Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

Sun_Addict

Glad you got some snowdrops as a keepsake. It will be better for you when the house sale has gone through and you don’t need to keep going back xx

milann

I’ve got some montbretia from my friends garden. He gave me them best part of 30 years ago just before he passed away - they’ve spread and flower right along the back of my garden - I think of this friend every time they flower - I still miss him but smile when the flowers appear. I don’t care which flowers die off in my garden as long as these don’t. If I ever move I’ll be taking some with me.

elizabethhull

How lovely to hear of so many people keeping snowdrops (and other plants) as remembrances of loved ones.

Onebrokelady

Glad to see you managed to get some snowdrops from your mums garden Hairy 😊

badmemory

I had some plants from my mother's house before she had to go into a care home.  I don't know what they are but they have very glossy leaves almost like some forms of cactus do - they aren't though.  But they have gone from a very small patch trying to fill a rather big hole to actually filling the hole & not letting any weeds through & spreading beautifully.  A friend suggested I should get rid of them & put back the small flags they were replacing - he IS still alive honest.  I've even removed another couple of flags!  Hopefully they won't need any encouragement as my thumb is definitely not green!

HairyHandofDartmoor

There is something lovely about having plants that used to belong to a loved one. Maybe it's because they are living things.

I didnt' have a great start to the day as we had a message from DS3 to say he is feverish and feeling unwell 😱. We immediately thought of coronavirus 😱 so told him to ring the NHS 111 number. They told him to get a doctors appointment within 24 hours. He managed to see the doctor this morning but I felt really worried until he'd seen the doctor . Anway it sounds like they took a mouth swab. The nurse said his body is fighting a virus and he does have a slight temperature, but she said his oxygen levels are good, he's not short of breath and she doesn't think he has coronavirus. There are two ordinary viruses going around the campus at the moment so he's probably caught one of those. However as I didn't get the result of the doctor's visit until after my lunchtime job I was worried all morning.

Then DH collected me after lunch and we went straight to Mum's house to pick up a few final items because someone is coming with a van to start clearing the house tomorrow. I felt very sad thinking that I will probably never go to the house again, because although it's a house that is looking emptier and emptier inside, my Mum had many happy years there and I feel like part of her spirit is still there .  Anyway I can't stop stepdad selling it and I can't afford to buy it so that's that .

At least I have many items to remind me of my Mum and some of the ones that are giving me the most pleasure at the moment are the kitchen items, like some tea and coffee canisters and some glass pasta/rice storage jars. Using the everyday items that my Mum used to use in the kitchen makes me feel closer to her as I have very clear memories of her using those things. There is something so normal and homely about the act of making tea or coffee and cooking.

Anyway school was fine (apart from being worried about DS3) and it was a lovely sunny day. I've put a wash on, hung up some wet washing and folded up some clean washing since getting home. Now I want to relax . I feel a bit weird because of what's been happening today, so I think I'll read an Agatha Christie book now to help me feel more normal. I've been re-reading my entire Agatha Christie collection and I've been finding it quite comforting .

I hope everyone is having a good Tuesday .

milann

Sorry to hear that DS is unwell. It’s a worrying time re the virus but from what I can gather it’s the folk with weaker systems that it’s most worrying to - a mild flu for the rest of us. Enjoy your book - hope it helps you relax 🤞

Sunshine_girl2

Glad DS3 got to see the doctor , a relief for you I guess. It's so lovely that you have got stuff from your mums garden and home surrounding you , it's what she would have wanted. I use a much loved great aunts casserole dish and baking things , they remind me of the times we spent in her kitchen. 

Hope the book has done the trick. 

elizabethhull

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

I didnt' have a great start to the day as we had a message from DS3 to say he is feverish and feeling unwell 😱. 

Then DH collected me after lunch and we went straight to Mum's house to pick up a few final items because someone is coming with a van to start clearing the house tomorrow. I felt very sad thinking that I will probably never go to the house again, because although it's a house that is looking emptier and emptier inside, my Mum had many happy years there and I feel like part of her spirit is still there .  Anyway I can't stop stepdad selling it and I can't afford to buy it so that's that .
....... Using the everyday items that my Mum used to use in the kitchen makes me feel closer to her as I have very clear memories of her using those things. There is something so normal and homely about the act of making tea or coffee and cooking.

...so I think I'll read an Agatha Christie book now to help me feel more normal. I've been re-reading my entire Agatha Christie collection and I've been finding it quite comforting .

Sorry to hear you've had the worry about DS3. I'm very blase about myself, but I would definitely worry abut a child, even an adult one.

I have my parent's butter knife, which I use a lot - you're right it's often the little things that make you feel comforted.

Another Agatha Christie fan here too. I have all her mysteries plus a couple of her writing as Mary Westmacott.  'Absent in the Spring' is particularly well-written.

teafor2

Hi HHD I think Coronavirus is immediately going to spring to mind when anybody is showing flu like symptoms. Good to hear the nurse doesn't think it's anything to worry about though.  It's lovely to read you're taking lots of comfort from having your Mum's things around you. Have a good day at school. I bet there's lots of hand washing and singing Happy Birthday going on at the moment isn't there. xx