Visits

Elder son visited yesterday, which was great. He brought a smashing lunch and set up the printer so far for me leaving the rest for me to do when the new desk arrived and I could do so. Sadly, not working, so will have to come again!!!!!!!!

After he left (having hoped to have helped me), the desk men arrived and had the wrong one removed and the new one put quick as you like.

On Friday, between the first fall and going into hospital, daughter, partner (with a significant birthday) and younger grandson visited. It was so good to see them.

On the Saturday, they returned and went to my house. They picked up my "hospital bag" which is a gym bag filled with all the necessities for a hospital stay and also brought grapes. Grandson really enjoyed them!

It was quite funny that the bag was packed a few years ago and so everything smelled a bit fusty.

Poor souls, the journey 2 days running - and they don't live so very close to me.

Daughter's Visit

Yesterday looked like being another boring day and I had planned my post to read :

"Washday.

Again."

However, after the first load went in, I received a text from dearest daughter asking if I were free for lunch.

Oh boys, of course I was!

Fortunately(!) I had had a bad night's sleep and got up at 6.30am, so my 2 loads were ready for 11.30, just when daughter arrived.

Off we went to Dobbies for lunch where I looked for an artificial flower arrangement and found several that I liked, but did not like any of the vases much, so only bought a loaf of bread.

Back to the ranch when daughter, armed with a few goodies from me, left to go home.

After that I roasted a beautiful organic chicken and made bread sauce to go with it. My bread sauce is famous, but it is really Delia's recipe......

Dear Daughter - M and Grandsons

A grand day today today, in spite of still feeling tired.

First off, we went to Dobbies for lunch. I found I could manage only the vegetarian one, but at least I ate it all. Dear daughter wheeled me in a chair to choose my salad then over to my table.

After lunch, elder grandson wheeled me round the shop where I bought very little.

Then we came home and daughter tidied out my wardrobe, a desk, removing stuff including a computer with which I have finished, and my bookcases leaving room for many more books which need filing.

Feelin' Good

It has been a good day today. Dearest daughter came over with her younger son together with a big plastic bag of clean washing, said wash done by TBSITW.

A black plastic bin bag does not sound too salubrious, but said TBSITW had sorted and folded the clean washing into white plastic bags, like with like. All I had to do was say where each item belonged and, as though by magic, there it was placed.

After all that, the three of us headed to Dobbies for lunch; I had my usual salad - and as usual my eyes were bigger than my stomach and I could not finish it all, but at least I started off with a smaller plate than usual

After that and a quick tour of the place, with daughter buying a couple of things in the butcher's part. we headed back to the ranch.

Before she left, daughter made me a cup of tea, which was much appreciated.

I feel a little tired now and think I shall just sit in my chair and "rest my eyes" for a couple of minutes.

Dearest Daughter

Today I was treated to a visit from dearest daughter. She brought with her two thank you letters, one from each grandson.

We headed out for lunch, going to another garden centre in the opposite direction as Dobbies. Here we had a grand lunch - I chose a fried egg roll (naughty but nice) and a pot of tea.

After, she put me in a wheelchair and wheeled me all round the garden centre - I am afraid that I did manage to buy something!

After this I directed her to the near by farm shop and we both got some things. The lady serving recognnised our bags (onya, being 5 very light bags inside a small bag which you put in your handbag so that it is always available. Apparently I was not the only person to get this for Christmas!

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!

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.

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!

A Case of Mistaken Venue

Yesterday morning I set off to meet daughter in Marks and Spenser at 12.45. As I was up and about early I decided to get going.

Now on Tuesday it was a BIG MISTAKE going to Dobbies, but yesterday it was an EVEN BIGGER MISTAKE going to Marks and Spencer early..

Idly wandering round I found a pair of black pull on trousers similar to many which I own, so that went in the trolley.

Then I found a grey skirt with a gored bottom, similar to but different from the one I wore to the Bridge Club Autumn Hat Night.

However, I next found a Burgundy skirt of a similar shape, but in a colour which is new to me, so the trousers and grey skirt went back on the rails. I then met an assistant and asked if they had any nice tops to go with the skirt as I had already found the limitations of my own wardrobe..

She was excellent. She led me to a lovely blouse which I put in my basket in two sizes, and my eye was then caught by a less “dressy” one which I also put in my trolley in two sizes.

After that I happened to mention that I was most unhappy about not being able to find a black outdoor jacket. She took me to see a ¾ length coat (which is what I would call a jacket) but it was in a size smaller than I wear. However I tried it on and looked at it in the mirror. Now at the time I was wearing a vest, a thermal vest, a black polo neck and a pink wool polo neck sweater. Even with all that, it looked great.

I think this was a wonderful (and unexpected) instance of having a 'personal shopper'.

So off to the changing rooms, in each case choosing the smaller of the two sizes then off to pay.

