Doolols M.I.A.

[doolols]

Just thought I'd post here quickly, to let you know I'm still about.

After a couple of years of antidepressants and wild mood swings, Mrs. D. has finally handed in her notice as Deputy Head of a London Primary School. She'll be 'stepping down', working through to July, but then coming back in September as a 3 day week teacher, on contract at the same school. Everyone happy (including school, who didn't want to lose her.)

The seaside flat is under contract to be sold, sales details on their way to be confirmed, and contracts signed this week.

So, everything is looking good in DoololsLand.

And then Mrs. D's father goes and dies unexpectedly today. Post-mortem Wednesday, after which we'll know more, but it seems like he had a massive heart attack as he was driving to the doctor's. He was 80. A small accident ensued, no one hurt, but it means that it was officially designated a Road Traffic Accident, so the cops are all over it, trying to do their 'family counselling' stuff. I shouldn't moan, but at times today I just wished the well-meaning, fresh-faced young woman would bugger off and leave us to it. The good thing is that it looks like he was dead before the bumper hit the wall. Everyone agrees it was the best way for him to go - he loved driving, and would have chosen to die at the wheel of his car.

Anyway, more enforced absence will ensue for a few days, I'm afraid. I will get back in the swing again soon, I promise.

[Ed]

 :cry:  Aaw shit, Gerald - I'm really sorry to hear about your father-in-law.  Isn't it just typical for life to kick you in the teeth, just as you're clawing your way back up the slope!  Bloody awful.  Damn.

My condolences to you and Mrs D, and I hope to God things start getting better for you two now - I think you've had enough of the bad stuff and you're about due for some good things to happen.  I can just about imagine how irritating it must be to have the counsellor hanging around.  Like you say, it's better to just be on your own and not have to put on a front for visitors, which you do without even realising.  It can ratchet up the tension and leave you feeling worse.

Don't worry about getting back in the swing of things around here, unless you feel like it.  Things must be pretty hectic on the home front, and family has always got to be the main priority, for sure.

See you soon.

[SharonBell]

Gerald--

Please accept my condolences at your family's loss. It's never easy to lose a loved one, and your life these past weeks has been all stress, all the time. My thoughts are with you and the Mrs.

[JoyceCarter]

Thinking of you.  What a package of things, all at once.  Wishing you all the strength you need.

[Geoff_N]

My condolences too, Gerald. We all shuffle off into the grey mist sooner or later, and it is comforting to know that after an average lifespan cheating time of 4 score years, he went the way he would have liked. (I've always said when I die, I'd like to go under a good woman. My wife said yeah, anytime now and she'll have a spade in her hand.)

As a former teacher, I can empathise with Mrs D, and really pleased things are working out there.

Geoff

[canadian]

Holy shit, Gerald. What a whack of stuff to have to deal with all at once. So sorry to hear about Mrs. D's dad. I'll be thinking about you as you all get through the next few weeks.

[Walker]

My condolances, Gerald.
It sounds like your father-in-law went quickly, I guess that's a good thing.

[doolols]

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts and words, everyone. Normally, I keep my writing and my 'real life' separate, but I showed your responses to the aforementioned Mrs. D., and she was choked to think that these people that neither she nor I have ever met, could say such nice things about people they, in turn, have never met.

Still in limbo, but 'stuff' being sorted. She saw the will today, and it verified what we thought - we were left nothing. It all, what there was, goes to his ex-wife, which is OK, but when she goes, any inheritance passes to her new husband and his kids, which is a little unfair. We did a lot to help and keep in touch with the old bugger, and Mrs. D feels like she's been slapped in the face. We don't need, or want, money, but some small token would have been nice - a 'thank you for all you did.'

Ah well. I don't mean to lay this on you. It's just a bit gloomy here at the mo. I'm looking forward to a time in a couple of weeks when we can get back to where we were a few days ago. Expect nothing, and you won't be disappointed 

Sorry. I'll cheer up soon 

[Missy]

So sorry to hear your sad news, Gerald. As the others have said, at least it was over quick for Mrs D's dad.
There's always something to jump up and grab you when you think you're rolling along ok isn't there?
All the best to you and Mrs D, and I'm thinking of you.

Jan

[JoyceCarter]

I don't mean to lay this on you. It's just a bit gloomy here at the mo.

It sounds as if you're berating yourself for having perfectly normal reactions.  It would be odd if you DIDN'T feel down about everything that's happened.  I'd say, give yourself permission to feel all the feelings freely, and you'll recover all the sooner.  Hang in there.

[doolols]

Thanks, everyone. Things looking a bit birghter here now. Look - I'm even getting time to post on Café Doom. I think I'll leave the lit fic section until tomorrow, though 

[SharonBell]

Glad you're back. Hope the Mrs is better and things have settled down for you a bit. 

[canadian]

Great to see ya, Dools!

[doolols]

Ta, both.   

[Ed]

Yep - good to have you back, mate   Take it steady