General Chat

You've done well with your Christmas cards Frank, I've only written two so will have to crack on with those soon. I received Anne's card on Saturday. I was wondering how she was with her not being on the thread for ages so I'm less worried now I know she's okay.

50p was a good price for the chain Ann and you got two as well, not bad for £1. Sandra and I have finished all our Christmas present wrapping now. I stayed out of the way while Sandra did mine and she stayed out of the living room while I did hers. I've got one more thing I want to buy for OH and Sandra wants to get her gran another present, so they'll be wrapped up as soon as we buy them.

OH asked his friend if he'd like to join us for Christmas day, but he's already made other arrangements with Ruth's family, they booked a table for Christmas dinner three months ago. OH is disappointed but relieved he's not going to be spending the day on his own. I've wrapped his Christmas present up today so that's ready for OH to give to him nearer the time.

Love the photo Jane, those cactus are massive. It sounds like Hannah had a great time away.

You asked for ideas for Ros for Christmas Frank. Have you thought of buying things for Ros's sewing....... cotton, material and the like, you could put it all in a lovely box that she could use to store some of her projects in. Also some vouchers for her favourite garden centre. She buys so many plants in the spring and summer so she could use them then. It would be something different and a bit unusual.

Or another thought, maybe you could gather all the family together and have a professional photo taken to hang on your wall. You could all dress up and you could also ask Simon and Sally to be in the photo too.

Just watching Children in Need Rocks the 80's, it's brilliant and bringing back lots of memories :-)

Morning all,

Dull and dreary with cloudy sky today. Maybe it will brighten up later on who knows.

Donkey Day and I have to do both shops today so I am hoping to get out early.

<3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAUREEN <3 <3 <3

The big 70 if you're looking in. xxx

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAUREEN" We never hear from you. WHY ??

Good morning Mel, and all, evening Kim,

Have a good "DONKEY" day Mel, have you made a list ??

The list on our kitchen unit seems to be getting l o n g e r. I think with her on this diet, she's eating more salads, and not so many nibbles, which is good. Martine rang to say she went to the slimming club last night and had lost 5 lbs So thats 7 lbs in total.

Thanks for the suggestions for Ros, Pam next door, when Denis's brother died a few weeks ago. bought in box's of materials, cottons, threads, needles. You name it see had it. Ros put everything she wanted in her collection, and took the rest to STITCHERY DO. The girls had everything that was left over. Denis's SIL was a big sewer, hence all the stuff. She died a few months ago.

What a nice little thing Denis and Pam have done. They have bought both his brothers and SIL caskets and had them entombed in the Local Church Yard, in Blisworth.

Well it sounds as though Hannah and co, had a nice few days away. Now she will have to get her head down till next time. All work and no play for a while. LOL
Sorry I didn't get your photo's perhaps you could try again, and if they don't come through, someone else can try. !! It was nice that the Donkey's were in good health. You see so many adverts on T.V. where they are in very poor condition.

Gill as least OH friend has somewhere to go for Christmas, it was very nice of you to offer. As for getting a family photo, I think that will be impossible, with Conrad and Jan in Spain or Devon, Harvey in Bedfordshire and Simon and Sally and us in Northants. I can't remember when Conrad and Harvey saw each other. It must be when Conrad lived in Easton Weston, Leics. 5 years ago. !!!

I found David's address in my book yesterday so sent him a card, also Will and Carmel.

Pleasant sort of morning, bit of sun, and light breeze. I have been to get the bins in, and it wasn't too cold either.

Ann, I will certainly give it some thought about having hand rails fitted in the shower. It might be something Harvey can fit, and I might be able to buy on line. Thanks.

We were very naughty last night.!!! OH NO WE WERN'T. !!! We sat and watched "ENDEAVOUR" which started at 10.00 pm I usually go to bed around 10.30/11.00 but sat through it till MIDNIGHT. Mind you I was soon asleep, and slept till 9.00 am and only got out once. So there might be something to learn from that. !!

Have just heard from Kim and Fiona, they both wish Maureen A HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Afternoon All,

Was just about to nip out but thought I would wish Maureen a..........

<3 <3HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY' in case she looks in. :-D :-D

Home alone, madam decided she needed to get some "special cards" for Conrad, Harvey Simon, and a couple of her friends. So went off to town about 12.00 pm No sign of her yet, so I expect she's looking around some shops.

As I was on my own I made TWO Sheep S@@t pies. Enough for me for 4/5 days. So I can have some of that with vegetables while she eats her slimming stuff. They have been cooked in the oven with nice cheese topping. I will cover one and put it in the freezer.

Turned into a horrible afternoon. All the lights and heating are on. I am settled down with a new book from Tony, he has 5 more by the same author. I am enjoying this one, so will ask him for the others. It will save me buying more from eBay.

