General Chat

I missed your posts Vera and Frank.

Thanks for letting me know the size of the Japanese Anemones Vera. We are going to do Sandra's planter like we do the borders in the back garden and change it around throughout the year so she has something interesting to look at, so I will take a look for some pink ones for her. How nice of your husband to help people out like that and like you said you never know when you might need help yourself. My husband is the same and I'm still waiting for him to put the drawer fronts on our kitchen drawers after about 2 years of waiting. I think I might end up doing it myself. To be fair he's a busy man, always doing something, so the small job in the kitchen isn't really a problem, in fact I've got used to it now. lol :-D :-D :-D
That's a lot of side effects from the flu jab, I hope your headache clears up soon.

Pleased to see you have eaten a good meal and feel better for it Frank. it'll give you some energy and hopefully stop you feeling so tired during the day. How nice to have a free bee off QVC. Sandra was looking at those light up trees the other day and said how much she likes them, mind you the one she was looking at was PINK......say no more lol ;-) ;-) ;-) :-D

Thanks AnnG for passing on the message. Thanks Detective, I'll take a look next time I'm out.

Sandra is very good and said it was okay, but I can tell she is disappointed, so I've reassured her that we will buy some lights, we just need to find the right ones, so they are safe to plug in. The waterproof electric box is a good idea but with it being plastic I'm sure it would sweat with the temperature changes, therefore condensation could build up inside and with the instructions for the lights we bought saying they should only be plugged in indoors, we didn't want to take the risk and chance them outside. OH also noticed that the clips to close the box on the sides are the same as the ones on his drill box, he said they go loose over time and don't close properly, so that wouldn't be good either as that would eventually let the rain in.

The lights you mentioned Mel sound like a good idea but we only have about 2 hours of sun down the side of the bungalow so I'm not sure if that would be enough to charge them. I like the idea Detective mentioned about lights with timers on, they could then be switched on as she goes to bed and last long enough for her to enjoy them before she goes to sleep. If they weren't on a timer the 2 hours of sun would only charge them for an hour or two and they would of gone off by the time she goes to bed.

I do feel sorry for her at the moment, but I'm sure between us all we'll find a way around this problem and have some lights for her soon. Even OH suggested that we buy outside lights specially designed for gardens, the ones that sit on the ground and light the plants from underneath, that way he could do the same as he did when he had to extend the wire for the waterfall as there is a special connection to add an extra length of wire so the plug ends up inside and not outside.

Unfortunately we couldn't do that with the lights we bought as the wire was different. I did find just the right light at Waterworld, (a place that sells water features) it was colour changing and meant for a pond, but it was £500 for one light, far to much money for us. I'm sure we'll find something suitable for her soon though, if we keep looking.

Thanks everyone for all your ideas I'll take a look around and see what I can find for her.

As for the parcel, there wasn't a pick up time on the card AnnG, I didn't think of that so I've just checked and all is says is that it will be ready for pick up on the next working day, which is today. It could well be on the van and might be there tomorrow when OH goes back to ask. Finger's crossed that's the case.

Thank's Mel for letting me know the size and what was in it, also how it was wrapped, at least OH can let them know so they'll know what they're looking for if it's not in the van. I just hope the postman hasn't accidentally given it to the next person on his list, with their parcel. Mind you if that's the case then they might take it to the post office later today.

I was disappointed myself as you had gone to so much trouble to send it to her Mel and I knew you'd be upset if it went missing. All we can do is wait and see what happens tomorrow. I'll let you know as soon as I know.

On a positive the Christmas films have started again on Channel 5, so I recorded a few on Saturday while we were out and a few more on Sunday. I'm just about to watch the last Sanditon, then I'll put them on for Sandra........that'll put the smile back on her face. :-) :-) She has found some more for next Saturday and Sunday, so guess what we'll be watching lol :-D

Good afternoon all,

I started to read the posts, but there are so, so many. You all have been so busy. So I have skipped to the last page so I can post.

We had a nice meal yesterday. I had Gammon and Turkey and Ros had Beef. There were Yorkshires, Roats pots, Cauli, carrots, peas, and beans. I had a little of most, and ate a good meal.

This morning I had my 4 weekly injection and we both had our flu Jabs. Louise weighed me, and I have put on a little weight, which she was pleased about.

I have got Lamb Shanks from the freezer, and Ros had done the veg.So I have nothing to do today, other than read or watch T.V.

Pleased to see everyone is well, and keeping up with all your various hobbies.

We have just had a mysterious delivery from QVC. It's a tree of twigs that all light up. There is no CHARGE FOT IT. I can only think it comes with the new Christmas Tree that arrived on Friday. Ros is ringing Julia, to see if she has had one. NO SHE HASN'T. So we are just amazed to know why they have sent it. I said to Ros just put it away until Christmas, and be thankful.

Thanks for all your concerns about my health, I will take on board what you are saying, and eat more often, and smaller portions. I will let you know how I go on.

Take care all, see you soon. xxxx

Good morning, sorry afternoon, all

Another very wet grey day. We'll all be going rusty and growing webbed feet soon.

OH is Mr Popularity this morning. Before 9 am we had a call from a friend saying that she had no power to her cooker and could OH go and check it over for her. She's not very well off and didn't want to have to buy a new one if it was a simple repair job. OH said the company that fitted it had just poked some wires in the back of the cooker and not tightened them up so they had worked free, and it was a wonder she didn't have a fire. That company have now gone out of business - I wonder why? Anyway he sorted it and she's up and running again.

While he was there our acquaintance who recently lost his wife rang to ask if OH would go and help him fill in some forms as he couldn't understand them, so that's where he is at the moment. Strange that he rushes to help everyone else but if I want a job doing I have to keep nagging lol. Still, I look at it this way; one day we may be the ones needing help so we have to do our bit now.

Gill, Japanese Anemones are tall plants. Mine are about 3 foot high. I thought of them when you said you were looking for something a bit taller as they come in white and various shades of pink which I thought would suit Sandra. But now I think about it they only bloom in the autumn and perhaps you might want something with a longer season. It's a shame that you have had to send some of the bits back to the shop but, as they say, better safe than sorry.

AnninG, I hadn't realised that Detective was no longer a member. I had noticed that she hadn't posted on the book thread recently. I always felt her tastes were very similar to mine so I will miss her recommendations for books and she also put me on to Libby, the library app, which I have used a few times. If you are looking in Det, happy reading and I wish you well.

Ann, I do understand the worry of falling on the stairs, particularly if you are used to living in a bungalow. I have only ever lived in houses and the only time I have fallen down stairs was when I was in my 40s and pretty fit. I used to rush about a lot more then, now I am slower and a lot more careful.

AnninG, you have been busy sorting out your wardrobes. Like you I hardly ever wear skirts yet I have several in my wardrobe. I don't possess a single dress as I can never find one that's fits me. If I buy for the bust size the waist and hips are a bit tight, buy to fit the hips and the top falls off me. I'm tall so the waist never seems to be in the right place. It's disappointing because I would love a smart dress for a change.

I found the leaflet I was given with my flu injection. I've never had a leaflet before but I usually get the jab at the surgery. This time I went to the pharmacy where I get my meds. The stuff they injected me with was called Fluad and this is their list of side effects:

Very common: headache, muscular pain, tenderness or pain at injection site, fatigue

Common: nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, sweating, joint pain, fever, generally feeling unwell, shivering, local reactions of redness, bruising, hardness around the injection site

Uncommon: rash

I wondered if that accounted for my headache which started the day after I had the jab and perhaps also AnninG's queasy tum but the leaflet also says that any reaction should go in 1-2 days and I have had this headache for 5 or 6 days now.

OH has just come back and has sorted out the forms for the chap round the corner so I had better go and get him some lunch. Have a good day everyone.

Gill on the card that was left re your parcel it should give a date and time from which you can collect and you can't collect from before that time.

Gill a message from Detective who is no longer a member. She can read but not post.

Have you looked for battery operated ones? They use AA batteries in a waterproofed control box with a timer- one off/on cycle. When you set the timer up, you have to initially go out & put it on at the time you want it to start. For instance, we'd physically put them on at 4pm for 7 hours. They continue to do that over the Christmas period until its time to put them away.
You'd probably find them amongst the christmas decoration displays. We have 2 styles - only white, & multicoloured & are quite small LED bulbs.
They'd probably take rechargeable batteries if you have any.

She will read it if you reply on here.

Oh said thats a standard letter that was left for you and if its a postman you normally have he may have it on the van still to deliver today. I can never understand why they are not left with a neighbour if you are out or left by the front door.

GILL the parcel is wrapped in broown paper with Sandra's name and address on it and my address on the back with FROM underlined on it. It is wrapped inside with Christmas paper with all red berries on it. It is about 9 inches long and 5 inches deep. It has the address writen on it with a felt pen in navy blue ink and is wrapped with brown parcel tape. As to the contents there is loads of Christmas bits, stickers, a snowman I think, a santas hat in gold and pencils with fluffy tops and a pair of ear muffs. There could be more as I just can't remember now.

Morning all,

Another dull and miserable day out there today and with a bonus of rain too I don't think....

Gill I have a set of seed lights run by solar power and they have been outside in the garden for a few years now and they still light up till quite late at night. I never turn them off which I have found is better than keep using the switch as that always seems the thing to go wrong. They have like a sealed solar panel which is better for outside.

I did'nt get on well with my craft project yesterday as I could decide what I wnated to put on the wreath. I tried the leaves all different ways and in the end I got them right but I just need to put some nature bits around the edge and attach a pentacle charm in the middle. I will send a pic when its done as I always do.

I really need to give the fridge as good clean out before I put more stuff in it tomorrow so thats a job for today which I hate.

OH's just come in and there's a problem with the parcel you sent Mel. Could you let me know what size it was and what was in it please? They can't find it and think it might still be on the van. OH has to go back tomorrow, but it would help if he could describe it to them, incase they can't find it.

Poor Sandra, she's going to be so disappointed when she wakes up. What with there being no parcel and her lights having to go back to the shop. It's not going to be a good start to her day. I hope she's not to upset.

Morning all

Sunny but cold here today

Sorry to hear you're not feeling very well Jane, I hope it can be sorted soon for you, then you'll feel much better. I bet you can't wait for next year after the year you've had this year.

I hope you start feeling a little better soon Frank once your meds kick in properly. I think it might be better to if you remove the mats that you are tripping over, or if it's possible stick them down so you don't catch your feet on them. I remember my Nan sticking hers down with blue tack, which seemed to work.

Oh dear Mandy, how upset you must of been to break one of your new Christmas mugs and to also have a chip in your floor tile. I hope the tile isn't to bad. Will you be able to buy another mug?

I did smile when you described yourself as one of the clocks where when you go out the sun goes in Ann. :-D :-D Did the sun come back out in the end?

It sounds like you're been really busy AnnG, it's a nice feeling when everything is sorted isn't it?

How did you get on with your Pagan Wreath Mel, I'd love to see a pic when it's finished.

Well, we've had a thought about the box for the electrics outside and have decided there's a possibility the box could end up with condensation inside and the lights we bought said the plug had to go inside the property, so OH has taken the lights and electric box back to the shop. We'll have to think of safer way of putting lights in Sandra's garden now as I was very worry she might of got an electric shock when she tried plugging the other's in. We might have to go with solar lights if we can't find safe electric ones. I know they won't light up as well in the winter, but at least they'll be safer for Sandra.

All we need to do now is wire the butterflies onto the screening and put the flowers in the planter. I think we might need to raise one or two of the plants pots, but that shouldn't take to long, then it'll all be finished for her. OH is going to his friends in about an hour so we'll finish Sandra's planter off tomorrow as it's forecast nice weather again.

OH is going to have a word with our neighbour as he thinks he had a net of lights in his garden last Christmas, so he's going to ask him where he bought it from and how it's plugged in safely. I think Sandra prefers smaller lights on the screening anyway. If all else fails we still have our solar lights we brought in from the back garden the other week that we could use for her. We want it to be pretty for her, but also safe.

