General Chat

Oh no Jane i've just seen your post ,you carn't risk passing that on to them can you .

I have had a message from Liz wishing you all a Happy New Year but it has come out in the title so I can't read it all. She says they had a lovely Chirstmas and had family + dogs, children etc and thats as far as I can read and if I take the curor off it It disappears so I can't copy nad paste it.

The gale that has been blowing all night and during the day has at last died down. We've had some more rain too.

Mandy the glitter soes get everywhere dos'nt it. I have had a litle bit of red glitter on the thing I have been making and I can't get it off at all. It just keeps catching my eye.

Jane I think you are very wise to cancel your company tomorrow. It sounds like poor James is really unwell and if Chris thinks it could be Norovirus then its not the kind of thing you want to pass on to someone with small children. Has Jess been ok?

I make my Irish stew with shoulder fillets of lamb, two chicken cubes and some knorr chicken stock, carrots, celery. onions and pearl barley and I used new pots in it tonight. Sometimes I put a turnip in or swede. Then add dough boys 20 mins before you serve it up. All in one pot so nice and easy. I also did some savoy cabbage cut in wedges. Have loads of juice over for a big pot of soup tomorrow and add some more carrots and a tin of mixed veg and a crofter soup mix and there should be enough for a couple of days. I also put the greens water in there. Lots of minerals in that and I don't put salt in greens.

Morning all,

Very windy here again this morning and dull. I think they forcast we may have some dry weather today even with a bit of sun but when they say a bit it could just be a glimpse.

Heard from Liz again and here's what she says.


Hi Mel,
Sorry about that, so I'm starting from scratch!! I was just going on to tell you that we were off the internet from 29th, till the Engineer came yesterday!!! BT (on the 29th!) changed our internet package for 'Infinity' (It's being advertised on TV) for the same price as the former package. Trouble was that the chap didn't complete the wiring correctly in the outside box which is up the road from us!! SO, being a bank holiday it wasn't fixed until yesterday!!! Ian not amused as you can imagine!!!
Poor Ian has been diagnosed with Gall Stones!! Oh dear, yet more trips to the hospital!! Still we're lucky to have the facility, and also that it's not too far away
Weather is very windy again today, I hope it's not too bad with you and that you are all (chickens!) fighting fit, give or take the odd ache or pain!
Cas has just come, with Teddy! to tell me that breakfast is ready!! Hope this goes through ok!!
Love
Liz xx


Oh is up in the loft again today as we have a new loft ladder coming that has treads on it. Our one just has these bars which really hurt your feet when you climb them and if your carrying anything its worse. It also wobbles a bit so the new one is telescopic.

Its arrivedand oh has taken down the old one.

Hope Frank had a better night last night and knows we are all thinking of him. Sending love and wishes.

Good morning Mel, and all,

Sorry to hear about James and Iain. I hope they can be treated soon and be back to normal.

No read change here, I sat and watched NEW FRIENDS I don't think it will be my thing for six weeks.

I have had TWO weetabix this morning and a COT. Have been on the loo ever since, ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) I managed to give myself a wash down and get a shave.

Physically I am really starting to suffer, FUNNY FEELING) Shakes, stumbles, no coordination . I can't even walk he length of the lounge with out my stick. Ros is at my beck and call. All I want to do is drink water. THREE pints so far this morning, but still my mouth feels as dry as a bed of baked clay.

I am going to cancel Sunday Lunch with Carolyn and John. There will be ar least seven people there, and I know i will not be comfortable. I feel so better on my own. I don't think I am being selfish, but considerate. I would hate for a scene to develop with John.

We have rain again and ha wind. I hope it clears a bit to give us all a break.

I am sorry I am all doom and gloom, but this is one of the worst episode i am having to go through in my life. Things can only get better I hope. xxx

Afternoon all

We still have the storm and it's worse today than yesterday, One of our tables and a chair got blown over so OH has had to put it down the bottom of the garden where we hope it's a little more sheltered. I noticed before that one of the brackets we used to fasten the wooden frame for the screening to the bungalow had snapped in half, so OH has had to replace it with another one. The screening is still blowing back and forth so I'm not surprised the bracket broke. OH said some of the other brackets had worked loose so he's tightened them all up and will keep an eye on them until the weather calms down. I'm so glad OH screwed the greenhouse down last year, otherwise that would have probably moved by now.

