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[Dec. 2nd, 2008|10:59 pm] |
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A friend sent me an email with the following text.
If I Didn't Have a Dog OR CAT...
I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety. (Ok so this isn't really an issue because Milo and Lenny use the plant containers, and the other felines use the litter trays but this is definitely a cat friendly garden!)
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and FOOD would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.
I would have money and no guilt to go on a real vacation.
I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.
I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'. 'Yummy yummy for the tummy'.
My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.
I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.
I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.
I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading 'mud' season.
I would not have to answer the question 'Why do you have so many animals?' from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.
How EMPTY my life would be!!! |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 16th, 2008|10:37 pm] |
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Harry bounced in at 6am this morning and woke me up. I managed to get him to settle and went back to sleep until my alarm went off. None of the cats wanted the wet food I put down so I must have left too much out over night. I suspect they were all snacking after I went back to sleep. Waste of food though so I won't do that again. even Joshie wasn't fussed which is almost unheard of.
Lovely bright sunny morning. I did manage to sit out side on the bench for a few minutes. Moving the bench back up onto the patio was a great decision. I've probably sat on it more since we moved it than I had done all summer. Milo and Harry are less than thrilled that they can no longer climb onto the shed windowsill. Hopefully Dad will be able to come over one day next week and put the platforms up for them to climb on so they won't be too fussed.
Joshie actually climbed up the ladder climbing frame this morning. It's the first time I've seen him do it.
I hate to have to drag them in on a sunny day but I had to work. the library was quiet this morning. Totally different from Tuesday's shift.
Went to early lunch and came home to let the cats out. Sat and enjoyed the sunshine and tried not to be too busy.
This afternoon I worked with a new Peak Relief lady who I'd not worked with before. She was so bubbly and enthusiastic she was a joy to work with. I worked on the 'dead stock' list and managed to process about half the non fiction. The section I've done looks so much smarter now. Emma worked in the Children's Section, which had gotten a little bit messy and now it looks lovely and tidy again. I think we both came away with a sense of accomplishment. I did buy some of the books we 'booksaled'. I used to do that a lot but hadn't been tempted lately. I've been tempted recently at my library as well. Don't want to make a habit of buying books as I've tried to downside my book collections with all the moves in recent years. I don't have as many bookcases and I don't want to end up with piles of books everywhere!!
I went straight over Dad's to collect my bike, my old dining table & 2 chairs, plus a small 3 drawer filing cabinet. Had Tea (sandwiches & a cup of tea) at Dad's and watched the Olympic highlights before loading the car. In the end we had to load Dad's car as well and he followed me back here. he reassembled the table in the shed for me but wasn't in the mood to put up the platforms for the cats. Hopefully he will do that one day next week.
A Dragonfly had somehow gotten into the garden but it couldn't get out through the net. The cats were fascinated by it. In the end Dad managed to catch it in the bottom half of a Coke bottle, with a piece of cardboard for a lid I was able to take it to the gate and release it.
I was surprised because all the cats were out and about in the garden while Dad was there and usually they run off upstairs. Dad said he hadn't seen Harry properly before!!
After Dad left I spent quite a while disposing of all the cardboard boxes I'd been storing in the shed and generally having a tidy up so that I could actually use the table in there if I wanted to. whilst I was sorting through I found a pump for my fountain. I don't think it is the original one, for one thing it's too powerful. I think it is the one I bought to use with the Bamboo Deerscarer I got a couple of years ago. Anyway I cleared out the main fountain half barrel and filled it with fresh water and it has been burbling away all evening. It's so nice to have the sound of water flowing again. Harry spent ages watching the water flow over the end of the small bucket into the half barrel. Harry has a thing for water.
Joshie made it up onto the platform to the right hand side of the back door. He is making so much progress at the moment (he's about 6 months behind Milo and Harry in the jumping ability stakes!!). My babycat is growing up.
Harry and Milo both spent time this evening on the new platform I put in along a section of the fence. Milo actually made it on to the kitchen windowsill overlooking my patio table and I've no idea how he managed it!
They have a great time in the garden after dark. It is so obviously their favourite time of the day. they charge about like lunatics. the only concern I have is that Milo doesn't seem able to judge just where the door frame is!! Whenever there is a thud it's always him who had misjudged it. I worry he might do himself an injury, although he always seems to be OK.
