General Chat

Very interesting Mel, I never knew about the anointing or that they travelled that far! I always thought they moved slowly as well till I saw one trotting quite fast once. Interesting little creatures aren't they.

orange juice from the welfare. then later the orange juice you could buy from the milkman. cod liver oil capsules. was better than the real thing on a spoon...i hated that. syrup of figs...we had that every week, scotts emulsion dont know what that for but we had that every week. malt and cod liver oil.. a big spoon of that. derbac soap it was black. meant to stop us getting nits. a camphor block pinned to your vest during the winter months. and cow heel stew...

Morning/Evening All

Hello Jean.I don't think I have heard of Cow Heel Stew.I must say I don't fancy the idea lol.That Scotts Emulsion sounds a bit like the Mil Par that I had to have .Thick white disgusting stuff dished up on a huge spoon.It was for constipation :-S.It makes feel sick just thinking of that now lol.

It is a very dark and dreary morning.I didn't want to get up.But as Chris is home today I am going to pinch the car and go to Beckworth Emporium and have a mosey ,see if there any things I might buy for Xmas,then I am popping down to Fitz and find out how his Mother is settling in at the home.Chris will be busy doing paperwork so he won't be much company lol.

Mel I hope the box isn't too wet this morning.Do Hedgehogs wee a lot I wonder.It must poo a lot with all that food it's scoffing :-D

Ann what pretty colours in your latest creation.I always love the clasps that you use too.

Right I must go now so BBL

Morning everyone,

Wet and windy here today ,i didn't have a very good night i kept waking up as i couldn't get very comfortable with the pain in my side , but since i've got up i think it seems to have eased a little .

Mel , i have started to make the Sparkle Ball with the little shot cups now ,but thanks for the offer .
The only thing with these shot glasses is you carn't drill a hole in them as they crack !! but i thought i would just put the lights in the middle ,they will shine through just the same .

Ann, what a good idea putting them on sticks !! i hadn't thought of that .
Another lovely necklace , i love the little roses on it ,they are really pretty .

I hope little Hedgie had a good night and didn't do to many tiddles through the box ,it was interesting reading all about them Mel, what a lonely life they have ,just mating then going off by them selves .

Morning All and Evening Kim,

Gosh you should see the state of the box this morning. He has turfed out all the sawdust out his nest box and ripped the paper up and put that in there and is sleeping under that. It ate two bowls of food enough to feed a good sized moggy and drank two small bowls of water. I have given him the glass dishes from the creme brulea you buy for his water bowl. and a saucer to feed from.

Oh is drying the chicken ark out in the garage and thinks we should keep him/it in there.

Oh what a beaufiful morning (DON'T THINK)

Very strong wing, lashing the rain against the conservatory windows.

Ros has gone down the chapel to see the "CROSS" that they made. It's now in situ. an d the genertal feeling is that it looks Great. Will know more when she gets back.

Oh what a sillt boy I was last night. Tony my neighbour took me down to see the match, which saved me walking or Ros turning out, and bought me home. I decided to have a plate of "Smoked Mackeral" for supper. NOT A GOOD IDEA. It played me up all night. I was still awake at 4.40 am doing my utmost to keep the Bugge# dolwn. I ended up taking my Gavis####. and trying to sleep, By 7.30 I had a mouth like a Parrots cage and had to get up fot my TEA. I'm sitting here now half asleep !!!

How interesting about the Hedgehogs life style. It's good we learn something new every day.

Welcome Jean. My twin sisters name. Where are you from, and I take it you are not a young whipersnaper, like some of the girls on here. Lets have your memories. We have almost exhausted ours :-D :-D. You will find we a like a "MOTHERS CIRCLE" chatting about all and sundry. PLEASE join in !!

Trust you are all keeping dry in this horrible weather. Hows things your way David ??? You seem gto be having it bad up north.

We still have the Doves and Pidgeons, sitting in the cherry tree. You would think they would find somewhere with a bit more protection. SILLY BIRDS

Jean thanks for your post. Have you any more memeories to share with us please?

As to hedgehogs being solitary creatures it puts me in mind of moles as they do the same thing, just come together for mating.

