Positivity

My ex-DiL and the twins came to stay overnight and we went to see Ian McKellen in Hamlet.  We had all bought each other tickets for our  birthdays  .

I had expected some social distancing with the seats, but the old theatre was rammed.

Most people were wearing masks, but not everyone was so considerate

It was a great production   At first, an eightyplus year old playing a young man was a bit odd, but I suspended disbelief and it was fine.

ExDiL and the twins stayed overnight and went home the following lunchtime.   

The following morning, I did a lateral flow test.  It was only 2 days since my previous one, but it seemed like a good idea.    DD had arrived for a quick visit on her way home.

It was positive.

I was surprised. 

DH did a test. While we were waiting for the results, I phoned exDiL to let her know.  She  and the girls did tests immediately. 

I arranged drive through PCR tests for DH and me, and we were able to get them in the next couple of hours.

Everyone else's Lateral Flow (LF) was negative, which was confusing. 

 Of all of us,  I was the one who hardly ever goes out.  

We assumed it was from the theatre  although it did seem a bit quick.  We had all been doing regular  tests, and each had done one on Tuesday morning.

 Maybe it came in on a parcel?

Maybe it was a false positive, but that is -according to Google - rare. 

DD was so supportive and kind. She stayed, keeping to the other side of the room from me, until we left to do the PCR    

DiL was lovely.  She got her mum and stepdad to do a LF test as well, and they were clear. 

We cancelled our arrangements for the next few days.    We would both need to self isolate,  which was easier than me trying to isolate in the spare room. 

We only had to wait for an hour before leaving to do the  the PCR test.  It was a drive in set up, in a car park , in a billage about half an hour's drive away.   It was all done and dusted very quickly.   The chap told us we would have the results within 48 hours . 

 When we got home, I did a second LF test. ..and it was negative!  This gave me hope.

And then in the evening, the results arrived.

Negative.

Both of us. 

II messaged DXDiL and DD to let them know.

I've done a LF test every day since, just to make sure. 

I'm relieved. 

If it happens again,  I'll do a second lateral flow test anyway,  I'd still go for a PCR test, even if the second LF showed a different result. 

Half Tern

We had Miss Tween staying with us for early a week.  There was a lot of homework to be done, and
some of it was going to be formally assessed.

One of the pieces was a graphic representation of a creation story (from any religion). She wanted to do the 'Christian' story,  and had an idea about using a balloon.  We discussed that on the way home from school,  and then considered a ball,  and then some sort of cardboard model.

We settled on the idea of making a hexagon shaped 3D model, with the six days going round the side. Day 7, and a quotation, was on the top.

She had to learn how to create a hexagon from a circle - and how to make the circle the right size based on the required width of each face. She made templates, then cut card.    She had to plan each card to see exactly what she was going to put on it, and how it would be done.


I had a moment of inspiration when I saw her sketch for the  "let there be light" card,  and I rummaged around and found a set of lights that she could use.  We tried a few things, and ended up with just sewing the lights around the edge

It was mounted on a carboard tube (covered in felt) , which really increased the effectiveness
 

Day 6: animals of the land, Adam & Eve

Day 5: Animals of the Sea and Birds in the sky

Day3: Vegetation, plants, trees

Day 2: separated sky and water

. 

Old News

I forgot to post that, sometime ago, I whipped up another skirt. 

 It's yet another  Pattern Emporium Heartlight Skirt.   I didn't use my projector, I have a card template for this.   Imade a slight adjustment to the waistband, and it's now both comfortable and it stays in place.

The wardrobe mirror is too narrow really but it gives you an idea.     

When I had the fabric on mmy cutting table, DH walked past and said "Ooh, scuba!".    It made me chuckle that he knew what it was and was so proud of himself for knowing.

 I'm proud of him too .

We had been watching reruns of old series of The Great British Sewing Bee so pattern matching was at the forefront of my mind.    It's a quite flowy skity, so I've had to pull it to show the seam.

It's not perfect, but I am really happy with it.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total crafty things this year: 42

Sewing based makes: 
123) Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
456)Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
7)Dressing Gown;
8-10)Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
11) Cushion cover for living room;
12-15) Sleeveless tops (x4);
16) SBCC top
17) Overlocker chicken
18) Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
19,20,21)Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
22)Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
23)Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)
24)Boxes for DH (3 pairs using black cotton lycra with patterned fly)
25)Shorten the hems and sleeves on 4 of Mum's day dresses (count as 1 task)
26) repurposed  old tee shirt as cover for mini cushion
27) Burrito rolled bag (from Jane's July Zoom)
28) Replace waistban on massively oversized maxi skirt
29) Salvage DH's Firestorm tee shirt (using stretchyfix)
30) Yet another Heartlight skirt (July) feathers scubb, great pattern matching, goof fit onwaitband

Learning activities:
1) Scanning pattern pieces; 2) Making movies; 3)Babylock demo day; 4)Gathering using my overlocker;   5) Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper);6) Gail Yellen's binder course; 7) Inkscape 1; 8) casting on;  9)purling; 10)casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 
A) Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired

B) Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Echo

 I decided I'd get an Echo done privately.    It would either reassure me that nothing was wrong (which would give me peace of  mind at  a price), or it would identify something was going on, and I'd be able to take it to the GP for help in getting it resolved  earlier than otherwise.

The place I chose had a spot at 8pm last night, so I took that.   It was an easy 40min drive and a three minute walk.   I was 15 mins earlier, so stoof quietly in reception, waiting.   

