Good morning, thank you for starting us off Hollyharvey. You are very productive this morning! Please don't try to do too much in one day, you'll get to tired to eat the delicious meals you've made.

I have slept a bit better but in shirt bursts, waking up several times. It will be time to leave for work in a couple of hours and I'll have a lot to do I usually keep on top of my emails on non work days but this weekend decided that work would have to wait. If there had been anything of desperate urgency there would have been a phone call or text message. I think I am starting to look towards the summer when I'll stop working.

Has anyone here claimed their state pension recently? If so, would you mind telling me how long it took? I have deferred it for quite a few years and I know that part takes longer but wondered how long the basic part takes. I do have other forms of income but would like to know about this bit to help plan.

After last week and the weekend at freezing and quite a bit below, my body expects to be cold and I feel quite warm without heating this morning. I may put it on while I have a shower, undecided as yet. The bills will be horrendous after last week. Thank goodness for rpt he heating payment.

Poppy, your poor DIL, she must be desperate to reach her mum.

Welcome Chandelier

I hope everyone has as good a day as possible

Morning folks and thanks HOLLY. I slept marginally longer this morning - I made it till 5.00! Your care coordinator's visit sounds to have gone well. You sound to be back on course with your cooking too.

Not a lot planned for today as it's a day of socialising and childminding! I am meeting my oldest friend this morning for a pre-birthday meet of coffee and cake and a good old natter and to receive my b'day gift! A bit early but the only day we could narrow it down to!

The 3 DGD's then here for tea and sleepover, ready for tomorrow's school run. Yet to christen tea but may well be pizza and pasta, I won't be eating as it's my first Wed of the month old biddies wine and carvery night out. Only 3 of us tonight but will be enjoyed all the same. We all share a taxi so no limit on the wine consumed! (Doubtless I shall be here nursing a thick head tomorrow!) The girls are left in Mr TA's capable hands to get them all to bed.

No snow left outside now, other than the ever shrinking piles that people have left after clearing their paths and drives. I so hope Mr King is wrong too we have had enough snow this winter already.

Have a good day all and ((HUGS)) where wanted/needed as always. Mrs SD enjoy Dublin. We were there some years ago on St Patrick's day but I don't remember a lot about it!!!! No questions as to why! Take care all xx

Morning everyone

Hollyharvey - thanks for starting us off, you've been productive already this morning, might be worth writing a big list of everything that needs doing then splitting it into a few jobs per day/per week or doing a job for 15 mins, make the list achievable though.

Light and dry here underfoot, rain forecast for later though.

Hugs to those that want/need one x

Happy birthday to those with a birthday x

DH up and gone to work stupid stupid early, DS1 now getting ready for work and DS2 still in his pit, will wake him shortly.

Dinner last night was egg, bacon, sausage, blk pud, hash browns, beans, mushrooms and toast, I remembered to get the chicken out to defrost - so that will be cooked with a sauce later, mash and veg to go with it, I'll cook the apple strudel from the freezer to go with it with some custard for those that want some.

Yesterday work was another manic day - it was busier than Monday which was bad enough. Technology still being unreliable. Ended up with a customer refusing to leave after being asked to, so I and one of my colleagues left as other staff were still there who were working later, to wait for the Police to come and remove customer. DS1 said there was a Police van outside my work when he came past en route home from his work so assume they did take customer away/get him to leave. We'll see what happens today. Once I've finished this afternoon I'm on days' off until Monday - pleased to be off, every week it's getting worse.

Keep safe and well x

nmlc x

Morning

Hollyharvey I'm glad the visit went well xx

Mr and miss tru went to Cheltenham to see Bill Bailey last night, he was hilarious. Miss tru was buying a mug and t-shirt afterwards when she heard someone saying he was leaving through that door in about 20 minutes so they hung around and got to meet him, he signed their tickets and they have a couple of fab photos with him

I kept looking at my blanket, I like it and I like the border – but I don't think they go together. So I took the border off and will leave it like that for now.

I've organised myself so I get all the needs done and have unrushed times for my wants. It's a bit frustrating at the mo because I have time to sort my beach hut room out but the electrician hasn't done his thing yet so I can't get started. I'm not complaining, he's a mate doing it for free so I knew I'd have to wait. He popped round yesterday with his girlfriend, the first thing I said was “why didn't you bring your dogs?” He's checked what wires are where (though I thought he did that last time he was here, lol) so it shouldn't be long now til the job is done.

