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What are you doing right now? Part 2
That is wonderful news about your Mum, Leslie.In AU, the leaves are beginning to change colours as we enter Autumn here; this has to be the prettiest time of the year. Although we live in and on the border of a National Forest, ours is a Heritage Listed garden comprising of both British and European trees which were planted here as seeds in 1890. We even have two Canadian Pines. For the next three months, our garden will be a brilliant show of leaf colour - and lots of raking will be in order.
Leslie wrote: "Spring has arrived here in New England (finally!) too. Right now is one of my favorite times of year - each day when I go out, I see new flowers or flowering trees, the beginning of buds on some of..."Leslie, that's such great news! Hope things work out smoothly for your mom's return home. So glad you can feel relaxed at last. Enjoy your lovely spring! We've had nice warm weather here in the last week. Love Spring!
Tomorrow is Canada Independent Bookstore Day, and I will be playing bookseller along with a few other authors at a Vancouver independent bookstore (just chatting with customers and recommending our favorite books).
Alice wrote: "Tomorrow is Canada Independent Bookstore Day, and I will be playing bookseller along with a few other authors at a Vancouver independent bookstore (just chatting with customers and recommending our favorite books)...."What a great idea! I hate the way the small independent stores are disappearing (though I understand why it is happening) so having a day to promote them is wonderful. Enjoy your day being surrounded by books :)
Leslie wrote: "Alice wrote: "Tomorrow is Canada Independent Bookstore Day, and I will be playing bookseller along with a few other authors at a Vancouver independent bookstore (just chatting with customers and re..."Thanks, Leslie! Yes, I think it's a great idea. I've just learned on Twitter that the States also have Independent Bookstore Day (it started in 2014), and it's on the last Saturday of April, i.e., also on April 28 this year!
Oh, glad to hear that now (rather than on Monday!). I'll have to make a point to visit one tomorrow!
B the BookAddict wrote: "That is wonderful news about your Mum, Leslie.In AU, the leaves are beginning to change colours as we enter Autumn here; this has to be the prettiest time of the year. Although we live in and on ..."
I totally agree that each season is beautiful, each in their own way. I like the change from season to season. With each change, even though you have seen the season begin millions of times, you appreciate it afresh. i would not want to live in a place where seasons do not change.
Leslie, so glad to hear such good news about your mother!
Yep, spring (or I would already say summer) arrived also here. But no seaside for me. This year I didn't book my usual place with beach umbrella and bathing hut. In these last two years I didn't go a lot because I hadn't time, then add also that my son abroad is expensive and my ex husband gives him alimonies when he can. I feel better if I save the money of the beach for my son. If I want to go to the beach, I have to pay the entrance and bring everytime everything (swimming dress, creams, etc.) while with a bathing hut I left always everything there and I am a pampered "girl", I like comforts, so I'm sure that this year I won't go often :D
I hope to be finally back on track. In these last months I had to work on a lot of projects (of course I'm happy about this!) so I hadn't a lot of time for GR. In addition to this I have again problems with my apartment: in February I have seen that I have damp in my bedroom and it comes from the terraces above (one of which is mine). The fact is that I already told to the administrator that there is a problem with the terraces many years ago. In 2013 they renewed part of the terraces but the job hasn't been done well so in 2015 and now again I (and another apartment next to mine) have again damp and the renewed part of the terrace is fully broken.Seen that the administrator never did something smart in all these years, this time I went to seek help to the "labor union" for houseowners. After their letter (one month ago) now she decided to do a meeting so that we can talk about it. But the meeting will be in May, so she is wasting a lot of time.
I am so angry also because this meeting is totally useless because the labor union already told her what needs to be done. This way the administrator is only wasting other time and the damp is always worse and bigger, and the plaster is coming down.
This only a brief summery because there would be a lot more.
So, in addition to a lot of work, I had to follow also all these things with my flat. But at least a huge project on which I was working finished yesterday so I feel again "free".
Thankfully in all this stress I had 3 days vacation and I really enjoyed the break.
dely, life sounds stressed for you at the moment. I do hope it eases up! Your problems with the terrace ......grrrr.
Chrissie wrote: "dely, life sounds stressed for you at the moment. I do hope it eases up! Your problems with the terrace ......grrrr."I hope so. I managed to complete a huge project yesterday, so now I have my "common" jobs.
I need to do a lot of yoga before the meeting otherwise I strangle that administrator! Talking also with other houseowners of the building I could see that I'm not the only one complaining about her. We tell her which problems there are, but she doesn't do anything. Another owner has mice in the basement but the administrator didn't do anything in several months.
dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "dely, life sounds stressed for you at the moment. I do hope it eases up! Your problems with the terrace ......grrrr."I hope so. I managed to complete a huge project yesterday, so..."
