General Chat

How's the new dog getting on Jane we hav'nt heard anything about him lately?

We have just been to Timpsons to see about a car key for my car to replace the one that broke but without the remote fob. We had to order it (Timpsons) and it will be £69 apparently there is an immobilising chip buried in the head of the key and the key has to be programmed with the car.

Vera that was a nuisance and Not very nice as you could obviously see he was going to hit you. sounds as if he was ok about accepting responsibility. OH was once driving my car, with me in it in a Morrisons car park, he had started to back out when a woman suddenly backed out from diagonally opposite behind us and hit my car, Luckily where she hit was hardly a scratch on mine and I couldn't see anything on hers. She leapt out and accused OH of being at fault. He asked for her details and gave her ours she was wittering on about her husband would be furious with us. However we never heard any more and I got the impression she was maybe not supposed to be driving her OH's car and as there was no mark she probably didn't tell him. We had a black merc for about 8 years but never had a knock in it by us or anyone else. We have a light coloured car now, supposed to be blue but to everyone it looks off white.

Dry here so far but quite dull and warm, but not too hot out. 23 degrees.

Better go and get something to eat.

Afternoon all, I won't say good, as it isn't this end. My body feels that it is about to give up. I was awake most of the night clock watching. When I got up, I had a job to walk. My legs feel like JELLY. Thank goodness I am using my stick, or I could see myself on my back.

Ros wanted to do the dinner preparation, but being me I refused. saying "IT'S MY JOB" She had bought a bag of Cornish new potato's that didn't need scraping, so that was a bonus. Against my better judgement I went down and dug some baby carrots, while there I noticed a lot of Runners were ready for picking. So I did that while down there. I had already done the veg. so didn't use them.

You mentioned Whitechapel Hospital Vera. That has so many memories for me. It's where my dear old dad was for many months, dying with Cancer. I spent more time at his bedside than I did at home. I worked in Leadenhall Street, so was only a few minutes to the hospital. Some evenings, I would sit with him all night and go home at 5.00 am to wash and change, and go back to work for 9.30 am. I hope your brother gets discharged later today. I won't say "THANKS FOR THE MEMORY" He would have been 131 on 22nd August. Sorry folks. !!!

Stocking less then Jane, I bet the freedom is smashing. Sorry to hear about James. If I remember right, wasn't this a temporary JOB in the beginning.?? !! I am sure he has gained a lot of experience, which should give him help in finding another position. I didn't know he was back with JESS. You never mentioned it. !!!!

It was my intention to reset the steps on the back of the conservatory today, but that is on the back burner. Perhaps tomorrow. I haven't heard from Ringo, so perhaps he's not interested, is doing the job. We asked Harvey up for dinner today, but he still has this raging toothache, and won't see the dentist until Tuesday. I told him to go the the A & E but he won't.

Ros is doing all the pots down the drive de=heading and sorting them out. My, she does love her pots and baskets and garden. I have been asking if she needs a drink, and the answer is always the same. NO. I can't bend over doing these jobs, if I have had a hot drink. :-( :-( :-(

I'm off now, but hope you are all well and coping with this humid weather. xxxx

Suns out here nw and its is quite hot.

sorry you had a bad night Frank lets hope you sleep better tonight.

Watching the race.

Afternoon all

Bright and sunny,I've only just sat down after working in the garden for hours. I'm absolutely shattered now but at least some of the weeds have gone now. OH is weeding the front garden as I've had enough for today. I have a sore foot, probably from climbing ladders for days so I want to rest it.

Don't tell me who won the race Mel I'm watching the highlights later. I don't subscribe to the right channel on Sky so have to wait until 7pm tonight to watch it on channel 4.

It sounds like Ros is as busy as I was in the garden Frank, at least the weather is good, much better than raining when you can't really do anything. Sorry to hear you had a bad nights sleep.

Well, Sandra loved her light up Flamingos and lay in bed looking at them until she fell asleep. I'm surprised she could sleep the lights were that bright. Not sure if they'll be as bright tonight with only being charged for one day instead of almost a week, but we'll see tonight.

I've got 15 messages to read so I'll go and read them now, then I might take a look at OH's tree. I haven't looked at it this week, apart from, I think, Monday.

Glad Sandra loved the Flamingos :-D :-D It sounds like it was Blackpool illuminations in her bedroom :-D
Frank, I hope you are feeling less wibbly wobbly now. I see you were being a stubborn so and so insisting you did all the prep for dinner .

