Morning all.

Shad – Great idea to get a start on the baby’s education fund. These days students carry so much debt as a result of their studies. What a huge burden to start out with in life. I attended college in town, so I lived at home and saved a bundle that way and was fortunate to not have a staggering debt upon graduation, and also fortunate to have a good-paying job to go to. My situation w/ budget vs. actual is starting to make my eyes glaze over too because after several hours over a couple days, I’m still not sure what’s causing the entire variance! Aargh. Sad situation w/ the unions – those rules re hours came about for safety reasons and it’s not a good thing to ignore them… Thanks for sharing Mel’s message.

Michelle – You must be so worried about dh! I hope the CT scan gets to the bottom of it, and he can be put on the right regimen to eradicate whatever is going on in his lungs. I definitely agree about getting him to a specialist if there is trouble with a diagnosis! Good luck with your transition at work!!

Annie – Sorry you’re finding jury duty so boring. Hope Curtis is feeling better.

Mel – So your recovery is “great”, “considering the circumstances” – so what are those, may I ask?? What they should be is that your recovery comes first and nothing else!!! So forget about everything else and make sure you’re getting your REST and ABSOLUTELY NO RUSHING ANYTHING!! Got that?? Next time you get the rolling pin, LOL.

Ceejay – Looks like you’ve been crunching the numbers. You must be so excited! Just don’t cut to close to the bone with the budget. Having to replace your car or even a major repair bill could really put you in a tight spot. And of course things never get less expensive…. If you could swing it, and maybe just work part time, that would be so awesome for you.

Hi Happy!

==
As I mentioned to Shad, the @#$% budget to actual analysis is driving me nuts, and my accounting contact is not very helpful – and he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer either. And he's not returning my phone calls either. Yes, this is one of the unpleasant parts of my job. At this point, I just want to focus on the software project.

Nothing much going on at home. Our last cable/internet/phone bill jumped up quite a bit so bf got on the phone with them and worked out some discounts. We’ll also get some good savings by giving up two additional cable boxes/receivers that currently get little use. They will be replaced with free digital adapters that will apparently give us a good number of channels that will suffice for these tv’s (one in the basement, the other in the bedroom). We might also buy our own modem instead of “renting” the cable company’s.

I'm about 3/4 done with the book club book, but it's been slow going. It didn't really get okay for me until after the halfway point. I'm looking forward to just finishing it, and hoping the ending is satisfactory. I'm also looking forward to borrowing the dvd of the movie and seeing how I like it.

Our book club is approaching it's 5th year, and so an anniversary party is scheduled for the next club gathering after this one. How time flies.

Tonight is Pilates. My salon phoned to confirm my appointment - set for tonight, oops - so I had to reschedule. Dang. it's not til the 9th. I should have some good roots showing by then, lol. Not that I can properly judge - it's the silver and gray ones that really show up in the light and look like more than they actually are...I hope that's the way it is, haha. Being taller than a lot of people helps too.

Okay, enough rambling. Back to the drudgery. Reference Wednesday on the Snoopy work week.

Hey girls, just checking in. Jury duty was a bit more exciting...the lawyers were actually angry at each other, lots of OBJECTION...may I approach the bench judge..from the lawyers.....I wish I could tell you about it...can't wait till next week so I can. I am extremely exhausted when I get home from court every day. I think it is mentally exhausting, plus sitting in the jury box and HAVING to pay attention at all times. And take notes too! Shuweeeeeeee!

Love and hugs,

Good morning ladies -

Looks like I'll be doing online Java training all day today, most of tomorrow and nearly all of next week. I'm realizing my skills are rustier than I thought, and I have to be able to "hit the ground running" on Feb. 6. I asked if I could go to an off-site, week-long training, but there's not enough in the training budget for that.

DH and I are hoping that he gets some answers today at the doctor's office. If not, it's time to call in the specialists.


***********************************

Mellie - I actually hope you're not reading this because you need to be resting. Get well soon, sweet sista.

Laura - Glad you got some discounts on your cable/internet/phone bill. I've been trying to figure out how we can get discounts...Maybe I'll just have to call them like your bf did. I hope the accountant is more helpful today. Happy anniversary to your book club! I hope you had a good time at Pilates. I loved the Snoopy Work Week!

Annie - Glad that JD is getting less boring...but I totally understand how mentally exhausting it is.

A big to everyone!

Love and hugs to all,

Morning all.

