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We had a fab weekend in Brussels and my colleagues didn't annoy me too much! I do love them and we are all good friends, but I wasn't sure about a group trip away.
Congrats Meldy. Home Secretary?
Well Frankie a little better and Dad still hanging on just........
JFF, I know what you mean re time off but it's exam season......at least it keeps me occupied!
Flying through. Just wanted to check that Podds is OK and that they've called off the general election after M.eldy's promotion.
I'm in Symonds Yat. It's not often I get to say that.
More time tomorrow will pop in then.
Happy sunny week.
(((Podds))) you are in our thoughts.
Symonds Yat eh DL? You do go to the most exotic places
After much swearing, several frustrating conversations with BT, more hours than I care to mention and, finally, discovering that the phone socket in the lounge is broken, we managed to get the phone and broadband working. No direct TV as yet - cos it is in the lounge and the 'hub' is currently in the hall. Nevertheless, I do feel happier now that I can contacts people more easily
TM today, then Eaters' club this evening - what an exciting life I lead!
(((WIN)))
WAIST well xx
(((((Podds)))) What a tough time for you. Waiting for someone to depart who is ready to go and hates lingering, is one of the hardest things there is. Had it with my mum. One reason Mr C. is determined to die in NL where people do have the choice if they want it. And Frankie at the same time means there is anxiety and grief at home too. Be very kind to yourself in these rough times, they take an awful lot out of you. Thinking very much of you all. xxx
On a brighter note: Sluggie, how nice that you have your own internet again! It's only when you haven't got it that you realise how much we depend on it. But sounds like the cats have settled well (I agree with Meldy (of course!): keep them in until they are really at home) and the issue of neighbour noise is, well, not an issue. It always takes a while, tho, to get used to the different distribution of storage and workspace!
Yums, thanks for the sociable summary. You have all my sympathy for the work changes. They're awful. Hope whatever is 'new' on the 15th is at least tolerable. In this environment a bit of menopausal 'attitude' is probably an asset!
MC, from where you are, jumping ship is a GREAT idea. I was really grateful to WAISters who encouraged me to make a move, and they were totally right. You have worked so hard, against such odds, something new will be really refreshing. Let us know how it develops.
WOOHOOO!!!!! MELDY RULES!!!! (now, THERE is a scary thought ;-) Big congrats, your Mildness. They couldn't have chosen anyone better to promote! Will the new position involve more honour and money, or just more work? ;-)
Oops, guest just arriving, back later! xxx
podds - thoughts are with you and your family
arghhh I am so fed up and frustrated at work, seems like every day something else happens. Don't think I can just hand my notice in with nothing to go to, but now that I am feeling better generally I need to really put myself to work to get out. Resignation date is coming up, so I am not likely to be able to leave this summer unfortunately
oh well, the year 11s are about to leave - only a few lessons left with them
((((waisters with crappy jobs))))))))) Be glad Meldy isn't your new boss!!
I'm in the middle of an unusually busy and unusually crap week. Tis marking season here, I'm having to take at least one person through an academic misconduct panel, my own final assessment for my work qualification was due in on Wednesday (I made it, just), the car has been in the garage for a week and cost £500 and STILL won't feckin start, Mr Cheery has twanged something in his leg trying to push the damn thing down the road and is now invalided on the sofa.
Hey ho. The world keeps turning I suppose. Next thing is a good kip, then yet more marking, and the garage man has reluctantly conceded to come to my feckin house in the morning to sort the car out (he said 'could you just nip over and drop the keys in' - er NO!)
morning all - cuppa tea Daffs?
MC hopefully things will be a bit easier when the Y11's go
we always knew Meldy was in charge anyway
hoorah for Fridays! went to running club yesterday, bit soon after a marathon for intervals, but I really enjoy the session
and we finished with some abs exercises - I'm sure there are some abs in there somewhere.........
hope noone is effected by the cyber attack on the nhs! What a nightmare
normally have a run on Friday evenings, but got home feeling a bit crappy, probably need a good night's sleep
it is mum's birthday on Sunday, but we are meeting for birthday cake tomorrow. Last year on her birthday we had cake, and it was just a few days before her op - so a year on and she is still here
((((Podds)))) Hope things are settling a bit
(((MC))) Nearly half term !??
