General Chat

The Vax is great. But we had to take the brush out to clear it of all my hair it picked up :-S My hair has been coming out due to meds for the Psoriasis but I was shocked to see how much was picked up :-0 I'm not bald :-D
So it recharging again now.It is so easy to use. I will never use our big heavy Dyson again.That will be for emergencies.

James left a couple of hours ago and reckoned it would be a good 3 hour journey.
So it is just us two now until tomorrow when Hannah arrives. There always seems to be one in and one out.I am hoping we may all be able to have a meal together on Sunday Evening. Chinese for us tonight all being well and I can get through on the phone.Just in case there is a problem again it will be Ham Egg and Chips :-)

I sent the pics to all you girls of the fascinators.

Ros has just popped to HOBBY CRAFT to get a pattern for a BOBBLE HAT. She is going to knit Simon and Sally one each, for when they go on the boat in the winter, which I know they do.

I hope you get on alright with your new VAX Jane. There are a few makes around now to choose from. I bet Dyson are feeling the composition , I think they have had to bring their prices down a bit now.

That's a long time to reply to a request Gill. You could be dead and buried in the time it has took. lol lol. I haven't looked at my tree for ages, I must start again, it will be going back three or four generations, so I expect that to be difficult. Perhaps thats why I haven't done it. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Like you Jane we have a lot of cloud building up. So I espect we will get the rain as promised.

I have just had a COT with Maderia Cake. Lovely it was, but has left me with indigestion.

I tried to scrape some new potato's this morning, but gave up. I have now thrown them away, and will stick with the OLD SPUDS. So we will have roasties with the Lamb Shanks and Veg., tonight. I have also made an apple crumble for afters with him made custard.

Had a call from an old friend, wanting to know when I am going up to the Football Club. I said he will get a surprise one of these Friday evenings, when I turn up out of the blue. :-D :-D :-D

Blow me, the sun has just broken through, and is so bright I have had to pull the curtain across the back window.

I am sure James will use his common sense, and be careful what he drinks Saturday night, knowing he has to drive home Sunday afternoon.

Harvey Julia and Lewis are going down to CORNWALL for Christmas to visit Lara and her family. It's usually the other way round. So will give Harvey and Julia a break from cooking, and entertaining them. We will go down to Devon on my Birthday. Jo will call here and pick up all the Christmas presents, as there will only be her and Ella in her car. So the problem has been solved.

Have a nice evening all. See you tomorrow. xxxx

Afternoon All,

The fascinators are all nice Jane, but I can see what you mean about combining them to get one exactly how you want it. :-D It should be easy enough for a milliner to do, in fact they would probably make one up for you cheaper than you buying and altering the ones you have. Glad you like your Vax! :-D They are so handy (without the long tube) for hoovering up any spills on the worktops or in cupboards as well as on the floor and are good in the car too. My knees weren't too bad this morning, but if I have to go somewhere like yesterday, I find I am taking painkillers more now and which I hate having to do as I think your body gets used to them after a while.

They have had a theatre slot booked in readiness for OH twice on his appointment days Gill and it's likely for the future when you have such thin and fragile retinas, but for now things look stable. If they start using the laser to stick down the fragile bits, they can actually cause more of them to lift away, so they only do it once they tear and have lifted. At the moment he is just pleased to have the best sight he's ever had. I expect there will be regular visits to the eye clinic for the future.

We have had a quick blast of rain this morning too and the temperature has really dropped as the day has gone on. Poppy the cat came to look in our handbags while we were beading this morning. She seems to take a great interest in them!! She even let me stroke her front legs and white toes this morning. :-)

I have been looking at patterns to knit one of those bobble hats too Frank. What a good idea of Ros's to knit them for Simon and Sally to wear on their boat.

Better check my lottery ticket now to see if I am a MILLIONAIRE!! lol.

Love the fascinators Jane, the royal blue ones my favourite. I'm sure you'll look lovely when the new one is made. I'd love to see a pic of it when it's done.

Ann I can see why they don't want to operate unless it's absolutely necessary, they wouldn't want to chance your OH's eye sight going worse. Pleased it's better than it's ever been now. Did you win the lotto? lol

I didn't do the material in the end, I wrapped all OH's Christmas presents up instead while he was out, I'll do Sandra's in the morning as she's started sleeping in again, now she's back in her own room.

It's gone really cold outside now after a warmish start to the day. We've had lots of heavy rain showers on and off all day, they say it's going to be colder tomorrow, so I won't be going out anywhere.

