A bed of roses

Took husband into town to do some shopping - a few little bits for new baby (snuggle towels, cute teddy, dummies), some Milky Way Magic Stars for younger grandson, a camomile candle for the parents, a pair of Vans for me (I'm the world's coolest grandma!), and some pants for husband. We started at TK Maxx because they always have some more unusual stuff. Then on to the Liverpool shop because husband wants some pants from there, too. But the prices put him off, so we decided to try online. They do have some really nice t-shirts - they have a sponsorship deal with Converse this season - but we decided they would make good Christmas presents.

We left home about 10am and got home about 12pm, just as town was getting really busy and the temperature was getting really uncomfortable. Very well timed!

After dinner, I played some BG&ER and got through the boss fight with the nasty flying things - and used up all my healing items in the process. Then repaired the new vehicle and used it to locate the remaining pearls I needed to get me to the moon! Why do so many video games want to go to the moon? And now I'm in another boss battle with no repair items for my vehicle. I THINK I can get one item from a dispenser... My sidekick is 'helpfully' telling me I can get one from Mamago's Garage - back on the planet... <_< This game overwrites saves, so I can't even go back to an earlier save file :( So, fingers crossed I can a) get the repair item (because I'm not even sure I have enough cash...) and b) defeat the boss. I've just checked and I have an autosave from down on the planet. It would mean doing the whole moon thing again, but I think it could be worth it.

I also watched an episode of Connections - from the waterwheel to the computer, taking in the Dark Ages when the Church pretty much kept everything working, wine presses, looms and spinning wheels, cams, self-playing organs, the Black Death, cheap linen rags used to make cheap paper, printing, and punch cards. Burke didn't mention microchips, so not sure if they were in use in 1978. He did finish with a question - the other inventions on the list brought happiness to people but what will computers bring? Well, it's a mixed bag really, isn't it?

I sorted out one of my drawers to make space for my new clothes. I have three dresses I really like but can't get into any more :( They will find a new home via a charity shop.

And I watched the musical 2-parter of Psych. Shawn and Lassie dancing will stay with me :D

Tomorrow we visit daughter & co - probably the last time we'll see them before granddaughter makes her appearance. Just hope a) she isn't late and b) husband doesn't end up in hospital! With younger grandson both things happened so instead of 2 weeks it took nearly 2 months for us to meet him.

Got up at my usual time on a Saturday but husband was still asleep. I toyed with getting ahead on the cleaning but opted for an episode of Psych instead. I'm hoping things will be OK after all - but if they aren't, I hope they do it properly.

Husband was STILL asleep after Psych, so I got the bathroom done, and then he woke up. We had crumpets and filter coffee in the garden - so sophisticated!

After breakfast, husband's CGM sensor needed changing, so I used one of the new ones. The ones he's been using come in two parts - the sensor and a reusable transmitter - but this is all in one. But I had to push this plastic ring against him until I could 'fire' the button. It was NOT fun for him - we may need to find a new site. I know a lot of people use their arms but his are so thin. Then I had to go through a rigmarole to get the right app set up on my phone but I got there in the end. But he's due x-rays on Tuesday to check his arthritis and I have a horrid feeling it'll have to come out - but it's on his abdomen and the x-rays are for his hands and feet. I'll ask on the day.

After dinner, I came upstairs to finish the mission Jade was on in BG&ER. Daughter rang to say they were going to pop down, so we had an hour of enjoying cute baby being cute. It was extra nice because it was unexpected. When they were leaving, daughter said, 'Give Pop-pop and Granny a kiss goodbye.'. Grandson waved goodbye and headed for the door! But we got a goodbye kiss and cuddle each.

He's learning 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes' - but skips straight from his head to his toes >D And he knows most of the animal ornaments on our shelves. I shall have to quiz him on turtles and rhino next time!

Daughter said she probably wouldn't make it down now until after granddaughter is born (she still doesn't have a first name!), but I said we were planning on visiting next Friday when I'm off work. I also let my mother know who's been going on about seeing more of them. I've told her to organise it directly - why am I everyone's go-between?! - but she says she doesn't get a response when she rings daughter; daughter says she hasn't rung! Last time I saw my mum I checked she had daughter's number - it's just occurred to me that daughter might not have the right number for my mother...?! She doesn't answer 'unknown number' calls. Worth checking.

After tea, I came back to BG&ER and managed to get to the pearl I couldn't reach before. MORE stealth... When we came out of the area we'd been in for the mission, we encountered one of the centipede-type enemies that took a couple of goes to kill off - for some reason, my cannon wasn't working properly. Anyway, killed it off and collected a pearl, then bought another one. I now have 20 pearls - enough for my next upgrade. But first, I need to pay Iris a visit.

