Friday Five!

1.  Had to go to emergency vets last night... about 5 minutes after Jimmy ate his dinner, he started gasping for breath and both his eyes were swollen shut.  His breathing had calmed down by the time I got him to the car, but his eyes were still swollen.  The vets were great... told me to stay in the car and they would come to get him, take him inside, and then phone me to let me know what was happening.  They said it looked like an allergic reaction to something, but we don't know what.... I normally feed him fresh meat, but keep a couple of tins of dog meat planked away in case I run out of meat.  So I gave him one of the tins last night, but he's had that particular kind before, with no reaction, so I can't imagine the food being the problem, but I can't think what else it could have been.  Anyway, he seems fine now... but until I know what caused it, I will probably worry.  I'm binning that extra tin of meat!

2.  I'm still going into the office every day, having been classed as a 'key worker'. HR have issued us with letters stating our key worker status, in case any of us get lifted by the police for being out of our homes.

3.  I would SO MUCH rather be at home, than at work.

4.  My Shark hoover which is less than a year old, is gubbed.  Can't take it for a repair because the repair place is shut for COVID-19, and cant wait weeks/months to hoover the flat (especially as Jimmy is very messy with crunchy food), so had to order a new one (this one's a Vax), which is being delivered tonight.  Happy new hoover day to me! 

5.  Take care, stay safe, and God bless our NHS.

Oh, no! Poor Jimmy. Poor you too, you must have been so worried. Have they given you something for him in case it happens again?

Oh, poor Jimmy!  And you!  That must have been terrifying for you both!  I will say this about allergic reactions to foods: I love the things I'm allergic to, and sometimes "cheat".  I have gotten away with eating foods only to later not have a good time with the same food.  I think binning that second tin was probably a good call.

My five:

1.  After the false alarm last week, I've been waiting for certainty before saying anything this week, but on Sunday, my husband was told his office was moving to a 50%-time alternating weeks rota to increase social distancing in the building, and he should not come in on Monday.  Then on Monday, he was contacted by someone within the agency and they wanted to know what my condition was that made me vulnerable and in need of shielding, so he told them.  That was forwarded to Occupational Health.  On Tuesday, he received a rather short messsage: "your request has been approved."  After seeking clarification, he is finally, officially not expected to go to work until further notice.  I believe he will still receive his salary, but even if he didn't, we're just happy that he doesn't have to go there.  This is probably only good for as long as the 12 week shielding order is in place, but it's 12 weeks of less stress.

2.  He had to go to shops for food and supplies yesterday.   I'd had an ASDA click&collect order placed for the shop near where he works in Swansea, but since he's not going to work, I canceled it.  Now we're trying to get a delivery booked in for the future because he dreaded going out yesterday.

3.  He shopped really well.  Every time he passed something through the gate, I ooohed and ahhed and squealed with delight.  I never thought I'd get so excited to see a pork fillet.

4.  It's one week into not having to maintain the work sleep/wake pattern, and we've been staying up 'til 3 or 4am and waking around 10am.  I told him my natural inclination skewed nocturnal.  Now he has to admit our waking up before 8am at the weekends before was just a result of his work schedule, and not a sign that I was getting elderly. 

5.  I paid the council tax and water rates yesterday.  And, just like that, half my monthly saver balance is gone.  The other half will be going to Campervan when that work is done.  But he's worth it.  I mean, assuming the Pandemic eventually will end.

Yep, it will. All we have to do is outlast it. 
Which we will.

Friday five:

1) We are still packing, although very slowly. My mattress sits on about 30 of the broken down packing boxes we brought with us, and they are still in excellent shape, so I've pulled a few out and reconstituted them for new packing.  I needed to rearrange everything anyway because I was starting to have a pronounced case of "taco bed" from them having shifted in the last year.  Started washing the stacks of fabric the Daughter has bought over the years to make dresses and such, so that they have "pre-washed" status and are ready to use once unpacked at the other end, wherever that is. She has a lot of nice fabric in her stash.

2) Too brisk outside today, so I don't think I'll go out for a walk. It does look like a lovely "go walking" day, though. Went yesterday for about a mile and enjoyed it thoroughly, but forgot to bring a scarf to put over my face - when it's chilly if I breath the air directly it hurts my lungs - and paid for it the rest of the afternoon. Buuuuut, I was able to climb the several flights of stairs when I got back to the building and didn't have to use the lift.    I was hurting (residual blown lumbar disc issues) a bit by that last set of steps, but I did make it and I didn't have to stop once! That's a new "done it!" for me. And I didn't even have to sit gasping for a half hour afterwards, either.

3) Have had offers and urgings from friends in the States that we should fly over and stay with them. Like right now. I don't think they realize that they're going to be in worse shape, very soon, than we are going to be in. Here, at least, we are cocooned and can last several months without having to set a foot outside if we need to without being exposed to anything someone else carries in. Finally convinced another friend in the USA who has family with severe immune issues to do online grocery shopping. They'd never done it before, and the whole family had still been going out to the store together until this week! (OY! NOOOOOOOO!)

