Good Morning Good Friday

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. Cool and grey (sounds a bit like me!) in South Yorkshire this morning. Gardening for us today. DH is agonising about whether to cut the lawn on Good Friday, but I told him that God loves a garden, and the tidier the better, so I am sure he’ll be forgiven! I am not a churchgoer but will take some time out for reflection today.
Hope everyone has a peaceful and happy day.

grandmajet

Good morning from a greyish Nottinghamshire. It looks as if the sun may appear later.
I have been given a big decision to make. Yesterday, after being treated with various chemotherapies for a gynae. cancer for 18 months, it seems they have decided it’s not working for me and have given me the option of a huge operation to remove as much as possible, or just wait for an inevitable complete bowel obstruction. Yikes. I knew things were progressing in the wrong way, but knowing in my head and being told face to face by a surgeon are two different things. I have been given contact details of ladies who have had this op. and have already texted one who came back with positive feedback. Much to think about over the next few days.
We are going to see our eldest daughter in her garden this afternoon, she’s a medically trained psychiatrist and will no doubt have questions for me. Our son is coming tomorrow afternoon and won’t have questions! He will discuss Manchester United with his dad and tell me about his cats.
Our middle daughter’s boy has a football match tomorrow morning, the first for ages, which I hope we can go and watch.
Life goes on.
I hope you don’t mind my sharing this with you all as I’m a relative newcomer but it does seem to help to tell people, and many of you have your troubles so I’m not alone. Thanks for listening. Now to get up and enjoy my day. Try to enjoy yours, everyone.

Also fairly new*grandmajet*and haven't experienced your problem but I think listening to others who have "been there" is probably the best advice and then you can decide what's right for you.Very difficult choices as I know from the experience of my daughter's breast cancer 13 years ago. Thinking of you.

Such a difficult time and a hard decision to make grandmajet hopefully talking to someone who’s been in a similar situation may help and there’s lots of support on here whenever you need it?
That’s right grandmabatty the Highland Wildlife Park is in Kingussie, just near Aviemore. I think it’s expanded a bit over the years but I’ve not been myself for a while
Love the Easter wreaths, how creative and clever!

A grey, windy day in North Hampshire, but it seems fitting for this particular day. Thank you for the picture and verse Ashcombe.

With help from your family and the ladies you are contacting I’m sure you’ll make the right decision Grandmajet . Very tough time for you ??.

I love the look of that front door Marydoll and the wreath is so pretty. I hope you will feel able to step inside your son and soon to be d-i-l’s new home before too long.

Love the window Auntieflo, yet again I wish I had “made something earlier”, but I never seem to get round to it.

Have a peaceful and enjoyable day everyone ???

Morning Mick and all

Grey and chilly here. Grandmajet you have a lot of thinking and taking to do over the coming days good luck with reaching the right decision for you ?

Not a lot happening today (there’s a change!!)

Wishing you all a happy Easter ???

Keep safe and well folks ?‍♀️

Beautiful wreath Marydoll

I don't know the circumstances grandmajet but I actually think the surgeons should help you to make the right decision.
When DH was first diagnosed he opted for life saving surgery and lived another 20 years. but 16 years in the cancer returned and that time surgery wasn't an option.
His mum is still with us having had surgery and radiotherapy for breast cancer 25 years ago.
Sending uplifting thoughts and prayers your way

Good morning everyone from south Manchester where it’s sunny but cold. Brr! Himself has already been down to the larder to buy lamb for Easter. I wanted a half shoulder. Nada. Not in Aldi either which is also in the square. He bought a whole leg (I think he must have taken out a second mortgage) which we will give to our daughter for their Sunday dinner and say ‘Happy Easter’. I’d best text her to let her know! Anyway he’s gone back out - he picked up the car keys and said he’ll nip to M&S (10 minute drive away) and ‘get what I can’. I think he’s like that Duracell bunny he doesn’t let the grass grow under his feet. Unlike me, reading all your posts and now posting myself!
#lazygran
Well, they say opposites attract done they?

I’d best not push my luck though. I’m off to set the table with mats, plates and egg cups. Burford Browns for breakfast with thickly buttered crumpets. At least when the wanderer returns (I asked him to buy hot cross buns too!) I’ll look better organised!. I might tie a pretty pink ribbon in my hair ...

I’m so very sorry to hear your bad news grandmajet. Hearing that must have pulled the rug from beneath your feet and it sounds like a Hobson’s choice that you have to make. It sounds as though your daughter is your go-to to really confide in and she does seem well placed to support your decision. It must be reassuring to hear of positive outcomes from others who faced this awful dilemma. My heart goes out to you this Easter time and I will keep you in my thoughts and wish you well.

