Senior Golden Sneakers

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Replies

  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,416 Member
    Oh sorry, I am Netflix deprived. ☺️

    Lin
  • Annsie35
    Annsie35 Posts: 919 Member
    Had a shower and hair washed. Washing chugging away. All's well in Bean and Annes world.

    Mike sent me an article though about an American employer firing 800 workers on a zoom
    call! How cruel! and I wonder if that was what was troubling Michael on Sunday when he was very quiet. The article said it couldn't happen that way in the UK, so I hope not in Canada as well!

    Mark and Mary Jo did a bit more downstairs. The bedroom walls are now fixed and today the chiselled out concrete that is under the floor boards is to be redone. All possible sources of dampness eliminated. Slow but we are getting there. Mary Jo has replaced Michael as Beans favourite visitor [don't tell Mike!] she is quite ecstatic when MJ pokes her nose around the door and does a George zen pose staring into space as she gets her ears fondled.

    Not much from me at this point, but will reply to everyones posts later.

    Annsie

  • Sandydur
    Sandydur Posts: 9,319 Member
    edited December 2021
    Happy Tuesday! :) Brrr, I should have done my errands yesterday. It is only 16 degrees but I bought a new winter hat that will keep me warm. lol Picking up groceries later, getting retested, dropping off old ink cartridges at Best Buy for recycling and going to drop off DVD's I made to the girl who asked for them. Oh yes and the dollar store for all my cards and wrappings. Since I haven't done much in ten days I should be exhausted by the time I get home. lol I am going to Max's school sing tomorrow morning and probably staying all day since I am back to sitting tomorrow. Lisa said to stay home for one more day so not needed until tomorrow. Her dad has an appointment at 9am but if done in time they will also come to see Max sing and the first time seeing Lisa since they got back. I am pretty sure the rest of the month will be busy with different activities so I am kind of glad I got some rest time before it gets hectic.

    That's all from me, I will be back later like Anne to check the rest of the posts.

    Sandy
    One Day at a Time
  • jwubben6600
    jwubben6600 Posts: 1,677 Member
    Hello dear sneakers, today looks like high clouds but showers are promised. And it is cold! And damp! John brought home a sweet poinsettia and an amaryllis bulb kit from Home Depot. I am so late in finishing up my Christmas decor but the stove pipe project got in the way. However we leave the decor in place until Jan. 6. Our family used to always wait until the day of epiphany to remove the tree and lights etc. old traditions are hard to break.

    I would love to have all sorts of activities like we used to but things have slowed dramatically as we have aged. However, I try to plan and design as much as John can tolerate. He,loves Christmas but gets stressed and tries to do too much. Thank God, I have started that St. Patrick’s Day letter thing. John used to go crazy with the card list. I would be up late at night addressing envelopes and trying to add personal,notes. Crazy-time! Now we have this new tradition. We have been doing this for at least 10 years.

    Anne: our sons have worries but I don’t think they want to trouble us with their concerns. If they only knew how strangely connected we are. John is sure I feel every pain our kids suffer. I am sure he is right. We have always lived in uncertain times but these are certainly uncertain these days. Ho Ho Ho! You are the glue that holds your family together. Little Jilly is also helps in her special way.

    Sandy: I know you treasure these times with those adorable kiddos. And you should. You are lucky that life has offered you this unusual opportunity. Your grandchildren get the opportunity of having a wonderful and safe person to spend time with until Mom comes home from her work. They are so fortunate!

    I hope I can keep this poinsettia alive like talented Anne. The amaryllis bulb looks very shriveled and in horrible condition. I will have a challenge on that as well!
    Jolly holidays….
    Patsy🎄
  • jacAth3
    jacAth3 Posts: 1,917 Member
    Yesterday’s post seems to have disappeared that I typed late in the evening! What did you miss? Horrid weather, a shorter walk and finally getting to the end of The Crown on Netflix!
    Our latest storm called Barra arrived in the early hours and the gale force wind woke me and George. Betty will sleep through anything I’m sure! We didn’t walk until late morning when the rain eased but I could tell from our flooded parking area that nowhere would be easy for the pooches so popped them in the car and set off for a recce since I needed to go to the post office anyway. Our usual parking area was deserted but I could see rain water running in rivers across the moor so left immediately, popped into the post office just a few meters down the road for postage stamps to send off overseas cards and a couple of local grocery items… I managed to ignore the hot pasties! Closer to home I found a soggy but easier place to walk so George and Betty had a fun run about while I did my best to keep warm. It’s been a cold day with lots of hail and wind and even thunder and lightening as I cooked an easy pasta meal this evening but it’s cosy by the fire….. Brady decided the sideboard is a more friendly place to sit while I eat.
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    Anne, I too saw the story about hundreds of employees being made redundant during a zoom call and do wonder at the integrity of such a “boss”. What must the remaining staff be feeling in case it’s their turn next? We have legislation in place to protect workers from such behaviour thank goodness.
    What an amazing job Mark is doing and what a talent to take it on in the first place.

