General Chat

Morning girls

Another dull and dreary day today 10 degrees and pc says cloudy but I can see that.

Have to make Phylis's wreath today and may do an arrangment for the shop. will see how the day goes. Shopping coming today and its a bit bigger than normal with Christmas looming. 2 subs my ready rolled icing and my favorite brown bread they have sent Kingsmill instead of Warburtons but I suppose I shall have to have that. I really need to go to Morrisons again.

Iv'e still not made the Christmas cakes and am wondering if I should bother now but it would be nice to take one to Stu's and BIL's I though I may make two smaller ones for the same recipe I usually make.

I'm pleased you're feeling a bit better today Mandy and best to keep off the pc if it hurts your eyes.

I still have nemisia out on the patio and ostys and there's a pink rose out on the south facing wall I spied when driving down the garden. In the orchard I saw some daffs leaves about 3 or 4 inches tall.

Hazel my neighbour popped in with a card and three little pressies for me. I gave her hers and hubby's will follow later as I do him up Santas Pants with a couple of beers inside but Hazel brought the pants down which I gave him last year. I had wondered why they were'nt at the big breakfast as usual but one of their dogs had to be put to sleep Saturday morning. It was dear Shadow the dark grey lurcher. He was so very gentle and had one ear that flopped over. Such a great dog so now they just have Jango who is 13 and a half. Shadow was 10. She is having him cremated and is going to put his ashes under the acer tree in the garden.

Iv'e not had the heating on at all today and have even been in the garden without a coat on just cardy and fleece gillet and trousers. I put trusers and it made me think of Donald where's your trusers. Let the wind blow high let the wind blow low through the street in a kilt I'll go when all the lasses say hello Donald where's your trusers. Ha ha ha You'll have that on the brain now...... :-D

Good evening all, a very windy day here. We drove to Maryport harbour all the fishing boats have taken shelter in the harbour and were rocking like mad. They are in as apparently a storm is approaching. We didn’t walk far, just from the car around to a cafe for coffee. It was brisk and cold but it was a good blow for a short time. Grandson came to see us this afternoon on his way home from work he was up really early as he was the driver of the first bus out at 0530. So was tired. Spent the afternoon indoors reading and chatting.

Afternoon All,

Another fairly dull day, but not too cold. We were both up late as OH had a worse headache last night after going to bed, this time on both sides of his head and down his neck. He took some tablets and once he was asleep woke up feeling fine this morning. I took ages to get to sleep, my own fault as time flies when doing FH and have been looking for those in my tree who were killed in WW1 or WW2. I knew my maternal grandmother lost 2 brothers and I was looking at her uncles and found another that was killed in the battle of the Somme. I found a photo of his grave in France and was looking on google earth around the cemetry in France. I want to find out more about it as it looks so peaceful and there are rows of tall but small buildings with churchlike stonework at the tops and I wonder what they are. So we were both like zombies this morning till a shower woke us up.

After lunch we both finished writing our last few cards to post and did a few errands. OH got the last of his meds from the chemist but had to wait ages for them to find them.

Fingers crossed you are turning the corner if you have started to feel a bit better Mandy. I hope each day gets a bit better for you now. I thought I had a sore throat coming last night, but was fine again today so it might have just been dry or I'd bitten the side of my tongue somehow.

Yes, OH had recorded Strike yesterday Mel, but thanks for mentioning it. We really enjoy it. That sure was a big breakfast with plenty and a variety of things. They seem to have cut back on the breakfasts round here as few add mushrooms or tomatoes now.

Gwyn when I could walk further distance I used to love lookng at people's gardens through the year too. It's surprising what is still in flower just now and It is good to hear the Narcissus weren't battered by the wind and are showing some colour. Our Mahonia is starting to show some yellow but usually it's well after Christmas before that happens.

A week of memories for you and your daughter then AnnG and some of them very sad. It's good to think back and remember him and so good that your daughter was lucky enough to find happiness again.

Time for a COT now.

Afternoon everyone

I’m glad you felt a little better this morning Mandy. You are wise not to look at a screen for long if your head is still muzzy and your eyes sore. I prescribe plenty of rest.

Your walk round this morning sounded refreshing Gwyn. As long as you wrap up well some fresh air can help blow the cobwebs away. There are lots of flowers round your way. I think the constant change in temperature has left all the flowering plants very confused. They don’t know if they are meant to be in flower or not. I still have some argyranthemum and some nemesia still in bloom from last summer and an early flowering viburnum which I am sure doesn’t normally bloom till well into January has been in bloom for 3 or 4 weeks.

