General Chat

Morning Gill and All

No Thomas wasn't sure about the fire Gill and stayed well away even though he looked interested.I expect it will just take some time.

I am rushing now as I need to shower and wash my hair before we set off to Hannahs.
it is a nice bright dayso it should be a pleasant journey (as long as no hold ups)
Back tonight .Have a nice Dunday :-D

Morning all and evening Kim,

Have a good trip to London Jane on this Dunday.

I don't know about bright weather as we seem to have the same as you Gill, grey skies and dull.

Thumbs still a bit sore so I shall carry on with the vaseline today and it should be ok by tomorrow.

No plans for today here just our big breakfast with our "OWN EGGS" and I had another one yesterday so now I have 5 so I could have two for breakfast if I wanted. I shall be happy if I have that in a week through the winter but I doubt it.

Morning to you all on this DUNDAY, Evening Kim,

We have another hole outside next doors front garden. They can't use the drive as it's all blocked off as is the drive outside the kitchen window.

Earlier this year they had a new block paving drive laid, and it looks possible that that will have to come up, if the pressure still isn't up to scratch. The problem is TODAY's new boilers need higher pressure to work to safety standards. The mains as they are are over 50 years old, and don't seem to conform to standards. Well that what Ros was told by Dennis !!!!

I see Jane is off again on one of her "JOLLIES" She spends more time OUT than in her house. ;-) ;-) ;-) Hope she finds Hannah well.

Are you in Pat ??? If the weathers is like it is here, you won't have any rain.. We are in for very low temperatures next week. Minus 3 has been mentioned and possible snow in Scotland. Watch our Fiona :-0 :-0 :-0

We are having a real lazy morning. We were up by 8.00 and have just sat around in our dressing gowns reading the papers.

I am going for a shower and shave, get dressed, and take Ros out to lunch somewhere a bit later. There are a few places where you can just walk in and get a table. It will keep her from the garden, and give me a break from cooking. The beef I have out of the freezer will do for dinner tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a nice DUNDAY afternoon, and please try to relax, remember there's always tomorrow, to do your jobs. <3 <3 <3

Must tell you this......

Yesterday a parcel came from Co**on traders for oh and it had the free gift in it . I opened it and it had just one pair of the two fleece trousers in it I had ordered. after clearing the bag away I noticed a label on it that was a yellow triangle with FRAGILE written on it.

I went into his study when he was sittting in there playing his game and stuck the label on his bck without him knowing. It as there all day.

He did some mowing yesterday and had a word with our neighbour.

He has just said to me "who stuck the label on my back?" so I giggled and he said "I wondered why Phillip was laughing" O it did make me laugh becasue Phillip is always playing jokes.

Must tell you this......

Yesterday a parcel came from Co**on traders for oh and it had the free gift in it . I opened it and it had just one pair of the two fleece trousers in it I had ordered. after clearing the bag away I noticed a label on it that was a yellow triangle with FRAGILE written on it.

I went into his study when he was sittting in there playing his game and stuck the label on his bck without him knowing. It as there all day.

He did some mowing yesterday and had a word with our neighbour.

He has just said to me "who stuck the label on my back?" so I giggled and he said "I wondered why Phillip was laughing" O it did make me laugh becasue Phillip is always playing jokes.

Grand prix is about to start. :-D :-D :-D

Hope the weather stays nice for your trip Jane and there are no hold ups on the way. Once Thomas realised it's warm by the Woodburner he'll be pushing you out of the way to sleep in front of it LOL

Have you tried some Savl*n on your thumb Mel, it's a skin healing cream so it should work a bit faster than the Vaseline would, especially if you put a plaster on it too, then it won't wash off when you wash your hands.

Glad to hear you now have 5 eggs. Go on spoil yourself and have 2 :-D :-D. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get some more. I can imagine they taste so much better than shop bought ones.

Sandra wants to learn how to cook a roast chicken so I'm talking her through it at the moment. She seems ok so far and has just popped it in the oven, she even remembered to ask what time it was so she knows what time it will be cooked. I've explained how to do it when I've done it myself. so she's got some idea of what she's doing......Lots of questions off her, but that's how you learn isn't it??

We watched the special needs hotel the other night, so now it's give her the confidence to want to do more for herself. She needs to learn all this stuff as she'll want a place of her own eventually....She was asking the other day how she was going to cope when her dad and I have gone. I said not to worry about it just yet as we're not going anywhere and that I'll teach her everything, it'll just take a bit of time. That stopped her worrying and now she's keen to learn everything all at once...bless her.

