Eternal Refuge

I can't say it's a weekend off, as I have a list of things I want to get done today ... let's see how many I get done!  Trouble is I had a late birthday pressie from nephew #1 yesterday ... a book, the third of a trio he has given me, and I can't wait to start it!

If you are a Star Wars fan then they are a fascinating read ... a collection of short storie filling in the bak stories of all the behind-the-scenes characters in the 3 main films.  So they follow canon, but they also give another depth to the film(s).

... this is the new one!

Work was odd yesterday ... 6 hours, but times when the area was totally deserted, and times when the queue of enquiries stretched out of the door.  But I get on well with the volunteers on a Friday, so all in all an odd, but good, afternoon.

I have already done some shopping, and tidied a bit of the front garden ... now here, and trying to get some photos sorted so I can post them a bit later.

I do want to get some housework done ... and hopefully have a chat with Auntie Mary.

So, will post this and sort photos ....






28. Which is your favourite - white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, silver or platinum jewellery?
I prefer gold to be gold ... although the ring & necklace I bought in San Francisco were platinum. I adore jewellery, and look at design in some ways, more than colour.
The only thing I don't really like is white gold, and would prefer silver (as the necklace & bracelet I have on)

29. How often do you take photos?
Ha - ironical as that's my next task!
In a wekk it would be at least 3 days ... when I am "out" it would be all the time!!




Right, let's edit photos ... and post

Today is Auntie Mary's 95th birthday. She was Mum's best friend, and we chat every 2 - 3 weeks, and every time I have a great laugh. This photo was taken when I visited last Spring in her living room ... she still lives in the house that she was born in.



So, 5 years to go, and she will get her telegram from the King.

(I will give her a ring tomorrow, as I know she is being taken to her sister's today.)



I shocked myself over the last 24 hours - yes, I have done a thorough clean of a a few of the drawers in my kitchen. I also cleaned out one of the cupboards there that I had been planning to sort for over a year - so, I am feeling amazingly positive (at present!!)

I want to get the others cleaned while I am on a roll, but at least the one that had been "haunting" me is done.

I have to make some icons, as well ... so all in all, lots to keep me out of mischief!






14. Ironing – yes or no..?
Yes

15. On this day in 2009 Chesley Sullenberger, known as "Sully," successfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River. Have you seen the Tom Hanks film Sully?



However, seeing that question, reminds me that the actor who played Sully on Dr Quinn is one of the many who has lost everything in the LA fires.

So far, my friend is safe ... so hopefully that will continue.




Right, let's get on.

Tomorrow & Friday I am working in the afternoons, so hope to pop in, but it may be Saturday before I make it.

.

... Why I wasn't around yesterday.  Christine was early-ish, and with an hour's drive there, then lots of wandering, it was a long, but lovely day.  So it was a good reason to not pop into LJ!

I had aimed to be here yesterday as I wanted to wish you a Happy World Giraffe Day


Today I have been into Exeter as I needed to pick up a couple of things for Tim's birthday ... I am going there on Monday so we can celebrate our birthdays.  We always manage to meet up, usually on my birthday as by the time it's Tim's 6 days later they are on holiday.  They go to the same flat in Cornwall, that they have been going to for 12 - 14 years.  It's lovely there, I know, but I prefer to go to different locations if I can.  After all, there's a lot of the world to explore.

Now, as ever, I won't be around tomorrow being Sunday, so ...



21. Can you do the 'downward dog' pose on International Yoga Day?
I can (I think) as I used to occasionally do it when I was at gym classes, but wouldn't want to do it as it always pulled on my back injury.

22. International Being You Day - a day to celebrate our differences, and our unique qualities. Do you have a unique quality you'd like to celebrate today?
I don't know, I think I am slightly mad, anyway. However I do quite like who I am, most of the time, anyway.

23. Board games - yay or nay? What's your favourite, or the one that fills you with horror at the memory of playing?
yay ... although not really a fan of Monopoly or Cleudo ... but do enjoy others.




Right, let's get this done and posted.

