Further Quietness

I think I am becoming "stir crazy". I decided not to go out until I was feeling back to normal, and so I am currently on house arrest.

I am wearing the wonderful jacket that TBSITW knitted for me; it is so lovely and comfortable and cosy.

Of course, when you have all the time in the world to do things, you do nothing....

I am currently reading Kjell Eriksson's The Cruel Stars of the Night (the second thriller he has written), following the terrific Princess of Burundi, which I have also read in translation. I make no claim to an ability to read any of the Scandinavian languages.

The second book on the go is Barack Obama's The Audacity of Hope.

Not only is his writing crystal clear and gives us "across the pond" an insight into more of what is behind the scenes in American politics.

My greatest hope is that, in Barack Obama,more Americans may join him in having audacity to hope and that the country may recover from the truly terrible situation in which it now finds itsself.

Aftwe fielding an anxious call from TBSITW, who thought I should be seen sooner by my GP, I had a lazy day, sitting either at my computer or reading my book.

I have just finished Ian Rankin’s s “Doors Open”. This is his first book since the end of the Inspector Rebus series.

I have really enjoyed the Rebus books, to the extent that I bestowed my highest accolade of buying in hardback, rather than waiting for the paperback to be published.

Doors Open is basically a caper story, and, as in most capers, the characters are two-dimensional.

So, a thumbs-down on this one.

Ah well, I have always considered Iain Banks (or Iain M Banks) to be the better author and think that this book serves to confirm my view.

Now, back to another book.

Falls

Yesterday I woke early, so showered, dressed and collected up all my dark wash – which was all I had left to do – thank you TBSITW. Got down to laundry room to find two of the three machines already in use but luckily one was free on which I could set a wool wash with a reduced temperature of 30 degrees as per instructions.

Later, when this wash was finished I transferred most of it into a usual tumble dryer and the fleece into one with a low temperature setting which was required. All over and done with before eleven o’clock. Result!

After that I had a lazy day, then off to bed early.

This morning I awakened at a reasonable time and stood on the bathroom scales – to get my balance here I hold on to the top of the chest of drawers and let go only when I feel safe.

I then took a step back and lost my balance, so that’s another fall! At least this time I remember exactly what happened.

I have hurt my coccyx, my right elbow, my right shoulder and the top of my back as well.

Today elder son, his wife and their two children came and, after exchanging Christmas presents, they took me to Dobbies for lunch. (I really should have learned a lesson – the macaroni and chips had no salt and approximately no cheddar) However I enjoyed the company and being taken round by daughter in law.

I am still sore, so couldn’t have managed on foot.

After they left I telephoned to make an appointment at the surgery:

TUESDAY, 6TH JANUARY!!!!!!!!

Met up with the Scrabble ladies and enjoyed my cup of tea before returning home.

Saturday

Yesterday morning TBSITW loaded her car with all my goods (and goodies) and drove me over (via my house to collect some krispie cookies) to see Best Brother, and extended family, including younger son and his girlfriend (the latter of whom I met for the first time and who seems delightful), daughter and her 8 year old son who is a real California boy. He was having a grand time playing with a Star Wars model (to display my ignorance, it was some sort of a plane.

Shortly after, my dearest daughter arrived too, followed by BB's elder son, his wife and their charming four year old girl as well as their 5 month old son. You forget how much they change in such a short time since their Christening.

We had a feast of soup, sandwiches, chocolate balls and rice krispie cakes.

Champagne was flowing too.

I almost forgot to mention yesterday that I received a present from daughter's two boys - a book called "Balderdash and Piffle".

My regular readers will know that I tend to use some odd words to express crossness, so this book was a real find.

So, home again and TBSITW unloaded the car and helped me (translates as did all the work)sort out everything then she went home for a well earned rest.

I had a quiet evening then off to bed and slept well.

Christmas

Christmas Eve was fairly quiet, after TBSITW and Le Chef had picked me up and packed me up and delivered me to their house.

I performed my usual trick of having a wee sleep in the afternoon, and slept for quite a while!

In spite of this I slept well that night, and was up in good time for breakfast.

Before that TBSITW came and helped me open Santa’s sack (well, ski sock).

Said breakfast was Bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon - WONDERFUL! At the same time we had some Bucks Fizz (orange juice and Champagne) and then started on opening the presents, one at a time and taking turns.

Great fun.

Then dearest daughter and M. arrived and we opened more presents.

All my presents were excellent but I have to single out two:

The first one is a beautiful jumper knitted in Jaeger Aran wool which I bought several years ago before finding that I can no longer knit. TBSITW knitted it, and it was a mammoth task because it is a long jacket knitted in one and one rib.

The second one was such a surprise that I opened it and looked at it and did not understand what it was at first.

It is a helicopter experience voucher from daughter and M.

I am going to be going up in a helicopter in the spring!

Wow!

When I realised what it was, I could not help it but to cry a few tears.

Daughter told me that I must be more careful what I write in my blog…..

Christmas dinner was a confit of goose, a delicious pate with salad and then the goose itself with potatoes roasted in goose fat and vegetables roasted, also in goose fat.

THEN came the famous figgy pudding - and this year I managed to finish my serving, to all round acclaim!

Christmas Greetings to one and all

I would like to extend the warmest of Christmas greetings to all my readers, with particular thanks to Dickiebo for his beautiful Christmas card.

Before I bring you Christmas Greetings....

Yesterday evening I went to the bridge club with my partner and before long started to feel cold and shivery and that my brain was not working properly. However I survived to the end and got home.

I am not quite clear what happened after that but at one point two nice paramedics came and got me up.

After some time I found myself on the floor again and no matter how I struggled I could not get up. Eventually the careline staff called my sister and she and her partner came at about 4am and picked me up and tucked me up in bed.

After a good sleep, I feel pretty well fine today and am now staying with TBSITW and Le Chef until Saturday when we go to visit best brother and extended family.

of Christmas Trees (and sealing wax and cabbages and kings)

...

and now the replacement tree does not light!

Pifflebunk!

LATER:

I think this is a day when I should have stayed in bed.

First off, I packed up the Christmas tree and put it in the boot of the car.

Then I reversed out carefully from my parking space as another car was rather close to my nearside. Okay, so I did not touch the car, but I then had to turn sharply as I reversed and I kept a beady eye on my wing mirror to see where the rear of the car was.

Didn't check the other wing mirror, did I?

So, I touched against the corner of the building.

Anyway, off I went to my exercise class to find that it was SHUT!

And nobody said last week.

Chiz, chiz.

Back to Dobbies to find that they had no more of that tree, so I found another small one with holly and bought some white lights (and found a bulb tester, having been told they don't stock them!)

Back home, unpacked the tree and opened the pack of lights to discover they were rather horrible Santa disc lights.

So, back once more to Dobbies where I settled for green cherry lights as the lesser of several evils.

Next thing, I could not open the battery compartment, but eventually discovered, as is so often the case that brute force and ignorance won the day.

So, at last the Christmas tree is up and lit and I have hung all the wooden ornaments again.

I almost forgot to say that I went to the baker for a couple of rolls on my way home. A policeman was in front of me in the queue and I said to him "Is that a kevlar vest you are wearing?" He agreed that it was and so I felt the need to point out that it was not doing much good in protecting his kidneys (which were covered with only a white shirt!)

Christmas Approaches...

Today I am finding my right arm somewhat uncomfortable. This is caused by two things, firstly the effort used in stirring the mix of butter, marshmallows and toffee to coat the Rice Krispies for the krispie cakes I made yesterday, and secondly by the effort I have made scrubbing off a rust stain in the bathroom.

The people who installed my new shower did a number of things wrong. Firstly they put sealant in a part that should not have had sealant; secondly they cobbled together the reinstallation of the loo after they had removed it to lay the ceramic floor tiles: they had a gap and instead of dealing with it appropriately, they stuffed the gap with toilet paper and covered that with sealant. This subsequently caused a leak, about which I have already written.

A further mistake they made is with the grab handle. They have secured this, using screws which rust and the rusting is already happening. After a while my cleaners had a go at the rust stain but yesterday evening I noticed it was much worse so I found a pack of cleaning wipes and used several to get rid of the more “solid” rust around the bottom of the fixture. After that I had a go with the wipes at the stain running down the tiles.

This morning I found a pack of kitchen scourers and attacked the stain again, making a marked difference. It is now quite faint, but I shall need to do a bit more work before I am happy.

Ultimately what is needed is to have the grab rail removed, cleaned behind and replaced using stainless screws.

You can perhaps see why I shall never allow these so-called plumbers to darken my doorstep again.

Mind you, at least the shower unit was installed when the flat was built and the shower cabinet is otherwise all right. In spite of everything, I do love my shower.

