 Blog PostsFriends         | Breaking BadThe title above, I'm sure you know, was a great series, and has been stolen by me as it sums up the way I feel right now.You know I normally post 'nice' or ' funny' things in my blogs but sadly this time it's all bad news. I have been living in my rented bungalow since 1991. A lovely couple I had come to know offered it to me knowing I would be a good tenant and look after the place. It had been a gift to them from an old lady who they had helped for several years and in return she bequethed it to them in her will. We lived as neighbors for about ten years until the time they decided to move to Australia to be with their son and grandchildren. That as it turned out was a mistake as within months of arriving there the daughter in law sued for divorce, got custody of the grandkids and moved away. They never really got to know them at all. Before they left the UK they both promised me that this was my home and as long as I wanted to stay it was mine. They also said that any alterations or additions would be re-imbursed if ever I wanted to leave. Wonderful arrangement as they trusted me to be in charge with no agents or other people involved. I installed a new kitchen, rewired the place, put in a new fireplace with a flame effect gas fire, fitted new radiators throughout and built a porch on the front of the house. Outside I landscaped the garden and built all the raised beds in brick and crazy paved the rest. I laid a new concrete drive and so much more. I treated the place as if it were my home, which in a way it was, secure in their promise. Around five years ago the husband died and his wife became my landlady. She suffered greatly from the loss and took nearly three years to be able to talk on the phone without breaking down into tears. Her son did very little to support her during this time, I gave as much comfort as I was able to, over the phone always trying to cheer her up with my silliness. She lived on a large farm with acres of orange fields that were rented out to other farmers to avoid any work or maintainence on their part. Last year the son decided that the house was too big for her to manage on her own and persueded her to swop as he had a much smaller town house. I was a little concerned but never said much as it was really none of my business. Ok, sorry to bore you all but I wanted to explain the background to this. Flash forward to Sunday morning 7am. My phone rang, woke me from a deep sleep, I answered thinking who in hell would ring at that time? It was the son Gerald. No apologies for the hour or anything. All he said was I'm selling the bungalow and you have two months to get out! I said hold on a minute, what about your parents promise that I could live here until the end of my days? He replied well Dad is dead and I have put Mom in a nursing home and I want to sell it. I said but you knew about the arrangement we had? He answered me with, well I didn't make any arrangement so basically tough. So that's the news folks. I was looking over my previous blogs and pictures this year of all the projects I have completed and the wonderful flowers I have shared with you all. Not bad for a guy with only a quarter of a heart and a bionic pacemaker made in the good old USA. I have no idea what will happen? I will fight all I can but know eventually maybe four to six months down the line I will have to leave. It's so sad as I look around, my beautiful new bathroom and the comforts I have made, all for naught. I wanted you all to know this as I am not my usual chirpy self and may not be in the CS as much, my heart is heavy and the future? Well who knows? Love to you all..............................Alan xxx (Post deleted by staff )  smileyLiisa: Al sorry to read this. You've done an amazing job on the place. just is right the guy is being an a--hole. I hope things work out for you. Know that we all love you and will be here for you any time.  lazydays: Al, so sorry to read this post. Bless you dear sweet man. Life can be so unfair sometimes. I hate to see you lose that place, after all the hours of labor and love you put into it. But, we know you are a strong person, and you will come out the better person. I'm so so sorry....hugs sweetie.  BugHug: I would look into tenancy laws where you are Al. Two months seems ample but you have made some very real improvements to the property so perhaps if there are no offers he will let you stay on? Sadly, with nothing in writing you are probably hooped but Gerald would do much better with a renter in the long run than a one-time sale if he were a savvy investor. I hope it turns out well for you.  sumkindowndrfl: Oh Alan, my heart sunk when I read this knowing how much you love your place. It is so unjust! There has to be something you can do. We have something here called 'squatters rights'..I wonder if there is some law on the books in England that is similar? I will be praying fervently that you can remain in the home you have taking care of so lovingly. Please keep us posted.   sky_deep: Oh Al...I'm sitting here with.tears in my eyes..What A terrible thing he has done to you ( I'm speechless).I read your Santa post first..then this one. My heart is heavy for you also.Al you have more love in that quarter of a heart then most do with a full one. ...   Keystone1: Sorry to hear that Al. That really is a low blow. I wish you all the best of luck in whatever you do. I hope that you always have Liisa and I for support and al ear if you need it. Sorry that we can't do much more. alanatenfield: Sorry to hear this old friend, I just hope you can find something in writing that puts down the parents wishes, as you say all the hard work and money you have put into the place must count for something.  