Spode, Spode,Spode

Today one of my colleagues called me into one of our backrooms, he pointed to a collection of odd bits of china telling another colleague and myself that all these items were going out and that we had first choice and could choose what we wanted. The only exceptions were the Royal Albert and Noritake items. Most of the items were our generic branded china but there was a boxed set of Spode Blue Italian that was missing pieces. I have been eyeing this set and had considered asking if I could buy the part set, hoping for an extra discount so asked if it was included in the exclusions, was told that it was not and if I wanted it to take it. Didn't have to be told twice, grabbed the set, saying it was all I wanted and raced off to put with my bag. I let myself feel guilty for a little while because I hadn't let anyone else have a chance of choosing it, told myself that yes I did deserve it.

I ended up with a Breakfast plate, side plate, bowl and 2 teacups. The set was missing the dinner plate and saucer - the second teacup is a bonus.

This not the first time something like this has happened, but it's the first time I've had first choice, usually missing out because others have cleaned out first. Last week I was lucky enough to get a cast iron griddle pan, it was the last item left and no one else likes cast iron. I love it and had been looking to buy a larger pan - this pan had been a return part of the outer coating on the underside had come off. This pan was marked at $150.

Love Freebies. Actually last week I had made the suggestion of setting up an area to sell off the odd pieces but was told that it would look tacky.

There's been a change in my days off, I'm too kind hearted and swapped with another workmate when she was put on Saturday. I made conditions - that I needed 2 days running off and that we can swap days if needed. So now I have Sundays and Mondays off. It meant that I worked 7 days running last week and was so looking forward to a break. Have also been asked to work at another store tomorrow, again too soft hearted, can't say no. Wasn't looking forward to the long drive in peak hour traffic so have opted to travel by train - at least I'll get over an hours reading done. I am going to try to get them to pay for my train fare, they were going to pay for tolls and the fare is cheaper.

Cleaned the accumulated crud out of the laundry, threw out much of it - yay me! Mowed some of the grass, left the edges and where a pile of branches were dumped. Drank tea, including nettle tea and sat outside to read a book on fairies. The book seems to only want me to read it outdoors, I can read it clearly outside but the words blur when I try to read it inside. It's nice listening to the sounds of nature as I read about the nature spirits.

Inspired by nature I decided to go plant shopping today. The nursery had plants that I had been wanting for ages but couldn't find - Fountain Grass and Comfrey especially, I also bought some more herbs, the heat killed all of mine. Found wine barrel style pots, small ones for the fountain grass and large for the herbs. Also a booster pack of 500 worms for the worm farm - now I have 512 worms. When I checked the farm a couple of weeks ago I only found 12 worms, the heat got to them too.

This afternoon I took the cat to the vet, she's been losing weight and meowing in pain when picked up, even keeping company with my daughter who she usually treats with indifference. Her chest felt strange and yesterday I noted a lump on it. Vet diagnosed an abcess and searching through her fur found a puncture mark, she's now on antibiotics. It's a load off my mind, even though I risk life and limb when I have to shove tablets down her throat for the next 5 days.