    Enjoy your busy time out and about Sandy! You’ll feel pleased to have got those tasks out of the way!

    Wow, not sure where my evening went. I was going to put the kettle on for tea but it’s already gone 8.30pm so instead will make an instant Cappuccino ( hooray for spellcheck!).

    Lin, I hope your sinuses are less painful and Patsy, John and Katy are enjoying the finished stove chimney.
    Stay warm and safe everyone.
    Jackie 🥰
  • jacAth3
    jacAth3 Posts: 1,917 Member
    There you are Patsy… got in ahead of me! I’ll read your post as I sip a Cappuccino.
    Jackie
  • Annsie35
    Annsie35 Posts: 919 Member
    Brady looks none the worse for his horrible experience JACKIE.

    Not much to report except I feel like my old self which is LOVELY. I had a shower, put the washing machine on. tidied up etc AND put my sparse Christmas decorations up. Don't know if I can tackle a tree though and the decorations are somewhere in the jumble of a spare room downstairs. Mark and Mary Jo popped in just for a short visit because their old car wouldn't start so they came in the "best" one. They think the battery is gone. Anyway, Mark measured the floor downstairs which needs a cement job and then the three of us, bundled up against the bitter cold, took Jilly the Beanie for a walk. We had trouble with her harness though which felt too tight. I think its her Pomeranian ruff which she loses in the summer and really thickens in the winter. Of course Mark said she gets too many treats and not enough exercise. WELL, now I'm feeling more human again Bean and I are on a Jackie inspired exercise campaign. Although it was cold I found it strangely invigorating, but Mark was muttering about being cold as he headed ahead for the old homestead. Nobody about but us four.

    PATSY, I find my poinsettia is taking off by facing an east/south window. Mainly south.
    I'm not sure what to do with her once Christmas is over. She's grown even more since the photo. Like you we take our decorations down on twelfth night and I'm finding myself just like you. remembering those lovely Christmas's past. We always had two big family parties in my youth, Auntie Kathie joining the men in a game of darts which she was hopeless at resulting in Mom and Dads piano looking as if it had woodworm from all the bad throws. That would be us on Boxing Day and my aunt Mary had her party on New Years Day, same crowd of course, My family was a VERY merry crowd, full of fun. Like you, we are sadly diminished these days.

    Not complaining though, just a different time and age. Hard to imagine but my favourite memories of Christmas is in wartime when all the hoarded goodies came out of Moms secret squirrel box and we all fattened up to face January. Mind you my dad used to say that when you ate one of moms sausage rolls the first bite was pastry and the next bite was past the sausage meat and pastry again. I won't go into our homemade blackberry and rhubarb wines. Just remember the adults getting merrier.

    Well almost 6 o'clock news time. Do I really want to know how many people are facing Christmas in an ICU ward.
    Anne and a pooped out Jilly [from a very sniffy walk].

  • Sandydur
    Sandydur Posts: 9,319 Member
    edited December 2021
    Good Evening! I did all my errands. The retest was easier this time and was negative. Got my groceries with two extra bags of frozen french fries and when I talked to someone from Walmart they told me to keep them even though I wasn't charged. Evidently when it is a food item they cannot take them back. I will keep a bag and give Lisa a bag, the kids should love them. Went and bought my cards for individual people and must have bought close to 30 cards. Dropped off my brother's medicine at the police station, then the post office. Also brought used ink cartridges to Office depot. But Jackie is right it feels good to get it all done.

    Patsy, Lisa does not work, she is a stay at home mom with three kids. She is a preschool special education teacher but will not go back to teaching until the little one is in school. I babysit on Tuesday's because she takes Robby to choir and goes to her meeting so I stay and put Charlie to bed. On Wednesday Robby goes to a play he will be in this weekend and then to religious ed. She also likes to go grocery shopping so she doesn't have to take all three kids. I just try to help as much as I can because I know how hard it is with three kids. My son works from home but he is a manager and really has to stay in his office and work. Lisa's parents are home for Christmas so they will share some of the sitting with me which is good because there is two of them and only one of me and they are ten years younger than me.