I'm trying not to spend so much time on the computer. It had taken over my life for a while there. I have too many other things to do to spend so much time surfing the internet. It was fun looking for printable stationery and craft stuff but I went from researching stuff for work to researching stuff for my own satisfaction, which is fine but then it doesn't let me do other things that I need to get done more. I get caught up in the quest and hours pass that I didn't actually want to pass the way I did. More discipline is obviously needed.
I'm going to finish up now because I need to get the cats in, have a bath and go to bed, and hopefully get all that done before midnight! |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 15th, 2008|09:36 pm] |
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I had intended to go out early to tescos and then into town to Wilkinsons for the brackets I needed for the cat platforms. However, as the morning was bright and warm I figured groceries in the car whilst I was in town was not a good idea. Instead I sat and wrote to one of my friends and then went into town at 9.30am. Managed to find the brackets and a few more useful items but completely forgot that Dad had asked me to get him some shears. Next time. Called in at Dad's for a cup of tea and to drop off the racing book I'd bought him from my library's Book Sale. Then did the Tescos shopping on the way home. Made it home by 11.50am so the cats had a couple of hours in the garden before I had to leave for work.
Today's shift was totally different from Tuesday. Totally quiet. Just as well as the two staff I was supposed to be working with didn't turn up until 15 minutes after the library had opened. One got held up in traffic for the V concert and the other had had a sudden hayfever episode brought on by neighbours cutting their grass.
My manager came in at 5pm and we went through my appraisal. we didn't get it all done before the end of the shift but the vast majority of the expectations etc have been agreed. The bit we left is the bit she hadn't had done by her line manager, so she wasn't sure how exactly to proceed.
Got home in time to watch the days Olympic highlights and then did a bit more pottering around in the garden. The garden looks so much better for the pruning and decluttering I did yesterday.
Lots more lovely stationery has arrived in my mailbox. I need to get my cyan replaced so that I can actually print some of it out!
The cats are dashing in and out like lunatics. It's good to see them all appearing to be feeling so much better. I'm hoping not to have to take Harry to the vets next week. his gums were looking a whole lot better (although nowhere near pink and healthy) than they had been. The Nu-cat tablets seem to be making a difference. I just wish Harry and Milo would eat them the way Joshie and Lenny do. Poor Harry gets so upset when I have to give him the tablets, the same with Milo. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 14th, 2008|10:10 pm] |
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Today was a stay at home day. A stay at home ALL day day!
One of the things I've been doing that had contributed to me getting so run down is not taking my days off as rest days. So until I'm back to being 100% fit (and maybe not even then as I don't want to slide back down again) my day off will be spent at home.
This doesn't mean I won't be doing stuff, just that I'll not be dashing off here there and everywhere.
I did get three loads of washing done, the beds changed, and the curtains in my bedroom changed in between writing letters whilst sitting at the kitchen table. It was actually too bright to write at the patio table! that was a shame because I'd hoped to spend the writing time outside. Still I was sitting just inside the kitchen doorway and the breeze reached me so I was almost outside but without the glare!
It's so much nicer replying to people when it hasn't been that long since you wrote and you don't have a daunting amount of stuff to talk about! My plan is to try to write back more quickly so that the letters don't pile up but also, I plan not to be doing so much that I have too much to write about. I wrote three letters at a very leisurely pace and it was really enjoyable. It has been getting a little stressful of late.
It was quite hard to just stay home. I was tempted to pop out to see Dad and to do my Tescos shopping, but I resisted the temptation. I will do both those things tomorrow morning instead.
Decided I really have to stop looking for printable stationery on line and also stop looking for pictures to use to make my own stationery. The Yahoo group I have joined produces so much beautiful stationery there is really no point me floundering about wasting time trying to make my own at this time. The time could be much better used for other things. Hopefully I will stick to this.
Dad came over just after 4.30pm. I'd invited him to dinner but asked if he would make a start putting up the cat platforms whilst he was here. he put up the nice long section along the fence. It is just over 6ft long and we've put it up not quite 3ft high. I hope they like it. Dad also put up the two small platforms so that Joshie (who can't jump) can climb up the the platforms we put up either side of the back door. That just leave the 3 x 2ft platforms to go up on the front of the shed.
