Monday, Monday ...

Previously, The Elder is not talking ...

Monday morning - early ... more in a mo'

Saturday continued with the house being empty (less Le Chien & et moi). The time was put to good use - oh yes. The downside is that yours truly may have 'picked up' an infection from the dentist's poking wires and wiggling whatever (in my mouth, last week). Muchus swellus, painus et dicumfus meant that SEH has not been on, the usual, tip - top form. The Elder eventually returned and was wary - talking had been restored though in a very wary fashion. 'Normal service' was resumed later in the evening after SEH had cooked dinner. I hate 'situations' - they are so unproductive and only lead to you being miserable. We are all human (I think) and we all like hugs, cuddles and so on. #3 returned and makes a fuss of The Dog - he had just been fed, was trying (as we older men do), to get comfortable - I suppose, if he was human, he would be loosening his belt and all that.  I was terrified he would 'go' for #3 (thankfully he didn't). #3?  She wouldn't be told. The remainder of the evening involved SEH nursing a swelling (of the wrong sort). Lurching to the bathroom @ 2215 resulted in #3, supported by The Elder, 'starting up' - "see, I cannot have my shower now" - honestly I was only going to clean my teeth. The Elder asked if I could wait until #3 had her shower - bollocks to that. You might be wondering about the 'meeting' with #3 / the letter to The Elder? Wednesday, Dear Reader.

Sleeping badly I lurched to my feet on Sunday - as expected, in the early hours, the house was quiet. For the life of me I cannot think how I spent the morning.  I (probably) made tea, fed The Dog and went back to bed. The dental discomfort continues and I fear major work - at the moment I couldn't care less about what does / doesn't remain. Yesterday very much like the day before - though quite a good 'session' on the PC (PM) - which left me feeling very good - more so because The Elder was out (though not #3). Confession - I didn't get dressed all day! On her return, with The Dog, The Elder was in a good mood more so as I had prepared / cooked the dinner. The Dog, having been out with her (to meet #2) was knackered. An uneventful evening - late shower etc and in to bed. All was well until about 0215 when I heard loud voices and screaming; leaping out of bed I find all the lights on. #3 wandering around, upstairs in an agitated state. I ask what's going on at which, as if by magic, The Elder appears and 'takes over'.  I retreat to my den on the assumption that if I am needed I will be contacted. The problem? #3 has seen a 'huge spider' in her room and wants someone to sort it out. I left it to The Elder. I woke @ about 0515 stumbled to my feet to see to The Dog. In the kitchen, lights on, TV on and fan heater on sits #3 - clearly the issue involving the spider has not been resolved. Once The Dog is sorted I go back to bed. We (#3 & I), didn't speak.

More later.

Technorati Tags: Dentist,Le Chien,Spiders,arachnophobia

This and that ...

Here we are again - thank you for visiting. It seems an age since I last wrote.  First of all, many thanks to VofT and Mel for your comments - all greatly appreciated. It's true I will be away for about two months but, fear not!, I expect (TBC) to be able to continue posting to the blog.

Late Thursday saw me making the necessary arrangements for my two month absence. How exciting! Apart from that, Thursday saw me tidying the room upstairs (still at it!) and endeavouring to fit a quart in to a pint pot (pint pot = room downstairs, my current bedroom). I am sacrificing (disposing of) items that I have owned for years - not looked at for years and will, probably, not look at again for years. Outside I have placed an old PC, a scanner, two monitors, all the professional journals (carefully catalogued, over the years), clothing, books, papers (loads of the bloody stuff!) and more.  All I need is my car ....  The car is still at the garage - 'they' are struggling to repair the bleeding problem - 'bleeding' being an apt term, the suspension (hydraulic) is causing them problems.  I have left it with them and will review next Monday.

Yesterday it was all much of the same except that #3 has tidied her bedroom. I have nagging toothache (probably stress) where the dentist probed etc with his wires.  I have an appt on the 7th and will seek his advice on the long term plan - I can't go on like this. The good news is that my room now contains, properly configured, my TV, VHS recorder / player & DVD player and DVD recorder (player).

