General Chat

Good morning all sunny but a cold East wind. Can't help about the box Ann, We have tivo boxes ( Vigin) and don't have Sky. Hope it did solve itself over night as it is annoying if you can't record.programmes.

Mel everything (or almost everything0 goes in the dishwasher. Sometimes either of us hand washes and the other dries. sometimes things are left to dry on the draining board but I could never leave dirty dishes overnight.

Morning AnnG and all,

Beautiful sunny morning here and when I looked up into the sky coming into the kitchen I saw a vapour trail in the blue sky. Not seen that for a while I can tell you. There is a bit of an eastly breeze.

Just had some toast as I only had a couple of small pears last night for tea so I was hungry this morning.

Nothing planned for today so shall just go with the flow........... :-D

Morning all

Nice and sunny again, I've got lots of washing to get through so that'll keep me busy, that and my family tree. I've moved onto a different part of my tree, I was getting nowhere on the other part, so hopefully I'll be able to find something to add to my tree today and not hit anymore brick walls.

Nice to see you on here Jane, sorry you have a sore shoulder, hope it feels better soon now your resting from your cross stitch. How did your chat go with the doctor, hope it's good news and your treatment goes okay tomorrow. I hope you're not so tired now and had a good nights sleep.

Sorry I thought the post van was due when you said you needed to get up early for it Mel. Hopefully you won't be late when you do decide to post your parcel. It sounds like you've been busy in your garden sorting out the hotel for the bee. How nice of you to put the bee that goes into your shed back outside. Hope you get the seeds you want from your Asda order. I can't get any seeds, our food shops don't sell them, so I won't have any flowers in the garden this summer. All my flowers are spring ones, so the garden is going to look dull until next spring now. :-( :-(

Sometimes it's dust that causes problems with Sky Ann, have you tried taking your card out and giving it a wipe, that might work. We had problems with our Sky when we first moved in here as we were having lots of dusty jobs done and the Sky man said it was the dust getting into the box at the top, you can't cover the box but if it is dust it might be worth cleaning your card and see what happens. I hope it works, if not try giving Sky a ring I think the helplines are still open, so someone might be able to help you. Good luck, there's nothing worse than having something break and not knowing what to do about it.

Pleased to see your tum is feeling better now Mandy. Yes, I've got Kirstie on my planner, I think it's on all week, but like Mel said it's probably going to be things children can do. You never know though, she might do things us adult can make.

What room did you decided to do next Vera. You put us all to shame, I've been so busy with my family tree I haven't done much apart from the usual housework and washing clothes. I really should go through the draws and clean them at some point though.

Washing machine has just finished so I'd better go and sort it out, then have another look at my family tree. I was on a bit of a roll last night but OH was tired so we went to bed. He should of been off today but was asked to work as someone didn't turn up and they couldn't get in touch with her. Well, I'd better go, the washing won't dry in the machine.

I have spent most of the morning putting things on my asda list for tomorrows delivery.

I am now going to hoover and then clean the bathroom as oh is out in the garden.

Good luck with your tree search today Gill.

O I meant to say are you going to eat all the strawberries this year?

I'm having a better day on my tree today Mel, it beats going around in circles and getting nowhere lol.

I've put the strawberry plants outside, I'm not sure what's going to happen to them as OH doesn't like strawberries and I only like them if they're sweet. If the birds leave them alone long enough I may eat some.

Make sure you don't forget anything on your shopping this week, remember the fun you had when you forgot something. Not that is was funny, but you don't want it to happen again. Best to check it twice before sending it.

It's been a lovely day here so all the washing is dry and put away now. I'd just finished and was going back to my tree when OH came home.

He's not long come in, apparently the woman they couldn't get hold of who was suppose to work today rang to say she'd be in today but no one passed the message on, so OH has been doing some of his training. He's been so busy he hadn't made a start, so only has six weeks left to complete it or they can't keep him on. He's managed to do 4 out of the 10 needed today, but might have to go in on his day off to complete the rest if he doesn't have time when he's in work. At least almost half of it's done, so hopefully it'll all be done by the time his trial ends and he keeps his job.

He kept me talking for ages when he came in so I didn't do much of my tree, I'm going to take another look at it now while he's watering the garden and cutting the grass.

Evening all,
What a lovely day it's been we sat out enjoying the sunshine this afternoon ,shopping all done and put away .

Oh Ann i wonder whats gone wrong with the sky box i hope you can get it sorted so you can record again .

