This is for those of us who are missing the original thread.
What have we achieved in the six months 
I had a dry September, an almost dry January and I'm hitting 10,000 steps most days. I've not have any strawberry creams yet but I still hopeful 
Most of all met some lovely nutty supportive people 
What challenges are up for grabs this month? I thought I might give up coriander and faggots.
I'd be up for that, Anya, although it would be very hard...
Well hello again.... 
Thank you Anya
During the last six months - I also achieved a dry September, a dry January and a nearly-chocolate-free February (that g/f chocolate brownie was a moment of utter madness )
And here we are in March - my new fitbit encourages more and more steps - most days I manage around 10,000 - but I am usually chasing Anya ...LOL
I would like to do more ????
I do need to get in training for a 10k in July but I have bit of a dodgy knee at the moment so I am 'resting'...
I'm not very good at long-term challenges but a monthly one suits me just fine...
Not sure I can give up coriander, faggots, cardamoms or kippers, but I can try ???
Yes, rest that dodgy knee and do the old RICE'ing JG - that worked for me, eventually. I've accepted my running days are over, though I did do a 100m sprint, uphill, on Sunday. Murphy (old dog) is virtually deaf and his eye sight is fading too, and he set off after a women who he obviously thought was me in the distance. He can still get up fair head of steam and by the time I realised his purpose he was well ahead. I only just managed to catch him up and grab him before my lungs gave out.....it didn't help that I was shouting his name, during my uphill 100m dash ????
Managed day 1 of my challenge no problem though it was touch and go at one point. Grannylyn I've had a packet of kippers in my freezer since 1066 or thereabouts. Don't mind the taste - it's the house reeking for hours afterwards.
You still on course Ana? I have a prediction for you...good news is on the cards for March I feel it in my bones unless that's the arthritis flaring up.
Hello, this looks like an interesting thread to be a part of!
Achievements.... Well, since Jan 1 I've been keeping off the internet at night, except for real emergencies, like when I need to check my Lotto numbers, have forgotten we're out of wine bread, have a pressing need to know which actor played the scary girl in The Bad Seed, need to check on the EU voting intentions of Gransnetters etc. Also since Jan 1 I have been drinking more water. This hasn't had the wondrous effect on my skin that I hoped for, but has led to me seriously considering launching a campaign to get us a few public conveniences up here. I spend half my life popping into M & S and nonchalantly sidling past the queue at McDonald's. I've been off the chocolate - yes, even the strawberry creams - since Ash Wednesday, whenever the heck that was (two lifetimes ago, I reckon). I'm trying very hard to do lots of steps....
I've accepted that my running days are over too, Anya - to be honest they were more run a bit, walk a lot days, but I do miss them. My back is glad they're gone, though
I had kippers for breakfast 4 times last week, in Cornwall ( a beautiful place with an abundance of public toilets). I have a great love of Whitby harbour, but I'd rather my house didn't smell like it
Heck - my challenge today was keeping up with my DM ... her memories and thoughts were everywhere and anywhere - but, as ever, we ended up having a giggle about it all
So, Anya and maggie - at least I won't be racing you two around Sefton Park 10k in July - that's a bloody blessed relief.... Mind you the way the knee is going, I'll be doing a good impression of hop-along-cassidy ...
I would have responded earlier but - really the smell of kippers was just putting me off.... yuk!! I'm sure the oils would be good for my joints but still YUK ?
I always have a giggle to myself when I am reading your posts A and m and I realise how much I have missed you ....
So, I'll tell you about my evening shall I ...? DH decided to buy some fancy-pants state of the art equipment to play our music - SONOS something or other.... We have had a lovely evening listening to all our favourites (I'm a bit soppy and made an Anniversary playlist for our 40th) - there's been a bit of dancing,?? a bit of name-that-tune ? in 1,2,3, - and a lot of 'looking back' - special times ❤️
Night night
I've never visited Cornwell Maggie except via Poldark (twice) (whew! 
) but suddenly decided as, due to a complicated different school holidays over Easter scenario (SiL off after our schools go back so can do school run) I've booked myself a short break there April 4-7th. First two nights sleeping in a container at the Eden Project then a day at the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Are kippers obligatory for breakfast there?
I'm a bit worried about all this water you're drinking and your experience of public loos hope you're not overdoing it?
