A terrible night of repeatedly waking, passing wind and nodding off again! 0255hrs, I surrender trying to rest, rose-up out of the £300 second-hand recliner, stubbed my toe and off to the Porcelain Throne. Where the resulting efforts produced only more wind and rumbling, gurgling sounds from within.
Caught a reflection of myself in the kitchen window when I went to do the Health Checks and take the medications. Gawd-blimey, I looked pale! Sys 156, Dia 71, Pulse 84, Temp 33.8, Weight 14.9.
Made a mug of tea, and added the milk… it had gone off! Cleaned the cup and made a fresh brew and opened the last tub of the long-life semi-skimmed milk to use – then I had to abandon these plans for a drink, and hasten back to the Porcelain Throne. A messy, needing cleaning up afterwards session! By the time I’d cleaned up the WC and medicated myself, the second mug of tea had gone cold. I think that perhaps the baked beans eating for two nights may have affected things in the now very sore Haemorrhoid Harold’s department. Serves me right I suppose. Hehe!
Computer turned on, and I had another search for the new reading glasses, they must be somewhere, but where? I gave up and used the old ones again. That’s two pairs of goggles I can’t find now, the new reading spectacles, and the latest bifocals?
Made a start on this diary up to here, and then finished yesterday’s off.
Back to updating this journal.
Doing this, I discovered this what can only be called a mystery photographicalisation on the Sim Card. It seems I took this one at 0114hrs this morning according to the camera?
Note the conservative-style nightwear I’m wearing? I’m not sure where my other leg had got to? Hehehe!
Started the Email and WordPressing.
Got the nibbles and appointment card in the bag, then got on with the ablutions.
Set off down to the lobby and was greeted by three tenants waiting to be lifted by taxi.
Meandered out and started the hobble into Sherwood and the surgery for the INR blood test.
Not too much traffic about when I made my way through Sherwood and up the incline.
The knee was a little bothersome, but I was doing very well.Doug cats
A little further on, the traffic got thicker, and a Sherwood Pavement Cyclist belted by me and swerved around a bloke and his two kids. The man shouted something at the ignorant cyclist but was ignored totally.
Over and down the hill into Carrington, now the traffic had started flowing even more as I neared the doctor’s surgery.
Got in and logged on with the receptionist, sat down and started the crosswords as I waited.
Bit of back luck, it was Obergruppenfurheress Nurse Anne who did me today, not Nurse Nichole.
Bitterly disappointed! Sometimes life can seem so unfair, can’t it?
This was the reason the vehicles were held up earlier, and it seemed so quiet in Sherwood traffic-wise.
Getting a bit windier now, too.
I poddled down and over the road to the Lidl store to have a decker.
I spotted my mate BJ in the launderette and popped in to have a chinwag with him. He seemed a little down today. I gave him my money for the Papplewick Pumping Station Membership, he said he would pay it in for me on Saturday at the Steaming Session. I’m afraid I could not attend, as the hearing aids and GUM clinic visits on Friday might mean my having to have anaesthetics. Is that the right word? Going brain dead here!
Into the Lidl store then. Where I spent a bit of money on, Lemon Fools, fresh milk, Bread Thins and three cans of Nixe Kippers in tomato sauce and vegetables.
They were £2 each, but so lovely and flavoursome.
And I have not seen any about for ages.
Tried the Self-Pay tills again. And again I had to seek assistance to get the thing to work properly.
The assistant in the blue coat here had to attend to me twice – during which time I got no communication from him at all. Well, bar the odd grunt!
No advice was given!
When I had sorted it and left the till area, I made a point of taking his photograph. Caught him smiling for the first time? I soon realised why. He was giving assistance and talking to a rather illecebrous woman! Tsk!
Out and to the bus stop nearby. A 58 arrived in minutes. The five stops to Sherwood travelled. Hobbled over the road and joined some other tenants at the bus stop there, had a chinwagging session for a few minutes and the L9 arrived and lifted us all up the hill to the flats.
Annie and Welsh Bill went up with me in the lift, managed a few laughs on the way.
I got in and felt a little guilty at buying stuff I really did not need again! Then realised it was only the lemon fool and Kippers that represented any blame. But still. Hehe!
Into the Porcelain Throne, this time nothing but wind, a lot of wind.
