NST JULY KISS

grandmanerd

So yesterday I went to DS2's house (shorthand - it's jointly owned by him and darling daughter out law). On Saturday I needed to wrap presents which meant moving a number of other boxes/ trolley/ a chair. I found one of the presents in the box plus a few more books to gift. The other gift was in a large wooden box on the couch with other things on top. I rummaged through the top 2 drawers of the c-o-d and found gift wrap and 2 rolls of sellotape then realised I cba to struggle with wrapping so went to the third drawer. It wouldn't open fully because of the armchair (this will improve after the bulk waste collection when the 2 seater couch is gone). I found a plain dark blue gift bag (most were penguins and snowmen) and had stickers (flowers, words and a bicycle) to decorate it and used silver holographic 'scrabble tile' letters to spell out Happy Birthday and her name.

I already had one bag packed with books - aliens love underpants set, mula and the fly yoga books, World Book Day set (some too old but may indicate which future purchases elder GD would like) and a number of 'chewy books' for the one year old (currently still her initial form of appreciating books). This bag also held the canvas boxes (2 bear and 2 bunny) to fit in the kallax units and a set of pencils with rubber grips on (to be split between beginner writer elder GD and myself). Their bedroom will have a woodland animal theme and the playroom conservatory has pink and white spongey tiles so these went with both (very subtle colouring, not garish)

I needed the roll of wide ribbon I bought for Christmas (I'm cutting down the number of pesky elves on the shelf) so went back after finishing the bag crafting. Along the way I found one of the missing overdue library books and the name banners for their rooms (came before Christmas but mislaid before packing). I had already found some red bias binding (leftover from making Christmas stockings) but the 7.5 cm wide ribbon would be best. I do need to go through everything on the window side of the room. There's a lot of craft stuff that needs to be released to the cs and then things that need homes here.

I'd had a message from DS1 that he would be picking up myself and mum's cousin (6 months widowed) at 9.15 am (comparing notes later, we'd both been awake from around 6 am, were terrified of going back to sleep and had just about made it to dressed and ready by the time he arrived. With 4 of us in the car I realised that we wouldn't have room for 'Nanna's coffee table'. Never mind, 3 very full bags were leaving the house, the table will leave sometime.

We were picked up as scheduled and they couldn't get a signal on the satnav. I tried to to give directions (i know the way to the town they live in and I know the new house isn't far from their old one) but DS1 told me off. said I was unhelpful and they set up darling d-i-l's phone. They missed the first turning (which I'd given them before DS1 interupted). The phone then told them to turn away from the direction we should be going, then onto the bypass (again away from the East Lancs Road which would have taken us back on route) and we did a detour around Atherton, Westhoughton and Daisy Hill (at which point I whispered to mum's cousin that if he tried to turn towards Preston I would say something). Luckily he didn't and we continued via Hulton Lane ends then crossed to the motorway heading to Stockport.

I know I don't drive and it can be extremely irritating when passengers chip in but I have an extremely good sense of direction, went to frequent meetings in Preston (plus occasional weekends further north) for several years, have actually walked around the area we were in when younger) and once when canvassing after driving around for quite a while, asked where we were going and then told the driver to go back to the roundabout we'd been round many times, then turn onto a second roundabout (first turning) and then straight to our destination. My 'aunt' lived on the lane in question (country road which joins several small towns and villages). I'd been taken there by car (a yellow MG called Emma) when I was 8.

We arrived (parked outside a block of flats across the road from the house) and crossed over, with DS1 laden like a packhorse with various bags (a dinosaur and a capybara in addition to the things I'd brought). The house is lovely with a few minor changes needed (original light fittings had been taped up because of the children but some will be kept). They want to change some of the paint choices but are living with it for now and concentrating on GD's room (baby is still in with mum). They apologised for the mess - they only moved 4 weeks ago and d-o-l went back to work and baby started nursery at the same time along with DS2 facing disruption at work, so there are some unpacked boxes. DS1 presented the dinosaur and capybara. I went through my bag (the 2 birthday bags were left in the hallway). The canvas boxes were very welcome. They could be used to 'hide' some of the toys and stop the baby from pulling everything off the shelves.

