Good Morning Thursday 18th December 2025

Good morning everyone from a still dark and damp Northampton, rain expected most of the day.

Yesterday morning I visited my oldest friend (we met as teaching colleagues in 1972 when we were young marrieds in our 20s!) to exchange presents and cards; a festive glass of red wine and mince pies were enjoyed before I set off for the bus again. My friend is pleased that knee replacements have been agreed and looks forward to being out of continual pain.

I then went to M&S Food to buy a box of their chocolates, only to find they were completely sold out - so disappointed, I should have got them a couple of weeks ago when they had plenty in. Popped into Next to return a too big top I bought last weekend; no smaller sizes in so I was disappointed again.
Got the next bus home and got off a couple of stops early so I could call in at my newsagent and pay my bill, then walked the rest of the way home.

A Sainsbury's delivery between 9 and 10 this morning with a lot of the Christmas goodies arriving.
Out to the cinema this afternoon to see 'Blue Moon' a film about Rodgers and Hart/ Hammerstein.
Then a visit to my favourite independent jewellers in town where I have an invitation to partake of champagne, canapes and mince pies.... goodness knows what time I shall get home!

Still have some chicken hotpot left for dinner, so no cooking again tonight.

Wishing all a pleasant day.

Good morning, from a damp Glasgow, where it is 7°C.

A well deserved compliment, GM. 😚
A similar thing happened to me in St. Andrew's. The owner of a jeweller's asked where I had got my necklace, made of semi precious stones. I said I had made (it it was my hobby at the time), she asked if I was prepared to bring samples for her to sell. I was flattered, but had to decline. I am not that good!
GM, I often think, that you should sell at craft fayres.

Yesterday was interesting indeed.
My visit to the hairdressers was so enjoyable. All five clients oincidently, were from my church., one being the mother of ex pupils, another the gran. Oh how we put the world to rights.

One client had taken her hearing aids out and was shouting. Combined with me trying to lip read over the noise of the dryer, had everyone in hysterics.
I too was paid an unexpected compliment. As a left, I heard the deaf lady saying in a very loud voice, I don't know what on earth, the priests would do without MD.

When I got back to my car, there was a message from DH, saying, We have had a visitor?
The first thing I noticed was the large poinsettia, lying in the sink. The P.P.? I asked.
A peace offering, said DH.
I am afraid, DH went into work mode and gave the P.P an uncomfortable time, offering a coffee, then systematically, pointing out his failings over the last few days.

The P.P apologised for everything that had happened and acknowledged that he had taken the word of the parishioner over mine and had got things wrong.
What he doesn't know is the Advisor, has been copying me into all the emails and stern words have been said. 😉
Unfortunately, the filmmaker is telling everyone a different story and that she has done nothing wrong. Many still think I have made a fuss about nothing, but my hands are tied, due to confidentiality and I cannot defend myself.
The Social Committee are very frosty towards me. 😪
I have also made a sworn enemy in the film maker.

Just when I was feeling sorry for myself, I saw a missed call from the Advisor. (I never hear it ringing.) There was a voice mail, saying he was checking up I was OK and once again wanted to commend me for sticking to my guns.
What a lovely man he is.
He is an ex senior police officer, who dealt with child abuse and rape cases. I am glad he is my friend.
I think he is wonderful, with amazing knowledge and expertise, over six feet all , imposing, but has gentle manner.

Later, I went to post on the Parish Pacebook page, with an answer to a query ( I dislike Facebook, rarely use it) and saw a comment from a parishioner (who takes no prisoners and is very forthright) . It said: I especially want to thank MD,, for all she does for us and will come running ( that's not accurate 😂) at the drop of a hat, if we need her. 😭

Today we have Antonette Kleptomaniac. Heaven knows, what she has been planning for today. DS says she has been going on since yesterday about coming 😍

Must rush, pancake natter batter awaits.

Take care all and enjoy your day.

