(no subject)

[turps]

I got to see my brother's new house yesterday. It's very smart and he gave me the grand tour where I was very jealous of the garage you could access from the kitchen. His house is literally in the middle of the walk between my house and Kayleigh's. It takes about twenty minutes to walk to Kayleigh's from mine, and Chris' is halfway along the route, actually passing his house on the way. Of course, he's at work a lot of the time but it's nice to know I can easily get there on foot.

His new kitchen fitting business is up and running and he has a new van but he's still not resigned from his full-time job so has very little spare time right now with his main work and doing fittings at night and the weekends. His plan is to resign once he finishes a big fitting job which will leave him with a good profit. But I can imagine it has to be very nerve-wracking to leave his job and become his own boss.

He's coming to mine this week to bring samples and get things moving to do our kitchen refit. Keep your fingers crossed for us he does give that bro discount because I really doubt we could afford the kitchens he supplies normally.

We also went to visit my MiL in the hospital yesterday. She's doing okay but is still on the cardiac ward relying on oxygen. I do wonder if she knows more than she's letting on as she seems resigned to not getting out any time soon. She needs an op on her heart really but they're very reluctant because of her weight, but she briefly mentioned the doctors are thinking of some way to do it without needing a GA so I guess it's a waiting game.

I've enjoyed watching Glastonbury over the weekend. Years and Years had a good set, and amazing dancers, I enjoyed Pet Shop Boys, but surprisingly I really liked Paul McCartney. His set did flag at times, especially when he was singing songs that weren't well known, but when Dave Grohl and then Bruce Springsteen came onstage as surprise guests it was just, wow.

Mam died four years ago today. Shauna, Kayleigh's previous long-term girlfriend who pretty much kept us all together over those horrendous first few weeks, messaged and my MiL phoned and it's nice people remember. Kayleigh and Bodhi are coming over later and we're trying to pin down a sibs dinner soon but four years, man. It's hard to believe. As you long-time flist people know, her relationship with us wasn't the best at times but I'd still do anything to be able to wander up to her house or pick up the phone and know she'll be there to listen to my worries.

Comments

[sperrywink]

Go, Brother!!

Here's hooping your kitchen r3efit discount is indeed a good one!

{{{hugs}}} It seems like the blink of an eye and yet so long to be without her.

[turps]

He's doing so well. Of course, barely has a moment to himself right now, but hopefully, that will change once he drops his full-time job and goes to his own business only.

I think he'll give us the best discount possible, so *fingers crossed*

It really does.

[frausorge]

It sounds very nice that your brother will be within easy reach. And I hope your kitchen plans work out well, surely he wouldn't lead you astray about what he's offering?

Best wishes for your MiL.

And may all the easy and all the complex parts of your relationship with your mother be held in warmth. ♥

[turps]

surely he wouldn't lead you astray about what he's offering?

I hope not! But no, he'll do it as well and as cheap as possible, I suspect most savings will be because he won't charge me labour costs and he'll pass on his trade discount. Now it's a case of him actually carving out the time to start the job.

Thank you <3

[jacieleigh]

How nice you're all within walking distance! My brothers are about a 30-minute drive from each other, and the first town I'll be looking would put me about a 20-minute drive from each brother...but it would be so much nicer to be within walking distance.

I hope his business does well!

I saw Paul in concert 5-6 times. One time, I had a super-close seat, I was the first row above the floor, so even if everyone on the floor was standing up, I could sit down and see perfectly (which didn't stop me from standing up at times!). His voice was amazing for that concert and I loved every minute. I've always told everyone he's amazing in concert and everyone who has gone to see him really enjoyed it. He's truly a great performer. *G*. But yeah, unfamiliar songs lead to mass exodus for food runs and bathroom breaks (not for me, I never wanted to miss a moment, especially at ticket prices these days!). I'm glad you enjoyed him and the others.

