Shall I chuck my hat in first?

Happy Hour · 01-12-2009, 10:40 PM

Thought I would post this here (out of the way), so as not to detract from all the civilized chat going on everywhere else at the moment...

As I've been not been around for a little while I suppose I'd better throw my hat in first - right?

See if I get a warm 'Hello' or maybe a frosty 'Clear off'! Especially after most of you very kind folk have asked after me on more than one occasion…

I don't know, though I do suspect that 99% of my problems must be down to my age - the remaining 1% has to be 'cos I'm (probably)

mentally unbalanced. HTG, at the moment I'm so disorganised that just the thought of sitting down and making a list of 'Things To Do, forums to visit etc.’, fills me with the jitters... OK - the last few months have been (to say the least) hectic - but hey, I've survived worse – Well I think I have

LOL (darn my forgettery).

I seem to remember that I came to Italy to retire and I fully intended to put myself out to pasture from the moment I got here.... yeah, right - THAT dream lasted (if I'm honest) all of 15 seconds, well maybe 15 is an exaggeration, but it was at least a whole minute!!!

I've had visitors – on and off - literally from the day my furniture arrived from the UK in 2005...

and since then I've built up a program of 'regular friends' visiting - so I know that if it's Debra then it must be August - or April/October if it's Paddy. But hey! Don't get me wrong.... I LOVE IT - every minute of it! If only I could organise myself and suffer less C.R.A.F.T. moments...

To add to the visitor plight and predicament there are the translations I do.

OK - I only do the ones I want to do - but some customers have been good to me and so deserve a bit more than a "Go away and come back next month"...But why do so many of them think that a 5 to 15 page translation can be done at the drop of a hat and that the fact that they have left it until the very last minute can be solved by my me ‘waving’

my magic wand - well it just ain''t gonna happen'!

A couple of weeks ago my son and his girl managed to pay a flying visit – Friday mid day to Monday afternoon. Arranged for now as they can’t visit me at Christmas – they were with me last year so it’s ‘her’ Mum’s turn this year. (pity we can’t ALL get together here one Christmas – I’ve got the room….). I really felt sad for the two of them as there was torrential rain for the whole time they were here… They wanted to do some shopping but I really didn’t feel like getting soaked so I (willingly) let them go and do it without me. But come the time to leave, they gave me a bag full of pre-wrapped Christmas presents, saying “You can open them now, or save ‘em until Christmas Day – it’s up to you Mum!” Well I chose the latter, ‘cos I know I’ll be on my own on Christmas Day and this way at least I’ll have a present or two to open. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t mind (well not too much), as I can eat and drink (?) what I want AND I’ll have the ‘remote’

to myself all day….. yeah!!!!! I probably wont see anything of my niece and her family – not heard from them since mid August – a salutary lesson on NOT lending money to family… you end up losing the money and, even worse, the family too!

When the time came for ‘my two’ to leave, I was very brave and didn’t cry, well not until they were out of sight – then I really did have a good old sob… The mutt always sulks for at least 24 hours when guests leave so he was little comfort despite the cuddles I gave him. And since they left, plus all that rain, my arthritis has really been playing up, I’ve had a heavy cold and cough too, so all in all it’s not been the best of times – then last week I ‘put my back out’…it’s an old problem, but suddenly going up and down stairs and sleeping have been almost out of the question... I’ve just been sitting here feeling sorry for myself. So I’ve decided that I really must try and get back into ‘harness’ and take care of the friendships I DO have and waste less time on those who decided that I was a bottomless money pit. So in general here I am and, if I’m not quite as bright eyed and bushy tailed as before -

– be gentle with me…. I’ll get there –
PROMISE!

Nero · 02-12-2009, 07:20 AM

Hi Happy Hour,

You should no by now your welcome here never expires or runs cold! We just worry when we don't hear from you for a while. However, it sounds as if you have a more hectic social life than I will ever have.

Am sorry to hear you have not been in the best of spirits or physical health. I guess it is also the time of year for it - it is hard to remain chipper when the weather conspires so well against it.

I have also done something to my back that makes any movement painful and sleeping something of a challenge. Ibuprofen isn't working either which is not good...

We will both be alone on Christmas Day, so I think we should skype each other and have a virtual celebration! I believe the new, new laptop can actually handle skype so want to test it out.