Have had a busy week, a very musical social life and the lurgy. We are having a restructure at work which no-one is allowed to talk about but will mean I will be working North rather than South (on the whole) from Monday. In the middle of all that we went to see Take That last weekend, Ward Thomas on Tuesday and Imelda May last night. I have also managed to succumb to the lurgy OH had a few weeks ago - flu like symptoms with an all over body rash.
So much for my plans to run this weekend!
Happy Sunday
((((podds))) Is it me or is losing a beloved pet more difficult to bear than an aged parent? I always remember darling Frankie as being a handsome chap but what really hit home when I visited you earlier this year is :-(his eyes. It was as though I could see into his soul. Of all the hounds I have known I have never seen wheat I saw in Frankie's eyes. It sounds ridiculous but i saw wisdom and kindness. i know how special he is to you and I always think of your boys as though they are my own. Tough enough to bear but with daddy Podds also in his twilight it's a terribly tough time for you :-(
Bewtiful picture of hound and hoss there, Podds xx
MC, its good that you have decided that you need to leave teaching. All you need now is a plan! I can't imagine many jobs where oldies of 67 are able to carry on full time. In an ideal world we'd all have a plan B where we didn't have to work until we drop.
Thats a fab marafun time, Mrs fast fast :-) Accountants not rich ? Are you sure :-) Some lovely pics of your mummy on FB :-)
Sluggy, ignore Emess regarding Alfie. You can't take any chances letting him out too soon. On the other hand let Emess out whenever you like as its a risk worth taking :-)
M....eldy must be firkin royalty by now she's been promoted. Well done, m...eldy. Thoroughly deserved i'm sure. The FGO and GPO will expect better living standards :-)
DL, that a lot of shows and socialising and the lurgi is clearly payback for all that fun. Will you ever be allowed to talk of your restructure or will is forever be a secret ? Will working more oop norf be better for you ?
This week I have mainly had the major hump. Words fail me regarding the work restructure. A very abreviated version is my team's work is moving to London but the staff are not. Only myself and my boss are being held back to train the new team and continue the work until they are ready to take over. After stewing for several days I decided to stick my head above the parapit and write to the boss three times removed. I pointed out I was worried about the impact this would have on my wellbeing and that it was ironic this is happening during mental health awareness week. We met. She failed to adress my concerns or offer me any crumb of comfort/encouragement in relation to the fact there are now two of us doing the work of 6 and training the new team of... 6 oh and I can commute to london 1 day a week. No enquiry about my personal circumstances or ability to do this. She admitted it would be difficult - no shit sherlock! its two months initially but she manouvered like a polititian when I tried to get her to tell me what happens in 2 months I am really upset that i've been royally dumped on and there seems there is nothing can do to safeguard my own wellbeing. I reckon it takes about a year to become competent in the role so two months is highly likely to run on and on. I had to bite my tongue hard whe nshe said all the team leaders agreed to this. What she doesn't know is they did so because none of them wanted it and my boss was desperate to get rid of it due to the high workload and complexity.
To round off the week no 1 lost his job because he wasn't confident enogh on the phone. :-( He'd tried so hard to get a job :-(
Sorry to blither on about stuff which is small in compariosn to others difficulties.
WAIST well my lovelies
podds - what a lovely picture
2 weeks left till half term .....
It seems that life is throwing a lot of carp at my lovely WAISTermates
(((Podds))) please look after yourself, this must be so hard for you. Yums is right in saying that the loss of a beloved animal often hits harder than that of an aged parent. My BFF's mum died at the end of last year and 2 cats earlier this year - the cats have far more impact on her daily life.
(((Yums))) I think your work has been restructured ever since I have known you, I'm sorry that the carp is ongoing
DL, sorry that you are playing host to the lurgy. I do hope the change in w*rk arrangements makes things easier for you - although I'm afraid I doubt it!
