General Chat

Morning all,

It was very frosty here when I got up for the loo in the night the car was white but when we got up about quarter to eight it had mostly all gone ,now its cloudy but bright so I hope we get to see a little sun today as it makes you feel like doing more .

I have quire a few snow drops out ,pretty little flowers such a shame they hang down so you can't see them properly.

Good morning all dull here again but 6 degrees no frost last night. I am up late, went back to sleep, had a good night really. Nothing planned for today anyway but had better get on.
Vera, yes feet feel more comfortable. Maybe female (can I say that> chiropodists are more touchy feely than male?

Good afternoon all

It's very dark and dreary today and, although it's 7 degrees, there is a cold wind and it feels quite a bit colder. It also looks and feels damp everywhere although it hasn't been raining. Still, as I keep reminding myself, it is January and we should expect cold and rain or snow.

Do you feel as though you are walking on air AnnG? I have problem feet as well and also go to the chiropodist every 8 weeks. Mine has recently gone up to £39 but she spends at least 30 minutes on my feet and finishes with smoothing in some nice cream. She even puts my socks back on for me :-)

Congratulations Mel, you are doing well with your sales. Just be a little bit wary of our beloved Inland Revenue. I am sure you would be OK but they have been known to classify as traders anyone who sells online regularly, even when it's their own home made crafts.

Mandy, don't worry about your cataract assessment. As Annx says they don't do anything painful or unpleasant. Just make sure you have someone with you as you probably won't be able to drive for a few hours after they put drops in your eye.

I had a smile at Mr Hackett, Ann. Crewcut and Hackett sounds like a dodgy second hand car place ;-) I can cope with Mr Crewcut using the secateurs as I have a chance to stop him before he does too much damage . It's when he disappears into the garden with the electric hedge cutters that I start to tremble. I think you are right to stop putting bread out for the time being. You certainly won't want rats in your garden.

I am still sleeping very little and consequently I am not feeling very lively during the day. Yesterday I managed to fall off a stool in the bedroom. I was only sitting on it so goodness knows how I fell but I landed on my rear end on the floor with a heck of a bump. This shook my back up again, just as it was feeling a bit easier. Talk about one thing after another!

One of the clubs we belong to had its annual dinner last night and I didn't feel much like going but I enjoyed it once I got there. It's quite a small club with about 22 members and 18 were there last night. We shared a taxi with our friends M & V. V has various disabilities and is no longer allowed to drive, M is recovering from an op and is not yet able to drive again, I can't drive at night which left OH to do it again and it seemed unfair that he wouldn't be able to have a drink so we went for the taxi option. In fact none of us had more than 1 drink anyway so he would probably have been OK to drive. It was a very pleasant evening and I expected to sleep like a log, but no such luck :-(

I went into town to pick up my meds and they were all ready for me. Then I called in at Roy's to get some cards. They used to do basic cards at 50p each or 3 for £1. I didn't usually get those but often got nice cards for about £1 each. Now their cards are the same price as places like W H Smith. They've gone upmarket quite a lot. I saw a Radley handbag there today for £239. I wonder if they are trying to compete with the "better" stores. If they are I think they are wrong. Their strength lies in providing reasonable quality stuff at affordable prices, particularly at a time when many people have less disposable income. Still I assume their marketing department know better than me.

I have just had an email to say that my friend's funeral that was 3 weeks ago cannot be put online as planned but the funeral director had video'd the service on the mobile phone of the daughter of the deceased. He has managed to get that into a form that can be shown and I've been sent a link so I am going to watch that now.

Unfortunately my feet don't get any pampering, just the toe nails filed and cut. But my nails are horrible. When we used to go swimming at a leisure pool at quite an up market hotel, I caught athletes foot and it affected my nails so much so that they have never got back to normal and continually thicken from under the nail. they are also very tender which doesn't make for a relaxing procedure when he files across the whole nail. It is a ten minute job and costs me £27 and I have it done every 8 weeks. Been going to him over 25 years now.
still it is a necessary job to have done as no way could I care for my toe nails myself

I had a look round M&S and did see a sweater I quite liked but my Sparks card is on a phone app and once again it would not open the app in store and I didn't have time to faff around so I didn't buy the sweater.

Afternoon everyone,

The sun's just peeping through here now and it looks much more cheerful. I slept well last night and we decided to nip out to Ullesthorpe Court and have one of their fish finger buns with salad and home made coleslaw for an early lunch. Our friend Sharon was serving so we got extra Biscoff biscuits and a chat about her trip with the grandchildren to Lapland at Windsor before Christmas. I think she was just as excited as the grandchildren were. It sounded really good though as there were hardly any other visitors, so no queuing anywhere, and the chapel was open.

It sounds like Em's hubby likes old motors too Mel. My neighbour at my last house kept his new car outside so he could garage a rare model of an old Vauxhall he had. The person who bought my last house had the garage roof made with a pitch and had a winch put in so he could keep several old cars in it with one hoisted up into the roof above the others. That's good you have more sales of your makes. They seem to sell very well.

I bet your feet feel nice after a pampering trip to the chiropodist AnnG. I can still do my own at the moment, but they seem to get further away from my hands or my middle doesn't bend as well as it did!

