🦞🦂 *What are we up to?*🦂🦞

Hi Ixion our walking group always starts and ends at the same place pub/restaurant where we have a coffee and a chat. It was very wet today but not as windy as I thought.
I have 7 good friends at art class and we meet up at other times too. There are probably about 20 of us altogether a very nice bunch. I think my art is improving a lot I would say I’m probably around age 10 now whereas I was about age 4 at the beginning. 🤣
Hope everyone is ok and not snowed in. Take care all

Lovely pictures, Grammaretto - I am envious! I do hope you have an untroubled journey home.
Have you left new lodgers at home to keep an eye on the place?
Do you have a Game Plan for 2026?

Did your walking group go ahead as planned, Doodle? Do you stop, or end up, at a caff? I would need that as my motivation *

I look forward to hearing about your progress at Art Class when it resumes. Are most of your colleagues continuing with you, or do you expect some newbies, maybe?

NN, what a positive bucketload to befall you and your dear man - any one incident would be devastating in itself...
My thoughts are with you and Dear Dog, I know how devastating is the demise of a family pet. I hope DH can cope and that he finds a company needing his skills very quickly. Leaving all this behind for your Big Op will be so difficult, but needs must, especially when such a formidable team of experts has been gathered for you.

Iwonder if you'll get a write up in an esteemed medical journal.
Do ask for a signed copy!

Cherry, do you think we will need cheer leaders if when we descend to the depths of the next division down?
The Championship league, even. Not much about being Champions there.

Did you get to see anything of Gubbins, *Kaimoana?

I hope the 🦞s are safe after the storm.
There have been varying reports of its effects from our family WhatsApp group around the country - and Wales!: are you safe and sound, 🍒?

I'm glad I'm not the grandma of my cousin's brood of littlies who were up before dawn wanting to make snowmen.
BTDT years ago!

Grammaretto i do envy your beach walk despite the snow, it’s over two years since I have seen the sea and I miss it a lot. DH and I used to go to the south coast every few months or so .
Glad you are enjoying your trip.
Notspaghetti no thé scène on DHs coffin was not one we knew but the sort of thing he loved to photograph. Rolling hills and blue sky.
I’ve been back at art today. Not impressed with my contribution but happy to be back with my friends.
Walking group tomorrow but not sure how far I’ll get with my aching hip, take care all

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202601/medium-b3deqm-1000009585.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202601/medium-16cdef-1000009579.jpg

I am having a very good time although I can't sleep despite a beautiful room and warm comfy bed.
We walked on the beach yesterday. Such amazing beaches. Last night we went ceilidh dancing where the group were kind to me as none of the dances were familiar.

There's snow here and an ever changing sky.

Hello all good Lobstars and bad ones too
Thank you for sharing your special stories.
DMiL did in the May so it was a lovely time of year to have the funeral.
She had planned it down to the sandwich fillings! After the church we were to go back to her house but she was living with her DS so it was in his basement flat leading out to the garden. I borrowed a large gazebo.

Because she was 98 and had outlived all her generation, I don't think anyone was excluded.
We, family, made her special dishes from her cookbooks, picked garden flowers and as she insisted "don't be mean with the booze"

But where there are a great many people, I guess you have to hire a venue.

DH died during the COVID pandemic so the guests were reduced to 12 with no hugging or gathering in groups.
We few gathered back at ours, sent for Indian takeaway and opened the best wine.

Perhaps the 32 family first, and then the rest of the guests later?

It's quite usual here to stagger arrivals for big groups, to lessen the exhaustion of the hosts.
Very few people want to be there from beginning to end. So kinder on them too and no guilty, 'I'm afraid I have to go....'
.
A lot of hard work for you but you will have the satisfaction of providing a good send off.

ixion thank you for sharing the lovely homely feeling at your dear mum's "reception".

We did wonder about this option and I found a lovely young caterer as well... but she has had her garden terraced. It would have to be a rather higgledy-piggledy marquee affair with three narrow levels and four lots of steps between them. Access to the garden is through the garage or the French windows to the sitting room (which may well need to be kept open).

I think it's just as worrying as everywhere else to be honest - but for different reasons!
The house (without using outside space) is unlikely to manage everyone at once... we think at least 50 as there are 32 directly in the family - just as far as her nieces and nephews.

