Simple living in the country - back to basics

KajiKita

So sorry to hear about both your friends, those are both young ages to die. 

I seem to be surrounded by people who are either sick or are caring for people who are (cancer, Parkinson’s, dementia etc.). It’s a bit hard going atm and I feel powerless to help most of them.

KK

Cheery_Daff

Thank you all for your kind words xxx I don't think it's helping that Mr Cheery turned 60 a few weeks ago so it all feels a little bit too close 🙄

Anyway, a trying day today. Had to pass judgement and deliver disappointing news (which was very unexpected by the recipient, although in my view it shouldn't have come as a shock). Had a meeting about a ridiculous dictat from on high which is annoying in itself (although I was proud of us today - we worked together well with minimum, and very justified, moaning).

Then popped to a friend's house, supposedly to eat tea and collect egg containers, but her child ran off in the park 😱 and while they were quickly found, it wasn't exactly a calm evening. Then Mr Cheery rang me for directions to somewhere (he doesn't have a smart phone...). Finally got home, we had a squabble about the whereabouts of some freezer bags 🙄 Ended up working til 9pm in preparation for my 9am meeting tomorrow 🙄

Very ready for bed now, although I wanted a shower first, but Mr Cheery has run a bath. If he isn't in it within 5 minutes I'll be jumping in ahead of him!

themadvix

I know it’s hard when it’s close to home, but remember that lots of people live to their 90s too these days - that’s what I have to remind myself when I worry about these things. (Although then I start thinking about the likelihood of dementia for me and get depressed again!)

Cheery_Daff

You're right, of course, although as you say, it's hard to convince yourself of that sometimes. Mr Cheery's mum got dementia in her early 50s, and we know another friend who's now got it in her 50s too so that's not a happy thought either 🙄

Anyway, stayed up far too late last night but I have arrived at work in time for breakfast before meeting so all good 😁

Karmacat

That's true about when people die - and its why early 60s is seen as comparatively young nowadays.  Of my 4 pre-war aunts and uncles and my mum, they were aged 80, 90, 89 and 94.  Their childhood nutrition and general health, and their emotional life, were terrible, but they all made good from it.

None of them had dementia, though *all* partners did (including my dad) - its a worry, there's no denying.  That's where "use it or lose it" comes in.  And you and Mr Cheery definitely do that!  

themadvix

That's what I was going to say Karma - about use it or lose it - but you put it much better than me. Both using brain power to keep it going and making the most of every day are so important.

And there are breakthroughs in dementia treatment happening all the time. 

I read your post as 'breakfast meeting' to start with and was envious.... but then reread it! At least you got there in time, even if it wasn't orange juice and croissants (my idea of a breakfast meeting!)!

badmemory

Definitely agree with use it or lose it.  My mother was still doing the guardian crossword into her 80s.  I do the Puzzler daily puzzles every day & also the Saga ones (done by puzzler but different to them).  But even so my sister gave me the website that GPs use to check for dementia a few months ago & I still haven't plucked up enough courage to do it & also enough courage to ask her for it again.  My sister can be a tad formidable!  Why do people think older sisters are the bosses, not in my family.

Cheery_Daff

Not in my family either badmemory (I'm the oldest 😂)

Definitely no croissants at my meeting this morning sadly 🙄

A nice day other than the lack of croissants though. Drove to meet Mr Cheery's aunt and uncle for the first time - he's not seen them for over 40 years 😮 His dad came too, and his sister and husband - they're all part of the gang coming to us tomorrow 😂 Had a nice long lunch in a pub garden, and now on the way back, having done a bit more food shopping for the weekend.

We were planning on doing a bit of visitor prep tonight, but having only slept for 4.5 hours, and having been in the car for almost 6 hours, I think we might just collapse a bit 😂

Karmacat

Yeah, I'm the oldest and I'm not in charge either.  In fact, I'm the oldest female cousin, and my Aussie cousin tried to name me matriarch of the whole clan 🤣😲🤣😲 which is insane.  

Cheery, what an amazing day for you tomorrow!  I hope it all goes really well, and you have a proper amount of down time to recover  

elantan

im the second oldest but oldest girl and was often left in charge, it started melding into adult hood until I decided I had had enough, I suddenly became very useless at everything until I was no longer asked ... it worked for me