RootsChat.Com
General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: louisa maud on Monday 25 March 24 14:48 GMT (UK)
-
Good afternoon all.
This weekend the clocks change, hope I get it right to get to church on time , not like I did before and totally embarrassed myself.
Strange day today, can't make up its mind to be dull or just a little brighter, I am finding it very cold.
Have been to the church to clean the brass for Easter only to find everything has been stripped bare for Good Friday, altar completely bare down to the wooden frame.
Hope everyone is feeling brighter today.
LM
-
Glad you reminded me about the clocks, completely forgot it was this weekend.
It's very cold here too.
-
I am in a real quandary, I need to buy a new carpet cleaner, so much to choose from, thought I would prefer a cordless but now I am not so sure now.
My trusty one isnt picking up very well, it is getting on and I think it does happen ., good excuse not to do any but I won't get away with it,
LM
-
I bought a new Hoover ,a little while back, only £100 .
I found it very heavy after my RollerBall Dyson, so gave it to my son.
He checked my Dyson and got the brushes un -jammed .
It then picked up as efficiently as it should have done ,very manouverable .
The Hoover was only £100 ,with lots of tools and a very long hose for stairs , more safe as it can stay on the ground floor and not above you waiting to fall on you!
It eased up a lot with use my son tells me.
I have a Morphy Richards rechargeable one, so easy to move turns corners etc.That lives upstairs.Converts to a hand held one for vacuuming soft furnishings etc.
Well a busy day, eye check this morning ,new lens in my current frames .
One set £297 ,and I have two pairs,I fancied new frames ,in silver to match quite a bit of my hair , but all had diamantés and other bling —- not me at all.
So stuck with my present frames ,one pair away for new lens ,then the other pair can go .
What with £980 for dental treatment and £594 for glasses, I will be on
bread and water !
So cold today,sunny spells and some very heavy showers.
I was out this morning for eyes, and this afternoon two appointments for teeth .
Son took me both times but had to get back and thankfully I was very lucky with buses back .
Sad about the bridge in Baltimore lBut didn’t it look flimsy!
I don’t like bridges ,really don’t .
Well hope I remember the clocks go forward on Saturday night.
Spring forward abd Fall back.
Look after yourselves folks .
Viktoria.
-
Thanks for reminding me about the clocks. Today I noticed that my Scottish ancestry tree is on the genie website - I'd forgotten I'd put it there during 2012. I was impressed when I saw that several people had a match. I clicked on that ancestor and saw the website had changed the person's address from the original one to one that the website thought was the nearest modern postcode. Thus instead of "Echobank" she now (allegedly historically) lived at "no. 1 Liberton Drive, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland". I was unable to change the entry !!
Due to not moving much during my winter period of doing jigsaw puzzles to pass the winter days away my left leg decided to see how much is could swell and stretch the skin without splitting it. We Brits have been urged to get our NHS prescriptions via the local chemist and not the local general practitioner doctor. I did this and found that I had to pay over £17.00 for two tubes of gel, which is taking its time reducing the swelling and itching.
It was a mistake to think that I had piles of old documentation (old insurance, old bank statements, old etc.) that needed throwing away. I only found four scraps of paper that went into the bin but the rest of the pile has been family b.m.d. documents that cost me a pretty penny.
My front garden smells wonderful all due to the blue hyacinths and coupled with the yelklow daffodils and other plants it looks very colourful
I must admit that when the foreign owned Cadbury company decided we Brits would celebrate with "Gesture Eggs" I was as much annoyed as when the foreign owned Nike decided we English had a "humorous" blue colour on its flag.
-
Quite a lot of anger re the blue !
A radio programme where people could phone in to join a discussion was a real eye opener —- so many people thought the Cross of St. George was only connected to the England team !
Had no idea it was The English part of The Union Flag.
It was a revelation.
We were always taught that to deface The Union Flag was tantamount to treason!
That the broad white diagonal stripe must be at the top nearest the flagpole ,otherwise it was an insult !
Oh dear, how things change .
Very sad about the bridge ,but it looked so flimsy and will be interesting to know about the ship crashing into another bridge some time ago!
Still not found my alarm fob , but someone coming today with a new one that needs programming in I think ,no charge but I do have a Service Contract .