CatcherAl: I opened my Wire club this morning to find all these lovely comments above. I am in tears now,sharing the love you have all offered. The tears and indeed the writing of this has been extremely cathartic. It has taken a few pounds off the weight of depression I was feeling.As you know, under 'normal' circumstances I always reply to your posts individually so forgive me at this time for not singling your answers out for response at this time. I really am too choked up. tired, after a bad night, and muddle headed to do so right now. Please know that I love and appreciate you all so very much and once I get my bounce. mojo, verve, vivacity, brio,vigor or vim back I will drop each and every one a line. Enourmous respect, hugs and love go out to you all. mj8248: so sorry to see this .sure wish you had something in writing,Is there anyway you could speak with the lady.  Tristessa2013: sorry to here about your plight Al. I'm sure that you can make another wonderful home for yourself some where else after all it's only a material thing and those can be replaced. As long as you have good memories of your time there that is all that really matters.  MARY27123: al do you have any proof of the money you put into the house? you might be entitled to it back  orangemoon8: If this comes to pass, i'm sure you'll have a better opportunity, ya know what does this say about family?, hope everything works out for ya. It's only temporary, think of the future not the past. It's all good brother fishaman: just do your best my buddy..to chug along like a train my friend..may be some bad places on the tracts u may have to slow down a bit .. ..but you will make it ..take care and stay well tiggerr: Chug along like a train and run him over? Good lord our world is disintegrating People are rotting. Al u are strong....so fight.... And if all u can get back is satisfaction for making his life miserable it may be worth it. With said.....(sorry i needed to hate for a little bit) lol Al im here for you and so is fishy and everyone else on here. Fight or not we will be here. (Can i have his address ? I promise i won't fly to australia and hurt him physically..  ) sky_deep in reply to tiggerr: I just  that the mother is still the engine..and can tell that son of hers..to kiss her caboose...... Keystone1: You know I'm always willing to try to do what I can to help my friends, and you're definitely one of the best on wire Al. CatcherAl: So my friends, time for me to take stock and get down to thanking you all so very much for your love and concern. Janet, always there quietly helping all she meets with her wisdom. Liisa and Ed, together now , showing us that there is love and hope always to be found here. Lazy, who is anything but lazy as she befriends and cares for so many.BugHug, who despite her own problems is always there willing to help. Autumn Butterfly who flits amongst us with her beauty and grace giving us colour and perspective. Sum who has a heart bigger than the state she lives in, despite pressure from her work is always there offering love and encouragement. Sky, hiding in the shadows yet shining as bright as any star, funny,flirty,fabulous and fantastic, yes lol I am a fan.Alan with his dear wife Carol, my good buddy who lives a few hours away down the coast actually rang me today offering his love and support. Yes us guys can love each other also lol. Vamp another shy person but who has a huge heart and cares for others.MJ who was one of the first people ever to greet me here on wire and has remained faithful throughout, bless you. Fran who lives in a different culture and country yet is one of the most Christian human beings with her gentle and unassuming ways.Tessa who always has sensible thoughts and reminders that bring acceptance and logic back into my life. Mary, a constant friend, whose heart aches with unrequited love for another, yet still has so much she shares with us. Moon good buddy who would give me the first steak off his barbeque and pour me a beer, a truly great guy and friend. Fish who now has the love of his life yet still remembers friendship which is treasured by me. Tiggerr who shares so much with me and burns the midnight oil on skype, telling me mostly how much she loves Fish. I glow in her friendship and heartfelt honesty, I wish them well. Ed, I didn't forget you good buddy and give both you and Liisa my thanks. So, Thats all my individual thank you's over. All of you who know me realise that there is so much more than these few words in my heart. It is filled with love, warmth, succour, tenderness, passion and affection to you all. Please accept my simple thanks...........................forever Alan xxx (Post deleted by CatcherAl ) (Post deleted by TuLiPz P ) (Post deleted by TuLiPz P ) (Post deleted by TuLiPz P ) (Post deleted by TuLiPz P ) Keystone1: Al, you know you are someone special in our minds and hearts, anything that hurts you hurts us as a family. We may live miles away from each other, we are always just a few minutes away via social media. I feel that we in TCS have grown into a wonderful family. I am so happy to be able to call you my friend Al. Wish there was more we could do for you.   mmhereami: Al, you have done so much for your place. The proof is in he pictures you have sent us here. If hat woman is still alive u best go see her and get her to sign the paper that says you have a life lease for a certain amount every year. She may have no clue what her so is doing. I feel so terrible about this for you. hugs hun!!  