During the last week

Granny23 We loved Sunny Afternoon. We saw it at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. Everyone was up dancing

Maggiemaybe I have indeed seen the guy on Facebook. It's great that he still enjoys it and gives pleasure to many other people. DH still drums once a week in his latest incarnation as kit drummer in an all women steel band. They call it 'The One Man Band'.

The 80 year old dad, who has Alzheimer's, has released a record. Such a touching story, and it goes to show how powerful music can be

Wonderful, Granny23. Have you seen the video on YouTube of the father and son singing together?

m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=FUapDaSKzys

Granny23 I'm sorry to see that your DH has dementia but how lovely that he enjoyed Sunny Afternoon - it's a great show.

I love that he was singing along and knee-drumming!

Home today from sunny Turkey - this last 2 weeks have been really relaxing and now I'm ready to fly home and get back to normal. I'm actually looking forward to the autumn, which is my favourite season, and I am resolved to be less busy in future. Can I do it? Hmmm - I hope so, I'll let you know.

Hi KatyK We were also at Sunny Afternoon, Tuesday afternoon matinee Playhouse, Edinburgh. Rather sad story but the musicianship of the cast/band was phenomenal. Best bit was the set piece of 'Sunny Afternoon' when a Radio Announcer said that the Kinks were at No 1 in the charts - BIG CHEERS FROM AUDIENCE - and then that England had won the World Cup - MUFFLED BOOING FROM THE AUDIENCE - The cast looked a little non-plussed, bet they got a different reaction in the WestEnd, should have left out that line in Edinburgh.

This was a birthday treat for me. DD2 drove us through and treated us to lunch. Our 1st proper 'date' DH took me to see The Kinks at the Albert Hall (Stirling not London) 52 years ago. DH's band then did covers of all the Kink's early, rhythm and blues numbers. Consultant has told us that as DH's dementia progresses he will not lose his musical abilities and enjoyment - He spent the entire show singing along and drumming on his knees which was lovely to see.

Ooo whitewave I love Seville. I think we've been four times Lucky you.

Caught up on washing and ironing after our holiday.
Cleaned house from top to bottom (lengthy).
Enjoyed a lovely visit from very old friends.
Weeded endless gravel, cut grass, dealt with windfalls, processed tomato crop (huge).
Went to the dentist and the car was hit by a galloping wild boar.
Went to garage to deal with aftermath.
Planned U3A courses (Pilates, Eighteenth century French history in French, Advanced Spanish taught in French (maybe).
Caught up with neighbours and village gossip, went on long walks with same.
Went for walk with OH and realised hunting season had started. Avoided getting shot.

michael you must have been a lovely son in law. I'm sorry for your loss. There is a bereavement thread that you may get some comfort from. Mary what a horrible time your having. It sounds as if you did the right thing so at least you have a clear conscience. Your friend was lucky to have you. Printmiss and tegan I hope things continue to improve between you and your daughter. I've done a big fat nothing. I'm on holiday. I think my brain has shut down. I normally read three or four books on holiday but I've struggled to read one. I just gaze blankly at the views and listen to the waves. Mind you the views are lovely.

Sunday - last day in Seville. Morning visit (cooler) to Alcahzar - love Moorish architecture I have discovered! Potter through the glorious gardens. Mid-day heat so found a half decent tapas restaurant and spent a couple of hours watching the world go by with plates of tapas and jug of sangria.
Later in the evening our last walk through this most lovely of Spanish towns.
Monday - Córdoba in 40c! Mosque and Cathedral impressive. Lunch in a divine courtyard with tinkly fountain. Too hot really for DH who worried me a tad as he looked very pale at one point (heart problem early in year) so we walked back to air conditioned coach.
Tuesday -Granada and Alhambra. Very different feel to Seville but interesting nevertheless. A very young town. Interesting to see the caves where the gipsys still live .Rained!!!!!
Wednesday - home
Thursday - today. Back to the usual round of family and garden tidy.
Last night had a get together with four other couples where we all take a course for dinner. Feel a tad jaded today -wine flowed freely.
Start of another week - wish time would slow down.

