5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

Kittikins

1. NSD

2. Managed not to laugh when my new Head gave me totally unachievable targets for the year - 90% of the class have to achieve age-related expectations. Yup. Of course they will. It's only my career on the line. Ho hum.

3. Little hug from a colleague when I was devastated with some disappointing news.

4. Huge hugs from DD, who's also feeling gutted.

5. Was able to pick DD up from school this evening, the first time since we both went back.

6. Cuddly KW made me a packed lunch, Marmite sarnies have never tasted so good

The carp news is that the owner of the flat I was going to buy has decided to withdraw it from sale and buy the remaining 50% himself There's miffed, disappointed and there's how I'm feeling.....

Frith

:-( Kittikins. Sorry to hear that. I'm completely out of date with house sales and the like but hope something else suitable comes up soon.


Quick pleasures for tonight as I have a cold and have been in bed for a couple of hours already.


1) Not a bad sleep.


2) Hens well though still moulting.


3) Dropped bigger son off at college. Brother was in the car with me so we were regaling son with tales of the ancient buses that took us to school and college (the journeys for each at 40 mins and 1 hour 30 each way, respectively). The numbers of fences that were clipped, car mirrors removed etc as we used to plough through the villages!


4) I drove brother to a reptile survey he is working on outside Cirencester. Not a part of the world I know at all. I was chief door knocker (hello, my colleague will be doing his daily check in your back garden).


5) Then went to Cirencester and looked round the charity shops, in the church etc through continuous rain. They are making a model of the abbey in lego, which is well worth a look - 70,000 bricks so far!


6) Had a waffle and cup of tea in a caf!.


7) Had tea at McDonalds.


8) Watched An Extra Slice with smaller son.


9) Before that, he stormed through homework - 2 biology worksheets, RE, catering, maths. With no fuss, for the first time ever!


10) Not long got off the phone to my "new" friend (only known her 10 years, where the average is 30 years!) Arranged to see her on Monday, which will be good.

house_elf

Frith - Your trip to Cirencester sounds fab. You are always doing such interesting things.
Kittikins - sorry about the flat. Hoping there is an even better one for you both, just around the corner.

Morning,

1. Thank you for keeping fingers crossed for 1st Aid test. We all passed :j. Assessor was really nice and assessed us while we all thought we were practicing.

2. Possibility of a couple of visits next week, which breaks up the weekly routine.

3. Made enchiladas for tea. DS2 actually said it was nice! Everyone cleared their plates.:j

4. DS1 asked for a lift to work, instead of wasting money on an UBER.

5. Joking with friend at work, who was my partner for 1st Aid course. If we had sat next to each other at school, it would have been so much more fun!!!!:rotfl:

Taking my 6th form group to local gardens today, to harvest our pumpkins and plant cabbages. Weather forecast says it will be sunny while we are there. :j

Have a lovely day

villagelife

Wednesday2000 the tea is Pukka which had been recommended. It worked again. Woke up at about 4.20.

Kittikins sorry about the flat. It seems to happen quite a lot but hopefully you'll find something else soon.

1. Had a talk about counselling at work. It was very interesting but the people that needed it the most didn't attend.

2. Have enough money in bank account that can pay for DS2 car insurance he can pay me back over the next few months. It means being careful with what I spend over the next couple of months.

3. DS1 phoned for a chat. He phoned while he's driving home. It is much easier now he has changed jobs - the signal doesn't keep cutting out.

4. DH was paid some money he had been owed for a while. He will be happier now.

5. Met a friend and his new partner for a meal. I liked her but not sure whether she is right for him. She is not what I expected. It was an enjoyable evening

mhagster

Hello from Hotland! Our warmest day so far 24o. It felt odd to be so uncovered by winter clothing! It felt strange having such warm air. Had my ever so comfy new sandals on and a teeshirt.

Work, I had a lovely shift. Very chatty. And ever so glad it was Friday.

Kids had managed to fill lots of neighbours bins with our recycling pile last night so I'm hopeful we are almost back to normal.

The garage is looking emptier ...not quite there but a work in much progress.

Went out for lunch with main colleague from old work. So nice to see her and we both enjoyed pizza and salad and she very kindly paid. Had a good catch up and laugh which was so good. I am going to miss so many lovely people when I go back to all the lovely people I have missed back home.

We had some big items out on grass verge. I was just going out of front of house ( normally I use back ) when I looked round to cross the road I saw a woman a bit older than me lifting the these items like they were feathers on to a truck to take away. I did shout to see if she needed a hand ( was not offering but would have volunteered son) but no, she just hoisted them on and off she went! So I'm glad they're gone.

