NST January 2022: Janus

32b3in2013

Evening

Sorry @abundant1972 i can’t help re routine. I have no routine at all!

A very much nothing day for me today.  Got up, 8.30 meeting to start and then work work work.  Went for a quick walk at lunchtime to make sure the rings on my watch were closed today and then dinner from the freezer.  Another NSD which makes 11/16+

I am actually looking forward to reviewing my progress for the month.  This is the first time I have made any serious effort to think about what I spend and all the other commitments.

32b3

KxMx

@abundant1972 I have quite a set evening routine to try and make sure I wind down & fall asleep fairly easily which is something I can struggle with without a routine.

What works for me is dinner, read for 30/45 minutes,  use laptop/tablet for browsing, games or surveys etc until no later than 10:30, then devices off (NO looking at phone), get into bed & watch a few episodes of whichever tv series I'm on via catch up, maybe a little Youtube, then when I'm nicely warm and sleepy I switch off tv (smart plug via phone app) and hopefully drift off without too much trouble. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Ever get the feeling you are being watched @Thrifty_Taylor ?? 

If Hitchcock's The Birds comes on telly, keep away!

😂😂😂 Love it!
Don't think I've ever watched that film. I did read The Crowmaster, by Barry Hutchins(on?) to my sons when they were younger, we have a murder of crows living round the corner, & it always makes me think of this book when I see them. Its a children's book, but as an adult I was scared!
Took DS2 for his hospital appointment this morning, dropped him home, then went to work. Everyone was so pleased to see me, I felt very special! Stopped for diesel on the way home, was onto the last bar on the tank! Hand stitched the fallen hem on my dress, then spent time hunting for a large press stud to finish off the bag is made. Ended up emptying out the whole of the large toolbox I use for my sewing kit. Was thinking I'd have to take a press stud off my cardigan (that I was wearing) but found one at the last minute. Phew! Tidied all the loose buttons away into the jars of their colours & put scraps in the bin. Looks a lot better now. Pleased I've managed to stay awake & not nap, as didn't have a great sleep last night.
Grateful for son doing well at his appointment, laughs with & welcomes from colleagues & pupils, finishing the bag

cybertortoise

I completely fell off the MSE wagon for the last couple of weeks due to a new job and 2 assessments at university. I've been recording everything though. I'm up to 8 NSDs in total. I don't foresee me hitting my target but I will definitely try to nab a couple more at least. I'll aim to catch up on this thread before I post next.

mothernerd

There are 19 steps in my morning routine but most of them are very boring - prescription pills, otc pills, do I need ibuprofen now, teeth, wash or shower (fun bit is working out which I can do standing up/ sitting down or a mixture) dry with towel, get back under the bed clothes and make a tent to dry myself with my own body heat etc etc 

I managed to get my two most important tasks done today - closing mum's bank account and making arrangements to pay for the funeral from that account and organising the printing of outer cover of the order of service.

Before that I renewed my library books online - due back Thursday (something went wrong so sent an e-mail. Beloved had had a problem with her  repeat prescription (cancelled suddenly with out notification) so got onto Ask my GP to check if there would be a problem, then asked them to do a change of address, then the Fit Note for the DSS and finally if the outstanding appointments - Pill review, MH review, Carer's review (warn the poor girl I might cry all over her) and Diabetic review (need to book bloods before that) can be arranged mid-late Feb (willing to run some of them consecutively).

Also tried on a bra (surprisingly comfortable but there was an attempted escape, will try the other two tomorrow). Tried the dress on (called it a tunic before but t's actually below the knee so can wear leggings while my black dresses have gone awol), tried the hat - the hat looks great, has done ever since I bought it, in 2003. 

