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As usual @Former-Member you brought a tear to my eye

I am glad my words helped you sleep easier - that is definitely something I would like to be able to do

I agree we do have a problem with foreign investments in this country. There are two bg issues. Firstly they are purchasing houses for very high prices way above their valuation and essentially pricing other people out of the market and secondly so many are not living in or renting these properties and therefore the rental market is reducing and more and more people are finding it difficult to find a place to live in. I know there have been some moves to stop all this happening but it does seem that the government is still lagging behind in solving this issue.

I understand your dilemma when you are too unwell to accept an invitation out to dinner and then that feeds into your feeling of isolation and further compounds your depression. I am definitely finding it hard to be so house-bound. I do prefer being at home, on my own, with my babies - but I have always been able to do everything myself - including going to the beach with Toby if/when I feel like it. I can't even prepare a meal atm without aching and needing to rest for a while during the preparation. So preparing a meal takes 3 times as long at least. It is very demoralising when yiur body is not up to even the simple, everyday things.

I am humbled by your kind words @Former-Member - truly blessed to have such a beautiful soul such as yourself say such lovely things to me. I have had a special place in my heart for you since we first 'met' so many months ago now - you helped me then more than you could know - and I have never, and will never, forget that. You have been on such a difficult journey yourself but you always find the beauty and light in each day - even when you are really struggling. Keep that hope alive my beautiful angel - it will lead you into the future with even more love and light in your life.

Love always...

Zoe

@Zoe7 💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜🌹🌹🤗 - always here for you xxxxxx

Thanks for asking, @Former-Member I hope you are okay.

I'm not holding up so well with the sudden loss of many managers, & the imminent closure of the regional branch office.

My sleep has been disrupted the last few nights, due to anxious racing thoughts about it.

My current work base is a very long drive away from home for me - the new branch base will be even much further away.

Several fellow staff have said that they will resign as a direct result of this.

I would too, yet I don't yet have any other employment options.

I've been working on job applications for over 12 months (since before I even got this job), no success so far...

I'm finding it too hard not to think about it, or to de-stress - so I've booked a massage for tomorrow.

That usually helps. It's one of the few things that helps me to relax & to feel nurtured.

Adge

Hi @Adge

Good to hear from you. I am feeling better today, just frustrated by not being able to do things like I use to. But hopefully in time that will all heal. I need more patience (I sometimes call it "long suffering" skills lol). I am going with the flow for now.

I am not surprised you have had disturbed sleep - I totally understand your anxiety. It's the uncertainty of it all and not ideal having to travel further for work, but wise until you land a job closer to home. And you will - it's just the when that is uncertain for now. It will happen - keep that vision firmly on your mind when anxiety starts to take hold and breathe slowly. When one door closes......

Its great you are going for a massage to unwind tomorrow. Doing those things that help us to relax and take our minds off things is great self-care and what will see us through the rough times. You are a survivor my friend - stronger than you know and all will work out.

My life is full of uncertainty and the way I deal with it is by keeping busy doing what I have to each day to distract and plan for tomorrow - but "not think past today". Living in the present. One day at a time is all we can handle without coming undone. For me too it is about survival so that I can move forward to better times. Better times lyes ahead for you too my friend.

Keep up the self nurturing any chance you have after a exhausting day of travel and work. So important for balance and resilience. And never give up as something good will come from the present chaos. For now it's about holding on with all our might until the roller coaster starts to rise up again.

Keep posting and letting us know how you are doing and how your job place and situation unfolds. Will be thinking of you 🤗

Hi @Former-Member. A home by the beach sounds like a lovely dream to be coming true for you. I can just see you sitting watching a sunrise or sunset with the waves coming and going and the smell of the sea, healing to say the least.

Yes two moves has been very stressful, but like you, I have moved all my life. Now I have my forever home, finally a permanent address. I'm slowly planting out a garden and enjoying it. I can only do it in small doses due to arthritis, but, it's good when I can.

Your pain sounds intense @Former-Member. I have a wheat bag which I find a bit of relief from, but all depends on the injury. I have also done some hydro therapy for back problems, but again, all depends on the injury. Rest sounds like what you need right now, but difficult to do. For what it's worth, I'm thinking of you.

Hello my beautiful friend @Maggie

Such wonderful news - you are in your forever home! We seem to be settling down this way at roughly the same time. This will be our last move 😊 - hooray 💃. Yes this is my dream - where our new house will be we can listen to the waves at night to fall asleep to and awake to that fresh sea spray tinkerling our nostrils every morning. It is healing. The beauty of it also being that it is still close to our volunteer work and our friends; through my work I have made quite a few good ones. I have to get healthier to keep up now.

It seems you have reached your dream too my friend and finally settled. I am so happy for you. Planting gardens is also part of my dream (I will post a pic of one of my frontyard plants below). I have a sub tropical hardy forest in my backyard which I will take a few pics of later and show you. I won't be able to have such a big garden when I move and I wouldn't want it now - just a nice small manageable garden that will look pretty.

What type of pants will you be growing in your new garden my friend? I would love to see pictures when you can later on. We have so much in common - it's amazing. Kindred spirits we are without doubt. And we go through similar struggles too.

Funny you mentioned the heat bags - I have been putting hot water bottles on the injuries for the last couple of days and what a difference! It really does aid towards healing. I have been taking it very easy also the last couple of days (also feeling guilty that hubby has to do most things), but it was needed for me to improve I have found. Now I just have to make sure I don't push too hard and end up at square one again.

My husband suffers arithitis- a painful condition. But he like you does what he can and the exercise seems to help - as long as he doesn't over do it (which I am worried about at the moment ).

It means a great deal that you are thinking of me. More than you know. I am not out of the woods yet and it is so comforting to know you are there. I am always here for you too if you ever need to talk on bad days. Hope your Saturday turns out to be a relaxing and enjoyable day. Lots of love 💜xx

Hi @Faith-and-Hope@Zoe7@Former-Member@Adge - how are you all feeling today? Here if you wish to chat. Thinking of you all 🌹xx

My datura "Angel trumpets". The evening scent is heavenly

My front formal garden

@Former-Member That Angel plant is amazing. The front garden hasn't come through yet. My garden is stalks at the moment...really. I have planted two camellias along the side of the house, one light pink, the other darker pink. Out the back I have a small bottlebrush and a gravillia for the birds. I'm going to put a bird bath under them once they are big enough. Also a white King protea, I just loved the huge flower. Also two dwalf peach trees. In the front I have two rose bushes,one yellow the other light purple. Three Daisey plants scattered and $70 worth of bulbs, tulip, daffodils snow flowers and grape hyacinth, one lavender bush. There's some pink pigface that I brought with me from my other flat. I also successfully transplanted a passionfruit, unfortunately the -5 frost got it, I'm hoping to save it but don't like my chances. I'm going to get a jasmine vine for the back fence. Once I get some flowers I'll take some pics and show you. I have eight packets of seeds waiting for spring to start planting, so plenty of work ahead.

Rest well if you can. Your husband sounds like he's helpful around the place, that's a positive, you are unwell and need rest. I have just been down for a rest myself with the two dogs, they are always willing to accommodate. Not sure what the rest of the day holds, it will just have to unfold. The wheat bags are better than a hottie I think, but that might just be preference. You are in my thoughts.

Hi @Former-Member

I have not read back over the posts as yet.. I just wanted to check in and to say hello and to let you know I have been thinking of you. I am back from Hawaii....