Good Morning Friday 22nd December 2023

Thank you stilllearning - that's excellent advice. I shall leave the security of 'my corner' and do some one-to-oneing - I can cope with that! Said gizmo promised for 10th January now - but I'm telling myself how lucky I am to be able to afford it and from here in in I shall not moan!! however if it doesn't materialise on 10th January.......

Hi everyone, the Morning got away from me !
The wind has dropped
I’m still deaf , but not as sore
Spare bed is ready , Daughter insisted on turning the mattress , I’m afraid I left her to it ! Turning a king sized mattress is a step too far for me , it gets used a max of 5 nights at a time ., mostly one or two nights , and about 4 times a year
Wishing every one the best days possible and look forward to brighter days ahead xx

Good morning Mick and all from cloudy Lancashire, currently 9°C, very windy, and dry.

Another night of rain and howling winds, Pia hasn’t left us yet. Up early this morning to witness the sunrise now we have reached the Solstice. No, we didn’t go out in the storm, been watching the live feed from Stonehenge

No real plans for today, shopping all done, the few cards I still post have been sent. Just a couple of presents to wrap and I have gift bags rather than wrapping paper for those.

Have a good day whatever you’re doing and remember the days are getting lighter from today 😋

Good morning from a dry but blustery Oxfordshire, all the rain that was heading our way must have diverted away as it’s been dry most of the week.
Late posting as a tarpaulin came off of one of MrOops cars that he is minding for a friend, I had to help him try and wrestle it back on with the wind blowing.
I surprised him yesterday by booking a table at our local Indian Restaurant, it was empty as they only had a table quite early the rest of the evening they were fully booked. He enjoyed it but was suspicious of my intentions! Just shows I don’t surprise him very often. I didn’t realise that the cut off day for my shopping delivery on Saturday was last night, so a quick trip to the local supermarket for a couple of odds and ends that weren’t on my list, then a quiet day, with some bits to pull out of the freezer to defrost.
Have a good day everyone.

Good morning all from a bright W Kent. A morning of ironing followed by a visit to a local library to collect hearing aid batteries and then a small shop. DGS1 is 27 today, time flying again. I am remembering the first time I saw him, a very small baby with lots of black hair.
Taichinan perhaps there will be one more post before Christmas, I know they only come once a week here at present but fingers crossed for you.
Best wishes to all

Good morning from coastal West Sussex. Gloomy day but not too cold. I hope to get out in the garden later and do yet more pruning, the recent mild weather and heavy rain have made everything put on a growth spurt. I live on a duel carriageway with a lovely row of mature trees growing down the central reservation so I have tons of leaves to clear up too. Oh the joys of gardening! I am sort of ready for Christmas, everything is wrapped and food will be delivered tomorrow. I have signed up for Birdwatch in January and I am putting more food out for the birds as we move further into winter. I am baby sitting tonight as my eldest grandson is going with his parents to see 'Diehard' at the cinema which, I believe, despite the title, is a Christmas film. Best wishes to everybody, enjoy your day and try and find time for yourself.

Meant to admire the cake RosesandLilac!

Oh Taichinan, what a disappointment. I know too well the group situation. I just move boldly from person to person now since I remember my poor DH’s slowly increasing isolation and I’m determined to fight that as long as possible.
I’m sure you’ll get loads of pleasure just being all together and your gizmo still to look forward to x

Good morning everyone from south Manchester. It’s dry, bit blowy but 10°C. I have a reflexology session at the Macmillan Centre late morning. Himself is driving over to meet me afterwards and we will join in their tea/coffee drop in session. We both enjoy it, it’s comforting and reassuring to spend time with a group of people in a similar situation.

Late afternoon our local daughter and son in law will be with the Boy Wonder and L’il Miss the square downstairs from us. Our independent cafe/bar has a glorious Christmas tree and lights plus mulled wine & mince pies. The children can have their tea in there whilst the four of us enjoy sitting and chatting with our beverages of choice. Himself will either have zero alcohol lager or a glass of tap water. The main thing is, he’s with us 💙 and well enough to join in. I’ll take that.

