Sorry I've Been AWOL
D0rdogne_Damsel
Posts: 4,184
Hello all,
I am so sorry to have been AWOL for so long, life has been very complicated and I have been trying to sort myself out. 
That meant avoiding all things that upset me and unfortunately,talking about gardening kept reminding me of my loss (I know it's just a garden but it was everything to me). So, I have kept busy and kept as positive as possible, I am convinced the French system of bureaucracy is designed to try and break your will to live but I have survived (so far). 
Project Chateau de Gateau is now (I hope) in the last stages of either being born or abandoned. Next week I have have probably the most important meeting to date after which I hope to have a yay or a nay, I have been rehearsing that meeting over and over again, I can tell you.
If yay, although I will be ridiculously busy and challenged it will be nothing compared to what I have been through, if nay I do have a Plan B but I do not want to even think about it yet as I really, really want Plan A to work and think important to stay focused on that.
So, that is where I am at, I just have a little hurdle to get over at the week-end (Paris Marathon, 26.2 miles) but I am actually looking forward to that. 
I am sorry not to have been in touch with you all, I haven't even been able to bring myself to read the posts but I do thank those that have PM'd me and sorry not to have been more communicative but the messages of support were appreciated. 
So, in a week or so's time, I really hope I am on here panicking over how to sort out a very over run garden and paint a new house from top to bottom, but until then I have to go back to practicing my speech for the very important man at the bank. Please keep everything crossed for me.
I do hope you are all well, so nice to see spring emerging, I am sure you are all keeping very busy.
- “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Posts
Good luck to a BIG YAY for next week xx
How lovely to hear from you DD ((hugs))
Quite understand your feelings - you must feel all over the place at the moment ((hugs)) . All possible positive vibes are being sent post haste to the Dorgogne, marked For the Attention of Decision Makers regarding Chateau de Gateau !!!
On top of that our fingers are very crossed, which will make pricking out seedlings very difficult in a few days' time
Lots of luck for everything, and don't forget ... you're doing my share of running too
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I shall be crossing all my crossables for you Dd!
DD - lovely to hear from you. Good luck in the Paris marathon and for meeting with the bank. Hope Charlie is doing well.
Good luck DD. Not long to hang on for your decision and fingers crossed it's positive. Then the fun will really start and there'll be plenty of support from friends on here.
Enjoy your marathon this weekend. Keep in touch as and when you can cos we're all rooting for you - and should it be a no, come back for support and encouragement anyway.
Hosta Hugs from me. x
Thanks all, silly how I managed to get my k****rs in a twist over all this but I suppose that's life.
Charlie is doing really well, he has been my reason to keep going, he is so adorable and so kind and understanding through all this, we are treating it as a great adventure together. I managed to take him skiing for a good few days, he loved it and we were on the slopes from opening time until dusk, did me the world of good, although my thighs and knees didn't think so - all good training for the marathon though.
I have become heavily involved with a whole pile of school activities too, been at a handball and basketball competition with them the last two Tuesdays and am now busy helping organise the school fete after a big success organising a school dance last week-end - another typical French soiree, finished at 5am in the morning - again more marathon training and much needed distraction for my stressed mind.
I did get myself in the paper this week too as I ran a cookery workshop 'recettes anglaises' for a group of 15 French people, we cooked together and then ate lunch together, Steak and Ale Pie, Syrup Pudding and Custard and Spoted Dick - surprisingly it all went down very well.
Running a little tea rooms will be a doddle after all this, I hope the man at the bank has a good understanding of crossover skills - I've certainly been stretching myself. I will keep you all posted though, lots of hugs to you all from both me and Charlie. xxxx
Hello D.D. I have crossed things I did not even know I could cross, it may take a little while to uncross them all 'ouch"? I know what you are going through my Son has just moved to France and at last have bought a place, not the house of their dreams but near enough, the registration is somewhat archaic.
Frank.
Good Luck DD...hope all goes well with you. xx