March 2026 Goals

I've been completely useless at blogging again. I don't know what's the matter with me ... I need to get my act together! I have every intention of doing better in March.

Home: The next stage of the work has started. I found someone to do the decorating at a reasonable price and he has started work on the two main bedrooms. He can't be here every day, but he's up front about it and I'm okay with what we've agreed. The  rooms should be ready to furnish in about five of his working days, which in reality will be about two weeks ... photos to follow once the decorating is finished. I'll be so happy when these rooms are ready as the content of both bedrooms has been moved to the only space available, which happens to be the living room. This includes my bed, so that where I'm currently sleeping! The living room is so crowded at the moment that it's getting me down and I need to restore some order as soon as possible.

The builder has been to cap the chimney and fill in the hole in the exterior wall where an Xpelair extractor fan was removed. He also cleared out the gutter on that side of the house as a freebie while he was up the ladder, which I'm grateful for. We initially thought his work had solved the leak but, after heavy rain yesterday, the water is still coming in so he will have another look when he comes back to sort out the fireplace in the living room. I've bought an inset flame effect electric fire to replace where the old gas fire was and he'll be back soon to sort out the installation and the changes needed to the chimney breast to accommodate the fire.

We're hoping to go shopping on Wednesday to choose the flooring for the kitchen and the two bedrooms, and once that's in, I plan to advertise for a lodger, with the aim of using the income from the lodger to finish the living room, my study and the hall. Because the decorating isn't finished I'll advertise at a slightly cheaper rate to begin but with the agreement that it will be the full price as soon as the remaining decorating is completed. 

Garden: I'm waiting the hear back from M (gardener) about some of my ideas. For all the gardeners out there ... am I right in thinking that perennial plants on sale in the garden centres now can be planted straight out in my garden? Also can bulbs for summer flowers be planted out now?

Music: I haven't been playing the piano much this month ... I'd have to move the dining table to make enough room to be able to reach it, and then move the table back afterwards so I can get to my bed at night. To be honest it hasn't seemed worth the effort! I'll get back to it as soon as the bedroom furniture is moved and there is space to breathe and move in the living room once again.

Photography: I've taken a few photos with my DSLR but they weren't that good ... a combination of being out of practice and being very unsteady on my feet due to mobility and balance issues. If weather and time permits this month, I'll set the tripod up and have another go.

Swimming: Well, we haven't actually made it to the swimming pool but have found a private pool we'd like to try where the pool won't be so crowded. Attendance depends on when the workmen will be here so this may or may not be in the calendar for this month.

Reading: I've been listening to audio books during February and will continue with that during March. They're mostly short stories which is ideal for the current situation where I have to keep stopping to speak with the workmen. 

Healthy lifestyle: It's been another iffy month, with lots of days when I wasn't well enough to get on with the things I'd planned to do ... but that's just how life is at present! 

I had the results of the tests on my adrenal gland function and unfortunately further investigation is required as only one of the tests produce results in the desired range. I now have to do a 24 hour urine test for once of the other test where the result was too high. For the third test, my GP will be asked to change some of my medication and once I've been on the new regime for a couple of weeks I have to go to the hospital at Bath for further blood tests - these have to be in the lab within 4 hours of the blood being drawn, hence the need to go to Bath. I'm a bit worried about the change of medication as one of the tablets, although prescribed for hypertension, helps reduce the number of migraines I have and I wonder how this will affect me going forward. 

I've also been sent the kit to do a sleep study so that they can determine whether I have sleep apnoea, but I have to have another blood test before I can do that.

Socialising: Despite all the illness, my social life is plodding along nicely.  I achieved most of the activities I listed in my February post, and enjoyed them all. There's not as much on in March; as well as seeing friends I have these events planned so far ...

• Mar 2nd: u3a Canasta group

• Mar 3rd: Odeon Silver Cinema with Niall, to see The Running Man

• Mar 6th: Odeon with Niall, to see Mother's Pride

• Mar 16th: u3a Canasta group

• Mar 23rd: u3a Something Snappy group