Eternal Refuge

Well, I survived work. Even though it was shorter than my normal shift, I realise I am out of the habit of being focussed for a specific time ... and, I can't just play solitaire on the phone when I want! However, it was good to be back, and nice that quite a few people welcomed me back, just people who walk past the desk on a daily basis. So that was nice.

I had a check-up with my doctor this morning ... and apparently there is nothing wrong, and yes, I still have a long road ahead of me. Still, it's good news that there is no reason why things are still week and painful.

I want to get some artwork done later ... I have signed up for 3 challenges this month, so I need to get on with that!

I have already had an extra walk today, as the weather is lovely ... and later I need to get some shopping done, so all in all a busy day ... but hopefully a good one.

Before I get on -





16. Do you still use post-it notes to remind you of things?
No – but maybe I should get back in the habit, as that would save me forgetting things!! (Thanks for the reminder!!)



I will try and catch up with you all later, I promise

St Michaelmass is an Orthodox Christian celebration (In the Christian angelology of some traditions, the Archangel Michael is considered as the greatest of all the angels, being particularly honored for defeating Satan in the war in heaven) ... but is also a quarter day ... and the first day of Autumn.

I will admit I had never really thought about it, just saw the name on my calender this morning, and realised I had to learn a bit more.

In Irish folklore, clear weather on Michaelmas was a portent of a long winter, "Michaelmas Day be bright and clear there will be two Winters in the year." And, guess what, it's a beautiful bright day!!

The weekend went well - although I managed to burn my arm on the oven yesterday!!

Now I am getting organised for another week at work.

Before I head out ....








29. When was the last time you had to take part in a fire evacuation?
It really would be an odd week if I didn't hear the fire alarm warning bells going off at work. She have a 3 stage system of warnings.
The last time I was out of the building was about a year ago, but only for a short time.
About 6 years ago I was outside for most of a shift ... builders had drilled through a gas mains!
I have helped a ward evacuate, as they came through the ward I was working in (about 10 years ago)
We do annual fire training for a reason! All hospitals have piped oxygen in every wall!!!






Right, let's get some housework sorted, before I am off

Wow, that has been a super long fortnight.

I normally do 6 hours in the afternoon ... but over the last 2 weeks I have been doing mornings, as well.  I was meant to get the weekends off, otherwise I was over the top of legal working hours.  Week 1, the weather was lovely and I was given a ticket on a local-ish tram ... so I took advantage of the sunshine.  Last Saturday someone pulled out at the last moment, so I worked.

Now it's today, and I am exhausted, but OK.

I had a slow start for the day, and although I have housework that needs to be done, I probably won't do much.  I am really pleased with how I managed to cope with the excissive hours, but I am really aware of how my Chronic Fatigue is "bubbling" ... so I am going to be a good girl.

Ironically I celebrate my Monday morning off, by having a dental appointment to get a couple of fillings done ... so much for not having to set the alarm clock!

Work was basically good.  We have had one of the volunteers rushed into hospital overnight, and air-lifted to another hospital for major surgery.  He is, at long last, out of Intensive Care.  Although we see this type of situation all the time working at a hospital, it really strikes hard when it's someone you know.  (It was the gentleman who gave me the plums last month)

So i have a lot of questions to catch up on ... and photos to sort, and hopefully post today.  However I am away tomorrow (as normal), and Monday at the dentist ... so ...






6. What’s the last book you read – did you enjoy it/would you recommend it?
The Bible, this morning, before I had breakfast.
I read loads of fan-fiction on my Kindle.
Am reading a couple of books of short stories, one is about people's remembrances of WWII, the other stories written around "The Empire Strikes Back"

7. Is there anything you know is an extravagance, but you still pay for it regularly because you want to treat yourself?
No ... never had money to spare, so always keep an eye on the bills.

8. Can you take a nap and still sleep well that night, or are naps just for when you are unwell?
Yes - Chronic Fatigue is good that way!

9. When you look outside, what do you see right now?
Rain clouds ... I am sitting, so the window next to me catches the tops of rooves, and grey clouds.

10. Are there any confectionary bars they don’t make any more that you miss (describe them)?
Can'r remember any - but probably something.

