Moving on

Cherryfudge

I am back from the loft, sufficiently filthy to have to wash my hands three or four times, shampoo my hair and have an early bath. There's a great deal of dust and debris up there from the old roof, and that will continue till every single thing has been taken out or at least moved around and cleaned off. This will take a very long time, though I now have a path through the middle and have dusted and swept around some boxes of clothes (thankfully sealed). Next time I need to take a mask.

A lot of time was spent on hands and knees with a dust pan and brush, then investigating some very random collections of things in bags that are, in some cases, coming to bits. I've brought a few down for sorting and disposal, but I also found my summer dresses - in a sturdy bag with a zip so they should be okay to wear.

There was a nice pair of jeans in a size 8, which I thought must be DD's but she says not so they will go on V1nted, along with a number of other bits and pieces as we need less and I don't have much listed at present. There's also a very snuggly lounge fleece and an embroidered tee shirt to list. What I failed to find was the tower fan, though I know I saw it not that long ago and it would have been handy to have in the predicted heatwave from midweek onwards.

One handy surprise was the ice cream maker Mum gave me years ago, still boxed! I will have to check it works - the poor thing was never used as I hadn't freezer space for the inner dish, but I think that dish is actually smaller than the one I bought a while back so I can offer the larger one to family or sell or donate it.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, there's a lot of laundry to do as I was too tired on Saturday.

Cherryfudge

I got early for me, around 6.30, and have done three lots of laundry! Nearly out of line space now but the towels I put out first are already dry. There's some handwashing left which should make good use of dregs swilled out of a plastic supermarket laundry detergent, and (I hope) mean it can be recycled.

I photographed one of the ice cream makers and have offered it on the family WhatsApp. If they don't take it, I'll see if my sister is interested.

I've yet to wrestle with putting the parcel difficulties on the Vinted app - I admit I'm putting off attaching the evidence (thanks @Baileys_Babe for your sensible suggestion!) as it means dotting between various apps on my phone and copying and pasting a couple of things as my 'paper trail' increases.

A notification has finally arrived to say I can collect the 'new' TV remote, so there's a job for this afternoon. I also ordered a book for the small children's story telling, as it's a back up to some of the material we use. That's set me back £4.24 as I was MS and looked around for a best price. (Saved £11). I've not yet bought a single shoe, let alone all the ones I favourited!

I have in front of me a book I found in the loft and brought down as I thought it wasn't ours and could be returned to someone. Sadly, the name in it is of a friend who died a while ago and it's not a subject I see as of interest to her sons (I don't even know them, but one lives in her old house). I think if it were returned, it would just be binned, so now I'm unsure what the next step is - free library? people who could possibly make use of the material?

I realised I forgot, in listing expected events this week, to mention that I'm out for lunch with friends on Friday so once again I'll be juggling that church cleaning!

Cherryfudge

And a very helpful forum member has offered some useful input about installing solar panels. 😊 I love it when someone has already done the research!

Cherryfudge

Still not bought shoes, and ran out of time to collect the TV remote as well, but that can be done while in town tomorrow.

It's been a busy day with all that laundry and some ironing (and a large basket full still to do), and I made the jam - it's more than set! - and a big pan of chickpea tikka masala. After that i've been at work and had plenty of energy so I got through things quite fast. There must have been training or a higher level meeting or an open day, as one room was left with the remains of a buffet, so I had quiche to fortify me, and some workmen came to fit electronics, and had some too. It's a shame these buffets just get left after the catering staff finish for the day, and of course any remaining food will need to be thrown away tomorrow, but that's not my responsibility.

There was a bit of a negative moment while waiting to be let out (we leave as the building is shut down so they need to gather everyone and make sure no one is missing). I was standing with the crowd and one of the caretakers came up behind me and put his hand on my head. I gave him an earful, which everyone must have heard. He wouldn't have done it to a man: he's a bit creepy and other people have commented on his attitude to women. He straight away said to the manager that he didn't mean it, but she's taken note of what happened. I could put in a complaint for s3xual harassment but I'll give him a chance to reform. Not got high hopes of this: he's one of those who does the innocent expression but I don't believe it. He just tries to get away with stuff.

Enough of that… am home and need to wind down a bit more and get some sleep as we are looking after the children tomorrow.

ladybird1106

So pleased you gave him what for cherryfudge, some people just don’t get personal boundaries.

Love 🐞

Watty1

Good for you, calling him out. Like you I started work in an era where we were expected to ignore such behaviour… now we can call it out and in most cases get listened to.

Cherryfudge

Thanks @ladybird1106 and @Watty1. I had a phone call from the manager this morning to see if I was all right and to encourage me to report anything further to her. She's already called him in and 'had a word'.

Well, I didn't get that great a sleep last night. Not that bad but I could have done with more and today we've been with the children so naturally I now really need rest! I contacted the Tuesday group and offered coffee and biscuits tonight but one is working so we decided against it, which is probably just as well.

A couple of plot twists today: DS1 had tried for his manager's (now vacant) post and he's been offered it. He seems really happy with that, which is interesting as his present job is quite demanding and I don't think this one will be less so. Then I had a call from my other manager (the Education one) to say the departmental restructure will affect me. I'd not been too bothered about this as I don't do many hours for them, but now the relief posts, such as mine, will be changed into part time. A letter will be sent with details and they need to know by 8.30 on Monday morning. That's not long to make a decision but my inclination will be to aim for this if it's at all feasible. I enjoy the work and imagine it's something I could continue past retirement age, all else being equal. My main concern would be having enough energy: the work itself is mostly sitting down but it would probably mean mornings, which I find disproportionately tiring. I'd probably have to cut back on the cleaning hours too.

