General Chat

Gill, I hope OH’s job is safe. He’s put in a lot of time and effort for them so let’s hope they recognise that.

You don’t think your plants will even get properly watered Gill and mine are in danger of drowning. It hasn’t stopped raining since last night. Every so often there’s a heavy shower, then it eases up a bit till the next bout of heavy rain. When I went outside just now a lot of the blossom had been knocked off my blueberry bushes by the rain, it was that heavy. I hope that doesn’t mean I won’t get many blueberries this year.

I wasn’t having a go at anyone on here with my rant about people not having a clue about migraine. I know several of you have suffered yourselves and you have all been sympathetic. I was feeling very grumpy because someone had told me on the phone that she gets migraine but won’t give in to it. She takes paracetamol and carries on. She genuinely thought she got migraine because she got the occasional bad headache. Gill, if it’s any consolation I used to be very sick but that was one of the aspects that got better when I got older and I am hardly ever sick now, so I am sure it will improve for you in time.

I didn’t get around to polishing the hall furniture but I did finish cleaning the uti cupboards. It’s surprising what came to light. I found some large muslin squares that I occasionally use to strain jams and jellies but couldn’t find when I wanted them a few months ago and some bottle brushes I was looking for recently. The charity shop is going to gain a “sonic scrubber” which was supposed to be wonderful for cleaning the grout round bathroom tiles, but didn’t seem very good to me on the one occasion I tried it. But the biggest treasure was right at the back of the cupboard - a large bottle of Milton sterilising fluid :-D. I’ve no idea how long it has been there but there was no “use by” date on it and it smelled right. At least if I run out of wipes and Dettol spray I can make some up and use it with a disposable cloth to wipe things down.

I am going for a shower and hair wash now. My hair is just getting to the stage where it needs cutting. I checked my diary and saw that I had booked an appointment for tomorrow. That won’t be happening now so just call me Tatty Bonce :-)

gill I hope your OH's job is safe. I don't understand how they could have taken him on and are now overstaffed. Hopefully he won't be one of the ones to go, he must be in danger because he has not finished his training and presumably others are well trained already.

O Gill I hope his job is safe please let us know as soon as you her. <3

Glad you got the pics in the end. I will delete the old email.

Afternoon all

Raining here today but not much so I doubt it'll water my plants properly.

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes for Sandra. She rang me to say the parcel arrived and to say thank you to everyone. I was right two of the cards were the same, Flamingo's, I sent her a Flamingo card and so did other members of the family, she is thrilled with everything and was so excited on the phone. Michelle has bought lots of birthday food to have a little party with her and they got her some glow in the dark balloons which she's put in her bedroom, so I think she's going to have a lovely birthday, even though she can't go out anywhere.

I've PM'd you my email address Mel, the aol one is the old one I don't use anymore.
How lovely to see all the birds, the Blackbirds soon saw off the owl, mind you the owl may well try again. Did you manage to sort out another Asda order or have you given up now? Fancy Morrisons saying they don't come out that far then go to your neighbour, very strange. I'm lucky as OH goes to the shops for me after work sometimes or on his day off. You garden sound like it's full of colour, ours is starting to fade now and I don't have anything else, so it's going to look pretty dull for the rest of the year. It always looks it's best in the spring.

Pleased to see your migraine has gone now Vera, I know exactly how you feel, when I have them sometimes I'm sick, it's awful isn't it, especially when they go on for days. I've been in tears with the pain sometimes, but then have to tell myself to calm down as crying just makes it worse. I can't even take someone whispering and have to sit with my eyes shut in a dark room and even then it doesn't always work, so don't feel like you're on your own and no one understands, I definitely do. No one thinks any worse of you on here if you have a moan, sometimes it helps. Sending you a gentle hug <3 <3 Sorry you didn't have a good nights sleep last night, hope you have a better one tonight.

