ToadyI have been mainly Vol. 7

I really like Simon Armitage Ariadne.

My nephew is currently riding his bike to different venues in Yorkshire doing story-telling sessions on the theme of climate change. He is passionate about the subject and gave up his job as head of drama to do his bit. He is now being invited to festi als etc and will be in York at the end of October for the festival there - doing shadow puppets. He isn't as well known or as successful as Simon Armitage but is following his dream.

Nellie,I did exactly the same thing this time last year, Had three appointments and got the day wrong for what was to me the most important the one for injections into the facet joints. You're not alone in losing your marbles.
Ariadne I'd not heard of Simon Armitage before but I've just had a quick look and I liked his poems.

I've had an interesting morning talking to an architect to find out if we could extend our small Portuguese house. We've renovated one part of the property and in the summer let that out and have made what we politely call a studio apartment in an old barn about three meters away. It is clean and comfortable but absolutely tiny. I think it is probably smaller than Greatnan's apartment and there are two of us, not the tidiest of people, sharing the space.
But it is light and airy and I like the view better. It also got flooded in the middle of the night last October!
So we've had dreams of maybe putting a small wooden house here instead. Next year a property I have a share in in UK will be sold make and we can afford to do .... something. The biggest question will be whether to make repairs here and instead invest near the family in England. Meanwhile having just talked to the architect my head is full of impossible dreams and his first step is to check with the local council exactly where our boundaries are. It is going to be an on going saga I think.

One too many makes.

Dusty Thanks! It's reassuring to know it's not just me.

Today I have been getting ready to go off to stay overnight with DD SIlL and the DGSs, doing teatime and bathtime then babysitting in the evening and probably taking them to nursery tomorrow.
Only ............DH collapsed as he was about to go into the shower, has stayed flat out on bed and has been violently sick many many times. Not sure if this is the start of something, or if he is over the worst, but either way have had to disappoint them as he is not well enough to travel or to be left alone. is this another "here we go again"? or just bad luck Those of you who also spend their life on Plan B will know this experience.

This morning I had my triennial mammogram. The main problem was finding my way (and a parking place) in the labyrinth that is Macclesfield Hospital - so many new buildings and re-builds since last time. Mammogram accomplished with almost no discomfort - then I had to find the car! A trip round M&S - that has been reorganised as well. They have changed the position of the children's wear and put in quite a big beauty department with all sorts of brands. Who do they think they are? John Lewis?

Oh, gracesmum, what a shame, a disappointment for you and the family but also a setback for your DH. I hope it's no more than a short-lived bug or reaction to something.

Oh, what a shame GM. Poor you and the family Let us know how he is and try not to strangle him

Today, I went to the Gp, got prescription, went to Sainsbury's decided to empty my glove compartment of all the crap rubbish that accumulates within, went to the pharmacy, couldn't find my prescription. Eventually I decided that I thrown it away with the rubbish.

But, on the bright side, the receptionist at the surgery had a really good laugh when I rang to ask for another

Kittylester Still waiting for a doctor as he couldn't make it downstairs let alone to the surgery. But typically, colour returning to face (was GREY) less sick and less cold and clammy.

gracesmum my Sil had something like that a couple of weeks ago he felt sick fell in the bathroom and knocked him self out for a minute or so. DD called 999 and he was carted off to A&E. DD was a bit unwell as well. DGs had been sick and there was a bug at nursery the day before Sil got ill. It makes you wonder what bugs these little ones might bring home.

Gracesmum, hope your husband is soon on the mend.

This was in advance of seeing the little ones!! It seems he may have a chest infection so have collected the anti-b's but he can't even walk across the floor (4 paces?) to the en suite to go to the loo - great night ahead!

(((hugs))) GM - have a few Maybe you'll sleep through! Seriously, hope he's better soon and you don't have too bad a time.

I've just had a call from the surgery telling me that the doctor has re-written my presecription but can manage to prescribe a new brain. And, I bet they are still laughing.

Gm what a shock, after everything else! Do hope he is progressing.

kitty they can manage a new brain?? There's an advance in medicine!

I am bursting with pride! Some of you may remember that DGD1 was selected to take part in the "Learning from Auschwitz" project earlier this year? She and 200 young people from the SW spent the day at Auschwitz (after careful preliminary briefings) and came back stunned.

Today, she gave a presentation to my Rotary club, and you could have heard a pin drop - she had them spell bound. Articulate, poised, passionate...for once words almost fail me.

Bless the child!

Thank you for good wishes. aid He is sleeping peacefully and I hope the anti-b's are taking effect, but as I said he was so weak he couldn't walk the 4 paces from his side of the bed to the en suite. I have been trying everywhere to get him a bed bottle for night use, but no luck (it's going to have to be a washing up bowl!!!) I have tried to help plus his sticks but that won't do if he is in a hurry in the night. You would not believe how suddenly he went downhill. I think he may have turned the corner (hope so) but if not significantly better in the morning, the doctor or district nurse will have to come out.
Congratulations to your brave DGD, Ariadne I have taken several sixth form trips to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp just outside Berlin and have seen cool "well 'ard" sixth form lads pale at what they saw and heard there. It will have been an unforgetttable experience for her.
My father was among the troops "relieving" and clearing out Bergen Belsen and he never spoke of what he had seen there. Beyond our worst nightmares I should think.

Just caught up with this thread. Good luck tonight, gm. One thing after another! Hope he picks up soon. Take care of yourself too, and what a shame about having to cancel your babysitting!

ariadne, lovely story and a really, really proud gran moment!

If new brains are being handed out, is there a waiting list and can I go on it please?

I could do with one! See my late night post of Tuesday.

gracesmum just caught up with this thread. I hope you have a peaceful night and DH is much better in the morning.

*Ariadne definitely a DGD to be proud of ((hugs))

Gracesmum hope you DH is improving by the minute..poor chap and poor you.

Well done to your DGD ariadne , lovely to have a proud moment

Today I had a very interesting time in Reading with four other GNers chatting and laughing! We nearly included a total stranger into the group...we saw a lady looking around for someone and I went to ask if she was looking for some other women from GN. She was not! But thought our group looked more interesting than the business meeting she was to have with an unknown man! Thank you to gorki, deedaa,gadabout & noodles for your company today

Boots do male portable urinals. We used have half a dozen on the boat (the en suite facilities) and a couple in the bedroom (saves lautreque)

Gracesmum Until you get to Boots for a urinal, try a plastic milk bottle. Not as non-spill as it is not the proper shape, but not a bad temporary substitute.

I have a glass vase which looks just like a urinal. Was tempted to give that to DH when he couldn't walk across to the en suite, but the District Nurse catheterised him instead - no need even to sit up in bed to perform.

Just a jug that can be stylised with boiling water, Pyrex is fine.

Sterilised not stylised! iPad is misbehaving.