General Chat

No snow at all here in Argyll.

We had a few snow showers on Tuesday, but it didn't lie, and apart from that it's been blue sky and sunshine for a couple of weeks now.

Very cold - but so nice to have dry weather. We're not used to that here on the west coast! Usually it's just depressing rain for weeks on end.

Afternoon all.
Just quickly popped on as we lost power at 11am and its just came back on!

Thankfully as this is a new very well insulated house, its warmish without heating on today.

The power went off in Skye, Outer Hebrides etc so was a vey large area. Probably a pole came down on the main network or lightening struck a transformer?

Anyway off to fill kettle up as I quite ready for a coffee. We lost Vodaphone too within 10 mins of power going off so were completely up the creek without a paddle except for....good old landline. I hope we get to keep it for a long time as this was our life line in case of emergency today, so grateful we still have this facility.

Hope all is well with everyone else

We still have several inches of snow as no rain for several days here to wash it all away!

Florence in the Hebrides

I am glad you have your power back Florence.

It is a br Ishtar sunny day here, but cold of course. We have just got back from the monthly town litter pick. There was a very good turn out and we collected a large number of bags. We could have kept going in one wooded area, but everyone was shattered and we ran out of time.

I have just found out that we picked 77 bags of litter, plus a push chair and an office chair

Well Joan likewise, the rain and wind came and our snow has all gone except on the hills there is still a light covering.

Had some terribly sad news yesterday. One f my best friends told me, her husband has stomach cancer, he is 60. On the return from a recent holiday, he took unwell and went to his gp the following day. he was sent straight to hospital where he was told he had a bleeding ulcer in his stomach.

But further tests revealed he has cancer :-(

My friend and her 3 children are just numb with shock. Until he goes away soon for other scans etc, they dont know what stage. Im so in shock, I didnt know what to say when she messaged me except im thinking of them all <3

You dont have to be old to get cancer thesedays and anyone can get it. hes a non smoker and likes a social drink.

Hope everything ok with anyone else looking in.

Florence in the hebrides

Afternoon to anyone looking in.

Well the light dusting of more snow has now all gone but bitterly cold at 3 degrees but dry. I would say good day for the washing, but think my hands would drop off hanging it out lol

All very quiet here as daughter elsewhere until tom eve so Im quite happy pottering about tidying in my own time. Its just over 2 weeks until i see the family and now getting excited.

I ordered 2 kites for my nephew as we have the open treeless spaces and the wind for perfect kite flying. I booked a couple of things for us to do as well and between myself and SIL we have organised the food menu for the week taking it in turns.

Freezer has been sorted and reorganised and much more space.

Still waiting for the defective bedside cupboard to be collected and replaced but no show of the company yet.

Joan, how is your garden looking now, assuming you didn't get any more snow? is your rd ok for the postie?

Linda what another lot of bags of rubbish, quite unbelievable but you are so amazing helping out, hats off to you.

Hope AnnG and JG and anyone else ok and keeping warm.

Anyone watching the Apprentice? only 5 left now and all women!! Personally, I wouldnt want anyone of them working for me.

Take care all

Florence in the hebrides

We had a snow storm last night, but it didn’t lay. It was minus six overnight and a really hard frost this morning. It is still very cold out there, but is going to be a lot warmer tomorrow

Little Esme is off school today and tomorrow because of the school strikes, they have just gone into the market square to get some lunch to fill a bit of time in

I have never watched The Apprentice Florence, it has never appealed to me.

Morning all.

A bit of a dampish day here and very grey looking so doesnt inspire me to want to go outside at all.

Anyone having a flutter of the Cheltenham Gold Cup big race later this afternoon? I dont often have a bet but the Derby, National I do.

So I picked 2 horses and placed £1 each way and we shall see if my luck is in.

Joan all the drivers like postie, couriers etc all drive way to fast and they never get stopped for speeding. The courier that delivers all the catalogues here etc is always on his phone whilst driving!!!

Your plants sound lovely and so hope they manage ok until you can plant out.

Well my hall is clear now as desk unit has gone and the furniture company is coming to replace the defective bedside cupboard later on today...yay :-D
But I shall inspect this one before they go and if it is not perfect they can have it back and refund me.

Hope everyone is well and ok.

Shall look in later

Florence in the hebrides

I hope they get it right this timeFlorence.

