A Not So Miserable 58 in Scottish Meanderings
- Sept. 5, 2016, 6:56 p.m.
- |
- Public
That title refers to the fact that I started this entry at half past 2 this afternoon and at that point it was entitled A Miserable 58! It began "It's my birthday today and I feel absolutely awful." And that - unfortunately - was true.
I tried everything to turn it around - went back to bed in the morning until the last possible minute before I had to get up, took 3 Panadol before I left the house to try and alleviate joint pain (they have caffeine in them and I sometimes find they make me jittery but 2 doesn't seem to work. I've tried ibuprofen and Naproxen but they don't do anything for me), ate half a sandwich (couldn't face the other half), drank some of a sugary drink - nothing was working.
I'd arranged to meet the girls at Bella Italia for tea hoping I'd feel better by then but I was getting desperate by 3. So I took an extra tablet (the ones I'm reducing). Thank God it kicked in about 15 minutes before they arrived and finally, finally I was able to enjoy my birthday, away from mental and physical pain. A real shame I had to rely on something chemical but try telling my brain anything different.
Actually I suppose it's not that far removed from having a couple of drinks which many people would have on their birthday anyway so I'll try and look at it from that viewpoint instead of beating myself up.
I just couldn't stand having to 'push through' on my birthday of all days
For those of you not on Facebook here we are celebrating by stuffing our faces in yummy Bella Italia (Lilah was having a snooze in the buggy so hadn't joined us at that point).
My favourite Bella Italia dish. Calzone pizza.
Lily decreed that I was 4 so I decided to go with that it being far better than the real number :)
Lilah now awake. But too busy for a photoshoot.
I had an appointment with the Jobcentre to look forward to in the afternoon which didn't help the misery any - however the Very Annoying Person I normally see (the one who wrote the atrocious spiel in one of my previous entries) has apparently been shifted to a different department so I now get Karen who is much nicer and appears sane - a bonus. She also told me that the income-based Jobseekers Allowance which I've just applied for is given indefinitely which is good news - I thought it was restricted to only so many weeks like the contributions-based one is.
I got some lovely bits and pieces as birthday presents but I'm tempted to treat myself to a new couch - there was a little money left in Mam's account once everything was paid so we each got a share and I like the idea that it could be a present from her for my birthday :) And to be honest it's a necessity. Willow has scratched the side of the one I have in the sitting room and him and Snarf both sleep on it at night so if it's bad weather outside everything gets traipsed in and deposited on the settee. It's taking me forever to clean it properly every week and I just don't have the energy. I've tried putting a throw over it but didn't find it comfy to sit in - it kept gathering up round me and I just don't like the general look of throws on couches.
The one I really want is this one:
Not everyone's cup of tea I get that :)
But I think it would be complete fabric suicide so I'll probably have to settle for synthetic leather instead - unless any of you have managed to find brilliant ways around cats scratching furniture (they have scratching posts) then in that case I'm all ears. I do have a fairly small second-hand fabric chair which he hasn't touched so maybe with something new it might work? Trouble is the 3 of them get shut in downstairs at night so I wouldn't be there to stop him. And it's a (very) expensive mistake to make if it doesn't work.
Any bright ideas very much welcomed.
I tried everything to turn it around - went back to bed in the morning until the last possible minute before I had to get up, took 3 Panadol before I left the house to try and alleviate joint pain (they have caffeine in them and I sometimes find they make me jittery but 2 doesn't seem to work. I've tried ibuprofen and Naproxen but they don't do anything for me), ate half a sandwich (couldn't face the other half), drank some of a sugary drink - nothing was working.
I'd arranged to meet the girls at Bella Italia for tea hoping I'd feel better by then but I was getting desperate by 3. So I took an extra tablet (the ones I'm reducing). Thank God it kicked in about 15 minutes before they arrived and finally, finally I was able to enjoy my birthday, away from mental and physical pain. A real shame I had to rely on something chemical but try telling my brain anything different.
Actually I suppose it's not that far removed from having a couple of drinks which many people would have on their birthday anyway so I'll try and look at it from that viewpoint instead of beating myself up.
I just couldn't stand having to 'push through' on my birthday of all days
For those of you not on Facebook here we are celebrating by stuffing our faces in yummy Bella Italia (Lilah was having a snooze in the buggy so hadn't joined us at that point).
