Anyone had to spend days alone without anyone to talk to?

[Hanna3]

Hi all, apart from here and a brief visit to church last night (to make it feel Christmassy and to just be with people) I've had day after day for weeks now with nobody at all to talk to. This time of year especially it's really depressing. Old friends that live far away are gradually losing contact with me - I ring them but they don't ring me. I understand they're busy with their live elsewhere but still it's hard when you're lonely. I'm going to a Christmas Eve service at the local church tomorrow night to at least be with people for a little while... but otherwise all day I'm alone, just me and the dog. Sometimes I strike up a conversation on BB but then the other person disappears and that's the end of that...

How are people meant to cope with prolonged periods of social isolation? I read, I watch DVDs, normally I'd go for long walks with the dog but thick smoke from bushfires and intense hot weather have stopped that. I go to a café alone sometimes. Any ideas/help?

[Hanna3]

You sound like you would have been lovely in aged care work Katy.

I get upset when people are rude to me. I tend to take things too personally and have to realize it's about them not me. I'm sorry someone was nasty to you. I try to think now what unhappy or angry people they must be and how I have to be thankful I'm not like them.

I cleaned my bathroom and kitchen this afternoon so I feel quite pleased with myself. Am a bit anxious about tomorrow though - my car needs a service (no money) so I hope it makes it up the mountains OK...

I was amazed Sam didn't lash out - I think he got such a shock he just tried to get under cover. He is a sweet little guy. It must have scared him though, he's had several clumps of fur fall out today and that only happens when he's extremely anxious. I'll definitely give him a pat from you!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has to raid the cupboards/freezer looking for food sometimes! Sam got very sick before we left for here, it cost over a thousand dollars for treatment (liver problem) but if I hadn't borrowed it he would have died. Those special diets cost a heap don't they, but it keeps him well.

He's looking bored and I promised him a game so I'd better go and amuse my furry friend! Take care of yourself and don't let the rude person bother you for too long - I had a guy abuse me on my way home tonight - it's nasty isn't it. Hugs!

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hello

It sounds like you had quite a few worries about today, so just wanted to pop in and say I hope it's all going well for you. Perhaps you'll need to come unwind in the BB cafe later with a nice beverage 🙂

Stormy and I have been up and had a morning walk. It's another 30 degree day here so that will be nice. I have yoga later in the park, which I'm really looking forward to. It was lovely last week. Apart from that I'm not sure how i'll fill the day. Maybe some gardening. Probably not any housework haha

Kind thoughts, Katy

[Hanna3]

Hi Katy, thanks for thinking of me i'm just back from the long drive - it's after 2pm now. The groomer was pleasant and did a good job so Sam's now looking cooler - the yard is full of burrs from the drought so apart from the heat a short coat is needed to stop all the burrs getting caught in his fur! It was costly though.

Had a look around the town which I knew years ago - growing rapidly feels almost citified now, busy traffic. I took Sam to one of the walks we used to do - nice shade trees still alive there thankfully - it was years ago but I'm sure he remembered it and he enjoyed the stroll. While he was being groomed I had a look in town and it's changed a lot and feels more like a city. The population is really growing out here. I just feel like I need somewhere quieter. It does seem to have nicer walks for Sam there though than here. Decided in the autumn when it's cooler I'll take a look at some of the smaller towns that aren't too far away. Trouble is the cost again.

I was tired before we started and am tired now, it's very hot, so might have a lie down then go and sit in my friend's house in the aircon for a couple of hours and rest/read/have a cuppa. She's gone away, don't know when she is back.

Yoga in the park sounds lovely, they have that here sometimes it looks much nicer to do it surrounded by trees in the outdoors.

I'll have a quiet day tomorrow as Thursday I have to try yet another GP, and then go to the book club for the first time so all stressful.

