Vignettes and Pets

[Oops...]

Happy birthday to the seven year old heart-stealer from his Auntie Oops from across the water

 

[Milking Keynes]

Curioser and curioser....@Miss Midnight sent me a copy of what the mods had put up a while ago re DM. Ho9wever last week my little envelope appeared again and I was able to read old DM’s for some reason. I still can. So I sent a message to @Geranium - she did’t get it tho”. I guess the envelope was back but not useable. I wasn’t sure what was happening or if they had decided to reintroduce them.

I have great sympathy for anyone suffering with insomnia btw. It’s been the bane of my life for the last 30 odd years. It can be a bit debilitating to say the least.

Haven’t been able to post very much lately as we are really ‘silly seasoning it’ at work atm. We have a Presentation coming up on a tender we have been working on and so it’s been all hands on deck for a little while. It should mostly be put to bed half way through next week though. Sending everyone big hugs xx

@Oops - with regard to the envelope - mine never came back so my options are ignore or report only. Wishing you the very best of luck with the forthcoming tender. Missed you yesterday . Sending your way. Xx

 

[Milking Keynes]

Morning guys, sending everyone lots of positive vibes and love
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@Namima - great start to the day! Sending you back lots of love and positivity

 

[Milking Keynes]

V.O: …and now viewers our outside broadcasting unit along with Bitsy Wotsits our intrepid commentator will take you over to the Wedding of the Year at BESTSPINSTER ABBEY. Albinoni’s Adagio for Strings and Organ in G minor plays as the OB camera pans over a large English Country House. We gasp in awe as the camera leads us down a long Elm walk then through to a Cathederal Hedge of Hornbeam and through again to an Elizabethan Knot Garden, where the Wedding Chapel comes into view.

Bitsy Wotsits: …and now viewers…as we enter the western transept of Bestspinster Abbey Chapel we can see the glorious light streaming through the stained-glass windows on to the gathering of family and friends of Teddy Bear and Gem. The gleaming pews polished and burnished in this glorious sunlight. The profusion of Spring-gathered Lilacs, the burgeoning garlands of palest pink peonies and the imported Hydrangea Annabelle are surely enough to take one‘s breath away. Such floral beauty provided by Messrs Harvey and Bruiser, Florists to the Aristocracy and Others, is to be savoured as a once in a lifetime experience. Ah - yes here we see Miss Geranium Aspinal who has been appointed official crane spotter today. Tell me Mrs Aspinal, do you think it will be easy to spot a crane flying west straight into this afternoon sun?

Geranium Aspinal. I come from a long line of Crane Spotters, my dear, so I will have no problems. Look! There he is. Yoooooo Hoooo! Yoooo Hoo Mr Yu Crane! We’re just here! Here we are! Yes that’s it! (she flags him down by flapping her arms until he has landed right in front of her). She helps him on with his top hat and adjusts his tail coat removing some flecks of dust with her lace hanky and then offers him her arm and with a playful tap on his pointed beak escorts him back inside the Chapel to stand in his rightful place at the alter with Teddy Bear and his Best Dog Kaiser.

Bitsy Wotsits: Oh goodness me viewers, what a glorious sight! All the bridesmaids have arrived. They are wearing hula - hula grass skirts, and yes, if I’m not mistaken there is Hula Lula the famous hula hula girl! Oh and Mr Django Rhinestone the Dalmatian and his Hawaiian Guitar. Oh how lovely, the bridesmaids are all entering the church doing their beautiful hula hula dance of love. Oh - it brings a tear to my eye viewers! This is just too lovely. Everyone is smiling viewers…just look…

The camera pans over a smiling congregation as the hula, hula bridesmaids perform their beautiful rhythmic dance swaying their hips down the aisle as Django plays his Hawaiian guitar. There is barely a dry eye in the house. Such a vision of love and beauty the likes of which may never be seen again. The camera pans back outside and the steady clop, clop, clop of Klaudio’s hooves can be heard in the distance. Slowly, the beautiful glass coach he is drawing comes into view and as it draws up to the Chapel we can see Gem and Mrs Bonnet Bennet smiling inside the coach. As they alight it looks as if thousands more bright sunbeams fall down upon them from the sky. To the tune of The Bridal March from Lohengrin played on the organ from inside the chapel Mrs Bonnet Bennet walks her Gem down the aisle.

