Freezer audit

Because of Steve's behaviour with regards food, I stopped cooking meals for him about three years ago.

Now he is unwell he wants me to start providing meals for him again. Actually he doesn't want me too, but as he lied to the Dr about what he eats, he needs me to cook.

We normally order a Tesco shop on a Thursday for delivery on Friday. This week, because he's been told to cut down his alcohol intake, we can't meet the minimum amount needed for a free delivery.

As we have Aldi and Lidl at the top of the road I've suggested I take my wally trolley and go shopping. Once I'd checked the cupboards, fridge and freezer all we need is bread, toilet rolls and I need some fruit. It should be a very cheap week food wise.

The fan

The proverbial has hit the fan, a resident had an accident and despite three people pulling their emergency cord there was no response. Yet another money saving dodge by the housing association.

Steve had two appointments y'day so he was out almost all day. This meant I had a peaceful time of  it, obviously he yelled at me when he arrived home. He was tired and the hospital procedure wasn't without its challenges. Fortunately he went to bed soon after his return home.

He has a Drs appointment this afternoon so another couple of hours peace. Nothing tomorrow but another appointment on Friday. Next week is full of appointments as far as I can see and then the week after he's back to the hospital. 

Steve can't understand my lack of interest and care, he has forgotten how badly he treated me when I was in hospital. 

Arfur job.

Here, the on site the manager has been round asking people to help with the site upkeep. Personally I feel we pay enough towards the upkeep. If I wanted to do that sort of work I've have bought that sort of property. My neighbour, Arfur Job threw himself into the idea with gusto. He's hacked great chunks off the ivy that adorns the outer wall. The resultant mess is all over the path and Arfur has no intention of clearing it up.

Steve's gone to the Drs, he has appointments most days for the next two weeks. He seems to think it's all to do with his painful knee. It isn't but I'm not discussing it with him. 

He recently fell out with two of the neighbours, the two who would have given him lifts to and from the Drs, so he has to catch buses to all his appointments. He has five or six appointments a week for the next two weeks.

80/20

I try to abide by the 80% 20% rule when I eat so I aim for 80% of my food intake to be healthy.

I also eat early, as I age, I find food eaten too late just lays heavy and disrupts my sleep.

Steve has been advised to improve his diet, his current diet is also 80/20. 80% beer, 20% BBQ chicken wings.

He's currently trying to persuade me to start cooking for him every night, as advised by the Dr. I would if he'd eat normal food but his is still insisting on junk food. If I cook it for him it's still going to be junk. I'm an ok cook with real ingredients but frozen chips and instant food defeats me.

Fantasy island.

Steve seems to have given up living in the real world.

He's told the neighbours that the problems with his knee have been on going for the last three years and are the reason he gave up living on the boat.

I don't actually care what twaddle he tells people but unless he warns me I'm just going to look totally confused when faced with tales of this alternative reality.

Obviously he won't admit that he's an alcoholic but I'm sure people must notice the copious amount of alcohol he consumes!

In other news I went out y'day and met up with two ex work colleagues. I caught a bus which Steve doesn't like me doing and not only did I not write my plans on the white board, I didn't tell him I was going out until he got up at 11ish and I then went on the 12:30 bus.

Living with hissing Sid

Steve has started talking to himself but he talks very quietly so all I can hear is a hissing noise.

it makes a change from his constant ranting about what he's read in the paper or what the neighbours are doing.

I'll take it as a win!

The white board

Steve instigated the use of the white board when he realised I was making friends here and going out.

I soon realised that if wrote a forthcoming outing on the board, Steve would find a way of stopping me going or coming along himself. I've stopped writing on the board unless it's a Drs appointment or something similar.

I've recently been contacted by an ex work colleague about a meet up. Once it is arranged I will not be writing it on the white board. I will tell Steve I'm going out about 10 minutes before I leave!

Cindy

Sorry I have lost your email again.

Where i live.

There are six flats here that are empty and five of them are up for sale. The sixth was the managers flat when there was a live in manager. We have one resident in hospital who will possibly not be able to live independently again and one resident is visiting relatives and also may not return.

The external stairs to the upstairs flats are narrow, some have stair lifts fitted which makes it really difficult for people to walk up and down stairs.

I'm wondering what will happen and if the managing company will decide to cut their losses at some point. There must come a time where this site is no longer economically viable. We residents have already been asked to do some of the small jobs around here if we have the skills. I have no skills so I won't be doing any maintenance. Surely that's the idea of moving somewhere like this, you don't have to worry about the maintenance.

Back to reality.

I had a lovely time staying with Cass, I stayed in her annex as Beano finds the youngest two children a bit scary.

I spent my time walking Beano, sewing and reading, I kept out of Cass's way as much as possible as she is very busy. I'm welcome to visit again whenever I wish and Cass has suggested I join a couple of local clubs next time I'm there. I just need to win the lottery and then I can buy a property in her village.

Steve has a Drs appointment on Thursday but he says his knee problems have already been diagnosed. He says it's arthritis and he's been told to give up gardening! I'm assuming the diagnosis has been provided by the x-ray technician!

Taking a break.

I'm staying at my daughter's for a couple of days. She has a little annex that the foster children move into to get them ready to live independently. It's just two rooms and a bathroom, I brought my own kettle so I can make a cuppa.

I've had fun as it needs a bit of a clean and there is stuff that previous foster children have left behind when they moved out. So I've been sorting and cleaning, interspersed with reading my kindle and doing some sewing.

Beano is quite content, he's currently snoozing beside me. I can take him for a walk around the streets or we can go to the park without risking the busy road where I live. It's very quiet here with only a few cars. Beano's a bit confused by the lack of food, just his standard two meals. No endless treats from Steve.

Cass is happy for me to visit again to have a break from Steve and his endless complaining. We went to the local village fete, I bought some smelly candles and lip balm. I'm going home tomorrow, not particularly looking forward to it but the break has done me good.

It's an ill wind!

We've had almost no rain here for a while now so the grass is dry and yellow.

I know it will recover as soon as we have rain.

The good news is that the lack of green grass, that Beano is allergic to, means that Beano's stomach isn't red and inflamed.

Stil here.

It been too hot to do anything, even to post on here. Beano is being walked very early when it's still cool and mid morning when we go to the nearest patch of grass for him.

Apart from that we've just lazed  about doing nothing.

We have a few cooler days coming up which will be better for him. I don't mind the heat  but I do try to keep Beano cool. 

Unfortunately he hates water so I can't put a paddling pool out for him or use a cool coat. I've tried many things and he does have a couple of cool mats to lay on, but he'd rather sleep pressed against my legs.