Monday 30 April 2018

Rounding up April

April has meant progress on some fronts, but none on others.

The positives are: 

I have almost finished journalling/scrapbooking my time in NZ which I found has been a good way to record my memories and little moments of my time with my parents.  




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The garden:



A little progress has been made in the garden, although not as lot as I had hoped as quite frankly apart from a few nice days the weather has been horrid.  It seems April is going out in a gale!  It is certainly windy here.



We managed to get a trellis put up on the fence, as the old one had rotted. It was rather interesting trying to un-weave the wisteria from the old trellis!  Hopefully this will fill out a bit and screen us from the neighbours and the building work that is soon to be starting there.  

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The house:  


We saw some 'stacking shelving' while out the other day and thought they would be ideal for our cups and glasses that were all precariously perched on top of each other.  This is much better.  True we could 'weed' out some of the cups, but I like to use them all depending on the mood I am in.  We then went back and got another couple when we realised they were much cheaper in the shop we bought them from than from Amazon for example.  One of which has since gone into the cupboard that has the tinned food.  The other I still have to decide on where I can put it to best use.  


The negatives are:  

Still masses of pain EVERYWHERE and I am trying very hard to look on the bright side of things, but honestly it is very difficult to do at times.  I had a rather fruitless appointment with the pain clinic on Friday where he waffled on about virtually nothing, and didn't even bother to examine me, despite me telling him I am now getting pain in my middle fingers and numbness.  My yet another request to have my elbows scanned met on deaf ears and I am worried that the longer they leave it - after all it has been over a year now since they started giving me problems, the less likely it is for any damage to heal properly.  I think the new problems with my fingers is evidence that damage is being or has been done.  Apparently he is going to discuss me with colleagues next Thursday - now where have I heard that before?  Oh that is right the last time I saw him back in September I think it was!  Oh and I have an appointment for him to examine me in a months time...the wheels of the NHS grind ever so slowly and inefficiently it seems.  I could write more on this matter, but won't for fear of boring any one who might read this senseless.  

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But back to cheerier things:  


A few little things found in the charity shop the other day...I am being very careful not to spend much at the moment, and this little bundle came to just under £10 - the cast iron door stop being the most expensive.  A couple of books that were on my wish list, the door stop, to hold the kitchen door open on warm days, a case that will fit one of my little travel companions and a colourful little vintage table cloth.


The duck works great and brightens up the kitchen.


I had to plant a new fern in my little fairy garden that my son and daughter in law made me, as it had unfortunately died while I was away.   This was originally intended for our bathroom window sill, but doesn't fit, so it is opposite our bathroom on the hallway window sill.  You can see it as you come out of the bathroom...


So cute!




A lovely Jasmine in our entrance way makes the house smell lovely, plus some pretty daffodils to brighten the days which seem to be endlessly grey at the moment.





What a fantastic selection of music!  Just loving these discs.



My orchids are still looking wonderful and I just love them.


 I wonder what May will bring?  

Less pain?  I really really hope so.  


8 comments:

  1. Lot of things done on April. Positive comes first which pushes the negatives back:)

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    1. Thank you, yes the positive has to push the negatives back...hopefully!

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  2. So sorry to hear that you are still in pain, the wheels certainly are going slowly for you. Loved the door stop so bright and cheery. Your scrapbook is beautiful, it must bring back some wonderful memories.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and leaving a lovely comment. It is nice to keep a scrapbook, and a great way to 'revisit' the time spent with my parents.

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  3. I love hearing about what you are doing...and yes...even the pain because that is your reality and affects your whole being. Yet you carry on with your journal, photos, etc. Love your little fairy garden. One day at a time...

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    1. Thank you Vicki, glad you have enjoyed the post. Yes One day at a time...it is very hard though.

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  4. I'm sad that your experiences with the NHS are not a fruitful and as positive as mine have been. I know from my brother's life just how terrible constant pain can be. When people mention all my hospital visits and living with cancer I always say two things: I'm living with cancer and I'm not in pain. So I really, really have sympathy for you.

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    1. Thank you Graham. I am glad you have had good experiences, it is reassuring to read that the NHS can and does work in some areas! I am obviously very disappointed, it just feels like I am continually hitting my head against a brick wall. My GP agreed I should have my elbows scanned, but he is not allowed to get it done himself, so told me to ask the Pain Specialist...but of course we know what that outcome was - not for the first time. I really wonder whether they actually do want to help people. I just want to be able to do things without this constant pain and also start walking properly again - is that too much to ask?

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