Heads up

As my computer still isn’t sorted, I am now working off my phone. Which lets me blog okay, but will not let me comment on blogs that require google log-in. Something to do with browser settings. So, some of you may get comments under the anonymous tab, others may not because I cannot comment anonymously. And yes, I do sign with my name. 

Just to let you know.

Things

It’s been a while since I last reported on what’s happened with me. So long in fact I never even mentioned my sister being here back in May and the two of us going to Cologne for a few days. 

As always hampered by a headache attack and a knee playing up, we still managed to have a good time. We visited the cathedral, did a bus tour and on our last day we went to the zoo. Plus we did some shopping. 

The rest of the week saw us visit the Sand sculpture park with our parents (plenty of photos, only accessible via computer) and some more shopping. But we kept it fairly easy and laid-back. 

I have been doing some work in the garden. Clearing weeds, cutting back trees, planting berry bushes, finding berry bushes. I have had a few guests: a small toad, a blackbird, kitties, a small white dog. 

As for work, a few days after my sister left, I got my license and was allowed back behind the steering wheel again. It was tiring at first, but it’s been over a month now and I am happy to say all is well. The hands are doing fine and not giving me too much bother. 

So, that’s me in a nut shell. 

Normalcy and frustrations in one

I finally started working again about two weeks ago. It has not been easy, especially the first few days were quite hard. I was used to sitting at home doing sod all and all of a sudden I had to pay attention to traffic and such again. It was tiring to say the least, but I am glad to be back at work regardless. 

It also means that things are slowly returning to normal. From next month my wages will be back to what they should be instead of sick pay, which was about 90% of my base salary, no extras. One thing that was very much unwanted was the uniform though. When I started sick leave I was a bit heavier than I should and I managed to keep it off for the first month or two. After that, I just put on. Which now has to come off again. Back to normal!

There are also frustrations. Well, one frustration. Yes, I am back at work because I got my driver's license back. Which then turned out to be wrong and I have been on the phone so often to get it sorted. Every time the answer is the same: our fault and send it back. Which means I am not allowed to work. One ^%#& even said that it 'wasn't her problem' in an incredibly snotty voice. There was a raspberry involved. 

Yesterday I went back to get it sorted again (third time is a charm they say) and I hope that by this time today I have a correct license in hand. I won't bore you with the details, but needless to say it got my stress levels up big time. 

Other than that the garden is looking better all the time, as I keep pruning, cutting, removing, mowing and all the other things. A fence is due to go in in the autumn as the conifers that are between my garden and the public space are nearly all dead. I am still nowhere near done, but it is starting to look good. 

The hands are doing fine as well. The right is no problem at all, the left is still a bit sensitive, but I can do everything that is needed. 

Normalcy

Is that even a word? Normalcy? Because I am slowly getting back to it. The right hand is pretty good again and the left is slowly following suit. I am still not up to 100%, but about 80% right now is pretty ok I think.

Lately I have been working in the garden a bit. Half an hour maximum on any given day really. Pulling weeds, mowing the grass. I don't dare do too much, just in case, but so far so good. Other than that I have been reading a lot. I got going with Jack Reacher and am now on book 11. Yesterday I started one and finished it at 1 in the morning, because I just wanted to know whodunnit! 

I have been watching a lot of television as well of course, plus I went to the cinema several times. I saw The Duke which was really good, Fantastic Beasts 3 (made my sister jealous), The 355, The Lost City, Uncharted (twice), Moonfall and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. I was supposed to go to Morbius, but canceled in the end as it is not really a genre I like. 

From next week however that will change a bit. Yes, the reading will most likely continue as will tv and cinema, but I will have to ration it more as I will be going back to work! Oh yes, after five months at home I will get back in uniform (providing I can find one that fits, I have gained a bit) and start driving again. The first week I will be at 50% of my normal hours, just to see how everything holds up. And then I will have a week off, as that was the plan way before the operations. Hopefully after that I will be back to 100%.

So, I think I will have to really enjoy my last week of 'freedom'. I know Miss O will need to as she has gotten used to me being home for so long. 

