General Chat

The new dishwasher is installed with a one year warranty. I'm fortunate.

Some are lucky to have clean running water, shelter and electricity

I have had two failure notices for the email one to Ann and the other to Jane so I will send again but it will be in two emails as I think the pictures were a bit big.

Sent them and the twigs.

MORNING. I was in bed by 9.30 last night and up at 4,00 am this morning I have had two COT. Now going to do th Veg for dinner and make the pudding and Cheese sauce.Trying to think of a different way tp cook the Cauli and brussels. Will have a look on google.

See you later

Morning Frank and all,

You are an early bird this morning Frank I take it you had another bad night.

Its really dark and miserable here this morning with that light drizzle in the wind we need the lights on to see what we are doing.

I have to sort out my stuff and I suppose book it out so I know if anything sells and what. Whatever is left over I will take to the shop in Torrington to see if she can sell anything for me. Oh got all his turned pens out last night and the wine bottle tops and today he is going to get the light pull toggles out and see what he wants for them. They don't take up much room so I shall see if I can sell any of those.

Morning Frank, Mel and All
I didnt feel well at all yesterday and spent most of the day just lying on the settee. I didnt fancy any dinner and was in bed in time for Strictly . I feel much more human this morning thank goodness as we are all out for lunch .

Frank,I love Sprouts fried with Bacon . I do them beforehand sometimes and then just reheat. As for Cauliflower I have tried roasting it as a recipe said and it was horrible so I will continue to either steam or boil :-D

Mel I loved your little twig candles.But didnt get a pic of the wreath. Looks like you are going to have quite a bit to sell what with all yours and OH's things too.

I think your friend Ann is going to love her new 'shed' having it all to herself and her OH having the old one. It is a great idea :-D

I must go now as I need to get the washing out of the machine and do a couple of other things before we go. I could only get a 12.30 sittting so we shall have to leave here at the latest by 12.
BBL Have a lovely day

Hi all

Damp and horrible weather today.

I've not been feeling to good these past few days, luckily there's been no workmen around this weekend so it's been quiet and I've slept a lot. I think not sleeping properly all week must of caught up with me as I'm feeling a bit more human today after lots and lots of sleep.

I see you are sharing a table at the craft fair Mel, hope you sell everything. I haven't read all the post just skimmed through them as there were so many so I don't know when the craft fair is, when is it you go? It's nice when you find a tree match isn't it? Good luck with your tree, I've still got some more people to add to mine, I haven't been online for a few days so must get it finished before I forget where I'm up to. Sandra has put the window snowmen up, she loves them Mel and asked me to tell you she'd put them up again. Love the pics you've sent, they are beautiful.

So you've picked up Hannah's wedding dress now Jane. I did smile when you were telling us of how you got it in the end. lol. Pleased to see you're feeling better now. Yes I often call in to the charity shops you never know what you might find. I wasn't expecting to find a tree but it had just been dropped off, so that was good timing on our behalf.......right place, right time. It looks very expensive, normally if there are any Christmas trees in charity shops they're looking a bit sorry for themselves, so I was lucky I found a really nice bushy one and you can't go wrong for a fiver.

How sad Mandy about poor Denver, it's nice to hear people are making nice memories for him and his family. I hope he feels up to the party and sleigh ride, bless him. How old is he? He sounds very young.

We're keeping the snowy Christmas tree Ann as it cost quite a lot, if ever we move it'll probably fit in the new place, so for now it'll stay in the loft. I never thought to let everyone know what my favourite colour was and yes it's pink like Sandra, I also like a bit of red but that depends what it's on, our living room wallpaper has a few red flowers on it but is mainly cream which is the way I like it. I'm more for the pinky reds rather than the orangy ones. I'll have to tell Sandra about the cat putting his paw out to be shaken like a little dog, she'll love that story. She's still asleep at the moment. I think we've all been catching up on sleep while it's been quiet for a few days, no doubt the noise will start again tomorrow though.

I see you were up bright and early this morning Frank so gather you didn't have a good nights sleep. You'll be shattered later. Yes the Christmas tree was a bargain and it's the best green tree I've ever had to....bonus. Has Ros had you getting your decorations out yet? The new neighbours are hoping to move in around Easter, so they'll probably start on the gardens then. I believe the lady loves gardening like me, so we'll have something in common with each other. Apparently they go to Australia three times a year to visit their children, two of them live over there the other one lives here in the UK, so I doubt they'll be around much.

