General Chat

Better late than never.

Not feeling great, so won't stop. Maybe better tomorrow. xxxx

OH just phoned again. He is now in a different ward. Private room as only one there with his own TV. Reason for move, ward shut, man going home opposite him this morning tested positive for Covid 19. OH tested negative. so that will mean he won't be coming home for (is it) 7 days after a negative test? So his latest parcel has not reached him, I do hope that doesn't go astray. Oh and man going home has now gone to Gloucester. Staff all tested negative as well.

Thanks for letting us know your about Frank ,hope tomorrow brings a better day for you and you soon feel less sore and painful.


Oh AnnG thank goodness your OH's test was clear and that the chap has gone to another hospital ,hope the parcel finds him ,was that the parcel with his razor in .

Really cold here so I bet it's freezing out there now .

Pleased to see your OH tested negative for Covid AnnG, that must of been a worrying time for you both.

I see our area is going into tier 2 next week, but with a few more rules. Still no visiting people in doors. At least some of the shops will be open including the barbers which OH is pleased about as his hair needs a good cut.

Really cold here and they say we're in for thick fog tomorrow, so glad OH isn't working tonight so he won't be driving in it, he hates driving in fog.

I wasn’t worried Gill as he didn’t know until he said he was negative.It is still a concern as one of the nurses could easily be incubating it.

Looks like he is closer to coming home as he has been passed medically fit. However he still has his various problems including the hernia now for which he has been referred to GP for operation.

I hope tomorrow is a better day for you Frank. Take care.

I’m glad OH tested negative AnnG. I expect it’ll be a bit lonely but he might be more comfortable in a separate room and he’ll be able to watch whatever he wants on the telly. I hope his razor reaches him OK. It’s good the hospital has said he is medically fit but are they any nearer to finding the cause of his back and head problems?

The girls will look lovely in their headband ear warmers Mandy. They are very attractive. Now you are going to be busy making more masks. Will the teachers that want Christmas ones supply you with material? No, the floor people don’t help with furniture moving but I should be able to help without hurting my back. The really heavy thing was the sofa and that was taken away yesterday and the new one put in the kitchen. There are 2 big leather recliners but OH can push them while I just guide them from the back and 3 coffee tables that are fairly easy to lift and manoeuvre. There are also 2 floor cupboards, each with 2 deep drawers but they can be lifted out separately and I think OH can do that himself. The wall cupboards can stay. I think we’ll be able to move everything fairly easily now.

Island, you are right about starlings being beautiful birds. My only problem with them is that they don’t give other birds a look-in when it comes to food and they seem to sense food from a great distance. I’ve got a ground feeder with a sort of cage over it. The idea is robins and small birds can get in to feed but the bigger birds can’t, but the starlings manage. A robin will be around so I’ll put mealworms in the feeder and within seconds it will be full of starlings and the robin will fly away but I do like to see the parents in spring being followed by their babies and feeding them.

I wish the government would either have the same rules for the whole country or localise the tiers more, perhaps by county. West Suffolk has one of the lowest infection rates in the country, much like Cornwall, and we were in Tier 1 but now 6 counties have been lumped together as East of England so we are now tier 2. I mustn’t moan as we’re all in the same boat and I suppose the boundaries have to be drawn somewhere, I’m just a bit disappointed we’re not still in Tier 1.

It’s getting really cold and foggy now. I might be putting a blanket over the duvet tonight. Sleep well everyone.

I'm glad oh tested negative Anng and as the others have said he can watch what he wants on the tv. Mu mum was in a little ward on her own when she had her last op and she had her own telly and shower and loo and a handbasin in the little ward. She said it was much nicer and quieter. I hope his parcel gets to him.

We usually get one or two starlings at the bird feeder and a few on the west lawn at certain times of year. The farm up the road gets LOADS and they all sit on the wires by the road which runs past the farm. I must admit they have so many colours on them and their speckles are very precise. Ann's photo was top knotch and so clear.

Mandy the headband ear warmers are lovely and I am sure the girls will love them. Do they know they are getting them? or are they a stocking filler? Its the little one who likes mauve is'nt it?

Wherever you want to put it Mandy is ok with us. I wore my one today to go and get our scripts.

Frank I hope you feel better tomorrow and can give us some more chat but we do like you to pop in so we know you are ok.

Evening All,

Not a bad day here, good frost this morning but sunny.

It sounds like it was a good job your OH's ward was emptying fast and that the man with covid has gone AnnG. I wonder if they will test the others that were in the ward with him before they went home. They should do shouldn't they.

Gill, we were surprised to be put in Tier 3. :-S It's the city that is the main problem, but some areas of the county have increased spread now, especially where the universities are, so they have included the whole county. I saw a neighbour in his car pull up to speak to our nextdoor neighbour this morning and the neighbour walked right up to the car and lowered his head to speak through the open window! How is that social distancing when he was only 2-3 feet away. OH hosted a school meeting tonight and he was surprised 4-5 were sitting close together sharing a computer screen.

