Please or to access all these features

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

The Cybergarden - Late Summer Edition

999 replies

madmouse · 21/08/2011 15:24

Smile

Sorry been unfaithful, lots going on. But making myself useful - here's your new thread x

OP posts:
shodatin · 28/10/2011 11:03

Love the idea of cats grateful for tianc-built ark! Hope they'll be less worried now they can stay together despite floods.
Yes, do indeed remember international calls at pounds per minute, now sister can move laptop to show me garden & pool, no problem, and I understand Skype is worthwhile for business purposes (it would have to be better before I'd pay for it, but can't complain as it's free).
Another beautiful morning now sun's out, so might do a bit more (indoor, garage, ) painting while it's warm enough.

cityhobgoblin · 28/10/2011 20:12

Evening , loveeliest of people . Last night was the only time I can remember not reading the thread , even if posting not possible, & see how it would have cheered me up ... no wonder HF has been so cheerful today , < HF carries a perfect fuschia to Tianc >ThanksThanksThanks
< repeats for 3 hours >
His Impressiveness climbs up on Tiancs outdoor wall for night guard duties >

Many thanks for explaining Skype ... I certainly do remember 20 = years ago without these delights . Eyesight / hearing / concentration being sadly very variable between individuals , there is a lot more opportunity to distract yourself during times of illness / being stuck at home , & as for the chances to meet people worldwide !!!
Last night I was worried about bad news at dh's work , thinking we'd have to leave this house very shortly ( will be sometime this year , but later is far preferable ) - but , touch wood , that hopefully won't be the case yet . Thank you Tianc , MIL 's improvement is helping dh greatly , but he's had to use all his inner resources in recent years so we're trying to work out how things might be less exhausting for him
.
Delighted to hear you have a sofa coming , upward < already has things stored " under dining table > Hope you enjoy the room more fully .

< HFNC hops onto chair to inspect shodatin's most latest craft projects > < Black & White Nephew assess outdoor paintwork >
Would you like one of the cats' relatives to visit you , 8upward* ? I can put the word out ., or is it OK idf her MPreciousness continues to pop in now & then ?

MIL sounded years "better" on phone yesterday ( has been ill 6 years) Feeling stronger despite side effects of very strong medication , & has nurses & even dietician visiting .
All this is astounding to me - I thought she was about to go to her rest Sad & the improvement in her mood is fabulous .< alcohol free champagne & cider all round >

shodatin · 28/10/2011 20:49

Such good news about your MIL hob, and hope the improvements continue. Good news you don't have to move either, so am hoping your DH will start feeling better soon. It must have been a difficult few years for the family, so am hoping that life gets easier now for you and DH Wine so here's a toast to your future happiness.

Tianc · 29/10/2011 01:33

Oh my goodness, that's marvellous news about MIL, hob! Long may it all continue.

But poor you, the rest of yesterday sounds incredibly stressful. May I join in the toast and clink a Wine to an easier life for you all? Best wishes for health all round, and for DH having the chance to regenerate some of those depleted resources.

shodatin · 29/10/2011 09:28

Morning all, another sunny morning here, and hope it's a good one for upward's new sofa delivery, like arriving on time and having helpful people to get it in exactly the right place.
Lovely to have news of furry friends too, now recovered from excessive rain.
Will bring own coffee to the toddy party, if that's OK, preferring caffeine to alcohol, particularly a.m., and mine's probably strong enough for a toast.

cityhobgoblin · 29/10/2011 22:30

Evening all , with renewing effort to to achieve more of the daily basics , of which posting here is most definitely one .
Thank you so much for the hilarious and & informative posts this week , which haven't all been responded to properly ( did you say the mini iris is called Stanley Baxter , *shodatin?

Thank you all so , so much for sharing our delight in MIL's improvement , & relief that work / living arrangements may be better than feared , & may I in return propose a toast to us all and peaceful yet adventurous times

My oddities with organisation have been tripping me up this week & I didn't manage to post before we "took" my Mum to her big sister's 80th birthday party , which was amazingly hectic [hgrin]with many newish people , so was pleased to cope with it . She was lucky to get a brilliantl ittle seaside retirement flat just after being widowed , & has been very braave adapting .

Hope your sofa has / will arrive , upward , & you have some relaxation time this weekend .

