🦞🦂 *What are we up to?*🦂🦞

Wow Kaimoana I’ve just watched he video. I never knew that’s how they put stents in. What an amazing procedure. I do hope it’s beneficial and helps. As Ixion says what is in place for your recovery? Hope all goes well for you.
Grammaretto i can see your problem. It will be hard for you to downsize. I imagine your furniture won’t fit and you’ll have far too much anyway. I’m not saying it would be wrong to go there but if the place doesn’t produce a spark of interest for you then I’m worried you might feel depressed about the move. We moved from a bungalow to our flat but in fact the flat is bigger than our bungalow but no garden. Nice to take your friend to yarn group with you.

Ixion I’m afraid my days of high kicks have gone. Getting up out of a chair takes all my energy.
NN hope you are doing well. Hope you are feeling comfortable
Jan I’m having physio for my knees. At least I would be if I did the exercises. 😱

Add me to the Dodgy Knee Club

My theory on housing, for what it's worth, is to remember that sickness and disability can strike in a moment so always plan to be in a place you can look after for the rest of your life, should that happen.

I thought I'd done just that until my landlord who had promised 'tenancy for life' changed the rules.

Doodle Its not all bad luck in my life, far from it.
I have the most wonderful son nearby; I had a very, very happy Christmas Day and Birthday and now that it looks as if I have to move DS2 is being as supportive as always.
I have the dear wee granddaughter who loves me as well.

DS1 as you know, is bringing the Good News of Internet and technology to rural Australia.

So be assured I feel myself to be a very lucky woman indeed and as soon as I have had this Needs Assesment, I'll know what the future holds (apart from the inevitable fall off the end of the conveyor belt!) and feel calmer.


Meanwhile, we are having wonderful summer, the cicadas are deafening, the birdsong lifts my spirits. I have a safe and lovely home and no financial worries (only have my pension but it's adequate for my meagre needs. I don't crave luxuury)

Even my eyesight, almost non-existent now, gives me a good excuse not to go anywhere I don't wish to - and I have lovely homecare workers who do my housework and shop for me. It's like having domestic staff

So when things go just a little bit pearshaped, its having all these benefits behind me that help me deal with them.
I know I moan a bit about some of the things I don't have or can't do but it doesn't last long, I'm back on an even keel pretty soon.

A quick pop in... DH's birthday yesterday and the best present he has been offered a position in our County town which is about 25 minutes away. Prayers answered.
Notspag....Thank you for your lovely card.
I'm weary today but that's probably the anaesthetic still in my system.
Back again soon, just wanted to share the good news. Love to all.

Kaimoana it’s so lovely to hear you had a good Christmas and birthday. When you beloved son came to the UK I felt so sorry for you to be parted from him. Glad he’s being supportive and helpful. Ido hope you get offered a suitable place soon one which caters to your needs.
NN excellent news. Very pleased for you both. Hope you’re soon on the mend.

Grammaretto what have you been up to today? I’ve been to art class. Pastels today. Such a messy medium (well for me it is). All up my arms and over my clothes. Supposed to be an English country garden. Looked my like an overgrown rubbish tip. Not my best effort.

I'm just home from ceilidh dancing. It was fun and very warming.
A busy day for me . I visited my 100 yr old friend who is such a dear soul.
She said in advance that she might fall asleep, but she didn't.
I took her some homemade marmalade and 2 big chocolate hearts. I think they were for valentine's day but she loved them.

Kaimoana. You are a glass half full person. I hope your operation goes well and gives you a new lease of life.

I'd love to see your artwork Doodle I'm sure it's good.

Good on your DH Naughtyneine! What an excellent present.

Love to all you Lobstars.

Yes Doodle it was horrible having him away so long ( especially knowing he was breaking his heart for Gubbins) but he had tried and tried to find work during the severe recession here.
He worked for Uber in desperation (as did many many others in the same situation) on call 24/7 but what he earned didn't even cover the bills.
He has a very supporrtive partner who worked more hours but that only made him feel more ashamed and desperate.
I cried for him all the time when his brave messages came in, pretending all was well.

