RE: Dancing to a different drummer (Full Version)

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agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (5/18/2007 8:57:51 PM)

I can't believe that I'm going over to the second page of this blog. It just doesn't seem possible.

Well my niece is much better. The hospital gave her 2 lots of antibiotics and some more painkillers. Hopefully she'll follow through with a dental appointment to get it sorted in the next week.

I spoke with my father this evening. He was in Belfast a few weeks ago because his sister has lung cancer. She's had a problem for a while but didn't tell anyone how serious it was until recently. My father said that she wasn't too bad (better than he thought she'd be) although she can't get out much because she gets breathless.

I'm going to see some friends tomorrow evening. Always have a good time with them, they're so relaxed. One of their boys is into James Bond and I discovered at the local library the other day they were giving out 007 library cards! And yes, I did get one! Couldn't get one for my friend's son though because they needed my old card.

I (finally[;)]) got the instructions from my psychiatrist about the medication. And then promptly went to throw them away[&:] Probably not such a good idea! I managed to catch up with my nurse finally (we'd been missing each other on the phone) and arrange another appointment. I'm due to see the psychologist on Monday and have mixed feelings about it right now.

I bought Munchie a den/play centre/cat tree thing a few weeks ago. It took her a little while to be happy enough to sit on the top of it but she got there. That perch is about 4' off the floor.

[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/almshousekitty/Munch/Small.jpg[/image]

She's very happy with it all now and loves lounging on it!
[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/almshousekitty/Munch/small2.jpg[/image]

This, when she first went on it. She's sitting on the den (which I don't think she's really been in other than to get toys I put in it out!) and is ideally places (she thinks) to have pettings from me (my seat is beside it).

[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/almshousekitty/Munch/small1.jpg[/image]

There[:D]!

I should really take pictures of the whole thing and probably will in the next few days.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (5/21/2007 2:15:23 PM)

Well I saw my psychologist today and feel much better about seeing her now. She's more serious than the psychologist I saw last year, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I think she's going to throw out some challenges, but do it in a gentle manner, if that makes any sense.

Should be an interesting year[&:][;)]



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (5/29/2007 12:29:02 PM)

Hmmm... over a week since I said anything. Not a lots gone on really. I had a migraine last week that kind of wiped me out and stopped me from getting online. I missed out on some ebay bargins[:(] but I'm sure I'll find other things to buy at some point.

My two old lavender bushes were pulled up (by me) as nothing was growing from them[:(] I think one of my new ones has died too but the other is growing happily. I have carrots and onions growing really well in one of my tubs and just starting to appear in another (planted at a later date). I've just started a third tub with beetroot in it. Sadly my cucumber seems to have died off[:(] but my tomatoes are growing well ~ I've just transplanted them into larger pots. Most of my peppers (sweet and hot) seem to have died off too (or been killed off) but my lettuce is doing really well ~ some has died (I suspect due to lack of water[&:]) but there was plenty left.

Had a week of the new medication and no rash (not having one is a very good thing!) and it seems to have taken some of the side effects of the one I'll be coming off away which is good. Still can't wait until I'm off it totally.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (5/30/2007 9:36:18 PM)

Ummm... well, the lavender bush that I thought had died seems to have gotten it's act together because when I looked at it today, there were green shoots on it! Makes me wonder about the 2 I binned! Ah well, never mind, they are gone now! I bought a gardening magazine yesterday and it had an offer for 5 lavender plants, free, I just pay postage, which is reasonable. The magazine also mentioned that a national store (and there's one not too far away) sells some vegetable plants and I'm thinking of checking it out.

I've just watched a documentary and it's made me so angry. It was a follow-up programme about a 19-year-old girl who weighed 34 stone and had an operation to reduce the size of her stomach (I think it was gastric bypass, not banding). The initial programme went through her life and mentioned the trauma she'd suffered (at age 12) when a relative died ~ and it was then she started 'comfort' eating. This all came out before the operation but the surgeon went ahead with the operation anyhow (despite the fact she could die while she was having it).

Six months or so later (this is the follow-up) she's lost weight, but not enough. Her surgeon decides to write to her gp and have her referred for therapy. Why? Because the operation didn't make her stop 'comfort eating'! It was actually bizzare at one point because she was in the supermarket with her mother (she still lived at home) and her mother suggested buying some crisp (potato chips) because she'd had a bit of a rough day or two. The girl didn't want any and said so but the mother kept on at her, suggesting 'low-calorie' ones instead. The mother said later that her daughter didn't understand there was a difference between the 'high-calorie' foods that she shouldn't eat and the 'medium to high calorie' foods that she could 'get away with.

I'm not suprised the girl has a problem with food with a mother who is standing suggesting unhealthy foods to her (she wanted her to have pizza too).

Anyhow, the girl went for therapy and from what I could gather, it helped her understand why she felt the way she did about certain situations and showed her how far she had come from having the operation. She seemed to have gained a lot more confidence (partly through college courses she was doing, partly through therapy and partly through losing weight).

But what made me angry was that the thing that got all the credit was the surgery.

I have serious doubts about this kind of surgery. I know that some people are simply bone idle and eat the wrong things but some (like this girl) needed help coming to terms with her lose ~ and she wasn't getting it from her family. I suspect that if she had had the therapy before the surgery she'd have been able to lose weight on her own. Not as fast, but she'd have lost it. It would have saved her (or her family) a lot of money.

