Moving on

Cherryfudge

WelshmansDaughter said:

Has DH tried any stress reduction techniques when he experiences these episodes? If he does and they don't work, a sign that it may be something else?

Just realised I haven't actually answered your question, sorry! I don't know if it counts as techniques but he will spend time reading or watching Youtube so that he's physically resting and mentally switched off.

WelshmansDaughter

I believe a hot bath would have an effect on blood pressure but other than that it does seem a mystery. The takeaway I get from your description is that the mental and physical are out of balance.

in_need_of_direction

I’d never be brave enough to use a mug with a reattached handle.

Cherryfudge

WelshmansDaughter said:

I believe a hot bath would have an effect on blood pressure but other than that it does seem a mystery. The takeaway I get from your description is that the mental and physical are out of balance.

It's an odd thing, or at least it looks odd unless we can find the cause. His general health is very good and he looks after himself but he has a chronic condition that has given rise to side effects. Hence he's now about to have a fourth consultant! Mental health-wise, he's prone to stress but it's a lot better since he's reduced his work hours and swapped jobs.  He's trying to manage that and has developed his self-awareness so it's much better than it was.

in_need_of_direction said:

I’d never be brave enough to use a mug with a reattached handle.

I'd always be careful - I've had one or two mends over the years that didn't last so I'd always be on the lookout for that little creaking sound that means something's giving way! However, I've also been pleasantly surprised where repairs have lasted years. This particular mug hasn't reached the bin because sometimes they come up on 3bay and I wanted the details to try to track down another.

So far today I've: washed my hair, booked my flu and Covid jabs, reminded DH to book his, refilled a wardrobe dehumidifier and found a few more summer oddments to go in the loft. And it's absolutely pouring down, but Duolingo has given me a free day of 'Super' as I've reached 1300 consecutive days. I might use some of that for free 'legendary' lessons.

Cherryfudge

Some more sundries done: Pay is in and all the bits and pieces are sorted. CC has been paid off then used again to order the log store and the bedding. I got a code to reduce the price of the bedding by... 85p! It's only a cheap set but should reduce the need to tumble dry, and it's cute (cats print - DH didn't like it as he's allergic, then turned that round and said as I can't have cats due to his allergies, I should have a cats duvet! Actually he said 'cat', singular, the plural is my version).

I won't move the regular saver money just yet as the bank gets in a bit of a flap if they think too much has gone out at once, and I want to leave room for any genuine emergencies, while planning against having any such. It will do in a few days, and that's the last instalment for that account. I gave it a bit of thought and in theory it's a Christmas saver, but I've never used it to pay for Christmas - but why not? The money comes from the same source, I can spend the interest before touching the capital and any left over will be rolled into another higher interest account.

I had a look on 3bay and there is 'my' mug for a mere £10 if you include p&p. That's £15 cheaper than last time I looked, but someone is already bidding so I've just put it to watch. No point in starting a bidding war too early.

Papers for the toddlers are sorted out but the session isn't prepared. Some chicken and ham are defrosting for tea (using up from the freezer along with carrots and some lard to make pastry), and we have a pineapple needing to be used for afters.

Cherryfudge

Things done:

• go into current account and make sure all is ready for whatever needs to go out tomorrow
• pay cc
• see if there are any photos to get for 'free' (pay postage) off the app - looked, but nothing stands out
• Finish assembling the summer clothes that are to go in the loft - mostly
• sort out the papers for the toddler sessions which are still all over the table
• prep next Sunday's session - started
• prep tomorrow's Tuesday group which is here, so I need to do food too - now cancelled as my friend is working
• Give serious thought about the application for the admin job, which I've been putting off. Is it right for me? Would I be taking on too much? What would be decreased if I were doing that job? (I would have more income, less time. It would mean having to work in the mornings! Leisure time and house/garden would have to move over to accommodate it). - Chatted to DH and asked for feedback from friends.

And the every-day stuff:

• wash my hair
• order log store and new bedding.

So there's been some progress but every time I am home alone on a grey day I think it's a good reason to be out working!

Cherryfudge

Another very wet day, though not particularly cold. DH has the day off and took the older DGD to her toddler club - usually this means pram pushing but this time her parents gave lifts rather than try to cope with car seats in our car.

