A Bad Ending To Yesterday

Yesterday was a muggy day with a high of 24.2C (humidex of 29C). It was cloudy and when the sun shone is was nice out there. This morning, it is 18C and there has been a shower. There are suppose to be more showers, a high of 26C and a humidex of 31C. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning we went to the Canning area to buy blueberries. Once again they are huge, sweet, and juicy. We got 10 pounds of which I froze 9 pounds and we had fresh blueberries for dessert last night. 

Grandson came over yesterday after lunch to mow the lawn. Only a small bit needs mowing which he will do today. He and the Spousal Unit looked at the garden talking about what is ready to eat. I went out to look at the pepper plants and picked 2 more. The beans and peas have doubled in size. 

The Spousal Unit seemed tired and I was ready for a nap. With the humidity up, I tried to get him to nap and he was restless. He wanted to clean the debris out of the garlic box and water the garden. I kept saying not now as I knew I have a big mess to clean up off the lawn. He finally had a nap and when he woke at 4 p.m. he didn't know where he was and I was to take him to our house. I spoke to him for a few minutes and was going to take him for a drive and come back. He flipped his switch and started yelling at me. This was his house not ours, I'd changed the back door to a smaller one, I'd moved the door into the shed 2 feet over, and I had done something to the sidewalk. He was into the garage and downstairs yelling I'd given things away. When he came up from downstairs he was yelling for me to call the police to come and get me. I texted family to come over to help. I got him out to the garage to have a smoke. He didn't know who I was and I was letting everyone steal his things, once again, from him.

When family arrived, I was cleaning his pipe. The stem was blocked and I worked for quite a while getting it unblocked. I quietly talked to him and listened to him say horrid things about me. We finally got him to the back yard where he showed everyone the garden but was still agitated. We got him back to the garage and then daughter-in-law took him for a drive in her new car. He came home more relaxed but expressionless. He ate his dinner, had another smoke, and fell asleep in his chair. I was drained and upset when we went to bed. He slept all night but seems tired and angry this morning.

From all of this, I am to let him do what he wants and clean up after him. More added to my list of chores that seems never ending. Once again I'm to put my self care onto the back burner and try to find the energy to do what needs to be done. And once again I have to phone respite to find out who is coming and demand my 3 hours today. What I had planned is out the window. 

On the upside, the Spousal Unit has been fairly good. As I reread my posts, this spell last night was coming. His being restless and worrying could have been the signs. But, it was nice to have had a spell where he was basically in a good mood most of the time.

Sewing

I didn't make it into the sewing room yesterday. 

Today

I am calling respite at 8 a.m. and from there I will plan the day. The Spousal Unit is tired, I'm tired, and it could be a day to recover and nap. My trip to New Minas is cancelled until Monday as I'm expecting the Spousal Unit to be cranky and angry today. The signs are already showing that it could be a difficult day.

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

T-Shirt Started

 Yesterday was sunny and warm with a high of 23.9C (humidex - 28C). This morning it is 18C, cloudy and we could have showers this afternoon. The high is to get to 24C (humidex - 29C).

Lifestyle

Yesterday was a busy day for me. The bathroom got some cleaning done to it, our bed changed, laundry done, turkey dinner cooked, kitchen cleaned, and garbage taken to curbside. I was exhausted by 8 p.m.

The Spousal Unit was a bit restless yesterday (moon is full tonight) and came down to see me for a bit during respite. He had 2 naps, one tiny cranky spell, and ate well. He is having problems with getting his pipe lit and uses up to 3 packages of matches a day. It is time to get him weaned off the pipe. Plan in place. He asked me last night why I didn't have anyone to help clean the kitchen. Man, I would love to have help. He watched me take the garbage to curbside and walked away to look at something when I asked him to help me. He had no idea that I had asked him as he was thinking of something else. 

I talked to the doctor yesterday. My thyroid is fine but I am pre-diabetic again and my liver function is not as good as it was. I need to focus on my health in an already busy day. I have some thinking to do and start weaning myself from sugar once again. 

