Eternal Refuge

It wasn't till I got the "reply messages" via email that i realised that somehow, yesterday I never added a title.  Where was my brain, yesterday?

Well my car repair got changed around yesterday in the end.  Although Toyota quoted me a slightly cheeper price, when I eventually got through to bookings they said the earliest they could make it was mid January!!  I asked what I was expected until then - and they just said "use a taxi" ... so, I have to admit it, I just hung up!  So I called the AA, and they came out this morning ... and I ended up joining as there was a special offer and I am hoping to travel a bit more next year.  My car is over 8 years old, so it was a sensible choice!

I managed to get most of my Christmas plans done, so am beginning to feel a bit more positive!

But, as I want to get a bit more finished ... and maybe even some housework done ... so ....





13. Have you ever been given a gift voucher? Did you remember to use it?
Tim and Claire always buy me a gift, and a gift-card ... and, yes, I remember to spend it!




Right, see you all tomorrow

Having survived the storm ... and the family party (!) ... I thought that yesterday would be a "nice day".

I had a 3 1/2 hour clinic shift in the morning, a chest x-ray in the afternoon, and then in the evning I was meeting Tim & Claire for a Christmas Concert at the Cathedral.

The clinic lasted an hour longer ... and we had 2 patients booked to the same appointment time.  To add to the fun, we had 2 teenage boys (who were actually OK, in the end), a 5 year old (who was great, but his mum was bored, so that was a problem), and our last patient had dementia (so every other word was German) but luckily had a carer, because it turned out he was disabled, as well (he should never have been booked for the appointment).  So it was a mixed group of gentlemen ... the only advantage was that the time disappeared rapidly.

Anyway, an hour late home, so I had to grab something to eat before heading out for my X-ray.  It was done at one of the outlying hospitals, and it meant I got there, was checked in, and done ... all within 10 minutes.  Walked back to the car ... and .... nothing!  As I don't drive much these days I no longer have breakdown cover.  The great thing was that I almost didn't pick up the phone or purse, as I was meant to be in and out quickly.  So ... Mr Google saved the day.  A very nice local company arrived about 40 mins later, complete with tow-truck, in case.  But it turned out to be the battery.  However when I finish typing this I must start looking to get a new one, as he thinks the problem is it's age (8+ years).

So I was later home than planned ... and due to the ongoing bugs I wanted a snooze, so that was more of a 40-winks cat-nap ... then food, and back out.

Normally I walk into Exeter, but decided to catch the bi=us for most of the journey ... but it was then nice to walk down the high street and see the lights -








And, so to the Cathedral ... as you can see we have a Christmas Market.

Just in front of the Cathedral  .... it's actually life-sized.

The newly opened cloisters (on my way to the loo!)






It was a really good time - 4 carols that we all sang ... one, Ding Dong Merrily On High, the conductor split the Cathedral in 2 to see which side sung better ... I was on the winning side (I think Tim was a great help here!!)

The choir sang a collection of carols, old & new ... and we also had a couple of organ solos.  So, yes, after my fraught day, it was a lovely evening.

Then walked home.

Once home I was glad to receive a mesage from a friend of mine who lives in Malibu ... I had been super worried as I saw that much of the area is being evacuated for wild fires (not something I would expect this time of year). So the day certainly finished on a high.

Great evening.

This morning I tried to book another doctor's appointment, but as there were only a couple of doctors in I couldn't get an appointment ... when I had a call-back I don't think the doctor had actually looked at my notes. She just said that I needed an appointment and to try tomorrow ... and that Dr H was in so I could continue with him ... so I pointed out that I hadn't seen Dr H for 9 years! She just said "oh". Luckily I am pretty stable - if not, I would have gone to the hospital, which would have been annoying, but necessary. So i will try tomorrow.

Right - let's get on ...






11. In 1913 the "Mona Lisa" was recovered two years after it was stolen from the Louvre Museum – have you ever seen the Mona Lisa painting in Paris?
I went to Paris when I was 15 ... art galleries were not top of the agenda!!! It's on the bucket list, though.




