B-Day

 The day to get rid of the bees!

Didn't go to plan.  The first idea was to tape some mesh over the vents.  Two problems, one, how to get the mesh to stick.  The material that the mesh is made out of doesn't stick very well to tape.  The second problem was how to get close enough to the vents with bees going in and out.

I decided that instead of trying to cover the vent to cover myself.  I thought it would be best if I did the spraying.  Christopher has an allergy to bees.  If I got stung then David could drive me to a hospital.  But David decided that he would do the spraying!

I was shocked to see that the bees were using two vents to go in and out, one on the front of the house and one on the side!  I think the hive must have gotten bigger!

I put a very thin gauze scarf over David's head and face, held in place with a cap, he was wearing long sleeves and gloves.  He used up all of the spray we had bought!  I went inside the room over where the hive is, the noise was incredible, it sounded like some kind of motor.  By the time we left, there were almost no bees.  I'm planning on going again on Friday and will give it another good spray!

One thing that cheered me up is the blueberry bushes have fruits on them.  Looking forward to fresh blueberries.  I hope to get enough to make jam, I've only made it once but would love to try again!  Fresh blueberries are very expensive here, actually, most fruits are expensive.  I would love to try and grow some fruits.  I'm wondering if you can buy mature trees!  Something else to look up!

blueberries just starting

Of course, now that the weather is warming up all the creepy crawlies are coming out.

I was trying to clean out the last small room putting things to throw away into bags to take to the city incinerator, when a Godzilla-sized cockroach came out.  I screamed for help, David came with a baseball bat and Christopher with a mallet.  Poor cockroach didn't stand a chance.

Exercise Part 2

 Back in February, a friend challenged me to do 40 days of exercise.  I managed to do that and found that it really helped my body.  The exercises I chose were very gentle chair exercises for seniors. Most of the videos I did were 15 minutes long. After the 40 days finished I kept up with the exercises, doing 3 to 5 days a week. I was surprised at how good I felt.  I have arthritis in my knee and lower back pain.  Standing or walking for more than 15 minutes would leave me in absolute agony. After doing exercises for a month I found I could stand longer and longer.  I remember one day I cleaned the kitchen, cleaned out the pantry, and then cooked lunch, about an hour and a half on my feet and I only started to feel a little twinge in back in the last 10 minutes or so.  I was so excited!  One thing want to do after we are settled in the other house is travel but I felt it would be impossible because of all the walking involved.

Then I got shingles.  Everything stopped.  I'm grateful that I think I got a mild case, some people I have talked to were sick for months.  For me, it's been just over 3 weeks.  I still have a bit of pain, but it's not crippling, I actually don't notice it until I'm very tired!  Also, the rash had faded to a red blotch. But three weeks of being inactive have set me back. I noticed yesterday that my back was hurting a lot after cooking and cleaning.  Today my knee is achy! 

Another lesson learned!  I need exercise. I need to stretch, move my body, and build some muscle.

I don't know when I will start again.  But I have to.  This is part of my journey to being healthy.  

Tomorrow we are going to the other house.  I know after that I won't feel up to doing anything extra.  Thursday I might try an easy chair yoga video.  

At the moment I'm making mental lists of the things that need to be done. I want to get packed up here as soon as possible, start cleaning the house, get utilities turned on, find out about the toilet and the land. Lots to do, but little time and less money!!

Steve being cute

It's a cat's life!! 

Sunday

I loved Sundays growing up.

I remember as a teenager I had a paper round. I would get up between 6 and 7 am, deliver my papers then crawl back into bed. I only had a few papers to deliver on a Sunday morning, less than 10, but the houses and flats were far apart.  One vivid memory I have is trying to deliver the Sunday Times, there were so many supplements and magazines that I had to take it apart and push each part through the letter box one at a time.  After finishing I would go back home and crawl back in bed, especially in the winter.

Mom always made a roast, and most weeks an apple pie, if she wasn't too tired she would bake a Victoria sponge as well.

Sunday afternoons were lazy times, we might have to do a couple of chores. As I got older one job I had was ironing, took hours!  Also, I would listen to the top 40 pop songs.  One Christmas I got a cassette tape recorder for Christmas, I think I copied the top 40 almost every week.

There was just something nice about Sunday.  Nowhere was open, nowhere to go.  It felt good to stay home!

When I came to Japan I was shocked that all shops open on a Sunday.  Spending a day at the shops or shopping malls was normal.  Libraries are open but closed on Monday.  The only places closed are banks, offices, doctors, and dentists.

I really try not to shop on Sunday.  Everywhere is busy.  I prefer to stay home or maybe visit someplace just to go sightseeing.  When the kids were young going to the library was fun.

