General Chat

Have you tried having some thing sweet Frank? you might need it as you had the upset tummy yesterday and don't have a lot inside you, it might help the shaky feeling .

Clouded up here now ,i have washing on the line and it's having a good blow as the wind seems to have really got up here i'm keeping an eye on it as i don't want it blowing over the church yard .

We have an appointment at quarter past two for Max ,he's fast asleep at the moment .

Afternoon all

What a horrible day, weather wise, it's been raining with hail and snow and it's very windy and cold, so glad it's not Sandra's birthday today otherwise we wouldn't of gone to the zoo. She's still talking about it, bless her. We're going back in July as some of the animals had gone inside with the weather being a bit wet so hopefully next time she'll see them all. She still enjoyed herself and wants to see the photo's I took, unfortunately the batteries in the camera have gone dead so I'll have to get some more so she can see the photo's. I spoke with Michelle last night so she is going to help me put them onto my computer when she comes down at the end of next month, then I'll be able to show them to you all. We didn't take Sandra out shopping today with the weather the way it is, so we'll take her another day when it's brighter and warmer. She took one look at the weather this morning and decided she didn't fancy walking around the shops in the rain, which is fair enough. She'll enjoy it more when the weather is better.

Sorry to hear you had another bad night with your knee and hip Frank, at least you're having something done about your knee so it shouldn't be to long before that's right again. Have you filled in the forms yet for the garden buddies, it takes a while to organise doesn't it? but at least you'll have the help you need once the forms have been done. Did you ask the doctor about feeling shaky all the time, you really should let him know, there maybe something he can do, it must make you feel terrible. Hope you feel better soon.
Congratulations to Martine, what type of job is it you didn't say? It sounds like it's going to be less stressful than the one she's in now.

I forgot all about the box of chocolates called WEEKEND Mel, they were made by Mackintosh, I used to love them, apart from the marzipan ones, not keen on those. I haven't seen them for years, I wonder what happened to them? :-S :-S It was nice to have a choice between chocolate and none chocolate all in the one box. I love Black Magic, which was my nan's favourite and also Dairy Box, but I think they have changed the recipe on some of those Dairy Box ones, so they're not as nice as they used to be. Not that I have many boxes of chocolates anymore. I do like dark chocolate and have the odd bar of that every now and then, in fact OH has just nipped out and got me a bar after Sandra said she fancied some chocolate. She has a bar of milk chocolate the same as her dad which we will all enjoy later. I've just put a roast lamb in the over so we don't want to spoil that by eating the chocolate first ;-) ;-)

What a surprise to receive the £20 voucher Ann, that was nice of them.
There's nothing worse than having salty food, hope it's better for you next time. I like a bit of salt but prefer to put my own on, I don't put much in the food when I'm cooking as OH and Sandra aren't to keen and like Frank said it's easier for everyone to put it on according to their own personal taste.

Sandra had another chocolate flake cake, like she had last year Jane, she loves flakes, although she ate so much yesterday she couldn't eat a slice of it yesterday, so she's looking forward to having a piece today, I was the same, but OH managed a slice and said it was lovely. We put a candle on it so she could make her birthday wish and blow the candle out then of course make the first cut in the cake, it's something she's always done and wanted to do it again, she then hands the knife over to me to finish cutting it into slices for everyone.
Sandra doesn't really have a favourite animal Jane, she loved them all and is still excited about it today, she's looking forward to going again in the summer, we're hoping she'll see all the animals then, as some of them weren't outside with it being a bit cold and wet. She did like the Zebra's and I managed to get a lovely photo of them as they were quite close to us. She loves horses and had never seen a Zebra before so was fascinated by them, she said they were stripy horses.....bless her.

Sorry to hear your thumbs were sore yesterday, hope they feel better today <3
How did James get on at the wedding? Hope the weather was nice for them, it turned very wintery towards the end of the day here and not very warm either, hope that didn't happen to the happy couple.

Sorry to hear about Max Mandy hope his visit to the vets goes okay and his eye is better soon.
Yes Sandra loved the monkeys, especially one that came up to the glass and stuck it's tongue out, she thought that was really funny. I wasn't quick enough to get a photo though. I find the monkeys are such great characters and there was a mum with a 2 week old baby attached to her tummy, she also came right up to the glass but unfortunately my batteries went on my camera so I couldn't take a photo, Sandra was so disappointed so I took the batteries out and warmed them up in my hand and tried again, this time I managed to get a picture, even if it was a quick one. I was willing the camera to stay on saying please work please work, everyone just stood back while I took the photo and it turned out really good. There was a man there with a big posh camera and he couldn't get a photo as the monkey was to close and there was me with my little camera getting the best shot of the day ;-) ;-) We went to see some other monkeys but was asked to move away from one part of the area as they were putting a new monkey in there and they had to close that part off, luckily they gave Sandra time to look at them first, then we moved down a bit to look at the other's, that's where Sandra saw the one that stuck his tongue out to her, she found that really funny and is still talking about it today. So all in all a really good birthday for her. She's looking forward to her shopping trip next, when the weather is a bit better. It's far to cold and wet to go today.

