General Chat

Mel, we have had credit cards since they first came out but we have never ever had to pay interest on what is put on the card (except for one month when the post went funny and the payment was late). We always pay off the whole amount and I always know exactly how much has been spent on the card, I write it all down manually then check it off when the statement comes in, that way we never spend more than we have available to pay it off. And it all goes in one lump sum. I rarely use the debit card and have never used the touch card. We actually have three cards (shared OH is the main user) one is only used abroad because they don't charge for using it abroad. the main one we use is M&S because we get points that convert to vouchers.

Never had a credit card AnnG. I just use my debit card in Lidl same as for Morrisons or any other shop I go to. I do pop in Asda sometimes and Tesco when I can be bothered to drive East The Water.

Going in a min so see you all later.

Hoping Jane feels better today and without Frank around you are going to be a bit thin on the ground today till this evening.

Good morning all. Gill: message for Sandra:

Thank you so much Sandra for my lovely card and I am so pleased that you were able to get on with your Christmas cards. It is a busy time of year for card makers. And yes thank you I loved the bits you picked especially for me for the inside of the card.

Mel happy shopping. do you know except for a couple of times with daughter and once on holiday, we have never shopped in Lidl or Aldi. I like to use a credit card and I think neither take them. I assume they take debit cards though. Aldi stuff when with daughter I liked but I didn't like the speed at which they throw it past the till.

We have just been to opticians for OH and then for coffee and a shared sausage roll. Now he is pottering in the garden. He has a dental appointment this afternoon.

Morning all,

Grey sky this morning with some breaks in it for the sun to shine a bit.

Hope Frank had a better night and feels more like himself this morning. Sending love and wishes.

Gill tell Sandra we like that advert too and always smile when its on the telly. Still have her lovely card on my pc top on my desk and it greets me every morning with its butterflies and smiley faces and hearts and diamonds.She'll soon have her lights up and running in her little garden Gill.

Another Donkey Day looming and I have to do both shops today as I like Lidl's bacon and a few other bits. Not looking forward to it today though as its half term and always busier when the kids are off school.

Morning all

Cloudy here today so I don't think we'll see the meteor shower tonight and we were looking forward to it as well :-( :-(

You posted late last night Mel. I'm lucky OH's always wipes his feet and takes his shoes off before he comes in doors, the only mess is a bit by the back door if his shoes are wet, but that doesn't take long to clean up and 9 times of out 10 he'll clean his own mess up himself........I think I trained him well lol :-D :-D

I hope you are feeling better today Frank and managed some sleep last night, it sounds like you might have a bit of flu. Keep your fluids up, keep warm and rest. <3

Pleased to see your physio is doing you well Jane, the extra one will help. I wonder if it was your neighbours DIY that caused the fire, he'll be in trouble if he's done electrical work and he's not qualified, plus the insurance won't pay out. It's a bit of a worry if he's doing things like that, the bungalow looked very close to your property, so you wouldn't want it to happen again.

Sandra was busy card making yesterday AnnG, yes it was very quiet for a while, she loves making cards and takes hours working out what each person would like, they're all finished now and put away safely ready for delivery. She wants to go Christmas shopping now, but I think it's a bit to early as she likes to shop in the works and they don't stock much for Christmas until at least next month, it's not far off so we'll be planning a day out shopping for her soon.

The second light and the waterproof connector arrived yesterday so we're just waiting for the extra cable which should arrive on Friday then we'll put her light in for her. If it doesn't rain we're going to put it in tonight on an extension lead so we can get the adjustment right, it can't stay out but at least she'll see what it's going to look like once it's connected properly. Now I've said that it'll probably rain, so I won't say anything to Sandra just in case. In the meantime OH can screw the light to the stand he made the other day and adjust it to what we think is right, it can always be adjusted again if needs be. I must admit I'm looking forward to seeing it set up myself.

One of the neighbours told OH yesterday that next door are back from Australia in the next few days, so I hope they come home after the light has gone in as he can be a nosey. They've been away for a month so all Sandra's garden has been done and the screening up while they were away. Now OH has jet washed the ground it looks really nice and bright especially since he painted the bungalow white, so the light should reflect off it and look really nice for Sandra.