After dinner I decided to get rid of all the woody messy Lavender plants I'd brought home from the allotment. They were mostly 12 inched of wood with 3 -4 inches of leaf growth at the top. Seriously not very attractive. I emptied out all the Lavender plants. For now I have kept the French Lavenders and the Hyssop (although none of the Hyssop flowered this year), but they aren't safe yet. There's no room in the wheely bin until it gets emptied next Thursday so I'll leave their fate until then.
I cut back the Lemon Balm and the Lilac as well. I will get rid of the middle Buddleia (I cut it back to ground level again, but the stump needs to be removed to ensure it doesn't grow up again.) and hopefully put down the rest of the grass as planned before the summer's over.
The patio looks lovely and clear now so I have brought the bench up from in front of the shed and put it against the wall. It always used to be there. I think it will get more use there. the cats made a big thing about climbing all over it. Milo was less than impressed to discover that he couldn't get on the shed windowsill now that I've moved the bench, but hopefully he won't have too long to wait for the last three platforms to go up. then he can climb to his hearts content.
I had to totally rebuild the back door step as well. It's not brilliant but it's now just that bit higher and wider. It also now covers the drain so there is less likelyhood of shingle going down and causing a blockage. It will all need cementing in place at some stage but since there's only me and the cats here I don't have to worry about anyone else doing themselves an injury on it.
I've obviously managed to recharge my batteries a bit as I'm getting interested in doing stuff around the house and garden again. I really didn't recognise how run down and exhausted I was getting. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 13th, 2008|09:14 pm] |
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I had high hopes of getting at lot done at work this morning. They lasted until I arrived and realised we wouldn't have a volunteer to help with the BSR. Oh well. I did manage to get some important bits and pieces done, just didn't get a decent run at anything significant. Still, sometimes its the little things that get over looked. I had wanted to leave my staff the appraisal material to look at but the printer was playing up so I didn't get that done either. The time flew by and in the end I was 20 minutes late leaving.
Called over to visit with Susan and Rhianna, although it ended up being more of a visit with Susan as Rhianna was sorting through stuff in her bedroom. Susan provided lunch and then we talked craft stuff and surfed the internet. She is pretty much decided that they won't be going away tomorrow. The forecast is for rain and more rain. She said she didn't want to be stuck in a caravan with a wet Border Collie and I can understand that. I would probably go anyway, if it was me and I wanted to get away for a few days.
Stopped by Dad's on my way home but he was out so came straight home. The cats were keen to go out even though there was drizzle in the air.
Cleared the kitchen table so that I could make a start on replying to the letters I have needing to be replied to. I only have a couple at the moment but I want to keep it that way. I don't want to leave them for weeks at a time and them get uptight about having a pile of them to do. I need to pace myself better with everything. Still I do at least feel like I'm heading in the right direction.
Watched the Olympic highlights and left the television on! Haven't done that for ages. Did a bit of surfing and checked my emails. I'm trying to cut down the time I spend on line as I've been a bit obsessive with my research again recently. And, whilst it is my research it generates the same problems that doing work research did. It eats in to the time I want to use for other things. More discipline is required. I just think, I'll just look at this one, well at this one and before I know it an hour and a half has gone by.
The cats are all chasing about outside. I love listening to them. They all have such distinctive voices. I can't see them in the dark, especially if I'm indoors but I can always hear them. Lenny is a real talker, he chirps and chitters away almost constantly. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 12th, 2008|10:43 pm] |
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I got up early and was revising for my ECDL exams by 7am. I put in a couple of solid hours revision and then left home around 9.15 to make sure I could get parked and walk to the exam centre in time for my exam at 10am. As it was I got there 15 minutes early but since I was the only one taking exams that morning I was allowed to start right away. I did Internet & Email first and scored 89%, then File Management 100%. As I was still ahead of the allotted time I asked to take the IT Concepts exam as well and got 81% for that too, without any revision. Four units down now and only three to go. I shall do Spreadsheets and Powerpoint on 3rd October and then I'll just have Databases to do. I haven't done any work with Databases so I'd rather leave it until I can concentrate on it fully. I've used Excel and Powerpoint in the past so I should be able to get those with a bit of brushing up.
Stopped in at a charity shop on my way back to the car and picked up a couple of cooking books. I still have plans to start preparing one new recipe a week. Then headed over to Dad's for a cup of tea and to share my good news.
Got home just after 12 noon so let the cats out quickly. I like to give them a couple of hours out in the garden if I can.