Teddy who has been a bundle of jitters for the past hour or so slowly turns to see his bride walk down the aisle towards him. All is now right with the world. She is here, she is smiling at him and he is truly happy.

cue Mariah Carey…

Here comes the bride
Glowing inside
Its taken simply ages
And many eyes have cried
Finally the day
Has dawned and we must say
That dearest Gem and Teddy
Help share the love today

We gather here
With friends we hold dear
We bless every wish
And this message is clear
Love conquers all
Soothes if you fall
And love can save your life
If you listen to it call

Yu Crane: Peace to you all on this special day. Teddy my boy and dearest girl Gem, what a pleasure it is to see you both glowing with happiness in this wonderful place. I fly to a lot of weddings but I must say I don’t see many venues like this one. I mean the floristry for a start…Oops, there’s me going of on one of my tangents. Now where was I? Oh yes, erm Spot and Matilda it gives me…no sorry… you are not Spot and Matilda are you? Er…just give me a minute… Fabrizio and Mimi. No! Oh yes, Teddy Bear and Gem, how happy you both look and how happy I am to officiate at your wedding today in order to certify you are Friends and Romans…er…no…not Friends and Romans, er…Cakes and Biscuits…no not that…er…You see the thing is I really don’t like storks. I never have and I am not sure if I ever will. My grandfather, was not a lover of storks either…

Miss Midnight gave Oops that certain look and Oops nodded. As Yu Crane gathered momentum with his diatribe against storks Miss Midnight ran unnoticed from the chapel and burst into the Tardis and set the co-ordinates for an hour into the future. The Tardis shook a little and released her almost immediately. She ran back to the Chapel just in time to hear Yu Crane pronounce Teddy Bear and Gem Dog and Spouse. She looked at her watch and wasn’t surprised to see an entire hour had passed unnoticed. Yu Crane imagined everyone had listened to his rather boring sermon and no one else remembered him going on and on and on. It was a secret known only to those who knew. Mrs Bonnet Bennet had given her Gem away and all that remained now was to go back down the aisle and have a really good party.

Mendelssohn’s wedding March plays for a few bars, long enough for the bride and groom to walk back down the aisle together and just as they got to the great doors of the chapel…the organ strikes up with All I want for Christmas is you…Miss Carey looks shocked as Teddy Bear and Gem sing…

We don’t want a lot - just biscuits
And a few fish for a treat
We are happy with a head scratch
Or a kind pat at your feet
We all need a place to go
More than you could ever know
Make our dreams come true
Because
All we want is kindness from you

Dogs and cats and birds and people
Need a place called home and then
All of them know where they’re standing
Even just the smallest den
Brings a smile to every face
Everyone just needs a place
What else can we do?
All we want is safety and you

See our bright fur shining
With hair left everywhere
You know we’d be pining
If you were not there
So with love and sniffing
We say Mum you’re spiffing
Thanks for all you do
Solid through and through
Look into our eyes
And that face belongs to you!

We don’t want a lot just biscuits
And a few fish for a treat
Pedigree or simple misfits
In our bed or on the street
All we need is one small lead
And some food for which to plead
Make our dreams come true
And take us back to your place with you!


Maria jumps in to help here with that top whistle note and brings the final curtain down!

Wonderful!!

 

[Milking Keynes]

How is your camel foe this morning dear Havisham?

Oh, thank you for asking, dear heart .. I am thankfully much relieved this morning. A matter of dispensing talcum powder liberally and letting the air at it as they say

 

[Milking Keynes]

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Your wish is my command @MilkingKeynes xx

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I know she will love the Jaffa cakes more but just in case she fancies a little bit of a change later…

Can I just say that you are a Rock Star - what a glorious treat for our deserved guest. Do you mind arranging my Jaffa busicuits on a plate - I do not want to lower the tone.

 

[Oops...]

Maybe it is limited to VIP members?

Maybe although we both were able to communicate before and we had differing levels. So not sure really. I was just wondering if it was working again since it reappeared. It doesn’t seem to be though.

 

[Milking Keynes]

@Oops a gift from me to you- your heartthrob, St Gary

 

[Miscanthus]

Yay!! You’re in situ! I love the pregnancy test question - takes me back! What time is the op? Soon?
Eta - ask the nurse if she has a dropcloth for poor @Oops - she’s on her way to you weighed down with cases and chopping boards...

I got here 7.30am but still waiting....will be last as other ops taking longer...
Swooned when the consultant popped in...couldn't speak! He said it's not the worst fracture he's seen, but.....
Yikes!
Dropcloth requested!

Tell you what…tee hee…she’ll never know…If we just eat all the biscuits between us. We’ll keep 4 or 5 to give her an ample choice. I mean you and I have done NO self care today. The interlude earlier with the pipe lagger deserves a few lemon biscuits I can tell you! Great descision, meet you in the kitchen in 5-4-3-2-1…Oh there you are. FABULOUS bonnet! Doooo sit down, let me pour you some tea. Yes you can have the Wedgewood cup…Now…that wretched pipe lagger said…

Noooooo...i would kill for a cup of tea, and my tummy is rumbling....