Mayble it was the sitting driving, or the standng idly for 15 minsm  but my heart decided to choose yesterday evening to be fairly quiet.  For the first time in weeks I couldn't actually feel it beating (and skipping). Even when I touched my pulse, it was all unusually quiet.

This meant that whilst I was having the echo done, it only did a couple of pathetic ectopic beats.  It wasn't doing the usual, four betat regular,  lub dup, lub dup, lub dup. BAMBETY BAM, pause, lup dup, lub dup, lub cup, BAMBETY MAM, pause,lub dup.   It wasn't even doing its mega drum solo.  Nope.

So the Echo didn't really get a chance to see what was going on.  I also wasn't lying flat and, on reflection, I wish I'd asked him to let me do that.

However, it did show that there was no obvious damage to the valves etc, so that's reassuring.

It means that we still  don't know what is causing the ectopic beats.  It could be a virus.  It could be coronary disease that an Echo can't pick up.   It could be an auto immune thing, but there is no damage to the valves to suggest it is.     Of course, for the doctor who did the Echo,   all he saw was a couple of minor blips,  so I can imagine that he thinks I'm overstating the issue a bit.  (I wish I was having it done this morning, as it's been going mad all morning)

So.  All he can do is look at how to reduce the symptoms.  Vitamin D may help.  Magnesium may help.   He gave me  a prescription for beta blockers which should stop the ectopic beats.   I'm going to wait before taking betablockers, as (a) I really would like to try and find the cause of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms, and (b) I'm still going to go for my Echo at the beginning of September, and I need to be symptomatic for that to have a chance of showing the real issue up.

 

Distractions

I didn't get the three things done.

I did one item on the list - I sewed a new waistband on to a skirt, so I can no wear it without it falling down. It was at least 2 sizes too big, but is great for wearing round the house, in the garden, and for chickening.

One of them, the leggings, I decided to start again with better fabric.  I haven't actually started again, but I did make that decision.

The third one, the bra, is still waiting.

I've been a little unwell  (including another hospital visit early this morning), so I'm happy that I did any of them.

When I got back from hospital  today, my double sided sticky interfacings had arrived.  This meant I was able to attempt to salvage a special tee shirt for DH.   I did a test run, and then I did the real thing.

The original tee shirt was a promotional one, and it's been worn to death.   I decided I wanted to try and cut the promotional bit out, and attach it to a new tee shirt.  I'd worked out that I needed some form of double sided interfacing/stabiliser, and that  I would need to sew round the edges afterwards to make sure they didn't fray or lift up.

My test run showed me that I needed to apply an oversized piece of stabiliser to the back of theold shirt before cutting out,   then cut out,  then trim to size.

It all worked really well.

I picked an heirloom stitch to go round the edges, and I worked hard to make it appear reasonably straight.  I used embroidery thread to match the new tee shirt, as sewing thread just looked awful on my test.  

I picked a grey tree shirt to pick up on the grey in the logo,  a white tee shirt would have looked dreadful.

DH was a bit surprised, and seemed reasonably happy. Not ecstatic.  Not over the moon that I had saved his tee shirt. 

But at least not annoyed that I had destroyed his original  tee shirt.

He has another tee shirt that needs doing, one which has a front and back design.  I'm not entirely sure he'd be happy about it, so I'll ask him first next time.

 I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total crafty things this year: 41

Sewing based makes: 
123) Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
456)Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
7)Dressing Gown;
8-10)Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
11) Cushion cover for living room;
12-15) Sleeveless tops (x4);
16) SBCC top
17) Overlocker chicken
18) Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
19,20,21)Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
22)Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
23)Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)
24)Boxes for DH (3 pairs using black cotton lycra with patterned fly)
25)Shorten the hems and sleeves on 4 of Mum's day dresses (count as 1 task)
26) repurposed  old tee shirt as cover for mini cushion
27) Burrito rolled bag (from Jane's July Zoom)
28) Replace waistban on massively oversized maxi skirt
29) Salvage DH's Firestorm tee shirt

 

Learning activities:
1) Scanning pattern pieces; 2) Making movies; 3)Babylock demo day; 4)Gathering using my overlocker;   5) Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper);6) Gail Yellen's binder course; 7) Inkscape 1; 8) casting on;  9)purling; 10)casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 
A) Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired

B) Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Waiting

I feel like I'm treading water. 

I had some bad (but not the worst) news about my cousin (MIss T's dad) last week:  he has throat cancer.  It's treatable, and the treatment has a reasonably high success rate.    He has a few additional MRI type scans to be done before he can start treatment, as the last scan showed some other oddities that need investigating.

We'll know about the scans sometime next week, and all we can do is wait. 

He's (or appears to be) quite sanguine about it.  Mrs Cousin, understandaby, not so much.  

......

Separately, and starting before I got that news,  we are waiting for Nora to die   She's had something happen which means she can't see (she's blind in one eye anyway) properly, and can't feed herself.   I've given her daily doses of vitamins, and I've been helping her feed and drink several times each day.

She's not going to get better, and I thought about asking DH to cull her.    I haven't asked him yet because , she isn't ready.     And I mean she isn't ready, it's not me pretending that she isn't ready because I'm not ready.   

