Good Morning Wednesday 11th February 2026

paddyann, itting outside HDU, waiting to see my DIL, in tears when I read your post.

She was a bit brighter today.

Thank you so much. X

Pleased to hear that karma lady

I was never going to miss an MD update on her precious dil. I am so happy to hear the news today.

Honestly there is nothing wrong here, I just need to re-set myself a bit, change my daily rut mindset ready for spring. Should not take too long

I wish everyone well, its been a very tricky time for quite a few, the support is amazing. Personally, I rarely name names but have gone through many a candle, wishing and hoping that things get better for people

Marydoll I’d like to echo paddyann’s post🌹

*Marydoll” I don’t post on here usually but needed to give you my best wishes and add to the support for your wee DIL.
As the mother of a daughter who has been chronically ill for over a decade my heart goes out to you and all who love this young woman who is a huge part of your lives.
I don’t pray ,Idont believe in god but I hope that if there is a higher being it will pull out the stops and get your girl on her feet and back to being a lovely wife mum and daughter with a bright and happy future ahead.
I know there will be nothing you wouldn,t do to make her better and I,ll keep a candle lit until all is well.
Sending you love and all the luck in the world xx

Glammagran dgs2 has always been 'high maintenance' and when he was smaller he had almighty tantrums which turned into meltdowns and even scared him, wee soul. Now, he's a diva and is up or down at the cock of a hat. It's very tiring, especially when you are already tired. Onwards and upwards.

Holly my DH was notorious for making up the words to songs as he went along. Some were hilarious. He also used to sing bits of total rubbish and tell me it was Welsh. Was it heck as like😂!

A late Good Morning from a dull, grey, wet Durham. I wanted to wait for Marydoll’s post before adding anything. I am very relieved to hear that things are looking better for her DIL and the knock on effect for both families. It would be the icing on the cake if her parents remain supportive after she recovers.
Nothing to report here - just an empty day, which suits me. My old school friend who now lives near Melton Mowbray is 75 today - we must’ve thought that ancient, when we met at 11 years old.
Thinking of the FGTs

Best wishes to all. X

Good morning from Kent. Had to walk the dog in the rain this morning but at least it wasn't cold.

I'm another one who will miss the posts by karmalady. Her posts make me feel like, yes, I would like to live like that. Making my own clothes, making wholesome food, and tending an allotment.

Today I will sew up a knitted skirt for a doll. I'm aiming to make an assortment of clothes for a doll which the grandchildren can play with when they stay.

Happy day everyone.

karma Hope you don't stay away too long, I love your interest posts. Take care

Good morning from a wet northwest coast. The usual music club yesterday, but with the addition of two new members I had invited along from a folk group I attend now and then. They sang some shanties with strong voices.

Pride goes before a fall in my case as I thought “Oh I know that one very well”, a song I have been singing for years and found I had to make up some forgotten words…
I was sorry to hear that the third member of our unofficial ‘committee’ will have to have dialysis and is unlikely to return.
A long chatty FaceTime with my sister in the south and another good play found on Good British telly on YouTube dating back to the 80s.

The builder turned up this morning to say he will start work on the roof tomorrow as it’s raining today. I don’t mind work going on outside the house. It’s inside I’m not so keen on.
Off to lunchtime recital soon and opera co. rehearsal tonight.
Thoughts to all🌺

.

Good morning from another damp Stockport day.
Out of the blue I have developed a sore throat and a cough which kept me awake a good portion of the night.
I feel like chewed string today.
I have a ECG this afternoon to investigate my erratic heartbeat, the GP suspects an ectopic heartbeat, apparently nothing to worry about but needs confirmation.

My appointment means I won’t see my Wednesday friend, something of a relief as she was very difficult last week.
I got a repeat of last week’s conversation when I phoned to cancel, I get the same one week after week as I am the only person she sees apart from very occasional visits from her family.
It is sad I know but it brings me down and I don’t need it.

I shall miss karma’s lovely positive posts and hope she doesn’t stay away too long.

GrandMattie, I am a crocheter and have seen patterns for a virus blanket and shawl. I never really thought about what it means ,so this is what I found on the Internet
Its name derives from the pattern's rapid, "viral" spread in popularity among crafters and its self-multiplying, ever-growing, or "virus-like" nature.

