Friday 12 February 2021

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Some days go better than others I find, do  you?   Somehow today, with a perseverence, I have managed to achieve quite a lot in spite of having had a bad night's sleep last night and being tired today.    You could almost say I had been kept awake by a pain in my little finger - well my index finger actually.   I am slowly getting arthritis in my hands and at present it is affecting my index finger on my right hand.

But today I was determined, with the help of my very capable Carer, to get the 'things to do' pile reduced.   The first job was to get the New year sticker on to my Green Bin for garden refuse collection - not needed to be on until February 22nd but I don't want to forget where I have put it, so best on the bin.  My Carer had the bin wiped clean, the old sticker removed and new one on in no time.   And while she was out there she unlocked my car, started the engine (first twist) and left it running for a quarter of an hour to warm it up.   Then she came in and got my Flahavan's porridge - delicious - and my round of toast and marmalade and while I was eating it she did about a dozen other jobs.

She brought in my wallet from the car so that I could look when my MOT expired - I had my first one on this car last ye ar.  I couldn't find the MOT anywhere but luckily friends S and T called and later S looked it up on her computer and let me know the details.   Her computer skills are brilliantcompared with my feeble efforts.  It had expired last week so my next job was to book it in with a local garage for a service and MOT - that done for next Thursday and another job ticked off.   Closely followed by booking a taxi for Tuesday morning to take me to see the nurse at our Medical Centre for Blood Pressure and Heart checks.   By ten o'clock all these jobs were done and ticked off on my list - and I felt good.

One last job was to wait for the arrival of my new trolley with trays and brakes.   It has been on order for three weeks.   It arrived late this afternoon and I feel much safer using one with brakes.   Now my next list starts as on Monday I need to ring to ask them to collect my old trolley without brakes.   But isn't there something satisfying about ticking things off on a list?

My Carer brought me a lunch again today - Scotch egg with cole slaw, salad and a cheese slaw.   I cooked four new potatoes in the microwave for four minutes and then had a really delicious lunch.   How lucky I am to get such delicious meals.   Puds are usually either banana, orange or a dozen green grapes.   Some days I have half a dozen soft apricots and half a dozen brazil nuts.

This evening I watched the last episode of Rick Stein in France - a repeat but I have enjoyed it just as much second time around.   Then it was Monty Don's American Gardens for an hour ending up tonight in New Orleans - what beautiful gardens he showed us.   Altogether not a bad day with the satisfaction of a few jobs done. 

19 comments:

Marjorie said...

I am glad you got your list done and the trolley is here. I had been wondering about it. What a great idea to make one with brakes.

Terra said...

I admire you for carrying on despite the pain in your finger, and getting a lot done. Doesn't that feel good? I keep written lists and love crossing off each thing as I do it. Your carer sounds like a very useful help for you. I injured my left foot and ankle last night, my own fault, and am hobbling around the house today.

Penny said...

You are so inspiring. Here in South Australia we have been having bursts of very hot days and then beautifully cool days lovely but very tiring.

Chris said...

That was quite an extensive list! Hope you slept better tonight.

Bonnie said...

You have accomplished a lot and after not getting a good nights sleep too. When I don't sleep well I have trouble getting much accomplished the next day. It does feel good to get jobs checked off your to-do list doesn't it? I'm so happy to hear that your new trolley has arrived! I hope you are happy with it. It sounds very safe and secure for you. I hope you have a wonderful nights sleep.

angryparsnip said...

List done and hope you will sleep better tonight.

Mrs G said...

An excellent amount of things achieved there, Pat! :)

Frances said...

Regarding the pain in your finger.....I can strongly recommend taking turmeric. A few years ago I had pain in both my thumb joints and it was getting painful to lift the kettle or the iron. After taking turmeric pills for a couple of months the pain went. The one I bought from Amazon is Nutravita, Organic TURMERIC with ginger and black pepper. 1440mg per serving ( 2 per day). Not particularly expensive, and definitely worth a try. (The label is black and orange)

the veg artist said...

Hah! You got more done than I did. Frances, I've been wondering about turmeric. The joints of my jaw are badly arthritic, and affect my eating and talking. Does anyone know if it helps with long-established arthritis?

CharlotteP said...

If you start well with a list of jobs, they seem to go 'on a roll'...don't let procrastination get a grip, or the day will disappear!

Sue said...

It's so satisfying to work through a list isn't it.

I sorted out my car tax this week and booked my car in for it's MOT and a full service for next week when I'm back in Wales for the weekend. Then I'll have to find a new reliable garage local to my new house for all future work. Yours did really well starting first time after sitting unused for a while in all this cold weather, so fingers crossed you should sail through with flying colours.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Just off for a Zoom coffee morning with friends. Back later

Heather said...

A most satisfactory day I would say. You are so right about some days being better than others. Last Wednesday I got so much done and felt quite smug about it, other days I feel guilty about being so lazy. It's not that I sit doing nothing but more a case of feeling I have achieved nothing apart from a few more inches of knitting or some such. I am also trying to fit in a few short exercises through out the day. I am sure that every little thing we do is beneficial. My new motto is 'Keep on Plodding'!

Tom Stephenson said...

You are absolutely right about some days being better than others. The cold weather just magnifies little problems. I wonder why we don't get an automatic renewal notice for MOTs like we do with everything else.

Jennyff said...

You put me to shame, I am having a restless day, it’s down to one deg with weak attempts at snow. Washing is drying indoors, the stove is consuming logs at a rate, Mr FF is working in the garage and I am doing nothing useful. I am hoping this is the last of the winter weather, certainly it’s forecast to be much warmer by next weekend,

Rachel Phillips said...

As you purchased your car new from a dealership I am surprised they aren't reminding of the MOT date even if it is not your intention to take it to them, and/or a tiny sticker placed in the corner of the front windscreen placed by the garage at the date of the last MOT giving you the next due date. I am glad you had a satisfying day.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Dear Pat,

We are certain that your Carer J both knows how much you value her and has the feeling of deep satisfaction which comes from doing a job well. Such people really are National Treasures and without them the world would indeed be less kind, less cheerful and, just, LESS.

It is wonderful to read how, together you have accomplished so much on the 'to do' list and a good deal more besides. The day has been given a joyful purposefulness which is heartwarming. Although both you and she have worries and cares, together you can banish them for at least a while replacing them with a sense of well being.

If we are lucky, we all have at least one J in our lives. Heroes, each and every one.

rallentanda said...

How many hours do you sleep per night? They say 8 hours is the ideal but I hear you sleep less with age.Ticking off the list is a great feeling.I have lists years old.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Jane and Lance - you are so right.

Thanks everybody.