Good morning, Tuesday, 13th December, 2022

I hope your phlebotomist is young and dishy kitty - he seems to visit quite often! I have to say all the medical personnel I have dealt with recently have been very appealing except the female staff - must be my age!

Good morning from a lurker in an overcast Staffs. Don’t know the temperature but it doesn’t look like there’s been a frost.
I’ve come on to ask you to share my joy-I rang the surgery this morning and will have a phone appointment some time today to renew antibiotics for chest infection I’ve had for over a week now-hurrah! Was expecting a battle but receptionist was very helpful and proactive 😊
Am thoroughly fed up-have missed SO many things 😞
Love to hear your tales and I share your joys and sadnesses too-as other OP said this is a lovely community

Oh Shazza don't say that about everybody wearing them. I have found that with M&S before now. I have ordered three in the hope I like one of them!

Recovering after a busy but most enjoyable weekend - no stamina these days, sadly! Supermarket today and will try to get ahead where I can so that I don’t need to brave a supermarket next week. Otherwise admin and trying to keep warm whilst not bankrupting myself.

Thinking of grandMattie (hurrah!) and Marydoll (stay indoors, woman!) and all those having a demanding time. This bitter spell can’t last forever - can it? Just remembered 1962/3. Help!

Good morning and the snow/frost is still lingering on the ground.

Yesterday the chimes group Christmas session was cancelled - hopefully Friday now.

Dd called round and we had a coffee and a friendly chat.
She was due to have her immunotherapy infusion at 9 o’clock. The meds arrived but no nurse. After a million phone calls (from Dd to the hospital) she had a call late afternoon. Nurse had been stuck in Prague 😳🙄. A phone call would have been good. They say a nurse will be there this morning. Let’s hope so! When will anything go right!

What adventures youve been having Marydoll and Ladyleftfielder. Take it easy today!

Bridge today, hopefully, if I can get out of my road without skidding! 🙏.

Keep cosy! ❤️

Good morning from a cold but ice free Black Country.

Went to Wolverhampton yesterday to meet DS for lunch, and swap cards and give him the girls presents (we only give for the children now). I was surprised how snowy and icy it was over there, as there is none here! So Mum didn't come as it was lethal on the paths near her.

Today I have a check up at the Dentist. Fingers crossed it is is light on my purse! Will walk there, and on the way back I walk through town, so may peruse the shops!

Goodness Marydoll what a day for you, hope you have recovered!

Wishing you all a warm and safe day.

At last GM you have your house back to yourself.

Good morning everyone from a chilly looking Northampton, it's -3°, but doesn't look quite so frosty out.

Had a lovely time at Knit and Natter yesterday; we spent our usual hour and a half with our needles out, then had a delicious lunch; I decided on scampi and chips. As we meet in a pub, no extra journey to make for our food. One lady had brought a home-made cream sponge as it was her birthday! Had so much that I didn't need a lot for tea last night.

A few errands to do on the way home; I called in the paper shop to pay my bill and was embarrassed to find I hadn't paid it since September! Have now settled up to the end of the year.

Health walk this afternoon, but not sure I will actually walk! My friend has offered me a lift, so I might just go and meet them for the company, and wait in the cafe for their return, then have coffee and a chat.

My final ordered Christmas parcel arrived yesterday, so will need to spend a morning busy wrapping. Only buying for the grandchildren this year, as requested by DS,.so not so much to do.

Safe journeys to all traveling today. grandMattie, enjoy your freedom!

Good morning all from South Lanarkshire where it’s bloomin’ cold.

I’m not feeling too well, razor blade throat and headache on top of a couple of nights where my little friend (stoma) has made her presence felt in a most unpleasant way.

Hey ho though - onwards!

Today I must have a look at my present stash and see if there’s anything I need as I don’t have another free day for a week.

I’m glad I was working yesterday Mary, and not trying to get anywhere by train, that sounds very trying.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning from N. Bucks. Cold weather and cold noses.
I have our WI Christmas lunch today at a local restaurant where the food is usually very good so hoping it can feed a crowd well.
DD2 is coming to work from our house and stay for a couple of nights. Her boiler is not working and nobody can come until Friday. Originally it was January 3 rd!
Otherwise Christmasy jobs to do and watch Kirstys Handmade at 5.
Stay warm and hope today is a good one for all.

Good Morning from S Yorks

glad you are free at last GM and Greyduster what a lovely family you have but hope you can be released from Cabin Fever as soon as.

Main roads are fine - my little one is a bit dodgy but will get out to the gym then have Zoom counselling as per back home.
No new snow, very pretty out, but I shan't be sorry when it goes.

Take care all, bests for poorlies and may outings go well.

GS has finally decided on his Christmas present. I thought I had given up robbing banks, but I might have to! Having said that, I can’t think of branch that is actually now open to be robbed, so maybe not😁! Busking then……..!