Met one of my old customers who I had just seen at Sunday's event that I had volunteered at. Saw her on the train, we both got off at same station and walked up to the main street. Was lovely to see her again and so soon!

Lovely dog walk this morning and I'm just about to go out again. Was baa'ed at by the lamb at the kindergarten ! Posted my last letter to letter writing friend , told her not to write back as I will probably see her by the time a letter got back here!

Have a good day...I'm off to walk a dog boy!

VJsmum

Morning, pleasures for last couple.

1. whilst even i can no longer pretend it's summer, these first autumn days are some compensation
2. Getting on with my submission for next week.
3. OH's friend came for dinner last night - they've gone on a lads holiday today. We had steak and too much wine
4. I have gone back to yoga after some years away - and loving it.
5. Coffee and chat with friend..
6. DS seems to be getting on well - not that he tells us a lot

Have a nice day all.

kittikins - sorry about your news

ampersand

Typical of notspottery here: clicked Thanks>vjm and instead, up pops mhags' post for edit!
Have had repeat 'mares here with it all AND mob. saying No Internet Connection, just when I had been pleased that Thanks seemed to be going on and sticking....
Have been anchored to phone since before 9[and since rtn<Denmark] as big insurance matter is sorted.

kk - sorry re: flat purchase. You know Mother Julian's promise applies - and there is KW:-)

lainey - lovely lulubelle.

mrslw - good recovery news. Keep it steady.

frith - puzzling bits for next yr's prospective trip en rte in 3 lots. Firelighters if nowt else:-) Good younger son h/w news. & sees Church lego - impressive. Assuming this?
http://abbey900ciren.org.uk/the-great-lego-build-of-2017-be-part-of-it/
#
1. Insurance mess sorted!

2. Lessons resume tonight. Looking forward to hearing about new terms for all 3 pupils, eldest>secondary.

3. Debadgered[+5p reverbe on footpath. Reports rare these days], v. pleased, by excellent young woman in college salon who has changed life/up by bootstraps. Good for her. I like asking about their future plans/how they come to be there etc. Apprentices must learn. & is happy to be well-supervised guineapig at non-salon price.

4. Enjoyed seeing a dozen Red Angus[well, they look like RAs to &]grazing well on Midsummer Common in town of gown. BUT, a big tree is newly felled on Christ's Pieces. Asked a town warden why, but she just waffled. Was tempted to step inside the safety cordon and souvenir a little bit, but didn't. Last did that 3 years ago in McLean Park, Napier, NZ, opposite &'s old home. Took several wedges of kauri; gave one to other oldest schoolfriend now way up North, amid the kauri forests.

5. Waited 44 rainy mins for final village bus, with book and free cappu and rtc 19p sticky date biccie. Emporium food. Was num!
#
POETS day to all if poss. Happy lalaland.

[Deleted User]

Thanks AMPERSAND think we're over the most of it now but we're both running low on energy at this time of the day, sitting down with a cuppa before going out to pick the apples from the big old apple tree on the front lawn, they're hurling themselves groundwards at an alarming rate and I want some to keep for a couple of months so pick them we MUST!!!

1) Lovely walk at the arboretum this morning, trees just starting to turn so lots of colour and wonderful dahlias and michaelmas daisies, delphiniums and autumn crocuses in the borders and even sat for 5 minutes by the lake soaking up the sun, was lovely!

2) Driving out there we drove past a massive field where the pumpkins had been harvester and were laid out across it in vivid orange bands, so pretty.

3) Dragonflies glinting in the sun all the way along the footpath when I walked Cookie this afternoon like animated jewels.

4) Crazy but beautifully fragrant...we found a witch hazel bush in full bloom at the arboretum they normally bloom in the spring and this one was covered on every branch. The perfume is delightful but somehow wrong in late September.

5)Bumped into an old friend who moved away a couple of years ago and the family had come back from Wales to visit mum, so nice to see them and see how happy and well they look, life is good!

Frith

Yes, that's the Lego, Ampersand.


Pleasures for today:


1) Not a bad sleep.


2) Hens OK and I cleaned the sleeping end out. Plenty of chard, courgettes and raspberries today.


3) Bigger son had omelette for lunch and I had mushrooms on toast. Made sweet and sour chicken plus rice for tea.


4) Posted off smaller son's Ebay sales.


5) Sent off for a large size birth certificate. I have only ever had the free square one. Turns out I can no longer do election work for the local council if I don't have the big version, in case I am not British. Even though I worked full time for the council for 10 years and they have seen all the paperwork I possess for my biannual police checks. :-/


6) Smaller son had a good time at football practice.


7) Watched Gogglebox.