But I could feel the rumbling, churning and gurgling inside and was aware that a splattering session was brewing-up ready to attack!
Took a Relief capsule with the Medications when I made a cuppa.
I spotted a caretaker from the kitchen window in his red Nottingham City Homes jumper. Such a rare sight I took his photograph. It was not our blocks usual caretaker, though.
Not that many of us can recall what he actually looks like. Hehehe!
I wondered if he was going to tackle the Alien Blob in lift number one?
I got on updating this post.
I made myself another mug of tea when Mary from the 6th floor called at the flat to see me. She had returned a DVD I’d loaned her. We had a nattering session and chose some more DVDs. She took the Chicken Risotto from me, hope she likes it. I was daft in buying it, the rice would have no doubt have caused me toothache problems if I’d tried to eat it.
After an hour or so she departed.
I did the log up to here, then caught up with Facebooking and WordPressing.
Got the meal cooking, fish and rostis in the oven, peas in the saucepan.
Fingers crossed it all come out right.
Not bad at all.
The Basi smoked catfish was pleasantly tasting.
B the time I got the washing up done, I was well overtired.
Foolishly tried to watch some TV. Nodded off early, and woke at 0045hrs.
0210hrs: Woke, once again knowing I had been dreaming away, but no memories remained of them. Stomach rumbling and gurgling, a message, a warning of the battle between Trotsky Terence and Constipation Conrad of what is to come perhaps? A rectally located storm brewing!
Out of the £300 second-hand recliner, had a short Dizzy Dennis moment, into the kitchen, HC’s, brewed a mug of tea and took a photograph of the moon on the skyline.
Computer turned on, and this diary started. Porcelain Throne session demands answered. I think Trotsky Terence might be winning the battle today – messy! Back to the kitchen, medications taken along with a Senna capsule.
0300hrs: The by now gone cold, the mug of tea, was replaced with a fresh one, and I went on Excel and finalised last weeks Health Check for the nurse, tomorrow.
Back to yesterday’s post and updated then posted it off.
Checked the Emails, responded, WordPress reading and continued to pass the wind with the skills of an expert. Haha!
Got this in an Email from the Nottingham City Homes people?
Boy, how I’d love to take part – but, the old body will not let me consider it. Anne Gyna, Arthur Itis, Duodenal Donald, Haemorrhoid Harold, Hippy Hilda, Heel-Spurs Sandra, Hernia Harry, Craig Cramps, Hiatal Hernia Horis, Trotsky Terence, Reflux Roger, Bunion Boris, Overweight Oscar, High BP, Henrietta, Osteoarthritis Oscar, Tendonitis Tim. The Ticker and the Toothache, between them, would not like it if I did try to dance! Hehehe! Not complaining like, because Colin’s Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Crystal Deposition problem (Right knee only) has eased the last few weeks nicely. Hahaha!
Sister Jane supplied me with a photograph of her toe before her operation, that is due shortly.
It’s all that chasing after hubby Pete to clean up after him, you know! Hehe!
Hope it all goes well for her. I’d cross me fingers for her, but she’s already crossed her toes! Hehehe!
Went onto Facebooking then did the Emails and WordPress reading.
After another uncomfortable session on the porcelain throne, I tended to the ablutionalisational duties. I think the IRN level may be low, cause the multitude of tiny razor cuts did not bleed much, and congealed quickly.
Got the things ready and took the waste bags to the chute on the way out. Both lifts were working this morning, and I got the Number One, the Alien Blob host from a fortnight ago.
It was still there on the floor, and the lift was shaking more than ever too. Hence a bad picture of the Alien life-form. Hehe! My deduction being;
The caretaker is related to the Aliens and does not want to harm their lifeform.
The caretaker has not noticed the invasion and planting of the blob containing their species.
The caretaker has died, and no one has noticed?
Down and along to the bus stop on Chestnut Walk. A queue waiting for the bus, and much nattering and moaning took place.
Welsh Bill told me that the big thing in the centre of the buildings was used to press the pantagruelian hollow tubes into the ground, and the ready-made concrete lorries that arrive each weekday regularly, has the mix poured down these tubes.
As the bus neared the terminus, I took these shots through the window of a street beggar on Upper Parliament Street.
