5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

DundeeDoll

hugs nargle and family
welcome martin09
1) 2 linda mccartney sausages microwaved from frozen for 3 mins made a quick substitution for falafal for lunch
2) took the afternoon off - trip to garden centre with mum and dd2
3) finally got plants for my pots - will plant them up tomorrow
4) back to mum's to watch the tennis. amazing match. mum cooked supper nom nom
5) then walked the dogs with dd2 and an early night. the boys are already asleep!

LaineyT

Friday pleasures,

Bit of a rough night so small lie-in to 8.30.

Dressing in our finery for a day at the races.

We were joined by both hollow-legged ones plus bgf and much fun was had by all, yours truly didn’t have a sniff of a winner but others did and bothered the bookies enough. I drowned my sorrows in delicious pink gin!

People watching behind my dark glasses, a favourite pastime

Despite some ominous dark clouds we only had one small shower and when the sun was out it was pleasurably warm.

Home, footsore and down a few bob but having had a smashing day, good times.

Frith

Hope yesterday went OK for you, Nargle.


Pleasures for yesterday (Friday).


1) My sister called round in the morning for a cup of coffee.


2) Hens well and they enjoyed a bit of kedgeree.


3) Took smaller son's trousers back to the charity shop and went on to Sainsburys.


4) Had a camp fire with smaller son and my brother, with hot dogs and marshmallows.


5) Watched Celebrity Gogglebox.

PipneyJane

Morning All

Nargle, I hope yesterday went well. Hugs.

My blessings from yesterday:

1) Working from home on a Friday. It meant that I got to potter in the garden during my morning commute time, did several loads of laundry (which dried outside) and watched the first set of the Federer-Nadal match at Wimbledon, once I’d logged off at 4.30pm.

2) Meeting up with The Ladies of A***** for dinner in Wimbledon - part 1. There’s 8 of us and, at one time or another, we all worked in the same team. We’re great friends and absolutely anything/everything was discussed around the dinner table last night.

3) Part 2. I drove there. Avoiding accidents, Madam Google directed me down back streets into Richmond - much to my surprise - and through Richmond Park, where I got to see deer grazing peacefully. (I use Google Maps as Sat Nav.)

4). Part 3. I found a free parking space on the street, 100m from the restaurant. That was a huge surprise!

5). Getting home to DH afterwards, to find him playing a computer game online with his far-flung mates, while chatting to them via Skype. It was almost like having them in the room.

ampersand wrote: »

Pip, ��♥️��✝️ for your post.
Now see that we are deadly enemies, Blackcaps now and ABs come September.
We'll survive :-), especially here, in osp-land.

Yes, I confess to coming from the “West Island”, my dear seventh stater. (Why did New South Wales p*ss off NZ in the federation conferences? We’re siblings, really.) Good luck tomorrow.

- Pip

VJsmum

Art'noon - just

Nargle, hope yesterday went well, hugs and take care in the following days.

Pleasures for yesterday

1. Making DS's sandwiches for the first time in 4 years. Such a silly thing but it definitely gave pleasure
2. Visits from in-laws and Ceri the dog, and friends. Turned down 2 offers - one of a beach walk and one of the pub. Polishes halo..
3. Finding spag bog in the freezer to have for tea. Not a massive fan of it but it was better than cooking something up :rotfl:
4. large gin in the evening. My thesis will have to thank gin in its dedication :rotfl:
5. Finished yet another draft of yet another chapter. Hopefully they'll get quicker

Have a nice Saturday all

DigForVictory

What ho midears!

To all new to this, skip as seems reasonable!

Disappeared under a rucksack, laptop & pile of handouts to educate the young. (Well the class age varies from recently out of uni to eyeballing retirement, but we call them 'children', although I struggle not to call them Scouts) and back home for three whole days before the next week. (In London Again - no disrespect but that place is *strange* - I can feel less out of place in Estonia but at least I can read the supermarket shelves more easily.) Thank you for sharing the triumphs & near disasters - an extended community is cherished when feeling a bit isolated in a strange room.

mhagster - how soon can you persuade your boss to allow another colour alongside the black? (Very few stripes here mostly as being built with an icecreamscoop doesn't lend itself to elegant stripes. My robustly off duty/at the gym attire however rather less fussed & thus intermittent stripes.) So sorry young nephew colicky - Very Hard Work on parents. (Tried sound of Hoover? Strangely effective for some, but then record Hoover as otherwise device ages faster than child.) Your nasturtiums need training - imagination happily slips leash. I think herbs & wildflowers are amongst my favourite flowers. Haggis is afeart of the hoover? Aww, glorious loyal pal. Dead right to bare your teeth at a dentist who asks foolish questions!
Mrs LW - chocolate mint? It may be chocolate but the roots are still uninhibited invaders - lock it in a tub or bucket & check it for Houdini successes while they are still small. (Then share them, just get them out of the ground First.) Buzzards? Lucky pickles - dinosaurs at foot & buzzards above! All for the beauties of nature, but have a special weakness for the beauty that is smoked salmon. Celery cheese soup with all the bottom of fridge veggies - youngest adores soup but I might not tell him about the celery, him being a picky mortal some days. Delighted you have met the sunny Flora - in years to come this memory will be a huge source of comfort to her parents. You have a kumquat tree - I should not covet but gosh! A Chinese takeaway near us has one 'for good fortune' & the business is doing well.
VJsmum - some day you will finish the writing & I want to come and applaud noisily as you are awarded a ceremonial bit of paper than in no way reflects the sheer effort (or the mileage!) involved. "others above the dysentery line" - I may use that line on the livestock... Recall strict comment from editor of light-hearted article - "you won't get good meat without a good butcher" - it is not comfortable but she used a sharp pen to splendid effect. All strength &, of course, buttered pots. Making someone else's sandwiches is a special way of saying I love you. Slightly doubt gin will be allowed to stay in the final draft but will definitely raise a grin.
Nargleblast - a good museum can be hard on the feet but does Wonderful things for mind, soul & even mental health. (The latter I am merely told about, but I went with toddlers which may have skewed the outcome a bit.) Old photo albums with daughter now - YES!!! (Sorry family tree climber & painfully aware my primary sources are ageing.) A cooperative priest, the reassurance of workmates & determined to abstain son - hurrah all (& actually lime & soda is really refreshing in this heat.) All good luck with nice black shoes.[Hotter - hurrah & in a sale!] A good list is a lovesome thing. If Marie Kondo helps, great - if she does not spark joy, you appear to have quite a lot in hand anyway, Where clocks need to be wound, you may want to put that in the diary. Son working from home - thoughtful of his employers. Fresh bedlinen a real joy. These cool calm starts are really helpful. David Bowie's Space Oddity is 50 years old! (Forgive me that my first thought was it can't be?) Hoping that you can feel the love & support around you.
Frith - delighted to hear you are all doing so well (esp vs wasps nest), delighted elder son also has pelt & younger son has impressive sharp wardrobe! Miword bus passes... Much tickled at shopping with frontman of Led Zeppelin, I know he's human but doing his own shopping in Sainsbury's is a chortle. Aw - elder son pruned and massaged?! As yet no news of exhausted Nepali barber eyeing his blunt shears & thinking of taking up flower arranging. Love the idea of stocking up ready for the seasonal rush of birthdays. (Mine clump too but in Spring.) Hurrah a seasalt T shirt for You amidst all these lovely things for sons. A fire, hot dogs & marshmallows are underrated in all this sunshine!
ampersand - you did Spits? With The Thumb? Awed but very happy pieces went to where they belong with you as concierge to ease route. I adore that you are concerned about wasting GP's time - but doubt & delay can be almost as bad for the health as not going. Huge love & hugs & strength to you as you uphold family of young soul at funeral. Switch on urn - miword yes. Hoping owl responded well to informed courteous treatment. Having the right thing is a joy - and seeing the recipient's glow is an extra hurrah. Hurrah shiny penny & may jungle spuds produce generous crops. old friends - a very special pleasure. There has been an administrative error but you are happily En France? Ca va bien then. You are la jeunesse, just with more experience. Real sea very good for soul & feet & vacances. Shells for olive tree - lovely - but elusive stone with hole will appear some day. Bringing back a crown seems a good way to ensure better rhubarb crops.
LaineyT - Marmite soldiers - that's the business! (When made with bread machine loaf, smaller loaf, so we had egg & ghurkas...) Rain - yes, a pleasure! Quiet 'us' days are to be cherished. Wash one, end up filthy - oh yes,. Cooling though. Rev Richard is far more interesting than I expect of the cloth but his path there helps. Love the grey one linking exercise & reward so swiftly - a credit to your rapport! Haircut with half an eye on cricket - could have been tricky! The Day at the Races - and where else is the gin as delectably pink?
villagelife - if we don't ask, we assuredly will not get - fingers crossed for flexibility for you! Exercises for back in the garden - the green can only help? African Chicken? most intriguing! Helicopters alas too often harbingers of bad news as well as disturbing sleep. DS1 has a gym habit? Might you be able to do more for your back (or just do it in) there? Mrs LW introduced me to rhubarb cordial & it is glorious (and simple). Fish based puns, eh? I suppose at meals is the best plaice.
BoP - ah the chocolate biscuit, an ever reliable pleasure! Mock not the bamboo shirt (too hard) - I would like a still green planet for my hoped for grandchildren. I observe Raffle's displeasure at flea treatment but appreciate his work on Yellow Stuff Anyway. You train graduates too? Baffling how they can be so bright & so ignorant simultaneously, but they pay me to impart deep cynicism. "Don’t lend a shovel to the one in the hole, but offer your hand instead." hear, hear!
DundeeDoll - I shall take your example of 'being' to heart today! Hurrah the vodka... Even I have heard of Omar Saad - awed at selfie! Solicitors. Ah. Best of luck & presuming your Will is up to date? Not many to go - as mrpiano off to the wilds of America? Ulp. Cricket a joy. Why do our young children not play as much? (Struggling to hold class attention as devices update green grass & willow & much more fun than accountancy.) Veggie sausages can replace falafel? I learn
Broomstick - hurrah for a nap when your DM is obviously lovingly anxious at yerwot o'clock & absolutely right to share the work around & take time out for yourself.
fuddle - bravo wooden toothbrush (saw one for sale in a museum shop, amused me amidst a lot of plastic stuff) Binge-reading this thread is wonderful for morale! (and no harm to waist either, win-win) Knitting is wonderful. (I find it helps with hotel room loneliness, too.) What a wonderful heart you have that you can share the nitty gritty of living with it with your friend - it is such a reassurance to know you are not alone and in uncharted waters,
Suffolksue - hurrah for getting that yellow folder sorted - back to real life and the delights thereof & well done DS helping DH over that lump. "Don't plan just do" - absolutely!
Purple kitten - escape to the welshlands absolutely! May writing & ideas flow happily.
Mrs Salad Dodger - forgive me but if DH & DSis have been laying flooring how have you been getting around?
Martin09 - welcome! A good read is an enduring pleasure.
PipneyJane - do not stress over being AWOL too hard - we all come & go as we can. Good friends are a wonderful pleasure. You're in good company working from home on Friday - our St.Martin did the same for the same reason!

