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June Annual Blogging Month 2024 |
Size: 21 Entries
Created: June 6th, 2023 at 7:46am
Modified: July 24th, 2024 at 6:06am
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This book is the place for competing in the Hall's annual blogging month of June. Entries about ordinary, mundane events and days. My life isn't that exciting! . But I love to blog. So, enjoy!
Note ▼Bard’s Hall Honorable Mention, Excellence in Blogging Contest, June 2019
3rd Place, Bard's Hall Blogging Contest, June 2020
Bard’s Hall Honorable Mention, Excellence in Blogging Contest, June 2022
2nd Place, Bard's Hall Contest, June 2023, Excellence in Blogging
Honorable Mention, Bard's Hall Contest, JUNE 2024, Excellence in blogging
My daily blog: " Blog @ Work 2nd Edition" [ 18+]
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Bought a stack of scratch lottery tickets. They arrived. I am a gambler so two tickets per day for next week.
I already won 8 bucks
Sun is wonderful, and friends and family react lovely to my sad news. I will enjoy this weekend on the balcony. Tonight 1/8th finals EURO 2024.
WC 52
SeptemberBee and Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ |
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My first CT scan is a fact. They again had trouble putting a needle into my vein, but the second place was okay. In and out in 45 minutes.
I had a coffee and a bun when leaving the hospital.
Bus ride back home, shopping for toilet paper (where does it go these days) and now behind the computer. Sprout is sleeping on the ground to my right.
I made an appointment with the hairdresser later today. I still got all my hair so better take care of it.
WC 89
SeptemberBee and Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ |
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The day after the verdict!
I am a bit restless. It's extremely sunny and hot so it's a bit too warm in the house. I am sitting on my balcony with my new parasol. There is a whiff of wind which is lovely.
Yesterday, after the Dutch soccer team lost their game I heard a noise of breaking glass! Kids had smashed my bedroom window with a ball before they fled the scene. Luckily the housing agency sent someone who took care of the window and covered it with wood—cleaned the mess too. Next week there will be a new window in place.
I have to repeat a few times: I have cancer! I have cancer!
I still cannot look beyond that. It's too early to make a plan. Tomorrow the CT scan, they won't tell me what they find, that's for the appointment next week.
I am leaving in an hour to do some groceries. And there are the dirty dishes. I have to clean.
I am still in pain, and my energy level is very low. But today is a very sunny day. Lovely!!!
WC; 186
SeptemberBee and Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ
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Had my colonoscopy today. Everything went well. Laxation was okay, keyhole surgery was no biggie. I was convinced I had chronic bowel inflammation.
At the end of the procedure, the doctor told me: It's bad, I have to talk to you later.
I still was clueless.
When she arrived she said: It's not good, it's cancer. You have a tumor.
Honestly, it never crossed my mind.
I think it still has to sink in.
This Thursday I have a CT scan to look for the spreading of cancer cells, if that's the case. Next week on Friday I have an appointment to talk about procedures and possibilities.
I think I am still a bit in shock!!
WC 116
SeptemberBee and Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ |
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Today is the day before! I have to take two tablets within 2 hours to soften the poop in my bowls. At 6 I start with the first laxation, and during the night at 5 the second one.
I just had my last lunch, one rusk with egg spread. And a cup of tea. I cannot eat anything anymore till after the operation.
The weather is great, lots of sun. The first day of me using my new parasol on my balcony. I want to do my dishes before the laxation starts.
Wish me luck!
WC 95
SeptemberBee and Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ |
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Still in pain every day. Next week on Tuesday I have to go to the hospital for a colonoscopy. My best friend is driving me since there has to be somebody with me going back home.
On Monday it starts with medication to soften the poop, followed by a laxative schedule in the evening. The next morning at 5 o'clock another laxation and I have to be at the hospital at 8.30 am.
Everybody I know who has done this procedure says it's no biggie. But I am a little bit anxious. If something goes wrong I have stated that I don't want to be resurrected. Too scared to end up like a vegetable. Anyway...let's hope for the best!
I watch EURO2024, the soccer games every day. 2-3 matches per day. Tomorrow The Dutch against The French.
WC:137
SeptemberBee and Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ |
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In the coming weeks my GP has referred me to a specialist so my bowl problems will be addressed. It's about time! I have to wait again.
I'm still in pain, still nauseous.
Yesterday our national soccer team played the last of the two friendly matches before the European Competition 2024 that is about to begin this coming Friday. We won 4-0 from Iceland and 4-0 from Canada. Lovely games.
Hopefully, they will go far! They have a very interesting team.
WC 82
SeptemberBee and Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ |
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Yay, I collected feces as early as 9 am and brought it to the nurse. I have to wait for the results. And next week I have another appointment to test my blood and urine. For the second time! The results were negative, insofar, as there was not much wrong. But I am still in pain so I keep going. I have to know what's bugging me.
