The Cybergarden - Late Summer Edition

[madmouse]

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

Ooh, Christmas tree! Exciting! Have you put it up, or been restrained and tidied?

hob, in yesterday's tiredness I forgot to answer: yes to marshmallow melting when I was a student! In fact, you've brought back memories ? I think I too didn't like them until a very skillful toasting demo by a gas(?) fire. Seem to remember learning "and the fork will be hot" about the same time...

My goodness that was a long time ago and we had to be careful of dinosaurs on the way home.

Good for you for managing an hour or so of sorting today upward

• it's always worthwhile after, just difficult starting sometimes. Hope you enjoyed the tree decorating and had a few other nice experiences.

Have been really busy doing nothing much, and found myself trying to cook spaghetti in a small pan, having used the others and not had time to wash them before it was eating time again (just fancied spaghetti today). Also managed to complete writing name-cards for a set of presents which have to be handed over on Monday, and have been cluttering up the desk all week while I got round to what was a non-urgent task - one of those days when nothing much happens but things do get done, so yay and am looking forward to a few nice things tomorrow. Weather forecast was horrible this evening, with an orange-coloured blob - the amber alert- over our location because there are gales due, so hope no damage occurs.

I hope the gales come to nothing much, shodatin - they can be awful at waking you up even if they don't do damage.

I need to do lots more binning clearing before I put the tree up - friend bringing round 18 mo week after next, and I have too much stuff everywhere (might be nice to do the tree with them, as I've got wooden decs/paperchains to make).

Well done for the name cards, shodatin

Oops re: fork heat, tianc - I first did them at guides, so learnt that if you put it too close the marshmallow will melt off the stick and end up in the fire

Nearly forgot, here's some for the cybergarden. Hope all have good sleep tonight.

Ooh, thank you Upward.

Oh yes, the melting off bit. Right, going to make a a serious attempt made to master the art of marshmallow toasting this Christmas ? with wooden skewers.

Glad you've had such a productive day, shodatin, but eeek! about gales. You seem to get more than your fair share. Is the roof secure now, after the "lump in the garden" incident.

Very nice wooden decs upward, apart from the eight-sided snowflake, of course, and even better when a friend adds to the tree. I think last year was the first time I actually bought any, having used a variety of home-made ones to get them light-weight enough, and am glad we have such a good variety available now.
I'd probably like marshmallows (and flumps) if I'd had them with the Guides at camp, but how very disappointing to lose one in the fire, almost as bad as a hot fork. Thanks for the by the way, good idea.

Don't know how I missed your post tianc, but I loved your last line about the dinosaurs. Had forgotten about the strange lump after previous gale, but had a proper roofing man up there recently who would have mentioned
any necessary repairs, so am hoping house will hold together whatever happens, inc. aerial etc.

I'm also hoping that hob is happily involved with something interesting, or maybe off for a jaunt in the time-machine with HF, and not just too tired to post, as it's been a bit quiet from that direction lately.

Well well, how right you are about the eight-sided snowflake, shodatin. Upward, you've tempted me now with this set, but DP might veto it on grounds of scientific pedantry...

(Have just asked him. Apparently the eight-pointed one is allowed as long as it represents not frozen water but frozen methane. Um, if you say so dear.)

More good wishes to hob here, hope she's not had too exhausting a day.

Have never heard of frozen methane, but glad we have your DP who knows about this scientific stuff (must admit my knowledge is more arts-based and really stops at simple geometry). They are attractive, no doubt.

Thanks for making summerhouse welcoming tianc, will organise a tray of s, including bowl of marshmallows with wooden forks and usual old tin of biscuits, then have a wander around with espresso to check for damage. It was a noisy night upward, but thankfully noises seemed distant and this morning is sunny and bright altho still a bit windy. Hope everyone else was safe through the gales, which looked local on weather map.

No news yet of hob, with or without the incredible time-travelling cat, and am starting to wonder if they've got lost. Of course, could both be curled up quietly at home and just having a well-earned rest, but would appreciate news if possible, and hope all is well.

Ha, DP was just winding us up about eight-sided methane flakes. The rotter! Sorry, I shouldn't repeat anything he says without checking!

Hope the morning's inspection revealed no damage, to plants as well as building, shodatin.

Hope hob is OK ? maybe her lolly stick has finally failed and the computer is kaput... Otherwise hope she's curled up comfortably in her dormouse nest, snoring alongside mine.

Hmm, now I come to think of it, I do spend quite a lot of life dormouse-like according to this thread. On reflection, I'm not particularly worse, just more frustrated than usual: last week I was really disappointed to have to cancel a meet-up with friends, who won't be in town again for ages. Oh well, with phones of every description, email, text and Skype, I can hardly pretend it's a disaster.

Upward hope today has been a good one for you, and your admirable organising continues apace.

Sleep well all.

Thanks for news of DP's science joke - he did get away with it, ashamed to say.
Had forgotten the necessary lolly-stick for hob's posting, and of course they are allowed to be away as long as liked, just seems very quiet.
Such a shame you had to cancel meeting with visitors, tianc, as I thought you were recovered these days, being able to do so much more.
Have to go now, sudden exhaustion here - nuisance.

