Rambler

If I purchased one of the cubes you suggested Steve would just pile more gibble on top of it.

Bay window.

There is a bay window in the living room with a wooden unit stood in it. I like to keep a couple of decorative candles on it along with a pretty plant and a bowl of pine cones and conkers.

Unfortunately since it is a flat surface it is also covered in an assortment of Steve's gibble. This includes painkillers, a knee support, a fence paintbrush, a jar of spice, two rolls of tape, some hand cream, a neck fan, two electric plugs, a blood pressure monitor and a partridge in a pear tree!

Steve has two tables beside his chair, these are also covered in gibble as it the window sill. Steve prides himself on being tidy, I've no idea why.

Steve has also decided he is no longer prepared to do the lions share of the housework. From now on he is not going to empty the bin and replenish the toilet roll. He is just going to do the toilet rolls. I've just emptied the bin!

Home again, home again, jiggety jig.

I can't say I'm pleased to be home, Steve sulked for the first few hours but I ignored him. There is no point doing anything else.

At some point he recovered from his sulk and started talking, and talking, and talking. I've no idea what about as he mumbled and muttered, covering him mouth with his hands to stop me lipreading.

He seems to have argued with most of the neighbours whilst I was away.

Beano is delighted to be home, I took him out for a walk not long after we arrived back but it started to rain so we rushed home.

This morning he's had a nice long walk and we met Dylan a cockerpoo that Beano particularly likes.

Steve's up already as he has a Drs appointment today, hopefully he'll eat out as I've told him that whilst I'm happy to cook, I'm only prepared to cook proper food not crap. He has to make a decision as to whether he's going to eat it or not.

Best part of my visit!

Earlier today as I walked through the dining room, one of the new little boys put his hand out for a high five. I immediately responded, which made him giggle.

A few moments later he threw himself into my arms for a hug. I was delighted that he felt comfortable enough to do this as he doesn't really know me very well. I assume it's because Cass gives lots of hugs, and he knows I'm Cass's mum I was so touched.

I went for a pub lunch again today, chicken tikka, I really enjoyed it, I also got into conversation with another female pub customer.

All I need now is to win the lottery and then I can move permanently to this village. Unfortunately this is very unlikely as I don't do the lottery!

Best laid plans!

Well I'm at Cass's but so is she and all the kids! Social services decided at the last minute they couldn't find anyone to care for the child who wasn't allowed to travel with Cass. So her trip was cancelled, I'm staying a few days. It gives me a break from Steve which is always a good thing. 

There is a very friendly pub in her village so I've treated myself to lunch a few times. The food is good and the prices are reasonable, the charges will show up on my bank account so no doubt Steve will wonder who I'm with. I'm actually eating with my kindle that way I look less of a Billy no mates. I may go back tomorrow and have a roast dinner, Beano is always happy to snooze under the table when I'm in the pub and I always walk through the park to get to the pub which Beano enjoys.

Counting the hours.

I'm dog sitting for my daughter Cass from Thursday, I can't walk her dog, he's far too strong for me. But she has organised a dog walker so Beano and I will keep Albie company and I will also feed her guinea pigs, she has loads of them. She never needs to mow the grass in the back garden, the piggies keep it short for her.

Steve isn't happy about me going to Cass's, he wants to know exactly what time I'm being collected (just so he can complain that it's inconvenient and demand the time is changed). I don't know what time, I'll get ready the night before. Cass is holidaying with her six children, two of whom have never flown before. She really is very busy and doesn't need to try to accommodate Steve's foibles. She will message me to let me know when she's on her way.

Then Steve decided we needed to order from the supermarket and get it delivered, so I had food to take with me. This was another attempt to find out what time I'm being collected. There is a shop in Cass's village so I won't starve, there is also a dog friendly pub that I can eat lunch in, and a coffee shop if I fancy cake.

Last night Steve decided he felt unwell so he wants to visit the Drs today. I think he's fine, he's just looking for an excuse to stop or delay my visit.

it's going to be hard to return here.

Comments.

Corrine and Sue. Steve wants a meal at 5 o'clock because that means I have to leave the summer house get together. So making sandwiches or something similar wouldn't work. His aim is to stop me socialising.

There are a couple of places of like to visit, clubs and trips out but if I do Steve is unpleasant to Beano. Beano then gets distressed as he doesn't understand what he's done wrong.

I'm not prepared to subject Beano to this, neither am I prepared to put on here my plans to  avoid this continuing.

Keeping busy

Firstly a big thank you and an apology to Cindy, we had a temporary postman one day recently and he posted your card through the door of an unoccupied flat. Your kind card was only discovered when the manager took someone to view the flat and discovered the card. It was passed to me late y'day. Thank you for your kindness.

I had hoped that by giving up alcohol Steve's behaviour might improve but it hasn't. He still wants to control who I'm friends with and who I talk to. Still when I go to the summer house he sits and glares at me, he's decided he needs feeding at 5 o'clock every afternoon. This means I can't socialise for long as his meal needs preparing.

I'm going to my daughter's soon for a week, it will be a nice break, she's going on holiday with her children. I shall be looking after her pets whilst she's away.

I left Beano alone in the flat when my daughter and I went to collect Steve from the hospital, he was beside himself with excitement when Steve and I returned home together. 

I'm still pottering on with the quilt I'm making, I have many hours a day to fill and quilting helps.

Catchup post.

The emergency cord alarm system seems to have been repaired.

Steve has given up all his gardening chores, if he has done so permanently I shall replant the areas nearest the front door with perennials.

The residents are becoming suspicious about Steve's medical appointments, I think they realise that no-one needs two months of thrice weekly injections, MRI scan and cameras down the throat and up the bum for arthritis in the knee.

If I'm asked what ails him, I do an impression of Manuel from Fawlty Towers and say "I know nothing".

Betty's bowling season has finished so I'm hoping to see more of her at the garden get togethers.

Get a grip.

Essie, last time I contacted a Dr about Steve they immediately told him and the shit hit the fan, so I won't be doing that again.

I had a very bad panic attack y'day, it took me ages to get it under control. I was still a bit wobbly when I got up this morning, fortunately when I walked Beano in the park, there was a dog owner I see regularly I was able to have a chat with her. Not about the panic attack, just a general chat about the weather and our dogs etc. I felt better afterwards.

I definitely need social contact, isolation isn't good for me. Unfortunately Steve doesn't like me talking to people so it's a constant battle.

Steve had a bit of a strop when he couldn't get the tv to work, he wanted to watch the Grand Prix. Fortunately he got it working in the end and only missed the first 15 minutes.