Good Morning Wednesday 13th December 2023

Good morning from an amazingly dry East Lothian. When I say dry, I mean it’s not raining! The rivers we saw flowing under the A1 yesterday, coming back from a trip to Dunbar, were full to bursting.

We’ve had an interesting week: the Scottish Cabinet go out on tour to meet local communities and it was East Lothian’s turn on Monday. They visited the Community Bakery and the Crunchy Carrot greengrocer and food store in Dunbar, and a garden restoration project near Haddington, in the morning. They then held a public session which we attended with DD. There were a good number of people, including some young people from local schools. The questions and answers were interesting and everything was very civilised though, of course, there were strong feeling about a number of issues, local and national.

Yesterday I went to Pilates with DD and demonstrated my need for more regular exercise 😬. We then did some shopping in the above mentioned shops in Dunbar and had coffee. We finished with a search for mugs and stocking fillers for GDGs in the Zero Waste store, an emporium of household goods, books and toys no longer wanted by their former owners. We found two suitable mugs but it’s hard to find stocking fillers for 15 year old boys!

Today we are meeting up with friends for lunch in a garden centre. They are coming out from Edinburgh to the countryside to look for a Christmas tree.

Thoughts with all who are battling illness or pain.
Hope you get your Swiss roll, Mick.

Good morning all from blustery N Bucks. It seems to have stopped raining at least which is good as I am off this afternoon with friends from the Arts Society committee to a private tour of Island Hall, near Huntingdon followed by afternoon tea. and 🍰 can’t be bad!
This morning however is Opera Plus on zoom - Handel in Italy so lots of lovely music in the comfort of my own home.
I am sorry to read of health and other worries and wish you all comfort and respite.

Me too, I’m not a great fan of Christmas. Bad childhood memories, commercialisation, forgetting that Christmas Day is the beginning of the season, not the end, etc.
DH loved Christmas, and like taichi, I’m now finding that I miss him more dreadfully.
Hey ho, just put on a brave face, glue on a smile and get on with life!

Good morning from a grey NE.
I slept late this morning.
DIL has sent me a message asking if I want to go to the school carol service, it is in Durham cathedral and GD is singing in the choir. Unfortunately I struggle with the uphill walk so will not be attending this year.
Have a good day.

Good morning Mick and all from sunny Lancashire, currently 5°C. It looks like a beautiful autumn day out there, but rain is forecast for later.

MrB and I enjoyed a pleasant post prandial stroll down to the river at high tide. The flood warning is no longer in place and she is not bursting her banks.

Today I need to collect my main prescription and do a little shopping. It’s good to get out. Have a good day whatever you’re doing 🦩🦩🦩

Morning everyone, today is as busy as the previous two days so I’ve only read the first few posts and will have to catch up later.
Time though to see your beautiful quilt grandMattie, they will love it.

RosesandLilac💐 it’s rotten when you feel down especially when you feel almost pressured to be jolly, hope you feel better soon.

Have a good day all x

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. A grey South Yorkshire day. It may brighten later. I slept very badly last night and sat up reading from quarter past two until half past four, so I’ve slept late. I must drive over to the post office in the next village to buy stamps and post my cards, then this afternoon it is writer’s group at the library and a bit of shopping while at the mall if it’s not too busy. DD rang me yesterday to ask if she had been vaccinated against measles. I said that off the top of my head I remember that both she and her brother had been vaccinated. It was something that happened automatically back then. It seems that the university medical centre where she works are concerned about an upsurge in cases. Always something.
Have the best day you can folks.

Good morning Mick and everyone from bright Carlisle where we might actually get a sunny day.
Yesterday I was busy with housework, laundry and admin, today I will be easing off that and find more enjoyable things to do, getting out and pruning my fruit bushes could be one of them if the weather holds and reducing my magazine pile by reading them could be another.

Your DGS2 made me smile Georgesgran, I too would find being behind the scene with a plate of mince pies a more enjoyable activity!

I hope you and MrMD find yourselves improving Marydoll, you seem to be contending with one thing after another at the moment.