Mc, keep planning and working towards your goal and the time will whizz by - it's hard to imagine that it is nearly June already!
We saw SB for a few hours today - a uni friend got married in Dorchester and SB broke his journey back to London to stop off and see us. Just long enough to have a look at the flat, a bite to eat and a visit to SM
(((WIN)))
WAIST well xxx
MC everything about DL is weird not just sitting nect to her at an Imelda May performance :-)
How lovely to see SB, Sluggy. Even lovlier that he managed to pop in to see SM. Im sure she must get something from it even if it isn't obvious. Did he like the flat so much he's moving back in :-)
I have everything in writing regarding the work situation just in case I need it.
Daffs, sounds like a pigging week, what with one thing and another. But it also sounds as if, slowly but surely, you're getting what needs to be done, done, so hopefully once this week is over things will be easier.
JFF, hats off to you, getting back to intervals so soon. And after that amazingly stylish finishing photo from your marathon!
MC, it's an awful drag when work is so draining. Been there, done that, and all I can say is that you are right to get out of it as soon as you realistically can. Maybe as someone said it will lighten up after the Y 11's, but you've been feeling increasingly unhappy for a long time so get on with your planning. You deserve better out of life than this.
DL, I really hope 'more work in the north' does not translate to 'more and longer travels'. And hope you've got rid of that lurgy, too. It drags you down mentally as well as physically.
Sluggie, so nice that SB has seen you ensconced in your new place. And nice for you to be able to see him there too. Is it starting to feel like home yet?
((((((Podds)))) wot everyone else said. It's very hard with your dad, and the more so because you are having to spend so much energy on travel. And then Frankie...as others have said, in a way a pet is almost more poignant than a person, especially one who has been part of daily life. Remember to get some rest whenever you can, because this is pretty draining on all fronts. Lots of supportive thoughts are with you. xxx
((((((Yums)))) The situation at work sounds horrible, and even worse because it seems that nobody in the hierarchy is taking any responsibility either for the personal wellbeing of staff or for realistic business planning. It's grossly unfair to put you in this kind of position, especially with a completely unknown future. And then to have no. 1 lost his job---because he wasn't confident enough? As if the way you help a kid to become more confident is to give him the push? Couldn't someone just have given him a bit of coaching to help him develop the confidence?? Sounds like a very harsh and discouraging time round at Yummy Towers; and while you know things will work out, that's no comfort right now. All I can do is send you lots of strengthening vibes. ((((Yums))))
Bit of peace here after a frantic first week. Nice to have time to get the garden in order etc. We are all sweating for C1, who had his final interview last week and is waiting to hear if he got the place or not. It would be a huge leg up if he did so fingers very crossed. Meanwhile C1 was trekking to Everest Base Camp and hurt her ankle en route. She refused to quit, despite medical advice, and hiked another 2 days up and 5 days down. When she got to the hospital in Katmandu she found she had been walking on a broken ankle. She's also picked up some interesting Tibetan tummy bug. But she made it, which she was determined to do, and at least she's back down and able to go on for another couple of weeks with friends for the rest of her holiday. I don't know whether she is admirably courageous or just totally bonkers. Maybe both!
Blimey kids some right rotten lot going on ?? Once I am PM I shall ensure you all get to work with puppies and kittens and get a pay rise. Talking of pay rises, it appears that is one thing that I do not get. more work. more responsibility and a load of shite shifts but the money stays the same ..
POdds that is indeed a handsome neddy .. more so than mine at the moment who looks like a bison mid moult! (smells like one too)
Sluggy, I am not sure why you keep he hub in the halld, surely him and the cats have the run of the house by now ? :-)
Yums, all sounds very trying, we too have the dreaded restructure in the next 9-12 months or so hence the acting positions that are coming up of which I have one that will eventually just become permanent, at least we don't have to work oop Norf like DL tho
MC if you cant resign with nothing to go to then why not resign and find a gap filler for a few months so you can have a bit of a breather before deciding on the next step ?
