General Chat

Morning all

Cloudy and cold here, I'm pleased OH cut the lawns yesterday, just incase it rains today. They look so much better once they've been cut and the edges tidied up. All my Tulips are flowering now, they look so nice dotted about the two borders. My tooth isn't so sore so far today, but I'll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse I'll pop back to the dentist and see what she has to say. OH said he thinks he's starting with an abscess now, luckily he has a check up with the dentist today so he'll have it checked out.

I'm so pleased your washing machine fit into the space and you didn't need a plumber after all AnnG, I bet that was a relief.

Yes, we thought anyone of the builders could of had a key cut Mel. We're just hoping there isn't another fire, although we don't think anyone would be so daft as to do the same thing twice, the police would definitely want to look into it then. Your flowers sound really nice, I love this time of year when everything's coming into flower. We noticed the other day that our apple tree is starting to get lots of buds on it, so we're hoping we have some apples this year, it didn't do much last year after we re-planted it into a larger pot, so we're pleased it's come back and not died. We've also noticed the plum tree has lots of blossom on it, we bought it almost 8 years ago and have never had any fruit off it yet. We were told it can take up to 7 years to produce fruit. We got one very small plum last year which got blown off in the wind, so hopefully this year we'll have more on it.

Thanks for letting me know about the meds I can take for migraines Ann. I only seem to get them when I'm under stress and with everything that's been going on lately it's no wonder I've had so many of them. I've noticed when the workmen aren't here I'm fine. I do try to ignore them next door but with the fire and it being so scary I ended up with one migraine after another for a few days. I'm okay now, so that's good. I didn't know you could have migraines without pain, it must of been scary for you having to go to hospital, thinking you'd had a stroke.
It sounds like you've been very busy in your garden. We have a few things to do but I'm just not in the mood at the moment. I'm sure once the weather improves and it's a bit warmer they'll be no stopping me.

I wish we could clean all our windows Jane, but it's not worth it with all the dust around. Your's sound lovely and clean now, I hope your hip held up and it's not hurting again. So Thomas is on the hunt again, good idea not to put wet food out, I found when we had cats the food smelt especially if it was hot and they wouldn't eat it. My mum used to put a small amount out then the rest of the pouch when the cat was ready, she doesn't have cats anymore but there are a few strays that she gives dried food to. She said it's great feeding them as she has the fun of cuddling them without the vet bills lol as they're not her cats. Best of both worlds that way ;-)

The new owner has just turned up so OH has nipped round to see what's going on and if the workmen are going to come back. Apart from one workmen the other day putting the rubbish in the skip, we haven't seen anyone here. OH put a new bulb in our outside security light yesterday so that's up and running again and will shine on next doors drive as well as ours if anyone walks down them at night. I really hope the workmen come back soon as the jobs have gone on long enough, without anymore delays happening. All the neighbours, including us, are getting really fed up of it now and just want it finished.

Morning Gill and all,

Another sunny morning here and I think we are getting spoilt with all this light and blue sky. There are a few big white clouds but only a few.

Slept like log last night. I went to bed at five past twelve and got up once for the bathroom and then woke at twenty five past nine. I must have needed it. I shall have to try and go to bed earlier with the approaching spring forward of the clocks or I shall lose all my daytime.

Morning Mel, gill and all


We are obeying instructions and running the new machine empty at 60. Thinking of all the power it is using for no washing :-(

We are just about to go out to local shops, need to change a dentist appointment and make an opticians one, get the paper and have a coffee at the hub. It will be noisy, it is baby day in the coffee shop.

Then, when we come back I have to catch up with the washing if all has gone well with this first run of the machine (no leaks etc).

Good morning to you all,

So the washing machine is going to take a bashing now AnneG. How longed your last one last ??

Gill, I am at a complete loss that the police haven't looked into the fire. IT WAS ARSON after all said and done, and someone should be bought to book over it.

