Good morning Mick and all GN's from a very dark, still morning in North Yorkshire. Cant even see the outline of the tree yet and quickly closed the curtains again from the cold coming through. Sat in my dressing gown, not up to moving about much yet so have to leave the shower for a little while and hope I can move around a bit better soon. Still a better morning than yesterday, no cramp, which is something to be grateful for , fingers crossed. Feel very tired and weary this morning so it will be a slow start.
I had a very tiring but at least productive day yesterday, but do rather feel I am paying for it today. Having started the day so badly I was really struggling to get what I needed done and organised for the 2 meetings. However with a bit of a struggle, I managed to get the bedding out on the line, and then remembered all the bits for the second meeting, so lovely Bonne Maman and some soups for the food hamper, and at last found the never touched set of the bath bomb and creams etc, and also even remembered to add a couple of little glass jars, that I could contribute to the other arts and crafts lot for doing things like t-lights in etc. So then it was rather a rush to load up everything, lock up and off to the library for the first meeting.
I managed to get there about 10 minutes after it had started and the police woman was already there and had started talking about cyber crimes etc. I hadnt missed much and what she began with I was already up to date on, so finally had time to sit down and relax a little and follow her talk. She went through various scenarios and had an interesting video, which showed both men and women giving out so much information about their passwords and names and all sorts. You would not credit the stupidity of people, who under the guise of market research or such, quite happily told people their names, birthdays or zodiac signs etc. It was very easy to see how much information crooks can gain from you if you are not on your guard. Partly because of my background in communications but partly I am somewhat of a Victor Meldrew mixed with Diana Trent from Waiting for God charactor, and treat all such people with suspicion, I am usually polite but always decline to answer such things. Occasionally , when I have been rather suspicious, have even contacted the police about such things, but that was twice in the "old" days when you could find a policeman round the corner, and they were able to check it out immediately, not hanging on a phone for hours or sending messages online that you do not know if they are even read, never mind acted upon! Anyway she then went on to other various things, one or two of which I did not know about, such as you can put your email address on this site and they can show what has been known about that etc. Of course , she warned about callers to the door etc, and said it was fine not to answer, or to ring the company and check on the caller. I then told her that my way was to say pleasantly "which is your best side" as I took their photo. For genuine people there should be no worry, if they are calling on a real matter, and once you have confirmed who they are the photo is easily deleted in front of them. Any that hurry off, if you think they are really dodgy, you then have a photo to show the police too. But there was also various bits and pieces that I had not considered, or did not know about and was very pleased to have managed to get there. She also had some leaflets about stuff like phishing etc, so I asked if I could take some extra to go to the other womens group which was fine. Then I didnt have time to sit and chat but had to hurry off to the other meeting, and managed to get in at the tail end , so was glad to have a welcome coffee and a slice of cake, which was very good and was made from yoghurt and an easy recipe of 1 cup of this and 1 cup of that, so although I darent make one for myself - too tempted to eat it all, being on my own, am glad to have the recipe for the future. My gifts for the hampers where received well and the plan for next week is to have a meeting at a local cafe with a quiz etc. The following week is going to be the great Yoga lady, who is very nice and also reminds me, not to forget to do a bit of yoga every day, which I tend to forget when life gets busy or very painful. I do usually feel calmer if not physically better by doing it, so wonder why I dont plan it in for every day? On that day we are also going to sort through all the gifts and make up the hampers and see if there is anything missing that is really needed, make them all up and sort of gift wrap them and then get the raffle tickets ready and start selling them at the end of November, hopefully getting in before the many similar things and coffee mornings in december.
Well no time to waste, then had to get back on the yellow peril and go straight home, and it was just beginning to spit with rain as I arrived. Luckily , just timed it right as the cleaner was just pulling up, so handed bags and keys to her to go in whilst I got the basket and charged off to the washing line to rescue the washing. It wasnt dry but had a good lot off it and smelt good and so I was very glad to get inside after hastily covering the buggy, and collapsed in a heap in the chair. Felt so shattered I just had a coffee and contributed little to the grand clean up and was very glad to see them turn the chaos into clean and tidy place. Bathroom sparkling, bed turned and made up for me. I did rouse myself when Jessie suggested that they missing case might be in the garage, and so she came round with me to open the wretched up and over doors which I find difficult to do and hurrah, worth the effort as I retrieved the red case and also found my spirit level and a long lead, not on a reel but never the less will be very good to extend the ironing board lead so that I can do the ironing in a better space. So an extra thing ticked of the many jobs not done! Hurrah for all their efforts, as I think I would have just sat in the tip I was so weary.
In fact all I really did in the afternoon, was put some things away, go through a bit of paperwork in a rather desultory manner and then sat watching Downton Abbey on the tv. After the horrible night I had had, it was so tempting to go to bed and sleep but then you are getting into such bad sleeping patterns, so I managed to stay up until about 9.30pm and then bliss, got washed and into my lovely clean bed in a neat and tidy room.
So the only thing I definitely need to do today is get the D@S newspaper, check where my passport is and is it up to date, suddenly thought havent checked it for a while. Then with hopefully some lovely music on radio 3 settle down to more sorting of the wretched dresser stuff. If I cant face that , the ironing basket is now full again, so will catch up on that . It will be a warming job to do on a chilly day. Once I have the paper I can see what is happening round here at the weekend, such as church hall sales now it is too chilly to be outside, and I think that there is an art exhibition that I might get to. If it stays dry I will try and have a little drive out into the countryside to enjoy the wonderful autumn colours as they wont be lasting long with the wind and rain we have been having. But really I need a quiet time to rest and recuperate. One thing I am going to fill in is there has been a questionairre given out from the first meeting, which is from the council asking about how you feel about things in the town, comments on various things. Just played into my hands as it will give me the chance to explain about the long term effects of not dealing with the potholes and I shall rally friends and acquaintances to do the same and perhaps if everyone sends in similar comments they might actually use their brains and see that they are not insignificant problems but could be the start of a major problem and even their being sued. I dont want that to happen, just want it to be safe to walk down the town. Surely that is not too much to ask for!!
Good to know that your digital phone is up and working. You have done very well with the transfer Mick and hope that you can enjoy your day today. GrandMattie, Odd how some dreams are so vivid and yet seem to make no sense isnt it? Well you have had such a busy time lately, I hope you can have an easier day today and be able to relax a bit. Karmalady you certainly worked hard yesterday and hope you can get a bit more rest today. Dont blame you putting off order coming. sometimes that is the last straw isnt it? Hope the gansey makes it to your son ok. Pantglas2 I am definitely with you, and think you dh should return to your bed forthwith! If he slept less than you he could at least come in and join you in the morning. I miss my husband being next to me even after quite a long time. He was lucky in that he was able to sleep , as we say , on a clothes peg. So it never bothered him if I was turning around trying to get comfortable and could even put my light on and read, it never woke him. But if I had a nightmare or cramp he was there and was such a comfort to me. I still enjoy getting into a lovely clean bed but it is never quite a lovely as when he was there too. Bellasnana, sounds as though you had a good catch up with your friend. Hope the hairdressers goes well and you like the result.
Well a little more daylight now, have heard my Bach and cautiously think I can move around well enough to get into the shower and begin my day. Not raining but looks grey and miserable so dont think it is going to be worth even a little ride out to see any colours today , so a domestic day and the paper looks more likely. I might make a curry for tonight , at some point and then no doubt will be watching the gardening programme this evening, noticing all the things I have yet to do in mine. Have a good day everyone and hope you meet with a friend or do something nice to cheer the grey day up.