Went to the printer's, then the building soc, was going to pick up a sandwich but settled for hot pies. Went in another charity shop to ask what donations they wanted. They sell food (they support the homeless and I think they get donated food to make meals and sell the rest for funds) so asked if they could use soup. Yes, so going to pack all the ones I don't like and maybe add a few extra. Took cash out of a cash machine, stopped by the opticians, put my bag on the step, stepped back  and rang the doorbell. Explained briefly and as she straightened up from picking up the bag she said I'm due an eye test - maybe the sore eyes aren't just down to mum's dim lighting. February's going to be a dizzy social whirl.

Went to my house, asked DS3 if he wanted to be in the family car with me (not going). I may have to ask them to look for somewhere to rent (I get a baleful glare every time I ask him to do something). Anyway - next week's problem. Back to the bungalow and have sat writing thank you notes mostly to NHS professionals. Surprise delivery of some flowers (from one of my dead brother's old gfs - as in they went out together when she was at university). Made progress with sorting photos, writing notes, reducing the number of little bits of paper.

Not made froggy phone call - DS2 wants me to extend an olive branch to the mum's partner's family. Was going to get DS3 to write a text for me (I can't do spaces) but he wasn't in a cooperative mood so didn't bother. DS2 said not to make the approach at school (even though the person has been pestering mum's cousin). A couple more people have phoned to say they are coming and have written down some numbers. I'm just so tired and then someone starts asking me to do something else - not sure any of my children realise just how difficult it is for me to get around these days. Anyway going to stop asking people if they want things - do more bagging up and get it out of the house.

Grateful for down time - writing and pottering, bras not being painful, lovely hat (it's a multipurpose hat -it can be dressed up with coloured flowers to celebrate).

Esmeralda2662

Idee2111 - Fingers crossed for you that you stay -ve and OH is clear in time for you all to go on holiday! And good old mum coming to the rescue! 😉

Abundant - I struggle on Sunday night thinking about work on Monday. I have to tell myself "I'll earn x number of pounds per day that will pay for meals/trips out with friends, hobbies, etc." I dont count food shopping as that doesn't motivate me enough! In my old job I used to drive up to the 1st junction and consider driving the other way (and not stopping)! Luckily I've got a new job so nolonger feel the urge to do this.

Small spend today on squash for work flask so no NSD. Still on 5/16.

Leftover roast and veg for dinner followed by remainder of Xmas pud and custard. Meat trimmings put out for hedgehog although cats next door might beat him to it.

Had a really bad neck last night so not much sleep. Think i cricked it trying to reach a jar of marmalade for mum on the highest shelf in supermarket. Couldn't find a nice tall man to reach it for us, lol, although i'm probably not allowed to say that any more! Trying to reverse the car this morning with a stiff neck was difficult but it's better now, thank goodness.

Gratitudes today: A very busy and productive day where boss told us how well we'd done, my neck feeling much better, first snowdrops looking so pretty from my kitchen window. X

f0xh0les

Esmeralda2662 said:

 Couldn't find a nice tall man to reach it for us, lol, although i'm probably not allowed to say that any more!

You are absolutely allowed to say that! I have made many a taller man very happy  in a supermarket by doing so, they wander off with a little more spring in their step, it is one of those times where a thank you and a smile goes a long way to improving someone's day.

I am exhausted this morning.  DH decided to wake me from a very deep sleep just before midnight, I thought he was having a seizure (honestly I did) but it was apparently  just an itching ankle. The whole bed shook, I woke up confused and panicking, and spent the next 2 hours unable to get back to sleep. I am a total mess, so much so, that I only baked lunch for 2 kids instead of 3, so had to go back and do more when I realised 4 small sausage rolls would not work between 3 of them.  Muppet.

Today will be influenced by strong coffee, with grumpiness moving in from the South, around 2pm.

Mothernerd - all the Turtles will be with you in spirit. 

Surely it is up to your mum's partner's family to contact you, rather than just harass other family members?

mothernerd

f0xh0les said:

Esmeralda2662 said:

 Couldn't find a nice tall man to reach it for us, lol, although i'm probably not allowed to say that any more!