Mel, they are big tanks you have to hold that amount of petrol. How many litres/gallons was in them. I still talk old money !! lol lol

So spring rabbit is on the menu for Thomas Jane, ;-) ;-) ;-) I suppose it's like us humans with our SPRING LAMB. Thinking about cats, when I lived on Barton Road, we had a cat called "Mitzi" she got pregnant and made her birthing place in the bottom of MY WARDROBE. When she had had the kittens, I moved her bed down into the kitchen, with the babies in situ. She was right behind me, and as I put the bed down she picked up a kitten. and went straight back to the bedroom. I had no option but to carry her bed, and kittens, back up stairs and put them back. They stated there until they were ready to leave their "HOME" I often think about her, and that episode.

Nothing sort of day here again, lots of cloud. Not been out yet, so don't know if it's cold.

I will try to get some seeds in today. Ros dug up loads of Snowdrops yesterday and Martines called over and picked them up. We have so many, they seem to multiply every year. I will offer them to anyone in the village who would like to come and dig them up. We just haven't got room for them, and all Ros's other plants and shrubs.

We offered a little help to Simon towards the cost of his Gearbox, but he refused.

I think I will have a coffee, then get down the garden for an hour or so. Take care xxx

Morning All
Cloudy morning here and not a sign of any sun.I just have Bath Mats to hang out today.
Fingers crossed you can get your washing in when you get back later AnnG.
That was quite an early night for you Mel !. I was asleep before Vera even finished!!

Glad your tooth is ok so far this morning Gill and I do hope OH hasnt developed an Abscess now.

I am just off to Rushden Lakes to take back one pair of the trousers I got on Sunday.I just dont think they suit me. I hope I can get out of the drive as there are Temporary traffic a few doors along again :-S

No abscess on OH's tooth Jane, he's just got back from the dentist and told me she said he had sensitive teeth, he has to go back next week and have some x-rays and he also needs a six teeth taking out. That'll teach us not to go to the dentist more regularly, we have both suffered with our teeth lately. I gave my teeth and gum a good brush this morning and it feels much better now, although still a bit sore, OH thinks it might be bruising from when it was lanced, I think he might be right as there is no swelling, but I'll still keep an eye on it just in case. No workmen next door and no headache for me.......I'm one happy lady right now.

The new neighbour did say the workmen will be here tomorrow setting up the wiring for the security camera, OH told him about replacing the bulb in our security light which he seemed pleased about. The neighbour bought a cheap shed, (didn't listen to us when we told him the best place to buy one) and now he's having to strengthen it as the roof is only made of hardboard which is very flimsy. At this rate he'll of spent the same amount on wood to strengthen it as it would of been if he'd bought a decent shed in the first place. I can see he's one of those men who just doesn't listen to advice. Oh well, maybe he'll learnt to listen in the future as he's the only one to suffer isn't he?

That was a cute story about Mitzi Frank, she certainly told you didn't she? So your wardrobe ended up a home for a while for the little kittens and their mum. She must of felt safer there. Nice of you to offer some money towards the gear box, I'm sure Simon appreciated it even if he said it wasn't necessary. I wished I lived closer to you, I'd of loved some of your snowdrops. We only have a few as they were only planted last year, but hopefully in time they'll spread along the border.

We had to do a wash with no clothes in AnnG when we bought our new washing machine, it does seem like a waste of electric and water, but it has to be done doesn't it? I hope there are no leaks and you can do all your washing today. Hope it wasn't to noisy at the hub when you went for your coffee.

It sounds like you had a great nights sleep Mel, like you said you must of needed it. We have lots of sun now but it's still quite cold, so I'm not going to make a start on the gardening today. Sandra wants to watch Masterchef I recorded last night and a few more films as they're mounting up, so that's our day sorted. I don't mind as the planner is becoming quite full, so we need to clear some space on there and OH is feeling uncomfortable with his sensitive teeth so doesn't feel like doing anything today. Well, I'd better go as they are waiting for me.

Gill it sounds like your oh is going to go through what I did having that many teeth out. Will he have to have a plate?