Yesterday I had to go to the local supermarket to get a few things for lunch. I was going to ask David to stop by on the way home from his night shift but it was pouring down with rain.  David goes to work by bike and I knew he hadn't taken his raincoat.

The supermarket is where Christopher works, so we dropped him off and then waited for the store to open.  

There were people already lined up.  The store had a countdown to opening.  "5 minutes to opening", "3 minutes to opening" and then "The store is open".

When I got in I could see why it was so busy, big sales day.

Bananas were half price, 100 yen off a pack of ramen noodles, and rice was less than 2000 yen for 5 kilos.  There were other things on sale but those are the things that I noticed.  

waiting for the store to open

I'm glad I went as I could get some good bargains but I still prefer my lazy Sundays when I was young!

Gardening

 I really want my posts to be more positive but some things just get to me!

Yesterday we got a letter from the real estate agents saying that the neighbors asked that we cut the trees. First of all, I still can't figure out how the neighbors know which real estate agency we are using. Within walking distance of our house, there are at least 20 real estate agents!  I always feel that our privacy has been invaded!

Also, I know the trees need cutting, I'm not blind, just busy or sick.

The past few months any free time has been taken up going to the other house. The only time we don't go is when it's raining! I'm not going to garden in the rain. At times like this, I wish my Japanese was better because I would go and give them a piece of my mind.  They have never done any repairs that I've asked for. The bathroom sink was leaking, I asked that it be repaired, but had to wait over 5 years, by that time the rot had set in and the floor needed to be replaced as well. Then they charged me. I know going and yelling at them won't change anything but I would feel better.  I guess this is one of the pluses of having your own house.  Nobody can complain, and if they do I can ignore them!

Anyway, this morning Christopher and I went out and made a start!  One tree on the front worries me as the top branches brush against the power lines. I really think these trees are not good for a yard, they grow too big!

Christopher managed to cut down some of the taller branches.  I thought about taking down the tree but because of the position, I think we need a professional.  If it falls one way it could damage the house, the other way it could take down the power lines. If we were staying here I would pay for it to be removed but all the money I have now, after paying bills is going into the other house. 

I cut a few bushes, but not much because my back started to hurt.  I still have shingles, it's not bad but the pain is still there.  I know that I should rest but I'm feeling the pressure of needing to get things done.

Christopher did very well until the new saw came to pieces.  He forgot to lock the blade into the handle.

Oops!

I got some photos of what he took down. It's difficult to see how big.  The storage shed behind gives an idea!

This is just one branch

Can you see Christopher?

I planned to do some more tomorrow, but guess what?  It's going to rain!!!!

Shopping

 I like shopping, most of the time!  At the moment it's a bit stressful as the things I need to buy and the things I would love to buy cost a lot more than the money I have! 

Today I went to a large home center near here.  It's a DIY shop, garden center, pet shop (pet goods not animals), many lovely things for the kitchen, and a furniture store.  Christopher came with me I needed to buy some spray for the bees and some different cleaning agents.  It really helps to be able to read Japanese!

I wandered through the furniture store, just sighing at all the beautiful furniture, thinking how this or that would look in the house but realizing that I don't have the budget now and how to keep things nice with the cats!

Then I got sidetracked by the kitchen department.  I saw things that I might treat myself to once we are settled in.  One thing that caught my eye was these placemats

Nice placemats

I was tempted to buy them but I know that I would probably misplace them before we move.  I did buy some bee-killing spray and some gardening tools.  

Then onto a discount store. Not sure why it's called a discount store as it's not really that cheap!  This store has a supermarket in it.  They usually have good fruit there.  I got some grapes and cut watermelon. The meat is sometimes a bit cheaper than the local supermarket, today the mince was a decent price, so tomorrow's lunch will be hamburgers.

The last place I went was the 100 yen shop.  That is the most dangerous place for me.  Lovely goods at 100 yen. I go around putting things in my basket, thinking "It's only 100 yen", the problem is that those 100 yens add up.  Today I resisted temptation, just 500 yen, again cleaning products.

The last place I stopped into was a recycle shop.  The name of the shop always makes me smile.

recycle shop

I often wonder if the person who came up with that shop name knew what a fly is!!  When I first saw this shop I had the image of old things with flies hovering over them!! But the goods are good quality!

Nice morning shopping.  Just need a lot more money!
.

Ganbatte

 I've just started to read an interesting book called 'Ganbatte, The Japanese Art of Always Moving Forward' by Albert Liebermann.