Hope today is kind to us all. Thoughts especially of you Mawbe and of course our gillybob. We sure miss that Friday ‘YAY’ girl. Keep safe everyone that’s the main thing. x

Sorry about your ad news jet .
PS. Everyone, I put the buns in the oven at 40C for an hour then turned it up to 200C. Seems to have done the trick as the hot cross buns were delicious. DH made a pig of himself, commenting that they were “nice as usual”. I snorted and told him that he had forgotten the years h3 recommended I built a house with them!

Good Morning All x.
Bright and sunny but a bit parky, I don't mind though as this lighter weather gives a much needed boost to the system.

I won't need to shop for a month now after a trip to M&S yesterday. No Easter eggs as such so I had to resort to getting 7 bags of the hunt the eggs ones----still, there are a few of them in the bag so it'll look a lot No Jersey's either

Ruby-Lou will be on her way from Durham to join the family so I hope to see her over the weekend sometime. We're hoping that she can come home for good soon and attend mainstream school where her big sister is rather than the " special " school where behaviours are a lot to be desired and of which Ruby was copying. She'd do better in a nurturing class which they have here.

I didn't have any phone -calls from the medical centre yesterday but I'm not unduly bothered. I'm absolutely fine in myself but am not prepared to go through taking any chances with my health and risking a full-blown stroke. I see the nurse next week for my INR so I'll tell her too.

Poor D looked frazzled yesterday, being mad busy at work and seeing to the children, cooking, washing etc. GS, who still lives at home helps her between his own work shifts and the ex. ( who still resides in the shed outside ) does the ironing and " babysits " in between. You've got to laugh though, my mum would have been in tucks. Ours is a nice house ours is !

Every morning as soon as I open the garden door I have a friend trying to pop in----a huge bumble bee ! Never fails. It flew in this morning and got caught in the curtain so I got a card and scooped it up and off it went. What with bats and bees, I feel like Doctor Dolittle and cats of course.

Grandmajet I feel for you and the predicament you're in x
You're doing the right thing by contacting others who've had similar experiences so I hope you can reach your decision through the confidence of others. Whatever you decide may it be the right one for you. I wish you well x

You'll have to go easy too Marydoll as being here, I have seen the " downturn" this last 12 months or so. Do look after yourself x.

Love the Easter wreaths, there's nothing like colour and flowers for brightening up the soul.
A meal of scallops for me today and whatever else I can tuck into.

Good to hear you're feeling brighter Dragonfly, you deserve a lift.x

Good wishes to All on this Good Friday and have a safe and peaceful day xx

Good Morning everyone on this interesting and uplifting thread. Warm sunshine here - time will be spent outside today.

Gaga what wonderful news - all to do with your wonderful nursing, I should imagine! Grammaretto you're in charge of buns. No heavy work, please. dragonfly, hurrah you've caught sight of your mojo. Have a lovely day.

Ash the picture is so confusing here, but I check the site for appointments every day, (although not since Macron spoke on Wednesday night.) The first group to be eligible covered all those 75 and over. This has been the case since they started vaccinating. Into this is included all medical and 'caring people' - Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Carers, Laboratory staff etc., and added to this were people with serious illnesses or comorbidities.

The next group down - not to date officially dealt with - covered those aged 65 - 74. This group would include my DH and so, you can imagine, we've taken every opportunity we could to check the appropriate websites for appointments. If your DH is in otherwise good health, he would presumably have had to wait for this group to be advertised for appointments.

Doctolib.fr this morning are now confirming everyone over 70 can make an appointment for the region of their choice. On their site all the available rendez-vous will be set out, with times etc., and people are allowed to travel for those vaccines - out of their area, if necessary.

On Wednesday our Emperor said in his televised address to the nation that the aim was to 'vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.....Seriously?! Maybe he is planning to do his own version of loaves and fishes with the stocks we have?

So now the groups - he says - are:
All 60 - 70 starting 16 April
All 50 - 60 starting 15 May
All under 50's by mid June.

France has not hit a single target yet, so I shall make no comment on this slightly optimistic timetable!
However as it's 2nd April today, your DH should indeed be having his jab. Maybe a strong word with his GP if he can't make an online appointment?

grandmajet, dear. So sorry to hear you've had some hard stuff to get your head around. But, don't be daft, you're the first person to support any of us. You can say anything on here and you'll always get support. An option has been offered to you, and contacts to discuss this with. Well done for being so brave. Talk to your family , think about it carefully. Praying that you'll take every chance to bring about a recovery. x

Laura that was a fantastic April Fool. Think we were all fooled. My poor DH even got a lecture to cover any future thoughts of rescuing wild life from our roof - even though our house is single storey!! Maybe need to say that "you are awful, but we do like you!" Be kind to that poor manhandled Flamingo today. ?

