NST JULY KISS

grandmanerd

So it was 2.30 pm before my legs were together enough to take out the first lot of washing. I could walk to the bathroom but not outside before that. I even had leftover curry and noodles cold for lunch because putting them in the microwave was too much work. So bathmat and about 6 pillowcases out and then after about an hour resting I did some teatowels and another couple of pillowcases and the bag that goes inside the laundry basket. The laundry basket came downstairs a while ago but the contents stayed upstairs.

I dealt with most of the stuff we threw out of the window last night, bags taken to different recycling bins and about 7 items outside the garden wall for collection. I found and brought in the other bottle of mould spray (the one with a working handle) for DS3. The remainder of the washing was taken out but just got put down on a garden chair. My knees and back were aching again and my elbows feel that they're tied together with string.

I have done a third cube of books and added to the cs pile (I brought my cs donation bags back down with me last night. I've been dealing with a mess throughout the day, a bit at a timeand I've been compiling a list on dinosaurs (elder grand-daughter's new favourite) and squirrels (theme for new bedroom - it was woodland animals before she was born but they just ended up painting it and getting the flooring down (other grandma helped with all that) and I have already bought a few bits (originally intended for here when I was expecting DS3 and Beloved to move out imminently). The lists are so that I don't spend hours hunting for something I know I've seen.

I'm going to turn off the laptop and read myself to sleep now.

Grateful for systems working (throwing things out of the window is a system), good entertainment, finding a pack of ibuprofen tablets as multiple applications of gel weren't cutting it. Coffee and Chat tomorrow,

grandmanerd

That post was written just before 9 pm last night but I must not have posted it. Today things seem to be worrking but I'm taking things gently. I had a go at the 'mess' using the hose (bit still to go but I'm definitely winning). I put my wellies on and went out and redid the pillow cases (all joined up so I released some pegs). Unfortunately it decided to rain on me so only 3 extra things were hung.

I came in and had a shower. I spent more time massaging my muscles than I did showering. Both phones have been set to charge. Items have been added to various collecting bags. All the remaining books have been collected, I will do the fourth shelf when I next stand up and I should have 2 bags of books to go to the cs. I've applied antiseptic cream and ibuprofen gel (using up the ends of tubes and the gel did not want to come out) and will apply lotion in a minute (I've put magnesium oil on my feet - got it down last night so it was handy for a second coat).

Exciting update: DS3 has taken both the cage boxes upstairs He has wiped the demoulded wall - I was telling him to put the dirty rags straight in the bin but apparently he put them out of the window. The ironong board went out too - I haven't used it for years (last time I was trying to sew a quilt) and it has a tendency to leap out and attack you (it was kept on the landing). That means the iron can go to the hospice shop (plus one item from under the stairs - I set a deadline of using it before the end of the month and it ain't happening)

Grateful for exciting times in the grandmanerd household, the last library book is quite gripping, bit of pampering with the sun cream/ whatever is to hand.

beanielou

@grandmanerd. Most excellent news on the cage boxes.

Chrystal

So pleased to hear that things are finally moving @grandmanerd. Hopefully you will find an improvement with your breathing when the animals are upstairs (fingers crossed it doesn't take TOO long) :)

I would imagine that having more space in your room will also make a big difference for you, and if I could I'd award you an enormous medal for your patience with DS3 and his Beloved.

Sending gentle (((hugs))) and healing thoughts in your direction. XXXX

DawnW

I think that @grandmanerd deserves an enormous medal too @Chrystal !

Waiting for delivery of new dishwasher. I have pulled and chopped some rhubarb and put it in the slow cooker with a splash of orange juice and some sugar.

Also done the ironing of doom.

I am trying not to do too many messy kitchen jobs as my kitchen is small and needs to be organised and empty-ish in order for the new dishwasher to be fitted. I need to go shopping, make pesto and freeze French beans but can't do any of those at the moment.

