General Chat

Just put The Repair Shop on the planner. Thanks AnnG

Sandra's just text to say she'll be ringing me soon. I did find it odd before though as she wouldn't take her phone with her when she needed to speak to Michelle and Michael, she said they didn't know she was ringing me. I hope they haven't told her not to contact me and she's ringing me behind their backs. It's a bit of a worry isn't it? It would explain whey I haven't heard from her for such a long time though. Not sure if I should mention it to her just in case it's not right and I'm seeing things that aren't there, plus she might mention it to Michael and the last time we spoke he started shouting at me.

I would wait and see if Sandra volunteers the information gill I wouldn't ask her or she might stop ringing if she thinks she will get into troubel. Perhaps she is just being secretive.

Mel the other two girls didn't see them as it was the day Katie came on her own ,if i think of it tomorrow i'll show them to Lacey and see which she likes that way you'll have an idea of what little girls like , they might even have a few ideas of things you could make , Chelsea doesn't always come as she's usually with her friends .


Oh Frank tooth ache is rotten i hope the pain soon eases and that you can get to see the dentist on Monday .
What are you talking about !!! of course you have some good input on here ,i love hearing what you've been up and Ros too, so come back on the thread soon .


Oh AnnG your poor arm that looks really sore ,i didn't realise it would look like that ,i hope the soreness soon goes ,i should think you could easily catch those stitches so do be careful.

Gill glad your feeling better ,i wouldn't say any thing to Sandra ,she's ringing and she's happy so that all that matters .

The sun got through this afternoon and it was lovely out but very windy .

Good gracious AnnG I did'nt know it was that big!!!! I hope it will straighten out a bit once the stitches come out. Poor you will you have to cover it at night? as I would think the stitches could catch on the quilt cover etc.

Mandy How old is Chelsea now. I keep losing track of their ages.

I have had a go at varnishing some bits. Oh bought me flesh tones in clay and some gloss Fimo water based varnish which arrived this afternoon. It takes me back to my dollshouse miniatures I used to make and I am using the same brushes I used for those too.

Just had another short sharp hail shower. Its been like it all day but mostly sunshine and a bitter wind.

Afternoon All,

A miserable morning with showers but it was sunny and windy this afternoon. I wasn't well yesterday evening. Very much like a panic attack with fast heartbeat, sweating, nausea and shakiness. I had to sit and do breathing exercises for a quarter of an hour to slow my heart and then sat up in bed for a couple of hours till I felt a bit better and fell asleep. I'm pretty sure it was the small helping of F&C (specifically the batter) we treated ourselves to at the garden centre in the afternoon that caused it. A few years ago I had the trots on 2 occasions after supermarket F&C and then felt ill like last night on another occasion. I'm fine with ones from the F&C shop and think it may be the flavour enhancer MSG that might be added by some manufacturers. I looked it up a few years ago and it can cause all the symptoms I get and some experts think it can trigger panic attacks. It was a rare treat, but I shall stick to the ones from the fish and chip shop another time. I know they used to use it in packets of crisps years ago and chinese restaurants use it a lot. Apart from feeling a bit wobbly this morning I have been fine today.

I'm glad you are feeling better now Gill. Yes, what is Sandra doing differently now that is a better life for her? I hope she remembers to ring you as I would have thought she would be missing you and her dad so much by now.

Vera, your life is beginning to sound like a sitcom! I had this image in my head of you both,with hubby sitting bolt upright with his turned up collar with his gaze fixed ahead and you moving carefully in slow motion around him. I do appreciate how horrid it must be as we have been in similar predicaments at times. It looks like you will be seeing the doc on Monday after all. It's worse when you are both suffering as well, as nothing around you can get done. At least no lawns need mowing this time of year.

Jane I thought the film was a little slow at the start, but hubby and my friend never said so, so I thought it was me. It was filmed in Kent at Hartfield House, but I don't know if it's a house you can visit. These appointments seem to come around quickly and it is a shame that the next one looms as soon as you start to feel better again. At least you know what to expect now and what will best help you get through those days. I hope you get your results on Monday.

OH's cough seems to be going now although he is sleeping for england lately. Well guessed Mandy, he went to his first match for a few weeks this afternoon but was really well wrapped up to keep warm.

Mel those clays sound really nice with the sparkles in them and the teddy bear bracelet was cute too! I look forward to seeing what you make with them.. :-) The weather sounds a bit rough your way and the poor chucks sound as if they need some wellies. We forgot pancake day too!!

The floods round here are in more fields than I have ever seen in the past before or recently. I passed a farm today that had floodwater lapping at a barn near the farmyard.

Does the christmas wreath book have christmas ornaments as well as wreaths Mandy? My stitching is a bit slow and not as neat as I would like with it being hard to push the needle through the layers , but I'm pleased with how it's coming along a nd a couple more gos should finish it.

