General Chat

Happy Christmas to one and all.
Sorry I haven't got around to getting the childrens photos together yet to email out, there just seems to have been a lot to do.
On the plus front, you'll be pleased to know that my son is now out of hospital and back with his family for Christmas - just as it should be.

Enjoy your day, we are going to join the family later on for dinner and to enjoy our great grandchildren..

Strangely enough, it is usually the thin & scraggy turkeys that survive having a Christmas Day walk-on part in the centre of the roasting tray. The one nominated for the special meal could run around the garden faster than Usain Bolt.

Everything seemed to go faster even in those pre-kindle days. We need to invent ways for us slow-coaches to keep up. Anyway, some human guile had to be used to net the poor victim in the back garden but, as it was said, his name was linked with the roasting pot that year & that was that.

The story of the turkey's demise would be accurate. Very tasty he was too plus loads of cold turkey sandwiches for days thereafter! Nothing was ever wasted in a house of ravenous teenagers.

Afternoon All,

I'm ready for a nice relax now and OH has had to go and have a lie down after a huge lunch and a few glasses of wine!! lol. Lunch was ready just in time for the Queen's speech and the Turkey etc all turned out very well, but I thought the gravy was a bit too peppery for me. I add bits to the gravy, a smidgeon of tomato paste, garlic paste. ginger, that sort of thing.........then it dawned on me I had bought some Chilli paste in the summer in a tube that looks like the tomato paste!!!! We had to laugh at having a Chilli Christmas lunch, but OH didn't mind as there wasn't much in it and he likes curries etc, but I was soon too hot and fetching a glass of water!! :-) lol.

OH got me a lovely surprise book, just up my street, about the horse's journey through human history. He also got me a book about Battersea and one about Watercolour painting which I want to try out. I'm hoping my main present (new camera) will be reduced in the sales so I've yet to get that.

Glad your son is home and out of hospital Will. Enjoy your day with the little ones......they will be so excited!

I'd better go and find the board for one of my new jigsaws now. I wonder how Jane will find her new rollup one. I made the beaded spider kit up the teacher gave us and have hung it on the Christmas tree.

Evening all,

Hope everyone has had a lovely day ,it was very hectic here first thing with all the little ones opening their presents ,we had to put Max in his crate while they opened them ,you should have seen him open his present ,the paper was all chewed up ,he was more interested in chewing up the paper than what was inside it LOL

We're both so full we don't want any thing else to eat tonight ,the turkey crown was very nice and there is over half left which we will have cold tomorrow with other cold meats when the family comes again .

Oh Ann it's easy done when the tubes look very much alike , you had some nice presents , i had some nice things too ,a lovely scarf with butterflies on , a Mary Berry cookery book and other bits from Son and family ,lots of smellies and chocolates and a Jigsaw .
I bought Lacey a pair of boots which were too small and DIL's new top i bought had a mark on the sleeve so that will have to go back .
We bought Jake a Microscope so we have all been looking at grains of salt ,sugar , hairs and all sorts of things under that .
The girls had Kolidescopes so we've been looking at all the pretty patterns in those ,they also had beading boxes and books so we've had a read too.
I don't think we will be late to bed tonight we feel worn out .
Enjoy the rest of the day everyone .

Lovely presents all round then. I had a new camera Ann, its a Canon one this time and its going to take a bit of getting used to as its all singing all dancing. Oh also bought me a new Wi Fi scanner, printer and copyer, a wireless one. Many boxes of my favorite Ferrero Rocher and I have started on one already. 15 coloured ink pads and some see through holders for the stamps. A gorillapod tripod for the camera that you can bend round things to hold the camera where you want it and a solar panelled light for my shed. I still have presents to open tomorrow.

Oh has gone off to bed so I am now ging to watch Call the Midwife and something else I missed. O he also bought me both the Poldark series to watch on the firestick so I can watch them all again when I want.

Mum liked a Kalidescope and one year I bought her one. Not sure where it is now. I can remember having those as a child and loving to watch the colours change into patterns. I would lie in bed with mine pointing it to the window. The one thing I hav'nt had this year is a book but maybe there will be one tomorrow??

Oh was pleased with his magnifier and glasses replacing the ones I trod on!! and his beard and hair trimer clippers thing I bought him and the tool. A nice BIG set of new spanners, digital calipers andliquid cherry brandy chocs.