Today (Sat) everyone was asleep (except The Dog & I). I was in the shower and the 'phone rang (downstairs) - no one moved, so, I leapt out of the shower, all akimbo, rushed to the 'phone just, as it does, it stopped ringing. The caller left a message on the answer-phone. The message was for #3.  The Elder (I was dressed by now), descended from her slumbers and listened to the recorded message. Turns out #3 was invited to meet an old school friend (F). The Elder takes the 'phone upstairs and tries (to wake) to discuss the call with #3.  The Elder starts to become agitated at #3's response and, inevitably, the volume starts to rise.  I am downstairs, listening to this, thinking 'I don't fecking need all of this ...'. I shout, helpfully(!), to The Elder '... why don't you just the leave the 'phone for her (#3) to listen to when she gets out of bed?'. OK, not my place to suggest anything but the worsening situation, upstairs, was getting to me.  Outcome? Need you ask?  The Elder starts to rant and scream at me - using me to sound off at in a fashion that she dare not at #3. Now she is not talking.

In my room, licking my wounds, I called The Senior (I didn't tell her anything of the last few minutes). We got on to the subject of the economy, generally, and our own finances / situation in particular. I was asked / advised 'what enjoyment in life is there for you presently? Dispose of the house, release the money, travel, meet exciting / interesting people and enjoy life' - sounds like good advice.

1130 - The Elder has gone out, still not talking, #3 is still upstairs and I need cheering up. Seriously, I will be OK, just feeling sorry for myself.

Have a nice day!

Technorati Tags: Car repairs,moving house,toothache,ex-wife,stress

Living dangerously ...

Good morning! Brrr - chilly willy - much colder today. Many thanks to VofT for your comments - yes, the last few months have been much better for me, oh yes, and 'off blog' for a while? Mystery surrounds me!

Bit of a fright last night - The Dog was struggling to breathe, I feared the worst. After a few seconds (seemed longer) he sorted himself out and off he went to sleep.  I watched him for a few minutes then transferred him to my bed - he's OK.  This morning it was an early start as I (The Elder following) drove to the nearby garage - about four miles away. It was nerve wracking - when you brake but the car doesn't! Eventually arrived and left the thing parked up.  I am waiting for a 'phone call.  Best outcome is that the brakes merely need bleeding, the test fee and limited repairs - I might get away with $400 - ideally less, probably more. Worst outcome? The car will fail miserably. A good night, last night. Slept from midnight through to 0640 and only then because The Dog woke me (he was walking over me - most unsettling!).

So, now parked up in my room, churning out this rubbish.  Everytime I go upstairs, to my 'old' room I bring something down. The most recent was my coffee percolator. If I drink coffee (usually the instant stuff) I prefer it made with milk.  I can, however, drink it, made with water (milk added / no milk) but it has to be decaf. Anyhoo, set the thing up, in my room, and waiting for it to do its thing, I 'phoned a certain 'government office' for advice. Serious discussion followed which was accompanied by the percolator, in the background, boiling away - so what? During the solemn discussion, the background (percolator) noise sounded like someone snorting drugs and throwing up at the same time. The govt rep was totally unmoved - I was struggling to keep a straight face.

Shock!  The drive having no cars parked on it, I missed The Elder's return, her car now going down the drive and remaining out of sight, when, suddenly, she appeared. At least she knocks on the door.  I have a free prog that allows the screen to be masked simply by pressing left & right mouse buttons together - phew! The Elder only stayed briefly and has gone off to the shops. It's now 1030 (UK) and she might return early afternoon. I am out tonight to The Organisation - it's an exciting life.

Technorati Tags: Cold weather,MoT,sleeping,The Dog,drugs

Tuesday ...

Good morning! A bad night ( with respect to sleep quality).  I had eaten far too much last night and it just lay there during the dark hours.  In the end I got out of bed, approx 0100, and found various tasks to do. The car has to go in for repair to the brakes, well, to be looked at and an estimate obtained and which will influence whether or not I agree for the (brake) and annual, MoT (fit for the road) Test / inevitable repairs.  I have to drive my car to the garage, this evening, looks like it will be hair raising!