What an individual choice of coffin Doodle. Was it a scene dear to your hearts?
The coffin was one thing my mother-in-law had already chosen. An English willow one, woven here with two bands of green around it.
Everything else seems quite difficult

My husband is emotionally exhausted and hates "admin" at the best of times but at least we can make a start on it as of tomorrow as we do now have a death certificate
love and peaceful slumbers
X

Has your DMIL space for a marquee extension in the garden, NS?

My DM wanted her funeral 'reception' at her local hotel.
I had worries about this, tbh - especially a possible closure time ( I'm sorry, we have to vacate the room by x o'clock ), cloaks arrangements, cloakroom facilities and access, finding the venue etc.
As so many of the visitors were aged between 80 and 100+, I took the decision to 'host' at my mother's house. Friends and relatives were familiar with her house, could stay as long as they wanted (we had to do a 'high tea' round when the catering ladies had gone!) and they settled so beautifully into familiar and comforting surroundings.

It was if Mum had just popped into the kitchen to put the kettle on.

The marquee people were sensitive and helpful, provided portable heaters and came in the morning of the funeral to put the heating on so it was lovely and warm when we got back from the church. The marquee was connected to the kitchen via a modest corridor.

The 'youngsters' mostly congregated 'outside', the more senior visitors bagged the upholstered furniture indoors.
It was so homely and just felt 'right'🌺.

Cherry no brain transplant please. You are a lovely wonderful person with a great sense of humour. I can understand why you’d not want to have epilepsy but we’d miss our lovely Cherry .
Our brains are fascinating things. My memory problem is obviously a part of my brain which functions differently.
My DGD is assisting in research into aspects of the brain and recognition. She finds it so interesting.
Because of my memory issues Cherry my videos are among my most treasured items. I made them deliberately because I knew I would have a problem remembering. No they don’t make me sad they make me happy to be reminded of how happy we were together and what fun we had. To be able to hear DH’s voice again and to see his beautiful smile is just wonderful
Oh dear the team have really let you down . Should we change sides?
Notspaghetti that is exactly what we did for DH’s funeral. His choice for the middle of the service was “When the girl in your arms is the girl in your heart” by Cliff Richard, the photos showed DH as a baby and young man with his mum and dad, our meeting, wedding, children then grandchildren and finally our holidays and family times together. It was really lovely, as was his final resting place, not a wooden coffin but one which was a photograph of a lovely landscape with a lake and hills and blue sky . (Sorry hope I’ve not upset anyone by saying all this)
Oh NN I’m so sorry about your beloved dog and your Dh being made redundant. What a shock for you both. People underestimate what effect the loss of a pet can have. What a lot of stress you’re under. Will your Dh look for another job do you thinK? (Sorry I have no idea how old he is ….and I’m not asking ) I hope your dog isn’t in distress or discomfort.
Sending a big gentle hug and the only quote which I find helps sometimes…. This too will pass. Good your Dhcan talk to you now. It’s so important to share what’s going on.
Grammaretto i Hope you’re not snowed in anywhere and are ok

Being made redundant is quite a blow.
I was only 55 when I was made redundant and at first it was truly horrible... but in time (a month or so) I realised I didn't want to do direct support work anymore and my lovely husband said " we can afford if do nothing for another month or two, so you can think". He had just had a big promotion so it worked out ok

I was really lucky and went back to university and did an MA in something I didn't even expect to like!

How I love it!

I hope and trust your husband will find a new happy place, Naughtyneine.
🙏
It really can happen

