What a dream… I was being chased by feet, yes feet! Corridors and passages blood everywhere with these giant feet with heads on where the ankles should have been? I didn’t recognise any of the heads, though. They had eyes on their feet, at the base of their toes and the toes had kitchen utensils sticking out of them: forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, etc.?
When I woke, I saw the kitchen towels with their blobs of blood at the side of the £300 second-hand creaking recliner and checked if the ear had stopped bleeding.
It was well matted, so I decided to leave it alone and show the nurse later at the INR blood test with the surgery nurse. I’ll just wash it gently around the lesion I think.
Took the medications with a cup of char.
To the porcelain throne – most difficult, painful passing this morning. But, no bleeding!
Put the list of things to remember for today’s proceedings in me bag while I thought of it.
Did my ablutions.
Laptop on and finished the Wednesday post off. Then started to do this one.
Got ready and wandered down to the Community Hut for the Tenant’s Social Hour. BJ did not come as he said he was going to. Disappointed.
I’d forgotten to take the camera and mobile with me so I couldn’t ring him up to see if he was alright. However, it was a good session today. Mainly gossiping with and listening to Toni, William and Eddie. I enjoyed it so much.
Back to the flat in the rain, wee-wee’d and made a cuppa, got the laptop back on to update this to here, then remembered about calling BJ to see how he is. So I did. No reply, hope he’s alright, I’ll call at his house on the hobble to the surgery later.
Rang Sister Jane. “The number you are calling is unavailable at this time”?
Did some Facebooking.
Set out on my walk to the doctors. Meeting some residents in the lobby, and had a chinwag. Which meant I was a going to be little later than planned when I got to the surgery. I pushed myself as far as I could, and I managed to get there just in time for my appointment.
The nurse told me I’d done the right thing with the bleeding earhole. She gave me an application form and leaflet for Nottingham City Care Podiatry, I’ll get time in the morning to study it and ask Deana for guidance, I hope.
She did the test, and I was soon on my way to the bus stop to catch a bus to Arnold to pick up the photographs; crap they were!
Heads cut off, writing cut off,huh!
Caught a bus into Arnold and had a wander around, foolishly going into Boyes store and coming out many pounds lighter and a great bag of articles I’d purchased. Still, I now have an extra pair of trousers, another can of foot spray, and shower room anti-fog spray, some loose fitting boxer shorts and a pack of three comfy-fit socks.
The spending continued when I got the photographs at Asda (Walmart) and got some shopping while I was there. Wholemeal Irish Batch Bread, Honey yoghourts, two desserts, tomato puree and a TV paper for next week.
I took a photo to put on the TFZ Facebook page of some summer hats with bras in the background. The summer hats for the gals and the bras for the lads. Hehehe!
Feeling tired then. Made my way to the bus stop to get the last L9 bus back to the flats.
Observed that the bench near the stop had suffered even more damage that on Tuesday, again.
At the bus stop, a lady chatted with me and caught the same bus.
The sun was shining now, no signs of rain whatsoever?
The British weather is so changeable nowadays.
Stayed away for the whole journey, although it was a close thing at times.
When I got off the bus, I meandered down towards the copse.
In the bushes were many bee-like insects and one I couldn’t recognise at all.
I tried taking a photo, but only caught one bee-like and the unknown one.
A bit like a butterfly but with very narrow wings?
Got in, noticed the washing machines were free. Up to the flat and wee-wee’d lengthily, got the laundry down and in the washer.
Two hours later I’d got it all done and back to the apartment and got the stuff away in the airing cupboard and clothe racks.
Well tired out now, weary and ready for the kip.
But I managed to get the fodder prepared without any hiatus.
Martin’s recommended Rooster chips, chicken thighs, tomatoes, peppers, onions and beetroots. Lemon dessert and an apple to follow, and only two slices of Batch Bread eaten with it – as part of my deliberate rigid dietary practice that I had adopted.
Marvellous meal!
Sorted out some proggies to watch on the goggle-box from 2000hrs to 2200hrs… Fell asleep around 2010hrs, and woke up at 0035hrs! Best laid plans eh?
Reckon I dod too much today, of course after I woke up and climbed out of the shuddering and getting more noisier £300 recliner chair to go to the porcelain – I couldn’t get back to sleep for ages.
Kept springing awake throughout the night? Eventually around 0520hrs, nature, or rather demand, for bodily functions to be performed, forced me to lower the shuddering £300 second-hand recliner and visit the porcelain throne. A little bleeding from Haem Aroids but Little Inchy did not bleed at all.
A good start I thought. Went to make a cuppa, took the medications, did the BP tests and got the laptop on. Did some graphics and started this off after finishing the Monday post.
I had to smile again when I saw Lynton’s postcard on the desk.
This started me thinking about when would be the best time for me to take a shower. I had not realised how noisy the water pump would be until I tried it yesterday morning.
I must try to see Barbara next door and find out if the sound had bothered her at all. Hopefully, if it didn’t, I can take a shower regularly in the early morning. Yesterday, Olive said she could hear the flat above her when they use theirs. Her family were taking her out yesterday, must try to call and see if she enjoyed it, what with all the rain like.
Made another cuppa and a pot of porridge and got on Facebooking for an hour or so, to catch up on it.
Sister Jane rang, told me to look at page eight of the Nottingham Post, about a resident who had a Whoopsiedangeplop and had to go to the hospital, and the help he had received.
Noticed a photo of the floods in Nottingham.
Got ready and took my shower and abluted my extremities. No, belay that notification, a change of mind and I did a few hours work on the graphicationalisationing instead. Then back on Facebook, because I’ve got such a lot of running about to do tomorrow, I treated me to a day in.
Facebooking over now, I’ll get the things ready for my second shower. TTFN.
Oh dearie me!
Caught the edge of the interagic incisure of me left ear-hole with the razor blade. Boy did it bleed. TCP’d and after shave generously applied, I thought I’d stopped in and got in the shower.
Huh! Blood all over me and the new wet-room floor now!
Had to keep the paper towels soaking it up, I used a few, dabbing all the time when drying off and cleaning the room, and getting me nosh on, and updating this tosh… still it hasn’t stopped, although it’s slowing down nicely… I hope.
