Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

[NatureLover]

Ah, thanks for explaining, @Dimity . I did know that you were an owner and not a tenant, I think. 

I got 2 hours of slow errands done yesterday but it tired me out, and I only got one hour done on the house. 

Today I have to cover the phones at work but just for an hour. Then I have a Telehealth appt with my psychiatrist. I only "see" him 4 times a year, and only once in person per year (for Medicare).

His fees have just gone up to the following: 

Under 15 minutes: $280 (!!)

15-30 minutes: $335

30-60 minutes: $425.

Which is a bummer when he calls me from his car phone on the way home from work, talks (himself) for 5 minutes, ends the call and charges me $280! (Up a staggering $85 from $195 last year!)

However I will keep paying for as long as I can, as I want to be linked in with a psychiatrist in case I need someone to advocate for me. It would take too long to start seeing one if I didn't have one. Plus he takes my S.A.D. seriously. And I do get a little bit back from Medicare. 

(Someone at work told me last year that S.A.D. was a made up illness and that people with S.A.D. should "just get over themselves!". This was after knowing I had it. I explained to her how debilitating it was, but she said she knew better!)

I am absolutely loving having no S.A.D. at present. 

Sorry - I've chattered on unusually long about myself this morning. 

I hope after your shock yesterday you have woken up feeling a bit stronger. Also that your 2 appts went well. I think one was a hair appt so I hope you feel nice. 

Good luck today, my dear friend. 

[Dimity]

You're more than welcome to share as much or as little you'd like my friend. I'm so glad you're in the positive phase of your SAD at present. Are your excoriating hands better at this time of year as well? 

Yes we have a mix of tenants and resident owners at present. The lovely young family opposite (tenants) have offered to help with the bins but say they're "not good with scheduling" . They actually gave me a gift at Xmas to thank me for looking after the bins.

I'd heard psychiatrists charge eyewatering fees. But they're a vital part of our MH team especially if we've been hospitalised and/or need ongoing medication. Mine bulk bills which is extraordinarily kind, saying he offered it as my previous psychiatrist was struck off. It seems a bit rich if your psychiatrist calls from his car phone. How would he take notes or check previous notes? 

Someone is coming this morning to fix my smoke alarm. 

Good luck with the house after you finish with work. 

[NatureLover]

Hi @Dimity , I'm glad the young family have offered to help with your bins 👍

I'm glad your psychiatrist bulk bills - unheard of, it seems incredible! Yes, my psychiatrist can't write new scripts or check notes from his car phone. 

I didn't get much done yesterday afternoon, just laundry and unpacking some bags (not all). 

Is your smoke alarm fixed now? Did you have to pay for that? 

My hands aren't too bad at present - thanks for asking. I'm not sure why. 

It turns out it'll be another 3 weeks till the applications even close to replace my boss, so I'm considering taking that time off. I'm tired. But I'll go to work today. 

Hope your day goes well.

[Dimity]

They replaced the smoke alarm @NatureLover . Materials at cost and subsidised labour, I'll be billed.

Will you be taking the 3 weeks off? 

I hope the last few days have gone well for you. Sorry I hadn't replied,  I lost track. I'm in a muddle.

[NatureLover]

Sorry you're in a muddle and things are so difficult, @Dimity . I'm hoping that you feel a bit stronger today. 

That's good the labour for the smoke alarm was subsidised. 

I had a nice day at home yesterday as it was sunny. Today am popping to the supermarket then staying home. Am still unsure whether to take the next 3 weeks (or part thereof) off...the interim boss is already making changes, which I feel I should be there for if possible. 

Thinking of you...

[Dimity]

Thanks @NatureLover . Yes it was sunny again today, I hope you enjoyed it.

It sounds a difficult decision about work. I know you get tired, but you say work builds up further when you're not there as noone covers for you. I trust the interim boss's changes aren't unsettling. Do you enjoy work while you're there?

I'm trying to push ahead again with house and garden but lost several days last week, and I'm not doing as much in a day. Time is getting short.   

Best wishes for work tomorrow,  whatever you decide.

[NatureLover]

Thanks @Dimity  - yes, I very much enjoyed yesterday. It was slow, quiet and sunny. 

Yes, I do enjoy work when I'm there. The interim boss's changes are unsettling and I'm generally not good with change, so I feel I need to be there in order to adjust to them before the new boss arrives. But right now I feel like I could sleep for a week. I will try to go to work this morning though. 

I know you have a busy week, so I hope you will be kind to yourself regarding the house and garden. Good luck with whatever you have on today...

[Dimity]

Are you sleeping well @NatureLover ? Or is that part of the problem? You used to be such an early riser.

Do you think the interim boss's changes are likely to endure or could the new boss change things again? I can understand it must be quite unsettling for you. It's harder not knowing how long the recruitment process will take. There's a lot of uncertainty. It's good that on the whole you enjoy your work so I hope you can ride it out.

The sun is pleasant but it's a little too warm for me. I guess I could run the aircon but tend not to think of it. I sometimes run the bedroom ceiling fan overnight.

I got diverted and distracted today, and wasted a trip to the Salvos as they weren't accepting donations today. Yes it will be a busy week. Several appointments and a very long to-do list. 

You may need to rest and recover tomorrow. All the best.

[NatureLover]

Thanks, @Dimity . I'm sorry to hear you arranged special transport to the Savos and they weren't accepting donations! How frustrating, especially in your very busy week. 

The new boss is likely to change things again. But I want to try to be there consistently if I can. 

I'm mostly sleeping OK thanks, and still enjoying getting up early. Dreading winter - the light is already darkening in the mornings. 

I hope your appointments go OK this week, and you can achieve some things you want 🤞

[Dimity]

I'm sorry the shorter days are already starting to trouble you @NatureLover . When do you start reusing the lightbox?

I'm glad I was able to do more in the house and garden for a while but I've lost momentum. I'm a bit concerned. I probably won't be able to do much for a couple of days because of my commitments. 

It sounds as though you've decided to push ahead with work. I trust you can pace yourself at both home at work - please be kind to yourself.