Now The Hinge is in hospital!

Calum got home reasonably early yesterday and wanted to take the latest crates that The Domestic Goddess had filled, over to the other house. Furry Mama wasn't too sure she wanted to go, as The Hinge cat had been a bit "off" for the previous couple of days. She hadn't eaten anything since the day before and when she'd eaten then, she was instantly sick. Baggy had woken yesterday to a massive pile of smelly squidgy poo on the antique Afghani rug and Hinge had looked a bit floppy. So before she agreed to go, Clever Bird checked where Hinge was, only to find her outside on the roof, looking perfectly okay and purring her little head off. So Calum, Baggy and Minty Mutt loaded up the car and headed off. By the time they got home again it was 8.30pm. Bracket kat was waiting for her tea. There was no sign of Hinge cat. Furry Mama found her upstairs looking very uncomfortable, lying on her stomach, but lifting her tail, trying (and failing) to poo on Baggy's Turkish rug. When Furry Mama stroked her, instead of the usual purring, she moved away from Baggy. Freda Fretter started to panic. Calum suggested she phone and speak to the vet, who immediately suggested that they take her straight in to the Bury St Edmunds branch. They got there at 10.00pm, with poor little Hinge meowing all the way.

X-rays confirmed that she was severely constipated and must have been in a lot of pain. She had to be admitted and put on a drip. Freda tried not to panic. Furry Mama tried not to cry. Overnight Hinge was given the same laxative that Baggy had after her Lawrence-the-durmoid-cyst surgery. Furry Mama phoned first thing this morning to be told that Hinge was okay, but had still not pooed, so they had shoved something up her bottom - poor little cat! They have kept her in over the weekend and will call tomorrow with news. Furry Mama just wants her home safely.

But as she was in hospital for the weekend it meant that Baggy, Calum and Minty Mutt could head over to the other house once again today. They took a couple of bits of furniture. Very heavy bits of furniture that Baggy couldn't even begin to lift! Fortunately, Calum managed to get "proper" help at either end. The Domestic Goddess unloaded yet more crates, most of which have been in the shed for the last four years! Clever Bird would like to say that it was like Christmas, but it was more like Halloween! Why does she keep such junk? But yes, Hormonal Hannah still couldn't throw any of it away, so it will all get a new home. Some things never change.........

Struggling.

Counselling yesterday was once again difficult, but welcome. Because the black cloud is back, Baggy was in tears the moment the counsellor asked how she was, bearing in mind that at the time she was still in the corridor on the way to the counselling room. Not a great start. But again, much progress was made and by the end Baggy felt a little better. Just the usual spaced-out feeling, but slightly less blackness in the cloud - more of a dirty grey. Clever Bird once again took Baggy for a cappuccino before letting her drive home. Once there The Domestic Goddess leapt into action doing a major tidy up around her latest packed crates. It occurred to Clever Bird, that in theory, now the roof on the other house is not going to be removed any time soon, they could in fact move in sooner rather than later, if they so choose. Either way Clever Bird is determined not to let Hormonal Hannah knock Baggy's plans back off track. For once she is planning! To change those plans because Hannah is being a bit dominant again, would be a backward step that Clever Bird is not going to let happen.

The counsellor also reassured Baggy that the anti-depressants are probably still not working 100% as she's only been on them for such a short time. Being let down, once again, this time just by the builder, was enough to cause a mini-meltdown. But the good news is it was a lot less of a meltdown than it would have been without the happy pills. Baggy is back to see the doctor about them on Monday, so Clever Bird will be interested to hear what she has to say.

This morning was Fat Club. In spite of Baggy comfort-eating this week (yes lots of the ubiquitous pancakes bloggees), she lost weight. Mind you Clever Bird did make Baggy dress in her lightest wool dress, rather than jeans! She even stopped her from putting a petticoat on under it (even though it's distinctly transparent), but every little bit helps and Hannah could not have handled the well-intentioned encouragement to "try harder" to reach her goal-weight. Baggy has been within four pounds (or thereabouts) of her goal for months now, she's also been depressed for months now and whatever anyone else thinks, the two are definitely connected. As is the fact that once again, Baggy is not doing her physiotherapy. It's all about moving forward and Baggy is almost there with the counselling. Clever Bird is fairly sure that once she can move on with that properly, she'll also be able to move on with everything else. At least that's what she is hoping. But the truth with her weight is that if she had actually reached her goal previously, she would currently be just one pound over her allowed three pounds either side! Ah well...........

The ghastly black cloud is back.