Work was totally crazy for the first three hours (2-5pm) I don't think I've ever seen the library so busy. The time fairly flew by. The odd thing is that after 5pm it cleared totally and from 5.30 - 7pm I doubt we had more than 5 people in! One extreme to the other!
I got home in time to watch the olympic highlights and I've probably spent the last couple of hours doing far too much surfing, looking for stationery. I need to stop doing this now. I've found all the best sites and the ladies at pen_pal_printables produce such beautiful work that there is no need for me to waste anymore time looking. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 11th, 2008|10:03 pm] |
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Did the flower run this morning. There weren't many salvageable displays so I actually took one of the larger ones that could be dismantled. Called in to see my Manager to let her know I will be stopping doing the flower run after 1st September. It was a tough decision but I do feel it is the right one for me at the moment. I'm doing too much in all areas of my life and I need to cut back and start caring for myself properly. I am hoping someone will step forward to take over from me. But I can't keep doing it just because no one else will. I will try to contact the volunteer's co-ordinator to see if she has anyone who might be willing to do it. I am quite happy to go along a couple of times to show someone what to do but I need to know I have a finish date and that it doesn't just drag on and on.
Called over to visit with Clare. The day was warm although overcast and we got to sit in the garden and chat. The time flew by. Clare was pleased with her birthday gifts and she had had a really nice day out the day before as well. I had to leave just after 11am to give myself an hour at home before leaving for work.
Work was intense. I had my appraisal and my objectives set for the year. They are challenging but I do feel they are achievable. My line manager was at my library for the entire afternoon as there was a lot to work through. I now have to do the same process for all my staff. I hope it won't take as long!! I have to tailor their objectives to tie in with the library's targets and objectives. It's the first time I've had to do this so I'm a little bit anxious about it.
Had a quiet evening at home. Watched the Olympic highlights and then read for a while. Sat outside and watched the cats play until it got dark. they are dashing about out in the dark at the moment. it has started to rain but that doesn't seem to have affected them. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 10th, 2008|10:21 pm] |
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Had both my ladies with me today. Can't remember the last time that happened! Sue is a very busy lady and I'm glad she turns up when she can. Janet works once a fortnight and is very reliable. Having said that they both missed a fortnight ago as well as the alternate weeks so I haven't had anyone with me the past 3 weeks! It was really nice to catch up with them both. Janet and I looked at Penpals sites as she is quite interested in getting a penpal. I thoroughly enjoy corresponding with my friends. I had a look at some of the Yahoo groups.
Called in at Susan's after work because Mum and Dad were supposed to be having dinner there last I'd heard but apparently they had changed their minds and I didn't notice that Dad's car wasn't there until I'd knocked on Susan's door. Stayed for a quick chat and then went to Dad's. Mum had had a good day. They had been to a small bootsale and walked around quite a bit. That was good for Mum because she hadn't been walking distances very well for ages. Stayed for about an hour but by then I was starting to feel really tired.
Did a lot of surfing the internet looking at Yahoo Penpal groups. In reality I don't think I need anymore penfriends but you always think you might just find someone who would be perfect for a lifetime friendship. I looked at Long Letter Ladies website, which looked good. I like long letters, hell I write long letters. I like to receive them to. I found a great group called pen_pal_printables who make stationery to share. I have signed up for that. I did look at a couple of others but I think I'll watch for a while. Most forums I've looked at have been a platform for someone to put someone down, ridicule them, criticise them and I just don't need that. Some have masses of rules and regulations about showing up on line, even the snail mail ones, which is bizarre. If you prefer snail mail to email why would you want to be posting on line all the time?? Curious. I have requested to join pen_pal-printables and am waiting to see if they will accept me.
I've found a few people that I think might work out as penfriends but I've decided to sleep on it and see how I feel in the morning. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 9th, 2008|08:22 pm] |
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A very busy day at work today. I didn't get to sit at my desk at all. However, we did have volunteers in to help with the BSR and Gareth make a really good start on the 'Dead Stock' non fiction for me. Unlike the fiction list we did actually have most of these books so he put them in a trug for me to sort through. I'm really not happy with getting rid of everything on the list. Some of these books really do need to be kept. For reference purposes if nothing else. I shall talk to my line manager when he is here on Monday. There must be a way to keep these books in the library.
I can home and had something to eat and then went over to see Mum at Dad's. I must admit I find making time to visit Mum whilst she is out at the weekend a real challenge. the weekend is my busiest time of the week. I work both days so spending the evenings visiting is exhausting for me, and it also means the cats don't get chance to spend as much time outside as I'd like them to.