Such landlords you speak of are ever so common, but that does not make dealing with them any easier. You use of yoga had me smiling.
dely, so sorry to hear about your problems! I didn't see you around much in here and I was wondering about you... I hope you'll be able to find a solution soon!
Marina wrote: "dely, so sorry to hear about your problems! I didn't see you around much in here and I was wondering about you... I hope you'll be able to find a solution soon!"Thanks! Let's hope it. I'm also waiting for a price quotation of another administrator so during the meeting maybe I will also ask to vote to change the one we have. I say "maybe" because I don't want that if we vote for a new administrator more time will pass before the problems on the terraces will be solved, because then everything will go in the hands of the new one. I thought to "use" the administrator we have till the problem is solved and then I will ask to vote for a new one in the next meeting.
I was not used to handle with administrators. It is the first time I live in a building that has one. Argh!
Chrissie wrote: "Such landlords you speak of are ever so common, but that does not make dealing with them any easier. You use of yoga had me smiling. "I know. Several flats are rented and the owners (the landlords) never come to the meetings. They never care about what is going on here. And the tenants aren't allowed to come to these meetings.
I want to go to live like a hermit...
dely wrote: "I want to go to live like a hermit..."Oh you mean like me? I DO like people, but I also appreciate privacy and I do NOT like being in the hands of other people, but this is not always possible.
Chrissie wrote: "dely wrote: "I want to go to live like a hermit..."Oh you mean like me? I DO like people, but I also appreciate privacy and I do NOT like being in the hands of other people, but this is not always possible. "
Lol, exactly. Me too, I want to be free to do things when they have to be done and by whom I want. No, it isn't easy to depend on other people.
B the BookAddict wrote: "That is wonderful news about your Mum, Leslie.In AU, the leaves are beginning to change colours as we enter Autumn here; this has to be the prettiest time of the year. Although we live in and on ..."
That sounds so beautiful. I do miss deciduous trees.
I love the changing seasons too. Though winter has certainly held on here this year. Don't ever remember it being the end of April and the trees still bare. Just a reminder of the harm we have done to this planet of ours.Wow Dely, you have certainly had your hands full. I hope things work out maintenance wise. Frustrating though for sure.
Leslie, wonderful news about your mom. Must relieve your mind St least a little, I hope.
Will be visiting our new bookstore in town, tomorrow. It is library month in the US.
Mod
Leslie, glad to hear the news about your mother and yes it's finally spring here in New England. It felt like winter was never going to leave.Dely, I hope you get the situation with the terrace fixed soon.
Dely, so sorry you're having trouble with your apartment terrace and the administrator. Hope you'll get things straightened out soon.Bette, your forest sounds fabulous!
dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "dely, life sounds stressed for you at the moment. I do hope it eases up! Your problems with the terrace ......grrrr."I hope so. I managed to complete a huge project yesterday, so..."
Ack! Landlords: Can't live with them, can't strangle them!
I am so glad I don't have one. Living in a block with neighbours is enough of a nuisance.
Sightseeing! It’s all very exciting and I will post details later. I’m curious who has been here.
Thanks Diane, Ruth, Alice and Esther! I will surely keep you updated. The meeting will be only in 10 days and I think that yesterday I have seen where the problem is. I have already sent the pics to the architect that followed all the jobs (and that is also the owner of one of the apartments). Fingers crossed that what I have seen will be helpful so we have a further information.
LauraT wrote: "Trying to organize, at least in my mind, the things to bring along to Ireland. As usual little space for the suitcases, many things you think you'll need ..."Have a nice vacation! How long will you stay there? Do you go with the whole family or only with your husband?
LauraT wrote: "Trying to organize, at least in my mind, the things to bring along to Ireland. As usual little space for the suitcases, many things you think you'll need ..."So jealous, we really want to take a trip to Ireland.
Pam wrote: "Sightseeing! It’s all very exciting and I will post details later. I’m curious who has been here."Are you in vacation? Where?
You made me laugh Esther with that line about landlords. That was great. lol
dely wrote: "Pam wrote: "Sightseeing! It’s all very exciting and I will post details later. I’m curious who has been here."Are you in vacation? Where?"
Yes, in southern Germany! My first time overseas! It’s so beautiful!
Pam wrote: "Yes, in southern Germany! My first time overseas! It’s so beautiful! "Welcome in Europe! :D
Are you in the part of the Black Forest? I've been there and in the area of Munich several years ago. Wonderful places!
Pam wrote: "Yes, in southern Germany! My first time overseas! It’s so beautiful! "Pam, welcome to Germany ;) I am all the way up in the North-West, but I am waving from here. I bet you guys have much better weather currently. Enjoy!