Just read your post about sending the gummy bears again Mel, so I've just looked at them, thank you to AnnG as well, for sending them. They look great Mel

Your granddaughters look pretty Mandy and very proud to be wearing the necklaces. That was nice of your son to put the canopy up for you, when the sun comes out again you have somewhere in the shade to sit now. Our rain is very fine so I don't think it's going to do much. OH's been watering the plants most nights so everything looks okay at the moment, apart from the ones that are now fading. I'll have to move some pots around once they've finished flowering, not sure how I'm going to fill the gaps though as I don't have much to replace them with.

Your climbing roses will look nice when they start to flower AnnG, we used to have some red ones in our old house, I do miss them but don't have anywhere to put some here as all the fences are full of plants already.

Sorry to hear Ros is under the weather today Frank, hope she feels better soon. Do you think she's over done things a bit, she never stops and now she's knitting baby clothes. At least she's sitting down and watching a bit of TV as well, which will be more relaxing than working on the sewing machine. Did she manage to sort the machine out in the end?

Well, I'm still plodding on with my family tree. I'm trying to keep my mind occupied as OH might lose his job today. He and another 19 staff have all got meetings with the boss over the next three days as they are over staffed, so it looks like they maybe getting rid of a few people. I hope OH isn't one of them, trying to find another job right now will be almost impossible. His meeting is at 2pm, so just over 20 minutes time.

Good afternoon to all you lovely people. What a treat we are having this morning. RAIN. I didn't water last night, as we were promised this today, and they were right for a change. lol lol


HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA. I am sure she would be HAPPIER to be with her MUM AND DAD, but I am Michelle will give her a nice day. Bless her.

Simon has just been on the phone. He is moored up in Nuneaton, waiting for the boat yard to fit an emersion heater to the boat. He had SOLAR PANELS fitted a couple of weeks ago. That will save him having to run the engine to charge his batteries. Ford's at Daventry are shut until 11th April. Then he will have to see if the shutdown continues. Sally is back at work today and tomorrow, and will drive back to the boat on Thursday.

Dear Ros is felling a bit under the weather today. So I have told her to have "A ME DAY" and a break from the sewing machine. She hs the T.V on and is knitting for the baby, thats due in August/September. She just has to be busy. !!!

A nice loin of Lamb for this evening. The order from Sainsbury's included some lovely Runner beans and carrots with the leaves still on. So they will be part of the Veg. The other is Sweetheart Cabbage, Roast Potato's and Roast Parsnips. Peas, and a few NEW SPUDS. Any over, Ros will eat cold, or I will fry up with eggs, and bacon. etc.

Still raining here. I will end with the usual, BAD NIGHT. Was in bed by 11.00 pm. Still wide awake at 1.30 am, so got up and read until 4.00 am. Slept then until 7.30. All showered and COTd before Ros came out at 9.30. Didn't feel like breakfast, so might have a bowl of soup now with a bit of B & B.

Take care my sweet things, and STAY SAFE.xxxx

I have a few red roses out on the south wall and big orangey poppies in the borderAND MY BEARDED IRIS ARE FLOWERING TOO. tHE wISTERIA OVER THE WALL FROM THE TOP GARDEN WAS A PICTURE THIS WEEK AND i MEANT TO WALK UP AND TAKE A PIC. Blast blast blast I am not typing that lot again as I want to get on. Sorry. The white lilac is out too.

Its good you got to see your son Mandy and he put the gazebo up for you so when the sun shines again you will have shade.

and at least you got to see him Mandy, that is worth a lot. glad you have it fixed now anyway, even if too wet to use it.
We have yellow and pink climbing roses out at the moment, they are very early as even the ramblers are not out although it is covered in buds.

Morning everyone,

<3 <3 <3 Happy Birthday to Sandra hope she has a lovely birthday with lots of cards and presents .