The pie and baked beans, must be ready now, so I’ll nip off and sort it and catch up on this in the morning. TTFN.
Medications took and the simple nosh served and enjoyed.
Spiced beetroot, seasoned baked beans, beef slice and tomatoes with a slice of bread, an apple and a banana. Followed
Followed by a lemon dessert.
The bleeding from the ear began to lessen at last. died down recliner with tissues paper towels nearby
Did the washing, wrote a note of things to do tomorrow. I dived down recliner with tissues paper towels nearby
I dived down into the £300 second-hand noisy but working recliner with many paper towels to hand nearby on the arm of the chair.
And much used they were over the next few hours.
I think putting the headphones on to listen to the sound from the TV might have helped with the eventual stopping of the bleeding, many hours later.
I’ll mention this to the nurse in the morning if I remember.
With the ear-hole needing dabbing for so long, it was very late before I got off to sleep.
Yes, finally I was refreshed. No messing about this morning, got the items needed and straight into the shower room, everything seemed to work correctly, no cold or hot shocks, slips, Whoopsiedangleplops or dizzies either.
The only thing that I was concerned about was the oh-so-very noisy water pump that might have disturbed my neighbour Barbara. In future, I’ll take the shower at night, I think, early evening perhaps. I’ll ask Barbara if I see her if it bothered her.
I titivated the room, remembered to turn off the power, then made a cuppa and took the medications and did my BP tests. The Sys and Dia were a bit higher than usual at 151 & 49, that would be due to me getting all excited about taking me shower? Hehe!
I got CorelDraw going, and somehow, it is currently letting me save to jpg again? Don’t know what I did right this time, but I did delete 815 files?
Walked down to the Community Hut to see Deana, who sorted the insurance renewal out for me, bless her. On the way back, I saw Olive, that cheered me up. She was waiting for the fish van to arrive, which it did, and she got hers first, as it was raining the gals took turns in going out to his van for their fish fodder. I went back to the flat with her, and she showed me her Wet-Room, and she had a pole that reaches top and bottom, with small corner shelves on it, seemed a super idea to me. Olive told me she got it from Wilko. We had a gossip, and I returned to my place and went the things ready for me to go to Arnold, and decided to call at Wilko see if I could get one of the poles, then to Asda (Walmart) to get the photo’s done and some fodder.
I was soon out at the bus stop with a few other tenants, waiting in the rain.
Good for me that it was raining this morning because that meant I could sneak a photographicalisation of some of them together.
I love listening and having a chatter with these folks occasionally.
When the first, Nottingham destined L9 bus arrived, I was left all on my own.
I took a selfie (I think they are called, a photograph of myself like), to show how sad I felt at losing their company.
Note I’ve got my Flobber-dob hat on, the one from the Pound Shop? It covers my hearing aids and glasses in the rain, excellent!
I arrived in Arnold and went to the Wilko store first.
See the top of this photo on the left? I had the pretty-coloured £1 shop umbrella with me today, and I needed it to take this picture under!
Wilko told me they no longer stocked the poles with shelves on – I could have cried, I’d got almost enthusiastic about getting one for my Wet-Room – Sob!
I poddled and paddled along to the Asda Store and got the photographs done on the machine. Somehow I ordered the Two-day instead of One hour process, though. Humph! Still, Nae bother, I can collect them on Thursday after the Social Hour and Doctors INR blood test… I hope.
Did some shopping, again. Apples, prepared fresh casserole veg, Batch Bread and Lemon desserts jumped into my basket as I passed them… again…
Went to catch the L9 back to the flats.
The public bench near the bus stop had taken a further battering and looked in a very sorry state thanks to the local hoodlums.
Managed to keep awake on the trip back to Woodthorpe Court, well I did nod off, a couple of times but was awake when we arrived in time to press the stop bell. Haha!
Bootiful!
When I got in the flat, the rain stopped a moment and everything outside looked so green, fresh and new.
I got the fodder away, put the receipt for the photographs in last weeks envelope on the kitchen window shelf behind the accoutrements pot. I write this so I can look back and find it when I can’t find it on Thursday, yer see.
Took the midday medications, made a cuppa and got the laptop on, updating this twaddle.
Later I made another cup of char and rang mate BJ for a talk. He was in good form and told me to have a look at the Ikea site to see if they sold those poles for the wet-room. He’s coming to Thursdays Social Hour, glad about that.
Some items of interest were discovered on the Ikea site, so I made a note of their numbers to show BJ.
Got the fodder going. Minted lamb chops in the oven, to have with mashed potatoes and garden peas with beetroot.
Received a postcard from Cyber-mate and jolly good egg Lynton.
He is a wit! He’s been walking at the Cotswold Way and returned to the fair City of Bath, and thought I’d appreciate the picture of a Bath as I had now lost mine!
Now that, was a clever thought, thanks, Lynton. Hehehe!
Went to check on the lamb chops, and found I’d left them in the oven tray on the side of the sink. Oh dear! So I put them in the oven correctly this time. Huh!
Back to the CorelDraw graphic creating, and go got a little carried away with it I’m afraid… Whoopsiedangleplop!
The minted lamb chops were, er, shall I say, incinerated when I next checked.
I gobbled them up, all the same.
The plan was then to watch DVD, then at 2100hrs look at the debate on the Euro Stay/Exit… Nodded off – Woke up around 2330hrs, washed the pots, passed water and head down again.
It took me ages to get off to sleep, well into the early hours. Around 0615 hrs I battled the limbs to get out of the shuddering, noisy, but working £300 second-hand recliner, and made my was to the throne.
Not so much blood this morning, and Anne Gyna was very kind to me! Even the rumbling innards had settled down a bit. Things looked good.
Surely by now it would be safe to walk on the floor and investigate the shower workings I thought?
So I did.
See the poster on top of the shower unit so you? I found it crammed behind the control box.
It would have been a lot easier if I’d found it earlier, and saved my fretting about how it worked over the last five days. I placed it on top so surely I wouldn’t lose it now.
I worked out that it must be safe now to use it? But being as we residents are on the Economy night electricity rates, the water only heats up at night. So I decided it would be best to use it tonight while the water is heating up, in case I run out of hot water, due to my intended long, very long showering session I had planned after, what is now… fourteen or fifteen days without a bath or shower!
