Moving House

This  is the calm before the storm. There are only three weeks to go  before the big pack and shift . You can imagine the amount of stuff that we have acquired over 30 years and how hard it is to separate ourselves from it. 

Today is our inorganic collection so I have taken the opportunity to get rid of a few things like a drier that doesn't switch itself off when it has done its job and household equipment, broken or surplus to requirements.  

For the past few days we  have been going through envelopes and envelopes of old photos which have evoked not a few memories of holidays gone by ( and created more mess on the coffee table). Most have ended up in the paperchase as we also have  albums and albums capturing holidays  of the pre-digital era.

Gave away my embroidery threads, tapestry canvas and yarns recently to an enthusiastic friend but fear the rest of the downsizing will have to wait.  Another friend helped  me make a start on packing the china   and glassware with the result that one cabinet is empty.  The rest I will  leave for the 3 packers in their 8 hours here on the 20th and concentrate on putting away things on top of cabinets and chests of drawers so they can be moved.  

They say shifting is one of the major stressors of life and I can well believe it.  Our last move over 30 years ago was across the street and down a bit, this time it is up the street, along the road a bit and to a small sunny street.  Our remodelled and restored house is no 4, on the flat and close to the bus stop, cafes and our favourite Italian restaurant.  It is sunny, faces north and there is a park, a pétanque club and the beach not far away down the end of the street. 

It feels good to move before it is absolutely imperative to do so. Watch this space.

Falling

Seeing I have had 3 falls in as many months I felt it was worth my while to go to a talk by a woman from the Accident Compensation Commission  yesterday.  There is always something new to learn or be reminded of stuff you know.  Like decluttering, making sure mats are stuck down or not curling up at their corners

I like my mats and rugs especially the two Oriental ones that are at present rolled up seeing as there is nowhere big enough for them which says rather a lot about my clutter.  Mind you it is not all mine.  

With our imminent shift to Herne Bay there is a bit of stuff waiting a decision.  I like the idea of finding a new home for things but if one can't be found then it will come with us towards the end of June.

This beautiful beaded cardigan that belonged to my mother and which I wore too on special occasions has found a new wardrobe. I will take it up to to Lucy who  works on Ponsonby Rd  this morning who is looking forward to owning and wearing it.

World Parkinson's Day

Yesterday was World Parkinson's Day and there was a public lecture in Aucklamd as in every year.  It was on swallowing and voice changes so I went to that and learnt how vital the vocal chords are for things. Keeping the air passage and lungs separate and free of food and free to do their job of breathing and keeping a person alive! Then comes talking and I suppose singing. So very important to keep them functioning.

Having had a cold and cough and lost most of my voice for the last 2 weeks I realise how important it is to keep healthy in this part of the body.  We need our voices to communicate, socialise, thrive, really, in a world that for us can get smaller and smaller if we don't watch out.

Being sick with Parkinson's

I seem to have picked up a cough and a cold after a lovely few days at Orewa and  probably should have done more than wait for it to go away.  Ten days later the vestiges of it are still there.  There are medications that don't agree with the Parkinson's ones and I was very cautious about not taking any of  the cough mixtures that E had lying around the house.  In the end I did try one strawberry-flavoured one which was probably suitable for children  and wouldn't interact and cause whatever dire consequences those with ephedrine, I think it was, had in it.  

So had a woeful week at home and had to cancel all sorts of activities and gatherings.  Thankfully D didn't come down with it. And E moved out over to Herne Bay for a couple of months while we plan and execute our move there ourselves.

I am the type of person that likes to do things gradually so I am carrying on decluttering .  This week it was the vintage luggage. 

This old La Mondiale suitcase cum cabin trunk belonged to my mother and probably dated back to her arrival in NZ in 1939. It sold the same day I listed it.  Going to somebody who refurbishes vintage luggage and then resells it.  

This is a Rotorua Steel Trunk which I did give a coat of metal paint to about 20 years ago.  It sat in the front porch  for a while but it might as well go to a new home too.

I love the deco lining of this old hat box of my mother's.

Maybe I will keep the two of them and put a few of my favourite things in them and display them somewhere in the new house, somewhere where I won't trip over them though! 

Taking Charge

The year's activities with the local Parkinson's community has resumed for me with  visits to a women's coffee morning last week and a speech language meeting with good practical reminders on taking charge of our lives this week.

Th coffee morning got off to a late start for me because I left home too late to get there and got caught up in the traffic which crawled along .  The buses were late, missed every light and I ended up missing two trains arriving half an hour late.

Comforted myself with a flat white " extra hot"  (one of these days I will burn my mouth) on arrival.   It was good to see the smiling faces of the others and I soon regained my equilibrium after that bad start.

