Maintenance

[vaneramos]

I took the day off work for a doctor's appointment and to take the car for a day at the spa, a $500 treatment as it turns out, but I hold no grudge. I owe the Sunfire big time. It has run well for the past two years with practically no maintenance except new tires. Now it gets brake work and a transmission flush in preparation for the 4,000 km trip to Winnipeg and back. That's my auto repair budget for six months, but at least now I know where it's coming from.

A day alone at home during the week—what a luxury!

It's a chilly, wet day but there's no frost in the forecast for the next two weeks, and I needed to plant tomatoes before the trip, so today was the last good opportunity. Saturday at farmers' market I picked up four heirloom plants: Brandywine, Mennonite, Black Prince and—the fourth escapes my memory, an early variety, but now the name is on the tag in the garden. I also seeded Golden Detroit beets and some more Bloomsdale spinach. There is no more room in the garden for now. Nothing has grown much the past few dreary days, except rhubarb, so I picked a few slender stalks to stew for lunch today.

Most necessary preparations have been made, but there is still a whack of stuff I want to do before the trip (and it mostly has to be done today or Monday evening):

• clean the car
• put together a trip binder with maps and things to do
• clear space on hard drive
• transfer old images from camera memory to hard drive
• put away laundry and tidy bedroom
• do laundry this weekend
• buy groceries for the trip (to avoiding dining out all the time)
• pack (don't forget registration for the festival, camera, binoculars, trip binder, wine, try to find raincoat and bird book)
• give mailbox key to Marion on Tuesday
• Sunday afternoon maintenance on the Toronto garden
• what am I forgetting?
• get new prescription filled
• vacuum
• take out garbage
• water plants and put them in the shower

For some months with my doctor I've discussed tapering down my dose of mirtazapine (for depression and anxiety) from 60 mg (which is very high) to 45 mg a day. I've made significant life changes and my mood has been fairly stable for the past six months. I'm going to switch starting tonight.

I haven't discussed any goals for daily exercise (Change 3) yet, have I? Well, here is the first one: I'm going to walk for 30 minutes each day of vacation. Doctor says that's a good time to start an exercise routine.
 

Comments

[hickbear.livejournal.com]

do laundry this weekend

Good. We have a washer, a dryer, and plenty of detergent and "stuff". :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Bryon had suggested it. I will bring my own detergent. :)

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Sounds good - very organised! Are you getting excited about the trip?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Oh yes! I was mostly just anxious about it until we sorted out our itinerary and reserved accommodations on Sunday and Monday. Now I am just looking forward to it very much.

[pippasporch.livejournal.com]

Enjoy the trip, Van, and especially good luck with making the switch to a lower dosage - I know from personal experience the mere act of taking less can cause anxiety.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Pippa. I can relate to that anxiety. The change has been on the edge of my mind almost constantly since I got up this morning. It reminds me how I hold onto whatever is familiar.