I must pick up a watch I left for a new battery ,forgot the documentation and
back home I find I took out lifetime battery replacement ,so will get a refund .
A pretty dainty Accurist bought in 2001 , I love it .
However it going away means the waterproof seal will be replaced also.
Hopefully Flash Harry and Kyra ( the one baby demolition squad) are here sometime over the weekend so must do a chocolate cake ,got some mini eggs.
Will do nests with chocolate and dessicated coconut to put on top.
Must hang the pretty plastic eggs on the bushes.
My son and his wife will be here so eight of us if all at the same time ,but I don’t have seating for so many , my son usually sits on a big cushion on the floor . No idea when the youngsters are coming ,it is hard with the
children .,they are after all visiting their Nanna,and she sees them only when they get up .
Boat Race tomorrow,given the disgusting state of The Thames — sewage etc in a report this week , I am surprised it has not been cancelled.
Well things to do and so Cheerio, look after yourselves ,hope you all have a nice weekend .
Viktoria.
-
Very heavy rain overnight and what sounded like hailstones at one point. Our usual road to the supermarket has flooded of course, so it was a winding detour with lots of puddles for our shop this morning. And it's cold, too!
We will be having a big family lunch tomorrow at my daughter's house, so I'm about to start making Easter nests for folks to nibble at at some point. My daughter frowns on anything sugary for the children, but once in a while it surely doesn't matter. They are both slim and have good teeth. Grandson will be 13 on Monday, but it's an easy present, as he is saving up to buy some fancy electronic gadget, so he'll just get money. No sign of the grumpy teenager so far and we are waiting for him to start shooting up (in height, I mean!) and and speaking in a deep voice.
Happy Easter, everyone :)
-
Quite a lot of anger re the blue !
A radio programme where people could phone in to join a discussion was a real eye opener —- so many people thought the Cross of St. George was only connected to the England team !
Had no idea it was The English part of The Union Flag.
It was a revelation.
We were always taught that to deface The Union Flag was tantamount to treason!
That the broad white diagonal stripe must be at the top nearest the flagpole ,otherwise it was an insult !
I remember be horrified to see Prince William wearing a Union Flag waistcoat years back.
I don’t know about the broad white stripe being an insult if not next to the flag pole, it would mean the flag is upside down, therefore flying a distress signal.
-
Do hope your 'up over' weather pays attention to clocks jumping forward ... though perhaps I won't be saying that when our clocks go back an hour in NZ next weekend! Roads always busy with those making most of getting out and about over the holiday and tail end of summer.
Notification from our new medical centre with reminder that covid booster jabs and flu vaccinations available, we're not eligible for booster yet as had one mid December. It's usually April for getting the flu one done so we're both booked in for that in a couple of weeks, only just started having them myself 2 years ago but husband has for many years now. He had his first appointment with new doctor this week as had to get new script made, quite happy with the visit and thorough and pleasant. Has been a bit of a rigmarole with all the initial requirements of details with registering both of us though rather lucky that he was accepting new patients and can book in with same doctor, which is getting harder to do everywhere!.
Cheers for a Happy Easter all :)
-
Jebber, we were taught that it was improper and an insult to fly our flag upside down, I have googled and yes it is .
Nothing about a distress signal.on that site but another does say it can be a distress signal at sea.I checked and have now modified my post .
These things are not taught these days, but I speak of the 1940’s .
Lots of patriotism in those days just after the war.
Then The Queen’s Coronation ,so many flags flying and I can remember it being mentioned on the radio,we did not have TV in 1953.
Viktoria.
-
Boat Race tomorrow,given the disgusting state of The Thames — sewage etc in a report this week , I am surprised it has not been cancelled.
Viktoria.
Do you think that this dangerous increase in E-Coli in the Thames is due to the reduction in industrial and agricultural chemicals which were pouring in in the 1960s and 70s ? Did they keep diseases down ?
Nobody ever mentioned the water quality then. Oh yes ! it was a national industry so it was OK for the public to swim in it.
-
I don't think we really worried too much about the water quality back in the day, but maybe the demand on the sewerage system was not as great then as it is now. Living in Devon, we are very much aware of our filthy sea and rivers. >:( https://www.sas.org.uk/
-
It was in the TV news yesterday,the reporter spoke with Uni rowers who said how filthy it was,a spokesperson mentioned the heavy rains there have been and how the land is waterlogged and is draining into rivers, complete with animal dung and the sewage tanks are also overflowing ,even the seas are
filthy as rivers flow to the seas.
