General Chat

Gill, I have every sympathy with you and your Family. Having been there, got the T shirt etc. Life is such a bitch. To see someone you love just wasting away, and you can do nothing about it. Please pass on my love and understanding to all involved xxx I know how hard it must me, but it is a blessing when the end finally comes.

As Ros is having one of her diet meals tonight, I thought I would do myself a Prawn Curry. She had bought two large bags of frozen prawns with their shells on. I got a dishful out to thaw, and have just stood and peeled them. They all were full of eggs. I have washed then in cold water and are ready for cooking later. I am going to do Egg Fried Rice with them in a Sweet and sour curry sauce. Bit adventurous for me, but I will no doubt manage. If it doesn't turn out right there is always "A CHEESE SARNIE" LOL LOL. Sorry Jane, I know how you hate sea food. I hope it doesn't put you off your meal tonight.

When putting the washing out, I noticed how the grass has grown in the back garden. If I hadn't been so shaken up I would have got the mower out. Lets hope it's dry tomorrow, then I will try to do it. The front lawn is cut on a lower setting, so that should last till the Spring.

No Idea what's on the Tele tonight, apart from her two soaps Emmerdale and Eastenders. If nothing worth watching, there is always my book. LOL LOL

Afternoon All
Its almost dark now . Lights on fire lit and curtains drawn.

Gill I am really sorry to hear that your Uncle is now so very ill and that your BIL's chemo doesn't appear to have had any effect on the size of his tumour. Things will be very stressful and upsetting for everyone right now :-(
I hope your sore throat soon clears up but am glad you are feeling much better.

Frank, I have a wash basket that has one side that sits nicely on the hip. One of those might be a good idea for you as you don't have to hold it in front of you and can see where you are going. I think I got it in Dunelm. Another thing I was thinking of was those Daylight lamps. They are good for lifting the mood in the winter months. I didn't know if you might have one. It could be something worth thinking of.

Mel I know just how you are with the dry mouth. What tablets are you taking that are making your mouth so dry? The ones I take for the Psorisis dry my lips out terribly and I am forever slathering Vaseline or Lipsalve on.

I have my appointment for physio on my back on the 13th Nov..I also had a letter with the result of the Xray on my back. It says the Xray mainly shows wear and tear of the Vertebrae spine and some of the joints in the vertebrae column . No evidence of inflammatory arthritis .

The fire needs a log and then I must get on and start something for dinner.

Afternoon All,

You have so many sad things happening just now Gill it's no wonder if you are a bit under the weather. Making sure you drink enough is a good idea, but I agree with Mel that you mustn't overdo it. I know myself that keeping busy keeps your mind occupied but you need plenty of rest and sleep too. You seem to be on top of putting the garden away for winter which is good. I had just the same trouble and couldn't load my tree either till yesterday. It always happens when you want to add something before you forget!

Frank that was lucky the laundry basket broke your fall. It might be worth considering whether it would be easier for you with a concrete slope rather than those steps? It can't be good for you when you fall and one of these days you may really hurt yourself. You could perhaps have a laundry basket with wheels then if it was easier for you. Ros has made a good start with her diet and losing some will help her continue with it. The questionnaire is a good idea as Jane says and I know when I had anxiety I had one to fill in. It will help them know what treatment will be best for you. It will have questions about sleeping I expect and it sounds like you need some help with that now. It would be good if there was something you could go to outside the home as you say. I go stir crazy if I don't go out somewhere for a couple of days! Age Concern here have all sorts of activities so it might be worth phoning them.

I've just about got used to the change in the hour now. The worst thing is working out tablet times. I like to change the times to the new ones over a couple of days and it takes some working out!

We went to see Abdul and Victoria yesterday and quite enjoyed it! Anything with Judi Dench in is usually good. OMG though, they had refurbed the foyer where you go in and I couldn't believe the din in there, you could go deaf working there! It was the same in the cinema itself with the adverts. I shall need my ears plugging next time we go. Some good films are coming up especially Murder on the Orient Express from the Agatha Christie book. It's another with Judi Dench and other famous people........ Johnny Depp is one.