The new tree is finally up and decorated, it's not a snow one Mel so looks quite dark and taking a bit of getting used to, but with 400 lights and some white decorations it's looking really nice. I'm hoping to put the village up today, the one I made with lights on. Sandra's room is full of all sorts of things lots of lights everywhere and of course her pink Christmas tree which she enjoyed decorating. I nipped to my mum's yesterday and she gave us our Christmas presents, I've so many put away for the big day now and still have a few more to wrap up for Sandra, the top of the wardrobes are almost full with them all.

We've moved the pot plants that belong to the new neighbour into our garden now. You should of seen one of them it was covered in concrete (lots of splashes) so I've cleaned it all and it's much better now. At least they'll be safe and won't be damaged anymore. I feel for the new neighbours as some of their empty pots are broken. We haven't brought anything else to our side just the plants we agreed on with the new neighbour, but I don't think they're going to be very pleased when they see the damaged pots.

Going to get a cuppa, I'm really thirsty today. Sandra's just woken up and wants to put the village up, so that'll keep us busy for a while. Enjoy your lunch out Jane.

Good Morning again SORRY Afternoon.

Yes a bad night again. Went back to bed about 6.30 but couldn't sleep so got up around 8.30. Showered and shaved and put on Trousers and shirt, as Ros is complaining about me being in JOGGERS and T shirt.

Pam and Denis (HER SHADOW) called round to see how we are. Even as neighbours we don't see them that often.

I had a GOOD LAUGH this morning. Maureen the neighbour across the road, bought over her Christmas card. Tony her partner is very ill (Cancer) She said to him "DON'T DIE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, AS I HAVE PUT YOUR NAME ON THE CHRISTMAS CARD" I just couldn't help myself, I just burst out laughing. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Jane I had thought of roasting both sprouts and Cauli. Thanks for the tip, I won't bother with the Cauli. ;-) ;-) I have also done some red onions to bake, we like them when we go out to eat. I have soaked the pots in some hot Vegetable OXO. Just to try to give them a different taste, when I roast them.

Ros popped in to see Val next door while Tony was out. She said the place is FILTHY DIRTY, with black cobwebs hanging from the fireplace, dirt all over the floor and furniture. She (VAL) complained about Tony's cooking, well the lack of it. She hardly eats, and Ros said she agreed with me, that she looks like a dead person walking. !! I honestly don't know what to do, whatever I do will be wrong. :-( :-( :-(

Haven't eaten since my cheese roll yesterday lunchtime, so will be ready (I HOPE) for my dinner later.

I trust you are all well. See you soon. xxxx

Poor Val, Frank. Maybe you could have a word with her doctor if you know who he/she is, I'm sure the doctor will get some help for her then. Pleased to see you managed a few more hours sleep, not enough sleep always makes you feel bad and soon catches up with you. Now you'll feel much better. Hope you enjoy your dinner later. I thought it was funny about the Christmas card to, it's nice to see they still have a good sense of humour, it always helps in times like that.

What a thing to say about your partner whose ill. Poor chap I hope he sees Christmas out to keep her happy. Bless <3 <3
It has been tipping it down here all day and its so dark we have had the lights on. I was just going to do the girls and it started bucketing down so I better go now while I can.

Morning all,

What a miserable day we have yet again. Its dark windy and wet. The wind is really gusty today.

Nothing else to report as I hav'nt been anywhere so will be back later.

Good morning Mel, and all you lovely people. xxx

Slept like a log last night, 10.30 until 7.30 with only one loo trip.Mind you I was soon tired, and forced myself to stay awake while Ros slept in the afternoon.

We spoke to Conrad, Jan and Harvey yesterday. All are well. Jan rang again this morning, saying she had been awake most of the night, worrying about us. She is coming up tomorrow,to help Ros get the tree up in the lounge and will take back all the Devon Christmas presents. So we will have the use of the dining table again.

This morning I have chopped up lots of root vegetables, and Beef shin and made a BIG saucepan of stew, I will make dough boys this afternoon to go on top. I rang Tony to tell him I will bring a saucepan of stew round for them later. At least I will know Val. will have something nourishing to eat tonight. That just might give her a bit of get up and go. lol lol

Ros is complaining about loosing more weight. She has to buy new bra's as hers are FAR TOO BIG FOR HER NOW !!! I will pop myself on the scales later to see how I am doing.

