Day Thirty One - The Month that Was.

Photo of the Day:

Art Prompt: Own Choice

Raven in Flight

Gosh it is the end of the month already!  It really does seem to have zoomed past ever so quicly.

Looking back at October....

At the end of September I made a goal to clear my sewing studio by the end of October, thinking that having whole month I should be able to achieve such a task.  Well I failed - although I am going to try not to look on it as failure, but rather progress as so many other things have also happened over the last month.  I have made real headway on getting some actual treatment for my existing pain and also the pain that has plagued me since April.  Whether this treatment will work, is yet to be determined, but I am hopeful and that is a step in the right direction. Because of this I have had MANY trips into London which of course take up time.   I HAVE started clearing my studio, but to the outsider it wouldn't be at all obvious as it is still a complete mess in there, and now our dining room is a mess as well with stuff I have sorted to sell!  Perhaps it will be cleared by the end of November?

Over the last 21 days I have made 13 Ebay sales which amounts to 24 items, so that is progress in itself.  I also have a pile of boxes and bags that I need to take to the charity shop which I hope to do this week.  I have more items to list as well and hope to get them done in the next couple of days.


I managed to take part in the 'Photo a Day for the Month of October Challenge' on Flickr.

Here is a mosaic of days 1 - 30, with today's photo being at the top of this post.

I have also completed the 'Every Day in October' Art Challenge, although this has been a bit more difficult to keep up with.  I went back to art, but have to stop while having my acupuncture treatment as unfortunately this is on the same day.  I will try to find out if there is another group I can go to on a different day.

A Mosaic of Days 1 - 30 with today' picture at the top of this post.

I have quite enjoyed this challenge, although some of the prompts were really not my thing.  As someone who doesn't 'do' Halloween, quite a few of them were orientated towards that.  All pictures have now also been added to the appropriate day as I had missed uploading some.  Some of these I am not at all pleased with, others I am.  But the whole idea was just to go with the prompt, not take too long over it and I think I have achieved that.

'We' have started stripping the wallpaper off the walls in our master bedroom, and hopefully that will be fully decorated by the end of November.  We have had to change our plans slightly as we were going to get someone in to do the whole job, but due to my medical expenses, we have had to change that, so now hubby is doing the stripping and prepping of the walls and the painting and we will get someone in to do the wallpapering, IF the price is right.  Otherwise it could be along time before it is ever finished!  Of course doing this has meant that now the lounge is full of stuff that we have moved out of the bedroom!  So I hope we don't have any visitors for a while as the house is quite frankly a mess.  We have also had the floor measured up for carpet, so now just have to go and choose some.

One week into October I decided to start going on the elliptical trainer/exercise machine (as well as the walking the dogs).  I have managed to go on it 13 days out of 23 (56 %) so far which isn't too bad, as some of those days I had to go into London and have various tests etc...  I have also started the physio exercises, and do those daily.  I am now on Day 4 of those. 

Another thing I have started to do is practice my clarinet again as I just miss it too much to not play anymore.  It still hurts a lot, but the pleasure I am getting from playing is almost counteracting that.  So although early days yet, I will see how I go. I have played 17 out of the 23 days, so have achieved 74%  - not bad, especially again considering some days I haven't felt like it, or have had trips into London.  I have tried to play before and I think I managed about three months before I had to give up again.  Hopefully with the treatment I am getting I will be able to continue.  Mind over matter as they say.  I worked too hard for too many years to throw my music away. 

I finally got round to banking some cheques, only to realise when I was paying them in one of them had been written out incorrectly - the words and numbers didn't match up.  Now our bank no longer has a branch locally it is more of a hassle to have to go to the bank as it involves driving, paying parking charges etc...  Such a nuisance our local branch is no longer.  Seems crazy as the population in our town has increased!  I hate to think what the older people do now - perhaps they have changed banks, I do know at least a couple of people who have done this.

Because I had to drive to another town to do the banking and pay for parking I figured I might has well have a look round the charity shops.  They don't tend to interest me as much as they used to, not sure if I just feel I have enough now, or because you can't get the bargains that you used to be able to get.  I did find one thing though for my 'old people' collection that sit on the picture rail that runs down the length of our hallway.

I haven't seen this one before.  Love the donkey!

November tomorrow!  The nights are already drawing in, and it was definitely a lot colder today than it has been.  It is pitch black outside already and it is only 5 pm.  Brrr...I don't like these colder darker days. 

Day Thirty

Photo of the Day:

Our house really does look like a tip now - can hardly get in the lounge as I have moved a load of stuff from the bedroom into it to clear some more space for hubby so he can strip some more walls.  

Because the walls are so uneven we are going to have to wallpaper instead of paint.  I have hung a couple of samples up.  The one on the left is embossed, the one on the right isn't, but perhaps the bumps in the wall wouldn't be so obvious with that because of the patterning?  Not sure yet which we prefer...the one on the right, although having a darker background does reflect the light.  

Both feature roses, which seems rather appropriate. 

