Hi Christine
Great to hear nosey-kecks went out and you could go outside in your garden. I can just imagine the gleeful excitement when you hear his front door slam behind him! I would be excited if it was me!
I did do a fair bit of tidying on the garden but not much in the way of “titivating”. Funny you should mention a yellow rose as I dragged a yellow rose bush in a container around from the front to the back where I could place it in the shade. I can’t water plants the same on the front in case I leave the door ajar and Zoe escapes down the road! Poo duty sounds a barrel of laughs, I’m glad we’ve no visitors like stray foxes.
Well, I’ll bid you goodnight!
Much love xx
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Hi Tina19, no, I did not know that Cortisol is at its highest in the morning, but it explains things. I am sure I still have some L-Theanine, my brother used get it. I will look for it in the morning. - Thanks for the information. - Nick
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Hi Tina,
The excitement when the Bolak (I have a choice few names for him!) leaves is certainly one I relish and wait for every morning. It spurs me into action. Sadly I’m still waiting today. It might be his day off. I never can tell. But I’ve already been busy with ordering my sky blue tiles (only 10 to start me off so I can plan how many I need for the space). My aim is to start clearing the old bird seed and grass in preparation. Will make a massive difference to cleaning up because I can sweep the excess away instead of having to dig it up as well as the clumps of grass that form. Kept putting it off but glad I’ve made a start. Tried working out the step area with paper templates of the square and oblong combos but it’s going to be very tricky with the step I have created. Might have to just do the baby blues (oblong) and not the square (dark blue and white patterned). I always find things work themselves out in the end so I’ve stopped getting wound up about stuff and just wait for them to present themselves.
I was out there extra early today (up at 6.30 - it’s like I’ve become a different person) and watching the family of squirrels (the parents and 2 childa) exploring the trees and pergola was so lovely. They must be the ones pinching all the fatballs. I’m waiting for my delivery so I hope to see them again. The babies are so cute!
Think I’ll create cages over the roses to make pooing more awkward than the little pots of gravel. I’m always annoyed when I discover something nasty! but it’s a small price to pay for the joy I get in having the wildlife cavorting round the garden.
Made a few great discoveries while taking the hose round yesterday. There are quite a few good spaces under the mid section of trees and climbers where it is a naturally sheltered space to make a den in summer (will take pics to post). I’m not often looking at ground level unless a pretty flower catches my attention. It was only because I was soaking the whole garden that I was getting underneath everything with the hose. Reminded me of childhood camps in the garden. My fave thing ever over the summer holidays. Oh to be a child again!
Planning on getting in the loft today with the last of winter coats and furry things, bringing summer things down now it’s turned nice (although it feels rather nippy now). Hope to find the cover for the bbq to tidy it up. Will investigate that wall too and see if buggar lugs has been drilling. It’s always a hassle getting up there with the ladder but once up I’m always chuffed at what I’ve created.
Heard back from my niece for a swim Thursday so will go myself after therapy tomorrow.
Here’s some pics of my little furry friends. So cute!
And here’s the noisy babies. I have a headache every day now because they are so loud. Funny watching them fighting over everything. Others are quite placid, watching the chaos and waiting their turn.
Must get dressed now and crack on. The storm clouds have lifted and I am back in the game! Thank goodness .
And can I just say, you are a fab friend checking on me! Means the world x
Lots of love xxx
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Hi Nick,
I am pleased that you are having a good run of good days. Just googled L-Theanine and there are side effects. Please ask your GP first. Just looking out for you xxx
Possible Adverse Effects of L-Theanine
- Lowering blood pressure (which may be beneficial to some people).
- Appetite loss.
- Diarrhea.
- Difficulty in concentration.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Extreme high doses (29mg/kg/day) can cause liver toxicity.
