Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

Today started and finished cold and foggy, but it was nice this afternoon. The tiny daffodils in my wall baskets are out, so I'm happy about that. I also rescued an overwintering hyacinth (a gift from J last year) that was growing in the shed: it's out in the weather now so it can grow properly. The buds are filling out.

Talking of buds, I have two hippeastrum (hippeastri?) in bud. A bit late for Christmas but welcome nonetheless.

There's also a fritillaria in the shed which is struggling back to viability. Last year the slugs really went for it till I brought it in. I wasn't sure there was enough left to survive but it obviously thinks otherwise but is confused as the bulb was on its side and has rooted that way so any growth will have to be at ninety degrees. Anyone with tips on how to protect it without slug pellets, please let me know.

So today was our day with baby N. DH had the first shift then met me in town while she slept in the pram, so we went for coffee. I also got DH a Valentine's card as I'd somehow managed not to do so in time! I offered for him to choose his own (!) but he said he'd rather not.  

It was fun having her again though she has clearly decided I am an also-ran compared to DH, and kept going to him for cuddles. By the afternoon she decided I was permissible, so I must have done something right.

More groceries bought as we decided on spaghetti Bolognese which I normally don't like (not a fan of beef so I made mine with lentils). I don't think we bought extravagantly but prices have gone up so much (apart from a large tub of hot chocolate at £2, which was worth getting while I saw it, £2.50 is the usual best price). Oh, and I bought some thin chocolate mints (supermarket brand) for DH seeing as it's Valentines Day and this variety is dairy-free.

This evening my group wasn't meeting so I've been playing on the computer, having discovered a work-around that gets me back on a game I like. Shocked to see how much time I've spent on it in the past, though, and resolved not to fall for that again. Later we watched Chris Packham's excellent documentary on autism - we both thought it was excellent.

Oh, and I'm intending to clean out the fridge tomorrow - hold me accountable. I've just thrown out some bits but I'd like to give it a deep clean.

Spending:
Gifts £4.85
Entertainment £5.80?
Housekeeping £20.72

Cherryfudge

Ahem - fridge clean didn't happen, though there is a bit more space than there was. It's been an odd day really. A day off but I woke up feeling a tad anxious and had to remind myself there was nothing to be anxious about. It took me all morning to get three things done that were causing me a sort of pressurised feeling. That was a short Bible reading, getting dressed and washing my hair. Yet all of those make me feel better when achieved.

Anyway, I got the laundry done, the would-like-to-avoid three out of the way and some chicken out of the freezer for dinner. I decided to book a GP appointment as suggested by management: got as far as logging on and it didn't work, but I held my nerve and looked up the details only to find I'd added a dot in the username that wasn't there in real life. Once logged in, I ordered any meds that were getting low then browsed GP appointments - and the computer cut out. Turns out the battery was flat, which never used to happen because the previous battery didn't work and it had to be on mains all the time. Then I couldn't find my diary and rang work: yes, I'd left it there so I called in and collected it.

I went on to the shops - more conscious than normal that shops are busy places, but I was able to get everything I wanted without going on the High Street. On the way back I met a colleague who has been keeping an eye out for my welfare and who filled me in on some work stuff. Some of it could be good news for me as they may consider me transferring to our sister service. However, it turns out I'm down for shift lead on Saturday, so I've emailed my manager to say I don't think I can handle being shift lead with the situation that will be happening that day. I've asked if I can swap shifts or take that one off.

I've booked the GP, and also have an appointment with the major incident response team to talk through the incident that triggered this.

I managed to explain this to Dh when he got home from work, which is a good thing as I find it easier to stay schtum.

Dinner was chicken chasseur - enough for another day as well so now we have two lots of finishing up to do.

On a much more positive note, DGD had a lovely full day at nursery and A sent us an endearing video of her hugging a toy.

Spending:
Housekeeping £6.05

Honeysucklelou2

Sounds like a tough time at work…hope the talking through with the response team helps.

Is the sister unit as easy to get to as your current place of work?

