Tuesday 10th December - lists...overwhelmed? Not any more!

 Yesterday threatened to become overwhelming. I was faced with a number of phone calls and communications of the type I particularly dread; arranging appointments, chasing medical tests, sorting out things in my father’s flat... those bitty bits which all have to be done carefully so that I get the result I'm after without too much difficulty. 

The first call to my father’s doctor started fairly stickily as you are supposed to request appointments on line. I knew this already, but for some reason couldn't get to the right place on the website this time. I phoned reception and in a   

v e r y      p a t i e n t    v o i  c e    

she took me through the website; then I asked which option I should choose for  a nurse appointment she said 

'oh, in that case you did the right thing by calling the surgery as we don't do those with the online booking system. Would 2 pm today suit you?'. I  was speechless.

 'Are you still there?' she asked. I recovered enough to thank her and confirm 2 o'clock was perfect. Which it was. One task done.

The next call to my own doctor was also a win; the blood test form I needed had pinged into my email before we had finished the call.

One by one the rest of the items fell from my list like nine-pins...

That was yesterday. 

Then there's the list of what I allow myself in terms of snacks and nibbles other bits and pieces through the day.

'Try and eat a handful of nuts every day' the irritating 'Being Healthy' app pings into my phone. (I don't think the handful of caramelised nuts I had yesterday quite fits their ideas of healthy. I won't tell if you don't)

Ping - 'Have an extra piece of fruit'. I usually have some prunes, and today I had a banana and a few grapes.

They don't seem to send messages about Advent chocolates, but one chocolate a day is on my list, also one biscuit and one very small bowl of crisps. Speaking of crisps... I  haven't had those yet today... mmm!

Once I've chomped through that lot during the course of the day then that's that. Until tomorrow... 

I went for the blood test this afternoon. Everyone else seemed to have decided to do the same as a way of filling a cold dreary November day. I was sitting crammed up to the Christmas tree. Was I the only one giggling because it was decorated with red rinsed and red baubles? Very appointment,  I thought.  There was also this cute little gingerbread person made from brown felt and dressed in scrubs. With a dinky little lanyard!

Another task crossed off the list!

Making a start, just a very small step, on the December collaboration is also a very positive step. I always find it difficult to choose and get going, but now I have chosen fabrics and cut them out I'm very much happier! I'll start stitching it tomorrow. 

I've sewn down all the little bits of felt for the Corinne Lapierre piece that I cut out yesterday. There's quite a lot of embellishment still ti do. 'Rules are for sissies ' is my new battle cry... I  really am not going to make myself finish the day's elements just because that's what the book says! Indeed, I welcome the thought of continuing with the Advent calendar all the way into next year!