Summer Solstice Sensation

flossyblog

Hello ladies, thank you for the warm welcome and heartfelt sympathies.

I'm a house hostage today, awaiting delivery ....more on that story later.

lessonlearned - I can't beleive how long it took me to link the food thing to hot flushes. I swear it's down to the meno, really, sometimes I just don't feel like myself at all. It's like being in a hypnotic state. I snap out or am snapped out by OH when my latest request is too much.

I have been banished to the spare bedroom for the time being. I have frequetly disturbed him up with incoherant ramblings, throwing off the bedding and trying to warm myself against him with a swetty clammy body. Last night he rushed in to see if I was alright, he had heard me screaming. I was having a nightmare. I awoke to a figure standing in the doorway which confused me further. Heard him mumbling, are you alright, told him he just frightened me and went back to sleep.

I can highly recommend organising your paperwork. I only did this a few years ago. It's very liberating to find things when you need them and also helps being and looking super efficient. If you need any help or hits give me a shout I have it down to a fine art now.

carmen, I really understand the sweet cravings. I must confess last week I did eat a bar of hazelnut chocolate. I made a lemon cheescake for the weekend, but couldn't eat it. Hormones!!!!

Maman, have a lovely time in Paris. Love the savon de Marseille. I'd love to try the bread at poilane having seen a documentary on the place. http://www.poilane.fr/ I'm not sure I would want to part with 8 euros plus for a loaf though.

My seeds have been sown and are on the windowsill basking in the sunshine or will be when it gets there. sown some pom pom Dhalias, snapdragons, a cup and saucer vine and pelagoniums. Have some stone edging to put in, which is hampered by the weather. It will finish off the flower beds nicely.

and now I will do some spring cleaning whilst waiting for my hairstraighteners. Having had perfectly healthy, shiny sleek hair, I am reduced to a frizzy mass. I'm constantly toying with the idea of having it cut short but know I will regret it, having done so many times before. There are no products that help because it's hormone driven. The old hair puts in a brief appearance whenever I have a period, which is every 5 months now. So, eventually I have succommed to a pair of straitgheners. I wouldn't normally choose anything that would damage my hair but I don't think it would really matter that much now. It's quite long and seems to grow at a phenomenal rate. It had 2 major chops last year 5 inches off at least each time. It's already past my shoulders again.

Have a lovely day, the sun is out now which is encouraging

lessonlearned

Hi Ladies

Well Flossyblogs you really do seem to be struggling with meno syptoms - poor you - sounds awful. Your gardening prep sounds wonderful though. I can't wait to get started - I've done some pruning and tidying but no seeds started yet.

Had a gruelling time at the hospital - took five hours in all. We seem to spend so long hanging around hospitals and clinics these days I feel my life slipping away. Today's experience felt like a cattlemarket, everywhere was crowded and we spent a lot of time "waiting". TBH I'm not sure that I can see the point sometimes - it feels like we are chasing rainbows.

I can understand that OH wants to pursue every avenue (so do I of course). It would be beyond wonderful if the medics could come up with some wonder drug or miracle cure. Its just that after nearly five years of all this we still have no definitive diagnosis - just a vague catch all "cerebellar ataxia" which really only describes symptoms and not the root cause.

Oh well - sorry to waffle - I'm just fed up and absolutely shattered now - so it's a nice easy dinner - a sort of hash thing with potatoes, onions, chroizo's, peppers. A sling it all in one pan effort. Maybe a bit of side salad to try and make my 5 day.

I read that the Japanese eat as much as 17 portions of fruit and veg a day and of course they hardly touch dairy and eat lots of soya. Apparently women in Japan have hardly any menopause symptoms. Maybe there's something in it.

Fab wise - again not much happening. DS2 has to work late tonight so won't manage to join SW because no-one to sit with OH. Never mind I will just have to try extra hard to do it by myself for the time being.

Off to do some yoga stretches.

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Another dark, gloomy, rainy day here, cold, wet and miserable. OH nice and cosy dozing by the fire, I've already had a little nap on the sofa. I'm a great believer in afternoon naps. My "power nap" sets me up for the evening - without my little siesta I'm dead on my feet by 7pm. Apparently some of the great and good swore by naps - Wellington, Churchill, Thatcher - good enough for me then.;)

Carer here this morning so had a lovely couple of hours free time. My resolution has been not to spend my occasional morning off catching up with supermarket shopping etc. Today I met an old friend for coffee - it was lovely - dressed up a little, put on some make-up and had a lovely natter over coffee in the garden centre where DS2 happens to work. Picked up a sage plant to make sage tea - supposed to help with hot flushes and night sweats - will give it a try and report back.

Other than that not much happening - I'm getting back into my exercise groove - managed a good yoga workout yesterday - just going to get on my bike now. Healthy dinner tonight - chicken and lots of veggies.

