General Chat

O I meant to say I went out to put the crusts off our pasties in the bird feeder and heard a snap. Looked up and the trap had gone off and I caught a squirrel instead of a rabbit. I have had two rabbits now and the squirrel today.

We’ve had the rain here all day like a lot of the country but I didn’t expect it to be so cold. I’ve had to put on a cardi and some socks and I’m thinking of getting a little fan heater out to warm the room a bit.

I had meant to clean right through the house today but the downstairs took me so long and I felt so tired that I gave up. I am sleeping really badly at the moment so feel exhausted much of the time.

I am considering getting a new vacuum cleaner. Mine is quite heavy and a pain to use on the stairs so I wondered about one of these lightweight ones with a separate hand held cleaner for the stairs, G-Tech or something similar. Has anyone got one? Are they any good?

Jane, I hope your son’s meeting yesterday wasn’t as bad as he expected. As his Mum all you can do really is be there to listen, sympathise and encourage, but it is stressful watching your children go through a hard time. They may be grown up but they are still your children aren't they.

Glad you enjoyed your birthday AnninG. At least you had a dry day for it..

Afternoon cuppa time now I think. Perhaps it will wake me up a bit. Then I must sort out tonight’s meal. I think we’ll have some salmon with little potatoes and I’ve got some sugar snap peas in the fridge. I’ll probably do a side salad with it as well. Stay warm and dry everyone and enjoy your evening

By all means Mel, if tell me, if you can what make dies they are as not all dies will run through my machine, although most do. Are they large dies (size?) if they sound OK by all means send them to me and I will cut some for you. When I get round to it I will send you a cut fairy die. Not this weekend though as I will be away.

Evening All,

It's tipped it down with rain here for most of the day. OH has taken a pal to a match at Upton on Severn so I hope the game isn't rained off. I expect some of the fields near the river here will be flooded again tomorrow.

Vera, I have a Dyson Cordless and wouldn't be without it now! They are quick and convenient and the handheld bit is ideal for sucking up dead flies or dry stuff you spill in cupboards and drawers, the floor or worktop! (OH is always spilling cereal). Also for hoovering the car. Mine isn't quite as powerful as my upright, so I still use that occasionally for a deep clean. I think there are ones that run longer than mine before needing recharging now, but today I hoovered the en suite, bedroom, hall, bathroom and most of the kitchen before mine ran out of charge. If you have a Curry's nearby, they let you try them on their carpets which is what I did before buying mine. Two of my friends have bought them too and they like them. I hope you catch up on some sleep tonight and it does make you feel weary in the day after having a bad night. I am fancying some of your salmon meal! :-)

AnnG my sister was always looking for those dies as she made cards. I never thought to ask but know she had a machine with rollers. Would that have been for using the dies? I must admit I like poking around craft shops. I love looking at the things for doll's houses in Hobbycraft! lol. I met a lady at the gym many years ago who was making a doll's house that was a Post Office. I remember she was called Honor and she started me wanting to make something like that. (I never did!) I made my sister a wooden dolls house when I was 17 or 18. It was very basic but she loved it.

Mel it's a shame they hadn't got what you wanted for your project. I must make a start on my next one soon, but need to clear some space in here first. I just need to attach the clasp on my bracelet, but can I find the one I wanted to use! I'm hoping this tidy up may reveal it somewhere. Your trap seems to be working very well!! I know just what you mean about that satisfying squidge of the beetroot that takes the skin off.

Frank it sounds like it will be quite a 'do' with nearly all the family there. I think it's a good idea to have your car with you so you can slip away when you want to. I wonder if this damp weather is making you ache more? My ankle, knees and back were aching first thing this morning, but the ankle and back feel much better now. Ros's necklace sounds pretty and I must go to our nearest Dobbies if there is a sale on. They have a much bigger selection than Wyevale used to stock.

I'm glad your wrist is much better Gill and hopefully your foot will be soon. My word you never stop girl!! :-0 I feel tired just reading about your plans. :-) We could do with a lick of paint here and there, but I haven't the energy to whip through jobs like you manage to do. I have always done most of the decorating, but even when I was young it would take me longer. What colour carpet are you looking to get. I like the smell of a new carpet.

Anng the only two I can find are the stags head which I had a rubber stamp that goes on it for the detail and one that is dandelion clocks in grass and some of the seeds are blowing away. I will send you a picture. Dandelion one is about 14 cm by 10 and a half cm. The stags head is only small.

Well i have given
up on sleep for awhile. I went in at nine to read. thenthr news at 10.00 THRN the loud music, so I tarird to sleep. The phone rang it wasJsn, saying they weill be with ud around thee o/clock. They wont want anything to eat, as thy will stop uff on the way up. I thinkyoucsn tell I gsvea=had a few beers tonight, I head is all over the place but my back and shoulders are still aching. I have jut had two Mr kiplindd pies to see me tht=roughtill the morning. Now I just have thbjob ofgettingbcktobedwithoutfisturbingRos.

