What I did today No.2

grannyactivist Back to bed for you my Lass!!
NfkDumpling What a lovely day you had.
Marmight Hope you got a free Kir for your instructional?

One of the many things I like about this thread is that no one is sniping. It's as if we're all sitting around the kitchen table with cups of tea (or Kir!) discussing our days.

Mine not too good today. Started well at my social-craft group where we made folded magazine Christmas Trees but about 11am I began to feel crook. Couldn't face lunch and was brought home by a friend where I went straight to bed for an hour.

Hope I feel better for the party tomorrow - I look forward to it all year.

Your tree looks pretty BradfordLass

What a pretty tree BradfordLass!
I did 20 minutes clearing the paths of wet leaves and was then exhausted. Yarn group which was lovely and I have almost come to the end of my knitting, It could be ready by Christmas.
Then a funeral which was a wee bit sad but at 94 and after a wonderful life, and he died in his own chair while reading the paper, could any of us ask for more?
Tonight I went to a campaign meeting to reopen our railways. Beeching and Marples were particularly ruthless in Scotland in the 1960s.
Off to bed. Night night!

Marmight - cheers m'dears.
BradfordLass - hope you're feeling better for your party.

Yesterday was a recovery day for me, so I spent most of the day resting, but I did also do some copywriting for my sister's business. It wasn't a very onerous task and fortunately it only needed a bear of little brain. I did a good enough job that my sister was delighted and I'm glad that she still values my advice.

Today my colleague was back from holiday and so we met and we settled on our forward plan, which basically is that he does the face to face work with the clients and I continue to work behind the scenes, mostly from home, until I'm well enough to go back to work. On Friday the chair of my management board is coming to pick me up and take me to a cheque presentation, where I will give a talk about how I started the charity. Fortunately I don't even need to prepare notes for that so it's just a matter of turning up, speaking and leaving. And probably going back to bed! My sleep pattern is all over the place at the moment.

Awake again in the middle of the night, so it is comforting to read all about your interesting lives.
Yesterday it was raining again first thing, but the sun was out by lunch time. So I walked to the school where I volunteer. It was nice to be out in the fresh air.
I mostly listen to the children read now, but what with Nativity play rehearsals it was difficult to find a quiet place and a child not rehearsing. Walked back home where DH had a cup of tea waiting.
Quiet evening and Asian fish parcels for dinner which we prepared together.
Early to bed as we are taking DD Christmas shopping tomorrow. Hope it isn't raining

The Christmas Party started at 10:30am. When I hadn't been picked up at that time I rang a support worker and she came out for me.

When we got to the venue everyone was there and it seems my name had simply been inadvertently left off the pickup list and everyone was asking where I was.
A place had been kept for me by my friend, Rangi.
Everyone was in red and looked very bright and sparkly.

Lots of singing, some line dancing; some wonderful Cook Islands 'hula-style' dance done by beautiful teenage girls in flowered headdresses (picture is a tourist shot not our girls).

Many elders joined in, to shouts, laughter and cheers from those too lazy (or shy) to do so.

Lunch was served at noon and what a feast!

The first thing I saw on the buffet was a vast platter of oysters on the half shell; smoked eel (I love this) and raw fish in coconut cream (this too). Roast pork, chicken, dozens of platters of different salads and many bain marie containing hot vegetables.

So what ever kind of meal one felt like - hot, cold, light or substantial, it was there for the taking.

I had small helpings of the seafood and a lot of salad but my appetite had not come with me.

After lunch it was our task to entertain the rest of the room (probably about 500 people) so we sang and did action songs to great applause.

Gifts were given, not just between friends but from the welfare organisation under whose umbrella our elders group shelters

They gave everyone a large box of assorted Belgian chocolate biscuits and a voucher for $50 (about 25 British pounds).

In former years we've each been given a huge ham on the bone. Delicious but so many of us, living alone, found that too much, although I shared mine with the family.
A voucher is much better.

Got home about 3:30 only seconds before I was rapidly separated from my lovely lunch.

After a short rest I made up the mixed fruit for the pud, adding grated orange & lemon rind, spices, finely chopped cashews, cherries and grated apple. I'll make the pud tomorrow and it'll mature in the fridge until 25th.

grannyactivist You work harder from your bed than many of us do in an office!

It's 9pm now and I am going to my bed to listen to 'Christmas in Peppercorn Street by Anna Jacob's.

I wish everyone a warm and happy day. xx

Oh dear Bradford a day of ups and downs!!
On the whole worth doing and lovely memories to store.
I have missed something important GActivist I hadn't realised you were recovering from an op? Take care. Plenty of rest and fluids. You know the mantra.
I've been making up beds for my visitors. I am a bit surprised by the way my very nice French helper left the bed. It wasn't dishevelled at all but like the princess and the pea, he had stacked up duvets beneath the sheets and used every pillow and pillow case we own! so now I have to wash double the amount. small grrr. He is forgiven because he worked so hard while he was here and finished the sanding of the floor , oiled and waxed it, fixed the dishwasher which was clogged up apparently.
Now I no longer have to handwash everything afterwards.
He also moved a mountain of wood. Yes he can come back. Perhaps he is a princess?