Unlike Gloria, who made it clear she was ready and sat in the nestbox patiently waiting to slip away,   Nora  comes out of the run into the garden each day. She finds a spot away from the others, and sits in the sunshine.   If I go out with treats,   she comes running (but then can't actually get any, so I have to take her out and hand feed them to her.).   She goes to bed each night and, until last night, was actually going up the steps into one of the coops to sleep. 

Last night, she chose to use one of the nestboxes in the run. These are easy for her to get into and out of, and I'm a bit surprised she didn't take this option earlier.   Last night she refused to eat, but she did drink.

She's our oldest girl, 10 going on 11, so we've known for a couple of years that she's likely to go at any time.   As always, I keep hoping that she'll go of her own accord, before we have to cull her.  We won't let her suffer, and I have to remember that it's "better a week too soon than an hour too late".

I guess it won't  be long.

.....

I'm waiting for my Echo.  

......

I'm going to do some sewing.  I started to make a pair of leggings using Apostophe Patterns MyFit Leggings.  My fabric choice wasn't right, so I'm not hopeful about them.  I got so far and stopped, and I've been procrastinating.

Today, I will  finish them.

I will  replace the waistband on that skirt.

I will  try the Velcro Hook and Loop on the bra that I use for exercise.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Burrito Roll

Burritto rolled bag

The lovely Jane, from Jane White Tuition and Babylockshop,  ran a Zoom Sewcial this week.   We made an easy bag, with two fabrics, and she showed us how to use the burrito method to roll it up before sewing so that there were no exposed seams where the two fabrics met.

It worked really well!   Sadly, I didn't realise that it was going to be two coordinating fabrics, so I made mine out of two pieces of the same fabric.

No exposed seams (outside)

The "no exposed seams" only applies to where the two fabrics are joined. The inside side seams are still there.  I did try and work out if I could add a lining to hide the inside seams but I don't understand enough, about how and why the burrito method works, to be able to work it out.

Noexposed seam (inside)

Although I can now technically do it (while making a bag),  and I could follow instructions to do it while dressmaking,  I don't understand it well enough to be able to work out how to apply it to clothes myself.  

 I need to sit down and play a bit, and I need to be in the right frame of mind to learn.  I'm not there at the moment.

But the bag is cute, and I can see me using the idea for present wrapping as well.  Thank you Jane.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total crafty things this year: 39

Sewing based makes: 
123) Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
456)Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
7)Dressing Gown;
8-10)Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
11) Cushion cover for living room;
12-15) Sleeveless tops (x4);
16) SBCC top
17) Overlocker chicken
18) Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
19,20,21)Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
22)Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
23)Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)
24)Boxes for DH (3 pairs using black cotton lycra with patterned fly)
25)Shorten the hems and sleeves on 4 of Mum's day dresses (count as 1 task)
26) repurposed  old tee shirt as cover for mini cushion
27) Burrito rolled bag (from Jane's July Zoom)

 

Learning activities:
1) Scanning pattern pieces; 2) Making movies; 3)Babylock demo day; 4)Gathering using my overlocker;   5) Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper);6) Gail Yellen's binder course; 7) Inkscape 1; 8) casting on;  9)purling; 10)casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 
A) Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired

B) Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Batch processing

We usually cook from scratch.   We usually have a drawer full of home made 'ready meals' , and cook extra specifically fir thus purpose  

There are exceptions.  Usually its things that we just cant make as well ourselves.

I do quite like Meica hotdogs, so we buy jars of those.   I also like Albert Bartett frozen crinkle cut chips,  and rgeir classic fries, both of which are superb in the airfryer.  They are better than home made so we now we rarely (i.e. never) make chips.  

I bought some pies from a local pie company, and some of them were really good and were  fillings I  probably wouldn't make myself.   We have a few of those in the feeezer.

Recently, we've been having  lot of easy meals:  shop bought fish fingers (big ones),  hotdogs, sausages (the sausages are made by  us),  the odd steak.    Few proper meals. 

 

The drawer has been empty of ready meals for months.  No energy or enthusiasm fir cooking.

Today, I decided to make a double sized chilli.   I decided that, as I was going to be doing  it oldschool,  I'd make other stuff as well,  specifically for ready meals.

So, I did a double portion of shepherds pie filling [we use mutton for extra flavour],  znd I did a huge pot of bolognese.     In fact, I started with the bolognese as that takes over 3 hours to cook down.

The kitchen smelt lovely,  3 completely different meals.   DH said he could smell it from outside. 

We had chilli and rice for dinner.  

All the meals are now in two-person portions ready for the freezer. 12 of them.

No Sunshine

Last night I went out to put the Girls away and, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something dead under a shrub.    I thought it was a hedgehog, and I'd seen something pink, so I guessed it had been half eaten.

I hurried the Girls in,  and then I went to investigate.  It wasn't a hedgehog. It was Sunshine,  one of my lovely leghorns. (The pink I'd seen, and out of the corner of my eye assumed to be guts, was her comb).

I ran to the house to get a towel and to get DH to come and have a look.

Sunshine (centre) with Astrid (right) and Sylvia

We could find no obvious cause of death.  No trauma, no blood.  She was a good weight, she'd been eating happily the night before, so we don't think she'd been dying for a while.    I guess it's possible she ate something, but we're assuming that a heart attack was the likely cause.

We wrapped her up carefully in one of my good towels,  and then double bagged her.  She's currently in the freezer, waiting for the next bin day.     

It was a complete an utter shock. and it upset me much more than the death of Gloria because of that. 