OH has managed to break one of my glass birds that was on a high chest of drawers! Even he doesn't know how he managed it, just cut a corner too quick and banged into the drawers I think. Guess who has the job with the superglue! :-S

Had my hair trimmed this morning so felt the cold when I went outside after. I must remember to take a thin scarf next time.

We had one of those nice jacket pots today with cream cheese, celery and red grapes this time. It was delicious and I took a pic with my phone so will try to send it on.

Gill I am pleased you are feeling a bit better but I expect the news of your uncle and BIL has been a bit of a blow. Its such a cruel disease and so many people seem to be getting nowadays even youngsters. Oh puts it all down to aluminium sauspans and cooking pans and won't have any of them in use in this house.

Those jacket pots sound really nice Ann. What kind of cream cheese do they put on it please?

O Frank not another little trip. Its just as well you had the linen basket to break your fall so you did'nt get any injuries. You must take more care you silly boy. <3 <3

Jane I will pm you.

That's good your results showed no inflammatory arthritis Jane. Will you still need to see the Rheumatologist?

Mel, I was wondering what the cheese was myself as it was so smooth and creamy and not like any I have had before. I will ask them next time we go. :-) I remember getting rid of aluminium saucepans a while before I moved here so it must be about 20 years or more. There was some publicity at the time and it put me off using them.

I followed a car where someone was vaping the other day and had their window down. The fan dragged the vapour into my car and it was a really sickly smell of fruit boiled sweets. I don't think I would have wanted to keep breathing that in! I didn't realise there were all different flavours till I passed a shop that sold them with OH a few weeks ago. Our little garage on the corner rents a space that sells ecigs. I don't see so many people using them now though.

Good Morning All,

What a lovely morning once again, blue sky and sunshine with whispy white clouds hanging on the air.

Ann oh has the ecigs and some of them make me cough. He has Vanilla which is quite nice and other flavours such as coffee and liquoish and cherry etc. It will be nice to know what the cheese was Ann. I wonder if they will tell you?

I must put the washing on the line. Its been in the machine since the night before last as I forgot to hang it out yesterday. It may need another short sharp wash!

The battle has started in the orchard this morning between the Blackbirds and the Fieldfares. The minuet they arrived (Turdus pilaris) they started to fight about the apples. I would'nt mind but there is mounds of them and truely plenty for everyone. Even Di took some yesterday when she popped in. They make such a row but its good there is something else who will clear them all up out of the orchard. We did'nt have many last year so we will see how many arrive this year. The English common name Fieldfare dates back to at least the eleventh century. The Anglo-Saxon word Feldefare perhaps meant traveller through the fields. They come over hear to winter from Europe where they breed.

Anyone up to anything nice today? I am hoping to do some crafting today but have to have a tidy up first and a hoover.

Good Morning Mel and All, Evening Kim,

Woke this morning with my head full of cold, and hot and cold shakes. feeling absolutely horrible. Still in my winter dressing gown to stay warm.

My prawn curry was a complete disaster last night. I put far to much Soy Sauce in the rice, and the prawns were as tough as old boots. But I didn't turn to the Cheese Sarnie !!

Harvey rang last night with some bad news. Lewis had an accident Yesterday on the way to University . HE IS FINE, He was following a PORSCH into a roundabout when some IDIOT carved them up, forcing the Porsch to brake very hard. Lewis did likewise, and his ABS came into play. He hit the rear end on the car in front, while the other little BAS@@@D drove off. Thankfully Lewis is fine but the car has in excess of £500.00 of damage. As he has only been driving a year, he could (Harvey) only afford third party insurance. That was £157.00 per month. So the poor little bu@@er will have to start from scratch again. Harvey and his BIL is going to see three other cars today, so hopefully He will be back on the road soon. (his car is beyond economical repair.) We have offered to help him out with some money towards another car.