Hot choccie / soya choc BrewBrewBrewBrewBrewBrew
Hope Tianc has had a light frolic out somewhere today today < still working on sending HF's pawprint for ark boarding permit >

< HF sits regarding fuschia vase approvingly >

< HI sits on wall , awaiting fuss from anyone who can reach high enough >

shodatin · 29/10/2011 23:24

Hob, I can't remember name of the iris and details are in garage, but am certain sure it's nothing like Stanley Baxter! Lady something somebody is the name, but am almost certain it will be the only small blue modern one which is scented, but will check tomorrow and repost.

Glad your DA (?) had a good party, and good news that the right property arrived at the right time, as it's difficult making decisions when just left alone.

Hope that upward's new sofa arrived as planned and is now being enjoyed

My sister was one of today's Skypers, a relief as she had an accident a few days ago and have been unable to contact her. After a fall on Monday she is still unable to eat solids due to facial damage, but is now back at home and continuing to work there, which is a relief. Am so pleased we have the Skype system up and running, while speech is a bit difficult.

Tianc · 30/10/2011 01:25

Oh good lord! Hope your sister's injuries are very minor and she recovers well, shodatin. Must have been an anxious few days for you. Glad the sunshine has at least obliged today.

How lovely you all got to your aunt's big birthday, hob - and even better that you didn't find it all too overwhelming. Hope you've managed enough rest amid all your busyness.

Come, put your feet up in the garden for a bit.

shodatin · 30/10/2011 10:20

Morning all - Have never had so many sunny starts to the day - this year is exceptional.
Hope hob's feeling well after tianc's care and attention yesterday evening, must congratulate you on being so close to iris name with Stanley Baxter - it's actually Lady Beatrix Stanley, which is so close, am sure anyone would recognise it. Mine were in a pack of eight with large colour photo,( and have planted them a bit too close, fingers crossed.) Will certainly send a packet from E.Yorks if any problems.
Tianc's supper sounds wonderful, and what more could anyone want than good food and company?

Upwardandonward · 30/10/2011 20:42

Sorry I've been offline - need to blitz my possessions some more, so that's what I have been/will be doing (slow work).

I hope everyone coped ok with the hour change - I know I begin to feel droopy as the day wears on.

PS All felines welcome....

shodatin · 30/10/2011 22:28

Been thinking of you, upward, as it's such a difficult job when there's only one person to move stuff around, and even slower if one's disabled.
Certainly noticed time change after lunch, so set alarm for an hour and went back to bed - works for me these days. Hope you got through your extended day (or napped as alternative). Have just remembered, it was my turn to phone a friend this morning! Maybe she forgot too, hope so.

Tianc · 30/10/2011 23:37

Hope your afternoon nap was refreshing, shodatin, and Upward that you managed a rest or early night.

Also that hob and madmouse adjusted OK to the new hour ? must be more challenging with Sunday being the mouse family's busy day.

I was about to say I didn't notice the change very much ? but have suddenly turned all droopy myself, just while typing. Happily already in bed, so goodnight to you all, here's to more of those beautiful blue mornings.

shodatin · 30/10/2011 23:47

Thanks for Brew tianc as too tired to make my own, despite nap. Wishing goodnights all round and off to bed.

shodatin · 31/10/2011 09:38

Well fancy that! End of October and the sunny mornings seem to have stopped!
Hope we're all feeling well, with enough energy to get happily through the coming week, felines included.

Tianc · 31/10/2011 23:24

Hope you have a little more energy yourself, this week, shodatin. As much, even, as the Eryngiums, which are still happily putting out leaves despite the weather and despite one of the local cats attempting to dig in the beautiful new bed (now defended by a little palisade of pokey sticks).

Hope everyone else also coping in the energy stakes, and Upward that you're winning the war of inanimate objects. At least after this you'll have a good grip of where all your belongings are, and not have to spend a day hunting for pyjamas.

On the subject of which, can I share my small victory over teaspoons? For six years I've had filthy, brown, tea-stained teaspoons, because apparently none of the many people who wash up for me have mastered the art of actually cleaning them every week. I can't really complain (I must be Grateful). But oh god I'm so happy, so sooooo happy to now be able to stand at the sink and scrub my own bloomin' teaspoons to a bright and gleaming silver each time I use them. It's the little things, you know? As I'm sure everyone here does.

