General Chat

Morning all/Evening Kim.

Sun hasn't burnt off the clouds yet. But they say it should brighten up later. Wednesday/Thursday, promises to be rainy.

We like most sat and watched "DOWNTON" last night. Thomas used to be in East enders didn't he ??? He is a character that everybody likes to hate, shows he plays a good part. <3 <3

Slept like log till 6.50 am. had a lie in for an hour, and got up and made tea and got Ros's breakfast (for a change)

She has a big basket of ironing, that's she's doing at the moment. Complaining about the iron, spitting little blacks bits out when on steam. Hope this doesn't mean another new iron "MORE EXPENSE"

Don't think I will be putting anymore bulbs in today. The knee is swollen and very painful this morning. So a rest day for it, me thinks. !!!

Anything exciting happening today. ???

Ann, I am bidding on a loom at the moment, so hope she uses it,.

Off for my shower and shave, see you later.

The reason I'm being re admitted into RVI tomorrow is because I've to have a biopsy on the leg and specifically the kneee on Wednesday.

It had beed planned for last Wednesday but was cancelled because I was on a drip and on antibiotics which they thought would influence the biopsy.

It's still rigid straight and very painfull.The calf has wasted away.

Had they chosen to amputate it I would have had time to get used to an artificial leg.

Morning All and Evening Kim,

Another dull day here today................................it get boring after a while.

Think I may go shopping early so I can get back and do some housework. Ugg. but needs must when the devil drives.

Enjoyed Downton last night. I think last weeks was a bit slow too but see Thomas is back to his old tricks stirring things up.

Ruby it sounds like you are having lovely weather and that George enjoyed his stay. We don't do too much in the way of Christmas decs now we have lost mum. She loved Christmas. We always have a real tree though in the kitchen where I spend most of my time. Oh put up fairy lights in the ceiling two years ago and they hav'nt come down since but it makes it hard to get the cobwebs off !! Still I don't have to ask him to do it each year as I love my lights. Makes it all cosy.

I wonder what kind of winter we are going to have this year?

Mandy it was good that the meat was'nt tough. I have found silverside to be a bit like that in past years and done the same thing as you when buying a joint that I liked the look of only to find it was'nt top side when I got it home. Which reminds me I have a nice piece in the freezer. We don't have a Sunday roast anymore but I do one during the week sometimes. I hav't cooked a yorkshire for ages now as oh is not keen on proper roasts but I get away with a nice bit of leg of lamb or a loin of pork. He likes beef very rare and I don't and as I cook it he gets it the way I like it!!!!

Forgot to say Frank.......I read somewhere that the best bead looms are the ones you can adjust.......less waste with the thread you use then as some items you make are longer than others . Mine doesn't adjust!! :-S

Evening All,

We got to the bead sale at Dunchurch in good time before they opened this morning. It was held in the sports pavilion and OH was chuffed as there was a footie match on for the over 35s and he got to watch the first half! Then we called in a Mo*risons for a spot of lunch and read of the paper before we went to the buildings museum which was only a stone's throw away. We were just in time to watch the perry making demo with a small, sweet pony. It took 3 of them to get the pony hitched to the mill wheel but to be honest they didn't go about it the best way and he was having none of it for a while!! As far as I could see all they needed to do was lead him inside around the corner then push the millstone and bar round to hitch him to. What they did instead was move the wheel to the doorway and try and push him in sideways under the low doorway while pulling the trace strap around his quarters to try and attach it.....lucky he was a good natured pony and didn't kick out. I'll send a few pics when I've sorted them.

<3 Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ellen. <3

I'm sure she'll love her present David and it being a bit late won't matter at all. ;-) Best wishes for Tuesday and I hope they can go ahead with the biopsy this time and then be able to treat the infection. Keep in touch when you can and we'll be thinking of you.

Ruby, what a good idea to use the Okra in your decorations. I'm sure you would manage to do some beading.......take a peak at the tutorials on You*ube, it will give you some idea.

I bet George has had a smashing time staying with you and was sad to go!!

Mandy, the spike that goes in the ground had a set of plastic tubes with it so you could adjust it to fit all rotaries, but they still seem to squash and allow it to move. That's a good idea though as some plastic is harder. We have some bits of pipe in the garage so I'll get OH to have a look at them tomorrow to see if they are any good. Failing that, we are on good terms with the plumber who did our bathroom so I could ask him what he has. Failing that I think we'll have to concrete it in!! The old one was in for over 12 years and was still solid and vertical even though we hung sheets and towels on it. :-S

Mel what a shame about your bantam, poor little thing. I hope the hogs are ok.....it's badgers that they aren't safe from isn't it?

When we went to bed last night there was a party at a house on the main road that went on till 1.00am. Even with the double glazed windows shut it was thud thud thud and voices shrieking. I just dread it happenening with the new houses that are being built close by.

Frank, I stumbled across an unused bead loom in the charity shop at the dog's home a few months ago but I haven't had chance to try it yet, although the instructions look like it would be easy to use. I think you get better results with the more accurately machined seed beads though.......I think Toho beads are some you can use, Ros will probably know of them.....they have them on E*ay.

