5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

DundeeDoll

1) BiL comfortable but being kept in for another night - good to see him online
2) last of the haggis neeps and tatties for lunch
3) lovely catch-up with friends over coffee
4) Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to Blackpool

    A Blooming good day, we cheered all the way with Bradley taking the lead you know

    And second half, hark, Adebayo and Clark, I've opened a bottle of cider

    Singing a few of my favourite songs as three points come round
5) then lovely dinner at colleague's over in Broughty Ferry with another colleague from up the road - very belated birthday pressie, she knows me so well!

LaineyT

For yesterday,

A much needed lie-in.

After breakfast we took small dog for a long walk around the fields, cold but bright and good to be out. The only other walker we saw was a man with his elderly retriever who was very friendly and we all watched on as the two dogs had a game.

Lunch and then over to the yard, school was busy so girlie had a pamper and a carrot or two.

Driving home, spectacular sunset in the wide, fen sky. Listened to the footie, U’s won in the cup and are in the bag for the 3rd round.

Treat of a Chinese takeaway for tea, I had a bottle of cider with, blackberry & nettle flavour, Hmm not sure 🤔

DigForVictory

Dear me what a week. Happy Advent,all! 

mhagster - it's a very changeable winter but its decided to be cold & wet. Whilst tradiitonal, it's still inconvenient! First Mince pie! Ooh, Dragon onesie for GNephew, squirrels & cracking ice (why not?! It's Fun!) Son has new roof sorted - yes competent etc and yes, phew just the same! A work night out when you have an early start - still.

Frith - intrigued at museum timekeeping "2 cups of tea", but it doesn't feel wrong. Using Instagram (wow) and being the intermediary between Hereford Cathedral archivist & your dad - I hope this happens & there are several free tickets! Oh the lengthy ones... Awed at a full set of Delia, and for elder son - lucky lad! Storm Arwen was so bad you had to clean the windows -yikes!

bala - hoping the sky system brings you many hours of escapist peace! Sourdough bread, yum. For the short, "Yeah but I'm cute" or depending on just how uncalled for these other lads are (and if they can run) Stand Up Put Downs, Rufus Hound, 9780593068069 may help, or shock the socks off everyone in earshot - I suggest an inter-library loan (free to the under 18s up our way) in case it's a little too direct. Glad family are a pleasure. 

LaineyT - love the glove reappearing! Part of the fun of Designated people is (hopefully) All their stories are new & interesting. Heavy bedspread - it's probably time! Blackberry & nettle cider? Um...

Admiral - I do admire your Nana's strategic paperwork, & inspired, will source thank-you notelets for my lads... Vets Breakfast includes salmon with all the trimmings & no sprouts, eh? Cor! Blazing Saddles - so many jokes, such aching muscles!

[Deleted User] - lentil & spinach soup form the slowcooker sounds near miraculous 

Purple kitten - you have my heartfelt sympathies with DIY & curtain poles... Converting a chicken into several meals is meal planning, just on the hoof! Curtains & TV now sorted - pleasure is in sorted! Then clothes as well, awed!

PaulieHerts - congratulations on the premium bond win - very timely! Best of luck with the dentist.

VJsmum - well done getting a sight test & glasses while all is permitted (I'm just paranoid!) & yeay quality time with females.

village life - roses in December - awed! Mistletoe, as well - that's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Happycas - owch that things can be dated pre-Burglary but well done on wreath & yeay, well chosen jumper.

DundeeDoll - no wonder you're zonked - that's a dancecard! BiL to be discharged! (imagination sketching huge cannon, muzzle-fed with figure still on mattress, to form a neat arc across the night sky & possibly hit a satellite, Santa's sleigh, child on bike & ET....) 5000th graduate, virtual viva - I'd be heading for a pub! Loose tea is amazing but some things need a celebration venue. "Comfortable but" - ah. A lovely time indeed!

OS

I was going to move my car into the drive. I then looked at the snow in the ice & decided against! 

Quinces calling me to come & make jelly. Far warmer & more rewarding than rubbing down the car for a few yards move. [Yowsa those things are Hard & contain a Lot of seeds. Still, simmered & straining through muslin now, beautiful autumn pink.]

Middleson has arrived at destination at far end of snow & ice drive. Managing not to whimper with relief. Eyeing my car, it needs a wash & wax but the local machine can only work at temperatures above 3 degrees Celsius. Still, the snow hides the mess!

One colleague has been regretfully announced dead by his parents - aged around 50 but still far too young. My colleagues have responded heroically, not only sending amazing touching messages to the bereaved parents, but also rounding on me & packing me off to watch a Star Wars film (on which I will be quizzed tomorrow) & some meditative Islamic comfort along the lines of no tears, they’re with Allah, rejoice. A tad unexpected from my Nottingham based colleague but he was comfortingly educational, carefully quoting what he’d learned from his brother-in-law.

