Good Morning Thursday 17th November 2022

Good morning from a dark, stormy E Kent.
Sounds like you are having a great day today, Mick. Enjoy it! So glad the bloods were easy to take.
I’m very tired at the moment, I don’t know why as I do very little, eat well and rest enough.
I live in a medieval town, so most houses are dinky, and very unsuitable for anyone with disabilities. They have grown organically, with steps all over, narrow stairs with even narrower steps, high risers, etc. So DL’s friends, who mostly live in those, can’t host her. There are, however, some who live in very modern houses on the outskirts of the town…
Spanish this morning, so I’ll see our lovely group. I made some dark spiced ginger cake for DL’s visitors, but shall take some to my class.
No idea what to have tonight. I might cook what I call “tummy buttons” which is what “tortellini “ means…
Stay safe, be kind to yourselves. Carpe diem. 🦩🦩🦩🦩

good morning, typical gloomy november morning here in s somerset

Enjoy your coach trip Mick, it sounds lovely

Two large cranks baratha brith are baking right now. I prepped for them last night, one bowl dry and one wet. Arm exercised while mixing and now in the oven, keeping the kitchen warm

I dithered about lighting my multi fuel stove this morning but it is clean and set and I don`t want to clean again, yet. Very warm robe on first time and what a difference in my comfort. Plenty of scop on the sides to take it in, in future, if I lose weight as planned

Today? no idea apart from freezing baratha brith slices

blimey, I did of course mean bara brith

Good morning from a dark but dry Torbay.

Enjoy your festive trip, Mick, which will be a welcome change from medical appointments!

What a difference a day makes! On Tuesday morning some of you were pleased to note my improving state of health and cheerfulness! By the evening we were at our local hospital's MRU, as a result of my GP asking to see me, following a raised white blood cell count revealed in a blood test. He feared I had pneumonia! ☹️

After an ECG, chest X-ray, further blood tests, etc., I faced a long wait to see a doctor, whilst seated in a chair. A unit designed for nine patients was dealing with 31 whilst short of two staff. When I sympathised with one overstretched nurse, she told me tearfully that this was normal. After a lengthy consultation with an excellent doctor, it was concluded that I had a chest infection with a small pocket of collapsed lung, the latter being not uncommon after heart surgery.

We finally arrived home at 2.45a.m. yesterday, having been at the hospital since 6.00 pm on Tuesday! After one day of antibiotics, things are improving and I’m relieved to be home as the hospital doctor warned of a possible admission, pending the results of the fourth set of blood tests. At 9.00a.m. yesterday he kindly rang with the reassuring news that I could recover at home. 😃 By then he had worked for more than 13 hours!

My thanks to grandMattie for passing on my news to you all and encouraging me with DM's yesterday. Please look after yourself and consider having a check up, if possible. You give so selflessly to others that your reserves must be depleted.

I take comfort and inspiration from the support so readily offered universally by this group. Never was I more aware of that than yesterday. God bless you all.
🦩🥰✝️💐🦩

Good morning all from a quiet and dark North Leicestershire.

I think we had lots of rain overnight.

We have had lots of visitors this week with more to come - today it is dd2 who is on a course in Nottingham.

I do love seeing the children on their own.

So pleased to hear you’re home again Ash, that hospital situation sounds dreadful for patients and the poor staff ☹️. How anyone can deliver good nursing care in those situations is a real dilemma (retired nurse here who’s aghast at what’s happening in the NHS)
Anyway, a ‘Good morning’ from a very wet corner of Wiltshire, where I am snuggled in bed drinking coffee. I’m trying to work out a less muddy dog walk for today, yesterday’s was lovely but so slippery in places.
This afternoon I have art group, looking forward to that.

Bara Brith…..it’s a few years since I’ve made that karmalady, it’s delicious 😋, and keeps well too.
Take care everyone and hope you enjoy today x

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 6° and wet. Mick enjoy your day out. Grandmattie you need to rest I expect. Please slow down. Ashcombe it's good to hear from you and that you are on the mend again.
Yesterday I visited mum who was reasonable and then met a couple of friends for coffee. Later on my oldest friend messaged me to say she had bad news and her cancer has indeed returned. I'm so sad for her. We have been friends for 60 years.
Today I'm doing an extra stint of childcare hence the early post. I have a craft class tonight where we are making Christmas lanterns. Gnocchi and chorizo in a tomato sauce for dinner. Have a good day all.