This morning = much the same routine. The Dog is washed out (as I now feel), The Elder is watching TV and #3 - now, really, do you need to ask? Today I will finish tidying out my old room - it's starting to needle me that it remains a mess. The old dear, next door, hopes to complete her house sale, this weekend, and has offered to give me a few garden tools and other accessories. A week to go before The Elder informs me of her views on remaining at CS from next March. I don't think it has even crossed her mind. I expect she will become 'ratty', threaten to walk out (I couldn't care less), and wait for me to offer various solutions - watch this space.

Just to let you know I will be 'away' from early December to early February - watch this space #2.

More later.

Technorati Tags: Mot,car repairs,Citroen,moving home,relocating,holidays

Good start to the day ...

Good morning (or should that now be good afternoon?). many thanks to VofT for your comments and feedback. A very comfortable night, waking @ 0400 with various thoughts in my head (keeping me awake). I eventually dozed off but was up and about by 0600 (i had little choice).  The Elder has taken her car for annual test - honestly - the devil looks after his own - the car is older than mine, looks rough ... and failed the test.  Work required? A minor amount of welding and a new bulb (brakes). Cost? Dunno yet but I bet it's less than $150 and that includes the cost of the test ($70 approx).  My car is practically unsafe to drive and I have no choice but to get it fixed - annual test is due in mid November (quite an important time for me ...), and I expect the costs to be much higher.  I have booked it in for Wednesday and the man will give me an indication of what my prospects / options are. I am, increasingly, minded to scrap the car. Let's wait and see.

The great plan to transfer the TV card has failed - the card (circa 2000), will not fit into my new PC - the motherboard (new) has different 'slots' - bother. What to do? I brought the whole, older PC down and re-installed the TV card. Switched on and my goodness but the old PC's were noisy! In any case I had to re-install the software - no problemo except that it looked for a driver - I simply couldn't be bothered looking for it. The noise from the fan makes viewing practically impossible. The old girl, next door, is moving out towards the end of the month. The 'phone rang - it was her - oh dear, another job looming up. Not so! She asked if I wanted an electric hedge cutter and a trolley or something? Of course I do!  If nothing else they could be sold at a car boot sale.

I am typing up this rubbish (though not all my typing is rubbish), at approx 1255 UK time - #3 is, of course, still in bed and The Elder has just 'phoned to let me know she is at the local shops due back in about 25 minutes :-(   (1315). Ah well ... that's how it goes. Mail today? Mobile 'phone bill - no extra charges - subscription only - hurrah! Add on Pocket PC / 'phone provided by my ISP (I am able to use the 'phone to connect to the Internet using my 24/7 broadband connection for free - so useful for checking early morning mail ...) - subscription only - hurrah! Fast approaching 1300 - I am so hungry! What do you suggest that I should nibble?

Technorati Tags: Bills,car repairs,MoT,free gifts

Long, long day ....

Hello - sheesh but what a long day. Many thanks, as always, to VofT for your support and you other readers for visiting the blog / downloading the content via RSS - bless you all.

This morning, as soon as possible i.e. when The Elder had stirred from her slumber (1120) I passed The Dog over to her and rushed to the local shop - downright dangerous!  My car clearly has air in the braking system and stopping was a frightening experience.  I am able to bleed brakes but, as the car is due for its annual test - and it might fail on other aspects of the braking system (brake pads) then I might as well get the garage to test / fail/ bleed the brakes and carry out whatever else is required - but, Dear Reader, how much does one spend? The car, later this year / next year, will be 'parked up' for months at a time and / even longer (how cryptic!).

Rushing to the shops I had in mind to purchase a cheap TV - sadly, however, here in the UK we go 'digital' and the old analogue TV, which will still work, using the 'set top box', is little comfort to me as the said box will not work here at CS - alignment of the aerial and all that sort of stuff. Anyhoo, the shop/s only had 1 crappy analogue TV, a vast number of digital TVs and the cost of all produce rankled me.  Driving, (no sale) very apprehensively, back to CS I suddenly had a brainwave (it's true!). My oldest desktop PC has a separate TV card fitted.  My newest desktop doesn't.... Bet you have already worked out.... So, tomorrow, it will be a case of transferring said TV card to new (2 years old - where does the time go?) PC.  Means, hopefully, I will be able to use said, newer, PC as a TV thus saving money for more important functions. Bother, I have pain in my gum - I wouldn't mind but it is where a tooth was removed, quite a few years ago, the same 'sensation' experienced by people having their leg off and complaining, subsequently, about their knee aching.

