September Dryathlon

Oops Anya hope I didn't offend using the word 'mut' to describe snugly Murphy - it's just how we always described our much loved and missed springer spaniel

Bless you roses - sorry to hear that DH is not feeling so good .... sometimes when we have so much to do for others - we can forget those closest to us and not always recognise when they need support .... I am guilty of this I know I admire your tenacity in making not just one but TWO yule logs - I confess to having put a yule log on my shopping list!! I have made fruit christmas cakes for many years now - but sadly, not this year.....
I do think we expect such a lot of ourselves in this festive season - trying so hard to please everyone, be organised, buy the perfect gifts etc. etc.... personally I'll be glad when the day arrives - it's too late to change things then ... and I'm looking forward to a few of these ...LOL

Maggie what a brilliant time you've had - I've 'lived' every minute of your trip and recognised many of the places you've described - you've made lovely memories with your DD's xxx
Just to say DH was seen wandering around in a t-shirt this morning - this very strange weather has been with us here also.... it feels weird! All gang members will be looking for your marathon entry in 2016 - we can't help but be impressed with your step count..... So sorry your return journey was such a come down.... it's often the way

Anya well done with the walk with the mut - how lovely to have DS so close that you can pop in for a coffee... I'll be glad when DD moves closer and I can do the same...
I have to confess to being a 'smoker' in my earlier years and when you mentioned those tobacco odours - I was inhaling disgusted ...!!

Ana I'm so glad you said that about Christmas Day - I have been thinking exactly the same for weeks now - but I kind of feel that I have gained a day but not really.....
Thank you to you and Anya for understanding on whingey post - it is really difficult at times but there is always humour to be found, I was just tired and a bit grumpy I'm over myself now ...

Hope you enjoyed your neighbourly drink Anya and hope you enjoyed the carol concert - from a 'good catholic girl' (lapsed) - I love Christmas carols...

DH and I have enjoyed a quieter weekend than normal - plenty of time to prepare guest bedrooms for Christmas, lunch for 10 on 23rd, lunch for 8 on 25th and 40th birthday celebrations for DS on 26th - can't wait ...
Night night all

After my last posting on here I went off and made the Yule Log.DH said it was too nice to give away , so made another one this afternoon for DGS1.
Though ' I say it as shouldn't' they did look very yummy.
Yes, Anya I have been feeling my age a bit lately, it comes and goes.
Well, Christmas is nearly upon us, the house is looking festive, the turkey is in the freezer, the cards all sent, the presents mainly wrapped ( smug mode)
What could go wrong.?....?
maggie how do you manage all those steps in one day ( my annual amount.)

We've had another lovely day wandering around Montmartre and Pigalle, eating moules and marzipan dates and drinking citron presse - no alcohol today, we need to make up for the last two evenings! We're now sitting in what my DD1 has dubbed the world's most boring airport - I must agree that our terminal is not good. Hardly any shops, no decorations or music or places to eat, and huge queues for security (understandable though these are ). Eating a meal deal on a hard chair with a draught whistling round my nether regions is a bit of a come down. Oh, and we bumped into a conman at Gare du Nord who tried to take our money and give us invalid tickets at the ticket machine. He was given very short shrift!

Anyway, onward and upward and en route for Christmas! I managed over 12000 steps today and am staying at DD2's tonight to look after DGS2 tomorrow. I'm looking forward to one of his speciality leg cuddles!

Not silly at all, Anya, a lot of atheists enjoy them too!

jg you are entitled to have a whingey post whenever you like! It must be very difficult for you (and your Mum) but I'm sure you'll have a good Christmas despite everything.

Maggie I can almost feel the Gallic atmosphere myself from your description - lovely! And so many steps...

You're all putting me to shame in the energy and steps department, but at least I've got the presents wrapped (except for one that I forgot about) and can't do much more now until I buy the veg etc. during the week.

I think my brain is finally giving up - for weeks now I've been thinking Christmas day was on the Thursday and it was only when I checked the bin collection schedule that I realised...oh dear, there is probably no hope for me

Those Gitanes and Gauloises certainly have a pong odour that lingers and gets into your eyes Maggie but it's one of those truly Parisienne smells, along with good coffee and traffic fumes ??

Well done on the marathon

Sounds like you're feeling your age Roses? Doesn't help if DH is too and is 'down' - hope he picks up soon ?????

Just come back from a warm and sunny dog walk in the park, swung by DS's house for an impromptu coffee which was good and managed to clock up 5,600 steps which will do for today.