I was looking for a Victorian drop to go on a chain for Ros for Christmas. She said she would like one. NO CHANCE. The cheapest on there is £575.00 and up to £1, 250.00 I love her, but not that much. LOL LOL. So back to th drawing board !!!

I see England are plying Brazil tonight in another friendly. I hope it's better than the Germany match. I will probably sit in the conservatory to watch it with a few beers. Can't be bad, can it ??

Hope you all have had a pleasant day, and enjoy your evening, what ever you might be doing ;-) ;-) ;-)

It's a pity you couldn't find a nice quieter hairdryer as a present for Ros Frank. I don't like the noise from the hairdresser ones. A subscription to a jewellery or quilting magazine might be welcome too. Martine seems to have got into her stride with the diet and has done well this last week. It might be an idea to have a handgrip within reach of the floor to help you get up if you fall and a higher shower stool would be a good idea too.........ask Santa to bring one!

Our window cleaner didn't turn up this morning, so I lay in bed to waiting for my shower for nothing. I just hope he doesn't turn up and be in the way on Thursday when the mattress is being delivered and the old one collected. The new mattress protectors turned up this morning so they are ready to put on now.

We went to the farm to order our christmas turkey this afternoon. I could see and hear them in their big huts. The ends are all open to the ground with mesh to let plenty of fresh air in and it gives them a room with a view outside. Peggy, the little Jack Russell was beside herself with excitement when she saw me but was a good girl and just hopped up and down on her back legs without jumping up me. The lady has 3 kittens to find homes for as a stray she took in has had kittens. I said 'don't show me them' and she laughed.

That's good that your OH's friend has a Christmas invitation Gill. I suppose his mind is all a whirl now with the funeral and things to be done. It's been fine here today so I hope you managed to sort your Red Robins out.

I was going to a talk at the hospital about Antibiotic Resistance shortly but just checked the website and it is cancelled so it's a good job I looked or I'd have looked a right Charlie!

Evening All

Frank,you didn't get last pics I sent either . I wonder why it is only you. You haven't changed your email address have you?

You are having the same trouble with pressies for Ros as Chris is for me. He keeps on for a list of ideas but all I can think of is my fav perfume. Talking of perfume I went and did a little Xmas shopping this afternoon ,bought a few things including a perfume for Hannah. After I paid for everything I thought it seemed much less than I was expecting. Got home and looked at the reciept to see that the Perfume wasn't on it !! I know the bar code was swiped and the security tag taken off,so it looks like it was free
:-D I am not going to feel guilty.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAUREEN <3 <3. I know you don't want to be 70 LOL.

FRank Maureen doesn't belong to GR anymore which is why we dont hear from her.


Ann you know you really would love a little Kitten :-D :-D. How did you manage to stop yourself seeing the little dears. My little Kitty Mr Thomas has just had his supper on the Patio :-| and come in to polish off the food in his dish. I think that is him in now for the night.

I wouldnt like to hear the Turkeys Ann.I would feel bad I was ordering one of them :-(. To see them would be worse.

I need to go upstairs and get my phone which has been plugged in updating . I want to see if James has messaged to say he is on the way so I can put his dinner in.

Had a lovely surprise just now.(Chris is not good at keeping secrets sometimes) . When we go to London near the end of January for Hannahs graduation he has booked tickets for us to go and see KINKY BOOTS at the Adephi Theatre :-D :-D
Frank I know you mentioned it coming to Northampton and i was going to tell Chris. But he has beaten me to it. :-D :-D.

Gill I rocked too with the 80's music last night for Children in Need :-D :-D.. I thoroughly enjoyed it. James could hear me from his bedroom LOL .. My favourites Erasure were good to see (even though that 'AGE' thing is showing now) Andy Bell is not the young slim thing with his bottom cheeks on show in the back of his leather trousers as he was on stage back in the late 80s. It was a great programme of great music memories for me.

<3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAUREEN <3 <3 <3

Will read the posts later

I was late back today as I went to Lidl and Morrisons and there were traffic lights everywhere with the men cutting the hedges and doing the roads. Oh was cross when I got in cos it was dark. He had corned the chickens but won't open the bantams door incase they come out so they have gone to bed with no corn in their tummies. I shall make up for it tomorrow and give them corn instead of pellets.

I got a couple more bits for oh for Christmas but Lidl had mostly toys and childrens clothesand the bits of tools they had I had already bought for oh.

You lot are having trouble finding your oh's presents and so am I. Like Frank said they have most of the things they want. I was going to buy oh some more jogging bottoms which he wears around the house and garden but last week he bought himself a load of pairs online.