I did my ablutions in the shower room at the sink, far easier than in the kitchen now I can walk on the floor.
Refreshed a bit, I made a brew and took the medications and did the BP tests: Looks okay again, although the room temperature was a bit low. Danke and misty, with rain outside. Sys 148, Dia 72, pulse 72, temp 27.1, Room temp 61f. The forecast on the local radio was a yellow warning re-flooding.
I did some graphicalisationing for use later and started this post off.
Got the photographs I had printed and set off down to see Dean or Julie to ask for help with the insurance renewal.
Several tenants in the foyer who were waiting for the first bus of the day. A little natter as I passed through them, I liked that.
Got to the Community Hut and found both Obergruppenfurhers in attendance. Julie looked a lot better today after her poorly spell.
Deana told me to come back at 0830hrs in the morning, and she’d call the Insurers for me.
I gave out the photographs of themselves and some others they said they would distribute to the tenants for me. Very kind Bless em.
Then I took some photographs of them so I could make up some funny graphicalisations of them later. The one above was in the office in the Community Shed.
The one on the right fo Julie was posed for delightfully in the main room.
Back to the flat, passing some residents at the bus-stop and hello’s exchanged. I like it!
I remembered about the Iceland delivery coming today twixt 1200 > 1400 hrs. So placed the shelves on wheels at the front door in readiness.
As if I would forget…
I mean me? Hehe!
Had another read of the shower instructions. Then searched the internet for guidance and after much effort and kerfuffle, I managed to find a guide at mirashowerspdf.
I found it clear, concise and straightforward, easy peasy to understand.
I set about importing the Dean/Julie photos to amend for later use.
I found a 1950’s selection on YouTube to listen to, Harry Belafonte – “Banana Boat Song (Day-O)” – 1956 playing at the moment.
Come 1200 hrs, I had to turn it off, though, cause listening with the headphones on meant I might not hear if the Iceland man rings the intercom, yer see.
Carried on with the graphicalisationing.
Mopped the kitchen floor – not a good idea really, cause it brought to mind and sight the mess everywhere else in the kitchen.
Sorry, I did it now. Haha!
Ah, cometh the Iceland fodder delivery man.laptop
He kindly threw the stuff on the mobile drawer unit for me, and he was soon off. I cleaned and put away the mop and bucket, then checked the goods delivered. The 2 for Pound mushrooms was one for a Pound, can’t find the second one anywhere. The salad tomatoes were Polish, luckily I plan on doing another stew, so they can be used it that. Fortunately, I have the new kitchen knives that should eventually cut through the tomatoes to slice them and put them in with the other vegetables. The bitter foul horribly acidic taste should dissipate a bit over the six hours Crock-Pot cooking time. Humph! And, they kindly flattened and broke the sliced cobs so I don’t have to chew so hard. Iceland, what’s their slogan? Oh, yes, Food You Can Trust! Cobblediscrotums!
Got the faggots in the oven, 45-minute job for these. I’d have mushrooms with them, but I don’t have enough in stockif I’m going to use them in my Crock-Pot stew tomorrow. Grr! Still, I can use some of the putrid, rotten Polish tomatoes perhaps.
Updated this and then I lost all my work on the Deana/Julie graphics, cause CorelDraw froze again, and when I eventually unknowingly how recovered the page, it would not let me save it. Annoyed, peeved, riled and vexed were inadequate words to use to describe how I felt!
So much I want to get done, do the Deana/Julie graphics, finish the tfZ graphics, get the windows cleaned, sort out the shower room fittings and curtain, have a shower (Too early yet in case I run out of hot water), Get the hallway back into use… Oh dear, I’ve tired myself out just thinking about it! Hehe!
Not done much physical today, but I’m feeling drained again already. Think I’ll get the fodder and see how I feel then. Odds are, nowt will get done.
Nowt got done.
Years since I had any faggots, now I remember why it’s years since I had any faggots!
Well, they weren’t too bad, made a change, I’ll probably have them again in another 15 years. Hehe!
I didn’t get a shower, due to me falling asleep and forgetting I was going to have one.
Had all sorts of problems with CorelDraw, it wouldn’t let me save any of the work I’d done? Too tired to bother trying to find out why. I’ll have a look in the morning.
Watched some TV. Remembered I had not had me shower. Turned out it as a good job I didn’t, please see explanation in the next edition of this waffle.
Stirred a bit around 0445hrs, tummy rumbling still, tried to recall the dreams, so aggravating when I couldn’t! Dropped off again. 0620hrs, the £300 second-hand recliner chair shuddered and whined as it lowered to let me out. Into the shower room, well, I opened the door to take a look see if it was looking usable or not. Wasn’t sure about the shower, so, day 12 without one or a bath, but thought it would be safe to use the WC and sink now, as it looked alright after using the bowl yesterday. The stomachs recurrent grumbling indicated that I would soon need to.
A bloodless wee-wee and got the Kettle on for the medication consuming, and did the BP tests. Sys 145, Dia 72, Pulse 72, Body temp 29.8 (Rather low?), Room temp 62f.
Got the laptop on, and had to visit the porcelain throne. Haem Aroids bled lavishly yet again. Must mention this on my nest visit to the surgery.
I got the Saturday diary finished, adding the photo’s I’d took while out and about. Somehow lost the lot and had to start again? Lost three hours minimum. Humph! That’s twice I’ve done that recently.
Last night’s forecast on the goggle-box.
Decided to catch up on Facebooking before going for a walk in the park, before the storms arrive.
Proceeded to carry out my stand-up ablutions and readied myself for a walk to take the jars to the recycling box and up into Woodthorpe Grange Park.
Took the bags to the rubbish chute, and went down to the laundry room and set the washing machine going.
The weather encouraged me to change my mind about taking a walk in the park.
I did nip out to the bottle bank in a break in the rain, returned and read my Holocaust book in the lobby.
The washing was done in half an hour, and I changed the togs into the dryer. Not many folks about today at all.
Back up to the flat, made a cuppa, got the laptop on, checked the vegetables in the Crock-Pot, looking good, I added the stewed steak to it.
