Print Topic - Archive

Elsa Peters living a new life in Bulgaria  /  My Diary by Elsa Peters  /  APRIL 2010
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 1, 2010, 7:44am
Thursday 1st April

Thank you Mikey B for your kind thoughts and to those who have offered condolences at this sad time.  I'm very fortunate that I have this wonderful belief in life after death...in other words...no death ...just there in a different space.  My sister beat cancer by not letting it take her down the road of loss of dignity...she would have hated that.  I'm not going to be able to pick up the phone and talk to her, but that doesn't mean I can't talk to her...I do every day and my job now is to offer support to her three children in whatever way is it required.

Now this morning's task is to ferret out the oddball stories that the news people are trying to shovel on to us for the 1st April.....the day has just lost the impact of the spaghetti tree jokes that used to abound.  And this year I haven't set out to 'get' anyone.  Wrong time, wrong space but watch out next year.

Today...picking up CJ and going into Brighton for a day out.  I miss that little chap so let's see what we can get up to. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 2, 2010, 8:09am; Reply: 1
Friday 2nd April

Well we didn't get to go shopping except to Sainsbury with Princess to stock up for the Easter provisions.  Why is it that everyone seems to fill up the larders at this time just in case it turns into a siege.  Pleasant day helping Princess by hanging out the washing and making the hot cross buns and convincing her that net curtains do not need to be thrown away but can be washed and rehung in the twinkling of an eye.... ;)

Walked over the Downs with CJ and to the village for supper getting home about 9.30ish.  Lovely evening and then to bed and now....he's breakfasting, due home by about lunchtime since his brother is down for the weekend....then it's time for me to see what I can get up to....Good Friday....ah well, better the day, better the deed....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 3, 2010, 7:02pm; Reply: 2
Saturday 3rd April

Well the trusty old bus pass came out again today and I headed into Brighton.  Very, very crowded and despite the rain warnings, the sun shone on the tourists.  Found my way into a Health Food shop and spent a small fortune on some vitamins and Hawthorn which was recommended to cure all ills.  Now I suppose I should read the packet and start taking them after I have bought three months supply.  

The rain eventually reached us by about 7.00 and now it's throwing it down.  Supper over and into my jimjams for an early night.  LN...fatigue has overtaken me.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 5, 2010, 9:56am; Reply: 3
Monday 5th April

Easter eggs yesterday to Princess and the frogs...Evie P's and Lucas Beans still awaiting delivery.  Had a good day yesterday with good friends.  Ended up in the Black Horse listening to a Soul Band.  Soothing and pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Back home for pate and cheese and early to bed, was the motto which didn't work.  Insomnia kicked in and I was playing on my DX until about 1.30 this morning but slept through until 7.20 which for me is quite unusual.  Today is a bit of a none day.  Nothing planned but the weather looks good enough for a hike down to the sea so let's see where the rest of the day takes me.... ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 10, 2010, 4:18pm; Reply: 4
Saturday 10th April

Well my time in Cannock was very sad.  I dreaded going to my sister's house.  She wouldn't be physically there anymore and as expected, I just felt very sad.  There were the practical aspects of a funeral like meeting the vicar who fortunately knew my sister well so we didn't have to tell him what a special person she was since she had worked at his church on fundraising and comittees.  She left three children and they had made most of the arrangements before I got there and what a wonderful job they had made of it all.  Speeches were typed, changed cried over, outfits finalised and we were all ready for Friday.  Unfortuately it was not until 1.00 and the morning seemed to drag. Princess and the frogs arrived, she helped me to get my hair sorted with some little hat-thing that I had got from Debs in the last minute panic.

The church was brimming, the address and eulogy received a round of applause which was a first for Cannock Church I think but blow the protocol.  My reading was short and sweet and I'm going to put it on here so that it can be used again, and again, and again....  My sister had a wonderful send-off.


***********************************
She is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
  
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.  

You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what she would want:
smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.

***********************************


I have also made a pledge that my order of service is going to be prepared in advance, the hymns selected and music chosen for the entrance and the exit from the church.  I suppose I could go the whole hog and just leave out the date of departure from the order of service and include a couple of felt tips so that it could be manully inserted.

All for now.  I'm at home, sorting out my luggage, unpacking and then thinking about packing for a Tuesday departure to BG.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 11, 2010, 10:26pm; Reply: 5
Sunday 11th April

Beautiful weather but a nip in the wind.  I went to church this morning and a new organist was playing a song that Mum used to sing.....and so I expected a message from the platform and wasn't disappointed.  

