Good Morning Saturday 18th December 2021

Good morning from dry cold Manchester. It is still morning so I'll be quick to get in on time. I like the sound of the cocktails but I cant drink alcohol with all my medication. DH has gone out to find a new car for us I can stay in because I dont feel very good today. We will go shopping for a wheelchair after the holidays because I cant walk far anymore without needing my oxygen and wheezing specially when the air is cold. My doctor says my cats arent helping my breathing but I cant be without them so what can you do.
Have a grand day everyone
Ena

Morning all from a grey, foggy East Yorkshire.
Late on today. Not feeling my best today just washed out as I’m sure most of us are at this time of year.
A lot of sadness on here atm. I’m thinking of you all ?

A poinsettia eh * Urms* I’m game for trying one! I saw the one I’ve attached and thought of all you grans. Cheers!

Good morning all from a dull northwest coast. My gadding about has caught up with me and I feel tired and listless, my greatest pleasure last night throwing a throw over my knees by the fire and watching Christmas at Hampton Court Palace. Need to shake the inertia off towards CHRISTMAS but will enjoy just toddling around the house today. I remember one Christmas saying, “Oh, it can all happen without me” and it did as I was rushed into hospital for an emergency operation, missing it and New Year, so won’t tempt fate…

I need to write my one and only regular Christmas letter to my old ex nun friend who knew Sister Wendy and each year sends me a beautiful card and letter. Sadly each year her writing is getting smaller and smaller and slanting backwards. I had to get a magnifying glass to read it, which was no pleasure.
Sending thoughts to all with worries and hope you all have a nice weekend.

Good morning from the English Midlands. My last morning here but it has been great to see them all. Long train journey this afternoon.
Sorry that the covid has reached your family Marydoll
Great that DS has arrived safely grandMattie
Hoping you all have the best day possible.

Morning from a frosty but with a lovely blue sky S Lanarkshire.

Main thing today is my eldest DGD’s 18th birthday celebration.
DD has booked a private room at a lovely restaurant near them and we’re all doing LFTs so ?should be okay. This will be our Christmas family meal so we’re going ahead with it and will be in small groups on the the day itself.
Everything is so uncertain just now, I’m going to stock up on some nice food in case I end up here on my own. I am supposed to be staying with youngest DD and family from Christmas Eve till the day after Boxing Day but DSiL is off to the football this afternoon and Omicron is rampant here, so who knows.

An additional anxiety for you baubles this weekend, I hope all goes well with your DHs appointment, I think last minute cancellations are causing opportunities for earlier than expected appointments being offered to people, it’s not necessarily anything other than that.

So glad your son made it back to you safely grandMattie and hoping your Dollie stays well Marydoll

I know what you mean about packing Ekwa when did that inability to make simple decisions kick in? I go off to DDs every Monday for one overnight and look as if I’m there for a week!

Wishing everyone, especially those with additional worries ?and a peaceful day ???

Good morning from a cold, bright, Durham. We’ve had a hard frost overnight, but the sky’s that cloudless icy blue now. Babysat DGS2 yesterday, then called to see DGS1 on the way home. Perhaps I ate too late, but had an odd dream last night where I spoke with my late much loved Mum. It’s left me feeling a bit sad - her final 4 years were traumatic and I’ll never know how she coped.
I’ll meet my friend today for coffee then another visit to the loft to get a few more decorations down. Neighbour’s birthday today, so I’ll pop round later with a card and gift.
Hoping Urms will give us the poinsettia cocktail recipe tomorrow - sounds festive!

Good morning from a beautiful sunny Anglesey where the dew on the grass is sparkling like a Christmas carpet.
Happy birthday to 50 year old Harrigran junior.
Too much excitement grandMattie keeping you awake.
GrannySomerset I wonder if your back is still playing up because your body is tense so that when you move you hurt yourself. Perhaps have a word with your doctor to ask if that’s a possibility then maybe something to relax you. I’m not suggesting a poinsettia cocktail until we know from Urms what’s in it and how good it tastes.
Hope those awaiting tests and results get good news, hope injuries fade away and those disappointed to find get togethers cancelled can find some small thing to cheer them ?.
Seven more sleeps as Jax has said, a joyous time for the little ones and hopefully we can all share a little of it, even if it’s on zoom.

Good morning everyone from a damp and chilly Wiltshire. DDog and I had a muddy underfoot walk this morning, it seems like a very dreary day here.
Finished knitting great niece a little cardigan and hat, now to start on a Fair Isle one - I haven’t done one for a very long time so I hope my patience doesn’t wear too thin!
Thinking we’ll need to go into isolation here when DH comes out of hospital this weekend, he needs to avoid catching anything following lung surgery ☹️
It’s going to be a non-Christmas this year.

