General Chat

What a game with the buses and then the Pharmacy Vera and wouldn't it just be the one medication you need that wasn't included! That was just the sort of thing my OH does! We said they were twins didn't we.

I've sent a photo of the simple painted card I did so it may be in your spam.

Glad you enjoyed the chuckle.

Vera at least you have got the bus sorted pity the pharmacy/system is not as easy. As you can’t return meds once you have them you will at least be well set up for those you had in multiples.

Afternoon all

Your joke from fb gave me a giggle AnnG. I am not at all surprised you got cold hands working outside Even when it looks bright and sunny it’s really chilly out.

Annx, I see you didn’t manage to get any socks nor find your garage remote yet. It’s odd the way things disappear and then turn up weeks later in some unexpected place. I’m sorry to hear you were in so much pain in the night and hope it’s easier now. Good job your OH got a reminder about his eye appointment in February or he would never have known it had been made! He’s a glutton for punishment isn’t he with all the work he does but everyone clearly thinks very highly of him or he wouldn’t be offered so much.

Did you get your parcel posted Mel? That’s another computerized system that should be easy and isn’t.

I’m not a great fan of sweet and sour meals but I bet your kitchen smells nice Mandy. Your weather today sounds like ours. When I went out at 9.40 it was quite icy and foggy – you couldn’t see across the rec at the bottom of the road.

There was no point in OH just sitting in the car for an hour or so while I was in town so I got the 9.51 bus in and was at the bus station by 10 am. I found a cash machine at Lloyds Bank to get some money, had a wander round the library and was still at the hairdressers at 10.20. Luckily my hairdresser had finished her previous customer so I didn’t have to wait. After that I walked up to the pharmacy (more of that in a minute) and then into Roys for a couple of bits and got back to the bus station to find I still had 40 minutes wait for the next bus. Everyone was moaning as no-one can understand what bus they have to get. Numbers, times and in some cases routes have all been changed. The timetables that are up at the bus station only show the main villages or towns where the bus calls but don’t show what route they take between the villages. I got a number 43 bus down to town (it used to be bus 754) so when a 43 drew into the bus station I assumed it was my bus back but something made me ask the driver which was just as well as it wasn’t going my way at all! Apparently I wanted the 44 which I didn’t even know existed. One lady, who seemed a little bit backward, was nearly in tears as she insisted she had to get a 754 bus and couldn’t grasp that the number had changed. I found out that she was going to roughly the same area as me, just 1 or 2 stops further on, so I told her to get on the bus I got on and I would check with the driver that it was the right one for her. I got home at 12.30 and OH said he’d stick some crumpets under the grill and we’d have nice hot crumpets and tea. It would have been great but he got distracted, burnt the crumpets and forgot to make the tea. What would you do with him?

I had a problem at the pharmacy AGAIN, though I am not sure if it’s their fault, the fault of the surgery or a glitch in the electronic system they use. Young lady serving me checked on her computer, looked for my meds and quickly handed me 2 bags. I thanked her and was about to walk away when she said that there was apparently another lot for me. I thought it odd so while she went to find those I opened one of the bags she had given me and it was my stuff but not quite complete so when she gave me another bag I thought that was completing my supply. When I got home and opened all 3 bags I couldn’t believe it. Our surgery only issues 28 days at a time. Bag no 1 contained 28 days’ worth of 3 of my tablets, bag no 2 was identical and contained another 28 days’ worth of the same 3 tablets, bag no 3 contained 28 days’ worth of another tablet and I had none of the other pill I am supposed to have and which is the one I have run out of. I now have the joy of phoning the pharmacy team at the GP surgery to find out what the heck is happening. Another case of them “fixing” a system that wasn’t broken and making a pig’s ear of it. I’m going to put off ringing till the morning as I am not in a good mood at the moment and might end up being rude over the phone which will get me nowhere.

If I don’t post tomorrow it may be because I’m offline. Open Reach are coming to run fast full fibre broadband to our house and I think, though the wording on their email isn’t very clear, that they are going to switch our phones over to digital at the same time.