Came home and let the cats out and did very little at all. I did select a few more cards and they all said things that I already knew I needed to take on board. I need more balance in my life and I need to take better care of myself.
I'm so tired. It doesn't help I'm still not sleeping properly. I just can't get off to sleep like I used to. I guess it will settle down eventually but it's very frustrating at the moment. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 8th, 2008|08:56 pm] |
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Didn't get up as early as planned so was behind from the get go. I went to get my shopping from Tescos. I had intended to go at 8am but didn't get away until 9am. Was back home by 10am but had to leave again at 10.30 to take Lucy to the vets.
My appointment was 10.50 but the 11am lady had arrived early so she went in ahead of me and I didn't get in until 11.15 so I was not happy. Lucy is still half a kilo over weight but the weight is still coming off, albeit very slowly. Because we didn't get seen on time it was almost 12 noon by the time I got home.
I had to leave at 12.45 to get over to Dad's by 1pm to collect his card, as I thought, to take to Sibell's funeral. However, Dad had made other arrangements so I headed straight off to the church.
It was a beautiful service full of love and life and a real celebration. It was well attended, which was pleasing. the only downside for me personally was that the lady I sat next to 'rubber necked' through the entire service. I have no idea what she was looking for or who but I found it really distracting and altogether unseemly behaviour. In spite of that I can away from the service uplifted and inspired. I want to take time to process what I felt and make some decisions about where I want to go from here.
On my way back to Dad's I bumped into Dena who was just coming out of the Post Office. I went back to the Hair Spa wit her and we had a lovely chat. I have arranged to get together with her on 29th. Called back at Dad's for a cup of tea and a chat and then finally made it back home just after 4pm.
Today was supposed to be my day off! Just as well I had more than one this week. It's cramming my days off with crazy schedules that has been exhausting me. I really must take better care of myself.
I have at least had a nice quiet evening. I have dug out my card decks and drawn a few cards. Each of them has proved very appropriate and I want to spend some time thinking on them. I'm going to watch the cats play whilst its still light enough to see them and contemplate my cards. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 19th, 2008|10:02 pm] |
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So itchy today. the rash actually seems to be getting worse. I actually have it on my body now as well and my arms are particularly red and hot. The antihistamine tablet only lasted 4 hours instead of all day.
We were actually quite busy at work during the morning. By around noon I was starting to feel a bit nauseous, which often happens when I take Amoxicillin. Fortunately lunch seemed to settle it down. the afternoon was much quieter, although we had a couple of spells of torrential rain which I'm sure can't have helped. I got caught in one such downpour as I came back with the library's newspaper!
Came home and spent the evening in the garden writing letters. I attempted writing at the patio table but the drizzle started every time I sat down! In the end I settled for writing at the table in the garden room, so neither indoors nor outdoors. I managed to get another three letters replied to.
The rash is really hot now and I can't bear anything on my arms. I'm not looking forward to trying to sleep like this. I haven't been sleeping well all week because of the rash. |
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[Jul. 18th, 2008|10:35 pm] |
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Joshie was back to his normal self this morning. Normal being 'look mum I'm on the washing machine, look now I'm in the windowsill, now I'm sitting on your papers playing with your pen, you weren't trying to do something besides look at me were you?' I on the other hand was itching like mad and the bite on my leg was looking really red and inflamed, so I made another appointment to see the doctor. Joshie's appointment at the vets was 9.20 my appointment at the doctors 10.20 - no pressure, right?
The lady vet saw Joshie again this morning. All the tests were negative. she has given him a longer course of antibiotics (10 days) to see if that will get rid of the URT infection altogether. I certainly hope so. It's gone around twice now, assuming it's the same one. There are hardly likely to be two!
Had to drop Joshie off and head out straight away to get to the doctors on time. Saw a different doctor this time who clearly didn't think I had Scabies either but didn't want to make he colleague look bad. She prescribed Amoxicillin and Flucloxacillin for the bite and antihistamines for the rash. Came out to see Susan in the doctor's waiting room. She was getting checked out as she kept having dizzy spells since her minor op on Monday. the doctor told her she was one of those people who doesn't handle general anesthetic very well. It didn't help that she was anemic beforehand either. I went back to hers for a cup of tea and a chat. Then she reminded me that Rhianna's School Leaver's play was at 2pm so I headed home to get lunch.