Sandra is buying me the Downton Abbey DVD for Christmas or my birthday so I'm looking forward to watching it Ann. We don't have a cinema around here so I normally buy the DVD's for any films that are being shown.

OH ordered The secret life of Pets 1 and 2 on DVD for Sandra as a surprise for Christmas, it arrived the other day so has been put away for her. She doesn't know we've bought it for her, so she'll enjoy watching that.

I had to laugh the other day, I was telling OH how slow my laptop was and he said has the hamster stopped running on it's wheel, Sandra then said as quick as a flash, "I run and run and run, get out and I've gone NOWHERE" It's on an advert on the TV and is part of the secret life of pets, where a hamster is running on his wheel, we always laugh when it comes on but when she said it, it fit in nicely with what OH was saying. She does make us laugh sometimes.

She said something similar the other week. Years ago I needed an alker seltzer when I was at a friends house and she gave it to me in a posh glass, so I made a joke about it being a nice vintage wine, I mentioned it to Sandra the other day and later that evening I had a headache and needed an alker seltzer so I asked OH to get me one while he was in the kitchen, again, quick as a flash she told him to put it in a posh glass. She does brighten our days with her funny comments........bless her <3 <3 <3

My one usually brings in pheasent poo and then trys to blame me for treading in it. The only thing is he takes much much bigger steps than I do with his size 12 feet to my 3 or 4. I don't think he ever wipes his feet when he comes in!!! no I lie I followedd him through the door the other day after he was mowing and he did wipe his feet then. A marvel.......

Sorry your feeling bad and achey Frank and I hope you feel better tomorrow too. God bless.

Evening All,

We finally made it to see Downton Abbey and there were only 3 other people there to see it this morning so it was nice and quiet, no talking or rustling, although I had my earplugs in anyway and kept them in through the film as well as the deafening adverts. We both enjoyed the film, but it was a bit slow to start with as they were setting the scene and characters for those who didn't see the tv series. I must admit I love seeing old costumes and jewellery. I love the horses and old carriages too with having worked on a few, so plenty to interest me and Maggie Smith is always good! :-) We popped into the carvery just down the road from the cinema after and then went to a Dobbies garden centre for a mooch round. It was a short mooch though as I spotted an awful woman we worked with over 20 years ago, so I'm ashamed to say we resorted to skulking in different aisles and hid behind the Christmas Trees to avoid her! I recognised her and I think she would have recognised OH if not me. Aren't we awful! lol.

Sorry to hear you sound so down and achey Frank and I hope you feel better tomorrow.

I wondered if the builders might be more keen to buy the bungalow now, as it would be cheaper to buy if not rebuilt and they were only going to knock it down anyway? I hope your neighbour read Part P of the Building regulations if he did any electrical work as it's quite limited what you can lawfully do yourself now without possibly invalidating your house insurance. I think you are right not to travel the day after your endoscopy. There would be the general anaesthetic in your system and it's a long way to go. It's good the physio is helping and I expect you get less stiff now unless the physio is 'upping' the exercises as you improve. Have you tried liquidising some foods if it is the swallowing, or do you just feel full more quickly now?

Mandy it sounds like Chelsea has settled in really well if she has two merits from a teacher who rarely gives them. It must be a concern to parents when their children change school in case they don't like it or settle in ok. She sounds a confident young lady and is good to have volunteered to help at the evening for the next year's intake. Each thing she puts herself forward for will build her confidence even more. :-)

I get confused with the fortnightly bins too Mel. I can never remember if it's recycling or rubbish that goes out and have to wait till someone else puts a bin out to see which it is.

Riding for the Disabled is a great cause AnnG. There is a centre not too far from here and years ago a work colleague's mum who lived on a farm used to take their pony each week for them to use. The children loved it and it gave them a sense of independence to be on a pony. Yes, it's funny we always get the blame yet they walk around oblivious to the messes they make don't they. It's good when they have to admit they are the guilty ones! :-D

Evening all,

It's been quite a dreary day here with lots of drizzle for most of the day ,we did nip out for some bits and pieces of shopping didn't need much but as usual spent quite a bit .

