Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2023

Oh, Gato is the Portuguese word for Cat. Sis took a kitten from here to Germany that was alone in a half built building next to our apartment. She named it Gato then discovered it was a girl so should have been Gata. Gato lived to be 18 and she was her Avatar ..

 

Good morning all! We had a storm here last night, I can see my domes have been blown off my planters so I’m going to have a look around the garden and hope that they are still around .

Well I finally got the courage to put two of my trees up, feeling very emotional while in Morrisons where my mum used to shop my hubby tells me I’m very strong.



That’s just some of my decorations ive ordered a bauble with a picture of my mum on it, I’ve ordered dad one too… he doesn’t know yet sshshsh
Victoria that’s a good age for a cat isn’t it ….. hope your all well

 

Morning Flumpy, very pretty indeed.


Yes the 1st Christmas is the hardest of all, still is a very emotional time for us too.
I had a Christmas meal out with friends earlier this week, one of which ( my age) lost her hubby last Christmas.....I so admire her for the way she's coping.....still putting everyone else's needs first, truly amazing person. She's spending Christmas Day with family but I will contact her first thing Christmas morning .

We too had very strong winds at one point yesterday , a part of the covering on our lean-to coldframe got ripped, hopefully hubs will get to fix it before we go away.

Enjoy your day.

 

Aawe so sorry to hear of your friends hubby, I’ve had to arrange for a councillor for my dad as he keeps continuously saying suicidal things I don’t want to repeat, but he refuses to speak to one so I don’t know what the future holds, me & Hubby will be with him Xmas day and new year and every weekend.
Hope your lean to is fixable Upsydaisy xx

 

Sunday morning.
The holiday--Christmas can be such a trigger for many different emotions, its tough on lots of folks. I wonder if its because of all the media putting out the "family" joyous things, those "expectations" of joyous, that you got to get that "Christmas Spirit". That your list of things to do has got to be fulfilled, the pressure is on, the stress. People ask---"are you ready for Christmas", but what does that mean??, SMH. Bahh Hum bug. Much to materialistic.
Looking forward to January 2, 2024, when all this will be done.

Sorry, @Flumpy about your dad, its hard to get through this holiday for lots of folks, past memories, things not the way they were, emptiness. Hugs.

 

Thanks Flumpy ,yes it's perfectly fixable, just one of the covers need re-stapling and looks to be an easy enough job.......to me anyway.

 

Good afternoon
I decided not to even fire up my computer until I was finished today's baking so here I am now. It is mild again at 42f . How are we supposed to get a white Christmas at this rate! Why, a large housefly even followed me back into the house yesterday. And here I thought I wasn't one of those people who gather flies..

I like your ornaments @Flumpy The personalized ornaments sound fab. I have some snow globes with fun pics in them that keep me reminded of old friends.

My feet are enjoying me being sat here now as I've been on them a lot since Friday night. As soon as the low time of use electric rate kicked in at 7 p.m. Friday, I started baking. Then again all day yesterday and today up until a few minutes ago. That's some 80 dozen done and stored. All I've got left to bake now are the ice box cookies, gluten-free ice box cookies, and gingerbread cookies. Their doughs are all mixed and in the fridge. And so is the royal icing to decorate. Baking will only commence again during the week, after 7 p.m.

I feel great having gotten this much done. And I have some fresh buns done too to share with friends.

Cheers all

 

Morning everyone.

Had a bit of a lazy day yesterday due to my poorly back, still rubbing on the Ibuprofen Gel...not really convinced it's having any effect though.

Hubs gave me a hand at changing the bed linen and turning the mattress..normally a Monday chore ,but as we're suppose to have dry day today all the laundry got done yesterday evening ready to go out early this morning.

The last couple of Xmas cards that required an accompanying letter were written out ready to send today.

Once my back feels a bit stronger I want to try and pop round to see a couple of friends this week and then maybe do a spot of hand delivering of some local cards. We also plan to go into Southampton for a final visit before Christmas...not to shop but just to soak up the festive vibes and have a meal but we might do that on the same day as our visit with my brother. So a lot is dependent on getting this back of mine better.

I watched the rest of The Father, very moving and it made me sad to think that my brother could be feeling the same way too.