I looked in the washing bin to put a load in the machine and there was only a few bits to do and a boil wash which I like to do over night as it takes my machine two hours something. I took the thin quilt thing off our bed this morning and I have that washing now. Its the thing oh lays on when he has his forty winks and it protects the bedding from the bits of grass he has on him etc.

Oh is out taking down the old chicken run fencing to start cleaning it up and digging it over with the digger then he will seed it so it will look much better than the bald mud patch it is now. I shall have to make him a coffee.

One of the last cats I had in Suffolk had her kittens under the dining room chair IN my sons jacket which she had pulled off the back of the chair. I did move her and the kittens to the bathroom in her bed in Martin's jacket and then took it away a few days later. She was ok with that and then I had to wash the jacket so he had it back again.
The kittens were sold in the pet shop we had at the time and the cat came down here to Devon with us with her brother Pudwood who was ginger. She was white with tabby patches and her name was Pusswoose.

Well the wash/clean went ok and I now have a wash in, actually it is due to come out soon I think as the programme I chose told me it would only take 57 minutes. It is a steep learning curve with new appliances isn't it.
Frank our Hotpoint, which was very good and gave us not trouble until last week was just under 9 years old. Can't complain at that.

Jane what style were the trousers you felt didn't suit you? I am not very tall 5 foot tw+ a bit (very important that nit) and very wide legged trousers don't suit me. My favourites are boot leg but straight leg is fine also. Although I am not tall my legs are fairly long in proportion so I usually buy M&S regular as short are too short. However long ankle grazers are ok for me as full trousers.

Gill As somebody who has very sensitive teeth I sympathise with your OH. A tip we have been given is use toothpaste for sensitive teeth (e.g. Sensodyne) and leave the toothpaste on the teeth, don't rinse. Glad it is not an abcess anyway.
How old are the new neighbours?

Mel we have sun and clouds here, a bit fresh but very pleasant. However my OH has seen that next week it is going to be cold again so we shouldn't be putting any young plants out yet. :-) :-S

Well, here sits one very KNACKERED old man !!! I did as I said I would. I also put in a dozen Garlic plants, two rows beetroot,Lettuce, Spring Onion and Carrots. Watered them all in, I cleaned the bird baths, and refilled them, watered all the pots around the pond. I also filled all the trays in the greenhouse,where Ros has her Plug Plants.

I am now going to have a nice lazy shower. (wish it was a bath). Get dressed and sit and read my book. Ros will put the pastry on the leek pie later, I have done the potatoes.

Ros does like to make work for herself. She mentioned to Carol down the road about all the Snow Drops. "May I have some please" she said. I will put them on David's grave. So silly Ros is out there, digging up snow drops for her. I said she should have told her to come and dig them up. OH NO I don't want people digging around in the garden.

Glad the washing machine is all up and running AnnG. I suppose Nine years is a good life for any W.M. So you did well. I'm not sure how old ours is. ??

Mel, It's so lovely to be able to look back on your pets lives. We often talk about our little poodles which we had for many years, and our two cats. Both of which died of old age. If you remember MY MATE died in my arms a fews years ago. I have been tempted to get another pet, but at my age, I don't think it would be fair to the animal.

Gill, I would think you and OH have learnt your lesson about going to the dentist. I was very lucky, even though I didn't go regular, whenever I had a dodgy tooth I would ring the dentist up the road, from where I worked and he would fit me in, to remove it. The rest I pulled out myself.

I bet everybody will be pleased to see the back of the builders and their mess. I don't think from what you have seen, you will be letting them do any work for you. lol lol

Did you get your news trousers Jane, what colour are they ??

Where's Annx today and Mandy, ?? I bet Annx is having lunch somewhere, and Mandy shopping in Norwich.

