O/S Daily Wednesday 9 March 2022

-taff

Morning all. I'm sticking so far to this new routine [ish]. Got up and showered straightaway, no excuse now not to get dresed and up and at 'em earlier...I have to go back to town this morning to get a DBS form submitted, or applied for, couldn't do it yesterday on the way back because I didn't have the mythical utility or bank statement to prove I live where I live. But I did look in the Portugese shop and buy some stuff to try, I'm terrible for trying anything new. Didn't get the freezer defrosted yesterday, was a bit pooped when I got back so also took it easy followed by a bacon sarnie for supper, I really need a bib, I threw [ok, dripped]  sauce on me this time. I don't think I can eat a meal without chucking something on myself. I need some things shopping wise but am still car less. If I add up what I've spent in taxis and buses, it's probably cheaper, but definitely not as good for my body. I definitely cut down on travel though, good, and socialising, bad both for me and my friends who like to vent about their lives, shopping, bad for my usual stores and preps. I don't think I've ever balanced out the ways in which a car helps and hinders before, I just kind of took it for granted you know?

Bella, wish I'd seen that, I can just imagine how you feel anyway because of your son. Don't apologise. Sometimes people read too much newspaper which stokes their fears and never question anything, I pity them. Course, my mother, being an Italian immigrant, would have done much more than pity them Scarlelt, Happy Anniversary! Nanny, they did the same at my sisters and cousins surgery, amalgamated three in one, now their prescriptions and meds are wrong nearly every month. And once a thing is done, it can't be undone so easily. Nelski, congratulations on cleaner reappearance! Gers, welcome back, sounds like a bittersweet time was had. DP1, very MSE shopping! Time to get fed and watered and NotreDame it to the bus stop.

London_1

Good Morning everyone and Happy Birthday to those who are celebrating and Happy anniversary to the Scarlets

How lovey I haven't been to Durham for years but it's such a beautiful place. I loved it I used to drive my two DDs up to Wolsingham where a friends and her husband ran the pub/restaraunt in the village and we would stay for a few days.

Lovely place and great people ,although a long way from Kent.The girls and I would go riding over the'tops' and High Force falls are amazing. My late husband was working on contract out in the Sudan, so at half term the girls and I would drive up there.

We had never been in the area before and its so beautiful and we all enjoyed our trips .Although the youngest would say after just going through the Dartford Tunnel "Are we there yet "  bless her, she was only 8 and had no idea of how far it was Her 10 year old sister would say No Tessie ,snuggle down and have a nap and I'll wake you up when we get there.
I would look in the rear view mirror and she would just roll her eyes and say 'Don't worry Mum I'll keep her amused' They are now 54 & 52 yet it doesn't seem that long ago But I have some lovely memories of the place. Climbing up the cathedral tower was hard going, and we did it three times and never got the same count in the steps couldn't do it now though

Well done on sorting a cleaner Nelski, they are like gold dust here in the south, and cost around £17.00 per hour  and the window cleaners are a dying breed as well.Haven't seen one locally for several years.

My gardener chap who comes once a fortnight retires this year so I think my garden will become a re-wilding project

Well my washing is churning away, and hopefully as the sun is trying to come out I will get it on the line this morning.

No shopping needed so I will be peeling some apples to make a crumble and also making some peanut butter cookie dough, Delia's recipe is so good and very easy to do and I make enough for a batch to cook today and two batches for the freezer.

Have a good day chums and stay safe and well

JackieO xx 

mehefin

Morning all from a cold but sunny ( at the moment) Mehefinland.
Thanks everyone for your kind words about Riley cat. He was a neutered tom who 'adopted' us over 10 yrs ago. He was pretty wild then but gradually became a big old softy and liked his daily fuss. he tried to shoo off Sallylabrador when we first got her and fluffed up like a fluebrush.. Funny how things stick in your memory.
Been to the Vampire this morning and lost 1/2 an armful ( Hancock). When I asked what they were testing for the vampire reeled of a list of things!!! Sounds like I'm getting a full MOT. Just cos I have a nasty rash!
Still cant get dr's appointment here either. Its all online with a possible phone call or email ( had both now) if your lucky.

