General Chat

Now I am going to get something to eat as all Iv'e had today is a milky coffee.

How lovely to know just how old Benji is and have his birthday. I bet they could both tell stories you would'nt want to hear anyway.

I have just come in from the garden as BIL left about half an hour ago but he did help me get some leaves out the big pond but we broke the net and its a huge landing net so I am going to see if I can mend it as it has a very long handle which reaches right down to the bottom of the big pond.

I also managed to get some bits of the red waterlily out of one basket and some of the next one to it out of that basket too. They are now in a bucket of water each so I don't get them muddled up. I have also put all the netting back round the pond and BIL moved the very heavy wheelbarrow of that awful plaant over onto the road off the grass and the other barrow too. Thats horrid as the tyre is coming off the wheel on the silly barrow.

Posting this before it goes

Benji is becoming an older gentleman then Vera so he might be slightly deaf or just pretending! Having said that the Shih Tzu nextdoor is aged 15 now and small dogs do seem to live longer. Wouldn't it be good if they could tell you about their earlier life. It seems like he had a good start in life with owners who had him neutered and chipped, but not good once he was part of that huge amount of other dogs. It's good they both have a lovely home now though.

Afternoon All,

Lovely sunshine here now and 14 degrees. It did rain in the night though, which is the best time for it to water the garden. OH had physio this morning and I went to the shop for the paper and a few bits. While I was paying an elderly lady came up to the counter to say a girl of a different race had walked past her to pick up a bottle of wine and had gone out of the shop without paying and it appeared that a man was waiting for her outside. The man on the till quickly phoned someone to deal with it, but it didn't surprise me as the Co-op have reduced the staff to just 2 in the shop and they have to deal with everything now between serving customers and I often have to go and find someone to serve me. I have joked that they need a bell on the counter. A nice surprise when I got home was that OH had cleared the bottom of the porch cupboard ready for Monday. It had no end of stuff in there, the heavy hoover etc and a small chest of plastic drawers, ice spray for the cars and other things like umbrellas, walking poles etc. I'd assumed I would do it to save his back, but he'd taken each small drawer out like I was going to do to carry and had put everything in the conservatory.

I remember cleaning weed out of my pond and it being a stinky job! The frogs and birds used to bring duckweed into it from the pond in the field and the irises used to spread and need dividing. I still get duckweed in the little water feature with the lily competing. It's sensible to keep away from BIL while he has a cold Mel. It's hard to know what virus you have that gives you a cold these days with Covid and Flu around just now as well as RSV.

OH has gone to a more local match at Rugby now so I will tax my car online next and finish the food order for tomorrow.

Good afternoon everyone

I haven't really put my head outside the door this morning but weather apps all say it is 13 degrees and it looks quite bright out.

AnnG, I hope your grandson arrived safely and you are enjoying spending a little time with him and his family.

Annx, daughter was originally told that Maggi was around 2 years old and Benji was 6-7. The RSPCA told daughter that Benji was the only one amongst the 100 or so dogs in that awful house that had been chipped. Now that daughter's own vet has seen the dogs and checked the chip he said that it showed Benji's birth date so we now know he was 8 on 23rd October. It's hard to work out why he would have been chipped and also neutered when none of the other rescued dogs had. All the animals seized were riddled with fleas, lice, mange etc and several had tooth problems. Poor Benji had to have 24 teeth out before he could even start to eat enough to put on a bit of weight. Lack of teeth hasn't stopped him crunching on the treats he gets when he's done something right ;-) As for his slowness in learning and responding to commands I think it's just a case of "can't teach an old dog new tricks" but they will get there in the end.

Now I must stop talking about the dogs or I will bore you all rigid. I have to set up a Tesco delivery now. Normally I would have had a delivery around Thursday or Friday of the coming week but, all being well, I will be at the hospital on Thursday for my cataract surgery and I would like to leave Friday clear just in case there are any problems, so I'm going to try and get a slot on Tuesday.

Oops, just seen the time. Perhaps I'd better sort out some lunch first,

He's now sweeping up leaves off the lawns with the mower. No mowing today.

BIL is here and he has a nasty cold so we are staying away from each other. He has pulled the massive load of parrots feather weed out of my pond which grew into a red water lily and the marsh marigold in the corner now its my job to get the waterlily out and repot it and some of the marsh marigold so I am up to my elbows is stinking water and weed.

