Flying solo

chevalier

Happy New Year Robin. Hope that you are not being blown away by the weather

Bubblesmum

Happy New Year - a happy and healthy 2015

please-let-me-be-lucky

Happy New Year lovely lady. I hope 2015 is a good one for you Xx

*Robin*

Hello 2015 - Belated Happy New Year everyone! :hello:

Whoops - wrote a long post replying to all your comments, but lost it during a forced restart (hiccuping 'net connection). Quick reprise (as well as I can remember, lol):

Sun.A - Don't envy you snow around the house and slippery pavements; especially frustrating for MrSA - hope it's melting away by now!

Missrlr - Very sorry to hear Doglet had to spend a whole day at the vet's; do hope his treatment was successful and he's feeling happier and more comfortable now.

Chev - Have you decided what to do about the HR dragon? Not sure any advice from yours truly would be politic in your dilemma (am better at being SE than an employee). Would probably have parroted:
"I can't talk about this here, when shall I come to your office?" in answer to each of the woman's personal comments - but after three repetitions I'd have walked away - no matter how rude it appeared.

Bubbles - Special occasions are so poignant when someone important is missing, aren't they?
After years of doing Xmas lunch for large gatherings, I really enjoyed the couple of occasions when DH and I were by ourselves, after all the Divos became independent.
This past Xmas Muggins was only one of five chefs so there was much less work for each of us, thank goodness. It was a pleasure to include the unexpected guests - but am afraid I was careful to hide DH's favourite plate when the Wedgwood came out - nobody else was going to eat their dinner off that one!

Mcculloch - Thanks, you're right; people don't want to be 'brought down' at Xmas..
Divo Three said afterwards he hoped it hadn't been too hard, being part of a big social Xmas without DH - that was the only acknowledgement. It meant a lot.

Lucky - [STRIKE]Think it's time to follow your lead.. [/STRIKE]

Or maybe not..

*Robin*

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

Surprised?
Mmmm. Turns out that starting another diary was not the right thing for yours truly.. Several reasons, which would probably sound stupid so will just say Flying Solo feels like 'home', it hasn't yet hit 5000 posts, and I cannot claim to have achieved the goals intended when setting out.

This is the main sticking point:

*Robin* wrote:

It has been two and a half years since my Beloved-Other-Half had to leave this planet. Still miss his presence every day; am no-where near becoming a 'merry widow' yet.

Also no-where near becoming as financially savvy as I need to be, in order not to go broke [again] in whatever the number of my days turn out to be.

Here's a good example: Had been using a mobile dongle for the internet, but it was not robust enough to cope with DS4's scholastic requirements, so before Xmas a fixed connection was installed. Great success, although the bill was £35 more than advertised - because Muggins hadn't noticed that they sneakily don't include tax in their blurb. <sigh>
Meanwhile the dongle sat unused. Eventually braved the posh mall with it's poisonous chemical-scented air to visit Vod@fone's shop, intending to change the contract to pay-as-you-go. But was told I'd have to 'phone - given a three digit[?] number to call. Which didn't work. Took me until yesterday to find a proper number to get through to 'em on, from a non-Vod@fone chip - they really make that very difficult!
The girl was incredibly patient; if I've understood her correctly, there will only be one more DD going out at the end of the month (they charge to change the contract). The DD was higher than expected; she explained their prices had gone up, and they'd sent a text message to inform me at the time. Eh?
:mad: Their chip lives in a dongle; it can't get texts or make 'phone-calls (they used to charge a fixed sum for calls every month when I first got the thing, but the lady in the shop did sort that out for me).
Bottom line appears to be that not only have I wasted £45 on contract charges when the dongle wasn't plugged in, but Vod@fone have been taking £12 more via DD than was agreed to! Am still not sure how long that's been going on, because it comes out of the 'bills a/c'.
"But don't you check your statements?" ..can hear you all thinking. Ha - there aren't any (and that's a whole different story).

CD appears to be developing another infirmity; time for more reading and another visit to Dear Vet, alas..

Before then Van needs some attention. Have a sneaky suspicion the brake pads are worn through; better order some new ones so they're in stock when we go and see DV.

Clever Dog wants her lunch now, please.. :cool2:

please-let-me-be-lucky

I was surprised to see this thread pop up again, and more so that you were the most recent author! Totally get your reasoning though. Welcome home!

Hope you get all things dongle/phone/doggie related sorted, mainly the latter.

Lots of love Xx

Bubblesmum

Completely understand, and hope you gain comfort for being here,

I send doggy woofs as I am looking after a Cavapoo today whose only a puppy. (Cats not impressed!)

Sun_Addict

There's plenty of mileage in this diary yet Robin, wait until it feels right before you "move". Hope CD gets sorted.

grannyx2

Welcome home x

*Robin*

Hello Diary and MSE Friends, :hello:

Thanks for the welcome 'home', everyone. :T

Getting CD 'sorted' is proving erm, interesting. She is definitely not impressed by attempts to collect an early morning urine sample, which Dear Vet needs in addition to another set of bloods. You wouldn't think it could be difficult to shove a tray underneath a blind dog at the appropriate moment? Hmmpf. ..It's a shame there's nobody here to video our performance - must be hilarious to watch! :rotfl:

Yesterday CD learned to get in and out of the van without help - she hates being picked up and it doesn't do my back any good either - so this is a big step towards being able to take her further from the Nest more often.

Remember the two young mechanics who rescued me after DS3 left the van with a flat tyre? Am not certain I've diagnosed the current fault correctly, so CD and I visited their Boss while out on our 'training trip' last night. Am going back this evening when the lads will whip off the wheels and we can have a good look. Then I'll order the parts - which could save £180* if the problem isn't worn out brake shoes!
:think: *Dealer spares. Wondering whether there's enough life left in the ol' van to make it worth the expense? Pattern parts are roughly half price..

Spotted Manolo on the way back to the Nest, so picked up another half pallet of blocks. Now have more than enough to stop CD wandering off a cliff, and to make an experimental raised planting bed (for potatoes).

Spends:
Fuel - £55
Blocks - £15

Apologies for short post - stint of hard graft can't be put off; need to shift blocks before going back to the garage. No lads available, so better get on with it and hang the consequences! :cool: