General Chat

Very dull here too, raining on and off!! I've managed to prune the roses outside our big gate and weed the bed they're in, but it's drizzling now, so I'm going to defrost the freezer and clean behind it, which will be another good job done!
I've got that big Mrs Beeton too. It was my mothers so is pretty well worn!! I must admit that all my recipes are looked up on line these days, and the books are rarely used except for odd things like marmalade, my mothers flapjack and one or two others.
Want to listen to a talk on the radio later so better get on!

Afternoon all, Can't stop as decorator is right behind me and will soon need me to move. Ro say the least we are in a right old mess

I stayed in bed till after midday. (a) because I had another bad night with the knee, and (b) I was out of the way from the decorating.

Will try to catch you this evening.

Cor its been quiet while Iv'e been out.

Done the shopping and all put away and had a COT and a couple of scones.

Now I am going to have a fiddle with some craft stuff. Don't know what yet.

Afternoon All

What a dark day !!.I have had to have the lights on all day. No rain though which is good as have managed to get most of the washing dried outside.I say dry,it is just slightly damp but I have brought it all and it can finish off on the airer.

Frank how long will you have the decorator in for?It is so difficult trying to keep out of the way when you have someone working .I hope your lie in today has made your knee feel a bit easier.Do you think it was bad again because of your trip off the kerb?

Chris has been out for lunch today with Sue (his ex work colleague )She told him that the Sister of the wife of one of the GPs has been killed in a car accident.Terribly sad news and there are 4 children now without a Mum :-( :-(
Chris won't be eating again tonight so I have a curry and rice for James and a Macaroni Cheese for me.Just have to pop them in the oven :-D

My Sisters youngest son Matthew works with young Refugees (adolescents) who are here without any family.Matthew is giving a talk at Tate Modern on Thursday about his work.I think he is very nervous but I know he will do a great job.

Hannah had her first day yesterday with her Clinical Training.She has found out her first placement for the first year is at Chase Farm Hospital ,Enfield in Out Patients Addictions Clinic.She will do 2 and a half days a week there and then the rest of the week will be lectures etc at the Uni in East London. She has obviously got her brains and determination to get the Career she has aimed for for so long from her Dad.Not like her Mum (I left school at 16) :-S..It wasn't until I was in my 20's before I really knuckled down and trained to be a Nurse.That was a struggle as I just hated studying.But got there in the end.

Chris has the hump as I had a few words when he came home from Waitrose with another bottle of Salad Cream !!!!!.WE now have 4 !!!!!!!!!. I suggested that he looked to see what we had before buying another.....Apparently I was nagging then LOL
ME NAG! NEVER :-D :-D...It was just a comment ;-)

I have just turned the thermostat up so the heating comes on for a little while.Not that it is cold ,but everwhere just feels a bit dampish.I'll have to make sure it is off before I go to bed as I don't want it coming on at 6 in the morning.

Thomas is Mousing.He has had 2 in the last 2 hours ( that I have seen). Rabbits are still trying to dig down under on the lawn.Do they not know there is a cat here!!

Afternoon Everyone,

Well my car is serviced now and I am £218 lighter!! At least I only need annual services with the mileage I do these days. I decided to get the first service done at this dealership garage while I sort out with my usual garage what's needed to maintain the warranty. I had a long chat with the 2 that were dealing with my car about all the Peugeots I have had in the past! lol. Then I mentioned the Simca 1000 Rallye we bought from their garage in 1972. The younger chap, only 21, had never heard of them, so he googled it .......the other chap was surprised to hear them mentioned as he has a relly who is restoring one......not my old car though!! After I went back to collect my car and went home I noticed there was a little packet of 'Love Hearts' sweets on the passenger seat! I've never been left any of those in a car after a service before. :-)

Matt will be so chuffed when he has done his talk Jane and it's good he is doing such supportive work in helping people. Hannah sounds as if she is 'on track' with her future aims too! I did what Chris did only with buying Vine Weevil Killer Jane and we ended up with 4 bottles of the stuff. OH said we had enough to treat every garden in the village!!