Hoping Ann60 is all right as we've not heard from her lately. And likewise Ana and JG

Been invited next door for a drink later on and might pop to the church at the end of the road for a carol service this evening. Isn't it silly that an agnostic can enjoy a good carol?

Well, fellow dryathlons, we have walked nearly 22000 steps today!! This despite spending hours on the batobus and using the Metro, so you can see that we've covered a lot of ground. Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Tuilleries, Notre Dame, Ile de St Louis, several Christmas Markets, several detours when we got lost and/or left belongings in cafes, and back to our Montmartre base for a lovely meal and drinks. We're now back at the hotel with sore eyes and reeking of smoke - from the Parisians, not us!

I feel for those of you feeling the heat now as Christmas rushes towards us. I'm going to be just the same once we get home. But for now, I'm going to enjoy the last self-indulgent day away from it all.

It's so mild here, we've been sitting outside with coats off - how weird is that?!

Yes, great pic, somebody must be doing something extremely funny just off camera??
Busy time of year for us all, and although I have more stuff that I should be getting on with, find that I just can't be bothered with it all after dinner in the evening, my energy is gone by then.Looked after DGS1 this afternoon, and he wanted to know if I could see him again tomorrow ( asked hopefully) and I felt rather mean saying no.What he doesn't realise is that I am as old again as his own mother, and get tired!I don't think our daughters even realise this fact.
DH isn't all that well ( nothing serious) but I need to give him a bit of care and attention as he is feeling down.Have to make a large Yule Log tomorrow for DGS1 which is another time consuming job.
A woman's work is never done!?

That's good to hear Ana

What a joyous picture, Anya - thanks for that, it's made my day!

Thank you for your lovely card JG - could have had a nap but sleep wouldn't come Don't apologise if you are feeling helpless and share that. We all need to tell it 'as it is' sometimes and feel we can do that, safely, on this thread X

I know this isn't a Christmas theme, but this just made me and I hope it will do the same for you all.

Oh yikes Anya - 5.30a.m.!!! Any chance of little snooze later - when dgd's have gone ...? But I love thatMurphy wanted to snuggle with them

Sorry - that was a bit of a whingey post last night Tiredness is my excuse and a feeling of helplessness - today is a new day - onwards and upwards - a quiet weekend is planned, a chance to catch up and spend quality time with dh, maybe a run/walk as well
Thank you Anya - your words always help
Maggie have a great day - so many fond memories of Paris at this time of the year - enjoy your dd's as well - impressive stepping
Have a for me xx
Anya enjoy a , I think I'll join you

Been up since 5.30am after hearing giggles from GD's room (they were staying over last night) but it transpired it wasn't their fault. Murphy (dog) had gone walkabouts during the night and found their room. He's too old to jump up any more but kept trying. And trying. Until his huffs and puffs woke them up, whereupon the oldest (6) managed to lift him onto the bed. ??

So that was goodbye to any hope of them 'sleeping in'

Oh dear JG this is all starting to sound sadly familiar. I remember MiL getting up in the middle of the night, getting dressed and trying to open the front door. When questioned she thought it was time for the minibus for day care and she was planning to wait outside for it to arrive. Your DH sounds like a tower of strength and a great support. You so need a man like that around at times like this.

Sorry to read about the glandular fever

Enjoy your sightseeing Maggie and the company

Having to surrender my iPad now to GD1 will catch up later.

Thank you for asking Anya - my dm remembered a few bits and then almost immediately forgot him .... they don't meet very often so I can understand her confusion .. but still

Today dm's gs and family visited and all went well..... I arrived earlier with a packed lunch so dm didn't have to bother about that and the Young'un's were absolutely fab!!! DM loved seeing them all but didn't really understand it all.... She liked seeing dgs because he has hugs just like ds1 - I enjoyed them too We (dh and I) stayed on and cleaned up, shopped, sorted and generally returned her life to normal

I called dm this evening around 6.30 and she was confused - did she live there? was somebody coming to lock her in...? Who were all those people today ...?
It's difficult - family want to visit, they think it helps (and it does), but because they don't see my mum very often - they have little idea of how she REALLY is....
When I spoke to her at 6.30 - she was in bed because she thought it was night time... somebody had locked her in her room ... I was going away on holiday..... ???? I had seen her just a few hours before ((so, so))
Tomorrow could well be very different and she is inhabiting my world once again ...who knows....?

