General Chat

Hello both Anns and Vera. Welcome home Ann G nice to know you are back safely.

I wouldn't have thought of that but expect you are right as it could so easily happen Jane. I remember little boys pulling hats off from behind girls heads at school! Yikes, now I've just had a chill run down my spine as I've realised someone could strangle me with my scarf!!!!! :-S I think us all putting a bit of weight on makes ties feel tight too. OH soon takes his off after these occasions and, like Chris, for everyday his neck button is always undone. He has just bought some Pringle short sleeve shirts from (of all places) one of the garden centres and they were only £6.99 each!! I think they were just clearing the remains of the summer range as the labels were removed, but the word Pringle is embroidered on the pocket so they couldn't remove that. I think he got 3 or 4 of them they were such a bargain!

What Hannah will be doing will be so worthwhile, if a bit upsetting at times. Did you see the programmes where those 20 year olds volunteered in hospitals? I thought it such a good idea after watching it. Some of those young people matured so much in those few weeks and became very caring and thoughtful as they started to see how life really is for some compared with their own lives. Even the lad who'd never made a cup of tea or coffee before.

I love the sound of the pom pom rug Mandy. I was just wondering if you could also make pom poms using old material cut into thin strips or whether it would be too bulky to wind enough on? Maybe Mel would know as she has pom pom makers. A friend who did the peg weaving last week had cut narrow strips of some of her hubby's old polo shirts to mix in with other threads and it was very effective as the cut strips had curled like cord.

Sounds like an early night for AnnG and Vera and wake up tomorrow refreshed!

Good to be home then AnnG :-D You have had a long day .
Vera don't worry about posting until you feel back to normal <3 The computer won't be good for you at the moment.

I feel almost ready for my bed . Hannah has eaten and will be off to her bed before long. Not sure if James is in to eat or not.I think probably not .He said he will sort himself out if we have eaten. I will just leave meatballs in sauce for him and he can do what he wants. We are eating now :-D

I liked the mention of speaking to Thomas for some decent conversation. Sounds like Hannah really needed that sleep and going to bed early too.

We both had a clemantine after our tea. Mine was hard and dried out and so was oh's so I opened another one and that was the same so they are going back to Morrisons this week. I could'nt get my teeth through the skins on the segments.

As to the pom poms I have never tried it with material and I think if you did do that it would be a very thin pom. I always fill mine to the brim so to speak and you have to tie the middle really really tight. On some I have put glue in the middle so you can't pull strands out. I have the ones that break apart so you can wind round and round one half then clip that back and wind the other half and clip that back to the middle. then cut round the edges with nice sharp scissors and when you tie it round the middle make sure you pull it really tight and put the wool over twice on the first know which will hold it so you can tie the second one as usual.

Picked three pounds of damsons when I came back from putting the recyling box up the top. I had a poly carrier in the car so put them in that. I may do some Damson Gin with some and give the rest to Em.

Morning all,

They forcast we were going to have a nice few days well they were wrong. Its raining that fine stuff here and its dull and miserable.

I have just taken a big slurp of my cuppa only to find a blooming fly in it and it touched my mouth and I spat it back in the mug and some of it missed and it was all over my desk. That the second spill this morning as oh spilt his coffee this mroning before I was up.

Morning all

It’s the same here Mel, a real mizzly sort of day. I bet AnninG is wishing she was back on holiday. Two spillages already this morning, I hope you don’t have a third. Don’t they say these things go in threes?

I hope your iffy tum is better today Frank and everyone else’s aches and pains are not too bad. I am feeling a bit better today.

Better get on and do some of the jobs I have been putting off for a few days. Will possibly bbl

Yes I was pleased as I had seen it was going to be nice but we too have it grey and miserable, no rain as yet and not cold.

Got to get on, have to finish my unpacking and I have just realised OH has unpacked which means he has tipped all the clothes into the washing bin and all the other bits and pieces he considers 'mine' like medicines, sun cream etc are left on the bed for me to put away ('because 'you know where they go').

