Today I shall be Mainly...

[Marilyn]

Sometimes I prefer to push mine out the front, like a pram. It is a bit hard to steer if you are walking fast, but I had a bad fracture in my upper arm years ago and sometimes dragging things starts to niggle. I reckon this shopping trolley will enhance your life though Stanley, and you have done well to buy it. It will keep you independent for years. ( plus you can rest on it a bit if you get a bit puffed)

[Sue]

I had one years ago that I used to carry all my marking to and from college, they were huge projects and 3000 word essays and quite imposdible to move any other way.

Morning

This morning I have a tender leg where the physio did a ‘firm manipulative massage’ . I told him it hurt whilst he was doing it, and the reply was that that was his intention, within limits. Anyway I dutiful did my exercises through out the day and will continue to do so. The exercises themselves are actually the pilates/ yoga movements that bring on the pain. Apparently it could take time. We spontaneously decided to do a walk after physio as there were no side effects from the treatment and the exercise was positively encouraged. It was a beautiful morning. On the way out we met a neighbour from several doors away who I have neither seen or spoken to in years. We stood talking for ages and so we had to curtail our walk a little as it was getting near lunchtime. It was good to chat, she lives alone and it was obvious that she was pleased to see someone she knew.

We did a very usual walk but did it in reverse. We were adventurous with our route going on paths we haven’t been on for 30 years. Of course path was not the right word, muddy submerged track would be more appropriate. We had the best of the day as it clouded up in the afternoon. After lunch Bob disappeared to his workshop . I cut out and sewed the toile of my jacket . I even got to the first fitting and modification stage. I ordered fabric for the lining with a promise it will be delivered by Christmas, thus I will have another absorbing task to complete. I finished my archaeology course whilst sitting in the evening, and wrote my review for their website. They may not like it.

Today is dance exercise, followed by zoom craft. We are supporting our local pub at lunchtime who has started take aways again, so we are having their Christmas turkey sandwich. In the afternoon it is the U3A Christmas meeting on zoom , but I am not keen. Too much computer screen for the day I think. I shall do my toile modification.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

Morning Sue, you say "Bob disappeared to his workshop as if it was an accusation.

I've done an hour and a half on the engine.



I've started on the con rod as well. Now for a walk on a mild morning and breakfast.

[Sue]

Definitely not an accusation Stanley. I admire Bobs work and he mine. I think he would be glad to be out there whilst I was zooming all morning .

[Stanley]

Yup, I was pulling your leg Sue....
A couple of hours on Margaret's engine and then from the look of it dodging rain showers for exercise!

[Sue]

Morning

Pulling my leg, Stanley, I think the physio did a pretty good job that it still hurts.

Bacup market this morning, then we are taking presents to friends at the other side of Rochdale, exchanging gifts on the drive. They have been looking after Bobs present for weeks, as the box is rather large to hide. I had to reveal the purpose of our trip to Wendys today as I couldn’t work out how to smuggle it home in secret. After that I have no plans, but if it is dry I may pop out in the garden and tidy up a few plants and dead leaves

Yesterday it was 2.30 pm before I knew it.We did not bother with the U3A meeting after our lunch. I finished the washing and my jacket pattern adjustment and started work on the sleeves. More of the same today I think.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

Morning Sue. I've just sat down after an hour and three quarters in the shed. My knees tell me that this is equivalent to light exercise but I'll be a masochist and go for a short walk anyway. I think it's dry at the moment....



I'm getting into the con rod..... I think it will be a better way of making it. Lots of metal to cut out....

[Wendyf]

Today I was up just after 6.30am, fed dog and cats then made a cup of tea, taking one up to Col in bed. Looked at one Guy and Facebook while drinking my tea then had my breakfast yoghurt and stewed plums. Had a shower and got dressed then went out to give the ponies a morning feed. I would normally let the hens out but they are in lockdown right now. Back inside for a coffee while the ponies eat their food then back out to take them down the track to their paddock and the dog for a muddy wet walk around the fields. When I get back Col has exhausted himself having a shower and is back in bed so I make him another cuppa, get changed and go to do the food shop at Lidl in Colne which is usually Col's preserve. Home again by 10.30 I unpack the shopping, drink a cup of coffee , then change back into working clothes and go out to the barn to muck out the stables then check on the hens food and water. Tidy the kitchen and a quick clean of bathroom and toilets,put some washing on and it's its lunchtime. Colin is struggling with his appetite but agreed to try some scrambled eggs and half a slice of toast. After lunch I walk the dog again then prepare a spot in the living room for the Xmas Tree which I bought at Hey Farm last week. Managed to carry it in and position it nicely but couldn't find the enthusiasm to decorate it so that can wait till tomorrow! Its growing dark by 3.30pm so time to give the hens their grain, prepare the ponies feeds for tea and supper then go to fetch them in. Back down the track to close the electric fence gate and collect our post from the mail box then close up the barn. Fill a bag with logs and that's me finished outside for now. Set and light the fire then sit down with a well deserved if slightly early glass of wine! Cooked some tea which Col managed a small amount of, watched The Eagle Has Landed....again, cleared up in the kitchen, gave the ponies their supper and skipped out the stables....then early bed soon after 9pm. Hoping the night isn't too disturbed....

[Cathy]

You deserve 2 glasses of wine after all that.
Hope you slept well Wendy.

