THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

meanmarie

Sincere sympathy Daz.

Marie

mardatha

Well... an odd day here for me. The RV hasn't been well for a bit but the bike was due its MOT so we went the 20 miles to the engineer's to do that. He dropped me off at the garden centre where I was supposed to drink tea and eat cake while they talked bikes and sat in a cold draughty garage..
His leg went from under him or his foot slipped or something and he dropped the bike, it fell on his leg and he couldn't get out from under it. I then hurt my back stupidly trying to lift it off him lol - no chance! Two guys came running over and even they struggled to lift it.
Then after all that the bloody thing failed the MOT on a wheel bearing and they had to lend us a car to come home in. Now the RV's knee is up like a balloon and he can't walk at all. And I've realised that I don't know how to open or lock a car; I can't manage to push out the wheelie bins; and I've barely got the strength to carry out a full ash can from the stove. I have to either learn fast or find new ways round things in case one day he isn't around to do them.

Nargleblast

A sobering lesson, mardatha. All of us in partnerships need to get our act together and make sure we have the knowledge and skills to carry on a normal life if the other half goes first. And if we are the ones to go first, then our remaining halves should be able to fend for themselves. Something to ponder on when you are stuck in the house when the weather's bad.

greenbee

Re the bins, call your council Mar and ask about assisted collection. Most will do it. If not hopefully a neighbour will step in.

Ash you will have to empty in small quantities. Time to think about adapting to make both your lives easier.

mardatha

The younger neighbours up the top of the street would do it, if we really had to ask. The RV takes out the bins for 4 other neighbours down our end (this "street" is only 10 houses long)- so if he is out of action then that's a few who would struggle. One lady in her 70s; one lady of 90; one single lady in her 40s on cancer treatment; and the couple over the road in their late 70s.
But the fire is the biggie, I know I'd work out my own way of getting the coal in - the problem is emptying the ash can which is about 12" wide and 16" long, heavy and awkward to carry, with a clip on handle at one end, a bit like some cooker grills. Even with less ash on it greenbee it's still awkward. I'll work on a way to do that.
Anyway he's up and hobbling around this morning so the knee maybe looked more dramatic than it was

greenbee

it sounds like part of your planning for the future needs to be getting assisted bin collection sorted out for your neighbours as a minimum, so you don't have to worry that they are depending on you.

As for the ash pan, you'll have to think about options for it. Dealing with hot ash is one of the reasons my parents converted from solid fuel to oil in the 90s, and then gas when they moved 4 years ago.

Has the RV seen a doctor? It would probably be wise if he hasn't.

jk0

I think it's time to talk to RV about packing up motorbikes if you are both that tottery Mardatha. I'm not happy about my gf riding one, and she is 26.

My old neighbour got himself a Robin Reliant when biking in winter became too arduous, as you can drive it on a bike license. Maybe it's time to find one?

Karmacat

daz378 wrote: »

thanks for asking about dad , unfortunately he died on saturday morning, about 230 am i had left an hour earlier , but bless her his 19 year old grandaughter was by his bedside , cancer had spread everywhere hewas on pain relief but still fighting for everybreath. he initially had bowel cancer...all his family visited over the last week....hed had a long and full life.

So sorry to hear your news of your dad, daz. I'm glad your family had time to visit, and that his life was long and full, it's good to hear.

Thinking of you.

Karmacat

Mar! It sounds awful but RV is a bit better this morning? Has that lasted? It's a shock, this whole getting older thing - and for you right now, it sounds like finding new ways of doing things is a priority

For me, it's a case of stepping back - I can't do the things I'd assumed I'd be able to do once I retired, so plans have to be rejigged, and visits to friends and acquaintances pulled back.

fuddle

Eek at calling mar tottery jko. You're brave

I'm saddened by your story mar and the subsequent worry that follows. Dear kittie might have some ideas for the ash pan as she's been on her own journey. The only one I can come up with is let the fire cool overnight and dust pan into bags by day but that would leave you frozzin'. What about a trolley of some sort? Assistance to get it out side at least. I'm a bit stumped but hoping this thread can come into its own with brainstorming ideas and we can spark something.