General Chat

I have had a little go at some craft and tidied some things away in their boxes. Been on beck and call from oh as he has been setting up some electrics.

I ordered new lights for the kitchen and dining area. On Amazon they showed a picture of two spot lights on a crome bar for £10.99 each. I ordered 6 doubles but when they arrived today they were all singles!!!!!!! We wondered why they were so cheap as the ones with three on were about £29. So we have been trying to work out where is best to put them and I am keeping the strip light in the middle of the kitchen. Its taken nearly all day. Now it means more work for poor oh and it means drilling more holes for the extra lights through from the loft. At least I bought him a new drill and screwdriver for Christmas which are nice and small and light weight so I can see he will be using those.

Frank I hope you get a bit more sleep tonight than you've had over the last few days. Still home tomorrow so you will be in your own bed.

I have lost one of oh's presents!! Looked everywhere I hide things and can't find it at all.

Is'nt it quiet on here today with Jane away and Ann probably out somewhere. I hope nobody has been stuck in snow. :-(

Evening all

Just popping in to let you know I've caught OH's bug, I have a terrible sore throat and feel dreadful, it started yesterday, so I've not been able to go to my uncle's funeral today.

I'm going to bed now, not sure if I'll make it on here tomorrow I'll see how I feel. I hope everyone is okay.

Evening All,

Lovely and sunny today but bitterly cold! We were shocked when we reached the A47 to go to the garden centre as it was really dangerous. They'd had more snow out Rutland way and still no apparent gritting done. The A47 looked as if it was wet where the tyres had worn the snow away but it was black ice and we kept feeling the car sort of twitch as it slipped a bit!!! We seriously considered turning back a few times as it was the worst conditions we had driven in for many years. We were only doing 30mph a lot of the way. Then the road to Oakham is notorious! It is narrow and really steep like a roller coaster, so it was a bit of a white knuckle ride and even worse as a passenger I find! They had had far more snow since we last went and when we reached the garden centre there were about 6 cars queuing and men with shovels were trying to clear the driveway to the car park. The car park is on a hillside which doesn't help and they were using a snowplough to clear that!! Some cars were being pushed to get onto the car park. We managed to get through though and the breakfast was very welcome!

BBL as OH has just called me to watch something!

Evening All
Back home from Cheltenham to find James and Jess still here. They were just about to leave but James looked dreadful .He had been up most of the night being sick.I said to stay and go tomorrow but he was determined that they went. So with sick bowl at hand off they set only to be back 20 minutes later !!!. James had been sick :-S.
I had only just said to Chris I wouldnt be at all surprised to see them back again.
Thomas had settled nicely and we were just relaxing with our feet up listening to some quiet music on Alexa. Oh well fingers crossed James will be well enough tomorrow to drive and also that Jess hasnt got this sickness !!!!!

I need to get our dinner in as we are all behind now. James is having a slice of toast,Jess a takeaway delivered and Meatballs and Spag ready meals for Chris and me.

I just saw the last post from Gill and havent read the others from today yet.
Oh Gill I am sorry you have now gone down with the dreaded lurgy now.Early bed tonight sounds just the best thing. I am going to suggest to James he goes in Hannahs bed tonight and leave Jess and the dog in his bed.

We saw Snowmen on the A14 today :-D :-D.. I suppose those poor people stranded there yesterday had to do something to keep the boredom at bay :-D

Love the cake Mel :-D :-D

Your cake is lovely Mel! As Mandy said it is a shame to cut it!

You have got cracking with your knitting Mandy, the lilac colour wool will look really nice. What is in the little outfit? I would like to see a pic when you have done it.

Oh dear Gill, you don't sound well. I hope you can rest up a bit and keep warm and soon feel a bit better. OH had a cough start on Xmas eve but after a day or two of sniffles he is on the mend now.

Oh poor James Jane. The last thing you want is travelling when you feel sick as well. I hope Jess doesn't get it......or you and Chris! Hopefully he is over the worst and a good night's sleep will do him good.

Not such a good morning here. About 6.00 we had thunder and lightning. It's now as black a your hat and hissing with rain.

Ros is washing her hair. I can't see very well to type as I am in the dining room with only a table light.

Just been called for brekkie, so will pop back in a mo.

Just had a bowel of cereal, don't fancy toast this morning.

We had a good family time together yesterday, the others came over about 5.00pm we had a nice buffet with hot roast potato's, chocolate pudding and Christmas pudding, with cheese and port to finish off. Alexander was a treat to be with. Laughing and playing the whole time. It was lovely them being here but also nice when they went. The continual noise of Ella's voice seemed to go right through me. They went about 8.30.

