the hedgehog's balloons.

the_cross_rabbit

Still mizzling here, roll on the weekend when its supposed to cheer up. Only mad dashes to the allotment to water the greenhouses and harvest veggies for tea. We really need to use up whats in the freezer as I feel we are on the cusp of the glut and will need the room. I can only hide so much courgette in food before the kids twig on what the green substance is in the cookies etc or the red stuff (beetroot)is in the brownies etc. Broad bean season has finished and we have swiftly moved onto french beans and beetroots. I've been looking into gardening by the moon's phases which may or may not be hokum, but I'm intrigued enough to give it a go especially since all my cauliflower seedlings failed to thrive which I put down to duff compost as several other things didn't flourish. 
Need to go to the local bike shop as my back tyre that is supposed to have a self sealing inner tube is in denial and is as flat as a pancake. I was on my way home from the allotment, loaded up with loads of veggies etc and it just went. Discovered that the bike pump had been removed from my bags (grrrrrr) so had to phone the hubbster to come and get me. Not the best time for it to happen as I was desperate for the loo, the lovely hubbster had to walk it back home in the pouring rain. My HERO. Although I suspect it was him who removed the pump from my bags so maybe justice. 
DD2 has been very busy over the last couple of days, she's made shortbread and rice pudding. 2 things I don't eat so good for my waistline or at least thats what I keep telling myself.
Went shopping Tuesday, a few more people in masks but not many, although none with the weird just over their mouth thing. Managed to bag quite a few bargins as went in the afternoon for a change, round about the time they start reducing stuff, lots of veggie burgers, bread and something else reduced that I can't remember. Spent more than planned but the y/s stuff will keep us going for about 2 months. Boxes delivered today and the hubbster got up and saw to it, think he's either trying for hero of the week award, he's just plain bored or he's after something. 
Sent an email to the local authoritiy home education department to decline their kind offer of a chat about DD2 and that I was more than happy to corresponded via email and would sent them a report if they wanted one. Will wait and see what they say.
Other than that not alot else other than a TT £6.11 
SPENDS
£140.56 (shopping lots of y/s)
£33.45 (box delivery)
POSITIVES
1) Broad bean season is over
2) Currant shrub is hiding in a cool dark place
3) Decent weather is on the horizon
Hope you are all well and staying safe
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

Be careful out there people, there’s a strange golden orb in the sky radiating heat🌝
CRx

themadvix

😂😂 thanks for the warning!!

the_cross_rabbit

What a day yesterday was. I had a phone cal from FIL saying we'd had a difference of opinion and he needed to come and speak to us about it as the hubbster had not responded to his note. Was a bit suprised as I was not aware of the difference or the note. The hubbster felt I'd got enough to deal with at the moment and didn't need any additional stress, obviously stress levels hit the roof and hellfire and brimstone rained down.  Basically they are very upset over the decisions we've made lately in response to Covid and felt we were denying them accesses to us. Pretty sure their arms/legs are not broken and they could ring us or come to us for a change or the fact that the hubbster was going up twice a week until recently but due to hayfever combined with weather we've not been up lately. Massive issue with the fact DD2 had been to my mums which happened because we were all almost on our knees with dealing with her rollcaster behaviour. The fact the kids hadn't been up, hmmm yes its been raining they don't want to sit outside. Basically what it balls down to is that MIL condition is getting worse and she gets totally irrational at times and FIL is struggling and needs help. They didn't help their case by then suggesting to DD1 to convince us to go for brunch, which fell flat on its face as DD1 agrees with our approach to it all. Anyway he came round and I tried to be  empathic/understanding and I simply asked 'is the real problem that you need us to help?'. Which it was but still had to go over the above. We' ve both not slept well and today both the hubbster and I feel although there was one very minor thing that yes they had a valid arguement, the rest was their inability to see the wood for the trees and are yet again attempting to manpiulate the situation because they are not getting what they want. No consideration that the hubbster is asthmatic, all about them and their mental health and how they don't know how much longer they've got and they will take their chances getting it. On a more positive note my dad bless him got major brownie points, I phoned him and after I told him what had happened I thanked him and his wife for respecting our decisions and that I know how hard its been but we were really grateful. 
After a trip to the allotment and getting my anger out the way, pulled hubbsters head out the sand we went round, sat outside and exchanged news etc. No point dwelling on it, we've been down this road many times, over various issues and sand does not help. We'll continue on our path and they either join us (more than happy for them to visit us) or they will have a very bumpy  ride .
So other than the family drama DD2 made bread, flapjack and parkin yesterday. She's getting really good at this baking lark, not bake off standard but good enough.
SPENDS
£8.60 
POSITIVES
1) My side of the family rock
2) A thoughtful but sometimes misguided hubbster
3) DD2's baking
Take care everyone 
CRx 

teapot2

Families eh.  Hope you have a more peaceful Sunday

Karmacat

You had good boundaries there, crossrabbit!  Well done you - fancy being able to name the subtext and not have it all go haywire even more.  There's a blog I read called Captain Awkward (as in, "give back the awkward") who deals with this sort of thing, and I'd be lost without her.  And her pictures of cats of course  ...  