    Probably more information then needed but my life is an open book with you ladies.
    Sandy
    One Day at a Time
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,416 Member
    edited December 2021
    Good evening. It was another very cold day so I postponed running errands but did get a birthday card out in the mailbox. I will make a trip to the post office when the weather warms up a bit later this week. I finished a card for that little girl I mentioned and it has a bobble head and requires extra postage to try to get it delivered intact.

    One of the ladies from my old Mah Jongg group called me last evening. She was letting me know that a mutual friend (and Mah Jongg buddy) had just gotten out of the hospital. Yes, it is Covid and I don’t know how long she was hospitalized but it is the lady I was concerned about as she had disappeared from Facebook and wasn’t responding to texts. I have received a couple lines of text now. She is apparently extremely weak.

    I called the remaining Mah Jongg player from our old group this afternoon. She was best buddies with this lady until they had a massive falling out over Covid. The lady who is ill doesn’t believe in Covid vaccines. They have been friends for decades but this broke the tie. They had massive fights and stopped speaking. She said she wasn’t that interested in how her former friend was feeling but basically said it is what she deserved given her behavior. Okay, I am out of sharing information now! I resign.

    A blurb about the Zoom firing.

    The CEO of Better.com might want to consider his company’s moniker the next time he plans extensive layoffs.

    Vishal Garg, the head of the digital mortgage company, jumped on a Zoom call last Wednesday to abruptly inform more than 900 of his employees that they were being terminated.

    “If you’re on this call, you are part of the unlucky group that is being laid off,” Garg, looking stiff and unemotional, said on the call.

    “Your employment here is terminated effective immediately.”


    That is cold for sure. I guess that was about 6+% of the workforce in one call! Yipes!

    Anne, glad you are feeling yourself again which means the shingles are going away? Happy little Bean, surrounded by loving humans. Her life is pretty good. Our attitude towards holidays certainly changes over time and with differing circumstances. It is just nice to have some pleasant memories. I hope my memories are never lost.

    Jackie, yes Brady, a much safer place to hangout. I think I may make one more cup of hot tea. It is a nice warming drink. I like the painting on the wall behind Brady. Sweet!

    Kerry, the man who has Max, planted a tree in memory of the little boy who was tortured and killed. I had never read many of the details before. Jackie, you are probably well acquainted with it.

    For anyone who hadn’t heard about this, here’s a bit of a newspaper account.

    “ Arthur Labinjo-Hughes is a name that now rings with sadness. In fact, it goes way beyond that. The little boy endured agony, tragedy and even torture that no one should ever suffer, least of all a six-year-old innocent boy.

    He suffered at the hands of the worst of humanity. Made to stand still facing a wall hour after hour, day after day. Barked at by his bristling step-mother if he dared try sitting down to rest, battered and bruised from repeated beatings.

    He was deprived of food and water and was being attacked with hidden violence too — being poisoned with salt.

    On June 16, 2020 he collapsed in a heap from fatal injuries, so fragile he could barely pick up his blanket from the living room floor he was forced to sleep on.

    That afternoon, his stepmother, Emma Tustin, 32, had inflicted one final attack, brutally shaking his head back and forth and slamming it off either the walls, floor or both. His father, Thomas Hughes, 29, openly encouraged violence towards his son. Arthur was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital but the damage to his brain was irreversible. He died in intensive care at 1am on June 17.”

    People are savage and often wore than animals.


    Sandy, did you make it through all of your errands? A very busy day for you. Best wishes tomorrow.

    Patsy, oh how lovely that you have seasonal flowers now. Best wishes on bringing both of them to bloom. That will brighten up the house. Good job John.

    Here is a sample of the snowflakes I am die cutting. Each little hole needs to me punched out with a tool. It takes a while so I will,be working on the stack for a while.

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    And a teapot

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    Be safe.

    Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
    ❤️❤️
  • Annsie35
    Annsie35 Posts: 919 Member
    Hi everyone. Two pieces of awful world news from LIN. The little boy Arthur I couldn't get out of my head when I read the sentence on the monstrous couple a few days ago. Before the little mite died he said "nobody loves me". Poor, poor little child. If one doesn't believe in hanging, and indeed it must be very hard to hang someone, what on earth do you do with such people? Apparently incarcerate them and feed them for life at the tax payers expense then let them out early for "good behaviour"?

