General Chat

Afternoon All,

It does sound as if your SIL is stable if she's been moved to a ward Frank and hopefully she is on the mend now. OH is at Blisworth today to see a match with his pal so look out!! He couldn't get an answer from the secretary earlier so he has another match lined up near there if it isn't on. :-) I think he is going to write about his experience to the hospital. Written things can't be ignored like conversations. His dad was ok this morning when he rang and he's calling in tonight to see him.

Mel the home said they were struggling to get FIL to eat and drink since this last spell in hospital. They can't force him though and I remember with pneumonia not wanting food or drink. I agree dementia patients forget to eat and drink as they can't remember, but it's just hard to be sure what the reason is. If asked, he always says he's fine. My dad died 37 years ago, 2 days before yours on 28th April aged 58 when I was 31 and my brother only 16.

I found evidence today proving my gt grandad and his brother were owners of The Trent Foundry in Rugeley, Staffordshire in the 1800s. My grandmother was one of his 13 children but Dad never ever mentioned his grandparents, but I can't help but think he must surely have known this? This gt grandfather's father was a master hatter in the same small town and had manufacturing premises as I saw the sale of them, but dad never mentioned him either. How quickly a family's history can disappear. :-S

A friend has Staffordshire family and we plan to go to the records office there together this year so I might find more about the foundry there. I know there were 2-3 foundries there and that they would be near the river Trent, but it would be nice to find an old map with the exact location.

Gill, I don't know for sure that houses will be built at the back of us, it's just that it looks likely with everything else that's been allowed. The bungalow next to us that was at the end of the close had views to the side as well as the back and that cost 20% more for the views!! It;s already lost the views to the side with the houses built on the field and the bungalow the builder is putting there. It's good your arm is feeling better now so you can do more again. Not being able to do things makes you want to do them all the more!!

Afternoon Everyone

Gill,thank goodness Michelle didn't go right through that hole !!.I can understand you being concerned about where she is living.It would be sensible financially if shw were to move in with her boyfriend.BUT only if she is sure it will work for them both living together.Is there any reason why they haven't moved in together before now?

Hope your sore throat doesn't develop into anything worse.It isn't from sanding the ceiling is it?

Anne I often think I wouldn't mind a bungalow in a few years time.You never know what with all the changes that are going to be happening around us.The development over the fields at the front of us will consist of 5,500 homes, schools,playing field,shops etc..The first Primary school is already up and running with classes for the first 2 years .There is no infrastructure yet .Just the school.It isn't going to be the same here in a few years :-(

So Frank , no beer and on the vino then last night.I thought you liked Red wine ,not white.Or had you run out of that too LOL ;-)

I do hope your SIL makes a good recovery now and will be home soon.

Ann I feel so sorry for FIL being moved back and forth from the home and now another move to a different ward today.I just hope it is not all too distressing for him.This eating and drinking busniess is such a worry with the elderly and dementia patients in hospitals.I know when Mum was in hospital Janice and I were helping feed 3 other ladies as well as Mum as there was just nobody about .If we hadn't been there ,the tray with food would have just been collected up and taken away by the non nursing staff and no-one would have known what, if anything, these patients had had to eat or drink :-S :-S

It is freezing here today.It was almost a bit sleety earlier.I am staying in the warm this afternoon :-D

I was going to say before I pressed the submit button.We don't keep our fire going at night.A few times there have still been red embers in the morning,but usually it is right out.Ours is just for wood,we don't have a riddle thing.We just clear some ash everynow and then when it gets too deep.

Ann, you are still finding some very interesting things in your F History :-D...As you say I wonder why the foundry and the fact your Gt GT GFather was a Master Hatter.No doubt you will get your teeth into things and find out much more now :-D

Have they put a drip up for FIL to help rehydrate him? That is the only way if he is refusing or nor wanting to drink.Trouble is with his dementia it is likely he would pull out the drip(as my Mum did) several times :-S.In the end it just seemed cruel to keep trying and the kindest thing in the end was TLC.I do hope though that FIL starts to pick up.

Its bl**dy cold here too.

I did'nt mean to put the 30th I meant to put the 13th of April Ann. I was married on the 30th April.

Blooming cold here too ,i don't seem to be able to get warm today and we have a lovely fire too .

Liz it was me asked about keeping the wood burner going over night ,your burner is probably bigger than ours so it would hold more wood which would help it to keep in better.

Ann you are good at finding more things for your family tree ,i don't seem to be able to get into it again , i suppose it's because i don't have ancestry any more and it does help when you need to look things up.

I feel so bored today if that's the right word ,i just carn't seem to settle to do any thing ,i think it's the dull old day we've had .

Sorry Mandy, senior moment!! Gill, I've emailed you. It's become very cold here and we've opened up the fire!!
Jane, we love living in a bungalow, nothing like the housework, and not having those stairs to climb is brilliant. Also a lot less to heat!!
We're watching a programme about wildlife in Alaska, it's fascinating!

Liz you are so lucky to be having your own sprouts.Ours just came to nothing :-S.Chris was gutted as these were the first Sprouts he had grown.
I am doing Rib Eye Steaks,Stuffed Mushrooms.Parmentier Potatoes ,Peas and Tomatoes for dinner tonight.It probably won't be until about 8 as Fitz popped in a little while ago on his way to Stamford .So I got held up a bit. He is going to a Piano Recital ,and is having a BURGER KING DINNER first LOL..That did make me laugh .The thought of him in his nice jacket tucking into a burger and chips.

I think Thomas has had Rabbit for his meals today.He hasn't looked at his dish in the kitchen.Just drank his drop of cat milk.He has gone again :-S

I have had a delivery this afternoon of a lovely container of red roses and lavender :-D.Must remember to write Chris's Valentines card tonight !
Any news on FIL tonight Ann?

I'm glad you said about being bored Mandy. I feel so unsettled lately and yes I think bored too, particularly today!!. It's not like me to be like this either and it's not as if I have nothing to do!! I agree with you that ancestry is a good site for finding things. Is your oven/grill ok now?

I think FIL is on a drip Jane. I think the 'not coping' with the oxygen before probably meant he was taking the mask off or pulling at the tubes though. OH isn't back from seeing him yet, but they told him earlier that they hadn't moved him to another ward yet.

OH is not best pleased. The council told him they were debiting his account for over £1600 for FIL's care home and that the future larger payments should be paid direct to the home. The home wanted a month's payment in advance so took another £2600 from his account and today he had another letter from the council saying they were taking another £1600 covering some of the same period!! I think between them they are trying to empty OH's bank account!! Another phone call to make on Monday!

Jane I had to laugh too at the thought of Fitz having his Burger King dinner. It's not a setting to easily imagine him in is it!! lol. He's more 'Luton Hoo' isn't he!! lol. :-)

Well i don't know why i feel like this either as i have plenty of crafting things i could do and i usually have some thing on the go , i haven't even felt like cooking as much either and when i do i don't feel like eating much , i get it on my plate and don't really want it ,i did enjoy the meal on my birthday as it was cooked for me .

Yes grill all done it was £66 so not to bad ,Geoffrey who came is a funny little man he retired when he broke his arm a few years ago but he then got bored and decided to start working again .

That's a lot of money to take ,can they just help themselves like that ? think i would be annoyed too .

Thanks Mel for your help earlier I've now found a lot more, I think I just needed a little help to push me in the right direction, so that kept me busy this morning.

I have answered your PM.

Cricky Ann everyone's going crazy for FIL's money, they'll be nothing left at this rate. What happens when it's run out, do the council pay? It would be a shame if he had to move to another home. Hope he starts feeling better soon, it must be so confusing for him at the moment and such a stressful time for you and your OH too.

It sounds like you're doing well on your family tree, you certainly have some interesting people in it don't you?

Michelle hasn't been seeing her boyfriend for long Jane, I think it's about 8 months which is why she is just thinking about it at the moment, he said he didn't like her living where she is now as he didn't think it was safe so offered for her to go and live with him, but she's not sure as she's not keen on giving up her independence, so at the moment I'm not sure what her plans are.

She keeps changing her mind, one minute she's moving in with him, then she's not. I'll just have to wait and see what she does, I'm sure she'll tell me once she's made her mind up. I think it's a bit to soon, but at the same time I don't like her living on her own in Leeds it's a pretty rough area where she is and I worry. All I can do is pray she's safe and makes the right decision for herself, as once she gives up her flat she'll find it hard to get another one if things don't go right in her relationship.

Pleased to hear the cooker's done now Mandy, that wasn't a bad price, some people can charge that just for coming out without the parts and labour on top. I bet you're glad it's all up and running now?

