Good Morning Monday 22nd December 2025

Good morning all from another dry and dark dawn on the north Wales coast - oh I can look forward to Spring alreddee 🤗 and sitting outside with the chamberpot ☕️

🥂 belated greetings to Roses and Dragonfly on their special days and lovely to read the patient is coming home for Christmas- the best present x

Last minute shopping and present delivery for me today and pick up my new 👓 too - I managed to sit on my second best pair on holiday and ended up looking like Jack Duckworth with a plaster holding them together…🤦‍♀️

Welcome to the newbies - this thread is the absolute tonic we all need as we fight our battles - I’m always cheered by someone with a witty post!

May your day go well and I hope those in the sick bay are on the mend 💐

Good morning from an overcast Bristol.
Had a busy evening as I was helping at the serving of mulled wine and mince pies after the Carol service.
Ot at least I thought I was helping. It turned out that the lady in charge couldn’t organise her way out of a paper bag. Being naturally bossy, and loathing bad organisation, I took over - for some of the time, at least.
Instead of readying for over 100 people, the absolute minimum was done; 75 mince pies were to be heated, mulled wine warmed up, then, incredibly the hot plates turned off BEFORE the service, so it had time to get cold before serving , etc. I got a good system going, me in the kitchen making sure the servers had all they needed.
Then one particularly interfering lady came in and messed everything up, coming between me and the stove for example, while I was trying to empty bottles to warm up, and filling jugs for service. There were others, but not as bad as this one. (She demanded to know my name, then never told me hers!) I sneaked away as soon as the rush was over.
Today, uncertain Tesco as my neighbour’s friend “has a delivery and doesn’t know if it’s am or pm”!
I also need to go to church and collect my stuff and, probably 6 million wet tea towels that the laundry fairy will wash and iron.
I must wrap the presents and think about how to pack cases and bags for Wednesday’s move to DD’s.
May your days be full of quiet happiness, free from sorrow and pain.
Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩 🌺 🎄 🎁 🕯️ 🦩🦩🦩

Good morning from a foggy NE, quite mild for the time of year.
DD and SIL came yesterday to take me shopping, they were delayed because the main route was closed due to an accident the night before.
The supermarket was heaving but we managed to find everything I had on my list.
That is it for visitors until Christmas day, I will just spend the next few days doing all the preparation.
Have a good day.

Good morning from s somerset, maybe it will be dry today and maybe there will be some sun, yesterday was dull and rain all day, the MO got that wrong

Its time for projects, everywhere is quiet now in my town. My spinning has been resurrected and I am loving this fluff, alpaca and falklands merino. I will be plying 2 ply today as I am needing another empty bobbin. I think it takes about a year to spin a jumper worth. Spinning is a very relaxing meditative hobby

I find that I am alternating projects and essential domestic chores. I did all of it yesterday, spinning, knitting, sewing and the chores plus a walk. All in all it was a good day, several chats while on my walk and followed by a good sleep.

Today will be more of the same, also prepping whatever I need to take on my journey on thursday.

Have a good day

Good morning from Malta where the high is forecast at 21°C.

I’ve been mostly in bed since Wednesday afternoon when the flu virus floored me and I’ve been struggling through the days as best I can.

The cat has never left my side, bless him, but the first couple of days it was so difficult just dragging myself to the kitchen to feed him.

DD3 breezed in on Friday with supplies (prompted by my pal in Leicester who was worried about me). I don’t blame DD3, both boys were poorly and with me out of action she and her husband had to take leave to look after them.

Sorry I haven’t kept up with all your news. I couldn’t look at my phone as my eyes ached as well as most of the rest of me.

Anyway, enough of my miseries. Thank you Susan for noticing I was absent💐

Wishing you all a good day.🎄

I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better now, bellas. Now you have to take care of your convalescence and not overdo things!
I’m glad that your DD3 was able to help.
How are the little boys? I trust they are bouncing back, as children always do.
Abrazos

Good morning everyone, I’m snug on the airbed in my craft room and all’s quiet at the moment.
DS, DDIL and the lovely DGCs arrived midday yesterday, so lovely to see them despite DS still being unwell. He was well dosed up with antibiotics etc.
I had a lovely day chatting and catching up with all their news.
The older DGS does cycling or athletics nearly every day and his younger brother does cycling, rugby and swimming and will start athletics next year. I honestly don’t know where they get their energy from! DS was always very energetic and DDIL isn’t far behind them all.
It’s a very short stay, they’re heading back home today and have a busy week ahead with different activities and meeting friends.
DS is enjoying his new job, he’s in the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall for the current project, he’s loving being back in an office environment instead of largely working from home.
Today there will be a dog walk this morning and after lunch they’ll be going, I hope we’ll see them again soon.
Gosh Bella, poor you 🤗, I do hope you’re feeling better soon x
Absolutely nothing going on here for the next couple of weeks, I will just take each day as it comes, lots of walks and arty stuff I hope.
Love and best wishes to all 🌹

Good morning from a dark and dismal Black Country, where it rained overnight.

