Well its very queer reading my blog up till now. Its not at all as I'd intended it to be. I wanted it to be about the kinds of things I do to withdraw from consumerism, but its just been a big ol' whinge about nothing in particular as far as I can see.
I have to say, (here I go again), things have been bad lately. No, I really mean it this time. And I won't even mention any of my health complaints that have popped up as a result of all this stress.
1. I've been the subject of a workplace bully and as a result have been signed off sick from work. Damn, I tried!! I had to find a new job from the soul-less one I had before and found an even worse place.
2. My husband (aged 41) had a heart attack just over a week ago. He's out of hospital and doing really well, but that was a huge shock for me and I was useless whilst he was in danger.
As a result, my employers appear to be sticking up for my bully, who is the most manipulative person I've ever met. We'll see on that when I get my hearing for my grievance. But I'm not going to go on about that too much because its got to the stage where that's not really important.
I've just totally lost any will to be a slave to this god awful system any more. I feel like something's snapped in my head and I can't work any more. I just don't have the attention span or the same kind of cognitive ability. Things like I miss the ends of words when I speak, which is really SO unlike me as I'm very particular with the English language. Its a bit like something's short-circuited. Its very weird - I've never had anything like this before. I feel a few sandwiches short, if you know what I mean?
My husband will freak if he reads this as he thinks I need to be in full-time employment so we can have more money, but in all honesty I think we can manage on his wage any any little bits I manage to get together but I just need to convince him of that. If I'm running the home on a frugal framework, I've no doubt we'd thrive.
And no, we've not got any kids yet. The money is still the reason. I figure it always will be.
But at least I made some lovely bread last night, and I must make some more tomorrow cos its nearly all gone. The chickens are laying eggs are a rate of knots and we're going to have to put a sign up and sell them. We've got about 2 dozen I reckon!
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Saturday, 11 July 2009
A New Phase
Well its been yonks since I posted - I'm not very good at this keeping up with a blog thing!
On the plus side, I have now got my motorbike running, and I've been out on it quite a bit these last couple of weeks. There have been a few tatty mechanical bits on it it has appeared, but these are slowly being put right. For example, I have a swanky new air filter to fit tomorrow (the old one had a dirty great hole in it) and a new clutch cable (should solve the 'grabbiness' when pulling away). I'm getting the hang of twisty roads and cornering - I've done the Cat & Fiddle road, the Nantw Garth Pass (no idea if I spelled that right) and the Horse Shoe Pass all in the last week. As my confidence grows I'm enjoying it more and more.
You do have to be careful of car drivers (they don't seem to see anything more than a few centimetres beyond the end of their bonnet) but there are safe tips and tricks and I'll be reading Road Craft shortly to get to know these to be safe as possible.
All in all though, its been great, and I'd recommend that everybody in the world gets into riding as its really good brain and body exercise, relatively cheap (compared with a lot of sports you could do that give you the same level of excitement) and just brilliant fun. And you get an enormous sense of achievement from doing it. And the fellowship of other bikers. The list goes on.
See you on the road!!!
On the plus side, I have now got my motorbike running, and I've been out on it quite a bit these last couple of weeks. There have been a few tatty mechanical bits on it it has appeared, but these are slowly being put right. For example, I have a swanky new air filter to fit tomorrow (the old one had a dirty great hole in it) and a new clutch cable (should solve the 'grabbiness' when pulling away). I'm getting the hang of twisty roads and cornering - I've done the Cat & Fiddle road, the Nantw Garth Pass (no idea if I spelled that right) and the Horse Shoe Pass all in the last week. As my confidence grows I'm enjoying it more and more.
You do have to be careful of car drivers (they don't seem to see anything more than a few centimetres beyond the end of their bonnet) but there are safe tips and tricks and I'll be reading Road Craft shortly to get to know these to be safe as possible.
All in all though, its been great, and I'd recommend that everybody in the world gets into riding as its really good brain and body exercise, relatively cheap (compared with a lot of sports you could do that give you the same level of excitement) and just brilliant fun. And you get an enormous sense of achievement from doing it. And the fellowship of other bikers. The list goes on.
See you on the road!!!
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Its been a while
Its been a while since I checked my blog, and its also been a while since I rode my bike. After the breakdown, it turned out that it was the alternator at fault, not the battery, and having little money we had to find second hand spares as brand new was astronomical. I only just got it all sorted about a month ago, but now its cold and its dark and I've lost my bike mojo for the winter.