Morning Anng and all,

Beautiful morning here too and 11 degrees same as you Anng. Its so good to see the sun after endless dull and dreary days. It mkaes you want to get on with things which I will do soon. I want to strip the bed and get the machine on while I am not paying for any leccy.

Am dying to drink my coffee but Iv'e made it too hot!!

Raven was knocking on the door again this morning.

Good morning all. A bright morning and 11 degrees. Last night the moon was high and bright and the stars were shining, the sky was clear, if it had been a normal year there would probably have been a frost but the temps are abnormally high at the moment.

Not sure when Grandson will arrive, he normally emails when they leave but I shall have to wait and see.

Yes all finished and all put away ready for grandson and the 2 greats coming for the day tomorrow. I have got all the stuff back in the cupard and fins that, having moved a couple of things to another cupboard and got rid of a couple more things there is a lot more space in there now. Which is absolutely nothing to do with the new taps.

I am not as keen on the new tap as the old one I had. This one is a lot taller spout, so much so that if I accidentally knock it while it is running I will wash the windowsill. Oliver did tell me that the sort I had before is not made any more. Anyway it is a tap and hopefully won't leak water sound the sink.

I wrote this this afternoon and forgot to post it.

I did manage to get three more presents wrapped while he was working. I hate sitting around doing nothing and had to stay near in case he wanted anything.

Oh the little dogs sound lovely Vera and it's so good it all went well with them. I can't remember if you said, but do you know how old they are? Maggie sounds a bright little spark and learning fast. I wondered if Benji was younger and less inclined to concentrate just yet! They will be great company for your daughter and good for both you and her to be happy for them to stay with you. I'm off to bed now and the fireworks are in full swing here, so no chance of sleep yet.

Evening ladies, I hope you have all had a good day.

We have had a lovely day with daughter. She arrived around midday and left just after 6. It was so nice to see her and there was plenty to chat and laugh about and, of course, we fell in love with the dogs. They were as good as gold and weren't the least bit fazed by a strange house and new people. Maggie is a perky little thing and very bright. Daughter does short training sessions with them a few times a day and she will now come, sit, stay and wait (used when waiting to cross a road). Benji, bless him, seems to be a sandwich short of a picnic and we're not convinced he's even learnt his name yet even though the RSPCA named him a few months ago. As for responding to commands, he mostly just follows Maggi though he did sit on command twice this afternoon which he hasn't apparently done before. They clearly adore my daughter and follow her around but they seemed very friendly towards OH and me as well. Now we have met them we have said we are happy to look after them anytime.

We had our main meal at lunchtime but I expect OH is getting a bit peckish again by now so I'd better go and make him a sandwich. I think a couple of biscuits and a cup of tea will be all I need.

Afternoon All,

Dull and misty here first thing but a weak sun is trying to break through now. I liked Pauline Collins too but always thought she was about my age so she was older than I thought. I think Mel and Mandy are younger than me. My mother spent all her life till she was pension age and needed to request a copy of her birth certificate thinking she was a year older than she was. Once she realised she thought she must have started school too soon, but I don't know what you have to show to prove age when a child starts school.

That's good your leaky tap will be cured and that you will have sorted out the cupboard too AnnG.

Mandy I watched the renovation programme last night and enjoyed it. It reminded me of doing the same to a lesser degree with an old house with my first OH. How did her husband break his leg? Good idea to go through the freezers. I was thinking the other day that I must have some things to throw out. Probably some subs on the shopping I thought I might use then didn't. I think I must still have the remainder of last year's pigs in blankets as OH would have been on his more cardiac friendly diet soon after Christmas!!!

I expect your two little dog visitors will soon be settled in your house after a sniffing explore Vera. I expect they will be looking smart after their visit to the dog groomer too.

We did the errands we planned this morning and I now have a selection of smaller boxes from the garden centre.With them emptying small boxes to do their Christmas displays there were plenty the right size for me to use so I''d better go and make a start on emptying the drawers now.

All go at yours the. Mandy.

Morning all,

Overcast here and dry so far , the suns trying its best to peep through at times and it's still very mild .
I have just been through the little freezer and I'm ashamed to say I have thrown lots of things away , just end of bag things and things that have been in a while that are old .
I gave it a good scrape out and got some ice off so it's all tidy now ready for some Christmas bits .
I have the big freezer to do next but the green bin is quite full so I'll do that after its been emptied next week .