Liz, I don't use Mrs Beeton or other cookbooks I have much these days. I cook less and less anyway and like you tend to look online. I liked the Mrs Beeton one when I got married as it had lovely glossy pictures of all the cuts of meat and their names and where they came from on the animal..........a big help to a newlywed when you had to ask the butcher as there were no supermarkets!

Oh Frank I can imagine what chaos you are in with the decorators there. At least it should be done quite quickly with them being used to it........not like when you do your own decorating. Some of our rooms will need doing soon but having always done almost all the decorating myself before, I tend to think someone else won't do it as well!! :-0 I have to accept that someone else will have to do it eventually though.

It's drizzled on and off here today and been quite muggy, but it dried 2 washing loads which is good.

Morning all,

Had a little sun this morning which woke me up shining in my face but then it clouded over so now its dull again but dry.

Frank how are they getting on with the decorating? How long so they expect to be there? and after all that there are all Ros's things to go back again. Did you sleep better last night?

Don't think there is any chance of drying washing here today so it will have to go in the dryer.

Everyone must be really busy...........................~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Evening all,

It is quiet on here today .

It's been a nice day here got all my washing dry in the sunshine .
Went shopping this morning and bought a few bits for dare i say it ....Christmas !!

We got a few jobs done this afternoon and sat out to have our cuppa .

Frank i hope the decorating is coming alone nicely ,has it been warm enough for you to sit out in the garden to get out of his way ?
How many days is the decorating going to take ? is it just painting or is there wall paper to go on the walls ?

Ann how nice to have the Love Heart sweets left on the seat for you ,i've never heard of any garage doing that before .

So you have plenty of salad cream then Jane LOL

Right better take Max for his last walk now , the nights are really pulling in now and i don't like going out with him after dark .

EVENING !! Goodness where is everyone today?
Mel I have got all my washing dried again today.In fact I have just put 2 more things out which I am hoping will be ready to bring in in about an hour.

Poor Hannah has the Norovirus :-(.. She said that several people on her course have gone down with it so Chris says this is most likey what she has. I hadn't realised it is caught so quickly.So she has spent since yesterday afternoon being sick :-( :-(
No doubt her housemates will no doubt get it now and maybe Gareth.I do feel sorry for her BUT am very relieved that she didn't have it when she was here .

It has been such a lovely day here and so very very warm.It has been back to strappy top again today for me.
I have got a Beef Casserole in the oven and have just popped Dumplings on top (not my own though) Dear Aunt Bessie :-)....Done some Mashed Potato too and I will have Spring Greens and Sprouts.
Chris has been busy digging over one of the beds behind the trellis and has put in some new bits of Lavender.The old one was taking over and wasn't looking too great.
Thomas is out doing his usual stuff.

My Sister is coming to stay for a few days soon. Either this coming weekend or the next one. I think she needs to recharge her batteries before Larry has both Cataracts done.The first one is on the 13th Oct and the second one a few weeks later.So she will have to be his eyes and do all the driving and everything else until the end of November. So I am looking forward to spending a nice bit of Sister time :-D.I think she will try and sell some of my dresses on eBay for me.The ones I have that have only been worn once for weddings.

When does Michelle arrive Gill ? It can't be long now :-D

James is home and hanging around looking at the oven LOL

Evening All,

A lovely dry sunny day here. :-) I had a hairdresser appointment this morning so my hair is shorn and tidy again. There seem to be less people in there each time I go now so I hope it won't end up closing as it is only 5 mins away and has free parking. The owner has 5 other salons now with 2 in the city. Time will tell I suppose.

There are giant molehills where they have been digging trenches in the two fields between the new houses and the park and ride down the main road. It must be to do with an archealogical survey as they plan to build commercial units there. When they built the park and ride a few years ago they found a few skeletons and other artifacts so it will be interesting to read their report when they've done. The area is close to the old roman Fosse Way.