So all in all I have had a horrible 24 hours.

Ros has gone to the AGM of Stitchery Do this morning, then into town. She has her hair appointment at 3.00 pm, so I won't see much of her today.

I am pleased to see a rather heavy dew this morning, meaning the lawn is too wet to cut. Which is the last job I feel like doing. LOL LOL.

Ros has made a Leek pie for tonight, and she's peeled the potato's, so nothing for me to do, but feel sorry for myself ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

See you all later.

Poor Frank, home alone with no one to talk too and nothing to do. At least we know you won't be mowing the lawn with it being so wet so stay out of trouble and read your book and have 40 winks. Sorry your curry did'nt work out and the prawns were tough.
What a shock Lewis being involved in a nasty accident. At least he did'nt get hurt. Has'nt he got a dash cam? or the porsch and did the porsch driver talk to Lewis? Did either of them get his number?

Hoovered the kitchen and just had a coffee and toast to take my pills so now I am going to do some ironing and then get lunch.

Well it looks like it's trying to brighten up. Val next door has a line of washing out, so that could be a good indicator, but then again NOT. She's been known to hang her washing out in the rain. LOL LOL

I have been reading since Ros went out at 11.00 am. I was just going to close my eyes when the phone rang. Nobody there. We get these calls, I think it's just to check that someone is home, before selling on our number to one of the other companies.

I rang my friend in Kettering to let him know I haven't forgot about us meting up. But it will have to wait a bit longer.

I might, only might, check the lawn later, when Ros is home. As I think I had better have someone around in case I take a tumble.
Mel two years ago we had a flock of WAXWINGS in the garden. They stripped a bush of berries. The "twitchers" came from all over to get photo's of them. They stayed around the village for a few days. I understand they only come here when their native Country gets to rough for them. Very beautiful birds !!!

No sign of Ros, so I think I will get a sandwich, and a bowl of soup for lunch.

I opened the bedroom window wide today as the glass was a bit wet on the inside and thought it will smell nice when we go to bed tonight........... I have just been in there to change the solar lights from one windowsill in the back which faces south to the window in the west where they get the afternoon sun. I spotted some bird muck on the bottom of the bed wood. three lots which mark it as its oak. Came out to get some damp tissue and a dr bit so I could wash it off and found more on the dressing table and the chest of draws under the west window and some on the tall chest of draws on the left of the south facing window. Three lots on one three lots on the bed two lots on the low chest and two lots on the high chest. Dirty little bu**er and I bet I know who it was too, a robin...................................It must have been really frightened to do that lot but at least it gave him a good clear out!! :-|

What a job Mel, cleaning that lot up. That will teach you for opening the windows. LOL LOL, So you had a Spring clean in the autumn !!!

Dark old night here already, I sat with my book this afternoon and dropped off. Woke at 4.30 pm so I hope I sleep tonight. I had a good hour, and feel a lot better for it.

Finally I am here. I have been installing updates and it has taken forever :-S

Oh Frank,poor Lewis!!!. Thank goodness he wasn't injured although I bet he was really shaken up. I hope that he will soon be on the road again,but I imagine his insurance is going to be massive. Hope the toerag who caused the accident can be found.It is awful for him having his new car for such a short time and now it has gone :-(

Mel what a dirty birdy,pooping everywhere. They do manage to make a dreadful mess when they get trapped indoors. I had to put a dead little Gt Tit in the bin this morning. It was flat on its back on the patio. Still quite warm too. I think it had had an arguement with the window. I don't think it was Thomas as it didn't look as though it had been got.

I haven't got much done at all today as everything seems to be hurting. Especially my thumbs and wrists.Those horrible stabbing pains. I feel a bit cra* really so think I will be having an early night. Thomas was a pain from 4.30 onwards this morning.He kept miaowing and pawing at me.I tried to ignore him for as long as possible but by 5.30 I had had enough so out he went.

