Simple living in the country - back to basics

Cheery_Daff

Fortune_Smiles said:

❄ We have snow on the hills here this morning Cheery ❄

I love that Cheery Dog has his own hot water bottle 💕 Do you think father-in-law has been struggling to cope with pooch recently?  I think you said he was considering a holiday when he was well enough and I wondered if that was a way of delaying having the dog back?  Will you keep him?  He seems to be becoming part of the family.

Mr F and I were talking on our walk with FDawg this morning.  It was cold and wet and, without a dog, I doubt whether we would have ventured out for a walk.  We walk for 45 minutes every morning before work and we feel it does us a lot of good - physically and mentally.  At the moment I'm on the look out for snowdrops.  We have a lot here and they usually appear early to mid-February but, as it's been so mild this winter, they may appear earlier.  I love to see the different wildflowers appearing throughout the year.  Such a cheerful procession.

Fortune x

There are a quite few issues going on with FIL that I won't share here 🙄 but he adores the dog and wants him back as soon as possible. We certainly won't be keeping him. Much of the burden of looking after him is falling to me, and I suspect that's a pattern that would continue - and I have enough responsibilities as it is. 

Mr Cheery will be installing a dog flap at the weekend so he'll have access to outside without FIL having to get up. Bit of a palaver as it's a PVC door with the letter box at the bottom. The dog has never been taken for regular walks, and not always had access to the garden 🙄 so this is important. 

So yes, we're getting more used to him being here, and he's not quite so objectionable now we're getting to know him, but he's definitely going back. If the worst happened and FIL couldn't take him back permanently, I'd be finding a new home for him, not offering to keep him here, harsh as that sounds.

I will try to get back in my habit of regular walks once he's gone though.

Baileys_Babe

Could FIL get a dog walker?

Fortune_Smiles

Cheery_Daff said:

Much of the burden of looking after him is falling to me, and I suspect that's a pattern that would continue - and I have enough responsibilities as it is. 

Completely understand Cheery - I did struggle when Mr F was travelling so much and dog care fell solely to me and that's without a full time job to fit in 😲

Fortune x

joedenise

There's a sweet potato, chickpea and spinach curry on the Jamie O website @starnac; suspect it'll be very similar to what @Cheery_Daff is doing!

Cheery_Daff

Baileys_Babe said:

Could FIL get a dog walker?

It's a good suggestion BB, thabk you - other support for him is more of a priority at the minute though, and dog flap is the best solution, short term at least. 

Day has descended into grumpiness sadly 🙄 The piece of work I'm doing is difficult,  Mr Cheery was still in bed at 12 so I got him up, briefly complained about my work, and we ended up in one of those ludicrous squabbles where neither of you really knows what you're squabbling about 🙄

Anyway, the upshot is that he has actually taken the dog for a walk, so not all bad I suppose. Although it might be better if I wasn't sat here crying into my dinner! Oh dear!!

Might need to start today over again!

(My frittata is tasty though 😂)

Fortune_Smiles

Not surprised you're feeling a tad emotional Cheery - it's all the stress of the last year catching up with you and some further challenges coming up just when you thought you could relax.  Isn't that always the way.  Just be aware of what you need right now and be kind to yourself.  Remember - you can't pour from an empty pot.

Fortune x

themadvix

Sending hugs Cheery! Hope dog walk calms Mr C down and your lunch helps you feel better too. 

Cheery_Daff

You're right of course xx I've been trying to top myself up, I promise! One step forwards, two steps back at the minute 🙄

Mr Cheery's gone out now, so I'm trying to calm myself down enough to get back to the onerous and difficult task I was meant to be getting with earlier. Easier said than done in this state! At least the dog has stopped pathering about and is lying down 🙄

beanielou

 The dog has their own hot water bottle!
Don't tell Miss S!

beanielou

Sorry to hear that you feel all over the place.
TRy to take care of you  xx