General Chat

Afternoon Everyone

FRank, you really have had bad luck with your meat from Morrisons lately. Touch wood everything I have had from there so far has been really good.Especially the Rib Eye Steaks.

I wonder why Jan wants you to take the Gammon to cook there. It seems a bit silly really especially as you always cook it at home so already done. You would think she would be glad of one less thing to have to cook. I hope Ros got her new Bras. I don't think I can say any of mine have got too big for me.Its usually the other way around :-S :-S.

I hope Ruby enjoyed all the attention Anne and that you enjoyed your Birthday celebration meal :-D. How lovely too to have the Bouquet of flowers.

Mel Hannah opened your Xmas card before the one you made.I did say it was lace from my dress and she said 'ahhh' :-D. But when she opened the other one and realised that you had made that ,and the envelope too she was amazed. She went around the flat showing it to the girls and the 2 Hair and Makeup ladies :-D :-D. I have to be honest here and say I actually forgot to put the garter in :-S,so Hannah hasn't seen that one yet.
They will now be on their way to Stansted Airport for their flight to Sri Lanka.It's at 8.25 ,with a transfer flight in Dubai.I rang her a little while ago to wish them a safe journey.

My Xmas tree is finally up and decorated :-D, so at last it is beginning to look a bit like Xmas :-D. Ann your lovely beaded star was the first decoration on :-D

Your Xmas card arrived today Mandy ,thank you. One of my friends sent a card but there was nothing written in it !!!!!. I just recognised her writing on the envelope . I shalln't tell her :-)

Thomas is glad to be home again.He had a little Xmas stocking with some toys in from the lady at the Cattery :-D. I just remembered at the last minute this morning to take her present and card.

Gill that was a really nice thing of your new neighbours to give you that little gift. It shows that they seem to be thoughtful people. Just the kind of neighbours you want :-D :-D

We feel so tired today.It is just the come down from all the excitement and the tension of the build up to the Wedding.I bet H&G will sleep as soon as they take off with it being a night flight .Hopefully they will feel a bit more relaxed and refreshed and ready for the start of the Honeymoon .
Thomas is looking a bit too interested in one of the baubles on the tree :-S. I think I might just move it a bit higher .

Oh dear you haven't had good day have you Frank. I hope you feel a bit better now. It's a shame to have to keep taking meat back that you can't eat as well. I'm like Jane where bras are concerned and can't remember ever going down a size. It is a nuisance when they stop stocking something though as it often takes ages to actually find the item that fits well and that you like in the first place.

You got cracking to decorate your tree Jane! I hope Thomas doesn't get a 'beady eye' for the decorations! My friend found her cat's stash of tree baubles under the sideboard . :-0 How nice of the cattery to give him a Christmas Stocking. :-)

H & G will feel the change in temperature on honeymoon after Saturday's chilly weather won't they!

Good thinking and I'll check the wiring Mandy. I can see it might come crashing down if I have to keep hunting for the on and then off switch every day. It is beginning to look really Christmassy round here too. Am I right in saying not many people seemed to have door wreaths when we were children?

The Repair Shop is on tonight if you hadn't noticed and enjoy it like me.

Frank you have had a rough day i hope your feeling better now and can manage a little to eat .
How on earth did you manage to burn the lid !!! LOL :-D

So your beginning to get Christmassy now then Jane with the tree up ,just need naughty Thomas to leave the baubles alone LOL
I came into the lounge the other day and Max was having a good chew on one of the branches of our tree LOL it won't have much taste as it's artificial .

Ann's beaded stars are so pretty she's so clever .
I was going to ask when the newly weds were going away on honeymoon ,i see they are off tonight ,i hope they have a lovely time.
That was lovely Thomas getting a stocking from the cattery ,i bet the lady will be pleased with her hat .

Ann it was Gill who mentioned it might be the wiring :-)
Is it a set of lights that you have to reset the timer after putting the batteries in ?

I'm off to Norwich tomorrow with DIL christmas shopping ,she wants to go early so son will take the girls and Lewis to school ,i bet it will be heaving ,wish me luck !!

Thanks Mandy and sorry Gill.........I think my brain is malfunctioning like the wreath lights!! That is a very good point as well Mandy. I'll try switching it on at 4.00pm tomorrow and leave it to see if it goes off on it's own. Fancy Max trying to chew the artificial tree! Hopefully he's given that idea up now. At least he didn't think he was outside and try cocking his leg!!

