General Chat

Peaceful day here after yesterdays excitement!! The birthday lunch went very well and it was good to see L's old school friend as we hadn't seen her since she went to Canada in 1997!!
Been raining hard here this morning, but is clearing up now so OH wants to rotovate the small veg patch this afternoon and then look at the veg cage to repair it and to decide where we're going to situate it. Like you Mandy, there really isn't any job OH can't tackle inside or out. He does all our maintenance, including fencing, making gates, hedging etc, although the farm opposite does cut the hedge once a year on both sides for us without charging, which is a bonus!! So I too have no idea what people charge these days. Mind you we shall ask M to come over and help move the cage as it will be too much for us to do on our own. We're lucky he's so obliging!!
Off to walk Cas now, then lunch!

I'm also very lucky, that any jobs (and there are a lot now) that I can't do. I can call on Harvey. He can do anything in the building line as well as being a landscape gardener. The trouble is getting him up here to do them. I am waiting on two jobs at the moment. I can't push him too hard, as he works very hard, and he has his own jobs to do a home.

We have decided to use a chap who does gardening, to come for a couple of hours once every two weeks. He can cut the grass and do some jobs for Ros around the garden. Even though I like to do my lawns with my strips and clean cut edges, there comes a time when you must give into age and health. Since doing my back lawn on Monday, my hips have been playing up, as is my arthritis in my hands and shoulders.


Ros has been trying to speak with someone at the hospital regarding her operation. I think it would be easier to speak with the POPE than some HUMAN at the hospital. It always goes to an answer machine, and no one ever rings back. So it all starts again a few days later.

Carol has arranged for Ros and her to go to the local Care Home at Gayton, on Wednesday Morning to take these muff things. When asked how many they needed, they said 35. Ros has made 17 so far. So plenty more to do. They would also like some shawls that the old people can put over their legs when sitting around. I said to Ros that should, and could be a job for "Stitchery Do" Where on earth do these people expect all the wool to come from. "THE WOOL TREE" lol lol. It's all very well offering to do these things for these homes, but they expect everything to be FREE. I for one don't mind chipping in for a good cause, but this lot sounds expensive.

I had a nice smoked salmon sandwich and an eclair for lunch. Roa had a prawn sandwich, and is now doing herself a HOT X BUN. I passed, as I am full, and won't want to eat tonight, if I have anything else.

It's finally stopped raining, but everywhere looks soaked.

Might see you later.

Yes Frank, we're the same with M, we don't like to put on him too much as like your son he works hard and has his own home to look after.
Good idea to get somebody in to help with the day to day gardening jobs! I think we all eventually have to admit that we need a helping hand!!
As you say, wool is quite expensive!!!! Maybe a small contribution might be in order, but how do you tactfully 'ask'!!!!
'Shed & Buried' is on !! It's local to where we used to live so we recognise a lot of places they visit! the things these two get up makes us both laugh!

Liz, I haven't seen this programme yet. I'm sure it's something I would enjoy. I will try to watch it on CATCH UP when Ros is next out.

Carolyn has been round to see how Ros makes these Muffs. She is going to start to help make some, also some squares that can be sewn together to make these shawls
She has bought Ros a lovely Bunny rabbit wth a little pot plant in his paws. Ros said "if it behaves and promises not to hop away", she will put him on the doorstep Easter Sunday to get a bit of fresh air. Silly bu@@er or what ???

We have a nice sunny end to the day, which is very nice.

Our village hall was let out last Saturday. It appears that it was for a TEENAGE PARTY. The outcome is, it has been THRASHED. Broken windows, they have broken into cupboards that belong to pre-school and stolen all the sweets/biscuits etc. Radiator covers have been smashed, and broken beer bottles thrown over the car park. The damage runs into hundreds of pounds.

Alan, who is an ex policeman, who's wife had the unenviable job of clearing up the mess, is on the case, and I believe his has names of some of the people present. I have said to him that the person who rented the hall should be held responsible for the damage. The hall should never be let to youngsters unless a responsible adult is present all the time. If push comes to a shove the Village Hall Committee should take the hirer to court to recover the loss's. What will be the outcome I don't know. The hall gets used by a lot of village organisations, including pre-school, indoor bowls, drama class, aerobics, mothers club, and others. It really makes you wonder what is in the heads of some of the youth of today. The question also needs to be asked WHERE DID THEY GET THE BOOZE.