Today I realised I am falling behind the times and need to catch up with technology.I need a 5 year old to help me! lol We missed a parcel delivery today and the note left only told us to scan the code to arrange a fresh delivery. There was also a phone number, but that was an automated answering system that gave limited options or to go on their website, which you have to sign up to. That failed miserably despite following the instructions carefully, but I managed to find a customer service number on their website and have rearranged delivery for Friday. It occurred to me that those of us that don't work or are not at school etc aren't taught about new technology as it is introduced. :-S I will have to get one of those books for 'Dummies' you see for sale.:-)

OH was telling me of a problem he'd heard about very young children when they go to school. More of them have no co-ordination whatsoever, and, unlike in the recent past, can't do things like handle a pencil or balance on one leg at all. Experts are having to be called in. I suppose it's to be expected if many children aren't out playing and building up strong muscles, bones and balance like we did, or being shown how to write their name or draw before they go to school.

Mandy, you have just reminded me..........I offered OH one of my Love Hearts last night. The writing was on the other side of it as I peeled the wrapper down. We both burst out laughing when we saw it said 'HUNK'!! I think he thought I knew and was taking the mickey. They never had that on them when I was a girl!! It's a good idea to make a start getting Christmas bits, I always wish I'd started sooner.

Poor Hannah Jane, let's hope it goes quickly, but yes, at least she didn't pass it on to you! It would have been a nice day in the garden for Chris and Lavender always seems to end up leggy after a few years so it's a good idea to replace it. Our deep pink Michaelmas daisies look great just now and the new wire frame for them has worked a treat and stopped them flopping over.

Ann it must be dreadful for anyone without a computer these days (re re arranging times etc for parcels to be redeliverd. Now I wouldn't have a clue how to scan something. At least you have managed to get through to a 'person'.I always look for a number for Customer Services and ring :-D.I feel much happier sorting things out if I can actually speak to someone... Saying that I have had so much trouble getting the right new control knobs for my oven.Even speaking to someone on the phone is never straightforward. The language is the trouble .Trying to explain to someone whose first language isn't English!!!!. I will say no more LOL.

I have been trying to think of the words on the Love Hearts when I was a girl.The only one I can remember is 'Love'. I might have a google and see if there is something :-D....Definitely there was never Hunk LOL

Ann ,I think it is terrible that there are so many children starting school without the basic skills these days. It says something about Society these days doesn't it.How sad :-(

I too have bought another lavender to replace one up the border. It seems to be the one plant that the rabbits and deer leave alone. Another is my sage plants in different colours.

They have made a diathus soooo bushy by keep eating it but it never has a flower as they eat them off. They don't seem to like the penstemons either.

Was'nt there Kiss Me on the love hearts? and Cool kid?

Morning all,

Brighter today with a bit of watery sun now and then. I don't know where you lot get your nice weather from but it dos'nt come from down here at present.

Did'nt do much HW yesterday so I think thats on the cards for today. The shower needs a good going over and the bedroom needs a dust.

Hope the decorators are getting on with Franks room and its nearly finished now as I bet Ros can't wait to be straight again.

Mamndy I meant to ask if Nicko has a sleeping bag that he uses under his poly sheet?

Afternoon All,

Lovely sun out here again with a little breeze........sorry Mel! :-) OH reckons we did have a bit of rain in the night though. I must get on with some HW tomorrow after beading in the morning. The dust on the hard lounge floor is forming clumps!!! lol.

One of the love hearts had 'Kiss' and another said 'I like You'.

I bet Frank and Ros are having to be up early for the decorator and it's horrid when your stuff is in boxes and everywhere. I bet they will be glad when it's done now.

We are off to the cinema soon......can't remember the name of the film, might be 'Deep' something or other!

Hope you enjoy the film this afternoon Ann.
I have sucked up all the tiney winey spiders in the kitchen and hall then moved oh's wellies and there was a HUGE leggy one behind I must have missed before. Perhaps that was the one having all the babies I got today.

Done lunch and just have to wash up and then attack the bathroom.