11. Do you like the taste of fresh basil? What other fresh herbs do you like or dislike?
I love fresh garden mint ... that's the best.

12. Have you ever kept a paper journal? What about a bullet journal?
No.

13. Did you have a baby doll when you were growing up? How about a Barbie (or equivalent fashion doll)?
Had quite a few dolls (and still have them). No Barbie, but a Sindy, but not my favourite of my dolls.

14. When was the last time you had to dress up for a special occasion? What did you wear?
Tim & Claire's 35th wedding anniversary ... I did share photos!

15. Do you enjoy driving a car, or is it just a way to get from one place to another?
Yes, I enjoy driving ... but not into a setting, or rising sun!

16. Do you have pierced ears? If not, do you still wear earrings?
Yes.
Today's are silver flowers.

17. Do you own a smart speaker (Amazon Echo, Google Nest, Apple HomePod). If so, what do you use it for?
No ... I don't have, or want, a Smart Phone.

18. Did you have colouring books as a child? Have you tried any adult colouring books?
Have done ... and still occasioonally do.

19. Are you adventurous with your menus, or do you stick to tried and tested ideas for meals?
I tend to be pretty boring.
But if I were having someone for a meal I do enjoy looking into the cookery books.
I do enjoy trying assorted cake & biscuit recipes.

20. Do you have a favourite quiz show that you regularly watch on TV?
Quite lie Pointless, of Richard Osman's House of Games.

21. How is Autumn treating you? What’s the weather like?
It turned cool & wet almost overnight.

22. Are you good at managing your time, or would you love to be better organised?
I am hopeless.




Right, I am going to post this, and will try and get the photos sorted and posted later.

Sorry I wasn't around - any major news, please link me to those posts as I won't have a chance to skim back.

.

I have actually been overall better - but in feeling mostly better I have tried to (slowly) get caught up with a few really outstanding housework tasks, and get things like a hair-cut ... you know ... Life!!!

Those boring everyday things that need to be done, yet really are totally boring, both to do and to talk about!

While I have been working on some slower shifts I have been busy and completed a set of 10 icons, following 2 lines on a bingo card. I am not 100% happy with half of them as they weren't done on my normal program, but at least I was able to get a set completed, so am giving myself a tick for that!

The first 5 are season 1, the other 5 are season 3 ... all BtVS though.

1 - Peridot	2 - Frozen	3 - Raspberry	4 - Kiss	5 - Youth
6 - Friendship	7 - Frozen	8 - Bow-tie	9 - Family	10 - Warm Colours

As ever, all are snaggable, but credit would be appreciated. The credits are available over at my icon journal - d4s_icons


I had hoped to have tomorrow off, but both shifts had the people call in sick yesterday ... so am working all day, but had my Monday shift cancelled ... so have managed to make plans to go out and enjoy myself. So, the earliest I shall be back is Tuesday, so here's a catch-up, and ahead planning ....





19. Do people shorten your given name, and if they do, do you mind?
Unfortunately, yes. I love my name and most people at work are good at keeping it correct ... but all the family shorten it (except Dad), and some people at work think it's frienlier to shorten my name. But, by choice, I am Deborah.

20. Are you left-handed or right-handed? Would you like to be ambidextrous?
Mostly right-handed, although can slowly write left handed as I had to when I broke my right wrist last year..
However when I was an osteopath I preferred working left-handed.
I did judo left-handed, could not get my head around right-handed holds.
With fencing I learned my techniques right handed, but could fight either left or right ... my teacher actually said my technique was cleaner on my left hand!

21. Do you live near any trees? What’s the tallest tree nearby?
Yes ... most are similar heights, about the height of a 3 or 4 story house.

22. Do you have many lamps in your home, or do you rely on overhead lighting?
I have both. I have a spotlight where I sit, so when I am jigsawing then I have good light.

23. Do you own any clothing you only wear for a specific activity?
Not now ... although a coule of dresses (like the one I am wearing) I tend to keep for work, but not for any specific reason.

24. Are you good at packing when you go away, or do you pack all the things ‘just in case’?
I do pack "just in case" however much I say I wont!!

25. If you ended up on a deserted desert island, what luxury would you want to have with you?
My camera ... or my Kindle.