What a mess - literally.
Viktoria.
-
Quite a lot of anger re the blue !
A radio programme where people could phone in to join a discussion was a real eye opener —- so many people thought the Cross of St. George was only connected to the England team !
Had no idea it was The English part of The Union Flag.
It was a revelation.
We were always taught that to deface The Union Flag was tantamount to treason!
That the broad white diagonal stripe must be at the top nearest the flagpole ,otherwise it was an insult !
I remember be horrified to see Prince William wearing a Union Flag waistcoat years back.
I don’t know about the broad white stripe being an insult if not next to the flag pole, it would mean the flag is upside down, therefore flying a distress signal.
Yes, I was taught by my school and by girl guides, that if the Union Jack is flown upside down it is a distress signal. Very pertinent during and shortly after WwII.
From comments, it seems schools have stopped educating children on the flags of the United Kingdom, such as:-The flag combines aspects of three older national flags:
the red cross on a white background of St George for the Kingdom of England,
the white saltire of St Andrew on a blue background for Scotland
and the red saltire on a white background of St Patrick to represent Ireland.
As Wales, the land of song, is considered to be a principality and not a kingdom, it is not represented on the Union Jack it has its own very distinctive red dragon on a white and green background.
When I was at school in the 1940s and 1950s paper and printing ink was scarce, thus we pupils had to draw flags, countries and include major rivers and towns, etc.
-
Do you think that this dangerous increase in E-Coli in the Thames is due to the reduction in industrial and agricultural chemicals which were pouring in in the 1960s and 70s ? Did they keep diseases down ?
Nobody ever mentioned the water quality then. Oh yes ! it was a national industry so it was OK for the public to swim in it.
I remember in the 1970's that there were Salmon in the Thames ;D
Just found this using search engine
After previous unsuccessful attempts to restore salmon to the Thames, in 1974 a lone salmon was caught downstream of London, following significant improvements in water quality. This discovery acted as a primer for restoring salmon to the Thames and stocking of juveniles began in 1975.
-
Do you think that this dangerous increase in E-Coli in the Thames is due to the reduction in industrial and agricultural chemicals which were pouring in in the 1960s and 70s ? Did they keep diseases down ?
Nobody ever mentioned the water quality then. Oh yes ! it was a national industry so it was OK for the public to swim in it.
< coli in our waterways in three ways: It enters streams through agricultural runoff, it comes in from leaking sewer or septic infrastructure>
I think there is a law in place that states what farmers have to do to stop animals polluting nearby waterways.
I remember in the 1970's that there were Salmon in the Thames ;D
Just found this using search engine
After previous unsuccessful attempts to restore salmon to the Thames, in 1974 a lone salmon was caught downstream of London, following significant improvements in water quality. This discovery acted as a primer for restoring salmon to the Thames and stocking of juveniles began in 1975.
I can't recall the exact reasons but I do recall during the Blair/Brown years that sheep were found to have "blue tongue" ,which occurred in wet muddy weather and biting midges were usually found flying over puddles and muddy ground.
Years ago I saw a TV programme about a couple who lived out in the sticks where there were no connections to sewage plants. They cleaned their sewage by making ponds of reed beds. Bacteria in the water "ate" sewage. To demonstrate how clean and clear their water was the man drank a glass full from one of the reed beds.
https://www.stservices.co.uk/2022/03/23/not-just-a-bed-of-roses/
I used to live about two miles from a north east sewage plant and the smell was awful. The local authority once called a meeting with the waterboard and the residents. The waterboard apologised and said they would try to put stronger perfume in their plant.
Personally, I think every part of the UK should have a list of boxes to tick; such as: whether the sewage plants can cope with influx of people, sufficient, schools, houses, hospital beds, etc.
***
United Kingdom: Population - approx. 67 million, Density - around 710 people per square mile.
France: Population - around 67 million, Density - approximately 309 people per square mile.
-
Hopefully, with the completion of the new sewerage tunnel this week, once it is starts working, there should be a dramatic improvement of the state of the Thames.
