Hi Suzanne,
Love that you used to wind your mam up about the evolution stuff. Always found dinosaurs fascinating but my big thing is sharks, crocs and tarantulas. Could never go anywhere hot for fear of getting bitten. Saw a horrendous thing on you tube when I was randomly watching puppies and kittens being saved and given new homes so have had to stop watching it. Can’t deal with the horrors of nature and would find your ospreys quite upsetting. Will you be feeding the little ones if the mam doesn’t return?
I always laugh when you slag off Cal! My sis has a bearded dragon, chameleon and several snakes, along with a rabbit, guineapigs and the dogs. Don’t know know where she finds the time to look after them all. Porsch just vommed on the rug in the hall. Too many renal treats and the grass she was eating in the garden. So back to her usual self! She’s found a new bed now in the sitting room on one of the big cushions so no longer sleeps in her drawer beside me. Such a relief that she’s eating the gravy. Costing a small fortune but it has to be done. Will check her weight again soon.
Haven’t heard anymore rats scampering about and will check the loft over the weekend to see if the stink is less. Creep was out strutting about with his tools again and then blasting Frank Sinatra for hours. Managed to fall asleep so missed some of it. I dread to think what life will be like when he retires. I just want someone to acknowledge what he has done and punish him for it. But when I get the fence finished I hope that will give me some peace of mind that he’ll have a hell of a job trying to watch me over it. Most people just wouldn’t go out there but I refuse to be bullied. His mate was at home when I was going on about him to the workmen so she will have told him everything I said. I truly believe he thinks he’s done nothing wrong and that he has never been told ‘no’ in his life. It’s an ongoing aggravation.
Anyway, hope to get cracking early tomorrow and looking forward to the pics at the weekend. Bet you can’t wait for your hols. Have you got anything planned?
Hope your hair turns out ok. I remember the curly bob I got because my best friend did but her hair was really thick and looked great but mine was thin and very tight! Big regret. When I was little I wouldn’t let mam brush my hair and so she cut it short and because I felt I looked like a boy I started wearing a long ribbon tied round my head to have long hair again. Total weirdo!
Lots of love xxx
Hi Christine,
The seeds are red valerian which is slightly different and not used for medication like the other one. Please don’t eat it.
Our church is not doing a holiday club, some of the others in the town are and the two town councils have children’s event going on over the summer. I’m glad our isn’t in a way, I spent most of the year with teenagers, summer is just time for a break, apart from being with my own lovely grandchildren.
I do, online shopping about once a month when I need heavy or bulky stuff like loo roll, washing powder etc. I much prefer doing my own shopping where I can select my own and look for a decent sell by date. You often don’t get that with home delivery and I never trust them to choose fruit for me which I eat loads of every week. Plus as I’m still calorie counting I can study the nutritional information before I buy. I did this morning’s shop in record time, caught the 8.am. bus home by 9.15am. always makes a difference if I don’t need to go the the building society or chemist to pick up my medication. I did get myself a bunch of sunflowers. Doug always bought me flowers every week, this is something I still do.
Sitting in the garden at the moment having a coffee. When I get back later I will cut my lawn before tomorrow’s rain. I can hear one of my neighbours mowing theirs. Can’t do mine at the moment as got washing on the line.
I hope you manage to get your fence finished and have a peaceful day.
Speak later
Love Debbie xx
Hi Debbie,
I won’t eat it! P
Hi Debbie,
I won’t eat it! Promise. How is your honey bush doing? Two of mine are flourishing but the others died so I cut them back and have fingers crossed. Not sure if they have enough sun.
Don’t blame you for wanting a break from the kids club at church. September will be here before we know it so make the most of every sunny day and get jobs done on rainy ones.
Did you have a lovely catch up with your friend over lunch? I’d love to be free to do that, even to sit and have a coffee at the local shopping mall.