 

[Miscanthus]

We are stunners in that photo, I must admit! Coastal Grandma chic! You throw a good party, @Oops, and that’s for sure! I remember pulling the bust from my structured bag on the ferry - oh, the shame . Can’t wait for NZ - let’s get @Miscanthus and @MissMidnight on the mend, repair the tardis, and off we all go!

...and you.. we need all our limbs for a trip down under!

I thing you are correct!

I thing @Miscanthus is correct!

I thing a cautious level of ignoring (as opposed to ignorance) is just what the Thingy ordered!

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I absolutely loved the fact that @MissMidnight got exactly what I was saying with my ‘thing’ comment ( she can’t spell either) and clicked the laugh emoji!

If you are not already aware, the thing that gets me is things asking to be told where to look for things as they can't be bothered. I think it was @Milking Keynes who pointed that tattler in right direction of Mr MG stroking his ego. I wasn't going to...

 

[Milking Keynes]

Bestspinster Abbey - Chapter 5.

When it got to 7 o’clock and the fishing boat with Teddy Bear and his fishing Stag Party on it had not returned to harbour Gem and her bridesmaids knew something was wrong. The harbour master had been given no bad news about accidents at sea and little Gem hung on to that news as she trudged back with her bridesmaids to Bestminster. What could have happened?

Teddy had set sail with his pals that afternoon. Everyone had been in high spirits and the banter and camaraderie (which Teddy had been practising so hard for) was great fun. They all made good natured fun of him and his love but he didn’t mind that because his prize was Gem and what more could any dog want? Teddy was a bit worried that his box of sprat mackerel bait had gone missing and he wasn’t sure how to overcome that problem, but he figured if the worse came to the worse and they didn’t catch anything they would still have had a super time trying. It would take more than this to get him down. It was then that he noticed the water starting to seep up through the bottom of their fishing boat. Kaiser took command of the situation immediately. Start bailing everyone! Grumpy Snoopy and Roo, you take it in turns to steer the boat back into harbour! Come on every one bail, bail, bail!

Buckets and cups and all containers in between were pounced on and used by the resourceful crew. Ralph and Jasper (who really hated getting wet) tried their best not to come into contact with the wretched water. Jax really put his back into the effort, he was longing to get back to Bestspinster in case Mariah Carey sang a song that night. He was madly in love with her but it was his best kept secret. Marley who was an electronics wizard managed to get the ship to shore radio working and telegraphed Klaudio back on dry land. He was bound to be able to help. Nero ran around feeding everyone tiny treats to help keep their energy up as they bailed. Teddy was absolutely certain he saw a shoal of Mackerel swim by. He could not believe they were all going to miss this opportunity and as his instincts kicked in he felt strangely impelled to jump into the water. His nose was telling him that all those mackerel were rightfully his…

Chapter 6.

Friday morning had dawned and the MOBSG were out in full force standing on the Dublin doorstep of Mrs Bonnet Bennet. They were to form the escort to get their friend to Bestspinster Abbey in readiness for the wedding next day. Miss Namima Marple had brought the smelling salts, Miss Geranium Aspinal had brought the cold compresses, Miss Canthus had brought her book - Latin Phrases to Soothe the Afflicted, Miss Oops-a-Daisy had brought her quill with which to write a gentle verse if necessary and a few mackerel fillets for her beloved Teddy Bear. Miss Midnight had cleverly fixed the mosaic-overload-clack-bunker-sprocket and the pre-loved Tardis was ready to break the space time continuum to get them all there for the wedding. Mrs Bennet Bonnet was overcome and had to be encouraged gently into her special seat next to the pilot. She refused to get into the Tardis unless she was allowed to sit next to her comforting Australian genius friend Miss Midnight. Mr Bonnet Bennet had at last managed to untie himself from his wife just before the Tardis was ready to do its countdown take off. She had used heavy rope to tie him to her but his skill for undoing complicated knots was great. He could now be seen waving happily through the window before he returned inside his house to carry on watching his stocks and shares TV. After many Oh My’s! Nobody knows how I suffer..! Oh my poor nerves..! the Tardis began spinning through space and arrived at Bestspinster Abbey four hours before it had taken off from Dublin.

