Good Morning Tuesday 23rd December 2025

Morning all from West Oxfordshire. It is grey but dry.

I’m icing the cake this morning - I ran out of time yesterday. Later I’ll make beef bourguignon and potatoes dauphinois for dinner. OH will collect daughter from the station this afternoon.

Hopefully OH can collect our turkey etc., from Waitrose this lunchtime. I had an email this morning to say the payment hadn’t gone through!

Best wishes to all of you with difficulties.

Good morning all from the Black country.
I also have 2 grandsons who behave the same as others have mentioned, DiL as always said if Dgs2 had been first born they would have stopped at one.
Today just a local shop anything I don't have is tough we won't starve.
Hope there is some relief for the poorlies.
Sar enjoy your cruise.
Have the best day you can everyone whatever your plans and may you all find a little bit of ☀️.

Good morning from cloudy South Lanarkshire.

Have a wonderful holiday Sar.

So much sorrow MD

Bellasnana hope you feel a little better today.

I’ve hams to cook and trifles to make today. I’ll have to get a move on as I have an appointment for a blow dry later this afternoon and will be childminding at DD’s this evening so time is limited.

This feeling of yearning for past Christmases just won’t shift. Since my Mum died seven years ago one of her sisters, who is now ninety, took over Mum’s tradition of having flowers delivered to me a couple of days before Christmas. They arrived yesterday, reducing me to tears again, such kindness from a favourite aunt.

Wishing you all a good whatever is happening in your lives.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders where it's quiet and dark.
My friend came for supper bearing a Christmas tree which she had managed to prune from a larger pine on a tree plantation on her way here.

We then searched the house for decorations. My Helpers during the year had been over zealous and thrown some out but we found just enough.

I made chai and we sat by the fire and talked until midnight about our lovely friends and partners no longer with us.

NZ son phoned and announced a Christmas quiz is to be played tomorrow morning at 8am. The electrician is due at 9am to try to fit a smart meter.

This morning I'll go out by bus to see if another shop sells the 3 vital ingredients I missed out when preparing the Jamie Oliver vegan speciality for my Christmas lunch. I began to cook it but it's too bland.

You sound quite poorly Bella. I hope you can have some off duty time to recover.

Hoping everyone has a pleasant day whatever they are doing.

My poor MD. So much sadness. My heartfelt sympathy.🫂 ❤️‍🩹

DD has just texted me to say how much the girls have liked their “lucky dip” Advent calendar. Tomorrow’s offering is a scratch card.
I have collected bits and pieces over the year and made the odd thing, Padding out the gaps with kitkats or something like that. Iris has been particularly pleased with her selection of bits.

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

I hope GG managed to get the help she needed yesterday,
My chest has flared up again and I am trying not to break open the rescue pack. I am coughing non stop.
I was a crazy lady on those steroids.

Bella, I hope you manage to get out.

I got to church yesterday, to be told another friend had died a few hours earlier. His daughter had stunned me the previous evening, when she messaged me, to tell me that they hoped to get him home yesterday for palliative care. He never made it.😪
No -one had any idea, how critically ill he was.
I had taught his daughters and knew him well.
He caught 'flu in hospital and it accelerated an undiagnosed brain condition. He died within a week of going into hospital. It explained why he had become so forgetful recently.
We were a very sad and shocked crew yesterday.

The church was a very busy place yesterday. We were not expecting the cleaners to be in and the also flower arrangers.
I had thousands of pounds worth of candles etc. to unpack, it was chaotic.
The young sacristan couldn't help, he was putting out extra chairs in preparation for the Christmas Vigil Mass. We can fit 700 people in the pews, but that is not enough.
I always cover midnight Mass, becaue I cannot bear the hardest of unruly children and their seriously indulgent parents.
We have a group of young parishioners, who believe in gentle parenting, they never say NO.

This morning I have a funeral to go to, the church will be packed. This parishioner was such a gentleman and fought to hard, to no avail. 😪
The mother of a priest friend has also died, we as a parish are finding dealing with seven funerals in the last two weeks, heartbreaking.