DL. a couple of pals went to see Ward Thomas, you may or may not be interested but there is a country music week planned in London first week in October with a million venues and acts and all sorts, looks a fair few acts coming over for it too !
Chuggy, BC is on my wish list, to be honest the top would be on my wish list too but I don't think I have a spare 30k sitting around or whatever it costs these days .. but yes, I suspect bonkers is in the genes ;-)
had a lovely weekend with some pirate elders, a nice girly weekend with a walk through Bushy Park, a pub lunch and an evening shouting at Eurovision on the telly ... coming back to 3 night shifts however was not the icing on the cake. Still I am off after tonight for nearly a week and I have a wedding to go to on Saturday
morning all
all fingers and toes crossed for C2 or was it C3? for the interview results!! and C3 is definitely bonkers- but well done!
err Melds that's a great new job then, extra responsibility for the same money...
(((Podds))) yes pets are so much a part of our life that losing one is such a blow - we are dreading when the time comes for our Emmy dog, she is looking very old now and she is very much loved. The loss of a parent though - well for me it's been devastating, I've got on with normal life but am still grieving over a year on and it doesn't really seem to be getting easier
I like that we can be open with our feeling here without judgement too
Yums that is very sad about no.1's job. I remember when I started work I had a real issue with the phone and I think that's the case for a lot of youngsters, really sad he wasn't given the time to gain confidence. Your job situation sounds carp! good for you for addressing the issue - and when people walk, or go off sick with stress will it bring it home - probably not in my experience!
DL you are a social butterfly!
I was off work yesterday for meetings regarding my Mum - the care system and funding our care is a minefield. Note to all of us to think about wills and forward thinking about our finances in old age!
gosh I sound a bit serious today! hopefully will get off work in time for club run this evening and I hope it stops raining
Just popping in to say Dad died at 2am on Monday morning - but it was by far and the best thing to happen. Given his quality of life in the last 6 weeks or so I could never wish him back again.
So hey ho, back off to France in the aged car at the weekend for the funeral and fingers crossed it doesn't break down on me in the middle of nowhere.........my mechanical French is somewhat lacking!!
Will be interesting to see how the exams go without me there! Am working stupid hours now to leave everything as ready as possible and sheets of instructions too
Aww Yums - what a beautiful thing to say about Frankie....... but you are absolutely right, there is something more to Frankie than other dogs
I think it will be more devastating when he goes............I guess because he's part of my daily life whereas Dad has always been more distant, especially in the 20 odd years he's been living in France and also we know and expect our parents to die but losing a pet is more akin to losing a child in the sense that we have fed and watered and cared etc for them in a similar way to a child
But enough of the introspection - way too busy!!
And Yumbly - you haven't forgotten the 27th have you?
(((((( to all the WAISTers with crap in their lives)))))))))) and special boo hiss to silly MiniYums 1 exboss for being such a plonker as to let go first rather than making some attempt at training and support...
(((Podds))) I am sorry that you have lost your dad - whilst also being glad that his suffering is over. I hope your car holds up for the journey at the weekend and that things go as well as possible. I know exectly what you mean about the loss of a beloved animal companion too
(((Yums))) it is high time that life started giving you more than lemons!
Meldy, I'm sorry that the promotion doesn't come with a pay rise, I hope that it does secure your job for a while to come.
(((Jenni))) I know that you were very close to your parents and intimately involved with their daily life. I think that is why your loss has hit you so hard - as opposed to a parent that is seen/heard from only occasionally (as with my MIL). I'm sorry that you are also wading through the carp that comes with trying to sort out funding for ongoing care
Meldy, trust you to deliberately misunderstand. I certainly haven't confined MS to the hall - he has not yet been let out of the bathroom!