I think there are circumstances when this type of operation is necessary, but I think it should only be done as a last resort, it's not a quick fix. A course of therapy (to see if there are emotional problems), going to a dietitian to learn good eating habits and regular exercise (and this doesn't mean running the nearest marathon, walking is an excellent form of exercise) need to be done first.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (5/30/2007 10:16:04 PM)

I decided to put this into another post because I'd rambled enough in the last one[;)][&:]

I've been dealing with weight issues for some time now. Never used to, used to be fine, though I admit I wasn't always healthy in the exercise I didn't take and the foods I ate. I looked good which is something that such high importance is placed on these days (mostly in the secular world, but also in the Christian one).

I think that people who can eat and stay within a reasonable weight range often don't understand the frustrations it can be for those who can't. I know I certainly never (and I could eat what I wanted and be a reasonable weight). (I also suspect that people who need to gain some weight are frustrated about comments made regarding their weight too.)

The medication that I take for bipolar can cause weight gain. I can't say I noticed any difference really. The meds can also trigger hypothyroidism. It did! That can cause weight gain (and when my thyroid isn't functioning properly, it does[&:] Bigtime!).

But I also eat badly. Not necessarily junk food, just not regularly. I can remember the first time I went to see my dietitian and took my food diary (they can be so time consuming to do) and she pointed out that eating only .5kg grapes in a day isn't really going to do a lot for my metabolism[&:]. I obviously wasn't the first person that had gone thinking they were going to be lectured or overwhelmed and she took things very simply ~ to go from eating one meal a day to eating two meals a day (I've mentioned that before and people have wondered if I really do have a weight problem).

It took a long time but I reached a point last year when I was eating 3 meals a day and having snacks (fruit mostly) inbetween. To an extent I had 'learnt' what my body needed. Kindof an eye-opener because I discovered that I functioned better eating more often ~ especially breakfast.

I was getting into a really good and steady exercise routine too.

I had various (other) medical problems though last year and it really affected me and all my good work went to pot. I'm now feel that I'm at the point I was more than 3 years ago and I have to say I'm frustrated and angry at myself for not keeping control of things.

It is so difficult starting over again.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/3/2007 11:33:10 AM)

I woke incredibly late today, but I wasn't feeling so good last night and stayed up instead of constantly getting out of bed. Feeling better today, I think.

I spent some time in the garden. I planted 2 tomato plants outside, some more radish and some lettuce. I cut some weeds down (not that you can really notice[&:] and then planted some tulip bulbs, a bit late but never mind[;)] with the hope that they will grow. My beetroot is coming through. I have doubts about my tomato plants though, they are really small.

I also did some clearing out, I gave a neighbour a terracotta pot (the third that I wanted to get rid off and she took) and some old seeds and bulbs (a kind of ~ would you like them, because I'm going to throw them out if you don't!) and she planted them (some a bit late[;)]) in the pot I gave her[;)]. Hopefully they (and mine) will grow.

I've decided to get some raised beds in the garden. I came across this site when I did a search for raised beds and I really like the look of them ~ far better than the black plastic ones that are the norm (or the very expensive wooden ones). They're going to selling online from next month. I've emailed them to ask for prices but haven't heard back yet. Hopefully they won't be that expensive though.

I have a 2-tier plant stand that I've never used and I'm going to go into town tomorrow and buy something to put in it! I was thinking herbs, but I don't know if they'd be happy growing out of the sides of the planter and it would look odd with them just comeing out of the top. Was kinda thinking of seeing if I could get any strawberry plants (although it's late), they'd be happy in there ~ maybe I will get some inspiration tomorrow (if I make it to town[&:][:D]).



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/5/2007 7:35:46 PM)

I saw the psychologist on Monday and while it was a hard session talking about some painful issues, it was good and while I know that God is walking with me through this time, I'm thankful that the medication is there too. I believe that if you get the right medication it will help you cope with the rest of your life while you're walking through painful memories. If we need surgery we have generals or locals so we don't feel anything. Why not get some help with emotional pain too (I'm not talking about numbing emotional pain, just dulling the edges a little)? My views, I know others have different ones. There are other steps we can take ~ I planned something that could keep me occupied without taxing my brain after seeing the psychologist ~ to make paper plant pots! Only temporary of course, but that's what I want. From old newspapers so they decay, so it's recycling too[:D]

I made about 30 of them! I thought I'd give my beans a head start before the raised beds arrive and put them in that. Even if the beans aren't appearing at least they should have started to sprout.

Before I went to the psychologist I went to a diy store that is en-route and picked up some moss for the baskets on the plant stand and my eye caught sight of a collection of pretty deep blue flowers so I bought those to go in them. I have a lot of blues and purples in my garden so they should fit well. In addition to making the pots on Monday night I planted the top basket on the plant stand and started on the bottom, but ran out of the moss lining[&:]

Hmmm... went a little crazy today I think. Saw my psychiatrist this am and then went into the next town over to look at some pots for stuff in the garden...

Wasn't going to buy that much honest[;)][:D][&:]

But they had fuchsia (buy one, get one free), which I adore and some really healthy looking herbs and I needed the extra moss for the plant stand thing I have and the WD40 is supposed to stop slugs climbing up the sides of pots....

I did buy some pots. Dark green ones. Two rectangular ones and 3 square ones for my herbs (I have 3 kinds of mint and apparently they do better in separate pots because of the different scents. But mint can be quite invasive anyhow and kill of other plants that share it's tub or take over in a garden. I already have ground elder, I don't want mint too![&:] Although it smelt wonderful coming home on the bus. I also bought 5 round tubs for the lavender whenever it gets here. I figure that it'd be easier to keep it in those than plant it in the ground and have to move it next year if/when (I probably will) get the raised beds.

