Black Dog 11

I had a Facebook message earlier from a woman I went to school with (we left in 1975, saw each other once in 1986). She asked me to ring her, so I did, and we chatted for 90 minutes! Nice of her to remember me, but now I feel a bit sad (nostalgic). I said I'd keep in touch, but I'm now wondering if going through "old times" - she mentioned how she remembered my brother dying - is something I particularly want to do. Has anyone on here been in touch with someone from years ago?

Thank you everyone. She was my last remaining dog, a rescue who had been in kennels for two years before we found her but settled in with us straight away. A wonderful and much loved family dog who would have given her life for us. I hope to be with all my pets again one day. Each and every one of them had a soul.

Sweetpeasue
Please keep posting, I agree with Doodle if it helps keep posting.
Doodle I am ok at the moment, just anxious, and I am a worrier. I must stop thinking about things until they happen. You always ask about other posters, how are you?

Sweetpeasue my tree is still in situ at the moment so I’m hoping it stays that way. I love trees too. Winter and summer.
They are always beautiful.
I remember the Waltons well. I also remember Listen with Mother, Watch with Mother, Andy Pandy, Muffin the Mule and the Wooden Tops. With my DGC I watched In The Night Garden and the Teletubbies so that should give you some idea how old I am ?
Please keep posting and telling us how you are. If it helps you, even in the smallest amount, to share it with us, I for one am happy to hear how you are getting on.
Yes you are right, if you don’t post we will worry about you ? that’s what it s like on this thread. We care about each other even if we never meet. And you play your part too by caring and sending supportive posts to others.
Please, please don’t be so worried. No one, on this thread or any other has the right to judge you. Only you know what you go through day by day. The worries you have, the pain you suffer. Of course you should see someone, the sooner the better. If the NHS was in a better place they you would have been seen by now. I’m glad you are doing something positive about this. Your GP obviously thinks you need to be seen.
You have done the right thing and I hope you get some answers to your problems.
HVDY crumbs your friend is brave. What a lovely attitude to have about a forthcoming op. I hope it all goes well for her.
I hope all goes well for your son in his new job. Nice to have a meal out and no cooking ?
Annie I hate it when you have a day like yesterday. I always feel you have so much to cope with already without all these additional problems. The problem with the phone connection and the alarm must have been frightening. To be out of contact like that and with alarms going off.
And now the dietician. Well it’s all very good to say the doctors were wrong but what are they going to do about it? I wouldn’t have thought you could go from a liquid diet to eating normally straight away, you’re body isn’t used to it,
Could someone deliver meals to you?
Also new central heating. Well I like to think of you being warm in winter but what an upheaval for you.
I’m exhausted just reading about your day I can’t imagine how tired you must be. x
Scaredycat pleased you had a good report on your ankle. Yes it was so windy today but the sun was shining too. Don’t forget to rest your ankle though. It takes time to build up the strength again.
Ellie Anne worrying about the family comes with the job of being a mother I think. I think your daughter is lucky you care about her. Perhaps she can’t cope with seeing how worried you are about her. I have to try and keep emotions under check too.
Getting your loft boarded will be a good thing to have done but it is a major job. Nice of your son to do it.
Could you not get out and perhaps go to a garden centre or cafe for a bit to keep put of the wind. Give you a break from being indoor. Do you ever go swimming?
GSM I am so sorry. It doesn’t matter how old your dog was the loss always seems to come too soon. Was she your only dog? Nice to see you posting here and giving kind advice. Please post again if you want to chat.
Rafichagran nice to hear from you. Hope you and yours are ok.

Had to leave off my post halfway through. Hadn't realised others posted. Just wanted to say how sorry I am to Germanshepherdsmum . I know how very much you loved your dogs from some of your posts. I looked after my son's labrador for years(he works on rigs) and he had to be put to sleep Oct 20. I came to love the very bones of him. I really am so very sorry. I hope your other ones won't pine for him and will be OK. Take care of yourself. ?