I will take a pic of the box and you can see what state it is in this morning.

Ann the neckless is lovely and as Mandy said the colours go well together. Did you make the clasp also? Do you have to wind all the wire round a knitting needle to make the spirals and do you make them individually or is it one continuous wire?

Afternoon all.

I have been cleaning my oven this morning..Been doing it in easy stages..A bit of cleaning a bit of tele lol.

Have just come back from taking Mocha for a short walk..It is still drizzling here so he is wet.he decided to roll on the carpet before I could dry him off..he doesnt like the rain.

Your hedgehog seems to be staying with you Mel..

Ann your necklaces look very good..I dont think I could manage anything like that now with my fingers.

Mocha must be worn out he has decided to sleep next to the laptop..He is a year old tomorrow... :-)

Frank Im off to the coast this weekend to my sons..but the following week we are having a long weekend in Norfolk..We are stayin a cottage in North Creake...
My husbands ancestors of are from South Creake..Which we have been to a few times..I would like to see if we can find any graves while there..

Must get lunch late again.....and watch doctors

My Dad used to like Cow Heel and also tripe. I'm afraid noone else in the family shared his taste! (Thank goodness)

Nothing to report here, it's such an awful dull, wet and miserable day that we are jus stayting in and keeping snug. Carmel was having a sort out this morning of old greetings cards etc. I think she has found a lady who can make use of them. There comes a time when sentiment just has to be overcome.

I had an idea if any of our Essex-ites are interested. I still have a lot of the sketches and paintings I did when I lived down there and thought some of you may be interested to see them. Anyone of Facebook has already seen them in my 'Sketchbook' gallery. If anyone wants me to email them out to them (say 5 at a time) just leave me your email address in my messages/inox on here.

Mel, your hedgehog box looks really homely, I think Hogwart may want to stay with you for ever. Isn't it amazing what you can do with old cardboard boxes.

My new firend on GR has sent me my late Uncle Jim's medal card from the First World War. He served with the Royal Garrison Artilerry as a gunner in Egypt. I seem to recall my Dad saying that my Uncle Albert, who was also in WWI, was a prisoner of war at one time but I haven't been able to track down any certain evidence.

HI GANG--
STILL CANT COMPLAIN ABOUT WEATHER BIT FROST YESTERDAY (( WAS UP& OUT AT 7.30 AM)) COLD HAD TO BE AT HOSPITAL FOR EYE INJECTIONS SAID I COULD BE HAVING THESE FOR YEARS MUST SAY WASN'T TO HAPPY WITH THAT NEWS:-D :-D WORKING ON NEW WAYS WHICH WOULD MEAN YOU WOULD ONLY NEED THREE A YEAR.

AND HAVE BEEN OUT OF SORTS WITH THIS BACK AND HIPS GIVING ME WHAT FOR :------ HAVE MISSED A LOT ON HERE------THANKS FOR ALL THE PICS
ANN I TOLD YOU BEFORE THEY WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE CALANDAR-
DO LIKE YOU TREE FRANK---OG LOVED XMAS AND WOULD START TO DECORATE NOW IN NOV- USED TO DRIVE ME MAD ---I'VE SORT OF LOST INTEREST -I PUT THE TREE UP AND A FEW THINGS AROUND NOTHING NEAR WHAT USED TO BE--

WILL TRY TO CATCH UP LATER --NOW HAVE TO GO SEE Dr ABOUT THIS ARTHRITIS IN HANDS--

OH YES MEL STILL HAVING DRY HANDS WELL AS WELL AS OIL IN WARM WATER---TRY BAKING SODA IN YOUR DISH WATER WILL KEEP HANDS SOFT <3

Afternoon All,

Dismal drizzle and breezy here so it covers your specs in no time!

Mel, he seems to have had a 'busy' night doesn't he. lol. Obviously prefers paper in his bed to the wood chips. Could you put him some leaves and drier mossy stuff in and see if he takes that into his bed. The one we found in the greenhouse that time had made a snug little leaf and moss bed. It's a good job he didn't chew through the cardboard or you would have had a hunt this morning. The chicken ark sounds a good safer place and more room for him to trot about at night. He's got a healthy appetite......hope he doesn't ask for worms on the menu! :-S

The necklace coils were done by winding wire onto a knitting needle like you say and then the lengths cut to size. They are each then threaded onto thicker wire and loops made at the ends to connect with. The clasp hook and other bit were bent by hand and thin wire wound around the hook. The spiral links were made by hand too.

Oh Frank, we never learn do we!!!! I would have been up all night too after Mackerel in the evening. I bet you were saying 'NEVER AGAIN' !! LOL.

Hi Jean, I remember the orange juice and the cod liver oil on a spoon......horrid and mum always filled the spoon to the brim!! I used to like the Syrup of Figs. I never heard of cow heel stew......doesn't sound very appetising. lol I remember my grandmother skinning and cooking rabbits in a stew. She did tripe and onions as well .....I can smell it now.

That's a nuisance them cracking Mandy, but it should have just the same effect the way you describe. How is your pain today? I hope it has eased and that you have just pulled it.

Jane I remember you mentioning Beckwith Emporium before........hope you find some good things there. I hope Fitz has good news about his mum settling in. :-)

Pat, you are good tackling the oven!! Best done in small stages like that. I can't believe Moccha will be a year old....it has flown by!!

Wow Mel he's going to be a little porker with all the food he is eating lol.Probably thinks he has booked into a 5* Hotel :-D
I can't open your pics :-S :-S

Fitz's Mother seems to have settled well (up till now) and is behaving (up till now) .So he is happy.It is good that the worry of where she was going to end up is over.I think he is going to go twice a week to see her as every day will be too much and there really is no need.He was worrying about Christmas and maybe bringing her home,but I said I think that is a bad idea as it will unsettle her (especially if she sees her cat).I suggested that they all go as a family maybe Xmas Eve and take pressies and drinkies etc.They will then be able to enjoy their Xmas without the stress,plus the home will be sure to make Christmas day fun for all the residents.

It is still miserable weather.It is nice to be in with all the curtains drawn ,heating working well and dinner smelling good.It is just a massive baking tin of sausages,mushrooms ,butternut squash and pancetta rashers,with halved charlotte potatoes.Chris will want Baked Beans.I might do some frozen peas too.

As I have done nothing here today ,tomorrow is more sorting out of things to keep and things to put on the skip.

Frank the Ice Rink is all set up again at Beckworth Emp.Was it last year you took Lewis there?
Love the Blood Donor email :-D :-D

Pilchards,mackerel,sardines,I love them.

But I love them so much they tend to rift back.

Do you dip your bread in the oil that comes with them?

What a day !! and tomorrow's not looking good either :-S

Yes Ann, i feel a little better today the pain has eased now .

Mel, Ann's right he might chew through the box and then it will be hunt the hedge hog !! :-D
I think he just needs a bell in his box for room service LOL

Jane, it would for the best if Fitz doesn't take his mum home , i know sister says that she can tell when the residents where she works have been home, they come back muddled about why they have to come back and it takes a while for them to settle in again.
Did you buy any thing nice today ?

I think you are so right about Fitz's mum and Christmas Jane.......she won't have been where she is now for very long and might not want to go back there once she has been 'home' again!!! Seeing the cat too could make her want to stay......he might have more problems than he realises. :-S As you say, the homes always make sure the residents have a good time. Some of the ladies mum looked after years ago didn't want to go to their rellies at Christmas as they felt they were 'missing out'. lol They were day patients at hospital and didn't even want to miss the hospital parties either!!

I have been through my drawers and 2 of the wardrobes and got 2 bags of clothes for the dogs' home shop tomorrow. Why is it that jersy fabric nighties shrink so much in the wash? I know they covered my knees when I bought them!!! lol Then I changed the bed and had a good dust around.

We went to our fav carvery at lunchtime and yippee they had ratatouille today, so I had 2 scoops of that on my plate as well. With the fruit crumble pud I counted that I had 14 different veg and fruit...... yum! Four meats and as much tea or coffee as you want. No wonder I' don't want any tea yet. OH has gone clerking at a nearby school. They are not taking new clerks on at the moment so he keeps getting calls to cover for other clerks.