This afternoon, Le Chef (the partner of TBSITW) came and took me to the Service of the Nine Lessons and Carols. It was so good to have the opportunity to go as I would not dare the path from the Church to the road in the dark. The choir, dressed in their cloaks of red with navy hoods, were in good voice and both the Minister and Associate Minister were there too.
The weather is very windy and a bit wet, the wind snatched my stick almost out of my hand.

Yesterday'sPapers .......

Now all my decorations are in place and the lights are on; I also have the light on the coal-effect fire on as that adds to the festive feel.



My only visitor was the daughter of the gentleman who owns the paper shop. She is really charming and chatty. She commented on my Christmas decorations, and I said that, of course, this was not a festival of theirs. She replied that no, their festival, Eid, was earlier on but that they tend to end up with two celebrations as the shop is closed for Christmas and New Year (no newspapers) and she too is to be off work.



She told me that her father has been unwell with a flu-type illness and so she has been helping in the shop after her work, so she will be very glad of the break as she is rather tired. I sent my best wishes to her father and told her that I had described him as a perfect gentleman. She laughed and said that he could be a bit grumpy!



This afternoon I made rice krispie cakes and my arm is rather sore from the stirring. They smell delicious and I hope I can wait until they are cold to put them away in boxes.

The Tale of the Christmas Tree

This morning I got up, showered and switched on the bridge of candles in my bedroom window then went through to switch on my Christmas tree.

Nothing

So I went on and switched on by basket of lights.

Then my chiropodist came, so that feels better.

Then my two lovely cleaning ladies came and L. handed me a "wee minding". I was somewhat overwhelmed as she does so much for me.

Anyway she had a go at the lights seeing as I had a spare set. Changing the fuse bulb didn't help, so she checked the plug fuse then tried some of the lights with no success.

I used to have a bulb testing thing, but could not find it anywhere. The first place I looked was the odds and ends Christmas box - no.

Then I went on to the tool box, the battery box and the bulb box with no success.

The only good thing is that these boxes are now tidy and I found some stuff that needed throwing out, so that went in the bin.

I had bought the tree from Dobbies and of course did not have the receipt but at least had the original box with the Dobbies label and the price on.

So off I went to Dobbies and they were smashing - new tree, no questions asked.

Of course I went on to have a scone and a lemon refresher.

Came back via the pharmacist shop to hand in some unused pills as my prescription changed and I no longer needed them.

The weather is dire, heavy rain and quite a wind. The temperature is just above freezing and what was hitting the windscreen looked rather like sleet.

So, home again and now my tree is up and lit and this time I have hung on it a lovely set of little wooden ornaments.

All that high finance stuff......

I have just received a letter from the NHS Business Services Authority.

There may be a problem with my pension.

I have a NHS pension and the state Old Age Pension and they are now saying that I may have been overpaid.

wtf? (=what on earth?)

After my pulse rate settled a little, I read on to discover that, if I have been overpaid, I will not be required to repay any overpaid amount, but it will be corrected from April 2009 at the same time as I receive any pension increase for 2009.

Aye, right.

What pension increase would that be?

The only good thing is that I do not receive a large pension, not by any manner of means, and so the excess overpaid should not be too much, except that I have been retired for 12 years now.....

These grand financial affairs hit the little man too.

I have read the 2 page letter twice and don't understand how or why this has happened. At least I shall not have to repay any overpayment. You would think that the overpayment was my fault when they make this gracious statement.

Black Bun

Yes, I thought black bun would raise some questions, and so I thought it was worthy of a new post.

It is a rich, moist fruit cake sandwiched between two thin layers of cold water pastry.

It is best served sliced and topped with sliced Cheddar cheese (a good quality cheddar is best).

(I have to confess that I have never made one, but there are some good bought ones to be had.)

Traditionally it is eaten at New Year, and it is rarely available in the shops until the festive season.

Normally I like my sherry bone dry (preferably a Manzanilla) but to go with this rich sweetness I would recommend a sweeter sherry, or of course a good malt whisky.

Dearest Daughter

(No, not in the vein of "Mommy Dearest"!)

This morning daughter and I arranged to meet at a Farm Shop equidistant between our two homes. We enjoyed our respective lunches - I had broccoli and pear soup with cranberry ciabatta and she had macaroni cheese.

We both went and had a good look round and I bought one or two vegetables - tomatoes, rhubarb and russet apples. I also treated myself to 4 mince pies and scones as well as a little Christmas ornament that I could not resist.

Over lunch we had a grand blether and caught up on a lot of things. I then handed over Christmas presents for her two boys and a black bun from Dobbies. I can testify that it is absolutely delicious!

Should Auld Acquaintance......

Today has been a brilliant day.

This morning I went to the near by small town for my physiotherapy exercise class, and managed to increase my work in spite of missing last week due to ice. Had a chat with S. about the phone call I had had from A. to tell me that a new set of courses was due to start in January. However, I hadn't realised that this would be an 8 week course and then an end, whereas the maintenance classes I am going to are ongoing. This would be much the better bet, as without someone pushing you a bit it is so easy to let it all lapse and become more severely disabled again.

After that, came home to find my vegetable box had arrived, a large delivery of potatoes, carrots, onions, 4 leeks a cauliflower, 2 cabbages and 2 good broccoli heads. The fruit was 2 oranges, 3 apples and 3 pears.

So, I cleaned out the veg basket in the fridge and placed the delivery away.

Later, My very good friend from a town across the river came over and I took her to lunch at Dobbies where we both had a salad plate and a small bottle of wine.

We then had a really good walk round and I bought one or two things from the food hall and could not resist a couple of small buys. C. was almost as good as TBSITW at tearing me away from unnecessary purchases!

Home again and ready to relax for the evening.

Happy Birthday to You!

Today is Best Brother's 65th birthday, and so TBSITW drove me over to wish him Happy Birthday and even to sing it. He dutifully blew out his candle and made a wish. We took with us, as well as a small gift to mark the event, the Christmas presents for his various grandchildren. We shall see them all over the festive season, but I do like to get gifts by the appropriate date.

I was most disgruntled to note that he is still younger than me, but catching up.......

After that we went to a store that was advertising a good deal on a particular electrical item and this purchase was successfully made. To my amazement, there is now a new Tesco store, and it was rather quiet (which made it more enticing).

Home, James, and don't spare the horses.

By this time I was far too late for the bridge club (as I had known), but was in time for Scrabbleesence made it 6 and so we had 2 tables of 3. Good fun to catch up with all of them again. Once we had had a cup of tea and mince pie, J. came round to have a G and T, with a slice of lemon

Another Wash....

After Church, I went to do two washing loads. When I got down to the laundry room, there was one tumble dryer in use, but no washing machine. I loaded my dark wash into my favourite machine and was very tempted to load the bedclothes into a different one as the place was so quiet.

Just as well I didn’t as within very short order the rest of the machines were in use and my second wash was sitting all very smug in front of the first.

By the time my first wash was washed and into the drier, my second wash was ready to go into the washing mashing and by the time the second wash was finished, the first wash was dry, so I put it into the drier and just over an hour later it was all dry and put away.

Why then did I feel as though I had been run over by a truck?

I had a nice phone call from elder son on Friday. Sadly he is again nursing a bout of bronchitis. I hope to see him and all the family some time over the festive season.

Third Sunday in Advent

Today is the third Sunday in Advent, and by chance was also the day we celebrated Holy Communion. In addition to the usual service (which is certainly not to belittle the usual service), we had 7 people admitted to the Communion roll. Interestingly, two of them were also baptised today as they had not been baptised as a child.

No, they were very good and did not cry!

The Church, as usual, was packed - well over 400, perhaps 500, this Sunday. It was a good service, looking forward to the celebration of Christmas as it comes ever closer. Today, as usual was present a lady, probably a few years older than me, but always very smart. She has a large wardrobe of hats (think Imelda Marcos and shoes) and I commented to her once what pleasure I got from seeing what hat she has on each week. She told me that she has an enormous collection of hat boxes.

I call her La Dame Aux Chapeaux.

Today's hat was a bright red one with a brim and a jaunty feather. Marvellous.

Farmers Market

This morning TBSITW and I went to the Farmers' Market - neither of us really needed anything, but I put a little money in my zipped pocket, just in case.

So, what was the first thing I saw? A stall with wreaths and wreath frames. Not for me (the artificial one I have had for four years now). However I then saw a string of red letters saying "happy Christmas", perfect for my mantelpiece, and then went on to buy a couple of rather sweet figures in felt and pipe cleaners. I managed to pull myself away before I got too ridiculous, with just a little help from TBSITW.

Mind you the tiny rocking horse was rather sweet.

After that we went on looking. TBSITW bought quite a few things but I ended up buying some chipolata sausages, 4 scones and a stalk of Brussels sprouts.

