NST July 2023: Jurassic July

Toni'sfriend

Thank you, Thrifty Taylor. The walk did help. I am sorry to hear about your friend. I hope the diagnosis is not as bad as it sounds. My very best wishes to her.,
I don't know if there is a support group locally, Pollyanna. I'm not really a "joiner" but it is something to consider. Thank you for suggesting it.

I have done a bit of research. NHS, McMillan etc. and I think for the time being at least I won't take the tablet because at the moment I know I couldn't cope with the side effects. I'll take the other one which is basically a complex vitamin. From what I've read some alterations to my diet (more of some things and the addition of things I don't eat just. Reducing or cutting out some things that I do) plus some lifestyle changes would certainly help so that's the road I'm going down. The hospital might not agree but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

So today I'm childminding and dog sitting whilst my neighbour attends a funeral. The girls are 9 and 11not too difficult to mind and the dog is happy to sit beside me and have his ears scratched.

Almost forgot it was payday today. Must get the four weekly budget sorted.

Have a good day. xx

grandmanerd

I had a lovely day yesterday. I was awake early and took my pills, ate and had a shower. I lay on the bed resting (used sun cream and a body lotion so gave them time to sink in properly). I'd put everything I needed together the night before but asked Beloved to check on me at 8 am, in case I nodded off. Got myself downstairs well before 9 am so read more of my book until DS2 came to pick me up.

The plan was to go to their house and set off for Keele at 10 am but the baby had had her jabs the day before and was running a temperature and very fretful. I had a good look round her toy room and can tick quite a lot of possibles off my 'wish list' (including the Pickler triangle and rocker) so that was very useful. DS2 went to shower and put his suit on. He asked if I wanted to watch Netflix so I've watched a couple of episodes of the latest series of the Crown. I'd asked if I could have something to eat (I had breakfast at 5 am) - just a piece of cheese to nibble and he brought me 2 slices plus some buffalo peanuts which I hadn't tried before (I try not to buy peanuts as it's easy to scoff a whole bagful) but were delicious.

Mum and baby came down, baby was still tearful and 'shy' but she liked the small windmills (I tested them to make sure they wouldn't come apart) and we played together in the playroom whilst her mum packed supplies for the day. We  set off for the pub where we were to eat, phoned them when we got stuck in roadworks and again as we got nearer but were still later than planned. The minister who performed the Baptism had already arrived from North Wales - she went to DS2's first graduation 10 years ago, was a good friend of the boy's father and supported him through various illnesses (and his parents at the end of their lives).

We  arrived about 20 minutes after our planned arrival (baby had spent far too long in the car and let us all know about it) but there was lots of room and the meal was delicious and lots of friendly chat and playing with baby. Then we set off for the university which was allegedly only 5 minutes away.

I was ignored when I pointed out the 'Welcome to your Graduation' sign (admittedly it was a very sharp turn just after a couple of quick turns and a complicated junction) and we sailed past down 3 mile lane which had no turning spaces (very conscious of the minister following in her car). Managed to turn at a point where there was a spur of road leading off then the satnav took us off on a long detour passing many places we had already been (2 satnavs in play as they kept losing signal) but we got there and drove as far in as we could.

DS2 and I got out as he needed to collect his gown quickly and I needed to sit somewhere near whilst the drivers went to park and then trek back to us. The nearest benches were occupied but I'd seen a small wall a little way back so went to sit there. This was next to the live stream theatre as there were limited tickets for the chapel where the ceremony was taking place. Mummy had a ticket for the chapel (as did I and the minister) but she elected to hand it back and watch on the screen - if babies cried they had to be taken out of the chapel and you could not go back in after, guests in the live stream theatre were allowed in and out. 

We moved down nearer to the chapel entrance (there was a large marquee with lines for people to queue up in like at the cinema). I found another wall and a young man moved up so that I didn't have to sit with the briar roses at my back. They put out the call for graduates to take their places (another 15 minutes for guests) and then people started to queue up outside the marquee until the queue reached us. I couldn't stand in the queue so I was going to wait until it started to move and then hobble along at the tail end. I didn't mind if I ended up at the back of the chapel as it would be easier to get out at the end (less far).

Then I got queue jumped. A woman in a yellow tabard asked what I was doing there (at the back) and then took my arm and walked me past the queue (with the minister toddling behind us). The queue started to move but it didn't matter as most people made way for us and once we got in the marquee, the queue went into the queuing lines and we walked straight across to the entrance and then I got to pick where I wanted to sit. I could have sat a few rows from the front but opted for the front row of the back half (very short walk and on the edge of the carpet) with tiered rows. 