Third attempt

To be honest, there is probably plenty to write about, but I just can't seem to get inspired. The hand is doing a bit better each day, although wearing jeans is still quite difficult as I still cannot operate the button part properly. Which is not such a problem of course, unless you really need the use of a certain part of the house quickly. Just saying.

On the subject of the bra. I have had plenty of people commenting on it and I agree totally: I could have gone without as I wasn't going anywhere anyway. However, but, and such. I like wearing one. I feel cleaner with one on. And after all: I am not sick, which would be my main reason to not be wearing one. Just saying.

The weather right now is quite bad, with rain and wind. We finally got the remnants of Storm Arwen which hit the UK recently. I had plans to go out today and get myself a nice Christmas dress. But, as the weather is like this and the knee is complaining a tad, I think I will hit my home trainer instead and find all my Christmas clothes next week. 

In other news: I managed a proper shower this morning (bliss), the laundry is done (bar the ironing) and I will have a hot chocolate with my lunch. All in all, not bad for a third attempt.

Monday

You've all been there: you live next door to a chemical plant and one day there is a leak. Or what about the day the dykes break and your town gets flooded. The fire in the tyre factory. In the Netherlands we have a general warning system that will sound if any of these or other serious things happen.

Several years ago I had my house renovated: the windows were out, in fact the whole front of the house was open, when the alarm went. And kept on going. The main advice when the alarm goes off? Stay inside, close windows and doors and turn on the local television or radio. Yes, right!

Anyway, those alarms are not just there to be sounded once in a blue moon. They are actually sounded every single month (unless there is a (religious) holiday on the same day). Everybody knows: 12 noon on Monday it's alarm time. You hear it, you may even register it, but it doesn't do anything else. Until the alarm is sounded on any other day or time. That's when you take notice.

Last week I was on a lovely walk. It was quiet. It was peaceful. Until the alarm went off. The first Monday of the month, noon. So, if you ever come to the Netherlands and the alarm goes off: check! What's the time, what's the day? 

It's a new week with plenty of new chances

Age baby, a long time before any pension!

There is the pension thing I spent a few hours on today. Trying to collect all my pensions into one, so I know sort of what I get once I turn 68 (nearly 19 years to go, yikes). 

There is the accident thing I spent some time on today. I received a message from the garage that it is definitely a total loss for the car. I received a message from my insurance company saying they have sent my details on to the other party's company and that I have to deal with them directly. Plus even later I received a message from the other party himself saying he can't find my insurer. 

There is also the thing of my neck and back and head still not being quite okay. Yes, on Friday it felt much better, but I did take a fair bit of medication then. I think I slackened too soon with the meds however and now it feels not sore, just blergh. Annoying. 

Then there is the weight thing. I didn't spend too much time on that this morning, but I was not surprised when I saw that I had gained a few grams again, what with said birthday and said accident. I am however, nearing the double figures (before the comma) and still pleased. 

Plus there's the thing about work. I was due to work today, but they gave me a day off due to the fact they are giving me longer shifts this week. I should only do about 6,5 hours a day, but if I get an 8,5 hour shift, I have 2 hours over which then should be compensated for, ie in extra days off. I am not complaining!!

That's the thing. 

Just stuff

Sometimes my life isn't that interesting at all. Just the mundane stuff of day to day living. Like doing the laundry. Ironing sheets and tea towels and gazillions of handkerchiefs and the occasional shirt as well. Folding up clothes and towels. 

I do a fair bit of cooking. Last Sunday I made a complete dinner: starter, main and dessert. The starter was so easy and really good: tomato and basil soup. Done within half an hour with barely any fuss. Plus, as soups go, really tasty as well, even my Dad said so (he is not fond of tomato soup). 

The main was crispy duck with Chinese pancakes, which were all done from scratch. A bit more work, but my golly, it was really good. Definitely a keeper for the books! And for dessert we had a dessert I had already made once, but was so good, I did it again. 

After four days off, it was also back to work. Not that I am really overtaxing myself here: my shifts this week are between 5 and 8 hours. Yesterday I had a shift just short of 5 hours with a one hour paid break! Of course there will be weeks where I will work more (not next week though), but as I am only on 32 hours a week, it's fine. 

