This morning the third, and final, plumber/estimator called and, just when you think that you've got it all sussed, there's even more questions as to requirements. At least when we receive the estimates we'll know what extras need to be included/added!
Had a morning 'phone call from Pamela, The Oxcliffe Fox's better half. It was good to catch up on things of which the blog has not informed us and, Helen always enoys a natter! I think P was rather surprised that I'd already surfaced from the duvet-realm; had it not been for the plumber's impending visit, I maybe wouldn't have done so. It seems like our bathroom re-vamp coincides, more-or-less, with the Fox's electrical re-wiring.
It seems like these little tribulations are sent to ensure that we don't get too bogged down in familiar routines!
- living and frequently struggling with moderate M.E. -
where (bad) health, faith, politics and the joys and troubles of daily life collide.
ME
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
A Rule of Thumb
This morning, in my Heterocon guise, I was rejoicing at the return of wrinkles and creases to my beleaguered thumb but, perhaps the optimism was misplaced. As I attempted to use the offending digit, during the preparation of tonights Savoury Salmon, Peppers and Mushroom Rice dish, things got rather awkward. Last night I had managed to use the kitchen knives without exerting undue thumb pressure, tonight the effort proved far too painful.
Perhaps the fact that late afternoon saw the return of my 'pale' swimmy fatigued state, played a minor role in the increased pain (or possibly, a decreased pain threshold)! In spite of that, with some assistance from my commis chef Helen, the meal proved succesful as always. Why did God make me so gifted in the culinary arts, which I only turned to in my later fifties; it makes it far more difficult to appreciate lesser cuisines? Still, at least it keeps me on my toes, such high standards to maintain.
Helen is glad to do anything to help but, I do have something of a stubborn streak that makes me labour on when perhaps I should rest!
Perhaps the fact that late afternoon saw the return of my 'pale' swimmy fatigued state, played a minor role in the increased pain (or possibly, a decreased pain threshold)! In spite of that, with some assistance from my commis chef Helen, the meal proved succesful as always. Why did God make me so gifted in the culinary arts, which I only turned to in my later fifties; it makes it far more difficult to appreciate lesser cuisines? Still, at least it keeps me on my toes, such high standards to maintain.
Helen is glad to do anything to help but, I do have something of a stubborn streak that makes me labour on when perhaps I should rest!
The Estimator Cometh
This afternoon, the second of the estimators (for our bathroom re-vamp) called around and this time, following the common-sense advice of Tuesday's plumber, Helen was able to tell him the basics of what we wanted. Well, it's no good having competitive(?) estimates for totally dissimilar commodities!
Tomorrow, another plumber will be calling in the morning; after that it's a case of awaiting, and sifting through, their respective quotations. Consideration will also be given as to whom we think will perform the task in the minimum of time with the minimum disruption!
Those who know me well will appreciate just how much I enjoy disruptions to my mundane routines!
Tomorrow, another plumber will be calling in the morning; after that it's a case of awaiting, and sifting through, their respective quotations. Consideration will also be given as to whom we think will perform the task in the minimum of time with the minimum disruption!
Those who know me well will appreciate just how much I enjoy disruptions to my mundane routines!
Thursday, August 18, 2005
An Evening of Lows and Highs
Shortly after my previous entry, decided I should make the effort to go and see The Nightjars but, it was doomed to failure. We eventually found a parking space within a few minutes walk of the pub. On arrival there, we saw Lisa (from the group) and, Beth and Mahmood. The venue was pretty crowded but, Lisa told us that they'd be on in fifteen minutes. Took a drink to a table outside but then, wham everything started swimming and that intense 'pale' feeling overwhelmed me; it was hard to keep any focus and I seemed to fluctuate between feeling hot and cold. So, that was the end of the effort, I had become noticeably pale and shaky ; Helen brought the car around and we headed back home. Was it simply that I can't cope with crowds at the moment; whatever is the case, it definitely had a marked physiological response.
Once we got home and, I got settled down again, we decided to watch 'Donnie Darko' which I thought we had on video and, I had noticed on Pewari’s Prattle for 10 August ‘05 that it was the kind of movie we would enjoy!
Picked up the E180 VHS video, clearly marked Donnie Darko, only to find I'd only recorded the first twenty minutes at the end of the tape! My concentration seems to be be completely shot. However, on running the tape back, I rediscovered 'Hiroshima Mon Amour' which I'd recorded a couple of weeks back and then lost before we got around to viewing it! Last week I'd searched high and low to find this movie; that quest proved totally unsuccesful. Lack of concentration is becoming a major problem when it comes to, rewinding, indexing and labelling of videos; I'd already realized that I'm unable to concentrate sufficiently to read a book, hence my intense random browsing habit.
I look forward now, to viewing HMA in the near future and, I'll treasure the experience far more realizing how close I'd come to taping over it.
The evening was redeemed for us by watching a DVD of 'Monkey Business', classic screwball comedy which kept us highly amused!
Once we got home and, I got settled down again, we decided to watch 'Donnie Darko' which I thought we had on video and, I had noticed on Pewari’s Prattle for 10 August ‘05 that it was the kind of movie we would enjoy!
Picked up the E180 VHS video, clearly marked Donnie Darko, only to find I'd only recorded the first twenty minutes at the end of the tape! My concentration seems to be be completely shot. However, on running the tape back, I rediscovered 'Hiroshima Mon Amour' which I'd recorded a couple of weeks back and then lost before we got around to viewing it! Last week I'd searched high and low to find this movie; that quest proved totally unsuccesful. Lack of concentration is becoming a major problem when it comes to, rewinding, indexing and labelling of videos; I'd already realized that I'm unable to concentrate sufficiently to read a book, hence my intense random browsing habit.
I look forward now, to viewing HMA in the near future and, I'll treasure the experience far more realizing how close I'd come to taping over it.
The evening was redeemed for us by watching a DVD of 'Monkey Business', classic screwball comedy which kept us highly amused!
lamenting missed opportunities
Tonight The Nightjars are making one of their rare 'public' (as opposed to 'private function') appearances at a pub in town but, unfortunately, I don't really feel sufficiently energised to be able to cope with the anticipated crowd.
I do miss out on so many social occasions for health reasons. I live in the hope that, one day, I may recover the (physical and emotional) stamina that could re-activate my former gregarious nature!
I'm already lamenting this missed opportunity.
[For those who don't know me; The Nightjars provided the entertainment at phase II of our wedding reception, where I boogied away for most of the evening].
I do miss out on so many social occasions for health reasons. I live in the hope that, one day, I may recover the (physical and emotional) stamina that could re-activate my former gregarious nature!
I'm already lamenting this missed opportunity.
[For those who don't know me; The Nightjars provided the entertainment at phase II of our wedding reception, where I boogied away for most of the evening].
Pit Stop
Up bright and early this morning, well, 9.30AM is just that by my current standards. Already set off for the hospital by 10.00AM, accompanied by Helen, my beloved chauffeuse; it's certainly too far to walk in my current state of being.
First port of call was the X-Ray department; sat opposite us was a handcuffed young man with two burly prison officers. "I think he's perhaps a prisoner", Helen whispered sweetly. "More like a fetishist!", was my response. Anyway, it reminded me that it was about time we wrote to our friend Brian who's currently in the care of HMP Hull.
The first posture I had to adopt for my thumb X-Ray was straightforward enough, simply resting the offending digit on it's left hand side. Next came the jujitsu move; bend forward in the chair, twist arm backwards and to the side ... palm facing upwards. So much exercise and, it's not yet noon. Thank goodness I didn't have a frozen shoulder at the same time my thumb needed x-raying!
On from Radiology to the blood-letters, where by now I'm a familiar face (perhaps that should read "familiar arm"). Today's tests are Random Plasma Glucose, Full Blood Count, Plasma Vicosity and CRP, next month is the turn of Liver function etc., the following month Thyroid function etc. and, anything that may occur meantime.
First port of call was the X-Ray department; sat opposite us was a handcuffed young man with two burly prison officers. "I think he's perhaps a prisoner", Helen whispered sweetly. "More like a fetishist!", was my response. Anyway, it reminded me that it was about time we wrote to our friend Brian who's currently in the care of HMP Hull.
