General Chat

Evening All,

Well, when I left a message for the boiler man, Roy, last night he got straight back to me, even though it was Sunday, to let me know he is on a week's course from today that he has to attend by law every 5 years so he couldn't come out to us. He did give me the name and number of someone he knew was very good though, so I left a message for this other chap to ring me today. We then had a fun time remembering the 'old days' using a flannel in the sink to wash this morning in the cold. We had to boil kettles first. OH used cold water to rinse his bit of hair after washing it. I'm sure I heard him gasp!! lol. :-)

Then we went to the opticians for my eye test. After telling me what healthy eyes I have for my age, they told me I have the start of cataracts in both eyes, which is not so good, but explains why I find car lights quite dazzling at night on unlit country roads!! They assured me they see them in people in their 50s and that mine are small and won't need removing for 5 years or so, so it's part of getting older I suppose, but I must make sure to wear my sunglasses more in the summer. I need a new prescription, but they said I hadn't needed a change for 5 years which was a long time. In the middle of all this the boiler man rang to say he would be round by lunch time, so I had to apologise for being rude and taking the call and explain why it was important. By 1.00pm Scott had been and fixed the boiler, which just needed a new washer fitting and repressurising as he'd had to drain something. He was a really nice chap and it cost £60. We thought it was good service to report it on a Sunday and it to be fixed in just over 24 hours. :-)

Gill I should have taken a pic of OH. :-) He said he felt like Steptoe in his fingerless gloves! It's good they are doing tests on your OH's back Gill. Till you know what's happened with it, you don't know what to be careful of doing. Let's hope there isn't too much damage.

Mandy can I see the sandals please? You are so quick with your knitting as Mel says. I have still to finish Ted's last sleeve.

I had no idea Vivienne Westward would design things like the gowns Jane. Does Hannah have a collection of gowns now? I know nothing about these things. I remember some of our teachers wearing their gowns at Grammar school and the headmistress always had hers on.

Frank if you don't feel like eating much at once it might be worth trying more small meals. I would speak to the doc about it again if you are still losing weight. Yes, it would be good to see a pic of Lewis if you can find out how to download it from your phone. Hasn't JJ led you to where his ball went? I knew someone with a Cocker Spaniel that would sit in front of the drawer his ball was kept in when he wanted to play!

Mel, your OH certainly sticks at doing jobs! I'm not surprised he has been achey after shifting those boards as that material is very heavy. Ours were made of the same but were much smaller. It will be a grand storage place when he's done. Is it easier for you to get up there with the new step? I was lucky when I used to go up our loft as there is a roof timber nicely within reach to grab as you emerge from the hole!! lol. What a shame your OH saw the leather coat. You won't get it now he's taken a shine to it. :-)

Glad you are slowly getting better Anne, but now your brother has it and has been quite poorly to not feel like getting up. Best wishes to you both that you are on the mend now.

Oh I forgot to submit my last post so didn't see Mandy's and Gill's! I think Mandy is right about about putting the neighbour's branches over his side Gill. You are allowed to trim back to your boundary, but the branches belong to your neighbour in law.

I will see if I can send pics of the rings I made.

MORNING ALL. I CAN'T SLEEP. so came out to a bottle of PORT couple of those and I will be as high as reign. !!!.

I am getting a lot off indigestion pain under my right rib cage.I am wondering if it might KIDNEY STONES. Madam wants be to contact the doctor tomorrow. (today) plus I'm not eating and loosing weigh. I cab tell you the secret. AT A PRICE
<3 <3

geting a bit squiffy nd tired no so will leave you o sleep.

Here we are again. Good morning all.


I slept until 6.30 this morning, went to the toilet and back to bed until 8.45 and slept . As soon as I had a COT I started burping. Liz dropped me a line to say she thought in might be STONES. So will get it checked out at the Doctors, during the week.

When I get showered this morning I will check my weight, I only managed half of my dinner again last night. It's not at all like me, as I love my food, and clear my plate at every mealtime. !!

