Two long haul flights
Camping in Drakensberg Mountains
The beach in Durban
In the Desert in Dubai
Soft Play in Dubai
On top of the Malvern Hills
Saturday, 9 May 2020
My Sunday Photo - Bob the Dogs journey
With 2 international moves from camping in South Africa and being chased by monkeys, learning to swim in the Indian Ocean and the Arabic Gulf and keeping an eye out for crocodiles in Durban to days out in the desert in Dubai, soft play and indoor play centre to walking the Malvern Hills. He's had an epic 7 years with us and who'd have thought there would have been this much adventure for a dog.
One Daily Positive - Week 19
Whilst I've got several projects on the go, I make sure I tidy up at the end of the day before going to bed. I feel so much better in the morning when the kitchen is clean and tidy.
I am of course fortunate in the respect of being on my own, that any mess is my mess and I can leave crafts, puzzles out (nice and tidily) without inconveniencing others who might need the breakfast bar, sofa or dining room table. I can also paint, garden without worrying about kids getting hold of anything they shouldn't and of course I now have all the time in the world to do jobs properly without rushing to get things done and having to do everything in one go.
The only downside is I'm limited with what I can do and how I can do it. I can't have tradesmen in to finish the bathroom or lay the new carpets or just pop to the shops to pick up bits and pieces I'd like to add to my crafting pile. But I have a variety of things to do to keep me occupied.
I've had a much better sleep this week by planning my week with meals, activities and the painting. When it's all just one big picture, it's overwhelming, by breaking it down into smaller tasks, I fill my days more effectively and go to bed tired and sleep much better. I've also spent a lot of time coaxing the cat down from various places and out of any open cupboard.
124 Sunday I spent the morning in bed, watching Jonathon Creek from the beginning, I had it running on my phone all day while I got on with other things. I got up at midday and did some batch cooking, making 15 meals for the freezer. I also baked an apple pie, using gf pastry and making it in a loaf tin, it was all I have. I finished my jigsaw, walked Bob, sat in the garden for a while and spent the evening scheduling blog posts. A nice relaxing day.
125 Monday Finished painting the landing and touching up all the bits I'd had to fill and sand, then moved on to filling in the rest of the holes in walls and giving the woodwork a good clean, painted the first coat inside the wardrobes. I mowed the lawn and finished reclaiming the edges, put my jigsaw away, got the pom pom rug out to sew up, walked Bob and put the first layer of papier mache on 2 balloons. Cleaned up everything from upstairs I no longer need and put it in the shed. Watered the garden, had a bath and sat down to watch TV for the evening.
126 Tuesday Walked Bob first thing and got milk, will have to go back again on Thursday to get mums TV guide to post to her as I got out of sync with the milk from doing a load of cooking. I sanded the walls down and hoovered up. Painted the woodwork. My friend called by to distance drop a table and chairs off for the garden for me, we had a lovely chat. Painted the 3 remaining radiators upstairs and another layer of papier mache on the balloons.
127 Wednesday Put the carpets back down so I could move freely around the rooms to paint all the walls upstairs and second coat of paint in the wardrobes. Evening spent sorting out a quite a few issues, phone calls and face time with friends.
128 Thursday Picked up mums TV guide and some sweets to post to her, the woman in the local shop was charging towards me, leaving me no room to social distance and was coughing into her hand, she was a member of staff. I've received a reply from the supermarket chain now who will investigate the issue. Took Bob out for a lovely long walk, getting up onto the Malvern Hills, it was a 3 hour round trip and we're shattered. Sat in the garden to blog and sort through photos. I baked a cake and fell asleep on the sofa. In the evening I caught up with friends and family with video chats.
129 Friday Decorated the front of the house for VE Day, thoroughly cleaned the rooms I've been decorating, ready now to have new carpets laid when the store reopens. I did some blogging, then I baked some scones. Out in the front doing some gardening and social distancing with the street party for tea and scones.
130 Saturday Started the morning blogging and 3 loads of washing on the line. The rest of the day was spent tidying the shed, wedding the front garden, sewing pom poms, crocheting, reading, pottering around.
On the blog this week:
How a fellow blogger was let down by a food bank, that they support the rest of the year.