I think they get around the law by sitting with their dogs and begging bowls in the doorways of empty properties, because begging is barred, in the City Centre according to the Council. Anyway, this bloke got some cash and a twinkling-smile from this blonde Jaguar? Haha!
Down and through the Slab Square, and I caught a tram to the Asda (Walmart) store in Radford Road.
As we passed the Forest, the Goose Fair was being got ready for Thursday’s opening and the overcharging to start again this year.
I dropped off of the tram behind the Asda (Walmart) store.
Not many folks about at all as the tram pulled away.
I limped down the long steep steps into the shop.
Spend a long time wandering around, and ended up with one packet of sage & onion stuffing, four tins of curried beans (on offer). Three tins of Mackerel in BBQ sauce (7p a tin cheaper than Morrisons). Lemon Mousse, seafood sticks, Polish Frankfurters (Very nice!). Bread thins and some fresh smoked Basa fish. I’ve not seen this fish before and looked it up later “The basa fish (Pangasius bocourti) is a species of catfish in the family Pangasiidae. Basa is native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins in Indochina.” I hope it is nice, I bought it ’cause it looked like smoked Haddock, but was half the price?
The hassle began at the check-out. Not many tills working and it was busy, so I tried to use the ‘Self-Serve’ ones. Each time I scanned a tin off Mackerel and placed it in the bag on the right, a voice that I could not decypher rang out, with a message on the screen “We did not recognise the last item, please remove from bagging area and rescan the product.” This happened twice on the mackerel, and the stuffing. I asked a lady for help, and she tutted rather blatantly and whipped through pressing buttons on the machine and wandered off – I had to ask her three times and the gal was getting very annoyed with me. On the last occasion she actually spoke to me, well, more shouted at me, “You are putting the things in yer bag to quickly!” Made me look and feel a right fool!
When I finally got finished and paid, I checked the receipt and found it had overcharged me for a packet of stuffing and a tin of mackerel. Oh, dear! Bravely I approached the Obergruppenfureress assistant and mentioned this to her. The blunt reply I got was; “I can’t-do anything about that, you’ve to go to the customer service desk!” Gave me a superior sneer, curled her lips and off she poddled.
Then I joined the queue at the Customer Service desk. One gal all on her own and four in the line. Eventually, it got to my turn, and I explained everything to the lady. She checked the things in the bag against the receipt. Handed me a form to sign saying the refund was carried out to my satisfaction and gave me 85p. It was all a bit confusing for me. The trip to spend the £12 odd had taken me two hours plus in the shop. And the bag was heavy to carry. Hehe!
Out onto Radford Road and awaited the arrival of the tram.
The thing was cram packed with people, but I managed to get a seat.
Dropped off and walked down to the City Centre for a wander around, to kill time until the next L9 bus departure was due.
This Nottingham PAvement Cyclist (There were dozens of them mind) weaved speedily through the at-risk pedestrians. Git! He wasn’t even looking where he was going!
This gal sat eating was a change to look at, for many reasons.
Her green wig (Or is it died?) She was eating a packed lunch.
And, she was not on a mobile phone – How refreshing!
I caught the bus back to the apartments. Had a go at the crosswords en route.
Took this photo through the bus window of Clumber Street, not so busy today.
A lady tenant got on, and when we arrived and hobbled along to the flats had a chinwag.
Once inside, the Porcelain Throne was utilised. Messy again.
I felt totally drained suddenly.
Got the fodder sorted early. Baked beans with balsamic vinegar added, some of the Polish sausages and mashed potatoes with dried savoy cabbage salt and black pepper, and a lemon dessert.
After washing the pots and cleaning up, I was exhausted and could only settle in the recliner and spent hours and hours nodding off and waking up again!
0500hrs: The need for the Porcelain Throne utilisation forced my unwilling brain and body to raise themselves from the £300 second-hand recliner to make my way to the wet-room. Sounds easy to do, doesn’t it? Remember who we are talking about here! Hehe!
A good blooming start to the day! Hehe!
As I alighted the chair, Hippy Hilda and Arthur Itis in the knee both gave way at the same time. The pain was unexpectedly vicious, and as I went forwards, putting out my hands to attenuate the landing of my overweight flobby-body-mass, and this did soften the fall considerably – unfortunately, I caught just my nose on the corner of the Ottoman on the way down.