Raining here now it was dry when we got up ,yes this rain seems to have washed the leaves on the trees and they look a much brighter green.
Things will come on now in the garden with a nice bit of rain but then so will the weeds ,I have lots of buds on the yellow rose and some nice orange poppies now flowering

Don't know what we will be doing today ,Colin 's just starting another jigsaw and I have just put the hoover round .
The carpet washer came yesterday so that's still in the box in the hall ,well be leaving it there for a day or two before we touch the box although i did wipe it over with my
antibacterial wipes

Frank did Ros manage to sort her sewing machine out ? Maybe it just needed a bit of a dust out its surprising how many bits get round in the bobbin casing bit.

We had a nice stew yesterday and there's more left for today so a nice easy meal
tonight just need to do some more veg .

Son came and did the canopy when he came in the gate we sat down the garden it did seem strange having a shouting conversation ,he was only here about quarter of an hour but at least now we have a bit of shade when the sun shines .

Right better make a coffee next ,Max is snorning away at my feet :-D

Happy birthday to Sandra. Sorry I didn't send a card Gill, not going out I couldn't go to the post office. I hope she has a nice day and is as spoilt by Michelle as she would be if at home with you.

Ann it sounds as if they have the phones off the hooks.
Also sounds like a busy day for you. so far today I have prepped the meal (slow cooker pork) for tonight, done a load of washing and started on the four bags of shopping that I put in quarantine yesterday morning. Still giving them a wipe but I am sure they will be fine now. did I tell you I had 17 bags of shopping. and now have 17 empty plastic bags. Have to recycle them at the shop when this is over as they don't take them back on the vans. and OH has hoovered upstairs and cleared out one of his drawers in the bathroom.

I shall finish off the other shopping bag and then make coffee. After that I am not sure but there will be something to do I know.

Pouring with rain here and the garden is loving it.

Mel, and vera two more busy people today.

Morning All,

:-D :-D<3 <3HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SANDRA <3 <3 :-D :-D and I hope she has a lovely day. Not sure if she will see our Happy Birthdays on here though.

Yes it's been raining here since last night too, but the garden really needs it. I think the weekend is looking dry and more sunny, at least at the moment.

More paper shredding for OH today and I am weeding more of my papers and tidying some craft stuff away in here first. I might tackle the filing cabinet then or do some bedroom drawers. I've already tried the holiday people and the other garden centre as soon as they both opened but continuous engaged tone with both.

I meant to ask how are Fitz and his wife Jane? Is Georgette fully recovered now?

Didn’t notice the date when I first posted

:-D :-D :-D <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA <3 <3 :-D :-D :-D

I hope you have a lovely day

<3 <3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA <3 <3 <3 <3

Hope you have a great day. Lots of love and kisses Mel xxxx


Morning Vera and all,

Raining here too and it started last night about 1.30am when I went to bed.The garden seems to be loving it and the grass looks much greener and the leaves on the trees seem out more this morning.

There no breeze or wind at the moment just the pitter patter of the rain.s I am not having a delivery today I think I will have a clean of the bathroom and hall and maybe hoover through. The plate rack in the hall needs a good dust and polish too. Then If I have more time I shall do a bit of clay work as I have a couple of things to paint.

Gill did you get the Gummy Bears today?

Good morning all

Grey and very wet here today. I know the garden needs a good long spell of rain but It doesn’t do a lot for my mood. I didn’t have a very good night and read from about 1.30 till 4 am but I was still up early this morning.

Not sure what I will do today. I might try and finish off the cupboards in the utility and polish the furniture in the hall (sideboard, grandfather clock and small round table), then the kitchen diner, uti, conservatory and hall will all have had a good spring clean.

Have a nice day whatever you are doing.

Just seen the first May Bug of the year tonight at the outside light.

Gill I am not sure if I put the right email address for you on the communial email. I did the aol one should it have been the other one?

Vera so pleased you have felt much better today and have been able to get on with some jobs in the garden and house.

