5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

[Deleted User]

Welcome home all the littler Mhagsters and hugs to poorly Haggis dog, hope he's home soon where no doubt he'll go into extacies of delight at having his 'humans' back in one place again xxx.

) Cinema yesterday afternoon to see 'Murder on the Orient Express' which was thoroughly enjoyed, it's very well done!

2) Supper out at Wagga Mammas for a real treat, yummy!

3) Lighting the woodstove when we got home cold and being toasty warm within 20 minutes.

4) The news this morning saying there is some hope of the Brexit deal being reached for the next stage, getting to be 'terminal ennuie' with all the TV coverage of this stage.

5) Nothing specific planned for today so a day pootling at home and doing all the little things that take 10 minutes, sorting packing for my trip to Berlin with DD1 next week, a little cooking to put in the freezer for He Who Knows while I'm away and writing those few Christmas cards we send these days. Also if we can borrow a card a trip to Makro to pick up essentials like washing powder, dish washer salt and loo rolls etc. A sort out day!

LaineyT

Glad your babies are home safe Mhags.

Thursday pleasures,

Wild and stormy day, woken up early doors by message saying horses staying in due to weather.

Into horsey town for various chores, all completed without getting too wet.

Freezer and cupboards full, feeling thankful that we are in such a position.

Snuggles with the little dog, typical spaniel she usually goes at everything 100 miles an hour but cuddles are really quiet and gentle with her nose placed against my cheek, priceless.

Plans being made for youngest DSS's 21st.

mcculloch29

Small collection.
1. The pleasure of a Christmassy fiction to read. I only read romantic or historical fiction around this time of year, and rely on Am@zon to supply it.
Having read a particularly dire book, I hastily requested a bit of chick-lit, and it's great so far, really well-written and funny. A lot of swearing in it, but hey-ho.

2. Compensation for a cancelled Age UK shopping trip in the form of shopping online with Amazon. The items supplied by Amazon Pantry (a service for Prime subscribers) seem to improve all the time. Last time I stocked up with washing up liquid, loo rolls and kitchen rolls. This time coffee whitener and cans of sugar-free Irn Bru in bulk, along with other essentials. I will have a huge box to cut up and dispose of later.

3. Chat on phone with DSis, who is well. She retired years ago, but had very complicated pension arrangements that are only now being sorted out. A nice financial advisor came to see her, and reassured her. Thank God for professionals who can reassure, it's a dying art.

4. Mum in law Jessie on Peaky Blinders. The storyline is a cracker. I demand BAFTAs for this, particularly for Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, and Adrien Brody, his performance as Luca Changretta is masterful.

5. Your pleasures, thank you.

ampersand

Another long Spits haul, with added nasties, yesterday.
Buyer, declaring self as 'Portobello dealer for 25yrs, everyone knows me' (no-one did), hrs after exceptional bk purchase, demanded refund(£170) having "changed mind'. Unanimous fellow dealer feeling(word spread like wildfire): he picked on older solo female with some prominent,, unique high value items,, thought he'd make big quick profit on a £250-400 book, but deal/buyer fell through/didn't gel.
Called patron as witness to proceedings/safety net. Person backed off, altered tone,.but & returned £150, eventually, for safety's sake and DO still have book. Fellow dealers are putting out word and watch...

Also broke 2 plates, entirely &'s own fault, 1 at each end of day, another £30-50.

&squat regained 0310h. 2 hwbs+honey/hot milk meant &lit @ 0330bells and smoke alarm chirruping in 3s every few mins, still is.....

New battery needed, says googling.

...and c.2230h, packed up, off to Brick Lane for car, found & had left lights on since 0445h.....

Add Wednesday's car tax reminder, another £190+.. tralalalalalalala.
#
1. The unanimous support of fellows.

2. The kind, entirely spontaneous, insistent assistance of 'Fred', with ferrying out of all &stock/paraphernalia>Meriva, well after 22h (when all-night concierge i.e. cleaning, staff come on.). He just says, in broken English, he doesn't know how & does it, heavy boxes, smiling, working...neither does & sometimes, days like yesterday, with...oh yes, increased stall rents, without notice, another next month and more stock restrictions....
MORE Tribeca Kill Market tactics. Plus their 'mgmt' filming throughout day and sending patron to 'correct' what they deem defective, stall by stall.
Don't even begin on legality of this....mutiny on cards.