Not much of the kitchen towels left by the time I sorted things out, nosebleed, Haemorrhoid Harold and cleaned myself up! Hehe!
I may have muttered something like, “Oh dearie me!” afterwards. No time to muse over this too long, as the Porcelain Throne session was urgent. And another messy effort again. Trotsky Terence ensured that it was a splattering, spitting, spraying operation that needed the cleaning up of the porcelain and medicating of me. I know keep a stock of the Imodium capsules in the drawer next to the WC, and took one immediately, in the hope that things will calm down. Stopped the nosebleed, well, it stopped on its own actually within ten minutes or so. It started again later of course. Humph!
All tarted up and clean again, back to the kitchen.
It was raining and dark outside, and I took some photographicalisations of the morning scene.
Foolishly I opened the window to take one shot, and got soaked as the frame turned and all the rainwater poured in and over me and the floor I stood on!
I cleaned up the kitchen and myself once again!
Reopening the window with just enough room for me to get the camera out of it, I recorded the car parking situation below.
One tenant with the red or orange car on the left had conveniently blocked in the silver car who had parked of the concrete and on the grass verge. Hehehe!
Moments later, the rain stopped falling. Mmm?
Did the Health Checks, took the other morning medications and rubbed some Phorpain on the knees and Hippy Hilda. Did a good job of this, used a lot of the gel and rubbed and rubbed it into the hip and all around. Doing this, I realised that Haemorrhoid Harold had started bleeding again, so I cleaned up the rear department and applied the Corticosteroid cream. This reminded me that I am on the list awaiting a Haemorrhoidectomy, and have been for a long time now. I must mention this to the nurse on Tuesday. Also, might mention Hippy Hilda, but no chance of any help there yet. There are much more suffering others also waiting who cannot walk at all, so no complaints from me on that score. I read on the label of the cream; “Making simple dietary changes and not straining on the toilet are often recommended…” Huh, with Trotsky Terence and Diahorea Duncan always battling among themselves for supremacy all this year, fat chance of that!
I’d been up and about for around an hour and a half now, and had spent most of that time in the flipping wet-room cleaning up or medicationalising something or other!
Searched failingly to find my reading glasses? Had to use the old pair. The mystery to me is where I put them?
I got on with updating yesterdays diary and posted it off. Three wee-wees during this time?
To the kitchen again to make another mug of tea.
I spotted that the bananas I bought yesterday from the Cooperative store in Sherwood, were going black at the stalk ends. Oh, dear?
I’d left the window ajar and could hear a dog barking, and opened the window to see if it was the white dog that takes its owneress for a walk every Sunday morning, and it was.
The rain had started again.
Started off this chronicle and updated the photo album.
The nose started bleeding again. Took a while for it to stop this time, but it did. Also, I now have a new pain in the neck. Caused, I assume by the tumble earlier. It might have at least have hit the incisors and knocked the loose tooth out for me! Haha!
Went onto Email checking and responding to WordPress reading.
Then onto Facebooking.
The kind gentleman upstairs has started knocking and banging again! I could swear!
Sister Jane rang me and had a natter.
I found this photo on the Nottingham Post site. Queen Street, where I catch the L9 bus from town. Man climbs up scaffolding – Antisocial incident?
Did some graphics.
This one is for Lynton and his better-half. A good, wise bloke is he. Don’t let him know I said this, though. Hehe!
Health Checks done, medications taken and my mind turned to the fodder.
Nosh sorted out, and a mess made doing it, that you would not believe it possible to make just doing seasoned baked beans, potatoes and bacon bits cut up into tiny pieces!
I’d been stirring the bean in the saucepan all the time the bacon was cooking in the oven. Got the potatoes out of the crock-pot and mashed them up and added some herbs, got it in the serving dish. Went to add the bacon to the beans… and realised I’d been stirring the beans with balsamic vinegar but had not turned on the heat to the hob! Set it on high and continued to spoon… By the time it was warm enough, the potatoes had gone cold! Popped the dish in the still warm oven, and washed the things while it rewarmed… Managed to cut me down a fingernail on the steak knife, dropped the washing-up liquid bottle that burst open as it hit the floor… Cleaned that up, by which time the oven had cooled, and the meal was not looking too bright, fresh or appealing. Then had to go to the Porcelain Throne, use it, clean it and myself, medicate things and eventually got around to the meal again. Tsk!
