General Chat

I think I worry about what befell someone so they end up in a situation like that too David. I feel it could happen to any one of us given the right circumstances.

On the road our close opens onto, further along is a largish detached house with a huge garden. It is all neglected and overgrown with holes in the glass in an upstairs window, little paint on the frames and grey nets. The rubbish on the front was encroaching on the public footpath a few years ago and one day I noticed it had all been cleared. I was driving past with a retired teacher friend of mine one day when she saw the state of the place and she said she used to work with the man years ago and that he was highly intelligent and a very clever man. She said he had no children and that he was a widower. I've lived here 16 years now but have never seen him. I still can't help thinking about him though.

It could indeed Annx
I recall many years ago I was visiting MIL at the care home. The staff were washing her and changing her sheets. So I went into the day room looking for a newspaper or magazine, There was one very old woman alone in the middle of the room, a sad sight. She said "it can happen to anyone if they live long enough"

I had no reply, it wasn't really a question. But I recall her exact words. Terribly sad. :-\

Hi all

I'm feeling a bit better now I've managed to catch up with my sleep, I had another couple of hours this afternoon.

Mum is going to Liverpool tomorrow Jane, she had another little turn this morning but no where near as bad as Friday night, she rang me earlier to bring me up to speed as OH had to go to work today and she seemed a lot brighter in herself which is good. OH can come home from work if needed, so that's something less to worry about. Liverpool isn't that far away from us but mum said that once she'd had the angiogram and any further treatment she might need they will be sending her home, so I'll go round to hers tomorrow. My sister lives in Liverpool so her boyfriend is going to bring mum home as my sister doesn't have a car. I must remember to plug her alarm in on her bed as the paramedics had to unplug it when they did the ECG. I've only just remembered and it's a sensor, so if she is out of bed for more than 20 minutes she gets a call asking if everything is alright, this is what happened on Friday night as she was out of bed for more than the 20 minutes, the people who ring her then call for the ambulance and ring me, so I can't forget to plug it back in.

Sorry to hear about your niece's husband, hope things sort themselves out soon, it must be quite a worry though. Had they had a row, maybe he'll come back when he's calmed down if they did?

How interesting about your family tree Anne. I've recorded Henry the 8th programme so will watch that when I get some time. My phone hasn't stopped today with people ringing about mum so I didn't get a chance to watch it today.

I'm so pleased for you Mandy having a better night with Max, lets hope this is a turning point and you all get the sleep you need. You just need him to stop chewing everything now :-) Have you tried getting one of those ball type things that you put food in, it would keep him occupied and might help? My MIL used to leave the radio on low for her dogs when she went out and it helped them, I think they thought there was someone there. He'll soon get used to being left alone.

OH is tired so I'm signing out now, I don't think he's caught up properly with his sleep yet.

Not sure if I'll be on here tomorrow, as I don't know what time mum is being transferred to Liverpool, so will have to play it by ear.

They prey on anyones mind who cares about other people. It would up set me too and I would want to give her something warm to wear or some food.

There's a man in Bideford who sells the Magazine ..... can't think what its called but he always has his lovely dog with him all wrapped up in blankets in the winter and with a dog coat on. It is such a good dog and the kids love him, the dog I mean. I always want to giv ethe dog a chewy stick or something like that. The dog had his own bed the last time I saw them so not laying on the cold ground. They are just up Mill St. Jane will know that road.

Well we've had another smashing day here even though the wind was really cold. I did repot my blueberry bush and topped the other one up I repotted last year. I also burnt up the stuff I cut off the border yesterday and topped it with those blimmin chinese cress weeds that spread the seeds by explodeing. I wanted to be sure they would'nt seed themselves everywhere. Its all over my border and if I don't get it now I shall have even more.

We had the most beautiful sunset that spread right across the sky to the east from the west sunset. The sky was all dark pink. I have given up taking pictures of it with my camera as they never come out like you see it.

I was on the phone earlier to Aunty Joy whose birthday it is today. We must have nattered for nearly an hour or even longer.

Morning all and evening KIm,

It started a nice bright day but now its turned cloudy and we've had a little rain.