Afternoon Ladies,

Chilly here earlier but it's 6 degrees now. I slept fitfully with an extra pain to the knee ones with a worsening pain like cramp at the back of my leg and across the top of the foot. When I got up for the toilet I could hardly walk across the bedroom and it made it even worse. I checked to see it wasn't hot, red or swollen and it wasn't. The foot pain reminds me a bit of when I had plantar fascitis in the other foot, so I think I must have caused it using or getting on or off the cross trainer yesterday. I'm only up to 60 pedals on each leg though. So no trip out to TOFFS or anywhere else this morning. I found some loose slippers as I felt as if I was treading on a hump and that has helped a bit and it seems to be quite a bit better now thank goodness. Ready meals for us today I think and then OH is out later to hear the results of an Ofsted Report. It looks like I'll be doing the food order and paperwork.

Yes it is horrid when you get drenched and have to sit in wet clothes, but at least the dentist didn't find any work to do Vera. OH has just been asked today to clerk anothr 3 meetings a year for a committee. I asked him just how many schools he's stopped clerking for and he said 11. I forgot that he's also on a Remuneration Panel somewhere and a panel to do with the Fire Service! At least much more is online now with his few schools and some of the Independent Person work. The schools tend to have their meetings at the end of their working day which suits them as they are on the spot. For those having to travel to them though it is right in the rush hour and means allowing much more travel time.

AnnG that gave me a chuckle! :-D I must show it OH.

Mandy still no sign of the garage remote! We are now checking everywhere we can think of like down the sides of the settee! I would enjoy the sweet and sour chicken.

I've answered your message Mel. I see your slow cooker is busy today too!

I remember once when down our caravan when young I was walking along some concrete slab by the sea and I slipped on the green stuff and fell in the seaand got myrousers all wet. They were some kind of wool tartan and they clung to my legs and I had to go right down the beach to the van with these horrid itchy trousers clinging to me. I don't think I ever wore those again. They were black watch tartan and I can see them in my minds eye now!

Iv'e message Annx about a phone call I have had.

Afternoon all,

Frosty and foggy here first thing and now we have lovely sunshine but it really cold out and I only went down to the shed .

:-D :-D :-D Anng thats a good one .

I've got sweet and sour chicken in the slow cooker today ,we'll have that with rice .
Our braising steak yesterday was really lovely so tender and I checked it after 5 hours and it was all nicely cooked the meat was falling apart so I'll know next time not to put it on quite so early .

Have you found the garage remote Ann perhaps he put it in one of his jacket pockets ,he didn't nip out in his dressing gown did he ,might be in there .

Don't think you'll get wet today when you go out Vera, horrible having to sit about in wet things .

I can't get on fb now this ad thing keeps popping up so I'll have to wait for son to come and sort it out .

A giggle from the past

From my F baook
A blonde woman started work in the Village chemist shop, she was very shy about having to sell condoms to the public.
The Chemist was going on holiday for a couple of days, and asked if she would be willing to run the shop on her own.
She had to confide in him her worries about selling condoms.
"Look" he said "My regular customers don't ask for condoms, they either ask for a 310 (small); a 320 (medium); or a 330 (large). The word condom is never mentioned".
The first day was fine, but on the second day a black guy came into the shop, put out his hand and said “350" please.
The girl panicked. She phoned the Chemist on his mobile and told him of her predicament.
"Go back in and check if he has a bucket hanging between his legs," her boss told her.
She peeped through the door, and saw the bucket hanging between the guy's legs.
"Yes!” she shouted down the phone "he's got one hanging there!”
The boss replied, "Well, go back in there and give him £3.50 ...he's the window cleaner!!.....
:-D :-D :-D

Morning Anng and all,

I have a nice bright sunny morning here with blue sky and very few whispy white lines of clouds and its 3 degrees.

I need to go and post the parcel I had trouble with yesterday with the address and do up another one to post too.

Then I need to start the slow cooker with the stew and contact Stu to ask if he can make it tomorrow night for dinner. Last time I did a stew he could'nt come so I had it three days on the trot.

Hope you others slept well as I see Anng did.

