General Chat

We were lucky Mel as MIL had only bought the static caravan a year before. If she hadn't we wouldn't have got our 4 days away. It was lucky too that we got married at the end of the season or the caravan might not have been available. She was very good and let me use her box room to keep the things for my bottom drawer. Mum wouldn't let me keep stuff at home as she said there wasn't room, despite my then boyfriend having just built a wardrobe that was twice as big as the old one in the bedroom I shared with my sister. That was good your dad was able to start you off with your own flat and a wise move to have kept it for so many years and to still own the land as well.

A good bit of telly tonight with Call the Midwife and Les Mis! :-)

You have had some rough weather Gill, it's still not been windy here and only drizzle. I hope you can anchor the plant a bit better to stop it moving again. I suppose the taller plants are more easily moved by the wind. I wish they would make some pots with wider bases so they don't topple so easily. Luckily no damage though. I've still got a filing cabinet and two wall cabinets to sort through Gill as well as more left in a couple of racks on the top. It is at least starting to look a bit tidier though! I will try and send a couple of pics of the jewellery I have finished now. I like DOI too.

I missed your post Anne, sorry to hear about your SIL's dog, pleased to see he's not injured, well, physically anyway, I hope the attack doesn't have any lasting effect on him mentally. I don't blame her for reporting it to the police, I hope they find him and have a strong word with him and make sure the dogs wear muzzles in future. Surely they can't be allowed to attack other dogs and what if they start attacking people or even little children, it doesn't bare thinking about does it? I hope Diane is okay now and not so shaky. Is there anywhere else she can take Angus for his walk if she's to scared to go back there again? Although she shouldn't have to go elsewhere, it's a shame she doesn't feel safe to walk him there anymore.

Yes, Ann the weather today has been pretty rough, but thankfully has calmed down a bit now. Let's hope that's the end of the bad wind for a while.

OH and I spent a few days in my mum and dad's caravan but it was months later not straight away, they only agreed as I said they offered it to my sister but not us. My sister and I got married in the same year, us in January and my sister in August, so because they let her go straight away I think they felt they had to let us go to. I was very upset that they didn't want us to go in the first place, using the excuse that I had Sandra (from my first marriage) and they thought she would wet the bed, she was still in nappies at the time, so a lame excuse if you ask me, they just didn't want me to go. Anyway we all ended up having a lovely few days together, even if it was a while after we were married.

Evening All

Wll the wind picked up here this afternoon but seems to have died down a bit already.
You must have had much stronger wind where you are Gill. At least all your pots are safe and no fencing blowing about.

Ann I think from what you have said recently you haven't had the best of appetites so maybe it is just that that has caused your drop in weight. I would love to lose that amount :-D Even just a few pounds would be nice.

Ann it is next weekend we will hear all about the Honeymoon . Gareth's Mum and Dad will have heard all this weekend. I expect by the time they get to us they will be fed up talking about it LOL . I am just really looking forward to seeing all the photos.

We are still feeling so under par . Chris much more than me.Its the energy levels at zero which is so frustrating and lack of appetite . I have made a Meatloaf for tonight with Potato Wedges but at the moment neither of us fancy any of it. James is home and asking when dinner is :-D :-D,so I think he will be having the lions share.
I think I might have overdone the garlic in the meatloaf as James said it reeked of garlic when he came in. My sense of smell must be off .

Lots to choose on TV tonight. Les Mis,Call the Midwife and Vera !!Something will have to wait to watch on Catchup.

Anne,that was very sad about Peters Brother dying so young and leaving behind a wife and 2 young children plus another little one on the way. How on earth did his wife manage?. Hopefully she had plenty of help and support from family.

My Dad was just a baby when his Dad died .There were 5 older children and another due to be born around that time. Back in the 20s it must have been incredibly tough on my Granny.

This is the time of day at the moment when I suddenly feel really tired .I am yawning my head off already. Chris had another nap this afternoon . I think he gets quite cross as he thinks he shouldn't be doing this every day. But he obviously needs to so I said not to fight it.