The lady who taught us to do the stars has sent us some other patterns afterwards. There is a nice Santa star that I want to make and the Christmas Cracker. It's a bit hard on the eyes with the small beads and I'm still seeing stars just now, so won't be trying those out for a long while yet. :-S

The window cleaners came this morning and thought we were both out as OH's car wasn't there. I heard them say something about getting round the back and I went out of the back door to pay them. The side gate was locked and I know they have told OH they get over the fence, but I didn't quite believe it as the tall wrought iron gate started to jam ages ago. Anyway, I had a plan! I went back in the kitchen and as soon as I heard the 6ft plus chap who'd got round the back start clambering up the fence when he'd finished, I poked my head outside and he was hauling himself up the fence by pulling the top of the gate! We normally leave the side gate open for them, but these days it is anybody's guess what day they will come so we don't anymore. The boss is a bit cocky so I know he'll deny that they pull the gate. I doubt OH will say anything, but why should we have to fix the gate because of them. We've told them times to leave the back windows if we are out and they used to do that, but then started climbing over. I don't know what the answer is.......burglar proof paint that doesn't dry?? :-D

Well I think thats really bad of the window cleaners to climb over the fence and pull up on your gate Ann. Suppose someone took their picture while they were climbing over and contacted the police. You have a side gate to keep people out so I think you could get in touch with the firm and let them know whats been going on. Or is it the firm of the people who come and do the windows? Suppose you had been in the back garden naked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and locked the gate because of that. After all they can look through the windows and see whats inside anyway. I don't like the idea of them coming over the fence when you are out anyway and I think you hsould make a point of that to whoever is in charge.

Poor Frank whatever made you so sick today? I hope you are feeling better this evening.

I have tried to get some decs up today but have still been putting things away and hoovering the mess left behind a little table I have in the kitchen.

I have the garland over the lounge doors up and have the tv stand ready for the tree togo on but I shall need oh to put it together for me.

I have to go to aunty Joy's in the morning before shopping so shan't be around in the morning as Joy goes out at 12pm so I have to get there before that.

Jane what are you like so she did'nt get her garter for the wedding then and I did'nt send her a Christmas card but bought that one as it was just right to stick a bit more of your lace on. I did remind you about the garter too.

Morning all,

Its is really dark here this mroning and the wind has been blowing a hooli and still is and its raining so just that nice sort of day to go shopping and see aunty Joy.

I had a dream last night where I was well on the way to Joy's and suddenly realized I had'nt got her presents so I must'nt forget to put them in the car.

I had'nt had a chance to look at my emails yesterday but did so in the evening only to find the shop down the road wants four rings for a lady and they girl who had the Nordic Gnome last year wants another this year. The lady with the rings dos'nt want any plastic flowers or bows just holly berries and dos'nt mind if they are plastic ones if I can't get any real ones. Thats a bit of a nuisance as I thought I was done with the rings but I shall see what I can do.

Afternoon Mel, and all,

Horrible COLD WINDY Day here, no rain YET. Forecast isn't great. :-( :-( :-(

Lovely photo's Jane, I bet H & G will be lying in the sunshine with a nice cocktail by now. What time were they suppose to land. ?? Thomas has been spoilt by the cattery, coming home with a Catty BAG. instead of a DOGGIE BAG lol lol.

Those window cleaners had a dame cheek, climbing over your gate Ann, I think I would give them a bit of my mind, and threaten them with the SACK if it continues. I bet there are other Window Cleaners around who would be pleased with the business.

Heres a million to one bet, I wish I had. Ros has so many Cards addressed to me, some of which could be xmas cards. So I said open them all, and sort out Christmas cards from Birthday cards. The first TWO she opened were identical BIRTHDAY CARDS, I don't know who from, but will let you know, when she gives me them on Saturday.

Our old Local COPPER who died a few weeks ago,. His wife called in to wish us a Happy Christmas. Ros is out again, with Carolyn. (they should be joined at he hips) lol lol. Anyway, Joss seems to be holding up well and is off to Cornwall for Christmas to relatives .

We didn't eat last night, so I will try a bite to eat this evening. Ros has the Mothers Club Christmas do, at the Village hall for 7.30 pm so she won't want to eat here, before going.

I still have an upset tummy, I managed a Marmalade Sarnie this morning. But it went straight through me . So it looks like starvation for me again today. I must see if we have some immodium (sp) A couple of those might help, well I hope so. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Rain has just started here, so thank you Mel. !!!!

It's only in recent years that we have hung a wreath on the front door. Is that something else, that came from the USA ??

I expect Mandy is all SPENT out by now. I have finished buying for Ros now, I have bought her the latest Electric Tooth Brush, and Silver and gold charm bracelet 3 x 500 grammes of ICED CARAMELS, and a couple of other little things. I hope she will be pleased with what I have got her, We have decided to open our presents here rather than cart them to Devon and back.We will have enough to bring back anyway.