Good night all. XXXX

Morning all

Sunny at the moment but it's just threatened rain, just a few bits of fine rain. It's very windy so OH isn't doing the painting today. He's going to wait until the weather is better as he could do with two good days on a run.

We're just watching the first programme of Interior Design Makers, it started last night, we were watching it in bed but fell asleep before it finished so we're watching it again, I like programmes like that and I'm hoping to find some good ideas so I can sort out the dining room, it's become a bit of a dumping ground so much so we can't use the dining table anymore so it really needs seeing to.

We buy neutral colours for our carpets Ann that way we can change the colour of the room without having to change the carpet all the time. I would prefer wooden floors but OH and Sandra aren't keen so it'll be another carpet again. I don't like the sofa's we bought a few years ago so I'm hoping to buy new ones and the wallpaper I put in the living room is a bit to dark so that's going to be painted white leaving the cream and red pattern paper in the alcoves. I'm the same as you and love the smell of new carpets, I love the smell of new wooden furniture to. I can't wait to sort this place out, I do like a good sort out and decorating, it's like having a new home when it's all finished.

So your trap caught a squirrel Mel and a couple of rabbits, it looks like it's doing it job.

You weren't on your own yesterday Vera, I put our fire on for a short while to take the chill off the room, I just couldn't get warm all day.

Sorry to hear you couldn't sleep Frank, I hope you managed a few hours when you went back to bed.

I was helping a woman with her family tree yesterday, she'd got stuck, but luckily I had already done that part of my tree so could pass on the information she needed, she was thrilled with it all. I have information on the person's siblings to if she needs it.

Well, I'd better get back to the programme, I've got it on pause and OH is waiting.

Morning All,

Sunny here too Gill and I can't decide whether to go to McArthur Glen retail park up the M1. OH said last night he will come and drive if I want so he can drop me off at the doors to save my knees as the car park will be pretty full. The M&S factory shop there is good and we could do with some more pants!

I've recorded that series Gill and watched the first one in bed this morning. There were some things I didn't like, but it does give you some fresh ideas as you say. I can't be doing with all those cushions on beds though. (sorry if anyone loves and has them!) All you can do is put them on the floor when you get in bed and then trip over them if you need to get out in the night! We were a bit dubious about having wooden floors and still need to do the bedroom floors.We thought they might make it cold but with our floors being insulated concrete beams that are above the soil we haven't noticed any difference. Any spills or marks and a quick wipe with a cloth and they look good as new and there is far less dust. I stick to pale colours too The porch and one wall in the kitchen are a pale grey that I did over 10 years ago and which is a very current colour now. lol The lounge, hall and rest of the kitchen are all white.I find it's the white paint on the woodwork that tends to discolour.

Crikey, OH says it's raining now and the line is full of washing!! :-S

Morning Gill Frank and all,

Its a brighter day today and there is sunshine and big white clouds in the blue sky but there is a bit of wind too. A good drying day I should think so I better get the machine on.

Oh is out mowing and I expect he will want me to go and get petrol for the mowers at some time today so I better get on.

Morning Everyone
Yesterday was soooo cold. We too put the heating back on and I even had to put socks and a warm sweatshirt. I didnt feel at all right yesterday afternoon and was in bed by 7.30. I did take my laptop up to watch Eat well for less(I think thats what its called) and the the new Drama Deep Waters. But I was asleep by 8. I was wide awake by 5 this morning so got up and got all the veg/chicken etc ready to go in the Slow Cooker.
Jame's car has had to go back to the garage :-S so Chris followed him to the garage first thing this morning in my car,then James dropped Chris off in town for a haircut and then went off to work.I picked Chris up just after 9. So its been a bit of a busy morning.
James had the meeting and is still sure he will be redundant. We think they must be making sure that they are doing everything legally so there is no comeback .Anyway the Boss and OH are away for the rest of this week so James is quite happy about that as there won't be any unpleasant atmosphere. As he said he is still earning while he is working.

So Frank you had a bit of a boozy night last night :-D :-D Love the spelling ;-)

It is going be a great family party by the sounds of it.What day did you say you are going to Simon and Sallys?

More plans for more redecorating then Gill LOL.. You should advertise your services as a Painter/ Decorator :-D

Sorry you are not sleeping well Vera. It is awful when it goes on like that for so long.Sometimes I think it can become a bit of a pattern and its so frustrating when you are desperate to sleep but for whatever reason it just doesn't happen. Do you have a bit of a shut eye in the daytime at all?

