Tuesday 22nd October 2019

Scots Gaelic: Dimàirt 22 Dàmhair 2019

12:30hrs: I woke in a fratchy, irritated mood, to start with anyway. Due the my not being able to sleep for longer than ten minutes at a time, then waking up with the mind being tormented with worries and concerns every time I stirred awake! I’m unsure if I am suffering neurosis, aganglionosis, or psychosis. I know I have onychocryptosis (An ingrowing toenail) Hehehe!

This time, I got up, I needed the Porcelain Throne anyway. I struggled quickly free of the second-hand, c1968, horrendously rickety recliner – the one Xyrophobia-suffering crook,  Brother-in-Law Pete damaged, while he was flat-sitting and stealing my valuables. Well, he knows I’m leaving them in my will to Sister Jane, and he thought it would save him time and effort in fetching them later. Makes sense, I suppose? I’ve half-a-mind to change the will! Hahaha!

The evacuation was far messier than of late. A lot of cleaning up was needed afterwards. The sink plug hole was blocked again! I put a bottle of Sink-Unblocker down the pipe after I managed to free it. It costs me a fortune and a lot of bother to keep buying these to use almost every day, and I dropped the toilet roll twice! Oy-Yoy-Yoy!

To the kitchen, took the medications, made a brew, and wrung-out the handwashing and got it on the airers.

Then I got on the computer… Well, that was the plan anyway. But Mr $19 salaried Fries, head of the Liberty-Global Virgin Internet Media, had other ideas, again!

The rigmarole of getting it back on had to be gone through again. The reset button didn’t work. Computer off then back on again, tried resetting. It didn’t work. Turned everything off, left it ten minutes and tried again, after giving the pathetic Liberty-Global Virgin Internet Media another ten-minutes to come back to strength, and aha! I was back online. It was Bloody Slow Though! Thanks again, Mr Fries! Git!

I pressed on with updating the Sunday blog. Finishing it about three hours later. I posted it off, sent a few photos to Pinterest, Inchcock’s Photos Then went on the WordPress Reader section, some decent stuff on there this morning, so I spent a bit longer than usual viewing others work.

I made a start on this blog. After a couple of hours, my phagomania overcame me. So I investigated what was available for some breakfast (A rarity indeed!). However, I remembered the After-Stroke physical exercises later today and opted to have just another mug of tea ad a few shortcake biscuits. When I say, few, it is in a loose manner of the word, perhaps. Hehe!

When taking the picture with the Nikon camera, of the biscuits and tea, I got the shakes.

And found I’d chosen the Night Landscape option. So I opened the unwanted, light-and-view-blocking kitchen window and took this effort to see if it would come out any different to the Auto setting. I don’t think it did! Odd, how I get so confused with learning anything new to me, nowadays?

I dunked the biscuits repeatedly in the tea, then got the YouTube on for half-an-hour to watch.

I decided I’d walk to town this morning, so I got the ablutions tended to. And a fair job it was too! Dropsies were at a minimum: Toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel and Sock-Glide are all I recall dropping… oh, and the shower stool when I moved it out to mop the shower afterwards. No bleeding today, either. The pins (legs) were not in good condition this morning but were not giving me much, if any pain. Other than Arthur Itis of course, who grumbles every time any bending of the knees takes place. Tsk!

I made up some black bags, two small recycling bags and put the cleaned empty sauce and beetroot jars in the trolley as well. I took the small and black bags to the chute, hen realised it was too early to put them down yet. I’m so glad I remembered! But unsure if I will forget to put them down later! I put them in the corner, praying I would not forget about them when I came home. (Miserably, I failed, they went right out of my head, until the following morning at 02:30hrs, when again it was too early to use the noisy chute!)

I took the jars down with me.

I poddled out of the foyer into the dark, gloomy, very nippy and chilly, but rainless, dry morning, and deposited the empties into the overflowing City of Nottingham, pensionary, senior Citizens, alcoholics bottle-bank-bin Hehe!

I set off on my mini-marathon, at a fair rate of knots for me, too. (The route taken, is graphicalised on the right-hand side here.)

The hands were getting cold as I plodded along Chestnut Walk and turned right to go down Winchester Street. 

I almost had an Accifauxa with the three-wheeler walking-guide as I started hobbling down the hill.

I’ve no idea why, I didn’t have any Dizzy Dennis bother, but suddenly the trolley leant over to the right, and I thought after the event, how lucky I was to have regained my balance with the cart, and not gone on a tumble.

It could have been a lingering trace of my beloved Woodthorpe Court’s spirit. That lies somewhere between the twilight zone and a wormhole slipping through a tear in the fabric of space & the universal continuum, illusion, delusion, & hallucination, that had followed me. Hehehe! But all was well after a few moments, and the trolley-guide, that does not like going downhill at any time, behaved itself again.

When I arrived at the junction with Mapperley Rise, I could see the early morning traffic was queuing at the temporary traffic lights on the steepest part of the hill. I turned and took this slightly blurry zoomed-in shot. Not one of my bestest! Humph!