Put the oven on to warm up to put the chips into later.
Started this off.
It was all smelling good now. Should last for two meals I hope.
I couldn’t find me reading glasses mind, despite having had them on this morning? And, where did I put the TV paper I bought yesterday? Life, can be a puzzle at times? Like, why is Cameron now threatening the pensioners with the loss of their bus passes in his desperation to cling to his back-handing position in Europe? I think I just answered that? Hehe!
Hours and hours more on the laptop.
The fodder went down well today.
Bad night, again sleep seemed reluctant to come to me.
I was still watching TV well gone midnight… not me at all usually.
Felt limp, listless and started fretting over all sorts of things again.
In the morning, I’m going to walk over the new floor and check-out the shower workings.Maybe
Maybe, Monday the 13th might be my first use of the shower? If the water stays hot enough, cause I’ve a feeling I might be in there a long long time! Not sure about if to use the shower gel or not? Othe tenants have told me they used it and their drain got blocked?
The stomach continues rumbling, but no as bad I don’t think, we’ll see in the morning eh?
So let’s not assume, let’s try to understand others, please
Saturday 11th June 2016
Woke around 0400hrs, and as I started to mentally work out what was happening, and make sense of the dreams I’d had, I nodded off again.
Stirred again around 0510hrs, feeling a different person. Aching all over, heavy eyes, Anne Gyna giving me some grief, struggling with breathing a bit, although Arthur Itis was being gentle with me, the stomach was churning and the right arm/wrist painful. I wasn’t feeling too good at all overall. I wondered if I’d dreamt it, the waking up earlier?
The rumbling soon changed into a bodily demand for the Throne to be utilised. I risked using the throne, due to the severity of the needs, and the warm wet sensation that informed of the rear end was bleeding badly. But dare not yet use the sink or shower for fear of the flooring not yet being settled and ready to accept any water. But of course, I didn’t know, because no one has explained anything to me about when I could use it?
Taking a photograph while leaning out of the kitchen window, I had an involuntary passing of wind, and a dizzy spell. An Odd sensation that, hehe!
This reminded me to take me medications with a cuppa and do the BP tests. The stomach continues to grind away, I suppose ‘delicate’ would be the optimum word to describe how I felt.
Readings looked fine to me; Sys 143, Dia 74, Pulse 88 Temp 67.
Got the laptop on and started this page off, did the graphics for it, then remembered I’d not took me medications yet, made another cuppa and did so.
Facebooked for a few hours and decided to check the few Saturday buses available on the timetable. One every two hours, a total of three buses, so got me stand up wash and set off for the bus stop to go to Arnold and Asda to get the photographs printed.
Chinwag at the bus stop. In Arnold, I went in Wilko, got Dettol, shower gel and antiperspirant.
Boyles Store next, the bags was filling up now.
The Market Place looked a bit sad.
Then to Asda, ordered the photos and paid for them, got the receipt and spent more in the store, casserole veg, turnip, apples, bananas and beetroot. Collected the photographs and made my way to the bus stop.
Sat reading my book on the bench just beyond the stop.
Twenty minutes later as the bus arrived, I stood up and realised the set had been damp, I squelched onto the bus.
Hehe!
Back at the flats had a gossip with some residents. Frank told me not to use the shower gel, and it blocked the drain in his place. Now they tell me!
Got the nosh ready.
Battered whole onion rings, beetroot, tomatoes, sausages, bugles, red onions and pepper in oil.
Followed by an apple. The ham cob I only ate a few bites of. (Guilt yer know!)
Sister Jane rang to remind me of the England match on tonight and told me Nottingham City Centre had been blocked off due to crowd trouble between Fascists and Muslim supporters.
Oh dear!
I put the TV on to see comments on the upcoming game and…
More violence!
The match itself, England should have won, shame.
More violence in the ground this time when the game ended.
The well organised Russians attacked the English fans.
Terrible! I felt infelicitous towards mankind.
The rumbling innards didn’t seem to matter so much now.
0522hrs: Slowly, I moved into consciousness, eyelids heavy from the long enforced sleep, I think I must have had six hours last night, dream disturbed, but still welcome. Rooftop chasing images again, falling and never landing, repetitive.
The TV still on, the remote still on my chest, spectacles on my head and a suspicious but unrecalled empty cheese nibble bag at the side of the chair!
The £300 second-hand recliner grinded-away, but worked and let me out of it. Wasn’t sure if I could walk on the shower room floor yet, but needed the throne… oh dear! I’ll have to try me best to contain it until I can get to the Tenants Social Hut and use that one later.
With any luck, if Deana can find out that I can use the shower room but not the shower yet I might be able to do my ablutions in there instead of the kitchen sink? Also, use the throne. I didn’t wash or shave deciding to keep my fingers crossed that I might be able to later. And find out if the floor-men will be returning to waterproof anything today? If not, I can get out and get fodder and the photographs printed at Asda?
Cup of tea and took the medications. Laptop turned on, finished the Thursday post, long one, but my frustrations needed airing. (Haha!)
Did the graphics for that and today’s diary.
Started the Shower Room Farce post.
0830hrs: Nipped to see if could catch Deana and see if she could find out if the floor men were returning today. If I could walk on the ground yet, and when could I use the shower?
Couldn’t find her, she’ll be off on her rounds visiting we old folk and making us feel better. Bless her cotton socks, I’ll try again later. Sent email.
Did some graphic work and then made an order for stuff from Iceland to be delivered on Monday 13th twixt 1200 > 1400 hrs.
Made a cuppa and took the midday medications, and got on with a post about the Bathroom to Shower wet room conversion. It took me about six hours to get it completed… Phew!
Some of the photographicalisations in the post here.
Sad to lose the bath mind, but getting into and out of it was a bit too dangerous. I can’t quote about the new shower because no one has told me how long I have to wait for the new floor in the wet room to settle before using it. Think I’ll err on the safe side and give it until next Monday or Tuesday.
Got the nosh ready.
It went down well, shame I didn’t do a few more of the chips, though. They were the Roosters brand, as recommended by cyber-mate Martin Shuttlecock, thanks, Martin.