Good morning from Shropshire.

Ash, I’m so pleased to hear you are home again.

Grandmabatty, I’m so sorry to hear the news about your friend💐

We have hurricane H today.Playgroup this morning which we all enjoy as we have made friends with some other grandparents who live locally and H has made little pals too.
School pick up then back to DD’s house to get DGD ready for the school disco then back to school for the disco🤦🏼‍♀️

Wishing everyone the best day possible.

Good morning Mick and All.

No wonder you are tired grandMattie with all the extra work you have done in hosting your DL and her friends. When you said you lived in a Medieval town a picture came to mind of narrow streets and tiny houses, how lovely.

So pleased you are safely home Ash after your very long stay at the hospital. That poor doc working 13 hours!

Well as suspected DH has caught COVID from our eldest grandson. We are back home and he is isolating from me. Fortunately he is still eating so I am putting food outside his office door at regular intervals. My covid test was negative and I feel my usual self this morning, fingers crossed. Thank you Marydoll and NannyJ for your comments.

Yes Kitty I too like having my DS to myself , even though I only have one child he is always surrounded by his family, which is as it should be.

Morning Mick, morning All from what appears to be a dry corner of Somerset.

All went to plan yesterday, particularly enjoyed feet up with a book late afternoon. Today it’s a top up shop first thing, cottage pie to make with some for the freezer then a rummage for some outside battery lights we usually have in a tree at the front during the winter. They have to be somewhere, just no idea where. Hope to then get to replying to emails from good friends, I’m mortified at the passing of time.

Truly pleased you’re back home ash and not as poorly as feared. You must have been relieved at the ease of the blood test mick, todays trip out sounds to be a good one. Oh grandmattie, why would you be full of energy? Please rest when you can. Sad news grandmabatty, be gentle with yourself.

Take care everyone. Hope Thursday is kind to us all.

Good Morning everyone from Severnside where I can see the glow of sunrise.

I’m pleased to hear you’re back home and haven’t got pneumonia Ash. It’s much nicer to recover at home 💐

I picked up a blood pressure monitor from the surgery the other day and am steeling myself ready to use it.

Yesterday I went to a nice talk and today I shall do some washing and housework. Also will look at some things I want to buy online before I go to the shops and get them in person. I’ll write a list and plan as I don’t fancy faffing about all over the place.

There are many worries here so toya and have the best day you can. 🌺🍂🍃🦩

Good morning from a dark, rainy and windy Colchester. Nasty cold weather forecast all day.
DH went out at silly o'clock for fishing and woke me (why are you noisier when you try to be quiet?). I couldn't get back to sleep as the rain was hammering on the windows. The noise has stopped now. I will get up soon but am cosy here under the duvet.
I had planned to mooch the shops but the weather may have put paid to that. I have housework and catch up TV instead.
Love to all 🦩 x

Good morning everyone from Granada, where it’s just getting light and another cloudy day is forecast
Enjoy your trip out today Mick and your festive buffet, it sounds lovely
So pleased you’re back home now Ash, take care
We really enjoyed exploring yesterday, lots of beautiful architecture, narrow cobbled streets and Moorish influence. I’m checking out all the sights Marydoll, wish you were here too. We went into one of the many Teterias and enjoyed afternoon tea Granada style! We’ve got tickets for the Alhambra today so I’ll be wearing my most comfortable shoes and doing lots of walking.
Take it easy gMattie you really do such a lot it’s not surprising that you’re tired. Please just rest a little bit if you can. I wish both you and grandmabatty were here in Spain helping me with my Spanish!
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Morning all

It has been raining most of the night and it’s still wet and windy here in S E Essex. I had planned to go into Chelmsford with my bag carrier (DH) to crack on with Christmas gift buying, but will now wait and see if the rain clears.

Pleased you are home Ashcombe take things easy 💐

grandMattie you have had so much sadness and upheaval over the last year it’s no wonder you are beginning to tire, please take care of yourself. It really is time to put yourself first 💐

(((Hugs))) to al our morning pals in need of them
Have your best day folks 🙋‍♀️🦩

Good morning from a dark,damp East Yorkshire.

So pleased you are home Ash but what an experience that was by the sounds of it. I feel so sorry for the over worked staff.

