Good Morning Thursday

Good morning from Morecambe Bay where it is currently not raining. I can’t see Grange so rain is coming!
Marydoll I remember the horror of not being able to remove permenant marker easily from the whiteboard. The day after the supply teacher had been in while you were out on a course..... I suspect everyone is just more aware these days.
Need to give myself a shake, I’m getting more lethargic and doing less and less each day and putting things off till “tomorrow” I think I’m addicted to my iPad!
I was given a jar of mincemeat yesterday. I’ve never actually made mince pies as I don’t like them but DH will eat them I’m certain. It will be another first along with my Christmas cake which is now ready for its icing. I will just do a rough top rather than try something more creative. I just hope it’s ok as it has cost a fortune to make!
Take care and stay safe everyone ?

Good Morning all, it’s very still and grey out , no idea how cold , not been out yet , but I see the builders are busy at the replacement wall where some sheds were taken down
Thinking of any sad or poorly on here xxx

Good morning Auntyflo and all x

Good morning from a grey, damp Colchester. Bed changing and laundry today.
Jay's online pub quiz tonight with the family. This has kept us in touch every Thursday night since March and is a fun hour.
Like Harrigran we are waiting for deliveries that are well overdue. All sent via Royal Mail who are extremely busy.

Good morning from the Shropshire/Powys border.

Yesterday’s trip out went well.Town was busy but most people social distancing.DD texted as we were leaving for the garden centre and decided to come and meet us with Henry who loved the Christmas decorations and lights.

Nothing much planned today.DH may or may not write his family Christmas cards.I have written and posted all the others.We started a Christmas jigsaw yesterday so will carry on with that later.

Glad Iris is doing better grandMattie.Imhope the physio appointment goes well for her.

Have a good day all and stay safe??

Good morning from North Yorkshire where the sun is trying to make an appearance.
Ironing this morning then a zoom meeting of our charity parent group.
DD2 is coming tomorrow for the weekend. She is single and WFH so in need of some company. I have a few little jobs that need two pairs of hands!
Mary you made me laugh out loud today. Thank you.
Good to hear Iris is making some progress. Sad she is missing out at school. Can her teacher organise a zoom with the class?
Have a good day everyone. Stay safe.

Good Morning from a dull, grey South Yorkshire.

Pilates lesson shortly then I must go out and post some cards and buy more stamps. I might get a few extra before the price increase in January.

It sounds as if a lot of fun was had in your school Marydoll. We used to gave quite a bit of fun around Christmas, too, but like everything in schools, things changed and not always for the be, during my latter years at my last school.

Hope all goes well on your trip out Mick and you don't have any more funny turns.

I like your gnome , Nortsat. I hope he brings you lots of luck.

Glad things are settling a bit for Iris and family, grandMattie.

I think I might make a start in gift wrapping after I've posted the cards. Luckily I don't have too many to wrap, but it still takes longer than you think, doesn't it?

Take care everyone.

Good morning Mick and the GM team from east London, where the weather is cold but quite fresh.

Here is our Norwegian Christmas Nisse (Gnome), to protect all GNs at Christmas, he will also watch over our buried treasure and crops and bring us all good luck.
We bought him in Stavanger Viking Museum and they said that’s what he does ... so it must be true.

So pleased to know Iris is progressing Mattie
Marydoll I laughed at your story about being dressed as Santa and being spotted by a small child ... I can imagine the impact of that ...??

Well I wrapped up my parcels and am going to try the Hermes Collection Service. If it works well, I will report back.
All the parcels and wrapping made me feel quite Christmassy, so we opened a bottle of wine (on a non wine night) and toasted ourselves and the Season.
Somehow I think small pleasures should be grasped, especially at the moment, as so many of our options are diminishing...

Have a pleasant day, all and good wishes to those facing challenges. ?

Good morning all and it’s another grey day here in Essex. I message my neighbour in Suffolk once a week and the weather there is the same as here, so we’re not missing out on any sun up there!

I had my hair done yesterday and feel so much better. I must research a shampoo for tender scalps as mine is so itchy and sensitive. The poor hairdresser has to use luke warm water and have the hairdryer on almost cool blow. I have thick hair so it takes an age to dry. ?

I at last managed to find gingerbread kits for the GC to assemble and decorate. I’ve been looking for the last couple of weeks and found some online but they were too expensive. We usually have an afternoon when they all come round and have a little competition. This year they will have to come separately in their family bubbles. ?