I hope Maureen has a lovely holiday with her daughter and family. I can picture her on a lounger with a drinky poo, soaking up the sunshine.
Downton tonight!!! :-D :-D :-D

Mandy, I get fed up to the teeth with the preview of Downton on every other advert break. I keep saying to ROS Downton is on SUNDAY 9.00 pm.

There was a nature programme on BBC tonight. The chap was a Eel catcher and his family have done it since 1475. They are frightened the they might not survive much longer, and are carrying out lots of studies on how to improve their habitat. It appears all these locks and dams are stopping them getting back to where they were hatched/born.

Dinner all over, dishwasher loaded so we can now sit back for the evening.

Nice to hear from you RUBY and DAVID.

Oh we are both stuffed !! if the meat had had a bone in it would have fallen off it ,it was so tender so i needn't have worried about it coming out like shoe leather after all !!

Oh David what are you going in hospital for this time ,is there more fluid to drain off?
Yes belated birthday wishes to Ellen <3 <3 i'am sure she would rather you were in hospital getting the treatment you need than have you at home in pain .

Ruby, be careful one of us might just take you up on your offer !! :-D :-D

Ann, i meant to say your piece of bunting was pretty with the dragonfly on ,what did the others do ?

Downton again tonight ,i thought last weeks was a bit slow to get going !!

Hello all,

We are having absolutely fantastic weather here. It's going to reach no more than 24' today and we have a slight breeze.

We took George to the airport yesterday afternoon, and I had an e-mail waiting for me this morning that he was home and had a good flight. I had to pack snacks and fruit for him as he doesn't want the airline food. Now I have to get caught up on my housework as I did very little whilst he was here. My car will be glad of a rest too.! He really does extremely well as he is always ready to go out, even though he has difficulty walking. I know he enjoys having someone to wait on him, - don't they all? :-D

I loved the birthday cakes Fiona. The little children are so precious. My little GD goes to a dance class once a week and the other day was showing me some moves and I had a hard time keeping a straight face, especially when she showed me how to curtsy and she was all knees and skinny legs.

Ann, your piece of bunting was lovely. It's so nice to be part of a class isn't it? I think I could probably do bead-work. I can't crochet any more as my fingers don't bend too well, and hand-quilting is out of the question too. I made a sort of bunting a few years ago from a pattern in a magazine, but the pieces are oblong and are embroidered very simply. The whole thing is very rustic. I made two and I drape them across the corner cabinets in my kitchen at Christmas. They are backed and with batting between and then a rustic-looking Christmas fabric border. I don't decorate much any more for Christmas, but I do hang those. I also make a spray for the front door using greenery from the garden, and add a few things. The okra that is left now, I will leave to dry and then spray with a little glitter - either gold or silver and it looks very pretty in with the greens.

David, I hope you are soon going to be feeling better. It's a long process isn't it? It's bound to get better.

I've been gassing long enough,
Hope you all having a beautiful week. I'm airing George's bed out, so if anyone wants to pop over to enjoy the sunshine, feel free. :-D :-D

Rubyx

What have you to have done this time you go in David.

Are you any more comfortable now?

I am sure Ellen understood about her birthday with you being in hospital again.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Belated birthday greeting to Ellen.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Just been buying online a big jazzy hair dryer for Ellen.

I was in hospital on the date of her birthday.

I go back in again on Tuesday.

Back dated birthday greetinings to Ellen.

Just lost a big posting again BLAST AND DAM. !!!

Is'nt it quiet without our Jane.

Just had an email from Liz giving a link to a pic of Canal Street Venis if you did'nt get it let me know and I will forward it to you.

Mum used a mag. glass when reading the paper. Still have it. She won it in a raffle in Holsworthy on a Christmas shopping night. She could pick anything from the shop up to £10 I think and it was a little more so she put the money to it.

Mandy I must admit When we were waatching the fireworks I remarked to oh I wonder how many dead chickens I will have in the morning!! I lost another of the big girls last week too and I have another who has injured her leg and is being picked on by the others.

As to the hogs, I really don't know what has happened unless they have gone outside the walled garden bit and can't find their way back. One used to come in under the back gate from the field at the side of us. That was the one with the bad eye and limp. I could understand if that one did'nt come back but to lose the other two big ones bets me. I did put out a little dried food last night and split the bowls up again. My thinking was thatI may see one somewhere but with the dull days the solar lights don't work for very long.

Frank you watch that knee........you naughty boy. Smack for you doing all that work.

Afternoon all,

Another sunny day here although we have quite a wind the old trees are really swaying about .
Where are you all ? in the garden i suppose if you have the sun .

Got a piece of beef cooking ,i thought i had picked up a nice piece of topside when i got it home i noticed it was silverside ,my fault as i had picked up a piece of topside and thought this bit looked a bit bigger !!! will just have to give it a slower cook and hope it doesn't come out like shoe leather !! :-S :-S it's quite a while since we had a nice roast so i hope it cooks ok.

