General Chat

Its good to hear you are enjoying your roses Anng. Are you looking all cosy with the village all set up?
Clever girl doing the fire. We have one with real coal on the top which you have to take off to get to the bulbs but we don't use it and the coal is out in my shed and the fire in the uti room in a corner.

Have you seen all the silly people going away for Christmas. No social distancing and crowds at stations.

Hello Elilzabeth thank you for your message and I am sure there will be magic moments for most of us and you too I hope.

Are you on your own for Christmas? or is it just you and oh as it is here?

Stay safe. <3

I haven't seen the news Mel, but OH was telling me he heard on the radio there were lots of people leaving London before midnight last night before the new rules came into force, there was no social distancing as there were to many people, so no doubt the new strain of the virus will be spread far and wide soon. I believe this new virus is in other countries to, but I'm not sure which countries it's in though. I will watch the news later to find out more. There's also talk of food lorries not being able to enter our country so there could be more panic buying soon.

OH has been trying to ring the hospital for hours and no one is picking up, he tried ringing his mum on her mobile but it was either switched off or she's got a flat battery, so up to now he still doesn't know what's going on. He's going to ring the hospital again tomorrow when hopefully someone will answer, in the meantime he's so stressed he's becoming quite snappy and grumpy. I feel sorry for him as he's obviously very worried about his mum and not being able to get through to the hospital isn't helping.

Your rose's sound lovely AnnG, yellow is a lovely cheerful colour isn't it? Good on you for sorting out the bulb in your fire. I used to have an electric fire with real coals, it was a job and half to keep the dust off them I had to lay them on kitchen roll and be very careful no coal bits fell on the carpet. Now I have a new fire I don't have that problem anymore.

Thank you Elizabeth for your message, I hope you have some magic moments to.

Yes it is pieces of real coal so I laid them on newspaper. And it was fine.

Oh Gill you will know how Insympathise with your OH we were told the bestbtime yo phone was the afternoon but you know we have had big problems until the doc phoned daughter. He can only keep trying.

The roses do sound nice AnnG. That's another thing learned then, how to get to the bulbs in the fire! We have a hole in the wall open gas fire with artificial coals on and oh they do get so dusty!! I still feel a bit overwhelmed when I see a rainbow and wonder what our long ago ancestors would make of them.

I'm glad your doctor is keeping in touch and that you get phone consultations Gill. It is no wonder you have been so anxious and depressed this year, so much has happened for you to be worried about! I hope your OH has more success getting through to the hospital tomorrow and can find out what the position is with his mum. Hubby was shocked to see all those people crowding together in London last night too.

A footie friend of OH's wanted to give him lifts to matches or meet up with him there when the pandemic started, but OH declined the invitation and went to different matches. He told me that the friend was sensible and would be being extra careful though as both he he and his wife with diabetes were vulnerable and older than us. Well, when he spoke to him on the phone this week it turns out the friend and his wife have been gadding around everywhere as normal and mixing with friends, sharing cars etc!! You just don't know what some people are doing do you. I agree with Vera, you just can't understand their thinking or lack of it. It seems unless they actually trip up over bodies in the street they won't take it on board. Is it that they grow up thinking their 'rights' are more important, but then it isn't just younger people is it.

I hope you have a good weekend too EOS. Weren't magic moments chocolates?

Well done your OH fixing things Vera! He is a star isn't he! :-D

I've had a trying afternoon waiting for my computer Win 10 to load. It took 6 hours! Not happy that the sound icon doesn't work, but it seems to be a known problem, but I'll still see if they can fix it remotely.

I seem much better now so am defrosting the ham hocks for tomorrow!

We will miss the bigger telly this Christmas, so it will be the smaller screens like the old days!!

I wonder if Frank is okay after his last fall.

I watched the news earlier and had a shock at how many people there were leaving London, I'd heard there was a lot but I had no idea it was that many.

OH tired to ring the hospital a couple more times but still couldn't get through so he's going to try in the morning, hopefully someone on the ward will answer, then he'll know more about his mum's condition and what her treatment, if any, will be, he also wants to know when she's being transferred to Chester, so I hope they answer this time.

Pleased to see you're feeling a little better now Ann. Yes the doctor is keeping an eye on me and is ringing me again in 3 weeks time when hopefully he'll put the dose of my night time meds up. I was on the higher one to start with so I slept well, but then I had to go on some medication during the day so he put the dose down on the night time one, since then I've not been sleeping or eating very well. Hopefully next time he rings and alters the other tablet dosage I'll start to feel better. I think he's just trying different things until something works. I was so anxious at one point I had some dark thoughts and ended up with counselling for a few months, but when it stopped I got worse hence the day time tablets as well as the one I was already taking at night. The problem with the higher dose during the day it's making me feel very tired, it'll take a few days for me to get used to them, but hopefully I won't feel to much like a zombie by the time Christmas is here.

