General Chat

Well, I never knew I was so influential. The best thing for Joe to do is wear his shoe with a nice fluffy, stripy sock and he’ll garner lots of attention.

Our man worked till he finished just before 7, 10 hours with one 40 minute break. If we’d known he would finish in a day rather than the two booked we could have had the gas people tomorrow. Never mind, it’ll just mean an extra day without a shower.

You’ve worked hard to get that advent wreath done so quickly Mel. It’s hard to believe that yesterday was Advent Sunday and tomorrow it’s December. Another year nearly gone but I expect most of us will be glad to wave goodbye to 2020. I hope you got your TV licence sorted.

It’s good you put a smile on OH’s face with your kit-kats AnnG. Little gestures can mean a lot when you’re feeling down. It must be so hard on you both not to be able to see each other and with no firm treatment plan set up. Your daughter sounds just like mine. Mine has had 2 husbands, neither any good at DIY. She has done just about everything in the house and garden, including getting up on the roof and repointing a chimney. We have a photo of her in the early days of her first marriage with her head under the bonnet of her old car while her husband stood by in a pristine white shirt handing her a tool. She is on her own now and has completely refurbished her house. She must take after her father who can turn his hand to anything and does all the household maintenance. She certainly doesn’t take after her cack-handed mother.

Ann, what an unexpected find you had. It must have been lovely to realise you still had your photos and to have a wander through them but, like Mandy says, time can slip away so quickly once you start looking.

I’m looking forward to seeing the gingerbread house Mandy and the elves masks. They must be tiny.

Frank, what a lovely thought to order flowers for Ros, you old romantic. She will really appreciate it. I think I’d be suspicious if I got flowers from my OH. He has lots of wonderful qualities but no-one could call him a great romantic, though occasionally he manages to surprise me. I’m sorry your ribs are still painful but I am afraid ribs do take a long time to heal. Btw, you will be careful inviting people in for drinks won’t you. We aren’t supposed to meet any other household indoors so technically you’ll be breaking the law, but I’m more concerned about you picking something up from them. You don’t want to be poorly and mess up your Christmas even more than this pandemic already has.

Does your OH have a quieter time when he’s working nights Gill? I was talking on the phone to my granddaughter on Saturday and she has recently done a couple of night shifts. She was telling me that she is starting 3 months of nights this week. That seems a lot for an 18 year old. I asked her if it’s easier on nights and she said it’s a bit quieter but as it’s a dementia care home a lot of the residents are inclined to wander around at night and need a fair bit of attention. Rather her than me but I am proud of her for sticking at the job when she had hoped to spend most of her gap year travelling.

I see Ros has got her tree up and is starting to decorate for Christmas. We don’t do a great deal these days but we always have a real tree. We don’t usually put it up till a few days before Christmas but I might do it a bit earlier this year to make it all seem a bit more cheerful.

I think I’m going to have to give this thread up (not really, lol). I sit down to write a few words and before I know it half an hour has gone by and I’ve written reams again. Memo to self: Must stop writing posts and start writing cards.

Sleep well everyone and sweet dreams

It was good the elf has big ears to old the mask on :-D

The banks are making us all use these 'one time pin codes' Mel. I sometimes have to wait for a texted code when in the middle of paying my Asda bill since a few weeks ago. I wish there were some courses to help those of us that weren't brought up with it. That's good you got the Advent Ring done and what a great surprise to come home and find your OH had made some lovely warming soup! that would never happen here....... it would just be a COT! :-D

Oh no Vera, of all the times for the valve to go! Is the floor heated with water heated by gas then? I had assumed all under floor heating was electric. Hopefully it won't be too cold over the next couple of days and that they will have the valve in stock. I hope you have an electric shower and I bet you will be glad to get warm and straight again now.

Mandy I love the elf with his face masks! You are clever! I love the startled look in his eyes, goes so well with the masks. lol.

Oh no Ann that was annoying when it was the very one you wanted to hear and get some tips on .

Mel that was good you got the ring all sorted and how nice its in place for a wedding ,how nice was that to come home to hot soap for lunch .

Oh Vera i hope you don't have to wait to long for the heating to be fixed ,it sounds as if the chap was well organised doing the flooring ,has he finished today or has he got to come again tomorrow .

The wind seems to have really got up here i looked out the front window and the christmas tree went over to one side ,we did tie it to the hanging basket bracket to stop it going over one way but it needs some thing the other side too to stop it going the other way .

Oh dear Vera and you were so well prepared what a nuisance. I hope you soon get your heating back. And that your floor is worth all the hassle.

