Eternal Refuge

Wow, I had plnned to be here earlier, but things always take longer?  I was busy with some housework ... I have made a large pot of beef "base" to then eat with pasta, potatoes, etc ... so a portion for soon, and the rest portioned and froze.  I did some cleaning, as well.  I probably should not have done that as I am meant to be taking things slowly.  I promise to be a good girl tomorrow!

I am going into work again later.

I had a good day yesterday but speaking to the security team on duty (they are next to me), they had a truly stressful day, so was glad I was unaware of the 2 scenarios that I missed.

I haven't sorted out the photos fom Satuday, but am almost up to date with my A to Z  (I am still missing Z, A & B) ... but here are the missing ones othere than that -

Week 25 – Jun 15 Y is for YEAR

This is a perpetual calender ancient Egypt style.  We had it explained to s on 2 or 3 locations, and it all made sense at the time, now, not at all!  The hyroglyphs to the left spell Deborah.

Week 29 – Jul 13 C is for CURL

My latest giraffes ... a birthday present with their necks curled around each other.

Week 30 – Jul 20 D is for DECK

When I was 10 Mum & Dad bought me this deck of cards, and for years it was the pack I always used.  Now just kept stored in the tin.

Week 31 – Jul 27 E is for EYES



Sadly I don't know their names.  They were always on a chair in Mum & Dad's spare room, and I know Mum had given them names.  Now they sit on the cabinet in my lounge ... but, yes, their eyes certainly pop out at me.  The dolls are 1930's ... or earlier.

Week 32 – Aug 3 F is for FAKE

When Mum as 80 friends bought her the pictures, and I bought her the frame with a photo of the 5 of us ... it is now in my spare room.

So that's me almost up to date ... now I need to get the rest of the photos sorted, so I shall do todays question and get on -







12. Do you own any sunglasses (and if you have prescription glasses, do you have prescription sunglasses too)?
Yes - and yes.
My ordinary glasses are reactolite, as well.
As my damaged eye has no light reaction left on the retina I have to protect my eye.








Right - let's get on x

I know, the weekend got away from me!

My day with Claire turned out to be totally different than we had planned. Their neighbours (not the ones that caused problems 2 years ago), have caused them a total nightmare. They are having a new roof, and when Claire got home on Wednesday lunchtime, she found that the roofer had removed about 2 foot of their roof … the explanation is that the tiles looked uneven. So Claire contacted Tim, and he spoke to a colleague who put legal things in place. Why it’s happened is still a mystery … as Tim & Claire said they had no problems with their roof, and this was totally wrong whichever way you look at it.

So I went round and the morning was letting Claire talk, and talk, and talk ... we had lunch and then she and I made the most of the lovely afternoon, doing some gardening, then sitting on the patio with a drink, while waiting for Tim to finish work. We then walked into Exeter and they treated me to a meal, before heading home.

What a nightmare for them.

Friday I had a lazy morning before going into work, and Saturday I was a good girl - housework, housework, and I made soem ANZAC biscuits (which I should have made the previous day)


Sunday, was Sunday!

Apparently I am ahead with the A to Z ... so that's why it's missing today.

This is just a quick catch-up before I head into work -








25. Do you ever watch the birds in nature? Can you identify any by their song or by their appearance?
Mum and Dad usually had blue tits nesting in their box on the wall, and it was lovely to see them in and out of their home.
Tim & Claire have a lot of bird feeders that get very popular.
So, yes, I have watched them in gardens, but despite living opposite a bird sanctuary for years, that’s the limit of my bird watching.

26. What colour is the sky right now?
Blue … today is the 28th, though.

27. If you could change one thing about your appearance, what would that be?
Sorry, but it’s everything! I am not a person who can look in a mirror at all.

28. In 1761 Marie Harel was born – a French cheesemaker credited with the invention of Camembert. Are you a fan of this type of cheese?
No, although haven’t tried much of it … so maybe that’s a project for the future!




Right, I will catch up properly tomorrow!

That was a nice, but busy weekemd ... and somehow I realise I never turned the computer on before I headed off to work. 

Hope that you all had a good weekemd.

Not that there is anything specific I can talk about, as the Saturday morning just seemed to drift past ... and then it was time for work.

Today I had planned to catch up with Brenda, but neither of us were feeling 100% so we decided to postpone the trip.  That's one advantage of "special" people, you can cancel plans and it doesn't upset anyone.

Now I am here, briefly ... I am actually planning to make some biscuits in a moment (I am on a real baking kick, at present!)

So -




2. In 1983 Michael Jackson released ‘Thriller’ – have you seen the 14-minute video?
Yes, Nick was a great fan, so saw it all the way through at the time … as well as sections of it off and on after that.

