General Chat

We leave Friday morning, early. So looking forward to it. I have felt overwhelmed as usually OH has a couple of days at home before we go away. This time he could only get a week off and one special leave day. So have had to do so much I feel exhausted.

Y/Caz, before we purchased our house, we were in negotiations with another house I really liked, plenty of bushes and trees screening both neighbours boundarys, the bushes were on our side of the fence, Before signing the papers and handing over the deposit, I wanted one last look at the house. Every single boundary tree and shrub had been cut down, mess left in the yard and NO privacy whatsoever. Needles to say we pulled out of the sale, I did not want neighbours like that. The owners were also not happy and it took them 3 years to then sell the house at a very reduced price. Less than half of what we were going to pay. I had been told that the owners did sue the neighbours for destroying their property, and had to replace the shrubs and trees, with a hefty fine.

I cannot understand why people would do such a thing, and to chop a mature cherry tree, unbelievable.

Deanna, you are responsible for me wetting my self, I laughed so much reading you post. :}

Very cold here today, and a bitter cold gusty wind as well. The sun is shining though. Would not mind betting we get snow on our way tomorrow.

Love and hugs

Gail

Well hope you manage to get out for the free meal Mary and enjoy it too.

I am glad you may be quitting work soon, and just hope you will be able to manage, maybe if you are home all the time you will be able to stay on top of the disasters like the leaks and such, I hope that's all sorted soon.

I hadn't said anything about the wonderful contribution to the deposit for the dogs as wanted to let you tell it. It's so sad for the family of that little lad but they are helping others and so his loss hasn't been in vain, altho if you could reverse the situation I know you would.

I am feeling a bit low and seem to be sleeping a lot and it isn't the weather as the house is very cool, I don't know what it is but not feeling very cheerful at all. I think in many ways I am bored bored bored as I can't get out and do much, and o.h. is not scintillating or stimulating at all to be with, all I seem to do is cook and wash up and make the bed and do the laundry etc etc then I am expected to help with the garden and do all the watering and keep on top of his problems to remind him to take his medication etc etc At least his older son is back safely from Angola and has the rest of the week off to catch up with things at his new house and rest, then o.h. can go over and stay, hopefully sometime this month. It will give me a day and a night without him, wonderful! I am sick to death of his boring company and can't have anyone round as it is his house, can't natter on the phone when he is home and mustn't use the phone in the day cos it costs, etc etc.
Anyway, I am sorry I owe lots of people pms and emails, all part of my feeling down at the mo that I can't respond easily.
I hope everyone can cope with the hot weather, those of you in the Uk etc and the others well, Gail, have a lovely holiday in case I miss you going, and to you all I send my love and hugs.
I must get up and go to my house today, haven't been for more than a week to pick up mail and such - it will be piling up for sure.

Take care
Lizxxxx

Apologies for being AWOL, I wrote a long note yesterday, then lost it somehow, running on empty this week, but not able to spend any time on the puter, a bit agitated can't sit still. House issues, still have an area with no walls thanks to the flood from the washing machine. A bit of a crisis with Sarah (she's reached a new stage of development this past week - which created a new type of chaos). been working 4 evenings, my shoulder still playing up, having an ultrasound on friday. Plus garden work, I have to do it when I'm motivated otherwise it may be weeks untouched. Fighting a downer all week. I am completely burned out at work, told Colleen today that i am going to quit work probably by september, and hope for the best, just cannot manage another year of the stress.
So, in a nutshell, I'm tired and down, been reading but having minimal energy to respond.
One very good bit of news though, which cheered us up no end, an anonymous donor completed the rest of the deposit for the dogs. We still have to raise the rest of the cost but the deposit is now covered and we are assurred of the dogs being trained. The reason for the donation would break your heart - a man whose autistic son died by drowning last summer, while waiting for his service dog, has sent the money to the trainer, and asked her to give it to a family to help them obtain a service dog. In such an unselfish way, he is doing for us now, what he cannot do for his own son. I wish we could thank him directly.
have to run, heading out yet again, it's Canada Day, we've been at a park celebration all afternoon and now heading out for a buffet supper, one of the restaurants is offering a free meal if you show proof of citizenship.
TTFN
mary

Had a good chat with Dutch this evening. She cheered up and we had a laugh. Just needs a rest, I hope she'll be back fighting soon.

Dutch got the air con on early like you said.

Treehunter you get carried on the crest of the wave when something big like a house move is taking place. Then all of a sudden it drops away and you fall fast. Give your self time to grieve over your mum, and think about her, how she would want you to be strong and look for the good in your new start xx

Caz what sneaky people they are! Did they think no one would notice? What are your new neighbours like? xx

Deanna you are such a forgiving lady. How could she not give you an ice cream too xx

Mary getting worried now. Give us a nudge if you don't have time to write but have read us xx

Colin I'm told it was hot here today. I have been working in airconditioned shop, and will be tomorrow. Bet it turns cold Friday!

Gail when do you go?

Clairejo sorry I didn't get to call you back. Hope you have a well earned rest. xx

Bed time. xx

Just a thought Caz, I think it is against the law to cut down trees while birds are nesting. and if they went onto your land I think they should have had a soliitors letter. Let's hope he now erects a 6 foor fence.