Oh wow lots to read. NS....I feel your dear MIL's funeral will be a real celebration of a life well lived and lived. My Mother was widowed very young too ( she was 36 and I was 9). It's lovely that your DGD has been able to see her as a young person, I've think it's hard for them to grasp that we weren't always like we are now.
Grammaretto, you are a very brave lady, since getting trapped in a car in snow for 26 hours with a my DD3 who was pregnant at the time I have vowed not to venture forth at the sign of a snowflake. I hope you have arrived safe and sound and it's all melted by the time you travel home again.
Cherry, I'm sure knowing the cause of the seizures doesn't help whilst you are experiencing them, can no-one give you and guidance on possible triggers? I wondered if stress might be a culprit ( with the build up to Christmas and extra activities?) I hope this year is a lot less traumatic for you.
Kaimoana.... Some things don't change, on modern day cruises there still people overdoing the sun and the food!!!!
Grammaretto...my DBF has been on many cruises ( I think she said she is a diamond something now) some have been solo. She has very much enjoyed them and met some very interesting people too. I went with her on the Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to New York, I really enjoyed it as I could take part in all the different activities on board ( without having to be up and out at different ports). Mass first thing, followed by breakfast, quizzes, learning all manner of dances from formal to line, lectures and the food really was out of this world. We both enjoyed dressing up too but it wasn't compulsory as there were additional restaurants for those who preferred a more relaxed style.
Ixion...I hope your little DGS is ok after his bump, bless him. My DGS 'T' used to talk all the time...he was very much into tech stuff even aged 6 and told the Sky engineer that his Neine needed a booster for her WiFi as her house said were so thick. He used to try and explain his computer game Fortnight to me, I'm still none the wiser. His older brother 'J' used to test me on the capitals of countries. I miss them.
My little family are doing very well. I've not had chance to see them since last week as they've all been ill and I'm trying to avoid picking up anything that will delay my surgery. S was one on Monday and we gave her a ride on toy and her Mum sent me pictures of her riding on it. There will be a review in a couple of weeks time and normally after 6 months support I would step down and go on to support another family but they can apply for another 6 months support. They want me to keep supporting them and I think that when when my Safe Family role ends we will be in frequent touch. The Mum find it very hard to trust people having been so very badly let down in the past and it took her a while to trust and open up to me and realise I wasn't going to abandon her. They are doing everything they can to make a good life for themselves and their children.
Doodle...bittersweet I expect watching the videos but lovely that you have those visual memories of your life together. I always feel that those we love never really leave us.... Just close by, out of sight for now.
I didn't want to start this post with this next bit of news as it's not great. The company that DH is working for ( a role he really enjoyed) have seen a downturn in business and they have made him redundant....that was Mondays news, yesterday's was that Ddog2 has lymphoma cancer, we will find out tomorrow if it's possible that chemo may put her in remission for a while, it will depend on if the cancer is in her lymph glands or has started somewhere else and spread. It's come on very quickly and I have a feeling that she will not be with us for much longer. It's 2 years since we lost our Ddog 'N' and that combined with work traumas too had a very bad effect on DH's mental health for a while. That was a huge shock to me as he is very 'male' if you know what I mean. He knows this time he doesn't need to hide how he is feeling from me. I'm trying hard to hold it all together just now for his sake, but the combination of the op, pain and this isn't making it easy.

Yes, Cherry and Doodle, we are looking for about 25 photos (only) for the funeral as we were told that would take about four minutes to show them. We don't think having them just cycle on and on through the service is going to work at all - so we will have some music she loved playing when we show the photos, and it will, i hope , let people rememberher quietly themselves.

We are fortunate in that it's ages since we had to organise a funeral and 35 years ago we wouldn't have thought about photos like this then
It's quite remarkable to see her as a beautiful young woman though, with her whole long life ahead of her... The lovely photos of her with my husband's father (who died leaving her a widow so very young) are particularly moving - probably because we all know that their tome together was do short

Goodnight friends
Sweet Dreams

I wish your seizures could be resolved Cherry. X

It's good to know that you can now make plans to lay your DMiL to rest, NotSpaghetti. I'm wondering the same thing as Doodle re. the photos. A chosen few perhaps?
I hope you find the right venue to give her the send off and celebration of her life she deserves 💐
In answer to your question re. my epilepsy, I discovered the true cause at the age of 40. In a nutshell - I was born brain damaged 🤯. I'm not looking for Frankenstein to solve it, as far as I'm aware I can't have a brain transplant 🤣.

Beautiful photo Grammaretto, snow always looks so pretty in landscapes that are beautiful to start with. It's been a bit surreal here as we very rarely have snow but we've had some four mornings in a row.

I know you haven't said but I hope the videos you've found weren't difficult to watch, Doodle, but instead brought back wonderful memories.

Jeeves is making me an extra throttle 😂 hot chocolate atm, I'm in need of something indulgent as our team experienced another loss, idiots 🤦‍♀️. I think it was the nail in the coffin for any prospect of staying ⬆️.

Night night 🌙 all

Goodness Kaimoana i don’t think I could cope with six weeks at sea. Two is about my limit.
Notspaghetti i love looking at old photos. Are you going to show some at her funeral. I always think it’s nice when people get so see some of a persons earlier life too.
What a day to set off on your travels Grammaretto hope you’re there now and snug and cosy. The pictures look lovely
I cancelled sit fit this morning as it was snowing and I didn’t want to get stuck anywhere. Stayed home and did lots of small jobs. Spent a few hours going through old videos that I’ve found of previous holidays including one of DH being serenaded on his birthday by a number of Filipino waiters..

ixion

This always makes me smile, Grammaretto!

