🦞🦂 *What are we up to?*🦂🦞

After umming and aaring whether I could sit for 3 hours at my kaumatua group (my back is still painful) I decided I didn't want to miss out and went.

Our 'break up' is being held at Wenderholm beach in 2 weeks, with a grand picnic, alcohol free mocktails and wine.

The theme is Mad Hatters and we each have to decorate a hat, the crazier the better.
I've decided on parrots, so downloaded some pictures which I'll laminate, cut out and stick around the band of a straw hat which already has faux flowers.
I wish I could find a plastic parrot to stick on top but maybe that's too much of a good thing!!

I have had a Very Good day.
Lots achieved - more items left the house than entered, which is my definition of recycling .

My items offered on Freecycle were collected by a lovely elderly (i.e.older than me) lady who came, having given me a run down on the weather forecast, on her bike, a distance of several miles. She is the site's resident magpie who kindly hoovers up most things which go unrequested by others, and, as such, is a blessing to those of us who seek rapid disposal.
She looked a bit like NS's Michelin Man, a tiny yet ebullient soul who clearly enjoys a doorstep chat, regardless of the weather. I often wonder what she does with the variety of 'tut' she collects.

My Balmoral Silver Cross has also departed for a new life. It was so funny. The pram, which I had always negotiated from the front porch, down the steps and onto the drive - more often with baby, child strapped on top and a tray underneath full of shopping in the rain - was collected by two strapping chaps. One pushed, the other took up position at the front, clutched the hood steering, and they both went off to the van as a team🤷‍♀️.

I have been half watching Call my Bluff from 1975.
A youthful Joan Bakewell and earnest young Noel Edmonds.
They all spoke so beautifully my DM would wistfully sigh when Golden Oldies were broadcast.

Well ixion as I was missed so much I may have to make the effort for the next match. I will buy nude colour thermals so as not to disappoint the crowd.
Your village gathering sounds lovely. Sort of thing I’d like. Ours is a bit of a disappointment. The town is disappearing bit by bit being replaced by blocks of high flats. Hardly any shops and not worth a visit. The Christmas tree has received loads of complaints mainly that it was so awful it would be better not to have one. There must have been thousands of new flats built in the shopping area since we moved here. Fortunately, our place is a little out of town by the river.
Kaimoana DH as on a very similar drug and it certainly helped him with nerve pain. I hope it’s working for you and you’re more comfortable.
Shame about your sister but I know others who have a similar experience.
Grammaretto i think some actors can keep going too long and are often paid for cameo performances just so their name can go on the billboard. I like Sundance too.
Sending Jeeves with emergency chocolate supplies.
Notspaghetti i would loved to have seen you in your outfit. I could have done with borrowing it. I’ve been out twice recently and underestimated how cold it is. I’ve been very chilly. I need who wrap up warmer. Glad your MIl is doing ok hope that continues.

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I loved that film Grammaretto!

Ha ha. That was ME on Saturday!
I went to a football match with one of my grandsons early Saturday morning... I thought the rain was easing off as I collected him but no, it was SO windy and cold (and still raining).

I dropped him at the pitch and went to park...

I put on my thick wooly coat and hat and gloves when I got out of the car was hit with horizontal driving wind and rain and was just SO cold.

After a few minutes I went back to the car where, joy of joys, I found an old XL gore-tex walking coat - maybe 30 years old - in the boot and also a bag I'd brought back from my daughter's with a huge thick wool shawl in it.

I just put everything on over my coat and waddled my huge mass the 300 yards along the footpath to the pitch. I was just like the Michelin man and the poppers pulling on the coat made fabulous hoopy bulges round my ample middle.

I did feel toasty warm then but somewhat movement restricted and definitely looked more like the scary 1800s version of the Michelin man than the contemporary one!

I did console myself with the fact that no sensible, "normal" person would see me - and hopefully nobody would recognise me if they did!

Have a good week dear friends and thank you for the good wishes re my mother-in-law. She is doing OK but the fall did rather knock the stuffing out of her and she's more wheezy breathing after exercise. She was better this morning than yesterday though so fingers crossed 🤞

Yup.
I always eat too much at Christmas.
A salutary warning.

Ooh I wonder what goes with those Michelin Man pics NotSpaghetti🤔

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Lost a long message TWICE.
Will try to do it tomorrow
🤬

Here are the images though...

Hello Lobstars,
I hope your days went well, or night in your case Kaimoana

It rained all day here so apart from helping at the Christmas Market for a while, and making a Christmas cake, I got on with my knitting.

This evening the cinema was busy. We all had free tickets as it is 20yrs since the community cinema was born! One of the organisers was celebrating his 80th birthday and had made his own cake. It was delicious.

I didn't think the film very good. It was Robert Redford's last performance when he was 80 and he died this year. I preferred him as the Sundance kid.😂😅

Good night. I've run out of chocolate so will need to have sleepytime tea.

I promise you all that I will take the drugs as prescribed and for as long as advised.
In fact it's Gabapentin, and I may need to take it for life.
As there are currently no adverse side effects, I'm content to do so. I only shy away from meds which make me worse.
This drug, though not instantas it has to build up in the body, is doing its job.