Hi all

I dont know why but i feel so down today.

I think its now all the waiting to move is over. I think the greving is coming out more for my mum. I am hoping to go and see someone about it next week

I have also been in alot of pain as well over the last few days. I want to get on and do some painting but cant, so thats not helping.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}]to all

Hazelx

In the 80's & 90's we struggled.
Financial problems were huge and I borrowed unwisely only to be conned out of it (a long story I could write a book about)
Somehow we survived, but looked at each other differently.
Deaths of parents and other close people took its toll but somehow made us closer.
Surviving a serious road traffic accident shortly after my Mother died really made me think. !
I am lucky I survived some misfortunes that were in hindsight of my owm making.
It's largely cause and effect so we must smile while we can because it helps another.
So many times Iv'e been helped with a kindly smile.

Blimey Deanna, I'm impressed, I couldn't remember names like that, I called our bird by our last cats name the other day.
Well it's over, we signed the contracts this morning and only waiting for them to be exchanged now. It has all gone so smoothly but I would hate to sell another house with all the rigmarole attached to it nowadays.
We had an upset with the next door neighbour, who's always been awkward, they cut all our trees down and pulled out the bushes between the gardens. They asked last year if they could cut trees and bushes back, we agreed on only trimming the tops of bushes but leave the trees alone. She wanted to cut my cherry tree down half way so she had a view over the field, she already had the best view while blocking all ours. When we said no they decided not to trim our bushes. The buyer of our house was both angry and upset to find his house with no trees or bushes, they had waited while we left then sneaked in. He wanted the house for the privacy the bushes gave, now he has a few conifers waist high and tree trunks with no branches on. All the rubbish was in the garden and he had the cheek to say it's ours to get rid of, I know by law any prunings have to be given back but he knew we didn't live there obviously.
If the new owner hadn't gone down to have another look we wouldn't have known anything about this, he said not to worry though he will see to it. He is a man not to be trifled with by all accounts, just the sort old neighbours need to put them in their place.
I was upset for the birds, we had loads of wrens and blackbirds nesting down at the bottom of the garden and I left it wild for them. Also planted trees and bushes with berries, and buddlia for the butterflys, all gone.

Getting myself all upset again so will go, those poor birds.

Love and hugs to all.

Caz xx

No Gail, he did not burn. He did not go out until it got a bit cooler on the front of the house, then he sat in the shade.
He has been sitting out there today too and the lady next door bought him an ice cream when the van came round!
She did not see me about 2 yards away on the pooter in the cubby!!!
Am I bitter??
DAMNED RIGHT I AM!! ;-0)

We do have ice cream in the freezer so I could have some if I wanted... but how can I make him feel bad if I take some ice cream?? ha ha ha .... let him suffer.
KIDDIND.........

David, we too have come through times which hagve destroyed others.
We came through the redundancies of the 80's when the steelworks closed down and so many men, including Allan, were *too old* to get a job!
But we survived when many didn't.
The marriages which broke up around us was unbelievable.
We have always been an argumentative couple, do you want tea or coffee, could start an argument!
BUT.... We have never ever argued over money.
We also worked our love around very serious illnesses, from my mother to Allan, me, and Tony, and I am very proud of us as a little unit.
My mum, bless her, used to say... "the minute a problem arises, you two are like this... ( and she locked her fingers together.) SO why do you argue over stupid things?"

Silly woman.... we have to have a hobby, don't we? ;-0)

Yes Ann... in the house, fans on, feet up... life is good isn't it?

And Carole, yes I am in a better mood with him, BUT... he is SO lucky that I love him still, can't kill him, against the law isn't it? ;-0)
He is such a good man and I should be ashamed to talk about him like that, but 'please'.... I don't get out much, it is one of my enjoyments!

So I am off now... much too hot in here.
Love to all.
COLIN, GAIL, CAROLE, ANN, CAROLE Y, LIZ, JOYCE, AND THE OTHER JOYCE... HOW ARE YOU LOVE? DAVID, BEN, HAZEL, MARY, EILEEN, SHARRON,CLAIRE ,ALISON, CHRISTINE, BEN.... and all those I have missed.
Chin up and look after yourselves.
Deanna XXXX

My CBT man said 'What do you think when you arrive at your destination without having had an accident'? I said I think, ' Phew that was lucky'! He said I must be the luckiest person alive, and should do the lottery. It's not luck it's control. He is right. I am working on that thought. Tomorrow is a longish journey for work so I'll be fretting in the morning. Hope I can sleep tonight it's hot isn't it.

Mary are you all okay? Colin is right we haven't seen you.

Eileen thinking of you x

Caz wish I could get rid of your pain x

Dutch thinking of you xx

Liz we must try to talk soon xx How did your son get on at Glastonbory?

Sharron how are you?

