General Chat

Morning All,

Thank you Vera and Gill, oh and Mel (you got your post in before mine and I didn't see it)) for your anniversary wishes. :-D Yesterday was a bit action packed for both of us so we didn't celebrate then and OH is at a breakfast meeting this morning, so I'm meeting him for lunch at our favourite place later. I'm also going to look out some old gold jewellery I no longer wear as the lady who has made the rings I had before has an event on where she will design something for you and offset the value of any gold you don't want. I have a gold ring with a pretty cornflower sapphire and wonder if she could make something in silver and using the stone. It's a shame to not wear these things so it's worth asking.

You tell him Vera! I think alcohol can ruin the effect of sleepers too so Ros is right and only thinking of your health Frank!. lol I remember mum telling me about the pickled livers from drinkers at the city hospital museum when she worked there. It completely put me off whiskey when she said they had been whiskey drinkers. :-S :-S It sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday and I'm glad you said you enjoyed Downton Abbey as we hope to see it soon. Good to hear your brother had some good news from the hospital too.

Better get cracking now and off to the bank to pay in that gift from ERNIE. :-D :-D

It's a good day for your screening Gill, so I hope you manage to get it done today. I like the sound of the bamboo being horizontal. I had to smile too at Sandra counting the days to Christmas. It's a pity we don't all keep that excitement we once had about Christmas coming. :-D

Oh yes it is the big box opening day for Ros!

:-D :-D :-D HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROS :-D :-D :-D Frank had so many things he had to send back I've forgotten what he bought for her now!! :-S lol.

Good morning FRIENDS,

The BIG BOX opening has taken place. When in Spain, Ros saw a display of bedding (THROW, and PILLOWS), which she thought looked lovely. So unbeknown to Ros. Jan and Conrad bought them. How she got them back from Spain I do not know. As for what I bought her. I bought a necklace from the antique Centre in Brackley, a gold and diamond bracelet from QVC. Two little ornaments that have solar lighting for the garden. TWELVE RED ROSE'S Arrived this morning, and there is a White Gold Bracelet on it's way. Which I must admit was an after thought.

She has had loads of cards and presents, and still got Val Barkers and Harvey's to come later.

The meal last night was very nice, apart from me asking for some Gammon, and on the carving dish were two little bits, that looked dried out, so ask for a new gammon to be bought out. Which didn't appear, so I just had Turkey.

Low and behold, BIGGLES stayed the night, and is still here. Carolyn has just called with Ros's card and present, and has taken him for a walk. I personally think they are taking liberties. They never had the decency to ring, to say they wouldn't be collecting him. So it's a good job, we hadn't planned on going out today, for Ros's Birthday. I know we love having him, BUT. I will say no more.

Belated Anniversary wishes for yesterday. I didn't see it mentioned until this morning.

Gill, I don't see why you should have to creep about in the muddle of the night, to cut back those overhanging branches. It's your rights to do this, you must be careful that you don't trip and fall going out there in the middle of the night.

Looking forward to having the family together this evening, it's a pity Simon and Sally can't join us. Simon works from Mid-day till 10.00 pm, and I think Sally is on later this week as well. Simon did ring at 9.00 am, to wish Ros a Happy Birthday. I expect Conrad and Harvey will ring during the morning.

Nice bright sunny morning here, no breeze, but was very cold out when I let Biggles out at 7.00 am.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ROS <3 <3 She is going to be spoilt rotten today :-D :-D :-D

Belated wishes from me now <3 <3

I am just dashing out now but back soon.

As I do find it difficult going up and down the thread replying to all the posts I am writing this in word which I will copy and paste

Just had a young man ring the door bell very polite waving his ID card, haven’t a clue what he was selling. Think he was E European as he spoke English with an accent. Sent him away after teaching him something. I pointed to the notice on the side of the door which says ‘no cold callers’ He looked puzzled and said ‘But I have ID’ and asked what it meant. I told him you don’t call unless you have been invited. It was like a light being switched on. He smiled and politely said ‘Oh I am sorry’ and left. So we need to re-phrase that as they don’t understand it.

Just done the Tesco shop and I think OH is going to go and play 9 holes of golf this afternoon to get back into the game, he is not playing tomorrow as his ‘friends’ are all playing in a course away somewhere.