Going to get another coffee, then my shower. See you later. xxx

YOu have been busy Frank ad deserve an nice restful afternoon after that shower.
Mel Chris always seems to bring half the blooming garden in with him :-S I am forever hoovering up bits of leaves and grass especially in the bedroom on his side of the bed where he strips off. Then he tries to say it is NOT HIM !!!!!. :-D
I have just hoovered the bathroom floors and gone over them with floor wipes. Honestly the amount of hair and what I assume is old skin is pretty gross. Chris is a very hairy person so when he dries off after a shower he must rub so much hair of his body. Maybe I should suggest he waxes LOL

The trousers I took back were loose linen but like you Ann I am just a teeny bit smaller at 5ft 1..I used to be 5ft 2 and a bit :-D..So I am shrinking :-(.. There was just far too material at the back of these trousers around the bottom and thighs.I felt like I was in full sail. A lot of the trousers I have are those loose pull on jogger type which are patterned .Then I have Jeggings which are narrow legged and tighter around the ankle.I got the loose jogger type today which are black and a light coffee kind of colour. Cropped trousers are full length on me too :-D. I think most of us girls are shorties here. My nickname sometimes at school was Titch.(which I hated)

Talking of where cats have their Kittens. Fitz's Mums cat Bella had her 4 kittens underneath a tall cupboard in her bathroom. To actually see her and her babies I had to get down on the floor on my tummy and peer underneath with a torch.It was quite a job. The Kittens were beautiful as all kittens are. 3 were rehomed and Fitz had Podge.sadly no longer here.
Many moons ago when I was a driver for a Vet someone brought in a new born kitten they found on a dump. Its eyes were still closed :-(. I said I would look after it and it came everywhere with me in the van each day so I could feed it with a dropper hourly.
It gradually got stronger and my Nana fell in love with it and called it Kinky (as he had a little kink in his tail.So she had Kinky for a while before he became too much and we found another home for him. Nana was getting on for 90 I think then.She was heartbroken when he went but knew it was for the best.
One of our cats was also called Bella(like Fitz's Mums) and Nana would give Bella a little All Bran and milk every morning when she had hers! . I dont think Bella was ever constipated :-D :-D
I have just looked at the time and see it is 5 already. I dont know where today has gone.
I must remember to get buckets out and fill with water again tonight as we have been told water will be off from 11 until 6 tomorrow morning.I will put one bucket by each loo. So 1 downstairs and 2 up .The kettle will be filled before bed and I will also fill a big saucepan or 2 as it is likely the water will not be fit for drinking at first when it comes back on.

FRank it is just Leeks in your pie or do you have other things in it too? I would not be able to eat it as leeks and me do not agree :-S
You were lucky Mitzi survived when you lived on Barton Rd with all the traffic.Although I suppose back then it was so much quieter as there was no traffic coming and going from the A14 .We were never going to have another cat here as I had seen too many killed .One of my neighbours cats Zebidi was hit and killed outside our place and we had to keep it in a box until its owner was home from work and he had to come and collect him :-( Another cat (our next door neighbours ) we found dead outside out front door :-(. We think he had eaten poison.Once again we had to keep him in a box for a while.I always worry about Thomas with traffic as you just never know.Casper the lovely big curly coated retriever from the other side was also killed by a car . But he should never have been out.He was left all day in the back garden while his owners were at work and he was always getting out.I lost count of the number of times I found him right up near Barton Road and would pop him in the car and bring him home again. He spent many hours with us when he ecaped .He was just lonely and wanted company .If we hadn't have had our cat Solo then we would have offered just to keep him.He was such a lovely boy. So that is my news about cats ,kittens and dogs :-D
There is a Fox now at night usually around 3 am that wakes me up with its screaming /bark. :-S Is it the mating season for Foxes?

I am glad your tooth is settling now Gill and also glad OH doesn't have an abscess. But shame about him maybe havign to have 6 teeth out. Chris has sensitive teeth.I am sure the Dentist said to use Sensodyne on a dry brush and not to swill. I would have thought teeth would feel horrible with being coated in toothpaste . Maybe nightime is best to do that .

Must get a move on and do something about dinner now. James is back from London but has goen to help his friend again on the house so there is no rush to get food actually ready just yet.