Anyway, hope that's not too much like bragging.

Btw, was well impressed over by the cleverness of hob & shodatin remembering that iris name between you. I say, what a team!

hob petal, hope you're managing to get enough rest at the mo? DH too. I know there's so much that needs your attention, and that you're so much doing for others. So please do look after yourselves as well.

kizzie, just to let you know we're still thinking of you, and there's Brew in the summerhouse whenever you want to drop in. Fingers crossed things are going well for you and the travelling/training isn't too exhausting.

shodatin · 31/10/2011 23:36

Almost bedtime again, and am hoping usual gardeners have had good days, despite lack of sun. Nothing exciting happened here, but have finally got box of what-used-to-be-mince pies and-are-now-Ecclefechan-Tarts in the freezer all ready for Christmas. It's years since I made any special foods, and had forgotten the time it takes, so it's as well I started early
Had also forgotten how tiring it can be, particularly the washing-up etc., so will be off to bed soon.
Tray of assorted Brews and first of the faux mince-pies available as nightcaps in the garden.

shodatin · 01/11/2011 00:48

Tianc's latest post must have been hiding when I added mine, as have only just seen it. Missed seeing the BrewBrew and Brews until now too, or would have grabbed one.
Can so understand the teaspoon events. After being short of them for as long as I can remember, I bought a set of six modern ones from Woollies for about £1.65 and am still thrilled that I can wait to wash up when six spoons are dirty.
Have always been the only one to bleach them, and am also the only one to scrub out the slimy soap dishes, while wash-basin and sink are polished to a shine, with plugs tastefully arranged in overflow - you're right, one has to be Grateful.
Will now stop moaning and make for bed - night all.

cityhobgoblin · 02/11/2011 00:07

Evening everyone , & lemon balm BrewBrewBrewBrewBrewBrewBrew Been the longest time by far I've not managed to post as have been very tired after family & friends' landmark birthdays celebratins ( "had" to go , & stay for hours as loved ones needed lifts - but v glad did )

Incredibly sorry to hear of your DSis' injury , shodatin , and hope she feels less shaky now.I hate to think you were concerned for days about not being able to contact her. What an impeccable kitchen you keep , loved the description & relate to the teaspoon tales .

Hope upward has had a less intensively busy day , and that possessions are gradually finding a good arrangement round flat .

Shock at Tianc's neighbouring felines and what a memorable phrase , pointy palisades GrinGrin . Go eryngiums < pompoms >
Thank you so much for your kind wishes - I'm being very selfish atm , and far less charitable with actual people as opposed to causesBlushDh working too hard but making room for some fun at expense of rest , & thanks greatly for your thinking of him

Have been convulsed at the way Tianc & shodatin's poignant tale of teaspoons , & that's the very war I'm engaged in , the one against inanimate objects [solidarity with upward & all of us ]
I know exactly what you mean about the little things , amd am thrilled to hear you able to tackle that task , whilst you continue to deeply empathise with those who can't .

Wishes us all an unseasonably sunny morning - hard on you shodatin for yours to have vanished first . I really did have in mind that the irises were Stanley Baxters ... am incredibly touched by your kindness but am sure I will find them locally , thank you so much

Hope we all have refreshing sleep - good glittery stars & moon here

shodatin · 02/11/2011 00:46

Hope you're getting energy back hob, and hope your DH can manage a bit of a rest with you before too long.
I can't claim credit for kitchen cleaning, and can remember just how tianc feels being able to be independant. Mine's so tiny I have to keep clearing a space, but cleaning's too tiring now.

DS is recovering slowly, thankyou, but was badly shocked and not used to being ill anyway.
Thankyou for managing to post - have stayed awake (just!) hoping to hear from someone today. Must go now, goodnight, and hope all sleep well.

Tianc · 02/11/2011 01:04

Ecclefechan Tarts! Never heard of them but now rather fancy one!

One of DP's ancestors was born in Ecclefechan, apparently ? a particularly challenging word to decipher from crabbed, 19th century, census-transcriber's scrawl when you've never heard of it!

And oh yes the immaculate basin but slimy soap dish; gleaming taps but filthy draining board! I think people don't understand that there isn't a fairy going to come along and do the last 20% of their job. If they don't do it, it won't be done.

