Friday, December 02, 2011

Phew! That’s better.

I was blind and could not see.

I was weak and could not walk.

Some paraphrasing, poetic license and general hamming it up but it wasn’t fun whilst it lasted. I had eight days relying on two pairs of old glasses – one reading and the other bifocals both two years out of date and pretty useless, but better than nothing. The wrong one was always to hand which meant constant running up and down stairs or just frantically searching everywhere. Yesterday I collected the up- to-date pair and now am happy.

Over the week-end some strange bug laid me low - unable to eat, blog or do anything apart from lie in bed sipping water. I immediately moved into another room and MTL stayed well. All back to normal now – whatever normal is at this age- except I haven’t had a snifter in days, have lost a smidgeon of weight and am wondering if I should remain abstinent and lose a bit more – what with Christmas coming on and all.

Continuing with being uber green – recycling etc - I have found that I have to squeeze the tea bags and dry them on the Aga to avoid wet mess in the food waste bin. Am I over doing it I wonder? Talking of bins- as I probably told you we were left with a double set of everything. They always imagine two families live here. Last week MTL put out the two large bins and when I went to bring them in there was only one.

What a cheek I thought - taking one of our bins without as much as a by-your-leave.

Ignoring MTL’s advice I rang the Council and spoke to a pleasant man who said as there were only two of us (family visits don’t count) we were only entitled to one bin – I actually knew that - but he did allow that it would have been more courteous to have told us. Later on MTL said

“By the way Sheila couldn’t get her car out – the bins were in the way so she moved them and we still have two.”

Against MTL’s advice I again rang the council – I couldn’t have the men berated for something they didn’t do. The pleasant man had gone to lunch but the secretary promised to tender my apologies. Now I await events.

More good news – the Australians are coming over in June which inspires me to get the drawing room fully functional again – it is bigger than the family room with lots of comfy seating and all the children are old enough not to run riot amongst the precious breakables.

In the town the other day I became a member of Blockbuster’s so we can rent films. I asked about “A week with Marilyn” and “The Deep Blue Sea” but apparently new films take about 3/12 before they are available. I spotted “Black Swan” but resisted taking it when I realised it had to be returned the next day. Obviously a certain amount of planning is required. Making time to watch extra stuff isn’t easy.

I still haven’t decided about a Kindle – the price is more attractive – I’m getting far too many books which take up space and with a Kindle I wouldn’t have to wait for them to come by post. Decisions decisions! Have a great week-end.

19 comments:

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I'm glad to know you are feeling so much better, my dear...And that you now have your NEW Glasses! Hooray!
Very Funny about the Bins...I certainly hope they don't come by and take the 2nd one now....lol!

Blockbuster should allow you to keep a film for more than one day without penalty....That is what is so terrific about Netflix...(I'm surprised you don't have it there or an equivolent of same)---You pay a fee for one DVD at a time, or two or three---watever your choice, and as soon as you send back that one, they send you another---But there is NO penalty for keeping your one DVD for as long as you like. You are still paying for one DVD at a time by the month. IF you send back the ONE and get another---I find one could watch 5 or 6 DVD's in a month for the cost of the ONE monthly fee.....I think it is the Best Bargain around, and Sooo convenient in terms of your own personal viewing habits---NO planning far ahead....Maybe Google it, my dear....It is done by Mail.

Pat said...

Naomi: I'm braced for them removing the second bin but so far nothing has happened.
I'm fairly sure we have an equivalent to Netflix - I've seen it advertised on TV but for the moment I'd rather keep it spasmodic and see how it goes. When I have got it underway it will be a good discipline to walk down to the town to return the film.

Anonymous said...

Glad you're well and good for you apologizing. The world would be better if everyone admitted mistakes.

Cheers.

Granny Annie said...

It is a wonderful feeling to have my trifocals. No more running up and down stairs to get a different pair. These suit my varied visions needs from computer work to reading to working on arts and crafts to driving. I pop them on in the morning and am good to go all day.

Now about reporting the bins. I would have done the exact same thing and my spouse and my children laugh when I do such things. It only seems right to me and I applaud your honesty.

Wish you could have Netflix. For $7.99 a month I have unlimited movie viewing on my computer.

The Unbearable Banishment said...

Don't do it! Do not abandon books! eReaders are another sign of the decline of Western civilization. Sometimes, hanging onto the past is the way to go.

LL Cool Joe said...

My mother was thinking about having a Kindle for Christmas but she cherishes her books so much I can't really see her enjoying a Kindle somehow. Or maybe there is room for both?

I'm glad you are feeling better anyway. I think quite a few films from Blockbuster ran be rented out for a few days now, rather than just over night.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

There's nothing like good health, eh Pat? I'm so happy you're doing well!

Say G'day to the visitors, from a gal who loves Down Under.

Y'know, you've given me an idea...I think I'll get a Kindle for my mum. Toooo tooooooooooooooooooooooooo many books with no place to store 'em and this old house is big! Imagine that!

Unknown said...

I don't think your daily snifter has anything to do with weight gain...unless it's a gallon of Guiness!
Glad you're feeling better. x

kenju said...

I need to have my eyes examined again. It has been 2 years since my last new glasses and I'm beginning to have trouble with seeing some fine print.

Glad you solved the problem with the bins, and glad you are feeling better.

Pat said...

Randall: better out than in.

Granny Annie: what are trifocals and why haven't I got them?
Glad you agree about the 'fessin up.

UB: I tend to hang on to the past. I'll decide eventually - one way or the other.

Joey: I think both is possible - I couldn't give up books totally.
Re Blockbuster I think if you keep it an extra night you just pay double.

Pat said...

GG: your mum would be lucky. I'd like the decision made for me.

John: we'll see. I'm still TT but - as they say at AA - taking one day at a time. (I'm talking about one glass of wine a day.)

Judy: good glasses are - unfortunately - a necessary expense.

Kevin Musgrove said...

Bad luck on getting the lurgi. Hope the convalescence fares well. We're having competitive colds at the moment, which isn't as much fun as it should be.

Seeing as you've not been well I won't go off on one on the subject of ebooks. :-)

Eryl said...

So this is why you're avoiding the bin-men!

I can't recommend a Kindle highly enough: you click on buy and get your book instantly, and it's great for travelling, you can carry three thousand books, or the contents thereof, in your handbag. I still have actual books but only beautiful, rare, or of sentimental value sorts. And poetry, the Kindle is rubbish for poetry, and cookbooks.

lom said...

Glad you are feeling better Pat. Number 1 had hasn't been to well, his started with an earache, then he sick and now he has a bad cold, you just know it's going to go through the house don't you!

Murr Brewster said...

I've always gotten books from the library and had no interest in hoarding them on my shelves. Unfortunately, this means I'm not putting much jingle in the authors' pockets. So I love the idea of the Kindle. Haven't taken the plunge yet, but I will.

rashbre said...

I've switched to Kindle for quite a lot of reading.

There's still some books that I'd rather have as paper copies but you can't beat the convenience of the Kindle when travelling.

Re your recent spectacle challenge, the Kindle also lets you change the typeface size in the books being read, from Tiny and then in many steps to Huge.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Pat, my mother's said NO to the Kindle.



[pout...sulk]

Pat said...

Kevin: thanks - it would only confuse me more.

Eryl: using both seems to make sense. My step daughter has been committed to them since they first appeared now wants the lighter one and is hanging fire until a new one comes out - only in US so far.

LOM: I hope he's better soon and you stay well.

Murr: let me know how you get on please.

Pat said...

GG: that's it then. Does she know something i don't? I think she just loves the feel of books.
Good job you asked her first.