Thank you

Looking after Holly looms pretty large these next few weeks but looking after me looms even larger.  All my routine health appointments  fall in October/November.

Yesterday I went to my flu and covid vaccinations.  In a couple of weeks I am due to have routine blood tests.  Early November I have tests on my legs to make sure any complications as a result of old injuries are caught early.  A couple of weeks later I have an RSV vaccination.  (Older people often feel like pincushions as we are offered so many vaccinations!)  And when everything has been tested my regular medications will be reviewed.

Like many people I am concerned about the NHS.  I know we grumble about waiting lists, the difficulty in getting appointments, telephone queues etc and I too have the occasional moan. 

The NHS is not perfect. It is under enormous pressure, and those who work in it are often expected to do far too much with far too little. But every day, doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, paramedics, porters, cleaners, receptionists and countless others turn up to care for people they may never have met before.  And they do all this for people from every walk of life.

But perhaps we could also make a little more room for saying thank you.  Small gestures cannot solve the NHS's enormous problems, but they can remind the people who work there that their efforts are noticed.  The NHS belongs to all of us, and so does the responsibility to value it.

So today, I simply want to say thank you, NHS.

 

May is out!

I remember my parents and grandparents saying, "Cast not a clout till May is out" and being totally confused as "clout" usually meant a thump or slap!  Here it means an article of clothing, often a vest and the saying was a reminder that even after May begins, cold weather can still return.  "May" can also be the hawthorn tree, which flowers in late April or early May. When the hawthorn blossoms are "out," it signals the end of spring's cold spells, making it safe to leave winter clothes behind.  Either way, May is definitely out!

On the whole, it's been quite a good month.  I had a few days dog sitting, but not as much as I had hoped as my legs suddenly became very painful.  (Things are improving again.)

I've been out for meals with quite a few friends.  I'm going to have to try and do this a little less often as I like to consider meals out to be a treat.  I need to think of a way of doing this less often and maybe inviting friends to eat at my house.  

Jack has been three times and my garden is definitely showing the fruits of his labours.  I'll show you some photos soon.  

And I ended the month having a few days visiting my nephew.  When I have visited previously I have stayed with him, but I decided this time to stay in a nearby hotel which has facilities for disabled people but spend the days with him.  That solution worked well.  

T is for Technology

 

“One day there will be a telephone in every major city in America.”

 I love that quote from Alexander Graham Bell.  He was such a brilliant man, so forward thinking, and yet even he could not foresee the future.

 Every generation has seen technology move on a little bit more.  My grandmother regarded telephones with suspicion (although she gradually saw some of their advantages), and my mother refused to have anything to do with computers.  So far I’m OK with most “new technology” although the time may come . . .

On Friday I had cataract surgery.  My eyes had been digitally scanned to check the size of the cataract and the size of the lens so that the first could be removed and the second replaced as accurately as possible.  Information about me had been sent digitally so that other health issues could be considered (e.g., the medications I take regularly).  I received a digital print out regarding aftercare. My next-of-kin's mobile number was readily available in the unlikely case of difficulties.

Yes, I know some  technology is intrusive and annoying, and that the human touch is mich more important, but for the most part I would say T is for both Technology and Thankfulness. 

PS.  Thank you for all the kind comments on my last post.  I am fine and tmy eyesight continues to improve.

S is for surgery

 

This is just a very quick post as all I want to do is sit with my eyes closed!  I had cataract surgery this moorning and all went well.  Thank you Jack for taking me amd a huge thank you to the team at Goole Community Hospital who took care of me. 

The Winter Blues

 I don't like feeling sad!  My disposition is to look for the happier things in life.  The comments on my last post reminded me of gratitude journals - I've neglected mine for several months but I dug it out yesterday and it is now back in use.  

Like many people I sometimes struggle in the winter and during this time of minimal social contact I really dreaded January and February.  But I remembered my old Guide motto, "Be Prepared" and did what I always do and googled for advice and information and several sites suggested light therapy lamps or SAD lamps.  I've not got a diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder: I just know I get the January blues.  I felt a little sceptical but I was prepared to give it a try so I ordered one.  Last January was the best I've had in years!  

Each morning I have the lamp on as I check emails, read blogs and drink coffee even before I get dressed.  I had to devise a way of reminding myself to do it but apart from that it really takes no effort.

I've also made a list of treats (zoom with friends for coffee, try a new recipe, manicure my nails etc), one for each day of January.  I've written them down so that if the blues hit I don't have to think too hard.

Does anyone have any other ideas for warding off the winter blues?

That was 2021

 

I've had a great year!  I know many people haven't but I'm a bit of an introvert and I've enjoyed my own company.

Few people realised a year ago that we would still be isolating and "being careful" but that's how it is and we are having to get used to the idea.  I'm not going to pubs and restaurants, going to shopping areas as infrequently as possible, and being very sparing in my (face to face) contacts with friends.  My pre-existing conditions make it somewhat likely that, if I get covid, I will be ill, and I feel that as I manage very well with just my own company, I can do my bit by being one less problem for the NHS.  

I'm finding plenty to do in my own home and am increasingly thankful for on-line shopping.  I've got a huge stash of crafty bits and pieces but there's often something I need to complete a project.  This year every Christmas present included something home-made, even if it was just a jar of chutney.  I've made great inroads into the fabric stash by making a lot of bags as presents.

I've taken myself well in hand weight-wise and have lost two stones, nine pounds (that's thirty seven pounds or seventeen kilos) even with the Christmas hiatus.  This means that I have lost almost six stone since the end of 2013.   I have had a (very necessary) knee replacement and am now walking again and  even with that set-back I have increased my annual step count slightly.  

Not only have I lost weight, it feels as though my house has lost weight too.  I will never be a tidy girl but decluttering and re-organising have made my bungalow rather more civilised and Annie-The-Home-Enhancer has made it super comfortable.  