The ceremony was a lot shorter and more fun than DS2's first one, I managed to stand for the incoming and outgoing processions (the outgoing had all the new graduates so was longer) and then as we were standing already the minister and I tagged along at the back of the procession (it wasn't just us, several people did it). We were asked to turn the other way down the corridor (the graduates had a group photo on the stairs when they came out, so  we ended up near the toilets and then went outside. 

There was entertainment (including 2 men dancing in reflective gold suits and a giant squirrel), music and a bar in the 'Square' and food and drink in the hall (further up). DS2 and his little family went off to get 'official photos' (they took some of DS2 on his own and some of all 3 of them) whilst the minister and I sat by the bar - I drank a can of decaff coke I'd put in my handbag from the supplies I'd brought, she bought something from the bar. There were lots of places for people to take their own photos too. 

When they came back we set off for refreshments (that was a very long haul for me and not many stopping places). I was way behind by the time we reached the courtyard (the minister stayed with me). It looked like there were steps up to the refreshments, so the minister went off to check. There was an accessible route and then a lift to the upper floor. The man who escorted us advised me that there was a couch, just after getting out of the lift, if I needed a break (he also told us to have the beef, if there was any left). So I sat for a while then toddled off, found some posh leather club chairs by the drinks stand.

Toddled in and asked for a prosecco then sat in the nearest leather chair. When I'd drunk it (slowly) I toddled off to find the food (had been warned that there were step down) but found our little party and sat down gratefully whilst DS2 went to get food (he gave me his, fetched more for himself). Thick slices of brisket with salad on a wholemeal bun. Then cheesecake after (it wasn't a healthy eating day but it was delicious). 

We wandered back. Baby was walking holding onto the pushchair so at times I was just faster than her, me taking advantage of any seating places and them taking more photos (the crowds had thinned a lot by then) until we were back near the marquee. Myself, DS2 and the baby sat on the benches, the 2 drivers went back to the car park, then baby's mum drove back to  pick us up.

Baby was tired and getting tetchy again so we did what we could to entertain her. She didn't enjoy the drive home (she doesn't like the car - one of them always sits in the back with her to entertain her). DS2 sang a song about Captain Crayfish (not that but can't remember precisely). DS2 was very travel sick when younger (he even made me travel sick when I was pregnant with him) so I think she may have that - not to throwing up but perhaps it makes her uncomfortable and unsettled.

Once we were in the house and she was settled in the highchair with food she cheered up again. I stretched to get various cramps out of my legs, back and ease my numb bum. DS2 ordered an uber to get me home and it was quiet and pleasant journey (familiar territory). The driver asked if I needed help but I said it had been a long day and I was just very creaky. I knocked and DS3 opened the door. I sat on the couch eating ice cream (h-dass mini cup) - it was 8.10 pm and I wasn't very hungry but knew I had to take my evening pills, ventured into the yard and brought 3 things off the line (couldn't walk to the line by the wall).

After resting for a bit, I crawled upstairs, took my shoes and clothes off and climbed into bed. I was asleep before 9 and slept until 3 am, then had another few hours. I can get to the bathroom and back which is better than it might have been, eating all the wrong things hasn't made me ill but I'm not inclined to do much else atm - I'm quite happy where I am.

I have a frog list, could have a happy domestic (if I had a domestic week, I might get the house looking something like) but so far it's a recovery day, I'll do things as and when I feel up to it (a shower is first on the list. Sometimes days like these end up being very productive and if it doesn't, I obviously needed the rest. I'm slowly learning to let things go and ditching some things off the to do list (if I've not got it done and it's been hanging around a while, how essential is it).

Grateful for a lovely day, playing with baby, her spontaneous hugs when I was going home (her mum was holding her and she leant towards me and put her arms round my neck - 3 times). 

apple_muncher

Sounds like a fabulous day, grandmanerd.

beanielou

Glad that you had a good day Grandmanerd 

Thrifty_Taylor

A lovely day @grandmanerd! 😃
Good you could help your neighbour out @Toni'sfriend.

Took DH for his blood test. A phonecall this afternoon, told him he hardly has any white blood cells currently, so has to try not to get any additional viruses, as he's still trying to fight the one transplanted with his kidney.

Accompanied mum to an appointment with the CAB. Her pension is sorted, she's just having UC deducted as she'd been getting both at the same time, & you're only supposed to get one or the other. Frog ticked off the list.

Went shopping. DH & DS3 kept putting things in the trolley, so wasn't a cheap shop. DS is camping for 3 nights with friends at a beach, so needed foods that wouldn't go off. Has lots in tins 😂 refused a loaf of bread, so think he'll be hungry!