My art teacher phoned yesterday and said we can resume classes . Yay! I’m so excited. It’s a large hall and we’re well spaced out, so with masks at the ready, I’m sure we’ll be fine. It will be so lovely to see the friendly group.

I think I’m all up to date, Christmas wise, . Just need to get the fresh groceries on Christmas Eve or just before. I love the run up to Xmas when everything is sorted and we can relax and enjoy . Mince pies, sausage rolls, glass of sherry /or two) , silly Xmas films on tv. The house twinkling with lights ?. What’s not to like ?.

Wishing you all a painfree, worryfree , day. ??

Hello and good morning from a grey and chilly Northampton. Just popped out to put a few extra things in the bin so I know how cold it is! Aching and pains all down my left side this morning from my trapped nerve so have just taken the pain killers.

Still waiting for two more parcels to come, then I can start wrapping. That will be fun, as I know the cats will want to help.

Must try to do the hoovering upstairs this morning, but every day I get to lunchtime and it is not done. My rule is that if a job doesn't get done in the morning it doesn't get done! I don't believe in housework in the afternoons! Must try harder today....

Wishes to all for a pleasant day.

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. Red sky in the South Yorkshire morning so I expect that means rain at some point. Nothing planned today. I have to finish off my Christmas wreath with some holly I cabbaged on a walk yesterday afternoon, and wait for a triage call from the doctor about my ear, which is no better. Must buy some marzipan for the cake, too. Have a good day, folks.

Good Morning everyone from a very rainy South of France!
Will it get me down today? It will not, since so much of yesterday was spent trotting in and out with laundry, today I shall have no choice other than to knuckle down and iron it all. Definitely an indoor job and no excuses!

DH cleaned every window - whilst wearing a ski jacket and scarf. This worked well until each time he needed to come indoors for more hot soapy water. The difference in the temperature was extraordinary, he said, especially wearing those clothes but when the wind shrieks down over the Pyrenées...look out! Still, the laundry was very happy and the colour of the sky so beautiful, all was well - unless of course you had opted to clean windows ☀️?.

Sitting in my kitchen having a late night cuppa and reading a cookery book, while the dishwasher hums, is often a treasured end of day moment for me. Came across an old and completely forgotten recipe for a delicious cake made with pulped clementines. Funny how it’s possible to completely forget about something so enjoyable. Clementines are now on my shopping list!

Infection figures risen again today. We’re not being given our freedom on the 15th unless new daily infections are below 5,000. We recently managed 8,000 (yay!) and now back to 14,5000 (boo!) Sounds like I’ve got my own Christmas pantomime in rehearsal here! Of course people like a near neighbour will constantly help to push up the figures. We’re allowed out for an hour a day here. She went out yesterday just after 10 and returned at 4pm. Went out again an hour later and got home again just before curfew at 9pm. Rules, of course, are for other people. Grrrrr! Oh, and how come I can monitor her comings and goings? In our little-used lane, one of our security cameras pings if a vehicle passes! We’ll have to re-name our house “Chez Crimewatch” at this rate.

Glad things are settling down a bit with little Iris & Co., Mattie. Very pleased your Surgeon is happy with your progress, Harri. Did you tell him you almost had to arm wrestle your DH off the ‘phone in the hope he’d be able to get through ?? Hope the dreadful Itch/Scratch affliction is settling, Gingster and Taichinan and you’re able to sleep. Your hall leak situation is crazy, kitty. Hope that when you finally locate a roofer with inspiration, it turns out to have been something straightforward and is easily fixed.

To everyone down in the dumps today, be good to yourself until it passes. A bit of self-indulgence, some distraction and a few treats may help. If that means a day deep inside a book and a box of chocolates, so be it. Let’s make our own rules - and no sharp criticism or talk of feeling a failure. Poorly folk, feel better soon.

Most of all......stay well, stay safe and just keep going.

Have a good Thursday, and to all in our lovely Morning Club, hugs from over the Sea..????‍♀️??

Morning from S Lanarkshire, still dark out. Partially recovered from my fit of the glums yesterday and determined not to let it happen today so about to get up 'and get on' after finishing my cup of tea, which I make and bring back to bed, in order to kick start my day.
If it's not raining I'll walk to the post office, post the last Canada cards and get the stamps I still need. The Christmas cards I ordered from Mary's Meals have turned up after getting lost in the post so I can finish that task. Ticking off another job on the list always helps doesn't it?
I'm taking the bread sauce for Christmas Day so I'm going to make and freeze it which I haven't done before so I hope that turns out okay. I'm supposed to be going to my daughter who's been extra careful because my son in law has asthma so safest place for me. I'm still swithering hence the 'freezing', at least they'll still have their sauce.
Good wishes everyone.

