The day improved with keeping

 I've been feeling very down the last couple of days, especially so this morning.  After Keith had had breakfast, I sat down with the Archers Omnibus in the background and wrote out a few Christmas cards.  They had been nagging me for too long.  Some had a brief note in.  I wrapped Emma's gifts.  Just have half a dozen to do for family - we have kept it a very low-key Christmas.  Some things I have bought locally from the individual traders in Builth, helping the local economy.

I secured the box of books going to my dear friend G in Dorset, and then spent a frustrating 15 minutes of so trying to purchase Royal Mail postage (that I could afford!) and to get it picked up from the house tomorrow as I don't want to use the car unless I have to.  So many alternative choices of sending it, prices etc, but I prefer not to use Evri and the like if I can help it.  I printed my own label in the end - you can chose for Royal Mail to bring a label for no extra fee.  I will be glad to get it on its way anyway.

As I was wrapping a gift, I heard a "can-you-spot-me - look up HIGH?" miaow from behind me and turned to find Pippi doing a headstand by my favourite bits of  china on the top shelf of the dresser! How to give your human a heart attack!!!  This his her having abandoned the headstand and thinking about coming down as I'd told her to!  The little pictures you can see usually adorn the back of one of my display stands when I'm at a Fair.  They are good-amateur scenes (the buildings) and a scenery one from a 1960s calendar. The white ceramic horse is a Unicorn with a lock of my horse Fahly's mane by him (not cracks on him!)

This afternoon, here she is - butter wouldn't melt in her mouth would it?

Anyway, then I spent ages preparing and cooking our main meal of the day in what turned out to be the only dry spell, and by the time we'd eaten, it was chucking it down again.  Another storm (Fergus?) coming through tonight.  Glad we don't live near a river or on the Somerset levels.  By the time I'd done a huge pile of washing up, I was happy to relinquish the idea of a walk anyway and instead Keith and I watched an old Ealing comedy - The Titfield Thunderbolt, which really cheered me up and made us both laugh.  Made in 1953 and filmed just outside Bath.  

I had a phone call from "Little" Lin which also cheered me up no end.  We go back a long way (senior school days) and she reminded me of the first time she came to see the ponies (Trish, Rosie and I had young New Forest ponies) at Mr Stark's.  She was grooming a pony, still very much learning as she went along, and it stood on her foot.  She reminded me that when she said, so-and-so is standing on my foot, I just told her, never mind, he'll move in a little while!!  Wasn't I cruel?!

I've just send for another death certificate, this time for Herbert V. who was a first cousin of mine (two generations ago anyway).  He died young, only 38, of Kidney disease - Nephritis euraemia - in the Workhouse Infirmary.  Makes a change from the TB which too so many in the family trees of Keith and I.  His "wife" seems to have carried on without him at the end of his life, as she had two babies when he was clearly very ill - and they were her boyfriend's (who she eventually married, 14 years later, having had all her babies out of wedlock but with the benefit of a sham wedding ring).

Tomorrow morning I am up early to take delivery of the sand and cement for my greenhouse base.  Then, weather permitting, it will be put in place on Wednesday, and the greenhouse get erected once it has set.  Progress.

I hope it's not something expensive . . .

 

Pippi doing her mountaineering practice this morning.

Once again, a plan to Get Out of the House (albeit briefly) has failed.  I was going to Danny in Carmarthen tomorrow to collect Christmas presents and some of his "stuff" but the car chucked out a red warning light yesterday for an oil filter. The garage did a diagnostic test which came out something to do with the spark plugs?! He said it would be OK to drive, but I - finally finding the warning signal in the handbook - see the warning light means it's due for change - but surely that would be orange rather than red?  So, having to stay put as I don't want to push my luck.  Can't be marooned in Carm. and Keith with no-one here to help him.  Now, if it IS the filter, that should have been changed when we had the oil changed back in the summer.  I hope it's not something expensive.

All those expensive Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland yearbooks (I am a lapsed member).  I should list them on Ebay and if they don't sell I will see if Lampeter Uni wants them.  I spent many hours poring over the back issues they had when I was researching my dissertation.

I woke up to see the middle stable door pushed open and parcels inside.  But not for me - nope, once again I have had an Orchard Cottage delivery, which I then have to deliver.  Not much fun because their drive is very steep and at the wrong angle for the road approach (which is probably why I end up with their parcels).