Not a great day here either Mel, We have had rain on and off. I haven't been out apart from putting the bins out, but it isn't cold.

While in the kitchen I watched Denis and Tracey shuffling the cars around on their new front garden. Looking at them NEITHER should hold a driving licence. They are real old FA@TS. Tracey bumped into Denis's front end, and he caught his car against the fence, and that's before they got on the road. lol lol.

It's Carolyn's birthday today, so Ros has gone round to see her with her card and present.

Mel, Maureen said that to Tony (her partner) in a joke, which by what she said, he took it ,as it was meant.

In the short time I have been on here, the sun is trying to break through, so not all bad.

Suns broken through here too Frank and as you say its not cold and has'nt been over the weekend.

I have priced a few bits for the stall this morning. I need to know who got the pics of the woodland candles and the advent ring. Did I send a pic of the fir cones I decorated?

Just put a pot of soup on to cook and have to get lunch now. I should have been doing some wiring this morning but with only a few days to go to the fayre I thought I better sort some of the stuff out.

Afternoon All
I am sorry but I have lost track with all the posts.But have just had a quick look.I wast on here yesterday after coming back from our lunch out as my cold suddenly became full blown and I felt rotten. I was fine when we went out and the Carvery was superb .
I was in bed really early again and coughing and sneezing . Still not great today but have survived lunchtime when Fitz popped in . I did Tomato and Basil Soup ,and bread . Chris put out some cheese and biscuits but I just had a bit of the soup.I couldnt even taste it
:-S

Mel I just had the pic of the Woodland Candles. No wreath or cones.

Frank I really dont know what you can do about Val next door. She does sound in a sorry state . Could you maybe contact Age Concern and express your worry and ask what their advice might be?

I do hope that dear little boy is well enough Mandy to enjoy the things planned for him and that his family can enjoy what will be his last Christmas :-(

Gill are you feeling better today? I think the gremlins are going around again with bugs and colds. I went to get more Day /Night Nurse stuff this morning and the shelves for cold remedies were looking quite sparse :-S

James says he has a few days holiday he needs to take so will have a day next week when he will go with me to get the Xmas Tree. Fitz has his 2 trees up now .

My Sister is on the phone .

Hope eyour cold gets better soon Jane.

I will try again to send the wreaths and I don't think I sent anyone the cones!!

I have been out in the shed making the wreaths. I have three mossed with their green and yellow outer edging on and one has its holly on so am well under way.

Now I have to go out again and shut the chickens in as its nearly dark.

Evening all

It's been lovely here today lots of sunshine after a bit of a damp start.

Sorry to hear you're not well Jane. I was just feeling tired with not having much sleep last week and after a few long sleeps I felt fine. The builders are back tomorrow so no doubt we'll all be woken up early again.
I've posted Hannah and Gareth's wedding card today so it should be with you soon. I didn't know what surname to put on the envelope so didn't put one.

I've posted your birthday card today to Frank but forgot to write birthday on it. I haven't posted any Christmas cards yet so when it arrives you'll need to put it to one side for the 22nd. I hope you like it. I did smile when you were talking about Denis and Tracey moving there cars about and them not even being on the road yet. It sounded quite funny to watch. Pleased to see you had a good night sleep I bet you feel better for it today.

How are you getting on with your wreaths Mel? How many are you making this year? I've been busy trying to put the village up and packing up the Christmas decs we didn't use to put up in the loft. I've also hoovered and moped the kitchen floor. I thought I'd put 40 lights on the village this year but after 2 hours of trying to make them fit I gave up and took them off. I'll have another go tomorrow but will use the 20 lights instead as I know they'll fit.

No builders today that's 3 days on the run.......bliss :-D ;-)

OH spoke to the new neighbours today, he seems to be in the right place at the right time to catch them. They were there to check the size of the base they had done for the new shed as they want to order it. Linda, the woman, was very grateful of us taking her plants around to ours and was chuffed when OH told her that I'd weeded her pots and cleaned all the concrete splashes off one of her plants. She was a little upset that both her front and back gardens are in a bit of a mess, but I suppose that's to be expected if there's building work going on. I think she's looking forward to making them nice and mentioned how lovely our front garden was. OH told her I'm a keen gardener to.

