General Chat

Hello everyone , hope all is well .

Happy Anniversary Joan and OH.

Florence sorry to hear that your knee problem may not be sorted out. I damaged my knee many years ago and now am in constant pain and like you find even a small step
up painful and have to be very careful on stairs up and down.
One of my other problems is Sudden onset Vertigo which is horrible when it happens but goes away fairly quickly but makes me very wary of going out on my own.

Sunny day here so things are seeming a bit better and at least the washing is done and dried.

Have a good weekend everyone. :-D

Good afternoon peeps.
Happy Anniversary to Joan who is 55 years married today <3
That's true love Joan. Did he buy you anything Emerald green?

Well I got my results. The consultant rang to explain he had been away and there was also a delay in processing the results.
Anyway, I have def 1 characteristic of MS and that is the covering of my spine, the Myelin sheath has all been destroyed. However the spinal and brain fluid did not contain any cells related to MS that they were looking for. The 3rd test was the brain and neck MRI. It showed spots on the white matter of the brain but some of these are age related, some are not, so he could not definitely diagnose looking at that.

In short i'm labelled with Clinically Isolated Syndrome because I have 1 out of the 3 symptoms to diagnose with MS.

He has referred me to a MS specialist for further diagnosis and a repeat of the tests in the near future. He cannot tell me why i have the dizzy turns at all or if my leg will ever regain feeling. But he said that given its been nearly 8 months, its highly unlikely I will ever regain the feeling in my left leg so will be left paralysed permanently.

In one way I dont have any terminal ill ness, no cancerous cells etc so that is a relief and a blessing but the uncertainty of not having a concrete diagnosis has left me deflated and no nothing more than i did at the beginning!!

I can only hope that if I can have the steroid injections in May for my knee, that may just alleviate the pain enough for me to be able to mount a small step. That would give me more mobility.

I am waiting on hearing from the Community Nurse either today or early next week as I am now due my 2nd jag. I tel the clinic yesterday and I am on their list for a home visit.

The cases of Covid here are the worst in Scotland. A ward in the local hospital is closed to new admission and visitors are very restricted. Last night there were 144 cases. These are the numbers almost on a daily basis just now which is worrying.

Sun is shining today but yesterday we had thunder, lightening and hailstones, was pretty awful and bitterly cold. The gale put the ferries off and again later so the supermarkets have no deliveries and shelves will be empty once again.

Oh well, Island life is such and we just have to get on with it as we always do!

Hope everyone else having a good day

Florence in the hebrides

Evening ladies.
Was a bit more productive today as slept well and through til nearly 9am! Started off bright but was showery and its very cold here tonight.

Ironed the bedding I kept putting to the bottom of the pile but its all done now.
Tidied the hall cupboard....again. Not sure how it gets so untidy!

We had chicken pieces in breadcrumbs that daughter bought in the coop yesterday, haven't had them in ages. Had some chicken savoury rice with it and was quite tasty.

Joan your shepherds pie sounded delicious, hope you & hubby enjoyed it.

What a shame about the warm home discount but it will open again later in the year so keep an eye and apply when it opens again.

Hope you enjoyed your film.

Ann I remember when i lived down south back in the 80's I think, my car was covered in red sand one morning. It came from the Sahara and I was living 30 miles from the nearest coast.

Nothing much on tv tonight, just Emmerdale and Corrie but tomorrow The Apprentice is on and Question time.

Well coffee time and then soon my wed eve chat with Dad to exchange our news etc.

Have a good evening all

Florence in the hebrides

Hello Joan, if you were nearer I would invite myself to your house as your Shepherds pie sounds delicious.

It is a horrible wet, gloomy day here. I have dusted through upstairs and cleaned the bathroom but it is difficult to clean when everything is dark indoors and out. Still at least I have not got the Sahara sand that my sister in Hampshire has, all over her car and windows. We have had it here before but hopefully it may not get this far this time. It is not cold, 10 degrees just gloomy..

Oh Joan, how frustrating for you & hubby!! My daughter signed a new agreement when we moved. I typed out something to the effect, that N gives me full authority to discuss anything with medical staff when required etc...

So glad your daughter has sorted that. Well can she now request a nurse to come & check his bloods asap? All I seem to be doing is waiting & waiting.
Actually felt quite bored this afternoon yet couldn't be bothered to do much either. The weather makes us feel like this im sure.

I think the best pics of the Northern lights were along the coast from Inverness, Elgin, Forres and in Orkney on Monday evening.

Nevermind, there will be other times to see them.

Right I'm off for a cuppa before Emmerdale comes on.

Joan did you apply for the warm home discount of £140?