I will see you Monday x

... Yes, Dad would have been 99 today.  He thoroughly enjoyed his 90th birthday, which was the last one he celebrated at home with Mum ... so special memories for all of us -


For our family we never started Christmas until his birthday had been and gone However we now have reason to delay it further as my brother's boys have birthdays coming up (3 of the 4 anyway) .... so we really delay Christmas even further. However as I posted their pressies this morning, maybe as from tomorrow I need to get serious about my Christmas plans.

And, speaking of birthdays - I really want to wish deborahw37 a happy birthday, with love

I don't have any shifts this half of the week which is not great for the bank balance ... but is doing my health good. My Chronic Fatigue flared slightly, so doing a lazy week will be for the best for me.

So, I need to finish my last set of icons for November ... and even try and get my photos from London finished. You never know, I might actually get organised one day, although I doubt it! But, whatever I do -



27 – Pins and Needles Day: Can you sew, either by hand or by machine? What was the last thing you sewed?
Yes, and yes.
I haven't made much recently, but am aiming to get sewing again come the New Year.



Right, let's get on x

Well that has been a long week, but in the end I finished earlier tan I expected.  So I am here to try and get some photos posted, and maybe caught up with some other bits and pieces.

Work has been busy ... and mostly OK.  We have had a few complaints as Covid injections have now stopped until September.  They have been doing them every day for 3 months, but now they are no longer there people are complaining ... typical human nature.

As I said when I last posted I had a lovely birthday ... really just enjoyed doing "me" things.  And, the first of that was a guided tour to one of Exeter's main cemeteries.  It is on a hill, so, as you can see, great views (you can see the cathedral double towers centre right)




" chapels - Methodist & Church of England (now both closed)

An early V.C.

Some of the amazing sculpures



AVictorian swimmer, who was a life-saver, who sved 200+ lives


And, amazingly there is a Jewish section

.... and a Muslim one



Right, I may have more photos to share later.

So will close this, with the catch-up ...



27 – Onion Day: True or false: onions improve the taste of pretty much every savoury dish they're in, even if the original recipe doesn't specifically include them. Are onions a staple in your kitchen? Do you have any tricks to avoid tears while chopping?
Love them .. add them to every savoury dish I can

28 – International Body Piercing Day: Do you have any piercings? That aren't your ears?
Only one hole per ear

29 – Camera Day: Do you still own and use an actual camera? If you've mostly or completely transitioned from using a real camera to just using a phone camera, do you find you take more photos now than you did before?
It's very, very rare I use my phone (especially as I don't usually have it with me!)
I have Nikon DSLR.  My first camera was a Nikon compact back in 1980 ... and stick with the brand.

30 – Social Media Day: In its short life, social media has redefined how people interact, communicate, and share with family, friends, and the world – in both good ways and bad. What social media do you use? Do you occasionally take breaks from social media? Do you have any ideas on what might improve the social media experience for most?
I use Instagram, and LJ (& DW) ... that's really it. I do occasionally pop onto Facebook, but it's about 4 times a year.




Right, let's get on

Sorry for the non-Spuffy fans ... you have just had 2 lots of posts from me already.   Today is my posting day at seasonal_spuffy and as you can guess, I made some icons, but also had an idea for a fic and went with it.  Having not written anything for some time I dread to think how my grammer went, but decided to post it anyway.

But now we are back to a normal Saturday post ... well, normal for me, so just a ramble about nothing special!

Let me start by wishing spikereader a happy birthday ... she is one of the few people I have met, so although not here now I didn't wat to miss the post.  I also want to wish DJ a happy birthday ... He was a very special friend to me, so hope, if still alive, he is having special people with him now.
 

The weather, so far, is looking good.  So I am going to have a walk this morning once I have finished here,  It's nice to actually have a day off where the weather is being kind to me, for a change.

Tomorrow is Sunday, so Church in the morning ... although I do have a shift booked for the afternoon/evening.  Not a personal choice of working Sunday, but the welcome/reception desk is short-staffed so I do agree to them, although won't work the morning half of the day as I really don't want to miss Church.

