I'm feeling very lethargic - usually, 5 days after chemo I'm back on my feet, but this session seems to have taken it out of me more. I'm sitting on the sofa thinking "I can't be arsed moving". It doesn't help that yesterday night I was sick...we still don't know why. Mr D's chilli was very nice, and the only thing we can think of is that my stomach rebelled at the amount of garlic in the garlic bread. He did use garlic powder (by mistake, thinking it was salt) plus crushed garlic. Last time I was very happy to eat chilli at this stage. There is a distinct lingering taste & odour of garlic in Dormouse Towers.
I'm also not sleeping brilliantly & having weird dreams - ^possibly influenced by watching "The Bridge" on i-player. It's a great series, but there are a lot of deaths in it. I also dreamed that MrD was applying for jobs (which he is) with a CV badly typed on yellow paper, and referring to working with "dodgy men in vests". (which, he assures me, he isn't)
{{{Dormouse}}} I do hope it was just an OD of garlic (is there really such a thing?). Hope you feel better v. soon.
As I had a stupidly small amount of chicken left, I decided to try something I've always wanted to make - chicken and sweetcorn chowder. It was ridiculously quick and easy to make, and I think it tastes not too bad, so that's tomorrow's lunch sorted out.
It's another beautifully sunny day, reasonably warm (7°) and the driveway chez Piglet is now almost completely devoid of sn*w.
I'm feeling very lethargic - usually, 5 days after chemo I'm back on my feet, but this session seems to have taken it out of me more. I'm sitting on the sofa thinking "I can't be arsed moving". It doesn't help that yesterday night I was sick...we still don't know why. Mr D's chilli was very nice, and the only thing we can think of is that my stomach rebelled at the amount of garlic in the garlic bread. He did use garlic powder (by mistake, thinking it was salt) plus crushed garlic. Last time I was very happy to eat chilli at this stage. There is a distinct lingering taste & odour of garlic in Dormouse Towers.
I'm also not sleeping brilliantly & having weird dreams - ^possibly influenced by watching "The Bridge" on i-player. It's a great series, but there are a lot of deaths in it. I also dreamed that MrD was applying for jobs (which he is) with a CV badly typed on yellow paper, and referring to working with "dodgy men in vests". (which, he assures me, he isn't)
If this is the original Swedish/Danish series you are talking about. I have watched and own on dvd all 3 series so far and I am looking forward to the 4th and final series which being shown BBC2 next month (May 2018). Also I think Saga Noren is the best female detective ever. Check out Nordic noir website.
Mostly cloudy and 9° here, but I observe that there's a fly making his way round the window-panes in the château, so that must be a sign that Spring's on its way, mustn't it?
Even if it isn't (or if, as I suspect, it is but it's only temporary), boots have been discarded and lighter-weight shoes* are being donned.
Grey and still chilly - but not raining! - in South Wales. We have had a lovely time at the RHS Cardiff Flower Show, including listening to an excellent Klezmer band!
SE Ukland has warmth and Sun-Shine forecast for next week!
Oh, woe, woe, woe!! How will we cope???
We likes the fog, we does, Preciousss....it hides us from the Yellow Face, it does...yesssssssssss.........
IJ
You may be joking, but I am saying this in deadly seriousness. Full white face sunblock, floppy wide-brimmed hat and scarf, even now, or sunburn isn't joyous.
I've also worked out a long list of things I'd normally do this summer that are no longer options (partly as one of the jobs I need to do is claim from the Criminal Injuries Board - something I've deliberately left a month to see quite how bad the effects are): Guide Camp, swimming with Guides, Folk by the Oak, any other outside folk festivals, ...
No indeed, CK - I do sympathise, and appreciate that Sun-Shine is not an unmitigated blessing to you, in particular, given the circumstances.
Where's that blessed votive candle?
Meanwhile, some sunny music to cheer you up, I hope. One of my favourite bits of classical stuff (from as long ago as 1924!) is George Gershwin's famous 'Rhapsody in Blue'.