How is James now Jane . He must of been in a bad way for Chris to think it's the Norovirus. Good idea to keep away from people until you know for sure what you are dealing with. I hope he feels better soon.

Keep going Frank, I know it's not very nice at the moment but I'm sure it'll soon start to feel better. If being on your own is better for you, then I'm sure everyone will understand and support you. It'll all be worth it in the end. Do you like jigsaw puzzles, maybe you could do one as that might help you concentrate on something else for an hour or so a day. You're not being doom and gloom, you say what you want, we're all friends here and will fully support you.

Sorry to hear you're still under the weather Anne. Have you seen a doctor, it sounds pretty bad, he might be able to give you something to help?

We've just had a downpour of rain, it felt like I was sitting in a car wash. OH has nipped to the shops, hope he's not to wet when he comes home.

Afternoon All,

Well I know where the wind at Mel's has ended up.........here!! lol It's blowing like mad now and has made some of the stems on one of the shrubs bend right over so it is split down the middle. Another job! It's also gone very cold again.

Frank I think that was wise of you to cancel the lunch and possibly temptation from others, especially in these early stages while you are trying to gradually cut back. It sounds like your symptoms could all be to do with withdrawal so just hang in there and speak to your doc again if you are worried. It is easy like you say to not notice what you have when you sit watching telly etc I can be just the same with a packet of biscuits or big bar of chocolate!! I expect the thirst like you have may be why the doc mentioned diabetes, but you said he is doing a test for that so you will soon know.

Mel, the aortic aneurism check is a fairly new thing I think that men get called for between the age of 64-65 now. Women aren't included as we are less likely to have one. Mel, I used to love mum's irish stew! I liked the pearl barley in it and would often have a slice of bread with it as the gravy was so tasty. :-) At least your girls will have dryer, cleaner feet with the extra shavings.

We went to Market Harborough after lunch and had a mosey around the shops. OH was impressed with the excellent, virtually new books in the charity shops and bought 2. I think people must have cleared a few out after getting new ones for Christmas. :-) We then popped into The Loft on the way home which is a furniture and gift shop, but didn't see anything we liked in there.

It's beading again tomorrow so I need to sort out what to make as I'm not in the mood for finishing off the last few things I need to do!

Afternoon All
Well we are all like wet weekends here today. Both Chris and I up in the night to the loo :-S.James is still off work and looks grim but he is insisting he will be ok for work in the morning . I think he is crazy but there is no telling him. He may change his mind when he gets up tomorrow. I do hope he does feel better though as it has been over a week now .What a good thing I told Mark not to come today.His wife Kate is 36 weeks pregnant and it would really have been bad for her if she got our bugs.
So we will not be seeing them at all this time as they go back to Brussels tomorrow or Saturday. I expect that they will be coming over to the UK more often now than they did when they were in Washington DC.Just a matter of hopping on the Eurostar. We of course might go and see them.I will post the presents I bought for Freya.

Oh Frank you do sound down in the dumps and feeling rotten . I do wonder about your thirst.When do you have your test for Diabetes? I am sure though that things will improve and that you will be back to Happy Frank :-D :-D. <3

Gill you seem to have had worse Gales than us although it has been incredibly windy this afternoon. I think it might be calming down a bit now as the chimney is not so noisy !. Thomas has just ventured out too after sleeping for several hours on his bed.

Mel your Irish stew sounded very hearty . I am afraid I am not a lover of Lamb Stew.I always think it has a strange taste.

Ann I bet the High Street in Market Harborough was breezy !. It always seems to catch the wind there.I think it is a lovely little Market Town.

Anne are you feeling any better today? Ruby must wonder why you have not been your usual self.Pets do tend to know when we arent well.

Our dinner tonight is going to be the Haddock Goujons and Breaded mini Chicken Fillets that I bought for Freya and bread. I dont feel like cooking and no-one wants much to eat. I put the Chicken dish I did in the slow cooker yesterday in the freezer this morning. So I now have 4 lots of meals I cooked and have frozen. I have 2 Roast Beef in Gravy(for 3), Sliced Turkey in Gravy(for 3) and now this chicken one.

Thanks for Liz's message Mel. I wonder if Ian is going to have laser treatment to blast the Gall Stones or maybe Keyhole Surgery . Must be very painful for him. My sister had her Gall Bladder out probably about 30 years ago . I seem to recall that her pain came on so suddenly and with such force she had to have an ambulance with Blue Lights .Then again when she had a ruptured ovarian cyst. That was a very scary time as she had major surgery and the cyst was the size of a big grapefruit :-0

Tomorrow we will take the Xmas tree down. It has never been up as long as this Xmas.It will look very bare in here but nice to get this back to normal again.

There is a programme on tonight I want to watch on BBC2 A House through time.It looks quite interesting. We will all be in separate bedrooms again tonight and I know that Thomas will come and join me :-D :-D.

Poor James Jane and now you and Chris visiting the white friend in the night! I think I saw that the Norovirus can stay infectious for a while after the worst of it so James would probably be better staying at home. It was very sensible to not have your guests come wasn't it! Yes, we like Mkt Harborough, it's far more cheerful than the city!! It was windy as well!! lol.

Off to watch some telly now.

Had a Chicken soup tonight, and another two pints of water.

Going off to bed very soon.

Goodnight.

We have both been really busy today. The loft ladder arrived and the van driver told oh he saw a deer in the garden when he drove in so oh took him to the orchard where the three of them were eating apples. Oh told him they live here.

Oh put the ladder up and could'nt get it to go up when he shut the hatch. I took a look and said push it up on those bracket things which he did and then it clipped onto the bottom bar. Hatch closed ok then. Its great to go up as the treads really fit your feet. He is delighted with it. Now he is going to board the loft out after he puts the new spotlights in the kitchen. The light for over the dining area that dos'nt work properly and sends the leccy out will be replaced by the seller. They replied to my email this morning and said they would send another one.

I forgot it was library today!!!!!!! with all that was going on.

We have had a niceish day today with no rain all day till this evening.

I had to make channels in the mud in the chicken run this morning as most of it was swimming in water and they even have their own little spring in there. You can see the water bubbling up. At first I thought it was bubbles but the water is as clear as crystal and I saw one of the girls drinking from it!

Jane you poor lot all being ill at once but I suppose you will all get better together too. You were very wise to put off your company and its not the kind of thing you would want to pass on to a pregnant lady or little Freya.

I have taken down all the decs except I still have the tree to put away. I have the lights on on it as I don't like the neon light oh has put up over the table its too bright to sit under all evening watching the telly. Tomorrow I shall go up the caravan and pinch the table lamps from the bedrooms and plug those in till the new light comes.

I think Frank could do with some sunshine to make him feel better. He may be suffering from SAD as well. I think you are very wise to stay away from others at the moment Frank. Love to you and Ros. <3

Morning all

A calmer day today and the screening is still up so that's good. I had visions of it being all over the garden when we woke up but thankfully that's not the case. We even have a bit of sun, not much though as it's quite cloudy.

You were busy yesterday Mel, so the new loft ladder is up and working now, it sounds like it's a lot easier to walk up and down than the old one. Pity you missed the library, do you have to wait long for it to come again?

How are you feeling today Frank, I've been thinking about you all morning and hope you had a better nights sleep last night.

How is James today Jane, hope he's feeling a little better too and you Anne. There are so many bugs going around isn't there? Hope everyone who is ill feels better soon.

I've just finished sorting the living room out. Sandra said the draws are almost empty now. I'm not surprised with all the junk that's been put in it lately. Mostly things being advertised that have been pushed through the door that I always say I'll read later and never do LOL. So that's the dining room, hall, living room and most of the spare bedroom and Sandra's room sorted now. The big job of my bedroom still needs doing, but I'm not brave enough to do that today :-) :-)

I found some old 60 minute makeover's on Sky the other week so have been recording them. Sandra loves that programme so we watch it together each day, it's nice to have an hour's sit down. We're just about to start watching today's programme. See you all later.

Morning Gill and all,

We have another quite bright morning here with some sun and blue sky and no wind.

I have to wait a month for the library to come again but I have a free book on my tablet I could listen to and I have another cd from the library. With all the Christmas things going on I hav'nt really listened to the ones I had last month and I have one more from them so I should be ok.