While eating I cut into a small tomato and it burst all over my clean WHITE SHIRT. so you can imagine the mess. I changed into something else, which seemed a waste of time, as I was in bed by 9.45 pm.

We are not coming home today, but tomorrow. Conrad wants to drop us off then go to surprise Harvey and Julia, as they haven't seen them for years, only spoke on the phone.

Ann, I remember how bendy the road was to that garden centre. It's a wonder they had any visitors in that weather.

So Gill has the DREADY LURGIE. I hope it clears up soon and you don't pass it on to Sandra.

It's a chill out day today here. so I will sit a read my book, and watch a bit of Tele.

Hope James was fit enough to travel Jane. Was it something he ate. Poor chap.

Enjoy you day girls, whatever you might be doing. xxx

Morning all

I'm feeling a bit better today, but was really sick last night, I'd only been asleep for a short time and had to run to the bathroom, I was so bad Sandra went and woke her dad up to help me. I couldn't catch my breath with being sick so much and thought I was going to faint. Luckily it finally stopped and I managed to get some sleep.

Sorry to hear James has been the same Jane, I hope he is feeling better today and no one else has caught it. There must be a sickness bug going around. I thought it might of been something I ate but we all ate the same thing and no one else was sick, just me. I must admit I'm feeling a bit worn out today and now have a bit of an upset tummy, my throat is better than it was, so that's good.

I'm so upset with being ill yesterday as it was my uncles funeral and I couldn't go. :-(

OH has still got a virus and is very achy, so all in all we're not having a good time of it at the moment. I'm just glad this all happened after Christmas Day and Sandra had a good time, we would of hated ruining her Christmas. We're going to take it easy today and keep warm.

Pleased to hear your OH is on the mend now Ann. It sounds like you had a time of it trying to go to the garden centre. The roads sound terrible with all the black ice.

Fancy seeing snowmen on the A14 Jane, I bet you don't see that very often? Did you get a pic?

Love the cake Mel, you've done a great job, pity you have to cut into it, it's like a piece of art

How are you getting on with your knitting Mandy? I think you're right having something a bit to big will be easier to put on the doll. She's going to love it.

So you're going home tomorrow now I see Frank. I hope you have a safe journey and the roads aren't to bad.

Nice to see you are feeling a little better Gill. I suppose all th work you have put in over Christmas hasn't helped.

It's still dark and raining here. Jan just said that Northampton has heavy rain, and the snow is gone. We should have a good journey back tomorrow. Don't know what time we will leave.

Jan is just getting a dark wash together, so we won't have any washing to take home.

mORNING ALL,

sOUNDS LIKE fRANK HAD THE SAME WEATHER THIS MORNING AS US. tHE SUNS OUT NOW BUT WE HAD THUNDER AND LIGHTENING GALE FORCE WIND RAIN AND HAIL ALL MIXED IN TOGETHER.

pOOR jAMES AND gILL (sorry did.nt mean to shout but I am not changing it now as our leccy may be off for a while )

Poor James and Gill being sick. I do hope none of the families get it and you both feel better soon. Its best James takes Jess back tomorrow and hope the sickness has past by then.

Ann you and Gordon were very lucky to have reached your destination yesterday. Oh would'nt go out in those conditions at all. He says its best to stay at home safe and warm. If they forcast snow or icy conditions here he won't let me out at all. I think he has seen too many nasty accidents in his time as a fireman.

Jane is'nt Alexa good? My new one is now called Ecko as the Alexa kept coming through my new tablet!

I have heard from my cousin again this morning and she has sent me the photo I have been trying to find to send her. The only thing is it is upside down and I can't turn it. Oh said he would try later for me as he is up in the loft at the mo doing the new lights.

Frank wishing you a safe journey tomorrow back home. Make sure you have all your presents this time as last year you lost Ros's bracelet I seem to remember.

Have to go as the leccy is going off.

BBL

Not my day, just lost a big posting.

Afternoon All
Gill it sounds like you and James have had the same thing. I hope all your sickness has ended and your upset tum settles.It was a shame you couldnt make it to your Uncles funeral and I am sure that everyone understood that you werent well enough.

James was up once in the night but was ok later this morning and so they have now gone.It is all so peaceful here :-). Thomas is chilled on his bed .I think he must know that Benjy has gone.

It sounds like Mel and Frank have had some real dreadful weather what with thunder and lightening. Nothing like that here. It was very sunny and I still cant see any clouds.But is really dark . So tomorrow you will be homeward bound Frank.Just think of the peace and quiet :-D :-D plus your own bed :-D.

