What I did today No.2

Friends are staying for a few days so it’s been busy, enjoyable and food filled. Miserable weather today so we wandered a warm and dry shopping mall. What did I buy? Well, nothing but I enjoyed looking. Our friends made some gift purchases so they’re happy. Coffee, lunch and a lot of chatting later we returned home for afternoon tea. It’s a wonder we can move. An edible meal and a glass or two this evening rounded off the day. No idea what we’ll do tomorrow, see how we feel after breakfast. Doubt it will be an early start .

Pootled into town this morning, bought stuff like TePe brushes (!) and then a very nice handbag in TK Maxx to match my new boots. DH had a nap after lunch, so I made a sauce for pasta tomorrow evening and then settled down with my very enthralling book - "Platform Seven" by Louise Doughty. Grumpy McGrumpface woke up and complained about the cooking smells .... He now realises he is very lucky to still be alive, let alone married!

Slightly exhausting day as we did our own and DDs weekly shop. She has been very busy at work and can't shop tomorrow so we volunteered. DH did hers, armed with a very detailed list and I did ours. Then of course we had to take hers to her house and put it away. Then back to ours to do the same. Lunch then. Read the paper and both of us had a light dose. Nice quiet afternoon

As I’ve simply been spending most of my days in bed I have had little to offer to this thread, but yesterday and today I have been up and dressed for the afternoons. I have continued, as well as I could, to run my homelessness charity during my current illness and today I had confirmation that a long-term rough sleeper’s temporary housing has been made permanent. He has settled in well and has a job!

I had an emergency to deal with today that incolved contacts with the police, social services and a GP - and I somehow did all that was necessary, but needed a nap afterwards to recover.

And now I’ve just indulged in a little tear on the phone with my daughter, she sent me a photo, taken eleven years ago on her wedding day. She and her new husband look so young and in love - she was widowed 18 short months later, just after the birth of their first child. Such a senseless death.

guy - not gut!

Fingers crossed for a speedy and safe delivery. Exciting times.

I spent part of this morning desperately trying to learn the second soprano part of Bach's Magnificat - I should have done this long ago, but have been too busy. Concert is on Saturday!

Then had phone call from SW telling me that continuing health care funding for OH's nursing home has been turned down again; and that SSD will pay a tiny contribution to his care. Still leaves £950 a week for me to find - gulp!!

I spoke to health authority gut on phone and some of his comments were unacceptable and outrageous. I have to take a deep breath and soldier on with the fight.

Went in to see OH at nursing home; and was with him when PD nurse called in. She is going to try some tinkering with his meds to try and reduce the paranoia. But this has to go through GP first who then has to give the NH permission to make these changes. It is a slow process - frustrating as we want him to have some improvement as quickly as possible.

Lazy evening just watching TV - when I should have been practising music!!

Night night all.

I did have some good news today. I received a phone call I had been waiting seven weeks for. I have an appointment at the radiotherapy clinic next Tuesday in the city about 35 miles away so that brightened my day.

This morning I visited a gentleman who has Parkinson's disease. He is living his last 2 weeks in the family home before moving to a care home ; despite a veritable army of carers he is not coping well. He told me to grab his nearly new G- Tech vacuum as a parting present as thanks for my companionship. I had a tear in my eye .

I then called on my D in law and son who have taken up residence on our local hospital since Sunday. She is 12 days overdue with first baby and has been shunted around different wards having various not too invasive procedures to hurry things along, to no avail. Tomorrow she will have her waters ruptured and be hooked up to a drip, last resort I am told. She deserves a Thorntons chocolate medal.
When I got home the low fat mince I had put in the slow cooker this morning was cooked, I thought I'd just throw it on top of a jacket spud, but husband had other ideas, started waxing lyrical about minced beef pie he had for school dinners. I've never thought to put it between pastry and was not too enamoured by the idea at that moment but I capitulated. He owes me big time.
I'm now relaxing in bed and thinking of my lovely new grandchild to be.

Woken by the phone at 7.30ish, but when I answered it, no-one there!
Had lazy tea and ginger biscuit, then once I was showered and dressed, changed the bed, put sheets etc in the machine, hoovered round upstairs and did the stairs. Still loving my new Shark, made the stairs carpet look like new!
Was not planning on going to ballet class as it was pouring with rain, but had the offer of a lift, so got ready and went. I feel like the ugly duckling!
Changed my library book, then to the local cafe for coffee with ballet friend.
Sainsbury's delivery late afternoon, then read and watched tv while dinner was cooking. And then had a glass of red wine with dinner!

