Good morning Mick and all GN's on a breezy grey morning in North Yorkshire. I am so late getting going that I can actually see the tree, no signs yet of squirrels or pigeons. As I am sick of saying (and having!) another horrible night with very little sleep. I wonder if I could get a prescription for a large hammer and someone to come round tonight and literally knock me out!! On second thoughts no, I would then have a horrible headache to add to the rest of it!!
Yesterday I was struggling to do much, full of aches and pains etc. It was quite sunny and was quoted as the best of weather for the week. I knew I wouldnt be able to do much physically, so waited for RHS Harlow carr opened at 9.30 am , in hopes of them having a buggy avail able, but no chance. Still at least I hadnt driven all the way there and not been able to have one to go round. So fingers crossed, I have risked booking a buggy for tomorrow, and just hope that I am feeling up to going and the weather is not too bad. Next week it is half term, so Harrogate is to be avoided at all costs, it is busy enough at normal times anyway. So hopefully I shall manage a trip round and get to see the lovely autumn colours before all this wind and rain sends all the leaves flying and smashes the plants downwards. So yesterday my halo was shining a little as it turned into a domestic day. The major thing was getting my car insurance done. It does annoy me that you can only renew it on line and pay no more than the price given. If you phone them it costs you more. However , knowing what insurance people are like, about weaseling out of paying up in anyway possible, if there is a possible query about wording, or anything I prefer to check with a person, and then insist that they send me an email confirming any changes decided upon, which differ from the quote. Anyway all straightforward , my actual cost had gone down by a small amount but still pricy. However it keeps me mobile and independent and as long as I can drive safely I have every intention of carrying on. So plodded on doing bits and pieces as I was able, and then went out to get a few things on the buggy. The weather was brighter and dry and so off I went. My last call was Tesco, which is probably the nearest shop to home . Came out and set off home but just along the road a very sudden heavy downpour of rain. By the time I reached home I was drenched. My hair was sticking to my head and dripping down my neck. The top half was covered by my mac, but my trousers were soaked at the front , so wet they were plastered to my legs and soaking wet sox etc. I got home and squelched in and back to dry the buggy a bit and cover it quickly. Then had to literally strip off and change clothes and get the hair dryer out to both dry my hair and feel a bit warmer. Well it was a rain water rinse all right!! At least I looked clean and tidy when I went to whist last night. A pleasant evening, but had to give in and sit at one table instead of moving round, too much pain to manage moving about. Still good to get out and meet people and enjoy the game and take my mind off things.
Today I have already got the washer going full blat with the bedding, and if it s finished before I go to the meeting this morning will chance putting it out to dry. Whilst that is finishing off I am hunting for 2 poetry books , which seem to have disappeared. We are having a session of people bringing in favourite books, poetry or whatever and sharing and letting other people have a look, and we may discover some new authors that we might like to try. I have already put out my purple jumper to wear as I am taking for one thing the Jenny Joseph poem that starts "When I am old, I shall wear purple with a red hat that doesnt go and doesnt suit me" a great poem many of you will no doubt know. Then I am planning to sing that Joyce Grenfell song about the two ladies who have to dance together bust to bust!! It should be a bit of fun and lightening the miserable weather and news , so that for an hour or two we can enjoy ourselves and hopefully discover something new. I have a great Carol Ann duffy book that I am trying to find from the bookcase too. Ah well, it is cheering me up to even think about them, so positive start to the morning. I have heard my Bach and am about to get some coffee so things looking up a little and looking out can now see a lovely golden carpet of leaves below the tree. Must look out for a conker or two. Just love the colour of them as they come out of the shell, but it doesnt last long. Seen some very good plump looking chestnuts on the market yesterday. Not cheap £4! but I do love them, shame I dont have a fire like the old days to cook them under. One of my favourite nuts to enjoy. Like most nuts and when I lived in muslim countries, where there was of course no alcohol if you were in meetings etc there would always be lots of nuts , which I enjoyed apart from walnuts, which I dislike . Today Jessie will hopefully be coming, and she can turn the matress and make up the bed, and give all the carpets a good hoover. I havent dared to even try with the hoover this week, the action of using it is very bad for me, but can usually do a bit, but it all looks a disgrace at the moment. At least now I have my new grabber to be able to pick stuff off the floor. At the moment it is a bit too hard to use , I really have to grip it hard, but it will wear in in a little while and will be a great anti frustration aid, when I drop things on the floor. Have tried it out and it actually could pick up a biro. My old one had got so slack it would lose them as it picked them up. Very frustrating , but now can even pick up my boot to bring it near me whilst I am sat down. So by tonight, I shall at least be sat in a clean and somewhat tidy flat - knowing me I shall manage to quickly drop things and make it look quite untidy in a short space of time!!
Mick I think BT have to keep your hand line in certain cases. I would suggest that you might ring age concern or citizens advice people who will probably know the up to date situation regarding this. I know several people who have an alarm system that depends on the land line and special arrangements have been made for them, so think that may be your best bet. Also if you get them involved, I think they sometimes get more attention from the phone companies than an individual. Karma lady, hope your engineer is hard at work now and sorting out your problems. May you luxuriate in a warm home tonight! Pantglas2 a lovely photo, wish I was there looking at it too. peli loved your photo too, very ghostly and delightful. Mary doll lovely to hear from you and you sound in better spirits, despite the pj's dampening effect. Hope you have managed to dry the sofa too. Lovely for you to see Dollie and Baby doll will no doubt lift the spirits too.
Ah the washer has just finished so think that the washing will get out on the line before the meeting and fingers crossed I get back before it gets rained upon. Hope everyone has a good day and keeps warm and well. Wishing you all a peaceful and happy day
