What I did today

Enjoyed my afternoon as a Coram Beanstalk volunteer in an infant school. Spending time with children and books is always a pleasure.
On the way home I did a little shopping. The discount store unexpectedly had exactly the yoghurts I normally buy at full price. The independent greengrocer had fresh parsley and a good range of UK grown apples and plums.
And the torrential rain of the past few days seems to have blown over!

Some lovely days on this thread.

I planted up loads of crocus bulbs under my apple tree with my youngest daughter then we had lunch. After she went home, I listened to the audiobook of Mary Beard's 'Pompeii' (highly recommended) while I sorted my husband's non-Braille paperwork, which was a bit of a Sisyphean task as loads of letters arrived for him just when I thought I'd finished. Not onerous, but one of those 'must hurry up and get round to it' jobs.

Annie that is so wonderful for you. I know how much you have missed your family. I hope this is the start of better things for you x.

I took my mum flowers and a card for her 99th birthday today. She was thrilled then promptly fell asleep!
Picked up some shoes I had ordered, had my hair cut, walked with a friend and sorted her ESTA out for her trip to the US.

Well Anniebach you not only had a good day yourself yesterday you must have done the sun dance for my homecoming to north Wales today - lovely blue skies greeted us as we stepped off the train after seeing grey skies when we’d landed in Manchester earlier.

I’ve been catching up with all post/paperwork that inevitably waits after holidays and neighbours have popped in to welcome us back - there will be wine & catch up this weekend regardless of the weather!

Lovely news Annie. Today I went for a pub lunch with DH - fish and chips and a glass of Pino Grigio for me.

Annie, what a lovely thing to have happened.
Well today has been a quiet day at home but I have loved it!Both my daughters are unwell at the moment and my husband is waiting for surgery so I have been feeling a little overwhelmed.My mother then decide to play up.Today the other grandparents have taken charge so have taken advice of some lovely ladies on another thread and just taken today as it came and what good advice.Have pottered around getting everything up to date,then relaxed reading a book.Perfect!
Bradfordlass ?

Today it is 61 years since my DM died, and it is as clear in my mind as if it was yesterday - probably clearer!

Today I have been to a U3A craft group this morning (decoupage trays - lovely) and in contrast this afternoon U3A Latin, so various neural pathways have been exercised. Tomorrow is U3A book group, and Friday U3A pub lunch. Everything seems to be packed into the one week.

In the morning I went to the University Psychology Dept to take part in one of the student's Masters project which will gain information about Alzheimers. (They use over 65's without Alzheimers to test out their ideas for future testing).

After lunch I got back to the gym after a two week break due to being a bit under the weather and away from home. Only managed half of what I usually do, but will work up to my normal routine slowly.

Just had my tea - which was a real mish mash of left overs which I won't bore anyone with.

for anniebach.

Lovely thread , Well today I was up at six went over to DS house to do the school run , one of the DGC was ill so I stayed there until their mum was able to get back from work at one to take over. Came home did a tidy up cleaned bathroom ect because I am going up to my daughters for a few day near Wolverhampton tomorrow to look after other DGS until mum works and then she will have an afternoon out with her friends . we like to give her a wee break as her hubby is working away .Never a dull moment

Thanks annesixty. This group has given me such a wider look on life. I am really not lonely - it just that I miss him so much. In the house I feel I still have him but realise I do have to get out both with my friends and by myself. I was lucky in some many ways - we had downsized so I never need to move and although husband had many debilitating conditions and hospitalisations he always seemed to bounce back although the last two years were hard as he was living with heart failure. I have a friend whose husband had been diagnosed with Alzheimers and like yourself had to watch him completely change from the man he was. She has found it very hard picking up her own life again. I try to make every day different - today I am shopping for ingredients for baking again. My son has persuaded me to do a cake for the MacMillan Cake Day at his work. I do bake but wish he hadn't told me it was a competition!! I did a bake for my DGS's First Communion at the church and enjoyed it but bit worried about Friday but the good thing is I won't be there - just my cake!!!

Oh Anniebach, what a wonderful day you had yesterday! I can imagine your shock, which rapidly became delight, when you answered your sister's call. How lovely that you were laughing and chatting like old times.

Such happy news Annie

oops ... ‘falling out’ obv. I didn’t proof read in my eagerness!

Yay Anniebach !! That’s great news to share. I’m so happy for you.
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Making up after a fallI got out always feels especially nice. I bet you are absolutely thrilled today to know your dear sister is back in your life.
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May I share yesterday? I have three sisters and they live locally. I have not had contact with them for 2 years 7 months. Yesterday my favourite sister phoned me , we chatted and laughed , no mention of the rift, it was as it always was .

Routine day yesterday, shopping etc. Today I'm going to a farm cafe on Dartmoor with a friend for coffee and chat.