As I limped on down Winchester Street, to Mansfeld Road, I noticed the fantastic change in the sky. I took these shots, one of up the hill, the other downwards. The second one almost looked like a rainbow up there in the skies!

By the time I’d walked down near Mansfield Road, the day had got so much lighter, and quickly too.

When I hobbled along Mansfield Street, a car had parked so far onto the pavement: I had to collapse the trolley for me to get through the gap! Never mind, eh!

I plodded through Marshall Street and out onto the main road. I turned left and saw how busy the place looked. There was an almost lively look to Mansfield Road. The buses were plentiful, but I wouldn’t be tempted into catching one – it was too early to use my bus pass! Hehehe!

I concentrated on avoiding the holes, dips and cracks in the pavement, and I doddered, determinedly onward. Up the hill and down into Carrington. In the distance, I could see the traffic far ahead at the Hucknall Road traffic light junction, with ominous blue lights flashing. Oh, dear!

As I was passing my beloved, but unreliable Sherringham Park Medical Practise, a lady pavement cyclist was steaming at high speed towards me. I fumbled to get the camera out in time to get a snap before she had gone, hence the dodgy quality of the photo. That’s my story, anyway. Haha!

Much further along, and the Gregory Boulevard traffic island, I thought I’d take a snap of the traffic, as it was getting busier now. 60.25.0. Neighbour. Another ill-defined, disaster of a photograph!

And yet, the hands seemed to be okay, and no Peripheral Neulagia shakes were felt or identified? This trait was baffling me somewhat, not knowing why the pictures were so blurred?

I got over the crest of the hill and down towards the City Centre along Mansfield Road.

An ignorant, nasty, uncaring Nottinghamian Pavement Cyclist came by me from behind, and he caught my shoulder, but only lightly. But it still made me jump a bit. Swine!

But, for some reason, I was in a decent mood, and it did not bother me as much as it usually would have. Anyway, as you might be able to see, the paving stones on this sidewalk, need my concentration, to avoid having any Accifauxpas!

It was slow going until the slabs changed at the bottom of the hill. The trolley did get stuck in ruts and bits of broken slabs a few times, but my being in Defcon One mode, I coped without any accidents.

I called in the Bargain Shop. Where I bought, some treats for the nurses and patients at the After-Stroke session. I also got some stick-on hooks; and why I bought them, is a mystery to me now! I tried some years ago, when I first moved into this flat, and they were crap! Why? What for? Humph!

The knees and feet were hardly painful at all after the mini-marathon? I made my way onto Goldsmith Street and took a couple of shots of the Trent University main buildings.

Not many students about yet? (This soon changed, though) I turned right to take a picture of one of the ugliest buildings in the City Centre. The rear of the Royal Concert Hall, and believe me, it is still prettier than the front of it is!

I’m afraid the photo I took of the front of the monstrosity, has done one of the mysterious disappearing acts from the SD card! Grrr!

I got in the Church Hall and greeted those already in there. Handed the nibbles out to the nurse. We soon launched into the exercise routines. During which, both of the hearing aid batteries ran out simultaneously. Which amused the others, as I couldn’t hear the commands being shouted out to stop, and move on to the next physio torture exercice. Hehehe!

I had to miss or try only half-heartedly, doing the knee bending exercises. But, for the first time, after about eight sessions, the After-Stroke Obersturmbannfhreress, Tasmin, almost seemed to understand why, and issued no looks of ‘Doubt;’ ‘Suspicion’ or of a ‘Dubious’ nature in my direction. Well, not when I was looking, anyway. Of course, I could not hear what she was saying anyhow.

Same with the music for the dancing sessions, I could not keep in timing with the music I couldn’t hear. Then, there was a rest and relaxing session. Tasmin talked us through it, while the music played to calm us. I just sat there and picked my nose, trying not to pass-wind, waiting for the session that I couldn’t hear anyway, had finished.

We had a talk-it-out session, about our experiences having and after our strokes. I was the only one who lost total control of bodily functions, (Tears gushed from my eyes, I spewed up and nearly choked on it, passed everything from the rear end, and wee-wee’d myself, all at the same time, then collapsed on the escaped bodily-mess, on the floor!) I know this because I asked the others if anyone had suffered embarrassing movements while having their stroke. But eight out of the ten patients there had not even known they were having a stroke.

But, I enjoyed this session more than any before. Being paired with Precious helped, I’m sure. The gal is in a poor way, and this allowed me to do bits to help, and it cheered me up, and I hope, the gal too.

No bowling again this week. Instead, we got two table games going. Divided the members into two teams of four, or a four and a five. (Well, we went to which table we were directed to)

A building block game, and one of the Dominoes on the other table. I was on the Domino team, with Precious and two others. We were all instructed to use our worse hands. Which produced a bit of fun, as I was placing a domino, and got the nerve-relinking hand at the time, and it shot off about fifteen-foot away across the hall! Hehe! Thankfully, it didn’t hit anyone on its trip! Only two of we four knew how to play the game. Which gave me another chance to get Precious involved, we all seemed to enjoy it!