The books were appreciated, baby GD who is still wary came to me to take the 'chewy book' and then a set of small board books. We were given a tour of the house by elder GD (we had to line up by the door). DS2 later confided that they were hoping to retain her 'independence' but try to tone down the 'bossiness'. I went up the stairs first (I didn't think I'd be going upstairs but decided to try and I made it - I did sit down 3 times whilst we were up there). The downstairs tour ended in the garden. DS1 had to hold my arm as I stepped down and I sat down at the garden table. There are stone surrounded flower beds either side of the steps up to the main garden. They have a gardener to keep it in order. The first 2 they interviewed were extremely profesional, very expensive and would have manicured it to within an inch of it's life. They went with the third gardener, much cheaper, happy go lucky and willing to work to their directions and just do what's needed whilst keeping the semi wild charm. Beyond the flower beds there is a large swing set, a row of fruit trees, lots of grass and veg beds and a Japanese garden at the end. It's great for the children.

There's a garage on the side (top end 1930's house - they even have a panel on the dining room wall with buzzers for various rooms). There's also room to build alongside and above the garage. They plan to make a space for d-o-l's mum when she comes to visit (no more sleeping on the couch). I think she's being roped in to do the painting.

D-o-l went to start the cooking (bacon, eggs and sausages, bagels, croissants and avocado) and GD took orders (how many eggs etc). Darling d-i-l and DS1 completed the tour by going through the garage (I got told off for my pronunciation of gar-age).

We all went in to eat. I spilt egg on myself (may have to get the weighted cutlery and possibly an adult pelican bib). I excused myself from the table and went back to the living room to stretch the cramp out of my leg. Darling d-o-l was doing GD's hair. She's into dinosaurs and he clever mum was doing a little spike curling forward and then a series of lumps going over her head and down her spine, whilst reading from the 'underpants' books. The girls were going to a birthday party (hence the early start). Mum went off to get baby ready and Gd came to me and we read a lot of books - some of the 'too old' ones (unicorn academy and Bunny vs Monkey - lots of evil villain laughter). Mum brought her socks to put on, 15 minutes until leaving for the party. We read 2 more Mula stories (Mula is a tiger who does yoga), she was on top/ beside me and really curled into me. I wouldn't start a third because it was nearly time to go. GD picked up the dinosaur and capybara, we said the birthday girl might think they were presents for her, dino and capy hit the floor.

DS2 had said that if their mum took the girls to the party, he would bring me and mum's cousin home and take Nanna's coffee table back with him. This meant DS1 and darling d-i-l could go straight home. More visits and BBQs at DS1's were promised.

We were last to leave. We came home, dropped off mum's cousin, got a bit stuck because there was yet another road closure due to the Civic Square improvements. I came in, DS2 put down his back seats. I told him to move things onto the couch and armchair. Mrs Builder had cleaned the table but stuff had been displaced during the present/ craft/ ribbon hunt. He took the table out. I mentioned the beer (I bought a box for him for Christmas but didn't cancel the subscription quickly enough). I pointed to where the boxes of beer were and he managed to get them out. He then did 10 minutes of sweeping and tidying (he's sure the chinchillas are damaging my health and exacerbating my breathing difficulties) so I've space in the middle of the room (and a mountain of stuff to sort on the window side)

He started to tell me about a scrubby tool he has (I think I've seen adverts) and I said I had a steam cleaner with many attachments. He said he was thinking about getting one (had nearly bought one this weekend) so I told him to take it. I've had it for several months and it hasn't come out of the box. It was in the things that might make my life (jobs I find difficult) easier category. So 3 boxes of books/ presents, one table, 3 boxes of beer and a steam cleaner out of the house.

Grateful for my family, rest (I told him I needed to rest in order to make it to today's coffee and chat), good books.

grandmanerd

Today I'm feeling fairly 'loose'. This sometimes happens when I move more but I don't know where the cut off is as sometimes I'm just stiff. Last week when I brushed my teeth I had to step back deliberately with each foot in turn and then work out how to turn to the towel (several steps, I couldn't do a full half turn). Last week I'd decided to try walking more - a bit each day. The Coffee and chat followed by walking to the market and mall doing errands made me hurt for several days. Putting the bin out on Tuesday evening finished me off.

