Moving on

Cherryfudge

I was out till about nine despite finishing work at eight: I checked the bus stops at the nearer end of town but the one I wanted turned out to be along the High Street. As I was headed towards Sa1nsbury, I bought a few edibles there and treated myself to stationery for the new term (it was marked down so I got some good bargains). I got a handful of narrow coloured overlays for use in class as well as a project book for myself.

DH arrived back just after me, very pleased with the car, and we had a short ride around the neighbourhood. He told me how helpful the seller was, too, taking him for a test drive and ensuring he was sufficiently familiar with the car to drive it home safely.

Today DH was back at work but I set off before him: the bus left the town centre at 10 past 8 and it's only half an hour's journey so I had time to kill at the far end. I went to the big supermarket and got myself some cough sweets, cappuccinos and herbal tea as well as biscuits for a thank you to the person who gave me a lift home.

The team day was very worth while: the new manager has clearly thought things through carefully and explained the new way of working, which all makes good sense. It's a small team - only four of us - and interestingly my peers are the same sort of age as I am. I suppose it's the sort of post that attracts people who want to stay working but perhaps have one or more careers already under their belts and aren't trying to make their fortunes or become famous. 😊 Kind of like me, really - recognising the intrinsic rewards of the job and having other source of satisfaction outside of work.

It felt like a very well grounded start to the new team.

We were also given a generous 'party bag' of goodies, and though some of it is publicity materials, there are also sensory things that may help in classes, like stress balls! Also an insulated lunch bag and a water bottle. (Ungrateful of me, I know, but I rather wish plastic water bottles weren't a standard give-away. Surely everyone has enough now?)

Back home, I managed half an hour's nap before work, and there were only two hours to do in the evening. DH gave me a lift home and made tea, which was mackerel with cous cous and peas.

So, I've made it through a heavy couple of days. DH remembered this morning that his injection was due yesterday so he's had it a day late. Here's hoping that's okay, as the timetable is quite strict.

Tomorrow I have most of the day at home and various work things to get done, then there's cleaning in the evening followed by meeting up with College friends who we haven't seen since about 1987. They are staying in the area and this is the only time we could find to see each other.

WelshmansDaughter

I must admit I paused briefly when you said a few 'edibles'. That has a rather different meaning nowadays.

Cherryfudge

Ha, I had to look that up, @WelshmansDaughter - no c4nnabis involved!

I didn't wake up till latish this morning so just about got to say goodbye before DH went to work. Since then I've done a small amount for the children's activity on Sunday but need to finish off that rota once I've heard back from a couple of people.

In theory I could be helping sort out the remainder of the jumble left after decorating the hall we'll be using, but the cold has turned into a chesty cough so I'm taking it easy. That's led to a low-key check on the medication cupboard and a handful of things are set aside as out of date and to go to the pharmacy.

I have a handful of tasks to wade through for work which I will make a start on, and there are bananas to use up so I'll make the effort to bake.

WelshmansDaughter

I feel like we would see a lot less of you on here if the alternative meaning was the case 🤣 can't imagine you'd be quite so busy

Cherryfudge

I ended up spending much of yesterday afternoon on work stuff - some emails done, but can I remember how to operate the calendar? Not at all - I'm not sure DH will know but I'll ask him. Unfortunately, I can't find the 'help' button on it either, but we've been asked to keep it up to date.

I also made my banana bread, and ate some.

Work was three hours and was fine in itself but the cough was a problem all day and by evening my voice was going. However, we had decided to meet up with friends from many years ago, and meet up we did. What was meant to be an hour or so turned into the rest of the evening and we were the last to leave the pub. They really like the campsite where they are staying and feel they are likely to be back, so we hope to repeat the meet-up, or possibly see them on home territory if we are in Edinburgh.

It was back to the spare room bed for me last night as I was sure I'd cough, but in fact I got a reasonable night's sleep, woke up slightly early and sent a couple of messages for the children's activity, did a bit of ironing and boiled some kettles of water which I poured on the weeds that are sprouting in the paving cracks. All on cheap rate electricity.

Today we aren't going to the car boot sale: DH has gone to charge the car and I want to set up a 'cafe corner' for team and parents who might want to watch one of our first new-style sessions for the little ones. As usual, there's a lot that I really ought to get done at home, but I'll see how the energy goes.

The other big thing for the day is to look into the solar quote and make a decision. Eek!

Incidentally, the local EV charging point was out of order yesterday and we've read that batteries last better if charged more slowly, i.e. at home. We're looking in to the options for that and feel the dedicated charger is safer, though more expensive. If anyone has experience with this, I'd be grateful for your thoughts.

Cherryfudge

I went down to the church this afternoon to help sort out the remaining items now the decorating is complete. It's looking good: people have worked very hard. I carried some of the remaining stuff from our old room but I was exhausted by the cold and couldn't get much done. Someone told me to leave the rest as we can pick it up later.

DH called in to do some cleaning and kindly fetched the car so I didn't have to walk home. We called at the supermarket for groceries and a new toaster (the old one keeps blowing the fuse since the plastic key tabs melted in it). Spent about £35, then bought milk, chicken, bananas and cinnamon buns while collecting a V1nted parcel. This is the silicone re-useable freezer bags and they seem solid enough. There's a plastic closure which is a bit stiff but otherwise they fit the bill.

Lastly we went to another set of lockers to collect an old book which I've handed over to DH to give me for Christmas. 😊

Oh, I'm tired. However, the cough isn't nearly so rough today and tomorrow afternoon I can rest.

WelshmansDaughter

Hope you're feeling better soon

Watty1

Echoing that. Hope you get a chance to rest a little today and feed better soon.

Cherryfudge

Thank you - progress continues, though when we went for a walk this afternoon, I was out of breath going up the short hill near our house, and that's not right. DH thinks I should look at my blood sats, but I think the battery on the pulse oximeter ran out. Low oxygen levels would explain the tiredness and that I get exhausted easily.

On other health notes and more or less for my records, jogging hasn't resumed as I'm not sure it would be wise at present, and I've made an appointment to discuss the foot problem with the GP.

More positively, the long-awaited first session of the the children's group was this morning and we were all very happy with how it went. I also got talking to one of the parents whose child, it turns out, has just left the class DGD1 will be starting in, and he spoke very highly of the teacher. That's reassuring as she starts on Tuesday.

Dinner was chicken, boiled potatoes and veg, and I've spent a lot of the afternoon on WhatsApp sorting out bits and pieces for the children's activity, but that was okay as the mood is buoyant and we've had nice feedback.

We've also had a warm, sunny afternoon after a showery morning. Nice. Then this evening I've been reading through the info sent through from the solar panels people, and I've paid my credit card up to date.

Watty1

reading your diary prompted me to check my GP surgery and hurrah their online triage page was open (they frequently close it when their system is maxed out) so I put in a request! Thank you. I've been trying for two weeks.!

(PS yeah it is against NHS England guidance to close it but the surgery does anyway)