The Best View Comes After the Hardest Climb.

RosaBernicia

Did you get anywhere with having someone else walk them?  It would take something off your plate and mean they get more stimulation as well as a routine (and refresh training for them to 'go' when they're asked). 

I second Jellytotts on prioritising and letting some things slide.  It frees up brain space so much and really helps with stress levels. 

Buffythedebtslayer

beanielou said:

One thing I can't deal with is the smell of dog wee or cat wee.
How old are the dogs now Buffy?

I can't either. They are ten and I was all for thinking they were going doo lally tat BUT they only wee in conservatory if they can get there and if they can't, they wee in the kitchen, never on the carpet... So there is a process that they are trying as much as possible to get to the garden...............

Buffythedebtslayer

Jellytotts said:

I’ve had to have a life reassessment this week.  Far too many calls on my time, some unavoidable and that left me with so much to do and nothing being done.  I made a huge decision to get rid of a part of my life that I love but that had become a chore and the mental weight has lifted. 

Within hours of making the decision I was back on track, cleaning and tidying and getting life back in order.  The mental pressure of “chores” is immense and giving up some things to concentrate on others is a must.

If you need to currently be there for your sister and Mum then maybe the fish or rabbits need to move along. I know you get “some” pleasure from them but I feel (from what you put here) that you have far more guilt from not cleaning/bonding/spending time with, than you get from them.  Absolving yourself of that “guilt” will help you deal with the caring situation you now find yourself in.  

As for foxes and recycling? Does your council not provide decent bins? We have a food waste caddy, the handle locks the lid but I shove a brick on top.  

You’re doing an amazing job of juggling but cut yourself some slack, you deserve it.

Too much to do and nothing being done is a good description. And you are so right about the mental pressure of chores. It is also guilt. There just aren't enough hours in the day. 

We have a food bin but the cardboard and paper situation is in bags and the foxes shred them for fun.  

Buffythedebtslayer

Buffythedebtslayer said:

Jellytotts said:

I’ve had to have a life reassessment this week.  Far too many calls on my time, some unavoidable and that left me with so much to do and nothing being done.  I made a huge decision to get rid of a part of my life that I love but that had become a chore and the mental weight has lifted. 

Within hours of making the decision I was back on track, cleaning and tidying and getting life back in order.  The mental pressure of “chores” is immense and giving up some things to concentrate on others is a must.

I hope your life reassessment continues to be a success and that hubby is doing ok XXX 

Buffythedebtslayer

beanielou said:

Buffster, I really think that something has to give xx

Yep. I am just not sure what. 

Buffythedebtslayer

badmemory said:

If you can't get your recycling out of the house then frankly I'd put it all in the normal bin.  You should not be storing rubbish in the house (yes the conservatory is house) & it probably encourages the dogs to wee in there too.  Not that I would need to do that as we have 4 wheelie bins for recycling & only things with arms can get into those.

We have a tiny wheelie bin It would never fit! 

I think I will make something to hold it all in one place. That is not the entire front garden! 

Buffythedebtslayer

RosaBernicia said:

Did you get anywhere with having someone else walk them?  It would take something off your plate and mean they get more stimulation as well as a routine (and refresh training for them to 'go' when they're asked). 

I second Jellytotts on prioritising and letting some things slide.  It frees up brain space so much and really helps with stress levels. 

I couldn't find anyone local with space/time for two dogs alone. Only group walking. 

yeah. definitely need to cut down on "Stuff" 

RosaBernicia

Buffythedebtslayer said:

badmemory said:

If you can't get your recycling out of the house then frankly I'd put it all in the normal bin.  You should not be storing rubbish in the house (yes the conservatory is house) & it probably encourages the dogs to wee in there too.  Not that I would need to do that as we have 4 wheelie bins for recycling & only things with arms can get into those.

We have a tiny wheelie bin It would never fit! 

I think I will make something to hold it all in one place. That is not the entire front garden! 

What about one of these or similar?  I've had them for storage, they are easy to put together and last really well (and cheaper than the wooden versions). 

RosaBernicia

Buffythedebtslayer said:

RosaBernicia said:

Did you get anywhere with having someone else walk them?  It would take something off your plate and mean they get more stimulation as well as a routine (and refresh training for them to 'go' when they're asked). 

I second Jellytotts on prioritising and letting some things slide.  It frees up brain space so much and really helps with stress levels. 

I couldn't find anyone local with space/time for two dogs alone. Only group walking. 

yeah. definitely need to cut down on "Stuff" 

That's a shame.  Fingers crossed somebody comes up with a spare slot for you. 

stymied

Can you order a bigger wheelie bin for recycling? That’s an option round here. Although obviously the big boxes still don’t fit.

Any word from the council on how long it will be until the carer’s assessment for your mum?