Winter solstice

Well done on the watering and housework @NatureLover .

Yes I'm expecting council home help tomorrow but I'm not organised for it. The clutter seems to have built up and I don't know what to do with it. I've spent far too much time glued to my phone screen instead of tidying. I don't want to drift back to where I was before surgery. I guess I don't have that anxiety now, just general worry about everything including family.

It will be warmer again tomorrow . I haven't been watering every day but will need to tomorrow.

Committing to an hour a day sounds a good target. I think I'm achieving that most days at the moment.

Well done on achieving an hour a day, @Dimity . I didn't actually achieve that yesterday.

I'm not watering every day either. I need to water this morning but actually I just want to go back to sleep. (I've been awake since 6 and out at 7 but didn't sleep well)

I hope the council home help goes well today 🤞

I'm uncomfortable about the home help @NatureLover but I guess I'm grateful. She's quite critical of my efforts (I should gave been doing more in spite of medical instructions) and my cleaning supplies (I spent many $$ buying alternative products for her despite mine having been approved by the assessor).

I'm depressed and didn't even walk today.

I'm under pressure to choose a quote for the garden but I'm not happy with either.

I looked at the carport today and the number of heavy items stacked up by the "helper" that I'll have to get someone to move for me. And someone will have to dig up plants for me if I get the mechanical digger option - or have them crushed..

The election is looming...

It all sounds overwhelming, @Dimity 😥 No wonder you feel depressed.

I'm outraged on your behalf that the home help has said those things. Also that your garden helper has not helped but rather created more problems for you!!

I don't think you have to accept either of the quotes?

I don't like the method of either quote but want the job done @NatureLover . I'm wondering if the garden helper can dig up my precious plants and put them in pots so the digger can have access. The cost and complications are multiplying.

The help situation is indeed depressing. And it looks like I've lost the helper who'd transported boxes of books. I simply can't do it myself even by taxi as I can't carry them.

My family situation continues to get worse. I hope the therapist can help a bit. I'm really struggling with it. I've not actually started therapy, just introduced myself and described the situation. So I don't know if she can help or what her approach will be. I'm very nervous.

I guess I'm getting back to grappling with things now my health is improving. I'll have to look for some sort of small joys to keep me going.

It sounds overwhelming, @Dimity 😣

Somehow I missed that this is a new therapist you're seeing... Where did you find them?

Your garden problem sounds difficult 😣 Good luck deciding what to do. Sorry also that you've lost the book transporter.

Good luck with the new therapist this week 🤞

This is the therapist (a mental health social worker) I started with late last year but had only seen twice @NatureLover . My surgery and subsequent hospitalisations intervened. She seems quite nice but we haven't got very far yet. My awful psychologist wasted most of my mental health care plan and I'm not sure when I can renew.

I started on the garden today. The garden helper returns next week.

Ah yes, I remember the mental health social worker, @Dimity . It's now Friday almost 3pm, so I'm guessing you've probably had the appt by now... How did it go? Was it helpful?

I'm guessing you might have moved into a period of less restrictions, if you're able to start work on the garden? I really hope the garden helper listens to you next week 🤞

Oh I’m glad you’ve been able to get out into your garden and do some things @Dimity

I think you were worried that wasn’t going to happen for a while. Don’t go too hard too fast though, but good news. I’ve been doing a bit in my garden this afternoon after sport. Just finished mowing the back lawn

I had the appt yesterday @NatureLover . It was OK but I have nothing to go on with, no homework. I guess I just muddle on.

Yes, I'm trying to do a bit more but I still have weight /exertion limits. I'm trying to keep up the osteopath exercises and walk more too - but I'm pushing myself. Hopefully it will get easier and my back will adjust.

I'll see if the gardener can transplant some of my stuff into pots to clear a path for the mechanical digger.