Good Morning Monday

Good morning everyone from north Kent where it is grey and miserable and the weather isn’t good either! We are all locked up either through Tier 4 restrictions or the gridlocks caused by Europe locking us out.

However, Owl Towers is twinkling in the darkness as the lights festooned around the patio and back garden that were put up last week have been ceremonially switched on. I decorated the back of the house in expectation of winter outside get togethers, but they are now twinkling for us to admire through the rain and the gloom.

Big Christmas presents switch took place yesterday in the drive as first DD and then DS came with bags of prezzies and goodies for us - I think they were worried we will starve over Christmas, but being a belt and braces type person I ordered weeks ago all the necessary ingredients for Christmas dinner for the two of us.

Nothing planned for today; have a jigsaw on the go and am writing my ‘memoirs’ - currently up to the age of twenty one so a few years to write about!

Happy anniversary Dragonflies and thank you for the card Beechnut. Hope your doctor sorts things for you Urms. Longest day tomorrow then we shall have the spring to look forward to. Stay safe

Good morning all. Sun's not quite over the horizon here on the Angus coast, but it's dry and not windy. Well, what a storm the latest news caused in this little family! It's as if a whirlwind blasted through, all plans were thrown in the air and new ones made - all I did was sit quietly in the middle of it all until the dust settled! Which it did somewhere around midnight last night. DD and two DGDs escaped the country and are now down south with New Man and his boys. She got everything sorted at home, met me in Perth for a quick lunch and car park present exchange, went home and did a very calm and accomplished video presentation for Widowed and Young, and was on the road south by 5pm. They've taken their mad hound with them (an uncontrollably crazy red setter) instead of putting her in kennels as she'll not be up the road again until Scotland's shutdown, which starts on Boxing Day for, supposedly, three weeks, is over and Nicola allows the borders to re-open. I was supposed to be travelling with them, but my seat on the sleigh was taken by said dog. This caused DS2, with whom I was to be staying, to go into a frenzied concoction of 'alternative plans for Mum-who-must-not-be-left-alone-at-Christmas'. Which involved said Mum hitching a lift on the train, for which he would pay, or him driving up to bring me south and then driving me home again, or he, DiL and DGD2 coming here for New Year. Travel bans and lock downs just weren't registering with him! When that was all knocked on the head, he then put money in my account for me to buy M&S out of Christmas food. Bless him, he's a lovely (52 -year-old!) boy. Then DS1 entered the fray and suggested he come to me for lunch (from the other side of Glasgow, a five hour round trip!). I said really. No. I'm fine. Honestly. The upshot is that he's coming on Christmas Eve, staying over, having Christmas lunch with me and then driving home to have his Christmas dinner there!! So I'm feeling a trifle punch drunk this morning and will have to Make Lists for new plans. But I also feel very blessed at having such caring ACs.
I am up very early (for me) after not having gone to bed until about 2.15 am, and have read all your lovely posts, both yesterday's and today's. Lovely to have you back Veridian (loving the new name - one of my favourite colours) and glad to hear news of Gilly. Your flower arrangements are lovely Ginny. Like you Oldbut, I'm an in the vase plonker as well - or that's the end result after a deal of effort! And thank you for your card Beechnut. It's lovely, and so accomplished.
Marydoll you tell it all so well! Nothing seems to be straightforward in the doll household.
Ash, so glad you're getting your car back at last. You've been very patient. Your carol service must have been lovely to attend.
Happy Anniversary Dragonfly. Oh, and I was so glad to read yesterday of how well Iris is doing, Grandmattie - it must be all the love sewn into her knickers and trousers that has aided such rapid progress.
Now I must be off and do something about making this place a bit more Christmassy now that it's not just for me. Please have the best day you can. Let's just all take all the precautions and then put the new variant Covid out of mind. Stay safe and well and as usual love and ? to those of you who are in pain, unwell or just plain down. I hope today brings ease. ??

Happy anniversary dragonfly. Lovely news Susan

Some beautiful photos on here today. I cobbled together a door wreath yesterday but haven't taken a photo of it yet. I'll have another look to see if it's up to scratch!

I've not read it Gingster, tell me if you enjoy it and I might. I love recommendations.

Sent too soon!

I hope everyone has a safe day.