Yesterday from 10.30 am was non stop. Caught the bus into town to my voluntary work. En route I looked for some birthday items for a party, serviettes etc, but shops had nothing but Christmas stuff.
Voluntary work- just had time to eat half my lunch then it was all systems go, non stop, including supporting a trainee, no time to finish my lunch or even make a cup of tea from 11.45 till 4.30, then it was better to get off home which took an hour at that time of day. Quick meal and half an hour sit down with a cup of tea before going off to choir ( second of two in the week).
Home at 9.40, treated myself to fruit cake, cheese, jelly and cup of tea. TV, papers and online, bed at. Midnight. Phew.

Yesterday I rose fairly late, it was after 9am. Showered and dressed ready to go out with DH. We set off for a well known garden centre, but turned off our usual route and went to Prudhoe. Apparently DH had been instructed by his manager at the Co-op to see if he could find any cauliflower cheese crisps as his Co-op had none left and a customer had requested some. They hadn't any either.
He went I to the store and left me in the car. My phone was on the back seat, I had to
pull the door handle twice as he had locked me in! The alarm went off, so I stood there, very embarrassed, apologising to the people who had stopped to see who's car was making the noise.
We went to a pub for lunch and had a lovely carvery.
On to the garden centre where I exchanged a pair of ankle boots that DH had bought me but were too wide.
We bought various Christmas items and some little lights to go into a case to light up a dark corner of the hall.
Home by 5pm to spend a relaxing evening watching the telly.

For case read vase.

BTW, I must confess the paper tree (above pic) is not the one I made, though mine was very like it. I was going to decorate it today but didn't have the energy.

New Homecare lady arrived; only 22 but very efficient. Bed was changed perfectly and bathroom cleaned meticulously at last.

She apologised for being 'A bit OCD' but I explained that having such poor sight meant I needed someone like her to look for poorly cleaned crockery and cutlery; murky surfaces and other signs that the cleaner (who is mostly me) hasn't done a good job.

I have asked the agency if she can come each week instead of the other sweet lady who had no idea of health and safety in the home of an elderly, partially sighted old bat.

MiniMoon did I read that right? You bought and then exchanged ankle boots at a garden centre ???

I love the tree BradfordLass even if it’s not yours! Hope you are feeling better GA?
I finally emptied my Aunt’s property and returned home on Wednesday night loaded to the gunnels. A hell of a journey; 2 serious accidents involving 2 diversions, appalling rain and some crazy drivers. 5 hours instead of 2.5. I now have to go through all the stuff I brought back. Today I’ve helped at the school assembly, shopped for Christmas jumpers for 2 GS -needed for Sunday when the village lights are turned on after carols in the Church, done a big Tesco shop and hoovered the inside of my car. Now feet up, cup of tea and naughty cake & watching Top Hat. Unbelievably filmed 84 years ago

Walked the dog this morning on a glorious sunny windless late autumn day.
Then went to Waitrose to get some pheasant breasts, as I couldn’t find them in my local Sainsbury’s

Just sat watching “Top Hat” ?

Out tonight to a. thanksgiving supper being given by a good friend. Must move myself to get ready.

Did a few chores before I left the house at 8am. Had the morning at work, chatted with a few of the elderly people (I'm Warden of a sheltered housing complex), made a few 'phone calls and visits.

Went to the automated car wash on the way home, then got a few bits of shopping. Vacuumed the car, wiped the insides of the doors, the dashboard, etc. Vacuumed, polished and mopped all through the downstairs rooms at home. Cleaned the kitchen. Wrapped some Christmas presents (each of the 4 grandchildren has a different wrapping paper).

Changed the bed, put the washer on. Done a bit more online present shopping. Going to meet son no. 1 from work at 5.45, go and collect his 2 girls from their mum, take them back to son's house. After that, I'll pick up something from the chip shop for dinner, then have a relaxing evening in.

That drive sounds a nightmare Marmight
Today the sun shone and I drove, following the gritting lorry, to my yoga class. Unfortunately there's no bus.
I almost forgot my hair appointment so was 30 mins late but he fitted me in when I pleaded.

I was delayed making up 5 beds for visitors this weekend. My DS arrived today. This is for the 75th wedding anniversary of my in-laws. Quite something. I hope the Queen remembers to send them a card what with such a lot going on in her life

Beautiful sunny day here with blue skies. Pottered in house, then went out into the lovely day to wheelbarrow logs round for the wood burner - I cannot manage many at a time!

Wrote up minutes from school governor staffing committee; and got stuck into a decluttering list - list looks great! - will I ever actually tick anything off it I wonder?!