That made me smile, Greyduster! 😂

Good Morning everyone from a very clear, very cold Carlisle where it was -6C at 7.30am. There is a beautiful half moon in the sky still.
Yesterday, housework and reading and the same today. I'm staying in except to venture out into the garden to feed the blackbird an apple. He's stuffing himself out there most of the day.

I'm pleased for you grandMattie, I hope you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet now just pleasing yourself.

Have a good day all. I hope Mick is enjoying his trip.

Good morning, Ash and thank you for starting us off, and good morning to all GNs from South Yorkshire where there is little in the way of frost this morning but it feels really cold. DS has to go back up to York today for a family commitment but will be back again this evening. In the meantime DD will be back over to fill the gap. I told her I could manage on my own for a day but it cut no ice. I got out for a short hop on the crutches yesterday and hope to do the same today, and do a few things around the house. I am starting to get serious cabin fever! GS has finally decided on his Christmas present. I thought I had given up robbing banks, but I might have to! Having said that, I can’t think of branch that is actually now open to be robbed, so maybe not😁! Busking then……..!
Have a good day one and all!

Morning all from a frozen West Oxfordshire. I will have a lie in until at least 9 am as I didn’t get to bed until 1 am. I had a lovely day in London: I drove to Oxford without incident; the train was on time; taxi to the National Gallery where I met younger son; the Lucien Freud exhibition was incredible; lunch at Cote in Soho; tube to Pimlico; hour or so in Tate Britain; quick drink in a pub; daughter’s concert. One of her friends gave me a lift back to Paddington where I got a train back to Oxford. My car was frozen so I was scraping ice off at midnight! Then home. Congratulations to GM. I do hope the lady was truly grateful! Today - mmm, a trip to Waitrose.

Good morn8ng from -2 in South Hampshire. Breath now gMattie wear your earrings with gaiety.
I saw good news later yesterday that madeleine had her heating fixed, 👏👏
Thanks for opening Ash good your medication is sorted.
Washing to do, trip to the vape shop and chilli for dinner.
Enjoy your day 🦩

Good morning all from, as dragonfly says, a freezing North Leicestershire.

We are expecting the plumber today as we have a leak from the bathroom into the lounge. I do love ny house but wish it didn't leak quite regularly.

Hopefully, a phlebotomist will turn up too.

Keep warm everyone.

Good morning all from Glasgow, its -11, for the first time this year, our heating came on overnight and stayed on, the house is so toasty.

Thank you for opening up, Ash. How fortunate you are Ashcome, to have a helpful surgery. However, I'm surprised at the lack of paperwork and communication. All my hospital notes can be accessed immediately after treatment and medication lists viewed on the portal.
Be careful in the cold, its not good for your heart!

Yesterday turned out to be a rather interesting day out in Glasgow.
It didn't start well. DH spent ages, scraping my car, but when I went out to run it, I couldn't get into it. I assumed the locks had frozen, so we decided to take DH'S, to get to the station. We couldn't get into his either.
We had just about given up and decided to cancel, because there was no chance of me walking to the station, when I realised my car keys were very light. DH had mixed them up, (they are both the same make), I was not amused!!! I'm saving that error up for the next time, I do something stupid. 🤣

We got to the station to find the train was cancelled and the waiting room out of order. 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
The next train, coming from Carlisle was delayed and just as hypothermia was setting in, it arrived.
By this time the usually quiet platform was mobbed, because all the electric trains, (on a separate line) in the nearby village had been cancelled, due to the weather. As is my usual opus operandi and to DHs annoyance, I passed the time by chatting away to all and sundry! 😉

I know you won't believe me, but I was yards away from TMaxx and did not go in.
I went into Primark for socks, and other rubbish, but after half an hour of queuing, I began to feel my heart and lungs playing up, due to the bitter cold.
I found DH, who had been dispatched to Costa, to keep him sweet and sat down to get my heart spray. Suddenly I felt very peckish and asked him to surreptiously open the selection box, I had treated myself to, from Poundland.. Discrete? No way!! Much to my embarrassment, he emptied all the contents onto the table, right next to the cash desk!!. 😂

After a delicious lunch, we set of for the train. All the electric services had been cancelled, but our diesel service was leaving in FOUR minutes. Much to my horror, DH suggested we try and run for it, because we could have an hour wait, due to all the cancellations. The station was in chaos, with trains stacked up in every platform.
We just made it by the skin of our teeth, but just as I was overdosing on Ventolin and my heart spray, there was an announcement, that the train had broken down and we all had to get off. 😭😭😭😭

... And so we waited and waited and waited, planning an alternative journey by bus if they were running
Fortunately a train to our destination appeared on the board.🥳🥳🥳🥳
There are 15 platforms at Glasgow Central and every platform, apart from ours and one other, displayed a cancellation notice.
By this time, I thought my lungs would burst, due to the cold.
So grateful to be going home, DH and I reminisced about times abroad, when we found ourselves in similar situations.
We had only travelled one stop, when the police boarded the train, looking for someone. What an adventure we had had. Two old fogies on tour.
DIL had been tracking us on WhatsApp (she was worried), her reaction is unprintable, when I told her we were stuck!!

