Flying solo

Sun_Addict

Hi robin - just dropping in to see you. Hope all is well.

missrlr

Erm Robin are you ok??? Back in UK?

lindens

I've noticed Robin has been posting on a few other threads, so I think she's Ok.

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Gentle Readers, :hello:

Thanks for popping in, everyone, and many thanks to Missrlr for administering a well needed [STRIKE]boot up the jacksie[/STRIKE] prompt in post #1901 - much appreciated! :T

Message received and understood: Resolved not to update until there was definite progress to report. It's taken a while - made longer by enervating after-effects of wall building - but at last:

1. Wall is complete, tidied up and slope below reinforced with a selection of [hopefully] bee-friendly flowers.

2. Last CC's 0% deal expired, as did the enhanced interest rate on FD savings a/c - they cancelled each other out nicely, except that Muggins was a month late which reduced overall :money: by £30.
..Oh well - at least am now officially debt-free! :j
3. Noted that September's budget lasted until the 23rd of October, so decided to divert a portion into a new regular savings a/c - less temptation to spend on fripparies.
4. Signed up with DS1's accountant - he is going to sort THEM out. :T

Meanwhile Divo Three has gone off on another adventure / adding to his skill-set. Perhaps not the most prudent decision or timing, but he really really wanted to go, sooo..
It was very hard indeed to bid farewell with a hug and a cheery smile. Especially as DS kept saying things like:
"If you don't take me to the airport, you won't see me again.."
ie. Missing out the reassurance of: "..until after Christmas" - sometimes this most tricksy son doth delight in winding up his poor harried ol' Mum - the wretch! :cool:
Due to torrential rain and yours truly still being totally wiped out post-walling, the honour of delivering Divo Three to the city went to one of his chums. He has reached the Dark Continent safely although rather delayed, and as is de rigueur for such journeys - without his luggage. :rotfl:

Still on topsy-turvey-ME-time at the Nest..
It's rather strange, following m' body's diktats and ignoring the clock. So long as CD gets her constitutional every day, it matters little what hours we keep.
One unexpected guest was surprised to see me stumbling around after being awoken by him; forgetting words in the brain-fog etc. Managed to make us a cuppa, but visitor was visibly frustrated by m' failure to contribute intelligently to our conversation.
Doesn't help that he's one of those people who still think ME/CFS is 'an invented excuse for laziness'. :mad:
He is a very dear friend. If he wasn't, we'd have lost touch long ago.

Dilemma: Offered DH's big cottage to an old friend who used to own a house here; they would like to return for the winter. No response, although we have since spoken on different topics.
Then, two other people asked about the house.. Not the most trustworthy of folk, alas.
Was further dismayed when a third person referred to something else discussed with aforementioned old friend [in confidence - m' personal affairs].
Now OF has invited yours truly [and CD] out on an excursion...
Don't know whether to go, or refuse politely - suspect the day might end with harsh words which can never be unsaid (am not very good at tactful when [STRIKE]p'ed off[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]feeling betrayed[/STRIKE] upset.. )?
Thoughts, anyone?

Sparky - can't imagine the combined tastes of pumpkin, rice and anchovies..? Still, if I ever get around to planting any, your soup recipe would be gratefully received.

Sun_Addict wrote:

Behave yourself

Yes Ma'am!
..No choice atm, but Plumber's maybe-not-a-GF-after-all is turning out to be higher maintenance than he's comfortable with - or perhaps more funds are required for entertaining her? Either way, he's volunteered to come over regularly, helping in the garden for a couple of hours at a time. Plumber is also good at climbing ladders, wielding power tools and other handy-man stuff, so am making a list of jobs for him to do.

Lindens - you were right, I've been dipping in and out over the last few days; as explained above, wanted to have something MSE to report in this post..
Many apologies to anyone who was worried, but a week or two of - erm, how to describe it? - foggy bleurgh was inevitable after what is intense physical activity for any ME/CFS person.

It's time to arrange another check-up for CD. Think her eyes are sore again..

Yesterday the Nest perched in the middle of a wet, grey cloud during and between waves of heavy rain.
Today our horizons are bounded by distant peaks and glittering sea beneath an azure sky, the view bright in sunlight - and CD would like to go for a walk now, please. What a good idea!

Recent spends:
Groceries - £12.
Meds [CD + self] - £42.
Tree-planting assistant - £20.
Divo Three Xmas - £50 (he needs some equipment, so cash is more useful than a wrapped gift crammed into his luggage - ha - which would have been doomed to get lost anyway! :rotfl:).

grannyx2

Lovely to see you back and well done on your Debt Freedom :j

DS3 is a naughty lad but I hope his luggage finds him soon.

OF is also rather naughty. I would be unable to stop myself from saying something about the betrayal if the friendship was to continue at all. However, I'd have to get it out of the way before any excursions as I'd be stressing over what I was going to say and spoil the trip for myself otherwise. If this results in the trip being cancelled then so be it.