Lasagne day with miss tru today, I'll get a bit of work done this morning before the shopping is delivered. She has only recently discovered how fab Bruce Willis is (I only realised this a couple of weeks ago and asked her if she was sure she was actually mine, lol) so has chosen the Die Hard films for the next few weeks

Morning All

Sounds like you've been very productive Holly!
Enjoy Dublin Mrs SD, enjoyed my visit it September but my was it expensive!
Hope you get something sorted poppy.
Welcome chandelier.

I made a big pot of vegetable soup last night, looking forward to having some when I get home. Also did 2 loads of washing and sorted out some paperwork - always good to get that out of the way.

Speky - the app I'm using is MyFitnessPal although I don't have a gadget to connect the exercise bit yet!

Take care on your drive down Gers, the roads are so wet with big puddles everywhere.

Right, the shower calls then another day at the mad house, our P7s are going on their residential trip today until Friday, hope they have lots of warm clothes!

Have a happy Wednesday. Take care. XX

Morning all, and thanks Holly. Looks fine and dryish out there this morning. The snow has nearly all gone, except, as TA says, for the piles where people have cleared paths etc.

i've been awake since ridiculous o' clock - i seem to be having a run of bad nights lately. Dh is still coughing, which wakes us both. He's always been good at coughing, but he's excelling himself this time, poor thing. he's been twice to the doctors', but they just say there's no infection, and "nature must take its course" he's had pneumonia and pleurisy in the past, so I do worry.

Yesterday went as planned, no surprises.

Today, just tidying, and we'll take Dgd to her swimming lesson after school, it gives her Mum a break. DD is in her last few weeks of pregnancy and finds bending down difficult. The changing cubicles are small, as I'm sure you all know, and Dgd would be quite happy to fly out into the cold half dried and with dripping hair.

Dublin is lovely Mrs SD, we've been a couple of times, hope you enjoy yourselves.
I like the sound of your old biddies lunch TA, i do it sometimes with friends as well.
Holly, don't overdo it, though your cooking sounds lovely.

Take care folks, have a good day if you can.

Just popping back on after reading Tuesday's later posts. It would have been more sensible if I'd read them before posting this morning, but there you go.

Welcome Chandelier, I hope things improve for you. Everyone is lovely on here, and will be very supportive.

Csarina, i'm sure your Dd was surprised to hear that she'd passed away, just shows you how people get things wrong.

Good morning everyone

It's another mild morning here so no heating on for now. Steve has left for work and the girls are all asleep or getting ready for school/college. I managed to get a few more hours than normal but have woken up with back and neck ache.

My grand daughter came over to open her presents and cards last night and she was really happy with everything she got. Unfortunately, she dropped her twenty pounds out of her pocket on the way home and by the time she realised and retraced her steps the money was gone. There were quite a few people walking past the house so any of them could have picked it up. She was very sad to have lost her money so I will see if I can squeeze a replacement out of the housekeeping for her as she is only 10 and it's a harsh lesson to learn.

Becky went out for dinner with her friend last night at a very posh Chinese restaurant. She came back absolutely beaming as she had had such a good evening. It did me good to see her so happy.

I am not sure what I am going to make for dinner tonight, I will have a rummage in the freezer in a minute and see what I fancy. I might make a moroccan fish stew just for a change as I have all the ingredients in for that.

Welcome to chandelier, hope you enjoy it here
You sound like you and your DH are having a lovely time in Dublin Mrs SD, it's somewhere that I would love to visit myself.
Holly, thanks for starting us off, You sound a little brighter and you are certainly being productive with your time. I hope things continue to improve for you x
TA, what a worry for you, glad to see that they are going to be keeping a close eye on you though.
tru, I love Bill Bailey he always comes across as such a nice bloke. I'm sorry though, you can't have Bruce as he's mine all mine . Die Hard is my favourite film I think .

Hope you all have a great day whatever you are up to, take care xx

Happy Birthday RR!

I can't find the birthday cake so

I seem to keep missing birthdays so Happy Birthday RR!! I shall raise a glass to you tonight! x

Happy Birthday redruby Have a fab day! xx

Good morning everyone
Tru
I have now watched (and enjoyed) the first episode of Dirk Gently (without wine as I don!!!8217;t really drink), and thank you, I will be watching more
I have to say that up till now my mental picture of Tru, was a sweet , gentle lady, sitting on the sofa with her dog, doing her knitting , or outside in the garden tending chickens
Not really sure that is accurate now lol

Happy Birthday Redruby, hope you have a great day!!