You may have noticed that I have not mentioned #3 / The Elder. What's the point? It just gets me stressed. I might be going away, say November, to visit. That will leave the house containing the aforementioned and we shall have to see what develops (in more ways than one....).  #2 returned this afternoon, for a visit, she looks like a pole - she has lost so much weight. Her shape may have improved but her short temper remains unchanged.

Early night tonight - The Elder has made a sandwich, how kind, it (the sandwich) is in 'the lounge'.  I must rush in but she has discouraged me from doing so, for the minute, having just discharged a little 'fluffy'. Not to worry, she advises, she has switched on the fan, the fan is blowing across the room, my sandwich is across the room - I was really looking forward to that sandwich ...

More later.

Technorati Tags: Defective brakes,analogue TV,pain,farting

7 days ...

Good morning (wish it was) ... Been up and about since 0315.  My room, downstairs (near the kitchen), means that, in theory, #3, upstairs, doesn't have to worry, too much, about waking me up with her nocturnal lifestyle. So why is yours truly up and about? S'easy! #3 has remained sat in the kitchen since I went to bed , a few hours ago,, watching TV (laughing along with the progs - as you do). I got up, in desperation, and she like a rat up a drainpipe turns off the TV / kitchen light and scoots upstairs. I tell her, quietly, 'you have kept me awake'. What happens then? Do you really need to guess? 7th Cavalry style, reinforcements descend and continue to sound off at me blaming me for being so insensitive to #3's coughing (blaming The Dog for discharging hairs, which must irritate her), demanding of me what would other people, 'The Organisation' think if they could see me being so insensitive? - you get the idea? My suggestion that #3's ability to sleep during the day, when most people are up & about -v- stopping up all night (oh the electric bill!) fell on deaf ears. A calm has now descended on this dysfunctional household. The Elder, her ranting spent, has gone back to bed where she, no doubt, will be winding herself up blaming me, #3 is in bed (no coughing!), The Dog is apprehensively waiting to see what happens next and SEH? SEH is just counting down the days ...

More later - (at this location), I hate Sundays.

Technorati Tags: Noise,disturbance,sleep,Custer,cough

Saturday PM ...

Hi and thanks for calling by.  Grateful thanks to VofT for your kind words.

Today (actually last night) - oh dear, poor old SEH - the dentist poking his wires, hooks (and fingers) around my teeth wasn't a problem at the time but. last night - the discomfort kicked off. So, it was an early night, bad head, poor sleeping, early wake up and back to bed for most of the day.

The big event today involved #3.  Briefly, when we 'formally' met this evening,  I defined my requirements / conditions - lots of giving and taking (I did the giving and she did the taking). One agreement was that she would not cook after a certain time though she could eat after that 'certain' time. It worked well and looked promising - except, once her meal had been eaten and she went to another room, the mess, in the kitchen, etc simply stayed where she had created / left it - meant no one else could use the kitchen. I asked if she would tidy up and it led to her becoming, as usual, clever, answering back, The Elder intervening then storming off to bed, a few minutes ago, leaving moi here in my little room. It's not going to work is it? Just who am I kidding? As we used to 'letter to go' ...

More later.

People don't change ...

Good morning (to you few!) - thanks for calling by.

The good stuff, which I am agreeable to including ;-) - The weather is excellent - glorious. I am sleeping better and my room gets better by the minute.

The bad stuff - I have to attend the dentist this afternoon. As you know #3 was 'only allowed to return on the back of her needing medical treatment / care'. Specifically, I am given to understand, she 'needs to have problems, with her hips/ knees, "sorted" following some form of accident whilst she was away overseas (on her 'gap year'). So, we have renovated her room, let her get over the jet lag and, basically, kept out of her way / provided any support (don't forget her first words to me last Saturday). This morning The Elder 'phones the docs to make an appointment for #3.  It's always difficult first thing and you get charged for the 'phone call if you get their answering service.  The Elder was using her mobile 'phone so it will have cost her a few bob.  I heard The Elder go upstairs and inform #3, through the door, that she has, eventually, made an appointment (for her) and would she be going? It was clear #3 wasn't going to give a 'straight answer' and it was even more clear that The Elder was becoming stressed. In the end The Elder told #3 that she was going to cancel the appointment - which she did. Do I mention / say anything?