Jane hope you managed a good nights sleep last night after your sleepless night , hope the phone call with your Consultant went ok and you can get your next lot of treatment tomorrow .

Mel we've seen a few vapour trails in the sky this afternoon they show up more when the sky is so blue .
Hope you've sorted out all you need for your shopping delivery tomorrow ,your turn tomorrow to wipe and put away ,i was glad when i had done all mine it does seem to take forever but has to be done .

Gill i see your still busy on your tree i see , did you see the post where some libraries are letting you access Ancestry and FMP for free ?it's until the end of the month i think you need a library card to log in though.
You could make a little jam with the strawberries if there's enough and the birds don't have a feast .

It was a nice easy meal tonight we had the shepherds pie that was left over from yesterday with lots of veg .

Today we have bought a Rug Doctor carpet cleaner i saw it advertised on Ideal World over the weekend ,we have a few marks on our bedroom carpet and it also has an attachment to clean the sofa and stairs so now we have to wait for delivery i expect it will be a while with all that's going on .

No Frank again ? do hope Franks ok and Vera too she hasn't posted either .

Evening All,

Well another lovely sunny day but a bit breezy here.

OH was up early and cleaned all the white gutters on the conservatory. I jet washed the top patio and path to it this morning, but just when I needed OH to pull more hose up the garden and move the electric cable, where was he? Gassing to our neighbour from the front garden. :-S He was only supposed to be putting something in the bin. When he came back I told him lunch would be late if we didn't get cracking so he actually did some of it himself, so I could get on with lunch then. It all looks much cleaner now and another stint on Wednesday should get the path down the side of the bungalow and front done. We started lunch outside, but went into the conservatory to do the crossword and word wheel as it was a bit chilly. This afternoon I started weeding out old papers from some of my old investments and shredded them, then OH did some shredding in the garage when I'd had enough and played he some of his CDs. It's a good feeling to be getting on with a long overdue sort out. ;-)

I tried your suggestion with the viewing card Gill, but it didn't work. :-( The one good thing is that it is still doing recordings ok from the other 2 tvs with mini boxes. I think we will have to manage with the bedroom tvs for now, because if SKY need to fit a new box, they will be all over the bungalow and in the bedrooms to link up the mini boxes with the new main box and I don't fancy that or all the wiping down of everything after. Glad you are getting on better with your tree today and I hope your OH gets through his training in time. OH has some to do for his clerking for another qualification and has a virtual seminar booked for thursday.

Our holiday people agents sent an email today giving us a holiday voucher for the value of the balance of our holiday. We can either book another holiday before the end of December or book the same holiday week next year at the same price. They aren't offering refunds! As we don't know how long the current situation will last and they still show fully booked till Christmas where we were going, we think rebooking for next year at this year's price seems the best option. If things are much better by autumn we can always consider going somewhere else for a few days then.

I agree that getting meals takes a chunk out of the day Mel and you can't concentrate on crafts while you are juggling things on the stove and keeping an eye on the oven! We have a dishwasher, but I use a lot of pyrex jugs in the microwave which we handwash as well as the pans as the dishwasher is only on every other day. OH washes those and he has been wiping the tops down properly whereas he only used to do the sink.

One friend lives in a flat and has asked us to send her pictures of our gardens, so another friend made a video of a walk round her garden this morning! I thought it was a good idea and will have to see if I can do the same.

I hope you are ok for your treatment tomorrow Jane. x

Sorry Folks that I haven't been around. I am not sleeping, plus I am in a lot of discomfort with my back. So not wanting to be chatting. I do hope you understand. I will be back soon. xxxx

Well, today seems to have run away with me. I seem to have been busy all day but don’t feel I have achieved very much.

It’s been a lovely sunny day but really windy and that East wind carries a real chill in it. Good for drying the washing though and I got 2 loads done and on the line by 10 am. My goodness, the rotary line was really whizzing around in that wind.

After that I did a bit more tidying up in the garden and took out a couple of grasses that hadn’t done very well. OH took up another grass and divided it. I’d sewn a couple of seed trays with Moneymaker and Gardeners’ Delight tomatoes as they were the only seeds I could get and the seedlings were ready to pot on so I did that. I was getting a bit fed up with my neighbour’s wind chimes while I was in the garden. I’m not a big fan of wind chimes but I can normally tolerate them, but it was so windy today that these were clanging away non-stop.

