Tuesday 26 October 2021

M.I.A.

 Holy man, it's been a while since I've posted. I shall catch you up, from what I remember has happened since my last installment.

Canadian Thanksgiving: Yes it's in October. I didn't think anyone was really getting together and our daughter was going to be up in Thunder Bay (Tundra Bay) with long time boyfriend visiting his extended family for a week, so I thought it would just be a little gathering here - husband, son, and spring mother-in-law from the home. But then, one of my older brothers said they would have a gathering, so that was nice, I got to see my three siblings. No cousins except our son were in attendance because they are spread hither and yon, or have jobs that keep them working  even on holiday weekends.

Supply Teaching: I stepped out of my comfort zone and supplied at a different school. It was fine - a kindergarten class which also has an ECE working in the room (early childhood educator), so that makes it less daunting because they know the routine and the students so well. I realize that I still like "being in the game" and I was missing the interaction, the fun, the sweetness of the little ones, even the drama of someone chucking their applesauce in a mild tantrum. 

End of Season Gardening: It is most definitely autumn and with that comes cleaning up the beds. There was an awful lot of cutting back of perennials and digging up unwanted and uncontrollable Black Eyed Susans, and storing away tomato cages, and cutting back shrubs... which then lead to...

Me Sitting Here Drugged Up on Robaxicet (well, the generic kind because I'm too cheap to pay for name brand), and prescription level Naproxen: Yup, back spasms are fun. After the marathon session of bending over and cutting back TONS of perennials my back reminded me that I am an idiot with previous lower back issues. A couple days after the hard core gardening, I was innocently pushing a shopping cart and I moved, just moved, and my back went TWANG!!!!! I literally had to gasp and just stand there for a moment, gripping the handle of the shopping cart wondering if I would be walking out of there under my own steam. It "twanged" a few more times before I got home (yes, I finished shopping). I've been using a vibrating heating pad and finally went to emerg. to see a doctor (I don't have a doctor anymore, a fate that many, many people here come to when their doctors retire and nobody replaces them). If it was my husband who had gone with the same issue, he'd have come home with industrial muscle relaxants and a doctor's note to take it easy for the next several weeks. But I got some recommendations to take a few more Robaxicet and a renewal of my Naproxen. She did write me a doctor's note to receive massage therapy so I can claim it on my crappy retirement drug plan. 

Reading: When you are sitting around on a vibrating heating pad because you're afraid to move in a way that will cause "twanging", you end up reading more. I finished a wonderful book by Richard Osman called The Man Who Died Twice. It is light hearted and fun and I loved it. He wrote The Thursday Murder Club and this is a follow up to that. I highly recommend it. 


I think that's about it. I'll probably remember a bunch of things after I hit "publish", but that's it for now. I do read your blogs, just haven't been in a commenting mood these days - take no offense. Have a great rest of your week, all!

60 comments:

  1. I'm so glad to see you are back to blogging, as am I. I've always loved your posts about everyday life, but perfectly yours. First off--supply teaching. Is that like the term we call substitute teaching in the event a teacher is ill or cannot make class? I can see that it is fulfilling keeping one foot in the door.

    Your back pain is worrisome as I know you visited my blog and read about my woes and surgery. I'm wondering how your husband is able to get the appropriate meds but not you. Please take care of yourself. Sometimes you have to really search out a physician who can help.

    I'll be thinking of you. 🙏

    Jane

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    1. Hi Jane, yes I know you've had your share, haven't you? Unfortunately the concept of searching out a doctor is entirely impossible here. The doctor shortage is in crisis mode. I literally do not have a family physician. No medical groups within an hour's drive are taking new patients. Many people think our health care system is great in Canada, but they don't know of the downside.

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  2. I'm so sorry about your back. I used to have the same problem. Bam and I would drop to my knees. I haven't had it happen as often since I started doing yoga daily. I do recommend going on you tube and finding a few 5-10 minute yoga stretches. Glad you could see family for the holidays. I'm impressed you are wandering into the classroom. I have 8 years and 3 days before I decide if I'm truly done. Glad you got your garden cleaned up. Hope you get feeling better.

