Crazy Cat Lady Chapter 3 - A New Beginning

crazy_cat_lady

Well I dragged myself into a pair of comfy leggings and a hoodie and did my hair to go into town - then bestie cancelled I actually haven't seen her properly for a month, but unfortunately she'd forgotten about an appointment she'd made. Probably for the best as I felt rotten anyway but I took the car into town and picked up my parcels, ordered cat litter and went to L1dl for my veggies (plus I picked up 2 packs of reduced pork belly which is one of my favourites - for when I feel better). I was fairly wiped out when I got home so I tried to nap but couldn't doze over. There is another cat in the street (not mine) who I think is bullying our cats by sitting in the garden and yowling loudly all day and night. I went after it with a jug of water a couple of times yesterday afternoon but wish my cats would just form a gang and go after it and chase it back to its own territory. Hope my neighbours do not think this badly behaved cat is anything to do with me (particularly at 2am). Finally managed a bit to eat later in the day, plus a bit of knitting, and a bit of crochet. I am part way through the foot of my first sock but I confess to finding knitting a little bit boring. It doesn't grow at the speed of crochet so I feel as though I'm putting a lot of work in for not a lot of reward. I know I will like my sock once its finished but I then have a second one to make as well. They may be Christmas present ideas... I'm mixing it with crocheting a baby blanket to keep me motivated.
I feel like I am pretending to be foxgloves because I have stolen all Christmas ideas from her. From making socks, to smoky tomato chutney, to fruity gin and I'm even going to try making this Bailey's style drink. Thank goodness for you and your excellent recipes. I'm definitely not up to a lot of food prep this weekend (plus I may still be infectious) but I need to be getting on with some of it sooner rather than later.
Another fairly rough night sleepwise but at least I'm not feeling sick any more. DS was awake so he woke me up, then I just couldn't get back to sleep again. I've been awake since 5am and my plans for today are to have a pyjama day. I'm just about to watch the GNR on the telly and sit here all hilarious in my pyjamas watching a couple of my team science colleagues running a half marathon. If only I were that well motivated (but I definitely am not - I did the GNR in 2007 and vowed I would never do it again)
Other than that I'm just going to finish the washing (white shirts to do), relax, read the blimming physics stuff I didn't do yesterday, knit until I'm bored and then crochet.

crazy_cat_lady

And the cat litter I ordered yesterday wasn't delivered, which is very unusual. Better chase them up tomorrow.

f0xh0les

We are watching the GNR together in our PJs CCL!

I think you are suffering what I call in my house, 'other people's dirty kids' germs '. It strikes about 72 hours into any school term after a break of more than 9 days. It is the same as the 'two weeks into uni term cough/cold/sore throat' disease. So all summer long, whenever I have seen a box of 'lemon flavoured paracetamol based drink sachets' (TM)) for 20p I have bought them, and DH will neck them like a fiend to keep on being able to teach (and speak). I am sorted well into the new year.
Maybe take a daily multivitamin while your body gets used to evil kid germs again, and keep washing your hands. Start of terms is always a killer.

crazy_cat_lady

So the pyjama day was fantastic. Unfortunately, a day of not leaving the house yesterday meant that ds in particular wasn't tired enough for a restful sleep. He was awake lots during the night, which meant I was awake with him. Couple that with the usual cat antics and I got a mere 3 hours and 10 minutes of sleep. I cannot explain how very rough I felt when the alarm went off at half six. Poor ds wasn't much better at 7 but we made it out of the door on time.
Frog ticked off the list today - finally got the stop c 0 c k replaced in the kitchen. The heating man broke it when my boiler was replaced and I wanted it sorted before winter. I think that's £40 well spent though so won't complain.
Also spoke to dd's English teacher - she doesn't know and mustn't find out because she'd be mortified. I wanted to voice my concerns about mixed ability teaching. DD is a target 8 student and I fear she may not reach her full potential in a mixed ability group. He was lovely and very reassuring, however, I have still lined up someone to come and tutor her for me as I'm not prepared to take a risk with her education.
Chased up the cat litter. Woman that had taken my order on Saturday neglected to tell me that my usual brand was out of stock and won't be back in until tomorrow. Not the end of the world but I wish that she could have at least told me. That's the second time this has happened now - but I'm desperately trying to support a local business.
And in bigger-but-still-no-progress news - my solicitor contacted me for an update as to whether Dog had caught up with the ex. When I said no, he suggested that we apply to the court for an adjournment to give us more time to continue to find him. It will save me the cost of going into court tomorrow (£1600) and whilst I am devastated in terms of being stuck in limbo as to moving on, I completely understand what my solicitor is saying. He thinks that the judge will make us find ex before anything else can be done at all. So I need to continue to practise being patient and hope that someone catches up with him soon. I have asked my solicitor to ask the courts to issue an order to get his current address so we can serve the papers. If the judge is that bothered to know if ex has seen the papers then they could provide an address to serve them at - they can get it.
Anyway, I'm relieved financially but down in the dumps about it emotionally. Never mind. A poor night of sleep doesn't help either. So I'm getting into bed at 9 to watch MasterChef with ds and getting a very early night. Hopefully things will look brighter tomorrow.