Tonight one of my friends has tickets for a classical concert by Sokolov, a Russian pianist. The friend he was going with was in hospital so he asked me. It's free since he already had the tickets. And they cost 57 euros a piece, way too much for my wallet.
It's an unknown musician to me. It will be a surprise I am looking forward to.
It will be good to get out of the house. Last Sunday I canceled a movie with another friend since I wasn't feeling very well. Tonight I am forcing myself to go out!
WC 167
SeptemberBee and Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ |
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Another bad night with pain and nausea suffering from what I believe is Colitus Ulcerosa, inflammation of the bowls. For 2 months now. I did a lot of inconclusive tests and an ultrasound that confirmed the thickness of the bowls. But my GP wanted another test for feces, the third time. So, I have to collect feces before 10 am, so I can bring it to the doctor's before 11 o'clock. Alas, I can't poop on commando so it didn't happen today. Maybe tomorrow.
It's a bit debilitating to be in this pain and nausea. The best thing to do is to sleep a lot. In bed, I experience less pain.
I hope to enjoy this coming month by blogging for The Bard's Hall, voting for the European Parliament, and watching soccer in the European Cup 2024. Things I can do, things I want to do.
It's Midday the first Monday of the month so the sirens are making sounds. A monthly test in my country to make sure the sirens are working. In this day and age with a war this close by that's important.
I don't want to be a pessimist, but times are difficult these days. We have an ultra-right-wing Parliament in the making with all sorts of unrealistic and sometimes dangerous plans here in the Netherlands. Trump is a crook who possibly will be elected again as President of the US, the war in the Middle East is horrendous, and so is the war in Ukraine.
But...
it's June, one of the best months of the year. I hope the weather will be warm and wonderful.
I hope for the best!
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I love these kinds of quiet mind-body and soul music, to channel my energy and calm down. It’s soothing for the soul and I can write while listening to it. Mantras!
It’s not likely that I travel to India shortly, or at all for that matter. It’s so crowded there and the only way I could function is in some sort of ashram in the middle of nowhere. Did you see the movie Eat, Love, Pray? Something like that.
It’s on my bucket list, although I didn’t know I have one. Come to think of it, I can make one right now, just for the hell of it.
Not in any particular order:
Stay in an ashram in India, Take some additional driving lessons, hire a car (I haven’t driven in almost 19 years , Win the lottery, Visit the USA once more, Take up sculpting again (I have the stone and the material), Publish more frequently, Fall in love .
I will be sixty-two at the end of next month. I write down the words, not the digits. In a way, I can’t believe this is the case. You wake up one day and you are an old woman. What happened?
**shaking one’s head**
It’s not that I mind being old, it’s the physical ailments coming along with it. I am not that flexible anymore. But it’s a fact of life, and I have to adjust.
But I am certainly not complaining. My life is good! I’ve had some rough times in the far past but the last years have been a blessing. I realized this because there are so many writers here suffering. But people are challenged, not broken. Being a writer is such a great thing. Having the Writing.com community in my life is the best. That and my dog is what’s keeping me healthy. Every single day!
Sometimes I think WdC is like a cult. But then again, what’s wrong with that? I love WdC!
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My stepmom Toos has been diagnosed with dementia a few years back. Sure she was very forgetful and had to write everything down, sure she told the same story over and over, sure she didn't remember things from 15 minutes ago. But she still lives on her own and has a full program to tie her over every week. She has a lot of help.
Today things happened that I realized she no longer can be trusted in what she says. That's really sad. I am feeling really sad. She crossed a line today and fabricated a story in her mind which later turned out not to be true at all. This is the first time that happened. And I am a bit in shock.
I think things will spiral downhill from now on. She is definitely changing, the dementia is definitely taking over. I have to relate to this changed reality. I must be aware I shall have to second-guess everything from now on. I shall have to check everything with Rita, her help, and Marga, her guardian to make sure I still can distinguish what's what and what actually is the case. Her word is no longer to be immediately trusted. This is very, very heart-wrenching.
She forgets this ever happened. Tomorrow she starts anew. I, on the other hand, have to come to terms with the reality of her illness. It's up to me to interpret her actions, behavior, and speech in such a way that I can handle it and keep her dignity.
I worked with demented patients years ago professionally. So, theory and practice are somewhat familiar. But this is different for me now. This is up close and personal. I am the stepdaughter of the demented patient in this equation. I address my stepmom differently from a professional. I am deeply involved.
I phone her every day, and I visit once, this week twice.
I am afraid things will rapidly change for the worse. I am wondering how and what my answer shall be. Am I up to it?
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I feel cheated but it’s probably my own fault.
I bought some clothing via Facebook!
Stupid, stupid move.
It looked gorgeous in the picture, so I ordered two sets (shirt and trousers) in different colors. Or so I thought. They delivered two of the same sets and in a color, I definitely didn’t order and don’t like at all.
It’s a cheap material and screams “made by children and vulnerable women in a European Eastblock country”. I think it cost me almost 60 bucks.