That Neighbour seems a bit of a pain Gill. Tony next door had trouble with his neighbour at the bottom of his garden. He cut off loads of branches from bushes and threw them over Tony's Lawn. I thought you could cut back branches overhanging your garden, but you had to dispose of them yourself. I had a bit of trouble with the chap at the bottom of the garden. He kept ringing up saying my branches were hanging over his fence, So I said CUT THEM OFF THEN. He complained that he had had a Heart Attach and couldn't do it. I REPLIED I had a STROKE and I can't do it. So it's as it was. STALE MATE. What gets these people so wound up ???

Dull old day here again, very cloudy with spots of rain on the conservatory windows. So I won't be going anywhere today.

Morning all,

Sorry to hear you had a bad night Frank. Now go steady on the old Port you know you don't really need it.

Dull and dreay again here this morning. I must get in touch with my people I have a bond with as it comes to an end soon and I want to put a bit more in the year.

Donkey day again. They seem to come around so quickly lately.......

Gill the others are right and you are well within your rights to put their property back over the fence for them to dispose of.

Morning all

Dry and sunny here but the wind has picked up now and there are a lot of black clouds around, so I expect it'll rain at some point.

Thanks everyone for your advice but I've spent all morning cutting up the branches and putting them into next doors wheelie bin. She kindly said we could use it as she doesn't think her gardener will be round for a while so it's not being used. I was lucky and managed to get it all in there except for a few larger trunks which will be cut up and then put into next doors bin after it's emptied next week. For now I've popped them by our bins at the side of the bungalow.

Yes, be careful with that Port Frank, it could be a slippery slope and you've been doing so well. Good idea to see the doctor if you suspect kidney stones. Sandra had those years ago and was in agony with them, so I wouldn't leave it to long to see the doc. I think the neighbours at the bottom are worse than Victor Meldrew next door, but the jobs done now and at least I know my trees will be safe and not damaged as they were cutting the branches off near the bottom so they would of fell onto our trees if we hadn't of sorted it out. It sounds like you have a neighbour like us too. People can be so weird sometimes can't they?

I'm just having a sit down as my back is a bit achy. I had to pull the wheelie bin on wet soil then grass to get it from the bottom of the garden to the front and it was so heavy. OH said he'd put it down next doors drive later but I said NO YOU WON'T the silly man, his back is still sore and there's no way I'll let him hurt himself again, just when it's starting to ease a bit. I couldn't put it down next doors drive as her daughter was just coming into the drive, she's taking her mum for an operation on her eye later so I'll put it down there when she's moved her car.

I'm going to get back to sorting out all my files of paper in a minute, as I've had to put it on hold with sorting the garden out. I did a bit more last night while I was watching the TV so I only have two more files out of five to go though. I've put everything into piles on the living room floor so I can go through them all in order and shred the ones we no longer need, so I expect this job will take another few days to complete.........happy days LOL ;-)

All showered and shaved. Weighed myself, Same as the other day. 12 stone 11 lbs. so that's fine.

Ros is watching THIS MORNING with Holly and Phillip. They had a chap on there that wants to be the perfect "KEN" from Ken and Barby. I have never seen such a terrible state of a human being. It is a total disgrace to the human race. He had FOUR RIBS removed so his tailor doesn't have to alter his JACKETS. I ASK YOU. SICK OR WHAT. !!!!

Hope the weather holds for you Mel, as there is rain un the air here.

Gill, Words can not describe what what I think of your neighbour at the bottom of your garden. You should plant some "RUSSIAN VINES" they grow like mad and will bloke them out all together. !!!! You can keep them trimmed on your side,

I hope Jane had a good day yesterday or is it today ?? I don't know where I am lol

Hows our Ann's today. ?? Hope you are both well and getting over your ailments. xx from me lol

Pork Shanks (never had them before) in sage and onion gravy tonight. I have done Leeks, Brussels, carrots, parsnips and Mash. Lets hope I can eat it all.

