General Chat

We went to the garden centre this morning and oh bought me some bits for my crafting for Christmas. Then we called in MOle Valley Farmers because he wanted to buy me a new coat for the garden when I go round to the chickens. The one I use is about 28 years old and is not waterproof but it is warm. Got one in MVF and when I went to pay for it they told me it was 50% off so I got £49.95 off it. That was what I call a good saving!! Then we went into the town and brought fish and chips home. I just muddled around this afternoon and read the mag I bought, Land Love.

Liz we shall all be thin king of you and Ian and I hope the tests go ok for him. It must be such a worry for you both and we shall expect to hear from you soon. Sending love and wishes. <3 <3 <3

Have to make a sandwich now.

Frank be carefull with the mushrooms if you use those on the lobster tails and if you do get the chestnut mushrooms as they don't bleed black which would spoil the look of the lobster. You could try breadcrumb mixed with a little garlic butter but not too mush to overtake the flavour of the lobster. I don't like lobster or any kind of shellfish.

No Gill.Hannah won't be home until Monday.I'm not sure if she will get in touch with Nicola but I did get a mobile phone number.So it is up the her.I have a feeling that they have really lost touch over the years

Golly you will be all Turkey'd out by Xmas lol

Yes we did enjoy it at the pub.It wasn't rowdy (thank goodness).Just everyone having a good time.I did think that the men in their Christmas Jumpers might have got a bit warm though.At least the Wood Burner wasn't lit :-) otherwise they would have been sweltering .
I'm just watching the news and see that A&Es are expecting a night of drunk revellers.I don't envy any staff working tonight.I had actually forgotten all the pre christmas do's and parties I used to go to in my late teens.I certainly partied ,but never got into any bother.There never seemed to be all the fights and trouble that happens now.They were all happy drunks.

Frank, Chris cut the back lawn this afternoon !!!.Just a quick one.He hasn't done the bottom lawn .He hurt his bad shoulder trying to start the mower
:-S.Took him 8 pulls to get it going.It is incredible to think the grass is still growing.I think the 18th of December will go down in our history for cutting the grass.

Yes Cats have no modesty to they Gill.Mind you neither do dogs.Good job us humans don't do the same thing :-D..Now that wouldn't be good :-S

Evening all ,

Still so very mild here , i'am back in short sleeved tops as i feel so hot when working about getting jobs done.

It will really smell like christmas in your house Frank when you get the Gammons cooking especially when you get the glaze on them , carn't help you with the Lobster tails as i've never had them .

Had such a shock a while ago sister rang to say her middle son woke this morning and had gone blind in his left eye ,he isn't married so his brother took him to the hospital and they think he's had a stroke !! He had his fiftieth birthday this year .

The vision has come back slightly in the eye but the hospital didn't think that he would ever have full vision again.
They let him come home but he does have to go back for a scan as they weren't sure what had caused the stroke .
Also while he was there and after they had done lots of tests they found he also has a heart murmur ,sister said the doctors didn't seem that concerned about the heart just told him to see his doctor about that .
As sister said you go to bed and never know what the morning will bring ,she said Neil was so frightened when he woke and couldn't see , i just hope he's going to be ok.

I got a few more presents today and i really must start getting some more wrapped .

LOL poor Thomas what is a chap to do he has to keep his self clean :-D

Oh dear Liz so sorry to hear that about the test ,you come back when you feel able sending you a big hug <3 <3 <3

Not a very good day. OH's PSA test has come back higher than we'd hoped and he has to have another test in six weeks. What with that and the pending test on Monday we're feeling a bit down. Luckily OH has a brllliant GP, so kind and caring. I won't be posting for a while as I feel too worried and very down.
Happy Christmas to you all, and I may post again as and when.

Oh I had to laugh Jane about Thomas washing himself, I remember that happening to us, we had visitors around and there was one of our cat's happily washing her bits right in the middle of the floor, there's nothing worse is there? I was so embarrassed. Can laugh about it now though ;-) ;-)

So the pub was really busy in the end Jane, did you enjoy all the fun? How nice to see Nicola, what a wonderful surprise. Was Hannah with you? she'd be disappointed if she wasn't, unless there's a chance she could meet up with her another time.

