What I did today No.2

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?

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

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

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.

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!

Your tree looks pretty BradfordLass

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.

After my shower and cup of tea, I got started on the washing. DH leaves me a pile on the floor beside the machine. I've never bothered with a laundry basket.
I did th he clothes and then carried on with assorted towels. Since its rained all I day here I've had the tumble dryer going too, plus I've draped things around the radiators. Made lunch while DH was out taking holly trees and tubs of plants to put outside the hotel that DS runs with his partner.
Had a quiet afternoon and evening, and I really must go to sleep now, look at the time!

Chores yesterday after visitors on Sunday, choir in the evening. Today I did my voluntary work,tomorrow too, followed by another choir, so not much time to come on here.

Pouring with rain. Made two chicken casseroles. One for this evening and one to freeze. Then DH and I finished packing all the presents. Sun came out briefly at lunch time but far to wet to rake up leaves or do gardening .My lovely neighbour came round for a cup of tea. She has lived here for a long time so knows lots of people and what is going on. Being newbies we take it gently , so it is nice to see a broader picture.
After supper I fell asleep and missed most of the program I was watching. Height ho !

Day 3 of emptying my Aunt’s house. Getting really fed up. I feel dirty, tired and generally P****d off. Its bloomin’ hard work with 3 visits to the recycling heaving stuff into the bins and 2 to the charity shop. I’ve moved from Hotel Geriatrica in Eastbourne where twinsets, pearls and zimmers are de riguer to a place in Alfriston where, saints preserve, none of the bar staff know how to pour a Kir shock horror, . I volunteered to show them! Sitting in stately solitude in the bar reading Country Life. What complete tosh! Hopefully home tomorrow and back to normal

Grannyactivist, well done for managing to get to your meeting last night, and I hope you were not too exhausted. Don't overdo things.
Yesterday we did some housework between us, and I miss the girl who helped us out when I couldn't manage anything heavy. She has promised to come back if I need her in the future. She was a treasure to fit us in, as she is a busy mum.
I also had a dentist visit, during the afternoon, that had had to be postponed from October. It was just a check up, but I had to make a hygienist appointment, oh my, how expensive. It's gone up since March. (I should have trained to be in the dental profession.) ?
In the evening I finished another crocheted Angel. Tonight I will begin another.
This morning was spent catching up with phone calls that needed doing. Before I went out, I made a meat loaf, that I left in the slow cooker for tonight. Very nice it was too.
This afternoon I have been volunteering in the local charity shop. I love it there, and we were very busy, as there was a sale on, to clear the shop before holding our Christmas event on Friday and Saturday. So the time went very quickly. DH picked me up and we had a cup of tea when I got in, and out my feet up for an hour before having supper.

I’ve just had a lovely afternoon shopping for Christmas presents with DD2. It’s the second week it’s happened and the second time we’ve done it! I really enjoyed myself and must make a big effort not to request a repeat again next week. I don’t want to put her off - anyway, I’ve bought all my presents now! Just the Secret Santa to do - and that won’t be drawn until this weekend. Oh, and DH. No idea what to get him. Any ideas?

I did go to my Management Board meeting last night and was overwhelmed with the kindness of folk. The heating had been turned up to ensure I was warm, a glass of hot water was supplied along with tissues and a packet of vocalzones for my cough and instead of my usual verbal report I gave everyone a written copy so I wouldn’t have to talk too much. The meeting could easily have gone on, but the chair was determined that I should get away on time at 9pm and he brought the meeting to a close on the dot.

I’ve been very tired today, but one of my colleagues has just come back from holiday and I’ve briefed him on what’s been going on in his absence, so the pressure is off me now. It’s as though I’m a battery and when the energy is gone I have no reserves.

Visit from estate agent first thing - I will probably use him as he is also selling the new-build property that I am after and he will be able to reassure the builder that he thinks my home is saleable.

Off to a school governors' meeting, then dashed to town for a hospital appointment - various x-rays and scans of my decrepitudes planned.

The to visit OH in nursing home. He did not look at all well today - a bit muddled and very weak. Mostly asleep.

I should be leaving shortly for choir 15 miles away - come on lass, gird up your loins!

lemongrove

Put the last of the winter clothing in bags and boxes and hung up my summer dress.

The theme for the Elders' Christmas Party on Thursday is 'Red', so this burgundy coloured one had to be ironed as it's cotton. So did that whilst it was still cool early morning.

Of the two major supermarkets in New Zealand, only one, Countown a division of Woolworths, has had online shopping. They are extremely expensive. As I can't see to shop 'live' they weer my only option.

The Kiwi-owned Pak n' Save has just rolled out their online facility, so most of my morning has been comparing prices of my regular buys and looking at the luxuries they offer sich as Brie and liver pate.
.
I shall save a huge amount by changing to Paks although it's further to drive. I can see there are undreamed of goodies available too but fortunately, most of them contain sugar, wheat and other things I can't eat.

At 2:20pm, Karen arrived and I gave her a birthday gift (chocolates and a crystal). Went to the Library then vegetable shop for fruit, eggs and milk.
Stopped to buy a fish each which we ate companionably in the car.
Then off to pick up pre-ordered groceries. Kicked myself that I forgot to pick up the letter and card for friend in the UK but there's still time.

At the grog shop, bought a bottle of 20 year old Port for my dear son. The proceeds of a mattress I'm selling will pay for Xmas gifts this year

Got home 2 hours later, hot and (in my case) devilishly tired.
Put away the freezer and fridge stuff while Karen cleaned the bathroom. Too weary to do anything else.
Karen left, I fell on my bed and slept until 7pm!

