Lived Experience Forum

[Former-Member]

Hi there @Owlunar, thinking of you. How's things?

I like the joke about following 'new'rules.

Haha, see, somebody knows we're secretly in charge 😁

hehehe😁
Gotta duck up shop now , check back for you soon xox

[Former-Member]

@Owlunar.  

[Owlunar]

Aw @Former-Member

I love the warm fuzzy and the beauituf pic

I had time out - talk about culture shock when I went off the wrong medication and onto the right one - it was like walking into a different environment - I was so tired and confused and generally crappy and my feet swelled up and I felt as if I was on the wrong planet

I had chores I had ignored - the cold weather is still playing up with my back - I am sick of winter and it doesn't start until tomorrow - the sun sets about as earlier as it will and I know it sets ealier in Syndey - it rises earlier too - 

[this is me thinking about and starting to plan my next break - will it be Hobart or Lakes Entrance or Sydney? I can't make up my mind]

I am feeling more like myself - I have been taking a walk around the block which is quite a large block every day this week - the idea is to leave it until I feel like it rather than pushing myself out into the cold

All the best Lapses and thanks for the pics

Dec

[Former-Member]

Nothing wrong with 'time out' @Owlunar, provided you're not withdrawing with blackdog lol Tomorrow's my 3hrs Respite break (no big deal, hey? but cant even lock in any family member any time to plan or to even
take dad-to the barber (what I consider a 'bloke' thing. Or do some gardening or repairs. Disgusting? I stretch it out to 4hrs - come home late. Dad's ok for a little while. Have you had some anniversary dates? That'd do it. Hugz❤

'Culture shock' changing your medication sounds really disorientating, even frightening, and surreal... 😵😔, has it settled now?

I'm a gold medalist in ignoring chores lol - especially in winter, or sad times. Defimately see here in mums house the hoarding & clutter early conditioning. ...

The cold weather does aggrivate thembones 😞 wouldnt trade your back issues or anything. poor you 😞

Oh dear Dec "sick of winter before it starts! " wow, 'not good' indeed. We jist havehto battene down the hatches and just get through JuneJuly+August...

Planning your next break is such a good idea - something to look fwd to. I'd pick something original / different each time.

Glad you feel more like yourself Dec & walk the block 👍 amazing!

Glad you like he pics ❤

[Former-Member]

Hi @Owlunar, you're very quiet lately,  are you ok?  I've missed you How's your week been?  Is it your birthday today?  Happy Birthday my friend,  i know its soon,  and a big one... Its only a number you know,  youre so young at heart. I hope somebody irl fusses over you. I'm a bit lonely, withdrawn and bluezy but holding my own.  You take care Dec ❤

[Owlunar]

Hi @Former-Member

I have been in a bit - not as long as I would like but there have been a couple of issues - I couldn't login for a while but the moderators fixed it quickly - and today I had to wait for my computer to go through an extra long up-date thing - that was a pest - I kept putting it off but eventually it happened anyway

The new tablets are great and I feel well but I tend to sleep a lot - which I think is fine at this time of year - but it does use up my time

The other tablets affected me physically and in a big way - I had dizziness, fatigue, bad sleep though - lack of appetite, forgetful and really dazed and my feet swelled up - I could have lived a long time without that - sureal - perhaps - but I was 100% aware of what was happening and really resented it

Anniversaries - they start in about 3 weeks and then they are one after another - it starts with my cousin's anniversary - it's hard to believe that it was 10 years ago this year and his parents are really ill right now and I haven't heard how they are though I have sent emails and a letter in a card - there is a limit to what we can do and we need to care for ourselves first - 

My daughter seems to be okay - I haven't heard anything to the contrary - I guess she is catching up with her life and band practice - she is really busy - 

It's not my birthday yet - gimme a few weeks - a month actually - my mother's birthday comes before that and my aunt's as well - those dates come thick and fast once they start

And we have had some icy weather in Melbourne - taking a walk around the block each day is working - I tried extending myself but that was not a good idea - I have had a lot of stuff wrong with my legs and they need to take their time in getting back to long walks - when I can manage that I will take a few days away - I could go to Brisbane - I am not interested in the tourist areas - to crowded - I like to spend time just walking - or maybe seeing as my leg is still taking it's time Sydney and the ferries sounds pretty good to me - still - I have all the time in the world to think about it

Chores - I am unhappy when they are not done - I am not easy in my mind about it but there are days when I have to leave it - besides I like to do my own dishes and things like that - I am not sure about what people do with the cleaning clothes - I get really screwed up about someone cleaning the toilet then cleaning my kitchen with the same cloth and I know it happens but I don't watch them every second - I can't be bothered

I am having so much trouble with the council and their workers - it's great when I have the same people but they have not filled a shift for 2 hours tomorrow - which is a real pain - 

But as pains go - it's really irritating and I would do these things myself if I could but alas - it causes me physical pain to do heavy work - I hope you have better luck with carers for your Dad - big pity about your brothers - it seems to me to be an easy thing for them to take Dad to the barber for a hair cut - even just take a walk with the old guy - do they drive? Another thing - does your Dad know about their disorganisation?