Evening all,

Goodness if you miss a couple of days there's so many posts to catch up on .

No i haven't been to Norwich Frank :-D but it was mentioned when DIL was here yesterday ,i think it will be after the Easter holidays now when we will go .

So the washing machine fitted in ok AnnG that was good ,now you just have to get use to the programmes on it ,i find i only use about three of the options ,i use the quick wash which can be a 30 or 40 wash a boil wash and the 60 wash oh and some times the drain and spin if i've hand washed some thing .

I see birthdays and address's have been mentioned so i'll PM mine to you AnnG and Vera

You've been busy today Frank you'll sleep like a log tonight with all that fresh air :-D i hope you don't suffer for it tomorrow .

Mel hope the girls still happy in their new house and your getting more eggs .
You did well to get the lovely photo of the Tits .

We did our weekly shop this morning ,i thought i didn't have that much on the list but we still managed to fill several bags .

I have finished the unicorn doll so will send a photo ,i don't think i have your email address AnnG and Vera perhaps you could let me have yours if you would like to see it :-)

Goosh Jane that was a long post.
I have been in the garden all afternoon as oh said its not going to be nice at the weekend. I have cut down the clematis over the arch with the seat under it in the orchard and had a lot of the long ivy off one of the apple trees. First I go the loonnnggg pole cutter thing and finally got those branches out of my American Mother apple tree. They have been in there from when that apple tree fell down over a year ago possibley two. Well they are on the bonfire now. I emptied two barrow loads of stuff over the bonfire outside the wall way past the chicken run and have a flat tyre on the plastic barrow and the tyres perished so that needs a new wheel.

Oh has dug over the old run after taking all the poles out and removed all the wire and moved the old chicken house to near the workshop. I took apart the hanging baskets feeder and redid the chain on it and its now hanging in the new run from one of the crossbars. I don't have to worry about the tripod it was hanging on before blowing over now. I just hope if we get a strong wind it dos'nt hit one of the girls on the head!! :-0

Lamb in pitta bread for us tonight with a nice lot of salad and sweet chilli dipping sauce. Nice and easy.

I am now going to go and wash my hair as I have the doc appointment tomorrow afternoon for a blood pressure check and pill review.

Love the Unicorn Doll Mandy :-D.. Did you make the twisty hair bits too? I see Colin's mug is from all the children :-D :-D That must have been a lovely present.

Chris is just filling the buckets before we forget.

I think I must have had verbal diarrhoea there Mel !!!!!. I did think I had waffled on a bit long :-D

Yes i crocheted the twisty bits Jane ,Katie found the pattern and asked if would make it for her ,it went to school today with her so she could show her teacher .
I'm now doing another for Lacey .

Yes that's Colins mug they bought him for Fathers day ,i have to remember not to put it in the dish washer in case it spoils the photo's on it . :-D

It's not until you have the water turned off and you have to fill buckets that you realise how much water you use .

Your Unicorn Doll is brilliant Mandy, that must of took you a while to do.

You've been very busy Frank, lots of food for the coming year for you and Ros. I'm not surprised you were tired, I bet you'll sleep well tonight. Yes, we've all had enough of the builders and no I doubt any of us would have them work on our properties.

The dentist did suggested to OH toothpaste for sensitive teeth Jane, so that'll be put on the shopping list. OH didn't mention that he couldn't rinse it off though, I should imagine that wouldn't be very nice, but if it works it's better than toothache. He's going back to the dentist a week tomorrow for the x-rays.

I'd say the new neighbours are in their late 50's AnnG, so not much older than us. He's been next door today trying to sort out the roof of his new shed, he bought a cheap one and the side of the roof is sagging, he's only had it about six weeks. OH said he noticed some battens on the drive in front of the skip when he nipped out before and when he came back they were gone. I thought I heard some wood being sawn inside the bungalow, I should imagine he'll be back tomorrow attaching it to the roof,, unless he's building a new roof. Pleased to hear there were no leaks with your washing machine and it's all up and running okay now.

