The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: marigold on December 30, 2009, 10:45:40 pm
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Ok it seems as though we need a christmas groan moan thread............
What with celluitis and something rubbish happening to little blue
Generally we had a lovely family day here but my moans include
1. going to pick up chicken food on Christmas Eve in a snow storm and OH reversing into a gridlocked queue in the car park. I tried to cheer him up by saying at least we had been sensible enough to have fully comp insurance.........Guess what? we hadn't renewed our address with the insurance company ...........ba***rd sack of layers pellets cost us £1300
2. The ice got into the shower and split the insides - need a new shower
Apart from that it was lovely
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Oh dear, well they say it doesn't rain but it pours. Things can only get better. :)
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ooooh.......sorry to hear about your expensive accident.
As you will have seen, my week before Christmas did not go well, what with the loss of my cat, goat kid, and then the pygmy nanny, and now the other goat kid. I will be glad to see the end of 2009, and hopefully the new year will bring us better luck. I do hope so.
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Sorry to hear about the woes. I guess we all have Christmas moans and groans. The pipe burst on our outside tap on Christmas Eve and we still can't use it, which means filling up the goats water buckets in the house, and carrying them up to the goatshed. Also Alex's car has now decided it doesn't like the cold and has stopped working (and its our 4x4 which helps us get out in the snow!).
Beth
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We have been so focused on the pups and I have not really been anywhere only taking water up and down to the animals and 1 trip out and of course the trip to the emergency Dr Anne!! Anyway, as are washing machine is in the garage we had to Waite for it to defrost before doing all the washing, I have a guest leaving tomorrow but WILL NOT do any washing as my mum always said it was bad luck to wash on New Years Day!! anyone else have superstitions about New Year?
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Well my bad stuff this year centred round my drainage system and my pups. Not quite as bad as Sandy & Steve with the pups - one still born and another with a large umbilical hernia. My electricity fusebox tripped in May, that was fine, got it on again but the previous owner omitted to tell me that I needed to reset the drainage pump if the electrics went off for any reason - duh! - result was it damaged one of the pumps - non submersible ones installed underground - how clever is that - NOT!!! Anyway, repaired that and actually got the insurance to pay for most of it. Then the electricity went off again but this time I checked the pump trip switch lights and they hadn't come on so I assumed it was OK - wrong! A week later I discovered both pumps were beyond repair. I couldn't go back to the insurance company so had a £2000 bill - but it's a brand new submersible pump with an early alert beacon and sealed damp proof electrics. So fingers crossed that the 'man' is as good as his word. He must be good as he has just landed a colossal job in Libya - he says he'll never forget the little people like me though because we are the reason he got where he is now. So good on you, Brian and Ross of Cleartek Services http://www.cleartek.co.uk/ My heroes!
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and something rubbish happening to little blue
Here goes then...
My o/h as you may know had a breakdown due to lots of sh*tty stuff (which hasnt gone away, just adds to the daily sh*t!) resulting in him being to all intents and purposes agrophobic. He has had very little support from docs (and not worked in ages so you can imagine how good our finances are), and is just beginning to get around town in the car (though wont get out of the car).
At the beginning of december, he was coming to meet me and some idiot delivery van scraped the side of the car then reversed into him, smashing all the back end in. he managed to swap details and everything, and the insurance agreed to arrange repair.
we had no car for a week, then a hire (which i couldnt drive, as a 'new driver') then we were snowed in, so that was abit of a waste of time! but as the other driver hadnt reported it, we've had to pay the excess up front, on Christmas eve when we got ours back. After loads of phone calls, and bull from various places.
my father in law needs alot of care in the normal scheme of things, but the day our car was collected, he had a stroke.
he seemed to improve until just before christmas when he was very poorly so we've been up all night with him, one of has had to stay with him all of the time. despite his refusals, I called an ambulance on Boxing day and he had an operation to repair a perforated ulcer. his blood pressure is all over the place, and theyve found cysts on his kidneys. he is convinced he's going to die.
