

Seasidegal58

You sound like you had a good day Cherry 😀. It must have been so nice to catch up with the friend you haven't seen for months. 

Cherryfudge

It was indeed, @Seasidegal58 . We had been a bit worried as she didn't want to join in video meetings, and they have had some difficult things as a family that we could only offer listening ears for. However another friend broke the ice recently and I think we might be able to build on that and draw her back into the circle.

And now I have days off! An extra tomorrow then three rotaed days off, after which it's back into working life with some of the people we've not been able to support since March. Of course they will have been affected by lockdown and I expect there will be anxieties to deal with, but it will be so good to see them and have a catch up, and try to give us all a taste of the familiar again.

I sorted a carrier bag of papers and letters of Mum's this evening - kept most of them but have recycled 107 pieces of paper. Some of the bulk was old knitting and sewing patterns which I love as much as old recipes, but I remember there are some box files still at the house that I could use to keep these together. I thought I had found suitable box file but it turned out it was the paperwork from when my grandparents died - and a load of old electricity bills which I don't need so I should weed those out. However there were some letters which fleshed out the memories I have - my Grandparents died within weeks of each other but now I have dates and a few details so I'll keep those.

I haven't been out apart from work today: it's been raining quite a lot so my exercise and diet have both suffered. I must make an effort tomorrow!

This evening I'm thankful for a lie in tomorrow thanks to clocks going back. Also for DH braving the rain to get chips and later groceries while I stayed in.

Seasidegal58

I'm hope your friend continues to open up again to your circle Cherry. 

How nice to find some new information on your grandparents - I often wished I'd asked my Dad more about his days in the merchant navy in WWII. My mum would always talk about her days as a WRAF but Dad never used to say much - he was on one of the Arctic convoys too. ☹️

Cherryfudge

My parents both had wartime stories - Mum was a teenager in London and Dad was in ammunition disposal in Egypt. Mum lived at home with her mum (the one mentioned in the paperwork I found) while her dad was in the RAF. My Dad's Mum must have stayed in Blackpool, where they lived and I think his Dad, who had a lively First World War history, would have been too old to be called up. I'm so pleased I have some of their stories, but like you, @Seasidegal58 , I wish I knew more.

Today has been nice and peaceful: church this morning, a run this afternoon and J and L came to dinner this evening. We had a lovely time: L had us in stitches. I think a really good laugh is so important and has been so missing over the past few months. J has also offered DH a bike that she was given when a friend moved away, but it's too big for her. He's going to try it later this week.

L said something interesting: 'The Fudge family never pays full price for anything'! I think that's a compliment. Probably borne of not having enough to pay full price for quite some time.

Tomorrow we're off to work still more on the old house so I may not be around much, though I've finally worked out how to get onto favourites on this site via my phone. Back midweek.

Tonight I'm thankful for time spent with J and L, perfect weather for running and a tasty dinner cooked by DH.

Cherryfudge

We got back yesterday but such are the staffing levels at work that I did last night's sleep in as well as this morning's shift. It's so nice being back with some of our 'old' clients! There are definite signs of wear and tear from long shielding, but not across the board. People are so variable.

Progress continues with Mum's old house. On this visit we only went for one walk and got pretty soggy in the process, but I found a carrier bag stuffed with letters to bring home and sort here, and I've repacked all the bits and pieces of my sister's and put them together ready to collect when we hire a van. A couple of stacks of papers from one of the reception rooms are now diminished, too. It's amazing how many hours it can take just to go through papers! Roughly 800 'paper decisions' this time, but some of them were quite bulky.

We have had two good offers on the house but both potential buyers have now backed out. There are more people booked to view but the initial rush is subsiding and I'm wondering if there are any of the outstanding jobs that I need to invest in rather than continuing to take people's advice that a buyer will want to do everything to their taste. Everyone who's expressed an opinion so far seems to be saying they like it but it's too big a job for them.

Talking of jobs: I went to add last night's hours to my timesheet and discovered I'd never sent in September's and hadn't actually looked at my pay from September. As I had arrears from a pay award and a 2% increase in weekend enhancement, plus I seem to remember a backlog of sleep in payments, September's pay was 'very healthy' (being effectively August's extras) and October's is skinny - because I was on leave half the months so no extras and have only just claimed for the extras I did. September's looks far too healthy, though. I need to go over it carefully.

This is a cautionary tale really. What happens when you've paid your mortgage off and find yourself bumbling through a pandemic so there's no incentive to save, it just sort of happens because a massive chunk of costs has gone and there was going on holiday. I probably need to find my MS head again and become Deliberate.

The other job news is that DH has been offered a relief post - followed a few hours later by a phone call saying they want him for a part time 12 month contract! So that's great news.

Tea is nearly ready and I haven't spent anything in days so it's time I signed off.

My thankfulnesses for the past few days: more clear area at the old house, job offer for DH and my colleague noticing I've lost weight. Three quite big things really.

Honeysucklelou2

Congratulations to your DH, great news.

Hope an offer is forthcoming from the new viewings.

VelvetFreak

Congrats on the job and fingers crossed that house sells!