When I left you last I wasn’t in a particularly good way. My unwelcome visitors were, well exactly that, unwelcome! Fortunately for me, this time they did not stay long and both Mr Anxiety and Mrs Depression went on their merry way as the week wore on. It’s hard to express how grateful I am that it was short-lived and I am following the advice you lovely people gave me. Yes, it’s normal to have periods like it and really important to continue telling myself it will lift. Things do get better.
The week trundled on. I was working in the hospital for two days and working from home for the other three. It’s been ridiculously busy but only in terms of organisation of services to enable patients to have some form of contact where needed. That’s been successful so far and assessing speech and communication over a video link has not been too tricky. I think it might be due to the ‘screen’ factor. I appear to be far more interesting now I’m on their phone, tablet or laptop. We cover an enormous region as a specialist service and I think this will change how we work in the future. It will enable some families to access services much more easily and not have to commute a one to two hour journey to see us. Every cloud eh? All staff have now received a letter informing us that we may now be redeployed to work on the front line and requested to cover shortages in other locations, in area outside of our usual roles. I just hope they give me some basic training if I have to do anything, particularly if nursing based – I could be more of hindrance than a help.
I’ve continued to support those in need in our local area. The people have been lovely and so appreciative of being able to have some shopping done for them when self isolating. To be honest, they are very straightforward as far as shopping goes. Compared with my own Dad anyway. His list consisted of baby plum tomatoes, Sainsbury’s taste the difference sausages, Rachel’s coconut yogurt, Coleman’s English mustard and a partridge in a pear tree! He and my mum are doing well with self distancing and I’m proud of them for sticking with it and following all the guidelines. We decided to delay Mum’s surgery for the skin cancer on her leg and nose. We agreed it was better to take the risk of a slow growing cancer getting worse than picking up Covid-19.

I’ve carried on running. I’m getting back into it slowly. It’s an interesting experience where some people make a lot of effort to move out of your way and there’s a clear mutual respect of the distancing rules. Others are not moving for nobody. No way. Not even a pretend wobble to appear like they are making an effort. They just keep on walking, sometimes two or three people across the path and I end up being forced to run into the road. I never ceased to be amazed by some people. Like those who are busily clearing out their houses of junk with all th spare time they suddenly have. Said junk is then bagged up and helpfully dumped outside charity shops who are, surprise surprise, shut. Never mind eh? I guess they are being ‘good’ by donating their useless crap to charity. Just someone else now needs to deal with it all.

I’m trying to have some ‘me’ time but with work and having the boys home it isn’t easy. To be fair, they’d be happy on their screens all day long but we are trying to restrict that. Today they helped in the garden. It needs a lot of work and much to their disgust they had to spend 3 ours weeding and picking up the pruned branches. I spent my day cleaning. Let me just say, I HATE cleaning. Unfortunately, my anxiety was not the type that encouraged me to get cleaning and tidying. I particularly don’t like cleaning toilets. But today I did three of them and the surrounding areas. I also gave the kitchen a good going over. It actually felt good! My brain switched off and I sang and wiggled about to 90’s Indie music. I’m not promising anything, but maybe I might be persuaded to try the lounge and back room tomorrow. It could be a rock day for Alexa. Who knows?

So, with the guinea pigs fed, our burgers ready to eat and my alcohol free wine poured, I’ll sign off. I’ll add some photos to make the whole thing more interesting. Oh, one more thing, I have reached 20 weeks sober today. 20 weeks. TWENTY WEEKS!!! I’m just going to give myself a big round of applause. Still the best decision I have ever made.

Stay safe all
Love Claire
So pleased you are at 20 weeks. Really well done. I do like your garden and house.
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Ah thanks. The garden needs lots of work and Iβm planning to start that tomorrow. No bloody idea what Iβm doing but I can give it ago!! π
Looks like your comments are now allowed.
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Iβm am officially off the naughty list.
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Looks like you are!
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Yay for 20 weeks!!!!!!!