4) Trying to sort out which of my rather stylish (not!) old bandanas are going to be sacrificed for my new face mask. The one with the little Kthulus all over it or the one with the little weed leaf pattern....

5) Bananas go good in chocolate diet drink mix.

That is all. 


PS I hope Jimmy is ok. Allergies can pop up at any time, even from food they've been eating for ages. At some point the body just goes "poink" and there's now an allergy. Good luck with the little dude!

Oh albatross, poor Jimmy. Glad he's doing a bit better, but yeah, good call getting rid of that other tin of food.
JFKimberly, I'm so glad your husband's shielding request has been accepted!
Well done for making it up the stairs Nan!

Friday!

1.) Woke up to snow covering the raised beds.  But it's supposed to be 15ºC on Sunday! Wild! 

2.) Hubby's birthday on Sunday.  Haven't figure out what I'm gonna do.  Trying to save money now that he's out of a job. 

3.) Had to quarantine Mrs Chicken (she can join the club!) as she's got quite a dookie bottom and has been a bit lethargic.  She's still eating and drinking though, so  I've given her some yoghurt for the probiotics and chicken 'spice mix', which is herbal and supposed to make her feel better and am gonna give her some raw garlic here.  Will do the same for the other chooks incase its contagious.   Not sure it is contagious, she's 4 years old and is a hybrid chicken and they're destined to only live between 3-4 years, so it could be her time. Poor girl.  Love Mrs Chicken, she's got quite a personality!   

4.) Doing some remote music projects with my friends. That has been fun. 

5.) Apparently we still have to take our bank holidays up, so I guess I now have time off next weekend (to do nothing?) 

Poor Jimmy, I'm glad your vet was able to see him! Definitely a good call to not use the other can. When this is all over I'm sure a rescue would take it.

1. Officially unemployed again. Glad my husband's job is safe. Feeling like I will forever be under employed in this country, but all I can do is keep trying.

2. Going to try for some industry certifications to try and help with the not being under employed issue, just need to decide which would be most appropriate for me.

3. Found a great online gluten free bakery. This makes me so happy because gluten free bread was the one thing I could never master and I'm allergic to most of the grocery store loaves.

4. Won a record last week. It was delivered today and made me smile.

5. Working on music with friends too. The label I won the record from is having a remix competition. I'm not really at "release level" on my own, but hoping with a collab it might work out! It's fun and stress relieving either way.

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Friyay! 

Keep us posted about Jimmy Albatross.  You know we are a group of animal lovers!  Mrs Chicken updates too!

1.  This week has flown by.  From what I’m told, there are only a handful of people left at work.  I knew it was a house of cards but DAMN, they fell fast.  They have properly panicked!  Shame to live life paranoid.

2.  They collected my laptop and phone today.  Three people - including one of the owners - called this morning asking for things.  Ha ha!  Too bad.  You might be paying me for another three months but I physically can’t do any work.   

3.  I have a SIX year old!  Not sure how that happened.  Phatbettle, we had a BALL playing Minute To Win It games.  They use household items and are for one or two people.  I suspect my daughter will always remember the birthday we put cookies on our foreheads and wiggled our faces trying to get them in our mouth. 

4.  I think it’s supposed to be a lovely weekend.  Great for a backyard picnic and playing with the outside toys.  I hope people follow the rules.  Boris posted a great video today.  He is certainly being a good leader.

5.  We need to tidy and clean this house this weekend.  I suspect it smells! 

• One hour of work left before the weekend! And I'm off on annual leave all next week. We were supposed to be in Malta but it'll be nice to have some time in the house/garden as well.
• Virtual pub quiz tonight! A pub we like in Elgin usually does them on Sunday nights but has been doing them online twice a week since lockdown started. It's good fun and my MIL will be playing from Germany tonight too.
• Struggling to get the timing right for my one daily excursion. I've tried during my lunch and after I've finished working each day but can't seem to get into a routine with either slot - hoping I'll have better luck once I go back to work since I know my mental health will benefit.
• Spent all day yesterday working on re-formatting a spreadsheet for work to make it infinitely more user-friendly and learned a lot about Excel along the way. Logged in today to lots of positive feedback and one of my colleagues calling me an Excel wizard. 😂
• Hoping it's warm and sunny this far north this weekend! Could definitely use some time sitting in the sun in the garden and would love to hang the bedding outside for the first time this year!!

Three people - including one of the owners - called this morning asking for things.  Ha ha!  Too bad.  You might be paying me for another three months but I physically can’t do any work.   

  That must have felt soooo good.  I hope you said something like "I've done the forecasts, you guys will be shut down before the thing you are asking me about will matter.  Stop bothering me and go update your CV."

  That must have felt soooo good.  I hope you said something like "I've done the forecasts, you guys will be shut down before the thing you are asking me about will matter.  Stop bothering me and go update your CV."

