Today I've felt the temperature falling by the hour but at least our early morning walk was another wonderful stroll across open moors under clear skies. We covered about 3 miles and the dogs had a great time chasing each other and sometimes sitting away from us apparently in deep conversation about how to wangle a treat from us. They don't move until we blow a whistle then run to our feet and wait for us to dig into our pockets! After an hour or more on Skype chatting to friends I managed to clear out my greenhouse of the pots the tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers had grown in so there's space for delicate potted plants.

I have to admit I love this time of year when clocks have just gone back because I get extra light in the mornings to encourage me out of bed and then by 5 o'clock the curtains are drawn, the fire lit and a mug of tea is steaming somewhere close by. Just heard a forecast in the background stating it will be the coldest bonfire night in 10 years.... the night we burn poor old Guy Fawkes yet again and set off fireworks. I can hear someone in the village has rockets going off already!

Anne ~ Jilly Bean's coat sounds ideal so long as she'll wear it. I mention that because last Christmas George was given a wonderful bright yellow waterproof coat by my neighbours that was made of high viz material but the noise it made as he moved seemed to stick him to the spot..... it's now hopefully being worn by a rescue centre dog waiting for a new home which is where I sent it!

Jeri ~ The great news is you got through those 5 years safely which is half the battle. Can you arrange a private mammogram in a year or so if you wish? If I make it I will then get one more free NHS check 3 years after that which will take me to 74 then I'm on my own so might invest in a private check just to put my mind at rest. Ouch, that must have been quite a smack to end up with such a large bump and do hope you're not too sore today.

Sandy ~ Knowing how you love your bed I'm sure you will enjoy that extra hour in the morning Are you preparing breakfast for your friend's church or serving? Whichever, mine's a poached egg on toast with a few mushrooms and a tomato!! Like you I do purchase quite a few items through Amazon and yesterday new waterproof walking boots arrived that feel wonderfully comfortable so I will probably test them in the morning. Having to shop for food is enough of a pain to me without straying into large shops!

Buzz ~ My heart goes out to you as you wade through so many difficult tasks and appreciate how much it must help to find a worthy home for Mike's ties. We're all advising you not to rush things but easier said than done I know so make the most of that extra hour tonight.... SLEEP!

Lin ~ Great photos, thanks for sharing with us and I'm so pleased that although you went on your own you weren't actually on your own meeting people as you did. Was it Country music or rock.... they look as if they could be playing either?

Patsy ~ Do you suffer white coat syndrome when visiting doctors because if it's your heart they are investigating they should take that into account? My blood pressure is always quite normal except on the odd occasion I see a doctor then up it goes so I have to remind them it's that causing it not any heart problem! Your poetry might be the sort I enjoy especially if it's relevant. Punk was never a phase I enjoyed but a poet called John Cooper Clarke who evolved in that era does hold my interest as does singer Eminem who I consider more poet than singer.... I know, I'm old enough to know better but then my tastes were always eclectic!!

Oops, past my evening meal cooking time so I shall head for my kitchen and prepare the bean (sorry Jilly!!) casserole to put on top of a jacket potato. Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone and stay warm.

Jackie

looks like i have not been by So better get my butt in gear.
I am going back on the plant diet. I love the foods.Beans, potatoes=n corn will be my main food. / Will keep it simple as i can. Love Marie

Marie - Happy to see you on here again and feeling better. I see you are out and about lately, glad to hear this.

Buzz- I agree with Sandy time to get some zzz's now and catch up on sleep. The rest of it will still be there tomorrow.

Jeri - Great news about your checkup! Great picture of your family. We are so lucky for our health care.

Patsy- Good luck with your doctor apt and may it go your way and you get the news you want to hear.

Lin - Looks like a great concert and fun for you even though you went alone.

Yes remember turn the clocks back and we get to sleep more tomorrow, a bonus!

Today I went to see a play which included a lunch with a friend from Yoga class. It was pretty funny and an enjoyable afternoon.

Shirley

Time to get some rest. It was a busy day of dozens of little things--stayed home all day. Had to add one bigger thing to my list. I got the renewal for my long term care insurance and I still cannot believe it. This year the premium increase is 33 1/3%, next year it will be at least 33 1/3% again and at least 9% the following year. The letter outlines some options other than paying the increase. One is to just stop paying now and in essence switch from a policy with no limit on days of benefit to a fixed dollar amount (that is mentioned in the letter). That would be a bank of dollars that can be used to pay LTC expenses and when it is gone, it is gone. Some tough decisions. Obviously this will not be the last rate increase. At some point I won't be able to afford to continue paying. Isn't life just toooo complicated?