Holly

It sounds as if you had a productive morning and the meals sound lovely. I have home made soup in the fridge for lunch and a container of a frozen home made meal defrosting for tonight.

The wrist gadget that measures my steps and heart rate has quite shocked me as I thought that pottering round the house entailed far more steps than it actually does. I walk to the library this afternoon so am hoping that will result in a much healthier figure (excuse the pun). I go to get weighed at slimming class around six so it is a long day.

Sunday is Mother's Day and I think dd and sil are coming round but not sure if I am cooking or if we are meeting another dd for coffee.

Dumpling

I am glad your daughter had a good time as she could do with a chance to enjoy herself with friends.

Hugs to all

Morning all,

Happy birthday Redruby. i hope you have an awesome day my friend.

Holly glad all went well at your meeting yesterday. Maybe the hospital will think before it wades in next time.

I had a brilliant nights sleep. Went to bed about midnight and stayed awake till about half 7 this morning. I woke up rather than was woke up by hounds or Youngest crashing round the house at 6am. It makes all the difference being able to wake up naturally.

Grump is ill (again). I told him i am more concerned about the mole on his neck that is getting darker... as usual, he keeps putting off seeing the doctor but keeps whining his cold keeps coming and going. It ought to be the other way round.

Got heaps planned for today, ive already started on the leather suite which seems to be a magnet for Divas food. Must get the high chair out at some point but she isnt sitting without flopping yet so i'll leave it where it is until she is able to sit upright.

Youngest was in Crawley last night, is in the centre of London today. That will be an experience! Glad he isnt the driver!

Onwards and forwards,

have a great day all.

Morning everyone,

Yesterday I stayed late in work which was soon followed by a short and uneventful couple of hours in the flat before I retired to bed.

Speaking of retiring, may I ask for some advice.

Would you recommend that I save for retirement now? I was listening to a podcast who suggested that someone like me in their twenties, should start to put away 1% of their wage.

Anyway, more football tonight after I swing by my mums and have some L/O chicken from their dinner yesterday.

HH - I'm glad yesterday went well for you and as AOD says, a very productive morning indeed!
chandelier - Good to 'see' you again. Have you stopped your diary?

Morning ((((((((((hugs)))))))))) if you need one, happy birthday to those with birthdays today. 21 again?

Its cold here this morning and the weather station shows rain, but its fine just now. I have to make a rush trip to the PO I discovered an old £10 note last night, hope I can get it changed, I will not be happy if I have to loose £10, it was in a purse I do not use very often.

Coffee morning at the little chapel. I went over to see out neighbour yesterday she tells me that our neighbours over the back have at last sold their house and moved. It had only been up for sale for 6 years!! That may well be the topic of conversation at the coffee morning.

I bought smoked haddock the other week, so we are having it tonight with a poached egg and bread and butter.

Good morning everyone.

It’s damp and misty here. Think the nasty east wind has been replaced by the lovely gentle westerly. It makes such a difference.

Happy Birthday RR - I wish you a fabulous day.

My one student this morning has emailed to say she won’t be in today so I shall do some baking! I ordered a set of mini springform tins which arrived yesterday, they are crying out to be tested. One of my colleagues doesn’t like chocolate cake so missed out on my birthday cake last week so I want to make her a simple Victoria sponge and cream.

I’ve also decided to travel down to DM tomorrow rather than today. I have to stay until Sunday so wanted a bit more time in my own place.

My cold is not coming out, it just teases me with the occasional burst of a running nose and then it goes. Bouts of sneezing too. I just want it to wait until after the weekend so I don’t pass it on.

Happy Wednesday to everyone.

Happy birthday RR.

Tru and dumpling, you're welcome to Bruce Willis, he does nothing for me.

We're in Yorkshire until Friday, DH is replacing the fence in the front garden and I have been doing sweet FA. I'll probably have a run int Skipton or Settle today (we're fairly equidistant between the two).

DD is counting the days until her DH gets back from India (Thursday). DS has started his maternity cover in Bridgend, he isn't happy about being so far from home (his DW isn't happy either, apparently his bosses expected her to go with him - no thought that she might have her own career. In fact she is a high powered lawyer in a top London firm).