General Chat

Evening All,

Try to keep yourself calm Frank. Hopefully Harvey and Julia will be on best behaviour. You don't want to be biting nails and getting yourself upset. It isn't good for you. :-)

Well slap my thighs.....Jane has long boots!! :-D I have awful trouble with long boots with having short legs! So many of them dig in the back of my knees when I sit down. The last comfy ones I had I bought in my 20s. The leg part was a dark brown mock leather and stretchy and they pulled on (with a bit of a struggle). I was able to cut them down and turn the tops under and stick them down and then put them on the sewing machine to stitch them.

I went to one of our small garden centres this afternoon and bought some red battery lights to put in the hole in the wall fire for christmas(we never need to put it on) and some white ones to thread between the door wreath when I do it. They also had a lot of reductions on bird food so I stocked up on that. It was quieter there than at the big garden centres, no-one queueing! Like most they are doing well though and I noticed they are erecting a huge extension so maybe there will be a cafe there soon. :-)

A bungalow is up for sale at the other end of the close. It is 17 years older than ours but it has a nice sized plot and built in double garage and isn't overlooked. The double garage could be turned into a large lounge as there is room at the side to build a garage. Looking at the plan of it though, it has a funny layout that would be difficult to change and needs a new kitchen, bathroom and is very dated, otherwise I might have been interested!

Evening all,

It's been a nice bright day here after a very hard frost ,every where was really white , i don't think the frost has gone from the places that haven't seen the sun , hubby has put the outside lights up and i nipped out to T*sco's to get a few bits ,we needed some bread ,i think we were down to two slices !!

Thanks Gill for your card that arrived today , yes i posted all the cards together , strange how you can post a card for the other end of the country and it arrives quicker than the one you posted for a few miles away !! just the christmas post i suppose .
Is Sandra feeling better today ?

Oh poor Carmel William ,when you are told news like that you would at least think the doctor would break it to you gently, there's no easy way to break news but to be so abrupt is so unkind . <3

Oh gosh Jane i haven't worn a pair of long leather boots for years either ,having chubby legs i have a job to find some that i can zip up.
Have a lovely evening with Janice and Larry ,are they staying the night ?

Fiona, that's a good sized tree ,you've just got to decorate it now .
I can quite understand why you couldn't get Matteo out of the garden centre with all the moving animals ,it's a lovely time of year for the little ones ,i love to see their eyes light up when they see all the Christmas things.
Son and DIL were wondering if Jake would believe in Santa this year as now he's in middle school a lot of the older children can spoil it by telling him there's no Santa but he hasn't mentioned anything yet .
Chelsea came home and said her friend had told her that mums and dads put the presents in the stockings, we told her that that wasn't right as we've seen Santa . :-D

Might it be better if you just say hello and then take yourself off to the pub tomorrow Frank ?
You don't want to get yourself all worked up again and fall out with Ros specially so near to Christmas . Keep calm and count to ten !!

Cor blimey it's freezing out now, just opened the back door to let Toby out !! :-0

It sounds like everyone's been busy today

Nice to hear you had a lovely afternoon Frank, enjoy your Indian meal <3

That was a good move by your OH Fiona, not many people would of been so quick thinking. The tree sounds wonderful, you just need to decorate it now.

It's so nice when children understand Christmas and notice all the lovely things around them, I bet they are so excited and can't wait for Santa. I think that's what Christmas is all about, the little ones, it's such a magical time for them.

You've had a busy day today too Jane, hope you feel better than you did yesterday. Roast Beef, sounds lovely. If you take any photo's of Fitz tree I'd love to see them.

Sorry to hear about Carmel's eye Will, you are such a kind man looking after her like that, making sure she's doesn't come to any harm and so nice of you to say you had wonderful wife.

She did well winning six prizes with only five tickets, how did she manage that, or am I missing something somewhere :-D.

At least you got the jar of sweet piccalilli ;-) ;-).

Sorry Mandy didn't see your post till I'd posted mine.

Yes Sandra is better now.

It is strange how the post works. You'd think if two cards were posted at the same time to the same address they'd arrive together, guess that's not how it works in the postal world :-D :-D.

Well X factor is on for a long time tonight. !!! I sat in the conservatory watching T.V. but even with the radiator and TWO heaters on, my back was frozen. I put a fleece round my shoulders but thought to myself what the B ### Hell are you doing out here. So here I am for a brief spell. Then I might get myself off to bed with my i pad and have a read. I am on 250 pages out of 1,650, so have got a long way to go :-D :-D :-D

I didn't know Trees were that expensive. We bought one years ago where the branches slide into the main stem. It cost over £150.00 17 years ago, but is still as good now, as it was when it was new.

I hope you all enjoy X factor, for those who are watching it. For everyone else enjoy your evening.

See you in the morning.

