What I did today No.2

GA I hope your GS is alright., and that you are feeling better.
We did the last bits of Christmas shopping this morning and bought another heater for the conservatory. It was a bit party in there this morning. After lunch DH chopped some wood and then we watched a bit of television, Quiet evening in store wth Only Connect and UniversityChallenge.

Trip to Bath this morning, now in the seventh circle of Hell generated by the Christmas market, which means everywhere is packed even at 9.30 am. Did all that I needed to do including a visit to the lovely stall in the Covered Market to buy replacement buttons for my new winter coat since the ones it came with have metal shanks and refuse to stay on. Found something suitable at 85p each (!) and felt very constructive and practical. When I got home the little bag of buttons had vanished and so I won’t be able to wear the coat until I am brave enough to go and buy some more. Very frustrating!

Afternoon of admin and now getting an early supper before rehearsal for carol service on 22 December and then, I think, an early night.

Gave the downstairs rooms a dust and vacuum this morning, and then got ready to go out for lunch.
We had arranged to meet up with my sisters and brothers in law.
We had a lovely lunch at the pub my son and his partner run. We all came back here for tea and cake. I made Mary Berry's mincemeat loaf cake yesterday, and it was a success.
They left a little while ago, so now DH and I are relaxing on the sofa.
Good things on TV this evening, so we are having a make your own supper.

ga - hope all is well with GS.

Lovely bright day to start with so I snatched a 15 minute walk. Another bag of old clothes filled - I am making progress!

Took bags of clothes to hospice shop on way to nursing home, where OH's paranoia persists - nothing seems to alleviate it.

Picked wee GS up from school and brought him back for tea - he was delighted to see I had the advent calendar out! I made it myself many many moons ago when mine were little - it is a large panel of dark blue corduroy with a pole slotted top and bottom, and a golden string to hang it on the wall. I have appliqued a nativity design, with angels with sparkling halos, a silhouette of the stable and mum and babe, shepherds and blobs of sheep's wool with black embroidered legs as sheep. And lots of gold sequins as stars. The bottom dowelling rod has 24 hooks, each with its own choc Xmas tree decoration hanging from it. Though I says it myself, it looks great!

Some things I enjoy on TV tonight so I will light the wood burner and sit back.

An elder tree in bloom - how wonderful!

Have a good evening all.

Yesterday was a very quiet day until teatime when my mother and father-in-law called round to see me for the first time since I've been ill. They have both taken turns to have lingering bacterial and viral infections and so haven't been allowed to visit for fear of me catching something. I speak to them almost every day on the phone, but it was so lovely to see them - even though The Wonderful Man wouldn't let them get anywhere near close enough to me for a hug. I'm so fortunate that my in-laws are wonderful people and they love me to bits, as I do them.

After they left I got a phone call from my daughter to say that my grandson, who is six, was off to A&E as he's been in pain for a few days so I had an anxious couple of hours waiting for news. The waiting time at the hospital meant that he wouldn't be seen until the early hours of the morning and as he'd fallen asleep my son-in-law eventually took him home without being seen. After a trip to see the GP this morning he's now been sent back to A&E for examination and blood tests, so once again I'm waiting for news.

My health is improving every day now, but I find myself losing my train of thought all the time and I find it very hard to focus. I can't seem to take in information properly either, I need to keep repeating things, so I remember them.

We just parked up in Worcester. There were hundreds of swans on the river - many of them huddled together. It was a stunning sight.

Your bete noir sounds just like my neighbour BL. Last week, I could have committed neighbouricide! Its very draining so Ive decided to ignore him totally. Its the only way.
Yesterday I started to sort through my Aunt’s paperwork then off to the Church to help get ready for the Christingle service. Our school is CofE so very involved with the church and vv. It was a beautiful, if chaotic service, with much noise and no one set anyone else’s hair on fire! Candles and small children are a nightmare!. We all then proceeded to the pub where the school choir sang while the Christmas tree lights were turned on. An hour or so making merry in the pub before dinner at DDs. Today I have a very sore head - no sympathy, as it was self inflicted ?

Lots of celebrations! Happy Birthday Cabbie21

Podiatrist for me at 10am, a new one, very gentle, I walked out on air.
Had intended going for a swim afterwards (ferried from the podiatist to the pool by my support worker) but didn't feel up to it.

So she and I came home and I made us salmon sandwiches and tomato for lunch and filled in the report which looks at my goals and how I can achieve them.

There is one individual who has been making my life a misery for the previous two years but he is such a vital part of the small community that he is pretty much untouchable. My goal therefore is to assasinate him find ways to stop his actions affecting me. Not sure how just yet.