When we swapped over tables, I soon had the support of the others, in my declining to bother. The blocks scattered about many onto the floor at my first and only effort to try the game. If I had stayed playing the game, we would all have spent the time picking up blocks and no time left to play. I stayed nearby, supporting Precious. Again, it went down well with the folks, many a laugh and smile!

We broke up after the games were enjoyed. I offered my farewells, and set off to Tesco, to try and get some Puff Pastry fingers and milk. As I was walking down through Trinity Square, I espied what was left of a push-cycle, chained to the bike-stand! The Nottinghamian Bike-Stealers had taken all but the frame! Gits!

I made my way into Victoria Centre (Mall), and to the Tesco store. I came out with Gammon steaks, fresh tomatoes and three packs of the shortcrust fingers, and £5.50 lighter. (I did forget to get the milk though, I didn’t realise it then, but did on the bus home later!) What a Schmuck! I paid and departed, out onto Milton Street.

Where I took this picture of the buses, especially for Sandie, Marie, Pattie and Lona, TFZer gals, because I know (I think?) they are interested in our different-coloured buses. ♥

Then I hobbled on to Upper Parliament Street, to walk down to Queen Street and wait for the next L9 bus.

I spotted how cram-packed that Clumber Street was today. I took this snap, getting a scowl, but two smiles from the three lads in the frame. Hehe!

I only had eight minutes to wait for the L9 to arrive. And was soon ensconced in the side-saddle seat, on the way home, and battling not to get rattled off of the chair! A lady from the flats got on the bus and slipped me a Nuthall’s Minto sweet, bless her. Oh, they are now called Bassetts Mintoes by the way, another independent company bought up by the conglomerates!

It was as we arrived on Mapperley Tops, that I remembered I had not got the milk at Tesco! For heavens sakes, Tsk! So, I dropped off the bus on Sherwood Rise and made my way to the Aldi Store. I came out £6.36 lighter, with; Canned garden peas, sourdough baguettes, deodorant, Brunswick cooked ham, rice and cheese rolls. I paid at the checkout and repacked the good at the counter.

Then walked along to Mapperley Rise to walk back down to the flats. Taking this shot of the magnificent thick Cumulus clouds in the sky. So beautiful. The walk down the Rise, was a little stressful, making my way around the Gas Repair holes in the ground, and barriers and cracks in the pavement. No photographs were taken, I was too concentrated with getting home safely and keeping the three-wheeler upright.

I got into the flats, and through the link-passage to my Woodthorpe Court. That lies somewhere between the twilight zone and a wormhole slipping through a tear in the fabric of space & the universal continuum, proffering illusion, delusion, confusion, stress-making, & hallucination bearing home!

As I neared the swipe door into Woodthorpe Court, the sad, pathetic fact that I had still not got any milk dawned on me! With morosity at my failure now evident, I got up to the apartment, to find the lights on in the hallway? I thought I had turned them off? I’d have put money on it! Ah, well!

I had an ELPJL (Extra-Long-Powerful-Jet-Like) wee-wee. Washed, made a brew, and pondered about the lack of milk situation. After much prevaricating, ruminating and ideation, I opted to make an Iceland order for the morning delivery – for milk! But of course, there is a minimum order. So, I placed some instant potatoes onto the list, a lot of them. Just in case the potato crop is crap and really is as bad as they say it is. And ordered more kitchen towels. I hope I live long enough to use ’em. Har-har!

I was now well-shattered healthwise. But I had enjoyed today’s After-Stroke session such a lot and was proud of my mini-hobble to get to it. But now, I was paying the price. Hehe!

I got some nosh sorted and served up.

Baked beans with caramelised balsamic vinegar flavouring added. And some buttered cheesy-tomato cobs. Got settled into the Xyrophobia-suffering crooked, but good looking  Brother-in-Law Pete damaged, while he was flat-sitting and stealing my valuables as he fitted more clandestine CCTV cameras in the flat, so he can work-out when I am showering, eating or sleeping so he can call me on the landline.

The meal was only fairish. 5/10. I shan’t be using the caramelised balsamic any more. The bottle will be emptied, rinsed and find its way into the rubbish bin! Eugh!

I did the handwashing, made up a bottle of spring water and orange cordial, and settled to watch two police programmes on the TV. Off course, because I didn’t want to sleep, and usually cannot get to sleep when I want to… I fell asleep!

About an hour later, the landline burst into life, and the red light flashed. I half-asleep, half-fell out of the recliner to get to it before it stopped. I was pleased when I heard Generalfeldmarschalless Housing Patch Manager/ Catwalk Model, Angela Gould, on the other end of the line. But it was hard to concentrate being so confused after waking. IT certainly was nice to get the call, all the same. Thank you.

I had a wee-wee, another of the ELPJL mode. Took a guzzle of the spring water concoction. Jiggled the handwashing on the airers. And gt down in the recliner again.

I lay there expecting to struggle to get back to sleep… within what seemed seconds… Zzzz!