Accomplish a lot with out doing too much!

2014.08.28

Start of school. Meetings with teachers. Caring teachers. Teachers that are on the ball and sometimes even a step ahead of me. Doing what they are supposed to do without me having to remind them. It's been a long time since I have been to a school like that! Thank you!

Many things on my list were accomplished by a few clicks of the mouse and a few phone calls. That is a relief because I am tired and that is about what I have strength for.

Deliveries this week included: bed frame for my oldest son's bed, bedside tables to our room, a gas propane tank to the grill, the grill connection unit, garbage pick up, the dog tag for Sophie with our new number on it and even accepting a package for the neighbor.

My phone calls and emails were well received and I managed to have the parking permit company allow me to pick up my permit tomorrow so we can park the car on our block and not pay £2 an hour to park. So many helpful people everywhere. I am flabbergasted and not used to it.

I asked the neighbor about her cleaning lady and got her to come to our house after she does theirs.

The bed frame delivery company called me the day after delivery to see if I was pleased with their service.

Delivery of the rental car to my house, that is service I could get used to. So cool except for the part of finding a pay parking spot that I could maneuver into. I decided that only making left turns was the safest way to go today. Tomorrow I might have to make a right turn when I go to pick up the permits.

I even managed to find a stylist and personal shopper that is going to help me with a much needed revamp of my clothes and sense of style. Can't wait for that to go shopping with her and actually find something that looks great on me.....

The kids have liked school so far. I have met a few other moms and it looks to be a promising year for all of us. They were happy when the teacher said there wouldn't be homework for the first 2 weeks.

I have energy in the morning but am feeling tired in the afternoon. As soon as I have a chance I take a quick nap. Of course, every time I do that it is interrupted by a phone call.

Fatigue is bearable if I don't overdo it. As soon as I do too much, I am reminded that I am still on this journey of recovery and that my body has taken a beating.

There is a lot to fix to get things to work in the everyday life. But once that is done, I can start catching up on all the other things that I should have done these past few months but have not had enough strength to tackle. I might have the boxes unpacked by Christmas.....or I might not.

LIFE IS GOOD. NEW SCHOOL. NEW FRIENDS. NEW HAIR. NEW CLOTHES. GOTTA LOVE IT. GRATEFUL.

Raining outside.....get stuff done inside

Sunday and Monday

It has been a lazy but hectic two days. Unpacking boxes, trying to find a spot for everything or making the decision to throw it out has tired me out. But I see the progress and that feels good.

It will take a long time but I am not too stressed about it.

The rain has been beating down all day on our kitchen skylight windows. It has been quite melodic and in varying intensity throughout the day. If we had more of a lawn I would say it would be getting its fair dose of water.

The kids are hibernating in their rooms enjoying their last two days before school starts and we get back into the routine....

Living right in the city and it is so quite here. I really can't believe it. It could also be that today was a bank holiday so not as many people are in the city.....

Another cool thing is that even though it has been raining, there is still a beehive of activity going on outside on the high road.  Lots of people mostly holding umbrellas and tramping along in their wellingtons. And some even sitting outside the restaurant under the awning eating dinner.

This weather doesn't help my achy joints but I am going to try and rest more as my body rejuvenates itself.

As the hair on my head is growing in, I have noticed that all the strands of hair do not grow at the same rate. That is baffling to me. I am faced with the dilemma of whether to get it trimmed, styled or leave it to grow in like a forest of ferns. What should I do?

Everything here can be ordered online and delivered. The delivery is quick and to the house. Online shopping is my new best friend. If I can click it, it will be delivered.  

When ordering online you give your house number and your post code and it fills in the rest of your address. That is pretty nifty.

Now, it is late night on Monday and I just checked my email. WOW, I have received a prompt response from the school regarding how we are going to manage Eric's diabetes. I am impressed that they responded so quickly. This is a good sign that it will work out.

Little by little the pieces are falling into place. 

I can exhale out the stress and breathe in the new and exciting. It might be time to embrace and enjoy this new adventure.

Tomorrow some of my online orders are being delivered.......gotta get some rest.