I'm quite gutted because I just composed this post about what's been going on with me lately and then my computer had a fit and I've lost the lot. Tra-la-la.
I've had quite a down on lately, about many things. Things going back to my childhood that have been haunting me, but mostly about my current situation, with work, with the world, with my aching bloody joints and about my lack of children. That's just an overview - I shan't bore anybody with the details.
I've been knitting a lot lately which has really helped my mind settle and refocus. I'd say I've started to brighten up the last few days, but the problems still remain. I guess I'll cope better though if I see the good rather than focus on the bad.
I've not been on the blog for ages for one reason and one reason only. I used to access it in my lunch hour, sat at my soul-less desk in my soul-less job. But the lovely people in the IT department put up a new firewall and now my blog is blocked from my work computer.
So, I'm here, on a cold Sunday night, at home with the open fire roaring behind me as I type. I should really be more organised though and have a think about what I want to say before I come here and just talk rubbish.
Anyway, if anybody is reading, I hope you all have a lovely week.
I'm quite gutted because I just composed this post about what's been going on with me lately and then my computer had a fit and I've lost the lot. Tra-la-la.
I've had quite a down on lately, about many things. Things going back to my childhood that have been haunting me, but mostly about my current situation, with work, with the world, with my aching bloody joints and about my lack of children. That's just an overview - I shan't bore anybody with the details.
I've been knitting a lot lately which has really helped my mind settle and refocus. I'd say I've started to brighten up the last few days, but the problems still remain. I guess I'll cope better though if I see the good rather than focus on the bad.
I've not been on the blog for ages for one reason and one reason only. I used to access it in my lunch hour, sat at my soul-less desk in my soul-less job. But the lovely people in the IT department put up a new firewall and now my blog is blocked from my work computer.
So, I'm here, on a cold Sunday night, at home with the open fire roaring behind me as I type. I should really be more organised though and have a think about what I want to say before I come here and just talk rubbish.
Anyway, if anybody is reading, I hope you all have a lovely week.
Monday, 28 July 2008
My first bike ride! - Saturday
... was a bit of a double-edged sword to be honest.
I had to get a new mirror last week as there was no right hand mirror on the bike (by the way, its a Kawasaki GPZ500), so we got this one from a breakers cheap, and before I'd even got off the driveway, it had broken! I literally just adjusted it and it came off in my hand. It had some damage when we bought it, but you couldn't see that until it came apart. Hey ho!
So I set off without a mirror, which wasn't too bad as dear Hubby is on his big, bad Aprilia so I felt safe following him.
We hit the back of a traffic queue, so this was my first opportunity at filtering. I was a bit scared, but Pat set off but I bottled following him. Once a few other bikes came past, I though I'd follow them through, and after about 5 minutes I saw him in the Somerfield car park, so I pulled in and we stopped for a little rest. My first time out on my bike, and I had been really quite nervous! Had a quick drink (it was INCREDIBLY hot on Saturday) and saddled up.
Pat had got on and started, I pressed my starter button, and.... click, click, click. Poo. That's the starter solanoid, meaning my battery's gone flat. Poo, poo, poo.
Some helpful chaps came and after 3 attempts to bump start it, they got it going. So being as my battery's dead we decided its best to just get home and set about working on it. So I'm back on the bike, clutch in, knock it into first gear and the engine cuts out. Bottom!! I'd left my side stand down and the cutout switch was activated. And it wouldn't start again.
Well Pat totally lost his head at this point and he was this close to getting a belt in the chops. I felt totally stupid, and there he was telling me what an idiot I am. Nobody needs that. I could have cried, I really could.
I had no breakdown details on me either so we went back home to get them (on the back of his Aprilia) and phoned the RAC. We were only 10-15 minutes away from home, so they said they'd get the recovery guy to phone when he's nearly there.
When we got back to the bike, he was already waiting for us (we'd come in the car this time). He'd confirmed the battery's not running on full charge, so its either that, the alternator or the regulator rectifier. Its just not charging properly, so its going to keep doing that until I sort it out. Got to get it done by Thursday as I need to ride to a bike meeting 20 or so miles away. I'm determined to make it there under my own steam and not on the back of the Aprilia!
We shall see.
