Monday 10 May 2021

Into double figures

How quickly we get into double figures each month.  And no sooner are we into double figures than it is the end of the month - we only have one more month to go and we are half way through another year.

I can't say that  has been a good day really.   I suppose at my age it is inevitable that I have some days which are not brilliant.   Each year, once the first bank statement comes after the start of the new tax year , I work out my finances for the year, type them up and put into my finance folder.   I have always done it and I am always pleased when it is done and I can forget about it.   So today was the day when I chose to do it.   It all went quite well and I put it all away in my file quite pleased with my morning's work.   I intended to have a coffee and then have my morning's walk with Priscilla.   It was then that it all began to go downhill.

I poured myself a coffee from the flask my carer leaves for me , sat in the chair with the cup in my hand and promptly fell asleep!   When I woke up I had poured the coffee all over myself - my sweater and my trousers and my boots were all very wet and I absolutely reeked of coffee.   I sat in despair for a few minutes, not quite knowing where to start.   Then I mopped up the chair (luckily the coffee had not reached the carpet), mopped down my clothes and went into the bathroom.   Dressing is one of the things I find most difficult and I really could not face changing my clothes, so in the hopes I would dry in the breeze I got Priscilla out for her walk.   I suppose there are worse things to smell of than coffee but it was certainly very strong.

I put on my anorak and opened the garage door - at which point the heavens opened and it poured with rain.   I came back in, sat down and promptly fell asleep again.   It is obvious I really am no longer capable of doing much without getting very tired.

It is now half past seven in the evening and I feel quite perky - hardly surprising as I have slept half of the day.   But as I am sure anyone over eighty will agree - it is really no fun at all getting old.   In one's head one can plan a day but there is a difference between the planning and the carrying out and that difference is enormous, especially   as until recently I had never noticed it.

I think it was Rachel who said the other day how she suddenly noticed her mother beginning to get old.   I have certainly noticed suddenly that I lean - metaphorically - on my son more than I have ever done in the past and it saddens me for many reasons, not least because he has so many things to do and he could do without me adding to his worries.

So - end of moan folks.   It happens to us all - it is the one thing over which we have little control and I am lucky to have got this far in good health.  And as the heroine in Gone with the wind says - 'Tomorrow is another day'   (If I have got the wrong quote from the wrong book I am sure someone will tell me.)

 

 

  

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

"I really could not face changing my clothes, so in the hopes I would dry in the breeze I got Priscilla out for her walk." This is one of the reasons I admire you so - you are unstoppable :-) It may just be COVID. I've generally gotten through it quite well but am getting to the point of being all used up. John at Going Gently is taking a blogging break for much the same reason. The stress and strain of going through it for so long is physically and mentally tiring. Pat

Cuttings mad said...

Easily done. Playing the ‘glad game’ though, at least it doesn’t sound as though you’ve scalded yourself, only scolded 😀

Rachel Phillips said...

Yes it was me.

Margie from Toronto said...

If it's any comfort, I'm about 20 years younger than you but yesterday was one of those days and whenever I sat down - I nodded off. I know the weather has been quite awful down your way so that has probably got something to do with it also.
You seem to always fill your days and keep very cheerful, considering all you've gone through recently, so I think you should "cut yourself a bit of slack" and just chalk this up as a bad day. Hopefully things will look a bit better tomorrow - take care.

JayCee said...

Perhaps just chalk it up to "one of those days". Most of us suffer them from time to time I suppose and they can certainly make us frustrated, but at least we are still here for the time being and able to enjoy seeing the birds and the flowers and appreciating our lives. I hope that tomorrow is a better day for you x

Librarian said...

I am 27 years away from my 80s but I know what you mean about days beimg planned one way and then going another. Also, like youmit saddens me when I depend om others for doing things, but I can not always help that - after my eye OP in 2018, I was not able (nor allowed) to do everything as usual, and it will be the same this year with my two upcoming operations.
Pat, you are a wonderful person and an example to your readers - I am absolutely certain that it is not a burden but a pleasure for your son and anyone else who helps you in any way!

The bike shed said...

Getting old is inevitable, doing it with grace and with a zest and curiosity for life is more our choice. I fear the loss of mental faculty the most, but again, so much is fate. Seize the day, as I was writing the other day

Heather said...

So glad the coffee wasn't hot. I have 'got off light' with unexpected naps, as the worst thing I have done is to accidentally scribble on the crossword I was doing.
I can remember my mother telling me when I asked how she was, that she was 'no use to anyone'. I now know exactly what she meant - it seems to be quite normal!

Virginia said...

Oh Pat, what a difficult day. I hope tomorrow is better, and that soaking gets the coffee stains out!