3. The end of long day push-start from Brick Lane parking guy and young couple. Then left Meriva running, while parked and loading - another 40-60mins....well 2 lumps of Old London Bridge granite weigh a bit for a start:-) and & loads precisely, heavies forward, lhs. & will be 'contributing' driver's weight rhs:-)))...even tho' not fully Fen-sized.

4. Finally, with lunettes' return, finished 'The Franchise Affair', made timeless by such excellent writing and perception of humankind, presented as little asides and observations within and without compelling characters' narratives. Have re-started Adam Sisman's biography, ' John Le Carr!'.

5. Surviving.
In context of so many others' plights, &'s not even a mote of cosmic dust. & will shortly carry on, unload car, bank modest £s, renew car tax, check this w/e's 24hr emporium specials, prep. tonight's tutoring, anticipate with pleasure tmrw's rugby+carvery luncheon (crimbo-ish home match is the only time & allows self this) - and more osps will arrive.
We all have this fortunate certainty/equivalence.
#
Kk, Mhags en famille+mince pie Haggis(shock for children), pk+dad, vjm and all adjusting family, Frith son's new taxi driver, house elf, all who post or lurk...

Take care, take heart. On y va.
#
Oh, a PS - thanks are all peeling off again. Consider them gorilla glue'd back.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

5 Well all that about my lunch inn my munch box yesterday and why the cakes of Jaffa are missing because they are being puntered in packs of 10, a decimal system introduced by the frogs, today we have cakes of Jaffa. Last nite in w8rs, and proper packs were available. Unfortunately, I had to put some of BoPsie wine back as I could not get all the packs into the basket. Tum is being rubbed vigorously!

4 Looking forward at last to the Grand Tour tonight. A channel that requires no regressive TV Tax. Just remember that the biggest prosecutor of females in the UK is crapita, an tax collecting division from the BBC!

3 And I am always asked at the mill why the stokers are so good at their jobs. It is because you would not want to do it at home, and we are professionals. Beside that, we are damping down the fires as we head rush towards xmas! Team event is booked for the wobbleade emporium and whisky is on order! More later!

2 Nite BoP isd having another chicken curry for tea with fresh egg fried rice. I know I only had one yesterday but …

Message ends!

ampersand

Anti notspottery triumph:
http://www.waitrose.com/home/christmaswithwaitrose/one-day-only.html?wtrint=1-Content-_-2--_-3--_-4-Sitewidestrip-_-5-SitewideStrip-_-6-29_Nov_17-_-7-Christmas-_-8-OnedayonlyBAU-_-9-Aisle

Purple_kitten

Vjsmum Sorry I'm a bit late to post, but also sorry to hear your DFs news.
Yeserdays
1 Glad the workday is finished
2 Meal planning gave us gammon, veg, egg and pineapple.
3 I am mesmerised by Kirsties handmade Christmas, I know anything I try will look like a ceramic blob with glitter on.
4 DH is starting to feel a bit better he’s been poorly for 2 weeks now, nice to see him getting back with it.

Today
1 Work week done, I came down ill over the morning, and people were sweet, if dosing me up is sweet.
2 Freezer chicken and pizza, as we literally have very little else in at the mo, even my go to meals aren’t available.
3 A lovely work colleague who thought I was leaving today, passed me on one of their books of companion to wildlife gardening which looks lovely.
4 Animals came bounding to see and play, makes it all feel worthwhile.
5 About to order myself a present from DH!???

mhagster

Well it's only Haggis and I are that awake...everyone else is zonked. Sleeping by 7pm.

Haggis is home very expensive mincemeat pies.dleight to see his peoples.

Blooming freezing! Much scraping icy snow off car this morning.

Recycling done. Son has been emptying boxes in garage.

Big walk. Very slippy. Popped into friend on way back.we are so lucky to live just minutes away from beautiful countryside.

Decorated tree.

