General Chat

Your kitchen will smell lovely this afternoon Gill with the cake baking. It's still dull but dry here.

I have just done a shopping list for Sainsburys later when the traffic has eased, then will pop to the farm shop in the morning for eggs and veg.

OH's car is fixed but said the old chap that owns the garage (his son runs it now) didn't look at all well. He still potters about there but doesn't do any work now. He was always so helpful and obliging when you needed your car doing ASAP. In the 90s when my car had some work done but then needed a part sending off for and I was going in hospital he insisted on leaving any payment till I was back on my feet and well again. :-)

We just read in the local paper that when they have extended the retail park down the road less than a mile away there will be over 1000 jobs on offer and at the new Everards opposite another 300! Where will they all park? OH said we'll have all these handy facilities but no way of getting to them or parking when we do!! It's right on the motorway junction that already gets snarled up with traffic now and there isn't enough parking at the retail park at present. :-S

Glad you eventually got there Frank, but that was quite a tiring journey for Ros. Still, at least you are rested up now. Has the apartment been made for you at their house or is it elsewhere nearby? I seem to have missed about there being an apartment. It sounds ideal for you anyway. I hope you have a nice birthday tomorrow........HAPPY BIRTHDAY in case I miss you. How many times 21 is that now? lol.

Off to clear out my knicker and sock drawer now......yes really! I bought some extras when the washer broke down, so some old ones can be chucked :-)

I still have loads to read from yesterday and today but oh has been trying to sort out my pc from making this terrible reving noise. He has been on the phone to someone as its still under guarentee and we are waiting for an email that dos'nt seem to want to arrive.

I also have to go out for a while so will try to catch up later.

Hope you're all ok and Frank arrived safe and sound. Love to all. <3 <3 <3 <3

It isn't an apartment, it was just me being silly Lol. They have converted Jan's daughters saloon to make it for me/us to get away for a break. Conrad it just putting a T. V on the wall for us, so i/we can watch tv in bed.

My knee has been a real B?????r today, I think sitting so long in one spot yesterday, didn't help.

We popped over to see Jo's house this afternoon, but I didn't go for a tour, because of the stairs.

Miserable evening here, been raining most of the afternoon..

Hope youall have had a nice day. I will see you in the morning.

Afternoon all be it a bit late in the day.
Frank,what a long journey you had.That long drive down the M5 is so boring too.At least you got there and are happy with 'your accomodation ' :-D :-D.You can both hopefully be able to relax a bit now.

Ann, you must be going mad with all the racket going on .This morning the house felt like it was rumbling.Something to do with all whats going on across the road with Anglian water and the pipes.It almost felt like a mini earthquake :-S

Gill it sounds like you have jhad some awful weather today.So far we have had no rain.It has just been a really grey day.

You should see my pants and socks drawers Ann!!. Stuffed so full I can hardly close the drawers.I will have to have a sort out like you.
Bet the cake smells good Gill :-D

I had a call from the garage to say my car may be fit to pick up tomorrow (if it is dry)
I can do without it tomorrow but need it back by Friday for Hannah to use .

Ready meals here tonight :-D,I just need to cook some veg.

We didn't do the cake in the end Jane, both of us were watching our programmes and didn't realise how late it was, so it'll be done another day now. I didn't need to cook tonight as I still had some of the shepherds pie left over from yesterday so we've had that.

Sorry to hear your knee is playing you up again Frank, you're probably right, the journey wouldn't of helped it. Hope it feels a bit better soon.

OH isn't very well at the moment, he's been asleep on the sofa this afternoon after being sick in the night. I think it might be a bit of worry over our SIL, he rang his mum last night but she hadn't had any news and he hasn't heard from her today yet, so is going to ring her later. His brother, SIL's husband has had a recent operation for kidney stones and has to go back after Christmas to have more removed as they are to big to pass, so all in all he's a bit stressed. Neither of us had a good nights sleep last night so I think it might be an early night for us both.

I sorted my underwear draw out last week Ann and I'm glad I did as I thought I needed new things but found lots of new stuff at the back of the draw. It was like your draw Jane, I could hardly close it. Now it's a lot better ;-)

I need to sort out my sock draw. There are only socks in it and some I don't wear now so that will make way for some new ones I bought. I just love pretty socks with little flowers on them or just gimmicky ones. I have a new pair of Christmas socks this year so one day I shall have red and green, stripes and zig zags with bobbles on the tops and the next day it will be my old holly ones on a cream background with sparkerly bobbles on the sides in red.

I'm so pleased that your apartment is done Grank and you won't have to worry about all those stairs now.

Have you opened you cards yet or are you waiting till tomorrow?

I have been putting more decs up this afternoon. Oh has the tree on the patio and that can come in tomorrow. I have been and delivered the rest of my cards and spoken to old Les up the top of our drive in the cottage there. His son is coming for Christmas as usual. Andrew works for the RHS.

