General Chat

I think we should try and make more of an effort keeping this thread going as it is good to keep in touch with people's every day activities etc-

Bridget I hope your great neice is doing ok. She is still in my prayers.

Well we have rain on the Costa Blanca today and the temp is dropping to 50 plus - but should not complain as there is far worse happening - like Haiti and now a plane crash in the Med- So many people loosing their life.

I am at present knitting myself a jumper with some of the wool my sister gave me on my visit in December. It is bright pink so when I wear it I will be noticable !!! No one could miss me anyway - cos I am a big girl - lol

I also must get out tomorrow to buy some card as I have loads of cards to make for birthdays in February and March. I had a shock the other day when I bought a couple of stamps - the price has gone up and is now 72 centimos . or somewhere around that - good job I make cards which is so much cheaper than buying them.

Take care all
Love Mary xx

Hello everyone

How are you all, and thank you for keeping this thread alive, whilst I have been so busy at work. Most days I have come home, had something to eat and then fallen asleep. However the end of the road is in sight and I am beginning to relax again.

I expect you have all heard about the snoowfalls, the dreadful drivibg conditions etc s I will not bore you all except to say thank goodness our hot water and central heating was back on by the time it started.

Something has surprised me in the last couple of weeks and that ishow easily OH and I have settled into such a small home. We have a small sitting-room which is also our dining room, one small kitchen can only cook in there and fitting in two people is the limit. One bath room and two small bedrooms BUT we feel vey content and happy. Miss Jet and Joe my two Cocker Spaniels but do not worry abot them as I know they are well cared for.

Has anyone else ever experienced this.?

I have joined another thread all about writing, submitted my first two pieces and so far had some very positive comments. Must say I felt very nervous.
Goodnight everyone will be back some time tomorrow

Bridget

I am still alive and well but the hours in the day simply fly by and when I get home my OH says"oh no not on the computer again!!" so everyone I am well, the weather has been both beautiful and scarry, and just as it was clearing Mr Jack Frost has visited. The pavements outside are frozen, visitors to the home tell me that nearby the snow has returned and I can't leave until 19.00hrs as resident has to go to the surgery.
I have joined another thread all about writing...now I have never written anything before but thought it would be fun but in reality I am scared, rather similar feelings to taking exams...Has anyone on here joined this thread.??

I miss writing about my quiet time and will go back to it in the very new future, hopefully in early February

I look forward to "talking" to you all again more frequently

Best wishes

Bridget

Good morning all
Firstly let me say I hope you all in the UK stay safe and warm with all the terrible weather you are having. I do not envy you one little bit. I was only saying to hubby this morning if we were still in UK I would not be able to go out as my feet would not want to stay on the ground - I was always falling in the snow !!!
Secondly, sorry I have not been adding to your thread Bridget - what with having son and d i l over for Christmas I have been busy. Their holiday was delayed by a day due to bad weather in Liverpool so they arrived on the Monday before Christmas. They both thought it funny as I kept saying I was cold. I have become a whimp since living in Spain. We had an enjoyable time over the festive period and the weather was fairly king to us and we managed to go out for walks etc. Took them back to Alicante airport on 28th December and left them around 2.15 pm for their flight home at 4.15 pm. We went off to Benidorm - hubby needed shoes - size 12 is a problem in Spain and we only know of this one shop in Benidorm which stocks them - then we went up the mountain by Benidorm to see some friends who were over for Christmas and had an enjoyable meal with them. Hubby¡s mobile kept bleeping with messages from Adrian -plane delayed - no one knows anything or not telling them anything. This went on most of the evening until eventually a message came through off to a hotel in Alicante flight cancelled - trying for same time tomorrow. Well eventually they managed to get away around 5.15 pm on the Tuesday. They both said they were not bored - hubby and I would have been bored and really fed up if it was us. Still they arrived back home in Cumbria safe and sound which was the important thing.
Yesterday was the day the Soanish celebrate more than Christmas day - The Epiphany - children have their main present that day. We decided as it was a lovely day . blue sky but a chilly wind - to go for a walk in Denia along the coastal path - the sea was fairly rough - and we sat outside on a terrace have a small refreshment watching the waves and a couple of boats out at sea. And yes, we did think of you in UK and thanking our lucky stars we were in Spain.
Today it is raining with more forecasted for tomorrow so I have mundain jobs to do - like defrosting fridge and freezer before shopping this afternoon to fill them both up again.
Bridget I had to smile at your residents - I bet they keep you all on your toes. Bless them. I know older people can be contankerous - my mom is at 86 - but they can tell such good stories of daus gone by. I think all who look after the older generation need a medal.
Well I seem to have ranted a lot - hope I have not bored you all to tears.
And once again please take care and stay warm.
Love Mary xx

Good morning one and all

Got up this morning and we have frost on the inside of our windows, not just on the outside! More snow over night and still snowing now. Not sure how I shall make it to work but will do my best to get there. The staff at the home were fantastic yesterday and those who simply couldn't get there contacted others who covered for them....my main problem is getting out of the drive. The incline is very steep and the ice is very thick and the cars are slipping and sliding all over the place, then the journey to work, which on average takes 4, yes4, minutes took one hour yesterday. Will take overnight things with me today just in case.....

