Good Morning Monday 16th December 2024

“He” is my husband by the way!

Good Morning from Norfolk. Very still and mild here and not much colour in the sky yet.

I feel like I am in a kind of half way house that doesn’t belong to me. This is Day 20 of his hospital stay after having a bad stroke completely out of the blue. One minute we have just finished our evening meal, the next we are in an ambulance heading to hospital via country lanes and a flooded road. Life as we knew it stopped there.

He had a haemorrhagic stroke caused by very high blood pressure. He felt fine, had not had a stressful day or a headache or any pain at all.

He has had some complications and has been very poorly. He is still being fed by tube and he can’t move his right arm or leg yet. His speech varies from day to day. Sometimes it is all mumbles, other days we can make out a few words. I comb his hair, massage his hands and feet, spray him with his favourite cologne.

I haven’t bought a single present for anybody and have posted just one card to a former neighbour abroad. I have bought a frozen turkey crown and a Christmas Pud. It doesn’t feel like Christmas is coming.

The cooker packed up, the light switch in the loft packed up. We cannot find a mobile phone. We don’t know codes to get on certain sites. All the jobs that he usually does, we are getting through OK but our days have changed. Son is helping with driving and repairing things, putting tree up etc. Daughter is caring for the horse, helping at mealtimes and hoovering etc.

I know there are those who will think I am crazy but I really believe my Mum who passed away 4 years this month is looking out for us. I have been “talking” to her about what’s happened as she loved my husband. Last night I went upstairs to a basket in my wardrobe to find something and my hand settled on a bottle of Holy Water! Mum always had some in our house and I had forgotten I kept it when she died. I am going to take it to hospital tomorrow and dab a bit on his poorly arm and leg. I live in hope that he makes a full recovery because he is someone who likes to be “doing”.

lixy

FriedGreenTomatoes2

What was that very funny post Maw about cooking the gammon? It always made me chuckle! Could you find it again for us?

Sorry, can’t do a link but if you put Curse of the Gammon into the GN search bar Phoenix’s original curse is as powerful as ever.
Well remembered!

See a thread I have started devoted to it.
Not wishing to bring the mood down but Christmas invariably brings back memories of those we have loved, laughed with and sadly, lost.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

What was that very funny post Maw about cooking the gammon? It always made me chuckle! Could you find it again for us?

Sorry, can’t do a link but if you put Curse of the Gammon into the GN search bar Phoenix’s original curse is as powerful as ever.
Well remembered!

Good morning Mick and everyone from cloudy Carlisle where rain is forecast.

Another night of waking in the early hours with painful joints. I gave in and took paracetamols but couldn't get to sleep. Finally I put on BBC Sounds and found they were serialising A Christmas Carol which I love. It had the usual effect of listening to something interesting...I soon fell asleep! I woke at my usual time to find it just concluding. It's read beautifully and I thoroughly recommend it.
I'm off to the GP later, hoping my affliction is temporary. Then I must get stuck into the routine housework of the week.

The blackbirds have taken to sitting on my fence waiting for their breakfast which I have to take out at first light or Mr. seems to get rather cross!

This afternoon I shall continue reading Angela Merkel's memoirs. The earlier part was interesting but at the moment there's a lot of detail about getting various laws passed, a bit tedious.
I've read Rory Stewart's tome GM and found it really interesting and revealing. Certainly agree with your comments.

Everyone seems to be getting busy. Talk of gammon reminds me of DH at Christmas before we took to spending winters in Spain Doing the ham joint was his only contribution to cooking, done much as GM details but spreading it with brown sugar and studding it with cloves before popping it in the oven to finish. We used to have a local pig farmer with his own shop. The hams were cured with his special recipes, they were superb. I used to love going into his emporium and see all these hams hanging. Sadly he gave up due to illness.

Have a good day everyone.