Then I went down the churchyard and put mums flowers on her stone. They look really pretty. All evergreen out of the garden and some rose hips aslo out of the garden and Christmas roses and red ribbons with a big sprig of holly with masses of berries in the middle.

Had a qwuick look down the shop and they have one wreath left still so I don't mind having that one back as its the one with the gold flowers on it and I can use that as a table dec and put a big candle in the middle.

Gill hope you get used to the new oven quickly and your cake comes out ok. I think I may do my baking on Friday as I need to go to Mole Valley for some chicken pellets. I thought I would have enough till after Christmas but they seem to be eating more at the moment.

No news on the puppies today. I can't wait to see a pic of all of them and to know if Anne will be able to have the little girl.

Yes we are all waiting news on the puppies now. :-)

Sorry your OH isn't well Gill. It won't have helped having the worry but resting will help. So the Christmas cake wafts will be in your kitchen tomorrow now.

Well I just got the pants sorted and rolled up like I have them and put tidily back in the drawer, went to slide the drawer back in and it fell off the runners and tipped everything out on the floor!! :-S The drawer is back in properly now........but not quite as tidy! I'm tackling the socks tomorrow. That needs good light as most are black......about 50 shades of black now and they need rematching. Mel I have some with Xmas puds on the side and still have some with Roadrunner on the sides. I used to wear those or striped ones with my tap shoes when I did tap dancing!! lol. OH has threatened to put the big striped Christmas ones I knitted a few years ago on his feet after Christmas. I told him they weren't the right size for a YETI! :-)

Frank you tinker.....you had me going there! It does sound ideal having your own bolthole though and will be much easier for you. My knees will hurt after sitting in one position for ages. I try to keep stretching them out when we travel far in the car.

It sounds like they have been pile driving at the building site near you Jane!! :-0 That makes a lot of vibration. Our road is brown with all the mud now. They have made a start on the 2nd bungalow now and are putting white cladding on the top half of the house. It makes it stick out like even more of a sore thumb among the bungalows around it.

Morning all, evening Kim,

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY BIRTHDAY we have here.

I have been so lucky regarding presents, MAC BOOK from Conrad and Jan, loads of bottles from friends, cloths from Ros and Harvey. I must have TWENTY CARDS. That,s without those in the post at home

I have bookedh a table for thirds evening, to take the four of us out, so should be nice.

Thanks for the cards that I have received.

Just going for shower and shave, then off to seeJans sister and family, I will also go into a florist to get Ros, a nice bouquet for Christmas.

Will try to catch upon the posts later.

Morning all

It doesn't look like we're about to have a storm tomorrow, it's so calm today with a bit of sun, not very warm though.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANK hope you have a lovely birthday, do you have anything planned for your special day?

I used to have the same problem as you Ann with having so many different pairs of black socks so I got a needle and cotton and put a little stitch on the tops of each pair in different colours, that way they always paired up. It took a while to do but saved me so much time after that. How annoying, all that work then the draw fell off the runners, hope it didn't take to long to sort it all out again.

It sounds like you've been really busy Mel, have you got your tree all sorted now?

Hope your car is ready today Jane, you'll need it over Christmas. Has your house stopped rumbling now, you must of wondered what was going on?

OH is feeling better today, I think he just needed a good sleep. I've been awake since 7am with a jippy tummy, took some Imodium which seems to have worked. I've not long got back from the shops, with being up so early we decided to finish off the Christmas food shopping and was at Tesco's at 8.30, good job we did go early as there was hardly anything on the shelves, we couldn't get Sandra's chocolate trifle so she's having a strawberry one this year instead. Tesco's was packed even at that time of the morning so I'm glad we went early, I doubt we'd of got a parking space otherwise. After Tesco's be nipped to Aldi and was very lucky to park, it was just as busy as Tesco's. You should of seen the amount of food people were buying the trollies were loaded up above the sides. Luckily by the time we got to Iceland it wasn't so busy so we were in and out of there quite quickly. Iceland only have a small car park and we got the last parking space. I feel sorry for anyone going shopping now, it's going to be a nightmare for them.

All the shopping is away now and the hoovering done, I've been busy sewing for the last week so there was cotton everywhere, at least I'm getting there on my alterations and only have a few more things to do.

We are making a chocolate cake today Ann as we don't like Christmas cake, I'm also going to make a Victoria sponge as OH likes them. So that's the next job on the list. I'm going to put some Christmas songs on, Sandra loves it when I do that especially when we're baking. I'll do all the sausage rolls, quiches, etc.. for Christmas on Christmas Eve. I normally do that, I just need to bake the cakes today to test the oven and timing's ready for the big day.

