General Chat

Evening All,

More sunshine and no rain here......we could really do with some but I think it is supposed to be on it's way later in the week. We couldn't get on outside today though as OH's sciatica was playing up after wrenching his side yesterday. He had to ring and cancel his dentist appointment this morning as he couldn't face the thought of climbing the stairs there and the effort to get in and out of the chair!! :-S After some I*uprofen he was a lot better, so we managed to go to the cinema this afternoon to see Blue Jasmine and sat down on the flat bit and he was ok. Tonight he's managed to set it off again....thinks it was how he was sitting on the settee, so I had to help him to bed and get his trousers, pants and socks off!! ;-) Hopefully it will be a lot better again in the morning.

We seem to be plagued by roadworks around here. The other night there was a 3 mile stretch into the village from the other side as they had closed the lane where they will be building the small 'town.' They will be stopping entry into the lane from the village when the houses are eventually built so it is probably a taste of what it will be like in a few years. :-S They are also putting bus lanes in on one of the main roads into the city, so much of the traffic is diverting across to the main road near us, so that is now chock a block with cars and causing big tailbacks down to the motorway junction a mile away. I hope it is all done well before the Christmas traffic adds to it. :-(

I like the sound of the tulips for your friend's widow Frank. A tree would be good too, but they can get too big in time or shed leaves where you don't want them. You are a thoughtful and kindly soul! :-) I'm sure she will love whatever you get. Does your iron need descaling? I have to do ours from time to time....it's the hard water we have here. I hope you were successful bidding for the bead loom........I must dig mine out and try it. Oh and thanks for the emails.......I liked the 'Wisdom' one very much!!

I hope it all goes smoothly for you tomorrow David and that the ambulance won't keep you waiting.
Better go and put the washer on now, so I can get stuff dry tomorrow before the rain comes.

Ruby, that would have been quite a picture to get........it would certainly have got noticed!! lol. I hope you find the 'bit' you are looking for......I often try the fridge too......found the teabags there once. I've been hunting for the set of tiny screwdrivers that you can use to tighten your specs.......all I remember is putting them somewhere SAFE!!

William, we need to clear out some of the annuals that are past their best and some serious trimming back is also needed!! It was nice of your grandson to stay all that time....he obviously enjoys his visits to you. I hope the new tablets help with Carmel's headaches.

I haven't watched this week's Downton yet as we recorded it. I just love everything about it (except all the adverts), the clothes, the genteelness and Maggie Smith's character's sharp wit!! :-).

Hi Folks,

Tis me, long lost William. Well Carmel went to see her own doctor today and although we told him that the consultant at the hospital seems to be ignoring her, not returning phone calls and us not getting promised letters. He said he couldn't override them, they were the 'specialists', but he did say there was a letter on her records saying that her last MRI came back clear. Shy not fess up and say so instead of just ignoring us.
He suggested that she try some antidepressant, and knowing what she was thinking, reassured her that they also had pain healing properties taken over time. So it was a matter of trust him and hope for some relief from her incessant headaches.

I didn't write anything on here as our grandson came to us after he finished work in the morning and had dinner with us and stayed until 8pm chatting. We haven't seen much of him lately so it was great to have some time together.

I agree that Downton was better this week, it didn't seem to have much content last week. Some of it is a bit predictable but I love the settings and the period. I can't understand how we can all see what a Mr Nasty Thomas is but yet he seems to escape the notice of 'those upstairs'.
Still, it's good viewing then around 9pm most week nights there doesn't seem to be much to watch. I really enjoyed last weeks WDYTYA and the stories about Cody and his wife were just brilliant. I would have loved someone in my family line like that, related or not.

David, I hope all goes well for you tomorrow and that your transport isn't too late. It's bad enough thinking of a biopsy let alone if and when you will get there. Then it often happens that you have to wait ages for your transport to take you hope. Pity you haven't got some family there to help out with the transport - or a 'good neighbour' even.

The nights are drawing in now and not some many nice sunsets & sunrises to photograph. The rabbits will be about in the morning as we cross into October. I notice a lot of our flower troughs are dying off now and we spent some time cutting stuff back and have ended up with a very full green recycling bin - and it's not collected till Friday!

OK, I think that's it for now. I'll try and get on a bit more from now on. Meantime take care all.