I've got 5 girls that I fully expect to go at any time.  Norah, Poppy, Katy, Phyllis and Fleur.   I'll be sad to lose any of them (some more than others, to be honest) as they have all been part of my life for a long time.  But they are all old (for hens), and I've already made sure they've been told (and told and shown) how loved they are, so I'm prepared for them.    The younger hens, well, I just didn't expect it.

I've always loved the character of Leghorns. Loony, flighty birds, with a reputation for being difficult to tame.  I've never found that.  All my leghorns have been the friendliest birds, and I will always have space in my flock for one.

Sunshine and Astrid,  my golden partridge leghorns, are both lovely characters, and very different to each other.   

Sunshine is  was a particularly interesting little girl because she is was so fascinated by Other People (those who aren't chickens).

She studied the cats at great length, and always wanted to chat to them and talk to them through the netting. 

She studied us, very carefully.  She liked to observe when we had visitors.  

She was always interested in what everyone was doing - not in an attention seeking way, she didn't want to be part of it,  she just liked to observe closely just from a distance.   She always seemed to be studying us scientifically, like we were mice in a maze she'd created.

She loved her food,   happy to accept treats from my hand,    was very tame., and tolerated being picked up.    She knew and responded to her name. 

It's just not right without her.   I'm happy and lucky to still have Astrid, of course,  but hens aren't interchangeable.  Yes, I can hatch another leghorn (at some point),  but it won't be Sunshine.

I don't have any individual photos of her as an adult,   

Bye bye poppet.

 

Disheartening

Hmm, well,  the thuddiness came back with a vengeance.   The ectopic beat is no longer regularly every 4 beats, it's very erratic... and it's now sometimes an extra lub dub, sometimes a lubduplubdup, and sometimes worse.   

The cough also returned.  Four days ago I was in hospital so, although unlikely, it was possible that the cough was  Covid.  The News has been full of how different the symptoms of the Delta variant are,  and how many people just aren't bothering to get tested (and thus why the virus is spreading so quickly).

So, I booked a proper PCR test.   My local test centre didn't come up on the options.  There was a walk-in place relatively close,  and a drive-through place  a bit further away.  I didn't want to be walking or queing near people when I was coughing so much,so I opted for the drive through.  

I was assigned a half hour slot, with instructions not to be early. 

I arrived at the beginning of the half hour.  It was a pop up mobile unit in a temporarily requisitioned public car park. It wasn't signposted, but it was easy enough to find.   There was just one other car in the car park when I arrived, but by the time I left, about 15 minutes later, there were probably 12 cars.   Some cars had one occupant, some had several.

It was easy to do.  I'm used to doing lateral flow tests, and the swabbing bit is the same.  The test result came the following morning, and was negative.

No surprise, but a relief all the same. 

The heartbeat symphony continues.

 

 

Heart and soul

I really like the stethoscope.   I'm so glad that I got the one I did, as I've been able to record my heart (both the sound of it, and actually capturing the output graphically).     It enabled me to see the stutter, every 4 beats.

It did carry on,  and  I did phone the doctor on the Monday.   The earliest appointment I could get was for the Saturday, by phone.  I was a little surprised, I thought that I'd be seen more quickly.  Still,  the NHS website reassured me that these things happen, are usually nothing to worry about, and I didn't have any of the other symptoms which indicated I needed to go to A&E.

By this stage, my blood pressure monitor was telling me that I had an erratic heartbeat and I should discuss it with my GP.  I took my bp every so often, and carried on checking my heart frequently.

I found the sound of the heartbeat really quite soothing, reassuring, even with the extra beat/beats.  

I was having trouble lying on my side at night, so I'd been sleeping on my back.  My neck (and upper back) ached as a result.  I dismissed any idea that these aches were the aches that come with a heart attack.   My chest was uncomfortable to left of my sternum, and my upper arm ached a bit, but I dismissed those as being psychosomatic.

When Saturday came, I was relieved.  I'd taken screenshots of my bp readings, and done some printouts of the heartbeat, and taken them in to the surgery on the Friday. so the doctor could have them when we spoke.    I'd explained to the receptionist that I had a telephone appointment the following morning, and that these were my bp readings and printouts of the additional heartbeat.    

The call was from the out of hours doctor, who wasn't at my surgery, and the stuff I'd taken to the surgey had not been scanned into the system.  Oh well!

I took him through the history (the current bout of erratic hertbeat,  and the problem I'd had a onth before) and told him my readings. I also mentioned our family history of heart issues.  He explained that it was entirely possible that erratic beat was a side effect of my thyroid medication.  He said I needed an ECG and a blood test, and to decide how urgent it was (being a Saturday) he asked my to take my bp while I was on the phone. 

 My bp was on the high side, but not high, so he said I should call my GP on Monday and get an ECG done then.  He sent me a link so I could arrange a blood test.  He said that the first sign of it getting worse would be a raised heartbeat, so he suggested I monitored that and recommended wearing a fitbit or smartwatch if I had one.  If it got too fast, and/or my blood pressure got too high, to go to A&E.   I was more than happy with the call.  He had been very thorough, he'd listened, I didn't feel rushed or stupid.

At 1.30 the following morning, I woke up and my heart was pounding.  I had worn my watch to bed, so I checked the pulse rate, it was 90.   90 doesn't sound like a lot,  but my normal rate is somewhere between 56-63, so 90 was not good news.