    As for Mr. Vishai Garg of east Indian birth, it may be common practice in his homeland with its clamouring millions searching for work, but it isn't here - at the moment. We should learn how different cultures can and will erode our way of life if not stopped immediately. So much for Goodwill to all Men at Christmas time. Maybe sentence him to 60 continues hours of "A Christmas Carol". by the forward thinking Mr. Charles Dickens?

    Off my soapbox and back to my old fashioned way of thinking. Grocery list to be made out. always a problem because despite making a list as I run out of things I usually forget something.

    Hugs to everyone and PLEASE if you suspect child abuse don't worry about being wrong, REPORT.

    Anne.

  • jacAth3
    jacAth3 Posts: 1,917 Member
    Yet another unsettled weather day with rain, hail and high winds but I attempted to walk George and Betty on the moors when the sun showed itself. BIG MISTAKE! A beautiful rainbow warned me another shower was on its way then we were hit in the face by painful hail. At one point I took the pooches into a circle of gorse bushes that protected them but George was having too much fun to stay still for long! Once it eased we set off again and were lucky to get back to my car as the next downpour arrived.
    I’ve phoned Chrissie to let her know I will pick Bella up in the next hour, unless the weather is unkind again, and we’ll just have to take a chance because she is apparently scared of hail. Perhaps she had stones thrown at her when she was on the streets of Romania.

    I still haven’t hung my new curtains but did at least fill the extra holes in the wall ready for a spot of yellow paint! No excuses, I’ll get on with that job when I get back from walking.

    Anne, I’ve seen several stories this past year about executives sacking large numbers of staff during video calls and think it’s indicative of today’s reliance on social media to communicate any sort of news. We have employment laws in Britain that insist workers have a right to a consultation and someone to represent them but it still happens. I gather 3 executives have given in their notice at Better.com because of what happened and perhaps his customers will walk away too!
    As for dear Arthur, these dreadful murderers are facing possible life in a prison system that won’t treat them kindly. I read yesterday the step mother has already had a meal that’s prepared by prisoners, laced with salt and is apparently on suicide watch.

    Dear Lin, you are so good at imparting news of fallouts when it comes to Covid and make me smile every time! Lots of stories abound about anti vax Covid patients sick in hospital demanding to be vaccinated… too late! I think it’s Austria that is threatening the unvaccinated they won’t get hospital treatment if required. A bit extreme but then it is Austria !
    That’s the prettiest teapot and I’m wondering if a bird is painted on the other side. Perhaps we’ll never know.
    The picture on my wall over the sideboard was a birthday card I received a couple of years ago that I I loved so much I photographed it and got it printed on canvas. If I whisper that it was sent by a dear friend in Canada you might guess who! 😁

    The sun is shining and I must walk Bella.
    Stay safe
    Jackie🥰

  • Annsie35
    Annsie35 Posts: 919 Member
    Hi JACKIE, thank you for letting us know the latest on the female monster in prison. There are some very hard cases in prison, but few women in prison I think would harm a small child! Its bad enough that some men hurt and kill young women but a defenceless child is almost beyond imagination. There is a poetic justice meted out in prisons which our present systems can't match and beware anyone who ends up in prison after committing an appalling act. I guess she might be in solitary confinement for the rest of her life. The father as well.

    I've just made a ham and egg pie for lunch and then I MUST settle down and do the grocery order. I'm not keen on ordering on line but needs must! I don't want the "kids" running after me and me becoming an old nuisance.

    Thanks again Jackie, the more we learn the better however much it upsets us because that's the only way to save another unwanted and unloved little child.

    Anne.
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,416 Member
    Hello. I wish I could share the video of the tree planting but it is only on Facebook, not YouTube. Here’s a bit Kerry posted after the Live feed video.

    A calming hour sat at Memory Wood after our live feed next to Arthur’s tree.
    Paddy unusually quiet, Harry never left my side. Dogs just know

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    Jackie, I thought I recognized the style in that painting. Well done to think of enlarging it to put on the wall. Love it. And we will never know what is on the other side of that teapot.

    I need to go to the post office today although it is still cold. There is a possibility of a day or two in the high 50’s or low 60’s next week. Wow!

    And my attempt at making peace between those former friends taught me a lesson. Never try that again.

    Anne, I hope you are able to find all the supplies you need/want. I am going to try to shop in person tomorrow.

    Be well.

    Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
    ❤️❤️

    brxldc4738bw.jpeg



  • Sandydur
    Sandydur Posts: 9,319 Member
    Happy Wednesday! :) I am back from Max's Christmas recital. I do not have to sit today as my son took a day off from work. Lisa's parents joined us and it was great seeing them. I don't have anything planned so another lazy day.