We need a lot of work done to improve the state of most of our rivers, the situation is now very bad, We seem to have slipped backwards to how things were in the old days.
-
Just to change the subject folks, I went to Chelmsford Catherdral today for the chrism service, always very nice, went by bus and it took me 2 3/4 hours, whilst there I sat next to an up and coming curate telling her about what church I came from, after the service the woman in front asked me was I talking about a such and such a place, anyway to cut a long story short her forebears worshipped at the church I attend, she wanted to come back for a blessing for her 50th anniversary this year, I spotted my priest and I said we should speak to him, I asked her what her surname was, would you believe it was the same as my surname, we were both astonished, but I knew the name as we have one of her family on a memorial, so I took her to meet my priest and they will be in touch, my 93 year old friend knew this family , I am going to try to persuade her to come to our church to show her pictures of her family we have at the chuch, what a coincidence?
LM
-
Just to change the subject folks, I went to Chelmsford Catherdral today for the chrism service, always very nice, went by bus and it took me 2 3/4 hours, whilst there I sat next to an up and coming curate telling her about what church I came from, after the service the woman in front asked me was I talking about a such and such a place, anyway to cut a long story short her forebears worshipped at the church I attend, she wanted to come back for a blessing for her 50th anniversary this year, I spotted my priest and I said we should speak to him, I asked her what her surname was, would you believe it was the same as my surname, we were both astonished, but I knew the name as we have one of her family on a memorial, so I took her to meet my priest and they will be in touch, my 93 year old friend knew this family , I am going to try to persuade her to come to our church to show her pictures of her family we have at the chuch, what a coincidence?
LM
That's amazing LM !!!
-
It is isn't it, made my day but although we have a familiar surname we aren't related, well years and years maybe.
Strange thing is because they lived locally we often got phone calls for C, *****, a son and my Dr muddled me up with B *****, a female, so we sort of knew them in a roundabout way, also her mother lived in the same avenue as my daughter but some years ago, so many coincidences..
I have just messaged her to have a friendly chat, hoping I can get her to come to my church to look at some info about her family
LM
-
That is interesting L.M.
What a coincidence as you say.The other person will be pleased I am sure.
Almost everywhere I go I meet someone from or very near to, the area of Manchester where I was born.
Usually a laugh about something when in the supermarket or bus or bus stop.
Then the question and so often “ Oh gosh ,yes the sweet shop on the corner “etc etc.” Do you remember——-“
Have been known to do a bit of a dance.
Down the shopping aisles when we both remembered the Monday night dances for teenagers etc a the local
Methodist Chapel .
Met the nice young man who taught me to Quickstep .
Seventy years later !
Family coming up for Easter,Flash Harry’s that is ,son from Bolton and daughter in law fir tea on Sunday
Slow cooked chicken and mushroom casserole ,Dauphinoise potatoes ,broccoli, green beans then chocolate cake .. Must get ice cream too in case someone does not want cake .
The children willl get money,they will have had too many eggs already.
They will have cold roast chicken ,salad and possibly oven chips ,but nice bread rolls too and another chocolate cake with little nests of mini eggs on top.They are here in Monday
Hope all have a nice weekend ,and enjoy the coincidence L.M.
Viktoria.
Must remember get mini eggs and melting chocolate for nests .!!!
-
Thank you, I have emailed the person concerned, no reply, i am impatient, she isn't a relative.
I have had to grovel for a lift to the service today as my husband wants the car, I really don't like having to ask, the bus to the village is every 2 hours so I can't get that, don't even know if it is running today.
Enjoy your day today everyone.
LM
-
The sun is shining - I can't believe it, however there are showers promised for later. We are off for lunch at daughter's with her in-laws . I'm told it will be Moroccan chicken with couscous (and a few potatoes for my husband who doesn't like couscous. It took me nearly 50 years to get him to eat rice!). I have made Easter nests with Krispies and mini eggs and will take some organic wine (Everything has to be organic for her and I know she won't approve of the sugar content of the eggs). Her step-mother-in-law is a Cordon Bleu cook and is providing the pudding, so I'm not competing, just eating. There will be 4 children of various ages and I expect it will be rather noisy, but lovely nevertheless. Son is working, of course. He doesn't get much time off, but is well paid.