Clever Bird realised this morning that the anti-depressants are not the panacea that Hormonal Hannah had hoped they were for Baggy. For the first day in a couple of weeks, she woke up this morning with "that" feeling. So she went back to sleep and only emerged at 11.00am because Bracket kat landed on her from a great height, having decided Furry Mama needed to feed her. Baggy took her little pill, but the feeling of dread wouldn't go away. It probably wasn't helped by Baggy getting a text last night from the builder! Freda Fretter was right to worry - he won't be doing the roof at the other house, as he has an operation at the end of November. Clever Bird suspects that he has known this for some time, and/or just didn't want the job, she just wishes he'd said so a little earlier. When Baggy discussed it with Calum this morning, she got really upset. Irrationally so. They can still move in to the other house though. Yes it's very damp and the roof leaks, but it's not unliveable in. In fact it might even work out for the best, moving in first and seeing how much needs doing. But even deciding all that, Baggy feels really low today - a massive weight is back on her shoulders. Calum pointed out that this is because she feels "let down" again - the theme of her life. And for the first time pretty much ever, she'd really started to plan ahead, only for the plans to be immediately scuppered.

Regular bloggees may have seen this coming before Baggy did! You have probably noticed that Grotty Groom has not seen the Boys since her lesson last Wednesday and that Furry Mama is not taking Minty Mutt out every day. Plus Baggy is in a lot of pain - all warning signs (had Clever Bird been paying any attention), that the black cloud was gathering around Baggy again. So, Furry Mama dragged Baggy out to take Minty Mutt for a walk.

In spite of the lovely day (albeit blowing a mini-gale), Hormonal Hannah had Baggy in tears as she wandered through the apple orchards. (It's going to be a good season).

Clever Bird decided that maybe Baggy should try to follow her counselling advice and let her really "feel" the sadness that was overwhelming her. She couldn't do it. For whatever reason, the moment she tried to give in to the feeling, the exact opposite happened and she stopped crying. But the black cloud got blacker. Ever since she has been feeling panicky and sad - the "normal" feeling has left. Clever Bird was hopeful that it's a blip and decided to make Baggy take Grotty Groom over to see the Boys this afternoon. She also made her go there in Billy Bob Jalopy, as he hasn't been driven for over two weeks. He started instantly and Baggy enjoyed driving him, but got more panicky the closer she got to the yard. Why? No idea.

The Boys were still out when Grotty arrived, so Baggy decided to make her a cup of tea while she waited for them to come in. Baggy got upset (again). She called Calum and ended up getting slightly hysterical on the phone. Freda Fretter was getting scared that Baggy's feeling so low again. Clever Bird really didn't think that she could, while on the happy pills. Wrong. An hour of grooming the Boys helped Grotty to calm Baggy down a little, but did her back no favours at all! But particularly Joey appreciated it, as he had so much hair coming out.

Wesley just enjoyed a good scratch.

Driving home was interesting. The low autumn sun was straight in Baggy's eyes and it wasn't too easy to see a lot of the time - scary. Fun as Billy Bob is to drive, he didn't do Baggy's back any favours either, but she loves him lots.

For once, Baggy is actually rather looking forward to Hannah's counselling tomorrow, she is in need of some reassurance that she isn't losing the plot again. Depression is such a nasty beast. It arrives from nowhere without announcing itself and just takes control. Baggy has spent her whole life fighting this feeling and winning, but this time round it seems to have taken a bit of a strangle-hold. But Baggy is not going to let it win....

A minor miracle.

Baggy and Calum were at the dentist at stupid-o-clock once more; take two of getting Cal's tooth implants put in. Freda Fretter was a gibbering, nervous wreck. Calum was as cool as a purple-bearded cucumber. Cal went in and Creative Clara distracted Freda by reading her book. It was a half-hour appointment, and it's a good book. Ten minutes later Cal came out. Oooooooo, time flies when you're getting old. "What happened?" asked Freda as she trotted down the stairs after Calum. No response. "Did they do the implants?" "No." Oh. Calum handed over a scary amount of money and they left. Clever Bird realised the appointment really had only been ten minutes. Oh. "So what did they do?" asked Freda. "Just took lots of moulds and x-rays". And Calum accuses Hormonal Hannah of not paying attention. Sigh. "So when are they doing the implants?" "Next time in a couple of weeks." Ah well, third time lucky - third time for Freda to worry herself silly.

The moment they got home The Domestic Goddess recommenced packing duties as Calum got ready to go off to work. Of course Freda Fretter is getting her knickers in a knot, as she's merrily moving bits to the other house, with no commencement date for the work on the roof. The "it'll be the second or third week of October" is beginning to look highly unlikely! With no start date and the builder disinclined to return Baggy's calls, Freda is probably justified in her fretting frankly. But having made the decision to move, Baggy is determined to get on with it. So six crates have been re-filled along with three large bags of files. Then Baggy dragged Hormonal Hannah up to the bedroom to go through clothes. Clever Bird figured that, as The Domestic Goddess has lit the fire for the third day in a row, summer clothes could be bagged up to go to the other house. A minor miracle occurred in the process - Hannah actually managed to do a pile of clothes to go in the bin and another to go to the charity shop. Now admittedly they're just piles and haven't actually gone anywhere yet, but it's a start!