And have the best possible day, everyone.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 4° and finally dry. Susan thank you for thinking of me. Marydoll that's a worry for you about Mr Doll. As if you didn't have enough to worry about! GrandMattie another lovely quilt. Ash I'm glad the audience appreciated the performance. Brook I hope your renovation is going smoothly.
Yesterday I was worn out with this cold virus. Fortunately dgs2 was pretty amenable to a day indoors which was just as well because the weather was vile. Heavy rain all day.
I still have a rotten cold but I slept much better last night and the pains in my legs and feet from peripheral neuropathy didn't keep me awake.
Today I will tidy up the kitchen which I was too tired to face last night. Then get the cards written. I'm meeting a couple of friends at a garden centre near Stirling for afternoon tea. One of the friends is treating us. So that'll be a nice event to look forward to. Have a good day all

Good morning from North Yorkshire. It’s dry at the moment. Rain forecast later.
I have a friend coming today. We usually go walking but everywhere is so wet we have decided to go to the village pub for lunch. I had thought we might stroll through the village but there is a burst water main!
This evening I have a ‘do’ with a ladies group I belong to. I need to wrap my Secret Santa gift.
Sorry to hear of poorly chests, sore throats etc. get well soon.
Enjoy the little ones’ concerts. My ‘little one’ now towers over me!
Have a good day everyone.

Good morning all Mick and all. It's forecast sunshine and showers here today - it will be so lovely to see the sun 🌞.
Glad the first night went so well Ash - a good portent for the rest of the run.
I'm sure Wolfie enjoyed being the best donkey ever as well!
RosesandLilac I'm in your camp when it comes to not really enjoying Christmas any more so hugs in unity. In my case it's because it's the time I miss my DH most - we used to have such a cosy happy time as a little family. I keep telling myself that I'm lucky to have the memories ...... Now off you go and buy yourself a lovely present - you deserve it!
Glad you're feeling so much better Corner.
That's such a lovely quilt again grandmattie.
At tai chi yesterday, just as the class was about to begin, the door of the hall burst open and in rushed a lady full of apologies for being late and totally out of breath from running. She'd woken to a leak under her bath but couldn't turn the stop cock and had to call a plumber to come as an emergency. Poor girl. And she wasn't late for her class at all - her's is on Thursday!!
Had a lovely lunch and gift swap with my niece after tai chi in a new little cafe called Fig and Fromage that has opened up in my old home town. It has a selection of cheese to buy, and does the best coffee and bagels - we'll be going back there!
This evening is Dancing GD's show. It's actually an assessment for the degree year - each student has had to choreograph one piece and they all dance in each other's pieces. It's on for two nights and DGD's piece is tomorrow. Needless to say I'm hoping to go to both nights! My problem is that it involves two hours of night driving for me, which I find very difficult. I have bought a pair of night driving glasses which I hope will stop at least some of the glare. So, 🤞
I've got a huge long to-do list for today so I really must get going. Enjoy your day everyone x

Good morning from Glasgow. For a welcome change, no rain is forecast for today and we may even see some sunshine.

No reason to go out today except hopefully, some garden time. I do miss not being able to step out to the garden whenever I feel the need to be outdoors. Our gardener will be here today to continue with a winter tidy up. Our garden bins are still being collected thankfully.

Almost finished with decorations indoors but not completed until Friday as GD2 14, wants to come and help after school and have a sleepover. Our little ray of sunshine, full of chatter and a terrific sense of humour.

Christmas gift shopping all done or so I though until I saw what I know GD1 will love, Now I am finished.

Have a pleasant day all and a smoother, less worrying day to those having difficult times.

Good morning Mick. good morning all from dry and mild Cheshire.
On our way to Anglesey this morning for Christmas concerts today and tomorrow and a catch up with friends ton Friday.
Will probably drive past our old house to see if the new owners have made changes.
We put lights over the arch at Christmas, I wonder if they’ll do the same.
Have a good day everyone
🦩🦩🦩

Good morning Mick and all from a brightening northwest coast. Off soon into Manchester ostensibly for Christmas markets but I’m going to the art gallery. I’m ticking off a floor at a time. Then Harvey Nichols.
Good day yesterday, music club, but wish I could stop dropping off in front of the tv and then trouble getting off to
sleep later…
Thoughts to all with worries of any kind 🌺

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. Not yet light. Roll on the Solstice 😍
Thanks ginny . Your village and decorations are stunning.

Yarn group this morning the last before January. Our last Gaelic class was hilarious. She had us in teams doing a festive quiz . My team lost after we had all performed short plays using the impossible grammar we've learned this term.
I have received some lovely, newsy cards which reminds me I must send a few.

I must call the doctor too. I sleep so badly and squeal with pain in my joints ever since my not covid virus. Or it may be old age or the weather but I'm sure I shouldn't be taking so many painkillers.

I hope you enjoy the communal meal gMattie. I have a U3A one tomorrow.
Get well soon Mr Marydoll and anyone else who's unwell

Have a lovely day everyone.

Good morning from Shropshire.

We enjoyed the Carol service yesterday.DGD read very confidently and H sang enthusiastically although sat on his teachers knee the rest of the time as he has finds the village church scary.

Todays options are to do some Christmas food shopping or go to a local National Trust property to see the Christmas displays and have lunch🤔

DH and I make one whole person between us at the moment luluaugust.

