Gran Chat!

[Daisy]

Oma, I check underneath my scones as well like you.

We've got a post office counter in our village Welcome store, but they're not Evri agents. Our Tesco convenience shop used to do Evri, but don't now. We were without a Post Office of any sort for about 4 years, and I don't know how people managed if they didn't have transport. The neighbouring village can be reached by train - no other public transport, and there are infrequent buses to the nearest town.

I wonder if your MIL's care plan should be checked again because it isn't really meeting her needs. She is very dependent on family, but families can't do everything and she's becoming less able to look after herself. It's very difficult and sad, isn't it., but it is also a big strain on you and B. 😢

Gem, Poor little E getting a cold. Little ones seem to go from one cold to another in the winter, but at least he's eating well. I hope he's ok for nursery tomorrow, but if he isn't, he'll have a lovely time with you and OH.

Night night xxx

[Nanto2girls]

Good morning. Just seen the weather forecast and don't think it's going to get better yet. Although we did have a bit of sun yesterday.

Gem hope DD is ok this morning. Hopefully E will get over his cold, sooner rather than later.

Going into town later, hubby meeting his pal. I need a few bits from the butcher and Iceland.

Washer just finished so off to get it unloaded.

[Oma]

Morning Nanto, ladies.

It's dull but dry ,
B off to do another tip run soon ,
I have no energy to do anything at the minute.
I did manage to do a little ironing yesterday , there were only 6 items so didn't take long.

Gem
Not the ideal time for E to get a cold but when you have little ones they are a mine field of germs aren't they,
Hopefully DD doesn't catch anything .

Daisy
We have requested a social worker assessment,
She has lots of people doing lots of reports but they don't communicate with each other,
We are hoping (although I doubt it) a social worker report will be better.

Post offices are closing everywhere aren't they,
We had a big one in our shopping centre , a very busy one then the lease was up and instead of renewing it they moved it into a tiny shop and now it's one counter and two members of staff,
The queues are massive.

Our NatWest bank closed as well so the nearest is Newcastle.
Not ideal for elderly or people without transport ,
Even if you had a car , parking in Newcastle city centre is a nightmare.

They say because everyone is banking online ,
But our branch was never empty, it was always busy,
People would queue up outside waiting for it to open on a morning.
Madness isn't it.

[Lizzie48]

Good morning, it is bitter cold, again!

We haven't had a post office for years, the local book shop acts as post office, it works well, as for banks, we had a few in the village, all closed, the nearest is either Delft or Zoetermeer, not very handy for all concerned. They say because of all the internet banking it isn't worth having them open now.

I have been to the gym this morning, I have been using my exercise bike here though so I can still move. I heard that quite a few have been ill with the flu.

[Daisy]

Good Tuesday morning, everyone.

Nanto, you've just reminded me I stripped the bed this morning, but didn't get round to putting everything in the washing machine. That's my next job! I hope it's not too cold in town.

Oma, I hope you can get a social worker assessment quickly. I think your energy levels must have been quite low for this cold to have had such a bad effect on you. You usually bounce back quickly.

I don't think banks are very interested in private customers like us. They want the big corporate accounts. The nearest branch of our bank is about 15 miles away, in Southampton. We mostly use the local Post Office, but sometimes they don't have enough money on hand for cash withdrawals. When we moved here over 40 years ago, there were two banks in our village - OH came here as manager of one of them and it was always busy. Times change!

Lizzie, I don't fancy doing internet banking at all. It leaves you very dependent on your phone and when you read how many phones get stolen or hacked every day I don't think it's very safe.

I'm glad you've been able to get back to the gym, and it sounds as though your exercise bike has helped to keep you moving. Did it tire you out this morning?


Today started off quite nice and sunny, but it's clouded over now and rain is on the way. At least it's not quite as cold as it has been. No plans for us today. OH is doing some more pruning in the front garden, and I'm going to do Eva's physio and then a bit of gardening, hopefully.

[Gemini]

Good evening, better late than never.

Was it fine in town Nan2? It rained this morning but has been fine the rest of the day.

I think you really need to rest and conserve your energy to get better Oma.

It sounds very cold there Lizzie.

Daisy did you get any gardening done? I think ours is too boggy to even walk on.

I took little E to nursery as despite the annoying cough and a bit of a runny nose he was well. He seemed excited to go and show me the dropping off procedure as I had only picked up before. However when I left him he was upset despite me staying some time to settle him.
He is aways bit upset on Tuesday, as he has several days off in a row then three nursery days, Tuesday being the first. With everything else that is going on it really upset me. A staff member noticed and sent another to ask if I was OK as I left. Of course I wasn't and I ended up crying in their kitchen with a cup of tea. They are so kind and really care about the families. I still cried all the way home, but calmed down a bit. OH and I collected him after tea and took him home, so mummy could rest after her treatment and daddy stay with her.