I didn’t sleep all that well, mainly because every time I moved the pain from my toe woke me up and so I got up early. I did 3 loads of washing and some general tidying and then had a shower and hair wash, the first since Thursday as I wasn’t supposed to get the dressing on my toe wet. It was lovely. After lunch I went to do a bit of shopping at Sainsbury. I couldn’t believe how busy it was for a Monday. I got a few more bits and pieces of Christmas food including a small cake. We’re not great fans of Christmas cake but we always had a home made one. Either my brother or I would make a big one and cut it in half between us. We never bothered with icing or marzipan. I bought one as I thought it would be nice to be able to offer a slice of Christmas cake if anyone popped in for a cuppa.

I also bought a couple of large packs of mini cakes to take to the Club party tonight as I was running out of time to cook anything. I’ve wrapped our 2 Secret Santa presents. I wonder what we’ll get back.

At the moment I can’t stop yawning but there are still a few things on the To Do list so I had better get on.

Afternoon all,

Nice sunny day here, so nice to see the sun.

I didn't ring the doctors as I felt a little better this morning and have wrapped a few presents, but I have such a muzzy head bit like a migraine so I'm not stopping on here as it hurts my eyes to read to long .

I hope Mandy is feeling better today and maybe has had some medical advice.

We've actually seen blue sky and sunshine today :-0 :-D

I went out hand delivering some cards from myself and some that daughter left here and I found it quite pleasant walking in nearby streets, as it is milder today, although there is a chilly wind blowing. I was well wrapped up and enjoyed looking over the garden walls to see what is growing there.
Lots of new rose buds of different colours, hebe, geraniums, winter jasmine, pansies, marigolds, primroses and several types of gazanias were all blooming. Yesterday, on a different route, I saw that the yellow narcissus are now showing their colour on several stems.

I think most of my cards to post have gone now, but I still have some local ones to deliver on different routes.

Morning all,

Its getting a bit brighter here now after a dull and cloudy start to the day. Pc is telling me to expect temps to drop today and at the mo it is 10 degrees. Now its turned more cloudy.

Nothing planned for today so see how the day takes me.

Hope you all slept well and that Mandy goes to the docs about this cough and sore throat.

STRIKE'S back on Monday and Tuesday 9pm BBC1

Now you've got me wondering what the small Christmas present was you gave oh Vera. Please let us know?

Just checking in for another flying visit. Where are the hours and days going? I can’t believe it’s 10 years since your daughter lost her first husband AnnG. Although I wasn’t on this thread that long ago I remember it from the threads on the Hobbies Board that we both used to post on. It will be a time of memories for you all but it is good that your daughter found happiness again.

Mandy, it would be a good idea to see the doctor if you can. You don’t want to be feeling grotty over Christmas.

Annx, I also read your haircut story out to my OH. I could hardly finish it for laughing and OH thought it hilarious.

Keep an eye on your toe Mel and get someone to look at it if it doesn’t get completely better. Mine is still sore and every time I moved in the night it woke me up. I think I can shower tomorrow so I expect the dressing will come off and I can see what it looks like.

I’ve got rid of several jobs on my to do list so I feel quite pleased with myself today. Of course, I have also added a load more. I was particularly pleased that while cooking our Sunday lunch I managed to make a mince and apple pie as well. We find mincemeat a bit too sweet for our taste so I use apple with it. If I can just find time to make a cheesecake I’ll have got the pre Christmas cooking done.

It’s another busy day tomorrow. Amongst other things I must do some washing and some shopping. OH had a small Xmas present from me early but I want to get something else for him and I need to sort out some food for a Club Christmas “do” tomorrow night.

Time to get on with the next job on the list. Enjoy what’s left of the day and sleep well tonight.

We got to daughters at 2.30, left home in the dark at 0735. Traffic was heavy but no delays we stopped 3 times, first for the loo, about ten minutes, then for coffee and a sausage bap, then at Trebah services on the M6 to get stuff from the farm shops. Soon unloaded the car the boot was full of Christmas presents. Then unpacked half my stuff as on Thursday we go to Far Sawrey for a week over Christmas. A sort of memorial week for daughter’s late husband who died in the apartment they owned there ten years ago on the 37th. We will also visit the woodland where he is buried. So, many memories for us as OH and I were both with them that Christmas.

