General Chat

I'm pleased to see you are progressing well with not drinking as much Frank, we are all proud of you. Keep going, you're doing well <3 <3 <3

Sandra is as well as can be expected Frank, I just hope mum doesn't start upsetting her again if Sandra ever forgives her. I think it's harder because like I've said she can be really nice if she puts her mind to it, but she has this problem of blaming other people for her own bad behaviour and has turned my family against me over the years to the point where no one rings or visits me anymore and Sandra is worried the same thing is going to happen to her. I'd like to think it wouldn't happen to her but my mum can be very persuasive when she puts her mind to it.

I see you had a good nights sleep last night, let's hope you have another one tonight, it can only make you feel better.

O I forgot to wish James a Happy Birthday <3 <3 <3 Have a great day and enjoy the cakes if you have to buy them........

Good to know you had another good night Frank. It makes you feel so much better the next day. Keep up the good work.

I shall be off to Bideford soon. I have to go to the bank for oh so I may go up the High St too.

Good morning to all you early birds. Not many who haven't posted.

Happy Birthday JAMES. Is he 32 or 34 today Jane. Cake day was always quite an expense when I worked in the garage, with all the mechanics and office staff. But it was only once a year.

We sat and watched the new six parter, and I had recorded the Surgeons. Roa loves programmes involving operations of any kind. So she was in her element . I watched most of it but went to bed half way through.

I managed to eat half of my steak last night, so I was pleased with myself.. Tonight I am doing PORK CHOPS in the oven with a bit of stuffing on top and a roast of various vegetables with the Spice mix.

So nice to see you all have been busy with things. Mel, have you been over eating, not having a belt that fits. LOL. Good that your Tummy is a lot better Jane, what bought that on ?? James Bug, or over indulgent on the food front.

Gill, How is Sandra this morning. I do hope she does't dwell on your Mums comments. Poor girl won't know if she is coming or going. My mother has been dead for 37 years, but the memories of her will be with me for the rest of my days. I know she had 10 children, but never in all my life did she ever say "I LOVE YOU" or give me a motherly cuddle. I think this is why I craved attention as I got older, and tried to show love and kindness to all those around me.

It's the most horrible DANK DAY outside. Everywhere is wet and it looks like the FOG is creeping in. I don't envy Ros who has gone out with Carolyn and will no doubt have a visit to the garden centre for a nose around. She did wrap up this morning, so she should say warm !!! She is also posting my computer.

I am going to prepare the Veg now, then I can settle down for the day, doing what I want. I did sleep well last night, so things are going in the right direction, I am on a reduced drink today for the coming week. I must admit I am feeling quite happy with my progress.

See you all later.

Morning All,

:-) Happy Birthday to James :-). If he's in work today will he have to buy cakes for everyone Jane? We used to do that and it could be 30 to buy some years. It always seemed to be a 'cake' day for someone! Is he doing anything special?

I'm glad you are feeling brighter now Anne, but the aftermath of these things is usually tiredness so I expect it will take a while to feel your old self again. Your mum sounded a lot like mine! Mine wasn't maternal either and often said having us children had ruined her life! Similarly she was sweetness and light to everyone else but was full of put downs and criticism in private. I hope Ruby is her happy self again now. :-)

Gill I held off doing a new stick because I was sure I would find it if I started! lol. I expect I will do one day but there's things I need to find now that will be much easier if I have it all on a stick so I'll get some more done later today!

Yes you are right Mel, the moisture drying out in new wood makes it move and split as you say. First OH would stack the tree planks of Ash with spacers for a year to dry out before we used it. Does all this wet cold weather affect how many eggs you get? I still remember your tasty eggs! I managed to watch all of Silent Witness, but I think I preferred the old introduction and music to the new ones.

I watched the Surgeons prog last night, what fantastic people they are to keep their cool and nerve to do such cutting edge (sorry!) work. We are so lucky to have them. They did a fabulous job with the woman with a tumour in her top jaw making her confident to go out and mix with people again.

Better get showered now as OH will be back from the dentist with a frozen mouth soon.

The wind has picked up so we've had to go out as two of our pots plants needed attention. One fell forward onto a couple of other plants, so we've put that back up and put some of the slate tiles we got the other week around the pot in the hope it won't be blown over again and the other plant we had to move over to the pole the washing line is attached to and tie it to the pole as it was rocking around in it's pot, so hopefully the plant will stop rocking now. The wind is so cold it bites right into you. I'm just having another cup of tea to warm up again.

We've decided when we take the Hebe out of the front garden it's going in the gap where we've just had to move one of our tall plants. But that's a job for when the weather is a LOT warmer.

