The Garden Fence - proper Old Style support and chat!

Oh yes, I thought it was out of character for you NM. You've never said a bad word about anyone let alone comment that Heater has dirty windows. I forgot Hester has a dirty boater for a neighbour.

Thank you for your support, it's much appreciate.

Nursemaggie I'm sorry to read that some of your side effects from treatment are permanent, mum described the feeling she gets with the Raynaud's as that of coming in from the snow and her hands/feet beginning to thaw, the burn she says is similar only on a far more excruciating level.:(
My sister does chip in with appointments more than she ever could before, along with shopping trips and having her over for tea etc. Sadly mums conditions are long and tedious for her, though we want her to remain as independent as she can be for as long as possible. One thing that causes issues is her anxiety (due to her meds & life in general) it can make it very difficult with some things, I know for certain that general outsiders are a major source of fear over germs, etc... Oh & She still lives in her own home.. I travel to her.

Fuddle Thanks for understanding, I've always had a complex relationship with my MH, it's good atm, it's been far far worse.. I think for me it's simply not knowing what's going on.. I'm a planner, like to keep things flowing and I'm feeling trapped and unable to organise or prepare for a situation I'm not in control of!
I don't think it helps being in the (paid) caring profession, especially when, truth be told the bosses really don't care if you are struggling in any form.. I have one or two individuals that are sympathetic (will be getting one to write a letter to my GP explaining the knock on effect of my conditions at work) the big high ups just want the job done regardless, you are just a number and can be replaced:(
Still, your support has given me the shove to practice a bit of self care and have a nice soak followed by an episode of Vera.. Feeling less grizzly, so thanks again!

MMF007 I really feel for your SiL, it's a horrible gut renching feeling when you know that the roof you have over you can suddenly be removed, 2 months is not much notice, definitely get her to check in with the council in regards to any help and perhaps a call to the CA and see what else they might suggest, I know Shelter give out support and may be able to point her in the right direction also..

Oh & as for pigeons, my mum has a fairly tame one called Percy.. He lives in her tree and causes havoc on a daily basis, trashing the bird feeder and generally flumpsing about annoying the smaller birdies, he's slightly plump and gives mum a giggle when he perches as the whole branch bows under the strain of his weight! :rotfl:

Oh my goodness MMF what a horrible situation. I know from running the homeless project how difficult it was for people to actually organise finding the money for a deposit and first months rent. It does seem ridiculous when someone has been sleeping rough to say, " Here's a flat we have for you. Now we just need £800 please." If your niece is already renting, is it possible that she will get her security deposit back? If she has that and the rent she would have been paying anyway if she had been staying there, perhaps it might give her just enough to put down on something else.

MadamMim, you poor love. It is just rotten to be feeling the way you are at the moment. I wish I could wave my magic wand and make everything right for you. I can only tell you to spend as much time as possible resting and be very, very gentle with yourself. Come and have a good moan to us when you want to. We've all done it and this is a really safe place to spill out misery. We can't make troubles go away, but we can offer a listening ear, oodles of sympathy and loads of love. Not to mention a few dirty laughs along the way.

Talking of dirty laughs Hester...........where do you get your gardening hints from? I don't remember Alan Tichmarsh imparting that little gem.

nm let's hope that SSS works for you. When I have allergic reactions, which I often do to things like shower gel, some soaps and washing detergents, the best thing I have found is Nelsons Rescue Cream. It's a bit expensive but you don't need to use much and it is effective.

Silvasava, I have just been watching Penelope Keith's Coastal Villages and there we were! The harbour, the village, the boats, the Pilot and Im sure you would have seen me if you'd looked closely enough - I'm sure I saw a young, tall, glamorous blonde female draped over an expensive looking yacht. Not me? Was it you then?

I must now get some sleep to fortify me for tomorrow. Pickle's dance class is taking part in a show. It's in the Medina so I'll be coming up your way Islandmaid. We have to slum it sometimes.

Reading along and catching up, sleeping a lot and slowly feeling more like myself

Hey there Softstuff! Good to 'see' you back :wave:

Thanks everyone for suggestions to help SIL get housing advice. She has rung Shelter today because the agent visited this morning and told her that the landlord (whoever that is now! House was sold at auction earlier this week) is going to do lots of building work to make it 4 bedrooms. She pointed out that she has not been served notice to quit. Agent scuttled off back to the office to check the file...

We had a meal with our friends this evening, met at an airport hotel as they are flyi v to wintersun hols tomorrow and live some distance away so we don't see them very often. It was great to chat over dinner but we got a shock on arrival - the hotel has introduced a parking fee of £4/hr (yes, per hour), even for people dining there. We just took it on the chin and I had to get my debit card out because we were there over 3 hours so cost should have been £16. Gulp. However, just as i was working out how to use the pay machine in the foyer a gent came up and offered us his car park ticket. He said it was paid until midnight. We were a little non-plussed but did thank him very much, still disbelieving that we could be that lucky. Got to the exit barrier, input ticket and up went barrier. Not very often we get that sort of luck!. So I want to send a virtual thank you to the gent for his random act of kindness.