Hope you feel a bit better tomorrow Frank, but thanks for letting us know so we don't worry about you.

Mandy, those headbands are really nice and so neatly made. The girls will love them. You asked how big my paintings are. As they have all been to practice and started on in the lesson at the teacher's fast speed, I have made them quite small, The pad I am using is A4 size and I cut the pages in half to use, so about 8 inches by 6 inches. That way I use less paper and paint and manage to keep up! lol.The masks you are making for the teachers will look nice and cheerful for the children and it's nice to be doing something that is useful and appreciated.

I hope Vera manages to get her furniture all moved without them doing their backs in, At least with chests of drawers you can take the drawers out. Tables aren't so easy though. Edit, I see she's posted and has everything sorted!

I've cleared more shelf in the garage and have enough rubbish for OH to half fill both wheelie bins tomorrow. If I chuck out what needs to go and move everything along the shelves, the new freezer can stand in front of the empty part of the shelves for now. The shelves run floor to ceiling all down one side of the garage and have mountains of our stuff, MIL's stuff and OH's inherited programmes stacked in front so we can't get to move the actual shelves at the moment so it is a temporary measure just to get the freezer in next to the existing one.

Good morning all, thick freezing fog here. So pleased I am retired I hated going to work in this weather, even though I only worked 10 minutes walk away.

Vera, yes the razor etc got to him OK. It was well labelled.
Nobody seems to have paid much attention to his back as far as I can tell. However I am pretty sure I don't get everything over the phone. Daughter has now spoken to the doctor and nothing was mentioned about his back. His head scan showed a small patch of calcification in the frontal lobe which may be the cause of the headaches. I don't think at his age there is much to do about that unfortunately. As far as I can tell from googling it.

I think he quite likes being on his own but I am pretty sure that they will be sending him home in about just under a week. A daunting thought for me if his back is no better and not knowing actually what caused the falls. We are surmising that the falls were caused by the dehydration and low BP. Trouble is, we can't find out yet if he is rehydrated.

Annx it may be that they test everyone before they leave I am not sure.

Morning Anng and all,

Same weather here this morning suns out and on the patio it is dripping down from the roof in lines where the wood is. I left two t towels on the line yesterday and they have just missed the drips.

They don't seem concerned about T's back do they? Did'nt Daughter get anymore info out of the doctor when she spoke to him? It must be so worrying for you if you don't know exactly whats going on and just before Christmas too. Are they making him go up steps because he has the stairs to contend with when he is home.

Grand Prix to look forward to this weekend.

Although there are no church services here I am still making the advent ring for the church as they may have a small service on Christmas Day when they will light all the candles on it. Seems funny not to be doing the wreaths this year its put me all out of synk but then again its not nice to be out collecting stuff for the rings. I have one to do for a friend and one for Em next door. No Nordic Gnome this year either as far as I know.

Lol Mel, I think it is about to all change again. He has been told by a nurse that he is to go to a community hospital some time next week. I shan't hold my breath until I know for sure. I hope they are right as it is what he needs to concentrate on building up his strength. I assume he will have to wait until out of quarantine.

It will be good if he can get to the community hospital and I hope he can for your sake. It will put your mind at rest a bit.

Its really cold out there today and the breeze is icy.

I have a bit of ironing to do so that should warm me up.

Fed all the wild birds but forgot to take the ice off the bird bath. Its not completely iced over anyway so they can get at the water.

I keep meaning to say about my toenail. Member I stubbed it badly on the bed leg and Mandy asked if it had gone black but it had'nt. Came out of the shower last week and dried my feet and the nail was janging off right from the bottom but habnging on one side. I slept in a sock that night and in the morning it had come off completely. Funny little new nail underneath.

Afternoon all

What a busy night! Buffets with corn beef sandwiches :-0 strong bad smell, crowded supermarket and no masks...... then the binmen woke me at 7. Nodded off again until 10. I'm sleeping well and long lately so hope it continues - perhaps less hours though.

What uncertainty you are going through AnnG, how long has it been now? Has anyone mentioned a home visit to assess how your oh will manage? I hope they can get his fitness level up at the community hospital. Best wishes for you both.

Mel, what is the story with the Nordic gnome?

Mandy, sorry, I've only just seen your headbands, they look cosy, I'm sure the girls will enjoy wearing them. I like the clever twist at the front.

I'm back to clothes sorting today - hoping to do a big push to get them to the charity shop on Wednesday.

