🦞🦂 *What are we up to?*🦂🦞

Oh Kaimoana, that's not my idea of a beach day! - and poor Doodle... I hope your lovely caring family can lift your lonely spirits a little today.

As Kaimoana says, this is still quite "new" really.
Sending love to our lobstar friends who are remembering soulmates and needing them... I'm sure its inevitable that those who lose so much are bound to struggle.
Today, and this time of year especially, I am holding you in my thoughts

Dear Doodle I'm sure you are ost - its far too soon after your devastatung trauma to be gaily sailing along.
I'll be thinking about you and Grammaretto who also lot a dear DH.

I am sitting here with perspiration dripping off my hair and nose, and trying to catch it with a tissue before it hits the keyboard

The Beach Day with the kaumatua was nice, although badly planned and I wasn't the only one to wonder why we needed to drive 60km just to sit under a tree out of sight and sound of the sea we were all looking forward to.


Some people made the trek to the beach, most didn't but we had a nice BBQ lunch : lamb chops, sausages and salads.

I remember the old days when the venue was chosen so the sea was within a couple of metres and we could all paddle or swim if we chose.
People brought guitars and after a good lunch we sang all the old favourites before going home well content.
This time, there was no singing and people left early to make that 60km journey home ….and because there just wasn't that spark of celebration or camaraderie.

Did the dog with the brandy find you Doodle? I hope he brought you chocolates and flowers.

The dance I'm to call tomorrow is the St Bernard's waltz! I've been watching videos so I don't make too many mistakes.

I've also been a bit more busy than I'd like.
I've just discovered the cost of postage to Europe and am horrified. Sorry friends in France, Ireland and Denmark, you may get an email 😔

I've been booking a trip to the Hebrides in the New Year and also fretting about DB and DF who are both going to hospital tomorrow for tests and scans.

How was your birthday NN?
How are you ixion? I hope you're getting a good night's sleep.

The lunch was excellent and I wore my new blue boots. It was seriously windy afterwards not that kind of wind as I made my way to Gaelic class.

I'm going to try to go to sleep now.
Night night Lobstars 🌙

My Dearest Doodle, I sent Jeeves round to you with some brandy after he came to pick up some homemade mince pies for all my lobStar friends. I hope he made it to you Xx

ixion I’ve been extremely busy for about a week now not even time to myself at the weekend. It’s been lovely all the things I’ve been doing but sometimes the sadness builds up inside and needs release, Tonight is the night, oh how I miss my lovely man.

I certainly won’t be having anything so fancy for Christmas. I’ll be happy with some Turkey and roast potatoes.
Please send Jeeves round with the barrel of brandy ……
I can always pretend to be lost…..

Pleased to 'see' you, Doodle. I was about to send Jeeves round with a barrel of brandy to find you.
You have been busy and that is a good thing for you, if not for the joints!

Hope you had a lovely birthday NN.

Enjoy your evening tomorrow, Grammaretto - take your new blue shoes with you. Actually, that has prompted a memory - my father's work's company used to throw an annual Christmas party for employees' children. We had no car in those days, and I was always given my party shoes to take in a bag in case the weather was unreliable.
May we have a picture of said shoes, please?

I picked up a Waitrose Christmas brochure this morning.
Much as I rather like Michel Roux (🫣), I draw the line at his Beef Wellington and peppercorn sauce - serving 4- for £95.
The fact that it is elevated doesn't sway me.

Thinking of everyone this evening.

Evening all.
I’ve had a full on time for 5 days. Out every day from 9 till late at church then yesterday at art class party today at the hospice and then in town Christmas shopping and a trip to the doctors in between. I am so tired. My legs and hip ache . Doc has ordered hip and knee X-rays and some new fancy injection. I feel I need what they called in the olden days a tonic.

Grammaretto how lovely your Jane Austin experience sounds. O hope you enjoy your lunch tomorrow. I went to my party last night in flat sensible shoes then changed into my excruciatingly painful fancy evening sandals (actually in fairness the sandals are well made and a good fit. It’s my feet that are painful). While no one was looking I slipped them off under the table.

Kaimoana we are your friends. You have been such a good friend to us all. We love you. Any news of a job for your son yet.?
Ixion i have gone for minimalist this year with the thinking that what’s put out must also be put away. Plus Christmas no longer feels the same with just me here . I have made a token effort. I made a lovely wreath yesterday courtesy of a friends daughter who foraged for some branches and berries. First time I’ve ever made one and I loved it.

Naughtyneine many happy returns. Hope you’ve had a good day. 🎂🎂🎂. Hope all goes well for you in hospital. Do you know how long you’ll have to wait for the operation?
I love the idea of you modelling in the garden centre. My friend once sat in a recliner to try it out. She is not very tall and when she pressed the button to recline the seat I shot back with her marooned flat on her back and not near the control and unable to action the return to upright position. Of course I was able to help her……..when I eventually stopped laughing.