I have confirmed with Mark and Kerry the time we are eating on Friday evening, they, like Simon and Sally, will go straight there. I must ring Harvey this evening to see if he is doing the same. We will go with either Conrad and Jan, or John and Carolyn. I am getting quite excited now, having all the Family together on my special day.

A nice quiet evening on my own tonight, Must have a look to see what I will watch, definitely NOT SOAPS. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Afternoon All
I still feel a bit like a Zombie !!! Plus this stupid throaty cough is still going on. I have almost lost my voice with the coughing :-S.. Chris says that is not a bad thing :-| :-|

Frank it sounds like you have picked up a bug .I hope it works its way out of your system before you go to Devon.A long journey with possible emergency toilet stops would be no fun.PLus there aren't many service stations!

Just had a message come through from Hannah to say they have arrived. Tired ,dirty and hungry. They are 5 and a half hours ahead there so 10.30pm. I hope they will still be able to get some food tonight.

Mel that is a bit short notice now for more wreaths. Do you think you will be able to get them all done?

Ann I think those window cleaners are right out of order climbing your gate like that,especially as you have already said not to and to just do the front of the bungalow if no -one is at home. Its a bit like trespassing !. I think a strong word is in order.

Are you all spent out now Mandy and worn out after your shopping day. It doesnt seem to make any difference what day you shop now. Every day seems to be heaving.

You asked if we were going out for a meal on Christmas Day with it just being the 2 of us. But no we will be eating here.Not a big Xmas Dinner. Just maybe a mini one :-D. We are actually going out for lunch to the Pheasant on Thursday. Chris has been out today for lunch with Sue and had a Xmas Menu. So no food for him tonight. James and I are having the rest of the Beef Casserole I did last week .I almost forgot to take it out of the freezer this morning .Aunt Bessies Dumplings will be going on top.(as requested :-D). I forgot them last week.

I got my tablets this morning so am fine now for over the Xmas and New Year. On the way back I saw a sign at Tesco saying today was the last day for 25% off 6 bottles of wine or more. So I got more :-D. I got 12 and with £20 off so a pretty good deal. I also got a bottle of Parma Violet Gin !. I have been told it is lovely . It is bright purple :-D

I think I have finished wrapping gifts now . Only about a quarter of the amount I normally do. Over half will be going with James to take down to Jess's ,so there won't be many left to go under the tree this year. It's going to feel so strange.

I hope your tree lasts until Xmas Mandy :-D :-D :-D..

Good late afternoon everyone

I hope your tummy upset soon improves Frank you don't want it for your birthday or Christmas, Ros is a very lucky lady with the presents you have bought her, good idea to open them beforehand. Do you know what she has got for you? I think men are harder to buy for.

Did you get all the shopping you wanted Mandy? I use to love buying presents for Abbie & Becky when they were little but now I give them money and a few small pressies so they have some surprises ,we all do the same. Paul is buying Abbie driving lessons.

It's been raining hard most of the day when I got up this morning the sky was bright red pretty but not a good sign.

Jane those wedding photos are beautiful , Gareth and Hannah looks so happy The cake made of cheese was a fantastic idea, I hope they both enjoy their honeymoon. I expect you will miss them at Christmas though.

Ruby has been running up and down stairs waiting for Richard to arrive, she rushes upstairs when ever she hears a car, he usually gets home between 5.30 and 6pm she always starts looking at 5pm..

Evening all,

Oh my poor feet we must have tramped miles ,when we got home DIL came here and waited to pick the Lacey up from school ,Colin said have you finished shopping now i said yes ....DIL said yes until she see's some thing else :-D :-D she know me so well .
I bought some nice bits in M&S some bits half price .

Fancy the window cleaners going over the fence Ann that's not right ,you can get a strip with tiny plastic spikes that you attach along the top of the fence it's really to stop birds sitting along the top and making a mess on the fence although i suppose it's for burglar's too ,perhaps that might deter them going over .

So you still have an upset tummy then Frank i hope your better before you go out on Friday you want to able to eat and have a good evening .

Well you downed that Jager Bomb Jane :-D never had one are they strong ?
That reminds me you saying about tablets i must go to Boots and pick our tablets up tomorrow .
The tree should be safe Jane Colin's chair is in front of it and i put a lap tray on the chair so he carn't climb on it .
I wonder if the Parma Violet Gin will turn your tongue purple like the sweets do :-D

Oh bless her Anne she must be worn out up and down the stairs every time a car goes by , how is she on her walks now does she still sit down when she's had enough ?