Hugs and spoons as always
Mehefin

maddiemay

Good morning all, thanks to nmlc for the new thread.
Welcome home to Gers, Happy Anniversary to the Scarletts, hopeful that we may be able to visit Durham again in May.
Bella apology not necessary!!!  Nelski good news about the cleaner and getting jab done at home.
Happy birthday to your dad dpi, Poppy pleased to see that you are able to post again - well done!
Sorry about Riley cat Mehfin. Ruby I hope the not so nice client behaves.
Nanny hopefully you will catch up on some sleep soon. TA best wished for your df's health.

Hugs and spoons, take care.

Floss

Suffolksue said:

I agree with Nelski and Gers .
I mainly lurk so felt unable to jump in ,but was shocked and saddened.
well done Bella

I'm another lurker but I also reported the posts in question. Thanks to all who spoke up, I appreciate it isn't always an easy thing to do x

YorksLass

Morning all.  It was chilly again overnight, no frost and today looks to be fine and dry but the wind is still hanging around.

It seems a lot of GP surgeries are amalgamating into larger practices and not always to the benefit of patients.  Ours joined with another one a few years ago and their sister site closed last year.  As others have said, it's not always easy to get an appointment, especially if you want to see a particular GP, but it's become even harder since the arrival of Covid.  I have to admit though, ours are good at returning calls plus it's in a brand new medical centre so it's a brighter and more spacious environment and has a pharmacy attached to it.  All the GPs bar one are very good, the receptionists are OK and the pharmacy is getting better but still leaves a lot to be desired.  I'm fortunate that I don't have to call on their services too often but appreciate it must be difficult for those needing regular visits.

Yesterday I turfed out all the dust bunnies from behind the radiators and was surprised they weren't as bad as I'd expected them to be, so it didn't take long and it was another job crossed off the To Do list.

Then I decided to take a walk to Sainsbugs for this week's top up odds and ends.  I got the few things on my list plus a few clearance items that have gone in the pantry stock.    I probably wouldn't have spotted those as I normally just head for what I need rather than browsing but they were moving things around -  again!    Apparently they are getting a new range of products - more World Foods products - and were making room for them.  I must have timed it just right for the bus home as I didn't have to wait long.  It's only 3 stops but it saves a trek uphill and the bus pass got an airing.

Tonight's dinner is an easy one, egg & chips, and the BM is currently doing its thing as we've almost run out of bread.  Must have bread to dip into the egg yolk.  I've also got some pork mince in the SC for tomorrow's moussaka base.  I could do with doing some baking too but might save that for tomorrow once I've had a think about what to do to fill up the oven space.

Welcome home Gers, remember your mum with fondness.

Hope Mr F gets his black pudding Nanny, he’ll need it to replace what the vampire nurse takes!

Happy Anniversary Scarlet, enjoy your lunch out.

Sorry to hear hubby’s knee doesn’t seem to be improving, Izzy.

Fingers crossed for the cleaner Nels.  Yes, it’s sometimes better to sleep on things.

Well done on the garden bench dp1, just shows it pays to shop around.

I know what you mean about needing a bib, taff.  I can guarantee it’s usually when I’ve put on a clean top that it happens - something like beans or curry!

I'm not sure what the rest of the day will bring us but let's hope it's all good.  Hugs for those needing/wanting one, take care.  X

Gers

Made it home in one piece, the drive was a little hairy over the Rest and Be Thankful as the wind was whirling around the hills.  I've unpacked, had a cup of tea and now catching up.

My time in Berlin wasn't adventurous although it felt really good to be able to travel again.  I hadn't been out of the country since 2017 so just doing it was an adventure.  Germany are really strict about mask wearing and only a medical or FFP2 one is allowed, none of the cloth ones allowed.  My cousin met me, eventually.  The airport in Berlin is brand new and he hadn't been there before, he was waiting at the upper departures level whilst I was on the lower arrivals level. Sifting through the papers was a lovely thing to do with him, we even made time to look at the six photo albums I had sent across.  He recognised some family members I had never met and who are also gone.  On Monday we drove around for a while just looking at the old villages from behind the Berlin wall. 