So when I got home I finished the tiered plant stand, though I'm not really happy with it, but hopefully it will look better when it's grown and mellowed some. I dug the herbs that I had in my planter up and repotted them in one of the rectangular pots (except the mint) and planted my new herbs in the other one (except the mints!). I decided to keep the old ones together just incase there was some mint root mixed in (and the mint root had spread through the compost a lot). Then I planted my fuchsia in the plant stand. I would have liked some lobelia but I didn't see any yesterday or today, but I suspect that they'll have sold out.

And tomorrow I'm going to a local garden centre to (hopefully) get some compost to fill the raised beds.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/7/2007 7:29:34 PM)

Had a really funny time getting the compost yesterday. I had thought about getting 150 litres but I decided that would be a nightmare to move so decided on the 75 litres. Which was just as well cos the garden centre didn't have 150 litres![:D] They did have 75 litres on offer (3 for 2 ~ I got 6 bags) though so I loaded my trolley up and found I could hardly move it[&:]. Went through check-outs and was asked if I wanted help getting it into the car (was tempted to tell them I was walking and could they come pick the trolley up!), but as I hadn't met up with my friend I said not at the moment, but I would shortly. Came out of the garden centre and realised there was a slope up to get to the car park. I did quite well at first.

Honest!

But then one of the bags started slipping so I stopped to put it back more securely. Here's some advice. Never, ever, ever stop when you're pushing something heavy up a slope because it's really hard to get going again![&:][:D]

My friend came through check-outs and we asked for some help and then pushed the trolley over to the car (after being advised that the back may drop[&:]). We got them all in though and made it home safely. They're sitting in the garden now waiting for the beds to come.

I was doing something in my garden yesterday and one of my neighbours (with the same surname as me) came down and gave me some veggie seeds (radish and rocket). The radish is quick growing (the ones I got aren't) so I got those into a bucket and put a tray of rocket seeds in. When they've grown I shall give some to her.

I went into my kitchen this morning and thought I heard someone outside, so I opened the door and saw a delivery van stopped. Thinking he was getting out I waited for a few (seconds) and then shut the door. I opened it again several minutes later, sure that he was going to deliver something to me, but he drove off[:(]

Maybe tomorrow[:D].

I had an email from the containers I'm thinking about buying. They're going to be around £12/pair (around $24US) which is much cheaper than I thought. I may order 2 and see what they are like before deciding, but their description on the site makes them sound really good. I figure I can put 2 somewhere in the garden, even if I never buy any more! They have smallers containers as well that can stack on top of each other. I may start off with them next year for strawberries[:D]

I did some weeding where I'm going to put the beds. Not much, just pulling stuff up mostly and making sure there was nothing sharp that could tear the liner. I'd felt really tired after the past 3 days ~ physically and emotionally so just wanted to take it easy today.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/9/2007 7:41:47 PM)

Well I did the deed.

I cut some lettuce and some herbs for a salad.[:D] Of course, I fell asleep after I'd cut them and put them in the fridge so I ended up not having them, but they will be fine tomorrow. There's only a tiny amount of lettuce, but I bought some cos today, so mine will add some colour and different flavours to it.

There's a really good company here that I buy stuff from every so often. I was sent a 10% discount from them the other week and bought some stuff that I was planning on buying and some other stuff I hadn't been too sure about (but I had the discount). Ordered it last Friday afternoon and it was despatched on Saturday (in 2 parcels). I got the first parcel on Tuesday but still hadn't received the other by today so gave them a call. I told them that if it was any other company I'd have waited longer before calling them, but they are always so good and I'd got the other parcel. He said that I should have got the second one and arranged a replacement. Isn't it amazing how some companes are so good and others not? They actually send a questionnaire out every year with a £3 voucher.

Nothing else exciting has arrived for me. I'm wanting to get started on stuff. It's probably good that it's not arrived though. I think the (slight) increase in meds has produced side effects, which are manageable but making me feel a bit drained.

And on that note, I'm going to bed!



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/11/2007 2:43:01 PM)

Well some of the side effects seem to have gone so I'm figuring that someone somewhere did some praying for me. If that was you... thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Do you ever get a feeling that you should do something? I did on Saturday with the parcel I didn't get. And I did again today with the raised beds. So I phoned the company who told me I should have received the parcel last Friday. She chased it and it turns out it was delivered to a nearby street (why, is anyone's guess!). They told me that they'd arranged for someone to go pick the parcel up today and deliver it to me. It arrived around 4pm[:D].

I put both of the beds together and filled and planted beans in one of them but haven't done the other yet. Can't wait for them to come up[:D][;)]. I'll have 2 sorts ~ purple ones (that sadly go green when cooked) and red/cream ones that can be dried. The extra compost was worth it though ~ I filled the beds as high as I could given that the levels have seemed to drop so much in my tubs.

I'll do the other bed tomorrow with the beans I sowed last week ~ they haven't appeared yet but never mind, they soon will. The radish and rocket that my neighbour gave me have already appeared ~ and it's been less than a week.

I'm looking into composters and water butts. Am kinda frustrated by both for various reasons. I've emailed a couple of companies requesting more information. Hopefully I'll be able to sort something out.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/15/2007 8:31:19 PM)

Well, I ordered a water butt and it arrived today. I sent a 'thank you very much' email to the company for getting it too me so quickly! It even rained about 5 minutes after I set it out in the garden[:D][:D] Apparently more rain is due tonight and tomorrow. I have tried to devise a way to increase the surface area of the butt, I think that's a work in progress (if anyone has any bright ideas, please pm me[:D]).

