Old Style Ways and Poor Health part 2.

pollyanna_26

KxMx said:

I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather! 
Unusually my part of the country didn't get it as bad as everywhere else, it did become more comfortable after the weekend but still too hot up until today. 

I've been shopping this week and on the bus, not many more people maskless than I've become used to seeing. 

I'm still waiting for the cooler weather. Here I am wide awake again in the middle of the night. I would have thought it was impossible to have so many nights without sleep and still function. I'm not exactly full of energy but as someone who can rarely catch up on broken sleep in the daytime it can't be good.

I used to be every nurses nightmare in maternity hospitals.During the day mothers were supposed to sleep at certain times during the day. However hard I tried I just couldn't. During my extended stay after my sons breech birth I read every book in the paperback series of the Forsyte saga.I was always asking visitors to bring the next one in. I'd be reading under the covers as the good mothers slept.

Nightime they'd all be asleep and suddenly night sister would notice the light over my bed was still on. She'd tiptoe down the ward and whisper put that light off rather like a very polite air raid warden.

In the end I got someone to bring me a torch and reverted to my childhood habit of reading under the bedclothes.Mum used to call upstairs you aren't  still reading are you? No mum I lied.

One of the nurses asked about the books so I lent her the first one. " To Let" she never returned it which annoyed me. I bought another copy to complete the set. I was quite obsessive about full sets of books.

In that first book Fleur who was to marry the dreadful Soames would often say Abandon hope all ye who enter here when visiting he and his family.

Many years later youngest and I would say the same thing when going to appts with some hopeless consultants. We're lucky to have a GP who would magic them  away and find a better one.

Well I think the days must be shortening. It isn't going light here yet, The sun has been streaming in by 4am so far but not today. I watched Tomasz doing the weather forecast earlier. Rain and possible thunder on the way. Not good for the sun lovers but I'll breathe a sigh of relief. Hayfever has been bad so hopefully it will dampen things down a bit.

Think I'll read another chapter of my book and see if I can nod off for a few hours. it's too warm really .

Take care all.

pollyx

mothernerd

I'm still waiting for the rain. We have cloud cover but yesterday this disappeared at lunchtime. Sorry you're having problems sleeping. My breathing is very ragged - I have a cough/ cold thing (not visibly snotty but think it's hangings about at the back of my nose and throat and trickling into my lungs at night), continued hot dry weather is making my hayfever worse and I have a habit of tucking my chin into my throat when reading, using the laptop and especially when sewing, which doesn't help.

All the potential/ expected arthritis zones are ramping up and my foot/ ankle is too painful to stand for more than a few minutes (could have done with an extra tooth brushing in the middle of the night to cut down on bacteria in my mouth and all the breathing problems but decided I couldn't stand for that length of time and sitting sidewards on the toilet was too awkward - it works at home but all the angles are wrong here.) 

Did quite a bit of work yesterday (tv aerial man was here for most of the morning) but slept most of the afternoon. I put my mask on if I feel drowsy, sometimes I doze off, sometimes the bit of extra oxygen is enough (and realising I'm doing the chin/ neck/ reducing my own airway thing.

Absolutely zero enthusiasm for today. Mummy of twins is coming at some point (with multiple children) but she wasn't sure how I'd feel about them coming in (they will stay outside if possible, crunch time is if it buckets down). I was thinking of using them as slaves (sorry helper elves) in the garden. Big heap of soil to go into planters and buckets and they could ferry small amounts of water all over the garden, if it still doesn't rain.

Wanted to get outside last night or early today to move anything dangerous but just don't want to move atm. May just put what I can in the shed and then either hide in there myself or barricade it and hide in my room. Love the children and have coped with them visiting but staying outside the gate (drinks/ snacks put outside before they arrived or dropped through the front room window) and last time the 4 yo twins were inside the gate but we all stayed outside by the gate, mummy and twins by the gate (put down the seat from the old swing so twins could sit on the floor) and mum and I stayed further back (put mum under the shade of the tree).