Well, I'd better make a start on these cakes, Sandra found some chocolate decorations for the top of the cake which she is looking forward to doing and has the afternoon planned for us watching Christmas films I recorded the other day.
She's even bought some popcorn........bless her <3

Morning Frank, you got in there before me LOL. Pleased to hear you're having a great birthday, you did well for presents and cards. Enjoy your meal later. <3

Good morning all

A lovely bright day today very frosty first thing but none of that dreadful fog that we have had over the last few days

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Frank you have been lucky with all those presents and lots of cards hope you enjoy your day and the knee behaves its self.

Sasha sent me all the photos in a slide show of the new babies but for some reason how ever much I tried I was unable to send them on, I only received them late last evening so when Richard gets in from work I will ask him. She will be sending just a photo of the little girl so may have more luck then. I'm hoping we can still have her as she did mention that she was expecting a few people on Friday and Saturday who want to see them, she will also ask for a £200. deposit from them if they choose a puppy, I won't be able to go by then but as I do all my banking on line I could transfer my deposit directly into her bank account.

I have Becky here with me at the moment she came yesterday and Abbie is coming here later today they will be going back on Sunday morning
Paul will stay for a week from Christmas Eve onwards as he usually does.

Gill hope your cakes turn out ok , pleased to hear your OH is feeling better.

I have my Sainsbury shopping coming tomorrow s o hopefully I won't have forgotten anything but if I have one of us could pop into Aldi or Sainsburys as we can easily walk to both from here.

Its now 2016, nearly 2017, is it still going

Well, I'm still getting used to my new oven, the chocolate cake is done although I think I should of took it out a few minutes earlier than I did. The next cake is in now so I will adjust my timings, hopefully it'll turn out as I'm used to then. OH and Sandra said the cake is lovely. I must admit it does smell nice and it isn't burnt so that's a good thing. Sandra is looking forward to decorating it later when it cools down.

So you have visitors Anne, how lovely to have them stay with you. Do you bake with them like Sandra and I do?
What a shame you couldn't pass on the slideshow, never mind I'm sure Richard will be able to help then we can all see the new puppies. Paying the deposit is a good idea, at least then you know you'll have your little Ruby to look forward to in February.

Hello Alan. Yes Mel started the thread a long time ago, I joined a couple of years ago and have made some lovely friends on here.

Better go and check my cake I don't want to over bake it again.....I'm sure I'll get used to this new cooker soon ;-) ;-)

Well daughter and I have had a long chat and have certainly cleared the air. (for the minute!) I have told her that I will do all I can to improve matters between her and her brother but that I will have to be very tactful and not at all interfering, and see how we go. Her ex isn't being easy over the business they run together, or the children which we can see is pretty stressful all round. One upside is that our 9 year old grandson is coming to stay with us on New Years eve which will be a great joy as he is a dear little boy.
We finished our Xmas shopping this morning, what we haven't got, we won't be having!
Family here on Monday + daughters partners mother!!! More the merrier I guess!
I hope you have a lovely birthday Frank. You should look smart in all those new clothes! It's our son's birthday today, he's 52!! We've been married 53 years on Feb1st!! Perhaps a long service medal would be in order!
Hope everyone's day is going well. I'm allowing myself a small brandy to celebrate daughter harmony!!!!

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANK <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Hi all,

Started sunny here so out went the washing. Oh was fiddling with my pc so I could'nt get on here this morning. I went to Holsworthy before lunch for a few bits I had forgotten (toilet rolls!!) and some more streaky bacon as they had none in Morrisons on Tuesday.

oH BROUGHT THE TREE IN THIS MORNING TOO SO ITS NEXT TO THE PC AND STILL i COULD'NT GET ON THE POOTER AS HE WAS WAITING FOR AN EMAIL TO COME THROUGH ABOUT IT. Sorry I did'nt mean to shout!

They are sending a new part for mine but as its a new part it is going in his pc and I am getting his part which is the same pc as mine as they were bought at the same time.

I can't wait to see those lovely pups and hope Richard can sort it out so Anne can send them. She did'nt say if she was being aloud to have the little girl???????

Sounds like Frank had lots of present. Christmas has started really early for him bless. Hope all your new clothes fit. <3

Liz I am pleased you seem to have smoothed things over a bit with your children. Its just not nice to have upset in the family at any time of year but especially at Christmas. Enjoy your little drop of brandy. Cheers.

Surprise, surprise!

Just a little message to say I haven't forgotten you and to thank you for the Christmas cards that we have received. Just in case I miss out, here's wishing you ALL - A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS - and a plus for Frank, Happy Birthday - hope you found my greeting on your timeline.

