Dirty's hoping it's not too late to mend her ways......

dirtyepic

Well I am so wiped out with these painkillers I am hoping that my body can get used to them before long.

I do hope that I am doing 'the right thing' as recommended by the medical experts over the past year fo my back. Keep active, stretching, no slouching, etc etc.

I am managing a little while seated, then a little while standing and/or pottering around and then, a few times today, I have had to have a lie down and 40 winks.

I have been for my xray and will have to wait two weeks and make an appointment at the doctors to find out if there's anything untoward there!

Also I am now awaiting my OH referral from work. Let's hope that comes along quite sharp.

Don't you think its a bit funny though, my job entails teaching members of our staff how to sit correctly at their desks/workstations and also teaching them good manual handling practice including how to look after your back etc and I am now laid up with this flippin back issue again. All since travelling to various locations throughout England for H&S reasons! Oh the irony!

Please note: I have been taking my own advice and have been actively looking after my back and posture etc!

My TADA list so far today:

One wash done
Hung out
Brought back in due to torrential rain
Tidied kitchen
Made my first ever corned beef plate pie (yum yum although 'pointing' it for weightwatchers may prove quite a task!)
Been for three little walks
Posted 3 ebay parcels
Went for xray
Completed day 2 of August Declutter Challenge


Right, I have been static for a bit too long now so I will start to potter again.

Got a few things to be getting on with I suppose before I settle down for the night and take my last lot of painkillers.

Hopefully tomorrow I may be able to get a bit of structure to my day.

MUST START MY MIND MAPPING!! Just need a bit of motiv/inspiration!

Till tomorrow

Dirtyepic

dirtyepic

Well didn't I sleep rather late this morning. Definitely must've needed it. I woke to say bye to Baldy at about 7.20am then fell straight back to sleep till 9.05am!!

I've stretched, taken my painkillers and pottered/

My TADA list so far:
- one wash out (incorporating plenty of stretching - lovely!!)
- another wash in
- breakfast and nice sit down for a little while
- made bed and generally pottered around the bedroom finding things to do whilst standing such as a little tidy up of Baldy's wardrobe
- sat down and ready MG's Matrix Declutter challenge Day 3
- copied 5 x cds into my itunes (dodgy, new order, death in vegas dreadzone - only hundreds more to do - part of my decluttering cos I must sort out the cds that are not in any particular order downstairs)

Now it's time for a walk around the block and then potter for a little while before sitting down for a nice bowl of soup for me dinner!

Ooh forgot to say the corned beef plate pie last night was delicious! Now today I am going to make some apple turnovers from the spare flaky pastry (ww points - blimey, who knows??!!)

I'll catch up a little bit later

Dirtyepic

dirtyepic

Ooh that was an extensive potter/rest/potter/rest session this afternoon.

Now I am having a decent sitting session and sitting correctly etc to help my back even more.

Today has actually been the most painful but I think it's because I slept so long - about 10 hours in total but not uninterrupted though - and it's remaining in one posture for a length of time that creates more discomfort.

Just popped another couple of painkillers so hoping they will kick in shortly.

My TADA list so far:
- one wash out (incorporating plenty of stretching - lovely!!)
- another wash in
- breakfast and nice sit down for a little while
- made bed and generally pottered around the bedroom finding things to do whilst standing such as a little tidy up of Baldy's wardrobe
- sat down and ready MG's Matrix Declutter challenge Day 3
- copied 5 x cds into my itunes (dodgy, new order, death in vegas dreadzone - only hundreds more to do - part of my decluttering cos I must sort out the cds that are not in any particular order downstairs)
- 2nd wash on line
- dishwasher started and almost complete
- created some apple turnovers (had to try one that 'didn't look as pleasing to the eye as the others - mmmmm)
- tidied kitchen
- decluttered and thoroughly cleaned 1 kitchen drawer (doesn't sound much but it was one of the big deep ones that we use as our larder)

I have started to watch the Mad Men box set which my friendly recommended and I think I will have a lie down whilst watching that and possibly drop off.

Will take some ebay items to list whilst lying down though.

Boy am I finding it difficult to start to live my life in the slow lane?!

I wish I could write something that showed things in my life are improving - one way or another - maybe things have improved so much over the past year that it's now time for the improvements to slow down!

hahahahahaha!

I may pop back a bit later to add to my TADA list, if not .... till tomorrow diary.

Dirtyepic

dirtyepic

Just a short message tonight cos I am so tired and I am going to sit and watch some Sopranos with my lovely Baldy!

