Basically, I just wrote the weekend off, didn't do anything other than prepare and cook meals, the rest of the time I sat in my bedroom and read my book. The straw that broke the camel's back happened on Saturday, following a shit couple of weeks....due to carelessness (not mine), my washing basket containing the wet washing I'd just taken out of the machine to hang on the line, and the peg basket, got tipped over in the garden, sending the washing and all the pegs cascading over the ground. I just burst into tears, it finished me off. Stupid, silly little thing with no real harm done (except to my back, hips and dodgy knee, having to scrabble about on the ground to pick it all up), but it really seemed like a breaking point. I'm just glad there was nobody around to witness (or hear) me sobbing in the garden, shaking all the washing and hanging it on the whirly thing. Betty, bless her, stood beside me the whole time, then kept me company in the bedroom all weekend. Animals know, don't they, and give us unconditional love.
The man from the blinds company arrived this morning - it didn't start off too well as he was 45 mins late, in fact I'd just rung the company to find out where he was when he pulled up outside. Unlike the last guy (from a local company) who came, this one was really nice, extremely helpful and bent over backwards to accommodate our needs and wishes. Even so, the quote was considerably higher than I was expecting, but he then suggested a couple of different styles of blinds which had a 20% off sale price, so that made it much better, more affordable. He didn't press us for an immediate decision either, but said we could think about it, contact him at any time with any queries, and said the quote was guaranteed for 3 months (he gave us that in writing too, which the previous one didn't). So that's what I'm going to do, wait a month or so to think about it - and save up a bit more. We will definitely be going with this quote and company, it's just a case of ironing out a few details.
So that's eased our current cash flow problems (caused by a few recent unexpected expenses), and thus eased my mind also. I know I need to rearrange our budget a bit and start putting more into savings for unexpected things (sinking funds?), I'll get on and do that tomorrow.
Sister got a lovely sympathy card from her vet this morning, it contained a hand written message and a packet of Forget-me-not flower seeds, how nice of them. When brother's dog had to be put to sleep, they also had a card from their vet, along with an impression of their dog's paw prints, which they didn't know they were getting. So thoughtful.
We're about to take Betty to the vet for her 2nd ear treatment, the first dose has already been working and this 2nd one should clear up the infection altogether. Until the next time, of course, but hopefully that'll be several months away.
Yes, it's always something silly like that, that tips us over the edge. The last straw, indeed. Anyway, I'm glad you had nurse Betty to look after you! I sometimes think animals are more in tune with human feelings than other humans are.
ReplyDeleteThe blind man (?) sounds nice. Even though the quote was more than you wanted, you get a feel for genuine people. And having 3 months to think about it shows the company are more interested in keeping their customers and getting referrals, than making a quick buck.
How kind of the Vet to send a card to your sister. Again, it's all about looking after their customers. Nice to know that there are some good people left!
I hope Betty's ear is fully healed soon. xx
Sometimes it’s the tiniest thing that tips you over. It sounds like you did the right thing having a quiet weekend. I hope this week is a better one.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling a bit brighter. The silliest things can just get you down somehow - I think we've all been there and can sympathise! Good to know you can take your time with the blinds quote, I hate it when they try to pressure you to sign up there and then. What a lovely gesture by the vet, very thoughtful indeed.
ReplyDeleteOur vet sent cards when our cats had their final visits, both with seeds in. It's a nice thought.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon. Thank goodness for Betty. I'm trying to reconcile myself to the fact that my husband doesn't want any trips out (he makes every excuse and then tried to make me feel guilty for wanting to visit places more than half an hour away) and work out if it is worse to not go anywhere or to go alone. I like the idea of a card from the vet but then I'd prefer to pay the £45 my vet charged for the same thing and do without the seeds.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the visual and the physicalness of seeing something like the laundry spill to just open the dam. I remember when a former neighbor's husband was deployed to Afghanistan. I pulled into the driveway on a cold February day and she was sobbing in her driveway. I rushed over, prepared to help her through the God awful worst. No, he was fine but she had slipped on ice, wasn't hurt thankfully but her bag of groceries was strewn all over, cans rolling down the driveway. We got it picked up, her inside, and with a couple other neighbors gals, got her out of the house for a bit while her daughter stayed at my house hanging out with my daughter and a movie. She had reached a stress point managing life alone and that was her breaking point. I miss them...they were great neighbors and friends. He was relocated again a couple years later, and now is retired Army. Long winded story to say I understand and have had my own break down moments since my husband died over spilt milk moments.
ReplyDeleteIt's rarely the thing itself, is it. I'm glad you took some time out - you really did need it, didn't you?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the blinds are more or less sorted, apart from making the actual decision. It'll be nice to get that done. xx
I am glad that you took the weekend as a time out. There are definitely times that things seem to get overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Glad you managed to flood out the built up frustration and anger, it might not feel so at the time but it does make one feel better when it's all flushed out and rinsed away. xx
ReplyDeleteGosh it sounds like you really needed that time-out. Lovely Betty staying to support her Mum in her time of need, they just know don't they. Sadly, we have far too many Forget-me-Nots growing around our place, as we have had cards and seeds from our vets for our last three departed dogs. Ginger has almost been doing us a favour digging some of them up just recently.
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