At that point I made for the shoe department where I was due to meet daughter and sank down into a seat.

And waited.

Then a text message arrived saying “Je suis arrivee”. I texted back to say I was in the shoe department. She said no I wasn’t.

At last it dawned on her that I had gone to the “only” Marks and Spencer that I know and she had gone to her local one. I couldn’t have found it as I have never been there before.

However I said I would very happily go over and meet her at her home. I then went and bought a sandwich and a small bottle of lemon refresher and set off. It was a very easy journey, all on dual carriageway or motorway, so I reached her house and she wasn’t there. I then made a start on a sandwich when up she pulled behind me.

So in the end we did have lunch together, just not at the expected venue. It was great to have a good chat, and I even met up with younger grandson. I also had to show her my purchases of which she approved! When she saw me to the car, I discovered that I had parked impeccably about 1 inch from the kerb and absolutely parallel. Usually I seem to park within walking distance of the kerb.

At the end I drove home with my goodies, got the car beautifully reverse parked, had my supper, read and went to bed.

The tale of mistaken venue will be familiar to TBSITW.

Quite some years ago she and I were to meet daughter at a (named) garden centre. We got there and searched the place for her. Once again on that occasion she had gone to a garden centre of the same name but at a different location.

It just goes to show that assumptions can be dangerous……

Seamstress and Plumber

Yesterday I received a visit from daughter and M. Now M is a plumber so he came to sort out the problem of poor sealant in the shower uncovered by the spray mould killer. He did a wonderful job of stripping out the old sealant and putting on new. He also pointed out another error made by those cowboy plumbers who put my shower in, they had applied sealant to the bottom of the shower cabinet thus blocking the run off of any water; apparently you should only put sealant between the shower cabinet and the walls.

It looks so good now and I have of course had a great shower this morning.

Meanwhile daughter and I had a great blether over cups of tea and she even sewed on a button on my raincoat, making a much better job of it than I could.

An Apology

Yesterday I posted a crit. about a book I am reading and it was rather unfavourable.

In my haste to add that post I gave no thought to the feelings of daughter who had loaned it to me when it was in a pristine, unread condition. Additionally, she was looking forward to reading the book and I have taken the edge off her anticipation.

This was unnecessarily rude and unthoughtful of me, and I owe her a huge apology.

So, here it is: a HUGE APOLOGY. And big hugs from a mother who is sadly much less than perfect.

Book Review etc.

Today I went to visit daughter to "child sit" her younger son while she and M went to Knockhill racing circuit . M had been given a voucher for The Morgan Experience, and daughter wnted to go along too. Before they left they provided lunch of soup and home made bread.

When they returned daughter showed a video of M in the car (unfortunately, unlike television with multiple camera vantage points, she had only the one), but still you could see the speeds that he reached.

Wow!

However, what I want to write about now is the book I have just finished reading.

If you like books about crime that are not romans policiers, if you like dark books, if you like black humour,

May I commend to you Christopher Brookmyre.

He started with a "hero" of Jack Parlabane, then left him and has moved on to several others returning to Jack Parlabane. A recent book had a heroine of a MOP (a member of the public as described by Tom Reynolds), overcoming many odds.

This latest book is called "A Snowball in Hell"

btw, I forgot to mention the quirky titles of all his books.

In the latest book his hero (she is too strong a personality to be called a heroine) is Angelique de Xavier - a welcome return for a feisty black police woman from near Glasgow.

This author holds a very sharp pin and uses it to puncture authorities whose pomposities deserve to be punctured, such as newspaper magnates, NHS managers, big banks and so on.

This book, inter alia, applies the pin to reality television from Big Brother to all its illegitimate spawn.

Do read it, unless you are a relation of Mrs Mary Whitehouse.

Life, The Universe and quite a Bit More!

I got up this morning realising that I had had the best sleep since I don’t know when (about 12 hours!)

So I got up, showered and dressed and made a cup of tea, then I came through to do my “work”, i.e. read my list of blogs.

Half way through I went back and made myself toast with daughter’s lovely raspberry jam, and had another cup of tea.

In spite of that I have been feeling a bit “headachy”, but I think it is the humidity. The temperature is into the 20s.

Off to the bridge club, when I played with someone different, and had a most enjoyable afternoon.

When I came back, the Scrabble ladies had seen my car arrive and had my tea all ready.

Can’t beat that, can you?

Daughter

Today daughter came over to visit. This is a rare event as she has two children and a job, not to mention a partner, so it is easier if I go to visit her.

It has been a lovely warm day, with the sun shining and the temperature up over 20 degrees. We headed off to the big garden centre where we had lunch, both settling for a salad where you could take two items of meat or fish and as much salad as you could put on the plate. I had a glass of wine as a change (usually I am driving) and she had a rather nice looking apple and something drink.