I finished off with two episodes of The Rookie. I think this is the best series so far, so I take back anything I've said about the fact they've stretched it to six series :D

It's been raining a lot today but I'm hoping it'll be dry tomorrow. I'd like to take husband out for just a walk - nowhere to go, no appointments, just some fresh air.

I just watched one more episode of Psych than I intended to because it was a two-parter. I can still get to bed at a reasonable hour, though. Really...

I got through all the side stuff I can get to at the moment, including all the Looters' Caverns and the races, and 'liberating' pearls from the Alpha Sections ;D So, I had to fall back on story :O Sometimes, the camera is a real pain. And shooting at flying things whilst they're shooting at me is Not Fun. Now I'm getting beaten up by three guards despite having 'help'. So, that's one for tomorrow.

Husband made boiled eggs and soldiers for breakfast, which were really nice. And I made speg bol for tea - which was also very nice. It was a win for food, today.

And that about sums up my day.

Husband was having a nap when I got back from church, so I did the small jobs I wanted to do in the garden. It's much easier to get up and down the steps, now! And we have a new pile of twigs for the creepy crawlies to hide in.

I made some progress with BG&ER, including working out how the weapon on my hovercraft works - doh! I also won the second race on the second attempt - and realised the game really WANTS you to win. The tricky bit is beating the 'best time', which I'm really not interested in doing. But I've met up with the secret contact who is as fun as I remember. The VA work is... not the best... But it's of its time, I suppose.

And I got through four episodes of Psych, all bonkers, of course :D

It's graduation week for the university, so I've got that to look forward to. Looking forward to all the happy, smiley faces - and short skirts/high heels combos.

I forgot to put the bin out last night :( I blame the fact that I was asking the son about his night out. Yes! It was definitely that!!! Luckily, we don't produce enough rubbish in a fortnight to fill the bin, so it can wait for the next collection.

I also edited another story (really on a roll!). This one was inspired by the kindness people showed each other during the pandemic. Again, not much work needed on it.

Then I watched a Playstation Access episode about the latest releases on PS and... Beyond Good & Evil has been remastered! I'm seriously tempted to treat myself to an unbirthday present. I was considering getting a proper manicure but the game is actually cheaper and will last a good while longer. I really enjoyed playing it, even with the action elements. And it's looking increasingly unlikely there'll ever be a sequel so, this looks like the best option.

First work thing was a meet up with a new-to-me colleague via coffee roulette. A very nice person, also a grandparent and someone I'd like to meet again. Just put a note to self in my calendar - I still need to meet up with the person I connected with at the March graduations!

On the way to the office I did a bit of shopping. As I was standing in a queue the person behind me asked if the sunglasses they were going to buy suited them; they were worried the lenses were too large. I said they did, then showed them mine - I buy large sunglasses to keep the glare out at the sides. A sudden impulse hit me and I asked if I could treat them to the glasses (which were the only thing they were buying). 'It's up to you...', so I added them to my shopping. They thanked me and handed me a leaflet - 4 steps to solving your problems. I eye-rolled quite hard when I read it - apparently God can solve all problems. Er... well... God can help us find the way, or provide the courage it takes to do the right thing, I suppose... But there's no heavenly magic wand that just makes all the problems disappear. Anyway, I felt like I'd done a Good Thing and that was reward enough.

Did battle with P4W/Power Apps/Whatever but finally got my templates in order, then set up a new record for a project that's just getting underway. The process works! I'm setting myself a deadline to fully automate the dashboard (even if I have to update a couple of the records myself) by the end of the summer. I might be the main beneficiary, but why is that not important? It will save me literally hours of work. It might even be something to present on at next year's conference...? We REALLY want people to be aware of this stuff and to use it, and then there will be a bigger benefit.

On the way home, a complete stranger stopped me in the street and said something I didn't catch because I was trying to work out who they were and why they'd stopped me. So, I asked them to repeat it and they said, 'I've got a parcel for you'. Which my brain struggled to take in because I didn't know them, so why would they have a parcel for me? 'O...K...' I replied.

'You live at [my address], right? [Name beginning with my initial but not the right one]?' 

'Yeah... and it's [right name].'

'Oh! It just says [Initial, Surname] on the label. It was left at ours a couple of days ago. I live at [address two doors down].'

'Oh, right. This all makes a lot more sense now!'

'Yeah - I probably should have introduced myself first! It feels like a book. I'll drop it off later.'

I'm guessing it's grandson #1's 'Dirty Greek', finally. We didn't get a card through the door telling us it had been left with a neighbour. Anyway, it looks like the evening got away from them because they haven't knocked. I'll pop down to theirs tomorrow.

I really don't remember ever seeing them before, but I've obviously made some kind of impression on them!

It has been stupidly hot ALL day :(

Finished the night off with an episode of Psych - which was about alien abduction :D So, yeah, a bit of a weird one all round.