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  3. Ugh, you have my sympathy. I too live with Twang and gorge on Robax and Naproxen. Watch your blood pressure taking that stuff. It sent mine sky high...which went back to normal once I laid off the meds a few days.

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    1. I'll likely only be taking the Robax for a few days (I hope).

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  4. lol it seems like everyone in blogland is/has reading/read this book….except me. The reservation list at my library is a mile long (well over 100) even after buying in more copies. It’s something to look forward to- when I get it😊

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    1. I was on a waiting list at the library for this one.

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  5. Good to hear from you.
    I can sympathise with the back thing - mine goes Ping now and again....once when I was just stood at the sink fulling a glass of water. I do the rest, move, heat pack, cold pack, pain killer thing too and it fades away until next time.
    When I added myself to the waiting list at the library for the second Richard Osman book the list was over 300! - they have lots of copies - thankfully - I should get it soon.

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  6. Back troubles and teaching do tend to often be in the same sentence. I used to go to a Physio every six weeks and she always called my back problem 'teachers' back and I must say it has largely disappeared since \I retired.

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    1. I wish I could blame it on teaching. I think it has always been about overuse in the garden.

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  7. Good to hear from you, but so sorry about the back issues. Sure hope that eases off, but great to have some uninterrupted reading time!

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  8. I hate to be the heralder of bad news, but it doesn't get any better as we age. I have pains now in places that I didn't know could pain; but we keep on keeping on. Keeping active as we age is the only answer.
    You might barter with your husband for a good back massage.
    the Ol'Buzzard
    the Ol'Buzzard

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    1. I agree about keeping active, as I know you do on a regular basis.

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  9. Sorry to hear about your twanging back woes ... Mr Man's back seems to be made of glass these days. Thankfully you use the time to read - such a joy, so thanks for the book referrals. ... Mary-Lou =^[..]^=

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  10. Hope your back is better. I am picking up The Thursday Murder Club at the library today so I am glad to hear that you like his books!
    Thanks for catching up!

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  11. Loved this "catch-up" post of what's been going on in your life. Sorry you twanged your back. Nothing as serious (or bothersome) for me, but I pulled a muscle (yes, doing end-of-the-season garden chores) in my right forearm (how I have no idea) which has wakened me during the night (even) for several days. Is it our bodies telling us to be aware . . . and sensible? Many thanks for the book(s) suggestion. I'll get them asap.

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    1. I have had forearm issues as well - tendonitis. No fun.

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  12. Greetings! I've been reading your blog for about 4 years. It came highly recommended by my mother. I retired from teaching in 2020 but chose not to supply teach afterwards. My mother and I were both amazed at the similarities you and I shared, eg., teachers approaching retirement, passion for gardening, chickens, (I don't have them but always wanted them), even invisalign. We got them around the same time and I knew your pain. I'm glad you're back into blogging. Feel better soon.

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    1. I am going to check out your blog (you do have one, don't you?). Sorry, but I'm not even sure who your mother is!! Now I'm curious.

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    2. Hmmm, you don't seem to have a blog. Oh well, thank you for commenting, regardless!

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    3. I don't have a blog; I just like to read them. My mother read several blogs, (yours being one). She loved chatting about the goings on of her bloggers with me and my sisters. Her name was Belinda but you wouldn't have seen her on your follower's list. She was just a reader, not a commenter. She would be so thrilled to know that we're having a bit of back and forth communication. Sadly, my mother passed away two years ago. As I mentioned to Weaver of Grass, reading my mother's favourite blogs makes me feel that she's enjoying them with me.

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    4. I’m sorry to hear about your mother. Mine too, is gone.

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  13. Here's hoping your back pain resolves itself soon. It's amazing how many muscles in our back are used when we do any kind of movement.

    I'm chuckling at your description of being back in the classroom. My grandson would likely be the little one chucking the applesauce. Though I'm pleased to say this year of pre-K is going so much better for him. He's come home with stickers nearly ever day!

