Not as nice weather wise today but as I am indoor working I won’t moan - if it was nice I’d want to be outside! Hopefully picks up as the day goes on as after work hope to start trying to save my 30+ year old bench with a coat of woodstain. Will do a before and after picture
Is DIY a hobby of yours Beki? It’s nice to bring something back to it’s better state I think. By the time I’ve used my stuff it’s practically gone beyond restoration xx
Will put some photos up when i complete the makeover on the Beatrix Potter shelf and children’s chair I am doing to give to my friends daughter. They were both things Mum had and did for me so time for their next incarnation.
Evening everyone
Had one of those frustrating days today - caused by other people ! Bit down today as well because it’s a Tuesday . Tomorrow will be better as I have finally booked to see the Stonehenge exhibition at the British Museum before it ends next week and then off to my second home at the ROH for Madama Butterfly for a lunchtime matinee. Cant wait to be in London again . I know Mum would be pleased. Will hopefully post tomorrow when I get home.
Wishing you all a good evening and sending love and best wishes to everyone
Neil x
Neil I hope you have a great time and the exhibition and show. Seen Stonehenge so many times when we lived in Hampshire and travelled to Somerset to see family. We used to drive past it. When I went to see my dad in Portsmouth I did stop off once and go and see it.
Hi everyone,
Debbie, I’m sure it’s a beautiful moth. Stunning photograph! You did make me laugh imagining playing tea parties with dolls. Don’t think my little nephew would have joined in. He’s a real ‘boy’. Didn’t have the barbie in the end as I’ve been really ill. No energy, no appetite so not eating. Think the gardening and swimming has taken it’s toll. Will try creating one table (adding the legs) from the large table I cut into two halves so I’ll have something to eat off when we can try again on Friday. Creep usually gets back much later on then and it will be hot. Just thinking about it makes me tired but if I don’t try I won’t do anything. Have to water the garden now and might need a nap afterwards. I get chronic fatigue when stressed and its a battle to get anything done.
Tina, I think your idea of using a sheet of taupaulin is good. I have a huge oil cloth for the table I cut so could use that for now. I tried getting my house cameras connected again but my mobile I have now isn’t compatible so will have to set up on the laptop and take that into the garden to get alerts when creep arrives home. Such a faff but it will stop him getting back and watching me through the hedge. I was ready with my phone camera waiting outside my therapy yesterday but didn’t see him. He moved his car off the grass last week. I had taken pics in support of my complaint about the housing officer wanting me to move them, to show the street isn’t open plan and the antics of other neighbours. He has been very quiet since my complaint about the bread over the fence. His mate on the other side of him has also kept a low profile when I’m in the garden. They now know I will report whatever they are doing to me and that I won’t be intimidated. I wish you could do something to stop your brother’s behaviour. Exposing him would highlight what he’s doing and shame him into stopping. You deserve kindness and support and gratitude considering all you do with the cheeky Zoe. Did she enjoy her adventure with all the dogs. Would have been lovely to see pics with all the goings on.
Neil, I’m so pleased you have more theatre trips booked. I’ve found with the swimming it does mark the days as something to look forward to. When I go to the Lido on a weekend with my little nephew they put the wave machine on and it’s like being on holiday in the sea. Such fun! Looking forward to going again this weekend. Will try to finish the table today and water the garden but a swim this evening would be wonderful. Just waiting for my niece to get back to me. Enjoy your trips out and try to box up the work stress so it doesn’t invade your whole week. Good to have boundaries though it’s a lot harder in reality. To show them your efforts is all you can do. They can’t expect anything more, despite their targets in getting peeps back to work. Enjoy your freedom while you still have it !
Beki, it’s heartbreaking to imagine how upset your grandad is about your mam on her birthday. I was thinking of you and I’m pleased you got through it. That’s all we can do. And being there for each other will help you both. I haven’t heard again from my dad, though he is taking my sister shopping every week and it’s upsetting because I passed the car parked at her house (5 mins down the road). He just doesn’t give a shit about me but I’ve accepted that now as much as I can. Mam would be outraged at the way he has treated me. I texted my other sister at the weekend and she ignored me too. Don’t know what it is about me that they dislike so much. I was only asking how she was doing while I waited for the kids to get dressed after swimming. Well done you for getting back to work! That will be exhausting. It is a strange reality to be in, removed from the one we knew before. I’ve found it really difficult being out in the world again (basically swimming) when mam isn’t a part of it. That is probably why I’m so exhausted. It really is debilitating. Just read your post about the shelf and chair you will do for your niece. That is so lovely, to pass those on and do as your mam did for you. I’m sure they will be cherished.
