take the skin and peel it back

[the_siobhan]

Yeah, so.

I keep telling myself I'll make a post soon and then not having time. Then I get to this point where January is almost over and it has been... a hell of a month.

Old Man has been hospitalized through almost all of it. He's been released twice and both times he was back in three days later. It's been awful. I get why they want him home as soon as he's stable because they're way over capacity but this in-out shit is just not helping.

I genuinely don't know what to do. I had an appointment for somebody from the Home Care program to re-assess him today, but that fell through because he got shipped back to the hospital - I got the phone call as I was putting my boots on to go to him. He's on the waiting list for long-term care, but the public places have years-long waiting list and the private ones are slaughter-houses.

I'm going to see him in the hospital tomorrow. Once I get home I'll dig out the list of LTC homes I got way back when we put him on the wait-list and start researching the private options to see if I can't find one that doesn't look too terrifying. And I'll get in touch with the hospital social worker on Monday to see if she has some advice.

That's pretty much all I can do for now.

***

I guess my good news is that I can see the finish line on sorting out the finance/house stuff - although that has also been stressful as hell and sucks up too much of my time. I had somebody in to assess the property on Thursday and I was told I'd have numbers next week. I've already reached out to the bank and have an appointment loosely set up with a mortgage advisor for next Friday. Because my deadline for getting this finalized is approaching like a freight train.

I also found out last week that there were some unpaid bills, so I spent a couple of days hunting them all down and transferring account information. I need to get everything on my name anyway, so that's now sorted.

My moment of what-the-fuck, while I was changing the contact information on the house insurance it was asking me identification information like - my address in 2002, and what city I lived in 1983. All information from 20 and 40 years before I ever started dealing with this insurance company.

The internet was a mistake.

***

Meanwhile the kitchen is almost finished. The basement, not so much. The issues our builder had with his site supervisor apparently meant he had to rip out all the work that was done while he was off-work and re-do it. He said that by Wednesday, he should everything back to where he left off - back in October.

*head* *desk*

This is why I drink, people.

***

In an act of unprecedented optimism I started some tomato seeds this afternoon. Or at least I hope I did, they were stored in our cold cellar and we're having a warm snap right now. When I fished out the box the seed packages all felt damp - not dripped on wet, but condensation in the air damp. Hopefully that doesn't do anything bad to them and they will still turn into plants the way they're supposed to. If they don't I still have lots of time to buy more.

I can't get out into my backyard at the moment because none of the stairs are built yet, but I will one day I so swear by the Gods. I will one day.

*shakes fist at the sky*

Comments

[cornerofmadness]

very sorry to hear this

[the_siobhan]

It is the worst time to be sick or old (or both).

[china_shop]

*sending all the best wishes*

[the_siobhan]

Thank you.

[greylock]

That's pretty much all I can do for now.

You're a bit older .. can you figure it out?

[the_siobhan]

You mean for when I get to my 80's?

[greylock]

80s is the new 50!

[dissectionist]

That is all frustrating and upsetting, and I’m not surprised you’ve felt too overwhelmed to post about it. I hope things ease up soon, on multiple fronts.

What varieties of tomato are you planning?

[the_siobhan]

Last time I planted tomatoes I got a couple of heirloom varieties called Big Rainbow and Black Krim. I'm using the seeds I harvested from those plants, so they are probably a genetic mash of their parents.

[ixalisse]

Sending all the love to you. No wonder you're stressed, that's a lot to contend with. ♥

[the_siobhan]

The worst part is that it's been going on for years at this point.

[ixalisse]

Oh no, I'm so sorry :(

[houseof9cats]

Unsolicited infodump ahead!

Tomatoes this early want a lot of warmth + light (light after they sprout -- so south-facing window and/or LED grow light if possible).

Also, I will disclose my secret weapon:

https://shop.sheridannurseries.com/products/parkwood-make-it-pink

This dolomitic lime makes a BIG difference in legginess when I start them early indoors. Just a teaspoon sprinkled on top if it's a small starter container = stems twice as thick by May. They do tend to get super leggy started indoors at our latitude otherwise. If you are nearby at any point, I can give you some from my container.

Keep me updated! Seriously, bleak winter is like plants, please.

[the_siobhan]

Oh cool. My tomatoes do tend towards being spindly so that's good info to have.

I probably won't see you before sitting-outside weather, but I would very much like to plan another visit when summer does come.

[houseof9cats]

That would be great!

[evening_tsar]

So sorry to hear of trials - sending good vibes and best wishes. Hope it all works out.

Good luck as well with the tomatoes. Some years I had some success with onions, but have been unable to duplicate that initial success. Pot was too shallow or something. . .

[the_siobhan]

Thanks.

First year I planted tomatoes the raccoons ate them all. Second year, I had so many tomatoes I was giving them to neighbours just to get rid of them. I ended up making pots of sauce and putting it in my freezer - it lasted me two years.

Third year, not one tomato. Not even a flower.

[brainwane]

Big sympathies on the Old Man.

[the_siobhan]

Thanks.