Take care of you my dear friend



Granny x

please-let-me-be-lucky

^^^^ seconded by me^^^^ Xx

Brightspark87

robin - firstly congratulations on being debt free!! amazing!!!!!!

ps anchovies just had flavour cant taste the fishy taste!!xxx

Bubblesmum

:TCongratulations on being debt free... What a fab feeling from all your hard work and tenacity:T

missrlr

Hey *Robin* lovely to <see> you again
Wow that is amazing, well done on being debt free!

Also good idea to get professional help with THEM , let's hope it is sorted asap

Regarding OF sorry but trust cannot be easily regained. I would avoid and just not contact. Gossip is something I cannot abide and will not tolerate but I also understand that common bonds across the years can be precious too.

Hope the positivity continues, do please stop fretting over DS3, he clearly has learnt how to push your buttons. Perhaps a dose of non response is in order?

ear tickles for CD take care of yourself please, and do maximum use of plumber time and expertise

*Robin*

Hello World. Happy Sunday, :hello:

Slept much longer than usual last night - actually started today at more-or-less the same hour as everyone else in this time-zone, lol.

Had a very intense dream - one of those where it feels like real life - can't stop thinking about it:

Clever Dog and I were driving North in our van, passing well-known milestones on the A1 as the weather worsened; rain became sleet segueing into snow at Scotch Corner..
Ever more cautiously we pressed on, wipers beating a rapid tattoo but failing to clear the windscreen.
Safe in the knowledge that a ton of rocks in the back of the van would provide decent traction, I followed dark tramlines cut in the snow by preceding vehicles. Swerving carefully around abandoned cars and scenes of minor shunts, van's odometer marked our gradually-slowing progress.

Flashing lights loomed through the white-out: Road closed - everyone sent up a slip-road leading into a built up area. Several inches of snow completely obliterated what should obviously have read "Welcome to ...". We were completely lost.
Following the car in front, I turned into a wide avenue of handsome Georgian-style houses facing parkland. Outside one of these homes someone was busy brushing off their B&B sign, while a Jack Russell terrier - resplendent in cute red tartan jacket - tried to catch the falling snowy clumps.
..Sanctuary! Abandoning all hope of reaching our destination that day, I stopped as soon as a space appeared which was big enough to slide the van into carefully. It was next to an open park gate.

While I was fumbling stiff-fingered with flexi-lead and poo-bags, Clever Dog impatiently leaped out of the van - then hurtled away from me, disappearing into the park and up an incline beyond!
Puffing and panicking, I followed CD's trail in the snow - dreading what would appear when cresting the hill..
Shaking, dizzy, coughing and gasping for breath - it took a while before I became aware of the wider view, because my focus was completely on two dogs playing with joyous abandon, as they raced circles in the snow. Amazed, I could not at first tell which one was CD - she had found a twin!

A footpath followed the line of the hill just below the crest. On it, a muffled figure - the only human being in sight - stood immobile, watching both dogs.
As is the way of dreams, the next instant I found myself standing beside the other dog's owner. In companionable silence we began walking along the path while the girls tumbled around us - spraying snow in all directions as they leaped, chased, feinted, dodged, and rolled in a heap before starting their ritual again..

Shivering, I felt ill-prepared for the weather. Envying the hood, scarf, greatcoat and wellies which prevented me knowing anything about my fellow - except that he was male and very tall.
We arrived at another gate, both clipped a lead onto our tail-waving, happy dogs. As he straightened up the man looked at me for the first time; grey eyes framed by unusually long lashes stared into mine:
"Ye're parked along there," he said, voice muffled by a long knitted scarf wound around most of his face.
"Good day to ye, mind ye don't slip."
Turning away, he had to drag his suddenly-reluctant dog in the other direction.

Clever Dog was panting so heavily, the sound of it filled my world with concern for her well-being..
Must be time to ingratiate ourselves with the Jack Russell's owner -
..At which point conciousness returned via the agency of a wet nose thrust under the duvet; it's morning, and CD would like to go outside, please.

:think: ..Maybe somewhere in a parallel universe, eh?

Granny - many thanks for the special hug, and your wise words:

grannyx2 wrote: »

OF is .. rather naughty. I would be unable to stop myself from saying something about the betrayal if the friendship was to continue at all. However, I'd have to get it out of the way before any excursions as I'd be stressing over what I was going to say and spoil the trip for myself otherwise. If this results in the trip being cancelled then so be it.

That's it exactly, Granny. It is the kind of annoyance which will fade over time - Lord knows none of us is perfect - so maybe if I just stay out of the way for now, then next time OF and I happen to meet it should be easier to forget m' current hurt feelings.. Would be rather a shame to destroy a three decade friendship because of an indiscretion or two, wouldn't it?
In fairness, OF could rightfully claim mitigating circumstances for being thoughtless atm.

Just so long as I do not discover a tribe of junkies squatting in DH's cottages next week.. :cool:


Oops - post interrupted by RL (visitor inbound). Hope to get back later to comment on debt-freedom, and have a look around the diaries - hope Life is treating you all kindly atm..