Have a good Good Friday, GrandmaB and the other talented creators of Easter decorations. Very impressive.

NannyT Wow, that's some excuse! At least when you are all standing around in your pristine garden, you'll have that slightly surreal excuse to discuss ! Making memories, eh? ?

Elizabeth your poor DH. Nothing to be done for a broken rib but the pain can be unbelievable. He should insist on an appointment. Thought of you yesterday when I was chasing a Clematis Montana Elizabeth at the Garden Centre. It is so prolific, smells of marzipan and so reminds me of Spring in our lovely English garden.

Spent a happy few hours in a Garden Centre yesterday. Oooh! Go me! I even managed to have a conversation when a sweet French lady with a strong Spanish accent came up and admired one of the climbers I had bought and then gave me explicit instructions as to its care, so I would have as good a plant as her neighbour! Every single one of the staff and customers in the centre wore a mask (and over their noses!), we stood well apart in the outside garden part and it was marvellous to have a conversation again with a random person who was so pleased to get some human contact.

Today I shall be planting some lovely Tomato plants against a sunny wall. My herb trough will be replenished with some Lemon Thyme, Sage and Basil. Already our resident Chives and Mint are pickable. As to my climbers - I have one to go up a pillar, at the top of which a little Black Redstart is building a nest and occasionally shouting at the dogs. When they get cross or they talk to each other, they bounce as if to emphasise a point. It always makes us laugh. They're more like Robins and quite fearless, but we do draw the line when they fly down (as in other years) onto the back of an empty chair when we're having coffee and berate us for having the nerve to sit in our own courtyard.

Sending everyone Easter wishes. Squeeze every drop of enjoyment and happiness and hope out of this time.
South of France sunbeams to you all and please stay safe.
Hugs x ??‍♀️

Good morning all from a sunny but chilly Lancashire. I had to abandon my plans yesterday as I fell going downstairs. I caught the dodgy foot on the edge of a step, it went skidding off and the rest of me followed. Except for the other foot which bent back the wrong way. It was agony and I screamed and terrified poor Mr. B. I was still holding on to the bannister rail so I didn’t go all the way down but my arm felt like it was being wrenched out of its socket. I was so shocked I cried. I seem to be all in one piece but I’m going to have some lovely bruises. This afternoon will definitely be a sewing afternoon, most frustrating when the weather is so lovely.

So sorry to read your news grandmajet , it’s good that you’ve been put in touch with people who have been through the proposed surgery. It’s really helpful to get first hand info and experience.

Wishing today is kind to us all . I’m off to sew a flamingo face mask cover!

Oh Ellan - I was just about to go off and be useful and I read your post. You are just so funny - seems your Mum had the same sense of humour. Is he trying to outdo Maggie Smith's Lady in a Van, do you think? When your D is in less frazzled mode, she must surely share the funny side with you.
Take care and be sure to get your jab resolved next week. x

What are you like, Urms? Small panic, taking out a second mortgage etc., over DH's leg of lamb choice but.......not remotely worried about giving it to your DD as a present. That's us Grans but sometimes, lady, we just have to think we're worth it!
Happy Easter. x

Good morning Mick and all from dry, bright, chilly Anglesey.
I am saddened to read your post Grandmajet and hope you can reach the right decision, you give the impression of being a very upbeat person with a great sense of humour which will stand you in good stead. How lovely to have a close and compassionate daughter. Only having sons myself I know what you mean about your son. They probably feel the same deep inside but show it differently. Do talk to all those with positive experience, do continue to off load here amongst people who genuinely care even though we only know each other by silly names. Do keep smiling.
Gagagran I had visions of Mr G tearing around the neighbourhood like a hell’s angel until I realised you meant a bicycle. I’m glad he’s recovering well.
Lovely cheering photos yesterday Alygran. Even sunshine on line can make us feel warm.
Oh EV I do hope you get to see Ruby-Lou and that she can come home soon to her family.
Marydoll, another fun poster who makes us all smile in spite of your failing health. Inspirational and heartwarming.
You too Auntiflo, Cherry and in fact most of you lovely people.
Tuck in to those hot cross buns, enjoy the Easter weekend and look for that little random pink flamingo in the Lego of life. ?

Good Morning all from dry, bright but chilly Harrogate. Hope you can make the right decision GranMajet a difficult one.
Gaga your DH is doing brilliantly! What a lovely wreath Marydoll, what a kerfuffle you had with the power cut!!
Another lovely wreath Grandmabatty
DD and DGS have returned from their walk and suggest i meet them at the park, so gulping down my coffee and i'll go!!
Hope everyone has a really GOOD FRIDAY!!