I am hoping to catch up with Christine later, as we normally chat on a Sunday.  As I am also off on MOnday we are hoping to possibly meet up, but as yet, no real plans.  However, in the hope we can sort out something ...



13 – World Fair Trade Day: Do you try to buy certified fair trade products?
Not especially ... I don't drink coffee, or eat bananas ... but buy tea & chocolate by brand. I know there are other things, but they are 4 popular examples

14 – World Migratory Bird Day: World Migratory Bird Day is observed twice a year during the second Saturday in May and again on the second Saturday in October. The goal is to raise awareness of issues affecting migratory birds and to inspire action around the world to take measures for their conservation. Do you live in a region that sees bird migrations in the spring and fall? Light pollution is a major threat to migratory birds. Does your municipality have any "Dim the Lights" policies in place to protect migratory birds?
The house the Mum & Dad had in Bude, for 11 years, was actually overlooking wet lands, so we got very used to seeing the seasons change

15 – Bring Flowers to Someone Day: When was the last time someone gave you flowers? When was the last time you brought flowers to someone else?
The last flowers I had was a bouquet from work when Jiffy died ... a stunning suprise.
I took flowers round to Claire when she had her latest op ... when I go to either sister-in-law for food I take drink, as they buy themselves flowers, so nice to take something else.


Right, let's get on and have a look through you latest posts ... and then go and enjoy the sun xx

... so here I am today, then will dissappear for another couple of days as I have another week of extra shifts.

On a very positive note I am doing well tiredness wise.  Yes, I am getting tired, but mostly not until evening times, so it's good that I can do this extra work ... and with a holiday, and 2 weddings (one of which abroard), as well as the additional trip for the funeral, then my Bank balance is also thankful!!

Anyway, yes, I had a great birthday.  I went to Newton Abbot and round the museum before Christine treated me to lunch, and then we had a 5 mile walk.  I will be posting photos, but they are going to be delayed.  As I type this I am uploading photos from my day in Exeter to share with you all.  So I will catch up ... but it will be gradually over the coming week(s).  However I suppose that means I won't be spamming you!.

Anyway after a good day I drove home and then to Tim & Claire's (remembering to take Tim's pressie with me), and Claire cooked a lovely steak dinner, and she had made me a birthday cake ... so I was truly stuffed, but felt very lucky in my family & friends for my birthday.


Then the following day Tim pucked me up late morning and we drove, via McDonald's(!!), to Brenda's dad's funeral.  The weather was awful, with a couple of super major, but short, hail storms.  It was lovely to see all the family, as well as some distant family and people I know from the Church I used to go to.  Geoffry was 98 and had been a missionary in Nigeria (where Brenda was born), so it was a "Thanksgiving service" in it's true meaning. 

Then Sunday was Church and work, as I think I had already said.  I never book a Sunday, but wouldn't want to leave a hospital short-staffed either, so will do an emergency cover.

On Monday I drove towards London, getting stuck in traffic for about an hour around Stonehenge.  I actually spent a couple of hours in Winchester, the ancient capital of England, on my way (again, photos to follow).

The following day was Claire's dads funeral.  I got lost due to roadworks on the last couple of miles of the trip, but was still there in good time and met up with Nick & Andrew who had also done the cross-country trip.  Richard was only 75, and his death had been a huge shock.  His wife had spent a long time doing CPR before the paramedics came, but despite them working for an hour sadly it was too late.  The family were "military" and when they came back to England, Claire was 17 with her sisters 15 & 13 ... and sadly the transition wasn't easy, so there had been quite a gap in the family relationship for many years, which was repaired, but then lockdown had pulled them apart again.  So the 3 goirls did have some real sadness t work through for so many reasons.  They dai all do the eulogy though.  On Richard's coffin was his regimental colours ... 24 years in the Royal Corps of Signallers, and they had a standard bearer from The Royal British Legion.  So in the end the service was a good representataion of the man.

Then the last 3 days have been work, work & work.

So now I am here to post, do some photo editing ... but then aiming for a lazy-ish afternoon, although I do need to go and buy some fruit & veg.

