Well, being stranded by floodwater yesterday was a timely reminder to make plans for the winter.
We sometimes get snowed-in, being at the end of a country lane which turns into a bridle-way at my house. So, no snow ploughs, no street lighting, no gritting.
The back-stop if that happened was my husband putting on wellies and walking to the closest shop for emergency supplies. I would not be able to do that because my disabled daughter lives with me and you can’t push a wheelchair in snow.
Today I am going to stock up on essentials, big time.
I have been thinking about whether the sensible thing is to move to somewhere less remote, but it’s not that simple. This house has been modified to suit special needs, wet-room, stair-lift, level access, shower-toilets in spaces big enough for a wheelchair, etc.
It was our dream house. We were determined that it would not look like a care home. To say my husband was good at DIY would be an understatement. We needed a wider front door, so he designed something beautiful and a local carpenter made it for us. We needed ramps into the conservatory, so my husband made them to match the flooring in each room, you barely notice them. All the grab rails match the walls so they are as unobtrusive as possible.
And then there are the things to amuse my daughter, like colour-changing lights, coat hooks like little men climbing the wall, a silver monkey holding a wall light in her room.
And the things he did to show how much he loved me, sparkly worktops, silver splash backs. A stained glass window in the bathroom which he designed and made in my favourite colours.
I just can’t leave this house, it would break my heart.
Yes, I was over-indulged.
So, here I will stay. The spare bedroom looks like Sainsburys storeroom, but, who cares? Nobody sees it except me.
Xx
I had the opposite problem when my husband died. He overbought everything and I do mean everything. I haven’t bought shower gel for 15 months even though I have given 12 big bottles to Ukraine. There were multiple tubes of garlic puree. I think he was expecting a vampiric invasion. So much I had to give away to food banks as it would have run out of life before its use by date. I have just bought my first pack of bacon since he died and toilet rolls. You would almost think he was a domesday prepper. Every where I looked I would find evidence of his bulk buying. Then when a bulb blew I couldn’t find a single one.
My extension had more stock than our local Waitrose. I still dont need to buy toothpaste. If I need anything my neighbours will always get it for me.
How our lives change
Haha!
I am laughing because I also had to give things away before they expired. Things only he liked, mango chutney, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and all manner of ‘healthy’ things. His favourite toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, etc.
Some I gave to friends, some to the food bank. Some were past it and had to go in the bin.
Hey-ho.
It’s life, Pudding, but not as we know it.
Xx
Yes but who thinks they will get through 10 tubes of garlic purée with just 2 people. He also had 6 bottles of unopened aftershave. That went to the brownies raffle. The silly thing is ha had been diagnosed with contact dermatitis and no longer used shower gel. I still have his shaver and electric toothbrush. I have 2 big boxes of dishwasher tablets I should give away as my dishwasher is no longer used. My carers wash up after every meal.
Meals for one are a drag. When I order meat for the freezer it is split into single portions before it goes in the freezer.
I am trying to lose weight. Successfully at present. 23lbs over 7 weeks but it has meant no treats. No cakes, biscuits, sweets, crisps or ice cream. I do allow myself the odd digestive. This is certainly life but not as I knew it.
Has the flood subsided?
Yes, thank goodness. I went to the supermarket to stock up on plague supplies! Also the chemist to pick up prescriptions.
It’s a bit muddy everywhere with big puddles.
When I got home there was a van parked across my drive. I sat drumming my fingers for a few minutes until the owner returned and moved it and I gave her my Paddington Stare.
There, by my front door was the largest bouquet of flowers that I have ever seen. It was from the air conditioning company that I had emailed yesterday. Jeremy always arranged servicing and I knew it must be about due, so I emailed asking for a visit and explaining why it was my name and not his.
I think it was a really lovely gesture from them, and so unexpected. I have become accustomed to business-like responses from organisations, some of them bordering on rude.
Another little chink of Joy.
Xx
I received a bouquet from my bank. Soon after Norman’s death I got a scam call pretending to be the bank. I was pretty sure it was a scam but with brain fog rang the bank to make sure. The young man on the other end was so kind and patient and as I had been a customer for a long time sent me a bouquet from the bank. My chiropodist brought me roses from her garden. These small acts just bring a small chink of light into the darkness.
My neighbour has a lot of apples this year so she is going to bring me some. Another neighbour gave me an orchid which I haven’t managed to kill yet despite my brown thumb.
Still somebody was being kind and thoughtful and treating you as a person not just a customer.
Those flowers really cheered me up.
Talking about it being a different world from the one we knew - it is a different world in my garden since the one I knew 2 days ago!
The lawn is covered in conker casings and toadstools. The gravel that was in my drive is now in the lane, some of it now has a different postcode. Two trugs I left out had 18 inches of water in them.
But the sun was shining and I was out there long enough to give the roses some much-needed TLC before the threatened return of cold weather.
Xx
I hope you have your ark built as the monsoon is supposed to be back tomorrow. No chance me flooding. I am right at the top of a very long hill. Water moves away from me in all directions. A lot on its way to my neighbours.