Terrible times.
I can see why some people turn to crime.

Marvellous news, NN, about Mr.NN's new job. You must both be so relieved.
How is your poorly dog? Thinking of you 🌺.
I hope your rehab is going well and that your pain is well controlled..

Kaimoana, you sound more upbeat now your precious family is back home for good. So good that you have DS to hand when you are about to have so much going on shortly. How does he feel about your potential relocation?

Can we see your pastels medium, Doodle? I'm sure you are far too self-critical, you know. It must have taken Degas years to perfect his pastels technique, and here you are after as many months learning the skills!
Have you tackled life drawing yet?
Maybe a little chilly for winter studio work.

Our Barney 🐈 is still missing. I am running prayers to both St. Jude and St. Christopher in the hope that, in tandem, they might point me in the right direction (literally).

Good luck for your house viewing tomorrow, Grammaretto. Hopefully small but perfectly formed. Do let us know how you get on.

Oh Ixion I’m so sorry about Barney. You must be so upset. I wonder where he is. Have you tried in Facebook local or something (have i said that before ?)
I will show you painting soon but trust me the pastel was rubbish and that’s where it’s gone. I am working on doing the same picture in watercolour so I’ll show you that when it’s finished,
Had a lovely meal out with family today. dGD had a fabulous. Cake multicoloured with sprinkles.
Are you houseviewing Grammaretto how exciting. Hope it’s something good. I struggle to walk let alone dance. I’m pleased you can do it though. You enjoy it.
Kaimoana so pleased your son is home now and in work. Are you still knitting your slippers?

Hello lovely Lobstars,

I hope Barney turns up soon.

I hope everything works out well for you Kaimoana and if and when you move it will be a good move.
Me too. We looked at the cottage today. It's really pretty to look at but too small for me.
Perfect for someone.

People are queuing to view so it will go quickly.

The rest of the day was spent finishing the sweater. Yay! Mending my raincoat, chatting to my friend who isn't used to having so much going on. We had a dinner party last night here and the Australian helper who's back helping on a farm near Edinburgh, came, my friend who usually comes to dinner on Fridays plus my friend from the North.

My friend's son came to visit her today too which was good. He left with a book. One book, only a million to make decisions about.

Tomorrow I'm going to squash an old mattress into the car and drive it to a recycling centre which accepts mattresses.
The alternative is paying £70 for a collection. (bulky uplift)

I'm looking forward to seeing your finished painting Doodle

Don't forget St Gertrude ixion.

Although she was only made patron saint of cats in 1980, it's still worth a try.

This astonishingly beautiful and detailed stained glass window is dedicated to her but is prior to her catification.

It is an absolute masterpiece.

Oops

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_of_Nivelles

Just popping in. Hope Barney is back soon.
🤞
Lots of exhausting and tedious stuff here and a not-very-well MrSpaghetti waiting for a hospital appointment.

My youngest daughter is angry that her grandmother has died - partly because "they still had things to do and talk about"
I am exhausted just thinking about it all just now

Thinking of you all.
But please don't be nice to me - I'm always only a hair's breadth from weeping whether sad or happy!

I'm not ignoring everyone. I hope it's a good day tomorrow for us all
X

Catification!

Tell your daughter, "There is never a 'good' time to die" That's what love is all about; acceptance is healthier than anger.

NotS thinking of you xxxx

Grammaretto the paining continues. It’s watercolour so I do a bit then leave it to dry, I’m very slow.
What a lovely dinner party you had. Very enjoyable having friends round.
Good luck with the mattress. Can’t imagine how you’d squash one in the car.
Kaimoana lovely window. Catification 🤣
Oh Notspaghetti I’m so sorry. You sound so sad and exhausted and worried about your dear man too. Hope he gets seen soon.
I’m sad tonight. No particular reason, just missing Dh and feeling glum. Got friends coming tomorrow

Thank you, Kaimoana, for introducing me to St. Gertrude🐕
I like her a lot.

I have devoured the Wiki entry and added her to my 'go to' list of saints, along with St.Francis.
Has anyone visited Assisi?

