Wednesday 4 April 2018

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 461


Afternoon WOYWWers and All,

It's snowing, fairly heavily actually, so what better day could I have to join in with Julia at the Stamping Ground and share what's on my desk today.
There's the beginnings of the first scrap page following our weekend away. Hope you all had a lovely time by the way - over-indulging on Easter eggs perhaps. Showing more self-discipline than is the norm, no chocolate passed my lips though I did have some rather delicious Pavlova for dessert on Sunday. Back to the desk - I've shoved the page out of the way to get to my keyboard ... would be impossible to write this post otherwise. It's now lying on top of that pile of patterned paper and other goodies - all very Disney themed - which I've opted to use for the second part of the Clear the Desk class I'm still working on.

One of the bonus's of driving halfway across the country on a weekend is there's plenty time to listen to audio books. Three to be exact.

First up was yet another Peter May.



This is the third in the Lewis Trilogy. I've still to read the first - got that well wrong! It was another good read and I enjoyed the mystery as it unfolded but I also enjoyed the descriptions of the islands of Lewis and Harris - very atmospheric.
This Is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay, a former hospital doctor, 'provides a no-holds-barred account of his time on the NHS front line. Hilarious, horrifying and heartbreaking by turns, these diaries are everything you wanted to know - and more than a few things you didn't - about life on and off the hospital ward. And yes, it may leave a scar.' As a one-time hospital medical secretary Dr Kay reminded me of why I eventually left to go to university ... the pressures of working in the NHS can never be exaggerated. 

This is the one I'm currently listening to and so far it's had me chuckling at the measures the staff of the Huddersfield Station Office employed to persuade their manager that what the station needed was a cat. They determined that a cat would be essential and have a vital job as 'Senior Pest Controller' . However, Felix is more than just an employee of TransPennine Express, she, yes Felix is female, has 'changed her colleagues' lives' for the better.

Only one funny today, but it's an apt one.

We returned from our trip to find the washing machine wasn't happy to start on our weekend laundry. It was just fine before we left so, as you can imagine, this came as a shock. Happily an engineer arrived early this morning and soon found the source of the problem - the pump. He replaced the faulty one, read disgustingly dirty for faulty, and gave us some advice on cleaning our machine ... we've only been using the wrong tablets for four years - and off he went leaving us with a fully functional machine once again. Sighing happily!

That's all from me today. I'm off to make a cuppa and a bit of lunch before settling down to check out what's on everyone's desks this week.

Have a lovely WOYWW and a wonderful week ahead. 

14 comments:

Sarah Brennan said...

Hi Elizabeth, I've eaten far too much chocolate over Easter I must admit; well done for being so good. Did you know that Felix has her own Facebook page? Happy WOYWW, Sarah #16

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Elizabeth, washing machines seem very picky these days, i agree. I think it may be something to do with the modern ones taking in much less water than the older models. I know mine doesn't do well with powder tablets, they don't all dissolve, and my Mum had problems with actual powders starting to clog the waste water pipes. I have to find that book about the station cat, I think I'd love it. Another one I can recommend is called 'A Street Cat named Bob', which was made into a film not too long ago, which is also extremely good.Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #6 XxXx

Annie said...

I read your blog hours ago but have been working with Amy to improve the speed of our laptop (cos it was getting painful). I’m back now so just wanted to say I’m so thrilled you’ve got your washing machine back up and running....you really could have popped a load in here 😂😂😂😂
Hope you have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x #12

glitterandglue said...

Hi Elizabeth. What a great post - have a fantastic picture of a long suffering washing machine man trudging from house to house telling people they are using the wrong tablets for their water.... Must go off to the library, I think, and see if they have that cat book - sounds such fun!
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #1

Lindart said...

the story of the cat sounds intriguing! One of my favourite series is the "The Cat Who. . ." books, which has two Siamese cats as the mystery solvers! Too bad about your washing machine - how frustrating! At least you have some action on your desk today! Have a great week, Lindart #30

Suzanne Alexis said...

I have to agree with everyone else about the cat book, it sounds delightful! I too am glad your washing machine is back in proper working order. One can't do without that necessity! Your desk looks busy and fun! Have a great week.

Suzanne #35

Julia Dunnit said...

Ah machines. We've had our lovely gal and squeeze home since Monday. They pay 33.75 for a load in the launderette, so you can imagine how much washing we've done - had to lean out the filter trap in the tumble drier this morning. Disgustingly filthy, considering it involves cleaned clothes! Snow in your parts, rain as if its never going to stop in these parts. I don't like it! I love how much you seem to be getting from Shimelle's class; I think it is somehow easier to make a LO if you have some idea of what's going to happen before you even start the paper/photo selection!

Helen said...

good news about your washer - that could have been a costly replacement. I've been watching the tv documentary "hospital" about life this winter on the wards.. so glad (touch wood) i am fit and healthy! Have a great week. Helen #2

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Gosh, the weather has been so random recently...I'm really glad that we've missed the snow this time, hope it doesn't linger too much with you. But crafting is the perfect thing to do when you can't go out and those LOs are fab, love the papers you're using. I really enjoy seeing what you're reading, the Station cat one looks fun. I'm reading the St Mary series of novels by Jodi Taylor which involve a lot of historians time travelling, really good reads!
And HIghland Cathedral used to make me well up when we played it on Remembrance Day in Marlborough, beautiful tune...but maybe not on bagpipes at breakfast time!!!
Hugs LLJ 10 xxxx

Jan said...

Happy WOYWW & thanks for sharing! xx Jan (36)

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I must find this Felix, looks interesting. This is typical of washing machines they seem to have a mind of their own and don't like you leaving them. They will be working fine while you're there and then have fit when you go out! Have a great woyww, Angela x17x

Stacy Sheldon said...

HI Elizabeth, aaah that is great he figured out your machine so quickly. the last one we had that died, it was going to be more money to fix it than to buy a new machine. Thanks for the earlier visit, ~Stacy #31

Twiglet said...

Annie and I enjoyed a coffee together on a beautiful sunny day - buds are bursting and baby lambs in the fields. Hope your snow goes soon and you can enjoy a bit of Springtime.xx Jo

Carmen said...

All three of those books sound really good. I'm going to jot them down - although I think I'll wish I hadn't with the NHS one ;)

Sorry I'm late - hope you are having a good week.
Carmen x #37