Holding On and Letting Go 🎈

Fortune_Smiles

And breathe...

it's been an emotional time since I last posted and it's not over yet.  Lots of things have happened that are going to resonate for a while and need a lot of unpacking.  However, today, I have been able to stop and catch my breath:

Health

• I still have an issue with my shoulder and am debating whether to go and actually physically see the doctor about it.  It feels as though it's been dragging on for months but I checked and it's only been six weeks which isn't long for a muscle tear or tendon damage.  I'll leave it another week or so before deciding what to do.  I'll keep on doing the tendonitis exercises in the meantime
• my weight has crept up - largely because the shoulder thing makes it hard to exercise but also because I have thrown caution to the wind and eaten pretty much what I've wanted whilst all of this is going on.  It's counter productive though because as my weight creeps up, my energy and well-being goes down proportionately.  So I'm doing something about that.

Wealth

• I've spent most of the day getting on top of the finances.  All accounts are now reconciled and I've budgeted until the end of June. I feel better knowing I'm on top of things again.  I won't know the impact of pay rises and financial year end stuff until this month's pay day when I hope all will become clear
• after kicking myself for only re-fixing the mortgage for two years instead of three, I checked my account and I did, in fact, fix for three years which is good news with interest rates continuing to go up...
• ... and those rising interest rates made us rethink about the car loan and we've decided to meet the cost from savings.  The money is due to be paid next week so I've transferred the funds so they're ready to go.  We'll need to pay tax and insurance costs then as well
• Mr F got a bonus and a pay rise.  The bonus is helping to pay for the car and the pay rise is helping to pay for the cost of living increases - in one hand... 😆
• I may receive a small inheritence at some stage although it is a complicated situation and I may decide not to take it.  Still thinking on that one 🤔

Happiness

• Hmmmm 🙄  I'm not going to lie, the last few weeks have been challenging and a lot of my headspace has been dedicated to dealing with the fallout.  I'm trying to count my blessings though and find a way through it all
• I have finished the wedding portrait which has cleared my art nook for the next project
• I bought my first 'proper' fabric and made a top which I think turned out well
• Mr F is being very supportive 🥰

I hope all is well for everyone and you're in good spirits.  I'm sure it would help if it would stop raining 😆

Fortune x

SandyShores

Hope you are okay Fortune, hang on in there x

VintageHistorian

Mr VH has had shoulder problems and when I phoned to make him a GP appointment the receptionist offered to skip and go straight to a physiotherapist first (cutting the appointment wait down from 4 weeks for the GP to 5 days for the physio).

He got a diagnosis but the physio then said he would need to be referred on to another clinic for exercises. In the end he decided against it (didn't want to take a day off for it, or for more follow-ups if they were needed), so ultimately it was a bit pointless, but your GP surgery might offer similar in terms of skipping straight to an MSK professional?

Suffolk_lass

VintageHistorian said:

Mr VH has had shoulder problems and when I phoned to make him a GP appointment the receptionist offered to skip and go straight to a physiotherapist first (cutting the appointment wait down from 4 weeks for the GP to 5 days for the physio).

He got a diagnosis but the physio then said he would need to be referred on to another clinic for exercises. In the end he decided against it (didn't want to take a day off for it, or for more follow-ups if they were needed), so ultimately it was a bit pointless, but your GP surgery might offer similar in terms of skipping straight to an MSK professional?

Yes, ours offers a self-referral to physiotherapy. It's not Physio like it used to be though as the last two occasions they have not touched me (pre-pandemic). They demonstrated what they wanted me to do as exercises without actually examining the area. I am not sure how they thought muscle in spasm would be released. For me, a bit of massage works best, gently manipulating the tight bit, giving relief and giving a better idea of whether the torn or strained bit is starting to heal

beanielou

MSK physio is all hands off on NHS.
One of the reasons I go privie 

savingholmes

Sorry things are tough. Sending positive thoughts your way.

Suffolk_lass

That's interesting @beanielou but there are some conditions that need some hands on manipulations. I am so lucky that I taught my DS to "feel" the ligament and tendons when he was studying (I did anatomy for my sports science degree) and showed him how to release the build up of knotted muscles - as a musician, carrying equipment and assuming positions on stage for long periods he is grateful for this and we both discreetly sort out each other's (his is mostly from 27000 steps a day when he is on letter post and the impact of the bags on his joints and shoulders, mine is from poor posture and gardening). 

beanielou

I so agree.
I am one of them 

Fortune_Smiles

Self Care

Thank you everyone for the concern and advice 🥰  I'm concentrating on taking care of myself at the moment and do feel a little more balanced today.

I've been trying to get my head around sewing pattern sizing 🤔  I understand that, since the 1950s (when standard, off the peg dress sizes were introduced) they've been gradually getting bigger and pattern sizing has remained the same over that period.  However, my latest pattern challenge had me down as a 20 - 22 😲  I was confident I was reading the pattern sleeve correctly - I just didn't believe it 😂  My off the peg size is a 12.  So I sized up to a 14 and spent Saturday making a toile (get me using all the techinical terms 😆).  I could see the pattern pieces were too small when I cut them but I put them together anyway.  Sure enough the garment didn't go anywhere near me.  And the pattern doesn't go any larger 😠  I've ordered another pattern in the right size and we'll see how that goes.

The weather has been fabulous in the Shire this weekend and we've spent lots of time wandering in the field and the orchard.  We've decided we're not going to have sheep in the field going forward as it means we lose the use of it and we missed that last time.  Plus either the sheep or the farmer manages to damage something every time.  We've started to restock it with wild flowers instead.  Just a small area at a time but little shoots are already coming up.  We have been going out and inspecting progress each morning and checking the fruit trees and a new fruit hedgerow Mr F planted before the Coronation.  It's a very restorative ritual.

Today has been spent in the veg patch.  We're very behind with everything what with various ailments, injuries and bereavements.  We managed to get potatoes, green beans, courgettes, broad beans and fennel in.  I've just direct sewn seeds and will be keeping my fingers crossed 🤞

We've had Fish Finger Burgers with Tartare Sauce and Salad with Blue Cheese for lunches.  Suppers have been Roasted Cauliflower & Goats Cheese Gratin with Garlic Ciabatta and Creamy Broccoli Gnocchi.  We're trying to eat healthy meals without overdosing on cheese - there was rather a lot left over after our Coronation celebrations 😆

Hope the sun has been shining on you too 🌞

Fortune x

savingholmes

Well done on the veg patch. It's very therapeutic. Love the idea of your wildflower planting too.