Soop' s warm and welcoming kitchen.

Thank you Grannyqueenie for that information. Are there cycle tracks around it do you know? I need to get into training!! ?

And thanks everyone for the kind remarks of my descriptive prose. Part of my MA in art history was visual analysis and it helped me to not only stand and stare but to really, really really look. The skill has been transferred to everyday life and has enriched it beyond my imagination (no pun intended!) The fact that several have said they find my descriptions uplifting is wonderful.

Very cold here today with an attempt at snow. I even had a coat and hat on!! A brief foray to the Christmas markets then home to a warm fire, great music and next - a good read. CH (current husband) is cooking dinner, a mention of toads and holes I think. I have also been presented with a very welcome G&T with a slice of lemon dancing slowly in the bottom of the glass.

Soop I hope Tabitha returns soon and yes I know how much you will still miss Rory. "Velvet paw" lovely.

'Spect I cannot phone a lot of friends tonight as apparently its the dancing final. Anyway, sleep well all and may tomorrows dawn return again. ?

Glad you have taken leave if the problem tooth, Corner and are comfortable???.
Unbelievably cold at cross country today and the boys put up a good performance but I don’t think any of them enjoyed it as much as they usually do. The wind was bitter, the ground was frozen and GS said it was very hard on the legs (they like a bit of mud!). He is now curled up on my sofa with us two old fogies watching Lord of the Rings, having helped Grandad to put up and decorate the Christmas tree and eaten a good dinner. Tommorrow we have to get him to junior footie for ten, so no lie in for us - again! Good job he’s worth it!
Soop I hope Tabitha comes back to her cosy lodgings. Fingers crossed! I am another who can’t resist fiddling with the tree decorations once it is up! I’ll give it a couple of days....
Well, I will wish you all a peaceful evening and a pleasant tomorrow!

Evening All. I’m here gaga, been dozing for most of the day.

I was truly amazed this morning, the oral consultant was thoughtful and gentle in approach, the injections uncomfortable rather than painful and the tooth popped out relatively quickly. Now, why was I worried , . I’m weary and it’s all a bit swollen but only a little hamster like. Phew. I’m sure the good wishes and healing vibes from the kitchen along with Mr C’s promise of a sticker if I was brave carried me through.

It’s been a foul day here, blowing and non stop horizontal rain. Yuck. Shame about your carol singing gaga, sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate at all.

Tree and computer sorted, that’s a result maw. The children will love the tree, hope the sleepover is a well, sleeping one .

We’re visitor free now until Christmas Eve when a friend joins us for a few days. Sort of a relief to have the space. Lots I could do with it, suspect I won’t though .

Your granddaughter is superb morethan, caring and normal at the same time.

Hope you didn’t freeze and the young man enjoyed the experience. greyd, home in the warm this evening seems a really good plan.

We often surprise ourselves I think synonymous, we can do more than we think. Good for you but I do hope you’ve left some wriggle room in the plans, some down time now and again is no bad thing.

I’m sure Tabitha will be back soop, she will appreciate the comfort. My theory is that tree decorations move when I’m not looking, I was faffing with our sitting room tree yesterday, all just as I wanted and then this morning somehow not .

Not allowed my usual Saturday glass of dry white this evening but chocolate is not in the forbidden list so it will be feet up here with chocolate and Strictly

Take care everyone, stay warm and try not to get blown away.

It is very thoughful of you anno to mention the coastal Granspals. A rip-roaring wind. Lashings of rain. Not as bad as we'd feared.

Gaga A great shame that the carol singing on the quay had to be postponed. Best wait for more suitable weather.
I agree with your thoughts on teeth. I am also sending healing vibes to corner .

I have decorated our twiggy tree. Photos shared with you lot tomorrow. As per usual...some of the decorations opted to turn themselves around, leaving the right side facing in...and the backside facing out. Anyone know why this happens year in, year out?

