Good morning Thursday 15 December

Good morning all from a very frosty Black country -9°.
We were going into town today I need some lush bath bombs for Dil but think will give it a miss stay in and present wrap.
Haven't read through yet will make a drink then sit and catch up with everybody's happenings.
Take care all those out and about, best wishes for anyone celebrating and virtual hugs where needed.
Enjoy your Thursday and may you all find some 🌞.

Good morning everyone. It's a positively tropical +1°C on the Angus coast today! Unfortunately that rise in temp usually heralds snow and there's a yellow warning out for a shedload of the stuff tomorrow. All hatches battened down!
Susan what a horrendous thing to happen to your neighbours! And I echo your Grrrr! Grandmattie. A little gratitude wouldn't go amiss. But now the bed has gone you can get on with your own life. I hope you enjoyed your tai chi - it's lovely that you all just get together to do it. Ash that sounds a lovely warm outfit to get you to the surgery - a new fashion trend emerges!
Today is my tai chi morning which will be followed by a festive lunch at a hotel along the road from the hall. There won't be a chance to change into festive finery, so I have decided to wear my old Chrissie jumper, resplendent with pearl snowflakes and a large fuzzy polar bear in a Santa hat! After that - and a foray into Nature's Garden for milk and bread to see me through the forecast snow at the weekend - I shall do my usual Thursday afternoon collapse in front of the tv. (I have given in and the heating is now on - it's like a warm hug!)
Have a good day everyone, and I trust Mick is enjoying his week away. Sending healing wishes to the heartsore, and warmth to all x

Good Morning Mick and everyone from Hull. Not quite a deep frost today but still only getting to 3-4 degrees.
When we left my uncle in Bridlington yesterday we left in a blizzard of snow.

Susan that is such tragic news for you and your neighbours.💐

Our DD , SIL and DGDs fly to Morocco today for a little pre Christmas holiday. Lovely to get away from this chill for a few days.
Today I’m going to the gym and later picking up GS from school.
I need to prepare my curry paste for my yellow curry tea tonight and DS will have some before he takes GS home.

Have the best day possible. Hope you can all keep warm and safe. Thoughts to those struggling with stress and illness🌻🎄

Good morning all from grey Harrogate -3 here.
I await my Sainsburies delivery, still coughing but managed to wrestle the required antibiotics out of the surgery who really should look at my notes!!
Think I finally finished my present shopping yesterday- now I have the job of getting them wrapped!
Maybe you can get a video of the children’s nativities Susan and Marydoll? We went to DGDs nativity,, but weren’t invited to DG’s one, but DD2 sent me a treasured clip of DGS in his.
Such a shock about your neighbours Susan.
Have the best day possible folks

Hello All! It’s very freezing here in Carlisle….-8C. Obviously it’s not warming up yet. Roll on the weekend when I shall probably start moaning about greyness and rain….
I quite like to see the blue skies and the garden plants prettily frosted but detest the defrosting of my car. I had to go out yesterday and it was a lengthy process with the windscreen threatening to ice up again as I drove across the city.
It’s an early visit to the podiatrist this morning so I must needs be off shortly… without reading all your posts till I return, so I’ll wish you all a good day.

Good morn8ng from, as Sally said -4 in S Hants, enough now thanks.
Shocking news Ashcombe.
What a slap in the face gMattie, words fail me.
I had a lovely lunch with a friend yesterday in front of a roaring fire, no such plans today, a few phone calls and a little tidy up.
Belated Happy Birthday baubles 🎂.
Enjoy your day all 🦩🦩

Good morning all from North Leicestershire where I am reliably informed (by Alexa) that it is -6.

DH is driving today while I pack presents. We had a good catch up with my brother and sil yesterday but were sad to learn that my sil is being tested for Parkinson's disease.

A very cold start here in Oxfordshire, forecast says it 'feels like' -9 currently. I'm working at home today and break up on Monday for Christmas, I can't wait. I've still got 2 cakes to ice and mince pies to make as well as all the wrapping up.
It's been a busy week, decorating the kitchen and looking after our dog who needed emergency surgery last Ftiday. He's recovering now thankfully, but we can't walk him for 2 weeks.
Take care and keep warm today!

Oh yes, thanks for reminding me Marydoll, a very Happy Birthday to Baubles for yesterday! 🎂🎉🎈🥂

Good morning from a much clearer Leicestershire - no mist this morning.