Pats to Storm and I hope you have a pleasant afternoon. I'll look in again tonight. And no, definitely no housework today! Take care xx

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hello again

Well, all in all it doesn't sound like it was too bad. The town where I live is starting to feel a bit too big too. More people, more traffic, more open space being filled in with "stuff". It's hard when you rely on public housing and you're kind of stuck though. I've been thinking for a while I'd like to move to somewhere smaller. One powerball hey? Not that I ever buy lotto, can't afford that either! haha

I've been out and about doing some window shopping. Picked up a few things I needed but mostly just day dreaming about all the things I'd like to buy. Yoga in an hour. Hope you're enjoying the aircon!

Hugs, Katy

[Hanna3]

Hi Katy,

I think it's overpopulation and all the people trying to flee the cities... now the regional towns are getting too big!

Am watching volume 2 of The Bridge and it's getting exciting (Scandi noir)

I hope your yoga went well tonight, it sounds like you enjoy it which is great.

Yes I dream of winning Powerball or something like that too - would be nice to be able to move wherever you wanted - and to have a house just a bit nicer than what Housing gives. I'm thankful for it, but something a bit more comfortable would be nice...

My computer battery is low so I'm only popping in briefly. Good to hear you are sounding better! Take care. Pats to doggie. Sam's tired from being groomed and the hot day. It's hot tonight but we are so hoping we're in for some rain they say it's on the way... all the best!

[Paw Prints]

Hello Hanna,

I'm shocked that anyone would attack Sam (or any dog) like that. You both must have been so frightened during & after. I hope you have still feel able to take him for walks locally. Did you let the police know?

What a lovely memory sitting talking to someone so alone in life. I used to volunteer doing meals on wheels in my younger day. So many of the people on my rota had no family or family that didn’t visit. The hardest part was not being able to stay longer than a few minutes as we had to get all the meals delivered in a certain time frame. It really sounds like you would get a lot out of volunteering to visit an aged care unit or perhaps visiting isolated people in their own homes through either the council or charity schemes.

Thankfully Woofa doesn’t need clipping, I dread to imagine what they would charge if little Sam is $70. He’s sulking at the moment, laying on his bed in the lounge with his back to me, because I told him off for bravely barking at the pillow on my bed.

How did lounging in the air con go? Pity you can’t spend the night there, a few good nights of sleep would do wonders for you. Good on you for managing some housework. I got as far thinking about it.

Winning lotto would be lovely, wouldn't it. Like Katy I don't regularly buy tickets, just the odd quick pick every few years, so it remains a pipe dream.

Take care

Paws

[Hanna3]

Hi Paws!

I just left a hello for you when I was answering Moonstruck on another post. No I didn't go to the police, Sam didn't have any injuries (thankfully) so I really didn't know what they could do - I just warned another couple of regular dog walkers in the area about it though in case it happens again. Yes it made me shaken afterwards and now I'm anxious about being in the park if nobody much is around...

The new groomer did a lovely job on Sam but yes $70 is a lot - I spoke to a friend in the city who has the same kind of dog and she pays $80 so I guess it's pretty usual for dog grooming to be costly. I have to keep his coat short in the hot weather, in the winter I can let him get fluffy to keep warm and save some money!

It was lovely yesterday after the long drive I went to my friend's house and put on the aircon, it was a stifling hot afternoon and I was very thankful to just sit and rest in the cool and Sam had a blissful sleep after exploring her yard. We stayed until about 6pm then came here for dinner. She's only gone to her house in the mountains she is so tired, so I'm not sure when she will be back, it might be sooner than expected, but we'll go there again today as it's going to be hot again. We are hoping tomorrow we might get storms and some rain at long last.. I do hope so.

My mother made me help out with meals on wheels when I was a teenager and I remember how lonely some of the people were and like you we had to rush and really what they needed was someone to sit down and have a cuppa and a chat with them... it was sad.

I was talking to my old GP friend in the city and because I am alone here so much he said I should contact somewhere and get a visitor to come and talk to me. I found that odd as what I have been thinking about is volunteering to be a visitor myself and that way I'm giving someone else company as well as helping myself. I think I'd prefer that.

I can't plug in my laptop at my friend's house but will log in again tonight. Pats to Woofa why was he barking at the pillow! Furry hugs from Sam (well actually there's not quite so furry at the moment!) Take care.