Annie - Glad the trial got more interesting. Taking notes is something I do to keep me busy during meetings, otherwise, yup, it'd be tough to just sit and pay attention. Can't wait to hear about it next week!

Michelle - Wow, that's a lot of training. And online - I'm not a big fan of that style of training. Especially for such a long period of time. I hope it does the job in refreshing those skills. Yeh, definitely phone the cable co. and see what they can do for you! Can't hurt. The accountant finally returned my calls (he was out), and he did help me, so I think I'm finally done with that yucky task. Whoo!

Hellos to the rest of the Worldlies.
--
Nothing much to report. Pilates was fine, but the classroom was very cold. I kept my hoodie on the whole time, and my socks. Afterwards I had a chill that wouldn't go away until I bundled up in PJs, robe, socks, slippers, and fleece throw.

That's about it, so I'll post and get back to work. Hasta la vista!

Morning
I went to bed with a sinus headache and woke up with one--ugh---probably due to the giant weather system coming in from the gulf.
This is my four day week end and I'm so ready for it. Two major task set for this week end and that is to clean both the fridge and oven. But if my headache isn't better I'm not doing either one.

Annie
Sounds like you are getting into the court drama now.

Michelle
wow didn't know that there was online classes for Java script. Hope the dh is feeling better.

Laura
Wow 5 years with the book club! Are you through with the "balancing act" as I call it. That has to be a night mare. Believe me I'm not going to rush into any retirement. I'm going to talk to my sis some more when I go for a visit in March and after I talk to the SS office.

My headache seem to be leaving. so it's on with my day.

Hey girls....

FINALLY both sides rest their cases....the jury does not have to be there till 10:30 tomorrow for closing statements....then deliberations...I think we are pretty much in agreement so far...hopefully it will remain the same and it will be over quickly....I am busting at the seams to tell you the specifics....Kripe......secrets suck.

Hope everyone is have a marvelous week...I loves you and hope you all are doing great...especially MELLIE...FEEL BETTER my sweet sister.

Loves and Hugs

Today's medical news:
I AM SO VERY HAPPY TO HEAR YOUR GOOD NEWS. UT I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD THE SAME CHOICE WORDS THAT YOU HAD THOUGH!! LOL
PRAYING EVERYTHING GOES WELL FOR MOM AND THE BABE.
I KNOW IT'S A SCARY TIME AT THIS STAGE OF LIFE. BUT WE WILL THINK GOOD THOUGHTS AND PASS THEM ALONG.
I CAN JUST SEE YOU AS A GRANDMA!!!!
GREAT IDEA FOR THE FUNDS. I CAN SEE WHERE THE NEW DAD WOULD BE VERY CAUTIOUS. HE HASN'T GOTTEN THIS FAR WITHOUT SOME GOOD COMMON SENSE FROM YOU!!!

WHEN IS THIS BABY DUE??? I MUST SAVE UP!!! LOL

THE RECOVERY HERE IS AT A SNAIL'S PACE. YOU CAN IMAGINE MY PATIENCE IS RUNNING LOW BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SHUT UP, KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED AND REST. THE PAIN LESSENS EVERY DAY AND THE DR IS HAPPY. I AM TOO BUT TIRED OF PAIN AND SHORT BREATHS. THE HOLD UP IS THAT I AM A SHALLOW BREATHER DUE TO THE CHAIR. THEN THE FLUID FROM THE PNEUMONIA EXPANDED MY LOWE LUNGS AND HURT THEM. THERE ARE NO MEDS FOR THIS PART OTHER THAN PAIN MEDS AND I CAN'T TAKE THEM ALL DAY DUE TO "CLOGITIS OF THE BLOW HOLE" SO I TAKE ONE TO BE ABLE TO SLEEP IN PEACE AND JUST REMAIN QUIET DURING THE DAY.

THE BLDG IS A MESS. TENANT'S ARE TELLING JEN EVERYTHING. THE OFFICE IS AT IT'S MOST DISFUNCTIONAL. BUT.......BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT IT ON THE BACK BURNER AND NOT LIFT A FINGER OR A PHONE. I WISH I COULD SAY IT WAS ALL WILL POWER BUT IT'S THE PAIN KEEPING ME IN CHECK. ANY UPSET OR EXCITEMENT AND I CAN'T BREATHE!!!! ROFLMAO THAT'S HOW I'VE BEEN SUCH A GOOD GIRL.