I invited Princess and the Frogs over for a late lunch today which went very well.  Poor big frog has to work away at the moment...you have to go where the work is in England...pretty tough  on them but it pays the bills.  Princess and little frog have yet another week from school so they look like they might have fun just enjpying each other.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day...my first job is to make the list and hope that I manage to get everything done before the taxi arrives for the airport.  301 awaits and I have confirmation that it is all prepared.  LN...I'm off to bed..
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 14, 2010, 7:28pm; Reply: 6
Monday 12th April

Last minute shopping fury and caught up with my mate A for a coffee and to plan her visit out here.  She's the one that has to have the full washing facilities so she'll just have to wait a little longer.  Yet another holdall since I pack them to go out and travel back with a rucksack so I'm thinking of a little sideline of selling travel bags.  Bed nice and early for 3.30 alarm call.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 14, 2010, 7:38pm; Reply: 7
Wednesday 14th April

Arrived in Djebel last night on the old charabang after a long day travelling.  My restaurant chappie was taking the fare as we got off the bus and loaded my bag into his car and took it back to the restaurant for me.  I walked to the car shop and got a lift down to the garage to pickie up little beauty and the beast is still awaiting the spare part that I am having trouble locating.  I did research it in the UK but the tooing and frowing to Cannock got in the way and it is still out there somewhere.  Just had to go out for cheesy chips, chicken wings and a couple of beers. ;)

Had a lovely day today.  Had a bit of a slow start and finished my book before I got down to the house.  No workmen so collected my plants and gave my little lady the azalea as a gift....she was loathed to accept it and showed me how beautiful it had become in the two weeks that I have been away.  Eventually I got her to accept that she was to keep it since the last thing that you take into a new/recon house is the house plants.  My time to fill it will come.

Had a bonfire and planted some geraniums, freesia corms and a couple of honeysuckles right by the window by the well so that the scent will come into the house when the window is open.  Seemed like a plan batman.  Haven't bothered to go out tonight.  I'm picking the men up at 8.00 tomorrow morning and then on the hunt for wall and floor tiles.....keep your fingers crossed. :-/
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 16, 2010, 5:22pm; Reply: 8
Friday 16th April

All floor and wall tiles purchased yesterday and beauty carried back about 12 boxes for the bathroom and some are already adorning the wet room.  Toilet fittings all in place and beautifully hidden stack pipe for the bathroom on the first floor and a good day was had by all.

I came up with a plan....my little little house or barn is going to be the next for improvements.  I have decided that it will be a good place to store the tools and materials and doube as a workshop for when I come to get going on the furniture....so ....today I started getting rid of the remains of the damaged wall, to be replaced by breeze blocks and building a rockery at the side of the barn out of the spoil to save taking it to the bottom of the garden and talking of gardens....my cherry tree is loaded with blossom heralding a great cherry harvest.  Now to work out how to but some in Brandy, some in Vodka and others in syrup for the TT's amongst my friends.  I can only think of one and that's the underage frog..

News from the front....TJ the little frog has fallen into the swimming pool and fractured his arm....should have waited for it to have been filled with water.  Poor Princess and back to school next week.

After a hard day working on the little barn...same again tomorrow!!!  Aaaarrrhhhhh....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 17, 2010, 7:09pm; Reply: 9
Saturday 17th April

The rest of the tiles arrived this morning in a wagon and unloaded and I still like them.  Very fortunate since I have loads if the things....  The bathroom is getting there but there were lots to cut and the men were pleased when it was time to go home.  Now they don't usually huff and puff but I sensed that it wasn't there most favourite occupation but thank goodness when they come to do the kitchen it's pretty straight forward.

I had another go at digging out the little barn but my attention was drawn to another patch of garden.  I was thinking that why shove the soil from the barn down the bottom of the garden when I could lose it somewhere else and so I did.  The 'can't make an omelette without braking eggs' sprung to mind and I think I have about three jobs on the go but hopefully it will all come together.  It was cold today so not too pleasant to be outside but with all the doors open it was just as warm in as out despite the woodburner doing its stuff beautifully.  Staying in tonight...CBA going out.  LN. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 21, 2010, 6:46pm; Reply: 10
Wednesday 21st April

It has just struck me that it is only one week since I arrived back in BG.  I must apologise for no updates...not sure where the time has gone but I'll try to fill in some of the gaps.

Sunday was a day of rest for all of us.  I had a late start, went to the house, played music and generally chilled.  Monday carried on with the barn and tidied the living room.  I think when I went off to England I just left it having other things on my mind but I just hate living in a mess.  Tuesday off to get some more white tiles for the bathroom and brown ones for the floor.....but no brown ones but the lorry arrived today so again I have been to Kardjali and delivered on schedule.  Can't believe that I have a tiled bathroom and part tiled kitchen in only a few days.  They really are stars.

As promised the little barn is fully cleared out and ready for the concrete floor and we have enough wood and tiles for the roof.  I think they prefer this kind of work but they are under threat that in two weeks I want to move into the house and exit the hotel and to do that I need a bathroom and a one room/kitchen/bedroom with electricity and water thrown in.  The bathroom is just awaiting grouting and the toilet and hand basin fixing and that’s about it.

Took time out to view nature between shifting earth from the barn to the bottom of the garden.  Beautiful creatures.  Star mush is noted by his absence.  We think he’s busy either looking after someone’s sheep or he has taken the hump and gone off for a few days.  We reckon he should be back in two or three days and back to his usual form.