I hope you had a better night last night Vera. Sometimes after poor sleep it can take a few nights to get back into a good pattern again. Sorry to hear about your cousin's husband passing away. Like you say we seem to hear sad news like that more and more as we get older.

Well after a practice trip to the shop OH was ok with the automatic car going to his meeting last night. Very strange though that the switch for the lights wasn't on the steering wheel stalks, but he managed to find it before he set off. It's a brand new car, a bumpier ride than either of our cars but the heater in it seems much better than OH's car. The repair place rang within 2 hours of collecting OH's car to thank us for the great photos we had taken that they requested and which had enabled them to order the parts early. Also to say they had already examined the car. They will ring on Thursday to let OH know when the car will be ready to deliver back to him, probably early next week. Fingers crossed they are right!!

Morning all,

Nice bright sunny morning here and its 9 degrees so looks promissing for a good day today.

Shopping comes this morning and I have two parcels to take to the post van. It would be three if the other person would pay.

Enjoy your foot treatment today Anng.

Hope all slept well and that Vera's head has now gone completely.

Must put my cardy on....

good morning all. Still very dark out there at 0720 but it is 6 degrees so not that cold.

I have a chiropodist appointment today so that is a trip into town.

Ooh Ann, yes stop putting out bread, you don't want rats.

Mandy at least you haven't had to wait long for the eye appointment. I have an opticians appointment for that day.

Ann I think Em's hubby has an Austin A40 pickup and a Vauxhal Victor which is the same as the one I passed my test in.

Don't worry Mandy, when I had an assessment for my cataracts it was much the same as an eyetest. They do put drops in ypur eye to dilate the pupil so they can get a good look in your eyes, but there was nothing more than that at my assessment. If you want them doing, stress that you do a lot of crafts. They told me that quality of life is important.

Morning all,

A day to remember the happy times Anng sending love <3

No sun today but it's not cold ,I've been and washed all the window sills ,cleaned the kitchen window inside and out and after my coffee I'm going upstairs to reach out and clean the upstairs window sills .

I had a phone call from the Aces eye clinic to book my cataract assessment so that was quick ,it's for Monday 12th February the day after my birthday , not looking forward to having it done I hate anything to do with my eyes ,I always cringe when Vera has her eye injection but if its got to be done then it's got to be done .

Morning All,

Days like today are bound to bring back memories AnnG and some sorrow. Our partners are such big parts of our lives, I can only imagine that it must be like finding a new way of life without them. It's good to have happy memories though and to remember them.

I think I'm going to stop putting any bread out for the birds. I noticed the gravel at the edge of the fence between it and the patio had been disturbed by something like a mouse burrowing to get under the fence to next door a few weeks ago. Standing further along near the feeder yesterday, the other side of the arbour it was clear that something much bigger had disturbed the slate chippings making a much bigger hole under the fence!! :-0 I don't want to encourage rats as there may be some with the ditch behind the bottom fence.

OH's car was collected for repair this morning and the courtesy car left. What a loud man, but he told us about his collection of vintage cars which was interesting. He has an Austin A35 like I used to drive the van version of and a 1962 Vauxhall Cresta like dad had once. Next we are popping to shop for a few bits in the courtesy car as OH hasn't driven an automatic before!

Thinking of you today AnnG and sending love <3

Morning Anng and all,

Its 12 degrees here and as dull as dishwater. Really miserable dos'nt make you want to do anything but go back to bed.

I have some things to sort out today so don't worry if I don't coe back at some time today.

Good morning all 11 degrees out there, such strange weather for January.

A day of memories for me today good ones except for this actual day. 3 years now since I was left to carry on on my own. Miss him every day <3 <3 <3

I'm pleased your ferns did'nt get the crew cut Vera. Make sure when he realises he did'nt cut them back you're in so you can keep an eye on him. Hope you get to sleep ok tonight.

I hav'nt felt hungry this evening so I may just have a bowl of cornflakes that should keep the hunger pains away.

Pc says its 11 degrees but it feels much colder than that. It strange weather we are having lately.

Laughed at Mr. Hackett ............

Evening all

Not a bad day for weather today. It's been a bit chilly but it stayed dry with a mixture of sunshine and cloud. I did the Big Garden Bird Watch and I think you're right AnnG. The birds are deliberately staying out of sight. I did log several but not as many of anything as we usually get. The biggest surprise was that there wasn't a single pigeon or collared dove and there are usually plenty. I'm usually moaning about the mess they make. They group under the bird feeders and wait for the little birds to drop bits. I'll put my results in as the RSPB need to know what doesn't appear as well as what does.

Mr Crewcut didn't get as far as the ferns yesterday as he got distracted by the epimediums. I don't mind that as you are supposed to cut them back mid-February so he's only a week or two early. We've got 2 big patches and by the time he had done those he had probably forgotten the ferns.

Ann, I hope your OH gets on well at his eye appointment tomorrow and whatever the optician saw isn't too serious.

It's nice to know Skinny is still around AnnG. I think we're all getting quite attached to him. I often wonder if Jane's Thomas is still around. That cat was such a character and could have been the twin of my old Molly. They were both hunters and both prone to leave half a rabbit lying around.

