(Wednesday)I've been for my appointment with the counselling lady at Macmillan at Milton Keynes Hospital. The appointment was at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. It's no more than a 10-15 minute walk away, which is fortunate as if you go in the car you only have the annoyance of finding a parking space. I notice that they are well on the way to completing the new cancer care unit which is being built on what was the staff carpark. It is supposed to be opening at the end of 2019. I remember when Carol was in one of the wards at the hospital we could see workmen staring work on I think what turned out to be the multi-storey carpark for the staff, so, thinking about it now, it was obvious that they would need to build that before starting work on the cancer centre, otherwise there would be nowhere for the staff to park. The structure is covered in pink, I don't know what it is, but one hopes it won't remain pink, probably a layer for insulation before the other surface is put in position over it.
Thursday. Phil and Robert came back this morning. They've done a really amazing job. The grass now looks a little more like a lawn (but not quite.) Phil managed to get the mower on it and take off the cut grass, which I think is the main problem. The little electric mower we have, a rotary job, really struggled to even touch the long grass and we never used a collection box, so the loose grass which was cut and left only added to the problems. The front looks even better, with the flower bed dug over and the grass and weeds remove and also the grass which was springing up on he parking space is gone and looks very neat and tidy.
I went to the Oaktree Centre for another session of The Church Course. This one on the history of the church. I now know who was there to help me when I collapsed when I had my heart attack in September. Just grateful for him and others who dealt with things the way they did, had First Aid experience and managed to make sure I didn't get injured when I collapsed on the floor. The lady who dealt so amazingly that morning works in the intensive care unit at Milton Keynes Hospital, so I know I was in good hands. Another good reason to support staff who work for the N.H.S. and the brilliant work they do.
Had a letter from Pension Credit. It was just reiterating what went into the application and no word about how much I'm likely to get. I have an appointment with AgeUK on Thursday regarding what other benefits I can claim and if they can help in any way to help me find alternative accommodation. As the landlord seems incapable of maintaining this house, then I'd much rather move to somewhere smaller and with lower rent, if that is at all possible. Just causing me further stress. The medication I was given by the doctor on Tuesday is going to run out on Sunday. So this means I will have to get a further appointment on Monday morning, along with all the stress that causes.
Friday. My friend Nick, who lived in the same house as me in Rutland Road in Bedford around 16 years ago, had texted me to say he could meet up with me in Milton Keynes today. He now lives in Northampton and came by bus as he has a free bus pass. We were going to meet at Starbucks, but which branch, as there are two in Milton Keynes, one in the main shopping centre and the other in Midsummer Place, the newer section. I got to the shopping centre and parked where I usually park and then walked in and sat and waited outside Starbucks. We were scheduled to meet at 11a.m.
Saturday. Bright and sunny again this morning. Alfie and I were out walking around Eaglestone Park by around 6.10 and back before 6.30. No point lazing around in bed when it's such a lovely day. I say a group of squirrels playing around a tree as we walked along the path near the shop. Alfie didn't see them. I don't think he can see that well because he's so low to the ground. Funny this, because if he sees them in the garden he goes mad and barks, but out in the park, then he doesn't take any notice. Generally his eyesight is fine, particularly when it's seeing off pussycats!
I don't hang about. Why waste time in bed on a warm and sunny day, although as I write this at 8.45a.m, it's become a bit overcast and a bit dull, I've been to put credit on both the gas and electric meters, going to the local shop to do this. Then I drove to Aldi at Bradwall Common and was in and out of there in barely 20 minutes and then home to put everything away and now sitting here drawing breath. Alfie fussing to be given a treat out of the bag that sits on the bookshelf.
I went to the Oaktree Centre a little after 10 o'clock because there was a car-boot sale on. Fortunately it wasn't too hot. I had a bit of a wander round but nothing took my fancy. I was impressed by he vintage car that one of the church regulars had bought along, a Ford. It's in amazing condition. It must have taken ages to restore it to near-perfect condition. It reminds me of the cars that were used when I worked on the BBC television series 'Campion,' which starred Brian Glover and Peter Davidson. I was one of the villain's henchmen. Yes, I know, me as a baddie? Not brilliant casting, but good fun. I think I've described in fair detail how it went. A really hot day, if I remember rightly.
I got home and there was a pile of mail waiting on the doormat. One, a fairly thick manilla envelope, the sort that screams 'government department,' either H.M.S.O., or Dept of Work and Pensions (which is what it was from.) informing me that they had calculated how much Pension Credit I should get. Go on, shall I tell you? The princely sum of £7 per week. Hardly going to help pay my rent. They tell me that I'm being paid too much, including my pension and what I get from Carol's Teachers' pension. So, what shall I spend that on? A couple of packets of biscuits, teabags, washing-up liquid. I know I shouldn't complain, but the length of time it's taken to sort out and all he stress, it's hardly worth the effort to apply and just think of the cost in administration. Seems to me that it's one step forward and several back.
