Morning all: Check back the last page of the previous week to catch up with bits and bobs of news.
We put our clocks back tonight - and I also pulled out the space heater as my feet are cold and I haven't dug out my toasty slippers yet. We had more lovely showers today, but it's supposed to warm up later this week for a few days. We're in this in-between stage when it's quite warm during the day but decidedly cooler at night.
OG; Thanks for letting us know Diane is expecting snow; I hope it's not too severe. My NY friends are dreading a repeat of last winter, when the temps dropped sharply early in the winter and stayed there all winter.
Take care all.
AQ - I really shouldn't read the posts at this time of night - I saw that as the PANTY cupboard! Sorry your Dau#2 is still struggling with the three girls, and that you are finding it difficult helping her. How is L M managing with the twins being so demanding? I suppose one solution would be nursery for her, but then that would be like pushing her out the way - quite a dilemma.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Lindybird - Good grief - is it really over 4 years since you told us you were going to be a grandmother for the first time?!!
Evening all: Was MIA today - my friend from Kansas City was in LA to visit her daughter and family, so we met for breakfast in Malibu, then I stopped at an outlet mall en route home where I bought myself a lightweight rain jacket (for a brilliant price!), just in case we get any wet stuff. Then home to watch pesky election returns, but may go to bed before anyone confirms that the Republicans have taken over both houses of Congress. Ugh.
Margo: Christmas cake sounds just as yummy as pudding - they tend to put more fruit than cake in it in the States; must say I prefer the UK version. I love emptying out closets; I have a drawer full of tatty old t-shirts and pants that I keep planning to wear in the garden, but never seem to. Wish I could get my hands on OH's closet!
dinblib: Oh good, you won't have to worry about Benson while you're gadding about. What a nice friend, to offer to look after him with so much else going on in her life; still, the kennel sounds more secure.
OG: I had a Belgian-style waffle for breakfast, with strawberries, bananas and whipped cream (and lest I forget!) maple syrup. It's a breakfast dish here. But I did have a scrambled egg too (protein for shopping trip you know). :-) Googled the train disaster - 227 deaths apparently, and they kept it secret until after the end of WWI! Wonder what the families of those killed thought had happened? When I was looking on photos, saw one taken after the Harrow & Wealdstone crash of 1952, which I remember as it was near Watford and we had family in Harrow. Just saw your note about the short lecture; too bad about that, but the carrot cake sounded good.
Heather: That's amazing - that you could be designated NOK coz you live close by even though you aren't actually NOK! Is it legal?
Brenda: Had my annual physical yesterday along with flu jab; doc also mentioned a brand new and improved shot to prevent several types of pneumonia (or something like that). Ah! re "muddy soil!" That must be what we had washing down the pipes from our gutters when it rained last week.
George: Suggest you have your SiL take over your holiday shopping too; I've just started to think about it and am determined not to be rushing around in a panic this year. Good luck with Diesel's paws! Let us know what kind of wine you taste and where it came from!
Lindybird: I bought a couple of little battery-run candles that flicker very realistically. I also have some pretty lamps with stained-glass shades that, along with the candles, are now coming into their own what with the darker evenings.
Chrisy: Hi there. We get most of our tourists in the summer, but our part of California is most beautiful in winter (at least I think so).
AQ: How long was your train? They tend to put the dining/observation car, etc. in the middle of the train between coach and first class but, of course, being double-decker, there are likely fewer carriages. I love the stairs; it's more like an adventure, but you do have to hang on! Don't like the sound of Dau2's social worker either; clueless is the word that comes to mind.....now what I wonder? OG's suggestion re nursery for Little Miss might work if that's an option; she might even enjoy being the "big sister."
Diane: Hope you're doing okay and that your trees and local wildlife are all present and correct!
Have successfully managed to avoid election coverage, but fear my aversion will be long-lived if the feared results materialize. Am now watching a special on the geological development of California and all the resulting and varied evolutions and developments. It's narrated by Jane Fonda, who sounds oddly detached and lifeless, interspersed with interviews with scientists who I swear are all in their teens! It seems we're in awful shape: shellfish, sheep, Redwoods, the coastline, ocean and much more are all in horrible shape and - oh dear, there we have it: "The California Dream has become a nightmare," she says. Oh crikey. And all this time I was thinking how beautiful it all was. Maybe I'll go off to bed with a rubbish book and make like an ostrich.....