Not a lot!
Had gastric flu since last Sunday!
Became hooked on some amateur cookery programme.
Wallowed in my addiction to Move to the Country.
Got up - occasionally!
Was waited on.
Cancelled lunch out, school run and my highlights!

Got really, really bored.

I had my lunch at Pizza Hut on Tuesday. All you can eat buffet for £6.99! Salads, breadsticks, pasta, various pizzas. And Ice Cream Factory for pud. Very nice.

Can't remember anything else.

Ouch, KatyK! And fingers crossed, Tegan

Took DGS2 by water taxi to the Royal Armouries. Tried to pretend the smell on-board was not coming from his nappy
De-moulded bathroom
Changed beds
Reading Group
Pub Quiz with usual team, and we won
DGS2 again. Picked tomatoes and basil with him for not-at-all messy soup making
Dentist and hygienist
Checked in flights for trip to Poland
Sourced Pandora charm pressie for DGN1's graduation
Had double brandy to recover from shock at price of Pandora charm
Bought zlotys online
Had sleepless night when no confirmation of zlotys received, convinced had fallen for wicked scam
Rang Post Office Money - everything legit, phew
Nice lunch out with DH, and browse round bookshops
Lovely morning and fish and chips with GDS1 and 3 and parents
Surprise visit from DD1
Went to Saltaire Festival. Bumped into DD1 again. Had pineapple daquiris to celebrate
Checked weather forecast for Poland
Dug out tights and woollies for Polish trip
Found soon-to-expire JL gift card in drawer . Spent it immediately

Had my nails done!
Did my DD's ironing
Had a nice lunch out with DH
Had 13 family members over for lunch
Discovered the freezer door had been left open 24 hours after the
13 had gone home!

Went to my last aunt's funeral with DD and DS, saw all my cousins.
Met people from the past who remembered my mother's kindness to them.
Almost emptied fridge, a vegetable soup today should do it, especially if I grate in that piece of turmeric!
Bought slug pellets, ordered nematodes as I have delicate young climber to plant.
Bought 'stick' labelled Blackcurrant at Poundland!
Saw old friend for lunch and listened to too detailed reminiscences of medical training around 1960!
Wondered why M&S cafe was out of soup, not a drop available, couldn't they get some from food hall?
Bought half price choccy biccies for top wardrobe shelf, M&S put a lot of choccy on their biscuits and are generous with tasting samples.
Started quest to source vegan cake supplier in the West Midlands
Read poems, same poems, must write more!
Buttonholed Archers' SW and assured him that Gransnet is still agog (some of us)
Thought what a beautiful and underrated county Shropshire is
Vowed to get family history into printable shape for cousins and DGC
Confused GSs' birthdays in texts and wished one (12) Happy Birthday on Monday (correctly) and Friday (in error) as it was his cousin's 6th. Oops. Both cards and presents were correct however
Spent FAR too much time online!!

Finally managed to find some plain black trainers to wear [as I live in trainers because of my mutant feet I can only wear certain styles, most of which come in garish colours].
Bought two pairs of pixie boots from Hotter [again because of my mutant feet] and got 30% discount as a 'first time buyer'.
Bought some tablets from Boots and got the S.O.'s staff discount.
Both had a free cup of coffee at M&S using our Sparks card.
After struggling to find short leggings anywhere M&S suddenly have some in stock so bought 2 pairs.
Picked a bag full of blackberries; seem to have missed most of this years crop. I have gone beyond that time when the devil has wee'd on them have I [or something like that]. ?I LOVE getting something for free!!
Purely by chance bumped into my SIL and have got a dialogue [of a sorts]going with DD.

Reading your post PRINTMISS reminded me of my late parents, my father gave up driving when his Type 1 Diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthiritis became too hard to manage, although my mother did drive, once she got over a certain age she didn't want to anymore, I don't blame her. However, the local taxi drivers were wonderful, she was on first names terms with most of them (small place) and yes she too left her handbag in the back of one once, the driver whizzed it round to her she also got lifts everywhere from her friends at church so life went on as I'm sure it will for you, you come across as a positive person.