That's a shame about Carmel's eyes William. I think it is what MIL has too as she reckoned she had double vision and that she could see nothing out of one eye. When we asked how long she had had no sight in the eye, she told us she hadn't noticed, but then said she could see, but not very much. She hasn't said about any treatment so I must ask her what is happening about it. I forgot to say yesterday that when we first called round yesterday (we have a key) MIL and FIL were out and we saw them when we called round a bit later when they were back. We were convinced they must have gone to a doctor's appointment as OH noticed that MIL's walker hadn't been taken. But she'd actually gone into town without either the wheelchair or her walker? :-S

It sounds like you will be busy for a while decorating that big tree Fiona. I still haven't finished mine. Every year I say I will get a smaller one, but never do!! :-D

It will be a shame when Jake realises there is no Santa Mandy. I remember having to pretend when my brother and sister were little as I knew before they were born!!

Mel, my boot drops down if I don't push it right up and OH's used to be fine but dropped on his head the other day. It's a nuisance that warning light coming on.....you never know if it is just the warning light that's faulty.

I am pleased Sandra is better today.

I had to watch the X Factor as oh likes it.

Fiona we will need to see a pic of your tree. I don't think they are that expensive down here but I hav'nt bought one for a few years as oh bought a potted one three years ago and we shall have that again this year thats if oh can lift it this year. We repotted it last year and with all the rain we have had it wil be full of water. We don't have much room in the kitchen for a huge tree so we stand it on my fileing cabinet.

Ann have you got your lovely branch in the hall this year??

Going to sign out now as I am tired as I have been on the go all day today.

Going back to the post I suppose the letters get mixed up when they empty the boxes which could explain why cards posted on the same day get to their destinations on different days.

See you in the morning if oh is'nt fighting with the pc.

Just seen your post Ann. The car does seem to be a bit slower at the moment. It has'nt felt really right since oh had the mirror knocked off last week. O and that arrived the day before yesterday and oh fitted it so it is all back to normal now. I think I may go down to my little man down the road and get him to put his machine on it to read if anything is wrong as it keeps stalling when I first start it in the morning but then again I hav'nt had it in cold weather.

Mel, thanks for your concern. The eye that is causing the trouble is the one she had a cataract op for earlier in the year. During that time she has had to go back to the opticians three time to have her reading glasses lens changed. She also has to go for a retinal screen on regular basis because she is diabetics. This last time there was a query but is didn't quite ring alarm bells. Thank you all for your concern, it does help.

Gill, I'm just an ordinary husband who loves his wife and I'm sure she'd do the same for me. I have been her carer now for about 16 years or so, having to take retirement three years early to do so. It's not a burden, it's what we do, and there are many many more like me out there. I help run our local carers support group which is a big help. Last week was our annual Christmas meal out so it has it's plus sides too.

Anyway, I'll try and 'pop-in' tomorrow folks, must get into a regular habit now.

Night night all

Will, I'm my daughter, Sandra's carer, she has learning difficulties and has needed help from birth. She's almost 30 now. I agree it's not a burden and to be honest I don't really think about being a carer. Like you said, it's what we do.

I thought the way you spoke about your wife was so nice, not many men say they love their wife's in public, which is a shame. Maybe more of them should be like you.

I hope you are okay Mel, with the boot coming down on your head, sorry I didn't mention it before I've only just noticed your post.

Well, off to bed now
Night night

Not many days left until Christmas. I'm ready - didn't decorate a tree. I have a little artificial one in the kitchen. Presents are all done. I had a lot to wrap, but it was awfully hard on my hands, so I went to the dollar store, and bought a load of lovely gift bags. So much easier for me. I did most of my shopping on line.

We went to see Christmas lights last night. It was an area close to one of my grand-daughters, and they prepare for the public to come and view their neighbourhood for two nights. It was bumper to bumper vehicles and about 80% of the residents had decorated. Many were outside calling out Merry Christmas. There was an entire family dressed up as Mr and Mrs Santa Claus and family, and plenty of people to make sure the traffic was flowing well. It made me think of many years ago when our children were small and we would go to several different areas to see the lights. They were always in awe of it all.

Just thinking of having to decorate a tree as big as Fionas makes me tired :-D I'm sure it will be beautiful and the little ones will be so thrilled.

I left some okra in the garden to dry and have sprayed it with silver glitter , and will put it in a vase with some other bits for Christmas. I have my little trees ready to take to the graves tomorrow. Grand-daughter will help me with the bending.

Glad you've got things sorted Frank. It's a start anyway. Letting it fester within you is not good.

Sorry to hear about Carmel's eye problems William. As we get older it seems that there's always something going wrong with our bits and pieces, but you know, it could be much worse, and you still have one another to cherish. One of my sons lost one of his eyes, about 10 years ago, in an accident, and now he's having difficulty seeing clearly with his remaining eye. I can't see him being able to drive for too much longer, bless his heart. I try not to dwell on it too much, but worry that he may not be able to work. He's not one to sit around and mope though.

Mel and Jane, thank you both for your lovely cards.

