In the Meantime

HairyHandofDartmoor

I agree that big life changes should not be made when grieving. Stick to your plan of buying a permanent home and find your equilibrium and then you can ponder further plans from a good place.

beanielou

Good friends are like wee angels.

doingitanyway

Thanks @beanielou and @another_casualty I would be completely stuck without my friends. Plus life would be less fun   Since life has been difficult it has been clear who is there for me and who isn't. I prize loyalty so it will not be forgotten.

Thanks @MovingForwards, @savingholmes and @HairyHandofDartmoor thanks for your concern. I must have worded my post poorly. I still intend on buying somewhere permanent, the travel plans would be now, if not for lockdown...in other words, not at all...

Today was taken up packing and sorting and decluttering. I popped into DSis for a suitcase. I called a friend who said if there was anything she could do to help to let her know. So I did! She will store 2 boxes and a small suitcase at her house for as long as I need. 

Progress is being made.

I made soup. Good soup this time.

Can you believe the Cla3kes shoes are too big and need to go back!!! 

I spoke to the friend who is letting me stay at the country cottage. I am going there for Feb. It was going to be 2 weeks but I know it will whizz past so going to stay longer. It is a 20 minute bus ride to the sea. I miss the sea. I'm not sure about the flat now for reasons I can't post. It is a maybe/maybe not. I'm ok until March. That will have to do for now. 

Meeting the cottage friend for a coffee tomorrow.

Saw a house I might be interested in. I will do some research. I can't afford to go there to view unless I'm pretty sure. Even if it isn't right for me, I am starting to see things come onto the market again. It gives me hope.

Hope everyone is ok.

savingholmes

Glad you are going to be by the sea and have a temp solution. I feel for you.

Bubblesmum

Friends are indeed the best - especially those who are able to ride the grief waves with you 

A month at a cottage near the sea sounds a real tonic x 

MovingForwards

The holiday home will do you a world of good, sea air helps clear thoughts.
Sometimes things are not to be, it means better is waiting round the corner.

HairyHandofDartmoor

The country cottage by the sea sounds idyllic. I'm glad more properties are appearing, it was bound to be a bit quiet over Christmas but the spring is often when people want to move house so now is the time when many will list properties.

doingitanyway

savingholmes said:

Glad you are going to be by the sea and have a temp solution. I feel for you.

Bubblesmum said:

Friends are indeed the best - especially those who are able to ride the grief waves with you 

A month at a cottage near the sea sounds a real tonic x 

MovingForwards said:

The holiday home will do you a world of good, sea air helps clear thoughts.
Sometimes things are not to be, it means better is waiting round the corner.

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

The country cottage by the sea sounds idyllic. I'm glad more properties are appearing, it was bound to be a bit quiet over Christmas but the spring is often when people want to move house so now is the time when many will list properties.

Thank you everyone. I am looking forward to the cottage now. 

I met up with a friend, went for a short walk, had coffee and chocolate. I resisted buying a few items that would be tricky to store. I need to trust the things I need will appear when I need them. I don't need to buy items for future maybes...

Lots of packing, sorting, decluttering. I seem to have so much stuff again. One final trip to the SU and that should do it. Lovely friend who comes to the viewings has said she will drive me there next week. 

Using up items from the fridge and freezer so not buying any food. I used to use red lentils as a soup thickener but I had some quinoa and threw that in. Nice result.

24a always say I am better with a plan and I am, as now I have a timeline for the next 6 weeks I feel a wee bit more settled. Well as settled as I can be under the circumstances. 

I hope everyone is ok today

savingholmes

You are sounding remarkably calm. Well done on the continued decluttering. I agree about trusting things will appear when you need them

jwil

Glad you are feeling a bit more settled, and lots of progress being made.  Have a good day