TBSITW then came back with me and we had a quick look at a box from the gentleman who took me out to dinner. There was a Christmas stocking, but TBSITW has spirited it away, so I shall now have to be very very good because I do want Santa Claus to come on Christmas Eve....

She left with her shopping and she is coming back on Monday to pick me up to visit Best Brother

Printer Repair.

Today I have put one tub of soup (ie the vegetables and gravy left over from the silverside I cooked yestereday) into the freezer, I now have one helping of soup for today and plenty cold meat.

I tried to print an updated version of my Outlook calendar to put on my notice board, but the printer would not start.

Fortunately, my cleaner went down on her hands and knees and everything looked okay, but it still would not switch on so she went back and removed and then replaced every connection....

... and it worked.

Allen Keys

Today I have been busy cooking a silverside of beef, one of these very easy recipes that you just use what you have to hand.

This afternoon I discovered that the footstool that goes with my reclining chair was very loose, so I found:

- in a box of Allen keys, a plastic bag labelled "Elaine's reclining chair and footstool Allen keys".

I knew immediately who had done this: TSITW, who is always meticulous with her labelling. I keep trying to emulate her, but never quite succeed. The footstool was an easy job, the chair rather less so, however it is done, even if I had to crawl to the settee arm to heave myself up.

Carpet burns to the knees.

That is why I have come through to the computer to have a rest.

Christmas Fairy

Heard this one, and I like it

I am a little fairy
Oan tap o' the Christmas Tree
It's no' a job I fancy
Well how would you like to be me
Aw tarted up wi' tinsel
It's enough to mak ye boak
An a couple o' jaggy branches
Rammed up the back o' yer froak
An' these wee lights a' roon meI canna get my sleep
An' there's the yearly visitFae Santa - Big fat creep!
On Christmas Day I'm stuck up here
While you're aw wirin' in
An' naebody says "Hey you up there
Could you go a slug o' gin?"
It's nae joke bein' a fairy
The jobs beyond belief
You've got to go roon' the wean's beds
An' lift their rotten teeth
But o' a' the joabs a fairy gets
An' I've mentioned only some
The very worst is sitting up a tree
Wi' pine needles up yir bum
When a' the fairies meet again
By the light o' the silvery moon
Ye can tell the Christmas fairies
They're the wans that canna sit doon
The Christmas tree's a bonny sight
As the firelight softly flickers
But think o' me I'm stuck up here
Wi' needles in my knickers
So soon as Christmas time's right by
An' I stop bein' sae full o' cheer
I'll get awa back tae Fairyland
An' I'll see yous a' next year

Barack Obama, "Dreams from my Father"

I bought both books that the President-elect of the USA has written as I considered that it was important to find out about this man who is about to become the Leader of the Western world.

I have now finished "Dreams from my Father", his first book, first published (in hardback, in the USA) in 1995. It is mostly autobiographical, starting in Hawaii where he was born, then his life with his grandparents in Hawaii before moving to Indonesia to be with his mother who had remarried. He then came back to Hawaii before striking out on his own in the USA.

He worked hard with the poor blacks in "sink estates" in Chicago before being offered a place at Harvard to study Law.

Before starting his time at Harvard he went to Kenya to find out more about his family there, after meeeting a sister in the USA and who travelled back with him to help introduce him to a large family. By this time his father had died, (and the story of his father almost deserves another book), but there were many people of several generations to meet.

The writing is beautiful and the book would deserve to be read whatever his position in life.

Christmas Hat Night

Yesterday evening was the Christmas Hat Night at the Bridge Club, so we had to get there for promptly 6.30 before the gannets stripped the table. There were 52 people there and there was a grand selection of goodies. I tried not to be too greedy and took quite a lot of the fresh fruit on cocktail sticks, but could not resist a mini pie (not good, so I left it), a mini iced mince pie, which was delicious and some brie.

I also had a glass of red wine which I popped over to sit at the bar when we started playing!

We drew cards giving the table number and direction - I was Table 2 West and found myself playing with someone I had not met before. However, we sorted out marking up our cards with the system we follow and got on like a house on fire. She was so pleased that I recognised a transfer and also left her in a bid of 3 hearts. It was such a relaxing fun evening and such a change from playing with my usual partner who is very intense.

The upshot of the evening is that I did not get home until almost twelve, so I got into my pyjamas and a wonderful warm dressing gown that was a gift from TBSITW. After a seat in the light of my small Christmas tree's lights and those of my basket of lights I went to bed and slept like a log.

This morning I feel as though I have been run over by a truck!

Physiotherapy???????

Last night I set my alarm for this morning to make sure I was ready to leave for my physiotherapy class. On my way to the front door of the block of flats I was accosted by the house manager asking where I was going. I told her and she advised me most strongly not to go.

My windshield was frozen (but that doesn't bother me; I just sit in the car with the engine running and the air conditioning on aimed at the front windscreen and the rear windscreen heater on which clears not only the rear windscreen but also the wing mirrors.) However on looking out the window, the car park here looked treacherous and the place my physio classes is held is much higher, with the ground likely to be much worse than here.

She also told me that many of the roads are icy, although no doubt the main roads are clear.

The upshot is that I have telephoned to say I can't come.

I now intend to do as much of the exercises as I can here.

Tonight is the bridge club Christmas hat night. My partner had very kindly arranged to pick me up, but I can only hope that she can get here as she lives in a neighbouring town.

Bridge and More

This afternoon was back at the bridge club and to find that, partnering the leader, we came third. This afternoon we had two teams and our team lost, although not by much. A good time was had by all.

Back to the ranch and managed to park with something of an effort as I reverse in better round another car, but in this case I wanted to be three bays along from a car as this should keep me away from the risk of cars parking across my boughs.

Into the lounge to find that a cup of tea was awaiting me, and also a fairy cake made by one of the Scrabble players.

One of our ladies came over with the scarf I had ordered, having seen it almost completed; it is a wonderful mix of colours pink, purpleand turquoise mostly so that it will go with many of my jumpers. I have also ordered a pink mix and a black mix. Find something good and buy the lot...

I arranged that, if the ground is in the least slippery, one of my friends will pick me up and wald me to the Church.

Home again to peel the potatoes and carrots and purple cabbage to go with my stew

The Second Sunday in Advent

Fortunately the weather was a bit driech but not slippery, so I managed to make it to Church . Today we had "two for the price of one" as my neighbour said as the choir, the elders an the ministers processed in. As well as our usual minister we also had the associate minister who has just returned from a visit to Israel and a meeting with the Bishop there - the latter has a very large parish, covering several countries - Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. I can't remember if there are any more.

The service today focused on John the Baptist who baptised people in the name of repentance and who foretold the future arrival of Christ.

Back to the ranch and finished the spinach soup for lunch, then prepared my evening meal - potatoes and carrots peeled and chopped and brussels sprouts trimmed and a cross cut into their base.

I have cancelled my order for the Sunday Times as there is so much that I put straight into the paper bin.

Now I am going back to read my book- Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama

A slight clash of dates...

... and no, it is not what you think, so before you get the wrong idea, the first people to arrive were my two cleaning ladies followed shortly by TBSITW. Somehow the cleaners managed to work round us while we had a small sherry and once they had left we had a bowl of spinach soup and a roll each which she brought from Marks and Spencer (the roll I mean, the soup was home made). She also brought a tub of potted meat from the local butcher and some carrots and sprouts from the near by farm shop.

After lunch she took away the two picture frames to be filled, She must be getting sick of the sight of them as none fit the frame exactly, so she is having to scan them in and adjust the size before printing them out and fitting them into their frames.

Now you see why I call her The Best Sister In The World.

A Hot Date?

As well publicised here, I was taken out for dinner by a gentleman friend yesterday evening. He is younger than me, although not by much - does he then count as a toy boy?

He arrived carrying two intriguing boxes and told me that one of them contained a small gift for TBSITW - I shall take them with me when I go there for Christmas.

We had our meal at a near by hotel/restaurant; I had a meat and puy lentil terrine (I can't remember which meat), followed by a mushroom risotto and followed by a lime and ginger cheesecake. We started with a nice Cabernet/Shiraz while we looked at the menu and continued with it through the entire meal.

I really enjoyed everything, and I think we both had the same choice apart from the main course when I. had turkey.

The risotto was particularly good, having just the right degree of moistness, plenty of mushrooms and topped by shavings of Parmesan. The cheesecake was excellent. I had been worried that it might contain too much ginger, but it was just a hint.

It is always good to be a passenger in a car where the gentleman comes round and opens the door for you and offers you his arm.

When we arrived back "at the ranch" there was a group of ladies in the residents lounge having tea and biscuits, They all took notice of my friend, and I shall keep them guessing.....

