Flying solo

*Robin*

Hello Diary and dear MSE Friends, :hello:

It's a beautiful day today; still and bright. It was yesterday too, but I had trouble appreciating it due to having a thick head which resisted several different painkillers - had to keep reminding myself that the migraines are not coming as often these days so I should appreciate this good fortune.

The day before yesterday I failed to get any papers sorted out because CD and I were having too much fun planting potatoes; it was a lovely afternoon after the wind dropped. She is funny - tries to help by digging holes for me but of course she doesn't get the spacing right and kicks soil all over the place! :rotfl:
I've just about run out of room on the potato terrace but still have some chitted spuds. There is plenty more space to make another bed but it will mean starting from scratch, so a strong Lad's assistance would be useful.

The snow-birthday-party people have returned; Mountain scored one broken bone on their very last run.. At least there's a well-equipped clinic at the resort, so the casualty was sorted out quickly. He'll be in plaster for a month - but still said it was a fantastic weekend!

NewLeaf wrote: »

I have a garden of 30 ft wide by 70 ft long.

That's good fortune in the middle of London (PC's flat only has window-boxes and a very scrubby over-used communal 'garden' ).

NewLeaf wrote: »

We grow everything you can imagine sometimes with success sometimes not. I have loads of tomato seeds, beefsteak, yellows, piccolinos, probably about 15 varieties.

How wonderful - you are a fellow tomato aficionado! Am no expert so had to look up piccolinos - found a trader with some very unusual varieties:

http://www.readytogrow.co.uk/index_pages/tomato.html

..Fancy doing some seed sharing? DIL1 gave me a few Tigerella plants a couple of years ago [wasn't over impressed although they made good gazpacho] but would love to try Black Cherry, Lollipop, Orange Banana, Snow White.. gosh I could choose a dozen at least and fill every fallow corner in the garden with a forest of tomato canes! :rotfl:

NewLeaf wrote: »

This year our zucchini didn't turn out which was a real bummer for me because I love it. X

Umm, zucchini - that's what I'd call a courgette, right? Yummy. Did well with those a couple of years ago - planted 'em into freshly manured ground and they went bonkers - kept trying to turn into marrows, lol. Must have harvested about fifty fruit off each vine. For weeks, every visitor left with a bagful as we couldn't eat 'em fast enough!
But last year [if I recall correctly] there was a long spell of rain in the UK at the time the plants wanted sun. And without dry days there would have been few bees pollinating any flowers that did form - so hardly surprising your zucchini plants didn't do well last year. ..Fingers crossed for a dryer spring in the UK in '13, eh?

dorothy52 wrote:

Oooooooh Robin and NL aren't you clever - growing your own fruit and veg!

Clever? More frugal and interested in taste and wholesomeness than clever, I think! Also believe that it's good for one's soul to get close to the earth and grow at least some of the food one consumes. I expect NL finds tending her garden a wonderful antidote to the stresses of her professional life, and C21-city-living. :cool:

dorothy52 wrote:

Mr Dot bought me a greenhouse for my 50th birthday - I was bemused to say the least as I had hitherto never shown any interest at all in gardening, yet it has become my best friend over the ensuing years.

What a lovely useful half-century gift - Mr Dot obviously knows you very well to think of something that you would enjoy in the future (as opposed to copping out with jewellery or the offer of a cruise, lol).

dorothy52 wrote:

I have gradually dug borders around all the lawns (I too have a big garden) and have spent many happy an hour tending my seedlings and planting them out. There really is no excuse for me not growing vegetables, particularly as supermarket bought ones taste so bland and I do love me veg. Methinks you ladies will have to mentor me. I have a 'hidden' garden next to the green house and compost area which can easily be turned into a vegetable garden and the sound of your new potatoes, Robin, is literally making my mouth water.