Yes Ixion

This always makes me smile, Grammaretto!

Over the slocht. Very pretty

Good to know that your MiLs funeral can be planned now notspaghetti

I can't write on the bus easily. Pitlochry is very snowy.
There are a group of schoolboys going to camp in Aviemore. They have been amusing me. Their parents keep phoning them to tell them not to do anything dangerous.
My DD texts me to tell me I shouldn't have left home!

Bon voyage, Grammaretto.
Pictures please 'from my window' - it will be really scenic!
🚌🛳️
Take care🌺

Naughtyneine I forgot to say that I really hope this surgery gets you out of pain.
Keeping everything (carefully) crossed for you
x

Finally we had a call to say that the hospital medical examiner is releasing the certificate of my mother-in-law's death so we can now register it. This is good news, obviously - however we cannot even get through to the cemetery as yet and the funeral director we are working with says she thinks it could be the end of the month!

Meanwhile we are looking for somewhere smartish that she would have liked for the funeral reception.
There are lots of them looking shabby and in January, anything up a lane will put people off it seems to me. I don't think she'd have chosen a pub and having it at her house would be a real squash...

We have also spent half a day looking at photos. Oh what a life she had led before even my husband arrived! My granddaughter saw a photo of her on a beach as a woman in her 30s, she had marked it as "on honeymoon" she was looking so lovely, in her swimsuit, presumably taken by my husband's father through a lense of love
My granddaughter said, in amazement "Oh look at this photo it is her ^as a girl^" she was amazed that my mother-in-law had been young once.

So many changes in one life
Her father's first car and with family in Sweden
Berlin with the American red cross
Picnics and one of four young people on a "punting holiday"
..and lots of travel
..and her dear friend of 105 is there too

Sending love to you all

Cherry so sorry you have had more seizures. I'd there any sense to why? It must be very exhausting and frustrating.
I do hope things have settled down a bit

It took 6 weeks Doodle and day for day, bearing in mine full accommodation, food and entertainments (plus medical should it be needed) it was far cheaper and more enjoyable than flying.

We didn't need nurse or doctor but many unwise people got very bad, some serious, sunburn because they simply laid out on deck all day sleeping and wouldn't be advised.

Others, unused to the full, often gourment buffet available had gastric troubles due to greed.

Evening all. That’s some boat Kaimoana must have been a long trip. How long did it take. When we cruised, the most sea days we did was 3 consecutive days when we went to Greenland. It was quite a long trip but worth the effort.
Grammaretto as you seem to go to Edinburgh quite a lot I imagine you can visit your bookcase and check it’s being well looked after in its new home. Good luck with the new phone. I’m one who can’t figure out these things myself. Fortunately our sons are more adept.
Ixion art class starts with week and I can’t wait. I’ve missed it.
Lovely people. I’m back at sit fit tomorrow too so if I improve I can maybe sign up for the team next season. 🤣
Sleep well all.

No Ixion but I have a DGD who is at football academy and eats sleeps dreams football.

I got my phone half done but the youth who was helping had about as much clue as I did so the transfer is not complete, no WhatsApp or banking and still plenty of passwords to remember or change.

It was I who was asking about cruises. I have never been tempted before but for some reason it suddenly seems very attractive. Especially on the eve of setting off to the frozen north tomorrow.
I'm wondering what time I need to get up to be sure of getting to the bus station before the bus leaves. Pre dawn for sure.

The bookcase left smoothly and left a big space which is already getting filled.
Well done on your rehoming all those things 😃

Now the bookcase has gone it reveals the giant sofa. The bookcase guys said I should offer it on Freecycle and it would go in seconds. I suppose that is preferable to dumping in the countryside although once you see what the council charge for taking away a bed or sofa, you begin to understand the flytipper if not condoning them.

We came back from NZ by ship. It was the cheapest way back then. It took 6 weeks. Our ship was the SS Southern Cross. We came via Australia and South Africa because Suez was closed.

Arriving in NZ when I was a baby we were on the Rangitiki but I don't remember that. We went through the Panama canal. There are photos of me dressed in a nappy with wings attached to my shoulders. it was the fancy dress

It still seems incredible that you can get there in 24 hours now.

When my ancestors went out in the 19th Century the journey was 4months.

Goodnight Lobstars. Sleep tight