Jenny wrote: "Pam wrote: "Yes, in southern Germany! My first time overseas! It’s so beautiful! "Pam, welcome to Germany ;) I am all the way up in the North-West, but I am waving from here. I bet you guys have ..."
Are you near to Holland?
Yes, I am in Bremen, so it's a few hours away by train, but it's closer than going to Munich for sure!
Jenny wrote: "Yes, I am in Bremen, so it's a few hours away by train, but it's closer than going to Munich for sure!"It's more North than I thought! I hope to go to my son this autumn but nothing is sure till now and as soon as my mother and my ex mother in law heard about it, they decided that they want to come with me. Going to him I wanted to do a trip also to Germany, but Essen, Dülmen and Coesfeld. If I manage to go to Holland and also Germany I will tell you. Maybe I can stay two days in Germany and we could meet. I have seen that Essen-Bremen is 3 hours with a train. But as said, nothing is sure.
dely, yes please do. I would be lovely to meet! What brings you to Dülmen and Coesfeld?
Jenny wrote: "dely, yes please do. I would be lovely to meet! What brings you to Dülmen and Coesfeld?"The tomb and the house-museum of Anne Catherine Emmerich.
dely wrote: "Pam wrote: "Yes, in southern Germany! My first time overseas! It’s so beautiful! "Welcome in Europe! :D
Are you in the part of the Black Forest? I've been there and in the area of Munich several..."
Danke Dely and Jenny! We visited Heidelberg Schloss and the Schwetzingen Palace and Gardens last weekend. The Gardens were fabulous! My husband is working but after that we have several days of vacation in the Garmisch area & 1 day in Munich. We are staying in a small town with not much to do but it’s beautiful for hiking in the forest. I love the humidity! It’s doing wonders for my dry New Mexican skin. I also love the therapeutic benefit of walking in the forest! I believe there is a German word for this experience.
hmmm, Wanderlust? but this is more about the joy of getting to know the world be foot. Oh, Waldtherapie or Frischlufttherapie maybe? That would be forest-therapy or fresh-air-therapy. Gotta love that thing where we just get to pile noun upon noun and call it a word ;)Enjoy your time there Pam, Just reading your description I could smell a bit of forest. Such a lovely smell!
Pam, your trip sounds lovely. It is fun seeing and experiencing different parts of the world. Please tell us more when you have time.
Pam, I'm sure you're having a great time! Lucky you! It's been a long time since I last was in Germany, I'd love to visit more places/cities there. I've only been to Munich, Nuremberg and some small towns in Bavaria, Berlin, Trier and several other places in Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarbrücken. I definitely need to see more of Germany. And, I need a vacation! Last time I was on vacation was two years ago. We'd like to go and visit a couple of friends who recently moved to Amsterdam, in The Netherlands, but I'm afraid there's no money (and no time!) at the moment :(
Right now I am sitting on a cruise ship in Croatia writing to a book group I Ieft when things got hectic. But I am b-a-c-k-----------. And looking forward to reading from some old friends and now new ones.
Welcome back, Nancy! Enjoy your cruise - I've never been to Croatia but it must be wonderful as far as I've heard.I've just finished working for today (...yes, I worked on Labor Day, too, just as I worked on our National Holiday on April 25th and during the weekend...), and now I'm going to bake some cookies. I'm not much of a cook, but I love baking, I find it so relaxing!
Nancy from NJ wrote: "Right now I am sitting on a cruise ship in Croatia writing to a book group I Ieft when things got hectic. But I am b-a-c-k-----------. And looking forward to reading from some old friends and now n..."Sounds lovely. Glad you are back!
Pam wrote: "dely wrote: "Pam wrote: "Yes, in southern Germany! My first time overseas! It’s so beautiful! "Welcome in Europe! :D
Are you in the part of the Black Forest? I've been there and in the area of M..."
Wow you are doing quite the tour!
Marina wrote: "Welcome back, Nancy! Enjoy your cruise - I've never been to Croatia but it must be wonderful as far as I've heard.I've just finished working for today (...yes, I worked on Labor Day, too, just as..."
No May Day holiday here. I think I heard from a couple of socialist friends that they have a small demonstration in Tel Aviv but otherwise it is just another working day.
Nancy from NJ wrote: "Right now I am sitting on a cruise ship in Croatia writing to a book group I Ieft when things got hectic. But I am b-a-c-k-----------. And looking forward to reading from some old friends and now n..."
Welcome back! Enjoy your cruise. I'm very jealous, I love croatia
Welcome back! Enjoy your cruise. I'm very jealous, I love croatia
Pam, I echo Chrissie. When you will have some time please share some more details or also pics!
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You have had a difficult year so glad the spring weather is cheering you up !