5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

mhagster

The Grandmama slept for at least 8 hours right through…never to be heard of 😆 and then she got up, walked round the garden with the dog, fed him, gave him his medicine and then went and had a shower and started the day all over again!

Hung a washing out .

Round to DD2 at 8am with dog. Wifi was being installed. Very noisily might add…a little lady resisting sleep as she does!

Walked to supermarket. Walked back.

Hoovered there and washed floors.

And back to mine to do some work. It’s been 6 weeks since I’ve written a service but I had a dog at my feet ( he was told any nonsense and he’d be in his crate but he lay quiet happily mainly.) and wrote a lovely service for someone I know. And then I got as much done as I could and my back said ooooh you’ve not done this for a while ( and add to the ache of the thighs and calves from weeding on Monday!)

And then my visitors arrived …DD2 and The Baby, hello come in out of the rain! Had put a pie from the freezer in the oven when they were leaving. And had new potatoes, corn on cob, broccoli and carrots.

Bath time and story at mine. Then a you try and have a snooze as your daughter won’t snooze! Her daughter did not snooze until 5 minutes before her daddy picked them up after work!

And a lovely big chat with friend after they left! See ya…I’ve chatting to do!

Highdays

Busy times, mhagster, can't beat those baby cuddles though!

Some pleasures|;

1. Busy week 'babysitting' while son is away. Nearer a fortnight actually as they have had two days of plane delays due to technical issues. The mental work of being in charge rather than the physical has been tiring, on the go from 7.30am to get little fella up and off to school til 10pm when he has bedtime has left me somewhat mardy. We've coped with heatwaves, school residential packing, broken arm, job interviews, girlfriend visits, come to school tomorrow in an England kit (really? PANIC then sorted), daily meals for three huge appetities and..and…Enough she cried!
2. Hopefully they get back to Manchester around six tonight so I will feed the hordes again tonight and then fingers crossed that's it. Dad will be back for school runs tomorrow and I can have a lie in and then a handover.
3. Have had wonderful sleepy cuddles and whispered chats with little fella at bedtime. I know he's only doing it to delay goung to sleep but delicious all the same.
4. He is, as we speak, at the hospital having x rays and hopefully - everything crossed - the plaster finally off his arm. All his pals and teachers have written on it and it's been on for weeks and weeks now so is definitely beyond grubby. Dread to think how hot and sweaty his arm has been in the hot weather. Apparently the two titanium rods have to stay in place for a further year.
5. We go on holiday on Saturday, seriously cannot wait. New Forest and the Isle of Wight this time, just the two of us. Among other pl aces we are looking forward to visiting we will visit Farringford on the IOW, Lord Tennyson's former home and previously a hotel where my mum and dad spent their honeymoon 75 years ago. IWeather forecast is hopeful and intend to spend a lot of time sitting very quietly looking at the sea!

Just heard little fella is on his way home from jospital with his plaster off! Yay! Will have a bath and a gentle go with some body scrub and cream.

Have a good day all.

mhagster

Hello.

A doggy has just had his tea and he’s now back in his crate ( the doors wide open) and schnookying his duck. He’s getting a bit more freedom if I’m in the same room as him but if I’m not there he’s in with the door shut.

Up early-ish. Oh my goodness it was so wild and windy this morning and not very warm.

Cleaned the fridge and emptied some stuff out the freezer which was well past it’s good for anyone date!

Then it was time to go to work via a locker doodah to pick up a Vinted parcel and then got petrol, all the while sat nav getting increasingly frustrated with me as I wasn’t going the way she wanted me to ( she’s a feisty Australian satnav) I just needed it for the end bit!

Oh what a lovely family I’m working with. So nice. Tears and laughter today. I’m still officially on leave but I’d said I’d do this service when the time came.

Popped into supermarket on way home. Got some fruit. Ate some fruit.

Quick chat to sister on way home and quick chat to neighbour friend in supermarket.

And sat and worked a bit more. I am just waiting on a couple of bits to come in and that’s it all written.

And oh hello you’ve decided to dry up and be very windy weather. Washing out at 3pm and drying nicely.

Frith

Pleasures for today (Thursday)

1)Not a bad sleep.

2) Went to the Food Share where you choose a bag of food for £3. (At the BBE, donated by supermarkets). Bits and pieces including a pineapple, citrus fruits and a bag of potatoes.