Re the family and money issue - I guess this reinforces that old caution of 'neither a borrower nor a lender be', though I do hope your niece's silence might have more to do with youth and their relative inability to think of others rather than because of money owed...

All in all, I do hope you are feeling better and more your old self soon. We love you and miss you here and you know that we are always around ready for a chat when you are.

Emma Rony · 02-12-2009, 11:39 AM

Aw HH, you do sound a bit glum, you look after so many people you deserve to be treated a bit yourself. It'll be nice to have those presents to open on xmas day bought for you with love and thought from your son.
I do think xmas can be very stressful - we're all 'supposed' to be having the time of our lives surrounded by friends and family and lovely food and sometimes it just cant be. Some of the TV ads make me mad, perpetuating these perfect family gatherings and making lots of people feel a bit sad and lonesome.
We're in the middle of a classic xmas row with P's brother who threw a hissy fit by phone on saturday, sigh we are supposed to be spending a day and night with all his family on 28th and he went mental that we won't be there longer. Within his rant contained the info that he didn't like me and his wife doesnt like pete or me so why they want us there longer is beyond us. At the moment I think I am planning political flu and avoiding the whole bloomin lot of them. Grr families eh tee.
I'm spending 3 nights with great friends in Brighton across the holiday, feel a bit funny about xmas without my mum to spoil, Dad is off to be with my bro in NY, will be good to keep it low key I think.
We're off to venice for 2 nights in 2 weeks time - our xmas pres to each other, hoping the aqua alta wont be too bad - it was very watery there this week. Am dead excited about that.

Love to you all..

M

The Barman · 02-12-2009, 03:21 PM

Hello HH, welcome back!

I must have missed the previous news about neicey, but I get the jist from your post. What a rotter.

Emma, if I were P I would telling his bro' to stuff-off.

Christmas will be strange for us too. We don't want to travel this year incase Mrs Barman goes into early labour. Due to various family permutations no one can (or maybe wants to) come to us until Boxing Day. A friend of ours also has some complicated family dynamics so is going to be around on Christmas Day with just her hubby and ma, so we're going to them for Christmas afternoon.

Oh well, we'll all get by somehow. Probably with a helping of booze

Fritini · 02-12-2009, 10:42 PM

HH you have been missed, I agree with Nero here with this group you never have to worry about what we think or anything. We are a cool group.

HH that reminds me on skype when we changed computers I was lost all my contacts, but I'm still around if you have me on your contacts. I think it will be great that you and Nero chit chat on Christmas day.

Barman I do think it is a good idea you stay close to home, you just never know what the babe wants to do, get out early or stick around where it is warm and toasty!

Christmas will be here but only the immediate family...truthfully I've had enough other relatives over for awhile

Feel bad saying that, but with both weddings whew, just the 8 of us!

I have to go vacuum I didn't wipe the pups feet good enough and now I have dirt on my already cleaned floor.

HH you are well thought of and loved here, no worries!!!

Hugs, Frit

Sancerre · 09-12-2009, 03:07 PM

HH, no worries about us here - the door's always open to you!

Yes, you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family. Forget about that niece and if she gets in touch again (and I'm sure she will), just ask her if she's got your cheque ready!

I'm glad to hear you've kept some pressies to open on Xmas Day. Something nice to look forward to!

Emma, sod those nitpicking relatives. Why indeed would they want to waste their precious time with you & P? Ahh, so why would you want to waste yours? That flu sounds like a perfect idea...

Xmas it's just going to be L & me, too. With our return last year on Xmas Eve, we didn't get around to preparing a proper Xmas, and didn't really do any pressies either because of the weddings. Going to bake Xmas cookies this weekend, and put up our tree (as long as we don't find any mouse droppings in the box as we didn't use it last year!). Around 28th we're off to see L's parents for the day. Nice & quiet...

