5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

DundeeDoll

definitely a cooking theme going on here - good to see
happycas think ernie has totally forgotten me
1) after first meeting mum gave me a lift in as today we could go in clear our personal stuff from our old offices (first time since original lockdown! we still don't have new offices) one of the other associate deans has her car in the car park and had offered to give me a lift home with my stuff so mum was thanked and left which left me more time with
2) lots of colleagues - so good to see them! 
3) lunchtime other AD and i walked back to my old office, she chatted to the colleagues while i carried up 5 bags of books and stuff to pack into her car. we then walked back through the arboretum discussing Quality Assurance matters- things are definitely starting to sort
4) good meeting AD and another colleague - we got a lot done, then caught up with the dean (showed him a picture of the 3 amigos, he knows Dr M but not my feelings)
5) the light was gorgeous when i got home so dumped the bags and walked the dogs. have now fed dogs and eaten supper while listening to the news quiz, will put on my washing then have my saturday bath as off to Broughty Ferry for the day tomorrow. Then an early night

mhagster

Beautiful sunset as I type. It’s been a lovely day here all day. 

Got a call to go in to work for an hour first thing. 

Nice text from friend in Australia…I texted her whilst waiting for car to demist/ defrost. 

Home and did the dishes and finished tidying  up from last night. I usually do dishes there and then and wish I had! 

Anyway! Cut up birthday cake and did some drop offs. Nice chatters in exchange for cake. 

Round to mums. Much to be tidied. 

Nice walk home. Walked on the sunny side of the street.

Had leftover chilli and rice and salad for tea. 

Got two loads of washing out and fully dried for the very first time this year! Hurrah! 

Frith

Pleasures for today (Friday)

1) Got the train with 4 minutes to spare.

2) Changed trains in Birmingham; felt like 100 years since I’d been there.

3) The next train was absolutely packed. About 8 very loud men got on in Leeds and proceeded to unpack the poshest packed lunch I’ve ever seen including champagne in proper glasses! 

4) Hotel is overly posh.

5) Went on the Metro to South Shields to see the sea and had fish and chips.

6) In our perfect holiday evening, I’ve been reading the Waitrose magazine in the bath and smaller son has been in bed watching the darts! 

7) Our injured football player left hospital today after 2 weeks and 2 operations. 

Heres a photo of the view from our room! 

LaineyT

For yesterday,

#1 has to be sleeping in my own bed, six nights at the holiday cottage had left me with a painful back, one night on our mattress had it sorted.

Saw the pony, she was filthy ( livery is supposed to include grooming when required but that seems to have been forgotten 😩 ) took my time, detangled her mane & tail and got off all the dead hair. Lots of contented sighs from my girl.

Made a loaf and some fruit scones, we had one with afternoon cuppa.

Transferred survey earnings to bank account and purchased three SH books.

Easy tea, baked spuds with cheesy beans.

villagelife

Posting late but for yesterday.

1. Enjoyed my dog walk and saw primroses. Had a chat with a couple walking their dog.

2. Went for a remedial massage at a new place. Much better than previous one and you lie on a warm water bed but feeling sore today.

3. Long chat with my parents.

4. Good trip to rugby and an interesting match.

5. After the match watching Mike Brown, who left Quins for Newcastle last year, walk slowly round the pitch signing autographs and taking selfies with all who wanted them. He spent over an hour to walk round.

Frith

Pleasures for today (Saturday)

1) Not a bad sleep.

2) Cooked breakfast in the hotel

3) A bus out to the Angel of the North. Found a geocache there and saw another family taking photographs wearing the jumpers of our football team! 

4) Back to the hotel to thaw out and have a cup of tea.

5) Got confused trying to get the bus to the football. The driver said his didn’t go that way but he would take us to to the bus station to get the right one - then wouldn’t take any payment! 

6) The football was shocking - we lost 4-0, the food was dire and the away supporters’ stand had girders but the roof was missing! At least we made the effort to go and in fact about 300 people had travelled a huge distance to get there. 