Notspaghetti and Cherry lovely to hear from you hope all is well. 😊💕

Oh *Kaimoana - I see now what a terrific excuse for quiet contemplation on a rock, that fishing is... it's simply a foil against a "madness" diagnosis!
🎣

Happy Birthday to Naughtyneine
21 again!

Happy Birthday, NN!

Have 3 wishes on me🧚‍♀️ xx

Happy Birthday NN hope it is all you expected and wished for.

Kaimoana, your lobStars friends love you and will always be here for you 💕 X

Happy Birthday for tomorrow, Naughtyneine. I hope you have a wonderful day 🎂 💐 x

NN I hope all goes well for you at the hospital next week.

Ixion Christmas card dilemmas. Hmm. I just make a new list each year. The only year I had everything done in good time was when I was expecting DD who was due on Christmas day but who came a little early.

Ever since then I don't begin to panic about Christmas until after her birthday. I know it's silly.

Ah yes the contented fisherman Kaimoana one can relate to that but if they really catch poor little farm bred fishes in a pond, hurt their mouths and throw them back. That doesn't seem right somehow. DSIL likes to sit on the pier and throw his line in for mackerel. If he does catch one or two he brings them home for tea.

I have a Christmas lunch to go to tomorrow. Its due to rain heavily and I want to wear my new shoes. I suppose I could wear wellies and carry my shoes.

I believe NZ is having good weather now. How I wish I was there!

Off to bed and hope for a good sleep for you ixion and for me.

Oh, the irony!
Sympathising with the sleepless 🦞s yesterday, I found myself up and raring to go at 04.30 thus morning- well, at least my brain was, saying nuffin' about the body.

Consequently, I have been firing on fewer cylinders than normal today.
I postponed my coffee date with an understanding DF until Friday, finished writing my cards and dug out the decorations.

Prolonged angst over certain names on the list.
Last year's non-responders came under the spotlight.
Have they died?
Moved?
Cut back?
Fallen out with me?🤔
🤷‍♀️

Decorations.
Do I go for 'House Beautiful' style or 'Memories'? The latter encompasses cotton wool snowmen, pipe cleaner angels, Fimo ornaments which are guaranteed to weigh down the sturdiest of branches.
At one time, we gave the children their own tree to decorate as they wished. This one was certainly quantity not quality. The more, the merrier.

Early bath for me tonight- hope everyone has had a good day.🌛

I perfectly understand fishing.

Were you to simply tell your nearest and dearest you wanted to sit on a river bank (or sea rock) all day, it would be accepted as a temporary eccentricity.

However, if this became a regular pastime and you came home with an air of peace and a contented smile, the N & D may be tempted to follow you to see what you were really up to.

When they observed that indeed, you really were just sitting quietly watching the water go by, they would rush for their phones and put the local psychiatrist on speed dial.

So you need an excuse and what better than the tried and tested - fishing?

Naturally, when your N & D, still slinking about in the shrubbery, see you throwing back what they could have pan-fried and served for tea, they will check that speed dial.
But go right ahead they have nothing on you, even the highest in the land sit on river banks (or ocean rock) and say they are “fishing”.

I really didn't want to post that picture. NotSpaghetti I will ask to have it removed.
I was trying to post something else, a picture from NZ in glorious sunshine.

Happy birthday for tomorrow NN.
Have a lovely day.
They do come round rather often I find.

Too much going on here but I'm planning to visit my df who moved to the Hebrides, in the new year.

Hugs to you all.

Oh Lobstars I've missed you all.... DF left yesterday after 10 days. She has thoroughly enjoyed herself and left relaxed and rested. Bless her she is not domesticated ( by her own admission) and gets stressed by cooking so coming here if a bit like being on a docked cruise ship....sit and do nothing. I don't mind but DH does get a bit frustrated at times especially if I'm struggling.
We did manage to get out and about albeit limited as I am not able to walk well at the moment. We were planning a trip to the Bath Christmas market but DH didn't think it a good idea and he was right. I wouldn't have managed at all. As it turned out the reports said it was very crowded with 15 minutes queues to get to some stalls.

As it was I had to model several items of furniture ( including a very nice recliner and footstool) at the garden centre whilst DF chose a sheepskin throw.

I've got my scan and x-rays next week. My local hospital are getting accreditation to do the specialised scan I think and I'm having the lead radiologist do it. The x-ray is of my lower spine ( presumably to check position of the pins) and the scan is of my pelvis. I think she said that they then put all the results into some sort of program that will tell them how to operate.... Yay...and then I can come on the Lobstar fossick outing. I long to paddle in the shallows again soon.