I asked them if any of them had shifted to make life easier with Parkinson's and all of them had and had their tales  to tell what a big job it was.  I seem to remember something about labelling and colour coding cartons. But they certainly,didn't have any horror stories which was good.

 In the meantime  I will press on with the downsizing on Trademe .  Trouble is I only sell two or three things a week and sometimes they are small things like the fountain pens I sold this week. I will have to get some other ideas from my friends.  I suppose I could go back to the strategy of if I haven't used or worn something for a year I could discard those things.  Along with listing things I know others might buy because I like them myself.

Like the vase I sold last week.  It belonged to my mother and I seem to remember there were two of them one for each side of the wall.  That was a wrench but mine went to a lovely lady who said she bought a similar one the week before and it arrived in the post in shards. Hope mine arrived safely. I think she would have said if it hadn't.

The speech language therapist who is always good  value with her practical and down-to-earth presentations with lots of tips on taking charge of our lives and the progression of it in tandem with an illness.  Apathy being one of the consequences of dopamine loss does make it a little harder.

We started the session with a little exercise which people sometimes have to do as an icebreaker at other gatherings. This is introducing the person next to us and saying where they were born. So only two things but she said to make the introduction loud and clear.

I thought I would add a bit and say he was born in a local maternity home  which were quite common in those days but instead what came out was that he was born in a rest home and of course everybody laughed.  And I hadn't even realised why and that I had said that. Pride comes before a fall.

It is a very supportive group of people and I laughed too when it was pointed out what I had said. Laughter is the best medicine. No not the best medicine but one that keeps us buoyant. Another thing that makes me happy , and hopefully others too are warm fuzzies, things we can,do for ourselves or others that nurture. I seem to remember five in a day are good for one.

After the coffee morning, I bought myself and the friend who gave me a lift home a colourful gardening bag to keep trowel and gardening gloves in, and the latest issue of one of my favourite magazines,  NZ house  and garden.

 

Fall

Had a fall last week which was the straw that broke the camel's back for the rest of the week it seemed, being doubly hard coping with the summer heat and the embarrassment of a grazed and bloodied face.

It happened while we were away for the weekend on the island and outside on the footpath which was a bit uneven .  Where one section joined the other there was a higher bit and with the way I shuffle at times I tripped and ended up face on the footpath, arms and legs spread eagled like a starfish.

Thankfully no broken bones and the face was not too bad. Finally got to the Whitecross a day later and got my knee dressed and a tetanus injection. I was told just to keep my face clean with warm water, no ointment, plaster or  antiseptic. Don't put anything on your face that you wouldn't put in your eye.

There are midday tides this weekend and I am hoping to brave the beach briefly and have a dip.  Not the island this weekend but maybe at Orewa on Sunday where there is a flat walk to the beach and just a few steps down to the sand.  

To be or not to be

This morning I wrote a submission to the Parliamentary Health Subcommittee who for the past few weeks have been holding an investigation into 'ending one's life in NZ'.

I had procrastinated but when Lecretia Seales who battled over the last weeks and days of her life to change the law allowing her doctor the dubious right to assist her in killing herself was named New Zealander of the Year by the NZ Herald I decided to have my say.

Here is what I wrote.

As a person suffering for the last 6 years  from an incurable illness (Parkinson's) and known for her zest for life and living, I wish to register my strong opposition to doctor-assisted suicide or euthanasia, or societal pressure brought to bear upon a person nearing the end of life, maybe.

There is enough medical treatment and hospice care available to those experiencing pain and distress in the last phase of life without an added perceived or not perceived pressure not to be a burden to one's nearest or dearest.

 

My friends are continually saying how much they admire me, and humble me and encourage me with their support.

I cannot think of anything more horrifying that having members of the medical and caring professions trying to persuade or suggest or mention ending one's life one's self with or without their help.

Already there is subtle suggestion of making a living will and I must have been asked on at least 4 or  5 occasions whether I have made one and what I want to happen and where and do I want lifesaving treatment etc etc.

It is upsetting and I hate it.  As it is doctors can prescribe alleviating medication which may by the by hasten death anyway and that in my opinion is enough.  

The Hippocratic oath takes care of the doctor's dilemma which makes it clear a doctor upholds life and cares for it, not hastens it from pressure by the actual patient or their relatives or those in society who seek to mould and shape public opinion.

Look what happened to Lecretia Seales - she battled for the right to have her doctor cleared to help kill her, yet she had the privilege of having merciful hospice care and died peacefully having it.

Please ensure the rest of us live to enjoy the same without being wary of those around us denying us it.

I am willing to appear before the Commission to have my views heard in person.