I meant to say the Banana plant I re-potted and brought indoors is almost 2 foot tall now. I showed Sandra a mature Banana plant that was on Gardeners World, it was about 10 foot tall and the leaves were massive, she said she's hopes ours doesn't grow that big or she won't be able to sit in there to watch her TV. She is funny sometimes, bless her. I have reassured her that because it's in a small pot it won't grow as big as the one of the TV. I'm pleased I brought it in when I did as I think it might of died by now with all this cold weather.

Morning all

<3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES <3 <3 <3 Have a great day.

It's freezing here today, poor Rosie came for some nuts, we haven't seen her for a few days with all the frost around, so the nuts didn't last long. She ate them very quickly so must of been starving.

Thanks everyone for your kind words, Sandra is a lot better now but still doesn't want to talk to my mum. I doubt my mum will come round for ages as she tends to sulk if things don't go her way.

Pleased to hear you're starting to feel better now Anne. Sorry to hear your mum wasn't very nice either. How is Ruby now, still full of beans? Hope she hasn't been to much for you while you've been poorly.

Everyone was lucky not to be near that lorry Ann, it doesn't bear thinking about what could of happened had one of the concrete beams fell on a car. How are you getting on with reconstructing the stuff off your stick? I bet you find it once you've finished as that's normally the case isn't it?

It sounds like you're starting to feel a bit better Frank, hopefully it won't be to long before all the withdrawal symptoms have gone. Pleased to see you are starting to get your appetite back.

Sorry to hear you've not been well Jane, at least it didn't last to long and you are feeling better now. The meal you are making for James sound tasty.

It sounds like you are doing well with the clothes for the doll Mandy. I'd love to see a picture when you've finished.

Going to get a cuppa now, I'm still quite cold so I'm hoping it will warm me up a bit.

Morning all,

Slept like a log last night and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I was very tired last night and went to bed before Silent Witness finished on catch up. I just could'nt keep my eyes open.

Rotten day here again with a cloudy sky thats very grey but they say it should be warmer today.

Anne I hope you,re feeling better still this morning and that Ruby is being a good girl and looking after you.

Pleased to hear your feeling a bit better now Anne. Hope you feel back to normal very soon now.

Ann that was my thought too. I even thought about making some toggles out of some wood I cut a few years ago which is up the potting sheds but I can't be bothered to walk up there. New cut wood seems to split.

I don't like the light from the new light over the table. It dos'nt light the sides of the room and it looks very cold with the green walls. I have ordered some warm white bulds for it and oh said we could have a few more spotlights around the room.

Good evening all

Starting to feel a little bit better thank goodness.

I had a quick look at the posts and feel so sorry that Gill's Mum has started to pick on Sandra that is so cruel and to do that is unforgivable, please give her a big hug from me.

My own mother didn't have a maternal bone in her body and although we were always well fed and dressed that was about it. She was a master of the bitchy unpleasant remarks but never when Dad was home, plus the sweetest comments when in company, she could have got an Oscar.

We also recorded Vera there are several programmes lined up to watch now

Hope everyone is on the road to recovery

Oh dear Jane, it wouldn't have helped your hip being in and out of bed all night either! Yes Mandy's right about the onions.......I hope your system can cope!!! :-0 It sounds like you are much better today though.

Mandy you are so quick!! I bet the little outfits look lovely. I would love to see a pic when you have finished everything. Ted just needs the last sleeve doing on his jumper now so I should finish it this week. It looks out of proportion........but so does Ted's tum so it will fit I think. :-S I had to laugh at the thought of OH squatting down and getting a nasty pinch. Ha ha he could have done his 'downstairs furniture' a nasty mischief in the loft!!

I keep picking bits of glitter up too. It just peeps out of the rugs, then hides again. Mel, your pouches sound good. A bit of twig to use as a toggle button would be woodlandy if you can't find anything better.

It is the bits off the tinsel here that keep turning up.

I am making fairy pouches to go on a belt. Not for me as I hav'nt a belt that fits around me anymore!!!!! Tums too big now. I am enjoying it and the second one I have nearly finished I am keeping as it took me a whole afternoon and evening to put stitches on a leaf and then another evening to attach it to another peice of felt. None of the three I have made so far are finished yet as I can't find the right things to put on the fronts and I need some beads with big holes in I can get cord through. They would make a nice present for easter with a little egg in or small eggs. That was oh's idea. They are really little treasure pouches or medicin bags for a crystal.

I'll send a pic when I have done some and finished them.

I may have a look up the High St tomorrow and buy some fancy buttons as there is nothing suitable in the button box. I need something woodlandy really. I may have a go at making some small toggle buttons or buy some.

