What I did today No.2

Had a meeting with my Oncologist today to manage me going forward, so feeling a bit rubbish tonight.
NOT looking forward to donkey day tomorrow (I volunteer with donkeys, goats and llamas), the weather is so atrocious.
Plumber came and replaced our kitchen tap today and I did some clearing out of rubbish no one would be interested in if I dropped dead tomorrow?
Parcelled up Christmas gifts for mother in law and sister in law and got them posted, wrapped up all other gifts for Christmas and did cards,

Quite a productive day really!

Yes Bradfordlass it is annoying. They weren't just blurry. The swans looked just like a white blob of cotton wool in the distance although they were quite near to us. Maybe we'll go back and will be lucky enough to see them again and get a better photo.

KatyK I feel your pain!
A torally different thing, I know, but I have two dogs, a yellow and a black labrador. The yellow one photographs beautifully, I have lots of lovely photographs of her.
The black lab is just a blob. Everytime. A black blob.
Go9d luck for next time ?

Thank you Ella We're not far from Worcester. I hope you get a good one of you lab eventually!

Well my day didn't start too well. I turned off the alarm, but don't remember hearing it. I also didn't hear, or sense that DH had got up to make tea. He came back to bed, put on the light and I finally became conscious. The bin men had been, evidently, clattering about.
When I was up and about I tidied up a bit while DH was out for a couple of hours, and put away the clean laundry.
Then while I sat and had a coffee, I did a bit more of my knitting/ crochet, before getting ready to go out to the charity shop where I volunteer.
At first it was very quiet, but gradually got busier, even despite the rain. Had a lovely afternoon, with lovely people.
My neighbour knocked while I was getting dinner, bringing us a beautiful Cornish loaf, that is so tasty.
Now having a sit down and watching TV, and a bit more of my project.

Oh EllaKeat I hope you feel OK after your appointment. It's hard isn't it. My DH is living with cancer and has been having treatment for 3 years now. There's no cure but it's managed.
Sometimes I feel sorry for myself!!

Today he went to a Christmas lunch while I went to the dentist. I intended to write cards but procrastinated .

The weather was foul wasn't it. I wrote some emails. Did some craft work. Pondered Christmas... and the election.

Our French helper cooked a fantastic meal. I had 3 helpings and wine. No wonder I can't lose weight.

The weather isn't too good in NZ at present either is it BradfordLass so our DS tells us and the disaster on White Island sounds horrific..

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EllaKeat Sorry you're feeling rubbish but don't you dare drop dead - we DO care and wish you all the very best.

Glad to say an old-friend lurks here and enjoys our comments and photos. I was sad when I thought we'd lost her.

The weather where I live is absolutely gorgeous Gramm aretto and has been consistently hot and sunny for ages now, so much so, the gardens really need a good downpour. However, if your son lives only 30 km away it could be raining there. That's NZ for you. Yes, White Island is a tragedy.

SalsaQueen It may not seem like work to you but just reading your daily schedule makes me want to sit down and rest!

Today I thoroughly enjoyed our Communicare party and the company.

It was something of a trial (to me only) when the entertainer-guitarist sang for 90 minutes, mostly 60's and 70's music.

The table looks bare here as it was only Morning Tea time but for lunch it was filled with hot sausage rolls, savouries, home-made pineapple cake, ice creams and strawberries.

The raffle table was colourful; everyone got a really good gift as well as a tin of Danish Butter Cookies to take home.

Next party - Friday

Lovely day yesterday.
When we moved we moved to a little hamlet. The people have been so lovely and welcoming. Yesterday all the ladies who live nearby went out for a Christmas lunch. It was just brilliant. I met some new people, had a lovely meal in such friendly company. I can't tell you how fortunate DH and I feel to have moved here.
Today is my birthday. DD and SiL are coming to dinner this evening. If the rain stops it should be a lovely day.