At the moment, I am a very angry person.

Liz, I haven't seen this programme yet. I'm sure it's something I would enjoy. I will try to watch it on CATCH UP when Ros is next out.

Carolyn has been round to see how Ros makes these Muffs. She is going to start to help make some, also some squares that can be sewn together to make these shawls
She has bought Ros a lovely Bunny rabbit wth a little pot plant in his paws. Ros said "if it behaves and promises not to hop away", she will put him on the doorstep Easter Sunday to get a bit of fresh air. Silly bu@@er or what ???

We have a nice sunny end to the day, which is very nice.

Our village hall was let out last Saturday. It appears that it was for a TEENAGE PARTY. The outcome is, it has been THRASHED. Broken windows, they have broken into cupboards that belong to pre-school and stolen all the sweets/biscuits etc. Radiator covers have been smashed, and broken beer bottles thrown over the car park. The damage runs into hundreds of pounds.

Alan, who is an ex policeman, who's wife had the unenviable job of clearing up the mess, is on the case, and I believe his has names of some of the people present. I have said to him that the person who rented the hall should be held responsible for the damage. The hall should never be let to youngsters unless a responsible adult is present all the time. If push comes to a shove the Village Hall Committee should take the hirer to court to recover the loss's. What will be the outcome I don't know. The hall gets used by a lot of village organisations, including pre-school, indoor bowls, drama class, aerobics, mothers club, and others. It really makes you wonder what is in the heads of some of the youth of today. The question also needs to be asked WHERE DID THEY GET THE BOOZE.

At the moment, I am a very angry person.

Oh dear Frank, that is just dreadful. As you say, god knows what goes on in the heads of these young people. Ian's answer is a quick trip round the back of the bike sheds to teach them lesson! but I'm not sure these days that this would work! and you'd end up with an assault charge!! These kids are complete morons and whoever arranged this party should certainly pay for the damage. Maybe the Hall is insured? lets hope so.
OH has been getting a niggling pain under his ribs again. We thought we'd put that problem behind us, but after a chat with our GP, apparently you can get recurrences of gall bladder problems one way or another,, so back to him next Wednesday :-(

Evening all,

Been raining here most of the day ,the sun tried to shine about four o'clock but it wasnt long before it started to pour again .

The Estate agent came and lo and behold he was only the nephew of my mum and dads next door neighbour so we spent a lot of time talking about people in the town that we both knew .
I had my blood test this morning ,as soon as the needle was in my arm the blood oozed out from the needle , she filled two files and when she finished i held the cotton wool ball on it and she taped it on , i did a bit of shopping after and while walking round the shop i thought my arm feels wet , i pulled my sleeve up and the cotton wool ball was soaked with blood as was the sleeve of my top ,i've never bleed like that before ,now i have a huge bruise from the needle .

That's dreadful Frank , they should be found and made to clear and pay for all the damage and mess , they must know who booked the hall and the hall must have some sort of insurance although why should they have to claim as it will only put their insurance up next time which means they would have to pass the cost on and then the hall would be to costly to hire .

Oh dear Liz poor OH with Gall Bladder pain again ,does he take any tablets for the gall bladder pain ? i use to have Buscopan.

Oh crikey Jane i bet there was a mess with the red wine ,did he drop it on the belt or the floor ?
Hope you enjoyed the Cinema today ,you went just the right time as the children break up for Easter today .

Thanks for the info Mandy, we'll get some of these. At the moment OH is taking ibuprofen, but by all reports Buscopan is better. We had macaroni cheese the other day with lots of cheese, and apparently that could have caused this flare up! We're very fed up with 'old age'!!
You're right, why should the hall have to claim, as of course it will shove up their insurance premiums. I think these kids get someone else to buy their booze Frank if they're under age. and I expect they have part time jobs, or the dole!!!
Watching a fascinating prog about the Himalayas, you'd love it Frank! :-)

Good evening all

We have had the same weather as Mandy today.

I lost a long posting a couple of days ago so hopefully this post doesn't get lost into the unknown.