[Paw Prints]

Hi Hanna,

I wasn't thinking of telling the police as in making a formal complaint, rather letting them know that this happened to you. You may not be the only one targeted & it would be helpful if the police are trying to work out a pattern of offending.

I missed all the rain that came through today, could see & hear thunderstorms in the distance but not a drop fell here. We've had a lot of smoke the last couple of days, so far the southerly hasn't cleared it. Hopefully if you do get the rain in the next few days it will finally help clear the air for you & drop the temperatures. Is Sam a playing in puddles boy or is he like Woofa a princess who hates getting his feet wet.

I'm surprised that Sam was the only one to have a siesta in the air con. After all the struggling to sleep in the heat, weren't you tempted to have a nanna nap. I decided to have a lie down this afternoon & only woke because Woofa was nudging me as it was food time. I'm sure he has a clock in his stomach. His barking at the pillow may have been because as he moved about, it moved or perhaps because it didn't move when he tried to move it.

I couldn't believe it when I was in Woolies on Sunday, it's only just January & they already have easter eggs & hot x buns in store. If they keep this up next years eggs may go on sale Boxing Day.

Pats to Sam

Paws

[Hanna3]

Hi Paws,

We are supposed to have thunderstorms here and it's very muggy and hot but so far not a drop of rain and no sign of any. We desperately need it, everything here is dying it's quite horrifying. My back yard is just dirt and burrs.

I got bored in the house today and felt like a walk so left a bit early... I had parked in the driveway as the drive down to my friend's house is extremely steep and narrow with trees each side, and once I drive down I can't back out without her to guide me. I checked there was room for anyone to get around my car on the footpath without having to go onto the road, which is extremely narrow and barely room for two cars to go past each other, so it doesn't feel safe to park on the side of the road.

Well I came out to find a parking fine $268 under one of my windscreen wipers. Oh help. I've been driving for 47 years now and have never had a traffic ticket or parking ticket of any kind and now nearly $300! Who'd have thought on a residential street they were going around checking? I figure I'll add this to my list of things that have gone wrong since I moved here! The list is growing!

I'll see if my perfect driving history has any power to give me a caution instead of the fine, but from what I read it probably won't. So that's the icing on the cake really... rather costly for a bit of aircon for a couple of hours, sigh.

A young coulpe has moved into the rental house that backs onto my backyard and they have two huge black dogs, I don't know what they are but from the thick necks and heavy chests I'd say some kind of hunting dog... well they bark non-stop and every time I go out the back door or Sam goes outside they go hysterical. Of course little Sam's silly enough to egg them on and huffs and puffs at the back fence, when the two dogs fling themselves at the colourbond fence trying to get at him it's almost frightening they almost knock it down.

Sam wouldn't even make a meal for them he's more like an entrée. My silly little dog acting tough on the other side of the fence oh dear!

Yes I noticed the hot cross buns were out directly after Christmas and the eggs - soon we'll be having Halloween and then the Xmas things can come out by early Spring... I remember when our mother used to bake the hot cross buns herself, and we got so excited about Easter, and you only got an Easter egg on Easter Sunday. I think the joy of anticipation is lost today!

Pats to Woofa - maybe he just likes pillow fights!

[Lady_Nova]

I think we much be hearing the same thunder. The low rumbles have been echoing off the mountains for a while now. The heat is beginning to feel like the air isnt moving even now near midnight. The ceiling fan doesnt seem to be making much difference.

I have been reading about loneliness here. Loneliness seems to a common theme. Even though I have my family, partner and 2 sons, with me most of the time. I often feel lonely and disconnected. The whole time I have lived here, 8 years now, I have only met 4 friends and two of those have moved away and one is battling breast cancer and it doesn't look good. The fourth friend has an elderly mother who takes up a lot of his time and who lost her house in Conjola in the fires. I miss them all. I never really had friends growing up so I guess I fall in friend very hard. It's awfully hard finding friends who can cope with a level of weird I represent.