Lunch with DH’s golf cronies and their wives in a local pub today, then coming home to more Christmas wrapping.

What a terrible shock Susan, your poor neighbours.
Hope everyone keeps warm today.

Good morning from a below freezing Colchester.
Housework and Christmas planning today. We'll drive to Lidl to stock up as the pavements are treacherous outside the city centre. Looking forward to the promised temperature rise.
Love to all 🦩 x

Good morning everyone from a still dark south Hants where it’s currently -4.
Thanks for opening grandMattie. I don’t blame you for feeling cross re the bed and the ungratefulness of your DL beggars belief! I’m afraid she would have got short thrift from me had I have been there! 😤. As Ashcombe said - you really are such a lovely thoughtful person 🥰 😇 x
Karmalady I bet your kitchen smelt wonderful.
Susan56 What a shame you missed the concert - but good that you were able to get your car sorted so quickly. Re your neighbours, that’s so sad - what an awful thing to happen.
Oopsadaisy1 - it’s wonderful when a project is finally completed isn’t it. I bet the cabin looks great. I can’t wait for the carpet to go down in the spare room … it’s still languishing in the hall… warming itself by the radiator!
Today we’re off to see DS2 and his family 🥰 for a few hours. Cuddles with the two little GDs are on the cards. The MOT on the car went ok - at least it’s passed! It does need a good run though so we’ll probably take it today.
Good luck to those with medical appointments- I hope they all go well. Thoughts to those in pain and with worries 🦩🦩
Hugs and 💐💐 for you all - be kind to yourselves x

Good morning everyone from Inverness where we’ve had more overnight snow again, everything is looking very wintry and white and no sign of anything melting yet.
What tragic news Susan thinking about the families involved.
Wrap up warm Ash that fleece lined onesie sounds just the job.
You’re right Urms we came back at the right time. I’ve been keeping my eye on the Malaga weather and it’s looked very wet and soggy, but at least there’s no snow (yet!)
grandmachristy 💐
No plans for me today but I might go into town for some last minute bits and bobs. I’m going to DD1s in Cambridge next week for a couple of days so I need to be sorted by then.
Hope everyone finds something to enjoy today and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning all from Glasgow, where it's -5°C, it's positively balmy, compared to yesterday's -11°C.
Yesterday was a day of doing nothing, due to the extreme cold affecting my heart. I am so afraid of ending up in A&E.

I'm the luckiest gran in the world, I have my darling wee Dollie cuddling into me, as I type. 😍
I thought I could get posting done, before she woke up.
Today is an exciting day for her. She has two roles in the Nativity play, one a last minute one, due to illness. We were going over her lines last night and were treated to everyone's as well. In fact an almost full performance.
I'm so disappointed we are not going, tickets were very restricted, so Susan, I can understand your disappointment.

GM, you sound very low today again.
It has been a huge demand on your time and patience, looking after your friend. Not many could do it, so time to look after yourself.
However, I do also feel for DL, as someone who has to rely on others. I am often consumed with guilt because Mr MD has to do so much for me on the days I'm struggling and I have always been so independent. It can make me quite nippy with him.
DLs whole life has changed and having no close family, especially at Christmas, is so sad and she must be very anxious. She is so fortunate that you stepped in, GM.

I must stir myself, pancakes have been requested for breakfast by a certain young lady.

I shall come back later, after the school run. I haven't done a school run in thirty five years! I wonder who I will bump into????? 😁

Belated birthday wishes to Baubles for yesterday, good luck at the surgery Ash.

Safe journey to all, who are travelling.

Good morning all from East Yorkshire. It’s -4 but doesn’t seem that there is any frost.

What an awful shock Susan and such a tragedy at this festive time of year.

A poignant day for you grandmachrisy 💐

We did go to the outlet near York yesterday. Normally we’d get the park and ride in to the city first but decided just to do the outlet. Lots of tempting offers on and we bought a few bits and bobs. DH bought me a reduced advent calendar from Hotel Chocolat. I’m sure GS will love helping me catch up with the dates when he’s here later!
We left there just after 2 as I wanted to stop at farm shop on the way home. Had a cuppa in the cafe there and decided we’d have a mince pie with it. When it came it was beautifully presented and there were 3 yes 3 on the plate with a pot of cream and cranberry compote. Well we did manage to eat them all they were warmed and very light. Delicious but we didn’t want any tea till much later and I just had HM soup.

Sorting out and wrapping gifts today. Maybe baking if time allows.