Yes I panic that plants will sell out and I won't see the exact ones again AnnG. I would put some in the greenhouse but it would be too cold at night yet I think and I can't get in there for humpers of soil at the moment. The conservatory faces southwest, but we don't heat it, but it is double glazed so I might get a few plants and try it. I have a propagator so could put the lid on at night. I expect your wound is going to irritate a bit now till the stitches come out. I hadn't heard of vaseline being used either.

Frank I hope you are back soon. We enjoy your chitchat and I think most of us feel we haven't much to report when we are nursing our aches and pains. You could try some bonjela from the chemist as well as your painkillers for the tooth. I hope you can see the dentist with it soon.

That does seem odd Gill, but as you say, best to not ask Sandra at the moment in case she worries about getting into trouble over ringing you and stops. I expect they will be checking it to see when she has rung you anyway.

Oh AnnG that is a bigger wound than I imagined and must be quite uncomfortable! I thought it would just be a half inch long and a straight line. Yes thanks for mentioning the repair shop, we have recorded it too! :-)

OH AnnG, your arm looks really sore, I hope it heals quickly for you.

I've just had a good chat with Sandra, she is doing fine and seems to be enjoying living with her sister, which is good. She told me that she told Michael off for shouting at me the way he did, but she didn't say what he said in return. I think that's why she hasn't told them she's ringing me.

I did ask her why she rings me without them knowing, but she didn't really reply, she just said she would say she was speaking to someone else. If that makes her feel better then that's okay with me. Sorry, I hadn't read your posts about not mentioning her secrecy before our phone call, I've just noticed them now. I didn't really say much and the subject was soon changed anyway.

Sandra is hoping to see us on her own on Mother's day, I'm really looking forward to that. I wasn't happy with what Michelle said to Sandra though regarding them dropping Sandra off here on her own, Michelle has told her that I'll lock the doors and not let Sandra out. I really can't understand where Michelle gets these ideas from, it's quite concerning and I'm wondering if it's Michael putting the ideas into her head. I just hope they don't refuse to drop Sandra off here as that would really upset her and us.

Anyway I'm not going to worry about that as Sandra knows I would never do that anyway and she is looking forward to seeing both of us. The last thing I want is to spoil her visit, otherwise she may never want to visit again.

Sandra is having her hair cut and coloured so it'll be nice to see what it looks like as I've only known her with long hair. I'm not sure how short she's having it cut though. She did say she still wants to be able to put it up, so I don't think it's going to be to short. She's looking forward to showing us her new hair do.... bless her.

I'm glad Sandra isn't listening to the tails coming from Michelle, which I find quite hurtful and was really shocked when Sandra first told me. It looks like Michelle is trying to stop Sandra wanting to visit us. Well, like I said I'm looking forward to Sandra's visit and so is she, which is the main thing.

There hasn't been any mention of Michelle wanting to see us yet, so we'll have to wait and see what she decides to do. Michelle knows she's more than welcome anytime she wants to visit, but hasn't bothered for years. We really don't want anything to do with Michael anymore though as he comes across as a trouble maker. If he's a real man he'd encourage our daughter's to come and visit, not try and turn them against us.

Oh and Sandra said Michael is getting her a passport, she's just waiting for it to arrive. I'll be glad when this situation calms down and all the bickering stops. It's so nice to speak with Sandra when he's not around and much calmer to. I just hope it continues that way.

Just noticed your post Ann, I hope you don't have another panic attack I have them myself and they're not nice are they? I didn't realise some foods can bring them on though. Can you buy heat mats for plants to sit on at night, that might help and then you could buy the plants you want now, without wondering if they're all going to be sold out when you go to buy them later on?

I’m glad you are feeling a bit better Gill. Now, don’t go overdoing it again and try not to get too stressed about things. I know that’s easy for me to say but it will help you if you can keep your stress levels low. Fwiw, I agree with the others. I think it’s better at the moment not to voice your worries about the phone calls to Sandra. I am sure she will get in touch with you if she is upset or unhappy. Don’t worry about her not contacting you very often. This is pretty normal behaviour when our children leave home. They are just finding their feet and enjoying the experience of being a bit more independent. I used to worry like mad over my son because he so seldom rang, and my daughter was only a bit better. Now they are getting their comeuppance as they are worrying about their kids :-D

I hope your OH is pampering you a bit Ann. You deserve it with such a sore looking arm. I’ve forgotten when you said the stitches would be coming out.

Jane, make the most of your good days and try not to anticipate how you will feel after the next lot of chemo. You are a good way through the course of treatment now and have done so well. I’m keeping everything crossed for your consultant’s appointment and your scan results.

