Hello ED, a busy afternoon at the Op shop today. I arrived to a mountain of books piled on my workbench. Managed to shelve a lot of them and the rest I stacked on my 3 tier shelves in the back room. Came home with a bag of Children's novels and I told my supervisor I was saving them from being thrown out. She, Jan, understands. I will slowly filter them back into the shop during the Summer holidays. Jan also knows that I select books to donate to local school libraries. That is sad that Sandra has early onset Dementia. Do your children understand what this means for her? And for you! Mum couldn't quite cope with it when it happened to Dad. She would tell him off when he got things wrong such as Dad saying to me, "Today was a great opening for the AFL season." And Mum would tell him it was half way through. I had to have a frank talk with her explaining what was going on for him. "Humour him Mum. Don't correct him. That will confuse him" Happily Mum slowly came to understand. Well she did love him. I am sure that I am going to repeat something that I have already told you. However, one of my happiest days with Dad during his decline was when he was advising me about buying a boat. and what  to look for.  I had no intention of buying a boat. However Dad, ex Navy, was instructing me and I happily engaged. Sometimes we just have to go down that path. Hugs.

Morning splash--peace dove ty. It has started--can't see nothing out my windows for the curtain of white but so far from what I see there is no big winds yet. They will most likely get here and make a big mess out there. Lasst night Jess drove me to the pharmacy and I got my flu shot finally,I had put it off when I had to get ready and do the surgery. No sore arm and no not feeling well so I guess we are ok. Hopefully Kevin can get over here and we can go get what groceries I need--have alist made so should be able to just whip around the grocery store--barring and of those dawdlers that don't know what they want and stand in the middle of the aisle. I will get busy this morning and get everything done for supper so when we get home I just have to turn it onand we will not have to wait long for supper as we are both early to bed but I am afraid I am doing the early to rise bit. Have a good day

HEllo ED, TY for the Mallard. Shopping with Sandra must be difficult. I guess that she really wants the things that she knows she cannot eat. It must be hard for her. I know that if I was told not to have salty things I would find it hard. I do enjoy a sweet treat now again. Have you considered grocery shopping on line? It may avoid the temptations and arguments. You just order the things that you need. I have not tried it but my daughter Sarah loves it. She hates going to the supermarket. She calls it the Stupid Market. I haven't tried on line shopping. However like Sarah, if I need to go there I have a list and stick to it. Usually for cat food and cleaning products. The corner store, although a bit expensive, provides me with the food I need. All organic. And also provides me with friends that I bump into. This morning was almost like the Monday Morning Coffee Club. 6 of us arrived at the same time so we sat down and chatted. A great start to my day. Enjoy your new day.

Hello ED, TY for the Peace Dove. How did your daughter's visit go? Did she bring the dog? Eating wool? It does amaze me that people bring their ill behaved dogs visiting. Hope has wisely decided not to bring her sausage dogs here as they want to kill cats. Sarah, Arja and Grace all have dogs however they, the dogs, stay outside as the house is a sanctuary for my cats. I am having a quiet day at home. Enjoy your day.

Field Mouse ty x

Watered the second Poppy.

❤️.•* ­⭐️ARIA( Margaret)⭐️*•.? watered the Sunflower, and spotted a Mallard feeding on the Bird Mix!

splashed--It is aa dull misty looking morning and its 9,the calm before the storm as tomorrow we are supposed to get a winter storm--snow and blowing snow and cold temperatures. Kevin has planned to come over tomorrow so I can get some groceries I need. He will stay over and leave for work on Fri morning from here. My day at the hospital went well, first came the bloodwork and that went well and I can hardly see where she put the needle in so all good there,Next came the vascular surgeon,he was in a goof mood and cheerful,his nurse practitioner was also working so I really got the whole treatment. My staples are out he was a little annoyed that the vac dressing was to late to be of use but I don't go back until Jan so progress is made. As I was sitting ready my book waiting for the next appointment,one of the girls I talk to in there asked if I wanted something to drink--so she made me a nice cup of tea. The appointment with the onocologist went well and everything is fine with all my tests. Don't go back until May there. Have a good day and yes the charity shop is not all second hand ,a lot of it is new and I have given some of that as gifts.                                                                                                                 

Privet Ed, spasibo za myshka. I think that you were a F/L friend of Lyuba in Moscow? She was teaching me Russian and I studiously wrote everything down in the notebook that I am referring to now. I also taught a young lad from Russia and he helped me as well. Strangely I did not get to learn colours. I was thanking you for the white mouse (myshka). I must look in the op shop to see if we have a Russian language book.  Re. Charity shop Christmas gifts, it is a great idea. Many of the gifts that my family will get from me came from my shop. Brand new and still in original sealed packaging. I would much prefer that the money I spend on gifts go to charity rather than huge corporations. That could be your selling point for next year. Then they have a whole year to find gifts. It was my last Art group for the year today. Sad. We meet again first week of Feb. next year. I managed to do a lot of my water colour painting. Nearly there. Had to stop to let it dry. I plan to visit Mum on Saturday and take her to her Art group in the village. I will do some more work  on it there and hopefully introduce Mum to wet on wet painting. Kharosheva dnya. (HAVE A GOOD DAY.)

Field Mouse tyvm