William and Carmel will really enjoy the gt grandchildren.

Sounds like you have all had a busy day and enjoyed it.

Morning all on the feast of Stephen,

Brighter here at the mo with some sunshine hanging low in the sky.

Oh has been playing with my camera and I have pics of the deer on it but they arn't very good. A couple are ok where you can see her markings down her back and a head shot with all her ears outlined in black. When I have learnt how to down load them I will send some. I took a short video of around the untidy kitchen and with the telly on so there is sound with it.

Just having a cuppa and then I must get on.

Morning all

Very cold here today with a little rain every now and then.

Morning Mel, looking forward to seeing your pics when you have worked everything out.

The book sounds brilliant Ann, the one with the horses, that'll be an interesting read and a new camera to look forward to in the New Year too. So you had a chilly Christmas and not the snowy kind LOL. Good job you only put a small amount in.

I used to have a kaleidoscope Mandy, when I was a child, they're great fun aren't they? I had to smile when you mentioned Max being more interested in the wrapping than the presents, our cats used to be the same. It sounds like you all had a lovely day.

Pleased to hear your son is out of hospital Will. How nice for you to see your great grandchildren, I bet you had a lovely time with them.

We had a lovely Christmas day, mum came round in the morning so we could all open our presents together then we had our lunch. I'm so glad I got my new cooker as I don't think I'd of got everything in my last one. The shelves on the old one only had two set places to put them, whereas my new one has lots of places to put the shelves so I could put them exactly where they were needed. OH said it was the best turkey we've ever had, I agreed, it was lovely.

Sandra got a video camera off us but it only works on batteries. I'd bought lots for her but unfortunately they were the AA ones and the camera needed AAA. Luckily one of mum's presents had three AAA batteries in it, just the right amount Sandra needed so she gave her those. I kept saying to Sandra to switch the camera off when she wasn't using it to save the batteries as we only had those, she was to excited and didn't really listen so by the time her dad has worked out how it worked she only got my mum acting daft for about 2 minutes then the batteries ran out. She was quite disappointed bless her, so OH has just nipped out to buy some more batteries so she can use her camcorder today and of course we can give mum some batteries to replace the ones she gave Sandra.

I've woken up this morning feeling rotten. I started last night with a sore throat and my ears were sore and burning and today my throat is really bad and I've got the shivers, I'm going to take a Beechams and see if that helps, I'm tired too so I might have a bit of a sleep later.....that can't do me any harm.

Hope everyone else is okay and had a great day yesterday.

Morning to you all, Evening Kim,

Blueish sky's here and sunshine, I will go for a walk later, before the "FAMILY" all turn up for the day.

We had a great day yesterday, Jan and Conrad worked so hard. We had smoked Salmon for breakfast with Bucks Fizz.Dinner was about 3.30 pm we sat at the table talking until after 5.30 , then settled into the armchairs for the rest of the evening. T.V. was on, but a load of rubbish to watch. What has happened to good old family fun and games.

Jo and Kerry decided to to home at about 8.00 pm to get Alexander bathed and put to bed. JJ also needed a bath as he had been in the garden in the rain, and smelt all doggy.

Everyone was very happy with the presents, our car will think there is something wrong when we go home LIGHTER. ;-) ;-)

Have tried Skyping Lewis, but it keeps ringing. I bet he is still in bed !!!

Hope you all have a pleasant day, whatever you might be doing, apart from eating and drinking. <3 <3 <3

Morning All
On a lovely bright and sunny Boxing Day. I thought as I have the house to myself for a little while I would pop in here and say hello.
Chris and hannah have gone for a walk.
I see everyone had a lovely day yesterday and had lots of great presents too :-D.
I have had to cook my turkey this morning instead of tomorrow as I just noticed it said 'use by' today.I don't mind though as it will make cooking everything else easier tomorrow and I can just reheat the Turkey.

Oh dear Gill I am sorry you are feeling really rough today.At least you managed to enjoy yesterday . I can just visualise Sandra and her video recorder :-D.She is really going to enjoy that present.What luck your Mum had the right batteries yesterday!!

Will I am so pleased to hear that your Son was well enough to be home in time for Christmas with his family.(what a relief for you all).

