The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

nursemaggie

Well what a difference on weather. Wind so bad DS told it to F off because where ever he but his hair it blew it in his face. I put mine up and it was all down by the time we reached the end of the street.

Been very wet again yesterday and today. Does not look good for tomorrow either. I went out in my winter coat again. Was not that warm in it either and it is fur lined. Only fake stuff.

Elona take care of yourself. Let the family do some things. A good big shop at Ald! today will last a few things. Ran out of space for the vegatables. Would be nice to have a ventilated cupboard.

Popperwell

Bank holiday weather here seemed fairly decent.

Today it was my friend's birthday. He received around 20 birthday cards(seven at the music club)which included a big one signed by everyone in the audience.

My planned gifts were superseded so I'll have to think again...he received some train DVD's(he likes trains)a CD of Elvis(he loves Elvis)a big clock that opens like a cuckoo clock but has a kind of night watchman and below a little train runs around on the hour and disappears into a kind of mountain cavern.

I was included in a small tea and then his Mum had a buffet at the music club. There was decent act on(every week is good)but this was an arranged night with a specific artist rather than an open mike night.

The club sang Happy Birthday and he was given a mention by the act.

Simple acts of kindness mean the most.

I may like my own company but its good to get out and have a little bit of socialising where you feel part of the community and as one of you said earlier when I mention the bingo nights. Its not the winning that matters just getting a little chat and sharing time with someone.

I'm back on the clearing of the house again and that's going well. A bag at a time(I'll take some more clothes of Mum's to a charity shop)not much remains. And at least the bags are in a cupboard so I can do one at a time. And rooms are clear.

I was going to set the wheels in motion on financial things that need sorting but I'll start next week and go easy, after all this week is nearly over now.

And I know from personal circumstances and what is posted here what is important in our lives. I always have but I do believe that if I didn't, I would now. Take Care All x

Popperwell

You know me...in some ways I should've waited before buying items I thought I needed but I did so while I thought I could afford to buy and times were tough in the future, some items I used the make and mend principle because they still work and they won't be thrown away until they give up the ghost.


I have a kettle upstairs for when I am in my kind of bedsit and one in the kitchen for use there and when I want a drink whilst watching TV in the lounge. Both were quite inexpensive and are rapid boilers. Usually, I don't fill them much so they really do boil quickly and after all there's only me.


I'm thinking I may go back to putting spare boiled water into a flask so I don't need to boil a kettle every time I want a hot drink and my flasks often stay hot for 8-12 hours. It saves energy.


However, a friend has one of those kettles that boil water for one cup extremely quickly. Does anyone use one of those? Are they any quicker or better at saving energy than using an ordinary kettle sensibly?


Its just that Aldi have a special buy offer on one with a three years guarantee and whilst these are usually expensive, their model is only around £22. Do you think its an un-necessary gadget?


I appreciate such opinions are mainly personal and some will think its a good idea, others not so...

Jazee

Pops - we have the one cup thingies. Have had for years now, we're on our second one. I still have a kettle for boiling larger quantities but wouldn't be without the one cup thingy. Really quick and uses less power.

I have a day off today for hosp appts so really should get moving.

Have a great day everyone.

Nargleblast

Popperwell - it is important for us to be comfortable and content in our own company, it is not necessary to be out and about every day or night. Sometimes we need to be alone and be like a child sitting on a doorstep picking mindlessly at a scab on his knee. Don't feel you have to make excuses for those times you go to bed with a book or the radio, it is your life so why not? I think you have the balance right, you get out some days and meet up with friends some evenings, so there is variety in your routine.

The kettle - good idea. A one cup kettle is ideal for someone living alone.

FairyPrincessk

Just a quick pop in--it is rainy and blowy today and I need to go into town for a few things, including getting a few alterations on my dress. Oh well. OH has finally started to slowly improve, he seemed more like himself on Monday, but still quite poorly. He still coughs and has a stuffy head and sleeps a lot, but he isn't dragging around as much so I think he is on the mend at last. Fortunately work is quiet for him this week so he is still getting home early and getting early nights. I've ramped up my revisions for the coming two weeks, and will bring some material into town in the event I need to wait for something. I guess there isn't much OS to report. I have lettuce, radish and a few spinach seedlings in the garden, the courgette plants have their first true leaves and it is still cooking from scratch.

Pops I don't know much about the one-cuppers, but others seem to swear by them.


Hugs to all who need them, especially you Elona.x

kezlou

Elona great to hear everything's running smoothly, please remember to take some time out for yourself. Even if its just a cuppa

pops aww how sweet if the band to sing happy birthday to him.
Not sure of the one cup kettle things myself sorry can't recommend.

It has been awful here constant howling wind and rain. Today supposed to be dry, clothes are now soaking on the line :mad: As you can tell i've given up on the drying.


Nothing wrong with having time to yourself, its just what you need sometimes. I know i enjoy snuggled under a duvet with a hot cuppa and book in my hand. Maybe even carole king in the background, perfect

FairyPrincessk

All of my errands are done now, and I've come back home sporting that oh-so-chic spring look known as 'drowned rat.' All the best people seemed to be wearing it in town.:rotfl:

OH has a friend in town who lives overseas so is meeting him after work. I'm planning to change out of my drowned rat finery and curl up with revision notes and maybe a nice hot chocolate.:D

Kez it is nice to see you, I hope all (except the soggy washing!) is going well.

Popperwell

Well, just perhaps I may look at that one cup kettle esp as the "Price seems right!" and again whilst I am able. I know some tough decisions are coming financially but I'm living for this moment.


I do tend to look at larger purchases like £22 for the kettle by comparing that I could be spending £50 a year on milk. Or across the year its not even 1p per day. Then it doesn't look extravagant:p


So right about the duvet/taking it easy days and not going out at every opportunity. If I can feel comfortable staying in and not think deeply about matters I know all is well. Agree about music and good call about Carol King of which we must include all the music she and her then husband wrote for so many others.


Hope those poorly or with poorly partners see things improving and those with life changing situations see a way forward through the dark times.


Another acquaintance here is back in hospital again(third or fourth time)in approx. fourteen days. They keep sending him home and then within days they take him back in again. Double pneumonia but lots of other issues(age for one)COPD too. Scary times for anyone. Staying at the same hospitals(in a community one now)that my other friend was.


That friend and his father are having to travel for tests and operations etc...virtually weekly to a larger hospital that is approx. 35 miles away which being ill and older is quite a trek. Some issues could be done 7 miles away but the work(because of the expertise/speciality of staff)have been transferred there and if the outcome is hopefully good then so be it.

FairyPrincessk

Morning all,

Elona I hope you've found some pall bearers, and hiring in a cleaning service is such a good idea, less for you to worry about.

I did treat myself to some lunch while I was out yesterday, then spent the evening with regrets. Since OH was out for dinner I thought I'd just get myself a nice lunch and then have the leftover quiche for tea, but the best laid plans... As all I'd had that afternoon was a hot chocolate, I'm almost certain it was the lunch that gave me food poisoning. The timing was about right as well. I managed to distract myself through the worst of it by posting on the forums and watching the new ITV drama, Home Fires. Fortunately I seem to have cleared it from my system as I slept well last night. I've had a bit of toast this morning, but will do my revision from bed this morning with a big jug of water next to me to help with the dehydration. Not sure I'll be up for the quiche by lunch time so it might be another round of toast and a banana. That'll teach me to spend money on eating out, I wish I'd just had my quiche for lunch and cooked myself some pasta for tea. :rotfl:

Has anyone else watched Home Fires? I'm not sure it is exactly high quality drama, but it was a nice bit of escapism. It isn't often you get to see a maslin pan at work in prime time television.

I'm not sure what tea is tonight. I'll have to decide by lunch time as two of the meals need something defrosting. I might go with the tuna steaks as that seems the most bland off the menu plan.

Hugs to all who need them.x