My Sunday Photo - Crafting and cats
I am of course fortunate in the respect of being on my own, that any mess is my mess and I can leave crafts, puzzles out (nice and tidily) without inconveniencing others who might need the breakfast bar, sofa or dining room table. I can also paint, garden without worrying about kids getting hold of anything they shouldn't and of course I now have all the time in the world to do jobs properly without rushing to get things done and having to do everything in one go.
The only downside is I'm limited with what I can do and how I can do it. I can't have tradesmen in to finish the bathroom or lay the new carpets or just pop to the shops to pick up bits and pieces I'd like to add to my crafting pile. But I have a variety of things to do to keep me occupied.
I've had a much better sleep this week by planning my week with meals, activities and the painting. When it's all just one big picture, it's overwhelming, by breaking it down into smaller tasks, I fill my days more effectively and go to bed tired and sleep much better. I've also spent a lot of time coaxing the cat down from various places and out of any open cupboard.
124 Sunday I spent the morning in bed, watching Jonathon Creek from the beginning, I had it running on my phone all day while I got on with other things. I got up at midday and did some batch cooking, making 15 meals for the freezer. I also baked an apple pie, using gf pastry and making it in a loaf tin, it was all I have. I finished my jigsaw, walked Bob, sat in the garden for a while and spent the evening scheduling blog posts. A nice relaxing day.
125 Monday Finished painting the landing and touching up all the bits I'd had to fill and sand, then moved on to filling in the rest of the holes in walls and giving the woodwork a good clean, painted the first coat inside the wardrobes. I mowed the lawn and finished reclaiming the edges, put my jigsaw away, got the pom pom rug out to sew up, walked Bob and put the first layer of papier mache on 2 balloons. Cleaned up everything from upstairs I no longer need and put it in the shed. Watered the garden, had a bath and sat down to watch TV for the evening.
126 Tuesday Walked Bob first thing and got milk, will have to go back again on Thursday to get mums TV guide to post to her as I got out of sync with the milk from doing a load of cooking. I sanded the walls down and hoovered up. Painted the woodwork. My friend called by to distance drop a table and chairs off for the garden for me, we had a lovely chat. Painted the 3 remaining radiators upstairs and another layer of papier mache on the balloons.
127 Wednesday Put the carpets back down so I could move freely around the rooms to paint all the walls upstairs and second coat of paint in the wardrobes. Evening spent sorting out a quite a few issues, phone calls and face time with friends.
128 Thursday Picked up mums TV guide and some sweets to post to her, the woman in the local shop was charging towards me, leaving me no room to social distance and was coughing into her hand, she was a member of staff. I've received a reply from the supermarket chain now who will investigate the issue. Took Bob out for a lovely long walk, getting up onto the Malvern Hills, it was a 3 hour round trip and we're shattered. Sat in the garden to blog and sort through photos. I baked a cake and fell asleep on the sofa. In the evening I caught up with friends and family with video chats.
129 Friday Decorated the front of the house for VE Day, thoroughly cleaned the rooms I've been decorating, ready now to have new carpets laid when the store reopens. I did some blogging, then I baked some scones. Out in the front doing some gardening and social distancing with the street party for tea and scones.
130 Saturday Started the morning blogging and 3 loads of washing on the line. The rest of the day was spent tidying the shed, wedding the front garden, sewing pom poms, crocheting, reading, pottering around.
Can you guess who sent me this?
On the blog this week:
How a fellow blogger was let down by a food bank, that they support the rest of the year.
My Sunday Photo - Crafting and cats
Friday, 8 May 2020
Post Comment Love - 8th-10th May
I don't know about you but lockdown is planned around food. Making sure I get what I need, meal planning to ensure it doesn't go out of date. I find the best way for me to plan my meals is to batch cook every 2 weeks.
I'm trying to minimise the number of times I have to go shopping, I'm managing a supermarket shop in person or if I'm lucky online once every 2 weeks. I then pick up fresh milk and a few treats once a week from the local shop and also buy a TV guide and sweets that I post to my mum.
Fortunately I've managed online shopping for my mum, I place an order with the supermarket each week, with a list of foods I know my mother likes and she'll add a few things, namely sweets and cakes, 2 days before it gets delivered. My niece and her husband have been popping out for milk, bread, fruit and yogurts to top up in between deliveries and they then let me know what they want to add to the online order for themselves.
