General Chat

Mel yes SiL or grandson will change the bulb for me. brighter here but still no sun.

Still sunny here at the mo and I hope it passes up to you Anng. Poor T will be feeling a bit lonely if all the other patients have gone home. I hope he gets more attention now he's on his own and the nurses fuss over him. Hemight hear more today as to the treatment he needs. Can your SIL do the light for you when he comes? Not good having a light out at the top of the stairs you need to know where you are going.

Been up the post office and did the overseas cards and bought more stamps and popped in the hsop for some more tangerines and there was just one big bag there of huge ones with leaves. I just had to have those and a naughty danish to share.

Island enjoy your day off and Scruff's expressions and take it easy. Do we know where in the country you live?

Frank infuriating isn't it when you can't do the things you used to do. Or as in my case your man can't. This morning the light bulb at the top of the stairs (literally on the landing exactly at the top of the stairs) went. I am unable to reach it safely, I always stood by OH holding onto him on the steps when he changed it. This one has not been changed for at least 2 years. So now it will have to wait. Friday week all being well daughter and son in law will be here to collect Christmas presents. If OH is home they will stay in a local hotel, if not they will stay here (only one spare bed. Also on the Saturday Grandson who lived in hampshire will make a day trip to collect and deliver their presents. Daughter lives in an area with very few cases of covid, Grandson in an area similar to here. They are all self isolating for at least a week before coming here so we should be ok. Grandson is working from home.

Still very damp here and only 7 degrees but the sky is a bit brighter.
I just gave the conservatory mats (over the carpet) a good sweep to get rid of all the dead leaves I have dragged in. OH would have been appalled at the state of it, he was always sweeping it up.

yes Vera I am sure he was on my mind because he was in pain with his eyes when he phoned and that bothered me. I went to sleep easily enough but woke at 0330 and then it was dozing until about 0715 when I dropped off heavily for an hour and woke with a start.
I told him he was going to get all the attention but I am not sure he approved of that.

Thanks Island, first he has to be able to walk steadily and that is not happening at the moment.

Morning all
Dull and damp here but trying to brighten up so I think I'll treat myself to a day off :-D

Not much doing, still working through the 'to do list'.
Dog gets cheekier but he does make me laugh with his expressions.

I spotted talk of 'painting by numbers' - I didn't have that but I have a recollection of a girlie Aerfix kit of some historic lady. I was pretty disappointed as it was so simple compared to the 'boys' models.
Magic painting books were fun though. I was quite arty as a child and do remember painting at the kitchen table - I don't recall what I painted but swooshing the paint from my brush in my glass of Vimto remains a strong recall :-D I still drank it of course!

AnnG, I do so hope your oh will be fit enough to come home soon.

We're not throwing caution to the wind for the sake of Christmas just because Boris says we can - I wouldn't take advice from him if he was the last man on earth, perish the thought. The virus is still out there so we'll use our own intelligence over our safety. I think there will be another surge in the new year sadly.

Stay safe all, happy day :-D

Curses! I just got disconnected - it's going to be one of those days :-|

Morning AnnG, Mel and all

It’s grey and damp here too though the temperature isn’t bad for November, it’s about 11 degrees. More rain forecast for later.

OH must feel a bit isolated and fed up, AnnG, but look at it this way - without too many patients the staff might be able to give him lots of attention. I hope he has a good day.

You probably didn’t sleep well because T. was on your mind. I hope you have a better night tonight. I had a dreadful night yet there was no reason for it. I was warm and comfortable, not in any pain and even my jumpy legs weren’t jumping but sleep wouldn’t come. I expect I dozed for a few minutes here and there but I didn’t fall asleep properly till around 6am. Then OH woke me with a cuppa at 8. I had to get up as we are expecting our sofa to be delivered. Of course, once I was up and dressed I learnt that it’s likely to be delivered around midday so I could have had another couple of hours in bed. I am very heavy headed now.

Later I want to work out how to print envelopes and labels. We had a new computer 3 months ago with a more up-to-date Word package and I haven’t yet looked at printing addresses. With the tremor that comes and goes in my hands, writing is sometimes a bit difficult so I just want to write the Christmas cards but print the addresses. No good OH writing any; his handwriting is atrocious and barely legible. I can usually make it out but a postman would really struggle. OH often can’t read it himself.

Time to make and drink a coffee before our delivery arrives. Have a good day everyone.

MORNING ALL,

Who's the lucky one then, MEL. We have dark sky and rain. It looks like it's here to stay.

I have been thinking about Christmas arrangements. The way things stand, we will be on our own, unless Harvey and Julia invite us there. Jan's daughter KERRY is having JAN and CONRAD, JO and ELLA, and Marks Mum and Partner. IF we go for Christmas dinner. It will mean FIVE HOUSEHOLDS MIXING. The latest is the MAXIMUM of THREE HOUSEHOLDS MIXING. It will mean that TWO of the households will have to CANCEL. I will have to have a word with the family to see what they think.