Ganbatte (Ganbaru) can be translated as do your best, preserve, don't give up, keep going.  It's used to encourage people.  In England when faced with challenges we are told "Good luck". In Japan, ganbatte is used in similar situations, before tests, an athlete meet, or starting something new.  The author points out that good luck leaves things up to fate whereas ganbatte encourages people to do their best.

I've heard this word since I came to Japan.  I remember Hisao encouraging the kids when they started to walk. He would sit on the floor, arms open, saying "Come to daddy, you can do it, ganbatte"  I'm sure that in Japanese homes up and down the country, this scenario is played out!  From kindergarten to university, kids are encouraged by parents, teachers, and friends with the word ganbatte.  There is even a way to use it for oneself, ganbaru.  This morning Hannah went off to university with a heavy backpack.  She sent me a message saying that she had got to the station but was already tired.  My message to her was "Ganbatte", and she replied with "Ganbarimasu"  (has the same meaning as ganbaru).

Japan is a country plagued by natural disasters. I think this attitude of persevering and doing one's best grew out of having to constantly rebuild and start over again. Without this attitude, the Japanese would have given up a long time ago.

I remember when we had that massive earthquake a few years ago, there was a news report, CNN or BBC, I forget which one, that was showing people who had been evacuated to the local school gym.  The footage showed a long line of people, family groups, old ladies in little clusters, chatting away, waiting to get a rice ball and bottle of tea. Nobody was fighting, no hysterics, some were laughing and chatting, others more serious and somber.  Most had probably lost their houses, and others maybe their livelihood as well.  The reporter said that he was amazed at the stoicism of the Japanese people.  I think really comes from internalizing the idea of ganbatte.

So why am I writing this?  Basically, I need to have this attitude.  I need to be able to persevere and do my best as I face moving to the other house.   I can't change this, as much as I would love to.  Luck isn't going to help me.  My internal attitude has to be better than it has been for the past year or so.  Fighting internally against the move, moaning (on here and to my kids) isn't going to change things, it is just adding stress.  I think that the result of the extra stress caused me to get shingles.  Stress impairs the immune system, making one vulnerable to any little thing!  I also need to be a lot more grateful. If we didn't have this house I would have to rehome the cats.  And you can call me out on this when I start moaning again!

And to finish just a cute Fluffy photo.  Mikey was getting ready for work the other evening.  He couldn't find his wallet!!

Fluffy with Mikey's wallet

Looks like she was trying to hide it to stop him from going to work.

It's Back

 The pain!!!  I felt so good yesterday, I walked home from the clinic, shopped on the way, cleaned, and made dinner.  I felt so good, almost no pain until the night when I started to feel a small twinge.  Today it's bad again.  I'm tired and miserable!  I was really hoping that my recovery would be a straight line but I guess not.  Never mind I've learned my lesson, I should still take things easy!

The cats are getting into summer mode. They are shredding everywhere! We brush them daily but still need to constantly sweep and vacuum.  

Having nine cats means nine very different personalities.  Last night somebody forgot to lock the front door.  I was watching TV when Hannah suddenly shouted "Steve's outside".  Went to check but just got to the door when Steve and Fred came back in, head down with a sheepish look.  We counted the cats and found Toast was missing.  We looked round, I decided to look under the car and there he was.  As soon as he saw me he shot out and ran back inside.  He wasn't going to cower.  He spent the rest of the evening on top of the bookshelf, staring outside, with a look that said I want to go out!

Toast staring outside.

I have one lesson this evening, then going to rest!

Wake Up Call

 I still have shingles but it's a lot better. Went to the pain clinic again today but I didn't need the injection in my back, which I'm very happy about.  I got another week's worth of medicine and have to go back next week.

When I went to the pain clinic last week I had to list surgeries and any health problems I have. The list was a lot longer than it should be, plus I didn't list everything.  Surgeries include both of my eyes for cataracts and a mastectomy.  My health problems include arthritis in my knee, gallstones, obesity, and diabetes.  I was rather shocked when I thought about it, I'm only 61, surely I should be healthier than that!

So I realized that I need to commit to losing weight and exercising more.  My goal was 62kgs by 62.  My birthday is in August so I don't think I'll make it, I would need to lose about 8kgs a month which is doable but I believe it's dangerous.  Also losing so much so quickly would just mean rebounding!  But I must get to 60-something kgs before the end of the year.  But I refuse to diet, whenever I decide to not eat certain foods, for example, sugary treats, I crave them more and more. I finally give in, figure I've blown my diet, and eat even more.  So this time I'm going to make sure that I don't have any sugary treats in the house, and buy more fruits.  If I want something with sugar I can bake, which I don't do so much in the summer.