So now we know!

Good morning everyone from another wet and dreary Northampton day; there seems no end to this weather. Shall have another day at home...

Had a visit from three lovely firefighters yesterday morning - their fire engine parked outside my house. Of course my neighbour next door was out there straightaway, but as he is a retired chief fire officer I was not surprised!
They went through a questionnaire with me, checked the position of my smoke alarm on the landing and whether it was working, and fitted a new one in the hall downstairs. I also received information on what to do in the event of a fire, and how to prevent one, and also discussed an escape route.
As they were leaving they received a call-out, so hastily changed into their protective clothing before they left with blue lights and siren going.

No such excitement the rest of the day, which I spent mainly reading and finished my book. The next book club one 'The Bell Jar' is all ready for me to start today, but whether we shall actually have a meeting is uncertain, as our usual hostess is in hospital. I shall still read the book.

After lunch, a Waitrose delivery; no cooking today, just reheating some of the large vat of chicken soup I made yesterday.

Wishing all a good day, especially those with worries and cares.

Happy birthday to your GS Greyduster 🎉
Hope everyone celebrating has a great day.

Happy Birthday to your GS GrannyGravy.

I hope your feet improve GMBatty. It seems we both have difficult-at-times GS’s to contend with. GS1 has never been like this but I only looked after him occasionally until the family moved to Hong Kong (but been back in the UK since 2021).

Come back soon Karma.

Good morning all from a wet Glasgow, where it is 5°c. No surprise there! I cannot remember, when we last had a dry day.

Baubles, I hope all goes well for your DH today and thank you for your support.

Yesterday was an exhausting day, DIL remains in HDU.😪
DS wanted to speak to her clinicians on his own, without the presence of Dollie.

The bold Dollie arrived complete with a suitcase of various paraphernalia, expecting her usual hotel breakfast of pancakes, strawberries/ raspberries, maple syrup and chocolate milk! 😂
She asked for a cheese and ham sandwich, however, Babydoll had eaten the ham at the weekend.
Off we went to Sainsbury's, where a sweater magically fell into my trolley.😉
There is some lovely TU clothing at the moment.
Somehow, she conned me into a meal deal, a favourite treat of hers, when out with mummy.♥️

After lunch, I handed her over to granny next door, who was taking her up to the hospital and then dancing class.
There were a few dog walkers out, when I handed over Dollie. I got strange looks, coming out of one house with a child, complete with a backpack, a bag of clothes and a bag of drawing materials, then straight into next door.
It was like one of those border exchanges, you used to see in spy films!

My plan in the afternoon, had been to do some sewing. I have a couple of new sweaters, but the sleeves are voluminous, therefore they need altered.
It didn't happen. I am still having episodes of mild labrynthitis and had to lie down.

This morning, we are off to the hospital by bus, well two buses. By car, it takes fifteen minutes, by two buses an hour!

DS had a meeting with the surgeon yesterday (without DIL), she is not able to take in, what clinicians are telling her.
The surgeon said, that she had never experienced, such an unusual case in all her career, but is confident, she can get DIL well again.
DS was also able to sit in while both the pain nurse and dietician visited.
DIL has been very confused and has been manipulating their advice, to what she wants to hear.
On arriving home, DS went to bed and slept.
I was glad, That was the intention of the other granny and I, to give him a break from Dollie,

Marzipan, I love hearing about your crafting experiences. I used to make jewellery, but no longer have the dexterity.
However, my plan today, is to somehow turn some tartan ribbon into a bracelet for Dollie's Scottish concert tomorrow.

I am heartened by the other granny's support, I am too unwell this time to do it all.
She did nothing, when DIL was very unwell after her caesarian section, I became her mum. 😪

Karma, I was disappointed to read that you are taking a break. I shall miss your interesting posts.

Enjoy your day folks, whatever your plans.
As always, my best wishes for all the mountaineers and their families. 💐

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a dark, still , dry morning in North Yorkshire, but I can just see the faint outline of the tree so am determined to count that as a start of lighter mornings, and take pleasure in that. (Wont acknowledge that actually it is also a bit later than usual and Bach already playing on the radio!)