Still thinking about the composter. The one that I'd like that is relatively cheap and has a base to it needs a good supply of garden waste (not just grass) and I don't think I'd be able to gather enough.

It'd be much easier if I didn't keep changing my mind! I've emailed one company (the one I got the water butt from) about my needs and would a certain composter work or can they suggest another. I'm now thinking of a compost tumbler. I had been looking at a small composter (80L) but the tumbler one holds nearly 3x that amount and can compost huge amounts of grass, which I can get easily. I was playing on ebay this evening and found another one that looked good. It's a pop-up one. Can't explain it really but it folds pretty much flat when it's not in use. I've seen them in online stores but the one on ebay is seriously cheap and I'll get it if I can. From the same person I've seen a raised bed. I'm going to try and get that equally cheaply. One finishes tomorrow and one on Tuesday.

I saw my dietitan on Thursday. She's a very positive and supportive lady. She gave me a lot of time as we discussed options. We agreed that seeing her was an added stress that I probably didn't need at the moment and so I won't be seeing her again for a while. Kinda depends on when I feel ready to deal with it, and that will be under discussion with my GP and psychologist.

And I'm not sure how I feel about that. Some of it is that I've let her down, some that I've let myself down. I'm angry that I'm pretty much back where I was when I started to see her. I'm frustrated that my brain can't do simple things sometimes ~ like take information in and then apply it and this applies a lot to food. I know that I've made some really positive changes, but sometimes it just doesn't feel that way.

I see my psychologist again on Monday. It's been a rough week for a number of reasons (not just the dietitian). While the psychologist isn't there to talk about the rough week generally the emotions that have been generated this week are ones that have come up before in other situations and it's left me doubting my own judgement.

Going back to my garden... I haven't yet planted my other beans, but they are happy in their lil paper pots and have started to emerge. It it stops raining for long enough, I shall put them out tomorrow. Otherwise it will be Sunday ~ because the weathermen tell me that it's going to stop raining on Sunday and we all know weathermen always get the forecasts right don't we[;)]



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/17/2007 5:36:44 PM)

I've figured out a way to do get more water into the water butt, but haven't done anything about it yet. I will do something tomorrow or Tuesday. I've also figured out a way to get water from the drainpipe. Probably won't be a lot, but it'll be something.

I went onto ebay and found a raised bed and couldn't resist bidding on it. I did set a limit though, taking postage and the normal retail value into consideration. And I won[:D]. For less than my limit[:D]. I'm bidding on a compost bin from the same seller too, if I win that I'll only pay one lot of postage. Doesn't end until Tuesday though. No one else has bid for it yet, not sure if that's good or bad! I am so pleased about the raised bed though. It means I can set it up and consider how to fit other stuff into the garden.

My free lavender arrived in the mail yesterday. I woke up after the postie had delivered the mail and just had a feeling to check to see if anything was outside the front door (sometimes they leave packages) and there they were[:D] They're little plug plants, so I potted them into larger coir pots to let them grow on a little more before I plant them out. I forgot to make a note of which was which though! Will have to do that after they flower.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/19/2007 3:35:19 PM)

Ahhh ebay, so exciting, so stressful, so much cheaper!

I won the compost bin I was after ~ although some rotter put in a bid about 10 minutes before the end which put the price up. I can't complain though, I still paid less than half price and even with postage it was a good deal. I think I payed with paypal (first time I used it so who knows[&:]) so should get the raised bed and bin towards the end of the week. Which means I need to move the compost that I bought the other week, but haven't yet used and clear some ground to put the raised bed on.

My bokashi bins arrived today. Bokashi bins are a form of composting. You put the food (raw or cooked, including meat, fish and bones) into a special airtight box and cover it with a special bran after each addition. Once the box is filled you let it sit for 2 weeks and then either bury the contents in your garden or add to a regular compost heap. The tubs aren't very big and can sit in the kitchen. They're not supposed to cause any bad smells because they're sealed most of the time. We shall see. I didn't add any bones to it, but did add some trimmings of pineapple which I'm figuring is kind tough! You get some liquid from them ~ there's a little tap at the bottom of the tub, that can be used as a plant food or down drains to clear them. Right now I have plenty of plant food, so will probably use any I get on the drains.

My beans are coming up[:D] I'm still unsure about my tomatoes though ~ well, one is gone so I'm guessing slugs got it[:'(] but I can replace it. The other one looks like it's grown some, but is still tiny. I'll give them a bit longer before giving up on them. Everything else seems to be growing well.

I saw my doctor today because my right ear has been bothering me. I have an ear infection in my left ear[&:] Which has happened before[:D]

Saw the psychologist yesterday which wasn't a lot of fun for various reasons ~ I'd only got 3 or 4 hours sleep and had a thumping headache on top of that. I did make her laugh when I made a comment about a doctor I used to see who had long hair. When I was chatting with friends about which doctor I saw they all seemed to make the comment 'Dr X with the long hair' and telling Alison yesterday, I said that I'd begun to wonder if that was actually part of her name! She laughed.

I think tomorrow is a not doing too much day. I've got stuff to do around the house and garden but I'm not going to go into the next town, or to the diy store as I was planning on doing. I want to be able to think about what I'm going to be buying and my brain is a bit foggy right now. I also need to check something out in the garden as a possible solution to my watering problem[:D]



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/21/2007 6:10:53 PM)

Well the beans I started in paper pots finally made it into the raised bed[:D]. Looked quite strange to suddenly see things growing in it after 5 minutes!