Here it is, interpreted by the incomparable Chinese pianist Yuja Wang.
Enjoy it as much as she (and the orchestra) obviously do.....
Indeed it is. As someone much cleverer than me once said, without music, life would be a mistake.
It's not a bad day here: 10°, but it's just as well I haven't put my boots too far away, as I've just seen a Special Weather Statement saying we're going to get sn*w, ice pellets and rain on Monday (doubtless Trump's fault again). Mind you, it then said the temperature's to go up to 13° on Wednesday, so it probably won't last.
It was so nice being able to get the wheelie-bin to the end of the drive today without having to negotiate around the sn*w-banks ...
We went to see the Weeping Window installation at Hereford Cathedral today. I've seen pictures of the original, and knew that this was only part of the original, but it is still spectacular and very moving.
Apparently, they get between 5-7000 people going to see it each day.
Thank you for this, we went to see it yesterday and also enjoyed looking round the cathedral and having coffee and cake in the tea room.
The other aim of the trip was to find the wild daffodils which are supposed to "carpet with yellow" certain areas of the woods at this time of year, but despite much driving round narrow country lanes and a muddy walk we were unsuccessful. Mr Nen is not particularly into flowers and was very patient about it all, while clearly not really understanding that the ones planted alongside the roads weren't the right ones.
Much greyness here but the promise of sunshine later in the week.
I’m off to my usual Saturday reservoir with both dogs. I’m very lucky, having at least five to choose from, but I think this is my favourite.
I’m at the stage of ‘making the most of a lovely dog’ as the time Keir leaves for Big School creeps ever closer (likely to be early June). I love this stage when the pup has grown and you can see all their potential.
Do you like Roma gypsy music, too, a la Taraf de Haidouks? A bit like klezmer, no? Oy vay!
Yes, although we went to a concert by them quite a few years ago at the Royal Festival Hall and felt that they had been over-commercialised by their management company - the atmosphere just wasn't right. We also love Portuguese Fado although it makes you want to top yourself whenever you hear it (and that's after listening to one of the happier songs). There is a magnificent young fadista right at the end of this documentary: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09yndw6
I second the query. Much love to the en rouge family.
There has been beautiful sun-sheeeee-ine (that was in a Liam Gallagher voice, could you tell?) here. There are tulips and daffs out in the garden, magnolia in blossom on trees down the street, and it’s uttery glorious. Child C decided that a picnic was in order, we didn’t have time or (in my case) the energy for the proper deal, but we got the rug out and ate sausage rolls and strawberries, and TEA for me, on the little patch of grass by the house. It was lovely.
Indeed it is. As someone much cleverer than me once said, without music, life would be a mistake.
That was Rostropovich. I had it as my sig for a while.
I had a feeling that someone did, but had forgotten that it was you.
Hugs and prayers for the Rouge clan (especially the littlest member) heading your way from over here too.
Bread made this afternoon, and celery SOUP made this evening, so that's tomorrow's lunch sorted.
No daffodils here, but at least the meteorological pronouncements re: sn*w appear to have been commuted to a short period of freezing rain (ugh!) on Monday followed by ordinary rain for the rest of the week.
I'm not breaking out the picnic basket quite yet ...
Yesterday I packed way most of my winter things and got out my summer clothes. Glad I did as it was a lovely day and I'd have been far too warm in my winter coat, whereas a lightweight mac was just right. Doesn't look quite as nice today but we are promised temperatures in the 20s later this week.
Thinking about the En Rouges. Hope you're having some cuddles this morning LVER.
Yes, nice Sun-Shiny Weather here today as well, and therefore (as it's also the last day of school holidays), an Empty Church.
Apart from a lovely Baptism service at noon - High Church, but informal and Evangelical (which is how Our Place sometimes is these days, and none the worse for it, IMHO).
Baby en rouge is doing ok. 1560 grams this morning, which is almost double his birth weight. He didn't take to the non-pressurised ventilation system so he's back on the fighter pilot oxygen mask but never mind... apparently the section of his brain that regulates breathing isn't fully developed yet so we have to give it time.