You Lamb lunches always sound so tasty Ann. Do they do the Lamb every week ?

Fitz has suggested you might like ot have a change from Ascoughs when we have our meet up this year. There is a Pub just outside of Market Harborough called The George at Great Oxendon . He has been several times now and says it is very good. Chris and I are going to try it for his Birthday. It is only a few minutes further for you I think . Would you be up for a new place for a change?

My oven is pinging so I need to brush a mix of Dijon Mustard, Tomato Ketchup and Brown Sugar on it. I discovered this morning I had run out of Dijon :-S. I went to 3 shops before I could find some !!!. I bought 2 jars so I have a spare :-D

Thinking of Frank again today. We havent heard for a couple of days now as to how he is doing.

I missed Anne's post too about the poor little dog being attacked by the 2 Staffies. Thank goodness he was just shaken and not pysically hurt. Good job she reported this to the Police Anne. You never know they may have had other reports of similar incidents with these dogs.

Anne I know you aren't really a meat eater. Do you have enough protien and carbs in your diet? Just Veg arent going to help you keep some weight on !!. Sorry I am not meaning to sound bossy :-S

I forgot about Dancing on Ice Gill !!!!!! thanks for just mentioning it.

Jane thanks for your concern, I do eat chicken, eggs and cheese although I don't eat roast meat i do eat shepherds and cottage pies plus any minced beef dishes. I think the main reason for the weight loss is I have been very down for a while and this effects how I eat, I know a lot of people comfort eat but I do the opposite.it's good Richard lives at home so I do cook a proper meal every evening for both of us so I do eat but not as much as I use to but my age may come into it as well. I will see what the Dr has to say

Ronald's wife had a lot of support from his family , Bo only lived a short walk away and did what she could, Marilyn soon returned to Norfolk where her family lived, she had a job in a hospice there. Last year she herself passed away.

That poor little dog being attacked like that and what I want to know is did the fellow have his two dogs on leads? Your poor SIL must have been shaken up and fancy his saying she should pick her dog up!!!!!!!!!!! He should have been in more control of his dogs. Its disgusting when you can't walk your dog for fear of it being attacked like that.

It was the 10th we heard from Frank thats three days ago. I do hope they are copeing ok. It must be hard when you can't move about quickly or much for that matter. I hope he is not being left alone for long times. I wonder how long his beard is now?? or if he has managed to have a shave.

Watched Les Mis and enjoyed it again. Now I am going to get undressed and watch Vera and save Call the Midwife for tomorrow.

Morning all,

Another GLOOMY day as Ann put it yesterday. Like that word it just about sums the weather up right somehow.

The deer have been in the garden over the weekend and one was out the back behind the chickens when I got up this morning. In the garden they are eating the leaves that are showing on the day lilies. In the summer they eat the flowers off even when they are in bud so I don't see many of those and there's a huge patch.

Nose still running when I bend over. It just suddenly does it with no warning. Not sneezing so much though. Still feeling hot and cold in bed too.

Morning all

We have sunshine today, which makes a lovely change from the awful weather we had yesterday, it's still a bit breezy but no where near as bad as it was. I've taken advantage of the warmer weather and watered my plants in the greenhouse. I've not been watering them to often with it being so cold at night, but they don't seem to have suffered, so that's good. We've just had a load of Starlings on the feeder, what a racket they make fighting with each other to get to the food. Terrible table manners lol :-D :-D ;-)

Sorry to hear you and Chris are still feeling unwell Jane. They say sleep is the best medicine so having a nap each afternoon will do Chris the world of good. I hope you both feel better soon, you've been ill for some time now and it must be getting you down. Not long to wait now before you can see all the photo's, I'm sure Hannah and Gareth will tell you all about it, even if they have talked about it to other people. Looking at all the photo's you've sent they went to a lot of places so should have lots to tell you.

I recorded "Call the Midwife" last night so will be watching that today Mel. I've been recording Les Mis but haven't got around to watching any of those yet.

