Apologies for my absence…

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Sian in Belgium, Mar 11, 2022.

  1. Sian in Belgium

    Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    Messages:
    2,987
    Location:
    Just south of Brussels
    Ratings:
    +9,232
    Sorry that I’ve been away from the forum for a number of months.

    it’s been rather hectic here. Trying to cope with a new puppy, who had lots of initial problems; a bout of bronchitis that laid me low for over a month; caring for a mother who is 500 miles away in a different country, during a pandemic that prevented me from travelling for much of the time…

    But we are still here. The puppy is now an adolescent; still a handful, but improving in adolescence, rather than getting worse! Mum is now safely settled in a care home, and my brother has accepted that this is the best place for her (i still visit her more often than he does, although he is much closer, but there you go…). At last I no longer have to have multiple PCR tests to travel.

    The garden? Still here, still proving to be a lot of work. I can’t manage cutting the hedges on my own. Hubby not willing to pay for professionals to do it, or help more than a few hours a year, so I muddle through as best I can.
    The delinquent puppy likes to pull up plants, and eat plant pots, so the shed is full of all the pots I rescue from him!
    Last year we let the lawn grow into a meadow. I failed to get it cut in time (again, minimal help), so now have last year’s grass lying on top of the new growth. Hopefully it won’t be too much of a problem - we’ve a lot of couch-grass, so that’s just doing “its Thing”!
    The pond is looking good. The liner edges are not as disguised as they were, because of various paws standing on the edge to drink, but the amphibious visitors are starting to arrive :smile:
    8B634D53-44B3-47BA-AC77-003B9273195E.jpeg
    (“Puppy” photo added for tax - although at over 10 months, he’s getting to be a big lad!)
     
    • Friendly Friendly x 9
    • Like Like x 2
    • Victoria

      Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

      Joined:
      Jun 9, 2006
      Messages:
      30,123
      Occupation:
      Lady of Leisure
      Location:
      Messines, Algarve
      Ratings:
      +49,906
      Pleased to see you back Sian and that some things are settling down for you.

      Puppy is stunning.

      I empathise with the mimimal (and even less) help in the garden and I despair at times, but I do pay for a professional to come in 3/4 times a year to do the heavy work. However, I have a small patch compared to your large plot.

      Keep your chin up and I look forward to reading your posts.
       
      • Friendly Friendly x 3
      • noisette47

        noisette47 Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jan 25, 2013
        Messages:
        5,862
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine
        Ratings:
        +13,963
        Hi Sian, good to hear from you again :) Join the club of ladies who thought that the garden would be a joint project, only to discover that sisters are doin' it for themselves :scratch: Lovely dog! xx
         
        • Funny Funny x 4
        • Friendly Friendly x 1
        • Upsydaisy

          Upsydaisy Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Apr 26, 2017
          Messages:
          17,442
          Gender:
          Female
          Occupation:
          Living in hope of world wide peace.
          Location:
          Hampshire. Zone 8b
          Ratings:
          +54,365
          [​IMG]



          Welcome back Sian no apologies needed, you've certainly had a lot to deal with. Bronchitis in itself knocks the stuffing out of you, glad that you're over that now and that you have peace of mind over your Mum now that she's settled into a care home.

          The adolescent is looking very handsome indeed.

          My hubs does do things in the garden , but as he ages it just takes him a bit longer to get around to it....he says I nagg!! He tends to have more important or interesting ( to him) projects that require his attention ...so it seems.;)

          Like your hubs he won't hear of paying for help ..when he can...eventually do it.

          I can't deal with our hedging either, but thankfully hubs hates an untidy looking one so that does get done promptly.
           
          • Friendly Friendly x 3
          • Like Like x 1
          • wiseowl

            wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

            Joined:
            Oct 29, 2006
            Messages:
            44,113
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Philosophy of people
            Location:
            In a barn somewhere in North Kent
            Ratings:
            +89,280
            • Friendly Friendly x 2
            • shiney

              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

              Joined:
              Jul 3, 2006
              Messages:
              61,003
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired - Last Century!!!
              Location:
              Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
              Ratings:
              +117,303
              Welcome back @Sian in Belgium and I wish you better. :grphg:

              Just to stand up, a little bit, for male members (do I need to rephrase that? :roflol:) I do a lot of the work in the garden. :) I must admit that hedge cutting is more than I wish to do so we do have someone come in and do the heavy work and any work that means getting on a ladder.
               
              • Funny Funny x 1
              • Friendly Friendly x 1
              • CanadianLori

                CanadianLori Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Sep 20, 2015
                Messages:
                9,687
                Occupation:
                Battle Axe
                Location:
                Oakville, Ontario, Canada Zone 5A
                Ratings:
                +30,478
                @Sian in Belgium it is nice to hear from you again. I think we all get those times when a convergence of stressful and time consuming family matters push the forum into the background. And rightfully so. The forum is a great place but certainly would never take a priority over family.

                Your puppy looks like he'd be lovely to pet. :)
                 
                • Friendly Friendly x 2
                • Nikolaos

                  Nikolaos Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 26, 2019
                  Messages:
                  1,714
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Midlands, UK
                  Ratings:
                  +4,288
                  Great to see you posting here again @Sian in Belgium, a warm welcome back! :)

                  Nick
                   
                  • Friendly Friendly x 2
                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

                    Joined:
                    Jun 3, 2008
                    Messages:
                    30,685
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Surrey
                    Ratings:
                    +45,636
                    Welcome back Sian ! I'm lucky that Mrs JWK helps and enjoys it too so it is a team effort. I couldn't manage it all by myself so know how you feel.
                     
                    • Like Like x 3
                    • Friendly Friendly x 1
                    • Sheal

                      Sheal Total Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Feb 2, 2011
                      Messages:
                      35,546
                      Gender:
                      Female
                      Location:
                      Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
                      Ratings:
                      +52,313
                      Welcome back Sian. :) There are times when one thing after another seems to hit us, but we get through it and things eventually settle down. Glad to hear that's how it is for you now.

                      That's one good looking pup you have. He has a lovely shiny coat too. :)
                       
                      • Friendly Friendly x 2
                      • Jocko

                        Jocko Guided by my better half.

                        Joined:
                        Jan 2, 2022
                        Messages:
                        2,416
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Retired engineer. Now Vice CEO of the garden.
                        Location:
                        Danderhall on southern edge of Edinburgh. Zone 8a.
                        Ratings:
                        +6,776
                        Men will get round to a job eventually. No need to keep reminding them every six months.
                         
                        • Funny Funny x 6
                        • Michael Hewett

                          Michael Hewett Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Mar 13, 2016
                          Messages:
                          4,729
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Occupation:
                          Retired
                          Location:
                          Carmarthenshire Wales
                          Ratings:
                          +17,637
                          • Friendly Friendly x 2
                          Loading...

                          Share This Page

                          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                            Dismiss Notice