Monday 15 December 2008

Not A Good Start

I do not usually do two entries in one day but Judy so needs our support that I had to post about her first.

My lower back is so painful today I do not know what to do with myself. The sky is so overcast we have had to have the lights on all day. Things started off well with quite a few Christmas cards and some things I had ordered arriving, including a breast cancer angel figurine I have been waiting for since May!! I took this as possibly being a good omen.

Mike had been out shopping this morning, things that were essential - and I had also asked him to get some Christmas flowers for the grave of my parents and the memorial to my brother. As we always get artificial, we usually get them much earlier to avoid the rush. Mike had some personal shopping to do so he said he would do everything in one hit.

Well, he drove around and around looking for a space to park. The town he went to has two enormous car parks but although he went early, cars were lining up to get in. He then remembered a smaller car park that he has used previously and was lucky to get the last parking space there.

He went into a local indoor market and got some lovely Christmas flowers and then returned to the car to find he had been clamped. He could see no signs saying it was a clamping area and people were not allowed to park there. Apparently this only came into force a couple of weeks ago so he did not know. He could not believe it. He explained he had only been gone minutes, that he was a pensioner, it made no difference. He asked where the signs were only to be pointed to one very high up on a wall that most people would miss, as he obviously did.

He had to pay £201.25. to get the car released.

I knew something was wrong the minute he returned. He was white and shaking. When he told me I just burst into tears, I could not help it. On top of that, he was so tense that he hurt his back getting into the car to drive home and now he can hardly straighten.

This is such a blow to us. Living on pension is hard enough, the ever rising cost of electricity, gas and food prices. We are barely keeping our heads above water. Our savings are all but gone and right on top of Christmas we get this enormous fine. That has completely wiped out our winter fuel allowance.

We could both have done without this. I am also worried sick about the results of my HB1C tests which I get tomorrow afternoon. I was told last time that if my readings were not lower next time, I would be referred to the hospital as a likely candidate for insulin. This is my biggest fear. Yes, I know a lot of people are on insulin and manage well, but it gives me the horrors. I also know people are more prone to "hypos" when they are on insulin. I suffered a hypo once and do not want to experience anything like that again.

Also, other people do not have to deal with all the things I am dealing with like breast cancer treatment, high blood pressure, arthritis, agoraphobia, panic attacks and, of course, diabetes.

The week has started badly and now I fear it will go on that way. You all know how getting out at all is so hard for me. I even have to take tranquilisers to get to the doctor's surgery. So this upset today has done me no good and made me even more fearful for tomorrow.

Can I ask you to send out good thoughts and prayers? Normally, I try not to talk too much about my health and I rarely have a rant but after what happened today I feel so low, so very down. Every Christmas it seems that problems assail us. It was just before Christmas 2007 that I found "the lump". I truly do not think I could cope with anymore going wrong, my emotions are in tatters, I have felt drained for a long time.

To add insult to injury, after Mike paid the fine, the clamper had the cheek to wish him Merry Christmas. Pig.

Anyway, I have a splitting headache, my back is hurting. I need to go and lie down for a while, maybe listen to a relaxation tape. Hopefully, I will fall asleep for a couple of hours. That, at least, would be two hours when I will not be worrying.

I do not like writing in this manner and if it sounds like self-pity, it is. Today I feel very sorry for myself and I also feel sorry for Mike.

38 comments:

  1. sending up a prayer for you & mike.
    try to relax, God is in control.
    huggies...

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  2. Oh Jeanette I am so sorry that all that happened to you. That is an awful price they charge for a ticket, my goodness. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...love Sandi

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  3. Dear Jeannette, I'm so sorry that you are having such a bad day. I'm usually furious about clamping and traffic wardens. They seem to get such a pleasure out of fining people! Can't Mike maybe appeal? Once my husbands complained about a clamping fine and got away with it. Be positive about your results. Whatever happens the doctor/nurse will look after you. I can understand that you are bound to be down when you are in pain and things like this happens, but try to concentrate on something nice, lookat a photo album with the kids or listen to some nice music or watch a merry video/dvd. Try to distract yourself from bad thoughts. Bless you. Love from Antonella

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  4. Oh dear Jeannette, those clampers know exactly what they are doing when they put the signs up high like that. I`m so sorry that poor Mike got caught by them and that it cost so much to be released, those `people` make me sick. It happened to Danny a year ago and it cost almost £400 and when he protested the man just smirked. It`s legalised theft and something should be done to stop these thugs.

    It goes without saying that I will say a prayer and you will be in my thoughts tomorrow, please try not to worry too much dear friend.