I have gone back to reading as well. Which is obvious, as I have gone back to working. And for me those two go together. During my four and a half months at home, I barely touched a book and if I did, it didn't hold my attention for long. But, now I am back and I have to really work to get caught up, according to Goodreads, I am 28 books behind schedule!

I did start reading Harry Potter again (start number 5 soon), but I am also going back to the book club I joined a while ago: the next book to read is The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving. I read this when I was in my late teens, so it will be interesting to know what I remember (nothing most likely) and how I feel about it now, as I loved it then.

The head is keeping up as well. I keep a record now of when I do get a headache. The longest without was about a month, which was really good going. Recently it was about 10 days, which is still okay. My back was also starting to give me trouble, but I had to adjust my seat differently and problem gone! My knee is still a bit of a grrr, in that walking for longer distances will give me bother. Cycling is okay, but I only cycle to work on early/day shifts and only if the weather is good. During last week's heatwave, there was no way I was going to cycle to work. 

Other than that, everything is going fine. The finances are looking up. We are still Corona free. Miss O is still scared stiff of Hitler, the black and white cat prowling around the neighbourhood (we don't know its real name, but she scares Miss O, hence Hitler). 

And life continues...

Not sure

I wasn't too sure what to write about for this post. Was I going to write about the maggots in our kitchen which I had to get rid of while my parentals were slumming it in an airconditioned hotel? Or should I not? What to write about then?

In the end I decided to not write about all those maggots crawling out of the food bin, the regular bin and the plastic bin. After all, I emptied all bins, I squashed all maggots and eggs and told my parentals on their return not to throw any meat related stuff away in the kitchen as long as the heatwave lasts. 

Instead I thought to tell you about my work. Which is going fine. I should work about 6,5 hours a day to get up to 32 hours a week and due to the hours I made during training I am up. Meaning my shifts aren't long or I get an extra day off. Great! And now I am enjoying a four-day weekend. 

And enjoy I will as the weather has turned somewhat. Yes, temperatures are still high, but compared to what it was, it is lovely now. During the night we had a fierce thunderstorm with lots of rain, which meant I had to close the window in my room and sleep was even worse then. But, temperatures are on their way down and guess what: it's only 132 days until Christmas!

In the pipeline

Perhaps a sea shell?

After weeks (months really) my diary is finally showing signs of picking up. This week, there is not 1 entry, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 entries! Five!! 

On Monday was the first one: a meeting with my new boss. I handed him the signed contract, he had a look at my face, we chatted for a few minutes and out I was again. 

Today (Tuesday), my car will get a look over. I last put fuel in back in early March. I also had an MOT then, but I hardly used it since. Just to make sure nothing is clogged up and stuff, I made an appointment. Oh, and I put some more fuel in.

On Friday it's a double whammy. Doctor time. For me in the morning and for Miss O in the afternoon. Just don't tell her that or she'll be hiding behind the curtain!

Play sweet music for the fairies

And then on Saturday it's hairdressing time. The appointment was originally made for my sister, but her flights were cancelled and she is not able to come. So, I nicked her slot and will have a cut and colour. Not sure what colour yet, but...

...as I am starting the new job next Monday, I thought a bit of a fresh head might be nice. Yes, you read right: I am starting the new job on Monday. The contract starts on Sunday (extra day's pay, thank you) and I have to report for duty on Monday morning. It's daunting and exciting at the same time.

I will find a title

And I will find something to write about. Like the fact that I THOUGHT I had gotten all of my summer clothes out from storage. But I don't think I have now. However, as the temperatures are only going up this week, I am so NOT going back to look for them. Because it would mean going in deeper and it being hotter. 

Or I could write about Miss Oswin who decided on Monday night that she was perfectly fine where she was thank you very much and didn't want to come in. She spent the night outside and then when she came running in at 7.30 in the morning, she went to her food bowl and then straight up to the wardrobe in my room to sleep the day away on top.

The parentals came home yesterday. They had had a nice time at the hotel. They visited some things in the area (even Germany) and basically enjoyed themselves. When they returned they even took some baking soda and baking powder back for me. Over here you can't get it, where they were it was in plentiful supply! Oatmeal cookies!!