Night all.
Unknown said:Lindybird - Good grief - is it really over 4 years since you told us you were going to be a grandmother for the first time?!!
Good Morning Everyone. Grey but not raining at the moment, but rain still in the forecast. I was woken by more rain and some overhead thunder last night.
AQ, It is hard to know what would be the right answer for your daughter. She obviously does need some help. Maybe she should try letting LM go to nursery. Your daughter may be surprised and find that LM enjoys it, as she will have other children to play with her. Only she knows what is best for her child though. Can her GP not say that she is still in need of a nanny ?
Annette, Looks as if Obama could have a very difficult two years as President.I have had a pneumonia jab, which I was told, will not now need a booster. Previously, a booster was needed every ten years. I was reading that they are trialling a combination flu jab, which would eliminate the need for an annual jab. My arm is a bit tender this morning:-))
Linda, It can't be long now before your third grandchild's arrival. The thought of you already mentioning Tomasz going to school next year. Where are the years going !!
Good morning all, bright and sunny at the moment but rather chilly. Just a little story about Billie. As you know she has various sleeping places around the bungalow and the current one is on top of the laundry basket. Last night as I opened it she chose that exact moment to jump up and disappear into the depths. The look of surprise was just so comical. She got out and went and found another place to sleep, think she will avoid the laundry bssket for a while. So wish we had caught it on camera.
dibnlib good new about kennel arrangement for Benson, hope he doesn't miss you too much.
OG pleased you enjoyed your trip out and enjoyed some very yummy waffles, made my mouth water. Since I have been feeling betteri have been fancying foods that I have not enjoyed for a while, in fact I even feel hungry which has not happened for months. I will have to be careful not to put a lot of weight on. I have just been reading about the Quintinshill railway disaster. How very tragic and a terrible loss of young lives. I am not doing to much but as I said it is a real pleasure to do even mundane tasks. Still a bit left to do in the spare bedroom but I decided to sort kitchen cupboards out to make room for extra goodies at Christmas. OH checks on me to make sure I haven't gone too mad and I do know when enough is enough.
Heather temperatures have certainly dropped, winter is obviously on its way. Hope you have nearly finished packing and that you enjoy your break and relax a bit. Was sorry to read about Sheana's fall and I really think the nephew should acknowledge that he does have some responsibility.
Brenda the weather here has been quite odd at times over the past few days. Lots of rain, hail showers and Mondyay night we had thunder and lightening, Pleased you enjoyed seeing your friends, you probably had much to talk about.
George nice to see you, perhaps Diesel needs some wellies I think. You will certainly need yor winter coat soon, temerat ures have certainly dropped this week. Enjoy your wine tasting today.
Lindybird so pleased you enjoyed your break enjoying the Autumn colours. Good to know you both relaxed.
Off to make lunch now. Have a good day all and take care.
Hello Everyone - Nice and sunny here at the moment , such a change from all the wet weather we have had. I think it is only temporary though, back to rain tomorrow. Quite cold though, I had to scrape the ice off the car windows this morning! I will have to put it away in the garage from now on. I have a list a mile long of tidying up jobs to do in the garden before winter sets in, somehow I do not think it will all get done now. I went to the Hairdressers at last and the Opticians this morning where I found that my eyes have improved! amazing, at my age everything usually gets worse!
I received my calendar from Dyfi this morning and am very pleased with it , lovely photos of Monty and family. I would highly recommend it.
Have enjoyed reading all the news, Annette - glad you have been having the rain that was so badly needed, Margo - what a fright for poor Billie, I expect it has put her off the laundry basket. Lindybird - I am so glad that you enjoyed your break in Wales , and I hope that Heather and Dibnlib will enjoy theirs also.
Dibnlib - I would be so pleased if you could give me the name of the kennels that you send Benson to, Amber has never been to kennels and I do want to find a good one for her, she might have to visit one soon.