You have a tough road - I know that going home is a horrible thought for you - could you sell your house and even rent a place near your Dad so  you have some time to yourself? I know you know your situation better than anyone but a suggestion here and there makes me feel as if I am being helpful

Sorry I haven't been in as much - I really am - taking several hours sleep in the late afternoon and evening really stuffs things up - I was better organised today

Thinking about you sis - always - and I love the pics you post

I will see what I can find - and I find pics and this new format a challenge but I like the new format

Hugs

Dec

Join the swans Lapses

[Former-Member]

Couple of images to cheer you up @Owlunar  Love your happy wans - and all your images actually. Hope you get on top of the tech issues, i'm losing patience for it.S

Sounds like you'd like to see your daughter and g'daughter more.  Same with me & my boy.  But guess its a good thing they're so independent.

Don't  let us forget your run of anniversaries. I get distracted.  

I've posted updates on DDD thread & SAD if ya wanna swing over there.  

Melbourne winters can be quite gloomy - just stay inside under r/c a/c is ok forTwinter. The weather here's been myserable too, rainy / cold.  I Just wanna stay curled up under the doona all day.  

Night for now, Take care & stay warm ❤

Laps T

[Owlunar]

Hi @Former-Member

Roll up in your blankie and stay warm - these cold days I watch something I have recorded on TV and snuggle with my blankie and the heat pack and sometimes Madam Companion Cat - it is hard to keep this place warm in winter

My cousin's anniversary starts the stuff - we think he died on the 27th - I don't expect to feel really bad that day - mum's birthday follows that and then my aunt's on the day of my cousin's funeral - dates can clash like that

Thanks for being so faithful with these tough dates  it means a lot

I would like to see more of my family true - and my grand-daughter is like me is many ways - she lives alone with a chronic condition as I do and has already learned that chores will wait

I am thinking about a birthday cake - I think it could be 10 years since I had one and on  reflection - I don't like cake - but I will organise dinner at a local watering hole that has good cuisine and a fine selection of beverages - gotta share my birthday with them - they are my most important people

It's a long weekend - ah what??? People who work think they like them - I guess I liked to work because it got be out of the house regardless of my living conditions at the time - there have been too many public holidays lately - sigh

I will see if I can find your other threads - see if I have been tagged

Sending hugs

Dec

[outlander]

@Owlunar just a few pics that might make you smile ❤

[Owlunar]

Thanks for those owls @outlander - they are wonderful

They had not come up when I went to bed last night - and I seem to be a late starter today - but I have made soup and prepared dinner

And it's a beautiful day in Mebourne today - I hope to get out and walk later - I find that really does improve the way I feel after being off my feet for a variety of reason for some months

I have been thinking about you and your Pop - it's natural to be irritated by some of other people's habits - my ex-h nearly drove me to desperation at times - he could not react to an emergency and children have emergencies - I could not get him to hurry in any way - he was like a stuck record and never understood - 

He had a habit of saying the same things all the time too - we would have had a wonderfully fine morning until he got up at around 11.00 am and it would have started to rain and he would moan that the rain had set in for the day and go outside to smoke in the carport glaring at the kitchen window - and I would pull the blind down - and years later I no longer wonder why things eventually went sour

But the only way that can help is that you know you are not alone and it happens in other family environments too - and I hope this does help you see that you really are not alone and that it happens to practically every one is a royal pain in the rear end

I think through various reasons you have not had a lot of contact with people your own age and you really have the right to socialise - I know you cared for your Nan before this - and helped your mother out in a way that was above and beyong and what can you do now?

You did well at classes - that was my way-out of bothersome issues too - it requires a lot of single-mindedness which some people will see as selfishness but providing for your future is not selfish at all - people do this all the time

And although being your Pop's carer means you have to stop what you are doing a lot of the time there are times when he can learn to wait as well

Pity about him telling other people about life between the two of you - I am glad we are here for you - and really - we are anonymous - but for your Pop to complain to other familty members or friends is really out there - like - mostly - what happens in the home stays in the home

I wish you all the best Outlander

Dec

Study is a wonderful way to self-fulfilment