Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

badmemory said:

I have got so fed up of using stuff & finding out that was well in date & the same thing was there but out of date, that I now list everything that comes in the house along with the use by date & location.  Put it in a spreadsheet & just a search for it.  It can even tell me if I need more.  Oh the joys of needing a hip replacement & not being able to do my usual stuff.  The one thing I don't seem to be able to keep straight though is the freezer log.  No idea why that is.

Now there's a way to practise my spreadsheet skills! No idea why freezer inventories are a non-starter but they never stay up to date. Someone will invent a smart freezer that scans bar codes and checks the weight of every item going in and out - if I had the know-how, I could make my fortune on that idea. And your freezer app (updated by the freezer, not the human) alerts you if you put something in your trolley that you have enough of.

(Sits back and dreams of the Omaze-style villa to be bought with the proceeds of this idea).

Cherryfudge

Floss said:

Well done for objecting to that  wording - previously I've seen it recorded as a change in terms & conditions but retaining continuity of service. Maybe see what ACAS says?

Also, o.o.d. seeds may well still germinate, it's always worth a try!

Thanks, that's worth a check. I thought it might be a standard thing that all employers use but perhaps not. I don't want it on my record that I was 'dismissed'.

I have hopes that at least some of the seeds will germinate but the ones I saved myself are almost certain not to as they aren't airtight.

WelshmansDaughter

There are smart fridges that detect the contents and suggest meal planning etc 

Cherryfudge

WelshmansDaughter said:

There are smart fridges that detect the contents and suggest meal planning etc 

That's pretty neat.  

Cherryfudge

I've fitted quite a bit in today and now I'm sleepy. I did some trying on of suitable outfits for the funeral, which took a while but I came up with a new combination that worked. I've had an email for HR which I've not had time and wakefulness for but a quick scan seems to indicate they aren't pushing me too fast to resolve my questions about their format. I also had one to say I've come to the end of SSP and can apply for Employment Support Allowance. I fitted in a phone call just before offices closed this afternoon to check their understanding of when my sick leave started - it seems they count my sick leave from the Tuesday following the Saturday I went off, which I don't understand but he assured me it's okay.

Once I had a suitable outfit, I did a hurried visit to town for some items. I couldn't fit in everything but ticked a couple of items off the list before I had a quick lunch and we went to the funeral. It was a good eulogy, I learned quite a lot about the lady, who led a very full and interesting life. We also got to meet DH's second cousin and family. I think I have a new friend as his partner and I turned out to have a lot in common. They live at the other end of the country, though, so we won't be seeing them a lot.

Our journey home was very scenic and sunny, a complete contrast to the outward journey where hill tops were hidden in clouds. We stopped to gather a few apples that had fallen into a country lane and it felt like summer again.

After half an hour's rest, both of us had to be back  on our feet. Dh was on the church cleaning team and I needed ingredients for dinner. This was a recipe I'd made before with sweet potatoes and coconut milk, but for some reason neither of us remembered the taste. There are now two extra portions cooling for the fridge.

This evening we started a new series of Repair Shop, to watch alternately with a programme on the National Trust, and I see Bake Off will be back soon, so autumn is sorted. I've done the ironing but alas! It has to hang in doorways to get completely dry as line drying isn't enough any more. It will soon be time to put away a lot of tee shirts and the like, till spring.

I've still got most of the clearing up from the great seed-drawer excavation but I did discover at least a dozen sachets of cut-flower food in there, three of which have now been distributed among the houseplants.

Expenditure:
Gifts £7.84
Housekeeping £14.08

MS
I spotted a book I thought DH would like while in L!dl, and it's our anniversary soon. No shelf price and the cover price was £14.99 but I thought I'd go for it anyway. It went through the till at £3.99!
Got a refill of a jar of thyme in the eco shop: all of 63p and it smells lovely, really fresh.
Got a discount voucher from a shop that sells cards.

Not MS:
The above-mentioned discount voucher doesn't stop their cards being over-priced and I paid nearly £4 for one that wasn't particularly large or glitzy.

