General Chat

Morning AnnG, Mel and all

It’s grey and damp here too though the temperature isn’t bad for November, it’s about 11 degrees. More rain forecast for later.

OH must feel a bit isolated and fed up, AnnG, but look at it this way - without too many patients the staff might be able to give him lots of attention. I hope he has a good day.

You probably didn’t sleep well because T. was on your mind. I hope you have a better night tonight. I had a dreadful night yet there was no reason for it. I was warm and comfortable, not in any pain and even my jumpy legs weren’t jumping but sleep wouldn’t come. I expect I dozed for a few minutes here and there but I didn’t fall asleep properly till around 6am. Then OH woke me with a cuppa at 8. I had to get up as we are expecting our sofa to be delivered. Of course, once I was up and dressed I learnt that it’s likely to be delivered around midday so I could have had another couple of hours in bed. I am very heavy headed now.

Later I want to work out how to print envelopes and labels. We had a new computer 3 months ago with a more up-to-date Word package and I haven’t yet looked at printing addresses. With the tremor that comes and goes in my hands, writing is sometimes a bit difficult so I just want to write the Christmas cards but print the addresses. No good OH writing any; his handwriting is atrocious and barely legible. I can usually make it out but a postman would really struggle. OH often can’t read it himself.

Time to make and drink a coffee before our delivery arrives. Have a good day everyone.

Morning all
Dull and damp here but trying to brighten up so I think I'll treat myself to a day off :-D

Not much doing, still working through the 'to do list'.
Dog gets cheekier but he does make me laugh with his expressions.

I spotted talk of 'painting by numbers' - I didn't have that but I have a recollection of a girlie Aerfix kit of some historic lady. I was pretty disappointed as it was so simple compared to the 'boys' models.
Magic painting books were fun though. I was quite arty as a child and do remember painting at the kitchen table - I don't recall what I painted but swooshing the paint from my brush in my glass of Vimto remains a strong recall :-D I still drank it of course!

AnnG, I do so hope your oh will be fit enough to come home soon.

We're not throwing caution to the wind for the sake of Christmas just because Boris says we can - I wouldn't take advice from him if he was the last man on earth, perish the thought. The virus is still out there so we'll use our own intelligence over our safety. I think there will be another surge in the new year sadly.

Stay safe all, happy day :-D

Curses! I just got disconnected - it's going to be one of those days :-|

Frank infuriating isn't it when you can't do the things you used to do. Or as in my case your man can't. This morning the light bulb at the top of the stairs (literally on the landing exactly at the top of the stairs) went. I am unable to reach it safely, I always stood by OH holding onto him on the steps when he changed it. This one has not been changed for at least 2 years. So now it will have to wait. Friday week all being well daughter and son in law will be here to collect Christmas presents. If OH is home they will stay in a local hotel, if not they will stay here (only one spare bed. Also on the Saturday Grandson who lived in hampshire will make a day trip to collect and deliver their presents. Daughter lives in an area with very few cases of covid, Grandson in an area similar to here. They are all self isolating for at least a week before coming here so we should be ok. Grandson is working from home.

Still very damp here and only 7 degrees but the sky is a bit brighter.
I just gave the conservatory mats (over the carpet) a good sweep to get rid of all the dead leaves I have dragged in. OH would have been appalled at the state of it, he was always sweeping it up.

yes Vera I am sure he was on my mind because he was in pain with his eyes when he phoned and that bothered me. I went to sleep easily enough but woke at 0330 and then it was dozing until about 0715 when I dropped off heavily for an hour and woke with a start.
I told him he was going to get all the attention but I am not sure he approved of that.

Thanks Island, first he has to be able to walk steadily and that is not happening at the moment.

Still sunny here at the mo and I hope it passes up to you Anng. Poor T will be feeling a bit lonely if all the other patients have gone home. I hope he gets more attention now he's on his own and the nurses fuss over him. Hemight hear more today as to the treatment he needs. Can your SIL do the light for you when he comes? Not good having a light out at the top of the stairs you need to know where you are going.