Like you I have all sorts of weird & wonderful uses for my mobile, in particular, and since discovering the voice function, love to ask it questions verbally. It doesn't always listen very carefully though and when I look at the screen I have to at some of its interpretations.
An evening of pure nostalgia by the sounds of it JG - there's nothing like those songs of our youth and a trip down memory lane is there? ? Just a thought???? Could you perhaps make a compilation of songs from your mother's era and play that for her?
Take it easy though on that knee, an evening of boogying to hard rock won't do it any good 
No, Anya, kippers aren't obligatory, only for those of us with smoked fish habits I'd have liked to have seen the Eden Project and Lost Gardens myself, but we didn't have time. We managed to fit in Truro, St Ives, Falmouth, Mevagissey and Padstow (my favourite), from our base in Newquay - not bad for a 4 night stay! No sign of Poldark thundering along those lonely cliffs though 
We have just come back from 2 nights in Weston Super Mare - lots of yomping along the beach and prom, of which there are what seemed like many miles. It was good to be in both Cornwall and Somerset at this time of year, when we were sharing the sands with only a couple of dog walkers, and we had a lovely day out in Bath. I was just telling DGS2 that darn Sarf it's known as Barth, to which he looked at me suspiciously and replied that he calls it Bath (Yorkshire to the core!).
Our hotel room in Cornwall had a spectacular view of the sea and a few brave surfers. Our hotel room in Weston had a spectacular view of a corrugated iron flat roof and a rusting fire escape, and was blessed with incredibly old and noisy plumbing. So noisy, in fact, that I got up twice just to check that the clanking and banging wasn't a psycho on the flat roof, trying to break in....
jg, your nostalgic evening sounds delightful.
It sounds like you had a brilliant time in Cornwall maggie but I would give Weston a miss next time ? My DB lives in BA...RTH but up here in the north we still call it BATH - well done your DGS2 ...lol
I think the nostalgic evening was borne of frustration - I needed something to take my mind off (of) things....
It worked but this latest plan is definitely working.....
Having ensured full care for my DM for this week, we have escaped to SW France - where the sun is shining and the montagnes are snow-topped. Bliss.
I have set foot on an aeroplane for the first time in 5 years and it feels great ?? otherwise it takes two days to drive here! We were here in no time at all and I already feel calmer and more relaxed than I have felt in some time...
I am sending some calm vibes to all g/netters who may benefit from them and, of course, especially to the gang of two - Anya and maggie
Hi, jg. So glad you're enjoying a well-deserved guilt-free and challenge-free break
I'm still drinking the damned water and foregoing the late night internet and the chocolate. I'm even saying no to my favourite mocha coffee. But every other treat is up for grabs, so I've just enjoyed a lovely leisurely Italian meal out with the extended family to celebrate DD2's birthday. I was so full of good food and drink I felt able to hold a variety of toddlers and their marshmallow kebabs up to the chocolate fountain (or as DGS1 would have it, the chocolate mountain) without quite succumbing to the urge to drink directly from it.
I hope your weather's holding up. It's been very Spring-like here today. We were at a Thomas the Tank themed event this morning, complete with little trains, donkeys and bouncy castle and it was so much more fun in the sun. Perhaps Winter's shutting up shop at last
Yes, gradually entering the land of the living again. Lots of bugs floating round this part of the world, schools reporting many children off. GD2 diagnosed with strep throat and a couple in her school with scarlet fever. GS3 off school too for nearly a week - unheard of.
It's our House Warming (!) tomorrow. Invited neighbours and family as a way of saying 'thanks' for all their help and support following our fire, just hope I've enough energy to get me through and enough alcohol and food and forks for it to go well
Does anyone remember the episode of the Vicar of Dibbly, with the chocolate fountain, when Dawn French drank directly from it you reminded me of that Maggie
What will she think of next JG? Your DM I mean? I'm quite impressed she can actually remove a dust bag, as I find that quite fiddly myself and usually end up swearing at the thing and have to get DH to do it. But as you say most of it easily sorted
It's true
I hope your housewarming went well, Anya, and yes, I felt the ! was very appropriate in the circumstances! And I'm so pleased you enjoyed your break, jg.