    Lin, those dogs are so beautiful and sorry the video isn't on YouTube for us to see. We also are getting 60 degree weather next week in December, who would have thought?

    Anne, I kind of like shopping online only because I hate shopping in person. It more than breaks my heart to hear about a child being abused and/or murdered. I can never understand how anyone could hurt a child or an animal. For all that matter I can't understand how anyone can pick up a gun and shoot anyone. It must be my thing for guns, I hate them.

    Jackie, am I right in assuming the card came from Annsie?? It is a beautiful canvas. Good luck on getting the curtains up today. I went to get my winter coat out of my hall closet and the door fell off. I wonder how long I will have to wait for that to be fixed?

    Hi to Patsy. I think I will order the pets Christmas presents and get them sent.

    Have a great day and keep staying safe.

    Sandy
    One Day at a Time
  • jwubben6600
    jwubben6600 Posts: 1,677 Member
    Hello sweet friends! Well! We have some of that partly cloudy-showers-sunny-blue skies kind of weather. Throw in a bit of chill as well! It is truly December here.

    I am still trying to manufacture some holiday spirit and Christmas jolly. I guess I succeed at various times. But if things don’t stop breaking, I think my inner Grinch might show up. This time my blood sugar monitor. That is important to me. I plan food and exercise around this little monitor. There are times I wish we had a total physical in a monitor that tells us what on earth is wrong with you, Miss Patsy. Oh that it were available.

    Great news! My little amerilles bulb is alive and well. She shot up a flower bud in one afternoon. I read all about them on Wikipedia. I am to give her half strength plant food every other time I water her. Exciting to have a plant that grows dramatically in one day!

    I will make a sugarless cranberry loaf today. I think John will like that. I am going to see if I can find an acceptable mulled wine recipe for the holidays. Kind of like sangria, only heated. These diet restrictions are a pain during the holidays, especially when I am trying to make a jolly pandemic Christmas.

    I have brought out every Christmas movie dvd that we own. John will only give a nod to Die Hard so far. Seriously? I also have a small collection of children’s books, some with little moving parts. Our kids loved them. I might gift each one their childhood favorites as a Christmas stocking stuffer. I am really a sloppy sentimental goof.

    Years ago I helped direct a great children’s play called, “The best Christmas pageant ever”. It had dozens of kids in it. After is was over, John almost thought I might need to be hospitalized. I was so exhausted I remember sitting in the living room in the dark with only the Christmas tree lights and slowly sipping a huge brandy! If I could have, I would have consumed the whole bottle, just to calm my frazzled brain.

    Katie will be wearing her Christmas scarf…which she will try to eat, and her reindeer ears. and if we can do it fast enough, we will take her photo. Later on that project.

    And all is merry and bright🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
    Patsy☘️
  • Annsie35
    Annsie35 Posts: 919 Member
    It aint merry and bright here PATSY. Just ruddy cold! Anne.
  • Sandydur
    Sandydur Posts: 9,319 Member
    edited December 2021
    Happy Thursday! :) Meeting day but nothing after that. It is ruddy cold here as well, hard to believe it might reach 60 next week. I can't believe Christmas is two weeks from Saturday. Where has this year gone? Tomorrow I will get all my cards in the mail along with the checks for my family. I will also order the pets gifts from amazon to be delivered directly to their houses. Then I will be done. (I think)
    I tried calling Babe twice this week with no answer so I was concerned and emailed his son's wife to ask if he was okay. A few minutes later he called and said everything was hectic again and his phone doesn't work too good. They let his son come home but now want him to leave again since he does nothing all day. My concern was Daisy and he said she is doing okay again, which I was happy to hear.

    Patsy, I do love your attitude, you make the best out of everything and that is so important for mental and physical health. You certainly were involved with a lot of things in your early days, good for you.

    Have a warm day everyone at least in spirit.
    Sandy
    One Day at a Time

  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,416 Member
    edited December 2021
    Hello! A sunny day here with temperatures in the 40’s. Kind of nice compared to earlier in the week. Rain and snow on the way I guess but next week should be quite warm. Wahoo!