Grrr! Just lost most of my message. Don't know what happened.
Annie What a lot you had to deal with yesterday. The central heating having to be changed is such a nuisance I agree. I hate having to have any work done in the house. For me it's the uncomfortable feeling of socialising with strangers in your own home(though I'm a bit weird, I think).
There will be some inconvenience I'm afraid and I'm sure you have enough on your plate(really no pun intended, sorry, just realised what I've said but will leave it in if it causes you a little smile). One good thing that may come out of it is it may work out more efficient and less costly to run(no bad thing with rising energy costs). I do hope so and that the whole thing doesn't cause too much disruption. Also hope the alarm thing is working properly. Nightmare.
Did you find the Cauliflower Cheese agreed with you? It's going to be a big change but you can only tackle it in stages. Surely they can't expect you to change your way of eating in a rapid way. Sorry you've got all this to deal with.
HVDY Hope you've had a better day today and are feeling brighter. Agree with Scaredycat in that not all counsellors are right for you. You can only go with your own instincts on this. Fast paced Zumba 3or4 times a week. You must have been super fit with so much energy. It must be frustrating for you not to be able to do what you could before. You're doing so much activity now with the Aqua Aerobics and housework, looking after GDs., Sure you'll get back to doing what you want to do in time.
Scaredycat So glad your ankle is improving. Thankyou for your kind reassurance. I appreciate your support. x
Doodle Hope you're OK today and your husband is still coping with the RBS, especially night times.
EllieAnne I'm so sorry for your atmosphere at home. Wish there was something I could say. I hope you can get some support from your friend. How lovely of your son to help with the loft. You must have done something right! Our adult children can be difficult to understand at times. Don't think many families like The Waltons(Oh dear, you may be much younger than myself and never have watched it). I do hope you can sort out your circumstances in time for you to be happier.
Nonnie, Joce, Rafichagran Hope you're all OK.
Have peaceful night everyone.

Anniebach What a horrible day you had yesterday! What's your GP like, telling you to have liquid meals all this time? I hope you'll be able to manage to eat some actual food, very soon. Meals on Wheels? A microwave nearby? A carer to make something/warm something up?
ScaredyCat Glad your ankle is improving. It's good to get out for a while, if you can manage to dodge the rain.
Ellie Anne You must miss your daughter. Boarding a loft is quite a task - my husband has only half-done ours.
GermanShepherdsMum Sorry about your dog. We get attached to pets when we love them.

How has everyone else been?

It's been cold, windy, and wet here, all day. I went out with Son1 today (he doesn't start the new job until next week so is at home this week), but the weather was so bad, we had to go into one of his favourite pubs . It's next to my husband's workplace, so he joined us in there when he left work, and we had dinner there (saved me having to cook, so that was good).

Sorry about your dogGSM
Annie I am sorry things are difficult at the moment, it is nice that you worry about other people even on your down days. To all on BDG I hope you are well. Also sorry you had a bad week * Elliane*

I haven’t posted for ages but have followed everyone’s ups and downs. My very dear dog was terminally ill for some time (untreatable but mercifully no pain) and was finally given peace last week. The time had come. I haven’t had much to give. She was a huge part of my life.
I just wanted to say Annie, give Parsley Box meals a try before splashing out on a fridge or freezer as you can just keep them in the cupboard.
Best wishes to all.

Hello. I’m having a difficult week. My daughter was here for a few days. I didn’t see too much of her as she was doing a sports camp locally . She gets annoyed with me because I worry and get stressed so it can be difficult. But I was upset this morning when she was leaving. Oldest son said he would floor loft so started on Tuesday but it’s a much bigger job than he thought. He’s done the worst bit so I can stand up so have told him to leave it for now as he is exhausted.
Atmosphere in house is dreadful but I’ve not been out walking as it’s really cold.
I m sorry so many others are struggling but we wouldn’t be on this thread if we were ok.
Annie it’s good that you can have normal food but difficult when you are not able to cook. Think ready meals that don’t need chilling and a microwave are a good idea.

HVDY- your poor friend what a strong character she sounds.
Your GDs new home sounds lovely- you must be so happy for them . Do they like horses? That would have made my daughter very happy.
I think counselling very much depends on the counsellor! I too didn’t find it to be of much help.
Hope the Zumba Gold helps to lift your spirits.
SweetPeaSue- Ah you must have been so sad to lose that old apple tree.
Thank you I don’t feel so tired now and ankle is slowly getting better.
I think you have done entirely the right thing to book your private appointment. You have waited long enough. Please,please don’t feel bad your health is suffering as are you.x
Doodle- glad your Elm is still safe.
Physio was pleased with my ankle on Tuesday and I can walk more than one 30 minute walk daily but to rest in between.
We went out this afternoon it’s so blowy but lovely to be out.
Annie- that was a bad day! I hope things have settled down now.
Oh new central heating - what a faff. I hope they take good care of you whizzing you about. It’s a bit of an incentive to sit outside while they work!
It’s good you can start eating normally again. How could the doctors have got it so wrong. I think there are quite a few companies now that deliver meals you can put in the freezer. Do you have any places in your town that deliver good takeaway food. Also all the supermarkets do home deliveries.
You have a great deal to think about at the moment so sending a hug.
Love to all

Hi all x

Had really awful day yesterday, I have a thingy to press if I need help, problem yesterday, seems everything is connected to BT, I don’t use BT ! House phone kept shutting off, smoke alArm went off every 15 minutes which meant the help line team kept phoning to see if I was ok, the problem was theirs not mine, it was happening around my area, they even phoned
my daughter in Lincolnshire !

Then chap called to tell me i have to have new central heating
installed, nothing wrong with mine ! Their workmen will move
me around on my sofa !

Enough ? No, dietician phoned, I should not be on liquid meal
replacements, the doctors were wrong,been on them over 4 years, now I have to buy fridge, freezer, and work out how to cook in my living room or pay for someone to do it , enough !
Would welcome any suggestions

How is everyone ?

Doodle I'm glad you got your hair done and have got a hairdresser who understands what you like. My friend is having an aneurysm operated on (she's got 3). She's not in the slightest bit concerned, and in fact had the date put off until next week so that she could go away last weekend to a football match. She had the same operation 10 years ago, so knows what to expect.

SweetpeaSue I've decided not to go to the counselling sessions again - they haven't been of any use anyway. I've booked to go to Zumba Gold next Wednesday morning instead. Up until last July, I'd been going to Zumba 3 or 4 times a week, and yes, it's very fast-paced, but I can't manage those now - yet. In time, I hope I will again. Never apologise for how you're feeling. You've had a terrible time, and I don't blame you one bit for getting an earlier appointment. I hope you'll get some proper results and treatment.

Anniebach, Nonnie, Nanny, Joce and everyone I might have missed - I hope you're all ok.

I hope everyone has a restful night's sleep x

Doodle Did they cut your Elm tree? I hope, like Scaredycat, that it was left. I understand how you can become so attached to trees. When my mum died I transported a very small apple tree from her garden to our own. It became diseased and broken by winds and had to be cut down after 18 yrs. Not the same as a well established Elm, I know. When you watch a tree form new branches you get to know each part of it's growth with the passing of years. Thankyou for the hymn that was thoughtful.
HVDY I'm sorry you're having such a low time this week. You could have done without the cancelled counselling session, it must have been disappointing to turn up ready for it. I have to say it concerned me when you mentioned the Zumba as I think it's pretty 'full on'! Never heard of Zumba Gold. So pleased about your Gds new home. The Magnolia will be flowering now too. I hate going to hairdressers so much I've not been for 2 yrs. My hair's a mess and I really need to go.
Scaredycat Hope you begin to feel better after the jab and the ankle is improving. Yes, Blackbirds love cheese bits. The ones nesting in our ivy are waiting every morning when we pull back the living room curtains.
Anniebach So annoying to have Internet troubles. We rely on it so much now and you need it more than most being alone. I too hope the posters who haven't posted for a while are OK.

I've felt bad about posting my problems, especially when my circumstances are not changing. Everyone has their own problems and I hate to make others feel worse. Then I worry if I don't post others might be worried about me. Then I worry by saying that, I'm assuming that you WILL be concerned.
Anyway I've had appt with GP again, a different one. She thinks it very strange that Gynaecologist not ever examined me in over last 8months. I don't think it's surprising as I don't think he wants to establish anything that could be attributed to previous surgery. Encouraged again to ring Gastroenterologist'secretary. Once again he has lots of urgent cases and very busy. I pressed and she gave me a date for 2 months. Now I have to say how very bad I feel that I've made a private appt with another consultant for 3rd May. I can't wait longer, it's getting worse. I'm so sorry and I hope no one will judge me. I feel terrible about it. Think I've said enough about myself.
I do hope EllieAnne, Joce and others are all OK.
Have peaceful night all. X

Scaredycat elm is still there but so are the machines so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Good you got your 4th jab. DH will be eligible in a few months.
Yes I like my hairdresser. Been going to the same one for many years so we know each other well. He does a good cut.
Hope your ankle is well on the way to being ok now. The weather here was atrocious today such heavy rain and even some thunder.
Hope you get over the after effects of the jab soon.
HVDY see, your friend did have valid reasons for not going ?. Poor lady. I hope the surgery goes well. That must have been a shock for you to hear.
Well I’m impressed you are going to do a Zumba class.
So pleased your DGDs like their new home. It sounds lovely. I hope they settle in well there and are happy.
Annie I hope the internet problems get fixed soon.
How did the appointment with the dietitian go?
Sweetpeasue hope you are ok and not going through a painful time. Are things ok with you?

Doodle The friend I go to Aqua Aerobics with said she has been feeling rough - she had a weekend away (it was really boozy) and then next week she won't be going as she's got to isolate for a few days, as she's having brain surgery next Thursday . Iwill go next week, I'm just having a low mood lately. I hope your haircut went well. Do you like going to the hairdresser's? I have to psych myself up to go. .

ScaredyCat I'm going to try a Zumba Gold class this Friday. I'm not up to doing the usual Zumba class that I used to like, but this is a bit slower so should be OK. The vaccines can make you tired and a bit "off".

Well, the GDs moved into their new home last night - their mum had spent all yesterday moving. GD1 sent me a couple of videos (taken on her mobile) of the place. It looks lovely, she's got her own room, and there's a Magnolia tree in the front garden. The bedroom has very nice views of fields with horses. I'm so glad they're in a nicer area. It wasn't very pleasant where they lived.

Hope everyone has had a decent day x

Doodle- I do hope your lovely Elm tree is still there. It is always so sad to see any tree having to be cut down but he sounds like n old friend who gives you much pleasure?
Well I had the jab on Monday.It was quite busy but very well organised. I felt exhausted yesterday and still very tired today so I suppose it’s a bit of a reaction. Very glad to have had it though. DH not eligible yet. Quite a few people We know have had or are going to have it.
Hope the haircut turns out well it always feels so nice when it’s all tidy again.
HVDY- Shame you have missed your AA this week- next time go whether your friend does or not. It’s something you enjoy and does you good- you will get to know the other ladies too. I expect though that your friend has had a busy week.
You always sound like you’re really good at filling the days and I,m sure you,ll be back to your busy self next week. In the meantime try and enjoy having a bit of a rest and do stuff you enjoy.
Annie- what a nuisance when the Internet plays up we all rely so much on it for communication and entertainment.
Hope the dietician gives you the green light to increase the foods you can eat- how have you been getting on with it? Did you have the Cauliflower cheese?
Yes let’s hope BDG is quiet because people are managing better- I hope so.

HVDY that’s the sort of exercise I like….not the Zumba but the rest of it. ?
You enjoy your aqua aerobics so try very hard to go even if your friend doesn’t. I am like you, I prefer to do things with company rather than go in my own. Do you have coffee with the others after? I’m sure it’s not your friend not liking you but circumstances. I go to church with my friend most Wednesdays. I haven’t been for the last 2 weeks. Has to do other things. It may well be the same case with your friend.
Sorry you’re having a lonely week as you say next week will be better.
Annie I’m glad you liked the poem. I thought it was thought provoking. Hope you get on ok with the dietician .
The BDG have gone through quiet phases before. I would like to think it’s because those who post are doing ok.
Hope the internet problems are fixed soon.
Been to church this morning and enjoyed a lovely service.
I’m off for a last minute haircut this afternoon.
Thinking of all the gang past and present. Have a good day.

Anniebach. I wonder if everyone is ok? I hope so. Good luck with the Dietician, hope you might be advised to eat something more advanced than baby food x

This week has, so far, been disappointing - the friend I go to Aqua Aerobics with cancelled Monday then again yesterday, and I could have still gone, but lack of confidence and paranoia stopped me (I kept thinking she probably doesn't like me, etc., even though I know that's not really the case, it's just my low mood causing that). Got to my counselling appointment at 11, told that I hadn't got an appointment (I've been at 11am for weeks but she was away last week). No day centre tomorrow (staff have got Covid) so this week is boring and lonely. Not to worry, next week will be better .

Hi all x

Doodle so liked the poem/hymn, I had never heard it, thank
you x

HVDY* yes Black Dog has been very quiet for a while, I am
concerned for those who have stopped posting here.

Internet problems in the area, don’t know why,

Telephone appointment with dietician this morning

How is everyone?

Where's everyone been all day? I hope everyone is alright. Anniebach, is your internet OK now?
Doodle I really have been lazy today. Him Indoors is going out in a few minutes, to see his mates for an hour, so when he's out, I'm going to put a Zumba DVD on and see if I can manage to do any of it. If I fail, I'll have a Vodka and lemonade instead

HVDY nice for all the girls to get on with each other.
I love the way you say I didn’t do much today and then went on to say washing, hoovering, polishing, reading, cooking dinner. I would call that a lot ? Your pasta meal sounds nice.
Annie not internet problems again. Hope it’s sorted out soon.

The Dean at Canterbury read out a small poem/hymn this morning. I’d not heard it before but it struck a chord with me. I’ve done a screen shot. Hope you can tap to enlarge and read it. It’s called Today.

Hi all x

Posting early, problems with internet, it’s off ,on, off, on

How is everyone?

Doodle It was the 1st time our GDs had met Son2's girlfriend and her daughter, and they all got on nicely. It's a shame when trees are cut down. I always wonder where birds and squirrels might go.

How is everyone else today?

I didn't do much today. Son1 and his girls went to the cinema, so whilst they were out, I did some washing, hoovering, and polishing, started reading my new book about Peter Sutcliffe (Yorkshire Ripper) then I made dinner for the GDs and me - their favourite, which was chicken pieces, pasta, and vegetables, in creme fraiche. Son1 is making dinner for him and DH.

HVDY what a lovely family day out you had. How do your DGDs get on with your other sons girlfriends daughter? Must have been a fun day for all.
We did a few family days out but it was difficult to get everyone available all at the same time.
I’m still plodding on Annie. So much sadness all around at the moment for people. It brings everyone down I think.
I often wonder about others who have passed through this thread. I hope they are doing well and keeping going.
Joce are you around anywhere? Hope things are ok for you.
Bluesky too, not heard from for a while.
Scaredycat yes I have thought of plaster but not sure if it would rub off and make things worse. My little toes are a very strange shape.
Nice you had a good time with your DD and DGD.
I think you’re one of only a very few people I have heard of getting their 4th jab. Doesn’t seem to be much in the way of news about it around here. Good for you. Keep you safer.
I am sitting here listening to a chain saw cutting down trees on the island opposite out windows. I am hoping they don’t cut down my beautiful elm tree that stands proud and waves in the wind. I hate seeing any trees cut and the people who are doing it seem to be leaving a trail of devastation behind them.
It’s the council, obviously and I’m sure some trees could be dangerous but they seem to just be chopping down whatever they like. So sad to lose our trees.?