When I posted my last post yesterday I posted after David's post and there was nothing after that. When I look this morning there is three posts that were not showing when mine came up and I had gone back a page and then on a a page to see. Also whilst typing on here yesterday rushing along as I do I looked up and only a bit of what I had typed was showoing and the rest was'nt there at all whereby I have to click the cursor on the last bit that came up and carry on again. Very strange...

With it now raining a bit that put the washing off the list for today so I suppose it will be ironing.............at least you keep nice and warm doing that.

Morning all, evening Kim,

Have not read any posts, so I can't make any comments. How are you all ??

We had a disaster regarding Sunday lunch.We have been many times before and always been totally satified. We arrived as agrred at 2.00 pm. They took, out drinks order, which took 15 minutes to arrive. When we ordered or Roast, we were told the BEEF AND LAMB was off. Considering they serve meals from 12 noon through to 8.00 pm. I felf it strange that that had run out of the two main meats.With that, I commented on the fact what were they going to serve customers for the next SIX HOURS !!! I just got up and walked out, We founf another very nice restaurant that was packed, but they were kind enough to find us TABLE. The food was excellent and we will be going back.

Anyway how are you all, in good health and suffering this horrible weather. It's been raining here this morning and looks very cold out.

I was expection the chap from the charity that helped us when I had my stroke (BEN) Motor trade benevolent fund. He was due due call (as a friend) at 10.30 this morning for a chat and a coffee. So will have to ring him later.

I am at the hospital at 5.50 this afternoon to see about my knee. We don't know how long we will be there, so will stop off for something to eat on our way home. There's no way we are starting to cook at 7.00 pm.

Haven't heard from Lewis, so we don't know if his dad arrANGED INSURANCE (sorry) for him to drive to College or not. No doubt he we let us know.

What a silly thing to happen running out of the main meats 6 hours before they stop serving lunches. I'm glad you found somewhere else. Did they have a roast for you Frank?

Afternoon All
Quiet day on here i see.Oh dear Frank,that was really poor of the restaurant to run out of 2 meats like that !!.I bet there were a lot of disappointed customers.But at least you found somewhere else and had a smashing meal in the end :-D
Good luck tonight at the hospital.

its been a very strange day here weatherwise.Sun,hail a bit of sleet and now light rain.
The fire is roaring away and I am getting a bit too warm now.But they do say it is going to be a cold night.

Gill I hope your Mum has been transferred to the hospital in Liverpool now and that any treatment she needs can be done as soon as possible.

I am just cooking up one of my favourite things.Runner beans,Garlic and a tin of chopped tomatoes :-D.That will go well with the Pasticcio dish later.All Greek :-D
What has everyone been up to today?

Mel ,I think Mill St in Bideford is the one we used to go up to where my Mum lived as a child in (the name of the road escapes me now).I should remember.It was just up from Myrtle Grove.it is going to bug me now not remembering the name of the road.I will have to have a look on Google Map.

Some years ago we had a chap and his dog in Kettering .He always seemed a genuine person and when our Dodger was put to sleep I gave him Dodgers coat .But it seemed he wasn't quite what he seemed.This chap actually had a car !!! and he was caught out.He soon disappeared from the town centre .So I am now quite wary of being over generous .I will never give money but will offer to buy food/hot drinks etc.
Hannah has told me not to give money as it is quite likely spent on drugs.She always says that if someone begging refuses the offer of food but prefers money then that is a sign any money will go on drugs. Makes sense really.Plus her work is in addiction so she knows the signs.

It is looking pretty miserable outside now.I expect Thomas is holed up somewhere.

Remembered now Mel it was Elm Grove

Evening all,

Cold and wet here today ,been out to get eggs and then on to Lidls for a few bits ,we like their big tubs of Natural Yougurt that we have with honey drizzled over it.

Another good night with Max ,it was six thirty when i heard him so not to bad.

Frank i hope you get on ok at the hospital tonight and don't have to long a wait to be seen, that was bad running out of two meats !! hope you enjoy your meal later tonight.

Gill i hope mums transfer to Liverpool has gone ok today and that she soon gets her op , do you know how long she will be in there?