I telephoned my local council today to ask why the compost bins they sold at a subsided price were all so big. The chap I spoke to was really nice, and told me they didn't make 'em any smaller! I pointed out the error of his thinking and added there wasn't going to be much composting going on if there was just a lil pile of compostable material in the bottom of a big bin and they needed to think of single folk with small gardens.

Then we moved on to some slightly different bins that are meant to be really good. One is a food digester (it gets rid of food but doesn't create any compost) and the other creates compost. They're here. I asked him if he was aware that the company my local council send people to to get them sell them at about 25% discount. At the moment my council are running a special deal where they're 80% discount. But if you go to the site, they sell them cheaper than the councils offer! He didn't know that and muttered about postage differences. I said they were the same. I had been thinking about getting the composting one, but you need to buy it a lil winter coat[&:] and they run rather expensive ~ they're also quite big and you need to have a certain amount of garden waste, wasn't sure that I could get that.

When I started looking for composters though, I came across this one and thought it was really cute. By chance, I saw it (at a much reduced price) in ebay and grabbed it (it was a 'Buy it now'). I'll use both of the bins that I have because I'll have to put stuff somewhere while one is composting down ~ and this way I can totally empty one by putting stuff that isn't completly composted in the other. I have a friend that does this (actually, she has 3) ~ most of her garden is grass so she doesn't really need much compost (just needs to get rid of stuff!).

Hopefully my crazy plan will work though[:D]

Went back to the docs yesterday. Woke up in the am with an eye that was sore and puffy and when I called the surgery, they told me to go in and gave me a docs appt (though I was expecting to see the triage nurse). She (not my usual doc) gave me some drops and told me to go back in a few days if it wasn't better. It looks a bit less puffy (I think) but is still somewhat uncomfortable.

My raised bed didn't come today, which I was kinda hoping for, but I never got round to the gardening because of my eye. I do feel much more rested though, so maybe it was a good thing it didn't come. Amazing that a few good nights sleep and restful days can do for you isn't it?![:D] God really had a great idea when He suggested we rest sometimes.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/27/2007 8:01:15 AM)

You know I read some of the other blogs and I read Sharon-Marie's (WhiteRoseBlessings) today. She asked
quote:

Where were you in 1990? What were you doing? How were you doing? Anything different from then, compared to now?
Sharon-Marie... I have a hard enough job figuring out where I was yesterday, let alone 17 years ago[&:][:D][;)]

At a guess though. It was probably around this time that I'd just been offered a new job. It meant a lot of commuting but it was a job where most of the people were wonderful. Had a couple of problems when I was there, but I also received a great deal of support and it's proved an encouragement to me even today.

I wasn't a Christian then. That didn't happen until 1998. Quite possibly one of the better decisions that I made in my life[;)]

Wasn't living the this part of the country. I left where I was and spent some time in the US and then came to the area I'm in now. Moved around quite a bit, until I got my own home. The moving around wasn't fun, I prefer being settled. Moving was probably another wise decision though[:)]

Didn't have a cat back then. Do now[:D]

Can't think of anything else to say about that!

~o~O~o~

My raised bed and one of the compost bins arrived today. I emailed the other guy about my second compost bin but haven't heard anything yet. Grrr Not sure what I'm going to do with the bed at the moment. I don't want to go putting compost in it without anything growing. I have checked it all though and it's fine. It's nicely boxed so can sit in that until spring.

There have been torrential rainstorms here over the past few days. One dam is close to being breeched and if it goes many small villages will be devested, also a nearby city will be affected (a power station may be flooded). Water is gradually subsiding in many places but it's slow and often contaminated ~ and more storms are expected this w/end. There've been lots of evacuations and some (4 that I'm aware of) deaths. People are often prepared for this kind of weather in winter, but not in the middle of June. It's been said that we've experienced 2 months rainfall in 2 days.

The slugs and snails have been enjoying my beans[:(] (and carrots) but I'm working on something that'll hopefully limit the damage some. One of my tomato plants is thriving (the other is literally gone, but I've just replaced it. And I have beetroot, radish and lettuce growing well (despite the snails and slugs).

My eye is still a bit sore and red and I'm going to go to the docs tomorrow, just to have it checked. I don't think it's anything serious, just uncomfortable. I have been wondering (still) if it's a stye, but it doesn't look like one (from memory) so I'm not sure. Styes can be caused by stress. Did wonder if seeing the psychologist would be enough to cause it.

Talking of seeing her... I am trying to keep reminding myself that talking about things can't be any worse than actually experiencing them. Memories can be very painful to relive, even good ones sometimes, but none of them can hurt more than the actual event ~ and if I survived that, I don't see why I can't survive the talking and healing.

Watched a movie yesterday about a Scottish guy who went to the US, became a preacher and worked in Washington just before and during WW2. He seemed quite inspirational. He wife had TB for several years but recovered. It was only after hearing him preach about something that she realised that God could heal her, but it didn't matter (to her) if He didn't. I've got the preachers name and will look him up later.

I moved my lounge around some yesterday. I'd been thinking about doing it for a while but never really got there. I've decided that I like what I've done[:D] so far. Have yet to finish it.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (6/27/2007 2:27:00 PM)

So my friend called and said that she'd forgotten her mother was coming down and was going to babysit so I didn't need to go this evening. Have to admit, I was pleased because I simply didn't feel like walking there and back today.

I decided to have a quick bath before going over to the shops and I was just thinking about getting out when someone knocked on the door. I jumped out, grabbed my dressing gown and went downstairs.