I went to Currys this morning and bought a new Tumble Dryer .It will be delivered on the 3rd Jan. I worry so much about using this one as the clothes seem to get so hot even on a cool heat.I am in and out of the garage like a yoyo checking .

I watched the last bit of the Miniturist this morning.It was maybe a little slow but I did enjoy it. Also I managed to watch Call the Midwife.That was good. I now want to see if I can get Mrs Browns Boys on catch up.

Ann that was a bit of an iffy journey for you and OH to the Garden Centre ! At least you got there safely and had a delicious brekkie :-D
There is still quite a bit of ice around .The car park behind the bank was really bad still this morning.I went to put Hannahs money in for her and was slipping and sliding all over the place :-S

I just looked at the time as see it is 4pm already. I was thinking it was only about 2.30!!!
Ham ,Eggs and Chips tonight :-D :-D. We were going to have that the other day but for some reason I cant think of now we didnt.Probably too full up from all the Christmas food. I have had a bit of a root through the fridge and ditched some of the things like coleslaw, potato salad etc that were passed their dates and half eaten.There still doesnt seem to be much room though.I think tomorrow I shall have everything out of both fridges and go through everything.

Mel Chris has decided he now doesnt want Alexa for his birthday !!!. I better let James know as he was going to get one with Hannah as a joint pressie. I thought he was all for having one :-S :-S

Gill no I didnt get a pic of any snowmen on the A14 .My mobile was in my handbag :-S

Evening All,

It's been a mostly gloomy day here but no thunder or lightning, but we did have quite a bit of rain in the night.

I'm glad you feel a lot better now Gill. It was a shame you missed the funeral, but everyone would understand as Jane says. It sounds like a nasty bug you and James have had, but it's good James was well enough to be able to set off with Jess today. I bet Thomas is pleased to have the place to himself again! :-)

Mel I expect your OH has seen some horrific sights and in good road conditions as well as bad. We have both had to drive in these conditions over many years in our jobs and we knew the road well and that there wouldn't be many vehicles about being Boxing Day. Dad used to say if you never drive in snowy conditions you never learn how to and many today don't know how to and so drive too fast, in the wrong gear and far too close to the vehicle in front. We had a shovel with us and extra coats etc in the boot. I have driven along the same road in my job when it was like driving down a tunnel where the snow plough had banked the snow up either side higher than my car. In those days there was Wardley Hill to contend with as well where lorries were always getting stuck. (Frank may remember it!) We didn't expect it to be so bad as it wasn't at home, but would have soon turned back if it had got any worse. We came back before what was melting in the sun started freezing again and via Melton Mowbray, a few miles up the road where to our amazement they had had hardly any snow!

Oh Frank, the times I have got a 'tomato squirt' all down my front! It's always when you are wearing something light coloured as well!! lol. Even if you pick one up and bite into it I find it can happen just the same! I have managed to get baked beans down me this week.......there's always one that falls off your fork before it reaches your mouth! :-S It will be good to get back to your home comforts and your own bed tomorrow. It's nice to have a change of scene, but always nice to get home after as well.

I wasn't madly keen on the Miniaturist in the end Jane. It was a bit odd really, but different! I couldn't get into Little Women either. We have The Blue Planet recorded to watch tonight so I should enjoy that.

I think our fridge could do with a sort out and wipe down now the Turkey remains have gone. I think I need to pop to the farm shop in the morning and get some lamb for NYD and we need eggs and veg other than brussels!

Evening all,

More rain here ,the sun came out just as it was time for it to set .

Poor James and Gill with the sickness lets hope it's only a twenty four hour bug and they both feel better soon .
As the others have said Gill i'm sure people will have understood why you couldn't have gone to the funeral feeling so poorly and i'm sure you had him in your thoughts when the funeral was taking place .

I'm always dropping bits down my front ,usually some thing tomatoey ,and beans like Ann usually the last few on the plate !!!
Colin split some pickled red cabbage on the table cloth the other day and i carn't shift the stain ,because there's only the two of us we use the cloth doubled up on the table so it's gone through two bits of the cloth ,i gave it a good hot wash but it didn't shift it , only for it to go from red to a bluey colour .

Gammon, Egg and wedges for us tonight ,well egg for Colin i don't eat them .
The family are here for new years day but we don't know what to have to eat ,DIL said no to a roast so i will have to put my thinking cap on .

Thanks Frank for the e card ,very nice , so your home tomorrow, i expect you'll be glad to get home for the peace and quiet , safe journey .