[Wendyf]

I was just going to delete my post as it seemed self indulgent, but as you have commented Cathy I'll leave it as it is. A fairly normal day really but I usually get my tea cooked!

[Stanley]

No Wendy! Don't delete it. I think the diary entries are fascinating, we all have such different lives. More please.
Give my best to Col... Just put a star on the Xmas tree Wendy!
Today I am still chasing the con rod. Thinking of ways to get some shape into it on the lathe. Can't believe we are in Xmas week.

[Sue]

Exactly don’t delete it. Its not self indulgent, if it is then I am very guilty of this. It is a coping mechanism. It says that during all of these problems you are a survivor and have a deep strength. Some would give up, but you are carrying on with routine and have taken on Cols roles too so that he can also cope with his issues, stay strong, stay self indulgent if that is what you think it is. I don’t think that

Morning

So market done, parcels delivered, garden tidied, ironing done. That was yesterday. Today I have no yoga due to a Christmas break, so we will have an early Sunday brunch then hope to go and buy paint for the study walls as the paper has arrived. At 4.00 pm I shall have my weekly whats app conversation with Eve, a couple of days later this week . I spoke to Briony yesterday and when I asked what she would like for Christmas , her reply was ‘ I don’t mind, I will be grateful for whatever I get.’ Made my heart sing.

I will do a little sewing, well at least cut out my jacket and interface the pieces having managed a perfect fit (I hope) . Thank you Maxine for all those wonderful lessons and tips you have given me. Looking forward to more and hopefully she is priority for a vaccine, but it may not be as simple as that as her shielding issue is a defective immune system. Fingers crossed for her. Its now 9 months since she has been anywhere but walk the dog.

Anyway, lets be positive. At least our PM acknowledged yesterday that the tier system had worked in the NW and only 5 % of the population have the new variant in the North. Perhaps it would have been the same in the South if they had been put in tier 3 like they should have been. I hope a localised tier 4 is going to be a replacement for any future national lockdown.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

Morning Sue and Wendy! I know what I'm getting for Xmas, the scarf Susan started knitting for Xmas last year! Plus a very small Xmas cake. Julie will no doubt make me a boxful of Mince Pies. She makes exceedingly good mince pies!
I've been in the shed for a couple of hours and had a short trot round the block as well. At the moment I'm enjoying a well earned breakfast. Here's the con rod after more slow and careful work.

[Wendyf]

Thanks Stanley, Sue and Cathy too! I felt a strong need to jot down everything I had done and used One Guy as it was easier than finding pen and paper. Today might be very similar but Col is feeling a bit brighter and has walked around the fields with us.... against my advice. I will get very worried if Col ever takes my advice, it's just not something he does. I'm going to have a decent walk today and get the Xmas tree decorated.

[Big Kev]

Thanks Stanley, Sue and Cathy too! I felt a strong need to jot down everything I had done and used One Guy as it was easier than finding pen and paper.

Social history at it's best Wendy, you're painting a picture of real life.

[Sue]

Thanks Stanley, Sue and Cathy too! I felt a strong need to jot down everything I had done and used One Guy as it was easier than finding pen and paper.

Social history at it's best Wendy, you're painting a picture of real life.

As i did when we were stranded in France. It helped focus my day, and a way to say how I felt. I found it very calming in a way, and it is because of that, I now continue on a daily basis. Write as much or as little as you want Wendy, we will listen with an open ear and an open mind.

[Sue]

Our gifts between friends is a tradition that we like to keep. We don’t see each other often even less this year, but they are tokens of a friendship that has gone back nearly 40 years. We normally spend every new years eve together, but not this year. We have celebrated big birthdays and big anniversaries together and hopefully will continue to do so when we can . Friendships that deserve a gift or too, often not at Christmas as well

[Tizer]

Your Saturday post is an eye opener, Wendy, it makes me appreciate more my own easy life. Our thoughts are with you and Colin (I hope he managed some of the scrambled egg!).

[Wendyf]

Yes he did Tizer! The good thing about having animals is that you are never bored, there is always something to do. The down side is that you can't easily take a break from it!
I'm just back from a bracing 5 mile road walk down into Lothersdale and back up Sidegate Lane which certainly got the blood pumping! I was thinking about the conversation in another topic about coca cola, and I'm now enjoying a whisky and coke!

[Stanley]

That sounds like a good way to get something out of your system! I shall not be doing five miles, just a circuit of the block and the Pioneer Car Park. Good day for the Boys!

[Wendyf]

The view from about a third of the way up Sidegate this morning.

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The finished tree, full of lovely memories!

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[Marilyn]

Just lovely...

Went and stayed the night at my son’s on Saturday...our Christmas get together as he is working over Christmas and New Year. We took the bikes, as he likes to ride too. We are so used to our sedate bike paths with flat surfaces and gently corners. He rides up hills and down rutted gullies and across creeks! (A bit of a shock for his Mother!)
Here we are setting off on Saturday, for what I thought was going to be a scenic ride. I felt like I had gone three rounds in a boxing ring by the time we got home about 3 hours later!

[Marilyn]

Oh...and I put the tree up too, Wendy...

[Stanley]

Well done Wendy.
I want a tree like that Maz. It can stay out all year.
Still chasing Margaret's con rod.

[Cathy]

Just wondering...
Where are we putting the Christmas / New Year messages this year?

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