John is still waiting for his op. so as they go on holiday on Friday it isn't looking very likely he and Kathy will be going , I think Nigel & Sharon could be taking the boys if they take 2 cars.

We also watched Cragside and have been there a couple of times when we rented property in Rothbury a lovely place to visit with plenty of walks for our two boxers

How embarrassing for Chris with the red wine episode Jane, I expect his face matched the colour of the wine, did he still have to pay for it?

Frank that was dreadful having the hall trashed by those teenagers, when I worked at the arts centre they always added a refundable deposit to be paid in advance in case of any damage. If those responsible don't pay up they should be taken to the small claims court

Sorry to hear your OH has been having pain with gall stones again Liz.

Mandy it's a small world we live in, with the family knowing the estate agent's relations, nice to have had a good chat with hin.

Evening All

We really enjoyed the film today. It was funny and sad.I could quite happily have sat and watched it again :-D. Lunch was good too. I knew I shouldnt have had a desert.I could barely breath afterwards. We drove through some really horrible heavy rain but it had eased off by the time we got to Northampton. Lovely late afternoon sunshine here.That was a nice surprise :-D. Now it feels really cold.I think tonight we might be down to a minus 1

Frank,it sounds as though there were no adults on hand to keep an eye on things at that party in the village hall. Shame on those who caused so much damage. Sometimes gatecrashers get in and cause trouble.Also I wonder if it had been put on FB saying there was going to be a party !! It must have been a Parent who booked it so they will be known and yes they will be the ones held responsible .As for getting hold of Alcohol well that is so easy these days even if they were under 18.It is just really sad that a Village Hall should be so damaged like this when there are so many people who use it for various things every day.

How funny you knowing the Estate Agent today Mandy :-D. I bet you had a good old blether LOL . I hope that bruise doesnt hurt and that you can get the blood out of your sleeve. That has happened to me once after donating blood. Like you I could feel something,and when I looked down I was leaving a little trail on the floor in the Community Hall .
Talking of mess. Chris dropped that bottle of Red Wine on the floor !!!. He said as he lifted it out of the trolley to put it on the belt it just caught the end and SPLASH ,CRASH down it went.He is still going on about it today :-S. I told him I have heard enough now and to give it a rest :-D

Frank,I am glad you have found someone to do a couple of hours in the garden. The Lawn will still look good even if he doesn't do stripes :-D At least you wont have to worry about making your hip worse . That is definitely something you dont want.
Fitz says he can no longer mow his big lawn because of his hips, knees and hands.
He wanted to get a sit on mower but his OH won't hear of it(she doesnt want to spend the money !!. So she will be doing the lawn . Fitz was grumbling that her stripes were wonky LOL

Liz I hope Ian's grumbly pain isnt going to get worse. Gall Bladder pain is not pleasant.
Lets hope the GP can give him something to help if it doesn't settle.

I have just booked a night near Hereford in June.We have one night at the Vineyard in Newant (Glos) that Hannah bought for me last year,but I thought it would be nice to have a second night somewhere else.So that is done now and Thomas booked in at the you know where. Chris found a headless bunny in the back porch this morning :-S. Thankfully the inner back door was shut :-D
James should be home any minute now (so late again :-S) Tomorrow night he and his work mates are having a night out in Stamford. Just a meal I think .It is not the kind of place for night clubs LOL ) but wherever they are going it is going ot be a late one so he has booked a night at the George in Stamford. Do you know this Hotel Frank? He got a good deal on a single room and breakfast.I was quite shocked when he said he was staying there as it is such an expensive place.

He has just arrived so I shall check his dinner is ready. Nothing for me tonight.

Gosh you have all been busy chatting today and I hav'nt even looked in after my first posts this morning. I did lunch and then made a wreath for the church porch for Easter. It took all afternoon and I really enjoyed doing it. I have taken a pic so when its downloaded I will send it. I saw a picture of one somewhere in one of my magazines I think and did my own thing with the egg shaped thing I made last year or the year before, I can't remember which.

That was very bad about the village hall Frank. The person who booked it should be made to pay for the damage caused by the party. What a dreadfull thing to happen when so many people use the hall.

