On The Mend

Well, today as is usual I collected up a (relatively small, but it clears the way for the bedlinen after Wednesday) and it is now washed, dried and put away.

As a reward I bumped into one of my neighbours and she said that she was going down to the bakers. I said I would like four rolls (delicious and keep well), so that will keep me going until Tesco's delivery on Wednesday.

Friday's (not) hospital visit

Today Best Brother came to visit. Usually I put out the china teacups, saucers and plates and so on as well as the crystal cream and sugar.

Well, today he got the (admittedly fine bone china) mug and the cream jug was the one with the green screw-on top; the sugar was in a small plastic stackable storage dish with a tight fitting lid.

At least TBSITW had got some biscuits (or biccies) in Marks and Spencer for the occasion. We updated each other on family news particularly with regard to his grandson's visit from across the pond this summer - he will be going on some outings with my daughter's younger son. I understand that some plotting has been going on behind my back.

Having fixed up about the lift from here to the physiotherapy class that I missed earlier this week, I received a letter this morning to say I am to attend the District General Hospital all day on a Tuesday and a Thursday. I shall get morning tea or coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. An ambulance will collect me between 8.30 and 10am and another ambulance will take me home in the afternoon.

I feel rather as though I have no control over my life, but recognise that this is nonsense.

Later....

After the soup and phone call, I managed, with the help of telephone support from elder son, to put the laptop together.

After that, what do you do but power it up and get going. I changed the language to English (UK) and the clock to GMT, and set the time as well.

So then I decided to switch off.

I tried Start Shut down but it would not do that it just put it into Change User. I tried it twice but still the same. I don't like to switch it off at the wall or close the lid, so it is sitting there staring at me balefully

I had also tried to set up a wifi connection but that does not work.

Okay, back to the stone age, where I belong.

After that battle, I found I could not get up to stand again.

I found on investigation that the cushion I had used to give me a little extra height to make getting up to stand easier had slipped behind me onto the floor.

I became a bit desperate, but then hit on the fact that I was wearing my lovely thick jumper and tucked it under me.

It worked!

If it's Thursday ........

I must have got it right this time. (!)



I have been given an award by Sage , which somewhat stuns me. Here it is:-




I shall award it on to Linda of Just another Day on the Prairie.


It is difficult to think of other women bloggers who might wish this accolade, but can keep it in mind.....



This morning TBSITW came across early (in fact the middle of the night, as it was only 8.30 am) to drive us both to the hairdresser. The appointments on the same day were needed when I had to surrender my driving licence on medical grounds, so mine was at 9.30 and hers was at 12.30.

What we did was she took me there and dropped me off with a book to read if needed and then went hot-foot to the local shopping mall. I gave her a small shopping list, then went on to finish the book "The Cruel Stars of the Night" by Kjell Eriksson, more of a mystery than the usual police procedural, very atmospheric and edge of the seat stuff.

TBSITW then returned and had her hair done, then off we went back home, where she was able to re-insert the sleeper in my right ear which came out a week or two ago.

At home, as well as that, she left me with a pan of lentil soup made with a ham shank stock. I could taste the smoked ham flavour through the soup. She also had cut some nice bits of ham into the soup. It was so good that I ate the whole thing!

I have just had my minister on the phone to see if I am all right. Good to have a blether.

If It's Thursday, It Must Be ......

...... cleaning day.

My wonderful cleaners arrived, with L. bearing a bunch of roses. She removed the flowers which were well past their best and gave the vase a good wash before trimming the roses and putting them in water in the same vase. Some of the carnations were all right so they joined the roses. This looks really pretty on my mantelpiece.

Not only that, but L. peeled my potatoes and left them under water as well as preparing the sprouts. I think she knows me well enough to realise that I would be more likely to make a meal and eat it tonight if everything was ready. The meat course (mince and beans) I had removed from the freezer last night.

So now I have no excuse.

Transport

Although I was not quite sure about going to the class today, I decided I was in good hands and nobody would ask me to do anything that would over-exert me, and so 9.50am saw me sitting in the lounge facing the door and watching for the car coming.

And watching

And watching

(I seem to think we have gone down this route before.)

At 10 o'clock, I came home and phoned the department.

It seems I was omitted from the list.