Right, let me try and catch up with you all x

I had to book my car in for it's MOT and service this morning. I asked how much it was going to set me back, baring any problems. I was told I had renewed my service contract last year, and this, and the next one, will be free. I had totally forgotten about it.

So, the bad news is my memory is going ... but the good news is my bank account is happier with me.

Clinic went well again today. The sad thing is that it is the last one at that location. Most of us are saying how we will miss each other, as half the team are going to another town ... to a small out-lying hospital. I am booked for next week, for one clinic in a new location. So, again, good news that I will be getting a few shifts.

However the bad news continues with my contract ... they are still trying to sort it out! Oh well let's see what the rest of the week brings. Next week I am going to London for a few days, and if I still don't have answers by then I am going to get "annoyed"

Right, I want to get on, so ...



2 – Stress Awareness Day: How stressful is your everyday life? How well do you deal with stress? Do you have any tried-and-true strategies for handling stress?
If I had an easy answer, I would use it!
But love walking, reading, doing a jigsaw if I can’t focus on anything else.




Right, I am going to make some icons x

This morning I actually got some shopping done - and everyday coat (as the one I have worn for a few years split while I was on holiday) as well as my 3 nephews birthday pressies.  So positive ... I had time to kill while my car was having it's MOT & service ... and they even gave it a clean (so it was worth it just for that fact!)  The car passed and no worries except a bit of wear on one tyre, so another positive point for this morning.

Now I will have more photos to post, as well as getting some final work done on my icons, and hopefully managing to finish my fic, as tomorrow is my seasonal_spuffy day ... I have to be out tomorrow morning, so won't get time to finish them then.

But, before I do all of that -


19. How do you identify spiritually (do you follow a religion, what do you think about soul/spirit, etc.)?
Yes I am a Christian - a born again protestant ... and am "low church".  At present I go to a Baptist, but really am Brethren.
So yes I believe we are body, soul & spirit ... I 100% believe in The Bible


Right, photos to come

Yesterday I had work cancelled due to the fact there was no one to actually run the clinic ... pretty good reason I suppose!  Although it was annoying to lose the 3 hours pay, I decided that the time off would be good for me health wise.

I then decided that for some of that spare morning I would start to write some Christmas letters as there always seem to be no real time.  I have a few friends I just contact at Christmas, and have inherited some of Mum & Dad's friends as well.  So, great, my day had a plan!

I turned on the PC ... and, needn't have bothered!  Yes the intermittant problems had added together to leave me with a useless box of electronic bits!  Oh well, annoying, and expensive, but something I had been semi expecting!  So, I picked up the car keys to drive to the shop ... to find that the battery had gone in the car-key, so had no alarm/automatic locking.  So, #2

Anyway I spent yesterday beginning to set up the new pc, and continued this morning.  I wrote a letter to USA, and one to Australia ... only to find that my printer has also died!

#3

So, frustrating ... although, at least I have been off work so I can get the things repaired/replaced.  Although off work means no money, so thanks Mum & Dad for the new computer.

Oh well .. off printer shopping later.

Hope eveyone else is having a better day than me!

Let me start with wishing kazzy_cee a really lovely day - Happy Birthday.  Hope that you are having a super day, and it's the start of a special year ahead 
*hugs*



Well, so much for getting involved in a gymn as part of my routine ... Lockdown starts tomorrow, so classes are cancelled.  They are going online, but my pc is in such a place it is impossible to do that ... and as an old machine/old screen I can't "zoom" ... anyway, I need someone to actual "kick me" to keep going!  So, I have been a good girl and not cancelled the membership but just put it on hold.  Oh well, I will try and do some "proper" local walks.

I am now having a few days off work, as the original plan had been to go to London ... but I cancelled anyway as I hadn't wanted to leave Jiffy, and I love just popping in & out of museums, whereas you were having to book visits etc.  Now, of course, everything will be closed as from tomorrow - so it will be next November before I head there again ... so, sorry deborahw37 we won't get to meet this year as we have in the past ... pencil in next November!