    Love and Hugs

    Sandra xxxx

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  5. Clampers are not the nicest people on the planet, Jeannette, and revel in levying their extortionate charges. I'm very sorry this caused you upset. Hope today was a little better for you two.

    Guido

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  6. appeal jeannette. by law the sign saying clamping is in force MUST be easily seen.and at a height to be read easily and normally.as ive already told you on facebook,you are in my thoughts,and i am praying you will be ok. so chin up jeannette. you take care,love mort. xx hope you not got same relaxation cd my hospital gave me after heart attack lol. i want to throttle the silly cow doing it lol.

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  7. I am so sorry that this happened Jeannette. All this going on is making you tense up and that is not good for the back. Maybe you should take one of those tranquilisers to get calmed down. Sending up prayers for you both. I hope you feel better soon and that Mike's back will get ok. Hugs and love, Helen

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  8. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I do believe in the power of prayer!

    Hugs, Rose

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  9. I am so sorry you've had this upset and I do hope you manage to have your winter fuel as this time of year it is needed for sure. Sometimes it helps to vent it all out in order to cope with it all. I'll be praying that the good Lord sees you through and comforts you so that you will not be so upset. Being upset like that only makes one feel worse it seems. Keep the good thoughts and push the bad ones away and trust that things will be ok. I know it's easy for me to say all that and so hard for you, but it does help. Many times I've just had to push it all out of mind and concentrate on something good. I try to hand my problems over to God who can always help when I need it the most. Take good care, relax and hug your hubby. He is probably as upset as you. 'On Ya'-ma

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  10. Iam so sorry Jeannette these clampers hasve got to be some sort of people to have that job ,and to smirk 'Happy Christmas 'at Mike he needs reporting sarcastic b*******,I hope when you wake you feel better ,you will be in my thoughts as you go for your tests ..love Jan xx

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  11. Awwww... I'm so sorry you are down with good reasons. I'm sending you a great big ((HUG)). I sure hope your results come out good so you don't have to worry with the insulin. Keep your head up even though it's hard. Things will get better. I will send good thoughts and prayers your way. Hope the back gets better soon.
    Take care, Chrissie

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  12. Hearing about that fine really did take my breath away. Do you have any right to appeal (when you have got over the shock)?
    I am so very sorry for you both, Mike is such a good man, thinking of, and helping others, it is too cruel.
    Take it easy, if you can, Jeannette.
    XXX

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  13. Jeanette you and Mike just hang in there, you can't change what happened, so don't let it ruin the holiday for you dear. Seems like we all have these up and downs when we have so many other things or concerns going on, but somehow we get thru them. Take care.

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  14. That is just a rotten dirty thing for them to do and charge such a price! Makes me so mad to know there are people like that who take such advantage of others. I feel your pain, Jeanette. Maybe you could get an appeal on the fine. Please try to relax and rest, you and Mike both. Wishing you much, much better days ahead:)

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  15. Dear Jeannette I am so sorry for what happened to Mike it is so unfair I do agree with others that said he should appeal it won't do any harm and it might work. Hope all goes well for you tomorrow will be thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. Love Joan.

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  16. Dear Jeanette,,,,The saying it never rains but it pours is sure true today,,,I am keeping you in my prayers,,,Tomorrow will be a better day God Willing,,,and he will be with us whatever comes. sorry this is s short reply but I also am suffering U have the dreaded Flu...just came in to check on my friends,,,but going back to bed now. Love Sybil xx

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  17. Dear friend, this is not self pity at all. It is sharing your concerns and what is going on in your life - things cannot always be a bed of roses. I'm so sorry to hear about the fine & the burden this is going to place on your family. What a shame. I hope the back pain eases up for both of you and you find some peace with your relaxation exercises. Try to relax - easier said than done, I know.
    Sending hugs & Prayers your way.
    xxx

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  18. There must be somewhere you can appeal that fine to...Clamping is illegal in Scotland thank goodness...Can't remember how we got it made illegal but it was...Good luck for tomorrow and you are in my thoughts and prayers that all goes well...Maybe the earrings will work as guardian angel ones (fingers crossed)

    Caff xxx

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  19. Dear Jeanette,
    gee Sweetheart! What a terrible day!
    Can you complain that the sign was not read by your husband and poorly posted by the city council and see if a judge would compassionately remove the fine?
    It sounds so sad and I do feel so sorry
    sigh
    I will certainly put some words for you on the blog and sweetheart in my life here I will be thinking of the two of you; put a pot of tea on, send some positive thoughts your way.
    love,natalie