Better get the pasta on now.

Evening all,

It's been a really cold day here ,one of those days where you just carn't get warm ,i was frozen by the time i got home from walking Max ,a nice hot cuppa went down a treat .

Gill i'm so sorry to read about the trouble your having with your mum and poor Sandra in the middle of it too , it must be so upsetting for you all ,i hope in time things can sort themselves out .

Frank sounds as if your getting there you sound a bit brighter too, you'll soon be back tucking into your lovely roasts ,enjoy your steak tonight .

That made me smile Ann the thought of the mousetrap on the slipper ,it's a good job he didn't take a sit down while up there or he might have got a pinch on the bottom :-0 :-D
How's teds jumper coming along ?
I've done two little set of clothes for the doll so far ,i thought i'd wait until i've done a few things before i give them to her .

We recorded the new Vera as we still have some of the last ones to watch ,i'm not sure about the Skating programme ,i didn't like the bit where they kept going to where the ones who are on next week were skating and i thought it was so loud too ,i suppose we have to give it a chance but it's not the same as last time.

Glad your feeling a bit better today Jane ,there's no end of people with tummy bugs ,you'll have to watch that dish with all those onions in tomorrow :-0

Bit's of glitter here to Mel , it catches your eye when you go to pick it up you carn't see it ,i keep finding bits that have come off the tinsel too.
What are you making with your felting ?

Afternoon All

I spent most of the day in bed yesterday after being up a lot in the night with the trots again. :-S I blame James. But today I seem to be fine again. I think we all want these BUGS GONE now.

Oh Gill I am sorry to read about all the trouble you are having with your Mum and that poor Sandra has been so affected and upset with it all. I can't possibly imagine what it must be like not having experienced anything like this. Stay strong <3

Mouse traps on slippers !! :-D :-D I would have loved to have seen that Ann LOL Good job it didnt nip his toes.

Frank your appetite sounds like it coming back and you sound a lot more upbeat which is brilliant.

We have the Glitter Fairy here too Mel. I keep finding glitter on the stairs for some reason. I think it is probably from the bottom of our shoes/slippers.

I have done a fair bit today after doing absolutely nothing yesterday. It is James's Birthday tomorrow and he requested that Lentil /Rice dish with a Chicken crown topped with spices . So this afternoon I have done the Lentil and Rice thing .It has Cinnamon ,Nutmeg and lots of caramelised Fried Onions in so the house stinks now and so do I. I have to make a sauce that goes with it but will do that tomorrow. Must remember to take that Chicken Crown out of the freezer tonight.

Dancing on ice I thought was not like it was that last time it was on. That commentator was too cheesy and like Frank says it was so loud.I will watch it next week and decide then if I will carry on with it. Vera was good :-D While I was in bed yeasterday I wached all 6 episodes of Vanished at the Lake(I think thats what it was called) A French Crime programme. It was brilliant.

Beef Stroganoff tonight.I had to have a sit down after doing that other dish to give my back and hip a rest. But James is on the way now so I will get cracking again.

Afternoon All,

What a bitter day it is, frost all over the rooftops and cars this morning! We decided to go up to McArthur Glen Retail Park at J28 of the M1 early this morning. There was a big backlog of traffic coming the other way but no holdups our way. OH got himself some socks with the coloured toes so I hope he doesn't get those mixed up with mine as they look quite similar!! I got some nice black loafers from the M&S factory shop that were reduced by £9 so I was pleased with those. I treated OH to a jacket potato in the food hall, we looked at the rest of the shops, then we decided to come home a different way in case there was the same holdup on the way home. The motorway and other roads were in an awful state with holes and patches everywhere. We hadn't gone far before we were queueing and a flat bed lorry had turned off an island and shed it's load of huge concrete beams all over the road. Luckily no-one seemed to be hurt or any other vehicles involved although we shuddered to realise one of the beams would flatten a car. The metal upright supporting struts the side of the lorry where they had come off were completely snapped over! We stopped at a garden centre before we got home and had a look round and read our papers over a COT in the cafe before we came home.

Now I am having a break as I have started to reconstruct the stuff I lost on that stick (what a job!) and I think OH is looking at his tax return. Tomorrow he has the dentist for a filling, eye test and hearing test. He will need me to drive him after the eye test as he always has to have those drops in his eyes.

Yes I had to snigger when I saw the mousetrap on OH's slipper! lol. The garage is lethal too with a barricade of traps he's put across the floor. The man who came to do the pointing for us had to laugh when he saw them after I warned him to tread carefully in there. They come under the garage door Frank, although the gap is so small. I've told OH to try putting a row of bricks inside the garage behind the door to block off the tiny gap as we don't put our cars in there.