She just said that the frozen Yorkshire pudding's bag had split so she's put the 3 Yorkshires we have left in a freezer bag and asked if she should put the label inside the bag. I said you could see what was in the bag but if you couldn't then you stick the label on the outside so it doesn't stick to the food. She loves Yorkshires and has them with pretty much everything. They're only £1 for 16 frozen ones, much cheaper than making my own. So now she knows not to put labels in with the food that has to be frozen.

It's so nice that she wants to learn new things, I've been trying for years to teach her but she could never remember things and got upset so it's been a very slow process. It's actually putting my mind at rest too as I was worried how she would cope when her dad and I were gone, although I never mentioned this to anyone because I didn't want Sandra to know and get upset about it.

I can't believe how much she has grown up since her sister left. Many a time if we have a viewing she'll have got up before me.....very unusual for her and do a bit of dusting for me, yes I have to go over some of it again but at least she is trying and I never let her see that some of it needs another going over as that would really upset her....I think lots of encouragement is the key and the more she does these things the more she'll learn. I taught her how to peg washing out earlier in the year...tops pegged at the bottom and bottoms pegged at the top and she seems to have got the hang of that now, although I do have to remind her sometimes to put the prop to the middle of the line before she starts pegging the washing out. We put the prop to the end of the line down the bottom of the garden so OH can cut the grass without having to move it all the time. She is so keen to peg the washing out that sometimes she forgets the prop.

Rosie has just turned up, Sandra spotted her out of the window while I was typing and got the key to unlock the door, Rosie heard that and came towards the back door. She seems very nervous lately so I put the nuts a bit further away from the door and left her to eat. I'm sure in time she'll come closer to the back door again and might even jump up on the window sill and ask for her nuts again given time. Something must of frightened her as this is only the second time I've seen her in a month and like I said she's very nervous.

Well, the chicken needs turning over Sandra has gone to her room so I'll give her a few minutes to see if she remembers, I gave her the time it needed turning and if she doesn't come out I'll mention it to her then keep an eye on her doing it. I might have to turn it myself if she's a bit nervous, so I'll just have to wait and see how she is, but I'm sure if she doesn't do it this time she will in the future.

Spoke to soon, Sandra has just come in the living room and said "I need to turn the chicken over now"....I'm so proud of her. Better go and keep an eye on her, I don't want her to get burnt
See you all later <3

All change here. Madam want's to carry on in the garden she is determined to get these borders done and all these ornamental grass's removed. They have been dropping seeds everywhere, so the garden in covered in them.

I will get dinner for about 5.00 pm. which will give her a good day in the garden.

Still haven't showered, I will go and do that now, then start the veg preparing and make the Yorkshire puddings, I never buy frozen, somehow they just aren't the same. Ros likes the soggy part of the pudding in the middle, while I like the crispy outside.

Nice to see Sandra taking an interest in cooking. I am sure she has a good teacher. !!!

How did those eggs taste Mel. ?? I had a sausage sarnie for my breakfast.

The roast chicken was a great success Sandra is very pleased with herself, although she was a bit concerned that it took her longer than me to cut the chicken. She thought it would be cold by the time she dished it up. It was absolutely fine. I drained the veg for her and put the Yorkshires on the plate which made her feel a bit better, but apart from that she did everything else herself and can't wait to tell her dad and gran. I will have to buy some oven gloves though as using a tea towel which is what I do she said it was a bit to hot for her. I'm not sure if you can still buy oven gloves so I might have to make some for her. I did suggest that she sat in the living room rather than her bedroom so she could be closer to the kitchen, she said she couldn't see the time from there so I said to bring her little clock into the living room which she did. Her other concern was timing as I had to tell her the times, so she said she will write it all down so she's knows what to do next time........She's now saying she wants to do the Christmas dinner. I've said she can help me do it as there is a lot more timing involved which she is ok with.

I'm just watching the F1, I'm about an hour or so behind as I have had to watch it off the recording with keeping an eye on Sandra. It looks like it might be quite a good race.

Going to watch it properly now, the safety car is out for the second time already.
BBL

I've just finished watching the F1
WOW what a brilliant race, best one this year me thinks :-D :-D

Was'nt there a lot of crashes in that race Gill? and some nasty doings all round me thinks.

The eggs were luverly grub. Best breakfast for two weeks. Oh thougherly enjoyed it.

