Sunday 19 October 2014

General Stuff From Last Week

Last week got off to a bad start, in fact just about the worst start that one can have to any week. We had run out of tea and forgotten to replenish the supply during the weekend. Only one cup between us before work.....not good!


The legal restrictions that have befallen me due to the seizure are making life incredibly challenging, both on the work front, and as a result in our private life. Immediate family have been wonderful, and I am so thankful for having them around, as they have given up any spare time available to help things to run smoothly. 


Youngest daughter Rebecca has happily given over all of her holiday and spare time to do whatever is required, and son-in-law Dom has been there whenever needed as well. Both are becoming very proficient at using the mowers, and also more importantly the hedge trimming gear.


It's a bad time to have such restrictions, as grass is still growing, all of the hedges need their final trim for the year, and to top it all, autumn is upon us, and leaves are falling in earnest. Roll on February, when hopefully all will be clear and signed off in the head department.


It was a week of work, work, and more work. Today, we should be waking up to a bacon butty, and cuppa on the beach at St.Davids, but sadly the trip had to be cancelled due to new work commitments. It's the price one pays occasionally for self employment. Our little stone cottage is having to do without us for a little while longer, the cost must be swallowed up, and an alternative respite closer to home must be found.

We have just gained two more contracts. Not large places, but both require an immediate start and so duty calls and all that. In the meantime peace and some head space were found this weekend in our own area. Saturday was spent in our own garden. Both of us were not in that 'gardening place' as you can imagine, but we knew that once we started, got talking, shared tea etc, then peace would ensue. It did, as it always does in a garden. They are special places, and once again I quote the verse from
 Dorothy Frances Gurney.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's Heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on Earth.

On Sunday, after a long and restful lie in, we headed out to the New Forest, and just walked quietly and talked. A place where much of my youth was spent sleeping out and roughing it in the wild with my pals, the sound of the wind through the trees always stills my mind.



So there we have it. Not a lot going on, but it's another Monday morning, and at least we have tea!


17 comments:

  1. Good to hear from you Gary. Glad you have such great help from your family at this time. Congrats on the two new contracts.

    I know that walk in the forest was a good one, peaceful and restoring.

    Have a wonderful week ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Hi Lorraine,
      Just like the beach, the forest always brings peace I find. Thanks for the congrats, we had a good day today as well. Take care.

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  2. How wonderful of Rebecca and Dom!! Truly wonderful people they must be :)

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    1. They are indeed, and we couldn't have got through the work without them.

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  3. Oh, Gary! How blessed you are to be surrounded by hard-working, loving family members. Long, restful "lie-ins", quiet walks and talks are so restorative. Sounds like you are geared up for a new & full work week.

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    1. Good evening Rebecca,
      I do feel blessed to have such family around me. The lie in was a rarety, as I tend to get restless at around 6am, but it was nice for once.

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  4. Sometimes all life is work and rest
    Everything else is a bonus

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    1. Very true John. The stuff in between does tend to be what matters the most.

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  5. Well, the tea is a powerful start to the day! You may be missing tea but the business is doing well. You may have to hire a worker who also does your driving. I lost my license for two weeks .it was not pleasant.

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    1. Hi there Red,
      It's surprising just how tough the start to a day can be without the regular cup of tea. As for the driving, hopefully it will only be until February, and in the meantime Amanda is doing most of it, with Dom filling in between.

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  6. A cup of tea is a very important part of survival - I know. So pleased that your family is rallying round to help you. Sometimes an illness or diagnoses suddenly comes out of the blue and it throws your life up into the air like some one tossing pieces of a jigsaw. It happened to us 17 years ago and is still ongoing. But we survived and it brought us as a family so much closer together, so it's not all bad - just different. The work thing will work out - ours did. I wish you all the best for a full recovery. And when all else fails - put the kettle on.

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    1. Hello Molly,
      It's funny how the seizure itself, and all of the tests that have followed, have taken a mental 'back seat' in my mind, while it's the day to day logistics that are the greater concern. So sorry to hear of your own troubles.

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  7. All good lives have speed bumps, sounds like you are taking it in your stride.

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  8. Thanks Adrian, I feel that although we need some, we are also getting it, if that makes sense. You had better tie the van down for the coming week by the sounds of it!

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  9. Hi Doc,
    You would have to ask Amanda whether or not I am taking it in my stride. I fear not sometimes, but thankfully most of the bumps are up.

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  10. Hang in there and keep the tea stocked!!!
    Taking on new gardens means plans to be back at it all again soon. Sounds like you're on the right road.

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  11. Thinking of you. Most gardeners hate the winter months of not gardening. You have the rare experience of being eager for February, this year, at least. :)

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