I've decided I need to do exactly what I feel like doing today, and no more (will do enough so that no child cuts their arm off with the tree saw). Hope you have a good day.

MingVase

I like the idea of slaves... wonder if my GC would fall for it?

Not a drop of rain here in weeks but thunder n lightning forecast for tonight.

I'm scared to say this out loud but I've been feeling much better recently, maybe this time it'll last. I've been out walking every day, from the shop around the village and back home. Mind you that takes about ten mins but it's better than spending whole days in the recliner.

pollyanna_26

mothernerd said:

I'm still waiting for the rain. We have cloud cover but yesterday this disappeared at lunchtime. Sorry you're having problems sleeping. My breathing is very ragged - I have a cough/ cold thing (not visibly snotty but think it's hangings about at the back of my nose and throat and trickling into my lungs at night), continued hot dry weather is making my hayfever worse and I have a habit of tucking my chin into my throat when reading, using the laptop and especially when sewing, which doesn't help.

All the potential/ expected arthritis zones are ramping up and my foot/ ankle is too painful to stand for more than a few minutes (could have done with an extra tooth brushing in the middle of the night to cut down on bacteria in my mouth and all the breathing problems but decided I couldn't stand for that length of time and sitting sidewards on the toilet was too awkward - it works at home but all the angles are wrong here.) 

Did quite a bit of work yesterday (tv aerial man was here for most of the morning) but slept most of the afternoon. I put my mask on if I feel drowsy, sometimes I doze off, sometimes the bit of extra oxygen is enough (and realising I'm doing the chin/ neck/ reducing my own airway thing.

Absolutely zero enthusiasm for today. Mummy of twins is coming at some point (with multiple children) but she wasn't sure how I'd feel about them coming in (they will stay outside if possible, crunch time is if it buckets down). I was thinking of using them as slaves (sorry helper elves) in the garden. Big heap of soil to go into planters and buckets and they could ferry small amounts of water all over the garden, if it still doesn't rain.

Wanted to get outside last night or early today to move anything dangerous but just don't want to move atm. May just put what I can in the shed and then either hide in there myself or barricade it and hide in my room. Love the children and have coped with them visiting but staying outside the gate (drinks/ snacks put outside before they arrived or dropped through the front room window) and last time the 4 yo twins were inside the gate but we all stayed outside by the gate, mummy and twins by the gate (put down the seat from the old swing so twins could sit on the floor) and mum and I stayed further back (put mum under the shade of the tree).

I've decided I need to do exactly what I feel like doing today, and no more (will do enough so that no child cuts their arm off with the tree saw). Hope you have a good day.

Sorry to keep quoting posts but my memory skills seem to have got up and gone.Your mention of the ladies in Wilko and the paracetamol reminded me that until a few years ago I used to buy it from the chemists where we collect dds meds. It was quite expensive and round tablets which I find quite hard to swallow. They seemed to stick to the roof of my mouth if I didn't manage to get them down first time.

One day I was staring at the shelves in Wilko and noticed they had plain white caplets. They seemed to have a smooth coating and a better shape than bigger round ones. I think they were19p for a pack of 16 so decided to give them a try. I've always bought them from then on. There was a bit of a panic when the usual space was empty early in the Pandemic but when I got to the checkout they'd moved them to there. Perhapsthere had been some shoplifting of them going on.

I have a lot of chest infections , I think I've inherited dads weak chest and also blame the filthy winter smogs when I was growing up. I started buying Bells Mentholated Bronchial Balsam years ago and have found that good at clearing congestion.

A few years ago it became quite hard  to find. I noticed Wilko had a mentholated bronchial balsam so decided to try that. When I got it home and read the label on the back I saw it was made by Bells and sold under the Wilko label. Cheaper than the Bells but exactly the same. I noticed Coop, SBs and Morrison's were selling it too under their names so hopefully no shortage .of that.