Well done Sandra on cooking the chicken and yes you can still buy oven gloves but make sure you get her a good pair as some are a bit thin and you can still burn your hands. Chicken is her favorite is'nt it Gill?

Are Ann and G having a day off today from clearing the house? They deserve it.

Thumbs a lot better today so I think I have cured it with the vaseline.

Dinner just finished and D. Washer on.

I managed to get Ros in about 4.00 pm. Would you believe she has pruned the Apple Tree as well, she's chopped up all the branches and put them in Black Bags. She will take them to the tip (she took six yesterday) there is another six today.

Beef was a bit on the tough side. I don't know what they do with it at the Supermarkets. I always cook it the same way, but sometimes it just not right.

Glad the chicken and everything was up to scratch Gill. Christmas dinner might be a bit to much for Sandra. But at least she is showing willing and learning things, which must be good. ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Glad you enjoyed your "BIG BREAKFAST MEL" Those eggs must have made all the difference. :-D :-D :-D

Yes, I hope Ann a Gordon are taking things easy today. "All work and no play makes Bill a sad boy"

Very nice late afternoon here. High clouds, no breeze, and the air is cooling down. I tried the grass again this afternoon, but it was still to wet to cut. I will try again tomorrow.

Tele is RUBBISH until Downton at 9.00 pm. Thank Gawd for SK#.

I shall try that new thing on bbc 1 again tonight and see if it picks up as it was a bit slow last week.

My youview box is not working at all now so I have to watch thing on the pc screen.

Afternoon All,

Another nice dry day, but less sunshine. Frank I gave up with grasses when we altered our garden for the same reason...........seedlings everywhere sprouting in the gravel! :-S No rest for the wicked here........we got up early, had breakfast down the road, then went over to the house again to carry on sorting the shed! OH thinks he is starting with a cold so we thought we'd get on while he felt up to it. More spray guns, scissors,secateurs, umpteen hand saws and hammers and other tools for the car boot sale, more weedkiller. OH soon moved the petrol out of the wooden shed!! Parafin, and an old parafin stove. Two more brass stopcocks, loads of car stuff including 5 car hooters!! lol. Box after box of odds and sods to sort out. We packed the car with all the lightbulbs and flourescent tubes, things with the flammable symbol on and all the cans of oil and dropped them off at our tip on the way home. We feel we are making headway now and should be able to order a skip this week :-) Probate came through yesterday.....(with another bill from the solicitor!) so as soon as the skip has gone we can put the house on the market and have a bit of a rest!!!. We found post on the mat that hadn't been redirected to our address today, including a letter from DWP addressed to MIL, yet they were notified she'd passed away over a month ago. Doesn't anyone do the job they are paid to do any more? :-S

That's fantastic Sandra is wanting to learn how to do things and managed to cook the chicken Gill, even remembering to turn it over. With a bit of patience and practice it sounds as if she will pick these things up especially as she is so willing to try. She must have been so proud of herself. :-)

I do a jigsaw on the computer most days, also an occasional soduko and crossword and I love the counties game that Maureen told me about, even though geography isn't a strong point.

It's good that crack in your thumb is healing now Mel. They can be very sore. It sounds as if the girls are 'trying' for you with the eggs! I've stuck labels on OH's back before now, but never one with 'Fragile' on it !!! lol :-D That made me chuckle too.

Evening Everyone.
Back from Hannahs and just getting ready to settle now for some TV.I'm going to watch that programme again Mel.
We had a lovely meal at lunchtime.Hannah did a huge Roast Chicken with normal roast potatoes and also some roasted with Choritzo .Little Roasted tomatoes ,Asparagus and Strips of Courgettes done in frying pan,and Halloumi with Chorizo.
She made a fantastic Orange and Polenta Cake for put with cream.We still feel pretty full.

That is great Gill that Sandra cooked her first Roast Chicken.I bet she was as pleased as punch :-D :-D.She will soon gain confidence now and no doubt want to cook other things too.She is obviously keen now and as you said the more skills she has the better it will be for her in the future. Well done Sandra <3

Great the Probate is through at last Ann..Shame about another bill though .Still it sounds like things are moving on now and soon you will be able to get the house on the market.Not good that important post has still gone to the house instead of to you :-S :-S

Frank I tend to buy big joints of Beef instead of small ones now as I found the smaller ones tended to not be so tender.I just put sliced left over in a load of gravy and freeze.
I have decided now that small beef joints are false economy.Also I think the larger ones don't shrink so much either.

