Wednesday 22 December 2010

Normal service will be resumed when I've got the energy!


Sorry can't come to the door right now I'm too stressed.
I've been ill with a hacking cough, headache and now sinusitis for the last five days.
The temperature here on Monday was -10 and my pipes froze
Around the same time my 86 year old Uncle was in dire need of my support as his flights from Manchester to Boston via Heathrow got cancelled.
So Monday night saw me leaving the doors to the loft spaces open to try and thaw the pipes out, all the doors to the rooms had to be kept firmly shut. The rooms got boiling and the hall and landing where like going outside.
But hey it worked and now all unlagged pipes are decidedly cozy now!
As for my Uncle, two hours Monday night two hours yesterday and probably another stint tonight trying to sort things over the internet. He lives in the next town so I probably phoned him 15 times last night wanting information.
But is so frustrating is that the Manchester flight was cancelled, and although a notice went up saying the Heathrow Boston flight was cancelled they obviously changed their mind and it went. Uncle couldn't have got there so he's now lost his money. So his choice is to fork out more money or stay home and not see his daughter and grandchildren.
And he's feeling very stressed and obviously unhappy at the loss of his money. And I'm doing my best to try and fix all the things I can.
But I feel so ill and stressed myself.
Never mind big son is home tomorrow and all the food is here, so tomorrow can be devoted to cleaning and baking before he arrives.
Just wish I had a bit more energy to deal with it all.
Hey ho!

I hope you all have a magical Christmas and I'll be back when I've got the energy.


PS Good news I spent 20 minutes waiting for tbe airline to answer the phone but it paid off and my dear old Uncle is travelling to Boston on Christmas Eve! With no loss of money. Determination has sorted it out.

So just my health to sort out now!

15 comments:

Zan said...

oh I'm right there with you!
At least you got ur water back. Our pipes have been fozen since Sunday night and I've tried it all.. nothing, and it's not going to start thawing until Sunday.
Hope you'll get a chance to relax soon and enjoy the xmas.

xx

Helen said...

Oh boy! I've had frozen pipes with the damage that occurs when they burst ... so glad yours didn't. As for your Uncle, was he on some kind of a non refundable charter? I can't imagine losing the fare, usually there is just an extra charge for re-booking, etc ...
Merry Christmas, to you and your family!!!

Annie said...

Oh bless you. Think we are suffering from same bug at the mo :-(
Hope you are able to have a wonderful Christmas and 2011 brings you all you wish for yourself.
Hugs,
A x

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Oh your poor uncle, I can't imagine them not trying to get him another flight, oh well I suppose I can. Being in Phoenix, we've never had frozen pipes, happy baking.

trousers said...

Pipes have been an issue for me too, if it's any consolation. Luckily I have a pretty helpful landlord. I'm glad you got yours sorted out too.

Plus I've barely thought about Christmas, just had my head down doing work, work, work, and Friday (when I break up) can't come soon enough.

Hope all the stress can melt away just like the pipes thawed out, and I hope you have a good Christmas xxx

Twiglet said...

Do hope you feel well enough to have a merry Christmas and all good wishes for a healthy New Year!

Beatnheart said...

Oh Dear...sorry for all your misery! I don’t really participate in Christmas. It’s just the two of us and we don’t really do anything. I don’t even have a meal planned ...yikes. I kinda just wait for it to be the 26th!!.. Hang in there ...and take care of yourself.

BenefitScroungingScum said...

Oh noes! It is so cold. Hope you're feeling better in time for Xmas. Best wishes BG Xx

nitebyrd said...

Oh! Byrd! Feel better and I hope all will work out with your Uncle without you getting more stressed!

Have a good Christmas, please! (((hugs)))

Anonymous said...

You're a good thing Mandy. xx
Things get so hard to organize in a technolgical age when you are in your 80's. I'm sure your uncle appreciated each step you had to take. Take it easier now if you can, with your family, and so glad those pipes have thawed. Although frozen pipes are a hard concept to understand in my part of Australia, we do have the opposite problem of localized air-conditioning failures and overloaded power cut backs due to too many summer cooling demands. Get well soon, and Merry Christmas.

Marilyn & Jeff said...

Oh how very wonderful for your uncle,you have worked a Christmas miracle for him.
I am so sorry that you are ill and have had problems with frozen pipes, you certainly don't need that.
I do hope that you fell better quickly so your can enjoy a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Take care.

Paula said...

I hear you... hope you are feeling better. Call you soon.

Angel said...

I'm hoping that things are better for you now. Sinusitis is miserable.

Mel said...

Oy sheeeeeeshhhh.

Well, at least the pipes and the uncle are sorted out.
I'll hope the hacky ickies g'way real soon.

((((((((( the byrdie )))))))))))

Merry Christmas to you, dearheart.

bARE-eYED sUN said...

fell better soon & enjoy the holidays.

:-)

..
.ero
.