01-12-2009, 10:40 PM	#1
Happy Hour One of the locals Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Here...where do you think I live? Posts: 562 My Mood: Recent Blog: My Friday the 13th....	Shall I chuck my hat in first? Thought I would post this here (out of the way), so as not to detract from all the civilized chat going on everywhere else at the moment... As I've been not been around for a little while I suppose I'd better throw my hat in first - right? See if I get a warm 'Hello' or maybe a frosty 'Clear off'! Especially after most of you very kind folk have asked after me on more than one occasion… I don't know, though I do suspect that 99% of my problems must be down to my age - the remaining 1% has to be 'cos I'm (probably) mentally unbalanced. HTG, at the moment I'm so disorganised that just the thought of sitting down and making a list of 'Things To Do, forums to visit etc.’, fills me with the jitters... OK - the last few months have been (to say the least) hectic - but hey, I've survived worse – Well I think I have LOL (darn my forgettery). I seem to remember that I came to Italy to retire and I fully intended to put myself out to pasture from the moment I got here.... yeah, right - THAT dream lasted (if I'm honest) all of 15 seconds, well maybe 15 is an exaggeration, but it was at least a whole minute!!! I've had visitors – on and off - literally from the day my furniture arrived from the UK in 2005... and since then I've built up a program of 'regular friends' visiting - so I know that if it's Debra then it must be August - or April/October if it's Paddy. But hey! Don't get me wrong.... I LOVE IT - every minute of it! If only I could organise myself and suffer less C.R.A.F.T. moments... To add to the visitor plight and predicament there are the translations I do. OK - I only do the ones I want to do - but some customers have been good to me and so deserve a bit more than a "Go away and come back next month"...But why do so many of them think that a 5 to 15 page translation can be done at the drop of a hat and that the fact that they have left it until the very last minute can be solved by my me ‘waving’ my magic wand - well it just ain''t gonna happen'! A couple of weeks ago my son and his girl managed to pay a flying visit – Friday mid day to Monday afternoon. Arranged for now as they can’t visit me at Christmas – they were with me last year so it’s ‘her’ Mum’s turn this year. (pity we can’t ALL get together here one Christmas – I’ve got the room….). I really felt sad for the two of them as there was torrential rain for the whole time they were here… They wanted to do some shopping but I really didn’t feel like getting soaked so I (willingly) let them go and do it without me. But come the time to leave, they gave me a bag full of pre-wrapped Christmas presents, saying “You can open them now, or save ‘em until Christmas Day – it’s up to you Mum!” Well I chose the latter, ‘cos I know I’ll be on my own on Christmas Day and this way at least I’ll have a present or two to open. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t mind (well not too much), as I can eat and drink (?) what I want AND I’ll have the ‘remote’ to myself all day….. yeah!!!!! I probably wont see anything of my niece and her family – not heard from them since mid August – a salutary lesson on NOT lending money to family… you end up losing the money and, even worse, the family too! When the time came for ‘my two’ to leave, I was very brave and didn’t cry, well not until they were out of sight – then I really did have a good old sob… The mutt always sulks for at least 24 hours when guests leave so he was little comfort despite the cuddles I gave him. And since they left, plus all that rain, my arthritis has really been playing up, I’ve had a heavy cold and cough too, so all in all it’s not been the best of times – then last week I ‘put my back out’…it’s an old problem, but suddenly going up and down stairs and sleeping have been almost out of the question... I’ve just been sitting here feeling sorry for myself. So I’ve decided that I really must try and get back into ‘harness’ and take care of the friendships I DO have and waste less time on those who decided that I was a bottomless money pit. So in general here I am and, if I’m not quite as bright eyed and bushy tailed as before - – be gentle with me…. I’ll get there – PROMISE! __________________ Will someone please hold the floor still while I try and stand up! Come and join HH (aka) 'The Dork' at >My new 'blog'<

02-12-2009, 07:20 AM	#2
Nero Piss head Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 740 My Mood:	Hi Happy Hour, You should no by now your welcome here never expires or runs cold! We just worry when we don't hear from you for a while. However, it sounds as if you have a more hectic social life than I will ever have. Am sorry to hear you have not been in the best of spirits or physical health. I guess it is also the time of year for it - it is hard to remain chipper when the weather conspires so well against it. I have also done something to my back that makes any movement painful and sleeping something of a challenge. Ibuprofen isn't working either which is not good... We will both be alone on Christmas Day, so I think we should skype each other and have a virtual celebration! I believe the new, new laptop can actually handle skype so want to test it out. Re the family and money issue - I guess this reinforces that old caution of 'neither a borrower nor a lender be', though I do hope your niece's silence might have more to do with youth and their relative inability to think of others rather than because of money owed... All in all, I do hope you are feeling better and more your old self soon. We love you and miss you here and you know that we are always around ready for a chat when you are. Comments on this post Happy Hour agrees: A skype chat with you for Christmas would be wonderful Nero. It sounds like that will be a way for us to be with family and friends - right? __________________ Don't give up the prey for its shadow!