On the upside, he's hot all the time so they've taken him out of his incubator and put him in a little sunbed thing
The part of the brain that regulates breathing develops very late. It's why I was kept in hospital for weeks before my daughter was born - I had placenta praevia - to give her the best chance to develop her lungs properly. The other premmie about the same age on the ward had problems breathing the first night.
Thinking of the Rouge family all round. There’s a great recent episode of something or other on the Radio 4 ‘Seriously’ podcast set in a neonatal ICU. I listened to it the other night thinking of you all.
And also CK. Aside from the practicalities it presents you in life, are you in pain?
There has been much cake in recent weeks here owing to two lots of birthdays. We have exerted ourselves truly on this but there is still some left.
Celery soup, however, needs the spewing up smiley.
Our house is just about to go on the market, it is estate agent tidy and this is about 50 rungs tidier than my usual state (and at least 30 rungs tidier than my comfortable state). No crumbs allowed!
Wasn't the programme called The Expressing Room? I heard it when it was first broadcast and thought it was brilliant.
I'm OK, unless I sunburn, which I am trying not to, but it's all too easy. Friday, misty and gloomy, walking offspring down to the local hospital for X-rays and blood tests to check for a probable chest infection, I missed covering up a bit of my collarbone, which is now telling me about it. This is around scarf, floppy rain hat, sunblock (white - going for the goth look), raincoat, high necked fleece ... I missed that bit of my collarbone with the sunblock, must have allowed sunlight in past the rest of the clothing.
Good to hear Baby en rouge is still putting up a fight - still keeping you in my prayers, wee fella!
@ferijen - good luck with the house sale. I've always been ambivalent about the house when it's estate-agent-ready - I love that it looks really nice, but it's such a pain keeping it that way!
Well, the rain, freezing or otherwise, doesn't seem to have come to much yet. It started drizzling a bit when we went out for a foray round Costco around lunch-time, but really didn't try very hard. Having said that, there's 40mm (or in old money, an inch and a half or Quite A Lot) in the forecast for tomorrow.
ION, I'm delighted to report that the birdies are back - just after we got back this afternoon there was a veritable exaltation - admittedly not of larks, but of grackles, sparrows and other assorted birdies - feasting on whatever it is they feast on in the grass, and occasionally hopping up on to the deck to have a look in the feeder. It's the first time we've seen any birds at all apart from the mourning doves, so we're really rather pleased.
I really ought to go and fill up the feeder, as it won't be much fun doing it tomorrow if it's chucking it with rain.
eta: birdie bistro now re-stocked - I wonder how long it'll take to empty now that the grackles are back?
It p*ssed with rain for most of today, but that's fine by me - rain gets rid of sn*w.
The birdies have certainly partaken of the contents of the feeder - it's just over half-full. It's probably going to cost us a fortune in bird-feed, but it's worth it to have them back.
ION, I don't know whether to be excited or terrified - I've got an interview on Thursday for a job at the university. From the job description, it looks like just my sort of thing, but it's about 20 years since I was interviewed for that sort of job (when we were re-structured in Belfast and had to apply for upgrades).
Where are the <votive> and <eek> buttons when I need them?
Oh, wow, Piglet, I hope it all goes really well tomorrow! I haven't done an interview for over ten years. At times I get "I can't do this any more" about my current job, but I don't think I could face the application and interview side of making a change. Well done to you!
Speaking of SOUP, our local community centre café has a new member of staff, whose speciality appears to be the making of SOUP. So far, he's come up with mushroom & thyme, and butternut squash, both of which are very tasty indeed. I'm eager to see what he tries next!
Hot Sun-Shine today, so not really SOUP weather.
<votive> for those for whom Sun-Shine is presently uncomfortable (CK, I'm looking at you, and hoping you'll be better soon......).
Thanks for all the good wishes - I'm currently re-reading the job description, and trying to formulate sensible questions in what passes for my brain.