Evening all. I hope you've all had a good day.

I see that Vera has set a trend - at the tope end of US politics no less!
Joe Biden has broken his foot and with have to wear one of those glam shoes :-0
I'm sure Vera would be sharing some tips if she didn't have the lounge floor to deal with :-D

Mel, on those occasions - what to have for dinner - I usually settle for 'fridge surprise' :-D. Talking of which......

There's always something when you think you have everything planned Vera.

I hav'nt even thought about dinner yet. It may be gammon steaks peas and new pots as I hav'nt anything out of the freezer.

Well, what a day it has been! We have underfloor heating downstairs but ours is zoned so we can turn off separate areas. So when we went to bed last night we turned off the heating to the lounge as the flooring company asked. This morning - shock, horror - the room was still warm. We have a cupboard in the hall that houses all the heating gubbins and OH checked there and found one of the two valves operating the lounge heating was kaput. By this time it was 9 am and the flooring chap had arrived. The only thing to do was to turn the heating off completely but it takes about 3 hours to cool down. Anyway the chap spent the morning taking up the carpet and cutting it into strips for us to take to the tip, taking off the skirting board and cleaning all the muck and glue off the back, and cleaning the floor and painting it with some damp proofing stuff.

While all this was going on OH rang British Gas to arrange for someone to either fix the valve or fit a new one. As we are on their priority register they would have got someone out quickly but OH explained about the floor laying so they are coming on Wednesday but the very nice lady was quite concerned for us and checked we had some other means of keeping warm.

I had expected 2 workmen but the company only sent one. But what a worker. He hasn’t stopped. He disappeared at lunchtime for about 40 minutes and that’s the only break he has had. He is still hard at it now. We don’t see him. He goes in and out through the side gate and patio door into the lounge, well masked and doesn’t accept drinks, because of Covid. He hasn’t come into the rest of the house at all which protects him and us. We are very impressed.

All this means we have no heating or hot water (apart from what’s in the tank now) until at least Wednesday evening and possibly later if the gas man has to order a new part. We’ve got a couple of fan heaters and I shall be doing lots of cooking to keep the kitchen warm. At the moment I have a huge (about 12 portion) red cabbage casserole cooking away. Cabbage, onion, apple, spices; it’s smelling delicious. I’ll pack it into 2 portion lots and freeze it. In the meantime I had better go and give it a stir and think about tonight’s meal. I’ll post this and come back later when I’ve caught up with all the posts.

By the way the sunshine only lasted till just after our lunch which we had watching Doctors. Now I have just been round to the chickens again and its started to rain a few spits and spots.

Card reader should work Mel we use the same one as OH mislaid his.

hERE i AM. dID THE ADVENT RNG AND GOT IT DOWN THE CHURCH AND ALL SET UP. aS THE CHURCH IS LOCKED i PHONED jIM AND ASKED HIM TO LEAVE ME THE KEY ON HIS DOORMAT. i HAVE TO GO PAST HIS HOUSE TO GET TO THE CHURCH. Sorry for shouting but not going to type that lot again.
His house is on the big house estate as his wife is sister to the owners. Told him I would put the key back on his mat when I came home.

Went in the church and there was a whole load of tall white candles outside and as I turned into the porch the door was open and Sheila and Pat were already in there cleaning. Sheila had told me they needed it for a video loop but not why. I found out that there is a wedding there on Saturday and its my neighbours daughter whose getting married. I have know Rebecca since she was small and I did'nt even know she was getting married. Just goes to show how many people I see living down here out in the middle of knowhere.

Anyway all set up with its candles in place and I left topping at Jim's to put the key back on his mat. Arrived home to a lovely smell of cooking and to my surprise oh had made a big pan of soup for our lunch and it was delish and very welcome after all my hard work this morning collecting foliage and wiring. He never ceases to amaze me......... and I love him to the moon and back. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

No sore finger but they are a bit dirty and I can't seem to get it out of the cracks in my fingers and around my nails but there again I should have worn gloves.

O Anng I can just imagine oh's face when he found the Kit Kats. How lovely was that? Its such a nuisance not being able to see him and talking face to face instead of just on the phone but we must be thankful for those I suppose.

Mandy can we have a picture of the little masks you made for the elves please?

Frank Ros will love her flowers and what a nice thought for her looking after you. You old softy you......... <3

Ann you did'nt have much luck with your last lesson then. Such a shame as you wanted to listen to that one and it would have been one you were interested in.

Hope Vera's flooring is going down ok so she can get her house straight again. Such an upheavel moving all the furniture out and back in again.