Afternoon all

Lovely and sunny but I missed the whole morning as I've only just woken up, I wouldn't mind but I had an early night last night so I must of needed the sleep.

Sorry to hear you were ill Frank and couldn't go out with the other's. I hope you're feeling better now.

I see you're feeling a little better today Vera, don't over do things though you don't want the migraine to come back.

Love your Begonias Mandy, they look lovely. I was very disappointed with a lot of my plants, I had Crocosmia and Montbretia and neither of them flowered, I also had a yellow plant my mum gave me a few years ago (sorry I don't know the name) and that didn't flower either, so a disappointing year this year.

Oh dear Mel, two spills so far today lets hope there isn't a third one. Good advice you gave for those making pom pom's, there's nothing worse than them falling apart after the time taken to make them.

So it's your turn for all the washing now you're home AnnG. I smiled with the comment your OH made about you putting things away because you know where they go, that's something my OH would say.

How is your tooth today Jane? OH's got his dentist appointment this afternoon to have the tooth out he had an infection in the other week, so he'll have a sore mouth for a few days. I hope your tooth is okay now.

Yes I was surprised at how many of OH's rellies went over to America Ann, some even went to Australia and New Zealand. It keeps the tree interesting, although a bit tricky at times. I'll be taking another look today, it's become quite a routine now. I think the reason I'm having problems trying to find some of them is probably because they are still alive. I have noticed that quite a few of his relatives lived well into their 90's.

Hope you feel better today Frank. Unpacking finished second wash load in, two more to go.
gill wish I could have slept that long. I was in bed before ten, slept until 2.30, couldn't get back to sleep for an hour then slept in short amounts of time, an hour here and another there, we woke before 8 and were up before 9. So still feel as if I need a good nights sleep.
Vera hope the migraine has left you now, yours seem to hang on don't they. Such a nuisance when you have things to be doing.

Just seem some more horrific photos of the floods in the area That Uzzi on here lives. The area where we have been staying in Alcazares Murcia the last few years. So many homes and businesses destroyed and the beautiful seaside walks we did as well all reduced to rubble. It is going to take a lot of re-buildning.

Afternoon all, Thank you all for your good wishes, I am pleased to say, I feel 100% better than this time yesterday.

It's a good job I never went yesterday. There would have been a MURDER committed. When they got there they were told there was a slight delay, due to the number of people wanting to eat on the lawn, who were just passing and thought they would stop and have lunch. It turned out that they weren't shown to their table until 2.30 pm. Simon (A chip of the old block) complained and demanded to see the Manager. All full of apologies, but that did't go down well. !!! Simon and Sally had to book in to Whittlebury Hall, (A SPA and Country Hotel) at 3.00 pm, so of course they were late. Jan wanted to be on the road early, to get back to Devon, she too was late leaving. Simon dropped Ros off and didn't come in.

I see that everyone is back home safe and sound. I'm glad you all enjoyed your time away.

We were taking yesterday about suits. I have three or four that I never wear, I have a DARK BLUE ONE, which I call my Funeral suit, as it's the only time I wear it. So hope I don't need to very often. lol lol

So Hannah will be working in THE LONDON HOSPITAL, in Whitechapel Road. I would love a POUND for every hour I spent there with my dad, in 1957/8 where he died with CANCER 30th Jan 1958, Six years later to the day, my Daughter Sarah was born.

Carolyn has been very good, she has been taking Biggles for a good walk on the three days he had been with us. Ann picked him up around 8.00 pm last night. We have him for the day on Wednesday.

I went to have my ARM emptied of blood this morning THREE FILES FULL also had my injection, so have a sore Bottom. She also put me on the scales. I have put on ONE KILO, so now weigh in at just under 12 stone. Louise was pleased with it but Ros wasn't, and want's to see me back over 13 stone.