My grandchildren range from 12, 13 in March, to my grandaughter in Amsterdam who is 7months old. I have 6 altogether but sadly only see three of them as the mother of the others will not allow the family to see them.If we send cards , presents etc they are either returned or ignored.


Ann it is not so much that the residents are in charge because they are paying but because they are so alert and have had some very senior work positions in life. For example one lady in her 90s was the head nurse who was at Buckingham Palace as the nurse in charge when the present queens' father had his appendix removed, she also has so many citations that they cover quite a large area. When I was about 10 yrs old she was sent to the US for 2 years by the English Government to study how their health system worked and to advise the english Government on the way forward....thankfully she felt strongly that the English way was far superior!! She is very alert and still reports to me every day what need s to be improved etc.
All those living there have had such interesting lives and done such much that one wonders why we think travel is a new phenomenem. They have lived in all continents between them and yesterday one made me laugh so much, but only after I had left her room. Sjhe wanted to see me about the choice of one of the meals which was a supper meal. The option was egg and chips which many of them enjoy, But this person was horrified that she was offered "workmans food" as she had "never eaten egg and chips in her life, this is what is served in roadside cafes".
Well of course she was and will be in future offered a different alternative but I did find it funny.

Well I have said my prayers this morning and sent my positive thoughts not just to those who have asked for me to remember them but also for eveyrone trying to get to work, for all those in the services trying to get to accidnets, the ambulance crews etc.



Now it is time to have some coffee, pack an overnight bag and the wake OH to see if he can get me to work. If not the partner of one of the chefs said he will come with his 4x4 and try to pick me up ... Hope you are all well and I will look on here again this evening

Bye fo now

Bridget

Hi Bridget, hope the snow stays away for you, I try never to drive on icy/snowy roads now that I don't have to. Aw bet your little Granddaughter is sweet, how old is she, love it when they start to walk.

My third Grandson, he is 17 nearly 18, passed his driving test first time yesterday. That is three of them on the road, that will be more grey hairs than ever if I think about it. You have to let them grow up and get mobile but it is scary.

I can imagine you have one or two tussles with the residents who see themselves as being in charge 'because we pay to be here'!!!!!

Look forward to hearing more of your news soon
Ann xx

Hello everyone

Today I woke to a complete whiteout due not to snow but to frost!! To say it was cold was an understatement....as the day went on the sun shone for a while but the temp didn't seem to improve very much. Apparently it snowed in Hastings but the snow had not arrived where I am by the time I left work so am hoping that it stays away. I am not confident driving in the snow and ice.....

Our heating and hot water is back on..the plumber managed to get the part on Monday and after 10 days of being without either we we delighted to have the service again.....I shall never take central heating for granted again.

Work is going along fairly well...the residents are very vocal in their opinions and I believe that they manage the home and I am there to make sure that they are supported ...this is excellen t in theory but is very daunting when trying o explain the legalities of managing such a place.
The level of expected service is very high and not always easy to implement. On the other hand it is great to see a care home working in such a progressive manner.

Just had a message to say that grandaughter in Amsterdam has learnt to walk a few steps and today was her first day at nursery...how time flies.

well not a lot of news, looking forward to hearing from you all
so bye for now


Bridget

Hello, well I guess you are all over the New Year Festivities and looking forward to a wonderful 2010.

We still have a lot of visitors in town, the caravan parks are still quite full and the beaches still packed with sun-seekers.

There is rather a terrible wind blowing to-day making things even drier if that is possible! Our poor garden is really looking sad although I planted some lobelias in pots which I can at least water using a watering can.

My eldest brother paid us a visit this weekend which was nice as I haven't seen him for a couple of years.

Wishing you all health and happiness for the new year.




Val in SA.

Happy New Year to you all. where have the last ten years gone???

I seems only a blink of the eye since we were welcoming the New Milenuim

Enjoy your evening and I raise my glass to you all

Bridget

Just the one Bridget!!!
Happy New Year to one and all.
Feliz año nuevo.

Regards,
Frances

OOOPS did I really say that Andalucia is NORTH of Spain .....must have something to do with that very small glass of white wine I had hic hic

Bridget

I have always wanted to go there so am looking forward to it.
Thanks for the info on the home Bridget, I thought it didn't sound like council/social services.

Andalucia should be fairly warm in March/April, as it is so far south and Sevilla often has the hottest temperatures in Spain. Perhaps take a light jacket for the evenings....but then again I could be totally wrong....today on the Costa Blanca it is 23ºC!!!!

Whatever the weather enjoy a beautiful part of Spain.

Regards
Frances

Oh Ann
I am sorry but I have no idea what the weather would be like in late March. I will try to find out for you.
Andalucia is rather north so i wouldn't expect it to be particularly warm
The Home I am working is a Private Home not Health Authority or social services. I am aware that there are vast differences in both type of home and really if one is looking for somewhere it is all about asking the right questions and visiting more tha once. I am always available to give some tips

Will be back soon, someone at the door

bridget

nudging in case anyone can answer my question.