Tabitha hasn't stopped by at the chalet-diner for a week. We air the inside mat every day. The food is also changed so that it doesn't lose it's flavour. This used to happen when Rory first visited our garden. He would go off some place else for longish spells. Naturally, once he knew that his supper was going to be a regular treat, he moved into the chalet. And then...he moved in with us and ruled us with a velvet paw. We miss him VERY much.

Time to say farewell. I'm looking forward ro sitting beside the log fire and musing over which tree decorations to tiddle with.

Stay warm and safe.

What a lousy day it is! Now it's dark and I have been out three times to pick up overturned bins. Didn't matter about the garden one as it's empty but the recycling bin is full but I'll have to wait till it all calms down before I risk my neck going to clear up.
I hope you all survive this atrocious weather which must be worse for people like you Panache and Scoop on the coast
OMG I've just heard another crash from outside. What next?

Hope corner is tucked away in a cosy nook of the kitchen, nursing her sore face after the dental ordeal this morning. I can't spot her though so hope she is OK.

Teeth were badly designed in my view. They cause trouble to babies when coming, toothache for many and trouble for we older end when wearing out or going.

What a foul weather day we have had. My choir's carol singing on the quay of our small harbour town had to be cancelled due to the heavy rain and strong winds. Such a shame as we normally entertain quite a crowd and the MP and Mayor turn up too. The unique Christmas tree we sing around, is made from lobster pots. Not this year though. The weather has beaten us. Hey ho.

Looking forward to the Strictly final this evening. I suppose we all have our favourite - mine is Faye. I think she is a beautiful, elegant dancer.

Go safely, anyone who has to be on the road. Luckily we are hunkered down indoors for the weekend.

Charleyg

soop I wear and own zilch else, I would not know the difference.

By the way, I am wearing my "huffle-buffs". Old, scruffy clothes that are perfect for lounging around.

It is time for me to catch up with several jobs aboot the hoos. Yesterday was a crazy day. I shall therefore knuckle down and play at being organised. Should that be organised or organized? Back with you all a little later.

Right! Where did my last night farewell and disappear to? Granted, I used the Kindle...What on earth do I not do? Bah! Humbug! Buggerations aplenty!

Okay, having got that lot off my chest, I wish you all a cosy Saturday. The weather here in Kintyre is blustery and wet. It certainly isn't a day for bustling round the shops for last minute gifts. I'm thankful for that.

I have enjoyed all your photographs. Thank you.

corner Your post was all inclusive.

Synonymous I would so love to have Smokie board with us. She would have the very best of attention.
Your post was beautifully written. Wishing you you both a safe journey and trusting that your careful planning reaps dividends.

Maw Your tree is lovely. I am also a fiddler when it comes to placing the ornaments just so. Do you find that tree hangings have a weird way of turning arse aboot face? Or is it just me? [mm]

morethan Your granddaughter's touching comments made me smile. Bless her. On one occasion my son suggested to his at the time small children, that they forego some of their gifts and donate to the charity that buys a cow for the poor in Africa. There was an awfully long silence. Heads nodded. The message made a certain amount of impact. After careful deliberation, it was agreed that they would donate half a cow and for their charitable gesture be rewarded with gifts in the usual way. All very iffy.

Greyduster You deserve a gold medal each for braving the elements and giving much appreciated support to your grandson. I wish him well.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=THcbQyFtCqg

Here you are -today’s ear worm!

It is a strange thing how 'when you must then you find you can' because, in a funny sort of way, I seem to have turned the clock back for me in some respects as I am feeling much more in control and my planning ability seems to be returning

Good point synonymous and I hope it can help you to know that you are coping wonderfully (until DH starts interfering! )
Just think of the pleasure when you get to DD’s and hum “Driving home for Christmas” as you go. Safe journeys!