Your glaze sounds lovely Frank, I'd love to be one of your neighbours, what with drinks and apples, how lucky are they? I'm pleased you like the idea of mushrooms, you can chop them up with your breadcrumbs and grill them, the same way you would of done with the cheese. Unless of course you fancy something else. I'm sure it'll be lovely no matter what you decide to do.

We are having a roast turkey breast for dinner with roast potatoes and sprouts, stuffing balls and a Yorkshire pudding as Sandra fancies one. It's almost ready. By Christmas we'd of had three turkey dinners including Christmas day lol.

Better go and check on it
See you all later.

Fiona ,I am with you on being glad OH isn't dreesed as an Elf in your local shop.LOL
It is good though that he doesn't mind getting dressed up.Chris would be mortified if it was him.Mind you he would look the part :-D

Well how wrong I was about the pub not being busy.It was packed with all tables full of work parties.Everyone was in their Text Santa Christmas Jumpers and tops.I felt quite underdressed :-)..There were crackers and party poppersgoing off all overthe place.We were very lucky to actually be able to get a meal.I think we got there just in time.We had a real surprise when we were there as one of Hannah's old school friends was there with her Mum.Nicola moved out to Australia 3 years ago and this is the first time she has been back home.So we had a good old catch up.

That glaze sounds like it will be really nice on the Gammon Frank.Can't say the same about the Lobsters though as i can't stand them.But I am sure they will all go down a treat :-D

James has just rung to ask if i can get his dinner on as he hasn't had time to eat today and is ravenous.So I will get on with that now.Then he will be off to Jess later for the weekend.I expect the roads will be exeptionally busy tonight so it might not be good drive.

Thomas has just come in and is sitting beside me washing his bum :-S

Just had a cup-of-soup and a ham sarnie. Bit much at this time of day. I have made a Spag Bol for tonight, so not much to do this evening.

Ros bought another BIG BAG of apples from Carolyn's yesterday. So I have passed them around the neighbours. We don't need anymore here, so better than rotting away.

Well, Gill. He sounded the sort of bloke, I would have told to leave my house. Why do people need to be so rude. Why not just walk around the property and leave.

Thanks for the tip Gill. I hadn't thought of mushrooms. I was going to do breadcrumbs with a sprinkle of cheese, then pop them under the grill.

The gammons are sitting on a tray in the kitchen. If they have thawed by tomorrow PM I will boil one after the other. Then prepare the Glaze and get them baked and out of the way. I have an empty fridge in the garage now. A tip on "This Morning" was to put the glazed gammon in a clean pillow case to keep it fresh in the fridge, Tin foil or cling film makes the gammon sweat. Another tip was to keep the skin and cover the cut gammon over with it. Again to stop it drying out.

My glaze (which I have never tried) will be Marmalade,(thin cut) Honey, Mustard, and brown sugar.and a drop of water, mixed and boiled then spread over the gammons. It will be basted throughout the last half hour. I almost forgot it will be scored and Cloves will be stuck in the fat. My mouth is watering already. ;-) ;-)

Dull afternoon here now, but doesn't look like rain (YET) lol

We have invited the neighbours in for a drink next Wednesday afternoon.

Tuesday evening in the Carol Service in the Church. So I expect I will have to show my support, before popping into the pub for a Birthday drink.

The lawns have had their winter treatment today. So they can't be cut for 4 days, not that I intend too anyway.

Ros has some silly programme on T.V. so I will have a look round the WEB and EBAY.

Afternoon all

Sorry Anne, I didn't know it was your birthday either, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY <3

Thanks everyone for the well done wishes for OH, it won't make any difference to his job, the hours and the work will stay the same, but if we ever move location it will help with finding another job. They want him to do the next level now, so he's thinking about it, he's not sure if he'll pass though, but I said even if you don't you haven't lost anything by trying. He was the same with this NVQ and passed so I'm sure given a bit of time to think about it, he'll go for it and pass the next one too ;-) ;-)

Pleased to hear Conrad has managed to get his passport sorted Frank. Make sure you don't lose yours, now you know where they are. I bet you can't wait to get away? Sorry if it was me who didn't put the stamp on the card, I asked OH to do it for me, so I can't say for sure if it was me or not, he bought the stamps then put them on the envelopes and posted them straight away, so I didn't see them before they were posted :-S :-S

That's a good idea Jane, giving food away, I've never heard of it either, but it does save a lot of food being wasted and helps others out at the same time :-)

Hope your OH's appointment goes better on Monday than it did the other day Liz. Cass is such a good girl waiting all that time.