Apparently no one told the boss that we had taken the plants so he rang the owners saying they had been stolen. Of course Kevin, the man said "Oh no, what are you going to do about it" knowing full well we had them in safe keeping for him. He did eventually tell the boss where they were and that he knew. It just goes to show no one likes the boss enough to let him know what's going on.

The reason there was no one there today is because the fella who was working there had quit, it looks like he hadn't told his boss. The fella is a friend of OH's so we already knew. The skip went this morning so the boss was there. I'd love to have seen the look on his face when he turned up and noticed there was no one on site. That'll teach him for being so horrible to the workmen.

Going to sort out dinner now then I'm going to have an early night as I know there'll be lots of noise first thing as the brick layer will be there and a labourer for the inside. Plus I think OH said the owners are coming back to see the boss as the workmen told OH what walls were being taken down, including an outside wall and the owners don't want those walls taking out. I'm getting the feeling the boss isn't very good if he can't follow simple plans. Glad he's not doing any work on our place. I'm sure it'll be sorted before they make any mistakes, especially now the owners know what's going on. Good job OH saw him today and let him know.

Done it. I have forwarded Anne's email as I don't seem to be able to find the pictures of the advent ring on my pc. I must have filed them somewhere and lost them.
There is only one cone picture and thats the big one.

No they hav'nt gone.

will try again with the cone.

Evening all,

Mel the advent ring looks lovely in the church and i like all the other bits and pieces you've done too it's nice to see all the things you make

It's Katie's birthday on Friday and she wants me to make a Unicorn cake !!! wish me luck with that one ,i've been to the kitchen shop today to get some food colouring for the icing i also got some edible glitter to sprinkle on the horn
We also called in to Asda and i bought DIL some nice tops for Christmas ,got a nice big piece of Gammon so that's gone in the freezer , it was tipping it down when we came out and all the way home but then the sun came out for a while and it was just long enough to take Max for his walk before it cane down again

Sorry to hear your not feeling so good Jane i hope you soon feel better at least you managed to have your lunch out yesterday .
I was wondering what to put on the wedding card too Gill.

Hope you enjoyed the stew Frank ,i made one last week and it lasted us two days ,i always think it tastes so much better the next day .
I hope poor Val got some of your stew and that Tony did eat it all himself.
Sounds as if your neighbours were having a go at playing bumper cars :-D

So you've had a few quiet days with out the workmen Gill ,sounds as if your going to have some nice friendly neighbours .

Evening All,

Another good sleep last night, fingers crossed I keep it up. Glad you had a good night too Frank. How nice of Jan to come and decorate your Christmas Tree for you.

Didn't you have a cold a liittle while ago Jane? What rotten luck getting one just now, but I suppose it would be worse getting it the day before the wedding. Hopefully you will be fine before then. I hate it when you can't taste anything. I'm posting something to you tomorrow, but there will be a tiny packet for you inside as well so don't miss it and chuck it away with the bag!!!! :-0

Mel, I just got your cute little twig candles and nothing else. It's a pain tying your prices on things isn't it. A good idea to take some of your OH's stuff too. I didn't know he made so many things.

Are your trees all decorated now Gill? I hope all is quiet on the building front and that there have been no more problems. You are good looking after the new neighbours plants. I would worry in case any died, but they stand a better chance than being in the drive next door.

There's a lot of building going on here a mile away next to the Police HQ. They have knocked down Everards head office and the helicopter Hangar and are building a new place on the opposite corner that will have a new restaurant and shop as well. Where it used to be they are extending the retail park, adding a bigger Next and I think Debenhams will be there as well, also more restaurants and other shops! I will miss the old Everards site as they kept it so spick and span. It had a very wide natural lawn all down the side of the road in front of it with a grassy bank up to the road. In Spring the bank was covered with thousands of Daffodils and was a picture. I hope they do something similar at the new place.

We are thinking of getting a garden waste bin from the council as OH is getting more backache from carrying things including the shopping bags now. Mind you he doesn't help himself by filling them too full! It will save us filling plastic sacks and humpers and him going to the tip with them.

One of my friends sent me a soundtrack of a nostalgic song she's been practising with someone. I will see if I can forward it.