You did do well getting out early and getting your shopping done. You sound like my dad wanting to pick your own things and checking the labels for dates. I have so little interest in food that I don’t bother with things like that and I mostly eat frozen veg (made into soups) and fruits (smoothies with yoghurt and milk). I do love a mature cheddar but try to ration it for the fat content. Was shocked the first time I heated it in the microwave and saw all the oils coming out of it. I love that you still buy yourself flowers. Just pretend they’re from Doug. He would approve! Keeping lovely traditions going is what life is all about.
Creep is back and that is the reason I’m back in the house. Had a fabulous day! with the fence. Got so much more done than I thought I would. The gap at the bottom half is now completely filled with the offcuts of the original fence panel cut down to fit the space next to the house because of the trees.
Got both posts in (still need to do the bolts at the spike) and each is secured well to the fence panel.
The one nearest to the house didn’t go in straight and followed the growth of the trees so a big gap to have to close
with lots of fixings.
Had to add decking panels to fill the gap and secure all to the post
Screwdriver is back on charge and I’m waiting for the creep to go back in to finish screwing everything in. He sat out with his music blasting (not Frank Sinatra for a change but the radio) and when I had to collect all my bits he laughed from the other side of the fence. Such a creep! So I’m in with the windows shut watching Judge Judy again. Hands are so cut and sore form the work but I’m delighted with what I’ve got done. Still have the two trellises to add and the consetina trellis and bamboo rolls but everything is ready to do it. It will be such a relief to know the creep cannot watch me over the fence when they are up.
Think my next job will be to cut all the dead branches from the pergola to encourage new growth next summer. I won’t be overlooked and so can thin it out.
Porsch was sick last night and today after eating grass and too many of her renal treats so I’ll be stopping that from now on. She’s just had a bite and her appetite tablet so hoping she will be ok.
Going to see if the creep is still out. If his music is on he’ll still be out there. Just hope he doesn’t here my screwdriver and come out. If he stands at the other side of the fence I wouldn’t know as he is so quiet. It’s just not natural!
Any plans for the weekend? Rain forecast here and the creep will be at home so I’ll be stuck inside as usual. Might try swimming at the local pool.
I love Judge Judy putting the world to rights and seeing through all the naughtiness!
Pop in later on. Hope Monty is on tonight.
Lots of love xxx
Hello Christine
I can see you’ve been hard at it with your garden. Its such a shame you have to keep going to all that trouble because of other people. Looks like it should stop Dastardly Dick’s prying eyes from seeing into your garden.
I’m going to have a look on that site you mentioned for crafts, it sounds interesting. I can’t knit nor crochet. When I was a kid I knitted some Dolls clothes and I would knit these long multi coloured scarfs later on but it’s not proper knitting. I wouldn’t know what a purl stitch is to save my life.
Talking of pallets, he brought 5 of them home a couple of days ago for the log burner. I took them apart with a crowbar and the pieces came apart perfectly intact. I won’t get to use any for me, I might put some small offcuts pieces aside to make suncatchers with but that’s all. The younger me would have been all excited about making planters and window boxes like you mention but I have little motivation these days, especially as it’s not my right to be making stuff for plants when he doesn’t like ir want plants. I know people use pallets for stoves/burners but it all seems such a terrible waste of good wood. As you say, wood and joinery items are so not cheap now. It would cost a fortune at Wickes.
I’m sorry Porsche has had an upset tum. Hope she’s settled now. I know when Zoe feels sick she’ll run into the garden, eat some grass and then throw up. One of the reasons dogs eat grass is it acts as a purge to get them to vomit, lovely subject isn’t it!
Just thinking about the cheese you were talking about and the oil you saw coming out of it! I know what you mean! Thing is though if you had to eat entirely healthy you’d be sat there with a lettuce leaf and tomato, where’s the enjoyment in that! My healthy eating means only eating half a pack of biscuits instead of the whole pack.