Klaudio and his trap had been sent to collect them and the six friends piled in amidst much glee and skilful arranging of wedding presents. If truth be told they were all looking forward to tonight and then the wedding tomorrow. After they had settled down it took them no time to realise there was a very potent pong in the air! Oh! Are we to be gassed alive? shrieked Mrs Bonnet Bennet! Klaudio stopped his gentle cantering and looked back at the ladies. If you look under the seat Ma’am’s you will discover a box of rotten sprats put there by Mr Marrow when he stole them after they arrived for Teddy Bear earlier this week. Miss Namina Marple and Oops a Daisy lifted the box between them and threw it into the ha ha next to the Belvedere at the Abbey. Klaudio continued at a steady trot and very soon they arrived at the house. They were greeted by wailing. Mournful wailing.
Carson ran out to meet them. He wore a grave expression and was shaking his head. Mariah walked out to meet the new arrivals. She cradled a wailing Gem in her arms. All the wailing fur babies gathered around. All but one…

To be continued…

I have no words...!

 

[Miscanthus]

I love her succinctness too. Just a sentence and you get the point.

I am glad in a way that today is over for you Captain. At least you know what’s what, whereas you didn’t up until today. You really did do a good job! I can only imagine what level of pain you must be in with two severe breaks. You will feel a huge flood of relief when the op is over with. Just don’t do any more ladder work. I imagine you had been tying something up…I am forever up ladders with my grapevines and climbing roses at the moment - but I am trying to be Uber careful…I would be absolutely flattened if I lost the use of my writing hand as it’s the only thing that has kept me sane over the last two and a half years. I mean no one can do without hands can they but you know what I mean. I know it will be no different for you. It’s on my mind that this may affect your design work though. How do you think that will pan out now? It’s all a bit much isn’t it?

I think darling Havisham will help you a lot because she has had a similar thing and come out the other side - although I know she doesn’t have a plate. She’s the best anyway.

I am worried about Trunchy, I am worried about Muffin and the effect this will have on HE2 and I am worried about and really missing our darling Soul Sister in Melbourne. I know she‘s around on the other site and that’s a comfort but I can tell she’s not ready to tell us what it is yet. I get teary when I think of her and just seeing her clicking on posts cheers me up a bit. We have to work on shifting this energy so we can go back to normal ASAP. Margo has been through it too as well as Blue Orchid and our dearest Namima. We have each other, so that’s a very important thing to remember at all times.

I will finish on a rubbish joke…

Have you seen what the new simplified tax forms say?

What did you earn this year?
What were your expenses?
How much have you left?
Send it in…

Ha ha!
Hoping I've not annoyed people on the other thread by going OT with personal stuff. I always think that our Jules is very focused and single minded

You are right Oops... i was waiting for yesterday's appt before I panic. I am still processing what I can't do it's ridiculous.
Writing....er...i always handwrite notes about the thread before I do a recap...
The quiz was easier to do on my tablet. I am a great list writer too.
Now I'm worried about basic things!
Not going to lie, it's painful and tiring but I don't really want an op. They said if i was 80 and inactive they wouldnt do it, as the reduction (realigning the bone) was good, but I'm not and it's my dominant hand.
Really hoping our tattle sisters are ok.

 

[MissMidnight]

@Miscanthus @Milking Keynes @MissMidnight - We may have to convene on Feng Shui again girls! It’s all up in the air Or is it better for now to stay here do you think? Maybe better here? Xxx

I’m happy to hang out here @Oops...

 

[Oops...]

Some firm faves in here too

Can I just say that you are a Rock Star - what a glorious treat for our deserved guest. Do you mind arranging my Jaffa busicuits on a plate - I do not want to lower the tone.

You have arranged them perfectly! You can’t improve on perfection. Trouble is you have made them look soooo nice I am so tempted…They are my guilty pleasure (along with raspberry magnums)…

 

[Milking Keynes]

Oh no...a split second....

I was coming down the ladder as it felt wobbly so 5 or 6ft. The ladder went one way and my right arm was flung against a brick wall. I remember seeing my arm bent at a funny angle and pulling my hand to straighten my arm
It happened about 3.45pm and i waited hours for an ambulance as here was nobody to take me to hospital, only to be told to make my own way there. No taxis available....Eventually got to hospital at 10pm!!!!. Back home by 3am.
The gave me morphine then gas and air and anaesthetic when they set it.
Nightmare.

Jesus. 3.45 til 10pm? That’s a nightmare. No ambulance or taxis - incredible. And then home at 3am. A horrendous experience. Horrendous.