Sorry your not having a good day Frank i hope tomorrow is better for you .

That will teach OH to look where he's walking AnnG ,they never bring the muck in do they it's always our fault if some thing gets trod indoors ,some times poor old Max gets the blame LOL
At the moment he's bringing in the Begonia flowers that are dropping off and he leaves quite a trail behind him ,the petals dropping out of his mouth as he walks along .

Sounds as if Sandra has lots of lovely things from Mel and AnnG to keep her busy card making for a while . :-D

I expect you will keep smelling the smoke for a while Jane ,was Thomas inside while all that was going on ? if it had been summer time i bet he would have been out and been scared to death poor thing .
I hope he doesn't get on that roof and go through the holes into the bungalow .
Oh my goodness lets hope the fire wasn't caused by DIY doings , when the assessors look round they will soon know .
Jane the weight must be dropping off as your not eating much ,it's good the Physio is helping .

Yes we're all really pleased how well Chelsea has settled in to the new school and she's making lots of new friends which is nice .

Oh, hope he had not wired something badly then
my Oh does electrical jobs but that was part of his trade training in the RN. He is very particular and was pleased when daughters house passed the electricians survey when moving as he had done several jobs for her.

I think yes they want to save us the journey but also they have not managed to have any time away this year. I am sure it will be fine nice to see them and hopefully we will survive.

I am wondering if your problem is a bit of a psychological one now. Your brain is telling you not to eat. Back in the late 79 s I had a similar problem. It eventually went away. You maybe could talk to your doctor about it if it continues after the endoscopy. And a friend had a similar problem after a major op.

Anyway try little mouthfuls if things you love small amounts more often.

Bet your heart sank a bit then AnnG at the thought of having a houseful .It is always a bit of a faff when you have to start moving and clearing things for visitors . Do you think they asked to come to you to save you the long journey to them? As you say it is quite an upheaval for you for just the 2 nights. If you have the children coming I would tell OH not to bother cleaning any more carpets just yet :-D :-D.

The roofing van that came next door was not here long. I think they might just have been measuring up for a tarpaulin.I still get a whiff of smoke sometimes which I suppose it not really surprising. I dont think it was any machines that caused the fire.Just faulty wiring somewhere .Al is one of these people who is a DIY fanatic and has a go at anything even though he is not an electrician/Plumber/Carpenter etc .I know he fitted a new kitchen all on his own last year.Totally from scratch.So I hope the fault wasn't his doing. I am surprised that no assessors have been out yet.I thought they came out almost straight away with something like a house fire.


I have dinner nearly ready. It is just diced chicken in a mushroom and wine sauce and rice. But I am getting that feeling that I will not be able to eat it even though I am hungry. I did manage a boiled egg at lunch time and a Weetabix this morning :-D

Sorry you are feeling under the weather Frank. Still if your weather is like ours has been today, very dark and gloomy and really damp but not raining. A slight glimmer of sunshine at the moment but quite cold too. Thankfully the heating is just coming on so it will warm up soon.

I meant to say Mandy, very well done Chelsea to have got merits and to be doing well in her new school. It is not easy for them changing schools.

Jane I wonder if the insurance people know the bungalow could be demolished at some point? I suppose it depends how much structural work is needed. You said the ceilings came down so that is quite a lot of work. And the cleaning of the smoke damage. I do wonder what the electrical fauly in the utitlity room was, wonder if they were running the washing machine or drier? So many of those have caused fires in the past few years.

You have no reason at all to feel guilty at not being able to go to your friend's funeral. One or two of our friends who have sadly died lived so far away that we didn't go to their funerals, we do try and limit long distance travel these days. Visiting family is bad enough.