Sorry to hear a few of you aren't feeling up to much today, it's awful when you get days like that. Hope you all feel better tomorrow.

Sorry Liz I've been asleep for a few hours, so haven't checked my emails. I'm feeling worse now than when I got up, I think I've got flu, I feel terrible, so I'm dosing myself up with Strepsils and Beechams. Thankfully my arm is better now, apart from my little finger still feeling numb, so I don't need to take the anti- inflammatory tablets anymore. I think I might get an early night tonight. I've just had a bowl of soup as it's the only thing I can swallow at the moment.
I will answer your email now <3

You and your OH need to watch his Father's finances Ann, he's never been more vulnerable. I didn't think they could take it like that so easily. Would your solicitor not look after any monies for you?
Jane, if you feel the cold because a wood burner is low or out why not have a gas fire installed? they are clean and efficient in all makes and sizes.

Morning all and evening Kim,

As usual dull and dreary and a bit wet too.

There a huge box on my side of the table with another little parcel on top and 14 cards!

Morning All, Evening Kim

Happy Birthday Mel , Hope you have a lovely day <3 <3 <3 <3

Sunny but very frosty & cold,
I did well yesterday in the sales, managed to get 2 new jackets for the price of one,
I have been sorting out my coats etc in the wardrobe . having put on a stone in the last 18 months, all my size 10's are too tight. so I'm now a 12, hope I don't put anymore on,
my frank has got Victoria's exercise bike, and has put it in the back bedroom. so I will start and do a bit of biking every day, I don't want to lose a lot of weight but it would be more comfortable if I could get to my feet with out a struggle, especially when getting dressed, hard work to bend over and put on boots etc , also sitting at the computer for too long gives me heartburn cos my stomach is squashed.

must go and get ready for church.

<3 <3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEL <3 <3 <3

What did you get for your birthday? Have you got anything nice planned for your special day? What ever you do I hope you have a great day :-D :-D :-D

Morning all

Same weather as Fiona here, frosty with sunshine and very cold. Rosie has just turned up for her breakfast and it was like opening the door to a freezer when I opened the back door. I soon closed it again and left her to it.

I'm feeling much better this morning, even though I didn't really sleep very well last night. I only woke up the last time as I'd bit the tip of my tongue and could taste the blood.... yuk, so I got up and washing my mouth and brushed my teeth, by then I was wide awake so stayed up and cleaned the kitchen and living room, the place was starting to look like a bomb had hit it with not being able to do much recently, it looks lovely now. Sandra and OH are still asleep, nothing new there, they're not early risers.

I've bought a nice piece of lamb I'm going to cook slowly as a nice Valentine's meal for us all later, it'll make a nice change to chicken and I'm looking forward to it after not being able to eat much yesterday.

Size 12 isn't to bad Fiona, although I can't really say much being only a size 8. I lost a lot of weight after Michelle left home, even though I wasn't trying to, but I have put a bit back on recently. Have you tried buying a toner for your tummy. I had one years ago, it runs off batteries and there's no exercise involved, you can put it on you while you're at your computer. It would tone your tummy up without having to use the exercise bike all the time.
It sounds like you got some bargains yesterday with your 2 new jackets for the price of one. What are they like?

I've decided to give the filler I did the other day on the kitchen ceiling a bit of a light sand while OH and Sandra are asleep as I'd like a bath later. It's only a very small amount so won't make to much mess or take to long to do.

Going to get a cuppa first though, see you all later <3

Happy Birthday Mel, and Happy Valentines day everyone. I've had a lovely box of chocs, all wrapped up in pretty paper, with a message !!!! OH came in with a very pretty bunch of snowdrops and miniature daffodils. He does this every year, so it's become a sort of tradition! .I'm well chuffed!
Lovely morning here, let's hope it lasts. Not doing anything special, just cooking chicken for lunch, and spending the day pickling around!!

<3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEL <3 <3 <3.
I hope you have a lovely day and the sun shines for you.

Happy valentines day to everyone. It's one of my nieces birthday as well she is the middle daughter of Pater's youngest sister when she was a lot younger she would think the postman thought she had a lot of Valentine cards.

Its a lovely day here so far so Amy is getting her forest walk it will be busy over there today as its a very popular place for dog walkers and with special trails for bike riders and they have a Go Ape too but that might not be opened yet..