Your dinner sounds good Mel. We do like a Sunday roast though I must admit I am not a great fan of roast beef though OH likes it so we probably have it every 4-6 weeks. We had lamb shanks today with lots of veg. I surprised myself by managing to eat all my shank. Lamb is my favourite but I'm not a big meat eater though I do enjoy my veg. I did a fruit salad with cream to follow.

I'm glad your eye test was OK Mandy. That'll be 3 of us with new glasses now. I hope you don't have to wait too long for your cataracts to be done. 3 months doesn't sound bad; I am sure it's much longer than that round here. The optician has been telling me for 4 or 5 years now that mine are the slow growing sort and still aren't ready to be done. I just wish they would get a move on and grow a bit quicker. Perhaps I should try a squirt of Miracle-Gro in each eye, lol.

My cousin rang a short while ago to tell me her husband died in December. He had been in a home for over a year and was quite poorly so it wasn't unexpected but it is still a shock when it happens. Sadly, as we get older it happens more and more frequently.

I have been quite droopy all day as I had a dreadful night. For some reason I just couldn't sleep and eventually at 5 am I got up and made myself some hot milk and took a tablet with it. I went back to bed just before 6 and slept till about 9.30 but I've felt out of sorts all day. I'm also struggling to get warm. The heating is on as normal and I am wearing several layers but I've also had to put my warm dressing gown over the top and I'm still a bit chilly while my hands are frozen. Well, things could be worse - I'm still here to tell the tale so onwards and upwards.

I hope you are all free of aches and pains and all get a good sleep tonight.

Afternoon All,

The PC says it's 10 degrees here just now, but it seems colder, even without any breeze. It was sunny earlier, but still didn't feel any warmer.

I get my specs a week tomorrow Mandy, which seems quicker than in the past. I don't think they are as busy as before the pandemic probably because some people are managing longer with their old glasses due to the cost, especially just after Christmas. One of my eyes is worse than the other, but they didn't say whether my cataracts were any worse.

I'm glad Skinny has turned up to say hello AnnG and it's good to know he is ok. I expect he has been watching the changes in your garden from a safe distance, but came to see if you were back once it was quiet again. When a previous neighbour across the road from us had her back garden massively changed, the 3 cats decamped to the top of our shed and arbour to sunbathe in the daytime where it was less noisy. The 'buildings' subject for your group this time was a good one as there are so many interesting buildings once you look closely. That's one of the things I like about photography and painting.......it makes you look more closely at everything.

I'm glad you are beginning to feel better Vera, but I had a chuckle at Mr Crewcut with the secateurs! :-) I think his brother, Mr Hackett, lives here as he has no finesse with the secateurs. lol.

I look forward to seeing BIL's photos of your LTT's Mel. I think they are one of my favourite birds. It sounds like he is limbering up for the mowing season now and has made a start before the grass gets longer and harder to mow. It's good your washer is nice and steady now as well. Edit, you posted before me and I see you had a lovely roast dinner at your neighbour's. How nice not to have to cook too!

I shall do the chicken thigh casserole with the addition of mustard and horseradish sauce again as OH described it as delicious. The slow cooker is a boon with being able to throw everything in and leave it a few hours.

While OH was out yesterday, someone drove into his space on our drive then turned right fully onto the gravel area under our windows leaving deep tyre marks. There is plenty of room on the drive where OH parks to reverse up to turn round without going on the gravel at all, not that they should even be driving up our drive. A huge DPD van reversed up our drive behind my car to turn round last week so it looks like we'll have to stop this somehow when we change the front garden. It was a big van doing the same that knocked the corner of our neighbour's wall down last summer. They can park on the wider road 70 feet away, but it seems they won't walk the extra distance.

An early start here tomorrow as they are fetching OH's car to be repaired for the 2nd time. Not sure whether the courtesy car will be the same and automatic. Neither of us have driven one before, so it should be interesting!

That was nice Mel. no cooking for you this evening then. Meal sounds lovely.

Back from my neighbours where I had a beautiful roast dinner of beef, carrots, parsnips, broccoli amd a big yorkshire pud followed by profiterrolls. Took up a bottle of wine which went down very well with Hazel but Jonathon had a french red for Christmas and he had that.

Have to go and corn the chickens now.

Afternoon all,
Nice sunny day but cold, it was frosty again first thing but not as white out as yesterday.

Anng Skinny probably heard the men working about in the garden the other day and came to see what they were doing to his second home lol you'll have to be careful you don't shut him in the shed .
We had one of next door neighbours cats go into our shed a few years ago,she had said she couldn't find him could we check our shed we didn't know he had gone in but our dog Toby knew he was in there he started sniffing ,so I call the neighbour and said I think he's in here come tound and call him out as Toby had scared him .

Oh dear Vera I said you need to hide those secateurs from Mr Crewcut :-) how bad is it do you think they will servive lol

Ann shame you missed getting to the Regatta shop before it closed down .
Yes eye test went OK get my new glasses next week but he did say my eyes had deteriated and my cataracts had got worse ,he said there's a three month wait for cataracts .