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.

First day of training was OK. There are six of us on the course, all from different parts of the country and different organisations. The wonders of Zoom! So far, I haven't really learned much - but the stuff about estimating is new. The real question for these things isn't 'how do I pass the exam?' but 'how do I apply this stuff to the real world?'. On the other hand, we are actually doing a lot of what the course has talked about so far, which is reassuring.

Had a chat to husband about old television programmes. One of the ones I remember, and which I know switched me on to history AND to joining up apparently random ideas, was 'Connections' with James Burke. I've just discovered the OS is on YouTube! Add it to the list of things for me to watch... There's also a new series on a streaming service called 'Curiosity' - the cheapest package is £4 a month. Not a lot but I'm determined not to pay for any more streaming services! Especially not for just one programme. But I can relive the original at least. When I find the time to watch it... Incidentally, he shares a birthday with my mother.

I watched an episode of Psych that ended on a bit of a cliff-hanger, so I watched the next episode because it was still quite early. Oh, Shawn... ;(

Oh, and my 'new' dress that I bought on ebay arrived. Very stretch and comfy - I'm going to wear it tomorrow.

Daughter put up a picture of younger grandson from a year ago with the caption - 'find someone who looks at you like baby looks at food' ;D He used to get so excited, literally waving his arms around with his mouth wide open. Today, she gave him pancakes and berries before he went to nursery, then got a message from the nursery saying he'd had toast and brioche for 'breakfast', and chicken and cous cous with orange and strawberries for 'extra' pudding at dinner time - and ate everything. It's official - the child is a hobbit!

Really hoping she'll feel up to coming down this weekend. But I've got a couple of days off next week, so we might go up there. It feels like ages since we last saw him. We also need to find out about eldest grandson's Greek adventure :D

And that was today.

Is it still only Tuesday?!

Had a go at the 'mock exam' that came with the training materials BEFORE skimming through the slides again and I got enough right to pass. A couple I guessed at because they asked about stuff I had zero experience of, and one I guessed because I didn't think ANY of the answers were right :D I got them all wrong. And the others that were wrong I just didn't give enough thought to. So, I'm fairly confident I'll pass *crosses fingers*

Work was a day of 'a bit of this and a bit of that' - didn't drag as much as yesterday, anyway.

On the way into work, I called into TK Maxx. The zip on my work bag has been getting very sensitive and popping open - even my new very light, very crumply new dress was too much for it, yesterday. So, I went to TKM because they have very nice bags at low prices. But none of the backpacks in the women's section was big enough or had side pockets for my cup, or was a reasonable price, so I went down to the men's section and found something that will do. Being from the men's section, it's not quite as 'handbaggy' as the last one, but I think it will last a lot longer. I also picked up a set of three baby vests for new baby <3

Evening prayer was interesting, as always. The other two people were talking about their different views on Wigan - there are obvious things that colour our view of the world, and things you'd never think of.

And I've just watched the episode of Psych that's based on 'Clue' - Christopher Lloyd as 'Marty', a black butler (Garrett Morris), and the VA for Alistair in the Dragon Age games (Steve Valentine) as a rock star. Oh, and Curt Smith popped up again. And there was a scene with Gus in skin tight white tiger print pants >D

That's today's highlights. Roll on tomorrow!

I got annoyed with three men, today. I'm not making any comment on men in general - just that these three people are all adult males.

First was one of my Beta readers. He said he had some thoughts on the latest batch I sent for 70 x 700 but he would email me when he'd had a chance to read them more carefully. Maybe I should have left it but I thought it would be good to get his first impressions. He said something about events in one of the stories not being believable but what he said didn't make sense to me. He suggested a couple of ways it could be 'fixed' (which if he'd been right about the mistake would have worked - but I've just done a sanity check and he isn't right). But he's the type of person who has to be right, so there was no, 'maybe I just read it too quickly'. Also, I pointed out that the fixes would only be necessary if it stays as a short story but I was thinking of working it up into a longer narrative - at which point I would also smooth out any continuity/logic errors. Which was completely blanked and he repeated 'you just need to do x'.