When we came away this morning I still have about 30 cards to come, if they do. I have had at least 30 sp far, marbe more. The card I sent daughter took over a week to get here

Afternoon All,

It's 12 degrees here but feels much colder. Just had lunch of pork steaks, cauli, broc, brussels, parsnip, carrots and onions. I have also parpoiled potatoes and parsnips, roughed them up, cooled and bagged them up in a zip bag with a drizzle of cooking oil and popped them in the freezer ready to defrost on Xmas Eve. A great idea from Mandy!

You would never have guessed in a hundred years that your ganddaughter wanted a chainsaw or contribution to one Vera! I remember asking for a sewing machine from my first husband one Christmas soon after we were married and a Kenwood Chef another time. We were short of money like many others when we were first married and these were things that made life easier for me. He always wanted tools and had a workmate bench one year. Woodwork was his hobby as well as his job so it had plenty of use. Your poor toe must have been very sore so I hope it is better soon after the treatment by the chiropodist.

I hope you start to feel better and less tired soon Mandy. It might be an idea to see the doctor to check you over as you are so tired.

Mel your kitchen is going to smell good with a Christmas Cake cooking. I don't know where you find your energy and enthusiasm to do these things. I haven't made a Christmas Cake for years since living here, but always made one at my old house. I used to enjoy decorating them most as I don't really like such a heavy fruit cake, but my OH's have always loved them. We just have a small bought one for OH now and he always saves it till after Christmas.

My piano friend Terry is playing later today. He hasn't been around as much lately as he's been busy doing other things like touring with Alice Cooper and doing demos for electric pianos and playing church pipe organs and pianos.

Better write the rest of my cards now so I can post them in the morning when we go out.

Morning Mandy and all,

I should do that Mandy as its been going on a long while now. Perhaps they will give you some antiiotics so you can be clear for Christmas.

Dull and wet looking out there this morning pc is telling me rain on Wednesday and its 11 degrees here this morning. well I suppose that will be this afternoon.

Nothing planned for today so may mix up my Christmas cake. I made spicey buns yesterday 21 of them. Some for the freezer if they get that far.

Morning all,

No sun this morning it's very dull but dry.

Still don't feel to good ,my energy has just dropped again ,think I'll see if I can get into the doctors tomorrow.

O Vera that made me laugh too. Thats the kind of thing I would have wanted a few years ago and I got one. I have a lovely Ryobi electric chain saw and its really great. As to your toe about a week or so ago I had a sore toe the second one from the little tor on my left foot. I was very red and swollen and I put it down to a sock seem rubbing on it. I'm till not sure what it was or whether it was a chillblain and it took a long while to go and is still red now but dos'nt hurt anymore. It did'nt itch like a chillblain that I had when I was young and I don't sit in front of a fire so what was it????? Perhaps you got a splinter in your sock while out in the garden??

I have remembered what that round thing mum bought me as a child. It was to stop the shampoo going in my eyes when she was washing my hair. I do remember it was pink. Anyway it did'nt work.

There seems to be so much going on at the moment and I keep running out of time. Apologies if I am not commenting on all the posts but I am reading them and enjoying everything you have to say.

Thank you for your card Annx which arrived yesterday. You have given me a good giggle today at the story of OH's haircut. You smiled at my OH and his weights. All I can say is his daughter takes after him. I asked her a while ago if she wanted anything particular for Christmas and she didn't have anything in mind so a few days ago I got something that I thought she would like. Yesterday she sent me a link to an item she really wants and said she would be grateful for anything towards the cost. What is it? Perfume, jewellery, pretty clothes? No, it's a chainsaw!!

Mandy, make sure you don't overdo it. You want to be fully fit for Christmas That was a good amount raised at the school fayre.

Glad you and bil enjoyed the big breakfast Mel.

Safe journey tomorrow AnnG and have a wonderful time with the family.

I am trying to dash around doing a dozen things at once, except I am hobbling rather than dashing. I've been having trouble with a big toe for several days. It was red, swollen and quite sore. The chiropodist had a good look at it and said there seemed to be quite a bit of dead skin there so she scraped and cut away at my poor toe and eventually (painfully) pulled something out. We couldn't work out what it was or how it got into my toe but it looked like a long, thin splinter of some sort. The chiropodist was very good and didn't even make my toe bleed but I now have an iodine plaster covered by a dressing on my toe. I mustn't get it wet for 3 days so no showering, and if it isn't better in a week I must contact her again as I might need antibiotics. I am wondering what part of me is going to fall to bits next.

