🦞🦂 Lobstars 🌟 still shining bright 🦞🦂

Nfk yes. Go west!
Throw the stuff in the Camperbubble and go now - before the schools break up!

Kaimoana2, I think my mother-in-law may "take to" audiobooks in due course as she is finding the focus necessary when reading longer things just too taxing at the moment. I think it's made worse by the not so great print quality to be honest.

She has been reading magazines since being in hospital as the paper quality seems to make for a clearer typeface.
Maybe once she's home she will go back to her old kindle as that is pretty clear (and can be managed one-handed).

Grammaretto She is to have a final assessment on Thursday this week so may be out by the weekend.
I have been to the house taking photos and measurements for occupational health.
I'm actually a bit scared to be honest.
I really want her to be as settled and happy as possible.

I loved Flat Stanley ixion (but one of my boys didn't like the idea either and wouldn't read it).

I'm just popping in briefly to catch up on your posts and send hugs to Doodles. It's not a good time is it. No, I'm not opening my garden this year, thankfully, it's a bi-annual thing. Which is good as my life has becoming impossibly hectic of late and I'm in danger of throwing everything in the air, getting into Camperbubble and just driving west.
I am lurking to keep up and will be back shortly. It's just that everything has piled up all at once!

Well yesterday was a tiring but a positive day in many ways for us.

I'm know Doodle, you and yours felt that terrible aching absence but I hope you also found some sweet memories of your father - and your husband when he became a father, and the life he spent as father too.

I hope all Lobstars had a quiet moment with some happy memories of fathers in your own lives.

I wasn't very old when my dad died (and each year when i look back I seem to have been younger and younger!). We couldn't often make the journey "back home" to visit but Fathers day was important to him and I always remembered to send a little something and a card.

The year my daughter was born I hadn't rememberd the day - and my lovely, thoughtful husband drove us the 100 miles plus so that I could see him.
I will never forget my father's joy when we arrived unexpectedly with our lovely new baby.
Father's day is inextricably linked in my mind to this memory and to my husband and I becoming a family. It is somehow more poignant than mother's day to me.

This year it was especially lovely to have our children make a fuss of my husband because he has been so very worried recently. He is a loving and caring son as well as a father and as you know, being a son has occupied most of his mind of late.

He was given a few thoughtful gifts and was treated to lunch out. Our son phoned from the Philippines too.
My husband pottered in the garden a little and still fitted in a visit to his mum.
He has slept better last night too - and is snoring as I write.
I do know how lucky I am.

Here is a link to Flat Stanley and his schools' project, which seems to have been around for a long time for anyone interested, with or without 'smalls'.

thecolorfulapple.com/flat-stanley-project/

DS2 couldn't bring himself to look at the book, so distressed was he about flattened Stanley.

Well done Doodle in getting through the day. Another milestone revisited and more to follow.

Mr.I received exotic coffee pods for Father's Day, ditto chocolate bars.
We have been on a veritable journey round some hitherto unheard of islands with each bar. Vanuatu's Malekula (hints of cherry🤔), the Soloman Islands - I never realised that's where Guadalcanal is - , each with helpful tasting notes.

I have pointed out to Mr. I that, in my opinion, it is counterproductive to dip one's finger of Kit Kat into this 'experience' cup.

Leaks, Grammaretto? Oh no. Time to go. I sympathise. I dread downpours, the most recent puddle, all down the pew in the back porch, has been successfully tackled by DH. Tried 'n' tested by playing the garden hose against the window pane for an eternity to test it out.
A good reason not to embrace a water meter.

New builds have a lot in their favour ...

Grammaretto Hope you enjoyed the garden party.
Kaimoana glad you’re still interested in your audiobooks radio podcasts etc. Visited a 90 year old church friend in a nursing home yesterday. She’s been there two weeks and wonders why she’s not at home. Hard to know what to say really. She’s very pragmatic band accepts the situation but I felt sad for her.
Father’s Day today and both sons rang. Missing their dad. It’s his birthday next weekend. Another day of memories.

*joie de vivre

What an interesting school project you achieved, ixion. I think I'll tell DD about it or some of the teachers in the family.

Any progress with DMIL discharge NotSpag? I so hope her wishes can be met.

I'm glad you are enjoying your podcasts Kaimoana.
I watched some of Guys and Dolls yesterday, Marlon Brando and Frank
Sinatra, at the behest of DGS2 who is performing in it in Wellington, shortly. He's very excited.

This was when I noticed a damp patch on the new ceiling.
The rain has stopped and so have the drips but I know I'll have to do something about it.
Maybe I should buy a brand new, ready built house? This one is doing its best to defeat my best efforts.

A garden party to look forward to today in friends' beautiful garden.
My DM birthday. She was born in 1915 so 110 years ago. I often plant a rose but today I shall pick a bunch.

I hope this week is less painful for you Doodle and you can regain your joie de vie

"I fear she will be sitting about quite a lot and think this could make her very miserable (and probably pretty cross)."

Me too and it does.

Please tell her she's not alone and to keep her chin and spirits as high as possible by feeding her soul with joyous things and good books audio or actual

Currently I'm listening to the wonderful series, 'General Ignorance' interspersed with other QI offshoots and cosy mysteries, which I can just about hear over the daily torrential rain on the roof.

Maybe I'll be 101 when I get to the end, only 23 years to go

Evening all.
Grammaretto how awful to have intruders. Thank goodness your helper managed to get them to leave, Sounds like you had a lovely but full in time with your DD and family.
Yes the sadness keeps coming in waves but I’m swimming a bit better.
Kamoana live and hugs to you too.
Notspaghetti what a sad situation with your MIL. Good there is family around to support you all.
Ixion sounds like you did your grandson proud. Er who was Flat Stanley?
Hands aching now so will rest. Did I say I was now the proud owner of a purple (DHs favourite colour) walking stick.. Not sure if it’s to help me walk or hit people who get in my way 🤣

It was my oldest daughter's birthday yesterday. I always think that this marks the day we became a family and it seems pretty precious to me.

We were going to visit her in the afternoon and stay for dinner with her family but my husband was so exhausted after not much sleep and the (very long and taxing) visit to his mum I sent him to bed for an hour - which of course expanded somewhat. He just can't switch off thinking about her.
I do try to remember that some people sustain this level of worry for years and years and we have been spared that- so really have been blessed with a relatively easy situation until now.

Anyway... on the positive side I dragged him to my daughter's house at about 7pm and our lovely grandsons gave us some pancakes and birthday cake 🎂 which they had made for mum earlier - and we sat with them all and watched the (ridiculous) Spaceballs film for 30 mins.

He seemed chirpier so at home we listened to a podcast together a enjoyed a chilled glass of a rather nice wine.
It seemed almost normal.
🙏
...and he didn't get up at 5am to bake 3 loaves of bread today!

ixion wish that were so...
She is not safe to potter without someone walking with/behind her as she still has very poor balance and will almost certainly fall.

But yes, we are currently making plans for her to sleep downstairs.

Unfortunately the shower is upstairs...

I fear she will be sitting about quite a lot and think this could make her very miserable (and probably pretty cross).

Such a hectic break, Grammaretto and not even the sanctuary of your own four walls, so cruelly violated, on your return. Thank goodness your Helper was there- hopefully the message will get round the lowlife that it's not in their -or their mates' - interest to come back.

Another difficult weekend of memories, Doodle, for you and the boys. Thinking, as ever, of you all.

I'm sorry, NS, I don't remember- can your DMIL cope safely if she were to live and sleep on the ground floor? I can see that negotiating the stairs, in any form, would be a problem to all, professionals included, but with regular (four hourly?) home support, she might be happy pottering about in relative safety when on her own? I wish you well.

Wondering whether NFD is opening her estate again for charity garden Open Days this year?

Excitement in the NN household now, I bet! And a bit rubbing off on us😂

Kaimoanaand Cherry - how are things?

Mr I and I came through our school project on the travels of Flat Stanley with glowing praise at DGS1's school. The idea was to write a 'proper' letter, stamp it and send it (how quaint!) to a family member, asking them to reply with pictures and stories about where they lived.

Just like his father, we had 72 hours remaining to meet the deadline, so email letters (anyway) and lots of cutting and pasting. Everyone else had weeks, apparently.
We did, however, have the distinction of being the furthest flung of respondents on the map, of which said boy was so proud.

As long distance grandparents, we do our bit!!!

Hello Lobstars!
I've switched off the radio to listen to the birds.
At DD's we counted 26 swallow and Martins' nests in her multi eaved house and barn.
What with 2 big hens perched on the kitchen window ledge every morning, peering in and then the 2 girls on roller blades racing around the kitchen table as they wait for the school bus, it's a busy home!
They got through all the heats but didn't win any prizes at the Mòd but I hope are not put off their singing.

While I was away, my helper/friend had to deal with intruders which must have scared him. He told me he remembered what you are supposed to do when you meet a wild animal. Keep calm as they are more scared than you!
He asked them why they were trespassing. "We thought noone lived here" Anyway after some more unbelievable explanations and a threat to call police, they left.
I am very glad I wasn't here and that he was.

The weather looks grim such a shame for Flaming June. We've been invited to a garden party tomorrow. Luckily that garden is beautiful whatever the weather.

I am sorry Doodle that you are so down and that your boys are too.
I wish I could suggest some grief relief. It is debilitating and hits you unawares. It does me too.
DD showed me a book her dad had inscribed to them when they moved into their last house. They were only there a year and so was he.

On that sad note, I shall get up and face another day.

I hope your DMIL gets her wish NotSpag. Surely it can be arranged.
🤞

Well Doodle what a rough patch you are traversing just now..
All the emotions mixed up with physical pain must make it seem such a struggle. I do hope that a little sunshine peeps through the gloom in the very near future.

Thanks Kaimoana - yes, Borrowbox (like Libby) does have a timer - thd problem is that when I use it I'm wide awake and keep having to re-set it and when I don't I fall asleep and miss a big chunk somehow!

A recent read made it extra difficult by repeating whole paragraphs with a slightly different twist which was extra confusing!

My mother-in-law is really struggling just now as she's not improving any more (and may even be getting worse mobility wise..??) but she is keen to get home and is overlooking the problems she may face there with no physio and diminishing mobility...
My fear is she will spend 10 mins delighted to be there and then it may go downhill...

I am SO lucky to have family around us to take turns visiting her because my husband is exhausted.

NotS there is a timer on my device, or is it the Libby app? I usually set it for 20 mins as soon as I feel drowsy. I know I only have to go back a short way to catch up. If its a boring book I don't always bother !!

Oh Doodle, my heart aches for you and the boys. I wish there were short cuts to grief but all you can do is plough on. Sending heaps of love to you all xxxxx

Evening all
Bit sad tonight. Had a chat with son who was talking about missing his Dad on Father’s Day. We all miss DH and talk about him a lot but it’s these quiet times in the evening that I have trouble with at the moment. Wrist is very painful tonight. Hope all are ok. Lots of love x

Thanks Kaimoana I'm not very concerned about waking up - but it does leave me tired if i miss too much sleep...

And I do sometimes fall asleep in an audio book - and then can't find my place later!

NotS Just enjoy the luxury of your warm bed nad the knowledge you don't need to get up just yet.

I am regularly awake 2-3 hours every night and it used to
bother me. Now I listen to an audio books until I drop off again.

Sometimes the book is so interesting (the one I currntly have, 'The Book of General Ignorance' based on a TV programme called QI) and I don't want to go back to sleep.

Evening all. Been advised to limit typing and texting as it could make hands worse. It certainly makes them ache a lot.
Two or three lines is enough to cause pain so forgive me if my replies are short.
Glad you had a good time Grammaretto
Reading all love to all x

I am waking far too early 🙁
...and am too tired to get up.

I've not tried soothing sounds but maybe I'll not bother 😕

I was woken by the daylight shining in and the beautiful Scots Grey cockeral. I'm on my way home again now from the Highlands. It was very nice and the play was a treat but that family is so busy, they don't have time to ferry me around.

I tried DD's electric bike this morning along her rural road. I found it strange.

Hope you're enjoying the art class Doodle

Why is it that these soothing sounds are so often interrupted with shrieking?
I have noticed the same.

Sounds like you have a lovely couple of days ahead Doodle

I downloaded an audio called ‘Sleep Sounds’ designed to help relaxation and peaceful repose.
The first sequence was ‘Rain on the Roof’, a sound which since childhood I have disliked.
The second was a gently rippling stream.
After I'd sprung out of bed and dashed to the loo, ‘Forest Sounds’ had begun and for a while that was lovely and I felt myself dozing off.
Then a bird with a strident call entered the forest and went on with its shrieking, every 3 seconds.

I didn’t wait for the final, ‘Waves on Shore’.

Evening all. Ben to church today and then to hospice for lunch. Nice and relaxing in beautiful scenery.
Art tomorrow. Will have to do my best with my left hand then afternoon tea at church.
Take care all xx