Well, that was stupid of me.

I wanted to get something from the airing cupboard - simple, you'd think.
Stupidly I decided not to disturb Himself, who was working out in the garden. 'All' I needed to do was take the little stepstool upstairs to reach the shelf. I carried it to the bottom of the stairs - no problem, then lifted it, stair by stair; pop the stool down, climb a step, lift and repeat. by the time I got to the top of the stairs I was drenched with sweat, and I was shaking so much I couldn't even operate the heart rate monitor until after I'd been flumped on the bed for several minutes.
All the careful resting and gentle pacing I've done over the past few weeks, all wrecked in 5 minutes of my own utter stupidity.
Gah!

DIY - The real me and ME

Yesterday I painted the bathroom ceiling!  It's only a tiny room, like most modern bathrooms.
DH put the stepladder in place for me. I rested all morning, then worked my way across the ceiling, being careful not to stretch too far or move too fast. I moved the stepladder slowly, eased the massive tub of paint gently from one spot to another. I stopped twice for a cup of tea and a rest. I was glad when I'd finished, and quite tired, but properly tired  - rather than simply exhausted. I have a great sense of satisfaction in my achievement; I felt like a real person again.
Today is a sofa day, so that tomorrow hopefully doesn't confine me in under the covers.
Even though I have ME - the real me is still in here!

DIY - M.E style!

I'm so proud of myself - I managed some DIY!
Anyone who knows me in real life will already be bored to tears by this year's continuing
Saga Of The Plumbing,
Chapter 1 - The Leaky Bath
Chapter 2 - The Leaky Tap
Chapter 3 - The Leaky Joint
Chapter 4 - The Leaky Loo
Chapter 5 - The Broken Tile
With hit spinoff  - The Washing Machine That Tripped The Fusebox

The Starring Role was taken by DH, who has done all the plumbing work himself, with Special Guest Appearance of DD's wonderful DP, who skillfully applied the new bath sealant.

My cameo role in all of this was mainly searching for taps, sealant, etc online. However, this week my role was widened to include fitting 2 replacement ceramic wall tiles. In my past life I have tiled a splashback, a shower area, and all of my kitchen. This time it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to use the simpler of my 2 tile cutters, but I managed it - I fitted the two small tiles in place!

My next task was to do a tiny bit of painting. This is the person who used to be able to apply two full coats to any room in the house in a day. It took me two separate sessions yesterday to do the skirting board and door frame in a tiny bathroom - but I did it!

Today has mainly been spent in bed, curled up in pain, with a splitting headache and my limbs on fire. However, it was worth it, as the headache has now gone - but the work is still there, done, for me to glimpse a little of the me before ME.


Rest before - do a bit - rest afterwards.

An Outing in the City!

I longed to see the local museum's display to mark the centenary of the WI, as I am a founder member of our village branch. A lot easier wished for than done! I haven't been able to visit the city on my own for three years, since I suddenly crashed with ME.

Dear DH came up with a solution.

I rested well the day before. The day of the Outing, I had a lie in, then rose, washed, dressed, then rested quietly on the bed. I came downstairs, ate breakfast, then rested quietly on the sofa for an hour or so. I sat quietly in the car - no music - as he drove me the fifteen miles to the city, dropping me at the door of the museum. We'd arranged that I would phone him if I needed him, otherwise we'd meet a few hundred yards up the road at a certain time.
He drove off to park, and there I was, on my own in the city! With my walking stick to aid my balance, I entered the museum. There were chairs in the room featuring the WI , which I knew would be on the ground floor. I sat, reading the displays, marvelling at some of the intricate needlework, fascinated by the history of the organisation. Did  you know that the WI campaigned for a ban on smoking in public as early as 1964? There were WI members on hand to chat, which was a treat. They showed me the lacemaking, they were working on, with decorated, beaded bobbins intricately moving in delicate dances across the cushions.
Eventually I tore myself away. I sat outside in the sunshine, people watching - a rare treat! I walked a few yards up the main street, popped into a shop for a sandwich and water, sitting on another bench to eat and drink, revelling in the freedom. I even ventured into a charity shop, spotting a vase identical to the one smashed last week in an attack of clumsiness. I found another seat for another rest, then phoned DH, who drove to collect me. I was very tired, but very happy.

I rested the next day, not feeling too bad; the following day was bad, the day after that was a bit iffy but a little better. Tomorrow I should be back to my 'normal.'

It was all worth it - I'd had an Outing!

My Outing would seem trivial to most people - a lazy day of doing hardly anything. That day I managed much more than usual, which is many times more than a lot of people with ME, who cannot even get out of bed.