On the bright side, I did at least get to ride it for a short while, and its got rid of my fear of it, as that was the first time I'd even moved the bike under power, so I'm now champing at the bit as I really, really enjoyed it!
And I got to do a bit of spannering on the bike to get the battery off and charging. Hopefully its just that, as its not holding a charge. A new battery is quicker, cheaper and easier than either a new alternator or a new regulator rectifier. Fingers crossed!
I had to get a new mirror last week as there was no right hand mirror on the bike (by the way, its a Kawasaki GPZ500), so we got this one from a breakers cheap, and before I'd even got off the driveway, it had broken! I literally just adjusted it and it came off in my hand. It had some damage when we bought it, but you couldn't see that until it came apart. Hey ho!
So I set off without a mirror, which wasn't too bad as dear Hubby is on his big, bad Aprilia so I felt safe following him.
We hit the back of a traffic queue, so this was my first opportunity at filtering. I was a bit scared, but Pat set off but I bottled following him. Once a few other bikes came past, I though I'd follow them through, and after about 5 minutes I saw him in the Somerfield car park, so I pulled in and we stopped for a little rest. My first time out on my bike, and I had been really quite nervous! Had a quick drink (it was INCREDIBLY hot on Saturday) and saddled up.
Pat had got on and started, I pressed my starter button, and.... click, click, click. Poo. That's the starter solanoid, meaning my battery's gone flat. Poo, poo, poo.
Some helpful chaps came and after 3 attempts to bump start it, they got it going. So being as my battery's dead we decided its best to just get home and set about working on it. So I'm back on the bike, clutch in, knock it into first gear and the engine cuts out. Bottom!! I'd left my side stand down and the cutout switch was activated. And it wouldn't start again.
Well Pat totally lost his head at this point and he was this close to getting a belt in the chops. I felt totally stupid, and there he was telling me what an idiot I am. Nobody needs that. I could have cried, I really could.
I had no breakdown details on me either so we went back home to get them (on the back of his Aprilia) and phoned the RAC. We were only 10-15 minutes away from home, so they said they'd get the recovery guy to phone when he's nearly there.
When we got back to the bike, he was already waiting for us (we'd come in the car this time). He'd confirmed the battery's not running on full charge, so its either that, the alternator or the regulator rectifier. Its just not charging properly, so its going to keep doing that until I sort it out. Got to get it done by Thursday as I need to ride to a bike meeting 20 or so miles away. I'm determined to make it there under my own steam and not on the back of the Aprilia!
We shall see.
On the bright side, I did at least get to ride it for a short while, and its got rid of my fear of it, as that was the first time I'd even moved the bike under power, so I'm now champing at the bit as I really, really enjoyed it!
And I got to do a bit of spannering on the bike to get the battery off and charging. Hopefully its just that, as its not holding a charge. A new battery is quicker, cheaper and easier than either a new alternator or a new regulator rectifier. Fingers crossed!
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Better now!
Hi all,
I'm feeling loads better now. Anusol is a miracle cream! Thanks for all your good wishes, its appreciated :-)
I'm feeling really good today as my tomatoes are getting huge, although staying green for now, and I've got a medium sized courgette promising loveliness from the plant, and a few little baby cucumbers. We'll be eating home produce in a few short weeks!
And my motorbike passed its MOT on Monday and its being delivered tonight! Getting very excited - I'll be riding it at the weekend, so if you're anywhere near North Wales, hide in your homes and lock the doors, cos the roads won't be safe!!!
Love to everybody xxx
I'm feeling loads better now. Anusol is a miracle cream! Thanks for all your good wishes, its appreciated :-)
I'm feeling really good today as my tomatoes are getting huge, although staying green for now, and I've got a medium sized courgette promising loveliness from the plant, and a few little baby cucumbers. We'll be eating home produce in a few short weeks!
And my motorbike passed its MOT on Monday and its being delivered tonight! Getting very excited - I'll be riding it at the weekend, so if you're anywhere near North Wales, hide in your homes and lock the doors, cos the roads won't be safe!!!
Love to everybody xxx
Friday, 18 July 2008
My health - WARNING - Disgusting Content!
Now I really don't like to complain, but I have a condition called Hypermobility Syndrome. Its quite rare, not serious enough to kill me but it is very painful and has some obscure side issues surrounding it.