I'm cooking roast pork today with all the usual veg etc. Beckie is a lot less fussy than Abbie who wont be here she will only eat carrots or peas in the way of vegetables and doesn't like gravy, so I hope Aiden has told his Mum.

Fiona I am also a size 12 but being about 5'7 tall I wouldn't want to be any slimmer
the doctor was pleased with my weight and waist size. I have never had to diet but the slightest worry and I can lose it very quickly.as I can't eat when I'm like that

Afternoon all, " A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEL" I know it will be a good one !!!

I think we are all feeling in the dumbs with some of these horrible days we are having. It rained here all day yesterday, and turned so cold in the evening. This morning there's lot's of sunshine but verry cold.

Ros for whatever reason has decided to do a bit in the garden. She has bought some bits she wants to get in. I thought it was a bit cold, but then I don't like the cold that much !!!

Had a phone call from Valerie next door, asking if I can go round and help her with her laptop. I can see it will be the blind leading the blind ;-) ;-) ;-)

Leeds is somewhere I have never been. I knew Manchester quite well in the 50s also Bradford. But heaven knows what they are like now !!!


Roast beef and the usual for tonight.

I was going to watch the Arsenal V Leicester Match today, but feel I must not drink midday, It might become a habit lol Any excuse. I will put 5 live on the radio.

The clouds seemto be building and the wind is getting up. so I expect rain will be on it's rain.

Better go and see if I can "COCK UP" Vals laptop. !!! Let you know later. <3 <3 <3

Many thanks for my lovely birthday cards Ann, Jane, Mandy, Sandra and Gill and dear Shirl.

I have had a lovely box of liqueurs and a beaded hedgehog from Di that you can hang in the window and loads and loads of solar lights for the garden from oh including a pair of chicken ones in metal that throw patterns down on the ground when they are alight. A dragon fly set and three lots of flower ones, one white one warm white and a mauve set, and four lights with the panel on the top you can lift up towards which way the sun is shining, and a lovely sign from my SIL Heather that reads "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" So you can see I am well pleased.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MEL <3 <3 <3...
.
Your garden is going to look even more beautiful with all those lovely lights :-D :-D

Hope you have a smashing day xxx


Just cooking so will BBL

I'm back
Was just getting the Beef Joint out of the oven and peeling the spuds and veg for later.

Gill !!! fancy cleaning the kitchen and then start the sanding !!.You will be cleaning again after that lol

David we wouldn't have a gas fire in the lounge as we have ony had the Woodburner for 2 years and love it.It really does chuck out a lot of heat.Plus we have the radiators too.I was just feeling really chilly yesterday.Another reason for not having a gas fire is that the floor would have to come as there are no gas pipes near the fireplace.
The fire is blazing away here now and it doesn't take long for the heat to generate.

Anne how lovely to have that forest right on your doorstep.I would love that.I bet Amy enjoys her walks there.Does she go off the lead to have a good mooch around or she one of these dogs who are difficult to call back?I remember when I had Chester,once he got a sniff of something interesting he suddenly went deaf LOL.I would have to chase after him and then more often than not find him eating something disgusting :-S..Or rolling in Fox Poo(even more disgusting).The smell !!!!!!.Then having to drive home in the car trying not to gag .Chester thought he smelled wonderful :-S.Then it was the hosing down in the garden with the big garden hose before putting him in the bath.What a performance all that was.

Fiona,I think you sound a good size now.You did lose a lot of weight didn't you a few years back.I wish I was a size 12 .That was my size when I got married nearly 34 yrs ago.Something seems to have gone wrong since then !!!

So Frank is next door now with his expertise on Laptops LOLOL...I hope Val doesn't regret asking for help !!!!!...........Only Joking Frank :-D Honestly ;-)

Liz i think getting hand picked flowers like Ian picked for you this morning is so nice .Somehow it feels more personal than having pre bought/ordered flowers.Not that they aren't lovely too.They are of course and it is not always possible to be able to pick fresh flowers.
I remember on Mothers Day Janice and I would go down to the woods to pick Primroses and wild daffs
When it was my Mums funeral in Plymouth my Neice (Janices's daughter) picked Snowdrops in Tewkesbury that morning and held them all the way to put them on her Grandmas coffin. 11 yrs today now that I said goodbye to Mum <3