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Hi christine51, thanks for the warning. I think I will not take the L-Theanine, I have low blood pressure and my concentration is not that good either. - Nick
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Hi Nick 
That is a massive step so enjoy your positive steps foams long may it continue for you x
Love to hear of you feeling a wee bit better x
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Hi Christine:)
I do love your photos esp the wee squirrel 
x
I used to play guitar and bass guitar but kinda lost the habit of playing but luckily I still have them so have started to play again but so rusty I’m pretty much starting from scratch but it’s fun x
That’s so lovely to offer about speaking to your therapist x I will speak to the local mental health nurse and see what she says but if not I’ll maybe just have to go private as you say x
I do hope you get to see your niece and go swimming this week x it would be lovely to have a relaxing swim. I love swimming but haven’t been to the local pool probably in about 18 years as the place is filthy and it’s not got any better as I read a report on Facebook just a couple of days ago that it’s the dirtiest pool in the area x
Haven’t seen much of Cal lately as been busy so he’s making the most of it tonight and won’t leave me alone lol x Porsch looks so cute in your photos…she has such a sweet face x
My new rose bush has just started to show some buds and I can’t wait to see the actual rose x most of the weeds coming through are like either grass or dandelions but I’ve put weed killer down so will see how that goes x I have had to water my plants each night lately as just so hot up here and my friend has just offered me some bluebell bulbs so have a spare plant pot so would like to see if they grow x
I know what you mean when you say moving forward means to you that you would be forgetting your mum but I’m trying to find a happy balance as I know my mum wouldn’t want me to dwell as she was never one to look back but not looking back in my opinion would not be doing her life any justice as she was my everything and taught me so much. I like spending my time with my nieces as they like asking questions about her and talking about her and my auntie keeps them alive x I hope you feel you could start talking about your mum and remembering the good times as that could be a way to slowly move forward but never forget her (not that you could anyway) x
Yeah I have as much faith in doctors as you do by sounds of things x
Will get you a photo of my Minerva rose when I’m next out in the garden.
Have a peaceful night and that the Creep buggers off x
Much love 
x
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@NEILB72 ….how you doing? 
x
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Hi Suzanne
Been a bit up and down. Not a great day yesterday but feeling better today. I think thats the same for us all now.
Going to see Verdi’s opera Il Trovatore on Thur and have my relatives from Oz here in a couple of weeks which will be lovely and emotional at the same time.
Hope you have a good start to the week or as good as it can be!
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
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Hi christine51, I love your photos.
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Hi Christine
Nice to hear you’ve been up to all sorts in your garden. A sign you are feeling a bit lighter. I’m intrigued by your art with the blue tiles and really look forward to seeing your pictures in the near future. I just threw my mosaic together as a practice so will do a 2nd with a bit more care and attention next tine. I used a mortar in-between the pieces and I think the ratio of water to powder wasn’t brilliant but it set so it worked out fine. I think I’ll get a proper grout for my 2nd one though.
Are you feeling any effects from working in your garden from 6.30am? Its better than working in it at peak sun time hours though isn’t it. Done some pruning and tidying but I’m not very methodical and will start a job in one part of the garden and move on to another so I never have the satisfaction of “completing” a job!
We get a lot of birds in the garden but nothing like foxes, squirrels etc like you do We aren’t in a built up area so I’m surprised really about that. It must be nice to have a garden that has so much natural activity.
I’ll drop by tomorrow as my eyes are closing!
Much love xx
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Nick and Neil
Hi both. NeiI I’m sorry you’ve had a few down days but glad you will have something to lift your spirits in way of another performance later in the week.
Hi Nick.
Hope you are as well as possible given the circumstances and you’ve had a fair/good day today. I’m glad to have passed on a bit of knowledge about the morning stress hormone, hopefully it will find its own resolution in its own time but I know while you are waiting it can be pretty wretched.
Take care both.
Love and best wishes x
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Hi Neil, just a quick one to wish you well with the football tonight, fingers crossed they will do it .
Sending love Debbie xx
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Hi Debbie
Thank you! Keeping everything crossed. Even if things dont go to plan I am in my happy place at the theatre tomorrow with a double show day. Hope your week is going as well as can be so far .
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
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Hi Nick,
Sorry I couldn’t reply properly yester. I was so very tired from doing the garden. By the time I actually in and have eaten all I want to do is sit infront of the tv before going to bed early. But I always manage to have a catch up the next day.
Good to hear you aren’t taking the medication. I’ve heard lots of people think they are being healthy with vitamins and minerals but we aren’t aware of the effects long term and also mixing combo’s. Best to go to the GP, though as you will have read in my post to Suzanne I really don’t trust them!
Just got back from taking Porsch to have her claws trimmed. Always traumatic for me but needed to be done. She got very feisty with them though was very well behaved otherwise and seemed to enjoy her outing. She had a blood test too to see why she’s lost weight and is being sick so often. I know she’s old but the thought that she will die terrifies me. I know it’s coming and I’m dreading it. Don’t think I’ll get another pet as I really can’t handle any more heartache.
Have lots of pics to post later after I’ve sorted through them. It’s lovely being in the garden and seeing it bloom a little bit more every day. Just need some sun (very cloudy here today) and heat (very chill!)
See you later babe. Going to catch up with everyone now.
Lots of love xxx
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Hi Suzanne,
Just got back from Porsch having her claws trimmed and a blood test to check her thyroid because she has lost such a lot of weight and is being sick a lot. She was very aggressive with the lovely nurses. Glad I wasn’t in the room. Will hear back as to whether she needs medication as a long term treatment. I’m terrified that she will die soon.