Sorry to hear you got soaked Pat, Maybe Liz's OH can train Milly to retrieve the ball herself LOL. Hope everything goes ok for your blood test today <3
It sounds like you're having fun in the shop, there are funny characters all over the place nowadays aren't there? LOL. It's sad there are lots of lonely people around, but so nice that you can have a chat with them.
I've been watching a programme on TV about people who live on there own and one street had a street party so they could meet there neighbours, I cried at the first programme I saw, it's surprising how many neighbours don't know each other, even after living in their streets for years.

Looks like everything went smoothly for your OH's X Ray yesterday Mandy, hope the results are ok for him.

Sorry to hear it was noisy at your meal yesterday Ann, don't worry it'll soon be January LOL

My OH was asked to dress as an elf last year for the Christmas party at his works Fiona, but he said no. I don't blame him, we live in a small village where everyone knows everyone and he said he would be to embarrassed. It sounds like your OH is a good sport though. Lucky for you he's not at your local store......saves your embarrassment LOL.

Have you tried mushrooms instead of cheese for your lobsters Frank, it wouldn't be so heavy.

I'm chatting with Michelle online at the moment, we don't talk as much as we used to. She's not feeling very well so I offered to go to hers to help, but she said no. I've never been invited to hers since she moved out last year, not sure why???....very strange :-S

We had some feedback from our estate agent yesterday and guess what? The fella who came the other day doesn't want this place, SURPRISE SURPRISE. To be honest I'm glad, I didn't like him and I doubt the neighbours would of either.

Well, I'd better get back to Michelle, I've just heard another message come through
See you all later <3

Mystery arrival this morning. Is it one of you.

A very pretty Christmas Card of a robin in the snow with snowdrops The card says "DEAR FRANK & ROS" wishing you a very Happy Christmas. NOT SIGNED The stamp on the envelope is one I have never seen "2nd Class up to 100g. Not franked so no post mark. Thanks to ever it is..

Morning my lovelies, and of course Kimmy,

Been and had my arm emptied this morning. Some special blood test the Doctor wants. I will ring next week to speak to a Doctor as instructed.

HELP REQUIRED. I am doing individual cooked Lobster for starters on Sunday. I don't want to make it to heavy. Can anyone suggest a topping to go on them. Harvey can't eat cheese. which is a bit awkward, as I would have put breadcrumb and cheese topping, and just popped them under the grill.

Weather is very mild again. I put a big coat on to walk to the Drs and was so HOT.

I have got the Gammons out of the freezer to thaw. That leaves a BIG hole in the freezer now. I have emptied the fridge in the garage, so when the gammons are all cooked they can go out there until needed.

I was thinking. Would it be a good idea to Part cook the beef ribs, so all I would need to do is finish it off on Sunday afternoon. ??? Anything for a easy life. !!!

I bet your OH is getting into the mood for Christmas Fiona. (NOT) with all the children saying there's Santa's ELF. ;-) ;-)

"This Morning" has just shown another way of doing Gammons so will look that up as well. More ideas the better.

I slept so well last night. in bed by midnight and slept until 8.45 Just time for my shower and COT before going to the doctors.

What are you all up to today ??

Morning All, Evening Kim.

We seemed to be having a mild spell of weather at the moment :-D,

Every day leading up to Christmas day, OH is working now till late afternoon at Asd* being it a really busy time of the year, he has to put on his elf suit and keep stacking the shelves or at the tills, he says the children who come into the store, are fascinated and keep looking at him. and whisper to the mums , there's santa's elf mum.
I AM SO glad that he doesn't work in our local supermarket, as I am sure all the people we know would recognize him, it doesn't bother him but I would find it so embarrassing seeing my OH in an ELF SUIT :- HO Ho Ho

Morning All

LOL Ann you weren't in a party mood then yesterday :-D..I think most places now will quite loud and busy.I find that when there is a party of people on one table there is always one with a very loud and overbearing voice or laugh :-S
I don't think the Snooty Fox will be like that today so I won't bother to ring first.it is a village pub so I cant really see it will be full of Xmas Works lunches.

