A Shoe Is Started

 Yesterday was another warm day with a high of 25.9C (humidex 30C). We are under a rain warning and this morning it is raining and 18C. We are to get up to 2" of rain and lots of wind. The high is to be 22C.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning started off quietly. At 10 a.m. respite arrived and the Spousal Unit was happy to see his favorite person. She is so good with him. She made us lunch and did some cleaning up after they explored the garden. They brought in tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. 

At noon the cleaners arrived so after we ate lunch, the three of us exited to the garage. The Spousal Unit is trying to light tobacco in a plastic container so I have that to deal with today. Everything has to be hidden now so he can't burn the house down. 

Respite, cleaners and us left at 1 p.m. We were off to see the specialist while the others continued on to their next jobs. Daughter-in-law came with us as she is part of the care team. The specialist is lovely. She made the Spousal Unit comfortable and had him answer a series of simple questions. From there, we talked about many things of which I gave the correct information. We talked about his spells and as I described what happened and what we did, the Spousal Unit became distressed. The pain in his arm flared up so much that he asked for it to be cut off. The pain radiates from the area he had his shingles down his arm and stress brings it on. He was taken for a walk to calm him down. The doctor and I talked about his spells. Daughter-in-law and I left to fill out some paperwork while the Spousal Unit and the doctor did more tests. We were there for 2 hours with her. The Spousal Unit is in mid stage Alzheimer. She was surprised at where he was but I wasn't. Once she realized that he had chemo, pneumonia, bad flu, moved, and the flooded basement she wasn't as surprised. The flooded basement was the trigger for the disease to get worse. 

The Spousal Unit was exhausted and his behavior got worse as the day wore on. He got verbal, moved things around, and threw a package at me. I got him into bed and he had a hard time to settle down. Pillow thrown on floor and then at me, trying to take the bottom sheet off the bed, playing with the lamp and bedside table. I finally got him turned towards me and he settled down around midnight. I did have to speak to him sharply to get him to turn to face me. He was obsessed with fidgeting.

Sewing

I took a bit of time and spent it in the sewing room. I made one shoe. My first job was to sew the uppers together and add the crystals. 

I did press the seam allowances well. Next I sewed the fabric to the insoles so they could dry while I sewed the back seam on the shoes. 

I did press the back seam allowance well but will have to get out the jewelry pliers to make the seams even flatter. I sewed 1/4" around the outside edge of the shoes for placement on the insoles. After doing a bit of a dry test, I applied glue and started to make the shoes. I am pleased with my first shoe. 

The back of the shoe needs a bit more attention as you can see it is not flat but has a bit of a fold. Other than that, the toe is smooth and it looks good. I can now glue the sole onto this shoe. 

I have to say the pattern is well written and the video is excellent. I followed both carefully when making this shoe and will continue to do so until I am more confident. 

Thoughts

The doctor and I talked about my health and I told her I'm burnt out. Exhausted is more like it. She told me I am not using respite effectively. They are to help me more rather than just visit with the Spousal Unit. They can help him shower, make us lunch, and do some small chores. I need to let go of doing it all. 

My biggest issue is meals. I do well for a while then get so tired I quit. Dinner is the hardest as that is when I am the most exhausted. I cook but am not passionate about cooking at this time. What I'd like to make the Spousal Unit won't always eat. I am tired of eating what he likes and that really puts me off cooking. I need to blend our likes and hope he will eat what I make. I'm going to try and meal plan once a week and then do it. 

Another issue I have is sleeping well. If I have to settle the Spousal Unit, it takes me longer to get to sleep. I wake up when he gets up to the bathroom. I am somewhat sleep deprived. If I nap during the day, I don't sleep as well that night. My nightly routines are scrapped. I am hoping that the sleeping pill the Spousal Unit will be taking will help me sleep better. I'm giving him one a night for the next several nights. 

And the last issue we talked about was getting out to talk to people rather than sitting at home in isolation. I try to visit our neighbor and enjoy that. My one day of respite to do what I want is necessary. But, I also have to do so many other things that I will forget my day. 

Today

I was going to head into the city today but am too tired to do that. Instead I will go to the pharmacy about the Spousal Unit's medication and have both of ours delivered (free). I will try to make the second shoe and plan a good meal for us. I may even nap this morning while laundry is running. As it is a gray day, I am sure that the Spousal Unit will have a blah day in which he will sleep a lot. I think it is a recovery day for us. 

Until the next time.........................................................