Ann,the puzzle roll mat is brilliant.It really holds the bits in place ..Trouble was that Hannah spilled a glass of her Champers with her home made corial in all over it. :-S
It reeks of booze now. The carpet too :-S :-S.. Sticky as well as stinky. :-| :-|

It was an odd day really ,as we have never not had Christmas dinner on Christmas day before.But my Brunch dish went down a real treat and was a huge success.

We played Cluedo in the afternoon. Hannah had found the old box that we had had tucked away in some drawer.I didn't even know we still had the game. So that was good fun.We had to reread the rules as it has been so long since we last played. We had crackers with lunch so wore our paper hats :-)..I have more crackers for tomorrow.

Oh poor Max having to be put in his crate LOL . I bet he was just getting too excited with all the children and all the unwrapping of the presents. Thomas spent time sitting in a cardboard box looking a bit bemused by everything :-D.. Then last night he thought he would start investigating the Xmas tree again
:-|.. Got a good ticking off and he then slunk back to his bed. :-D

I must forward a funny pic of Thomas.. He was just sat normally but Hannah has 'added' embelishments LOL I don't know how it is done. Something to do with Technology !!!!!! Way beyond my capability and understanding .

They are back from the walk. BUFFET lunch coming up.

The photo of Thomas has just come through Jane and boy did it make me laugh. Hannah is very clever I wouldn't have a clue how to do that either, but it looks so realistic doesn't it? I would never of guessed it had been done the way you said, I thought you had taken a pic after putting the hat and glasses on him. :-D :-D ;-)
Good idea to cook the Turkey today, it'll save you some time tomorrow as well. We've got quite a bit of Turkey left over so I'm going to make a sweet and sour dish with the left overs later. I'm still feeling rough so we've decided not to go to MIL's today as I wouldn't want to pass it on to her. We'll go and see her when I'm better. Hope OH isn't coming down with the same thing as he said he had a sore throat. Sandra is okay so that's good.

We're just settling down to watch a Christmas movie together. OH had to go to the hospital again to have his dressing done. He see's the surgeon on Thursday and from what the nurse was saying today, it's started healing again so he should be able to go back to work soon, that'll please him as he's climbing the walls with boredom now. He's been off work since the end of last month.

Well, I'd better go they are waiting to watch the film.

O I just love the pic of Thomas in his glasses and top hat etc.

Suns still out here and its been dry all day so far. Bet its about the same as the weather Frank has today.

Been opening more presents and I have a nice lot of sweeties to put more weight on me. A nice shopping bag from Di With a rabbits on it and the moon behind it.

Gill you'll have to see if you can get her AAA batteries rechargable and a charger and then she will be able to use it everyday if she wishes if you charge them overnight.

We have already gonre through one of those tins of chocs :-S :-S :-S.. I am sure there are less in them this year :-D

I loved that pic of Thomas too :-D :-D...

More pressies Mel !!!!!.You have been spoiled rotten this year :-D

Gill ,sorry you still feel rough, hopefully by tomorrow you may feel a bit better. It does sound as though OH's back is almost healed now .It has been a long time for him to have been off work so I am sure he is ready and waiting now to get the all clear .

We have a totally clear sky .They say it is going to be a really cold night tonight -3- 6 !!
Brrrrrrrr!!!!

Disaster day here today.Ros got up this morning to find two of her bracelets were missing. The diamond one that I had a BARGAIN on last year and a Black Diamond one she made herself. She has sorted through THREE bags of wrapping paper rubbish and FOUND the Black Diamond one but not the one that is valued at £3,000.00. Both her and Jan have searched the house down stairs, but with no luck so far. We will continue to search while we are here, as Ros hasn't been out of the house.

I went for my walk this lunchtime around the harbour and watched the tide come in. I stopped at a pub for a pint on my way home.

We have had a nice buffet lunch, and they they all gone for a walk, apart from Ros and I. Peace at last.

I forgot to mention that Jan is so house proud that last night at 8.30 pm (CHRISTMAS DAY) she decided to hoover through the whole downstairs. In all my life I have never seen anybody do that. !!!! I can't see me enjoying my stay, as overtime you leave anything around. SHE MOVES IT. I am shut away in my little BOLT HOLE.

I hope you are enjoying your BOXING DAY.

Afternoon all,

Its been a nice sunny day here ,we had to pull the blinds down at lunch time it was so bright through the windows while we were eating.
Family gone home now so it's all peace and quite here now ,Max and Colin are dozing ,poor Max gets worn out while the children are here he gets so excited.

