A frustrating couple of days as I left a print for framing last week, with a do-by date and chose a lovely frame and suitable mount. Hadn't heard anything by Sunday night, so managed to find chap on Facebook and messaged him. Still nothing, so went to the shop yesterday. I had no idea of the cost, so needed a quote before he could start. That came last night and was over £100 so today I went back to collect the print and will have to find an off-the-peg ordinary frame now. I never realized that having something framed was silly money. I tried to get an idea of how much it would be when discussing the frame last week, but perhaps in retrospect, he may have been elusive . . .
I've been busy in the garden today after having bad news. I've managed to get quite a bit of weed-clearing done, which is always a positive. I was working on the bank, pulling out on one side Nettles, Brambles, small tendrils of Ivy and Dandelions. Near the "standing stones" there were masses and masses of wild Strawberries, which although lovely to eat in the summer, really take over if allowed to. I ignored them last summer in favour of eating them, but they are everywhere now.
Keith is really struggling with the low blood pressure - he is back to where we were in January, having to get around by leaning against the walls and today had to start using his walking stick again. We see the Parkinsons nurse on Thursday and not a moment too soon. It is SUCH a worry seeing him like this, and even having to feed him when he gets so tired being like this.
I have no appetite, so am going down to town to have a walk by the river and buy myself one of those small bottles of wine for £2.50. Can't overdo it with one of those.
There's a place in market hall in Aberystwyth where you can get frames made to measure. I had a basic pine frame, 14 inches square. It took about 3 weeks and cost £14. She's only there Thurs, Fri 10.30 -2.30 and Sat 10.00- 3.00. I don't know if that might be useful for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ruta. Prices more like what I want to pay!! I've told Tam about this and also remembered there is a framer in Carmarthen Market which Danny could take his print to be framed.
DeletePicture framing is always wildly expensive. I have resorted to buying a frame or using a thrifted frame then having just the matte professionally cut to size; finish mount and frame myself.
ReplyDeleteSon, GF, and little one are darling. That's a fun thing, their visits, despite being tiring perhaps.
A walk and a small bottle of wine sound perfect. Do you bring the wine home or drink it there at the riverside? I am sorry for your struggles to help your husband.
lizzy
Well, back in the day that's what we always did. As this was a special limited edition print, I thought I would get it done professionally. . . . WRONG!
DeleteWe are delighted that Danny has found such a lovely lass, and her little girl is a welcome bonus.
I bought the wine home as I ended up buying a full size bottle (better value for money!!)
Husband actually MUCH better today because, guess what, he drank enough so blood pressure much better.
Lovely photo of your son and his family. Hugs to you and Keith. How I wish they could figure this out for him. I only use thrifted frames these days. It is not hard to cut your own matts for them. More hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marjorie. We have had a medication tweak today and he was walking well as his blood pressure back to normal.
DeleteI found out the hard way how much framing costs. I now bug Harvey to make my frames or try and find one off the rack that will work.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that Keith is not doing well.
God bless.
I was really shocked! Mind you, having seen the prices of pictures in his gallery, (e.g. £1,300 for a small oil painting of a ram) I can't see him lasting long there. London prices won't work.
DeleteI'm hoping Keith's BP will be ok tomorrow too.
I am very sorry your husband isn't doing well right now. It's such a set back, and I hope it's only temporary. That is a lovely photo of your son, his girlfriend and her little girl! They look very cheery together.
ReplyDeleteThat's me, not anonymous!
DeleteI am sitting waiting for a house call from my doctor, having further hurt my back and leg yesterday. Spent the night not sleeping in the recliner. In the living room. Not a hope in hell of getting in and out of bed.
ReplyDeleteThe cost of framing is an absolute nightmare. I had to have some stuff specialist framed because it wasn't of a standard size, So buying an off the peg frame in Wilkos was not possible.
Lovely family photo.
So very sorry to hear that Keith isn't doing so well again.
Deb in Wales.
Oh Deb - that's not good news. I hope that you can get fixed/get suitable pain relief so you can manage to get back to your own bed soon.
DeleteParkinson(ism) is so up and down, but I think Keith may have learned a lesson about drinking sufficiently today . . .
Yes, the charity shops around here are full of very good frames and if necessary I pay a professional framer to cut me a new mount to fit my picture and the frame. You can buy mounts cut to measure on line but it’s impossible to see the colours accurately. Then I clean the glass and put it all together with materials I buy in the local hardware store. Honestly BB I would leave the bank as a wild habitat. I bet there are thousands of insects and birds living in your nettles and brambles and I love seeing the tiny flowers of the wild strawberries at this time of year and the flowers and fruit of that and the ivy is such an important food source. You just have to redraw the boundary of where you garden. I’ve come to the conclusion that less is more and I so much prefer my wild areas such as the meadow and the woodland edge that this year I am increasing my areas of long grass in the garden. I plan to mow wide curving paths to give me access through various gates and I will mow around the pergola and parterre and keep the grass short adjacent to the terrace and in the kitchen garden but the rest of the grass can grow long in curvaceous shapes. I know from mowing the meadow at the end of August each year that our eGo battery mower can more than cope with long grass. It sounds to me as if you need a break. Could you go and stay with T for a couple of nights while Danny comes with his little family to have a break at yours and keep an eye on Keith. The change will do you all good I am sure. You must look after yourself and I know you have plenty of strategies for doing that but it is making sure you keep the balance in your favour otherwise we are no good to man or beast. We had a couple of nights away last week (we stayed on an organic biodynamic vineyard which was part of a bigger regenerative farm - so interesting, I learnt so much and the food was absolutely delicious) and and we’re going away for another couple of nights at the beginning of June with friends. Two nights away within a two-hour radius of home is perfect for us. We even stop for lunch somewhere interesting en route. Perhaps have a look at the National Trust holiday cottages at Stackpole in Pembs. I know that most of them are former cattle byres so single storey anyway but some have also been adapted for people with access issues. Just the thought of a holiday can make you feel better. Take care BB. I am thinking of you. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteWill sort frames out ourselves in future, as we always did in the past. The Bank - is planted up. The back of it I can let go a bit wild but the front must be weeded as it truly looks a mess and I have another acre going completely wild for the wildlife. My neighbour up the road has just mowed a path through the lawn and is going to let it go feral this summer. I would be tempted to do the same except at the end of the season I would be unable to strim it back to normal. I've got the name of a chap "wot does" lawns so will phone him.
DeleteHow I wish we could stay away but Keith has to have his support strapped on to the bed beneath the mattress so he can get in and out in the night. How I should love a few days away on Dartmoor (and chasing up some wonderful churches I have seen on FB recently) but I can't see it happening. Will check out the byres at Stackpole - it's such a lovely area.
Thank you for your moral support (well, everyone else too) - it really helps.
So sorry to hear Keith is not feeling well again - I do hope it is only temporary.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely photo of your son, his girlfriend and her daughter.
I never realised photo framing was SO expensive :(
Brick walls are sometimes needed as he is inclined to do his own thing, but . . . better today, so long may that last.
DeleteIt's such a relief that Danny has found the right lass.
Family photos are always a happy memory. Drink your wine and try not to worry too much.
ReplyDeleteAren't they? About to have another glass of the wine I bought the other day. Don't want it to go off :)
DeleteKeep writing your interesting blog - I may not comment as often as I'd like (depends on how much sleep I've had) but you always make me feel that my brain is still working when I read it :)