Afterwards, I am meeting one of the cleaners. They are in dire need of some supplies and the P. P Keeps forgetting to order stuff.
I will make a list and march him to the shops purchase the materials myself and give him the bill.

This afternoon, I plan to nake the sticky toffee pudding for Thursday and ice the light Christmas cake, I made yesterday.
I wasn't going to bother about the cake, but my children were quite miffed, when I told them.
It was my mother's recipe and a family tradition.

I wish you all a pleasant day and good luck with all the supermarket forays.
As always, I am mindful of all our mountaineers and their families. 💐
I have a Tesco delivery, thank goodness! I feel quite smug.

Good morning all.

Yesterday’s musical party was great, nibbles and tea half time.
My friend who runs it each month with her husband is so talented and makes the afternoon special and great fun. She should have been in the stage.
I had to leave early as my appointed pick up time for my M and s Christmas food was between 4 and 4.30.

It all run like clockwork with very little queuing and lots of staff on hand. Parking was also a doddle.😳.

Today I’ll just shop at our small local stores. We’re lucky to have a greengrocer, pharmacy, diy store, two food stores a butchers and a fish and chip shop. The only thing we lack is a bakery but we have a small Tesco over the road. Parking outside, although it’s only a 10 minute walk with my trusty trolly, so that’s where I’ll go today.

I’ll pop over to DD’s to see how things are and take in anything she needs. Hopefully she’s on the mend.

GG I’m glad you got your steroids, after a disappointing appointment with the doctor. Hope you’re feeling better.🙏.

Take care and keep well 🎄

My grandchildren sound the same as others.

DGD knows exactly how to wind up DGS and they will argue over one tiny piece of Lego 🤦🏼‍♀️Exactly the same with copying the drawings from the iPad.The only positive is at 10 and 6 we seem to have less fighting and arguing than before🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Good morning Mick and everyone.
Yesterday my daughter and my adult grandchildren came to collect the wine I bought for my son in law. They stayed for a couple of hours.
I'm with them from Christmas Eve afternoon.
Today I have to go to Marks and Spencer food hall. I have visitors on the 27th.
Bellasnana I'm sorry to hear you're not well. Hoping you regain your strength soon.
Thoughts are with those who are finding life challenging for whatever reason.

Good morning from a dull Suffolk where cloud is forecast all day. I had a good visit to my dear friend who is having 4 weeks respite in a local Care home where she is being well looked after.

She had dozens of Get Well and Christmas cards which,having gone prepared with sellotape and scissors, I mounted the Christmas cards on the door and the others on the wardrobe doors.

Our anniversary meal was delicious last evening and the service by the young girls charming. We enjoyed looking back over our 50+ years together and felt privileged to be able to do so.

Apart from a Waitrose delivery this afternoon,it will be a quiet,peaceful day at home. I hope others,in spite of being busier than this,have a good day.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s dark, think it’s dry
Have a wonderful holiday Sar53 you definitely deserve it, enjoy the onboard celebrations
I did some food shopping yesterday, just a few last minute bits to pick up now. Today I’m going to the gym for a quick line dancing class, there’s a lady who makes Christmas table decorations and she’s got one for me so I need to pick it up. After that I’m meeting my friend for coffee at the garden centre, we’ll have a good catch up and exchange gifts.
Hoping things get fully resolved GG and you feel better soon, hopefully you can carry on with your plans, keeping everything crossed
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

A bit warmer in Sheffield today, hopefully when it gets light it will be a bit brighter .
I’ve already been to Morrisons and purchased the ham.
It was surprisingly quiet.
No more shops for me now before Christmas

Good morning from the Essex coast.
We are off on our Christmas cruise around the Canary Islands today.
As we may not have a lot of WiFi I would like to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. I hope all the 'patients' are feeling better and you all get to spend quality time with the ones you love xx

Good morning it is dark here in S E Essex.