And trying to work out what to wear ...
It seems to me that it's easy for a bloke - you just put on a suit and a not-too-loud tie, and you look the part. For us chicks, it's a bit more problematic - should I go for a smart trouser suit or would a skirt be expected? In Newfoundland, work dress codes were considerably less formal than in the UK (I don't think I ever wore trousers to an interview back home), but I'm not sure what the code is here.
As it's likely to be a bloke interviewing me, it probably doesn't matter a jot (women generally dress to impress other women rather than men), but it won't stop me worrying about Getting It Wrong.
Or, failing that, whatever you feel really good in. I have a black and white silk top dating from the last century that I trot out when I need to look smart. It’s comfortable, doesn’t crease and looks expensive (it was, but I got it in a sale) and goes well over black trousers or skirt. Dark socks/tights, black shoes, simple silver jewellery and I’m done.
I'd say it's important for an interview to feel both comfortable and good in what you choose to wear, and that it's generally better to be slightly too smart than too casual - "this is important to me so I've made an effort" signals rather than "couldn't be bothered." A skirt or smart trousers would be fine, I personally would always wear a smart jacket as well.
I've a friend who reckons it's always good to wear something a bit out of the ordinary to mark you out if there are lots of interviewees. Then you can be instantly remembered as the one with the bright pink jacket or the big blue beads.
And yes, have some questions of your own. Always a bit deflating for interviewers when they say, "Do you have anything you'd like to ask?" to be met with, "No... don't think so..."
Also if, in the course of the interview, you think of something you want to add, don't be afraid to say, "You know when you asked me just now about my hobbies/tree-hugging fetish/habit of playing the double bass at 2am, I'd also like to say..."
GOOD LUCK!!! Hope it goes really well and let us know!
Comments
I'm also not sleeping brilliantly & having weird dreams - ^possibly influenced by watching "The Bridge" on i-player. It's a great series, but there are a lot of deaths in it. I also dreamed that MrD was applying for jobs (which he is) with a CV badly typed on yellow paper, and referring to working with "dodgy men in vests". (which, he assures me, he isn't)
Mind you, weird dreams happen to us all, probably more often than we remember!
IJ
As I had a stupidly small amount of chicken left, I decided to try something I've always wanted to make - chicken and sweetcorn chowder. It was ridiculously quick and easy to make, and I think it tastes not too bad, so that's tomorrow's lunch sorted out.
It's another beautifully sunny day, reasonably warm (7°) and the driveway chez Piglet is now almost completely devoid of sn*w.
If this is the original Swedish/Danish series you are talking about. I have watched and own on dvd all 3 series so far and I am looking forward to the 4th and final series which being shown BBC2 next month (May 2018). Also I think Saga Noren is the best female detective ever. Check out Nordic noir website.
Dormouse, I'm sorry you're feeling lousy. I hope you get your bounce back soon.
Chilly, overcast and misty here all day. Monochrome and slightly depressing, even though the primroses are in bloom.
Indoors.
IJ
Even if it isn't (or if, as I suspect, it is but it's only temporary), boots have been discarded and lighter-weight shoes* are being donned.
* still with socks - it's not that warm yet ...
Oh, woe, woe, woe!! How will we cope???
We likes the fog, we does, Preciousss....it hides us from the Yellow Face, it does...yesssssssssss.........
IJ
Klezmer Band in Cardiff
(BTW, I love Klezmer.....it's so scratchy and alive, IYSWIM. Our Blessed Lord would have loved it, too.).
IJ
You may be joking, but I am saying this in deadly seriousness. Full white face sunblock, floppy wide-brimmed hat and scarf, even now, or sunburn isn't joyous.
I've also worked out a long list of things I'd normally do this summer that are no longer options (partly as one of the jobs I need to do is claim from the Criminal Injuries Board - something I've deliberately left a month to see quite how bad the effects are): Guide Camp, swimming with Guides, Folk by the Oak, any other outside folk festivals, ...
Where's that blessed votive candle?
