Good Morning Tuesday 9th December 2025

Good morning Mick and everyone.
Welcome to Gransnet OliviaRema.
Yesterday I had to have a locksmith to replace the faulty lock on the front door. Randomly it was impossible to unlock the door from inside. All in good working order now.
In the afternoon I wrote two thirds of the Christmas cards.
My daughter is coming for coffee this morning then we're going to Sainsbury's. I need the ingredients to make a soup that doesn't contain lactose, gluten, garlic, onion,or celery! I've found a recipe for Autumn Bisque. I'll prepare a chicken stock, using chicken wings. Then make the bisque and freeze it for after Christmas when the visitors who requested said soup are coming! Wish me luck.
As always, I'm thinking of those for whom life is challenging.

Working in Liverpool today...windy and damp....pick up GDs from school later

Good morning from a brightening Berkshire where I am staying with my DD until Friday.
I had a good train journey down wearing ugly up to the minute trainers bought with my DD a few months ago and those, coupled with a Velcro back support and paracetamol keep away the backache that usually accompanies me when I travel.

My sister came over from London and we had a good Italian meal in a favourite restaurant of mine, rustic and whimsical with plastic lemons, fake wisteria and general Italianate clutter. Very cosy and I much prefer it to the soulless minimalist places that abound today. We then went to an outdoor sing along carol/Xmas music get together outside a cosy pub, good fun but the band rather loud, couldn’t hear ourselves…
We felt rather uncomfortable after a large meal and repaired back to DDs lovely warm flat which makes me realise how cold my open plan house is. It takes ages to warm up. My DD looks after me so well, she’s a real darling.
Today we will have lunch in town and I’ll buy a present for my in-laws to give when I see them later in the week.

Thoughts to dragonfly FGTs Susan and all🎄

Good morning all from a balmy but windy North Leicestershire.

I will finish the wrapping today and write the couple of Christmas cards I missed. This afternoon I will nip into town to collect DH's meds and buy my last present for him.

We are really organised for Christmas this year as we thought I would be in hospital about now. I now have a date for 6th of January so we can relax while trying to avoid bugs.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning all from a wet Glasgow, where it is 9°C.

Karma, what a talented lady, you are!

Good news, GM

Thank you all for your support yesterday, it meant a lot to me, as I was feeling very low and vulnerable.

You could have knocked me down with a feather, when the GP rang after 8am. The quickest response in 70 years as a patient in that surgery.
I wept tears of relief, when I realised it was the GP, who fast tracked my hospital referals, when she suspected bowel cancer.

In between my bouts of coughing, she listened to my tale of woe and apologised for the difficulties I had, regarding my medication.
Firstly, she said, We need to investigate what is going on with your chest, you sound very unwell..
I am allergic to most antibiotics or they contra-indicate, so she had difficulty finding an appropriate and stronger one. My third course.
She agreed that more steroids, were perhaps not wise. I am already immunocomptomised and they make me even more vulnerable. My body is covered in bruises and my mood extremely hyper and tearful.

We then sorted the oedema in my legs and ankles (heart and lungs retaining fluids) , my diverticulitis and R.A flare up and a kidney function check on Friday.

Lastly, came the medication review.
What triggered it was that the Local Health Authority have
removed my controlled drug from the database and alternative pain relief had to be listed on my repeats.
My pain relief regime was also revised.
I was advised that I was not to feel anxious and guilty about asking for additional medication, if I was struggling. I responded that I was afraid, I would look like an needy, anxious or,d lady.

I think I must have had the longest GP appointment ever!!
When she realised Dollie was in the house ( Gtan, gtan, where's my... ), she offered to call back. Such kindness.😭
Later, on picking up my meds, I left flowers for her. The reception told me that that GP is loved by all the staff.♥️

Last night was Dollie's drama club show. It was hilarious. She is the tiniest one in her group, but kept prompting and directing, when lines were forgotten.
We ere hysterical at her performance, especially as she was quite oblivious to her bossyness.😉

We had just arrived home, when the doorbell rang. It was DD and DIL, who had followed us home from the show.
I couldn't work out why.
It then dawned on me, that they were there to hide a new figure in the crib. Of course, they denied it.
Every year, my children add and hide a figure, relevant to their interests, in the crib.
We have, Eddie, from the Griswalds, Luke Skywalker, various Star Wars figures, characters from Sesame Street, etc. etc.
We also have, the Holy Goat, the holy fat hen, the holy turkey and various other strange animals. Don't forget the Holy Pizzamaker' a Roman tradition.

As soon as they left, I made straight for the crib.
In the front, were two custom made legso figures of DD and SIL. SIL was working at his PC and DD was holding the Teddy, which still goes to bed with her.
Apparently, there is a third figure???? My task for today.

DH and I are going into town for a pub lunch. He has been my rock and I am treating him to a steak and Guinness.
I am allowed to visit three shops ( because I am not fit to do much).
What a dilemma! Does M&S Food Hall count, sure that is exempt?.

Apologies for rambling on, that blooming bunny is still running round in my brain, as the P.P learned yesterday To his amusement, he got both barrels (sans filters)!! 😱

I am going to read your posts on the train, I may be back.

Have a good day, folks.

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Good morning all from the Scottish Borders where it is raining heavily with Amber warnings for worse to come!
Drips are coming from the skylight.

