Prosperous & Creative Soul & MFW Year 3

skint_spice

Love your beach photos, sounds like your weather has been similar to ours - it’s fairly warm and sunny but blowing up a hoolie.

Starlight_at_Sea

Hi SH, delurking to wish you well. I'm another one who has read your diary (this time around) from the beginning, I tend to do that when I like the gist of things people are commenting on in other forums. Can't remember where I stumbled across you but have found the diary inspiring. I live between three places but haven't really made any of them mine, and have decision paralysis a lot! So thank you for talking through your thought process on here and also for making it a-ok to outsource where others have skills (and tools) that you don't. I hope your return to work goes smoothly as and when you are ready for it. I had a very long phased return with long covid. For my employer working even a very short period (a couple of hours alternate days to begin with) stopped the clock on my sickness time off - I was counted as back to work as soon as I began the phased return. It helped an awful lot to not do every day to begin with, as you are finding with your trips out, recovery days are very important. I asked my GP outright for these based on advice of others - the doctors don't know the type of pressures you face at work, so be your own best judge of what you think you can sustain without spending all your time not at work recovering from being at work. I hope that's helpful. 

savingholmes

Thanks Sandy, Skint and @Starlight_at_Sea

I have read your diary in the past too Starlight. Glad my musings help. Getting help in can make a huge difference. I also find in the case of the handyman he's willing to do some research - and because of his attention to detail - he then finds a good solution, recommends it and let's me know the cost. That alleviates some of the decision making. He also get 15% discount at a few places which he is willing to pass on. He's due today which I'm looking forward to.

My charming cat woke me through the night - and after the last time - around 6am I was unable to get back to sleep. I need to have a shower before the handyman comes - and have had breakfast. 

My new rug arrives late morning / early afternoon. Hopefully the handyman can therefore help me with rearranging the lounge. He's also supposed to be dismantling the seller's kitchen table and reassembling my old one. He had to dismantle it to get it through the door. That will then make my back L shape to the house more functional. I'm hoping the banisters and spindle will have arrived too but we'll see. I also need to find out how many days he plans to come this week so I know how much to budget for him. I get paid a week today. Alternatively - I could just ask him to wait for his £ until then.

There is a local drawing course I could do in a couple of weeks time. I'm checking out what time it is on - but it looks like while it would normally be nearly £200 - I may get it free due to location and P1p. I've sent an email to check. If I do get it free that opens up a world of possibilities and I may at some point explore other courses. 

jwil

Glad you are getting to do some art.

LadyWithAPlan

I love the idea of a short art course - you get to explore, have a set time each week plus get to meet new people ! So please enrol ! 

I am actually loving your blingy tiles with the odd vinyl one to break it up - maybe you could draw your own mural on there with suitable water proof paints - as your art looks great 

glad you managed a day on the beach ok 

Merlin's_Beard

Just done a catch up on your diary SH - that beach looks absolutely gorgeous and it sounds like your recovery is going well. Would definitely add to the voices saying not to go back too soon and risk the progress you've made.

The bird art was absolutely lovely too. Would definitely agree that not making big house decisions until you know where you are with your own health costs!

savingholmes

Thanks Jwil, LWAP and Merlin

Today hasn't got to plan. I went for my MRI but had to get out early as I was too upset and claustrophobic. They got a couple of scans - whether that will be enough I don't know but I don't think I could do that sort of scan again. It didn't help that it was nil by mouth beforehand so I was very dry mouthed before even going in there - which accentuated the panic feeling. Plus they put ear defenders on me that they spoke through - but that too added to the claustrophobia as by muffling other sounds it accentuated the experience. It was awful. A sis originally offered to go with me - but it was so early in the morning - and I'd had a leg MRI previously so I thought I'd be okay. But this one my head had to go all the way in - and although I tried to close my eyes - sometimes I'd open them and panic. I cried the whole time. I should have rearranged originally to a time my sis could come but I doubt whether with that or even with sedation the outcome would have been much different although the support afterwards would have been nice.

In better news I moved the last chunk of £ to the ISA yesterday so that's now all set up. The handyman also came yesterday - and I now have a locking bathroom and downstairs loo. He also mended my Dy***. It had got completely blocked. I've put my new living room rug down and it looks better. Need to continue tweaking the room. The handyman took a chair back upstairs for me so the room is now 'lighter' - it was over-full before.

I need to try and pick up some prescriptions later but it's a torrential downpour currently so not motivating for going out. I've not run out yet so could leave it - but I need to know if my sick note has been done as haven't heard anything about that. 

savingholmes

Yesterday the handyman also drilled some holes in pots - so I planted a few of my recent purchases. Just as well - as it's really blowy here today and they'd have all blown over otherwise. My gate doesn't currently have a latch - I propped it closed with 4 bricks an hour ago - and it's now banging again. The recycling crates have also blown across my garden despite being down the side of my house under cover originally.

The cleaning company have been in touch. They can't get someone for this Friday - but have got someone for the week after so going with that.

I've just bought myself some new pretty journals to cheer myself up... Meanwhile I'm going to make some art...

jwil

Sorry the MRI was challenging.  Hope they got enough needed.

Glad more progress is being done on the house, and enjoy your art making.

beanielou

Sorry that the MRI was so hard for you.