Oh dear Ann, that attack sounds horrible and quite frightening, but it sounds as though you dealt with it in just the right way. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to hear that it was caused by the MSG. I am glad OH and I have given you and Jane a smile. It is a bit like a scene from a sitcom isn’t it. Even I had to laugh tonight. We were having our dinner and sitting at opposite ends of the kitchen table, both of us bolt upright, me with a pillow behind me and him with his turned up collar, both of us staring into space and looking thoroughly miserable. What should come into my head but the picture “American Gothic”. I know the situation is different but I thought we looked just like the two old people in that, looking fixedly ahead with not a smile between us. I did have to laugh :-D if you don’t know the picture google it and you will see what I mean.

As the dishwasher broke down and we haven’t felt up to shopping for a new one we are having to wash up after meals. OH has just gone to do it. I told him to count his blessings as he won’t have to bend down and turn his head to load the dishwasher. I don’t think he was amused ;-)

Sorry Gill. I think you posted just as I was starting to type mine so I missed it.

Morning all,

Trust you all had a good nights sleep and were'nt in too much pain Vera with your back and AnnG with your arm and Frank with the toothache.

The wind seems to have dropped a lto here today and we have the usuall sunshine and hail showers. There's a line of hailstones under the box hedge.

The wild birds are eating me out of house and home poor things are always so hungry when the weathers like this. They go through a tablet of fat and four nuggets a day and peanuts and seed on the bird table. Even the Wood Pigeons go on the bird table!!!! I think they watch me to see when I fill it up and they are down as soon as I walk away. Still having the Long Tailed Tits and their families visit.

Good morning

It’s very quiet on here this morning. Where is everyone? It’s a lovely sunny day here today though there is still a cold wind.

My back feels a good bit better today. I bet by the time I see the doctor tomorrow I’ll be well on the mend and will feel a right idiot for wasting his time. I’m feeling very frustrated as this is good weather to be out doing some tidying up in the garden but I don’t think bending and reaching in this cold wind would do me any good at all.

OH wrapped himself up warmly and went for a little walk this morning. I know it’s not really funny but I did have to smile watching him walk away. He looked like a robot with his head held up high and looking dead straight ahead :-D. He keeps trying to help me, bless him, but his “help” mostly consists of getting in the way when I’m trying to cook, and making cups of tea, though he has done a lot of the washing up. No offers to prepare any veg or do any ironing, even though standing at the work surface or ironing board are the most painful for me. I’m not really complaining. So many of my friends live alone because they are widowed or divorced that I know I am lucky to have him.

Guess what? He’s just brought me another CoT. Better drink it and then go and sort the veg for dinner. Roast pork loin today and we’ll eat around 2 pm.

You must have posted as I started typing Mel. I asked OH to put more sunflower hearts out this morning, as the feeder was virtually empty. I told him to put them out in a clean feeder which he did but I see the dirty feeder is just sitting on the drainer in the utility. I suppose he thinks the house elf will come and wash it. And why didn’t he notice the peanut feeder, hanging in the same tree, also needs refilling? Men.......can’t live with them, can’t live without them.

Vera I so agree.

I'm just about to start the big breakfast. Oh has been on at me to have a new frying pan so I had to go and stand in his study for him to hsow me the ones he has found and they were all too big I wasted time looking in there and now I am all behind. I like the frying pans I have but he says he can't get my copper lined one clean. It is clean it has just gone black and it still dos'nt stick.

:-D :-D :-D :-D Vera!! I feel your pain. Love 'em. Just did the veg for lunch. We were out in the car and I said my arm was stiff and painful with keeping it braced against getting knocked, and also said I was not looking forward to preparing te veg for this evenings meal. OH did say hesitantly, well I suppose I could peel the potatoes (all3!!!) if you really can't manage.

We were out to buy a new TV as he wanted to get a better smart TV than the one we have which is 5 years old. So he had researched and Currys had the one he had seen as suitable (Panasonic 50"") at £100 off. So we go to currys and buy it and nice lad loads the huge box into the car. And there was a suggestion That I could help him carry it in, it is awkward rather than heavy. I pointed out that my instructions say not to put strain on the wound (And it was not lost the remark about the potatoes). Anyway I suggested the trolley and it worked, he got it in by himself (I did actually offer to pay to have it delivered and installed but was turned down ---- want it! want it NOW!) And I did the veg myself!! Which has passed completely over his head.

Oh I also got a new slow cooker as mine is about 4 years old and having been used a lot was beginning to lose a bit of the non stick around the top.

Vera the stitches are due to come out two weeks after the op which is 11 March.

Gill pleased that you had a long chat with Sandra. It seems to me that Michelles says these things to Sandra because it is the sort of thing she would do herself. She also underestimates that Sandra will remember and tell you.