I think a lot of us, NS, are finding ourselves, as do you, treading a fine line between sad and not-so-sad. Thinking of you

Sorry you are not up to our most recent choreography, Doodle..
Shhh - we actually won.

I think the addition of the multicoloured tassels I dug out from my sewing drawer may just have done the trick.

Multicoloured tassels sound just the thing?
Have you come across St Mungo in your travels?
We have his well in the garden and today I had a visit from a woman carrying 3 empty bottles who wanted to fill them from my well.

I didn't stay for the end of the film tonight. It didn't appeal to me at all. Painful to watch.
It's called 4 mothers

My friend had a difficult day taking her son out. He has various impairments and Down's syndrome. He becomes agitated easily wit

Pressed post by accident.

Nothing much to add. Sorry people are having sad days. 😔😔🥺

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202602/medium-eicmsh-1000020045.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202602/medium-bhfngr-1000020048.jpg

Any sign of Barney Ixion?
I hope Gertrude works if St Anthony doesn't.
🐕

I didn't get the wet mattress anywhere near the car and it wouldn't have fitted in if I'd been able to lift it. The birds and other creatures have already taken ownership and horse hair and wadding has been scattered
around. I wonder what the nests will be like this year!

I drove my friend to Selkirk today and we were sad to see so many closed mills and shops which I used to visit with DH not many years ago.
The country side was as beautiful as ever.

The well water collector sent pictures of petrie dishes containing ice formations . She had filled them with the water and frozen them.

Sweet dreams everyone xxxx
The patterns which formed were reminiscent of the plants growing around the Spring.

Ixion I’m sure the tassels did the trick. Unusual to have them placed where you put them bur it certainly aroused a lot of interest ! Hope Barney returns soon
Grammaretto i fear there are closed shops everywhere now. You get people buy online. Us older ones are missing the opportunity to shop in person. How interesting about your well. What an unusual visit from the lady who wanted water. I wonder what she’s going to do with them

Had three friends over this afternoon. We had a lovely lunch (I didn’t make it) and a nice long chat.time for bed now I think. Sleep well all

At last I have something to tell you other than "stayed home, knitted, went to bed"

My birthday treat, postponed because of Waitangi Day traffic which made it impossible, was finally enjoyed.

My friend Linda came to take me out for Morning Tea but as it was 11.30 when we ordered, suggested lunch it be instead.

Fine - I had avocado, poached egg on a hash brown and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Then we drove to the nearby beach and sat talkin and watching the tide come, ever-so-slowly in.

Lovely sea breezes, noisy importunate seagulls and a lot of quiet, calm atmosphere to enjoy. Perfeck

It was extra nice because, being housebound these days, I don't get out from one week to the next. So that was a real treat in itself.

Linda stopped off at her garden to pick fresh beans, beetroot and cheery, cherry tomatoes for me.

Such a lovely day. Such a lovely friend.

Oh Kaimoana that is SO lovely.
I feel quite overcome with delight that you have finally had such a lovely day with your friend.

Here are some dancing girls
💃🏿💃🏼💃🏽💃💃🏾💃🏿
This is how I feel about it
💃🏽

Kaimoana As NS says your day sounds amazing. Im so pleased you enjoyed it and hope you have many more great days. I love watching the tide come in. Not far from us you can watch the tide coming in over the marshes. Its incredible to see what was once green marsh gradually become the sea.
Its a horrible day here today. Dull, depressing and a slight drizzle that you can’t actually see but can very definitely feel. Come on Spring and some sun cheer us all up!

Love the dancing girls

Jan that does sound spectacular, and how amazing that the green doesn't suffer from the regular salt water bath - it must have adapted. Nature is wonderful.

Today, a house inspection from the landlor's rep, but as there's only me to make the place untidy, a couple of minutes made it look as if an efficient person lived here.

Not that untidiness matters, inspections are done in all Sallies properties because some tenants are not quite as conscientious.
I'm told the flats provided for single men warrants a gas mask and an air gun for vermin control

This was our view yesterday (photo by Rewiwiwi)

Auckland CBD on distant skyline.