Slept okay last night apart from being disrupted by the evergrowing seagull families populating our neighbours' chimney stacks (I will continue this another time, needless to say it's an ongoing saga)

Today's TADA
- MG Matrix Declutter Challenge Day 3 - completed
- Day 2 - ongoing (Speed decluttering! Currently working on shelves of big fridge everytime I make myself a cuppa)
- Cleared the dining room completely of the old eMac and it's clutter
- Set up eMac
- Decluttered the computer rubbish drawer
- Decluttered my laptop bag
- Decluttered the computer cables box in my little room
- Called the Mattress supplier re: unhappy with newish mattress
- Sorted out clean washing to iron
- 3 x short walks to get some fresh air
- rested/pottered/rested/pottered etc
- placed plea for help on the Techies thread to help getting emac wireless compatable
- Updated ww tracker for the day
- copied 10x cds onto my itunes

TADIDN'Ts
- get emac set up properly
- get anything on ebay
- get unit on Freecycle

I haven't had to take as many painkillers today so hopefully that is a sign that things are improving and my 'keeping active' policy is the way forward.

Tell you what though, I still say that life in the slow lane is hard to maintain!

Okay then, that's it for today, I'm off to chill and spend some time cuddled up with Baldy.

See y'all tomorrow.

Dirtyepic

dirtyepic

TADA list

One wash in
One wash out on the line (lovely big stretches making me feel a lot better)
10 cds copied into itunes
ebay started and saved to go live tonight
rest/potter/rest/potter

So this is it, five days of attempting to recover from this flippin recurring back issue and it's been difficult.

Even though my gp said I should still try to go to pilates this week I was unable to do so as on Wednesday that's when my back was at its worse so far. Hopefully on Sunday I will be able to attend the class and ask the teacher what I will be able to do.

My weightwatchers has been rather difficult too, due to the side effects of the painkillers I have been given.

On that note, my lack of visits to the loo has been noted and I know that I would've put some weight on this week due to this and the fact I am unable to step up my exercise except walking around the block a few times a day (which reminds me, I'm about due to saunter around for five mins) so going to the ww class on Saturday seems a bit of a waste of time for the lady to tell me I have put weight on and me to tell her that the medication I am on for my bad back won't let me go to the loo and I can't walk for longer than 10 minutes at a time.

BUT I MUST STICK WITH IT.

These baby steps seem to be taking steps in the wrong direction! Or maybe these baby steps haven't learned to climb over walls just yet!

Still, onwards and upwards.

This house and the decluttering is getting chipped chipped away.

MG Matrix Decluttering Challenge Day 5 is about clearing the mess under the bed - URGH!!

I must though, I have been able to keep up each day so far and this one won't beat me. What I am hoping to do though, is plough through all the financial paperwork and shred all ancient paperwork then hopefully make the shredded paperwork into brickettes for the fire for the winter - now there's forward planning!!

I have a nice quite weekend (hopefully) and going to plod along with more work/pottering to make a substantial difference with my clutter.

So, till later on then diary and whoever may be dipping and having a read, I'll probably pop back on here to chronicle what exciting things I have been up to!

dirtyepic

dirtyepic

Hi Diary,

Well this is a bit of a change, me writing during the weekend.

I have had a good weekend, nowt spectacular but good all the same.

Continuing with the decluttering challenge seems to be priority at the moment and it's very satisfying (can't believe that I am enjoying a weekend of trying to straighten up and decluttering - my hedonistic weekends of clubbing and partying are well and truly behind me!)

Yesterday, Baldy spent all day on a off road cycling trip so was away all day to somewhere near Dunbar.

I spent the day pottering (as usual) but felt good about it. Saturday pottering seems to be more satisfying and enjoyable than other times!)

I was continuing the 'clear under the bed' task. Now this is a biggie due to the fact I keep all my paperwork under there. Initially because I didn't want Baldy to be able to find the numerous credit card statements following numerous balance transfers.

So yesterday I plodded on with clearing these boxes containing dozens of folders and wallets. Shredding sheet after sheet, eventually filling 3 large bin liners of shredded paper. I then relocated these storage boxes, looking rather slimline, into an alternative place (another cupboard which will be eventually cleared during this decluttering challenge).

I thought that the bags of shredded paper was a complete waste and wondering how I would reuse it. I remember asking, on the forums a little while ago, about how to make briquettes for the winter. So I had a shot and created dozens of small 'ice hockey puck' sized compressed wet paper briquettes which I hope will dry out and stay quite compact and can be used in the winter to start our fire off instead of scrunched up newspaper. Dunno how successful they will be. Oh yeah, I also thought that maybe a drop or two of scented oil would smell a bit nice when used. So I added one of our favourite Christmas time oils that we use in the burner on the hearth.

Now back to the decluttering, I have only two more boxes, under the bed, to plough through and will crack on with that again tomorrow, along with some ironing, some ebay and, hopefully, some sewing.