    I planned on visiting 2 grocery stores and the library today. I got most of what I wanted at the first store so I skipped the second one (will go there next week) and made a stop at the library. I paid some bills and made out my quarterly tax payments. I drove to the post office to mail them and merchants were starting to set up for this evening’s Christmas market. It will be crowded this evening due to the nice weather. 🎄🎄

    I hope everyone is having a safe day. Nothing interesting here. Just more books to read, thinking of new card ideas and installed a new app IMDb TV and got logged with with my Amazon account. Lots of old television shows and movies (with commercials). Kind of like YouTube and Pluto TV.

    Maybe something interesting will occur tomorrow. 🤣😂🤣

    Patsy, I have so many Christmas movie musts! And I don’t mind watching them multiple times each year. I guess I am not too fussy.

    Sandy, best wishes on being all finished with your shopping. A good word about Daisy — wahoo!

    Anne, does Mark come over every day to work on the house?

    Jackie, did you take Bella for a walk?

    News alert on our local news—omicron has been found in our state. Not surprised.

    Kerry showed “the boys” Christmas socks. They are cute.

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    See ya soon.

    Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
    ❤️❤️

    Teapot
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  • jwubben6600
    jwubben6600 Posts: 1,677 Member
    Yea, Christmas poincettia that I have not killed so far. There are windows on each side of her. Not sure about the exposure. I think it is west and southwest windows. I think…not good on directions. I get lost very easily.
    il6000tn0u9u.jpeg
    Happy holidays
    Patsy🎄☃️🌺
  • jacAth3
    jacAth3 Posts: 1,917 Member
    Just checking in quickly. Nearly midnight after a cold, rainy but busy day. Already in bed with George and Betty both fast asleep 💤 so will sign off and promise to catch up properly tomorrow. Nothing planned except mucking out hen house if we get a dry day but not holding out much hope for that. 💨☔️💦
    Jackie
  • jwubben6600
    jwubben6600 Posts: 1,677 Member
    Me again, the Christmas table arrangement came. Really pretty I think. It will cheer up the table and dining room. We are thinking of some board games this Christmas. So that will be fun and the arrangement will add a bit to the gaming.

    Not sure how the rest of the family is doing but I am having fun planning games, decor, non-sugar-low fat treats, music and a few token gifts along with the usual checks. My holiday outfit will be the usual Oregon jeans and a sweater. Not too classy but I will wear hoop earrings and bracelets to try to make it look dressy. Pandemic Christmas outfit. Maybe John will consent to a nicer shirt and newer blue jeans. But I don’t count on that. Our photos are always casual.
    Patsy☘️
  • jwubben6600
    jwubben6600 Posts: 1,677 Member
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  • Annsie35
    Annsie35 Posts: 919 Member
    Sort of a nothing day here. We had quite a bit of snow fall and it was very cold but today it starts to improve and its positively balmy on Saturday. The groceries arrive today, a big order just in case I can't get delivery next time just before Christmas. Even in a cold clime fridges are a very useful item! Michael is supposed to arrive today. He comes for about four hours, lunch included. As for Mark, and often Mary Jo. he works on the house most days but not yesterday. Well actually he did and he shovelled the drive for the grocery delivery man and then he took some measurements of the sides of the stairs to cut out at home the stepped skirting boards. Now the "apartment" area is now free from damp he is going to concentrate on finishing the back entrance hall and stairs and painting the steep well. I have no idea what colour, I have been warned it won't be any shade of green however pale. So at least we will look normal in the back entrance hall and I can shut the downstairs door on all the junk lurking behind it.

    Sounds like a perfect spot for your poinsettia PATSY and its a beautiful plant. Mine is now on top of my desk and with my huge nutcracker standing guard under it we look very christmassy. My new next door neighbours spent yesterday evening putting up their Christmas lights around the departed Harrys [and his ancient plastic icicles] front door. In fact the whole street is beginning to look like Christmas.
    Everyone in our group seem to be "in the mood".
    Hope today is GOOD newsworthy, in which case will "see" you all later.
    Anne.
  • jacAth3
    jacAth3 Posts: 1,917 Member
    Happy Friday Sneakers. Hail, sleet, rain and a cold wind for me and the menagerie so after a bracing walk on the moors when I unfortunately left my gloves in my car so froze my fingers, I am catching up on the smaller jobs that need doing and some housework. An airier of drying washing is standing in my dining room, mostly holding doggy towels that get so muddy.
    I did walk Bella Wednesday afternoon but kept her on a long lead when we got to the fields. After all our rain it was incredibly muddy and difficult to walk on and after twice round the perimeter Bella decided she’d had enough so we got back to Chrissie in time to miss a shower of hail. I stayed for a cup of tea so no curtains hung!
    Yesterday I managed to miss getting wet but again, the ground was so muddy where we walked I had to dig out the baby bath once home and wash eight doggy paws!! After lunch I shopped at one of the larger grocery stores where there were a few unmasked customers, spent a fortune on what seemed a small amount of goods and swore I won’t shop there again!
    The weather is so miserable it’s dark by 3.30pm so again no curtains hung but today I’m determined and have collected everything together to make it the next job. The extra holes are filled and painted over so no excuses!