Meanwhile, some sunny music to cheer you up, I hope. One of my favourite bits of classical stuff (from as long ago as 1924!) is George Gershwin's famous 'Rhapsody in Blue'.
Here it is, interpreted by the incomparable Chinese pianist Yuja Wang.
Enjoy it as much as she (and the orchestra) obviously do.....
IJ
PS Mrs. BT, despite saying she was exhausted, has just spent an hour in the garden Planting Things and Pottering Horticulturally.
Do you like Roma gypsy music, too, a la Taraf de Haidouks? A bit like klezmer, no? Oy vay!
Here's a little foretaste of an informal street concert they did in Stockholm some years ago - Musicians ignoring the passers-by!
IJ
(Music is truly an international, interracial, wossmame, yes?).
It's not a bad day here: 10°, but it's just as well I haven't put my boots too far away, as I've just seen a Special Weather Statement saying we're going to get sn*w, ice pellets and rain on Monday (doubtless Trump's fault again). Mind you, it then said the temperature's to go up to 13° on Wednesday, so it probably won't last.
It was so nice being able to get the wheelie-bin to the end of the drive today without having to negotiate around the sn*w-banks ...
Thank you for this, we went to see it yesterday and also enjoyed looking round the cathedral and having coffee and cake in the tea room.
The other aim of the trip was to find the wild daffodils which are supposed to "carpet with yellow" certain areas of the woods at this time of year, but despite much driving round narrow country lanes and a muddy walk we were unsuccessful. Mr Nen is not particularly into flowers and was very patient about it all, while clearly not really understanding that the ones planted alongside the roads weren't the right ones.
It looks as though the sun might come out today.
I’m off to my usual Saturday reservoir with both dogs. I’m very lucky, having at least five to choose from, but I think this is my favourite.
I’m at the stage of ‘making the most of a lovely dog’ as the time Keir leaves for Big School creeps ever closer (likely to be early June). I love this stage when the pup has grown and you can see all their potential.
That was Rostropovich. I had it as my sig for a while.
I should get my cello out. It would be good for me.
There has been beautiful sun-sheeeee-ine (that was in a Liam Gallagher voice, could you tell?) here. There are tulips and daffs out in the garden, magnolia in blossom on trees down the street, and it’s uttery glorious. Child C decided that a picnic was in order, we didn’t have time or (in my case) the energy for the proper deal, but we got the rug out and ate sausage rolls and strawberries, and TEA for me, on the little patch of grass by the house. It was lovely.
Hugs and prayers for the Rouge clan (especially the littlest member) heading your way from over here too.
Bread made this afternoon, and celery SOUP made this evening, so that's tomorrow's lunch sorted.
No daffodils here, but at least the meteorological pronouncements re: sn*w appear to have been commuted to a short period of freezing rain (ugh!) on Monday followed by ordinary rain for the rest of the week.
I'm not breaking out the picnic basket quite yet ...
Thinking about the En Rouges. Hope you're having some cuddles this morning LVER.
Apart from a lovely Baptism service at noon - High Church, but informal and Evangelical (which is how Our Place sometimes is these days, and none the worse for it, IMHO).
IJ
Is Outrage!
IJ
Baby en rouge is doing ok. 1560 grams this morning, which is almost double his birth weight. He didn't take to the non-pressurised ventilation system so he's back on the fighter pilot oxygen mask but never mind... apparently the section of his brain that regulates breathing isn't fully developed yet so we have to give it time.
On the upside, he's hot all the time so they've taken him out of his incubator and put him in a little sunbed thing
The part of the brain that regulates breathing develops very late. It's why I was kept in hospital for weeks before my daughter was born - I had placenta praevia - to give her the best chance to develop her lungs properly. The other premmie about the same age on the ward had problems breathing the first night.
And also CK. Aside from the practicalities it presents you in life, are you in pain?
There has been much cake in recent weeks here owing to two lots of birthdays. We have exerted ourselves truly on this but there is still some left.
Celery soup, however, needs the spewing up smiley.