Florence in the hebrides

Oh what a very wet and cold dismal day!! I did not get up until 9am as haven't been sleeping well last 2 days. I showered and washed hair but my hair had other ideas today.
Blow dried it as normal but its just sticking up all over, fringe wouldn't settle, looks so untidy.
Unfortunately, i haven't managed out to a hairdresser in over a year and my lady's salon is up a huge flight of stairs above a shop. She's gone part time/semi retired too . I really hate it when you have to find someone new who doesn't know how you like your hair!

I trim it at the front myself so will carry on for now.

No post or phone calls from consultant and have to say, I am getting rather irritated by the delay in getting my results.

Hope everyone else is keeping ok.

Feel like making a rhubarb crumble today....but im supposed to be on a diet!!

Florence in the hebrides

Well I decided to have salmon fillets cooked in a little soy sauce and sesame oil baked in the oven. A few baby pots with left over salad from yesterday. Im actually feeling rather full now!

Tonight the Northern Lights are supposed to be out and will be visible in the west but not just in Scotland. I have seen them a few times but always think they are amazing.
The mist came down and it's rather wet outside now after a dry day albeit breezy.
But here's hoping there will be a good display.

If anyone is lucky to see them, come on here and share and tell us which area you are in.

Florence in the hebrides

Amokavid -
re Care & Repair.

It's a pity you've had such a bad experience.

Yes, as I said earlier, you have to be 65+, or disabled of any age.

Some aspects may vary from one area to another.
Here in Lochaber, anyone in those groups can get help - homeowners and both private and housing association tenants (although not anything which is the landlord's responsibility.)

It's basically free, but a contribution is requested if materials have to be supplied.
They don't do things which need a qualified tradesperson - which would include roof repairs.

It's not a general repairs service - it's for little DIY type jobs which a younger person might be expected to manage, but which an older or disabled person might find difficult or impossible, impacting their quality of life.

Like Florence, I live out in the country - I'm 20 miles from their base - but they've been very helpful.
Perhaps I'm just lucky to be in the Lochaber area!

Good morning peeps from a breezy place out west! Bin lorry came and was glad there was no shower but it is very windy. Stayed outside for 15 minutes to get some fresh air and feel better for that. Briefly chatted with my neighbour as she was getting her bin in which was nice.

Met my new next door neighbour on Sat eve as it was him who delivered my Tesco order lol. He said if ever I need something, just to let him know the day before like bread or milk and he would get it. How very kind. Think he is late 30's and on his own. Anyway he has a job and was smartly dressed so thats counts for something in my books.

Daughter away to town today so just usual chores tidying up and laundry etc. My seeds are growing well by the day, so i'm really chuffed with them.

Covid cases are rife here still and no sign of decreasing and flu cases are rising too.
I guess the first lot of Covid jags have worn off now and so peoples' immune system will be lower.

Oh well back to it, hoover is calling me

Florence in the hebrides

Thanks Argyllgran
Im out in a village some distance from the town but thanks for the info. I do know of them from others who have used them. My daughter managed to stand on the chair to change the lightbulb so we are all sorted now.

I do have a local community development company who do things for pensioners/disabled so if i need something, i could ask them for help. To be honest, I almost feel Im not old enough to access some of these services as I am only 60 but im getting my grass cut 2 weekly for £10 each cut as I am registered disabled so that in itself is very good of them. They are also giving each household in this area £150 towards their fuel or food bill, how generous is that? They are a registered charity and make money from the wind turbine they installed. The income from the electricity generated provides grants and facilities for the area.

I tel the hospital and spoke with a secretary as the one I wanted wasnt answering the phone so i rang another. She could only say that no letters or reports have been sent yet and she would email the person asking her to contact me. I haven't heard anything yet and it's now Friday afternoon and the lady in question finished at 1pm!

I varnished one dining chair this morning but shall leave it until next week before I start another as daughter complaining about the smell of the varnish!

It's still a dry day but freezing cold and quite windy so the heating may have to go on about 4pm today.

No idea what to make for tea. Daughter away in town and out for lunch so no big meal for her. Think pizza and chips with peas will do, yummy.

Florence in the hebrides

I'm not sure where in the Hebrides you are, Florence, but maybe Care & Repair Scotland can help you with small jobs around the house.

28 local authorities in Scotland have branches, including in Stornoway, and on South Uist and Skye:

13-15 Francis Street
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2NB
Tel: 01851 706121 (option2)
tighean.co.uk

Cothrom Offices
Ormiciate
South Uist
HS8 5SB
Tel: 01878 710200


Morrison House
Bayfield
Portree
Isle of Skye
IV51 9EW
Tel: 01478 612035
https://www.lsha.co.uk/handyperson

The services provided vary from one area to another, but it might be worth asking.

