Oh Day3 is a funny thing...

After struggling to wake this morning, I had a really good thought Wish I could remember what it was The third day of these patches seem to have been feeling quite drowsy and, while not out of it, it tends to be a day of deep sleeping. The new home help just dont get it ~ I miss CleanerVic. "If its not on the palm pilot I didnt know." This seems to be the excuse.

I dont think I am asking for much. And I really dont understand why the home made cleaner cant be used. It has lavender or eucalyptus in it - "which is poison" but so is bleach. Its not like I am expecting the cleaner to drink either. I get 1.5hrs home help a fortnight ~ OK. Not a heck of a lot but I want a few things to be done.

I want the shower, bath & basin cleaned down. I'd like the couple of toys that end up on the far side of the bath chucked into the toy box at the end so that run of tiles can be wiped also A wipe down of the cabinet doors might be nice occasionally.

Before vaccumming the tiled area - sweep it and remove the fluff bunnies ~ two long haired people & two cats mean for hair that is only going to (continue to) clog the vaccum hose and make vaccumming so difficult. It doesnt need to be a sweep to clean - that's the purpose of running the vacc and then mopping the kitchen, dining and hall at least. If I could do it my self, trust me I would.

Same with dusting. I did intend to dust in the lounge ~ especially as the fire box is now running (bbrrrrr it is a wild viciously chilly wind tonight). But I slept. When vaccumming the lounge (where MyMan has lifted the coffe table, games box and rug up as home cleaners are not allowed to lift), why is that not noticed and done

Would it be out of line to ask the cleaner to remove all the nick nacks from the shelves on arrival so I can dust and set up the lower shelves and then reset the top shelves - its the up/down of picking things up I cannot do One reason if something is on the floor it stays there. Probably not allowed.

I do not expect one iota of work done in the bedrooms

Ever Fred's room is his responsibility and forms part of his pocket money earnings. Our room is a pig sty. I live in here, things are logically found ~ too hard to explain how and why, but I can put my hand on any item received in the past month But if you want to help, take the pile of newspapers out and the bags of crap to the bin ~ oh, that's right... you don't lift.

CleanerVic used to let herself in, banging loudly on the door and calling a big 'yoo hoo' coming through each room ~ knowing I may either be laying here on the bed, 'out of it' and asleep, or possibly there to greet her. She'd grab the mail on the way in, make me a cup of coffee (never for her - she had her water) and get straight into it.

If I was on a Day3 ~

She'd bring in my cuppa try to get me talking, keep coming in with cheery comments or light questions. She always vaccummed the big dining room rug and roll it up before vacuuming underneath tiles She not only preferred the natural cleaning methods, she helped herself to anything and everything under the sink or in the pantry for cleaning and put the elbow to glass. She wiped the powerpoints, door handles and along the doors where it tends to get handled and grotty. Same with the fridge.

I miss CleanerVic ~ she had empathy, insight and offered more than just the cleaning - there was conversation, motivation, real help in the home. She is definitely the start of home help cleaning services. Since she left, I've had 2 or 3 different cleaners. All seem to be 'bewildered' and not know what to do with vinegar, bicarb and other cleaners that dont come directly off the supermarket shelf.

Where is everything again...

They have not been able to remember where things are and, as I am sure most people would do, cleaning aids are generally in the laundry and cleaning detergents that are not in the laundry are under the sink ~ I even bought stuff for them to use, like the Orange Power cleaner and Earth Choice items Today at 1030, the time due - I was on the phone, the door was open yet I got another call to say the cleaner had been there for 15mins, knocking to come in. Since I lost my domestic angel ~ that would be the third time I've had a call from council.

Any how ~ lets hope tomorrow I can remember the interesting thing I was going to talk about. That was just a vent...

One step at a time girlie...

I think I can see a light ahead - that's a little change...

It was absolutely lovely having Di stay ~ a few bubbles, lots of talking, way too much sitting up-right for way too long and it is not like we could not have just laid on the bed and gone blah, blah, blah ~ Di you wrecked me for the whole weekend! *chortles* it was SO worth it - put in me in great spirits.

So much so I have got in touch with a few friends of old, chatted on phone and even have a friend dropping for a cuppa soonish! It's not for long ~ but I know that it is necessary for my moving forward to regain that 'social' life. Bit awkward with people - so not me!

Taking it slow ~ I want to do so many things, this time on my hands could be used for so much. But we have returned to the addage: “softly, slowly ~ my cheeky monkey” and it IS only six months post op. I have to remember the surgeon always said at it would be at least 12 months and 18 months is not to be unexpected... I am just too eager and impatient (but recognise that) so there is a certificate course starting end May for Training & Assessment which I was undertaking before my back gave out ~ time to jump in to refresh and complete it.

~ We have been afflicted by the global economic crisis ~

MyMan's place of employment has had redundancies through all offices nationally. Luckily, he has been spared however all remaining staff from top to bottom have been asked to take reductions in hours. They offered a 9 day fortnight or 4 day week. MyMan is taking the 4 day week and with a little jiggling all my doctor, therapy and hydro sessions will move to Wednesdays over the next 3 weeks so he has 2 days on, Wednesday off, 2 on - then the weekend. 80% income is at least not 0% in this climate!

That starts next week~ and as hydro will be Tuesday for a few more sessions and we'll have doctors next week then not again for 4 weeks ~ it is full steam ahead - garden, house stuff, de-clutter the garage and have this bloody garage sale we've been going to have for the past 10 years. Should make a few bob, its all crap. So long as it pays for the dumper to get rid of the remainder, I will be happy!

I know life is tough & shit all over ~ we are certainly not the only people struggling. But we dont have me as back up in any way (no pun intended). Short of being able to undertake some type of computer work at home with a very loose deadline, there is not a lot I can manage that will generate income. I still need to rely so heavily on others and there are very few up here who can afford me time. So many are back working during school hours at least - you have to actively look for work if all kids are at school. MrsBrady has been a friend indeed, and has been able to commit to taking me to hydro on Tuesday morning, providing one of her bunch are not sick, or a day off school, or holidays.

~ Big huge thanks and appreciations MrsBrady ~

I dont think I even say it often enough Carol. It is so great, and even more so with the after therapy cuppa and gossip about things that are happening out in the community ~ who you see at the shops, what you found in Mike's yard while gardening, whether there is water in the Lake when you do actually make it out for a run...

School is almost out ~ but Fred is off to Uni on the bus tonight. The Fantastic SchoolFamily who have been getting him to and from school have the occasional need for the boys to travel by bus to HisWork, HerWork is shift and thus the occasional travel. Fred likes it – takes 50c to spent at the milk bar. His wants are simple...

~ Speaking of wants ~

I want a break. Just a wee small one.

So we are going here : http://www.ashmorepalmsgoldcoast.com.au/

Not for a few months yet ~ but we plan to fly into the Sunshine Coast to see VBGF and the boys then down to the Gold Coast and let the males and their testosterone run wild in theme park heaven while I try to reduce my ability to reflect and deflect sunlight off the sheer whiteness of my skin ~ and maybe even gain a little colour, even if just a hint of pink ~ doctor said I need extra Vitamin D...

Until ron