Hi all, been reading about your phone situation. I had a letter from BT the other day saying over the next twelve months all phones with be changed over to digital fibre. They said your phone will need to be plugged into your hub/router and will run off the internet when they do my area.
On the downside once this happens if there is a power cut or internet is down your phone won’t work, so encouraging people to have mobiles obviously because they use 4G.
Also if you have an emergency pull cord like I do, this will have to be updated too.
I feel sorry for the people that don’t have broadband or a mobile, like a friend of mine. BT said they would have to look individually at those customers.
Technology is a marvelous thing, but not always for the better.
Love Debbie xx
Hi Debbie,
Been waiting for you to pop in. Did you enjoy the wedding? I know you’ll not have had time to post and will be at work now but I’m looking forward to hearing all about it and wondering if it rained for the photos and if the groom managed ok with his crutches.
Been preparing another part of the patio for cementing. Just had a bit more to do, collecting and levelling stones when I realised the creep was back so have come in. He’s out there now cutting his garden back making a racket as usual. I just needed another 5 mins and would have been done. Oh how I loathe him! And on the other side was the husband of the lovely new neighbour. Felt like I was being watched. He’s parked on the communal grass again right aside her door. Has to mount the pavement and go across the grass to get there. So annoyed because nothing is allowed at all. I had to get rid of my compost bins and my friend had to remove the hedge he’d planted. I can’t believe the arrogance of him, like the rules don’t apply to him and he can do as he pleases because he has a blue badge. It’s not like he can’t walk. I saw him carrying the big plastic things the council use to section areas off during work. Going to report him.
Had a random message offering me a cancelled appointment for my hospital investigation into my high blood iron but I couldn’t accept it as I would have to cancel therapy and my swim after. Sure I’ll get another one. I’ve waited this long.
Porsch is enjoying chicken now and refuses to eat any of the renal foods. She has a vet check Wed so I’ll ask the vet if that is ok as she was losing more weight. She seems a lot happier now but still just sleeps all day. She’s enjoying her garden at the mo. I wonder if this will be her last summer and if she will last until Christmas. Can’t bear to think of that.
You must be nearly broken up now for the summer hols? It’s gone quick!
Did you hear about the children who died at the Wimbledon school? The woman driving the car that crashed had some sort of fit and was delirious. She bit her tongue off. Can’t even imagine the horror she must be going through when she finds out what has happened.
Gone very quiet here. Always an ominous sign!
Can’t face going back out there with the creep and Mr Testosterone as I shall be calling him from now on. So I might watch a film. Still feeling very off. Mam would be telling me ‘You’ve done enough for today!’
Will pop back again soon
Lots of love xxx
Hi Christine,
I promised I would show you what I wore to the wedding on Saturday.
It was thundering and pouring down all morning, but after alot of praying it dried up just after 2pm and stayed dry the rest of the day. But it was very hot and humid.
The service was at 3pm, I did have a nice time at the wedding, but sitting in the church where Doug and I had our marriage blessing and where 21 years ago our daughter walked down the aisle on her dad’s arm. It was very emotional and had to fight hard to not cry. It’s very odd being on your own amongst many couples.
The reception was in a marquee in a local village by the river. A house with very large gardens and a field attached that someone from the brides church lives in.
Looking across the river was the farm I was brought up in and lived with my mum and dad. So more mixed emotions. The wedding feast was a hog roast with salad and potato with cakes for afters, they didn’t have a traditional wedding cakes, all fairy cakes.
And there was lots of outdoor games for the children to play with and a barn dance in the evening. They are great fun, our daughter had one at her wedding. Unfortunately I couldn’t join in, I suffer with vertigo and a balance issue so swinging around would have probably started me off. Shame really I love a barn dance.
Didn’t get home until gone 11.30pm. still had to get up early for church on Sunday as I was opening the service with prayers.
I felt very flat yesterday, emotionally drained I think Saturday took it toll on me. I ended up in bed by 9pm.
I will private email with some photos of the wedding party so you can see what the bride wore, I’ve asked her and she said it was okay to do that. Obviously I can’t post them publicly on the forum.
These ones I can share.
I hope you and Porsch are okay.
Lots of love
Debbie xx
Hi Debbie,
I know I posted privately but forgot to say that I love the idea of fairy cakes in place of the traditional wedding cake. And I can’t believe how huge the marquee is! Thank the bride for allowing me to see the extra pics. And tell her she looks fabulous in her beautiful dress. Are they away on honeymoon?
