New month, new thread!


Cat

I have a trip (with my family) planned for the 16th to the 20th. We’re gonna fly to Reno to visit a relative; and it might be really cold when we go there.

White Rabbit

I must start my Christmas Present Shopping List

After shopping for about a year, right now two workers are installing my new microwave oven.


Cat

White Rabbit

I must start my Christmas Present Shopping List

I will hopefully make final decisions on mine by next month.

I have decided that the older kids will get paper. So I might only have to buy for 3.


Cat

Yesterday Dai and I went to the National Memorial Arboretum. Neither of us was quite sure what to expect (apart from lots of trees).
There were a range of monuments from commemorating all those in the armed forces that lost their life in conflict post-1945, including specific Gulf War, Basra, Falkland Island memorials, via various regiment specific to personal plaques on trees remembering family. Most were in lovely, well-cared for condition but some needed attention or waterproofing (defence enabled merchant ships, I’m looking at you).
One or two maybe needed a bit more explanation, such as the Scout movement and prison guards and others made a real effort to give context to the specific memorial design (Royal Engineers)

Yesterday Dai and I went to the National Memorial Arboretum. Neither of us was quite sure what to expect (apart from lots of trees).
There were a range of monuments from commemorating all those in the armed forces that lost their life in conflict post-1945, including specific Gulf War, Basra, Falkland Island memorials, via various regiment specific to personal plaques on trees remembering family. Most were in lovely, well-cared for condition but some needed attention or waterproofing (defence enabled merchant ships, I’m looking at you).
One or two maybe needed a bit more explanation, such as the Scout movement and prison guards and others made a real effort to give context to the specific memorial design (Royal Engineers)

Wow, sounds like it was quite interesting.

I drove the school minibus to take a group to a museum in Derby. https://derbymuseums.org/museum-of-making/ It was very interesting, and I would like to go back for another visit.

Mild stress before we got there as there was a mix up with the minibus booking (it had to go to the garage for some reason).  Thankfully there was another one available.

Today I did not go into work.

I hardly got any sleep during the night; I was feeling very warm in my bed, plus I was awakened by the strong winds (which are continuing through the day), and I didn’t feel like I could drive to the office with hardly any rest. So I called my boss to tell her I was going to take sick time so that I could rest better. She told me that she was still at home too, not feeling quite well herself.

And to make matters worse, there has been a wildfire that started some 10-15 miles northeast of where I live, and it was spreading because of the wind. This affected traffic on the highway 101, which made me glad that I didn’t go to the office; traffic was at a standstill (as I could see on my traffic app).

Hopefully I can go back to work tomorrow.

Today I did not go into work.

I hardly got any sleep during the night; I was feeling very warm in my bed, plus I was awakened by the strong winds (which are continuing through the day), and I didn’t feel like I could drive to the office with hardly any rest. So I called my boss to tell her I was going to take sick time so that I could rest better. She told me that she was still at home too, not feeling quite well herself.

And to make matters worse, there has been a wildfire that started some 10-15 miles northeast of where I live, and it was spreading because of the wind. This affected traffic on the highway 101, which made me glad that I didn’t go to the office; traffic was at a standstill (as I could see on my traffic app).

Hopefully I can go back to work tomorrow.


Feel better and hopefully the fire will get under control quickly.


Cat

Feel better and hopefully the fire will get under control quickly.


Cat

Thanks. I’m watching news reports on the tv right now and it looks bad.

Today I did not go into work.

I hardly got any sleep during the night; I was feeling very warm in my bed, plus I was awakened by the strong winds (which are continuing through the day), and I didn’t feel like I could drive to the office with hardly any rest. So I called my boss to tell her I was going to take sick time so that I could rest better. She told me that she was still at home too, not feeling quite well herself.

And to make matters worse, there has been a wildfire that started some 10-15 miles northeast of where I live, and it was spreading because of the wind. This affected traffic on the highway 101, which made me glad that I didn’t go to the office; traffic was at a standstill (as I could see on my traffic app).

Hopefully I can go back to work tomorrow.


Oh my - stay safe from the wildfire!  :o

Thanks. I’m watching news reports on the tv right now and it looks bad.


What is the fire's name?