Linda's Meme

I was reading Linda's blog and saw this. I hate memes, but seeing she didn't ask, I have done it too.

1. Started your own blog
Yes, and here it is.

2. Slept under the stars
Only in a tent.

3. Played in a band
Never.

4. Visited Hawaii.
Not yet.

5. Watched a meteor shower
No.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
Mmmm, not really.

7. Been to Disneyland
Absolutely not.

8. Climbed a mountain
We,, ell, if you count Ben Nevis, yes

9. Held a praying mantis
Yeuch, no.

10. Sang a solo
No, I am too kind to inflice that on anyone, not even my worst enemy.

11. Bungee jumped
I feel terrified at the mere thought.

12. Visited Paris
Yes, more than once.

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
No.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
Knitting?????

15. Adopted a child
No, 3 of my own though (love to you all)..

16. Had food poisoning
Nothing bad.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Never been to New York.

18. Grown your own vegetables
Courgettes and tomatoes.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Yes.

20. Slept on an overnight train
Yes, quite often.

21. Had a pillow fight
Only as a child!

22. Hitchhiked
No, I am a feardie.

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Only if I could fool my mother, and that would have been well nigh impossible

24. Built a snow fort
No, Only once do I remember enough snow to have done that.

25. Held a lamb
No, but once gave an injection to a horse.

26. Gone skinny dipping
Never. Can you see a trend developing here that would show I am somewhat timorous?

27. Run a marathon
No.

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
No, but been to visit and had a wine in St Mark’s Square while people watching, shopped, ate and bought a piece of Murano glass.

29. Seen a total eclipse
Yes At school we candled glass to allow us to stand on the “roof garden” and watch it.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
Yes, love to.

31. Hit a home run
Never.

32. Been on a cruise
Yes, went on a short cruise up the River Yangtse in China, and through the famous three gorges before the new dam was built, raising the river levels.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
Yes and walked under the falls from both Canada and the USA, and sailed on one of the many “Maids of the Mist”.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
Yes, we are not a far flung family, but my grandfather’s sister emigrated to Canada (Peterboro, Ontario) and I have quite lost touch, sadly.

35. Seen an Amish community
No, never.

36. Taught yourself a new language
Learned French at school and on a six week school exchange to Paris – and kept it up a bit – does that count?

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Mostly – but there is always something that I think I could do if I won a million pounds!

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
No

39. Gone rock climbing
No.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
Yes.

41. Sung karaoke
No – see 10..

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Never.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
What – old skinflint me!!

44. Visited Africa
Yes, but only just - on a day trip to Tangiers.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
Can’t remember.

46. Been transported in an ambulance
Yes, notably on my 60th birthday, when I ended the day on a ventilator!

47. Had your portrait painted
Never, in spite of importuning artists in Paris.

48. Gone deep sea fishing
Not sure if this counts fishing for mackerel from a boat off Weymouth!

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
No.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Yes as a schoolgirl, when I noted that the Coca cola got dearer at every stage!

51. Gone SCUBA diving or snorkeling
Yes, loved scuba diving, even in cold Scottish waters.

52. Kissed in the rain
Not sure, but think so.

53. Played in the mud
What, and dirty my nice clean clothes….

54. Gone to a drive-in theater
Never.

55. Been in a movie
No.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
Yes, and even walked on it for a short distance. I reckoned that if you could see the great wall from space, you could also see the bus park, not to mention the souvenir sellers.

57. Started a business
No.

58. Taken a martial arts class
No.

59. Visited Russia
No, but would have liked to.

60. Served at a soup kitchen
No.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
No, but did sell Womens Rural Institute ones, does that count?

62. Gone whale watching
Sadly, no.

63. Got flowers for no reason
Yes, particularlylike getting freesias.

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
No, they won’t take mine.

65. Gone sky diving
Does parascending count?.

66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
No.

67. Bounced a check
So far, no – but I did forget to sign one.

68. Flown in a helicopter
Oh, I really want to – perhaps the family will treat me if I survive to 70!!!!!!

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
No, they have all gone.

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
No.

71. Eaten caviar
Out of my price range.

72. Pieced a quilt
No, my sewing skills are not that good.

73. Stood in Times Square
Never.

74. Toured the Everglades
No.

75. Been fired from a job
Amazingly enough, no.

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Yes.

77. Broken a bone
No, although had many x-rays for query fracture – as a child on holiday, this was an annual event.!

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
No.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Never.

80. Published a book
No, just read plenty.

81. Visited the Vatican
No.

82. Bought a brand new car
Yes, back in my thirties and once again about 6 years ago.

83. Walked in Jerusalem
No.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper
Yes – you can view it a few posts ago.

85. Read the entire Bible
In spite of womanful efforts, never managed the whole Bible.

86. Visited the White House
No.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
Not killed one, but skinned and gutted a hare and plucked a pheasant.

88. Had chickenpox.
No, I still bear the scar from the inocculation.

89. Saved someone’s life
No.

90. Sat on a jury
Was called, but rejected by the accused’s counsel, probably because I was a Health Visitor.

91. Met someone famous
No.

92. Joined a book club.
No, although my family and I operate a kind of lending library.
93. Lost a loved one
Yes.
94. Had a baby
Yes, three.

95. Seen the Alamo in person
No.

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
No.

97. Been involved in a law suit
Not yet.

98. Owned a cell phone
Yes.

99. Been stung by a bee
I think so, but try to avoid them!

100. Read an entire book in one day
Oh, yes.
Okay people, your turns now!

The Second Day of Advent

This morning I went to the exercise class, and was back on form. I had to go to Asda for petrol on my way home as I was driving on air. I put in 38 litres - the most ever.

Once I got home the phone rang and it was the physiotherapist from my own town to offer me a place in January which I have been delighted to accept.

In honour of my gentleman friend coming tomorrow to take me out for dinner, I have put up my Christmas decorations. I had been planning on leaving them until my cleaners came on Friday, but - with a bit of a struggle - I managed myself. I have even put up the wreath on my flat door.

The place looks quite festive now, so I am just waiting for the sun going over the yardarm to pour myself a well-earned libation.

Noilly Prat, of course.-

Bridge and an old friend

I am delighted to report that the new dose seems to be working and I continue to have a good night's sleep.

As this is the first day in Advent, our house manager and one or two residents put up and decorated a Christmas tree in the residents' lounge and hung up many decorations together with some others on tables. There is also a "singing santa" on the fireplace!

The event may be sacred but the decorations are definitely not although I must confess the room looks very bright and cheery.

This afternoon I went to the bridge club. My usual partner had said she might not make it, and indeed she did not turn up, so I ended up playing with S. our leader. In spite of playing for once with a clear head, I made a number of mistakes. I am sure I shall learn from some of them, but I shall never remember them all. My usual partner will be pleased to discover that we came third last week.

I arrived back in time to join the ladies (the gentleman was absent) for a cup of tea and a biscuit, and a good blether.

I had no longer sat down than the telephone rang and an old friend, whom I have not seen for ages, called I. I invited him over for a meal, but he insisted on taking me out. We agreed on a venue as it was better not to be any distance from here and I have phoned and made the reservation for Wednesday evening.

Surprise!

Yesterday, after a good night’s sleep, I set off to visit daughter, M and 2 grandsons who live about 45 minutes drive away from me. I had a bit of difficulty finding their new house and when I found myself outside Tesco, I knew I was wrong. So I turned round in the car park of a new development. At that point I was accosted by an elderly lady who was a bit cross as too many people use their car park as a turning circle. I explained that I was lost, so she asked me where I was going,

And I could not remember, but I said I would phone them for advice. When I did so, I had made only one mistake, going straight across a roundabout instead of turning right there.

I could not park near their house, so I parked in a parking bay at the top of the road then walked to the house. I managed to climb two steps but no further so I called again for help. I went into the house and looked at how they had put their own stamp on the sitting room. I was also amazed at how much they had achieved in such a short time. Elder grandson was dispatched to the car to pick up my backpack, blanket and 2 pillows. I then opened my backpack producing a bottle of Noilly Prat and a bottle of Fleurie.

At this point daughter was urging me to come and see the rest of the downstairs, but I was not in a hurry to do so as I had seen there before they moved in. However, I followed her into the dining room and looked to my right.

And there, sitting on two chairs at the table were…..

… younger son and daughter in law.

I was so amazed and delighted. Hugs and kisses all round. I just could not believe it.

They had both “lied" in recent emails , and so had my daughter!

We talked and talked with the oiling of the wheels (with Noilly Prat in the case of daughter and me).

Oh boy it was so good.

Daughter served up a fantastic dinner, starting with nibbles with humus or smoked mackerel pate, then going on to beautiful roast beef cooked to its lovely pink perfection. Along with this were roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and green beans.

