Diary - Thursday 4th June

[Caw1]

I'll start today's ball rolling shall I?

Awoke again to a dull cloudy day and looked like we'd had some rain during the night.
After normal breakfast did some tidying up and then we went into the garden, it wasn't actually that chilly as I only had a tshirt on.
Cleared away the paddling pool and put all the play sand back in the bags and away in the back shed for use another time, hopefully.
Neighbour popped round with bits of shopping she got for me... hoping to last out until next Thursday when I've booked a C & C ... its fresh vegs I might need before then though...
Made lunch whilst OH repaired some boards on one of the raised veg beds...
Broad beans coming on a treat could be eating them soon
Courgettes have got several flowers on and a couple of the strawberries are starting to turn from green to red...
 Beetroot getting fatter and radishes by the bucket load...
Potatoes all nicely earthed up and onions growing a pace...
Beans climbing up the pokes and tomatoes starting to form trusses...
Spring onions and parsnips very poor show at the moment.
Rained on and off during the afternoon and when I looked out many of our white peonies blooms were drooping and petals on the grass ☹️
We had a Zoom story reading with the boys... Charlie and the choc factory started by OH and I read some more of the Riverboat book...
They were both very chatty which was lovely... after seeing us the other day we had lots to talk about..
OH had given the eldest the 1000 piece  millennium jigsaw and he proudly showed us he'd done all the outside and was starting fill in... he's not yet 7 !
Apparently he'd got up early yesterday and come down to start it and was so engrossed he hadn't even said good morning to mummy!
The youngest one aged 4 got his DK book of vehicles we'd given him at Christmas and was showing us which planes were in the jigsaw... a Lancaster, spitfire and Messerschmitt and was now going to see what cars he could find in there....
Wonderful to see how they can learn so much from just a jigsaw!
Game of scrabble..... loosing 12-7 😢
Dinner was spaghetti
Watched Sewing Bee, Bethany Hughes top 10 picks in Pompeii.
Looks like another wetish day tomorrow might do some sewing....
Hope others have had a different day as weather not sunny and warm means you find other things to do!


Take care all, stay safe and away from all those idiots out there who seem to think life's gone back to normal.... what's the matter with them....

Caroline   

[Mowsehowse]

Lovely report on how much your boys are getting from that jigsaw Caroline.

Very grey, threatening and cool wind all day, so not many people out and about other than dog walkers.

Morrison's for the weekly groceries, arriving around 09:30 so hardly any queue to get in. Lots of hand and trolley sanitizer available. Regretably, there was an inevitable queue for the checkouts, so must go earlier next week, as standing waiting amongst people in this situation freaks me out.

Was invited to tea in the garden with 3 other of the Morris group. We have been making a bit of an effort to ensure she is not completely cut off, so it was a much appreciated thankyou gesture, and very good to see and chat to some chums.  House has side access to garden, we took our own cups and didn't go into the house at all.

Husband made his own variation of a shepherds pie while I was out. Very tasty.

Cool enough for the entire prom and park to be deserted for our evening walk. I rescued a huge bumble bee from a vulnerable situation; definitely in the groove now, so any old ladies teetering on the side of a road better watch out, or they will be rescued whether they like it or not!! 

I was enjoying Bettany Hughes programme about Pompeii when a friend rang to thank me for her little birthday gift.  She had been to her daughter's for the day and had a lovely time with her little grandson, so she was a very happy lady.  There was another programme about the Roman Empire afterwards, (the Tunisian port of Neapolis,) absolutely fascinating, though I was too tired to watch till the end.

[Roobarb]

Thanks for starting Caroline  How lovely to be able to grow so many veg, mmm broad beans, one of my favourites, haven't had them for a while. Great that your grandchildren are so absorbed in the jigsaw, I bet their mum is thanking you and OH!

Mowsehowse, or should I call you the animal rescuer? And potential old lady rescuer! A shame about the weather but good that you can get out for a walk. Your garden party sounds great.

Diary:

A cloudy day but no rain, warmer than Wednesday. Was up a bit earlier, was going to go for my walk earlier but spotted the window cleaner across the road, knew he'd be coming to me soon so decided to wait. Opened up so he could get through to the back, last time I'd asked him to just do the front as there were too many obstacles on the way through to the back! Moved all my new plants off the patio and onto the lawn so they weren't in his way.

Meanwhile I made some alterations to my supermarket order for Saturday, didn't want to end up with just a load of booze that I'd secured the order with! Transferred the payment for the window cleaner, some Rootschatting, did a few minor things around the house then it was time for lunch.