My favourite Bella Italia dish. Calzone pizza.
Lily decreed that I was 4 so I decided to go with that it being far better than the real number :)
Lilah now awake. But too busy for a photoshoot.
I had an appointment with the Jobcentre to look forward to in the afternoon which didn't help the misery any - however the Very Annoying Person I normally see (the one who wrote the atrocious spiel in one of my previous entries) has apparently been shifted to a different department so I now get Karen who is much nicer and appears sane - a bonus. She also told me that the income-based Jobseekers Allowance which I've just applied for is given indefinitely which is good news - I thought it was restricted to only so many weeks like the contributions-based one is.
I got some lovely bits and pieces as birthday presents but I'm tempted to treat myself to a new couch - there was a little money left in Mam's account once everything was paid so we each got a share and I like the idea that it could be a present from her for my birthday :) And to be honest it's a necessity. Willow has scratched the side of the one I have in the sitting room and him and Snarf both sleep on it at night so if it's bad weather outside everything gets traipsed in and deposited on the settee. It's taking me forever to clean it properly every week and I just don't have the energy. I've tried putting a throw over it but didn't find it comfy to sit in - it kept gathering up round me and I just don't like the general look of throws on couches.
The one I really want is this one:
Not everyone's cup of tea I get that :)
But I think it would be complete fabric suicide so I'll probably have to settle for synthetic leather instead - unless any of you have managed to find brilliant ways around cats scratching furniture (they have scratching posts) then in that case I'm all ears. I do have a fairly small second-hand fabric chair which he hasn't touched so maybe with something new it might work? Trouble is the 3 of them get shut in downstairs at night so I wouldn't be there to stop him. And it's a (very) expensive mistake to make if it doesn't work.
Any bright ideas very much welcomed.
Last updated January 09, 2018
57 Comments
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history of love ⋅ September 05, 2016
Happy belated birthday. Sorry, I just caught you on the front page.
I have a cat and cover my sofa arms with blankets so she doesn't scratch them so maybe you could try that?
Marg history of love ⋅ September 05, 2016
Hi - nice of you to stop by! :) The problem with the scratching of mine is that he does it on a curve of the sofa at both sides so it's impossible to cover :( Thanks for your suggestion though!
Deleted user ⋅ September 05, 2016
I love your hair color!!!! I still color my hair but I am getting sick of it. I've thought about not coloring my hair anymore and I'm still considering it. It's such a pain! Happy 58th Birthday! I'm sorry it started out on a low note but I'm glad it improved after you took your medication. You have a lovely family.
Marg Deleted user ⋅ September 05, 2016
Thank you! My hair started to go grey relatively early when my daughter was quite young and I couldn't be bothered with the expense and faff of colouring so just let it go. Now, strangely, I've had an urge to colour it recently! Not going to though - can't afford it for one thing :)
Deleted user ⋅ September 05, 2016
Oh yes! I'm in the market for a recliner and couch. Taking my time about it. There's no rush.
Marg Deleted user ⋅ September 05, 2016
Yeah I don't really want to rush into buying something either but I'm a bit worried that sofa might not be available if I leave it much longer. It's the only one of its kind in the shop and it's been there for a good couple of months now!
Turtle ⋅ September 05, 2016
Sorry you had to have so much pain on your birthday.. well any day is the pitts... I have fibromyalgia so I understand trying to push yourself through it. I'm glad it turned out good for you. Hugs turtle
Marg Turtle ⋅ September 05, 2016
Oh that is one nasty condition - I'm so sorry you're having to put up with that! I'm lucky in that I'm not in great pain all the time thank goodness - it's more nagging joint pain but usually manageable - but I've been struggling with fatigue and exhaustion as well plus trying to reduce medication I've become dependent on and some days they all just come together and gang up on me!!
Kimber ⋅ September 05, 2016
Happy birthday!
Re the cat scratching problem: I don't have cats now, but up until about three years ago I had a multi-cat household for decades. After having to replace two chairs and loveseat that had different kinds of textured upholstery that the cats absolutely annihilated, I had pretty good luck with fake leather, a velour-type fabric, and then a microfiber (that kind that feels like suede). My cats didn't seem to like the texture on their paws, or couldn't get their claws into it, or something. Who knows with cats, they can be so weird.