Aha, do I hear the birth of a new enthusiasm, Dot? Sounds like you've got the ideal space to extend your gardening activities with some veg. :T
Absolutely agree with you; supermarket veg in the UK is so disappointing after you've tasted freshly picked home-grown..
I tried to get an allotment near the UK house as unfortunately it only has a small decorative garden, but there is so much demand that the waiting lists were closed at all three allotments within reach.

dorothy52 wrote:

Re the nice young man who is going to sort out PC's death duties. We msers are so keen to save money where we can, and we are so resourceful, yet we must acknowledge that some things are worth spending money on to provide us with peace of mind, In this instance, I feel that it will be money well spent.

Yes, you're right. Am just a little concerned that I'll be contributing to the cost of his firm's premium UK post-code - where everyone who walks through their office door will be far, far richer than I am - so his idea of reasonable recompense is likely to have more noughts on the end of the number than I'm going to feel happy about!
Anyway, the first two sessions are free and without obligation, and he's even willing to come here rather than make me exhaust myself by driving to/in the city.

Despite feeling rough yesterday it wasn't an NSD; the insurance on both UK places was due so I renewed over the 'phone. Very impressed with the total bill which was under £300 - excellent for 'premium cover'.

BD has decided that one of our Household Rules for Daft Dogs no longer applies to him. The rule is: Only food found on the floor belongs to Dogs. In bygone years when the kids tended to fling/drop their dinner it was a very useful rule - stopped me slipping over on blobs of porridge or mash many a time, I've no doubt.
BD's logic seems to be that now he can no longer see the floor, he doesn't know whether whatever tasty morsel he can smell is on it or not, therefore anything within reach is fair game.
..Last night I was watching telly with my dinner on the desk next to me, when I suddenly realised it was creeping towards the edge.. BD's jaws were clamped on the plate rim as he slowly moved backwards - had to laugh when I found myself wrestling with him over a plate of bacon and garlic salad! :rotfl:
(I won - BD let go as soon as he was told to; my dinner survived and was delicious [home-grown garlic and lettuce]! ).

NewLeaf_2

Yes Robin Let's seed share.. I love gazpacho it is my fav soup

*Robin*

NewLeaf wrote: »

Yes Robin Let's seed share..

Aha, cross-posted, NL! Ok

NewLeaf wrote: »

I love gazpacho it is my fav soup

Snap!
..One of my small ambitions is to grow it (except the flour for the bread which isn't realistic here). As we've got a well and olive trees, I'd love to be able to prepare gazpacho entirely with ingredients collected from within a hundred metres of the dining table.

RL calls - FD is barking to remind me that her lunchtime is more interesting than PC's box.

*Robin*

'Morning Diary and dear friends, :hello:

Well. Today I find myself in the position that all of us MSEers are seeking. I should be elated. Maybe contemplating an inadvisable splurge.
Instead I've got a thick head [again] and feel like a nervous horse; shying away from the responsibility of being personally solvent for the first time in many years.
Yes, the unexpected bequest has arrived in [STRIKE]my[/STRIKE] PC's Death Duties savings a/c. It looks impressive until I remember that effectively, whatever is left once the DDuties are paid is my pension fund.
How long will I last?
Am desperately missing PC today - he'd be chivvying me to get ready to go into town and buy a Financial Times if he were here. Then he'd lose himself in pages of calculations, before announcing - well, pretending to discuss his decision - as to where this windfall should be placed to earn the best interest and do the most good.
I haven't a clue.

NewLeaf_2

Babe any change good or bad is scary. The best thing to do in moments like these is just be in the moment, don't make any serious decisions, just pay off the bills and sit and have a getting used to it period.

sending you all love and hugs xx

dorothy52

New Leaf is absolutely right, Robin. I am so happy for you re your windfall, however it clearly is highlighting to you how much you miss PC. I really do feel for you, my love, as change is quite frightening at times. Best do as NL advised, just sit on it for a while until you feel ready to make a decision. Don't underestimate yourself though, you didn't think you could deal with THEM and yet you did.