Here in Lochaber we have the Lochaber Handyperson Service, which is a subsidiary of Lochaber Housing Association, and they'll do all sorts of small jobs -
including changing light bulbs! - for anyone over 65 (home-owners and private renters, as well as Housing Association tenants), and disabled people of any age.
The service is free, although a contribution towards parts or materials may be asked for.

They won't do anything requiring a skilled tradesperson, so it 's really just DIY type jobs - but SO useful.

https://lcr.org.uk/our-services/handyperson-small-repairs-service/

I'm about to ask them to clear out my roof guttering, which overflows when it rains -
so it's done that a lot in the last couple of months!

Good morning peeps.
Its a bright sunny day but it is very windy and extremely chilly outside.

The seeds I planted on the 4th March have nearly all sprouted!! Im so surprised as its only just a week but very pleased with the results.
I finished daughters table with the correct oil based varnish. The water based one was dreadful and gave no shine. So I re-sanded the top and re-varnished and now it looks lovely and shiny. I have already sanded a kitchen pine chair and that's ready to varnish later.

Only trouble is, I found after about 1/2 hour my finger joints were aching when sanding. I think it's the arthritis in my joints so will have to do short bursts rather than 2 hours say all at once.

Still waiting on hospital results! I telephoned on Wednesday as it was 3 weeks since I was away, left a message but nobody tel back. Going to ring again at 9.30 today and see what the situation is. My anxiety levels are bad with the waiting and worrying!!

Hope everyone ok. Joan if you are looking in, hope all is well in your corner?

JustGinnie, I have been waiting for a 3 seater recliner we ordered last year but it was out of stock and has never appeared yet. My local sofa man said he had chased and chased but nothing coming. We have a 2 seater recliner and my leather office chair but if I was to get visitors, I dont have a large comfy sofa for them.

All these discount shops DFS, SCS etc look good until you look at delivery charges and for us folk so far north, it's as much as £150 between 2 delivery companies so for now, we shall leave it and carry on as we are.

Right off to telephone hospital.
Have a good day all

Florence in the hebrides

Morning all,
Chilly and breezy here but dry. Did the beds yesterday and managed to get all the washing dry out on the line. Ironing also done and put away. Having a cuppa and nosy on here before I get the vac out . Our neighbours are drilling again, nice people but love DIY at least they keep it to the day time. :-)

At the moment I am looking for 2 sofas, ones that aren't too big for our small room some of the ones I have seen are much bigger than the ones we have now more like a 3 seater than a 2. There seem to be a lot of these 'snuggle' sofas around which are really just xl armchairs. Will just have to keep looking.

Ginnie

Evening peeps.
Well its was very bright day but oh my soooo cold. The grasscutters came to look at my back lawn & front just to estimate the time it will take. The local community company will do it for me for £10 as im over 60 and disabled. Really good of them and a very cheap rate too.

I stripped my bed again today and cant wait to get into fresh linen. Always love the first night.

Son has tested negative so all being well if its the same tomorrow, daughter is coming on Wednesday. Made a lovely smoked pepper mackerel pate for my tea with a side salad, was very tasty.

Hope all is well with everyone

Florence in the hebrides

Morning all
Ann If a friend could take me to town with them I cant stand for any length of time with my leg the way it is. Last time, daughter was with me & we took a taxi there & back...£80 no less on a Saturday but I had been standing too long and in the supermarket near the end of our shop, i took a big dizzy turn. Was awful with people looking. They did get me a chair and water and eventually it passed.
The turns are so random! Im still waiting on test results from consultant!

I have pots just outside my front door so can take 1 in at a time and transfer plants once they are big enough. To be honest, probably only half will take. Many were free packets from the gardening magazines bought last year. But we shall see.

Post been & gone and nothing for me today but my friend will get the white spirit in town this afternoon and then pop it round later so I shall have the evening and tomorrow to varnish.
Not sure when daughter coming back as her brother has the virus!!! Shes not feeling so well today but tested negative.I dont mind the peace and place is tidy with just me here.


Its actually quite a nice sunny day with little wind and not too cold. I ventured outside earlier for fresh air and was quite pleasant.

Joan I'm sure the broth will be very tasty...the chef always gets a taste before anyone else lol.

I do struggle at times now wondering what my future holds.
In 2 years I have gone from working everyday and totally independent, driving etc and helping others to total dependency on others for getting out etc.Its hard to get my head around how quickly my life has changed in such a short space of time and Im only 60.

It just goes to show how things can change when you are least expecting it.

However, I can do quite a lot for myself, shower, wash, dress etc and cook & clean in my own time so I am grateful for that.

Well my stomach is rumbling so lunch is calling, a smoked salmon salad sandwich to finish up whats left and a coffee.