Have a good day everyone.

I’ll shut up now ... 😁

Bluddy Hell Alexa has just said our weather today is currently minus 8°C! That shocked me. Sunny later and rising to zero C.
😮

After all you’ve done grandMattie to get a brickbat for the one thing you didn’t do, is dispiriting.

Here’s Matt.

Good morning everyone from south Manchester where it’s only slightly frosty outside. We have no need to be out today but doubtless at some stage I will be sending Himself downstairs with a list into our larder (Sainsbury’s) for food. Mostly we do like to decide ‘on the day’ what we fancy to eat. Certainly means no waste in this household.

I shall spend the afternoon wrapping Christmas presents then we’re pretty much done. A nice feeling.

The Boy Wonder won the school (Y6) chess final yesterday. Himself was delighted after having had several games with him recently - not all of which he won surprisingly!

My sister has emailed from Estapona a few times these last ten days. They’ve had torrential rain now for over a week. One of the LWW also texted me from Arroyo to say they cancelled Tuesday’s session as the weather was so dire! Almost unheard of to do that. You did well to escape it all brook on your recent holiday!

Enjoy Thursday all who can. You’re doing so well Ash! Baby steps. You too kitty you’ve been through the mill. x

Good morning. Thanks for opening gM. Hope Mick is enjoying his break.
Sofas were collected at lunchtime, borrowed sofas arrived late afternoon just 10 minutes before DS andBiL arrived. Perfect timing. The borrowed sofa is so comfortable DH asked “how much does DD2 want for it”
One year anniversary since mum died so DS here so we can go to the Crematorium.
Haven’t opened curtains yet but Alexa says minus 3 outside.
Susan56, sorry about your mum, we had that with our mum. So distressing.
Hope you all have a good day.

Good morning from Essex by the sea where the temperature is not due to rise above freezing all day. The frost looks very thick on the cars.
Food shopping first thing then DH is going to London to meet up with some old friends. Luckily today is the only one without a train strike.
I have his presents to wrap whilst he is out and a new jigsaw to start.
What dreadful news for your neighbourhood Susan, a big shock.
Thinking of all those with sadness, illness or worries.
Have the best Thursday you can, stay safe and warm xx

Morning all from a dark and frosty West Oxfordshire. I am having a baking day today including making a sponge/meringue cake to take to a friend’s tonight. I will also make bread sauce to freeze and sausage rolls. I have actually made a list of all the baking and cooking I have to do over the next few days! Have a good day everyone. GM, I hope your ex lodger is suitably grateful for all you have done. Surely there should be flowers and thank you notes arriving forthwith.

Oh, Susan56: what ghastly news about your neighbours! So sorry to hear that. Such a shock. Also disappointing to miss the concert. 💐

Good morning from a dark and cold Oxfordshire, we are due to get some sunshine today, but I haven’t ventured very far since we came back from holiday, I think (apart from walking MissOops dog, who is staying with us at the moment) I will stay indoors until the temperature rises considerably.
The electrician was very efficient yesterday and finished all the jobs on our list. The Cabin is now heated, or will be when we switch it on and has sockets in the right places. No more trailing sockets in the house as new plug sockets have been fitted where the computers are and a few other bits and bobs were done, he even brought his own dustpan and brush and cleaned up after himself.
Today we have to put the furniture back in place and sort the rooms out ready for our early Christmas with MzOops and her family.
At least the Christmas decorations are all up and the empty crates are back in the loft. Can’t do any forward cooking as the freezers are full, I might need to go and see what’s in them.

MrOops mate came over last night and had some very upsetting photos of the car wreckage from his wife’s accident last year, I didn’t like to say that I didn’t want to see them, now I can’t stop thinking about it all over again. Worse for him and his family I know.

Take care out there folks and have a good day, hugs for those who arent so chipper.

Good morning from Shropshire.Very cold again but not such a heavy frost.

We got halfway to DD’s when a warning light came on the car so we had to turn back and go to the garage and so missed DGD’s concert.We had to leave the car with them so after staying in town for coffee and cake we trudged home.

We got home to the tragic news that two of our neighbours have died in a house fire.We are both so shocked and saddened as is the whole community.

Today we have H.DD will take DH to the garage to collect the car.I am expecting a phone call from mums dr this morning.School pick up this afternoon then the food shop we couldn’t do yesterday.

The onesie is a good idea Ash and a face mask or scarf over your mouth definitely helps going out in such cold weather.

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