X

Good morning from Durham where we are forecast a day of continuous rain. It’s my ‘ ‘shopping run’ today, so I’ll have to shake a leg. On Friday night I did a quick foray to a big retail Centre for perfume for neighbour’s DD. Went to wrap it on Saturday and I’d grabbed the wrong one. Took it back late Saturday and the store had closed an hour earlier - I wasn’t
amused, so I’ll try again today.
Yesterday DH and I visited Newcastle Quayside - first time this year. Well organized and we ran into DD2 and SIL by accident just before the heavens opened, so couldn’t chat long. DH’s Consultant says he must be careful, but to balance it with maintaining some quality of life for as long as he can. We still plan Christmas Day with both DDs here for a few hours. Still T3 here.

Sorry to hear so many GNs struggling - hardly surprising really and some days all our big girls pants are in the wash!
Lovely pictures from others - wish I had some of your talents. Gingster, your inglenook is exactly the same as ours.

Still T3 here, so

Just popped in to wish the Dragonflies a happy anniversary!

Lovely to hear your news Susan.

Cherry, I hope you feel better as the day goes on.

GrannySomerset, it's not in my nature to settle for dull.

I thought you might have read it Urms. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll get stuck in today! ??

Hello and good morning everyone from a very wet Northampton. Not long got up and have a nice mug of tea to hand.

Having trouble writing this as one cat is on my lap for her morning cuddle, and she keeps putting her paw up to stroke my face!

Phoned DS yesterday, who is on his last day of self-isolation, no sign of Covid so we are all very relieved. Had a lovely chat with the DGDs, who I have not seen for months.

Had a nice walk out in the sunshine yesterday to deliver a friend's present. She stood on the doorstep and I was at the end of her drive and we had a nice chat. Realised it was the first time we'd seen each other since March!

Iced the cakes when I got back, and then spent a pleasant afternoon watching yesterday's Songs of Praise which I had recorded; it was the viewers' top ten Christmas carols. As much expected, 'O holy night' came first; I love that one. Just finished watching when another dear friend phoned and we had a long chat. She and her DH will be alone at Christmas, as their DD and family are in Tier 4, so unable to visit as arranged. Her DS and family are in Hong Kong where their jobs are.

Not much planned for today, except update the Sainsbury's order for tomorrow. Have just got some sausages out of the freezer to make a chilli for tonight.

What a lovely card, Beechnut, thank you.

Stay safe everyone.

My pop up Nativity with little light.

Good morning everyone from a very wet Gower.

Thank you for the Christmas card to all of us Beechnut, it's lovely, and thoughtful of you. Merry Christmas to you too ?

Congratulations Susan ?. My great nephews are precious to me, all the more so since they don't have any grandparents on our side of the family. I am the only "elder" they have.

Happy anniversary dragonfly, sounds like you have quite a nice day planned, all things considered. Enjoy your anniversary ???

Thank you for your warm wishes Lins and Susan and Grandmafrench yesterday. I had another bad night unfortunately, tired and grumpy and as flat as a pancake - nevermind eh. I shouldn't air my worries on this thread, my increasing fears of sudep - but I've done it now, so sorry everyone! I'll try to find a ☺️ and find my up in a beat again.

Be kind to yourselves everyone and stay safe and cosy.

Morning Mick and all from a wet west coast. Just about to brave Aldi, buy stamps and final Xmas deliveries etc. Strange how a shopping trip has a slight apprehension to it. My bubbled son is here so I am very happy this morning and last night we slummed it with fish and chips. Showering this morning I thought “It hardly seems worth showering as nobody, I HOPE is coming near me” Still a tiny splash of old women’s scent, Youth Dew after it.
I will return and read the whole thread later, but in the meantime thinking of all Gransnetters with worries.

X posts - happy wedding anniversary dragonfly hope you both enjoy your day. I can well understand your emotional response to those chocolates. Daughters just ‘get it’ don’t they?

I’m not from Essex Gingster but I read ‘The Essex Serpent’ last year. Thought it was brilliant. Well written, the plot races along and it’s very atmospheric for this time of year.

Morning Mick, morning All from a damp, overcast corner of Somerset. The card is beautiful beechnut, thank you. Some lovely flowers on here today, your fireplace looks very inviting gingster. Happy anniversary to you both dragonfly. I’m finding it hard to be positive this morning after some unexpected family crossness yesterday, can’t shake it. Will be off to see if anything is left in tomorrow’s grocery order, the list of out of stock items is growing by the minute. Take care everyone, special thoughts for all with worries or heavy hearts.

Good morning everyone from a dark but damp South Manchester. I slept a solid 8 hours last night which was wonderful considering I’m a bit anxious. I must stay up late to watch some tv more often!

I’ve just rung the doctor’s surgery. A receptionist said a female doctor will ring me back later as it is they who decide whether to offer face to face consultations or whether a telephone call is sufficient.