Evening All,

What a horrid day, so dark here and with lots of wind and rain! We risked it being busy at the Great Western carvery today so didn't book, but had this theory that not many would be having Christmas lunches this week with it being Christmas next week. We were right as there was plenty of table choice and our favourite one was free. Sharron was chuffed we'd got a Christmas card for her. Afterwards we carried on to Nuneaton where OH needed to collect yet another Christmas book from W H Smith!! I got 2 nighties and a bra so that was good. On the way back we saw a church that had half a dozen artificial twig trees with multi coloured lights that were in a row across the front which looked lovely.

Frank I wonder if you got a bug and hope it wasn't from that rare beef you had.....or tried to have! . I hope your tum soon settles so you can enjoy your birthday and Christmas. Your presents for Ros sound lovely and should go down well. I would open them before you go and leave them at home too to save space in the car. I'll be calling round with my SWAG BAG after you go so make sure none can been seen through the windows!!!! LOL. ;-) ;-)

Driving lessons for Abbie are a great idea Anne and sensible too. I can just picture Ruby pricking her ears up and hareing up the stairs when she hears a car. A little Cairn Terrier dog that lived next door to me at my last house used to bark when he heard a moped come. He ignored cars but knew the moped meant the eldest son (who would give him lots of fuss) was calling.

Mandy I did a bit of googling and it said that you lose the timer settings on lights once you take the batteries out, so you were right! Now I just need to see if they go off after 6 hours! It's not been a nice day for shopping for you if you have our weather, but maybe some will have left doing it today and made it less busy.

Jane I have to pick up my prescription tomorrow. There are getting more to check now and with different dates they run out. :-S I was thinking the other day that your Christmasses will be different now with other in laws and family to be fitted in etc. Could be the more the merrier!

I've just had a phone call from the manager at Grove Farm. When we had their traditional breakfast there last week they wouldn't let me do my usual swap the sausage for an egg. They said it was a Head Office directive that I could only swap meat for meat now, which didn't include eggs, so I had to have extra bacon I didn't want instead. The manager has told me that this is ridiculous and wrong and that he agrees with me that an egg counts as meat, so he has emailed me a voucher for two free breakfasts and will be speaking to the staff! How nice he actually picked up the phone to tell me instead of an email or letter. I always found it best to do that with any complaints at work.

Just got in from shopping. We're all cold and soaked through with the pouring rain, so going to have bath's before eating then it'll be an early night. I haven't caught up with any post yet so will do that tomorrow.

Thank's Ann for the presents. Sandra loves her necklace and is now wearing it.

Hope everyone's okay. See you all tomorrow.

Well Sandra obviously liked it if she is wearing it already Gill, so I'm really glad about that! :-D I thought she would like the colour. ;-) You must be worn out and wet as you say so an early night will do you good.

I was wondering if the Parma Violet Gin tasted like the sweets we used to have. I wasn't too fond of those as a child, but mum liked them.

Did anyone watch The Repair Shop last night? I loved the sleigh they did.......it made me want to get my coach painting brushes out, but I won't say anymore in case some have it recorded.

I remember seeing those iced caramels but hav'nt seen them for years. The things I miss are Maple Brazils or buttered brazils. They used to fill your whole mouth up the buttered ones. Mum used to get them when I was young. Also nut brittle pyramids. I loved those. They also made rings of nut brittle. Those little pink fondants with a hazel nut on the top. Where did all the old sweets go???????????

Just had a look and Amazon has buttered brazils at £13. 50 for 275 grams.

Gill I have seen a pic of Sandra's necklace and is'nt it pretty.

Poor Mandy I bet your poor feet do hurt after all that trapsing about.

Dear little Ruby running up and down the stairs. She's got her timing right has'nt she?

I think its a good idea to open your present and leave them at home Frank. As the others have said it will leave more room inthe car and you will have other things to bring back with you.

Good to know Hannah and Gareth arrived safely. They will have a whale of a time.

Morning all,

Got up early to do the rings and have had an email this morning saying they have been sorted elsewhere so I only have the Gnome to do now.

Not a bad morning at the moment and the suns coming up the skys blue with some white clouds so it could e quite a nice day.

Workiong out int he shed making the Gnome. Had lunch and the suns gone in so not much more light left. Must get it finished.

I went round Em's for some yellow stuff off her trees before lunch and she wants a ring too.

O hope our Franky boy is ok after yesterdays sickness bout. Hope you feel better today Frank. <3 <3

Afternoon Mel and all.

Woulds you believe it, I FELL OUT OF BED again last night. I tried pulling myself up and fell backwards, banging my head on the bedside draws, NOT JUST ONCE THREE TIMES. Ros had to help me to the bedroom door, where I was able to pull myself up the door frame.

