General Chat

Morning all,

Its bright and quite sunny at the moment and pc says 14 degrees and cloudy.

Yes I will make the advent ring again this year but first I have to go down the church and get the stand and find the ring as it has a bit in the middle that the candle stands on.

My decs are in the lounge where I can get to them easily as oh could'nt get up in the loft to get them down. Must get on as I have to pick everything for the ring and Stuart is coming late morning to look at the car for me. I found my wires which is always a job as I can't leave them in the shed where I do it as they go rusty.

Did'nt sleep quite so long this morning but still later than I would have liked.

Ah, I just wondered as it's Advent tomorrow.

This might be of concern from the Mail on line.

Millions of Brits 'hooked' on medication to manage acid reflux that's putting them at risk of dementia, a top pharmacist has warned. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the UK's most widely used drugs, with 73 million NHS prescriptions dispensed in England in 2022-23, at a cost of £190m. The drugs, like omeprazole and lansoprazole, help to reduce the amount of acid inside the stomach, limiting the distressing symptoms of reflux, also called heartburn- including pain and difficulty swallowing. However, studies have suggested that long-term use could increase the risk of developing dementia. A 2023 US study published in the journal Neurology found that taking PPI medications such as omeprazole, esomeprazole and lansoprazole for more than four and a half years could make you 33 per cent more likely to develop dementia, compared to those who've never taken it.

Well that is the cottages set up and the two not working now working, and also all the little figures are in place. No doubt they will keep falling over as usual and need standing up again.

Riley has been working on his own all morning he has not been able to contact Jake and Jake has not phoned him so we are worried that they have had an emergency with one of the children or something. Anyway he has got on well He usually does the more complicated work anyway. The only thing he can't manage is to get the facia boards up so he is finishing npw and will go and see if he can find out what has happened to Jake. Quite worrying really so hopefully they will let me know.

Thanks for that about my meds and I think Mandy is on one of those too.

Been to Stuart's and he has popped the bumper back for me so it dos'nt look so bad now and its safe to drive. One job out of the way. I have also been to the shop and and while I was there I asked Keith if he could tell me what my licience number was and he showed me. He also said it was a I and not a one as it did'nt have a serif on it. I learnt something there as I never new it was called a Serrif on a 1. He also said something about the i not having a something serrif but I did'nt remember that.

Done some wiring of the ring and have found the candles and the holly berries and my tummy is grumbling so I thinjk I should have soemthing to eat before I carry on with it.

I keep meaning to say I saw the Stoat run across the border a couple of days ago but I have not seen a rabbit in the garden for weeks now. The last one I saw was in my trap and I disposed of that to the Buzzard.

Good afternoon

It’s been a much warmer day today getting to 12 degrees but I’ve felt colder than yesterday. Maybe it’s psychological as there has been no sun at all today, just grey cloud.

This morning I wrote a few cards but after I had done 4 my hand tremor started so if you get a card that looks as though it’s been written by a drunken mouse you’ll know why. I had to give up after 6 or 7 cards. I also went online and ordered a couple of presents and answered some emails. Then I got lunch which is normally OH’s job but he was busy in the garden. He has dug up all the roots of the shrub he cut down yesterday, sieved all the earth and refilled the hole that was left so it’s tidy until we put a fuchsia there in the spring.

This afternoon I’ve given OH’s en suite and the downstairs cloakroom a thorough clean and cleaned up a bit in the utility and now my back is saying it’s had enough so I’m laying on the bed with some heat on my back and pillows propped up behind me.

Mel, let us see a photo of your advent ring when you have finished it please. You are very good to make it for the church each year.

I hope nothing bad has happened to Jake AnnG. Didn’t he have an emergency with one of his children when he was doing a job for you once before or have I muddled him up with someone else?

I think I’m going to watch something on my iPad while I’m resting my back and then get up and prepare and cook our dinner. Have an enjoyable evening and a good night everyone.

Yes Vera you are right. It was his youngest who suffers with chest infections and he had taken her to hospital Riley was worried it might have been one of the children but it was strange that both he and his partner’s phones were switched off. He was going to check on him and get him to contact me, Riley has not got my contact details, only Jake. Riley did an excellent job on his own and made sure it was all safe to leave until Monday. He was here working from 0945 until gone 4pm. He was very tired. Still not heard anything so I hope the children are Ok there are so many bugs around.

Thank you for the photos Ann the village is wonderful I could spend ages there.