Marg Kimber ⋅ September 06, 2016
Oh ain't that the truth! Ok thanks I'll keep a lookout for those materials :)
blackpropaganda ⋅ September 06, 2016
Congratulations on your birthday - and great it worked out pretty well after all. As for the couch - I love the brightness of the one you desire - but goodness knows how you keep it fairly pristine when the feline habits of a lifetime come into play.
Deleted user ⋅ September 07, 2016
I have a leather couch . It's sort of a scruffed, aged leather look. I have four cats and they scratched it but with real leather the scratches hardly show as the inside of the leather is the same color as the outside :-) If I feel very motivated once a week I wipe olive oil in tiny amounts into it .
Marg Deleted user ⋅ September 07, 2016
That's the sort I was after - my niece has 2 of these sofas and I love them. I wouldn't be able to afford real leather though but a synthetic kind would do. Except I really want that other one ...... :D
Deleted user Marg ⋅ September 07, 2016
Mine wasn't that expensive . I found it on sale. Leather is the only thing that stands the animal wear and tear around here ...
Ann1107 ⋅ September 07, 2016
I love that couch! It's so vibrant and pretty! Happy belated birthday. Your pics are lovely.
Marg Ann1107 ⋅ September 07, 2016
Aw thank you! :)
NorthernSeeker ⋅ September 07, 2016
I'm glad you were feeling up to a lunch with the girls. I so get the feeling horrible but having to push on for other people so they can see you having fun.
I have no success with training cats. I have those wedge shaped cat scratchers and Fergus loves to scratch on them but apparently he needs diversity so it doesn't stop him from scraping the drywall, etc.
Marg NorthernSeeker ⋅ September 08, 2016
Yes they have a multi cat scratcher thing but apparently that's not enough although it's only Willow who does it I've noticed - the other 2 don't seem interested. Cats are a law unto themselves!
MageB ⋅ September 09, 2016
Happy Birthday to you. Yes, make a slipcover to match that pretty sofa. It will spice up your old sofa. Don't buy a new one as the cats will soon ruin it.
Marg MageB ⋅ September 10, 2016
Thank you! And if you knew me you would know 'make a slipcover' would never feature in my life haha. The relationship between myself and a sewing machine is pretty much non-existent much as I'd like it to be different :)
MageB Marg ⋅ September 10, 2016
If you can afford it, have someone else make a slipcover...or get a solid color throw. :)
Deleted user ⋅ September 16, 2016
Happy belated birthday! Beatiful happy family pictures also. And that sofa looks great. :-)
Marg Deleted user ⋅ September 17, 2016
Thank you! :)
Oswego ⋅ September 28, 2016
Happy belated birthday! Those are good pictures! Looks like all of you had a good time!
Marg Oswego ⋅ September 30, 2016
Thank you! :)
Deleted user ⋅ October 12, 2016
Happy Belated Birthday !!!
Marg Deleted user ⋅ October 12, 2016
Thank you!
Lady of the Bann ⋅ October 20, 2016
Get the sofa. I worried when I got my leather suite. But I have had 3 cats during the time and none have scratched it. Just watched for them starting. I believe cats stay away from lemon scent but never had to use it.
Marg Lady of the Bann ⋅ October 21, 2016
I think I will. I've been trying to stop Willow when he starts on the one I have now but the trouble is I think some of it happens at night when they're shut in downstairs so I don't see it. However I decided I'm just going to get it and then they were out of stock when I tried! We have a Range shop here though so I'll go in sometime and order it :)
edna million ⋅ January 09, 2017
I'm glad the birthday turned out well after all - those are great pictures! And I actually loooove that couch, although I guess it wouldn't work in just any house. We're so slapdash we might get away with it, though. For some reason I've never had problems with my cats scratching the furniture- I don't think ours has good scratching surfaces. What mine scratch, bizarrely, is the door frames- they've done it since they were kittens and will NOT STOP. So several of our doorframes are totally ruined and I don't know what we'll do about them if we ever are able to move.
edna million ⋅ January 09, 2017
I read that cats hate tinfoil and putting it around where they are scratching will make them stop and break the habit, so I put tinfoil over the doorframes when they started doing that. In about three seconds they had attacked and shredded the tinfoil, scattering bits of it all over the house. So THAT doesn't work. Neither does having scratching boxes right beside the doors.