I hope Grandmabatty is starting to feel better and can have a restful day today.

Mary💐and I sympathise.My DH is not a fan of visiting the GP either🤦🏼‍♀️

Have the best day you can everyone🦩🎄🎅🏼

Good morning all and it isn’t raining 😳.
Yesterday was biblical at times.💧💧💧

Today I will go to church and then up to town, market day.
I need a couple more presents and will get some party food from M and S. I also have a nurse’s appointment in town at 12.30 , so I’ll go straight there. Just the results of my health check blood test . 🤞.

Dh has a chiropodists appointment this afternoon.

I love your little village ginny.

Liberty my neighbour up there told me about the floods all around .
Enjoy the Carol service Sar.

Take care everyone and stay safe. 🎄

Morning all from West Oxfordshire. I should get up soon. Yesterday’s social at a friend’s was good, although the starter was strange - dough balls with garlic served with sushi! I took the pudding - a Diane Henry recipe for chocolate and olive oil cake. It was delicious! I finished all the cards and letters yesterday. OH will buy the stamps and if the village Guides aren’t delivering local cards (10 p per card for charity) OH will do them.
I am expecting more parcels to be delivered today so more things to wrap. It is the WI Christmas do tonight. We are meeting in a hotel in a nearby town. It is a good thing someone made a list of the food we ordered weeks ago as I have forgotten my choice!
What a beautiful quilt GM! I would love to get back into quilting but my thumbs are too painful,
Have a lovely day everyone.

Good morning from a wet South Downs.

glammagran thank you for the tip. I shall bear that in mind. I was ordering to add to my shopping delivery from Sainsbury who obviously don’t stock it. ,
Yesterday was very pleasant - my sister is doing well and was cheerful.

Today nothing planned -so will wrap some presents I think, and put in another shopping order.

Fish with pesto tray bake today

Peace and harmony to all.

Good morning from Durham - raining again. A dreadful night as we had a power cut from 6.30. Luckily I’d lit the wood burner and I’ve a gas hob, but by 9.30 I decided to go to bed. The alarm system has bleeped all night but at least the power is back on now
My cold is thriving! However, I must meet DD1 later and I’ve promised to babysit DGS2 tonight, so lots of Day Nurse!
Apparently he was a very reluctant sheep at his Nursery event yesterday, didn’t want to participate and was later found with a plate of mince pies - he is only 2!
Best wishes to all. X

Good morning all from a cloudy Glasgow where it is 6°C.

I'm loving hearing about all the visits out and about. Enjoy your lunch GM.

I have a quiet day planned a letter to a friend in Italy needs written, (with the help of Google translate) and that's about it.
Any exertion is leaving me very breathless at the moment and the news from my cardiologist has left me feeling quite low. I am poor company and need to give myself a good talking too.

Mr MD has been very unwell with a chest infection, he hasn't seen a GP in thirty years and refuses to seek help. I am quite concerned about him, dosing him with paracetamol, hot kemon drinks and inhalations, to try and help despite him being a grumpy old man.

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning everyone from south Manchester. It’s dry but seems colder out. It’s 5°C . We are leaving in an hour to walk through the park (I’ll get a hot chocolate on the way) to the infant school where L’il Miss (6) is dressed up as a shining star in the nativity. Home then cross over the road on my own to get the train into Manchester Oxford Road (it only takes 15 minutes) to meet our Yorkshire Lass for a mooch about, coffee then lunch together. A busy day ahead!

Here’s Matt.
x

Good morning all from damp South Lanarkshire.

Mick, that Yule Log sounds delicious.

You’re very industrious Roses, would you let us see some of the finished articles?

Yoga this morning then I’ll pop into the butcher’s to order a turkey crown for DD after which a trip to M&S food shop to get a few things.

Have a good day everyone.

Good morning all. Damp underfoot as usual here in Sefton.No rain forecast for today. That makes a change.
A very busy day today. Zoom exercise class first thing, then Pilates in a nearby town. A quick lunch, then rearrange a bedroom (hide wrapped Christmas presents) & make up a bed for our DGD (aged 5) who is staying over tonight. Mum & Dad are off to London for a concert. School pickup then a supermarket food shop as supplies are very low. (Memo to self. Don't forget to feed their recently acquired cat) Ooh I'm tired already. Suspect it may be an early night for all of us.
Have a good day all.

Good morning from W Kent. Another resting day with a visit from a friend. I am looking at what needs doing and can’t do it neck still very painful. DH seems to have developed a leg problem from sitting all night in A&E. we are certainly not fit for purpose at present.
Mind how you go everyone