Have had rather a mixed night, with patches of some decent sleep - paid for in a few coughing bouts and wretched cramp yet again. However even a small amount of better sleep is gratefully enjoyed, as the most important thing is that it does allow my brain to function better, than on days when I have hardly any sleep and walk about trying to remember what I had planned for the day.

So yesterday, I had a mixed day, with everything taking so much longer, and rather exhausting but at least I did accomplish several things that were important, but feeling as though I was carrying a ton weight on my back!

It took me absolutely ages to get myself sorted and ready to go and see my techie genius with the laptop. I got an 11.30am appointment and thought oh I can get a coffee while I am down the town to fill in the time. Huh! I was so slow I only managed to get myself and bits and pieces there 10 minutes early, and was glad to sit and wait and gather my thoughts.

He was his usual helpful self and several problems were sorted, and more importantly he was able to explain several messages and options so that I could make my choices based on his knowledge of the system , rather than guessing. There are emails that clearly should be deleted and things that I get rid of quite confidently, but there are other ones , that I am not sure of, a bit scared to delete in case I cause some sort of havoc or lose something important, or worse still find it alters my way of working, which I am used to and am quite content with. So that was all to the good, and I was pleased with the result, and came away feeling I had sorted problems and made some useful lessons in how to deal with things myself, which of course is the aim in the end to be totally independant.

That had been very good but of course rather tiring, and so I awarded myself a coffee at Nero's, before facing the mountain of a visit to the supermarket. It was very quiet for once , but of course later in the day than usual for me, and I was greeted like a long lost cousin by one of the lovely staff members, who had been wondering where I had disappeared to, and thought I may have been on holiday. When I told her No had been quite ill and was looking forward to my coffee that I hoped I could taste well and enjoy, she was very nice, told me to choose my seat and leave my mug with her and she would bring it over. It did feel very nice to be pampered a bit, in a comfortable chair, with some pleasant classical guitar music playing, and gather the strength for much needed food shopping including bread and milk, as I had got really down in possible choices.

Revived I went off to the supermarket and using their buggy, had intended to get basics. However on the plus side there were several things that had been out of stock on other occasions which I was able to get, and on top of the basics quite a few bits and pieces, that would provide me with some mix and match ingredients and for once , as I was so much later than usual, a few bargains from the reduced section. Hardly anyone about and quite peaceful, but searched in vain for one or two items and had to ask a staff member to check them to see 1. had they moved to another aisle. 2. changed their packaging or labels 3. the stacker who obviously doesnt like me much, had transferred most of what I want to the highest shelving, thus not allowing me to see the item, never mind reach it!

Feeling rather exhausted I arrived home, only to find not a single available space in the residents car parking area. No sign of anyone moving at all and no one about. So struggling with my back I parked the car as close to the path as possible , blocking one of the garage doors, just to get the shopping out with the least effort, and struggled in with it in bits. I made sure that the small amount of frozen things were put away, and was just about to go to the car to move it when I had a phone call.

I really felt so weary once I had sat down , that I knew I needed something to eat quickly, so resorted to my cheap offers and was able to do for once, a ready made chicken in red thai curry with rice, and added a good box of mixed salad, that I just added some celery to and a lemon and oregano dressing. It was just what the doctor ordered to revive me and I watched a bit of the olympics and promptly fell asleep.

When I woke up stiff and chilly in the chair, I looked at the shopping waiting for my attention and just thought it can wait, and switched the lights off and went into the bedroom to go to bed, when I suddenly remembered that the car was still where I had left it, and I needed to move it, so it was jacket on and out into the cold and dark to sort it. Oh dear, somewhat mortified. The car was where I had left it, but the garage lift up door was slightly open, where my neighbour had not been able to get in with his motorbike. There were no lights on at his flat and no one else around, and as I had no doubt caused him a hassle, I didnt think it was the time of night to go and knock on his door.

Fortunately there was now a parking place, so I quickly moved the car out of the way, and came in, by now wide awake and even colder. So one of the important things this morning or today whenever I can is to go and apologise for badly parking my car and hope that the fact that it is the first time since I have lived here that I have done such a stupid thing, will count. Mea culpa.