3) Cheese toasties for lunch with LO potato salad.

4) Cut the lawn including sone of the nettles at the bottom.

5) Mushroom and leek pasta bake for tea and we'll have the pineapple just now.

Frith

Pleasures for today (Friday)

Me again!

1)Not a bad sleep.

2) Went to coffee morning. I devised a cryptic crossword for my friend last week and he had done all clues except one!

3) Took my old uniform and keys back to work.

4) Took smaller son to Lidl where they are doing kegs of beer, which interested him greatly.

5) Got a few jobs done and cleaned the bathroom.

6) Made a tray bake and flatbreads for tea.

7) Looking forward to the Cape Verde v Argentina match later on. I love the interview with the Irish man who is now playing for CV. They used LinkedIn to get a team.

PaulieHerts

recent pleasures:

A massage

Haircut and meet up with friends back near old home town.

Visit to friend near new home, she has just had her second knee replacement.

Beautiful sunsets (one of my greatest pleasures).

Sunshine ( in moderation) and hot (warm) tubbing.

Tennis 🎾

I sneaked 6 in 🤣

Night all 💤

DigForVictory

Oh this heat. <The family rule is not to have more than two sentences, so shall leave it to your imaginations to fill in any gaps.>

ampersand - a bruised 80-something is a terrifying sight. Cucumber relish - but of course. You can only eat So many sandwiches...
mhagster - the smaller they young person, the more kit they seem to need. Baffling!So well done that two generations can sleep on your watch! Line drying isn't always a prize every time... "baby’s first visit to M&S"! More reading - wonderful! A swim! And more laundry on the line! Measuring for a leg brace, oh gosh. Queens Coronation mug? what fun, but oh dear niff. Then you doing housework, & back to let her try and rest - awed. Gosh what a day & a collapsing stool leading to skinned arm. On with brace, then baby tackle shuttle in 30 degree heat - eep. Lightening storm but no rain? Most unjust. Watering cans are heavy. Oh, dashit, poor Pup & all the bereft. "Auntie duties are taken very seriously" - splendid! A licky mat - frozen, is genius! Delighted you were lent a strimmer - good neighbours! So nipping you took your rings off? Ulp? 8 hours sleep - good. Mam'selle refusing sleep til 5 minutes before Daddy arrives?! Feisty satnav?! Boggling quietly here.
LaineyT - your friend's old ally become a broodmare? All that hope for the future! Impressive shapes & speed but needing a cool sponge - gosh and how! Of curiosity how long is a 'nap' as opposed to a "power nap"? Intrigued to hear bridesmaids' bouquets donated on within family. "broken World Cup record for loudest singing of national anthem" oh to have had a bet on that! Aww, tiny fledglings in the bird bath! Lovely to see C & Moose getting rays! Line dried in two hours?! I think a cool barn & peaceful rest beats wondering about a breakout & whatever heist several horses could get up to... You have a visiting bat? <nearly billiards table green with envy> Have a wonderful time in Dorset!
DundeeDoll - yikes what a week, but wonderful to spend Sunday morning service and choral even song (with rehearsals) Oh, to be reunited with Thai phd student (& mum online!) & book & cuppa for in between things...
Happycas - "finally stitching some warm pinks" - glad to hear it. Got any red plied with black to indicate nearly burned alive?! I do admire the cruise plans & chuckle at son bringing trousers to you to shorten. Linen though, smart chap twice over.
Frith - started on the stocking fillers Already?! Awed respects! Yeay, free lawnmower & wow wildflower lawn! Mower works, and oooh guide dog pup cuddles. Anyone devising crosswords should be allowed squared paper as a minimum. Pineapple, eh? Your cryptic crossword cracked bar one?! Yikes! Smaller son eying beer by the keg - at least its Lidl... Cape Verde made it to the knockout stages - big play for a small area!
Highdays - very glad to hear the ailing are recovering! 3 grandsons, 10 days, eh?! The internet went off accidentally? (I'd have had a hand round the fuse.) So much more fun face to face, but the young need to learn that. The upside of this heat is Everyone is missing out on some things, not just those in a cast. Bank of Grandma I hope is charging interest? Ah handing back, one of the biggest pleasures.
PaulieHerts - welcome back from holidays & of course, to the laundry... Lovely photos & smitten with meet "at the beach hut"! Second knee replacement - is this the other knee or initial knee v2.0? May she be walking comfortably soon!
Purple kitten - I think you are heroic, walking DH & ferrets in this weather. However, easiest way to help the village check up on you all. Delighted that motorists stopped to say you & ferret walking is a memorable treat! "taking something apart and putting it back together again" is actually splendid - brain & hands occupied, grouch mode off! Why feel naïve about something right outside your experience?! (I had to google it & I step over empty cannisters walking to & from the carpark.) Broken biscuits & a clearance plant at a garden centre - some things are Meant.