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π thank you
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Well done Claire for 20 weeks. Especially good now when many people are upping their alcohol intake. Pleased for you as well that the anxiety and depression didnβt get their nasty tentacles into you this time. Sounds like a demanding but positive time for you at the moment, and you still managed to clean the kitchen. Iβm imagining you wearing a Wonder Woman costume (thatβs not too weird or kinky is it?). Go get em ! X
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Iβm not sure the Wonder Woman outfit would be the best look for me π but thanks. It is demanding but I think at the moment Iβm better to be βdoingβ. Itβs just making sure I have down time too. This weekend has been good for that. X
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20 weeks!!! Congratulations! And good job with the running and gardening! I love seeing pictures of your house, and your neighbor (?)βs goats. And adorable guinea pigs! Thanks. Makes me smile. πππ»
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Ah Leafy, itβs good to hear from you. How are you doing? Still keeping safe and well I hope. The goats belong to a small working farm about a mile away .. I stopped to say hello on my run. Our piggies are cute and the boys totally adore them, even the 15 yr old!! Iβm glad it made you smile π xx
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Iβm ok. Just a bit overwhelmed with work and everything happening in the world. But ok. I will post later today. β€οΈ
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So glad you’re feeling “lighter”, Claire. I can hear it in your words. And Congratulations on 20 weeks. So proud of you!!! Love the pics, guinea pigs and goats made me happy. π Xx
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Iβm so glad it made you happy Collette. How are you doing? Iβm thinking of you every day. Praying he comes home soon x π π€ x
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good to hear you are doing well…things are mostly blah for me as i navigate this corona stuff ..everyday, something new. Today our state governor ordered people to start wearing masks, even if homemade, when they leave their homes. UGH.I feel almost numb, or zombie like. I am happy to have an income but also a bit jealous of those not working too. My roommate has been off for over 2 weeks and will be until May 5th ( at least). She has been doing its of house and yard work which i am grateful for but her sleep schedule is way off- meaning i don’t see her at the usual times, and we have become ships passing in the night. It has added to my isolation. Being in home care, i only see case family outside of that.Mostly just the kid , who is autistic. I guess just realizing how small my world has gotten and how limited my choices are is wearing on me…i’m trying to stay positive though…hugs!!
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Oh Lovie that sounds isolating and lonely. I know you are a tough cookie though and will get through this. I think everyone is doing very different things at the moment. All restricted but in a wide range of circumstances. Tricky times. Keep communicating on here. It might help a little xx
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thanks, i need to hear that. Its very odd…i wasn’t getting ANY notifications on here for days on end..then suddenly they all popped up!
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It happens like that sometimes. Itβs a bit weird. X
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Oh honey! Thank you for sharing the inside and outside of your life with us! Thank you for helping people!
Big congratulations on 20 weeks sober!
xo
Wendy
(Yes, we have people who won’t move no matter what, too. Guess it’s human nature everywhere!)
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Thanks Wendy. So nice to hear from you xx
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Awesome on 20 weeks!! You never cease to amaze me! Your guinea pigs are so cute and I love their names!
Your kitchen is awesome and I love all the counter space!
Your dads grocery list did make me giggle a bit! Our local grocery store is doing free delivery right now. This has helped so many of the elderly in our area!
I can relate to postponing surgeries. My youngest daughterβs has been postponed. I am hoping for the possibility of August but we just donβt know with the uncertainty of COVID 19. She has severe scoliosis. Surgery is a week in the hospital followed by months of recovery. No school for minimum 3 weeks so hoping she doesnβt have to miss any of next years school year! Iβll sure be thinking of your mom!