So today apart from sorting that out, is going to be a quieter day at home , I hope! I didnt go to the games last night. Not enough energy, physical or mental, but hopefully I shall get to the whist drive tonight. My plan is to make my main meal at lunchtime today as I am still so slow, then I can have everything washed up and cleared away and have a simple salad ready to eat later so that I will get there early and be able to take my time and get settled at a table with hopefully some interesting hands to get my brain working a bit more.

The abandoned shopping awaits my attention, usual ordinary housework stuff, but without any great bending to the floor, or hoovering, and adding yet more things to my list of what I would like Jessie to sort out tomorrow. Top of which is opening a beetroot jar, which still evades my efforts, despite trying all 3 jars that are sitting in the cupboard, when I really fancy some of course. It is a chicken and egg thing isnt it? Do you only want it so much because you cant have it, or did you just really fancy it and then found you couldnt open the flipping lid? Well that will be a minor triumph tomorrow when the great jar opener will be here (I hope) to sort things. I dont feel up to doing any of the mounting ironing basket stuff yet, but do at least feel that , far too slowly, I am gradually starting to run my life again, choosing what I will do from the many jobs waiting for my attention, rather than staggering from one very basic job done badly to the next.

The rain is already starting, so I shall not be lured out to look at gardens or go to any coffee mornings or whatever, Well that is my tale at the moment, but it will only take a phone call from a friend to down tools and go off. We shall see what the day brings.

Hope your meals arrive early with something you enjoy Mick. GrandMattie, hope the correct plasterer turns up soon. I hate it when you spend ages waiting in, ruining your own plans for the day and then they either dont come or dont have what they need or are the wrong one! It may be due to running things at work, or running a family whilst organising the day, that women in general are much more competent at making sure that not only do they arrive with correct items but that the family goes out every day equally organised. Yet times without number we experience ,or are told by other women, how we wait in for ever for some tradesperson, only for them either not to turn up, without even the courtesy of a phone call, or arrive with either the wrong item or no item at all. Perhaps a helpful thing would be for all men to have a recording on their phones of their mothers asking "Have you got everything before you leave" or "just check your list before you start the engine" to come up automatically as they get into the car! Marzipan sounds as though you had a pleasant day and the silverwork has come out well. I would like to have a go at something like that, but think the best I could do on that front is to do some potato prints . That would allow me to be creative and invent some interesting patterns but at a cheaper price! Good old potato printing and big sheets of cartridge paper were a great standby for rainy days in holidays I found and many of my sons friends had never done it so it was a popular choice for something to do, and they didnt realize it at the time, but all that cutting out, and holding knives safely and so forth, improves their writing skills as it is using fine motor skills, not that they know that. Melanie61 glad you had a great birthday. Keep on counting them! Have you noticed these days how many more birthday cards are available printed with happy birthday 90 year old or whatever. I used to choose a card with a good picture on and a blank inside and make my own card up, as there used to be so little choice and none of them would appeal to me. Missed opportunity, I should have written to card companies offering my services. Sar53 hope there is good news from the hospital and the space is cleared for work tomorrow. I am afraid that here the rule that rubbish and clutter expands to fill any extra space provided, is king. I know looking at the recycling bag that I have cleared quite a bit , but looking round you would never know it.

Well , I wont be silly enough to wish you all a dry DAY , but perhaps a dry HALF HOUR might cheer the day and remind us that one day in the hopefully near future , we will be scoffing at the water companies appealing to us to save
water because of the drought! Enjoy whatever you can today, and look forward to the weekend and Valentines day. Not all the commercial stuff but the pleasure of being with someone you love or at least looking back at past special days that meant a lot.

I still have a couple of very yellowing and tatty newspaper cuttings, from when my darling husband, put them into the paper, some of them local newspaper, and others were put in the Guardian and other broadsheets. They were always very romantic, using our special names for each other. I had much fun reading down the pages to find them, and it was also lovely to see several other messages that were always close to ours in the same paper. If one was missing, I would wonder if they had quarrelled or gone to another paper. It was always a lovely and happy thing, and I never grew tired of getting them, so even now, I do get these little old cuttings out and remember what fun and happiness they brought , and on bad days it can bring a tear or two ,but reminds me that I was lucky enough to be loved by the person I loved, and the memories are there to cheer my life whenever I choose to look at them. I hope that you all have a treasured memory that you can recall too. Enjoy what you can today

Good morning everyone from the East Coast.
It’s raining and wet again.

Last night we had a lovely meal with friends in a local hotel with a 25% discount and it was the tastiest chicken and mushroom ravioli. Yum. I was driving so when we got home DH and I had a couple of glasses of wine so I won’t be going to the gym today. I will go for a walk in the rain instead.
My sister is creating havoc for mum again so I was round there supporting her yesterday. She spoke to her solicitor who can’t believe what’s going on.

Today I’m picking up GS and hoping for another great day. DH is working a long day so I’m cooking a little gammon joint for dinner with roast veg and new potatoes. It will be quick to do when GS goes home.

Happy birthday to your GS Grannygravy

Wishing everyone a day with moments of joy. 🌼
Thoughts to poorly friends or those weighed down by worry💐

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. Rain rain and more rain.

I'm going to view a house for sale so at least if the roof leaks I shall know about it.
It's a 1970s flat rooted architect designed single storey. I am intrigued to see inside.

Yarn group but I have no project so I shall join the "girls" for coffee.

Then a smart meter is to be fitted this afternoon.
If there's time I'll glaze my pots ready for the wood firing this weekend.

Day mapped out.

Well done your DGD Baubles
I shall miss your posts a lot Karmalady.
I am in awe of your growing skills and commitment to all you do.

I hope our prayers were answered for Marydoll's family.

Hope everyone who's struggling has some respite and that we see the sun again soon.

Good morning from a brighter Wiltshire.

After Sunday’s meltdowns, GS2 was transformed into a different child on Monday after school pickup. He and GD3 played together with playdough in the kitchen without any squabbling. They then had dinner and the same. Afterwards GS2 did jigsaws on one of our tablets and GD3 played Solitaire. What a transformation.

Yesterday I had a contact lens checkup at Specsavers. I was quite upset to be told I had bad astigmatism which was present 2 years ago but nobody had ever mentioned this to me. It wasn’t even mentioned at my eye last month. They have given me a trial of toric contact lenses to try and with some in the difference was amazing. I stopped driving last September and maybe there was no need to. I am beyond furious.

I’m pleased that your DD is improving now Gingster. My sister is in the third week of bronchitis. It seems people with compromised immune systems suffer badly from illnesses others shake off. DD3 is the same with similar things
going on as my sister but they don’t affect me. I hope your DiL has turned a corner now MD.

Have a good day everyone.

Good morning from Cambridgeshire. Today my car has an MOT and a service (hoping all will be ok) so need to get up and moving as it needs to be there for 9 am. I will drop it off and walk back to get some exercise.
Later on DH and I are enjoying an afternoon tea a present from my sister for our 70 birthdays last year. We decided to delay having it until now as it would be sonething to look fwd to in the dark grey months.

Karma I will miss you as enjoy reading your posts but understand and hope to hear from you again soon. I don’t post every day as things get in the way and:sometimes feel I haven’t anything of much interest to say but I enjoy reading this early morning thread. I find myself enjoying the updates on daily life from different parts of the country and from those further afar but sometimes we all we need to step back in a quiet corner.

Thinking of all those struggling and hoping today will be kind to all. February is moving fast here in Cambridgeshire and the signs of spring all around. Take care everyone

Morning all from West Oxfordshire. I’ve woken up feeling a little under the weather. Bunged up nose and a slight sore throat. We are supposed to be going out for lunch today and it is the local History society this evening. We’ll see.

Hope all is well Karma. I’ll miss your posts.

We haven’t heard from FGT2 for a while. I hope all is well with her and the family.

Good morning from a damp W Kent. Yesterday’s visit to the dentist was interesting, I have joined DHs dentist and she and her assistant are like a double act I certainly haven’t laughed so much at a dental appointment. Later the U3A talk was one of the better ones, a private investigator who told some really good stories. Today I am driving over to catch up with an old friend this morning and will then catch up with house things this afternoon.
Karma I shall miss your posts
Best wishes

gingster no grandchildren wrangling today! I only have them on Monday and Tuesday.