Put shopping away after dinner, then walked to the village & back to pin a woman into a dress. Sat & snipped branches for nearly 2 hours. Didn't cut the thicker bits up for the fire, as I'm going to fill recycled chimney lining pipes & make a big hotel in the garden.

Washed up after tea, then did more of my rug. Nearly used up the second ball of wool. The quandry is - do I start ball 3 of 4 & have to buy extra wool for the second rug (if I can find a match), or do I make it slightly shorter & just use up what I have? I've had the wool for many years, not sure if there's even a ball label...

Grateful for mum getting sorted, nearly all the branches snipped & the weather being dry so I didn't get wet on my walk nor snipping time

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 15

That sounds like a lovely day, Grandmanerd.

Well. I survived the childminding and dog sitting. They were as good as gold. Helped probably by the fact that I had bought their favourite treats for them when we were shopping a few days ago,

I didn't have much time for anything else yesterday so better make a bit of an effort today. xxxx

DrCarrie

Hi Turtles  what a lovely challenge this is...I am coming back into the fold for August after being missing in action for a while!

Thrifty_Taylor

Hi @DrCarrie, glad you're doing ok 😊

NSD#9
Made myself get up at a decent time, had too many late nights, then lie ins.
Me & DH did more sorting in the garage. Still got lots to do, but it's looking s whole lot better & you don't have to climb over bags of cement & a bike to get anything out! Took a run to the dump, as it's closed on Monday, when we'll be heading into town next. Pottered in the garden for an hour & a half. Had 2 lots of washing out on the line today too.
Washed the dishes after tea, went for a walk with DH, then watched a programme & did more rug. On looking at it, I think I'll need to start on the third ball of wool, as it won't be long enough if I don't.

Grateful for a sunny day, a tidier garage, time in the garden & a nice walk

grandmanerd

I slept for most of Friday. I went downstairs but only to top up with food and drink (beetroot and oranges, cheese spread and thin crackers and the last of the grapes). I woke up yesterday feeling really refreshed but as usual, got far less done than I wanted. Went downstairs and put together a meal of sweet potato fries, mixed veg and salmon (slightly ood but hadn't been opened and passed the sniff test). Broke up  boxes and made 3 trips to the bins but felt too wobbly for a fourth trip. I've tied up some rubbish bags and thrown them outside (will get to them as soon as possible today).

Finished my book, and series one of a serial, found a new series to watch and started new rubbish/ recycling bags because lots went out the other day. Extra recycling went out through the bedroom window (some of the 2 l bottles will be filled from the collected rainwater and distributed around the garden to make that job easier).

Other than that it's thinking about how to get basic housework done, how to tackle my herd of elephants and get things in order for the week to come. How to get anything done, introduce more basic self-care and start thinking about more fun things to do for myself. The hard part of my mask had started to detach from the silicone so I rootled in the drawer and found an old one (the silicone is a bit yellow), cleaned it and the hose and changed the linking attachment. Tried in the morning and it wouldn't budge so I was waiting for Beloved to wake up (she's my go to girl for bottle opening and all the ridiculous things I'm sometimes unable to do). As it started to get really late I tried again and did it with a pair of scissors (prising one side out a bit then the other until there was enough to get hold of). I'll contact the sleep clinic this week but I've slept well so this is okay for now. May have another nap in a minute.

Grateful for books, new and old series, my mask and getting things done (not much but anything is better than nothing).

f0xh0les

Not sure how prophylactics would help with a cough @grandmanerd, cough syrup would be more effective, although the other might take your mind off the cough?  dunno.
Glad you enjoyed your graduation - we are all told if someone looks like they have mobility issues, they immediately become VIPs, queues do not apply, seats become available, way out signage is to be ignored.  Glad Keele is the same. I was in your local Uni all last week - next to Great Moor Street bus station, and one in (Not Bradford) all this week 
Got home yesterday, the house was rank, cleaned top and middle floors after lunch.
 Lay down on the sofa at 4.30 .  Did 4 loads of laundry, hoovered,  drank tea, and said many many bad words inside my head. 
Got up at 6am as a builder was due at 8am to quote. Cleaned the ground floor and folded 2 weeks worth of  laundry. The boys said they didn't want to disturb their dad with their laundry 🧺 as he was working..  So the mountain of clean laundry in the kitchen just grew taller and taller until I came home, and the dirty clothes magically appeared in front of the washer. 
 Oh well.  The builder was lovely, and only ten minutes late. I will get 3 paychecks at the end of the month. I have more work in September.