I went shopping Thursday - we left home at 10 in the morning, and didn't get back until nearly 5 o'clock. I was worn out. We had lunch out, and I had chicken livers - I used to cook them for OH and I, but don't bother now just for myself. The stores have loads of the "Frozen" items for little girls. Is it popular at home?

Must get grand-daughter off to bed. Bye for now.

Morning all and evening Kim,

Sun was out for a bit then the clouds ame over so it is now dull and wet and a bit windy too.

There was the most beautiful sunset last night and I thought we were in for another nice day but I was tatally wrong, so you can't go by Red Sky At Night as ours was like that and right across the sky too.

Glad your cards came in time Ruby.

Oh still coughed through the night, poor fello you know what it's like when men get colds.........

Sun's out again now and it's a bit much when you can't go down to your shed because the deer is feeding in the orchard!! :-D

Dull here to but not windy so far Mel.

Sorry to hear your OH isn't well, hope he's better soon. Everyone seems to be getting colds or some sort of bug lately, lets hope everyone is fit for Christmas.

MAN FLU that's the worst lol :-D :-D :-D.

I'm like you now Ruby, everything done for Christmas. Just spent the last few hours finishing off my Christmas cards.

How lovely to see most of the houses in the street all lit up for Christmas, that must of been wonderful to see <3

Ruby, your right, as you get older you accumulate health problems, goes with the territory, but I always think each day I wake up is a bonus and there's loads more worse off. Carmel always seems to suffer different problems and it doesn't seem fair but at least I'm OK to be here for her.I think losing her two sons has had a terrible effect on her and no mother should outlive her children. But I still manage to make her laugh at least once a day and laughter is the best medicine.

Gill, you are A1 in my book and I think all Carers take it in their stride as you do. We find in our local carers group that the hardest thing is to still keep coming when you are an ex-carer, and the one you've cared for has passed away. But we are here for them as well and they know more than anyone what it's all about.

Nuff said, going to have my lunch soon, will chat later maybe.

Sun came out for a bit but now it's gone again.

Have put together and finished another two rings so it is wireing again today and mossing some more rings.

I was a carer for mum when she was alive for over 15 years so I know what is involved and how much time you get for yourself......

My new mag came a couple of days ago but I don't think I have read last times yet, there are just not enough hours in the day anymore.

Just thought can we have a pic of those hats you made please Mandy?

So sorry to hear of Carmel losing two of her son's. I nearly lost Sandra at six weeks old, it's a terrible thing to go through. She's so lucky to have you. I agree laughter is the best medicine.

Thanks for saying I'm A1, you've made my day :-D <3.

Although like I said I don't really think of myself as being a carer. I'm thinking of joining a carer's group next year. I found one a few miles away a couple of weeks ago. There isn't anything like that where I live so I'm looking forward to going, meeting other people and making new friends :-)

Going to put dinner on now
BBL

That's a lot of rings your making Mel, are they all for the shop you were telling me about? How many are you making?

Well just like the "BAD PENNY" I turn up. !!! Afternoon all.

We have been busy. I had a bad night again, both of us are full of cold (thanks Conrad) :-D :-D :-D

We decided to go to Earls Barton to the Cemetery, to do Ros's Mum and Dad's grave and both her grandparents. It is quite high up and what wind there is blows straight across it. After laying wreaths and artificial flowers and clearing all the old stuff and weeds from the stones. We made our way home. Another deed done for this year. We noticed today how many people Ros knew from childhood had passed away. Also I had a reminder of one of her uncles aged 19 who was killed in action in France in 1918. No remains were found from the shell blast that killed him.

Yes will, we should be grateful that we wake each morning, and are able to get on with our lives. !!!

What is it with these Car boot lids. ??? I went to put some bits in ours this morning for cutting the artificial flower stems, and our came down and smacked me on top of my head. :-P :-P :-P

While at the cemetery, I put the hood up on my fleece. Ros made a comment "Oh you are a hoodie then" I didn't think you liked them !!! :-D :-D :-D

I have done my share of caring. I nursed my father, Ros's mother and father through till their deaths with CANCER. One of the nurses who came to visit her father at our home, praised me for the way I had nursed him, and that I should consider a career in nursing . I felt so proud that she noticed. ;-) ;-) <3 <3

You all seem to have been very busy getting the trees decorated and the wreaths made (MEL) Fancy not being able to get to your shed. How inconsiderate can that DEER be ???

Our friend down the road has decorated his house and garden again this year for HELP THE HEROS The show gets bigger and better every year. I must try to get a photo, even though it won't do it justice.

Sky looks full of something, rain I suppose. I see in the paper this morning that we could have minus 15 degrees of frost and up to FIVE FOOT of SNOW this winter.
There is talk of snow this week, if it comes we will be straight off to Devon before it gets too bad. Once we are there we can stay as long as it takes to clear up (MARCH/APRIL) would be nice :-D :-D :-D :-D

While driving home this afternoon we decided to plant the three graves with Snowdrops and crocus. They would come up each spring, and brighten up the graves. So I will be going on eBay to find some later.

Just had a coffee and ham roll. Will see about dinner later.