The other thing is, this isn't a raw first draft of the story. I did a reasonable edit before posting them on my Webnode, and I'm currently doing a further edit specifically to pick up on the type of error he was pointing out. But of course, I made a mistake - he didn't read it wrong.

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I'm going with, 'He's a man' :D

*EDIT - I've just thought this through again and he's actually right about the 'mistake'. Still didn't listen to me about my future plans for the story, though, so my irritation is retained. :D*

Second and third were son and husband in that order but the same 'fault'. If you have a question, just ask the question. If you want something, just ask me. Don't go around the houses. But it's who they are. They won't be rushed, and any sign of impatience from me and they get sulky. So, I've learned to take a mental deep breath and be patient - most of the time.

In more fun news, we learned a new song in church that spoke to God's abundance in the face of the Western obsession with scarcity. Loaves abound! And we sang one of my all time favourites, 'A small thing like a hazelnut', based on Mother Julian of Norwich's writings. She was an anchoress who lived in a tiny cell (voluntarily!) next to St Julian's church - we don't even know her real name. But her vision of hazelnuts and how much God loves them is a thing of beauty.

I made some progress in BG&E, after wandering in circles for a bit - although it did mean I could collect more units and buy food/energy items. I think the fight with the three guards could actually have been avoided if I'd pointed my camera at the right thing - doh! I did manage to sneak past two others to get another photo' - they are sooo stoopid. So, I'm playing for about an hour at a time but only progressing a tiny amount because I keep dying and/or getting lost. There are also some pearls that I've had to leave behind because I couldn't see the way through so I hope I can collect them on the way out, or come back later. There are 88 in the game in total but I only NEED 70, but there's at least one I'm never going to get because it's a prize in a mini game I'm rubbish at. I just want to collect as many as possible when I see them.

And I had fun watching a couple of episodes of Psych. Although one got really quite dark. I understand Shawn's reaction but I really didn't like it. Oh, and I managed to spoil the finale for myself by reading the blurb on the last episode *facepalm* I suppose it's not a huge shock but I wish I hadn't.

I'm spending the first three days of next week in the office because I have training Thursday and Friday, so I want to be up and at 'em early tomorrow.

I was planning on helping at graduation but then got a text from the delivery company that they were going to deliver husband's new CGM gadgets at the exact time I was supposed to go out... So, I wrote an email to the person running it to apologise. I considered going to one of the other ceremonies but the timing was just going to be awkward, so it didn't happen.

I was looking back over my archive last night and found there was a year when I did 7 out of 12 ceremonies! This year, I managed 3 out of 15... But I was totally committed to those 3! Plus, I was mostly 'running' the Information Desk that previous year and didn't really DO much. The Info Desk doesn't even need staffing anymore. I have seen so many changes happen to graduation.

Anyway, the parcel arrived, I dropped my gown back with the people who hire them out and collected husband's prescription. I also got a couple of loads of washing done but didn't risk hanging them on the line because my weather app was forecasting rain - which didn't actually arrive...

I had a project board that I got written up in the afternoon and my first 1:1 with new LM - even though they've been my LM for 2 months. But we sit next to each other and are in constant contact, so it kind of feels unnecessary - but it also IS necessary. Partly because they arrived after the six months I spent working from home due to husband's health crises - so I filled them in on that. Of course, they offered any and all support, which is one reason for the full disclosure - management can only help if they know what's going on.

Then I sort of poked vaguely at stuff in the afternoon, whilst watching Dave from Playstation Access play Still Wakes The Deep. I am so NOT playing that game!

Also had a good chat with chat buddy. Pretty light - nothing doom 'n' gloom on either side. Felt like old times.

I completed the Nutripils section of BG&ER, then did a bit of side stuff and upgraded the hovercraft. I also got Jade a new outfit. And I found something I don't remember ever seeing before in a locked cabinet. Either I never worked out how to open said cabinet or it's one of the new things added to the Remaster. Tomorrow, I'm planning on doing some more side content before continuing with the story.