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  20. I am sorry for your recent trouble causing you upset and for Mike also. Having read all your friend's comment, it seems there is a case for appeal. Be diligent and persevere. I have been heating with wood cut from my property that would have been discarded as low grade firewood material. It is Russian Olive (that grows fast and spreads), Mulberry, Cottonwood? (has white floating seeds in summer), a large Poplar (that fell against my house in Sept.). I still have to cut up the large log sections on my lawn. I still have some of the Oak and Hickory (excellent firewood) that I purchased last year. So Salty and I stay as warm as can be in my small cabin. I hope you can find relaxation in thought's away from the problems with life. My thought's are with you that you and Mike have a peacefull and pleasant Christmas. mark

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  21. Jeannette I am so sorry this has happened. I know what you mean about 'when it rains it pours.' I have faith your test results will be good. I have to give myself a shot daily now and it isn't so bad.. but like you I'd rather not. Sending prayers your way and hoping my Wed is positive too
    love ya

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  22. Jeannette, I'm so sorry you had such bad luck, I think these clampers (or ticketers here) get a sadistic pleasure out of doing this, especially to those they must know it would hurt so much financially...keep your hopes up about your tests, I just know something positive will come your way soon. God Bless, maire

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  23. It's disgraceful, a lot of these Clampers are private so it's tantamount to extortion.

    And sorry it has made Mike Ill it's jusr not fair as he does so much and you depend on him and of cousre the knock on effect it has on you, is there someway he can challenge this? £200 is a lot of money to pay out especially for those like yourselves that are on a fixed income. Good luck with your test results.

    Take care

    Yasmin
    xx

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  24. Always Special Thoughts for you and Mike....

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  25. Jeannette - There is nothing I can say that others haven't already said, but know that you and Mike are in my prayers also.

    This is the time to be - in the words of the hymn - "Leaning on the Promises of God."

    o<\\:^? Jan the Gryphon
    http://gryph-wotd.blogspot.com/

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  26. I guess what you call clamping goes on all over the world as my two boys and my nephew have all had their cars taken into custody for parking in the wrong place, a ticket not paid which was a mistake, and lapsed tags and they all had to pay large fines to get their cars out of hock. but that isn't to say that it is not very disturbing when it does happen, especially in your circumstances not being able to earn more to make up for it. I do hope you will be able to keep warm this winter! So this was quite enough to get you upset for a few days. In the states I think everyone has lost money they had put into KO1's etc, for retirement, so are cutting back for Xmas and in other ways. Anyway, I will certainly be thinking of you when you go to get your checkup and will be hoping and praying things will turn out all right for you. Gerry

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  27. So sorry this has happened. I hope things turn around for you and your hubby.

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  28. Poor Mike and poor you! You could try and appeal. Thinking of you both Love Louise xx

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  29. (((((((((((((Jeannette & Mike))))))))))))))))
    I feel so bad for you. I will most definitely be saying prayers for you. Do those relaxation tapes, take deep breaths, say your prayers and remember that you are loved. (And if I win the lottery tomorrow night, I'll take care of ya, I promise).
    Love,
    Melissa

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  30. What a rough start to your week! keep yur chin up..try not to work yourself up today...you will be in my thoughts and paryers for a good result...will check in after work to see if you posted...
    xx

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  31. I'm sorry for all that has happened..I wish I could make the black cloud disappear..I pray for better health, less stress..take care

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  32. I am just so upset this happened to you and Mike. I have seen that on you tube and it looks like robbery to me also. I hope he can fight it. What a bother. I wish I could win the lottery so I could help you out. I hope your test comes out OK. I will be keeping my fingers crossed.

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  33. Looks like they could have let it go one time! It makes me so mad the way some do not know how to have a heart.
    I know what you mean about the money situation...mine is desperate right now being that I have been out of work two months with no pay. But I pray that the good Lord will look down and bless the both of us.
    Love ya,
    carlene

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  34. My dearest Jeannette and Mike,
    I am sending this with much love and I am stopping right after to pray for you both.
    I know you are physically far away but very close in heart to me.
    Love
    Alberta LORI

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  35. Sending prayers and blessings. I really wish I could do more.

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  36. Seems like a lot going on with many of us in bloggerland. I will keep you, Mike and of course Julie in my prayers.

    Monica

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  37. Jeannette, you are in my prayers always. I am so thrilled that you were able to get to Becky's for a visit. What wonderful success!I will pray that there is a way for Mike to fight the fine. That is a horrible thing to have happen. Perhaps you could find a Yoga mild exercise CD. Yoga stretching is very beneficial and very gentle as long as you don't try the more advanced moves. My love to you and Mike along with prayers and many blessings, Penny

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