Glad you had your eggs this morning Mel.Nice to have got the extra one in time :-D

Right I am off to watch the tele :-D

Yes the sticker story made me laugh too Mel :-D :-D :-D
You're right there was quite a few crashes on the F1 today and did you see that silly man run out onto the track to retrieve a part of the car that had fell off? How daft was that, he nearly got run over......He was so lucky.

Shame about Rosberg not finishing but it helped Hamilton to move further up the board, hopefully he'll win the drivers championship next time and should also get the Constructors championship as well. They would of got that today if Rosberg hadn't had a problem with his car and got those 6 points they needed.

Yes Sandra was so chuffed with herself after cooking the lunch, she can't wait to tell her dad when he gets in from work. Chicken is her favourite food and the potatoes she made I thought were better than mine, I could of eaten it all over again it was that good. She just needs to build her confidence up a bit as she kept saying she was to slow or she hadn't done a few things quite right, but I just gave her lots of encouragement and said each time she does it she will learnt about timings and how to do things a bit quicker.

I don't think she was slow, the food was hot after she'd dished up which is the main thing. I think she was comparing herself to the way I work, but forgot that I've had a lot more experience than her and in time she'll quicken up a bit. I'd rather she took her time and stayed safe. She didn't have any trouble turning the chicken over and was more nervous at dishing up, incase she dropped the food on the floor, which she didn't. I've passed on your praises to Sandra and she asked me to say thank you.

So still more stuff coming out of the house Ann. I bet you'll be glad when it's all finished. Not long to go now by the sounds of it then you can put the house on the market. Are you going to let the Agent have the keys and do the viewings or are you doing the viewings yourself? Hope Gordon feels better soon. It could be the bug I've just had, it lasts about 3 days, so hopefully he won't be ill for to long.

Ros is still busy then Frank? I used to be like her, but then decided to get a lot of plants that pretty much look after themselves to save on all the work, it gave me time to sit in the garden and enjoy it more, with a lot less work to do. My mum said the other day that my garden looks tidy, so that was nice to hear.

OH's just come in, so I'd better go and make him a cuppa
BBL

Hello all

We have moved in all be it with out the kitchen ..This should be here this week to be fitted.. We have boxes everywhere and some still in Clares..
At least we have the bedroom sorted..We have also been getting on with the garden..So that everything can be taken away with the rest of the building things in the front garden..
We have had such good weather here it gave us a chance to do it..
Tomorrow we have to go for blood tests in the morning I am having a a nil by mouth one..This is part of the health check..We have registered with the doctor and he seems quite friendly...WE have our flu jab next sat then we are going away Monday to Friday for a few days..Somewhere near Brighton way Beddingham

The new fridge freezer arrived today not in its correct place at the moment but at least we can put a few things in there..
Tomorrow we are off to buy some door mats and other bits and some food shopping..
The dogs having been walked for 2 days so hopefully we can find time tomorrow to walk them along the beach..

I am covered in scratches from the brambles that have been caught up in the bushes but it was worth it.
The dogs have settled in well with the others..And are missing each other now we are in next door...They will have to meet in the garden now Lol.
I will catch you another day as I am watching From Darkness

You can't beat your own bed can you Pat? Pleased to hear you are finally moved in. Enjoy your time away, you deserve it after the past few months. At least the kitchen will be in before you go, so you'll be more settled then. Good idea to sort the garden out before all the rubbish goes, glad you had the right weather for it.

Good luck with your blood tests in the morning, it's a good idea to have a health check when you have a new doctor isn't it?

I'm just watching the F1 again with OH. Sandra told him about cooking lunch, she had a big smile on her face and OH was full of praise for her. She's now listening to the CD she bought herself the other day in her room, as she doesn't like the F1. We will watch the X Factor together tomorrow when OH goes to his mates in the morning. Then I'm going shopping to stock up the new freezer in the garage. Sandra asked if we could get a few things for Christmas so I'll have to see what's in the shops. It might be a bit early for Christmas things, so we might have to wait a little longer if it is.

Sorry Jane, just noticed your post. It sounds like you had a lovely roast chicken too. Isn't it nice when someone else does the cooking LOL The pud sounds nice too. Yes Sandra said she wanted to do the Christmas dinner so I've said she can help me if she wants as it's a bit more complicated than a small chicken, so she is pleased with that.

Going to carry on watching the F1 now with OH, it was so good I don't mind watching it again, then we're off to bed, so I'll say goodnight and see you all tomorrow
Night Night <3