Old Style Daily -Wednesday 7th August 2024

mehefin

Good morning all from Mehefinland,
Well as might imagine, I can't sleep. So many things zooming around in my head.

Yesterday's visit to the Undertaker was relatively painless and DS and I got much of it sorted. The lady there was brilliant we actually had a laugh and came away feeling , well not happy, but I suppose happier.
The afternoon's visit to the mortuary was inevitable more highly charged. However, Dawn was presented beautifully, and we spent some time in her presence. DS has some closure, and he kept thanking me for arranging it. I must admit I expected him to be more upset than he was, but I know my son, and as ever the phrase 'still waters run deep' was applicable ; this was one of those times. He went back home late yesterday evening, and arrived safely. I took the opportunity whilst it was just he and I to raise a few things with him ( it's not always easy as he seems joined at the hip with the TT), and we are both in a better place now as a result.

Been thinking of music and words for Dawn's funeral all night. All sorts buzzing around my head. Have a few ideas which I may share before I meet the celebrant ( we are having a Humanist funeral). We will see.
Have heard from the Medical Examiners' office and they are satisfied with the cause of death, so just have to wait for the final bits to be done before everything goes off to the Registrar. They then ring me, and I can finally have an appointment to register Dawn's passing and get the all important Certificate ( and copies). Its a convoluted system now ( mostly thanks to Harold Shipman) but apparently it is going to be streamlined later this year.

Just a passing thought and I would appreciate your comments. We/I have decided 'no flowers'.
BUT I want to give the attendees and our commemoration of Dawn's life an ongoing momento.
I intend giving to those who wish to take one, a sunflower. In some cultures they are a symbol of hope and renewal. In ours they have come to symbolise cancer treatment etc. Think Calender Girls. People can display them and when they are sad and past their best, perhaps put the them out for the birds, and continue a circle of life. 
Until we get a date its all just buzzing around my head, but it helps to write it down.

Hugs and spoons as always
Mehefin

Floss

@mehefin it sounds like you've got a lot sorted with DS, both practically for Dawn and for your relationship together.

Would sunflower seeds be an idea to give to the funeral attendees?When my brother's MiL died, attendees were all given forget-me-not seeds as they're the Dementia Society emblem.

camelot1001

Morning All

Thanks for the start Mehefin, sounds like you have got a lot sorted out both with the arrangements and with your DS. I think the sunflowers are a wonderful idea and if that's what you want to do then go ahead. The seeds are also a good idea Floss then folk can see the whole cycle next year and the memory lives on.

Not good weather this morning, quite breezy with showers - the little one and I will amuse ourselves inside today apart from a visit to the allotment to pick peas. The new allotment is coming on, a couple more visits should see it all dug over and some new compost dug in before the winter. If I can get some manure I'll certainly put that on, thanks taff.

Nice meet up with friends yesterday but the venue and meal were pretty awful. Just a pub with a standard menu but it took over an hour for 7 meals to arrive, two were cold, the rest ok except my garlic bread tasted of blue mould so I sent it back. No apologies so we paid and left and won't return.

Hope everyone is well, sorry can't remember what's going on! Take care. XX

TravellingAbuela

Morning folks and thanks MEHEFIN.  If anything the whole sad experience of losing your Dawn seems to have brought you and your DS closer. I went to a funeral where we were given forget-me-not seeds and another where a single rose was given to each of the mourners. There seems to be so many options. 

A good family evening was had last night for youngest DGDs birthday. In the end there were 13 of us so it was a good job DD had booked.. DGD seemed to enjoy it and most had enjoyed their menu choices. 

It's bus trip day and no doubt it will be Skipton again! I don't need anything but enjoy a good browse just in case. And of course lunch and a bottle of wine will be the highlight of our day. We always find lots to talk about.

I am missing mayhem whilst out as DD and eldest DGD are coming for more of the stuff stored (chucked) in my garage. She moved into her new place and as DD was minus her car (long story) her other gran took the first car full of stuff over for her. It made no impression on the stockpile so now DD has her car back at last more stuff is going. I can imagine there will be much arguing going on and I shall be glad to be out of the way! None of us see the need for all the stuff but DGD is a hoarder and won't part with anything.

Have a good day folks if you can and ((HUGS)) for our poorlies and sad. Thinking of MEHEFIN and DP1 who will doubtless spend her holiday worrying. Take care all, be safe xx

snoozer

Hi everyone,

Mehefin, I'm glad you and DS are in a better place now and that yesterday's appointments went as well as they could. That's a nice idea about the sunflowers or the seeds as Floss said.

We've been busy this week as Steve's sister is down for a visit. Yesterday we took Esther and Esben out in the morning while Laura and Brian worked and then went out for afternoon tea. It was a lovely place and L and B had a lovely evening meal there but the scones and cakes were disappointing to say the least. If I'm eating that many calories I want it to be worth it. In the end I only ate one cake fully and just had a mouthful of everything else. 

Today we're off to visit elderly relatives near Poole so I'd better get on.


Have a good day.

Gers

Morning all - thanks for starting us off @mehefin - you're doing well with all the faff, it's certainly draining and can be overwhelming. It's lovely that DS and you had time and space to talk things over.  Sunflowers or seeds are a great idea. I got a Mary Berry rose after the death of my DMum, it's such a beautiful and prolific bloomer.