I hope hob is surviving too, not that posting is compulsory. I hadn't thought of how many sides snowflakes usually have

I wonder why I seem to go a good month without important emails (education &/or health), but then get 3-4 all at once (Ithen prevaricate re:which to sort out first ). I've decided I should get on with the withdrawal letter.

I hope everyone has a good day.

Letter done, food shop to look forward to

Not compulsory, upward , but I really miss it when I don't manage to , especially when everyone has been making such interesting posts - loved hearing about your tree delivery , shodatin's present preparations , and melty marshmallows & scooting home trying to avoid dinosaurs < believed the 8 - sided methane flake >

Not been miserably ill, but a combination of extreme dormouse sleepiness , total ineffiiciency & slowlness , & overwhelmed with practical stuff - I kept trying to write a short post but couldn't seem to muster any brainpower Was trying to post last night when a something came up that so upset me I thought I would just burst , poor dh , then I was trying to at least < wave > But seems so rude to only do that - incredibly sorry for worrying you , kind shodatin

Thinking of you with the rather daunting emails / letters , upward , especially the withdrawal one < soft rug to wrap round yourself and favourite choral music on in background > Really enjoying geting to know you better here . Also seems in the true spirit of winter & the Christmas season , for us all to curl up round the stove & chat a bit more .

Thank you Tianc for clearing space for time machine to land , & to shodatin for realising that was where HF & I were ., HF curls up at shodatin's feet , exhausted > Sorry for dispiriting cancellation last week , Tianc . I hate that feeling , & I hope you have really vivid conversations on phone etc

Relieved your house & garden seem to have escaped the gales , shodatin - was all OK after yesterday's check round garden ? Thank you for [biscuit}s , espressos & marsmallows < nom nom >. Liked the sound of "one of those days where nothing much happens but lots of things get done , yay ". Hope you enjoy presenting youearly gifts today , if I've not got the timing muddled .r
presents to give v shortly

Love the sound of having 18 mth old friend visit during the run-up to Xmas , upward . Have you been able to chat on phone with slightly - older DN , or are persons of that age a little wary of phones still?

Hope kizzie , madmouse , NanaNina and butterpie can join us for upward's unique

Well done indeed , upward , thank you so much for telling us you've accomplisheds horrid task .

Hope food shop has something of extra interest you can allow yourself ... just remembered shodatin's non -alcoholic rum flavouring , very sweet without the calories - am very sweet- toothed and native country had many sickly delicacies to foster it .. Interesting , shodatin , about rationing and lack of sweet tooth - not everyone I know who was small then , managed to avoid developing one !

((( hob ))) for last night.

So pleased to hear from you again hob, but apologies for nagging you into posting when you were not really well enough, and will keep quiet next time. Hope life is a bit easier by now, and that you manage to stay on top of things.
Have to thank you for mentioning the 18 mo due at upward's place, as I read it as 18 more (decorations) and upward is probably just too polite to ask what on earth I'm on about. I do hope you're recovered from yesterday's unpleasantness, as seems to have been an altogether difficult period, and am pleased you have your lovely DH and equally lovely HF, although glad of her visit.

Congratulations to upward, for getting the difficult letter written, and I do hope you feel you've done a good job and get a good result.
Am feeling tired now,after gift hand-over etc. so will return later

I believed the methane snowflake too I'm sorry you/ve felt so under the weather/overwhelmed, hob - I don't think it's selfish to just post a I hope that things begin to be more manageable. I was edging on overwhelmed earlier today, I've been awaiting contact from two separate educational 'bits', something about indoor mobility, something about the wheelchair (last week), but they all seemed to happen this morning.

DN has a toy mobile phone and a 'real' one (old, no battery etc - several of his friends seem to too - apparently it makes them less likely to grab at mum/dad's). He likes skype and listening to the mobile phone on speaker.

The letter is more about withdrawing as gracefully as possible, whilst thanking those that need thanking, and alluding to the reasons. I really hope it has that effect.

Nice to see you, tianc !

I hope you get a good rest overnight, shodatin ! One thing my MH episode taught me is how important getting adequate rest is.

Oh sniff < sobs gratefully all over Tianc and shodatin and upward > Thank you so much , endlessly patient people .
< passes ((( ))) and to upward , whose letter sounds pitched absolutely perfectly - the dignity and positive tone will be much appreciated by those you thank .

Ooops sorry , you have a DNephew , and what a hilarious picture he is in my mind's eye now , with his own little dummy mobile . How lovely that he likes Skyping and hearing his family on he phone ( I'd be cajoling him to the webcam regardless , but I can see the result might be cuter if child enjoys it )< mean >

Thank you for sending Her Preciousness back over , shodatin , she needs to be dried off after making her evening patrol out in the wet . I didn't mean to make you feel as though I felt nagged , no no no !! Really appreciated it & sorry if you were worried . hope you have a lovely restful evening after today's present - giving .< pre - Christmas - season cocktails and hot mulled apple juice >

Such an important point about getting enough rest , upward , and I hope you're sleeping OK yourself .
Hoping Tianc's trying time is soon transformed to a very gentle festive whirl , as a pumpkin into a coach
< sees white tails flash by >

Well, we do appreciate you hob, and am glad you don't feel upset about being nagged to post when you're just needing a rest, happens to me all the time.