Sorry to hear your news Grandmajet , a hard decision to make. I wish you well xx

Blossoming, you poor thing. Hope your pain eases soon, I think it’s the shock that makes us cry rather than the pain. Just as well you are holding tight to the bannister.
GrandmFrench glad you enjoyed my little joke yesterday and hopefully it will discourage GrandpaFrench from climbing - good to know I have been of service ?

Good morning from sunny Cornwall. Much cooler but good working outside weather. Amazing night sleep like Jaxjacky. Mine was all the logging

Would like some, but no visitors expected today or over the weekend. There are days when I miss living where I did in Derbyshire with many family and friends nearby as well as a choice of towns to visit within 15 mins.

grandmajet Please talk to your family. As a mum who has a son who hides things from me, I sooner my family tell me what is worrying them. You have a heard decision but keep in touch with those two contact.

grandmafrench I'll squeeze as hard as I can. Please the vaccinations are planned. Hope the supply is a plenty. We have cold sunbeams here. I must look up Black Redstarts. I'm sat outside currently listening to a very loud robin singing his/her heart out. I'm enjoying a new Earl Grey (Tick Tock). It's Roibos .

I don't have a flamingo emoji so here's lots of easter bunnies ? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??

Blossoming how scary and it always happens so quickly, gently bently today.
Grandmafrench we used to have Redstarts nesting in France, very ‘darty’ birds, in and out all the time.
Well I’ve hoovered, hung a load of washing up, cleaned bathrooms and a hot x bun is calling.

A good, late, Friday morning to you all. There isn't a single cloud in the sky here in the Gower. It's a bit on the nippy side compared to yesterday though.

I had one of those nights ? so fell heavily back to sleep afterwards. Obviously needed the recuperation as I'm feeling okay but it's meant I've lost the morning ?.
Consequentially I haven't been able to read everyone's doings yet ? but I will!

I noticed on a newspaper review, although I don't know you can call the one it was on a newspaper, that some emojis are hip whilst others are out and oldschool and show your age. I use a lot of the latter ?. I'm quite sad that one of my very favourites, and a meant one too, is apparently out, the ❤️. If it is I don't care if I'm past it I will keep using it.

Take care everyone and ❤️❤️❤️ to all you lovely people ?

Just a message to say I am thinking of you Grandmajet and I hope you come to a decision you are happy with. I have stage 4 cancer so have a little understanding of how up Just be feeling.

Oooh blossoming hope you’re recovering ok and not too bruised - its so easily done I know! Take care today and enjoy your relaxing afternoon

Good morning - well, it is as I start typing! - from a very cloudy and cold Angus coast. Each time I look at the weather app the promised sunshine has been pushed back another hour, so the cloud is winning so far unfortunately.
We were so lucky with the weather yesterday for our tai chi on the beach, as you will see from the photo. 15 turned up and it was so lovely to see everyone. What long hair the men had - one of them had the most glorious head of pure white curls! The tai chi was, well, let's call it inventive (that certainly was a good description of mine). We did three sets of 108 moves, back to back, and I was totally exhausted for the rest of the day. But it was so worth it - sea air on a stiff breeze, the sound of the sea and the sparkle on the waves, and that wonderful feeling that you are not the only person on the planet! More of the same is requested for next week, so I must get the tide timetable out again.
I won't be seeing anyone over Easter but DD and her new extended bubble family are all coming at some weather-friendly, Covid-rules permitted-point during the week after 12th April. DGD3 texted "Nanny, I know I'm 15 but really I'm still 5 inside so could you pleeeeeeease do one of your Easter Egg Hunts for us?". Now, who could resist that! Unfortunately the Easter bunnies will have gobbled up all the eggs by then but I'm sure I'll find something for the five teens to hunt for. I'm feeling childishly excited about it!
There's a lot of sadness going on amongst us just now. In particular my heart goes out to you Grandmajet. What a hard decision to have to make. You really must follow your own heart in this and then take all the love and support there obviously is for you within your family. And offload as much as you can on here and feel the loving and caring thoughts coming your way ??
There were so many more I'd have liked to mention (think hot cross buns and Easter wreaths). And Gagagran how marvellous that MrG felt fit enough for an 8 mile cycle run! That's certainly a great stride in the right direction. But that's half the day gone and nothing achieved, so off I must trot.
Please have the best day you can everyone, even tho the weather may not be at its best ( we're forecast snow on Monday!). ☀️?☃️??

Auntieflo

Oh, grandmajet, my heart goes out to you at this difficult time. I agree with Grammaretto. It’s invaluable that you have contact with the ladies who have been where you are currently and can give you the comfort and confidence to be where they are now.
xxx