I noticed a hedgehog walking down our garden in daylight, does anyone know if that's right. He was such a little thing and didn't look like he would make it through the winter with him being so thin. I always thought hedgehogs came out at night. I'm a bit worried about him now, especially with the weather turning colder.

Ha ha Gill........no I shan't be going on the World Cruise just yet! :-) You are so good getting ahead with wrapping your presents. I can't think what to get OH. I already have a pile of books he wanted me to get for him. He could definitely do with a new dressing gown though. I might get him a thicker, fluffier one than his old one as he is always colder than me. I should get him some horse embrocation after today as well. He got up and wiped the bathroom ceiling this morning, as I can't get up to do it with my dodgy knees just now. Well, his shoulders seized up this afternoon and swears it was doing the ceiling, so he had a good soak in the bath!! He didn't get much sympathy though, and was so attentive when I said I knew what would make it better.....................doing it more often!! lol. :-D

Off to watch some telly now.

Ha Ha Ann, well you know what they say "Practice makes perfect" lol :-D :-D

So no World Cruise this week, better luck next time.

Sorry to hear your knees are still playing you up.

I've finished all my Christmas shopping, so just need to finish wrapping them up now. I'm hoping to get it all done in the morning before Sandra wakes up, there's only her presents left to do.

I've got so many jobs that need doing around the place including the insulation in the spare room, then wallpaper in there, so I wanted to get my Christmas presents done so I can get on with all the jobs. I also need to buy a new freezer as the seal has gone and the freezer keeps filling up with ice and we could do with a new fridge as well, so I need to find time to buy those to, then of course we've still got to put the four drawer fronts on the kitchen cupboards. So lots to do yet.
It's nice to know that some of Christmas is finished now though.

We had hail showers from 3.30pm this afternoon. I had to whip out between showers to do the chickens and the bantams did'nt want to come sown from thier bedroom for their corn when I put it in there. They must have as some had been eaten when I took it out tonight and said goodnight to them. I never leave food in there at night as they get mice in there.

I finished two angels today so four to go.

Morning all,

We have sunshine at the moment but there are also BIG white clouds to the north and they are a bit grey on the bottom.

Nothing planned for today only the shop to get the paper and I must remeber a card for Sam and some paper to wrap his present in. His party is this weekend as he is having it with a friend so the mums got together to split the cost I think. They have so many parties these days at places you would'nt think of going. We always had a christmas party when I was a kid. Once I had a fancy dress one which was a bit special. I was a ballerina and mum made my tu tu it was pink. I can remember my friends from up the road were Delia, can't member what she was but Ann was Bow Bells and Sandra was a little dutchman because she went to tap classes and had been that in a show so she had the costume. My cousin Malc (lives in Chelmsford) was a policeman and Derek up the road was a cricketer and Terry was a mounty and his brother and sister were tudor lord and lady. I was fasinated by Jenny shirt as she had a wire cage which stuck out the sides to hold her skirt out. Ian her brother had on tights and puffy bloomers in mauve and black strips and a jacket and one of those king henry hats on his head. My friend Jane was a yellow fairy with a wand with a star on top. I have a picture of us all somewhere. I shall have to see if I can get it scanned to show you all.

Fasinating fasinaters Jane. I like the one on the left of the pic and the little one and think they could be combined to make a nice one and they are the right navy.

Good morning Mel, and all.

I had a good night last night, stayed up a bit later, 10.40 pm Got out twice in the night, and didn't get up until 8.45 am. Late for me.

Nothing planed here either. Injections a little later. Then Ros is going to Tesco with Carolyn. Martine has gone to the Caravan to shut it up for the winter. I bet it's cold down there. lol lol

No premiership football at lunchtime,so I might stay in a read my book.

Like you Gill, Ros has all the presents wrapped and stacked in the conservatory. I think she has only mine to buy. SHOES I think this year. HOW EXCITING ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Nothing happening local, so no gossip. lol lol

I think I will have a coffee before going to the nurse, so see you later.

Afternoon All
Boy it is a cold one today. Even Thomas has come in and is all curled up on his bed.

Hannah will be very soon so I will keep this short gor now.
Mel I love your little Angels :-D. They will look lovely on your tree. Glad you had a good night last night Frank .I bet you will be glad to get hoem in the warm again after your jabs later.