You must be exhausted being back at work after the weekend. Take this week as easy as your can and refuel your batteries. You have all your summer hols to look forward to!
Lots of love xxx
Hi Christine,
Yes they are on honeymoon, they are staying in a yurt, not quite sure where.
I will tell her when they come back.
Only this week and next week to go at school, break up next Thursday. Looking forward to it.
I hope you enjoy your swim tomorrow in the outside pool, and be thinking of you on Wednesday when you have Porsch’s next vet visit.
Sending love
Debbie xx
Hi Debbie57,
you are right, you will not be able to make or receive calls if the power is down. But, you can get a UPS “Uninterruptible Power Supply” but I have no data how long it can power the phone and the router.
A friend of mine (age 87) has one of the emergency pendants. They replaced his system because he had a problem. The new system can run on the old PSTN phones (analog technology) and on the the new voice over internet protocol (VOIP). (He will find out, he will get fibre to the premises and VOIP soon.)
There is one good thing about the new phones, the sound is much better. The newest phones are also hearing aid compatible “HAC”. They can transmit the sound directly to the new hearing aids via a coil in the telephone receiver.
Well, we have no choice, VOIP will take over.
I started my own little VOIP telephone system just before Covid came. (Just three phones in my brother’s house.) I only tested it at home (no outgoing calls). It would be possible to run my own little system, but only among friends. Would not want to connect my phone system to the the main phone system. (I do not know how anyway.) May try again once my brain fog is gone.
You wrote: “I feel sorry for the people that don’t have broadband or a mobile, like a friend of mine. BT said they would have to look individually at those customers.” The phone companies provide a cut down version of an internet connection, just for the VOIP phones. No internet browsing.
All the best - Nick
@NEILB72 think of you today and hope it hasn’t been too hard on you.
Glad you enjoyed Indy as did think it was quite a fitting end for a legend like him lol x
Will pop in and chat more tomorrow as heading to bed for yet another 7am start.
Take care and much love 
x
Hi Nick, I have a pendant too, it was my husband’s . The emergency pull cord system was installed when the house was built in the 60s. Have to wait to see if and when the housing association updates them.
I’m not worried about the change I have a mobile.
Take care
Love Debbie xx
Hi Christine 
Yeah i laughed at all the white cats too lol x
I loved that photo of Porscha and i didn’t think she looked sad…I just thought she looked content and loved x
I just read from the Loch email that the oldest chick has taken her first flight….so exciting to hear especially as they didn’t think she would survive…can’t wait to go up on Saturday x
Just lying in bed as I type to you listening to the rain…oh how the flowers need it.
I will apologise for any massive spelling errors as I have no glasses on so not sure what I’m typing 
x
Hope you get your swim after your therapy tomorrow and enjoy it even if you are only in for a short time x I do miss swimming as I have said in the past but every week our local pool is closed for a deep clean cause some manky git has 
in the pool….absolute mingers 
x
I love Moxk The Week especially Dara O’Briain as think he is so funny. Saw him live a couple of times and he was so funny x
Ooh I think I hear thunder…:about time lol x
Anyway better head to bed as up for a 7am start so will pop in again tomorrow 
x
Hi Christine,
I am happy for you that Porsch is enjoying the chicken. Do not think too much about the bad things. Enjoy cuddling Porsch instead. I have to tell myself the same thing each day. Tammy is outside all the time at the moment. She has a new friend. A beautiful fox. It looks as if he is the one from my bungalow, he is not scared of me. I am putting out some dog food again each day.
I wish I could take a photo of him. I call all the foxes Ray. My neighbour raised a fox cub named Ray some years ago, a farmer had shot the mother fox. I carried on feeding him after she moved house some years ago. And now, all foxes are called Ray. I wish he would take the food from my hand. Tammy often smells of fox. If she catches mice again, she could give it to the fox, I do not want mice in the house. She used give me mice as a present.
Have not worked much on the garden except from today. My neighbour Carol came over to hep me today. Well, she had already started working when I noticed.
I have to find the battery charger for the camera battery. No idea where I put it. Once I find it, I can download the photos. Will put them on here shortly after.
I will have a long day tomorrow. I get a skip at 10. Lunch at 12:15 again. An old friend is visiting me in the afternoon. I just hope it is not bad news. I have a strange feeling.
Good you are keeping busy. Swimming is suppose to be the best exercise. No stress on the joints.
I wish I had squirrels. We had a red one some years ago but did not stay. (No gray squirrels allowed here on the island. I just wish they would not kill them. They could set them free somewhere else.)