Boomer2: We have all been there my friend and we will all probably be there again. What can we do now,we should have gotten it in writing. Don't let this bring you down- shake it off and carry on just like you know you can and will. In the mean time smile, laugh, stick your tongue out, show somebody your moon and get it out of your system. So it's a change of plans and I know you got the smarts to make a new plan. CatcherAl: Whisp, how could one forget you lol I was just thanking those who had already posted here. If I went through my close friends I would have been typing until 3am lol. You know you are speshul xxx. Same applies to you Tulipz, geez gimme a break here lol .I wuvzzs yoo 2.Just being there for me Ed is wonderful for me buddy, the love you and Liisa show is reward enough. Sadly Mary she is in Australia and I'm in the UK. Its a wee bit far for me to go but I have put plans in motion to try and find where she is.Don't feel terrible, just send hugs lol. Chicks, please don't be sad. This is just a slight case of heartburn in the meal that is life. I will survive hun. Thanks Boomer good friend, I will 'shake' this off and a new door will open sooner or later. I just hope I can get all my belongings through that door lol. Anyone know a man with a van? lolol. If I have missed anyone out, please forgive me and know I really do love you all. LUV Alan xxxx Keystone1: That's just the type of person I am Al. Was always taught to try to do my best to help my friends and family. Hope things get better soon buddy.  chickabooms: how can i not be sad..,,everywhere I look..this seems to be happening... i have had it happen to me..this is my fifth attempt to get back on my feet in 2 years time.. and I dont know how to anymore TuLiPz P in reply to chickabooms: you CAN and you WILL, cos you izz a STRONG woman, DON'T let 'them' win girl, don't ya DARE give in !!!!! smileyLiisa: Al you know I'm always here for my friends. I may not be able to do much other than listen and give support but I try to do my best. Luv ya  CatcherAl: They will Ed, I am stronger and less sad every day. Dear Chicks, we can lean on and support each other and you can share my angels also. I know they are there and will help.Liisa your smile and happiness lifts my heart every day. I need nothing more. Love and huge hugs to you all zzzzzzz CatcherAl: Thanks Mary, sooner or later I'm sure they will but in the meantime Happy Christmas Yehhhhhhhhhhhh  xxx mischief 1: so sad I know how much work and love you put into your yard. I love looking at your pictures. Seeing all the accomplishments you have done inside and outside with your talent's are amazing. Love all of your flowers pics too. crimsonandclover: catch, you do know where a door closes another one opens. i think this could be the beginning of a world trip visiting everyone you know. nothing is ever certain, there is no such thing as a sure thing....but there is always a challenge and memories xxxx stay strong, be fabulous, i know you will get through this i hope you know you will, love crims xxxx CatcherAl: Thanks Mischief, It was always a struggle, especially lately with ill health, but it was my home and I had just got everything about right for me. Ah well. such is life they say. CatcherAl: Hi Crim honey, If I win the lottery soon I would do just that lol. Sadly funds will not allow such luxury so your kind and lovely thought will have to go into my bucket list lol. At this rate I'm gonna need a bigger bucket, maybe a boat hehehehe. I am going to try to get either my council or a housing association to purchase the bungalow and let me stay on. Who knows? Just keep on watching this space. As long as wire is here, a lot of my memories are here in pictures and blogs. All I have to do is turn that electronic page. Look after yourself you FABulous person. Love you to bits.................Alan xxx Keystone1: If you ever do travel out to Canada, just know that the door is always open for you to visit my friend. I'm sure Liisa and I would love to get to know you better face to face. Until then, Instead of a boat, I'll send you a grain elevator to hold your bucket list. Keystone1 in reply to Keystone1: P.S. Try to shake off that depression, it doesn't look good on you. sky_deep: It ain't over till (or until) the fat lady sings is a colloquialism. It means that one should not presume to know the outcome of an event which is still in progress. More specifically, the phrase is used when a situation is (or appears to be) nearing its conclusion. It cautions against assuming that the current state of an event is irreversible and clearly determines how or when the event will end... .. CatcherAl: Canada is right there at the top believe me Ed. Fingers crossed, legs crossed, heck I even crossed my eyes until I walked into a door lol. Thanks good buddy, hugs to Liisa  nephyy: Al, remember u asked me to tell u about my life and i told u i couldnt yet cuz so many different things have broken my heart so many times, i was still picking up the blleding pieces of it? Well i will tell u now just one of those things. II had my own large apartment that was almost already paid for(due to a big help from the goverment that paid off almost half of its cost... I lived there hapilly for years, sometimes accompanied, sometimes alone, but it was MY home. Till destiny made me have my accident that made me disabled for life and i HAD to retire early. The