OS Pleasures recently (as in pretty much this month)
In my struggles to use less plastic (especially repudiating single use), I now have one splendid metal biro which I must figure how to keep with me. Alongside the spork, drinking straw & spare teabags I think. (Noone said this eco friendly lark was Easy.)

Delighted to get a text from middleson’s best mate about needed phone topup, which quickly & happily morphed into “holiday snap he’d rather you didn’t see”. Cornwall appears to have very hazy mobile phone comms, which is probably why son seized opportunity to holiday there. [And got through £30 of phone chits. I must get him onto a contract.]

The concept of privacy whilst in the bath is being debated by father & son. The language used is appalling but the affection as well as the irritation & erratic throwing capabilities of soap can all be clearly heard.

The Lamborghini has gone but it is not missed now Raffles has a firm paw on the Yellow Stuff! [It was yellow and sensational and was triggering stop-&-gawk & selfies etc]

Postcard from sixth form teacher to son “your kindness and respectfulness to others are how I shall always remember you (that and you asking for puppets)” agog for his return to ask about puppets! [forgot, must try harder...]

Tucked in A & E again, watching the anxious parents & the vigorous children, clutching bags & toys & papers. Today it’s a run of young wrists but also a collarbone, who was much more distressed to hear he might only *watch* football for a month than he was by his injury.