Managed to watch a couple of episodes of Pie-in-the-sky DVD, but gave up when the eyelids were starting winning the battle. Hehe!
I’d like to thank my beloved new landlord, Nottingham City Homes, who after only a month or so after my requesting this be done after falling getting out of the bath for the third time, agreed to forward my application to convert my bathroom into a Shower Wet Room. After their Occupational Therapist Assessor interrogation… I mean interviewed, me to assess my disabilities and needs, then agreed a few weeks later, to do the conversion for me. A good patient chap name of Joel, thanks to him too.
A few weeks later, after their considerate Occupational Therapist Assessor’s interrogated… I mean interviewed me to assess my disabilities and needs, they agreed just a few weeks later, to do the conversion for me, in theory. The psychoanalyst was a nice patient chap name of Joel, thanks to him too.
A few months later, a letter arrived informing me they had agreed to the work after assessing the state and conditions of the bathroom and would soon be advising me of a date for assessment to take place.
Only eight weeks later, a chap arrived to do the rating and risks of the job for me. He must have been magnificent, perhaps an expert at his job because he had a Biro pen behind his left earlobe, oohed and sighed professionally and he only took four minutes to do the evaluation of the job. I gave him a cup of tea and some caramelised biscuits. He was an expert biscuit-dunker as well. He told me I’d get a letter in a week or so, informing me if the application had been approved. I thanked him, he passed an emission of wind and departed.
Sure enough, three weeks later I got the letter telling me that the commencement of the alterations would be in four weeks time.
Sad to see the bath go, but tripping and falling getting in and out getting too often and was too much of a Whoopsiedangleplop risk to life and limb!
Initially, I was a little sad at the thought of losing the bath, because I do love a good soak in Radox and scrub up with carbolic soap. But so many slips, trips and bruising of the elbows, head and hips, while getting into and out of the bath was getting a little risky for me.
Two weeks later another letter informing me that the date had been put back for another week arrived.
It was now only eight weeks away.
At least the Paramedics should be happy now I no longer have a bath! Hehe!
All the experts who spoke to me assured at the most it would be a four or five-day job.
I felt sure I’d cope somehow without a bath or use of the WC.
As the day drew near, I had the mammoth task of taking everything out of the bathroom in readiness for the arrival of the chappy man or men, who was going sort it out for me.
Bathroom all cleared ready for the man/men
Heck of a job, carrying the cabinets out to the spare room with all the other unsorted dollop of bags and boxes. I got it done the night before the arrival was expected, well-drained I was.
The day arrived, and I waited nervously. Kevin, the workman, showed his appreciation a the bathroom being cleared, saying most are not and the first thing he has to do normally is clear it all away himself.
Tuesday 31st May 2016.Day One
The man, Kevin did all his work on his own throughout, up until his work was finished and the electricians attacked my flat later.
He showed care, consideration and kindness during their stated 4-day operation, even afterwards on the many more day it turned out he needed.
The bloke liked strong tea and caramelised biscuits, wanted the UK to leave the Euro, was sociable and kept me up to date with what was going on and future plans, and he was interested in photography too!
Wednesday 1st June 2016. Day Two
Bath out, pipes blocked off and tool in ready for further work!
He was a grafter too. He soon had up the tiles and got his stuff in to build a wooden frame, presumably, it was to contain the shower rail area?
The bath was out in no time.
I kept plying him with strong tea with demerara sugar and caramelised biscuits. Good job I had a fair stock in.
He shown interest in the smells coming from the slow cooking with its seasoned vegetables in stock, and even noted down the recipe as he left for the day!I asked him if he’s like to try some of my seaweed, but wouldn’t risk it. Hehe! He even found times for the odd times for a little chinwag.
Thursday 2nd June 2016.Day Three
Getting a bit fed-up with the twice daily rigmarole of having to get all the stuff for my ablutions out of the spare room and into the kitchen, standing in bowl of Radox and Dettol for me feet to cleanse, while shaving then stand-up washing, of my more than amply adequate flobby body and cleaning me teggies. Then medicating the areas needing medicating, and putting everything back away again. Then getting it out…
This Thursday I had to go out for my blood tests that fell at the same time as my social hour, so I had to miss that, cause Dean Walker, the sex-pot coordinator of the flats came to do the tenants interview.
0805hrs: Kevin the maintenance man, arrived, made him a cuppa, and we had a chinwag. He set to working.
Deana Walker came to do the tenants interview with me.
I hobbled to the doctors. Got some shopping and returned to the flat. Trevor had gone by then, I trusted him and had given him a key to use to let himself in and out.
Trev had been hard at it making the frame that it now seems, will hold the wall tile from the actual wall.
So I missed some of the noise of his electric sawing today.
He warned me yesterday that Friday would be the drilling of the floor day.
He’d done a lot more work again and had gone home before I got back. All clean and tidy.
Friday 3rd June 2016.Day Four
Getting a bit fed-up with the twice daily rigmarole of having to get all the stuff for my ablutions out of the spare room and into the kitchen, standing in bowl of Radox and Dettol for me feet to cleanse, while shaving then stand-up washing, of my more than amply adequate flobby body and cleaning me teggies. Then medicating the areas needing medicating, and putting everything back away again. Then getting it out…
Trev arrived, had a cuppa and bickie and set to work with a vengeance.
Soon he appeared at the living room door, with his face mask, hearing defenders and gloves on, to warn me about the upcoming noise and dust. He disappeared into the shower room and closed the door to help keep the dust from spreading a bit.
Trev had got the floor drain installed, covered it temporarily and had readied the floor for the floor men to arrive next week.
He tried, but could not get a day and time for me, despite his many calls to try to.
Nice chap.
Saturday and SundayDays Five & Six
Getting a bit fed-up with the twice daily rigmarole of having to get all the stuff for my ablutions out of the spare room and into the kitchen, standing in bowl of Radox and Dettol for me feet to cleanse, while shaving then stand-up washing, of my more than amply adequate flobby body and cleaning me teggies. Then medicating the areas needing medicating, and putting everything back away again. Then getting it out…
I only titivated the place, as we were also expecting the electricians sometime next week, and were both aware of what to expect with them to clean up after them. A thing coating of dust had covered everywhere, as is to be expected.
