Far and Away

Thank you @MDT Kinds words and much appreciated buddy

Sounds like you've a well thought out plan @Zoe7 hope you can ease yourself into it and pace yourself so you don't overdo it physically.

Yes I talked to SIL last night and she gave me an answer this morning. Both she and bro have said family is welcome and sil said it's exciting - which it is. So getting organised for shopping for everything I need over the next 2 weeks today as I won't have supports while they are here. Including planning recipes for dinners. Then there'll be other stuff to sort out, like moving everything to where a toddler can't reach! And agreeing on how we'll manage dog while they're here. Once things are organised I can relax and just enjoy the time with them.

Sorry for the late reply @eth ...I fell asleep!

It is great that you have the go ahead to have family there and you also have time to plan and get organised for it. I hope you find a solution on what to do with dog while they are there. Do you have an area you could temprarily fence off with something like bins or boxes?

@Zoe7 great that you had some more sleep.

The front yard is mostly contained, just need a barrier at the end of the verandah. Plus we can shut off the front half of the house. Will discuss with bro and sil when the time is right. Sil is away for the night today apparently so it will have to wait til tomorrow. She is more into dog freedom than bro!

It sounds like you have some good options for keeping dog contained @eth and it is not a permanent thing so surely SIL will be in agreeance. I am really lucky that I have a small fully fenced backyard for both Toby and Cat to wander around in. I raised the height of the fences with lattice so Cat wouldn't go over the fence. She has been known to chase other cats over but finds it hard to get back so has learnt to stay inside our boundary. It means she can go in and out as she likes knowing she won't wander off anywhere. I keep her inside when I am not home though as is Toby.

Hi everyone .. I just wanted to share with you my little bit of good news for today. My stroke of good fortune if you like. Not my usual tale of woe and sadness, but some good news for a change.

I have been going in a national tipping competition, where you have to put in tips for a thoroughbred race meeting each week. If you tip 7 out of 7 winners at the allocated meeting, you win $50,000 or a share of that with others who tipped it. My husband follows the racing and we often watch the races on weekends, he likes a punt. Me not so much, but I do follow the races and know a bit about form etc. Anyway this is a totally free competition and is open to anyone. Most weeks there are 10s of 1000s of people go in the comp, as you'd expect with a free comp. As my husband finished equal 12,586 th, despite picking several winners, that gives you a bit of an idea of how many people go in this thing. I suspect I cannot actually name this competition here, so I won't risk doing that. 🤐

Anyway .... I was the equal top tipster last weekend! There were 4 of us in total. We didnt pick all 7 which would have given us each a share in the major prize of $50,000. But we do get a quarter share each of a consolation prize (when the major prize does not go off), which is a share of $5,000. Today I got a phonecall from the people running the comp, and they confirmed that I am to receive $1,250 within the next 28 days. Wow! I was gobsmacked. What luck. Unfortunately it wont arrive in time for our trip to WA next week when we finally get to visit my husbands ailing dad. But it will be able to be put towards our expenses added on the credit card. Feeling very pleased with myself today. Thats a lot of money, and so unexpected. You tend to go into these things, knowing you'll never win anything. But this time ... Yay me!

Just thought I'd share my piece of news with you all. Wish I could also share some of the spoils with you, to share in my good fortune. I might give a donaton to Sane I think.

Sherry 💕😊

@Former-Member That is such wonderful news for you Hon - so pleased for you. Make sure you spend a little of that on yourself as well - spoil yourself because you so deserve it.

Thanks @Zoe7 😀

Even hubby was happy with me, just for a change. Although he doesnt like being beaten by me with anything to do with sport or tipping comps. He has been saying to me for months 'nobody ever wins, and certainly not you'. But I faithfully put both our tips in each week. I think hes only beaten me once so far. But closest Ive been until now, was 300 and something. I think one week I was away, and didnt study the form, I came well down the list, somewhere around 40,000th it was.

Yeah I will use some of my newfound wealth on myself too. 😄 Its a nice little supplement to a part pension. Maybe some more craft supplies, or a better frame for my diamond painting frog. Ditch the $4 cheepie?

Who knows? See what our WA trip costs us before I spend any of it.

Actually I feel bad now Zoe, knowing how tight funds are for you and many others here.. and here am I celebrating and gloating about a win. I'm sorry .. Back in my box.

Sherry

Don't be sorry at all @Former-Member This is such a wonderful thing to hear Hon - I really am plesaed for you ...it has made my day. I have been smiling for you ever since I read your post You are just as deserving of this as anyone else and should revel in the joy of it for as long as you can. You have been through so much lately and this could not have come at a better time to give you that much needed lift that you have needed - so celebrate away and we can ride on your coat tails for a while in full support of this little bit of happines for you.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo happy for you