Well, I am finding it very hard to find my mojo right now.  I just don't want to do anything. I will force myself out for a short wet and windy walk in a moment but I won't be going far.  I finally ripped out the remains of the Sweet Pea foliage from a tub in the yard and the yellowy-brown Nasturtiums which were very frost-wilted.  I "should" plant the rest of my bulbs, and I "should" make a wreath.  I "should" make some pots of jam to use up frozen summer fruits which I bought for Keith but he can't eat because the blackcurrants are strong and make him choke.  I will need to take myself by the scruff of the neck though.

A parcel of Christmas present books has arrived from my dear friend G in Dorset, but the parcel has a Royal Mail plastic bag over it indicating damage and that I should check the contents.  As I know G didn't have time to put wrapping paper on the books, I will then have Christmas early. Should I?

Thoughts. . .

 

Gratuitous kitten picture

This morning - 

How busy they are over at the quarry - orange vehicle lights everywhere and yet it's still dark.

I must shave Keith before we see the PD Nurse.  I hope we won't be late for Keith's appointment.  

PD appt - Thank God that's over.  

No interesting junk in Rob's window (as ever).

WHY did it have to really chuck it down just when I've had to park at the far end of the Lidl carpark?

Coming out of Tesco's - nearly dark at 3.30 - thank heavens I don't live in Alaska.

Then, driving home as it was increasingly dimpsey , I noticed how there was the most beautiful soft light across the fields, making the landscape seemingly hug the road and yet the grass of the fields still held its colour. How Carneddau Hill still held the light the valley had lost.   How, despite the leaden clouds, they had trapped a soft golden pink light on the horizon as I drove up the final hill to home.   

        I stepped in the door, laden with groceries and the phone started ringing.  Three calls then in 10 minutes!  I am yet to finish unpacking.  Some positives from the last 24 hours is that my "do you really want the job?" call to the Handyman has brought fruit and he's coming to lay the base next week.  Phew.

        We cut Dairy right out of Keith's menu and it has resulted in saliva production almost back to normal, so that is a positive as it was really getting Keith down, and affecting his speech etc. The PD Nurse thinks the consultant got the medication wrong as Keith had presented so badly having been stuck in the car/wheelchair for 2 hours.  Everything seizes up then.  Plus he'd only had a small drink before we left the house and two bananas for "breakfast" so not hydrated either.

        One of today's phone calls was from the Social Worker who is coming to assess the situation on Saturday.  So, pester power pays off.  Pick that phone up Debbie, every day if necessary!

        Tomorrow I intend to get a walk in, even if it means getting soaked.

Some normal challenges today - but I coped

 Home Insurance.  Goodness, what a nightmare that is.  Our policy had suffered a more than 25% price hike and I was not impressed.  I spent yet more time (did this a couple of days ago too) on comparison websites, but felt that the cheaper quotes (despite being voted best for prices etc) were more for bog-standard properties - some didn't even mention outbuildings, and if they did, would only cover summer houses, garages and greenhouses - not Victorian stable blocks.  Then if something was a STABLE, well that wasn't covered either.  We won't go down the Bridleway route as our house track is a bridleway (which goes on to the farm up the hill). Anyway, having clarified coverage (again, as I a know we did this from the start), I then said I wasn't happy with the price quoted and to come back with their best offer.  This turned out to be £85 less - not much more than last year - so I have stayed put with them.  My poor brain has been fried going from site to site, and reading reviews good and bad.

Poor brain wasn't helped from starting the day, yet again, with chasing up carers.  I got told we hadn't even been allocated a social worker yet (course not, as THEN they would have to do something).  So I got the Duty Social Worker's number and left a message (you don't think there was someone available to pick the phone up do you?) So I have left a message and stressed the urgency.  Really, I cannot carry on much longer as Keith is very doddery come bed time and it is a real challenge to get him from living room to bedroom each night.  Covid really exacted a toll and he has been going downhill steadily ever since.  I will spare you all the details but it is incredibly stressful and only going to get worse, sadly.

Whilst I was having a Phone Morning, I chased up the Handyman about the greenhouse and said I was getting the impression he didn't want the work, so perhaps I had better look elsewhere . . .

District Nurse hasn't turned up yet . . .

Who could resist?