Our house is just about to go on the market, it is estate agent tidy and this is about 50 rungs tidier than my usual state (and at least 30 rungs tidier than my comfortable state). No crumbs allowed!
I'm OK, unless I sunburn, which I am trying not to, but it's all too easy. Friday, misty and gloomy, walking offspring down to the local hospital for X-rays and blood tests to check for a probable chest infection, I missed covering up a bit of my collarbone, which is now telling me about it. This is around scarf, floppy rain hat, sunblock (white - going for the goth look), raincoat, high necked fleece ... I missed that bit of my collarbone with the sunblock, must have allowed sunlight in past the rest of the clothing.
@ferijen Good luck with the house sale.
Good to hear Baby en rouge is still putting up a fight - still keeping you in my prayers, wee fella!
@ferijen - good luck with the house sale. I've always been ambivalent about the house when it's estate-agent-ready - I love that it looks really nice, but it's such a pain keeping it that way!
ION, I'm delighted to report that the birdies are back - just after we got back this afternoon there was a veritable exaltation - admittedly not of larks, but of grackles, sparrows and other assorted birdies - feasting on whatever it is they feast on in the grass, and occasionally hopping up on to the deck to have a look in the feeder. It's the first time we've seen any birds at all apart from the mourning doves, so we're really rather pleased.
I really ought to go and fill up the feeder, as it won't be much fun doing it tomorrow if it's chucking it with rain.
eta: birdie bistro now re-stocked - I wonder how long it'll take to empty now that the grackles are back?
Feeling generally out of sorts with the world so have retired to bed early and hoping to be bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning.
The birdies have certainly partaken of the contents of the feeder - it's just over half-full. It's probably going to cost us a fortune in bird-feed, but it's worth it to have them back.
ION, I don't know whether to be excited or terrified - I've got an interview on Thursday for a job at the university. From the job description, it looks like just my sort of thing, but it's about 20 years since I was interviewed for that sort of job (when we were re-structured in Belfast and had to apply for upgrades).
Where are the <votive> and <eek> buttons when I need them?
Hope today is better, Nenya.
Ahem.
Speaking of SOUP, our local community centre café has a new member of staff, whose speciality appears to be the making of SOUP. So far, he's come up with mushroom & thyme, and butternut squash, both of which are very tasty indeed. I'm eager to see what he tries next!
Hot Sun-Shine today, so not really SOUP weather.
<votive> for those for whom Sun-Shine is presently uncomfortable (CK, I'm looking at you, and hoping you'll be better soon......).
IJ
And trying to work out what to wear ...
It seems to me that it's easy for a bloke - you just put on a suit and a not-too-loud tie, and you look the part. For us chicks, it's a bit more problematic - should I go for a smart trouser suit or would a skirt be expected? In Newfoundland, work dress codes were considerably less formal than in the UK (I don't think I ever wore trousers to an interview back home), but I'm not sure what the code is here.
As it's likely to be a bloke interviewing me, it probably doesn't matter a jot (women generally dress to impress other women rather than men), but it won't stop me worrying about Getting It Wrong.
Or, failing that, whatever you feel really good in. I have a black and white silk top dating from the last century that I trot out when I need to look smart. It’s comfortable, doesn’t crease and looks expensive (it was, but I got it in a sale) and goes well over black trousers or skirt. Dark socks/tights, black shoes, simple silver jewellery and I’m done.
I've a friend who reckons it's always good to wear something a bit out of the ordinary to mark you out if there are lots of interviewees. Then you can be instantly remembered as the one with the bright pink jacket or the big blue beads.
And yes, have some questions of your own. Always a bit deflating for interviewers when they say, "Do you have anything you'd like to ask?" to be met with, "No... don't think so..."
Also if, in the course of the interview, you think of something you want to add, don't be afraid to say, "You know when you asked me just now about my hobbies/tree-hugging fetish/habit of playing the double bass at 2am, I'd also like to say..."
GOOD LUCK!!! Hope it goes really well and let us know!