Getting some semblance of order

 Good morning everyone....as you can see, we're back online - just.  A BT engineer turned up out of the blue late yesterday afternoon - BT had told me no-one would be calling, we didn't need an engineer, we could set it up ourselves.  They really don't know their arses from their elbows - but I'm not complaining (well, not about the engineer at least), as it saved us - well, me - from having to try and muddle through it, with newfangled equipment that I knew nothing about.  The landline phone still doesn't work, however.  Being without internet and home phone, and with mobile phones that are effectively useless here as there is next to no signal (except for the odd minute or 2 a couple of times a day when the signal suddenly kicks in, very briefly) was very disconcerting actually, it felt like we were completely cut off from the world for 3 days.  And even the TV wouldn't work - trying to connect via an outside aerial here is virtually impossible, according to our next door neighbour, much to husband's horror.  I know absolutely zero about TV technology so was unable to help him - and with no internet I couldn't even google or look for some help on Youtube.  He's now going to buy a freesat box and connect via one of the 2 satellite dishes on the roof.  Or so he hopes.....he knows very little about it but is nevertheless confident it will work!!  Oh, and BT, despite knowing our moving date, sent the equipment to our old address - so we wouldn't even have got it had it not been for the mail redirection I'd set up.  Useless idiots.  It's been a catalogue of errors with them from start to finish.

The move wasn't without problems....you know that breakdown I was sure I was going to have?  Well, suffice it to say I did - the culmination of weeks of stress trying to organise everything, coupled with a heaped up shitload of stress this week just broke me.  And that's all I'm going to say about it - we're here, and that's the main thing.  My bedroom here is, like the old house, an oasis of calm (despite there being a lot of boxes awaiting unpacking behind the wardrobe doors, but at least they're out of sight).  The second most important room for me is the kitchen....which I have tidied and rearranged and cleared several times now....but husband keeps cluttering it up again with tools etc (well, he does have several jobs to do around the house).  The trouble is, he spreads all his tools and paraphernalia over every available surface, and then doesn't clear it up unless I specifically ask him to.  And I walk in there to get a meal prepared and all I can see is his junk everywhere, and I can't even get to the cupboards or cooking appliances because of all his clutter.  It drives me nuts.

Oh, and we didn't declutter and downsize enough - we still have things that I'm struggling to find places to put, I think more stuff will have to go to the tip or charity shops.  I know it'll all get sorted and straightened out eventually - I just hate living in a mess, it irritates the hell out of me.

I have to go shopping today, to fill up the freezer, and husband needs to buy some brackets to put up a shelf I desperately need in the kitchen, which he forgot to buy yesterday when we were in a DIY shop buying some essential things.  He claimed it wasn't his fault he forgot to buy the brackets, because I didn't remind him.....except I DID remind him, whilst we were actually in the shop!

I've enjoyed reading through all your 3-foods-only choices this morning....I laughed at the 'Steak, steak and steak' choice!  

And I want to say a big THANK YOU to one of my USA readers for sending me - from America, and this from someone I've never met before and am likely never to meet - a wonderful gift....a metal wall plaque with a beautiful dragonfly and flower design painted on it, and a well-packed box of 4 assorted cheeses - how absolutely wonderful.  Thank you so much, B.  Oh, the cheeses are all sourced from this country, they weren't shipped from the USA, in case you're wondering.  I was delighted and overwhelmed by her kindness.  We've also had some lovely flowers from husband's daughter, and a nice selection of both New Home and Christmas cards, including from some of the neighbours, introducing themselves, how thoughtful of them.

Betty was so well behaved on moving day, she stayed in her crate in the car port, watching all the goings on without a single murmur.  She was a bit anxious the first day or two, but is settling down now - she knows where her bed, toys, food and water are, and knows to go to the kitchen door to tell us when she wants a wee.

I will take photos once I'm more straightened out, I promise.