I got up and went to the loo.  I'd worked out  a while ago that needing to go for a number two sometimes impacts on my heart rate.  This time, it didn't make any difference. I went back to bed and  and told myself to stop overreacting.   I tried deep breathing.  My heart rate went down a little, but then crept up again.   I had decided that if it got up to 90 again, I'd get up and take my blood pressure.

When it got 89bpm,  2.50am, I got up and took my blood pressure.  It was  on the high side, but still only an orange flag.   I tried going to the toilet again.  I went back to bed.

At 3.30, it was at 90bpm,   so I got up and took my blood pressure again.  This time it was high, a red flag rather than an orange flag, and I didn't know what to do.  I sat on the bed for a bit, wondering whether to go to A&E.    What if I had a heart attack while DH was driving me there?   WHat if I got there and it was nothing?    I tried to work out what the measurements would have to get to for me to actually make the decision.

And then I decided I'd just do it.  I phoned for an ambulance.   I woke my husband so he could shut the cats in and let the ambulance crew in.    They checked everything out, and the ECG showed no sign of a heart attack (but it did show my ectopic beat, of course).      They took  me to hospital so I could have a more thorough check up.

I arrived in hospital at about 5am, and I was discharged at about 1.30pm.   They did ECGs, did blood tests (incuding the ones I was sheduled to have the next day), and did a chest x-ray.  As the on call doctor said, it's possible/likely that it is my thyroid medication so they've made some changes to my prescription to see if that helps resolve it;    and  I'm going back for an Echo shortly, just to check the overall function.

My ectopic heartbeat continues, I still struggle to sleep on my side, and my upper arm still aches a bit. My heart still feels a litle uncomfortable for quite a lot of the time and I still think that's psychosomatic.

I've lost the "could it be...?" feeling though, and that's helpful.  

I guess I'd be waiting until my BP reached 175/ or 180/  next time.

Procrastination continues

I've had my lovely overlocker downstairsin the kitchen for...so long now,I can't count.  It made making knickers for DH much more likely to happen, I was much more inclined to do it when I could cut and sew immediately.wthout having to run upstairs.  It worked - and he's got quite a few pairs now.  

I left it there because I planned to go on and make a maxi skirt, or another pair of flared joggers, or some plain tops to complement the maxis I made previously. But it hasn't happened.  Even rousing myself to clean the kitchen and  clear the table did not result in me getting the enthusiasm to make something.

Every day (it seems) i think "right, I'll definitely do it tomorrow";  tomorrow comes, tomorrow goes, and no sewing has happened in between.

I've got lots of reasons, excuses perhaps,  like the incredible heat making doing anything a chore,  or the housework gets in the way (I'm not sure when and how I let that happen), or my heart, or...whatever,  but the truth is, if I wanted to do it, I'd do it.

I considered selling my embroidery machine, which hasn't been used since.... since.... I'm not quite sure actually.   I didn't because I might regret it.

I'm so lacking in sewing motivation that I felt a mild surge of achievement when I finally got round to putting a kam snap and ribbon onto one of my oven gauntlets.  There had been one there befoere, attached to the inner label.  The inner label fell off several months ago, and the gauntlet has been living separately from its mate ever since. It kept being tossed onto one or other work surface, and being mislaid and overlooked.  I kept meaning to take it upstairs and fix it, and I knew that in the time it took me to make a mental note that it needed doing, I could have done it.   I did it in the end, after thinking about selling my embroidery machine.

So, why am I telling you?

Sometimes, writing something down helps clarify things for me. Sometimes, it strengthens my resolve.  Sometimes, it spurs me into action.

It hasn't this time.

But writing this has helped me realise why I'm trying to keep slightly more on top of the housework:  You never know what's going to happen.  You never know when someone is going to have to go into your house and look for stuff for you, or look after things unexpectedly.  You never know whether today could be the day you go out and don't come back because you've been rushed to hospital.

It started after my uncle had a heart attack when out on his bike. That morning, he left the house expecting to be back for lunch.   He'd pinned up some drawing paper on his easel.  He had his bills out ready to pay.  He'd left the washing up to do later.  he had his post partially opened. 

He went out one day, and it was 8 weeks before he came back.

You just never know.

Flutters

My heart has been fluttering, and making me expel air with a single outward cough, for a few days.  I have circulation issues, so I'm often acutely aware of when things aren't right.

 Both Google and the NHS website say this usually isn't anything serious, and there was mention of it going on for a couple of weeks.   I didn't have any of the "call for an ambulance if..." symptoms. 

I am also acutely aware than "not being quite right" doesn't mean something is actuallywrong, and I don't want to go to A&E and find it's all in my imagination.   Our GP surgery used to let people book appointments online, but we have to phone now so they can triage and signpost.   I don't really want to get a GP appointment and find it's resolved itself, or it was nothing to worry about.  

I did some checks (as I have been doing for some time) with my 6 lead ECG device, which is actually about as much use as a chocolate teapot. It detected no arrythmia/fibrulation, even when I used it mid flutter.    

The blood pressure monitor did detect that my heartbeat was erratic, and suggested I mention it to my GP if that result kept occurring. .  I had two days where the blood pressure monitor detected an irregular heartbeat, so in the end  I did phone the GP.   Sadly for me, I picked the one afternoon when all GP surgeries in my county are closed for training.

While thinking about what to do, I decided to buy a second hand stethoscope.   There are a lot of cheap stethoscopes, widely available.  I was looking for something a bit better, second hand, ideally nearby so I could go and collect it.