My sister likes working in the home Christmas eve night , they have to put a christmas stocking at the end of each residents bed filled with all sorts of goodies.
She says he look on their faces when they wake is lovely, she says they all say it takes them back to their child hood .

She says the down side is they have to sit and peel a big net of sprouts :-S :-D :-D
Two big turkey's have to be put in the oven in the early hours too.

LOL Ann I have one of those nighties.It's up around my middle now :-S.I don't know why I bother to keep it,as I never wear it.These days I seem to wear nothing to bed,but always have a nightie on the floor beside to slip on (just in case).You never know when you need to be covered up.
:-D

Yes, I think Fitz's Mum should not go home at all now.I know she doesn't have Dementia but the emotional thing of being back and then having to go back to the home would be horrible.As long as the family go to her I think that will be fine.

My sister rang earlier from her bath.She has done something to her back :-S and was having a hot soak.She told me that her OH had been up in the loft the other day and found an old Coffee Pot,Milk Jug and Sugar bowl that belonged to his parents.It is solid silver (Chinese).He took it to an Auctioneers to have it valued and they have recommended it goes into Auction on a reserve of £750 !!!!!.So it is going in for the 11th December.I hope they make loads ,as they certainly need a little injection of cash right now.
Chris and James have eaten .I wasn't hungry but am now ,so off to dish up my mine.

OMG can't you lot chatter, when i'm not around.

Fitz I am sure with do the right thing by his Mum.He will no doubt miss her at Christmas.

Yes Jane Ros took Lewis to the Bechworth last year, but the skating rink was closed. We won't see him again till Christmas, so he won't go this year.

What a nice surprise for your sister and BIL. and a nice time to have a windfull. Are they putting a reserve on it ???I think it would pay to do that, in case there aren't the right buyers there. !!

We had F & C tonight. The van comes round about 6.30 pm so just right for tea .
No cooking for me. and only the plates etc to wash up. Only dinner to get tomorrow, and then a couple of days off.

We will be back Saturday lunchtime as Carolyn has a Bell ringing contest at 3.pm at the Blisworth Church.

I see Hogwart gets his bed in a mess like me. I often wake in the morning rolled up in the covers. and Ros hasn't a bit of sheet anywhere on her. I then have to unroll myself, so she can have some covers.

Ann, Our carvery has never had Ratatouille to my knowledge. I do it at home every couple of weeks, just to make a change from VEG VEG VEG

David there is nothing I like more than a tin of Pilchards, if the roes are in, all the better. With a pile of B & B to soak up all the tomato juice I'm not a big tinned Sardine man but love them fresh.

The thing I miss from childhood was Saturday teatime. Sousced Herrings, with B & B. from a nice fresh uncut loaf.(doorsteps)!!
Mel do you remember Rackhams Bakery up by the Crown and Crocked Billit. ?? I use to go up there on a winters morning on my bike. for a dozen fresh Rolls and a crusty loaf. I use to stuff them down my shirt, and my did they keep me warm.
<3 <3 .

Mandy you need a good rub down with White Horse Oils. that will penertrate into the aches and pains. (I think you can still get it )Likewise Shirl. But you need someone to do it. What time is the next plane ;-) ;-) ;-)

JANE. To much information about nighties. THANKS :-D :-D

Watching Chelsea they are down 1 nil at half time. Don't get to excited YAWN YAWN.

Hogwart has been out in the box and eaten a little of his food and left me a big packet!!!! and gone back in his bedroom. then he had come out again and eaten nearly half of the food and is now back in his bedroom again.

Poor you Shirl, you must feel like you are falling to bits.......hope the doc can help with your hands. That wasn't good news about the eye injections, but I suppose it is the only way.

Oh Mel, he sure likes his grub doesn't he!! Lol. It's a pity you couldn't rig up your old webcam now he's indoors and see what he gets up to in the night.

Jane, that was a good find in the loft for your sis and BIL! Lets hope it does well at the sale.

I am off to the city market in the morning while OH gets on with paperwork so I'd better get to bed. It's supposed to be wet and windy tomorrow I think, so it won't be much fun if it is. Then calling at A*da on the way back as I need some cheap plastic boxes for bead stuff. OH keeps saying things he wants from there too. :-S