Many years ago I sent my mother, who was having a very hard time with painful arthritis, a card. On the front was a rather good line drawing of some doves, and inside read "First of all you start to stoop, getting old is pigeon poop." She displayed it on her kitchen door thereafter. It is so true. The only thing worse than getting old is not getting old. She died 30 years ago this week and I miss her still. She missed her grandkids growing up and retirement joys. I tell myself that when I'm having a bad time - at least I'm here,

CharlotteP said...

Well...maybe the rain washed some of the coffee off your clothes?!

the veg artist said...

You are far from alone in these experiences. Through disability I have found that the hardest thing is when I start comparing what I can do now to what I used to be able to do. It's like I'm a different person, except in my head I still expect to be able to do everything as before. Pacing oneself, resting, and above all, lowering expectations. Should not be necessary, but it is. And I'm still middle-aged according to Cro's chart of a little while ago!

wherethejourneytakesme2 said...

My DH has accidentally spilt coffee all over our lounge - the leather chair, the carpet (more than once) and the settee and it does smell for a while but eventually it does fade - lucky you didn't scald yourself. We have had glorious sunshine up here in Scotland today.

Ellen D. said...

Maybe get a non-spill thermos to sip your coffee from so it cannot be spilled on you. There are a lot of them on Amazon.
You needed extra rest today so it is good you took it! Hope the sun will be out for you and Priscilla tomorrow! Take care!

Debby said...

I am a firm believer in taking a nap when you're tired. Esp important when you are on the mend.

Bonnie said...

I'm sorry you had a bad afternoon. We all have those days sometimes. But your day was still quite successful because you sorted out your finances for the year. When I do that kind of work I often end up sleepy afterwards. Tomorrow's a new day!

Susan said...

My favorite uncle used to always say, "This too will pass." I often think of him and the words of wisdom he shared. Like you, he lived in his own home, managed his finances, hired help when he wanted it and loved his garden patio as well as read widely. I have no doubt, tomorrow will be a better day. If we could get some nice summer weather this would help as well.

elf said...

Oh poor Weave! I hope your day finished warm, cozy and coffee-free.

Red said...

Some days , everything that could go wrong , goes wrong. We go through ages and stages and more or less have to take what we can get. Have a better day tomorrow and remember drink your coffee!

Joanne Noragon said...

Well, that was a Murphy's law day! Here's to a better tomorrow.

thelma said...

I hope today dawns better, you have such an optimistic note on life that I am sure a spilt cup of coffee is nothing Take care. xxx

Penny said...

So far no spilt coffee when I nod off, but I do find I have unexpected naps. At least you blog, more than I do these days.

RunNRose said...

My husband is, I think, within a couple of months of your age. He will be 88 in July. He WILL sit in his recliner with a full mug of coffee after he has finished breakfast. Twice he has dozed off, and spilled coffee all over himself and the recliner. And, he wasn't even aware of what had happened when he woke up. We were going for a doctor's appointment, and I discovered he was soaked, but about to go out the door!
I do hope tomorrow is a better day for you. You deserve a little sunshine, since you provide so much of that to your readers!

Derek Faulkner said...

An honest and realistic appraisal of where you're at Pat and one we all have to face from time to time.
I never drink coffee but have been known to nod off with a glass of red wine in my hand, resulting in stained trousers and furniture. It's also rare for me to get past an early evening without a half an hour nod-off.

Bovey Belle said...

I get days where I just have to lie down on the sofa and have a nap and I'm 20 years younger than you. Haven't spilt my drink on me yet, but I think that shows how desperately your body needed sleep, to nod off instantly like that. Good for you, trying to carry on with your walk as normal, though the weather decreed otherwise. I am very much a morning person. I start going downhill mid-afternoon!

Hoping that today is a better day for you.

Rachel Phillips said...

A morning of figurework will have taken it out of you. I have to do mine soon and I know it will finish me for the day.

Tom Stephenson said...

Did you have a good sleep Weave? I know what you mean about getting dressed. In the Winter I get fed up with layers of clothes but I love wearing a large overcoat indoors.

Jennyff said...

Although you had your coffee moment you also achieved a lot, on balance (no pun intended) you are doing well so don’t beat yourself up about getting old. You have your lovely carer, nice neighbours and your dear son who I’m sure is more than happy to help out. Take it easy, sleep when you feel like it, enjoy your garden and above all please keep blogging.

The Weaver of Grass said...

That;s cheered me up Rachel - you are a lot younger than me so there is hope for me yet.
RunNRose - nice to hear I am not alone.

Virginia - wise words!

Thanks everyone - I feel a lot better after reading all your replies.

Lynn Marie said...

I don't think this was a moan. I appreciate how you describe your experiences very much.

Anonymous said...

Hope you didn't take a cold, going outside in wet clothes - that is probably not the real way one gets a cold, eh? But its what I've heard all my life so I would no doubt get one just from early conditioning. I hope today is brighter for you, now that you are caught up on your sleep. Perhaps you need some clothes that are easier to get in and out of?

cheers,

ceci