It was all a bit confusing to start with, as these things often are. I did a bit of research into different types of stethoscopes (including different types of heads for them) and different brands, so I at least understood what I was looking at.    Then I progressed to looking at some review pages, and that helped me decide to limit my searches to Littmann ones.   I've no doubt the others are fine too,  but I needed some criteria to help me whittle down the lists, and this seemed an easy way to do it. .

Having decided on Littmann, I looked into the different models, establishing the new-buy prices,  and comparing the  second hand availability and prices.  This helped me decide on my bottom benchmark, ruling out a couple of entry level models.  I'm fully aware of how daft it sounds, as I'm not a doctor and i'm only looking for this for personal use.   However,  if I'm going ot be spending money then I want to make sure that I get good value for my money and I don't want to end up in a "buy cheap, buy twice" situation.    As part of this I also decided on my top cut off point, where the the top few models were overkill, even by my "while I'm at it" standards.    Having got my model range, I did some serious searching.  

Distraction always helps when I think I'm being one of the "worried well".

When I'd got my shortlist of both new and second hand versions, it turned out that the ones that were cheaper were some distance away, or the "end date" was several days away and they already had a lot of bidders.    

I could wait.  If I didn't want to wait, I would have to buy new.

In the (near) end, I decided I'd go for one near the top of my list. It had the best reviews, a 7 year warranty, and I didn't need the extras that the models above it had.  Best of all, it was available in a lot of places (including Amazon's same day delivery, if I was quick).

I hesitated before buying.  I like to get my Buyers Remorse done, where possible,  before I actually buy.   I had it in my basket, and I hesitated.    I hesitated because I went back to one of the review sites, which had mentioned electronic stethoscopes and I'd not bothered to read it.    

The  electronic one was actually the model I was looking at (which I hadn't realised, I thought it would be one of the higher models), adapted for electronic use.  It could be used standalone, or with an app.    The cost was, of course, more than the non electronic version  - but not much more in the scheme of things- and the app was quite interesting.

I did some research on that too,  looked at the reviews for it,  and thought about how much less...stupid... I'd feel if I could show my GP.   I also realised  that this would make the stethoscope useable for both of us,and could providean ongoing history (along with the blood pressure readings etc).  so it would be more than just a purchase for this particular flutter.  

By this time, I'd missed the "same day" Amazon cut off.  Whatever I bought, it would not now arrive until tomorrow.

It was a partly a case of "in for a penny, in for a pound",  and what sealed the deal was that a place down the road had the electronic version in stock and I could collect the same day. I checked this with their online chat before I  made my decision.  "Just buy online and then phone after you've checked out to let them know you want to collect."  I put it in my basket.

I went off and made a cup of tea, and considered Buyers Remorse.

As I went to checkout, there was no "collection" option. I have quite a good gut instinct, and I've learned to listen to it.   I decided I'd phone them before I checked out, just in case.    Good job I did.  No collections at the moment due to Covid.

I thought I'd give in and buy from Amazon because they offered next day delivery.  I didn't really want to get it from Amazon if I could support another company. It was being sold from a number of specialist sites (who also sell to the general public). so I did one final search.     Thanks to Google,  I found it somewhere where they promised next day delivery on orders placed before 1.30pm.   It was just a few pounds more than Amazon, but it came with a free case (worth £18) and some other freebies, and so ended up being even better value.

I bought it. I

I watched some videos on how to use a stethoscope,  I saw what online training was available to help me understand my readings,  and I was ready to give it a go.

To my surprise, it arrived the next morning.  I tried it out immediately.   I wasn't feeling particularly fluttery (typical!) and I wasn't suffering from the involuntary single expulsion of air that had punctuated the last three days, so I wasn't expecting to hear anything out of the ordinary.   However,  I did hear a definite additional beat.   Every fourth LubDup had an extra ping.  I recorded it.  I tried it later.  Same thing.  

This morning, as soon as I got up, I listened.  No additional beat.  A short while later, I could feel something, so I listened again: there it was, but irregularly this time, every 15-18 beats.  Later still, there it was, and it was now regularly every four beats again.

It's the weekend now, and I'm still not feeling any of the additional 'call an ambulance' symptoms.  

I'll keep listening, and if it carries on, I will call the GP on Monday and see if I can get an appointment.

Less calm

We have been really spoiled. Good weather,  a fab awning (one of our best ever impulse purchases), it has been a pleasure to sit in the garden recently.

Today, Saturday, ita slightly less calm.   We've had lots of planes coming in to land,   some helicopters, and the Red Arrows (RA).  The RA were fab. 

There is at least one adult football match going on, and it sounds well attended.      Next doors are busy, and the kids are home.  

Someone is drilling.   

For once, our Girls are  not adding to the cacophony.    I put the table shade up for them,  it casts a good shadow on the grass,  and they  are all sitting around.

I tried to take a pic,  and several of them got up and ambled off to have a snack. I waited for some to come back, but more wandered off...oh well. here's a small group.

I'm drinking some eyewatweringly expensive cordial  that was a relative bargain. It was short dated, and  so was being sold at  70% off. It was still £7 a bottle.   I don't like things too sweet so I'm getting a lot of drinks out of it.   No alcohol.

The next warm day

I decided yesterday - pre Gloria - that today  I would do the other coops.    I decided to carry on and do them, as they really do need doing.