We're in tier 3 too Annx (we really must be neighbours lol) It doesn't surprise me with the bad attitudes locally but then again, I think it is ridiculous and unfair - it should be the same for all - and Boris needs to go, it's his mess that has dragged this situation out. *Steps down off soapbox and takes deep breath*

I hope everyone is ok. Happy day all

Good morning all,

Glad to see the tests for COVID are coming back NEGATIVE. I haven't been out of the house, so not much chance of me catching anything. If Ros goes out she has her MASK AND VISOR on, doesn't get close to anyone, or speak to anyone.

Jan and Conrad want us to go down to DEVON on 21st December and come home 24th So as we are in their "POD" Whatever that means. We will then go to Kerry's early Christmas Morning. without meeting anyone else. At the moment we are thinking of asking John and Carolyn round on Boxing day for lunch and the afternoon.

I was CLOCK WATCHING from 4.00 am until I got up at 7.30 am My ribs are still giving me a lot of diss-comfort. I am trying not to take PAIN RELIEF as they make me Constipated, and that isn't very pleasant.

Thanks for your card Mel, it arrived yesterday morning. I will be sending JACQUE LAWSON CARDS, early next month. I have remembered to take Jane from the list. I would hate for Chris it open a card from me to Jane. (BLESS HER XXX)

The day is brightening up, after a miserable foggy start to the day. I hope you all have a pleasant day, and enjoy what you are doing. i.e. Christmas shopping etc.

Will try to get back PM. see how the day goes. xxxx

That was a nice long post Frank and pleased to see you and know you're ok and Ros too.

It did seem strange to cross Jane off the card list and not sure if I should send one to them all or not.

Island I will see if I can find the old pics of the Nordic Gnomes I made for a girl whose brother died in London and she took them to his bench in the cemetary for three years running.

Afternoon all ,

Thick fog here first thing but no frost now we have some nice sunshine .

Frank I don't think you'd be allowed to have John and Caroline on boxing day as you will have formed your bubble with the other two households the day before so you can't mixed again with another household the next day .

Mel the girls will have the headbands when we've finished lock down and can take them down to them , it was Lacey who wanted the purple one .
Oh so you've lost the toenail after all this time ,putting the sock on was a good idea as you didn't want it to pull off that would have been a pinch .

Oh Ann I didn't realise your paintings were that size, they are lovely .

Come over dull here now and it feels colder out there now the suns gone.

Mandy was it Lacey that liked the pendant I made with the mauve toadstools on?

Island have sent the pics I could find of the gnomes.

Afternoon all

Good to see you posting Frank. Your poor ribs did take a battering; you must rest them as much as you can though I know it can be difficult to get comfy when you’re sore and achy. I hope you can get your break in Devon if Ros doesn’t mind the driving. The roads could be busy. Mandy’s right about the rules not letting you mix with John and Caroline as well as they would be a fourth household.

I don’t think the Christmas rules are very clearly set out. I realise we can only mix with two other households but it’s not clear if we can see each household on different days. We want to spend a few hours with my brother and his partner, just the 4 of us, and also spend Christmas Day and possibly Boxing Day with my daughter and granddaughter, again just 4 of us. I think this is OK. It’s not set in stone. iIf come Christmas it’s looking riskier then plans will change.

AnnG, I shouldn’t think you know whether you are coming or going at the moment with all these changes of plan. I don’t know much about it but I wondered if a hernia could cause back pain but I am sure the doctors would have considered that.

I’m glad you are sleeping well at the moment Island. I had quite a good night last night. I woke a few times but got back to sleep quickly. I was awake at 7 am but it was cold and foggy and the bed was warm so I stayed put till OH brought me a cup of tea at 8.

OH’s back is a bit dodgy now. Talk about a pair of old crocks! He has cleared a lot of the stuff from the lounge. In fact I had to stop him emptying it completely. They are not coming till Monday and I would like to sit in there over the weekend and watch the TV a bit. We don’t watch a lot of telly so the only other room in the house with a set is the conservatory and you can’t get in there now as it’s full of stuff from the lounge and overwintering plants. Anyway it’s too cold in there at this time of year.

I’ve just completed my Tesco order for Sunday and decided I’m fed up thinking about food. I’ve also written a few Christmas cards and been online to the Monkey World gift shop and ordered a load of stocking fillers. I’d already got some from the Cards for Good Causes online shop but wanted more. Son and dil and all the grandchildren are getting money this year put straight into their bank accounts so I wanted some bits and bobs for them all to unwrap. I think I’ve done quite well in finding things that are lightweight so I can pack them up and post them without breaking the bank.

As usual I am wittering on so I had better go and prepare some veg to go with tonight’s chicken pie.

Daughter said from her days with McMillan when her late husband was ill,mthey (McMillan) called it the rollercoaster.

Vera I think you'd be OK on your visiting like that so long as your brother or daughter and grandaughter haven't already formed their bubbles with two other households .

I think we'll all be glad when these vacines are rolled out and we can get back to some normality.

Mel I honestly can't remember which one of them liked the mauve toadstool ,they loved seeing all the things you made specially the gummie bears :-D