The Garden Fence - proper Old Style support and chat!

Afternoon all,

I'm so sorry to hear of all of the heartache facing those along the fence. So many of you facing difficult times, and I wish i could give each and every one of you a hug, a cuppa, and a slice of cake.

Things Chez FPK have been very busy. The first term was a whirlwind but mostly went well. We ate a lot of freezer meals (some weeks everything we ate came from the freezer!) and poor Maggie the Cat has had to adjust somewhat to having very long days on her own a couple of days a week. Still things are cheerful. We're still loving our new location, even in the dark days of winter and have even braved some inclement weather. We're going for our first round of mortgage advice in a couple of weeks. We're not sure exactly how close we are to the actual process of looking, but the wheels are turning a bit faster to finally buy our own home. We may decide to either renew our lease for six months or a year in June based on our meeting.

Unfortunately I didn't go visit mum and dad for xmas this year as I'm in the process of applying for a new passport...a red..or well, maybe they'll be blue now..one. I think I managed a triumph with dad's gift, though. One of those voice activated assistants. Fortunately mum and dad have loads of friends so weren't on their own. OH's dad is doing well, almost finished with Chemo and seems to have mostly fared well, although I think his last few treatments have knocked the wind out of him. He'll get more information in a couple of months but his parents have planned some trips and adventures and I think are starting to feel that things will get back to more normal soon.

On the OS front I've been sewing while I'm off. I've finished a blouse and should finish the muslin for a dress later today. It has been peaceful, quiet and calm. We may be snowed in tomorrow but we've plenty of food and candles.

I'll be wishing you all a wonderful year to come with much joy, as little heart ache as possible and plenty of love and laughter.x

BBC forecast for me tomorrow shows us getting an absolute pasting with snow :j:j

Are you beautifully snowed in yet mar?
My family went onto the mainland yesterday to visit cousins and Pickle had her first experience of snow. The photos DIL took, show her sparkling with excitement.

No snow here, just severe gales and lashing rain and it's still pretty dark. Millie and I are still in bed, she is keeping my feet warm. Well, that is her version, mine is slightly less poetic, several stones of dog draped across your feet renders them numb rather than warm.
I will get up soon and make some porridge. I make mine with water, very healthy, as long as you ignore the huge spoonful of golden syrup and largish splash of double cream that makes it less healthy but much, much more delicious.

Csarina and Silvasava, I hope you are both feeling better. Look after yourselves.

FPK buying your first home! How exciting is that?

You must be so relieved to be home again MMF it has been a marathon, hasn't it?

VJsmum, I hope that today you enjoy your happy memories.

Hester, enjoy CHS's week off work . Imagine that this is a foretaste of what life will be like when he retires.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Every next level of your life will demand a different you.

Exciting times ahead FPK.
Torrential rain here and strong wind here.
Monna gee thanks, it is something I'm aware of, I just keep thinking of the line from the film Alien, kill me now!
No engine bay painting today so CHS wants to visit B&Q for a fix of tool !!!!!!, I'm so excited, not.
For me the day holds the joy of vacuuming, dusting and cooking, more crochet this evening.

Hester, if my memory serves me correctly B&A usually has a coffee shop where disaffected wives, whose heart beats do not quicken at the sight of paint and tools or plumbing supplies, the names of which would surely be blacked out by the forum monitors, (are you still with me? Do keep up) can while away the boredom with coffee and a book.

I think that wins me the trophy for the longest, most convoluted sentence ever.