Been up the post office and did the overseas cards and bought more stamps and popped in the hsop for some more tangerines and there was just one big bag there of huge ones with leaves. I just had to have those and a naughty danish to share.

Island enjoy your day off and Scruff's expressions and take it easy. Do we know where in the country you live?

Mel yes SiL or grandson will change the bulb for me. brighter here but still no sun.

Ha ha, Mel :-D I was being ironic as every day has been a 'day off' this year, what with our social groups not happening etc. I'm almost slap bang in the middle of the country, nice little semi rural market town ;-)

Anng, you've made me think re your light at the top of the stairs. Like most, we have one there too - just where there is a further step up on either side so even higher! My fella is tall and can manage it but I really wouldn't be able to. So........ time for alternate/back up lighting? There's always the local firemen who might be willing to rescue a 'damsel in distress' when not busy :-D

Thats a good idea Island. My ex Fireman would do something like that for someone. Yes I have a resident Fireman retired. :-D I'm sure you hav'nt had every day as a day off this year as us women always have lots to do.

Would that be the middle of England excluding Wales and Scotland? So you could be near Ann or William.............

Island if you come up with any ideas for the landing do share them. I have come to the conclusion that I have been spoilt. For 60. years I have had a resident electrician. Who would do all the family jobs as well and friends.

Its so annoying is'nt Anng. Mine can do most things like plumbing, electrics, pc, painting and decorating but now with bad hips its a job for him to stand on ladders anymore.

Mel, a friend of mine would call on the local friendly fireman if she needed a 'strong arm' - I don't know why she didn't snap him up LOL
I'm not one for 'us women having lots to do'. It's always been team work with us, no him/her jobs. We were both self employed and independent when we met so it's always been a case of who's free.

Anng, what about one of those stick on round lights that are push on/off? Might be good in case of emergency if your landing is too dark without a light.

Evening All,

Not a bad day here, bright but wet outside after an early shower of rain.

While I think about it AnnG, do you have a power socket on your landing? If so you could get one of those nightlights you can plug in. That would give you some light at the top of the stairs. I was also spoilt with my first OH as he was very practical, could do building, plumbing, electrics and could make anything in wood (his trade) and mend the car. I've always been the painter and decorator. Second OH is totally opposite and calls me if anything goes wrong in the bungalow! He's much more caring and thoughtful though and will sit up all night with me if I'm unwell, even when he was at work. That's a shame your OH is on his own now, but maybe there is less virus risk for him too.

You must be a neighbour Island, as I am about in the middle too! Right close to the M! in a village. I hope Scruff has pulled some interesting faces for you today. :-D I still love Vimto from having it as a child! We are the same about being cautious about what Boris has said. The govt are just trying to appease the public. The scientific advice is opposite and says there will be more spread as a result, a further spike afterwards and more will certainly die because of it. To me saving the lives of those that would die is more important, as they certainly won't see any family next year otherwise.

We were surprised to see two men with a microphone at the front door next door after lunch. OH spotted them and next thing they were in the neighbours' back garden with a film camera!! We could see them from our conservatory appearing to be interviewing the man, but have no idea what it was all about. I didn't like to sneak out through the back door down the side out of sight to earwig what they were saying!! :-D lol

I didn't sleep that well either, Got off to sleep early for a change then woke at midnight for 3 hours before drifting off again.

Hubby has had 2 meetings and a seminar today so an early night for us. I have emailed the latest pic we did this week.

Annx we have a socket and a motion light in it so it lights in the night when we get up. I also have another LED light on the shelf on the landing. It is just the stairs that are dark as they are behind two walls. I have left the bathroom light on so that will be ok.

Island I have one of this stick on lights in the spare bedroom by the bed. I will be ok.

It sounds like you will manage till the bulb is replaced AnnG. I can remember changing some of mum's light bulbs for her when she was on her own. Her house had 10 foot high ceilings and the lights had long wires from the ceiling. Being short it meant I had to stand at the top of her highest steps to do it while she held them steady. Would it be worth getting one of those rise and fall pendants fitted on the landing for the future? You could lower it to change the bulb then. I might consider suitable ones in our lounge to be honest as this is a problem we will all have at some point.