OS Pleasures recently

As I enjoyed a soprano cornet part, I jotted “Somewhere there is a deeply bewildered bat.” Cornets getting that high up (without scaffolding) takes serious practice.
My old flatmate is genuinely amused I have a spare mouthpiece in the car to practise when stuffed in traffic but then I did use it like a duck caller to alert her to where I’d parked.

The widows cafe (a subgroup of the grief cafe) has been wrestling with whom to admit - happily basic safeguarding does spell out care for vulnerable adults & some of our number can flicker in & out of that space. An odd pleasure but it makes the admin a load simpler.
And once again I tumble into bed crackered but with a fuzz of dunnit! As in I have practiced. Delivered on my promises to myself. Even did lip pulls & scrunches & a bit of lip buzzing in the car.
“I Bought this before Elon went crazy” on a Tesla in front of me.
Out again with colleagues & all the data we yearn for has to be asked for in very formal cadences of our own colleagues… Still, great to hear my colleague’s whoop as his vetting comes through.
With reference to a trug of laundry “so it’s all unclean?” “it’s all unspeakable!”…

McDonald’s has a charming array of paper masks on sticks & these produced an IT team group photo of unsurpassed silliness. There was a Mr.Men on tour colouring thing that we adopted the image of, as an educational advisory on how a team can look Before going into the field.
Oh my word, wrestling Linux in the field. I think to describe as “retreated hurt” understates the matter. Still breathing, just snarling somewhat. And home.
Ah the email from Wytham Woods, updating me on opportunities to come badger watching & the installation of hibernacula “giving snakes a safe moist & relatively warm place to spend the winter”. Almost as fun as the gut bacteria of the field mouse, but I think snakes view field mice as dinner, not research.
The band was reduced by World Cup Fever & an out of area concert but us novices still had fun.
My habit of checking my receipt dropped the missing £3 discount in cash into my hand. The £2 coin savings pig is beginning to plump up!

As a pedestrian, I don’t hear the beeping that warns drivers that the level crossing is closing very often. So today I stood & watched as the “City of Wells” whistled & moved off. If the politicians do get commuter trains up here, likely they’ll arrive as I’m downsizing out…
Taking off an underwired bra is a whole unique pleasure. I am not that woman any more!
Replacement credit card through & mildly pleased at the detailed requirements setting up automatic/easy payments. Can’t help thinking do I need another credit card as if visa goes down, I’m stumped.
GP saw me amazingly swiftly & oh joys, antibiotics but also relative peace of mind.
Lovely colleague finally getting on holiday, just insisting on hauling my work jottings through AI into something reading startlingly professionally credible, first. Her husband & I chuckling over the phenomenon ‘Air Show Face’ - seems her idea of holiday & his have some differences but their marriage copes.

Just seen a “National Widow’s Day” post & grinned a bit wryly. We’re for life, many of us, not just a day. But still, by all means, reach out, ply us with tea & cakes (or mow the garden, or just listen as we tell you a story about the days before)!
My fellow cornet novice (he’s loads better than me) was father of the bride last month & has agreed to bring photos. (His daughter required him to walk her down the aisle & be there, but ruthlessly decreed no speeches — I do love a bride who knows not just what she wants but also minimises the stress on everyone else!) I do love a wedding, it’s the public statement of the private heart. (I shrug a bit at our wedding photos as they were mostly photos of us playing at dressing up. The guffawing with laughter at the startled tourists is us, wholly, even in silly clothes.)
Scouts. I am really very fond of them, & the switch back to Thursdays will be a bit odd.Still the year end waterfight to go!
Trying to persuade the young leaders to consider investing. The MSE offer is brilliant, they can stash a bit in & let it compound for decades, it’s made really easy. Just they look slightly wild eyed!