The meds the doctor gave me last Tuesday will run out tonight when I take the final one. So it means I will have to ring the surgery tomorrow to get a repeat or at least another similar medication. Just more annoyance and stress . . .
Thursday. Phil and Robert came back this morning. They've done a really amazing job. The grass now looks a little more like a lawn (but not quite.) Phil managed to get the mower on it and take off the cut grass, which I think is the main problem. The little electric mower we have, a rotary job, really struggled to even touch the long grass and we never used a collection box, so the loose grass which was cut and left only added to the problems. The front looks even better, with the flower bed dug over and the grass and weeds remove and also the grass which was springing up on he parking space is gone and looks very neat and tidy.
I went to the Oaktree Centre for another session of The Church Course. This one on the history of the church. I now know who was there to help me when I collapsed when I had my heart attack in September. Just grateful for him and others who dealt with things the way they did, had First Aid experience and managed to make sure I didn't get injured when I collapsed on the floor. The lady who dealt so amazingly that morning works in the intensive care unit at Milton Keynes Hospital, so I know I was in good hands. Another good reason to support staff who work for the N.H.S. and the brilliant work they do.
Had a letter from Pension Credit. It was just reiterating what went into the application and no word about how much I'm likely to get. I have an appointment with AgeUK on Thursday regarding what other benefits I can claim and if they can help in any way to help me find alternative accommodation. As the landlord seems incapable of maintaining this house, then I'd much rather move to somewhere smaller and with lower rent, if that is at all possible. Just causing me further stress. The medication I was given by the doctor on Tuesday is going to run out on Sunday. So this means I will have to get a further appointment on Monday morning, along with all the stress that causes.
Friday. My friend Nick, who lived in the same house as me in Rutland Road in Bedford around 16 years ago, had texted me to say he could meet up with me in Milton Keynes today. He now lives in Northampton and came by bus as he has a free bus pass. We were going to meet at Starbucks, but which branch, as there are two in Milton Keynes, one in the main shopping centre and the other in Midsummer Place, the newer section. I got to the shopping centre and parked where I usually park and then walked in and sat and waited outside Starbucks. We were scheduled to meet at 11a.m.
Saturday. Bright and sunny again this morning. Alfie and I were out walking around Eaglestone Park by around 6.10 and back before 6.30. No point lazing around in bed when it's such a lovely day. I say a group of squirrels playing around a tree as we walked along the path near the shop. Alfie didn't see them. I don't think he can see that well because he's so low to the ground. Funny this, because if he sees them in the garden he goes mad and barks, but out in the park, then he doesn't take any notice. Generally his eyesight is fine, particularly when it's seeing off pussycats!
I don't hang about. Why waste time in bed on a warm and sunny day, although as I write this at 8.45a.m, it's become a bit overcast and a bit dull, I've been to put credit on both the gas and electric meters, going to the local shop to do this. Then I drove to Aldi at Bradwall Common and was in and out of there in barely 20 minutes and then home to put everything away and now sitting here drawing breath. Alfie fussing to be given a treat out of the bag that sits on the bookshelf.
I went to the Oaktree Centre a little after 10 o'clock because there was a car-boot sale on. Fortunately it wasn't too hot. I had a bit of a wander round but nothing took my fancy. I was impressed by he vintage car that one of the church regulars had bought along, a Ford. It's in amazing condition. It must have taken ages to restore it to near-perfect condition. It reminds me of the cars that were used when I worked on the BBC television series 'Campion,' which starred Brian Glover and Peter Davidson. I was one of the villain's henchmen. Yes, I know, me as a baddie? Not brilliant casting, but good fun. I think I've described in fair detail how it went. A really hot day, if I remember rightly.
I got home and there was a pile of mail waiting on the doormat. One, a fairly thick manilla envelope, the sort that screams 'government department,' either H.M.S.O., or Dept of Work and Pensions (which is what it was from.) informing me that they had calculated how much Pension Credit I should get. Go on, shall I tell you? The princely sum of £7 per week. Hardly going to help pay my rent. They tell me that I'm being paid too much, including my pension and what I get from Carol's Teachers' pension. So, what shall I spend that on? A couple of packets of biscuits, teabags, washing-up liquid. I know I shouldn't complain, but the length of time it's taken to sort out and all he stress, it's hardly worth the effort to apply and just think of the cost in administration. Seems to me that it's one step forward and several back.
The meds the doctor gave me last Tuesday will run out tonight when I take the final one. So it means I will have to ring the surgery tomorrow to get a repeat or at least another similar medication. Just more annoyance and stress . . .
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