Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

Half way through my heavy chunk of shifts. This morning's course wasn't too heavy and was over in three hours so I went out for a pastry and a short time at home before the afternoon shift. The weather's been so mild! Around 12C according to the forecast, it was lovely.

Tomorrow is an early start, but only one packed meal to make (yesterday and today were two packed meals so aside from the pastries, I've done well for healthy foods). It will be chip shop chips tomorrow night but we have fish in the freezer to use with them. Other than that - nothing to report!

Spending:
Housekeeping £2.24
Medical 39p

Cherryfudge

I was tired yesterday evening, got to bed at a not-too-stupid hour and (amazingly) got a good night's sleep. I therefore coped much better than usual through the morning shift though I ended up staying anther 45 minutes as the afternoon shift were going to be short so we needed to get as much as possible in place for them.

Still benefitting from last night's sleep, I didn't fall asleep when I got home but have spent around 4 hours on the Oliver McGowan training which is compulsory for our sector. I realised part way through that I could have got away with not reading the handbook at the beginning - it took ages - but I don't regret it because it was excellent.

I had a break mid evening to go bargain hunting and for a largely unplanned spend, I did quite well. There were very good markdowns on leeks, humous, vegetarian sausages, a couple of gluten-free items and organic milk. This last was only 46p for 2 pints and it's now being turned into yogurt as last week's supply is half way gone. I also bought a few other bits and pieces like salad stuff, tins for the winter emergency store and a bag to put it all in.

Spending:
Housekeeping £19.35

Cherryfudge

Oops, forgot to update yesterday. There's not much to say really. Church online - partly to be rested for work, and partly because I'm struggling with the sound levels. I spoke to the sound desk a couple of times and they've turned speakers down and given me advice on where to sit to minimise the effect, but it's very dependent on who is doing the sound on any given day. It's not just in church now - if I'm in a quiet environment, a voice or phone notification does similar. Think I'll go and live alone in the bee-loud glade for a bit.

Work was okay (how many times have I written that?). I didn't have to shift lead, which makes it easier. When I got home I thought I'd finish the course I was doing yesterday but my notes have disappeared so I'll carry on today. with (hopefully) a clearer head.

Last night I dreamed my manager was crying and asking me to cover a shift. That must be telling me something! Probably that I'm afraid of not getting these two precious days off, and probably I won't as there's the course to finish (but I am finding it interesting so its not too much of a burden). Everyone is struggling to get it done while at work as it's a few hours and there are constant interruptions and other things to be done.

It's a beautiful day, cold and sunny, so the washing is going on. I woke up thinking it might be the perfect day to go for a run and stop being chicken about it. I'm aware I'm going to have to build my fitness up again so I will download couch to 5k and see how it goes. Really looking forward to calling myself a runner again! It's the best feeling, even if I go slightly faster than the average snail.

Onwards.

Cherryfudge

I think I need a list as I keep thinking of things I want to do:

Done:
Quiet time
Put laundry in
Do morning Duolingo (and lost all my lives)

To do:
Go for a run
Practice to regain Duolingo lives
Wash my hair
Give Dh a haircut (did mine a couple of weeks ago)
Finish course for work
Clear a bit of garden space to get some overdue bulbs in
Set up a 1st D1rect account
Shop for haberdashery
Pay window cleaner

Cherryfudge

I wasn't going to update till later but I think it might help me to see how much I've got done:

Done:
Quiet time
Put laundry in, plus two lots by hand
Do morning Duolingo (and lost all my lives)
Practice to regain Duolingo lives
Wash my hair
Give Dh a haircut (did mine a couple of weeks ago)
Finish course for work
Pay window cleaner

To do:
Go for a run
Clear a bit of garden space to get some overdue bulbs in
Set up a 1st D1rect account
Shop for haberdashery

When I completed the course, I realised I can't get into my timesheet for some unknown reason to add the hours (I've added it to my diary as a reminder to do it from work). I went to look up a couple of things I needed to sort out on my work emails and found yet more things being sent to me to do, and I've just been texted to see if I can pick up a sleep in. I've said no. I was in tears over all these demands on top of all the changes, the frustrations of doing the things I'm required to do and not seeing action taken over concerns I raise (I've come to believe management is just another layer of helplessness, as overstretched as everyone else). I did briefly consider going off sick but I've regrouped and think I need to get my thoughts together for Wednesday's team meeting - and maybe email the manager beforehand with some things that are on my mind.

Looking at my to do list, the running isn't going to happen today but I've installed the app (NHS version, as there seem to be a few around). I think it's time I went to see if I can buy the ribbon to mend my work shirt, because I may not get the opportunity tomorrow and it's a job I'd like to get done.

Cherryfudge

I went to the shops but couldn't find what I wanted so the last four items are still on the list. I bought oranges for DH and cappuccinos for me, so both DH and I have shopped today. I think he got groceries and paint but I've not asked.