Still, I ate it all the same, added some BBQ sauce to it – which was the hottest part of the whole meal. The word Failure comes to mind!
Washed the pots up, passed some more wind then got the gogglebox on and soon the nodding-off then waking routine set in.
Bad night for dreams. Did not wake up until around 0530hrs. Then, I glanced around the room and the same feeling that overcame me last night returned. Well, many feelings but all with the same pattern of guilt at the state of the place. Contrition, disgrace, pangs of conscience and self-reproach being the worst of them.
I recalled the promise to myself last night that I made: “I’ll get the cleaning up done first thing in the morning, use the hoover later so as not to bother the neighbours with the noise.” The idea of leaving it all and doing something else, anything at all – fleetingly came to mind, but the guilt was too strong.
The ailments seemed kind as I dismounted the £300 second-hand recliner and made my way to the Porcelain Throne. A rock-hard start, followed up with a messy slush of sorts?
Then into the kitchen to make a mug of tea. Did the Health Checks and took the medications, well, I was about to: I had to rush back to the Throne, and it was not a good session, it was a long hard battle for a few minutes again, and then Trotsky Terence had a bash at me! Splashing, spraying, More cleaning up to do before I could start on the housework – or should that be apartment-work or flat-work? Haha!
Back in the kitchen again, I found I had left the hot tap running and now, had no hot water! Briefly, I allowed naughty thoughts to come into the brain, like, “Should I bother doing the cleaning, no hot water will make it difficult to clean-up…” But, my conscience would not permit me the luxury of being slothful again! I decided to start on the front room.
The view outside was beautiful as I went out onto the balcony.
The lights were about to go out, cause I think they do so around 0600hrs this time of year.
Took a look at the windows to see if I might get away without cleaning them on the outside. The mess inside was more noticeable with the lights on inside and dark out! What an idiot I am! They were in a terrible state, and it was evident that they needed doing urgently.
Tsk!
I took two photographicalisations down from the balcony, to the left and the other, straight down. To say that I did them in a rush, they came out alright, I thought. And, it was not cold at all out there, and the few spots of rain earlier had stopped altogether.
I tried to energise myself and apply a gritty ‘Sticktoitiveness’ into my psychological state. To dedicate me to get the cleaning up done, whatever happens! So I did. Although as you will read, the stickability idea came unstuck, thanks to Trotsky Terence, old age, Anne Gyna and bleeding a lot rather when I had my shave. Humph! Hehe!
The photographs following, are of the area before of the left, and after on the right, of each zone tackled so heroically by Inchcock, I thank you. (Hehe!)
I decided to work anti-clockwise around the room and to end up doing the hoovering because it would be well past 0800hrs and some by then. Started with the corner display with the photos on it. I seemed to cope with the bending to dust and polish, even the screw on ends, without too much hassle. Did the frames and spent a few minutes when I saw Dad’s and Suzie’s pictures. Replaced the other stuff. Felt quite good at this stage, mind you, of course, I’d only just started the job.
Then onto the DVD shelves and the fire surrounds. This took me three hours to get done, and other Porcelain Throne visits in between.
I made up a bag of stuff to take to the Nottingham Hospice Shop later. Lots of DVD’s and the new fancy landline phone I didn’t get on with at all. I tried to sort out the DVD’s, thinking the 20 or so I was giving to the Hospice Shop would make more room, there seemed to be less by the time I’d done the polishing and started tp out the whole lot back on the shelves? I replaced Maries’ kindly donated to me from Australia, Koala Katie in pride of place on top of the DVDs and had a chat with her. Well, I love Koala Katie! Dusted and polished the fire surrounds, truncheons, plaque, clock, dusted Margaret Thatcher, she still ‘Squeaks’ when squashed you know, even all these years later!
Tackled the bookshelves and moved the hearing aids and accoutrements into their own tray. Then started on the 1963 second-hand G-Plan that holds the landline and computer and printer stuff on top and all sorts of rubbish inside. A Major Calamity Grade Whoopsiedangleplop here! I’m afraid. The wooden door runners spilt open when I tried to close them after polishing them. The right-hand ones do not open anymore, Sob! I’ve left the left ones ajar so you can see how they should open. I had to use WD40, brute force and a prayer to get the broken door to close. My heart in the cleaning up task faded at this point!