So I will try again this week, resting when necessary and with my ankle strapped up. I did do lots of ankle turns and other moves, will try to make that a bit more formal this week. If I go to Bolton (bank branch) it will definitely take me a couple of days to recover.

I've had my pills and breakfast and am showered and dressed for the day (no ankle strap of shoes yet). It still feels like Sunday so I need to keep reminding myself about Coffee and chat. I'll give TECH Mates a miss tomorrow (no immediate problems needing solutions) but I will try going upstairs to sort some stuff. I had to call DS3 down to give the chinchillas hay and treats (I couldn't stand up long enough after having my shower). I went through various plans whilst he made excuses - chinchillas upstairs (no room), bring my 2 sets of drawers down (no chance). I've told him (quite calmly), I'll let it percolate for a bit.

I need a meal plan of 3 simple things - last week I had sweet chilli houmous with celery, mangetout and baby sweetcorn. I have more celery but have eaten all the mangetoout, sweetcorn and thin carrots. I would like to make turkey stew (strips, cellery, cabbage, leeks and big carrots. I need to start a new shopping list (and easy jobs).

I've used eyedrops but am still quite sleepy.

Grateful for local honey, my bed (I have a command centre), good towels.

grandmanerd

Monday 6th July 2026

JULY Energy

Do more of what brings you energy and light

Keep close the people who remind you who you are

Pay attention to the moments that make you feel grounded and at ease.

Let go o what you can't control and take one small step forward

Notice your progress - even the quiet stuff - and honour it

(6second.org)

Illness is neither an indulgence for which people should have to pay, nor an offence for which they should be penalised, but a misfortune the cost of which should be borne by the whole community

(Nye Bevan)

Happy 78th Birthday to the NHS for yesterday

beanielou

Glad you had a good time @grandmanerd 🥰🎉

apple_muncher

That was a fabulous epic day out, grandmanerd.

July is a month without invigilation ( phew!), but I have my exam board marking instead. I started 10 days ago, and would have already finished if I hadn't asked for more - very Oliver Twist of me 🤣. The final deadline is in about another 10 days but I want to finish it all asap.

Pip has an unconditional place at college in September. Yay! He also has 6 weeks of paid work experience over the summer. He's got an admin post, which has made him bizarrely excited 😆. It isn't be full time - just as well, as he'd not cope with that.

I was doing a fair amount of train travel at the end of June, when it was stupid hot both day and night. So although we are currently going over 30°, it's getting down to a much more pleasant 20 or under at night (eventually).

I scored a fab liddle box the other day: potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, red peppers, red cabbage, white cabbage, lettuce, bananas, nectarines, and a lemon. I've been making coleslaw with the cabbage and carrots along with red onion, sultanas, red pepper, mayo, salad cream and yoghurt. Yum!

I'm having some dental work done at the very end of the month, which I've been saving for. It's expensive but worth it.

Today I am grateful for a good gym session, for chatting with neighbours, for refilling the paddling pool, for a single ripe raspberry, for Pip realising that a very low humidity percentage means that he copes much better with the heat.

beanielou

@apple_muncher. Well done to Pip.

grandmanerd

Wednesday 8th July 2026

For those of you struggling with the world, and find yourself with tears or so much emotion it can feel overwhelming: I hope you never lose your capacity to feel empathy, because it makes you human. It is abnormal not to feel anything, and to blindly adapt to a fundamentally unjust world. Let your love move you to solidarity and action and community. to be an example for what is possible and help create a world that is different

Yipeng Ge (on the Tiptoe bookface page)

beanielou

it’s 6 years today since we lost the one & only Mr N. 2020-2026.

Esmeralda2662

@beanielou what a beauty. It's so hard when they go, you miss them and their funny ways every day. X

Esmeralda2662

Mine was Mr.N, too. The kids called him Mr.Neeson, the grey. X