I know what you mean about moving on from being upset about mam and it makes sense. I can’t seem to adjust to it. I’m in an ongoing state of shock that keeps hitting me every so often. I know I have lovely memories and that mam is all around me but I miss her so much. And I can’t chat about mam because of the family situation. I do chat to my niece (seeing her for a swim tomorrow and then lunch Friday) but I mostly end up getting upset and have to stop.
Your pool sounds delightful! Mine isn’t great with flies lurking on tiles as I swim past, hair on the tiles underfoot, a nasty pong from the loos and if the ‘special’ people have been for an outing there’s lots of weeing in cubicles for the staff to clean up (they told me! ). But I make the most of it!
Glad to hear you will have a chat to the mental health nurse if you can. Getting a diagnosis is what you need in order to then be treated. I stopped my medication for anxiety years ago as the side effects increased the anxiety! Such a nonsense.
Fab that you’ve had a go on the guitar. My mate along the doors sometimes plays in his garden and that lovely to hear. When kids come in from school they are practicing their recorder and it takes me back to being little again with my penny whistle. Nothing nicer than sitting in the sun and hearing them play.
Wish I only had your weeds. When I post my pics you’ll see how full my garden is. Did a bit of pruning and deadheading yester but was so worn out it wasn’t a full on attack. Looking forward to seeing your rose. It’s always a joy to see a new bloom. It’s lovely when I’m driving seeing all the very old roses at the front of houses.
Not sure if I’ve already said but when I had put the last trellis up and covered the gap the creep was out the next day cutting back in his garden and has demolished the thick hedge that provided natural cover. I wondered how I would do my fixings because it was so thick. So I have another gap for him and his mate to watch me until I get the next one up. So annoyed.
Will post my pics in a bit. Just recovering from my outing and catching up with you all.
Lots of love xxx
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Hi Neil,
I know how tough the bad days are and was thinking of you because you’ve been quite quiet of late. It will be very emotional seeing your family again. Having a massive catch up will certainly take it’s toll on you. My trip to the vets this morn to get Porscha’s claws clipped and a blood test has wiped me out. I’m so terrified that she will die soon. She’s about 17 now and might have a thyroid problem but it can be treated with tablets to perk her appetite up.
Great that you have your opera tomorrow. Hope there are no rail strikes or protesters or anything going on to hamper your day. Looking forward to seeing your pics and hearing all about it.
I managed to start my swimming again. You’ll see from my post to Suzanne it’s not always the cleanest of places! But I enjoy it while I’m there and did a lot of swimming in my half hour without needing to stop. Usually I need to rest after not having been a while. My bike is waiting for the chain to be cleaned. I seem to have been so busy with the garden it’s a job I didn’t get round to.
Will have lots of pics to post later. It’s so wonderful watching the babies feasting and fighting, and the family of squirrels. I think I saw a massive hedgehog running around the front but because it was dark and my eyes aren’t the best it could have been a giant rat! Lets hope not!!
See you later hun. Lots of love xxx
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Hi Tina,
Sitting out and feeding the birds from 6.30 with a cuppa and my puzzle is a lovely relaxing start to the day. Not any work being done as I’m still in my pj’s and dressing gown / kimono (totally covered up so cannot be accused of being flirty with the creep freak!)
Started doing some weeding, deadheading around the lawn area where it is very overgrown but I really only did bits and bobs as I was so tired. I think it’s nice to flit about the garden doing whatever job takes your fancy. I’ve run out of energy after taking Porsch to the vet to have her claws clipped so not even sitting out there (and it’s really quite chill). Waiting for blood test results to see if her weight loss and being sick a lot is down to a thyroid issue. I wasn’t expecting that and just thought she’d need a steroids boost like before. So afraid of her leaving me. I know it will happen but I can’t deal with more loss. She’s been with me for 17 years so is an old lady now. Already though about having her ashes scattered in the garden where she loves to be. She’s out there now wrapped in a blanket because she’s so chilly.
Have lots of pics for you all and will post soon. Might need a wee nap as Suzanne would say. See you soon.
Lots of love xxx
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Hi Debbie,
Is it your half term week off? Never sure now as the children are grown and I don’t have that close contact with my nephew now. Whatever you are doing enjoy it! You’ll be back to the photocopiers in no time!
Posting pics later.
Lots of love xxx
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Hi Christine
Havent posted on here that much this last week as nothing really happening.
Huge Euro final tonight for West Ham, two shows tomorrow- Il Trovatore , Verdi’s opera in the evening and Bleak Expectations with Julian Clary as the guest celebrity narrator( different one every week). Both shows were bargain price tickets as per usual. Even if the football goes pear shaped I know tomorrow will be a good one.
Will post some pics on Friday hopefully
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
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