Good Morning Monday 15th May 2023

dear Mick
Do hope all went well for you today and you got some good news. I am now trying to catch up with everything as had to throw away all plans for the weekend. My sons transport broke down, he was going by train to buy something but trains on strike so it ended up that I did 366 miles in 24 hours. Drove over to Lancashire, stayed in grotty place, picked my son up and drove to Manchester. But at least he is all sorted now and can get to work. He went home and I drove home, feeling very weary. Lovely morning today and got the washing out and dry, and am trying to get myself caught up on jobs and emails etc. But am now planning to make a well earned cup of coffee and go and sit outside while it is lovely and give myself a rest before tackling a bit more.

Grandmachrisy it's just as compelling a read as all the others. I'm having difficulty putting it down! It's so sad that she (Lucinda Reilly) died so young. I think I have read everything she wrote.

Harrigran my new Lucinda Riley book was also just released on Thursday. Is that the one you were given?

Taichinan, I also recommend the Seven Sisters books. I have the final one but haven’t started reading it yet

Good morning Auntyflo and all x

Good Morning Tom a breezy and bright Co Armagh
It rained till midday yesterday , but , judging by my solar light display , it was very nice in the afternoon,
How do you adjust solar lights from flashing to static ! Without standing out in the dark , pressing invisible buttons
A cat slinking past scared the pants off me 🤣

Good Morning from sunny S Yorks and looking at the trees Greyduster is right a chilly breeze.

Not sure what today holds, maybe a gentle gym and some admin.

Best wishes for poorlies and family poorlies: indeed Marydoll the coming together the best part.

Good morning from a brightening Essex by the sea. I think rain is in the forecast today.
Yesterday we had a lovely morning at the rugby club awards day. Both grandsons won awards which was lovely for them.
The day started off very cloudy and chilly but the sun appeared about midday and it became very warm.
A phone call from my eldest brother to tell me that his lung problems are far worse than he expected. He seems resigned to the fact that he is not going to get better but, with all the medication he takes, the problems can be managed.
No specific plans today apart from washing and housework.
Tomorrow we are going to Bluewater in Kent for me to buy a new outfit for my big birthday meal next month. I think DH wants to buy a new shirt and jacket. Neither of us has bought any clothes for about a year so these need trying on first.
Have the best Monday possible everyone xxx

Good morning all and it’s trying to brighten up here on the Suffolk coast, the sea is sparkling and calm. I always sleep well here as it’s sooooo quiet.

Yesterday we travelled up early and Dh mowed our large lawn and I took bulbs out of all the tubs, before we met friends for lunch in a lovely pub not far from here. They came back for coffee and a sit in the garden, as the sun had come out and it was warm.

Today we must shop and lots more gardening on the cards. We were only here two weeks ago, and my, how everything has grown. We must get our handy man round as the steps leading to the beach are getting dodgy as are our legs. 😤.

Belated happy birthday to Marydoll . What a lovely day you had. Spoilt by your family ! ❤️.
Belated birthday wishes to you to creativity. Hope you had a lovely day too.

Monk - your little chap did well with his gymnastics. 🏆. 🤸.

Mick hope all goes well with the scan 🤞.

Ooooooerrrrr Holly that does sound a bit unnerving! 👻.

Kitty what a terrible tragedy! 🙏.

Enjoy your day, whatever it brings. 🌸

U3A AGM this morning so must get on with things. Nothing else planned for the day but if the sunshine lasts will do a little light gardening. The border at the front is full of wild garlic which seems impossible to vanquish but Chris the gardener says just leave it to die away. Not sure about this, but certainly pulling it up has been a complete failure so perhaps he is right.

Good morning Mick and everyone from sunny Carlisle. I hope it stays that way, it didn't yesterday and we had showers late afternoon.
I got some planting done and a bit of tidying up of spent tulips, sad to see those finishing but my rhododendrons are now coming out to replace them plus my early rose is looking very pretty with its single yellow flowers.
This morning, I am off into town for a coffee meeting and maybe a look into M&S's food hall. After that, well, I feel an urge to de-clutter my kitchen drawers etc. It may pass!

A lovely day for you Marydoll...the best present is to see the family happy together.

Wishing you all the best possible day.