Happy Easter everyone. ;D
-
Good Friday service at the local Methodist Church . They have a decent sized car park adjacent and so the service was outdoors- a bit windy but the rain held off. Probably 70 folks turned up. Local brass band provided the music. All followed by soup and hot cross buns in the church hall.
Last evening I went to another local Methodist Church in the next village for a Maundy Thursday reflection. Only about 20 turned up but very informal sat around a table in the centre of the church. This was the first service I have been to (except the Christmas Carol) since Jane died. Very poignant as we took communion, as the last occasion was when we had a Home Communion service together just a few days before she died.
-
Who did The Maundy Service for the The King?
Did not see it in the news .
I must Google it .
Viktoria.
-
That was nice Jeff you were able to celebrate Easter with fond memories of your dear wife.
Do they read "the passion" reading in your church?
LM
-
Who did The Maundy Service for the The King?
Did not see it in the news .
I must Google it .
Viktoria.
Camilla
BBC News - Support for Royal Family at Maundy service - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxez1rgndj5o
-
Thanks Roobarb ,it is a very special Service ,a very long tradition.
I will Google it.
Thanks again,V.
-
Just click the link in my post Viktoria, it'll take you to the BBC news article.
-
A beautiful Spring day here in Devon today. Long may it last!
Yesterday we spent the evening recovering from a delicious lunch with 12 family members - tasty salmon bake and chicken tagine with couscous and lots of different sauces, followed by a baked chocolate cheesecake and lemon and coconut cake. Wine was drunk and there was lots of interesting conversation with some family members we hadn't seen for several years. We didn't need or want any further food that day apart from a piece of fruit later on. Good job, as we are supposed to be on a diet after a holiday which involved some really good food. Our next eat out will be lunch at a nearby French bistro, where we will meet old friends who are holidaying in the area. Shall we ever lose those extra pounds? In May we will be off to Germany, just in time for the asparagus season. As two people who in their twenties were very slim, almost skinny, we are finding it quite hard to stay that way.
Today I am generally tidying up as the week ahead promises to be rather busy. Small portions, no cake and more exercise for the next few weeks, I think.
-
Thanks Roobarb,The Queen’s hat was not right with her beautiful coat ,it was more a Winter hat,but she still looked good .
She is doing well and has an easy manner.
People have warned to her ,I am glad.
What a lovely day ,sunshine all the way !
No clocks to put forward tonight,daftie that I am am I did them last night !
Cheerio, thanks again Roobarb.
Viktoria.
-
It has been a beautiful day here, managed to get washing in completely dry, also managed to get some gardening is done but it was a bit chilly .
Yes, the Queen is doing very well, people have warmed to her and she has proved to be a hard worker, she deserves a rest now and again though.
Happy Easter to all
LM
-
A lovely morning here, my little conifers in containers are decorated with coloured eggs, my front garden.
Many people will be visiting the cemetery today and they might cheer them a little.
Son and daughter in law here today for a meal, I might not get to Church.
Flash Harry and Kyra here tomorrow for a late lunch ,just a few little eggs but books instead.
They get so many eggs - parents,aunties ,Grand parents and great grandma.
They played a little trick last year,gave me two tiny eggs ,each in a proper tiny box so I have done the same this year ,but lots of tiny eggs in chocolate / cocoanut nests on a big chocolate cake ,a medium cake today for dessert for we four then a bigger one for tomorrow when we’ll be six .
F.H loves a joke.
I made the play dough too so lots of wiggly worms,snakes etc, an old plastic cloth on thr floor from when their Daddy was little and loved craft work when he was at my house in school holidays etc.
Oh happy days , they go by so quickly.
Well must get on.
Hope all have a nice day, and those unwell especially so ,not forgetting those who are grieving ,always worse at family times isn’t it ,and the lonely.
Kindest regards to everyone.
Viktoria.
-
Had a bit of a stressful day yesterday.
Went to visit Grandson and took some Easter gifts. One was a new board game, which looked like a lot of fun. Great concept and graphics. Very disappointing in reality though when we tried to play it. Instructions long winded and unfathomable. Eventually, we gave up. Son advised I should take it back. He thought it was ridiculous (actually, we all did) that the instructions were too complicated for them (Son & DiL) with their 3 university degrees between them, to understand. I haven't got a degree myself, only A levels, but then again you shouldn't have to have a degree to play a game marketed for age 8+. ::) I am going to take it back.