Yes I saw Paulins Collins had died I liked her in Up Stairs Downstairs when she played Ruby and in the films Shirley Valentine and Mrs Cauldicots Cabbage War.

Christmas puds cooking ,I'm just having my coffee then I might make a cake .

Pauline Collins was the same age as me Mel. I am MUCH older than you!! :-D

I think I should have this pinned up over my desk

When overwhelmed remember!
ONE DAY AT A TIME
ONE MOMENT AT ATIME
ONE THOUGHT AT A TIME
ONE TASK AT A TIME

:-D :-D :-D

Morning girls,

Dull and dreary grey and grusome here this morning and its 13 degrees and pc says heavy rain so I don't think BIL will come today.

Pauline Collins has died aged 85 I did'nt think she was that much older than me. all later on.

Good morning all a bit dreary out there this morning and 11 degrees.Slept well after an iffy start.

Got the plumber coming this morning to change the kitchen tap. spent a while yesterday clearing everything out of the cupboard so after he has gone will be a few minutes putting everything back again. Surprising the stuff that was lurking out of reach in that cupboard.

Jake and riley will do the roof from 17th, not sure how many days it will take and just hope that is not a wet week.

No Vera we don't want that thread to die although it seemed to be ok after a long break. :-)

Evening all

I hope you have all had a good day. Did your gutters get cleaned Annx? I hope it’s a reasonable quote for any roof repairs you need AnnG. That’s the problem with owning your own house – there’s always some maintenance job that needs doing. EDIT: Have just seen the latest posts so see your gutters are cleaned Annx and your roof repairs will start soon AnnG.

Mandy, our friends were talking about that renovation show with Jasmine Harman today. I haven’t seen it but they seemed to be enjoying it. Happy birthday to your son and best wishes to Jake for his driving test.

it’s good that you had a nice long chat with the lady in the shop, Mel, and also that your neighbours are back home. You don’t want to feel isolated, particularly today.

There were hardly any fireworks yesterday evening, just a few going off between 5 and 7 pm but there is always a big display at the weekend in the rec at the bottom of our Close. It’s run by the local Scout group and is a really professional display. I see it every year either by just putting a coat on and standing outside or by kneeling on a bed upstairs and looking out of the window. I do feel a bit guilty sometimes as I get to see it for free whereas anyone going into the field pays £3.

It’s really been quite mild but has been a very damp, cloudy day so it’s felt colder than it really is. The forecast was for light showers. I can’t say it’s really rained but the air has been mizzly all day (if you know what I mean) and everything has felt a bit wet.

It's been a busy day again. After we were showered, dressed, breakfasted etc I made a shopping list and we went to our Thursday coffee meeting. There were 6 of us today and, although we all see each other regularly there still always seems to be lots to talk about. As the coffee place is above Sainsbury’s OH and I did our shopping there. By the time we had shopped and got through the checkout and driven home it was nearly 2 o’clock and we hadn’t yet had lunch. I then decided I’d better phone the pharmacist at the doctors’ surgery about not having the right dosage of my bp pills. She is sending another script with a note through to the pharmacy in town where I pick up my meds and I should be able to pick up the right ones after a few days. In the meantime I have to carry on taking 2 of the lower dose one. I used to brag about never having problems with my meds till “they” decided to change the system, even though it worked perfectly. Now it’s based on having a monthly script for 6 months. If, like me, you are permanently on medication the script gets reissued after 6 months. Again it works well unless there is a change to your medication during a 6 month period. Then it all seems to go haywire. Last time it happened it took me 3 visits to the pharmacy and 2 to the surgery to sort it out. Fingers crossed that this time I’ve managed it with one phone call.

After that I had a choice of doing something in the garden, doing h/w and just blobbing about. Time was getting on and it seemed a bit late to start gardening so I decided it had better be h/w. I managed to hoover right through the house so I’m feeling quite virtuous now. I’m also feeling quite tired but I only have dinner to get now and I’ve got a very easy meal.

Tomorrow daughter is coming and bringing the dogs for their first outing to someone else’s home so we’ll see how we get on. I said I would cook her a proper dinner at lunchtime so she doesn’t have to cook as soon as she gets home in the evening.

For AnnG: I check the book thread a couple of times a week so I hadn’t yet seen the posts from yesterday or today. I was surprised to see that I hadn’t posted for a month!! I know I kept meaning to put something up but never seemed to get around to it. I’ll try and post after we’ve eaten tonight. We don’t want the thread to die on us again, do we.