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. Good luck with the scan, Mick. The sun is up in South Yorkshire but there’s a cool breeze coming from the North. I slept like a top last night for once. A very productive day with DS yesterday. He took DH’s workmate to clean up and use and made a lot of space in the shed. He also strimmed and mowed a very untidy patch of grass and weeds, responsibility for which is much disputed, at the other side of the garden wall that is my boundary. Henceforth I should be able to manage it myself. All this in return for a good pub lunch!
Today I will mow the front lawn and, if the wind drops, put a few more plants in the ground.
DD ran the Eyam half marathon yesterday. She said the hills were brutal but the scenery was breathtaking - when you had time to take it in.
Kitty that’s very sad. Some years ago a lad of similar age was swept away in a fast flowing river in one of our parks. There is a memorial to him there.
Mary a belated Very Happy Birthday from me - I didn’t have time to catch up yesterday.
Have the best day you can folks.

Good morning from a sunny NE.
We had some heavy showers yesterday but managed to dodge all of them when we went to the Sage. The concert was wonderful and I had a very good seat.
SIL brought me an extra birthday gift, a novel that was just released on Thursday, I am thrilled.
At bedtime I set up my star projector, a gift from DS and family, and found it so relaxing that I just drifted off to sleep. When I got up for the loo I noticed it had turned itself off so I know the timer works.
My sister arrives from Germany this afternoon so SIL is on taxi duty, she is here for six weeks.
I am going to have a quiet day to myself.
Have a good day.

What a fabulous day, Marydoll. Your cup must have run over! And rapprochement of the AC, wonderful.. so happy for you all

Good morning everyone. A sunny start here in N. Bucks.
We managed to get most of the garden pots finished yesterday and next door neighbour offered to water the garden whist we are away in a couple of weeks time.
Housework this morning and then the WI knitting group will be here this afternoon.
Kind thoughts to all especially those with worries or illness. Hope today is good for everyone.

Good morning Mick and all from Sunnyside northwest coast.
I think this house has a poltergeist as there seemed to be bumps around the back of my bed last night. I got up thinking it might be the cat, but no, she was fast asleep in another room. I’ve felt movement (of the wrong kind) in this bed before, maybe it’s something to do with it being a plugged in adjustable model, or I’m being haunted…
Food shopping, a warble for music club tomorrow and that’s it.
Yesterday arranged insurance for Salzburg trip next month and taxed the car.

Started series 1 of Grantchester on Amazon so I can carry on watching James Norton and am enjoying Jewish Matchmaker on Netflix, first reality series I have watched in a long while.

The Forest of Dean trip sounded lovely Mick, hope you get your eyes sorted GM and hope you get an appointment soon BlueBalou

Good morning from a bright North Leicestershire.

Our village is very sad today. One of the four boys who jumped into the river on Saturday night, sadly, drowned. He was 13!

DGS3 starts his GCSEs today. He seems quite laid back!

Good morning from Shropshire where the sun is shining and the wind is blowing.

After a lovely family orientated weekend today will be spent catching up on laundry,admin and gardening😴

Grandmabatty enjoy your less tiring childcare days this week.I hope you manage to speak to a GP and you too BlueBalou.

Thoughts with all unwell,those with family worries and our absent friends💐

Have the best day you can everyone🦩

Good morning everyone from a sunny Angus coast where there is no sign of mist or haar and it's 8°. The towels are out on the line already because it's forecast rain showers from midday. I'm off to a tai chi committee meeting so it will be a toss-up as to whether I or the rain gets home first!
I had a very self-indulgent day yesterday doing I know not what. But I've started a new book which might just have consumed a good few hours. It's the final book - just out - in Lucinda Reilly's Seven Sisters saga. I started reading them during lockdown and have been waiting eagerly for this - highly recommend the lot as wonderful reads and beautifully written.
DD and her hire car got home safely yesterday (fingers can uncross for a while) and I shall see them both tomorrow evening for DGD's End of Year Show.
Tomorrow is the last of DGD3's school exams, after which she will have left school. So that's the last of the five DGCs out of school - end of an era 😢. But it's lovely to see them all as young adults and following their own stars.
Today is also the day when my friend moves down south of Edinburgh. A step too far for visits, so the end of yet another era.
I'll be fine - so long as that mist and haar stays away!
Have a lovely day all and I hope all the medical procedures - and GP chasing - go well. Glad you had a lovely Birthday Marydoll.