We had the flooring people out today and it wouldn't really be suitable to have a wooden or laminate floor put down due to the curved bay window and again the unevenness of the floor, so looks like we will have to have carpet after all.  He has measured up so when we go and choose a carpet we will be able to find out the cost straight away.

It was a beautiful morning today and it has been a lovely day, although I have felt very much out of sorts...for a number of reasons (including worrying about my Mum and Dad) ...and also because the mess is completely overwhelming me.  Still I just have to remind myself that progress is being made.  The car boot is loaded up with some stuff to take to the Charity Shop, so will hopefully do that tomorrow.

Have a good week!

Prompt for the Day: Own Choice

I sketched Jeremy, otherwise known as 'Jay'

Day Twenty Seven

Photo of the Day:

What a beautiful day it has been today.  Gorgeous blue sky and reasonably mild considering the time of year it is.  Quite the change from yesterday when it was very grey and damp.  

Now for the boring stuff.  

Unfortunately I had to go into London again today. I also went yesterday for my second acupuncture treatment.  Today was the first of my physiotherapy sessions.  It all had to be fitted into 1/2 an hour as they thought Bupa were paying for it - they are not, turns out they don't pay for any treatments unless you are admitted to hospital!  So much for medical insurance.  This is costing me (or rather my husband) a fortune, I just hope it will work and isn't yet more money down the drain which has happened in the past. I tell you the cost of these sessions is  A LOT!   The session did seem to go reasonably well, and he was wanting to see me again next week, but the next appointment he is available isn't until two weeks time, which is a bit frustrating.  My whole right side down to my foot is apparently quite weak which might explain why I am getting a lot of hip pain on the left side.  We are going to start working at trying to build up my core strength and the aim will be for strength not pain reduction as increase in strength is more easily seen and assessed, and more positive - so even if the pain reduction doesn't happen for some time, we will at least be able to see progress IS being made.  At least that is the theory.  I am being sent some exercises to do and currently have my right shoulder taped up to try and keep the thoracic area more open.

Prompt for today:  Tractor

Day Twenty Six

Photo of the day

Not the most brilliant of shots, but it shows the shape of the cobwebs with the rain drops on it.

Art Prompt for today:  Book of Life.  

I had no idea what this meant so I did a google search and sketched one of the images from there.

Day Twenty Four

Photo of the Day:

I picked up a couple of things from the charity shop today - they might become Christmas Stocking fillers...I haven't quite decided yet.

This lovely book mark from Past Times has clearly never been used.

Love the pretty jewelled fan.

A music note pad - I will keep this for myself.

Some New Zealand themed coasters - I will probably keep these to use as we currently have some that have seen better days.  Not entirely sure yet though so will wait a while before I decide.

I don't normally buy pictures, but when I saw this, it invoked a strong feeling in me, and when I looked on the back and saw '99p' I thought definitely!  Of course when I got to the counter, I realised I had misread it and it was actually £3.99 but I still decided to get it.  Looking at it, it looks to be an original piece of artwork, probably oil, but possibly acrylic.  It will hopefully help me to get through winter!

I actually bought this the other day and can't remember if I have shown it or not.  I don't think so as I hadn't been very pleased with the photos I had taken of it, and was undecided as to where it should go.

At the moment I have decided it can sit in our bath room window.

Out in the garden:

The odd petunia is still flowering

The colours of this just look ALL WRONG! 

But is is bringing a bit of colour to the garden - this is a bit more like the true colour.

On the guinea pig front.

Poor Dundee has hurt his eye badly.  I am hoping the Fucithalmic Acid will help it to heal.  I have seen it repair worse eye injuries than this, so here's hoping.

Dallas had a cuddle as well, after all he did pose for my 'Photo of the Day'.

In the house...

My husband has started stripping the wallpaper in our bedroom.  I think he is hoping to reduce the price of the decorating quote we got, or maybe even do it himself....hmmm...we will see!

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Prompt for today:  Bat

Day Twenty Two

I couldn't quite decide what was going to be my photo of the day as I took several, but in the end I decided on this Orchid in the sunlight that was streaming into the room.

It has just started flowering again after a couple of weeks with no flowers, just buds and it looks lovely.

The other orchid is also looking lovely.

Both these larger Orchids belong to my son and his fiancee so when they come back next month I guess they will be claiming them to take to their house.  

This little orchid is mine and it too looks gorgeous.  I think this windowsill really suits them.

The sun streams through this window in the morning and makes the room lovely and bright.

I have probably spent several hours in this room today on and off 'faffing'.  Dusting and polishing shelves, vacuuming and changing the sheets on the bed.

Obviously I forgot to dust the conkers!

I have felt cold most of today, despite keeping busy.  I am dreading the coming of winter, and the darker mornings, nights and shorter days.  I am very much a spring and summer person, needing as much light as possible.  I hate dull which is also reflected in the lighting in the house.  We now have light switches that work again having had a very temperamental switch for some time now, and when the electrician asked if we were sure we wanted one of the dimmer switches replaced with a normal switch, my husband told him yes, I am a lights full on type of girl!  They are either on or off.  Usually on.  Not much chance on saving electricity with minimum lighting in this house.   I do like the colours of Autumn though.  I love it when we have clear crisp days with blue skies contrasting with the reds and golds of the leaves.  