I am hoping oh will put the bulbs in the outside lights today as they have been out for two days now as he dos'nt like to do it whilst its wet just incase. I can't see the hogs when the lights are out as the solar lights arn't very good now as the days are shorter.

Good afternoon everyone

I have been busy in the garden the last couple of days getting it ready to put the bulbs in which I was going to start doing this afternoon but because it has been raining on and off all day I have given up on that idea. This morning I had the Sainsbury delivery at 8 o/c there was so much of it that the delivery driver thought I had a month's shopping, if only!! I had an appointment at the doctors at 10.20 but the receptionist that made the appointment had booked me in at their surgery the other side of town, plus the doctor was a locum so couldn't do a review of my tablets so she had made 2 errors. I have to go back next Thursday with the nurse practitioner for the same thing plus this Saturday they are doing a walk in clinic for the flu jabs.

I hope you enjoyed the film Ann, what did you see?

Sorry to hear Hannah hasn't been well Jane I hope she will soon feel better.

I found out yesterday that our blue eyed feline visitor's name is George, I found him in the kitchen the other day, I think he just wants some attention as he never takes our cats' food.

How is the decorating going Frank, it's horrible having to live in a muddle but at least it will be good when it's finished.

Nice to know your'e ok Anne and have been busy and not under the weather so to speak.
These receptionist should get things right for their patients and not muck them about so much. All that wasted time and you still have to go back.

I hope poor Hannah is feeling a bit better today and is now recovering from that horrid bug.

I have cleaned all the front door inside and out and in the middle. I can actually see daylight through it now and its all as clean as a new pin. I must admit I have'nt sone it for months and oh sprayed all inside with wet and forget and it all went up the glass.

Afternoon all on another lovely day.It was raining first thing this morning but the sun soon came out and it is still strappy top weather :-D

I am a bit peeved as it looks like my big freezer is not working .All the food is half thawed.I am sure the door hasn't been left open.I have put the temp down to Max but it isn't sounding right at all :-S :-S.I have managed to squeeze a few things in the small FRidge /Freezer (some of the meats).
There is a clicking noise on the big freezer every now and then as though it is trying to start up. I can see all that is in there will be wasted now :-S :-S

Anne what a cock up with your appointment :-S..Hopefully on Thursday it will be plain sailing .
I have an appointment for later this month for a Ultrasound Injection(hip) But no-one has explained what it is exactly or what to expect or how long I am likely to be there .I thought I was just going to a follow up appointment at the Outpatients Clinic.I think I will have to ring up and find out. You need to know what you are going for don't you !!

So your visitor is George :-D.He sounds a lovely cat Anne.Can't believe he doesn't have a sniff at your cats dishes.He is obviously well fed :-D

No Frank for a couple of days now.I hope all is well in the Bedford household.
I wonder what the film was Ann saw this afternoon. It has been a while since I went to the pictures.The last film was the Life of Pets. I think we will be going to the Bridget Jones one. Also I want to see Girl on the Trainwhen it comes out.But I will have to go with Fitz for that one as Chris won't want to go.
Fitz is coming here for lunch tomorrow.I'm not sure if Chris will be here or whether he is going ot Cambridge to see some exhibition.
I need to have a good clean around in the house before the weekend .I keep putting it off :-S
Best crack on with dinner now. James will be in soon and need his as he is off for a game of Badminton with a friend at 8.
Hannah has stopped being sick and having the trots ,but still feels quite nauseous .She was going to try and eat a little and see if it stays down.

I am looking forward to the new series of The Fall tonight. There seem to be so many 'crime type ' programmes coming up .Just my thing :-D :-D

There is also a program on BBC2 about the victorian slums which I will be interested in. I think it starts on the 10th Oct.

Jane is your big freezer old? Its such a nuisance when they go wrong. Is the food in it under your house insurance?

I started on the kitchen after doing the front door. Have cleaned all the doors on one lot of cupboards and done the top and just have to have the micro off tomorrow to clean under it but oh will have to hold it for me while I do it.