    My friend Linda’s son Dan just phoned with an estimate for erecting wooden screens between my garden and big mouth next door and since our weather looks to improve next week, will hopefully start then. All I need to do this weekend is run my hedge trimmer along one section towards the bottom of my garden to level it and I’m already planning what pretty climbers to plant early Spring!

    That’s a beautiful table arrangement Patsy and I can tell you are getting into the spirit of Christmas and never mind Covid! My only contribution for now is an electric candle display in the snug window since I now have a new windowsill! I’ll probably do a bit more next weekend and pull out my small Christmas tree from under the bed!

    So much happening in your apartment area Anne, perhaps you could take in a lodger!! Oh dear, am I the only one who likes green? I’m guessing Jilly will be ecstatic to see Mike and get a nice long walk. My plan at the supermarket yesterday was to stock up “just in case” but not with their prices! We are anticipating balmy temperatures next week too which will be a treat after the freezing wind and hail.

    I daren’t go back a page but can visualise Lin’s teapot from yesterday as I thought it was the sort of pattern we loved in the 80’s. I did try to find the Facebook video of Max and family and found some with typed descriptions in a language I didn’t recognise but even they shut me out halfway through… typical Facebook!

    Sandy, I also remember that Babe told you Daisy seems better which is great news. Perhaps if his son does move out, you will be able to visit her. I’ll whisper to you quietly too that yes, our Anne painted my picture! 🤫

    Time to hang those curtains, currently slung over the back of a chair. I might have to iron them first.

    Stay safe and well everyone.
    Jackie 🥰
  • Annsie35
    Annsie35 Posts: 919 Member
    Mikes here taking poor Jilly on a very slushy mucky walk. The groceries arrived intact with a large pre cooked hickory ham ... like naughty Jackie for....just in case. You know why you are naughty Jackie! see above. I like green and I've no idea why Mark is so against a very pretty, very pale yellowy green that I love. Springlike to remind me of dancing daffodils! I'll probably end up with taupe or some "modern" colour that's "in" but doesn't really complement 100 year old houses. I also got a huge bag of spuds for just in case and an enormous packet of toilet rolls etc. We are all set. The grocery prices have been rising steadily here and we are promised a 7% rise again in the new year. I suppose we will all get very slim without MFP help.and thats about it for now.'

    Anne [about to eye the fish we are having for Friday lunch.]
  • jacAth3
    jacAth3 Posts: 1,917 Member
    A bale of bedding for the hens sitting in my garden room waiting to be rolled down the garden distracted me so off I rolled then decided to open it with a knife and pour into a dustbin I use. It was packed so tightly the contents exploded out as soon as I cut the plastic so I had a battle to persuade it into the bin then, just as I felt I was getting somewhere, a hefty hail downpour hit me so I had to take refuge in the shed. Serves me right for being too easily distracted but the good news is that despite the curtain pole fighting back and me shouting at it, one curtain is hung and as soon as I’ve fed the hens their afternoon corn meal I’ll get the other up.

    Just heard our local primary has closed due to over 100 Covid cases and to put it into context, it’s a small village school with 267 pupils!

    Anne, the “in” colour here is currently grey and when I shopped for curtains it was practically the only one available. Luckily it suits my floor tiles!
    Jackie
  • Annsie35
    Annsie35 Posts: 919 Member
    Just spoken to Mary Jo and she's ordered a huge ham etc as well so we shouldn't starve over Christmas between us all. Mike's booked the last of his holidays to take off from the 17th to the 28th. The Covid cases here are rising rapidly as well so we could be in for another lockdown.
    I've nothing against grey but I hope Mark doesn't decide to go that route because it's grey enough outside without adding to the gloom here. What's left of the walls are painted cranberry. That was MJs choice years ago and I must admit it is a welcoming colour when one steps out of the cold. Not really me though.
    Anne.
  • Sandydur
    Sandydur Posts: 9,319 Member
    Happy Friday! :) It fairly warm but I am staying in and doing laundry. It is supposed to rain and get very windy later so I don't mind staying home. Hopefully I get my cards done today although I am still waiting for the stamps I ordered from the post office.