Anyway, Happy anniversary for yesterday Ann and hope you enjoy your lunch today. Was he pleased with the card you managed to get?
Good idea if somebody can take your gold rings etc off you. Do you not wear gold then or are they too small for you now?

Mel, must have been quite a sight seeing the damsel and dragon flies. Apparently there are a lot fewer of them nowadays because they have lost the clear water breeding grounds.

Vera that sounds a lovely day out that you had and I would have enjoyed that lunch. When we lived in Clifton, Beds we used to drive out around Norfolk and Suffolk but don’t get over to the East at all these days as it is a bit of a tortuous journey from here. We rarely even go to visit our son now in M Keynes because it is not a nice journey, actually they don’t come to us either much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROS and many more of them.

Frank That was a lovely present from Conrad and Jan I bet she is thrilled. And also with all your lovely presents, she is a lucky lady. Is it a special birthday? I hope she continues to enjoy her day, it is great to hear of somebody actually celebrating a birthday and getting cards etc. I am a bit disappointed with the younger (20s/30s) generation in our family as now two lots don’t think it worth sending cards. We actually had the conversation and Grandsons wife said they were stopping sending cards because it was easier to say Happy whatever on the internet.

Jane, there I knew it, as soon as you got that hip fixed you’d be dashing here there and everywhere. Just don’t go doing too much.
:-D :-D

We don't get too many cold callers as we are so far from the road they don't know we are here. Even delivery drivers have to walk down to us sometimes as they think they can't get their lorries or van through the arch but you can get a fire engine sown here as mum has the arch made bigger for that purpose. Now I have a resident fireman I feel safe anyway.

Still hav'nt found my copper wire. Have you found your stick yet Ann?

Been to the library and got two talking books. Julie has ordered me some more so we will see if any of them are on spoken word next month when she comes again.

Have done a bit of cutting back outside the kitchen window this mroning and clipped the box ball. Its a self sown one and is getting a bit big now for where it is.

Afternoon all,

Belated wishes to you both your Anniversary yesterday Ann i hope you enjoy the meal today .

Happy Birthday today to Ros she has been a lucky lady with all her lovely gifts from you Frank and i bet she was pleased with the contents of the box from Jan and Conrad too.
It was a bit naughty of them to not give you a ring to ask if its ok to leave Biggles with you for the night and you could have been going out some where early this morning .

Jane it looks lovely down there by the lakes and i see Hannah has a nice big bag ready for all the shopping LOL

Oh Gill i had to smile at the thought of you both out in the garden in the early hours cutting the branches back :-D did you have to use a torch to see what you were doing ?

Yesterday was Chelsea's 12th birthday so went for a birthday tea as we usually do , she came here straight from school and it's the first time we have seen her in her uniform .....she looked so grown up .

Vera it's been a while since i went to Bury St Edmunds i use to go on the bus with my sister when it was market day there and there some nice little shops there but i expect it's all changed now .

Oh it must have been lovely seeing all the Dragon flies Mel ,i hope OH hasn't over done lately with too much mowing .

Well at least you put him right AnnG and he was a polite young man .

it's a lovely day here so i think it will be an afternoon in the garden ,tomorrow we're off out with son and DIL for a lunch some where .

Oh i meant to say i got some of the Fat quarters and the Pom Pom makers from Aldi today ,there was so many people looking at all the craft bits and pieces .

Afternoon all.

Nice for your G'Daughter to come to see you, for her 12th Birthday. The teen years start next year then, and that's when they start to get really independent. GOOD LUCK. I have been there and got the T shirt. lol lol. I bet it was nice to see her in her School Uniform, all grown up. !!! I use to go through Huntington, Bury St. Edmunds, Ipswich most months from Kettering, when we went sea fishing at Felixstowe. That's a long time ago now. But some lovely memories. !!!

Had a phone call "for the Birthday Girl" I knew who it was, but didn't tell Ros. The call was to invite her out for a run in John's new TOY. He came round and they have gone off with the roof down, I did manage to get a photo of her sitting there waving.

