Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hmmm...your loaf sounds nice actually...maybe I'll add just a fraction more yeast next time. Yes, am planning to toast it for breakfast tomorrow. Nice of you to suggest those things, when you can't have any yourself yet. How long till you can be more active?

I was also wondering, do your pain levels stop you from sleeping?

@NatureLover Another week and I can start easing back into my activities. The pain does prevent me from getting good sleep... frequent waking when I move. The cold weather helps me sleep.. the weight of the blankets. Something I can't do in summer.

Hi @Escaped_Goat - another week...I hope it goes quickly. Sorry that the pain stops you from sleeping.

I know a lot of people like the weight of blankets on them, but I tend to panic. Even when I see those ads for weighted therapy blankets I feel anxious....I had to turn those ads off. But it's good for you that the weather's getting colder so you can sleep better.

Today the aim is grocery shopping, a shower, and cleaning the corner of the kitchen that has the stovetop in it, including cleaning the stovetop. I actually don't want to go out...am getting entirely too comfortable staying at home. It's going to be quite an effort to go shopping. What does your day look like?

@NatureLover I'm kind of used to broken sleep so it feels normal.

Sounds like you have a full day planned. Shopping tends to take quite a bit of time especially these days. I don't know about where you are but when people were panic buying it was hard to find things and only the most expensive brands were left if any and I was having to constantly rethink my shopping list as I went through the aisles. Very stressful. Things have almost gotten back to normal in town here thankfully although a few things are still hard to come by because the producers are focusing on the name brands first rather than store brands so us frugal shoppers just have to suck it up for a while longer. Not the government gives a flying eff about some of us having to pay more. :face_with_rolling_eyes:

That's my rant of the day! 😂

I know what you mean about getting too comfortable at home... I feel like if they put grandma on the essential travel list I would be quite content not leaving my home for anything. But.. that's not a good plan!

My day... I am going to pick up my groceries at noonish. I'm feeling less stressed about going out just to collect them rather than actually shop for them. Hoping that makes a difference to when it comes to leaving the home.. getting the numbers down. Today is bathroom cleaning day. Hoping I can get out for a walk too. I am also hoping to get to sewing the bag I cut out the pieces for and has been sitting on my table for two weeks waiting to be sewn up because then I can pack the sewing machine away and use my table for something else.. maybe eating. 🤷‍♀️

@Escaped_Goat That's very patient of you about the broken sleep. I am no good with insomnia...my thoughts turn really dark in the night.

With shopping here, yes, most things seem to be back in stock except flour, and yes it's the most expensive brands. I am pretty lucky in that I can walk to the local supermarket so it doesn't take ages; it's just the psychological effort needed to go out. Which I know you understand, and which you have much worse than me; so I need to suck it up! 😄

I've remembered I also want to change the sheets and do the washing up today. So that's an overload...I'll just have to see what gets done out of all that.

Hopefully they've packed all the groceries you need. Good luck with getting the numbers down today. And I sure hope you can use the table for eating soon!

@NatureLover oh yes the night is not a good time for the mind but I'm usually able to get back to sleep reasonably quickly once I reposition myself.

I don't buy into that whole someone always has it worse than me deal so don't you do it either. It invalidates your own struggles. We can always find someone worse off but it's not a competition. Everyone has their own battles and comparing isn't fair on ourselves.

I'm not too fussed about eating at the table actually but having it cleared and a project finished would be a good feeling. I'm sure you understand that.

That's good @Escaped_Goat that you can get back to sleep quickly.

OK. I won't "compare"...Yes the agoraphobia makes it hard to go out. It's not severe, but still. But I guess it makes it easier to imagine other people's difficulties in doing the same.

Yes, I understand getting something done and cleared away...it's very satisfying. Good luck with yours. I am now worrying about what I should prioritise today...I guess the grocery shopping. Sometimes I worry so much about the right priority to tackle that I don't end up doing any of it 😞 I've also got the regular 3 walks a day and a laundry wash to do. Because of the germophobia I usually do a laundry wash most days.

@NatureLover I see.. well if imagining me counting power points to ensure they are all off assists you you can use that visual 😂 I never looked at it that way.. I just didn't want you to feel your struggles weren't as valid as anyone else's. Sorry.

Always eat the frog! That means the hardest thing first. Get it out of the way. For me that's usually anything outside of the home so I would normally make appointments etc for morning. There wasn't a pickup time for morning so noon was the best I could do for my groceries.

Please don't be sorry, @Escaped_Goat - you were being kind. And actually, I meant that my difficulties helped me to be able to have empathy for other people's difficulties. I wouldn't feel right picturing you actually counting power points to motivate myself. Although I do find it inspiring when other people achieve things despite their low motivation - like you do.

Hooray - I went grocery shopping and to the post office. It took about 2 hours to psyche up this morning but once out I felt all right. I'm the same as you - I prefer to go out in the morning. Plus at the moment there seems to be more stock in the supermarkets in the mornings. Yes, my hardest task for today was going out, so that's done!

How were your numbers this morning before you went out - did they behave?

@NatureLover Not even if you picture me counting them like The Count on Sesame Street? 🤣 😂

My numbers were low this morning. I think knowing I only had to drive there and back and not actually go into the shop was helpful. Plus the leaves are all turning colours up the main street and that always makes me smile.

All I've done so far is pick up the groceries but there's plenty of day left.