Back home and there's nothing to worry about with the little bit on Maxs eye it seems its a common thing with Labs and should go on it's own ,we have another appointment Sat week for his last injection so she said she would check it again then .
Glad Sandra enjoyed the Zoo, cheeky Monkey sticking his tongue out at Sandra and on her birthday too :-D

Blue sky again now but the wind is really blowy today ,did get the washing dry though .

Glad there's nothing wrong with Max's eye Mandy. We've devised a brilliant way of exercising Cas! Our paddock is very long and fairly narrow, in all about 1/2 acre, so we put the ring down on the grass at one end, walk up to the other end with her on the lead, let her go and she screeches down to retrieve the ring, brings it back, and we do it again the opposite end!! Three or four times of this means she's puffed out and I've had a good walk without having to go miles along the track!! Job done!!!
Talked to daughter yesterday for nearly two hours!!! Her life seems one long drama! Quite glad we live 45 minutes away!! Had son on the phone again today, but he wanted to talk to his Dad, so I was let off,!!
Wasn't Line of Duty good? I was nearly out of my seat!! OH was too - that gave us something to talk about en route to bed!!!

I can't belive that this Bloody computer has just pinched my postings TWICE in the last half hour. I will try once more, if it does it again, I will be off. !!!

Black clouds looming all around us now, so I expect we will get rain later.

Martine will work five day week, I don't know exactly what she will be doing but it will be to do with finding employment for older teenagers and adults with dissabilities. (SPECIAL NEEDS) the children she has been working with are all special needs and can be very unpredictable. Turning violentat the drop of a HAT. She is so dedicated to helping people. She has been and will continue to be a very good friend to Ros. She would be here at a moments notice should she be required.

So pleased that OUR MAX is O.K. and that the small problem should ,as he grows xx

So Sanda loved all the animals,like so many children the Monkeys are always a favoutite. We have Wipsnade Zoo about 15/20 miles from us, and Lewis loved to go there when he was younger. We also would take him to Woburn Abbey which was another great attraction for children.

Call me a liar, the sun has just poked it's head out of the clouds, into a blue bit of Sky.

What a great way to exercise Cas. Why didn't you think of that before :-\ :-\ Look at the long walks it would have saved you. lol lol But I bet you are both as fit as thre BUTCHERS DOG !!!

Ros has been busy again this afternoon doing her stitching, now she has just washed her hair and drying it sitting on thr sofa reading her Magazine.

Will post this why I can.

Afternoon Everyone

How has Max got on Mandy.I hope it isn't too much to worry about and that it is not painful for him <3..Bet he was a good little boy at the Vets :-D

Have you got your Gnashers back Frank? That is good news about Martines new job.Is it something in a completely different field?

Oh Gill,I bet Sandra thought it was hilarious when the Monkey poked it's tongue out.Did she do it back ? :-D..It is years since I have been to a Zoo.I think the last one was Twycross when Hannah and James were little.I reckon it must be about 28 years !!.When I was at Primary School we often had a trip to Paignton Zoo.
Isn't it infuriating when the batteries run out on the camera.It often happens to me when we are on holiday.Then I have to use my mobile phone.

Ooh that wind was biting today.Especially in the back garden.But I did get a whole whirly line of shirts dry :-D

James did enjoy the wedding yesterday but said it was a pity he had to leave mid evening as it was all just getting going then.He said it was one of the nicest Wedding Venues he has been to.He got home about 10.30.
Jess arrives tonight for the weekend.Her train doesn't get in until 11pm.Good job James will be picking her up :-D

Chris would love your Dinner Frank.He never gets Liver here.If it is on the menu when we go out he will often have it then.
We have Braised Pesto Chicken and Orzo tonight.A nice dish where ii is all cooked in one dish in the oven :-D.It always goes down a treat :-D

Yes the monkey's were so funny Frank, the one that pulled tongues was the funniest, he must of seen other people doing it through the glass and has learnt to copy. His tongue was only tiny, about 1/4 of an inch, he folded his arms too, it was so funny to see, he was only a small monkey as well. I think monkey's like to show off a bit, especially the younger ones, which makes it even more amusing to watch.
Pleased to see you managed to send a post in the end.