Riverwalk I hope the exhibition was interesting. I was on the tube this morning and noticed the adverts so are debating whether to visit it.
I’ve been in London for the last two nights for a jam packed couple of days.
My Sister booked an apartment near the O2 and we went to the tennis. Brilliant, fantastic game and a very friendly group around us.
Yesterday we went to see Loose Women being recorded and that was interesting.
We then headed back to the apartment to get glammed up for Mama Mia, the party. The bus took sooo long that we just stayed on it, brushed our hair and carried on to the O2. Thank goodness we hadn’t bought anything new!
I can really recommend the party the most fantastic fun. You have to like ABBA though.
Got back home at lunch time today and am officially knackered.
I love going to London for short periods, there is so much to do.
Sorry that’s 3 days but it all rolled into one.

Today - flung open the curtains to espy snow. Bit of a shock. GSs x2 thrown through the door for Marmite’s breakfast club at 7.30. Porridge & hot chocolate. The 9 year old refused to wear his jacket despite sleet/snow falling heavily so a bit of an impasse. I won so he stomped off to school in a huff; Boys! Had a gentle pt session. I have a frozen shoulder so gently does it, followed by lunch. 2 boiled eggs with dippy bread. Then off to Art Group. As an organiser I never seem to get going for at least half an hour while doing admin. Started on a pic of a skeletal fishing boat which I photographed on Dungeness beach recently. Looks a bit lopsided but I will persevere. We always break for tea & cake at 3 which is the highlight of the afternoon. Now sitting in front of a roaring fire. I’ll probably still be here until bedtime depending on what is on offer on the telly.. if nothing exciting I may have another go at the boat.

Just wanted to say thankyou to everyone who contributes here.

I am enjoying your days almost as much as you are.


The Tui is always the first bird to wake here. To human eyes it is still totally dark. Then follows the Blackbird, Thrush, the gentle trill of Grey Warbler and Chaffinch.
And finally - me
The birds sound much better than I, so I am sending this little piece or peace from New Zealand to gladden the hearts of all those who live birdsong as much as I do.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhvCsYFZ0vQ

I'm out for the day, and despite the date above, writing this on Friday at 6.30am. See you all tomorrow

Got DH up etc, sorted out flowers in the house, polished front door brass, ran a couple of loads of washing and made a large batch of Bolognese sauce (enough for six meals for the two of us - one tonight, the rest for the freezer).

WI book group this afternoon discussing Bernard Cornwell’s “Fools and Mortals” which we all enjoyed. Contemplating the hideous religious divisions of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century felt rather like looking at the remain/leave divisions of today and the way that there appears to be no tolerance or understanding of another point of view. Am reminded that Civil War was the upshot of the Catholic/Protestant divide.

Several phone calls to make then must get to grips with the house insurance which has gone up £50 for no apparent reason . Hate the filling in of endless forms to get a quote but don’t feel I can let this go without trying to improve on the offer by Direct Line. Need to do the same for my car insurance too. Will need to glass of something, I think.

First thing after breakfast, I emptied one of the freezers and left it defrosting, then as DH had a cheque to pay in, off we went to the bank. Then we called in at our Church cafe, which was heaving, for a coffee and chat. I went to Boots, to see if my prescription was ready today, as it wasn't yesterday. Success.
Drove to ALDI and bought more than I intended .
As the weather looked settled, DH decided to wash the car, and I put all the 'stuff' back in the first freezer, and decided to defrost the other one.
They are both in the garage, so it made sense to get it done while the car was outside.
It's been ages since I defrosted them, so it took longer than expected. But now they are both done, I feel very virtuous.

I was going to make Cauliflower, macaroni cheese for supper, but will have to think again, as there is no macaroni! So fish it will have to be.
The light is beginning to go now, and we are enjoying a welcome cup of tea. This evening I shall do some more knitting with my feet up, and relax........

Had a hospital appointment this morning, we were seen on the dot, no delay despite being extremely busy. So thank you NHS for all that you do/have done for my family.

Bitterly cold here today. Made 'left in the fridge' veg soup then did the ironing. DH wearing himself out insulating the loft. Made coffee and toast at 10.30 then sorted out menu for next week and shopping list for tomorrow. Now sitting down. Will make a cup of tea soon, unless I nod off

It's interesting to read about everybody's activities. I went to the Tutankhamun exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, then to Sweaty Betty's and bought a pair of joggers, followed by lunch up a ladder!