Good morning from a damp but not particularly cold NE.
Today is DS's 54th birthday, I will message him shortly but won't see him until Saturday.
GD finishes school at lunchtime for the Christmas break and eldest is home from university.
DD and SIL should be in the UK now but haven't heard from them yet.
Have a good day.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex, where it’s very dark and quite wet out. A mild 11 degrees according to my garden thermometer. A wet and breezy day is forecast. Yesterday was grey and cloudy again. I had to wait in to sign for a package so pottered around for most of the day. I watched a webinar on spinal fractures run by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, which was very informative.
I had a problem accessing my email yesterday but a very helpful man from BT talked me through sorting it out.

grandmattie perhaps you could sell your mincemeat recipe to Waitrose?

cornergran safe journey over the bridge today, I hope the traffic isn’t too bad.

I hope that all those with medical and other problems find some relief today. jaxjacky enjoy being at home again, but take it easy!

Have the best day you can everyone.

Welcome back, Gagagran - I remember you from the early days though I had a different user name then.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s dark and I can hear it raining outside
What a compliment gMattie its very well deserved - well done
So good to see you here again Gagagran and what a heartwarming lovely story you’ve shared about your DH ❤️
I’ve had a good think and reluctantly decided it’s best to postpone my trip to DD1s in Cambridge tomorrow, I’m still suffering with this bad cough type virus and it just wouldn’t be right to go. I’m trying to sort out another date soon. I’ll try to get their Christmas cards and gifts posted today and hope they arrive in time.
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where it is still dark, and cold. I slept quite well last night.

Writers group at the library yesterday, led by our lovely librarian, was fun and very productive. She puts a lot of work into these once a month sessions and we told her yesterday how much we appreciated that and, of course, still having a library to meet in when so many of them are closing.

Today I am skipping walking group because the forecast is horrendous and with all the rain we’ve had this week, it will be very mucky underfoot. No pleasure in it. My walking buddy is of like mind it seems. I shall have a baking day instead.

Have the best day you can, folks.

After a long absence from posting, but never from checking in every morning and keeping a watching brief on old friends (as well as getting to know new posters), I am back in the mix!

Greetings to old friends and new on this lovely, friendly, supportive and kindly group, from the south coast midway between Chichester and Portsmouth. It's very wet but mild.

I joined GN in the very early days but took a back seat in 2020 when DH got cancer and a torrid time followed. Some may remember me.

Thankfully after several operations and lots of care and checks from his wonderful surgeon and his team, DH is almost as good as new and just waits for his 5 year scan before he is to be "signed off". It has been very hard at times with numerous setbacks and both of us have had some very dark days. But, we celebrated our Diamond Wedding anniversary in July this year, and got our card from the King and had a joyous family party. As Churchill said, you have to KBO! So we did.

I want to send my kindest regards especially to those suffering ill health or that of family members or partners. I have walked in your shoes and it's hard.

Still using and loving the Yorkshire rose bag you made for me GM and glad that your talents and kindness are still being shared so generously in Bristol!

Take care everyone and it's the solstice on Sunday so back to the light!

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a very dark but still morning in North Yorkshire. I am creaking around this morning, darent go in the shower yet, so I have got the bedding in the washer chuntering away and am sat in dressing gown and have been writing a list for today so that I dont miss something important. Today is our little christmas party womens group, so we are having food in our usual meeting place and taking our own non -alcoholic drinks with us. There will be a raffle which includes two lovely looking christmas cakes, but I shant hold my breath! So I need to try and get what I can done before I go to that. Then this afternoon the cleaning fairies will be here (I hope!) They went to York on a day out last week so I will be glad to see them, especially to do the things that are difficult for me. Turning the mattress over and making the bed and having a good go with the hoover , which when my back is bad is one of the worst things for me to do.

Yesterday I did quite a bit of sorting stuff out, but looking round you wouldnt see much change! I did one load of washing very early . Then got the yellow peril out, which thankfully decided to work, and whilst not up to its past speed, was at least moving quite well. Risked putting the washing out, despite promises of non stop rain, and felt very tired . I was able to get a couple of cards posted , some shopping from the market, call in the bank and even awarded myself a coffee at Cafe Nero, so was somewhat weary by the time I got back. However went up to collect the washing, which wasnt totally dry but had had a good blow and smelt very nice. Just in time as I had only put the cover over the buggy and got the washing inside when the deluge started.