#3 is allowed here on the back of her 'illness', if it was me then I would have left it to her to sort herself out. The Elder has gone off to work stressed out, I am (for a variety of reasons!), unsettled and 'the meeting' is planned for tomorrow. It's now 1130 UK time and, of course, #3 is still in bed. I wanted her to look after The Dog, this lunchtime, but you simply cannot depend on her. Who would be a parent?

What advice do you have?

Technorati Tags: Moods,people,sleeping,illness

People don't change ...

Good morning (to you few!) - thanks for calling by.

The good stuff, which I am agreeable to including ;-) - The weather is excellent - glorious. I am sleeping better and my room gets better by the minute.

The bad stuff - I have to attend the dentist this afternoon. As you know #3 was 'only allowed to return on the back of her needing medical treatment / care'. Specifically, I am given to understand, she 'needs to have problems, with her hips/ knees, "sorted" following some form of accident whilst she was away overseas (on her 'gap year'). So, we have renovated her room, let her get over the jet lag and, basically, kept out of her way / provided any support (don't forget her first words to me last Saturday). This morning The Elder 'phones the docs to make an appointment for #3.  It's always difficult first thing and you get charged for the 'phone call if you get their answering service.  The Elder was using her mobile 'phone so it will have cost her a few bob.  I heard The Elder go upstairs and inform #3, through the door, that she has, eventually, made an appointment (for her) and would she be going? It was clear #3 wasn't going to give a 'straight answer' and it was even more clear that The Elder was becoming stressed. In the end The Elder told #3 that she was going to cancel the appointment - which she did. Do I mention / say anything?

#3 is allowed here on the back of her 'illness', if it was me then I would have left it to her to sort herself out. The Elder has gone off to work stressed out, I am (for a variety of reasons!), unsettled and 'the meeting' is planned for tomorrow. It's now 1130 UK time and, of course, #3 is still in bed. I wanted her to look after The Dog, this lunchtime, but you simply cannot depend on her. Who would be a parent?

What advice do you have?

Technorati Tags: Moods,people,sleeping,illness

A good night ...

Good morning!  Woke at 0300, resisted everything including a full-ish bladder and rolled over back to sleep. Mind you, I didn't get to bed until midnight - I was researching for information / writing up a 'report'. Many thanks to VofT for your comments etc.

The only problem of the day, so far, is that The Dog was able to access my room, get on my bed and promptly fall asleep. He spreads out and I am so reluctant to move him - ended up with hardly any duvet, at the edge of the bed, cold, uncomfortable whilst he slept, snored and farted - aaahhh ... the joy of sharing beds. He's behind me now, as I sit at my new desk typing up this rubbish and I am able to hear him fidgeting / being restless as he dreams - bless him.

This morning I must complete the tidying og my old room - I hope I don't disturb #3 - poor girl - she needs her sleep - I mean, she didn't surface until 1810 yesterday. The bloody woman (over the road) has departed for work - radio blaring, engine racing - she is so insensitive.  I think she and her husband have fallen out with their next door neighbours and this is her 'being clever' - not.  Everyone else starts up their car, quietly and just eases down the road.

Technorati Tags: Sleep,bladder,farting

A good night ...

Good morning!  Woke at 0300, resisted everything including a full-ish bladder and rolled over back to sleep. Mind you, I didn't get to bed until midnight - I was researching for information / writing up a 'report'. Many thanks to VofT for your comments etc.

The only problem of the day, so far, is that The Dog was able to access my room, get on my bed and promptly fall asleep. He spreads out and I am so reluctant to move him - ended up with hardly any duvet, at the edge of the bed, cold, uncomfortable whilst he slept, snored and farted - aaahhh ... the joy of sharing beds. He's behind me now, as I sit at my new desk typing up this rubbish and I am able to hear him fidgeting / being restless as he dreams - bless him.