Annx I knew how big the scar would be as the doctor drew it on my arm. When you have a BCC they have to take out a certain amount around it to make sure it has not spread. Although not malignant they can get bigger. This about the same size as the ones I had on my neck and thigh but smaller than the first one I had which meant an overnight stay as it was two together just under my bust. That one meant a great difficulty with wearing a bra as it was just where the band of the bra went.

Oh I am sorry about that strange attack that you had, it could quite easily have been MSG. My sister is very intolerant to MSG too. Just looking on line and it appears that MSG is often used quite legally as it is a flavour enhancer, chips in particular are mentioned.

Mel you are lucky to be seeing so many birsds, we are still not getting that many.

Mandy, yes the stitches are easy to catch, hopefully the soreness will ease with time.

Afternoon All,

Sunshine here earlier so I thought OH would be fancying a little trip out somewhere but it rained and then there was sleet so I didn't suggest it.

You do make me chuckle Vera. I had a look at that painting and laughed straightaway as I could just see what you meant! :-) Now the 'robot' has been on the loose! lol. We tend to laugh at our predicaments too although it is certainly no joke to be hurting. The gentle movements of a walk might help him a little. I hope he didn't need to cross any roads as all that 'look right, look left and look right again' won't help but I expect he would just have to turn his whole body. I hate having to drive with a stiff neck when you have to look almost behind you to pull out of a junction. At least you sound as if your back is a bit better, but don't be tempted to do those jobs just yet or you may be back to square one.

Mine went to fetch the newspapers and pay them this morning (4 minutes drive) so just left me to do the veg. When he got back he has to start reading them instead of coming to offer help. He did wash up what won't go in the dishwasher, but never wipes down the tops or cooker hob. He waltzes in afterwards loudly announcing that everything is washed now and all done. Why do they need to do that when they do anything? We don't do it every time we do a job do we!

We had Barnsley lamb chops with onion, beans, carrots and brussels today. I never seem to get the timings spot on so the veg are ready when the meat is. I think it was because the chops were thicker today. I'm so glad I had a warming drawer fitted when we redid the kitchen. The fitter looked surprised at the time but it's a boon.

Mel I don't like big or heavy frying pans or ones with steep sides. It is annoying when they hold you up for something that only you will know is suitable.

I never suspected chips AnnG, but will bear that in mind now. Out of interest, does your sister find that Coriander tastes like soap suds as well? It does to me and is a genetic thing for some of us and they are putting it in lots of restaurant meals now. :-S I can imagine those BCCs on your bra line would be most uncomfortable as they were healing. Did you do a Charlie Dimmock for a few days?

That's good you are hearing from Sandra Gill, but I hope they stop putting these silly thoughts in her head or put her off ringing you without them listening in. It's good she can spend Mother's Day with you. You can have a proper chat to reassure her then. Fancy telling her you would lock her in, when you didn't stop her going in the first place.

I did a bit more of the applique, but have put it down to give my fingers a rest for a while. I need to pop and get fuel as I may go to Grantham to the retail park tomorrow and will need to set off early to get a parking space near the doors as the car park is massive and it gets busy quickly.

I hope Frank's toothache isn't too bad today. At least he can see a dentist tomorrow.

Annx One day I am going to type a list when OH states that he is going to do something (anything) in the house or garden, it will have columns so he can tick when the job is done then he can just give me the list instead of wasting my time having to listen to him running through all the things he has completed. When he does that I often look at him and say. 'Want to know all the jobs I have done? No I thought not'.

Oh and it is so aggravating when he says 'I have put all the stuff away' (the stuff being what we have had out to get our lunches, bread, butter, cheese etc.) and then, when I go out to the kitchen everything is away but the work surface is full of crumbs.

I have to say that he is good at emptying the dish washer, we usually do it together, but he will often do it on his own before he goes to golf. sometimes he is a bit inventive as to where he thinks things go.

My sister has so many food intolerances that I lose count. She has fibromyalgia but also there are a lot of foods she can't eat. (now I don't know if they are real intolerances or imagined but at 73 she is not going to change. I doubt she eats coriander.

Mel have you pointed out that it is the cook who chooses the utensils?

AnnG he always asks me and I have to go to the study and look at what he's found. I think I am getting a 21 cm one but not too sure!

I HATE coriander and also rocket. They both stink to me and coriander does taste like soap dirty soap.

Done a bit of painting this afternoon but also cooked sausage rolls for tea so inbetween doing the chickens putting out the recyling (first time for three weeks) and putting the chickens away I don't seem to have time to do much.

Morning all,

Shout it from the roof tops, we have sunshine and NO wind blue sky a few white clouds and it looks like spring has sprung. What a pleasure...... Birds are still very hungry though so must fill up their feeders.

Nothing planned for today. Oh has just told me my frying pan is coming between 12 and 1pm today so will see what its like when it arrives.