Ate the other half of my fish with some of my home-made coleslaw; wrapped a scented candle for a friend who is 83 on Thursday.

Turned on my computer to look at GN but saw some online suveys for which I get paid, so did them and earned $8 doing so. Every little helps.

Ah! They have cornered you at last BradfordL you must have blown your cover somehow.?

A busy day coming up, a food shop to do, some Christmas shopping with DD2 and later today preparing meal for teenage DGS ( who has hollow legs).
I should also do more Christmas parcel wrapping, note to self, buy sellotape, the real stuff, as the cheapo brands drive me to distraction.

Yes Thanks Bradfordlass DH slept for 2 hours. Thank goodness it is raining, and promises to do so all day. So we can't start on the back. I think I may finish the Christmas cards and wrap some presents. And there are fairy lights to put up in the conservatory. Full day, but I prefer it that way

BBbevan Blimey, hope you got your quiet afternoon.

Marmight Tinkling sounds from next door? Now you know why it's called The Hydro. It's my husband's birthday today too; he would have been 70.

Cabbie21 Welcome, it's lovely to have you here. I am becoming addicted to reading other people's lives

Went for my Monday swim and tried to work hard but managed only a pathetic 30 mins. Still, better than nothing.

Came home and ate the rest of the poached fish, this time with mash, beetroot and cabbage - with strawberries to follow.

The Police helicopter is circling low over my house (or so it seems) causing that strange wop-wop feeling in the ears (I'm going deaf in the right one, I've just noticed).
Wonder who they're after?

Well, I finally caught my tail - the one I've was chasing all last week. My body told me this morning that it needed a rest, so instead of hurtling round like a mad thing, I had a shower and went walking in the woods with neighbours and their dogs. I felt guilty about not visiting a sick friend, but I'd done several days last week and there are four carers per day going in.

I was invited to go and paint in a nearby town to record some of the old buildings. I knew that if there was the slightest hint of rain or cold, I would be useless, but I went and had a walk round to see what some of my friends and other artists were doing. It wasn't the best time of year for it, and I couldn't help thinking it was a lovely idea, but should have been in spring or summer.

Made a substantial lunch and have been reading ever since with the odd trip to the kitchen for drinks. I thought at one stage I'd carry on with writing Christmas cards, but they can wait a little while longer. It's slipped past midnight again. This is my sleep pattern at the moment. Will try to sleep in a little while.

Marmight I married a toy boy and it turned out just fine, but now he's white haired and middle aged!

Today I stayed in my PJs all day!

My original reason for not getting dressed this morning was that I was going to get The Wonderful Man to cut my hair, but I went off the idea as the day wore on (he's done it before and made a good job of it). The poor man had a bike ride this morning, then did the washing, lots of meal prep, went to the supermarket for the week's shopping and cooked my meals. All without complaint (except for when I told him to put the potatoes into cold, not hot, water, but he did apologise later for his grumpy response ).

So while TWM was doing all of the above I wrote two emails and made a couple of phone calls - that's it. The sum total of my activities today.

Tomorrow I have an evening Management Board meeting to attend. It's local and will last for just one and a half hours, then I'm getting a lift back home. I can pull out at any time, but I do hope I can manage it. TWM is not happy about it, but accepts I need to see what I am capable of doing - and I can spend all of Tuesday in bed if I need to.

Just found this thread- May I join in?
Today we had a visit from family members: stepson and his partner and their daughter aged four, ie DH’s granddaughter. We see them about four times a year.
Quick flick round the bathroom and downstairs loo, food prep: roast chicken, stuffing, little sausages, roast potatoes and parsnips, carrots, green beans, peas, gravy. Jelly and a bought pavlova.
They arrived about 12, so we offered the choice of a visit to the park before or after lunch. After was chosen. Grandad showed GD photos of her Daddy when he was a little boy.
Lunch at 1pm. Success!
Potter round the garden, then to the park., whilst I cleared up then sat down to recover, Fine day, not too cold, they left at 4.

Read for a bit, then went to sing Choral Evensong. Light supper, TV. Thinking about bed now.

After my shower and breakfast put some aired washing away, put some stale cake out for the birds thankfully the dead rat a crow was devouring on the lawn yesterday had disappeared.
Got a WhatsApp pic of bil new grandchild he looks gorgeous as all new babies do.
Had a banana sandwich for lunch then watched some Netflix film and the Crown. Couldn’t be bothered to cook today so it was jacket potato and beans for dinner.
That’s about it now I’m in bed and watched the news more boring political stuff, does anyone actually believe anything that comes out of their mouths?

Had a cuddle with my cat....the husband was away for the weekend, until this afternoon.

Did the usual - showered, hair washed, etc. Did some washing, and ironing. Went to B&M, bought quite a few things. Had a snack at lunchtime.

My grocery shopping arrived, so I put it all away. Did quite a bit of online shopping - some Christmas presents for the family. Chatted with a friend on the 'phone. Read a magazine, watched a programme on Netflix.

Him Indoors came home, so I made Spaghetti Bolognese for tea, then filled the dishwasher. Spoke to son no. 2 on the 'phone, sent/received texts to/from Son no. 1, my brother, nephew and a friend.

Listened to some music, had a bath.

I've had a lovely day ?
I had hoped to revisit Berkeley Castle but it's closed until March so we went to Clevedon for a walk. Neither DH nor I have ever been there and it was lovely.
Had a good walk along the cliff path, a delicious lunch and got back mid afternoon.
Now really tired and my legs are aching a little. Nice hot bath soon I think ?