Oh has fixed two of the new spotlights in the kitchen this morning and now he is up in the loft making holes for another three in the kitchen area.

I hope Jane,Chris and James are feeling better today and of course our Franky boy.

These bugs can go on for a long while.

I must fill up the bird feeders as they are eating like billyo this morning.

Good Morning Gill, and all. Evening Kim.

First a question that you might be able to help with. I have a very DRY MOUTH. I sip water, suck Humbugs, use mouth wash. Nothing seems to last a few minutes. HELP. !!!! What can I try. ??

Poor you Jane, How are you copping with cooking etc. ?? I assume you are well stocked, so don't need to go out.

New loft Ladder then Mel. I, unfortunately don't use mine anymore, but Ros just puts things up there on top of other things, When Harvey comes he moves things further over the loft.

Still shaking all over, and have no appetite. But I did manage a couple of weetabix this morning.

Thanks all, for your good wishes. I just hope I start feeling the benefits of what I am doing, soon.

Ros is just off to take something to the post. The sewing machine we bough for Ella. Ros, just couldn't get it to work. We will send her some money newt replace it. She can then buy what she wants.

I have sorted the printer out. Ros said have you connected it back to the computer, since we came home ?? NO, Silly begger that I am :-P :-P :-P

Shower now, I will have to be very careful in the empty house. In fact I will wait until she comes back.

It's a good job you still have some things to listen to Mel, a month is quite a while to wait if you hadn't of had anything. It sounds like your OH is going to have another busy day today with the lights in the kitchen.

We've just finished watching 60 minute makeover and are now going to watch Bondi Vet and then Bondi Rescue. All these new programmes I've started recording are some of Sandra's favourites.

We posted at the same time Frank. Yes, it might be better to wait until Ros is in before you have your shower. I can't help you with what to do about being so thirsty as it looks like you are drinking plenty already. Maybe you could have a word with your doctor again to see what he advises. When do you get your results for your diabetes test?

Afternoon All

I am just about to finish putting all the Xmas decs away ready for Chris to get back in the loft.
We all feel much better today and James did go to work. I expect he will be shattered though when he gets home as I know he still isnt 100%.

Frank are you taking Anti Depressants? I think you said you were. They might be a cause of the dry mouth which in turn will be making you drink more.

It is getting so cold now ,and dark too. I think there might be a little drizzle going on as I can see tiny spots on the window. Chris is having a bonfire.

Must press on otherwise it will never get done. BBL

Pleased to hear you are all feeling much better now Jane and that James felt he could return to work, so long as he doesn't over do it though, as like you said he's still not a 100%.

So all your decs are down now, do you find it looks really bare? I did, but after a few days I'm starting to get used to it now. I loved the lights Fitz had in his kitchen, did he decide to keep them up in the end?

We've had rain today, the poor garden can't take much more, it's more like a swimming pool than a garden at the moment.

Going to do some more sausage rolls and little quiches now, I've still got half of them I bought for Christmas that are still in the freezer. I think I bought far to much food for Christmas, at this rate we'll still be eating it at Easter LOL.
At least it's in the freezer so won't go to waste. ;-)

Afternoon all,

Ros went and did here jobs this morning. Traffic and Road Works all around Northampton.

While she was out I peeled Carrots, Parsnips, Swede,Leaks, Onions. Ready for her to cut up and prepare the beef stew for tonight. She has added a few bits and pieces, and it's simmering away on a low gas. It will be ready abut 7.00 pm. I am actually looking forward to a bowl this evening.

I rang for my results, ALL CLEAR so they haven't sent them to the hospital. Yes Jane I am on antidepressants . I Bet with me not eating and still taking my tablets that could have something to do with it. I've only had THREE PINTS of water today.

At the moment I have no interest in wanting a beer. So all being well I won't have my allocation tonight. ;-) ;-) ;-) That will be great. I am still achy and shaky and pain in my side and shoulder. I have been trying to have a few zzz but without any luck.

I will have to check the conservatory is clear enough for me to watch the football tonight.

Had a lovely photo this morning of Jan and Conrad with Alexander going for a walk. I will try to send it on for you to see.