7) Walked through Newcastle (as unpleasant as I imagined on a Saturday night) for a burger. We were cheered slightly (after jumping over a vomiting man) by the number of people doing a run for the Alzheimer’s Society, wearing glow sticks. 

8) Watched Casualty. TOTP in 1990 is on now and I’m confusing smaller son by knowing all the words... 

ETA 9) I’d forgotten this little gem. Imagine smaller son and me at a bus stop in Gateshead, waiting with 20 Gateshead fans, not daring to speak and give ourselves away after the game...

Old man with lots of badges - - - Newcastle. 
Me - ?
OM - - - Newcastle?
Me - ?
OM - - - NEWCASTLE?
Smaller son (stage whisper) - I think he might be asking you the score of the Newcastle game.

Me - I don’t know, I’m only here to watch the Harriers (20 Gateshead fans start to turn round slowly)
OM -?
Me - I was here for the Harriers game
OM - ? 
Me - the Harriers 
Three other old men - I think she’s saying something about the Harriers 

OM - oh, - - - bus, aye? 
Me - erm, train? 
OM - oh, - - Newcastle? 
Me - I’m stopping in Gateshead? 
OM - what? 
Me - in Gateshead 
All old men look at me silently
OM (with vigour) - by the bridge?
Me - yes!
OM - aye... 

ampersand

1.Still rocking and dancing and all in together at🦚🏉Club.  Great night being had.😁. 14-6 away. 26-7 and 13-12 at home.  & has renounced alcohol for Lent....
Oh, shirts have just gone back on😁
Nearing minuit now:


2. That batch of trio citrus marmalade finally done - rtc limes, lemons, oranges.  

3.  Big early morning food run yesterday.  And then another whole lot more!  Where was x?  Nothing heard.  We still don't know.  So went and did the rest with little orange lightie on.  Fuel.....NO FUEL!  MrT Milton is a bombsite, all dug up!

4. Made it to another MrT against all odds.

5. More of same....into bank with a much needed cheque.  Hours changed! - newly closing at 1530h. 😖😡 BUT, actually managed to bank it remotely with their clever clogs new system.
#
And up comes this, 3 years ago today:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRXC5Dik2nQkdQV3A

Ah, Aotearoa......

DigForVictory

Totters in after a Long fortnight & today taken for a Brisk Walk more than 10 times the length of all my walking in Wednesday. Yet sleep eludes.

Belated happy birthday LaineyT! Hurrah red kites! Much impressed you find the best cinnamon bun ever & share it. Mussels with cornbread - yum! You have a well? There's preparation, bach. After a holiday the laundry & also decontaminating the beautiful one. Still, she was clearly pleased to have you back!

DundeeDoll may you never have cause to regret you gave your neighbour a trumpet! Imagination happily away to the tune of I once had an urge and I had to obey it.... Cooking your way through a Student cookbook? Shall listen with interest. That candle will see you through a few powercuts! Lovely photo! Quietly amused by boss in the dark in Georgia. Argh, yes clearing meaning lugging heavy bags of paper around - I almost needed a chiropractor.

PaulieHerts - Love the Duke! Stunning photos - love that tree!

mhagster - hairraising busy. I don't use the Quaker phrase "holding you in my thoughts" much, but do. Much food, many flowers (excellent), & "could never have imagined five years" - indeed. All this And visitors tomorrow? That's a big call for Lent, all strength! Technology can really stitch you up when it comes to dates. Love "a crescendo of noise" for you! Re: demisting car, I gather you can get in-car dehumidifiers which (after soaking up so much water) you microwave & return to duty. May speed clearing glass safely?

villagelife - paddling! It's not just for children (mine 'die of cringe', hold my boots & prepare to grab [or laugh] if I overbalance). Daffodils are big grin triggers. Even the egg-box sort. Enjoying the sunrise helps when clouds settle back down. Wordle is fun to eavesdrop on. Yeay world book day & hurrah tiger! Some rugby players put in the time & really endear themselves in a way football players seem not to bother with unless there are press cameras around (I do hope I malign them, but).

