General Chat

Evening all,

We've had showers and sun shine today ,we thought we would go to Makro to stock up with the usual bits we buy there so off we went got half way there when hubby said i haven't got my wallet !! so back we had to come because we have to show the Makro card to get in .

Frank what an odd man your neighbour is ,how can he not want to be at the hospital with his wife :-S
Hope Carolyn is ok that must have been quite a shock for her to be told to get to the hospital but she's in the right place ,they'll get her sorted out .
I didn't know you were having pain in your neck and shoulders , are you still taking the pain killers ? have to tried one of those heat pads that you heat in the microwave ?
I think you'll like the Hassleback potatoes .

Sounds like you had a nice meal yesterday Jane /Ann and a good chinwag too :-D
Jane ,how big is the Lamb joint ? not huge is it ? i would have thought couple of days defrosting would be ok ,that's what we do with a big turkey .

Gill i'am glad you got the loft all sorted ,now you have the box sorting to do , i bet Sandra will have the ottoman in pink :-D that was a good find they are handy for storage and you could make some pretty cushions for the top and she could use it for a seat .

Good girl Mel for saving the Bumble Bee , i bet he was buzzing away when he found the flower .

Three days to go until we get Max :-D

O gosh only three days now till you get that lovely bundle of trouble. Bet you can hardly wait Mandy.

Poor Carolyn it must have been an awful shock to be told that. I hope they sort her out so she will be ok.

Jane did'nt you and Ann meet through this thread?? I know we are on GR but I thought it was the thread that we all got to know each other from?

The ottoman sounds a good idea for Sandra and I too bet it will be painted pink. Does she use the rose pink lights I bought her?

Sorry to hear about your neck giving you trouble Frank. You don't realize how mush your head moves until your neck hurts. I think a hot patch may give you some relief or a hot water bottle.

I have been doing online jigsaws today and am so enjoying them without the mess they cause and inconvenience of having them out taking up room.

We have had a dry day all day but with a very cold wind. Oh was going to put the new netting up around the ponds today but said he was'nt bending over with that wind blowing around his back so he left it.

2 days should be enough time to thaw your meat out Jane. You can either thaw it out in the fridge or in cold water, but if you go down the water route you need to change the water from time to time.

Yes Mel, Sandra is still putting the pink rose lights on every night, so I'm going to try and incorporate them into the lights I'm making for her. I found a light pink vase the other day and some cream feathers. I bought some light pink grasses on Good Friday when we went to a garden centre so just enough pink without going over the top, I've also got some cream grasses too. I just need some twigs to attach the fairy lights to then I can put it all together for her. As for the ottoman that is being painted white as she doesn't want to much pink in her room.

So you have a bad neck as well Frank? You have my sympathy, mine isn't to bad now as I've been using hot water bottles all day and taken pain killers which seem to be working.......finally. Hope your neck starts feeling better soon. My OH uses the heat pads occasionally and says they are really good, you can get ones now that work with your own body heat and last up to 12 hours so you don't have to put them in the microwave, maybe you could try one of those.

3 days to go then Mandy, I bet you can't wait, did you manage to Max Proof everywhere? Let's hope he'll be safe and doesn't find anywhere to get stuck.

Well, I've just realised the time and OH is falling asleep on the sofa so I'd better sign out now. I'm popping out in the morning to buy some primer paint for Sandra's ottoman, OH has strengthened the bottom of it and counter sunk the screws so I've filled the holes. I was hoping to sand it down today but the weather has been far to windy and wet so I'm going to have to wait until it improves before I can make it pretty for Sandra, I don't fancy doing the sanding and painting indoors. In the meantime we're going to make a start on sorting out her boxes, then she can decide what she wants to put in it.

Off to bed now, see you all tomorrow
Night Night <3

Morning all and evening Kim,

Brightish dry but grey skies this morning. I hav'nt been out yet to know how cold it is. Oh is out feeding the fish.

I don't know what happened to my big bumble bee yesterday as when I went to shut my shed door and looked to see if it was still in the flower it was gone. I like to think it went on its way after having a warm up and some grub.

I have had these BIG bees in the garden since February!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I suppose its th flowers on the patio that attract them as I always seem to have something in flower be it cyclemen , daffs or forget me nots in the pots round there.

