General Chat

Good Evening All

I hope this post doesn't disappear as I'm not having much luck with this laptop at the moment.

Thank you Jane for sending on Ruby's photos, we are planning to visit Brighton on the 21st so will take some photos of her then. I had some Amazon vouchers for Christmas so have been buying her a few things including a small bed, cage, blankets and toys for small breeds. Not used to this as we always had Boxers, I do still miss Amy an awful lot and have been feeling a bit down these last few days.

Mel, Loved the photos taken with your new camera especially the one of the deer in the orchard..

Frank pleased to hear Ros has been reunited with her bracelet and you are now back home

Jane that was a large dent in your car hopefully that's the last mishap you have with it. The cattery sounds ideal for Thomas although he maybe won't agree as no mice to catch.

As I haven't been on here for a while I haven't got through all the posts yet. I only got back to normal yesterday Paul has now gone back to his own place and the girls back to school and college. Abbie had her first driving lesson this week and said it went well, when she passes her test she has a little Ford Ka to drive. she also has a new boy friend, Tom, a boy she met at college, so at least he is local

We have had another visitor come through the cat flap in the last two evenings this time a large black fluffy one, he is not as brazen as George as he goes out quickly when we go into the kitchen, George still pays us a visit but not as often as he did.

Gill I have pm'd you but I am putting this on here too.


Gill I have just told oh about your washing machine and he said have you checked the filter? because if there is something in there it won't drain so it won't spin.

Mel x

Yes i got some bargain christmas paper in our Morrisons Mel fifty pence a roll .
The littleones had one of those signs with the blackboards ,they use to take it in turns to write how many days it was before santa would come and each day son would draw some thing on the board to do with christmas like a cracker or a christmas pudding .

Evening All,

Well that's good news about Abbie Anne..........nothing like a new love interest to ease the heartache of an old one! Lucky girl if she has a car to motivate her to pass her test too. It seems things are looking up for her already this year. It won't be long before you see Ruby now.......have you been tempted to get anything for her yet? I know I would be looking at toys and collars etc!! :-) Thanks to Jane for passing on the pics of her.

Even upside down the cattery looks and sounds good Jane! Just one thing missing for Thomas.........his fresh mice!! :-) They can be viewed the right way up Mel and Jane hardly wants to take her camera everywhere with her as well when there's already a good one on her phone.......just right click on the photo, click 'save as' in the list, change the destination to where you want to save them eg 'Pictures' and just click on save' at the bottom and the pic will appear the right way up. It took me a while to work out how to do it, but it can be done. You must be well pleased with getting all those bargains today. Make sure you put them where you can find them again next Christmas.

That's good news about Fitz. Hopefully his foot will improve a lot more yet and it's lucky there wasn't worse damage done. Does he have any special exercises to do to help keep the muscles strong while the damaged nerve heals? I can imagine that repairing your car wing could cost more in man hours than a new wing. I think the paint hardening between coats takes time. You'll have to take over Chris's car while it's done!!

What bad luck the washer is playing up Gill and then the knob needing sticking back on and now your router playing up. At least the washer is under warranty! :-)

Yes the traps are doing really well Mandy. Maybe I should freeze the mice for Thomas to take on his hols! :-D lol. Does Max have any more classes to go to or has he graduated now?

Frank you will miss the shady spot under your Cherry tree. Is it because it's too big now that it has to go? Those are great names for your two lumberjacks! I like Kate Humble too but seem to have missed this Yellowstone series!!!!! I must have thought it was a repeat!!! Thank goodness for the iplayer though. I can watch it on there.

I met with some friends this morning and we had some nice home made Christmas cake and shortbread. I'll send a pic of her 2 kitties to you. They were both rescue cats.

Just had a call from Jan. While Conrad has been home since 16th December, They have had storms in San Pedro where he lives. The roof terrace got flooded and got through to his apartment. Everything and I mean everything has been flooded. His beds, cloths, T.V. Cooker etc have been ruined. He hasn't managed to save anything. You can't get Insurance as a non- resident. He has found other accommodation but he has no cloths. The week is a holiday is that area, so he can't replace anything as the shops re all closed. I have told Jan to tell him to get a flight home, and start again, but he has the business to run. What a wonderful NEW YEAR for him.

I'm off to bed now.It seems to have been a very long day.

I have no idea why my pics arrive upside down !.It seems to happen when I email the pics to myself from my phone and then forward them on. Next time I will send a pic from my phone,but it will have to be one person at a time as it is not so easy for me to send group pics. I will just do a tester pic tomorrow to you Mel from my phone.Let me know if if comes out the right way up :-)
I don't take my camera out with me as the phone is just handy should I see something to snap.I can't be doing with the camera and settings etc unless I know I am going somewhere to take some really good pics (like on holiday)

Just snuggling down now for a read on the Kindle .I reckon my bedside light will be off in just a few minutes :-D
Night Night x

Thanks Ann I have now saved them and I can see them the right way up.