My SIL was affected by the Line Fire. She had to be evacuated but her house-and town was spared. When she got home, she said the ash was very thick.


Cat

I think it’s called “Mountain Fire”.

A number of structures have been claimed. :\'(

Today I did not go into work.

I hardly got any sleep during the night; I was feeling very warm in my bed, plus I was awakened by the strong winds (which are continuing through the day), and I didn’t feel like I could drive to the office with hardly any rest. So I called my boss to tell her I was going to take sick time so that I could rest better. She told me that she was still at home too, not feeling quite well herself.

And to make matters worse, there has been a wildfire that started some 10-15 miles northeast of where I live, and it was spreading because of the wind. This affected traffic on the highway 101, which made me glad that I didn’t go to the office; traffic was at a standstill (as I could see on my traffic app).

Hopefully I can go back to work tomorrow.

Feel Better.

Feel Better.

Thanks, I rested much better during the night and feel that I can go back to work today.

Thanks, I rested much better during the night and feel that I can go back to work today.
Please take good care in all you do.

Please take good care in all you do.

Thanks. Btw, I just spoke with my boss on the phone; she told me that the power is still out at the office, so I’m not going to leave the house just yet (as it would do me no good to report for work if there’s no power there). She’s gonna send a text to me (and my workmates) in a couple of hours to give us an update.

Thanks. Btw, I just spoke with my boss on the phone; she told me that the power is still out at the office, so I’m not going to leave the house just yet (as it would do me no good to report for work if there’s no power there). She’s gonna send a text to me (and my workmates) in a couple of hours to give us an update.
Are you in a position to work from home?

Are you in a position to work from home?

No. The power would still need to be on at the office, which it isn’t.

Thanks. Btw, I just spoke with my boss on the phone; she told me that the power is still out at the office, so I’m not going to leave the house just yet (as it would do me no good to report for work if there’s no power there). She’s gonna send a text to me (and my workmates) in a couple of hours to give us an update.


I noticed that they have been giving evacuation orders. I don't know how close you are. Please keep us informed of your staus.



Cat

I noticed that they have been giving evacuation orders. I don't know how close you are. Please keep us informed of your staus.



Cat
I have a relative nearby and she has reported on FB that she is safe.

I have a relative nearby and she has reported on FB that she is safe.


That's good.


Cat

I noticed that they have been giving evacuation orders. I don't know how close you are. Please keep us informed of your staus.



Cat

Thankfully, the blaze did NOT jump the highway 101 (which I live on the south side of). There’s still smoke in the air, however, but it ain’t as bad as it was yesterday.

I have a relative nearby and she has reported on FB that she is safe.

That's good.


Cat

A number of people who live near me have also marked themselves “safe.”

Thankfully, the blaze did NOT jump the highway 101 (which I live on the south side of). There’s still smoke in the air, however, but it ain’t as bad as it was yesterday.


That's good. Just keep up updated.


Cat

That's good. Just keep up updated.


Cat

Okay, I just received a text from my boss. She said that the power is still out at the office, and likely to remain that way for the rest of the day. Therefore, none of us are going to report for work today. However, tomorrow things should be better.

Okay, I just received a text from my boss. She said that the power is still out at the office, and likely to remain that way for the rest of the day. Therefore, none of us are going to report for work today. However, tomorrow things should be better.


Is the power out due to the fire?


Cat

Is the power out due to the fire?


Cat

No. Just the wind. Outage warnings were in effect in that area.

The fire is not affecting the area where I work. My office is a 27-mile drive from my house via highway 101.

Yesterday morning we were woken early by workmen in the street. They were working on the water supply pipe. We knew they were going to do the work at some point but not exactly when they were going to do it. They started about 5 am, at least that’s when they woke Dai up using some kind of circular saw. I woke later when some kind of banging started. I leapt up thinking Jean was trying to attract our attention.

In a sort of cruel irony this morning I was woken by a banging/knocking noise and this time it was Jean. She had fallen out of bed and cut her arm quite badly. We managed to patch her up temporarily and then Dai took her to the urgent care centre.

I am absolutely dead on my feet, after being woken at about 3.30. It was busy at work (I sent an ill team member home) and then we had to clean the bedroom, change bedding, wash clothes etc.