Fires been lit since early afternoon so it's nice and warm in here now .
Had a word with my sister this afternoon ,she seems to be doing well, they have a new carpet being laid this wednesday and a new suite being delivered on friday so she said don't come until the weekend as there will be nothing to sit on ,they are now getting worried that the new sofa won't fit through the door !
She is going to try going up stairs tomorrow ,she has had a bed down stairs but that now has to go back up so the carpet can be laid .

Evening All,

No I wouldn't give money either Jane for the same reasons. They found people in the city here were making a good living and some were travelling here from other cities to beg. Now they encourage you to give money to the charities that can help instead and there seem to be fewer people begging now. Mum had a tramp who used to call occasionally for a sandwich if he was hungry and she always obliged! :-) OH happened to drive by the bench where the lady of the road was after we'd been out for lunch today and I was glad to see that she'd gone and wasn't getting soaked in the rain! He only went that way because the main road near home was gridlocked because the cable people were working there. They've been here in one place or another for months now with their orange barriers set up while they dig up the pavements! Does anyone else have them or are they just working around here for now?

All we've done today is go out for lunch and do a bit of food shopping. I feel so tired lately I've no energy left by the afternoon. I think it must be the hayfever. Even OH had a lay down this afternoon!!

That was poor Frank, 2 meats down and 6 more hours serving time. It's lucky you found a good place afterwards though.

I hope your mum has been treated now Gill and hopefully may be home again.

I had an email from a lady in Sydney a few days ago. She is shown as a 'match' following my DNA test and we have been trying to work out how we are related. There was only one surname that we both had in recent generations but there were no connections with that. She did mention that one with the surname had married someone from a place where my maternal grandfather was born though and it turns out that her gt gt grandmother was my gt aunt! :-) She's added other info that I didn't know and I am sending her a couple of photos. Maybe she will have some for me too. I still find it amazing that several generations down the line we share enough DNA to identify us as related. :-)

Morning all,

It is snowing here as I type. We have had sun and rain and hail and now it has snowed and its Donkey Day...

Good morning everyone

Lovely and sunny here but very cold in the breeze when I took Amy out.

Gill I hope your Mum is getting the treatment she needs and is doing well.

Ann that was interesting about your DNA results, I have been thinking about having mine done through Ancestry but not sure what it involves and would the fact I had a blood transfusion about 5 years ago when I was having Chemo make any difference to the results.

Frank How did your hospital appointment go ? I hope you got some good advice about your knees.

I have got very itchy eyes and keep sneezing also very tired even when I haven't been very busy like yesterday. No rape fields around here so it must be the silver birch trees that are at the bottom of the garden, no wonder this area is called Birch Hill as the trees are everywhere.

Mel I hope your shopping trip went well and you managed to get everything on your list, I am so pleased I get mine delivered now, I never did enjoy food shopping even when we had the car, Sainsbury is only 10 minutes walk away but with all the animal food as well as everything else I would have to go every day.

I

Not a bad morning here, nice and sunny, but a cold wind. We've got a field of rape just opposite us, but so far we haven't been adversely affected. Next year it will be wheat, so only a one off!
I'm like you Anne, if OH wouldn't/wasn't able to help with the shopping, I would do it online. There is no way I'm lugging groceries any more on my own. We have got a little supermarket in the village about 1/2 mile from us who will deliver, so we are pretty well catered for!
I hope your Mum is feeling better Gill, and that the strike hasn't affected her.
Son rang this morning, just to check that we're ok!!! We're off down to stay with them on the bankholiday weekend at the end of May. We're going to the theatre in Guilford on the Saturday to see 39 Steps, which we're both looking forward to. They've booked a box, which should be much more comfortable than seats!!
Must empty the dishwasher! Hope everyone enjoys their day!

Its brilliant sunshine now.

I know you all say I should'nt go shopping but I do like to get out and thats a good excuse. Don't forget I live behind a 12' stone wall so it can be like being in prison.

Afternoon my lovlies,

Well, I have skipped over the posts from yesterday, and see you are all fine and dandy !!