Another horrible night with the pain from the ribs. Evertime you turn over it wakes you up. and seems to take ages to get comfortable again. :-P :-P.

Fish man tonight, so only have to sort something for Ros, as she won't eat FISH.

It's almost DARK OUTSIDE, so all the table lights are on. I hope it's better weather where you are. Stay safe, and ENJOY your day. xxxx



Had a problem with the lights last night. One of the bulbs in the down fighter in the kitchen was lpose, and kept flashing. Finally it went out and tripped the overload switch. I had to call Jonathan out to get to the fuse box and reset it. There's no fun in getting old, and not being able o do simple things like getting the steps and resetting the trip.

Morning Mel, no sun here yet. still dark and gloomy and temp dropped to 7 degrees (was 10).

Aawe OH said when he phoned he is the only one left in his part of the ward now. Must be horrible seeing everyone going home, and lonely too.

Morning Anng and all,


Sorry you did'nt sleep that well you must have had T on your mind and sorry too that you have a miserable day as we have sunshine, blue sky with the cloudsof white and grey. Perhaps its taking a bit longer to get to you.

Deer are in the garden this morningup by the border, one sitting in the sun and the other standing up. Can't see the third but it may be behind on of the shrubs. There were 14 pigeons up the back field when I looked out when I woke up and two squirrels running about and two female pheasents on the chicken pen fence looking to see if the girls had left them anything.

Right lets get the cuppa down the neck and get going.

good morning all raining here, not cold though. didn't sleep that well last night Kept waking up and dreaming. Can't remember the dreams though.

Thank you for your wish Vera.
Mel they knew nothing about the prostate op so said to leave it for now.
Annx yes you are right I told him it was probably after working hard yesterday.
I did manage to email him and get him to reply to say he read it.
I wonder what they will do about the hernia as when the doctor told daughter about the lesion on his lung they thought an op to take a biopsy would be too much for him.

Evening All,

It's been quite bright and sunny today. Another early start doing the brush pen Christmas card ideas this morning, then the free origami fabric ring box. The latter didn't work out well as the teacher was folding away and didn't tell us whether we should have the outside fabric up or down so half of us were doing out boxes inside out. Some gave up when we were trying to do the corners and no way would pins go through my material after the soaking in PVA mix!! The lid on mine wouldn't close as the material was just too thick so I tucked it inside and made an open box. I told OH I was throwing it away, but he went and rescued it and has put it in one of his drawers!! He's a softy for keeping my rejects! lol.

Ann your OH must expect a not so good day to follow a good one. His muscles will be weak and need a rest to repair after a good day. It's how they will get stronger. It does seem they are now looking to do what they can for him which is good. You have got on well again today. I have been sorting my cards for abroad today. I think you can pay postage online and print something off, but will check tomorrow. It would save me going in the post office which would good. There were over 460 new cases in our district in the past week and when a new restaurant opened in the city a few days ago it said people were queuing at 7.00am and forming a huge queue, no social distancing judging by the photos.

So old 'rainbow ribs' sounds a bit better today Frank! Just take extra care while you are still healing. I bet you feel better for your shower and haircut.

Good idea to stand leaky bottles in those foil containers Mel, I will remember that tip. It had been in a cupboard inside since I bought it, so it wasn't the sun. I know the sun destroys any plastic in the greenhouse. I came across some leaked substances while we cleared a bit of shelf in the garage this afternoon.

Those Belgian Malinois are very much like an Alsation in looks aren;t they Vera, both good guards too. I still have 4 Geraniums outside, so must see if I can pot them up and put them in the greenhouse.

An early night for me tonight after 2 early morning starts. Hopefully a later start tomorrow.

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

They really are having a good look at oh this tme around Anng. If T gets the hernia done that will be one thing out of the way and may help with the constipation. I hope he has better news to tell you tomorrow. Have they said any more about the other thing he was supposed to go in for? You know.

Good you had a better nights sleep Frank and you must feel better for it. How do the ribs feel today? Are they easing up at all? apart from the bruising coming out?

Vera I did'nt get around to the ironing in the end but it will still be there tomorrow!! :-S

I did get dinner ready. We are going to have a toad in the hole tonight.

I’m pleased you had a good night Frank. I had a better night too until I was woken at 7 am by one of those silent phone calls :-|. Will Conrad have to self isolate when he comes back to Devon? My cousin lived in Spain for about 15 years and has just returned to this country and I believe she and her OH had to self isolate for 2 weeks. We are still hoping to spend Christmas Day and Boxing Day with my daughter and granddaughter and also to see my brother either just before or just after Christmas as it looks as though we will be able to mix a little more for a few days but, much as I am desperate to see my son and family, we won’t risk travelling to Yorkshire. There are more cases in his area than here and more people in his house as well, including the granddaughter who is working in a care home.

