Getting There

We are getting there, slowly but surely. The living room is finished but we are still working on other parts, still surrounded by boxes. It takes longer the older that you get.

It is looking quite pretty and I will post a couple of photos when I get around to taking some. We had heavy rain most of the day but Mike did manage to use a break in it to get the snowman up on our porch roof.

Whilst Mike was busy doing things that I could not reach, I have written out all of my Christmas cards, in fact, some have already been posted. Early I know, but we are already receiving them. I always stick them up on a door or doors where they make a lovely show.

I also managed to repot my Spider plant. It had become huge and threatened to take over the place. So I split it up and I now have two pots. They look a wee bit sorry for themselves right now but will soon perk up.

The Amaryllis that Sandra gave me already has a large bud on it, unfortunately on a very short stem, but these things have a mind of their own. I am so looking forward to seeing it bloom.

Our neighbour's daughter did knock here yesterday to thank Mike. He was out, so it gave me a chance to have a good word with her. I told her that this can no longer continue, that we can not take responsibility for him. She says she is going to try and arrange that he has far more care. Well, time will tell. I think he finds it hard to get help because he is so foul-mouthed. We had much trouble with him and one of his sons when they first moved here, verbal abuse and threats of violence - yes, I am not joking. So maybe the chickens are coming home to roost. After what we had to endure, I am surprised Mike was even willing to help him. However, both of us believe that two wrongs do not make a right and we would hate to be in his position. He is likely to remain in hospital for several more days.

We finally met our new neighbour on the other side. She knocked here to introduce herself. I felt bad about not being able to invite her inside but we had boxes, tinsel and decorations everywhere, the place was a mess. As it turned out she was in a hurry anyway, she had an appointment to pick up her three cats. Glad she is an animal lover. We did talk for a short time and it turns out we both used to live in the same road, only about ten doors away from each other. How is that for a small world?

She works in a Children's Hospice and it also turned out that it was the same one that Becky used to work in. They never met because Becky was in Admin and our neighbour actually works on the wards but, that was another coincidence. She knew James - he used to be Becky's boss. She is a very nice person and I know we will get on. She says she will pop in for a cup of tea in the near future when she gets the place straight.

I said previously that our neighbours moved very hurriedly without even a goodbye. Turns out they left the place in a right mess. A huge pile of rubbish in the garden for her to get rid of, not small stuff, large water tanks, pipes and the like. They also left the place dirty. To be honest I am glad they are gone. Their constantly yapping dog nearly drove us to distraction. We contacted the council on more than one occasion and were in the process of taping it all and keeping a written record. The poor thing was left for hours each day, constantly barking.

So, at last we have a nice neighbour. Because of her shift work I do not think we will see much of her but at least we know that she is friendly and easy to get along with. That goes a long way.

Well, I have taken my break, now it is back to the grind. I have to find my other two Christmas cushions which seem to have vanished into thin air and then start wrapping Mike's anniversary present for Friday.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.