General Chat

Good afternoon all

Thank you for the card Mel it was the first one to arrive and is on the dresser in the kitchen.

We haven't got any decorations out yet they are all in the garage. I don't think we will be putting a tree in the hall this year as I'm sure Ruby will manage to wreck it and it could be dangerous with the lights but we will have the larger one in the conservatory.

I'm glad you had a good time with Simon & Sally, Frank and you going for a drink together with Simon,

Jane I did receive your email showing the Hastings walk but couldn't open the attachment, I was going to forward it to Richard as I thought he may have had more luck but I seemed to have lost it in the ether.

Ann love what you have done with the baubles what a good idea, you are very clever

I have just finished writing some of my cards and will post them tomorrow on the way to the vets with Ruby, hopefully we can have a date for her Op. The week after New Year won't be possible as Paul will be needed to work to be there for the IT department better than being called out from his home in the middle of the night.

I,m back and all unloaded and put away. Got told off because it was nearly dark before I set off home from Morrisons. I am now getting the cold shoulder and he has gone into his study with his coffee but he did make mine. Did'nt want to come out and have his cream cake!! I must be in the dog house.

I went up Atlantic Village first and got a couple of bits there.

In Morrisons I took the light bulbs back that were supposed to last for 2 years and only lasted a few days and the next one only two days and they gave me my money back. She did'nt even ask me for the receipt so I expect there have een a lot of returns.

Saw my cousin Janet, Joy's daughter< and we had a good natter and it seemed like she wanted to talk so we put the world to rights. She told me they did'nt buy each other presents last year buit they have this year. She is the one who had a kidney off he oh. She told me she was 60 and I can still remember playing with her when she was small behind the settee in our lounge. I must have been about 8 or nine.

I am pleased you have all started to get your cards as I was getting a bit worrid as nobody had said anythin and I know I only put 2nd class stamps on because I bought them by mistake!! and I posted them on Saturday.

I had my first card today from Aunty Joy and its lovely. Its a view through a window into a room with a big Christmas tree inside. and snow around the window frame and a snowy tree to the side WITH GLITTER!

Afternoon All,

It was good you managed to use the beef Frank. I see Biggles had some too! I bet he doesn't get such good beef at home. lol. How long are you having him for? I had to smile at a black Lab on the park yesterday. He went haring across the grass as soon as he was let out of the car in the carpark, reached a post of a temporary fence round the cricket pitch, sniff, sniff, leg cock, then hared to the other corner post, sniff, sniff, leg cock, hared to a nearby tree and yes, sniff, sniff, leg cock, then hared off into the distance!! It made me think he must do it every time he's there.

No, we have a pre-lit artificial tree Frank. I've never had a real one and neither did my parents. Maybe it was living on the edge of Cannock Chase full of pine trees as a child and not liking seeing swathes of them chopped down? I do miss the pine scent though and would love that with a real tree. Something I never saw years ago, there are 3 farms near here that have several fields each that are filled with Christmas trees all different sizes. You can see the ones that are to go soon as they have tags put on them. I often wonder if they get people stealing them this time of the year. At one farm there is no fence between them and the road.

I took OH in my car to Boundary Mill at Grantham today as I like to give it a good run between the short trips round and about. We were early so got a good parking spot near the doors and there were very few people about which was a bonus. We had a small brekkie first, then OH set off for the books while I looked at the clothes etc. I found a handbag I really liked that stands up when you put it down if you know what I mean, so OH has added that to my pressies. My current bag is driving me mad as it slips off my shoulder all the time and has 4 big zipped compartments inside as well as 2 small ones and I'm always looking in the wrong bit for what I want! I had a panic once when my car keys had ended up in a different place to usual. :-S They had some nice clothes and jackets, but I will wait till the January sales for those! ;-) ;-) OH got himself a book about Brexit!! lol. We went to the big garden centre at the back after, but they hadn't done much with their Christmas decorations this year so we had a drink and came home, calling in the carvery on the way.