    Anne, Jackie is not naughty she was just proud. It sounds like you are all set for Christmas at least with the main course. I would be happy with any color as long as it gets done but maybe drop a hint on what color you would like. We are lucky so far with no snow I wouldn't mind if it skipped us this year. Enjoy having those boys and MJ around they keep things humming and I know you love it!

    Jackie, I hope you got the bedding done without getting pelted by more hail. That is a lot of cases in your small school, poor kids. I can't wait for the new screening and hope you will share with a picture. It would be nice if Babe would let me see Daisy but we will see.

    Patsy, love both your poinsettia and your flower centerpiece both are beautiful. I think your Christmas sound wonderful. Casual with healthy food and board games my kind of day.

    Lin, you are having some productive days and getting things done, good for you. IMDb TV is where Judge Judy has a new show that I want to check out. She makes me laugh because she is sometimes just so rude. My favorite Christmas movie is It's a Wonderful Life, I will never get tired of it.

    I have to get moving to get done. Have a great day everyone.
    Sandy
    One Day at a Time
  • jwubben6600
    jwubben6600 Posts: 1,677 Member
    Hello! Another cold wet morning here. I think it would be fun to go on that traditional evening drive to look at all the Christmas lights and decor around town. I hope everyone feels up for decorating again. But in truth, we still seems to be a bit timid about restarting the old Christmas crazies. And I do mean crazies! There are people who string up enough lights to be seen by the space station as it scoots by in the heavens. And as Mae West once said, “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!”

    Poinsettia is still alive! She hasn’t started dropping her leaves yet. I have had her three days, no disaster yet. The amaryllis bulb is squirting out something else beside the emerging flower bud. Great fun to see what happens next with it. Might be some sort of leaf or a mutant stem or something!!?

    I have always maintained that John has all the sophistication of a 6th grade school boy. He delights in silly kid jokes. He accuses me of a severe case of arrested development. I am stuck in kindergarten and finger painting. True story here. Christmas is important to us. Candy canes and toys in our stocking on Christmas morning. It doesn’t take much to entertain us.

    Sandy: I assume you will be spending Christmas with your kiddos and enjoying that traditional Turkey and all the trimmings. Christmas with children is the absolutely best, take a ton of photos to share with us.

    Anne: your Christmas plans sound wonderful as well. I am sure you will be surrounded by your sons and family and outrageously wonderful food. I always loved how English always wear paper crowns on Christmas. Not sure what that tradition means but it looks fun and I also love the “crackers” that are popped after dinner with little toys and confetti.

    Jackie: I have a picture in my brain of you surrounded by your adorable animal family, in front of your fireplace. You watching a rugby game while sipping your salted caramel vodka. Oh my! I suspect you might also be enjoying some tempting English dessert. I have watched that TV show called the Great English Baking Show. Wow! You folks know how to cook!

    Lin: Christmas at your house might be peaceful and calm while you are enjoying a Christmas movie? Not sure if you can eat pop corn or some other vegan treat. I do know that the vegan friends I know have a number of delicious things that they enjoy during the holidays. They never seem deprived of holiday treats. Will you be designing new cards as you set aside the Christmas card list?

    I have the holidays firmly stuck in my brain, as you can plainly see.
    Patsy☘️🎄🐕
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,416 Member
    edited December 2021
    Hello all. Nothing interesting here today so I won’t drone on and on about my little conversations. Maybe the only little item of interest was my start at punching and cutting out hearts in anticipation of the start of Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day cards. I spoke with a friend on one of those extended length phone conversations.

    Patsy, I love that arrangement. Very festive and it looks quite good in your home. I am enjoying an organic, vegan candy cane this evening. Some nice some companies don’t use artificial color. The candy canes are only available in December each year. I do adore peppermint.

    Jackie, busy days for you. Making lots of progress with your tasks, even with the nasty weather. Are you staying warm at night now? I will agree that the cost of everything in the grocery store has gone up precipitously. A bit frightening.

    Sandy, I didn’t get to my laundry today. It is scheduled for tomorrow. It will be wet and they say that we will have some snow for a little while. So a good day to stay home. I hope you finished yours today. Did Bryanna ever get to your house to clean?

    Anne, I am glad you got your groceries. You are the wise one to get stocked up. Does Jilly get any bits of ham? Or does she stay strictly on chicken?

    Well again, nothing fabulous here so will sign off.

    Take care.

    Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
    ❤️❤️

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