I'm trying to gets some photos together to email out so you can see our great-grandchildren before they grow up, get married and have kids of their own (I should live that long!).Not sure if I told you on here but we made the trip to Skegness in the summer to visit Dawn (Carmel's youngest son Jim that died widow) and our grandchildren AND great-grandchildren there. It was lovely to put personalities to the Facebook photos and make them 'come alive' for a change. Jim's youngest daughter Lauren, mother of the delightful Olivia, is due to go into Boston hospital on December 30th for a C section for her second baby - I'm not sure we can count all these great-grandchildren, only got ten fingers!. Any way, we wanted to reassure ourselves that Dawn was coping as a widow and to also visit Jim's grave while we were there. That weekend went well and Carmel needed the rest of the week to recover from the journey.
Since Friday we have had worrying news when we learnt that my son Kevin, who lives in South London, was taken into HDU in Lewisham hospital with a rare respiratory condition. They were short of carrying out a tracheotomy when he rallied to treatment. He is now off the HDU but is still having heart and blood pressure problems although he can now speak again and his respiration is much improved. I'm still waiting for word to know if he will be home with his family for Christmas.
Kevin's wife, Lola (a trained holistic practitioner) is Spanish and they have a bolt hole in Spain, which they were to fly out to for the holiday last Saturday, but apparently the Valencia area has been inundated with severe flooding. Strange how life has some funny quirks.
Anyway, I must crack on and try and track these photos down.
In case anyone wants to email me, my email address now (since Talktalks meltdown ) is - [email protected].

Thanks for reading this and have a happy holiday.

Well don to you Liz, Tongue in cheek from now on then ?? I hope everything works out for the family.

I am on my Apple Mac. Conrad has worked nearly all day loading and transferring everything for me. At the moment I am in an armchair, which isn't easy for me. It will be much better on my computer table at home.

I have got my Skype back again, so will have to get Shirl"s Skype address again so I can keep in touch with her.

We left the girls to go shopping on there on this afternoon. We have to be out for 5.30 so hope they won"t be late home.

Yes Liz, I remember it"s your son"s birthday. It is also my Brothers and Twin Sister"s who sadly are no longer with us. Had I stayed married mine would have been 57 years last October. As it is Ros and I will be 39 years next June 3rd . What had I done wrong in my last life. ;-) ;-) ;-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANK <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3..

I think you have had nice weather for your birthday.Perfect by the sea :-)..
Have a lovely meal out tonight xx

Liz that is great news.(long may peace reign now). Did you enjoy that Brandy.Was it a double? :-D :-D.

I have to pop out quickly now as I want to get to the garden centre for another red tea light lantern.I bought 3 the other week and yesterday one just went bang and a big bit of glass blew out the side :-S :-S..I will take this one back and see if they will just exchange it(hopefully there will be another the same).

I'm so pleased things have improved between you and your daughter Liz and having your grandson coming to stay, that's something to look forward to.
53 years of marriage, that's 3 years longer than I've been alive LOL. It's OH's and my 30th anniversary on 10th January.......how time flies.

Well, the second cake was a disaster I thought I'd cook it for slightly less time but unfortunately when I turned it out of the tin the middle, only a small bit, wasn't cooked so I had to throw it away, I popped a cake tester in the cake and it came out clean so didn't realise it wasn't completely cooked in the centre. The chocolate one is now decorated and looks and smells lovely, so we're all looking forward to a piece of that later. I did some piping on the top, something I haven't done for a while and then added the chocolate bits that Sandra picked when we went shopping this morning. Then sprinkled some icing sugar over the top, Sandra said it looked like snow. I was so disappointed with the second cake so Sandra gave me a hug, she's so kind and supportive she said it's the first time I've done a cake in my new oven and she knows I'll sort the problems out next time.

Going to have a COT and a sit down now, I've been on my feet all day and I'm tired. Sweet and Sour chicken with boiled rice for dinner tonight.......nice and easy.

Afternoon all,

Happy Birthday Frank enjoy your meal tonight ,you did well with all your cards and presents.

We have been out for our christmas lunch with my sister and BIL ,we're both so full up and won't want any thing else to eat today.

So you have one good cake to eat Gill , you'll soon get the feel of the new oven and i'am sure you'll enjoy the chocolate cake ,couldn't you have cut the middle out of the sponge and made a wreath cake ? little bit of icing drizzled over the top it would have looked nice .

Jane my sister had one of those tea lights go of with a bang it blew bits every where but they were lucky it was outside in the summer and nobody was near it ,they seem to think they let the tea light burn down to low .

Liz that's good that things are calmer now after your little talk lets hope peace reigns for a while and everyone can enjoy christmas .

Happy Christmas William i hope you both have a lovely christmas ,hope all goes well too with your son and he can be home with his family for christmas .

Well i think i will go and get the turkey crown out of the freezer it's quite a big one and i like to know it's thawed out properly .

Oh i meant to say i hope you can have the little girl Anne looking forward to seeing some photo's of her ,you must be getting so excited and will be counting the weeks i'm sure to her coming home to you .