Other than that: not much. The contract hasn't arrived yet. The Norwegian details haven't arrived yet or have not been dealt with yet, so still no unemployment pay. Rain will arrive this weekend when I am planning to celebrate my upcoming birthday (thank you Debby by the way), so that is not so nice. And that's it. I still haven't found a title though, so it will have to be the title it is now.

Cakes and stuff

The past week wasn't as busy as the week before, but the weekend was definitely not quiet. For a start my father celebrated the fact that he turned 75 on Saturday. They had invited several people over to celebrate with them and they all came. Fortunately the weather was good so the distance was able to be kept. 

We had a bunch on Saturday morning, then late afternoon into evening. Then on Sunday there were some more people who do have health issues and preferred to really come alone to be able to keep their distance. It was all fun and cake filled as every time I got another piece.

Yesterday afternoon the weather changed. It had been overcast all day, but at about 4 the first drops started falling. We had one of those party tents up, but it's not waterproof, so we had to make our way indoors. A couple of hours later we were outside taking it down. In the rain!

This morning I was pleasantly surprised when the tax money was in. I knew it was coming, but didn't think it would be today. Very happy though as my unemployment money has stopped coming (the details from Norway are still not in apparently), but I do still have bills even if I live at home. 

There is still no word on when I start the new job. I would prefer right now obviously (as do the others), but so far: nothing. I do try to get in some exercise every day, although the past three days I didn't. I don't walk far, only about 2 km, but I do at least get out. Due to the cakes I will have to be a bit more rigorous again though. I gained some I had lost last week. 

So, that was it. I leave you with some insects in the new lavender. That butterfly was incredibly skittish, the bee couldn't have cared less...

Flying

2015

Goodness me, another week has flown by And it has been busy as well. Because last week there wasn't one entry in my diary, but two!! I had to be really careful, otherwise I might have become stressed out.

The first entry in the diary was the hairdresser. What a joy to have my hair cut again. Then on Thursday I was to collect my new uniform. I have already ordered the new uniform that is to be worn from December onward, but between now and then I will need the current uniform. 

Playing the fool in 2015

On arriving there were a few others waiting as well, so we sat down in the coffee area and had coffee/tea and chatted. Then it finally was our turn. Unfortunately there were no trousers that would fit me, so I will continue wearing my own. I have done for years now and I have never had a complaint. 

The shirts had to be one size bigger than what I normally wear and the jacket was downright ridiculous. Snug around the waist, but with my hands hidden well within the sleeves. I mean well within the sleeves. With the winterpart on as well, I look like a little girl dressing up in mum's clothes!

Swords in the stone, Stavanger, 2017

On Friday it was my turn to cook and I made a moussaka. It was good. I went for seconds and so did my dad, which says enough I think. On Saturday my brother and his family were due down and I decided to make gnocchi. Fortunately I had my mother to help as it was a big job. Bigger than last time as I then made for 3, this time I had to make for 8.

They all enjoyed it though. Being a bit cautious for the first serving and then going back for second (fuller) servings. That counts as a success in my book. Even the mushroom one was loved. Which for me is brilliant as I hardly taste my food and definitely not mushrooms. So my mum was called in to taste and say when it was seasoned enough.

And now the new week is already two days old. And during those two days we have been working hard. I have new carpet in my room and so do my parents, but my mum needed new carpet in her hobby room as well. So, that came out yesterday and then I (foolishly) said the walls might need painting. My dad didn't think so, but me and my mum got to work yesterday to do her room and then today the few bits she really wanted done. 

The rest of this week is empty as yet. But that doesn't mean I don't do anything. I walk about 2 km a day. Not much, I know, but I have to start slowly again and not overdo it. I have also lost some weight, not much yet, but enough to feel I am doing the right thing. 

A blergh day

A couple of nights ago I went to bed early, feeling a bit blergh. Just a bit not okay really. There was nothing wrong with me, I didn't have the sniffles, nor a headache (two weeks and counting, yay), I was just a bit ... oh you know... blergh.

