Flying solo

grannyx2

So sorry to hear your sad news and hope that you and CD are taking the time to remember the happy times you all shared together.

Glad to hear CD's news.

Hugs, happy thoughts and many well wishes winging their way to you both

Granny x

Fudgefund

So sorry to read the news Robin, I was hoping against hope it would be better. At least you and Clever Dog still have each other.

xx

kissjenn

So sorry about Little Girl, Robin.

Very glad that CD's results are clear.

Think ing off you (and off to hug my furry ones) xx

chevalier

Aww your post had me blubbing. Sorry to hear about FD. It is horrible when we HAVE to let them go.
But I am glad to hear about CD that is ace.

So sorry also to hear about GF. I hope that you can be supportive of her, and that she gets the help she needs.
chev

missrlr

Hey Robin
I do hope you are keeping well and your personal health issues have not been triggered by the tumultuous time you have faced
Give CD an ear tickle and belly run from me
Hugs x

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Dear Friends, :hello:

Once again, thanks to everyone for calling in to leave your good wishes, and welcome to the Nest, Carolbee.
Apologies for not responding to each comment individually; please be certain I very much appreciate the support which all of you are - so kindly - giving me..

Clever Dog and I are getting used to being a household of two. The strangest effect is that I now rarely need to speak (unless answering the 'phone or skyping). CD is so focussed on me she seems to react to my thoughts, while making her own wants and opinions quite obvious.

The most [STRIKE]annoying[/STRIKE] strident opinion CD has expressed, is that she's decided she is now entitled to share my 'human' diet - I've had to throw away the dog-food part of her meals every day since Little Girl left us. :mad:
..And she knows I'm writing about it now - just sat up, looking daggers at me! :rotfl:
We are working on a compromise, but meanwhile, what would I do without CD to make me chuckle? .

Plan F: Apparently, BTL mortgage providers look benevolently upon applicants such as yours truly. After playing with various sites that work out sums borrowed against repayments, it seems feasible; I can afford the property DS4 has found.

On closer inspection however, that flat is not as perfect as it first appeared: Decent location, size and layout, with a mature garden and huge garage. Backing onto open fields while also being adjacent to a cycle-way which puts DS' college about five minutes' ride away.
But zooming out on Google Earth reveals a strange grey stripe running through the field next to the flat. It's an airfield runway.. Ok, nothing like Gatwick, but even light aircraft are an annoyance up close.
So as an investment that's out; [STRIKE]may[/STRIKE] very likely have trouble selling it again - definitely explains the relatively low asking price.

Suppose the next step is to actually speak to someone. A broker perhaps, or simply approach the bank of my choice as recommended by Martin (don't have an a/c with them atm, which might be a drawback)?

Depending on a positive contact, the equity I have suggests it might be possible to look at more expensive properties too - which would certainly give us more choice.
Hmm. A job for next week.


Keep feeling slightly lost - a reprise of how I felt when PC died; after being used to a constant awareness of my patient and their needs, suddenly there is a silent patient-shaped hole in the room - and nothing that I should be doing for them.

There are other tasks I could be getting on with; notably, hoover up a patch of creamy-gold dog-fur in the middle of my maroon oriental rug - marking the spot where Little Girl spent her last night on Earth.
Can't do it - yet. (Even walk around it, lol).

Decided a spot of de-cluttering would be in order; managed to fill one box with car-boot/charity shop stuff.
Got stuck on whether it's time to donate three dogs' worth of kit to the refuge?
Then found a packet of real Moroccan henna, forgotten by Divo Four..

Gentle Readers, you can guess the rest.
Now recall why I've not attempted to use the stuff since student days..
It put a beautiful shine on most of my hair - but the grey strands have turned bright ginger! :rotfl:
(Well, :rotfl: is better than :eek:).

Gardener turned up; genuinely appeared to think it looks fantastic - or she's a d*mn good actress!

Not much to be done about it for now (have run out of J.Fr!eda foam - which is why I decided to try DS4's henna in the first place). Will just have to brazen out having a rather brighter presence than usual, on rare excursions into the real world.