I slept last night in younger grandson’s bed, which was fine apart from the fact that I am not used to sleeping in a single bed, and found it difficult to turn over. A bit of a disturbed night but the new dose is still working.

This morning it was freezing with a temperature of -5.5 degrees Celsius. Fortunately the roads were dry, so it was just a heavy frost but not ice.

Looking out the back window I saw 2 beautiful spider webs sparkling with the frost.

On the way home I also got lost but managed to find my way again. The trees were particularly beautiful with the bare branches shining with frost, the only disadvantage was the frost fog which made visibility not too good, but I took it carefully. I can’t understand some motorists making themselves invisible by not having their lights on. Even these silly sidelights are worse than useless.

So here I am safe home again.

A busy Friday

Yesterday I got up after another fitful night and went for my doctor’s appointment. When I told her about the pain and sleeplessness she has upped the dose of one of the tablets I am taking and to see how that does. If it doesn’t improve things, I have just to call her and she will try another, but similar, drug. She is reluctant to introduce something completely new. I am not surprised when I consider the list of drugs I am on. I asked if she wanted to issue all my repeats as they would be up for renewal just before Christmas.

Done.

So, off I went to the pharmacy next door and waited for a short while to pick up my carrier bag full.

Back home, and shortly after, my two cleaning ladies arrived. On top of leaving everything sparkling, one changed a light bulb in the bedroom and put back a number of photograph albums.

Home made soup for lunch, and then I forced myself upright and took the two remaining loads of washing downstairs. After the first load was done and into the tumble drier, I put on the second load then came upstairs to join some of the ladies for a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Not to mention a chat!

Following that all I had to do was collect the first load, now dry and bring the second load (3 jumpers) back upstairs to dry flat.

When I came home on Thursday I found a letter addressed to Grandma Moot at my correct address. I am known as Grandma Mammouth by my grandchildren as I always used to pop over to France and shop there when I lived in the south of England. The oldest grandchild was then quite young and he shortened it to Grandma Moot. Bet it gave the postman a giggle.
Inside was a beautiful thank you letter with apologies because it was late as he and the family had been moving house

Photo North Bridge

In response to the many requests (all right, from the three of you) here is the photograph referred to in my previous post taken shortly after the birth of the first son of Princess Margaret and Earl Snowden. I see I was wrong about my age at the time, as Viscount Linley was born in November 1961, so I was 20 at the time, and still wearing well.

Soup of the Evening.....

....beautiful, beautiful soup.

Yesterday I was up early so I decided to make a start on the three loads of washing that were glaring at me from the corner of the hall. So, one load washed, dried and put away.

After that I went to the garage in the near by small town for the car to have its MOT. Luckily I took Private Eye with me as I waited for an hour and a half. I almost, but not quite, finished Private Eye.

After that it was off to visit TBSITW for a delicious lunch of fresh home made bread with home made chicken liver pate, followed by "green" soup. It was probably made with Swiss chard, but she could not remember so we decided that green soup summed it up beautifully. We both tend to make this soup with any of a variety of green leaves and they are all good.

After lunch TBSITW went to work and produced the last picture to go in a multiple frame given by elder son and his wife for my birthday. I then produced a different multiple frame along with some pictures that I had found of me at different stages and both sons. As the number of spaces was strictly limited we decided that the frame would be limited to me alone.

Vanity, vanity all is vanity...

I had found and fitted a photo of my grandfather, my father, me and elder son (as a baby). This showed, of course, four generations of the same family.

TBSITW then scanned and re-sized and printed and guillotined to fit two further photos, one of me when I qualified as a midwife and one when I graduated from the Open University.

She has also scanned one of me taken, when I was 17, on North Bridge, Edinburgh on my way back to the office after lunch. The reason I was stopped was for a series of small articles and some photographs for Edinburgh Evening News. The press man and the photographer were carrying out a "vox pop" asking people what name they thought Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden would call their first child. I said 'David' as I thought that it was the given name of her father.

It was a particularly good photograph (ie it made me look good) so we bought some prints. One ended up with elder son and he had put it on his notice board in his halls of residence at University. His then girl friend (now his wife) was a little jealous of this pretty girl he had pinned up.!!!

Now there's a compliment.

I came home and in the late afternoon and into the evening I made a pot of chicken soup, using the stock from boiling the chicken thighs. Added to the stock were 2 onions, two carrots some rice and and the meat off one of the thighs.

Phew.

THANKSGIVING!

May I wish all my readers "across the pond" a very happy thanksgiving, and enjoy that turkey, but leave some for us at Christmas!

A Good Hair Day

Today, after a good night's sleep (to make up for the bad night the night before) I headed off to the big city. The low sun was shining, and reflecting off the wet roads making it very difficult to see at times. I went to the usual shopping mall, starting with M&S where I returned a pair of trousers which I had bought over the Internet but were not what I wanted. I went to look for a replacement pair and while doing so found a nice round necked top with cream edging and a cardigan to match. I picked both but when I discovered that the trousers were in the wrong size, I just put the tops back.

That made a big saving!

I then went on to The Body Shop and bought something that TBSITW wanted, and passed Thorntons on the way. I resisted the chocolates but bought some toffee. I then went and had a sandwich and an apple juice before going on to the hairdresser.

After I got back to my home town I thought that it was time to give the car a similar (and much overdue) treat and took it to the car jet wash.

Then it was back home to find that our wonderful house manager had put a parcel in for me and that the post today was only Private Eye with no junk mail to join it for a change.

Now to cook some chicken thighs to make stock.

Bridge - and a gentle hint.

Yesterday afternoon I went to the bridge club where, once again I played with my usual partner. At the end of the afternoon she was complaining that she hated always coming last. I said to her that obviously I was not the right partner for her and did she think she would be better off with someone else?

As we left, our leader said that she should not complain about coming last as we were just beginners and there were many strong players who had been playing with the same partner for years.

Oh well this was not a problem solved but at least a seed sown.

Last night I had very little sleep, tossing and turning from 2am trying to find a cold place for my poor burning feet. The pain relief I have been given is obviously not keeping things under control, so I am pleased that I am due to see my GP on Friday (for another reason) so I shall hijack the appointment to ask about this.

Anyway I knew I would be absolutely useless at bridge after so little sleep so I called my partner to let her know that I was not fit to play tonight. I called before 10am to give her time to find another partner.

Today is now a lazy day and I shall have an early night.

Brrrr

I was up and dressed in plenty of time and looking forward to going to Church, when I looked out of the window.

And there it was, snow.

I used to love the snow, but now I am afraid of going out in skitey (slippery/slidey) weather because I am so afraid of falling.

So in punishment I did a job that must be about my most hated,

Yes, folks, defrosting the freezer.

It would not ordinarily have needed to be defrosted until the new year, but I must have left one of of the drawers sticking out a bi it so that the freezer door was not quite shut, causing it to frost up pretty badly.

Now that I am a bit less able I rather regret not buying a frost free freezer, but there you go.

I am through at the computer waiting for it to finish so that I can get the drawers (all washed and dried) back in and filled.

I have a large picnic bag lined with space insulating material which holds all the contents of my freezer, especially if I have run it down a bit.

The bad piece of news is that when I went to heat my cauliflower cheese in the oven yesterday, the thermostat would not register above about 75 degrees Celsius. I think the fan has gone. The outside door of the oven was hot at the top but cold at the bottom. Here we go again.

At least it is not urgent as I do hardly do any roasting or baking and the rest can be done on the hob or the microwave. Still, it is a bore.

I have had a really good day today today.

First of all, having showered, dressed and so on, the "girl" from the paper shop came to collect the money for the papers I have delivered. I was all prepared with the check made out apart from the amount.

The last time she called I asked if I was correct that she was Muslim and she said "yes". I then said I usually like to give a small monetary gift at Christmas to the paper boys but I was most concerned that I might cause offence. It turns out that the tall boy I met once when I was up early for the laundry was not the usual paper boy, he only helps out if the paper boy can't manage. She said that certainly no offence would be taken.

I met the gentleman who owns the shop. He is a perfect, upright gentleman with greying hair who speaks impeccable English. The "girl" it transpires is daughter as I had surmised, a lovely woman with a beautiful complexion. The boy I had met once is her youngest son, the other two being in their twenties.

They don't usually deliver papers but they do so to our block of flats as many are elderly, so it is a real community spirit that they show. On one occasion one of our fitter ladies went to the shop to pay, only to be told that she should not do so as they were happy to collect the money.

Coinciding with the daughter's visit to collect the money, my Tesco delivery arrived, so it was a brief call.

This afternoon I had a visit from elder son's wife who happened to be in the area. It was so good to see her as it happens so seldom. We had tea and biccies and I gave her a book or two away with more to follow. Yes, elder son, she has the second volume of the Romanitas trilogy.

