Sunday 20 December 2020

Five days to go

 Seven and it will all be over for another year.   Three weeks and all those flashing lights will be taken down, put back in their boxes and put away for another year.  And before you know it we shall be making a mistake and putting 2020 when we need to put 2021.   Happens every year, regular as clockwork.

I wish you could see the quality of light in my back garden - ten to eleven on a Sunday morning.   The sun is bright, lighting up the yew hedge along the back of the garden.   But the backdrop to that is a pitch black sky - amazing.  Lovely to watch from the comfort of my computer chair and the radiator.

I have learned a lot by having this accident - almost worth it. For example

1.  Be more careful.   Look where you are going.  Don't try to do two jobs at once or to try and reach a light switch or door knob just out of reach.   In other words - what's the hurry?

2,   Be organised.   I always thought of myself as quite a tidy, organised person.   This has taught me otherwise.   I no longer walk with a stick, but with a Zimmer Frame.   My carer ties a fresh plastic carrier bag on the front of it each morning and as the day progresses I put my rubbish (orange peel, envelopes from that day's mail, eventually the day's paper) in it and when the evening carer comes she takes the bag off and empties it.

3.  Plan your journey.   Here's an example  - jobs I needed to do - clear the dining room table, put away spare envelopes, writing pad, pens etc., find the files ready to file my papers which are on the top of the printer in the computer room, empty a carrier of books which has stood in the hall for the past fortnight.   Either I sit down and write a list of the order in which I shall do this or I trek back and forth and tire myself out going over the same ground again and again.

I made a list about two weeks ago of the jobs I needed to do: - presents to buy (this is surprisingly easy with the internet) and send. This is now finished apart from one or two to be wrapped and this is on my list for later today.   Incidentally a friend posted a parcel for me,  I wrapped it, ran out of sellotape and finished off the wrapping with string.   The postlady cut all the string off.   No string allowed on parcels now - it gets trapped in the machinery.

Is there a feeling more satisfying than crossing off a job done from a list you have made?   Answers on a postcard but no rude ones John or Tom!!

32 comments:

Tom Stephenson said...

Err... I can't think of any at the moment.

Carruthers said...

In answer to your question: many things. Reaching the summit of a mountain, listening to Beethoven, eating a Terry's Chocolate Orange, cycling down a steep hill, reading a good poem, playing the piano, lying down in a quiet room doing nothing, swimming in a river, walking through a forest, etcetera, etcetera.

Derek Faulkner said...

You seem to have a great number of people who are willing to help you with the slightest problem, so wish it was the case here and many other places.
Tier 4 here now and a very bleak few weeks or months of disappointment and loneliness for a lot of people to come. We have plunged into a deep hole.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

There is great satisfaction in a job completed. Even a small job. -Jenn

JayCee said...

There are so many satisfying things in life, too numerous to mention them all. Life is good and we should make the most of every moment. Enjoy your satisfying moments, Pat x

Minigranny said...

I'ts lovely and sunny here too - very cheering - and I agree about the satisfaction of ticking off things on a list though I sometimes wonder why some are there and just crossthem off anyway.

Margie from Toronto said...

I have always been a list maker so I completely agree with the satisfaction that comes from crossing things off! A few years ago I had shoulder surgery - luckily this was planned rather than an emergency so I had time to ensure that things were organized - in reach and set up for as much convenience as possible - it made such a difference.

Best wishes for your continued recovery.

Jean said...

Internet shopping is too hit and miss for me - too much stuff arrives damaged, the wrong size, the wrong colour, nothing like I expected or, even worse, not at all.
I received a jigsaw puzzle yesterday and have no idea whether it's a late birthday present for last week or a Christmas present or indeed who it is from. It came with no note other than a delivery note giving my address and how much it cost, and details of how to return it if not 100% satisfied with my purchase. Should I ring round all the likely suspects and ask if they sent it or wait for someone to pipe up "did you like the jigsaw puzzle?"
Glad to hear you're very much on the mend.

Rachel Phillips said...

I am glad for you that you sound jolly and happy. That is all that matters. X

Ellen D. said...

It is nice that you have so many helpers. You are keeping a positive spirit and managing quite well as you recover. You share many good ideas for staying safe in one's own home and I thank you for that!

EM Griffith said...

All good things to remember, all the year long. So glad you're on the mend and in good spirits. Merry Christmas, Pat.

The Feminine Energy said...

Crossing off chores on a To Do List... just about the most satisfying thing in the world! I wish you a Merry Christmas. ~Andrea xoxo

Librarian said...

Nice to know you have managed to accomplish almost everything you wanted to finish before Christmas and sound so upbeat.
I know what you mean about the light being so special when the sun shines brightly against a backdrop of inky clouds, I have tried many times to take pictures from my window when it was like that but the photo never turns out as brilliantly sharp as what I saw with my eyes.

Red said...

It's good to see that you are able to organize your life so that you still have some good quality of life.

Susan said...

You've accomplished so much. Learning from our experiences is always good. I like your list. We each want to be the best we can be.

Bonnie said...

I agree with you completely about the list. It is very satisfying to get your jobs done and cross them off the list! You have gotten quite a bit done in these recent weeks. You are wise to learn to arrange your duties in a manner that you won't over do it but still get them accomplished!

Heather said...

I live by lists. Jobs to do, birthdays for a new month, groceries to buy, etc. Ticking them off is such a good feeling and comforting to know that Christmas is sorted.
I learned to avoid trip hazards when my husband was ill so it is second nature to me now to be careful.
There have been some spectacular skies recently, from clear blue to beautiful clouds or just all over grey, or nearly black. Sometimes all on the same day! I'm surprised I haven't worn out the switch on my reading lamp, needing it on one minute then off five minutes later.

Doc said...

I have always been a bit of a list maker but mostly depend on my wife to keep me on task. Now that she has been ill I carry a list with me at all times.

angryparsnip said...

I would love to see the sunlit garden against the dark sky !
cheers x

The Furry Gnome said...

Same things apply if you're in a wheelchair!

Debby said...

I spent yesterday ticking things off a to do list, and it was satisfying. I think that you can continue to consider yourself a tidy and organized person. Just because your garbage bin is a little closer at hand than you're used to doesn't change a thing. If you were tossing your orange peels and your newspaper on the floor, I'm sure we'd all revoke your 'tidy, organized' title. Have a good day!

Joanne Noragon said...

When I need to give up the cane for a frame, I'm back to assisted living! Too much thinking.

Cro Magnon said...

My list of Winter jobs has already been completed; I shall now be twiddling fingers until Spring.

Jules said...

If I happen to complete any jobs, besides those which are on my list, I will add them on at the end, just to get the pleasure of ticking them off :)

Unknown said...

My Post Office lady insisted that the max width of a medium parcel is 61cms even though the web site says 66cms. Luckily my parcel was smaller.

Frances said...

Like Jules, I have been known to add a job already done to my list so that I can enjoy crossing it off!
Where do you get all your plastic bags from? As I never get any now at the shops, I never have one if I need one!

CharlotteP said...

Oh to cross of 'Christmas cards'; will it be New Year before I send them?!

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