Black Dog 10

Hi all x As we are talking BP here’s my contribution. I was getting along not too bad with the new meds apart from feeling nauseous, then this morning I suddenly felt very hot, checked my BP and yes it was sky high. It did come down the a more reasonable figure after a short while but it shouldn’t happen at all. So tomorrow back to the GP, well guess they’ll just have a phone conversation. High BP has been the bane of my life, and it’s all down to family genes. I was fine on my old medication! Feeling quite fed up.
Have a pleasant afternoon x

Hi all x

I am using a very old iPad , I used it when I worked for my brother’s firm to take to building sites, he brought it down
for me last night , I had forgotten it.

Never, ever, even consider - worse off , better off.

Example- I wish I hadn’t been widowed 45 years ago, Ellie Anne is so unhappy in her marriage. For different reasons we are both lonely and lack love and support in our homes.

BlueSky so hope your GP is understanding and sorts out your medication x

Scaredycat if you get so stressed over taking your BP it is likely to be high. At the end of the day people do live with high BP so try not to get too stressed about it.
If you have your own monitor you could try putting it round your arm but not pressing the button. Just sit there for 10 or 15 minutes reading a book and then take it, continuing to read to distract yourself as it takes the reading. DH usually takes three or four and then works out the average.
Yes we had big queues outside out petrol station too but things were better later. There should be plenty of fuel. Hope you get to go on your holiday. It will be nice for you to have a break.

Bluesky new meds often take a while to settle in. If they make you feel nauseous you could ask the GP for something to settle your stomach. My DH has high Bp in his family too. Persevere with your meds though. It sometimes takes a while to find what tablets work best for you. Hope you are feeling better now.
Annie lovely to see your post. What a good thing your brother remembered the iPad. Hope it works enough for you till you get the new one sorted out.
Take care all x

Doodle thanks for your reassuring words. Good to know other people are or have been, in our same predicament. Will have to copy your DH and take a couple of readings during the day and then do the average.
Scaredy I can be the same with measuring BP, I got better when it came down to a reasonable figure, but now with the change of meds, I’m on high anxiety every time, which as we know doesn’t help.
Annie glad you are managing with the old iPad. I know I would be lost without my gadgets!
Have a peaceful night everybody x

Annie, I wonder if you would consider setting up your new I pad. I was forced into doing it myself in lockdown and it literally took minutes. Do you have a book with your password in it, that’s all you need plus your email address that you used on your old I pad. The worst that can happen is that you won’t have set it up so will be back to square one with absolutely no damage done. I know when I’m feeling really down I find things very difficult, that I would whiz through at other times.
When you are on your own with little or no support, life can be so hard, others that haven’t experienced it can’t ever guess how challenging it is.

Yes Doodle going to call them this morning when the box office opens. I did speak to a very helpful member of staff in the interval so it is just possible they could have found it.

No, we don't have any oxymeter. Neither of us has breathing problems, do you think it would be helpful?

Scardycat it was a 60s show, theatre full of old people watching old people on stage having the time of their lives! There is something really special about watching them giving everything they have and loving every minute. One of them said he is 77 and another claimed to be over 80.

Sorry we share the earing experience but they are only 'things' as I keep reminding myself.

Maybe if you set aside a time and date for the BP readings, sit on a comfortable chair with your feet on the floor for 10 minutes with the cuff on your arm but not inflated. Then just take the reading. You can use the average of 3 if you feel you have been panicking. I sometimes think a plan helps in such situations.

BlueSky hope you get the BP meds sorted soon.

Just got as far as Doodle's BP post, great minds ..........

Allsorts hello. I would add to that and suggest there must be online tutorials about how to set up an iPad which Annie could look at on the old one.

Can anyone tell me what an iPad does that a Kindle doesn't? I don't have one but I remember finding setting up the Kindle was very simply, it simply told me what to do next.

Pretty lazy day yesterday but did achieve a few things like putting away summer clothes and getting out winter ones. This morning tried on a couple of pairs of trousers I haven't worn for a long time and they fit me! Super pleased about that as I have been working hard at maintaining weight loss.

Hi all x

Allsorts thank you. I want to move all from my old iPad to
the new one. I could set up the new one with my Apple password but wouldn’t have the Apps.

nonnie does your kindle connect you to more than books ?

How is everyone?