My babies are home ...all 4 of 'em

DigForVictory

Argh RL kicking back

Kittikins - hurrah house news & aw savings tin merger! Eep about the mortgage.
Frith - may you lay down the fact & let the vengeance land squarely on that fool individual. OK,. may vengeance arive more promptly. 50+ miles a day, ye gods. Phew new escort to start but um. So sorry you've lost an archaeologist. So glad your Great Aunty has you & mum on her case.
Ampersand - our family has a Spong, but golly your memories are better. Hurrah lunettes & <shrug> Asda - all strength icing 4 cakes! Drat Spits being so mismanaged, (vive la revolution!) & treble hurrahs for lunettes when the Franchise Affair is the alternative reality to step into. Plights may only be a mote of cosmic dust but feel a sight heavier than chunks of Old London Bridge when they cascade into you repeatedly.
mhagster - you continue to be a beacon of light, no matter where & what. That little old lady was dashed glad of you & your children will appreciate you. Honest. Eventually. Eeep, Haggis! Every child home, even Haggis - Hurrah! And yes, cold.
Skint - stick at those Christmas cards, you know it makes sense & they *are* appreciated.
Dundedoll - you won a cake?! Awed! Ah, BT. <eyes shotgun, turns away>
VJsmum - all the best with that brambled eye & all strength with your dad! "we just don't think it can be anything else" - er what?! Trying to keep up with everything - do please be ready to drop the occasional ball as needed.
MandM90 - all this running! Awed! Real wooden sash windows are glorious once sorted.
LaineyT - oh yes "she went into stable reasonably clean" - heartfelt sympathies (I have teenage sons) Love your dogs approaches to claw clipping! All the best with all the teenagers! So glad you got a message allowing you to stay under covers as horses stay indoors.
mcculloch29 - Hugely intrigued by Dr.C's new snake's name but yes, eating vital. Hurrah new crutches & hope they work out well! Who is the IrnBru enthusiast in your house (or is it communal?!)
BoP - I gather we're not doing too badly at cricket then? Encore de Grand Tour? Excellent!
bagpuss38 - love bed & dog nonjudgmental comfort! 9 years - brilliant! Stick at it! Snorkers - the right answer to almost very question.
house elf - pink tree with flamingoes? Fun! While the children are still talking there's hope.
Mrs LW - hurrah for getting to the feeling laid back about Christmas bit. My chaps are Just Beginning to consider what they'd like... Aww Nativity & teeth. I miss those days! Sharing the Brexit ennui!
Purple kitten - order that present - it may not be a surprise but it'll be Right!

OS Pleasures recently
Bright half moon lights me to the car.

The stand up & the painter discussing art & hearing aids et alia on the radio - I so approve of any woman wearing vividly age unsuitable trainers as they're comfortable! (Only Artists, Rose Wylie & Stewart Lee)

Pondering what mischief lends itself to wheelchairs in Oxfordshire. I am to take my mother on the razzle.... [She wants to explore the super new John Lewis. Not quite what I think of as 'razzle' but she doesn't want to impose on anyone but does have an alert curiosity!]

More little playmobil people in their mystery packets to brighten the office with. We've a new interim manager who is startlingly reasonable, so the little figures aren't as desperately needed as pick-me-ups to morale but it's good to indulge occasionally.

It's Friday! It's Advent! Waitrose has a chocolate sale on! OK that latter not terribly OS but sometimes I get love & chocolate muddled. And the brands that Footballers' Wives would eat if they only allowed themselves chocolate, too.... Bless you, Ampersand and redfox!

The questionable MP & the retired copper. Hum. Not a mention of time stamps - which could place fingers on keyboards, or not, definitively. Pleasure being us team thought the same thing in the same minutes.

What would you give a young person that will change their lives? We reckoned zest-for-life aka rampaging curiosity, the freedom to make mistakes & shame. They might not thank us for the latter but we were raised with it & became (we reckon) the better people for it.

Reassuring sister preparing for her colonoscopy that we are all (men & women) pink inside. I think she needs to see the camera to believe me...

Aw, youngest early in the morning has hair in all directions like a tousled hedge bird.