I am expecting a Waitrose delivery between 8-9am.

Further on from my GP debacle yesterday. The Practice Manager rang me after I had lodged a complaint with the receptionist regarding my appointment yesterday.

Apparently the man I saw was a trainee Doctor, and working under supervision he was definitely on his own during my visit!

She listened, understood and agreed with me, so I will have to wait and see what happens this morning.

I hate taking steroids, do not like the side effects, little sleep and racing brain being some.

I hope I can get to the pantomime at the Cliffs Pavilion for the 5pm performance with DS4 and family , the other Gran and DiL’s sister’s family. We have lunch booked in a nearby Hotel first.

I have been looking forward to this for a long time, fingers crossed, I will get there.

Thinking of our poorly friends 🎄🤶

Good morning from a dark W Kent where we are up early to attend DH’s follow up hospital appointment after his emergency eye dash last month. DD2 has kindly offered to drive which is a big help as parking is very difficult.
Full Christmas cheer yesterday when we received a parking fine from a local pub after we went there for a U3A lunch. It isn’t a pub we use and was pouring with rain the day we went. We never saw a signing in machine anywhere. Anyway we shan’t go back and will tell the group.
Best wishes

Good morning everyone from the East Coast and a dry day is forecast.
DH is hoping to go in the garden today and clear the veg patch and take out any dead plants to fill up the garden waste bin which is getting emptied tomorrow. He needs to make a cheesecake too ready for our Christmas dinner which we have tomorrow.

I am picking up my mum to visit an elderly relative today and deliver some gifts.
My morning with DGS yesterday went well though he didn’t want to do any crafting he just looked at me like I was mad to suggest it.We went to the park and both got muddy. He loves the zip line and about ten times I dragged the thing back up a hill so he could keep having a go on it. He’s minimally verbal and to hear him say ‘ready steady go fast please’ it lifted my heart. It’s a good job I do weights at the gym it’s to keep my upper body strength.

DH and I had a lovely lunch later in the afternoon at Carluccio and a glass of wine in our local which was very relaxing. The craziness starts tomorrow so we made the most of some chill time.
Mum has asked if we can pop in to Aldi on the way back today though it will be about four o’clock so I’m hoping it will have calmed down a little. She said it’s ok I’ll just rush round it won’t take me long. Yes good luck with that mum!

Hope all your Christmas prep is coming along nicely. Enjoy family visits and thoughts to those struggling with health.
Wishing for moments of joy in your day today. 🎄

Good morning from a still dark and damp N. Bucks.
A few bits to collect locally and pods jobs to finish up.
Will visit a friend this afternoon to deliver a gift and then take memory flowers to the church yard for my parents and brother.
Thinking of all with illness, worries and troubles and wishing a good day for all.

Good morning everyone from a dark and dry Northampton; up early as I have left a card and Christmas tip for the papergirl sellotaped to the front door. She comes ridiculously early, and I wanted to catch her. I was a papergirl for around three years from 15 to 18, and I know how much I appreciated the Christmas tips from my customers.

I intend on making Mary Berry's Christmas cake bites this morning, and have just put some chopped dried apricots to soak in brandy. Should have left them overnight but I forgot!
I shall also be cooking the ham in the slow cooker today, so have just got it out of the fridge to come to room temperature.

A successful trip to the shops yesterday - M&S Food had the chocolates I wanted, and then I went to Sainsbury's to collect my ordered turkey crown and buy the ham. It was busy but not as bad as I expected. Met my oldest friend at the bus stop and asked her if she'd like to spend Boxing Day with us as I'd found out she was going to be on her own. DS will pick her up and she will book a taxi to take her home in the evening. She is also his godmother.

The cats go to the cattery for their annual Christmas break this afternoon so hope I can get them into their carriers without too much fuss!

Wishing all a pleasant if busy day!