Mel I see you are dealing with the unwanted wildlife in your garden :-D Touch wood ,I haven't seen any Rabbits in our garden for a while . Thomas could have something to do with that of course. I did see a very skinny looking Squirrel on the Summerhouse roof the other day.I suppose it might have been a really young one.

There are some really dark clouds blowing up here at the moment. I think Chris might be scuttling in soon as he is trimming the lawn edges.

Morning again. Ros went for her Blood Test at 9.15 while I got showered. When she came back, she took me for my haircut.

Sorry about the post just after midnight, I was in such a state, and didn't sleep that well when I got back to bed. Was awake again before 5.00 am. I feel as though I am ready for BED now.

It's Sally's 50th tomorrow. The party is on Saturday starting at 7.00 pm. We won't arrive that early, and as I said by taking our car, we can leave when we are ready.

Conrad and Jan are going back tomorrow afternoon, as they have booked a CHEEPY WEEK in Majorca and fly out Saturday. Even though he can take time off in Spain, he gets pestered with phone calls, and clients who see him around, asking if he could get someone to look at this, or that in their property. They just don't think to contact the office, so this way he will be able to get away from all that.

Ros is busy hoovering through, not that it will look any different, as with only two of us, we don't make a lot of mess. WELL I DON'T ;-) ;-) ;-)

Spots of rain in the air when we came back from Town, but the sun is out now, so lets hope it stays dry.

So James is still working Jane. I would have thought that as he is leaving, they would let him go NOW, rather than whenever it suits them. But as you say they are doing everything by the book. !!!!

Had a COC and sandwich, now I will read the paper. and relax for an hour before they come. xxxx

Nobody to talk too, I expect you are all busy in the garden or shopping. !!

Conrad rang earlier. They were late leavingDevon and expect to be here around 5.00 pm. The table is booked for 6.30 pm for 7.00. So I hope they don't get held up on the way. By the time they pop in here, then go to the Hotel and book in and sort themselves out, it will be time to leave for the restaurant. As I said Jan is never on time. (she will be late for her own funeral) That's a good old saying. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Sun has been out for sometime now, even though there is plenty of clouds around.

Ros has just popped a Get well card in the post to my SIL.

Going to water greenhouse now, FORGOT IT YESTERDAY. Naughty boy !!!!

Had a busy morning as I got up late. Did a wash and got that on the line then hoovered the kitchen and dining area and sucked up all the leggy spiders which seem to be breeding like mad lately.

Did lunch and we had words during 800 words as oh was talking through it as usual. He has gone off mowing again and we arn't talking............

There are only the two of us here but there is always plenty to hoover up with the grass cuttings that come in and all the stones off the tarmac and the dust. I don't know where it all comes from. I am sure my hoover blows out dust and it blows in the front too.

Arrived ok in the B&B at Lee on Solent. Sun has shone all day but it is very windy here and the sea is very choppy. Traffic was very bad all the way down, motorways were very busy but no hold ups so hope Conrad has a good journey to you Frank.

As James says Jane, at least he is earning so will be able to put something by for his redundancy. It does seem as though they are doing it all by the book.

Are you like us and walk in with your shoes on? That will be where the grit comes from. Did you get my message that the dies look as though they will cut ok(paper or thin card)? So you can post them to me if you want them cut.

Annx and Gill I watched part of that design programme, some of what I saw was too arty for me and those cushions would drive me mad. I did like some of the wall colours but didn’t see any finished rooms. I stopped watching when the female was bemoaning that the blue she had mixed was like baby blue :-D

Frank, I hope that Conrad and Jan arrive in time for the meal tonight. Maybeshe will do her makeup on the way :-D :-D. Where are you going for the meal? Have a lovely time.

Ann,is it a cold wind? I imagine it could be .At least you got there even through awful traffic. How long are you staying? I would love some good sea breeze here right now.It might blow away all the dust and muck from the works and the Harvesting that's been going on in the fields .It was like a sandstorm yesterday :-S Trying ot keep this place dust free is just impossible. As for wearing shoes indoors .Yes we do and I am always moaning about it. The grit and all sorts that gets brought in sometimes is not good. I say we should all be like the Japanese and it is shoes off at the front door.
When we stayed with friends in Tokyo I kept forgetting to take my shoes off but was never allowed to get any further than just inside the door before being reminded to take them off and wear the little slippers provided :-D. I have to say that since laws about not picking dog poo up we no longer come in with poo on the bottom of shoes.
When I was a girl and lived by the beach I was always coming in with Tar on the bottom of my plimsoles or flip flops . There was always a bottle of Dab it off on hand .