Then Grandson and I started a game of chess. He is very clever. Only six and he is a good player. However, he thought I was winning and out of nowhere had a bit of a meltdown. :o He is very competitive. I don't know if I was winning. ??? Oh dear, though. It was quite stressful seeing him get so upset out the blue. They managed to calm him down again though. I'm not going to sugar coat it, I'm afraid 'Grandma's' Easter visit yesterday felt like a big fat flop. I don't think I brought very much cheer at all. Never mind, it is what it is.
Very loud men on second bus home. One had a very loud, irritating false sounding laugh. Every few seconds it was 'Ha ha ha, ha ha ha' sounding exactly like that. One was vaping too, which I am sure is not allowed upstairs, or indeed anywhere on a bus.
I have just left a review of the game on a website. I think it is awaiting moderation. It will be interesting to see if it gets published. I haven't been rude but I haven't been very positive either.
Feeling tired and still a bit out of sorts today, as you'll be able to tell. Realised I have left it far too late to be on time for Church. Oh dear! Easter Sunday as well! :-[
Happy Easter Everyone, regardless.
-
R,T,L.my great grandson is often invited to play with an autistic boy’,a little younger .
The other boy is of course very clever and not used to not winning all the time .Flash Harry is a good loser but wins a fair amount ,so the other boy has a fair amount of meltdowns .
Such intelligence ,world Capitals, the flags of all countries etc etc,but can’t cope with not winning on the occasions he doesn’t .
Being super intelligent is not easy, such children often miss out on the very basics which are the building blocks all
children need.
I am not advising you, but sympathising .
Very clever children have their own problems,but are after all only say eight years old,never mind that they have extended knowledge ,emotionally they are still only eight .
Best of luck with your complaint .
My second son has slight Asperger’s ,Two degrees, but very low frustration levels .
Sees things very differently from many people
Totally honest often to his own disadvantage .
Hope you soon feel better.
Viktoria.
-
Thanks Viktoria,
My Grandson is having on-going hospital treatment so I think he is bound to be additionally coping with stress. I think that probably factors in too. I think for any of us with underlying stress a seemingly small thing can suddenly trigger as if a huge thing. I know he will need to learn to lose graciously at some point but because of what is going on, I think I will need to make some allowances for now.
He is going through a lot and but is mostly happy and cheerful.
Yes, I hope I do get somewhere with the game complaint. I won't be able to take it back till next weekend. The shop will probably be closed tomorrow. I've never known anything like it. So complicated I think it is not fit for purpose. I would defy them to try to get any deemed intelligent looking person of their choice coming into their shop to be able to get the game up and playing in half an hour. I would even be willing to wait around all morning to see if they can get anyone to do it.
I suspect my review isn't going to be published. I think they they only want to hear things like 'oh that sounds like such a lovely game'. Not much of a review process if they only publish the positive comments from people who like the concept and the look of it (like I did) but who haven't tried actually playing it. ::)
-
You are obviously in tune with your Grandson’s current situation , yes a lot going on for him.
I hope he soon feels well.
Children with learning difficulties quite rightly get help, but very clever children can sometimes slip through the net.
They too have needs ,and your Grandson is a lucky boy that you understand that he does -especially with health issues as well to cope with.
Cheerio.Viktoria.
-
RTL don’t get too upset about grandchildren and their emotions. I’m sure the family loved having you there and they will remember the ‘ day we played a game that was so difficult that even the grown ups couldn’t manage.’
We have a grandson who is 7 but is very very tall for his age , however his emotions haven’t caught up to his intelligence and his height, so the strangest things will have him bursting into tears! It sometimes feels very disproportionate, but to him it’s the end of the world at that moment.
I didn’t make it to church either as I was sitting in a walk in centre waiting to get some abx as I have sinusitis. Penicillin now doing its magic so hopefully I’ll feel more like myself soon too.
-
Thank you for your message, Viktoria. You are as ever, very kind and supportive. Eeh! Whatever would we do without you on here?
Oh Candleflame, I am so sorry to hear you had to go to the Walk-in yesterday. The sinusitis must have felt quite bad for you to have gone. I hope things pick up for you quickly now you have the medication. Sorry, you missed Church too.
