System Failure !

another_casualty

dreaming said:

Thanks AC - just need to get into a routine really that incorporates more movement into my daily life. I did consider a PT but I really don't like being told what to do! Most of my hobbies are seated ones - reading, crafting etc. but I do still like to get in the garden and that is where I have really noticed my loss of stamina. I did about 20 minutes light digging the other week and I had to sit down whereas I used to be able to shift slabs, dig, and paint fences all day. I have been doing some seated exercises to try to keep the joints free and trying to walk a little everyday, even if it's just round the block.
You must have forgotten that I no longer have Alfie. I miss my little ginger friend (still have his picture as my screen saver though) but have decided that I won't get another cat - the first time in over 40 years I will have been without one.

So sorry to hear about Alfie 😿. He has been through a lot though, and as a true warrior from what I remember .  Being on my own  and moving a couple of times , I haven't had any pets since 2001 . I'm used to it now . They can tie you down . If I'm lucky, in my next place I'll have a small courtyard or garden and let cats come to me and go when they get bored . That's the plan anyway 😸

you are right about routine . Having had my routines broken before I made my life change , I was stop-starting gym memberships and unable to keep up due to work and people getting in the way ! 

It does sound like you have a chance now to pull the bull by the horns , if you really want to. Not many of us like being told what to do . A PT doesn't tell you what to do , only guides you .🏋️ Sorry to be blunt here, but it does sound like your circulation won't be improving anytime soon unless you take up regular walking etc to start off with . 

That's my humble opinion anyway 😸. A lot of people aren't cut out for gyms etc , but being motivated to get into a new routine will help . I've had a few inductions in gyms over the years, good and bad . I've had 2 personal trainers , and I would be lost without them .
Regarding the pain etc, have you considered acupuncture ? Highly recommended by ..me 
I'll leave it there ..

another_casualty

Okay , a humid update ! 🥵
There are bits and pieces probably missed out when I was explaining the flat situation .
Where do I start apart from the beginning ?  

I had a meet-up with my friend yesterday in the green for a couple of coffees etc.
Great, but it was the first time I left the flat since Thursday so felt the heat walking back up the hill🥵 
Today , seems unbearable . I am indoors, but closed the blinds around lunchtime.

Thank heavens for dyson..and cold showers. 

I had various phone calls with one of my sisters and 2 of my brothers. The mad one was back to being in a depressive mood . Luckily I had no razor blades to swallow.
The other brother is in fine form . As for my sister, I said it's best to not visit this year
The other sister will be 67 in jan so could retire from her teaching job. The trouble is they always visit on August bank holiday which is the wrong time . Maybe they'll visit a different time next year . 

Regarding my issues with the BTL upstairs , I expected my friend to give me a hard time ,( and my other friend who I spoke to on Friday ). None of them did . They did think I should have spoke to the lettings agent on her own but understood. They both think the same as me ( as well as my sister ) that basically that owner of the flat doesn't care really .
I did the right thing to speak up and have no regrets now except I hope the new tenants are ok. At least the managing agents and the owners know I won't tolerate any crap from them . However, I'm going to get my flat values in the not too distant future. Only to find out the minimum of what my flat is worth at this time . Yes I know it's a bad time etc ,but it will be interesting for peace of mind . Plus my flat looks better than the 2 others above me imho . Yes there are lots of things to think about . If I move , my universal credit situation would be a nightmare / pita . Lots more options but I'll leave that another time, except that it seems best to stay on universal credit albeit doing a few hrs a week if / when ever .
There are other things , but I'll leave it there for now ...🦅🌵🌵🦅🥵🐍

MrsPorridge

AC - now might be a good time to sell, apparently people want to leave the big cities!  It will be iteresting to hear what the valuations are.

dreaming

Thank you for your words about Alfie - he was a warrior in his day and had a few scars to show for it, but had settled into  very gentle way of life in his last couple of years. Possibly a bit like me (not the last couple of years bit I hope though). I was always quite "feisty" but tend to let everything go by me now - with just a few exceptions. I don't mind your bluntness either about my need to get moving as you are absilutely right, and I have actually done a little more in the garden today (in short bursts). I've never tried acupuncture but to be honest a lot of my problems are down to my weight. Arthritis does "hobble" in the family (family joke as none of us can run) but it would be much better if I just got on and did something about it.
I'm sorry about your neighbour woes and maybe it is worth getting a valuation just so you know what you are dealing with. I don't know how all it works (moving house) when on benefits but make sure you get plenty of advice.  Off to drink yet more water  -- youngest (who is a nurse) always signs her e-mails with "keep hydrated" so I had better obey.

another_casualty

Thanks dreaming 😼 Only other advice is ..don't do anything till midweek . Too hot🥵
Anyway, while I'm here again , I may as well elaborate on one of the universal credit guidelines which is potentially holding me back . I am not allowed to take any more money from my pension to clear my overdraft and get more work hopefully done by james until December . Annoying ! I may be able to afford more storage before then . One of the things that needs doing , is glossing door frames and skirting boards . I'm not capable of that anymore . Plus the floorboards etc , so just bits . I don't want to get flat valued till everything is clean and clear . 