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    1. Pre-k, so he attends a daycare? Or is it like our junior kindergarten? (Referred to as JK as opposed to senior kindergarten which is SK).

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  14. So happy to see you post today Jenn. Sorry about your back issues. Glad you have a good read while you let your body rest. Happy Wednesday. xoxo Kris

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  15. Your cover photo is a stunner, Jenn. So sorry about your back, I have to watch it or I'd be on that vibrating heating pad right with you. Love that you're enjoying the substitute teaching. Lucky little ones.

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    1. Thank you, it’s a lovely small hydrangea but I can’t seem to find the tag from it so I’m not sure if the specific kind.

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  16. Hope that back pain goes away. Those spasms sound horrendous, and so unexpected.b

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    1. I’ve made a massage therapy appointment for tomorrow 🙂

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  17. I've heard great things about Osman's books and I'm looking forward to them.

    I'm so sorry to hear about your back. Having been there, I can relate and know that you could very well be completely miserable. I hope everything you are taking helps and if not, that you'll go back and raise a fuss! Get well soon!

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    1. Oh you’ll love these books, Jeanie! Great characters.

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  18. The Thursday Murder Club is waiting for me at the library but I will order the other one right away as there is bound to be a long list. Hope your back improves and allows you to put the garden to bed for the winter.

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  19. You’ll enjoy the first one! If I don’t finish the gardens they’ll be fine, waiting for me in the spring.

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  20. Sorry about the back pain. I hope it resolves itself soon.

    God bless.

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  21. I sure feel for you, having to deal with horrible back pain. What a terrible time for that to happen. There is so much to do this time of the year. I was just getting into cleaning up the garden, and other things, when I broke my wrist. I'm going crazy wanting to work outside. Sounds like you got lots done before your went out. Take care and I hope it heals very soon.

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  22. I've seen this back pain as a friend has the same reoccurring problem. There is nothing worse than back pain and spasm. The drugs that do calm the pain put you in la la land. Like you, my friend can be fine for months and one day reach for a paperclip on the floor and pop - the back goes in to spasm. I hope the massage therapy helps you.

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    1. Thank you. I had my first session today. It had done good things in the past, so I’m sure with time it will work now.

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  23. Back spasms are the worst... makes you afraid to move. Hope yours heals well. Massage therapy sounds good. I've never had that, but may think about it next time my back acts up. Mine is spinal arthritis and not going to go away... just has it's flare-ups. I'm running out of books, so will definitely check out the one you recommended. Thanks!

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    1. I have arthritis is my lower back and should know better! I think you’ll enjoy this author if you can get your hands on these books.

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  24. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving Jenn! Oh the "twang" I've felt it...followed by the gibberish you are trying to speak as you deal with the twang...I hope you feel better soon! Hey are you bringing out the banana costume this year? ☺☺☺

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    1. Oh my gosh!! You remember the banana! I also had a bacon costume too. We provided our daughter with our Halloween decorations this year as she and her boyfriend are in their new home. They have the costumes if they want to wear them while handing out treats. They will get tons of trick or treaters where they live.

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  25. Good to see you back Jenn. Osman is popular in Britain on tv on Pointless and another quiz show. I think that has helped get his books off the ground over here. Hope your back is soon better.

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  26. I didn’t realize he was a tv personality. I like his sense of humour in his writing.

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  27. hohoho
    I've been so far behind my reads, my first emotional reaction to seeing you 'not posting for awhile' was relief I didn't have too much to catch up.
    I enjoyed your updates.

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  28. Hello Jenn, and sorry to know you are hurting. Have you or can you, ever tried cod oil? It works perfectly for my 92 year old Mom. You might want to give it a whirl! Have a better weekend!

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  29. So sorry to hear of your back pains. I have them too and I know they are not fun. Here's to a speedy healing for you. Happy Halloween, hugs, Edna B.

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  30. If you like mysteries, try a mother son writing team who write under the name Charles Todd. They are set in England right after the first world war.

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  31. I loved the Thursday murder club on audible and really hope there’s something like that at the Shady Pines home my kids stick me in as they’ve been told to do, hope your back gets better soon x

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