Last week in glorious Cornwall staying in a lovely village, Goran Haven, higlight of the week visiting Fowey and going round the streets on one of those small tourist road train thingies, it was such a beautiful sunny day really understand why Daphne Du Maurier chose to live there, also recently Dawn French. On Friday treated my husband to a late birthday lunch at Rick Stein's Padstow, excellent, I have taken pictures of the main course on my phone, having sniggered at others for photographing food

Tegan I hope things improve with your daughter. Adult children can certainly be a challenge! I'm sure they think the same about parents too.

I have been to the consultant and finally have a date for my new hip, November 23rd. Feels better to know, even though it could be tomorrow if I had my way. Feels more positive and real. Just over 2 months to go.

Celebrated my 68th birthday, 46th wedding anniversary and 50 years since DH and I met.
Visited Biddulph Grange in Staffordshire - beautiful NT gardens.
Stayed overnight at the St Pancras Hotel - Google it - it's fabulous.
Been to see the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.
Visited Leighton House in Kensington.
Had a pedicure.
Made jam and frozen copious amounts of fruit.
Not done any housework!

When I read the thread title, I thought "I haven't done anything". Then I started thinking, and actually . . . .

I have

Worked full time (in children's services - safeguarding)

Went with my daughter and granddaughter for GD's first day at proper, big school. And actually managed to be civil to the amoeba that is GD's father - that was probably my greatest achievement this week.

Booked a weekend away for DH's birthday at the end of the month

Thought I had another DVT, so went to hospital. Thankfully it was just an infected insect bite, so masses of antibiotics, but no stomach injections or warfarin (Phew)

Had a rheumatology appointment at the hospital - all well, and I am now booked in for my next course of "magic medicine" which keeps me totally symptom free

Cycled to work twice (three miles each way) - actually managed to cycle ALL the way up the hill that has previously defeated me

Taken a 30 minute walk each lunch break

Attended Slimming World group (ashamed of myself - 'nuff said)

Planned and shopped for next week's meals. Something I used to do, but got out of the habit of recently

Completed a course at work that I was forced into doing, and REALLY hated. Once it is signed off by City & Guilds, I will go up a salary grade though - so yay me

I left out all the mundane "there must be more to life than cleaning" type stuff

Sad news PRINTMISS we have had the no car situation for about 18 months now and still hate it. We use taxis now as neither ogud can use public transport although Ihope to get back to it.
The PD is a harder blow I wish you both well.

Well, now, I have just telephoned the taxi company, because yesterday I left my handbag in the taxi which took us to a friends for a lovely afternoon cake and tea with other friends.(Taxi delivering later) Spoilt the afternoon, really, but set the seal on what has been a rather disrupting time for us. The o.h. finally agrees he cannot drive any more - he had only heard what he wanted to from the optician/specialist, so I stopped arguing and let him get on with it, he tried to move the car out of the garage and failed - GOOD - at least he will not drive anymore. Not good for me, as I do not drive, and although I like to walk, don't always feel like it. We seem to have spent all week in taxis or dial-a-rides as we visited the hospital and he also got a decision on what we suspected confirmed, he has the onset of Parkinson's Disease, so not a lot to look forward to, but my goodness the presence of friends yesterday afternoon, and good old chat really did seem to pick him up. We have had so many years of happiness, so hopefully will have that for the future, when we also have an appointment for him for next June!

My flatmate from Oxford days came to stay.
We laughed incessantly and nearly drove OH mad
Drank a lot
Ate a lot
looked aghast at the huge crop of tomatoes
Made pots and pots of tomato ketchup
Froze lots of bags of spicy tomato sauce
Cooked lots of tomatoes in as many different recipes as I could find
Froze whole tomatoes
Commandeered freezer space from friends
Dreamt about tomatoes
Similar for raspberries
Did a BBQ for French friends who brought a trough of oysters
Went to French/Spanish friends for paella evening
French food obsessed friend took us on a tour of local market for best products and prices
Same French friend took us on hairy two hour drive to fabulous wine tasting
Had usual amazing lunch at mountain restaurant that you wouldn't take a vegetarian.
Another French friend took us on tour of local chapelle and it's history.
Somehow managed to spend a lot of time lazy by the pool.

Feel exhausted and she's coming back next year!!!