I have been trying for three days now to renew my TV licience without success. As we have a phone that answers our calls to see if we will accept them they have an autimated phoning system at the bank and they have to give me a code now. I find this new tech all so confusing and wish I had paid it in the Post Office now. Still not paid it and it runs out today. I have entered my mobile now as they had'nt got it before as oh tells me not to give it out to anyone. They also said I need a card reader which I hav'nt got so oh gave me his. Not sure if it will work on his one, I don't know...... Its alright if you are dealing with youngsters with all this tech know how but not a silly old fool like me.

Afternoon All,

Gloomy here again too so Mel seems to have all the sunshine.

I was awake till gone 3.00am, woke with the alarm at 8.00am, fell asleep again till OH woke me at 8.40am, then had to move really fast to be ready for my 9.15am painting course!!!! A bit of a disastrous morning as OH couldn't get logged into his meeting (Microsoft Teams is hopeless, Zoom is far better). People started ringing him to see where he was and the phone is next to where I was doing my class so I couldn't hear the teacher. At one point he was speaking to one person on his mobile while her colleague kept ringing the landline where I was. I ended up messing up my painting and not being able to hear the teaching about painting water which I was really interested in!!

It would be good if you had some idea of what's happening by the end of the week AnnG as it's not long till Christmas and arrangements for that now. Ah that was nice of you to pop 2 kit Kats in for him to find!

There were 3 cars of visitors at the same time to the house at the end of the close yesterday. They all went inside and some we saw arrive as we went out to post our scripts kept no social distance from the others. If it wasn't for the vaccinations on the horizon, we'd go on and on with lockdowns and bankruptcies while people don't give a toss!

Frank OH's ribs were hurting for more than a month. I remember we had a holiday booked in the Yorkshire Dales and I did all the driving in my tiny Citroen AX car. Ros will appreciate her flowers and your thoughtfulness. Yes, how are you doing with the panic attacks now? Are they becoming less long or less often?

Mandy new tablets are a good idea as they need them to be able to do their schoolwork these days don't they. I imagine most Christmas shopping will be done online this time.

I hope you don't get sore fingers from doing the advent ring at speed Mel. I bet you were glad to find enough matching candles.

Afternoon all, I am trying to order some flowers for Ros, as a thank you, for all she does for me. Not sure if the order has gone through.

Maureen the neighbour across the road is in a HOSPICE with not long to LIVE. Ros popped over to see her this morning, her son answered the door and gave her the news. It appears she has a very bad blood disorder, which could mean having both FEET AMPUTATED if she survives. POOR WOMAN.

Ros has got the Christmas TREE UP. She will now start to decorate the window sills and around the lounge. I don't think I will be able to put up lights outside this year, unless I asked Jonathan to come round and do it for me. I can't trust myself up the step ladder.

Dinner tonight is Lamb in gravy with onion, and potatoes in and around the dish, I have done Swede and cabbage to go with it. We have Mince pies if she wants one warmed up with cream.

We are having Denis,Pam and Tracy in on the 16th for pre Christmas drinks and nibbles.

See you tomorrow. xxxx

What a ;lovely surprise for Ros Frank and what a lovely thought to show that you appreciate her. It does mean a lot to know that.
I really have not got a clue when he will come home Frank. At the moment he would not be safe. First they have to sort out what equipment we will need and second he has to be steady on his feet which he is not yet. Then there is the hernia, and also the prostate. and also the fact that he is still isolating after the incidence of covid in the ward.

we went over and picked up his washing this morning. Spoke to a lovely lady who is not a nurse, she may have been a volunteer in his ward area. She said he had a big smile on his face when he found the two small kitkats that I had put in with his clean clothing. Very strange to be so near and not be able to see him. Anyway his washing is in the machine so that is that done and dusted.

Mandy yes it is unbelievably awful but we have to cope, don't have a choice. :-(

Morning all,

Dull here and it's just started to rain so it looks like we're in for another dreary day.

AnnG it must be awful for you both being in limbo like this not really know what's happening I hope things soon get sorted out this week.

Oh Ann what a find it must have been nice to see the photos ,trouble is once you start looking that's half the day gone before you know it .
Not really sure what the children want for Christmas with not seeing them ,I think son said they were getting them all new tablets .
I need to get the little masks I made for the elves to them once the lock down finishes

Frank those ribs are going to take a few weeks to heal ,I haven't heard you say much about your attacks lately are they getting fewer I do hope so .

Your going to have a busy day Mel I hope you can get the ring done in time .

Vera I hope the flooring is going down with no problems ,you'll be busy too later tryingto get tthings back in place .

