I have spent the day trying to get the dratted laptops to darn well co-operate and do what the heck they were designed for. It has not been entirely successful. However after a day I now have a relatively up to date copy of Word on a machine with a working keyboard.
Bear had an awesome day. There was a hint of bewilderment when SIL brought him back, but that is normal for anyone who has entertained a giddy just about nine year old when they are not used to it. It is also normal for someone not used to bear and has had him full force.
We have a tin of Celebrations in the house. I have a suspicion that some of them may be gluten free, but the info is unhelpful, so I thought I would email Mars Customer Services and see if they could give me an insight. They replied very quickly - with a link to EU labelling regulations. The box is labelled, but only for the overall content, not each type individually. So there still may be a gluten free sweetie in there, but who knows? They even said, and I quote, 'We appreciate that this may not bring closure to your concerns about labelling'
I replied a bit sharply.
Off to listen to DH read the first chapter of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to bear.
Wednesday, 30 December 2015
It's a Start
I got a letter to get checked for breast screening today. Not only did I immediately sort out a new time when I could actually make it to the hospital, but I put it in Google calendar and put the letter in the 'pending' bit of my folder.
I also found the Liverpool FC pyjamas that I had got for his birthday so I'll give those tonight. Bear is okay with that. I consider it an even score.
Bear is out for the day with his auntie, hopefully safe in this weather. I know my SIL will keep him safe, but there is a lot of weather around. I have just had my Christmas treat from my brother delivered of some computer hidden object games. That is my day sorted.
I also found the Liverpool FC pyjamas that I had got for his birthday so I'll give those tonight. Bear is okay with that. I consider it an even score.
Bear is out for the day with his auntie, hopefully safe in this weather. I know my SIL will keep him safe, but there is a lot of weather around. I have just had my Christmas treat from my brother delivered of some computer hidden object games. That is my day sorted.
Tuesday, 29 December 2015
Getting Ready for the New
This is a blog post written on father's laptop. My laptop was getting very limp. It had hissy fits if I moved it from room to room, frequently dumped me off the internet and some of the letters were no longer responding. It seemed sensible to just move it over.
It feels odd, though, I won't deny it. The keys are in a lot better layout, and just in this short time I am finding the typing a lot easier. All the better to post with!
Did you know that if you log in to Chrome on a new machine then they can import your bookmarks. In my case they imported a version of my bookmarks that hasn't been seen for several years. It is going to be fun sorting that out. I can also sort out the differences and make sure that the Facebook page of Lyssa Medana is all professional and writery and my personal page is full of local stuff and school mums as I have two laptops open and can switch between them.
It's a good thing to happen, and a good time to happen. It is satisfying to sort out all the junk and rubbish in January and I can do that with all the saved pages. It will be good to remind myself why I saved some links, and perhaps whether I should go back to them or whether I should junk.
I also need to go over my writing stuff. I have lost a lot of stuff over the years when I made a transition between machines, so I need to make sure all that needs to come across is safe. It is a really good time to take stock.
I am really looking forward to January. I feel like it could be fun.
It feels odd, though, I won't deny it. The keys are in a lot better layout, and just in this short time I am finding the typing a lot easier. All the better to post with!
Did you know that if you log in to Chrome on a new machine then they can import your bookmarks. In my case they imported a version of my bookmarks that hasn't been seen for several years. It is going to be fun sorting that out. I can also sort out the differences and make sure that the Facebook page of Lyssa Medana is all professional and writery and my personal page is full of local stuff and school mums as I have two laptops open and can switch between them.
It's a good thing to happen, and a good time to happen. It is satisfying to sort out all the junk and rubbish in January and I can do that with all the saved pages. It will be good to remind myself why I saved some links, and perhaps whether I should go back to them or whether I should junk.
I also need to go over my writing stuff. I have lost a lot of stuff over the years when I made a transition between machines, so I need to make sure all that needs to come across is safe. It is a really good time to take stock.
I am really looking forward to January. I feel like it could be fun.