Right, I will try and catch up somewhat before heading off to work!

Well despite having a bit better time recently I have been slowly trying to catch up with housework, shopping etc.  I also am really trying to get all the photo prompts done (but I shall get back to that over the weekend).

However I did manage to get thse icons made ... with a theme of Magnifying Glass. 

#1 set - Blakes 7
#2 set - BtVS
#3 set - Star Trek Voyager


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I am going to post this as I need to head out to work soon.

I probably won't be around over the weekend either - so hopefully catch up with you all on Monday .... including questions & photos!

Wow, that’s been an odd week.

My Chronic Fatigue kicked in so I have been sleeping almost 12 hours a night. Luckily, as I have been “trained” by my consultant, I also remembered all my “rules” so was able to continue at work.

However, I am sure it must have been a week of full moons! There have been some very odd people out and about throughout the week.

One of the many parts of my job is registering disabled badges, and (for example) yesterday I only worked 4 hours, and in that time, I was presented with 5 badges that were out of date … one by over a year. And, all of them were upset … with me. They wouldn’t accept that I couldn’t register an out-of-date certificate. And, so the week continued!

Fortunately, the weekend is a weekend off work, so I plan to do some basic grocery shopping, and then just have a nice walk .. and spend some time reading. Sunday (tomorrow) will end up even lazier, as I shall go to Church and then be lazy. The weather looks as if it’s going to be good, so that means I will gain some vitamin D.

But, even though I haven’t been around, I have no news to pass on. As the week has been sleep & work … repeat!

So, here is the catch up ….




21. Have you ever traced your family tree?
I haven’t although I know much of the history going back to great-grandparents(and one great-great grandfather).
However, Tim did the research and went back on all 4 of our grandparents lines. My mother’s mother was related to Jasper Tudor (Henry VIII’s uncle)

22. Do you know how to play backgammon? How about chess?
I did play backgammon a lot in the 1970’s, and forgot how it goes now, but would love to re-learn.
I can play chess, but not to be able to plan ahead, just to be able to react to my opponent’s move.

23. Do you own a coffee machine? What’s your favourite type of coffee?
Don’t drink coffee!

24. How are you feeling today?
Not bad … after a rough week, it’s good to feel positive again.

25. If you plan a trip away for leisure, what would be your ideal itinerary?
My ideal trip, whether a couple of hours, or as long as I can make it, contains history & sight-seeing,. So anything that has that get’s a gold star from me!

26. Have you seen any good TV drama series lately? What’s the last thing you watched?
Nothing new. I have been re-watching Stargate Atlantis, and some old Hollywood musicals recently.

27. Do you like honey?
No, but use it in recipes for cakes, biscuits, etc




Sorry it’s only a short update, but as I said, no news!

I have got all behind with my A to Z photos and was going to catch up, but have decided it’s probably best to just re-start on Monday.

So I will try and catch up with past comments, as well as any news … and return on Monday x

I think someone stole a couple of days!  Well I can't think of any real reason why I didn't seem to be around, so I just decided that someone must have just stolen the days ... well, it's as good as an excuse as anything else!

So at least I have some photos to share in a moment, so hopefully you will forgive me!

Anyway - work has been good, and the time always seems to g quickly while I am there.  It is nice to work in a busy location, for that reason alone!

Other than that there is no real news





7. Today, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the Japanese celebrate the Star Festival (or Tanabata). For one day only, wishes, hopes, poetry and dreams are written onto colourful streamers and tied to trees. What would you write on a streamer today?
Love, and safety, for those I love

8. Artemesia Gentileschi was born today in 1593 – an incredibly famous artist in her time, she is only now becoming better known. Have you ever seen any of her works?
I don't think so, however I have Googled and there are some at The National Gallery, which I love visiting.

9. Have you ever been on a journey and been held up for a long time? What happened and how late were you at your destination?
A couple of years ago it was Brenda's 60th and a journey that should have taken less than 2 hours took about 7.  So I missed lunch, but they brought forward the BBQ so that I wasn't there long before I got to eat after all.

10. Do you enjoy salad? What would be in a typical salad that you would serve/eat?
Love it - I love the simple lettuce (varieties), cucumber and tomato ... simple, but tasty al the same.