Son has Sunday Breakfast sorted. Mug of orange juice, a pot noodle & a small bucket of hot chocolate. With a packet of crisps for "vegetables". <shakes head, torn between laughter, envy & what have I done?!>

Child has been excused haircut on grounds he's doing mocks & it might be his lucky hair.... After the last paper, all bets are off though.

Oh my, SuperMoon! Just glorious, and even Lancashire cloud could only dim it a bit & with moving cloud the light would go from veiled to effulgent. Y'know, some minutes Christianity doesn't quite seem to have the raw wild potency of the hazier pagan ideas.

There's a start to a Monday morning - eldest (barely awake) looking like an early Tarzan pleading for a lift, & (that granted) retreating back into the Land of Nod cradled by duvet.

You know it's dark when you can hear police horses but you can't see them, even though earlier you saw them with lights on their leg bandages & the riders carrying light sabre type wands for traffic direction.

Asked a lonely paparazzo who he was waiting for - footballers again, but first the sniffer dogs... A whole new insight into this chilly & under appreciated profession! We grinned that even self employed you could grouse about your boss, let alone the hours, the conditions & so on!

I think I may have a vocation - for asking questions. Anyone got contact info for the Little Sisters of the Eternally Curious?

I like dropping things off at our favourite ca - they are so non-judgemental, supportive & full of good advice on how to hex a cold!

Leftover corned beef hash - divided into two bowls & the smaller portion with a brown sauce smiley face. Son declares himself content despite the ahem obvious inequity.

This cold is playing hob with my spectacles. A box declaring Scaling Ron (potentially a snappy title, I mused) turns out to be not even a "scaling iron" but a "sealing iron" whatever that is - which leaves me scowling at a bad font & pondering how Smaug would set about a personal wash & brush up before stepping to impress...

Awed, (I think), at son's self discipline. A large bag of the German gingerbread (lebkuchen) he adores is still unopened after three days. Is he well? Awaiting someone else to open the packet? Or planning to 'tidy' the thing entirely off to his lair...?

Discovery of "littlefoot" an archaeological wonder, has triggered a great deal of domestic hilarity, given she was short, female & found in a cave. (Some hobbies come back to bite you decades later.)

Infidelity central hotel projecting coloured stars onto local architecture - very pretty (& I expect the party will be very expensive, but I like the light show!).

Emporium rtc quail eggs - my plans for an egg mayo sarnie just got uplifted a tad. Really not a downshift but seems wrong to risk them going to waste. Specially my waist.


Right. Storm Caroline has come to welcome the mhagster children into the delights of Scotland. (All the deep fried jokes will start to make sense shortly.) No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should, even if the evidence is dashed sketchy based on the news headlines. All love, courage, health, strength, hwbs, wellies & sellotape as needed in the coming days & weeks & may whomever you believe in defend us all.

Frith

Quick pleasures tonight as I'm tired now.


1) Not a bad sleep. Woken by next door's silly dog at 6.30 but then went back to sleep until nearly 9.


2) No school for smaller son today as it snowed. And snowed...


3) Did 3 pieces of homework with smaller son (no mean feat) and there are just 2 pieces to go.


4) Walked to see hens (too much snow to drive). The view was lovely and stopped to take photos on the way. Lovely to look out at the Clee Hill and all the fields between here and there, covered in snow. Fed hens, walked back up the lane, looked back over to the Clee Hill and it had gone! A huge new snowstorm was over it and heading my way and it hit me about 200m from home.


5) Went out in the snow a couple of times with smaller son.


6) Tidied my room up a bit.


7) Bigger son worked putting up a shed for someone during the day and at the pub tonight.


8) Exciting drive to Art Deco cinema for smaller son and me. Appalling driving conditions (especially up here - not such deep snow lower down). Icy, bit windy, snow pelting the windscreen. I didn't go over 30 mph at all.


We watched Miracle on 34th Street - only 10 people in the little cinema. Turns out our tickets were right next to my solicitor so had a little chat with her! Lovely Christmas lights in that town.


9) Glad Amir has gone from I'm a Celebrity. He was not one of the people I wanted to win. Also just watched HIGNFY sitting in bed with bigger son.


10) Bedtime now and will listen to the Now Show.