Paperwork sandwich

Since I’ve been back, I’ve been dealing with so much personal paperwork. I really would rather be doing something nice, but it has to be done!

I guess I hadn’t quite realised how much paperwork there would be when going through divorce. Bit naive I suppose when finances are involved. So that took all last weekend. Also, I’m power of attorney (POA) for my Mum’s best friend. She’s now in her 80s and has dementia, so I’ve recently had to put her in a care home. It’s a wonderful place where they really look after her. She loves singing and dancing and thankfully they do plenty of that. It is really hard, and rather time consuming being a POA though. So if you’re asked to be one, think carefully before saying yes! She always said she didn’t want to go into a care home, but it definitely is the best - and safest - place for her. Now the house is being sold to pay for the care home fees. Frightening amount: £1,700 a week. Anyway, lots of paperwork and emails are required for this at the mo.

Work’s been busy, as always and I had to go to Ealing last Wednesday for my induction. It was also the fifth anniversary of working at Ealing! Induction was required because I’ve just gone permanent. We went through the intranet (my baby) and I spotted things that need changing - I don’t have time to just look through the web pages normally; so this was worthwhile. One of my lovely colleagues came into the office to see me, and we had a great lunch at Pho catching up. It’s weird being in the office nowadays. We sat with HR rather than our Comms team - because it’s hot desking, and anyway, no one else from our team was there. There’s no personal effects on the desks - no plants, photos, pots of pens, etc, so it’s all rather ‘cold’. I find it hard concentrating in an office setting, so much easier at home.

Anyway, being down that way for work meant I could arrange various meet-ups and I booked 3 Travel Lodges! I’m an expert on TLs!! Stayed at Stockley Park the first night. I’d forgotten how nice Stockley Park is - I worked there years ago for Glaxo. Full of nice tree lined paths, and lakes. The TL was fine - they always have very comfortable beds and crisp white bedding. This one has a bar and restaurant, but I was out for the evening with an old friend from a previous job, which was lovely. I’d booked late check out so that I could work from my room on Thursday. Didn’t need to be in the office - I had calls most of the day, so at lunchtime, I drove over to the second TL of my trip - this one was in Egham. Not impressed to find that disabled parking, although free for three hours, costs £25 as I was staying longerl. £25!!! I worked in the afternoon, then met up with my school mate Dawn. Another school friend Janet came too for a brief visit - I’d only seen her the week before - she was competing in dog agility with Rhu in Monmouth - but she’d not seen Dawn in a few years, but it was just like they’d met up the day before. That’s always the sign of great friends isn’t it. Doesn’t matter how long it’s been, you just pick up where you left off.

I had a day off on Friday. Started with a trip to Windsor. The castle looked magnificent. I met a financial adviser to discuss what I should do with the money from the house sale to pay for the care home. POA duties. Then I visited the lady herself. So sad - desperate to see her Mum and Dad. The care home had written her a letter ‘from her parents’ explaining they’re on holiday and that she can’t go home because it’s being renovated. I went along with it, explaining the bathroom was being redone because she needs a walk in shower. Oh yes, she was happy with that - until she forgot, and wanted to see her Mum and Dad. If I get this awful disease, I’m off to Dignitas. Hopefully I’ll remember that this is my wish!

Talking of awful diseases - Rob Burrows has died. I feel so sorry for his family and friends, but he’s raised awareness of MND so much which is fantastic.

Another thing whilst I think of death. Oh dear, sorry. But it’s the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and if you get a chance, watch the BBCs programme, D-Day - The Unheard Tapes
Purely brilliant. Hard watch at times of course, but so well done.

I had a delicious antipasti lunch at Marks and Spencers including a watermelon lemonade - with some watermelon on the side - absolutely gorgeous. They’ve updated the Camberley restaurant. Now digital menu boards and loads of staff bringing the food out very quickly. I was impressed, and said so to the manager. Unfortunately, I found no clothes to buy. Not that I need any really, but it was still disappointing.

I had a lovely afternoon with my brother and his family and then went off to the 3rd TL - this one was Camberley Central. I spent an evening with a couple of cans of Smirnoff Ice, some salad and crisp watching NCIS. Quite relaxing. Up very early the next day, looking forward to seeing my cousins and an aunt, but sadly at the last minute it was cancelled due to an emergency, so I drove straight home.

Since I’ve been back, I’ve been doing - you guessed it - paperwork! AAAAAGGGGHHHH

Oh and I did order a new print. I must stop buying pictures, but this one I couldn’t resist. Great title: Breakaway.