Great family get together yesterday at DD's. Niece and her boyfriend were here enroute to Scotland to spend it with his family. Mum and I played Boggle with the DGD's, and despite having dementia she scored higher than me! She has always been good with words games though.

MrJ has been in Bristol since Saturday, seeing his girls before Christmas, and taking their presents. One is spending Christmas with her boyfriends family, the other having her Mum there.

Walking group this morning, or Line Dancing this afternoon. Think I may choose the indoor activity as it will be very muddy underfoot.

Need to get a few last minute bits and pieces. Not cooking dinner here Christmas day as we are back to DD's, with Brother and SIL.

Hoping you are feeling much better soon Bellas

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning from a cold and dry Torbay.

So sorry to hear of you having the flu, Bellasnana; the cat must have been a comfort as it is hard when even fetching a drink of water can feel like climbing a mountain! I hope you recover fully in time for Christmas.

Our tree is finally up and decorated but unlit. Lights that had served me well for 10 years (from the late lamented Wilko's) had finally given up. We tried new batteries which caused sparks to fly……. and I don’t mean between us!! Anyway, it’s progress to have the tree at all as I couldn’t face bothering with it last year, following a spell in hospital unable to weight bear on one leg. I have much for which to be thankful.

We hope to go into town today before our check ups at the optician's. DH prefers to be tested here rather than in France and we go to a small familyrun business in a suburb of Torquay.

Happy news re dragonfly’s DH yesterday and a warm welcome to the new contributors.

Have a good week. ⭐️🧑🏻‍🎄🎄🎁⭐️

Morning all from West Oxfordshire. I’m still tucked up in bed and won’t get up until around 8 am.

We had a good day yesterday with younger son. He helped me cook a delicious roast beef lunch. Later I drove him to Oxford to get the train back to London.

Our cleaner should be here this morning for the last time until the new year. I have various things to do including shopping, laundry and some phone calls. Our daughter is arriving tomorrow so need to sort out her room too . I haven’t iced the Christmas cake yet - I marzipan’d it on Saturday.

I think OH is seeing his bees today - he needs to take them some fondant.

Have a good day everyone. I hope MaryD isn’t overdoing it and thinking of the FGT2S,

Good morning from Shropshire.

We had a cosy morning with the children yesterday.SIL collected them at lunchtime.

We need to go food shopping today as we are now hosting Christmas.The big decision is whether to go to the smaller supermarket in our little town or whether to drive fourteen miles to a bigger supermarket.

Glad you are on the mend Bellasnana💐

I hope dragonfly’s DH is settled at home.

Thinking of FGT’s and Himself.

Wishing everyone the best day possible🌻🦩🎅🏼🎄

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from a dark, damp looking South Yorkshire. I slept fitfully last night with a recurring dream about being unable to remember where I had parked my car!
DD, SiL and GS came yesterday and made short work of two curries - worth all the effort that goes into making them. It seems I am expected to stay with them on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day nights. I had planned a quiet, reflective, Christmas Eve on my own. Now it will be neither quiet nor reflective😁. They live life at a hundred miles an hour. I’m blessed, and I shouldn’t complain.
Today I have one or two last minute things to buy and then I shall make a start on my baking. Sausage rolls, more mince pies, Anzac biscuits for GS’s hamper and a batch of chocolate brownies.
Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s mild and damp out, a cloudy day is forecast for today.
Yesterday was cloudy, then wet. One of my sons in law came over in the morning and I can now send email as well as receive it. I think the tv has disconnected from the internet, but I mainly watch terrestrial tv anyway, so not a major issue. I knew changing a password would cause chaos and it has!

bellasnana sorry you’ve been so poorly and I hope you will be fully recovered soon,
dragonfly a belated Happy Anniversary to you for yesterday. I hope your DH is now safely at home with you and that his health will improve soon.

Today I’ll go for my usual walk and hope to see some dog walking friends, then on to the churchyard with some flowers for my DH’s grave.
Once home I have a pile of ironing to do and generally get organised ready to go to DD1’s on Wednesday.