Good morning Ladies and Gents, Evening our Kim,

Ros was up at just after 6.30 am so needless to say I was awake too. but didn't get uo till 8.00

She has taken Carolyn to the hospital again this morning (the car will soon find it's own way there) Val next door was kept in overnight, so the girls went to find here she was and dropped in to see her. She will be allowed out later today. So Ros is taking Carolyn shopping, then going back to bring Valerie home. I have rung Tony so he won't have to go and collect her.

I think he did visit her last night before going to the pub. We didn't know anything about her being kept in Hospial. It was onlt when Ros went to Choir practise, that the other Val (Sids wife) told Ros that Tony had phoned her. (DIDN'T BOTHER TELLING US) She asked if there was anything she could do. He said the "washing and ironing" her reply was ON YOUR BIKE. He lived on his own for many years, so should be able to keep house !!!

I have these wheat rolls that go in the microwave, which I use quite a lot, they do ease the pain, and I do take my painkillers. I think it might be "OLD AGE"

I had booked to take Ros out for Sunday lunch. to a nice pub overlooking the canal. She has just rung to ask me to cancel, as CAROLYN thinks she could eat one of my Sunday Dinners. So I am stuck with cooking for her and John this Sunday. When will I get a break from it ???

Oh Mandy, I bet you are so excited about MAX coming on Sunday/Monday. I know he will be so loved and looked . I feel quite envious, I can just see him now, beging fussed and played with. START AS YOU MEAN TO GO ON, or he will wrap you round his little PAW !! ;-) ;-) <3 <3 <3

Bright but very cloudy here, the sun is trying to pop out here nd there.

Jane TWO DAYS will be ample to thaw a leg of lamb. Might need longer if it HALF A LAMB ;-) ;-) ;-) Don't bother with the Ginger beer, I don't think it works, and I would hate it if you spoilt your meal. Those Hasslebabk potato's were different, though Ros wasn't too sure she liked them. !! So that's something else of my Menu's

Coffee time for me. BEHAVE YOURSELVES TODAY.!!!

Just having a hot chocolate.

It sounds as though Tony did go and see Val last night then. He probably wanted to know when she was back to do his washing and ironing!!!!!!!!!! Lazy bu**er.

Oh is still outside fiddleing with his pond getting these new sticks up for th e netting as there is'nt much breeze today at all. I have been round to the old chicken and she has been out for a while but the dominant one still pecks at her on the head so she goes back in the house.

Frank have you been useing your walking stick? I was wondering if you are putting a lot of pressure on that hand and thats whats giving you neck ache.

Yes Mel ., I am useing my stick all the time now, it's a safeguard against me tripping over the mats, and door tread out to the conservatory. I have just been out on the patio to water all her plants, and with out my stick would have gone a peeler !!!

I checked on the lawns, they are too wet at the moment to cut, so will see what tomorrow brings. I am not sorry, I really don't feel like getting the mower out and doing them.

I have Pork loin steaks, mushroom and oniion in a cream sauce and small roast potato's and a few brussels all prepared for tonight dinner.

Pleased the old Chicken is holding her own Mel, and that OH is getting the netting up. Do you get the dreaded heron's round your way ??

The sun is very nice at the moment, but I think we have some rain promised. for later.

Just had the BIGEST BUMBLE in the lounge. I have the conservatory door open. It made such a row i wondered what the hell it was.. He had a fly around and went out again.

Afternoon all,

Nice sunny day here ,we have been out in the garden and it's quite warm in the sun just a bit cooler when the sun goes behind the odd cloud .

Oh Frank thats Mels Bumble Bee come to visit :-D they make a heck of a noise when they get angry and keep banging on the window to get out.

Yes Gill i think we are all Max proofed now ,but i bet he will find some where to get in and get stuck LOL

Just had some lunch and then were going back out in the garden .

Ros has just come home with Valerie Tony opened the front door as Ros pulled up, and just stood there like a stuffed DUMMY. Ros was helping Val out of the car. He never attempted to go and help. ROS SHOUTED AT HIM TO COME AND HELP. He finally got to the top of the drive and took her arm. I was dumfouded, and had to come in doors before I said something to him.

I have had a box of beautiful Azalias arrive this morning, they are so big and so well packed I disn't think Ros would ever get them out of the packaging She is out there feeding them, before putting them in the greenhouse.

I have not had breakfast this morning, so I hope Ros will get my lunch.