Even when our relationships can be difficult at times, it still leaves a hole in our lives when we lose our parents. *hugs*

[turps]

Walking distance is great, especially with the price of fuel rocketing. It's good that you'll eventually be so much closer to your brothers, a 20-minute drive sounds great after the hours you've been doing now.

I think the business will do okay, people always want new kitchens and he's branching out into fitted wardrobes etc too. So, fingers crossed, he may be the money man in the family eventually *g*

I was actually thinking of you when I was watching Paul, because I know you're such a fan.

He really did an excellent performance and was onstage for 3 1/2 hours without a break which was impressive. He made me smile as he made a comment he could tell when he was doing the less well-known songs as the phone screens would turn off and there would be a black hole in front of him, as opposed to when he was doing hits and then it was like a galaxy. Then he said he didn't care, he was going to sing what he wanted anyway *g*

And he's totally got that right. His back catalogue of songs was amazing.

True. Thank you.

[jacieleigh]

With house prices going crazy out there, if it doesn't slow down, I may have to buy further out. While my first choice would be about 20 minutes from each brother, I might wind up an hour or two away. However, I tell myself that an hour or two is still closer than a 13-hour drive!

Hard to believe Paul is now 80 and is still on stage that long. He commonly performed for 3 hours without a break at the concerts I saw. There were always a few minutes in the middle where he'd do a solo acoustic set while his band took a break. But he himself would always remain on stage for the full 3 hours, which was amazing even years ago, but more so now that he's 80.

He does have an amazing rapport with the crowd and has a way of making you feel that he's speaking to you personally. And yeah, he's right, he can play whatever he wants to (and fans will still love him)! LOL

[spikedluv]

That's neat about your brother being so close now! (Mine lives an hour drive away, and both sisters a 20 min drive. My mom is the closest, but even that is a 7 min drive.)

I've seen a lot of reno shows on HGTV where they use cheaper products that look just as lovely as if they'd spent a ton of money, tile and flooring and such, so I'm sure *fingers crossed* that you'll be able to find something you love within reason

I'm sending out positive thoughts for you m-i-l.

Losing a parent is tough. (My dad's been gone 9 years and it doesn't seem possible.) I'm glad you had some people who remembered her passing. I hope you're able to get the sibs dinner scheduled.

[turps]

Our whole family never really spread out location-wise. My brother lived the next town over before he moved but otherwise we've always been close. At one point mam, me and Kayleigh all had our own houses on the same estate, so I could get to all of them within a minute *g*

I think right now the plan is to change the doors of the cabinets, get the electrics updated -- which is badly needed -- and get new counter tops and eventually, flooring. It should look smart, though to be honest anything would at this point as the kitchen was put in well over 20 years ago.

Thank you. We used to try and meet up for a sibs dinner monthly but with Bodhi coming along and my brother being so busy, and of course, the pandemic, they don't happen as often. So hopefully it'll be soon.

[spikedluv]

Many of us stayed 'close', but it's funny how different areas that means a 20 min walk vs a 20 min drive. *g*

I've seen new cupboard doors (or even a new paint job) make cabinets look like new. And a new countertop makes such a difference! (I act like I do this for a living, but I just watch HGTV, lolol!)

[turlough]

That's so cool that your brother is now also living within walking distance!

I'm keeping everything crossed your brother will have a huge success in his new career!

And of course also that he'll give you a great discount on your kitchen!

I hope your MiL won't have to stay in the hospital for too long. It must be so dreary for her being stuck there.

*hugs you long and hard*

[turps]

It's good Chris is living so close now, and he's happy because my nephew is much closer to the school, literally a five-minute walk. Though typically, my niece has just left days ago so won't use that benefit.

I hope he will do well with the business, he's great at what he does, just seems to be juggling a thousand different things right now. Which is why he was supposed to come here with samples to pick from tonight and yesterday but never arrived either time. Just running out of time it seems, which is frustrating but understandable he focuses on other things first.

I suspect my MiL will be in the hospital at least this week, though has been making noises she'll discharge herself if she's still there a week on Sat, which will be her birthday. Hopefully, it won't come to that.

♥