Taking my finger off the self-destruct button

poorbutrich

Wordsmith wrote: »

Thanks, Horace and Lula.

Re the 101 things, that's just it, Lula - I am spending so much time working and thinking about what I'd rather be doing that I never actually do it. (You don't have to write down 101 things - some people have just 25.) And as they are smallish things, anything big I am aiming for will be broken into smaller lists; for example, "be nicer" is just too big a task for me, so I have to break it down into "don't bite the head off the milkman" (no, forget that, he's a right git and thoroughly deserves it), and "don't get cross when someone passes on gossip they have no way of knowing is true" (no, forget that, spreading rumours about people is abominable and I like to nip it in the bud), and "don't get cranky when people complain about the weather" (no, forget that, I find it too annoying when people act as though they are being victimised personally if it is raining) - you see? You see? I'll have to break it down further: "smile at the milkman and then bite his head off". I find it rather bizarre that I actually need a list to do what I want to do, but I just don't get away from thinking I have to work and do nothing else. Just doing the list has made me stop and take stock of life - one of my aims should be to face facts and don't brush under the carpet my inability to get things done ... except brushing anything in my house needs a list for any chance of it happening.

Re wedding - it's not local, and I would have to leave an evening do early because I have to be up early for work the next morning. To be honest, I am not too worried about missing the wedding (although I would have been devastated if the others had been invited and I hadn't), I am more upset that the others assumed they would be going without giving a thought to what I might want to do. List item no. 102: toughen up.

What a lovely landlady! I love the Irish hospitality - I remember we were on our way somewhere in rural Ireland and my dad bumped into someone he knew that he hadn't seen for ages. The two of them went into his house for a cuppa, leaving my sister and I in the car, thinking they'd be about 10 minutes. He reappeared seven hours later....

I thoroughly recommend the Day Zero project and look forward to seeing your list! The most difficult thing is coming up with 101 quantifiable goals. I am actually coming to the end of my list, unbelievably - I can't quite believe how quickly the time has gone. Not only is it very inspirational and a good way of pushing yourself to achieve your goals, but it's a great way of seeing how far you've come and giving yourself a pat on the back - something you, Wordsmith, do not do often enough!!

Lula-Hula

I like you more & more with every post wordsmith.

Anyone who has to remind themself to be nice by writing it on a list & then break that down into manageable chunks is just a sublime being :rotfl:.

Wordsmith

poorbutrich wrote: »

The two of them went into his house for a cuppa, leaving my sister and I in the car, thinking they'd be about 10 minutes. He reappeared seven hours later....

:eek: Could he still stand after that "cuppa"?

lionheartedgirl

Wordsmith, I too am in awe of someone who has to break being nice into more manageable chunks I think I can only aspire to this :rotfl:

If you are in need of a chuckle on the toughening up front, have a look for Chopper on youtube - Chopper's Horoscopes and Harden Up Australia are some of my favourites. his catchphrase is "Harden the **** Up" and he is hilarious. Not very PC though :rotfl:

Lucky Finn getting free sausage :rotfl:

startagain_2

Wordsmith - I am just giving you a raincheck.... I have been trying to catch up on your diary but there are some really lengthy posts and a lot has been going on. It has been as much as I can do to write a post on mine but I promise to read yours today and catch up with everything..

Hugs

SA

chevalier

hey Wordsmith. I am trying to say yes more often (I know this is not your problem) but I am not sure it is a good idea. I have said yes to managing my DS's touch team. I only have to send out a few emails, so fingers crossed....

Hope things are going ok for you. I take it there has been no progress on the house issues?
chev

Wordsmith

chevalier wrote: »

I only have to send out a few emails, so fingers crossed....

Hope things are going ok for you. I take it there has been no progress on the house issues?
chev

It may be only a few emails today, chev, but once they know you're willing, by this time next year you will be secretary, treasurer, coach and bottle washer!

No news on the house yet. The letting agent is organising a survey so that I can be sure (I hope!) that the chimney work is safe.

Wordsmith

lionheartedgirl wrote: »

If you are in need of a chuckle on the toughening up front, have a look for Chopper on youtube - Chopper's Horoscopes and Harden Up Australia are some of my favourites. his catchphrase is "Harden the **** Up" and he is hilarious. Not very PC though

Thanks, lionheartedgirl - I'll look at these later.

Wordsmith

startagain wrote: »

I have been trying to catch up on your diary

And about time, too!

Wordsmith

Nothing much to report from Rainyland. Short-fuse client found the draft, and it appears it may have been something to do with me that it went missing. I am not fully convinced, although he is! But he didn't get cross, so that's a big bonus.

I phoned my friend in the UK last night. One of the ones I am constantly thinking of but rarely contact and feel really bad about not doing so. It was his birthday yesterday, so I forced myself to phone him. It was lovely talking to him, but I found myself getting quite tearful (hopefully he didn't notice) and when I hung up I felt desperately lonely. So, although I don't like introspection, I sat in my car watching the rain fall, and came to the realisation that it is because of what once was. He is an elderly widower and he has just sold his house so he can go to live next door to his son (my ex-husband - although that has nothing to do with the way I was feeling). I could picture his house and every room so well - I love him so much and I feel that I have lost our relationship. I haven't lost it, it has just changed - because he now has grandchildren and because I have moved away. But I think that's why I find it so difficult to phone people - because I've moved away and so the relationships I have with them inevitably have changed and I feel on the periphery of their lives. I do know how pathetic this sounds, and so hopefully now that I have (five years later) realised a cause, I can find a solution. A good slapping and being told not to be so bl00dy stupid should do the trick.

The animals are all good. Mama cat graced us with her presence and slept on my bed last night. She took a swipe at Finn and he gave her a wide berth after that. I must take a leaf out of her book.

No other news. I am feeling rather hormonal - I think it is something to do with my advancing age. It happens to me rarely - so a few people may be in for a bit of a shock today! Once it passes I shall stop feeling so lonely and tearful and once again relish my solitude. I think maybe sponge pudding and custard will help.