Monday 6th June 2016.Day Seven
Getting a bit fed-up with the twice daily rigmarole of having to get all the stuff for my ablutions out of the spare room and into the kitchen, standing in bowl of Radox and Dettol for me feet to cleanse, while shaving then stand-up washing, of my more than amply adequate flobby body and cleaning me teggies. Then medicating the areas needing medicating, and putting everything back away again. Then getting it out…
Electricians expected today, Kevin though.
He had his cuppa and biscuits and got on with the job again as usual. He posed proudly at the nearly finished wall tiles when he’d done for the day.
Nice to see a pride in someone’s workmanship.
Only one more day to go working here for Kevin now.
He took some photos for me to use later, with his posh camera and showed me some of the options on it. I may be tempted to get one later. But I’ve got to sort out and get some shower furniture when it’s all done, cause the cabinets I used in the bathroom will I think, be too wide for the available space between the water power box and the actual shower and will get soaked as well as be hard to get to. Huh!
Tuesday 7th June 2016. Day Eight
Getting a bit fed-up with the twice daily rigmarole of having to get all the stuff for my ablutions out of the spare room and into the kitchen, standing in bowl of Radox and Dettol for me feet to cleanse, while shaving then stand-up washing, of my more than amply adequate flobby body and cleaning me teggies. Then medicating the areas needing medicating, and putting everything back away again. Then getting it out…
Trevor arrived but did not know when the electrician would be arriving, if at all. I went to ask Julie or Deana if they could find out, they couldn’t. I left.
Clinic day today. Waiting for the electricians to arrive.
On the laptop hours later before going out and I made a brew and took one for Trevor, the electricians had arrived, not introduced themselves at all and had started working?
Working away at making sure the carpet had bits of cut-off wire and plastic from I don’t know where, dust twinkling bits of metal, streak marks down the paintwork, chips of plaster off the corners in the hallway.
I took a surprise photo of them, that didn’t please them at all. The younger one said: “Wot yer doing?” Which is more than the older said for hours, he didn’t talk to me!
I went to see Deana about the double electricity bill I’d had delivered, one saying New Account and I owed them £289! The other one was right and showed me direct debits paid?
She was very busy but kindly dealt with it for me.
They, (British Gas, the French-owned company) told her I had two meters installed??? There isn’t room for two meters in the cupboards where the are kept, even if I did want to have two? They kept her waiting so long with tubed music in between and passing her to other departments, she told them to ring her back. She said she would let me know the result.
Later, just after Trevor had said his farewells, Deana called to say that British Gas who supply the electricity are cancelling the second bill. I thanked her muchly.
I went out to the clinic and when I returned the ‘sparkies’ had gone. The rubbish they made, they had left behind for me, mind.
A double light switch that looked second hand to me. (Above) They decorated the carpet nicely. Trevor had left the bathroom… sorry, shower room all ready for the arrival of the floor layer men.
Electricians placed the new power switch on the hallway wall, that was conveniently placed at a level with my glasses and nose, just in case I wanted to walk into it… Yes, I did!
Wednesday 8th June 2016. Day Ten
Getting a bit fed-up with the twice daily rigmarole of having to get all the stuff for my ablutions out of the spare room and into the kitchen, standing in bowl of Radox and Dettol for me feet to cleanse, while shaving then stand-up washing, of my more than amply adequate flobby body and cleaning me teggies. Then medicating the areas needing medicating, and putting everything back away again. Then getting it out…
I had a lot of running around to do and no one had arrived before I went out. When I returned, the place looked like it did when I left?
Closer inspection I found the headphones were stuck under the recliner. The phone in the hallway was not on the stand properly, and some new bits of dust and wires were on the corner near the door?
No one know who it was that came in?
Might have been the electricians or the floor men? Still, no problem.
Thursday 9th June 2016. Day Eleven
Getting a bit fed-up with the twice daily rigmarole of having to get all the stuff for my ablutions out of the spare room and into the kitchen, standing in bowl of Radox and Dettol for me feet to cleanse, while shaving then stand-up washing, of my more than amply adequate flobby body and cleaning me teggies. Then medicating the areas needing medicating, and putting everything back away again. Then getting it out…
The floor people had not been by the time I had to go out back to the surgery, so I left the note about calling Deana on the door again.
I returned many hours later to find the door unlocked. A few telltale bits of dust and the panelling with a new scratch on it near the shower room door were noted, and I opened the door to have a look in:
The floor had been done. But dare I use the WC by walking on the floor, no! I remembered being told it will need a day or two after completion before it was safe to use the shower, but could I walk on it?
I could not find anyone to ask.
Friday 10th June 2016. Day Twelve
Getting a bit fed-up with the twice daily rigmarole of having to get all the stuff for my ablutions out of the spare room and into the kitchen, standing in bowl of Radox and Dettol for me feet to cleanse, while shaving then stand-up washing, of my more than amply adequate flobby body and cleaning me teggies. Then medicating the areas needing medicating, and putting everything back away again. Then getting it out…
Another search to get help or guidance on if, and or when it will be allowed to have a heavy-duty movement and or shower…
No answers to phone calls or emails.
Well, it is Friday, early finish day for Council Workers innit!
Looks like Monday then before I can use the shower.
Monday June 13th The Fifteenth Day since installation began!
No need for them to worry about an old man wanting a shower and a…
A Nottingham tenant in a toiletless apartment in an Old Peoples Flats Complex is protesting at the local Ice Cream Van, the noisy jingles, the van obstructing the free bus-pass services access, blocking his wheelchair and above all the children as they noisily queue for their ices. The man Juan Inchcock, told the Marissa Bergen, the Drummers Weekly reporter: “I don’t mind about all this really, it just annoys me that the chap has sold out of all his 99’s to the ankle snapper before I can get out of the flat, a lift down 13 floors, get the lobby doors to open and hobble to the van to knock them out of the way with me walking stick! It’s just not fair!
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Thursday 9th June 2016
Stirred around 0525hrs, the second hand £300 recliner chair operated without any hiatus and let me out of it to pass water and use the throne. Much blood from the rear, a tiny bit from ‘Little Inchy’s lesion.