..And wouldn't you know it; have just been invited out to dinner tomorrow - with my chum the Gourmet, so doubtless at one of the better local eateries (where bright orange streaks do not usually feature in lady diners' coiffure :rotfl:).
Luckily G likes to shock [rather after the manner of Stephen Fry] so he'll find my new look hilarious - we might end up eating at the most exclusive restaurant he can think of!

Meanwhile, it's raining. Hooray - won't have to water the garden for a few days! :j

Wrote the above yesterday, then had a LIE DOWN NOW moment which lasted most of the night.

Finally came round enough to shut the door and turn off lights at 5am. Also found the salmon I'd got out of the freezer for last night's dinner, sitting in a puddle of water on the worktop. Oops.

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Although it appears to be a very complicated diagnosis for GF, at least there is a diagnosis. It usually helps to know what you're dealing with. I sincerely hope she gets all the help and support she needs. There is def no harm in teaching her the meditation technique. Anything to help her cope is good.

Indeed; accepting the problem and getting an official diagnosis are two huge steps on the road to finding a brighter future. In this case 'recovery' as such doesn't seem to be an option - there is no drug cure. It's a matter of learning to control the symptoms - which certainly can be done.

Must admit am now considering borrowing a bit extra in order to help - DS2 does seem utterly committed to a future with GF, in which case they'll have a much better chance if GF gets the treatment that's only available privately here.
Shame she can't speak English - have found an intensive specialist residential course which sounds perfect, apart from that little detail.

Right, let's see if I've managed to outwit the Token-Expired Fairy this time...

*Robin*

*Robin* wrote: »

Right, let's see if I've managed to outwit the Token-Expired Fairy this time...

Yay - success!

Must be the end of the month - very slow n' jerky 'net connection at the Nest today.
Might have something to do with ominous storm clouds which are billowing towards us over the mountain ridges, from all directions except South.
..Where it looks like a nice day at the beach.

*Robin*

Hello Diary, :hello:

Didn't get my restaurant meal.
Blame an excess of drink taken by myne [prospective] host, the night before. :mad:
Oh well, so it goes. <shrug>

A sudden rush of visitors at the Nest took my mind off the disappointment, although one managed to replace it with a feeling of deep misgiving..

Not on my own behalf, but for the welfare of an old lady who means a lot to me. She's always been kind and welcoming in the thirty years since her offspring - one of my oldest friends - introduced us. Several times she's administered Motherly advice when needed, knowing my own Mum couldn't be there for me.

Now this lady is dying. As her only child not tied to a salaried job and without their own family to look after, my friend was nominated by the siblings to move back home and care for Mum.

Four months on Carer has had enough; can't wait for Mum to pass on so that they'll inherit and can get back to having fun (more expensive fun than previously possible).

Am shocked. Had more tears over this in the last day than over losing Little Girl.
Very tempted to 'phone Mum or the sibling I know best, and offer to take the place of my selfish, shallow friend (about whom I currently have very mixed feelings).

Now that the weather has broken here, the garden will survive without my constant presence. So, as long as I've got lappy and an internet connection, I could be anywhere - well, on condition that Clever Dog is also welcome.
Am bluddy certain Mum would have a better time with me looking after her..**

She lives about three hours' drive from the city where Plan F will need occasional input, so not too far really.

:think:
Is this a completely mad idea?
Dear MSE Friends; would you just stay out of it, or get involved?

**ETA: Would involve cooking meals / making tea, small amount of personal care, companionship - trying to make sure she doesn't fall, being there to call 999 in case she does, or has another emergency. Cleaning and suchlike is all taken care of, and the house has already been adapted to minimise the effort required to look after Mum - so don't reckon it would be beyond my own strength..

Buffythedebtslayer

You know what Robin, having a conscience is a right pain sometimes.

I think in your position I would go. My conscience wouldn't stand the thought of a good person being treated in such a fashion and being seen as a burden. I mean waiting for someone to die, my God that is awful.

It is probably not the best thing for you health wise? or in terms of the house and other family stuff going on, but hey.


I suppose on balance phone the sibling and see what happens from there?

XX

Sun_Addict

Oh Robin what a dilemma! If you want to do it then do it. It's a lovely gesture and as Buffy says I think I would do the same in your position. Really feel for the poor lady, what an uncaring family she has, but I'm sure she'll have a whale of a time with you looking after her!

Sorry to hear about Little Girl! Why do we get so attached to the little so and so's!