Well, everyone will tell you what a shrinking violet I am and how I just blend into the background and am immediately forgettable.

So back home I came and have nothing else on today except a much needed visit from the chiropodist who said she would come only if I promised not to give her such a fright as last week!

Elder son sent an interesting email. More later...

Taken in Order...

1. Good night's sleep, shower, shampoo hair and dress. (all that shower and shampoo is to wash that hospital out of my hair).

2. Chat to the House Manager so that she knows that I am alive.

3. Text TBSITW for the same reason.

4. Off with elder son to a lovely lunch place where the food is always fresh. I ordered my lunch which looked really good, but no real appetite. Couldn't even finish the beer.

5. This is unusual, so wonder if I was intubated at some time...

6. Elder son gave me a lift to the bridge club, and came in with me. S, our leader, arranged for a couple to give me a lift home at the end of the afternoon.

7. Arrived back at the ranch in time for a cup of tea with the gang.

8. Back home, bit of a meal and ready for bed soon.

Feelin' Good

It has been a good day today. Dearest daughter came over with her younger son together with a big plastic bag of clean washing, said wash done by TBSITW.

A black plastic bin bag does not sound too salubrious, but said TBSITW had sorted and folded the clean washing into white plastic bags, like with like. All I had to do was say where each item belonged and, as though by magic, there it was placed.

After all that, the three of us headed to Dobbies for lunch; I had my usual salad - and as usual my eyes were bigger than my stomach and I could not finish it all, but at least I started off with a smaller plate than usual

After that and a quick tour of the place, with daughter buying a couple of things in the butcher's part. we headed back to the ranch.

Before she left, daughter made me a cup of tea, which was much appreciated.

I feel a little tired now and think I shall just sit in my chair and "rest my eyes" for a couple of minutes.

Like Arnie, I'm Back!

Well, here comes TBSITW's big sis, though I am having to respond to her very good advice.

She gave so much support over the past few days - what can I say? Words are never enough. I am very lucky to have her.

Anyway, back to the ranch and finding that I appear to have become 'hit' of the week.

I shall be playing bridge on Monday and going to the exercise class on Tuesday but otherwise take things a bit easy.

Not for too long though!

The one and only update from TBSITW

Thanks to all who sent their best wishes to Elaine.

After what seemed like a very long, and uncertain, wait today, Elaine was allowed home this evening. I took her home about 9.30pm and have left her tucked up in bed. The doctors and nurses were all wonderful, but no matter how nice they may be, there is no place like home.

The next blog report should be from the lady herself. It's been nice talking to you all! Goodnight.

A message from TBSITW

Hello to the loyal followers of Elaine's blog. She has asked me, the one she calls "The Best Sister in the World", to put on a post for her. As I've never done this before, I hope I get it right!

Elaine was taken into hospital today following another fall, and has been getting a few tests done to see what caused the latest one. I saw her in hospital this evening and she was well enough give me her password for her blog. I am honoured!

So there may be a break in her postings, though (if this one works) I can always give the odd update. I'll pass on any messages from you to her.

Here we go again!

Yesterday afternoon a lovely voluntary man came and collected me and took me to a small hospital in town (which works more with long term and physiotherapy care) and in I went to meet my new classmates. There were three of us who had missed last week’s session and so were all new.

There were two Occupational Therapists and one Physiotherapist and we w ere being taught exercises to target groups of muscles at a time.

Back to the ranch feeling exhausted. However took enough cauliflower cheese to provide a meal, covered it with foil and put it in the oven to serve with potatoes. I also decided that the small bottle of pink champagne would go down very well with the meal.

Macaroni cooking, potatoes on.

Macaroni cooking, potatoes cooked. Plate on to heat, potatoes drained and served on to plate, served on to plate and through to the dining area.

It was seriously good. ("historic", as David Winner would say.

Then I had a fall. No real damage, but could not get up. Eventually via NHS24 an ambulance arrived and two good men came and got me up. They sat me down in my chair while they did my obs – all fine - and we discussed my admission to hospital deciding it was not necessary. After they left I got ready for bed as I had got rather cold on the floor waiting for the ambulance duo (a Paramedic and an Emergency Medical Technician), so I put the electric blanket on. It was lovely and felt really comforting to get in to a nice warm bed.

A day that didn't turn out as expected ........