Anne I expect Ruby having the op will put paid to her having another phantom pregnancy, which is good. It must be quite upsetting for them to want puppies so badly. Will she be getting a present from Santa?

I enjoyed the Marigold Hotel thing that was on tv last night as I did the last series. That Miriam Margoyles would get on my nerves if I had to spend much time with her though! The volcano prog was brilliant too!!

Better get something done now! :-) Time flies once I sit here. :-S

Ann, Xmas trees are such an attraction to the pets,especially lively curious ones LOL
I expect Thomas will be trying to bat the lower baubles on our tree again this year!

I saw on FB that KIms little kitten has been climbing hers !!!.

Ann I can always send that little video again if you think Richard can open it (and if you would like to see it)It isnt much to be honest but was just nice to see.

Does Paul have to be on call at night often for his job? Its no fun .Life in this house was so much better once out of hours surgery were set up and we had no more calls all through the night when Chris was on Duty. Some nights he would barely get any sleep and then have to work all the next day.Grumpy is probably the nicest way I can describe what he was like !!!.

So it will soon be time for Ruby's little op. My Sister is quite concerened about little Jilly as she has never had a Season and she must be 18 months old or so now. I know she has been to the Vet about it and there was some talk of an injection? Maybe a hormone to kick start things. But I'm not too sure.

Chris has found Kavanagh QC on some channel in the afternoon.I dont know how many years ago it was on TV now, but everyone is so young(and many dead now).
It is unusual for Chris to watch TV like that in the afternoon but it is a great programme.I think I will be joining him each day to watch :-). It was a brilliant episode today.
Mel are you still enjoying Doctors.?I still watch but find some of the storylines a bit irritating . I just dont think it is as good as it used to be

Thomas has worms :-S :-S... It is my fault as I forgot to do his worm treatment back in October. I have seen those little white segments :-S :-S. So he is not a happy cat now as the treatment is done.I feel very guilty for forgetting but then he shouldnt be eating all these mice etc !!. I thought he was feeling a bit skinny too. It gives me the willies thinking of worms. Fleas I can cope with . Hope I havent put anyone off dinner :-D

Frank,maybe the Birds will enjoy that Gluten Free Cake that Ros made and wasn't happy with :-D.
My Amaryllis must have grown ANOTHER couple of inches since yesterday !!!!!!. I jsut wish it would flower now as it is looking ridiculous.

Thanks Jane if you could resend the video attachment I will see if Richard can open it.

I can't remember the last time Paul had to work nights, the reason this time is the IT department can't do what they need to when Waitrose head office is working they have a huge site in Bracknell where Paul works he hasn't anything to do with the shop. He does rarely get called by security when he is on call and sometimes can give instructions over the phone.

Ruby is going to have a few Christmas presents and I am getting one for her birthday on the 18th.

We have an all electric Christmas tree we stopped having real trees when our last home was 3 story with the main sitting room upstairs and the mess getting it out of the house when it had started shedding wasn't good

We also enjoyed watching the Marigold Hotel programme last night will be watching Jo Brand this evening about cats & kittens. Mostly I watch Doctors but agree not always as good as it was.

Mel, Peter was the worlds worst sulker one of our friends use to call him the Incredible Sulk I think it must be a man thing as I have never sulked in my life but I know that my Dad did.

He has gone off without giving me my goodnight kisses!!

I don't think Doctors is as good as it used to be either. I liked it when Julie was head. Some of the stories go on for so long I get fed up with seeing the people involved. I could'nt stand Iesha's (sp) mum and I am glad she's dead. They just take thing on for too long. I never see it on a Tuersday and don't bother to watch it on catch up.

Tonight I shall watch the Marigold thingy and then Kirsties new series but before that I am going to do up a couple of presents.

Morning all,

So dark here this morning and I can't see any trees moving. Really dimity and damp looking.

I shall be working outside today. Oh has some of the plastic onthe gazebo roof and has just taken the screws out to screw it down with. He has had to put a plastic cap on ev ery screw that you fit a cap over once the screws in place.

