Recently husband has started clearing out his business paperwork. As is required for GDP compliance it involved a lot of shredding. I haven’t nagged him to do this even though it needed doing. I got emotional. I think he did a little too. Starting to close that chapter of his life. I know he would love to be able to still take on the odd job but unfortunately the body says no way. Are you having a laugh? Those days are gone. A few old customers have reached out. I know he hates to let them down but it is just how it is.
He has often said that he never thought he would be like this at this stage in his life. He has always been active with long days doing manual work; now just walking fifty meters is a chore. They tell you to stay fit and active, it will keep you going in later life. Mmm I think my husband would disagree. It sure feels like he has worn his body out. My Dad spent thirty years on the post and he moans about his back and knees.
So we are slowly clearing the business things out. We had a helping hand; unwanted mind. Quite a few of his power tools were stolen. Yeah so kind of you. I know we didn’t need them but we would have liked a donation to the retirement fund. That’s not entirely true, one or two we used at the allotment so have had to replace…. they are now in a new home just in case they are reading this. Why work for it when you can steal it? It makes me so angry. We reported it but as with most things all we got was, sorry there is nothing we can do. Thanks for that.
There is still plenty of paperwork to shred. Some I need to get someone to get out of the loft for us. Half of that will be my old records too. Its amazing how much you generate with a small business. The photos have gone, yes we had printed ones for clients to see of previous jobs. The website is now off line. I need to close his social media too.
As he is clearing out I guess I need to start dumping some of my old stock. Things that I have not been able to sell. We need to make space. His mobility will deteriorate so he can’t be clambering over things. We want to do this while there is not so much of a rush. Then maybe we can get the decorating done. The kitchen still isn’t quite finished but we will get there. Its not been 2 years…. yet.
There is the question of how to get rid of some of these things. As we still have commercial vehicles a trip to the dump is out of the question unless we apply for permits. We will do the little bits then maybe I’ll be hiring some muscle from the day job for a day to give us a hand with the bigger things. My days of carting heavy items down the stairs are long gone too. I think some of that is the sense of preservation. I want to stay up right and not pull a muscle or put my back out. Then I am no use to my husband. Yes I can hear him chuckling as I type; you ain’t much use anyway woman. Its just how we roll.
We will get there. Slow and steady wins the race. While the weather has been nice we would much rather be out if he is able. There is plenty of time for shredding when it is a rainy day. Also once we have cleared bits out is makes the decorating easier to do. Well that is my excuse. I have been known to decorate the whole flat in a week while hubby was off fishing in France. In my defence I was younger and was happier standing on steps. Oh the joys of getting older. It will happen to you too so don’t laugh. You just have to roll with it. E x