First off this morning my bridge partner telephoned and said that the friend she had taken to the club "never wanted to go back again!" She was thus going to give me a lift to the bridge club, which was really kind.

Then a delivery man arrived with two parcels:

Firstly my Hotter shoes. They are very like the Ecco ones and so will serve very well. I have even worn them ever since.

Secondly my new shredder.

So, I had quite a bit of unpacking to do and several trips to the bin room.

The shredder is up and running.

Later this morning, my partner phoned to say she wasn't playing today. This was a real blow as it was too late to organise a taxi.

It turns out that she is still getting into a state if S. our boss lady is even in the same room. I thought she had improved a bit, but it seems not.

I think I need to take some steps here.

Alarums but no Excursions

Today was quite a quiet day as still feeling a bit wobbly. My friend J came down and we had a grand blether over a cup of tea.

After that I had some small lunch and then settled down with a glass of water to continue reading The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson. So far, all well and good, when I was somewhat startled to discover TBSITW just behind my shoulder. She had been called by Careline as I had failed to answer the phone twice, so she was very worried when she got here.

Ah, I think I know what may have triggered this, and it was not me.

My front door rang and I answered and said to come in.

No sign of anybody, so I went to the front door and discovered that someone had pressed my door bell by mistake but had failed to clear it down.

This all caused an alarm at the switchboard and they telephoned me twice (presumably when I went to the front door) with no answer.

My poor sister, she was so worried.

I need to take this up with our House Manager.

Cooking (but only just)

After the electrician had done his job, I returned to my flat to make my evening meal.

I could not summon up the energy, so sat down with a few nibbles.

Yesterday was another day much the same, except that I was determined to make a cauliflower macaroni cheese.

First, removed the casserole dish from the sideboard and took it to the kitchen.

Then sat down for a bit.

Then back to the kitchen and put cauliflower and macaroni into a sauce pan, brought it to the boil and set it to go for 10 minutes.

Sat down again.

Drained the pan contents into a casserole dish.

Sat down again.

Gave myself a metaphoric kick and made the cheese sauce in the same pan as I had used to cook the macaroni and cauliflower.

At last it was made and poured over the cauliflower and macaroni mix.

Stirred up together and left in the casserole dish ready to heat through for this evening’s meal.

Even did the washing up.

This morning my friend J from upstairs came to see how I was doing and we had a cup of tea and a blether.

It all makes work for the working man to do...

Yesterday morning I finally bit the bullet and mentioned my problem with the oven to our House Manager and asked for the name of the electrician who does work here. She answered, saying that he would be here next week, but in the mean time she would give him a call.

Lo and behold he came this afternoon and neither of my guesses as to what might have been wrong was correct – it was the heating element at the back of the oven.

So off he goes and comes back about 10 minutes later and fitted the new one.

I asked if he wanted a cheque or cash another day because I did not have enough cash on me. But of course he wanted cash and drove me to the closest ATM to get it. I also got enough for my cleaning ladies and enough to keep me going in my need for cash. I returned to the ranch in time to catch the milk man and pay him.

By this time my cup of tea was cold, but I was more than content to have the job done.

Later, elder son was on the phone and he reckoned that the electrician’s charge was a duty of the landlord and so he is transferring the money to me. Great! And many thanks to elder son.

The two lemon sole fillets were delicious. I just dip them in a little flour and sauté them in butter.

No Alarums, but Excursions

Yesterday I had a grand day. TBSITW came to collect me to take me to the dental hygienist. This profession has really moved on from "picking off" any plaque then putting some toothpaste on an electric polishing tool and polishing the fronts of all the teeth to injecting Corsodyl gel under the gums to treat gum disease and much other preventive work.

TBSITW went shopping while I was there then came back to collect me and took me to a near by town for an excellent fishmonger. They have such a wide range of fish, but living on my own I confess to being less than adventurous and so bought only 2 small lemon sole fillets.

After that we went on to a Tesco Metro in another small town. Tesco is very "class conscious" and this particular Metro stocks many good and tempting things as well as the usual so it is worth the detour. Here I bought some sprouts and a tin of chestnut puree to make Le Chef's recipe for creamed Brussels sprouts. I also saw that they were selling, remarkably cheaply, a few packs each containing a half bottle of Lansons Rose and Lansons Brut Champagnes at a knockdown price. Another thing they stock is Fever-Tree Tonic Water. If you haven't tried this, you really should. It is so smoothe that you taste more of the gin rather than tasting only the tonic. Having tried it myself, I ordered some on-line.