I bet Thomas is enjoying the peace now Benji has gone home .

I've finished the little jacket for Lacey's doll and now started on a skirt ,there's little booties and a beret to do too.

That sounds like a lovely little outfit for Lacey's doll Mandy and now you are doing the skirt already! I just have the shoulders to do on the back of Ted's jumper and will start the sleeves next. I'm beginning to think the jumper may be a bit big as the back is wider than the front with not having the pattern on it. Still better a bit big than too small! ;-) What a shame about your tablecloth and the stain........maybe one of those Stain Devil things will fetch it out?

I think your DIL could be right about 'no roast' on NYD. When I asked OH what he would like he suggested the other Turkey we have in the freezer!!!!! lol. I don't think so!! lol.

Thank you for your interesting card and good wishes Frank.

<3

Thanks for the card Frank, Sandra has just done the puzzle and really enjoyed it.

It sounds like you are getting on well with your knitting Mandy and Ann. I used to knit a lot when I was younger and took in knitting orders, I haven't done any for years though.

Pleased to hear James is okay now Jane. I seem to have got over the sickness now too. I've only eaten light things today, a bit of toast for breakfast and some tomato soup for lunch, didn't fancy any dinner. I'm still feeling a little tired so will probably have an early night. Thank you everyone for your kind words about me missing the funeral, I was thinking of my uncle at the time of his funeral.

Talking of sorting out the fridge, that's what I did earlier and couldn't believe how much stuff I had to throw out because the use by date had gone by. It's such a waste of food, but no good to eat if it's out of date. I still have a few bits and bobs in the freezer, including a few of the mince pies I bought for Sandra so at least they won't go to waste.

Going to watch Emmerdale and Corrie I recorded now, then I'll take myself off to bed.
Safe journey home if I miss you in the morning Frank.
Night Night

Whats all this about an ecard? I did'nt get one.... boo hoo.

I am please your feeling a lot better now Gill and an early night is a good idea as the body heals while your asleep. Hope you're back to normal tomorrow. Hows hubby now?

Oh has taken himself off to bed very very slowly. I don't think all the crawling around in the cold loft today helped at all. I only hope he can move tomorrow. Poor fellow.

I meant to ask Jane if Chris liked his fork? I remember James did up a hoe for him last year.

I think I will jump in the shower now and then have a look and see if I want to see anything on catch up.

Morning all,

Its extemly wet and windy today. Dull as dish water and horrid.

Frank wishing you a safe journey home and doo let us know once you have arrived please?

I have just done umpteen sneezes so I think I must have a cold.

Morning All,

Sunshine here and very warm in double figures when we went out earlier. I need to pop to the farm shop next and then I shall tackle the fridge and maybe the freezer as well while OH is at footie. If he's around he tends to hover over what I'm chucking out and starts saying he will eat it..........he won't though! So it's a quicker and more effective clearout with him out of the way. :-)

Why was your OH having to crawl around in the loft Mel? Is it to do with the leccy or water pipes? I remember my first OH would be doubled up with stiffness after doing things in the loft at my old house. It was a chalet bungalow with 3 lofts, 1 each side of upstairs and one at the top. He rewired the place so was up there a lot and although relatively young he tended to get back trouble. I hope you aren't getting a cold. OH's cough seems to be clearing up now at last but the long johns will be coming out for footie I expect. :-)

Still having to be careful where I wrenched my side, it just catches me out as sometimes moving the other leg seems to make it hurt, but doing my knee exercises lifting it up and down when lying down doesn't.

I expect Frank is on the way home now. At least there shouldn't be any holdups now the weather is better.

Glad you are over the sickness now Gill and managing to eat.

Jane it is a good time to get your new tumble dryer while the sales are on. A few months ago I read that some older models had had problems with setting on fire so it was best to have a new one with your old one getting so hot.

Ann he is fitting in line switches up in the loft so I can turn the lights on and off by Ecko (Elexa) and he is going to fit new spotlights in the kitchen which will be voice controled too. He can only stand up in the middle of the loft and has to crawl under the roof braces as he can't lift his legs up to go over. Bad hips. :-( He is now looking to get a new loft ladder as the one we havehas round bars to stand on and a concertina side and it tends to wobble a lot and hurt your feet on the treads. We also have to clear the loft out of a lot of junk thats up there.

Been to the shop and done the egg delivery and was shown all the things the boys had for Christmas. Em had made us a lemon drizzle cake so I came home with it still a bit warm.

I expect Frank is well on the way home by now. I hope they have a good journey and hav'nt left anything behind.

Must get some lunch now.