Good morning all. 11° on the Angus coast, and we reached 13° yesterday! Crazy.
I wrote a long post on Saturday which I lost as I was posting it. Then yesterday I slept in and had no time to stop by and say hello. It's not just the weather that's crazy!
I have nothing of interest to say except my time is spent either wrapping presents, on the phone to family or, as is the norm every year, panicking about not having bought enough for everyone. DD sent me a photo of a McMoo tote bag that I had packed her gifts in many years ago, saying that it was still going strong and how she still loved her McMoos. The outcome of that was some more little purchases from Amazon ......... Which should be here before I go down south on the 23rd, but if by any chance they aren't she'll get them for her birthday at the beginning of January. Sorted.
DGD3 called asking if I was home today as she only has one exam at uni this morning. It's a good hour up here from uni, and the opposite direction from home for her, so I explained that I am at home, but very busy, so thought she might go and see her cousins who have just arrived at their Scottish home from LA for the Christmas season. I hope they're awake!
Grandmattie I hope you've recovered from your faint the other day and have allowed your poor body a rest.
I'm so glad things are getting better for you Ash. If I remember correctly olddudders should be with you soon. Glad Wind in the Willows went well - even without you.
I hope you too are feeling a bit better Marydoll - and the same for all those not feeling too great at the moment.
Today for me is more wrapping - the spare room still looks like Santa's Grotto - and some phone calls. I'm getting there!
Have a good day everyone - and may you all find a little oasis of calm in the seasonal chaos 🎄🎁🎶

Ash, I do gammon in the pressure cooker in orange juice, takes about 20-30 minutes depending on size. It can then can be put in the oven with a glaze on to give it a nice topping.

Change of plans here at Gravy Grange o am now going to school with The Imp for his Santa Run 🤶🤶🤶

Good morning from a brightening East Lothian. We are forecast gusty winds again but it looks as though they will ease off for a bit this afternoon. This is our last full day here. We will head to Dunbar to catch a train south, changing at Berwick.

We had a lovely weekend with a bus ride to Edinburgh where we had time to look at some paintings in the National Gallery before meeting DD and family at the Botanics for the Christmas light trail. It was quite magical.

Today I must write some Christmas cards - I thought we’d have plenty of time to do them while here but somehow it hasn’t happened. I spent a lot of time labouring over our Christmas catch-up letter (I refuse to call it a ‘round robin’). I always do a lengthy first draft - somehow I need to sum up the year for myself. Then I cut it by at least 50% to something our friends may actually want to read.

Hope all on hear have the best day possible and enjoy some Christmas cheer 🎄

Morning from a dank S Hants, mild though. Last day on the voluntary phone until the New Year.
Another for a parboil of the gammon, then oven glaze with cider, dark brown sugar and mustard.
My son called in last night to collect his pickles, our friend makes them for all of us, red cabbage and onions.
Bitter sweet GBatty you’ll still be on hand I expect, good to hear Oldudders is on his way Ash
Quiz tonight, my daughter is joining us, great help for the music round.
Thank you for this thread Mick
🦩🦩

Good morning all from Sever where it’s dry and still getting light.

I’ve just taken my car in for a service and they’ll pick me up later when it’s done. Until then I’ll potter about, maybe do some ironing.

Have a good day everyone and I’ll read this mornings posts. 🎄

Good morning all from a dry Black country.
Children's Christmas party went very well yesterday with games and a punch and Judy, the highlight being the arrival of Santa towards the end with a sack of presents.
FGT I'm another who didn't know what DV meant so thanks for asking, as you so rightly said every days a school day.
More present wrapping today and I've just started Ian Rankin book so that's my day.
Enjoy your day everyone whatever your plans ☀️.

Good morning from County Durham.
We're back from our long weekend stay in Edinburgh.
The Christmas Markets were a joy to wander around especially later in the evening when all the lights came on.
We took a ride on The Big Wheel and enjoyed amazing views of the city.
For the very first time we decided to climb up to Arthur's Seat. It's quite a rocky path but we made it, DH reached the summit and I got to within 3 metres, as did not want to climb the steepest part on all fours! Unfortunately the misty weather spoilt any decent view. However, the following morning we enjoyed an easier climb to the top of Calton Hill and the sunshine rewarded us with a fabulous panorama.
We joined a Ghost Tour one evening and explored vaults and Greyfriers Cemetry.
The castle looked splendid too as it hosted its light festival.
We arrived home absolutely shattered but it was well worth it.
Now back to all those Christmas preparations.
Take care everyone.