Of course, having got the sprouts recipe, I did not make it, but just had steamed sprouts with the half remaining of my rib-eye steak.

The fish is for today.

It was so good to get out with TBSITW, partly for getting out, but also just for her company - I always love it when we are together.

Confusion, Confusion

I wrote last week about speaking to a physiotherapist in this town to arrange to join her set of 12 2-hour classes. I said that I would need transport as I can no longer drive. I also mentioned that I could not get an ambulance to the previous class which is out of town.

I told her that I had been trying to get hold of that physio as I did not like to leave without speaking to her (it would be so rude) but I could not find her telephone number. This physio said that she would contact the other one and let her know and also that she would arrange transport for me.

Up early this morning and all dressed ready to go. Sat in the lounge waiting for my transport.

and waiting

and waiting.

By the time the class was supposed to start - no transport.

I then telephoned the department.

Then the phone rang and it was the physiotherapist here. She had got hold of completely the wrong end of the stick as she thought I was going to continue going to the class out of town.

!!!!!!!

So I can have a nice quiet day.

Back to Bridge

My back seems to be much better. I took a taxi to the Bridge Club and played with my usual partner. I was very pleased that I saw that we had a Slam contract and we ended up in 6 Hearts. We made it (great thrill) but saw afterwards that another pair bid and made 7 No Trumps and scored far more points than we did. Never mind, at least I took it to slam rather than leaving it in game.

A technical bit: I had 19 points and opened 1 Heart. Partner responded 3 Hearts so I then bid 4 No Trump which is asking her for how many aces she held. She looked somewhat aghast at that but responded suitably.

Sometimes the girl done good.

My partner doesn't want to play tomorrow evening and I am quite pleased as I think the first exercise class will be enough for the day.

I took a taxi there but my partner brought me home and I joined the Scrabble group foor a cup of tea and a bit of chocolate orange.

Barack Obama revisited

Later yesterday, my friend from upstairs phoned to see if I still wanted to go to Church tomorrow if the rain were still as bad; apparently 2 other good friends are calling off – they don’t mind getting wet on the way home, but getting thoroughly wet on the way there is a bridge too far.

J and I sat and had a drink of Fever-tree tonic with gin. It is seriously good. I explained that I didn’t think that tomorrow was a good day to start this experiment as my back is still giving me a lot of trouble.

…and indeed it is still giving me trouble. I moved from the view that I should ring NHS24 for advice or if I should get a taxi to A&E. Then I realised that I would be greeted less than warmly when I disclosed that the accident (a fall) took place on 29December.

As the day wore on, I found that, if I were careful about how I moved, then I could keep the pain at a manageable level.

So, today I got two loads of washing done, my changed bed linen and my white underwear wash. My friend J. came and helped me fold the sheets, which is something I would have had difficulty doing myself.

This afternoon I have finished reading “The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama.

His first book, “Dreams from my Father” was largely autobiographical, but this one has moved on.

It is a political novel where he effectively nails his colours to the mast (or sets out his stall) depending on which metaphor you prefer.

Effectively this book looks at all the issues that he sees America facing and offers his views of some of the ways forward.

It is not an easy read, but all the more worthwhile for that.

We always reckoned that George W Bush was using Blair as a glove puppet, but I do not think that Obama would operate in that way.

A “must read”.

Best Brother Visits

Today Best Brother and his wife visited at lunchtime. Sister-in-law and I did our usual exchange of books; she was saying that she hardly had time to read anything as she tried to keep up with the books I had passed to her and I said that the same applied to me.

They brought, as requested, some bread - a nice olive loaf from Tesco.

We started with a large glass of water (no ice, no lemon) for BB and Cava for we two others.

Lunch was rib sticking chicken soup with aforementioned bread, and pudding was some of the lovely Bramley apples which I had cooked, served with sliced strawberries and some cream.

After that they headed on their way to another engagement. It is always good to see them, and I do not see sister-in-law nearly often enough.