Chuggy, how typical of C1 to be somewhere remote! Also to carry on despite being unwell/injured. I'm glad that she is OK and agree that she is a real chip off the maternal block. I'm not sure whether it is C2 or C3 who needs the vibes so I will send them in your general direction ~~~~
It's a strange situation with SM - whilst it breaks my heart to see how little is left of the person she was, she is happy and lives in the moment (cos that's all she has now). Who am I to say that her life is not worth living?
Have not long returned from choir, that always makes me
(((WIN)))
WAIST well xxx
chugs - everest base camp and a broken ankle? c1 must be bonkers!
(((Podds))) so sorry for your loss. I hope the journey and the funeral go well
yes Sluggy that's exactly it with dementia - sometimes that loss of the person becomes a relief because they lose the frustration and confusion and just live in the moment. I have times when I know my Mum would hate to see what she has become and would not want this life - but then she is comfortable and cared for and shows affection. as you say, who are we to say its a not a life worth living. I think we would feel very different if they were in a lot of pain.
work is busy but at least my boss is on holiday
(((Podds))) I remember MIL asking family if they could end things for her. It's so hard to watch them suffering and do little/nothing to help
SM was quite bright today (despite having been in a foul mood, I was told by staff). I had been there - chatting, feeding her chocolate and holding her hand - for about 45 minutes when she suddenly turned to me, smiled and said 'Oh! Lynda is here'. I can't remember when she last used my name.
We are still having IT problems. A BT engineer was supposed to have visited this arvo (so I went over to see SM on my own) but didn't turn up. MS is now hanging on the phone - again - to speak to someone at BT. Again
I tried to call my credit card provider today. I got through the automated stuff and then got a message saying 'The building has been evacuated, please call later'
(((WIN)))
WAIST well xxx
Podds, very sad to hear about your father. In his situation it sounds as if it really was best for him, That's why Mr. C. is determined he's going to die in NL: if you get to that point in NL you can choose to be helped on your way if, but only if, you want it. And even if your father wasn't close at hand, he's kind of like a big mountain on the skyline: even if you don't look directly at it that often, it's always there, and part of the picture of the world. When you lose jim, the world changes permanently.
And FarFar, for people like you or me who were emotionally close to our parents, losing one is one of the deepest personal bereavements you can have. I'm not sure you ever entirely get over it. My mum died 31 years ago: incredible to write it, because it still seems such a recent loss, and the grief can still jump out at me at times. So I think it's normal for you still to be feeling it very keenly.
Sluggie, it's lovely that your mum is settled, comfortable and able to enjoy the moment in whatever way works for her now. It must be such a load off you to know that she is safe and well cared for, and that her current situation is one that makes her happy now. And how lovely that she had a moment, at least, of knowing you by name.
Meldy, I don't know how you fit work in around your social life! And it seems quite unfair that you get more work and more responsibility but no more money---maybe the move will open doors for you in future?
After 3 days of hot weather the rain has arrived, as forecast, so we are meeting friends for lunch to cheer ourselves up. Still sweating it out with C3 so vibes much appreciated. Must dash, but hope it's a peaceful and happy day for all WAISters---we seem to be in the wars just now, so look after yourselves! xxx
(((((Podds))))
(((lots of other WAISTers suffering loss of family, work stress, getting older and not always coping of loved ones, Kids not getting the support or recognition they deserve, and life in general)))))
Oooh MC same door, same area for Imelda May. People next to us weren't too jolly Don't think it was you! What a fab concert though! M.eldy - I shall look out for the London C&W thing.
I still have lingering lurgy - now just itchy hands and feet and a cold that won't come to a head. Restructure has finally been announced so can start to get on with things again. North may mean less travel though there is a very North school in Banff that may require a plane to get there!
Three mices have met their fate this week. All at about 3.30 am on consecutive nights. I'm failing to see the funny side of the situation.
Happy Thursday - hope it brings some relief
oh Podds that is sad
we had the same with Mr FF's Dad - he was ready to go and we just had to wait for his body to let go, very stressful. Look after yourself and do whatever makes you feel better
I'm currenty working at home after a meeting at a local site. There is a big doggy trying to eat my coat pocket - grrrr (yes its the treats pocket)