What a good idea Liz on how to exercise Cas and you get a good walk out of it too. Hope all is well with your children :-)

Pleased to hear it's not serious with Max's eye Mandy, hopefully it'll sort itself out soon. At least you know the vet will take another look if needs be.

I can smell the lamb now and it's lovely. It should be ready in about an hour or so when the potatoes and veg are done. It's not very often OH is home for a roast which is why I decided to do one today. Plus it's a nice treat as lamb isn't cheap and it makes a nice change from chicken too.

Sorry Jane didn't see your post there. No Sandra didn't do it back, I think she was more surprised at the monkey doing it, he looked like an little old man and Sandra was laughing so much she couldn't of done it back if she'd tried. I was hoping he'd do it again so I could take a pic but unfortunately he didn't. I did get a picture of another monkey with her 2 week old baby though, which I nearly didn't get when the batteries on my camera decided to stop working.

Going to check the lamb now, then watch the end of Michael McIntyre I recorded. He's such a funny man :-D :-D

I think the strangest thing i have ever seen was when son was small back in the late seventies and we went to Cromer Zoo and they had Billy the monkey there who use to smoke ciggies ,it was so funny seeing him puffing away and if he didn't have one he would beckon people who were smoking to give him one , i think the poor thing was addicted to them, son was only about three and in a buggy and he just laughed and laughed he had us all giggling.

Oh Liz that's a brilliant way to excersize Cas i bet she loves it and it saves your legs a little .

Yes all good at the vets Jane ,i did post earlier saying all was ok ,seems it's common thing in Labs and should go in time.
He was very good he went to sleep on my lap.

You all sneaked in there .
That is good news about Max Mandy.Hopefully the thing will just disappear on its own .

Gill I bet your Lamb wil be lovely and tender :-D..It does make a change from Chicken like you say.
Liz ,genius way to exercise Cas :-D :-D.I like it .
Yes Line of Duty was a cracker.I had to watch it again this morning as like I knew I would I kept dropping off during it last night :-S...I see a new programme starts tonight.The Secret..This looks like it will be a good one too.


Martine sounds a very caring person Frank.I'm sure she will do well in her new job and be a great asset .

The big black clouds seem to be blowing away and there is more and more blue sky again now :-D.It doesn't look too great for the Bank Holiday Weekend.I can't believe it will be May in 2 days time !!!.I started looking out some of my summer clothes today for our holiday.It isn't going to be scorching but hopefully around the low 20's.That would be just perfect for me.Not too hot :-D

We've just had loads of hail, the grass is completely white, it looks like it's snowed. I'm so glad we had the loft insulation done, we can really tell the difference, it's so warm in here now.

Yes Jane the lamb just fell off the bone, it was lovely.

Sandra laughed when I told her the story of the monkey smoking Mandy, he must of seen someone doing it and copied, they do mimic everything they see, don't they? I bet one of the keepers gave him a cigarette when he was young and it took off from there. It must of been quite surprising for people to be asked by a monkey for a cigarette, while they were having one.....how things have changed.

Signing out now, I'm really tired today, it must of been all the walking we did yesterday. Apparently Chester Zoo is set in 145 acres and we covered the whole lot. I'm certainly feeling it today ;-) ;-) my legs are really achy.

See you all tomorrow
Night Night <3

Glad it is nothing to worry about with Max's eye Mandy.

We had a good way to give our last dog a good run. I bought mum a tennis racket and we used to hit the ball with the racket and Tess would shoot off up the orchard and bring the ball back. Once she ran right into one of the apple trees and hit it head on. She was dazed for a second and then went and retrieved the abll and brought it back. It meant that mum or I could stand in one place and exercize her till she was puffed. You should try it with Cas Liz.

Sounds like Sandra had a great day she will remember all her life and the monkey who poked its tongue out.

Off now to watch a bit of telly so see you all in the miorning, night night. <3

No it wouldn't do for us Mel as what we're doing is part of her training programme teaching Cas to seek/retrieve properly, obeying commands, as well as wearing her out and giving me/us some much needed exercise at the same time. You can buy a ball launcher these days from the pet shop which daughter had for Stella, but Cas isn't really interested in a ball she just chews them so we only use her ring or a dummy with pheasant feathers attached now and again.
Lovely morning here, so we're having a COT before getting up.

Good morning Liz and all, Evening Kim,

I slept like a log last night, We had a real downpour about 6.30/7.00 pm. By 7.20 it was down to the odd spot, so I walked to the pub. Watched a football game, and had a few pints. I rang Ros and she bought me home about 10.00 pm.

I sat and had a can and a natter and was in bed by 10.45 pm. I dropped off soon after and didn't wake until 7.45 this morning.