Thinking of all those who are struggling and hoping for an easier day for you all.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s still dark but I think it’s dry
Oh Bellas so sorry to hear you’ve been so poorly but pleased you’re feeling a bit better now, the flu virus is awful
I’m helping DD2 with a few jobs this morning and then doing some food shopping. She’s busy in the run up to Christmas and still working so I’m happy to give her a hand. The DGC here are still at school until tomorrow so it should be quiet
Lovely to catch up with the family roses, so pleased your son and family could all visit
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a very dark but still morning in North Yorkshire. Ah well it may look the same but mentally know that the days are beginning to get lighter, cheering thought.

Yesterday was a mixed day. Creaking around, physically struggling to get over the day before, very tired and disorganised. However one or two positive things. Now with the information booklet the radiators have been sorted out and adjusted to suit my timetable. When I moved here I had to get rid of old cumbersome and expensive storage heaters and decided not to try and have central heating, but instead to have individual radiators, as I had no choice but to have wretched electric , no gas available. But it has proved to be a good choice, as I now have the radiators set up for specific rooms etc, so bedroom has only an hour late in the evening and early in the morning, with the hall one = nearest the door set up on an eco timer to react to the temperature as and when it needs to. So it felt as though some of them had not got the times right so they have now all been checked and set up properly. Also after some faffing around the new hot water tank jacket has been installed and hopefully that will improve the water heating and cut the electric price down a bit. Well doesnt sound very exciting but at least it has been intended jobs done. Had made a casserole for dinner, which was slightly disappointing. Saw some braising steak at a good price which looked very nice so chose that. It was ok and cooked well but the gravy was a disappointment. I usually use shin beef which has much better gravy and this didnt match up to the usual so back to shin next time.

I was sorry to get an email from my son yesterday to say that he had very bad toothache and was sat waiting for some emergency appointment. At least it was yesterday and not on christmas day but hope he had some success and pain relief. Will check up today to see how he is. Good job he had not had to go abroad for work in the end.

Well today I am hoping to do a bit more sorting out. Top of the list has to be clothes , planning what I need over christmas and getting the ironing out of the way. Then looking through the fridge etc and seeing just what I need to get in to make sure I have enough so that I dont have to go out into the crowds for essential stuff. As I am not cooking christmas dinner I do not need a great deal in, but must put chestnuts at the top of my list which I do love. Then if I am in the mood more sorting out of paperwork. So nothing exciting, but pleased to have a quiet day and I may go mad and ring a friend and see if she is free to meet up for coffee. Dont think the weather is going to be very good today, definitely colder , and no doubt the traffic will be hectic in towns everywhere. If the day cheers up I may put a little picnic in the car and go off out to enjoy the peace of the countryside. There are some positives to living on your own, and not to be stressed out about visitors and food. I shall count my blessings.

Hope your day goes well Mick and you have a good christmas dinner. Pantglas see you are another one already thinking of the improvement of the daylight, and hope the new glasses are fine and you will be looking smart for christmas day. GrandMattie, I am with you, wondering how people cannot get organised and do things in the wrong order or have no real idea of what is needed to be done. Sometimes I have wondered if they were making a mess of it deliberately so as not to be asked again, but you do seem to meet those people who even when they have done a job before, never seem to learn from their experience for further occasions. In the past I have even written lists of what needs to be done first in village halls, so things like heaters that need ages to begin to work etc , temperatures for different ovens etc, which have then been totally ignored and surprise expressed when the room or the oven is nowhere near hot enough!! But if we dont persevere we then end up stuck doing it all ourselves! Cant win can you, unless you are lucky enough to meet a younger version of yourself that you can pass the baton on to. Karmalady hope you carry on with a serene peaceful day today and no doubt there are many people who would wish to be you at the moment. Bellasnana do hope you will have a bit better day today and that you keep warm and enjoy the cats company. when you get clobbered like this you just have to accept and rest as much as you can. Fingers crossed you feel a bit better tomorrow.

Wishing the best day possible for everyone, with parking spaces miraculously appearing, buses on time and what you need to buy being actually available and easily found.Ah may be too much of a miracle to wish for, but we are here to learn of your success and failure and will definitely be on your side.

Good morning from a still dark S E Essex.

I shall join the 8am phone calls to my GP practice, hopefully I shall be successful 🤷‍♀️

Asthma is an odd thing, sometimes I can have a chest infection and it’s ok, I have a feeling that it’s not ok at the moment.

Bellasnana sorry to hear you have been so poorly, I hope you are now on the mend, rest and lots of fluids 🌸

Thinking of all our other poorly morning friends and those with troubles and worries, all are heightened at this time of year 🤶🎄

Good morning all. Oh dear, the rain has returned this morning in Glasgow for the next couple of hours at least.