Today was a bit busy, with one upsetting bit I'm going to forget about. No cocktails or mulled applejuice, but I did manage to find a half-bottle of scotch when friend was feeling the cold, and understand it worked well, despite being so old I'd forgotten I still had it.
Thanks for reminder about getting proper sleep upward, and hope to start earlier tonight as DB will be visiting tomorrow (to collect absolutely the last curtain
along with rucksack which got forgotten last visit after small drama). Prefer life dull and quiet, although it was enjoyable to have a visit from HF, and hope she's now warm and dry again.
Will say "goodnight" now, and hope all get proper rest.

Ooh, thank you hob for lovely, long, generous posts, despite being so tired and lorn. I'm afraid I'm a bit quiet myself, for no good reason, and can't find much to say other than to fluff up your mossy nest and tuck you safely in.

And sorry I didn't find much to say earlier, Upward, and for missing that you were a bit overwhelmed by the rush. That always seems to happen, doesn't it ? you wait ages and then stuff all comes at once?

Well done on getting the letter written, and as the others have said, I'm sure with grace and dignity.

shodatin good luck for a hopefully drama-free visit from DB tomorrow. Sorry about upsetting stuff today, but as you say, good to forget. Love that you found whisky for your neighbour - it doesn't go off, you know!

Wishing everyone a peaceful night, and a good day tomorrow.

Thank you upward for reassuring me that it's OK to simply wave when can't post reply to others' loviness .
As I rushed off I realised I hadn't said that I hope the organisations contacting you all at once , which were leaving you nearly overwhelmed yesterday have given you some constructive ideas

So sorry no goodnight yet again , fell asleep too early & the day has gone by in about 2 seconds .

Perhaps you felt a bit "meh" due to a touch of burnout Tianc ? Tough times & especially for people with reasonable standards firm convictions . Or perhaps a reaction to hard recent weeks . Hmmm , I know I'll be putting my foot in it , so will shut up , hoping you feel refreshed soon ..you probably weren't feeling meh , just a bit quiet for no reason , as you said. Thank you so much for tucking me up safely in my warm nestbox ,which was so welcoming I long to return to it . Hope you won't have to spend too long in yours .

Smiling at the thought of you finding the whiskey for chilled friend , shodatin Hope DB has been able to travel in spite of the wild weather , & retrieve his cosy curtain & backpack . Very sorry you had a nasty yesterday , which you determined to forget about .
Another fan here of the quiet life you 've come to like .

Am trying to deep clean plague pit , as boiler man and at least one of another type of wworkman are due sometime soon & will need to root about in cupboards and behind dusty shelves , & maybe even in cases & boxes .

As I need to sit down every few mins , I have every excuse to get a lot of reading done on the internet , and to day I've been trying to I love the chance to feminist theory as friend is giving a talk on for a local feminist society - the very impressive very young women who set up march recently about the impact of the cuts upon women . They seem to be of a modern strand of feminism & are going to eat us alive , so I 'll point them to the relevant board on MN for further discussion

Hope we're all safe & cosy in gales

Thanks for reassurance about the whiskey tianc, people are often too polite to mention if something's gone stale, so I now feel confident about keeping the old bottle just-in-case. It certainly did a warm-up job, and faster than the thermostat I'm sure.
Yes hob, it was good to see DB again, particularly as we lunched at small cafe he used to use, where owner seemed to genuinely remember him and of course, the portions were really enormous so one of us was really pleased. Food makes me tired, so can sympathise with your sitting-down system of doing a massive clean.
I still find it difficult to imagine that your home really needs so much attention, but of course some of us are
more particular than others (I can't see dust, eg, so never worry about it and often just forget to do it).
Many thanks for the s, to keep us going until nest-box time.

Hmm, done some tidying today, but not made contact with any of the things that need sorting as I only remembered when I opened this thread

shodatin, I'm glad you had a nice lunch and family time, and that the food wasn't too wearing.

Thanks for the hob just what's needed! I found a machine that dispenses hot water today, and I've ordered one , hopefully it'll come tomorrow (very exciting).

TIANC , I hope you feel less meh soon.

Just watching the news at 6, lots of stuff re: significant disruption tomorrow (major city centre close by) - I think I may be giving town a miss.

That looks like an interesting gadget upward, and I look forward to hearing how it works. A friend has a special hot tap installed but it's near the sink and have only now thought to ask how useful it is. Water here is difficult, really nasty if boiled twice even when filtered, but just up the road they don't even need filters.

I've heard a lot of financial news today, possibly something to do with tomorrow's strike, but I'm planning to stay at home too.

Glad that the wind's dropped now, and hope we've all survived with homes and gardens intact.