We didn't get a leaflet either AnnG. They used to ask us to sit in the waiting room after for 10 minutes as well but don't now. No cleaning your arm or a plaster either, just a blob of cotton wool. I'm allergic to plaster adhesive anyway but OH doesn't get one either. You've done well in your wardrobe today and it's good when you rediscover things you've forgotten about and can use. I have the same trouble with the neck to waist measurement for dresses. I used to find that the Chelsea Girl ones fit me the best. Maybe it was because they were made in China by women more my size! If I made a dress I would always have to shorten that measurement by an inch and a half.

Vera I have looked at one or two chalet type houses and I lived in one before I moved here and that had 2 beds upstairs and 2 downstairs, but most of my life I have lived in bungalows and like not having to clean stairs or decorate stairwells! :-) A work colleague fell downstairs one morning and was lucky he had a cleaner who found him later in the morning. He never came back to work and a year later when we saw him at a Christmas meal he still had trouble with speech and co-ordination. A friend of my sister's is paralysed from the waist down after doing the same so I'm very reluctant, especially with getting older. We have been looking since the new houses were to be built at the end of the close 4 years ago and with all the building in the villages the traffic is much worse, but all those we have looked at have drawbacks of some sort so I think we will most likely stay put! I keep looking and hoping though. :-) You made me laugh at your OH's rapid recovery at the prospect of a pint with his friend! They are all the same aren't they! Mine has been flaked out before till asked if he wants to go to a match! Then he says the fresh air will do him good, even if it's freezing. ;-)

Afternoon all

Dull and damp here today. I re-potted Sandra's plants from yesterday in the greenhouse where it was dry so they're all done now and ready to go into the planter once we've worked out a good way of attaching the lights. We were going to put them on a shelf around the bottom of the pots but I thought if we had to take a plant out and replace it, there would be a chance the new pot could accidentally be put back on top of the lights and break them. So I think it might be better if we hook them on the inside of the planter away from the pots. We're still hoping we can find a net of small lights to put on the screening I think that might look nice and the new waterproof electric box has 4 sockets inside so we can add more lights if we want.

Pleased to see you're feeling better today Vera. Thanks for letting me know about Japanese Anemones, how tall to they grow, they would be sitting on the ground inside the planter which is 18 inches high so I need something that would grow quite tall so they could be seen above the top of the planter. I've just been outside to raise on of the pots as I noticed one of the branches was rubbing on the top of the planter and I didn't want it to be damaged, it's now a couple of inches above. Luckily I had a few pieces of wood left over so used those to stand the pot on. I hope it doesn't blow off though.

Sandra can't wait for everything to be finished, unfortunately the weather isn't very nice so we're having to do it a bit at a time when the sun is out. OH is out tomorrow but the weather looks good for Tuesday so hopefully we'll be able to do a bit more then.

Mel, I think the postman tried to deliver the parcel for Sandra yesterday as I noticed a note pushed through the door this morning which must of been posted yesterday saying to pick a parcel up for the post office, so OH is going to pick it up tomorrow. We were out all day which is why we missed the post. She now knows it's coming and is really excited to know what it is. It'll be like the night before Christmas Day here tonight as she waits for the morning to arrive lol :-D :-D

Love the pic of the sheep Ann, you're very clever and your pic of the unicorn headband's Mel, they're very pretty.

Mum's just turned up so I'll have to go. I'll catch up with the rest of the post later, or tomorrow.

Missed you there Vera, yes I do feel better now thank you. You were lucky being given a leaflet. We didn't have any at our surgery. I know the doctors always say there are no side effects but I always seem to have something mild just after having the jab.

It is the glass of wine that does it Vera :-D :-D Makes you feel tired. I have to get our roast in the oven soon. We have gammon tonight.