Yes I will have to think of alternatives Ann, I think this is the only one with the real problem. Strangely it is not the height, I could easily reach on a step stool, it is just the position, the step stool would be balanced at the top edge of the stairs.

Good morning all, a very hard frost this morning and 0 degrees out there. Our temperature is jumping around at the moment. I am pleased that I turned off the water to the outside taps anyway. I don't think there is anything else out there to worry about. That is the problem with things like has happened with OH so suddenly, you always assume that in the main you will have time to sort things out if one of you is taken ill. A warning to everyone else to be prepared. Actually we did have many things sorted but really didn't think of things like light bulbs. And OH's office is a nightmare of electronic devices.

Sort of slept ok last night but I don't feel it was a restful sleep. Still nothing energetic to do today.

Good morning AnnG and all

It’s very cold here too. OH is just off for his walk; rather him than me. Brrr!

I’m not sure what I’ll be doing today. I’ll just see how I feel later.

Our sofa arrived yesterday and is now taking up space in the kitchen. Goodness knows where the rest of the lounge furniture is going to go when we have to clear the room at the weekend for the new floor to be laid.

Great picture as always Ann.

Have a good day everyone. Might bbl

Morning Vera, very wise to stay indoors.
The roofs are still all white and it is still 0 degrees out there. Just been breaking the ice on the water features for the birds, one was also full of leaves and the other full of algy so had a bit of clearing out to do.. OH just phoned, He wants me to send in his wet razor, his battery shaver is useless and there is not a shaver point in the bathroom. Luckily I have somebody taking in a package for him today.

Morning Anng and Vera and all,

Sunny and a hard frost here this morning too.

A few errands to run today as the library is coming and I have to go down to Black Torrington for our scripts. I wante dthem today and if I had them taken to Shebbear Shop they would'nt have got there till Monday and oh is out of some. I shall go later though as some of the roads down there are very shaded and don't get the sun so the frost will stay a while and its usually muddy too.

Vera you will have to pile the furniture up to clear the room ready for the new floor to be put down. Do you have much in there?

Must feed the wild birds and get the washing on the line. Its pillow cases so should dry enough for ironing today.

Morning all
Brrr... thick frost and 0 degrees here too but bright sunshine. Warm enough indoors though without the heating on until 5.

Annx you gave me a chuckle with your (not) sneaking out the backdoor for an earwig. Were they on the news?
Lovely painting again. Lovely photo of the starling too, I know most regard them as a nuisance but they're among my favourites. I've only seen a mini murmuration as yet - we daren't go to the nearest hot spot as Scruff couldn't be trusted to be quiet.

A sorting out of clothes day today.

Enjoy your day all

We actually saw quite a large murmuration a couple of years ago in town after a hospital visit for hearing aid maintenance. About 4pm and they came from all over the city, fantastic sight. I quite like them too, they are squabbly and greedy and very funny and really good parents.

Afternoon all,

Very frosty here this morning we had to scrape the windows on the car before we went shopping ,a bit more people in the shop today we don't normally go on a Thursday we usually go earlier in the week , all wiped down and put away for another week.

Ann another lovely picture ,I was wondering what size they are as it's hard to tell unless you see them against some thing you know the size of .

Mel thank you for the pretty Christmas card and the contents ,I'll put it in the age concern tin when the shop opens again if that's OK .

AnnG I hope your OH is a bit more comfortable now ,I bet the ward will soon fill up again ,that's handy having someone at the hospital who can take bits in for your OH .

Vera do be careful moving your furniture you don't want your back or your foot injured again , would the people who are doing your floor be able to move any thing that's really heavy for you .

Mel hope you remembered the library van .

I'm now going to make some more masks this afternoon the teachers asked son if I could make them some christmasy ones so that will keep me busy this afternoon.
I've taken a photo of the girls headbands so I'll send it .