Lucky you Mandy, Just after Ros got home the sky's just opened. Everywhere is soaking wet now.

Ros has just washed her hair, the hair dryer is wirling away, so loud you can't hear yourself think. THAT'S an old one !!!

Carolyn has to go to hospital Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week for her Blood count. She needs to be there by 8.30 am. Ros wuill take her Monday and Friday, but she is out on Wednesday, so they will have to find someone else. John also has to go to the hospital Wednesday.

Looking at Van next door, she looks so ill, I wouldn't be surprised that she is going senile. Ros said that while she was visiting her they bought round lunch. She was feeding herself, and most went over the bed and the floor. Ros and Carolyn had to clear it all up. I wonder if I should get involved in cooking meals for them. I know Val can't do it, and I wonder if Tony will bother, as he can eat at the pub. Ros heard from Val, that Saturday mornings when he goes to Morrisons for the food shop he has a BIG breakfast before coming home. No wonder he's not hungry at lunchtime.

Is it this afternoon that Jane is at the beauty parlor ?? Hope they can help ;-) ;-) <3 <3 <3 I have just put my TIN HAT ON !!!!

Afternoon all

It's been nice a sunny here after a gloomy start to the day, I've managed to sand Sandra's ottoman and put the first coat of paint on, She asked me if she could put her things in it tomorrow but of course it's going to take more than one coat of paint, so unfortunately she'll have to wait a little longer as each coat, being gloss will take a few hours to dry, so I can't put another coat of paint on till tomorrow, then the third later in the day or maybe the day after. We can still go through her boxes and sort out what she's going to put in it, so that cheered her up a bit.

That Tony sounds very old fashioned in the way he treats his wife, the poor woman. I think it's a lovely idea to cook some meals for her while she can't do it for herself Frank, you and Ros are so kind <3

Sandra and I are looking forward to hearing all about Max when you get him Mandy. Animals get themselves into all sorts so he's bound to find himself in bother sooner or later, but that's all part of being a pet owner isn't it? I remember coming home once and our middle cat Jez managed to trap herself behind a wardrobe and all we could hear was her meowing but couldn't work out where she was, it was only the look on our youngest cats face that gave the game away, she looked at us as if to say, she's done it again. Jez was always the one to find herself stuck somewhere. We've had three cats in total over the years and she is the one we had to watch the most......I do miss them all and was thinking of maybe getting another cat in the future now we're staying here, Sandra would love that.

So Mel's bumble bee has been visiting you now Frank? I love watching them, we had a plant outside our kitchen a few years ago and I used to watch them through the window......Wasps on the other hand I really don't like, they always seem angry and I've been stung a few times :-( :-(

Afternoon All

Frank ,from the way you describe Val it does sound as though she might be suffering from Alzheimers /Dementia maybe even Parkinsons.Have you noticed if her way of walking is any different? Slow and maybe shuffling? Tony sounds as though he needs a good talking too from the professionals .

I have had the Lamb out today and will put it in the fridge over night and then see how it is defrosting in the morning.If it still seems solid I will leave it out tomorrow again and pop it back in the fridge tomorrow night.I'm sure it will be ok to do it that way.
I think I will just Roast it with Rosemary and Garlic,I have found a nice recipe for a marinade of Lemon and Oregano but have decided just to stick to a good plain Roast.

No Bumble Bees in our house ,but I have seen some big ones around.

Oh Mandy.I bet your tummy is all excited now just waiting to pick up Max :-D :-D.Yes is it Sunday or Monday? Don't forget to send a pic of his first day at home :-D :-D..We will all be waiting :-D

Mel ,I should have made it clear to Anne that it was through the thread that Ann and I met.

Oh Gawd!!! Just seen Thomas with a young Bunny in his mouth trotting up the garden :-(..It looked very floppy so hopefully is dead..No dinner for him tonight then.I won't bother putting any food in his dish.

Well for the last few days Chris and I have been getting a whiff of a musty smell in the en suite.After checking there were no damp cloths stuck behind anything,checking the pipes behind the sink and toilet it was then taking the skirt off from around ther shower cubicle :-S.Had to pull up all the silicone sealant and hey ho there is a leak from where the tiles join the shower tray :-S :-S..It didn't look too wet and it also didn't smell musty under there so I am not sure if that is where the smell was coming from.We will just have to see.I thought it might have been the shower mat so that has been bleached within an inch of its life and is in the garden.