Bluesky many people just sit and do their Bp straight away. The booklet with the meter says you should sit and relax for 10 to 15 minutes before taking. Considering how the GPS do it it’s not surprising many people have high BP in the surgery as they don’t have time to relax. There can be quite a difference between the first reading and subsequent ones so taking a few and then working out the average is more accurate. The time of day makes a difference too.
Hope you are feeling better and not so nauseous.
Allsorts how kind of you to pop in with some helpful advice.
If you ever feel down you can always pop in here for a chat. There’s usually someone around every day.
Nonnie any news of your earring?
The oxymeter is what many people bought to use at the height of lockdown. It is a guide to how much oxygen people had in their blood and was used to check when people who got COVID needed to go into hospital. Perhaps not needed so much if you and your DH don’t have breathing problems. My DH has high BP (well not now as he takes meds for it) and also asthma and is clinically vulnerable due to having blood cancer. We bought one as a precaution so we could check his oxygen levels and it’s been useful more as a way of checking he’s ok really.
Your theatre trip sounded fun. Apart from the lost earring. Hope you had a good time.
Not sure I could explain all iPad functions and I don’t know what a kindle does other than books but I can tell you what I use my iPad for. Getting online books from the library. Playing games, reading and sending emails. Searching and looking up things on the internet. I use it for doing my online food shopping. Buying from Amazon etc. Watching TV to name but a few. Not got any experience of kindle recently so don’t know how it compares.
Ooh I am so jealous. You can get into your trousers. I certainly can’t get into mine. I have had to buy a bigger size. I am working on losing some weight but it isn’t shifting.
Well done you for working at keeping the same weight, it’s not been easy with lockdown.
Hi Annie any news when your chap will be able to set up your new iPad. I am fine thanks, how about you?
New fridge coming tomorrow sometime between 7am and 5pm so will have to be up and ready early. I just hope they can get the old one out and the new one in without doing any damage.
Take care all and sleep well x

Doodle I tried your suggestions and indeed got better figures for my BP, and the queasiness seems to be easing thanks. Sorry to hear about your DH’s blood cancer, I hope it’s manageable and doesn’t give him too much trouble. You always have a kind word for others despite your own problems.
Sleep well everybody x

Hi all x

New iPad up and running thanks to my Mini Tornado, I was too afraid to do it because there were things on my old iPad
I didn’t want lost, video’s, photographs of my darling daughter.

With the blinds, iPad, doors and heating I have been so stressed. Yesterday a beautiful rainbow appeared , I love rainbows .
Today iPad working and a chap called to do annual
check of heating and has told me I can have a remote control
thingy to set my heating. The new charger for my blinds is
in transit .

Not singing the Worm Song, but ‘Sing a Rainbow’.

How is everyone?

Yes Annie it does, full Internet and all the apps I use.

Good that finally a few things are working for you.

Doodle I do all of that apart from watching TV, haven't tried that but I have BBC sounds so probably could.

No joy with the earing.

Hope the new fridge arrives in good condition.

Bluesky that’s kind of you. Yes DHs blood cancer is well controlled at the moment and hopefully may stay that way.
Good to hear your nausea is better and glad your readings are better too.
Hurrah for MT Annie. DGD to the rescue. ?
Let’s all join you in Singing a Rainbow for a change.
iPad working, heating ok, binds being fixed. Wow a good day.
Nonnie sounds like your kindle does all you need it to so no need for an iPad I would think.
If you can get apps from the App Store you should be able to download the BBC TV app and others. DH and I use our iPads to watch tv as we often watch different things. We use headphones so we don’t disturb each other.
After a few fraught moments when I thought the old fridge wouldn’t come out and the new one wouldn’t go in, the wonderful young men from JL managed to persuade it to fit.
We now have a nice new FF and hopefully this will last for some time.
Oh I’m so sorry about your earring. I hate it when you lose something you love. Could you turn the one you have left into a necklace or something?
Joce Scaredycat and all the gang, hope things are ok for you all x

Hi all x

Must share this, because my Mini Tornado doesn’t come up every week I need someone to cut my nails.

Was recommended a podiatrist, telephoned for appointment,
the gentleman reminded me I was many years ago - his Akela
in Cub Scouts and what a hopeless football ref I was ?, oh how
the past catches up with us.

How is everyone ?

Hello all.
Annie so good to hear that things have started to move for you. Hope you are enjoying your new iPad- well done MT.
The Rainbow shone for you yesterday as you deserve.
Love the tale of the podiatrist - he,ll be gentle with you! If not you can give him a red card!!!
Have a good dayx
Nonnie - sorry about the earring but as you say things are just things however much we love them. Thank you for the ideas re BP readings - just the thought of them still fills me with horror?
Doodle- I,m sorry that your husband has blood cancer but it is good to hear it is well controlled. My sister has myeloma a form of blood cancer but at the moment she is in remission which is why she could come and stay.
I guess you are busy filling up your new fridge with goodies today.
I had a bad AF afternoon yesterday but today I feel better . Managed to fill up my car which was nearly empty - only a little queue very well managed by the Tesco garage. Hope you are all able to enjoy your day today.xx

Oh Annie fancy that. What a surprise and how nice to be remembered.
Scaredycat how are you today? Sorry to hear about your sister but glad she is in remission.
The new fridge is filling up and Waitrose we coming tomorrow so the freezer should get filled too.
Sorry your AF has been playing up again. Glad you are feeling better now. No petrol here. We don’t go far so not a problem at the moment.
Been for a long walk today. I am certainly less fit than I used to be. I get tired now. Must keep going though as Annie always tells us..keep walking.
Just got back from our walk when we had a tremendous rain shower. Lucky today we missed it. I have bought a new waterproof jacket from Regatta for the winter. A fold up one like a pac a Mac, Remember them?
Sleep well all.x

Thanks Doodle. Don't think my eyesight is good enough to watch TV on a small screen, don't even watch on my laptop!!

