🦞🦂 Lobstars 🌟 still shining bright 🦞🦂

NS, Looks like you have found a positive gem for your DMIL.

I'm hoping that Saturday, too, will warm us all, NS😉
I have 9 bags of topsoil to drag into my sundial garden. Replacement lavenders on their way😱, so spit spot.

Great news, Kaimoana but not surprising that you have a few wobbles and it must be hard to declutter. I do hope you will have an excellent and sympathetic community network. Is there a lot of difference between the two locations? Climate? Size? Topography?

Grammaretto, enjoy your family time. You always come across as unflappable - grrrr! I hope the poorly car gets mended at a reasonable cost soon.
Will your DB be 'onside' for your new build plans?

How's the leg, NN? It did look a mess - I so hope it hasn't got infected.
Enjoy your busy weekend 🌞

Any weekend plans for you, Doodle? Nice to get out in the autumn sunshine and lots to appreciate in the changing colours of the landscape 🍁.

What a positive couple of days in spite of achey backs, too much to do, sore legs and so on. We lobstars have had old friends and family visit, carnivals and car shows, walks and invitations to move. In spite of the cooler weather we have little joys of late summer.

My mother-in-law's carer is attentive and capable. She's warm and practical and is already making suggestions for easier ways to live.

I hope Sunday warms you all today both inside and out
Xx

This is for you, Doodle:
One late Victorian 3 storey bay fronted terrace with fancy bargeboards and beautiful brickwork, one 1980s house with giant lime tree, one massively extended 1970s bungalow and the house in its garden (with a horrible, enormous, block paved driveway).

Then a pair of arts and crafts bay fronted semis - the first with a tennis court and the second with another lime tree and (another) modern "back garden" house - a sort of single storey granny annex.
Next is the big, probably Edwardian house with the in-out crescent drive (that has at least as much built-on behind it) - this one became the nursing home many years ago.
Next to that two pairs of late Victorian 3 storey semis with pretty mullions and the lovely fancy mock balcony details above the front room bays.

Then I walked back.
...maybe when I'm a bit quicker and/or have more stamina I can cross the road and experience the delights of the other side of the road!

All this sounds rather lovely. Sadly too many have sacrificed the front gardens for parking. It's definitely become more built up over the last twenty years and more and more trees have been lost.
..Nevertheless I am grateful to have somewhere easy to walk and someone to stretch my legs with.

Wonderful to see dear Cherry posting


I've begun the long, slow process of sorting out what to discard, even slower when I can hardly see.

I'm tempted to just let Hospice Shop have everything but alas, there's so much they wouldn't want or be able to sell so some organising is essential.

In between times a voice in my head is saying, 'This is all too hard, stay where you are.'

Thanks Doodle, I'll try 😉

Grammaretto what a nice day you had. How lovely to have a visit from your brother and family. I expect you’ll be busy.
Kaimoana what exciting news. I remember from before that your older granddaughter didn’t want you to move to the UK.
Do hope it works out for you. Have you been there before? It sounds lovely.
Cherry please keep yourself safe. Yes hot water bottle helped though my back still hurts a bit.

Wow Kaimoana , as Grammaretto says it would be fabulous for you. I can still, just about, cross all four pairs of my fingers and I am doing that for you 🤞🤞🤞🤞 X.

Seems that most if not all our lobStars have little or big health issue at the moment, I hope the hot water bottle did the trick last night Doodle 🌻, I hope the antibiotics are helping ixion 🌻, I hope your cold whisks off in a sniff Grammaretto🌻.
Take it easy Naughtyneine that really bad wound on one leg is probably jealous of the other one and being spiteful toward it 😡. Rest up, preferably with a treat of your choice - 🍫🍰☕️🫖🍷🥃 ...?

Keep it up NotSpaghetti , I think you're building up your walking really well.