If you want a job doing properly, even though your lunch break is under 25 minutes, peg out your own bedlinen before your youngest makes a baked-in wrinkled havers of it. Bless the young idiot, he didn’t get the pillowcases flat, let alone the duvet cover buttons smoothly aligned. Aye well, see what gravity can do.
Poor gowk snarling but off for a walk in the evening cool which is cooler than the floor with our beds, & much cooler than the weaving shed - I was dripping with glow after cornet practice.
Laying on line dried linen, evaporating, is blissful. Pondering what to do with part baked part damp linen is trickier. See what tomorrow brings.
The little fan heaters I bought in the depths of boiler-broken cold turn out to be fans as well as fan heaters. This I find 40 hours into the blinking hot days. Still, every little…
The shed is so darn hot I can manage a few scales before I retreat to pack ready for practice & later concert!

Youngest has disappeared onto the coolth of the morning to supervise broadband for his brother. I had to make my own tea & meals, whilst training! I’ve survived but am more grateful for him than he may realise.
Shocked rigid to realise you can be allergic to sunscreen. Poor lad a not at all delicate shade of scarlet with puffy eyes - and still plays the trombone superbly.
Played my first ever live gig as 3rd cornet!
Followed by real pie & pease supper, (and red cabbage) delicious!
Was politely accosted “didn’t you used to” - yes this hulking great 24 year old was indeed at that local primary & how sweet of her to remember us. Young hulk managed Not to crawl under the table, but a couple of the band also extended hands of friendship, to find he’s “very quiet”. (Seems recorded music is his preferred form as it can be enjoyed in privacy. Ah.) Still, quiet but courteous is a passable reputation!
Chortled with various gents (on average well into pension age) and admired their fortitude in the heat, and their turnout (band leader sporting a linen suit which I Much admired, our admin lead with an unexpected choice of hats, solid brass banter over the mighty weapon & knowing what to do with it - really, these chaps are the only blokes you can share these vintage chuckles with) Then it rained, blessedly, as we scored the quiz.
Unexpected bonding moment with our blinking sensational lead cornet who loves concert nights as a chance to get out with other adults (she’s a single mum) & me agreeing, with one word ‘widow’.

Found a forgotten change purse by accident which will make my renewal of the Economist more straightforward.
Much amused at Midsomer where the Barnabys get to dine out! As a victim had booked a table to dine DS Scott - who had the grace to pass the reservation along (&, I hope, field all calls !)
Full Moon (strawberry moon) due tonight, have the cooling clouds returned enough to make this hearsay?!
The coolth is allowing idle chat to thrive from thank heavens eh? To beautiful umbrella, sir! Full suit, tie, cufflinks & beautifully furled umbrella - I could have sold him to the Americans as a classic English Gent in a heartbeat & that bashful grin “I carry it so it Doesn’t rain”… putting his value up another few thousand for an evening out for a good cause.
Trying to herd Youngest through eToro offer before it times out “where’s my passport?” Oh Gods! Ulp “I’m still looking.” But at last, he is a bloated capitalist!

“What do you want for supper?” “The flesh of the damned, in bbq sauce”. “I’m sorry, we’re all out, even the freezer is empty & you know the flesh doesn’t refrigerate well” - Youngest happily spinning words and the Emperor Palpatine’s accent as he distracts me from wrestling with an 'Expression of Interest'. Win or lose with the job, I win hands down with my amazing sons.
I was wrestling with a not-that-high note, lost the lip tongue alignment & got the falling third that is the start of Summer time. So bring an awkward cuss & with Ella singing it clearly in my head, I chased the notes and although it was by absolutely no means perfect, I played “summertime and the living is easy, fish are jumping and the cotton is high”. Then I did another scale and it cooperated & I tried summertime again & it still went well. (Now to get out my songbooks & realise how many are actually technically beasts.)
Met a hobbyist taking photos of Manchester & pointed out the scaffolding. Happy clicks & cries as he too appreciated its bizarre beauty.
Sister had a brain reboot moment & told us our uncle has prostate cancer & the family are waiting on a bone scan. Good news is he’s alive so far & sister’s brain sort of working. [Results are utterly all clear, it's just age]
Wrestling with expression of interest & colleague getting a bit too keen - I’m good to chuck it in at 9 & go to bed peaceful. He’s howling with laughter at my view phone support is vital as “I’m good, just not that arrogant” (doubt that’ll make the Final Cut but will keep him chuckling for some time.)