Gill,I havent even bought a Xmas present yet. Just a couple of packs of Xmas cards.
I just dont seem to be able to think about Xmas yet although I know I should be starting to get things.

Mel I used to go to the Xmas Party where Dad worked.It was always a huge party for al the children of the lectures in the college.I dont remember it ever being Fancy Dress though .I was always dressed up to the nines in whatever new dress Mum has made :-D. Itchy net petticoats come to mind too :-S

So Ann you are not a Millionaire. I am hoping to be one later with the Rollover tonight :-DI dont often buy a lucky dip ticket but sometimes get a scratch card. I havent even won anything on them for ages and that was just a £1.

Oh my goodness. I have just seen a pic on FB from Michel. It seems it is fancy dress for the stag do today !!!. I think they might be Super Marios .The pic was just of him and Matthew. This will be James's worst nightmare having to put some ridiculous costume on. He never goes to Stag does as it is not his cup of tea but with it being Gareths he couldn't not go. Oh well I am sure there will be more pics to see on FB later.

Must go now so will be back later this afternoon when Hannah is off to yet another Baby Shower.

Afternoon all

Sunny here but very cold. There's a lot of knocking and banging out the back not sure which neighbour is making the noise and what it's all about though.

Well, all the Christmas presents are wrapped up now, it took me all morning to do Sandra's. I'm going to buy her a few more things as there isn't as much as I thought, not sure what yet, I'll have to see what I can find that she'll like.

Pleased to see you had a good nights sleep Frank. So Ros is all sorted with her presents to, I needed to do mine now as I have lots of little jobs around the place that need my attention, so while I had a bit of spare time I wanted to get Christmas sorted. I just need to buy a new freezer then I can start on the frozen food next. I can't believe it's almost Christmas again, where has this year gone?

I wonder what James will think of the fancy dress themed stag Jane, I'm sure you'll find out soon when you check FB later. Hannah's been to a lot of baby showers lately hasn't she? Maybe next year she'll have one of her own, or is she waiting before having children?

You have a good memory Mel, remembering what everyone wore to the Christmas party when you were children.

Going to trim the edges of the material now, then hoover around. There's bound to be lots of cotton everywhere once I've finished.

Afternoon All,

Brrrrrr! I popped out to get a few essentials this morning and it is cold even for me. OH has gone to a local match at Coalville and was going on to a second after, but his parting words that he may well skip the second one if he's cold! :-) I wanted to get some pork fillet, apple juice and mushrooms from the farm shop to do some what I call Somerset Pork (similar to Jane's Normandy Pork!) for later, but since the new cafe has opened there the parking is usually full, as it was today. So a quick detour to the Co-op in the next village and they didn't have any fresh pork of any description. So it is Plan B now with the chicken breasts I got instead, sliced and cooked with onion, peppers and squash in a ready made tomato and bacon sauce I got there together with some rice. :-)

That's good you had a good night's sleep Frank..........the 'bad sleep fairy' visited me instead and I was awake till 3.00am. I did get off after that though and woke at 9.00am. I'm looking forward to that extra hour tomorrow.

I expect your head is too full of everything 'wedding' just now Jane to be focused on Christmas! At least this year you won't need to think about Christmas Dinner..........unless you do it on another day. :-) Did you manage to get booked in at The Pheasant?

Mel, your little Angels are so nice and will look good on your tree. I like the way you have done their hair with little waves.

I told OH the other day that his 'tummy flies were open'. This puzzled him till I said I didn't really want to be 'navel gazing'. The penny dropped then and he was horrified that his middle is straining to escape from his shirts. :-0 He always says they have shrunk in the wash.........'what ALL of them' was my response. Anyway, it has backfired on me as he's gone through all his shirts and found ones that fit fine, but he doesn't wear them anymore because they need buttons sewing on them!!! :-S :-S lol.

O Ann you two do have some good laughs between and you telling us we all have a good laugh too.

When I came back from the shop oh was at the gate to the patio and said to me. I am not interviewing for a new girl untill Tuesday afternoon so your too early. I replied shall I go now before I do your lunch?

Ann the angels are for sale with my other Christmas bits.

Well Gareth is dressed as Bride !! with Nora Batty Stocking. He somehow managed to get into a Wedding Dress shop and had his pic taken in the window . He has cheek of old nick(is that the right expression? ) All the others are Mario Brothers. Honestly I think it is bonkers at their ages . But Hey this is what Stag does are like. Gareths Dad too is all dressed up !!!!!. I will send an email. James is at the very back of the group pic.