Picked up my prescription on the way home. The Flucloxacillin has to be taken on an empty stomach or an hour before meals 4 times a day and the Amoxicillin 3 times a day (I'll have to take it with food otherwise it makes me sick!).
The doctor had recommended that Susan not drive so I collected her on my way to the school. Rhianna's school only has around 50 pupils ranging from 4 - 11 years old. The Foundation and Year One students did a short performance and then the Year 2 - 6 children (approx 35 of them) performed Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Apart from a few scenes cut to keep it down to an hour they pretty much sung everything. It was an outstanding performance by anyone's standards. I was so glad I'd made the time and the effort to go. There was going to be doing an evening performance at 7pm and Rhianna's Dad was hoping to attend. Susan was hoping to go back again, with Tony.
As it was only just gone 3pm I took Rhianna and Susan over to my library so that Rhianna could look at the children's booksale books, which we hadn't gotten to do yesterday. She filled a bag for £1 and was thrilled. I picked up a few things I needed to get sorted before I was next in but couldn't print off the stuff I'd intended to as I found a list of details that meant I had to make changes.
I dropped Susan and Rhianna off at home and went back to Cartridge World with my black cartridge which had only printed two lines and died again. They replaced it without question.
Got home and let the cats out and finally got started on replying to some of my correspondence. Managed to get two replies done. Rejigged the documents I needed to alter for work and emailed them over to my library. Tomorrow is the start of the Big Summer Read and I won't be there because I'm working at Lindsey's library.
The cats are charging about like complete lunatics, especially Milo and Lenny. It's great to seem them having so much fun. I shall have to put a stop to it soon though as it's getting late. |
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[Jul. 17th, 2008|10:02 pm] |
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A stay at home morning, a rarity these days. I made progress with the newsletter but it took all morning. Then I started on my first actual reply.
It was nice to be able to sit out at the patio table although there wasn't much sun around. Still, at least it wasn't raining. Lenny came down and out into the garden in the daylight! Such progress. He is doing so well. He takes his cues from the other cats, which is helpful except that Harry is still a ninny about loud noises etc. But all things considered Lenny is doing brilliantly.
Went out at 2.30pm to drive over and collect Rhianna from school. Managed to get there on time this week! We then had to call at her house to collect some money so that she could buy something she wanted to get for her Mum. We stopped at the garden center to buy the gift and then went over to Melbourne to visit the charity shop. Rhianna found herself a nice tank top/pullover and I picked up a book on chinese cooking. We then went along to the pharmacy to see if I could get something for the itching and the rash. The pharmacist didn't think I had Scabies and said that the stuff I'd used would have been quite aggressive on my skin so she wouldn't give me anything with HC in it. (The stuff she gave me is a bit like calamine lotion and it has helped a bit.) Then we went on to Cartridge World to get my black cartridge checked, apparently it hadn't run out but the head was drying up. The assistant sorted it out for free.
When we got home Joshie didn't look well so instead of going over to my library as planned we ended up going to the vets. The vet said Joshie had a temperature of 104 again. He also said we needed to look at why Joshie wasn't getting over the illness like the rest of the cats. He wanted to do blood tests for FIV and Feline Leukemia. It was a bit of a shock. He gave Joshie an antibiotic injection and said to bring him back in the morning to get his temperature checked again. By the time we got back to mine it was time to take Rhianna home.
Chatted with Susan about the situation. I can't really see how Joshie could have got either Feline Aids or Leukemia but it's just possible he could have got it during his first 4 weeks of life when he was in a multi cat household.
Called in and talked to Dad about it before heading home. Cried on the way home and when I got home went on line to learn what I could. Having information comforts me. Within an hour I realised that we could manage whichever one he had, that it wasn't an instant death sentence for all the cats and that in fact there are actually some worse things he could have. Now I feel a bit more like I'm in control, of me again at least. If he had to have one or the other I'd rather he have FIV as the Leukemia is much worse. We will just have to wait and see.
I haven't written any more letters because until I know what Joshie's got I don't know how much to say. He seems much better for the injection and is outside playing with the rest of the boys. |
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[Jul. 16th, 2008|09:34 pm] |
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I was so glad Apryl had agreed to do this mornings assembly for me. Originally I had made plans to go to my school's Leaver's Assembly but the rash was so much worse today that I decided to get an appointment with the doctor.