Jane, I just read something that says if you hold your iphone horizontally with the 'HOME' button on the right when you take a photo it should be the right way up. It might be worth trying to see if it works on your phone?

The photos are easy enough to rotate if they come through the wrong way round so don't feel you need to send them separately to me Jane. I know what you mean about taking a camera! I use my kindle/phone for casual pictures as these are much easier to take around and use on the spur of the moment.
Foggy here this morning, and here's OH with an early (!!) cuppa.

Morning Liz and All, Evening Kim,

Foggy morning here. The lads are still working on the tree. Ever time I look out a bit more has been taken down.

I had a very iffy night last night. I dreamed such a lot, about so many things, some of which I can still remember this morning.

Ros has gone shopping with Martine. I don't think I will bother with the pub at lunchtime as the knee is giving me a lot of pain again. I tripped over the patio door threshold again yesterday, but didn't fall down.

Paddy has just told me that one of the BIG branches has fallen over the neighbours fence. He will go round to recover it later.

Wha's going on with you all today. ?? Shopping in the sales ??

I must get something to eat, and another cuppa. Then shower and shave, and get out of my joggers and T shirt.

See you all later.

Morning all,

Miserable old day here today.

The oil company rang me yesterday and said it was just a curtasy call and saw I was in the syndicate and wondered if I was ok for oil? I said I was thank you very much and put the phone down. Oh went outside and dipped the tank and came in and told me we had half a tank so we could have had some. I rang them back and told them I would have 500 litres if the price was right and they told me how much it would be and it would be delivered on the 17th January which is the Tuesday after next. I said that was fine as I was'nt in desperate need for it and did they know I have to have the small tanker and they said yes.

Guess what turned up this morning at 9.15am? Yep the oil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well they're not getting paid for it this month as I have enough to pay out.

Afternoon All,

What a shock and worry for Conrad Frank. Was his the only flat affected or were others flooded too? I've never thought about insurance for non residents, I wonder why they can't be covered. Didn't realise the shops closed for such a long time either. Where will he stay till it's dried out and the damaged goods are replaced? So many problems for him to sort.......what a headache!! :-S

That's sod's law them turning up early with your oil Mel!! At least they brought the small tanker.

OH has found 2 local matches to go to and I'm off to one of the bigger garden centres! Then I need to look out and copy the pattern I have for the felted bag for someone.

Dull and dreary here......another wintery day.

Afternoon all

Started off foggy here this morning then we had some light rain, it's now dry but dull with it.

I looks like someone has forgotten to put the number 1 in front of the 7. It's the 7th today not the 17th. At least you have your oil now, so that'll last you for a while I should think Mel.

OH has a migraine so is in bed at the moment. I've got a headache myself but not as bad as OH. I think it's stress, we have a few family problems at the moment and have had for months now with no end to it by the looks of it.........thinking of moving house to get away from it all, before we both end up really ill.

Just going to get something to eat. I'll catch up with the posts later.

Oh dear Gill, I thought your family problems were behind you when you decided to stay put. I hope you don't have to resort to moving again, and that things improve for you all.
I'm sure you can insure your personal possessions if you intermittently live abroad by tagging it onto your UK house insurance policy. (depends on the company I guess!) I know this is what my SIL and her hubby do each winter when they rent a house in Spain from Nov - March.
OH is busy connecting a light in the shower! He's been meaning to do it for ages, and today's the day!!!

Dark & Gloomy here again but so far no rain and not quite so cold.

Sorry to hear you have had more family problems Gill but I would seriously consider having to move as won't you just be taking the worry with you? You have been working so hard just lately on your house and garden to get them how you want them too.

Poor Conrad Frank, arriving back to find everything ruined and nothing to wear as you say ,not a good start to 2017.

I have quite a few things put by for Ruby now, I am taking one of the fleece blankets down to Brighton next week to leave for her so she will get the scent of her mum and brothers for when we bring her home, I know some breeders provide this but I am not sure if this will be the case. She will be a month old when we see her, I have just bought a " Boston Terriers for dummies" book which sounds as though I have made the right choice for me.

I am not going out today as I don't enjoy shopping unless it's a book shop or garden centre. Bracknell is going through a town centre regeneration at the moment
so it's in a bit of upheaval but will make a big difference when it's finished

Afternoon All
Dark and dreary day today .it looks like it could be getting foggy again now too.

Oh Frank,I am sorry to hear of the flood in Conrads apt.
:-(I do hope that he can manage somehow until the shops re open and he can get some new clothes.Is there no friend or work colleagues who he could maybe stay with for the meantime until things are sorted.As Liz says maybe he can claim on his insurance back home here. He must be devastated .

Gill,I hadn't realised things were so difficult for you both.Is moving the right thing to do?
Troubles can follow and you really don't want to have upticks if you really don't have to.You have both put so much work in to the house and garden too.Don't do anything rash and then regret it <3

Anne ,you will be well read on Boston Terriers by the time you collect little Ruby :-D :-D
I am sure you will get some good advice and tips.Good idea to to take a fleece /blanket when you visit.It will be something comforting for her with the smells she knows now,and hopefully will help her settle in easier once home with you.
I have a feeling Mandy did something like that with Max.