I've been wondering how Frank is getting on and hoping he hasn't been on his own to much with Ros coming and going the way she does. Maybe he's got some help in so he can shower and have a shave, he can't go to long without a decent wash, that won't make him feel any better. Let's hope he can make it on here again soon.
Thinking of you Frank

I'm like you Anne and don't comfort eat when I'm stressed, so I lose quite a bit of weight quite quickly. Having a word with the doctor is a good idea, hopefully the weight loss is nothing to worry about and I'm sure you'll soon put it back on again if you need to.

How are you getting on with your sorting Ann? I haven't made a start on mine yet, but will at some point. I don't feel like doing much at the moment, probably because I've been so busy for a few months. I'm enjoying relaxing for a change and taking a look at my family tree again. The builders are back today, we think they are building the new interior wall for the bathroom and en-suite. They've made the small bedroom into the new bathroom and the old bathroom into the en-suite. Because they are next to each other a few alterations to the walls and a new door from the master bedroom needs doing, so that'll keep them busy today. I'm not sure when the roof is being done, but have been told it'll be sometimes this week. At least the weather has brightened up a bit as I doubt they could of done the roof with the weather we had yesterday.

Going to get a cuppa now then watch "Call the Midwife" before taking another look at my family tree. My tummy is a lot better today, so that's good as it was quite painful yesterday.

Morning All,

A bit of sun is peeping through here too which is nice to see.

I forgot to say what a horrid experience that must have been with those dogs. That man must have known his dogs were likely to react that way and should have kept them well away.

The sorting is taking longer than it should Gill..............the spirit isn't willing just now as it's a tedious job!!

Sorry I got ahead of myself with H and G's visit Jane! At least you should both be feeling a lot better by next weekend when they come. They will still have lots to tell you I'm sure! The change of venue for our meet up sounds fine. It will probably be easier for parking and looks as if it is on the main road through and easy to find. It will be nice to have a change as you say. Yes, the lamb is on the carvery menu now but just on Sundays. They only have 3 joints though as it is expensive, so they soon run out. They cook it beautifully though so it is really tender.

Mel I am always amazed at what your visiting deer like to eat! You would never guess they would fancy the lilies. It's a shame you never get to see the flowers though.

I am hoping Frank is ok too. I've noticed he hasn't been on Facebook either. I doubt he could manage to do his cooking or very much at all with his ribs so painful. I just hope they have some help till he is less sore. Poor Ros too, she hasn't been good herself and now will be needing to help Frank more. I shall be glad to hear from him again.

What a shame you don't seen many day lilies Mel with the dear eating them and it's such a lovely flower to. Sorry to hear you've still got a runny nose, it's a nuisance when that happens.

I know what you mean Ann, I'm not in the mood to make a start on my sorting yet, but when I am I seem to get through it quite quickly.

The scaffolders have just been, it only took them about 20 minutes to put the lot up which was a lot quicker than the neighbour the other side when he had his roof done a year ago, so it looks like they may be making a start on the roof tomorrow. I needed a breeze block, I've only got five and needed six, so I was a bit cheeky and asked the workmen if I could have one, they said yes so I now have enough to stand a pot on to try and block out the rest of the view from their side window so they can't see directly into our kitchen. All I need to do now is buy the plant. We're thinking of another smaller Red Robin as they have quite a few leaves on them and can be quite bushy, plus they're evergreen so will do the job all year around. It's starting to cost us quite a bit trying to get our privacy back, but worth it in the end I suppose and because all our plants are in pots we can take them with us if we ever move house.

That sneaky, quiet drizzle has wetted the washing without either of us noticing so it's back inside drying now.

I've had a DNA match contact me today. Neither of us have trees on Ancestry, but by giving him some surnames from mine, I have found the link. He's on my mother's side and his gt grandmother is my gt grand aunt. I think that makes him a second cousin once removed according to a little chart I have! I can never work these things out without it. I haven't researched much of that branch yet so it will be interesting to hear what he knows.