Hoping for a better day tomorrow

Yesterday morning we were woken early by workmen in the street. They were working on the water supply pipe. We knew they were going to do the work at some point but not exactly when they were going to do it. They started about 5 am, at least that’s when they woke Dai up using some kind of circular saw. I woke later when some kind of banging started. I leapt up thinking Jean was trying to attract our attention.

In a sort of cruel irony this morning I was woken by a banging/knocking noise and this time it was Jean. She had fallen out of bed and cut her arm quite badly. We managed to patch her up temporarily and then Dai took her to the urgent care centre.

I am absolutely dead on my feet, after being woken at about 3.30. It was busy at work (I sent an ill team member home) and then we had to clean the bedroom, change bedding, wash clothes etc.

Hoping for a better day tomorrow



Sorry you are having a rough day. When Carlos' dad came here and it was a few days before we could get him in a nursing home, I woke up some time in the middle of the night and could hear him calling for Carlos. I woke Carlos up. Come to find out, his dad fell out of bed. He ended up with a black eye and bruises on his face. I was worried that people would think we beat him up.


Cat

Busy day at work. Fridays are busy anyway because of the way the various timetables work and today there was only two of us to set up all the lessons.

Part way through the morning Dai messaged to say Jean has woken up in a lot of pain and was unable to move. An ambulance came to take her to hospital. Dai spent the day with her while they tried to work out what is wrong with her. She will be in hospital for a couple of days. They still hadn’t worked out quite what was going on when Dai came home.

Finally went back to work today. Power was back on at the office before I got in, so we could all do our work. O0

Finally went back to work today. Power was back on at the office before I got in, so we could all do our work. O0

Glad to hear that.

There is about to be a parade. The high school football team (the same team who helped me clean my basement & garage) won the state championship. My dear friend who is my massage therapist & chauffeur's son is on the team. She will probably be in the parade with all the other parents.


Cat

Part way through the morning Dai messaged to say Jean has woken up in a lot of pain and was unable to move. An ambulance came to take her to hospital. Dai spent the day with her while they tried to work out what is wrong with her. She will be in hospital for a couple of days. They still hadn’t worked out quite what was going on when Dai came home.


Oh my!  Sorry to hear this.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.  Please update us when you can.

There is about to be a parade. The high school football team (the same team who helped me clean my basement & garage) won the state championship. My dear friend who is my massage therapist & chauffeur's son is on the team. She will probably be in the parade with all the other parents.


O0 Very cool!

Busy day at work. Fridays are busy anyway because of the way the various timetables work and today there was only two of us to set up all the lessons.

Part way through the morning Dai messaged to say Jean has woken up in a lot of pain and was unable to move. An ambulance came to take her to hospital. Dai spent the day with her while they tried to work out what is wrong with her. She will be in hospital for a couple of days. They still hadn’t worked out quite what was going on when Dai came home.



(((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))


Cat

Oh my!  Sorry to hear this.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.  Please update us when you can.


Jean was moved to the Acute Frailty ward on Friday evening. When we visited yesterday she looked and sounded much brighter. While they haven’t worked out what caused the pain, she has been thoroughly checked over and she is being treated for the main health issues.

Today Dai went over and she had been moved to a general ward. She was a bit confused - thinking she had been in hospital for a week. The consultant will see her tomorrow and then speak to us about the next steps.

O0 Very cool!


Stupid me went out on the porch and as the majority of the fire trucks were coming, I remembered my camera. Rather than trying to find my good camera, I just grabbed my phone. Got most of it on video but missed all the fire trucks. It was actually pretty cool because the sun had already gone down and with all the red and blue lights flashing, it just lit up the town. And of course, everyone in town came out to cheer them on.

Whenever any of our high school teams win a championship, they always have a parade for them-even the bowling team which I didn't know we had until they won a championship.

This is one of the things I love about my small town.


Cat

About a month ago I bought a new rug to replace the one in my living room. It is over 20 years old and seen much better days. My friend was with me when I bought it and said that it is fluffier than mine. I told her that mine was fluffy 20 years ago.

