NST September 2022 Picture yourself on a boat on a canal

f0xh0les

Steaming through the tasks today, getting things done, have stuffed a few frogs as well.   Even potted on the citrus plants (one is a clementine, one might be a lemon, it was nameless and abandoned - I rescued it!!)

Did a shop of medicines and basic pantry essentials today, used vouchers, but still - Ouch!! Scored a magic box at Mr L's, so lots of leeks and a bonus aubergine. Lots of ys bread rolls and burger buns and bagels at 20p.

and hugs to all who need one (or two). 

Might have some exciting news soon (no I am not pregnant @grandmanerd ) but I might turn into an elf.....

grandmanerd

Really weird day. Determined to get ammunition for when I call the DWP about the decision not to award me PIP for mobility, I set off from the bathroom to the first bench on the Town Hall square - how far it was and how long it took me. I left the bathroom (had put my boots on in there) at 8.59 am. At 9.04 I was down the stairs across the kitchen holding onto pieces of furniture and equipment and pausing to rest sitting on the walker, to slow my breathing and my heart rate. At 9.06 am I set off down the backs, stopping outside the next door neighbour's house and the end house to breathe/ cough (the air is much colder today). Stopped on the corner 9.13 am then walked alongside the gable end of our row, then across the 10' of pavement to the nearest part of the car park. At 9.21 I stepped onto the car park and aimed myself in a nice straight line to cross it (not the time I'd choose to do it). I can walk for approx 2 minutes moving between 5 and 9 yards at a time before needing to sit down to rest, slow my breathing or stop coughing. Each step is 9" - 1' my lower legs were shaking before I got out of our backs.

Halfway across my back and shoulders were hurting from gripping the handles and it was taking me 3 attempts to stand up from the walker. At 9.53 I stopped by the last parked car as I couldn't make it onto the pavement and would have been obstructing the disabled spaces if I'd had to stop between there and the pavement. 10 more yards to the pavement, held onto the bollard and then 3 more to 'my' bench. Carried onto the portico over the entrance as it was raining (the third lady who stopped to check if I was all right was bothered about me getting wet). I know things have deteriorated in the last 2 -3 months and particularly the last 2 - 3 weeks and the cold air made it harder but it took far longer than I expected.

Phone call from the EA - buyer has pulled out due to a change in circumstances but someone else is viewing it tomorrow. As I've already persuaded my brother to take his ID (+ lots of other stuff I'm sorting) to the EA and the solicitor we'll still do that then they have it all ready when we do have a buyer. One of the workers from the Town Hall (archives now) walked with me across to the library and I rested there until I was ready to go home. The return took me until nearly 11 am (fewer stops but counted paving alongside the library and it's about 100 feet (33,33 yards). I was cold, wet and very hungry. I was thinking about tinned rice pudding and a cup'a 'soup but was so tired I asked DS3 to order me a hot breakfast a hot chocolate. I went upstairs to have a shower and DS3 brought it up to me when it arrived.

My phone rang (again - very busy today) - man delivering materials for the men who are coming to fit handrails etc this afternoon. he had to put them in the back yard as they wouldn't go in the front door. Just about to start on my food when the phone went again - the men to do the work, who said they were at the door if it was okay. Shouted for DS3 to get the door then hobbled down - no men? DS3 said they'd gone to the street at right angles to ours and then had to go round the block to get to ours. 

Two lovely young men have put handrails on either side of my stairs, a handle at the top of the stairs (just where I need it to take that really frightening first step down), a short rail on the wall facing the stairs, a shower rail and curtain, two handles either side of the front door and one outside the back door. Much fun was had getting the stair rails into the house. From long experience I'd suggested the best pathway but after getting them in through my window but not around the corners to the top of the stairs, they eventually went in and out of the front bedroom window with DS3 helping (he gets along with workmen). The more experienced workman was interested in the layout of the house and all the work I'd done, they took all the bits of wardrobe downstairs and outside for me and even had a look at next door (I said I might throw the wardrobe bits over there - it'll help keep the nettles and brambles from growing).

It was just after one when they finished so I decided I could go to my art class after all. We're doing stuff for Mental health Awareness Week and I'm making a mental health rainbow (using scraps of patterned card for the words). I've brought some bits of card home (covers off two pads - with sample bits of all the colours inside) so I can work on some of the lettering for next week. I was gifted a few pieces of pineapple and about half a box of wonky strawberries (little juicy Scottish ones) to add to my collection of oddments and I'll leave phoning the DWP until tomorrow (feeling more rested now but still basically wiped out).

I am very worried about my mobility and have done a new search of ground floor flats. I have found one I like within my price range (20 k less than this is supposed to be) but I'd have to sell this, which won't happen until they move on so won't get my hopes up. I know the property (used by the Council for various purposes for years), the bathroom and kitchen would need to be re-done - new but not suitable for me but it does have a yard (think I remember there are two roughly square bits joined together). I nearly cried when I was sitting in the library - adapting this house might not be enough but I can't bear not to be able to grow things. Otherwise it's a blank canvas (think the layout was slightly awkward - no floorplan). May have a look and then hope for the best.

