10 Days of Good Things

OK so maybe some most of the past 10 days have been occupied by a lot of resting, which has proved necessary, I have had quite a few achievements dotted around too.  Quite significant ones as well.

My birthday was a lovely day.  Having my hair done was wonderful, and it meant one less thing for me to have to do that evening before going out.  I also had a really lovely meal out with my family, at the only food establishment I trust with cooking my food locally.  I got some lovely presents – an amethyst ring, a necklace to match, a set of knitting needs, a skein of yarn, a funky lizard brooch and a letter rack – much more than I had expected.  And 30 isn’t that bad after all.

I’ve had to spend many of my days recently in the armchair with my feet up on the foot stool (which is huge, and almost turns the reclined armchair into a chaise lounge).  Because I also went insanely noise sensitive, and thus couldn’t entertain the idea of music, TV or films, I instead kept myself occupied with my cross-stitch and new-found hobby of knitting.  Alternating between the two is not only good to give the brain a rest – knitting a scarf using garter stitch requires no brain power at all – but cross-stitching is fiddly and my hands can’t do that for extended periods.  Obviously I do have to rest from the knitting as well for the same reason.  I’m coming on well with both the cross-stitch and the knitting though – I’m three-quarters done with the cross-stitch, and I’ve knitted about 2ft of scarf.

The past 10 days have also been good for socialising.  I don’t mean going out or having people round – I’ve been far too exhausted to entertain the idea – I mean online.  Having joined the knitting website almost a month ago, I also joined a new crafting group for people with chronic illnesses.  It has meant over-doing it a couple of times posting and reading, but interacting with some new names has been great.

I have to continue resting for the rest of the week – next Friday I graduate!

Catching Up

As you  may have noticed, I haven’t been posting much lately!  It’s sort of good though, as I have managed a couple of things in this time, but then I have also had to do a lot of resting in between (but then that’s pretty bog-standard).

On 29th February (if you can remember that far back, I can but only just!) it was a lovely spring-like day.  Warm and sunny.  I live near a lake, and ever since I’ve moved in to my current abode I have had my eye on a particular bench to sit on when the weather is nice enough and I feel well enough to.  So, this day, I felt I might like to try a little wander down to sit in the sun for a few minutes to get a dose of vitamin D.  I took my crutches and my camera, and headed for the bench.

Mr Robin Redbreast comes to say hello.

I took several photos that day while sat on the bench – of the lake, some sparrows, a helicopter, a couple of mallards – but this photo is the one that I was pleased with the most.  It was lovely there, and so quiet.  Only the sound of the birds could be heard.

It took me quite a few days to recover from what would normally be a short walk to the average person, but was (only just) able to attend the local ME group’s meeting.  I (again) had my crutches with me, and thankfully the seats there are fairly comfy, so I created a make-shift chaise lounge so I could have my feet up.  I managed to volunteer by sitting on the welcome/sign-in desk, and volunteered to be treasurer.

Me on Welcome Desk duty (having just polished off a Sezzy-friendly, Sezzy-made chocolate cake).

As I have volunteered for treasurer’s job, I have decided to take a course in bookkeeping and accounting, so that I have a foundation to actually do the job properly.  I have a basic understanding of accounts and a bit more on spreadsheets, but want to really know what I’m doing.  If I pass the course I’ll be able to register with the IAB.

Having then rested all week, on Saturday evening my family and I went to a family friend’s 60th birthday party.  It was quite hard work for me being there – the lights were bright and fluorescent, the hall was cold, and it was full of balloons to which I’m allergic.  I’m kind of glad that I have decided to have a quiet birthday with my family instead of trying to have a big party.  On the way home we had to make an unscheduled stop to A&E as while we were at the party my grandmother had been admitted – being in a no signal area meant we didn’t get the message until much later.  With the help of my sister, I managed to find out the situation from the hospital.

I have been resting a lot the past couple of days, so that I have a chance to enjoy tomorrow.  I am going to get my hair done, and then have a meal out with my family.  Then I will have to rest a lot so that I am ready for my graduation ceremony at the end of the month.

This post has taken me all day to write, but again, I’ve got it done.