Kaimoana I've got everything crossed that the move goes smoothly for you. It will be lovely to be near someone of your own. Is this a move North or South or West?
Grammaretto fingers crossed for you too that the cold doesn't come to anything and you have lots of fun over the weekend. Our best man (DH best friend) is coming for the weekend it's carnival weekend in the local town.
Carnivals are a big thing here in Somerset with the largest being in Bridgwater in November. After a glorious week of sunshine it's due to rain tomorrow so I'm not sure we will go.
I'm having trouble standing for long at the moment ( hip and calf have conspired) so it will be a last minute decision.
There is also a classic car show in town so DH and BF will be happily occupied.
🙂

Thank you Grammaretto it's scary and exciting all at the same time

Well wouldn't that be fabulous Kaimoana! Tauranga is such a fabulous place.
The Bay of Plenty is rightly named.
A very exciting prospect. I hope it all works out.

After a visit from my darling dynamic grand-daughter, she has suggested I go live near her in the Bay of Plenty, 226km away.

So now I have the huge task of sorting, discarding and packing what I intend taking with me. Clearly this move is not going to happen this year but the first step is to get a letter from my doctor to say it would benefit my mental health to move to the only relative I now have in NZ. This is essential so the State can pay my pension once I get there.

I'll try to keep you posted.

My interlude with my flat white.

My DB plus 5 of his family are coming to stay for the weekend.
So I've been food shopping and making up beds.
I have to work as usual in the morning but I hope to have some fun time over the weekend.

First thing I'm taking my noisy car to the garage.

I had a lovely day today but have a cold coming....
I got a lift to yoga and then sat outside the community store in the sunshine. Someone kindly deflected the wasps with a bowl of raspberry jam.

I packed the newly mended kiln (thankyou Sparky) and then took a bus to Peebles and did a little shopping and window shopping.

I also like the idea of measuring walks by buildings or trees. I already break my walks into sections.

I also like the idea of an early night.

Notspaghetti i love this idea of walking houses rather than steps or miles How much more interesting if we described out walks such as “how far did you go today” “ Oh I went two Victorian houses, two semi detached, a bungalow and half a care home” 🤣
Kaimoana another wonderful story from you. How delighted you must be to have met your friend after so long. What a surprise.
NN how nice you support a young mum. Good practical stuff can be a boon at times. Sorry your leg is hurting so much though. Please get it checked a lot and dressed properly. Wounds can be so difficult to heal sometimes and you must take great care. 20 minutes a day wouldn’t even begin to impact my clutter.
Grammaretto hope you’ve had a good day, I’ve got a bad back. Don’t know what I e done but off to bed soon with a hot water bottle. Supposed to be walking group tomorrow and I’m hoping it will be ok. Have you any plans for Fun Friday?
Will you be advertising for new lodgers soon?

I love that story Kaimoana.
But poor ixion. What a time you've had.
And NN still in pain 😢 .

Get better soon.
Well done NotSpag with your walking regime.

Enjoy your day 😁 Doodle. It will soon be Fun Friday.

Thanks for your kind thoughts Naughtyneine - I hope your leg heals up nicely (and soon). It all seems to take longer the older we get doesn't it!

Oh that's a lovely story Kaimoana, he obviously never forgot your kindness. NotPot Spag well done on going a little further each day. I thought I'd gone utterly mad as I definitely remembered writing a card for you but had no recollection of posting it. That's because I hadn't DH reminded me that I'd taken it with us in Henrietta MoHo and then wth the debacle of the slashed shin I'd left it in there. Duh. It will be on its way today.

I love roast lamb Ixion and then cold with bubble and home made chutney on Monday, the problem is that the field beside us is home to sheep/lambs who have names and although I frequently pick up a leg of lamb and salivate at the thought of a full blown roast I suddenly see Teddy ( sheep) in my minds eye and fling it back in the chiller..

Doodle that's a lot of rotas but lovely that you enjoyed your day.
My leg is pretty sore if I'm honest and had restricted me lots this week. I did go and see the young Mum that I'm supporting as she had got herself in a state as her partner was in hospital having an op. She wanted to have the house nice for his return but struggles with organising. As it turned out I washed up and she dried and then we folded the washing and it was lovely to see what a little encouragement can do to ones esteem.