Heck of a job getting the computer and TV screens cleaned without leaving any streaks. The alarm panel was involved too, I was scared of setting it off. After doing the best I could, I stopped for a break and mug of tea.The dreaded one next!
The dreaded one, the paperwork! But I took my time and got things sorted in the end. I remembered to keep the audio record book and card out on the writing desk and the INR card too, cause I’ll need them this week. (Smug Mode Adopted here, Hehe)
The office looked a lot better than it has done for some time, the two folder holders are beginning to burst at the seams, though. Might have to invest in another one soon.
The one area I thought I would not have any hassle with was the chairs. I was wrong! The cover on the recliner just did not want the hoover to remove all the little crumbs from my nocturnal nibbling session. Then I sprayed the wrong polish on the leather chair with the broken leg and cracked at the back. I used the window spray in mistake for the leather spray. What a Pallava it was getting it sorted!
Finally (photo takenat 1825hrs) actual time approx 1200hrs), the hoovering was done, a wee-wee and fatigued in the extreme now.
I wanted to get the Nottingham Hospice things delivered with the other stuff.
I pondered a while on if I would be okay walking around the block. Thought I would be, apart from Trotsky Terence and Anne Gyna giving hassle, all seemed well.
I boiled some saucepans of water and the kettle to get a stand-up wash and shave. .. then I thought, would the shower heater work now the boiler is cold? I was in luck, it was hot water coming from the shower head. Hippy! So, I carefully did the teggies, and shave, into the shower for a scrub-up and got the togs on, and bag ready to take to the Hospice Shop.
I got as far as over the road and onto the gravel hill path up to the park and realised I had not got the hearing aids in or the Lumix with me. So I legged it back to the foyer, and two girl tenants were just getting out of a taxi, so I waited for them holding the door open and helped one with her bag into the lift. To the flat, picked up the aids and camera and off again.
The feet were not too bad, but Anne Gyna was giving me bother.
Up the gravel hill again. Hehe!
Through the park to the gates and had a look at the Food Stalls on offer. Nothing of interest to me, there were seven food stalls, eleven personages available for serving clients, and two potential customers.
Very sad for the retailers.
Into Sherwood and dropped off the things at the Hospice Shop.
Sherwood seemed awfully quiet for a Saturday?
I walked down to the Co-op and got some soft bread and bananas.
By-passed the cake and hot food shops and made my now, very slow limp up Winchester Street Hill, back the complex.
On the way up, I spotted this slug. It seemed to be trying to drink water in a little crevice on the cracked pavement. Or not?
I was getting more wearier as I plodded on.
I got in and onto the Porcelain Throne, yet again. Splashes, splatters, WC and myself to clean up again. Getting fed-up again.
Did the checks and medications and took an anti-diarrhoea capsule. Then spotted the morning drugs that I was about to take much earlier when I got the Trots… still in their pot untaken! Tsk!
The recycling bags were posted through the door, they seem to come every two weeks nowadays. All five of them.
Then got on with finishing off yesterdays diary. Better late than never. Emails and WordPress reading. Then started this journal off. Many hours later. Even more, sacred hours passed my usual head-down time, I got it finished as the evening darkness grew darker.
Thought about the meal and what to have and got the urge to have some baked beans, seasoned with Balsamic vinegar, cheesy potatoes and BBQ smoked mackerel sounded nice. Realised I had only one tin of beans left, I added some to my Morrison order for Wednesday, or whenever it is for.
Then got the nosh cooking, well, no cooking at all really. I had instant mash with the last of the cheese mixed in, BBQ mackerel and baked beans with balsamic vinegar.
The light and free yoghourt had gone off badly – Pwher, nearly I passed out when I whipped off the lid! Eurgh! Haha! Hope the others in the fridge are still okay.
I think I was too tired to get to sleep tonight. The nodding offs did not start until very late on. And, one dream, well, bits of one of them I could recall and made this graphic in the morning to show what it was about. I was at the British Railways house in Brookfield Place, as I was living there in my early years. I was on my own and searching for a ten-bob note in the outside loo, and the pigeons would not let me get out again? That’s all I recall.