Good morning to you all,

Ann, I hope the news will be good regarding your OH. When do you expect to get him home.??

Morning Mel, I see you have the better weather down south. Ours as usual is overcast and MISTY. I don't see a let up here today.

We both had disturbed night. Ros scratched her face and mdeit bleed, so she had to get up and find small plaster. My ribs haven't settled down yet. They are still sore when I turn in bed.

Nothing planned for today. I have ordered a large flower display for Ros, as A BIG THANK YOU for looking after me. They should be here today as I ordered early. We will see.


Have a good day, see you soon. xxxx

Morning Anng and all,

Brightish out the back and grey in the front today and it looks cold out there.

Had a panic email last night from our Reader. She had told me I did'nt have a rush for the advent ring as there was'nt a church service till Christmas day. NOW They are doing a video service on Tomorrow so would it be done by then so you won't see much of me today as I shall be out in the garden picking and wiring in the shed. I did find some candles for it though so that was a good find as I was'nt sure I had 5 the same.

Hope you all slept as well as can be expected.

Good morning all. Up early for a shower today as going with our neighbour later to pick up OH's washing. That is if he has organised it OK for me. Won't be a wasted journey anyway as I shall take him clean undies and pyjamas. Hoping this week he will find out what is happening. He is a bit in limbo at the moment as in isolation ward due to Covid, even though testing negative.

Annx always good to find something mislaid, especially photos.
I am looking forward to seeing this last picture of yours, love snowy pictures.
I suppose daughter was forced into DIY really. I never had any need as my Dad was really good at everything like that and he taught my OH decorating and OH was an apprentice in the RN and received good tuition on all sorts of electrical and carpentry jobs. The only thing he is/was not skilled at was plumbing.

I missed the roast lamb today, but OH thought the ham hocks were delicious. He's a devil for bacon though so it's not surprising.

Yes, I could always add some veg Mandy. I am feeling like an 'oldie' now......but I suppose I am!! lol. :-) Is the gingerbread house nearly finished now. I bet it will look lovely. What kinds of things are the children hoping Santa will bring? The bike of course for Lewis.

I had to give up on the reindeer making video anyway as it kept freezing every few seconds. I might try it later tomorrow as it will stay on line now. It is easier to watch it through first or watch later anyway as you can pause it till you catch up.

I had a little excitement today! I don't think I said before, but after I couldn't find the flash stick, the next year when we went away I hid my extended drive and forgot where it was as well!! Well today I found it amongst some used padded envelopes. It has photos stored that are no longer on my laptop so I have had a wander back in time looking at them.

Your daughter sounds a bit like I used to be AnnG, except I had no head for heights. The last job I did at my old house was to fix some flashing on the garage roof that was leaking! It made up my mind to move here as at age 53 I decided I was getting a bit old for climbing on a roof. OH will put shelves and cupboards up but I have to mark where the screws need to go and make sure he keeps the drill level! l

Gill it's good Sandra is enjoying her Christmas films. Is she still as keen to have her own place now she is getting used to enjoying home comforts back at mum and dad's?

Early start tomorrow for the last snowy landscape class. We have to have a knife for this one to do some scratching? The picture she has loaded for us to base our picture on looks like a scene from the Lake District.

Thanks Mel for not saying anything about the race, yes we'll be watching the highlight's later as we don't subscribe to the F1 channel so we can't watch it live.

I wasn't sure I was going to get on here today, I spilt my drink over the laptop plug and have had to wait for it to dry out, I was a bit nervous plugging it in but nothing went bang so it's all dried out now. My battery doesn't work so I have to plug it in. Nevermind I spent the day watching some Christmas films with Sandra and the F1 qualifying with OH as he's been in bed all day from his night shift last night.

You daughter sounds like me AnnG, I do most of the DIY in our place, OH does a few things but when it comes to cutting a straight line in wood, it never goes to plan, he blames his wonky eye lol, he doesn't have a wonky eye so not much of an excuse. When we were building the framework for the screening I cut all the wood and he screwed it all together so we work well as a team, when we need to. I hope things are sorted for your OH soon, it must be getting you both down by now.

It sounds like you've got things sorted for Christmas Vera, let's hope the government don't change all the rules before the big day now. OH and I can't see our mum's as we'd only be able to see one of them which wouldn't be fair on the other one, otherwise we end up mixing with to many households, it's very difficult to work out without upsetting someone so we decided not to see either of them and just talk on the phone. Hopefully it won't be long before there's a vaccine then things may start to return to normal again.

Going to watch the end of Strictly now, it's the result show