Being so busy was actually helpful in mentally dealing with Gloria's death.

First thing - the coops were dismantled and brushed out, and jet washed.  This took a surprising amount of time.     I left them to dry in the sun while DH and I did an exercise class.

Then I went out and sprayed everything,  and then I came in for breakfast while everything dried for a second time.

After breakfast,  I powdered everyhting (with Stalosan powder disinfectant and Diatom),  filled the nestboxes and lined the poo trays  with Aubiose, and then put everything back together.   I was caked in stuff.

I didn't finish until lunchtime, and I was so happy to get in that shower and wash my hair.

Meanwhile, the Girls have been creating mayhem  They couldn't use their preferred nest boxes, and of course they couldn't possibly use any of the other 6 nest boxes.    When everything was put back together,  there was a scramble (ha ha) to get in.   

No one would share.   No one would hurry up.   There was a queue to lay, and those in the queue were loudly vocalising their annoyance.    Those in the nest boxes were loudly vocalising how much they didn't care, and that they weren't going to hurry    Those that had laid, were announcing that fact.  Those that weren't  queueing, were vocalsing how they wished that everyone else would shut up.

I had to message my neighbour to apologise. I'm sure wshe had seen the bits of coop strewn around the garden, and she couldn't have missed the pressure washer.   I did want her to know that I know it's an unacceptable amount of noise,  and that there was a reason for it. 

She was lovely about it.

I've done just over 8000 steps this morning, and I'm ready to for a break.

An un-Gloria-ous day

Gloria (Or Gorgeous Gloriana, to give her my gorgeous girl her full name) died today.

Her death was not unexpected.    She's slowed down a lot recently,  and I knew a couple of days ago that she was getting ready to go.   I had time to tell her how much she was loved, and how she would be missed.

She was just short of her 10th birthday, and was one of 8 girls that we hatched from a dozen Castle Farm's Welsh Black Eggs. These are a cross between an Indian Game and an Australorp, and they had the best characteristics of both breeds. 

 She is survived by her hatchmates Poppy and Katy.

All the girls from that hatch were very robust.  We had planned to keep one girl here (either Poppy or Gloria) along with the single female exchequer leghorn chick, Lotti; we also planned to keep a couple of girls for the allotment.  The other girls would join the boys as dinner chickens.

In the end it was Poppy that stayed in the garden, and Gloria was one of the two girls earmarked as keepers for the allotment. 

For whatever reason,  we decided to keep all 7 of the allotment girls.  The other 6 were named after the wives of Henry VIII, and we kept one of the boys, Henry, as well.    They were all strong, gentle, determined, higly intelligent,  easy-to-do chickens.

When we lost all our Garden Girls bar Poppy to a fox, we brought Gloria back from the allotment to keep her company.  I was so happy to have her back in the garden, she was such a lovely girl to have around.   I'd said from the moment she went to the allotment, that I'd bring her back of we had a space.

The first of the 8 to go died at 5 years old,  already a reasonable age for a chicken.  The next died aged  6 and a half, and the next 2 were just under 8 when they went.  They really were a fantastic strain of bird, and I wish David was still selling eggs.

Gloria (L) and Poppy

Gloria was Number 1 chook from the day she came back.  When new girls were introduced, Gloria never had to assert herself, she was always automatically number 1.

She learned jumpy uppy, she knew her name and would come when called, she tolerated being picked up and stroked,  and she was just a lovely calm girl.

Her feathering was amazing.  Like all 8 Welsh Blacks,  she had Australorp eyes and she had shiny black feathers which had a green and purple irridescence which is impossible to catch on camera.  They were incredibly soft to touch. 

Her death was expected,  for those of her age (and older, like Nora),  "any time now" is likely.   She had a really happy life,  and a peaceful death.   It really helps me to know that.

I'm so lucky to have had her in my life at all,   and particularly having had her company for so many years.

Goodnight my Gorgeous Gloriana.  

 

 

 

Calm

Its's been quite quiet here.  There are very few aeroplanes, so the garden is peaceful. It really is lovely  

My gardening friends would be puzzled, I suspect, on how I can regard our garden as lovely.  We no longer have any borders to speak of. The grass is wild.  Our veg beds growing, but haphazard.     I miss the flowers,   but our garden is mainly just there to be green for us and to provide food and interest for the Girls.

This time of year, there is plenty of grass.  We only have 12 (soon to be 11) Girls, and the grass is growing fast enough to not get worn down by them.  It will be like this for a few more months - less, if the rain stops and the grass dies off of course.

I love sitting outside, just by the door, under the shade (the one we bought and installed as an emergency last year).  The Girls are mainly calm,  mainly get on,  and spend their days switching between grazing and then sitting in a "mothers meeting"  in bits of shade.

I think 12 is a good number.  Less than I'd like,  but not too much for us to eke out the grass in Autumn.  

We haven't hatched for 2 years now. The first year was because of the uncertainties around Covid.  Back then, Covid seemed to strike without warning,  it would confine people to their sick bed unable to get up for a week,  and was potentially fatal for people of our age and health.  It was entirely conceivable that both of us could catch it, and so both of us might be out of action at the same time, and both of us might even die.     Back then, we had a lot more chickens to worry about,  and they weren't one flock.   We brought some o fthe allotment girls home, so that the allotment chickens would have enought food and water for a week, should we both be laid up. 