AFTER THE RECOVERY I HAVE TO FIND AN OB/GYN. I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS AND MAY NEED AN OPERATION. THE SPOTTING CONTINUES HEAVY AND LIGHT AND DISAPPEARS AND RETURNS ALL OVER AGAIN. YUCK!

I ALSO HAVE A NODULE ON MY RIGHT LUNG AND THEY ARE GOING TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT EVERY 3 MONTHS WITH EXRAYS AND MRI'S WITH CONTRAST. YIPPEEEEEE. NOT! I'LL BE GLOWING IN THE DARK BY THE TIME THEY DECIDE WHAT IT IS.

GOOD THING THEY LET ME OUT OF THE HOSPITAL BEFORE THEY FOUND ANYTHING ELSE.

GLAD THE COAL MINE JOB IS STILL GOING WELL. THE WORLD STILL SEEMS SO UPSIDE DOWN FINANCIALLY SPEAKING. RICHIE HAS HAD MORE WORK THIS WINTER THAN LAST.

I BETTER GET THE MEDS OUT AND USE THE INHALER. BEEN WAITING TO WAKE UP ENOUGH TO DO IT RIGHT!!!!

SENDING LOVE YOUR WAY, MEL


Not much else going on at the moment. I am working from home but so many people have taken the day off that it is hard to find people to shoot or maim. I am however managing to get on well with my fellow trainers from Yarrabee who have the same idea about getting on top of the bast*rds

Morning all. TGIF!!

Ceejay - Hope your sinus headache stayed away. Wow, fridge and oven cleaning - well you're a better woman than me I guess, LOL. Truth of the matter is that I can't find the manual to our stove and I want to use the self-cleaning feature for the oven. I'm sure I could figure it out without it, but I'd prefer not to. One of our previous ovens had this and I loved it!

Annie - So glad the whole week wasn't boring for you. So you got to sleep in a bit this morning?? How nice. Have a great weekend and I hope you can fill us in about the case next week!

Shad - "it is hard to find people to shoot or maim" LOL. Thanks for posting Mel's message.

Mel - Glad you're on the road to recovery, even if it's at a snail's pace. Good for you to keep the door shut and ignore all the office disfunction - that's what you need to keep doing, difficult as it may be for you. Take care.

Hellos to Happy & Michelle!
--
Nothing much to report. I brought home the laptop to make sure I could connect properly - yup. All set to put in a few hours this weekend. I also did some work while bf was at his mom's dismantling her computer setup. Even if she just cancelled her internet service because she doesn't use it that much, she still wouldn't use it. So she's having bf sell it. We, however, are getting her large monitor, and our smaller one will be sold with her computer. Sitting in front of a computer all day, I don't use the one at home very often, especially since I use my iPhone for a lot now, so the bigger monitor is no big whoop. Plus you know about my mess of a home office...not a nice place to spend time anyway. Hmmm, I wish that room had a self-cleaning feature. Lock the door, set the timer, and voila, everything is reduced to a fine white ash. Just wipe and it's done. If only...

That's about it. This weekend is the usual, and then we're having dinner with friends on Sat. night.

Okay, back to work. Have a good weekend everyone.

Hi ladies,

Sorry I didn't get in here yesterday, got a call from the cousins on Wednesday - boys were going fishing and the girls decided to have a girls day out. I had a big mess here in the house as I was tackling some boxes and I wanted to clean up the place in case they came in when they picked me up (they didn't). Both groups had a nice day - I kind of forgot it was a weekday - first time we did something when it wasn't a weekend. We are waiting on that new Sandra Bullock movie to come to our little town and we will do our next outing with lunch and a movie. I hope they realize that the afternoon matinee is only on the weekends Will probably be springtime before we get the movie here in town (it came out last week). The only problem is that half the crew smoked and we went to the casino - one of the few places you can smoke indoors. I reeked when I came home - gotta remember not to wear my good coat although that one airs out better than my wool one which seems to hold onto smells. So yesterday was a 2 shower day! My cousin did fillet one walleye so we'll be having fresh fish for dinner tonight.