My favorite shoe shop in Bideford has closed down so I shall have to go to Atlantic village and have a look for a new pair now. I still have my nice boots oh bought me a couple of years ago which I hav'nt worn much and my black shoes I bought with them which I always wear when I go out. I need new wellies for Christmas as the ones mum bought me years ago are going to the dogs but they don't leak so thats a plus. I only wear a certain kind and they are expensive so I am hoping oh will buy me those.

Evening all,

<3 Happy Birthday Maureen <3 if your looking in i hope you've enjoyed your special birthday .

It's been a cold dull day here but it has stayed dry .

Jane those cacti were a size weren't they ,you couldn't have one of them in a pot on the window sill LOL
Have you felt any thing after yesterdays exercises with the physio ?
So you got a bargain with the purfume ,was it at boots ? they do the buy three and get the cheapest thing free some times ,was it that ?

You got a bargain with the chains at fifty pence each Ann , it's nice to think they will be recycled and made into some thing else .
I loved your comment about the Wii telling porkies LOL
Any luck finding the stick in the wardrobe ?

Frank new hand rails in the shower sound a good idea , i think i would be worried having to hang onto those suction ones to get up, you need one of those shower stools with the legs that you can adjust up and down ,then you can have it at the right height for you .

Mel I know Atlantique Village near Northam !! Took Mum there to buy her shoes :-D what a pity the shop in Bideford has closed.

Mandy it was TKMax with the perfume ,and yes I can feel the effect from those exercises yesterday
:-S. Been hobbling around like an old crock today. I supose the more I do them the less painful I will be......heres hoping :-D.. I have to admit I haven't done them today :-S
Tomorrow I will do them.

I see Peaky Blinders is starting again tomorrow :-D. Does anyone else watch?
Those Cactus Plants were massive weren't they Mandy. No I don't think a windowsill would be the best place for one of those :-D :-D.Very prickly too LOL

Up early tomorrow . Man coming to sort the stuck handle on the window in our en suite. The window is jammed open on a latch so we can't shut or open it further. The toilet is right under the window and the seat is freezing to sit on :-S :-S . So any length of time needed to be seated is not on . Have to go to the main Bathroom :-D Thank goodness we have a warmer loo seat to sit on :-D :-D Bliss :-D

I was very tempted to see the kittens Jane, but maybe it was lucky there was 'no time' as OH was sitting with the engine running outside, ready to go to his meeting. It is sad to know the Turkeys will be killed for Christmas, but good to know they were well cared for. Mum and dad kept chickens and turkeys for us to eat, but I did draw the line at Clara, who I pampered after a rat bit and lamed her as a chick. Mind you when we drive past the farm it doesn't help when OH keeps saying 'I bet they are looking forward to Christmas'. :-S

That was a nice surprise to find Chris had booked to see Kinky Boots Jane. It's supposed to be very uplifting......ideal for after Christmas. A bonus too getting the perfume for free. I keep thinking I should try some different perfumes, but then stick with my two favourites.

Mandy, I think I preferred the Wii telling porkies..... :-D Still no stick, but I keep thinking of places to look. The adjustable stool sounds ideal for Frank. We want to keep him safe. :-)

What a shame you couldn't get all the family together for a photo Frank, I'm sure Ros would of like that and you too. It sounds like she has plenty of sewing stuff then. I can see how difficult it is to buy for her.

You could still get her the garden vouchers and maybe a spa day, does she like spa days? The subscription to a magazine Ann mentioned is a good idea.

Yes Jane I really enjoyed the Rock 80's. I thought it was so funny when they gave those children an LP and a Video tape then left them to it to work out what they were and how to use them and the way that little girl thought Top of the Pops was a programme on Space because of the flying LP's in the opening credits. OH and I were almost in tears with laughter.

So you've ordered your Turkey Ann. I don't think I'd of like to have seen them knowing I was going to eat one for my Christmas dinner.

Poor OH hasn't got a virus after all, he's been so poorly today that he went to see the doctor who told him he's got a chest infection. He has to go for a chest X-Ray tomorrow morning.

We re-potted the Red Robin's this morning then went to my mum's to finish off her garden and after an hour at mum's OH almost collapsed. He didn't tell me he was feeling so bad, so we stopped and came home. I rang the doctor and the receptionist said to go in straight away. When OH told the doctor that he'd been to the out of hours surgery and saw a nurse who said it wasn't an infection, the doctor was not impressed and said she should of picked up that his chest was bad. He's now on Antibiotics and Steroid tablets, he's also got some drops for his eye as he woke this morning with it all swollen and red.