The first posture I had to adopt for my thumb X-Ray was straightforward enough, simply resting the offending digit on it's left hand side. Next came the jujitsu move; bend forward in the chair, twist arm backwards and to the side ... palm facing upwards. So much exercise and, it's not yet noon. Thank goodness I didn't have a frozen shoulder at the same time my thumb needed x-raying!
On from Radiology to the blood-letters, where by now I'm a familiar face (perhaps that should read "familiar arm"). Today's tests are Random Plasma Glucose, Full Blood Count, Plasma Vicosity and CRP, next month is the turn of Liver function etc., the following month Thyroid function etc. and, anything that may occur meantime.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The Mountain comes to me
Tonight was Helen's night at the Pizza Hut with her friend Hilary, meantime our friend Graham came around to visit. Enjoyed listening on-line to some Cajun/Zydeco on Radio Free New Orleans and to Brian Parker's All That Jazz ... I just love the mesmerising visuals on both Real Player and WMP. After that switched to BBC Radio 7 for a bit of spoken word.
The moon tonight was especially prominent, no attempt being made to hide it's doleful countenance, As I leaned over the stable door, at the rear of the house, it was the first time I had observed glow-worms at the more tamed end of the garden ... if M won't go to the mountain then, the mountain must come to M! For all my ailments, I simply love this world of ours!
The moon tonight was especially prominent, no attempt being made to hide it's doleful countenance, As I leaned over the stable door, at the rear of the house, it was the first time I had observed glow-worms at the more tamed end of the garden ... if M won't go to the mountain then, the mountain must come to M! For all my ailments, I simply love this world of ours!
More diagnostics
With much prompting and organizing from my beloved, visited the doctor's surgery this afternoon with regard to my inexplicably swollen & painful thumb and, the persistent sores on my leg. Tomorrow, I have to visit the hospital for an X-Ray of my thumb and some further blood tests. The cause of the thumb problem is unknown and, the sores on my lower limbs are either Discoid Eczema or Bowens Disease. At the moment she has prescribed some stronger steroidal cream, which should clear the patches up if it's eczema, otherwise Bowens is definitely in the equation. I'm hoping and praying that the eczema diagnosis is the correct one. I have a return appointment with this particular doctor in two weeks time.
Visits to the hospital are becoming, pretty much, an all too regular part of my life but, it does make me grateful that we have a National Health Service, rather than a totally market-based one. At times like this, one learns to appreciate what can so easily be taken for granted!
Visits to the hospital are becoming, pretty much, an all too regular part of my life but, it does make me grateful that we have a National Health Service, rather than a totally market-based one. At times like this, one learns to appreciate what can so easily be taken for granted!
The land of dreams
Just how long do dreams last, apart from the whole of one's life? Do they have any purpose? Perhaps what I am now offering will prove a delight to the psycho-analysts! An exercise in vulnerability perhaps.
Last night, retired to bed at 11.00pm but, was then laying awake until at least 1.ooam. Sometime between 1.00 and 2.00 I must have been asleep because I awoke from a dream shortly after 2.00am. In this dream, I'd paid several visits to a large chapel where, the minister was well known to me. The chapel wasn't particularly well attended, (that bit I presume was quite true to life!), and the cleric seemed to have a personal word for everyone in his address but, when it came to me ... nothing .. (that certainly seemed quite normal).
After the service, his reverend self took yours truly aside; I sensed this was some kind of special commission. Next time I turned up at the chapel, I found myself directed to the vestry door and a different minister pointed me to another door; I felt like telling him I was only there to read the meter but, instead I followed his command.
Somehow this door led me into the back of the balcony. The hall was full to bursting and I was passed over the heads of the assembled throng. That's when the panic struck but, by this time, all eyes in the building were focussed on me ... I started to run ...
Next thing I know, I'm wide awake and it's shortly after 2.00am. By 3.15am arrived, I'd given up on thoughts of getting back to sleep so I went downstairs to get a bite to eat. Returned to bed about 3.45 and slept until, I was vaguely aware of the better half making herself an early morning cup of tea.
The next I knew, I was at some sort of college and, found myself roped in to a dramatic production, to play some sort of sinister Beckettsian clown type figure! Called in to see my parents in some war-stricken village and, Mum said how proud she was that I'd been honoured, or at least trusted, in this role.