I didn’t have anyone either, hubby away, sister travelling the world, etc but my beloved mum had just got off a flight with my brother and his family, back from Turkey that morning, and she brought me and the girls to the clinic. When I was sent home with a basic wrist support glove and a ton of painkillers, I suspected that they’d failed to diagnose properly. By the time I was scheduled for surgery, I’d been lolling about with untold damage for 7 weeks just because of an intolerant radiographer. Anyway, it all came good in the end. You will have to be extra vigilant with that wrist in future. My setback last week was so depressing as I could see the swelling and raised veins and signature pain shooting up the arm. I honestly try to do everything slower and more considered since the surgeries and you will be the same.

 

[Milking Keynes]

Noooo.....it's Josie and Lord Charlie's rental accommodation in the place of outstanding natural beauty (the one that's not Ireland).

So, does 'travelling abroad' mean 'jumping over the sea'? Mr Google tells me it is 381 kilometres from Ireland to the UK, which is the same as travelling from Canterbury to Kaka Point (I have attached a picture for your reference, or Kaka Point - I think you would like it there. My mother grew up in the Catlins, which is pretty wild and woolly. FYI - Kaka Point Cemetary is the dead centre of town ).
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Nugget Point Lighthouse.

Wow - the lighting! Are you an exceptional photographer or is this the norm? That is a captivating sight. Yes, you are right - Ireland and the UK, although obviously separate islands, are a mere stone’s throw apart.

 

[Geranium]

Hello, my lovely Vignettes like The Roxettes...

Just had to come here to say that the Leaving Cert results are out today and my Anna got 577 points that is more than enough to get her in to Architecture at UCD. She got 6H2 and 2 H1s - a H2 is a low A, ie 85%+ and a H1 is a high A ie 90%+.

All of you here know that she had a breakdown at the start of the school year and it was a very upsetting time for the family. I wanted to let you know because you have been the most supportive group and I have been absolutely blessed to have you onside this last year. I know @Namima in particular understood the stresses as her boy took the Matriculation Exams in South Africa during Covid. If you were here now - I’d give you a big hug. We thought the year would be written off academically but she managed to pull it out of the bag.

You all also know that I have posted her art on this thread and delighted to say she got a H1 in Art - never before in the history of the school has it been given.

After a year of worry, this is nothing short of a miracle. Thank you guys - I will never forget your kindness and support.

This is absolutely WONDERFUL news, you must be incredibly proud. Please pass on my love & congratulations to Anna, hopefully she is walking on air right now. She deserves her success xx

 

[Oops...]

Taps gently…on the side of the thread…

@Geranium are you in there dear? Xxx

 

[Milking Keynes]

To anyone who's interested - we've got a bit of a blood moon/supermoon/eclipse thing going on over here tonight. It's actually pretty cool. (Tempted to play 'Total Eclipse of the Heart', but I think an early night might be in store before I get that way inclined).
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Wow - I read about it featuring on the Manhattan skyline too.

 

[Milking Keynes]

Dearest Cousin, @Oops,

Thank you for thinking of me when so preoccupied with arrangements. I appreciate your kind words.... a simmering, you say. Oh, dear heart, if only you knew. I must preface this explanation by placing the blame firmly at Cook’s door. What was she thinking? Presenting us with scones, clotted cream and plum jam so close to a wedding? I wonder indeed if she is endeavouring to sabotage my moment.

The sorry tale began yesterday when I decided to again try on my cornflower blue gown. A button popped, a seam ripped and a bow came off in my hand! Oh, the shame! Needless to say, Ms. Barret Browning was sent for post-haste and had to insert a metre of silk to accommodate my girth. Oh, dearest cousin, I am no longer a girl of twenty-two, I grant you that, but a metre of silk? Mr. Bennet said ‘one cannot have enough of Mrs. Bennet’ and Miss Canthus exclaimed gleefully ‘a sea of Lithodora Diffusa or even Centaura Cyanus’. Most unhelpful. Dearest cousin, you see how I suffer? Miss Midnight must return immediately with her tincture for not a morsel will pass these lips until the very day itself. Her tender administrations are much needed as I do not doubt I require medical attention soonest.

Dearest cousin, thank you for offering me further support. I look forward to greeting Miss Geranium and Miss Namima. Such gentle and caring creatures who will, undoubtedly, help to uplift my current sombre mood. My dear Gem is pining for her Teddy Bear while he is away at his stag weekend. I told her - ‘dear heart, I cannot help you as I am a slave to my nerves. Have some compassion’, I said! Oh, why does everybody require my attention when I have little spirit left with which to cope, Cousin? Please send further words of kindness, dearest one, for you understand me better than most and know how much I rely upon you as we move ever nearer to the celebrations.

Your devoted cousin, Elizabeth Bonnet-Bennet.

Ministrations not administrations aaaaaaaarrrrrrggggg!