James's job was a permanant one Frank.He has been there for over 5 years. As to him and Jess they are still 'working' things out. I just cant see where it is going :-S.He knows our views and it is hard not to interfere. He has enough on his plate right now without agro from us.

Mel, Jorge has separation anxiety trouble when he is left.He has become very attached to Janice .But they are doing all they can to try and remedy the problem .It isn't an easy thing. Other than that he is a happy dog. Loves nothing more than his walks and digging holes in the lawn !!.
It is a really dark here and it is raining a bit.
Both Chris and I had a snooze this afternon .Most unusual for me to have one.

Tomorrow morning it is a trip to get the rest of my prescription ,bit of shopping in Sainsbury (we really need loo rolls) . Chris has the Opticians in the afternoon and then might have to collect James from work in the evening as his car will be in the garage. He is going to drive it to work(fingers crossed he doesn't break down) and take it to the gargage near his workplace.

Best start getting dinner on the go now.

Did I just saying it was raining a bit !!!! Its a deluge now :-S

AnnG how long will you have to wait for your new car key? Is £69 expensive ? I seem to recall some years ago having to have a new one for my car and with all this programming thingy it would have cost £140... I didnt bother. :-)

Oh my I have just see nthe news about the little boy being thrown off the top of the Tate Modern by a 17year old :-( :-( What on earth possessed him to do something so terrible.

Evening All,

Phew, it's been too hot and humid for me the past two days! It's 25 degrees here in the study now. Still, we've just had a thunderstorm with heavy rain so that might cool it down a bit. I wasn't very well yesterday and lay on the bed in the afternoon after OH had left for footie and was still there when he got back. I'd had a bit of a sore throat for a day or two but thought it was hay fever as my eyes were itchy too, but I felt sickly and shaky yesterday. I woke up about 6 times in the night and slept propped up, but now feel much better today. :-) OH dug out the roots of the last shrub we had got rid of in the back garden this morning, so I went out and did a bit of cutting back while it was cooler.

We didn't fancy going out for lunch with the noisy children running in and out where we usually go, so I baked some frozen haddock out of the freezer in foil and we had it with potato, swede, cabbage, carrot, the first picking of the runners and a parsley sauce (packet one!)

Glad you managed to see your brother and that he is doing well Vera and will soon be home. What a shame that person reversed into your car. OH had someone back out opposite him and into him when he was already backed out once. He reckons some people leave their car sense behind when they go in car parks! It's lucky there are no dents though, but it's still an inconvenience sorting it out. My car is white so probably wouldn't show up in SNOW! lol. After having a white car once before, I vowed I wouldn't have another as it took bleach to get the rough surfaced bumpers white again. Then with this car, I thought it looked best in white, so that's what I got. Some colours would definitely put me off buying a car.

Well Gill, you have my head spinning with the week you have had. :-) I see you managed to sort the Flamingos for Sandra, so she is happy now. You must try and slow down a little as you do far more than most of us could manage as it is you know and working outside in so much sun can be a trigger for migraines. We are getting more bark chippings this week to put on another of the borders as they have stopped most of the weeds growing in another border we did.

The young Magpies are being a nuisance lately. I had to shoo 4 away this morning as they were on the slate chippings pulling out the House Leeks that have been there a few years, also the rock plants that scramble prettily between the rocks......well they did scramble till they swooped down! :-S They are always on the conservatory roof pulling at the artificial lead that seals it to the bungalow wall. If the man who replaced the gutters hadn't nailed it in place it would be ripped off again by now. Still, at least they haven't been trying to pull the rubbers off the car wiper blades this year ....YET!! :-S On the subject of birds, does anyone know which bird makes a sound that sounds like 'chewit, chewit?' I've not heard it before and I'm blowed if I can spot it anywhere.

So what James expected with his job has happened then Jane. At least with him not being happy there recently it isn't as bad as if he loved it. He isn't a failure, will have learned a lot of skills the past few years and should see his sister's success as motivation to find the right opportunities for himself. They are out there somewhere! It hasn't been a good year for him at all and fingers crossed hopefully at least his car will be sorted tomorrow. So goodbye stockings!! :-D :-D Did you and Fitz have a ceremonial unveiling of your white legs? :-D I think I would have had trouble keeping them on as long as you have.