Later, we got a call from DD on her way home from work, she was stuck in Glasgow, all the trains were off and she was panicking. Poor SIL had fortunately managed to jump on the train from London to Glasgow at Motherwell.
I had to give them instructions where and how to get a bus, even to Paisley and DH would come for them. I spent the next couple of hours fretting.
It made me think of how different we were at that age, no-one had cars and jumping on and off buses was second nature to us.
Bizarrely, DH and I talked about what a lovely day, we had, and we never fell out once. 🤣

I'm off to Sainsbury's and Matalan to pick up parcels, but don't plan to be out long. This cold is affecting me quite badly and the non stop coughing is tiresome.

Sorry about the return of the Novella! 😚

I hope GM is ok, I expected her to open up. 🤔
Wishing you all the best of days and stay safe and warm Safe journey to all, who are travelling. Greyduster, don't take chances with that new hip.💐

Good morning all from the Black country, thanks for opening up Ash
grandMattie I can hear the sigh of relief and champagne corks popping all the way up here, enjoy your space the 9hrs sleep will have done the world of good to you.
Hairdressers today then a trip to matalan still looking for one or two bits for Christmas.
Best wishes for anyone celebrating, safe travels those on the move and virtual hugs where needed.
Enjoy your Tuesday and may you all find some 🌞.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently -10° and clear. No snow but lots of frost. Grandmattie peace, perfect peace for you.
Yesterday was a long day as I was scraping the car at 5.45 and then dropped off the boys nearly twelve hours later.
Today should be another childcare day but I'm feeling unwell with a headache, cough and sinus issues. I hope dd has an extra covid test as I've run out. Have a good day all

I just read your message about getting tops from Next daragonfly. It’s where I usually buy most of my clothes lol.

Good Morning Ash and everyone from Hull. That freezing fog stayed all day yesterday gosh it was bleak!

Hope your daughter can enjoy her birthday Grammaretto and to Megs too who is having her birthday today I think. 🎂🎂

Yesterday I delivered a few cards and some baked tarts to a couple of neighbours. My direct next door neighbour his wife has had a nervous breakdown. It’s terrible. These last 2 and a half years have just got on top of her. He looks broken. They are lovely neighbours.
Today I’m going to TKMAXX without DH who thinks it just looks like a jumble sale. I want something sparkly to wear on New Year’s Eve and then my birthday possibly a dress. We have a Next up the road but when I buy special things from there the world and his dog is wearing it. Believe me I’ve been caught out a few times. I’ll be thinking of Marydoll while Im rummaging around looking for a bargain.

Wishing everyone a lovely day but stay safe on the paths and roads. Thinking of those finding this time of year a struggle🌻🎄

Good morning from North Wales where it doesn’t feel quite as chilly this morning.

I woke up at 3am and realised we had forgotten elf on the shelf so a dash downstairs in the cold to sort him out🙄

We are waiting to hear if DGD’s school is open as the heating was broken yesterday so the school was closed about an hour after they had gone in yesterday.H was meant to be going on a play date but has woken up coughing so I think we had better keep him in the warm.Our empty is probably not happening!We are expecting DD and SIL home early evening.

Safe travels all on the move and I hope all unwell are feeling better.

Stay as warm as you can and have the best day possible.🎄🎅🏼

Good morning from a cold and frosty Colchester. Our light dusting of snow disappeared quickly yesterday. DD2 who lives a bit further west sent pictures of DGS building a snowman. The picture is of DS car as he drove West on Sunday night. This is after 50 miles of motorway driving!
Charity shop volunteering today and picking up new specs later.
Love to all 🦩 x

Morning all

Thanks for opening Ashcombe

It’s -2° here on S E Essex, clear sky and heavy frost. It’s DS 4”s birthday today, the years seem to be flying so quickly.

We are hopefully off to Chelmsford for the last few Christmas gifts and stopping at the big Sainsbury’s (between me and Gingster’s) for the last time before Christmas (do not like shops when they are overly busy)

The 7yr old will be sleeping over this evening, I absolutely love the cuddles and one-to-one time.

Have a good day folks 🎄🤶🎁🙋‍♀️

Here’s Matt.

As I put the kettle on, my first thought of the day was “I wonder how yesterday’s moving out went for grandMattie?”. It illustrates how connected we’ve all become over the years on this thread. We share snippets of our lives and gradually feel we become close. It’s a nice feeling.

Good morning everyone from south Manchester where it’s still dark. Sunrise isn’t for another hour yet. We have no plans at all, other than I’ve offered to make a SOAP dish for our daughter and. Son in law. “Ooh yes. Please mum, it’s ages since we’ve had one!” Makes an easy tea time for a busy family. Have a good Tuesday all who can. x

I read this yesterday & really like it:

“The days . . . did not feel particularly quiet or happy but through them ran the sense, like an underground river, that there would come a time when these days would be looked back on as happiness, all that life could give of contentment and peace”

From That They May Face The Rising Sun by John McGahern (Irish novelist 1932 – 2006)