Thank you Ruby and all the others X

Hello all,

What a lovely memory Frank, of your brother singing to you. It reminded me of something similar, but I was home sick from school and in bed. My little brother wasn't old enough for school and he came upstairs to sing a cowboy song to me. He stood on my sister's bed with his cowboy hat on, and made up a song which went on and on and on. He owns a pub now - has been a landlord for nearly 40 years. I hope he doesn't sing to the customers :-D

I too think that would be a good idea to give your friend's wife something to plant. Friends gave me a white dogwood tree, and it had it's first blooms this past spring. In fact, I went out this morning and trimmed some of the twiggy bits from the lower trunk. I planted it where I can see it from the screen porch.

Good luck for tomorrow David - I will be thinking of you.

Ann, I forgot to say that I was sorry you didn't win the competition. I came very close to snapping a picture back in the spring that would have surely won you the Gold cup! I think I can tell you this without anyone taking offence. :-)
I had taken my camera out on the screened porch at the back (We had it built on after we moved here - it's a good outdoor living space), and sat down close to the screen, looking for birds etc. It was a few seconds before I realized that there were two geckos just in front of me, but of course on the other side of the screen, and then I realized they were 'doing what comes naturally'. I snapped a picture (as you do) but just then, little grand-daughter came chatting in front of me and startled the pair, so the female, who was actually facing me (he being right behind her), broke away and scarpered, leaving the poor fellow totally exposed, spread-eagled on the screen. Their throats sometimes turn quite red, which his did, but it wasn't the only part to turn red, and I'm telling you, he was a VERY fine fellow ;-)
I was so amazed that I quite forgot to take a picture, and within seconds he was reduced to being a plain little green gecko. Sorry Ann, no Gold cup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need to be doing some housework, but, yesterday, I took the canister out of my vacuum cleaner and took outside to empty, and haven't seen the lid of the canister ever since. I've even looked in the fridge.

Rubyx

Thank you all for kind postings.
I've a letter of admission for 7.30 am but I suspect I will be sitting around at 8.30 waiting for an ambulance.

If Ellen could drive she could drop me off at the right time......but she can't.

Afternoon all,

All this lovely weather we're having ,it's nice to get all the washing out and dry the same day .

I think Downton was better last night too, seemed to have a bit more going on in last nights episode.

I hope all goes well tomorrow David with your biopsy , you have had a time of it the last few months .

I think Tulips would be nice ,they will not take any looking after really once planted , or a Tree would be a nice thought too Frank, i suppose it depends on the size garden .

I know what you mean about having to child proof the room Fiona, i have to move my little cottages from a table that i have them on ,also Lacey can reach a little bit higher now she's on her feet !!

Cold beef tonight , will do some nice mash and pickles to go with it i think.

Afternoon All,

Was cloudy this morning and a chilly wind, but the sun has come out and is quite mild in the sun.

Have done a big tidy up in the living room of all Sofia's DVD's , also Katherine still had her old Disney films, so she brought them down, but yesterday Matteo who is crawling all over the place, kept going over to the TV and pulling out all the DVD's so have cleaned a cupboard out in the living room and moved all the DVD's etc into there. :-)Oh put up fireguard as well so apart from attempting to touch one of the plants we are now child proof for the time being. :-D :-D

Frank that is a lovely idea for you to give your friends wife , I am sure she will be pleased at bulbs or the tree,
I remember the year when some of the children at a primary School in Dunblane where murdered , my mum planted some snowdrops in her front garden and when I see them growing now in spring time it brings back memories of the children and there parents and families, and thinking of my mum planting them.

David I have just seen your post, I do hope they can find a solution to the problem with your leg. It does seem to be dragging on. !!! I would have thought that Amputation would be the last resort.

Had a flood of memories come back to me in bed last night. The radio played "THE MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE" It's a song my 2nd eldest brother use to sing to me as a FIVE YEAR OLD. I laid there on my bed as a child, with my twin sister beside me .Oh happy days !!! It's marvellous how a song can bring back so many memories.

I have had an IDEA, that I would like to run pass you all.

My friend Sid, who you know passed away a few weeks ago. I am thinking of giving his wife a selection of TULIP BULBS. That can be planted in the garden. It would be a nice thing for her to see each spring when they come up and to remember him. Or do you think a small tree would be more appropriate ????

The sun is starting to break through here Is it still raining in DEVON MEL ??? The forecast doesn't look good for you.

Ros had a surprise phone call from Carolyn in Tenneriffe this morning. The weather is still high 20s low 30s She's in the pool every day, and John on the sun terrace. She is looking forward to coming home on the 11th Oct. and might need Ros to pick them up in the early hours of the morning. Won't be much sleep that night. !!!

Going to have a read with my glass, I have ordered a large square hands free one off of eBay. It should be here during the week. Then I can sit at the table and put it over the paper / book and read in comfort.

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. !!!