My favourite was the Head of HR.  Ummm, you’ve told me numerous times over the past couple of weeks how my skills are not needed anymore.  😈

Oh, Nan... I don't know how I would be able to politely turn down those urgings to return to the US.  I wouldn't dream of going there through this situation.  I've got friends who were living in Spain temporarily... I realize the situation is Spain is bad (one of the worst, with Italy and soon-to-be-US), but I'd feel better about my chances in Spain.  And I definitely feel better about the UK.

PB, happy birthday to Mr. PB!  I hope Mrs. Chicken feels better soon.

Loving the music stuffs, Margo and PB!  I'm a long way from making music to share (other than with my husband, of course!), myself, but I'm going to be like you two one day....

You go, Elee... Excel Wizard!

KF one nice thing about social distancing orders is nobody can come 'round to smell your house!  ... except the person who came to collect your work devices (understandable, but still somehow rude).  I hope you at least knew they were coming.

My favourite was the Head of HR.  Ummm, you’ve told me numerous times over the past couple of weeks how my skills are not needed anymore.  😈

I hope you said that!

My favourite was the Head of HR.  Ummm, you’ve told me numerous times over the past couple of weeks how my skills are not needed anymore.  😈

This reminded me of the time I got a job offer about 10 minutes after my boss had yelled at me in front of the whole team for something that wasn't my fault.

New supervisor: Hey, it's Scott from Royal Caribbean. Can you be in Puerto Vallarta a week from tomorrow?

Me: You know what? Yes, I absolutely can.

This reminded me of the time I got a job offer about 10 minutes after my boss had yelled at me in front of the whole team for something that wasn't my fault.

New supervisor: Hey, it's Scott from Royal Caribbean. Can you be in Puerto Vallarta a week from tomorrow?

Me: You know what? Yes, I absolutely can.

I had been needing to get out.  So no complaints.  My only fear is the lack of economy.  Our budget is fine though in reality.  I just enjoy working!  I need to be me and not mommy sometimes. 

My Friday Five:

1. It’s been a long week! First, we worked extra hours due to bad weather predicted (we were cautious after last week, when we got an unexpected 171.mm (6.7 inches) of rain in 18 hours!), then we had 2 planes come in and out between Tues and Thurs. As a result, by the end of today, I will have worked 66 hours since Sunday.

2. Having said that, I have the whole weekend off and only 3 shifts next week so I should have a chance to relax a bit

3. It’s also been a long week because as of Monday morning, my replacement was due to arrive on Wednesday and I was due to fly home in 3 weeks, but by Monday afternoon, it turned out my replacement had been told last week that his tour had cancelled last week (and no one told us)... therefore I will be here until June

4. Since I’m now gonna be here another 2 months, I decided to order some toiletries from Boots... but for some reason, all the Nivea sun cream was out of stock (luckily the Soltan was in stock). Who is buying sun cream right now? It’s not like anyone is going on holiday!

5. The convention I was going to in Italy in May has now been postponed until the first week of July, though I’m not convinced that will be late enough for us to be allowed to travel again. I’ve rescheduled my flight for June 30th, but in terms of getting home from Ascension, the only flights are on June 5th and June 26th. The idea at the moment is my replacement will arrive on June 4th, spend 14 days in isolation, have a week-long handover and then I will leave on the 26th... but that may be too close to my June 30th flight. Then again, maybe the Italy trip will be postponed again (I’m also supposed to attend a convention in Paris on June 26-28th, but no news yet on the fate of that one). The other option would be for my replacement to arrive on May 14th and me to leave on June 5th, but at the moment he has been told early June.


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Oh, Nan... I don't know how I would be able to politely turn down those urgings to return to the US.  I wouldn't dream of going there through this situation.  I've got friends who were living in Spain temporarily... I realize the situation is Spain is bad (one of the worst, with Italy and soon-to-be-US), but I'd feel better about my chances in Spain.  And I definitely feel better about the UK.

Yeah. One of the Daughter's friends phoned yesterday. They are still not getting how serious it is, I don't think, although they, too, are now on lockdown (sorta). They have been doing charitable work, but go in and out of their house daily to places where people are still coming into in large numbers. The social distancing thing is great and all, but having 100 people come in one at a time (or in small groups), if they're not masked, is not any better than having 100 of them in the same room at the same time for the people who have to stay in the room all day. Yes it'll cut down the overall transmission rates, but the staff there are sitting ducks. At least they are going to try masks now.

On the good side (if there is one), rents in our old home town are tanking. So if we make it to the point where we can actually manage a move, we ~could~ go home and be able to afford a place. There's rent controls in now so they couldn't raise it more than 5% at the end of a year's lease, so we'd be ok for a couple of years. The bad thing is that jobs are also tanking (of course) and there's no telling if they will ever come back or, if so, how soon they'd return. That's not good for the Daughter's chances of finding work.

But for the interim, yeah, it's better here. Way better.

My cousin told me yesterday he met up with a friend to play golf.  And he's the one who's always obsessing over the latest numbers.