I was quite worried about him as he's not the type to go to the doctors, it's normally me asking him to go when I know he needs to. He was hoping to see his brother some time this week but can't now as he said if he passes anything on to him, with him having cancer, it could be fatal, so he's not a happy bunny at the moment.

Well, I'd better go and check the dryer, I changed the beds this afternoon and did loads of washing so I'm slowly getting through it all.

Morning all,

What a horrid day it is out there this morning. Dull wet and miserable with that fine rain and no wind.

Don't you just hate it when a nurse gives you wrong info which you take as true and then you feel worse. He should have seen the doc as soon as he could. These men of ours don't realalise they are getting older and things don't work as well as when they were younger. I am always telling oh this. He still thinks he is a spring chicken sometime I think but I have to remind him these things come with age!!

I have a sore between the toe this morning if you understand what I mean. I had a pair of sock on yesterday with lots of flowers on them and bits on the inside and I think some of the wool got between my toes and has made it sore where it has rubbed as I walked about yesterday. Its my bad foot on the right, the one where the big toe dos'nt bend. I also think that may be moving over which is'nt helping. I walk a bit on the side of that foot as the toe dos'nt move.

Frank I will try to forward Jane's pics on to you but as you know your not always getting my emails either.

Morning Mel, morning all

Damp day here too Mel, but no rain at the moment.

Sorry to hear about your toe. Hope it feels better soon.

OH has been to the hospital for his chest X-Ray and will get the results soon. He started his antibiotics last night and also took 6 steroids and he said he's starting to feel much better already. He finally managed a decent nights sleep last night, the first one is ages, which meant I finally got a good night sleep too :-) :-)

Have you had your window fixed yet Jane. You can't be having a cold toilet seat ;-) ;-) Sometimes I come out of the toilet and Sandra will say I needed to go (she hadn't told me before I went in) I'll say to her I've warmed the seat up for you, she laughs when I say that and has started to say it back to me if she goes to the loo before me :-D

Good morning fair maidens and to our Kim,

Horrible morning here also. Very foggy when I got up at 5.00 am YES FIVE am. I had a very restless night, and woke around 4,30. Could not settle down so got up. I have drunk so much tea I am almost floating. !!!

Sorry to hear your OH isn't well Gill. I suppose all this worry won't help. When you are feeling low, is the time these things get to you. Wish him well from me.

Ros got home about 5.15 yesterday. She had been looking (buying) around the shops. This morning she said she had left one bag in the car until I went to bed, as there were things that weren't for my eyes !!! She also said she had bought my present to her, on QVC last night a pair of UGG boots.So it looks like all I have to do now is buy her a card.

I have felt so cold this morning even with the heating on, so I have put on a big Jumper. My mouth feels like the bottom of a "Parrots cage' even after using mouth wash. So I hope i'm not going down with anything.

I found some very old photo's of my family on my "OLD PC" that Conrad had transferred to this laptop. I sent some to Simon as I didn't think he would have seen them. One was of my DAD having lunch with the old KING. Another of MUM AND DAD with JIM,JACK, CLARA and a brother who's name I can't bring to mind, who died age SEVEN. There are so many likenesses between him and my eldest brother JIM. He eMailed me to say thanks, and how great they were. !!!

I have spoken with my sister this morning. Her son Paul had just bought her back from a stroll to the shops in her wheelchair. She has to go to hospital next week to have a camera up her bottom, as there appears there is something wrong with her. She never seems to have much luck. Poor thing.!!!

Ann I bought Ros a new hairdryer that was suppose to be quiet, It turned out to be noisier than the one she had. LOL.
So you have ordered your Turkey then. Jan will order ours from where we got it for the passed few years. Always a lovely flavour. It's a farm out in the sticks, that has a wonderful garden centre as well. It's usually my treat together with any other meats, sausages, bacon and dripping that we need over the holiday period. That's not very nice of your OH to say that about the turkey's, but I had to smile. !!! Dad always fattened a COCKEREL in a big box outside the back door. It use to get fed all the table waste, and could hardly move by the time was right to kill him. !!! No such luxury as Turkey.

Jane that was a nice little touch getting the perfume free. I wouldn't feel guilty either. LOL

I have had no breakfast again this morning so I am going to get something to eat now. Call it an early lunch. !!!

Frank did my email reach you then?

I will try again with the picture of your dad that I enhanced.

Rain stopped here so I have been outside with oh making these frames. The polythene arrived and so did my new Christmas tree I order on Monday. I decided that oh was'nt going to stuggle with our real one we have in a huge pot anymore. As we are both getting older I bought an artifial one with white lights on it. It looks quite real and it should do as it cost me £159 and that was a sale price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FRANK I have sent the pic in reply to your email.

I have also sent the thing I have been making so have a look and see if you have recieved them plase and let me know. Thanks.