A Quiet Day

This morning my wonderful cleaners came, so all is now sparkling clean. I asked L. te let me know the type of Autoglym that she uses as there appear to be several different ones. Better than that she gave me some into an empty bottle. I want it to clean the inside of the windscreen before the garage sees how dirty it is. I think the marks are lime flowers brought in through the air vents.

After that I did some of the preparation for tonight's meal: peeled the sprouts and placed them in the steamer; peeled the potato and 2 carrots, then cut the potato into four and the carrots into batons; and prepared the cauliflower.

I am making caulifloweer cheese with the vegetables on the side.

This afternoon I went to join some of the ladies for a cup of tea and a biscuit. I learned that one of the ladies has lost her grandson to cancer. She was very brave to come and join us, bringing some photographs of this (grown up) grandson. Her daughter is with her just now to give her some support.

It is always very difficult to cope with the loss of someone younger, but two generations younger is really hard to come to terms with.

Lunch

Today has been a great day. I had not a bad night's sleep and checked the blogs I read before going to visit TBSITW and le chef for lunch. We had a delicious home made rib-sticking hare soup together with freshly baked bread. Not long after I arrived, TBSITW receeived a slightly worried telephone call as I had sent the message saying "on my way" to daughter instead of TBSITW. The latter was able to reasure daughter that I was safely with her!

While there the fish van arrived and I bought a piece of salmon for my meal this evening.

Oops - forgot to reimburse TBSITW for that.

On the way home I went to the near by farm shop and bought Brussels sprouts, white turnips a beautiful cauliflower, a punnet of sweet green grapes and a punnet of satsumas; additionally I bought a topside from one of their own Limousin cows.

Bridge and Dentist

I managed to make it to the bridge club. I asked my partner to sit at the first table as, if there were an odd number of pairs,we could get away early. I was so tired that I was desperate to get away as soon as possible..

However, she did not want to play with the North South pair at that table.

I managed to keep going and did not disgrace myself , although I did not play well.

When we eventually reached the free table, I atood at the top of the stairs to get some fresh air, and then came in and helped someone else with washing coffee cups.

After I rejoined my partner, I was just about ready to fall asleep, and once again she laid into me "Why did you not do such and such"

By this time I could remember nothing of past hands and said so, but she kept repeating her question in a more and more aggressive manner.

The more she questioned the less I could remember.

I should perhaps say that I got to bed at midnight and slept till 10am (1o hours sleep) uninterrupted.

Today was the dentist to finish the job started by the hygienist last time. she cleaned my lower teeth with the pick, then injected a gel into the space between my lower teeth and gums.

I thought that the last time it was a cortisol injection, but in fact it was chlorhexadine (like Corsydol, but more concentrated and in a gel format)

I have now got an appointment to go back in January to see how things have progressed.

Catching up.

I am conscious that I haven’t posted for a day or two.

So, a quick catch up.

On Sunday after Church I did one washing (the dark wash), got it dried and put away by about 1.50pm. So I treated myself to a glass of sherry (as you do).

I also finished reading “Bad Science” by Ben Goldacre. This is an excellent book which debunks so much of the so called cures offered to the gullible. There are so many charlatans around peddling such things as colonic irrigation, not to forget these “nutritionists”.

It is becoming increasingly obvious to me that this book should be widely circulated. In particular, it should be mandatory reading for journalists and politicians.

Yesterday afternoon I played bridge with my usual partner. She received some gentle advice from our leader.

That was sufficient for her to start crying. Later our leader said quietly to me that she thought I was a saint to put up with her behaviour.

I really don’t know how long I can carry on coping. It takes its toll on me and I end up losing concentration and playing badly. If I make a mistake, she rounds on me in a very aggressive manner.

I really don’t feel like going tonight, particularly as I have been awake since 4am with the pain in my feet, up the front of my legs and my hands. However, shoulder on.

Brighter news is that the vegetable box arrived and contained: 2 cooking apples, some salad leaves (which are either green mustard leaf or mizuna -I can’t tell which I have, they look rather like spinach and I am sure they will make a good soup), a Savoy, carrots, onions, 3 leeks and 2 beautiful cooking apples. The fruit bag held 3 apples, 2 oranges, 2 pears and a kiwi fruit.

TBSITW tells me that the local farm shop has now opened; they were delayed as it took so long to get the potatoes in as the ground was so wet.

A Cook-a-thon

I have had rather a busy day, starting with a washing this morning, followed by Tomato Soup with Rice (I have added the recipe top my blog).

After that I got on to the chicken curry (the recipe is already on my blog, although this time I added a little bit of ginger.)

So, now I am looking out of my window as the sky fades slowly towards dusk.

I have made a start on reading today’s paper, but that is it.

It sounds like a lazy day, but, boy does it not feel it!

Chiropodist

Before I went to see TBSITW yesterday, my chiropodist came.

Boy, was I glad to see her; I had been limping along for a couple of weeks after my dressing came off and a shaped foam tubing fell apart at the seams.

I had taken off the parts of the hearing aids that go in the ear to clean and soak them in a solution of dishwashing liquid. They were then dry and I was struggling to fit them back to the hearing aids with no success, so she took over and managed it in very short order so I could hear again.

Bet she never thought she would have that job to do!

This morning I did a job I have been "forgetting" for ages and got all my filing and shredding up to date. After that my two lovely cleaners came, so all is now right with the world.

Photographs

Yesterday, after a hasty start to the day, I came home and read the paper, then made some lunch, followed by tea. I find this really rather difficult as, having to leave at 6.30pm for Bridge, I am having to eat some sort of evening meal rather earlier than I would like.

My partner picked me up at 6.30 on the dot and off we drove. We ended up with 38 playing, making it 10 ½ tables, so it was rather a late finish.

I have no idea how we got on, but probably not well as there are so many strong players there.

Today I was invited by TBSITW to a lunch of home made lentil soup and home made bread. We had a grand blether over that and some home made goodies – an energy bar and an apple and ginger cake. Scrummy.

I have been trying to gather together photographs of my family for my ‘rogues gallery’ on my sideboards., so I took over 3 frames and she printed off one of herself and partner, one of elder son and one of his wife. I had been hoping to get one of the two of them together, but so far no luck.

It was good to get a boisterous greeting from both dogs. I am planning to get a picture of the new dog for my frame which holds five small photographs.

The Infamous Maths Degree

Elderly lady in training asked how a maths degree led to nursing.



In fact, I became a nurse (RN), a midwife (RM) and a health visitor (RHV) first.



By the time I became a health visitor, it was being noised abroad that nurses would have to have degrees. (I think this was before the days of direct entry to degree nursing.)



So I looked at the Open University as being my only feasible means of obtaining a degree. I found that, due to my previous qualifications, I needed to take only one foundation-level course. As health visiting was in many ways related to the social sciences, I decided not to take the social science foundation course and decided on maths as I had enjoyed that at school.



After that, I was hooked and continued through to a maths degree which included Mathematical Models and Methods (applied maths), 2 statistics courses, a systems course and a computing course, graduating in 1987 at the age of 46. My family were all so proud, and elder son took enormous pride in telling his fellow students that his mother had just graduated.



After that I went on to take: Statistical Methods, Graphs Networks and Design, Applications of Probability and Professional Judgement eventually graduating with first class honours in 1991 at the age of 50.



I did it all in my own time, paid for entirely by myself apart from being given study leave for a weekend revision group in my last year.



It did in fact make some sort of a difference to my career as I moved on to working with nursing information systems, mostly with training nurses to use the systems, but also with an involvement in the developing of them. People tended to ask how I liked working away from patients, but supporting nurses throught their training holds much in common. In my last post I also did some bank nursing at the weekends and, yes, it was good to get back to hands on patient care.



Apart from my career, the greatest benefit was challenging my brain...

A Medley of Events

Yesterday afternoon I went to the Bridge club and played with my usual partner. At last the numbers are starting to improve and we had 3 tables. I think I bid and played all right but I made a complete mess of my score card. It would appear that I cannot add, which is somewhat ironic for someone with a maths degree.

Mind you it brought back memories of school when I passed my Higher Maths with an excellent result, but came close to failing the compulsory Arithmetic paper.

In both cases I think it boils down to too casual an attitude when dealing with something simple.

I got home and there was a mug laid out for me and D. went off and made my special extra weak tea. It is always good to see them. Such a pity that I can’t have bridge and Scrabble.

J. who is very elderly (about 90, I think) takes a pride in doing the washing up.

D. noticed that I had had quite a bit of a struggle getting a package of toilet rolls in, so she carried them to the door of the flat – the difficulty was because it was a package of 16 rolls and there was no carry handle.