Some of your posts on the Turtles thread make me roar with laughter. I've been having some problems with a bothersome neighbour and the idea of chopping off someones head in a photograph is very appealing at the moment. It's a good idea for you to take it easy today and just do what you feel like.

I did read about you moving the fridge freezer , a heavy chest of drawers and other items . I tutted so loudly I'm surprised you didn't hear me.

At times like that couldn't your youngest  son or maybe mummy of twins give you a hand?

I think it's going to be difficult to find a normal at the moment. Freedom day to my mind wasn't a good idea,just as hug your family for Christmas wasn't . The figures went up the latest varient is a whole new ball game and our local hospital has gone from Covid free to more admissions in the last few weeks. Youngest actually got to see her Rheumo consultant a few weeks ago and then after a short quiet spell it's all hands on deck at the hospital again.

i am not and never will be a believer in herd immunity that smacks of 1984 and other books.

I listen to Chris Whitty and no one else. A man who knows what he's talikng about. Sometimes I'm in hysterics watching the expression on his face and his body language as the waffler waffles on.

I actually treated myself to a next slide please Chris Whitty mug a few days ago. I'd dithered so long the one I first chose had sold out so chose one similar. I'll probably keep pens in it near the phone. I have a terrible history of droppping cups and mugs and I couldn't bear to see his face smashed to bits.

It's sunny here now and i never did get any sleep. It''s hard to believe it's almost August.

pollyx

mothernerd

I did the fridge freezer an inch at a time, pushing one side then the other. I originally intended to move one or both wardrobes (I thought they had wheels) but they wouldn't budge (they have got tins at the bottom). I try not to do things that are beyond me - I'm an expert in working out how to do things using as little energy as possible. DS2 to does not speak to mum and does not come in the bungalow (he collected and brought some pills for me at the start of the pandemic but just passed them over the gate). He gets very angry on my behalf when I get home from a difficult day with her and I'm totally wiped out.

Mummy of twins came (+ 3 children). She did the opening of various pickle jars and put the little tv in the top cupboard. She also took the broken tv and 2 old aerials for a tip run (she was trying to sell it to the children as an exciting holiday day out). I said I was pleased to see them (I kept my mask on) but was going back to my room. She asked if I was in pain and I said it was better if I stayed in my room so I could cry, sleep or scream quietly. I had had a little sleep which helped a lot but I'm sticking with not doing a lot.

I'm with you on our shambles of a government. I have followed the advice of experts, doctors and scientists from the beginning and the idea of endangering not just ourselves but the entire world because some people want to go to the pub (and the govt want to make money for their mates) appals me. I'm just doing the best I can to protect those around me but it's a losing battle some of the time. Aerial man stood at the door with his mask so mum asked if she should put hers on - yes and yes again.

We are getting on better atm - some quiet time watching films and serials. She still wants me to go home (I want to go home but I still think a gradual switch is in order and sleeping here but spending a few hours at home twice a week seems like the way to go. She phoned for a W1lt$hire foods catalogue yesterday but she was asking could she still pay the driver. She'd be better off with an account and paying from her bank account (and ordering online rather than on the phone) but I'm leaving well alone for now (I think they're only the same or less good as Iceland, for twice the price). She had them a while ago, mainly for her partner but he left the veg. Paying cash to the driver is not only more risky, it will mean me having to go and get cash out of the bank for her (and she wants her card back - she's convinced I'm buying all sorts of exotic food for me and hiding it in my room. Never mind, will keep doing the best I can in difficult circumstances but putting equal importance on my own needs.

Roll on January 2024 (retirement day). Want to go to town (get the bagged up cs stuff out) but just enjoying it here in my room for now. Think mum is asleep again.

pollyanna_26

MingVase said:

I like the idea of slaves... wonder if my GC would fall for it?

Not a drop of rain here in weeks but thunder n lightning forecast for tonight.

I'm scared to say this out loud but I've been feeling much better recently, maybe this time it'll last. I've been out walking every day, from the shop around the village and back home. Mind you that takes about ten mins but it's better than spending whole days in the recliner.