I was able to talk to DH about the work issues and have found a step I can take to move regarding one of the things that's getting at me.

We went to J and L's for dinner and a really good discussion... felt a lot better for time with them, which has been missing since Christmas (J came to us for Christmas as L was ill, then I couldn't go on a walk with them because I got concussion).

Spending:
Housekeeping £5.00
Phone top up £3.00

Cherryfudge

DH and I both had a day off today as DGD's other grandparents are visiting so it's our 'week off'. I thought I could do with some 'me' time so we had a day out to Helmsley and Thirsk, had lunch in a favourite cafe where there was a box of hot water bottles for customer use, and went round the shops. Lunch was very good, and we had coffee and cake later, which probably wasn't wise on my part as I spent the next hour or so saying I was too full.

It was much quieter than we're used to as we normally go in summer when people ae out and about. A lot of shops had reduced hours, especially in Helmsley, but it's still very pretty and we still found some nice things. I went into Oxfam and found they had bags of dolls' house furniture, so I asked them to put one aside till I'd finished looking round. I have two dolls' houses and both need work but they are around 1/16th scale so it's hard to find things for them. However, a fireplace, chest of drawers, side table and display cabinet all for £1.99 was really good value.

I then spotted some sheepskin ankle boots in my size: they are a good brand and normally retail at £130, so I snapped them up. I think they are last season's style as they aren't identical to the ones I've seen online, but hey are hardly worn. £6.99 for snug feet is a great success, and they are something I've liked for a long time.

Down in Thirsk (those who know it may remember you go round the market square to mop up all the charity shops), we did the tour of shops. Dh found a watercolour, and we finally bought a new kitchen roll holder. It's beech so it sort of fits in with the wooden surfaces. I got a book for 20p which is going to the kitchen at work to encourage people to make smoothies (my campaign to widen people's horizons and provide an accessible activity at the same time). It's as-new condition too so I'm pleased with that.

Finally, I found a 1940s scrapbook of magazine cuttings of knitting patterns and the like. DH found me sitting on the floor of the shop reading, so it came home with us and will be part of my next birthday present. I like the social history aspect of WW2 and am into 'fashion on the ration' as a way of limiting the impact of the modern textile industry, so it's right up my street.

I was a bit worn out by the time we got home, but there was a lovely red sunset and it was still light after five o'clock, so I'm happy with that. I recovered after a cuppa then walked round to my friend's house for our Tuesday pizzas and to start our new study series. Had a lovely evening.

Cherryfudge

Spending:
Housekeeping
Gift £10.00
Entertainment £29.80 (lunch) £12.50 (coffee and cakes)
Household £1.25
Donation 20p
Hobbies £1.99 + £10
Clothing £6.99

Cherryfudge

Not such a good day today. We spent the most of the time training. The room was hot and stuffy, and eventually I went out for fresh air. After lunch there was a team meeting which was somewhat productive though I did raise my voice a bit as I was being asked for a contribution and couldn't make myself heard over a sudden burst of chatter. I don't think I was rude, but I did make the point that talking wasn't appropriate!

I'm really struggling with how loud the place is with so many staff. Of course it goes back to an issue of what's appropriate, so I hope it gets sorted. My hearing seems to get very sensitive if I'm tense or upset, and it seems to be getting more so, to the point I went to the doctor about it once but all he suggested was ear plugs. Seeing that there is a link between reduced hearing and dementia, I didn't feel it was advice I wanted to take! 

When the meeting was over, I went to find my manager to talk through the problems I'm having. She was still busy but her manager was there and kindly gave me some time. She's advised I see the GP (small added stress when I got home as I couldn't get my login to work to make an appointment) and maybe follow up the counselling for which I was given a number some time ago. I've just not had privacy to follow up on that apart from one afternoon where I had two important things to choose between, and that one lost.

I have at least had my leave for tomorrow approved now: I could see I wasn't needed on shift and I really need some time off. There just hasn't been proper time off for a couple of weeks because of work and babysitting. Monday doesn't count as I had to finish some training and try to catch up on various jobs at home. Yesterday (Tuesday ) was a good little break but I'm not rested. I took this evening off from my group and had a nap. I reckoned that was better than trying to force all the relaxing into one day!

I've not spent anything today. Dinner was a lentil and chorizo soup from stores, then some Stilton left over from Christmas! Very tasty.

badmemory

Reduced hearing & dementia.  Well maybe, but I have had reduced hearing since I was three.  So yes in a way it worries me.  But if you are keeping your brain in gear, which I think we both are, then it will not be a problem.  They are looking at not hearing as not connecting with things that are going on - almost opting out of reality.  Which comes first, the dementia or the opting out?  Answers on a post card please!!!  I'm going for the dementia.  It is not happening here, well if it does it will not last long.  I watched my highly intelligent mother suffer from it & I have plans in place.