We have had excellent service from JL as well, so helpful and not at all patronising to the old people.

Earing was part of a set which includes a necklace which I rarely take off.

Yes, keep walking because we all need to remember 'use it or lose it'.

Annie that sounds like a lovely trip down memory lane.

Scardycat Just miss typed your name as Scarycat! Sounds like you are thinking positively about things, good day.

Talking to DS yesterday about a seminar he went to at the FA, all about training elite athletes. He found it very interesting because it didn't matter how good you were at whatever you did, whatever facilities you had or whatever complimentary things you added, if the basics were not there, you wouldn't succeed. I think we can all learn from that, work out our own basics and work on them.

Hi all x

nonnie that Cub Scout was one of our ‘guards of honour’
on our wedding day !

Yes everyone keep walking. I listened last week to Monty Don
talking about gardening and the fact it was the cure for his
depression.

A psychiatrist told me We need natural daylight, S.A.D. is caused by lack of daylight reaching the back of our eyes.

I am sitting on the sofa and both window curtains are opened, first time since February, blinds being fitted today ?

Nonnie what a shame you’ve lost an earring from your set. If you wear the necklace every day it must mean so much to you. I’m so sorry you’ve lost something precious to you.
I didn’t realise you had such a problem with your eyesight. I hope you can manage well enough to enjoy reading and watching your TV.
That’s a good thing to think of, working on improving our own basics.
Annie please tell me your blinds are fitted and working. I do hope so. Yes I know a few people who have light lamps as they suffer from SAD.
Wondering how Joce is getting on. Thinking of all the other BDG too. Take care all x

Evening all
Ah Nonnie what a shame your earring was one that meant such a lot. Your necklace will be more precious to you now.
Use it or lose it it so true- walking brings so many benefits and I,m grateful every day that we are able to walk as we do.
I,m the least “scary cat” you could ever meet!! Being positive is a continuous effort for me as I always think the worst but I do

try.
Annie- lovely to think of you being in the light again and by now you will have your blinds too- a good dayxx
Doodle- hope you have had a nice day.
Wishing all the gang a peaceful nightxx

Oh Annie I am sure we are all smiling with delight that you have sunshine and that things are looking up. So happy for you.

Scardycat I am impressed by the way you are overcoming the negativity, please keep it up. There are so many things, not all physical, that we need to use or lose, we must each work on our own.

Doodle not sure my eyes are as bad as they may have sounded, think it might be my lack of tolerance

Evening all.
Been very windy here today and my pots on the balcony fell over. Quite cold too.
Scaredycat I am not necessarily a pessimist but I do tend to dwell on thinking this could go wrong or this bad thing could happen. I have always been a worrier.
It doesn’t help really because if things do go wrong saying to myself I thought that might happen doesn’t make it any better.
I would like to be more positive but I do have an anxious mind.
Hope you have a good weekend too.
Annie hope you are now able to use your new blinds and get to see out of your windows again.
Nonnie how are you today?
You mentioned BBC Sounds. I use that too. Do you listen to any of the plays. I usually listen to something when I’m doing the ironing. Trouble is, if it’s too exciting I forget to do the ironing.?
Have a good weekend all

Hi all x

Yes I have been delving into my books of poetry and found a book of quotes .

‘I am a practitioner of Positive Pessimism. Hoping for the best,
expecting the worse’.

‘Both optimists and pessimists contributed to society, the optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute’.

The latter was George Bernard Shaw.

I was always an optimist but I found this weakened after certain
events in my life.

How is everyone?

Love your quotes Annie especially the one about the parachute ??.
Are your blinds working ok?
Dreadful weather here very windy and been pouring all day. An at home day today. I have the pleasure of cleaning the bathroom. ?

Hello all.
Doodle- I do agree that worrying doesn’t help because if the dreaded happening doesn’t happen we have wasted precious time worrying and if it does then that is the time to worry- why can’t my brain understand this?The AF has made me so much more fearful too - I never know when it is going to pounce so it’s always at the back of my mind which of course doesn’t help.
On a happy note had FaceTime with my sister - so good to see her .
It’s horrible weather here too windy,rainy and cold - deffo a day to stay in. I think a roast dinner is on the cards.
Annie- your quotation helped me realise there is a place for us pessimists too - life’s events have definitely made me a parachute maker!!! Xx
Bluesky,Nonnie,Joce,Ellie Anne,Shinamae,Rafichagran GSM and all here have a good evening and peaceful sleepx