Thank you too for kind words. I think you are right, I think my Grandson is still in the learning stage of being able to regulate emotions. Probably, still early days as he is still so young at 6 and because of all he is dealing with he probably has a lower threshold for handling stress.
I must admit I did feel quite in the doldrums still, yesterday about it all, which is silly, I know. I wish I could replay the previous 24 hours. If I could, I would stir myself to get to Church as I should have. It's a shame I wasted a good opportunity. And to cut the grass. I ended up not doing that either. I planned to psyche myself up to do it today as my forecast (so untrue as it turns out!) said it would be sunny. Now look at it! Raining and very wet outside. I'm going to be working a block after today, so I hope that it will not be too hard to cut when I can next get into the garden.
-
Started off with a really nice morning, washed bedding and it looks like rain now, we have had enough rain.
RTL, hope you will feel brighter today, we never stop worrying about the young ones no matter how old they are, we cannot change our mothering instincts
Off to next week now
LM
-
Sorry you’re feeling out of sorts RTL … grandchildren of all ages can be unpredictable and have meltdowns at the drop of a hat!
My eldest (10yrs) is a very sensitive boy and when my OH swatted a wasp when we were outside to stop it having an opportunity to sting him he burst into tears… we all looked aghast at him but his theory was it’s a living creature… well true but not one we want hanging around! As for any sort of games he’s very competitive and used to throw a wobbler if he lost.. better now thankfully.
I’m sure as others have said yours will grow out of it but he does have extenuating circumstances at the moment. The game you bought sounds a nightmare.. what was it called and I’ll make sure not to but it 😂😂.
Take care and hope all things improve for you and your family… and for everyone else who’s dealing with health issues.
Caroline
-
Thank you LM and Caroline, the angst is subsiding. You have reassured me that there is hope re his competitive streak with your own anecdotes about your own Grandson, Caroline.
Oh, I felt quite distraught seeing him so distraught! Oh, you should have seen him - upset, angry and shouting "I'm very bad at chess! I'm very bad at chess!"
In some respects, I envy him. Sometimes I wish I could scream at the top of my lungs "I'm very bad at this! I'm very bad at that!". What a release that might be! ;D Probably, wouldn't help improve anything though. ;)
Yes, I'll tell you by pm what the game is called. It was in line with Grandson's interests and it is in support of a good cause which is why I won't name it publicly. I do think they ought to go back to the drawing board with the instructions though. We couldn't get beyond putting our pieces on the board. This is true - I am not exaggerating. Son was complaining quite vocally, DiL and I trying to work it out. DiL saying she was saying nothing and "being respectful". I was telling son to quit the complaining as it was turning my brain to mush as I was trying to work things out. I said to DiL 'I know what you both think'. When you see the box Caroline, you will be surprised, as you would imagine as I did it would be easy. It looks child friendly. I'll probably have a fight on my hands to get my money back. I am going to fight. I want to buy Grandson another present with the money and I didn't buy the game just for us all to look at.
If I might not pm straightaway Caroline, it will be because I am running low on charge but be assured, I will.
-
Oh dear RTL, I'm almost reliving the stress levels. My sons and then my grandsons played video games and were desperate to be on the same game level as their classmates. One game that my youngest son had was a football/soccer game in which his team played the computer. Son chose all the best football players but couldn't understand why the computer kept winning. Until it dawned on him that he was choosing excellent attacking footballers and not one defenders.
In earlier years, my brothers and I competed against our father at draughts. It was quite annoying his taking safety in the corners and we hadn't worked out how to stop him taking that action..
Until one very precious day when I was ten years old I won - I actually WON the game and beat my dad - my younger brothers followed suit - they didn't beat our dad until they were ten years old either. That's when we learnt the old adage of "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again".
Oldest son and his family visited bearing daffodils, chocolates and a cake. As her mother is usually left at home working when she visits, the one year old was very keen to show her mum what she could do and tinkled on the piano loudly singing "Old MacDonald Had A Farm" until her mother eventually acknowledged how well she could sing.
I've just had a 'phone call from daughter discussing her proposed visit today and as her route involves the very busy A59, which is even busier since the new housing estate was built, that we decided to leave the visit until another time.