The doctor and I talked about the Spousal Unit and we are at a loss about his sore arm. It seems to hurt when he is tense or stressed about something. Other than his arm, he is doing okay and we will see what happens when we visit the geriatric specialist on Tuesday.

The new crop of peas and beans are growing rapidly. They had enough water during the hot weather and the weather is perfect for them at this time. It is exciting to watch them grow knowing we could have beans and peas in September. 

Sewing

While respite was here I spent a couple of hours in the sewing room. I tried the yellow top on backwards and it's much better. I have to move the snap once again as I'm not liking its placement.

I cut out the t-shirt and leggings and have enough fabric for a 2nd pair of leggings. I worked on the t-shirt and once the shoulder seams and neckline were done, I played with the crystals on the neckline. I got a design I liked. I have a couple of crystals to add to each side at the shoulder seams.

I worked on the sleeves and got them in and the side seams done. I am tickled with the results so far. 

I have a couple of hours left and the t-shirt and capris will be done. 

For this outfit, I decided to try using this thread. 

I bought it while working in Fabricland in Kamloops and I'm going to say don't buy it. It isn't worth the price. I lucked out and got it at 50% off but it was still pricey in my mind. I have navy, white, and red and will use it up but won't buy any more. I find that other threads work just as well on knits if you use the right needle. 

Thoughts

Though I have been exhausted, I keep looking at what needs to be done around here. The goal is to go to New Minas and get a few groceries and a packing box for my items in the garage. I will take the puzzles and books to the used book store which will clear out one part of my sewing room. I have a box in the garage that I am going to put some items into and give away. It is going to be tricky but I think I can do it. 

I need to get back to cleaning the sewing room also. The one part I cleaned looks so nice that I want to get the rest done. I am going to sit and watch TV and sort through the two bags our neighbor gave me, put away what I want to keep and toss the rest. I am going to have to purge hard in the sewing room as I am hoarding items I don't need. I know part of it is security during this time in my life but I need to let go of these items and move forward. I want the sewing room to be tidy, organized, and calm when I got in to it. 

Today

I have a few things to do this morning and then we are going to get blueberries. We are on our own today. Dinner is left over turkey dinner from last night. Laundry is caught up. Maybe we can watch TV and I can sort through the two bags in the sewing room. I also need to get the puzzles and books into the car while the Spousal Unit naps. 

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

Blue and Yellow Outfit Completed

 Yesterday was cooler with a high of 22.8C, humidex of 32C. That was at 8 a.m. in the morning. There were at least 3 good rains during the day with a total of 6/10" of rain. This morning the temperature was 14C with no wind. 

Lifestyle

With the weather cooler, I opened windows between rain showers. The wind was from the north so we really felt the cool wind in the living room. We actually were almost cold. 

The Spousal Unit had a fairly good day. He was happy most of the time though his arm did hurt. He was worried about not having enough tobacco. As it was wet outside, he was also cooped up in the house. We did watch TV before lunch and he had respite at 12:30 for 3 hours. He didn't eat his dinner as well as I had hoped. He was edgy but not worked up.

Poor Elliott has been getting neglected with the exhaustion we have been having. His litter box was dirty twice now and he peed on the guest bed. The mattress cover protected the bed but twice I've had 2-3 extra loads of laundry to do. I'm now trying to clean his box every morning when I get up. A new habit to be formed so I remember to do it daily even if I am exhausted. I'm now doing most everything as the Spousal Unit does only what I can help him with. 

I did grocery shopping and thought it would take longer than it did. It was actually not busy at the tills when I went to pay for groceries. It started to rain when I left the store and by the time I got onto the highway it was pouring rain. Water was laying on the road and running down Exit 5. The groceries were unloaded in the rain and shortly after that it stopped. 

Sewing

I finished the capri pants yesterday. They are really cute and I will make them again. They will be perfect for more summer outfits.