Hope you are all well.

Carmen

Hi Ladies and lurkers

Wow LL and Flossy, I must pass on some of your menopause tips to my sister, I don't think she tries anything to ease the discomfort! I'm not sure she would heed the food part but the sage tea etc she would try and she loves fruit and vegetables but 17 portions :eek:
My whole family have always been big fruit eaters but, I wish my dentist had told me how too much of it can be bad for the teeth :mad: Now I am only stick to my five a day (unless the satsumas are really sweet )
I have had a goodish couple of days, trying to kerb my sweet craving with
mintoes, I know it will pass soon then I will have to watch the sweet chilli crisps :rotfl::rotfl:
LL, so sorry you and O/H had yet another long ordeal yesterday, I can understand your frustrations! I had to go to a few London hospital's (15/20 yrs ago) I remember thinking how impersonal and manic they were compared to the small city where I lived, I hoped that would never happen in our area...guess what, it did, a sign of the times!!
I must have been nice meeting up with your friend for a good natter

Did your hair straighteners arrive Flossy, I hope it is the answer to your hair control? Gosh your hair really does grow quickly :eek: Have you thought of selling it to wig makers
Eight euro's for bread might taking some swallowing! :rotfl:

I wish I was more into gardening, my O/H and sister (when she visits) deal with the garden. It always looks so nice with their efforts. You both seem to be keen gardeners?

Easy dinner tonight just eggs, mushrooms, chips and beans.
Going to the farmers market tomorrow to get my fruit and veg, usually have a couple of drinks and people watch, just like being on holiday :rotfl: Will also pop in and see the Dr about my back, it is taking too long this time to settle!

I hope Maman is having a nice time, despite the weather.

Yes LL, my sleep pattern is all askew again so feeling tired now!

Goodnight all

Carmen xx

lessonlearned

This is not like me at all - I'm usually sweetness and light - but today I feel like committing murder.

The damned Social Services are driving me up the wall:mad:

After months of dilly-dallying they finally accepted that we needed some help with OH and that I need for OH to have respite care to give me a break. I asked for help finding a suitable care home and they refused saying they weren't allowed to make recommendations. Fair enough. So.......I eventually found somewhere I thought was suitable, rang SS to give details as instructed, only to be told they would not fund it.......

I've booked anyway - I'll slap it on the credit card (0% of course), I'll do some carboots, ebay etc to fund it if needs be. Although I know my lovely family will all chip in and help. We're not rich but we're that kind of family.

It's almost laughable. Is this procrastination deliberate - are they waiting for him to die so they don't have to cough up.

The annoying thing is many of the people involved in this have told me privately that if OH lived alone he would have 24 hour care provided, however because they know they can rely on me ........

My friend, who I had coffee with yesterday, told me a very sad story about her sister whose husband was very ill with some kind of brain tumour. (Went to the same hospital as my OH, surgical team first class, aftercare diabolical).

Anyway to cut a long story short just as he got better the poor girl was so stressed she ended up in a mental hospital in a catatonic state - for months. (Both are now thankfully recovered). Quite apart from the obvious injury to her health - just think of all the extra costs to the NHS which could so easily have been avoided if she and her OH had been cared for and supported properly in the first place.

I can easily see how this happened to her. I often feel that I am standing on the edge of a precipice just waiting to fall off. Luckily I am made of strong stuff but even I feel that my health is being damaged by all this. I am fighting back though and am very fortunate to have a lovely girl from Disability Direct who is fighting my corner. Watch this space .....

What has this got to do with my Fabness Quest - nothing at all. I just wanted to get it off my chest.

It's taking me every inch of my will power to simply stay sane and reasonably healthy. No wonder I look like some unloved wretched bag lady half the time.

I will rise like a phoenix from the ashes - but maybe not today :rotfl:

PS In my rage forgot - yes too much fruit is bad for your teeth, especially the acidic citrus fruits. Fruit juice is another baddy toothwise. My dentist told DS2 that after drinking fruit juice you should wait for 30 minutes before cleaning your teeth. Apparently the acid softens the enamel so brushing immediately damages the enamel.

Carmen

LL, your patience is really being tested :mad:
I beg to differ, it is times like these that have an effect on what we do, eat, sleep, smoke (if one is trying to give up) etc...even commit murder No wonder you keep being thrown off your journey to fabness!
I applaud your positive attitude, give yourself a pat on the back. Although your bag lady comment did make me chuckle :rotfl::rotfl:
Chin up

Carmen xx

lessonlearned

Thanks for that Carmen - I knew you'd "get it". How are you sleeping now, a bit better I hope.

It was a lovely day here today - unfortunately didn't get chance to make the most of it although I did get chance to deep clean a couple of the wheelie bins after they'd been emptied. Oh the excitement of it all:rotfl:

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Ok so time to get back on track - just done 3kms on bike, yoga in a little while.

