Friday 18 March 2016

Disaster Update ...

We have been staying in a hotel for the past ten days; travelling backwards and forwards every day to try and get some semblance of order in our home.  The insurance assessors have been; the soaking carpets have been removed and the rooms are slowly drying out.  An electrician has been and tested everything for safety; a plumber has been and replaced the burst radiator which caused all the damage.  It is a slow, step by step process, which cannot be hurried.  Everything is in total chaos but we are moving back in on Saturday and will try to live as normally as we can in just the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.  The living room furniture is salvageable but the bedroom furniture has suffered the most damage and will all be thrown out.  Once the drying process is complete, the decorators will come in.  We think that it will be about a month or so before life gets back to normal and we will just have to put up with it all till then.  Blogging will be put on the back burner for a while but I want to thank you for all your thoughts and good wishes and hope to get back into the swing of things in the not too distant future.






Elaine

Thursday 10 March 2016

When Dreams Turn Into Nightmares

A short post to say that my 'short' blog break will be turning into a rather longer one than anticipated. We went away for a break and within 24 hours the nightmare began.  Our home flooded when a radiator burst.  Our neighbour noticed water seeping through into her home.  Luckily I had left a key with a friend and she was able to get in and turn the water off.  Unfortunately, the damage had already been done.  The leak was upstairs, the water soaked the bedroom, and the living room below.  Do you remember a couple of months ago we finished decorating and re-furnishing all our furniture - well all that work is now ruined.

So we are effectively homeless.  As from Friday we are booked into a hotel but after Sunday we are not sure where we will be living.  The insurance company have been informed and are taking the situation in hand.  Everything is in a devasting mess, it is heartbreaking to see.

So you can understand my dilemma, blogging is the last thing on my mind.  Our friends and neighbours have been wonderful, we couldn't have managed without them.  I will try to give you the odd update when I can.  We feel like a pair of homeless refugees, living out of a suitcase, lots of tears and no sleep - the worry of it all.  Our world turned upside down in a matter of hours.  You sometimes wonder how you can carry on.



Saturday 5 March 2016

Will You Miss Me While I'm Gone ...


Just a quick post to say thank you so much for all your kind birthday wishes,
they made growing older a little easier to bear.
I am taking a short blog break to re-charge my batteries and hope to return relaxed and rejuvenated with lots of tales to tell.
 

 
Back soon.

Elaine

Tuesday 1 March 2016

Birthday Conversations ...

 

D:  It's your birthday soon - is there anything that you want?

ME:  Not really, I've already got too much stuff.  Just get me a nice bunch of flowers.

D:  Isn't there a book you would like?

ME:  Not really, I've already got a pile of unread books.  Just get me a nice bunch of flowers.

D:  But I've got to buy you something!

ME:  I've told you - a bunch of flowers will be lovely - really!
 
A week later at a garden centre.
 
ME:  Oh look at that lovely Hamamellis (bends down to sniff at the burnt orange flowers)  Oh it smells of vanilla.  But look at the price (£27.50) I can't warrant spending that however lovely it's fragrance.
 
D:  I could buy it for you for your birthday.
 
ME:  (Eyes light up).
 
D:  What do you think - would you like it?
 
ME:  Oh alright then - if it will shut you up asking about birthday presents.  Thank you.
 
D:  Oh - I didn't bring any money with me.
 
ME:  Oh - neither did I.  Just enough for a bag of potting compost.  Well, that's that then. (disappointment).
 
D:  Sorry about that.
 
ME:  Not to worry - a bunch of flowers would be lovely.
 
Next day I went out to shop and when I returned there was the Hamamellis in all its Wintersweet glory sitting by the back door.  Beautiful.
 
Happy Birthday To Me.
 
 
 
 
p.s. In the end I had to buy myself a bunch of flowers!
 
Elaine