My life partner has Bipolar ii

Oh no @Former-Member does not sound good.

Additional downpipes required? Or larger dia downpipes?

We have the opposite when it comes to home maintenance awareness, darling goes into meltdown for minor items and often for things that in my mind are not a problem or easily fixed.

Will need to check with plumber @Determined, - already waiting for a date from them for a section of roof to be replaced - we have a mouldy spot in the ceiling of a back room indicating leaking and a corner section is loose - some birds are now nesting in roof cavity. (Need to liaise with NBN as reciever mounted on that section of roof). Our place old and in need of major renovation, apart from the roof (which will involve insulation installation) some windows need replacing, there is a very small section of flooring that is a bit squeaky that needs investigation, the back door needs replacing, the kitchen is functional but it would be nice to update it and the place could do with painting both inside and out as well as new floor coverings. Outside the fencing needs attention and the chook pen needs work.

That is a lot to have to deal with @Former-Member with all you have already to manage.

We are making some progress with things @Determined, perhaps just feeling a little delicate as is the lot of us carers.

Being there ...

It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn't heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore's stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.

"Hello Eeyore," said Pooh.

"Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet," said Eeyore, in a Glum Sounding Voice.

"We just thought we'd check in on you," said Piglet, "because we hadn't heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay."

Eeyore was silent for a moment. "Am I okay?" he asked, eventually. "Well, I don't know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That's what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. Which is why I haven't bothered you. Because you wouldn't want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All, would you now."

Pooh looked and Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.

Eeyore looked at them in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"We're sitting here with you," said Pooh, "because we are your friends. And true friends don't care if someone is feeling Sad, or Alone, or Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are."

"Oh," said Eeyore. "Oh." And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.

Because Pooh and Piglet were There. No more; no less.

hello @Former-Member, how are things going xx

Grateful for small mercies @Shaz51 Mr Darcy wanting to keep busy. He is motivated and will do the things that need doing, keeps busy all day, even though he seemingly finds little joy in any of what he does; feels the loss of not working. Was crying again last night, said he was recalling everyone he worked with since 1979. He is now doing an exercise which hopefully will help him with his physical issues.

wanting to keep busy. He is motivated and will do the things that need doing, keeps busy all day, even though he seemingly finds little joy in any of what he does; feels the loss of not working.-- yes and mr shaz does not want to work @Former-Member, but if he does not work -- he can not work for a boss anymore , but some days he really wants to give up with most of our customers

hugs @Former-Member

@Former-Member your Eeyore story reminds me of a time someone quietly sat beside me when I was not copeing. Saying nothing other than an initial are you ok. Like eeyore I started to feel a very tiny little bit better 😊

The power of knowing someone has noticed and cares says more than any words could ever say.

Glad Mr D is able to keep himself busy. When darling can keep herself occupied she manages better than when hiding in bed. Problem is OCD won't allow any balance. It is all or nothing so any sort of activity is not able to be maintained.

I can in some way understand Mr Ds feelings re work as I often wonder if I will ever be on top of things enough to work full time again 😕 . At least (I hope) I will manage something but unlikely it will be to the capacity I was at prior to burnout so feeling for you both in that regard.

Hope Christmas season can be smooth for you both.

@Determined material possessions have never been of high importance to me but it only when I began to truly understand grace that I realised the importance of compassion both to others and myself. Loss and grief, valleys we often need to negotiate.