So I have a few other plans - I need to do my CPR training, as that is out of date (we go annually for a lot of our training), I also am getting my car serviced ... so, all in all exciting!!  I also want to give my kitchen a good clean/sort out.  Removing Jiffy's things has left space, so a re-sort is needed.  I took the unopened tins/treats to a RSPCA shelter yesterday, so am pleased they are going to animals in need.

Well, I had better get on.  I want to do some icons before heading down to do some more work on the crocheted blanket I am making for a Christmas pressie.

Hope you are all well xx

I didn't really update to end 2017, and have promised myself I will do better.  So ignoring Christmas (Jiffy and I got soaked walking to see Mum & Dad's graves); Boxing Day that I spent with Nick & Family (and won the game of Star Wars Monopoly); I will head straight into 2018.

It took Jiffy a long time to settle after the fireworks.  Then the night before last we had a thunder storm ... so he wasn't impressed with that, either.  Anyway, we have just got in from a walk and he seemed pretty happy again.  The trouble is that although he is a terrier (who tend to be long-lived), it is times like this he shows his age (of 11 1/2) as he takes time to recover.  As I type this he is curled on the sofa ... presumably dreaming of his lunch.

My job hours have dropped dramatically.  I had a couple of consecutive clinics I was working in, but the afternoon one was changed to full-time which I didn't want to do.  So I now am on a rolling contract for 3 morning clinics a week.  I still work with the bank, so can increase those hours any time I want.  However I have decided to just do those hours for this month so that I am fully recovered after the year I had last year.  I have some money still from mum & Dad, and don't want to just "waste" it, but feel I need to be a good girl and let myself settle ... especially as I plan to go back to Clacton at the end of the month to see Auntie Joyce, for her birthday, but also to decide what she wants for her future.

Rather than spend loads of time on computer solitaire I have started a jigsaw that I was given ages ago and never done, and it is great back to that fun.

So, that's our news up to date!

Today I have my car being valetted by a retired neighbour, and want to start sorting out the Christmas decorations.  And, hope to do some baking ... I really fancy making some coconut buns!

Happy Thursday everyone.

Life has been a bit tough over the last week again - don't know why, but when I am feeling good I will admit I am trying to get back my life.  I am trying to do things a bit at a time, honest, but I suppose sometimes I do a  bit too much.  However it is good for me mentally, which is truly important ... especially as Mum & Dad are not too good, so things are stressing me.

I do know that my chest and shoulder muscles are feeling a bit more relaxed, so although I know it's going to be a long road I know I have taken that first step.

No work today, but in that I am trying to get a few things done (slowly) ... and one thing I need to do is get finished is dad's birthday pressies, and also my nephews ... Dad doesn't know/remember but on Saturday they are all coming to celebrate his 90th ... Although last weekend he was sure he was only going to be 89!  So if I can get the 3 boys pressies done that will save me postage (it's their birthdays next week).

So things to do .... but sadly no money!  Especially as I had my car MOTd last week, work done on the brakes ... and to be told I need a new clutch!  Never mind, cars are sadly now mostly essential.  I do use the bus to do local trips but for the journey to and from Mum & Dad is 20+ miles ... so the car is needed.

Anyway, that's me ... I think my ramble was a bit muddled, but hope you get the gist of it ... and to finish, a version of the 10 Commandmets!

Bude!

Yep, Barry contacted me yesterday to say his 1st clarinet has decided not to play on Saturday at the concert, so he is moving the second to first and wants me to come and sight-read the second part.

It will be great to be back, but I haven't practiced much (I did tell him that) so don't know how my mouth will cope ... or my breathing after the virus I had (which I did tell him)

However it will be great - I have missed orchestra terribly, and haven't found anything this way to get involved with.

Saturday will be busy though as my car is in for repair first thing in the morning ... then straight off to Bude.  Jiffy will be upset as no play time - so I will have to play extra hard when I get there Friday.

Then Sunday is Mothering Sunday, and Claire text me to say they will be coming for tea.  Nice to see them ... but a hectic weekend!

Hope you are all having a fun week.

... No, not bad weather ... A bad battery (I think)

The breakdown man will arrive within the next hour and let me know!