billabong

Hi Michelle Welcome to you! Billabong

Hello Jeanne Welcome! Billabong

Delyth This is so, so lovely to read, must admit it's brought a tear or two of joy to my eye-peeps. HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Billabong <'>

Oh, you mean it runs on something? I was just feeding it W***abix. Maybe that's why it doesn't really work properly. Must get back to touching up the blonde bits of my hair. Billabong

Hello Sun Welcome to the forum <'> I don't have children but sometimes have similar experiences to yours with DH (AS but not diagnosed) and definitely feel isolated. I used to live in London and think it's more a case of 'especially' rather than 'even' feeling 'adrift and ill-fitting' in the big smoke. I really like your choice of words, 'adrift and ill-fitting' - I'm beginning to feel I'm in limbo somewhere between the NT and AS world and don't really fit into the NT world any more. That probably calls for 'welcome to the human race'! Take care, Billabong

Same here. Just the mention of his name brings back fond memories of the dead-pan voice, the wonderful weirdness etc etc.

A pink one. Does this make it obvious how un-technically-minded I am?

Thanks for the support, Skye. How about a 'virtual' lunch one day? I've just made some Christmas biscuits so thought I could post one for you in the meantime. They're all shapes except bunnies (I keep those for Easter) I must admit that it was easier to get social contact when I wasn't working; for the year or so we were up here, I did 3 lots of voluntary work each week. I know what you mean about not being so needy; I did wonder if the 'be my friend, please, please!' sign was a bit off-putting. Good news over the last week or so has really helped. DH is NOT being made redundant after all (this time); invitation to Christmas tea with the vicar and family - so we can ask 'More tea, vicar?' - AND a friend has invited us to join her family for lunch on Boxing Day. Wow, isn't that a lot of good stuff in one go? And I've been baking the Christmas and animal biscuits for a new family at church who've just moved into the area, so I can be the welcomer rather than the welcomed. I've been really brave/mad and invited neighbours round for an hour one evening soon; do you know I'm hoping no-one can make it? Big scaredy-cat! Thanks again, Billabong

Ooooh, am so happy, last night's episode had me laughing almost immediately. DH says that he used to aspire to looking like Moss did last night ie hand-knit cardie and cravatte. Did not tell him that he's not far off. Billabong

Um, a very large glass of wine? (for you, not everyone else)

Hello Edith! and welcome <'> . Billabong

Diner (more missing consonants)

How about 'partners of' as well, bearing in mind the isolation which many of us partners feel too; I can certainly identify with lots of what's being written here (not just to do with having moved into a new area - see my 'feeling isolated' thread started the other day, a coincidence or what, AND I live in Co Durham!). I'm trying to set up an informal group for partners in this neck of the woods so will either add it to/start a thread or PM you in the first instance. We're not alone, cue the extra-terrestrial music. Billabong

Hm, definitely time to go and look in techie corner ...

I think you're right about it taking 'at least 5 years'. I think I've just been fortunate before (and younger!). We've moved to this one partly because it's more welcoming than the others! I'm about to join the 'welcome' team - a bit ironic, but then at least I'll have a reasonable understanding of what it's like being a new-ishcomer. I have no pride, I just talk to dogs in the street, whether they're with dog-walker or not. Thank you, it's felt like that. I forgot to mention first time round that DH has just very narrowly missed being redundant, and I've discovered my job contract may well not be renewed in April; think it's easy to underestimate the effect this has on the mood. Sorry, this probably looks as if I'm gatecrashing into your reply - I haven't yet sussed out how to answer to separate bits of posts; RTFM or something like that. Billabong (quotes fixed - K x)

'The Beacon' by Susan Hill. It's meant to be eerie but not that I've noticed so far ie almost two-thirds of the way through it. It has the advantage of being a short novel and a very quick read . Looking forward to reading 'The Island' and the book DH has bought me for Christmas, only I don't know about it, do I? nor did I drop big hints ...

How about 'Would you like another chocolate?'. Well, really, why do people ask something when they know the answer?