I might have gone to bed early, but I didn't sleep well. I woke up every so often, having to visit the bathroom. Or I was hot. Or not comfortable. And when I finally got up, I didn't really feel like doing anything at all. It was my turn to cook, but it wasn't going to happen, so my mum made dinner instead. 

I posted about it online. And somebody asked me why I had a blergh day and this is what I wrote (translated into English): It's just... I want to go to work, I want to see people and I am totally fed up with the 1,5 meter rule. So...

I think a lot of people will feel like this. Just fed up with it all. And platitudes like 'people who have Corona are literally fed up' don't work. I know that. I know people who live alone (like my sister in NI) have it even harder. They speak only to people through a line, not even face to face. I can talk and touch. 

But that doesn't mean I don't feel blergh. Or that me feeling blergh is to be pushed aside with platitudes or well meaning nothingnesses. I just had a bad day, feeling the situation was getting a bit much.

I wasn't the only one feeling a bit blergh yesterday, although it didn't start out that way. Miss Oswin was out and about and enjoying her freedom. And then she came in to show us what she had caught. A little great tit. Alive as well. Only young, too young really. A bit like last year (read more here). But we rescued it, it fluttered a bit (no flying just yet) and in the end it disappeared under the hedge, from where it disappeared altogether. Hopefully not in some other cat's stomach!

What to do? Part 7

Well, one more day and the list is done. Only ten more ideas and tips for you to do, although when I first counted the list, there should by now have been 11 to go. Wonder what happened to that one? Anyway...

62. Delete all the apps you don't use and discover some new ones.

I don't have any apps I don't use. There is one I have to start using again, but as long as we're supposed to stay inside, that is not possible. I only have two games on it as well, and even though I am tempted, I think two are enough. They take up too much time already.

63. Hold a family or street singalong.

This sounds great. In theory. Starting with family: my dad is a chorister and has a great voice. Loud as well. My mum can sing, but for the life of her, can't hold a tune. And I am somewhere in between. Not great for a family event. As for the street event? I don't know anybody in the street. I can place about six people to their respective houses, but don't ask me names or something. And yes, I do realise that it would get us 'closer', but it wouldn't. I think. 

64. Try some science experiments.

Yeeeesss. Science. Did I ever tell you about the day I was allowed home early from school. Something to do with me measuring bleach in chemistry class and it not going quite right. We had to suck it up in those pipet type things and then put a thumb on it when it was at the level needed. I forgot the thumb bit and the bleach went into my mouth/throat. I have never seen both the teacher and the science aide move so fast! So, I think I will steer clear of science experiments.

65. Deliver supplies to those in need.

This is a tricky one. Really tricky. I don't know anybody in need, as most have already got other avenues of getting their supplies in place. Tricky.

66. Rediscover a dusty appliance, instrument or board game.

I was just saying to my mum this morning about the ice cream maker she has. Might get that one out and try some different flavours. We have no instruments in the house at all and as for board games: unless they are question-based like Trivial Pursuit, I am not into those. Oh, and our TP set is still asking questions about the Soviet Union!

I could retrain as a snake handler...

67. Research training opportunities for when the world reopens.

The minute the world reopens, I am hoping to start the new job as well. I cannot wait. 

68. Build something amazing with Lego (you know you want to).

Ehm. No. I leave that to my sister who just loves it. I tried to build a small thing once when I stayed at her place and it's okay. Nothing more really.

69. Brainstorm marketing ideas for your business, club or charity.

I am not planning on starting a business, club or charity and as I am not a member of a club or have a set charity I support, this might be a bit much to do.

70. Write to your MP about an issue.

Not sure what I would write to my MP about, even if I had one. The Netherlands has a slightly different way of voting for its government. 

Cotton candy is what makes me happy.

71. Create a list of 'Things to be Happy about' and add to it each day.

This sounds suspiciously like the gratitude journal. Which I have in a different form. 

72. (found it, I seemed to have skipped it last time around): Organise a virtual support group.

For what though? For those affected by this Corona virus? Or something completely unrelated? Like 'I knit too much and keep having holes in my fingers'. It might catch on...

What to do? Part 6

It's my mum's turn to make dinner today, which gives me the time to write the next installment of my What to do series. Here goes...