Good morning Mick and everybody. Pale grey misty skies in my corner of Lancashire, currently 5°C and feeling chilly. The plan for today is laundry and admin, and watching the Santa train crossing the bridge. The usual physio exercises and cycling (indoors) later.

I will read your posts while I sip my coffee.

Wishing you all the best possible day. May all those with worries find some comfort and all who are under the weather find some relief. ???


Good morning all from a dull but dry central Herts.
We managed to get back safely this week, in spite of all the obstacles to travelling abroad. We had our Covid pcr test there, which thankfully was negative so we were able to fly. Now we're waiting for results of yesterday's test which fingers crossed, will be negative too.
Unfortunately our DS3 has had Covid symptoms this week and got a positive result yesterday, but thankfully after three days when he felt ill, he is almost back to normal again. But he has to isolate until the evening of Boxing Day, however the main thing is he's much better and we can celebrate Christmas later with him.
I hope you are all well and getting ready for a happy Christmas and New Year.
Have a good weekend too if you can.

Good morning Mick and and all Glamingoes ?????
Blue skies here in mid Cornwall. A little warmer and I would breakfast outside ?
I might possibly join you for a poinsettia cocktail this evening EV. I await your review Urm

My visit to the post box yesterday was put off by many phone calls. First was to book my blood test prior to my yearly MRI next Thursday. I have a double dose scan. Last year it was on my birthday 30th. Arrangements at the hospital have changed for arrival and departure. They’ve really upt the covid precaution measures.

My sympathies to your two brothers monk.
Take care all.

Good Morning all from dull Harrogate
I had an awful night last night, but it is my own fault for volunteering to sleep with an octopus - otherwise known as my DGS. He was determined he was not going to bed at 7pm - his time, so was getting up to all sorts of monkey business.
I'm delighted you have your son GrandMattie you have needed him so much this year.
I hope the scan finds the cause of your DH's problems Gagagran
I feel for you Marydoll this wretched Omicron, Covid still messing with people's lives. You can talk to Dollie via Zoom or facebook - better than nothing.
I will have to have a shower, now the DGS has been picked up by his uncommunicative father.
Hugs to all who need them (I think that's quite a few of you)
I'll now continue reading the rest of the posts.
Have the best day you can, folks

It's a dreary day here in West/York's ,lovely to hear of family getting together for some ,then it's sad to hear about others having to cancel .I am getting more nervous about covi d test being positive than my surgery at the moment how daft is that .I will think about you Marydoll ,on Wednesday if we used same hospital we could maybe have bumped into each other ,although just realised you are early morning I am on afternoon list take care all ?

Good morning all, another grey day here in W Kent, just sorting through the washing and wondering if my brother, who was our bubble in the earlier lockdowns, will be with us for Christmas or not. Have now filled freezer in case we are not going out over the holiday. I am struggling a bit with it being so uncertain what is happening this year, in a strange way it was easier last year knowing we were at home.

Auntieflo x (((hugs)))

Good morning from another dull, grey, miserable day in Essex by the sea.

DH looks like he has been in the wars. Cuts and grazes on both sides of his head and cheek, a sore neck and thumb. When he goes out he puts a hat on to try and cover up the damage. He says he feels ok and cannot understand why I got upset when I saw him with blood running down his face. Men eh !!!!!

No real plans today, we were meant to be going to a party at the Yacht club but we are not going now. Rugby and the children's party at the Rugby club have been cancelled tomorrow. I think we will stay in and hibernate for the foreseeable.

I'm sorry to hear of all the positive tests and disrupted plans. Unfortunately this could happen to any of us in the next week.

Enjoy Saturday whatever you may be doing, stay safe and keep well. xxx

Good morning Mick, Annie and all.
Not too good this morning.
But hoping everybody has a good day.

Having ventured to make a batch of mince pies yesterday I am paying the price in terms of back ache. Fed up with myself for being so pathetic and useless because I really thought I was better. One step forward, two steps back!

DS and fiancée plus delightful dog arriving later this morning so that DS can see his dad this afternoon since he won’t be here over Christmas. Lots of financial stuff to go through to ensure I am understanding things properly and to decide what to do in the short term. The future is totally unclear and we could be planning for weeks or months.

Good morning from another dull day in Oxfordshire.
Not much happening today so I will continue with my Christmas jigsaw and make a list of things to do next week.
Sorry to hear some folks news and pleased that some other are having a better time.