Laura - love the idea of a self cleaning room. I'd do the I Dream of Jeannie *nod, blink* to the garage if I could. I'm tired of unpacking boxes. My Mom was hinting around again that she'd like a computer but we are all afraid it would be like your BF's Mom. And I tell her that it costs alot more money than she'd want to pay to add the high speed internet service. She also realizes that with no one around to show her what to do, it would be difficult - not that she's afraid to do something with step through instructions. But at least you are getting a monitor out of it. It's hard for me to imagine doing laptop stuff on an iPhone. I was looking at email on my iTouch and thought it was too difficult to read although I guess you get used to it. I laughed at your comment about being taller which shields your hair roots from a good part of the population. I feel the same way about being short and the occasional chin hair

Thanks for the update on Mel. Sounds like she's got a mess of medical stuff to wade through for a while now. I'm glad she is ignoring the office - let's face it, they have to stand on their own 2 feet and earn their pay sometime, although I can understand that the reality of it is that unless she intervenes, they all suffer for it. Although I do not want to see Mel in pain, I am glad that there is something to save her from her good intentions - can't risk any more setbacks Missy I hope you have enough movies to keep you focused on resting.

Annie - can't wait to hear about your experiences on the jury - good thing there is concensus among the members. Nothing worse than a couple of people arguing over indecision for days on end. Did a leader naturally emerge or are people taking direction from the foreman? I always wondered how they decided on a foreman. Anyway - look forward to your stories. Nice pic you had on FB of the kids. If only they didn't have to grow up to be teenagers

Michelle- I would definitely recommend DH go see a pulmonologist if he can't seem to shake this respiratory thing. I was quite happy with the man I saw and since their specialty is lungs, you get better treatment I feel. I hope he finds something that works, get's very tiring (physically and frustratingly) when something like that lingers on for months. I'm sorry you need to dig so hard to get your skills tightened up. You made me very glad I am retired - I just don't have the interest or energy for that any more. Given today's workplace, I think you are very wise to consider your options towards what will give you skills they look for vs something that would be interesting to do. Especially on the tech side when there are more options for someone to come up with a foolish alternative that saves lots of money (in the short term) but in the long run mucks up the whole process I guess the best option is to have both the business and tech experience - I hope you land on your feet - you are a fabulous worker and someone who will do well for whatever group you land with. As for the garden, sounds like you are saying that the best luck you have with a garden is the cooler weather veggies - guess maybe I should invest in that greenhouse

Ceejay - sorry your head is bothering you. Seems like I constantly had headaches this year from the environment. I hope it doesn't spoil your long weekend. I'm glad you are checking things out thoroughly before you jump into retirement - that's the best way to do it - enter prepared because once you leave the office, there is no going back.

Shad - loved your shoot or maim comment I'd better tell my cousin to look out. He mentioned yesterday that he pesters you in the wee hours of the morning here. I don't know why he gets up at 4:30am, especially in the very dark and cold of our winters. I guess someone has to get up to stoke up the fire I also agree with putting the money aside for the new baby's education. In today's world they almost expect people to have master's degrees - can't imagine the staggering cost or requirements this little one will need to make it though life. And being first time parents, I think people look at the cutesy short term stuff instead of looking forward - mostly because they are young and don't have the experience to "know better" as we all do. I have seen many a tv program too where parents are realizing what schooling will cost for their kids and are getting second jobs to build up the college funds. If it wasn't for tuition assistance at work, I would not have been able to afford it myself and companies here have really limited what they will help employees with for training. How are the rains doing out by you - did you wind up getting flooded?

We put up a birdfeeder and 2 suet cakes. Been getting visited by some very hard working chickadees and nuthatches. They are just busy busy flying back and forth getting a seed - they aren't too afraid of us either so we can watch them rather closely. In the spring the goldfinches will return - heard there are flocks of them. As well as the hummingbirds. We will have to design the front yard as a feeding area - will be great to sit on the porch and watch them. We do have the nuisance birds - crows and bluebirds scarfing up the leftover corn in the morning. My cousins put out all sorts of food scraps for the foxes but here all we've found is it attracts the ravens. And my what big birds they are

And now I need to go find some lunch for us so I'll sign off. to Mel and Mary

Happy Friday chicks.

Quick post for me ladies -

I'm busy doing online training all day long. after work, I have two errands to run and meet with a website client.

Then all weekend will be spent cleaning. I have to get rid of all the dust (and clutter since it collects dust) as DH's doc says that's making his condition worse. Not that the doc knows what his condition is. All he can say about the xray and CT scan is "weird". So DH has an appointment with a pulmonologist (lung/breathing specialist) on Wednesday.

I hope ya'll are doing well. I'll write more tomorrow when I need a break from cleaning.