Mel ,fancy the oil turning up today !!!!!. As you say they can wait for their money now . At least you have a full tank now.

Well Matthew proposed to Kelsey yesterday in the most beautiful setting somewhere in S Africa.She looked soooooo happy :-D :-D

Some one is at the front door !

That's a good idea to take a blanket for Ruby Anne. If I were you, I would also rub it well against your arms and neck before you leave it with her. It's not something I've seen suggested anywhere, but dogs have such strong sense of smell, it would be good if she is used to your scent and remembers it when you take her home, as well as having the comfort of the scent of her litter mates and mum!

Gill I'm so sorry you have more worries, but agree with the others that it would be a shame to have to move so soon after doing so much work on your place. Moving itself is very stressful with all that's involved and you sound like you need a break. Maybe a few days away and a change of scene would help you to cope.

BIL has been here all afternoon and oh is still outside saying goodbye. They say us girls natter but I think BIL takes the biscuit on that account.

Poor Conrad I do feel for him. I hope he can get something sorted quickly and perhaps claim on his household insurance as someone suggested.

I have cleaned the big girls out this afternoon. They don't like it in the dark old house and I hav'nt had an egg for about 5 days till this afternoon when I got one! Poor Em next door only got half a dozen this morning. Her boys were showing me what they had for Christmas and shooting daddy with this crossbow thing which had foam ended bullets.

BIL showed us some lovely pictures he had taken and he took his name off of them so I may be able to send some when I get a moment. I don't seem to have any time to myself lately to do any of the things I want to do craft wise.

He also brought us 5 bottles of wine as he keeps getting them for cutting someones grass and he dos'nt really drink a whole bottle now just a glass or two and then the rest is wasted. He dos'nt cook to use it up and niether does she much.

Gill I think you should both think about this moving lark and just wait till things calm sown a bit. After all the work you have done on the garden and house as the others have said it would be a shame for you to move now and not be able to enjoy the garden this year.

Well I don't know whats going on out there but I think I will start to get dinner ready for the oven.

Evening all,

It's been a dull old day here very murky with a fine drizzle that you can just feel on your face .

Oh Frank poor Conrad he must have been so upset to walk into his apartment and find all that mess what a shock ,it's good he has found some where else to stay while he gets things sorted .
Perhaps he could look in to tagging an insurance onto his UK house insurance policy as Liz says .

Oh dear Gill i'm so sorry your having problems ,are you sure you really want to move ? you've done so much to make your home and garden just as you would like them it would be a shame not to see the garden looking nice in the summer after all your hard work .
Remember we're all here or you <3

That's a good idea to take a blanket with you Anne in case they don't have one , i was going to take one but they had blankets ready for when they came home ,Max still uses the blanket at night .

So she said YES then Jane thats lovely ,start looking for a hat !! :-D

We've had a nice roast chicken dinner tonight , now tomorrow we can have an easy meal with the rest of chicken .

Colin has given his van a good clean out today ,he is now thinking of having a few hours a week helping son , he's now getting bored i think ,it will seem very strange with him not being here ,i think Max will think it strange too as Colin's has always been here all the time since we've had Max .

That was nice Mel ,five free bottles of wine :-D

Thanks everyone for your support, we don't feel we have a choice but to move as things have got to bad now. Like OH said it's just bricks and mortar and as for the garden we only took the garage down and put up some fencing. All our plants are in pots so we can take them with us.

Poor Conrad Frank, not a good start to the New Year. It sounds like your friends are getting there with the Cherry tree, or have they finished now? Sorry to hear you've had a trip, good job you didn't fall, hope you're not in to much pain now. Sorry to hear about West Ham, that won't have made things better either. OH watched the match last night and knows you follow them, so told me the score today.

That's a good idea to take a blanket for mum's and brother's scent to go on, it'll make it easier for little Ruby to settle for you Anne. We didn't do that for our little Pixie and when she noticed herself in the mirror she cried, it almost broke my heart to hear her, she was only 9 weeks old, so I gave her a cuddle and made sure she didn't go near the mirror again. The book sounds a good idea.

How lovely Jane, Matthew proposing to Kelsey, I assume she said YES with you saying she was soooooo happy LOL. South Africa is a lovely place...well, from what I've seen of it on TV. I've never been abroad, with having a fear of flying and heights.

Is the light in the shower all connected now Liz?

That was nice of BIL to give you 5 bottles of wine Mel, I'm sure you and your OH will enjoy them and it saves them going to waste if BIL doesn't drink that much.

It does sound like Colin is getting bored like my OH if he's washing his van Mandy. My OH has got rid of a bit of mould around the windows and repainted the bit of walls either side of the windows. He can't wait to go back to work next week. His chest infection has gone, now he's finished his antibiotics. The sleep he had earlier helped his migraine and he's feeling much better now.