Great to hear that your family rock

the_cross_rabbit

hi teapot2 i think you summed it up in one sentance there. 
Karmacat I'm intrigued about the blog you follow so will have look it up. It could of got very messy especially as the hubbster was incensed by it all. I've learnt over the years how to handle him and his family and sometimes people just need you to validate (not sure if thats the word I'm thinking of but it will do) their feelings which often diffuses the situation so you can talk rather than sling accusations at each other. I've been waiting for the latest drama to occur as we've not been in the firing line for awhile. I think what surprised me so much was the tone of the letter as FIL is usually very good at expressing himself and very diplomatic, but I guess stress can alter how we see and respond to things.
Anyway that was Friday and Satursday's problem and sorted for now. We have more important things to be concerned about, the hubbster's company has told everyone, that staff who maybe marked for the chop will be notfied by the end of the month and will begin the consultantion process. Oh joy. We've decided that after DD1's birthday next weekend we need to sit down and come up with a plan if he is earmarked to go. Already started laying the foundations for me to return to work and him stopping at home. This is mainly as his field of work is quite specfic and the whole industry is struggling and probably won't be hiring for sometime. Were as me I from a caring background and will probably be able to get a job quicker than he would. The thought of going back to work after been DD2 carer for so long  brings up very mixed emotions, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Other exciting news is I've ordered 3 new freezer basket fronts and front flap as ours are broken........... 
SPENDS
79p tomatoes (i restrained myself from buying ice creams and lollies)
£64.95 replacement bits and pieces for the freezers
POSITIVES
1) Fronts and flaps ordered finally, only taken me 2 years.
2) Had a lovely walk with Miss Giddychops and DD2
3) Remembering we have ice cream in the freezer just as I was eyeing up lollies at the shop.
Hope your all enjoying the sunshine (and applied sunscreen)
CRx

Karmacat

I hope it all works out well on the work front, CR.

The blog is slightly weird sometimes - she's a screenwriter and lecturer who lives in .... Chicago?  and some of the very exacting discussions about ethics in polyamory, say, go over my head, but even they are fascinating.  For boundaries in relation to families, she's hard to beat, for me

the_cross_rabbit

I met up with a friend to go for a walk which was great felt amazing and less stressed after we swapped gossip, had a good moan and best of all good old belly laughs.
However when I got home it apppeared that just when you think you've dealt with one family drama another pops up and bops you on the nose. I partly blame myself as I didn't put 2 and 2 together due to other issues taking up space in my already overcrowded brain. Mum (in our support bubble) decided she would go out with my auntie (who doesn't drive) for a nice drive and go for breakfast at their favourite cafe. She told me and I never twigged on until the hubbster pointed out that she now had extended the bubble by additional 10 people as my auntie and uncle have been having their surragate grandaughter over for asleepovers. We ended up debate most of yesterday as to what to do and it pushed the hubbster to admit that he was concerned due to having asthma. We are desperate for DD2 to go for a sleepover so we can have a short break and know by cancelling we would potential suffer a major backlash from DD2 by limiting her access to my mum. She was also due to do cooking today with her. Anyway we decided that the hubbster's health is more important and that we are not ready to have people coming into the house especially as DD2 would not be able to stop herself from cuddling etc. We will just have to weather the storm and hopefully things will improve and we will feel more confident about the whole issue in the coming weeks. So with a very heavy heart we had to tell my mum she can't come into the house for the forseeable future(except for a wee). She was very understanding and like me didn't think it through properly. After a couple of hours DD2 was resided to the fact this is happening. Suggested they go out for a walk and a picnic instead today so they can maintain contact. 
On a more positive but expensive note DD1 and I went shopping for birthday goodies for the weekend. As she is 18 she decided she wants cocktails and seeing the family over the weekend (all socially distanced in gardens and people bringing their own food). She's hoping to meet up with friends next week. So birthday celebrations start on friday with my family and end on sunday with the hubbster's family. Queue multiple cake baking. Think I need to go for a nana nap as I've got a dreadful headache will finish post later.
CRx

themadvix

Oh what a pain (if unintentionally so) about your Mum. Can she do a fortnight of 'isolation' and then be re-admitted to your bubble? I think you're wise (and it's reassuring to me that some other people are still following the rules!). It will be interesting to see what happens to the numbers once compulsory masks come into force. It won't stop stupidity, but if it's as helpful as they suggest, then hopefully numbers will continue to come down.

It sounds like DD1 is making the most she can of a lockdown 18th - good for her!

Hope you're feeling better soon x