Good morning all early on here this morning but thought I would come and see what is happening on here as I was awake. Still very dar outside but 8 degrees so no frost and looks dry as well

Tesco delivery 11-12 this morning to look forward to.

Gill, if OH gets through to the admin office, they are not medical staff, he needs to talk to a nurse or doctor Admin staff will tell you if she is comfortable but can't tell tou anything about treatment.

Goodness where is everyone today? All out gallivanting or indoors zooming? Hope all are OK unusual for Mel not to have been on. I have had my Tesco delivery, dead on time, just one sub and nothing missing so all good. Just got a few more bits to wipe down, fridge stuff in the cool bag with an ice pack at the moment. Stopped for coffee.
T phoned early on but had such difficulty talking that he had to ring off, he said he would have a drink and come back later. I have been here before, now I wait making sure I am near the phone that I hear best on and he doesn't phone. Wonder what makes him suddenly decide to phone.

I’m here AnnG, just having a busy day. I hope T rings back soon for you. It’s a very grey, very wet day again here. I must get on but will try to bbl.

Morning Anng Vera and all,

Sorry late on parade as oh had me checking my Asda order and putting a few more things on it as no delivery for two weeks. Where on earth I am going to put all this shopping is another matter. I shall have to get some old stuff out the freezer.

Wet wet wet here today but 12 degrees out at present. I hav'nt even let the big girls out yet but they are nice and dry in their house and very very wet when they come out.

BBL

Afternoon all

Damp here but so far no rain, very cloudy so it's a bit warmer than it has been. I'm hoping the clouds will go later as I'd like to watch Jupiter and Saturn close together shining, it's known as the Christmas star and would be nice to see.

OH has tried to ring the hospital a few more times today but still no one is answering, he rang his mum's mobile but it just rang so she mustn't be close to her phone, he thinks maybe she's gone for a scan or she might be being moved from Liverpool to Chester hospital. He even tried ringing her house phone incase she'd gone home but again there was no answer. So he's still in the dark as to what's happening with his mum. It's not helping his stress levels or mine as I'm worried about him, he's convinced himself he'll be burying his mum next year so I hope he can speak to someone to find out what's going on soon.

I'm busy with a pile of washing, so that's keeping me out of mischief lol.

I hope you found homes for all your shopping Mel, at least you won't go hungry.

I hope you've heard from your OH AnnG. It sounds like you got most of what you needed this time on your shopping, hope you've finished your wiping down now.

Just been speaking with my mum and she had to phone an ambulance for her 93 year old friend, she collapsed at mum's house and had no pulse for a few minutes, good job my mum is an ex nurse and could keep calm. Her friend is now in hospital and is having an internal defibrillator fitted tomorrow or the day after. Her heart stopped a few more times when the paramedics arrived, so she's in the best place now and hopefully will be home in time for Christmas.

Afternoon Everyone,

What a dreary looking day! At least we aren't missing a nice day out with this weather.
:-) I stayed in bed while OH showered and dressed ready for his zoom with one of the councils so was only up in time to shower and get lunch. We had gammon shanks with veg and baby potatoes that needed eating and a hollandaise sauce.

Where is Frank? I hope he's ok after the last fall. Was it today that he originally planned to go to Conrad's ready for his birthday tomorrow?

I'm so glad you plucked up courage to contact the doctor Gill. It isn't easy to admit to yourself that you can't do it on your own sometimes, or to believe that anyone can say or do much to help either. They can of course and it does take time but hopefully the adjustments to the doses will hit the right spot for you to be able to eat and sleep more soon which will help as well. <3 I do hope your OH can get some answers of some kind today. Could he contact anyone else that knows she is in hospital to see if they know any more?

Mel, apart from 'Arkwright's Store' in the 2nd bedroom we have some 'stores' in the uti and conservatory now! We don't have a large kitchen though, so not many food cupboards in there. First OH built me a floor to ceiling cupboard to the measurements I wanted at my old house. It was 4 feet wide and the shelves were just deep enough for the food mixer and it's bowl and all the shelves were adjustable in height. It was brilliant as nothing got lost behind other stuff and you could see everything easily. I need to see when my next order is. It should be due on 2nd Jan which is the day after the recurring deliveries were stopped so I hope I'm right.

I hope your OH rings again soon AnnG. I expect his mouth was a bit dry for speaking before. It's good your delivery was all there and only one sub! Ours is on Wednesday so I hope the shelves haven't been cleared by then!

