What was your fasting blood glucose? (full on chat)

[gennepher]

Good morning everyone and welcome to another episode of ‘Hot water bottle vs microwave wheat bag’ - as seen on TV up here in the dark and dangerous north. I used to have a circular hot water bottle as a child - blue with the Hickory Dickory Dock nursery rhyme on in the form of a clock face. Nowadays you are supposed to sit in a sleeping bag with your chosen heat source as your house turns into a scene from the film Dr Zhivago. By the way, don’t mention spherical lumps of leather in hot countries, loads of so called ‘experts’ will be on the box round the autopsy table for hours on end waffling endlessly about not a lot. Art bit, not much colour added really - bit of B&W shading and a touch of blue to match those lights in the hallway. Have the most glorious day that you can have, we have the girl in the bubble with us so the fun begins when she wakes! But first, some koffy.


View attachment 58038

All those romantic looking frozen snowy scenes in Dr Zhivago. I need that all over fur coat...this over large purring snoring black living fur coat only spreads all over my chest, thighs and down to my knees...so I have to stay in one position.

Enjoy the girl in the bubble.

Art bit is brilliant, definitely a horizontal winding corridor...but I am waiting for the banshees to come waiting at me @dunelm

 

[gennepher]

Worked on the curtains until 4.30pm then had an hour out in the frosty garden. Finished the second curtain in the evening, both are hung. Now need just a few hand stitches to finish and for MrSlim to sort out the cords so that they pull all the way together.
So glad you were saved from a fall on the icy pavements.

I am glad you managed a bit of gardening. And I'm also very glad you've got the second curtain finished.

Thank you @SlimLizzy
I am so glad they were there right beside me.

 

[alf_Josiah]

Good cold late Morening Ladies and Gentlemen, are you going to venture outside today?

This mornings reading is from the book of diabetes was 7.3, well it is Sunday so I thought it would be nice to have a sermon type theme to the sentence.

Today my grandchildren are being taken to the London Eye, London Aquarium and other such attractions, they are travelling to London on the train, well that was the plan. I would wager a bet they will have a great, but cold time and when they get home will probably finish the day with a takeout of some flavour. Do I envy them? Not in the slightest, it’s far to cold me.

Now I must bid you all a good day and a safe day. It is time I started to show some form of activity or Mrs J will issue instructions in my direction.

 

[gennepher]

11.12
7.45am FBG 6.1
Moving day. The unheated blue bed
room is the warmest room in the house. This is including the two shower rooms that have heated towel rails.
One disadvantage is the sloping floor. It's unsettling, walking feels a little like being drunk, but we will no doubt get used to it.
View attachment 58043

Sloping floor sloping furniture @SlimLizzy !!!!!
It reminds me of the farm of my childhood, the upstairs floors were cracked, as well as sloping and crazy angles…a cheap way of getting that drunken feeling...

 

[gennepher]

I was amazed l got through the day @gennepher as there was not even a 10 minute break from the moment I got in the car at 9am to when I finished classes at 6pm. Actually the day went by very fast.

That last class of the day is a Zoom class. I have only just found that there is an option to 'improve your appearance ' which definitely makes me look less tired. I have to use it as my new webcam is very unforgiving.

We cannot have that unforgiving WebCam @Krystyna23040

How about this for an 'improve your appearance' setting?

 

[Annb]

Good morning everyone and welcome to another episode of ‘Hot water bottle vs microwave wheat bag’ - as seen on TV up here in the dark and dangerous north. I used to have a circular hot water bottle as a child - blue with the Hickory Dickory Dock nursery rhyme on in the form of a clock face. Nowadays you are supposed to sit in a sleeping bag with your chosen heat source as your house turns into a scene from the film Dr Zhivago. By the way, don’t mention spherical lumps of leather in hot countries, loads of so called ‘experts’ will be on the box round the autopsy table for hours on end waffling endlessly about not a lot. Art bit, not much colour added really - bit of B&W shading and a touch of blue to match those lights in the hallway. Have the most glorious day that you can have, we have the girl in the bubble with us so the fun begins when she wakes! But first, some koffy.


View attachment 58038

Oooh! Scary. Reminds me of the tunnels in the London Underground system. I always felt nervous going down there to catch a train. Oddly, without me ever mentioning it to him, Alistair felt the same when he went south with my dad one year. Maybe he's a bit claustrophobic as well. That, surely, isn't genetic. I was careful never to mention it to either of my sons - didn't want to give them ideas.