I have to thank my dh - he is my rock - my dm calls him her 3rd son - he is the one there who 'fixes' 'mends' 'saves' us all xxxxxx

On a much more positive note - my dm is with us for Christmas and will spend time with my ds and his dd, my dd and her dd - and us!!! it will be a precious time when we can all share time, memories and fun - enhanced by my dm's sense of humour

On a much, much more positive note - my ds and dd have just accepted new job offers - I hope they will make a difference .... (((really, really need a better choice of emoticons)))

My precious diva1 has just been diagnosed with glandular fever ... her mummy had the same at around 9 years old - a couple of years earlier than dgd ...

I am planning a quiet weekend - well, that really means catch-up time to prepare for ... the BIG day... oh and I have a lunch party for 10 on 23rd....

Maggie - hope you are having a fabulous time in Paris - is there any other...?

Steps today ... 5,258 ... every cloud eh.....?
Are any of us thinking of NY resolutions ...? There you go.... NOW I'VE SAID IT... [tchgrin ]

Good wishes to the whole gang......
Night night

I am having a fabulous time with my girls, thank you all! We are based in Montmartre and have a bijou fifth storey room with a balcony from which we have a view of all the bars and shops and Christmas lights on Abbesses. I have done nearly 13000 steps today and probably consumed as many calories in crepes, cider and red wine. We have now all taken us to bed in anticipation of a long day sightseeing tomorrow, though I must point out that we are an hour in the future now - we would not be retiring before 11pm.

Goodnight all!

Ana I always thought that when I've sold houses in the past, but it only happened the once when their chain broke down. Best put it out of your mind if possible and get stressed about Christmas instead

I'm feeling too oddly relaxed about it this year, which is enough to start me getting stressed because I ought to be am usually by now

Hope Maggie is enjoying Paris.

Ann how have you got on with your pedometer? I only managed 4206 today, and that was at a doddle, but never mind. There's always tomorrow.

How's things with your DM JG - any sense that's she's starting to remember your brother?

Just a quickie before ... So sorry to hear your thoughts on the house Ana - but it is Christmas and things do tend to slow down on anything that is not 'christmassy' Hopefully the purchasers will get to grips with it all when the festive season is over and done with and 2016 will offer a brand new start for you.....

Pottering is good .... anything that distracts from the unhelpful things that invade our mind space ...
...Really?? in a fortnight it will be another year ... I need to get a 2016 'to do list' on the go ....

Anya - socks are always needed Puts me in mind of dh who - on receiving THREE ties for Christmas when he was just 6 years old!!! (this was back in the 50's) apparently opened the third tie and uttered "oh no not another bloody tie" - his mother was mortified ...
Great to hear that work has started on the house ... YAY!!!
Not so sure about red, amber, green flashing lights on the scales - I can barely work out when I need to cross the road -
Night night all

Good to hear all your news, yes enjoy your break, Maggie, and glad to hear your house is getting a good dose of TLC Anya, also that you've fallen in love with your new scales!

Such a sweet thing for your Mum to say about babysitting, jg, but it must be upsetting for both her and you when she knows she's confused... I'm sure this Christmas will be very precious.

Am in limbo about the house sale - no one seems to know what's going on and I've got an awful feeling the purchasers are going to pull out...I feel so sorry for the lady whose bungalow I'm supposed to be buying, she isn't well and was pinning her hopes on this going through.

I've more or less given up on step-counting for the moment, I seem to spend too much time pottering and not enough proper exercise.

Still, tomorrow is another day, and in a fortnight it'll be another year!

Paris I love Paris!

Have a great time Maggie as you deserve a lovely break, and with your DD too. You DGS2's reaction to his gift reminded me of last Christmas when one of my gifts to DGS3 (then aged 4) was two pairs of socks (I had bought him other gifts too) he put one pair on immediately and with what appeared to be genuine delight said 'thank you nana, they are lovely'

Strange child!

Oh JG that's very sad. Your poor mum, and your brother must be devastated as I expect she has been acting confused around him?? Perhaps she will come to recognise him if he's going to be around a bit longer? Dementia is a very strange condition as there can be days when people can be almost back to their old self. Make the most of this Christmas (((hugs))) I'm thinking there are difficult decisions which may need to be made in the new year.

I'm guessing no news is good news Ana ??

Managed 8000 and no - it helps that work has started on our house. All upstairs bedrooms stripped of wallpaper and walls sealed. Looks like the plans for our new kitchen gave been approved (X fingers) so am feeling a bit more positive today.

I've noticed the new scales flashing at me and just worked out what it means, I think 'green' is good and 'amber' is ..not had a red flash.

