Snow here in N Wales.

YEs.We have snow,not a lot at the moment but more to come.We have a well stocked freezer and fridge but are only a ten minute walk from our local market town centre.So if we can't get the cars out we can walk.I quite like being snowed in but only for a short time.I have had an indulgent afternoon reading and am now doing some cross stitch.Cross stitch you ask.She is a knitter and a crocheted but I dug out a cross stitch kit that I started last year.Would I be able to follow the chart?Would I be able to see the holes?In fact ,the biggest problem is threading the needle but I can buy a needle threader.I decided to treat myself to a simpler but effective kit.It is called Tribal Owl by Skyler Larson.It came as a chart and then I bought the threads so it worked out to be fairly cheap.Someone in a review said it only took them two weeks to do it.I think it may take me longer!! I am also knitting (yes,there always has to be some knitting) some socks for C.They are in Stylecraft Head over Heels .Colour Ingleborough.It is a wonderful striped pattern in green,purple and turquoise.Very striking.My OH likes jazzy socks. THe book I have just finished is The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse(recommended on blogger).A very interesting and quite disturbing read about anorexia.I have now started Train to Trieste by Dominica Radulescu.I reviewed her second book Black Sea Twilight for Newbooksmag and rally enjoyed it.Then ,I have to read Sacred Heart by Sarah Dunant for my reading group.The next session will be really difficult as one of our members has recently died aged only 71. Finally,have any of you seen the film The Greatest Showman ( I may have mentioned this before).It is a really good film mad our local film theatre are showing it as a singalong.What a great idea. TAke care in the snow and look after yourselves.Back soon.Barbarax

How to lose some weight???

For years I have been the same weight(overweight but not obese)until we went on an all inclusive holiday last September.I put on 4lbs and cannot get rid of it.This is my day- breakfast.Two cups of tea. Lunch.Salad plus cold meat or fish. Tea/supper.Meat or fish plus small portion of potatoes and vegetables and a diet yoghurt. Evening .Two glasses of white wine. I try,weather permitting,to walk/ garden/ clean for half an hour .I can't manage more than that these days. I have stopped buying crisps and cheese so I am not tempted.I never eat cake. We do eat out a couple of times a week and I know I could cut out the wine. Any suggestions out there?I would love to hear from you.

I have signed myself up for a private health screening.

every time my pulse is taken it is never below 80.I mentioned it to my GP whose reply was "we don't do anything until is over 100".I am permanently tired and often breathless,especially on slopes.My GP isn't going to do anything so I saw a letter at my daughter's inviting her for this screening but she is monitored by her GP(being a Type 1 diabetic.I feel quite positive about having this done.It is very comprehensive but my little niggle is that it will turn up things that I am better not knowing.It is an hours drive away and you get the results ten days later.One thing that I know they will tell me on the day is that I am overweight!!! What do you think ?Am I being silly or sensible?I would love to know your thoughts and whether you have had one done.

using up my stash

I am using up my stash making hats for either the homeless or refugees.I can make one in an evening and have made ten already.I am using wool left over from my crocheted blankets and using DK two strands.It makes a nice chunky hat. I still can't load photos!I get to the same point each time and a page of computer gogglygook comes up and I can get no further.Can any one tell me a quick way of posting photos on blogger from my android phone? On Saturday we went to see the film "the Greatest Showman" about Barnum the circus guy.It was really good and I can recommend it.This Friday we are going to see the film The Darkest Hour about Churchill.This afternoon we have had walk at Ness Gardens.The snowdrops looked amazing.It poured down all morning so it was nice to see blue skies this afternoon . Back soon.Hopefully with photos.

An update on my daughter and books.

Why are the younger generation reluctant to pick up the phone and speak?I had texts from my son in law but nothing from Sarah so having spent all morning worrying myself sick I texted her and said I am worried!It didn't help that a friend said to me this morning you don't die from flu but you can die from pneumonia.The problem is with S having Type 1 diabetes.We have had a couple of close shaves in the past with her and you realise what a slim grip we have on life.Eventually she picked up the phone and called.She sounded terrible,coughed all the time and is just very,very tired.The improvement is only slight but she assured me she is feeling a bit better each day but it is very slow progress.I felt better having spoken to her.Why is it that men never worry? back to my birthday.I had phone calls from my grandchildren,my son,my brother and various friends.I had lots of cards and as I said yesterday C had spoilt me rotten.As well as a Clogau gold bracelet I had DVDs,Cats,Evita and Phantom of the Opera and five books(not six).I am a great Ian McEwan fan and have most of his books but am a few missing.So he bought me The Innocent and Black Dogs.I am also a Philip Roth fan and he bought me Letting Go(eels 630 pages long) and Goodbye Columbus.He also bought me a book by Susan Hill.Jacob's Room is Full of Books.She charts a year of her life through the books she has read,re read or returned to.We also get a glimpse of her country life and anyone who read The Magic Apple Tree by her will want to read this one. Back soon.Good to hear from you Sarah.Hope married life is going well.Do you ever hear from Clare.I would love to know how she and the children are.

What a 24 hours.

It is my birthday today and we had planned to visit Bodnant Gardens to see the snowdrops and then go to the Royal Cambrian Art Gallery in Conway.A snack out at lunchtime and then a meal tonight in a local eatery with a log fire.Last night about 7pm our son in law phoned to say our daughter,who is a Type 1 Diabetic ,had had flu all weekend and had high blood sugars and what should he do.We suggested the out of hours doctor.He got an appointment at 9.30pm at their nearest hospital.She was diagnosed with pneumonia.She waited in A and E for four hours and eventually was given IV antibiotics.At 5 am they decided to send her home because they had no bed for her.We got no sleep and have just been worried sick.I did speak to her at lunchtime and she said she still felt really ill but not as bad as yesterday.So, my birthday has taken second place.I had some lovely presents from C including six books.More about that tomorrow when I will give you an update on Sarah.Fingers crossed she is on the mend.What a worry.I just wish I could have her diabetes.

A different Saturday.

There are a group of us who meet through U3A but also socially.There are eleven of us,five couples and one widower.We eat out at least once a month but seven of us also meet in Wetherspoons on a Saturday morning for coffee.Wetherspoons because we can sit there for ages and you pay for one coffee and then get free refills.Out of the eleven three of us have birthdays within four days 12,13 and 16 Jan.So,instead of going to Wetherspoons we were invited round to C and D's for champagne and panettone! They had als ozone some nibbles.I am not used to drinking champagne in a morning so a little nap was needed this afternoon!!!