Thank you all for your <'> and helpful suggestions. Not sure about the open house idea - is the father-in-law AS? (my DH is AS - non DX). Think we'd both find it hard work for different reasons. Last year we had an invitation to a New Year's party at some neighbours who we only know by sight. We bravely went along and rang the door-bell. EEE-magine our relief when no-one answered the door (think they were in back of the house and didn't hear the bell), and guess how many seconds it took before I suggested we just go back home? But going back to the suggestion, maybe we could give it a go and specify a 2 hour slot. Must look into doggy-walking. I walked past my hairdresser's salon yesterday morning and saw that she had her two dogs and one of her cats in the salon (yes, I'm sure the H&S police would have been round like a shot ...), so I stopped and had quality time with soppy animals; a definite tonic! Thanks for being there. Billabong

Truth

I can't work out why we started calling it the 'IT' and not the 'I - T' Crowd which is the only logical way to pronounce it. Must have been feeling rebellious at the time! And I'm so excited - last night's episode, we both agreed, was 'back on track', and found it very, very funny; I giggle whenever I think about it. Even better, it's on video so we can re-watch. I ought to add this to 'The Positive Thread', after being a right old misery the other night.

Hello there anyone (ooh, scarey, no-one else on the forum at this time!) Just feeling sorry for myself and in need of letting off steam or something. I feel so flipping isolated . (By the way, I'm the 'NT' one). We moved way up north over 3 years ago and, although it's a lovely part of the UK, I'm finding it really, really hard to get to know anyone - guess I should consider myself lucky to have two friends after this time, but can't expect to see them every week. I feel like going around wearing a sandwich board saying 'Hello, will you be my friend?'. Or 'Mrs Invisible - I'm here really; I don't bite'. Even DH finds it odd that we have so little proper social contact. I joined a gardening club a couple of years ago but ended up sidling out quickly at the end. (And I'm supposedly warm and friendly bla bla bla). Up here, people are very family oriented - fine if you have family but not so good otherwise (and my family are hours away by car or plane). It's a sad but true fact of life that, when you move away from somewhere, you're the one who has to maintain the contact - the gap you leave is quickly filled. I don't relish the thought of the two weeks over Christmas which I've been asked to take off work (so I don't stretch the overtime budget, I've been requested to take my overtime as TOIL); I like a quiet life and reading and not having constant buzz and noise going on, but waaah, would be nice to speak to people sometimes. We go to church and I feel as if people don't really want anything more than 'hello' with a smile and it's such an effort having to make polite conversation. (That doesn't mean it would normally be impolite!). Do you think I should borrow someone's kiddies or steal a dog and go dog-walking? Have thought about volunteering with a charity which works with refugees and asylum seekers but work commitments and uncertainties, and the fact that I have limitations to how much I can do without getting stressed and worn out (don't we all?), plus it's a good drive away, mean that I can't consider that at the moment. Phew that feels a bit better. I'm more p'd off than what I've written suggests, probably just as well it's toned down. Billa the Bong

Not the worst but certainly the most disappointing present was when I was about 5. I asked for a Babycham - ie the cute little cartoon creature that bounced across the screen on the advert. Huh, Father Christmas took me literally and left a bottle of Babycham outside my bedroom door. My crest was somewhat fallen that day. Billabong

Like the toy! Is this on your Christmas wish list? Billabong

Oooh, lucky you - can't wait to see photos. Ours was a tabby cat, also a dribbler as he got older (unlike DH). We're going to be adopted by a puddy tat or even two puddy tats in the New Year, I canna wait and have been mulling over names for weeks. Our nearest cat rescue place won't do relocations in the weeks running up to Christmas. I guess that's just a deterrent and that they'd be able to spot we're proper soppy cat lovers rather than 'cute kitten for Christmas' sorts. I love the name. Great that your lad has reacted so well. Prr, prr! Billabong

Definitely agree with you on that. Same as 'Father Ted' - same writers, I believe. By the way, has it always been pronounced 'The I - T Crowd' or is it just me and him who call it 'The IT [as in 'nit'] Crowd'? Billabong