And I finished off with a couple of episodes of Psych. The homage to The Shining was DARK. I got quite a few of the references (Ray Brauer, Rose Marie Farrow) - probably loads that I missed. But the actress playing Rose Marie looked so familiar - turns out she's the VA for Kara in Detroit. The second one was about a 'reality' show and had Wayne Brady in.

Oh, I showed husband Alfonso Ribeiro doing his Carlton dance on Dancing With The Stars - cheered us both up.

And this week's Friday Feature had me literally crying with laughter.

So, farewell, Friday - and farewell, Week. I'm looking forward to a weekend of gaming, cleaning, and possible grand-parenting <3

So, I learned that three members of the new cabinet are actual EXPERTS! The Attorney General is a well respected lawyer, the Science Minister was the senior science expert during Covid, and the Prisons Minister employs ex-cons. Of course, none of them are MPs, so Starmer has had to make them Lords... But it also means they are independent because they have no party loyalty and will, therefore, do a better job. I find this an encouraging direction of travel. It's also an indictment of the current state of British politics that it's a surprise to see Cabinet roles occupied by people with experience in that area...

On the other hand, Labour's front benchers were schmoozed in all sorts of ways by businesses of all sorts (including arms manufacturers) whilst they were in opposition - and according to British rules, the non-ruling parties don't have to declare those kinds of interests. Who knows what information was given out, what promises were made. Politicians are supposed to represent the people - it's in their bloody title! But will the new government work for the ordinary person on the street? Or continue the recent trend of working to make the obscenely rich even richer?

I was looking at my borrowed gown earlier and realised it has a label stitched inside that says 'Essex PhD' - I checked the Uni of Essex's website and it is indeed their PhD gown. I am very pleased by this.

Managed to make some progress with BG&ER but I've left the PS5 on pause because I'm stuck. I'm in a section that combines stealth with shooting and there are a couple of guards and... I've just looked it up and I see how it's done, now. But that's tomorrow's problem.

And an interesting episode of Psych. And Despereux is in the next one :D

More graduation tomorrow, then some prep for my training course next week.

Hoping for a good night's sleep because I lost a couple of hours last night :(

Got a couple of play sessions in with BG&ER. We have to save the world! But first, I need to win some races 'cos... you know... pearls... And I have to track down the bandits. Also, because pearls. And money. I need money. To buy healing items for Jade, Pey'j and the hovercraft. And also cute outfits for Jade, Pey'j... and the hovercraft... There's one made by the boys at Mamago Garage that puts a rhino horn on the front of the hovercraft! So, yeah, meandering, taking my time, enjoying what the game has to offer. And definitely NOT going for the platinum on this one :D

Mother and stepfather came round after their holiday on the Isle of Man. Sounds like it was a coach trip, so the dates were out of their control I suppose. They bought us fridge magnets and coasters... And some kippers, which we had for tea! They had the usual litany of complaints, but it does sound like the hotel was poorly designed to say the least.

There was also some discussion around Doctor Who (they gave up on it, which I kinda get - I'm sticking with it from stubbornness as much as anything :D) and politics, of course. Thankfully, it's something we broadly agree on!

Got through all my cleaning jobs and sent off the latest batch of stories.

Hoping to get to the garden, tomorrow. The shrubs along the steps really need cutting back and there are weeds trying to take over my plant pots!

I've started on series 6 of Psych. Back to out-and-out silliness. I can see why Last Night Gus is one of my chat buddy's favourites. It's just BEYOND bonkers >D

Finished the night with a couple of episodes of The Rookie - series 6 started a couple of weeks ago, so I watched two episodes. John and Bailey got married! It nearly didn't happen - for many, many reasons - and it now looks like their honeymoon is at risk. Of course. I kind of hope this is the last series. Nope - just looked it up and series 7 is in the pipeline. But The Rookie: Feds has been cancelled. Simone was a bit much - but it looks like Niecy Nash is getting plenty of work.

Leading at church tomorrow (someone else is speaking, thankfully) and trying to decide if my 'new' dress is too dressy...