This morning I was dressed, jacket on and changed into my driving glasses when I opened the flat door to see that the milk was there. I get a delivery once a week on a Tuesday. So, I picked up the milk and went through to put it in the fridge.

On returning to the door, heard my mobile phone and found a message that TBSITW had called and missed me. I quickly picked up my phone and called her at home with no reply.

At last I reached the front door of the building and who did I see but TBSITW! I felt that, as I was now running late anyway she should come in and have a cup of tea.

Bless her, she almost pushed me into the car and waved me away.

I broke no speed records, but arrived at 9.58 for a 10 o’clock start.

I am being expected to increase what I am doing, so I am now varying the order in which I do the exercises, as I often do well with the first half then cannot do well with the rest.

Yesterday's Papers....

Yesterday afternoon, I settled down to read the Sunday Times newspaper.

It really made me wonder why I buy it. The news I get from the Times on Monday to Saturday. The Times also has a magazine section. Of course, I always get the news every time I log on to Internet Explorer as I have selected BBC News as my home page.

The first thing I do is to throw out quite a lot of the paper:

The Sport pages,

The Business and Appointments sections,

Home,

Travel,

Motors.

That is a huge pile to go in the paper bin (and to pay for!)

I read

The News section,

Money (for about 2 minutes), It does not take long when you don’t have any,

News Review

Ecosse (the Scottish News Review)

And then it is on to the magazine bits.

Reading it probably lasts until time to prepare the evening meal.

And that’s it!

It seems like a lot of money for very little.

Remembrance Sunday

Yesterday, of course was Remembrance Sunday, and it was such a beautiful day, a long way from our mental pictures of the soldiers in their wet, muddy bunkers.

So many wars and so many dead (from all the services) since that “war to end all wars”. It seems as though politicians never learn.

“They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old”

Bangers and Mash

Yesterday was a quiet day. I had 2 peppers (bell peppers, capsicums) delivered with the organic veg box goodie bag.

I decided to make stuffed peppers and had a look through my fridge, store cupboard and freezer. I have never done this before, but made it up as I went along to achieve the right sort of flavour and consistency.

The recipe is on my recipe blog.

The next thing was to tackle the sweet potato.

Prior to that, of course, I had to tackle a washing. Now, for once I wakened early as my feet were so sore and no matter what I did, I could not go back to sleep, so I reckoned I might as well make a virtue out of necessity.

I took the washing down at 7.45 with the Times magazine. The laundry is out of bounds till 8 am. When I got there I was able to choose the machine I wanted and at 8 o’clock on the dot set it going. When it was finished I loaded it into my favourite dryer and went away for an hour. On returning, my washing was dry, so I folded it and placed it all in a bag to take up top my flat. By this time it was not quite 11 am and not one person had been near the laundry but me. On returning to my flat it took only a few minutes to put it all away.

Yesterday evening, I had taken 3 sausages out of the freezer, so I reckoned it was time for bangers and mash. In the absence of further information, I decided to treat the sweet potato like potato and peeled it, cut it into pieces and boiled it for 20 minutes before mashing it with a knob of butter. Then I cooked the potato, Swede and carrot and mashed them together with the sweet potato. After placing a serving on a plate, I placed the plate in the microwave for a minute as the sweet potato had been cooked earlier.

This was absolutely delicious and I am freezing the rest of the mashed mixture for a few weeks till wanted again.

Cleaners

Today my wonderful cleaners arrived and L. handed me a brown envelope. This contained a letter from the cleaning company to say that they were ceasing trading on the Domestic Cleaning side.

I must have gone white and put my hand to my mouth saying “oh what am I going to do now!”

However L, the best cleaner who has been with me almost since the day I moved here has said that she will come on a personal basis on a different day, Friday. She doesn’t want a cheque (no questions from me!)

I would have been really devastated to lose her as she is just exactly what I want and need. This is where you find out how dependent you can be on one person. She is keeping on only a couple of people for whom she has been working for some time. Sadly this does not include my neighbours. I don’t think they will mind too much as, even in the short time they have had her, they have been out on quite a number of occasions.

I can’t tell you how relieved I am.

For lunch today I had slices of avocado with sliced apple and sliced fancy cheeses that I bought when I was staying with elder son.

Just a thought:

Was The West Wing television drama prescient?

In series 7, the election to choose between Presidential candidates the characters played by Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits, whose likenesses to McCain and Obama were almost uncanny,

Jimmy Smits won!

The Goody Bag

On Monday I went to the bridge club in the afternoon where I was delighted to see my partner back from her holiday. There were only eight of us and so we played as two teams. Our team lost!

I returned to find my vegetable “box” had arrived with potatoes and onions, about 15 beautiful carrots, 3 beetroot, 3 leeks, a celeriac and a lovely purple Savoy.

Additionally was the first of a new initiative, a goody bag. This is a sturdy Hessian bag containing some treats. The treats are notified a fortnight in advance and delivered only if you ask for them. This one contained a large sweet potato, a bag of chestnut mushrooms, 2 sweet peppers – 1 green and 1 yellow, an unwaxed lemon and an avocado.

Unfortunately I was not able to go to the bridge club as I had something of an upset gut (I promise no more details will be forthcoming.)

So today, now I have recovered, is the first cook-in of mushroom soup. (see recipe blog.)

The Presidential Election

I have tried not to comment on the election before the results were in as I have no right to a vote, but now I feel I can.

This morning I see that the results for the American Presidential election are in and that Barack Obama has been elected with an astounding majority.

I think that this is an excellent result as it has shown that the USA has managed to throw off its prejudice against black people sufficient to cast their vote for a good man.

Many overseas will be glad that another warmongering man has not been elected President, and also that Sarah Palin (who has shown that it is not only blondes who can be dumb) has not been elected Vice President and thus a heartbeat away from being a President whose idea of foreign policy is to say that she can just about see Russia from her front porch.

Cash Flow

Yesterday I found that the shower was running cold. Aaargh!

The quickest wash ever.

Later I took my car to the repairers for an estimate for the insurance company for the damage to one of my wing mirrors. They are coming a week tomorrow to collect my car and drop off a courtesy car, which will be a small automatic as is mine. There is an excess of £75 to pay.

Now I keep accounts on MS Excel, detailing all my income and expenditure; I also keep separate accounts for my 2 credit cards which give a running total for the month’s expenditure. These totals are fed into the Excel sheet for the dates on which the payments will be deducted as I pay the total amounts each month by direct debit.

The principal advantage of doing this is that I can run the income, expenditure and bank balance ahead as far as I choose, giving me an overview of my cash flow, which allows me to keep my accounts under control. I don’t work to a budget, I work to my income.

I reconcile the bank account and the credit card expenditure more or less on a daily basis and I was starting to get a bit worried about my cash flow over the next couple of months, but was not too surprised as I had had a number of unexpected expenses.

However, on looking again more closely yesterday morning I discovered that I had put a small pension into the expenditure column instead of the income one. Now that I have corrected it, the future looks somewhat rosier! The mistake must have arisen due to doing a “copy and paste” after I had inserted a new column for the cheque numbers.

As The Shrink would put it:

Much goodness.

A welcome extended

Yesterday was such a beautiful day, autumn chill in the air, but warm sunshine and virtually no wind.

Our minister preached his sermon on the passage from the Gospel according to St. Matthew which told of Joseph of Aramathea taking Jesus from the cross and placing Him in his new tomb, wrapping him in cloths.

Additionally yesterday was All Saints Day.

He used passages from Gray’s elegy written in a country churchyard, which churchyard may have been like our own, to illustrate many of his points. I came home and found the poetry book which I used at school – A Poets Quair edited by Rintoul and Skinner and read the poem again. I was going to type it out to put here but it is somewhat long.

The interesting thing about this poetry book is that one of the editors was the father of a friend of mine at school (she is still a friend). He taught English at George Watson’s Boys College and we went to the sister school, The Mary Erskine School for Girls (now part of a conglomerate of 3 schools and called Erskine Stewarts Melville). These schools were and are in Edinburgh.

Later on in the day, TBSITW came with the new addition to her family, a rescue dog because she was not sure how the dog would cope with fireworks. I had a hide chew for her, and she took it from me, but then spent most of the next half an hour pacing round the room. After she had let me stroke her several times she suddenly decided it was all right here and settled down to give the chew laldy. I am so glad she settled, and perhaps she will find the next visit easier.

It is not easy for an older (she is about 2 ½ ) dog to adjust to rehoming, with all the new things she has to learn. She is a lovely dog with a good nature and certainly gets on with the other dog. So time, the great healer, will do its work.

The advantages of advancing deafness!

Linda at Just another day on the prairie always heads up her post with a quote. They are such a treat to read.

The latest one was:

“What a blessing it would be if we could open and shut our ears as easily as we open and shut our eyes!”
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

And it really made me think.