I've had a couple of extra visits from my nephew, once to help out after my knee surgery and once to celebrate my seventieth birthday.  It would have been good to get out more myself but that wasn't to be.

My garden has flourished with the help of you-know-who so that my Christmas lunch included home-grown beetroot, onions, leeks, carrots and broccoli.  I've had flowers and veg and been able to enjoy sitting in the garden and eating meals out there.  

Life is good and I am truly blessed.  

TWNNFD

Otherwise known as That Was November, Now for December.

I feel that I should sign this post "Pincushion" as I have had my covid booster, my annual flu vaccine and the shingles shot which I was offered because I have passed seventy.

More progress has been made towards getting a wet room but it won't happen until the spring.  The landlord is also considering improving access to my bungalow and that has to wait for slightly warmer weather to get a good "cure" for concrete (apparently!) and all the work will be done at once.  I'm just deeply grateful for how much care is taken to keep me safe and well.

During November I've been out a little to shop in Brigg but the news of the omicron variant means that I shall now be minimising my social contacts again.  I've arranged to meet a couple of friends in a semi-outdoor café and I'm taking two services over Christmas but otherwise I'm staying put.   

Christmas preparations are going quite well and I am sewing a little every day.  Using this blog as a record of my progress has been really helpful.  Your comments have spurred me on!

Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian readers!  

And quite apart from the fact that I hope you have a lovely day, you have given me the nudge to do a gratitude post.

I'm grateful for problem free (so far) surgery and recovery.  I was worried before this op as so many people seem to struggle with recovery after knee replacement surgery but I am already managing some walking without sticks.  I'm having the clips removed today so it's probably good that I'm writing this before any discomfort that may cause.

And I'm grateful for several beautiful days lately.  My sitting room faces east so I've watched some lovely sun-rises.  The afternoons have been sunny and as my conservatory faces west I have been able to take advantage of natural heating just by opening the door from the house to the conservatory.

And I'm grateful for the benefits of modern technology, especially food preservation.  I know that might sound a weird thing for a gratitude list but I was able to freeze home cooked food a few weeks ago so I am able to have home cooked food now, even though I don't want to stand at the stove and stir.  I have food kept fresh in the fridge all the time nd I have a plentiful supply of tine when I need them.  Its easy to forget what a boon food preservation is but at times like these I couldn't manage alone without it.

And (I think!) I am grateful for Jack.  Yes, I AM grateful for (and to) Jack.  He's come today to sort things out in the garden for me  and he will take me to the Health Centre.  He's quite impressed with how well I am doing abd even more impressed that he will get home made leek and potato soup for lunch.  It's good to be able to impress him.

How is it for me?

 

Thank you for all your good wishes.  I've now been home fr a couple of days.  There was a suggestion that I should come home the day after the op but I resisted very firmly as there would have been no-one here. 

My lovely nephew will be staying until Friday.  I have set up an "SOS family" on Alexa so that she can call for help if I need it.  It's quite a lot cheaper than the usual Lifeline system and I feel it is better as it doesn't rely on me remembering to wear the alarm.  I feel very blessed as there is no shortage of kind friends and family offering to be on my SOS family list.  

I also feel rather lucky that I don't have to wear those horrid surgical stockings!  My legs are in such a mess (from previous accidents and surgery) that I can't tolerate them so I have extra medication to prevent blood clots.  I've also got pain relief to take and that makes the exercises less uncomfortable as well as making sure I can sleep at night.  

Home

 

Home again!  I had surgery Saturday and came home this morning.  All is well.  I am in far less pain than I expected, except at night.  My nephew has come to keep an eye on me.  God's in his heaven, all's right with the world

Thankfulness

 I'm quite busy at the moment as I prepare to go into hospital for the knee replacement.  And I have so much to be thankful for!  

Today is World Gratitude Day.  And I am so grateful for all the love and care I am receiving right now.  My nephew is coming to spend a week with me which will be quite difficult for him and I am very grateful.

He will have to go into work one day while he is here but the friend I phoned to ask her to come that day not only said "yes" but also. "I'm so pleased that you asked,"

Annie-the-Home-Enhancer has agreed to come more often until I can do more things for myself.  Jack too, will be keeping an eye on me - and I'll bet no-one is surprised at that.

I'm grateful for the skill of the surgeon and the rest of the hospital team and I'm also grateful for our wonderful NHS.

Thank you!

I know! I know! I know!

 I've been a very naughty blogger.  Or to be more accurate, I haven't been a blogger at all for thirty five days.  Thank you to everyone who has emailed me to check.  And I think thank you to Jack who has been nagging at me but I'm not so sure about thanking him for that.  

I have no reason, not even an excuse so, if you don't mind, I'll stop grovelling and get on with a post.  

I'll start with a couple of updates concerning my health.  First of all, I've had my second vaccination but as yet I haven't a blood test for antibodies.  I am still being very careful where I go.  I shop only early morning or very late evening, I won't go into cafes etc.  I am, however, making myself go out.  The infection rate around here is very low so the risk will be correspondingly low and I need to face the world again.

Secondly I have now seen a surgeon about my very dodgy knee and I will be having surgery fairly soon.  He said within a couple of months but I'm not holding my breath on that one.  A lot of people have had surgery delayed over these last fifteen months and I'm no longer in agony.  I want it to be done but I really don't mind waiting.  I've stopped my walking around the block but I have started to make more effort to lose weight and this year I have lost two stones (28 pounds) so I am very happy with that.  If I have to wait I will lose more weight!

So, I have decided that it is time for a bloggy challenge to myself.  This is only my twentieth post this year so I have decided that by the end of June I will have doubled that number.  Nagging is allowed, other than by Jack