Today I have been mainly Vol. 6

Thinking about what to do today...I am waiting for x ray appointment to try to fathom out what's happening to my right knee. The arthritic pain is there, but I seem to have pulled something down the side of the knee, and the pain in awful. I am now on co codamol together with Naproxyn, but have to take them on time to get some effects.

It's a real "Ow!" pain and I am fed up with it. [ sad]

Wrist plaster off, and list of exercises to do, didn't think wrist would ache quite so much, but it's obvious when you think about it, slept really well without the plaster. My two new hearing aids are DEAFENING (only ever had one). Will persevere.

Oh dear! Here's me been thinking "Granny Murray" had some connection with the current Wimbledon Champion.

Syringing my left ear. I did the right one yesterday. Couple of drops of bicarb of soda ear-drops an hour or so before getting up. One of those medicine syringes you get with baby calpol or neurofen. Three squirts of warm water (15ml total). Ears sorted for another several years.

I don't seem to produce a great deal of ear wax and, since I use wax earplugs sometimes, what there is probably tends to get pushed back in, so once in a blue moon the above procedure is in order.

Years ago one ear got very blocked (I was partailly deaf in it for weeks) and then swimming pool water got in as well. GP said syringing wasn't a good idea because it could introduce infection. I said: "So sterile water is more likely to introduce infection than swimming pool water?"

He organised a nurse to syringe my ear after I'd been applying sodium bicarb eardrops for a week.

Actually, I think it's the removal of the wax that is the problem, because it is there to protect one's eardrum, but it isn't all removed with my method, only the loose stuff which doesn't come out easily by itself .

Falling asleep in front of the telly this evening having waved off the GC and their parents (who came for a w/end to collect them)..... tomorrow the big clear up/ bed sort starts. (.... and possibly a little moan!)

Yes Granny Murray is irritating. So are those coloured floating creatures which try and teach children yoga; being a tree could kill I feel sure.

Spent yesterday swimming with all of my five grandchildren and two daughters; it was wonderful

Ariadne yes, Granny Murray is an acquired taste, but my grandchildren have never expressed interest in watching her, either.

Have a lovely time before they all depart - it's quite nice sitting down with a cup of tea and listening to the silence, until the next time!

Up again at 6.00 with my two little boys (DGS, 4 and 3) because I'm an early riser, it means that mummy and daddy get a lie in, and I reacquaint myself with CBEEBIES. Anyone else hate Granny Murray?

They're off today, and we have had the loveliest time - on the beach, in the sea, cycling on the Tarka trail, watching big cousins sailing (one learning one instructing)

Time to feed them! Oh, I shall miss them but...you all know what I mean.

How did it go, Gally? Dry here now, but I have had to put a cardigan on !

Big day today. 700+ coming to do the Donkey Brae Run (half marathon) and Fun Run for children round the village, and a huge market selling anything and everything in the field above the beach - guess what - it's chucking it down and no sign of it ending - where's the

Ariadne Have a lovely muddly time.

Enjoy Ariadne

We had 17 week old Persie yesterday while her Mummy, Daddy and big brother went to see 'In the Night Garden'. We could only keep her quiet by putting her in her bouncy chair in front of the athletics

Great names!

Now I am waiting for the arrival of DS2 and his family - the two youngest, little boys of 3 and 4. Cakes are made (my chocolate mandatory for visiting DGC) rooms are ready, cupboards, fridges and freezers full. The pastry is defrosting. (CBA to make my own anymore!)

The house is tidy, but we are looking forward so much to the mess and muddle.

Grunckle, Granckle, Graggy and Grom.......what lovely names - made me .

butty and galen

One of my grandmothers had to be 'grandma' but the other was always 'Grom'. We kinda preferred her.

Innovative little blighters, aren't they!

Butty

Goes along with my graggy!

I've spent the day with my great-niece and great-nephew from Washington, D.C., - smashing to have children in the garden again. Mr. B and I have new names:
Grunckle and Granckle.

That is lovely ga having met you I can understand why this young man felt so welcome. Oh if there were only more people ready to open their hearts and arms

How lovely GA

We have pesky pigeons on the phone wire outside our bedroom window at 5 am every morning, Ariadne

Yesterday evening was spent holding a verrrry long ladder as DH changed the lighting track on a beam about 15' from the ground as the last job in the refurbished playroom. He kept saying 'Not bad for an almost 68 year old!'. I just wondered whether I could get a refund on his birthday presents if he fell off. . I don't like ladders!!

I think "children of the heart" is rather good, ga!

Today, so far, I have been cursing the seagulls, who come whirling in every morning at about 5.30, have a screech round for half an hour, the whirl away again. By which time, of course, I'm wide awake.

Still, DS2 and family (the two little boys) arrive tomorrow, so I shall be at the supermarket nice and early this morning. Meanwhile

Today I learned that I am to be an 'honorary granny' again next January.
When my middle daughter was at infant school her best friend was a boy and he often came home with us for tea. Their very close friendship continued throughout their whole school life and he spent as much time with us as he did at home; his mother had been diagnosed with cancer so it was helpful for him and his family for him to have a 'second home'. Sadly his mum died when he was at university, but by then he had already been absorbed into our family - my children all regard him as a brother and to me he is very much another son. He calls me mum and I feel very privileged to be regarded in that way. When my youngest daughter married last year her new husband just couldn't understand how my daughter could describe this young man and another in the same position as her 'brothers' and argued with her that he is NOT her brother; he now 'gets it' fortunately, but I did understand his confusion. I wish there was a name for such 'children of the heart' who although not born into the family are very much part of it.

Galen... I love 'Bristol Bloomers'... but I think directoire knickers spring to mind, and the male equivalent of course