Haven't decided on my evening meal yet but fish & chips from the freezer sounds a great idea.

Enjoy the rest of the day peeps.

Florence in the hebrides

Good morning all
Florence, the trouble with planting all those seeds is when it comes to time to pot them on as they will soon outgrow the seed trays. Hope daughter will be there to help you when you reach that stage.

Are there no community groups in the area with, maybe, somebody who could give you a lift to town and help you shop. We found, due to lockdowns and Covid, several of these type of groups were formed with volunteers happy to help. Maybe they have all gone back to work now though.

Evening ladies if you are still up.
I had a productive afternoon albeit a late one. I decided about 4.30 to plant up lots of seeds in trays. Some were flowers, lobelia, nasturtium's, pansies, marigolds etc plus beetroot and peas plus sweet peas.. In all i did 20 trays! They are now all sitting on my garden box just inside the back door. My back is actually sore from bending in and out of the compost bag but was a good job done.

Sorted out mums new mattress as well and thats being delivered to her next Wednesday and she actually said thankyou for sorting it!(long story)

Joan broth or veg soup & crusty bread is fab comfort food so hope you enjoy.
I have no idea when I will next leave the house except beg of may for hospital.
Somedays I really do get down especially when daughter away like now for another week.Havent spoken to anyone recently. Im so glad you managed to get out and do your shopping, what a relief for you.

Ann one of my lights flickered today in the kitchen and if it goes, i cannot stand on a chair to replace the bulb so I will be stuck too. I suppose bedroom isnt so bad as I have 2 lamps but kitchen at teatime needs a light once sun has gone down.

Hoping I can start varnishing the table tomorrow.The next project will be the 6 dining chairs 1 by 1. So that will keep me busy for awhile.

Off to bed now as feeling quite tired.
Goodnite all

Florence in the hebrides

Joan I can empathise re light bulbs. Luckily bedroom and lounge/dining room have wall lights that I can reach and change but ceiling lights I can’t reach. The main light in the bedroom went over a week ago, I have to wait until there is a male in the house. Very frustrating.

Good afternoon. Good to hear from you Joan. did your daughter actually develop covid I assume, if not, she will be available to help you now.

Ginnie I have seeds ready to plant and seed trays and seed compost ready. I also have twenty plug plants ready to pot on to be ready for the baskets at the end of the month. the garden is full of spring flowers, Tete a Tete daffodils, Helebores, snowdrops a few dutch iris, crocus and a few primulas it does look very spring like.

Caught the bus into Gloucester this morning. First time since way before Christmas. Only about 10 of us upstairs, all wearing masks, not too many people in the shops and the majority actually in the shops wearing masks, including most of the sales staff except M&S.  Had a coffee but not in M&S as they were crowded in Boswells in the Markey Mall no queue and tables well spaced. Bought just a top in M&S, sale, fairly thin, the ones I can wear on its own or under a sweater. And a half roast chicken that is heated either in the oven or microwave.

Anyway my main purpose was threefold. Draw cash, did that.  Go to Pandora and spend the gift card I had for Christmas, which I did. I got a lovely little lady bird, rose gold body and silver wings and on the back it says hope has wings! I thought that was rather apt. I also bought another ring to centre the two charms. (might get another charm later now I have seen all the ones they do). Had a lovely girl serve me and she put the charms on the chain for me.

Next I went into EE, to get my late OH taken off the phone contract. young man started by saying that if I contact them on line they will send a form to complete. After chatting a while he said 'unless you have the death certificate with you' Which I did. so he then did it all on line for me and now I just have to wait up to 5 working days for them to contact me and if they don't to go back in and see him again. So that is done.

I was a very productive morning and it was dry and sunny and about 8 degrees.

Hello all, We have a sunny afternoon which is great but still chilly. We have been getting our seeds ready to do . the mini greenhouse is up again and the trays and pots have been sorted out from OH's shed. We have the mini daffs out in the front garden , there are only planters and a narrow flowerbed there as the rest was done with slabs to take Ds car..

Sorry to hear that you are feeling unwell Joan, it must be difficult at the moment for you and OH . Hope your daughter will be able to take you shopping as you may feel better if you have company and able to be out if only for a shopping trip.

Florence hope your brushes etc turn up soon so you can make a start on your project.
I am thinking of doing up my 2 small chest of drawers. I did the 2 in the spare room about 3 years ago , covered the drawer fronts with patterned paper and painted the sides and tops with furniture paint. A bit of upcycling that worked and I still like. Just want the weather to be a bit warmer as I like the window open when painting.

Ann have you been able to do more in your garden, it always sounds so pretty when you speak of it.

Take care all and have a good weekend.

Ginnie.