In good and bad times..

So the phrase goes and as you may suspect the readers that know me, I could let domestic issues rest for long before sorting them or setting on the road to being sorted! Sunday afternoon Frank "escaped" to the bingo coming home with no win but a lingering smell of the ciggies - so I flipped. Needless to say he tried to blame everyone else for his actions instead of seeing that he had to take responsibility and it was only he who started people talking. Equally I don't think he appreciated that it is not the smoking that I really object to, although slowly killing himself, well perhaps not all that slowly, if you hear his chest wheezing and morning coughing, it's the behaviour that has gone on. He says he did not tell me that he has the occasional one because I would have gone on and on about it - he's right about that!
So we are on the mend, Frank saying he will not smoke, I'm hoping that will be right! Time like with everything will tell, but honestly I don't know how I am coping with this and everything else going on!
Marie, Karen and John coming around for a "MAJAK" company meeting - we four directors look like getting the show on the road at the turn of the New Year! Now that should have go you wondering!

Supporting & Caring

Well my latest blog seemed to have moved some folk into action and being the kind of folk I value have been in touch and offered their support! Thanks Derry was much appreciated. The good news is that Frank has a GP appointment for 13th November and I hope that will help him through his addiction.

Marie's 60th Birthday party was a bit of a casuality of the on going issues and neither of us was really in a party mood, with me being over-tired from a demanding meeting in Glasgow! However Arthur in his unique way entered into the spirit of the event as you can see! Marie gave us a couple of songs and the "family" band did their stuff - Kevin can really use that fiddle! So having a visit from the valuer to get EMS sorted and see how much the place is worth. Thanks again for the phone call and hope to see D & M in Yorkshire on their way to and from Kirkcaldy.

Conference season is here

Well it has been awhile since I took up the PC and started to think what to right after the most difficult 7 weeks ever. However getting there but its a lonely place to be and while some folk find giving easy others avoid you and pretend my bereavement is not real. It has not helped at all that Frank is back on the cigarettes, I suppose I can cope that that and avoid the smells and being a victim of passive smoking but its the deceit and lies that go with it that I find unacceptable. He must know folk have been forming a queue to let me know but my sense of smell got there first, together with hyperactivity post fix and depression prior to nicotine fix!
So I'm off to Vienna next week for the ILGA Europe and World conferences come back on 6th November and go to Austwick until 12th then busy until the winter holiday and intend to be there from 20th December until 3rd January. I hope Bill and Barrie are coming over for the New Year. Fitting in Bristol for UNISON delegates Conference 14/16th November!
Our last visit to Austwick was via Newcastle and we had a great weekend crowning moment seeing Matthew Bourne's "Picture of Dorian Grey" wonderful! Have "booked" in for "West Side Story" on February 17th! So all for now because the allotted area is full of words!

Country Residence

Country resident is very much now established here in Austwick until Sunday. We have had the chimney swept and the roasted pigeons removed together with their nests! Failed double glazing windows replaced paying a four figure sum and 03p - which the firm did not removed! Biggy today swearing at the lawyer for the probate of Mum's estate and I think that is it!
Before we arrived on Sunday we stayed in Newcastle with Bill & Barrie - has an accident free visit! Some shopping but the highlight was seeing the Matthew Bourne dance "Picture of Dorian Grey" it was just fantastic and we all enjoyed it tremendously. Being a bit cheeky we have asked Barrie (he's not only a friend of Dorothy but also of the Theatre Royal) to get tickets for "West Side Story" next February! Good to see them both looking so well. Bill is preparing to flash his bus pass on 4th November, Suspect Barrie thinks that is the only things he flashes these days! Bill has been a focus for the "Good Neighbour" campaign in the local press as he is the "daily" for the next door neighbour Peggy whose short term memory is shot. Embarrassed as he was the acknowledgement is well deserved and we are very proud of him too. Barrie is getting over his major operation on his ankle and although still on the crutches looked really well and seems to be having less mobility difficulties. Ironic that for years it's been birthday and Christmas cards and calls - it is so easy to neglect one's friends!
So back to reality on Sunday and looking like a busy month ahead. The Vicar in Austwick has invited us to the Remembrance Day service on 9th November as those who have died in the parish are mentioned. Will try to attend that but pushing a bit as I'm at the ILGA Europe and World Conferences until 7th November. Funny to recall that Ian (the Vicar) is to run in the Venice marathon and may come and collect Mum's "Ergometer 3000" treadmill - left here on Tuesday saying if he could find some men to help move it he would have it for himself! Went to the Gamecock Inn (lovely name and so misleading) a couple of times and made very welcome (socially that is), also back to the Vicar he's asked me to talk to the "fellowship" group and tell them about some of the work we do - have to pick the topic with care!