Bless you bradfordlass Just sitting here quietly waiting for DH to wake up. Then it will be tea and cards I expect. Hope you weren't up too long in the night making that lovely cake. ?
Eat a piece for me.

It was donkey day today, brilliant for taking your mind off your problems.
Donleys love ear scratches, carrots and hay. Pretty much in that order?

My llama is wonderful. Gentle and affectionate, everyone should have a llama! The four goats I care for are absolute nutters. Fabulous, but totally mad.
Had a great day, then came home and crashed.
Going for a shower soon, out early tomorrow to collect my grandchilds birthday cake and take my dad to optician.

escorting neighbour to hosp appt, from 9am to 5pm.
for a 30 min interview.
last week was a 3 and half hour wait in clinic for transport, after seeing consult for 20 mins. so that was another 6and half hour day, inc travel. average of one hosp appt aeek plus numerous at home medical visits. i attend all.
tomorrow have to be ready for the off at 6am, she has investig, i will accompany then have to peel off, bus to funeral of long-timest and much valued friend.

Today, Wednesday... got ready, put the washer on, took the rubbish out, emptied the dishwasher, went to work. On my way home, I helped a lady to start her car by using my jump leads (I had to have telephone instructions from my husband, as I'd never even had the bonnet up before)

Back home, I put the washing on the clothes horse, folded a load of dry washing, put it away upstairs. Did a load of ironing (it never ends), wiped kitchen surfaces, vacuumed bedrooms, changed the bed.

Went with son no. 1 to fetch his 2 girls after school (other side of town), went to a play centre, then pub for dinner, then shop. Dropped them back to their mum. Home, had a bath, made a drink, now for a sit-down before I put the washer on again and go to bed.

How lovely to have a donkey day, Ella. I miss the horses. I used to volunteer with RDA but retired for various reasons. I miss the animals (not the humans so much)
SQ, your day sounds frenetic as usual.
'
welbeck what a long day for you. What a good friend you are.

I am glad you enjoyed your birthday BBbevan
and that your weather has been glorious BradfordLass

I had a nice quiet day apart from the Dentist (a filling).
It has turned really icy cold here and snow is forecast for tomorrow.
It should make Election day interesting.

It's my birthday today too BBevan.
After the usual shower and cup of tea, I set too and made goat curry for lunch. DD, her husband and my four grandchildren all arrived, DD bearing a chicken curry. She also brought a bauble cake for dessert.
When we had finished lunch I opened my cards and gifts.
I had a lovely day.
They all went home at about 3pm, and since then I've tidied up, washed the dishes and then watched TV.
I hadn't room for much supper, just a slice of bread and cheese.
Tomorrow, after visiting the polling station, I'm having my hair cut. It's fairly short already, but I fancy a very short pixie cut, I wonder if I'm brave enough to have it done?
Let you know tomorrow.

What busy people you all are!

I am a bit of a wash-out at the moment so I have resolved to pace myself a bit.

DD appeared this morning to take photos of lots of our old photos, specifically of her Dad, as she wants to make a fun photo album for him for Christmas. I took delivery of a Tesco order and they sane piles of stir fry veg so I cooked up a chicken dish for DD and I. This may not seem very exciting, but I am not a very enthusiastic cook, so worth recording!

Lit wood burner and lay down by the warmth to have a sleep before another DD picked my up to take me to NH where OH lives to meet my choir - my OH used to sing with us when he was well - to do a small concert for the residents. I found it a challenge as it was so sad to see him crumpled up in his wheelchair - but 2 DDs had come to sit with him. Some of the singers had not seen him for a while and were shocked by his deterioration. But, in spite of the emotion it felt such a good thing to do - some of the residents who barely open their eyes and who do not usually speak could be seen to be mouthing the words of the carols and nodding their heads to the music. Music is such a healer!

sane?? - sent!