I’ve got a few bits and pieces I need that I would normally get at the shops so after lunch I thought I’d see what I could get online. I spent 2 hours and got nowhere. One thing I wanted was £10.95 but the delivery charge was £11.45!! No way was I paying that. My neighbour rang me this afternoon. Her OH is on the government vulnerable list and must have registered for food parcels. They don’t need any as they are getting deliveries and younger friends are dropping things off for them. The first parcel turned up early this morning and by the time she got out of bed and got to the door the driver had gone so she couldn’t say she didn’t need it. She rang to see if I wanted some things from it so I had some apples and a packet of biscuits but I felt guilty taking them. Considering she didn’t have to pay I thought my neighbour was very ungracious about it. She complained there was no meat, she didn’t want the soup or beans or tinned tomatoes, she doesn’t eat apples or oranges etc. etc. I suggested that if she didn’t want the stuff she rang our Community Network and see if they could give it to someone who was in need.

I am so sorry you are not yourself at the moment Frank. Take care and just post when you feel like it. Sending you a gentle ((((hug)))).

I hope everything went OK for you today Jane and that your treatment tomorrow can go ahead. Sending you a ((((hug)))) as well.

It’s good that your OH has got a bit more of his training out of the way Gill. I’m sure he’ll manage to get through the rest of it in the time allowed. If necessary, would they extend the time a bit to allow for all the extra work caused by the Coronavirus?

I can’t help you with your Sky box Ann. We only have Freeview and have never bothered with anything else. We don’t have time to watch the programmes we like now so I could never cope with all the programmes you get on Sky. I hope you manage to sort your problem out. It sounds as though the best holiday option for you is booking next year at the same price. I suspect that prices might go up quite a bit next year so it might be a good deal. Of course, that’s assuming that we’re out of isolation by then, lol.

I hope you’ve got your Asda order sorted out Mel and that you get everything. I had to laugh tonight. I had an email from my cousin and she had just received her first online order. She was a bit surprised to find she had apparently ordered 16 onions. I also had a giggle at your penny on a string story. You were a mischievous girl weren’t you.

I had a reasonable night but feel really tired tonight so I think I’ll have a look at the crossword and then go to bed with my book. Sleep tight, sweet dreams everyone.

How on earth did she manage to order 16 onions?????? I usually have 6.

Frank as long as we know you are alright we won't worry. I hope you feel better soon. Do you think this not sleeping business could be because you are not having your injection???? Hope the aches and pains go soon and you can get back to us with all your news.

Love to Jane and I hope everything went well with your bloods and your consultation and are you back for treatment tomorrow? <3 <3

What a nuisance the box going wrong just at the wrong time. Shame wiping the card did'nt help but it was a good idea if it had. You seem to have got a lot done today and I bet it looks so mch better now its all nice and clean. I'd really like to pressure wash our porch as I have moss growing on it and the front door wants a good wash down too.

I cleaned out both lots this afternoon. First the big girls and got covered in sawdust as the wind was blowing from the east and thats the side the nest box opens. It was'nt too bad doing their house. Then I cam ein and put the lamb on and went and cleaned out the little girls. I did'nt do their run though. I have to make them go up into the bedroom bit to do that or they all try to escape. So I feel quite pleased with what I have done today. Spent a lot of time on the shopping channel too for our delivery tomorrow. I ordered just two Bounty Rolls and I think they are sending the cheap stuff again. It just disintegrates the mo it touches anything. They sent me that last time too so now I have about 6 of the blimmin things.

Gill I always put vanilla sugar on my strawberries. I have a jar of caster sugar and put a vanilla pod in it and it makes the sugar lovely. The pod is quite expensive but lasts forever int he sugar. You must put the strawberries back in the greenhouse as the birds will eat them befor ethey are ripe. Jam is a good idea too. I do small amonts in the microwave but you have to keep your eye on it or it will boil over.

Morning all,

Bit cloudy at the mo here but there is blue sky and layers of white cloud.

Just havin g my morning cuppa and getting ready for the big wipe down and put away. Like you lot I hate that and not sure if the wipe down is worse that putting the shopping in the trolly and taking it out at the checkout and putting it back in the basket and wheeling it back to the car and taking it out of the basket and putting it in the boot and driving home and getting it out of the boot and into the kitchen and putting it all away, or not.

I think if we survive this I will keep the online delivery for the heavy stuff and just go and pick my meat and veg and sundry bits I need each week. To tell the truth its not much different for us two living down here as we don't go out and about anyway.

I know he is going to ask me soon to take him to get petrol for the mowers.......