I'm paying for mums shopping, she'll pay me back when she's able to get to a bank. She rarely uses the ATM, I can't see her doing online banking anytime soon.
How are you managing your shopping? Are you shopping for others?
Stephanie and I would love to hear about what you've been up to this week.
Want to find out more about #pocolo and how to feature on our blogger showcase?
I'm trying to minimise the number of times I have to go shopping, I'm managing a supermarket shop in person or if I'm lucky online once every 2 weeks. I then pick up fresh milk and a few treats once a week from the local shop and also buy a TV guide and sweets that I post to my mum.
Fortunately I've managed online shopping for my mum, I place an order with the supermarket each week, with a list of foods I know my mother likes and she'll add a few things, namely sweets and cakes, 2 days before it gets delivered. My niece and her husband have been popping out for milk, bread, fruit and yogurts to top up in between deliveries and they then let me know what they want to add to the online order for themselves.
I'm paying for mums shopping, she'll pay me back when she's able to get to a bank. She rarely uses the ATM, I can't see her doing online banking anytime soon.
How are you managing your shopping? Are you shopping for others?
Stephanie and I would love to hear about what you've been up to this week.
Want to find out more about #pocolo and how to feature on our blogger showcase?
Monday, 4 May 2020
Let down by a food bank
We're not all facing the same issues during Covid-19 but we're all noticing how the cost of a supermarket shop has increased. Many are struggling to get online deliveries secured for those who are shielding, the vulnerable and front line workers. Many people have been furloughed, with a 20% drop in salary, the self employed and many others have no income and are struggling to work out how they're going to feed themselves and their family with no income coming in at all. More and more people are reaching out for support.
A fellow blogger has had to ask for help from her local food bank last week, a food bank that she regularly donates to throughout the year.
Here is her story:
This week I have had one of my most horrible experiences of my life and a very low point when I asked a Church based food bank for a donation which ended up with the leader telling me he was removing me from the list.
Let me tell you my story. Not a sob story, just putting my anger into words, they say it is therapeutic.
I like a lot of people have been struggling to make ends lately. Income is down, over time is none existent, and I have been struggling to put food on my table. I don’t drink, don’t smoke, and am very good at eeking out a budget and making meals out of not a lot. I am use to living hand to mouth and it does not worry me.
But over the weekend I realised I was not going to make it to my next Universal Credit pay day and decided to reach out to a food bank. I chose the one I did as I have been in contact with this particular organisation as they run a community food shop. I had been using the shop since about October as I was off work due to a reaction to something I had eaten, I have food allergies, carry epi pens for them, which caused inflammation in my joints and left me unable to use my hands and arms and caused excruciating pain. I was not expecting it to take so long to settle but ended up off work for five months. Using that shop, where you pay a nominal fee every week, choose ten items, two from the freezer and then tins, pasta, lentils, cereals to make up the tem. Then you can take as much bread, fruit, veg, eggs, cheese, none dairy milk on top for free, this has made a massive difference to me be able to eat and utilising this food and topping it up with odds and ends from shops. I had built up quite a lot of food in the cupboards by buying this every week. When lockdown happened they decided as it is volunteer run to close the shop. I got a phone call from them at that time saying they would be running a food bank and I was just to phone any time I needed and they would arrange to get a food parcel sent out. The woman was lovely, telling me as I used the shop weekly not to hesitate at any time and I could get a parcel any time I needed one.
So on Monday I made contact with them, by email, so they would have a list of my food allergies on file. I got a phone call back from one of their handlers, had to answer a few questions, went over my food allergies again and she told me they would get food out to me. So far so good. I then got another phone call just before three to explain that as they hand out pre made meals cooked on their own premises fresh every day they could not provide me with any of these meals as it seemed l every one of them contained something I could not take. I was not surprised by this as it is quite a large list. They agreed to bring me out a few basics to do me for Monday night and would make meals for me on Tuesday and deliver them. I did suggest if they sent me some fruit and veg and meat of some sort I could cook my own, but they said that is not how they work, so I agreed to have meals sent out the next day. On Monday night I got a tub of soup, a loaf, a box of cereals, some potatoes, a bottle of diluting juice, a bottle of coke and a bag of sweets. Enough to tide me over 24 hrs.