I’d dreamt something about my being in outer-space in a powered shopping trolley, wearing a leather hat and trying to catch butterflies with two saucepan lids with Acker Bilks ‘In a Persian Market’ playing in the background? I can remember all these facts, but nowt else about it. Tsk!
Took the medications with a cuppa and pot of porridge, then tackled the job of getting all the stand-up bath materials and paraphernalia and got myself cleaned up, the best I could. Made substantial use of the underarm spray and after-shave. Although, once again I managed to spill the bowl of soapy water I’d soaked me feet in while stood at the sink washing.
I didn’t know if the flooring workers were coming and if so at what time? But knew I had to go out to the INR blood test, clinic and to take sister Jane her pressies. (Having done that now, I can show you picture of them).
Two cushions with photographs I’d took of Mr Fooey on the left, and Tabitha, who passed away a good while ago, as she jumped up on the counter and looks for all intents and purposes as if she was checking out my pension paperwork for me. My two favourites of her cats, but I like them all mind.
I went on Facebook, checked the emails and did some graphic work for ages and ages. I thought the workmen might come the same time as all the others did, o800 to 0830 hrs, but none had shown by 0930 hrs, and I did not know if they would be coming or not. So I got the nibbles and meandered to the Tenants Social Hour at the hut. To my pleasant surprise, I saw BJ arriving and going in as I approached the shed. Julie was in the office and I explained about my concerns about leaving before the maintenance men arrived. Being as I did not know where the men were coming from, she said there is nothing she can do.
So I went back in the meeting and had a chinwag with BJ, Toni, Bill and Eddy for a while.
BJ said he’d lift me to the doctors and suggested I go back to the flat and see if they have arrived yet. So I did, then returned. BJ said to put a note on the door – ‘ Floor men – for access please ring…’ and add Julie and Deana’s phone numbers. I should have thought of that myself really. William kindly got and wrote down the numbers for me. Back to the flat and put the note on the door. BJ lifted me with my two bags to the surgery, dead on time. Thank you BJ.
The nurse soon saw to me but refused to let me take her photo today because she didn’t like the last one I took.
I took her likeness as she turned away. She had to laugh.
I thanked her, gave her some nibbles and departed out to the bus stop on Mansfield Road.
One arrived and in fifteen minutes I was dropping off in town and walked through Victoria Centre (Mall) and up the new escalator to the first floor.
IT came out between two fast food eat-ins. This car was part of one of them.
As I walk the length of the centre, I noticed this chap on the ground floor giving a piano some hammer and singing! There was writing on the side of the handsome white pianissimo, inviting anyone to give other shoppers a song? Thought it was a great idea!
Hobbled along and out into the walk-over. Where three young girls were smoking something very odd smelling with guilty looks on their faces, one of them was wafting her hand around as I approached. I noticed through the window, a youth who it appears, had just got down for a kip on the pavement outside the Boots store?
I took two photographs, one wide and a close-up of the youth and made this up.
Lovely weather today. I went over and down then around and to the West Bridgford bus stop, where a number 7 was just loading up.
Alighted on Central Avenue in West Bridgford and being a tad early for Jane’s, I called in the Iceland store. Got a bag of eight little wholemeal cobs, some chicken thighs and desert treats for Jane and Pete.
Hobbled to the Mansion where Janet and Pete live, it only took about 12 minutes to get there.
They seemed in good spirits. I nipped into their front room and placed the cushions on their settee for them to see later. I should have taken a photo shouldn’t I?
First attention was given to Mr Fooey of course. I gave him some and Arthur some nibbles, and they both loved them.
I got myself down (nearly) to Fooey as he was relishing his little treat.
My getting back up, was some amusement for Sue and Pete at least. Hehe!
I had a go at sorting the picture out on Pete’s laptop, and we worked out how to get his homemade videos onto his display programme. I love it when I can help, be of use like.
Then I invited them to go into their front room to see their pressies… Thank heavens they loved them.
We had a visit from the PCO, they are having bother with a horrible neighbour.
I gave them half the cobs and the trifles and departed, unsure if I would be in time to catch the last L9 bus from town, I decided not to rush, and I could grab a number 40 and walk missing having to climb the big hill at least.
At the stop, a female Pavement Cyclist all but hit me she belted by, naughty girl! Then as the bus was arriving, a bloke Pavement Cyclist was on the other sideway! Tsk!
It turned out when I got in town, once again like the other day, for some reason the 39 bus did not leave on time, and again I made it in time due to his leaving late and got the bus back to the flats. Hell of a job staying awake, I think I must have nodded off around four or five times en route, but was awake when we arrived at the flats.
Eagerly and apprehensively I made it to the apartment to see if anyone had been to tend to the shower floor… The door was unlocked, no one about, but I knew someone had been in due to the dust and bits on the hallway carpet. Gingerly I opened the WC door… Dang dang dang…
The shower room floor had been laid! I dare not go in because they had warned me ages ago that it will need two/three days to settle before the shower could be used and it was safe to do so. And, I don’t know if it is finished or not yet, there might be a waterproofing layer to go?
I popped down to the Community Hut, and luckily Deana was in.
She had told the workmen to ring her when they had finished, and she could come and secure the flat. They didn’t, so she didn’t. So, we don’t know if they have to come back tomorrow or not? The farce continues!
Deana asked me to send her a copy of the photograph of her I took when she helped me out again with sorting the ‘double’ electricity bills I’d had yesterday, that I’d doctored.
Back to the flat none the wiser as to if I had to stay in or not again! Humph!
I sent the doctored graphic via email to Deana.
When it came to me updating this Inchcock Today – I found I’d lost all the content! Gnash! No idea how I managed that. So I started from scratch again. Took me flaming hours!
Decided to treat me, this time, Chicken thigh, chips, garden peas, onions, peppers and beetroot… oh and two little wholemeal cobs.
Very late for me by the time I’d got the updating done it was hours passed my bedtime.
How I was going to manage without using the throne, I didn’t know. But no one knew really, if I could go into, or when I could stop on the shower room floor to get to the loo?
Friday, as long as I don’t go out, I can use the Community Shed toilet. Between 0830 and 1600 hrs at least. But the shed is not open at the weekend as there will be no staff on the complex? What then?