As my reader knows, I am somewhat deaf (I hate the phrase ‘hard of hearing’) and have discovered that it can be of an advantage at times. On occasion I have found myself in circumstances where the noise just becomes a bit much and I can discreetly switch my hearing aids off.

On the other hand, when I am in Church, I am so grateful for the t-loop which makes it a pleasure to follow the service.

I do, however, have to be careful to switch them back to normal before being greeted by the minister at the end of the service..........

A Happy Bunny

Yesterday was a busy day. The first appointment was the doctor. Now that my swollen face has resolved completely since stopping the blood pressure tablet, she took my blood pressure and it was up a bit even in that short time. So it is a new tablet and a return appointment in a month.

The second appointment was with the dental hygienist.

Fear and trepidation.

She is really a very nice girl. Anyway she offered me an injection before the treatment. Now, I am the biggest feardie you ever met, but I hate injections in the mouth. So we reached a deal; we would try without, but if I was unhappy at any time she would stop and give me an injection.

However, it was not too bad at all and certainly not as bad as I had feared. Even more so it was not as bad as an injection. So she scraped off what felt like 2 weeks dinners, then used the water spray to clean in under the gums. When it was all over she injected cortisol gel in under the gums and into a rather nasty hole.

Sadly she is leaving to go to a private practice. I am sorry to see her go.

After that I went off to visit TBSITW and be introduced to her very lively Springer Spaniel. She is delightful and the two dogs seem to be settling in well together (or at least happily chasing each other around!)

They have now (on a temporary basis) acquired a hedgehog, found captured in a squirrel trap. When I visited, he was settled in a cardboard box with shredded paper and some water. He seems quite lively. Of course, he will be released back into the wild.

I really enjoyed home made chicken soup and home made bread. It was also good to see Le Chef again. TBSITW picked some spinach for me and Le Chef got some potatoes for me so I can make spinach soup.

Today I managed 2 loads of washing and then this afternoon I have made spinach soup. I have whizzed it and put some into a container for freezing when it has cooled.

I am a happy bunny.

..... and so it goes on and on.....

Last week, on Thursday I fell again, sideways, taking the laundry bin down with me. It is amazing how fragile these things are when squeezed. I got up myself successfully, and suffered only a bruise to a knee. The laundry bin came off worse. It is amazing how fragile these seemingly solid bins are if pressed on at the sides.... I could not correct it enough for the lid to come to a close enough fit, so had to order a new one.

When I reached elder son's house on Sunday he noticed that the housing of the wing mirror was cracked. He held it together as well as possible, and the mirror certainly still worked. I telephoned the Insurance company used by Motability and have been given an address for a repair place.

I was told I had a £75 excess to pay.

Anyway, the repair company phoned yesterday evening and asked me to take the car in for an estimate on Monday.

My mobile now cannot be charged as the "poker jabber thingy" that goes into the phone has got bent so out of alignment that the connection has been lost. I can't do without that, so that is another purchase.

The good news is that my wonderful cleaners came this morning, so everything is sparkling.

And now my new laundry bin has arrived.

A Visit to Elder Son and Family

I mentioned in my last post that I was off to visit elder son , his wife, granddaughter and grandson for a few days.

It is difficult for all of us to get together too often as all four of them live such busy lives, but I always try to go at the time when there are three birthdays: first granddaughter (10 yesterday), then elder son, (46 on the 31st) and finally grandson (14 on 13th November). There had been a lot going on in their lives, but the Sunday included the four of them, daughter in law’s sister, husband, 3 year old daughter (+ bump) as well as the grandparents.

I so much enjoy seeing them all again. Time passes all too quickly during the childhood years, then again at the other end of the scale.

So, we sat down, 10 of us for a slap up dinner on Sunday. The 3 year old was enchanting, turning somersaults and with a large vocabulary.

After dinner, the birthday presents were distributed, a day early. Granddaughter is getting to be a bit like the Queen, with official birthdays as well as the real one.

On Monday I took son to lunch at a near by café. This is a shop which specialises in interesting cheeses. Last time I ended up not knowing which cheese was which, but this time I had them labelled. The proprietor is such a nice guy and very interesting to talk to.

Son had lent me Romanitas (This is the Roman Empire Now), which was based on the assumption that the Roman empire had continued to the present day and I had bought the second of the trilogy. I had expected to have finished it while up there, but had not taken my reading glasses.

I had trouble reading the hymn numbers in Church with my last pair of varifocals, and this time the varifocals had a larger distance area and a smaller reading area. In general this is excellent because, if you are out for a meal or shopping, you can read with the varifocals, but now I need my reading glasses to read books comfortably.

I really enjoyed seeing the photographs of the four of them on holiday in Turkey, with son sailing with a spinnaker hoisted and the others getting tuition at different levels. These photographs were partly on son’s pc but also on grandson’s blog. (This is an invitation only blog)

With all sorts of bad weather forecast at different times I have been very lucky with the driving both ways. Yesterday I went to Sainsbury’s and bought one or two things including a new bath mat for the shower room.

I came home via Dobbies and picked up a loaf of bread. I had hoped to find biscuits for cheese but made do at lunch time by slicing up a smashing newly baked roll as though it were a loaf of bread.

FYI

For your information, no, I didn't sleep in today, nor did I get up an hour early!

After Church I am going up into the far North (well, sort of) to stay with elder son, his wife and 2 children. It will be lovely to see them.

Three of the four have birthdays round about now.

See you back at the ranch on Wednesday.

A Pink Day

I forgot to mention that when visiting daughter she showed me a photograph of her elder son taken on his "Pink Day" at school. I am not sure if it was for only the sixteen year olds or for the whole school, but many were rather disappointing in turning up with perhaps one small pink item.

My grandson, on the other hand, did the job properly.

He borrowed a pair of pink trousers from M's daughter, a pink top from his mother, and even wore trainers with a pink stripe on them. I think there might have been more but my memory is not what it was.

I am proud of my grandson.

Younger Son and his Wonderful Wife

I have been having a lot of worries recently about younger son. I have mentioned his gout – which I worried might be associated with his kidney.

He had a kidney transplant a few years ago, and refers to the transplant as Rabbie (!). He had been desperately hoping that he and his wonderful wife could come to Scotland for his father’s 70th birthday celebrations tomorrow. I had been most concerned over the past few days that, even if discharged from hospital, he would be in no way fit enough for the journey. It is so hard to let go when you desperately want something.

News started with the information that he was to stay in hospital over the weekend, but then I heard that he was getting home. Both daughter-in-law’s parents and I have been emphasising that it would really do poor younger son no good to have to face the long journey north and back again.

I tried to phone him in hospital on our mobiles but the reception kept breaking up, so we had to resort to texting. He is in remarkably good spirits I am delighted to report. I am so sorry that he can’t make his father’s birthday, but his health is much more important.

On my side, my GP has changed my anti-histamine (to good old fashioned Chlorphenamine, which in the bad old days we knew as Piriton) and said that I should see a good improvement quickly. If the swelling is not down by Monday I have to stop my Perindopril as she has come across cases of allergy to that even after of years of successful taking of it. After that I have to see her again next Friday, and once again she has made the appointment for me, even changing the time to suit as I have a dreaded appointment with the hygienist. I am a bit scared as she has told me I shall need injections for it.

Oh the joys of still having your own teeth (or at least a good number of them)!

Visit and a Fall from Grace

Tuesday evening saw no change in the swelling, apart from the fact that it seemed to move about a bit depending on the position I was in. In the end, having cooked stuffed jacket potatoes I found myself able to eat only half of it. Still, good night’s sleep and up quite early in the morning. I was planning a quiet day with my jigsaw when I was interrupted by a text message from my daughter – could I go over for lunch? Of course!

So, over I went and we had a lovely lunch of her smoked mackerel pate and afterwards a good blether while she sorted socks; (how do we accumulate so many odd socks?) and did her ironing.

After that, when younger son came home we went to see a house that daughter is interested in. It looks very hopeful, so fingers are crossed. It has quite a steep driveway and daughter was concerned that I might not manage it on my own, but I did, no problem.

So they went on ahead and I went to go up the step from the driveway to the front porch.

Ah…

Almost made it….

… but just as I was about to reach the full height of the “climb” I could not make it and toppled over backwards landing on my right hip, right elbow and then my head landed too so there is a bit of an egg there now.

I HATE, HATE, HATE making an exhibition of myself this way especially as I can not manage to get up myself so daughter and the key-holding neighbour had to heave me to my feet.

I was sat down in the sitting room while everybody looked around upstairs. Daughter brought her camera and did a video tour of the whole house, which was clever.

Came home after that.

This morning I got up and it wasn’t until I was washing my face in the shower that I realised it was still swollen!