Baubles, I saw my consultant last Monday and three days later, received an MRI appointment for Wednesday 22nd December at 8am, . In the past I have had to wait up to six weeks for an appointment.

I don't think it means there is a panic about me, but that many patients are cancelling appointments due to it being so near Christmas, the present Covid situation and my high levels of pain. It will also inform my rheumatologist about my RA at my appointment in the New Year. .

I am really anxious, not about the MRI (I am a veteran), but about the fact that Omicrom is spreading here and I am so vulnerable. However, most of my investigations have been on hold for two years, so once again, Carpe Diem! Time is running out!
8am is a great time, in and out before the hospital gets too busy.

Good morning from a dull and overcast Black Country.

Yesterday I bit the bullet and completed my tax return, always a chore, but it is submitted now!

It is DD's birthday today, she is 43! How did my youngest get to that age! I am taking her to lunch tomorrow, just the two of us which doesn't happen often. I have made a lasagne for her DH and the girls to have whilst we are out.

Gentle hugs to Marydoll wishing you a better day today. Thinking too of Ashcombe

Sending love and hugs to you all

Good morning from a cold, foggy NE.
DS is fifty today, well that was a fast half century.
We are going out for lunch and then returning for cake and Champagne.
Sister rang from Germany last night and was on the phone for one and a half hours, I hadn't had my meal so ended up with a tin of soup. She is sad as her friends are dying off and she is worried she won't have anyone to socialise with. Sadly this is a fact of life when you are in your eighties.
Went out to post my Christmas cards at 8am just to find the collection was at 7am
Enjoy the last weekend before the festivities.

Good Morning Mick and everyone from a sunny Carlisle where it is 0C. The car windscreen is thoroughly iced up so I'm glad I did the shopping yesterday. Today I have various little jobs to do including hauling a suitcase out and wondering what to put in it clothes-wise. I hate packing or rather the deciding of what clothes I might need and not doing any for nearly 2 years has made the task harder.

A happy and problem-free weekend to you all.

Good Morning All x.
Dark, dull but dry with a slight breeze blowing, not unpleasant. My neighbour had hung her washing out yesterday and this morning I could see it wafting about and thinking it'll be bone dry and smelling beautifully fresh. One of life's pleasures

The day had bucked up yesterday after the dull start and it had turned out lovely so I strolled along the road, few people about, and nipped into the butcher for some home-made sausage and a couple of lovely lamb chops for a mixed grill today. I really enjoyed that walk, not a soul around.

Goodness me I'm an untidy person, I get on my nerves
My living room was quite presentable a couple of days ago and I've just looked around now and it's as bad as ever. Ah well, I'll get it sorted during the course of the day as I won't be going anywhere.

I laughed at "Matt" this morning Urms and look forward to those clips, thankyou.

Marydoll, I have you in mind daily and it makes me thankful how lucky I am to be able to wake each day minus any aches and pains etc. I do feel for you.x. I hope "Dollie* remains to be germ-free too. I can see that she's your life.

Good news coming from the GrandMattie household, main thing now is keeping safe.

Go on Urms, try a Poinsettia cocktail then you can tell us what they're like as they sound delightful----and potent ! I'd go for it if I drank

For a few weeks now I've noticed a little " odd " plant growing in amongst my geranium trough outside. I'd been trying to fathom out what it could be and on looking at it growing nicely this morning it dawned on me that during the summer I'd put an avocado stone into the compost " just to see what would happen ". So now I hope any frost isn't too heavy to frazzle it. I do feel that it's more or less sheltered for now.

Little things like this lighten up my life, I don't ask for much.

Must get stuck into the crumpets now before I fade away with hunger ( I should worry )

I hope everyone's day turns out worry-free and those who aren't up to it, hope things improve for you.
Enjoy the family visits etc. and take care all of you xx

Good morning Mick, morning all from cool and bright South Lanarkshire.

I’m so sorry to hear of so many positive tests, Marydoll, everything crossed for little Dollie.

gMattie enjoy every moment with your DS, hope you sleep better tonight.

We are slightly worried as DH, who has long had prostate/bladder problems, had a cystoscopy last Friday and was told by the doctor that he needed to have an MRI as there were some places the camera can’t get to. The appointment letter arrived yesterday giving him an appointment for Thursday coming which is amazing given the present situation, however DH has decided that this is not good news. To complicate matters we are childminding as usual so may have to change the date but the post arrived at 6pm so the office will be closed till Monday now. He’ll worry all weekend now.

Supermarket shop today, I think I’ll buy some treats as it’s now officially Christmas week.

Wishing everyone a peaceful day.