When Val Barker called this morning, she said, she knew that Alan and Anne would be staying away last night. Great they tell other people, but not us, who have their Bloody dog. Dam right ignorant I would say. !!!! I am seriously thinking that next time they ask, I will say we can't, as we have something on. I won't be treated as the poor RELATION, by anyone. :-P :-P :-P :-P :-| :-| :-| :-|. All we know is that they will be back in time for the Choir, which starts at 7.00 pm. Our table is booked for 7.00 pm for 7.30 to eat. So they had better get the ar@@'s in to gear, and get home before we go out. Otherwise we will have to leave him with Val, or Carolyn.

Ros has been busy in the garden until the phone call. I just had a nose, and the patio is in a right old mess. Pots everywhere, and bits of plants over the slabs. If I go out and start clearing up, I expect that will be wrong, so will wait till she gets back, and then do what she asks, and replace the pots where she wants them.

Aren't we so lucky with this beautiful weather. Can you imagine us this evening sitting, looking out over a nice lake, with ducks and swans swimming around. Just hope it doesn't get dark early tonight.

We have signs on our Front +DOOR, but they seemed to get completely ignored by these door to door sales people. I just politely SAY "NO THANKS"

It must be nice to have these talking books Mel, Do they have a good selection of various Authors and Story's ?? I might call in at our local Library, and see what they have. Will save my eyes with all the reading I do. lol lol

COT time, then I will have a shower and shave, and sort out what to wear tonight.

Enjoy the rest of this lovely weather. Speak again soon. xxxx

frank they have allsorts of books. If you are partially sighted they are free. Mum ussed to have them free but I ave to pay £2.50 a book.

We now ALL want to see the pic of Ros in the new car please?

Think oh has overdone it as he has'nt had anything to drink today and has just woken up and had a little bowl of soup. Gone back to lie on the bed now.

Goodness Ros has had some lovely pressies Frank :-D That is a bit bad that Biggles was left with you and not being told when he was being picked up . I know you love him, but as you say what if you had been going out for lunch today.

Chelsea 12 !!! They are all growing up now Mandy.No doubt costing Mum and dad (and you :-D ) more and more . Are your Son and DIL ready for all the teen hormones to kick in??? Thinking back now I do remember that with our 2. The Huffs, shouting, slamming a doors, stomping up the stairs ,oh yes there were some difficult times but at least they come out the other side eventually :-D :-D

Vera when are you off to Jersey? It can't be long now. I wish I was off somewhere again now :-D

Dragon Flies Mel. We have so many around here still at the moment.I love to see them all. Just noticed a pattern of wings on the window :-S. Looks like a Pigeon has done a Kamikaze job :-( No body though so it must have survived.

This post is taking ages as my Sister rang to say that Larry had to hot foot it up to Leeds early this morning as his Mum was taken into hospital in the early hours with heart failure . He arrived to find her sat up in bed and chatting to everyone !!!!!.
He is booking into a travel lodge tonight and will see how the land lies as to how long he will stay.

Cold calls on the doorstep we never have these days AnnG. We used to get plenty like the one you have had. The only cold calls now are the phone ones and already today there have been 3 !!!!!!!. Ones that could really worry some people, such as money beng taken out of your account , your internet being shut down because of it being hacked . We block all these calls but they somehow find another way of getting through. It is doing my head in :-S :-S

Jane we leave our phone on answer phone so don't have the nuisance calls. Only occasionally is a recorded message on the answer phone then it is so obviously a scam that we just delete it. This door step one was the first in a long time except for one man trying to drum up local gardening/odd job business.

Mandy they do grow up so quickly once they go to 'big school'. Happy birthday to your Granddaughter. Ours is 17 and the last photo on FB showed her with the sides of her head shaved (not a large patch but a definite patch and a nose stud. Finding her personality I think. Hope she doesn't go for tattoos though but I reckon she might.
On holiday there was a man who had the whole of the visible parts of his body in a swimsuit absolutely covered in tattoos all joined together. I wouldn't know whether to speak to him or read him!!! His wife had large flower tattoos all up both legs and arms.
Our Granddaughter in law has tattoos. Her OH is not keen but she had them before they met. Daughter's youngest son also has a tattoo but it is under his clothes.