Awww bless you maggie such a big kind heart and clearly everyone loves you - have the best time with your lucky dd's in Paris (I love Paris at this time of the year) you deserve a treat
Christmas lunch will happen - as long as you have wine what you don't have won't matter - trusting it's not a fast day for you

I had a giggle about your dgs'2's Santa gift - we took both dg's to visit Santa on Saturday - one got a fab big marble game whilst the other - a committed LEGO fan - was given a cheap and trashy fake version of Lego.... Anyway, after a long chat about how lots of children get nothing etc. etc.. it will be going towards a local toy collection to provide those who have so little at this time of the year. An excellent lesson for her and it triggered her care for others and has led to both gd's having a big 'clear-out' of unwanted toys to donate to others..... I love those girlies sooooo..... much (((heart emoticon)))

A long chat today with my mum who confessed that she didn't always know who had been staying in her house with her for the last 3 days - it was her youngest son To be fair she doesn't see him that often - tomorrow her gs and family are visiting - she hasn't a clue who they are I will be there at the same time to help her enjoy this visit as much as possible. Thank goodness she will be with us for Christmas (she still recognises us) and our dc and dgc will be here too - I feel it will be a precious time.....

Still managing to reach steps target - some days a few more - depends on where I manage to land park the car when on the school run.....

Hope all is well with you lovely gang - Ana - are you looking forward to that house move..
Such fun now - wrapping presents for diva1 and diva2

xxx

Thank you, Anya, my life is still manic very fulfilling and I'm enjoying it to the utmost. Which is not what I said earlier this evening when I'd just about completed a big online Sainsburys order for next week, their website/my computer died on me and I thought (wrongly) that I'd lost the lot. A lot of pathetic wailing and whinging ensued - I'm off to Paris early on Friday morning with my DDs, back on Sunday night, then staying at DD2's till Monday evening to look after DGS2....and I'm starting to panic about Christmas, as I'm hosting it for the family this year. Then I remember and shake myself, it's only one day, and breathe.....

I went into Verucca Salt mode again just now when I poured gel detergent into my washing machine instead of fabric conditioner and had to clean the dispenser out. I'm off to bed now before I break my fast day and take to the gin (I've already broken the no screens just before bed rule, haven't I?).

jg, your mother is so sweet, and your story about the babysitting brought a tear to my eye. I'd already cried when listening to "Anya*'s song this morning. It's been a funny old day.

A quick step report - I managed the target by walking DGS2 to and from his toddler group party very slowly. He was miffed when Santa gave him a book - "But I thought it was a toy" quoth he thrice, indignantly (and very loudly). And he loves his books!

So true Anya - and you're right about my DM being that person once - her concern and care for others is still uppermost in her mind - I hope this unpleasant illness doesn't take that from her too It's certainly failing to dent her enthusiasm and her sense of humour so far
If I thought I could be half the person she is - I'd be happy
Definitely time for now....

Ah bless your DM JG - no matter the circumstances that was a kind offer, and it's good that she feels herself to be that responsible adult that she once doubtless was. Scary, but good that she doesn't realise her inadequacies

That could be me or us in a few years

I try to keep my 'children' (44 & 43) guessing, by occasionally doing something or saying something which challenges their stereotypes of 'mother' and 'elderly women'. I had a wonderfully shocked response (MOTHER!!) from DS when I posted something rather risqué on FB recently.

on the other hand perhaps they think I'm developing that Old Timers Disease

Managed 8500 steps and knee holding up. Roll on the Christmas holidays and no school run

Good luck programming your tanita tomorrow Ann it's not difficult, but we're here if you get stuck. Hope life is still wonderfully hectic busy and fulfilling Maggie and your house sale continues to tick along smoothly Ana.

So it just remains to wish roses adieu and I'm off to in a few minutes.

I need to check out my scales now Anya - they have a lot of fancy settings on them and a detachable bit that you hold on to which gives other body measurements.... to be honest I tend to jump on and off them rather quickly and then run away ... fast...

A lovely afternoon yesterday - diva 2 was completely successful in fooling a lot of people into believing she was an angel - seriously though - very proud GP's and mummy - all the children were delightful

I'm all for upping the street cred - don't know about impressing a 16 year-old - I'd be happy to impress the 6 & 7-year olds

It's been a busy week so far but before I wander off to my bed here's a little story involving my DM. Leaving her on Monday afternoon to meet some friends for dinner - she looked at me and said "you know whenever you want to go out, I'll baby sit for you" - I very gently reminded her that the children are now 38 & 39 her response went like this - "well I know that but they still need a responsible adult around" Bless her - we definitely need a (((love))) emoticon
She is very much enjoying time with my younger brother who is staying for a few days
Hope all is going well with everyone - maggie, roses, Ana Ann

goodnight all

So hang on in there and keep shaking their stereotypes!