Tut

The Jam

Both highly recommended

Yesterday, I rose, showered and dressed. Had a cuppa and went to feed DGD's goldfish, as the family were away overnight visiting friend.
Home to prepare lunch of lemon sole with a butter caper sauce.
Got myself ready and went out for the afternoon to the library where our Knit and Natter group meet.
We had a jolly time and I made 2 more elf ears.
My friend has lost count of how many we have made, so I don't know how many to make this week.
Home in time for tea. Then DH and I settled in for the evening watching the TV.
To bed by 10:30, early for me!

What a lovely thread this is. I was reading it last night and was going to post but realised it was 12.30am and we need to be up by 8 on Thursdays as A comes to clean.
You are all so busy that it puts me to shame.
I am suffering with nausea all the time so I cant manage much without sitting down to rest. But I did manage to do some ironing yesterday which I havent done for months. DH does the washing and lovely A does the ironing although most things dont need ironing. I just keep telling myself that the nausea wont be here forever. Here in Portugal we are in for a coldish wet spell for the next week. Have a good day everyone.

Dragonfly46 thinking of you. Now nearly 3monhs post treatment and my hair is a white cap about half an inch all over. So have dispensed with wig and turbans. We drove to the Algarve to stay with a dear friend at the weekend and I didn't have any stares so it must just look like an extreme haircut now.

I am a day late with this, as I have only just remembered this thread!
Had a busy morning cleaning the bathrooms, then had an early lunch and off out for another health walk.
It was a beautiful late autumn day to walk around our local forest; the tree colours were glorious in the sunshine and we were quite sheltered. Repaired to the local garden centre afterwards for coffee/tea and a chat, then walked home.
Finished one of my library books, then tea and an evening of tv.

GrannySomerset One of the best programmes on TV - loved him.

I spent the morning at the monthly official meeting of our elders group.
This is the one where we have an agenda, discusss what's gone on the month before and what will happen (if the Lord spares us) next month. It's not like our much-more-casual singing and ukulele sessions.

I was asked to speak about our trip to the Huia Settlers Museum last Sunday where we had commemorated Armistice Day.
After a splendid lunch we were taken home.

I decided to order not salmon for my DDil's birthday but a dozen oysters delivered to her door. She loves them.

When I was giving Maori langusge lessons to a man who owned a boat, he paid me with a huge bucket of oysters, fresh from the nearby Kaipara Harbour (see pic)

As they don't agree with me raw, I steamed them and was in heaven for several days

Got DH up, washed, shaved and dressed then left him listening to Radio 4 (or dozing) while I went to a craft session - varnished decoupage tray - very pleased with result - and made a mat from flattened quills glued (with difficulty) into a round shape. Used Sunday Times magazine for the quills so only cost was the glue and my temper when things wouldn’t stick.

Home for lunch then Tesco shop which DH likes, for some reason. Home to unpack and put away and then search for the house insurance renewal which DH had secreted somewhere unlikely and which needs action. We are just about ready to put the LPA into action because he now finds it all too complicated. Very sad, but he has forgotten to pay bills which has caused some difficulty, so I need to take it over.

Supper, phone call with exDiLand then an old Judge John Deed which I hadn’t seen. And so, as Samuel Pepys put it, to bed.

I went to work (mornings only), which involved helping a few elderly people with bills/'phone calls, reporting repairs to be done. Then I went home, did some housework, then called for my son (he doesn't work on Wednesdays), went to the local shops, then to the local pub (he had a pint, I don't drink), then picked up his 2 girls from school, went to a play centre, then pub for dinner, then took the girls home. I stayed in for the rest of the evening with my husband.

Awoke more asleep than awake. Poor DH has taken to phoning me during the night from his nursing home to say he is being poisoned/cut up into pieces etc. 11.30 pm is his favoured time, then sometimes about 2 am, but nearly always 7 am. So I do not need an alarm clock any more. Poor chap - it must be miserable for him to feel so afraid.

I got up and dressed, then sat down on the sofa - and woke up at about 12.30!! So all the things I had been planning to do went down the pan.

But I picked to GSs up from school and took them back to their house to await DD and her OH arriving by train from London. They had not left a key!!!! We 3 stood puzzled in the drive, then GS remembered that there is a hidden key safe, but could he remember the number..............? Eventually he did - thank goodness.

Train was of course late soI rushed out as soon as they arrived as my 20-strong choir arriving for a practice. Had a lovely practice and now planning to go to bed with fingers crossed for a peaceful night.

After the singers leave, my living room always smells of feet as they politely take their muddy shoes off - I almost wish they would leave them on!!!