AnnG our phone is always on answerphone (if I don't recognise the number) . Like you we just delete. I always say if it is someone who wants to actually speak to us they will leave a message and we know who it is :-D

None of us have tattoos . But my Nephews and Niece have plenty . I remember my Sister being horrified as a lot of the tattoos were BIG. Years ago when James was about 15 he had his eyebrow pierced .I was very anti it. I went along with him and he passed out when he had it done :-D. He then had to have it covered up for school with a plaster. Not a good look :-) So that didnt last long.
The Daughter of my friend had a tattoo of Tweety pie and Puddy Tat on the back of her shoulder . But when she got married after many years later it was faded and was not a good look with her strapless wedding dress :-S :-S

I haven't seen many people lately with the side of their heads shaved AnnG. Sometimes though I think it can actually look ok (even on a girl). I bet within a few years your Grandaughter will have a completely different look again :-D. I think it is nice in a way that it doesn't really matter so much these days as to how youngsters look. It would be a bit boring if it was still the days of perms and big shoulder pads LOL . I had them :-S . I think we all look back at old photos and think"What the heck did I look like" . The young ones today will be doing exactly the same in years to come :-D

James has just 'borrowed ' my car . He has cleaned his and washed the seats(which are still wet) and his friend Luke has just rung him to have a last meet up before he goes back to London. Chris and Fitz are going to a Council Meeting tonight at 6 . So I don't think I need to expect dinner to be an early one tonight.

It has been another brilliant sunny day :-D :-D

Loved the photos Jane, you are looking really well and happy, the hip must agree with you.

I have learnt not to react to anything they have done. Greg, that is daughter's youngest son I think i put middle on the previous post must edit that. He is the one most likely to (anything) He is a re-enactor, as a viking warrior, He is very big and tall and at various times has had a large ginger beard and long hair (very long), A smallish beard and short hair, earring, studs wherever, he's the one with a tattoo. But he is the kindest most helpful sensible 27 year old young man, he is good with his nephews and niece (our greats) and with cats, dogs. Yet if you met him out on a dark night you would feel nervous if you didn't know him. of the grandchildren he is the one we ask if we need anything done. He lives with his fiancee, waiting for the inheritance left to him by his other grandmother (held up in probate) so they can get married. None of the other three grandsons have tattoos or studs. They are all good people as well. Granddaughter's hair style actually suited her. She is not a delicate feminine girl prefers Doc Martens to fancy shoes, Is, like her mum big built but is quite shy and reserved. And has given the family no trouble at all (so far).

I like the shaved sides look on men and women, girls and boys. I also like the viking looks, clothes beards etc. We do watch The Vikings ont he telly.

Oh cut his long beard off!!!!! when he had to go for his diabetic eye test. I was so surprised when I noticed and he told me he had do it the day before!! Just shows you how much I look at him when I get my three kisses at night when he is going to bed. Just as well I did'nt buy him that beard jewelry last Christmas.

Lovely photos Jane I forgot to say on my last post. You all looke so happy with smiley faces. A nice group photo in great surroundings. Nice to keep for looking back on.

I have done a bit of crafting this afternoon but no HW. It will still be there tomorrow if a little thicker dust wise. I really must so the stretcher on the chairs. I think my hoover blows out a lot more dust than it sucks up sometimes.

Three of our four grandsons have beards.
When T gave up smoking in 1994 it was almost a week before I realised. In my defence he always used to go outside to smoke never smoked in the house so it didn’t click. He was at work all day too of course. And he was not bad tempered or anything. Just gave up.

Lovely photos Jane especially the group one! That is a huge lake isn't it and no crutch or stick to be seen! Poor Larry with his mum so far away to visit and a worry for him. At least he isn't working now which helps.

No Mel the stick is yet to be found. I never said at the time, but the following year I hid my extended drive with backup and my photos on when we went away and I can't find that either! I write a note of where I put things now. I wonder where your copper wire is. OH hasn't used it has he? I like the sound of the talking books as you can listen while you do other things.

Frank, what a birthday with all those presents from you! Also the great gift of the bedding she liked. Fancy not letting you know about the dog! That's just taking you for granted.