Consequences

Thursday was a day of doing nothing apart from confirming my move to another (closer) physiotherapy class: this has a big advantage in being able to arrange ambulance transport.

Today I phoned Motability to change the appointment for them to come and take away my car - now it is the same day, but an afternoon appointment (ie between 1 and 5 pm).

I also had a telephone consultation with my GP when she agreed that two of my medications might have inter-acted causing my recent bout of ill health. She has increased the dose of one medication and left the dose of the other unchanged.

Fingers crossed. She has also booked me in for a telephone appointment in 4 weeks time.

I happened to meet one of my friends here and we have arranged that we will walk together to Church on Sunday. The only downside here is that I will have to go the early service where there is no choir.

But beggars can't be choosers.

Dearest Daughter

Today I was treated to a visit from dearest daughter. She brought with her two thank you letters, one from each grandson.

We headed out for lunch, going to another garden centre in the opposite direction as Dobbies. Here we had a grand lunch - I chose a fried egg roll (naughty but nice) and a pot of tea.

After, she put me in a wheelchair and wheeled me all round the garden centre - I am afraid that I did manage to buy something!

After this I directed her to the near by farm shop and we both got some things. The lady serving recognnised our bags (onya, being 5 very light bags inside a small bag which you put in your handbag so that it is always available. Apparently I was not the only person to get this for Christmas!

Decisions, Decisions

Today I saw my GP and I have decided to voluntarily surrender my driving licence on medical grounds.

Regular readers will remeember that this is something that has been at the back of my mind for several months.

This is a very appropriate time to take this decision as my current car was due to be returned to Motability and I was due to collect a new car shortly - but had not already done so. It is now arranged that Motability will collect my car on 20 January.

TBSITW came over and emptied my car of all that should be taken away, and gained some useful things that were lying around in the boot. Unfortunately one of the things she found was a gift token for a £10 car valet. Given to me several years ago. Oh, sorry TBSITW

I am an ungrateful hussy.


Now, to top all that she has done for me she is offering to be my chauffeur for things like my physiotherapy and my hairdresser - the latter of which we shall try to synchronise.

Incidentally, she also put away all my Christmas decorations.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow....

Today I woke up to the first snow of the year, although it is starting to look less pretty now with all the car tracks.

Yesterday I took down all my Christmas cards and matched them against my list of cards sent before shredding the odd one or two with addresses on them before disposing of the rest in the paper recycling bin.

After this I got a bit antsy about my Christmas decorations and so I used my long pole to fish out all the boxes and bags from the cupboard and took them through to the living room.

Then I started packing away some of the easier things; I have an old biscuit tin which I use for smaller things and this sits inside a supermarket box. Between the two I can put away much of the decorations and many more have their own boxes. Other things I wrapped in bubble wrap or tissue paper and, for things like tinsel I used polythene freezer bags.

Just as I was well on the way to “calling it a day” I managed to trip over my two feet and down I went once more.

I tried every which way to get up again and eventually managed. Phew!

To TBSITW: please don’t give me a row, it is not necessary – I can hear it from here.

Up this morning after another disturbed night and finished off packing away all the decorations as far as everything is boxed or bagged. I truly, truly will not put any of it away in the cupboard.

Later...

I managed to empty the hall cupboard in stages although I did find it a bit much.

Then I had a look at the tank, but couldn't get really near it.

So, I phoned The Best Sister in the World and asked for help.

She duly arrived shortly after and filled the header tank using (I lost count of how many) 500ml bottles of water.

After she had finished, she then put everything back in the cupboard - suitcases, bags, toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, coats, fleeces, raincoat and so on.

It is now really neat and tidy.

She is just magic.

Oh no!

What next?

Got up this morning to have a shower as usual and took a quick look in my tank cupboard (tank as in hot water, not as in armoured).

What did I see?

Nothing.

This is bad news as there should be two green lights shining away to indicate the tank is working.

And the job is quite heavy, what with having to move so much stuff out of the way...

I think I shall take it stage by stage.

Oh, well, it's Friday!

Just in case anybody is worried about the lack of a post, I am fine, just tired and bored.

2nd January and still nobody has first footed.

A Guid New Year to Ane and A

Wishing all my readers a very Happy New Year.

May everything that you hope for come your way.

Do be careful with all those resolutions, you will only be miserable when you fail to keep them!