Trouble I had with my asda order was I did'nt pay on Saturday as I was in such dicomfort with my mouth. When I looked on Sunday it said I was too late. Neither of us could get through to Morrisons today after many attempt and emails from them to me it just kept telling me my password was not recognized. Tehy accepted it when I first did it with them only to tell me they did'nt come out this far and then Em told me they had a Morrisons delivery this week which is why I tried to get in touch with them again.

I hav'nt done much today and feel worn out. I did a bit of painting but them oh wanted me to do something so that was that.

Tonight while I was cooking dinner and standing by the back door I heard two squarks and an owl flew out of our beech tree followed closely by three blackbirds all giving the alarm call. They chased it right up the orchard but carried on with the alarm for ages. The two Robins came out of the box hedge one one side and one the other. I think both the Robins and the Blackbirds and the pigeons are nesting in the box hedge this year.

I agree AnnG. Sainsbury's and Asda are the same re us oldies who are vulnerable but not shielded. It's good you got your order though. I wonder if ASDA are the only supermarket that will give a recurring slot as it has lifted a weight off my mind. OH has been so impressed by their service and good prices. He had a pepperoni pizza today that was nice and only cost 82p! He thought it would be no good as it was so cheap till he tried it. They have been early delivering too so he put our boxes out half an hour early yesterday.

Vera, some people just have no idea about migraines! OH's became visual ones with no headache as he got older which was a problem with driving when he travelled long distances with work. Mine were connected with hormones at different times of the month and car fumes and cigarette smoke would bring them on too. The monthly ones would last the week before I was due. Yours sound even more severe, but I know what it is like to not dare bend down because of the crushing pain and to lift my head off the pillow with my hands. Horrid things! :-(

The organisation that runs the craft club I go to has put some on line webinars you can join so I logged onto the crochet one tonight, but had to switch my picture off the screen as I had my nightie on!! lol. There are some others this week, like printing, art for wellbeing etc so I may join those too.....suitably dressed next time!

Think you posted when I was typing Gill. Glad you’re around and OK. :-)

Evening everyone

Thank you all for your concern. I am feeling much better today. I don’t think there is any point speaking to the doctor as I am pretty much on the best medication there is, originally prescribed by a consultant neurologist, and the attacks are really not nearly as bad as they used to be. Incidentally, did you know that, depending on which authority you read, globally migraine is the 6th or 7th most disabling condition. This is why I have to bite my tongue and try to stay polite when people tell me how to get rid of my “headache”, usually on the lines of “when I get a migraine I sit quietly with a cup of tea and take a couple of paracetamol. It soon goes away”. Grrr....I feel like screaming. They have no idea. OK, moan over. I’ll be getting a reputation as the thread misery guts.

Oh dear Frank. Mr Tactful or what. It’s just the sort of thing my OH would say and he’d have got a flea in his ear from me too. I hope you are back in Ros’s good books again now.

Don’t machines still have bobbins Dermot? Mine does but it is quite old so is probably out of date now. When my Great Aunt Maud died in the 1960s I had her old hand sewing machine. It was old then and had a bullet shaped bobbin. It may have been antiquated but I made all my daughter’s clothes and a lot of mine on it.

Oops Mel. You have had problems with yourAsda order haven’t you. Is it that you timed out in completing your order? I can only speak about Tesco but once you book your slot you get 2 hours to complete the procedure which should be ample. It’s probably a case of getting used to using the online site. I find the Tesco one easy to use and can whizz round it quite quickly but I have been doing it for years. Very frustrating for you.

I am glad your Tesco delivery went well AnninG. I’ve always found them very efficient and the odd occasion I have had to ring the customer service people they have been very helpful. The problem at the moment is getting a slot. Like your son I am going online just before midnight to make my bookings and it’s a real pain.

I hope you manage to get your holiday and your plants sorted out Ann. I know these aren’t normal times but everything is such a hassle at the moment. That garden centre put a lot of conditions on purchasing. My brother was telling me that he wanted a couple of bits from a local place that came to about £20. When he went to pay, the bill said £70. They wanted £50 for delivery! Needless to say he didn’t buy from there. I was pleased with my order from Beth Chatto. They asked for a minimum of 6 plants but they could be anything. I bought 7 plants. They were in litre pots and were a decent size and cost, I think, about £32. There was a £10 delivery charge but they send everything on an overnight courier service so the plants aren’t waiting around. Have you tried somewhere like that?

