Soop's welcoming kitchen!

Gawd, I really had a downer yesterday, didn't i?

Better today and gardener is here and we cut the cat's claws, and he's mowing grass in the drizzle.
My leg still sore from the cramps though. And I didn't get the emails done, but I have to take pics for one of them - need sun!

Thanks soop and everyone.......

AlieO Good girl...that's much more to our liking.

Hi anno.
I have to keep on trucking now - can't leave things as they are!

Feeling better enough to make a rhubarb crumble - and eat some - and plant out 10 runner beans, so that's something.

Alie, what a shame that you are being put under all this stress by your neighbours and the uncaring attitudes of officials. Wish we could all wave our magic wands and put everything right for you. I know you will soldier on, but at what cost to your health? Please feel free to unload on us.

I've been out to lunch with friends today - very nice restaurant and lovely food - not too pricey either. Chocolate tart to die for (to die OF?) with honey and thyme ice cream. I knew as soon as I saw the menu that that dish had my name on it! Came home and had a long nap! Weather is horrible - heavy showers and none too warm.

Thanks Lona - don't I know it! Think I will. Feel better than I did.

AlieO Sometimes everything gets on top of us, try not to be too anxious. I hope you sleep a lot better tonight (((hugs)))

Thanks Agus

Actually my sister is oblivious. She's just emailed me to say she 'had a lovely day'......

Agus...MacSporran was dumbfounded...or as near as.

Slainte! Until tomorrow x

okay!

I can hear you now Soop. Actually darling, our shrub is in fact...... na na na na na. 5 mins. to go. Slainte !

Annsixty!Your post was heartfelt and understanding. I knew what you meant and it's a phrase I use myself.

Alie more ((((hugs)))) for you. Hope getting it out of your system a bit has helped.

Don't get it wrong. It was her birthday. But what I expected was that they would pay for the drinks, we would pay for the food......didn't happen.
Daughter and boyfriend did help out a bit.

...not to mention mean to the extreme. Just needed to add that.

...as for your sister...I feel extremely sad for her. To have the wherewithal to pay her way, and be oblivious to the fact, is downright rude and ignorant.

AlieO When, at 6 o'clock, I take the first sip of my Sunday G&T, I shall raise a toast to you and all those who need a well-deserved break from on-going hassle and torment.

Thanks soop for the hug. Needed.

It's ok annsixty. I have managed not to blame myself - except that I should not have bottled things up but let them out earlier - and maybe that is why I had nightmares. Things just came to a head all together in the night.

AlieO you still have a keen sense of humour. Try not to lose it. (hug)
annsixty ...and don't you dare stay away either! And, I'm also wondering how our BellasNana is coping. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could teleport ourselves to offer real comfort and support to our Granspals-in-need?

Agus Isn't that an amazing name...Crinodendron Hookerianum. The Latin name describes the ballerina-like flowers perfectly. I guessed that it might be a member of the Rododendrun family. MacSporran wasn't convinced. I can't wait to let the full-blown name trip off my tongue. He'll be impressed.

Alie I am sorry if I worded my post badly.What I meant of course is the situation will make you ill.I am so sorry if I have upset you.

Sometimes it seems that there is no direction to look in where there is not something wrong! (There have been upheavals in my daughter's life this week too and I have been worrying about her.)
Being made ill by circumstances is more like it?

I am going out in the garden as it will be a bit cooler now. At least my plants are mostly thriving.....

Lona was right Soop it is Crinodendron Hookerianum also known as The Chilean Lantern Tree. It likes a humid shady spot. Must find out where I can get one! Thanks Lona

No wonder you had a cry this morning Alie. Probably this nightmare you are dealing with due to the state of next door is also magnifying other upsets.
Try not to let your sister's behaviour get to you too much and as for Daughters who don't call when they say they will, join the club, yet a very different case when we do likewise!

annsixty is this 'making myself ill'?

I know.
I've had colitis for three years and have only recently realised that this coincides with the time I have been worrying about my house.......another thing I must do is see my doctor this week if possible and get this on record for future reference as I may consider claiming for damage - but this would not help with the sight of next door!
They do nothing.

* Alie* yes it is a good place to get off our chests what we don't want to say to people close.You are justified in feeling upset with your sister as I feel justified in not being happy with my grown up children who think because I am a coper they don't feel they have to offer help with my DH. I don't need practical help ,just a bit of understanding of how life is for me.So yes I am glad we can moan on here without upsetting anyone,as I know I would if I spoke out.
You have a real problem with your house and you must persist with your complaints and not let them fob you off.
You are in danger of making yourself ill.

It is so nice to be welcomed back. Thank you and everybody. (You take my manure and use it for fertiliser!)

Spent half this morning crying with sore leg and hassled brain, and it keeps coming back.
I have just now been able to speak to my daughter who said she would ring me back earlier and didn't as usual....some of it I can't yet say to her, because it's about something she said yesterday, but she does understand my resentment that my sister has so much more money than i have and didn't offer anything towards the bill....which I couldn't say to anyone else!

I decided to send two emails today and haven't yet, one to local councillor and one to the head of Environmental Health, the boss of the woman I have had to deal with. This woman doesn't like me - I don't like her either....I feel she thinks I am a nuisance, but i have had to be - a polite nuisance for 18 months.....
I emailed him ten days ago and he only referred me back to her, where I don't see me getting anywhere! However she has not contacted me so I think I could be justified in contacting him again...only with pictures this time. Of their house, my damaged shed, and the now dead tree in next door's garden which has already dropped a branch on my hedge!

I will send these today. I am beginning to feel angry again, which is better than sorry for myself!

AlieO Don't you dare feel that you cannot dump your frustrations here in the kitchen. We're here for each other...come what may. You deserve so much better than the state of your neighbour's residence. What on earth can be done? Surely the local council must be sympathetic to your cause. I'd be hopping mad if I'd had to bear with so much downright hassle. The nightmares reflect your concerns (for want of a better description)...it seems to me that you wake up to a nightmare each and every day. Please keep sharing with your Granspals. You matter and we care.

Thanks, Lona that is what I believe the shrub to be. Perhaps Agus will qualify when she's refers to the appropriate shrub book. I like the sound of your classy bistro table and chairs. A bargain, I'm sure.