It is dull here too Mel just all grey and it looks like it will stay that way today.I have towels in the machine and hope I can dry them outside.

I'll be back this afternoon

Morning all,

Dull and dreary as usual here.

Have loads to do this morning so I will see you all later.

Evening All,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY for yesterday Anne, I hadn't realised either.

Oh, oh I have a horrid suspicion it was me Frank! I know I stuck a whole load of stamps on that I'd just bought in the Co-op so I could post a load of cards in the letter box in there. OH was impatient to go as usual, so I bet I missed stamping one in my hurry!!! :-0 :-0 Apologies if it was me and I'll have to try and make it up to you with the info I send you soon on your tree. ;-) ;-) I use one of those steamers for my veg, one pan to wash!

Oh Pat I hate walking with wet feet.......you'll need some waders if Milly makes a habit of it, or send Moccha in after the ball. Yes, I can imagine you get some right characters in the charity shop!

That was quick at the hospital today Mandy. Will your hubby go back for the results or see his doc about them?

Gill congratulations to your hubby on getting his NVQ, well done and he should be very pleased with and proud of himself!! :-D :-D Would he be able to go on and study for the next level now? It's going to make him more competetive for any jobs he wants in the future which is good. :-)

Oh Liz, fancy the hospital running so late they could not properly complete their appointments. I suppose they can't help what crops up at times, but it obviously pays to get early appointments!! Let's hope Monday is better! Good little Cass waiting patiently for you. <3

There were only 3-4 tables not taken up with parties where we went for lunch today. We went early, but OH hates it when there are huge queues to get to the bar and you have to wait ages for your food. As for the noise when a few glasses of wine have been drunk!! We were both bah humbugs today and OH said roll on January. lol

I bet Janice will love not having work pressures now Jane. I can remember the relief waking up without umpteen things on your mind to do and to juggle each work day.

O you have all been busy posting.

Hope Janice enjoys her retirement Jane please give her my love when you next speak.

Good you found your passports Frank and what a price for a replacement one for Conrad. Thats not fair him not getting any money back on the one that was lost.

Is'nt it horrid when you get a boot full of water Pat. May have been better to just lose the ball and buy a new one.

Liz sounds like you both had a day of hell just waiting around and then not getting the full monty so to speak and yet another journey there for the full test.

Mandy that was good getting out earlier than you expected. It is horrid having to wait around in the hosp. for your turn. I have been through all that with mum and she was so impatient.

Spag bol for dinner and I am just about to put the water on for the pasta.

David I have pm'd you.

Sorry Liz.I have edited and changed the name LOL.I knew who I meant :-D
That was good going then Mandy this morning with OH's Xray.No hanging about.

What a performance for Conrad with the Passport business Frank.,and having to pay out again !! :-S

I had to dash off as Conrad came on SKYPE He had his camera on his new passport. It cost him £95.00 for one trip back to the U.K. The other passport has been cancelled, and he has lost that fee also. So the poor devil will have to arrange a new passport and pay for the new one. I would have thought as it has been cancelled he would get his money back.

Mandy they did keyhole on my left knee. That is the one that now needs replacing, that I keep putting off.

I'm due for a cold beer.

We're not sure if he will need a replacement knee yet Frank depends on what the xray shows up , i think he's hoping it's some thing that can be helped with keyhole surgery but we'll have to wait and see , they said the results should be back in a week , hubby has an appointment in early January, the 6th i think with the doc so i expect he will hear whats going to happen then .

Jane i hope your sister enjoys her retirement ,even though she still has William at least she will now have the other days to have a bit of time for herself.

I am having trouble scrolling down the page. As I do it with the mouse, it's at the bottom of the page in a flash.

Bit of a bummer Liz, being messed about like that. I could be they had other things to do.

Mandy Glad to hear your OH had his X ray on his knee done. When do you expect the replacement ??

Pat, I can just see you trying to retrieve the ball, with a big wave coming in. Next time send the dog back in. lol

It was me, Liz, Jane, not Gill!!!!! Thank you for your kind words anyway!!