Here’s Matt.
x

Oldies coffee morning shortly and then domestic tasks await, but I think all the shopping is done and what we haven’t got we will have to do without - just some salad stuff needed I think. Everyone sounds busy so hope the travellers have a good day and that the rest of us are drama free.

Braved my local Tesco yesterday and it was very quiet! Only one
family at the ‘til before me. Perhaps I just hit lucky.

Good morning from Durham - where rain is expected in half an hour.
I’m off to York with DGS2 today. Difficult week, made brighter by DGS2’s Nativity, he was no1 talking sheep and taking DGS2 to lights in Leazes Park.
Left my old conservatory furniture out for collection (£18) yesterday - it’s still there, so I’ll phone them at 9. I can put it back in the garage, if necessary.
Must complete DD2 and her family gifts, as they’ll take them home tomorrow.
Enjoy your meal Mick, not sure my digestion could handle that!
Commiserations for those dealing with ‘bu*erations and heartfelt sympathy for those unwell, or dealing with sick loved ones.
Best wishes to all. X

Good morning from a calmer Suffolk today. I haven’t had time to read any posts but saw the wonderful cake as I was scrolling through.

We had a glorious time at Dunwich yesterday with only 1 couple plus their 2 dogs on the beach…..so unlike other times when the beach cafe is open for yummy fish and chips. DinL from Ipswich joined us to exchange presents with the Bristol DD.

We went to the pub there for lunch( Gingster you will know it well)which again was not too busy and even though we hadn’t booked,a table for 8 of us was found easily.

When the chatty lady came to take our orders I couldn’t help staring at her as she looked exactly like a hairdresser at my salon. I had to apologise for staring and in chatting to her it turned out she is the identical twin of said hairdresser!

Hope all find a little sunshine in the squalls of today.

The Christmas curry karaoke sounds fun Grandmabatty.Have a great time🎅🏼🎤

Good morning from Shropshire where the wind is thankfully not as strong as yesterday.

A quiet day today hopefully before things start to get busier tomorrow.

kitty SIL and DD are doing a tractor run tomorrow.Great fun to watch and great fun to participate!

Thank you for the information about the bed wedge karma.

Roses your cake looks wonderful and your birthday sounds perfect.

Have the best day you can everyone🦩🎄🎅🏼

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 9° and dry. It doesn't look too windy out either.
Yesterday I popped in to see dd and the boys in the morning. Dgs2 was extremely excited to see me. It was very sweet and funny. After that, I braved Tesco. The queues were enormous but I got all the booze in for visitors. In the afternoon I iced the Christmas cake and wrapped the rest of the presents. So job done.
Today I'm going back to dd's to look after dgs2 for an hour while DD and Sil collect the turkey etc. In the afternoon I have Christmas cake to deliver to my friend's partner. Then tonight DD, Sil and I are going to my aunt and uncle's house for our annual Christmas curry karaoke. My uncle is a fabulous cook and learned how to make proper curries at an Indian restaurant in Glasgow. My aunt and I are the karaoke kweens. (Spelling is deliberate for alliterative effect) My DD has made spiced onions and I will take a very large bottle of red wine. Taxis there and home again. I'm looking forward to it. Have a good day all

Good morning all from the Angus coast. It's as dark as pitch out there so there must be a lot of thick cloud. I notice we have a Yellow Warning for snow and ice for this evening but I shall be away by then to stay over with the DGDs and there's no warning for there before we head south tomorrow. So, as the song goes 🎵 Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow 🎵😁
Happy Birthday for yesterday RosesandLilac, and what an amazing cake! Sounds as if you had a lovely day.
Yes, those days of glitter and glue - and gingerbread houses - were magical. Sounds like a great time was had, grandmattie.
Enjoy those fish 'n chips Mick.
A big disappointment yesterday - my hearing aid gizmo that was going to make such a big difference to my life failed to arrive. So it's back to smiling and nodding and not knowing what anyone's saying during all the family get-togethers over Christmas. Ever the optimist, it hadn't occurred to me that that might happen and I feel so deflated by it. I hadn't realised just how much I was looking forward to using it over Christmas. Ah well, there's worse things.
Anyway, lots to do before I head off so I had better move and do it! Have another lovely pre-Christmas day everyone x

Ice worries me too, karma. I skidded and wrecked a car once. When it’s very icy here we have to leave the car at the bottom of the hill on the actual road and tramp down in crampons. I also have a hiking stick, labelled “Stick of HUTH, will collect” (HUTH = her up the hill) which I leave behind the road grit bin down at the bottom.

MD, do you have a reclining chair that you could use as a bed? I think some people find that works. Sorry to hear you couldn’t get necessary meds. What a hard time you are having!

It’s dreich here on the Boggy Brae but the wind is not quite so strong as yesterday. We had to use a humane Rentokil mouse trap because I discovered a mouse had been pissing (and worse) on my ironing pile. The actual cheek! We caught the blighter.

Today MrB’s hols from work begin. He will probably go shopping while I try not to wreck my watercolour painting. It is small and I’m pleased with it so far but I’m terrified of spoiling it when I add the focus: a tiny (approximation to a) kingfisher 😬
Who knew learning to paint was so stressful?! 🤣

Karma, thank you for taking the time to post the link. I was telling my DH about it, after reading your post.

The only time I don't have reflux is when in hospital, because I can adjust the position of the bed.
However, that is rather a drastic solution! 😂

Good morning from a dark and dull Black Country, where it rained overnight.

It was very windy yesterday, but took Mum to her audiology appointment, where they charge £70 to remove wax. The Practice Nurse used to do it, but no longer.

Had a lovely screenshot yesterday from DD about DGD (15). From the school. She has been awarded recognition for consistently working hard and achieving great things, and for an excellent attitude for learning, in both Science and French! One proud Nan, that she is working so hard.

No real plans today....gym and a few presents to wrap.

Have the best day possible everyone

Marydoll, I bought the latex bed wedge and it isthe best wedge I ever had. I have had reflux for decades and used a system of pillows after two past wedges from other companies, they were too high and too hard. I slept the whole night through last night and I could use my normal pillow on top. No back or neck ache this morning and no coughing in the night.

Here is the link. My one has the dark top on the right, I got the 36" and the total, including discount and postage was £153.46. Worth every penny

putnams.co.uk/collections/acid-reflux

Good morning all and it’s still breezy here at the Suffolk seaside. Oh dear! We are off back to Essex today and I hate going over the Orwell Bridge when it’s windy 🫣.

We shopped yesterday which was very relaxed with not too many people, - just salad to get tomorrow.
Dd messaged me yesterday to say she was unwell and would I take her shopping when we get back. (I thought I’d finished! 😤.)
Of course I will!

Enjoy the day and all the festive ‘doings’. 🎄.

Good morning all from the Black country rain overnight but the wind has dropped a bit.
2 fence panels blew down yesterday good news not our problem it's the neighbours, bad news it's a private landlord and we've been trying for over 12mths to get repairs done to it a panel at the end of the garden has been missing that long so today a call to the agents is in order.
Roses your cake looks to nice to eat glad you had a nice day.
Meeting friends at the club this evening.
Enjoy your day everyone whatever your plans and safe travels those on the move, virtual hugs where needed ☀️

Oh, not sure what happened there.
Anyway a good day wished for all and enjoy the extra minutes of daylight.

Good morning Mick and all from a wild and windy northwest coast. First time on our new trains into the city yesterday, very nice with larger windows and different layout. About time too…
Enjoyed Woman in Black, not too scary and fond memories of my favourite theatre. Best bit was when the audience was engulfed in dry ice….Had an actor boyfriend there ages ago as well as singing Carmen there.
A bit of Xmas shopping and home to drop off some gifts.

This morning to friend for mulled wine and mince pies. I’m hardly at home and need to get on. My DD arrives tomorrow and must change her sheets etc.
Fab cake Roses! Thoughts to all with troubles 🎄🌺

Good morning.
This morning will be spent with youngest DGS whilst his Mummy gets on with last minute Christmas things. DH will be here so little one will be perfectly happy following him around.
This afternoon I have a couple of gifts to deliver locally and the cake to ice.
Looking forward to a candle lit concert this evening with all three of my DDs. All Christmas music but not carols