ToadyI have been mainly Vol. 7

Nellie They will have these silly animal pics. Why not F and B or a frog/ fox on the front and a butterfly on the back. I had that trouble for four DGCs ,being a slow learner. Started raking leaves today and the local pheasant called. Tapped on the window to get my attention.Reluctantly turned on the heating yesterday just too cold to to do without.

galen, ask your coach to explain the difference between limited compound and unlimited compound. With unlimited you can have a finger release thingummybob. With limited you need a tab. I've never shot acompound bow, but I imagine the unlimited thingummybob is easier on your fingers.

Unlimited also refers to other paraphernalia you can have. I think 'limited compound' is the compound equivalent of barebow.

But the coach will know several orders of magnitude more than me.

Yes, they say that that the unlimited is what I need, but they haven't one for me to try.
When I'm back, were going to go to Crick? In Wales to look at some.
It is addictive, isn't it.

Yes, but in a nice way

Well, DGD and her mum have now moved into their new home with DDs SO.
DGD has very generously left me with her cold! Aren't GC lovely!
Apparently DGD didn't want to leave, I. Not surprised as this will be the third (and hopefully last) move in 6/12.
I suppose my house has been the stable place.
I'm going up to Quedgeley to look after her for the day on Wednesday while DD finishes unpacking. I'm working all the other days and the men are coming to fit the marble splash backs in the kitchen on Wednesday as well.
I'm leaving at 3am on Sunday morning for my cruise and haven't even thought about packing yet!
Heaven knows when I'm going to fit it in?

HELP, I NEED SOMEBODY, HELP!

I feel a song coming on! Oh dear!

You'll be fine Galen you're a woman!

Our DGD2 lived here for 3 months (with her mum) between houses and it is lovely how at home she feels when they come for the weekend.

DGS2 has kindly given me his cold - don't you love the generosity!!

It doesn't seem long since your last cruise, Galen. I have no time for these people who are always going on holiday.

Today I have my interview appointment at the Job Centre. You cannot begin to imagine how much I am looking forward to it.

NOT

Phoenix Good luck! Don't let the bastards grind you down!

Oh yes, Phoenix! Lots and lots of luck.

A vignette from yesterday: DGD1 (17, in Y13) had a free last lesson, so popped in to have her lunch. I said I simply had to put my feet up, so we got out our books. I so hoped I wouldn't fall asleep and snore! I woke up about half an hour later to the sound of gentle snores from the other settee, and there she was, in all her teenage beauty, fast asleep with her mouth open. 50 years between us....

What a lovely picture Ariadne.

Yesterday we started a new term of Portuguese classes. Our teacher began by telling us that we would all think that we had forgotten everything over the summer but that was normal and it would come back to us very quickly. She is such a good teacher, brings out the best in everyone, gives them confidence and manages a group of irreverent mature pupils with great humour. The fact that the class has kept going for a year says a lot.
Unfortunately we had to spend the rest of the day going to and waiting at three different hospitals for appointments for DH.

I have just had the first kick from DGC no 6 due in January.

There's nothing quite like it, is there glass ?

No there isn't sook a very special moment

That is lovely glass

I spent a good many hours on trains today, returning from Dundee where I had a pleasant and quite busy stay with my sister and BiL. On Friday we went to St Andrews where they were celebrating the 600th anniversary of our University. We watched the academic procession when the modern and mediaeval maces were paraded. There was an honorary graduation ceremony in the afternoon in which the star turn was Hillary Clinton and we were able to see her quite close by, as she crossed to the Graduation Hall from the place where the hon graduands were robing. She waved to us! She's smaller than I expected! The place was crawling with stereotypical security men - dark glasses, dark suits, wires in their ears and guns, if any, well concealed!
Another day we went to meet our niece and our latest great niece, 5 months old and perfectly delightful as is her big brother, almost 3. A great nephew had a 1st birthday party. He had surgery earlier in the year for a cleft lip and now has a lovely smile which he makes good use of - a very charming little boy! There seemed to be hordes of small boys around, including big brother who is also gorgeous. So I did have a good time, but it's good to be back on home ground, despite the prospect of having the car MOT'd tomorrow.

Well, it wasn't too bad. First I saw a patronising bint that I nearly had a row with the last time I was signing on (you have no idea how much I hate having to say that) then an interview with my allocated advisor, Richard, who I dealt with during my last 2 redundancies.

Lovely chap, but today I wasn't in the mood for his chirpy optimism "Oh phoenix, lovely to see you again how are you?" Well, I think it's pretty bleedin' obvious that I'm not exactly tickety boo, I'm in the damn Job Centre! "Oh Phoenix, I'm sure with your skills you won't be with us long!, By the way, there is a rumour that they (who are "they" exactly"?) are thinking of putting a scheme in place whereby you have to do at least 32 hours a week job hunting in order to get any JSA!"

I now have to sign on this Friday at 2.30pm. Still at least it's in the same town as Morrisons, 2 birds one stone.

You will get there eventually, Phoenix, in spite of the bloody jobsworths at the Job Centre

Good luck with the MOT, Anno - you seem to have had a busy and enjoyable holiday with your relatives. I got close to my great nephew and niece last Christmas and now my niece-in-law is one of my FB friends.

Glass - I am very envious. I won't be able to see my fifth great-grand-child until after he/she is born next April, but my grand-daughter keeps me in the loop with reports on her progress. Her 12 week scan is due soon .

Heavy mist here - I hope it clears in time for me to have a walk.

anno I hope your great-nephew progresses well with what I assume will be on-going treatment for his cleft lip. My first GC was born with a very bad cleft lip and palate and has up to date had four operations with more to come.Depending on the severity it can be a very difficult time for all and my DGD is presently a rather angry and troubled teenager.Perhaps it is worse for girls than boys I just don't know.Sorry to perhaps be a Jonah but your post brought it close to home once again.

Thanks, annsixty. My nephew and his wife were warned, before the baby was born, that he might have a cleft palate but by great good fortune, the cleft was limited to the lip and the repair surgery has been very successful. I think there is still something to be done to the gum, but they are waiting to see how the dentition turns out. It's wonderful what the plastic surgeons can do with these conditions. My friend's GD had a very badly cleft palate and lip which is now barely perceptible. I hope that ultimately things turn out as well for your GD.

Thanks anno we hope so too. The bone graft from hip to gum was very successful so if your great-nephew needs it ,it should be fine ,but this was part of the palate problem so he may not.

Thrilled, saw my Urology Consultant who told me that my recent CT scan showed no abnormal signs and was all clear. That with my type of cancer (of which there is non ) if is going to recur it will be within 3 years. I am now 2.1/2 years away from my kidney removal. I still have to be monitored for a good few years but he seemed really positive. If something is found with either a cystosopy or CT scan then it can be quickly dealt with. I do not need a CT scan until this time next year .

Very pleased to hear the good news flower happy ((( hugs)))

That's great news flower

That's good news flower