It seems strange staying in today, but I have sorted a bag of clothes from half a wardrobe for the charity shop, so have 2 bags to take now. At least I have made a start. The 2 old Sky boxes can be moved out of here and OH can take them to the tip. Ebay has loads of them or I might have put them on there.

I'm just going to download the jewellery pics to send.

This afternoon I have washed all the tiles down in the dark corner of the kitchen. Washed all the wall over the cooker and cooker top and the bottoms of the cupboards.
Had a clear out of the bread crock which was full of carrier bags so they went in the cupboard with the others I keep for the bin.Oh came out and said it stinks in here and promptly went back in his study where I took him a coffee and am sitting here drinking mine.

I really wanted to wash my hair today but not got round to it yet and hav'nt got anything out for dinner either. Why do these jobs take so long now I am older?????

Sorry you had that secret drizzle Ann. I hate it when that happens but have the covered patio outside the back door now to hang my washing but that secret stuff still blows in on all sides. Even if its dry when its dull like this my washing is'nt drying. I put some towels out the other day and there was a nice blow and they were still wet so I left them out over night and next day they were dry enough to bring in and air on the rads.

Evening All

Mandy I have to apologise as I must have missed Lewis's Birthday. I just saw a post of Ann's yesterday or the day before about the lovely pressies you got him. I am sorry but I think with not having felt 100% for so long my brain has just not been with it.

You have been busy Mel with all the cleaning and Ann you and your sorting. I have actually done some cleaning today. I had a good go at the shower in the ensuite. Boy did it need doing. I just haven't done the glass screens yet as I ran out of Viakal (any excuse) but true :-D.

Ann where does your new rellie live? That is good to have had another match :-D

Gill , I think you are doing the right thing even if it is costing you more just to have your privacy. We have been lucky in both the houses we have lived in to have had total privacy. I was lying in the bath this morning and watching a Red Kite just flying around above the garden. We have clear glass in the bathroom windows and being able to lay back and just look up at the sky is so nice. If and when we get this development at the back of us I think we will have to change to frosted glass :-(

My car is so filthy with mud and muck because of all the lorries ,trucks etc going in to to the new develpoment at the top of the road. I had it cleaned once but within a day is was so dirty again. I have to take it to the garage tomorrow for the service MOT etc and I am going to feel really bad about it being in such a disgusting state. But I am not going to pay out to have it cleaned again for a while .It will be a total waste. I shall just have to apologise and explain why it is so dirty.. I am hoping they will give it a good clean :-D :-D

I am gettting a little worried now as we havent heard from Frank. I do hope all is ok. I expect though the last thing he feels like doing is getting his laptop out and typing out messages.

Evening all,

We've seen a little sun at times but the sky has been so black at times it really looked like it was going to tip down.

We had a nice day with Lacey on Saturday doing jig saws and colouring ,she wanted Shepherds pie so she helped me make that and had a fine old time ,she loved doing the washing up.
Today i have been busy making Lewis's birthday cake ready to take tomorrow ,i made a plain sponge with jam and cream filling and will finish it off tomorrow .

Mel the wands look a treat don't they ,i take it your doing them ready for the next Fayre ?
Sounds as if you've had a good day getting some jobs done ,i find things take longer now too ,some of it is because Colin keeps stopping me ,asking when the coffee's ready or when are we going out .

So the workmen are back and getting things done slowly ,i think they need you round there to get them organised Gill :-D :-D you'd soon get things done their feet wouldn't touch the ground with you in charge :-D :-D

It will be interesting to see what the DNA match can bring up Ann .
Looking forward to seeing the latest bit of Jewelry you've been working on .

Oh Anne it must have been scary for your SIL and her little dog ,thank goodness they didn't really hurt them both ,lets hope the police can find out who it was and give them a stern warning to keep those dogs on a lead .
There is a chap who walks his husky type dog that is a bit funny with people ,when i see them coming i get Max right on the side or go back the other way as he just stands with his dog barking at Max instead of keep on walking ,the dog is on a lead but son said he was near the school one day with the dog and he let the dog jump up a man and the man told him to keep the dog away and get control of it

I do hope Frank is ok it's a bit worrying when we don't hear from him but i expect he just doesn't feel like posting with the pain he must be in .