-
I remember over fifty years ago, my in laws over with us in Belgium for a holiday.
They brought a game “ Sorry!” ——- oh my laws, second son did not like it when there were two options ,and someone took the less kind one,talk about meltdown - he could only ever take the kind one -
WOW! Grandma and Grandad threatened not to come again , it was always mobile with him as he moved round the house —- Phew, what a tarradiddle .
He will lose out himself to do the right thing.
Quite admirable really
Viktoria.
-
Hi Rena,
It sounds like you have family members with a competitive streak as well. I can imagine what a memorable day that must have felt like when you finally beat your Dad!
I'm glad your Granddaughter worked out how to elicit a compliment for her singing. ;D
I agree Viktoria that it is admirable that your son had principles that he was prepared to stand by. Gosh, though, Grandparents threatening not to come back!
The moral of this thread seems to be should games be avoided for the sake of peace keeping? ;) I think next time I visit I think I had better just ask Grandson if he would like to do a jigsaw instead. :-X
Got to dash soon to get the bus for work.
-
Well it was a long journey for them ,either flying from Manchester to Brussels then a train or more likely we would meet them and drive to Gent, or a train journey from Manchester to Dover then sail to Ostend or Zeebrugge and we would meet them there.
Very brave at their time of life ,late seventies , only ever been to I.O.M.before.
He would keep it going for ages, until he saw what was a fair situation .Very fair himself you see, and though only a game it had to be fair ! ::) ::) ::)
He has been like that all his life , a glitch in his first degree exam papers, all the students noticed it , he was “ GuineaPig” faced up to the Uni authorities and was offered a research project ,but only him as only he had confronted the powers that be - offered a Gas Board sponsored research project for his PhD .
He refused on the basis only he was offered one ,so we said if you accept then the other students can demand similar treatment ,he saw the sense in that so did accept and the other students got their dues as well .
But he refused to go to the ceremony so we did not have the pleasure of seeing him get his first degree in cap and gown.
That is a brief simplified account ,it was a hard slog but tenacity - well he had lots of that!
Like his Dad and paternal Grandad , honest.
Viktoria.
-
This week a group of us visited our local food bank, not to collect goods for ourselves, but to see how it is organised. It is very impressive and does not only give out food, but attempts to aid those calling for the food to improve their situation, so there are links with Citizens' Advice, Social Services and others. And it's not only food (and good advice) that they give out. There are toiletries, nappies, cleaning products, toilet rolls and even tents and sleeping bags for rough sleepers.
We were very impressed with the whole set-up and the care which goes into dealing with their customers. I was surprised, however, that they try to limit their food distribution to 6 weeks per person. This is apparently because they try to help people to improve their situation and find ways out of their food poverty. They are working in part with the Salvation Army, who we know do a great deal to improve society, but also with other distributors, supermarkets and so on. We all left a generous cash donation, which they can put towards the stuff which they actually buy in. This includes apparently eggs, milk and spreads. Local allotments donate fruit and veg, too.
They say that although the amount of food being donated has stayed roughly the same, the number of people applying for it has grown considerably, including some who are in paid work. What a sad reflection on our society!
-
I was quite surprised to see a chap, has nice modern house ,good car ,was on his way out of the supermarket - stop at the food bank and take a few items.
-
I have no idea of his circumstances of course but he seemed an unlikely candidate to be so needy,he had a trolley full of food already that he had purchased.
It used to be that the collection point was for animal food for our local animal rescue Charity.
Nice sunny day today after a drizzley start , got lots of washing out and all in and “ airing” now.
Fish and chips for tea, so no cooking. Yipee!
Hope all are alright, especially those with health problems.
Viktoria.
P.S. There does not seem to be a Diary ending April 6 th ——-
Week nearly over.
My Mum’s Birthday 6 th ,born 1896– she died 1957.
So only my first son , but he was only five months old when she died so has no memory at all of her.
I always have flowers in,the roses I had for my Dad’s anniversary are still fresh too.
The hyacinths my first son and his wife brought on Sunday give off a very heady perfume , they have been lovely .
Son’s boss up in the frozen North so will “ pop in “ to see him,no time or even day, I can’t keep tidy for very long !Phew!
Cheerio.Viktoria .