It was good they plated a dinner up for you Frank, even though you just didn't want any. Maybe the steak tonight will bring your appetite back. A glass of milk would be nourishing if you could manage it.

I watched Vera for the first time last night and thought it quite good but I wish she would speak a bit clearer as I have the sound down on the telly so OH can't hear it. I was a bit disappointed with DOI too Frank. I.m not keen on Schofield or Willoughby, but it's early days yet! I did enjoy David Attenborough and the fossils though!! Fancy using MRI scanners and being able to see the bones in the rocks!!!

O you must have popped in just before I posted Frank.

It has been 3 degrees here today and they say it is going to be 2 degrees tonight. All I know is it bl**dy freezing out there.

Have you noticed how the evenings are now drawing out? Perhaps I have as I have to shut the chickens in?

I am going to do spag bol tonight as we hav'nt had that for ages and ages now. Mostly because I had been getting indigestion so we will see.

16.45 and its still light enough for me to go round the chickens and shut them in.

Replacement light arrived and oh has fitted it and it works ok. Good service from the seller.

Where are you all?

Hi Mel, and good afternoon to all you others.

Nice quiet day. I decided I fancied a bit of Steak for tonight. So out came two Rib Eyed Steaks. They have thawed out. I did the onions,Mushrooms, and home made chips. When we are ready to eat, I will go and cook it all.

I have been watching BBC 2 Michael Palin in Pakistan, what a very interesting couple of hours.

Carol down the close has just called in from a walk with "TED" the little boarder collie. He is adorable but so shy. He will come towards you, then suddenly backs off and gets behind Carol.

Mel, I don't think I have ever seen a bad "VERA" and last nights was very good. I see we have a new SIX PARTER starting tonight. I will see what it looks like. I can get a feel for a serial, within the first episode. So we will go from there.

I don't seemed to have got warm today. The heating is on and the Halogen heater and still it feels cold. I have just put a jumper on. I am wondering if it's the withdrawal symptoms thats having something to do with it. I have drunk TWO pints of water today, plus coffee and tea. So I am getting plenty of liquids down me.

Looking out the back it looks so dreary and cold. I feel for these poor people who are living rough. How they can sleep out in this weather, I just do not know.

Not been in the mood for reading yet. So I am just chilling with the T.V. and magazines.

Frank Veras was quite good last night was'nt it? I was'nt sure who had done it till nearly the end.

I have been outside and cleaned the big girls out but not their nest boxes. There's only so much bitter wind you can take when you get older. Their nest arn't that dirty anyway as I take out any muck each day when I collect the eggs. The run is now starting to dry out but I think it is more treacherous now than when it was swimming in water. I came out with platform wellies.

Enjoy your book and tv today Frank.

What I want to know is where the fairies hide the bits of glitter they keep putting on the floor? I hoovered every bit up yesterday and this morning I have found 5 bits on the carpet in the kitchen and three bits in the hall and two bits in the uti room all rooms I hoovered yesterday. :-0

Good morning to you all, evening Kim,

What a total disappointment, Dancing on Ice was for me. The music they played throughout was so loud and THUMPING BACKGROUND. Since my STROKE I am unable to listen to LOUD and THUMPING MUSIC. So I spent most of the time with the sound turned down. Where on EARTH do they find such a noise. ??? I enjoyed Vera as usual, and was in bed as soon as it was finished.

Without continuing with the SAGA of Mothers, for those of you, which I expect were most who had a happy relationship with your Mother, I am so pleased. For the rest of us it is just a horrible memory that will live with us for ever. We can only put it down to another experience in LIFE. !!!!

I have had a grilled bacon sarnie this morning. I only ate half of it, but it's a start. ;-) ;-
)

Roa enjoyed her afternoon with C & J and there was another couple and Jean. she is the one that likes a bottle or two of wine, which Ros said she kept asking for a refill, and John tried to ignore her part of the time. She was home just after 6.00 pm with a plated dinner for me, which I never ate.

I don't know if I will cook and eat tonight. I will see what Ros fancies, and go from there.

Ann, I can just see your OH with a mouse trap hanging from his slipper. LOL LOL. Have you had any luck yet in racking down where they are getting in ?? and are you still catching a lot. ??

Everywhere is so damp and miserable here today. I have just taken the sheets to the Tumble Dryer in the garage, and you can feel the damp in the air. Not at all nice. So another day in paradise for me, T.V. book and whatever else I fancy. !!!! Which isn't a lot.

Ros has packed up the old Lap Top, ready for addressing and getting in the post. She can do that tomorrow, when she goes out with Carolyn.

See you later girls, enjoy your day whatever you are up to.