Grateful for lovely young men, DS3 getting along and pitching in, art group, the library, beautiful handrails.

lcc86

Small spend on parking today, needed my car for work during the day and still waiting for my permit and my zipcar application to be approved. Once that happens I hopefully won't need my car much if at all.

Busy day at work, had a bake off competition as well so ate far too many cakes although I only took small slices! Not much else to report today.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for getting through work (meetings before and after school, lunch duty taking up half the lunch break and a line management meeting during my one free period of the week meant that I had just 2x20 min breaks), for dc going out this evening, for the sky this evening, for recorded bull riding, for email.

ldee2111

Stayed on NSD 8/15 as I had to buy milk. I didn’t have to buy chocolate though. 

Back to our regular routine of work and school today. 

Finished audiobook written/ narrated by a women who shared her shocking story of being a victim of the spycops scandal.

Grateful today for OH getting home earlier, for his rationality when my thoughts start to run riot, and for my family in general. 

BadBookkeeper

Todays update:

Simplify - A topsy turvy day today.  Confused at what day it is but got lots of little errands done.

Essential spends - Wanted to buy a newspaper to keep for DS as a souvenir of this historic time.  So not an NSD.  So still 9/15. Bit gutted as DH bought one so I didn’t need to!  Also donated to boss charity bike ride. 

Planning & Preparation - To do list achieved.  Also received forms for pension transfer so this is one step closer to being completed which is a huge frog for me!!  

Think before spend - Yes,  could have gone mad when bought the newspaper but didn’t.

Eat to nourish - Leftover roast chicken for tea with rice & vegetables.  But had leftover cake too.

Mindfulness - Been doing too many things today but when asked to do something in work today I told my colleague I’d take a look after I had completed my current task instead of trying to do 2 things at once.

Be kind - Helped my Dad out by giving him lifts to sort his cars MOT. Charity donation made. 

Exercise - Steps achieved 

Report daily - Done ✅ 

Esmeralda2662

First day back at work after 12 days off and it was a bit of a shock! Usually I'm only off for a few days or a week at a time. Luckily I was very busy so the day went quite quickly.

Cancelled my 3rd covid booster and Mum's 4th as neither of us are feeling 100%. Will rebook in October.

Took a secondhand 3-tier steamer to my DS as I'd accidentally got 2 stashed away in different places! Hopefully will help cut the amount of electricity they use cooking. Also a metal jug for his girlfriend (to make wax melts) and a llama flowerpot as she loves plants.

My friend dropped off a huge bag of mixed apples from her trees which she won't use. They look lovely so I better get cooking!

Seems like DOH may have had a funny turn on Saturday when he couldn't think or remember anything. Luckily he was in bed and there were no FAST signs but it has frightened both of us. He's getting it sorted now. Told him he needs to calm down and stop getting so aggitated over everything. 

On NSD#2 and struggling to increase.

Gratitudes: Lovely friend bringing apples, DS being chuffed with the steamer, a NSD, a beautiful new bloom on my dahlia. X

DrCarrie

Morning Turtles, 

NSD#9 - I didn't hot send on my post yesterday! Still not sleeping the best. My promotion was announced at work yesterday, so now I hope that the work I have been doing (bossing people about / being a busybody) has some legitimacy. 

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of this the third time I have worked hard to get out of debt. I started a new diary and haven't yelled. Onward and upward. 

Grateful for the autumn sun, the nip in the air, and my duvet. 

grandmanerd

Wednesday 21st September 2022
Powered by very little sleep and now decided to give up and get on with things rather than lying awake thinking about them.

Wellness Wednesday
If you feel like too much is going on, that your experience is full of chaos or that you're being pulled in different directions, that is a sign for you to declutter.

Foods that lower cholesterol
Oatmeal          Barley and whole grains          Beans          Nuts            Vegetable Oils            Fatty Fish
Soy                  Strawberries                            Apples

Today
We'll have a rest day in Manchester for you to explore and then we'll turn the boat round and start travelling back to Salford to take the branch of the Bridgewater going south (one of the canal walks guides said you can cycle from Wigan to Runcorn. Don't think we'll go that far but we'll see how we do.

HOPE
Hope is the only thing stronger than fear

Do not lose hope. Please believe that there are a thousand beautiful things waiting for you. Sunshine comes to all who feel the rain.
(R M Drake)

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all
(Emily Dickinson)

Shrewbie

Quick check in to report NSD 9. It’s the busiest month at work for me so have had no time to spend. All meals have been from stores. No exercise yest as I worked through lunch. 
grateful for bf cooking, for hot showers and for bestie arriving today.