Busy day yesterday

[badly_knitted]

As those of you who have livejournals will know, yesterday was my annual sight and hearing test!

I'm one of those weird people who actually enjoys the rigmarole of a visit to the opticians, the part that's not so much fun is getting there in the first place. I don't go out a lot at the best of times and between my agoraphobia and panic attacks, constant stomach problems, frequent migraines and the recent chaos of having to get the heating fixed before we froze, yesterday was the first time I'd been any further than the corner of my street (a walk that takes less than a minute each way) in almost 2 months.

Despite all that, things went fairly smoothly. The migraine of the previous 2 days had gone by Tuesday morning, the weather was sunny, although still very chilly, and I didn't rush the bike ride so it took maybe 15 minutes to get to town. There are plenty of bike stands along the high street, so parking is seldom a problem and I take the bike along with me, locking it near any shops I want to go in. It means I don't have to carry anything heavy very far. So I ran a few errands, dropping some stuff off in a charity shop, picking up a few items for the pets and getting some of my favourite biscuits (Traidcraft Fair Trade Stem Ginger Cookies! Yum!) from Oxfam and got to the opticians in plenty of time to browse frames before my appointment.

My hearing test was supposed to be after my eye test, but I was there early and the woman who does the hearing tests was free, so I got that out of the way first. My hearing is fine - not perfect but well within acceptable limits for my age. My optician does free hearing tests, so for the past few years I've taken advantage of that. My hearing is important to me, so I want o know the minute it starts deteriorating (as it probably will eventually) so I can do something about it straight away.

The sight test was good too - no sign of glaucoma (both my parents have it), my right eye is about the same and my left (which is the worst) has sharpened slightly. Reason enough to invest in new glasses this year! Much as I've liked the ones I had last year, my main pair is showing signs of wear and tear, as I wear them all the time.
 
Last years were nice but fairly ordinary - faintly mottled pinkish frames on the varifocals, pale metallic turquoise on the reading glasses. This year I've decided to jazz things up a bit. In some ways, I'm fortunate - I have a very narrow face, so a lot of women's frames are way too wide on me. This isn't the disadvantage it sounds though, as the frames for teenagers and young adults are just right and not only are they generally a bit cheaper than adult frames, they have some really great colours! I've got a lovely plum coloured pair for my varifocals, and rich purple for my reading glasses, they're gorgeous! Now I just have to wait for the phone call to tell me they're ready to collect! Even more good fortune, there was an offer on so I got my second pair half price! Needless to say, I was very happy about that!

After I left the opticians, I went round a few of the charity shops and picked up a few small craft bits and pieces cheap - including a small dreamcatcher cross stitch kit. Also found some jewellery to add to my collection. I love semi-precious stones, so I'm always on the lookout. I found a bracelet of goldstone beads (I love goldstone, it's all sparkly - it's usually gold, but you can get blue or green too. It's an artificially made stone, but so beautiful). I also found a chain bracelet with lots of small gemstone chip beads dangling off it (terrible description, I know. It's really very pretty). There's Gold Tiger's Eye, Green Aventurine, Sodalite, Clear Quartz, Amethyst (including an Amethyst heart) and some black ones which are probably Obsidian. Black stones can be hard to identify! Got a necklace too, a tumbled stone on a chain, but I can't identify that one. It's creamy with tiny flecks of grey and a slight yellowish tinge in a couple of places.

Went to Sainsbury's to get yogurts for myself and some cabbage for the rabbit and guinea pigs as we'd almost run out. Got myself two bakery Cherry and Almond tarts as a treat - had one for lunch yesterday and one today and they were delicious. It's not often I can eat and enjoy something, so such treats are few and far between! Of course, by then my bike was overloaded and I had to walk home pushing it. It's still much easier than carrying things, but the arthritis in my hips and knees had been acting up all day, so it was a long, slow, quite painful walk with me limping quite a bit. I was very glad to get home, even though I still had a lot to do when I got back.

Unsurprisingly, today I hurt. Quite a lot! Every muscle and joint, particularly in my legs, is aching and protesting, so I'm taking the day for myself (except for the unavoidable chores) to catch up on reading fanfic, relax, and post this!

Comments

[badly_knitted]

Not being able to see your own kids properly must be awful! Rather puts my delight over trees in the shade, although I am very fond of trees!

I never even thought of googling goldstone! Duh! I really am an internet novice, even after 2 years!

I'm rather passionate about crystals and semi-precious gemstones, they are so beautiful and most of them are natural, growing in the ground. I've been collecting them since I was a child, buying small ones on holiday on the south coast. I've often said I'd prefer a piece of Rose Quartz over a Diamond! I've got so many crystal chip bracelets I can't wear them all at once, but I've been known to wear as many as 20 at a time - 10 on each arm!

It's an open offer, I have plenty and I bought them as gifts for people, but I won't be offended if you refuse. I got a load of phone/handbag charms at the same time with metal angels and crystal chips. I though little things like that would make nice little gifts as thankyous or to send with a get well soon card, to cheer someone up.

Oh to be young again! I'll hit 49 next Feb! Just one year off my half century... Where has the time gone?