General Chat

Good evening all

Thank you everyone for all your birthday cards and best wishes. I'm just having a quiet evening in, most of my presents are vouchers inc M&S and Amazon which is good for me as I'm not an easy person to buy for I'm not a great lover of lots of jewellery, I'm allergic to a lot of beauty products and at my age I have most things I want, boring or what? However I did have some lovely flowers and Diabetic choccies.

I haven't had chance to catch up on the posts will try later at the moment Ruby is trying to get on my lap wearing her Christmas jumper that Richard bought for her in M&S at half price today.

Have you got a pic of Ruby in her Christmas Jumper Anne? :-D :-D.. Amazon and M&S vouchers are great pressies as you can buy just what you want :-D
Mandy.. No card here. When did you post them?I am sure they will all arrive.

Ouch ! Ann that knee sounds so painful. You must have just been sitting in an awkward position . Bl**dy knees and hips .

Strictly on now O M Goodness Debbie has been swung around !

I have got James dishing up dinner so I dont miss anything :-D

Posted them all on Tuesday Jane second class with Anne and Franks birthday cards so i hope they got those , i thought it strange no one had mentioned getting them ,where the devil are they .

Love to see Ruby in her new coat Anne .

No card yet Mandy, just got OH to check. I bet they'll arrive on Monday. My sucker thing for the wreath should have been here yesterday or today and didn't arrive. I expect the post amounts are building up now. :-)

Yes, Jane what you said about ###hips and knees!! lol. I think it is because my knees bend more on the settee than the higher chairs......more leverage on them needed to get me up when I stand! James has been putting in some hours, that was a long day!

Oh Mel, I thought you'd had snow at first!! What a great idea. It will make a few smile when they see it. :-D

We got your cards today Mandy, Sandra has put her's in her bedroom, along with all the other's for her. We got your card today as well Frank, Sandra loves the squirrels. I think we've received everyone's cards now. Thank you to you all <3

How are your knees now Ann, I hope they are feeling a bit better? Do you have a heat rub, that might help to ease the pain a bit? I've taken a look at the RHS site so now know what to do with our Banana plant. I've cut off all the leaves that had turned black and left the new shoot. When we came home this evening I felt the new pot I put it in and it didn't feel as cold as it did this morning so it's starting to warm up now. I think it helped because I forgot to turn the heating off before we went out and we were out all day. So thank you for letting me know about the site, hopefully I won't lose the whole plant now :-) :-)

I love the pics you have sent Mel. You are clever and how nice for the Gnome to be bought to put by the lady's, brother's, bench.

You had some lovely presents Anne, with the flowers and chocs and the vouchers sound ideal. Yes, I'd like to see a picture of Ruby in her Christmas jumper if you take one please.

James works long hours doesn't he Jane, let's hope the hours drop down at bit after Christmas, he must be so tired. I'm pleased Joe won Strictly he was very good wasn't he?

Sorry to hear about Martine's OH Frank, let's hope they've caught it in time.

Going to watch Michael McIntyre now, I've got it on pause. See you all tomorrow
Night Night

Oh I'm glad some one has had one .

Mel i love the post box very festive, that will put a smile on peoples faces as they post their letters and cards ,I'd likd to see the postmans face too when he comes to empty it :-D

Mandy both your cards came to day thank you, I hope everyone has received my cards and Frank his birthday card.

Sorry to hear about Martine's husband being diagnosed with bowel cancer hopefully it was caught in time I have heard it is one of the most curable cancers.

Jane you asked if Stephen is the one wearing glasses, yes it is him, he is now 60 years old, I think I may have mentioned this before but he has Rubenstein's Taybi Syndrome. He was so kind to me after Peter's funeral he gave me a big hug from his wheel chair and said " I really Loved Peter" this meant so much to me, more because it was so unexpected.I love Stephen he was only 9 months old when I first met Peter.

Among my birthday cards was one from Colin's ex wife Lesley she mentioned that earlier this year with her partner Martin they had been to New Zealand for three months doing a house swap they live in Edinburgh. She is a talented artist and has her own website, she uses her single name Lesley Skeates.

Richard has taken a photo of Ruby in her jumper so hopefully he will put in on my email
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Hope every one has a good night's sleep, Sweet Dreams.

Mandy no card here yet either. It seems just one of us has had your card that being Gill. Will let you know if it arrives on Monday.

So you liked our post box did you? I thought it was positioned a little away from the post and was thinking I could so the post and then the box but the box was right up against the post. I put elastic bands together and secured the two ends with a cable tie and tucked the cotton wool under it. I don't know how long it will last and I was spotted by our builder when I was doing it and another four cars came past me!! Dave the builder was on a quad byke and said hello so he saw what I was doing.

I like some of her painting Anne. The sea ones are good.

Just seen your festive post box Mel what a lovely idea. the snow looks so realistic.