Nic, lovely to see you posting. We lived in Aylesbury for a bit before moving to London and visited Stonehenge but couldn’t get close to the stones because it was taped off to the public. You’ll see from my lack of posting I haven’t been up to much recently after the swimming. Just exhausted and feeling very lost. Hope you are getting through the days and dealing with whatever is thrown at you on top of that. The way I look at life now is that the worst thing has already happened and anything else doesn’t come close. It’s certainly a new perspective. I’m sure the girls are enjoying the lovely summer weather. Going to get really hot by the weekend here. If the cats liked swimming I’d get them a paddling pool. I can just imagine the screaming and scrapping!
Suzanne, Just wanted to say hi and hope you are still enjoying your weekend volunteering. My lovely Porscha is driving me mad with her screaming for chicken at 6.30 in the morning. I used to love a chicken, mayo and sweetcorn sandwich but can’t face it now. I also had the little cat from along the doors crying to come so she could go straight to bed. It’s true what Tina said about cats being in charge. I’m such a soft touch but love them dearly.
Will keep popping back to catch up with everyone now I’m not having to sleep like I was. Time seems to drift away when I’m not in the garden with firm plans. Will try posting some pics later.
Lots of love to you all xxx
Hi everyone. Some pics from today’s trip into London. Didnt take any in the British Museum . Stonehenge was fascinating and really interesting. Lots of people in there ( got £2 off as I’m a jobseeker).
Madama Butterfly was superbly sung especially as the leading lady was unwell and she sung anyway . A tremendous ovation afterwards. Still learning with opera . Very difficult to get into but gradually getting used to it .Still very much a Ballet man and will be there cheering them on next season. I joke with them that they must be getting sick of the sight of my face !
Anyway hope you have all had as good a day as possible
Lots of love and best wishes
Neil x
@NEILB72, I love the photos, you deserve a lovely day out after the week you just had. I don’t think your theatre friends will ever get fed up you with seeing you. You are after all their main fan. I got to ask did you see a certain Scottish gentleman
I like listening to popular opera music like Russell Watson and Katherine Jenkins, not sure about watching opera. I do like ballet, I have to with a granddaughter that does it. This Saturday she will be dancing at our local Party in the Park.
There has to be some perks to being a job seeker with getting cheaper tickets. What are you planning next?
I had to move the moth yesterday to a safer spot in the garden @christine51, it climbed up a gnome, by dusk it had flown away. It was very pretty.
Grieving is exhausting both physically and emotionally so I can understand when you keep needing to rest. I watered the garden last night both front and back, it usually takes me an hour to do it. I rather give a good soaked every few days than a quick water every day, exception the pots and tubs need it more often. As I had the hose out yesterday I cleaned the pond pump too. Our goldfish have gone into hiding, I think the heron must have been around and frightened them.
Hope you manage to have your BBQ this week the weather is supposed to be getting hot again. It was a good idea of Tina’s with the tarpaulin to cover the gap and give you peace from next door.
When I was little my cousin, whose a boy used to like coming to play with my Cindy dolls. He used to threaten me not to tell anyone. My mum wouldn’t get me a Barbie much too racy.
@nicnic Christine talking about stone henge and Neil going to the see the exhibition, me and Doug have been years ago when it was all open and you could walk among the stones. It was very impressive. Of course Doug has been loads of time being a coach driver. Also been to the standing stones at Avebury.
@Suzanne30 you’ve not mentioned the ducks lately are they still turning up to be fed everyday.
Are you okay @LucyF90, it’s been a difficult few days for you with your mum’s funeral last week.
Hi @Beki, have you done any more restoring, the bench was very impressive. Hope you are keeping yourself busy now grandad has gone back .
Hi Debbie
I found out the Scotsman was going to tonight’s performance instead thankfully .
Hoping to book a play on Friday for next weekend . Like seeing a mix of different stuff. Must admit did seem a bit strange going to London today because if Mum was still here we would have been having our usual meal out and wouldn’t have even gone to the opera. I would have seen the museum exhibition several weeks ago too if things were normal. At least I got out and went though.
You mentioned Katherine Jenkins - I met her at my first theatre show in 2017 and had one of her songs played at Mums funeral.
Have a good evening and speak again soon
Love and best wishes
Neil x
You certainly meet some famous people. Glad you managed to miss him. You must miss going with your mum, but your change of routine probably helped a bit.
Speak to you soon
Debbie X
interesting article. X X
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