 

[Lainie71]

All those romantic looking frozen snowy scenes in Dr Zhivago. I need that all over fur coat...this over large purring snoring black living fur coat only spreads all over my chest, thighs and down to my knees...so I have to stay in one position.

Enjoy the girl in the bubble.

Art bit is brilliant, definitely a horizontal winding corridor...but I am waiting for the banshees to come waiting at me @dunelm

Dr Zhivago I remember that film vividly and Fiddler on the Roof, always reminded me of Christmas, Vodka, grapes and cigars - my dads Polish treats! Some happy memories there.

 

[Annb]

Greetings everyone on another day which may look wonderful in a photo or on a Christmas card but is a totally different reality for many. The question is cui bono? The splendid hamper and very tasteful calendar with photos of local churches JKP won in the school raffle can’t be the only answer. What is “the end game” of the current hardship and culture war in the UK? Ultimately climb downs will ensue and be - wrongly - spun as victory. Advent poem for today https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2021/12/11/despised-and-rejected-christina-rosetti-7/. Enjoy your day. Mine includes a Sunday lunch (spatchcock chicken) with JKP and MIL. That won’t defeat the forces of darkness and evil but that isn’t my or its job. It will bring joy and comfort to three people which is the only end game for now. I hope you each find your own way to bring some Advent hope, love and energy to others (including the non human elements of God's creation) and yourselves because you can’t pour from an empty cup - even in Norfolk or Wales.

Another interesting poem, Ian. It must echo the way many people feel these days. The world, for some, seems like such a heartless place. I can just picture that soul, huddled, damaged and bitter; not able to accept hope when it is offered. We do live in a heartless world - possibly always did but we didn't know so much about it in the past. Is that an advantage that the internet and social media offer us, or is it the opposite?

 

[Lainie71]

Dr Zhivago I remember that film vividly and Fiddler on the Roof, always reminded me of Christmas, Vodka, grapes and cigars - my dads Polish treats! Some happy memories there.

It was my dads rendition of Topol's "I wouldn't have to work hard....." lol

 

[gennepher]

Fbg 6.8

A friend of mine looked over the letter I had drafted to the Practice Manager yesterday. It needs neatening up and the anger taken out she said. I thought I had taken the anger out. An hour later I received the neatened up version. That was one sword of damacles lifted off my head.

The second sword of damacles was to arrive this morning. I was talking on Skype. We had a good chat, then she was called for dinner, and had to sign off, she suddenly gave me a health problem of hers which is being currently investigated, and they cannot find an answer, she is very scared. I said don't worry, don't worry, we'll talk next week.

And I smiled and she smiled back, but inside I was saying oh s***, because I have what I am presuming at this point, the same health problem, but it has not killed me yet, but when I was told in the late 1990's, I was scared s***less every day for a few years. J was with me when I got told.

Together, J and I drafted a letter about it and the complications, and implications for my 3 children (in their 20's by then, and that they may need to consider whether they should have children) and emailed it to them.

Now, with what my Oz daughter said fleetingly as we were signing off, it is looking like the complications of it have been passed on to her from me.

Does she remember what I told them from over 20 years ago.

I lost the email address I wrote the original letter on, but I can remember the main points. I will see how much more I can remember on it today. But I will need to 'craft' my information to her, so she is not deathly scared as I was over 20 years ago, when I was told so bluntly and in great detail. She needs enough information so she can relay that to her specialist, so he has the facts.

That day over 20 years ago, is still etched in my mind, and I can still see the specialist talking to me now...


YouTube videos from my nighttime wildlife cameras.
Here we have:
Cat, Jade is on the swing (you can just see her in the beginning), and the friendly badger I call KissyKissy appears to have seen Jade for the first time on the wildlife nighttime camera.
Cat, Midnight, comes through from the bushes seconds after the badger has left up the garden path...

Creative is a painting of an autumn tree...



I am going to make a cuppa and something nice to eat.

Find some inner soul time today...

 

[gennepher]

Oooh! Scary. Reminds me of the tunnels in the London Underground system. I always felt nervous going down there to catch a train. Oddly, without me ever mentioning it to him, Alistair felt the same when he went south with my dad one year. Maybe he's a bit claustrophobic as well. That, surely, isn't genetic. I was careful never to mention it to either of my sons - didn't want to give them ideas.