Since then of course we had 4 hens stolen from the allotment,  we had to bring everyone else home and cull the boys (we couldn't find homes for them because of lockdown, and we couldn't risk leaving them on the allotment);     My brother received instructions on what to do if both of us died, which included which hens to cull and which hens got on with each other and so it might be OK to rehome (if such a thing were possible at the time).  We  had all the stress of the various flocks,  and then wen we realised it was going to be long term, we had to try and start merging them;    we had the fights  real fights - between Fleur and our oldest hen, Nora;  Two of the younger birds, Violet and Bott,  were complete thugs;   Sylvia, our baby silver laced barnevelder, died in an accident (Fleur wlked over her to get into the nest box and broke her neck).    This year,  Big Bird died of old age;   Ping had a heart attack; and Annie had to be put to sleep because of an egg laying problem.   Big Bird wasn't a suprise, but the other two were.  

I've got four girls who are very old and creaky, and I'm fully expecting them to go this year.  I fully expected them to go last year as well.  one of them, Gloria, is on her way.  I'm hoping she will be able to go quietly and peacefully and in her own time.... but if not, I'll have to help her. Or ask DH to.

We decided not to hatch this year.  We haven't decided what to do about our allotment.  It's being borrowed by another chicken keeper at the moment, while we see how we feel. 

Maybe next year. Hopefully next year.

Warm and Dry

A while ago I decided that on the next warm and dry day, I'd properly clean the coops.  Some of them, at least.

Today was the next Warm and Dry day.

When I was a little younger, I'd have been yup early, had all 4 coops disassembled, emptied, jetwashed, scrubbed and out drying before breakfast.  I'd then have my breakfast, and then go out and disinfect them,  and put them all back together again.    I'd then put everything away, have my shower, and be done by lunch.

Not so, today.

I got up very late (after a difficult night).  I had breakfast.    I decided to do only one coop,  the tattiest one which is in  the fruit cage. (Well, what was the fruit cage).   After I'd dismantled it and started jetwashing it, I decided to do the red GoUp  -  our emergency coop - as well. . That also resides in the fruit cage, now that we no longer have a garage, so it made sense to do it while I had the pressure washer over that side of the garden.

So, I took my time, and did both coops,  and all the gubbins associated with it.

Everything dried quickly in the sun, so I was able to get on with the the disinfectin of the coops as soon as I'd finished washing the bits,   and then disinfecting the bits as soon as I'd finished disinfecting the coops.  I managed to disinfect everything before the sprayer needed recharging, which was just as well.  

I plodded about putting stuff away, while waiting for the disinfectant to dry.  I'd found some topsoil in the shed, so I decided to make a fresh dustbath for the Girls in the run.  I had playsand and woodash, so it was quick and easy to do.  The sand was heavier than I expected thougg. Lifting it over the netting reminded me that I've been sub par all week. 

When I'd finished that, everything was dry enough to reassemble.  It didn't take long, and soon the coops were clean, fresh, and sporting fresh Aubiose,

I'm really pleased.    It was a lovely day to be messing about with water.  I missed having Miss Teen around to help, but actually it was just as quick on my own. 

 I'll do the other coops on another - not necessarily the next  - warm and dry day.

 

pillow talk

I finally got up the energy and enthusiasm to try making stuff today.

I cut out some bits to make more knickers for DH.   I won't count those until they are actually finished. 

This evening, I decided to make a quick cover for  small (32cm) pillow I've been using to give me some leg  separation when lying on my side at night.  Its a  feather pillow, and the feathers have been a bit pokey and getting on my nerves.  I've been meaning to do it for...a long time. 

I dug out one of DHs worn out tee shirts for this purpose.  The ready made hem  was great for the envelope pocket, and the fabric is soft.    I'm happy to have been able to recycle something.

It only took a couple of minutes [it is a bit rough and ready]  and I found it a reassuring reminder of how far my sewing ability and confidence has grown.

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Total crafty things this year: 38

Sewing based makes: 
123) Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
456)Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
7)Dressing Gown;
8-10)Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
11) Cushion cover for living room;
12-15) Sleeveless tops (x4);
16) SBCC top
17) Overlocker chicken
18) Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
19,20,21)Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
22)Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
23)Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)
24)Boxes for DH (3 pairs using black cotton lycra with patterned fly)
25)Shorten the hems and sleeves on 4 of Mum's day dresses (count as 1 task)
26) repurposed  old tee shirt as cover for mini cushion

Learning activities:
1) Scanning pattern pieces; 2) Making movies; 3)Babylock demo day; 4)Gathering using my overlocker;   5) Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper);6) Gail Yellen's binder course; 7) Inkscape 1; 8) casting on;  9)purling; 10)casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 
A) Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired

B) Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Uplifting

My Mum brought some day dresses with her, which she asked me to shorten. 

She was delighted with the first one, and asked me if I could do the sleeves as well.  The two sleeves had to be slightly different lengths (she has a rotator cuff injury which affects the position of one arm).

It took me a while to do the four.  There was a fair bit of unpicking (of my own work) involved, and I must have done each hem at least twice.

But they are done now, she's happy. I'm happy. 

I'm counting it as 1 crafty thing. It's been ages since I've added anything.

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Total crafty things this year: 37

Sewing based makes: 24;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)
Boxes for DH (3 pairs using black cotton lycra with patterned fly)
Shorten the hems and sleeves on 4 of Mum's day dresses (count as 1 task)

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired
Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)