I have an early hair appointment followed by a Christmas lunch in Edinburgh with DH ex colleagues and partners. those of us left

It isn't as awful as it sounds as we sometimes still cycle together or attend eachothers events but last year I was placed next to a very deaf lady so conversation was hard impossible.

Tonight the final Gaelic class of the term. There'll be a quiz and singing.

You had a whirlwind of a day gMattie it sounds lovely.
Such clever skills Karmalady
Nice pottery painting Llfl

I was sent this picture of the pots made here by my small DG nephews but sent to Denmark. They arrived intact and are already in use!

My helper has been drying apple rings as we still have a mountain of apples even after giving them away and filling the freezer.

I hope DH recovers enough to be home soon Dragonfly.

Thinking of FGT and Marydoll and others who struggle with their health or their family's.

Have a good day everyone.

Good morning from Shropshire.Dark, wet and windy.

Welcome Olivia👋🏻

Yesterday was very busy.DGS1 was happy to see us as always which was a bright spot.DH suggested we did our food shop on the way home as we pass bigger supermarkets on our way home than we have in our little town.Once the shopping was put away I went straight to bed.

Today was meant to be quieter but a message from DD has put paid to that🤦🏼‍♀️We will go to H’s nativity and then have charge of DGD after school and take her to the theatre for her panto rehearsal😴H has drs, hospital and nativity and then an outing with Beavers tonight.DD had planned to take DGD but is now helping on the Beavers trip.

I’m glad you got your medication sorted Marydoll🥳

What a busy day grandMattie but nice surprises and family time☺️

Wishing FGT and himself all the best for this week🙏🏻

Have the best day you can everyone🦩🌻🎅🏼🎄

The crib figures.

Morning from a dull, wet and windy S Hants.
The voluntary phone yesterday had ‘odd’ calls with only one actual request for a driver, even fulfilling that wasn’t possible. I was ready to set off for quiz last night when an urgent bathroom visit was necessary. That was my evening kaput; shopping to to do later today, M&S foodhall - for wrapping paper, butcher and it’s Christmas Radio Times day.
FGT
🦩🦩

Very Bloomsbury LLFL👍

Good morning all and it’s damp here in Essex.

Yesterday’s Chimes gathering was fun playing Christmas carols and songs followed by finger buffet and a glass of fizz. We all said how these little gatherings are much nicer than full blown parties and dinners. (Probably our age) . 🤣.

Today Dh will go out for breakfast with his stalwart friend . He’s such a kind , gentle chap and very modest. Him and Dh started school together aged 5, so 70 years of friendship. They were each others Best Man too.

I’ll go to Bridge this afternoon, where again we’ll have treats and Christmassy fun.

There’s been a bad accident at the Weir, so I hope the traffic will have cleared by the time I go out. Heads up GraanyGravy, if you’re heading this way.

Take care all and keep cosy. 🎄

A later good morning from a wet and windy Northampton - I slept to 8.15 which is most unusual for me!

A very Christmassy yoga class yesterday with most of us wearing Christmas jumpers (I also sported a Christmas hairband!); we did poses with a festive theme, snowflake, snowball, star, reindeer etc, then afterwards we all went for coffee at the little local cafe.

Put some washing on when I got home then after lunch decorated the Christmas tree, which took most of the afternoon with two inquisitive cats helping...

Not sure about today - I may/may not attend the group walk after lunch, depending on the weather; will make a decision later on. If not I will make a start on decorating the sitting room.

Wishing all a pleasant day.

Good morning all. Grey skies and heavy rain in Glasgow this morning.

What started as feeling shivery on Saturday is now gastric flu. I was pretty well wiped out at the weekend but thankfully more settled and hoping it clears up tout suite. A message was sent out from our surgery yesterday requesting all visitors to wear face masks in an attempt to avoid the spread of this flu/virus doing the rounds. I watched a Diane Keaton film on YouTube last night, Baby Boom which I have seen before but it was lighthearted entertainment looking back too at the 80’s fashion of accentuated shoulder pads and oversized long coats which is currently back in fashion again.

Best wishes to all for a good day.

Gingster I was just going to post the same.

DD cannot get to work (neither can half of our staff) , I cannot get to the hairdressers, and the traffic is building up along my road.

My thoughts are with the families involved and those of the deceased 🙏🏻

Am what my late MiL called “dead in a cold”, the first time this century - I don’t get cold and am infuriated to be laid low at a busy time of year. Just waiting for Wonderful Cleaner to arrive and then I am back to bed for a bit after a night spent coughing. Don’t you just love the British winter?

So glad Marydoll is getting the support she needs and love the notion of the living Nativity with up to date worshippers. Thinking of the FGTs and retiring to cough in privacy.

What a lovely tradition, md! Thanks for the photo.

Kalu 😔

Good morning everyone from a very rainy Lancashire. It seems Storm Bram is on the way and due to hit us tonight.

MrB and I have been for our usual walk around the Dock this morning. It’s very quiet, only 3 seagulls on the water and the ducks are nowhere to be seen. I’m expecting a parcel today, it’s MrB’s Christmas present so hoping I get to the door first. Also hoping the package doesn’t give away the contents. It’s from John Lewis and their packaging is usually good. I also need to collect 2 pairs of trousers I’m having altered. I’m not used to so much excitement!

Still nothing from my doctor regarding my recent blood results.

I’m thinking of our poorly grans and those with troubles, as always.

Wishing you all a good day, whatever you’re doing 🦩🦩🦩