NST December A - Z

f0xh0les

NSD 2 for me today!  Weather horrid, only left the house to do the school run, so I put up some decorations instead.

lcc86

NSD 4 today. Bit of a quiet day. Got some jobs done around the house. Filled out a PIP form, decided to apply as my back condition is getting worse. I'm sure I won't be eligible as I've heard they turn most people away but the form wasn't too hard to fill out. 

Managed a walk first thing before the rain came. Just been for a swim as well after a home visit. Back still hurts but it's a bit better than before. Contacted the GP to ask for a re-referral to the pain clinic so we'll see what happens.

ldee2111

Grateful today for tea in bed, for yellow stickers, for past me batch cooking.

mothernerd

Yesterday was NSD 2. Today was a spend day. Booked a taxi to the infirmary (long waiting times atm) and cleared most of the bed. Found my most important appointment letter but not the questionnaire I have to send back (it is here somewhere, found all three appointment letters/ info but this was the last of the 3). Made sure I was in plenty of time so waited in the waiting area by the entrance and set off for the x-ray dept 10 minutes before my appointment. Just as well because I wasn't allowed through outpatients dept  - had to go along the main corridor, turn right and go to the back corridor, then right again past the theatres and recovery room. Was really struggling by the time I arrived.

The staff were really lovely, told me they did both legs for comparison so if the problems with my left leg are arthritis they should pick up on it (right hip has just had it's 7th birthday). Surprisingly I managed to sit up by myself but then had to sit on the side of the table for 5 minutes to stop the dizziness. Was struggling to get my sweatshirt back on and one of them helped with the sleeve. Went straight to the entrance as I wasn't going to go in the cafe, the bus was at the bus stop but unfortunately it went when I was part way down the slope (had to go round some queuing cars).

Went to the cafe in hopes of a warm drink (half an hour till the next bus), soup hadn't arrived yet, so I asked for a bacon barm - no bacon. rather than continue the guessing game I asked what they did have. Two sausages on a barm cake which I ate slowly and with relish. Then made my way down to the bus stop - still 15 minutes to wait and the metal seat was cold but at least I was sheltered from the wind. Got off the bus in the town centre and went to the library to return my 2 remaining books , sat in an alcove to read the last few pages of one.

Went to my house, had a drink and a sandwich (bought at weekend and left there, will need to restock tomorrow to avoid takeaway). Set to and have been back at the bungalow for the last half hour. Done more than 20 bags of rubbish, at least 6 sacks of plastic bottles, 7 sacks of paper and card (under the kitchen table to stay dry - that bin will be collected next week and then most of this should fit in the bin.

Larger items include two small filing cabinets that have been being used as bedside cabinets (offered them to a charity that supplies furniture to people in need but they weren't classed as things you would normally have in a house). They were bought for DS1 when he was about 15 (originally had a corner desktop suspended between them) so they've had at least 21 years of continuous service. Beloved is having problems with the slats of her bed (I was the one the corner let down today) so I'm considering cannibalising the old bed (I wanted to use it outside as a raised bed) and one or two of the wardrobes (there are 4 in their room) for slats or maybe using one to 'make' DS3 a new bed.

Also tackled the frog of calling in the cleaners (I got the short straw, Beloved dialled for me - her phone and at times I asked them both questions). I said we needed help, described it as somewhere between a full house deep clean and a hoarders clean (ours looked a bit better than their website pictures of hoarder homes). DS3 was trying to say just do the kitchen and bathroom but there are so many things I've been unable to do thoroughly or often for the past four or five years (worked out a way to clean the kitchen window but it took me half a day).

It's going to be expensive (3 skilled workers for a straight 8 hours) but everything needs doing so that we are starting with a clean slate (clean everything hopefully). We will get a refund if the work is completed ahead of schedule. DS3 thought it sounded reasonable until I told him he was paying. We settled on him paying half and he's started taking pictures to email to give them some idea of what needs doing. We're booked in for Thursday 16th and it's a great relief.

I've never enjoyed cleaning but I always thought that even if I won the lottery, I couldn't ask another woman to clean my house. But I've done my fair share of cleaning up other people's mess including cleaning a pub (eugh kebabs and cigarette butts in the urinals). However I will keep chipping away at the mess and working on solutions that mean less in the house. Beloved thinks that a lot more things can be kept in drawers rather than hung up (in the wardrobes mum insisted I bring back from Weston-super- mare after my brother died). I also asked her if she could ever see herself and DS3 sitting at the table to eat - no so two tables can be stored/ removed or repurposed (my farmhouse table might be the new kitchen worktop). 

Grateful for admitting a lot of things are physically beyond me (or take far too much time and effort), accepting that I need help, the NHS and all the lovely people that work there, DS3 agreeing to get rid of 2 large shoeboxes worth of game cards.

f0xh0les

So glad you are getting help mothernerd.  You deserve a clean and tidy house.

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD#3
Dropped a black bag off at a lady who collects for a cat charity, along with cat food our cats didn't like.
There was ice on my windscreen but the roads were clear thankfully. A very long morning, but I was able to stick paper snowflakes on to a navy blue background, whilst my pupil had some time to calm down. Yesterday I drew the word 'Joy' in enormous bubble writing, which is in the centre of this display. It all looks quite effective. Pupil gave me a hug once happy again. Very late lunch as rotas hadn't been worked out properly.
Spent the evening sewing. A customer had made a small santa latch hooked wall hanging, that needed the edges binding, it's nearly finished. Storm Barra is in full force, windy & very rainy. Finished my book in the bath.
Grateful for snowflake display, hot water, good books

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

f0xh0les said:

So glad you are getting help mothernerd.  You deserve a clean and tidy house.

Second that x

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening turtles

Got up at 6.15 to go into work.  Had a full on day of meetings and didn't get lunch till 3.30pm; was a productive day though.  Called at Sainz on way home to return a top, bought a present for nephew.  Bought some YS bread and the beeb's xmas mag.  Managed 10k steps mostly to and from work and to the shops.  Missed my parcel delivery as was out at work so will have to go to the delivery office!  Did some of my PT work this eve. 

Gratitudes - good day with nice colleagues; cats didn't have any accidents even though they were home alone for 11 hours! nice text chats with DDs

love Deni

apple_muncher

f0xh0les said:

So glad you are getting help mothernerd.  You deserve a clean and tidy house.

Thirded!!!

cuddlymarm

Hi Mothernerd
I used to have a cleaner to help when we owned holiday flats, but never gave her the rotten jobs or let her clean up after me 😱 But if you need help, take it. You’ve done more than your fair share over the years.

Good morning by the way. I was going to go to the Xmas market today but I can’t bring myself to go out in the yucky weather. I’m a clumsy at the best of times but high winds can knock over big sturdy men round here so I’m not risking it.
Anyway I’m grateful for good coffee, for warm food ( toad in the hole for tea yum) and for nearly finishing my Xmas prep. I posted my cards yesterday and just need a couple of presents now which I’ll pick up at the weekend. 

Anyway I better get on 
Have a good day guys
Cuddles