I'm not really in favour of slaves Mar. Mind you I could think of some likely canidates if I was.

I'm so glad to hear you're feeling so much better. It was upsetting how you struggled after your trip to the beach so this is very good news.

Slow doesn't matter . They do say slow and steady wins the race. Just that little wander each day is really good for your mental wellbeing as is using your legs and keeping muscles and joints working.

Hopefully the good days will outweigh the bad days. I hope you've been wearing your lovely sandals. They looked so comfy.

I finally crashed out some time this afternoon and woke about an hour ago. I'd overdone things in the garden on Sunday stretching, bending , chopping and lifting. You can shout at me now mothernerd. Wasn't too bad yesterday but today is payback time.

I usually feel the effects of overdoing things the day after the day after so two days after everything hurts.

I put the laptop on a while ago. No internet. I faffed around until I got it back then noticed a tiny plane in the right hand bottom corner. airplane mode. I've no idea what that is but it's happened a couple of times before and I've resorted to clicking various things until it disappears. I should have written down what I did  but don't think to do it at the time.

I never had that on previous laptops.

Finally sorted I came on to MSE. Got the first page of the thread, couldn't quote no glasgow rose in the top right hand corner so realised I'd have to sign in again. Found my little black book but didn't need it.

Sometimes it's enter password etc manually sometimes there are just the dots. I counted the dots pressed the button and I'm back.

pollyx

pollyanna_26

I think a gradual return to your home is the way to go MN. Youngest is still with the boyfriend. I was unsure at first but she would not have coped shielding with no boyfriend or the cats. It's worked well so far. She refused to have her jabs at the surgery, wouldn't trust one of my really good, double jabbed and masked hackney drivers with screen they've always had so insisted on doing a very long, slow and wonky walk to the hub twice.

I know if anything is wrong I'll get an email or call from the boyfriend but so far , so good. It'sa longway from when she self treated a nasty scaldand I didn't find out for a few weeks!

She does know what she's doing and Superdoc has supplied her with everything she might possibly need in the box of tricks.

I've heard mixed opinions on Wiltshire and another company. Some like them some not. It also seems veg and some other things are optional extras and could bump up the cost.

I've never really bothered with ready meals. Both dd and I enjoy cooking. However now I'm on my own I do pick up a few for pain or tired days. Dearer than Iceland but really good and have veg , mash and gravy in with meat. I nip into Marks when it's quiet. They do a lovely lamb one with colcannon mash, carrots and redcurrant gravy. also braised steak with potatoes veg and onion gravy . Sausage and mash  and chicken or fish meals. They just go in the microwave for a few minutes.

They seem to average between £4 to £5 and are good quality. No prepping or long cooking. They tend to have good dates so I put a few in the fridge and the rest in the freezer.

I've become addicted to the little sponge puddings which just take a couple of minutes in the microwave. Also the vanilla custard. i put that in a small jug next to the pudding to heat.

I look at it as I will eat if I'm tired after shopping,pharmacy, dd. etc.Rather than feeling I can't be bothered to start cooking. I'm not using as much electricity or have much washing up.

I think if you start by going home a few times a week but sleeping at hers and see how she copes you might be able to try one night at home and see how that goes. We're living in strange times  and Mum may want her home back but may not realise she has been looked after, had company and conversation whatever form that took. You've been doing the household tasks and keeping her safe. She doesn't seem to understand life isn't going to be normal for some time if ever.

So she can't have lots of people indoors and life will not be as it was.

The fact she isn't really aware of the need for a mask at times is worrying if she wants to live alone.

I really wish you could be back in your own home but I think it's going to be baby steps.

Good news is it's quite cool here tonight. May we all sleep.

pollyx

mothernerd

Welcome back polly.  I'm not going to shout - I often do things knowing that the price will be a couple of unable to do anything at all days, it's worth it to get something major done. Some days getting to the bathroom and back holding on to door handles and bits of furniture is all I can manage.