My next delivery is 3 January, almost two weeks but there is enough food in the house to stop me starving.
This morning daughter and I managed to get into OH's email, felt guilty doing it and actually I couldn't get in but she could (I do know his e mail password or else we couldn't of course.) It was necessary because the utilities and insurances (and Home insurance is due) are all connected to his email. Managed it anyway and able to print off the Home insurance docs so that is a relief. No worries with the utilities as they are all on Standing orders but I needed to check we were within our limit for gas and electricity.

Gill that is as bad as our hospital then, how do they expect people to get information. Have you googled the hospital and the ward name to see if there is another way of contacting somebody. Usually the hospitals have a complaints system or a help phone.

Ann, you have obviously got your appetite back today.That is good. Yes I was relieved to get my Teso shop out of the way.

Afternoon to you all,

Not in the best place again today. Was at the Dr. this morning. Ros rang as I wasn't feeling great.. Going back tomorrow to get blood test and test my blood sugars.We then went to Tesco. I stayed in the car, everywhere was heaving with people. Then to the Honda Garage to get floor mats for the car. Traffic was very bad. Was glad to get home for a bit of peace and quiet.

I was going to bed, but thought better of it. Ros is now watching Dr Zhivargo (sp) Not my type of film, so I am out of the way.

It would be so nice, if I was able to to go for a walk round the village. But that is out of the question. I would end up falling over, and do myself a mischief, and ending up in hospital.

Trying to sort out what to do tomorrow. John and Carolyn had us there for dinner yesterday, So I feel I should repay them by taking them out for my birthday. It will either be Chinese, or a Carvery. Can't make up my mind yet.

Dark, horrible, wet day here. While we were, out Tracy put our bins out. I must remember to thank her tomorrow.

I trust you are ll well, I just might sit and read through the postings. What a change that will be, I hear you say. lol lol Take care. xxxx

Frank, I assume that your trip to Devon has been cancelled? How is Ros liking the new car?

T just phoned, completely confused me because he came through on the Ipad!!!!
He was not too bad speaking but it is confusing because there is a time lag on the ipad. He was interested in the fact that next door neighbour had had his tree cut shorter and said 'it needed doing'. He was also pleased that I passed a couple of messages from his golf friends on. and he told me it was raining outside. He also said the doctor had been round and I am then not sure but he said 'I said to the doctor I want to get up or it may have been he wanted to move off that ward I couldn't get that bit. He didn't sound at all confused anyway and spoke mainly very clearly and is now going to have a sleep because there is nothing else to do.
so in future I need to be near the phone, near alexa and carry my Ipad, and maybe the mobile phone as well. I didn't know he could phone me on the Ipad.

Hi all

I've had a rather frazzling day so haven't caught up.

Just saw Anng's post so wanted to say what a relief for you. You must feel as if life is all a mixed up dream (nightmare). Fingers crossed for good positive progress.

Gill, has your husband tried contacting the PALS office at the hospital either by phone or email?

O that sounds good Anng. You'll have to have a shoulder bag with all the hones, Alexa, and the idpad in. It does sound as though he was more with it today and it must have been so nice to hear him properly at last. Sending another gentle ((hug)).

I had a neighbour on the phone this afternoon for 55 mins.I hav'nt seen them for nearly two years. I had their Christmas present in the uti room all that time but tonight I popped round and left it outside his office with their card also. I bet by now some one else has bought them these things as I have seen them in Mole Valley last year too.

Well thats another day gone by without doing anything much except natter. I got some chicken drumsticks out of the freezer and they are still frozen so I have dunked them in cold water.

Island what made you get in a frazzle? I still have a couple of present to do up so think I will do that now and see what I can put with these drumsticks.

Between you and me Mel......... ;-)
The dog wee'd on the sofa! Not deliberate, he was asleep but wet is still wet :-|
Off came the throw, it's an easy wash one. soaked through to seat cover, off came the seat cover, off came the inner cover..... Then I discovered the layer with the spongy pad had split so there was bits of foam, feathers and other detritus bursting through onto the carpet. The fella cleaned all that up :-D <3 :-D
Now I need to order some more wadding or whatever and make a new inner bag - might as well do both I suppose..... and buy a rubber sheet to go on doggies half of the sofa. It's the first time he's done it and, I suspect, won't be the last now.
I guess Scruff sort of did us a favour.

O poor you and poor old Scruff. Did he look guilty? You'll have to put some poly bags on it till you can get the new stuff to do the cushions but what a time to do it just before Christmas. I hope you can sort something out. I shall be thinking of you......... :-(