Flying solo

HeadAboveWater

Sorry to hear about GF too Much as she's been looking forward to the holiday, she appears to be struggling with something. As lucky says, it's hard to know if someone is being cowardly or brave when they do that. I can understand your mixed emotions too. Really hope all is ok

When you were talking about the thunderstorm, it reminded me of a display of photos I seen yesterday when I was at a local festival. You can have a wee nosey here. There were a couple of 'calm after the storm' type photos. Absolutely breathtaking!

Happy Monday - hope your week gets off to a positive start

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Dear Friends, :hello:

<Wrote most of this yesterday; 6th August - but was interrupted, then fell asleep before posting >

The last night of the feria was the loudest; some kind of rave-party was competing with fairground and fireworks.. After a brief hour of hush, dawn was heralded by the loud, harsh mechanical noise of rides being dismantled, loaded and driven away. :mad:

No point in going back to bed; spent a few hours in the garden instead, enjoying the cool of the new day (until it burned away).
Hopes of sleeping during the hottest hours were dashed by a welcome 'phone-call - announcing that Divos Two, Four and DGD were on their way to visit.

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote:

I'm so sorry to hear of GF's overdose . I never know whether people who try to take their own lives are extremely brave or extremely selfish and cowardly. I understand your mixed feelings completely, poor DGD missing out on special time with her Dad.

Don't know about that either.
DS2 told me his GF was well enough to come off life-support yesterday morning, <ie. on 5th Aug> and later the doctors transferred her to a specialist MH unit at another hospital. While he was here, GF's new psychiatrist 'phoned; apparently expecting DS to drop everything in order to go to the hospital for a chat with him (Psych Doc had just seen / examined GF).
DS2 was obviously torn, but my disapproving look - possibly plus the fact that I hadn't yet handed over any cash - prompted DS to refuse the immediate summons.
I did ask him if he'd managed to have a sensible conversation with GF yet, with particular reference to her reasons for over-dosing? He said "no"; she had recognised him but that was about it. Still, physically at least, GF is obviously on the mend which is good news.

Divo Four fell asleep just after they arrived; we joked that DGS had worn him out, because DS4 has just spent a couple of days looking after the Little 'Un while his parents took a [romantic] break - Divo Four is certainly working hard on his 'holiday', lol. :rotfl:

DGD seemed very quiet and sleepy too. I asked what she wanted to do now that they were staying in the city? Smiling, she said she'd quite like to go to the cinema, but apart from that all she wanted was a good rest! :huh:

..Turns out DGD's Mum had signed her up at an American-style kids camp as soon as school broke up; every day the children were expected to undertake ten different activities!
DGD told me her favourites were horse-riding, canoeing, rock climbing, archery, pottery, acting, and the disco!
Poetry, painting and science work-shops were not so much fun but she still had to do them, DGD told me solemnly.

Hmm, so it wasn't surprising that DGD was ok about her holiday with Dad being quieter than they'd planned.
I gave her enough pocket-money for the cinema / shopping, then emptied my wallet into DS2's grateful hand.
[STRIKE]Might[/STRIKE] Will have to top up the contribution though, because he told me that before collecting DGD, he'd had to replace two tyres which were worn to the wire. :eek:
How had he let them get so bad? He shrugged, sighed, and explained that the company is struggling; they've cut his hours / wages (he hadn't told me about this before, hoping he could cope and knowing I'd worry ).
He simply couldn't afford new tyres; said he's been driving as little as possible and checking them every time - but his recent panicked trips to the hospital did the final damage.
Knowing he just couldn't risk DGD's life, and given that I'd already told him I'd help - he used half the money he'd put aside for his share of their rent, to buy the tyres.

It was the right thing to do. Lord knows I have spent years making such choices when money was extremely tight, and it's a fair bet almost everyone reading this has been, or is currently in a similar plight; sometimes a payment simply must be made even if it might result in much bigger problems, later - and just hope Lady Fortuna will bring a solution in time.

