In the end it didn’t matter.

The ringing phone filled her with dread. She could see the name flashing on the caller ID screen.

Any relationship is built on the strength of the two who build it. The commitment, the honesty and the trust that a lasting relationship requires must be given freely, wholly, and without reservation.

Two weeks ago when she called him, he left her on hold for what felt like three years, with no real explanation. His usual breathless excitement on hearing her voice over the previous years, had slowly faded in recent months, so she began to suspect that her calls were not important to him these days. The fizz had gone out of the relationship.

There was a time when he made her feel like she was the light of his life, the sole purpose of his happiness. Conversations were exciting, interesting and thought provoking. Recently she was increasingly finding it difficult to listen well, because he did not talk about anything important any more. Their voices filled the space, each afraid that any silence might confirm their suspicions, that they had reached the end of the road.

Eventually, he was now calling her back.

He flattered himself that he was a good listener. Anyone overhearing the conversations would misconstrue his coy flirtations over the past few weeks, but all he talked was drivel. She tried to listen, but found she was drifting.

Commitment cannot be demanded, respect cannot be forced, dedication cannot be faked, and trust cannot be taken.

His taking off half way round the world for a career move, without discussion or thought for her wishes, really shocked and hurt her. It left her feeling empty and unfulfilled right now.

A new direction was needed.

She let the phone ring out.

It’s never too late to start your life over…. It was a line from a play:

“It’s never too late to start your life over, but hurry, as you only have so much time left…. to decide where to jump to next.”

Decision time.

She jumped!

It was time to use the past as a trampoline and not a couch!

The topic Broken relationships was brought to us this week by Ramana, the expert at calming the troubled waters of many a rough sea. Once you have checked him out, I suggest you swim on round for a little surfing with our other active members: Delirious, Maxi, Maria/Gaelikaa, Maria SilverFox, Padmum, Ramana, Shackman speaks, The Old Fossil, Will Knott.

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Frugality: – prudence in avoiding waste

Over twenty years ago the United Nations recognized March 22 as the first World Water Day. The theme for 2013 will be around the International Year of Water Cooperation.

“Every path has its puddle”

But we can try.

So what can I do to cooperate with water conservation?
Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered and not the house, footpath, or street. Reducing the use of water will decrease water pollution, increase energy savings, and create more efficient use of our water resources. – Someone please tell The Big fella up above that he left the tap running non stop over Ireland for the past two years! 😛
Monitor all water bills for unusually high use. The bill and water meter are tools that can help to discover leaks. – I know where my leeks are, I keep them in the veg box!
Plant in the autumn when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful. – In Ireland? Everyone including the cat knows we get all four seasons every hour, every day, EVERY YEAR!
Choose shrubs and ground cover plants instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips. – Will weeds do the job? 😉
If water runs off the lawn easily, split the watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption. – What? You mean do it in between the showers?
Water the lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation. – If I went out to water the garden early in the morning, I’d have chilblains on my chilblains!
Don’t water the lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates. – I wouldn’t do that. I might be blown away and then who would turn off the water?
For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give the plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow. – Don’t give them gin, save that for me! 😉
When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs. – I don’t have pets for this one.
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. – Where’s Buffy? 😆
Wash fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap, then reuse it to water houseplants. – I’m the only house plant round here, do you think it would work on Rose Marie?
Run the clothes washer only when there is a full load. – I miss putting Elly in the washer to fill up that extra space. No wonder her hair was always shiny. 👿
Run the dishwasher only when it is full. – For years I had a very efficient dishwasher, mobile, used no electricity, little water, even dried and put the dishes away and whistled through the chore. I miss him and not just for doing the dishes! 😥
When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do. – I tried putting it in my piggy bank, alas, it went everywhere except in that coin slit.
Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more. – The only drip round here is me!

Now all I want is a car that will run on air:

The topic Frugality was brought to our Loose Blogging Consortium playground this week by The old Fossil. My take may seem flippant, but it is very much tongue in cheek. The weather outside is certainly not frugal or timid right now (Thursday 21:20). I am listening to the swirling & howling wind, aware that NIE has emergency crews, engineers and call handlers on stand-by. The local airports are asking passengers to check the status of their flight before leaving home. We also have weather warnings of heavy rain followed by ice, snow and blizzard conditions overnight and tomorrow. I’ll stay home, cosy and warm for the duration and distract myself by visiting our other active members: Delirious, Maxi, Maria/Gaelikaa, Maria SilverFox, Padmum, Ramana, Shackman speaks, The Old Fossil, Will Knott.