I am shattered now. I decided, as I had started on the wardrobe I should finish it. So I sorted out 3 skirts for the charity shop, nothing wrong with them but I don't wear skirts so why I had about 10 of them I don't know. I have kept a long black one and a normal length black one plus four others I might just wear if the occasion arises. I am so much more comfortable in trousers.I hardly ever wear dresses either as I find it difficult to find them to fit me. I am short waisted so the waist on some dresses comes where my tummy, not a good look :-D
Anyway next I tackled the wardrobe shelf which has been a bit of a dumping ground. I pulled out all the birthday and Christmas card etc that I just couldn't bear to throw away. Sorted all the cards we have given each other over the past 27 years since we have been here and they are all stored in a carrier back. Of the others all those without glitter of hand made bits on them are in the recycling the rest are in the normal waste bin and some have been cut up to make more cards.
I also sorted my wash bags large make up bags (for holidays) (I had 5 or 6 so put a couple out for washing and they can go to the charity shop as nothing wrong with them.
Last but not least I crawled around on the floor and dug out any boots that were hiding in there. Yesterday in town I was looking at boots in m&S, I wear a soft foot glove boot and have two pairs downstairs, both black, one old and one quite new. the newer ones are wide fitting and I find them a bit big for me so wear thicker socks. the others I wear all the time and wanted another pair the same but unfortunately they didn't have a five and a half.and the 5 was a bit tight while the 6 was much too big so I left it (this is going somewhere!!) In my wardrobe I found a pair of boots like I was looking for, brown not black size 5 and a half!!! So that was lucky I didn't buy any more as they are £59. I also found a different style pair of brown boots with a chunky but low heel, My others don't have a heel and have a good gripping sole. I also found two pairs of pull on suede boots a bit like Uggs but not Uggs which I knew were there for the bad weather. Anyway, I just have the small rail of scarves (quite a lot of scarves to sort. Maybe tomorrow because I am shattered.

Afternoon all

Yet another wet, grey day here. Just looking out of the window makes you feel miserable.

Thank you all for your good wishes. I am feeling a bit better. My throat is hardly sore now and so far I haven't developed a cold. I still can't shake this headache though. Like AnninGlos I wondered if it could be a side effect of the flu jab which I had on Tuesday. I was given a leaflet when I had my jab so I must have a look and see what it says about side effects. I am sorry you haven't been feeling too good either AnnG. I hope your quesiness has all gone now.

OH is still sniffing and snuffling a bit and was laid out on the recliner chair feeling very sorry for himself until midday when he miraculously recovered enough to go for his Sunday lunchtime pint with a friend. Men!

Poor you Jane. You do sound very uncomfortable. Is it possible to ring your surgery in the morning and see if your doctor can give you something to ease it for the next couple of days until you have your appointment?

As for you Frank....what are we ladies of your harem going to do with you? I know it's easier said than done but try not to let yourself get too down. Give your new tablets time to work. Sometimes it can take quite a while for the medication to really kick in. As others have said food and energy go together but don't put yourself off by serving up a big plateful of roast meat and veg. If I were you I would try to eat little and often. I would also remove any loose rugs while you are a bit unsteady on your pins. Take care of yourself and keep your pecker up, as my old Dad used to say.

I didn't know you were house hunting Ann or have you mentioned it before and I have forgotten? My memory does sometimes let me down these days. When we decided we would have to move as we were getting older and the garden was too big for us to manage easily and we were also quite isolated, we looked for a bungalow. All the ones with small gardens seemed so cramped, with 2 or 3 small bedrooms. A friend told us of this chalet that was about to go on the market and it was perfect for us. All the rooms are pretty big so there is lots of space but the garden is small. It was built with 3 bedrooms upstairs and 2 downstairs but the downstairs bedrooms have been knocked into one by the previous owner. We've made the smallest room upstairs into a study/office. The big plus for us was that, if the time comes when we can't get upstairs any more, we can live completely in the downstairs part. It sounds as though something like this house might suit you.

Gill, Sandra's garden sounds great. I like the idea of the butterflies and uplighting the plants sounds a good idea too. If you wanted something a bit taller than the Michaelmas Daisies how about a couple of Japanese Anemones? They spread by runners and if they are in the ground (as ours are) they tend to take over a bit but they should be OK confined in a pot or two.