Floss

Cherryfudge said:

... I also had one to say I've come to the end of SSP and can apply for Employment Support Allowance. I fitted in a phone call just before offices closed this afternoon to check their understanding of when my sick leave started - it seems they count my sick leave from the Tuesday following the Saturday I went off, which I don't understand but he assured me it's okay...

SSP runs for 28 weeks from the 4th day of sickness, the first 3 days are "waiting days".
Good result with the book!

Cherryfudge

Floss said:

SSP runs for 28 weeks from the 4th day of sickness, the first 3 days are "waiting days".
Good result with the book!

Thanks That's just the sort of thing they should think to explain  

Cherryfudge

This is why drawers should never be tidied! I threw everything in so DH could vacuum, and even after putting lots of card and plastic labels in recycling, it appears all that’s done is encourage the rest to breed.

The photo isn't clear but there's no way that drawer will shut. However, the presence of a list from 2009 indicates more can go.

Not now, though. I'm looking for Aran wool in the stash to give me a travel project and reduce the hoard.

Cherryfudge

The hunt for Aran in the stash has ground to a halt - two part balls that aren't even compatible with each other. I've abandoned that pattern for now but I think I might treat myself to a quick trip to the yarn shop as it felt like such a good idea - using the otherwise-unused time and reducing the stash while making Christmas presents. I will take some DK and see if I can  make baby shoes.

...and breathe.

In fact, as befits the day before going away, things are starting to pile up in my head, but I can see how this extended break from work has enabled me to find my own rhythm. I'm measurably less under pressure than I was when I had to fit into other people's patterns. The skills I learned to cope with neurotypical work pace from school age onwards really came the fore yesterday and worked well, now I'm not feeling I have to fight off space invaders at the same time (for those who don't remember that video game, that will make no sense).

Right now the food crate is in from the shed, DH accidentally spilled water on the list but I'm not too worried, and I have a small but growing bundle of yarn I'm unlikely ever to use to offer to my knitting/crochet friends before donating.

Laundry is up to date but putting away summer stuff will have to wait as things aren't drying. Plants are watered. I'm off to buy yarn... my Fashion on the Ration points will cope.

Cherryfudge

I bought two balls of acrylic yarn after some soul-searching as I would rather have had natural fibre, but the choice of such wasn't great. The colour are nice, though, cream and lilac.

I made another visit to the ruins of Wilko. I shouldn't do that, it's too sad. I did come away with some plant pots and saucers, dishwasher salt and a packet of coriander seeds., and I went to L!dl for some toddler books for DGD and a book for a gift for my sister. This evening, although I'm not packed for our week away, I spent a few minutes wrapping the book for her and the book for DH, as well as writing his anniversary card. At least I'm ready for that, though in my head I imagined myself giving them to him when we arrive on holiday - in fact it will be here at home in a  few hours' time.

Dinner today was using up things from the fridge, and we both did some shopping. DH hit the charity shops and got a nice pair of leather trainers for £30, as well as a watercolour for £5.

This evening I braved putting in an application for an admin role: it's more hours than I want but it's something I think I could probably do. At least putting in an application shows willing, but it's taken all evening. Most of this was the additional comments section, but I also discovered there are links allowing me to put in lots of jobs and qualifications. As I've got these back into the 1980s, it took a while and in the morning I'll need to try to find some more details for some of these. Unfortunately, having breezed through much of it, I found there's a question about whether I've ever been dismissed and I realised that I once was: I got a job looking after someone's children, which only lasted a few weeks. I was fed up enough that I went back to the job centre and complained about the employer: no contract, no T&C, I asked for a session to observe her with her children so I could find their norms and she took the opportunity to leave me with them while she went to the shops so I had no idea what she wanted. Now I'm wondering if it counts. Ah well, if it does, it does. Oh, and I found some photocopies in with my certificates so it looks as though the relief job may not have received everything I brought in. These are stamped and sealed as certified copies so I doubt they are spares. I will try to send a quick email before bed tonight!

Expenditure:
DH - clothing £30, hobbies £5
Me: housekeeping £12.10
Gifts £4.98 + £4.90
Garden £10