Having said that, we were actually looking forward to going to Hampshire in November to take the presents down for the boys. However, Grandson and wife have asked if they can come to us instead. Hmm that means all four of them and the boys are not good at going to bed, or at sitting at the table to eat without complaining. And our house is not set up for that number of visitors any more, we used to have them all when grandsons were young and didn't flinch at feeding 7 of us but daughter and her then husband were strict with the boys. apparently the great grandsons will sleep with Mum with grandson on the bed settee in this room (my craft room) which will have to be sorted, tidied and lots moved out to make space (all for two nights). No doubt we will cope. :-( :-D

Afternoon All
Sorry you aren't feeling too great Frank. Fingers crossed tomorrow will be a better day.

Sandra is going to be kept busy isnt she with all these lovely things from Mel and AnnG :-D :-D.

Mel my fridge needs a good sort out too and a good clean. But there is too much in there at the moment (that is my excuse anyway :-D)

At least OH realised it was him who brought in the dirt AnnG and couldnt blame you :-D. We often have the 'discussions' LOL I blame Chris and he swears it couldnt possibly be him,even though 99% of the time it is him !!!.

I did get to Physio this morning so had my work out. I just had one more session next week but because I missed last week the physio has booked me in for an extra one which is good.I do find these sessions beneficial.

I dont know where my neighbours are staying.I think it must be with family. They are strange people really and I doubt we shall know anything regarding what will be happening with the bungalow(unless we see them and ask). I have noticed this afternoon that Al has been in and out with what I think might be clothing.I dread to think what kind of state it will be in though.I expect the local dry cleaners could well be busy with all that.

Yes Mel it is the bungalow that is supposed to be demolished. But nothing is happening at all regarding the plans for new houses behind us and the road.So it may not ever happen.(that is my hope). We have just seen a emergency roofing van pull up so maybe a tarpulin will be going on the roof in a minute. I will go and have a nose out the bedroom window :-D

Mandy how chuffed you must all be with Chelsea gaining her merits and obviously doing so well at her new school :-D :-D.

I have just heard that the funeral for my friend will be on the 1st Nov. I know I wasn't planning on going but now I have a genuine excuse as I will be in hospital the day before for the Endoscopy.So I won't feel so guilty.

Right I am going upstairs to see what is happening next door :-D

I'm here folks. but feeling under the weather. Very achy and listless. So not stopping.

See you tomorrow. xxxx

Not many of us around so far. Bet you have not had a word out of Sandra gill if she gets absorbed in her card making. It is so good for her to have a hobby that she loves, planning the cards is good exercise for her brain.

You have been energetic Mel, our fridge is not that big so doesn't really get overloaded except maybe at the weekends.

I have been busy sorting cards to take to my friend who takes them to a group to sell in aid of riding for the disabled. This is a group of farmers wives who meet regularly and raise money for charity. My friend is disabled herself so is not able to collect them from me. I had a count and there are 30 Christmas cards and 12 birthday and mixed other cards. I have also made my OH's Christmas card. I have to do that while he is at golf, which he was. And the cards for the three Great Grandchildren.

As my OH always does the carpet hoovering and shampooing he often moans if I come in from the garden and leave a dirty mark. Today the window cleaner came while OH was out, when he came home he went out to put the recycling in the bin and didn't noticed that where the water from the window cleaning had run down it had made a bit of mud on the path. He walked in it and walked it into the hall and is now very grumpy, even more so because he can't blame me!!!! :-D

So Sandra is a happy bunny once again and can get on with her cards. Bless her. She did'nt have long to wait either so that was good.

I have spent all morning having the fridge out. Its not something I do every week but I have had a good clear out ready to fill it up again tomorrow. I still have the door to do but will do that in a min.

Where's Frank???????????

Hi to AnnG.~~~

Yes, it went through the letter box okay AnnG, she is busy making more cards now. You have made her a very happy bunny. She's done so well with her cards and had nearly ran out of things, so is thrilled with your thoughtful gift. You and Mel have made her very happy thank you to both of you. All we need now is some nice dry weather at the weekend so OH and I can put her light in her planter then she'll be even happier. :-D :-D

I've just seen the photo you sent of your neighbour's bungalow Jane, you were very lucky it didn't spread over to your place and your car wasn't effected either. I hope things work out for your neighbour, what an awful thing to have happened and so close to Christmas as well. At least they weren't hurt, which is the main thing.
How are you feeling today? I hope you managed to catch up on some sleep and feel a little better. Hopefully not to achy after your physio to.

Gosh that was quick gill second class and posted on Saturday. Glad she likes them. And that you were in when it arrived. did it go through the letter box ok?

The card making things you sent Sandra have just arrived AnnG. Sandra is thrilled with it all and said to say thank you <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 She is now going to finish off her Christmas cards.

Morning Mel, morning all

Sunny but chilly here today, if the grass dries a bit more OH will cut the lawns later.

I rely on OH to sort the bins out, or I'd probably be like you Mel lol.

I hope you managed some decent sleep last night Jane and woke up in time for your physio. I didn't realise how bad the fire was for your neighbours, I hope they had insurance and it's soon sorted for them. By the sounds of it, it'll probably be next year when it's all completed. I hope they find somewhere nice to live in the meantime and haven't lost to many personal things.

I bet you're relieved your neighbours are home now Vera, so you can pass the problem of the alarm back to them. That was nice of them to give you some wine as a thank you.

Yes Vera, I doubt OH's tree will ever be finished, but hopefully I'll have copied everything over from the tree access soon. I found another section I'd missed so it's not quite finished yet. I will need to go back over the whole tree to see if there are any gaps I can fill in myself, but for now I'm concentrating on copying everything over from the tree I've got access to, which hopefully won't take to much longer.

You were lucky to find your German ancestors, I don't know where to start with mine as all it says is he was born in Germany. It's my great granddad who I never knew, I didn't even know his son was my granddad until I was 50 years old and unfortunately he'd passed away by then. Apparently my Nan remarried, so I only knew her second husband as my granddad and didn't know the truth until I stumbled upon my parents marriage certificate and my dad's name was mention with a formally known name. By the time I had that information it was to late to ask the older generation any questions as they had all died.

I did have a tree match connected to my granddad but it came to nothing in the end, so I guess I'll never find anything out about my great granddad and where he was born in Germany as I haven't got a clue where to start looking. His son (my granddad) was born in England, but I can't find a death record for him as he went by two different surnames during his lifetime, as his mother married twice. So I'm afraid my side of the tree ends there. I agree with you and the Irish records aren't much better. OH had an Irish ancestor and it was the same as you where her place of birth was just mentioned as Ireland with no other details. It's very frustrating sometimes isn't it?

How lovely to have a breakthrough on your tree Ann, I hope you manage to see some photo's, I find things like that very exciting and love to compare the way they look with members of the family on our side.

Pleased to see Chelsea is enjoying her new school Mandy and well done to her for the two merits she got, you must be so proud of her. Glad to hear Colin is improving to, the cream sounds like it's doing the trick which will make him feel more comfortable.

I was also thinking Barry could put your Astro Turf down for you Frank if Harvey is busy. Once it's all in place it'll look lovely and you won't need to worry about cutting the front lawn anymore. It is a big job but will be well worth it when it's finished.

I'll let Sandra know the things you've sent her will definitely go through the letter box AnnG, that way she won't worry. I think Mel's parcel going missing has had an effect on her, so now she thinks it's going to happen all the time. I'm sure she'll be fine soon though, one she realises lost post doesn't happen very often.

Going to get a cuppa now then finish copying over what's left on OH's tree, with a bit of luck that bit will be done in a day or two.

Morning all,

Another very grey day here in Devon and raining with it.

I have lost count of bin day!!!! Its every two weeks and I missed it last time. I shall have to ask Em she'll know and write it on the calender again. Things were so easy when it was once a week but they keep mucking us about. Basicly we do the councils job for them really. We keep all the plastic, food waste and cardboard and tins seperate and they just have to take the other stuff to landfill.

Moan over, what are we all up to today? Anything exciting?

Jane how are you feeling this morning and what happened to your neighbours last night?