:think: Can see that Divo Two is going to need more support, longer-term, than I'd envisioned. Of course he will get it - but - am not so well-off that I can hand over wads of cash without having to make economies of my own.
Am worried about his GF too - she's the wild card. Do wish DS2 had got to know her for longer, before they decided to set up house together. But he does seem very committed to his GF - in lurve - and positive about their future..

Time will tell. Meanwhile, must look at my priorities; suspect the first pot to be emptied will be the Journey Fund which has been growing quietly over the months, when I've spent less than my 'allowance' (which is 50% of the sum PC decided we could live on together). If needed, could put travel expenses on an empty CC.
Beyond that. Hmm; since DS' hours have been cut, he said that he's working mostly on-line - so [I reckon] he doesn't really need to live within commuting distance of the office (which may well be shut down anyway to try and keep the company afloat - Boss is apparently converting his double garage as a replacement).
Once GF is out of hospital location won't be important for her either because she's signed off as disabled.
So, as long as DS2 has a car to take her to appointments / go shopping / visit his Boss, they could live anywhere.
:think: Bet it would be cheaper to keep his car serviced than pay for their city house..
Now the rules have changed, I can no longer rent out PC's cottages - but am allowed to let folk live there without charge (which is usually what happens anyway; visiting family don't pay).

..Seems such an obvious way of putting a large chunk back into DS2 and GF's budget without costing me dearly - but can't help feeling it's too easy a solution..
Will put the idea to DS2 when he returns to collect the rest of the money he'll need for his rent, and suggest he gives notice with this payment.

Today:

For two days the Nest has been blasted by a hot wind which has sent temperatures soaring; with the shutters closed and fan spinning we've got 28'C inside the house, while it's 34'C on the shaded patio, and well over 50'C in full sun. :eek:
Daft Dogs only nip out for a minute when they need a pee, but return with such hot fur that I've got a wet flannel for damping down their heads when they come inside. The techno-cooling-coats I ordered for the girls still haven't arrived - been in the post for over a month so far! :mad:

..Just had what might be a clever idea; if I can suspend bottles of frozen water close to the blades of the fan, maybe it would help to cool the air being circulated? Worth a try!
Of course one of the nice things about it being so hot, is that it's a pleasure to wander around almost naked (inside the Nest! ). Am rather enjoying looking at my legs, now that the swelling is going down revealing ankles rather than bloated trunks - and Daft Dogs aren't offended by the wobbly bits also on show, lol. :rotfl:

missrlr wrote:

You must have had the same thunder storms as we got, spectacular indeed!

Weren't they just, Missrlr! Are you back from your hols already? (Sorry; never got around to writing you a pm - but haven't stopped sending positive thoughts your way ).

HeadAboveWater wrote:

When you were talking about the thunderstorm, it reminded me of a display of photos I seen yesterday when I was at a local festival. You can have a wee nosey here. There were a couple of 'calm after the storm' type photos. Absolutely breathtaking!

Hello HAW, thanks for the link to Glen Miles' work - he's very talented; there are some amazing shots in his collection! I really enjoyed looking through his site.

missrlr

Poor man's air con:
Freeze Bottle water
Place in tray or in plate (catches condensation) in front of fan
Turn on fan

Works a treat

I second the brave / stupid dilemma. Do hope Divo 3 can come through this.

I know the solution you have thought of seems easy, and clearly it is because of the difficult time you had to be in the position to consider this. Perhaps it is only easy because of this?
Hope you cool off soon.
We can send you some cold from the UK dropping lower every night now, and compared to south France it is positively Baltic!

Hope it goes well with Divos various and DGD gets her rest!