Just popping in to see how everyone is and to leave some calorie free mince pies.
What lovely photos, pretty decorations, gorgeous and cuddly little ones and lovely words. I did feel a bit emotional looking at all the decorated trees in the church photo in the light of our not having done anything at all - but DD will have everything beautifully done and there won't be anything to 'undo' when we return home which is a blessing.
Thank you for all the supportive posts we both appreciate them so much. It is indeed such a blessing I love to drive although I have to confess that sometimes I want to get in the car and drive as fast as I can away from all the 'complications' - but then they do tend to come with you don't they! Anyway, before we get to the tootling phase with all the bells and whistles on departure day, I have to deliver poor little Smokie to the cattery, get my hair done while Himself is parked in the coffee shop, have our pre-booked lunch (main meal of the day) at our favourite restaurant in our nearest big town and then get half way along the road to our hotel for the night. Just praying that I haven't over organised everything as then there can be pressure to be where you have to be. On the other hand I can't leave stuff to chance anymore.
It is a strange thing how 'when you must then you find you can' because, in a funny sort of way, I seem to have turned the clock back for me in some respects as I am feeling much more in control and my planning ability seems to be returning. I was a bit taken aback when the old friend who came to stay a couple of weeks ago told me that she found me 'intimidating' when we first met so I really must make sure that it doesn't take me over!
Well, you lovely lot, don't work too hard, keep warm (no icicles on noses please!) and be kind to yourselves! xx

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Feeling a bit happier about my tree now I have “fiddled” with it!

Can anybody spot a bit of a theme?

Hello the kitchen. It is bloomin’ cold here - our heating kicked in very early.
morethan that was a bitter sweet conversation with your little one, but I’m sure you knew she’d change her mind! From the photo you posted she looks a real sweetie.
Gq loves the photos. The Christmas tree festival sounds wonderful - there was one at DD’s local church last year but they don’t seem to be doing it this year. Glad your blood pressure is looking better. Sensible nurse. At least you haven’t got to keep trekking back and forth to the surgery now.
corner fingers crossed for you dentist visit. Take it easy today.
Maw when I was setting up my new iPhone I got into a bit of a mess, and as you say, Apple were brilliant and the young chap I spoke to as brilliant and mega patient.
Nannytopsy that’s a very sweet photo!
We had a nice leisurely lunch with my best friend yesterday. I made chicken and mushroom pie and strawberry flan. She has been very ill the last few years and she is looking so much better now and even putting on a bit of weight, after going down to seven stones and looking positively skeletal.

We must be quite mad. We are going to watch GS run in his last cross country of the year this morning, at a venue on the edge of the Peak District, so I will have to look out some really warm togs as it will be freezing up there (it’s freezing down here!!). He is coming for an overnight tonight and I hope they bring him early as snow is forecast this afternoon - depending on which weather forecast you look at!
I will look in later - with icicles hanging off my nose probably!

Sweet photo Nannytopsey my little grandson suffers from glue ear. He once asked me to put my ear next to his asking “can you ear that whishy noise Nanna?” Obviously poor little mite had tinnitus. It normally improves as they grow but it’s horrible for them at the time. Snoring often goes with it so I hope your sleep wasn’t disturbed. My DiL has rallied a little but there’s no news about how her more serious health problems are or she’s not telling. I wouldn’t put that past her. She’d worry about spoiling Christmas for us. My youngest granddaughter wondered if Father Christmas could make mummy better. I told her nope he can’t do that, can he make her hair grow then? Nope, how about bring her a wig? Me “No he only brings presents for little children” her reply with a huffy shrug “Well I don’t want anything from him then” storms off disgusted. Next day “Nanna I’ve changed my mind I do want presents” You’ve gotta laugh. I haven’t had time to scroll back so I’ve probably missed lots of your news. Take care all.

Grannyqueenie I know Swinsty reservoir. Have enjoyed walking there many times.