Had a little nap this morning and a longer one this afternoon, watched the end of a serial whilst eating and I've put the two bins that are to be collected this week outside. Mum has been dozing off all day, except when the visitors were here and went to bed at 8.20 pm. I'm re-watching something I've watched before, a very absorbing murder drama with lots of good actors but have switched off for now and will switch the laptop off soon and read my book.

Tomorrow is another day. OH we had rain, lots and lots and then it stopped, a bit more this evening but nothing looking swamped just yet. Very welcome especially as I wasn't up to organising the slaves - sorry happy smiling little helper elves. 

pollyanna_26

mothernerd said:

Welcome back polly.  I'm not going to shout - I often do things knowing that the price will be a couple of unable to do anything at all days, it's worth it to get something major done. Some days getting to the bathroom and back holding on to door handles and bits of furniture is all I can manage.

Had a little nap this morning and a longer one this afternoon, watched the end of a serial whilst eating and I've put the two bins that are to be collected this week outside. Mum has been dozing off all day, except when the visitors were here and went to bed at 8.20 pm. I'm re-watching something I've watched before, a very absorbing murder drama with lots of good actors but have switched off for now and will switch the laptop off soon and read my book.

Tomorrow is another day. OH we had rain, lots and lots and then it stopped, a bit more this evening but nothing looking swamped just yet. Very welcome especially as I wasn't up to organising the slaves - sorry happy smiling little helper elves. 

It's much cooler here but no rain yet. I've remembered when my late husband suffered the brain injury we bought a big whiteboard for his room in the brain injury unit. We'd write thing like who was going to visit. If the Dr would see him that day all sorts of things . Sometimes he'd forget it was there.

I'm wondering if you got a smaller one and wrote your plans for the day on it if when you tried either going home in the daytime sometimes or even a night at your home writing some things on it for mum might help. Including wear your mask.

I don't know your mum but for all she wants to be back to normal iving alone I don't feel she's aware how much you've made her life easier.

I didn't do extreme gardening willingly. It involved the neighbours from hell who have been a thorn in the side for us all since moving in about 10 years after those of us still here since 75 . The husband is a nosy, gossiping nightmare known to all as neighbourhood watch and tbh I've no idea how he's still standing.

Long story short I'll skip all the hellish years in between. They reported overhanging shrubs in my front garden . I'd let them grow thicker to stop him staring in my front windows as he did to everyone else as he patrolled his patch throughout the day.

Sunday evening i thought s*d this got the heavy loppers , secataurs and headed into the front.I was furious cutting back branches covered in green holly berries and thinking they wont turn red this winter. it was hard hot work and I could imagine what my Dr would say if he knew what I was doing.  I stood for a few minutes trying to ease the pain in my back and shoulders. I was thinking I need a hero, so there was Bonnie Tyler in my head singing Holding out for a hero. Everywhere was quiet though no doubt neighbourhood watch was peering at me from one of his lookout points.

I  heard someone calling my name. A neighbour over the road himself in poor health and ECV.I had a mask on. never go outdoors without one so went over . He said what the hell do you think you're doing so I told him . Give me a few minutes and I'll come over. I told him not to he isn't well himself but over he came and started cutting the thick branches.

A while later his tall strong son came home put a mask on and joined us. it was hot hard work but we had a good laugh sharing tales of Neighbourhood Watch. Filled my green bin then my neighbour fetched his said it just had a few grass clippings in the bottom so filled that and took it back to his. he said he'll do this same after it's emptied until we've got rid of all the garden waste.

There was loads still but we brushed that to the side of my drive next to the garden.Plenty of room for the milkman and postman to come and go. Neighbourhood  watch wont like that and no doubt will try to complain about that but the council can deal with overhanging trees but not what happens on peoples driveways. When I bought this house I bought the freehold. So my drive my business.

I asked them both what their favourite tipple is but they wouldn't tell me. I don't drink myself but would have bought them a bottle each. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There i was needing a hero and two apppeared. The son offered to come over to do more gardening but I've asked him to wait until I've figured out something for the front window to stop the neighbour standing outside staring in.

At one point I had thick cotton lace nets but they blocked a lot of light  so I passed them to a charity shop. I'll have to have a think. When dd1 first moved into her cottage the bathroom window was clear so she bought some film for the window for privacy while the whole cottage was being renovated . I might have a look at that for now.

The neighbour who came to help has lovely wooden shutters on their windows which they can adjust in lots of ways. They're way beyond my means. I don't do debt and a nosy neighbour isn't going to change that.

I bet he's furious. Everyone has been keeping thmselves to themselves . I've been getting into a taxi , coming home in one and straight indoors. My neighbour over the road said he'd begun to worry about me as it wasn't like me not to be out gardening but knows youngest is ECV so didn't like to knock on the door.

I'll copy the Turtles. Today I am grateful for two kind and caring unexpected heroes.

I noticed you quoted Melissa Michaels Mothernerd. I'm beginning to wonder if we were twins in a former life.

I came across her on the big river site years ago. I've always been a make do and mender and upcycler. I used to post a lot on the Shabby chic threads. I'd discovered some lovely books some of them in German so was collecting them. One day Love the home you have was on the page so I bought that and over time some of the following ones. Some of the later ones didn't appeal to me so Ii haven't bought any of hers since.

There are some books I'll never part with like my Rico counted cross stitch ones and the French General cross stitch and sewing ones. I often think books have been my sanity throughout my life. You can lose yourself in a book.

I hope Mar is getting some proper sleep after her walks and others here are plodding on.

I think I'll go out like a light tonight. I'm going to put the milk bottle out , make a drink and head to bed.

Sleep tight all

pollyx

mothernerd

Years ago, one of the early 'declutterers' advocated getting rid of books - her argument was that people with lots of books had their primary relationship with books and therefore had no space to develop RL relationships. I did get rid of a lot of books, mainly because of the boys needing more and more space as they grew. For years I saw my destiny as one chair in the corner of the kitchen with one small shelf (old style pantry window sill) for my possessions. On the whole, I think I prefer books to people - too many people who've lent on me at times of crisis and then don't want to know me afterwards.

I've been a passionate library member since I joined when I was 6 - the first two books I borrowed were a huge unexpurgated 'Robinson Crusoe' and one of the Dr Doolittle books as our teacher (the school headmistress) would read aloud to us from those at the end of the school day. Living on the edge of the car park shared with the library and town hall has spoiled me. I used to nip back and forth frequently. At the beginning of the pandemic I gathered armfuls of books from the cs in between perusing SM shelves to see what was useful after the shelf strippers had been through and of course Wilco for gardening and other useful stuff.

I tend to borrow rather than buy nowadays - the last time I bought books on a regular basis was when I was living in the 'big' house (a 4 bedroom, not jail) and we had a lot of snow. The bus stop going into town was directly opposite my house and there was a wide pavement in front so the most perilous part was getting to my front gateway. Would get off in the town centre (streets cleared both by the council and the footfall of shoppers) pick up some books at the cs I passed, work my way up to Icyland (so they would deliver rather than me carrying stuff), pick up any missing bits on the way back down the high street and then straight back on the bus home. There would be a path cleared through to the library but the wide open space of the Town Hall square felt much more dangerous and then having to go across at a different diagonal to get to the bus stop (with a sloping pavement).

We have heavy cloud but the sun is burning it's way through, so not sure about today. Quite happy here for now (halfway through my breakfast yoghurt) but there are things that need doing that will annoy me later in the week If I don't take the chance to do them whilst I can. Want to start clearing the yard and setting up for the next stages of work (and if I can make space in the shed to put all my diy and gardening stuff - and a chair to sit in for sorting all the different screws).

Hope you have a happy and pain free day.