It's been a dank, horrible day here also. Very fine missaly rain, and not a sign of any breeze. JUST HORRIBLE.

I won't say enjoy the weather. !!!! xxxx

Nearly had the third spill at lunchtime I had put my glass of water on the right hand side when its usually on the left. I knocked it and just caught it before it spilt!!

We've both been in the hot tub this morning. it was that fine mizzle but not cold out so we both had a good wallow. we don't go in together as the water would go over the top!!! Ha ha ha....

Why is it we get these comments from our hubbies like annG did "you know where they go" I bet if he wanted one of those things he would know exactly where to find it and then if its anything like my other half would'nt put it back where he got it from. I hate it when he is peering in my shed looking for something he wants to use as I know it will be left right where he used it (and out in the rain probably) .

Gill you had a really nice long sleep which must have recharged your batteries. Did you get the back off the Flamingo lights to get at the battery? I had a look at a set I saw in the shop in Holsworthy last week and its just 4 tiny phillips screws you take off the back of the solar bit. You should be able to put a new battery in it then but it must be a rechargable one.

Well, I managed a cheese sarnie with a Coffee at lunchtime. Ros is doing Pasta tonight with mushroom and bacon sauce. I thought it might be lighter for my stomach than a roast.

No, Ros keeps looking at the VERY LARGE BOX, but as yet she hasn't shook it, or tried peeping. All Jan would say yesterday. "IT IS SOMETHING Ros saw and said she would love it." So Conrad and Jan have bought it. I HOPE SHE WILL STILL LOVE IT. lol lol

The little ornaments I have bought as little extras for Ros's B'Day has these little solar panels, they are covered in clear plastic, so Gill make sure you have removed that from Sandra's Flamingo's, as it will restrict the sunlight.

No improvement in the weather, in fact I think it's getting darker out there.

Us poor old men, get blamed for everything. It's true though, you women seem to know where everything goes, and how easy it is, for you to find these things. THAT'S MY story and I'm sticking too it. ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

I don't know if any of you have any experience with INVESTMENTS. With Lewis's 21st looming up on us, I am looking at the best place to put this money we have saved for him. I don't know where he is keeping his savings, so he might like to put our bit in the same investments, If not I was thinking of an ISA, where he can add to it every month from his wages from Valeries.

Going to catch a bit of NAT. GEO. now, so see you later. xxxx

Afternoon All,

Just popped in to ask Frank to look at this. Does Lewis know about Help to Buy ISAs or has opened one yet? If not get him to read about them on the Martin Lewis site. He would have to open it himself and have a good read of the conditions first as there may be restrictions he doesn't want, but the govt add a 25% bonus to what you save on amounts up to £12000 savings and so give you an extra £3000 on £12000 but the bonus is only paid when you buy your first house.

I see you are getting straight and up to date after your holiday AnnG. My hubby is the same too with things being put away. He still doesn't know where some of the crockery lives and I find chopping boards in the utility room cupboards sometimes.

I hope you soon feel better soon Vera. OH actually managed to get some Migraleve recently as they had supply problems with them before. They do take it out of you for a while though so don't do too much yet.

Those clementines weren't nice were they Mel....no juice and plenty of chew! Good idea to take them back.

Our farm shop had meat stolen the other day, but their CCTV got great pictures and caught the eastern european ladies doing it red handed and a nice clear picture of the car they drove off in and it's number plate.

Glad your tum is feeling better today Frank and you have managed some food. I think OH is about 13st, but he was around 10st 7lb when I first knew him so he needs to lose some. It's good you have put on a kilo though.....the beginning of onwards and upwards hopefully. :-) What a disappointment about the meal though. These places never consider you have other places to be after your meal and you don't want to have to gobble your food..