I had a busier day yesterday. I had run out of the cat’s treatments which was top of the list as due now and another few bits and pieces of shopping. Knowing I would be popping in to DD1s on my way home I bought chew bones for both dogs and a scented candle for DDs newly decorated sitting room which now has a media wall. Gone are the days of a TV in the corner. A few last minute bits to get at a nearby large shopping mall around lunch time hoping it will be a bit quieter then.

Best wishes to all for a good day.

Good Morning from Durham - still dark here. DGS1 thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Beauty and the Beast yesterday, but was a bit under the weather, falling asleep on the bus going home, despite the dreadful potholes.
Today, my normal morning coffee with a friend, then DD1 is coming to collect DGS1’s new bike, which is hidden in my garage. Later, I’m planning a visit to Tesco for a few last bits and the cheap vegetables.

Hope you feel better soon Bellas. Fingers crossed everything went to plan for the Dragonflies.

Best wishes to all. X

Good morning from a damp Leicestershire.

DH arrived home yesterday morning and so far so good. He is determined to get stronger.
DD and SiL also arrived yesterday for Christmas so it will be busy from now on.
At least I don’t have to drive to the hospital!

My thoughts are with those who have mountains to climb. Hope you feel better soon Bella.

Morning Mick, morning All. Our corner of Somerset is forecast a dry day,🤞. It rained -a lot- yesterday

After yesterdays endeavours the guest room almost looks like a room. The bed seemed to have disappeared! I enjoy a good sort and tidy. A long, worrying, call from our goddaughter, she’s not coping well. At her request I spent a couple of hours researching medications her Mum had been prescribed and the surgery proposed for her husband. Not a chore, I thoroughly enjoy that type of task and feel I’m doing a little to help. I also enjoyed decorating the new, second, table top tree while teasing Mr C that three of anything looks better than two. I wouldn’t, would I?

Off delivering gifts to our not so littlest today via a large supermarket (life would be easier if I knew how many I will be catering for on Boxing Day) and with luck time to stop off and scoop up new pillows for our bed. We’ll enjoy the afternoon with our daughter in law before driving back.

What a shame bellasnana, hope you feel much better soon.

Delighted to read the good news about dragonfly’s husband.

Church challenges aren’t getting less grandmattie!

Best wishes to all. Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning from a misty W Kent. Belated happy birthday Roses and anniversary Dragonfly. Bellasnana hope you feel better soon.
No cleaner today so I shall tidy around and some baking.
Best wishes to all

Good Morning everyone from a mild south coast. It is forecast to get colder as the week wears on but the garden thermometer is showing otherwise so far. We definitely will not be having a white Christmas though!

Yesterday was a lovely, happy one with the visit from DS and family. The M25 was kind to them being not too busy and they were, unusually, here at the estimated arrival time. The only disappointment was that our elder DGD had to work at her temporary job in retail, so could not be with us.

Lunch at the local pub was busy but peaceful - no loud music, only a few tasteful nods to decorations and excellent food served by sweet, helpful young waitresses. It was joyous being able to chat without having to shout over noise.

Just the grocery delivery tomorrow, and DH going for a breakfast cycle ride with his club then quiet and peaceful until 29th. DD and family are coming then and we are going to another local pub for lunch. Hope it's as good as it was yesterday.

Thinking of all with their own health issues and other worries, especially for those they are caring for. It always feel harder trying to cope at this time of the year. Sending kindest regards to you all.

Morning from South Lanarkshire where it is dark and rainy.I’m waiting to call the chiropodist at 8 o’clock, I saw her last week but pain in my right toe has returned so I hope she can see me before I head off to DD3 and family tomorrow. If not I can stand it but it will be better if I don’t have to!
I am well aware this is a minor difficulty.

Glad your birthday turned out so well Roses and I do hope your flu allows you to enjoy Christmas Day Bellasnana

I think I’m basically organised for my departure North in the morning, but have some last few tasks to support DD4 who is hosting Christmas for the first time for DD5 and family plus her cousin who always comes to us.

Keeping everyone in mind and wishing as good a day as possible for us all, this can be a tricky time.

Good morning Mick and everyone from damp Carlisle where it has rained overnight.
Enjoy your christmas dinner Mick.

Yesterday I went for a dawn walk in the park. All the birds were making a racket, perhaps celebrating the Solstice, they know the starting gun has gone for the breeding season!

Back home, it was a day of little jobs then searching for some reasonable travel insurance, a task which is proving difficult due to my age and declared medical conditions. They are minor really and unlikely (fingers crossed) to cause emergency action. Heaven knows what they charge folk with serious problems. I shall leave the problem to after the holidays now.

Lots of little organising and tidying jobs for the holidays today.

I hope you soon bounce back Bella, a very unpleasant experience for you.

And I hope all poorliness is on the mend for the holidays.

Have a good day all.