Happy Sunday Grumpies! What are you all up to today?

Laura: I hope that your tongue isn't too sore today. Why can't you just avoid them if they're so rude to you? A person can and should only take but so much abuse.

Amica: Soup! What kind did they make? I'm feeling in a soupy mood today and could use some inspiration otherwise it'll be my usual pumpkin,parsnip and carrot combo.

Snowy: I hope you're feeling more cheerful today. It's one day closer to his return for the summer. Like The Grateful Dead song "Uncle John's Band"says "the first days are the hardest days...."

I had a busy street planting day on my block. It went better than I thought as far as the language problem goes. The weather was spectacular, there were lots of delicious home-made cakes (I never made the scones in the end) and I really like my neighbours. We even planted some flower seeds at our roundabout. I can't believe that I was physically fit to do all of that and I consider it a blessing.

I also got a chance to discuss the rapid decline of my neighbour who I've keeping the spare key for. His Huntington's Disease is on a rapid spiral downwards and I'm concerned that he's going to have some harm come to him soon if he's not re-housed to supervised care. His friend who liaises with his social worker (and is also a pastor) has been in contact with me and I've informed him of recent events and yesterday's discussion. He's arranging an urgent meeting with his social workers so hopefully something will be done soon. It's all getting too much for me and one of the neighbour's gave me a strong "You need to think of yourself first now" speech (which Mr. Home also gave me 2 weeks ago) has made me realise how much of my time and energy this is now taking up.

Today the sun is having a rest day today (it's god after all! ) so I'm off to the garden centre which is my second home. I'm on the search for some Chinese Lanterns (Physalis) . I had a lovely plant on my balcony for the past few years but snails and slugs got to it and it's no more. The garden centre is like Ikea. You go there and then come back with loads of money spent on stuff that you didn't know you absolutely had to have until you get there.

Ok, I've said enough now. Time to do. Laters!

Me@ I love Dutch garden centres and I think they are much cheaper than here and also seem to be a step ahead as I see things coming in to ours now which I saw in Holland a couple of years ago.

Glad you are starting to realise this is all too much for you and hope the neighbour can be rehomed soon into suitable care accommodation.

I make loads of soup in winter but not much in spring and summer. Kids bought me a juicer when they were here at Easter and am hooked . Really easy way to get my 5 a day . The cleaning routine is also a huge improvement on previous juicers too so added bonus

Hope everyone having a nice lazy Sunday xx

hello better here today,,,,,still tired after all the driving though,but not sobbing any more. Funny how it hits me at unexpected times.

Your poor neighbour,Me, Huntingtons is an awful disease.

I think Mr home and your friend are right, me@h - helping out with a key is one thing, giving over your life quite another!

Stupid cat is back - just back - having been away since about midnight last night. he looks a bit scruffy but that's normal; I'm guessing he got shut in somewhere as he came in, ate his own weight in food and biscuit and then went to sit in the garden! Bloody stressful animal!

Well no Chinese Lanterns for me at the garden centre but I did manage to spend €65. Twingle, I disagree about the centres being better here. The soil they sell is crap and I've been plagued with all sorts of bugs from it which is a problem that I never had in Ireland. I don't find it cheaper either. I miss B&Q my one stop shop for hardware, gardening and other stuff. Intratuin (the garden centre I go to) is developing into a lifestyle shop which gives makes more browsing (and spending) time for me. I got a nice Buddha holding a lotus flower which is a solar light among other unnecessary things. I enjoy going there on my own and looking at EVERYTHING in the shop. (Mr. Home works on Saturday and Sundays and our "weekend" is Wednesday and Thursday.)

Glad you're feeling better Snowy.

Handy: your cat sounds like a typical human male after a Saturday night out. And they always find their way home, too, eventually.

BG: I thought my son travelled a lot but I think you've outdone him. How long will you be going on like this?

Got through the party biting my tongue not an easy task, asked if I wanted a drink I said just some pop please, she said irn bru? Yes thank you said I came back with half a glass full and said " I forgot your Scottish you had this stuff thru IV not doubt" No said I that was Corporation pop stupid witch.

Did you really call her a stupid witch?

No but you get the idea

Oh, an unfulfilled fantasy!

OOPs I forgot too, But what a stupid thing to say

Well done, Laura!

Night night, girls! :sleep:

Morning all!