Hope they have your socks in TOFS today Annx get a good supply if they do and as others have said they may be cheaper if they are closing down.

Frost last night and still hanging on a bit on roofs. Just been outside, started to clear a shelf down the side of the house but hands got cold so came in. Just wanted to clear away a very old birds nest really so that is done. It was very large and very untidy, mostly leaves it was a robin's nest from two yeas ago.

good morning all Brrr it is only 1 degree here so temp is dropping again after creeping up and me thinking spring is on its way. Slept well last night but woke heavy headed and had to drag myself round, didn't want to go back to sleep. Nothing planned for today anyway.Ann you should have time to get to the Factory shop and hope they still have socks, might be even cheaper if they are selling off stock.

Oh Vera that was horrid, having to sit in wet clothes at the dentist. I hate being wet when going anywhere like that. Hope it doesn't rain today and you arrive dry at the hairdressers.

Evening All,

We had the same awful weather today and the empty bin blew over but at least not in the road. Mel I was wondering what the paper bag is for as it wouldn't be much use in the rain? Don't you have a bin for the recycling? Regarding the grapefruit, it says online it can interact with about 50 medications. You are doing well to stay off the cigarettes so keep it up.

I used to love reading teletext for an update on the news and travel as it was quick and just factual. Some newsreaders seem to show their opinion of what they are telling us in their body language and tone of voice, which I'm not keen on.

Gwyn you have certainly had plenty of medical appointments this year and still another echocardiagram to come. It's good they are keeping an eye on you so well though.

OH had a reminder from the hospital for an eye appointment in February yesterday, but has never had the original notification either by post or text. :-S

Somehow he has mislaid the remote for the garage door! We've looked in all the likely places, but need to check elsewhere now. It was definitely him who opened and shut the door last and he came inside afterwards, so it should be in the bungalow. At least we have a spare or can get in through the door at the back of the garage. I hope we don't end upgetting another and then finding it like with my car key!

That's good Jake doesn't have to wait so long for his driving test due to someone cancelling Mandy. I bet he was pleased about that. Yes OH was saying how nice the slow cooker smelt in the kitchen when I did the pork steaks yesterday. I was going to freeze half for another day, but he enjoyed it so much he wanted it again today, so I put it in the fridge and that's what we did but had it with rice today.

I hope the NHS manage to catch up with what's happeneing with your OH and his appointments Vera so you don't have any wasted visits.

Yes I said about getting more socks from the Factory Shop a little while ago when I heard but had forgotten that TOFFS was the same AnnG. I'm hoping to pop in tomorrow, also to Morrisons. Administrators will try to keep things going and prevent liquidation, but the govt actions are not helping companies. It just shows that people are not even spending as much at bargain places now.

I’m late on parade again. At the moment the days are flying by and it seems to be the middle of the evening before I manage to get on the computer and by then I am starting to get tired.

Sorry you had a bad night last night AnnG and hope you get more rest tonight.

Mel, I was concerned for you when I saw the news this morning. It was bad enough here but it looked as though Devon had taken a real battering. Glad you are OK. Your stew and Mandy’s braised beef both sound good and just what you need to warm you up in winter. You’ve made me think I might do a stew of some sort at the weekend and it will do for Saturday and Sunday. You’re doing really well with staying off the ciggies. It’s not an easy thing to do. I stopped smoking 50 years ago as I was concerned about the example I was setting my children but it was a long while before I lost the urge. Have a rough tot up of how much money you’ve saved and treat yourself to something nice. You deserve it.

It’s good that Jake’s got an earlier date for his driving test. 7 in the morning might not be too bad. He won’t get caught up in school traffic and it’s still a bit early for most people going to work. Good luck to him.

Gwyn, what a lot of tests you have had! You really did go through the mill with that horrid pneumonia but it’s good that the respiratory team are pleased with your progress.