You are absolutely allowed to say that! I have made many a taller man very happy  in a supermarket by doing so, they wander off with a little more spring in their step, it is one of those times where a thank you and a smile goes a long way to improving someone's day.

I am exhausted this morning.  DH decided to wake me from a very deep sleep just before midnight, I thought he was having a seizure (honestly I did) but it was apparently  just an itching ankle. The whole bed shook, I woke up confused and panicking, and spent the next 2 hours unable to get back to sleep. I am a total mess, so much so, that I only baked lunch for 2 kids instead of 3, so had to go back and do more when I realised 4 small sausage rolls would not work between 3 of them.  Muppet.

Today will be influenced by strong coffee, with grumpiness moving in from the South, around 2pm.

Mothernerd - all the Turtles will be with you in spirit. 

Surely it is up to your mum's partner's family to contact you, rather than just harass other family members?

Absolutely they should be contacting me (rather than sending their muppet father round to assert his rights and then spit abuse). But DS2 had suggested he go round to the offender and do the 'we're all family approach and offer to stand outside the crematorium by his side (subject to an apology for me)'. I vetoed that yesterday morning (DS2 was going to come over but it's a long journey by bus). I just felt it was a bit too 'man to man and going round the little woman'.  Going to ring (text without spaces if I chicken out) the 'girl' I was originally talking to (she's a few weeks older than DS2 so will be 35 soon) and say my original offer of a place of honour walking in the procession with the family still stands, but I need to know if she wants to do that. If she agrees I will tell her she and her sister have places at the crematorium. I didn't say they couldn't come but I need to limit the numbers to keep my baby brother safe and as far as I was concerned I needed to offer those places to other people first (some of those people have been intertwined with my family over 4 generations). 

All my family are behind me - some of them travelled a long way to attend the surprise 80th birthday I planned for my mother (6 years ago) and could see how much of a toll caring for her partner was taking and completely understood my concerns (before I took over as her main carer 5 years ago, I was being pushed out all the time).

Mum's old vicar (she's not old, but she retired last year and has had to be 'invited' to be allowed to take part) is doing the eulogy. She visited on Sunday to talk things through (I've included anecdotes etc but she will write it) and one of the first things she said, with some asperity, was that from what she saw, my mother's needs and wishes weren't even considered (in decisions about her partner's care and his funeral).

Feeling better now (was awake in the night, managed to get back to sleep again at 6 am but felt all over the place when I woke up - had had my pills for the day between 5 am and 6 am). Have phoned the printer as I hadn't received his proof (thought I'd managed to accidently delete it). However he hadn't sent it - this morning he promises. Was intending a quiet pottering day but looking at the front room I might take more stuff to the charity shops. I couldn't find my phone last night (have been sleeping with my mobile and the house phone beside me) but messaged DS1 and it's by, on or under the armchair I was sitting in so only one square yard to search.

Going to have my yoghurt then feel my way into the day as (I am calm, I am serene, I am gracious, I will act with dignity - but Irish temper is ready to pounce and woe betide anyone who crosses me). 

Grateful for my mother's life and the last five years we spent together, for my sons (even the one currently being awkward) and leftover food - may be the day for chocolate fudge cake (I was going to get it out on my birthday or save it for tomorrow but I'm sure to get it all over my one dress option if I do that).

f0xh0les

mothernerd, I am expecting you to channel the full Queen Victoria Experience on this one. 

Today will not be a NSD as I have booked a YHA in London for Feb half term - should get us 3 days of playing tourist. Travel will be free, entertainment will be (mostly) free, just food and accommodation to pay for, and YHA is cheap right now (25% off, plus it is low season).  I wanted to do something with my earnings from last week that was just for fun.

The rest is off to the building fund/savings pot.

beanielou

mothernerd. I have cerebral palsy & also struggle to get around.
I dont think it's that your DS's dont realise that you struggle to get around.
I think it's more that on some levels they can't/wont take it on board.
My DS can be like that & my maw makes inane comments like 'why did you fall?'!!!!

Will be thinking of you xx