My menfolk have been likewise superb. I have been plied with tea, hugged & chivvied to get on with the quince jelly - a dozen jars of scarlet are arrayed to cool. As they do so, we will have a kebab, as it is almost exactly what my colleague would have wanted. (A mixed grill was his preferred meal out - but his office desk was heaped with wildly diverse takeaway menus; souvenirs & source data for accounts analysis. Our big bristly jowly Scouser had a grin to fit the rest of him.)

Parents back on zoom as expected - the relief! Topics vary from hunting super king sized bedding, protecting baby elephants, the annual Christmas letter, do you need to put a Christian name to an Attenborough this year, puppy training progress, how to stop gnawing your cuticles, the merits of Epsom salt baths, & even included “your sister is unhappy with life” (which triggered a heartfelt if tactless “this we knew” & wry chuckles all round). 

Husband happily watching Hornby & (oh gods) critiquing the layout decorators’ technique. A show on geeks is scolded for inadequate detail - the irony! Still, he’s happy & Hornby can cope…

Aw, colleague who said "watch the Force awakens" is spot on - the medic treating the Wookie is wonderful!

Son back, & his father delighted by the special treat snaffled from the hotel - two little packets of jam! Bless him, a cheap date.

eBay palaver with foreign sales. Himself muttering things I am trying not to hear but local parcel drop folk friendly! [Including one lass who went to primary school with my lads & was helped over ice & brambles etc on the walks there & back - she correctly IDed Himself as a Good Thing about 14 years ago & always has a huge smile for us all & a very beautiful tact.]

Nagged youngest through mobile phone top up - a strange pleasure but this has been ongoing for Months.

On a second run out (pharmacy autocall all ready sadly not accurate, but staff so lovely it didn’t matter) glimpsed up at night sky to see that stunning globe reduced to the blade of a sickle. Still beautiful.

Heard a slither & a silence “you OK” “sure” “and your food?” “Slightly floor-ier than it was” - ah, slipped on the stairs & managed not to swear aloud. Pleasure in decoding the slither correctly…

Middleson has developed a variant on the Wigan kebab (pie in bread roll) by chopping up a Cornish pasty between two slices of toast. It looks disconcerting and I don’t think the big name chefs have Anything to worry about, but the family banter is vigorous!

I got a parcel today. The label said a couple of volumes, a pen & some post-its & sons are intrigued! Pre-course reading for a very solid course next week. Impressively, there’s a technical check tomorrow and a welcoming email from the tutor. If we ever decide to upgrade our training game, I think we’ve just seen how on at least 3 counts! [Shared with colleague doing the admin, who is touchingly glad to hear positive feedback before we even start the course & shares my "we could do better". If I get called on to run tech checks, I know exactly whose idea this was!

Aw Facebook memories remind me that 9 years ago we’d scatter from post training meals about 9.30 pm to go tell bedtime stories by Skype… Good times, great colleagues! (We were almost all parents & while having a great time & learning a lot, we still wanted to be sure all were safely tucked in.)

Was about to go into an online meeting when husband appeared clutching a Screwfix flyer & trying to whisper "Get This!" - a few clicks & several hours of meetings etc later, I went out to drop off a few parcels & pick up another & Middleson's "oooh!" of pleased curiosity was the sound us parents had been hoping for. His Christmas present - a good drill with whizzy battery status indicator.

Husband has been canny & a length of rope (in military nomenclature) has sold for over £30. So he’s getting a Chinese takeaway & Middleson is chipping in as he wants duck in plum sauce. Oh my happy menfolk!

My satnav & I have a troubled relationship. Mostly as it is not a Garmin (Himself's preference) but I was using TomTom tech when it was cheaply available & mourn the departure of places of interest which took all the sting out of navigation!

It makes me smile when husband asks me how do you spell “Knowledgeable” & then adds “slowly!”. Whatever he’s writing it won’t be complimentary on my sat nav tour de Manchester… (I entered the wrong postcode twice. Ooops.)

Ah, the delights of the Chinese supermarket. I have the little miso soup sachets for emergencies/the office/a change from the sachet coffees. A big pack of single use bamboo chopsticks which may have a scouting future (if we have to go online, I will be teaching "knitting with chopsticks"), or be used for mischief (o my scouts) or even just slowing me down eating. Plus a several litre bottle of plum sauce as it was "more economical than a little jar". Himself changes tune occasionally!

I have unpacked the tree & the traditional decorations, plus the glass angel  decorations bought from a Liverpool museum gift shop. These latter found in The Tidyings, to my great delight.

Family adamant that had there been duck in the freezer, it was eaten some time ago “as nice food has a half life of <gestures indicating very short time period>” Next shopping list duly updated to allow me to try this comestible. Ribs also added as great minds decided we should reintroduce them to our diet. 

Youngest went to see a possible college & wanted suggestions as to where a library was to wait for us (we had offered a lift home). I coached him in coffee shops 101 & eventually being cold & wet drove him into “purveyors of pretentious drinks in odd sizes” (having tried to hang out in a Tesco without buying anything, then trying same in coop & feeling a suspected thief!). Another time he’ll wear a more effectively-waterproof waterproof… Pleasure mostly that he thought of a library first. Also we’re all home warm & dry… just that chilly wisp of doubt “a better mum would have” done differently.

