General Chat

Pouring with rain here now and so very dark.

I am in my 'office'. I have made another three cards today so far, All together I have made 71 cards for me plus those I made to take to Maxine. I actually need about 90. I won't get and made tomorrow as I om out with a group of friends to our small cinema (small screen) for lunch and then to see the film about the lady who found the remains of Richard 111. Unfortunately I think it is going to be wet which will put me off going earlier to have a wander round the shops first.

Oh Mel, what a shame to lose your fish. Poor fish, not a happy ending for them. Have you seen otters around or could it have been some other predator?

Gwyn, 3 appointments in one day is just being greedy, lol. I hope they went well for you. I think in our hospital you have to wear a mask in A&E and in the wards but otherwise it’s voluntary. I’d be happier if it was still compulsory in hospitals, surgeries and pharmacies as so many people in these places are going to be vulnerable.

I’ve had a busy morning. Got all my bedding washed and on the line, prepared and froze some parsnips, prepared tonight’s dinner and then did some garden jobs. I cleared the last of the pots of annuals. It seemed a shame as they were some pretty apricot and white Busy Lizzies still blooming away but I need the pots as I use them for spring bulbs and I should be getting them planted up. I also dealt with the last of the geraniums. I now have 23 plants potted up, ready to go in the little plastic greenhouse at the first sign of frost and loads of cuttings in the conservatory. They won’t all root but hopefully several will. At least they will if OH leaves them alone. He keeps telling me that they are dry and I keep telling him not to water them but the temptation might be too much for him and the poor things will end up drowned.

After lunch I did another couple of small tasks but it was more than enough so I’m resting on the bed again now. I think I’ll catch up on something on iPlayer for an hour. The wind has got up and it’s looking very grey out so maybe the bed’s the best place to be.

Your pond is causing you a lot of problems Mel. Have you considered getting rid of it. I am sure you would be sad but sometimes you have to think of what would be best for you.

The pond is fenced all round and has a net over the top. But The wind had blown one part of the fencing down where have to turn it back to get to the scimmer to empty it. It seems like it has knocked the pipe off the scimmer too as that not working and I don't know how to get it out of the pond on my own.

That's sad to lose your fish, Mel :-(

I know it doesn't look so nice, but maybe you could consider installing some sort of mesh cover to keep predators out.... might help with those falling leaves too.

Oh dear Mel. How do you know it is an otter and not a heron?

Iv'e had another visit from the otter. There's scales and dead fish around the garden and I can't see any in my pond.

Good morning all,

So calm and still after yesterday's wild weather.
Tomorrow will be a repeat of yesterday, I think.

Sorry to read that some of you have had broken sleep..
Mine was limited too, but as today is an 'indoors day' it won't be a problem.
My problem is that if I wake around 5 a.m, I've had enough sleep to keep me going, but not enough to see me through the next day :-|

Yesterday I was out all day for 3 hospital appointments.
Quite unusual to get 3 in one day, but luckily there was enough time in between to get to the different departments.
Few masks in evidence :-0 and yet just a few miles away, Maidstone area has renewed mask wearing policy at their hospital.
One appointment was routine micro suction of my ears by ENT nurse, so I am back in the better hearing world for a while :-D

Popped into Tesco, while we were out. Staff were busy putting out their Christmas goods. Some of the foodstuff I have already seen recently, but yesterday the crackers and decorations etc were being displayed too. I didn't actually see any decorated Christmas trees, but they may have added them later.
Daughter always says they should wait until after Remembrance Sunday, before the decorated trees go up, although we accept that people often want to spread their other Christmas spending over many weeks.
There were some amazing price toy offers for club card holders, in the toy sale finishing today, but we don't have any little children to buy for now, so didn't purchase them.

Later today, a crumble topping to put on some apples that my son gave me off his friends' trees. I cooked them in a covered casserole dish, when I had the oven on for something else, thereby saving a little fuel :-)

Good morning all

I had a similar night to you AnnG so am feeling a bit jaded this morning. We’ll both have to have an easy day. I do want to wash a couple of sheets and a big duvet cover as the forecast is for dry weather today. I’ve been chasing my tail lately but that will clear the washing that’s been hanging around and get me back to my normal routine.

A leaking roof in your lounge doesn’t sound good Mel. Is it making the walls wet? The forecast here for tomorrow is heavy rain all day. I hope it’s better for you as you don’t want more rain.

I’ve just discovered that I am supposed to pick my meds up today. I really don’t feel like going in to town so I think I’ll leave it for a couple of days. I’ve got enough to last me a few days.

Have a good, pain free day whatever you are doing.

Morning Anng and all,

Bright morning here and when I got up there was a pink sky so that dos'nt boad well but its 11 degrees and pc sasy sunny.

The lounge roof is leaking badly after all the rain yesterday and I rang the roofer yesterday and he said he was waiting on some better weather as they could'nt do it while it was raining, he said about two weeks. How does he know what the weather is going to be in two weeks???

Sorry you did'nt sleep well so take it easy today Anng. My plumber is suppose to come today, I wonder if he will turn up??

