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.

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.

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)!

Wow, Who Is a Lucky Girl, Then?

Wife of elder son found herself in my area today and popped over at about 4pm to see what she could do to help.

First off I made her a cup of tea and biccies.

So I am now sitting on mybrand new super duper office chair in taupe faux suede, which matches very well with the blanket throw I keep on mybed in daytime. It was not easy (as elder son had reported), but she got it.

After that I thought she would have had enough, but no, she responded to the subtle hint of a large box by the fireplace, and made up my new television shelves - a much easier job.

I am now definitely on the mend.

A Better Day

Today my daughter in law (the wife of elder son) came to visit and take me out to lunch. We went to a near by garden centre, and as she could not find a disabled parking bay, dropped me off at the entrance while she went off to park the car. Inside the front entrance I found 2 wheelchairs and commandeered one. (Little did she know that she was going to be pushing me around!) Anyway it was so much easier for both of us and we got our lunches and sat down to eat them and have a good chat.

After that we had a tour of the whole (non-gardening) bit where I purchased some wines, and had a good look round the Christmas (yes, Christmas already) stock. Bought some Christmas cards and a birthday card for an imminent birthday.

It was great fun, and d-i-l found pushing me around no hardship while I found it marvellous. In the short time I had waited for her at the door, I had started to feel light headed.

However over 24 hours of antibiotics seeem to be making an improvement, and the visit has bucked me up no end.