What a lovely Christmas card Beechnut thank you - it’s very clever how you’ve done a tree in layers like that. Actually I really like your writing too - not sure if it’s your own or from a template? I don’t craft so I’ve no idea.

Sorry to hear you & your husband had a rotten day yesterday harrigran especially as it was a birthday. Scentia how can you possibly be bored already! I suppose it’s because you’re always on the go. Me? I have no problem.
#lazygran

Hope Monday is good to us all. Especially those of us with wobbles. Keep safe everyone that’s the main thing. x

Good morning Auntyflo and all x

baubles - calendula ointment much better for shingles rash than calamine - less drying and more soothing. Really worth seeking it out.

Grey and still morning and a domestic day ahead. Fridge sorting to check what we will need at the end of the week and possibly a bit of polishing, but that’s about it. Still, dull is better than dramatic, isn’t it Marydoll?

The postman has just brought some chocolates and card from DD saying ‘Happiness is having brilliant parents’! It made me cry especially as we can no longer see them over Christmas.

It's turquoise-ish Nortsat.

Good morning from North Yorkshire. It’s just about light but dry so far.
We had carols by the lych gate yesterday. It was pretty chilly but nice to see people.
Nothing much on today, I was all organised for Christmas very early this year.
Harrigran sorry you are unwell. Hope you feel better soon.
Lovely card Beechnut. Happy anniversary Dragonfly and MrD
Happy hearing Greyduster . Fabulous flowers Ginny
Hope today is kind to everyone. Stay safe.

Good morning all from a wet Essex. Another walk for little pooch around the neighbourhood, as it’s too muddy over the fields or woods. She misses chasing around.

Yesterday I packed up two of the GD’s presents and stockings and sent them off Special Delivery. The others are close by and we can pop them in the doorstep on Christmas Eve, and sing them a Carol.

We have a largish turkey in the freezer which DH is adamant we should cook. It will have to come out today and be cooked Christmas morning. Oh well it will pass the time! Seems daft for just 2 of us. I will freeze some of it after it’s been carved and cold, for pies and the like. ?.

Watched a nice film yesterday afternoon and started the book The Essex Serpent. Any Essex grans read it?

Thankyou for that lovely card Beech , and a Merry Christmas to you. ?

A pic of my fireplace to follow. It might be a bit dark!

Have a peaceful day all. ?

Happy anniversary dragonfly ?

Good morning Mick, morning all from dark and damp S Lanarkshire.

Beautiful card Beechnut thank you and a happy Christmas to you too.
Lovely displays ginny, can’t beat a bit of fresh holly.

Yesterday I joined in with an early birthday party on zoom for the little one who’s birthday it will be on Thursday. It was run by a couple of children’s entertainers who did a smashing job of making all the wee ones laugh and join in with games and dancing. They all seemed to really enjoy themselves but I had to blink hard so as not to disgrace myself by blubbing at the sight of their wee faces and the thought of what these little ones are missing.

I had horrid dreams last night about being out with the birthday girl and losing her in a crowded place. Typical anxiety dream I expect.

DH is really sore, his shingles rash has grown and is looking very angry now, I’m going to get some calamine lotion for him today. Sorry to hear Harry’s DH wasn’t able to enjoy his birthday, hope he’s feeling better today.

I’m a bundle of laughs today! Must give myself a shake.

I hope everyone has a peaceful day. Happy Monday.

Good morning from a very damp and dull Black Country.

Decorations are now up, so starting to feel a little Christmassy, although it won't be the same not being with the family.

MrJan is off to the Opticians today as a follow up to his Cataract op last Thursday. I will take the opportunity to wrap his presents whilst he is out. We agreed just a few little items, and we are buying between us a TV for the caravan.

I must make mincepies today, as I have 3 jars of homemade mincemeat.

Happy Anniversary Dragonfly

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning Mick and the GM team from damp east London.

I sense we’re feeling a bit jaded on the thread this morning. I am adding flowers, to sit alongside ginny’s lovely festive arrangement and beechnut’s lovely card.

I have stopped reading the Guardian this morning, as it’s too depressing. We have got one or two minor administrative issues to deal with today, but they seem to be preying on my mind ... adding to the general air of ‘jadedness’.

I had roasted a piece of pork yesterday but found I was so disinclined to cook, that we ordered an Indian takeaway.

Good wishes to those facing challenges and disappointments today. Looking forward to hearing from gilly and glad MellowYellow is back in her new format (which I recall is a shade of blue but I can’t remember which one).
Have a good day, all. ? (Gosh on re reading what a moany post ... apologies).