I’ve eaten such a lot over these past few days despite not feeling hungry. I’ve not felt the best recently so I imagine it’s emotional eating. Sadly an emotional eater is never full so it’s not going to end that well if ai don’t manage to put a stop to it.
I hope your neighbours are out today and you get to have some fresh air in the garden. Is it today you were thinking of another swim?
Will catch up later today but have a good day both of you.
Much love
xx
Hi Suzanne
I’m here 
. Not much to report really. Saw my Spiderman film on Wed before the kids broke up.
No shows booked until 7th Sep ( Grease). Will pick something else out to see between now and then that there will be not many kids seeing the show.
Being watching the sport and having a relaxing day.
Hope you are doing OK.
Dont realise how the days fly past since last posting .
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
Hey Neil,
Just wanted to know you were doing ok so thank you for responding as I worry 
x
How was Spiderman?
I don’t have much to say either so done nothing but work lol x
Anyway will pop in and chat in the next couple of days so until then take care and much love 
x
Just saying to Neil not much happening but will show you my new hair as think you may like it and have an appointment at the tattooist on Monday after work but not sure what I’m getting as my last appointment was cancelled so will see what she has time to do and then make another appointment 
x
Will chat more tomorrow at have to get up for work tomorrow 
xx
Well chuffed with it lol x
Hi Suzanne
Spiderman was fantastic as expected . Hoping to see Oppenheimer soon too.
Have a good Sunday
Love and best wishes
Neil xx
Hi Christine
How are you today?
Hope you are well.
You’ve either been lucky with the weather and been out or t’s just completely poured down, as it has done here all weekend. It won’t have been nice if you’ve had to have been stuck inside the bedroom all day but I suppose if it’s too bad for you to go out then it will be so for Creep too. Unless he can irritate you through brick walls and I can well believe that’s possible.
Other than a quick shopping trip I have done absolutely nothing out of the ordinary this weekend. I’ve not really done any crafts either but I’ll have a look at that site you mentioned, sounds interesting.
I’ll be glad when it’s Monday this week as he’s been off Since Wednesday night and there’s no proper routine and I get so stressed and anxious when things are just so haphazard. Don’t know if that makes me a control monster but unpredictability makes me panic.
I’ll try and drop in later. Just discovered a roof leak earlier, not a clue how I dare tell him about that. There’s been so much expense lately with repairs and unlike when it was a council house things like that are so expensive.
I hope Porsche is settled Christine. She’s doing well isn’t she despite not always taking to her food.
I’ll go and see what Zoe is barking at.
Hopefully will get back later.
Much love xx
Hi Tina,
Apart from getting some more bits screwed in to finish what I did tother day and tightening the nut and bolt system on the spikes (what a job that was with using two spanners / two hands in rotation) yesterday before the rain came down I haven’t done anymore outside. Place is saturated. Can you believe the creep laughed when I was getting my bits together when he came back and obviously saw that I’d filled in the bottom bit of the fence? He’s such a moron. Like you say, all this effort (I am so aching!) just because of the bloody neighbours! But I am pleased that it’s nearly done at last. Will add my trellis tops (it’s higher than the actual bungalow roof) and I have half arches to add to block the view of my window if he’s further up the garden. I’ll be able to have my windows and curtains open when he’s at home if he can’t see over. I’ll be free at last to stay out in the garden!
Just had a run in with the other maniac, MR T., driving his car over my grass to park at the door. I was furious! I was already out at my bin and knocked on the window. I said he can’t park here, that this is a communal space that nobody can use. He was his usual aggressive self, saying what harm was there! I told him not to cross my garden again and he said he wouldn’t. But I had already sent a complaint about him to the parking bit of the council. So I updated it to reflect that he has been told and still insists on parking there. Such an ignorant man. Thinks the space is his own private car park! So hope they deal with that swiftly. Hope he can’t get parked, like I couldn’t in all the years I’ve lived here. Maybe’s he’ll stop visiting. I hate being the one to complain about others but I have to follow the rules and will report anyone who doesn’t. I’m usually not at all bothered if it doesn’t effect me but I will not put up with him thinking he can get away with it. He’ll know it’s me reporting him and I don’t care.
