Awake and up all night

Ah, I wish my eyes were bigger Eddie  they're more like slits these days, but that could be cos I'm permanently knackered. Mandy's a very lucky lass.

I'm not a shopaholic and if I find things I like, I'm not bothered what shop they're from, but my big sis is the total opposite, always wanting stuff to be 'named'. LOH's mother's the same. Whenever we buy something new, the first thing she asks is what make it is. Jeez.

Talking of slitty eyes, I suppose I'd better try for some shuteye as I can't sleep in like I did this morning, which was a rarity and fab. Now take it easy on the way home and if we talk tomorrow, I'll tell you about our spoils. Night and lots of love xxx

Mandys only 15 months old my friend, and narrowing eyes aren't unusual as we get older, the muscles around the eyes weaken so the skin and eyelids aren't so tight, hence the narrowing eyes, there's a possibility you could have dry eye, so easily treatable, and I'm with you, I've no interest in labels, I'd rather spend my money on the goods and not a label, I've a friend who spends £100 on a Tshirt, they are nice but I  bet if you put his label on my £3 Tshirt most people couldn't tell. Oooh your spoils, you've peaked my curiosity, I'll never sleep now.

Hugs to you both XX

Unfortunately I never really got into painting and drawing, my artistic ability was only centered on ballet and playing the piano. Back when I was trying to find new ways of getting better sleep, I dived into the whole ASMR thing, and that lead me to watching a lot of the late Bob Ross oil painting videos on YouTube. The brush and pallet knife sounds on the canvas are peaceful for a lot of people. I enjoyed watching the video's, but they didn't help with my lack of sleep. I'm in Ohio, so our landscape is pretty flat here. We do have the world's largest basket about 10 minutes to the east of me, but not much else. There's some pretty amazing landscapes up on Lake Erie throughout the year.

~Stacy

Hello Gill, 

Thanks, all's still going well, been at Kitt Peak observatory today. Altitude nearly 7,000 feet, so my poor left lung (lost the right one 2014) was struggling but the experience was worth it.

We tend to stay off major tourist sites but have seen Grand Canyon and things like that, and yes we have hired a car as it's the only way to get around most places because public transport out of the city is dire. Everyone drives, it's easy and people are very courteous on the road....and petrol is really cheap.

Just got back in (6.45pm here) and enjoying a beer before teatime.

The best of luck for the Wednesday draw, someon's got to win it!

Derek.

I hope the review goes well.

H

Thank you Helen  

I'll get my skates on now, but will bob back later. If you manage to get off today, have a lovely time. I hope you're feeling better now my lovely xxx

Morning Gill

I'm not feeling any better unfortunately and had another disturbed night.  I'm on my second cuppa and Alan's just got up. I'll see how I feel after my shower before deciding whether to go.  The motorhome has got to be in Wellingborough on Wednesday afternoon for the heating system to be serviced on Thursday morning so we've got to go then anyway. Luckily our motorhome is big and I can be as comfy in there as at home. 

H

Hey Derek,

Great to hear about what you've been up to, although not good struggling with breathing so high up. I'm trying to be careful what time I reply as I don't want a post landing at bonkers o'clock your end, but I did catch one this morning that's gone now. No matter as I did see you're going to a place with hummingbirds - I hope you do as they're beautiful, tiny little creatures with amazing colours. Superb stuff. 

I imagine the car drivers on here could be envious that fuel's only £2.20 a gallon, but it's just as well with the gas guzzler you've hired! The Grand Canyon must be awesome, but does it look as huge in real life? I ask as some things look deceptive on the telly, and I don't know anyone who's been.

Ah, thanks for the luck for Wednesday but I know I won't be that someone, which is a shame as I'd treat the whole group, honestly. Keep having a fantastic time and I don't need to tell you to wrap up warm. Take care chief xxx

Hi Stacy, sorry about the mix up with Ohio and Utah, the world's largest basket, is that the basket shaped factory that makes/made baskets?, and I googled Ohio, it's beautiful, the autumn colours are amazing, though we have different ideas about flat, do you still play the piano, my favourite instrument, and so relaxing to listen to too. I'm sorry you never got into painting, it's how I switch off from reality, and I'm with you regarding ASMR, never really worked for me either, the thing that broke my cycle of 90 minutes a night for 18 months was relaxation. I did a course at  www.maggies.org, which can be done live online, if you consider it, can I suggest you do it through Maggies Yorkshire, the psychologist is South African, who the ladies say has the most soothing voice.

Eddie xx 

Evening Eddie. Just a quicky before the night routine. Well we had a fab morning - all good at the Doc's and LOH has gained weight again. Caroline, the lovely nurse, asked what our plans were so I told her we were going to look at Teddy bedding and she endorsed my choice as she's got that herself, cosy and very warm, so that's what we got, along with a load of other stuff and a haul of treats from M&S - dear but so tasty. Good job it's not local!

The only blot was how much it hampers not having a car now, as lugging bulky gear around isn't great for two old dodderers who live off the beaten track. But we managed and I'll get it all sorted tomorrow before the cold snap descends. I didn't know that Stacy lives in Ohio, so the American connection is strong atm, what with Derek being there now. Laters Eddie xxx