Back to my book now.

Afternoon all,
Bit of a dull day here ,it was raining first thing but stopped now .

Ann that was good service with your boiler repair ,it would be good to keep his number so if you carn't get your normal repair man you could always fall back on Scott again.
You did a good job on the rings you made they look really good .
I'll have to take a photo of the pattern for the sandals as i've given them to Lacey now .

LOL Naughty Frank having Port in the night ,you should have had a nice cup of tea instead .
I should think it's today Hannahs Graduation Frank as Jane is back tomorrow .

Gill you don't have to shred all your paper you know, if you soak your papers in hot water then when they've had a soak screw them tight into a ball and leave to dry you can then bin them ,once they are dry you carn't pull them apart so no one can read them .

Good afternoon all

We also have another miserable day dull with slight drizzle.

I agree with Frank about planting Russian vine Gill, it's sometimes called" A Mile a Minute" for obvious reasons. Frank I was surprised that you were drinking port at that time of night naughty boy A visit to the doctor should be on the cards in case its kidney stones. one of my friends husbands had these and they left him in agony..

Ann they were beautiful rings you made that is the only sort of jewellery I would wear, as I have very small hands I only like the dainty ones like yours.

Mandy how is Max getting on these days?

Have doctors appointment for 4.40 pm today. So I will see what he has to say about the pain and burping. Let you know later.

I have to go for an Ultra-sound when I make an appointment. It looks like it could be GAL stones,

Evening All,

That's good you have seen the doc Frank. One of my beading pals had gall stone problems but is fine now. Naughty boy having the Port......I bet that was on top of having your quota of cans, so you'll have to watch it doesn't happen too often, won't you. A glass of milk is supposed to help you sleep. ;-) (no whisky in it!)

Anne, any big or fussy rings don't suit me either! I have short fat sausages for fingers. lol. I'm the same with bracelets. I love the wide, cuff type ones, but just don't have the slender wrists you need to show them off! I end up looking like a convict with shackles on my wrists. :-S

Well, I had just got over hankering for more of the Christmas choccies etc and was really good last week when OH spotted an £11 box of Belgian chocolates reduced to £1.99 in Sainsbury's yesterday and said it was too good to miss! Needless to say we polished them off so I'll have to start again now.

Oh no Gill, your hubby mustn't damage his poor back any more lugging the garden bin about! I think they forget when they feel a bit better and get carried away............and could be literally if they aren't careful! :-0 Only a few more days and he should get his results.

This business with overhanging hedges/tree branches seems to be a bit of a minefield when you look online. I would have thought that an owner of a tree/hedge really ought to be responsible for keeping his branches trimmed etc, but no, it seems they can grow as much as they like, unless you do it yourself, just to your boundary. I also saw that if a tree from a neighbour's property fell on my house and damaged it, it would be MY house insurance that should be claimed on not his! What a silly state of affairs, when it seems you are not responsible for your own trees/hedges and where they overhang, yet you bear the cost of keeping your neighbours' greenery out of your garden? :-|

That's a handy tip to know Mandy about not needing to shred. I hate the sound of the shredder!! Snap! we thought the same about keeping Scott's details, but when I went to look at the boiler, I saw he had put a sticker with them on under the front cover that drops down! He's not daft is he!

I hope Mel got home after Donkey day before it was dark and she turned into a 'pumpkin.' :-)

No I am not a pumpkin Ann. I too would love to see the rings you made at the craft day please, you seem to have left me out.

