Good Morning Monday

Muse, thank you for that suggestion, I will source some.

Litterpicker, I may have put you off the scent entirely! I live nowhere near the Clyde Valley!

All postings read now. Sun is out in Cornwall but still that chill in the air.
Ashcombe Gently does it. Have a lovely time with your bubble mate.
Pantglas2 Good reminder. Boots points. I'll be heading for the No.7 counter on my day out in two weeks time. Eye shadow and nail polish too. My toe nails need something outrageous.
grandMattie Having Iris there will be great. I try to see myself a good best listener and sounding board for my daughter. We went through a "walking on eggshells" patch about 5 years ago.
Harrigran What a fright
EkwaNimitree. Enjoy your new home. You sound well planned.
grandmaFrench. I've had rain too - finally. 2 short, heavy showers this morning.
Mappeleaf faffing Brilliant word. Just booked my hair do. Earliest was 3 weeks.
GrannySomerset. Share your need to see family. I have to wait until June. Hope you see yours soon.

Mixed emotions today. Rang my little brother to wish him Happy Birthday. All the family were just arriving so said I would ring back tomorrow. He was my rock when I left my ex.
He'd come to see me every Sunday morning without fail. We are so close but now so far away (miles) from each other. No call from dear son yesterday. I've just sent text. Trying to keep anxiety levels down. Hoping MrM gets the digger on the road today.

Looking forward to when my Pilates class starts. I need to see faces and have our little chats after the sessions. Feel I'm loosing the plot some days.

Going to reiterate what Ashcombe said. Gentle does it.

Good morning all from still chilly West Sussex. It is cloudy now but we had a beautifully clear sky overnight - I know because I woke up and felt a spell of achy, wriggly legs coming on so got up for a Paracetamol and milky drink. I could see a lovely starry sky through the window so had to go out in my pj’s and bare feet to have a proper look. It was the most starry I have ever seen here, where house and street lighting mean no dark skies locally. I didn’t stay out for long though! And I did go back to sleep quite quickly ?.

Marydoll it was lovely to read about your shopping expedition yesterday. As regards your ‘clues’, I think you must be slightly further east and north than I thought but I am easily confused and obviously should have taken better notes at an earlier stage ?. For others on this thread - honestly, I am not a stalker but Marydoll has often mentioned places near me when I was growing up! I have been “in exile” in the south of England for many years so have the inevitable nostalgia for “home”. My nostalgia is tempered by the weather reports from northern parts! Interesting piece on whether women feel the cold more than men, on Woman’s Hour earlier - they do. Something to do with muscle size I think.

A lot of mystery injuries on here today Gaga and Gelisa. I sympathise.

Hope Cherry and Auntieflo and other regulars missing recently are OK.

Dollie sounds a bright little button Marydoll. Hope your visit from Iris is unmarred by any mother/daughter sensitivities GrandMattie. I used to have problems with my late mother’s comments and notice similar sometimes with two of my three DDs on what seem to me to be innocuous remarks ?.

Must get on with something useful . Hope everyone has something good in their life today.

Marydoll. I haven't read all the posts yet but you say old fashioned firelighters haven't been successful.
Photo - I use these for the log burner and BBQ. One, with just a few pieces of kindling on top. As soon as the kindling has caught I put larger logs on. It's easier with the burner as I can control the air vent. I put two in the BBQ, again with kindling then charcoal. I can recommend natural charcoal not briquettes. Not a fan of liquid fuel.
Our outsider heater has packed up so I'm thinking of buying a fire pit. Good luck.

Greyduster I haven't finished reading all the posts but had to comment on yours. Your visit to Meadowhell brought back such fond memories for me. When I lived in Derbyshire, I had a very close friend who lived the other side of Sheffield. Meadowhell was our halfway meeting place 3x a year for a full day. Much of it was spent in the M+S cafe to start with, then around the store and finally a restaurant for late afternoon meal. I do miss our lengthy chats and giggles together.