Buzz, I again hope you get some rest. Hugs.

Shirley, a play and lunch sounds like a good combo to me. Glad you were able to go.

Marie, hope your sweet potato turned out good. I cut up lots of raw veggies today, made applesauce, baked some small sweet potatoes and made mushroom gravy. Tomorrow afternoon I hope to get started on another pot of soup.

Jeri, again I love the photos. It is cool that you went to kindergarten with Maggie and Mary Jo. I am glad you are receiving follow-up care. Your system sounds so much better than ours. A friend gets the government to pay for all of her health care, dental care, glasses etc. Don't know how she does it but normally she gets immediate care. Recently she had a knee problem and needed an MRI. She has waited for weeks to get in even with the doctor's orders. She has been pretty well trapped in her house taking pain pills and sleeping. She is at least somewhat fortunate that her family brings her groceries and supplies.

Jackie, the headline act is from Northern Ireland and they sing contemporary worship music. They have had a track on the last several WOW albums which each year compiles the top new Christian songs. They had glorious accents of course (I attended the pre-concert event and they answered questions), they played a wide range of instruments, and utilized interesting background vocals. Of course I was quite surprised to be showered with cascades of colored bits of paper several times, clouds of bubbles, odd lighting and a fog machine! I was pleased to run into some nice people since I almost always go to these things on my own. I had to smile a bit as last evening we were talking about Guy Fawkes day. I hope the fireworks haven't kept you up all night.

Sandy, happy to hear that your calendar isn't packed for the entire weekend. It is nice to have a bit of slack time.

Anne, I do hope Jilly likes the new coat. I hope it does not make much of a crinkling sound. Oh my gosh, I saw a picture of a gray Husky on Facebook today, I just fell in love!! Beautiful dog. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) the dog just appeared in this photo. Not looking for a home..

Nite. Long day tomorrow.

Lin

Well, having missed Guy Fawkes night yet again (46 years!) and the accompanying, bangs, fizzes, baked charred potatoes, soup etc whilst standing around a huge bonfire and dodging the sparks, The Bean and I had an unexpected visitor, Michael showed up on the doorstep unexpectedly after work, and Jilly was ecstatic. We went for a long long walk instead. Lots of leaf crunching, me, and leaf sniffing, her.
I woke up at 6 as normal, and we went for another long walk and had the world to ourselves.

The band sounds as though it was enormous fun LIN, wish I'd been with you!

After phone calls I'm going to have a hobby and family day. No cooking today because I baked a huge bacon and egg pie yesterday. Great cold with salads on hot summer days; I'll have it with veggie and home fries today, I know! This is a diet and fitness place, BUT isn't it nice to indulge in comfort food now and again, and bacon and egg pie sure is comforting!

Hope Sunday is all you gals wish for,
Anne.

Hi Ladies,

Another beautiful day with a Fall cool brisk air. I took a rest day with no exercise today and got caught up on some chores. I went to look for new placements for the kitchen, Dave will be painting the walls and repainting the cupboards so we decided on painting the kitchen gray so I will be updating on some placemats, and tea towels to match the new walls. I also did a little Christmas shopping for Isaac.

Tomorrow is my diet clinic apt. so more information thrown my way. I should be more enthusiastic about this, maybe as it goes on.

Shirley

Chris - This program is all paid by my health insurance at no cost to me. I get weighed at each apt.
and get information and group talks to join. They also have a dietician and counselor there too if you need to see them. My apt. tomorrow is handing in my diaries of 4 days and going over it with some one, not sure who yet. Also I had to do some homework about calories from restaurants on certain food items. Another talk with a doctor, they rotate their doctors and anything else I will find out. My first apt.
was an hour and a half, but tomorrow's should be shorter. I have another apt. in December to do a breathing test to see where I am with my metabolic rate.

Shirley

Of all things to disappear , our certificates of marriage and our birth certificates are nowhere to be found! Every other shred of paper is where it should be, but the envelope I knewexactly where to find, that one is missing! I'll have to send for replacements, and I guess it's best to stop hunting and keep on working on just folding and shredding and getting stuff donated! I hoped his sweater collection would be enjoyed by friends, but no one here wears a medium! Sorry, but I must grab a bite and get to bed ASAP! Simply tired as can be!
Buzz