It can only happen....

[Dottie]

....  to us!!

The last 2.5 weeks have been hell.

1. Dad is taken to hospital in Jersey (suspected stroke)  - I live in Wales
2. Mum is almost blind and home alone
3. Making phone calls from here to get taxis for Mum & people to help.
4. My bro in Jersey won't help (don't ask!)
5. My car breaks down
6. Caring for MIL here so used her car.
7. 2 toilets dont work and leak on tap in kitchen
8. Plumber charges £245 & car costs £260
9. MIL has no electrics therefore no heating
10. I manage to get all lights back but nothing in sockets work.
11. Next day OH sorts out the rest!
12. My Dad won't be home yet - suspected slight stroke.
13. No direct flights from Cardiff to Jersey until next year. No direct flights back! Sad Can get there via Edinburgh or direct from Bristol but cannot get back Sad
14. All these daily phone calls are costing me mega £'s as Sky charge premium rates for Channel Island calls....

I am scared to say this but Indie & Pica are fit healthy & happy......

Onwards & upwards as they say!!  Things can only get better - fingers crossed.

Looks like Mum will be on her own for Christmas as she refuses to pay £22 just to get to the hospital on Christmas day.  If she does get there she will be able to have a Christmas meal with Dad....I've said I'll pay both ways as an extra prezzie! 

Wish we were there

[Silly Gilly]

oh Dottie, hope everthing works itself out for you xxx

[Josie]

Poor you Dottie! x

[smokie]

Bl***y hell, Dottie.
Would it work out cheaper if you download Skype for your phone calls?
I know that, for us, it's loads cheaper for texts from Lanza to UK mobiles, perhaps it might be worth looking into.
In a short time, your Dad will be home from hospital, back with your Mum and the New Year will start off much better than the way this year is ending.
Remember, it's always darkest before the dawn, all runs of bad luck come to an end so stay strong for everyone else to see them through it.
................and keep smiling and being nice, perhaps this is a better reality than you could have been looking at, the plumber might not have been available had the problem been this weekend, the car repair could have been twice as much and a minor stroke is a lot better than a major one.
Think of it all as a test and the trick is to rise above it all and remain strong and smiling.
Good luck.

[✈ Elle ☀]

Oh dear! Not good, love.

On the upside... you still have internet

xxxxx

[Flash]

Oops Dottie, if it wasn't for bad luck, you'd have no luck at all!!

Still, what a cracking lesson in optimism from Smokie 

[Bernie Bobcat]

Bl***y hell, Dottie.
Would it work out cheaper if you download Skype for your phone calls?
I know that, for us, it's loads cheaper for texts from Lanza to UK mobiles, perhaps it might be worth looking into.
In a short time, your Dad will be home from hospital, back with your Mum and the New Year will start off much better than the way this year is ending.
Remember, it's always darkest before the dawn, all runs of bad luck come to an end so stay strong for everyone else to see them through it.
................and keep smiling and being nice, perhaps this is a better reality than you could have been looking at, the plumber might not have been available had the problem been this weekend, the car repair could have been twice as much and a minor stroke is a lot better than a major one.
Think of it all as a test and the trick is to rise above it all and remain strong and smiling.
Good luck.

Yes, I definitely think Smokie should be elected "Optimist of The Year 2011" (.... and 2012, is he keeps that big happy head on him!)

Dottie - Life sucks!  But 2012 can only get better!  Put a Smokie Happy Head on, and go forth!   

[Bob Cunningham]

A big love off the Cunningham family Dottie.

[Karen13]

Oh dear Dottie - I tried to find a cheap way for you to call Jersey and failed - sorry
sending love and hugs xxx

[Dottie]

Thanks so much for the lovely replies
Smokie you are the best!!  I'll follow your advice as it is really the only way!

Mum is going into hospital to be with Dad on Christmas day and she has been told she can have lunch with him   She'll be taken in by a family friend and will get a (very expensive!) taxi home.

May you all have a peaceful & happy Christmas xxx