First I went east the water past Jane's aunties old house to West Devon and North Cornwall farmers shop to get some new wellies as mine are really leaking now and paddling in the chickens mud is making my socks dirty. Walked around the shop and found the Landmaster boots but there were not a lot there in the way of wellies so I asked a shop assistant and she told me there were more up stairs. Up I went to find 6 pairs on a shelf. 2 10, 2 9's and 2 12's. Down I go again and up to the counter where there were two young sales persons. I asked about them and they said they did'nt stock a size 4 anymore. I asked if they could order me a pair and they said no sorry!! because we don't stock that size now...... I was quite willing to pay up front for them to order me some but no. We don't stock that size anymore. It got a bit boring after that. When I got home and had unloaded all the shopping I went on line to Amazon and typed in Landmaster wellies and up they came in the size I wanted at the same price I would have paid in a shop and free delivery £49.99 and now they are on the way to me. Its not a wonder that all these shops are closing down when they won't even try to find out if they can order what you want. Then they say the net is ruining their businesses!!!! :-( :-( :-( People are going to shop where they can get the goods they want.

Yes I did get home just before dark. Oh had been spraying woodworm stuff in the loft and laying the lagging all afternoon.

I was a good girl today and did'nt buy our usual cream eclairs but must own up to buying two doughnuts instead.............

Going through the stuff my cousin sent me which her friend did a while ago I got interested in William Martin again. Do you think I can find them on the 1891 census. I have looked for the children and the parents. They were a funny lot on my paternal side of the family. I have a William Martin born c 1856 married to Sarah Nevill and all their children. I can only find them on two census I think. On one the boys are named but the girls only have initials. I found the wife as a widow on the 1911 and I have gone back to his father William Martin and his father Thomas Martin. Frank knows of these people as he knew Frank Martin's Fish shop in Woodford Bridge. Its my dad's mum's side of the family and it seems not many of them used their first names. Even My nan was Edith May but always called May. Her sister Elizabeth Annie was known as Annie, its very confusing. Then there is a brother of my nan's that Hilary knew as Uncle Bob. Willilam and Sarah never had a Robert or a bob but on the death of BOB his son found out that his name was Albert Edward Martin!!!!!! His wife was Nellie and she always called him Bob.

On the papers from Hilary she had a letter from Lynn her cousin saying that my mum and dads marriage was'nt a happy one and they split up. Totally not true mum and dad were sweetheart fro the age of 17 and 14. Lynn her cousin had my pram and I can remember my dad giving it the once over before handing it over. I got quite upset and I could only have been about two.

Morning all,

Wet and windy here need I say more. Its really miserable.

I have a nice pork loin joint to cook for tonight with roast veg so nice and easy. Homemade apple sauce in the freezer.

Hope all went well with Hannah's graduation and I am sure there will be some very proud photos arriving for us to see. Such a clever girl and a hard worker. someone to really be proud of.

Well oh is in the loft and my bird feeders badly need filling up so see you all later.

Good morning my Friends,

You were created very badly by that shop Mel. Even if they don't stock your size, shouldn't have stopped them getting them for you. As you say, you can understand why these shops are going out of business.

Your family was very complicated with all these different names. I see there was no TOM, DICK or HARRY. LOL LOL.

What a filthy morning we have here. The wind is so strong with driving rain. It's almost dark out as well. Guess who's not going out today ?? Poor Ros has a hair appointment for 12.00 Noon. A brolly won't be a lot of good as it will get blown away. !!!

I wouldn't usually have a port at night. I just fancied one.


Time to get something to eat and have my tablets. See you later.

Morning All,

Wet and windy here too!

That's awful the shop not getting you a pair of wellies your size Mel. I agree though that they bring about their own demise sometimes with the internet! If they want to compete they have to change their ways. I went to a garden centre along the A5 yesterday, hoping to see the clothes at an outlet in a seperate building there. I pulled up, the shutters were down and bollards in front of the door and they had closed. I looked up the bead shop at Warwick yesterday and they said they were closing this year when their lease ran out! It looks like more and more shops are closing. Sorry you didn't get my email so I have sent it again. You were on the list the first time so there must have been a glitch as often seems to happen these days. I'm getting some emails going straight to trash now for some reason! :-S I must read about your family you posted later as we are off out as soon as OH is back from the docs for a routine check.