Just waiting for my shop and I have lots of treats (burger, crisps, scones, fudge). But I will be making up my batches of soup and have salad too as my main daily things so it evens itself out.
Creep didn’t come home yester and he’s still not back so I’ve been enjoying looking out the window with Porsch, watching the little sparrows and a random baby starling hiding from the rain in the canopy. Thought I’d cut back all the dead branches but they use them and it’s like a massive nest. So might just do some. The pigeons are really pretty with all different markings. So lovely hearing the cheeping.
Porsch has had 3 breakfasts and not in a good mood now as she knows her appetite tablet is in the gravy of her last meal she refused to eat. So she’s still out. She’s so very clingy and always wanting attention when I’m busy. Looks like it’s going to rain again. But I do enjoy a downpour. Luckily the long patch of cement has dried.
It’s a shame you can’t use the pallets for the garden. When I had my massive composter behind the shed it was all created from pallets screwed together and lined in thick plastic. It was so much easier throwing everything in there. The outside had pockets for planting strawberries, though they weren’t that good. My strawberries haven’t done well at all this year. Will have a good tidy up with the pots before Autumn, put all the compost on the garden for the trellis area I’ll be digging over and planting up. I’ll use the large tubs for seasonal planting on the patio and not fiddle about with lots of small pots. Might donate them to the local allotments.
I wish you had a pal to do things with, even if it was to share in gardening together, popping out for a coffee. Would make all the difference to you. I know how lovely that would be for me. I’m so isolated with the agoraphobia. One of the workmen said he hoped I find some peace. I can’t see that happening because I can’t change my situation. So I have to make the best of it.
Haven’t been swimming again but will go Tues after therapy. Can’t seem to find the willpower. So tired off all the fence work. Need a nap now.
Think I hear my shopping so will pop back later. Sun is out again.
Lots of love xxx
Hi Neil 
I’ve heard Oppenheimer is very good but pretty hard going…well it wouldn’t be a comedy lol x. Not one I’ll be watching but will be interested in knowing what you think. Glad you enjoyed Spiderman.
What are your plans for this week? You doing ok? (You know what I mean) x
I’ve not much planned over the next couple of weeks (thank heavens says my bank balance lol) so need to get a few things done round the house/in the garden if weather allows x
My niece got her first tattoo yesterday and she now appears to bitten by the tattoo bug as she has already decided on her second one. She said it didn’t hurt that much…told her not to be too cocky as some can hurt like a bitch…she’ll find out x
Hope you are keeping well and no more fainting issues x
Going to go eat my lasagne lol so take care and much love and will pop in and check in on you tomorrow xx
Hi Suzanne
Tuesday not as bad as it normally is. Been planning my Royal Ballet visits for the new season . Hoping to see something at the theatre between 7th-11th Aug to put me in a good frame of mind for Mums birthday that week . Always helps to have something planned.
No more fainting thankfully. Still put it down to being up too high and very warm in the theatre as it hasnt happened at any other time.
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
Hi Christine
Hope this message finds you well.
I’m absolutely mortified that I hadn’t replied to your last message. I know I’ve said it before that I read your posts and write my reply in my head whilst I’m doing jobs or sorting Zoe etc then forget that my reply didn’t make it any further than the thought process. I’m such a scatterbrain sometimes so apologies once again.