Just watched an episode of Psych called 'Dual Spires'. I never watched 'Twin Peaks' but I guessed it was an homage - looked up the opening of TP on YouTube and it pretty much confirmed it. That opening is TERRIBLE, BTW. I don't think I'd have made it to the opening scene let alone a whole episode. I'm sure people who loved TP and watched Psych absolutely loved it :D

Also watched Dave defeat Sephiroth pretty comfortably. I really, really hope he plays FFVIII. It's been fun watching him break his FF duck.

Had a very frustrating morning, though. First of all was a Teams message from my LM sent on Friday when I was on leave. Do you not keep an eye on when I'm on leave, LM?! Plus, it wasn't a secret - I was talking about it ALL week. The message was about my 1:1 - which I had declined because... I. Was. On. Leave. - apologising for being late but something distracted them. So, you weren't even thinking about my 1:1, let alone taking notice of the fact I was on leave? Luckily I was WFH, so didn't have to be polite in person.

Then the portfolio lead got me... no. I got frustrated over something the portfolio lead did. Firstly, there was my monthly report that they still haven't reviewed. They suggested I cross-reference with the spreadsheet they'd updated. The spreadsheet I updated first, based on my monthly report. There was very little difference in the text. The main difference was in the grouping of the projects, because a project is in delivery when they say it's in delivery, not when the process says it's in delivery. The signed-off process that everyone reviewed and agreed to.

In the latest iteration, the process has six stages, grouped under 'discover' (concept and initiation), 'deliver' (dev & test and implementation), 'deploy' (ELS and closure) because three headings are easier for non-project people to follow. On the edited spreadsheet there are projects in 'initiation' listed under 'discover' and other projects in 'initiation' listed under 'deliver'. Which is just confusing to everyone! So, I'm going to reorganise the portfolio and monthly report to reflect the six stages because nobody can claim a project is in 'dev & test' unless development has actually begun. It leaves less room for ambiguity and interpretation.

And... well, both of them are just being themselves, which I can't get annoyed with them for. Because goodness knows me being me isn't always a pretty sight :D

I still haven't bought BG&ER20. Today was one of those rare things - a day when I didn't spend any money whatsoever. I try for one day a week - doesn't always happen but when it does, it makes me happy. Well, except for the raft of money that automatically leaves my account on the first of the month... Anyway, looking at my calendar for the week, it feels like Thursday is going to be a candidate for me needing some retail therapy, so I'll probably buy it then, install it in the evening and have it ready to play on Friday evening.

I had another go at cauliflower cheese for tea. This time, I let the cauliflower drain properly and stirred it into the cheese sauce before putting it on our plates. No cauliflower-juice puddles!

And now for bed :)

 So, grandson #1 turned 18 today. Husband, son and I went up to daughter's house to see both grandsons and the dog - and the adults, of course...

The 'slang phrase book' we got has some... questionable phrases. Let's just say, they have all the bases covered. But it's his first real adventure - who knows what he's going to need to know :D

He leaves for Greece on Tuesday and I'll be worrying about him every day. I told him to make sure he stays with his mates (there are 6 of them going), stay hydrated and use sun screen.

Grandson #2 continues to be very cute. Granddaughter continues to grow - daughter looked like she might pop any minute! I think we might not have to wait for August after all...

I also edited another of my stories, which I know was inspired by a line in The Magician's Nephew - Jadis says her grandfather killed 400 nobles for rebellious thoughts. My story ends with the 400 assembled guests drinking a toast - but what happens next? I think I may have the origin story for my MC in this year's Nano.

Also got in a couple of sessions with Tunic. I've found all the fairies - next step is the remaining secret treasures, then the rest of the manual. I'm hoping the remaining money banks and gold coins will also be revealed as I do. Then there's just the 'good ending' and the gun, and I should have the plat.

And rounded the day off with Playstation Access' Friday Feature (evil corporations we secretly want to work for), and an episode of Psych.

Tomorrow is the usual round of cleaning and slobbing out :D