Ampersand - just the weblink has me boggling Muddy Stilettos?! that said, may have to venture into East Anglia, just to locate & chortle at The Unruly Pig. Awed at the fundraising Fitness/Workout Event & ooh béchamel sauce really does reach parts others can only dream of. Renounced alcohol? I know the car needed fuel but yowch! Gorgeous marmalades, hurrah out-fiending bank & Oh my, photo...

Admiral - Live on Tour! Happy 35 years & Rousing Congratulations, both! Ah, Steels. Steak & sherbets - that's the way.

Happycas - I must find this Boss programme. I've a link to the E street band doing You Never Can Tell live at leipzig that keeps getting used - faster & more effective than swearing or drink for some maladies. DH driving? Oh good, such a stride towards autonomy, recovery, evidence "I'm better" (which you then have to undo when the car keys are taken off them in may-it-be-decades time) Argh DS testing positive. IT speak - "Deprecated" usually means "we intend to remove the feature or capability from a future release". What that means for a kindle I don't yet know, but having two & the household colleagues & extended family having more, I'll try & find out!

Purple kitten - so much better to know consultant has gone hot Before you see them. "replacing landing floorboards" - Steady As You Go!

Frith - love a son reappearing as wants "to make something in his shed", and much praise for such parenting! Blacklead & wirewool - hoping elbow grease helped. Going on holiday this weekend - no pressure then. For sons I commend the Denman range - effective & easy to scrub, for yourself something gentler with real bristle - worth asking charity shops if they have any and see what offered as also wholly possible to clean & restore. Smitten with vicarious impressive packed lunch envy. Huge congratulations on startling younger son with clear evidence you've been around That Long! (Middleson nearly swerved car onto hard shoulder when he heard me word perfect on Tom Lehrer, not realising my misspent youth was spent Sharing some of my parents' tastes.)

Broomstick! so good to see you, wow at batch cooking & may your pancakes numerous & delicious too! I'm all for happy experiments in the kitchen, & apple & celeriac sounds like one to copy. Hurrah helpful human and council tax, and extra wood, phew! Share your awe at tinfoil encase child - drat the opportunities missed...

[Deleted User] - cuddles with the grandbaby and then "Sitting on the sofa, dog gently snoring, baby asleep, a nice interlude of peace" is there a manual?  Giving up sugar for Lent.- all strength! Sneaky competent OH & possible influx of family so yes, resupply.

VJsmum - a crackered employee is a lovely sight, grins his mother. I misread you using marking money to buy Nutella... Shame on me. Blimey O, that's a dilly of a cake! "DS got his first insult from a passenger at work - he was delighted" - job satisfaction takes many forms.

SuffolkSue - you are my shining example!

OS Pleasures recently

Family tree climbing & I discover a mother of four who has two children on Christmas Eve (different years) which is also her birthday. Affectionately appalled - this is Not Fun yet by the third joining the party, I feel strongly for the older child whose relatively unique day was diluted further!

Undid a beautifully packed parcel as menfolk boggled - much delight in carefully removing each piece of tape or bubblewrap or cardboard as they were near yipping with impatience… The revealed Denby is glorious!

Mum well enough to join the family zoom but on vigorous queries as to had she had anything to eat, went a special shade of pale that declared just as well not, really. In minutes, retreated back to bed - sometimes our affection is rather too vehement. 

There are times when a big hug is a special pleasure. 

The advert about fixing a chip in the windscreen came after several other ads & someone asked “but is it plant-based?” Someone has been watching too much TV.

Son putting up with questions about the planned Illumineers gig “was going with a mate but he’s having a baby” …. “I’m an adult human being!” & us parents giggling & me hugging him again, “don’t think you qualify mum” (rotten heightist blighter child o mine!)

I am hazily related to Michael Flanders of Flanders & Swann!

Himself dropped his walking stick & so I picked it up & carried it like my hockey stick of yore “post apocalyptic soccer mom”…. Cheers, dear.

Himself has three bags of flour & another box of yeast - he can now carry on being humorous in the face of war. We’ve also restocked on washing up liquid, without which civilisation as we prefer it crumbles. 

Oh, Youngest! Tasked with bring the spare key (to brother’s car so I could get it out if the way then park my car & re-park it) thoughtfully brought out a key that might open a modest pedestal filing cabinet. It took another try & the examination of mine to bring one helpfully stamped “Skoda”. All now well, but youngest needs driving lessons!

