List Time

Spring may be showing signs of attending the party fairly soon, however today has dawned as dull as ditch-water. The little people have been dropped off for their day of fun at pre-school. I have made myself a list. Rather a long one, but happily things are being crossed off fairly rapidly. The VAT, and billing elements will obviously take much longer. Arthur the budgie is tweeting happily in his cleaned cage, the fire is lit, I know what we'll be eating for tea, and the dishes are draining. Next up will be a quick hoover of downstairs before I really must get comfy with the computer opened up to our accounting software.

I have been accepted, if all my checks are in order to join the bank staff at our local hospital. There have been many many forms to fill in, and I am kind of nervous excited. The shifts are mainly long ones, twelve and a half hours, but I know you can also do half shifts. I'll just have to wait and see how I like the work and the work likes me before deciding how many shifts I want to do.

It really looks as though if anything falls from the sky it would be snow. I am so very grateful for the warmth emanating from the woodburner. Oh and a mug of hot tea, though I'm still not fully back to enjoying my tea and coffee since having the cyst/abscess infection. There is a chance that though some of the infection has exited my body there is still a mass deeper which could be tracking to a new area. How gross. It's just a case of wait and see at the moment. 

Our cats, well at the moment it has only been Wilbur I've caught red handed, have been committing murder on a to me rather uncomfortable scale. Feathers have been found and I really don't like it. Collars of shame are now being worn by both cats. They are brightly coloured, and have reflective discs sewn on to them and with the addition of bells they are supposed to increase the chance of birds seeing or hearing danger before it's too late. I am doing my best. I know it's what cats do and there is absolutely no point in me getting cross with them, but still, R.I.P. little feathered friends.

Kitty sporting her new collar...bee stripes, Wilbur's is much more colourful!

Blessings, J. x

Trepadation

A couple of weeks ago building control visited to inspect our works...we needed to do a couple of things...tiny things really. Yesterday morning he returned.

One thing was paint a small section of brown sewer pipe black to prevent UV rays degrading it. We had been unable to source a black joint anywhere, and were going to paint it anyway.

We also needed to add a small amount of cement to the very top of our our gable.

Our sash bedroom windows needed the side restrictor trims shortening. Despite being assured by the manufacturer that they were building regulation compliant, they have now just passed but had not been fitted in a manner that ensured correct window opening area. 

However we do need to get a certificate for our boiler as it has been moved. An oversight on our part, though not hopefully a problem. Our plumber has been to see the boiler since it was moved. I am on the case!

Waiting for †he predicted/not predicted colder weather to return and hoping to keep lovely and warm in our cosy cottage. Well when not at work obviously.

I have returned to work post Covid-19 though I must say that though not pleasant the Covid infection was a doddle compared to an abscess I have been battling with. When I came down with Covid a small spot I had had since Christmas kind of grew at an alarming rate. A photo was sent to the doctor and I was ordered to take antibiotic right away. Unfortunately my system really didn't cope with these particular antibiotics so after three very miserable days I was prescribed an alternative. The consensus of opinion is that I have had this infection going around my body since Christmas and the headaches and general un-wellness has been attributed to it. The addition of the Covid virus was just too much for my immunity to cope with and so then the bacteria multiplied at an alarming rate. The infection may need to be cut out but I have had some relief as it started to weep then expel a lot of rather revolting mush on Sunday evening. The relief and easing of pain was very appreciated. Rather perturbed that I now have a hole but I suppose that's natures way of ensuring the wound is able to clean itself.

Apologies if you were about to or have just eaten!

I have agreed to babysit the little people on Saturday evening. They and their parents are rather hoping for their first ever sleepover together.  I have to tidy up the Christmas decorations in the spare room and get hubby to put them into the loft, minus any lights we may need for the wedding. I took a quick look in our smallest room also known at the moment as the room of doom. One bag of unwanted items has been removed. I need to do some each day. I will get there!

Something is happening today that I kind of need my birth certificate for...of course I cannot find the folder it is in...I am hoping my expired passport will suffice as I only need my birth certificate if I don't have a passport. More reasons to sort out the room of doom! Actually having just checked online, my expired passport will definitely not suffice, I just hope I have cobbled together enough evidence to prove I am who I am. 

On a more cheery note...

Sat on our living room window ledge...some Spring in a trough!

Blessings, J. x

The Dawning of a New Day

Last week I was lucky enough to catch the sunrise over our frost laden garden on my camera.

The moon was still in the sky. It was bitingly cold, but well worth nipping out in my dressing gown to capture all the same.

The evenings are well and truly pulling out now which is lovely. Sadly I haven't been as active as I would have liked due to inevitably succumbing to covid which has rattled through my workplace like never before. That being said, with the aid of paracetamol and ibuprofen it has been tolerable if not enjoyable. This morning I tested with just a feint line showing, so soon hopefully it shall be a dim and distant memory.

One day I ventured down to the deserted woods for some much needed fresh air. There are definitely signs of Spring stirring. A few stray ash twigs came home with me to light the fire.

I must admit that today I really missed the little people next door. We obviously have been keeping apart for several days now, though it has allowed me to rest when I needed so for that I must be grateful. Hopefully before long it will be back to cuddle and play time.

Anyway, rest and recuperate, and plan some downtime as I really feel our immune systems must be running low after all the bugs they have had to deal with lately. 

Blessings, J. x

Wish Me Luck

Shortly heading to work...nearly half of our residents have Covid...my headache though diminished still remains...and the sky looks like this...

Hope to be back here again soon...

Blessings, J. x

To The Wheel Of The Year

Imbolc is upon us. Candlemas tomorrow. Well today after dark I suppose. Time keeps a turning no matter what is going on in the World. 

Yesterday I mixed up some Christmas puddings. Using up part of a crusty loaf of bread I had made and we hadn't eaten. I usually make rolls for this reason. Freezing them in twos. Anyway, me and him who does are rather partial to a spoonful of Christmas pudding in the depths of Winter, and so mini delicious concoctions have been steamed in a very large pan in the Aga oven. I always freeze them to be on the safe side with keeping them as we don't like ours over-boiled. I only have eight of the smallest size of pudding basin, so had to utilise my eight ramekins also and one Weck jar with sides that will allow for the removal of the pudding. That one has been transferred to atop the woodburner and will be for us tonight after scoffing some lamb chops. It's not all bad here you know.

The headache is improving slowly. Can't quite believe how it can still be so sore, and if I move around too much or too quickly I get soundly reminded that it's not far away and could come back unless I behave. I made myself take a short walk in the afternoon loveliness though. I'm sure the fresh air must have done more good than harm.

Headache remnants or no I intend to raise a glass to the Wheel Of The Year this evening. What a magnificent and powerful thing it is. Certainly deserves a whiff of sherry or something raised in its honour!

That's enough for sixteen more yummy puddings...

And so to Imbolc, and Candlemass...

Blessings, J. x