Tuesday 10 August 2010

Chin up



The photo (from the archive) lied. The cake I spoke of was a virtual cake, an imaginary cake, a comforting fantasy cake, fat- and calorie-free. Instead I had a big bowl of salad for dinner. If there actually had been some cake in the house, now, there might have been a different tale to tell....

It was a busy day today. My friend Rosemary called at 9.30, and we unpacked the boxes that would make the house look better - the books are now back on the shelves, the linens are back in the wardrobes, albeit neatly packed in clear plastic bags and ready to pack up again when required, and many boxes have been folded flat and stored for Next Time. Some large boxes remain, but should be manageable stacked somewhere on the top floor while still showing my house off to viewers as a home, not Cardboard City. Treasured Margery will help me blitz the rest tomorrow, and I'll be ready for anyone who cares to come and look round.

That kick-start from a supportive friend gave me the comfort and energy needed to stop feeling tearful and disappointed over what seems to be a very commonplace occurrence, and to get on with turning this situation into something better. All your warm, sympathetic and endearingly-outraged comments I received were a tonic - thank you all! Feel free to swear, rant, mutter under your breath and threaten to make wax effigies as much as you like; it's all very cheering to me.


A stack of allotment plants and companion snails in their assorted buckets and pots went to their foster-nursery, and the plant-fostering friend and I then went out for lunch to a little place in the country. On the way home, we called at a gigantic garden centre where I stocked up on enough plants to continue the colour and interest in the now-fading back yard - violas are such good value! - and I shall remember to take photos tomorrow when it's all been cleaned up and replanted. I came home to find yet friend Annie waiting for me, to chat over a cup of tea and to commiserate. I have been bathed in sympathy and kindness today.

The estate agent was upbeat and in can-do mode this morning, galvanised by the affront offered by Dr D, I suspect. Later in the week, I shall talk to the Somerset agent and make sure that the vendor of the house I want is told about the sale being lost on my own house, but assured that my offer remains on the table, and that I remain keen and hopeful. I can do no more at the moment in that respect, and will concentrate on selling this house - to a real buyer this time.

And to round off the day, friend Lesley and I went to a sale preview evening in one of the larger outlet stores, and she spent rather a lot of money. I'm good to go shopping with - a bad influence very encouraging. You will always come home with things you never knew you wanted, but are delighted to now own! I was more restrained; the chief reason that I'm always so badly dressed is that I loathe shopping for clothes. But I did buy a valance for the cat-damaged spare bed. I know how to live.... We shared a bag of chocolate raisins on the journey home.

Friendship, support (you!), activity, food, shopping and chocolate. No wonder I feel rather cheerful tonight.

13 comments:

BumbleVee said...

Oh, good for you Rachel, not giving up on the other house....it could still happen!

and... how nice of the lovely friends and the upbeat realtor.... I'm keeping my fingers crossed ..... damn the dense doctor.....

Marie Rayner said...

Glad you're feeling more upbeat about things Rachel. chocolate covered raisins. That's my kind of treat!

Val said...

I really admire your positive spirit, Rachel, and yes, I'm picturing you in that house that you want so much and hoping, hoping that it will happen for you. In the meantime, how wonderful to have such incredible friends and to live in such a beautiful, perfectly organised house!

SusanFrances said...

In the mid 70's we were acquainted with the Lishmans and were invited to a party at Heighley Gate. At that time they had a small swimming pool, and inevitably some of the ladies got thrown in..fully clothed ! I was looking particularly gorgeous in a white cotton " cat suit" with a blue and red cotton scarf tied casually round my neck. ( I was thinner then!).....however, having had to disrobe after the unexpected dip, I was then clothed in some of Sheila Lishman's beige crimplene wardrobe, so finished the evening not quite the glamour puss I started out as! To add insult to injury, when I got home and unwrapped the wet clothes, I realised it had not been a good idea to wrap the scarf up in the cat suit. I tried dying it a darker colour but it was never the same again!!
Good luck with the house....I do hope you manage to retain the one you want in Somerset.

Lucille said...

Chocolate raisins are my medication of choice. You have also given me a bit of encouragement to go out and buy a few things to revive our tired garden. I can't shop for clothes either. A valance is always a good investment. Like new tea towels and face flannels. Onwards and upwards as someone very annoying on Gardener's Question Time always says...

the veg artist said...

The fact that the house you want has renters in it could work to your favour, you know. It won't be the end of the vendor's world if it is left empty for a week or two. Not so tricky as if there was a chain that end as well! (Does that make sense?)

Glad you are making the house pretty again!

Unknown said...

Sounds like you have the perfect attitude, hang on in there and remember how many virtual good wishes you have in your corner.

Sue said...

Well done for being so positive, you're doing a better job than I would in the same situation. Hopefully a new buyer will be along soon.

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Attagirl!!! I really believe that you will get the house you are meant to have. I've seen it happen so many times. It happened to me too!
Chin up Chum! :o)

jabblog said...

What lovely friends you have. I hope the wheels will start turning again very soon.

Dartford Warbler said...

I`m a bit behind on your news and really sorry that your buyer has " fallen through". Good to hear that you are being so positive, and I hope that someone else soon falls in love with your present house.

judy in ky said...

Thank goodness for supportive friends, right? I hope you can still get your dream cottage.

Rattling On said...

Just got home to find your bad news. Don't know what to say really, I know how disapointing it is. We were once buying a house and had spent loads on surveys, solicitors etc only to find out from a friend that the guy had sold it to someone else without informing us. This isn't illegal!!
I was in Newcastle and the surroundings last week picking up MrH from the Hadrian's Wall walk. You live in a lovely area but it's no consolation when you want to be hundreds of miles away.

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