Facebook memories “trying to dry the tears of a sad child, whose cheap MP3 player is not recognised by Vista. ... Worst of all it has me trying to shop for cheap Shuffles... So not good for the mental health, but a weeping child is a tough gig. Why shouldn't he have Black Sabbath & Queen on his cheapy widget?! verdafmn Vista.” You can Feel the Years Ago!

Armed forces day brought out two vintage Riley cars which I locked onto as they were a lovely Denby manor green - just cars!

Got to love the multi agency building with the alteration service on one floor & the counselling on another...

At Another Armed Forces thing, three bagpipers at restrained pelt, working eye to eye with two drummers - I love live music! Glorious stuff, absolutely what I should get playing when in the gym. Slithers of family stories & the immortal works of George McDonald Fraser all entwine!

The chup chup chyup of a bird in the tree outside. It sounds industrious & self centred! Since we had the tree lopped, we can see into it & see the little birds busy. Not all have quite figured the window, so there are occasional small bumps. Somehow, we feel privileged.

Lad reveals (under mother-in-law interrogation!) that he’s been bodyboarding off Polperro & preferred it to St.Ives. Didn’t tell us (!)

It seems my tender gesture of tucking springs of mint & rosemary into son’s wetsuit to fragrance the suit & the long hot drive to Cornwall was misunderstood. I think I’m glad he got the text before he found the herbs.

Son has driving instructor lined up for August. Therefore scrambling over me to book his theory test at 8 in the morning on a Friday so that’s sorted. <shakes head bemused at young man in a Hurry! I suppose it’s indelicate in a mother to wonder if while headlong he’s also loyal.>

As I left to get my train away to Birmingham, the dear lad was elbow deep in washing up suds & RKO Speedwaggon - truly our sons are a source of joy to me.

Irregular Choice has Toy Story styled footwear as well as shoes to make the Royal Horticultural Society blink.

Approached by a homeless guy & we got chatting about epilepsy & ended in a shared rueful laugh “thank god for Primark cheap undies”

Birmingham New St busy with happy families in India t shirts supporting the cricket!

Oh jolly well played Jonny Bairstow!

I figured the plug on the hotel sink. It swivels. (Only taken me three days.)

There’s a ‘have a go’ piano at New St. The gentleman driving it is doing so with grace, style and a thundering then delicate style that is a delight to listen to. Has just switched to something with a tango tempo that almost demands dancers to surge forward!

“How much is postage from Zorba?” Youngest is a bit tired after a week’s work experience! I love the idea of kebab by post...

“Now it’s time for my favourite game, Stop Talking” - you know, some days youngest is a bit dictatorial when embarrassed.

Son has rearranged his room - but his bedside table is now *inside* his wardrobe....

Argh squaddie humour - “I’ve lost my leg” “no it’s over here”, & a bullet ‘dear sir’, whereas artillery fire ‘attention grid coordinate’....

The “price” of a lift at short notice is that son does the washing up he promised. Between a grubby sweaty day at the garden centre & a cheerful session on the beers with colleagues & friends, so his charmingly pink pharaonic figure (in bath towels & pinny) is scrubbing at (well soaked) pots....

As I make still more rhubarb cordial. Ah Mrs LW, you never warned me it’s Addictive! This batch is somehow a pearlier colour pink. Bemused but amused!

I do hope Costa has from farm to fork tracking - my boss’s salad came with bonus crawly thing.... Just as well she's not a vegetarian.

I am unwillingly impressed. Someone’s meatball & pepperoni sandwich washed and dried.


And after all that nonsense, ongoing health strength love courage & appropriate attire for the weather to all as have need, safe and happy travels for all the jeunesse (of all ages), and special courtesies (were this in person I'd be hugging you) to all who are in formal black or have had to sort that far too vivid yellow folder.
Onwards!

Suffolksue

Thank you DfV and all for your support re " the yellow folder"wonder if it's yellow across the country or just East Anglia .