I am sure if Ros asked in a hospice shop they would give her some wool to make these muffs for the old folk. She could also put a small ad in the local newsagents for unwanted and left over wool. I am sure she would get some replies wioth offers and its not that expensive to put a card in the window. Also I have bought wool in charity shop quite cheaply for making my pom poms. I am sure if Ros asked in a few they would save some for her or if its a hospice shop they should give her some.

Frank I am not sure if you can watch Shed and Buried on catch up. Oh loves it too and they are such charaters Henry and Sam and old friends too who both share the love of motorbykes. Sam is very clever at making parts that they can't get when they do the bykes up or whatever they buy to sell on again. They buy stationary engines and push bykes and petrol cans and all sorts.

Anne shame that John's can't go on his holiday because he has'nt had his op. I do hope he can go away after when he is better once the op is done.

Poor Chris thats really got to him has'nt it Jane. All that lovely wine spilt on the floor. You did'nt say if he had to pay for the broken bottle or not.

Poor Ian having pains again it can't be nice for him at all. Perhaps all the rotavating did'nt help Liz. Give him my love and wishes for him feeling better soon.

Morning all,

Dull and cloudy and miserable here today and not too warm either.

Library this morning. I hav'nt been for two months as we had snow the last time she was due to come and she could'nt get here so she rang me.

Had a bad night last night. First one for a long while. Went to bed at 1.45am and was still awake at 20 to 4 when oh got up for a wee and then I did and lay there till 20 to 5am still awake and then I must have dropped off about 5 or just after. I had left a note for oh to wake me as I had the library so I have had about 4 hours sleep.

Morning all

Sunny here this morning but it's starting to cloud over now.

I was so busy yesterday I didn't have the chance to come on here and now have lots to catch up on.

I'll go and read the post, then come back :-)

Raining quite heavily here now.

Good morning Mel and all,

Not nice is it Mel, I was reasonable lucky last night. I only laid awake for one and a half hours. Once I felt Ros get in, I seemed to drop off. I got out to the loo around 6.30 and got back in bed until 8.00 am.

Reasonable sort of morning here. I am thinking of pressure washing the drive way and even the patio, if I am not too shattered.

That wasn't a very nice experience Mandy. She must have missed the vein for it to bleed like that.

Yes Jane, the GEORGE is very expensive. When Conrad and Jan had their business in Uppingham, they would have the Christmas Lunch there for Jo, Ros, the accountant Ned, hem and me. I would' like to think of the cost involved. They also took us there for a Sunday lunch. (That's when money was coming in from he business !!
Poor Ros is struggling to get around this morning, her back and leg are giving her gip. So I am ringing the gardener chap, to arrange for him to come over and see her. She can then tell him what she wants doing. I know she would love to do it herself, but it's getting to he stage where she just can't do it all.

Glad you enjoyed the film Jane. hat did you see ?? Carolyn wants to go to see a film, but not sure what the title is.

Dos you get to the library on time Mel. Thanks for the suggestion of going to the charity shops for wool. There are plenty around town that she could try.

Liz, Ian and I would have the same CELL, because that is exactly what I would like to do to these IDIOTS. It only take one or two, and the rest follow. I hope his pain eases, has he been doing to much with the gardening. ??

Anne how long has John got to wait for his operation. It must be frustrating waiting and not knowing.

I will get my jobs done, then get showered and shaved. I will then be a nice clean boy, to sit around.

I am doing a chicken casserole for tonight, while that is in the oven, I will put a rice pudding in as well.

Ros has just picked up an Easter card off the mat from Pam and Denis. We have never had one before, so she will have to get one to give to them. She had bought what she thought she needed. !!!

I trust you are all well, and enjoy whatever you are doing today xxx

Oh dear Mandy that shouldn't of happened with your blood test, hope your arm is feeling a little better today. What a small world, fancy knowing the estate agent. I bet it was nice to catch up.

What a shame John won't make his holiday now Anne and he was so looking forward to it wasn't he? Have they said when he's likely to have his op? Hope it's not to long for him to wait, he must be getting so fed up of it now.