I'll get back to read more posts.

Domestic (dull) morning here. I feel I should be excited about things gradually opening up but until we can have AC to stay we won’t be seeing any of the family, and that is what I need most.

DH’s new chair has arrived and is simplicity itself to use, but he cannot grasp new concepts and requires me in the room before he will activate it. This does rather defeat the object of him being a bit less dependent on me to haul him out of a chair and I am frustrated by his incompetence which I know is not his fault but is still infuriating. I keep thinking of how much we have spent, which doesn’t help!

Good morning all from a beautiful sunny Angus coast. Snow? What snow? That must have been my inagination.
What a wonderful sense if freedom is coming from "south of the border" as you take your first tentative steps towards a normal life and venture back to shops of all sorts. I have just realised that I have no idea what's allowed up here - although I have a hairdresser's appointment on Saturday and I know the garden centres opened last week. Yippee for the first, and it will have to be a bitty warmer for the other!
As usual I am having to post before reading - my body is grabbing sleep at inconvenient hours at the moment and insisting on its seven hours nevertheless. I'm happy to go with that because all of a sudden it will change its mind and only take three or four hours for a week or so. Once lockdown is over, it will be back to the alarm clocks, but for now the body clock rules.
Noticed in my quick flick down that you're off to your holiday home for a night Ash. Enjoy that freedom - but we'll miss your post tomorrow .
Grandmattie I too have had the occasional 'eggshell times' with DD, so I feel for you. And you know they pass - in fact maybe this won't BE an eggshell time. So take a big breath, relax, and enjoy seeing Iris and her sister again..
The main joy of my day is my Tesco delivery at midday and then maybe - just maybe - I'll enjoy a weel happit (dressed up warm) seat out in the sun.
I hope everything is as well as possible with everyone, and the sun shines where you are. ☀️???

Good Morning all from bright but chilly Harrogate. Not a lot doing today but a chat with my school friend after this post, and a chat with my sister this pm.
Somewhere housework will raise it's ugly head and have to be done. I've been making 3 little pigs for my DGS. He's going through a phase of everything's to do with fairy stories! Jack and the beanstalk (apparently where in DD1's garden). He doesn't knock on doors, but tries to blow the house down - coming from a very small boy with Down syndrome is quite amusing. I shall have to bake gingerbread men for his next visit!
Marydoll I am please your lack of posting was caused by you enjoying yourself!
I, too, have had my share of eggshells to tread on with how I describe my DGS and Down Syndrome. I think I'm sorted now. Good Luck GrandMattie with your family.
Have the best day you can, folks, and remember tomorrow is another day!

Good morning from a gloriously sunny and bright South Yorkshire. At the moment there isn't a cloud in the sky. Pity it's not as warm as it looks ?.

A pottering and faffing sort of day today, with little on the agenda, other than perhaps a walk and also do the ironing. I'm also going to ring the hairdresser to see when I can be fitted in.

Take care one and all, and those of you venturing out, enjoy yourselves.

Good morning all sun trying to break through here in Black country. DS & DGSs calling round so must get the train set out ready they play for hrs with it. Hair appt tomorrow and DH received phone call from drs 2nd jab thurs. Enjoy your day all.

Good morning Mick and all. Overcast, cold and dry in Anglesey. Holiday makers can cross the border from today so expecting the beaches to be busier soon but it’s still mighty cold.
Marydoll perhaps your wood is not quite dry enough. Have you tried fire logs/heat logs available in most stores. A fire lighter, bit of dry kindling and a couple of heat logs. Fingers crossed.
Happy anniversary Purplepixie.
Enjoy your day GrandMattie, how lovely to see little Iris. I feel we’ve adopted her as our little good morning mascot.
As for treading on eggshells with your daughter, I wonder if our children subconsciously take out their stress and worries on the one person they know will forgive and love them unconditionally, usually mum.
Wishing all you lovely gransnetters a happy day and hope that at least one random pink flamingo pops up.