That was lucky your neighbour helped over the broken key AnnG. I don't know what we would have done. Maybe we should carry our spare keys when we go out, just in case. :-0

Just mind how you go Frank and it's good you are using your stick. Be careful with that step till it's fixed. You have enough bumps and bruises without any more! Poor Harvey, I hate toothache. It's a long time to be in pain till Tuesday if painkillers aren't working. :-S

Evening all,

It's been a very muggy day here with lots of sun ,i sat out this afternoon doing some crochet and didn't know how to keep my eyes open but i didn't go to sleep or i might not sleep tonight .
This morning i went with DIL to get school shoes for Katie and Lacey ,Lacey was good she knew which she liked she tried on two pairs and had the first ones she tried on with a cross over strap .
Katie is a fuss pot ,didn't like those didn't like those ,in the end she picked some nice ones like little Brogues ,both were Hush Puppies .

Gill it's nice to see you back and it sounds as if you have had quite a time of it with one thing and another ,i hope this week will be a better week for you .
i bet Sandra loved her new lights and it was good you managed to get them sorted out for her in the end .

Oh Jane sorry to hear James is being made redundant ,i know he wasn't that happy there at times and had been looking about for another job but it's still a blow to loose your job , fingers crossed he can find some thing else soon .

Son has finished at the school as that job was just a temporary one ,he really enjoyed the job and with a bit of luck they will take him back on as the main caretaker is not very organised and has a lot of time off .

AnnG that doesn't sound a bad price for the key ,when Colin had his van he had a new key programmed and it was well over a hundred pound .

Oh no Vera you talked that one up !! i hope there's not to much that needs doing to your car .

Sounds like you've had a bit of a bug Ann ,hopefully you'll have a better nights sleep tonight .

Frank i hope you have a better nights sleep tonight ,don't try and do those steps i'm sure you could find some one to do them for you , could you ask in the pub when you go ? there might be some one there who knows some one who would do them for you .

Just finished watching the F1 and was pleased with the results. It's gone really dark here so I think it's going to rain soon, it rained a bit earlier but not enough to water the plants so OH watered them. We did have some thunder but no lightening which I'm grateful of as that scares me, especially if I'm out in it.

Sorry to hear James is being made redundant Jane, I hope he finds another job soon.

I was hoping not to fall sleep for the same reason as you Mandy, but unfortunately I lay on the sofa and fell asleep while watching a film with Sandra. I don't think I slept for long so hopefully I'll sleep tonight.

I've got terrible itchy eyes and a runny nose, I think it might be a bit of hayfever with cutting back all the weeds in the garden today. I was by a lot of conifers and they don't really agree with me. At least all that creeping weed that strangles plants is out now, it was starting to tangle itself all around my Red Robin.

Going to shut the back door before it rains, it's gone even darker now.

So you were as pleased with the race as we were Gill.

If thats bindweed you have got its no good just pulling it up as it runs along under the ground and every bit you break off and leave in the ground will grow. I have it up the border and its a devil to get rid of.

Glad Sandra liked her Flamingos.

I think it is bindweed Mel, I couldn't remember the name before. Unfortunately it's over next door so I've cut the hedge back around 18 inches away from our fence so it doesn't come over onto our side at the top, there's not much I can do about it being in there ground as we don't seem to have any on our side. It was growing along the top of the hedge then coming over our fence and wrapping itself around my tall Red Robin. Hopefully now there's no way it can get across, the problem will stay on their side. I'll be keeping an eye on it and will take it off my plant if I'm unlucky enough for it to happen again. At least I had a good weeding session on the ground on our side, of the usual none evasive weeds and moved some of the pots to the bottom of the garden now they've finished, so that area is now ready for winter.

Good morning all, pale blue sky and fluffy clouds here, quite bright and before 0900 it is 17 degrees, not too hot yet.

A couple of people remarked on the cost of replacement keys. To replace the automatic key fob and have it programmed to the car etc would be around the £150 mark. We still have the automatic fob (we have only ever had one for my car) It was the key that folded in to the fob that broke off and was lost and it has no emergency key like newer cars (It is a 2007 car). The replacement key we are getting in one like the second key we have for it which looks like an ordinary 'old fashioned' car key but inside the head of the key is a chip which has to be programmed hence the £69. My car still has key holes in the door and boot. However we can still use the auto locking fob and have the key on a ring attached to that. We shouldn't have long to wait for the new one, hopefully Tuesday it should be ready.

Mandy, I have not sat out in the garden much at all in this heat, I find it is not pleasant, we don't have a lot of shade in the garden and even when we put the awning out the heat seems to get trapped under it.

Gill pleased to hear that Sandra has enjoyed her flamingoes, I bet they would look pretty in the garden too but she will prefer to look at them at night.

Jane It is a shame about James's job but maybe it will be the opportunity he needs to find something he likes doing. He must feel the world is against him, strange how he and Jess are handling things though, is she 'driving' it do you think. (Have her cake and eat it springs to mind).