Now I'm back to old clothes and porridge!  Didn't buy very much in Glasgow, only vegetables, even forgot to get milk.  Luckily the milk I have in the fridge (BB 28 Feb) is fine so will get used up.

As my DM was a German immigrant who contributed to society here, and was grateful for the refuge this country gave her,  I took umbrage yesterday, how lovely that so many here reported the post, taking a stand against nastiness. 💖

nannywindow

Hello all, we've just got back home. Mr Fix It came out of the surgery with blood all over his arm, he must have pulled the cotton wool / plaster off while putting on his jacket, I had to put my nurses hat on and do my own first aid (keep a kit in the car). The breakfast was lovely although I only had poached eggs on sourbread toast, the cooked breakfast is far too much for me. We probably won't need anything much for the rest of the day now, just a sandwich at teatime. I bought 2 more perennials for my border, which is getting wider and wider, there'll be no lawn left at this rate 😂 We visited the petrol station on the way home and had to take out a mortgage to pay the petrol bill 😱 😁. 
Sorry for stirring up a hornets nest over the surgery closure. I wonder if they'll give a thought to those who don't have access to a car as there's no straightforward bus route, or those people who are on low incomes and can't afford a taxi ? I shall add that to the any other comments section. I'll say no more as I'm winding myself up again, which is no good for the old blood pressure...... and you're probably fed up of me by now 😁 
Well done Bella ( BTW there's no need for any apology ) and all the others who reported the shenanigans. I did read the upsetting post yesterday and I know we're all entitled to our own opinions but this is not the correct thread to air those sort of comments. I'm another one who really appreciates all the love and support of this thread 🧡
Nels well done on sorting the cleaner situation out and keeping your cool. Good for you getting your next jab too.
Happy anniversary to Scarlett and Mr S, hope you have a lovely day and here's to many more years together 🥂
Mehefin must be something in the (Welsh) water for you to have to see the vampire nurse too. Tony H would be proud 🤣
taff I hope you can get the DBS form sorted today. Sorry you still have no car.
Poppy happy birthday to your DGD 🎂
Apologies if I've missed anyone/anything, there was such a lot to catch up on !
Take care all
nan xx

Coxy11

Hi everyone,
Breezy day here in Cyprus. Have had to borrow a fleece and body warmer from Stepmum! Have just had a nice stroll along one of the coastal paths with DDad and had a nice coffee overlooking the sea. 

I didn’t see the posts yesterday but well done to Bella and others for reporting. I agree that this is a lovely supportive thread and no place for nasty comments. 

Happy Anniversary to the Scarletts. Hugs to Mehefin in the loss of your cat 😢 Get well soon to all the poorlies and welcome home Gers 😊

snoozer

Hi everyone, I was up at sparrowf... with Esben but developed a horrible migraine so went and got Steve to sit with him at 6.30 (Laura really needed a lie in) and I went back to bed (after being sick, unfortunately). I'm a lot better now, just a dull throb atm. I was one of the commenters whose post was deleted, hopefully I was on the side of the angels and I hope it's not too controversial when I say that I wish we'd scrap the need for visas for any Ukrainians who want to come here. We had a visit from Laura's best friend last night. They went to school together and he has had a career change, he was an architect but has decided to become a gardener, he is doing an apprenticeship in heritage gardening at Wrest Park which is near here. He took pot luck with the bolognaise I had made, he's such a lovely person. His boyfriend is American and is over there completing a documentary on Stephen Sondheim. Happy anniversary Scarlet. Your trip sounds lovely Gers, I hope I live as long and as lucidly as your dear mother. Mehefin, thanks for the update, it was me that asked for it, sorry about your cat. Hugs to all the poorly people and their carers.