Living it up by the sea

Humboldt

@uralmaid I am so pleased that you have decided to continue to post.  Whilst I cannot commit to post every day, I will pop over to your place whenever I can. Colin the crow sounds a real character and a good source of entertainment. Good to hear that someone had a win on the premium bonds this month. I loved reading about your musical background, sadly the only rhythm I have is when I stub my toe! I am looking forward to updates on your garden and your travels in your motorhome, great to have some money saving tips too.

@Dizee123, @sheilavw, @bluenose1, @Clowance, @QrizB what wonderful people you are. I so enjoyed reading your posts.  @sheilavw I was so sorry to read about your DH

uralmaid

Thank you so much for your responses. Sheilavw so sorry to hear about your husband.  Life can be very cruel. My husband had to take retirement through ill health when he was 52.  We were fortunate that he had a good lump sum and pension.  We decided to move to the country and start living.  The only downside for me is that I don't get to see my daughter and Grandchildren nearly enough.  My daughter and her husband both have businesses which keep them busy. My Granddaughter gained her degree last year and is now doing her Masters in Manchester.  My Grandson starts his GCSE's this year.  I understand how hard it is for them to have time to come as we live 100 miles away.  Having been a very confident person, after lots of issues with my husbands health I started to suffer from anxiety and no longer drive.  Although the anxiety is much better I wouldn't be confident to drive 100 miles (I was never that good a driver before). Dizee123 - I am the same with bikes.  Not bothered about standing around for hours looking at bikes so much better hubby goes with a friend!  Humboldt - if I hear a musical groan I will know you have stubbed your toe. lol.  Lots of the trees are starting to get their leaves here.  I filled all the bird feeders yesterday and Colin the Crow arrived pretty swiftly to investigate.  I miss my Border terrier immensely. She had to be put to sleep in 2021 due to cancer and even now I often have a little cry.  She was such a good dog.  Last year after much soul searching we decided we could have another dog to love.  However, it turned out to be a huge mistake. We decided to get a miniature Golden Doodle (my daughter has 2 standard ones and they are the most placid dogs imaginable).  We chose a puppy and brought him home.  I am used to dogs but he was a nightmare.  For some reason he constantly was launching himself at me and really biting (not puppy mouthing)  We had 2 different trainers come to try and help and nothing worked. I was black and blue and very upset.  In the end the breeder agreed to take him back.  It left me so sad, and hubby doesn't want us to get another. I was watching Crufts yesterday evening with a tear in my eye.  

Clowance

So sorry to hear about your puppy experience. I tried to adopt a dog on a trial basis, it was a lovely cockapoo called Barney aged 3 from some people who had taken him on when their son didn't want him, but were too busy to look after him. Things went very well for a while and then my son was made unemployed by the actors strike (last July) and came home to live, and we found that he couldn't cope with a dog at all so we had to say we couldn't have Barney after all. I am still sad. I had a cocker spaniel long ago and loved her very much, we had a cat for 18 years who died a couple of years ago. I still long for a dog, when my son leaves home again. Hes not very furry or cuddly!

uralmaid

I so miss my doggy cuddles.  I had so much love to give to the new puppy but he didn't want to know. He would never snuggle on the sofa or anything.  Within 2 minutes of being sat with me he would start nipping me really hard.  Trying to lead train him was awful. He would just launch himself at me and bite hard.  If I ever do get another dog it will definitely be another Border Terrier, but the trouble is we were spoilt with our previous one. She was such a good dog. Never chewed things, never aggressive or anything.

bluenose1

We got our dog a Cavapoo last June, my husband has had dogs before but I never have.
Got her from a very reputable breeder, bred from dogs with good temperaments  and I am in a WhatsApp group with all the other siblings owners, which has been great as we can ask each other questions and the breeder still advises us.
Can imagine how distressing it has been for you Uralmaid  and Clowance, our pup is already a big part of our lives. Hoping the right pet comes along for you both.