Has Gill been around the last couple of days? I don’t remember seeing her but with this migraine I might well have missed a post or two. I hope she’s alright.

I did 3 loads of washing this morning and a few other jobs and this afternoon I felt OK so I did just over 2 hours gardening. I think the fresh air did me good but I feel a bit drained again now so I don’t think I’ll be looking at a screen again tonight.

Take care and stay safe everyone.

Afternoon all

I've been so busy today I lost track of time, these lighter evenings don't help either. I keep thinking it's earlier than it actually is.

Sorry to hear you've had a migraine Vera, I hope you feel better soon. How nice to have face time with your family and to be able to see the garden and the new painted bedroom

Sandra will be 35 tomorrow Jane.......how time flies lol your parcel arrived just in time as I was about to go to the post office, so everything has been sent now. Lovely things arriving soon from Waitrose, I bet you can't wait?

Yes we use a hose pipe Mandy, a watering can would take forever. I think by the time I'd finished, I need to start all over again lol. Is the gazebo up yet? Are you going to put your swimming pool up this year?

Oh dear Mel, I hope you sort your shopping out soon. Hope your mouth is feeling a little better now, OH broke his tooth again the other week and when I rang the dentist for him they said they weren't doing any face to face appointments until lockdown was over. They said he could get some glue for it from the Chemist, but it wasn't very good, so he still has a gap right in the front. At soon as lockdown is over I'll ring and make him an appointment to have it fixed.

I'd love to see the picture of the gummy bear necklaces could someone send it to me please?

That stitch was very long AnnG, no wonder it was giving you some pain, hopefully now it'll heal nicely and you don't have to worry about getting an infection.

On dear Frank, I hope Ros can get her machine working again and it's nothing serious. Did you manage to get any tablets off the doctor?

Sorry to hear you still have got through to the holiday people Ann, hope you get through soon or the date will be here and we might still be in lockdown. That's a bit much expecting people to buy all those flowers and only in one colour, they should remember they're the garden centre not you. I hope you have more luck with the cheaper one. My garden is looking okay at the moment, I said to OH every year we buy plants but if we just leave the garden to itself it still looks nice. Mind you it always looks nice in the spring, it's later in the year when we don't have as much colour, not that I can do anything about it at the moment as no where is open.

I think I'll take another look at my family tree, I found one who married someone from the Netherlands, although I don't have a marriage date, but luckily have the birth and death dates so that's something.

Oh dear Frank........has she tried oiling it, it often works for my machine.....or daren't you ask. I would try googling the problem if it doesn't need oiling. Lawns seem to need so much attention I'm glad we don't have one now. I think they do look nice though and with big areas are the best thing. What I do miss is how a mower picks up fallen leaves as you mow!

Oh Mel, what a nuisance and how frustrating!! I do hope you can get sorted with Morrisons. I don't think the sites are terribly user friendly anyway and I ended up with twice as much cheese as I wanted on my first order! The gummy bear necklaces are a lovely idea and would have been a nice surprise for Mandy's grandgirls! My word they are growing so fast though but are lovely happy girls.

Still can't get through to the holiday agent or the garden centre. A friend has let me know the other garden centre I tried online before is working properly now so I may order from there and click and collect if I can get a slot! Well I looked and you should see their prices go up! A minimum order of £50 and you have to buy eg 10 packs of the bedding plants like pansies and things like 15 geraniums all the same colour. I think I will wait and keep trying the other cheaper garden centre.

Yes, after the custard tarts yesterday AnnG, I thought something low calorie today would help compensate! :-) It's not helping me with so much cooking going on while I'm trying to lose a few pounds.