Wonderful resources on MSE re investments - you should have a look. You might be a bit lonely though as all your friends on here won't be able to join you:rotfl:.

I feel quite sure you will be back to your old self soon, and as regards how long do we have left? Well, that's the question isn't it? Would we be relieved or horrified if we could all predict our date of departure? I have told the children that I intend to be around for a very very long time so that I can morph into an eccentric old lady who will dance on the tables at my grandchildrens weddings, get drunk and generally show them up. Let's hope I can eh?:o

*Robin*

Hello Diary and dear, wise MSE friends, :smileyhea

Thank you very much for your comments, NewLeaf and Dot; wise words delivered at the right time, which did much to allay my panic.

NewLeaf wrote:

Babe any change good or bad is scary. The best thing to do in moments like these is just be in the moment, don't make any serious decisions, just pay off the bills and sit and have a getting used to it period.

dorothy52 wrote: »

Wonderful resources on MSE re investments - you should have a look. You might be a bit lonely though as all your friends on here won't be able to join you :rotfl:

I have been looking, and will keep doing so until the problem is solved. The normal bills are covered in my budget so don't have to worry about them.
A cash ISA is a good start - am rather expecting the bank to get in touch with their suggestions when they notice the new balance in the a/c.
Meanwhile it gave me great pleasure to pass on a contribution to several worthy causes yesterday, from the funds that no longer need setting aside for PC's Death Duties.

dorothy52 wrote: »

I feel quite sure you will be back to your old self soon, and as regards how long do we have left? Well, that's the question isn't it? Would we be relieved or horrified if we could all predict our date of departure?

Hmm, well if everyone knew the number of their days this world would be a very different place!
Sorry for being so down yesterday. Just goes to show, money certainly isn't the answer (not for me anyway :rotfl:).

Had an :eek: moment while taking a siesta (due to thick head n' meds). As conciousness rose I heard PCD crying quietly but continuously. Feeling dread, thinking "is this it?" I rushed outside - to discover that her bed had blown right across the patio in the wind, and landed on top of her! Once released she stopped crying and even performed a stiff little dance for me which was reassuring, but it's a bit worrying that she didn't get out from beneath a light foam mattress by herself.

Today's conundrum: Robin is a baad Granny - forgot to order a birthday gift for DGD in good time. So will have to brave the shopping centre and try to find something she'd like. :think: Have absolutely no ideas at all, so any suggestions for a nine year old girl would be gratefully appreciated.

NewLeaf_2

glad you are feeling a bit better today, I have no suggestions for a 9 year old girl. Do girls still play with dolls.. I am really out of touch

HeadAboveWater

*Robin* wrote: »

Meanwhile it gave me great pleasure to pass on a contribution to several worthy causes yesterday, from the funds that no longer need setting aside for PC's Death Duties.

Sorry for being so down yesterday. Just goes to show, money certainly isn't the answer (not for me anyway :rotfl:).

We all have our 'moments' so no apology necessary. And no, money isn't the answer! (thankfully! :rotfl:)

...but it's a little worrying that she didn't get out from beneath a light foam mattress by herself.

That is rather worrying. Maybe just disorientated by the whole thing??

Today's conundrum: Robin is a baad Granny - forgot to order a birthday gift for DGD in good time. So will have to brave the shopping centre and try to find something she'd like. :think: Have absolutely no ideas at all, so any suggestions for a nine year old girl would be gratefully appreciated.

9yo? Ummmm well my (almost!) 7 year old niece does love all dolls Disney How about, for eg. Tangled DVD with Rapunzel doll, or Brave DVD with Merida doll? (or whichever one is the latest out!!)

My niece also loves lego - even more so the pink lego!!

Does she like to read? Draw? Colour? Puzzles? Sing? Dance? Jigsaws?

Mara_uk7

If shes like my neices of that age, a top-up for her mobile phone !