Eternal Refuge

I have managed to get my dental check-up done.  I had booked it, then changed it, then they changed it, then I changed it again!  Still all done today ... and she doesn't want to see me for another 9 months  ... unless I have problems, of course.

I also dropped some stuff off at Charity Shop.  It was the final stuff of Auntie Joyce's, as well as some of my stuff.  It was actually the second attempt as the first one said they were not taking things now.  But with the second attempt it is all left, and as they picked up the first bag they actually commented on the top item, and said it was lovely.  So, in the end, I am glad it went there.

Now I need to try and get some housework done.  I somehow never managed to get it done yesterday, so let's see what today brings!  But before I do that ...





2. In 1814 an alligator fell from the sky during a thunderstorm. Do you know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile and have you ever seen either of them?
Seen them at zoos ... but don't know a difference.
In Feb/March I saw a lot of mummified crocodiles.




Right, let's get on x

As I typed the title it auto-completed!  So maybe Tuesday is just a blah day, overall.

I went for my second dentist appt to collect the plate, and yes it is all repaired ... but just so great that it now doesn't fit.  So I have to go back again on Friday to get it "shaved".

Clinic was good this morning.  Sadly there were 2 clinics running alongside who weren't as great .... there are a few things that I am happy about.  One of those things is that once the clinics move I may be losing work, but at least I won't have to see a couple of the people.  So it was a great clinic, but a frustrating morning!

Now I want to get those icons done, and posted ... so ...




24 – United Nations Day: Is the UN still an important international player? Do you think the UN Security Council membership should be expanded?
I wish that the UN was actually listened to! They are a great idea, but sadly no-one in authority seems to actually have any respect for them (or am I just getting cynical in my old age)



Right, posting again soon ... I hope!

Back at the end of 2010 I had my first interview at the hospital I work at, and started in February 2011. I have a zero-hours contract as I work for Staff Bank. I start by saying this so you know where the rest of this scribble comes from.

I am happy on Staff Bank. I have never been one to hunt for extra wages, never been one to be concerned for the future (I know it used to drive Mum & Dad mad), but that is me. Maybe it’s as I see so many people scrabbling for every penny it makes me more annoyed, I don’t know, but that’s me. Over the last few years I have had 3 of my regular “bosses” beg me to take a contract, which is lovely as it’s nice to know they are happy with my work. But I have always been self-employed, so am happy that way … especially as I am trying to do a bit of travel, as and when I can.

Anyway back in the summer we were told that we would be transferring to another company for our work … they were out-sourcing, however it would be AUTOMATIC and the only difference was a new log-in, and another ID card.

Last month we got our “start” of log-in … and I did that.

This week we had details of the next stage … I found I couldn’t log on, and I was told that it was a phone app I need. Fine, I don’t use phone apps, as I only have a basic phone. That was (eventually) sorted … but, the log-on process is …

2 proofs of address
1 photo ID
2 interviews

…. Excuse me, but I did all that back in 2010 … So how is that an automatic transfer?



Now, to add insult to injury, I received confirmation of the new log-in and the date of interview #1 (in mid-November), and they have spelt my surname incorrectly.

To say I was livid when I saw that is an under-statement.



But, on a positive note, it looks as if I will be doing one clinic a week come the new year, as the senior matron I am working with today has said there will be clinics with her going forward. (at some point)



OK, rant over.

Well, actually, not truly rant over.



Back in 2015 when Mum was called Home I was very “down” and one of the side effects was an abscess in a tooth that already had a crown on it. Although my dentist battled, I lost the tooth, and soon after I lost Dad I had a small plate done, as it’s a front tooth. On Monday I was eating an orange, heard a “snick” … and, yes, you guessed it, the plate is broken. I am going to the dentist on Monday in the hope it can be repaired, but if not, it will be a new plate. I am not at all concerned about my appearance, and again, never have been, but being a fron tooth I am aware I lisp, and that is not good when one of my jobs involves answering the phone.



AND, I have just been informed I need a “fit” test … this is to see what shape of mask I need. I did say I don’t work on wards now, but still wanted. Ironically back when we all re-started work at the beginning of Covid, I didn’t need one for the clinics I was/am doing!!


So, all in all, a WONDERFUL week.


Right, before I find anything else to moan about …



19 – Free Speech Week: There is a lot of talk about the so-called "cancelling" of individuals who are known for espousing controversial views. Would a better way of framing it be "accountability" rather than "cancelling", with the emphasis being on the reality that free speech isn't consequence-free?
Free speech should be allowed … but I do find it frustrating that sometimes only “one” side of the “argument” seems to be allowed that freedom

20 – Information Overload Day: We've all likely suffered from this at some point in time, if not almost daily. What do you do to limit the flow of information coming to you? Do you put your phone on "Do Not Disturb"? Log out of your email client? Avoid social media? Read a book or go for a walk instead of watching the news?
Well I suppose not really having a fancy phone means I have to actually turn on my computer to find emails/Instagram etc
I only ever watch/listen to news headlines




I hope to catch up with you all in a bit, and see what you are doing. I also have a set of icons due, so I must get them completed …. And if I get time a few more photos up, if not it will be next week, as I have very few shifts then.

Hope you are all having a good day x

I had an early start yesterday as I had a dentist appointment to try to finally sort out my tooth problem.  Although she didn't think the treatment would work, it actually had ... so I was glad to know that she had saved the tooth and could do the final filling.  However, while there I also needed to show her where I had broken the front tooth off it's plate last week.  So, she took another impression and saod I could be able to pick it up later ... brilliant.

So I decided to go to the shops that where nearby, and that were also the supermarket that Mum & Dad used to go to every week.  In fact over the last couple of years they went, I used to drive them there and take Jiffy for a walk while they shopped.  So, as part of my walking routines and in memory of Jiffy I went for one of the 2 walks we used to do .... up to see the County Court which is just under a mile away -


This is the car-park between the supermarket and M&S




I also walked past the steps that we sometimes walked up to do a different walk, but by then it was starting to rain again, so I didn't go on "both" walks (I know, I' m lazy!)


So I then went into M&S to have a look to see if there were any nice dresses, which there weren't, but I did buy a pair of shorts.  I then decided to do my shopping at Sainsbury's, and bought a dress & a skirt there, as well.

From ther I went back to M&S for lunch.

I still had a couple of hours to kill, so I decided I would go and visit Heather (the next-door neighbour of Mum & Dad).  I used to go and see them whenever I took Jiffy for a  hair-cut, but with Covid and losing Jiffy I hadn't seen her since last year at Eric's funeral.  Sadly Heather is now totally bed-bound.  So I spent a lovely hour with her, but it was so sad to see her like that ... just thankful that it never happened to Mum or Dad.

Anyway, back to the dentist - but don't know what they did as the plate no longer fit .... at all.  So I will have to go back next week to get that sorted out (again)

Today I have done a 3 mile walk and a bit of housework - so now I am getting caught up here (although I shall catch up with comments later).  However before I get on with other work etc -



21. Do you have any bumper stickers on your car?
An ICTHUS .... ie a Christian fish symbol

22. How many jobs have you had?
One week as a Christmas postman - 1977
Working Saturdays in a Health Food Shop - 1978 - 1979
Saturday job in assorted departments in a privately owned department store Roomes Stores Ltd, 1779 - 1983
Osteopath - 1983 - 2010
Groom (to pay for Jaykub & DJ's keep) - 2000 - 2009
Auxilliary Nurse - 2011 - now

23. What’s your favorite kind of soup?
Chicken



happy weekend everyone x

Sorry Ma'am I wasn't online here yesterday - but I do hope that you had a good 95th Birthday.



It must have been very hard for her - with all the family mourning, especially her, and social distancing.  95 years old should have been celebrated, but it was not to be, this year.