Took the last 2 steps faster than intended and ended up with my feet just higher than my head. The courier was still there though (fortunately, I think I'd have thumped him if he'd gone!) and gave me my parcel ~ my other compost bin[:D]

It arrived (in pieces, as it was meant to) and I started to put it together without fully reading the instructions ~ when will I ever learn?[8|][&:][:)] After I carefully read the instructions I got it together ~ wasn't too difficult but some of the holes and cuts hadn't been done fully and (especially on the cuts) I didn't realise until nearer the end how much easier it would have been to finish the job.

But it is up, and does look good. I got some hooks with the other one to pin it to the ground and I'm using those for this one. Only have 4 hooks (there's 5 holes) but I think it'll be fine. It's incredibly ingenious the way it all fits together.

As to falling down the stairs... I didn't twist my ankle but I hurt it a lot and I have bruises down the other shin and a couple of really bad scratches (where I got those is anyone's guess[&:]. My back is uncomfortable too so I probably upset a couple of muscles. I hobbled to the shops ~ wasn't too bad on the way there, but I felt it on the way back.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (7/6/2007 9:15:38 AM)

Seems to have been a while since I posted.

Not a lot has really gone on. Had a bit of a rough week, but I think that was the therapy more than anything else. It can only get better[;)]

I saw my doc (again) about my eye and she said to stop using the drops because that could be causing it to stay red[&:] It's still red even though I've stopped using the drops[&:] If it's not any better I think I shall pop back next week. Strangely though, when I got some other medication and flipped through one of the info sheets, I read that it could cause conjunctivitus[&:]

I had coffee this morning with a neighbour who I've met on and off over the years, but never got together for coffee. Her front garden is about 3x the size of mine and her back garden is vast. Was really nice to chat to her and meet her husband.

I've decided to get some slug traps. Hopefully they should arrive tomorrow and I'll be able to start using them. I was talking with my neighbour about slugs and she said that she put saucers of beer down (apparently slugs like beer[&:]) for them. She went away and when she came back, she heard from the neighbour who was keeping an eye on her house that some hedgehogs and beaten the slugs to it and were drunk[&:][:D] Fortunately, my slug traps are covered, so hopefully I won't get any drunken hedgehogs[:D] I do still have some beans so hopefully, with the traps, they will survive! I've ordered some attractant too, but if that doesn't come tomorrow, I shall buy a can of beer[:'(]

We had 'French Day' last Saturday. We're twinned with a town in France and once a year, at the end of the arts festival, we have French Day. Generally it's just a whole load of stalls from local charities and such. I met a lady I know from the WI (there was a stall) and bought one of her tomato plants ~ and she gave me another for free. They're still alive! I bought a video and dvd as well ~ can't remember what they are[&:]

I'm really pleased about my bokashi composter. It seems to be working well and the first bucket is nearly full. I'll be very disappointed if after I've filled it and let it sit, it goes bad. I've ordered some more bran, though I don't need it quite yet ~ buying it meant I got free postage with my other items. I was speaking with my mother about them and she's decided to get some. I ordered them for her online. As I described them, she remembered that she'd seen them but it was 'display only' and they couldn't be bought[&:] She has chickens too and I told her that one company that sold the bran also sold layers mash with em (effective microorganisms) in it. She had me order her a catalogue (online) for her ~ she has a computer with net access, it's just more convienient for her if she gets me to do it[:D].

I'm getting a gadget that takes water from my bath to my garden (either directly onto the garden or into a water butt). I've also found out that I can use a product (which is natural) in the water of a water butt and it will clean up up, so I can put bath water in and use it on my veg... The thought still makes me[&:][:'(] a bit and I don't need to do it yet, but I'll certainly consider it if necessary. At the moment though, it'd be pretty diluted because I've got a lot of rain water ~ and I only use natural products when I have a bath.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (7/8/2007 2:12:34 PM)

My slug traps arrived yesterday. My bait didn't though so I bought some beer which should last until the bait arrives. I set them up and left them. I was however thinking about them during the course of the rest of the day. If hedgehogs can get sozzled on beer and you can leave this beer pickled slugs (and snails) out for the birds won't the birds get sozzled too?[&:][sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif][sm=icon_smile_faint.gif][sm=rollingeyes.gif]

Doesn't seem quite right somehow! I did check the traps this morning and found a few critters floating around in beer. There was also a snail who seemed to be considering it's options too[;)]

The catalogue I ordered for my mother got to her yesterday (I'd forgotten that I'd ordered one for myself) and she phoned when I was out (getting the beer!). I returned her call and she told me that the catalogue was wonderful and sold all kinds of good things and that I should look into the company myself[&:] And exactly who told who about this company and catalogue?[:D]



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (7/12/2007 8:53:37 AM)

More pictures[:D] (if I can remember how![;)]).

The first two fuschia are called 'Blackie' because of the very dark centre. The second one is called 'Marshmallow' (I think[&:], will have to check!).
[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/almshousekitty/Home/Blackie.jpg[/image]

[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/almshousekitty/Home/Blackie1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/almshousekitty/Home/Marshmallow1.jpg[/image]

I do love fuschia so much. I have more, different varieties. Those two are the first to flower though. I don't think many of the rest are far behind. And at least something isn't being eaten by slugs and snails!

Well, gotta say, slugs love beer! I tipped the containers out[:'(] yesterday and refilled. My slug bait arrived yesterday (thought I'd use the beer first though) and that'll work out cheaper, if it works.