Hi all yes I did take pics today as I made the ring and then when I eventually got it in the church. I drove up there and the outside gates to the porch were locked or so I thought. i had tried them twice so I went back to the car and put it all back in there and drove to Jim's house which is in the big house grounds, and there was no answer so they were out. I came home and thought I will just ring Sheila (our reader) and see if she has a key. No answer...... so I was just going to have a sit down and my phone rang. It was Sheila just come in and heard my message. She told me the gates were'nt locked but were stiff. I told her I had tried them twice but they would'nt open so she said she would come down and meet me in 5 mins after putting Boris in the car to give him a walk round the churchyard while we saw to the door. No sooner than she arrived they started shooting again, its been going on all day, and Boris does not like guns banging so he had to stay in the car. Anyway by the time she had arrived I had the gate open and had nearly finished putting it on the stand. She would have known I got in as I had all the lights on. She thanked me and said she was going to ring me to see if I would do it again this year but she forgot. She knows I do it every year as I have done for most of the years I have lived here about 33 or 4.I used to do a big arch over the church door when I had oh to help me put it up.

After doing that I called into Em's with here eggs as she was coming down for 6 today. She had come while I was out but the second time I went up there I had taken the eggs with me as I pass her house on the way to the church.

I came in and made myself a nice COC and had a small apple strudle I had made with the left over puff pastry from the dinner on Thurday. It had gone a bit rubbery but I was determined to eat it so I used a jknife and fork as my teeth don't bite well.

I'll send the pics later as I need a well earned rest now.

Afternoon All,

Much warmer here today and dry so far, so not much heating needed.

I read about that with PPIs a few days ago too AnnG. OH has taken them for many years and it isn't the only risk with taking them. I mentioned on here a few years ago about the risk of osteoporosis and how I badgered OH for a few years to get his bone density checked because of taking them long term. Guess what, as he was eventually persuaded to go and ask to be checked, he was found to be borderline for osteoporosis and the medics were so surprised with him being a man and only in his 60s! At least he got to be treated early for it with getting checked. The problem is with the osteoporosis rink is that the PPIs stop calcium being absorbed for your bones. Similarly with my thyroid medication, fibre, calcium, iron, coffee and tea can affect that being absorbed, so my mostly skipping breakfast helps or I take my meds a bit earlier in the morning.

I bet your display looks lovely now you have it done and you've got all the lights working. I bet it looks magical with the room light switched off and I'm sure your visitors will appreciate you setting it up again. I wonder what has stopped Jake coming to help with your roof and hope he and the family are ok.

That's good Stu has managed to get your bumper back in place and safe Mel and I hope there is plenty to pick for the ring. I always look forward to seeing that. Did Stu remember the book this time? It sounds like the Stoat has been keeping the Rabbit population down for you.

Vera I just looked at your Fuschia and think it is a lovely delicate one that drips with flowers, really pretty. Good idea to have hired a gown as they must cost a lot, usually just for the one occasion so your granddaughter is a sensible girl.. You are lucky if you are still getting your garden bin emptied as our have stopped now till next March.

I've had 6 scam emails today, all pretending to be my broadband provider! I reported them all, but it's a sign Christmas is coming now the robbers are out to trick us!

I just had another look at the pics you sent Annx. Can you imagine just how long it took them to do that display?I expoect there were a lot of movinng things like the skaters and the men fishing with the fish coming out of the holes etc and it looks like the train was on rails and did the roundabout go round?

I think I will sleep well tonight as I am feeling tired already so will say goodnight all. See you all in the morning, late morning as I hav'nt got to get up for anything.

Good morning all. Wet here this morning which was expected as per the weather forecast, so a good job my garage is now rain proofed. Just the cosmetic bit to do now.

11 degrees so mild but not going anywhere so no problem.

I have got my little tree down now so will decorate that, I didn't manage to find a larger one so 3 foot will have to do.

Thank you Annx for the photos of the village. I found them in my spam :-S :-|
What a wonderful display and such detail. I'm going to go back and take a closer look.
Also in my spam was a very dodgy message, almost a blackmail type. I'm not feeling threatened, but I can see that it would unnerve some people in that it said unless I paid a certain amount of money in bitcoin, the sender would reveal to people in my address book, pictures that had been captured from my internet browsing and even from within my own home, :-0
As I never have a camera on and have not viewed anything of concern, I have no worry that there is anything to be seen, but the tone of the message was very unpleasant.

On a brighter note, I went to 2 Christmas fairs yesterday morning.
The first was at a retirement home in town, where they always hold a fair where residents who are crafters can sell their wares and coffee and cakes are served and there is tombola etc in aid of a local charity for the aged. Prices are reasonable and it's a good social occasion.
From there we went to the parish church in town for their fair, where there were various stalls set up, - some for charity, some for church funds and some for local sellers to sell pottery, wood turning and artwork etc. Prices were more expensive, but then many hours must have gone into the creation of some items.
Some ladies from the church had a soup kitchen running in a side room. Daughter chose a spiced parsnip one, I had butternut squash. Both were delicious with a buttered wholemeal roll.
Late afternoon we went off hand delivering some birthday cards for opening today and tomorrow, then delivered some society newsletters before going home for a later meal of haggis, swede and potato, it being St Andrew's Day and daughter needs little excuse to link in to her Scottish heritage ;-)

Morning all and a pinch and a punch and all that.

