Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 10 January 2016

MARGO - as always, lovely to see a post from you. I'm so happy that you will feel well for the concert. Also to read that your OH is maybe going to shorten his working week. He does indeed have a very thoughtful boss, I remember you telling me that some time ago.

We are having cold weather, with a little snow. Well, cold for us,nothing like DIANE gets. The heating is on full blast - my OH is beginning to feel the cold now that he is in his mid eighties.

Thanks to all for your news, I've been reading each day but not feeling terribly chatty recently, sorry.

Take care all-

Lovely to have a nice post from you, Margo.  So pleased that the transfusion has had the desired effect. I am not going out too much myself, in this cold weather - I think a lot of us must be staying by the fire or else in the central heating. Good that you have a cuddly cat to keep by your side! Pleased, too, to hear that your OH will be able to take more time off to share your day with you.

Heather - I know what you mean, there have been days when I havn't felt like coming on here, but I find that I often make the effort just out of it being a daily habit!

Went to return my shoes this morning, which I had bought in the sales, they were way too small. Also changed a whole lot of small change which I've saved in jars - got a crisp five pound note for them, which will join the last one in an envelope where I save for items for the house, such as the last new lamp I bought! Not sure what I'm saving for this time, but something will be needed, for sure.

It's very cold today but has been bright & sunny.

Quick look in here; laundry is already started.

Margo: Always wonderful to hear from you and must agree your OH has a great boss. Am I being sexist by saying I think women are more understanding and flexible in these kinds of situations?  We had several layers of women supervisors at my last job, and if any family problem or health issues came up, it was always a case of "do what you need to do and don't worry about the job." One or more people would always step in...  Totally agree about the ISS - I often pop out to see it go by and think about what an amazing piece of equipment it is, how clever are those who are zooming overhead and what an exciting life they have - then I come in to wash dishes, do laundry, etc...  My daughter just came back from Arizona where they had snow. Her dog had never seen it before and apparently was completely flummoxed by the white stuff that kept sticking to his paws. I get the feeling your medical team will drive you to the Joe Brown concert themselves if need be.:-)

Heather: How's that rash? Do hope there's been some improvement? Does your OH have one of those plug-in throws that he can snuggle under? My OH is always cold too. We were loading Peanut's cage into the car yesterday morning and he remarked how cold it was, but it merely felt invigorating to me.

Lindybird: There are much worse addictions than the Weekly Chat! :-) Don't ask me about sizing when it comes to women's clothes. The more expensive the item, the smaller size we need.  I've been amused to see the "one size fits all" tag morph into "one size fits most." Unfortunately, I'm not among the "most."  Isn't there a bridge or something you could camp under, thereby extending your Canaries stay? I have some items I'm piling up for the local thrift shop.

Rosy: We call them thrift stores here too. Or, if they have more expensive aspirations, Consignment Stores.

Clare: Stay warm at Minsmere. My sister in Lincolnshire says the wind from the east is always the coldest...

OK, better get moving....

Margo,   Glad that you felt able to post today. Brilliant that you will definitely be going to that Joe Brown concert. Good news about your OH's boss too, and that he will be able to spend more time with you.

I had to smile about Billie. My old cat was far too grand to get her paws wet. As for snow, well, that was far too distasteful!

Lindy,  Don't bin those old coats. Charity/Thrift shops get good money for 'rags', (well worn items)  Until recently, our  shop would get more than three hundred pounds a week from a recycling company. Now, the value has dropped, but we still get over one hundred.  Every little helps! Also a few years ago, we could get ten pounds a bag for old bras. They were send to somewhere in Africa, apparently. I encouraged all my friends and neighbours to donate. There was some lighthearted competition about who could contribute more size wise!

Thank you for all your good wishes for my OH. Unfortunately, he is not so good today, and started another antibiotic.

Annette, I don't think we have that new pneumonia jab here yet, but my son confirmed the US version.

I like the name Consignment Store. That sounds much smarter. I will pass it on.

You must miss Peanut (as will some of us)  Did Lightning never express interest in him as something to chase? (or worse)?

Unknown said:

Stay warm at Minsmere. My sister in Lincolnshire says the wind from the east is always the coldest...

She's right.  It comes straight from Siberia - so you bet I wrapped up warmly!

I'm now going through my photos.

Rosy: Actually, I think the term Consignment Store may not work for charity or thrift shops in that the folks who donate stuff to a Consignment Store get a percentage of the sales price, which isn't the case with the former. Lightning might have been more interested had Peanut been allowed to wander the rooms, but he wasn't too obvious in his cage (and Lightning is too old to be bothered, although birds still get her excited.)  When my daughter stopped by on her way home from Arizona, her huge German Shepherd/Chow mix sprawled out on the rug and Lightning merely retreated behind my OH's chair.

Just a brief look in: rather tired having had a "funny turn" about 8pm last evening and spent most of the night in A&E.  Ambulance men suggested Carlisle hospital might be best so that if I was kept in I would be on site for therapy today, but the wards were all full and new cases blocking A&E trolleys - I spent first one and a half hours being looked after in a corridor by my NHS Ambulance men, still on their trolley!  No way I could be admitted, so after tests (with marginal results and uncertain diagnosis - heart "probably okay" or gastritis a "possibility") I got home at 3:30am.  We went back for my treatment, so had a very slow afternoon and takeaway F&C for dinner.  Good that we can recover through the weekend.

Sorry I can't do replies this evening, but good to see a long post from MARGO!

ANNETTE- I have never heard of plug in blankets for daytime use! Will have to look up online. Our house heating is just as stupidly inefficient as the house design. Too many little places with no radiators etc etc. At least the sitting room is warm with two radiators and a gas fire if needed.

LINDY- Trying to take a leaf out of your book! Too much time lolling around with no enthusiasm to do anything is no good.

ROSY- Sorry to hear that your OH is still unwell, hope that the new ABs will help him.

OG - Loved the sound of that soup with tarragon. Wonder what you had today?

CLARE- hope you enjoyed your day at Minsmere!

Exchanged emails with MARGO today. She is looking forward to the Joe Brown concert as you all know. Was it ANNETTE who suggested that the medical team would drive her there if necessary just to ensure she makes it?!! What a great bunch of people. I do know that MARGO's clinical area is listed as a centre of excellence for MDS.

I have finished sorting Sheana's journals etc. Spent most of yesterday reading the wartime ones. Such a shame to have to dump them. Her nephew decided against taking them, he has no children to pass them on to. I had never read them in full before, just excerpts when trying to entertain her in her last year in the Home. They gave an insight into life at that time, her hopes and dreams. None fulfilled. Her mother ensured that Sheana stayed at home and became the spinster daughter who cared for her parents.

HEATHER - is there not a local museum to which Sheana's journals could be donated, rather than dumping them?  Lunch today was just an emergency sandwich bought in Tesco on the way home - too tired for anything else!