Hope you had a better night last night Frank. <3 ;-)

BBL

Just been to empty the plastics and tins into the Blue Wheeley bin. It's perishing cold outside. I have just turned the Halogen heater on in the lounge and turned the central heating up. There's no way I am going to sit around cold.

I have made a chicken casserole for tonight. Mushrooms, onions, carrots, garlic and peas. I have done the potato's also.

Not sure what time Ros will be home. I don't know what she is having done. !!!

Slept very well last night. 10.30 to 8.20 with only one trip to the loo.

On FB this morning was a couple teaching a baby Labrador how to come down the stairs. It was so funny watching it. I have shared it, if anyone is interested.

What time is Jane due back ?? Is Fitz picking them up or will they get a Taxi. Yes Mel,lots of proud parents there yesterday. I bet Jane has taken a loy of photo's for the scrap book.

Time for a bowl of soup and B & B.

Wow were'nt Ann's rings great. Loved them both.

I have had a message from Liz but she has'nt given me permission to put it on here yet.

I made a HUGE pot of soup for lunch and we are just about to sit down to it.

Afternoon all,

Very windy here today ,the rain stated coming down about an hour ago and with the wind it keeps beating on the front window , it's feels really mild out today.

Ann i would have been tempted with chocolates at that price too ,son bought some boxes of little savoury biscuits reduced to 20p in Aldi the other day he bought four boxes and then none of them liked them so they gave them to us ,we thought they were nice ,they have a date on them for August 2018 !! we'll eat them as we very often have cheese and biscuits for our lunch .


The Ultra-sound will soon tell you if it's Gall stones Frank ,you might just have some small ones like shingle , i think they Laser the stones now .

You can see why people buy on line with shops not willing to order things for you , the trouble is these shops probably carn't get things in one at a time they probably have to make up an order of so many .,plus it can be cheaper on line ,everyone likes to save a few pennies these days if they can .

I have had a good morning hoovering and dusting the bedrooms ,i really need to have a good turn out in the wardrobes it's just finding the motivation to make a start on them .

We had soup today too ,the Nanna's Magic soup recipe , Tesco's have the ad on the telly so i gave it a go and it was very nice .

Gosh I am full up. We had two bowls (pasta bowls) of ssoup each and two nice rolls warmed through in the oven with cornish butter on them. Is it a wonder we are over weight?

Given permission so here's Liz's message to me and the reply to me asking her if I could put it on here.

Yes you're right about Cas!! She does get dreadfully muddy, so I'm about to look on line for a waterproof coat that goes right round and under her tummy to try and keep her a bit drier!! Today is just dreadful!!! blowing a gale and tipping down!! I dread to think how your poor chickens are faring?!! Cas and Ian are out beating so they'll be soaked by teatime!! Poor Merlin is in his yard as the paddock is sooooo muddy and much of it under water. It's a nightmare, as I'm sure it is for you!! When will it ever end? at least it's not cold!!
Apart from that we are all well. Ian's got an ultra sound booked for his gallstones on the 12th Feb, so hopefully we shall be a bit wiser after that. Tomorrow he has a PSA test with a follow up appointment with the Urologist on the 19th Feb. After that we shall then know when his treatment will start. Prostate cancer tends to be a waiting game which can test the nerves a bit!! It's really kind of you to be concerned, it helps a lot.
Mark's coming over tomorrow to have supper with us. Laura at the weekend (hopefully!)
Yesterday we bought a load of Sevilles for marmalade and today I'm making Shepherds Pie for supper. Never a dull moment!!
Hope all is well with you healthwise and weatherwise!!!
Love
Liz xxxx

Oh bless you Mel! Yes tomorrow is my birthday - AGAIN!! and yes your card has arrived, thank you in advance!
Oh yes, do put my email on the thread, I like to keep in touch with you all now and then to see what you are all up to!!
Your OH has been very busy! It's bound to make a big difference, so well worth the hassle.
Just finished that pie, so at least that's supper sorted! Rain has stopped, but the forecast isn't good, colder again!!! For goodness sake!!
Liz xxx