DigForVictory

I've not forgotten you midears, (how Could I?!), just RL went a bit bonkers.
mhagster - a fig tree & a mandarin tree - absolutely right they go to friends not landlord & all best with similar growing things back here. Worry not too much about boots - there are Plenty to choose from here? Ergle passport application - oh lud all the paperwork. You are Absolutely Allowed to hit top C occasionally. Very glad you can smell Spring, enjoy the carnations & hug Haggis too. Who appears to have the local postie nicely in hand! There is a lamb at your local kindergarten. <shakes head vigorously, failing to prevent imagination heading over the horizon>
Frith - so sorry elder son being something of a toad. Oh heck about turtles & general finances, but love moyseneedle. Hens vs weeds - hoping hens win easily! Did brother notice cleaned car? A reptile survey - Frith, your menfolk are All unique & fascinating individuals. <Expletive> council, changing paperwork requirements.
sj62 - hurrah for sauna & steam! One of the nicest ways to ditch a bug.
LaineyT - very glad to hear Lulu settling - asleep while being groomed?! Awwww! Egg & marmite soldiers back on my treat list - thank you for reminding me! She's a grey? And rolled - but of course... Hurrah saddler helpful & yippee University Challenge! Mouse in car - how does it get in? All best with humane trap. Autumn mantlepiece decorations - are you not busy enough or is this spider prevention as well as beauty?
kittikins - planes at school - such a wonderful startling treat! KW in with mum? Oh girl, you are either lucky beyond words or toast or both. Expectation management is a potent tool. Which DD has taken to heart if she's checking out universities - well done you! Oh garlics, both on the flat & the head's mad targets.
DundeeDoll - wow well done on jeans! Love purple hair colour - looked sensational on lady in cs today. A real chauffeur? Cor! Then poseys? Awed!
milasavesmoney - ah, family interruptions during phone calls. Hurrah the orchid & benevolent neglect is clearly working!
villagelife - go careful with the decluttering, (sprains & strains can drag on for ages) - but a dedicated space for DH Work is an Excellent idea. Hurrah google & you fixing the boiler! Hall & footwear - oh yes. I am deeply peeved the young shove their enormous feet into my tiny boots to take rubbish to the bin as they drag my laces through icky stuff. Time to put my boots further away?! I trust DS2 has helped with the care & nurture of onions rather than being graciously pleased to approve your work?! Cooking a handy skill to develop in the young male. Who do you insure with as I've a DS approaching driving age <ulp!>
VJsmum - hurrah DS away safe so far & DD at Lush (fingers crossed staff discount for Christmas?!) Botherations on the lurgy (& hoping drains absolutely not related in any way other than depleting your usual strength by additional worry) OhMyWord. Son. Still breathing? Awed. Ongoing plumbing possibly needful anyway but ye gods. DS not saying a lot is normal for first few weeks at Uni - tough, but when you do drop a log on his foot he *will* realise.
house elf - thank you for reminding me Victoria is back <trots off to iplayer> First Aid is worth worrying about Til You've Done the course. Then you can relax again! Sewing by a real fire sounds wonderful. Congratulations on your pass!
skint yet again - with dogs there is dog hair, & sello is your friend, as shaving a dog is considered unsporting. Hurrah KFC delivering on campaign promises.
MandM90 - I think Victoria Coren-Mitchell is wonderful, a joy to listen to on almost any subject.
MrsLW - the young can brew some remarkable bugs - short but virulent is one of their kinder recipes. What is the current favourite chickpea meal, as I have several tins, dubious teenagers & no inspiration? Getting a fasting blood taken ahead of time is a special act of mercy - clearly you have pleased some deity, let alone the nurse! Hurrah HWK is on the mend & bonus avocado! You've started stocking filler acquisition too? <phew> Animated jewels - glorious image of dragonflies there!
Wednesday2000 - garlic & ginger are wonder foods - they lift so much of our cooking from the ho hum to the yum! The right cup of tea is a very special pleasure.
BoP - shortbread with stem ginger? I shall find a recipe, tell my menfolk it's delicious & step back to await surprises. Manchester was wet? What were you expecting?! Imagination has you attired "piste ready" but wonders how you manage in ski boots. It's a long swim over to the big apple.
Purple kitten - steam fairs are good but T shirts that fit are wonderful! A day with the server down is just Fate's way of saying kick back but naturally that's not always easy to implement. I always have 'to do' lists for work, but not for unexpected-me-time! I share your delight at the museums' twitter bragging - I think both teams should see a surge in numbers!
ampersand - blimey well done what a run! Denmark now on my must visit list, along with bridge & how is it your words have me seeing a glorious blur of blue & thinking Lucky Coot that near village/old uni friend but also triple bonus points for not hoarding the beauty but making sure it's still accessible. Vikings, hurrah! Blessed Cecilia likewise. Any world with Jeremy Hardy in is better than one without. Debadgered by excellent young woman - many of our youth are shockingly brave, sadly because they have far too little choice unless they are ready to Leap.


