Now that Baggy knows that she 'officially' suffers from anxiety, it is much easier for Clever Bird to recognise that that's what's going on. Obviously it doesn't alter the actual feeling that the anxiety causes, which at its worst is totally debilitating, but much as a phobia is generally irrational, so is Baggy's anxiety. Knowing that this is a mental health issue of Hormonal Hannah's, helps Clever Bird to rationalise it. And therefore to some degree to overcome it. Pepper Pooch also helps, as he gets Furry Mama out of the house. Yet it still results in odd behaviour. Grotty Groom is once again sticking her head in the metaphorical straw and hasn't been to the yard for ten days. Baggy is sleeping too much and not really wanting to go out. When one of the gang make her go, she starts to panic, but usually gets over it. But the one that Baggy's really not used to, is Hannah's short-patience threshold. It really doesn't take a lot to put her into a mini-meltdown.
Number one furry is a squirreller - he likes to get free stuff and hoard it for future use. As fast as Gloria Gardener can get the garden sorted, or The Domestic Goddess can get the house de-cluttered, free things arrive home, and are squirrelled a.k.a. dumped in the midst of her efforts. The latest phone conversation went something like, 'I've got a couple of sinks that were going in the skip, so I'm bringing them home.'
As Baggy's heart rate shot up, giving Hormonal Hannah an all-singing, all-dancing hot flush, she asked, 'Urrm, why?'
'Because they're free.'
'But we don't need a sink! Where are you going to put them? Please don't dump them in the garden. I can't stand it.'
Silence.
'They'll have to go in your shed.'
Silence.
Hannah decided to shut up and try to calm down. She changed the subject.
After Calum's nasty close call at work a couple of weeks ago, it clearly affected him badly as he totally forgot his debit card PIN and hasn't been able to remember it since. He asked Baggy if she would speak to the bank and get him a new one. Hannah had a panic and said that, 'No she couldn't, as the bank wouldn't do it for her as it was his card.' The more Cal mentioned it, the more Hannah stressed, so he let it go.
Two days ago Clever Bird had to speak to the bank about their loan. She had to phone Cal to double-check what she should do about it, and once again he asked her to speak to them about his PIN. Having got the anxious Hannah to speak to the bank in the first place, getting her to mention the PIN seemed less of a big deal to sort out. 'Of course, that's no problem, we'll send a new PIN in the post.' Oh!
Next time Baggy spoke to Calum, she told him the PIN was on its way. 'Thanks. I told you it wouldn't be an issue.'
'Yes sorry, I don't know why it panicked me.'
'I knew you could do it.'
'Well I didn't.'
'I worked out how your weird mind works a long time ago. Ask you something - let it go - wait - casually mention it again sometime later - watch you think it through - watch it get done.' Hmmmm.
But he's right Baggees. How on earth Baggy ran multi-million pound catalogues is anyone's guess, now she gets anxious about making a phone call.
Yet, because Clever Bird knows that it's a medical condition, she also knows that the anxiety will go away again. And Baggy is actually quite happy that Calum knows how to handle Hannah, and is prepared to do so! So when the sinks actually turned up, (just the bowl, not the stand), Creative Clara decided that Gloria Gardener could use hers as a planter, or possibly a baby pond for bugs! And breathe.
Last weekend, with help from their friend, the ten or so free wooden bearers that came home, were used to shore up the side of the baby mountain that Calum created on their new bit of garden. You can't see them in this photo Baggees, apart from one little bit sticking up on the far side of the mountain. Calum and Kaj also put in fence posts ready for the fencing to be fitted when it arrives.
At least the inquisitive neighbours might now realise that Gloria and Calum intend making it all look lovely. And to make this point visually, today Gloria has planted a couple of cyclamen as a gesture of intent!
Even Hannah is looking forward to sitting on her bench on top of the mountain, looking across to the windmill.
Clever Bird also realises how unreasonable Hannah is being about Calum's clutter, when she prevents Gloria Gardener and The Domestic Goddess from keeping the house and garden welcoming for Calum, after his long week away. So this week Clara has been doing some more painting in the house. The sitting room has gone from this:
to this:
An acquired taste perhaps, but Clara loves it and Hannah finds it much more cosy. Now about those leaves........
Note to readers (my lovely Baggees): For the avoidance of any doubt - every character in this blog is me!!! No Baggy was harmed in its writing.
Baggy's daily state!
Depression (Black = really bad/Grey = not great/Blue = okay/Yellow = sunny day): Yellow.
Anxiety (From 1 = barely any to 10 = gibbering wreck standard): 7.
Tears: Some.
Baggy: 210.