This morning, after the clinic Christopher and I stopped in Mos Burger, Japan's answer to McDonald's, but much nicer (and more expensive)

Mos Burgers

I had iced tea, and we shared the french fries

It was nice to sit and chat for a bit.  We decided to walk back.  According to Google Maps, it's about 17 minutes walk, I think it took me 25 minutes.  Not too bad and I wasn't in pain when I got back.  One reason it took longer was I stopped a few times to take photos.

Lovely flowers

I have no idea what these flowers are but they are very beautiful.  They were growing outside a restaurant.

A little further down the road, I saw a blast from the past.

A public phone

I've seen a few phones but not a phone booth.  I know that Hannah's high school had a phone near the office for students to use, as cell phones were banned.

Frustrated

 Tomorrow is the last day of my 10-day holiday and all my great plans have fallen through.

My plan was to spend 2 full days at the other house.  That would have given me time to get the last few things out and start cleaning.  Then I was going to spend 3 days to start packing up some things here. It's starting to get warm so I was going to wash the extra blankets and put those and the heavy winter coats away.  I did manage to pack up 4 boxes of books to keep and 4 boxes of books to throw out.  Actually, the kids did most of the work, I sat and supervised!!!  Then I was going to spend the rest of the holiday reading and researching how to make a YouTube channel.  I know that sitting reading or watching videos isn't hard but I was in so much pain that it was hard to focus.  

The pain isn't as intense as it was, the pain medication and sleeping pills are helping.  My biggest problem now is exhaustion. I feel like I've had the flu after the fever breaks and you start recovering, that kind of exhaustion.  At least now I can send the light at the end of the tunnel.  

From what I've read online stress can affect the immune system.  My stress level has been at its highest for years.  

My biggest stress is getting money to move, which seems impossible.  I have so many ideas for the house but no money to do anything.  Even hiring a company to move our stuff might be impossible.  Then how to make money once we move there.  We plan to keep teaching here but have very few students and I don't know if I want to start again near where we are moving to.  So many questions, no answers!!

Christopher's drawing of me

The Pain Clinic

The doctor yesterday wrote a letter explaining my symptoms and the pain I was experiencing. The staff made an appointment for the same day. I was hoping I could get some relief. No still in pain, actually it feels worse. The pain was localised now it seems to be spreading. 

I decided to walk. According to Google Maps, it's only 17 minutes from the house, took me just over 20 minutes.  Not too bad considering it was all uphill.

When I got there the first thing was to check height, weight, and blood pressure.  My blood pressure was down, my weight up and I've lost another 3cm in height!  After filling in the paper worker it was a case of waiting.  Not too long, maybe 30 minutes. I was surprised that the walk had eased the pain but sitting started it up again.  Talked to the doctor, she said that this will get worse before it gets better, not what I wanted to hear.  She prescribed an extra painkiller for the night and some Chinese herbal medicine,  I then had an X-ray and blood test.  She wants to give me an injection of nerve blockers but wanted to make sure that my spine was okay and that my blood wasn't too thin.  I have to go next Tuesday morning, I don't want this but I need it.  I start teaching on Wednesday and need to be a bit better by then.

The main road up to the clinic

It's hard to see but the area is surrounded by mountains.  This is normal in Japan,  mountains everywhere.

Christopher bought some lovely meat pies. So dinner was meat pies, baked potatoes, and meat pies.

meat pies

Nice dinner

And of course, cake for Hannah's birthday.

Hannah's cakes

Hannah's Birthday

 My little preemie is now 22. 

Those years have flown by.

We had yaki-niku and sashimi for lunch.  Yaki means to grill, and niku is meat.

Meat being cooked on the grill, sashimi on the plate

Nice lunch.

Just a few photos.

entering High School

16th birthday

Going to driving school

Dressed up to go to the city

Playing with an app.

I'm not doing so well.  The pain from shingles is intense, the painkiller isn't helping.  Another night of no sleep, plus it went very cold, which made me tense up, making the pain worse.  I went back to the doctor, he has given me some sleeping tablets and made an appointment at a pain clinic.  So I have to go again to a different doctor.  I know that until the virus is finished there isn't much that can be done but the pain is intense.  I broke a rib a few years ago, this feels the same.

I just want to relax, get ready for teaching and have some fun. I bought a card for Hulu, I use to have a subscription but didn't watch that often so I decided to cancel it.  But one can buy a months subscription using cards.  It's good for me, I can watch something, try to relax and heal.  I want to sleep as I know that is the best but lying down is the most painful.

Better go and get ready, my appointment is this afternoon.  I'll update later!