OS Pleasures recently
Sometimes defrosting the freezer is worth it - there was a Macsweens haggis lurking in the wintry depths... Was being a key part of the pleasure!

Weather forecasts mean bins hauled to back yard & relative safety - and my phone set up to remind me to fetch one forward for collection tomorrow before work. Pleasure in avoiding wind scattering everything across the road.

More Father Brown! Season two (but ripping yarn!) & research shows season six has started filming - oh excellent! "What does yours unlock?" Oh Father - the lads are calling All Sorts of suggestions (they are Wildly lateral thinkers).

Son's proposed packed lunch: "the entire contents of the fridge - it's all goin' in" pleasure in imagining him bending shelf wire for a toothpick... (Ire at then finding half eaten breakfast abandoned on my spare waterproof.)

Lovely guy at the carpark roared with appreciative laughter at my declaration that "when it comes to bathrooms I have nerves of steel". Bless the man, he improved my weekend with sunshine, huge smiles & a loo key...

Friday night treat - husband found several lovely bits of Denby! Also girlfriend visit postponed, so family night.

Sale rack had an Iron Maiden t shirt, but in medium. Bought in hope, awed to find youngest is actually That Big across the shoulders. I'm slightly stunned, he's delighted.

Ah! Husband recalls children not overly taken with Winnie the Pooh "not enough explosions..." (Since the lads are familiar with a lot of staple nursery reading, I wonder if dad's versions had more exciting action sequences?!)

Awaiting Leeds armouries talk on Border Reivers & recalling the telling of Bowulf here a visit or two back - gripping story telling with two small children hanging onto pushchair & each other for reassurance, & the teller subtly editing to keep them intrigued but _just_ not in tears. Riveting stuff & put special effects into their very specific place - these tales are for the human voice & the human imagination!

Read the meter. Filled with virtue, plus I updated my supplier. For someone with a reminder in my phone, I am terrifyingly absent minded sometimes.

Driving with son, amused to hear he utterly disapproves of taking ones clothes off in public. Stumped to hear I had, training Customs border staff, whilst he was baggage on board. Hilarious silence as revised moral logic indicated.

"Best thing we ever had, even than the house, is Caller Display" - someone dodged talking to his in-laws...

Watching Moonrise Kingdom - joyfully surreal & absolutely worth a try!

"If yer in coach A please turn yer phones off an be quiet" - words that should be painted along all flat surfaces of Quiet Carriages, I feel. When not driving, I almost enjoy being an Awkward traveller.

A pause today when one colleague wondered if a lot of us were slightly odd - I agreed wholeheartedly - for a start we're more curious than squirrels & none of us regards 'normal' as anything positive. From the blinks, I may have hit a nerve but life is short.

Pulling faces in the mirror. I can look several kinds of idiot but it amuses me & harms noone as I attempt 'ingenue in a picture hat'...

Well, that was unexpected. Driving past a steep bank of earth - fine. Cows stood on it? Somehow disconcerting. Reminded me of the hut I saw, with a goat stood on it. Somehow the goat looked reasonable, whereas the cows? Not.

Met a colleague in Costco, as I was loading Persil & he was supervising two trolleys, one heaped with loo roll. Lad off to university, essentials being laid in, daughter just finished & also moving (loo roll will be shared) - I was impressed at volume of washing up liquid & got a deeply henpecked look. Must drift by his desk later & hear the pas devant les enfants story.

Is it just my deplorable mind or does a "sustained support system" sound intimately underwired for the discerning & voluptuous? I lost out on a senior presentation as while my diction was immaculate, my inflexions were Far too light hearted. I'm hardly heartbroken - instead I get the note taking & there, I can put our team solidly on the map & possibly in a few crossword puzzles....

Met 6 Triumphs off on a Stag run - I dented the average age but my admiring curiosity was rewarded with huge kindness by the ladies & if I patted my Mondeo reassuringly, it was to remind it that I do care. Life without it would be such hard work!

Reading about Kristin Heavner & her period packs for her students. Not what I (personally) think of as discreet, but rousing hurrahs for Any Help we can give, & I will run up a couple for my Scout section.


Health, strength, love, courage, and just enough hope to help. (Mother Julian is often right, but the darker nights can make her seem a mad optimist.)