I got it wrong yesterday thinking Chris had gone to the NEC. He actually went to Cambridge. It is tomorrow he is going to the Art Fair . I have a hair appointment in the afternoon and am going have a fair bit chopped off.

Ann, I still have to see the Rheumatologist next July (hip).Now it will be for my back too :-S. I think the new 2 level car park is still being built at the hospital so Chris will take me on the 13th for the Physio as parking is such a problem . He can pick me up or I will just get a taxi home.

Chris got the ingredients for the Xmas cake today :-D, he also bought a tin of Quality St, 2 tubs of Twiglets(we only have them at Xmas) just for Hannah really, a box of Bendicks mint Chocs and a couple of other things .So they have all gone into the big plastic box in the garage.No-one will go poking around in there :-D

James is on his way home now so I had better get the oven on.

Evening All,

Not a bad day here as it was quite bright this afternoon and not cold to me although OH said he thought it chilly. He went off to a free seminar on Digital Tax this morning but it finished sooner than the advert said and the provided buffet never appeared so he took me out when he got home instead! He also managed to walk into a glass door on the way out and said he felt a right twerp. Afterwards we took my prescription in, dropped a parcel off at the post office and went to get some superglue from B&Q to mend the parrot. OH said it was a good job I was doing the mending or he could end up 'Half man and Half Parrot!!'. lol. On the way we saw a nasty accident that had only just happened, but goodness knows how. A small car was lying on it's side on the other side of the road with the roof facing us. I couldn't see properly for people standing around it, but the front end appeared raised up about a foot and the lady driver, who was moving and talking, but stuck, had her arm and head on the road through the driver's door window underneath, but the rest of her was in the car. Quite a few people were helping, but my fear being stuck would always be fire with a petrol car.

Jane I hope your aches/pains are a bit better now. Does warmth help at all? Your hospital parking sounds like ours. Sometimes, even when you find a space it can be a right trek to get to where you need to go.

What a mucky pup that bird was Mel! I expect it was frightened when it realised it wasn't sure how to get out again. It sounds like it's every bird for himself with your apples! Being the winner can be more important than how many apples there are I expect! The vanilla smell would be quite nice in the house. I used to have vanilla candles inside a few years ago.

Oh dear Frank, not a good day with the meal and then news of Lewis's accident. It's good he wasn't hurt and I expect the Porsche driver wasn't too chuffed either, but how annoying the other driver just sped off like that. It just proves how handy a webcam can be. It's a shame his insurance will most likely take a hike, but the main thing is that he is still in one piece. I hope one of the cars they are looking at turns out to be ok for him.

I meant to ask whether anyone else saw the prog about the anorexics the other night? I was quite surprised, after all you see in the press, that skinny model/ celeb images etc didn't seem to be the reason the girls they saw became ill. It didn't seem a very easy thing to treat or have lasting success for some either. Some exercise like mad to try and lose weight. One girl said she did 2,000 star jumps every day. :-S

Evening all

Thanks everyone for your well wishes, yes it has been a hard year in some ways this year and now my mum has told me she has to go in hospital for an operation to take her gall bladder out, I'm a bit concerned as she has heart and lung problems, the hospital seems to be rushing it through which has surprised her as well as me. I've done nothing but cry over the last couple of days. I think I've been holding it for so long that once I started crying I couldn't stop. I'm okay now so it must of done me some good.

OH noticed one of our big trees had been blown over in the strong wind we had the other day so late yesterday Sandra, OH and I moved it to a more sheltered spot, we had to be quick as it was getting dark, but when I looked at it today it looks okay so hopefully it won't die. We're just hoping we don't get strong wind again for a while so it can establish itself. Unfortunately because it was so heavy OH has hurt his back so hasn't been able to do much today. I run him a hot bath and he's had hot water bottles on his back most of today which has helped. Luckily he has strong painkillers which seem to be working.

