🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a relaxing day. I'm putting off going out for a stroll but I shall. I need to try out my super new walking poles a gift from my DC.

Yesterday went so well.
The food was good. I'm so glad I cancelled the turkey as there's still plenty of chicken leftovers. I may have to eat it up myself and give up being vegetarian.

The DGC made it such fun. We played charades. The 6yr old decided she wasn't going to bother with all that syllable, number of words palaver etc, she would just act the whole thing! And ofcourse everyone guessed Frozen and Brave Disney films

Someone said they were shy. "I'm not shy" said the little one. She certainly isn't.

This afternoon I shall toddle round to the other DGP to join in their cold table.

Your day sounded perfect Doodle
Yours too Kaimoana and NotSpag
I do miss DH but I feel his presence, I really do and somehow I can get through each day.
Must get out for a walk soon. It's so mild today.

I think it must be even harder to be left alone after someone you love has died if you have no faith.
🙏
Our Christmas service seemed to spend a lot of time on the people "gone before" and no longer with us. It was actually really difficult even though I had my lovely Mr Spaghetti there with me.

I did think about my friends - both here and "in real life" - and of course parents too. I think it is harder as I get older. I have always worn my heart on my sleeve and wept easily (happy or sad) but sometimes my mind is so full I can't keep in check...
Every day I am grateful.

... ha ha, and grateful for a pocket full of tissues!

Naughtyneine I hope things are looking up for you. Here's to a better New Year ♥♥

Evening all. I’ve had a lovely day with DS2 and DS1 and his family joined us this evening, It was really nice. Both sons had independently searched out and bought bottles of their dads favorite wine, They each bought a bottle for me, a bottle for themselves and a bottle for their brother, So we’ve got two each. It made me happy to think that both of them were thinking about their dad when they bought them.
I’m so tired tonight I can hardly keep my eyes open. I had a cry this morning and again when I came home tonight but overall it’s been a good day. Love to all

We had a good day too Doodle
Sleep well.

What a good day with the family Doodle and all that wine is a beautiful reminder of your DH.

My relief-support lady M'Lani has just gone after cheerfully tidying and cleaning the mess I made in the kitchen and changing my bed. I am so grateful for this service and the fact that this time, they remembered Mepa was away and sent a replacement.

Wild, Force 7 gales are tossing the trees about and howling around the house like wolves.
No chance of barbecues today, the sausages would be flying north before they'd even cooked.

I have a penfriend to whom I've been writing since before the USSR split up. The moment she was allowed to leave, she did and has been settled for some years in Montenegro.
She longed to be a writer and I encouraged her. Now she's an established author and in her Christmas greeting wrote

I'd like to show you the covers of my books by the moment (3 of them aren't ready yet). It's important to me that you were the first writer I met many years ago. You inspired me: I realized that I also want to write! And now... I write, too! 🙂

That really cheered me so much. You never really know what influence you have on others, do you?

Lovely to read of people's festive doings, be they large or small.
Specially kind thoughts from familles Doodle and NS for their Mums, am wondering whether head colds might tarnish somewhat the image of the UK being the chosen one Kaimoana. Here's hoping.
How interesting to read about your author friend. How are the finishing touches to your own book coming on?

Christmas Eve and Day were extensively prolonged by keeping abreast of present opening and festive jollities down under. 'Our' potential bedtime on Christmas Eve was somewhat, er, later than we're used to by being invited to watch stocking opening at the family's breakfast. Likewise, we needed to be up prontissimo on Christmas Day morning to share the 'under the tree' presents from us before their evening meal - they're 10 hours ahead.
^Anyway, says the 9 year old (going on 19, reckons DS), I know what's in them 'cos I could read the Customs label on the front🙄.^But I couldn't read the Advent parcel 'cos Papa took the label off^. Tee hee.

I hope all your plans for a smooth transfer to hospital on Monday go well, and an even smoother transition back home later in the week, Grammaretto.
I have a message from Cherry -
Wow, that's amazing about Grammaretto"s op' coming through, Yes, not necessarily the best date but new year, new hip 😊.
You can tell her that from me and tell her I'm thrilled that she's having it done.

I don't know whether she saw the physios yesterday, didn't on Christmas day, but faithfully continued her exercises ^toot serl^.
The sort of tenacity all Lobstars exhibit, yes?

I must away to devise a final meal from turkey and gammon, with the promise that tomorrow will herald a Salmon, Trout, Lemon & Mascarpone Terrine and Star Raspberry Panacotta.
Look in the Waitrose Christmas brochure if you were thinking of expressing admiration for my commitment.

I want a like button 😆😃
Whilst chuckling over your Waitrose brochure ixion
Perhaps I should put in an order for my return.....

I love the description of your Aussie celebrations too. Such clever DGC

Thank you to Cherry who thinks of
others rather than herself although
she is probably still in pain.

I have been rearranging the furniture ready for my return, with help from the DD family who were still around today and also panicking over a new
NHS letter saying I am not to have
the op because of my
echocardiogram.. DD phoned the
hospital who said it was an error and
to throw the letter away as it had
been superseded. What!

It must feel so satisfying that your friend, now an established author, was first inspired by you Kaimoana 😍😊

I'm glad that your days have been filled with love and closeness Doodle especially as I think you were dreading it rather.

A poignant moment for me was a message in a card from my cousin in Ireland who has noticed that the card she received was just from me. 😔

Best of luck on Monday Grammaretto.

My hipstory is very positive. I had it several years ago, my surgeon saying bigger/heavier people recover just as well as everyone else. And I did.

It was fascinating to be awake (epidural) and talking to the surgeon. I wanted him to save some bone so I could carve it. He said it had all crumbled away.

ixion Writing is a bit like painting, you're never completely happy with it but you have to learn when to leave the dratted thing alone.

Give Cherry our love; I hope she will be back with us soon - same goes for all of the Lobstars who seem to be away at the moment.

I'm fairly sure in my bones the family have decided they will move to the UK.

There are some variables, such as maybe a few years in Dubai, recouping financial losses. Who knows?
In any event, this latest declaration by his partner means there's no way I'll be able to join them. Which was probably the object of the exercise.


The Moving Finger writes and having writ, moves on
Nor all your piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line,
Nor all your tears wash out a word of it.
Omar Khayyam, Astronomer, sage, poet (1048–1131)

Notspaghetti pleased you had a good day as well. I’m so tired today I’ve just been relaxing. Two days of full on company has worn me out but I enjoyed it so much.
Kaimoana how lovely that you inspired that lady to write. She obviously remembers . Nice of her to write to you.
Im glad this time the agency remembered to send you someone who turned out to be helpful and nice
Ixion thanks for telling us about Cherry. Good to hear she’s keeping up with the exercises. For the first Christmas in as long as I can remember I have no Christmas goodies in the fridge, no Turkey, no mince pies or Christmas pudding. No cream or brandy butter. Just bread and jam. I am making my way through a jam advent calendar some kind person sent me. It’s full of lovely goodies to day was fig jam, yesterday pear. I’m saving the chocolate spread for later.
I make a dessert with sharp lemon curd and mascarpone cheese. Biscuits soaked in Marsala at the bottom then, lemon curd, mascarpone and double cream all whipped together and poured on top. Leave in the fridge for a few hours then devour.
Grammaretto just what are the NhS playing at sending out conflicting letters. I hope the op goes ahead and there’s no hold ups. Will you have someone staying with you when you get home from hospital? Do you know how long you will be in?
You were right I was dreading Christmas whereas the build up to it was the worst time. Christmas Day and Boxing Day with our family were lovely. So nice to have us all together except of course we missed DH a lot.
I managed ok both days but had a wobble today when something happened and I thought if DH was here we would have laughed over that then I got sad at the thought of those days not coming again.
Oh Kaimoana I’m so sorry that your DIL has come up with this edict. How unkind of her. She should think of your son and what it will mean to him and your granddaughter not having you around, so hurtful. Wish I could give you a big hug xx

Good Morning All from a chilly northern bit of Norfolk. I just let Kira outside and the moisture came wafting in. I think we're in a very low cloud. I had thought to go for a walk on the beach and see how the seals are faring but I hate driving in fog so I'll stay put today. Plenty to do, since like you Doodles, my family made sure that I had plenty of company over the Christmas period. For me, this meant loading the car with pressies, dog's bed and sleeping bag! It got very complicated but worked out perfectly. It would have been the best of Christmases - if Best Beloved had been there too.

And, if DS hadn't spotted the scratch on the front wing of my car. Well, more of a deep graze - by a red car. It must have happened on a car park. So, next week I shall be touring the local garages looking for quotes. The car is only 18 months old and I've got it on one of those PCP (?) plans. DH wanted to make sure I had something reliable. And it is a lovely car. Even if a bit bossy. It even tells me how my driving is - like that I don't slow down early enough for roundabouts!! And it certainly won't let me scratch against anything, which was good as DS's first comment was "What have you hit?" !!!!!

But, all in all, a very good Christmas. And it looks as if we've all got through it more or less unscathed, and very busy. Especially for you Grammaretto. I wonder how many NHS 'no shows' are due to erroneous letters.

Why is you DiL determined to come to the UK, Kaimoana? Are her family here? After a dark, dreary British winter she may soon change her mind. My Australian cousins come, but never stay. They miss the warmer, sunnier weather and say they feel claustrophobic here. I believe I read the population has gone up by around 25% just in our life times. But how reliable that figure is I've no idea.

Love too to Cherry. Her Tigger courage gives me courage when I'm feeling sorry for myself. Although, perhaps a little less Tigger bouncing would be a good idea.

No more letters from NHS so hopefully I'm good to go, fingers crossed 🤞

Another tree surgeon has come to look so hopefully the quote won't be too horrific. He's a family friend.

I hope you've managed to get to the beach today Nfk. What a shame about your lovely car.

I don't really understand why the family want to settle here Kaimoana. Is it because it's close to mainland Europe and she, DiL is
from there?

My NZ DS has no intention of coming back. 😒 They love NZ and have made their lives there.

I had my hair cut today so when I'm on the operating table, my hair will be presentable. 🤣😅🧑‍🦳 the hairdresser said if I need it washed whilst I'm still recovering, I can go across and he'll wash and dry it for me free!
You see why I can't leave my town.

I hope all Lobstars are safe and well.
Has Jeeves been seen recently?

Nfk do you mean your house was so full you and Kira had to sleep in the car?

Why UK?
My son worked there for several years before he became a family man and has always had an itch to go back. The ‘dark, dreary’, wet weather is the kind he loves, has from a child.

His partner spent some time in the UK after uni and has always wanted to go back, at least for an extended visit. She has no contact with her parents or siblings and no friends, so no significant people to leave behind.

My friend Gay popped in yesterday with an assortment of vegetables and fruit from her garden. Everything I love, including ‘NZ yams’ (actually from South America and part of the Oxalis family.) so I’ll be having fun cooking.

It’s still ‘hot soup’ weather as 2024 is in the grip of La Nina.

Nfk sounds like you had a good Christmas too, So annoying about your car. Don’t know if you have a company called Dentz wheee you are but they’ve done good work for me before, Hope you get it fixed soon
Like you, I had a good Christmas but it wasn’t the same without DH for any of us
Grammaretto good idea to get your hair done before going into hospital. Hope it’s easy to wash and dry.
I hope you get to go in as planned and there are no hiccups
Ive been out with two friends to Henley today. We had to go to three car parks before we found one where the parking meter worked. Didn’t dare park without a ticket as it was we had to pay £7.40 for four hours.
Kaimoana that made me laugh. The thought of Kira and NFk sleeping in the car with all the pressies.
Much as I think they would be better off in NZ they are obviously going to do what they want and if that’s settling here that’s fine. What I find upsetting is the fact of leaving you behind. I know how much your son and Gubbins love you and even if his wife has a problem she should consider your sons feeling a for you.
Cherry hope you’re getting on ok

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202412/medium-613402-fritters-002.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202412/medium-744832-kumara-godwit.jpg

I made baked, crispy g/f courgette fritters with Italian herbs and a little feta for breakfast. All from my friend's gift of vegetables. They were not as dark as they appear in this photo but golden brown and delicious.

Doodle DS partner is only too well aware that DS and Gubbins love me (as did her son) - that's the whole trouble. She resents it.

I'm coming to believe she is actually emotionally incapable of considering anyone's feelings.
If it's beyond her to do so, how can she be blamed? It's a bit like asking me, who has dyscalculia to become a number whizz - can't be done.

I bought this kumar last week and made the mistake of adding a few lines because it looked a bit like a Dunlin or Godwit.
Neither Aatoa nor I could then bear to chop off it's head.

...or use apostrophes correctly it seems. hee hee

Hee Hee Kaimoana
I was often accused by my DC of being more concerned with correcting their punctuation than in reading their prose.

It was so drummed into us at school.
Them skools wasn't called grammar
schools for nuffin'

A letter I received recently regarding the trees, talked about several tree's. Ouch!
Anyway, enough of my hangups, how is everyone on this dark and windy December morning?

I can't even claim the excuse of grammar school Grammaretto as I left school (to work at Lister's Mill in Bradford) just before I turned 15.

However, I did, much later, become an English teacher, often coaching students who had to get punctuation correct for coming exams.
Not an excuse but a reason I feel I should proof read my posts better

A few nights ago I woke with what my friend Jane used to call, 'nameless dread'. She said it was hormonal and inded it's years since it happened to me but since then, I've heard nothing from the UK and I'm just a wee bit anxious and trying to tell myself it means nothing

Meanwhile, it's Monday here and another week begins.....

Kaimoana it’s so sad your DIl is putting her self before the rest of the family. Strikes me that’s a very immature response and quite unreasonable. She is also denying her children a lovely relationship with a doting grandma. So hard for your son too.
Your fritters look lovely but I would prefer apple ones don’t think I’ve ever had vegetable fritters unless you would class bubble and squeak as a vegetable fritter, I love that.
Love your drawing. How clever.
Grammaretto are you still getting quotes for your tree surgeon? It’s been really cold here today so can’t imagine what it’s like where you are. Have you had any snow?
Is your communal shop open after Christmas?
Kaimoana not surprised your worried about your family. Hope you hear from them soon
I had a nice day at church the. Lunch at the hospice, came home and sunk into the very aptly named “nameless dread”
The glums are still hanging over me. I think it’s Christmas anticlimax.
Take care all. Cherry hope you’re improving day by day,

Post Christmas blues. I have it too.
I hope you hear from your family soon Kaimoana

I've accepted a quote from another tree surgeon who will do the job while I'm in hospital.
Both Surgeons at the same time!
I'm glad mine is the orthopaedic one.

It's been blowing a gale for hours here.

I'm glad you had a good day at Church and the Hospice Doodle

I did a bit of housework, some shopping, some cooking and finally iced the Christmas cake. 🤣😂
I had long phone calls with NZ DS and my DSister. They are both off on their holidays. He will be camping in the North Island. She will be skiing in France.
I'm not jealous at all.
I really am not actually. I'll be happy to have the operation over and done with.

I hope Cherry is getting better.

Jeeves can I please have some alcohol free whisky to bring in the New Year.

Just a quick post as late back, but wanting to send kind thoughts especially to Doodle, Kaimoana and Grammaretto - hoping all goes smoothly for you tomorrow and that they have a 🛏️ ready for you, Grammaretto.
May your sadnesses ease and the surgery 😷 go well.

Will be thinking of you 💐

Grammaretto Jeeves has the whisky and will bring it over as soon as he’s finished packing his case. He want to come with you to keep an eye on you in hospital and to make sure the two surgeons don’t get mixed up. Hope all goes well and we’ll all be thinking of you. Hope you are able to let us know how you’re doing. Much love and hugs

What a day for nervous anticipation.. I hope all surgery goes well and that chirpy contact is made.
Basically I want to echo ixion's post...
💕

sorry about Jeeves... he got delayed here with the Dalwhinnie!
Oops
Sweet dreams 💤💤

What happened to the post I thought I put on last night? It seems to have evaporated.

I did get to the beach yesterday. And very nice it was too with lots of dog walking families out. The sun even managed to shine briefly just enough to make shadows.

No, Kaimoana, I didn't sleep in the car, I sofa-surfed on offsprings' sofas. Dog beside me on her fluffy cushion bed.

Thank you for explaining your DiL's "hang-ups". It makes sense now - but doesn't help you. Hopefully a long dreary winter here will get it out of their systems and they'll come back. It's expensive living here too. The salaries may look good, but the prices in the shops and deductions to the pay slip certainly aren't. I hope you've heard from them now that Christmas is done and dusted and that the Nameless Dread has gone.

Two surgeons at once Grammaretto is a wonder, although it's a shame you won't be able to watch the skill of the tree version, it'll be nice to have it all done and dusted and cleared away by the time you get home.

Gentle cutches from Norfolk to all the Lobsters suffering from the Glums and other ailments. It's not a good time of year. XX

Keeping everything crossed that Grammaretto's op is going ahead and hoping to hear good news in due course.

Cherry says she is thinking of you all and sends her love. She is not optimistic that she will be home to see the New Year in.

Thinking of the catering for NYE😇, I have twice plumbed the depths of an unnecessarily full chest freezer for a leg of lamb I was putting aside for said celebrations. Short of climbing in to look further - or risk going in head first- I fear I shall have to draw a blank and wait til we have eaten down through the layers.
I am beginning to wonder whether I loaned it to Mamissimo as an addition to her armoury in an hour of need?

Oh, the Glums - there's a blast from the past! My parents used to listen religiously to Take It From Here and it rubbed off on us too. Ooh, Ron. Yes, Eth?. June Whitfield's acting career simply spanned the generations, did it not?
^Oh really, Ron, do you expect me to just sit here, like a lemon? No thanks Eth, I've just had a banana.^ 🤷‍♀️
This is a subtle way of finding out if we have any youngsters here (I suspect at least one!) - waiting for a response along the lines of 'never heard of it' ...

A part meal tonight of Healthy Eating😱
I am off to gather up all the fresh fruit I bought, misguidedly, it would appear, and concoct a fresh fruit salad for pud.
All manner of creams to accompany🤦‍♀️. Unless I hide them..