A very late Good morning Mick and all GN's up and about on a cold slightly breezy, but snowless morning in North Yorkshire. However it does look bitterly cold outside, havent opened the door yet to test it! Well under sods law of course, today when I would have been happy to be awake and up at 6am, I had a horrible night yet again but then fell asleep after 5am and then only woke up about 20 past 7. I am sure that the sleep will have done me good eventually, but when I fall asleep like that I wake up as if I had been asleep for years! Struggled to even get up and full of aches and pains and even my mind did not want to get to work. So it was more of a slow lumber to get the washing sorted and into the washer, and then my best medicine for mornings like this, into the shower, so I was able to loosen up a bit, get clean and warm and start thinking of what jobs I can now complete before going out.
I will wait until a little later to check what the morning brings. If it stays dry it will be worth sticking the washing out, have all yesterdays waiting to go out, as I much prefer it all to at least get a bit of a blow , even if I have to finish it off inside. Of course that will mean that my mountain of ironing, that I had reduced to a small hill, will be built up again!
Then I shall decide whether it will be worth the blow to go on the buggy. Positives - I shall have no problem parking, wont be walking on slippy paths with leaves and potholes etc, and can carry bits and pieces that I need for the meeting. Negatives might be too cold to cope with and I shall of course look like I have been pulled through a hedge backwards with my fine hair blowing in the wind! Well the polar jacket and so forth may come into play today.
Yesterday, of course, my mind still works in 20 year old mode, when it decides what I can accomplice in a day. So plans for many jobs to be sorted did not happen, however Medal Medal Medal as Muttley used to say. I took a deep breath and attacked the wardrobe. Instead of shoving things to the back etc., I emptied drawers and took down things from the rails and had a very determined sort out. More summer stuff lurking was put ready to put away, two pairs of good trousers that I had fondly hoped that I might lose enough weight to wear again, firmly put to give to the charity shop (abandon hope and accept I wont be getting any slimmer now) So then I was able to actually put in all the winter stuff, all for a short time neatly organised and I can see exactly what is where. Cashmere jumpers to the fore, polar tops and long johns at the ready, and it looks as though they will be needed today! All day I kept looking out and planning to go for a bit of shopping, but the day could not make up its mind and so for a little while, still and cold looking, then the wind would get up and we would have showers of large snowflakes swirling about, but then that would stop and the snow melt . So in the end I didnt have to go out, could wait for today, so just carried on with my sorting. Was pleased with the effort and at least can open my wardrobe now and see quite a tidy and organised place , as I used to have when I was working. So long as I just look in there and not the airing cupboard I can pretend I am very organised!
I had had enough by the time I had finished that and so only pottered around and did a bit of cooking and so forth before checking on the weather and deciding that I could risk going to the whist drive last night. Need to be cautious as round here the weather can change in an instance. Anyway got there with no mishaps and enjoyed seeing everyone. Had a pleasant evening, although the cards didnt fall well for me with in 2 hands had only a 2 and a 3 but with only one low level trump and my partner having nothing better it was not surprising. But very good to see everyone and it was warm in the hall. People come from all over and so there were some missing due to the bad weather, a lady who comes from a village near Hartlepool had snow all round her and yet someone only about 5 miles from her had had none. Up round weardale and in Crook they have had quite a lot of snow and unfortunately it was melting in the afternoon and then freezing again, so will be treacherous underfoot and over near Whitby there were road closures, so a very varied amount everywhere.
Today I wanted to be on the ball and get my prescription and also Joshuas present from Waterstones before going to the meeting, but looks as though they will have to wait until after the meeting. We are having the Yoga lady, who I do not want to miss - that is if she is able to come in this weather - and then we have the 3 hampers to make up and wrap for our raffle to raise funds for the christmas funds for the meal for the homeless etc. So I have found a couple of small make up things never opened to add to the make up hamper, have already given a whole bath set for that hamper and a jar of lovely Bonne Maman conserve for the food one, but I also promised a bottle of wine for that hamper so must make sure I dont go without it. We have a rule of no alcohol or smoking in our meetings, but as it is going into the raffle and not being opened I checked that it was ok to bring that, so hoping we do well with it all.