My husband cannot visit and so guess who goes?!
All this, and a poorly pig, a goat in season, an elderly dog whos missing his master, and some very very muddy chickens. and a house and animal sheds in need of repair and a bank sendin threatening letters on a regular basis
I went to give blood yesterday, just for a cuppa and a lie down!
But as a generally optimistic person, I'll shut up now and just get on with it... thanks for reading x
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Oh little Blue..it never rains but it pours, we sometimes think things are deliberate don't we? Think about how worse it could be, nature again and in winter we get m ore accidents and more illness. My father in law had a stroke the day I had to have an emergency Cesar, some 30+years ago, a lot of similar things happened to me then but here I am now, if you go through the issues one by one and rationalise, we cannot change some things so not worth trying to, concentrate on what you can change and focus on things getting better, we often grow stronger from a tragedy and also we learn to deal with other issues from it....we are all wishing you and your father in law well I am sure.
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thankyou, its not the worst time we've ever had, so dont worry on my account!
I'm very optimistic and a bit of a taoist, so nothing gets me down for long as it all leads to better things in the end...
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Well, I can relate to the house and animal sheds in need of repair, and the lack of moneyso sorry about your father in law, and hope he recovers soon. It must be hard for both you and your OH having to cope with his unable to go out, and this puts a lot of pressure on you.I do hope 2010 brings better luck for you all.
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not so much christmas moan but new year moan,all my kids moved out this year now last one went 4 weeks ago so i got e.nest syndrome , all because i told her to do her room so she went to live with her dad,my oh is working away and in a half hour its my birthday, :popcorn: my pig was getting delivered today but i ended up having a row with the woman coz theres no paperwork with it,so she threatened to dump it at my house anyway.whos to know she said all i can say is be careful what you wish for you might just get it. :gloomy: just bought food bales of straw carrots apples electric fencing ect. as well
i know its not as bad as some have been having i just feel awful and everyones partying and i got v& d :notwell: cant move off loo. wanted some time off anyway ;D
hope 2010 is better for all
just think what doesnt kill you makes you stronger.i wouldnt be where i am today if i hadnt had a number of disasters a few years ago.take care all. even after it all would you change what you are doing? i wouldnt.
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Remember who the Gods wish to reward they first test ...... (cant remember who said it but its my sons maxim)
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Remember who the Gods wish to reward they first test ...... (cant remember who said it but its my sons maxim)
Well. I wish they'd sit their own bloody test first! >:(
Little Blue - sending you a big hug from Scotland - I've had my share of s**t thrown at me too - twice widowed due to accidents - one RTA and one climbing. Hope you keep staying positive because you are the strong tree your o/h needs to lean on. Just ;et off steam on here - we all understand. Good vibes for 2010.
Oops - just remembered my birds and kennel dogs haven't been fed or let out to pee yet! Must go! :-* :-* :-*
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I've been thinking back over my life (as I always tend to do at new year) and yeah, I've definately had my share of knocks. But haven't we all ?
Would I change any of it ? Probably not, if truth be told. Our pasts make us who we are and give us the experience and drive to keep going.
Nelson Mandella said "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" and that's how I try to think and live my life now.
Here's hoping 2010 is happier and more prosperous for us all.
Karen x
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Not sure how 2010 is going to go, we have had no water since yesterday morning, and no signs yet of it returning, still trying to find out the cause(we have our own supply via well)
Today I was checking on and feeding our menagerie of pets and one of the baby rabbits who was perfectly healthy last night looks as if it has had some sort of seisure/stroke, really don't know what to do with the little thing(not a breeder- found out too late that the two girls we got were actually girl and boy), just trying at the mo to keep it warm and safe from harm. The other three look ok as does mum. I really hope things get better. Really hope everyone on here also sees things improve too all the best for 2010
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we had rabbits like that.... thats why theres now 7! Couldnt bear to part with them, as she lost lots as well. still, they're meant to live in groups!