I guess I will have to be thinking about my Autumn/Winter wardrobe soon.  Sorting out what still fits, and what I will actually wear, and sending the rest to the charity shops.  I won't need to buy anything.  I rarely buy clothes nowadays unless I absolutely have to. 

It won't be long and I will also have to think about clearing our master bedroom ready for the decorators to come in.  Goodness knows where we are going to put it all!  Another good opportunity to have a good think about what we actually need, want to keep, and what we can part with.  I am hoping we can get rid of a lot!  Although convincing my husband of that might be another thing.  At least we do have another room we can sleep in while the room is being done. 

Oh and where are my daily drawings/art work you might ask?  I have been a bit apathetic about doing these - I have done them, but not really finished any of them.  Hoping I might feel like doing those tomorrow.

The dogs have been for a nice walk, and I have come home feeling like I can barely walk, I hurt so much.  Anyone would think I have run a marathon.  I am pinning a lot of hope on the upcoming therapy sessions, I am so hoping they will work!

Art Prompt for today:  Hay Rides

Day Twenty One

Photo of the Day:

My lovely clarinet, bedspread and one of my compositions I wrote 12 years ago.

It has been pretty wild and windy here today with periods of sunshine and showers and heavy rain!  Fortunately I got the guinea pigs cleaned out first thing this morning and weighed them all.  They are maintaining a good healthy weight and the two 'wild' ones are now less wild which is good.  I love watching them popcorn around in their cages after they have been cleaned out, they just love the fresh hay to play in and also eat.  A sack of carrots was also bought from the farm shop which will last them two weeks.  

I have been less tired today, so have managed a little bit of tidying and vacuuming, although my elbow pain has reverted to what it was pre-acupuncture.  Hopefully after the next treatment the pain will stay away a bit longer!  The rest of my body has hurt a lot today as well.  Motivation is difficult when the pain levels are what they are, but I am trying to keep on working slowly at sorting and clearing, although falling well behind on my goals for October.  

Prompt for today:  Tea

For some reason I didn't quite finish this one.

Day Twenty

Photo of the Day:

Prompt for today:  Witch Fashion

A pretty quick sketch, I don't really do witches and Halloween, so a lot of the themes for this month I've struggled with a bit.  

This morning I fancied making some fresh bread for lunch so put some in the bread maker

Soup and bread for lunch which was the perfect lunch for a chilly day.  

I took this the other day but forgot to upload it.  The pretty colours in our Maple Tree.

Out in the garden today:

Looks like the Fuchsia wants to flower again

Time and temperature

Some late Dalmatian beans.

More flowers!  I wonder if these will get a chance to turn into beans.

A bit of blue sky this late afternoon.

A shelf with some fairy lights I put in my glass bowl.  I might revamp this shelf tomorrow.

I have had a busy week and I think it caught up with me today as although I had plans to get quite a bit done, in reality I got very little done and ended up having to have a sleep this afternoon as I was just plain exhausted.  Three trips into London to see various specialists, one of them unexpected yesterday has really taken its toll.  However, I feel more positive about going in the right direction now, and have some treatment plans underway, so hopefully things will improve.  I have BOTH tennis elbow AND golfers elbow in BOTH elbows, which is very unusual.  That would be right!  It appears my muscles aren't working like they should, so I will be undergoing some extensive and long term physiotherapy and acupuncture treatments to see if this can be sorted out.  I had the first acupuncture treatment yesterday, they were able to fit me in.  Incredibly I was able to bend and straighten my right arm after the treatment without pain.  This leaves me with hope, even though it has reverted back to how it was by about mid-day today.  The problems with my elbows I have had since April, so it is not going to cured immediately.  The other pain of course I have had sooo much longer!  Of course my medical insurance doesn't pay for any of this either. I am starting to wonder what they actually do pay for!  Still it will be worth it, if I can start to resume living a more productive and pain free life again.   Looks like I will have to find some more things to sell - still that will also help with the de-cluttering!

Day Eighteen - Death of a Tree

Photo of the Day:

'Death of a Tree'

The road looked sadly bare this morning when we headed off to my next hospital appointment.

On the way back home we stopped and I took a few more photos of the result of the stupidity. (I'm afraid I have far worse words I could use, and certainly none better, as it just makes no sense to me as to why they would cut this beautiful tree down.

Some of the leaves hadn't even fallen yet and were still on the verge of turning...

All that remains.  

This makes me feel so incredibly sad.

This is one of the others.  The tree that was cut down looked just like this only a day ago.

This is the other Oak with very few leaves left on now.

We are going to look into getting Preservation Orders put onto the remaining trees on our street.

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I will add my two pieces of art work on the yesterday's and today's posts tomorrow - I am a little bit behind with those are two days in London having tests and seeing specialists.

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Prompt for today:  A Member of the Addams Family