3. Is there anything you have seen on TV or a streaming service that you have enjoyed this year and would recommend that other people watch?
I don’t tend to watch much TV as such … I enjoy old DVDs.
However, I do love the present (& past) series of Australian Lego Masters
The Present Season being shown

4. On this day in 1922 Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun – have you ever seen any of the treasures?
Oh yes …. I was in the Cairo Museum in February. Amazing




Right, see you tomorrow x

... Honestly I thought that the patients coming into the hospital ask some very odd questions.  Well this morning i had an even bigger bit of oddity .... I answered the phone to find it was our Switchboard ... and they actually asked me for the phone number of one of the departments!  Huh!!!!   That's the job of switchboard, surely???

Oh well, at least it keeps me amused ... fills the shift out!

Now I am here, I want to get some baking & housework done.  I have Brenda coming for a few days next week, so want to try and get organised (if I can!).

So -




11. Enid Blyton, children’s author was born today in 1897. Have you ever read any of her books?
Her Mallory Towers series was the first "real" set of books I read for myself ... and re-read.



Right, I must go and cook x

Mum was an amazing cook ... wish I was half as good. However she had a rule about mince pies ... first one was Christmas Day, and all had to be gone by 12th night. Sorry Mum, but I love them, so the first batch are cooling as we speak! Yes, after lunch I made a dozen of them ... and will make some more once these have gone.

Work was slow this morning ... only 4 of the patients turned up, and one of those we sent home without doing the test! However, as often happens, fewer patients mean a longer clinic!

So now I want to get some Christmas cards written ... so



1 – Cookie Cutter Day: Do you own any cookie cutters? Any unusual ones? Tell us about them.
I have a couple of sets of traditional ones … as well as assorted shapes ready for Christmas, or Birthday



Right see you soon x

I have just got bread out of the bread maker ... and have had a great walk with my friend from work.  It was dry, and cool when we started, but as we walked it got fairly warm ... yes, there were a lot of uphills!  But it was good to see her, and to hear she is doing a lot better than she has been.  Although I did remind her not to head back to work too soon, but to be honest with herself (and her doctor).

While I was on holiday the other member of the clinic has booked in a few extra clinics, so I have gained as he text me and I can do them ... so great news.

I am working this evening on the reception ... I have a couple of shifts this week, as one of the members of full-time staff is on leave.

So all in all, not a busy, busy week, but enough to keep me out of mischief and the bank balance happy.

So, I shall get some more photos up before I head into work ... and before I sign off here ...




16 – Liqueur Day: Amaretto! Grand Marnier! Kahlua! Creme de Menthe! A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage made from a distilled spirit. Distillers flavor the spirit with fruit, cream, herbs, spices, flowers, or nuts. They may have fallen out of favour due to the increasingly broad selection of spirits available in seasonal, fragrant, and often curious flavors (vodkas and rums in particular), but they haven't disappeared. Have you ever had a liqueur? Do you have a favourite?
Mum & Dad loved Grand Marnier .... but I prefer a Creme de Menth, or Ouzo
My brother Tim has introduced me to Gin Cocktails ... and some Vodka ones. And sadly for my liver, there are very few I don't like!



Right, I must get one and get something to eat ... see you later x

Well I have voted, made some biscuits ... and now here before heading off to work again.

My leg is sore, but healing.  I somehow managed to do a partial tear of a muscle overnight, which is where I was hopping so badly yesterday ... it must have been a good(/bad) dream, or something!  My osteopath just laughed as he said he remembered me last year that I have managed to injure myself in odd ways in the past!

So I must get some lunch organised ... sorry that I am really going to be MIA over all, as I am working full time tomorrow, and then on Coronation Day I have more baking to do before getting to T&C's early, so that will be a long day as well.  Hopefully I will have 5 mins to say Hi, before the day takes over ... but if not, I will see you Monday.

As I am hoping to pop in Saturday I shall just do the 2 days ...


4 – Petite and Proud Day: Petite is used to describe a person about or under 162 cm / 5'4". Are you petite? Do you think petite women maybe have an easier time of it than short men? Would you (or have you) dated someone shorter than you?
I am "average" at 5'6"(ish) ... although compared with Harry Dresden I am short!

5 – Space Day: Ever wondered what lies beyond our skies? Do you think we'll ever have permanent human settlements on the moon, or on Mars?
I love sci fi ... but I think in reality it probably won't happen.



Right, let's get on x

... And, so far, a busy day.

Washing done, shopping done (I was running out of all sorts of things, so went by car rather than walk/bus), and I have made a batch of ANZAC biscuits, as it's ANZAC Day tomorrow and I am working all day.  In the morning the clinic I work in is used to my annual gift ... one of the guys in an allied clinic is a Kiwi, so it's now an annual gift for him, and the rest of the team.


So now I have ironing to do, and amhoping to make a couple of icons before I head downstairs to do that.