Deanna are you in a better mood with A? x

Claire prob won't get to talk until you get back from Dublin. Have a wonderful time. xx Hope you will get to meet our good friend Thistledown send our love xx

Hazel you sound so much happier now you have got moved xx

Gail have a wonderful time with your family. Bet the little man has grown no end. Hope you will be sending me some photos of you all xx

Ann thinking of you xx

Alison how's things with you? xx

Christine nice to see you pop in xx

Alison in Lincs still thinking of you xx

nite nite xx

Hello all you northern hemisphere people. It's a bit cooler here. In your defence, I also begin to wilt at about 30C. It does get a lot hotter than that here, but 38+ degrees is thankfully rare this close to the coast and we usually get an afternoon sea breeze and sometimes our famous southerly buster.
At home our main living area faces west but there are a couple of big trees for shade. The bedroom faces north but doesn't get much sun because it is shaded by the flats next door and is usually pleasant. We don't have air conditioning, and only a small fan. On the other hand the car is air conditioned.
Gail, I am slightly jealous. I think you wrote that you are going to the coast. Lovely places, and I hope you are going to one of the many really nice spots. Hope it's not too humid, but shouldn't be this time of year. Agree with you about Queensland: nice from about May to September. 'Orrible in the summer.
Hazel, glad you're happy in your new home. Is it less isolated than your previous place? And your grandson being nearby. It sounds like you really "dote" (is that the word?) on him.
Mary in Canada, haven't read much from you recently. Is no news good news?
Carole, isn't it odd that sometimes what we fret over most turns out OK? I don't have serious illness or major problems at the moment but I do worry about how I will cope with work requirements (night shifts, long distance driving, heights). The fear is worse than the thing itself. I have read that even great actors get stage fright, and isn't that the same thing? Anxiety? Physical symptoms of the emotional turmoil? You might have a second career as a stage actress, yet, Carole.
Colin ;-)

Ann I also hate the humidity, Queensland is a great place, the humidity nearly kills me so have only ever been there a few times. Lived there once for 6 months but far too humid. Dry heat I am used to.

Gail

Gail hot for us is 30 but it is not the heat it is very humid here this week, we don't usually get the humidity, we remarked this morning when we came out of the supermarket that it felt like Florida!!, it was raining but hot.

Deanna you stay in with the fans, best place to be. Carole, glad you were OK after all. hazel, pleased that you are happy in your new abode.

Ann
Glos

Every one over on the north side of the planet appear to be having heat problems. So how hot is it really? Hot for me is 40 C.

So glad Treehunter that you are settling in, I hate moving and do it as little as possible. Had too much of it as a child I expect.

Deanna hope Allen did not get sunburn. I have also fallen asleep outside in a chair, usually wake up with chickens under on and around me. Daughter has a rooster that leads the hens into the kitchen in winter and they all settle around the fire for an hour or so. That is just so funny. I have a photo of it so must put it on F/B.

So glad you had a better day Carole than I thought you would, you must be pleased that it turned out better than you thought.

I am really looking forward to our holiday, but I am going to miss you lot for 10 days, must look into a wireless connection for my laptop.

Nearly finished packing, I hope. Such bulky clothes needed in winter. Glad we are not flying as would have to pay excess baggage. Probably wont wear half of it anyway. I always pack extra just in case.


Love and hugs

Gail

Hi Everyone i am back online at last,

Well i am enjoying my new grandson Arron.

And so far very happy in my new flat in Uxbridge.

Now going out to try and get some nice friends.

Been to library and have ancestry you can use for free. So will be going there few times a week.

Hows everyone liking this nice hot weather? I am loving it, but alot dont like it so feel for them who cant cope with it, like my son makes him very ill.

Thanks Ann... nice to see you all on here today.
It is SO,SO HOT... but we have fans everywhere so we are fine.... plus, my husband is back in his seat in the front garden.... hope he doesn't fall asleep again.

My lovely new vacuum had to go back to Argos this morning!! YES... but they were very good and offered me my money or a replacement.
We took another, but if we have troubles again we will have the money.
Things are not made as well as they used to be, are they?

Well I'm off for another bottle of water and a closer fan!!
Do you ever feel as grateful as I do for all the 'luxury' you live in?
We are not well off and never were, but we are SO lucky.

Too hot in here so I'm off.
Can't remember who said it, but I too feel so good after a wee chat on here.
I love it when there are others to chat too, but just knowing that you are all coming back is wonderful.
Thank you all for being here.
Deanna XXXX

Well today went fine after I left home, it's the few minuites before I have to go out that I get running to the loo. I really like my job once I get there. I could change it and find I have stress I don't have with the actual job I do now. The ladies I work with are on the hole very good. It's a nearer location tomorrow. Thanks for your support xx

Have been thinking about you today Carole, hope you got on ok.
Claire xxx

Carole, I really feel for you just now, I know how horrid panic attacks are. Do you think it may be the change in routine, longer trips? Today will be the difficult one, lest hope tomorrow is much easier.

Love and hugs

Gail

Carole, difficult I know but you have to try and relax, the tension is making you feel worse and affecting your normal problem. Think, what is so different this morning from a day when you had to travel last week. Have you thought about changing your job, this one is obviously not good for your health, maybe you should look and see if there is anything else you could do. Hope you soon feel recovered.
The heat at night is probably not helping, I kept waking up too.

ann xx