This morning I must complete the tidying og my old room - I hope I don't disturb #3 - poor girl - she needs her sleep - I mean, she didn't surface until 1810 yesterday. The bloody woman (over the road) has departed for work - radio blaring, engine racing - she is so insensitive.  I think she and her husband have fallen out with their next door neighbours and this is her 'being clever' - not.  Everyone else starts up their car, quietly and just eases down the road.

Technorati Tags: Sleep,bladder,farting

Bimbling along ...

Hi and welcome back!  I pray that you are not, directly, affected by the credit crunch / turmoil affecting finances from around the world.

The last two days - has been, mainly, spent sorting out my 'new' room.  My bed is 3' wide but the bed, upstairs, is 5' wide.  What to do? In the end I decanted the 5' mattress downstairs and, yesterday, constructed a wooden 'extension' to the side of the 3' bed and which allows the 5' mattress to rest across - effectively providing me a 5' bed - 3' is soft and 2' is hard - all tastes catered for! Joking aside, the work was rough going, much up and down stairs and my poor knees ache!  The house, in fact, looks much better - the bedrooms (less my old room - works ongoing) are tidy and even the hall is empty - for the first time, in years, it is possible to open the (side) door leading to outside.

The Elder, yesterday, went with #3 to the storage centre, the idea being that #3 would sort out what she wished to keep (from the many bag of crap - costing The Elder $110 per month in storage charges). They were quickly back as #3 had determined 'throw it all' - the stuff has been there the best of the year at ~$100 per month, there was a great deal of effort / heartbreak involved in bagging the stuff and expense / time in carting it off to the store - how do you calculate that?

#3 continues to be 'jet lagged' and I have given her a 'week off', until next Saturday when I meet with her / The Elder to specify my 'terms' - I fear the meeting may be stressful.  In the short time, since #3 returned, I have not looked in to her room - I dread to think what I will find, I guess her Mother will have 'warned her off'.

The weather has been fine though much cooler and the leaves are changing colour / falling from the trees - my favourite part of the year. Otherwise life bimbles along in the same old way - no, that's not strictly true, the finer points, however, are outside the contents of this blog.

More later.

Technorati Tags: Bedsit,relocating,financial crisis,storage,jet lagged

Bimbling along ...

Hi and welcome back!  I pray that you are not, directly, affected by the credit crunch / turmoil affecting finances from around the world.

The last two days - has been, mainly, spent sorting out my 'new' room.  My bed is 3' wide but the bed, upstairs, is 5' wide.  What to do? In the end I decanted the 5' mattress downstairs and, yesterday, constructed a wooden 'extension' to the side of the 3' bed and which allows the 5' mattress to rest across - effectively providing me a 5' bed - 3' is soft and 2' is hard - all tastes catered for! Joking aside, the work was rough going, much up and down stairs and my poor knees ache!  The house, in fact, looks much better - the bedrooms (less my old room - works ongoing) are tidy and even the hall is empty - for the first time, in years, it is possible to open the (side) door leading to outside.

The Elder, yesterday, went with #3 to the storage centre, the idea being that #3 would sort out what she wished to keep (from the many bag of crap - costing The Elder $110 per month in storage charges). They were quickly back as #3 had determined 'throw it all' - the stuff has been there the best of the year at ~$100 per month, there was a great deal of effort / heartbreak involved in bagging the stuff and expense / time in carting it off to the store - how do you calculate that?

#3 continues to be 'jet lagged' and I have given her a 'week off', until next Saturday when I meet with her / The Elder to specify my 'terms' - I fear the meeting may be stressful.  In the short time, since #3 returned, I have not looked in to her room - I dread to think what I will find, I guess her Mother will have 'warned her off'.

The weather has been fine though much cooler and the leaves are changing colour / falling from the trees - my favourite part of the year. Otherwise life bimbles along in the same old way - no, that's not strictly true, the finer points, however, are outside the contents of this blog.

More later.

Technorati Tags: Bedsit,relocating,financial crisis,storage,jet lagged