Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover the handyman was very nice and did a very good job. He was here all morning.

I'm a bit concerned about you. You said the gp cancelled on Monday but I think you need to see someone about the cold/flu going to your chest. I seem to remember you needed special asthma meds last time you succumbed to a virus.

I'm OK thanks, a bit downhearted with the usual niggling worries but I'll muddle on. I hope you can get the necessary errands done before the weekend. And maybe see if you can book a gp consultation.

Thank you for your concern. I'm going to book a GP appt for Monday or Tuesday. And take one of those self-administered Covid / flu / RSV tests. My asthma is manageable at present, thankfully.

I made it out for errands yesterday but forgot Weet Bix so have to go out again today. Not looking forward to it.

Sorry you're downhearted. Sending hugs. 🫂 I'm glad the handyman's visit went well. That's a relief.

@NatureLover well done on getting most of the errands done. Hope you got your weetbix. I find I need to write out a list.

The virus and asthma sound miserable, even if manageable. Hopefully you'll turn the corner soon.

I had a planned power outage today. I didn't get up in time for coffee before it started and ended up walking to a cafe for brunch. Not a happy day.

The cat is very unhappy too. I'll go attend to him and see what he wants.

Sorry both you and the cat had an unhappy day yesterday. 😥

You didn't enjoy brunch at a cafe?

A planned power outage on a Saturday seems unusual!

I did write out a list, but somehow still forgot the Weet Bix that was on it.

Thanks for your good wishes. I missed 2 social events last week and may have to miss more. 😣

The house has got into a mess. 😥 At least I worked out it was neat for 2.5 months, which is a record.

Good luck today.

@Dimity

Maintaining the house in a neat state for 2.5 months is very impressive @NatureLover. I can't yet imagine getting my place straightened out. I'll try to persevere.

Today I started decluttering the hall cupboard. I rediscovered stuff I'd lost, threw some stuff out and will recycle some other stuff. And that was only part of one shelf. Hopefully I'll make space to move some stuff from the livingroom.

The brunch meal at the cafe yesterday was actually quite nice. I guess I was just feeling low. I've been tired and dispirited so long, and I don't know how to finish the legal arrangements I'd been making over the last few months. I'd made them under duress, too. There are further difficulties ahead.

Thunder here, after rain several times during the day.

I hope your gp can help whenever you see them.

You made the legal arrangements under duress? From your family? I'm horrified, @Dimity ! 😭 Even though I had got that impression from the pressure they were putting you under 😥

Thanks for your kind words about the house. Unfortunately it's got messy right before an inspection is due. It's actually due this Wednesday! But luckily we haven't been given the date yet. At least, I will check with the other neighbours.

Well done on decluttering part of your hall cupboard!

I'm glad you were able to enjoy your brunch meal at the cafe.

I've been down due to not being able to go out and socialise or work at the library due to coughing. I don't want to pass it on. Yesterday I stayed in bed all day - didn't go outside once. This morning I went out to the supermarket and the chemist with a mask on. I got some cough medicine. GP appt tomorrow.

I hope you feel a bit brighter today, and can see your way soon to finishing up the legal stuff in a way that benefits you for the future. After all, it doesn't sound like anyone will look after you if you run into difficulties. (I say the same about myself.)

Hello @NatureLover hope your gp appt went well and there weren't too many people in the waiting room.

Sorry to hear you've been so down. And coughing. I've been coughing myself, just a tickle in the chest not an infection - I put it down to seasonal allergy.

I'm not sure what to think about family. I think some might help if asked.

I hope your inspection isn't tomorrow! It will take time to get back on top of things.

I had a group today, my 3rd in that series. Interesting how personalities and pecking orders are starting to emerge, although there's less than a dozen all told. I felt uncomfortable at times (being put in my place). I'd forgotten that aspect of meeting new people.

Crickets tonight. They seem to know the weather is warming.

I'm glad you think some of your family might help if asked.

I hope your cough goes away!

The GP prescribed steroids for 9 days for my asthma. There weren't many sick people in the waiting room thankfully.

You're right - I really need to clean up.

Was it your craft group yesterday? Sorry you felt put in your place 😣

This morning is errands - then hopefully house cleaning. I love this sunshine but the hot weather will be a shock.

Good luck with your tasks today.

@Dimity

Hello @NatureLover I'm glad your asthma is being addressed. I hope you shake off the virus quickly.

I'm remembering I usually feel a misfit in groups. I do need more practice - it's been such a long time.

Perhaps the sunshine energised you today? I wish I'd got more done, but I did do a bit in the house and garden, as well as shopping. I feel very unprepared for tomorrow's home help. I wish I could see progress from one visit to the next, instead of struggling to keep up. At the moment I have piles of admin stuff I'd moved to the sofa. I guess you'd understand the anxiety around falling behind. It must be 4 months' worth of stuff there that I was working through.

I don't know how you turned things around for over 2 months. I don't really have a strategy but I'm back to trying to chip away at the clutter. I do waste a lot of time, I'm aware of it after the fact.

Thanks, @Dimity . No improvement in my asthma yet. It's frustrating as any activity causes lots of asthma coughing. Makes it hard to do any cleaning or tidying.

Well done for your house and garden work plus shopping. I didn't make it out for errands yesterday, but did this morning. I wasn't energised by the nice sunny weather yesterday, but felt more energised this morning and was outside early.

Wow, your 4 months' pile of paperwork on the sofa sounds daunting.

One way I turned things around for over 2 months was by putting things in the shed! However, I've done that before and it hasn't worked. Hmmm. It's definitely easier to keep the house neat once it has to be neat for an inspection.

I think one thing that helped was that my S.A.D. wasn't quite as bad this year.

My Excoriation Disorder looks shocking at the moment with wearing shorts and T-shirts this week. Have to work on that quickly.

I hope the home help goes better today than usual 🤞