Lots of love for you two xxx - Nick
Hi Tina,
If you are with TalkTalk you do not have to renew the contract like with BT. I never had to at my bungalow. It does go on until I cancel the contract. (Will be soon now, just about 3 or 4 weeks now.)
If you are happy with the current contract and do not need VOIP, then why change it now. You might be able to drag it out for another year. It depends where you live and how far they are with change in your area. Why not just wait and see. - A friend lives in London and he has to change soon. The optic fibre is only two or three roads away now. He will get fibre to the premises soon.
I had a good day today, my neighbour Carol came over to help with my garden again. (My brother’s house.) It is taking shape now. It will just take some time to get rid of the cuttings. I will take a photo. - I am getting there. But, it will still take time until the grass will grow again. My goal is (was) to work on the garden an hour a day. (No chance.) - I will be busy tomorrow. I will get a skip at 10:00, lunch again at 12:15, and, old friend is visiting me tomorrow at 14:30. - I will have to hurry to get back from the lunch tomorrow.
All the best, I hope you are OK, - Nick
Hi Nick
I just popped by to say a quick hello to Christine and noticed you have just been here.
You are really clued up on this internet business. Its one of those Jobs I hate making a mistake with at renewal. Talk Talk was an 18month contract. I really dislike it when they tie you in for that length of time. No doubt things will sort themselves out, worse things happen at sea as the saying goes.
I hope tomorrow is kind to you and your friend doesn’t come with any difficult news.
Good on Carol as well, what a thoughtful neighbour.
Much love to you xx
Hello Christine
I had meant to get back earlier today but it depends how quiet Zoe will be and today it wasn’t often.
Your comment about Creep waving his arms around him needing a poke in the eye made me laugh, I needed cheering up!
I noticed you’ve got a swim after therapy tomorrow. Hope all goes well and you get to go. The thought of mixing with a lot of strangers in a place I can’t just walk out of fills me with absolute dread. Every credit to you.
Talking about climbers, they have lots of them in Asda at £2 each it 3 for £5.00. Which is really good value and they were really nice. I didn’t buy any as they’d not take for this year and Id probably lose them over the winter. Its amazing how many plants I’ve lost but only remember if I really out my mind to it.
Glad to hear Porsch is feeding a bit better. Those eyes on that picture of her are so captivating. Simply beautiful.
We haven’t got Sea here or a beach. That’s at my Blackpool home. We have a park but it’s just over a mile walk to get there. He says I’ve turned my back on my home and I can see why it may look that way but Its on my mind everyday. I have the same dream about it where I’m at the house but other people have moved in too. Its so weird. Will it feel like I ever lived on that road, will it feel like I was married and all those pavements I walked on, shops I went into will be part of someone else’s life and not mine. Gosh I best stop there, it’s all tumbling out and the tears are falling now. There’s a lot I’m suppressing by the sound of it.
Is there somewhere nice to go after swimming tomorrow? Doesn’t sound like it will be nice enough to do much but you never know.
I’ll sign off for now and wish you a good night Christine and hope Porsche is nice and snuggly.
Much love to you both xx
Hello Neil
Thought about you today and hope you’ve been OK.
Much love xx
Hi all
Take no notice of my little over-emotional rant last night. Went back to delete it but alas too much time has lapsed to do so.
Good job I don’t drink or I could write all kinds and not remember.
Have a nice day all
Much love xx
Don’t apologise Tina, it’s good to get it off your chest, carry on ranting away.
Love and hugs 
Debbie xx
Hi everyone
Thank you for your lovely words. Yesterday was a difficult day for me but got through it. Played a lot of Dad’s favourite music throughout the day and made a pre planned call to Samaritans which helped a lot.
Posting a pic with Dad taken on holiday when I was a little boy!
Sending love and best wishes to you all
Neil x
Hi Tina,
I have my swim today in the outdoor pool but I just hope I have the energy as I couldn’t get up again this morn. Absolutely shattered and not because of what I have been doing. I think it’s the stress of Porsch taking its toll. She’s not eating any of the solid bits of meat or the paste so only the gravy. Tried another Asda cat food tin and she likes it but it’s not renal food for her condition. Trying to find a soup for her. She’s off out on the garden now before it starts raining again.
Had a phone message yesterday offering me a cancelled appointment for today but I already have my therapy and swim so I didn’t take it. Will wait for another appointment. Sure they will need updated blood tests too (iron in the blood).
