Tying Up Loose Ends

Hello Everyone,

I`m writing this entry in the middle of a thunderstorm...I`m not outside in it, you understand, but the heavens are really making a row this evening!  Jim and I have been home from shopping for just a few hours and we`re exhausted. We took advantage of a Roman-free afternoon to get the last few things we need for our holiday, nothing really for us but presents for Slava`s family. We are very pleased with things we bought so I hope the like them. Kerry told us that towels are not a good quality in Russia so we bought a set for Julia (Slava`s sister) and Sergei, her husband. They are moving out of their flat for the week so we can stay there so we want to thank them with something that will be useful for their home. We also bought personal presents for them as well as Slava`s mum and dad, Nadia and Ivan and his grandmother whose name I don`t know yet. I`ll start packing tomorrow evening and I have to admit to being more than a little excited about the trip.

                                                

Yesterday Jim climbed a ladder to bring down the nest box that had been occupied by a pair of blue tits. We knew that they had young because we saw the adults bringing back food for them on a regular basis. Then we heard the chirping of the little ones until one day it stopped and I didn`t see any of the family again. We assumed they had all flown away and I didn`t give it any more thought until yesterday when Jim removed the box......the baby birds had died and their little bodies were curled up in the nest. It was quite upsetting and I really wonder why that had happened. The nest box was completely safe from all preditors and it was used to me, and all the family. Even Jake didn`t payany attention to the birds who fed from the feeders in the tree and there was no way a cat could get anyway near. Whatever happened was a mystery as the birds had their feathers and were blue and yellow like their  parents. We`ve put a new box up as the old one has seen better days, hopefully the adults will return next year to raise another family, successfully this time.

I`ve been feeling much better after the viral thing that has been bothering me, I still have a dodgy throat but nothing I can`t cope with. My only complaint is an insect bite that I`ve had since last week isn`t healing as quickly as I`d like and is still rather red and itchy. I have some wonderful stuff called After Bite that you put on and it stops the itching right away, apart from this particular bite...it must have been one BIG insect that got me...lol! In Russia at this time of year the mosquitos are out in force, but they won`t come anywhere near me if I have anything to do with it. I`m going prepared with my extra strength insect repellent. I expect I`ll smell vile but I don`t care if it does the job...lol!

The atmosphere at home is a bit better today. Dan is speaking more to me and I`m doing my best to get on with him. A family discussion is not a good idea at the moment, trust me, I know my son too well and it would just cause another row, the last thing we need at the moment. I keep worrying about Salina and what she will do with herself now. I know her parents will be telling her "I told you so." and she will have to bear it. With her her being Asian and Muslim it was never going to be easy for her and Dan, but they had come so far and her parents were close to accepting their relationship, I just hope she`ll be alright, I am very worried about her but can do nothing...sigh.

Anyway, my friends. If I don`t get the chance to update before I go away, I hope youall have a great weekend and a nice week to follow. I`m off to read your journals and this time I`ll comment as many as I can. Take care all of you and Bye Bye for now. :o)