Long but enjoyable day. Went off early to a Safari Park, enjoyed the drive through the animal enclosures, had a surprisingly good lunch, wandered around, succeeding in not buying anything in the shops before a wonderful walk around the light installations. Beautiful and wondrously not too busy. Neither of us were driving so we finished the day with a rather large mulled wine. Even managed to stay awake on the way home. . A very different day from the usual.

I can imagine the mixed emotions today lucky but as you say, a good thing to do.

How brave, Lucky, but so worthwhile. My DH has had to give up choir - no voice and struggled to follow the music. Really sad as he had sung all his adult life. I still manage it though the voice is definitely not what it was - and it wasn’t brilliant then.

Made my wreath for the front door this morning, a source of great pleasure and satisfaction. Came home to news of the sudden death of a dear friend of over fifty years with whom we have shared so many holidays, grumpy teenagers and celebrations of all kinds. DH is really upset by the news so we got the photograph albums out and relived happier times.

Quite an eventful day for many. Glad you are pacing yourself Lucky.

I do love donkeys Ella and used to keep goats myself. Escapologists every one!

Belatedly Minimoon

Wrote to my cousin in Cumbria early this morning then gave the kitchen a good thrashing.

Got butter from the fridge thinking I'd make a batch of Christmas shortbread for friends who ring and ask most months, 'Are you too busy to make me some more shortbread?'
The answer today, had they asked, would have been, 'Not busy but too lazy.'

I think it's the weather; it's hot, sunny but so heavy today and feels as if there could be a storm tonight. After such a long run of hot weather, we need one.

There's a Blackbird with an importunate child on my deck

Happy birthday for yesterdayMinimoon

After a slow start yesterday morning, DH made lunch and then I went to the school where I volunteer. Chaos as they were getting ready for an Infant Nativity that afternoon. Parents already queuing in the cold and rain. I heard about 12 children read. and had to explain several words , knickerbocker glory being one. Otherwise they just read the word with no curiosity about the meaning. Must take a dictionary with me next time so they can look things up themselves.
Walked home as it had actually stopped raining. Then DD and SiL came for dinner. One of their presents is to be a delivery of mistletoe seeds in February. We have several old Apple trees and an oak, so I look forward to seeing if I can grow mistletoe.

As we all get busier, I don't expect we'll have time to write about our day, so I'd like to thank everyone who participated.

It's been wonderfully interesting reading about the many and varied routines; how hard everyone seems to work, as well as dashing around trying to arrange Christmas.

I shall be thinking about you all, even if we don't meet here for a chat and a cuppa

I went out to lunch with friends whom I asked to have me back by 3pm as my homecare lady was due at that time.

We got back at 3:15 to find her waiting outside my house.

She'd been there since 1:30, hoping to start early as she had a wedding to go to at 3pm. I felt so awful, even though transport was out of my hands.

She was very gracious about it and assured me she'd only miss the church service - the celebrations would go on well into the night.

Merry Christmas Everyone - may you all have a Peaceful and Happy time.

and a Merry Christmas to you too BradfordLass!
I hope you pop in occasionally with your sound advice.
I can't believe it's dark here and I have achieved very little today.
I am halfway through making a pie to take to DD tomorrow as we are leaving early (before light) to drive to the wintry north for the weekend.
We will look out for the Northern Lights. I have only seen them once. It was a wonderful sight.

Today, Friday.........the usual thing of getting ready (all that faffing about washing & drying my hair, getting my face on, etc), put the washer on, went to work, which was, as usual, very good.

Met my friend at a local garden centre, had lunch and cake.

Posted all my Christmas cards, went home, put cards through letterboxes of several neighbours, did online grocery shopping, vacuumed the bedrooms (3), cleaned the bathroom, made meatballs for dinner, and the sauce, from scratch. Chatted to a friend on the 'phone, replied to a few emails.

Had dinner, loaded the dishwasher, wiped around the kitchen, had a bath, now ready to watch tv.

Drove the length of the M4 , then half way round the M25. With DS, DiL and DGDs now. Lovely .