Esme had two days off because of the teachers strike, she was supposed to go back today for Red Nose Day. Last night at bed time, she started saying that her tummy hurt and sure enough, she started being sick. She has had a really bad night and is still really poorly this morning. Poor little soul is really unhappy, she is in bed, just moaning all of the time. She seems to have a lot if these does, but they don’t know why.

I am just listening to my washing machine, it is starting to sound rough when it spins. It isn’t that old, so I hope it isn’t on its way out already

Well thats funny because i picked no 3 and 13 as they are my lucky numbers and it so happens they are good horses, fingers crossed.
Hope the cake turns out well for tomorrow.

Poor Esme, Linda, she really does seem to suffer. Just a thought but has she ever had an ultra sound on her tummy at all? Its non invasive but can give peace of mind, just a thought.

yay, the cupboard arrived and after a good inspection by me, i told the driver it was perfect, all shiny handles and very clean so i know this is brand new. The other one was grubby looking and they thought they could get away with giving me a shop display for the full price???? Well Im not easily fooled :-D :-D

Anyway. all sorted.

Not sure what else to do today as the house is all upstraight so im feeling a bit lazy lol. Daughter away all day to meet a friend so home alone.

Probably make a sandwich for lunch and going to finish off a book I started weeks ago! Also hoping postie brings some good news and no junk mail for a change too.

Florence in the hebrides

Esme has an ultra sound every three months because children with her condition have a much higher cancer risk than normal. Thankfully she has been fine so far. Poor little thing is just in her bed whimpering all the time saying her tummy hurts. She has stopped throwing up, so should be better tomorrow

Linda have you looked or have medics looked at cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) in child. somebody who used to be on here has a child (now in her 20s) who has had this since a child. Probably isn't this but worth a look maybe.

I sometimes read this thread though I don’t often post on it but I felt so sorry for Esme that I thought I’d add my two pennorth. Linda, has abdominal migraine been considered? It’s not that uncommon in children. The main symptoms are stomach pain and vomiting.

I hope Esme recovers quickly.

Thank you Ann and Vera, I have been reading about your suggestions and will talk to my daughter about them. We are wondering if she has a food allergy of some sort as the last two times have been after she had meals out. Having said that, she has had meals out at the same places and not been effected. Cheese and chocolate are both mentioned, but she has cheese on a daily basis and two squares of chocolate every night, so it can’t be that. It is very difficult trying to find a common factor

Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary Joan. Congrats to you and hubby.
Hope the cake turned out well and you have a lovely day <3

Well its back to the norm here as it hosing down with rain but the ground is so dry and my plants needed a good soak.

Spent most of the morning paying bills that are due in a few days. groan....more pennies disappearing from bank account!

New council tax bill arrived starts on 1st April, not too bad as less than £10 rise per month but rent increase is around £36 up per month.

I can still manage and there are a lot more worse off than me so musn't grumble.

Just usual chores today, nothing exciting in the post either!

Linda, when my daughter was 5, she complained of a sore tummy but wasn't actually sick. Was only after numerous blood tests, GP visits etc and she lost a stone in weight, she got an ultra sound and it did it show something far worse!
But as Esme gets a scan regularly, at least you have peace of mind its nothing too serious.

Hope everyone else looking in is well and warm

Florence in the hebrides

Happy wedding anniversary Joan, I hope that you are enjoying your day.

Esme is fine this morning, okaying and eating as normal. We are going to keep a detailed diary to see if we can spot any reason for the sickness

Best wishes to Joan and hubby for a very happy wedding anniversary.
Enjoy your cake!

Good to read that Esme is a lot better today.
The food diary sounds a good plan.

Yes Linda, that is a good plan, noting also not just the food she eats but also at what time she is eating would be a good idea.

Happy anniversary Joan and OH.
Good that Esmeralda is better today. Yes a food diary is a good idea.

LOL Ann, I think I shoukd start calling her Esmeralda.

I don’t feel very well today, neither does my daughter, we both have a cold and a bad headache. Esme has a runny nose as well, but she has gone to school, so hopefully she will be OK.

It was Mother’s Day yesterday of course, so we had a nice day. I had bought presents and cards for the girls to give to their mum. In turn, I got a voucher for Sunday lunch in a very nice hotel not far away, so OH is looking forward to that as well. I also got a large bunch of flowers and a helium balloon. Esme seems to think that everyone needs a helium balloon on their birthday. Mind was a tasteful one with flowers on it, but she chose a Spider-Man one for OH when it was his birthday :-D

Lol Linda I should remember to always proof read I rather like Esmeralda!!