Love ya's,

Happy - yeh, I'd like my mom to be able to enjoy the computer and I'd love it if she had e-mail, but the only person she has to help in her area (that she would bother to ask, that is) is my brother and he does okay, but probably couldn't troubleshoot... Good thing she's not gung-ho for it, I guess. Bf's mom had hinted about wanting a kindle/nook/e-reader for Christmas, but with her not even comfortable with using e-mail, we held off and will see if she even takes a class at her library to learn about them. Sure, one of us would probably take it off her hands if she decided she didn't like it or couldn't learn how to use it, but we're actually more interested in having an iPad...

Michelle - Just "weird"? Not very helpful. Glad your dh has the appt w/ the specialist!! Now you take care of your lungs while you're doing all that cleaning this weekend!!
---
One more hour!! I went outside for lunch and wished I'd eaten quicker and gone for a bit of a walk because it was sunny and mild outside.

Everyone have a great weekend.

I've been busy today and still need to get some more things done. Tomorrow is my day to go to Paragould, even though I really do not want to.
There's some things going down in this city that I'm not agreeing with and my friends are involved. I'm hoping this blows up in their faces. I'll explain more when I can. I'm like Annie I hate to keep things secret but one of these days I may be with out a job due to them. This is the reason I'm looking into retiring early. I may not have a choice.

Shad
Thanks for the information about Mel.

Happy
My bil has goldfinchers in the Spring in Mo. They are a beautiful bird. Not to sure I'd want foxes around.

Laura
It was a beautiful day here also. It would have been a good day to work outside.

Michelle
Glad to hear that dh has an appointment with the specialist. I don't like it at all when a doctor tells me that's weird.

Time to get busy again. Fridge is clean. Now to tackle the oven. Wish I it was self cleaning but these 35-40 year old stoves didn't have that option.

Hello,

Had a most delicious baked fish dinner tonight courtesy of the boys fishing trip. Just wish the fish were biting more. 4 guys and all they caught were 2 fish.

Michelle - I will tell you that the cleaning / dust removal is probaby a good thing for both of you but as my friend told me, "don't worry about DH until you have something concrete to worry about". The first doc told me that I had lung cancer based on my x-ray - she was wrong. The pulmonologist almost could not find the spot when I went there. He reserved his opinion until there was a biopsy. And even then they were surprised at the outcome altough we all were glad it was not cancer. So even if DH's films look "wierd" might just be some fungal thing. And apparently you can't get it out of your lungs without surgical removal so even if they kill the infection, your body will still fight the dead tissue so I guess funny things go on in the innards. But a pulmonologist should be able to help him more I hope

Ceejay - I am sorry to hear about the things going on at work. At first one might say that is the problem with a government or political job but I think odd partnerships are the undoing of many a person in these days - civilian or not. I hope you can make whatever plans you need to keep yourself safe and comfy. Take care on your drive tomorrow.

Laura - all in all sounds like it hasn't been too bad of a winter for you this year. You are a bit off from the lake at work, aren't you so you don't catch that wind chill. Funny how people flock to the sidewalks on sunny days.

Shad - sounds like you are getting quite soggy over there. Either too little or too much - isn't that the case?

Today really flew by, not even sure where it went. We picked up our 3D Blue Ray movies and watched them - 2 documentaries actually that ran about 45 minutes. Really cool looking although we only have one pair of 3D glasses so one had to watch while the other waited. They are pricy so DH wanted to make sure they were worth it (they are) before we invested in 2 pair. We went to the library and picked up a book for DH and I have a cookbook of sorts that I wanted to check out. I made dinner, talked with my Mom who has some dental issues and now it's the end of the day. Not sure what we are going to do tomorrow - we talked about going north to the next town up to check it out - might do that too. Might just stay at home. When we went out this afternoon it snowed like the dickens. Just for about an hour and a half - left us with about an inch of snow. I popped my head out tonight and the stars are just amazing in the sky. It's a moonless night and there are stars all about. Sure wish it was like that earlier in the week when they had that solar storm - no doubt we might have gotten a glimpse of the northern lights. But it was heavy cloud cover as usual.

I took my allergy pills early tonight instead of waiting until right before I went to sleep - and I think they are actually helping me get sleepy. Would be nice to get to bed much earlier. That's about it for now. Goodnight ladies...