Brightish sky this morning so looks like a dry day, very welcome here after what feels like weeks of wet days. U3A festive meeting with a quiz and some entertainment so had best get going as I am the chauffeur. Hope everyone has a satisfactory day.

Good morning all from Glasgow, it sounds wild outside.

Georgesgran

I shall spending the morning at church, where the Sixth Year pupils are coming to help decorate the church. Their help has also been enlisted to clean the cupboards in the Parish Hall kitchen and I will supervise. It is part of their Caritas Faith award, Normally I would do it myself, but unfortunately I am no longer able to do much.

Have a pleasant day folks.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders.
The plasterers have arrived so my sitting room, now almost empty, is being transformed into a building site. The ancient lath ceiling which partly fell in back in April is being replaced by a plasterboard one.
It has taken so long because the leaking roof had to be fixed first.

I am going to leave them to it and go out for a festive lunch at the golf club with the U3A walkers. This is where being vegetarian is treated as a disability. Ah well, someone else is driving so I can have a glass of wine.

End of an era Grandmabatty but you'll still see a lot of them I'm sure.

How nice that you were able to stand to read the lesson Ash.
What a sweet gesture of thanks gMattie 😊

I hope everyone has a happy day.

What was that very funny post Maw about cooking the gammon? It always made me chuckle! Could you find it again for us?

Good morning from a still dark and dry Suffolk where some winter sunshine is forecast later.

We had such a lovely time at Snape Maltings yesterday watching the Snowman which we all enjoyed DGD3 is doing film studies as one of her GCSEs and decided that she wants to find out more about 1980s animation. Having a live orchestra and a youth choir just made the performance extra special.

I have my monthly all day meeting on Wednesday so will have to spend much of today on line reading the relevant papers. It makes a change from thinking about present wrapping and other festive things.

Hope all have the best day possible whatever your circumstances.

Good morning Mick and all from Cloudy Chambers northwest coast.
Just carried on with Christmas prep yesterday as I go away on the 19th until the 23rd so need to get organised.

Off soon to new dentist after the disaster that was my old one. I still have the abscess in my gum from last July as the dentist failed to send the X ray to the hospital where I now need surgery for the failed extraction…

Mick, I still think you need some further medical investigation for your health condition.
Thoughts to all🌺

Good morning from a still dark, but dry Black Country. It is mild, at 18 deg, so the heating hasn't come on.

Off on a canal walk this morning with u3a, then coffee at the end.

Every day has something on the calendar this week, so it is going to be busy!

How kind of the Nurse to give you a present gM she obviously is very aware of all you do.

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning from a grey W Kent. The contractors are due soon to replace our back garden fence which blew down a while ago now. Our cleaner will also turn up and tidy us up for Christmas, so much for me keeping myself to myself this week. A pile of ironing to do.
I used to simmer my gammon with brown sugar and cloves at Christmas.
Aww Gmb yes it flies by my little charges are now at work and University.
Georgesgran I hope your fears are unfounded.
Best wishes to all

Good morning from a still-dark Durham, where my heating has a mind of its own!
I’ve had a down in the dumps weekend. I’m not a Christmas lover and have a foreboding of some bad news before the end of the year. It’s on my mind.
Anyway, Costa coffee this morning with a friend, a pick-up from Argos then back home.

Mick are you supposed to weigh yourself daily and actively trying to put weight on? Maybe your team could offer some dietary advice?

Best wishes to all. X

Grandmabatty

Ash I roast the gammon but I'm thinking boiling it would be better. FGT I know, what will I do on a Monday and Tuesday after drop off and pick up!

I normally parboil the joint, then roast it with marmalade and ginger spread over and a dark beer to cook in.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s mild, wet and very windy though
Aww grandmabatty, enjoy every minute together, they grow up so fast !
Yesterday morning was dry and mild so I enjoyed time outside in the garden. This morning I promised DD2 I’d go round and help with a bit of tidying up. Later I’ll have a quick trip into town and then need to get home for a delivery.
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning from a very mild, almost balmy Cornwall. Lovely fun yesterday on the Santa Special steam train. After the trip the children went onto the footplate to toast marshmallows, which was very special for them. Today I'm at the hospital for the volunteers' Christmas get-together. It'll be good to meet others and hear their experiences. After that, a virtual shop in M&S for my daughter.