Like Mel I like all things Viking and don't mind any hairstyles or shaving, except perhaps dreadlocks after talking to my hairdresser about them, but I don't really like tattoos. The only one I saw that was lovely was a garland of flowers across a woman's chest after she'd had a double mastectomy. I could understand that. They always seem to be in the wrong place, partially poking out of the top of clothes, beneath short skirts etc. There are so many now they are just copying the crowd. Too many health risks with the ink too.

AnnG, my colouring now I'm older doesn't suit the strong colour of gold which is draining for me. The rings don't fit either. They are just taking space up and will never be used so it's silly keeping them. One little signet ring was from a chap I worked with years ago and who called me his 'adopted daughter'. He would be 98 now if he's still alive. Yes, OH was tickled pink with his card with his name across the front! That was a nice way to explain things to your cold caller and he will know what the message means when he goes to other houses.

I bet it was lovely to see Chelsea in her new uniform Mandy. I bet she's quite tall now too. Did you have chocolate cake? I called in Aldi too and ended up with fat quarters as well as the pom pom makers. I wasn't sure if the pom pom makers are very strong but they were so cheap I risked it! I got some of the Christmassy fat quarters and a pack of the others but have no idea what I will make yet. I like those big balls of cord like wool too.

Just put my camera in my bag for tomorrow in case any chicks hatch.

Happy Birthday Ros. I am a bit late but better late than never.

Frank, Ros is a lucky lady. What lovely presents she has had from you and Conrad and Jan. My OH, bless him, did try to surprise me a few years ago and bought me some quite expensive jewellery but it isn't my style at all. I do put it very occasionally just so he can see I appreciate it. But as for red roses - I don't think he'd know one if it came up and bit him :-D I hope Ros enjoyed her "spin" with John and that tonight's meal is a great success. I must say I think that was bad of Biggles owners not to let you know you were expected to keep him overnight.

So Chelsea is 12 now Mandy. They grow up so fast when they start at secondary school. My youngest granddaughter is 13 and seemed to go from being a little girl to being a young lady almost overnight. As for Bury St. Edmunds you would probably find it has changed somewhat. There is a modern shopping/entertainment complex called The Apex but the area around the Cathedral hasn't changed much with the Cathedral itself, the Abbey ruins and gardens and the Angel Hotel and the roads around there still have quite a few small shops and little cafes.

Your photos at Grafham Water are lovely Jane. You look a very happy and close knit family group. Sorry to hear about your bil's Mum. I hope she makes a speedy recovery. You asked about our Jersey trip. We go at silly o'clock on Saturday morning. We are a group of 10 and one member is disabled and comes with a wheelchair and some other equipment so we have a small minibus and a car picking us up at 3.30 am. We are going in the car with the disabled gentleman and his wife tho' his wheelchair may be in the minibus, but we'll travel in convoy. I have given OH strict instructions not to help our friend. His instinct is always to help but I can't risk him seizing up again. We both feel we need this holiday, even if it is only a few days. We will be back on Thursday evening.

My grandson doesn't have his head shaved but his hair is cut so close to his head that you can hardly see it, and he has a beard as well. I look at him sometimes and think he looks nearer 30 than his age of 19. His sister, who is 22, told me last time I saw her that she had had her belly button pierced. When I asked her why she said she just fancied doing it.

Right, I had better go and look through the wardrobe and decide what I am going to take with me. I ought to start tonight as we are quite busy tomorrow. I have a couple of things that must be done and OH has an appointment at the Health Centre for various blood tests and things.

I hope you all sleep well tonight.

Lovely family photo Jane that's one to keep .

Ann I bought the Christmas fat quarters too ,I also liked the big balls of corded like wool there was nice colours , I did see the other day some bowls that had been crochet with the T shirt yarn ,that looked a thick type of yarn just like the wool ,they also made face scrunchies with the yarn .

As I said in my email Jane, the photos are lovely especially the one of the four of you.

Vera I hope you find it easier getting up early on Saturday than we did on the day we came home. And I hope that you have a lovely break. And do stop your OH from helping.

Ann ah Yes I see. I find I can still wear either gold or silver jewellery although I also find I can’t wear some of the colours I used to wear before I stopped colouring my hair and stayed with grey. Good idea to find a home for surplus gold.