Managed to get some chores done before I went.
Despite there being only one patch that could be considered linear the doctor decided that my rash was Scabies!! He prescribed a lotion which had to be applied and left on for 24 hours. I called in at Susan's afterwards and we surfed the net. What I have is nothing like Scabies as far as I can tell. I don't have it in any of the key areas, not does what I have look anything like it. But since I'm going to be working with children on Saturday I though it would be as well to apply the lotion any way. Better safe than sorry. So I went to the pharmacy and bought some. Called in to discuss it with Dad as well. Phoned Dena to say just to be on the safe side I wouldn't call in to see her (she has a therapy room in a hair salon). Then came home and applied the ointment as directed.
Around about 2pm Dad phoned to say he was going to TK Maxx so did I want to try and take the stuff back to B&Q as it was near there. He came over and collected me and the stuff and off we went. Although we were outside the 90 days the woman there was willing to give me a credit note until it turned out that the barcodes had come off. After 40 minutes waiting for a duty manager who was repeatedly paged but never turned up Dad and I left in disgust. I can make use of the stuff but don't plan to anytime soon, which was why we thought to take it back.
We did have more success in TK Maxx. I bought a notebook for Rhianna and a couple of cookbooks which I hope to put to use in the not too distant future.
I invited Dad to stay for dinner and did Tuna Pasta bake. Joshie was looking a bit seedy lying on the landing. I'm not sure that he isn't sickening again. I hope not, Lucy is supposed to be going for her booster next week!
For the first hour after I put the ointment on I didn't itch at all but now I'm itching worse than before.
Finally made a start on answering some correspondence. Decided to draft another newsletter but it's taking longer than I thought. The boys are playing out in the garden. Joshie seems to be alright again now. |
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[Jul. 15th, 2008|10:24 pm] |
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Lindsey picked me up outside the school at 9am and we went to the training session together. My arms and the bite on my leg have been really itchy all day. If they don't settle down I shall have to go to the doctors tomorrow.
The training session was on appraisals and was very informative. At the interval we disappeared downstairs to pick up some display bin headers as it seemed silly to waste the opportunity. We were back in plenty of time and with lots of new headers. The second session was more intensive and we didn't finish until just after noon. By the time we got back home we only had an hour before we had to get to the library.
The afternoon shift was a bit of a slog after such an intense morning but as usual the last hour was really quiet.
I came home and spent most of the evening reading Bill Bryson's Shakespeare in the garden. Lenny has been past me a couple of times. He isn't nearly so nervous now. He doesn't run so fast or so far when he gets startled now. He has been charging around chasing Milo. they run about the garden then crash in through the patio door, through the lounge, hall and kitchen and then out the kitchen door back into the garden! |
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[Jul. 14th, 2008|11:02 pm] |
As I'd already decided not to do the Flower Run this morning I went to Tescos instead! I've been so busy in recent weeks that I've not had chance to get a decent supply run done. When I got back I let the cats out for a quick run in the garden. Milo was miffed that I hadn't let him out earlier.
I had to leave at 9.45am to allow myself enough time to find the school I was doing the assembly at. As it was the map was wrong and it was just as well I'd given myself plenty of time. It was an interesting school with around 90 children. The assembly went well and I had a nice long chat with the Head Teacher. He is keen to forge closer links with the library so we will meet again in September to discuss class visits etc.
Came home and let the cats out again. They had slightly longer this time as I didn't need to be at work until 12.45. I took the opportunity to sit and relax in the garden for a while. I've hardly had chance to do that recently.
Work was hectic. I had tow of the three volunteers come in for their training session, the other one was off school unwell. They are very enthusiastic and I hope both they and the children will enjoy it.
I only had a half hour turn around from getting in after work to leaving to pick Janet up to go to Betty's but I did at least manage to get something to eat.
We were all meeting up at Betty's instead of the Angel so that we could have a look around her garden. To be honest the evening was better than when we go to the Angel and none of us left until gone 10.30pm.
I'm sitting here writing this waiting for the cats to finish dashing about in the garden. They hadn't had much time out today so it's only fair. |
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[Jul. 13th, 2008|08:09 pm] |
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I'm itchy today and I can't quite figure out why. Mostly around the outside of my elbows but I've noticed I'm starting to itch around the bite I have at the top of my right leg.