Jane i love the photo of Thomas :-D the little ones can do photos like that on their tablets , they point their tablets at you and get you on the screen and then they add all sorts of bits on the photo .
I love Cluedo the little ones are not quite old enough to play that yet , they had the Pie Face game and sat lunch time playing that but my goodness the cream goes every where not just on your face !!

Hopefully you'll both be able to shake off the sore throat before it gets to bad Gill , just keep dosing yourself up , someone said at least you managed to enjoy christmas day .
I think the rechargeable batteries would be a good idea for Sandra's video camera ,she could have one lot in the camera and another lot on charge and that way she
would never run out of batteries.

Oh dear Frank i hope the bracelet turns up , did she wear a long sleeve top ? It might have got caught up in the sleeve when she took it off .

Afternoon All,

I went to the retail park at Grantham first thing and was there before they opened but only found one parking space left with nothing at the side that was close to the store. Not a lot doing there but I got a few things and paid for them early on. Later I found a top I liked, but once I saw the double queue I decided I didn't want it that badly and put it back. It was a lovely drive through Rutland in the sunshine and I saw a few people out jogging! :-0 When I got back our neighbour opposite who is moving if he sells his bungalow was washing his car. OH has gone to a match so I have some quiet time for a while.

I had one of those bendy things for Christmas for my camera a few years ago Mel. Mine is grey and the very small one you can stick in your pocket. I find the scanner on our printer really useful. I scan all sorts to save storing so much paper but its great to scan and store your old photos. :-) I can see you are going to be busy!! My camera is a later version of the one I have as I like the easy point and shoot ones.

Oh Mandy I bet Max was so thrilled with the tearing paper 'game' he was beside himself! Good idea to crate him for a while to calm down and let the children open their presents in peace!! lol I 'm sure I would like your butterfly scarf, it sounds nice and your other presents do too. I would have enjoyed looking through Jake's microscope..........I remember my best friend's brother getting one one Christmas and him showing us the mites in some veined cheese!!! :-0 There's an idea for Jake!! lol :-D. I loved my Kaleidoscope I had, every turn was a new pattern and fascinating to see. I bet the girls kept going back to theirs.

Thanks for that about the jigsaw mat Jane. I hope you can get the spilt drink out. Is this year's jigsaw easier than last year's do you think? I remember we both had quite hard ones last year. Mine's a snowy Thomas Kincaid one this time. The brunch sounded a tasty alternative and easier than a roast. I bet Thomas will be wondering where all the people have come from tomorrow.

Sorry to hear you are feeling rotten Gill. Rest up while you can. I found that a sip of lemon and honey was good for my throat, especially at night. It was lucky your mum had some batteries for Sandra, but it sounds like some rechargeable ones would be a good idea!! I bet Rosie will become a 'film star'!

Frank it sounds like Jan and Conrad had a busy day! Those victorian fireplaces do look a treat when they are decorated for Christmas with lights added. Mum had 3 of those big old fireplaces in her house, but never really made the most of them. How is your knee now? Hopefully the swelling has gone down a bit.

Frank was Roso wearing the braclet before she found it was missing? As someone said it may be caught in a sleeve or a pocket or slipped down the side of a chair. It must be a heavy thing so amybe it has dropped behind something?? Gosh I hope you find it but as you say she has'nt left the house it must be there somewhere. Has she put tins away in a draw? Got some clothes out of the case? Popped it in her handbag for safety and forgotten?? Used another bag?

Sorry to hear Ros has mis placed her bracelet Frank, hope she manages to find it. At least she didn't go out in it so it should be somewhere in the house.

I like the photo you sent Mel, you do have a lot of fish don't you?

It sounds like you had a problem parking Ann like we did the other day and we went out early too. I love Thomas Kincaid and have a few of his puzzles, including a snow one.

I do have some rechargeable batteries but they are the bigger AA ones, so I'll have to buy some AAA ones for Sandra. Good idea to have six then she'll have three on charge while the other three are in her camcorder.

I managed to get a little sleep earlier and feel a bit better for it, I'm also less shivery which is good. Still have my sore throat and ear ache so I'm dosing myself up in the hope I feel better tomorrow.

wishing you all a happy healthy new year

And to you David. Did you have a nice Christmas Day?