My mother told me that she called the catologue at about 8.03am on Monday! They are shut at the w/end and open at 8am. Not to sure what she's ordering, not too sure that she knows what she's ordering either[;)] I placed an order with them on Tuesday, then phoned them yesterday to see if I could add something ~ she said it was fine and it's all going out today, should get it tomorrow. Didn't order anything very exciting though.

I did order from another company some stuff which turned up yesterday. The chap who delivered was very nice and careful with the 'Live Flowers' box, and just a bit concerned when I shook it! I have absolutely no idea why they felt they had to put one box in another with 'live flowers' on it when there wasn't anything alive in it...

At least it was handled carefully though[;)][:D]



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (7/12/2007 4:01:27 PM)

It's July 12 today.

Orange Day.

My nan would have been 99 today. She died 2 years ago. She (and my grandad who died when I was little) were both Lodge members.

Her name was Lily and I have orange lilies to remind me of her.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (7/13/2007 7:59:48 PM)

I ordered a water butt stand and some other stuff the other day and it all arrived today. I emptied the water that was in the water butt and made a hole for the tap to go in ~ which was no easy task, put the tap in and then put all the water back into the butt[:D] I don't think that I'm ever going to have a chance to use this butt because it hasn't really stopped raining so I don't actually need to water the garden!

I also ordered some stuff that helps grass to rot down (grass can go all slimey and smelly [:'(] because of it's high water content) and this stuff is meant to stop that. The lady who mows the grass was out yesterday (one of the odd days it wasn't raining) and I grabbed a bucket of grass from her. Added the stuff today and threw it into the compost bin.

My tomato plants are growing well, the slugs haven't got them[:D]. I have one of my own and 2 from a lady I know. I've bought fertilizer for them should they ever start to flower and set fruit[&:]). I realised (after I'd ordered it) that I was paying a little extra for a whole lot more product that isn't all chemicals[:D] And they delivered to my door[:D][:D]

The last thing that arrived today was my syphon gadget (called a droughtbuster) that will take water from one place to another (provided that the 'another' place is lower than the 'one' place!). I did try it out with the water in the water butt. Had to keep pumping it, but the butt and the tub were level so I'm not suprised it didn't work properly.

I dropped a note off in the week to the neighbour I had coffee with, just to say thank you. She dropped one back telling me that she was off to Yorkshire for a couple of weeks but would like to meet up again when she gets back. I still can't stop thinking how vast her garden is compared with mine. It's not all just a basic square though, there's the bit at the back of the house and then more round the side, then you duck between some trees and find the veggie garden! So pretty though.

Another fuschia flower (different plant) has just started to open up I noticed today when I was out there. I didn't really plant them very well in my container as they all seem bunched in the middle and not trailing over the edges the way I planned it. If they survive the winter, I will move them (if I remember[&:][:D]).



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (7/16/2007 7:35:41 PM)

Saw my psychologist yesterday (I can say that as it's just turned midnight here[:D]). It was tough, but better than I thought it would be as I knew there were issues that needed to be raised and cleared up. And I do so hate raising issues with people most of the time.

It's interesting that different people see different things in a different way (okay, so that was a few to many 'different's in there!). I mentioned that on my first day of bording school (I was 11) I could remember my parents saying good-bye and just wanting so much to ask them to take me home with them. She classed it as homesickness, which I'd never done before. She told me that she'd gone to bording school too and was always so excited about going, but was terribly homesick for the first couple of weeks.

I have very mixed feelings about bording school. Very much a love-hate relationship I think. A definate experience though and there were some really good times, bad times, funny times, scarey times.

All seems like a very long time ago now[:D]

Also saw my nurse briefly to arrange another appointment. He started in his job as a bank nurse (temporary) but the position was advertised and he applied and was offered it last week, which he's pleased about.

I thought that when I ordered my water butt we'd have a drought (so that I couldn't get any rainwater) but I forgot the alternative ~ that we would have so much rain, I wouldn't need the water butt[&:][:D]. I did water some of the flower tubs this evening though because they seemed a bit dry and was pleased that my efforts at making a hole in the butt for the tap had worked and I got a bit more than a drizzle out of it!

I have to clean my slug traps tomorrow[:'(]



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (7/26/2007 7:16:12 PM)

Hmmm... 'bout ready to hit page 3! Which may cause some folk (in the UK anyhow) to chuckle[:D]. I hasten to add (for those who know what I'm talking about), I'm talking about my blog, not anything else[;)]

Not much as really happened to me since I last posted. The floods have been a big issue for so many places across the country. People have lost their homes and some, no doubt, their jobs (even if only temporarily). Farmers (IMO) will have lost so much more. Some will have lost so much, if not all, of their crops. Dairy farmers are bringing their cattle into barns and feeding them what will become precious winter food ~ and, because tankers can't get to them, throwing the milk away as it can't be collected. There seems to be no let-up this year to the rain. The town my father lives in has been partially flooded this week. It sits on the Thames. He's not affected but isn't that far away from the Thames and is about a mile away from the nearest flooding area.

Speaking of my father. He's thinking of coming down at the w/end with family. I have to confess, I'd rather put it off. It'd mean there will be 7 people (including myself) in the house and the house is simply too small for that number[&:]. They're also thinking of coming Sunday and that, with the weather means they're more likely to end up here. We're going to speak Saturday to discuss it further.