And yesterday....another nine windows in place.  LN...got a busy day tomorrow....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 23, 2010, 5:58pm; Reply: 11
Friday 23rd April

No update yesterday...the men worked really late so that they could get some of the tiling finished and the same rule applies.  I had tidied the (to be lounge) and suddenly it was decided that the dining / temporary bedroom / sewing room should be emptied so that it could be tiled....so ....my once tidy lounge is not so tidy any more even though we stashed a lot of the wood in one of the bedrooms up stairs if I only had stairs.  We still have that nearly vertical ladder but it's good exercise.

The washing machine and cooker were delivered today but still sit in the cardboard boxes.  Grouting takes such a long time but todate....bathroom and kitchen floor and walls are complete.  We had a wonderful session this morning trying to decide which was the best colour for the grout mixing pastes using coloured pots until we got the mixture just right said Goldilocks.  It has been a beautiful day and in the absence of suntan lotion I got out the virgin olive oil so am about to have a shower before I stink out the place.  Anyway up...off now and will include some pickies tomorrow.  LN.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 25, 2010, 5:55am; Reply: 12
Sunday 25th April

Early to bed, early to rise so I've read a few chapters of a very good book that I am struggling with.  It is all written in the present tense so sometimes difficult to comprehend and means you have to go back and read it again.  Worth the effort?  I hope so.

Yesterday was a day of digging out and today a day of filling in.  I decided that I have nowhere to sit for that early morning coffee so now I have the selected area ready for crazy paving and the bench in my mind's eye.  I'll let you know later what happened next when it will be in the past and I hope I won't be tense.....too much reading...
Posted by: MikeyB, April 25, 2010, 9:37am; Reply: 13
Can I have a Hammock please?  ;D

I don't mind which Mountain view you give me  ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 25, 2010, 7:59pm; Reply: 14
Sunday continued

Mikey B you can have whatever you want...your choice of rooms...

It suddenly struck me as I was washing out my not so smalls that I had a washing machine fully cardboard boxed but unfortunately no water supply and no electric...so why was I doing it the hard way???? All a question of timing I suppose.

I had a really good day moving the earth from one place and returning it to its original position but minus the half house bricks and the light bulbs....I believe the word 'bulb' was misinterpreted....they do not regrow.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 27, 2010, 4:25pm; Reply: 15
Tuesday 27th April

Well yesterday was a failure with the internet at the hotel...I had posted and then the connection dropped so no post and I got tired of repairing same.

Today it was a beautifully sunny day but the wind was cold but I still managed to drop off for a little nap in the middle of the day.  It could be something to do with that glass of beer from the bottle purchased for my workman from the mobile shop...yes only one, the other one is planting up his tobacco.  Old habits die hard.

I have a washbasin installed and a shower in my wetroom.  The hot water boiler goes in tomorrow and the washing machine gets plumbed in as well so no longer the three dipping buckets.  Of course we are only using it from an extension lead at present but what the heck....I am just in need of washing cloths properly.

So today I took some photos of butterflies and where is my camera???  At the house.  I was so insistent that my man had an early night since he seemed to go on for ever without a break that the camera and my phone are sitting in the house...pickies tomorrow....and now I'm posting while the connection is still up and running....LN

  
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 28, 2010, 7:27pm; Reply: 16
Wednesday 28th April

And yet another glorious day...weatherwise warmer despite waking up to a frost and white windscreen that needed to be scraped before I could set sail.  My second builder decided to join me not the ladies in the field so I told him that he wasn't in the budget and if he came in today it was 'without money@.

I have a working washing machine, working toilet, working wash handbasin and working shower...what more could a girl want.  Funny one today though...my little builder said that he could not find a place for one of the bits from the toilet cystern to fit.  They read the paperwork, I read the paperwork in Bulgarian with pictures and it suddenly came to me that it was a plastic screwdriver to get the thing on the road....and behold there was light....it was what I said it was.

I got my first load of washing out today and there is something quite soothing about a washing machine about its business.  It has that gentle whirring sound that only a woman appreciates.  Perhaps it's the reminder that there is no manual work attached to it.

Anyway..pickies attached...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 28, 2010, 7:34pm; Reply: 17
Tuesday 28th continued

This one i sort of forgot but it just has to be included ;D
Posted by: Elsa Peters, April 30, 2010, 5:13pm; Reply: 18
Friday 30th April

What a beautiful day.  The sun is shining, the wind had dropped and changed direction.  For the last few days it has been coming from Russia so I am told but now it is coming from Greece and will be for the next few days so who's going to be in shorts and tshirts.  And the good news is that the men are not working until Tuesday so I can get on my sunbed without feeling guilty about it....now there's a first in my liitle pad.

Today has been a day of clearing brambles from the side of the house and digging up tree stumps and I mean tree stumps.  My bonfire has been going nearly all day but I think the locals are impressed that Anglechankas actually work with hoe to get gardens sorted out and just don't pay for it.  I have two of the three rooms floor tiled and the hallway is drying overnight and will be ready to walk on tomorrow.  My washing maching and cooker all work and I am still attached to the electricity pole for all my needs and extension leads....this is BG.

I'm off for cheesy chips and pork with onions and mushrooms now at my favourite restaurant where I might just have to force a couple of beer down....and...

Now for a few pickies just so you don't all nod off....and by the way....welcome Jackie....

Print page generated: March 29, 2024, 11:15am