Yeah Christine I can certainly imagine the creep cackling when you were getting your stuff together. I don’t know how some people’s brains are wired these days but it’s not normal. You’ve gone to such a lot of trouble so I hope this is the final round of dragging fences and panels around for you. You’ve done the work of half a dozen men over the Summer up to now so it’s about time you got to enjoy it in peace. If it ever stops raining long enough. Just reading about your run-in with Mr T, the other prannock. It’s all about taking liberties at the end of the day and probably no-one has ever challenged his behaviour before like you have, so he’ll be stunned someone has had the front to stand their ground. There’s always someone that thinks rules don’t apply to them and it only creates bad feeling where there needn’t be. Thank goodness he’s not there full time.
Are you ok in yourself at the moment? I’ve been having panic attacks for the last couple of days and several times have got changed and ready to go to the shop and not been able to because of the distressing physical symptoms that come with the attacks. Today has been bad but then my Sister rang to say she was coming round with my Nephew so I got to have a chat with him before he goes back to Australia and it took me out of my own racing thoughts for a bit. I know I don’t live alone but other than my Brother I don’t speak to anyone else and you do tend to become locked in your own head a bit which isn’t good.
Sorry to hear the strawberries haven’t done great for you. Plants are a law unto themselves aren’t they. I’ve probably had about half a dozen strawberries off mine so a bit of a let down really. You see all these tumbling strawberries in gardening catalogues don’t you but it’s not like that in my case.
Well that’s me done, talked a lot but not actually said anything, at least anything interesting lol. It’s almost 1,45am so going to see if I can get some sleep.
(Hope you enjoyed the treats you ordered in your online shop)!
Much love xx
I in
Hi Christine,
I hope you are okay. You should have got your seeds in the post, Suzanne has hers. Well impressed with royal mail, to get way up north the next day. Just hope they are as efficient in your neck of the woods.
I heard from the hospital, my knee operation is on Friday 11th August, providing it’s not cancelled as just seen junior doctors are going on a four day strike that day. I spent nearly two hours last night filling in a pre op assessment form on line, like most things that happens this way now instead of face to face appointments.
I’ve just got back from work, I decided to go in and finish all the jobs I had waiting for the start of term. Feel more settled now I’ve done as much as I can, as won’t be in for the first few weeks of term if my operation goes ahead. It was lovely this morning only me the site team and builders, so quiet. Also handed my notice in, put it on the Head’s desk as won’t be in on the 1st September to do it. It’s done a momentous moment, the start of a change in my life. It’s still very sad Doug is not here to share it with me.
I hope Mr T and the creep are behaving and you can get out into your garden.
Speak to you again later.
Love Debbie xx
Hi Neil, hope you are okay. I finally got to go and see Indiana Jones film at the cinema, it was very good and touching in places, a nod to the previous films. I do like Harrison Ford, but he does look his age now.
Are you tempted to see Barbie, I want to go, hoping I can go with the grandchildren as it would feel a bit odd going on my own.
Not going to see Oppenheimer, films that are a true story upset me because of all the people that died. I remember as a teenager, The world at War series on TV covered all the events in great detail, I don’t want to see it again, I was the same about Titanic.
I am going to see Strays, out on 18th August with my son in law, it’s a comedy but bit rude, right up up sense of humour.
Hope you got some good things booked over the next few weeks.
Take care
Love Debbie xx
Hi Nick and Paulo, both you are both okay.
Sending love
Debbie xx
Hi Debbie
Glad you saw Indiana Jones. Apparently it hasnt done that well at the box office but its for our age group as we were brought up in the 80s on these films. Lots of nostalgia and I liked it too. Barbie is on my list with such a great cast but not sure about seeing it in the school holidays!
Will see Oppenheimer next week. Big fan of the director and try and see all his films
Nice warm sunny day here although more rain forecast this evening.
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
Hi Suzanne,
Seem to have been so busy and then exhausted again and falling asleep that I haven’t been posting as usual. Love the hair! Raspberry - reminds me of my loganberries before they turn extra ripe. So shiny too. Wish my hair was in such good condition. I used to be at the hairdressers every 3 weeks for a trim and treatment (just liked sitting under the dryer! but that was years ago. Wouldn’t be able to sit still long enough now to get even a trim.