Annx sorry you had a day of feeling poorly, frustrating too when you want to be doing things but really don't feel well enough.
We actually were talking about what if we had not been near enough to home to get the bus and then for our neighbour to help out. If we were over 15 miles away we could have called out Britannia and they would have jump started the car (which then means getting home without the car stopping). If we had not been near the bus route I assume we would have to have called a taxi. It is a bit worrying, once it has happened. When we go away on holiday we do always carry the spare key.
Strangely our magpies seem to have disappeared at the moment thank goodness.

How are the swallows doing Mel?

Had the error message there, first time in ages.

Morning AnnG, morning all

Another bright and sunny day.

I thought I was going to have the error page AnnG, it took ages to get to the last page, but thankfully it didn't happen. Yes you were lucky being close to a bus route and having good neighbours who could help you.

I've decided I'm going to try and have a few days off to rest my foot, it's been that bad I've had trouble walking. I started taking some Ibruprofen which seems to be working and for the first time in a while it wasn't to painful to walk on when I got up this morning.

OH is finishing off the weeding in the front garden, it got to hot yesterday so he had to leave it until this morning. It's lovely and quiet in our street at the moment. The neighbour over the road said they weren't doing the gas pipes on his side until Wednesday, so we should have another quiet day tomorrow as well, before all the noise starts again. It's a good job I put the flags back down when they took our patio up as OH bumped into our next door neighbour at the shop and he was telling him they never came back to put his flags back for him. It's Mr Grumpy next door so there's no point in me offering to put them back for him because he'll only say no, so he can wait for the workmen to do it. Mind you I couldn't do it at the moment with a bad foot anyway.

We should have our car back today or tomorrow and now the footpath has been fixed OH will be able to put it down our drive again. I'm hoping I can buy the wire I need for the screening from B&Q, we can't seem to buy the thickness I need around here and I remembered the last time I bought it, it was from B&Q, so when we get the car back and my foot feels a little better that's where I'll be going. I need a couple of large bags of compost and some bigger pots to, so I can re-pot a few of my plants that have outgrown the pots they're in, so no doubt I'll be busy again soon.

Going to take another look at OH's tree now, I've almost finished the family I'm on, then I can move onto the next one. We had no idea how big his tree was going to be. Thankfully I have someone helping me, otherwise I doubt I'd of got very far with it. He's just been to Gloucestershire and took some photos of the Church's around there, they are so pretty inside and out and the area is Rural which also looks pretty, just like a picture postcard. I'd love to live in a place like that, but doubt I could ever afford it. Do you live in the Rural part of Gloucestershire AnnG? I envy you, if you do. :-) :-)

Morning Gill. Well a year or so ago I would have said yes we live in a rural area and it is not too built up now, we are about half way between Gloucester City and Cheltenham town (where was your OH visiting to take photos?) Our village is much bigger than it was now and getting bigger as we take a large chunk of Tewkesbury BC's quota of new houses. However we are very near the River Severn, the Gloucester canal in one direction plus over the river there is the Forest of Dean, we are also within a very short distance of the Cotsolds. We like living here.

I have a sneaky feeling that you enjoy being busy and if you are not to invent all these jobs to do, Or you bring them forward so that you have a long list. You actually seem to have jobs in overload!! :-D :-D

Morning All,

Sunny here and a skip arrived at Mrs O's first thing so I expect there could be more noise soon. They redid both the front and back garden last year, have had wardrobe fitters, so maybe it's the kitchen or bathroom being done now! Just as the new neighbour next to them has finished the pneumatic drilling as well and have the fitted the window where the garage door was. At least they will be working inside now. Fair play to the skip driver as he managed to manoeuvre his lorry without using our drive. :-)

Oh yes AnnG,we are with Brittania too so they would get us home in that situation. I'm glad you mentioned it! We always take our spare key on holiday too. The trouble is they are so bulky and heavy in your bag. I know I was told years ago that a spare fob key would be £100+.

Mandy it must be a bit of a headache getting shoes for the children nowadays. I remember not having any say at all. All you could do was say they weren't comfy or rubbed if you didn't like what your mum had chosen. :-) lol. You often hear arguments and tantrums in shoe departments now though as children are much more aware than I was and grow up so fast. What are you crocheting at the moment? One of my beading friends keeps saying she will teach me to crochet properly as I tend to do it like I am knitting!! :-S

I hope you get your car back soon Gill so you can have a good shop! Sorry your ankle is so painful, but it does sound like a little rest might help it.