I am not crazy about the top. The idea is good but with no shoulder seams, the neckline sits away from the neck. That I don't like. I think being one piece also makes it fit poorly on the doll. 

I am going to try it on with the button on the front. Next up is the t-shirt and capri length leggings from a pair of children's leggings.

I spent some time fooling around with the 1860's Soutache Dress as it is on the list to be made after I finish the blue and yellow wardrobe. I am thinking it may happen later this month.

I did an in depth look at the picture and noticed 2 things:

1. The embroidery on the bodice needs to be held up 1/2" from the cut edge when cut out after being embroidered. 

2. The embroidery on the skirt needs to be sitting on top of the pleats and not inside the pleats. Lots of lines to be drawn to get that correct. It needs to be held down 3/4" from the cut edge.

With the fussing over with I decided to have the skirt embroidery done on a large hoop so all three pieces could be done at once. The designer has you do it in 2 settings. I did a lot of fiddling around but got it spaced correctly by counting squares when using Premier 2+ software. 

I will be doing a muslin to make sure I have everything correct in my head. A friend gave me some embroidery thread that I will use. If it turns out well I will give it to the little girls I sew for. The one I'm making for my dolls will be in pinks. 

While the embroidery is digitizing, I will sandwich the quilt. I don't leave the room when I am embroidering. I've learned that when I leave the machine will do something crazy. It likes to be baby sat. 

Today

There are several loads of laundry to be done, dinner planned and sewing while respite is here. The doctor will be calling sometime today and before dinner we will go into get more tobacco for the Spousal Unit. Garbage goes out after dinner. It is going to be a busy day for me. The only thing I don't have to do is water the garden. 

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

 

A Day To Recover

 Yesterday was cooler with a high of 23C (humidex 27C). In the late afternoon we had rain and about 1/4" fell. This morning it is 20C and we are to have showers or drizzle. The high is to be 22C with a humidex of 31C.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning was busy. I was on the phone with respite and complained about loosing 3 hours of time last week, not knowing who is coming the night before, and unable to make plans. I asked for 3 hours of respite on Sunday to make up for the 3 hours lost. If they don't do that, I will ask for 3 - 4 hour days next week. Continuing care has agreed with me that I have 12 hours a week coming and I am to get it. 

I next called the doctor's office and got us phone appointments on Wednesday. As I finished up the call, the geriatric specialist called and we see her on August 16. I called respite to change respite time for that day. 

The Spousal Unit and I slept in the morning and afternoon to catch up on lost sleep and the spells he's had. We were both exhausted and were in bed early. Though tired, the Spousal Unit was in a good mood, remembered things that surprised me, and only had one cranky moment. He ate well as usual. His weight is about the same as the last time. I discovered that in his last spell on Sunday he found the wooden matches I had hidden and had a box in his jean's pockets. I now have to hide the matches in another spot if he finds them again.

Our favorite respite lady was here and she is a delight. She went out to look at the garden with the Spousal Unit and they found cucumbers ready to pick. The Spousal Unit found 4 tiny tomatoes. I went out and picked 4 peppers. We had a haul for this time of the year. 

We delivered a cucumber and 3 peppers to family and I delivered a cucumber and pepper to our neighbor. We ate a cucumber for lunch and the Spousal Unit ate the tomatoes. 

Sewing

During my visit with our neighbor, we talked about the quilt. The decision is to try and get a light grey fabric for the binding so the focus remains on the center of the quilt. 

I did get into the sewing room for a few minutes and pressed the front seam of the doll's capri pants. They are ready for me to do the elastic waist. 

Daughter is sending me this strip of fabric (not the skeletons) so I can cut and hand sew onto another Regency gown. 

I will be looking for fabric to make this dress but it won't be until later on. I have too much other sewing lined up to make first. But, the excitement is the planning.

Today

The goal is fold the last of the laundry, put it away, clean the bathroom, and make our lunch. I have dinner planned. While respite is here, I will grocery shop and sew. I'm expecting the Spousal Unit to be a bit fussy as he is worrying about his tobacco already. 