Work was fun today as I had Sue in with me for the morning and Janet in for the afternoon. A very social time was had by all. They are both going to Betty's tomorrow, I shall be picking Janet up on the way.
Went straight from work to see Mum off as Dad was taking her back to the Maudsley Hospital. Then called in to see Susan as she has her minor op tomorrow morning.
Now I'm home and once I've checked my emails I'm going to take my book and go enjoy the evening sunshine. |
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[Jul. 12th, 2008|10:19 pm] |
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Today was a great day, incredibly hectic but great none the less.
I decided that we would do the early joiners for the Big Summer Read so when I got to the library I took photos of all Meredith's hard work and then set about making the changes to the layout so that we could bring out the Team Read displays etc. It took over an hour to get sorted by which time it was almost time for the PCSO to come in to start her Drop In session.
I had intended that Debbie and I would tidy the adult non-fiction and then shelve the circulating stock but we were so busy that in the end, around 3.30pm we just sorted all the stock and the shelved it. Tidying and putting everything in order will have to wait until another time.
The Drop in session went brilliantly. It ran from 11 - 2pm and I think we had around 70 people turn up for it. We also did well at signing children up early, a combined total of 36 forms completed.
Being that busy and having that much going on gives you a real buzz. The PCSO was so thrilled with how well it went that she has booked to come back again in September. It would be great if she could do that well on a regular basis. The trick will be to work out how frequently she can come in and still attract people to the sessions.
Was pretty tired by the time I got home so I asked Mum and Dad to come over here instead of me having to turn out again. I didn't get settled into doing anything because I kept expecting them to turn up at any moment but they didn't turn up until 7.35pm so I wasted an hour and a half that I could have spent writing letters or emails. Mum was moaning and Dad wasn't very chatty and I felt like they were strangers. I tried to make conversation and ended up talking about my day only to have Mum cut across me saying I had verbal diarrhoea. the visit kind of went down hill after that! I honestly don't know why I make such a big effort to see Mum when she acts like that. she used to do that to me all the time. She didn't want to hear about my cats, my garden, my work, my friends... It didn't leave much to talk about and so in the end I didn't talk. I can see the same thing happening again if she keeps that up. They left at 8.30pm and I couldn't help wishing I hadn't bothered to invite them over. Why am I making so much effort when they don't appear to be that bothered about it??
Tried to catch up on some stuff but wasn't really in the mood by then. Read in the garden for a while. The cats were all playing outside, including Lenny, who prefers to come out after dark. |
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[Jul. 10th, 2008|09:36 pm] |
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One of those crazy busy days I seem to have far to many of!
Debbie was in instead of Josie (who should have been in for Lorraine but has developed Shingles!), which was a help because she did Bookstart for me. She is very good at it. I shall have to remember that when I want cover for Lorraine in the future.
Our Trident student's teacher came in to discuss her placement and what I thought of her. I said I thought her only potential problem in the future would be that she doesn't know how to pace herself. She reminds me a lot of myself in that respect and the problems I ended up having as a result of it. He also spent some time with her and from what I caught she seems to have been very positive about the whole experience.
At 12 I had to leave to take lunch before my ECDL exam. I drove to Hylands Park, which was on the way, and sat in the park cramming for the exam. I was such a nervous wreck when I got there. I'm never very good when I don't know what to expect. The exam went really well and I passed with 89% (pass mark is 75%). So then it was back to work.
At 3.30 Wendy the Brentwood Children's ADO turned up but I'd forgotten I would be on my own until 4pm so I let her use the computer at my desk to check her emails. Once Margaret came on duty we got started and Wendy talked me through the whole Team Read approach, activities etc. She came out into the library with me and we were able to discuss the best layout, or at least the pros and cons for the various options. I know what I want, and it's not what they had last year so we will wait and see if it is any worse or any better (hopefully it will be better but if it's worse I hope I'll have the good sense to change it sooner rather than later. Wendy was her until 5.30pm and was a real help. I was able to give a lot more thought to how we were going to run the book sharing activities this year as well.
The time flew by to 7pm and then I had to dash off to a Governor's meeting, my fourth and last of the fortnight. No more now until October if memory serves. The meeting went a long at a fair old clip and was wrapped up in just over an hour.
I'm so tired that I'm not going to attempt to do anything that requires thought. i think I'll just check my emails and then watch the cats play in the garden for a while. |
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