No rain here at all today.It has been mainly cloudy but now it is sunny :-D

Hoovered the kitchen and diner and the hall and our bedroom and a little of his study, then did some ironing and prepared lunch.

Wrote this and forgot to post it!!!!!!!

Now I have just made 20 sultana cup cakes and am just having a nice warm one with my COT.

Thats the trouble withshower tray and that silicone stuff. Oh had to redo ours a little while ago and he regrouted the tiles in the shower but now I see the paper on the hall wall is lifting. NOw was that before he redid it or not??????? There's always something.

Had another cake as they were nice. I always like them better when they are warm.

Sandra will have to be patient a little longer if she wants a nice job done on the ottoman.

Gill ,you say about animals getting themselves into all sorts.When our Chester was a puppy I had been looking in the garden for him and beginning to get worried,when I heard a little whimpering sound coming from the Yew Hedge..Thank god I heard it as he has got his collar caught on a branch and was gradually strangling himself !!!!! It frightened the living daylights out of me .I made sure after that that he wore a collar with a safety release clip.
The other thing was years ago now when we had our old dog Dodger.I was just coming home from walking him and there were 2 men doing some work on telephone lines at the end of the lane.One of them asked me if `i could hear barking coming from underground.So I had a listen and I could !!..It was coming from near the concrete culvert in the ditch at the side of the road. I got the RSPCA out and the young man spent a good hour or more digging all the soil and earth that had built up around the entrance to the pipe.It was a sweltering day and he had to strip his top off so just had his trousers on.I kept coming back to get him cold drinks while he was digging.Eventually he found 2 dogs stuck in there !!!!!!!!!!!!!.He managed to get then to crawl out into a big net he put over the opening.As soon as i saw them I knew one was Twizzle and his brother from the Stables next door to Fitz.They were exhausted and dehydrated but thankfully alive.The RSPC man reckoned they might have tried to chase a rabbit or something into the tunnel and with all the rubble in there just couldn't turn back.He said a few more hours in there and they would not have survived.

How long will your cup cakes last Mel? :-D :-D..They sound good...I don't bake cakes.
I'm rubbish.Jess is the one who likes to make cakes.She often does some baking when she is here.

Gill ,Sandra will love the Ottoman when it is painted.I just think it was a great bargain at a fiver :-D.

Did anyone watch Line of Duty last night....Blooming brilliant :-D

Poor Val ,how old is she Frank ?
That will be awful if he eats at the pub and she doesn't get a meal , the trouble is Frank if you start cooking for them he's going to keep you up to it and it doesn't sound as if he would try to cook .

We should pick Max up some time on Monday ,they are all going to the vets on Monday morning for their first vaccination and check up and also to be microchiped and after that they can be picked up , we are getting so excited and i'am sure i won't sleep on sunday night :-D
Yes i'll be taking lots of photo's ,you wait you'll all be bored to death with me wittering on about him :-D

Oh Mel send me a Sultana cup cake please i could just eat one warm from the oven , i suppose they are called cup cakes now but i still make and call them Sultana buns .

Oh no Jane i hope it's not another leak !! and phew there's nothing worse than a smelly cloth !! some times i've gone to the cupboard and the cleaning cloth has gone all musty smelling and it reeks !!
Good old bleach i stick lots down my plug holes usually over night .

Well I was going to say sultana buns and looked at the paper case I was eating it out of and just put cup cake instead.

No they won't last long................................there are only 16 left now. Oh shall have a couple in the morning before I get up so I shall have to hide some to make them last.

Oh those poor dogs stuck underground , thank goodness you both heard them and the chap dug them out , how frightened they must have been , i think some dogs don't know how to go backwards ,when we had Bonnie she got behind the shed in a narrow bit and couldn't turn round she just stood there and i had to gently coax her out .

When she was little she got her collar caught in some ivy i had in a flower pot she went crazy as the more she chased round the garden trying to get way from the pot the more the pot was bouncing and trailing along with her ,she was yelping and i had a devil of a job to free her as i couldn't catch her , i think that really stayed with her as every now and then when she was in the garden she would swing round and look as if she thought some thing was following bless her .

Are they Cup Cake cases as they are bigger than Bun cases :-D 4 gone already !! i can see i'am not going to get one then :-( :-D