Good morning all, it is sunny here in Herts, I am a night owl so perhaps tge wrong thread for me, you all get up so early! ?

Haircut this afternoon, can't wait, and with the shops ooen, can find a card for lovely DiL's birthday. Still feeling down about the loss of Prince Philip, beginning to hit home what the poor Queen is going through. She has so much courage.

Good morning Mick and all from Sunnyside northwest Lancashire coast.
Bits and bobs today, roof bill to be paid, smoothies to make etc.
Yesterday after mass, I strolled round our village and popped into the railway station with its ‘libraries’ in each waiting room. I left a couple of books and took a couple.It’s a very nice idea.
A few days ago, I felt like some ginger wine, but was surprised that the large impressive wine shop in said village didn’t have any ,but bottles of every hue and type graced the shelves. I bought some ginger ale instead. Not quite the same. I love anything with ginger in it and through these arid days, these things help. If my mother in law, who lived here all her life, came back, she would be amazed at the village. It’s now very bijou, artisan shops, fancy restaurants. An ‘in’ place for locals. She just went there to get her fish and bread etc.
As usual, I fell into conversation with someone after complimenting them on how smart they looked (elegant black coat with fur collar and hat to match), but when the conversation went on and on and we were into “And when they opened me up...” I was going off the idea? We feel better for a chat though don’t we?
Thinking of anyone with a shadow across their heart. Have a good Monday and don’t go mad with the openings!

Good morning everyone. ???? yes, wall-to-wall sunshine’s back for the foreseeable, after it rained all day yesterday and most of Saturday. We’ll now get back to a more outdoors life here in the S of France.

Just wanted to wish everyone of you in England a very happy and healthy New Year, with positive thoughts for a brighter future. A big day today, whether going out to test the water or staying home but feeling glad. Hopefully some of the awfulness of the last many months will fade with a little more normality and good weather returning to give you cheer.

Other parts - well, patience is a virtue! France? We shall see and hopefully with some proper caution for a while yet.

Enjoy your day today, everyone. Say as little as you can, Mattie, and don’t let people make you feel like a victim or ruin your life. If you don’t give people enough to get their teeth into, don’t play their game and don’t get anxious - you won’t provide enough sport so they’ll leave you alone. Enjoy some time with Iris!

To all with birthdays, anniversaries, special days - my best wishes. Ekwa I suspect you’re doing far too much. Take some time for yourself so that you get into your new life feeling fairly fit to face and enjoy it all.

Taichinan will hopefully give some words of advice on lighting the fire pit, Mary - before the Fire Brigade have your card marked and you’re on that Norty Step.

Good luck, Kate

Keep safe everyone, enjoy some freedom where you can......and maybe start making little plans?

Hugs to you, as always, from me ?‍♀️?????????

Good morning all from a bright cold Lancashire. Just popping in as Mr. B and I are off out for a walk. Will catch up on your posts later.

grandmajet, Have you tried a plain old fashioned firelighter, marydoll, and some newspaper? Tried that and nothing!

Good morning from a sunny frosty Morecambe Bay.
Happy Anniversary Purplepixie have a lovely day.
Thinking too of Grammaretto?
Not a lot planned for today. The usual local walk. The day hasn’t started to well. I don’t know what I was doing in the shower earlier, but I have an annoying little cut on my knuckle and as I got dry I noticed I’d scratched my leg virtually from thigh to ankle. Only noticed when it started stinging!
Take care everyone and stay safe ???

Good morning from a lovely bright Nottinghamshire. I woke late, and have just had my morning cup of tea in bed, courtesy of DH. He is off now to do some garden tidying, and I must strip the bed for washing when I finally get up. I also have a couple of pears that need using up so I’ll make a cake with them.
It’s nice to see everyone planning little trips, visits and haircuts! I hope all the plans go well. brook , you sound busy with your GC, I remember the days before shielding when we could see our little ones properly. I so hope your family visit goes well GrandMattie. Have you tried a plain old fashioned firelighter, marydoll, and some newspaper?
Well, tea drunk, so I must do something useful now to justify my continued existence! Have the best day you can, all.