Anyway, they are going to deliver it tomorrow. I asked about them helping me move the furniture. It would cost me an extra $100. Oy vey. I told them that I would figure something out. I asked my neighbor. He came over and we (mostly him) moved the furniture and rolled up the old rug waiting for them to come take it away. That turned out to be a good thing because the rug pad needed to be vacuumed before the new rug goes down.

I then told him that I wanted his help with moving a couple of dressers (Carlos') but I wasn't really ready. I took him upstairs to show him what I wanted and we decided to just do it today rather then sometime down the line.

One of Carlos' dressers was already empty and I emptied the other one today. I just have to go through the clothes. I guess it helped me to stop putting this off. I still have to go through his closet.

The funny thing is when we moved one dresser, there was a major hoard of cat toys.

It wasn't what I had planned to do today but I feel that I accomplished a lot-with my neighbor's help. I am so glad that I have a neighbor who is willing to help me.

Now, I have a bunch of clothes to go through. And the dresser is ready for my stepdaughter to come and get.


Cat

Spent the weekend with my family, we saw "Paddington in Peru", and we all enjoyed it. Spent Sunday looking for what would be a new television for me.

Spent the weekend with my family, we saw "Paddington in Peru", and we all enjoyed it. Spent Sunday looking for what would be a new television for me.

Splendid! O0

Splendid! O0
Thank you. The television will be delivered soon.

Thank you. The television will be delivered soon.


As will my rug.


Cat

As will my rug.


Cat
I hope the deliverymen do not get mixed up...  ;D

Thank you. The television will be delivered soon.

Nice. I received a new tv set as a birthday gift back in July.

I hope the deliverymen do not get mixed up...  ;D


They called to see if they can push it back until tomorrow. I said no because I don't like where everything is right now. It is hard for me to move. Once they deliver it, q can put the living room back in order.


Cat

They called to see if they can push it back until tomorrow. I said no because I don't like where everything is right now. It is hard for me to move. Once they deliver it, q can put the living room back in order.


Cat
Same with me for access in the television area, all clear now.

I love my new rug.  :)


Cat

I love my new rug.  :)


Cat
O0


The television will be delivered soon.
Today is the day!

My new television has arrived and been set up, I have to get use to the new remote, also, wait for the weekend for the television for some minor set ups.

I had been feeling discouraged because I haven't really seen any progress even though I have made quite a bit-the basement, garage, & attic. Now I finally see change. The new rug and the bedroom. I had been working on my cards/letters that I have received-purging and organizing the ones that I am keeping. It is just becoming too much that I decided to just stop and maybe start up again after the new year.

So, seeing the changes and not feeling weighed down by the cards/letters, I feel more motivated to work on other things. I looked through Carlos' closet even though I am not ready to deal with that yet because I have other things I need to do first and also his kids want to look through them. But what I found that I didn't know he had were a bunch of ties. Who knew?  :o. I think I only saw him wear a tie once-and that was before I even moved in with him. He didn't even wear one at our wedding.


Cat


Cat

Took Elvira to the vet today. I was wondering if I should make the ultimate decision. We started her on fluids a couple of weeks ago but I don't know if it is helping. She hasn't been eating and is nothing but skin & bones. She weighs 5 lb, 6 oz. (I would love to give her some of Minerva's weight because she has more than enough for 2 cats). She is 18 and has lived a long life.

I decided to put off the inevitable a little while longer. She was given fluids & pain meds. She came home with the meds as well as an appetite stimulate. I know she will cross the Rainbow Bridge soon but I would prefer if she makes the choice of when than I.


Cat

Gotta start my packing tonight.

Took Elvira to the vet today. I was wondering if I should make the ultimate decision. We started her on fluids a couple of weeks ago but I don't know if it is helping. She hasn't been eating and is nothing but skin & bones. She weighs 5 lb, 6 oz. (I would love to give her some of Minerva's weight because she has more than enough for 2 cats). She is 18 and has lived a long life.

I decided to put off the inevitable a little while longer. She was given fluids & pain meds. She came home with the meds as well as an appetite stimulate. I know she will cross the Rainbow Bridge soon but I would prefer if she makes the choice of when than I.


Cat


(((hugs)))

Took Elvira to the vet today. I was wondering if I should make the ultimate decision. We started her on fluids a couple of weeks ago but I don't know if it is helping. She hasn't been eating and is nothing but skin & bones. She weighs 5 lb, 6 oz. (I would love to give her some of Minerva's weight because she has more than enough for 2 cats). She is 18 and has lived a long life.