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s dry but the outside thermometer isn’t working this morning so I don’t know how cold it is. Yesterday was a lovely sunny day, despite the forecast. I went for my usual walk and met my usual dog walking friends. Then I took flowers to the churchyard to my DH’s grave. I met a friend who was doing the same thing, a hug and a quick chat was nice.
Then I did the ironing, and pottered for a while, tidying the dining room. Another friend called in late afternoon, she’d been to see our friend with dementia.
I’ve got a dentist appointment this morning, just a check up fortunately, hopefully he won’t find much work to be done. I’ll visit my friend with dementia later.

bellasnana I hope you continue to feel better and that a bit of pampering while you have your hair done will be relaxing.
My DGDs generally get on well, but the older ones do like to wind up the younger ones and upset them.

Thinking of all those who are climbing mountains at the moment.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning from a dark but dry Black Country.

Last Line Dancing session of the year, then a walk around town. Waitrose was rammed, never seen it so busy!

Spoke to Mum on a video call around 5pm. She had no memory of being at DD's for a family get together the day before! So sad, our life is made of memories.

No real plans for today, see what it brings

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning from Shropshire.A chilly start mainly because DH left the bathroom window open all night!

The supermarket shop went well yesterday, just a few things unavavailable.DH has his exercise class so says he will try Sainsburys on his way home but no worries if not.I have laundry to do and will also dig out some dishes needed for Christmas Day.Other than that a hopefully restful day.

Glad you had a better night sleep Grandmabatty and hope you are up to going to your hair appointment Bellasnana.Good news from the optician Ash.Sounds like a lovely time with family Roses but sorry your son was too unwell to enjoy it.

Thinking of FGT and himself, Marydoll and all with mountains to climb.

Wishing everyone the best day possible🌻🦩🎅🏼🎄

Good morning from Wiltshire where we are forecast thick black cloud all day.

It looks like we won’t spend our 1.5 hour journey to DD1 on Christmas Day in pouring rain for which I am very grateful. We had the other local GC’s grandparents round for tea and various cakes and macaroons yesterday and had a lovely afternoon with them. I’ve been quite anxious about our handling of the youngest GC’s behaviour but they said their experience absolutely echoes ours. I said they would need ear defenders on Christmas Day.

DH will pick up a guard of honour lamb rack from M&S which I don’t really need and which I will freeze. I booked the slot in late September and in order not to lose the £50 deposit I had to order something as I no longer required a turkey as our plans changed. I will be left with the GC’s while DH does this but all in all I think he’s drawn the short straw.

GB my GS2 has a ferocious temper too. His sister GD3 knows all the buttons to press. They enjoy drawing and colouring but squabble incessantly over the same coloured pen. He’s frustrated because she can make quite accurate copies of art drawings from Facebook under supervision, but naturally the 4 year old finds it much harder.

Belated birthday wishes and anniversary wishes for Roses and *Dragonfly. I hope your DH is now settled back at home. And hope you are on the mend now Bellasnana, in time for Thursday.

Have a good day all.

Morning from a dry S Hants, it will be worth it when you get there Bellas.
Good news on your eyes Ashcombe.
Up early as MrJ is off to the farm shop for veg. I’m now taking the antibiotics for my UTI, hopefully tonight there will be fewer bathroom trips on my crutch.
Daughter called in yesterday to keep me company while MrJ was out, she’s doing her big food shop early today.
I’ll wish you all a gentle day.
FGT
🦩🦩

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where it is still dark, but dry. Yesterday was a damp and gloomy day. I went to the supermarket early yesterday to stock up my drinks cabinet and, as I had offered, to buy the champagne for Christmas lunch. I told SiL which brand I had bought (it was on offer) and he said he’d never heard of it. I said “actually it’s what they drank on the Titanic. They recovered several bottles from the wreckage” and when he said that didn’t bode well, I told him “well, at least we’ll all be happy as we slide slowly under the dining table!” I made a batch of biscuits to finish off GS’s hamper and forced myself to do a large pile of ironing.
Today, more baking, but I will go to the gym first as I haven’t been for a week.
Have the best day you can folks.