After lunch we spent a good long time "mooching" round all the aisles and I bought a little plate shaped like a teapot which is just the right size for holding a teabag. TBSITW gave me a lovely ceramic one some years ago, but it has disappeared somewhere along the way as good things do.

I also got a pot pourri for the bathroom as it is smelling a bit of mould, which has got its way into the shower. TBSITW has given me a spray of stuff that is supposed to be death to mould, but has made me promise not to use it myself because of my chest.

Finally I bought 2 bottles of beer - I find it difficult to get hold of small bottles and the bigger bottles hold too much for me to drink at lunchtime.

So daughter and I had a grand time doing what we both love, chatting and shopping (and eating too, of course)

A Quiet Weekend .......

....... That is the title of a play where the weekend was (surprise) not quiet at all, although I have no longer any memory of it.

Today my bridge partner came over and we went over some hands. I have had some smoked trout pate for lunch (scrummy).

I got a text message yesterday evening inviting me over tomorrow to watch oldest grandson in Romeo and Juliet and to stay the night.

I then come home on Friday and pack my bag to go to visit TBSITW to go to hear a choir and sleepover.

I come home on Saturday and scarcely have time to draw breath but it is Church on Sunday, bridge club on Monday, then off to Elder son to visit and to help out with his boy and girl while his wife is away with some children from her school.

Can I cope with all this excitement?????

Daughter

Today is daughter's 21st (and a few) birthday.

I wish her many happy returns...

... and that she enjoys her lunch today with M

Happy Birthday, dear Daughter

with love from Mum

Plants

This morning I set off early to reach daughter's house by 9.30 am. The reason was that we were going to 2 plant sales.

It is not safe to take me near one of these.....

At the first one I bought 2 pots of parsley to bring on in the kitchen. I think I have said before that otherwise the neighbourhood peacock feasts on them. I also bought 4 strips of begonia to fill up spaces in the border and 2 good sized busy lizzies. At the second one I was not tempted by the plants, but they had a second hand book sale, 5 for £1, so of course I bought 5:-2 Dick Francis ones, a David Baddiel, an omnibus Douglas Adams and a Harlan Coben. At the second one we had tea and a cake and I have bought a fruit cake for Monday afternoon's "Scrabble tea".

Back home again I took my bedside stool out to the garden (as I know I can get up from it.) I planted the first 2 strips of begonias, but then found I could not get up again.

After quite a struggle, I did manage it. So at that point I called a halt on planting.

The start of the day was misty, then the sun burnt it off and it was a beautiful hot day.

And now it is raining.

and I am rather stiff and sore.....

My Family.....

.....(but no other animals this time.)

First of all daughter rang me to ask if I could go over today, but sadly I couldn't because I had ordered a supermarket delivery. I had thought that she was working a full day today, but turns out I had misconstrued something she had written, and she was working only a half day. I was rather keen to arrange a visit before next Wednesday as she has a birthday then. We finally arranged for me to go over there for 9.30 am on Saturday. So, I shall have to set the alarm.....

Then supermarket delivery arrived and I got everything unpacked and put away.

Then I spotted a text message from The Best Sister In The World asking if she could call in on her way home from the hairdresser. So I managed that date, and we had a good chat over tea and biccies. A bottle of Noilly Prat from the only supermarket that seems to stock it was very much appreciated.

It is another beautiful, sunny day.

A Happy Wednesday - almost.

This morning I went to visit daughter for lunch with her, M and younger grandson. I did threaten not to visit again if she kept on doing a rain dance in anticipation. Lunch was home made tomato soup served with home baked rolls made with pizza dough - deliciously chewy.

After lunch we viewed the slides and videos she and M took on their recent trip to New York.

I did not realise how many skyscrapers there are in NY, not just in Manhattan.

Trumps Tower is, as expected, in seriously bad taste....

One particularly interesting sight was Katherine Hepburn's brownstone house, sandwiched between 2 skyscrapers.

On the way to visit daughter, the weather was awful, just chucking it doown.

Fortunately on the way back it was clear.

On the way home, called in at a factory outlet and had a successful shop (apart from one thing.) I get very tired trailing round one of these places.

And so to home...

... apart from when I was almost there. I was coming down a narrow road with walls on either side and no pavements. On my side there were little triangular mini-buttresses at ground level.

So, of course, for the first time - having driven that route so often - I clipped one of the buttresses with my nearside front wheel on my way down.

Fingers crossed, but I am now too tired to go and have a look....

Mothers' Day

Today I had a visit from daughter. She said she hadn't brought me flowers as she knew from reading my blog that I had some already!

She brought with her two lovely fruit scones and bramble jelly, together with a pack of organic Earl Grey teabags. She spread the scones and made the tea and we had a great blether. She left behind her a Sunday Times, always my favourite Sunday newspaper, but one I seldom get the chance to lay my hands on.

Scalp still swollen and tender, but improving, everything else fine now.