My teeth fitted perfectly, and you can't see the repair. In fact they were so comfortable I slept with them in last night.

Very dright sunshine first thing, but the clouds are starting to build so I expect we will get showers later.

This morning I am going to fill out the forms for "Garden Buddies" and do my meter readings. I only remember those when I open my emails.

Jane I don't know if you have a Morrison's near you. If so let Chris try their LIVER dinner in the restaurant. It's to die for. I have whenever we stop for a bite to eat when (not often) I go shopping with Ros.

Ros has just gone off to meet Martine, She has taken two carrier bags of flower pots fot her OH Brian. Martine now calls him "PERCY" as he is always potting seeds and cuttings !!!!

The cherry tree is ALMOST READY TO BURST INTO BLOSSOM.(sorry) caught the cap lock. !!! The blue tits and wrens are busy in the tree trying to collect the flowers to line their nests, little devils,

Good Morning All

Its a really beautiful day here sunny and quite warm, so I hope it stays that way.

Gill it sounds like Sandra had a good day out at the zoo for her birthday and still a shopping trip to look forward to. Matthew one of my nephews used to work at Howletts Zoo in Kent and was one of the monkey keepers and also the Lemurs, Paul took Abbie and Becky there on a visit a few years ago and he took them in with the Lemurs which made their day.

Pleased to hear Max's eye isn't going to be a problem Mandy, I think we all worry about our pets as we do with our children even though they are adults.

Jane we also watched the last episode of Line Of Duty and I nearly jumped out of my chair when the first lot of gun fire started. We never watched the previous two series so will probably buy them from Amazon.

I had a contact from another Ancestry member a few days ago his Dad and my paternal grandma were brother and sister, my grandma was the eldest of a large family and his dad the youngest so about 18 years between them. He said he had managed to trace part of the family back to Harold who was killed at the Battle of Hastings. He has sent me all the details so I am going to be busy checking it out. At least a lot of it should be well documented, courtesy of the internet. At least it will make a change from Smugglers i.e. "The Little Common Gang" on my mothers side :-0 :-0.

I've already done 3 machine loads of washing and just one more to go which is the towels when I clean the bathroom and cloakroom. Other than that nothing planned so I will potter about in the garden later.

Hope everyone else has a good day with not too many aches and pains.

Afternoon all

Terrible weather here today, lots of hail and rain, glad I've nothing to go out for.

Sandra and I are watching all the Masterchef's I recorded, there are quite a few of them so that'll fill most of the afternoon while OH is in work.
My legs feel much better today after being so achy yesterday.

I've sorted some more of my things out from under my bed so I have a bit of room now. I'm trying to make space for my things which are still in boxes in the back room waiting for a place to live ;-) ;-) I've found a nice cupboard on wheels I'm thinking of getting to store some of my books. If I have the space I'll buy two. I have lots of things I want to keep, like all my girls babies things, their first dress, shoes etc... and my wedding dress and of course all the little things the girls have made me over the years from when they were in school, so quite a few things to find places for.

Pleased to hear you had a good nights sleep last night Frank and that your teeth are a good fit. Now you have your forms done it won't be long before you'll have some help in your garden. :-) :-)

How lovely for Abbie and Becky to be able to go in with the Lemurs Anne, it'll be something they'll remember for years to come. Your family history sounds very interesting. It's great when you find a new relative isn't it? I'm in contact with a relative on my granddads side, who lives in New Zealand. So with her help I'm managing to fill in a few gaps now. Good luck with yours <3

Better get back to Masterchef, before I lose track of what's going on.

We love Liver and Bacon, with onions, tomatoes mushrooms and gravy, but you have to cook liver quite carefully as it can be tough! I only ever use Pigs liver as we just like it better than any other.
Just back from Tetbury. It's where we go for Cas's food which we buy in bulk. Then to Waitrose, which was quite crowded! Saturday is not a good day and to be avoided in the future!! OH huffed and puffed a bit, but we got there!!!
This afternoon we're off down to Badminton, as its the horse trials this weekend. That'll be crowded too!!

Afternoon all,

Nice sun shine this morning and it was warm enough to sit out and have our coffee ,we nipped out and bought more dog food and training treats and then we went to the garden centre to get some Tumbling Tom tomato plants they will be on the kitchen window sill for a week or two and then they can go out in some hanging baskets , we have decided not to put the little green house up this year ,i think it would be fun and games with Max around so just out side toms for this year .

Hubby is out side sprucing up the garden benches , we usually have then painted in an Oak colour but this year i think they stopped that colour so we picked a Slate grey but i'm not that keen on it , it might look better once they have had a secound coat.

Nearly lunch time ,i see it's the Russian F1 race this weekend ,hubby will watch that later.