hope everyones plumbing woes are quickly resolved, seems like theres quite alot out there with the cold weather
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I have had relitively stress free Christmas times since I divorced, over 15 years ago and I know how much stress Christmas can be, we want the house to look extra nice and clean, the kids to look and behave extreamly well, the food to be cooked to perfection and the fridge to be that bit bigger for all the leftovers and of course a family who get on so well and do not argue and help out with chores rather than sit and eat all the quality street and drink all the snowballs...and to top it off, recive the present that is so romantic and melt into the arms of o ur partner...anyone get that????? I used to spend Christmas burnt out due to all the planning shopping cleaning and social events as well as budgeting and prising the cash out of my OH....my answer, relax, make it the one day when you sit with the family and actualy enjoy yourself....I do, well as much as I can.
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My other moan is my car battery. It packed in with the degree of frost here. Probably need a new one but in the meantime I have to plan about two hours ahead of any jaunt so I can charge it up to start it. It seems to hold it's charge for a few hours provided I run it for at least a few miles. My motorhome has a forlorn look about it - haven't been near it all winter - its battery is stone cold dead and it was brand new in the summer! I hate this weather. Please can we have Spring now!
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Snap Anne, our VW had a new battery in it but it is dead as a doe doe now and I had to get the AA to the Car on Chrristmas Eve Eve as my battery was down in the Citron, good place to break down as I looked around Tesco again, bought some sweets and then, got charged up by AA and escorted to Quick Fit on the way home.....forgot how much but around £70 for a new battery fitted and home before it was too late, thank goodness I was not parked in some remote spot as I would have froze...love living so handy to places, to think, we DID want to live in the highlands!! not now, Clackmannan is too handy for everything...even the Co Op across the road can be a godsend..ummm must buy some Salt, I used all of o urs on ou r paths as they were very icy...yes Anne...this weather confines you to quarters but as we have p ups, I have been focused on them and not felt too trapped...hope to see you soon...
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Well water is now flowing, the valve which lets the water through from the well had frozen, so after a little warming from my hairdryer and installation of another heater things are looking up.
Unfortunately little Caramel passed away last evening. Spent a very tearful afternoon with my daughter who had been taking care of them, so far the other three look fine so fingers crossed it was a kick and not an infection that caused it. I know we shouldn't get so emotional, but since we have moved here the children have had their first experience of seeing the birth and developement of a small litter of kittens(2 in total) and now they have had the priveledge of experiencing the same with our rabbit(didn't see the birth of course.) Its such a fantastic thing to be able to go experience.
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Sorry to hear about all the bad stuff happening to people. I hope the community here goes someway to provide an outlet, and someone to listen. When I was feeling down, I always used to feel it was easier to talk online.
When I think over the whole year, we actually had a pretty good year, aside from losing my cousin unexpectedly in February which was difficult, especially as his little girl was then only 8 months old. But all the rest, has been good, even for the majority the animals have all had a good year too.
Beth
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just wanted to tell you, my father in law passed away this morning.
But he was 'comfortable' and it was relatively quick, and we kind of knew he had given up a long while ago (he was 81)
Thanks for all your good wishes, and heres hoping the weather improves - it'll make us feel better!
x
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2009 - has been very eventful!! some good and some bad but hey ho i've decided thats life!!
I hope 2010 is better and less bad bits for all!
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Sorry to hear that little blue, thinking of you all. x
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Little blue I am so sorry to hear about your loss, I am thinking of you all at this sad time. Knowing your wonderful sense of humour will, I hope, help you cope at this difficult time. Kind regards
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I suppose a good and peaceful time to reflect on his life, a good age but still a lot of feelings to go through.......Hope everything else is well in your life and the family are supportive...we will all be thinking of you I am sure.
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sorry for your loss little blue.
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I'm really sorry to hear your news littleblue, our minor discomforts are really just inconveniences. Thinking of you and your family.
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sorry for your loss for you and yours.
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Thanks folks xx
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Sorry to hear the news little blue. He's at peace now.