Copper tape is supposed to be a good alternative to slug pellets. I’ve seen adverts for it and got as far as buying a roll but not tested it out yet.

Cherryfudge

Honeysucklelou2 said:

Sounds like a tough time at work…hope the talking through with the response team helps.

Is the sister unit as easy to get to as your current place of work?

Copper tape is supposed to be a good alternative to slug pellets. I’ve seen adverts for it and got as far as buying a roll but not tested it out yet.

Thanks. Yes, the sister unit is nearby so it wouldn't make any difference to travel. I've helped out there a few times and in fact newer members of staff are contracted to work at both places, so it's all familiar.

I will look into copper tape to protect my plant thanks. I would imagine putting it around the plant pot and plant tray might keep off the smaller invaders, at least!

Sun_Addict

I bought some pellets that repel them rather than kill them. Unfortunately I can’t remember the brand but they did help. 

Cherryfudge

I didn't know about those, @Sun_Addict, I'll keep my eyes open for them. 

Cherryfudge

Today's spending so far has been £8.40 on a micro SD card for my Kindle and £12.29 for a book of Italian grammar - both covered by a gift card so lucky me!

My mood is much better today - it still took me all morning to get up and about but it was choice not anxiety. I also had a call back from the doctors as they are able to give me an earlier appointment - tomorrow. Really glad about that as it will move things on so much faster and I took the afternoon as leave so I'm free to attend.

@Sun_Addict mentioned a recipe this morning which sounded very good so I'm off out to buy carrots for it soon, but first I'll have a look to see if my work email of yesterday has had a reply. Do I want to do this? Not sure but if there's a reply, I will know where I stand. Apparently the manager was going to have a chat with me but as I am on leave apart from this weekend, I wouldn't have been able to do that for a while.

Cherryfudge

I've heard nothing back from work.

I did rather a lot of shopping this afternoon, mostly things that have been on the list for a while but aren't regular needs. The only thing I didn't get was dishwasher salt as I already had a lot to carry.

I had a look in various charity shops and got some bias binding to repair the work shirt that's been sitting forlornly waiting for webbing or ribbon which I've been unable to get. Then I saw some lovely Rose and Hubble fabric - only about half a yard square but might make a cushion - and a darning mushroom so I got those too. There were a few things I managed to resist but if they are still there tomorrow, I might end up with them.

Aside from groceries and knickknacks, I stocked up on Epsom Salts, sadly noting they have gone up 25% to £1.25. Then in the next shop they were still at the old price! I also got some exercise books for Italian vocabulary and grammar to give me somewhere besides my brain to store useless things like un squalo and un topo (I mean, why a shark and a mouse?)

The recipe recommended by SunAddict  is now in the slow cooker: we finished up the bolognese for dinner. There are ingredients for a couple of soups needing to be used, and most of a box of eggs that wont keep long, so I may fit in more cooking soon.

Spending:
Hobbies £3.50
Toiletries £2.50
Stationery £1
Housekeeping £12.95

Sun_Addict

I hope you enjoy the recipe. It’s very filling and I find the lentil mix makes a good base for bolognese or veggie cottage pie. I had one portion tonight and will freeze the other 3 for future reference. It will sneak in a few veg portions for you too with the lentils, carrots and mushrooms. 

If I still have the bag for the slug repellent I’ll let you know what the brand is. 

Cherryfudge

Sun_Addict said:

I hope you enjoy the recipe. It’s very filling and I find the lentil mix makes a good base for bolognese or veggie cottage pie. I had one portion tonight and will freeze the other 3 for future reference. It will sneak in a few veg portions for you too with the lentils, carrots and mushrooms. 

If I still have the bag for the slug repellent I’ll let you know what the brand is. 

Thanks

It smells good. The Instant Pot just beeped so I'll let it cool down then fridge it.

Another £2.98 spent on Kindle books - also paid for by the voucher but I spotted one I've enjoyed from the library and another that looked quite good, and I need some light reading.