Living Between the Lines
A wry look at family life
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TalkTalk or TalkLess?
I changed our broadband service last week to TalkTalk from BT. Sorry BT, you had done nothing wrong except to charge me an extraordinary amount for your service. Maybe I didn’t need ‘Total broadband’ complete with internet phone etc. We never used it. What we did use was the wireless broadband – all over the house. At times there could be four or even more laptops drawing on the wireless resources available to us, not to mention an assortment of iPhones and iPads. Technology ‘rocks’ in this family! The chap from TalkTalk just happened to phone when I was in the mood for change. He persuaded me that his was…
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The Silverado Trail – fame at last?
The chauffeur continues to smile at us and I nod politely. Annie is striding ahead. I am aware, as we continue our walk, that to anyone glancing out of the restaurant windows, it would appear that Annie and I have just stepped out of the stretch limousine and that the chauffeur has just tipped his cap to us. Maybe we could pass for celebrities of the more eccentric kind. I grin as we mount the restaurant steps.
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Did I know that?
“Did I know this?” Now, did she know this? Probably not. I have told each of my children things about me as situations have arisen so each knows of something from my past I am sure. If they all got together could they write my biography? An interesting thought!
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Home alone – mechanical breakdown
We have had a run of household appliances breaking down, since just before Christmas. First, there was the boiler, oh and next there was the boiler and yes, then the boiler again! In fact, we have now been without heating for more than four full weeks due to a blockage lurking somewhere in the pipes. Thankfully, it has been milder this last couple of weeks but every time we hit a cold spell I shiver and adjust the settings on the temporary heaters that we have strategically placed around the house. The dogs particularly like the halogen heater that is currently sitting in the corner of the living room. Convinced…
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Dress this way…
More memories from my lone Californian trip of 1997 There was the night when I was staying in the house and Annie’s trailer flooded (the result of an out of control hose-pipe rather than the weather). Annie must also sleep in the house. Let me take you there. I sense her mother is not happy with this arrangement. This is more than a sense really. As I prepare my own sofa bed and Annie prepares hers across the room, her mother, about to go out on her night shift, walks in and looks horrified. “What are you doing in here?” she asks of the hapless Annie. Annie shrugs. “The trailer…
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There’s a scrabbling and a scratching in the barn…
With the cold weather on its way back and snow threatened once again – I have been making the most of the brief respite by getting the spare beds ready for Christmas guests this morning. We happen to have a small barn in our front garden which we converted some time ago and now use as an office and guest bedroom. With a large family, this additional space is invaluable so, this morning, there was I, trekking outside with a pile of bedding and a bag of cleaning materials. As I made my way along the path, I couldn’t help but remember last year when just a week before Christmas,…
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The Grand Ole Oprey House
More from my lone Californian trip of 1997 I cringe in my seat as Annie leaps to her feet (strangely agile now that ‘Timewalk’ is playing) and proceeds to stamp up and down with the best of them. We are in the ‘The Old Oprey House’ in Los Gatos. It was Annies aunt’s idea to come here. I haven’t mentioned Annie’s aunt before so here is as good a place as any. Annie’s aunt Rose lives in Santa Clara. She is a lovely lady and welcomes me into her house with open arms – literally. I receive the biggest bear hug imaginable as I walk through the door. Keen to…
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‘Roaring Camp and Big Trees’
More from my lone Californian trip: 1997 The drive to Henry Cowell State Park is quite spectacular. Yes, the scenery is pretty amazing but I am not referring to that. As we drive along Highway 17, towards Santa Cruz, in the rising heat of the day, Annie suddenly feels the need to remove her jacket. “Hey Deb, grab the wheel,” she instructs. “Excuse me?” “The wheel – just grab it and keep us straight while I take this off,” There is no time to refuse, the coat is coming off. Leaning to my left, I grab the wheel before it can spin out of control and hope for the best.…
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Head for the Hills! Meeting Grandma
More from my lone Californian Trip of 1997: Part one – the computer store There is one thing I forgot to mention about my new friend Annie. Since inviting me to stay, she has become aware of a problem with her hip. She assures me she can walk. She just can’t walk long distances. She doesn’t see this as an issue and refused to let me delay my trip just because of it. I first realised it may actually be a real issue a day or two ago when we paid a visit to a local computer store. Annie jumped out of the Van and headed off towards the entrance.…
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The Tomb of Dolls
Location: San José The house is low slung and shaded by trees. A couple of rickety chairs sit on the porch and a cat gazes at us with lazy eyes from the shallow roof, as we walk up to the front door. I have been told a few things about Annie’s mother. I know, for instance, that she works nights at the hospital. I know that she has remarried and that Annie’s stepfather is retired and around the house a lot. I also learn that Annie is living in a trailer in the garden at the moment being ‘between homes’. I am however, totally unprepared for what meets me as…