Hope all goes well at your blood pressure test tomorrow Mel. Does your OH ever stop, he's always busy isn't he? He sounds like my OH once he gets into something he just keeps going until it's finished. It sounds like you've been busy to.

Evening All,

Another nice day and more busy bees on here. :-)

Mandy I thought the doll you have made is really special! The hair and tail are so good in those little coils you have made and the eyes really set it off........I think someone is going to be so thrilled when they see it!!

Mel you have been having a real blitz on your garden. I see you are like me and tackling some things that just didn't get done last year. I was having a moan yesterday about how the garden really needed some work and that it was a struggle with my knees and OH must have had a guilty conscience as he said to tell him what needed removing today and brought a notepad with him around the garden!! This was after he had been around and weeded some of the back garden this morning. The cats have ruined/killed the rest of my Hebes so I'm not putting any more in. There must be about 2 dozen shrubs gone now with those I have replaced so over £150 worth. It's a shame as they were all evergreen and nice and tidy and compact.

Frank those barge gearboxes don't come cheap do they? It was nice of you to offer to contribute but If I had been him I would have refused your offer too. I bet he was very appreciative though. If I lived nearer I would have liked some Snowdrops too. They are one of my favourite flowers. You certainly got cracking today and are probably ahead of Monty Don with your seed sowing now!! LOL. I loved those sculptures Jane kindly forwarded.

Jane I hope all that window cleaning didn't set your hip off today. I have some that need a good clean inside. Some have 'fogged' though so I must ring someone to replace them.

Yes it was scary thinking I may have had a stroke Gill..........they stopped me driving till I'd been checked out too!! The toothpaste for sensitive teeth works far better than you could imagine Gill, so your OH should find it really good. I have used it for years, but use a Macleans one now......I think it's Macleans! I use it morning and night and don't have any trouble now.

OH is calling so I'd better join him to watch some recordings.

Good Evening everyone.

Loved the unicorn doll Mandy you are so clever in making things they are very lucky girls.

Our dentists also recommends Sensodyne tooth paste and they give away free samples. They say as well no rinsing after brushing like yours do Jane and to use an electric toothbrush..

Everyone has been very busy this last couple of days I have been pottering in the garden and the usual chores in doors. Had a light perm today just to give my hair a boost, I have it done at home as my friend another Mandy is a mobile hairdresser.

Just starting to watch tonight's episode of Mother,Father Son.

Love the doll !mandy, you are very talented.

The toothpaste is fine if not rinsed if you use a peppermint flavoured one.

There were a lot of posts to catch up with. I can’t remember who asked but I usually stick to one or two programmes on the washing machine, plus maybe rinse and spin with hand wash.

Lots of gardening being done today. While I was washing and making cards, OH was busy in the garden sorting his Dahlia corms that have over wintered

Evening everyone
Lots of long posts to catch up on today but this won't be very long as today has been very hectic and I feel whacked.

Gill, glad your OH hasn't got an abscess but sorry he has to have so many teeth out. I have used Sensodyne for years and find it very good but I don't know how you all manage without rinsing the mouth out as I always have a mouthful of foamy toothpaste to get rid of.

Mandy, I love the unicorn and am sooo impressed by all you talented people.

Frank, I would love to know how you make your leek pie. I use leeks quite a lot and am always looking for something new to have for a change. I had a cat called Mitzi as well and was very upset when we lost her a couple of years ago. Her sister Molly had died a year or so earlier. We didn't get another pet either for various reasons but I do miss having an animal around.

AnnG, I'm glad you've got your new washing machine and IT FITS the space.

I'm going to have half an hour with my book and then go for an early night. I might not be looking in for a couple of days as we have a funeral to go to tomorrow and on Friday my brother is having his fourth serious operation in less than two years so I shall be sitting with my phone waiting for texts and calls from his partner.

Vera Best wishes to your brother for his op. Hope all goes well for him. Hope too the funeral goes as well as can be expected. Speak soon.