I can't believe it'll be Christmas Day in 2 weeks time , by which time we would've braved the train and the very busy pre Christmas Waterloo Station again and managed 2 bus changes, our younger son may have travelled to the other side of the world but I think we are fast becoming hardened travellers too...albeit in our smaller world..
Have a fab day everyone.

 

Morning all.

Hope your back improves soon Upsy. I never found those gels to work on the rare occasions I used them. Do you turn your mattress weekly? I think J does ours a couple of times a year.

Yesterday we watched Home Alone again, Dolly's Coat of Many Colours and Candy Cane Lane, funny.

A quiet day today as J has appointments the rest of the week, none social.

 

Morning Vicky

Thanks, I agree these gels don't seem to do much..if anything at all. I just don't want to have to ingest any medication if at all possible.

Mattress gets turned once a month. This new one is a lot heavier so I normally ask R to help me although I can do it alone but it's a job and a half to do. Yesterday he did it entirely on his own.

Lovely sunny day here and I so want to get going on reducing my 'to do' list, but know that in order to fully recover in time for next week then I must pace myself . So frustrating!!

Hope everything goes well for J 's appointments this week.

Enjoy the day ahead.xx

 

Monday , 7AM. awake to a dusting of white stuff .

Put my Christmas star in the front window two days ago. Gathering baking ingredients. I will never be as industrious as @CanadianLori , wow. Not sure when I will bake this week, not planning much.
We go away to Virginia this Friday, to a resort. The resort seems to have lots of things to offer to do or not do, still surfing their list to decide. Have a stack of books to take with. Picture of our front room Christmas star. Have a good day all.

 

@Flumpy Hi Karen, lovely to hear from you but sad regarding Dad and wishing I could send some healing dust to him.

Your decoration looks great and I love the soft colours in your lounge.

All is well here, thank you. J just got the results through this morning of his recent Oncology CAT scan and all is clear. He has an appointment on Thursday with his new Oncologist here in Algarve who ordered the CAT but we know that will be a good meeting. Wednesday he has Dentist (I think a check/clean) and then Friday he has the Physio doctor to go over his Physio sessions.

I have my 6-month Neurologist appointment on 11 January and I need to ask him about a molar I need extracted as it can be dodgy for me.

Van gave us a little concern a couple of weeks ago as he was acting strange, but he appears to be back to normal now thankfully. Munchkin is her usual loving little ball of fur.

J has his trees and lights up. We don't have any plans for Christmas or New year.

Weather is warm and sunny here, 18c now, but we need for rain.

Take care of yourself and stay strong for you and your Dad. Sending big hugs. Vxx

@Upsydaisy ... Info here for you too. xx

 

Good morning to you all.

Finally got to post all my cards yesterday, the last posting date to the USA and Canada was last Friday...oops..fingers crossed they will still reach
there in time. I've never left it so late before.

We walked a total of just over 4 miles but it seemed to take us ages an elderly man we knew passed by us and the next time I looked he was way ahead of us and almost out of sight!!
I had hoped that something might just click back into place during these walks....but nothing did.

We have a day of sunshine and showers today so a day at home with some gentle puttering is On the cards I think.

Have a fab day yourselves.

 

Morning all. It is grey out but 13c going to 20c. No rain is forecast (lots up North) but there is some fog in the orange groves.

I admire you Upsy how you always manage to get some walking in ... my dream.

J has haircut at 2 today. I don't go in December, just trim the front myself.

Enjoy whatever you get up to.

 

Morning Vicky.

Yes I do
..to be honest with the pain I feel I have to admit that I amaze myself too. When I sit and use the online app to see how far I've managed I'm often shocked. The downside is your pain and ailments aren't taken seriously by others because of your sheer determination to try your utmost to overcome them and just make the best of things and get on with life. With hubs not driving and not having a nearby bus stop...apart from taking a taxi, I have no other options now which really is good because it means we have to walk.

I haven't got going yet though this morning as my hips are now complaining probably because of the way I have to lean to one side due to my back issue. Oh boy I do feel ( and look) ancient this morning, coming downstairs first thing in the morning is a challenge in itself. Must shake myself and go to my happy winter place.....my greenhouse.

Have a lovely day and enjoy your sunshine.xx