Grammaretto I was sad to read that you had been sidelined...I have reached an age ( to be added to tomorrow eek) whereby I have less time ahead of me than behind and I choose to be with people who want me in their lives for who I am. How graceless of your group not to accept your cake with thanks for your efforts....likewise for your friend Doodle. Can she sell them herself and give the money to charity maybe?

NS. your DMiL sounds an amazing lady, I hope she enjoyed her manicure and the hospital/doctor can sort out her wheezing, could it be the side effects of some medication?
Kaimoana...I really hope you go on your trip...take your meds and go have fun, you so deserve it. Carpe Diem

I dare not go back to the previous pages as I'll lose what I've posted above so I'll post this for now and then re-read and comment on the posts I can't remember who posted them That's if I survive the fossicking that needs to happen in my office which looks like a jumble sale ready to happen and has been ignored for the last 10 days but as there is now no floor space I will have to venture forth. Warn Jeeves please

What a beautiful photo Grammaretto - so full of joy!
(Did you intend to post it online?)

I know we all enjoy your company Kaimoana We are so lucky to have you as a friend 🧡

I had a good day too though the rain was unbelievable tonight. Quaker meeting this morning, followed by soup made by Aussie helper while I got the fire going. It was her first time at a Quaker meeting and she was a bit surprised especially as one person introduced herself as an atheist.

In the afternoon I went on my own to that church where DH used to sing and has his name on his family's gravestone. It was packed for carol singing and bible readings with a fabulous organist and trumpeter accompanying.

Afterwards we were all invited to the house nearby where the fire was lit and punch (non alcoholic) and mince pies were served.

It felt a bit like being in a Jane Austen novel.

Tonight the film was rather good too.
I probably won't sleep well after such excitement.

I am sorry you lost your posts NotSpaghetti

Yes wordle at midnight ixion

I really envy people with good friends they can turn to.

I have heaps of acquaintances whom I really like and get on with, but not one person whom I'd confide in.

Nor do I have anyone to go places with - perhaps because I don't have transport. Who knows?

Of course, several have said, 'If you need to go anywhere, just let me know' -but the one time I really needed that, they were unavailable.

Not to brag but I'm fairly sure I'm liked. If I miss a kaumatua meeting, several people post on our forum wondering where I am and hoping I'm well.

I live in a suburb which is 11km from everyone else and only see them at the kaumatua group once a week.

In 'real life' they are really friendly and I've seen the difference in their attitudes when someone they don't like is there. Often with good reason

There is one lady who pops in occasionally (her daughter lives nearby) but she'll arrive at lunchtime (and not for food ) and talk until dark, always about herself.

I like her, she's a sweetie but it would be nice to have a conversation rather than a monologue!

I always get the impression she comes here because she's at a loose end, not actually to see me, if you know what I mean.

No pleasing me is there? Ha ha ha
Good job I like my own company.

I hope you get a better night tonight, Grammaretto. Your posting on the Wordle thread will let me know😉.

I hope the fact that you now have new tenants for your flat will raise the spirits a little. And your New Blue Shoes. I am sorry that your DF is no longer at your side, friends can fill a void that family never can, can't they?🌺
Lots of 'cans', sorry

I hope too, Doodle, that busy-ness helps you sleep well at night. I am pleased that Church is the proverbial balm to your soul.

You too, NS, seem to be burning a bit of the midnight oil?
Loss of draft posts is so annoying!

And Kaimoana basks in sunshine!
Good for you!

Grammaretto I’m not surprised you miss your friend. I have a good friend and don’t know how I’d manage without her. She’s been so kind since Dh died. When you’re in your own friends can be such a help can’t they.
I’ve been at church all day today and am so tired I’m off to bed soon. Catch up properly tomorrow. Sleep well all.

Hello all - I don't know what was going on yesterday but I wrote a long post (too long probably 🥱 ) which vanished in front of my eyes as i pressed post. Grrr!

I was in bed but wide awake, 1.40 ish and couldn't bear to say it all again.
I wrote a second (short) post and pressed "go" and it also "went!" ...to where I have no idea!

You and me both, awake at all hours Grammaretto

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone

Why are you wide awake? Probably because your mind needs to think things through before you begin another busy day.

Love and happy thoughts coming from very warn New Zealand xxx

I am sorry you can't go to church Kaimoana. Last weekend at the Storytelling our local minister was showing us his travelling communion pack. He had been visiting his housebound parishioners.

That's not the same thing ofcourse but it could be a connection.

Thanks Lobstars for being so kind when I was having a strop.

I wrote to the couple who wanted the flat Doodle and they are happy to take it. They have to sort out some things with their current landlord.

Your crafty friend's situation was far worse than mine. I really don't mind about the cake. I am just missing my friend who died in March. She would have understood and sympathised but would remind me to rise above the irritations of life. We used to go to concerts and theatre together. I miss her.

Why am I wide awake at 2.30am!