I decided to put off the inevitable a little while longer. She was given fluids & pain meds. She came home with the meds as well as an appetite stimulate. I know she will cross the Rainbow Bridge soon but I would prefer if she makes the choice of when than I.


Cat

Wishing you the best. I know this is hard for you.

Got everything done at work today that I needed to do so that nothing is still unfinished before I leave for my vacation trip tomorrow.

I am now all packed except for the “last minute” items I will need to insert into my luggage tomorrow: mainly electronic items (phone charger, FitBit charger, and adapter).

Took Elvira to the vet today. I was wondering if I should make the ultimate decision. We started her on fluids a couple of weeks ago but I don't know if it is helping. She hasn't been eating and is nothing but skin & bones. She weighs 5 lb, 6 oz. (I would love to give her some of Minerva's weight because she has more than enough for 2 cats). She is 18 and has lived a long life.

I decided to put off the inevitable a little while longer. She was given fluids & pain meds. She came home with the meds as well as an appetite stimulate. I know she will cross the Rainbow Bridge soon but I would prefer if she makes the choice of when than I.

Cat


Oh my - so sorry to hear this.

Oh my - so sorry to hear this.


Everyday I wake up surprised she is still here and alert. Today she ate 3 bites. That is 3 more than she ate yesterday.


Cat

On Thursday students at the school where I work organised an Arts Night. Dai and I went along for a while. We watched an excerpt from the show performed in Edinburgh in the summer, some singing, a poetry recital, someone playing the harp plus displays from various student artists and the knitting club.

My town has an annual street fair that is happening at the moment. It takes over the town centre with rides and stalls. Dai and I went yesterday to walk round and take in the atmosphere. We also went on the dodgems and the carousel. We also had a nice meal in a Syrian restaurant.

So the flight from LAX to Reno went well; right now we are visiting our cousin at his home and having a nice time. Pretty soon we will have to check into the hotel.

Elvira has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  :\'( :\'( :\'(


Cat

Elvira has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  :\'( :\'( :\'(


Cat


So sorry to hear this.  :\'(

Elvira has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  :\'( :\'( :\'(


So sorry for your loss, Cat

Elvira has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  :\'( :\'( :\'(


Cat

So sorry, Cat. :\'( my condolences.

Elvira has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  :\'( :\'( :\'(


Cat


So sorry to hear this

Elvira has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  :\'( :\'( :\'(


Cat
Sorry to hear this news.

Elvira has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  :\'( :\'( :\'(


Cat

I'm sorry to hear this.  :\'(

So far we’ve had a great time away; more details to come later on.

It snowed here in London this morning, did not lay, but still is freezing. Snow has stay on the ground to the north, Karen may have some? I was out in the cold this morning on a family errand, now I am back home, and where is my tea?

Woke up to snow on the ground yesterday, although it was turning a bit slushy the time I was walking to work. It is still in the sheltered corner of the garden.

We drove to the hospital to visit Dai’s mum. The physiotherapist had called Dai during the day to talk about the process of Jean coming home. She is nearly strong enough to come home, but only with outside support which takes time to set up.

When we got to the hospital Jean told us she was coming out today and was very disappointed when we told her that wasn’t happening. Dai spoke to one of the nurses and they said she may have to go to recuperate further in a different hospital to free up the more acute bed. We didn’t tell Jean this, but will wait until we know definite plans.

And so, after having a nice time in Reno (more details later), we’re gonna be flying back home today.

And so, after having a nice time in Reno (more details later), we’re gonna be flying back home today.


Glad you had a great trip

Dai’s mum is coming home from the hospital today. She will have a carer coming round twice a day to help her wash and dress etc.

Glad you had a great trip

Thanks! :)

Okay, details of my trip that began last week and ended in the middle of this week:

Saturday: Got up very early to drive down to LAX and fly to Reno. Once we landed in Reno, we found the place to pick up the rental car; then we drove to the house where my mom's cousin and his wife live. The cousin's wife has been very close friends with my mom since they were teenagers; in fact, they went to high school together. They also invited two other classmates of theirs (a woman and a man) who lived fairly close (although one actually lives in Portola, which is on the California side of the California-Nevada border) to come over and have lunch with us. So we had a mini-gathering; it was lots of fun. We also met the couple's two dogs - four-month-old Springer Spaniel pups - and played with them. Later on, my parents & I checked into the hotel.