Cherry when my sister was little (she's 7 years younger) she used to look at my plate every meals and tell Mum, resenfully, 'She has more than me'.

If I went anywhere, she had a tantrum if she couldn't go too. And so it went on, resentfulness, envy and eventually a loud dislike of me whenever I 'made good' in some area.

I have several times tried to make peace, to no avail.
She's never married as her violent temper makes her lash out, often with an implement, at any slight she thinks she sees. Sad, very sad.
I recently learned she was in a resthome.
Sister eh? And yet, when she was born and until she was about 10 years old, she was the sweetest little thing and we were very close.

In my lateer years, I began to observe that hormonal changes can make formerly peaceful, happy children into difficult adolescents and adults. Another sad statte of affairs.

I too shall endorse the Gang's warning's about giving up on the tablets too quickly, Kaimoana. I am pleased that you are getting relief from your dreadful pain.

Your feline stowaway doesn't look too distressed by its night away, Grammaretto. I hope that this fellow is recognised by one of your community.

You were missed, Doodle, in our Half Time cheerleading routine but we coped, despite the rowdy chant from the terraces shouting
Where's yer mate?.

A more sedate outing tonight to the Village Christmas Lights turn on and assorted jollities. Carols on the stage by the local primary school looking frozen but singing determinedly, our local celeb (?) singer rallying the troops and -most importantly, lots of stalls with delicious cakes and sweeties.

Notspaghetti. Im sure it was a much better idea for your MiL to stay overnight in hospital. How are things today?
Cherry I’m sorry you’re estranged from your sisters too. That must be hard for you .
Sorry extra thermals won’t cut it with regards cheerleading. I, staying in with a warming glass of something. Keep you and Wp safe. Hope you don’t get snowed in.
ixion your glasses sound quite unsuitable. Will you be getting a new pair soon.
Kaimoana i know you’re someone who doesn’t like taking prescribed drugs and you prefer more natural remedies but please think carefully before cutting down in the pain killers. It is important that you are able to move as much as possible and if taking the painkillers helps you then it’s better than being in pain and not being able to sit or move comfortably
Grammaretto i was hoping you were going to the Glasgow meet up. What an entrance you made i Hope you didn’t hurt yourself. Whatever did Jeeves put in you hot chocolate last night! I’m sure the poor cat made its way home quickly.
I went to a garden centre for lunch today. Nice lunch and good shopping but my goodness it was cold. I got quite chilled and was happy to get home.
Church tomorrow then I’m going to visit our granddaughters.
.

I'm glad the pain is manageable but it's certainly not negligible, Kaimoana. Don't give up too soon on the hard drugs.

Although they do come with side effects.

I have had a fairly lazy day after a hectic start. We set up our Christmas makers market pottery stall, indoor. It stays up for 4 weeks and there is a rota to mind it and to encourage buyers.
Yesterday's trip to Glasgow was long but fun. Only a handful of grans select few came in the end and I made a dramatic entrance somehow feet first and landed on my bottom.
One gran suggested it might have been a sudden drop in blood pressure. I hadn't even had a glass of wine, then.

I heard that Jacinda Ardern was also in Glasgow. She was attending the premiere of a film about her.

When I came home last night I noticed the greenhouse door had been left open. by me
So I closed it in the dark and this morning noticed a poor pussy cat was inside. I took her photo, incase someone was missing her and then she fled.

Naughtyneine - what a painful situation you are in, in every way. I hope there is some light somewhere.. I know Naughtytaid is there for you. What a blessing he is.

Oh my goodness, so many posts brought tears to my eyes today.
Your poor, poor MiL NotS doesn't deserve all that, bless her.

My issues are negligible by comparison

The drugs I'm taking specifically for the nerves in my back and legs are working well. I still need the walker though. Possibly because a side effect is dizziness.

Or I just might be Dizzy Daisy anyway

The Oxicodone for pain is doing its job too but I'm helping it by not sitting for long, which puts pressure on my spine.
Tomorrow I'll experiment by not taking it. If the pain level is manageable, I'll stop completely.

I'll be thinking of the brave Mother in Law and the others here who are strugling - hoping these problems go away soon. Be brave my dears.

I wonder how many elderly people treated so badly by the health system are pushed nearer the end by the trauma and neglect, which surely makes them feel as if they don't matter?

I hope you had a good meet up, Grammaretto, and that folk managed to travel in without mishap.
Good news that milder weather is on its way, even if it's rain. The last of my bulbs have arrived, pot-sized narcissi and iris, to go in pdq (prices fell to 40% of the original price if one held one's nerve).

Mixed bag here today. The routine two-yearly eye check confirmed my belief that I have been struggling the whole time with an ill-advised and unsuitable prescription. The fact that I have to take them off to stand up safely was a significant cause for concern and that I had to push them to the end of my nose to see the tv another.
I hope for great things in a few days time.