Got stuff put away, and a quick meal and then it was off to the whist drive, which was our christmas one. which meant more refreshments than normal, a special raffle with such things as bottles of sherry and christmas cakes etc., and it was a very full room and had a job to park. The refreshments for this evening are provided by the village hall committee and they thanked us for our support of the hall throughout the year. I didnt win anything in either the whist or the raffle, but was very pleased to see that Will , who takes on getting all the prizes every week for the whist ,won a nice bottle of wine. Many people were wearing christmas jumpers etc, I had just put on my red trousers and matching red and white top, and said that I was a Holly berry! So a very nice evening and home and to bed.

Today I dont think I will risk putting the bedding out before I go, but need to take shopping bags ect to do after the meeting. Then I must get fuelled up and check over the car, ready for meeting up on saturday with my son and family. So the list is including the various bits and pieces I must put to take with me, wrapping Joshuas presents up and putting them in a bag and into the car today to be sure of remembering them, and have one or two small gifts for people that need wrapping. Nichola has been very helpful to me this year and I was pleased to find a rather good little 12 nail polish set in a little house shape. She always has lovely nails and of course it is the fashion for people to do a lot of decorating their nails, which I enjoy seeing but dont try and copy myself, just try to keep my nails clean and decent shape. So think she will enjoy trying them all out. Very satisfying isnt it when you find just the thing that fits the bill. What else gets done today have no idea but glad that I dont have to go out tonight.

Hope you have a good trip and meet a few friends Mick. GrandMattie, not surprised that you were wanted to make mincemeat and no doubt many other things. You deserve the compliments and there are many things I read that you are making that I wish I lived nearby to be able to come and sample. Medal Medal to you, and may you have a peaceful and restful day today to recuperate from all your efforts yesterday.

Wishing every GN a good day, with a little oasis of calm to enjoy some tea or coffee, and shortly I shall be enjoying my Bach before 7, and my much appreciated coffee myself, so heres to a pleasant and productive day to us all

Good morning from another wet and windy Black Country.

It rained constantly most of the day yesterday. I went on the bus to Wolverhampton to meet DS in his lunch break, had lunch, swopped cards and present. Then I went on the bus to DD's school to take cards etc to her. Not been in her office before, met some of her lovely staff.

Today is DD's birthday, she is 47! So I had also taken her my present from me.

Thursday walking group Christmas meal today. Luckily it is in a canalside pub only 10 minutes walk away.

Gosh gM Waitrose could be interested in your Mincemeat! Mum used to make lovely mincemeat and then made dozens of mince pies which she gave away to family etc. Everyone was always eager to have a dozen. Sadly, she no longer even cooks.

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Morning Mick, morning All from a soggy corner of Somerset. Yellow warning for rain still in place. Forecast looks wet, wet, wet.

Enjoyed yesterday, a good catchup in the morning, a tasty meal, a wander round a large garden centre and home. A very pleasant and very wet young man delivered the groceries, insisted on unpacking them for us and went in his way with a smile.

We’re off over the bridge today to visit our friend. We’ll collect a granddaughter, meet her dad at a shopping mall, leave our car there and be chauffeured for the majority of the distance. It’s been a busy week for sure.

What a compliment grandmattie, I’m delighted for you.

Best wishes to everyone . Hope Thursday is kind to us all.

Good morning from Bristol.
madelaine, sleeping in the vestry is a good idea but there are a couple of rooms I could use. There has been no heating in the church for a month now, so it would be very cold indeed…

Despite being very very busy yesterday, I had a good day. The first was an enormous compliment. I had given one of the helpers a pot of my mincemeat with which she’d made mince pies at the weekend for her family. Her son exclaimed that they were delicious and asked where she’d got the mincemeat from. She told him. He then asked for my details. She refused absolutely, saying that I was very busy and besides could never produce the quantity that he would need. He’s on,y the area manager of Waitrose!
The other events went well despite me rushing from A to B to C with barely time to breathe.
Today is quiet. After going to have my glasses straightened, I shall assemble the mini gingerbread houses, ready for decoration.
I hope today brings peace and gentleness to your lives. Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