Well OH had the suit on he keeps for funerals too this morning. He said the service was conducted at the graveside which he's never seen before so his reading was done there in fine rain! He said they'd mowed the grass so his shoes ended up with grass skirts on! He said the family and others he didn't know all came to shake his hand and thank him for what he'd said at the graveside. Of course the fans all wanted to know what had happened to the programmes!! His friend's brother has unearthed even more programmes, records and 35 football shirts for OH to collect, so he's going round on Saturday. The garage better tighten it's belt even more to make room!

I went to Grantham to the retail park, hoping to find a cotton top with sleeves below the elbow (Mosquito deterrent) but couldn't find anything I liked, so I'm popping to Primark down the road now to see what they have. They should be less busy near closing time!

Morning all,

We have sunshine at last and guess where oh is? Yes ot mowing. the grass has really grown with this wet warm weather.

Shopping day once again and it only seems like I went a few days ago. The freezer is still full so I won't need much this week so hopefully I will get it done quickly and get home again with a bit more time to do something else.

We went and got petrol for the mowers yesterday afternoon so he's happy and it should keep him occupied for the rest of the day if he dos'nt cripple himself up.

Hope you all slept well last night.

Morning Mel, morning all

The sun's just come out after a cloudy start to the day.

I see you are feeling much better now Frank, let's hope it stays that way. What a palaver with the meal, I hope they weren't to late going onto the next places.

My OH doesn't wear suits unless there's a funeral to and hates wearing ties, he's the same and says he feels like he's being choked. I do feel sorry for him today, when he went to the dentist yesterday it took half an hour to take the tooth out as it broke, then he had to have an X-ray to make sure it was all out. It was very strange though as when he went to pay they said it had already been paid. He asked if they were sure as he pays for treatment and they insisted he didn't have to pay and wouldn't take his money. I hope we don't end up with a big bill as it's the second time they've done this.

How is your migraine today Vera? I hope it's completely gone now and you managed to get through all your jobs.

That was nice of them to shake your OH's hand at the funeral for his speech Ann. So he's having to make more room in the garage for the rest of the things, it was nice of the brother to let your OH know there were more things for him. Did you find the top you wanted in Primark?

We had a late night last night Mel, I got into OH's tree and ended up shutting the computer down around 3.30am. I nipped outside for a breath of fresh air and while I was out there asked OH to cut some of the branches off the trees Mr Grumpy has planted, they were around 2 foot taller than the hedge and they're starting to hang over our screening. I know it's sounds daft doing it at that time of the morning but if we did it during the day he'd go mad. OH was cutting the top of the hedge the other day and Mr Grumpy said leave my tree's alone, I'm watching you. We have left two nearer to his window so hopefully he won't noticed the other two have been trimmed down. We;ll do the other two once we've moved some pot plants out of the way and yes they'll be cut off in the early hours of the morning again as it's the only time we can do in it peace. The things we have to do to avoid arguments with him. I'd love to see the look on his face when he got up and saw it though. I can't for the life of me work out why he'd want to leave those 4 trees to grow 2 foot higher than the rest of the hedge.........strange man.

All the apples off our tree have been picked this morning so I'm going to strew them and make an apple crumble, I think there maybe enough to freeze some for another day. It's only a small tree but enough for Sandra and I as OH doesn't like apple pies or crumbles.

Forgot to say Mel, no I haven't changed the batteries in Sandra's Flamingos, I think it's lack of sunlight that causing it and we're having less and less now, so we're going to put them back in their box until next year. They worked perfectly well when they were in the south facing room but don't have as much sun since we moved them into her room. I'm going to take the lights out of the garden to as they are a lot dimmer and don't last more than a few hours now, plus I don't want them getting wet in the rain. We lost about six of them this year due to the switches going rusty in the damp weather, so I bring them in during the winter and put them out again when it brightens up and there's more sun around. I'm going to see if I can find some light up Flamingos that can be plugged in so Sandra can have them in her room over winter. I've not said anything to her though just in case I can't find any, I wouldn't want to build her hopes up to let her down.