Anyway. Health strength love & courage to all as have need, functional waterproofs & hot water bottles likewise, and whatever form your seasonal celebrations take, may they be Mostly Painless.

LaineyT

Sorry to hear about your colleague DFV, but have to say not correct to question your ability as a Mum x

Admiral_Barbarossa

The Admiral will now interrupt for those reading DD's verse!
The Hatters (Luton Town) won a game of Football in Blackpool. This caused Ms DD to go out and be merry!
Jen has a Buzz for DfV.
Blackberry and nettle flavoured fiery water? What is the world becoming.
Skool Nite.
Eggs at last!
Ice Cream. Proper Food!

Now it is my turn!

Trouble at the Theatre of Fish! End Of!

Had the flatbread last evening for supper, served with some delicious cheeses and fiery fizzy waters were taken! We watched a show by Jethro on the box, free of course as the bank pays for it. Rule of the Admiral. Better in my pocket than theirs!

Was up early and had the bangers and best back, with toms and mushrooms. Splashed up with some creamy scramble eggs! Tea was also taken!

The out with hammer and chisel to remove, forcefully, the tiles from the wc. All now set to reseat the thing, change the cistern and retile this week! News on this follows all week!

Now with me mug, chicken poodle soup and a nice ham bun! Trifle is being taken. Then I has to make the cottage pie for dinner, will be served with proper pan gravy! Some shall be left for tomorrow!

Jen sends her Buz.

Keep Safe!

#WHAMGEDDEN Day 5. Still in the game!

mhagster

And my working week is over! Hurrah! Another holiday day tomorrow! Yaaaas! 

Anyway, rubbish sleep, then the alarm went off ( several times, I kept pressing snooze & I actually do snooze in between) then decided enough was enough and I actually had to get up.

Nice walk with doggy, we went for the less is more school of thought…less to walk but more to sniff. It was still very dark so I didn’t want to wander too far and he was happy to sniff! Lots of crunchy grass and sparkling leaves as it was such a heavy frost and a star filled sky. 

Walked to work as heavy frost on car meant I was just as quick walking rather than waiting to defrost.

Busy shift. 

Great tips. In the jam jar.

Still to do hot shower and jammies as we’ve just been out to collect a ‘too good to go’ bag. Quite pleased with contents. ( especially the empire biscuits) 

Having a mince round, the remains of a bag of frozen chips and frozen hash browns ( I will clear that freezer!) and veggies. Including sprouts! 

Then it will be an early night methinks, tucked up in a cosy bed! Blooming freezing outside. 

Had a nice chat with friend! We caught up on our ‘night out ‘ news as we were both out last night. 

 

Frith

Sorry to hear about your colleague, DfV. Quince are strange things (parents have a tree) so we stew them with apple for pies.

Pleasures for today (Sunday)

1) Not a bad sleep.

2) Hens OK and an egg! 3 in 2 days.

3) Bigger son popped in. 

4) Smaller son and I had a cooked breakfast.

5) Football! https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001294w/the-fa-cup-202122-secondround-highlights
Usually we pop up on photographs and clips (being quite tall) but you can't quite see us, from 1 - 4 minutes of this programme.

The one minute round of applause before the game with 4,500 people singing, "We love you, Arthur, we do" just about finished me and I had composed myself then the first goal was scored 2 minutes in! 

6) Picked up a Chinese takeaway on the way home.

7) Phoned my school friend.

8) Watched I'm a Celebrity.

villagelife

1. Decorating done. It's been over a year. We need to wait for some furniture coming on Friday then it will be properly finished.

2. Drawing curtains - the new ones are all up and we have been about 9 months without 3 lots of curtains up.

3. DS1 setting us up with his Netflix account.

4. Some time spent in the garden. Needed the fresh air after doing some painting.

5. Quiet evening watching a Christmas film with candles lit.

LaineyT

That brought a lump to my throat Frith.
For yesterday,

Was a bit late before either of us stirred, hurried downstairs at 7.30 but needn’t have worried as small dog was still snoozing in her basket too.

Bacon butties and catching up on all things Ambridge.

Got a beef stew in the oven then had a lovely, long bath with lots of products thrown in it!

Long walk after lunch, tennis balls were thrown for small dog and it’s funny to see her hunting them in amongst the leaves.

Late dessert of apple & plum crumble, bit of tv watching and reading.

DundeeDoll

1) very good session over coffee in church - 2 externals talked us through thinking about what we as individuals like doing, and what we would enjoy doing with others - first board I got to was arts and crafts, I ticked nothing; 2nd board was music, phew - intrigued that the driving one had 'drive a tractor' listed
2) a cuppa with mum after at Queens Hotel - nice chat
3) afternoon first walk round back of Balgay since Storm Arwen - 6 bit trees down, no chance for anyone wanting to drive up to the Observatory
4) Leicester game (sadly not as good result as the Luton one Admiral) Dr M is still in Canada so thought I'd be watching it on my own but joined by a couple of friends (one had been to see Dundee Utd lose 3 -1)
5) then very nice chat with one of Dr M's friends