Jane just noticed your post ,No you have missed Lewis's birthday it's tomorrow :-D

Oh the children must love coming to you Mandy. They get to do interesting things and Lacey must have loved eating her shepherd's pie she helped to make. Fancy her loving the washing up! Maybe it goes in a dishwasher at home and she doesn't get chance to do it. I remember when I got married, my sister on her bike unexpectedly appeared at our door the following Saturday, far too bright and early for us newlyweds. That was a miracle in itself as at the age of 13 she hardly walked or cycled anywhere and it was about 4 miles! The second miracle was she wanted to get the hoover out straightaway and hoover our new carpets! I'd never seen her use the hoover at home! Mum was quite indignant when I told her. I bet Lewis is excited now and looking forward to his birthday tomorrow! Is he going to get a 'bin lorry' on his cake! LOL. :-D :-D ;-) ;-)

Things take me ages to do now as well, partly because being much heavier slows me down and Mandy is right about the interruptions from our men......need I say more! Lol. He's well behind with his notes just now so was beavering away at them today and just stopped to bring me a COT a few times. So I did a sitting job after the wardrobe and made a start and filled half a box with books from a couple of my shelves. I found a little thin one on Gloster Canaries that the chap who first sold me some birds gave me many years ago, whose widow kept in touch till she died. I did a bit of googling and the chap who wrote it helped establish the breed and was a judge. Some of his books on other canaries are selling for over £13 so I put that one back on the shelf on the basis it didn't take much room up anyway! :-)

Has your runny nose stopped now Mel? I hate it when you have to keep stopping to mop your nose. It looks like a few of us have been busy doing jobs today. I hate cleaning the bath and tiles as our tiles have a sheen on them and aren't glossy and are harder to clean.

It's a good idea to make your place private before the new neighbours move in Gill. Luckily being a bungalow there's no upstairs being built. We are private here and I dread them building on the field at he bottom of the garden. I'm sure it will happen in time though.

Off to watch some telly now. I hope we hear from Frank soon.

O dear little Lewis. What does he want on his cake Mandy? We shall need to see a picture of it you know.

I keep looking at our bookcase in the lounge. It has all mums books on it still and I have cleared out a few but I do need to go through them all really. Its like a library in there so a bit daunting. My books are on there too and oh's. There are loads of old cookery books which I am sure can go but they are so heavy to cart to the charity shops and then I forget to take some each time I go in.

Nose has only doneit to me twice today.

Oh is on about the air polution at the mo as they have been saying that farmers and wood fires are to blame. He said what about all the planes at Heathrow and other airports that put all the muck in the air. How many people live in London and what about all the mess they create with sewage etc.

Morning All,

There has been concern about all open fires for a while. As for London, they reckon at times up to 40% of the worst fine particle pollution is from the open fires and wood burners there with a big increase in people fitting them. It seems the burning of unseasoned wood that's not been dried properly is the main cause and it looks like there may be legislation brought in with new standards for fires and for the treatment of wood by the sellers. Your OH is right about the aircraft pollution too ............the tiny pollution particles from those kill thousands every year.

I couldn't sleep again, so have got me a cot and have cleared out my handbag and purse! :-) I've discovered vouchers/gift cards for Curry's, Tesco. Next, Wyvale garden centre and the Co-op and some expire at the end of this month so I feel a little spending spree coming on! I fancy getting one of those hand held steamers, but don't know how good they are. They say to use them on grouting and tiles, which would be good. :-)

Morning Ann and all,

I see you had trouble sleeping again Ann or were you just up early? and a triple post to boot.

As Ann would put it its Gloomy here today with the secret rain in the air so the perfect day for shopping and I have to do Lild as well as Morrisons and I too have a £5 off a £30 pound shop in Lidl. I am sure I can spend £30 in Lidl.

Just had my toast so I want to get out a bit earlier today.