I didn't sleep very well last night so now I'm absolutely shattered. I think an early night will be on the cards. I haven't caught up with the post properly yet. I'll catch up tomorrow when I'm less tired and can concentrate.

You poor thing Gill. Just when you think nothing else can happen it has. I think a good cry was what you needed to get some of it out of your system. You can only bottle things up and hold them in for so long. I think you have coped so well up to now, doing what you can to support everyone and help wherever you can. Just take care of yourselves, deal with one thing at a time as things crop up and try to keep calm. They wouldn't consider operating on your mum if they were very concerned. <3 <3 <3
An early night will help and I hope your OH's back is a bit better tomorrow.

Gill, I always say a cry is the best thing anyone can do. It does wonders :-D. Now you have let go and had a good bawl ,it is the best thing to just let it all go and have buckets of tears.I am sure your Mum will be fine.Her Op might be done with Keyhole surgery so not too invasive.

Ann sometimes warmth helps aches and pains but sometimes a nice pack of frozen peas feels good.
I thought the programme on Anorexia with Louis Theroux was just brilliant. My word the life that some of those ladies have is just almost impossible to get your head around. Great Documentory and Louis once again at his best .

Morning all

A bit of a damp day here today, it's not raining at the moment but has been during the night. We've just had about 4 squirrels in the garden eating the nuts we put down for Rosie, she only got a few, so once the nuts had all gone and the other squirrels we gave Rose a few more. She is the smallest of all of them and now we know why, she can't get a look in with them all around the food. She's quite nervous of some of them so stays out of the way, which means she isn't eating enough. We had some cheeky pigeons trying to take the nuts too, so quite a garden full this morning. Pity Sandra was still asleep, she would of loved to have seen them all.

Yes, Jane mum said it will be keyhole surgery, but with her health not being so good, heart and lung wise, I really worry about them putting her under the aesthetic. I'll be glad when it's all over and I know she's okay. I feel a bit better today after my good cry yesterday. OH's back is feeling a little better today so that's one less thing to worry about. He has a twisted spine from an accident he had as a child so having bad back and neck normally takes a while to ease off.
I hope all your ache and pains have eased now, there's nothing worse than sore wrists. Pleased to hear your don't have arthritis and it's just wear and tear in your back. Do you use a heat rub, my hubby sometimes uses it and he says it's brilliant?

It sounds like the Robin made a right mess in your bedroom Mel, what a sight that must of been and not very nice to have to clean up either.
How are you getting on with your crafting, what are making?

Have you managed to fix your glass bird Ann? I remember when super glue first came out and OH decided to use it to fix a handle onto a chest of draws as the screw wouldn't work anymore, well he managed to stick the handle to himself and I had to drive him to the hospital to have it removed. I did laugh though as I said to him, good job you weren't sorting out the toilet seat LOL :-D :-D :-D He wasn't amused. Your jacket potato sounds lovely, I bet you'll be back for more.

How are you feeling today Frank, hope you haven't caught a bad cold and it's gone soon, I think it's the time of year for them, now the weather has turned cold and wet. Sorry to hear about Simon's boat, has he had it re-painted yet? I don't suppose he was to pleased about it, even if he didn't show it.

I'm going to take another look at OH's tree today, I've been in contact with a 3rd cousin 1 time removed of his and she has kindly been helping me. I find working on the family tree helps take my mind of things for a while. Keeping busy always works for me.

Moning Gill and All,

we have yet another sunny morning and its as still as a mill pond ouit there with blue sky and very whispy white clouds that look like an artist brush lines.

May have to go into Holsworthy today as I could do with some chicken food and wood shavings. Now there are 11 of them in the house they make it quite mucky and some of them sleep in the nest boxes so I have to muck those out each morning or I get dirty eggs later in the day.