Well, yesterday's lovely morning turned into a most awful afternoon, lashing rain and driving rain again. Today is already very blustery and uninviting. My cleaner is coming at 9.30a.m. so I'll go out, reluctantly, for some shopping whilst he's here. After that I'll have to declutter a chunk of money for my car insurance. Luckily a win on PBs will pay for over half of the cost but it still galls.

My only DNiece is on her way back to Oz as her other gran is under hospice care, it's such a long way for a terrible reason. I remember doing it after my DBrother died in 2017 and then one of DNephews too. Anyway, it'll be good that she sees her mother and aunt at least.

I'm gearing up for my trip to Germany at the English bank holiday weekend. I'm taking only cabin luggage as I'm there for two full days with the bookend days spent travelling. The other week I decided to take the bus down to Glasgow an will have to leave my car in the public car park in town. That'll save me the pain of trying to park in a side street in Glasgow that isn't a pay for one.

@TA - well done on being out of the way for the clearing out. Enjoy your wine.

@Snoozer - have a lovely time with your relatives.

@Camelot - sorry about your meal.

Right, off to face the wet world! Hugs all round.

-taff

Morning all...Yesterdays drive there wasn't too bad but coming ack a road was closed so there was gridlock in the town centre and I was sat at traffic lights watching them change twenty times before I gave up and took a left and hoped the sat nav would find me a way out..It did but the drive took two hours and I was exhausted by the time I got back. Left at nine, got back at four. But they did hoover and wash my car too so...Came back to find foundations had been poured so it's all whooshing along. Today I have to go out and get some stuff and I'll take the opportunity to have a look in some tile places because the OH said he doesn't care as long as I'm happy...so I'll take him at his word.Camelot, I meant a green manure, like a cover crop, like red clover or field beans or something but I suppose you would have to turn them over too which is more digging so maybe not mehefin, what a lovely idea, I'd go sunflower because the seeds are already there and it is the right time for them. There must be a sunflower farm by you somewhere..Nice to hear things are easier between you and your son too. TA, yep, good idea, stay out of the way! Enjoy lunch out! Rosy, are they delosperma? I have a struggling pot of those. Gers, when do they finish then if you start that early? Time to go again, have a good day if you can all....

RosyRed

Morning all, thanks for starting Mehefin.

Glad your plans are coming together, yesterday must have been hard. Sunflowers or seeds sound nice. A few years ago when a friend of DS passed away his family put some seeds in a little white envelope with a message to plant  them to remember him, with a tiny replica sunflower tied on with natural twine. I imagine it was quite time consuming but he had 2 young nieces who made them.

Yes Taff they are delosperma - had to google. Seeing as our sun has now disappeared they may not bloom, we'll see!

Camelot and Snoozer shame about your poor eating out experiences.

TA enjoy your Skipton day.

I'll go out for my walk in a bit, my steps have certainly increased since it's been nice, somehow it's not the same walking through the park on your own in the pouring rain Can't even take pooch these days now she's old  and knac***d and a 5 minute stroll across the road is enough for her On the plus side a neighbour up the road stopped me as I was walking past & told me the walking was obviously doing me good as I looked well I got to know her when she'd catch the early bus on her way to work, before she got her car, and found we had similar experience working in schools. It's mainly a wave as she goes by on her way to work & I'm dog strolling, but being the hols she was gardening at the front.

That reminds me I need to get the shears out to chop the climbing plant that hides the bins as they've been put out and I saw it twining along the wood shed, grows like mad.

The meatballs were nice last night, I made a fennel 'slaw' to go with mine, men had couscous. Today it's chicken shawarma on flatbreads.

Take care all X

Gers

-taff said

Gers, when do they finish then if you start that early?

This year the school term finished on 28 June - we always have been ahead of English schools.

RedRuby1231

Morning all

Mehefin glad you cleared the air a bit with your DS hopefully the relationship will continue to be good, I think the sunflowers are such a nice idea they are beautiful bright flowers and will bring a smile to peoples faces xxx

Day off for me today as Rob still has an upset tummy I am not sure he will be in tomorrow either but we will see, I’m going to have a tidy through this morning and then get the dogs out for a walk and then go and do my shopping, not sure about dinner tonight but I really fancy a baked Camembert so it might involve that and some crusty bread.

Three weeks today we will be waking up on  our beautiful Greek island to say I can’t wait is an understatement, I am longing for swimming in the sea long lunches with wine exploring on the quad bike and evening meals over looking the harbours and mountain views !

Taff your building seems to be coming on fast I can’t remember what you are having I know it’s an extension but not which part ? 

Have good days all and take care xx 

Chrisca50

Morning all

Mehefin, as others have said it's good you're closer to your son now and I love the idea of the sunflowers.  I try to grow them from seed every year and it's very hit and miss but when they do flower they look stunning.

I usually walk once or twice a week in a park near us that has a fishing lake with ducks and swans, a kiddies playground and a cafe.  It's a lovely peaceful walk when I go quite early in the morning.  Our local council announced yesterday that from beginning of September they will be charging for the car park.  I'm only there for 30-40 minutes and I begrudge paying £2.50.  I'm really disappointed.  I bet lots of mums will be too if they are on a tight budget.

Just finished some housework and the rest of the day will be Olympics and kindle reading.  This retirement lark is hard work!

Have a good day all x