Good morning Mick and all, it is dry here on the S Welsh coast hope it stays that way. Our cleaner is coming this morning so we will make ourselves scarce while she's here. I'm not sure she will be here next week if the schools close early for Christmas due to the rising Covid numbers.
I must do some present wrapping later.
Hope everyone will have a pleasant day and stay safe.

Good morning from chilly Leicestershire.

Had a frustrating day yesterday. DH has always complained about our internet speed so we decided to upgrade. The router came yesterday and now our speeds are halved meaning I cannot use my tv as it keeps freezing. We have an engineer coming today so hope he can fix it - gotta catch up on Neighbours!

Great news Harrigan.
Sad for Iris missing her friends but it will be Christmas soon.
I have 2 friends who have had important ops cancelled 4 times, one for cancer, so hoping we get the vaccine soon!

Hope everyone has the best day possible.

Marydoll, how I wish I’d been one of your colleagues! It sounds so much ? fun.
My only experience as peripatetic French assistant was less than happy in most schools, I went to 22schools at one stage. The problem was the office staff who loathed me for some reason!

Good morning All. It's so dark! I look forward to the winter solstice too. I'm babysitting today so a wee walk outside to burn up his energy as he's becoming rather challenging. Just being a toddler I suppose but I'm not used to it! Dsil is struggling with his tantrums too while dd is mostly managing him magnificently. Apparently I have some kind of nasty infection so more samples are required. Yuck. I assume, once identified, a course of antibiotics will be given. I hope so as it's all very unpleasant. marydoll I can picture you all dressed up! ☺ Have a good day all.

Good morning from a dry but cold Essex by the sea.
I'm going to the supermarket this morning whilst DH waits in for a delivery. Sewing and catching up with tv this afternoon.
I marzipaned my Christmas cake yesterday, will probably ice it next week. I do hope it tastes good.
Have a lovely Thursday and stay safe everyone xx

Good morning all from Stockport.
Early bird for a change but I have been awake ages.
Life is indeed difficult for many, I feel guilty as I am making reasonable progress but it isn’t fast enough for me and I realise I will never be free of a walking stick which makes me feel what I am, a very old lady!!
Why can’t I accept it?

Does anyone know if MellowYellow has left GN?
She has not posted recently and PM’s we exchanged about hip problems have been deleted at her request, usually a sign that someone has departed.

Going to get a cup of tea now and see if I can be motivated into writing cards, a job I hate, no idea why.

Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s still dark but I think it’s dry and it’s definitely cold.
Hope you’re feeling better soon Ashcombe and it’s really good news that Iris continues to improve grandMattie, even though she’s stuck at home.
Loving your dressing up story and tales of school life Marydoll, really made me chuckle!
I’ve got quite a busy day ahead, a grocery shop at Tesco this morning and then picking the DGC up from school later, they’re staying over tonight too.
Hope everyone facing struggles and worries has a better day today and take care whatever the day brings ?

Good morning Mick, morning all from S Lanarkshire where another dark and damp day dawns.

A comment from someone on one of my Facebook groups yesterday triggered a memory which led to me losing several hours down the rabbit hole of Ancestry. As a result I didn’t sleep well, my mind was whirling with memories which resulted in some very odd dreams.

The wrapping of gifts still hasn’t begun, I really must get my act together and get started after being so organised with online shopping over the past couple of months.

Look after yourselves, whatever your day brings.

Good Morning from N. Bucks where it is a little misty again.

cornergran I feel the same about driveway visits. I love to see them but feel very emotional when they go. However I shall be the one on the drive and waving to DGS through the window. Better than nothing.

I did finally get all the cards finished so will get them posted today and deliver the local ones.

We might venture to Costco later but won’t be queuing or going in if it looks too busy..

Hope you all find a ? today.

Good morning all from a chilly Glasgow, where its only 3 °C.
DH has been up blundering pottering about since the crack of dawn, so of course he woke me up!