pension here for early retirement= living in poverty, so much that there is no money left for groceries most of the time. The pension is so low that it was less than what my house ALONE paid, so i lost it to the bank. I was maybe as deppressed as u r now, until one day i told my Lord: Heavenly Father, i am yours body, soul, mind and spirit. Put me wherever u want to, and i will be happy no matter what You decide to do with me. U know what? He put me in a one room lil cave with lots of poor neighbors. Wow! those neighbors are the family i dont have. Two of them feed me every day and call me on the phone everyday to check on me. Everywhere i go, i find STRANGERS that appear from nowhere and help me. Even my mechanic and my dentist let me pay for expensive treatment/repairs IF and when i have $20 or so. Thank God, for making me lose my expensive, confortable, but lonely home, and for putting me where i am now. I dont know if u have a God or not, i am not trying to convert u to any religious belief. I put this just as an example that losing the home u have cared for and lived in for years doesnt mean the end of the world. Home is where u r, and not 4 cement walls, thats just material, and i know MY God will put u where He knows is the very best for u, because u deserve it and have a BIG quarter of a heart where we all your friend fit. I love you. Chin up, my boy, u r wonderful. CatcherAl: Dearest Nephyy, Reading your post here has certainly put things into perspective. It reminds me of the story of the man who was complaining about the fact that he had no shoes, that is, until he saw a man with no feet. There are always people who are even less fortunate than we are, I know we all have trials that at first seem insurmountable, but I am absolutely sure that I do have guardian angels watching over me who so far have always come to my aid. I could list dozens of examples where I have been at rock bottom, even suicidal at one point, then miracles suddenly happen and I am saved once more. Allow me to tell you one true story, light hearted maybe but absolutely true in every detail. I used to fish in a local pond known as 'the bomb crater' so called because it was just an almost round hole in the ground in the corner of a farmers field. It was not large in fact I could almost cast right across it. On one side of the pond was a large oak tree and one night it was struck by lightning and a large portion of it fell into the pond.The farmer used chainsaws and a tractor and pulled the main trunk clear but left loads of branches and twigs lying in maybe five or six feet of water. This really meant that almost half of the pond was unfishable as especially local children would get caught up in this debris and lose their line and hooks etc. I decided to fix this. I got a couple of rake heads tied back to back and attached a long rope. My idea was to throw this out over these branches and haul them to shore. It was a warm summers day and I started. For some reason it did not work. Every time I hooked a branch the rakes would slip off I would fall on my rear end and nothing would get hauled out. I tried and tried for nearly an hour and only had a few leaves and twigs for all my effort. I was exhausted and sat down on the bank, so frustrated and angry. I can remember to this day the words I spoke out loud then. I prayed. I said Lord, I need help here. Not just for me, but for all the kids who love this pond. Please give me a hand here, as I can't do it on my own. Simple words, but words that came from my heart. I got to my feet and started once more. Every single throw hooked branches and I hauled them out and stacked them away from the pond. I had a stack that would have filled three pickups. I worked until not a single piece of that tree remained. Great work I thought and I packed away the rakes and rope, got out a couple of rods, set up on the other side of the pond, for a couple of restful hours fishing. I sat down in my folding chair and was all ready, hooks baited, eager to start when a sudden thought came over me. I had tried on my own to no avail, then I had asked for the Lords help and everything went amazingly well. Yet I had congratulated myself and never even gave thanks for His help. I then once more bowed my head and apologised. I said Lord forgive me for not thanking you. I know you must be busy, I also know you used to like fishing even it it was with nets. If you have the time please sit here beside me, accept my thanks and fish with me. This is your rod and this is mine, please enjoy. This pond I had fished countless times and my average was maybe five decent fish, on rare occasions maybe seven or eight. These rods went mad. Fish after fish and even sometimes a fish on both rods at the same time lol. It was the best fishing day of my life at that pond. I truly lost count but it must have been in the thirty to forty range.I had such a smile on my face and had such a good time. Not many folks can say they have fished with Jesus, on that particular day, I'm sure I did. Well that's my story, I hope you enjoyed it. It just goes to show that even when you are, as I said earlier, at rock bottom, He is always there to help. Thank you once again Nephyy for making me remember and giving me the chance once more to give thanks for all the wonderful gifts I have received including the friendships here on wire. May your God bless you all especially at this sacred time of year. ................Love Alan xxxxxxx tiggerr: nephy i have no words .... except well spoken ty for sharing part of yuor heart with us and