Sunday: One of my dad's cousins (and her hubby; they live near Lake Tahoe) joined us for lunch at the BJ's restaurant. Hours later, we went back to my mom's cousin's house and spent several hours there. The couple's two grown kids (a daughter and a son, my second cousins, whom I was very close with when I was growing up) later came over for a gathering, and brought their respective kids along. (The younger second-cousin, namely the son, is married to a woman who is the same age as me; they have a daughter who is now 13; and the last time I saw her, she was a baby. The other second-cousin was briefly married during the early 2000s and had a son who is now 22.) We all had lots of fun together. In fact, I hadn't even seen these cousins in several years, so I enjoyed their company.

Monday: My mom and her cousin-in-law spent the day at the spa; while I went with the cousin and my dad to areas near Reno, such as Carson City (the capital city of Nevada) and Virginia City (a historical town situated on a hill). It was very cold in these areas. We had lunch together at a restaurant in southern Reno. Then in the evening, the five of us went out to an Italian eatery, with my mom treating us.

Tuesday: We spent the day at the cousin's house. They had a collection of jigsaw puzzles, so I spent a few hours putting one of those together (with a little assistance from the other people). Later on, the five of us went to a barbecue restaurant to have an early celebration for my mom's birthday and that of her cousin-in-law (they were born four days apart).

Wednesday: we turned in our rental car, had some lunch at the airport as we waited for our flight, then flew home. Our flight lasted only an hour and a half. When we got back into L.A., we drove home via Pacific Coast Highway, but even that had its share of afternoon traffic, so we got home in the early evening.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I will need to finish up my end-of-month duties at work because the next day is the Thanksgiving holiday, and our office will be closed on Friday. So far this week, we have been on task with getting things done for the month.

Greetings friends from Indiana!

Greetings friends from Indiana!

Aha, you must be traveling! I hope you got there safely. :)

Greetings friends from Indiana!


Hope you're having a safe trip with you and your family. :)

Finished everything I needed to do at the office for the month of November. Now concentrating on the upcoming holiday weekend. (Gonna go to a relative’s place for Thanksgiving and spend a couple days there.)

Greetings from Paso Robles, CA! It took us only 3+ hours to get here, with a stop at a Starbucks for a snack/stretch break.

Greetings from Paso Robles, CA! It took us only 3+ hours to get here, with a stop at a Starbucks for a snack/stretch break.


I’ve been to Paso Robles. We drove down the coast from Monterey and then turned inland for Paso roble before heading north to Sam Francisco (not all in one day of course)

When we checked in at the hotel reception I remember the receptionist apologised because the wine tasting didn’t start for another half hour. Given we didn’t know there was going to be a wine tasting session her apology was totally unnecessary!

We have had the school inspectors in at work for the past three days. We had a brief visit so they could check our chemical stores and paperwork. None of the technicians were asked for interview this time (they like to check knowledge of child safety law, bullying policy and related matters).

At home we have been trying to settle into the new normal of carers visiting twice a day to help Jean. The problem is the timing is a bit random, especially in the evening. More than once they have turned up immediately after we have finished eating. Last night we decided to start dinner earlier than normal, and they still turned up before we had finished our post-dinner cup of tea!

Greetings from Paso Robles, CA! It took us only 3+ hours to get here, with a stop at a Starbucks for a snack/stretch break.


Enjoy your vacation.

Enjoy your vacation.

Thanks. We had a great dinner with my cousin and his partner, spent time hanging out with them yesterday; and this morning after we eat breakfast we’re gonna drive home.

Dai and I drove to a country park (looks to have been grounds of a Manor House once) for an orienteering event today. It was a nice little run round.

Afterwards we went for lunch. We had planned (but not booked) to go to a pub in a village on the way home, but it didn’t have any tables available. Instead we drove to a nearby town and found a small Italian restaurant. I had a lovely pizza and salad.