Hi Jacq10 and welcome.
I have total empathy with you.
My H died in April after 60 years of marriage, although I lost him to Alzheimer’s some years before that.
No-one realises just how lonely life is without them until it happens.
Please keep up with us as often as you can.
Condolences BradfordLass although I don’t know the story of Kamal. I must have missed your posts about him.

Welcome dear BabyGravy and thank you SynchroSwimmer for a lovely lift. I really needed both.

Kamal died on Monday night so as Muslims must bury within 24 hours, that and visits to the mosque all had to be borne.
Often harrowing, sometimes interesting, always deeply sad.

The funeral (the reverse of what we do in the west) is today and tomorrow.

I shall be attending both with, probably, the whole Kurdish community.

A week of late nights and sorrowful 24 hour vigils (not to mention being away from my own bed) are taking their toll on my health but it's not forever and it's also a great privilege to be invited to support and help at such a very personal time.

I shall possibly sleep all weekend!!

I have walked the dog four times today and got drenched twice.

I've been working from home as I'm still unwell , so I have spent hours and hours and hours on the phone to various NHS/government departments, but only actually got through on half of the calls. The rest of my time was filled with writing emails, doing admin and making phone calls - all whilst having a wracking cough.

Early this evening my youngest son called and told me he was on his way over to spend the night with me, which made me feel very cared for (my husband works away from home) - and then I found a hand delivered card on the doormat that had get well messages from all my colleagues and clients.

Son had an early night as he has an hour's drive home in the morning before work and I've just spent a happy hour doing some family history research on behalf of a fellow Gransnetter. Now I'm off to bed to spend the night coughing!

I should say that alongside the day's activity I have been a news junkie - avidly following the day's events in the UK and America.

Thanks, Marydoll it was early days after DH had passed away and it was hard to get out and about on my own. I was trying to get over to my family that I would be fine and although it took a bit of effort it was so good to meet you and the others and enjoy your company. When I read of your "mishaps" on here I feel I have the advantage of knowing you and how you cope with them (always with a sense of humour!!). I must say Gransnet has been a godsend for me but bang goes my intention of having an early night (again!)

jacq10, it's so nice to see you posting again.
I have happy memories of meeting you at the Glesca Grannies meet up and the huge effort you made to come to Glasgow.

This has been a great thread for me to read. Was going to have a fairly early night (before 11 o'clock) and found this. I'm living on my own for the first time in the 50 yrs as DH passed away at the end of November last year. I have friends (mainly old school friends who are also widows) and family nearby including DGS who I collect most days from school and do his homework with him or take him to his activities. I have not long returned from a week long trip to the Outer Hebrides which was wonderful so as you can see I can fill my days but it still all feels strange to be on my own. I have enjoyed reading these posts about the way you pass your days and how different people's outlooks are on lives. I must say I am amazed at how busy and involved people are and think I must make more of an effort. Most of my friends are involved with volunteering and it seems to be a very sociable thing. Basically I'm happy with my own company - DH was the outgoing one of the two of us and I'm happy in the house filled with memories.

Sorry to hear about your trials at the doctor sar.
What a lovely day you had ann, days like that keep us going.

I dithered about going to the hospital today to get my surgery looked at. It is optional and they have a clinic every Tuesday and Friday. With persuasion I rang to make an appointment to find it was this morning so had to cancel my hair appointment. All is going well so it was worth going. For some reason the trip wore me out so spent the rest of the afternoon in bed!

Well my today was ....
Breakfast cafe for the 3 older DGC, then school runs.
“That bleedin’ place” for 3 hours then taking my dad for his shopping , prescriptions etc.
Then a call from my DGS’s primary to say he was poorly and needed picking up ASAP.
Picked up DGS who looked quite poorly in the car back to mine .
Made a comfy bed on the settee for him and found something nice to watch on TV at which point he said “grandma, can I have one of your special tuna and sweet corn sandwiches and a cut up apple and some crisps and juice please ?”
“ Blimey I thought you were poorly ?” “Oh yes I am grandma”
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DGS was picked up by DS who said “ oh dear I don’t think we can have our kick around on the field tonight if you are poorly”
“I’m a lot better now daddy”

Kids !

DH and I watched my favourite Yorkshire vet on TV then he sparked out . Here I am , Gilly no mates. Another end to another thrilling day

Had a much brighter day today.
My neighbour who has not been driving for nearly 4 months because of a back problem is flexing her wings ,so asked if I would like to go to out of town shopping where there is a decent sized M&S , large Tesco , Boots and a large Next.
We went at 11 and pottered, I took back a jacket I bought 3 weeks ago that I liked but knew I would get very little wear out of.
Did a small food shop and then we treated ourselves to a pub lunch.
Scampi for her, and a very large club sandwich for me.
So large I had half of it packed up and ate it for my tea.
Then this evening I went to a friend’s house, she picked me up, we had a few glasses of red , put the world and our families to rights and then I got a taxi home.
A very satisfactory day, I am now very tired and should sleep well.