Beth
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So many goat troubles - and I nearly bought one last week. Thank you God!
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:'(Hello Marigold lass I'm not trying to out do you our Christmas was crap.I enjoy Christmas always have.We have four sons and usually we have one family on Boxing day one the day after and so on.Works well since we have only a small room with nothing like enough space and seating for 20 folk.This year due to work schedules this had to be altered and David was to come on Christmas Day no problem really.Now lets go back in time to December 12th Kath and I have been married 50 years and a party was arranged .I have been tested and poked and prodded and blood taken out and told I need a portable oxygen system.The senior nurse said it will make life easier for you when you go out .You needn't use it when you are sitting down in your comfy against the fire watching TV because you are not using what you can extract yourself Its only if you exert yourself.Great will it be here in time for the party.I'll try for you I'll ring Matt and see if he can do it for us (Matt works for the Oxy agency company) but it didn't turn up and I was quite poorly and had to be driven home.I recovered ok an Matt brought me a pack on Tuesday explained how to use it and of course I had to have a go didn't I .We went down town and put the cylinder in the trolley put the nose piece on and switched on.Wonderfull all the way round the big supermarket without stopping to catch my breath.So a couple of times or so we ventured out. Got all the things for Christmas did all the party food and Christmas Eve we were ready.Christmas morning I got up put the oven on 8 let it warm up half an hour and put the 5 bone chine of beef in for 40 minutes then turned the heat down to 4 every now and then pulling the shelf out a bit and basting the beef.Prep ed all the veg got the pudding down from under the bed.Put it in the steamerready.Baste the beef again. Sit down in comfy and have a coffee.The phone rings Its me Dad (Anne Davids wife we wont be coming she cried David is in DPWH CCU hes had an heart attack.Devastated by this news I told his Mum she wanted to go to the hospital I managed to dissuade her telling her Anne will ring and say we can go.I rang the brothers and cancelled our Christmas and they agreed .What a Christmas what a waste.The good news is he came home yesterday with strict instructions to rest and no do any exertion at all and here is a sick note for your employers They will not employ you until we lift the note so it looks as if he will have to rest other than go for tests this week so it looks like a better new year.Fingers crossed.It has cost little Marigold but I would sooner payed the £1300 and every thing OK XXX George
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George, how dreadful for you all. I do hope David makes a full recovery, and that you have great success with your little unit. My aunt had one of those for years as the had a lung degeneration disease - the little cells didn't renew or something, can't remember - and I do mean years, and years!
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Good grief George, I hope things sort themselves out - big hug to you. Ruth sorry to hear about your loss - if there's anything you need just phone and big hug to you both.
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What a terrible time Wizard. Thank you for telling us. I hope David feels much better soon. And don't worry, I'm not competing, I just thought that we needed an outlet for saying some of negative stuff that went on. Bad stuff is bad at anytime of year but when it coincides with a festivity it seems to be even more difficult to deal with, not least because all of the normal systems are down 'cos folk are on holiday.
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Many thanks to all for the sympathy shown to our family thanks again.Good news David is home he was kept in DPWH a week and a day Doctor man says You can go home you must not do any thing at all strenuous and here is a certificate for your employer so he wont let you go to work for a fortnight at least I will tell you when you have been back for some tests.Hes mumbling he don't know how hes going to pass the time if he has nothing to do.I said to Anne tell his Mam Anne she will be over with her boys backside tuning wooden spoon.He laughed and said don't it makes my chest hurt if I laugh my its a long time since you administered that have you still got it Mam?Yes I have Dad uses it to stir the pickle and jam but its still clean enough to make you do as you are told like it used to,LOL Sorry the big hospital complex in Grimsby is The Diana Princess of Wales Hospital (DPWH) about 400 mtrs away from our house George and Kath Wish all a Good and prosperous New Year XXX
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Hi George, glad to hear things are looking up for David, best wishes to you all for 2010 x
and all the best to everyone else that had Christmas ruined how ever it happened, chin up everyone heres to the New Year :love: