My home is a mess

alec_eiffel

Ooooh, you shouldn't feel any sympathy for me at all, it's not a general lack of money it's a went-to-the-Trafford-Centre-and-bought-shoes-and-clothes lack of cash! The shoes and clothes were much needed to rid me of the scarecrow look but that doesn't make them any cheaper sadly. DH bought contact lenses, we refilled the emergency fund after taking big grey to the vet last month etc etc. At least we have something to show for our skintness.

I love hellebores. We have some bulbs poking out now but only one flower so far. I will probably be asking for garden hints this year as I hope to grab hold of it and make it look a little less "natural".

bearcub

:rotfl: Alec e, how honest of you! Our hellebores were a bit of an impulse buy when OH received a gardening catalogue a couple of years ago. They've been well worth the cost, though, and we're just about to order some more. We have exceptionally heavy clay soil here, and the gradually added compost was best part washed away by the last year of seemingly endless rain, but the hellebores look even better this year.

Here you are, one of our hellebores.

Emm-in-a-pickle

Alec E - skintness with lots to show for it isn`t so bad! Hope your OH is better, and your weekend jobs go to plan.
To be honest, the idea of a weekend of idleness doesn`t really appeal, it`s not `me` - another thing that feels quite alien is the place ticking over and staying reasonable with just me supervising rather than my direct participation in most of it!

Bearcub, sounds like you made good headway in the garden.
It`s been sunny here too, but really cold as well. All we`ve got in bloom is the snowdrops that thrive on neglect (plus birdpoo from under the feeders!) and a load of gone-feral daffs (like the snowdrops) which have ha visible buds since end of Feb, but still haven`t opened yet. Sensible daffs.
Chimney sweep has been & gone. There aren`t many about, and there`s a big increase lately in folks going back to open fires and woodburners. Our sweep covers a huge area, and he always has lots of great stories about his job - he should write a book!

bearcub

Tbh, Emms, much as I like gardening, I'm having to push myself to get tasks done out there while the weather is half-decent. it's not a case of "I'll leave until tomorrow", because we can't be sure it won't pour the next day or, like last weekend, even snow! If your chimney sweep won't write a book himself, perhaps he can find a ghost writer!

alec_eiffel

Thanks for the picture, they're gorgeous.

mcculloch29

They are... My daffs have rallied after being knocked flat by the snow, ditto the lovely foliage of my oriental poppy. The daffs nearest the front door are as always, those furthest ahead - part of this may be the type of daff but I've often thought that a bit of warmth from the door opening may have helped.

My DS took it upon himself to help to tidy up in the kitchen - just as well really, as the friend who was supposed to come and help in return for a bit of needed cash cried off.
Rescheduled for next week, but she is not at all reliable, (last week's clean was rescheduled too) so we shall see. When I was in need of extra cash (pre arthritis) many years ago and did some cleaning for a friend you could have set your clock by my arrival. But we are all different.

jpscloud

Bearcub that is a beautiful hellebore! What a joy to see.

I haven't made an appointment to discuss the results of my blood test yet, as I was snowed under with work and other things, and the symptoms have eased. I'll try to see the Dr next week, though. Thanks for thinking of me.

Messy status - situation normal! I'm too tired to do much today but will whip things into some sort of shape tomorrow, hopefully. I wish spring would warm up and give us a few more nice days, it makes such a difference to my motivation levels.

bearcub

Afternoon Messies.

I'm glad you liked the hellebores. We have three others, but this is by far the best, probably because it's sheltered slightly by the guinea pig hutch on one side, and a trellis with a thick clematis montana on the other.

Good news, Mc29, about the help in the garden. Some people are more inclined to be punctual than others, I think. I hate being late for anyone or anything, even if it's something I'm not looking forward to. It's a consideration for other people, probably.

Jps, I did wonder if you'd had time to see the GP. I'm pleased to hear you're feeling a bit better, though. We've been quite blessed in the last week with our weather. Although we had snow last weekend, and rain over the last two days (and hail a little while ago), we've had sun, too. The problem with working, as our DD1 finds is that, when you're working fulltime, you often miss the good bits. DD2 doesn' have quite the same problem, as she works in a place with the most beautiful grounds, so she does get to enjoy some of the decent weather during her breaks.

DD2 is here - well, tbh, she's gone to see the horses with OH atm - and it's so lovely to have her bubbling away. She's always very 'there', not exactly quiet, but good to see her so content.

soupdragon10

Beautiful Hellebores - never considered growing them as my soil is very heavy clay, but will now consider getting some for next year.

Got home yesterday to a hole in the roof where a couple of tiles have slipped DD managed to get into the loft and do a temporary bodge to stop water dripping into upstairs, and now waiting for the roofer to ring back with some idea of how much this will cost.

Out today and eating a polo mint and a filling in one of my teeth fell out

Now awaiting the third expensive disaster to happen to deplete my slender bank balance.

On the bright side I went to the gym this morning (very cheap as I was referred by my GP) and did the session faster and with more difficulty than I have managed before.

Well done bearcub for getting some work done in the garden. Intended to do this today until the hail/rain/sleet put paid to my good intentions.

Have a good weekend everyone

Emm-in-a-pickle

I`m not just admiring the hellebores & daffs, Bearcub, I`m also admiring the ability to post a photo of them too! Respect. Hope the weather is nice there for your DD2`s visit.
Mcculloch, I`m glad your DS lent a hand - it`s awkward when it`s an arrangement with a friend, however well you like them you can get a bit peed off with them! I was in a similar situation with colouring my hair till recently. Next door`s eldest daughter used to come and help me do it - I`d put the stuff on myself, but it was mainly the rinsing off, that`s a 2-person job with our shower fitting/eyes tight shut! She`s a lovely kid, and was always glad of a boost to her pocket money, then her low wages, but not always reliable to turn up as pre-arranged. She has since moved in with her boyfriend, and in desperation I got OH to help me, and despite being spooked by the whole thing he did great! I now feel quite glad the old arrangement petered out.
JPS, get yourself doc-bothering next week - even if you do feel better! Know exactly that `too busy, put it off if it`s not urgent` mentality, it`s me to a `t`! And the bit of sunshine we had here today worked wonders - on OH as well as me. So much for my thoughts of an idle weekend. Just sat here for a quick break, am still `supervising` (not being bossy, honest) OH upstairs and DGD in kitchen.
Drags self off to kitchen, sounds more urgent in there....