Some of my flowers in pots have died in the heat, despite being watered regularly. Geraniums and zinnias are still doing well though. My geraniums are kept indoors over winter and increased by means of cuttings, and the zinnias were grown from seed. Such lovely colours! Pansies I bought for winter flowering are still going, though the violas I grew from seed are struggling. Interesting to see what does well and what doesn't during the hot, dry summers we seem to get here in the South. We haven't had proper rain for weeks, and another heatwave is predicted for this week, starting today. It isn't too bad at the moment, but it is in the afternoons and early evenings that the heat is worst. Might see if I can find some cheap bedding begonias to fill the gaps, because I reckon they would be ok as well. Bedding plants are often sold off cheaply to clear at this time of the year. If not I will just have to put up with empty pots.

grandmanerd

Monday's coffee and chat was good but as usual i was exhausted when i got home. i sat in a diferent place and told my neighbour that if i didn't respong when she spoke to me, she should just nudge me - i'm not announcing to the whole group that I'm 'deaf' in that ear but a quiet word was a practical solution. I did well in the quiz, not at the top but for the second week running, I knew an answer that no-one else did - Mr Darcy's first name was Fitzwilliam. One of the men explained the reasons for the different types of pasta (first quiz was pictures of pasta).

Yesterday was slow and gentle (creaky) but progress happened. I ordered a repeat prescription item - ordering single items has so far eliminated the problems I was having with delivery being delayed. & small boxes (roughly the size of 5 reams of A4 down to same width and length but a depth of only 7") which I'd requested be thrown down from upstairs were broken up and packed in a single paper bag along with some food packaging. Various recycling category things went out to the bins.

I emptied 3 bags for life I had brought down, most of the contents were put away. More things including 5 different sizes of craft cones went in the cs bag and I have a good idea which items of clothing I'm ready to let go. I have a habit of wearing something I love for as long as possible (until the holes get too big) and then trying to replace them with a similar item which matches the reasons why the original was so good. I've also bought an alternative to something that I seem to be putting back on as soon as it's dry. The substitutes never work as well as the originals and I'm going to weed them out (waiting until I manage to get things to the cs, I don't need more bags cluttering the doorway.

Washing was brought in from the line (3 old pillowcases will be turned into rags) abd then I went out for an hour and tackled, soil sifting and weeding the back bed. About half done (3 bags all or mostly done). I would have had to have moved around to the other side of the large table and didn't think my legs could do another move (most of the weeding was done from a chair and I moved it forward as I cleared bits (I spent most of yesterday in a long t-shirt nightie and short wellies and the chair helped hide my bum when stretching and bending over).

This morning (5.30 am) I went out to deal with some 'toxic waste' - the rags used to wipe off the mould and some other badly stained rags. The bin bag I took split as I got to the back door so I used 2 regular plastic bags, one over my hand and arm so I didn't touch the rags and another to contain them. A helpful neighbour (or possibly DS3) had moved the bin to the collection point so I shufled down the back with my 3 bags, sat down on the stump to rest and then tied up my 3 small bags and binned them, putting the bin bag on top of the horrible bits.

Today I'm very creaky. Earlier I couldn't manage brushing my teeth, even after a second sit down. I'm going to go and have a shower in a minute and then I'll eat (4am banana meant I didn't want to eat when I took my pills). My assessment appointment for talking therapy is tomorrow and apparently I have questionaires to fill in before hand.

Grateful for getting the weeding done, for lots of easy food in the fridge (unconventional breakfast planned), for finishing the last library book and making progress slowly.

apple_muncher

Greetings from the toasty south! I'm huddled up inside, apart from Very Important Events (going to the Dr , collecting Pip after his work, hanging out the laundry). Normally I enjoy the heat and my paddling pool (yep, being 58 in no way prevents me from being the one splashing around in it), but I still have a dodgy gut and am not going to be in the in the sun any more than absolutely necessary. Gp ruled out anything sinister but if I ain't right tomorrow, he'll do a stool sample. Lovely!

Im supposed to be having dental work done on Friday morning, but have rung to let them know my situation. A final decision will be made tomorrow. The work takes about 2 hours, and the room needs to remain sterile, so ' popping to the loo' isn't allowed 🤣

All that aside, I join you in awarding grandmanerd her gold medal for the month. And in hoping the allergies improve without the chinchillas around.

Any objections if I set up August?

grandmanerd

Yes apple, go ahead with August

beanielou

Thanks @apple_muncher.

apple_muncher

August is live:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6678054/nst-august-2026-the-good-life/p1?new=1