 I was in desperate need of some down time today and having settled Keith for the afternoon, took myself off up to Three Cocks to Visit the Old Railway Line Garden Centre again.  They just have the most amazing Christmas decorations and everything Christmassy, along with the garden centre, the small deli and the gifts, homeware, clothing, toys and games.  I went a few weeks ago but was very parsimonious.  Today I decided I would treat myself to a Christmas swag for the living room fireplace . . .  (The pink link will take you to the Old Railway Line shop photos.)

I even blew the dust off the little Elastoplast tin that mum kept her card pegs, and tacks for hanging things up at Christmas and the hammer and I tapped some in to hold this in place.  The cones have been sprayed red and glittery, and I just love it.

I just couldn't resist these for the tree.  The robin and watering can reminded me of Beatrix Potter and so did the little squirrel, who was dearer than I realized - I thought I was pushing the boat out at £5.99 but he was actually £7.99 - didn't have my glasses with me . . .

Cheap Stocking fillers.

No room at the inn for ME on the sofa . . .  Lulu, Pippi, Ghengis and Alfie.

I even made bread today - first time since I got Covid - and cooked up a big pan of Chilli which is my lunch today/tomorrow and a double portion for the freezer too.  Keith is coughing and sneezing and I think he has a cold but he says not.  Will settle down to watch a "Vera" I recorded shortly.  Warmer weather from the South this weekend - hope it feels warmer too.

I'm glad this afternoon is over

 

The kittens are well over a year old now and last week I got a card from the vet to say that they were due their booster jabs.  I booked them in for this afternoon but was dreading it, remembering a past occasion when a vet stabbed poor Pippi an inch deep and in agony she sank her teeth in my finger nearly to the bone.  Anyway, it was the nice cat-vet today and they were quickly and painlessly innoculated and weighed and even Lulu - who really didn't want to go in the cat basket and had to be dragged out - was OK when she realized no-one was going to chop her head off! Pippi didn't want to come out either, but was OK and neither of them felt the injection.  SO glad that is over and done with as I felt a horrid "mum" for getting them scared.  My anxiety levels are already high and weren't improved by this.  I need to have a Respite afternoon as I've only had one since we had Covid.  I will have to settle for a walk tomorrow.  

The weather is back to rain today, which is a relief.  Keith, the cats and I are glad to be warm indoors - three pussums are cwtched up beside me on the sofa - Lulu (who has only just discovered the upper levels of the sofa, though she still prefers the kitten hammock below it), Ghengis and Alfie.  They are all fast asleep.  

Keith has got a series called Brassic on and I have to say, it's making us both chuckle. Probably not to everyone's taste, but laughter is a positive thing.  

I'm finally getting on top of Christmas and sent some gifts off today and have ordered the last couple of gifts.  We're having a low-key Christmas this year - it's about family and having fun not huge piles of presents.  Four nearly-Christmas birthdays covered too, and I can't wait to see little "I" open her gifts.  Christmas will be staggered too with Danny & co here either a week before or a week later, but that means we get double the pleasure.

Frost, snow and now rain

 Well, winter has decided to put on a show and we have had stunning hoar frosts (and fortunately dry lanes).  Last night it snowed a bit (so little it's not worth photographing) and now it is raining, which will make the roads a bit slick, especially if it freezes again.  A good day to stay put and tackle the ironing mountain (nearly all king size bedding!) The weather unfortunately put paid to a visit from Danny & Co as I couldn't guarantee either getting to them or getting them to the station today, as the weather forecast showed wet weather coming in, which when it met up with the very cold weather here (minus 7 yesterday) may well fall as snow.  We didn't go to the Antiques Fair for the same reason and Keith wasn't feeling up to it anyway.

Sorry for the power lines but you get the general idea.

        Keith is struggling as he had his medication upped when we saw the Consultant, and it made him barely able to move yesterday - NOT a good situation.  The PD nurse had phoned up on Friday to say how much was he on? REALLY? She clearly didn't believe me and phoned the Consultant. Even the Pharmacist phoned the Consultant to query the timings so we have dropped back to the old dose until we see the PD nurse this week. 

Finally I got the labels on the Hedgerow Jelly I made last week . . .

Another of Pippi's hunting successes - never seen one before - it is a Water Shrew, though apparently they are often found a long way from water.

My friend D in Dorset has just bought herself this book (only a nicer copy, in hardback).  She was saying about Herman Lea's photographs taken for this book - which was Thomas  Hardy's idea.  The photographs made £24,000 at auction.  History under the hammer.

For many years, I had a little colour picture of that very view in Puddletown on my office wall.  I think it got tidied away in the move and I will try and find it again.