our dear friend. Keystone1 in reply to nephyy: I feel happy for the situation you are in now Nephyy. As you said, home is whereever you are. I was in a situation that I had a place where I was living, but there was no love and no comfort. Now that I'm living in the place I'm in. The difference is like night and day. (Post deleted by staff ) CatcherAl: Thanks dear Janet, It strange and kinda wonderful just how that has happened. It just goes to prove that despite all the terrible things that happen in our world, there are still people who, with love in their hearts, are prepared to try and make a difference, no matter how small. Even just a few kind words can raise a smile and lift one's spirits. We are so blessed to have each other even through this electronic medium. I know I am truly thankful for these wonderful gifts. Thanks also to tiggerr who has been a really good friend and is now surrounded by her man's love and support. Also Ed who is now in a truly loving place together with Liisa. Our Lord has truly shone His light down amongst us.........................Love as usual Alan xxxxxxx sumkindowndrfl: Nephy, thank you so much for sharing a part of your life with us. What a beautiful and uplifting story! Prayer is a powerful force! Both you and Alan have been through so much but each of you has persevered with amazing grace and optimism. You are an inspiration! paulduval70 in reply to CatcherAl: Allan this is so true, love of someone cant really get you throw anything CatcherAl: Thank you dear Sum, for your lovely words to both Nephyy and I. I cannot speak for her but these wise words came back to me. “Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.”(John Stott) I cannot say whether or not I have had this kind of grace all of my life. Growing older has maybe tempered my youthful hot headedness and given me time for reflection and maybe introspection. I remember the words starting a song I wrote for my church many years back and it went.......... "When you look in a mirror, and you don't like what you see, That's the time to start thinking about your destiny. When you've hurt those around you, and you've given people tears, That's the time to reflect on all those wasted years." With regard to optimism? An optimist is widely thought of as someone who sees the silver lining in every cloud and views the world through rose-tinted spectacles (or a glass that?s always half full). Well you got me down to a T there Summy lol. I am a dreamer, a romantic who still believes in happy endings, heck I still am disappointed in films that don't end this way. In some ways I suppose I am still childlike in this way. There again, who does not envy any child who is as yet untainted by all the 'grown up' things that surround us. Greed, envy, lies, dishonesty.............I need not go on. So yep, I hope I have Grace and seem to be an Optimist too. Sorry to go on like this, sometimes words just seem to flow lol. Tell me to shut up sometimes, I promise I won't take offence. Love to you all..................................Alan xxx sky_deep: Well Al..I guess the only thing we haven't seen about you is you singing ( or would that be heard). That is a beautiful song..maybe you could make us a video.. .I am a pessimistic person.Why you may ask?.I like to think of the worst thing that could happen and see how I would deal with it.. ..you too...Poppet...xxxx CatcherAl: Sky, you continue to amaze me, I cannot believe that you, of all people, are a pessimist? Words fail me lol. You always seem so positive and liberal in your views. I must have missed something. With regard to my singing? I have never had a strong voice and of course now that I get so breathless it is probably even worse. I will however try to record something and see how it comes out. I cannot believe how long this simple post has gone on and on. Whatever the case it just goes to prove what a lot of wonderful, warm and caring friends I have here. Sky, you are the best, even if you are a pestimist lol. you too xxx  floridagirl1986: I'm thinking of you Al. May many blessings come your way Thanks for being a very good friend to me it seems very special to me xxxxx CatcherAl: Thank you so much Jade. It's easy being a friend to such a lovely person as yourself. Bless you for your thoughtfulness. Znthnk: Very sorry to hear about this misfortune and you sharing it touching and heartfelt. Your candor is astounding, and wish you the best of luck on finding proper accommodation. As far as your writing, skipping the first two sentence might have improved it, as you have no need to apologize for your sincere expression. Peace! BrandyRose: Wait Al..unless his name is on the lease of the Bungalow he cannot force you to move. So if you have the paperwork or lease..worth looking over. If that's the case then you can involve a lawyer and fight that. Also he may not be thinking straight either...he may be in mourning. However my friend I understand..as we all do. I wish you the best of luck on this.... Lioness55: Am speechless...cried though the readings.....You are blessed my friend....So sorry to read such a thing. You are strong Al.....I wish you well..... I am new here....but such nice ppl and the love shared is overwhelming......Hope all works/worked out for you.. |
love ya al 
do not let him ruin your spirit, you will make any place home, and once the initial irritants wear off of having to move and resettle/adjust I expect you will make that place your very own, regardless where it is. if there is anything I can offer to help, you know where to find me.