Honeysucklelou2

How can the judge expect you to find the ex to serve papers if the ex will not make his whereabouts known or you don't have much to go on? How frustrating for you. Hope the judge/court will issue an address for you.

crazy_cat_lady

Phew! What a week. I am getting way too old to keep living my life at a million miles an hour. Work has been hard - nothing in particular - just still getting used to the changes in the department and the new timetable and classes plus being out of the house for 10 hours at a time. I have been so busy and so tired this week I've literally been getting home and pretty much going to bed. Sleep still up and down but I'm struggling to feel rested.
On top of that, it was open evening on Wednesday night so I didn't get home until after 9pm. As you can imagine there has been little else going on in my life as I've just been so busy with work and feeling tired. I expect I can still go on for a while though.
Court was cancelled after all on Tuesday - it hit me a lot harder than I expected it to though. I was quite emotional for a lot of the day. There's nothing worse than having to wait - especially when you're an impatient person like I am, and especially when you're stuck in limbo with regards to your own home.
My weight is making me utterly miserable again as well. However, I think that may just be a reflection of my mood at the moment. I desperately want to do something about it, but I don't seem to care enough to actually do something about it. It's a strange situation... I am not going to say I'm going to get on and do something about it because I can't force my head to be in the place it needs to be in order to get something done. I always feel enthusiastic to start but truth is that food is my 'thing'. I'm not a big drinker, I'm not a gambler but I like to eat. I have so many emotions associated with food. Never mind.
On top of all that and probably overruling the whole thing at the moment is my hormones. I'm 42 but my hormones are definitely having more of an impact on me than they ever have in the past. Feels a bit early for menopause but apparently you can start seeing symptoms years before it actually happens. I've had awful problems controlling my temperature at work this week, and everything hurts - my back, my legs and awful cramps. I almost couldn't get out of bed on Thursday morning because I felt so awful. I keep trying to tell myself that I have to look after myself better because I am clearly suffering but can't seem to actually do it. It needs to be small steps rather than some sweeping changes and grand gestures that I actually feel I need to do. The small things are more likely to stick... so just one thing at a time I reckon. I'll start with tracking what I eat on my app. That should in theory be doable and tracking makes me more mindful of what I shove down my throat. I am also going to make sure I get out for a little walk at some point today with one or both of the kids. Important for mood and sleep, and I'm sure I can find 30 minutes just to do something. They should be doable.
On top of that - there's lots of little bits that need to be done. First load of the weekend washing is in the machine. I have hoovered and the rubbish is ready to go out once I have my shoes on. Parcel to pick up and I need to pop out later to buy sausages for dinner and some ham for sandwiches. Also dd and I are off to get eyebrows and lashes done this morning (I'm having a tint and she's getting her lashes permed for her birthday). Also VERY important is that I get my Christmas gin started (pear and blackberry this year) and make my chutney as I have a load of fresh fruit sitting in my fridge that will go bad if I don't use it soon. Should be a busy but very nice day I hope. However, before it all kicks off I have days of stuff on here to catch up with.

Eager_Elephant

((CCL))

Sounds like the peri-menopause...….

Loads of advice all over the internet, do you still take Agnus Castus? They may help with the peri-menopause.

I hope you manage everything you want today and a 30 minute walk sounds good.

Honeysucklelou2

When you work long hours, it is harder to fit in the time to exercise, or rather I find you have to make a very conscious effort to find the time.

Hope you have a productive day today - the gin and chutney sound great.

teapot2

Sorry you are feeling so tired and rough. As EE says, it does sound like the peri-menopause. If it would help to know for sure you could go to your GP and as you are under 45 with those symptoms, you could ask for a blood test to confirm hormone levels.

Hope you manage to get some fresh air and start on your chutney etc.

crazy_cat_lady

Lashes are permed and tinted - dd is very happy indeed with the result.
Gin is on the go, but I couldn't do my chutney because in some sort of madness I forgot to get vinegar. :mad: Popped to Mr S to get some and bought ds a pizza and dd some juice and forgot again to get the vinegar. I have put it on a list so that I don't forget a third time.
Went out with ds after lunch and went for a walk on the beach and through the park. We spotted two of the Elmer Elephants from the art trail and ds has decided that he would like to find as many of these as he possibly can now - so we'll have a few places to go walking and exploring over the next few weeks. I feel pretty tired now - fresh sea air - so I'm hoping that both ds and I will have a restful might tonight. If so then we will do more of the same tomorrow after we've been to visit granny.