We're just back from a couple of days in London. We went down to see my great niece performing in a Jacobean tragedy at the Rose Theatre (so proud ). I must say that for such a gentle girl, snapping necks, beheading and general bloodlust seemed to come very easy We also went to the Crossbones graveyard in Southwark and the Museum of London to see the exhibits from Scotland Yard's Black Museum, so it's a surprise to me that I slept at all last night....
Chocolate deprivation is kicking in. Good Friday will be hard as it's the only day I can get the family together for Easter and there will be chocolate galore, including an egg hunt. I'll have to keep smiling through gritted teeth for another two days afterwards. The end is in sight though I shall probably be found in a chocolate-induced coma on Sunday, but what a way to go!
I'm going to indulge myself today (without chocolate, unfortunately), as DH has gone off on an RSPB trip (yes, complete with anorak, binoculars, flask and corned beef and beetroot butties - I kid you not). I intend to put my feet up and watch a few of those episodes of Dickensian I recorded a while back. Perhaps start a new jigsaw. #wildchild
What a blood-thirsty few days you've had Maggie but well done your great niece and quite right to feel proud.
The end is indeed in sight chocolate-wise (says she smuggly who hasn't given up anything for Lent) Don't give up now. Have you lost loads of weight???
Yes, the House Warming went very well. We had 24 adults and 6 children and ages from 2 to 86. And five dogs. I ordered loads of party food from M&S but not all if it was there when I went to collect it. The poor manager was going hairless.
But, bless him, he trotted me round the shop with a basket, adding similar items but chucking in extra and then gave me a £25 rebate and a bottle of bubbly. So I came out of it very well . The general consensus is that the nieghbours should all get together more often so we're having another Bash at Christmas. My family (daughter, SiL, son and DiL) were great, answering the door, getting people drinks and moving around 'working' the rooms so no one felt left out. GDs (6 & 4) took the neighbour's 2 year old under their wings and looked after her and GS1 was on 'dog duty' making sure none sneaked out, got trodden on, started fighting or stole any food.
GS3's mission seemed to be to sample the food to make sure it was safe to eat!! He performed his duty like a good 'un!
Phew!! That was a tough day ?
But all's well that ends well and tomorrow is another day etc. etc. ?
Chat 'properly' soon, hope you are all well ...
Night night gang
Oh Anya and maggie - your stories and descriptions of events and people fill me with hope and make me laugh out loud!! Thank you...❤️
Yesterday was an interesting day - the Canarycare system alerted me to the fact that there was no movement recorded from my DM since 5.24.a.m. - this is unusual - trust me!! I waited until around 9.30 (in case she was having a duvet day ) and then got in the car to see for myself... On the way I received a call from DM's church visitor who couldn't gain access... I gave her the key safe code and in she went.. My DM was still in bed (never heard of before in the history of time!!) Anyway, she was fine but very weak and afraid to get out of bed in case she fell over
It's possible that she has had a mini-stroke but after spending the day with her, feeding her and providing gallons of tea - she was very happy when I left her. I saw absolutely no point in involving the medics - what can be done after all ...? other than cause more anxiety ...
I have had a very amusing chat with her today when she teased me unmercifully about how bossy I am .... moi ...?
I will be there early in the morning to 'meet and greet' the a.m. carer (this is all new to her) - I am keeping my fingers very tightly crossed that my DM will be happy with them ....
Normal Monday duties were resumed on my return which meant a sleepover for diva 2 - she is an absolute delight and should be a tonic served up by the NHS - I have no doubt she would improve many people's lives ?
Glad to hear that you are on the mend Anya enjoy the 'free' bubbly, perhaps we can hire GS3 for our next social function ....
Ha ha maggie my DH is an avid photographer so I completely understand the anorak, flask and sandwiches - plus, maybe a tripod or two ...
I am a complete failure on any kind of March challenge - it has passed me by in a flurry - and let's just NOT TALK about chocolate....
April will be better - I promise ???
Night night all
jg, I do hope your mum has been behaving herself keeping well this week. I do sympathise. Your experiences bring back memories of early morning calls from my DMIL's carers a few years back. She had a bed downstairs and an emergency call button on a chain round her neck. She was often to be found waiting patiently for rescue halfway up the stairs, with the toast and cuppa the carers were coming to make. The emergency button would be waiting patiently on her pillow.