Yes they frightened me too, especially the abandoned stations from long ago you can still see fleetingly as you pass @Annb

 

[Annb]

Fbg 6.8

A friend of mine looked over the letter I had drafted to the Practice Manager yesterday. It needs neatening up and the anger taken out she said. I thought I had taken the anger out. An hour later I received the neatened up version. That was one sword of damacles lifted off my head.

The second sword of damacles was to arrive this morning. I was talking on Skype with my daughter from Oz. We had a good chat, then she was called for dinner, and had to sign off, she suddenly gave me a health problem of hers which is being currently investigated, and they cannot find an answer, she is very scared. I said don't worry, don't worry, we'll talk next week.

And I smiled and she smiled back, but inside I was saying oh s***, because I have what I am presuming at this point, the same health problem, but it has not killed me yet, but when I was told in the late 1990's, I was scared s***less every day for a few years. J was with me when I got told.

Together, J and I drafted a letter about it and the complications, and implications for my 3 children (in their 20's by then, and that they may need to consider whether they should have children). My 3 children refused to discuss it or even talk about it. It was a taboo subject.

Now, with what my Oz daughter said fleetingly as we were signing off, it is looking like the complications of it have been passed on to her from me.

Does she remember what I told them from over 20 years ago. I think it got blocked/erased out of their minds.

I lost the email address I wrote the original letter on, but I can remember the main points. I will see how much more I can remember on it today. But I will need to 'craft' my information to her, so she is not deathly scared as I was over 20 years ago, when I was told so bluntly and in great detail. My daughter needs enough information so she can relay that to her specialist, so he has the facts. My plan is to send this wed/thurs so she can have enough time to assimilate this information before we talk on Sunday.

That day over 20 years ago, is still etched in my mind, and I can still see the specialist talking to me now...


YouTube videos from my nighttime wildlife cameras.
Here we have:
Cat, Jade is on the swing (you can just see her in the beginning), and the friendly badger I call KissyKissy appears to have seen Jade for the first time on the wildlife nighttime camera.
Cat, Midnight, comes through from the bushes seconds after the badger has left up the garden path...

Creative is a painting of an autumn tree...

Don't forget, we are living on borrowed time. I have been, for a very very long time. I was talking about it to my daughter and the events of it a couple of weeks ago, so she knows the background story to an event long ago. I just now have to explain again to her about the information my 3 kids wouldn't listen to from 20 odd years ago.

I am going to make a cuppa and something nice to eat.

Find some inner soul time today...

View attachment 58049

Your stoicism and courage are so striking, gennepher. I want to offer a hug but a winner as well for your fortitude. Praying for both you and your daughter.

Great creative. Windy and cold, but the tree is still hanging in there and holding on to its leaves. Just like you.

 

[ianpspurs]

Fbg 6.8

A friend of mine looked over the letter I had drafted to the Practice Manager yesterday. It needs neatening up and the anger taken out she said. I thought I had taken the anger out. An hour later I received the neatened up version. That was one sword of damacles lifted off my head.

The second sword of damacles was to arrive this morning. I was talking on Skype with my daughter from Oz. We had a good chat, then she was called for dinner, and had to sign off, she suddenly gave me a health problem of hers which is being currently investigated, and they cannot find an answer, she is very scared. I said don't worry, don't worry, we'll talk next week.

And I smiled and she smiled back, but inside I was saying oh s***, because I have what I am presuming at this point, the same health problem, but it has not killed me yet, but when I was told in the late 1990's, I was scared s***less every day for a few years. J was with me when I got told.

Together, J and I drafted a letter about it and the complications, and implications for my 3 children (in their 20's by then, and that they may need to consider whether they should have children). My 3 children refused to discuss it or even talk about it. It was a taboo subject.

Now, with what my Oz daughter said fleetingly as we were signing off, it is looking like the complications of it have been passed on to her from me.

Does she remember what I told them from over 20 years ago. I think it got blocked/erased out of their minds.

I lost the email address I wrote the original letter on, but I can remember the main points. I will see how much more I can remember on it today. But I will need to 'craft' my information to her, so she is not deathly scared as I was over 20 years ago, when I was told so bluntly and in great detail. My daughter needs enough information so she can relay that to her specialist, so he has the facts. My plan is to send this wed/thurs so she can have enough time to assimilate this information before we talk on Sunday.