Job app now in, me absolutely ready to pass out but very grateful to everyone who was stern I must not let this opportunity slither as it really did look quite the match. But what would I know?!
Youngest taking meter readings as I can barely stand let alone wobble to get the elec read.
Scouts, flint n steel and firelighting. My lot were hugely impressed at the casual shower of sparks I produced, apparently effortlessly & then very tolerant of my “grip it harder, scrape it deep” then “one two three, again! one two three” til the cotton wool ball caught fire. One lass was feeble but having seen the lads struggle, looked at me & confirmed “hard?”, then one stroke & sparks galore! The lads all did better after that too!
It was there, so I had a look at this month's "Grazia". Stunning summer nonsense but then none of the clothes would ever fit me! More fun chatting with a nurse on how I braid & pin up my hair then tuck herbs in for my wedding guest look.
Back to Pride & Prejudice, my default tough waiting room reading. Ah, the classic poses…

Beginning to notice brass bands in Midsomer (season 7) seems every village & most events have brass support!
Lady mother muttering as she people watches “so important to wear a bra” - well, yes I agree, although my skinnier cousins manage fine without, so far.
Home bargains staff absolutely roaring into action after one cup of tea had iffy milk - fridge emptied, manger alerted, colleagues heaving new bottles in & old bottles away, all focused on happy customer & no repeat concern. Delayed mum’s coffee a little but guaranteed it was spot on.
More Nescaff green triangle mocha, still on offer, Youngest ecstatic…

Strange how stroking a purring cat leaves my eyelids drooping!
Aw Youngest has bought jelly babies, & set up a snacking cup thereof, by mum’s chair!
Said cat is now competing with good housekeeping for mum’s attention & just not quite winning…
Ah, Good Housekeeping vocab - well, how do you explain the phenomenon that is “Boden” in one single sentence?!
Fine just enough practice to send the cat off to find a more restful bed alongside mum. My solo ode to joy is still a work in progress (but then was it not ever thus?)

Health Strength Love & Courage to all as have need, noise cancelling headphones for all in earshot of my practice, & never underestimate the folding paper (or fabric) fan as a portable aircon! No matter how wonderful the holiday, there is somehow Always The Laundry awaiting.

mhagster

Frith have you left your job?

Up early.

Stopped at garden centre for a cheese scone to take away.

Went down to CP. Doggy in a brace and we walked a bit more today! I have to be careful as we have to walk back.

Sat and read for a while. Watched mama jackdaw feed her hungry chicks which were almost as big as her 😃

Home early afternoon. Walked around to DD2 and then walked home with a baby!

Had a wee bit of work to do.

FaceTime call with friend as I fed a baby. DD2 came to get her and off they went.

Stripped the spare bed this morning and got the bedding all ironed. Absolutely pouring rain now.

LaineyT

For the past week, please excuse the shortness of post but IPad has given up ghost so typing on phone.

Tough journey down in the heatwave and the need to find a shady spot to stop for C dog but finally arrived at cottage just after 4pm.

And by 6 we were unpacked, settled in and walking by the sea, enjoying the cool breezes, wonderful!

Visits to various gardens, houses and of course the wonderful donkey sanctuary at Sidmouth, my favourite.

We all enjoyed the garden at the cottage, especially C dog who spent a good amount of time laying down and looking up at the seagulls on the chimney pots.

The village had two nice pubs and we enjoyed their hospitality 😊

And just like that we are home again, memories intact and washing machine going like a mad thing! Our garden has obviously been baked but the only casualty seems to be the salad crops.

mhagster

Hello. Almost bedtime thank goodness as I’m soooo tired!

Up early and had an early morning visit from a very tired daughter and a baby who was not so tired. So the tired daughter went to bed and the grandmama watched the very beautiful baby.

It has poured with rain all day which whilst good for the garden it’s not so good for the forays into the garden with the dog with a sore leg.

Went out for dinner with friend which was very nice and we had a good catch up! She’s just left.

And I’m just enjoying cuddling my dog boy before he goes to his crate and I go to bed.