Good morning all, another sunny day with a chilly east wind. Certainly bringing down the blossom from neighbour's tree all over my Hostas. I made OH smile this morning. The radio person chatting said 'seeing the blossom floating down from the trees is like listening to a Shakespear sonnet'. I remarked in our garden it was more like The tempest!!

gill, maybe he strawberries should be protected from the birds as Mel suggests. I am sure you will be able to eat some of them. My sister makes strawberry crumble.
I hope OH can complete his training but I am sure if it gets close to the time and he has not completed it they will extend it because he has been working hard filling in shifts with the virus.

Mandy, sad when we can get excited over buying a Rug dactor carpet cleaner.
Annx sounds like you have a sparkling garden now, well done.
And good that you can still record on the smaller boxes so no need to miss anything.
You were saying about your OH chatting to a neighbour. I think we tend to forget that not only do we miss the conversation we have with friends but our OH's do as well. Mine chats to Phil next door when they are both out doing things with the cars but they do keep 6 foot at least apart.
At the moment he is sorting out some of the geraniums he has potted on for a U3a friend recently moved who only now has a small back 'yard' with lots of empty pots. She was glad to move to somewhere without a garden but is now missing having any plants.

It is not so much the getting meals that takes up the time but the sorting through what we have to make meals with and what we need to buy for making meals
I would so like to be able to go to our big Tesco and fill up a trolley. I actually enjoy food shopping (ok I know I am strange).

Frank, sorry about your back, hopefully a few days rest will sort it, and if your back hurts no doubt that affects your ability to sleep. Hope you feel better soon.

Jane do hope all goes well today for you <3

Vera I keep seeing on our local group site where people have had food parcels left and don't need them so they are giving them away. OK if they give to the community food banks but hopefully they are not just giving them indiscriminatoraly. I shouldn't feel guilty about taking the apples though as they will be good for you and you are not likely to be able to buy any for yourself. She sounds as if she doesn't deserve the parcel if she is criticizing it. Although it is strange what they are choosing to put in the parcels.
Sometimes the postage on line is horrendous isn't it, especially as normally it may be something you could buy and collect yourself. Does seem like profiteering.

Mel Well done on getting the girls cleaned out, another job done for now. any more giant eggs lately.
Hope you get your shopping OK today.

No no giant eggs lately AnnG. I had the list come through of what they are sending with my order and have substitutes again. No Curried beans so they have sent heinz baked beans instead. No Dettol anti bac so they have sent Asda lemon anti bac wipes. How far are they going to go???? Not very far once the shopping arrives. and a couple of other things I can't remember at the mo. Trouble is with me I can't use a lot of things that smell as it irritates my lips, tongue and mouth.

The blossom will soon be over and your hostas will be clean again. Take the hoover out and suck them all up. I used to do that with leaves on the patio when I had the old Vax but oh mucked that up by useing it with water and not putting the bucket in it. In a rush as usual.

Wishes for Jane today. gentle ((((hugs)))) and thinking of you. <3 <3 <3

Hope Frank had a bit better night last night and Vera too.

Has the tummy all settled down now Mandy?

Oh had a chat with Philip next door the other day when he was mowing the front field so he has had a good chin wag. He also met the new neighbours over the hedge whilst mowing. I hav'nt even seen them yet let alone talked to them from afar.

Morning all

Another lovely sunny day and so, so, quiet, more so than before lockdown, mind you most of the noise was planes and traffic on the roads.

Hope all goes well for your treatment today Jane, I'll be thinking of you <3 <3 <3

Sorry cleaning the card didn't work for you Ann. Have you tired ringing Sky, they maybe able to reset the box by talking you through it on the phone. At least you have other's you can watch, so that's something.

Two cards have arrived for Sandra, both in orange envelopes, I wonder if they are the same. I'll be posting them along with our card and present later in the week.

Sorry you've got a bad back Frank, I hope it heals soon. Take it easy and enjoy this wonderful weather.

I'm the same as you Mel, this lockdown isn't any different from my normal routine as I don't go out either, unless I really need something and that's not very often. Having said that I'm desperate for some compost and pots so I can re-pot some of my plants. I've had a thought about that though and it's surprising what ideas you can come up with when you have to.