HUGS. GRATEFUL. LOVED. THREE FANTASTIC KIDS. ADVENTURES AWAIT.

MORE ME TIME is needed.....

Saturday

July 23, 2014

Being a Mom and Wife in this century is hard work. Especially once you become a mom, that mom instinct kicks in. Always putting the kids first in everything you do. That is hard work and sometimes it gets to be too much and something triggers you to remember that "I should come first".

99% of the time it doesn't bother me that I put the kids and the family first. But when that 1% of me finally gets fed up it is an eye opener. I want for them to succeed and do well and is it based on me pushing or nudging them in the right direction?

Aren't I a better mom and wife when I have fully charged batteries? Why don't I charge them just as much as I keep my iphone charged? Low battery levels never have the same effect- it changes our perspective.

The past 6 months I had 2 jobs. One was fighting cancer and the other has been trying to keep the family routines going as normal as possible. It would have been easier with just 1 job- either one but not both.

There were 10 moving boxes in Eric's room and these are now disposed of by either sorting into his room, into boot sale boxes or into the garbage. He has his desk set up with a great view next to the window so he can start with homework next week.

I realized I needed to charge my batteries. Sometimes retail therapy helps. Thank goodness it is only 10 minutes by bus to a most fantastic retail therapy spot. I could walk around without anyone poking me on the shoulder saying "Mom, mom, mom" just like Sheldon says to Penny. I went to my two favorite stores Apple and the Lego store. I took my time in each and made careful decisions. I should have been hitting the clothes stores so I can update my wardrobe but that is hard to do by yourself, I would have needed a girlfriend with more fashion sense than me along for the trip...

I came home in time to take my middle son to dinner and to the premiere of the Dr. Who season at the theaters. He is a huge Dr. Who fan. I have never watched an entire episode before tonight. It was shown at the same time on tv. Why go to the movie theater? It is seen by so many at the same time. Then there was a 6 minute preview and a live Q&A period after which was beamed in from Leicester Sq with the lead characters. He was in heaven. I might have to watch the show each week as a new follower.

So much to see and do here. That is exciting.

I WILL PUT MYSELF FIRST.  I need to plan the battery charging before I get too low.
I WILL PUT MYSELF FIRST.

I WILL PUT MYSELF FIRST. (any helpful tips appreciated...)


GRATEFUL FOR LIFE. BEING A MOM. SIDE EFFECTS.

Fatigue, frustration and looking to the future

It has been a month since I last updated. I have thought many times to write and update but haven't had the strength.

It has just been too much going on. We traveled. We packed. We unpacked (only a little bit). We are trying to get acclimated.

All of these activities have been challenging for me as the side effects are really taking a toll on me and my body.

SIDE EFFECTS: Fingernails ruined, toenails ruined, every joint aches, tired, risk of infection, no or limited feelings in the hands and feet. I feel like I am 10 years older (not more mature though).

Just cause the doctor says the cancer is gone doesn't mean everything is like it was before.

YES, HAPPY TO BE ALIVE. My hair is growing back!!!!!!

I see the new surroundings with wonderous eyes. I appreciate each and every moment especially when I am laughing with family or friends. I am getting some things done each day.

BUT, most of the time I am tired and I try to ignore it so that I can make everything like it was before. It is to no avail. I get up from the chair or bed and it hurts when I walk. I have worn open toed shoes since May 5th. My hips and legs are tired and I think of Tim Conway as I shuffle to the next room.

My brain is still a bit slow. The times when it feels normal is when it is frustrating to not be up to speed already.

I have come to grips with it by doing as much as I can before I feel tired. I focus on the important things to do each day and try and manage that. I am forcing myself to be happy with the present status quo.

The kids start a new school next week. It will be a lot of new impressions and friends and people to meet. It will also give me time to rest ......during the day. (HOPEFULLY)

Things will get done eventually if they are important. My side effects should diminish with time.

I AM ALIVE. THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT.

GRATEFUL. LOVED. FAMILY. FRIENDS. NEW BEGINNINGS.