Feedback on the job possibility so far:
DH - wary in case it's term time only and thus we can't go on holiday at cheaper times
Friend 1 - what are the hours?
Friends 2 - it seems a lot of tasks for a p/t job.

I made carrot and ginger soup for lunch and for once there are no leftovers, but it's usefully used up a bag of carrots.

The office at the Wednesday job is wringing wet all down one wall and through the light so they have temporarily moved elsewhere in the building.

This afternoon we're going out for coffee for a change of scene.

Cherryfudge

We had a lovely afternoon: it was so nice to be out of the house after a couple of days cooped up! I know in theory there was only me stopping me going out, but the rain has been so heavy.

We went to a countryside café where we'd been a couple of times in the summer. Last time was a frazzling hot day. We saw our former neighbour and had a quick chat, and we moved into the shade because it was so dazzling in the open. Today there was absolutely no one outside. We just had our usual cappuccino and Earl Grey but had a good talk about what I'll call 'local politics', without distractions. Lots of respect to certain people for how they are handling a situation. We also talked about that possible job application and DH agrees it's a lot to ask for a part time job, though I don't think he was aware there is at least one volunteer too.

On the way home we raided A sda, mostly for tins as those in our stores were running low, then made the most of the dry weather with a local walk. The rain started again just as we reached our road (which, incidentally, is still full of 'men at work' signs, but I suppose it's too wet for them to tackle it until a team in diving gear is free to lend a hand). We've brought logs in to dry as well: the ones in the middle of the stack by the back door weren't as wet as I'd expected. Then I went up in the loft for the winter clothes, most of which were in a gigantic shopper-type zipped bag that turned out to be very unwieldy. It's nice to see old friends again! I also picked up some bags of 'sentimental value' clothes and noticed a hole and some loose threads on one, so I'm concerned that either a mouse or a moth has been there. There was no trace of mouse droppings and we've never heard anything, nor was there any sign of a nest. What's odd is that now I have that bag out of the loft, I can't find damage on the clothes either, though a hunt in daylight might show me more. What I did find in there - and which are now in the wash - were a pinafore dress and a tweed dirndl skirt from way back. I lived in those while I was doing my degree! And was I ever so slim?! The pinafore dress won't even do up round my ribs, let alone my waist!

I've been really careful as I don't want moths in our current clothes, but if it was moths (or mice), why is there no further damage? It seems so localised. Obviously I've been careful to shut what's still in the loft in boxes where I could.

This year's summer clothes all fitted into the large bag which is now ready to go into storage.

Dinner was the rest of yesterday's pie, which is not going to help me fit into anything I wore in my twenties.

I've arranged to ring a client for the Wednesday job tomorrow afternoon, which is outside the hours I'm supposedly working but is otherwise okay and if it helps them progress, I'll be glad. I need to think a bit about it as it will be a bit different not seeing them face to face. I have a feeling phone calls are easier for some people, though.

Expenditure:
Entertainment ?
Housekeeping £8.68

Cherryfudge

This morning we have blue sky and I have a winter jumper from those I took out yesterday.

I often recall this year's New Year's resolution about curating things (body, soul and possessions). That's unusual in itself as how often does anyone remember what they resolved? My resolutions are always mindful of me being a work in progress, so I will 'get better at' or 'continue to'. That way it's harder to fail at the first fence. However, what's come home to me is how key quantity is. I like looking after things - so clothes, for instance, benefit - but I just have too much so some of it never gets any attention.

And I do struggle to let go, so it's mostly down to wearing things out, though over time that happens.

Today, though, I know there's a partly empty drawer in the freezer and a bit of space on the toiletries shelf that houses my things, so eventually I am getting there in some areas. I've even just thrown out a pair of worn out socks!

Anyway, delivery one of two has just arrived, in excellent time and I need to check whether to wait in the the other item. I'll also put some laundry on as I can't not take advantage of a dry day, then tis off to work I go.

badmemory

I struggle to throw things away.  I still have an over jumper "with pockets" bought 50 years ago which I do still wear.  Obviously I still love it but occasionaly wonder if it is just me that thinks it is still really nice.  One of these days it will give up but the way things are going it may outlast me!