The Elder tree is in full bloom in the garden across from my house and looks so beautiful. The blooms drape over the fence so I may pinch some to make Elderflower Champagne.

I did the usual - showering, etc., then fetched my eldest son, his partner and her 2 boys, took them to buy their Christmas tree - a real one. Getting the 8ft thing in the car with us all took a great deal of manoeuvering but we made it home ok.

Did some washing, drying and ironing. Wrapped a dozen more presents. Spoke to my brother on the 'phone.

Met 2nd son at a Malaysian restaurant, had dinner then went to the pub for a couple of drinks. Took him home, did more online shopping when I got in.

I've had a lovely day, starting with the Advent and Communion service at Church. We had a new, to me, organist this morning, and boy did he make our little organ sing. I could have just sat and drunk it all in for ages. ?
Came home and had an earlyish lunch.
I did think I might go and and blow some leaves into submission, but my new book took preference. DH hasn't been too well this past week, so we stayed in the warm.
DD sent us an email, offering to take us to visit my sister in law, in the New Year, and as she is managing the early stages of dementia, and is also 10 years older than me, this is something I look forward to with great pleasure.
(She is the sister I never had, and I love her dearly.)
During the afternoon, I made a cake, to make up for the rather disastrous one I made a couple of days ago.
This one turned out fine, and made the house smell lovely.
Supper was easy, as we had some of yesterdays chicken, with lots of fresh veg, and ice cream to follow.
I have watched Strictly. I don't usually follow it, but have enjoyed the last couple of Saturdays.

Spent the day doing research for GD's gift, eventually chose a laptop I think she will like.
DD rang from her home in Belgium and we talked for nearly an hour, she has given in her notice at work and will be starting a new job in February.
DIL's uncle died suddenly today while out for a cycle ride with friends, very sad.

Luckygirl, I was thinking of you just a couple of hours ago, and wondering how things were going.

I am so very sorry to read your updates. Although I am relieved that you are not trying to cope alone, it is heartbreaking tomhave to deal with the situation as it is.
I think you are amazing.

I cleaned the windows inside and out and then as a reward made apple crumble and ate it!

grannyactivist my sincere condolences to you and your family

I went to Christmas Fair at one of the stately homes near Edinburgh today - it’s always very beautifully done and marks the start of Christmas for me. I had one of those very strange coincidences. - Id got onto talking to a lovely lady in a very long queue yesterday at the shops and I bumped into her again there! Never met her before in my life and will probably never see her again. We chatted again and remarked on how bizarre it was for us to meet again.

After we got home I made my Christmas cake - much later than I normally do but it’s been so busy recently with work and family things. The house smells amazing now

I am so sorry LuckyG. I can't even imagine how hard it must be for you.
We had a busy but special day today celebrating my inlaw's 75th wedding anniversary. They were pleased with their card from the palace and with the restaurant who did us proud. 4 generations. 25 altogether. Our littlest DGC gave up after the first course and was taken home for a nap.
It was sad waving everyone goodbye but such a treat to see
them all.
I need a nap now.

I don’t have time to write in every day, but today is my birthday, so for the first time ever I had my family round for a late lunch, ten of us in total, so the past few days I have been cleaning, shopping, cooking etc.
It is the first time I have had them all at once as we have a small house, and for the last couple of years we have eaten out, but we managed to fit everyone in, and the food was enjoyed.
Oh and I managed to get up early enough to go to a lovely Advent Service this morning before it all got going.

Two problems for me: I didn’t actually get much time to chat, and there was so much clearing up for me to do afterwards.
DH was a bit odd about it all. They are not his children, and he is never very sociable, but he coped better than I expected. He did not offer to help me at all. I only asked him to do one thing and that was put some music on, but after the first CD he did not do any more. He did not help with the clearing up either. I didn’t ask as I knew he would say he doesn’t like to touch my best china. I know I could have used paper plates, but I like to use my china and don’t get much opportunity to do so. Also to be fair I am in much better health than he is. Anyway I am shattered now. There are lots of leftovers so he can sort out his own meal.
His family came last week, and I did all the cooking. Next time they come I think we will eat out.
This evening I shall just be watching TV.

Dropped DGdog back home this morning. DGS seems to have had a wonderful time at Lapland UK. He’s still on a high. I was a bit concerned as I’ve heard bad things about other Father Christmas “experiences”. Expensive though.

Then we checked our little boat had been lifted out of the water and covered. Then called round on a friends for coffee. And all before lunch.

Spent the afternoon writing Christmas cards, I stopped when I wrote Happpy by mistake! Many need newsy catch up bits in to old friends who we rarely see now. Still a few to go. And I’ve cut down too!