I did all Joy's presents up last night so all dressed and labeled and in a Christmas bag ready to go to Joy.

Still not being spoken to........

Oh Mel, what have you done to upset him like this ??


Good morning to you all, Evening Kim.

I don't know why I keep saying EVENING KIM. I don't think she looks in now does she ???

Ros has gone to be weighed and drop of a few cards. She wants a couple of things from Tesco. Then she will be home.

The new CAKE smells good, and is all wrapped up ready for the marzipan and icing to go on. I might try a bit of the other cake. It might be very nice, then I can have a bit in the afternoons with a COT. ;-) ;-) ;-)

I have had my shower, now sitting down before my shave. It does take up all my energy having a shower. I come out of there like a wet week. !!! Once I am shaved and dressed. I will walk the close delivering Cards. The village cards have to be done in the car, as they are so spread out, but it saves a bit on postage. !!!and I get to walk up and down the drives. LOL So I am getting some exercise, more LOLs

I see that Michael Parkinson was suppose to be on Lorraine this morning but was struck in traffic, so she interviewed him on the phone.

I never get round to watching the programmes you watch. If I am on my own I don't have the T.V. on, if it is on in the afternoon it's NAT GEO or EDAN

Are you all ready for Christmas. ?? All I have to do is the Gammon, which I will do the week we go to Paignton. I will try to get involved with Christmas cooking if Conrad lets me in the kitchen.

Biggles has been for his long walk early today as the girl / woman (she 35) is going shopping this afternoon. I will perhaps get him round the block later this afternoon.

Afternoon All

Well Mel, what can I say !!!. Is he still not talking because you left Morrisons as it was getting dark ???? I hope he comes out of his mood soon. How daft if that is all it was. :-S. I take it he will be getting his own lunch :-D :-D

Black as anything here now. I just got back from Rushden Lakes and Waitrose.It was amazingly quiet. I parked in a space right outside Waitrose and the same at Next in the shopping complex. I expect Fitz will be popping in shortly as I picked up a magazine he wanted.I got a couple of small Pizzas in case he stays for a bite.

Frank I still have lots more food things to get for Xmas, but I got cold meat platters and a Tapas Platter just now.The dates are good up until 6th Jan so they will be fine in the fridge. I have a ready cooked Gammon with Orange Honey and Rosemary and one to cook which I will do my usual way with Honey,Mustard etc.That one is in the freezer.

It doesnt look like you will be doing walkies with Biggles later Frank.The wind is picking up and I think there are spits and spots of rian in the air.

I think I will light the fire as it is so dark .Its not cold though so I will get a short sleeved top on. I was almost flaking out yesterday with the heat.

Dont eat too much cake Frank.There will be no room for your din dins :-D

All I have sone all day is wash out the big bin I had the hedgehog in and hold the ladder and be general dogs body for oh fetching and holding things but at last it is up, all of it and he said the wind was getting up this afternoon so he wanted to get it finished.

All is well now and I have just given him a nice mug of Americana Coffee and then he is going in the shower so I may change the bed whilst he is in there after shutting the girls in.

Dos'nt it get dark quickly at the moment. One min I look out the window and its still light and then I typw a few words look again and then its dark.!!!!!

Afternoon Folks,

Anne, I've known my OH since 1986 and never known him to sulk either, but like you, my dad would sulk too, sometimes for several weeks and especially at Christmas!! Paul must be an important, key worker to be on call at times for such a big organisation. I remember a lot of our IT updating and repair would happen at night while the rest of us were slumbering. I've never thought about getting real Christmas trees upstairs in a 3 storey house! I know there can sometimes be problems with furniture.

Ugh Jane, I hate cat worms too and little Ellie that used to visit here soon got popped outside when I noticed one once! Thank you for your lovely Christmas card with a pic of what looks like your 'Champion Mouser 2017!!!' :-D lol. I think I caught a glimpse of that skinny tabby cat hot tailing it next door as I drove up the drive yesterday. I looked over the fence when I parked up but there was no sign of it. I hope your hip is a bit easier today.

Frank you could take Biggles on your Christmas card deliveries, then you would kill 2 birds with one stone so to speak. :-) On second thoughts it could be awkward with your stick and the cards, especially if he likes to rush ahead! We don't want you going A over T. :-S

We went to see the Charles Dickens film this morning, which we thought was a bit disappointing. We were the only people watching it and I started out with tissue in my ears ready for the Vue advertising noise, but ended up with my hands over my ears as well. After that we thought we'd be ok as it wasn't a noisy type of film, but I had to leave the tissue in my ears as it was so loud. After 20 minutes I couldn't stand it and went into the foyer for a break. I saw someone and asked if they would turn the sound down and pointed to the tissue in my ears!! lol :-) Well, they did, but I still needed to keep the tissue in place as it was still so loud. Even OH, who is a bit deaf, said it was too loud and not at all relaxing.

When OH goes off to his meeting I shall decorate my little bird twig, then the big tree will get done tomorrow. I need OH to help with putting the garlands on first (much easier with two doing it) and then I can do the baubles on my own. He made me smile as he said I would have to be 'up with the Clerk' tomorrow, so we can do the tree when he gets back from his checkup at the dentist. :

Up with the Clerk!!! Ha ha ha, nice one Gordon. :-D

I have changed the bed and now I am going to wash my hair. Then I can shower later.

We have missed our flu jabs as I was looking on the wrong piece of paper!! It is scripts on the 12th and there was another bit of paper underneath which said our flu jabs were the 23rd Nov. so I rang the surgery and they will do them tomorrow at 12.40 pm same time as before. What a twonk!!

Can you believe it The Boiler isnt working . I noticed that none of the radiators were on at 4.30 .So I have rung British gas and the earliest someone can come is next MONDAY !!!!!!... Chris has brought in the Oil Radiator from the summerhouse so I think I shall plug that in the hall downstairs and hopefully the heat will rise up to the landing.
Thank heavens I lit the fire. I know I will have to keep telling Chris to shut doors :-S :-S

Good afternoon all

Didn't have much joy at the vets first we needed to see the vet not the nurse where they had booked us in fortunately she saw us quite quickly but as Ruby is still lactating she needs to have some medicine to clear it up so they will be able to operate but they hadn't got in stock so we could have gone over to their main surgery in Crowthorne to pick it up but Paul will get it tomorrow on the way to work when it will be there.

We did have trouble with the furniture being delivered at our last house it was when we had bought a new three piece suite and the settee couldn't be taken up the stairs, we had to take the glass out of the window to get it through fortunately it came from my Dad's shop and the men worked for him. We got the old one in and out with no problems and they were both Parker Knoll .

The weather here has been strange and when out you could hear the gun fire from Sandhurst Military College firing range I use to notice when walking deep into the forest with Amy but don't go that far now with Ruby as she not that keen on walking too far.

Jane & Gill thank you both for your cards I haven't opened my birthday card yet Gill.

Richard has just come in so must put the veges on

I'm glad all is good again Mel :-). I hate it when the sulks go on for too long.

That was a pity you had a wasted visit to the Vet today Anne. At least Paul will be able to collect the medication Ruby needs tomorrow.

Up with the Clerk :-D :-D :-D He is so witty Ann and comes up with some real crackers.

It is a good job we have a delivery of logs tomorrow ,as we only have enough left for about one more fire.And with no heating now until Monday we are going to need that fire going every day especially with the weather getting really cold later in the week.
I wish we could manage to keep it going all night but so far it hasnt happened. I suppose it is because it is just wood and no coal. Thomas will miss his warm spot under the radiator on the landing first thing in the mornings

I have just realised that our dinner is going to take 1hour and 45minutes . It is a Beef Bouginion (ready meal).I thought it was 30 mins !!!!!.I cant even put it in the oven yet as James's dinner is in at a much highter temperature. So it is looking like a really late meal this evening :-S

Evening all,

It's been quite mild here today ,i hung Max's bedding out and it had a good old blow on the line and dried quite well.