I had a look at the bottom of the garden the other day and noticed the bulbs didn't come up this year in my pots, I think the squirrels have had them, so I might tip them out to check and if I only have a few put them into one pot and re-use the other pots and compost that's in them. I don't usually like doing that, but it's only three small conifers that need re-potting, so they should be okay. They're only about a foot tall, they were cuttings I had just over 5 years ago, I had 6 in total, three of which have already been re-potted and are starting to grow quite big now, so hopefully the other three will grow the same when they're in bigger pots.

I've found lots to add to my tree, so I'd better get on with it before I forget what's what. OH is going into work this afternoon to try and finish the training he has to do, it's his day off but with being home early yesterday he did all the gardening jobs he was going to do today and like he said he might as well get the training done rather than sit around here doing nothing. So while it's quiet I'll get on with the family tree as I caught up with my jobs yesterday too.

Hi to all you lovely people.

Last night I stayed up until 10.45. Slept like a log until 4.00 am Went for a wee wee, and back to sleep till 7.30.

Ros has been Soooo Busy, she has made almost 100 SWAB BAGS for the hospital, and the NHS. Pam next door has just sent round a load of old CLEAN sheets and pillow cases. So she will be at it again very soon, after doing a bit of H.W. but as there is only the two of us, the place doesn't get that untidy.

I am pleased to say my back feels a lot better this morning. I still have the front lawn to cut, but that can wait. I noticed how the back lawn has grown since I cut it, last Friday. I watered the beans and greenhouse last night, and all the front garden pots, and down the drive, Patio pots and hanging baskets.

Last night, I heated up the beef, that was over from Sunday, put potatoes round the meat for a change, I also did Swede, peas carrots, and cabbage. Tonight it's going to be casserole stewing beef, with loads of Veg. thst needs using up.

I have E -mailed Harvey with this weeks grocery order. I have included some little treats for Ros. Whole Nut Chocolate bars, Vimto's, and American Hard Gums. (SHE JUST LOVES THOSE)xx I have treated myself to a bottle of RED WINE. which I haven't had, since I don't know when.

This weather is so great. SUNSHINE, Wall to Wall. You still need a Cardigan or jumper on if you are sitting out though.

STAY SAFE EVERYONE. xxxx
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Frank, good to see you, busy again with food prepping I see. Yes leave the other lawn for now it won't hurt.

Annx I forgot to say we will be getting a voucher to cover our holiday depositi, we never did pay the balance and they accepted that. They have said we can go next year for the same price if we wish so we will have to see id OH is still up to driving to Cornwall.

You said you had a friend who lives in a flat. I have been given a link to virtual gardens to look at if she is interested. I have not looked at them myself yet/ I wonder if she would be interested?

https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/gardening/g31746949/gardens-you-can-virtually-tour/


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I'm pleased you had a good sleep last night Frank it makes all the difference. I did ask about your injection??? are you still able to have it or is that suspended too?

Good your getting on with your FT Gill. About those pots that had bulbs in , were they tulips? as the mice eat those and they never seem to come back much the next year. I can't have them here as the sear eat them. I did put some in pots the other year and they were outside my shed and a couple were showing buds coming and when I looked the next day the deer had eaten one of the buds off. They were the black colevtion with parrot tulips in. I put the pot up higher but I still don't think they are going to come to much.

Iv'e not sent a card for Sandra yet but must get round to it this week.

Mandy I am going to pm you.

Afternoon all,

Mel I have replied.

Another lovely sunny day but still very windy ,we did the other rose in the front garden this morning and cut the grass so it looks a bit tidier now .

It sounds like you had a better night Frank ,Ross is doing such a good job sewing all these scrub bags it's good of the neighbours giving all the sheets to make them with too, your treats of chocolate and hard gums will be a nice little surprise and keep her going for a while. :-D

Gill you could always take any bulbs you have in pots and store over the summer then plant them later in the autumn that's what I do with some of mine , you'd have some compost and pots to use then.

AnnG the blossom does look pretty but does make a mess in the garden ,there is a cherry blossom tree two doors down from us and it still blows into our garden ,we were only saying yesterday how pretty it looked and wondered when we'd see the blossom blowing about .

We're having jacket potato with tuna and salad tonight so nice and easy .

Love to Jane <3 hope your home now and it all went well today

Mel, I haven't had an injection since the virus. I just assumed they wouldn't want personal contact. Perhaps I should ring, to make sure.

The oven is smelling lovely, I have made Ros a Rice pudding, which can go in soon. What a GOOD husband I am. lol lol

I trust you are all keeping well away tom JO PUBLIC. You just can't take any chances.
Stay safe everyone. xxxx