I loved reading all about you! π Thanks for sharing! XX
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Hey you. Thanks for the lovely comments. You are really very kind. Sorry to hear about your daughters surgery but better to wait right now. My Dad is a law unto himself, bless him. He likes what he likes!!! Take care of yourself Jackie xxx
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You too! I have been wanting to post and then second guessing myself so much lately. βIs it boring, silly, too short, too long…β Going to post soon and just go with it. π
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Iβve had that very same problem. I wrote something Friday evening and didnβt post it in the end. Deleted it the next day. Silly really. I only ever started this as a form of self support and to connect with others who might help me. Shouldnβt really worry about what we write should we? X
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Nope, we really need to just go with it. Then in the end I get frustrated on my wasted time and not even posting. Iβm being over critical of myself causing this extra time spent. Iβm really going to try to be a bit more carefree! You made such a valid point I didnβt think about! ( about why we started blogging ) Thanks, dear! β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
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Big applause from me, Claire! Sounds like lifeβs been interesting for you too. Glad the depression didnβt stick around longπ. Take care of yourself and if you need β meβ time take it..even if itβs 4pm and you tell everyone Iβm done for the day, youβre all on your own, Iβm going to my roomπ. Believe me itβs not a βbadβ thing at all with all this new change coming our way. Taking a breather is good for everyone. Sending a big hug to you and thanks for making my heart smile by asking how I was doingπ€β€οΈ
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Yep Dwight. I need that space and I think the rest of the household probably appreciates the space from me too π. So glad to hear you are doing ok. I like to check on my sober buddies π€β€οΈ
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20 weeks – oh yes. Mighty effort. Well done Claire. Enjoy all that cleaning. Iβve just spent four hours gardening and the last two weeks painting the bloody house. Iβm like you in that Iβm not a fan of βhandymanβ type work. Seems like much of the world is doing the same. Cleaning, fixing, painting, gardening and lots of walking and riding. Iβve never seen so many people at all the local parks. Keep well and Iβll raise an alcohol free beer to you tonight. Hurrah.
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Ah thanks BB! Iβve spent today working and just been for a run/walk. Amazing how fast the days go by. Glad you are doing ok. Cheers x
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Omg. I can so relate to the shopping list thing. They’ve been emailing me photos lately which helps a lot in finding the stuff I’ve never bought before, for very specific tastes. That’s been a godsend. :)) And… I LOVE!!!!! the photo of your kitchen, laptop and glass of AF wine!!!! This is my kind of kitchen, completely. Ooh, the floors btw. Gorge. Nice to read you again. Sending love. I am fine. :))) xoxoxo n
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Hey you. Great to read your comment. Thanks for the compliment. The kitchen does need a bit of a spruce but I always wanted a country style kitchen (which isnβt really the βin thingβ anymore!) … the extension and kitchen were built 13 years ago now but I still love it! Xxx
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Same same. Country yes and yes not in style but still I love it. ;)) Actually I was going for rustic industrial chic but never really got the full splurge happening on that. Which is fine by my books. :)))
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Ps .. my Dad has decided he prefers Aldi crisps to anything heβs ever tasted … I have converted him π€£
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LOL!!!! Good on you. Ah yes I remember Aldi! But we had a tesco nearest us so that’s where we shopped when we lived in UK. I love Lidl here in France though. Great deals. I think that’s a sister-store to Aldi or something right? Anyhoo. xoxo
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I think it is. Not been there but there is supposed to be one opening just a short walk from us. Itβll be my new haunt when we are allowed out again π€£
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YEEEEEES to 20 weeks, congratulationnnnnnns !!!!! Also, it’s so lovely to feel all the energy just oozing from this post π I can picture you wiggling to the 90’s indie music and telling your boys to keep weeding hahahaha π (also the “partridge in the pear tree” line made me laugh so much π ) Thanks for spreading the joy and the good vibes Claire, and again, congrats on surfing that wave of unpleasant emotions and coming out of it stronger and with one more victory in your toolkit π xxxx big hugs Anne
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I know, bless my Dad. He knows what he likes thatβs for sure! I do feel so much better again. The expected anxiety around this whole situation is there but I know Iβm not alone in feeling that. Like you say, one more victory. Each time I come through it I feel stronger and it reinforces the knowledge that it passes. ππ
Sending hugs back to you π€
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β€ β€ β€ this is the best thing to hear EVER π xxxxx Anne
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Biscuit and toffee are soo cuteπππππ
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Ahhh Thanks. They really are.
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ππ
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