Category Archives: Something different

Home Now

Well, I’m back home now with a much-needed cup of tea, two Tunnocks and Marcus Aurelius (who came along for the journey just in case I needed him).

The whole procedure (caudal epidural steroid injections) all overmy lower back) wasn’t as bad as past times and I had some sedation which helped sufficiently, and I made my feelings very clear when it didn’t.  Only my lower back was treated but there will be investigation into my shoulder/neck/arm pain at a later date because I cant have injections in both sites simultaneously.

So now I am resting in my cave for a few days – Flossie has taken the helm.  I have a headache and started the steroid flushes but those are both to be expected and I am not concerned.

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, sympathy, thoughts and prayers. I felt you were all very much in the room when I needed you most.

All Ready

I like to be organised and I will admit that I also like writing lists. So this morning was spent packing my bag for hospital tomorrow where I will get my caudal steroid injections as a day case. I am wearing my favourite (and very worn out with holes) shirt.

Though, I also have an overnight bag ready just in case because you never know and I don’t want OH to have to drive all the way back for it.  Best case scenario, I will bring it home and unpack everything unused.

Sadly, there is no room in my bag(s) for this small doglet and I know she would be perfect for keeping my feet on the ground as I am totally over-thinking this whole hospital procedure to the point of feeling like being sick with fear.  The last time was horrendous while they scraped me off the theatre ceiling.  So things have to be bad if I’ve asked to have this procedure again.

I am telling myself I will just have to think of my happy place, man up and do my best, insisting on a huge amount of sedation (I want to be knocked out), as promised when I went to discuss this with the anaesthetist at my last appointment.

(and, yes, I am in a terrible dither)

My sheep supplies are increasing now.  I made this little chap today.

And then I made this one too, staying a little longer in my shed as it may be a few days before I get back in again.

Floss sent me this photo from this morning.  I want to be like Monster. His ability to sleep absolutely anywhere is a talent and one I could do with.

Wish me luck. Think of me tomorrow.

Out For The Day

Having got all my ducks in a row (ie fed and watered everyone), I wanted a proper day out.

A day away from everything and everyone of nagging animal type.

So, we made a plan, which meant that Floss and I had to first clear the car out of all the recently bought animal feed, etc. I drove (because i am a control freak) and we went to Brae, on the other side of the island – to Frankie’s Fish & Chips for a proper Sunday lunch.

We had the best fish and chips and they made an excellent hot chocolate too, with all the trimmings.

So, that was a lovely Sunday lunch and one I didn’t have to cook or wash up. Win, win.

And then on to OH’s favourite haunt – the Nesting Scrap Store – which is basically two rooms in an old school filled to the brim with secondhand stuff.  A treasure trove of Lovely Things.

Floss and I bought something each – me, a bluetooth keyboard for £3.50.

We drove home past the wind turbines that rarely turn but are a blight on the Shetland hills.

Why don’t they turn, I hear you ask? – “the wind turbines often stand idle due to grid capacity constraints, maintenance, or extreme weather conditions. The primary cause is insufficient infrastructure to export the massive amount of energy generated, leading to “curtailment”. They may also pause for safety in high winds or for routine repairs.” – Google

All 103 were at a standstill today.

As we drove past Kergord Hatchery Bookshop, we decided to have a look because none of us had actually ever been in.

It was well worth a visit.  Lots to look at and peruse and want.

So another place to dig through looking for hidden gems on a Sunday.

And now I am home, lying in bed thinking I possibly over-did things (the driving finished me off) but it was totally worth it. A lovely day away from home.

And my bluetooth keyboard works – yay!

 

One Arrives, One About to Leave

It’s been an exhausting day for everyone.

We were up an hour early to do the animals and then I drove to the airport to collect Flossie, who is taking over from Daisy (98 mile round trip).

Meanwhile, Ted went to the vet for his scheduled “dental” – he had to stay for the day and ten teeth were removed while the rest were cleaned.  Poor thing.  He’s just come home and seems relatively bright and is managing to eat soft food.

Anyway, I shall be sad to see Daisy go. Her help has been invaluable and she keeps me on track as to food, rugs and general looking after.  I need that.  And I think a wee dog will be miss her hugely as will her science companion, Monster.

So now it’s Flossie’s turn again – back to lugging buckets through the mud in hellish weather without a single complaint.

And she gets to work from home too during the weekdays, subject to the internet working.

Life goes on, apparently.

We’re Not Talking to Pepper

No one is talking to little Miss Pepperpot this evening.

Not even her BFF, Monster.

I know Pepper was with me this morning as she helped me make Flossie’s bed for her return home tomorrow to help me around the place as it’s Daisy’s time to leave.

And Pepper was here to scoff her tea down as fast as she could and then, when Daisy and I went out to put the ducks/hens to bed and let the sheep in, no one had seen her for 30 minutes or so – each thinking she was with the other. She wasn’t anywhere. She had gone.

We asked around.

I checked my phone for any messages, shouted and whistled (two fingers in the mouth kind that gets you a taxi anywhere in London) but nothing.  No little orange dog.

And then I grabbed the car keys and off we both (Daisy and I that is, no sheep) to look for little Miss Pepper.

The first neighbour we saw said he had seen Pepper a few days’ back (really? we didn’t know she had gone) and had sent her home then but no, he hadn’t seen her today.  The next neighbour’s home was quiet and so we tried our third neighbour and guess who came bouncing out.  There she was “helping to fill haynets” along with a kind offer to happily keep her all day.  I won’t lie, at this point I was sorely tempted.

I do wish she wouldn’t do this.  I really do.  We are very lucky with our neighbours who know what a little terror/runaway she is.  She just likes visiting folk and maybe I am just her taxi collection service.