That's good the sulking is over Mel but did he come round as he wanted your help with the job he was doing :-D
Naughty Mel for getting the Flu jab date wrong ,it's good they can fit you in fairly quickly.

Oh no Jane no heat this time of year is not good ,thank goodness for the wood burner ,is yours a multi fuel like ours ,we haven't tried keeping it in but if the weather gets really bad we will give it a try ,i know next door keeps theirs in over night ,they just bank it up with coal then cover it with the ash from the ash pan and close it all up .
Our rads didn't get hot the other day and Colin asked his brother ,who's a retired plumber and he said the pump was sticking turn it off and then on again ,touch wood it's ok now .
Thanks for your card that came this morning .

Max has his check up at the vets tomorrow ,and we need more wormer and flea stuff ,he needs weighing too so we can keep an eye on him we don't want him putting weight on .

How did Ros do with her weigh in this week Frank ?

All this changing bed linen. We did ours this morning too.


I did deliver the cards this afternoon, but without the help of Biggles. He would have been pulling. With me and my stick and carrying the cards, I could see an accident before I left home !!!

Ros lost another one and a half pounds today. That's over half a stone so far. She is well pleased as you can imagine.

She went into Tesco's and was surprised to see how quiet it was. She wanted some bits she needed for decorating the cake. She sent a photo of it to Conrad. He rang back on WHATS AP. and showed her the sea and beech where he and Jan were having lunch.Jammy Bu@@er.

For the first time tonight, I heard Biggles Bark. I had let him out the back, when he wanted to come in he BARKED. !!! Both Ros and I couldn't believe what we heard.

I did Ros some Ribs tonight with Jacket and coleslaw, I didn't want anything myself. I might have something later. I seemed to have gone off my food lately.

Everything alright at home then Mel. What was it over ??

Anne, I hope Ruby has her operation soon and she is being good. xx

Jane I still haven't been to Rushed Lakes. I think I will leave it until the Spring, when I can have a walk round the nature area.

Don't FAINT. I am going down the pub tonight to watch the football. Roa has offered to take me, as well as collecting me later. But provided it's not wet, I think I will walk. It will do me good.

Have a nice evening, see you in the morning. xx

Hi everyone

Been busy these last two days, yesterday we put up a little 3 foot fibre optic Christmas tree in the living room. Sandra wanted us to do it for her so she could decorate it, we also put some coloured lights around the picture rail and around the bottom of the TV, we were working until 11pm last night and then today we went to see OH's mum and then his brother so I've only just had a chance to come online.

I'm absolutely shattered now and so is OH so we're going to have an early night, we've had so many late nights and early mornings that I think it's all caught up with us both, so hopefully a good nights sleep will do us both good.

I've not read any of the post yet so hope everyone is okay. I'll catch up with them tomorrow.

I've posted all the Christmas cards and the birthday cards for Anne and Frank. Thanks for the Christmas cards Sandra loves all the snow one's :-D :-D It looks like we might be having some snow over the next few days, OH and I are hoping there is enough for Sandra to finally build her snowman.

See you all tomorrow
Night NIght

Mandy ours is just a woodburner.This is when we could do with it being a Multi fuel.
The pump was still running in the airing cupboard but boiler off. So after just reading your post I went up to turn the pump off....but it had gone off :-S. I have turned everything off now and will swith it on again in a bit and see if anything happens. I have flicked a switch in the airing cupboard that I think it the immersion so we should still have hot water. Fingers crossed. The boiler was only seviced a few weeks ago !!

Does Max have the flea and worm stuff on the back of his neck? Where I did Thomas's yesterday his hair is all stiff and horrible.

Fingers crossed the turning off and on again might work Jane ,thank goodness you have the immersion so you can have hot water .

Max has flea stuff on his neck and wormer tablets ,he's not at all keen on the stuff on his neck he goes a bit loopy twisting and tuning ,i suppose it tickles a bit .

Well done to Ros for loosing more weight this week she is doing really well.