Yikes.
Of course, no way I can send it back and get a refund. Foreign country, no customer service, and the costs for returning are on me.
So, I stick with the lot.
I can probably wear the trousers but the shirts are a no-go.
I know I shouldn’t do it. Why do I keep doing it then? Facebook is so very unreliable and I know that!
I have to shrug it off, take a deep breath and move on!
As if I have money to throw away down the drain. I never learn.
This coming Friday I have another financial setback. I have to go to the vet unexpectedly with Sprout. His anal glands seem to be a little bit inflamed. And as you know vets cost money! But I think he has to have antibiotics to cure this. So, again…I have to draw my checkbook.
No, I am not pleased at all.
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It's still hot inside, outside it's doable at 23:00 with a nice breeze.
But nonetheless, I have decided to quit Thriller Writing Class. Alas, I can't concentrate during the day on my homework, too hot although my fan is making overtime. Better this way, I wasn't feeling comfortable lacking the motivation. Next time better!
I have ruled against buying a new sunscreen for my balcony. Although I could have a loan from a friend of 500 euros and pitch in the other 500 myself, which is doable, I don't think it's worth it.
For one, it's a house I hire, not own. Second, even with the screen, I would not sit for long periods of time on my balcony in the heat.
So, better sit on the balcony till 11 in the morning and from 6 in the afternoon. In between I have the curtains closed and the fan in position so I can work inside.
There is a heatwave going on at the moment but that is not very common in my country.
I don't think I really need a new sunscreen, I can work around it. Problem solved!
What else?
On Thursday I am having lunch in the park with a friend and on Friday as well with another friend. I cannot entertain at home with this heat and the small restaurant under trees in the shadow is wonderful. It's a place I frequently visit and only 15 minutes walk from my house.
Sometimes I take Sprout with me for a walk in the park and a coffee for me, sometimes I take friends there.
The park is called South Park, with lakes, grass, trees, and footpaths. Very close to home. One of the perks of living in this apartment.
I still am very pleased with my housing situation. Close to a shopping mall and public transport just around the corner.
The only reason I might move out of this house is if I win big time in the lottery. But, well...you know how the odds are there.
Tomorrow again a day of planning to do some housekeeping. Heatwave permitting.
Now, some relaxing before going to bed.
Have a good night, all!
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My next-door neighbor is a Brazilian young woman. Nice girl with two daughters who visits her every weekend.
Because of the hot weather, we talk to each other from our balconies at 23:00 when the temperatures cool down. Two days in a row now, which is nice.
I have nice neighbors, 5 of them. We say hello and talk sometimes, but I have the most contact with her, Lucy from Brazil.
It’s really hot during the day. Almost 30 degrees which is very unusual in my country. Because of the heat, I didn’t follow up with my kitchen cleaning. Instead, I did a few loads of laundry and put it on my balcony to dry.
Tomorrow my plan is to do the rest of the dishes. I am a procrastinator so it’s really a question whether I will do them, but the plan is there.
Furthermore, I have to work on my assignment for Thriller Writing Course}. The story I want to write is nowhere near to be seen. Writing a summary for this week will be difficult because I still have not much of a clue for that story. But perhaps I have inspiration in the coming days.
I created a new contest, due July 15: "Personal Essay Contest" [E], and started a new blog for my low-carb adventure "Low-Carb Foods Listings" [E].
Now, it’s time to go to bed. Although it’s still very hot outside, 24 degrees, and inside the house 27 degrees. Have taken a shower to cool down a bit so I hope I can sleep tonight. For the rest of the week, the temperatures remain this high.
Good night to you all!
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Okay, this is enough!
Because I didn’t feel well the last couple of days, fatigued and exhausted, I let my kitchen get the better of me. Again!
You know by now this happens more than I would like. It’s a struggle every time because I hate doing the dishes.
So, this time I have to act upon it and start cleaning today! It cannot be postponed.
I made a plan and I am going to stick by it.
My tummy is guggling so first I have to do something about lunch. After that, I start cleaning my kitchen for a few hours.
15:00-17:00 doing the dishes
17:30 making dinner
18:45 doing some groceries
20:00-23:00 writing
This sounds good, it is good and I so sincerely hope I follow through.
Because tomorrow I have to tackle my laundry.
The weather is gorgeous these couple of days, which is fine. The only thing is that the sunscreen on one of my balconies broke down and isn’t working any longer. I don’t have the means to replace it, so I can’t enjoy sitting outside during the day. Too hot.
I suspect it will cost me a couple of thousand euros to replace it and have a new one installed. Not feasible. I just don’t have the money. Alas!
The last time I put the screen down was last summer. Somewhere in between it collapsed. Probably metal fatigue. The screen must be 25-30 years old. It’s beyond repair.
That will make living in this apartment during the summer less attractive. I used the screen every day. I have to think about a solution.
Lunch is almost over. Within half an hour I have my work cut out for me. Those damned dishes!
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