Love to all. <3

Good morning all. Brrr 8 degrees getting more like winter now, still it is dry and bright so that is something. I didn't sleep at all well last night, don't know why, woke up after a couple of hours sleep and just laid awake with a few short snatches of sleep. Going to be a slow day today.

I have been on the phone to bt most of the afternoon. Then they offered me a cheaper price on my mobile and said I would have to ring voderfone and get them to cancel my phone but when I rang them they could'nt change it cos I had signed up for 24 months. Then back to bt and tell them. By this time I was worn out so hav'nt got much done in the way of housework today at all.

What a strange day. It’s warm and sunny one minute, then chilly and wet the next.

I had a fairly good night so decided to get on with a few jobs today. I’ve managed to wash some bath mats and heavy towels that have been hanging around too long and I did the ironing from yesterday’s wash. Then I cleaned a couple of sinks and also had a shower and washed my hair but I didn’t have the energy to get the hairdryer out so I left it to dry it’s own sweet way.

After an early lunch we popped to Sainsbury’s. I’ve learnt that lunchtime Monday to Wednesday is the best time to go as it is never busy then. I went straight to the things I wanted, then to checkout. I’m sure we’re not infectious any more but we took no chances. We were masked and well sanitised and kept a distance from everyone. We were back in half an hour but as we drew up the heavens opened and we had to sit in the car for 10 minutes before making a dash for the front door. Now I feel shattered and am resting on the bed.

I’ve had supermarket deliveries for many, many years. I used to get all the dry goods, tins and packets delivered every 4 to 6 weeks and just shop once a week at a farm shop or market for fresh veg and fruit. When lockdown began I started to have a delivery every 2 weeks with everything I would need. Now we are going out a bit more I am trying to go to a 4 weekly delivery for the bulk of the stuff with a weekly shop for fresh stuff. It’s 2 weeks since our last delivery which is why I needed to get veg and milk today.

I hope everyone who has aches and pains is free of them today.

Apparently it is warm and sunny in Lanzarote and daughter is at her accommodation and they are unpacked and in Tee shirts and shorts and off to the bar for a drink. :-( :-(

We never had an online shop until Covid and now I don't have a car I can't manage to get s full shop so the online shop is great. I do have a small Tesco locally for extras should I need them.

My shopping came really early and I was on the phone at the time but the person I was speaking to hang on while I got the shopping in.

No Island I have not done online shopping before lockdown. We did it because he would'nt let me go out even when lockdown ended it case I brought it back to him. My local shop is expensive although only 2 miles up the road which is where I get my paper from and some bits on a Saturday. Morrisons is in Bideford which is 13 miles there and back. Hosworthy is about 9 miles there and thats Waitrose and the co op so getting it delivered until my year runs out and will see how I go from there. I think it runs out in March.

Now going to clean the rest of the bathroom and bedroom and hoover. Must also get as much stuff in the dustbin as they come on Thursday.

Well that is my effort at the housework completed, dusted down and upstairs, wiped down the kitchen surfaces. It could do with a better clean but it is fine for now. Cat is asleep in the conservatory. It is tipping down with rain so I was pleased that I had fetched in both mine and Cynths general waste bins. (she brought in the garden bins before she went out) while it was dry. Not so pleased that I can see the empty food bin left on the drive with its lid open in the pouring rain and cynth's too. Still at least they are getting washed out. I will collect them when the rain stops.
and now I can sort out some card making stuff.

Morning Island. Not sure if it is a thing but every time the clocks change several people I read on facebook etc are complaining bitterly about having to change them. My sister finds it affects her body a lot and wishes they would stay pn GMT. I rather like it when the clocks go forward but not so much when they go back.

Sorry the sciatica is clinging on Does it stop you doing art work, must be difficult if you are lying back.

I am resting as I have just hoovered right through downstairs and it always catches my back. (such a wimp!). anyway after I have caught my breath I shall go and dust, make a coffee, talk to the lodger cat in the conservatory. (He seems to have forgotten where he lives again, unless it is an aversion to being defleaed and wormed when he show his face at home). and then I shall make some more cards.

Morning Mel and AnnG

It's brightening up here and the wind is dying down.
Feet up as the sciatica won't leave me but I'm thankful that it isn't attacking me in the middle of the night.

AnnG, no, I don't have an aversion to changing the clocks, is that a 'thing'? LOL
It's the first time I've been in charge for a very long time and the first time I've thought about not doing it. The clock in the front room is permanently on GMT so visitors won't need to fret - I think most wear watches anyway. I won't be late for anything :-D

Mel, have you always done your food shopping online? Before covid I mean.
I've been going to the supermarket since early this year - it's a smallish one, I wouldn't go to a crowded one anyway.

The wind seems to be getting up again and it's getting dull.
Have a good day, whatever you do.

good morning all very grey here and 11 degrees but dry so far. very blustery and apparently trees down in Glos but overnight storm was not as bad as forecast apparently.

Not doing anything/going anywhere today. better clean lounge and dining room and show willing to housework before getting on with card making.
I am envying my daughter today as she goes off to Lanzarote.