Did a Sainsbury's shop - there's 25% of all Tu clothing until Monday, in case anyone is interested. Didn't see anything I fancied myself but did a bit of a stock up for OH - light weight knitwear and t-shirts.

Also bought some soya milk (also on offer) and some soya/linseed bread. Thought I'd try and up the soya to see if I can reduce my night sweats a bit. I quite like Soya milk, it's also good for smoothies, porridge etc. but a bit "thin" for puddings.

Talking about clothes - loved some of Gok's creations this week, specially the "pleat look". I had a couple of silk pleated skirts just like the ones he used but unfortunately got rid of them. Just goes to show - if you keep a thing long enough ......

Wished I'd kept my 60"s & 70"s gear - it would be worth a small fortune today. Far better made and much better fabrics than today's high street offerings. (Especially the ones I made - I'm just too modest;):rotfl:

Hoping to go out with Scope ladies tonight if DS2 doesn't have to work late.

Off to clean out the fridge and put the shopping away.

Carmen - hope your back is ok now - it has been going on for a while hasn't it.

Keep up the good work everyone.

lessonlearned

Had a nice evening out with Scope ladies last night, DS2 went out for a drink with his colleagues after work but came back specially early so that I could go out. Isn't he a sweetie.

He often helps me put OH to bed at night too. (Just think how much we are saving Social Services and yet they have the nerve to quibble about a week's respite care). Sorry, but as you can tell, my rage is still simmering.

Anyway today is proving quite productive although my poor back/neck/elbows etc are hurting like mad. So I'm having to pace myself. Currently having a little break;) My physio had to cancel Monday's appt so have to wait an extra week till my next session.

I'm trying to organise the room we laughlingly call the study. Actually, its DS1's bedroom when he comes home but it now houses the computer etc., exercise bike - which I shall use in a minute.

I am trying to make room for my keyboard and sewing machine so that we can have a nice study/workroom etc and yet still keep it reasonably tidy for a decent spare bedroom. It doesn't help that there's a load of junk (I mean treasures) waiting to be carbooted.:rotfl:

Before OH's illness, my retirement plan was to do a little bit of antique dealing as a sideline business/hobby. I've stacks of stock but so far haven't been able to get going properly, apart from occasional carboots and ebay. I'm hoping that when I can get the care package sorted out I will be able to get started.

Before Christmas I was also offered a little part time job at the garden centre where DS2 works but had to decline because Social Services were dragging their heels so much. Again I'm hoping to be able to do this later.

Social Services have told me that I'm eligible for Income Support. They would rather pay me than allow me to work or run a business.:mad:

Rant over:rotfl:

Anyway you might be interested to know I've finally made an appt to see a GP - not my usual lovely family GP who we've known for years. Unfortunately (for me, not him) he has semi-retired and, although he is happy to still look after us, I felt it was necessary to start seeing and getting to know some of the other GP's in the practice - just in case we need help quickly.

Anyway going to ask for a referral for physio - I currently fund my own physio treatments but at £35 a session I can't really go as often as I need. I am really seizing up at the moment - oh the joys of ageing!! I am going to see if GP can help because I'm sure that if I wasn't caring for OH my joint problems wouldn't be as bad.

Sorting out my aches and pains in itself would go a long way towards fabness.

My treatment today will involve a deep cleaning face mask and a good slathering of body lotions at some point. Have neglected myself a bit this week:o

Facial Steaming

A good salon facial will include facial steaming to open pores and facilitate a thorough cleanse. You don't need a fancy facial steamer to do this, just a bowl of boiling water and a towel. Just a few minutes is fine. I also add a few sprigs of rosemary to the water - rosemary has antibacterial properties.

First cleanse face to remove makeup and any surface dirt, steam, pat dry and apply facemask to warm skin.

If you have a heavy cold or sinus problems you can add eucalyptus or similar to the water - really helps.

Right back to work ....

Carmen

Good afternoon ladies and lurkers,
I hope all is well with you and yours?

I am addicted to endive at the moment, since I saw Jamie cook it on tv.
I had never acquired the taste for it, too bitter for me. Jamie cooked it on a griddle and it looked so nice I thought I would give it ago..so tasty and takes away most of the bitter taste.
I managed to lose another 1lb this week, slow but steady.
Sleep is still erratic, good and bad nights!
It's a lovely day today but chilly, I'm going to relax by the fire with my book. I am reading David Nivens' 'bring on the empty horses' it looks as if it will be as good as his 'The Moons a Balloon'

LL, glad you managed to get out with the ladies from Scope.
I hope you will soon be able to pursue your hobby/business, sounds like a good idea, good luck.
I hope you are feeling a little better today, glad you are going to see a Dr, you need to take care.

I wonder how Maman enjoyed her trip to Paris?

How are you Flossy and Cherry?

Chin up

Carmen x