Again, I'll leave it there ..🦅🦅

toffifee

Long-time lurker here.  I've watched AC's journey from the start and love reading the updates.

I'm piping up just to say to Dreaming: I'm so sorry about Alfie.  I understand you not wanting to take on another pet, but wanted to make you aware that, one day if you feel ready for it, you could be a foster carer for Cats Protection. We've been doing it for a few years, because the children wanted pets but I didn't want the long-term commitment.  It's hard to say goodbye when they get adopted (we had one leave today in fact) but it's very satisfying. We once fostered a cat who was so distressed while waiting for a home in the cattery that she had groomed herself bald, but after a couple of months with us she was furry and happy again, and went to a lovely family.

another_casualty

Thanks for the nice post toffifee😸 Amazed that you have seen my situations for so long .
Glad that you  love your cats and are doing a great job .  I have recently joinec the cats  protection lottery . If I don't win anything , at least they get something . 

I'll leave it there ..

another_casualty

well...🥵🐍🦅🦅🌵 very hot till Friday . Cannot wait . Apologies to those who can😼
A few things to mention . On my weekly calls from the work related  job coach at seetech pluss , he has been putting more pressure on me to complete the digital college course for excel and word . Yesterday , I finally put my mind to do the xcel course ..and exam.
i took the test and got 83%. I needed 85% to pass. I rushed it a little tbh . I retook it and got 33% 🙀 . How stupid am I ? Being hot, I forced myself to do it and thought I'd get it right 2nd time . How wrong I was. I will have another go , probably on Friday . 

I'll do the other course then also, all going well. 

I got a phone call  this morning ..from James ! Great timing in a way . He will be visiting ,and hopefully I can get stuff done and advice , and can afford to pay him . 🤞🙏

It was nice to hear from him regardless 
ive been invited to a zoom club meeting with my aware people ( myasthenia gravis) in sept
I managed to have my first zoom meeting with friends on sat, so I think it should be straightforward . I don't need zoom now ,as I have mini calippos and fruit pastille lollies in the freezer . 

A woman and daughter looked at the upstairs flat this morning . Very quick . 

A bloke was there yesterday with another man . I notice people approaching the sign and sizing it up. Some may think it's my flat to let . Still, if the right people are found , then I should stay . I'll get my fla valued when all is done .
I'll leave it there .
Enjoy the heatwave 🌵🥵🦅..

dreaming

toffifee said:

Long-time lurker here.  I've watched AC's journey from the start and love reading the updates.

I'm piping up just to say to Dreaming: I'm so sorry about Alfie.  I understand you not wanting to take on another pet, but wanted to make you aware that, one day if you feel ready for it, you could be a foster carer for Cats Protection. We've been doing it for a few years, because the children wanted pets but I didn't want the long-term commitment.  It's hard to say goodbye when they get adopted (we had one leave today in fact) but it's very satisfying. We once fostered a cat who was so distressed while waiting for a home in the cattery that she had groomed herself bald, but after a couple of months with us she was furry and happy again, and went to a lovely family.

Thank you toffifee. I had actually stockpiled quite a lot of cat food for Alfie because of the lockdown and donated that to the Cat's Protection League who were very grateful as they said they had a lot elderly cat-owners who were concerned about not being able to go shopping and get supplies. I am always tempted to get another cat - kittens are heart-stealers but my duaghter took on 2 older rescue cats who are lovely too - but I think it is the right decision for me, right now. I don't think I could foster cats as I would never want to let them go.
AC - bad luck on just missing the pass rate on the exam - better luck next time. I'm not a fan of zoom meetings (one of my book groups do a monthly one). We are all "ladies of a certain age" (I'm the youngest in my mid-sixties) so it's always chancy thet we all get on at the same time, Then there's the slight delay when people talk and you go to reply but so is everyone else, and then we all stop talking. I think it wouldn't be so bad if there were just 2 or 3 of us but usually there is at least 6 so it all gets a bit chaotic.
I have to admit that I love the heat so this weather suits me. Did a bit more gardening yesterday interspersed with lots of sitting down drinking water. I do envy you being near the coast - I'm about as far from the sea as I could be but although I occasionally browse Rightmove for properties on the coast I don't want to move away from family and friends - and probably couldn't afford anything in the places I would like to live. For "probably" read "definitely". 

another_casualty

Just been for a blood test . While I was there, I had my blood pressure checked . High, albeit slightly. This means I have another check on Monday . I walk to the surgery , which is about a 12 min walk . 🥵
My coach from the work related group will phone today . 

I'm expecting James sometime this afternoon / evening .  

I have had a shower this morning . Cold shower no.2 on the way . 

The only things annoying me of late , are the adverts on tv and radio. Okay, I'm doing well by pausing and fast forwarding them on the lmited tv tha I watch . As for the radio, I listen to planet rock on freesat . The thing is k there is something that is preventing me from escaping the ads there . You'd think that it would be the same process os with the tv.
it is not ! 

Anyway, way too hot to ponder anything . 

Still waiting for fryday ..🥵🌵🦅🦅🌞🐍