I had a record amout yesterday I had 8 eggs so one of the old ones must have layed yesterday. Probably not to be outdone by the new ones. There were about three or four with bald backs just above their tales which are now starting top feather up but one keeps getting pecked there and as her feathers come through in a little shield the others peck them out so she is taking longer to feather up. Another has quite a bald botty and they peck at that too.

I am on flower duty in the church this week and there's a wedding there so have to do the flowers today and tomorrow so I will have to have a drive up there and see what there is thats any good for this week or not. I nearly bought some in Morrisons on Tuesday but thought I would wait as I thought I was on duty after oh's birthday for some reason.

Hail fair Maidens, Evening Kim,

The cars Harvey and his BIL saw yesterday were ready for the scrap yard. Noisey gearbox, Radiator was empty, giving concerns that it was leaking. The other was just as bad. I have offered to contact my old Trade friends to see if I can find anything.

Harvey took Lewis to Uni at 6.00 am yesterday and a young woman who is at the same uni. bought him home. She starts much later in the morning than Lewis so not able to take him as well.

Ros had her hair done yesterday, and YES I did comment how nice it looked. A bit different to when she got up this morning SCARE CROW comes to mind !! ;-) ;-)

She's off to Stitchery Do this morning 9.45 till 3.00 pm. They are doing Christmas Decorations, so she will be making, and showing, the girls how to make Baubles She has packed a lunch of Salad and fruit, a right little banquet LOL LOL. I am pleased she is sticking to loosing weight. It just makes it difficult for me finding something for ME.

Had a good nights sleep last night. All bedded down by 10.30 and only got out once and slept till 7,00 am. Up showered and dressed by 8.00.

It's Choir practice tonight, so I have recorded her soaps, and I will pick out WHAT I WANT TO WATCH TONIGHT :-P :-P :-P

Very achy back and arms this morning, I think it was the jarring of my body yesterday when I missed the step.Plus the Arthritis seems to play up more in the damp weather.

We have thought about doing away with the steps, but it will mean the slop will be very steep and I think more difficult to get up and down. I will have to ask Harvey what he thinks.

I found a nice little Honda Jaz on eBay this morning, which I will pass on to Harvey to have a look at. The trouble is it's in Norwich. But from the description and Honda Full Service History it sounds just the ticket.

In the book I am reading. Someone mentioned when referring to someone "MY DUCK" That's a good old Cockney greeting to the opposite sex, that you don't hear these days.

Yes, I can honestly relate to "A GOOD CRY" I get very depressed at times and think of so many things from my passed. I will go down the garden and get it out of my system. I don't think anyone should be ashamed of letting your feelings get the better of you.

I heard on Local Radio this morning that "KINKY BOOTS" is coming to the local theatre next year. To think, from a book about the shoe trade, it has been on on tour as a stage show in Broadway, London, and other big world wide theatres. A film was made of it too. That will be one for you and Chris to see Jane !!!

Once again it's a nothing sort of day here. I am seriously considering getting the back lawn cut, as the weekend could be wet from what the forecasters are saying.

I see Trump is making a lot of threats, regarding the terrorists attack in New York. It appears you are not safe anywhere these days, those poor Argentineans who were killed on a celebration reunion after 30 years at University.

Speak again soon xxx

Have been down the garden to see if the potato's are coming through. Simon put them in so deep, but they are just showing. I hope they will be ready for Christmas, so I can take them to Paignton. The grass is soaking wet, so no lawn cutting today.

That Super Glue is so dangerous to use. The people you hear about that get stuck to things with it. My FIL stuck his arm of his glass's to his finger. I had to get a razor blade and release him. I am one to talk, I can't remember how many times I have been stuck to objects, anything from a broken ornament to a saucepan lid knob.

No breakfast this morning so I am going to get an early lunch and a coffee.

Val next door has just bought a book round that she thought I might like. Tony has 5 more by the same author, so if I like this one, there will be more to follow.

You are doing well with eggs now Mel, Don't eat to many, as you will get egg bound. Who remembers their Mum saying that to them ??? :-| :-| :-|