Baggy is excited that they're moving now, so she'll be very disappointed if it all goes pear-shaped because the roof remains a sieve. Fingers crossed........

Baggy' back was doing quite well until The Goddess got involved.

Baggy's back seemed to be okay when she got up this morning, so Furry Mama took Minty Mutt for a walk. Not a terribly long one, but enough for Baggy's back to start twinging again. Then The Domestic Goddess decided that she'd have to face some food shopping. Not something she usually does unless Calum is with her, but needs must. Loading the trolley. Unloading the trolley. Loading the bags. Putting the bags in the car. Taking the bags out of the car. Carrying them across the road into the house. Putting the shopping away. More of a thwack than a twinge by now. So what did Baggy do? Have a lie down? Relax on the sofa? Nope, she let The Goddess pack six more crates of stuff to move. Clever Bird just watched on, as Baggy's back got worse.

Calum got home, as he has a second attempt to get his teeth sorted at the dentist tomorrow. Freda Fretter is trying not to worry for him. As The Goddess carried on packing, with Baggy clutching her back every few seconds, Calum cooked her a steak supper! Supper consumed, Creative Clara is just about able to type through the aching pain. Well done Clever Bird........

Baggy is in agony.

Copdock Motorbike Show today - beep beep, but Hairy Biker Hen took Baggy's car! Yes bloggees, just wrong, Clever Bird agrees, however it was her that made Hairy take the car! All the packing and unpacking at the other house yesterday put Baggy's back out and she was concerned that it wouldn't survive riding pillion with Calum. (Nor for that matter would Freda Fretter's nerves! Baggy likes to be in control!) And there's no way that Baggy is capable of staying strong or focussed enough for Hairy to ride her bike for over an hour at the moment. Not to mention having the confidence to do it surrounded by literally dozens of other "proper" bikers, so the car it was. Cal of course went on his bike and Baggy met him there. It was the correct decision. Within half-an-hour of wandering around the show, Baggy's back was getting seriously dodgy. Calum carried Baggy's handbag, which helped a little. (Not sure it necessarily helped his image, especially with the purple beard, but heh who's going to argue with Baggy's husband?)

 

They bumped into the lovely owner of Ipswich Rider Training, where Hairy was "created" and had a long chat (mainly about horses!) While they were there two more friends spotted them and Baggy was able to sit down for cappuccino and a chat. Just as well, as Baggy's back was even worse. A bit of shopping was then undertaken - bike shows equals hippy clothes shops - yay. But it's amazing how far you can walk pootling up and down stalls. Baggy's back suddenly went completely. She was in agony and had to double over on a rail. Calum had painkillers, but had to go off and find water for Baggy. He then walked her the ridiculous distance back to her car, so that she didn't have to carry her bag. Just as well he did come as Hormonal Hannah couldn't find Baggy's car anywhere, as she was convinced it was three rows further forward than it was. Sigh. Baggy needs to lie down now she's home.

Calum stayed on for more wandering and has just got back bearing Baggy gifts! Hippy mittens - Baggy loves them and him.........

What a difference a smell makes!

Saturday has become the day for Baggy, Calum and Minty Mutt to go to their other house. During the week, The Domestic Goddess had packed six crates of stuff from the bathroom, kitchen and a bit from the sitting room, these were duly loaded onto Dodgy Truck this morning, along with four giant bags of Calum and Lady Eadwynn's Norman and Saxon clothes! And a bag full of cleaning stuff for The Goddess who was going with them.

For the first time, when they opened the doors today, the house smelt lovely, rather than of old damp! The rather expensive reed-diffusers were well worth the money Creative Clara paid for them last time they were there. The three de-humidifiers are doing their jobs too. In a week, they have half-an-inch of water in each of them! Calum put the heating on today too as it was pretty chilly. Baggy was very over-excited to have central heating, as they have none at home!

After Furry Mama had taken Minty for a leg stretch, The Goddess started to clean the inside of the kitchen cupboards so that she could unpack crates and put things away. Baggy was just as excited about having so many cupboards to put things in. While she did that, Calum took off the manky looking cupboard doors and scrubbed them, before feeding them with beeswax. They are solid oak, so it was worth it. The doors he finished looked like a new kitchen! Baggy came over a bit peculiar, so they headed into Halesworth for lunch at Cal's cousins' café The Hideout. Lovely cappuccinos, lovely lunch, lovely chat. Baggy got a teeny bit wet as they were outside with Minty Mutt and a thunderstorm swept through! Although they were under a canopy, Furry Mama sat at the end where the weather was coming in - Minty went under the table. Sensible dog. The lunch gave them a second wind.

By the time they'd finished at half-five, the house was beginning to feel a little like theirs. Baggy and Calum were feeling quite excited that this will eventually be their new home.

It's amazing what difference a smell makes! Further reed-diffusers will be purchased on their next visit...........