Have you decided on your next tattoo? Something about your mam, like a special date or place? Wish I could get tats but I could risk my arm swelling up (lymphodema) as the lymph nodes were removed for testing. Not worth the risk.
I can’t quite believe I have finished my trellises!!! Never thought it would happen. So here’s the final product without each stage as I would normally do. I’m so chuffed!
Not finished yet. Have to sort out trellis for the climbing ivy and will train over the entire fence. Have arches too to add so even if the creep tried to climb over the fence he’d have to tackle a curved structure too. It has taken a huge amount of work, time, courage! and money to get it finished.
While I was up the ladder I noticed the creep has taken down the mirror and ladders to had on the shed wall. So it’s pretty obvious he was watching me through the gap with that mirror. I laughed on the other side of the fence when I was still busy filling in the gap. That is how creepy he is.
My wonderful moment has been tarnished with another ongoing situation, Mr Testosterone. I had told him already he cannot park on the grass and he has continued to. So I rang parking enforcement and was told that it is a traffic offence to mount the pavement and park on the grass. So I have reported him to the police! like I was told to do, and informed the council who did nothing at all about it. That will teach everyone in the street that I am not going to be intimidated by anyone and will take action if they cannot behave themselves. I caught him driving across my lawn and he is so fast (a pensioner thinking he’s still a boy racer) that had I been at the side of my house and come out he could have nocked me down. My friend on the other side said about the cats playing on the lawn and I hadn’t even thought of that. So he will be furious when he is caught again. That’s if the police even do anything about it.
So I’ve had a very productive day filled with anger and stress. I feel sorry for the ex wife being married to that bully. I’m always shocked at the arrogance and sense of absolute entitlement to do as they please in this street. I’m even more isolated now that this has happened. But I cannot tolerate having to abide by the rules when others clearly disregard them.
I can imagine the fence will now become an issue and the trees as the boundary line. My friend is clearly very vulnerable and cannot stand up to this bully. He mentioned today that I should have more light in my garden (re chop down the trees) when he was previously saying how beautiful the trees were and that he wished he had them in his garden. So am very aware of another fight brewing! I just hope I have the energy to keep going. I’ll have to contact my MP if it does become an issue.
Porsch is being an absolute nightmare with her screaming, medication and food. She’s still spitting her tablets out and looks like I’m going to kill her when I’m trying to keep her mouth shut so she’ll swallow! She’ll refuse to eat anything but then at other times will want 3 meals in a row, but only ever eats the gravy. It’s costing an absolute fortune in wasted food. I can’t give her the renal treats anymore because she won’t eat anything else. If she screams to be out she then screams if I’m still in the house, despite having a very cosy nest of blankets on her cushion. I had thought of fostering like Beki in the future but I’m finding it so stressful with the medication. It really is a battle of wills as to who wins. Then she’ll be in the huff with me all day. But I keep thinking I’d rather this than not have her here because I know that day will come and I’ll feel guilty every time I have shouted at her to stop screaming.
Got some seeds off Debbie to plant. Will put them in the new bed at the trellis (behind the pond) when I have sorted the soil. Will add all the compost from the tubs when I do my bulbs. That’s my next task after the patio grouting. It’s going to rain most of the week so it’s on hold for now. Will be so pleased when I don’t have all these big jobs and can fiddle about in the garden pruning etc. Got an Autumn catalogue through already for seasonal planting so think I’ll get more ivy and have trailing baskets again and wall planters as they like the shade. So many things have died or just not grown at all. Like my roses.
I know I have lots to catch up on so hoping to see your pics of the Loch from the weekend. Or was it this weekend? Hope the chicks are ok and the parents have come back. Must be wonderful to be a wildlife photographer.
Keep working hard. Didn’t you have time off coming up? Hope you have things to look forward to.
Lots of love xxx