Goodness me, those posh chocolates are a dim and distant memory now. Hopefully, thanks to those generous folks at Appliances Online, some of you will shortly be wallowing in recipe books and chocolates galore. Just remember though that if you get a washing machine I’ll be a bit miffed as mine’s still on the blink.
After a traumatic December I was hoping for a period of calm, but January’s been just as tumultuous...
Ma, feisty old bird that she is, has coped amazingly with having one arm in a sling. Her delight when she managed to put a bra on for the first time was only marred by her dismay that she’d put it on inside out. At this stage, I’d have thought ‘What the heck’ and left it, but Ma went through the whole laborious process again! The hospital lost her follow-up appointment (you knew they’d do that, didn’t you?) but she’s now back in the system. All things considered she’s been a real star.
My little sister was rushed into hospital last week with chest pains and treated for a suspected blood clot. Fortunately, it’s ‘only’ pleurisy, but it didn’t half scare the pants off everyone
When your rellies are dropping like flies, one thing you need is a reliable car. Especially when there are two buses a day from your village and the railway station is 30 miles away. So, naturally our ancient Berlingo decided to pack up. We managed to nurse it as far as the nearest garage and trade it in for a little Daihatsu that would fit in the boot of our neighbour’s 4x4. So what if it sounds like a biscuit tin when you close the door; it’s a car, it was cheap and we’re mobile again.
The house saga rolls on and will make a blog of its own. Truly, if I tell you all about it now, I’ll curl up in the foetal position and never get any writing done.
The work in progress is, well, in progress again! Hurray! I have another couple of month’s grace, but I’m in a much happier place with it. Ooh my goodness, another full-blown blog saga awaits after I’m done, but I had no idea of how much having Turning the Tide out there would affect the WIP! I’ve been very lucky and received some super reviews, emails and letters from readers, but, gosh, the odd caustic comment from one or two hardcore reviewers has nearly cut me in half! Especially when they’re unfair! Ah well, as writer Lesley Pearse, so wisely said on Twitter recently, ‘Never wrestle with a pig. You’ll get dirty and the pig will enjoy it.’
With the Llanelli half marathon approaching, pigs are about the only animals not bothering me. If farm dogs and runaway horses weren’t enough to worry about, my favourite route has now been hijacked by a pheasant! I was slightly freaked out the first time it ran a mile with me, but after it tried to stop me getting past I decided it was time to change my route.
On the very last day of January, just when I was beginning to wonder if things were ever going to get any better, my elder daughter, known here as Lily, rang me from Edinburgh where she and her boyfriend, Russ, were on holiday. It had been a cold weekend and Lily couldn’t understand why Russ kept refusing to put his hat on. In the right place, at the right time, she discovered why; Russ had been waiting for the perfect moment to propose and the ring was wrapped up in his hat! Awwwww!
Many congratulations Lily and Russ, we’re delighted! Here’s wishing you every happiness together!
Painting is County Kerry (3) by Tom Tomos
Comments
We're all rooting for you madly, by the way!
Milla, thank you... well, any time you're this way, you're welcome. And ta, I'm getting there!
Pondside, one of these days I intend to have a quiet month! Thank you - I'll pass it on!
Fennie, how very kind of you - I appreciate it. Hmm, the downstairs loo is probably a good place for the caustic comments... although not necessarily in a frame.
Mountainear, thank you. A calm month would be very welcome!
Edith, yes, you're right; the month's behind me now and I'm someone who looks forwards rather than back. It's lovely to have something to celebrate right now!
Oh Helen, cars are a right pain and a complete waste of money, but there's no practical alternative. Even my bike's rusted through. Hope your car troubles are sorted soon too.
Best wishes to your Ma! Even give her a hug from me when she might find it comfy to receive.
What a time you have been having. I think that there are quite a few folks who've been having some not-so-great stuff going on in the past month.
Please do keep going with your WIP.
The house bit will happen when it happens.
Congrats to the newly engaged. Wow!
Tom's picture is another I really like.
Over here in New York, we almost set records for January snow depths. I have been shoveling out the shop's entranceway over and over again. My muscles ached after the first instance, but since then, not so much.
Here we are on the second step into February, a very short month. Let us hope that its 28 days will be enough to truly show us that spring is on the way. xo
Hurrah for the new car (although the Berlingo wasn't old - not like mine!) Both of ours are currently poorly. It's been a bit of a week (rolls eyes and sighs).
Ignore the caustic comments - that's not who you're writing for - I do love the thing about not wrestling with a pig!
Lovely news about your daughter's engagement.
Give those pigs a good ignoring.
J
Ignore the snipers, I swear that's all some people do and just feel sorry that they have to live with themselves. It can't be much fun.
Keep up the good work on the current WiP!
J xx
Mags, thanks for your good wishes. Sorry to hear that the dreaded car sickness crossed the hills... do you think a sudden outbreak of extra funds would spread as quickly?!
Sheepish, the doors always open should you be this way! Thank you - it's been quite a start to the year!
Lins, it's all a bit nerve-wracking at the moment! It's a good job there's some good news or I'd be flagging!
SBS, hello and sorry not to have been in touch - you can see why though!! Bum firmly glued to seat, Miss!
Kath, do go ahead! Thanks for your very kind comments re the snipers - it's good that majority of readers - like you - have been hugely supportive, I appreciate it!
LBD, thank you, dear heart. I think it's been hard work for lots of people - we all need a touch of Spring and some sunshine.
Elizabeth, again, so sorry not to have been in touch. I'm sorry to hear you're going through it too. Hope all is beginning to settle down.