Do hope yesterday went how you wished Nargle

Assorted pleasures for the last few days

1 went to the U3A quiz ,my team came 2 nd ,two hours normality and tea and biscuits for £1.50 ,bargain .
2 cut the grass ,can't call them lawns but they do look better for it
3 the battery mower (begins with G) one charge does 2 of the 4 patches so has to be done over 2 days ,last year I was glad as it meant DH couldn't tire himself out ,this year ,at times I curse as just want to get it done ,still means I don't leave him alone too long .
4 Two of DH sisters are coming to see him soon ,they are staying at a pub in town ,feel guilty,but just can't ha ve them to stay here ,DH needs everything doing for him now and needs some privacy .Hes the youngest of 6 ,all scattered around the country .
5 can't think
DH is fading,think that's the best description,seems to be shrinking into himself .
Mhagster have sent you ( rather tried) a pm .sorry I read about your blog and it went out of my mind ,my concentration is not good at the moment ,did you find that?
Reading this my grammar is awful too ,sorry folks

mhagster

Hello. I'm back home. Been and gone and back again.

Went to work yesterday 9-12pm. Was very upset and colleagues gave me a nice hug and a beautiful bouquet of flowers that I must sort out. I just shoved them in a vase in the downstairs loo when I got in. Work was very busy so not much time to think of other things.

I drove a couple of hours south of us. We stayed in a beautiful little cottage in the middle of nowhere ( I often wonder how 'nowhere' economy's survive? ) a beautiful garden with a beautiful view of my husband's favourite mountains. We were down there to scatter his ashes. Had a bath. Put the log fire on. Started a library book. Had a walk.

Slept not too bad. I've not slept well in such a long time. I can usually fall asleep I just don't stay asleep for long. Bed was comfy.

Today up early and out with Haggis for a lovely walk down some country lanes. He was off lead for a bit but not too long as I didn't know what was ahead.

Tidied up and set off to meet son. He texted to say he was running a bit late so we did a detour and wandered round a nice wee village.

Then when we got to where OH had wanted scattered , it was raining and all misty. Up a blooming hill after driving up the most horrid roads. I was seriously stressed at the drive but I did it. Much preferred the coming home part. He was quiet specific where he wanted scattered and we were a bit put out that another couple and their dog were also there . Fair enough it's a free country but it was quite obvious what we were there to do and very personal to us. But no, they kept eating their sandwiches ( in the pouring rain with their hoods up) whilst we were scattering ashes! We are all covered in midge bites. They were blooming everywhere.

Anyway as usual the thought of the deed is often worse than the deed itself. We went one way and son went off mountain biking the other. We stopped off at a beach that DD1 particularly wanted to go to. I'd happily have left it but glad we went as it was pretty and blue skied by this point and Haggis had a fabulous time.

Home. Where I'm happiest. Sun was shining. Planted a little buddleia cutting I nabbed from the cottage, it was stunning. There were lots of tiny wrens in the hedgerows that were not at all shy, I've never seen so many before. And a beautiful yellow bird at the beach I've not seen before.

Oh Sue great big squeezy hugs to you and gentle ones to your OH. My concentration levels are still reduced . I find it hard to even watch a TV program ( usually flit in and out on catch up)

& I'm now just going in and doing my work and then leaving. Enthusiasm tarnished! Will be discussing a regular day off when I go back ( you know tomorrow after first day off after 36 days!)

DFV I'm probably not the 'right shape' for horizontal stripes either but I just love 'em! DD1 is the same! Wear what you like!

Have a nice night x

DundeeDoll

hugs mhags another step on the journey
4 weeks till mrpiano's last concert dfv then flight probably 12th though today he was saying he could go on the 11th!
A lovely day pottering.
1) ignored weather forecast (rain) and got lawn cut and washing dry hooray, which means no tumble drier and lovely clean sheets tonight
2) mrpiano and i went for brunch at a lovely cafe down Perth Road
3) then we went to the newly opened zero waste shop - i bought lentils and couscous.
4) i potted my plants (or was that planted my pots?!)
5) sorted my freezer and did some cooking
big sporting day tomorrow
edited 9 minutes later - the rain has arrived!

[Deleted User]

Not so hot today as it was yesterday, not so humid either so much nicer to be in.

Meeting my friends new Labrador puppy for the second time, Molly has quadrupled in size since I saw her a few weeks ago and turned into a perfect minature golden lab! she is a beautiful girlie indeed.

Allotment BBQ at lunchtime was extremely peasant, lots of lovely home made salads as well as BBQ meats, good company and new friends found, was great!


My garden which is beginning to look very pretty and the climbing roses over the gate arch are now in full bloom and smell divine as well as being beautiful to look at.

HWK has almost finished building the new covered garden seat and it's gorgeous.