It's a beautiful sunny day here and I just saw a heart-warming scenario
to start off my day with a smile. I was looking out of my kitchen window (it faces the street) while drinking my OJ,taking stock of what aches and pains I have today and looking out on the market being set up for the day. I saw that the hopsctoch board that the kids drew on Saturday with "sidewalk chalk" was still there. An elderly couple (older than me!) were walking up the street and spotted it and I watched the woman have a go at it (up and back) and was trying to get her husband to have a go too. He seemed reluctant and as though he was telling her something like : "Look there are people watching you". She then pointed down to the board as though she was saying: "Get over here". He dutifully obeyed and hopped up the board, then grabbed her hand and the two of them started to skip up the street. It was so cute!

I wish you all a nice, grump free, skippy day.

^^^^^

Busy busy...
Morning grumps!

Wishing you all a good start to the week.

Mmwah!

Morning all, what a beautiful start to your day Me@

how lovely
bless their cotton socks

I have just screwed up big time . I posted a rant on my face book wall which was meant for a private group. Only Sad and Mrs Market saw it I hope, before I quickly took it down .

I did the vey same thing last year after son in laws 40th which was dreading as ex and new wife were there. They were totally pissed and he apologised for being an arsehole when we were married and she says she was jealous of me as he wouldn't have a bad word said about me and I was like the perfect wife. So I gaily posted this story to the group and it went on my wall. know one friend saw it but I got it down quick and just hope to hell ex didn't see it!!

Tonight's rant was about my cousins who told my non face book cousins my mum was in hospital after one of my posts and they went mad that they had to find out through face book. I know they have a point but she was only in the one night and they hardly bother with her anyway . Anyway am busy posting this and saying my mum was in hospital again and although it's AF kicking off and a urine and chest infection which am sure they will get under control but can be serious at her age. I was saying can't decide when to tell them all . So if any of my cousins saw it am in even bigger doo doo!

So there you go I may not have ranted in here for a while so you get two at once

Hope everyone well and survived my long post or it may help you sleep

For what it's worth, Twingle, I didn't see it FB is the work of the devil though... number of times I type rants then delete rather than post is far more often than I actually post anything!!!

Twingle I hope that your mother is feeling better. I didn't see your post either. With so much scope for an embarrassing disaster in Facebook I don't belong to any private groups or anything like that. When I post something everyone on my friends' list can see it. I often censor myself because of it but once I press enter I know it's available for others to see and I don't have to stress over it. My poor niece who is going through some tough times tends to greatly over-share and I'm embarrassed for her at times and feel like I shouldn't be reading what she posts. She's only making things worse for herself because at some point she regrets one post or another and follows it up with yet another revelatory post to explain her embarrassment or shame. Sometimes I want to tell my brother to take her laptop away or ban her from Facebook but she's 23 even though she still lives at home with him.

I'm hoping that this year won't be as bad. My blood pressure's been creeping up so my new GP gave me a stern talking to - like you, I'm to start doing a lot less. I've known that for a while but it's one thing knowing and another having a doctor tell you! And for me exercise is the golden bullet - if I make time for that I not only get the direct benefits but also have to say no to other things. Win/win.

Having said all that I'm on a plane again next week...

But hey, the sun is shining and I'm having a whole day off today!

Bats I have been on BP pills since my 50's and if I knew what I know now I would never have gone on the dam things. I now have kidney disease which they say is due to high blood pressure but google tells me is due to the affects of the pills . Plenty of exercise and weight management really works for controlling BP . Good luck and hope you stay off the pills (mwah)

Afternoon ladies, Twingle I didn't see your rant either I am busy deleting stuff from fb and hoping to deactivate my account in the near future nothing is safe on the internet even folk going about there daily lives George Orwell got it right.

Mwah, right back at you!

Thanks for the information. I've heard the same, unfortunately. I hope you're not too poorly with it (((twingle))).

Mine's come down massively already, just from saying no a lot more, and making sure I get out on the bike or for a swim every day. It feels really selfish to be completely non negotiable about it, but that in itself shows how crackers I've been, if I can't take an hour a day out for myself without feeling guilty. Bonkers. I'm working up to taking whole weekends off!

Whole weekends off is a must, Batty.

Been back to work this week so I haven't had a minute - so I'm sorry if the inspiration is gone but I had bacon, cabbage, pepper and celery in one soup and curried sweet potato the other. I'm thinking of introducing it as a weekly cooking competition. Starters next week - I'd love it to be puddings but I am on yet another diet -well cutting down. My knees are a bit creaky and painful and I was wondering if it was all the weight on my derriere.

It's been beautifully sunny here in Yorkshire - hope you're all enjoying the good weather.

As for Facebook, I love to see a grump. My cousin and his new girlfriend are posting their lovey dovey messages at the mo and it's a bit yuk. I think it's for his ex to see which is mean.

Next time say it out loud, Laura. I never did to my in-laws and they still didn't think any better of me. At least I could have pleased myself.