I had a dentist appointment as they are still trying to track down why I have pain in one of my teeth ... there is no reason that the dentist can find, but penicillin hasn't made a difference.  But I have to go back again in 2 weeks to see if my new dentist can sort it out.  She is then going to drill through into the root and hope to find a reason, if not, it will be a temporary filling to see if that works.

I had a good walk after lunch today, and then have done some housework.  So it's been a good day today (so far)

Now it's time to do some art work ... I am making some icons for somein30 and seasonal_spuffy
But, I have a couple of days to catch up -


21. What's the best concert you've ever been to?
I have only been to hear James Marsters & Ghost of the Robot.  I think the first James one will remain in my mind forever.
I have played in concerts in a classical orchestra, and a Military-based Wind Band.  All of them were good, and scary, in equal parts.

22. Do you need money to be happy?
More money means more travel - what's not to like!!
However, no, money is not something I need to be happy.

... that is my morning, so far.  I had a birthday pressie to post, walked a slightly different route, but still some Spring colour, and a couple of pictures of scenes ... all within a mile of where I live.  This FridayPhoto has been good at watching Spring emerge, but it is also good to be able to enjoy my local area.  As you can see I am so lucky to have "countryside" literally "next door"

Enjoy -















Dandelions may be a weed, but they are stunning -



This afternoon I have a dentist appointment.  I had a check-up booked for just after lockdown started last year but that, of course, got cancelled.  I have had short bursts of pain off & on since in one tooth, but over the last week or so it has got more frequent, as has another tooth started feeling a bit off.  So, although I, like most people, don't like a trip to the dentist, it is certainly better than the alternative.

So, I have some spare time before I leave, which means I have no excuse not to do some housework ;(

But before I turn off the pc - LOL, I have just read the question ... how ironical!

19. Do you have a preferred toothpaste brand?

No, I just like peppermint/freshmint ones, and actually try to alternate the brands & types from purchase to purchase.

It was when I started to check up on this I realised how long I have been missing.  So this is a big catch up ... here are the questions:-

52 - What is your most treasured item?
53 - Your biggest insecurity.
54 - Something that you want to do before you die.
55 - What is something that makes your heart break?
56 - Something that you’re extremely afraid of.
57 - What food are you craving right now?
58 - What was the last dream you remember about?
59 - A habit you wish you didn’t have.
60 - Describe the room you’re in right now.
61 - A dead person you’d like to talk to and why?
62 - Go look in the mirror. What’s the first thing you notice?
63 - What song makes you dance?
64 - Name a cartoon you loved as a kid.
65 - Your ultimate feast?

( And here are the answers )


The list of 365 questions can be found here

Over the last few days it seems as if a few of my f-list have listed some songs, or music details.  Well I had to go to the dentist again today, for the tooth problem that started at Easter.  She took an impression for a plate to fill the gap, but doubts I can have one as my bite is wrong ... I do think at 55 it's a bit late to change that!!  Anyway, we wait and see what the technitions say.

Anyway, back to music.  As well as inheriting photos, jewellery, books etc from Mum I also gained an increase in her CDs.  I was listening to some this morning in the car (well I have to use a USB) and heard one song which I admit to loving ....



Not quite a 2016 #1, but fun none the less!

Don't know why!  I wasn't feeling great on Sunday, in fact didn't make it to Church, but after a slow walk with Jiffy and a chat to Dad I felt OK.  However not so good on Monday morning, feeling very wobbly so phoned in sick.

Tuesday I only work afternoons, and felt OK in the morning, but by the time I got to work I was feeling drained.  I saw the 4 patients I had to and headed home exhausted.

Wednesday went into work, to be sent home.  Apparantly my face looked more grey than my hair!!  So have taken today off as well.

I think the conclusion is, in that trying to save my ttoth I had a strong dose of penicillin, and then had anti-biotics in the actual root itself.  I have only just started to feel better after my virus, and last year, so just had no reserves left.

So I am pottering at sorting out the books in my study, and the CDs that were mum's.  Being a good girl, but keeping positive as well.

Hope you are all well xx