I’ll have to see and bother Deana again in the morning to see if she can find out if I can go into the shower room, without using the shower of course?
Fed-up, tired, feeling a nonentity, learning new sufferings as I am forced to try new ways of holding back the urge to use the porcelain, feel a nuisance to all and sundry and a sense that I’m suffering occulcation.
I’ll see what tomorrow brings – respite and conclusion, and being able to use the throne would help! Hehe!
By the time, I’d fetched all the things needed and set them around the kitchen sink, got my feet in a bowl of warm medicated water and had a shave – plans had to be delayed due to an urgent call to the throne.
Came back after having left feet marks and drip of water everywhere, did me teggies, had a shave, cleansed the wobbly body, medicated the areas in need, applied the pain gel to me knees feet ankles and wrists and cleared the things away and cleaned the place up.
I reckon it took me well over two hours! Hey-ho!
I had mentioned my problem with sanitating myself to a few neighbours, but no offers were made.
Maintenance man Kevin will be back today, perhaps the electrician too? Or he might come, maybe tomorrow or Wednesday?
Six days up to now, with a hope it might be done by Tuesday night. Later I was informed it would be Friday night, but would have to wait two days for the tiles to bed in and the grouting to dry before using it. Argh!
Monday 6th June 2016
Horrible dreams. Stirred at 0435hrs and climbed out of the none-working £300 shuddering second-hand recliner chair and into what was once the bathroom, to utilise the porcelain throne. Excellent results, no bleeding from either front or rear end. The only worry this morning is dizzy spells and the right hand, wrist and arm… up to now. Luckily I had the first dizzy while sat down like! Hehe!
Made a cuppa and took the medications then tackled the now daily performance of the ‘Stand-up-wash-at-the-kitchen-sink struggle. Humph!
Carried out the BP tests etc. Sys 153 Dia 68 Pulse 69 Temperature 36.1 All looking okay.
Observed a group of people outside on the corner plot of land through the kitchen window with their dogs, tails wagging furiously (The dogs).
Scenes like this make my day now I’m here at Woodthorpe Court.
I binocularised them for a while. They all seemed so happy. Hehe!
Got Corel Draw on and worked some more on getting photographs doctored to use in the future and the one at the top of this page.
Maintenance Kevin arrived, made him a cup of tea and biscuits. Had a chinwag.
Neighbour Frank at the bus-stop, chatting up a fellow tenant girl. He’s married to Jenny as well… Tsk!
Doing the graphicalisationing and it sprang to mind that I had not collected Jane and Pete’s pressies from Asda! Managed to rush about and get down in time for the half-past bus to Arnold. Forgot the hearing aids and went in the wrong glasses mind. Humph!
Got on the bus, moved one stop to the Winchester Courts and the driver told me to get off and run (Well, I say run) to the bus behind. So I did.
I was soon pulling up in Arnold and made my way swiftly (Well, I say swiftly?) to Asda (Walmart) and their photographic counter. I was a bit concerned about catching the L9 bus back to avoid marathon walks and had about 15 minutes to get to the bus stop, and wanted to get some vegetables as well. Naturally there were two people waiting in front of me, but the second lady gave up and left. The other woman took a minute or so, and then I handed in my ticket for the… Whoops! I nearly let out what it was I bought then! Musn’t let Jane know what it is before I hand it to her.
I hastened limpingly around and got some bits, decided to get the prepared veg today, I got a bag of cut swedes, onions and red onions. I have half a parsnip left in the fridge that’s passable. Also got some more tomatoes a turnip and some Batch Bread.
And… do you know, two of them cheeky little pots of Lemon Drizzle Desserts magicked their way into my shopping basket again!
I just can’t understand it, no way did I intend to get such unhealthy foodstuff… er…
Bit of luck then, as I got to the bus stop it was a minute or so passed the time it was due to leave – but someone poor devil, was having trouble getting off the bus, and a queue was waiting to get on, and this allowed me just enough time to get there and catch it! See, I don’t always have bad luck…
The sun came out brightly as we drove back to the flats.
I phoned Janet to tell her that her secret gift was now in my possession, and I’d get it to her ASAP. She couldn’t talk because they were having lunch – only at the Hutt Restaurant in Newstead Abbey.
Very posh.
Jealous? Me? Never…
Only joking honestly!
Put the fodder away, and Kevin returned from his lunch.
After a few words, it became obviously apparent that the shower would not be ready until Friday evening at the soonest.
I went in the other room and cried for a few seconds.
I got the Crock-Pot vegetable stew going. Seasoned it with vegetable stock cubes, vinegar, rosemary and oregano.
Jane ‘drinking’ her chocolate birthday pressie last year. Hehe!
Sister Jane called back. I told her about the problems with the shower and what I had to go through each day with the stand-up kitchen sink palavers. She couldn’t offer me the use of her shower, as it was playing up too. I told her that I’d put a bit in this Inchcock Today about her going out for a meal, and she said she hadn’t gone out for a posh meal after all. I must have misunderstood her. I felt a fool!
I asked her if I could leave the piece I did in this post, and she laughed and agreed.
She then pointed out that it is Wednesday and Fridays when she goes out for a posh nosh. Hehehe!
Got on with updating this and touching up some graphics.
Trev departed around 1600hrs, and I started the horrendous procedures of another ‘Kitchen Sink Ablution, self-harming and frustrating effort.’
Found two letters had been posted, both from British Gas with my name but different account numbers? One demanding payment of £250.32 in seven days? I’ll have a word if I can with Deana tomorrow, see if she had offer advice and contact them for me.
Kept stirring the Crock-Pot vegetable stew for hours. Worked on the laptop.
Soon, the simply seasoned parsnips, swedes, red and white onions, red and yellow peppers and parsnip concoction was ready and served up. Had some batch brown bread with it, and it was one of my best efforts ever with the crock-pot cooking. I added some vinegar to the seasoning and enjoyed it so much.
Electric charges were stopping me getting to sleep. I thought Steve had sorted them all out for me long ago? Thank heavens for Deana, she might be able to help again. I’ll try to get to see her in the morning. I sent her an email telling her about my plight.
Getting to sleep was not easy, Gawd knows when I eventually got off… Tsk!