52. Reach out to someone who lives alone or is feeling anxious.

This is quite difficult for me as I don't know that many people and the ones that I do know are all in a family group. We did invite a neighbour for our spare rib feast yesterday, but she declined because of Corona. Which we totally understand. She has recently been fairly ill and doesn't want to take any chance of getting ill again.

53. Host a skype/zoom dinner party.

I have seen this in several places, but I am not convinced. Probably because we don't host dinner parties anyway.

54. Get some positivity in your social media feed.

Easy: no social media or very much censored. But we do try and get more positivity on our television screen. The news? Yes. All the talk shows? No. They just keep harping on and on and on about the same thing, rehashing, looking at it from a gazillion different angles and with a whole host of experts. Instead we watched Frozen the other day. And Wall-E. The next one up is Paddington. It makes us smile.

55. Try positive psychology activities.

Well, not watching every single thing on television/social media concerning Corona counts for an extremely positive psychology activity. Turn it off and just read a book. Bake a cake. Or just sit and stare at the geraniums. Just a thought here.

NOT cooked by me, but it was yummy

56. Cook an amazing breakfast.

For breakfast? Not going to happen. But I have been known to have breakfast in the evening. Or at least the foods usually associated with a full English. So, next time it's my turn to cook...

57. Create an amazing treasure hunt or clue trail for a family member.

I could do something like that. It would need some severe thought though, but it sounds great.

58. Get familiar with online grocery shopping: create favourites lists.

For now we are good with the in-person shopping and we will do so until we can't. I think I can manage to familiarise myself at that time.

Dance class in my teens

59. Organise a virtual dance party: you dress up and groove to the same music.

It sounds great, but just not for me. Probably because not many people want to groove to Eurovision music!

60. Organise your music playlist.

Oh, that's been done and dusted. Every artist has its photo and the songs are all categorised. Not much to do there.

61. Reorganise your wardrobe.

As a quarter to a half is still in storage, this is not really an option at the moment. Plus, I don't have that much anyway as I normally wear a uniform.

What to do? Part 5

A bit late today, but it was my turn to make dinner (spare ribs, yum). But never fear, here are more of the tips and hints of what to do with your days while you cannot enjoy the outdoors.

42. Try adult colouring in.

Yes, I did. About two years ago. Not my biggest enjoyment I have to say. Although my sister still has the finished coloured in owl on her notice board by the fridge.

43. Join a virtual book club.

I have. About two years ago. I even hosted a book: A man called Ove. Brilliant book by a Swedish author. Definitely worth the read. But alas, lately I have not been doing much with the book club, mainly because at the moment I don't work and I mainly read at work!

44. Find great podcasts.

I have never really been into that for some reason. Either I watch/listen or not. Repeats: great, otherwise: too bad. Besides, my telephone is empty within a second and my computer doesn't have sound for some reason.

45. Update your goals.

This makes me think of putting flowers around the goals on the football field. Not entirely sure that is what this means...

46. Upcycle something.

Ooh, sounds like a great idea. We watch that show on the BBC as well: Money for Nothing. Tatty old things being transformed in really fun and funky expensive things. Might give it a go. Not sure with what though...

47. Build a free website.

What for? What would I do with it? Advertise myself? Use it to sell my stuff? Hm, might look into that.

My room when I was a teenager.
I am back in the same room now, but with only a bed in it.

48. Re-arrange furniture.

I have actually been thinking about that. At the moment my bed is missing part of its head end as it doesn't fit under the roof. If I move the bed a bit and put it against another wall, I might get the head end complete. I will give it a go, but it wouldn't surprise me if I had to move it all back because it's unworkable.

49. Start a dream journal. 

It would read like a bus time table meets fantasy novel I think. I dream about buses a fair bit and keep meeting all my old colleagues as well. Apart from the ones in Northern Ireland though, they have never popped up. Didn't make too much of an impression I guess. Other than that: no!

In Austria

50. Binge TED Talks.

Brom would be upset I think. Besides: not a clue what a TED Talk is anyway.

51. Join an online community of likeminded people.

Like cat and dog lovers? Or people researching their genealogy? Oh yes, got that sorted!