How annoying to break your mugs and chip the floor tile as well Mandy. I bet you said a few choice words. I feel so angry with myself when I do something like that.

Mel, your headbands are sweet and they should sell really well. Little girls love decorated headbands and they love unicorns too. My four granddaughters would definitely have gone for those when they were small.

I've been sitting at the computer yawning away. When OH got back from the pub at 2 pm we had a big roast dinner, with a pudding, and I had a large glass of wine. I think I now really need a bit of fresh air but it looks so horrid outside that I don't feel like venturing out. Think I'll go and make a cuppa and hope that wakes me up a bit.

Frank, as the others say, those mats are a hazzard when you aren't steady on your feet. When mum ran the small home the H&S people made her take up all the mats. Maybe snacks rather than big meals would be more appetizing for you at the moment and you could always try some of those drinks that build you up as well. I hope you feel better in yourself soon and if not see the doc again. Hopefully you have some appetite for your carvery today.

Oh dear Jane it can't be nice if you can only be comfortable laying down as that can make reflux worse. I hope you are managing to sleep ok? You have had some stress lately with the family so I wonder if that has helped cause the problem? Not long till you see the doc now which is good.

Mel your headbands are really lovely and so nicely made!!! I think they will sell very well on your stall and, as Mandy says, it is the year of the Unicorn! I keep meaning to ask you when you stop feeding the hogs? A friend has one visiting that she feeds, but doesn't know when to stop leaving food out as she isn't 100% certain it is just the hog eating it, although she has seen him feeding.

Mandy, he did find his thermals in the end. lol I'm very glad to say with being so methodical, as Mel says, he puts all his own clothes away, otherwise I expect anything he couldn't find would be my fault!! :-S He still seems to expect me to know where everything else is though. With being in a flap he then forgot to pick up the bottle of water he was taking and left it in the porch. As soon as I drove up the road yesterday, the sun went in so I didn't take any photos. Sometimes I think I'm like one of those clocks with the two figures that move and I'm the one that comes out and the sun goes in as it happens so often when I want to take photos! What a shame you broke one of your new Christmas mugs and then for a piece to chip a tile as well. Sometimes you wish you hadn't bothered don't you! I hope the chipped tile isn't too noticeable or that you can disguise it.

Mel magnificent to look at but such cruel birds.

O Mandy don't you just get so cross with yourself for doing things like that. I always think to myself if I had left it alone I'd still have it in one piece now. I nearly did the same thing with my mugs the other day tidying to get more in but just managed to catch it before it fell. It would be the new ones too!!! and made a hole in the floor. What a nuisance. :-(

Just after lunch I was looking out the window and saw a bird fly up in the ash tree and thought at first it was the young pigeon. Its was'nt on closer inspection it was the blooming Sparrow Hawk. I wondered where all my blue tits had gone. I opene d the window and banged it shut but it still sat there in the tree so I clapped my hands really loud three times and still it sat there so I did it again and this time it flew off over Em's.

Oh Mandy, that was a shame, good job it was you that did it!! Go on, finish the bag, you know you really want to.
On Tuesday, if it is dry we are going to Batsford Arboretum we are hoping at least some of the trees will have turned. At the end of October we will go to Westonbirt, love it there in the Acer Glade.

Jane the doctor may be able to give you something to calm the inflamation down. I wonder if it was anything to do with the anaesthetic, do you know if you had a pipe down your throat that may have scratched it. I am sorry that things are not going well for you, especially as the op seems to have been a success. You have not had a good year have you with the family and this must seem like the last straw. I do sympathise I suffer with acid reflux sometimes and suffer with heartburn without the reflux quite a lot. so far I am managing it ok without any help from doctors but yours seems to have come on suddenly after your op, unless you just have not mentioned it before. The fact that you have lost weight should be in your favour with the reflux. Strangely if I have it it is much worse when I lie down, either on my back or either side. I am better if I prop myself on pillows behind my back. sometimes I am even better if I stand up. Sounds like you need bland food . (Mashed potato, white rice, milky things nothing too hot, make sure drinks are cool. How about tinned rice? cream of chicken soup, not hot again though.