Well only 24 days to go to the big day if you don't count today. Iv'e not wrapped a present yet so that could be on the cards for today. I am hoping I hav'nt bought anything thats hard to wrap. I think most are in boxes so should be ok. Still a few to get but not much.

Thanks for the pics of the village Anng it looks great as ususal.

Morning all,

Dull here with drizzle the sun tried to peep throught but the clouds had other ideas .

Yesterday we went into the church to see all the trees I didn't take any photos as I didn't bother to take my bag with me and we went off in a rush as when I looked to see the times they were only open until 11.30 and then open again at rwo o'clock, not sure why but anyway the trees were really pretty ,just a shame there wasn't one real tree all artificial ,we both liked the Heritage one ths best as they had lots of old photos of the snowy town and old shops pinned on .

Got two more small, Christmas puddings steaming away ,just two more to do for son and family .

Gwyn I've seen lots of handmade things that seem pricey but when you think of all the time that goes into making these things they wouldn't make any money would they and of course some things you couldn't buy anywhere else as they are one offs never two the same .
The soup sounded tasty ,I make a curried parsnip soup but I like the sound of the spiced one, I bet it went down a treat with a nice buttered roll.

Anng your little cottages look lovely all set out ,I meant to ask if any are musical ones .

Ann that garden centre display was beautiful it must draw lots of people in to see it each year.

How the decorations have changed over the years from having the crepe paper trimmings and little paper lanterns to foil trimmings ,when I lived at home we use to go to a neighbours house for Christmas drinks and her trimmings were well lets just say way over the top ,when you went into the front room there were so many draped across the ceiling you could hardly see it and you had to duck down in places to walk underneath lol

Mel looking forward to seeing the advent ring again

I want to order a new diary week to view but can't remember what A^ size is?? I know I don't have an A4 is A6 about half that size?

Mel, A6 is 4.1 x 5.8 inches. A5 is about half A4 size. Hope you find what you want.

Sent the pics in all the stages of its making.

I was going to say A5 is half A4 but Vera got there first. Thanks for the pics Mel great as usual.

Mandy the station next to the church on the left has a little train that runs round and can be seen through the door. I don't think any of them have sound although some are so old now the sound might have worn out.

Oops, after answering Mel’s paper size query I went into automatic pilot mode and pressed submit even though I meant to carry on.

How can we be on the first day of December already? 58 years ago I was heavily pregnant with my second child and dashing about like a mad thing washing my hair (long in those days), making a Christmas cake and getting my 17 month old daughter to my mother-in-law’s. My baby was supposed to be born at home but things weren’t going right and I had seen the doctor the night before. He wanted me to go straight into hospital but I pointed out that I didn’t have arrangements in place for my daughter and he’d have to give me time to do that. So he gave me a day’s grace and I had to go in first thing the next morning. I didn’t tell him all the other things I was going to do with my day’s grace. My son was born on 2nd December.

I was very confused with the talk of Annx’s village photos and kept looking at the pictures I had got and couldn’t see anything resembling a village. I was just going to email and ask her about them when, like Gwyn, I found them in Spam. I wonder why they ended up there. I’ve never had anything from Annx go to Spam before now. The village looks amazing. I’ve only seen the pics on my phone so far but I am going to look at them later on my computer so I can pick out more detail.

Gwyn, a couple of years ago I had a spate of those nasty emails, each one getting nastier than the last. Eventually they threatened to expose me to all and sundry while I was apparently doing unspeakable things while watching hard porn sites. They seemed to give up when they realized they were not getting any money out of me but I had to laugh as I wouldn’t have a clue how to find these terrible sites I was supposed to be watching. It sounds as though you had an enjoyable, if busy, day yesterday. Craft fair goods are often quite expensive but you do get something unique. You were absolutely right about my dearly beloved being an eager gardener. The fuchsia that was going to be moved from outside the garage to the back garden next spring has made the journey this morning !! He says he did check on google and it was OK to move it once all the leaves and buds have dropped. He has trimmed it back so it’s about 18” – 2ft tall and we will have to wait till the spring to see how successful he has been.

I am going to stop here and get on with cooking our roast dinner which we usually have around 2 pm on Sundays. I’ll bbl to finish off what I was going to say.