So much seems to go on when I’m not paying attention!
Clearly a goodish day for some and less goodish for others!
I am happy to report that I must have stuck the right cables back in the right holes and the big computer seems to be fine.
I agree about Apple support, they are amazing . You email them and they ring back within 5 minutes and talk you through whatever technonumpty problem you have. They were also very kind and patient in the Apple shop where the hard drive was replaced, having apparently packed up. Fortunately Paw had connected up an external hard drive which automatically backs everything up so all they had to do was transfer the contents to the new one and nothing has been lost, pictures, files, etc.
Other than that I have achieved very little.
Book group Christmas lunch today so that took care of 3 1/2 hours! Then I wrestled the Christmas tree into a holder, not without difficulty as I don’t think the bottom has been cut straight or else the trunk isn’t. Shoulder v painful after that and not helped by a few trips up and down from the loft with tree decorations and lights.
It’s done, and OK but my heart was not in it and I honestly feel if the children and grandchildren were not coming I would not have bothered.
(And with my German background, that is heresy for me.)
Even a couple of glasses of TiaMaria - in the absence of Baileys- did not help.
The little ones are coming for a “sleepover” tomorrow night and I have Ovenu due at 8 am tomorrow morning. So no lie ins for a few days

Evening All. Flipping cold here. We’ve got eldest and one granddaughter overnight, Fortunately only breakfast needed. It will be a diy for them as t-day requires me to be at the dentist at 8.45. Thank you for your good wishes charley and panache. Mr C has promised me a sticker if I’m brave .

Not sure where to begin. The kitchen is a whirlwind. Goodness, nannyt, sounds as if the little lad needs a hug and also a volume control. Those children look as if butter wouldn’t melt. Hope you get some sleep.

Good news about your bp grannyq, your Christmas tree festival sounds and looks wonderful. Lovely images.

Hope tomorrow is a better day soop, you don’t need two difficult ones in a row. I’m sorry about your neighbour, another worry for you.

That view sounds amazing izabella, an uplifting start to the day.

Hope the computer has given in now maw, I’m sure you know this but if you need them the Apple help line has some very patient and knowledgeable people at the end. I think I’m on first name terms with them all .

You’ve had some difficult stuff to face synonymous, please look after yourself as well as your husband and be careful on the roads. Wish I liked driving now, it’s a necessity rather than a pleasure for me.

That scooter could have been fun charley, if you decide to have a go don’t forget the crash hat .

Nottingham sounds just what the doctor ordered ann, I’m delighted for you

Hooe the internet is restored quickly kitty, flipping nuisance without it.

Well, I’m bound to have missed someone, or several someones, so apologies as ever. Off to sleep now. Take care everyone.

Aaahhh?

Is there anything quite as loud as a 5 year old with glue ear?!
Bless him, his grommets have fallen out! He is determined to sleep in my bed tonight, so lucky old Grandpa gets the spare bed to himself! Little sister not so fussy!

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It’s a bit further north than that Izabella Swinsty Reservoir in Yorkshire, a favourite spot of ours. The morning view from your window sounded stunning, no wonder it lifted your spirits. I could feel myself reaching for my camera as I read your description! I’m glad to hear your spirits have been lifted too dragonfly, hopefully you can now enjoy the festive season knowing a treatment plan is in hand for the new year.

Well the nurse practitioner I saw today is not overly worried about my BP. She has given me a monitor to use at home before seeing her again in January and hopefully that’ll be the end of it.

I spent this morning welcoming folk to the Christmas Tree Festival at our church. 40 trees donated by the local garden centre and each beautifully decorated by different charities. A choir from one of the junior schools were singing this morning, they raised a few smiles with their very enthusiastic Christmas renderings.

maw, hope you’re getting on with the techy mysteries. My son assures me “cable management” is key in these matters but unfortunately never seems to have the time or patience to explain to his daft slow learning mother what exactly it is I need to “manage” and how. If you don’t reappear I’ll know you’ve completely tied yourself up in knots!

synonomous you have amazing stamina and organisational skills in the midst of all that’s going on with your husbands health. I hope you’re able to relax too.

I love your way with words Izabella. Do you write stories or do you just enjoy writing? Envy!

Dragonfly what is the reindeer wearing then???