I use to prefer Lesley's paintings when they had less dramatic scenes. When I first met her when she was a medical artist and my sons not knowing this tried to scare her withf a rather gruesome photo, her answer being she sometimes had to illustrate dead bodies so their joke some what back fired. She also photographed a Downs Syndrome little girl that had surgery to straighten her eyes, there was a fair bit of publicity for the surgeon who had operated on her at the time.

Morning all,

Its so dark here this morning I have to have the light on to see. No wind and it all looks dreary out there. I don't know yet whether there is enough light to work in my shed today with peering at things.

Oh is buying me a tablet for Christmas so I shall have to learn how to use it. Its supposed to be for my talking books that I listen to whilst getting lunch or the cooking the dinner and I can use it when I do the ironing too. I am not up with all these new gadgets and phones. He has ordered himself a smart phone too and I don't know how to work one of those either!! I,m just an old fuddy duddy really.

Morning Mel, morning all

Dull and wet here today too Mel, the garden is drenched and isn't soaking away very quickly.

So you're getting a new tablet for Christmas then Mel, I'm the same as you and not very good at technology either. I love the picture of the post box, that will put smiles on a few faces.

I've just taken a look at Lesley's painting Anne, she's very good isn't she? I'm sure she'll do well selling them. I've heard of these house swaps, they're a good idea. 3 months in New Zealand instead of Scotland can't be bad :-)

Having a quiet day today, so I might take another look at OH's tree, it's coming along nicely, so shouldn't take to much longer to finish. I must remember to wrap another present I bought for Sandra yesterday for Christmas too.

What is everyone else up to?

I still have presents to wrap and get more decs up. I also will finish the other wreath today and may do a couple of candle decs for the shop.

Its not that cold out today but feels colder indoors.

From Liz and I thought I wold put it all on here for you to read.


Your Post Box looks very festive Mel!!
We had a fab day yesterday with our son and his partner. They came with a large boxful of presents and a Christmas Cake, specially made for us. The lunch was delicious and as it's our sons birthday on the 22nd, they had put some little chocs and candles with a card saying Happy Birthday on our table, which was a lovely gesture.
Today OH has gone to Bristol to pick up a trailer that he bought last week. The one we had was only on loan and has had to go back to its owner! So Cas and I am here having a bit of peace and quiet reading my new book while she snoozes!
Could you please wish all my friends on GR a very Happy Christmas for me and hope all their wishes come true!! or post this if you prefer!
Take care
Love,
Liz xxx

Good morning to all my ladies, and evening to my Kim,

I'm not the happiest BUNNY TODAY. Had a very bad night. was lying awake most of it, and when I got up 9.00am I was tottering around as though my legs didn't belong to me.

Simon and Sally called over yesterday afternoon. They couldn't stay long as Sally needed to try to get some rest as she was working at 7.00 pm for a TWELVE HOUR shift. Better her the me. LOL

Glad to see everyone is getting on top of Christmas Shopping. I bought Ros's get ago, which she has been wearing/using for a few weeks. So I have bought her a pair of slippers/boots, that I am sure she will wear. The CHEEKY THING. Gave me a nice box yesterday and said "I have ordered myself a nice piece of Jewellery from the Jewellery programme" When it arrives, you can open it and pack it in this box for a present for me to open ;-) ;-) ;-) <3 <3 <3

Roast leg of lamb (half) for today. Veg all done, all I have to do is make the pudding and CHEESE SAUCE (Jane LOL LOL )

Horrible RAINY morning here. I can hear it on the conservatory windows. The forecast says it's going to get warmer in the week, but with winds up to 70 MPH so look out for your pots on the patio's Gill and all.

It was nice to see Joe win Strictly last nice. The newspapers had him as odds on favourite, so it looks like they were right. They were all good, and entertaining So I liked them all !!! Next thing will be Dancing on Ice. Haven't seen yet who is going to be on that. I always have a good laugh at some of them, with less experience and balances others. They fly all over the place.

I shouldn't think any of you will want to be out shopping today, if your weather is like ours.
See you all later, and I hope I will be in a better mood. ;-) ;-)

Sorry to hear you had another bad night Frank, try and take it easy today.

I was so pleased that Joe won Strictly it was well deserved, I had thought Debbie was going to win but she did have an unfair advantage having trained as ballet dancer when she was young so good for her age though.

We are having roast chicken today with all the usual veg. Paul and the girls are coming later, Richard is out for a meal as it's Holly, his god daughter's 17th birthday.

Afternoon all,

Dreary day here it was very white this morning but it's now raining so all the frost has gone .
The little ones came with their Santa lists to put up the chimney ,when Lewis put his up he said oh i shall miss my list :-D

Nice to hear from Liz , Happy Christmas Liz if your looking in .

I'm sure you'll get on fine with your tabet Mel , when i first had mine i thought i'm not going to get on with this but now i wouldn't be with out it .

So more rain your way Gill ,lets hope it's nice and dry tomorrow so the builders can get on and get the roof done before all the strong winds arrive .

Sorry to hear you've had a bad night Frank ,perhaps you can get a little doze in this afternoon .

I made my Yorkshire puds today and have put them in the freezer ready for christmas day ,so thats a bit less to do on the day ,i seem to spend half the time in the kitchen and miss the little ones playing with their toys so i thought i would really get ahead with things this year ,i'm going to get my stock done for the gravy ahead of time too .
Nice and easy meal tonight Mac and cheese with some nice ham in it too.

Afternoon Everyone on a very dark and drizzly day. No heavy rain but just that horrible heavy drizzle. It was thick freezing fog first thing this morning.

Mel I thought your Post box was brilliant. I was like Ann and thought it was real snow at first :-D
I think you will get on fine with your new Tablet once you get the hang of it.There is me saying that and I am hopless at new things like that LOL

I have had a look at Lesleys Art Anne. What a talented lady she is. So it was Simon that I saw :-D. I wasnt sure.

Thanks for Liz's message Mel. It sounds like she has had a lovely time with her Son and Partner.

Oh dear Frank what a bad night you had :-S. Doesn't it get so frustrating when you just cant go to sleep.The more you try the worse it gets :-S.. When is it you go away?
I was thinking if it would be worth Ros seeing if she could have some more antibiotics to take with her just incase she should get another infection while you are away?I know some Drs are happy to do that.

Cheese sauce :-) :-).. Love it just not with a roast dinner. I have Chicken Breasts out for tonight which I will probably wrap with Asparagus and Pancetta,and I'll do those roast potatoes with Jerusalem Artichokes,Garlic ,Sage and Lemon again. That went down a treat last week.

I must ring my sister and see if they have water .If not this will be the 3rd/4th day !!

Gill does your Banana Plant look any better now you have it indoors?

Thomas has the hump because of the weather lol He was out earlier and came back very wet with a mouse which he ate on the back door mat :-S He wants to go out again but each time I open the back door for him he takes one look and comes back in.

Hannah and Gareth went to Kew Gardens last night Oh my word it looked beautiful with everything lit up with christmas lights. I have a couple of pics I will forward on.

It's me again, !!!

Still a disgusting day out there. I really feel for the poor people who have dogs that they must walk.

Poor old Thomas. Not wanting to go out HUNTING. We kept an old towel by the cat flap for my old friend. I would go and towel him off when he came in. He loved it. Then he would hop on my armchair for a stoke and fuss. Still miss him after all this time.

Val next door has her annual visit from her two sons and wifes and children. They always come the Sunday before Christmas to see them. Not all the noise now that the children have grown up. She has another Son who lives in New York. He or Val haven't visited each other for years. I think the last time was when her DIL had a baby, that is some years ago now.

I see theres a lot of chicken being eaten today, in various forms. I am sure it will be lovely. I can't remember the last time a did a Roast Chicken. Must get Ros to get one, and put it in the freezer for when we come home.

We are hoping to go down on Friday 22nd. When we will come back is anyone guess. Either when they are fed up with us or vice a versa LOL LOL. I am not sure when Conrad will go back to Spain.

Ros has told me to start to lookout what I want to take down to Devon. It won't be too much, as I doubt I will be going far, if the weather is nice I might ge down the seafront for a walk, and round to the "Harbour Inn" for a lunchtime pint.

I am getting the Gammon out of the freezer tomorrow. It can thaw, then I will boil it and do my thing with it. I have a large plastic box in which it will travel. I might the the other one with us (FROZEN) and prepare that down there for the New Year.

Have you all done what visiting you have to do, before next weekend, and whose having family with them, over the festive period.???

Ros was just saying, when will we see Lewis ?? I hope it will be this week, if he comes up with Harvey and Julia.We will be forgetting what he looks like. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Stay warm and dry, enjoy the rest of your day. xxx

Frank,I remember when you lost 'your old freind' :-( how many years ago is that now?
That must have been nice for Val to see her family Frank.Shame she hasnt seen her son in New York for so long. Is it just once a year she gets a visit from the others? I wonder what they think of her health situation ! They must see a big change

We dont have anyone to visit over Christmas. Not family anyway. We are going to Fitz's on Tuesday eve for drinks and nibbles. Cant wait to see the tree and all the other Christmasy things :-D. We will probably have our neighbours Colin and Norma up for a
Xmas drink.The young ones will be here for Chrismas (exceptfor Gareth who is going to his parents) He will be here before Xmas and leave on Xmas Eve
We go down there on the 28th with Hannah and it wil be a big get together with Gareths family and Janice,Larry and their tribe at the local pub.

We are all giving oursleves a big pat on the back after completing the Sunday Times Jumbo Crossword :-D :-D.. Chris did most of it and James and I managed to finish it off. I have to admit though to googling the answers to just 3 clues.

Poor James has done something to his neck. He was in agony last night and still today . But after slapping a heat patch on rubbing Ibuprofen Gel and taking painkillers it is a little easier(just) He is now having a relaxing bath.

It feels so much later than 5.15 !!!!