You’ve been busy this morning Mel. Good luck with the ironing. I hate that job so I am very careful how I hang and dry things so they don’t need ironing. From 3 big wash loads yesterday all I have to iron are 3 pillowcases and there is 1 pair of trousers that could do with a bit of a press.

I did a couple of small jobs and then sorted out the rest of the geraniums that OH had put in the garage and cleared a couple of troughs of dead plants. Since then I’ve been resting my back and foot again. Now I am trying to decide what to do with some cod I took out of the freezer this morning. I’ll probably stick a sauce of some sort on it; it’s a toss up between cheese, tomato or parsley.

Did you see on the TV news the dog that got an animal medal for bravery in Afghanistan? It was a Belgian Malevois and daughter’s puppy is a cross between that breed and a German Shepherd. It gave us an idea of what she will look like when she is fully grown.

Time for a cuppa now I think. I might even manage to force down a slice of cake ;-)

EDIT. You posted while I was typing AnnG. Sorry to hear OH has had a disappointing day but he is bound to have good times and less good times. If his hernia gets fixed that will be one less thing to worry about. At the moment it must feel like one thing after another but the human body is very resilient and your OH had been healthy and active until all this happened and that will make it easier for him to get back to some sort of normal, even if it takes a long while. As it says in the hymn, the best I can wish you is “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow” <3

Changed the bed and washed the bedding, did half an hour in the garden then wrote a few more Christmas cards. OH phoned he was disappointed with himself as he failed to walk without 'wobbling' this afternoon. He wants so much to come home but knows he can't while he is not safe walking. Then he has had a hernia for about 10 years, when he went to see the consultant about it he was told he didn't need an operation but the doctor spotted that it was swollen today so is going to have another look tomorrow. Can anything else happen to his poor body? I suppose one thing aggravates another but I felt so sorry for him, he was really down and he had been so bright this morning as he had a good nights sleep.

Done the big wipe down and hoovered the kitchen and diner and cleaned the little loo. Now I am about to tackle the ironing and I think that will be it for today.

Good morning all,

I had a good nights sleep last night for a change, but this morning my ribs a really sore. The BRUISE looks like Ros has attacked me with a "BASE BALL BAT"

I managed a shower this morning and washed my hair. Ros decided to cut my hair while it was still wet , that's the first haircut in months.

Yes it's a horrible, dull day here also. Ros isn't going out with Carolyn until 2.00 pm today, as she has something on this morning. They will only go to Tesco for odds and ends.

Lamb chops for dinner tonight. with Roasts and veg. We haven't had those for ages. So looking forward to them.

I have been trying to work out how to celebrate my B'Day. NOT Knowing everywhere will be open, I don't know if I should try to book a table now, in case they will be open and the will be a rush on bookings. especially as it's Christmas Week.

Conrad hopes he can get back to Devon during December. He and Jan are going to Kerry's for Christmas day and Boxing day. They will then go back to Deven. We are invited to Kerry's for Christmas day, so don't know what we will do Boxing Day. If John and Carolyn are free, we might be able to have lunch and the afternoon with them. I'm not sure if they are away for Christmas anyway. I will get Ros to ask Carolyn today.

I think I will get a coffee and toast. See you later. xxxx

Good morning AnnG, Mel and all

Same sort of day here - grey, a bit wet and about 9 degrees. I haven’t any special plans for today; my social diary is not exactly full at the moment, and my back is preventing me doing anything much in the garden. It’s not got any worse but it’s not good much better either.

I hope OH is more comfortable and cheerful when he phones you AnnG and you get some news about treatment. Keep your chin up.

As our friends over the water say, have a nice day :-)

Morning Anng and all,

Miserable here grey sky and it all looks wet out there. 9 degrees here.

My stupid toothbrush has decided to charge thank goodness. I have used it twice now with it flat I shall be pleased to have a good deep clean with it now its charging.

As to the glue bottles, you could keep them in one of those foil carton things the ready meals come in. I do that with my Jeyes Fluid in the shed as I had one of those cans leak in the old shed. Made an awful mess.

Must let the chickens out.

Good morning a grey day but 11 degrees out there, strange weather.

Well who knows what the day will bring.

Ooh Ann that could have been nasty if you had not had something protective under the bottle. Maybe I ought to check any old bottles I have lying around.

I could just imagine that brittle bottle Ann. You did'nt leave it in the sun did you?

I had a bottle that the PVA went solid in the bottle. I was so annoyed at the time a sI needed some right then. I did find another bottle so it was ok. I now have about three bottles. Have you tried watering it down a bit and doing some string baubles by winding the soaked string around some balloons not fully blown up. I did some eggs like that for easter.