Evening all,
Another day of rain here. We will be growing webbed feet shortly. So not a lot got done outside and there will be a mountain of growth this week what with the rain and the heat. I did manage to get out and pull a few weeds this afternoon so that will make a bit of a difference. The garden is looking pretty ordinary at the moment, although the rocket and spinach is growing very well indeed.

Laura, what wouldn't I give for the spare room to have automatic cleaning. It is the next room for renovation on my list, but I have to get rid of the junk and shred the paperwork before I can get in there to clear it out and revamp it.

Happy - glad to hear that retirement is setting in and you are forgetting which day is which. I guess you will sort yourselves out to a routine eventually. How's the unpacking going. Anything to sell on e-bay yet?
Your birds sound like our fairy wrens. They aren't afraid of us either. They flit around the yard picking up insects and such and seem to be nesting in the hedge.

Michelle - hope the training is going okay! I've done a bit of on-line stuff myself and I can honestly say that the biggest drawback is when you need to question a section or comment because there is so little interaction.
Dust is always a bother to anyone who has nose or lung problems. That's part of the reason I got rid of all the carpet around our place. The dust in that was really bad.

Ceejay - I hope you get ot of this racket with your job intact. Too bad some people like to make things hard for their colleagues.

Annie - think I saw that you had finished the case and are about to give your all important verdict. You will be pleased to get back to work no doubt.

It's time I took this weary body to bed. Don't know why I am so tired, I haven't done much all day. See you all tomorrow.

Morning all,
Thought I had better get this in before the day gets away on me as they often do these days. Had an email from Mel.

NOT THE BEST OF NEWS BUT I AM EVER HOPEFUL ANYWAY:
ON MONDAY THE DR IS SENDING ME BACK TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MORE TESTS AND ANOTHER EXRAY.
HE JUST LEFT HERE AND SAID HE HEARS SOME KIND OF CONGESTION IN MY LEFT LUNG AND THAT CAN BE THE CAUSE OF THE CONTINUED PAIN.
HE IS HOPING IT IS NORMAL CONGESTION AND NOT THE RESTART OF PNEUMONIA WHEN IT WAS ALMOST GONE.
I FEEL OK BUT LIKE I SAID THE RECOUPERATION IS SO FRIGGING SLOW.
HE TOLD ME EVEN WITHOUT ANY FURTHER COMPLICATIONS IT COULD BE WEEKS BEFORE I FEEL MY OLD SELF. I TOLD HIM I ALREADY FIGURED THAT OUT. LOL
DID I TELL YOU THIS IS MY OLD DR FROM WHEN JEN WAS 7?
HE IS SO GLAD TO BE A PART OF MY LIFE AGAIN NOW WE HAVE INSURANCE HE TAKES.
WE HAD A TEARFUL REUNION THE OTHER WEEK.
ALL 3 OF US ARE VERY HAPPY.
PAIN AND EXHAUSTION ARE STILL THE ENEMY.
THERE IS SO MUCH ON MY PLATE RIGHT NOW THAT I AM CONSTANTLY FEELING OVERWHELMED & TEARY EYED.
DR MARC SAID IT'S THE WEAKNESS CAUSING IT ALL AND TO STAY IN THE RING!! FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT
HIS LAST NAME IS GOLDSTEIN AND HE WEIGHS ABOUT AS MUCH AS JENNIFER....SHE IS TALLER THAN HE IS! ROFLMAO
I AM RAMBLING BUT THAT'S THE CODEINE.
BETTER CLOSE WITH LOVE, MEL

I've cut a few personal bits out but she is very depressed by the sound of things and doesn't know what to do about this thread. I've told her to just let things be and I will relay stuff around and if I am not able I will let Happy know and she will relay things around. Sorry Happy but you are it!
Can't do anything for her, she just has to get over it on her own. I have no doubt she will but every set back seems to be taking more and more out of her and the tone of her letters seems to spiral downwards.

Not much else going on here. It is still grey and cool (well that's a relief) and as yet - 6.15am - the mossies aren't biting. Maybe they are all still full from yesterday.

I decided to get organised for my overnight trip today and went to print out my boarding pass only to find I don't go until Tuesday. Dopey. So I had better think about a couple of meals for today and tomorrow now. Can't go around eating Jaffa Icecream for breakfast, lunch and dinner, much as I love the stuff.
Today will be more of the shredder, more in the yard, more sifting through the wardrobe and thinking about whether to keep or chuck some of my gear. Have a good weekend