The heavy rain and wind started here during the night and didn’t ease up till after lunch so our trip to the dentist was not much fun. When we moved here we stayed with our existing dentist so it’s about a 12 mile drive in each direction. Today the rain was coming down heavily, the spray was being thrown up by other vehicles and there was quite a lot of standing water on the roads. The car park is a 6 or 7 minute walk from the dentist and even with umbrellas we got drenched. At one point my umbrella was blown inside out and I had a terrible job hanging on to it. I thought I was going to take off and fly over everyone’s head like Mary Poppins. We took our coats off in the waiting room but had to sit in our wet trousers. The good news is our teeth had a good check and a clean and neither of us have anything to be done. Our next check up date is already fixed for early August.

Then we got soaked again walking back to the car park. Being so wet made me feel cold as well and I couldn’t face going into town here, paying to park again and then having to walk through the rain to the pharmacy and back to the car park so I decided to go tomorrow. I finished one lot of tabs today so I’ll miss one dose but I don’t think that will matter much. I need a haircut so on the offchance I rang the hairdresser and she can squeeze me in at 10.30 tomorrow so I can kill two birds with one stone.

By the time we were back from the dentist it was nearly lunch time but after lunch I got all the bedding from both our beds washed, gave the downstairs loo a thorough clean, and cleaned sinks in the kitchen and utility, had a half hour phone call from a neighbour and cooked and cleared away our dinner things. Now I’m ready to relax with a book or maybe watch one of the new Inspector Lynley episodes on iPlayer. I hope you all have a restful night. Sweet dreams.

Just had sleety hail and gusty wind but its brightening up again now.

Did loads of ironing this morning nearlly cleared it all but got fed up so stopped.

Well I did say it was wild and windy and thats just what I meant. I don't watch the news or read papers so just go on what I can hear and see. I had a look at some of the pictures from around the country of the floods and some poor people have it really bad. We are quite high up here but I bet Dipper Mill down the road was out again last night.

We had sunshine nearly all morning and then a very heavy shower of rain that did'nt last long and more sun but now its come over cloudy again.

Just going round to corn the girls and then look for something for dinner in the freezer. I am going to put my slow cooker on tomorrow with a huge stew in it of beef parsnip, carrot and onions. Forgot to order cerlery so may buy one down the shop when I post a parcel tomorrow if thegirl will put the right parts of her address in the right boxes so I can get a label.

What a dark and dismal day :-|

When I saw the weather map, I thought that the area of concern looked rather near Mel.
I hope you are all warm and safe.
Mandy's slow cooker meal sounds just what we need.
Great that Jake has a cancellation for his tests. The roads should be quieter that time of day. I hope all goes well.

Yes, Mandy, I am feeling much better thank you and have been back to school for a while, going in two mornings a week to listen to readers.
Annx was asking about any more tests re. pneumonia.. We had a telephone appointment with the respiratory team at the end of December and the nurse was happy with my progress and pleased that I can walk a reasonable distance easily now. She wants me to have a face to face appointment mid year though.
When the copy letter came with the info. being sent to my GP, I see they are requesting another echocardiogram sometime too. That was news to me! The cardiologists never got in direct contact with me about the last one :-| although I did hear through reports from various other doctors that the situation was much improved, as they can access results of all the various tests on their screen.

I think the latest count so far since last May is 2 x ECG, 2 x CT scans with dye, 4 x X-rays and 4 x echocardiograms.
I think that's it.

I hope OH's appointment is not hindered by the late blood test, Vera. Maybe the testing will be speeded up.When necessary results can be obtained quickly. Let's hope you are lucky and there's no delay.

Thank you Anng ,it's smells good in the kitchen.

Yes Mel it looked rough down your way ,hope you don't have any damage with the wind .
Jake called in with my meat ,he usually pops it in in his lunch hour ,he's got a new date for his driving test ,he managed to get a cancellation for 26th February so not to long to wait now better than April., it's very early though at 7 in the morning so fingers crossed for him this time .

Mel I love the way you casually say it was wild and windy in the night when the whole of the soth West was battered by a storm and there are loads of flood in devon.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15500823/Storm-Chandra-roads-schools-close-winds-rain-snow-UK-weather.html

That is probablt right for the cut you have although I normally cut the meat up.

Do you do beef Anng and for how long ,I thought about 8 hours

I usually do my slow cooker dishes on low for longer Mandy.