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Friends-in-the-Box, :hello:

missrlr wrote: »

Poor man's air con:
Freeze Bottle water
Place in tray or in plate (catches condensation) in front of fan
Turn on fan
Works a treat

*Robin* wrote:

..Just had what might be a clever idea; if I can suspend bottles of frozen water close to the blades of the fan, maybe it would help to cool the air being circulated? Worth a try!

Missrlr, my idea is a variation of your suggestion, given that the fan is hanging from the ceiling (one of those Colonial-style fan / light-fitting jobbies).

It was almost a disaster though, because I shifted the contents of the freezer in order to fill one whole tray with bottles of water.
Fifteen minutes later the alarm went off - both fridge and freezer had shut down! :eek:
On the hottest day of the year so far, with nearly a month's supplies in - how could I have been so stupid as to put a load of unfrozen bottles just above the element-thingy?
'Phoned a friend, who came round and made calming noises while he fiddled with the gubbins in the back..

Two hours later, had cause to open the fridge door; when I closed it again [quickly] - the motor fired up!
It's taken all night to get back down to operating temperature, but the alarm lights are off now and controls registering as normal.
Phew - everything stayed frozen - but for a while there, thought I was going to be forced to throw an impromptu feast after cooking the entire contents of the freezer at once (which would have produced a peculiar menu, lol :rotfl:)!

Meanwhile, the first frozen bottles are now suspended just beyond reach of the fan blades, although I didn't bother with drip trays as Daft Dogs are stretched out beneath 'em - apparently enjoying the occasional drops of cold water falling on their fur.

missrlr wrote: »

I second the brave / stupid dilemma. Do hope Divo 2 can come through this.

Missrlr, your comment just made me realise why I've been somewhat angry with GF rather than 100% sympathetic:
..So many people have to fight for life, and manage to make the most of their time despite undergoing crippling adversity of one kind or another.
It seems a terrible affront to all their suffering and effort when someone chooses to throw the Gift away (whether or not they are successful).
The knock-on effect on everyone close to that someone is also devastating.. So with all my heart I share your hope that Divo Two can cope, without himself crumbling.
At least he's surrounded by lots of folk who love him.

please-let-me-be-lucky

*Robin* wrote: »

Missrlr, your comment just made me realise why I've been somewhat angry with GF rather than 100% sympathetic:
..So many people have to fight for life, and manage to make the most of their time despite undergoing crippling adversity of one kind or another.
It seems a terrible affront to all their suffering and effort when someone chooses to throw the Gift away (whether or not they are successful).
The knock-on effect on everyone close to that someone is also devastating.. So with all my heart I share your hope that Divo Two can cope, without himself crumbling.
At least he's surrounded by lots of folk who love him.

Perfectly put and I couldn't agree more.

Sorry to hear about your fridge drama, glad it is all sorted now and hopefully it's a bit cooler for you and the doggies now Xx

missrlr

Eeek! Hum, am glad the freezer resolved itself!

Sorry yes 2 not 3 , got myself in a pickle there.

Enjoy the cool.

And yes you have put it perfectly.

*Robin*

Hello Diary and MSE Friends, :hello:

Thanks for dropping in, Lucky and Missrlr.

First piece of good news is that DS2's GF has been released from hospital.

Not so great; we have learned that she has tried the same thing before - several times.

No explanation - just said she couldn't remember why she did it, and now wants to carry on as if she'd never tried to kill herself..
:think: Don't know about that; not really possible imho.
Still, we'll see what happens. Everyone deserves another chance; the opportunity to change for the better.
But if GF thinks this behaviour can be forgotten without considerable discussion first, she can think again.
That's not the way we deal with problems in our family. <Makes mental note to brush up on useful vocab - GF doesn't speak English.>

Haven't yet suggested giving notice on their rental house, that can wait for the right moment.