Happy Birthday Bear!
Bear is happy. He got his Liverpool FC strip plus a Solar Energy Science Lab (utter steal from eBay), an exploding science set, books, pens and even a Liverpool FC ring binder.
It made me a little sad. There were no presents from father. It reminded me that, for father, age appropriate was an interesting concept that didn't apply. I lost count of the toys I diplomatically stashed until bear was old enough. I think there are still some around. Of course, I didn't mention anything to bear. He was too busy enjoying the 'Periodic Table for Beginners' (yes, it is a real book, here, and, yes, he was thrilled, and, no, I didn't pay that much for it).
Bear also insisted on getting me to video the present opening on his new kindle fire. He insisted that I do it straight away before I had even time to find my glasses. One thing struck me. If bear is insisting on being video'ed, I really, really need to sort out the house. The video includes a right pile of stuff as a backdrop.
The biggest hit of the morning was actually the birthday card. I spent an utter fortune on it but it was so worth it. If you could have seen bear's face as he opened up the card to hear a Dalek's voice ordering him to celebrate or be exterminated - it shone! I wish I had video'ed that.
It made me a little sad. There were no presents from father. It reminded me that, for father, age appropriate was an interesting concept that didn't apply. I lost count of the toys I diplomatically stashed until bear was old enough. I think there are still some around. Of course, I didn't mention anything to bear. He was too busy enjoying the 'Periodic Table for Beginners' (yes, it is a real book, here, and, yes, he was thrilled, and, no, I didn't pay that much for it).
Bear also insisted on getting me to video the present opening on his new kindle fire. He insisted that I do it straight away before I had even time to find my glasses. One thing struck me. If bear is insisting on being video'ed, I really, really need to sort out the house. The video includes a right pile of stuff as a backdrop.
The biggest hit of the morning was actually the birthday card. I spent an utter fortune on it but it was so worth it. If you could have seen bear's face as he opened up the card to hear a Dalek's voice ordering him to celebrate or be exterminated - it shone! I wish I had video'ed that.
Monday, 28 December 2015
I Accidentally Bought...
I accidentally bought four fleece blankets instead of two from Tesco Direct. This was before I hit the Merlyn, so I have no excuse. I may see if there is a local place that would like the spares as we are local to the floods. It was still only £10 in total. The charities may prefer money, they may get more for their money. I will spend some time seeing what is possible tomorrow.
I also bought two bottles of the Merlyn, one for Christmas and one a few weeks later to make up the extra delivery order on the 21st to £40. One has been heroically finished off and the reeds for a diffuser ordered. The other is calling to me. I could have a pair of diffusers. I haven't drunk much alcohol since father went into hospital, and as DH can't drink due to medical reasons it seems unfair to drink in front of him, but I am confident I can dispose of this within a reasonable time. A bottle of Merlyn is 700ml. I have measured the volume of the nutella glasses I use and they hold around 175ml. I suppose I could enjoy half a glass over a few nights. I may joke, but half a glass is about the right amount for me. By the end of January I should have a lovely diffuser in two rooms.
I also made a very pleasant microwave frittata for dinner. When I sort out the timings I will share, as I sort of made it up as I went along.
I also bought two bottles of the Merlyn, one for Christmas and one a few weeks later to make up the extra delivery order on the 21st to £40. One has been heroically finished off and the reeds for a diffuser ordered. The other is calling to me. I could have a pair of diffusers. I haven't drunk much alcohol since father went into hospital, and as DH can't drink due to medical reasons it seems unfair to drink in front of him, but I am confident I can dispose of this within a reasonable time. A bottle of Merlyn is 700ml. I have measured the volume of the nutella glasses I use and they hold around 175ml. I suppose I could enjoy half a glass over a few nights. I may joke, but half a glass is about the right amount for me. By the end of January I should have a lovely diffuser in two rooms.
I also made a very pleasant microwave frittata for dinner. When I sort out the timings I will share, as I sort of made it up as I went along.