24 – Firefly Day: Not the insect but the short lived TV programme! Were you a fan of Firefly or did it pass you by? If you have no interest in it have you ever seen a real Firefly?
Saw some of it - but didn't get it

25 – World Penguin Day: How would you celebrate world penguin day?
I work with someone who loves penguins ... so wonder if she will do anything, but it passes me by.

I certainly clocked up some hours at work last week, and in the end when I got in from work yesterday lunchtime I was feeling vert tired ... so decided to actually have a lazy & "nothing" afternoon. All my work shifts went well, although as ever there were a few odd-ball questions I had to answer. Where I work when on reception there are often volunteers around, and they have all been given polo shirts to wear, but that has caused problems ... some don't want to wear theem, some hate the colour, etc etc ... so what seemed a good idea is not working out that way in the end.

The family are all keeping well ... although Auntie Joyce wants to go back home, and has threatened to get a taxi to take her. So that is something I need to sort out in the near future, one way or the other. Nephew #3 has let me know that he is now a qualified accountant ... I am very proud of him, as he passed all his exams first time. He decided to not go to Uni, but to do this while working ... so it means he doesn't have huge bills now to pay back. Claire & Nick have birthdays this week, so all in all lots of family events.

Right, I want to make a cake this afternoon, so will get on with that. But before I head downstairs -



27 – Fun at Work Day: Do you think work should be fun? How much fun do you expect to have at work?
I work in a hospital ... but most shifts manage to have a great laugh over something.

28 – Global Community Engagement Day: Do you feel engaged with your community? How important do you think it is to feel that you belong in your community?
No - but there again, I never have, so don't worry about that at all.

29 – Curmudgeons' Day: What is a curmudgeon? Do you know any curmudgeons? What do you think of them? Today is also Freethinkers' Day. Do you think a curmudgeon might be just a freethinker?
I don't think I know any curmudgeons, although a few people I know have a bit of curmudgeon in them! To me, freethinkers are more relaxed, so no I don't think curmudgeons are freethinkers.

30 – Bubble Wrap Day: Does bubble wrap deserve its own day? Why or why not?
Eveything has it's own day ... so, why not. It is useful.

31 – Backward Day: National Backward Day is a fun day that encourages us to do things in an order that we would not usually do them in! Have you ever taken part in a backward day? How did it go?
I didn't even know there was a backward day ... but I suppose like most people I am a creature of habit.



Right - Mum's cookery book is calling me.

I will try & catch up with you all a bit later x

I had to confirm that I want the jewellers to go ahead with my necklace repair.    Dad bought Mum a pearl necklace for their Pearl Wedding Anniversary in 1982, and was one of the few things that didn't get taken in a burglary about 10 years later, as she was wearing it ... in fact she wore it a lot.  As pearl is my birthstone (and I love it), I have worn it a lot.  However last week the string broke ... but luckily for me it was a knotted string, so didn't lose any of the pearls.  I took it into the jewellers when I was in on Monday, but they had to confirm the quote. 

I then had to confirm another order ... so phone calls doen.

After that I did 2 batch bakes ... one a sausage and potatoe bake, and the other minced beef with tomatoes & onions ... so they are cooling ready to divide and freeze.  My friend Christine does not cook at all (she buys ready meals) ... but to me she msses so much (not just the extra money it costs), but to be able to add, or not, flavours.  To make the portion size what you want, etc, etc.  I have a couple of ready meals in the freezer, as well, as sometimes I have a long day at work and it is easy ... but that is a once a month idea.

Yesterday at work was good ... a nice shift.  I was in the main reception desk, which is in the main foyer area of the hospital, so even if not speaking to people and answering enquieries, it is good for people watching.  I know I am not the most fashionable of people, but I do wonder about some people's sense of style.  I did smile though when I saw one of the stretchers being taken out ... the ambulance crew were obviously taking the lady back to her home ... what made me smile was the lady being pushed was sitting up ... and eating.  Yes, she had a hospital bowl, so obviously dinner had been served and she didn't want to miss her pudding, so took it with her ... Good for her.

Right, I am going to sort some birthday pressies out for my nephews.  3 of them have birthdays next week, and had planned to post them today, but as there is a Postal strike, I won't be able to post them until Saturday.  But I want to get them sorted so I don't have to focus on that in a couple of days time.

And - as ever -



23. If, in a multi-story building, you only have to go up or down one or two flights, would you prefer to use the stairs rather than an elevator?
Staires - quicker than waiting for the lift ... and good for the leg muscles.

24. Is there some old family belief, practice, routine or tradition that you know is nonsensical, but you still catch yourself doing it anyway?
No washing on Good Friday, or New Years Day
My Geat-Grandfather's clock has stopped again ... and I did catch myself wondering if anyone in the family had died ... yes, it has stopped around the time of family deaths in the past!



Right, let's get on.

I will try and catch up with you later, but have to go to Church this evening for a Carol rehearsal, so hopefully will get the time later x