Thursday 9 February 2012

Let the Gem see the Cherry Tree

Well, it's nearly two weeks since we moved to our new seaside town. It's had ups and downs. A few more downs than I was expecting, to be honest, but I am seeing the glimmer that is the light at the end of the tunnel.

We had a few stressful starts; the car became dangerous to drive, settling the Princess in her new school has taken up some of my emotions, I miss my girls from Berkshire etc. And I am rubbish with change (when Coronation Street switched its viewing times a few years ago, I was at sixes and sevens for weeks. Discombobulated, to quote my lovely mum). So imagine me here, on my lonesome most of the time with two kids and no sense of direction.

The cherry tree shops are teasing me. Dotted around here there and everywhere. I can't bear it. The problem is the Prince has decided he HATES me seeking out cherry tree treasures and kicks off every single time I stick a toe through the door of a shop

But yesterday, I was sick of going cold turkey. I needed to go to some cherry tree boutiques. I needed to pick up a bargain. When I saw this book for 75p, I nearly weed my pants.


It even features a gypsy wagon. Gorgeous.

 I then  found this 1983 funky book for 40p. Can't say no to that.



Ooooh bring it on! Can't wait for summer.
 My friend is coming to stay tomorrow for a couple of nights. We always have a right laugh and the Husband loves her too, so it's always fun. He's off tomorrow as working all weekend so the three of us can have a silly night in.

Will be nice to have some company. There's been a lot of this going on.  Me on the beach taking pics of myself. What a doofus.



 I've been on the beach at 9am most mornings after the school run, just walking walking walking with the Prince. I will work off that Christmas chub if it kills me. But look, it's worth it in the bitter cold for this view.


It's been an interesting day today. I couldn't get up this morning, no change there, but then as I took the pushchair outside, it started folding in on itself. Turned out a screw was missing so in haste, the husband (he who graduated from the School of DIY Crapness) wrapped a lot of parcel tape around it and assured me it would last another day until we could buy a new one tomorrow.

Three minutes later on the school run, it started misbehaving. Then we had to cross the level crossing. Only just made it to the other side of the rail track as the barriers were going down.....S.T.R.E.S.S. By this point the Prince was like a squashed frog in the middle of a pile of folded metal and canvas. Fortunately we were outside a cherry tree shop.

I somehow managed to pull the buggy inside and asked if they had a stroller I could buy. I was desperate. I do a lot of walking here and can't carry the Prince after recently recovering from a slipped disk. The chap (Jim) could only offer me a travel system type pushchair (minus the car seat) for £65.

This wasn't an option and I could feel my blood pressure rising (did anyone ever watch Stressed Eric, the cartoon on Sunday evenings a decade ago? I felt like Stressed Eric, the vein in my temple was throbbing). Now what? I couldn't shell out £65 when all I want is a cheap stroller that will get me through the next 6 months.

But I also had to get the Princess to school and then get to a pre-school for a tour.

Jim saved the day, without asking for my name or number, he said I could have the pushchair for the day until I got a new one tomorrow and then return it. And in the meantime he would store my battered one. What a star.

I've bought him chocolates and I might have to make a promise that I will shop there from time to time. Like that will be hard!!!

I've met three lovely mums at school now. One invited me for lunch today with the others. It was lovely. Very easy, chaotic with loads of kids, and I felt so much better for being in the company of like-minded women. There was another girl there I'd not met before and she was really nice.

Then after school my neighbour invited me over for a cuppa as her daughter is the same age as the Princess. And we got talking and I mentioned my blog. "Oh my best friend write a blog too" she said casually.
Oh? I wanted to know what sort of blog her friend wrote.
Turns out it's ONLY the lovely Annaboo's House, the blog I've been following for ages. She and I were hoping to meet up soon anyway but this was one hell of a coincidence!

And this lovely neighbour is the one who gave me her old stroller. Things are looking up!

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Glad things are looking up Gem,I'm facing moving soon and to tell you the truth I'm not relishing the idea,take care
XX Manda XX

Unknown said...

You've redone well making friends when you've only been living there two weeks! Sounds like a lovely friendly place to be.

Hope all is OK with you. Xxx

Unknown said...

Not redone... Done. I'm not going to comment with my iPad any more - it has a mind of its own. Xxx

Carol said...

Now you are making friends you will be much happier.
Jim sounds a star (a kind and generous one)
Carol xx

Grateful4Crochet said...

Awesome adventures by the sounds of things! Hurrah for jim and annaboos bff as a neighbour!!! I
also love her blog .. So happy things are getting better on the friends front. And on a totes unrelated front : best title ever for the discontented pony!!!!! I love it
Xxxx hope it keeps on getting better

sandiart said...

Oh I knew it wouldn't take long for you to make friends and find your feet :) Fancy finding a blog friends friend next door, you sure do attract good things.
xx Sandi

Pink Milk said...

What a lovely man Jim is. I think it only right that you repay his kindness by popping in to his shop on a very regular basis!!!

Considering you've only been there for two weeks, it sounds like you've settled in so well.

Re Corry - oh don't! - they've chopped and changed it so much that I rarely watch it now. Never thought I'd see the day ...

Hx

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

It takes so much time my dear. It really does. I KNOW! I am here 15 years and I am barely getting to snatch up some GOOD friends, not just neighbors. With work however, it does take time.

Peace and LOVE TO YOU GEM! Anita

Sarah said...

I fear that all males have a gene that kicks in after about 18mths or so which causes them to scream/moan/make nuisances of themselves whenever their womenfolk step over the threshold of a shop. Alas, it will now be that way forever, but in a couple of years you will be able to bribe him - I am often heard to say if we go to the sweet shop can Mummy look around the charity/wool shop?"!!

Glad you've started to make friends, I don't believe in coincidence, it was all meant to be.....

Hugs,

s x

fee @ chipper nelly said...

it's such a small world isn't it? I have recently found a new hairdressers - and it's only Amanda from Amanda Makes!!! we follow all the same blogs...by the time she'd done my highlights and a cut and blow we were air kissing and hugging like we'd known each other for decades!!! (sados)
Will you please stop posting these photos of yourself on windswept beaches looking 15? is it not enough that I have to see them on fb???? (beautiful!)
happy weekend
fee x
(Cleggy went to the same school as your husband. Graduated with honours.)

fee @ chipper nelly said...

ps those books look ripe for chopping!!!!

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

I have The Discontented Pony - just found it at a car boot. The pictures are gorgeous aren't they?

I'm supposed to be in the same discombobulated state as you - I was all ready to be weirded out by leaving everyone behind, but our move fell through at the last second. Boo.

Annaboo's House said...

Small world, eh?
Looks like we were destined to meet by one means or another!!
Looking forward to meeting you very soon. I think Debs has plans afoot for after half term!
Have a lush weekend.
Xxx