First ever mobile phone order for McDonald’s. I miss the sticky labels to get a free brew, but have to accept potential virus vector.

Middleson is 21! Ma-in-law hazy but has sent card & managed to Require (& get!) a call from hospital. Mum so ropey after fall & painkillers, seems to have completely forgotten (& she keeps Dad’s social diary.) Lad cheerfully bouncing from one activity with friends to another so the chocolate cake can wait til tomorrow. (I hope!)

Seems he’s been eating a Lot of meat - out on the town yesterday & ribs then filet mignon today - intrigued at the “sweetheart steak” translation while agreeing with it, but the drive this morning seemingly had a distinct niff. He’s so happy, though!

Paint balling planned seemingly, “hopefully in a paintball field & not firing on little old ladies & dog walkers” observes Youngest. Bless the lad, the affection & complete unruffled humour makes it a happy house.

There’s a little bird, able to fly off the tree & perch on the window frame, who from its cheeping is very peeved by the window glass. Several attempts & taps & shrills & chirps layer, it has flown away & in the sudden silences, I miss it!

Teasing Middleson over using his folding exam table as breakfast table for his overnight guest’s breakfast - “tablecloth? Flowers?” We’re mean rotten parents…

Sage & thyme seeds tucked into propagator trays, lidded & cling filmed. Stashed on the office windowsill where I can admonish them. (Soil mixture looks a bit like raw haggis - may have gone hard on the vermiculite.) Lemon seedlings one rank back, hope they get enough light to keep trying! All before March, & even Shrove Tuesday!

Saw an advert for Written in Bone (Sue Black, forensic anthropologist author - my usual ‘body in the library’ this is not!) & checked the Amazon reviews - which included “Highly recommended, just be careful who you lend it to.” which seems a bit odd for a review, unless the reviewers mates are compulsive book-snafflers.

Handful of cuttings from bought herbs set to water root. Seeds will do better if they’re not my only hope for new young plants without spending hideous sums!

Phone call from group scout leader (after a beaver scout session), started with “can I speak to your mother?” & Himself (who picked up) giggled for 7 minutes straight…

Cousin doing the walk around London (in stages) and at one bit, walked past two naked men swimming. No surprise, her family & friends are asking for more details of them rather than the trees & plants & history. She does make a healthy walk sound a lot more interesting though!

The good news about mum is she was well enough to join the family zoom. For twenty minutes. Since the local pharmacy can’t get the painkillers prescribed, dad now has a prescription & a list of pharmacies to phone & ask. [Sis found a hospital pharmacy that had it but ours was the "wrong sort of prescription" so found Another pharmacy that ordered it. Phew.]

Delighted to find there’s a drop point for clothes etc to go the borders of Ukraine - will sort some outgrown coats & fleeces.

Oh for Pete’s sake. All 3 grandparents are in the hands of medics & today my family tree climbing quip “you never know when you’ll need a kidney” has just lost a chunk if it’s humour. A certain amount of intelligent living & I won’t, but (based on one blood test) it’s not funny any more. Dashit.

New Picard! Excellent fun for all the family.

Right, health strength love & courage to all as have need, sunscreen and parasols where indicated, and all the best to everyone contemplating gardening & or gardens!

LaineyT

Epic post as always DFV, wishing restored health to poorly grandparents.

For yesterday,

Another day of non-stop rain, not a pleasure really but I’m British so a weather comment is acceptable.

Boiled egg with marmite soldiers for breakfast.

Sort out of books and a box ready to take into the village, local cattery sells them for charity.

Text conversation with youngest niece.

Treat of a takeaway for tea then watched the S Toksvig programme which was from Norfolk, had windmill envy.

Suffolksue

Wow DfV I’m nobody’s shining example at the moment .

Really struggling again and have got in a bit of a state about Ukraine .
its like the school bully beating up the gentle little kid in the playground and all the other kids  ( the rest of the world) just standing there watching .
I just can’t think what to do .

must try and find pleasures today