A request to call the Dentist cancelling my appointment tomorrow again.
Not, this time, from the horrid one 🐄, but from a lovely youngster who, having told me he had 'been in A and E' , went into further detail of his food poisoning episode.
Worryingly, she said it had a medical term she couldn't remember.

I just hope it wasn't norovirus. He is back in next week ...

Thank you all, Cherry, Ixion, Doodle and all for kind words re my mother-in-law. I felt very mean leaving her in overnight to be honest as she has managed to go out twice in the small car (a Jazz) and she wanted me to go home to get it - but to be truthful I wasn't confident that she would get out, upstairs and into her bed safely.

She had "practice physio" getting in and out of the car a few weeks ago and got stuck as she stood awkwardly near it getting out. There were two physios and I honestly thought they may drop her.
I didn't want a repeat of that at (what would be) 12.30 am!

Naughtyneine, sorry, I missed your harrowing post 😥. Your estrangement must be so hard for you. Not the same but I'm estranged from sisters. Cwtch up by me with 🫖 ☕️ 🍰 and I'll be here to listen, if you like. Big hugs 🌻 x

Sorry you're going to sit out this part of the season Doodle but I don't blame you it's bloody cold out there. I do have a spare pair of longjohns and a spare long sleeved thermal vest so if you change your mind .... 😂

Hipflask at the ready this weekend ixion 🫡

I hope the snow isn't bad where you are Grammaretto 🤞, we've got our first yellow warning of the season here but it's more likely we'll have sleet and hail as we're so near the coast. Further up the Gower I know my neice has had some. Take care out there if you've had some overnight.

Sending gentle cwtches Kaimoana X

Ixion DHs real life tree is on an island near where I live. There is a bridge which I can walk across to visit.
In the hospice there is a memorial tree made from metal with leaves on it. Each leaf has the name of someone who’s died at the hospice. That is a beautiful tree too.

Lots of 🦞busy-ness to catch up with.
My heart went out to you, NN🌺 Estrangement is so hard, especially in your case when it's a question of so near and yet so far. To have that possibility of catching a fleeting glimpse of someone you love and yet be so out of reach must be unbearable. I wept with you.

Kaimoana, thank goodness you raised your alarm. You certainly seemed to have a far faster response than NS to help. Keep taking the tablets and make sure word doesn't get out on the street. What's your next step? Hoping you see Gubbins and Pa soon, and that DS' job hunting is going apace.

I hope your arms are OK after your double jabs, Grammaretto and that you are fit to dance and call tonight. And, of course, that your roads are safe for travelling.
Have you received any feedback from the exhibition of Music Man's plans?

Is your DMIL home now, NS? I hope her confidence hasn't been too badly dented by her fall - she is such a determined lady!

Pleased your quiet time went well yesterday, Doodle. I don't remember, is DH's special tree in the Hospice grounds or close to your home?
What plans do you have for Christmas?

What do you think, Cherry, about our cheerleading pal sitting out our next match? I think we will be alright in our winter strip. As long as you bring your trusty hip flask

For you dearest Doodle 🌹 x

And for you NotSpaghetti 💐 x

Notspaghetti oh your poor MiL.. she’s not the only person I’ve heard of being left in the floor for hours. Glad she’s been checked over and tested. Probably a good idea for her to stay in tonight. Poor you, you sound exhausted. Hope she makes her tea with friend tomorrow
grammaretto thank you I was ok yesterday. I spent the afternoon at the hospice on my own spending some quiet time outside by the lake. It was freezing but peaceful there. Had a few tears but in the whole ok. Today I’ve been to the church bereavement group, lovely service with music and candles.
Hope you have no ill effects from your double injection. I didn’t. Hope you enjoy the dance tonight. Lovely to have a comforting chat with children isn’t it.
Kaimoana i Hope those painkillers are doing their job and things are a bit more comfortable for you now.
Cherry and Ixion sorry too cold for cheerleading even in my thermals. The team will have to make do with me sitting indoors and shaking my maracas 🪇

Heck, Kaimoana, that's sounds horrific, you must have been/ are in agony 😥. I'm sending lots and lots of love and I hope the medication you've been prescribed eases your pain and makes you much more comfortable 💐 ❤️ Xxx

Oh goodness! Kaimoana I too am glad you pressed that button and are receiving pain relief. Don't sell them. They are worth more than money to you. 😉
I can't imagine how excruciating it must be to live and function with a broken back! You must be made of stern stuff.

Your DMiL too NotSpag is so determined. I hope she can enjoy the family visit even if it's in hospital.

I had my winter double vaccinations yesterday which means I am sleepy today but since my friend is bringing my car back specially, or driving me there, I had better go to yoga.

And ceilidh dancing tonight. I think a long nap this afternoon is in order.

I had long phone chats with my DSs numbers 1 and 2 yesterday. They are both so proud of their own DC. It's uplifting.

Doodle I hope you had an OK day yesterday.

Sorry, no more news tonight - not even of the stairlift stranding!
😂
Too too tired
...but full of gratitude that the end of the most recent saga is near - and so is my lovely bed!

🛌 🌙 💤

Goodnight