On the back situation, it's still painful but todays been a good un. I went along to pilates and took it really easy and had to sit out a few exercises. The pain hasn't been too bad but I am now getting rather uncomfortable so will get up and walk around the house for a little while.

I have almost completed my ebay listings for today and would be over the moon if I could get the last four items on before I retire to my lovely bed!

Till tomorrow

dirtyepic

ps having to stay upstairs cos I really could pick at something really tasty but due to putting 2lb on this week I am keeping as far away from kitchen as is possible whilst staying indoors.

dirtyepic

Good Morning diary,

Although I have just glanced at the time and have no idea where this morning has gone because really I haven't achieved a thing except writing out each thing I want to get done today on a sticky and will transfer from one side of my laptop to my other when they get done.

I have actually read my post (my bank statement) and happy with that. Work has sent through my diary and my memory stick which is good so I must drop them an email to say thanks. Just awaiting my Occ Health appointment now.

Ooh, I managed to transfer £50 from paypal to my bank account towards my holiday spending money. So that's one big colourful £50 square I can cross off my chart of 'holiday spends transferred' and 9 more to work at!

I have started to go through my itunes cos (much to my dismay because this is another decluttering task which I HAVE to sort out!!!!) I have found two flipping music folders on my laptop and have to go through each individual folder to ensure I don't hoy anything away that I like.

Right, I am now going to get up and do some ironing because me backs a bit niggly and also I am sure it's time for a cuppa!

Till later

dirtyepic

dirtyepic

Well what I initially thought as a slow non-productive day has turned out to be quite successful.

My TADA list (very quick message here because I am going out in half an hour with some old friends for tea and a good chat!)

Matrix declutter day 8 task (bedside drawers and clutter around my side of the bed)
Finish under the bed
Finish new ebay listings
Measure little unit/stand and put on freecycle
20 x cd's checked and copied onto my itunes
ironing complete
Updated my ww tracker
checked bank accounts online
PAD for the whole month
Dishwasher filled and washed
One load of washing in
Emailed boss requesting info about occ health appointment
Contacted new pilates class for Friday teatime
Downloaded free film from Sunday Times

Phew!

Now back update, was great all day till about 3pm then it's been an awful pain so straight back on the painkillers. Unfortunately now its gone to the right hand side of my lower back too but it looks like the pain has gone from my leg.

Till tomorrow, I'm off for a big fat steak and lush real chips (all ww pointed of course)

Dirtyepic

dirtyepic

Today's not turning out to be a good one - but it could be worse.

So really what I should be saying is its a bit different again to yesterday and the weekend and all of last week.

My back issue - I have been recommended since last year to keep moving and the more active I am the better for the back.

So since my back issue has flared up again, bottom left lower back, sometimes moving to left buttock and down left leg (started 29.07.11) and, as advised for a week now I have been pottering (influenced by the decluttering challenge) but nothing strenuous and time limited. Once the ache gets worse I have been either sitting (posture correct!) or lying (legs raised by pillow/cushion) and to tell you the truth it's not actually making a difference. I am still taking the painkillers and have done the pilates class, again recommended by both dr and physio. Yesterday though, the pain started to move across to the right side and to my right buttock.

So today I have decided that I WILL TAKE IT EASY and TAKE A DAY OF COMPLETE REST.

So far so good. I have been up since 5am due to the seagulls (I will add further comments on this at a later date) and have been mostly lying down but about an hour ago the pain was getting worse (left lower back, right leg) so I have been pacing the floor and it's still not got any better. Now I am running a nice bath because I can lie in there for about 15-20 minutes and hopefully get out less crocked.

Today I think my list of TADAs will be extremely minimal!

I have been looking online at numerous websites linked to letterpress printing and I would so love to try this out. How on earth do you manage to learn how to do this? There is an arts centre in Newcastle and it sometimes runs a course but I keep checking and there's nothing planned for the rest of this year.

I am on their mailing list and I do receive newsletters every now and again so will be watching out for that. Maybe this is the universe telling me that it's just not time for me do that just yet.

Maybe my bad back is the universe telling me to take it a bit easier and learn to relax instead of having to cram so much into every minute of the day.

On that note, me bath's about ready (full of lovely Neal's Yard Lavender bubbles!) and I am off to relax with a book and no noise.

Till later for more nonsense and rambling

dirtyepic

lionheartedgirl

I think some enforced rest sounds perfect, I have been a bit concerned about all the decluttering! I understand you need to keep moving but maybe it's just been a bit much

rather than the universe saying it's not time for your printing at the moment, maybe it is just testing to see how much you want it. perhaps you need to do more searching....which you can start on the internet.....which you can do while you're resting up! hurrah! :j :T :rotfl:a course can't be the only way surely!

maybe there are some books available? (I don't know anything about it so forgive me!)

(sorry not popped in lately, life has been a bit full on!)