Meanwhile, have decided not to go on the extravagant treat that had been suggested for my birthday; first flying lesson with DS1. :cool2:
..Definitely not a need, and with current uncertainties about how much assistance three of the four Divos will require over the next few months, I must concede that it would be a flagrant waste of limited resources. <sigh>

With that thought in mind, have postponed our next trip to town (again). CD's repeat blood tests are top of the list, but she does seem fine at the moment. This morning I asked her if she'd like to go to the beach - a handily placed reward, beyond DV's clinic - CD's response was to disappear. Discovered her hiding under the water-tank half an hour later; took the hint and found m'self something else to do. :rotfl:

HeadAboveWater

Morning

Glad GF is outta hospital but ref the bad news. A good talk with her is necessary. As always, your family is your number 1 concern. I think important too that she goes to get help herself. The fact she can't remember why...??? :eek: That's worrying

Glad CD doing well. Hugs and tickles to them both

Sorry to hear you're gonna miss out on the flying lesson. Was planning on waving as you flew overhead.... Hopefully you'll manage a nice alternative meantime for your birthday

missrlr

Hope your birthday is a lovely celebration, shame about the flight though.

You are of course totally right she cannot simply ignore this! How on earth will DGD cope especially if this happens when she is more aware or fewer people immediately to assist .....

Do hope CD decides on walkies when it is cooler ..... Bless her!

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Dear Friends, :hello:

Thanks for popping in, HAW and Missrlr.

Black Dog has caught me; woke up without lower arms today then spent half an hour flapping the useless things until feeling returned, via a period of painful pins-and-needles that had me in tears.

Planned trip to town cancelled again, partly because of that, but also Nasty Neighbour was prowling around - don't trust him not to nosey about the Nest when I'm out and Daft Dogs are locked inside, and certainly don't trust him not to walk off with DS1's very expensive strimmer which is on the patio. It's too heavy for me to shift it, and I couldn't find any padlocks to lock it up to a pillar with Blind Dog's old chain.

DS2 has upset me. He's taken DGD and GF away somewhere - not heard from him since he collected his rent money.
If it were not that DGD's Mum expects to 'phone and speak to her at least a couple of times a day, I would be really worried. Am not in regular contact with DGD's Mum, but know she wouldn't hesitate to call the police if she was worried by anything DGD tells her, or if DS doesn't answer his 'phone.

DS1 has gone away too, which definitely scuppers the flying lesson (we had both given up on that anyway). Turns out his marriage is going through a sticky patch so some quality time with family was much needed.
Therefore Divo Four had to step in to look after DS1's house, garden and animals while they're away.

Since posting last, the only folk I've seen have been Gardener, Smiley-Neighbour and Sex-Addict-Neighbour (ran away and hid from the latter!).

Meanwhile, the Nest has suffered a rash of minor mishaps; the shower/bath tap has malfunctioned, kettle stopped heating up, and the washing machine forgot how to drain water - why does the manufacturer always put the filter plug so close to the floor that it's impossible to get a container beneath it?

Partly sorted: Am using the caravan kettle, still have kitchen floor covered in damp newspaper following flood and filter inspection - no problem found, but fault now appears to be cured.

Think I need to buy a new shower/bath tap. At the moment half the water goes through each side which is terribly wasteful - ruins my shower experience; standing beneath a sad trickle while the unused bath fills..
Temporary solution is to put up with shower, let the bath fill then move the end of the drain so that the water can be released onto the banana plants, which are usually watered by hand anyway.

Oh and I've run out of apple juice. Unfortunately that is the only liquid which renders one of the blood-pressure meds bearable. BP is better than it was but still only 100/60 so don't think it would be a good idea to stop taking the foul stuff.
Solution? Cider. 50/50 with water. A can lasts three days - but has the inevitable effect of rendering me tipsy after the second dose. Dare say that has not helped mood-wise; alcohol being a depressant.

Want to cancel my birthday. Really do not feel that there's anything to celebrate this year. Especially as it will only be me and DS4, possibly plus Ex if he gets invited.

Positive news: Took inspiration from Sun.A's example and did my banking before incurring charges.