I can fully understand your worry about your old house. Dreaming tries to make sense of the worry but can sometimes make it worse. Your old life must feel like someone elses, the person you used to be, the ‘before’. My whole life collapses with mam because I no longer do any of the things we enjoyed as a family. Have you considered ever moving back there? It is a huge thing to do without support but I love living alone. I have the freedom to do whatever I want when I want , not counting the creep and now the passive aggressive husband of the new neighbour. I heard him saying something about waiting until I am out to do it. That is worrying, especially because he’s annoyed with the fence when I mentioned it. I’ve already found a massive tree branch stuffed through the trellis. He’s cut it off but there’s a bit that needs cutting too for it to fit through. I can use the long bit as a support for my arches but it’s obvious what he’s done. He comes across as a big bully. That’s all I need! He’s at the house most days. So I’ll have to see if he has done anything when I get back later. Will be coming straight home. Texted my niece but no reply to join me so I’ve left it.
Garden is soaked overnight so I don’t have to worry about the potted plants. Got my cement delivered but will have to check the forecast for rain before I do my next batch.
Loved the wedding pics Debbie posted. So beautiful in shades of blue. Mam always loved a party and getting dressed up. Makes me remember all the things I couldn’t do with her, the things I wasn’t part of, because of my anxiety. I wish I had tried harder. But that only makes the anxiety escalate to panic. That feeling of being trapped even if it is doing nice things like going on hols.
Will post again later when I get back. Whatever you do take care. It’s just another day to get through. I’m always relieved when it’s bedtime and I can put the day behind me.
Lots of love xxx
Hi Neil,
I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how you are. Your lovely pic of you and your dad made me cry! Such happy times. I can’t play music now or think of songs that mam sang to me when I was little, though they seem to be creeping into my head quite often now. It’s only through grief that all those ‘normal’ things become precious. I hope your Samaritans call helped. I know how hard it is to get through those special days. You’ll be feeling quite wiped out now. Do you have anything booked to look forward to? You have time now to recharge before getting back out there again. I have a swim booked after therapy today, though I am so exhausted I wonder if I’ll go. Be quite nice swimming outside if it rains. I keep thinking that when we are ‘living’ life we are so unaware of its significance to us until later on when we revisit those times. It’s such a happy pic. Your dad looks so cool in his sunnies. And I love that you have matching tops!
What will you do today? Sleep if you need to, watch a film to escape and uplift you. Are you still chatting to the dancers on social media? I think you said they have their summer hols now. I’m finding it really hard making an effort to do anything. I think it’s the worry of Porsch not eating. She’ll only have the gravy but no meat chunks. I know she won’t last long. It feels like I’m just waiting now for her to leave me. Soz Neil, finding it al bit hard at the mo.
Hope you pop in a bit more. I’ll be doing another patch of patio when the rain stops and will post pics.
Lots of love xxx
Hi Nick,
Didn’t get back to you yesterday as I was so tired. Think it’s the strain of Porsch not eating her meat, just the gravy. Will ask the vet if the renal soups are good for her.
I hope you enjoy seeing your friend today. I hope it’s not bad news. But if it is you will cope, as you are now.
I’m so pleased you have nice neighbours. Lovely of Carol to help you. I was just telling Tina about the massive branch I found sticking through my trellis. The aggressive husband of the new neighbour (the one who thought he was entitled to use my bay and now parks on the grass infront of the house) has obviously cut the branch off and tried to shove it through but it won’t go through because of another bit he needs to cut. I can use the bits in my garden but that’s not the point. Anything overhanging the fence can be cut on that side but not thrown over for me! I am always amazed at how people around here behave, or rather don’t know how to behave. If he thinks he can take advantage because I’m a woman and on my own (I get the impression he is a right bully) he’s in for a shock. I don’t want to fight with anyone but I will defend myself by reporting him.
Love that Tammy has a fox friend. That will be why she wants to be outside all the time. I also put dog food out and dog treats too. Tried adding veg but that was left for me to clear up the next morn. I see different foxes randomly if I wake early. There was a massive one last week. They all look healthy. Don’t appreciate them digging in all my pots though!
Enjoy seeing your friend, even if there is bad news. You could invite her over for a sleepover when you move into your brothers house. Another pair of hands and fresh eyes would get things sorted quickly.
If you keep your holly trees you never know what animals will nest in them over winter. And they are so pretty to cut for making wreaths. Not sure which trees the squirrels are living in but they love playing in the garden. I always have extra nuts for them.
Enjoy your day hun. Looking forward to seeing your pics.
Lots of love xxx