[Nanto2girls]

Gem, aww sorry to hear you and little E were upset,but it is understandable.

The rain held off while we were in town,but its rained quite a bit since.

On our way home from town,we called at sis in laws. It was nice to have a bit of a catchup with them both.

[Daisy]

Oma, did B manage to get the tip run done? When do you get your new flooring - or have I missed it?

Nanto, you were lucky with the weather, and it's good to have a catch up from time to time.

Lizzie, is it still very cold for you?

Well I didn't get much done this morning. OH pruned two large Buddleia bushes in the front garden, and by then the garden bin was full. Eva seemed very tired and I put off doing her physio and let her sleep. She was moving quite well and I wanted her to be ok for a walk after lunch. I spent some time preparing a casserole for the slow cooker to have tonight. Of course, after lunch it was pouring with rain, so we waited a while and it stopped. Only to start again while we were out. I was really tired when we got back and had a little nap.

Hopefully I'll be feeling more energetic tomorrow.

[Nanto2girls]

Good morning. Raining again.

No plans for us today.

Hubby will go to a shop a couple of streets away,to post a parcel with Evri.

[Oma]

Morning ladies

It's wet again🙄
It's lashing off the windows , I think we are all totally fed up of this now.

Daisy
My flooring gets done the end of next month ,
It's a 3 day job,
One day to Screed and then two days to lay the flooring as I'm having a new Basket weave pattern they haven't done before so will be taking their time.

Poor Eva she must be tired,
My SIL2 was telling me about her Buddleia bushes on her garden just the other day
She has 4 and can't cope with them , so the gardener she has hired is going to take 3 out and leave the one she can reach and keep pruned.
She's replacing them with some small fruit trees.

Did you sleep well last night ?

Gem
I hope the little family had a good peaceful night and little E is ok ,
It's a lot for a little one and if mummy isn't feeling good it's hard for them to understand.

What nice people at the nursery, they know the situation and to help you shows they care,
It's only natural you get upset ,
Sometimes you can hold it together then one kind word from someone and you crack.
Big Big hugs my lovely friend ♥️

I'm feeling lots better today tired but better,

[Gemini]

Good morning everyone.

Keep resting Oma.

Daisy and I hope you and OH feel less tired today.

Aqua for me this morning. I missed Monday as i had little E and who knows what Friday may bring, so I need to go today. We have a Tesco delivery at lunchtime. It's possible we may be asked to collect little E from nursery and drop him home, so we will be on standby for that.

Its not raining here at present.

[Daisy]

Good Wednesday morning, everyone.

Nanto, I like your blue bird - very perky and not daunted by all the rain. My OH always uses Evri for parcels as well.

Oma, it will be lovely to get the flooring done, and the basket weave sounds very interesting. Buddleia can get very large, but we find cutting them down to about 1-2 foot every year keeps them manageable. I love to see the butterflies on them. The small fruit trees sound nice, and your SIL2 will be pleased to be able to harvest them. How is Storm? Has he had his operation yet?

Gem, I'm glad you are going to Aqua today. Will you stay for a coffee afterwards? I'm sure little E will be delighted to see Grandma if you do collect him from nursery. It's not raining here at the moment, in fact it's almost sunny, but still waterlogged everywhere.

OH feels ok today and he's gone to join his car pals pottering about in one of their garages. He says he won't stay too long, but he gets immersed in something and time stands still. I'll expect him when I see him. I've got a bit of ironing to do and the kitchen needs tidying up. So exciting.

[Oma]

Daisy
He goes in on Thursday,
DD said he's frustrated he can't play tug as he can't hanker down to tug the rope,
Also he isn't pleased he can't go for a long walk ,
DD bought a rear end sling to help support him when they walk ,but he's too heavy for just her to hold him up ,

It's raining still here , it's dark as well,
I hope J doesn't tire himself out

Gem
Enjoy your Aqua , it will give you a little relaxation and you time xxx

[Gemini]

Daisy , I did stay for coffee and some nice ordinary conversation.
Little E isn't at nursery today. I'm not sure if that's because of his cold.
SIL needs a meeting with his boss and needed someone to watch E for an hour or two this afternoon. I was going but OH says she will as she knows I am emotionally and physically drained. I am grateful.

[Lizzie48]

Gem, you will be drained! Are you managing to sleep well??xxxx