Good morning from a cloudy W Kent. I was able to sit in the sunny garden for a while yesterday. Off to local shopping centre this morning looking for a steamer and new ironing board cover not exactly exciting. A bit of teenage care this afternoon as DD has a busy day and will be home late.
Best wishes to all

Good morning from a sunny Oxfordshire, yesterday was lovely, sunny and warm, let’s hope today is the same.
I sorted the wardrobes yesterday, the car is nearly full for the Charity Shop, so a delivery will be made soon.
Cars to take to get their MOT and service today so a bit of a delivery, swap and collect day today.
Have a good day everyone, hope all goes well with hospital appointments Mick and GM

A lovely family day Marydoll thanks for sharing with us here 💐

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s dry with some light grey cloud
Hope you get your hospital appointment soon blueBalou, you’ve waited far too long for an urgent referral
Today I’m off to the gym for a couple of classes, a trip to Tesco and then home for a bit of gardening
A very well done to your DGS monk, a little star!
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hoping today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning all from a sunny Glasgow, where it's a chilly 2°C, brrrrr.

Good luck with your scan, Mick.
BlueBalou, My GP requested a hospital appointment in September for my heart failure, then chased it up again in November. So far I have heard nothing. 😞
If a trainee GP hadn't phoned the research professor, whose research programme I am involved in, (he is not my consultant and works at a different hospital), I would still be waiting for an appointment. I am extremely fortunate, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this novella.
The urgent waiting list here is about a year, which is totally unacceptable.
I hope your GP is persistent and insists, that you be seen soon.

Thank you all for all the lovely comments, PMs and emails yesterday. I was a bit overwhelmed.
I had one of my happiest birthdays ever, with lots of beautiful gifts, but the best present of all was that all my family appeared.
I ran up to church early, leaving rotas for those, who do not have an email address, had a quick moan chat to the chief sacristan and back home within thirty minutes.
The sacristan's face lit up, he thought I had come to help. He hadn't noticed I was wearing a hoodie and joggers, ( instead of my usual elegant look 😉) most inappropriate and was quite shocked, when I said I had awarded myself a day off!!

DD and SIL appeared at 10am, but were anxious to get back to building their new greenhouse. I didn't mind, as we had spent the last week with them.
Just as they were leaving, I spotted Dollie scooting (her word) towards the house. DIL was carrying an enormous cake box. The departure was put on hold, while Dollie conducted everyone singing Happy Birthday to me. 🥰 Much to my delight, the beautifully decorated cake, was chocolate.
We had a nice catch up, then DS1 said they were going next door to see DIL's father, who has just been diagnosed with cancer.

As they were leaving Babydoll appeared. 😍 DIL2 had organised beautiful roses, (my favourite) and chocolates of the same name, from Babydoll, as a nod to her shortened name.😉
Then DS1, DIL and Dollie returned from next door, to see baby.
It was like Sauchiehall St. on a Saturday night, but I loved every moment of it.
When it came time to leave, Dollie refused to go home, because she was looking after Babydoll. 🤭
She ended up staying, while her parents went home. We couldn't stop smiling, because she was stuck to the baby, like glue and was talking away to her like an adult. Dollie was delighted, when she got to help give Babydoll a top up feed.
Just as I was trying to organise lunch, DIL's mother appeared with a gift for Dollie from her recent holiday.
Babydoll was needing fed, we were starving, but DS' MIL wasn't for leaving any time soon! 🤣

Those of those who know me well, will remember the estrangement regarding the siblings during Lockdown, so the best gift of all, was seeing them all together, happy in each other's company.
My heart was bursting with joy.

DH is golfing and I am off to put energy saving notices in the parish hall. The energy bills are excessive, because parishioners are leaving the heating lights on permanently and the PP is understandably, raging..

Baubles, I hope you are feeling a bit better today. 💐

Have a good day, whatever your plans and a special mention for all those with worries or ill health.

Good morning from a grey skied Colchester. Yesterday started chilly and grey but ended up warm and sunny. We went on another local walk and did some weeding. Today's forecast is cooler with maybe an odd shower.
No firm plans so we'll play it by ear.
Love to all 🦩 x