That day over 20 years ago, is still etched in my mind, and I can still see the specialist talking to me now...


YouTube videos from my nighttime wildlife cameras.
Here we have:
Cat, Jade is on the swing (you can just see her in the beginning), and the friendly badger I call KissyKissy appears to have seen Jade for the first time on the wildlife nighttime camera.
Cat, Midnight, comes through from the bushes seconds after the badger has left up the garden path...

Creative is a painting of an autumn tree...

Don't forget, we are living on borrowed time. I have been, for a very very long time. I was talking about it to my daughter and the events of it a couple of weeks ago, so she knows the background story to an event long ago. I just now have to explain again to her about the information my 3 kids wouldn't listen to from 20 odd years ago.

I am going to make a cuppa and something nice to eat.

Find some inner soul time today...

View attachment 58049

Thank you for the creative and video. The creative is especially bright and hopeful when contrasted with all your own issues and those of your daughter. I do hope you craft the information as skillfully and sensitively as you do your creatives. Midnight has exquisite timing although it would be an interesting contest between him and Brock. Enjoy the cuppa and something nice to eat. That illusive inner soul time sounds perfect - enjoy.

 

[jjraak]

. It will bring joy and comfort to three people which is the only end game for now.

Wise words, that can get us through moments where the world seems like an impossible climb.

Great advice to rest up, rejoice at where we are, move on when good & ready to carry on passing out love & help to others .

Long may it continue

 

[ianpspurs]

Wise words,

Never been accused of that afore but thanks.

 

[gennepher]

Your stoicism and courage are so striking, gennepher. I want to offer a hug but a winner as well for your fortitude. Praying for both you and your daughter.

Great creative. Windy and cold, but the tree is still hanging in there and holding on to its leaves. Just like you.

Thank you very much @Annb for your thoughts and wishes and prayers.

I was wondering what to paint and how to paint it this morning. This seemed right, but you described why. Thank you.

 

[Krystyna23040]

I am so glad Archie feels more comfortable @Krystyna23040

Thank you @gennepher. He is much better and is back being active but was up at 3am desperate to go out in the garden. We went along to our local pet shop and they advised we purchased VetIQ Stool firm. Hopefully it lives up to its name - otherwise it will be a visit to the vet.

 

[gennepher]

Thank you for the creative and video. The creative is especially bright and hopeful when contrasted with all your own issues and those of your daughter. I do hope you craft the information as skillfully and sensitively as you do your creatives. Midnight has exquisite timing although it would be an interesting contest between him and Brock. Enjoy the cuppa and something nice to eat. That illusive inner soul time sounds perfect - enjoy.

Thank you @ianpspurs
It is going to take me a few days to get those words exactly right.

Midnight does have this impeccable timing. Stage left, stage right...
A few weeks ago, but it was a very bad video to see and a distance away, so I never posted it. Midnight was sitting down under the garden table. I could see his eyes. Brock often enters the garden from under that table. At that moment Brock entered the back garden from under the table, full of confidence. Brock was inches from Midnight, also under the same table. Midnight was still sitting upright, and did not move a muscle. Suddenly Brock had a sense of doom and stopped. Brock's head turned and his/her nose touched Midnight's nose. Midnight was still as a statue. Brock turned his/her face quickly, tucked it into his/her other side and waddled awkwardly ahead. Then suddenly ran out of the garden. Midnight then looks towards the Trail Camera, as if to say, 'you caught all that?' Then Midnight got up and sauntered in the same direction as Brock...

Cuppa here, and some inner soul time...

Oh dear...even my car has been taken over by a stray cat...
This is not my cat...
Why my car?

 

[gennepher]

Thank you @gennepher. He is much better and is back being active but was up at 3am desperate to go out in the garden. We went along to our local pet shop and they advised we purchased VetIQ Stool firm. Hopefully it lives up to its name - otherwise it will be a visit to the vet.

Hopefully the med will work. I am sure it will @Krystyna23040

 

[Krystyna23040]

We cannot have that unforgiving WebCam @Krystyna23040

How about this for an 'improve your appearance' setting?

View attachment 58046

Yes @gennepher. That is definitely the one I should choose.