I went for my hospital appointment last night and after having SIX X RAYS taken of my knee, the surgeon called us in and showed them to us on the screen, and said, sorry old chap but you need a NEW KNEE. He is hopeful that it might get done in July. So now it's just a matter of waiting to hear from him. I also had my monthly injection.

Ros has taken my bottom set of dentures to the dentist as they snapped as I got them in my mouth this morning. Her glass's arm fell of yesterday, we can't find the TINY screw so she taken those to be repaire also. One more thing to go wrong as they say they come in threes. ;-) ;-) ;-)

What a lovely prison to live in Mel, with 8 acres to roam around in. !!!!

Glad Max looks like he is settling down now Mandy. <3 <3 <3

In the past I have given cloths to an old tramp who was always very polite and grateful for what he got. Sometime later I saw him in my overcoat, it fitted him better than me ;-) ;-) ;-) On the other hand there is a woman who walked the Market with a Tesco Trolly, who swore and cursed everybody she passed. when they wouldn't give her money.

Cold breeze here, but sunshine at the moment.

Roast Leg of Lamb tonight, with new potatos and veg.. I think there is an apple pie in the freezer and I have a tin of custard. So I might treat her to that as well.

Oh Mel, you do make it sound a bit bleak! I'm really sorry you feel like that. Perhaps you could belong to something that would get you out more, and be of interest? Living here can be a bit dull at times, but we do try and go out every now and then. I think.you're like me, being an only child does leave you fresh out of relations particularly when you get older! I often think I'd have liked a sibling, or even a cousin near my age! We are quite lucky with our offspring, but someone of your own generation would be nice!!
It's snowing here!! You should see Cas's face, she can't believe her eyes!!! This afternoon I'm going to watch Indian Summers on catchup, then??????

Afternoon All
We keep getting little snowy/sleety showers here,but not ' proper' snow.I wouldn't be surprised to see some at some point though .

Mel As much as I love your place,I would feel very cut off if I was living there.Chris would love it and be in Heaven.Maybe as Liz said maybe there is something you could join.Maybe some kind of craft group or something .

Frank, July is not too long ot wait for your new knee..also I think a good time of year as you will be able to get out and about or a potter around the garden when you have has it done,and then sit in the garden

I don't know how DNA might be affected with Chemo Anne.It is an interesting thing to find out though.
Ann how does it work with finding someone who matches your DNA on Genes ?Fancy finding this lady in Sydney who is related !!

Liz,that will be so much more comfortable in the Box at the theatre .Plus you will be able to look down and spy on everyone :-D :-D..39 Steps should be great

I hope Gill's Mum is ok and has been able to go home now.Maybe we will hear from Gill later today.

Liz is it the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford you are going to, we used to pass by there on the way to visit Peter's brother in Horsham. The walk by the canal is worth doing it's right by there.

Jane it was the blood transfusion I was thinking might make a difference to the DNA test as I had 2 pints of someone else's blood.

Frank so you are going to have a "Bionic" knee will you have the other one done afterwards ?

Liz & Mel I am lucky that Peter had a large family who all keep in touch with me all his siblings have adult children of their own now who all have children, so a large family and lots of birthdays to remember. I only have one brother who is divorced with no family, he lives in Scotland when he's not lecturing abroad so we don't see him much. I would have loved to have had a sister and a daughter but I'm lucky to have Abbie & Becky as granddaughters

I can understand how you feel Mel and it's fortunate you have your own car, have you got any close neighbours or are you completely isolated ? Perhaps you could start a craft group in your area as I don't expect you are the only one feeling lonely.

We are having chicken kiev for dinner tonight with cauliflower cheese, mixed frozen veg and jersey new potatoes so an easy option for me.

Mel, I was most surprised to find you get/are lonely. I thought with all your church work and gardening, you would be as happy as larry.

Only one knee at the moment Anne, I feel sometimes that my right hip might be the next job. It keeps paining me when I am on the move. I don't think there is anything they can do with my hands, the arthritis is eating it's way into the thumb joints. WOULD IT BE OLD AGE ????

Jane the Surgeon said I would be in pain for the first 6 weeks, then have good days and bad days. It can take up to 6/9 moths before you can be sure of no PAIN and disscomfort.

Ros has just walked in, so will make her a COT.