The trouble with staying in, in blogging terms anyway, is that there's nothing much to write about!
Well, here's something.....after having typed that first sentence, I accidentally pressed something I shouldn't (don't ask me what, the sun was shining in so brightly and blinding me, so I couldn't see what I was doing 😁) and the screen went dark - still on, but impossible to see anything it was so dim. Did a restart and it was still the same. Went into Settings and it turned out I'd somehow or other set the screen brightness to 0! Honestly, sometimes I make myself laugh with how blonde I am 😂😂 (except I'm no longer blonde but grey, seeing as I don't colour my hair anymore....I guess it's senior moments now!). Oh well, sorted now 😉
I'm getting on with some admin stuff whilst we're staying home, more change of addresses etc. I suddenly realised yesterday that I hadn't changed our home contents insurance to the new address - I did ring them before we moved, but they said they couldn't action it until we'd actually moved to the new place. It had slipped my mind what with all the unpacking etc, so that's done now.
I've been trying to get onto the Government website to check my State pension forecast - I'm aware that I am missing a few years' NI contributions and wanted to see exactly how many, and how it will affect my future pension. Whilst getting Carers Allowance I do apparently get NI credits automatically, so that's good. However, so far I've not had any luck - I need to get a Government Gateway registration, but having tried online, I come up against a brick wall when it comes to verifying my ID - it just won't have it and says it cannot proceed as no verification possible. I suspect it's because I have no passport or driving licence, the online form says you have to have 2 forms of ID out of a given list, and I only have 1. All blimmin online forms nowadays seem to be hellishly long and complicated, or else I'm just getting dimmer in my dotage 😂 😠. I suppose I'll have to ring them - although that in itself is also a problem nowadays, seems we get put in queues for ages and/or have to press buttons in response to some automated instructions. Which I can't hear properly as I'm partly deaf. Nothing is ever simple, is it?
I'm feeling as fit as a fiddle right now - well, other than my creaking hips and knees (my back is ok right now!), the threatening cold didn't materialise at all. Husband is hardly sneezing now, he's still got the cold but is definitely feeling better. I'm still avoiding him as much as possible 😁 - since I'm the carer, I don't want to be ill!
It's still cold outside (in the garden with the dog), not nearly as cold as it has been but there's already a strong wind blowing. Our local forecast says wind gusts of up to 62 expected later - wow, just as well we're not going out. Possible power cuts too - we've got torches and candles, plenty of food, blankets etc, and a camping gas stove thing with several gas canisters, so we'll be alright for a while in the event of a power cut. I don't know whether the housing support officers do anything in those circumstances, I guess we'll find out! I might boil the kettle and fill a flask with hot water later, just in case.
I hope all you lot are staying home and safe, and that you don't have any problems with this new storm.
It's blowing a hooley here in East Cornwall. I've just been out to place heavy planters either side of one of my side gates - it was blown so hard during the night that the securing bolt broke the frame and pulled a large chunk of plaster off the wall! So I'll be looking for a 'man who can' to fix that, I guess. When we have these storms, it's the wind that scares me - it does so much damage. Apparently, it's 12degC but it feels a heck of a lot colder than that. Brrrr!
ReplyDeleteDon't ya just love technology! Glad you worked out what it was. It's the sort of thing I'd do! I spent most of yesterday in bed, just feeling completely drained of energy and headachey. Still got a headache, but at least I feel like I've got some energy back. 'Tis the season for bugs!
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting your pension forecast. They kept moving the goalposts as I neared retirement age. I keep reading that we WASPI women are on the verge of getting some compensation for lost pension. I'm not holding my breathe!
It's starting to get a bit windy here. I hope we don't get the 80mph winds they're predicting. I must go and lay my 2 bird tables down, though, just in case. Don't want them flying around the garden. xx
I guess Betty is all settled in and at home with you there with her?
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you seem better, even if busy, it is something you look forward to doing with your future all set for a place to live that is super.
Sometimes it is best to just let "family" deal with their own problems and that doesn't include bringing them to you. Also, what family .....they seem to have forgotten you until they need something....forgetting works both ways. :)
So glad that other than the aches of age, you are feeling much better. Starting to warm up a bit here, which is very welcome.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It's just raining here...no freezing, thank goodness!
ReplyDeleteHope you get the Carer's business all sorted!
hugs
Donna
I know exactly what you mean about the faff of trying to get something done these days. Everything is done online and it's never easy. It's so flippin' frustrating, isn't it. Gone are the days when you could just make a phone call and get it sorted in 5 minutes. We don't have passports either and it's always the first thing that's asked for!
ReplyDeleteIt was blowing a hooley all of yesterday afternoon and into the night here too. No power cuts, luckily, but we did make sure we knew where the torches were. The garden chairs were laid flat just in case. I didn't fancy one of them blowing around the garden or into the glass of french doors. I can't cope with any more problems!
Good luck getting your pension forecast Sooze.
Do the pension people contact us before we reach retirement age Sooze?. I've another 18 months to go but not sure how it all works.
ReplyDelete