Good morning Mel, and to all you others, xxx

Nice clear blue sky's here with the slightest of breeze. I think it will warm up to be a nice day. It needs to be after yesterday.

We have an American Fridge freezer in the kitchen and a chest freezer in the garage. Both are full to capacity, but do you think I could find a small joint of Lamb for dinner tonight. NO WAY !!! So I have asked Ros to BUY JUST THAT in the way of meat. Her trouble is if it's on offer, she buys far too much. I think I have more CHICKEN FILLETS in the freezers than TESCO and SAINSBURY put together.

I have sent a letter of complaint, to the restaurant where they went on Sunday. As yet not had a reply. We tend to use the GREYHOUND as it's in the next village, and so convenient. They have been warned !!!! that there are many other eateries that we can use, so "PULL YOUR SOCKS UP" or words to that effect. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Nearly went a right old bllnder, this morning. I went to bring the bins in and caught my foot on the wheel of one, I started to go down, but fortunately managed to grab the handle of the other one. So no harm done, just a good shake up.

Ros has gone to pick up Lewis's Signet Ring, which has been resized. She is also going pick up her new glass's. While in town she will call at a couple of Banks/Building Societies to pick uo some information about investments, for Lewis. The Woman, that Harvey does all the work for, is an accountant come Financial advisor, to many top Actors and T.V. stars . I will get Harvey to have words with her also, for any advise she can offer. I don't think you can GET TOO MUCH help in these matters. ;-) ;-) ;-)

I hope those of you who received it, enjoyed a smile about the DUCK and DOG. If anyone hasn't received the email, I'm sure someone will forward it to you if you ask. lol lol

Going to sit outside with my book for s hour, it seems too nice to sit indoors. BBL xxx

She'll have plenty of Flamingoes at Christmas Gill so don't worry if you can't find any lights. I do tend not to turn my solar lights off but they do need to have the solar panels in the sunshine for them to charge up enough. I put mine in the bedroom during the day and they go in the bathroom and hall at night as its so black here you can't see a thing if you get up in the night. I also put them on the kitchen table when it gets dark till they are needed when I go to bed and that way they get a bit more umph in them.

I forgot about you not being near any street lights Mel, so I can imagine it's very dark at night by you. Good idea to have those lights. I envy you not having light pollution it must be wonderful to see the night sky with all the stars, I'd love to be able to do that but there are far to many street lights around here for us to see much. We've had quite a bit of sun today so we might try her Flamingo's again tonight and see what happens, if they're no better then I'll pack them up for her until next year.

Oh dear Frank nearly having another fall, good job you grabbed the bin handle. I hope the letter to the restaurant works, it wasn't very fair on those who have booked in advance to be kept waiting especially when a few needed to be somewhere else soon after. Good idea for Lewis to find out as much as possible before putting his hard earned cash into investments, I'm sure the woman Harvey works for will be able to help and you never know what Ros might find out at the banks to.

Ann I've PM'd you

I've just finished cooking the apple crumble so that's ready for Sandra and I later. I ended up making one big one rather than two smaller ones, I doubt it'll last very long though, my baking never does. Poor OH is in pain today after having his tooth out yesterday so he's having a tin of semolina. Not my kind of thing, but he loves it. He doesn't like cooked apples.

Just made a chili con carne so we'll have that with rice, there should be enough for tomorrow which we might have with chips,so it'll save me cooking for to long and there should be enough apple crumble to. Poor OH can't eat much with having his tooth out so I'm trying to find soft things for him to eat, which isn't easy as he's a very fussy eater. Tonight I'm doing corn beef warmed up with baked beans and mash, but packet mash as he doesn't like normal mash. Like I said he's a very fussy eater, the corn beef will be nice and soft once it's warmed through. At least it'll fill him up rather than the soup he's been eating. That wouldn't fill a fly.

Going to check on the rice, we're all hungry so we're eating a little earlier tonight.