Watty's Awakening

Watty1

Hospital has contacted me to say I am due a refund as they did very little of the work they had charged me for so that was lovely. I had wondered about that and was going to call but they were ahead of that which was reassuring. Costs this month a bit out of control as we had really cut our food bill by planning and using up but VNM has had to do a lot of the cooking and his preference was for those kits that get delivered - so - I just resorted to that. He prefers it as he doesn't have to think.

He has been so great I decided to surprise him with some new shorts so popped online and ordered 3 pairs intending he would pick the pair he wanted and we would return the others. All from one store but they came on different days. First pair arrived and he loved them, said they could not be bettered and wore them. Next day another pair arrived - he announced they were better - and said he really wanted to keep them as well. Yesterday final pair arrived - and these are best of all and he wants them.😀😀 His joy at each pair was so infectious I have laughingly said I can afford them so just keep them all. It was such a treat to buy something for someone and be so appreciated for that. (And he paid for the cardiologist so I didn't have to wait which was just so kind that three pairs of shorts is small change compared to the hospital bill).

In other news the fencer has been and fixed all the broken fencing and hung the new gate (I paid him an extra £50 as the gate was not on the list and tbh I'm grateful for a nice chap that just turns up and gets on with the job and does a good job, a local farmer I respect has been so complimentary about the fencer's work that I really want to keep him on side and not just throw extra jobs in after we have agreed a price. He bought with him two chaps to help, again, charmingly polite and respectful and realising I just didn't want to get up and inspect the work sent me photos as they were working). Have also paid someone to pull all the ragwort out of the field so there is general progress around the place.

I could now do with someone to chop up all the old fencing and broken gate so it can be burnt but that is a job for another month I think.

greenbee

Good to know you're working to connect the dots. I'm afraid the 'old lady on the sofa' might have to be your status for a bit, but hopefully it will be temporary. FB is currently reminding me that 15 years ago I was on bed rest (lying on my bed, on the sofa, or in the garden) and very, very bored - but they did eventually sort the problem out. I've since developed Long Covid, so am spending more time on the sofa again - but that time allows me to do the things I want to do, and I spend the sofa time planning how to get the things that need doing by someone else done. So if you want to make use of your sofa time, making lists, getting quotes and booking work in isn't a bad way to spend it - you can make progress, just in a different way.

Cherryfudge

I've been reading along but too tired to think through an answer, sorry. I'm so glad there was positive news from the hospital (and a refund!), though the sofa time must be frustrating. Turning detective is good: so many people have to be the expert in their own symptoms because doctors see the general picture and are bound to veer towards what they've seen before.

I love the story of VNM's shorts. 😊 Nice to hear you have sound fencing too and have got rid of the ragwort before it seeds. I remember from Foot & mouth that the seeds remain viable for many years, though, so you may have to keep going back to that one.

Suffolk_lass

I've just popped in from my slow catch-up day after the County Show and just wanted to say that AI could help you organise what you want to say and the most important things to prioritise, when you meet the consultant cardiologist again. These things can be caused as side effects of other things

PennysIntoPounds

Great the fencing and gate has been done.

Happy new shorts to Mr VNM 😊😂

Watty1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015396#Comment_82015396

this was an excellent idea. After a chat with chatgbt I have a short list of major symptoms with a couple of what I think might be tangents but I’m really happy with the outcome. I can now sum up in a minute or two the main issues. I will write on a card to take with me. Great idea. Thank you

Watty1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015310#Comment_82015310

I read your diary. I’m always in awe of how much you get done despite health struggles.
Think tomorrow I will research finding a gardener / someone to tidy the outside and make a list of what needs doing. I have accepted a quote to repair one of the patios but waiting on a date

And the fencer does a lot of ground work so I’ve asked for a quote for the drive.
Can research a decorator for the outside too as the windows need another coat of something

Watty1

Two ten minute walks done. And office time. End of the month statements sent and I’ve asked PA if she can take over one project and designer if she can handle another

Would like both projects to move forwards so hopefully they can do that while I carry on resting up. Missing horses. I see them every day obviously but can’t do much and I miss that

Watty1

Lazy morning so far. So different to a usual Sunday. Have done nothing other than pay architect bill for drawings. Will now hopefully just have planning consult to pay for writing the report ready to submit in August when bio diversity requirements should change. Have been looking online at various building options to pass the time. VNM reminds me often this is a project to increase the value of the plot not for me to actually build 😊

Watty1

End of the month review.
house bills £627

Food 340

Animals 552

Car and Horsebox repairs 326

Property maintenance 2070

Self 37.45 and odds and ends £97 and gifts £159
The odds are storage solutions for the tack room clear out. The property maintenance was clearing the ragwort, new gate, fence and labour to do that

The horsebox and car spends were so low due to VNM. An additional £2600 spent on planning reports needed and then a sum yet to be found out spent on cardiology

Phew!! I started these tally ups to see how much I would need per month in retirement and they are eye opening for sure. I also note I’m very cheap to keep personally if I overlook health spending 😊 although if I were not working I know cafe and social spending would go up