I bet G & H were glad to get to their hotel, I hope they were able to get some food as well. I have never had one of those drinks either Jane, I believe Lewis and his mates drink them all the time. I'll stick to my beer and red wine.

Bless little Ruby, running up and down stairs like that. I think I mentioned before about Ros's DADS cat that meet him from work everyday, and had a ride home on his shoulders. Pets can be so funny at times.

Mandy the saucepan lid got so hot it melted the knob and distorted the shape of the lid. So you are all SHOPPED OUT, lol lol. Until next time anyway. !!!

Ann, that was very good of the manager, speaking to you, rather (like most) send a letter or Email. Also, to get two free breakfasts too. They must love you going there and don't want you and G to stop going.

It's the Concert at the CHURCH tonight. I don't think I will bother, as it will mean going down with Ros at 6.00 pm. It doesn't start until 7.30 pm giving then time to rehearse the songs before everyone arrives. It's usually PACKED and they have to bring in more chairs.

Ros bought herself a LOBSTER with a voucher she had for her B'day in Sept. She just found it in a bag. !! I have prepared it for her, I think she will have it at tea time. I had a big fry up at lunchtime, so won't be eating tonight.

Where is everyone today, only Mel and I have posted and it' 3.00 pm.

Afternoon All,

Made a change to see sunshine today. I seem to be sleeping like a log lately and woke up late for my tablets this morning after 9.00am. We mustn't be late tomorrow as we have another day of sitting in the Eye Clinic for his next check up. He insists we leave here an hour and a half before his appointment because of the traffic and queue to get in the hospital car park.

Oh Frank, it can't do you much good having these falls and banging your head. You need something at the bed edge to stop you rolling out. Ros does well to go to all these events, I'm ready for my cocoa by 9.00pm! I bet she enjoys being in the choir though, one of my beading friends is in one and they did a concert a couple of weeks ago. My first FIL had a lovely voice and was in a choir most of his life, right from being a choir boy and the doctor always told him he had good lungs from all the singing. Strangely my second FIL was a choirboy too.

I can report the wreath lights are working fine now! :-D Well that is a bit less work for you now Mel as you were under a bit of pressure with that unexpected order!

So you have done your Christmas shopping now Mandy.........possibly! It's funny how you never feel sure it's all done till it's too late!

My miniature drawers arrived last night. I have a shelf above the radiator and under the tv in the bedroom and now have 3 sets of miniature drawers on there. Each set is different and they are handy for keeping my beading makes in.

OH went in the chemist to pick my prescription up and came back to the car looking less than pleased. Well, OH isn't the most patient when it comes to any form of queuing and after there were problems and delays with prescriptions for 3 other people after him, as well as him having to wait ages, he went up to the desk and asked why things weren't made up and ready? (they never are now) The woman got more than she bargained for when she trotted out that they were down on staff, as OH said 'Well, have you let Head Office know and why don't you tell your customers you can't provide a proper service as well, so they have the opportunity to go elsewhere?' No answer!! The pharmacy part is behind the desk and truth be known, they do too much gossiping to each other as you can hear what they are saying and they move about like snails. I know that you have to be careful making up prescriptions, but if they have time to gossip when the shop is full of customers, they could be on the ball making things up more speedily by not gossiping. I find it bad enough standing and waiting 20 minutes, but you can see people with sticks shifting from one foot to the other with discomfort and some could be in all kinds of pain having just come from the surgery next door.:-| :-| :-S

There was a heart warming story in the paper today about the widower who has died in his 80s and when his daughter cleaned his house after he died, she found 14 wrapped Christmas presents for the little 2 year old girl next door he loved,one for each year till she was aged 16.

Evening all,

We had rain first thing and it was quite murky but then this afternoon we saw a little sun.

We wrapped a few presents this afternoon which was a good job we did as in a bag that i had put upstairs was TWO POUNDS OF BUTTER !!!!
We shopped last friday and i bought several different coffees some hot chocolate and two nice mugs which i'm putting in a little hamper box for son and DIL ,the butter was in with them ,it seems ok so it's now in the fridge .
I had looked for it but thought Colin had put it away down in the spare fridge in the shed . :-0

Good job you hadn't started on the rings Mel ,will the Gnome be like he one you did last year ?

Oh Frank are you bruised ? perhaps a pillow along the side of the bed might help you stay put .
So Ros needs to be in fine voice tonight for the concert ,does she practice at home so you can hear the songs ?

So a day at the hospital for you both tomorrow Ann ,i hope OH gets on ok with his check up.
I did read that story Ann i thought how lovely that was .