Not sure if I have recommended this before but one of my pleasures is listening to the  Financial Wellbeing Podcast, love to listen to it while pottering around. It is 3 men, 2 are Financial Advisors and one an actor is the host. They talk about not only money but happiness and have useful money advice and tips. Feels like listening to 3 friends, and I find it relaxing and entertaining. 

Just been on a 4 mile walk in woods checking my new boots really are waterproof in muddy puddles (they are) and now treating myself to a coffee, might even have another one

Humboldt

Morning @uralmaid we too live a long way from our DC and do not see them as often as we would like.  That said, we are in contact daily via our family Wh@tsapp group.  Just sharing the mundane, as well as the highlights, keeps us in touch.  I was sorry to read about your husbands ill health and the impact that this had on you.  Life certainly presents it's challenges. 

@Clowance your description of your son not being very cuddly or furry did make me smile. @bluenose1 thank you for recommending the Financial Wellbeing Podc@st.  I will be checking that out.

uralmaid

I keep in touch with them via whatsapp or messenger and weekly phonecalls too.  It is a long time since my husbands illness.  He does cope very well and manages to do most things he wants to do.  I do sometimes have to remind him that he is 67 not 37 though when he comes up with a hair brained scheme.

uralmaid

Well the renovation of the "East Wing" is complete. In the spirit of MSE we did not splash out.  The wallpaper we actually purchased in 2021 and was inexpensive.  When decorating a room I have always tried to source particular themed wallpapers but at a fraction of the cost of designer ones.  When we lived in Wakefield, we redecorated our 1920's house with each room having a different theme.  Some of the best wallpapers came from a shop in West Yorkshire who used to sell end of runs etc and a lot of the wallpaper we used cost less than £1 per roll.  Even the decorator commented that the quality was fantastic yet for a fraction of the price.  I also much prefer to source furniture which is antique or vintage rather than modern.  My daughter on the other hand spends a fortune on designer wallpaper and furnishings, yet she loves the look we end up with.  My spendy "addiction" is buying from auctions. Yesterday I spotted a signed, limited edition lithograph from a renowned Ukrainian artist which just needed to be bought. My husband's Dad was Ukrainian so it is a link to his heritage.  It also had a musical element so that appealed to the musician in me.  Going to collect it today!  I have been fortunate that I also inherited a lot of stuff from relatives in the past and like to incorporate it into rooms.  It is comforting to walk past something and look at it or touch it and remember the person it belonged to. I am now longing for the good weather so we can get into the garden and have respite from incessant decorating.  Time to get some dirt under my fingernails instead of paint.

Humboldt

Morning @uralmaid great to tick another job off the list.

Your description of your inherited items was lovely 'It is comforting to walk past something and look at it or touch it and remember the person it belonged to'.  I too like used items and tend to go for an eclectic look that mixes the old and new.

I am also longing for a change in the weather so that I can divide some of the plants in the garden.  Meanwhile, I will make a start on seed planting. Hope that you have a good day.

uralmaid

Thanks Humboldt.  Lovely sunny morning here but a bit chilly.  I planted some Geranium seeds yesterday (indoors)  I will be keeping everything crossed that they germinate as not tried them from seed before.  Had a nice evening yesterday.  The village pub held a quiz night for Red Nose Day. We met up with 3 friends from the village to form a team. Guess what? - our team won.    Couldn't believe it as there were about 15 teams.  We won £30 and made a joint decision to give the money back to go into the fundraising effort.  A good time was had. There aren't many events held in the village, so when they are, we try to attend.  This morning we are going to wander down the road as another friend is holding a sale day with proceeds going to Ukraine.  This is very close to our hearts as my Father in law was from the Ukraine. Last year, this same friend held a few fund raising events (only small) and we gave him a small donation. He travelled to Ukraine independently and helped there for 3 weeks and the monies he had raised were given to buy food and supplies for a village near Lviv.  Sat here having a cup of coffee looking out into the garden - the magnolia and camellia are both in bloom.  Visiting long tailed tits, blue tits and greenfinches have been feeding on the bird feeder and a chaffinch has just turned up too.  Small things to be thankful for.  Good luck with your seed planting.