Tuesday came and went and nothing appeared. Tuesday night we used the potatoes so we did not go hungry. So I private messaged them and asked what had happened as I had not received anything. Somebody came back to me on Wednesday and said they were having trouble sourcing products to give me and were still trying, and they hoped to get something out to me later.
I made the decision at this point that I would be better asking another food bank for help as every other food bank I have ever donated to, (never actually used one before, and it is something I
normal do regularly including every Christmas when I collect from friends, neighbours, colleagues etc ), hands out tins and packets and that would make sure I got something rather than risk getting nothing again. So I informed them, nicely, what I was going to do, as I did not want to ask another one and then the first bank turn up and me to receive food from two places that just seemed a bit immoral in my book.
This is where it went wrong. The leader than runs the organisation sent me a message. This message was tantamount to bullying, accusing me of not appreciating how hard his team works, and “it’s clear they are not working hard enough for you” That my messages make him sad, not from the point I needed to message to ask where my parcel and that they had let me down, but because I had messaged them. In my book a phone call on Tuesday to say they had not sourced anything for me would have been appreciated and that they were still trying.
He then proceeds to tell me they were removing me from their list so I can’t ask again in the future.
Next off he asks me to “ pause for a moment to encourage you to remember that you never know what anyone one else is facing” . Well sorry but as somebody that has just asked a food bank for a donation my own life has hit rock bottom and that is what his organisation is there for, not to make me feel bad that I am taking food from people who may need it more than me. Asking a food bank for a donation is something I found demoralising and embarrassing and not something I relished doing but to get this sort of reaction made me feel I am not worthy or deserving – was not expecting a church run organisation to make me feel like I don’t matter.
I then told him I was not going to grovel to him for food, they had not supplied me yesterday and may not be able to again today, I did not want to find myself repeating this all the next morning, I was going elsewhere, at which point he accuses me of making nonsense allegations….I had not made any allegations at all, just asked where my food was and then informed them not to deliver me anything as would ask somebody else.
I have to add this is not the first time I have had an issue with these same people. They were doing Christmas Hampers last year; anybody using the shop was entitled to one, so I applied for one. At this point I was waiting on my first UC payment ( my fault for not claiming earlier) and thought some extra food would be very handy. So I asked for one, and was told yes I qualified and they would add me to the list. Got a text to say it was coming out on a specific date, we waited did not turn up, messaged them and was promised it again, still nothing second time. Third time it was being sent out by a private driver, but apparently could not find my house; then fourth time still did not turn up. By now it is Christmas Eve and the leader then comes back and admits it had not been sent out as they did not think I needed it…..and that it had never been sent out……a Christian organisation that lied over sending out a parcel….without knowing anything about me or my circumstances. They relented at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve and told me I could drive into the town and pick one up as he was still at the office. But by then I had taken pain killers, nerve block tablets and a sleeping tablet and there was no way I could safely drive. Have to wonder how this person sleeps at night.
A fellow blogger has had to ask for help from her local food bank last week, a food bank that she regularly donates to throughout the year.
Here is her story:
This week I have had one of my most horrible experiences of my life and a very low point when I asked a Church based food bank for a donation which ended up with the leader telling me he was removing me from the list.
Let me tell you my story. Not a sob story, just putting my anger into words, they say it is therapeutic.
I like a lot of people have been struggling to make ends lately. Income is down, over time is none existent, and I have been struggling to put food on my table. I don’t drink, don’t smoke, and am very good at eeking out a budget and making meals out of not a lot. I am use to living hand to mouth and it does not worry me.
But over the weekend I realised I was not going to make it to my next Universal Credit pay day and decided to reach out to a food bank. I chose the one I did as I have been in contact with this particular organisation as they run a community food shop. I had been using the shop since about October as I was off work due to a reaction to something I had eaten, I have food allergies, carry epi pens for them, which caused inflammation in my joints and left me unable to use my hands and arms and caused excruciating pain. I was not expecting it to take so long to settle but ended up off work for five months. Using that shop, where you pay a nominal fee every week, choose ten items, two from the freezer and then tins, pasta, lentils, cereals to make up the tem. Then you can take as much bread, fruit, veg, eggs, cheese, none dairy milk on top for free, this has made a massive difference to me be able to eat and utilising this food and topping it up with odds and ends from shops. I had built up quite a lot of food in the cupboards by buying this every week. When lockdown happened they decided as it is volunteer run to close the shop. I got a phone call from them at that time saying they would be running a food bank and I was just to phone any time I needed and they would arrange to get a food parcel sent out. The woman was lovely, telling me as I used the shop weekly not to hesitate at any time and I could get a parcel any time I needed one.