Right, let's get the photos uploaded and posted.

I keep promising that I will “catch up tomorrow” … then tomorrow disappears without a chance of spare moments! Sorry

I am working every afternoon and evening, and eat before I go to work, so my mornings seem quite short.

Sadly, shopping and housework always seem to be there.

So, no real excuses, other than life!

I met up with Tim and Claire for brunch on Saturday – their treat. I had looked after their garden/bird-feeders while they were away, so I walked to the city to have food … and hear about their trip. They had a lovely time. They went to Madrid, a city that I have yet to visit. They were really positive about it.

Other than those few hours I don’t really have any excuses for not being around.

I don’t want to lose touch with you all, but at the moment my LJ life might be a bit intermittent, so forgive me for that. I will do my best to keep up with you all, but please do let me know if you have any excitement in your lives.

It doesn’t help that even though I work with computers, LJ is one of the programmes blocked by their virus & SPAM filters.

Still … let’s keep up to date with the questions, so that if I can get myself more organised then I won’t be too far behind …






11. Do you wear a watch?
Yes, always.

12. Do you have some table items you only bring out when you entertain guests for dinner?
Yes – I have a lot of stuff that I love using, but as it’s only me at home I don’t set the table with different things on a daily basis

13. Do you own a corkscrew?
Of course!

14. When was the last time you sorted through the clothes in your wardrobe/closet? Are there items you really should get rid of?
I am not someone who buys new clothes, just to buy clothes, or follow fashion. So I throw out clothes when they are getting worn out, or if they are stretchy if they have stretched too big for me.

15. It’s Nature Photography Day – have you recently taken a photo of anything from nature?
Last photos I took were attempting some close-up photography of flowers.

16. Do you own a travel adapter socket, a travel hair dryer or a portable mini iron?
Of course – I travel abroad, so have the adaptors as needed.
Never ever use a hairdresser, and don’t have a mini-iron. If something is crushable I don’t tend to pack it!

17. Have you ever had a massage?
Sports massage, yes.
Any other, no.




Right, I must get on. It’s my month to find prompts for photo_scavenger so must get that posted.

I will try and keep up … I really will

As I said nothing really to report here - but didn't not want to pop in and say hi ... so ...

Hi

Hope you are all OK.

And, still keeping up -






4. Have you ever made cheese (if you’d like to give it a try there’s a really easy recipe here)?
No!!
Although I remember Mum making some cottage cheese when we were kids.



Right let's see what you are all up to!

However when I went into work on Friday I was asked to work on the Saturday, and the Bank Holiday Monday ... so couldn't get here, and couldn't meet up for a day out with Brenda as I planned.

I actually finished work by 3pm, but then had to go to Tim & Claires and sort out their bird feeders, and garden pots as they are away.  When I got home I didn't switch on the computer.

So, I had genuinely aimed to be here, but it didn't go as planned.

Since then I have done some extra work as well as keeping Tim & Claires garden checked ... at least yesterday it rained so I dien't need to head off there before work.

This morning I went there, and then finished off sorting the photos (and posting them) ... I need to get on and get some food prepared before I head into work, so won't catch up with messages ... but will try to get back tomorrow ... but I will catch up with the questions , but not the photos!






24. Have you ever had a pedicure?
No – although I do wear nail polish … and a toe ring and ankle bracelets throughout over half the year.

25. Are you a fan of popcorn at the movies?
I so rarely go to the cinema, that I don’t really get into eating popcorn anyway.

26. Today the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling event will take place to celebrate the UK Spring Bank Holiday. A 7-9lb (3-4kg) round Double Gloucester cheese will be rolled down a hill until someone catches it (you can see a video of the spectacle here). Are there any Spring Festival Events in your area?
Nothing I knew about … but I ended up working, so it wouldn’t have really mattered.

27. Do you like lettuce? Any particular variety?
I do love all forms of lettuce … I am a great fan of a simple salad.

28. When was the last time you wore flip-flops (Zories/thongs)?
This morning – they are my summer “slippers”, and when not at work I will wear them even if going for a walk. I do love them.



I hope to get back tomorrow!