Hungover
I'm not used to strong drink, and while 17% alcohol isn't very strong when it comes to strong drink it is still stronger than the tea or diet coke I am used to. However I did my duty and sank the rest of the bottle of Merlyn, and felt very good about it.
I also felt good this morning when I checked my eBay account and I hadn't accidentally ordered something more random than normal. It is always worth checking if you have form like mine.
Other things to feel good about - I managed to wash the absolutely massive throw on my bed that I randomly decided to stuff in the washer. It only just fit, but it got washed. The washer is still working as well.
Bear is happy with his kindle fire. He has been given lots of lovely Amazon gift vouchers so is sitting on £75 of potential purchases. He was looking at the Minecraft Story thingy - he explained the game but didn't explain his explanation - and he could get to the next level if he registered for free at a particular site or he could pay £3.69 for the full game. He got DH to register him. I'm hoping this keeps up.
Now I just need to get him a second email account that he can use for sign ups, offers, prize draws etc.
I also felt good this morning when I checked my eBay account and I hadn't accidentally ordered something more random than normal. It is always worth checking if you have form like mine.
Other things to feel good about - I managed to wash the absolutely massive throw on my bed that I randomly decided to stuff in the washer. It only just fit, but it got washed. The washer is still working as well.
Bear is happy with his kindle fire. He has been given lots of lovely Amazon gift vouchers so is sitting on £75 of potential purchases. He was looking at the Minecraft Story thingy - he explained the game but didn't explain his explanation - and he could get to the next level if he registered for free at a particular site or he could pay £3.69 for the full game. He got DH to register him. I'm hoping this keeps up.
Now I just need to get him a second email account that he can use for sign ups, offers, prize draws etc.
Sunday, 27 December 2015
Doing my Duty
I am writing this under the influence of alcohol, and very happy with it.
I bought a bottle of a Welsh version of Baileys, Merlyn, not guaranteed gluten free, but worth taking a risk as gluten is likely to be lost during distillation. It's only 17% which is something you can drink neat, but it does taste as least twice as strong and is utterly gorgeous.
It is a good looking bottle and I thought it was a shame just to throw it out. I was tootling around the interweb wondering what I could do with a good looking bottle and I found this, how to make your own reed diffusers. I quite like diffusers but usually recoil from the cost of them. But did you know that you could apparently use wooden skewers but it is better to use the reeds (available on eBay at £2.49 for 60, including postage) and dip them in a combination of carrier oil, essential oil and vodka.
I have some essential oil and can obtain other essential oils comparatively easily. I have a good looking bottle. I can get hold of the carrier oil easily enough, but will probably use the rapeseed or canola oil that I use anyway. I even have the vodka as I never got round to making the usual chilli vodka for the lovely man who used to live next door. Really, it was my duty to finish off the bottle so I could get sorted.
I'll let you know what happens when I sober up.
I bought a bottle of a Welsh version of Baileys, Merlyn, not guaranteed gluten free, but worth taking a risk as gluten is likely to be lost during distillation. It's only 17% which is something you can drink neat, but it does taste as least twice as strong and is utterly gorgeous.
This picture is in the public domain and isn't actually bad considering I took it after I finished off the contents.
It is a good looking bottle and I thought it was a shame just to throw it out. I was tootling around the interweb wondering what I could do with a good looking bottle and I found this, how to make your own reed diffusers. I quite like diffusers but usually recoil from the cost of them. But did you know that you could apparently use wooden skewers but it is better to use the reeds (available on eBay at £2.49 for 60, including postage) and dip them in a combination of carrier oil, essential oil and vodka.
I have some essential oil and can obtain other essential oils comparatively easily. I have a good looking bottle. I can get hold of the carrier oil easily enough, but will probably use the rapeseed or canola oil that I use anyway. I even have the vodka as I never got round to making the usual chilli vodka for the lovely man who used to live next door. Really, it was my duty to finish off the bottle so I could get sorted.
I'll let you know what happens when I sober up.
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