Ann ,you just reminded me about the Pheasant. I had forgotton totallly to book it. So I have just done it now and Lunch is booked for Dec 20 :-D Thanks for the reminder.
So Tummy Flies on show for OH. :-D Why do they always say things have shrunk in the wash??? We know the truth :-D

Hannah has gone now for the latest Baby Shower. Yes Gill she has been to a few over this last year. I think I will still have to wait a while to be a Grandma. I would love it to be in the next couple of years.

It has been pouring with rain and is now so dark. Thomas was keen to go out and has only gone as far as the Summerhouse. A quick sprint :-D
What a shame you couldn'tget the Pork Ann. I was thinking just the other day I need to do my Normandy Pork again soon. I am sure your Chicken dish will be lovely.
No high dining for us tonight. Just Tesco Finest Beer Battered Cod, McCains Gastro Chips and Peas. Not the healthiest of meals but tasty :-D

Is Gareth's dad in the pic too Jane? I spotted James at the back minus the moustache! lol. He looks about as thrilled as OH would! lol. At least they weren't all dressed as bridesmaids. :-D :-D Yes it would take some nerve to go in a shop like that. I wonder what Hannah's got lined up for her Hen Party! Is Gareth's mum going to that?

I have lost the plot as I thought it was the Pheasant you were going to on Christmas Day. Are you fixed up somewhere else for then?

Silly me Mel, I forgot about your Christmas crafts. I think people will love all your makes as they are so unique and unlike anything you can buy elsewhere. :-) Your OH is beginning to sound like mine too. That's the sort of thing he would say! lol.

Well he did come home early, freezing cold and has cranked the heating up to the 'SWELTER' setting! I've had to strip off and turn the rad off in here. Phew! Wet coat, hat and trousers are draped in the conservatory. :-S

I've changed the bed, sorted out some papers to chuck out and am going to do some beading now. I wonder who will be outed in Strictly this week. I like to see the Halloween Outfits.

Ann he does come out with good things but I can never remember them. He's in a good mood as I have bought his birthday present and Christmas present combined to help him clear the top garden. Watch this space to see if it works!! :-D I think it could be £170 well spent actually if he does.

I have been baking all afternoon after doing the hair of the last 4 angels. I have made a sausage stuffing and home cooked ham and chicken pie for tomorrows tea and a bit over for lunch the next day. I had cooked the ham in the week which we had for dinner and enough left for the pie and then chicken too. Bought the sausages this morning when I wnet for the paper. Also 8 sausage rolls and some cheese straws and then I cooked our steaks which were delish with asparagus, mushrooms and chips and rosti for me.

Whacked now.................................

I have just looked at the pics you sent Jane!! Spotted James and how they got away with the window pic I don't know but they must have been good sports in that shop. Love the hairy legs in the Nora Batty stockings. Silly fools but I bet they have a lovely time. O to be young again.......... <3

Love the pics of the angels Mel, were they made from dolly pegs? How many things have you made for the Christmas fair now? Are you going to take a photo of all the items, if you do could I see the pic please?
It looks like you've been very busy in your kitchen today, I'm not surprised your whacked now.

You and your OH are funny Ann, the way you tell your stories is hilarious and always makes me laugh.

How silly is Gareth having a photo taken in the shop window Jane, good on him for being so brave, I wonder what people thought as they were passing the bridal shop. The photo's were great, it looks like they're all set for a brilliant time.
So it's going to be a while yet until you're a grandma, you'll make a great one when the time arrives.

Well, I didn't do the material in the end, I started with a headache which turned into a migraine, I get them occasionally and this one has only just gone back to a slight headache so I'm going to bed once the F1 qualifying is finished, I think an early night will help. I rang my mum earlier, she had a gall bladder operation the other day and now she's in a lot of pain, she can't drive at the moment so my sister and I will be visiting her to make sure she's okay and help with her shopping and housework.

Morning all,

We have a blustery day but with sunshine and cloudys scudding across the sky from the east I think. They are white clouds mostly.

Did you all remember to put your clocks back?

It was the first time our heating went on this morning. Oh must have been cold because he had turne dit on. I slept well last night and only got up once at about ten to six.

I must try to finish the angels today.

So your poor mum has had her gall bladder out. I do hope she recovers quickly and am sending my love and wishes for a speedy recovery for her. Was it keyhole surgery?

Cor its cold out there as there's an east wind for sure.