I would say the tiredness is telling you to slow down GM

Oo bara brith Karmalady that’s been on my mind! I have a dear friend who’s DH is Welsh. He is 90 soon and in a care home with dementia. I’ve been racking my brain for a suitable Welsh themed gift.

I hope your DH isn’t suffering too much NanKate and that you don’t catch it 🤞

Loving hearing of your travel adventures and time in Granada brook

Yesterday we went for lunch at a nice place over the Humber bridge. We got a voucher for 10% off at the small garden centre next to it so I bought a few bits I’d previously seen in there. There is also a few small outlets at the back of it. I ordered a Christmas cake from a sweets/cake one. It was a very reasonable price. The staff are so friendly there as was the lady at a boutique that’s recently opened at the unit next door.

I’m going to sort and defrost my small freezer today and have a sort out of one of my food cupboards. Exciting eh! I also have birthday presents to wrap as it’s my GDs birthday too tomorrow. Same date as your Dollie Marydoll

Have a good day everyone.

NanaKate, indeed the streets are narrow. It is claimed that we still have the longest, narrowest medieval street in England…. Most are one way, and the system is impenetrable to nonresidentdps. 😂

Good morning all and it’s still hammering down. ☔️
Dd has just messaged me to ask me to take little DGD to school.
Dd has had a really bad cold and terrible cough for over a week now. Antibiotics haven’t helped and she’s very breathless . Might be admitted into hospital today. Cancer has weakened her immune system.

I’m on standby to help any way I can.

Kindly wishes to you all. 💕

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from a dark, extremely wet South Yorkshire. It’s absolutely pouring down. I hope your day out is enjoyable Mick! I have a food shop to do today and then I am going to make a start on sorting out the freezer in the garage, which is in a bit of a muddle. There is stuff in there I am never going to eat now and I need the space. Brook I loved the Alhambra, and the Generalife Gardens. Such a timeless, calming place.
Ash good to see you home👏. Take it steady.
Have the best day you can folks.

For Ash.....🌷👍

Good Morning Mick and everyone from a rainy Hull.
Mick enjoy your coach trip and festive buffet and show.

Ashcombe it’s so good to hear you are recovering at home💐 I’m so worried about the NHS. When I took my uncle to the eye clinic the other day there were people lying on trollies having been brought in my ambulance. The nurse taking the bloods said they had to take them as there was no other room and apologised that we had to see them so poorly😢

So sorry to hear worrying news about family and friend such a lot to mention this morning but thinking of you all💐

I’m taking my mum shopping this morning as her knee is still bad. I’ve a relaxing hair appointment at lunch and later picking up Grandson from school. Son will stay for tea when he comes for him.

Have a good day everyone if you can and again sorry for all the worries on here today 🌻🌻

Morning all from West Oxfordshire. After such a busy day yesterday (lunch out with the U3A and WI meeting last night) a slightly quieter day is planned. I am having a blood test this morning (I have put off the 24-hour ‘pee’ test until next week as I need to be home all day and I won’t be.) I am seeing friends this evening. Beforehand, I will make one of OH’s favourites for dinner - Mac-n-cheese. Have a good day everyone.

Just to say, the Alhambra was a highlight of a trip to Spain back in the heady days of 2019!

Good morning all from Harrogate- haven't opened the curtains to see what’s outside yet.
Sounds like a pleasant day ahead Mick - enjoy.
Pleased you are back at home Ash, such a relief.
GrandMattie it’s time you rested, you’ve been though a lot, done a lot, it’s now time for you! Your town sounds delightful, a bit like Robin Hoods Bay.
So sorry about your DD hope she is better soon Ginster.
It’s a long time since I was in Granada, The Alhambra is quite something Brook
Looking for a book,urms I highly recommend any by Kristin Hannah, The nightingale, the four winds, the winter garden, all recommended. I’m reading Home again, just now.
Today is my Sainsburies delivery day, DH is going for a wet walk with Dd. Might go for a wet trip to Ripon.
Have the best day possible folks

2nd attempt at posting, the original one disappeared! It's grey and very wet here in Oxfordshire. I'm working at home thankfully today.
Ash very pleased to hear you are starting to recover and can remain at home. Take care.
Gingster I'm so sorry to hear your DD is poorly, I'm still recovering from a terrible cold 8 days on and I've not been through what your DD has this year. There are some horrible viruses around, in fact I have felt worse with this cold than I did with covid.
Kittylester it's always a treat to have one of your adult children to your self, precious times, enjoy!