The fella is making the gate to our requirements Mandy, we wouldn't of been able to buy it off the shelf as it's not a standard size. We needed something big enough to get all our large pot plants through should we ever move as we're taking them all with us. I think it's a bit expensive but we're having a tall fence put to the side of it to, the whole lot will be 7 foot tall and about the same in width so lots of wood as he's doing a double sided fence to make it strong. He made us one the same a few years ago and it's brilliant, I was expecting it to be blown down with all the terrible weather we've had over the last few months but it didn't move at all, so it's nice and strong and should last for years to come. The one thing we can't seem to do properly is making doors, we can turn our hand to almost everything else though, so thankfully we don't have to pay out for many things.

I see you've had a clear out of your wardrobe Mandy. It's a nice feeling when everything is sorted isn't it? We spent all afternoon yesterday going through all our kitchen cupboards and ended up throwing away almost a full wheelie bin of things we don't need or use anymore, plus a few outdated bits of food that were at the back of the cupboard. I've just got the cutlery draw to do today then they'll all be clean and tidy. Most of the cupboard look bare now as I have decided to pack up a few things I don't use much, that job will be done this morning then OH will pop them up in the loft. I'd like to spend Easter with Sandra and OH so will only be doing the odd small jobs over the next few days, I'm hoping to put all the handles on the door and draw fronts ready for us to attach them next week. I wanted all the cupboards cleaned before putting brand new stuff against it.

Pleased to hear the birthday lunch went well Liz. Has your OH fixed the veg cage and finished the rotavating, he sounds very busy lately. Hope the weather is nice enough for all the outside jobs he wants to do. Nice of M to help move the cage with you. Sorry to hear about your OH I hope it's not a recurrence of Gall Bladder problems.

Good idea to get someone in the help with your gardens Frank. If we lived closer we'd of come around and helped you. :-) Hope Ros has managed to speak to someone about her operation now, it must be frustrating not being able to speak to someone on the phone and for them to not ring back is just plain rude isn't it?
How awful for those teenagers to trash the village hall, I hope they are caught and punished. Let's hope the hall is insured, although that's not really the point is it? I wouldn't want to be the person who booked the party.

Fancy Chris smashing a bottle of red wine, hope it didn't go all over his clothes Jane. Has he stopped talking about it yet lol ;-) It sounds like you enjoyed your film and meal.

Love the picture of the Easter Wreath Mel, you are very clever. I noticed the weather last night and it's not looking good your way, lots of rain. Hope it passes quickly for you and the sun comes back. Sorry to see you had a bad night last night, hope you have a better one tonight.

Going to pack up the stuff out of the kitchen cupboards now then sort out the cutlery draw.

Dull old morning here looks a lot like rain!!
OH a lot better this morning. The flare up is caused by diet Frank not through over doing manual labour! Cheese is the main culprit apparently, but all dairy products should be either half or completely fat free to prevent further episodes! alcohol is a No No too :-( ! Gall Stones can present as granules which don't show up on a scan, and this is what could be the reason as his recent scan was quite clear!! He's talked to the GP yesterday and has an appointment next Wednesday, so we shall know more then.
Nothing much doing here today, making the most of the peace before it gets shattered on Sunday!!

Thanks for the ecard Liz it was pretty was'nt it. Is'nt it always the same when you like something you're not aloud it. Glad he feels better today.

Just getting things ready for the library and then I shall go up the top and wait for it.

Pleased to see Ian is a lot better today Liz, good luck to him for Wednesday. I agree dairy products, especially cheese can cause a few problems, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on what you eat. I love cheese but to much of it doesn't agree with me either so I have to make sure I don't over do it.
I assume you have the family around on Sunday with you saying your peace will be shattered lol. Hope you have a lovely Easter with them.

I've got cramp in my foot so I'm not doing any jobs at the moment. It's gone quite cold now the sun has gone in so I might just relax today in the warmth and see what tomorrow brings. I don't feel like doing anything today, which is quite unusual for me........not sure how long it'll last for though as I know jobs need doing and I don't like leaving them for to long as you all know ;-) Watch this space LOL :-D

Just noticed your e-card Liz, thank you. Sandra said she liked it, it was very nice. I had to laugh as OH was outside and when he heard about the e-card he watched it through the living room window, which made Sandra laugh. :-)

I tried to see your email Jane and there was no picture, just the sound of birds. I thought I'd let you know as I assume there should of been a picture with it :-S