Last night's quiz was a real treat - much enjoyed by all. And enhanced by kind friends who drove out of their way to pick me up and take me home to save me doing it alone - another random act of kindness - how precious they are.

This morning I actually managed to start on the declutter!!! - two bags of clothes to give to my friends who take them to a refugee charity each month.

OH on phone all morning fearing people were trying to poison him. I had not planned to see him today as two DDs were going; but I thought I should go and try to reassure him - it was a thankless and entirely impossible task. His every utterance was generated by pure fear - poor man. Occasionally he is floridly paranoid and screaming; but for the rest of the time it is almost as if he is sufficiently cognitively aware to keep schtum about his fears in front of the staff - not telling his torturers that he is "on to the them." Today they told me he had been fine with no paranioa!!!

Nice warm fire lit and a quiet evening. Good wishes for a peaceful night for all.

Bradfordlass Yes we could do that. At the side of the house we have a 'woodland area ' and we always leave the leaves alone there. All the rest are put in a big wire bin to compost down. Trouble is DH likes the place to look 'tidy', so masses of leaves all over the lawns is not an option. Sometimes it is a chore to have to do them, but mostly we do them together. We are out in the fresh air and it is good exercise. I was asleep last night by 9.30 and have just woken up. 10 hours straight through.
Today I want to wash and disinfect the bathroom floors and polish the floors downstairs. However we are promised a cold but sunny day so we might do something else.
My thoughts to GrannyA and hope she has people she loves around her at this sad time.
Right, DH is stirring, Cup of tea soon.

BBbevan A gardener friend of mine says leaves should be left (unless dangerous on pathways), to rot down in the rains of winter as natural compost. Is that an option for you?

Lucky how hard-impossible it would have been for you had DH still been at home. Each time I read your posts I see in my minds eye, the idenitical posts I used to receive from my neighbour whose history, including the financial difficuties, was as yours. She had to sell their wee farm and move to a small place. Heartbreaking.

GActivist a sad time for you but hopefully many happy memories.

As usual on Sunday morning, Skyped with my friend in New York.
She explained the origins of Black Friday (quite different to Wikipedia ideas) as given to her when she worked at Macy's for decades.
It was, she tells me, when the NY businesses, 'in the red' from several poor years, put together a plan to strongly promote the bargains left from the summer season, before changing to winter stock.

People were still mellow from Thanksgiving and had not yet entered the Christmas season, so, like turkeys, ripe for the plucking as it were.

It was for one day only: Black Friday and worked so well it was repeated and is now a week long extravaganza.
During this, if you can believe it, people fight and have been killed trying to get bargains!

I have been better employed today, re-painting the frame which fits over my toilet seat and which was given to me when I had my hip operaton in 2014.
I don't actually need it now but the enamel is flaking and looked very scruffy.

Still not feeling on top form but it'll pass. Had mashed potato, red capsicum, a sausage and onions for lunch at 3pm.

Lovely to read about happy days and affectionate marriages. So cheering.

Set off at 7.45 this morning along two surprisingly busy motorways to travel to a Christmas event in a railway museum. Trains and craft stalls, sounds an odd mix but it’s lovely. Sat and listened to a performance by an excellent choir and was tempted by a very enjoyable hot turkey roll and cuppa. After a walk round the shops we sorted a Christmas lunch booking for us and one son before a quick visit to him and two grandchildren. Home via a frenetic M&S to take stuff back. Cooking was off the agenda so takeaway fish and chips for tea. Feet up this evening with the tv.

I hope the quiz has been a distraction lucky, sounds a tough day. Hope tomorrow is less stressful and painful.

Managed to get up at a reasonable hour this morning, and after writing a list, we went and joined friends for coffee in town. We also found a parking space, without having to walk back from a distant car park. I popped into 'my' charity shop to see if the Gruffalo plate and cup I saw yesterday, was still there. Of course it wasn't, but I did get two other lovely things.
Drove on to ALDI, for the half a dozen things on my list, but ended up buying half a trolley full, again.
I cooked a spatchcock chicken for supper, and DH says he enjoyed the 'Snapchat' chicken.
Clever these birds

Today, a friend came to my house at ten past eight (a.m.) and we went off to do karate. We had to travel twenty miles to get there but it was beautiful driving through Northumberland all white with frost. We got back to mine about 11a.m. to a rapturous welcome from my dogs and then she went home. After lunch, I went to Sainsbury's. I had a coffee while I decided what to order from their Christmas food catalogue. Since then, I've enjoyed doing nothing at all!

I hope that thinking of answers in the quiz will help take your mind off everything for a while, Luckygirl.
Hope your team wins!