Off to NH to visit OH and help feed him his lunch - he is just a crumpled over sleeping heap most of the time and he really struggled with getting food to his mouth. His quality of life is zilch really - but at least he is getting good care.

Then picked up two lovely grandsons from school and looked after them till parents returned from a meeting, and enjoyed evening meal with them - but then had to drive back in the dark and fog and zero temperature. It is lovely to watch these two boys growing up - older one (10) has grown his hair and looks dead cool - it really suits him.

Giddiness has been troublesome again today so I am heading for an early night.

Night night all!

Luckygirl I really feel for you with your visits to DH and can imagine what it must be like ( for both of you) but your bits of normal life that go on around the visits must keep you sane.
Hope you feel better soon BradfordL ??

Spent all day inside today ( not prison!)☺️
Christmas wrapping presents, housework and hosting my book club here.
Must try and get an early night.Just watching a fascinating tv programme called Sound Of Song ( BBC4 ) about innovative recording sessions.

This morning, as planned, I gave a presentation about the work of my homelessness charity. I came away feeling extremely tired, but pleased that I'd managed a fairly good job of it and was able to answer all the questions knowledgeably.

When I got home I switched my phone back on and received the news that my older sister has died; she was just sixty eight and had pancreatic cancer.

Even though it was expected at some time soon I am devastated. You think you're prepared for it, but somehow you never think it's actually going to happen today.

for ga

My days often seem humdrum in comparison with others but here goes. Climbed into the upper storage area this morning for the Christmas decorations. I’m organising the room for our development Christmas tea next week and wanted things for the tables that light up. To avoid freezing in the roof they all came down so I could it search in the warm. Not decorating here yet. Settled on some and a miracle, found the right batteries for the lights, hooray.

On to making some sausage rolls which mostly made it to the freezer. The previous batch seem to have disappeared . Decided to put our (soft white) winter lights in the shrubs back and front, these will stay until March to brighten the dark evenings. As usual the designer and labourer found communication difficult .

A quick lunch then off to deliver our daughter in laws birthday present and be instructed about Christmas gifts for one of the grandchildren. On to visit a garden centre where I found just the right small gift for a neighbour before a dash into town to comply with gift suggestions. Success .

Some tv, cooked a meal, sorted some photos now it’s feet up with a glass of dry white. If I’d been asked what I did today I would have said ‘not much’. Maybe not but definitely humdrum. .

I got up a bit foggy headed this morning, as I had had a nightmare and woke DH up by shouting out. Don't know what it was all about, but was terrified, until I realised DH was hugging me and saying it's alright.
Had to go for a blood test that was postponed from last week. It was so nice to be walking in the bright sunshine. I met a neighbour that I hadn't seen for ages and we had a catch up chat, and we were passed by another neighbour, striding home to get ready for his trip to Australia imminently.
DH made us a coffee when I got home, and I prepared stuff for supper tonight.
Then we drove to town, both of us volunteering in different charity shops this afternoon.
In 'my' shop we had the first day of our Christmas event. It was lovely, busy and happy. The shop looked beautiful, thanks to the wonderful girl who dresses our windows and displays. There were many compliments and the shop was much praised by our customers.
Came home to another cuppa and a piece of my disaster cake. Cooked supper and then our DD phoned and chatted for 20 minutes or more.
I have caught up with GN and also watched the Sound of Song, like Lemongrove. Great wasn't it?
Am now watching/ listening to an old TOTP, and writing this. ( multi tasking)
DH asked whether he should get out all his old records, no
Then there is going to be a Ken Burns Country Music programme, just right for a Friday night.

BBbevan I too was awake in the night. I woke up at just after two and could not get back to sleep. I was to have a wisdom tooth out this morning and feeling very anxious.

Should explain that about three years ago the dentist wanted to extract that tooth and I persuaded him to fill it. He grumped a bit and said he couldn't guarantee it would work, etc. Fast forward to last week and I felt something crunchy in my porridge - a piece of filling. Made an appointment for an extraction as I was sure he would want it gone this time. Was very nervous as I sat in the chair. He looked at the tooth and said, 'No need to lose this tooth, I can fill it.' I breathed a huge sigh of relief, but it was the same dentist who had wanted to remove it years ago! I just paid up and skipped out!

Although my face was numb from the injections, I went to the garden centre and bought cyclamen and some bright primulas. I also bought some pellets with wild flower seeds in them. Intrigued to see how they turn out.

After lunch I swept up a bag of leaves and planted up some pots and troughs to brighten the front of the house. It was very cold and my fingers were going white. A hot chocolate soon warmed me up.

Watched the political debate whilst doing stuff and trying to stay awake until a reasonable time to turn in, or I'll be awake again in the early hours.

oh how very sad grannyactivist
I know how we take our siblings for granted. You knew she was sick but even so.

I’m so sorry ga, our posts crossed. A sad day indeed. Look after yourself. .

A very sad day ga

It is sad when a parent dies but when it is a sibling more so in a way.