Then it is call at the charity shop with the trousers, get my prescription, call in at Seasalt, and get myself home before the cleaners come. They do a good job and are very pleasant people and on days like today, I am even more grateful, as hoovering or changing the bed or even bending down to the floor would be hard work and risk my getting stuck there!! My wretched right leg is not having cramp at the moment , thank goodness, but has been the cause of most of the lack of sleep last night as it ached and hurt and I could find no position where it would ease off. I would start to fall asleep turn and the wretched thing would wake me again. I wish I could take it off and leave it by the bed ready for the morning!! Still to try and be more positive, I can look forward to a lovely clean bed tonight and they will make a concerted effort to at least get this wretched carpet looking something like decent. This afternoon dont think I will have much energy to do much more so will try and get rid of more paperwork and then if I can summon the energy do a bit more ironing.
My plans for checking through appointments and stuff on the calendar did not happen yesterday, so that is definitely something I need to do today, and get my car booked in for the MOT . Also find that elusive Flanders and Swann book, as monday looms and I havent sorted out my list of songs or found some photos I wanted to take with me , so if it is cold and snowy have plenty to get on with here.
We have been getting warnings from the police about these wretched criminals ringing up and saying they are sorting the winter fuel things out etc. Well they get short shrift from me. I still keep my landline for a couple of reasons but have my newer mobile, which all my friends and acquaintances know to ring me on, so anything that comes on the land line is somewhere I dont often ring and have forgotten to let them know the new number or usually the scammers. I let them waffle on for a bit especially if they say I have an Amazon parcel coming - who I never use - then tell them that I am recording their message and will be reporting them to the police and put the phone down. Ah just looked out of the window and we now have snow but with the strong wind it is swirling about and dont think it will settle. We shall wait and see, but at least that saves me thinking about putting it out this morning, making it look like a sensible decision , rather than I just didnt get round to it! Definitely big jacket and gloves at the ready now.
When I went out last night to the whist, there were so many stupid people, both on bikes and pedestrians walking , all wearing dark clothes, and no lights on unlit roads. Why are people so silly ? I keep a little torch in my coat, usually have some bright fluorescent yellow or orange on top, and the emergency go to, which is an opaque white shopping bag folded and carried in each coat. If you get caught out, by being later than you thing and have no torch on you, having a white opaque bag, held on the side the car will be, the lights pick up the white easily so you are seen. You also then have a bag to hand if you buy something too. See and be seen needs to be the motto on these dark days. Why are winter clothes so dark? They may look cleaner longer but so gloomy and dont help to make you visible on an unlit road! I think all school coats should have those fluorescent bands fitted into the sleeves so that you could see children easily.
Mick hope you keep warm and meet some friends today. GrandMattie , fab cafe did well, and nice for you to have new guest. Perhaps the best way for the residents meeting is to agree that it needs painting and you agree, BUT only after all the other things that need doing are done first. It should be midsummer before they get round to painting at their speed! Cornergran, sorry you are having a hard time thinking of family problems. Could you give yourself a coffee and worry break this morning and try to read or do something that needs close attention, just to give your mind a rest for a little? Aldom hope you are now enjoying your new home a bit despite lack of internet and take a deep breath and realize that well done you have done it and are now safely ensconsced with all that effort behind you. Ashcombe well done for all your practising and hope you have a lovely time on saturday. Dont forget that effort needed to learn something pays dividends and you will be surprised how much is retained in long term memory when you come to sing it again. Tuinoma Sounds as though you are having a lot more snow than here, although it has begun again here now. Enjoy the views from your warm home.Ladyll hope you can get your eye problem sorted and that it isnt anything serious. Marydoll Hope you will feel better for a quieter day although you will miss BabyD. Pot calling Kettle for me to suggest you take it easy!!
Well take care everyone, keep warm and safe and enjoy what you can if it is only a lovely warm cup of coffee. Mm toasted tea cakes come to mind and may be added to my shopping list.