After lunch went out to do the planting, would leave my walk till later. Put plants in the beds in the front garden and planted a container. Had to fill it with compost in situ as the big containers get too heavy to lug through from the back. Was feeling anxious in case NNN or her daughter appeared, a bit ridiculous when I can't feel relaxed in my own garden. Finished there and into the back garden, more relaxed. Moved some stuff around and planted some containers then it started to rain a bit. It didn't last so went for my walk, pleasantly peaceful.

Came home, noticed a friend had left a message so rang her back then out in the garden again to tidy up. More planting to do when I've decided where it should go. Tea and TV, watched the Sewing Bee. Didn't spot the programmes mentioned, I used to buy a Saturday paper as I like the TV guide but I don't get that now so not always aware of programmes. A friend told me about a couple the other day that I can catch up with too.

Have a good day folks!

[Mowsehowse]

What a lovely lot of gardening Roobarb, but very sad that you were not peaceful and relaxed meanwhile.

I realise it is easier said than done, but it would surely help if you can try to teach yourself to zone into the task in hand, (which is what is currently called "mindfullness" and is taught in primary schools,) and if anyone arrives that you don't wish to see, you can then quietly move indoors again.
 
When I catch myself dwelling on something upsetting, I try to say a mantra in my head over and over, until something else happens to distract me.  Often I drift back into destructive thoughts and have to pull myself back, so I know it isn't easy, but our mental health is SO precious Roobarb, we all need to find coping strategies, which work, to protect ourselves.

[pharmaT]

Work day today.

I noticed on the way to work that the car parks I pass had lots of police tape up, whereas before they just had a carpark closed sign so I'm guessing people were ignoring the sign.  A colleague who loves round the corner from there was saying the place was mobbed, people ignoring 2m distancing, blocking locals into their homes by parking over their driveways and sometimes in them.

The rain started as I drove into the work carpark but it didn't seem to come to anything.  At least at no point did the ground seem particularly wet when I got the chance to glance out the window.  Was dry but very dark clouds when I left but got home without getting wet.  Although when the cat was let back in after sneaking out as I came in he was soaking wet so looks like there was a downpour after I got in.  Was still very warm and humid inside work, it acts like a greenhouse, not pleasant conditions for being wrapped in plastic.

The Prom didn't seem too busy on my drive home and people were spaced out so that was a little bit reassuring.

Older daughter still getting hammered with a lot of assignments, hopefully they'll not assign anything over the weekend giving her time to catch up.  The younger one's teacher dropped off art supplies for her so that she wasn't just doing maths and spelling exercises on the computer.

[Roobarb]

Thanks for your words of advice Mowsehowse, I will certainly try to do that. I shouldn't let the silly woman intimidate me, I just didn't want her approaching me again and trying to make out that I'm the baddie in front of the whole street. I'm pretty sure she's been moaning about me to my neighbour at the other side, although I don't think he takes much notice! Will try to put your words into practice.

PharmaT, how infuriating that people are acting so badly and endangering others. It seems to be quite common that people think the easing of the lockdown means the crisis is over, they just seem to take notice of the bits of news that suit them. In my own area the confirmed cases have increased this week, although that may be because there is currently a mobile testing station here. Some people don't seem to realise that there can be many many more unconfirmed cases and people who have no symptoms who can pass it on.
Hope your daughter doesn't become overwhelmed again with her school work, it's a pity she can't do some art work like the younger one, much more relaxing.

[Caw1]

Mowsehouse & Roobarb...
 They are very good at amusing themselves and the older one is in his element if he can get his hands on a jigsaw...much like his uncle was at the same age...
It is nice to see people face to face, at a distance too isn't it and pleased to hear you enjoyed your tea party...
Shopping certainly can be a bit traumatic these days... who ever would have thought just a few months ago what our lives would be like!

We have a dentist appointment in early July and I'm not that keen to go ...
My hairdresser also called me the other day and I'm going to him mid July but not sure if that's the right decision... will have to see how things go..

Pharma - your working conditions sound just so difficult.... we're all so very grateful for all that you're all doing looking after some such sick people it can't be easy...
Hope you can have a little time to just enjoy your daughters and a few hours of rest and a recharge...

Caroline

[Mowsehowse]

I had a pea sized lump of filling break away about 4 weeks ago, and believe it or not my 6 months check appt is for 10:45 on Tuesday 9th June, but that probably won't happen, and heaven knows when I might get another appointment, despite beginnings of infection starting up. 

[Ruskie]

I had a pea sized lump of filling break away about 4 weeks ago, and believe it or not my 6 months check appt is for 10:45 on Tuesday 9th June, but that probably won't happen, and heaven knows when I might get another appointment, despite beginnings of infection starting up. 

You need to nip that in the bud before it gets worse mousehowse. 

Have you phoned your dentist? You would expect some to be taking emergency appointments. At the very least yours may be able to refer you elsewhere. You may need antibiotics to reduce infection before the dentist can work on it. It sounds like it needs immediate attention.