Glad you enjoyed the various celebrations, as well as being taxi, hob. And you know taxi-ing for people completely contradicts your claims of being selfish, don't you? Smile Sending you energising vibes for all this scurrying around...

We have your glittery moon here too, cold and hard and shiny. 'Twill be cold out in the cybergarden.

Upward hope you've been warm and snug today, and the flat is proving easy to heat.

Greetings to kizzie, madmouse, butterpie, NanaNina and anyone passing through. Night night to you all.

shodatin · 02/11/2011 11:55

Love our armbands for Battle of the Objects - full armour could so easily be mislaid, I fear. Or used against us...
Scottish friend thinks Ecclefechan might be commercial name for what is also known as a butter tart, probably because butter is used in pastry and also, being melted, to soak dried fruit before baking, with splash of vinegar, beaten egg and chopped nuts replacing mince-pie ingredients of brandy and candied peel. (Vinegar does sound authentic,(!) but it's a
good choice to "lighten" taste without using alcohol.)
Will post any left-overs via your friend - your DP at least should give them a try- although suspect packaging might involve some ingenuity, like eryngium plants. Thanks for news of their good health, by the way, am pleased they survived both the journey and Slugs of Doom.

cityhobgoblin · 02/11/2011 19:57

Shock how lovely of you to struggle to stay up partly to see if anyone was in the cybergarden , shodatin - your time is so precious & your energy even more so . Can't believe you psted when so sleepy ThanksThanks . Glad your Dsis is gradually on the mend , but that type of fall is hideous .

Like the excellent Ecclefechan coincidence ,Tianc < dh happily tries to decipher> and am big fan of the tarts , which you describe so evocatively , shodatin < drools unbecomingly >. They are indeed spectacularly buttery , very good for those bitter Scottish days - BrewBrewBrewBrewBrewBrew Thank you so much for disclosing the secrets / alternative ingredients , as last couple of Christmasses the costly lure of those tarts has been most annoying < greedy > Also very keen on alochol free as I do love brandy & find festive food actually tempts me back to alcohol , which is not for me ..

< dons armbands for BotO joyously > < asks for helmet & armour too as have piles of errant possessions here to go into combat against > much more fun doing it so companionably . Hope upward has had a good day & allows herself some frivolity this evening .Thanks Tiancyou for weaving & sending of strengthening vibes < sniff>
Thanks from dh for wishing leisure time for him , shodatin . He loves the unique snippets & phrases I read to him ( not the whole posts as he would be intruding )

Very revealing & moving , the small but vital details of frustrations caused by helpers . Important to air these issues , & I expect you all look at blogs like www.thebrokenofBritain.com hope title doesn't offend - is a play on another phrase

< wishes could make kitchen cleaning possible for shodatin >... I knew when I wrote that that you can't do the vigorous cleaning stuff , but am sure your standards are high , which is not easy for you ( I don't mean to be gloomy ).
Am going to consult advice / statutory services about various limitations & any support / advice offered , especially self - help strategies . There are self help resources on the net , anyhow - I am so grateful teechnology has made so much information accessible .

Thinks of kizzie's strategy of trying for a 10% improvement in matters . Hope she & madmouse are well & not frantically busy

< gets out rugs for relaxing round stove & looking out for gleamy moon >

shodatin · 02/11/2011 23:36

Thanks for latest post hob, and look forward to typing myself tomorrow, probably evening, sorry I'm so tired now so will say goodnight.

Tianc · 03/11/2011 01:23

Another x-post Tues night/ Weds past midnight! So sorry, shodatin, if I'd been quicker off the mark you'd have had it before bed.

You and hob are making me really drool about these tarts now! There is to be baking here soon...

Heh heh, you're more than welcome to armour and helmet, hob, if you can show them who's boss. I'm with shodatin ? they'd sense my weakness and gang up against me with the Other Objects!

And Upward, how's your Battle of the Objects going? Hope you're keeping OK, and have achieved sofadom.

kizzie · 03/11/2011 14:07

Helloo - hope you are all ok. Just a quick pop in. Things still very busy with work and trying to help DH make plans for new work.

Hope you all having a smooth move into the new season.
I do think of you all even when i cant post x