They both messaged me later in the day to say Thank you and ask how I had got on at the hospital. I did get the wound checked out at the MIU as DH threatened that he would take me to A and E if I didn't!! 4 hours later it was pieced together as much as she could do but chunks ( her words) were missing so couldn't be stitched. I've to go to the doctor's today to have it checked, I could do the dressing but they want to check the actual wound Yuk

I was listening to an article about the best way to declutter, apparently it's to do 20 minutes a day 5 days a week. It didn't specify for how many weeks!!!!. Does thinking about where to start for 20 minutes count do you think? I'll keep you posted
Love to you all.

What a lovely warm story Kaimoana - and how nice to be reminded of it and your little part in the family's success
I bet that was a very happy hug!

Sometimes it's particularly nice to be reminded of past small wins.
I know from the difficult days of working with troubled youngsters/ families in crisis- and then seeing them years later, smiling, (having simply survived) and feeling that you played a small part in that.

Your little family has done so well!
🎉🎉🎉

Went out with (less than friendly) relief worker to get some cash.
Haven't been in the Mall since well before Covid and as I turned from the ATM, was suddenly enveloped in a big hug, many kisses and saw the broadly smiling face of a Brazilian friend I'd not seen for years.

He was most effusive in his delight and affection (his lovely wife too) as my support worker stood by looking bemused.

Many years ago, he and his family with 2 litle girls, came to NZ to work on sponsorship.
I first taught the girls English, then informed the parents they were being shamefully and illegaly exploited in wages due to their naivete and the greed of their wealthy employer.

They were working in the warehouse of a crystal shop and, unpaid, had to make crystal jewellry at night to sell there.

So the employer had to be sorted out but the little family went on to better things.

After a while, my friend, a trained che,f got a job in a restaurant and now owns his own place and also supports a church-based community kitchen with his skills.

Happy Ever After makes a nice change, doesn't it

Have you got a little wheel installed in your lounge for you to have a run round in.

🤐.
Well, maybe...😉

Doodle - thank you. Today I added one house and half of a care home!
Only half of a care home as it has a big in/out crescent drive and lots of land. The other side of it seemed a long way away!

Kaimoana how I’ve missed your lovely stories and facts. 90 minutes is a long time but a lovely story. I just wish there was some invention that could help you with your problems.
Notspaghetti what a good idea to extend your walking by adding in a house or two. Makes it more interesting I would think. Hope your wound is healing well. Do hope your MILs carer works out ok.
Grammaretto i love bubble and squeak so was quite looking forward to it. Whilst what I had tasted ok it wasn’t anything like what I was expecting. I felt let down.
Did you go to the community lunch or the Italian I wonder?
I went to church this morning and found I was in coffee rota, table rota and toy rota. Didn’t get home till 1pm but I don’t mind it’s fun being there chatting with the other helpers. Nice to be able to do something useful.
Ooh Ixion i haven’t had lamb, hot or cold for ages but suddenly the thought of cold lamb has made my mouth water.
Oh dear, the wait to get help in A&E is enough to make anyone go home. Glad you got your antibiotics. Have you got a little wheel installed in your lounge for you to have a run round in.
😊

Oh ixion please check your antibiotics before you succumb to student "happy hour"!!!
😵🤢😵‍💫🤒🤕

Another one who rampantly disagrees with your bubble and squeak option, Doodle. Of course it is a fried mixed of mashed potatoes and cabbage.
A staple spécialité de la maison chez Ixion mère. Leftover cold lamb and vegetables for Monday lunch. It was always the Big Wash day. Busy busy.

Lovely to hear from Kaimoana and your news was much appreciated - and the hard work that went in to it😍

Hospital tests were rapidly abandoned on Monday, thanks to my dental issues mucking up 'my numbers' on the heart stuff.

Upside - I was able to get a prescription for antibiotics at the hospital, having been unable to pursue my Dentist first thing.
Downside - it only took a wait in A and E of 7.5 hours to get it.
I now look a bit like a one-sided hamster, or like this 😏.

Today saw me making a trip to town to (successfully) sell my DCs' musical instruments which had been readily abandoned when they each left high school😡.
A university town, the streets were heaving with students, with the newbies clearly being targeted.

I returned with a free 'What's On' newspaper, 3 flyers for Happy Hours and Rave Nights and 3 carrier bags advertising Dominoes pizzas🤷‍♀️.