Larry had his retirement do last night.Retired from the Nature Reserve. They put on a lovely meal at (SALERNO AnnG) He was presented with a fantastic cake .I will forward a pic of it. The bike and rider is Larry :-D He is a very keen cyclist.
I am not sure what the 2 brown things are on the cake.I think one might be a Watervole or something similar and the other brown blob possibly a frog.

Are you exhausted now Mandy after having Chelesa :-D

Well we've had a busy day! OH needed to go to the machinery shop to see if he could get an extension arm for his rechargeable hedge cutter! We have quite a long hedge down the side of our veg patch and its so much easier to do it with a long arm, saves climbing (dangerously!!) on a step ladder or platform as he's always done in the past and is a lot lot quicker! After that we did a bit of shopping for the weekend, after that we came home! This afternoon we've done bits of gardening including picking a load of plums while the weather was good, (something to freeze tomorrow!!) and had 40 winks! Our Grandson is staying the night with us ( new plan!) which will be lovely as he's such a grand lad, then we're taking him back on Sunday staying for lunch then drifting back in the afternoon ! So that's our weekend sorted!!!!
All the talk about dyeing!!! I can remember years ago dyeing children's clothes and really giving them a new lease of life! In those days it was a right old performance! these days of course you can dye things in the washing machine which has made it all so much easier!!
OH is doing the runners for supper, so better get on!!

Evening all,

Haven't we been tired :-D with Chelsea here it's been all go ,i think we both breathed a sigh after we had dropped her off ,she had a few minutes with mum and dad and then she was off with her friend to Gravity in Norrwich for the day i think it's a Trampolining place and then they were off to do some rock climbing ,she just has so much energy .
Were now resting up ready for next week when Lacey will be coming :-D

Katie had a lovely time away she came home stinking off bonfire as that was the last thing they were doing before she came home ,so she went straight in the
bath :-D

There are so many posts so forgive me for not commenting on all, i see James is still at work does he know how much longer he's there Jane ?
And Larry is now retired from the Nature Reserve i see ,he'll be off for some nice bike rides .

We've had some mishaps here first was Colin fell down near the shed ,i think he caught his foot on a pipe that goes into the shed ,he landed on his hip and bottom ,it was a bit of a job to help him up as he carn't get on his knees ,i had to get a chair for him to lean on and he managed to haul his self up ,no damage done just one sore botty with a nice bruise .
Then his shorts went into the wash over night ,with the shed key in the pocket ,so it left a nice rusty mark from the key on his light grey shorts ,how do you get rust off material any one know ? i've washed then twice but it hasn't touched it .
But the best bit was his phone was also in the shorts pocket !!!
Only a pay as you go phone but it's full of water so son has ordered him a new one .
AnnG i hope you enjoy your time away, is it a week your away ?

Frank i hope you all enjoy your meal tonight and that they made it in time with no traffic hold ups .

Gosh Mel that was some Egg :-D oh dear i see you've had words with OH is it all better now ?

Not a week away no, just three nights. Staying at a favourite B& B in Lee which is a few miles from where Ivwas born and grew up. Main aim is to see eldest grandson and thevtwo great grandsons but also to visit favourite haunts if the weather lets us.
The wind has dropped a bit tonight Jane although we have not been down to the sea front. We are hoping it stays dry tomorrow long enough for us to get over to Portsmouth and back visiting the big outlet centre. We will have to see. This evening we went to a pub we usually eat at called The Bun Penny.nhad a very good meal. Shared a few crisp fried prawns with a sweet chilli dip then I had scampi, chips and peas and T had gammon egg, peas and chips and it was a huge gammon. The we shared three scoops of ice cream. We also had a large glass of Syrah each. So a good evening.

Mandy I have some stuff that takes out rust marks. I did the readers church robes and now she has some too. Mum got it from the kleeneasy man. I think you put this paste on and lemon juice. I shall have a look and see if I can find it and see who makes it.

Or you can just use salt and lemon juice and leave it to soak and then rinse it out. Try it on a patch that not noticable first though if its a coloured garment. You put the salt on the stain first then squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the salt.

Good morning
It’s grey and cold here and the forecast is for heavy rain later.

Yesterday OH came into town with me for our usual coffee with the “gang”. Anyone who is free meets at Wetherspoons on Thursdays and Saturdays (market days) and this was the first time OH had been since the beginning of June. I was so busy keeping an eye on him that I completely forgot I had a hair appointment. Later I found hairdresser had left a message on my answering machine so I had to ring up this morning and apologise and make an appointment for next Thursday. I felt a right idiot.

I hope Colin is OK after his fall Mandy. I expect he’s a bit bruised this morning.

No time to respond to all the posts now as I want to do a supermarket shop before the rain starts. I hope the weather is brighter where you are and you all have a good day.