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

An Up and Down Day

 The heat wave went out with a bang yesterday. The high got to 33.4C with a humidex of 42C. That's 92F and 108F. This morning it is 21C with a humidex of 27C. We are to have a high of 24C (humidex of 32C) and showers. There is suppose to be rain tonight. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday started off good and it suddenly changed for no apparent reason in my mind. In his, he was looking for items that were missing; pipe, tobacco, matches, keys, and other items. He was going through drawers and cupboards looking for things. He was responsive to me when I talked to him. He'd sit and talk a bit, get frustrated and leave, return and repeat. At noon he sat away from the table looking at his wrap and he ate it. When I asked him what he wanted for dessert, he responded happily that he would like an apple. He got that and a peach. He had come out of his spell.

After lunch, we went for a drive. We stopped at family's so he could have a smoke. His mind went to their new car and he started talking about needing something at our house after son mentioned they would be getting a charging station installed. We let him ramble trying to figure it out. About 15 minutes into our drive he said something and I realized he thought we needed a charging station for our car. It runs off gas and batteries as it is a hybrid. I tried to explain it to him and finally pulled off the road and brought up the picture of the batteries on the screen. As I drove I told him how the batteries were charging and then how we would use the batteries to drive. He kinda, sorta, almost got it. 

We ended our drive with ice cream, he had a nap and woke up okay. He ate a good dinner and started to pace again. Not a lot but some. He went to bed and was restless. I listened to him move the bedside table, touch items on it, and talk about things been taken from him. Two and half hours later, I  finally got him to turn over to face me, held his hand and he was asleep in 5 minutes. I fell asleep eventually. 

The upside of the day was I wasn't called any names or told I was stupid or wacky. I was told that if I didn't know something I was trying to figure out, it was my problem. In all, that was good. This morning he wanted to hug me but I couldn't let him or I would have been crying. He wouldn't have understood that. I did let him put his hand on my back which helped him feel that he was taking care of me. 

I was angry with respite again. There was no call so the company hasn't filled our spot. It was twice last week and we were shorted 3 hours of respite time. If I'm paying for time I'm not getting I'll file a complaint with Continuing Care and Consumer Affairs. First I will call the company and find out what is happening and demand 3 hours for today. I'm tired and the Spousal Unit needs the social contact they provide. 

I ran out last night to check the peas and beans before turning on the water. The Spousal Unit had told me they were up and they are up. The beans came up first and are further along than the peas. 

The beans.

The peas are barely visible. 

Sewing

I didn't get to sew at all yesterday. My main goal was to make sure the Spousal Unit was inside out of the heat as much as possible. I also used sewing time to go for a drive. The Spousal Unit comes first.

Today

I feel like I will have the phone attached to my ear this morning. I have respite and the doctor to call this morning. I would like to sew but I'm thinking I may nap during respite time. I have dinner and lunch to make, laundry to do and fold and I'm exhausted thinking about it. It will be a one step at a time day with an early to bed night. 

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

I Need To Remain Healthy

 Friday was another hot day with a high of 32.6C. The humidex was around 39C. Yesterday was another hot one with a high of 31.4C and a humidex of 40C. We had a thunderstorm in the afternoon and a hot rain. This morning it was 22C with a humidex of 31C. The high today is to get to 33C with a humidex of 43C. Last day of the heat wave they predict. 

Lifestyle

The Spousal Unit had a bad spell on Friday morning and I had a melt down on the phone with the behavioral therapist. I finally got him calmed down enough to eat lunch and he was fine with respite. Daughter-in-law arrived as respite was leaving and it helped keep him calm. She headed home to get what she needed to spend the night. 

I had a good relaxing night at family's. It was nice to be able to do things without worrying about the Spousal Unit every minute. I realized how exhausted I am with the constant care I have to give him every day. I need to work at getting a balance of care for both of us so I can remain healthy.