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02-12-2009, 11:39 AM	#3
Emma Rony The Wine Bar regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Derbyshire and Le Marche Posts: 348	Aw HH, you do sound a bit glum, you look after so many people you deserve to be treated a bit yourself. It'll be nice to have those presents to open on xmas day bought for you with love and thought from your son. I do think xmas can be very stressful - we're all 'supposed' to be having the time of our lives surrounded by friends and family and lovely food and sometimes it just cant be. Some of the TV ads make me mad, perpetuating these perfect family gatherings and making lots of people feel a bit sad and lonesome. We're in the middle of a classic xmas row with P's brother who threw a hissy fit by phone on saturday, sigh we are supposed to be spending a day and night with all his family on 28th and he went mental that we won't be there longer. Within his rant contained the info that he didn't like me and his wife doesnt like pete or me so why they want us there longer is beyond us. At the moment I think I am planning political flu and avoiding the whole bloomin lot of them. Grr families eh tee. I'm spending 3 nights with great friends in Brighton across the holiday, feel a bit funny about xmas without my mum to spoil, Dad is off to be with my bro in NY, will be good to keep it low key I think. We're off to venice for 2 nights in 2 weeks time - our xmas pres to each other, hoping the aqua alta wont be too bad - it was very watery there this week. Am dead excited about that. Love to you all.. M

02-12-2009, 03:21 PM	#4
The Barman Administrator One of the locals Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sussex Posts: 452 My Mood:	Hello HH, welcome back! I must have missed the previous news about neicey, but I get the jist from your post. What a rotter. Emma, if I were P I would telling his bro' to stuff-off. Christmas will be strange for us too. We don't want to travel this year incase Mrs Barman goes into early labour. Due to various family permutations no one can (or maybe wants to) come to us until Boxing Day. A friend of ours also has some complicated family dynamics so is going to be around on Christmas Day with just her hubby and ma, so we're going to them for Christmas afternoon. Oh well, we'll all get by somehow. Probably with a helping of booze

02-12-2009, 10:42 PM	#5
Fritini Piss head Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Someplace I've learned to accept. Posts: 819 My Mood:	HH you have been missed, I agree with Nero here with this group you never have to worry about what we think or anything. We are a cool group. HH that reminds me on skype when we changed computers I was lost all my contacts, but I'm still around if you have me on your contacts. I think it will be great that you and Nero chit chat on Christmas day. Barman I do think it is a good idea you stay close to home, you just never know what the babe wants to do, get out early or stick around where it is warm and toasty! Christmas will be here but only the immediate family...truthfully I've had enough other relatives over for awhile Feel bad saying that, but with both weddings whew, just the 8 of us! I have to go vacuum I didn't wipe the pups feet good enough and now I have dirt on my already cleaned floor. HH you are well thought of and loved here, no worries!!! Hugs, Frit

09-12-2009, 03:07 PM	#6
Sancerre Super Moderator Piss head Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Somewhere too cold! Posts: 722 My Mood: Recent Blog: Edinburgh in August	HH, no worries about us here - the door's always open to you! Yes, you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family. Forget about that niece and if she gets in touch again (and I'm sure she will), just ask her if she's got your cheque ready! I'm glad to hear you've kept some pressies to open on Xmas Day. Something nice to look forward to! Emma, sod those nitpicking relatives. Why indeed would they want to waste their precious time with you & P? Ahh, so why would you want to waste yours? That flu sounds like a perfect idea... Xmas it's just going to be L & me, too. With our return last year on Xmas Eve, we didn't get around to preparing a proper Xmas, and didn't really do any pressies either because of the weddings. Going to bake Xmas cookies this weekend, and put up our tree (as long as we don't find any mouse droppings in the box as we didn't use it last year!). Around 28th we're off to see L's parents for the day. Nice & quiet...