Just caught up with this thread again. So pleased that you had a good Christmas Bridget, what a lovely home that sounds, a far reach from many of them. Lucky are the people who live there. Is it private or council run?

I am also pleased that you feel you have made the right choice in going back to work and that you are finding time to enjoy life together in UK also.

Can anyone give me a vague idea of what weather we could reasonably expect to have from 26th March for a week in Andalucia please?

Gwyn
Thanks for you message, I hope you received mine.
I have a day off today, fingers crossed.
Our boiler which provides all the hot water and the central heating system has broken down so for the last days and nights it has been cold. In the sitting room we have a small electric fire which is at least keeping that room warm. We are having to boil water in the kettle and take it to the bath room...so now not only can we not shower, because the ceiling is so low that we cannot stand up in the bath to shower BUt now cannot even have a bath!!! Takes me back to when I was a child living just off the Mile End Road in east London. very night we had strip washes in the kitchen before we went to bed and then on Friday night the old tin bath was brought in from the garden and because I was the eldest I was able to have a bath first. My sister hated me for it!!
Maybe I should go and buy a Tin Bath, except there is nowhere to put it.
The owners of the property live in France so I know have to send them a message...
It is very cold today but the sun is shining at the moment but not sure what the forecast is, but I think we shall be staying in today.
Was up earlier on and sat and had a coffee whilst I looked back on the last yar. I had, like many people some very troubled times, and a lot of support from people on one of these boards. If it wasn't for their wonderful help, suggestions and opinions I am not sure that OH and I would be here now. Life was certainly going in the wrong direction and sometimes outsiders views are so much clearer. I know, also, that a few of those very kind people were concerned when they heard that I was coming back to work. To them I say your advice has stayed with me..OH and I are here together and whilst I still enjoy my work it is no longer my main priority.
We are happy and relaxed and it could have been so different.
So if you felt today that someone was thinking of you, it just may have been me

Bridget

Bridget,
Your Christmas Day sounds wonderful and I'm sure the residents had a very special time. I'm pleased for you that the day went well, if different, but it was lovely to be able to have your early family Christmas too.
We had a family day yesterday at our daughter's house, - nothing grand, just good food, great company and some happy memories.

I always think of you if we are near The Ridge. Perhaps we will be able to meet before you move again.

Gwyn

Good morning everyone
i hope that you are all hale and hearty and have had a wonderful Christmas Day.
Our Christmas day was very differentf from the previous years yet we enjoyed ourselves immensley and it became very special.

I had to work from 10.00 to 15.00, now this is something I haven't done for years, but off I went.
Of the 22 people we care for 6 went out for christmas 4 were going to be away for a couple of days and two just for the day. All the staff turned up a little earlier than usual and made sure that all those going out were dressed in their finnery and had the presents they needed all wrapped and in a Christmas bag. Then all the other residents were similarly helped,so.
there was a constant flow of visitors and the gifts grew under the ChristmasTree the until the hall was beginning to look as if we going to drown under the volume of them. Some went off to Church and the others either watched a service on TV or simply rested. Visitors started to arrive from 10.00hrs onwards and tea coffee.was constantly served

At midday the champagne came out and the white wine, all remaining residents, their visistors and the staff had a glass of champagne and toasted Christmas and opened their presents. It really does not matter how old you are everyone enjoys receiving gifts. The age range of the residents is from 84 to 103 and all were excited. Then we went into the dining room. The Kitchen staff had worked very hard and the dining room looked wonderful. Special white linen tableclothes were out all set beutifully and one resident had made special napkin holders, the crackers were out and the whole area was very festive. once all the residents and their guests had been served the 8 staff on duty and I and my husband also sat at a table and enjoyed a superb Traditional Lunch and everything was home made.
The cheff was complimented by the visitors and one gentleman who lives in France stood and toasted the chef and her staff for an "outstanding quality of food" and told her that it equalled any restaurant he had ever been in" she was so embarrassed but also pleased.

Finally everyone was either in the sitting room or their own rooms, and I decided it was time to go soo said goodbye to all and came home. OH yes forgot to mention that Peter also came to the home at midday and really joined in, chatting away to the ladies and gentlemen, opening the door to visitors and I think the highlight for him was sitting wat the taff table for lunch surrounded by some very pretty staff and enjoying a very good meal.

We arrived Home just after 15.00hrs and then all the children called and we both felt that we had a wonderful Christmas day.
We also had the great memory of the previous Sunday when we went to my daughters; and had a terriffic time with her two children some friends we have known for a long time and Soldier son and his girlfriend were there as a surprise.
Finally we slumped on the sette, ate chocolate, and later in the evening had a light supper and so the day passed.
I hope you all enjoyed you Christmas Day and just want to say that in my much shorter than usual "quiet time" I prayed that you all had a peaceful day/
Bye for now
Bridget

Merry Christmas everyone and a happy and healthy 2010.

Enjoy,
Frances.

PS My OH and I haven't bought each other presents for years...he'd be more surprised if I bought him something!!