So on Monday I made contact with them, by email, so they would have a list of my food allergies on file. I got a phone call back from one of their handlers, had to answer a few questions, went over my food allergies again and she told me they would get food out to me. So far so good. I then got another phone call just before three to explain that as they hand out pre made meals cooked on their own premises fresh every day they could not provide me with any of these meals as it seemed l every one of them contained something I could not take. I was not surprised by this as it is quite a large list. They agreed to bring me out a few basics to do me for Monday night and would make meals for me on Tuesday and deliver them. I did suggest if they sent me some fruit and veg and meat of some sort I could cook my own, but they said that is not how they work, so I agreed to have meals sent out the next day. On Monday night I got a tub of soup, a loaf, a box of cereals, some potatoes, a bottle of diluting juice, a bottle of coke and a bag of sweets. Enough to tide me over 24 hrs.
Tuesday came and went and nothing appeared. Tuesday night we used the potatoes so we did not go hungry. So I private messaged them and asked what had happened as I had not received anything. Somebody came back to me on Wednesday and said they were having trouble sourcing products to give me and were still trying, and they hoped to get something out to me later.
I made the decision at this point that I would be better asking another food bank for help as every other food bank I have ever donated to, (never actually used one before, and it is something I
normal do regularly including every Christmas when I collect from friends, neighbours, colleagues etc ), hands out tins and packets and that would make sure I got something rather than risk getting nothing again. So I informed them, nicely, what I was going to do, as I did not want to ask another one and then the first bank turn up and me to receive food from two places that just seemed a bit immoral in my book.
This is where it went wrong. The leader than runs the organisation sent me a message. This message was tantamount to bullying, accusing me of not appreciating how hard his team works, and “it’s clear they are not working hard enough for you” That my messages make him sad, not from the point I needed to message to ask where my parcel and that they had let me down, but because I had messaged them. In my book a phone call on Tuesday to say they had not sourced anything for me would have been appreciated and that they were still trying.
He then proceeds to tell me they were removing me from their list so I can’t ask again in the future.
Next off he asks me to “ pause for a moment to encourage you to remember that you never know what anyone one else is facing” . Well sorry but as somebody that has just asked a food bank for a donation my own life has hit rock bottom and that is what his organisation is there for, not to make me feel bad that I am taking food from people who may need it more than me. Asking a food bank for a donation is something I found demoralising and embarrassing and not something I relished doing but to get this sort of reaction made me feel I am not worthy or deserving – was not expecting a church run organisation to make me feel like I don’t matter.
I then told him I was not going to grovel to him for food, they had not supplied me yesterday and may not be able to again today, I did not want to find myself repeating this all the next morning, I was going elsewhere, at which point he accuses me of making nonsense allegations….I had not made any allegations at all, just asked where my food was and then informed them not to deliver me anything as would ask somebody else.
I have to add this is not the first time I have had an issue with these same people. They were doing Christmas Hampers last year; anybody using the shop was entitled to one, so I applied for one. At this point I was waiting on my first UC payment ( my fault for not claiming earlier) and thought some extra food would be very handy. So I asked for one, and was told yes I qualified and they would add me to the list. Got a text to say it was coming out on a specific date, we waited did not turn up, messaged them and was promised it again, still nothing second time. Third time it was being sent out by a private driver, but apparently could not find my house; then fourth time still did not turn up. By now it is Christmas Eve and the leader then comes back and admits it had not been sent out as they did not think I needed it…..and that it had never been sent out……a Christian organisation that lied over sending out a parcel….without knowing anything about me or my circumstances. They relented at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve and told me I could drive into the town and pick one up as he was still at the office. But by then I had taken pain killers, nerve block tablets and a sleeping tablet and there was no way I could safely drive. Have to wonder how this person sleeps at night.
Sunday, 3 May 2020
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