Yesterday was a calm day. Between both of us napping, having a drive to eat lunch out, and having several good laughs I would call it a success. He did talk about his worries with me and I kept answering his questions and reassuring him all is okay here. I also backed off helping him immediately. I let him struggle for a bit and then ask if he needs help. It seemed to work yesterday and I'm hoping it will work more often than not. It doesn't help much that we are both exhausted from the heat we've been having. It has been hard on both of us trying to keep the garden and flowers watered and both of us hydrated and fed. Dinners are the hardest as we are both tired and don't want to eat anything but ice cream. 

Sewing

On Friday I didn't go out during the 2 hours of respite. I sewed on the doll's top I had cut out. 

It fits the doll well and is very easy to sew. I have it pinned together at that point. 

Yesterday I started the capri pants. I tried the top with the pants having it all blue but the yellow cuff. It didn't work so I tried it with the yellow side out. Success.

I have since sewn the center front seams together and am ready to do the elastic waist. I stopped at that point so we could go out for lunch. 

Today

With it being so hot, I am hoping that we can watch some TV, water the plants, and relax. We may go for a short drive but not too far due to the heat. I would like to sew some but we wait and see. I said the wrong thing this morning about the garden and the Spousal Unit is upset. I need to keep him calmed down so he can have a good day. 

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

We Saw A New Blue Car

 Yesterday was a hot one. The high got to 32.6C with a humidex of 39C. This morning it was 20C with a humidex of 27C. It is suppose to be a repeat of yesterday. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning started out well. When getting the new tires on and balanced, the Spousal Unit started to get anxious as it was taking a long time. I finally convinced him to go out to look at the new cars. We looked at one blue one and it was a gas model. Then I noticed a new one with white protective material on it. We walked over to it and saw it was a Kia EV6 GT (fully electric). I snapped a picture to send to DDIL as she ordered this car in blue. 

We had a really good look at it inside and out. We went back into the showroom to cool off. I asked if they had a booklet on the this car and they didn't. It was at that time we learned it was daughter-in-law's car. She is excited it's here. We sat and talked about the car and the shop manager got a 2nd technician on our car to balance the wheels. They got the car done an hour early. 

We came home after I got us lunch. The Spousal Unit was exhausted. When we drove into the yard, he said he saw people in the yard. He was upset and headed out to check everything. I got him in and he paced looking out windows and doors. He wouldn't settle down so into the car we went and out for a drive to family's to see the rock work. We thought he was settled but less than a half a mile from their house, he started up again. He was a wreck by the time we got home. He told me to leave, that I had stolen his pictures, and was smoking non stop. He took off to the neighbor's but I stopped that short. Told him they were away and no one was home. As he was returning daughter-in-law arrived to help me. We finally got him settled and after he ate dinner, he sat and rested on the couch with me. He did water the garden for while I made dinner. And the only visitors we had were the neighbor's chickens. They left when the sprinkler was turned on.

I beefed up a frozen pizza for dinner and used the pizza stone daughter gifted us. It is great to use. 

I still have a few things to learn -- use the small oven on convection. I did dust it with cornmeal and learned how to check the bottom of the pizza to see if was done.

I slept poorly last night as I was cold. I did a rapid test this morning but it was negative. I probably have heat exhaustion at the worst but more likely it is exhaustion. The number of spells the Spousal Unit has had in the past week has been unreal and taken its toll on me. 

I did do the guest room bedding yesterday and got the peas blanched and frozen. I also cleaned out the fridge. I still have some floors to wash, laundry to do, and pack for staying with grandson tonight. I had absolutely no time to myself yesterday. Twenty minutes to myself is nice when I'm alone. I usually get that when the Spousal Unit is napping. I will either nap or rest with him.

So we wait to see what today brings forth. Respite is here which gives me time to either sew, nap, or ?? So far he is doing okay and I'm ready to make breakfast. I won't be posting until Sunday. 

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