I spoke with my doctor this week regarding my medication and the fact that I was having increasing problems swallowing the stuff. I have what feels like a lump in my throat which I've had for over a decade and is nothing serious but it always makes me feel as though my meds get stuck. Most of the time I deal with it, otherwise I will eat something immediately after swallowing the tablets. She's changed one medication (to a chewable/disperable one) and allowed me to stop another (temporarily). The third are tiny tablets and I generally manage those ok. New medication is ok and I will be seeing my psychiatrist in just over a week so will discuss the other with him (I did phone his secretary this morning just to let him know in advance though). It's affecting my mood some though, but I'm managing that pretty much. My doctor told me that she'd like my nurse to see me on a weekly basis (especially as she's going to be on leave for a few weeks (hope for her sake she's going abroad somewhere it ain't raining!). I saw my nurse but didn't tell him that bit (decided that with the psychologist and seeing my psychiatrist it'd be too much for me to see the nurse weekly too). I know I can phone him if necessary. I didn't mention my feelings to my doctor either. Decided it was safer that way[;)]

I emptied my first bokashi bucket into the composter today. Didn't smell funny, or look bad or anything which I was pleased about. The bran that I use is supposed to speed up the rate that food is made into compost. Not having a clue how long it takes normally, I don't have any idea how long this will take! I bought a book written by a guy (he's Japanese) who's done a lot of work into effective micro-organisms. In the parts I understand (my brain isn't real good either right now) it's been very interesting. He's very convinced by the use of them to replace artificial fertilisers and such. Who can blame him for that? I'm not sure I'm convinced by all his claims, I'd like to visit some of these places and see before/after photos and such. I cleaned my bucket out using water from my water butt (had to find a use for it didn't I?) which is what they suggested. My compost bin is about half full now which I find strangly exciting and rewarding. If it does ever stop raining again, and the grass gets cut, I shall put more grass into it.

My tomato plants seem to have taken off really well. I'm still not sure about them producing anything but I'm figuring out how to grow the things! I have 2 healthy bean plants and a few that are pretty slug eaten and I'm not sure if they'll make it or not. I've kinda left them to themselves though now.

I've been planning the rest of my garden for next year and have some ideas. If I do it, it'll look pretty I think (if it works). Kinda depends on whether my lavender that I got last month survives (I didn't take as good care of it as I should have, but I have fed it with my bokashi juice).

Back to see the psychologist on Monday. Time flies when you're having fun[&:]



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (7/28/2007 11:47:58 AM)

My father phoned me last night to tell me that my mother (they divorced around 20 years ago and now live about 100 miles apart ~ one of my sister's daughters had called him) had been admitted to hospital because she'd got involved in a dog fight. Apparently 2 dogs went for her dog and she was trying to even the odds up!

Her dog is fine. I called the hospital and she had just finished being assessed. The doc told me that she'd got 1 small bite which they weren't worried about but would be admitted at least overnight incase her angina had flared up. They were going to do a chest x-ray too incase any further damage had been done to her heart.

I've not long phoned the hospital. Kinda goofed cos I gave them the name she's been called all her life and they couldn't find her on the system. Then it occured to me that the first name I gave wasn't her first name but her second name! She turned up after that.

She's been moved to another ward so they put me through. She had some chest pains this morning so they decided to keep her in for at least another night, possibly 2 as doctors work a bit different hours on Sunday. She's fine and sitting up in bed, reading and stuff. She wasn't allowed out of bed to come to the phone though and they couldn't take one to her either. Anyhows, she knows I've called and I'll call back tomorrow to see how she's doing and hopefully will be able to talk with her then.



agapetos -> RE: Dancing to a different drummer (8/8/2007 8:37:13 PM)

Hmmm... didn't realise how long it had been since I'd posted...

I thought I'd posted an update here on my mother, know I did it in another thread but guess I missed here.

She spent a couple of days in hospital and is out and fine now ~ as is the dog. The two dogs that attacked hers have been caught, though I gather at least one other dog was attacked by them at some point (either before or after they attacked my mother's). Apparently someone was looking after them for someone on holiday and they got out...

The dogs attacking my mother made the front page (very dramatically) of the local newspaper. I think if I'd read that first I'd have been in hospital myself through worry!

We've had the floods and are now back to foot and mouth here... the farmers are suffering terribly. Some crops that the harvest spared may be lost as they can't be harvested because of the risk of spreading foot and mouth. Those that have already lost animals have been left devestated.

Saw my psychiatrist yesterday. He's given me a prescription for one of my meds in liquid form and I started them this evening. It tastes... interesting! When I picked the prescription up from the pharmacist, U asked if there was a measuring spoon in with it. She gave me one 'just to be sure'. When I checked, there was one in the bag and another 1 in each of the 2 boxes the bottles came in! I guess I'm covered! I will be using one of the spoons for measuring my liquid feed for my garden though. My nurse is on leave now for a couple of weeks (as is my GP). Will be seeing my psychologist again on Monday.

Talking of my garden... I bought some reduced cabbage plants yesterday. They seem pretty healthy and I'll be planting them out where the beans had been growing. Not sure what variety of cabbage they are, but they're at least 2 different sorts (I bought 3 plants). May go back for a couple more tomorrow, if there are any left. Hopefully now the weather seems to have improved the slugs won't be so savage. My remaining bean plant is still happy and growing well.

I checked my bank accounts online the other day and realised that I'd made a mistake on when some money was coming out of my account. It meant that I had to shoot into the next town to pay some in so I wasn't overdrawn and charged. I spent ages in the queue but got it sorted. Did a bit of shopping and got some free hair colour and some reduced stuff for the garden. Felt very pleased ~ and got home before my nurse showed up for the appointment we had (though I had left a somewhat garbled message to say I may not be there on time).

Can't think of anything else to say...



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