As I said, Monday & Tuesday are full work days, so doubt I will have time to post ... see I am trying to be a good girl, and although I miss being here, I don't want to over-do things even more ... so ...



1. We're halfway through the year (give or take a few days). What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
As I said I have 2 weddings coming up ... and then a trip to Turkey in September.

2. What do you want to remember about today? What would you like to forget?
Seeing as it's only lunchtime ... it was nice to have a lie-in. Sadly it's raining, so my plan had been to have a nice walk.

3. If you could wish for one thing to happen tomorrow, what would that be?
Nice weather (especially as Tim is on holiday this week)

4. What colours are you wearing?
Mostly black and white ... but the skirt has a panel from knee to mid calf in almost every colour! And my t-shirt has red, as well as white, writing. (Oh, and yellow flip-flops)

5. What is a political issue that interests you?

No comment ... I have always kept this politically free.



Right that's m until Wednesday.

However I do hope I can catch up with your LJ's this evening. I also will be hoping to post some photos of historical Exeter, soon.

Hope you are all well x

Hi

Yes it was an amazing trip - even better than I expected.

As it turned out the middle of the 3 days of the tour was spent around Arras, which is where my Grandfather fought ... although we didn't go to his specific locations.  However the lady I was sitting next to was there because her father had fought in this area (yes, she was older than me, and a "suprise" addition in their family!).  So it was lovely to follow in his footsteps thinking of Granddad.  We also went to her Uncle's grave, which was moving.

And, yes, Deborah was brilliant!  The reason for the trip was more amazing than even I expected.

However I haven't done any photo editing yet, and won't get time today as in a short while I am meeting Brenda to go to a National Trust property ... and I need to do some shopping as the fruit/veg is missing, and the fridge is empty.

But, I shall be a good girl before I go again -


15. What or who has taught you most of the information you use regularly?
Mum & Dad


t by tonight I will be too tired to catch up with you, so I shall see you on Monday.

Hope you had a good week - and have a great weekend x



  HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Sorry I forgot to wish spikereader a Happy Birthday.  She was one of the first of my friends that I met in RL - hope she had a great day, and a good year ahead.



And, Happy Birthday DJ - you and I spent some amazing times together, starting from when you were about an hour old.

... and it started with another clinic, which actually went well, again.  All in all it's a worry that these good couple of days will mean that I will end up having a really tough end to the week!

It was a lovely 80th party/meal last night.  We had a carvery, ice-cream and then birthday cake.  Although with a 1/2 hour drive each way I was really tired by the time I got home.  However I was happy that I actually managed to enjoy the evening, so another notch on the healing steps ... and lovely to celebrate something with a really nice lady ...


Now I am here doing this, and will try and catch up with you all a bit later ... but, I mustn't forget -



5. How much of your body would you cybernetically enhance, if you could?
I suppose I would get my eyes back to 20:20 vision, but nothing more than that


Well, I have emails to catch up on, and as ever, icons to make. See you later x

... or is it "Happy Tie-Spike-To-A-Chair" Day

I do hope that we can all stop for a moment and be Thankful, as I am sure there are many things that each of us can be thankful for, and in these troubled days we all need to think of the positives.

I am thankful for a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food on the table, as well as living in peace  ... sadly, in the 21st century not all of us can say that.

But for my friends in The USA I know it's a special day for you and I do hope and pray that you are all able to celebrate/remember with those you love.



This morning I didn't have work as the physiologist I was due to work with is on sick leave, having had minor surgery!  So I had a slightly lazy morning, and then I walked into the city and did some Christmas shopping.  I have now gone through what I have bought already and am actually quite positive about how my shopping/plans are going?

I need to get my nephews birthday pressies wrapped and posted so that is a task for this afternoon & this morning.  And, speaking of birthdays -
Happy Birthday petzipellepingo ... I hope that you are having a lovely day - a day of double celebration today.  And, best wishes for the coming year *hugs* xx


Well, before I go -

25. Are there any musicians you didn't like at first but grew on you?
No, as I tend to make snap decisions about things ... and very rarely change my mind.