Its mainly a connective tissue disorder, and I suffer terribly with my left knee, right hip, right shoulder and (more recently) right elbow and thumb. No idea why those joints in particular, but they are the bothersome ones.
One of the other side-effects got me yesterday, and that's the irritable bowel. Its been behaving itself for months now, maybe as long as a year, but I had a very sudden and violent attack yesterday and it really scared me. It was the first time I'd bled as a result (ew - shut it Fifi, you're turning everybody's stomach) and I was genuinely scared out of my wits about it. The doctor wasn't bothered though and prescribed Anusol (brilliant for the farmers) as apparently I had a fissure which he said will heal pretty quickly, but to go back if its not healed in a week. It seems better already.
Another thing it affects is the heart. I tend to get strong palpitations sometimes, and other times it seems to beat irregularly, and threadily, but then other times its normal and strong as an ox. That's because one main root cause of the condition is a problem with the parasympathetic nervous system, so control of unconscious body systems (like heart beat, digestion etc) can be affected, hence palpitations and irritable bowel.
I am seeing my doctor at the end of this month to try to get to see a Joint Hypermobility Syndrome specialist. The nearest one apparently is in Leeds, so its a fair way away from me, but nearer than London or Glasgow where the others are!
Having said that, I don't like to dwell on this illness, and have just started riding a motorbike in my determination to not let it get me down.
I'm only whingeing about it today because its been on my mind and telling you (whoever you are and wherever you are!) helps to get it off my chest and ease my mind somewhat.
But then that's the point of a blog, isn't it?!
Its mainly a connective tissue disorder, and I suffer terribly with my left knee, right hip, right shoulder and (more recently) right elbow and thumb. No idea why those joints in particular, but they are the bothersome ones.
One of the other side-effects got me yesterday, and that's the irritable bowel. Its been behaving itself for months now, maybe as long as a year, but I had a very sudden and violent attack yesterday and it really scared me. It was the first time I'd bled as a result (ew - shut it Fifi, you're turning everybody's stomach) and I was genuinely scared out of my wits about it. The doctor wasn't bothered though and prescribed Anusol (brilliant for the farmers) as apparently I had a fissure which he said will heal pretty quickly, but to go back if its not healed in a week. It seems better already.
Another thing it affects is the heart. I tend to get strong palpitations sometimes, and other times it seems to beat irregularly, and threadily, but then other times its normal and strong as an ox. That's because one main root cause of the condition is a problem with the parasympathetic nervous system, so control of unconscious body systems (like heart beat, digestion etc) can be affected, hence palpitations and irritable bowel.
I am seeing my doctor at the end of this month to try to get to see a Joint Hypermobility Syndrome specialist. The nearest one apparently is in Leeds, so its a fair way away from me, but nearer than London or Glasgow where the others are!
Having said that, I don't like to dwell on this illness, and have just started riding a motorbike in my determination to not let it get me down.
I'm only whingeing about it today because its been on my mind and telling you (whoever you are and wherever you are!) helps to get it off my chest and ease my mind somewhat.
But then that's the point of a blog, isn't it?!
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Making progress
Thanks to my buddies from Down to Earth who commented on my last post - its nice to have visitors to my blog.
I have good news - I've agreed a price for my new motorbike, and in about 2 weeks I'll have my Kawasaki GPZ500! I found out also that it will do about 80 miles to the gallon, which is far more economical than any car I know of. Correct me if I'm wrong on that, please.
I've been feeling quite low on energy lately so I'm not getting much done towards my goals, but I figure you can only do what you can, and if your body's telling you to take it easy, you should take it easy. No point rushing around if its only going to make you ill. And you don't get to appreciate anything that way either.
Take care everybody - I'll try to write something a bit more interesting next time, but just feeling quite flat and not very talkative.
Blessings all x
I have good news - I've agreed a price for my new motorbike, and in about 2 weeks I'll have my Kawasaki GPZ500! I found out also that it will do about 80 miles to the gallon, which is far more economical than any car I know of. Correct me if I'm wrong on that, please.
I've been feeling quite low on energy lately so I'm not getting much done towards my goals, but I figure you can only do what you can, and if your body's telling you to take it easy, you should take it easy. No point rushing around if its only going to make you ill. And you don't get to appreciate anything that way either.
Take care everybody - I'll try to write something a bit more interesting next time, but just feeling quite flat and not very talkative.
Blessings all x
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