Sleep well tonight everyone.

Nearly fell off my chair laugh at the antics of the hair saver. If I remember rightly my mum had something like that when I was young and I did'nt like that either. I hated having hair cuts which is probably why I have nearly always had long hair. I know what G means about the smell of things too. Can't stand anything that smell strange.

Someone asked what I had for my big breakfast so here goes. 2 bacon 2 sausages 2 hash browns beans a huge spoonful of quartered mushrooms, half a large tomato (I could have had 2 of those too) and a fried egg. 2 slices of brown toast with butter and one with marmalade and one with strawberry jam. Only eaten two homemade cakes since and not really hungry now. :-D

Oh Ann that was so funny to read ,I had a job to read it out to Colin I laughed so much especially the end bit ,Max had a plastic shield round his neck when he had his op but he wasn't having any of it and by the morning he'd chewed it off .
It could have been a child's one they sent lol

Perhaps they didn't have a pharmacist so couldn't open this morning , hope it's third time lucky for his tablets .

Afternoon All,

It's been really chilly here today so we were wrapped up well when we went out. We did a few errands and called to collect the rest of OH's prescription only to find they were closed! They used to be open Saturday mornings, but it looks like they have reduced their hours. So a 3rd trip on Monday for him to get the rest they owe him. At least it's only about 3 miles away. In all the surprise of finding the chemist shut he forgot to get some money from the cash machine at the shop as well. He's had his long johns out for the match today and hat and scarf. He said the M9 and M6 traffic was awful. I suppose it's Christmas Shoppers out and about now.

I had a chuckle at your OH getting some weights Vera. I have some light ones gathering dust and thought I'd try one of those kettlebell things till I found I couldn't even lift it of the shop shelf. I'm nervous when my OH gets a hammer in his hand and starts weiding it wildly and dread him saying 'can you hold this while I hit it?'

Mel it was poor if they didn't they let you know when they were delivering the mower as you could have been out. It sounds as if you had a bit of a game sorting getting it home and as if it is bigger than the other one. I bet BIL is keen to try it out. Yes the card is a lot like your garden wildlife isn't it. I used to make home made pizzas with lots of topping on them as some of the bought ones seem to skimp a bit on the toppings. They make a nice change and I like them though. It sounds like the big breakfast was good with a lot of people there that you knew.

I hope your voice is soon back Mandy and that you start to be less tired. These things can really sap your energy so keep resting when you can. That was a fantastic amount of money that was raised at the school wasn't it. I bet they were chuffed. Some may have been buying things for Xmas I expect.

I'm glad you got my card before you went away AnnG. I thought your chicken casserole sounded nice and have decided to get the slow cooker going tomorrow with some chicken thighs and root veg with onions. We can have it sometime during the week. It will be good seeing your little grandson as they grow and change so quickly.

Every winter OH can never decide whether to let his bit of hair and beard grow when it gets cold. I thought it was all getting too long now and took a photo and showed him. He was quite shocked how long the back was, so this morning it was like the dog groomers in our kitchen when I cut his hair. It was even more like the dog groomers when I brought out a new contraption I'd bought very cheaply on the Temu site. He eyed it very suspiciously when I opened up what looked like the lampshades the vet puts on pets to stop them biting wounds. It is thin plastic, circular and supposed to fit over the head with the stiff rim supported on cords in several places to hold it up and Velchro to hold it round the neck. A sort of dish round the neck that is supposed to catch all the hair as you trim and save having to sweep up the cut hair on the floor afterwards. A good idea I thought. Well his face was a picture as I approached him with it and couldn't decide which way up to get it over his head as it kept getting stuck, causing us both to be unable to stop laughing. I said his head must be big and he swore I'd got one for a small child! Then he started complaining about the SMELL. He said was just like smell of the pacamac his mother insisted he took to wear on holiday when he was a small boy and that made him feel ill. Then the velchro wouldn't do up round his neck without cutting off his air supply, so I had to leave it open which meant it didn't catch hair that went down his neck. His only comment after his haircut and I'd managed to prise it off his head again was 'That's going in the bin'. lol. :-D