Good morning from Essex by the sea. I wrote a long post earlier but it seems to have disappeared . I wish you all a pleasant Monday xx

Grammaretto

Good morning, Mick and everyone from the Cumbrian coast where it is another gloriously sunny but frosty day. Lovely to sit in my big bay window with the sun shining through and warming me.
Another busy day ahead packing and tidying up. As soon as I cross one little job off my list, two more are added. Or so it feels. I don't have time to hit the shops today or I probably would. Our Debenhams is re-opening to clear everything and it would have been useful to visit and see if there was anything I needed for the new home.
Can't wait until Friday when I have my first full day in the new house. I will surrounded by boxes but I will not be under such pressure to do things.
I have wondered about Bellasnana, I read her comments on the Malta weather with some envy. I hope you are OK.
And everyone else... have a trouble free day.

Good Morning All x.
We're doing well for weather here in this little corner of the NW as it's another bright sunny day, pity there's no heat to go with it. We can't have everything. I'll look like a Yeti in the garden later all muffled up .

Some bits of washing to do while the going's good and definitely a bout of clothes culling. I can bundle them up and put the bags in the shed for the next collection. I imagine that the odd few charity shops will come alive now.

I need to empty the garden containers of the plants that didn't survive the frost, then get some new compost for re-planting. I missed the garden clearance chaps last week so I'll bag-up the dead plants and they can go in the now empty green bin.

I note most of you are going to enjoy your new found freedom which is great and I sincerely hope you enjoy your time meeting up and in Ashcombe's case, staying overnight.

Speaking about " walking on eggshells ", I remember my mum and the spats between my ex-SiL. Poor mum used to be mortified at times and so uncomfortable in her company. SiL was always snappy and " knew everything " until mum couldn't hold back. That was that. She and I still exchange C'mas cards.

Love the pic of the little lamb baubles, I'd have been delighted with it licking my hand.

To all who are going out and about I wish you a good day and thoughts to our friends who are perhaps struggling
Take care and stay safe everyone. xx

Good morning from West York's where it's bright but cold I am meeting friend for a walk this morning.
Happy anniversary purplepixie
Hope you have a good day GM and not too biting of tongue needed .
?to all not feeling good .Stay safe everyone .

Good morning from a bright and sunny ?Northampton. Sitting here again with a cat lying across my lap like a baby, which makes writing this rather difficult! She does like her morning cuddle.

Spent a couple of hours in the garden yesterday, trimming the edges, and then started scraping the moss off the slabs under the pergola. Had to stop when it started hailing! Shall carry on with that today, and then clean the wooden love-seat that sits in the pergola. It gets lots of afternoon sun so hoping to get some use out of it soon. And then a long phone call with a dear friend and ex-colleague who I met when she joined the staff of the school I was teaching at in 1972.

The towels are in the washing machine in the hopes that they will dry outside, and just a few jobs to do around the house. Not venturing out today, but will do tomorrow to post birthday cards.

Hope everyone going out today has a pleasant adventure; take care and stay safe.

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where the sun is shining. It was a huge pleasure to watch GS’s team play football yesterday, catching up on the touchline with parents and grandparents we hadn’t seen for a long time. The result could have been better, but it’s early days. We came home, had a cuppa, went out to stretch our legs and got caught in a snow storm!
I was due to take my ailing laptop to the Apple shop at Meadowhall this morning, but I realised that with the first day of unlockdown and the school holidays it would be Meadowhell so I have postponed it until next week when hopefully I will feel a bit safer..
Some gardening for us today when it warms up a bit. If it warms up a bit!
Grammaretto?. Have a good day one and all.