Oh Mel , poor little Banty :-( any sign of the hogs ? i wonder where they have gone , you would have thought you would have seen at least one roaming about ,could any thing have taken them ? would Mr Fox take them ?

So dry here too Ann, i have some sunflowers that have come up and they are really droopy now ,i didn't plant them ,they were seeds from the bird feeder !!
Carn't really help with the rotary drier as i use a pull out line , hubby said could you put a piece of plastic waste pipe in ? might tighten it up a bit, there are lots of different sizes in the pipe ,if you have a friendly plumber he might have a small piece going spare .

I should think it's a bit job holding the paper in the wind and a magnifier Frank !! get the sun shining through it you might set light to the paper !! LOL
What about trying some of those reading glasses you see on the stands in T*sco's i think i've even seen them in the pound shop !! they have some with quite a magnification to them ,don't think you'd want to wear them to long but they might be ok for just a quick read .

Afternoon all,

Who's been a naughty boy then !!!

I was awake at 5.10 am went to the loo, and couldn't drop of again, I laid and laid, tossed and turned, and finally gave up and got up about 7.00. Left Ros to lay in. Had roll and marmalade for breakfast, Sat and read the paper from yesterday.

About 10.00 am I decided the lawns needed my attention, so out I went. Got the back one done, before taking half hour rest. Then did the front. About noon I decided to put some bulbs in the front garden. The ground is rock hard, so as I pushed the fork in to make a hole, up came a massive chunk of earth. with bulbs sticking out. I removed those and put them back in the hole together with the new tulip bulbs. After an hour, and falling and grabbing the tree I decided, enough was enough, and came in doors, with one THROBBING KNEE. The bulbs I have put in are in the side boarder and front boarder. A mixture of ICE CREAM, REDWOOD, and NEGRITA. All being well I will attempt some more tomorrow.

We have one of those rotary lines but it's only used for the small bits. The main line that runs the length of the garden is for sheets pillowcases, and larger items. So it hasn't any weight on it ,to make it wobble about. There's nothing like a good wobble !!! :-D :-D

What a pity about the bantam, do you think the fireworks had anything to do with it or just old age ???

It's so lovely outside today, slight breeze but if you keep moving it's nice and warm. All doors and windows open, will enjoy it while we can. YOU CAN KEEP YOUR WEATHER MEL <3 <3 <3

Wonder what our Jane is getting up to, I hope she hasn't had her bottom pinched to many times. You know what these Italians are ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Ann, Do you use a bead loom.??? Ros has been looking at them being used on her Jewellery programme and wants me to get her one on eBay. She has so much stuff made, she MUST START TO SEEL SOME.

Going to sit on the patio with a cold beer. and todays paper, and magnifying glass. It's the only way I can see the newspaper print. I will be so glad when the sort my eyes out !!!

Morning All and Evening Kim,

Grey day here again.

Well after the blitz last night I have one dead bantam. She was very old and it was the one we called Stargazer because she used to twist her head upside down. I have taken pics of her in the garden fast asleep and she looked like a bantam with no head. We think she may have been blind in one eye and thats why she turned her head and seemed to be looking at the sky.

I still think I may have two cocks and five hens in the new brood so that will be good.

Ann I only had one of those rotary dryers and did'nt think the washing dried on them very well. Don't think in those days they had spacers with them.

Yes, there didn't seem to be fireworks at weddings years ago. It's hard these days to know when to keep your pets in. The wildlife must get terrified by the racket and sight of them.

Mel we haven't had rain for ages and I had to water the back garden the other day. The front needs doing as well as I don't think rain is forecast here till Wednesday. The soil is just dust. It's helped us to finish the outside painting though.....all done now.

I've just finished my bracelet from this week's class.......after the 4th attempt. :-S We had a badly copied pattern to follow and the example the teacher showed us had a few 'adjustments' I hadn't noticed in class. :-S I was beginning to think my brain wasn't up to it anymore. lol

A question for all of you who have rotary driers!! Does yours wobble much?? Our old rotary was pretty solid, but the 2 new ones aren't. The last one we bought is awful, despite having insert tubes to adjust the bit in the ground to your own size. We adjusted it as much as we could on those and it wouldn't take the next size up one, but it still lists and wobbles far too much. :-S :-S

We have just had the most beautiful fireworks display from over the big house as there is a wedding on there today. Talk about loud it must have sounded like the blitz. I hope my chickens are alright tomorrow.

If there are any hedgehogs around they must have been extremly frightened.

I do wish some of you would send me someof your nice weather!! It has rained here all day and has just about stopped. It is so dull we have had the light on all day too.

Ann I sent you that email just after Franks and have sent it again when I read your post about not getting it and then saw that Mandy had sent it so you now have had it three times!!

Smoked haddock tonight with mash and sweetcorn nice and easy. All I seem to do at the moment is feed things. Oh hedgehogs chickens bantams and plants and I have lost my washer upper as he can't get his hand wet.

O well no peace for the wicked...........................I must be................... :-(