He is installing a new disc station, at eye watering expense and it has been transferring all the data from the old one since yesterday.
Eventually DS2 had to take over DH's PC remotely as the installation had become extremely complicated. I find all that fascinating. (Geek alert ?) I think he has been worrying about it. He doesn't seem to be able to cope with things like that these days and won't accept any advice from me.
We have every family photo from time immemorial scanned into it and our children can also access from their devices.
Normally DS2 would have visited to deal with it, but we are in Level 4 in two different areas, so that's not possible.

I did look in earlier , but there was no sign of Mick.
I'm glad to hear you are feeling well enough to go on the bus and get your hair cut, Mick. Our hairdressers have been closed and of course when they open tomorrow, it will be difficult for me to go safely.
I will be forced to ask DD to cut it, as my fringe is driving me mad!
Desperate measures indeed!
GM pleased to see Iris is improving and a bit brighter. She has such a long journey ahead.

In my expedition deep into the man cave cupboard yesterday, I discovered a host of items. There were six boxes of forgotten Christmas crackers ( why?) and at least six pairs of DH's old trousers, which when asked, he said he was saving them for decorating! How many legs does he have!!!

What I also found was my Santa Claus outfit, which I had when I was teaching. Every Christmas, I organised the staff Christmas lunch and Secret Santa. I had a number of alter egos. I've been Dolly Parton with fake boobs from the £ shop, Dame Edna Everage and one year, our boss, complete with bald head and distinctive mannerisms and sayings, but always dressed in a Santa suit. My boss loved the impersonation.
I also had a variety of very cheap and highly inflammable wigs, and a cushion to stuff up my Santa suit. The wigs were not at all flattering, I looked positively disreputable.
One year, I was spotted by a Primary One child, as I was sneaking along a corridor. ? His reaction was indeed magical! All I could hear was the over excited child shouting that Santa was in the school. ?

As you can imagine, it was a riot. There was always a twist to the procedings. I would add extra presents to the dip, which had a meaning for some staff, usually related to some misdemeanour they thought they had gotten away with. New staff used to sit stunned, as the lunch progressed. They didn't call me Scary Santa for no reason. ?

On one occasion, we had got a new, purpose built ICT suite, my pride and joy, complete with an all singing, all dancing interactive whiteboard. I came back to my room to find someone had used a permanent marker on it instead of the interactive pen.
Eventually I found out that it had been my friend who had done it, she thought I didn't know. When she opened her gift, she found a brillo pad, Cif spray, a cloth and a permanent marker! Her face was indeed a sight to behold. ? I knew!!!

Anyway, I have rambled enough. Lots to catch up on today. Not too good a day healthwise yesterday, so fingers crossed for a better day. The bad days seem to be outweighing the good at the moment.?

I will probably have missed lots of posts, while writing this, so I will pop back later.

Take care everyone and sending my very best wishes to all who are struggling with life at the moment. There are so many of us on GN.

Good morning from a dark and dull Black Country.

Had a lovely walk with Mum yesterday. We had a look in the Hospice Charity shop in Compton, and I bought a pair of jeans, jumper and a matching scarf. All for the princely sum of £6.

We are at long last planning on re-decorating the living room. We have been here since May 2013, all the rooms are now done ie new Bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms and Dining room decorated. Just so looking forward to have this room done to our taste. It will be new sofas, carpets etc. The ceiling has to be re-plastered and re-wired, as we inherited what I call "disco lights" along one side and they need to come out. Electrician is coming to quote week after next.

Good news for you harrigran

Bellasnana my 9 year old DGD even has to join the Brownies by Zoom. I was sent photo's of Christmas biscuits she had made with them via a Zoom lesson. They are all so missing their friends.

Wishing you all a good day. If you are reading gilly you are always in our thoughts here

Good morning to you all from a foggy Torbay. I could rival Eartha Kitt today with symptoms of a cold affecting my upper register! I must have caught it at church despite all the Covid precautions as symptoms began on Tuesday.

grandMattie: poor Iris! So hard to feel she’s missing out on all the school fun at the moment. Presumably, she couldn’t attend school for special events e.g. plays, etc. I can’t remember if she has a wheelchair.

Dwmxwg: so sorry to hear about your Mum's memory. I’m sure you’ll know how a UTI can exacerbate mental confusion in the elderly. My late Mum would imagine people were in her house at such times.

Scentia: that sounds like a labour of love! Would it be an idea to contact a branch of a local charity such as the Salvation Army, who might well know of needy families who would benefit from the clothes?

A day to hibernate is welcome although I did enjoy attending my “Move It or Lose It” class yesterday and felt the benefit.

Wishing all with worries or pain some relief.