A whole new world, for now

beanielou

Have a good day. 

Hope you find the eggs.  Xx

Cherryfudge

in_need_of_direction said:

As usual, I am tired.  Have just found out that being the Easter bunny is my responsibility and I’m struggling to get eggs for 16! Was at the cash and carry yesterday and no eggs but managed to get the disinfectant wipes that are used to clean door handles etc every hour.  

On Wednesday, someone I’ve worked with previously contacted me looking a bit of advice for a client.  An 8.30 conference call was arranged yesterday and once we get through this, I should have a new better paid piece of work which is good.
DS may be facing furlough but a staff meeting yesterday has deferred this a bit by two thirds of the team agreeing to take some leave which will at least mean that they will benefit from the upcoming bank holidays before facing a pay cut.
the news of the elderly couple is mixed.  The husband is rallying but the wife, with relevant underlying health conditions, is plummeting.  As of yesterday, it was thought that only a few hours remained.
DD is a key worker, not nhs, but has been so focused on getting done what’s needed, that she forgot this was a bank holiday weekend.  She should have been home for it but because that was cancelled, had managed to wipe it from her thoughts.
right, am gonna go hunt for Easter eggs before picking up the chef.
today I am grateful for 
remembering to pay my credit card bill
finding necessary supplies 
a good news story for one of my clients 

I'm sorry to hear the older lady is so unwell. It's heart breaking. And isn't it her husband who has dementia? So there are all the complications there. Please let us know if you hear more.

Well done for getting the future work. It's good to have a positive to look forward to. Are you still managing a bit of time for yourself and some metal escape time?

I hope you manage to find eggs! It's never easy at the best of times. You used to be able to get Easter eggs moulds but I don't know whether you could get hold of any now and set the chef to work?

I hope your DS's job keeps going. There are details on MSE about the situation for people who are furloughed but I expect he's on top of all that. I can understand your daughter forgetting it's a holiday weekend, she must have a huge amount to cope with. In my mind retail workers deserve a clap because it's been so hard on them. Send her and yourself a round of applause from me! You've both more than earned it.

Chrystal

What Cherryfudge said.  (((hugs)))

savingholmes

Some supermarkets are on the news for donating eggs to good causes - could you get some through that route?
Glad you potentially have more better paying work coming your way.

Seasidegal58

Another one echoing Cherry. 
Happy Easter inod. You're a real🌟
x

Cherryfudge

Cherryfudge said:

 Are you still managing a bit of time for yourself and some metal escape time?

By which I mean mental escape time, as you've probably worked out.

in_need_of_direction

So, after driving to four supermarkets within a 3 mile radius and seeing the queues, I picked up 6 Easter related items in a shop within walking distance of the client.  I added these to 6 stockpiled boxes of chocolate that we already had and topped it up with 4 Easter eggs from the ones I bought a few months ago for staff.  Given the disparity in the items, we allocated numbers and created labels on ribbon to be pulled unseen from a box.  Hopefully this process will compensate from the diminished gift this year.  

Yesterday I was able to provide overflow donated toiletries to another homeless hostel by dropping off a crate and phoning to let them know.  We have also linked up with a local church based food bank and are making toiletries available to them as we have a common volunteer who can co ordinate.  I truly believe that if we share what we have surplus of, there will be enough to go round.  We may have sadly depleted stocks at the end of this but we will have cleared spaces that make cleaning easier and may also bring clarity with regard to seeking donations.  A lot of the clients we deal with have addictions and significant disposable income due to the structure of the benefits system.  Maybe they should not also be benefiting from items such as free toiletries.  Who knows? I just know that this crisis needs to inform challenge to the as is and needs to lead to better practices.
here endeth the rant!
today I am going to nip to a local shop for butter which I believe is all that’s needed.  DH made up another bake kit yesterday which is great in one way but which requires use of butter, eggs and milk!
still, we now have lovely carrot and pecan squares and a gap where the box had been.  I’m kinda dreading tomorrow’s chat with mr wii.  I’m hoping to get today and tomorrow away from the client.  

There’s still no news on the elderly couple.  It’s hard to know what to wish for other than comfort for the family.
today I am grateful for
facetime between dd and the dog.  

Positive feedback 
a staff member embracing a new process

Cherryfudge

in_need_of_direction said:

Yesterday I was able to provide overflow donated toiletries to another homeless hostel by dropping off a crate and phoning to let them know.  We have also linked up with a local church based food bank and are making toiletries available to them as we have a common volunteer who can co ordinate.  I truly believe that if we share what we have surplus of, there will be enough to go round.  We may have sadly depleted stocks at the end of this but we will have cleared spaces that make cleaning easier and may also bring clarity with regard to seeking donations.  A lot of the clients we deal with have addictions and significant disposable income due to the structure of the benefits system.  Maybe they should not also be benefiting from items such as free toiletries.  Who knows? I just know that this crisis needs to inform challenge to the as is and needs to lead to better practices.
here endeth the rant!

That doesn't sound like a rant to me. Donations in kind are more or less bound to be unevenly distributed, and as you say if people have the resources to get their own toiletries, it seems right that they should (unless you provide maybe a starter pack). Providing for themselves will challenge your residents but it helps create self-sufficiency.
It's always worth getting to the bottom of what you have occasionally whether by running stocks down or inventorying. The trouble is it's one of those jobs that people generally don't get down to in a work environment, and it's always someone else's job.
How about setting a float limit, and re-donating items over that number in future?
I like your prize draw of Easter chocolate - after all it doesn't have to be an egg shape to taste right and that does overcome the inequalities nicely.
I hope you get your couple of days off.

Buffythedebtslayer

It makes perfect sense, absolutely perfect sense
Enjoy your couple of days client free and Happy Easter X 

HairyHandofDartmoor

I hope you manage to find a bit of time to relax and unwind over easter weekend INOD, you've been working so hard.