I wore one of the pairs of shoe mentioned the other day, walked about 12,000 steps and got a patch of blisters on the top of one toe. Otherwise they are very comfortable but I will have to have socks with them as sticking plaster rubbed off. The blisters were due to the odd shape of the bone rather than the shoe not fitting, if that makes sense.

As soon as we got into town I bought yet another pack of socks (white trainer socks this time) which improved things a lot and brings this year's total of brand new clothing to 12 pairs of socks. I wasn't even short of them to begin with, but most were decorative ankle socks and they just aren't right with cropped trousers. I've also pressed the button on an order for the black version of the self-same shoes. That will be just a bit over £10, covered by the price of the dress I sold last week - which, to my relief, now seems to be on the move again. I suspected that once the locker was opened, this might happen, but of course it could have fallen into a black hole rather than going where it needs to go.

I've bought quite a lot of snacky food today, partly because I forgot to take a water bottle with me. A bottle of water, pack of nuts and raisins, toddler crisps for the children, cinnamon buns for lunches and chocolate biscuits for comfort food - and £2.99 for some chalk stencils which helped keep the children occupied and which I've left with them.

I didn't mention but I spent a chunk of the morning plaiting the children's hair. The younger one keeps taking out her hair bobble and I experimented with what I think is her first ever French plait. It stayed in all day so I'll count that a success. The older one got something between a French plait and what she calls an 'Elsa' plait - over one shoulder. It took a while because her hair is very curly, but it really suits her (and stops most of the day's tangles). Two very different hair types, each with its challenges.

Dinner tonight was fish cakes, oven chips and peas, kindly cooked by DH.

Cherryfudge

It’s been a hot day - 29C when I checked the weather app, but I suspect it was hotter at some point and it’s set to continue.

DH had his first booster for the new medication this morning. The nurse who came to explain it all was very good, though there seems a lot to remember and boosters are every right weeks. It was timely as the previous one was wearing off but has also coincided with a sudden slip in mental health. It’s so difficult to pin down quite what’s going on but we think the trigger was getting a text from DD to say they haven’t space for the rocking horse that we rescued from the loft. We have the option to dispose of it as we want but it gives that terribly poignant ‘end of an era’ feeling.

I’ve had a trip into town for greetings cards and toothpaste… got a big of a stockpile of toothpaste as I found somewhere selling a cheap brand that I like! Cards bought for DS’s new job, two anniversaries, a birthday and ‘my’ student. There wasn’t time to get chocolate to thank the tutor for all the lifts home and interesting conversations, that will have to be done in the morning.

I’m very glad I’d printed extra course material that wasn’t used last week, as my computer has gone very strange and had to go in for repair. A couple of days ago the touchpad stopped working and today it not only took me offline but has removed all trace of a list of nearby networks. I can’t even blame our internet as everything else is okay with it - though DH was despairing of the Firestick which wouldn’t work on any of our box of batteries. It recovered when he bought brand new ones, so perhaps it just wanted top power.

At least I can use my phone and the new package has a quarter of its capacity left with one day to go.

I’ve collected our replacement TV remote and it’s working fine - good ol’ V!nted - but it needs to be dusted! It seems odd that the seller didn’t bother, but perhaps they have poor sight.

I did two hours at work - glad of the cool interior as outside was hot - then DH gave me a lift to the evening meeting, which was rather heavy and I’m glad it’s over.

Now I’ve opened the upstairs windows to try to cool the house so we get a better nights sleep, but before then I’ve to sort out all I need to take tomorrow. Good job I have a work laptop as I’ve just remembered I need to email some stuff to the tutor tonight!

Cherryfudge

Thursday was busy - and hot. 30C this afternoon.

I watered the plants before I went out and there wasn't time to sort out the hose so it's still strewn over the path, but at least the plants are alive. I got off the bus a stop early so as to go to the big MrT, where I bought fizzy flavoured water, liquorice allsorts and biscuits as it was the end of term and I thought something fresher than hot drinks might be nice. As it was I still have most of the drinks left and have given biscuits and sweets to the tutor with a thank you for all the lifts home. About £10 spent. We spent most of the session under exam conditions and the tutor has promised to let me know how people have done. It's sad that I may not see any of them again but I knew one person was taking part in a community event so I blagged details and DH and I will try to go to it.

I've sent in my timesheet and expenses claim already, not knowing if this is the last time I'll do it. The restructure means I've to apply for a part time post but they've not yet managed to send me details - the deadline was 8.30 on Monday morning next! At 5.30 today someone sent through an email to say this deadline has been extended till Wednesday.

I had my cleaning job this evening and DH made southern fried chicken for tea.

During the day I received a few messages from people about some other changes - a real end-of-an-era day, but I have to keep steadily on and not miss a beat as there's a fair amount to do. Thank goodness the job deadline has been extended as I've already said I'll be out with friends tomorrow, and Saturday will now be divided between the community event and preparing to lead the preschool group on Sunday.

Cherryfudge

I forgot to say that my laptop has been fixed. Something wrong in the bios, but the mender wasn't sure what had happened, just that he fixed it. It's nice to have it back.

Cost £40, cheaper than replacing it!