No, Anya, pounds have not dropped off me during the great chocolate deprivation. Perhaps because nature abhors a vacuum and this one was filled by crisps....
Not long to go now though till I can tear into those Easter eggs.... I have a quiet Sunday and Monday coming up, earmarked for important household tasks such as watching the last 10 episodes of Dickensian and the whole series of The Night Manager. Before then we have DGS3's first birthday party at DS's tomorrow, and everyone round at ours tomorrow for the day. Which reminds me, I'd better get out of bed now and channel my inner Mary Berry
Happy Easter, gang!
I just don't have an inner Mary Berry to channel everything I make baking-wise (bar scones - for some reason I can make the most wonderful scones ) is a total disaster! But I know what you mean about nature abhorring a vacuum
I wonder if we'll be the same as these older ladies. I can just picture myself half way up the stairs is a stair where I sit clutching a G & T cup of tea and a piece of toast. Sounds about right to me 
Yes, hope DM is behaving herself JG
I'll sign off now as GS1 & GS3 and their Jack Russell and miniature dachshund puppy (10 weeks) have just arrived and are staying over till Saturday and things are getting a touch out of hand!!
Speak soon
Just popping in to say that I'm sacking the inner Mary Berry. My leek and mushroom tart has a soggy bottom and will have to be scraped in lumps out of the tin, my lemon drizzle hasn't drizzled and is just perched on top of the buns and my hard-boiled eggs haven't dyed. There are pools of coloured water on every surface and I'm having to abandon ship to go fetch the ground almonds I forgot to buy for the almond cake. I guess I can't blame Mary for all of it, but someone should pay, don't you think? DH wants to count himself lucky he's down t'allotment.
That G & T you mention sounds tempting, Anya
I found your post strangely reassuring Maggie and very familiar!
I'm totally whacked having has GSs (9 & 5) and their Jack Russell and dachshund puppy since yesterday morning and still have almost 24 hours to go.
So far Jack Russell has escaped through hedgehog hole into next door's garden and wouldn't come back so GS (9) had to go and ask for his dog back 'please'. Puppy has peed everywhere and howled for 30 minutes last night before eventually going to sleep. GS (5) locked himself in downstairs loo and I had to ask my neighbour to help me take door off to realise him and GS (9) was sick just as I was supposed to drive to station to collect DH who has managed to escape all this been visiting his sister up north.
Plus my old dog has been poorly and might have to lose so eye, so been dragging him plus GSs (can hardly leave them home alone) to vet daily and it's costing me a small fortune in vet bills.
In the plus side GS (5) was in ecstasy over having cabbage with his meal, scoffed the lot and wanted seconds and the Easter egg nests we made turned out very well, which is probably why GS (9) was sick. And I've made a compilation of soothing music to play to puppy tonight in the hope she'll settle better. ?
Can I come and help out with your DM please JG ?
Well I'm certainly not channelling an inner Mary Berry - I mistakenly put bicarb instead of baking powder into the g/f easter-type cake at the weekend?- it was made all the worse by the fact that my MIL witnessed the whole thing?
Still my DM loved it and once I covered it with mini eggs and raspberries and I had imbibed a couple of even I thought it looked better ...LOL
maggie DM wears her pendant around her neck - also she attaches her keys, her rosary beads and a 'holy' charm - she's barely 4'10" tall and very fragile - goodness knows how she manages to move as well....?
I hope you have managed to round up all the DGC and the doggies Anya and that you have some 'quiet time' to recover. How is Murphy....?
I had to smile about the cabbage and GS (5). Diva 2 came for lunch on Sunday and I had prepared the green beans which were sitting in a colander ready to cook - every time she passed she took a bean. I asked her if she would like some of her easter egg and she said "no thanks Grandma - but please can I have some beans" strange child....?
We had lovely G&T tonight to celebrate DH's birthday (I won't tell his age but just think clickety-click ) He is becoming quite the gin connoisseur so I found a lovely pink gin for a gift ? It was very, very nice with a fever-tree tonic! I also bought the tickets for the Carole King concert at Hyde Park in July so all in all - a lucky man - but he's well worth it ?
I think I'm off for an early night and a read of my book - it's the personal terrorist tomorrow so I need to prepare ?????? March has been a complete failure in terms of achievement - I can only hope April will be better......?
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »
