The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

nursemaggie

GQ is brilliant too. If you honestly never use it, get rid of it. Get the biggest kitchen you can for the size of flat/house.

You need some storage space for, brooms, the hoover, buckets, ironing board etc. The top of the wardrobe will not do, unless you want the pile to reach the moon.

You definitely do not need bedding for a bed you don't have a room for. You will be surprised how much of this sort of thing you can get rid of.

You will never hoard even a thimble again. Get using your stash whether it is knitting or sewing.

Good luck it will be worth it.

Oh, a decent outlook is important you will be stuck in one room for a long time once you retire.

monnagran

Oh Hester. I could weep for you.
I can quite understand that you have both just had it up to here. If selling your home is the only option, please consider a two bedroom place. You will never be happy if you can't give free rein to your wonderfully creative talents and a spare room will make this possible.
As for getting a quart into an egg cup, it's easy. Forget sparks of joy, this is not a joyful process. You get rid of everything you neither want nor need, then you get rid of things you want but convince yourself you don't need, then you get rid of stuff you need but convince yourself you can manage without, then you move into your pint pot and fit in as much as you can, then the things that you can't squeeze in have to go.
Sorry if I sound bitter but I'm still coming to terms with all this.

Keep telling yourself that its only stuff. It won't love you back.

May the force be with you.

x

Hard_Up_Hester

Thanks Monna, I completely understand that you are still bitter, all this was forced upon you.
I do have options, I could stick it out as we are struggling to manage a 1 bed and may end up with a studio, so my stash has to go. We are still musing options and probably won't sell until end of this year, early next, but I need to start decluttering now.
I should be able to keep my crochet hooks but I think my sewing machine will be going, but as you say Monna it's only stuff, it can't love me back.
My darling hubby is still not really better, losing his mum hit him hard, he's not hard hearted and heartless like me. And the reshuffle at work will finish him of if I don't get him out of there.

Floss

Hester can you get your L&M to the GP? I think he may need more support than your love can provide. It wore me out supporting my DH when he lost his mum and his dad within 10 weeks, and he benefited from input from his GP supporting a period of reduced workload on a fit-note (work on reduced level - check it out as it may help).

Floss xx

Hard_Up_Hester

Hi Floss
I have tried/suggested/shouted, but no he flatly refuses to go.

camelot1001

Oh Hester, what a predicament. Your poor L&M must really be hurting inside and I'm sure he appreciates all your love and care but just can't see his way out at the moment.

I think monna has a point, you need somewhere for your wonderful creative talents and also for those lovely grandchildren to stay. Please take your time to find somewhere that is right for you.

Monna, my heart goes out to you too, I do hope you find peace very soon.

pollyanna_26

Dear Hester I really can't add to the advice already given today .
I do agree with Camelot to lose the crafting would not be a good idea but you are wise enough to consider all your options . Whatever you decide I will be thinking of you on Thursday , perhaps your husband may consider the doctor when you both are fully in the picture about work .
Meanwhile I truly wish the universe would send back to both you and Monna some of the love , selflessness and kindness you have both given freely over the years .
polly xx

ivyleaf

Sending huge (((HUGS))) to you Hester and monnagran xx

monnagran

So sorry, yesterday was a bad day but I have no justification for being bitter. I have a roof over my head, good health, a loving family and an army of wonderful friends so please ignore yesterday's post.

The one who really deserves our support now is Hester.
You have been on my mind ever since I read your post yesterday. I cannot imagine your feelings at this moment. You have every reason to be desperate to end the situation you and your DH find yourselves in. Tensions at work, family problems plus the appalling behaviour of the SS is enough to send anyone doolally.
I pray with every fibre of my being that a miracle happens and that you don't have to go through the trauma of giving up your home.
However, if miracles are thin on the ground and that is the only answer you know that we will all be there, rooting for you both.

What weather! Yesterday, like others, we had bright sunshine, strong winds, rain, hail, snow and a couple of thunderstorms. It's pretty chilly but the Sun is shining so far. I intend to spend today writing some of the letters that I have owed too many people for too long. So nothing too strenuous.

x

[Deleted User]

Is anyone else finding that Aldi produce is on the shelves with an increasingly short use by date? particularly packs of ham and cold meats? I shop there once a week and not always on the same day but whenever I have time to go in on the bus and I'm finding that when I go to use the cooked meat later in the week it's often gone out of date. I know I should read dates in the shop but I don't always have my glasses on and up to now have assumed the use by date would be OK, it always has in the past. I wonder if perhaps their increased customer base is ahead of their ordering system from producers? Their greengrocery is not keeping very well either, even He Who Knows who doesn't normally take notice of things like that has commented on it. I'm also finding that when opened the packs of ham often develop a dull greenish parch where before they would keep good for a few days in the fridge. Perhaps it's just my local branch but I'm on the verge of not using them any more as I'm throwing away too much of what comes from there.