It was time to head back to the college so, small suitcase in hand, I headed off to do my duty. This is when I began to get lost but, several hours later I found the college. A general buzz of excitement was in the air, the only problem was that I couldn't find the dressing room. Perhaps this wasn't too major a problem as I had already donned some grossly oversize trousers en route. This was the moment to panic ... "I don't know the lines" was the refrain that kept echoing through the corridors so ... I ran.
This is the point when I got lost in the surrounding countryside but, not yet total panic. Turn a corner and a large petrol tanker is heading towards me; "this must be a punishment for chickening out" was the thought reverberating through my head. The tanker drew closer then, it suddenly swerved, veered over a cliff into a large sea loch ...
My wife entered the room, this bit was for real ... the dream was over. Do dreams ever have a resolution? How long does a dream last?
Last night, retired to bed at 11.00pm but, was then laying awake until at least 1.ooam. Sometime between 1.00 and 2.00 I must have been asleep because I awoke from a dream shortly after 2.00am. In this dream, I'd paid several visits to a large chapel where, the minister was well known to me. The chapel wasn't particularly well attended, (that bit I presume was quite true to life!), and the cleric seemed to have a personal word for everyone in his address but, when it came to me ... nothing .. (that certainly seemed quite normal).
After the service, his reverend self took yours truly aside; I sensed this was some kind of special commission. Next time I turned up at the chapel, I found myself directed to the vestry door and a different minister pointed me to another door; I felt like telling him I was only there to read the meter but, instead I followed his command.
Somehow this door led me into the back of the balcony. The hall was full to bursting and I was passed over the heads of the assembled throng. That's when the panic struck but, by this time, all eyes in the building were focussed on me ... I started to run ...
Next thing I know, I'm wide awake and it's shortly after 2.00am. By 3.15am arrived, I'd given up on thoughts of getting back to sleep so I went downstairs to get a bite to eat. Returned to bed about 3.45 and slept until, I was vaguely aware of the better half making herself an early morning cup of tea.
The next I knew, I was at some sort of college and, found myself roped in to a dramatic production, to play some sort of sinister Beckettsian clown type figure! Called in to see my parents in some war-stricken village and, Mum said how proud she was that I'd been honoured, or at least trusted, in this role.
It was time to head back to the college so, small suitcase in hand, I headed off to do my duty. This is when I began to get lost but, several hours later I found the college. A general buzz of excitement was in the air, the only problem was that I couldn't find the dressing room. Perhaps this wasn't too major a problem as I had already donned some grossly oversize trousers en route. This was the moment to panic ... "I don't know the lines" was the refrain that kept echoing through the corridors so ... I ran.
This is the point when I got lost in the surrounding countryside but, not yet total panic. Turn a corner and a large petrol tanker is heading towards me; "this must be a punishment for chickening out" was the thought reverberating through my head. The tanker drew closer then, it suddenly swerved, veered over a cliff into a large sea loch ...
My wife entered the room, this bit was for real ... the dream was over. Do dreams ever have a resolution? How long does a dream last?
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Preparing For Changes
Well, we've had the first plumber in, to estimate for a re-vamping of our bathroom and, we are impressed with his down-to-earth suggestions! [By the phrase "down-to-earth" I did not intend to imply ridding ourselves of a WC!] I've a feeling we will be sticking to a shower in a bath, as per current arrangements and, perhaps later on, we'll have a shower cubicle in one of the bedrooms which currently has a washbasin fitted.
The major change will be the shifting of the wash basins position, installation of an extractor fan and, perhaps, re-boarding of a currently problematic ceiling. The plumbing to the shower will, this time be concealed. I am anxious to see the changes but, not looking forward to the necessary disruption. My current state of health makes it difficult to cope with any changes but, with a little faith and perseverance, I'm sure we'll get by.
Two more plumbers will be calling round later in the week and, I'm just a little curious as to any suggestions they may have.
The major change will be the shifting of the wash basins position, installation of an extractor fan and, perhaps, re-boarding of a currently problematic ceiling. The plumbing to the shower will, this time be concealed. I am anxious to see the changes but, not looking forward to the necessary disruption. My current state of health makes it difficult to cope with any changes but, with a little faith and perseverance, I'm sure we'll get by.
Two more plumbers will be calling round later in the week and, I'm just a little curious as to any suggestions they may have.
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