Mel, do the Swallows usually raise 2 broods?

The window cleaner is here so I'd better go and pay him.

Morning all,

Gosh you have been busy posting and I had a lot to read.

I have two horrid flies flying around me this morning in the kitchen and they keep settleing on me. I hate that.

We have a nice bright morning and blue sky with big white clouds and its cooler than it has been so far today.

Yes Gill busy again I see. Let Mr Grumpy put his own pavers back down or get hte workmen to do it for him. Don't you do it or you will hurt your back again and we can't have that.

So you should have your spare key by Tuesday then and you will feel safe again going out in the car if you carry the spare with you.

Good morning all,

We had a right old "BARNY" last night. I went to bed at 9.00 pm for s read, tried to sleep around 10.30, with no luck, so got up again. Ros started on about my tablets I take, and said I shouldn't take my sleeper so soon after my main tablets. Why on earth she bought that up, I do not know. The long and short of it was she stormed off to bed, and I sat until 1.00 am. Went back to bed, but no way could I sleep. I clock watched again till after 6.00 am. I dropped off till 8.30 and got up.

I couldn't get my dad out of my mind all night long. He would be 133 not 131 on the 22nd.

No rain here yesterday evening or this morning. Considering we are not that far from Jane, it seems strange we didn't see any. Blue sky's and fluffy white clouds here at the moment.

Tony bought Val home yesterday afternoon. Ros saw him getting her out of the car, and into the bungalow. She looks really old. The Parkinson's isn't helping either. How he will cope with her I don't know.

We have the same trouble as you Gill. The bindweed grows onTony's side of the fence, snd creeps over into our bushes as well as the Lilac tree. Barry has been removing it the best he can, but as we all know it keeps coming back.

I do hope James finds a position soon, what does he actually do ?? I couldn't believe my ears, when I heard of that YOB who pushed that child of of the Tate. What on earth was going through his brain, to do that. :-( :-( :-(

AnninG, the area you live sounds about perfect. We class ourselves very lucky living where we do. Northampton is only 4/5 miles from us. The saving grace is the M1keeps the expansion of Northampton from getting out to us. We are only one and a half miles from JCN 15 of the M 1, so perfectly placed if and when we need to get to Toddington to see Harvey. Lewis is still in France, and is expected home sometime this week.

Conrad is back from their break, and back in his Villa. He is coming back to the UK sometime this week, and will no doubt pay us a visit. Simon has offered them a room at his house in Daventry, to save them the expense of a hotel room. But knowing him, he won't accept his offer.

Hows things with your brother Vera ?? I hope he is in recovery, and will be back to his old self shortly.

Madam is doing the ironing, I will try to find someone who could cement our steps in. I just can't see myself having the strength and energy to do them myself. Ros has bought a tub of ready made Mortar. So there will be no mixing sand and cement.

I was going back to bed to try to get some sleep, but instead, I will get showered and shaved, and get dressed. See you all later. xxxx

Good morning everyone

I don’t want to hear about your blue skies and sunshine thank you as it’s grey and wet here. Yesterday was warm and dry but really muggy and it was a sticky night. I didn’t sleep much again last night so am a bit heavy headed this morning. Last night OH told me he wanted to go somewhere early today and, of course, at the moment I have to take him. So I got up before 7.30 am, made him a cup of tea and was ready by 8 am. Then he told me that he had changed his mind :-|. I bit my tongue and kept quiet but I could have throttled him. I could have had an extra hour in bed.

Gill, the gas people are very naughty not putting your flags back. I am sure they are supposed to. Don’t even think of offering to do Mr Grumpy’s. You have enough to do in your own place. I don’t want to depress you but if that is bindweed you were pulling up you won’t get rid of it that easily. It has really deep, strong roots and the thin vines can work their way over and under anything and through the tiniest crack. If it’s coming from your neighbour’s house would you be able to tell him that it’s invading your garden and ask him to deal with it. If that’s not possible the only other thing is to kill it with a herbicide that will go down to the roots but it will take several goes and you have to be careful not to let it get on any of your plants or it will kill them too. Good luck.

I hope you are feeling a bit steadier today Frank. Take it very carefully, we don’t want any more falls. Ros is very good doing all her gardening when she is in pain a lot of the time.

My brother was sent home by ambulance late yesterday afternoon. He is in quite a bit of pain but will probably be able to rest and relax better in his own home and the nurse will keep a watch on him in her daily visits. Which reminds me I said I would ring him about 11.30 and I see it is now 11.45 so I had better do that now.