General Chat

Do you mean a grow bag? Hadn't thought of that. Might try it next year.

I only have a few sweet peas and I grow them in a bag. They were moved when we had the leak done and the men split the bag. Oh made me a huge box to grow them in but I taped the bag up with gaffa tape. I have'nt got many colours mainly blue but there are a couple of white a pale pink a deep maroony and a scarlet one. Still going strong. I feed them with tom food.

Just taken a few more bits to the dump. When OH was up in the loft yesterday he found a bag with two sets of full length curtains in so they have gone to the textile bank. The other bits were out of the garage. It wasn't a lot but it is helping to get rid of things gradually.
Vera, yes, always when we lose something and replace it the original shows up. I even suggested OH looked in the back of the car his side, he glanced but was certain it could not be there. It must have fallen under the seat and worked its way out when the car was driven. It would not have made any difference to us having to bus home etc as I don't think it could be used without being attached to something to hold it. Still, as people have said, we will have another spare (when we get it.
How nice to be seeing both daughter and granddaughter tomorrow. I am just grateful for the internet as that is where I chat to family.
Frank, it is good that the treatment seems to be working for Ros. don't think you would be in shorts and shirt here as it is drizzly rain today, not enough for the garden, just enough to be a nuisance. Oh spoke too soon, quite a shower out there now, OH got caught in the garden.

Mel we only had a few sweet pea plants in and ours are long gone, even though I picked and dead headed them. I have had a good look for glass, I cleared it first on hands and knees then OH put the cleaner over very thoroughly so I hope it has all been picked up.

Gill, a painful foot I sympathise with. I found when I had mine< if you remember I hurt it on holiday, if I slept awkwardly with it, the next day it would be painful. Have you got an elasticated ankle support that covers part of the foot? I found that helped because it kept it straight.

Morning all,

Glad you have nice weather Gill and Frank as we have rain here.

Good luck with the treatment Ros at the hospital and I hope it carries on working. It will be worth the two weekly trips if it helps your back feel easier and you are able to move better doing your gardening which I know you love. <3

Well shopping day has come around yet again and I really don't feel like it today.

Do any of you remember me telling you that the pool oh bought for the fish when he made his pond deeper after we had that leak and we gave it to the boys next door? Well they are using it this year. Em sent me a pic of the boys in there. IO hav'nt seen it yet as I did'nt have enough eggs to give them this week so I shall have to go round and have a look. I am only getting one egg a day so thats 7 a week so not enough to give Em only enough for us two.

Good morning all,

Just off to hospital with Ros for more treatment. It seems to be working, so well worth the two weekly trips.

Well I slept like a baby lat night. 10.00 pm until 6.00 am for the loo and slept again until 9.00 am/

Tried the shower and it WORKED, so was able to have a shower and shave, how nice was that.

I don't low if I am pushing my luck, but, I am putting shorts and sleeved shirt on this morning. with casual shoes. To see me you would think I am on Holiday.

Must go, see you all later. xxxx

Morning all

Another bright and sunny day, the workmen have started with the gas pipes across the road now so it's not so quiet as it has been. The neighbour has put his car on our drive, although it's right up by the path, he could of parked it further down the drive if he wanted, OH's going to let him know he can do that if he wishes. We would prefer him to put it right down the drive nearer the bungalow if he's going to leave it overnight as anyone can touch it where it is now and it would be safer, but we're not sure if he's leaving it overnight or not yet. It's nice to help the neighbours out isn't it and he can see his car from his house with us being directly opposite him.

Yes that bindweed can be a real nuisance Ann, but thankfully it was just coming from over the top of the fence and now I've cut the hedge quite far back it has nothing to travel along to get to our plants. I will keep an eye on it though as it could climb up the fence and get over that way. When we had some in our garden a few years back I put a few canes in the ground which it climbed up and sprayed it, that worked for a few years and has only just come back this year on the neighbour's side, which I can't reach.

Pleased to see you've found the other part of the key AnnG, a bit of a nuisance finding it after you ordered a new one though, but at least you have another spare now. I hope you managed to get all the broken glass up, it might be wise to put some slippers on for a while until you know it's all up. That's the problem with glass there always seems to be bits left behind even if you think it's all up. I remember when Sandra was about 18 months old, we'd locked ourselves out and had to smash the back door window, luckily we left the key in the door, so we could reach inside to unlock the door, I cleaned all the glass up, or so I thought, but a few days later Sandra found a peace and put it in her mouth. I picked her up and as calmly as I could told OH, he opened her mouth and managed to get it out, but I've never been so scared in all my life, I had visions of her swallowing it. Thankfully she was okay, but I've never forgotten it and always keep an eye out for weeks later if any glass is broken now.

Your OH needs to be careful he doesn't do to much to soon Vera, good idea to go with him when he drives just in case he can't manage the whole journey. How is your brother now, I hope he's feeling a little better after his op?

So you have a new hoover Mel, they'll be no stopping you now. It sounds like you were very busy yesterday.

Well, I woke up with my foot feeling sore again, I've been taking Ibruprofen but felt really ill last night, OH thinks they might be to strong for me, so I haven't taken any today. I think I'd rather live with the sore foot than feel the way I did yesterday. I'm going to rest it for a few days and see what happens, if it doesn't feel any better soon I'll go to the doctors and see if he can help. I think it's the muscle so a bit of rest should sort it out though.

I did well on OH's tree yesterday and managed to put another 30 people on it, I also managed to catch up with a few recordings, so I wasn't to bored sitting around. I'm not one for doing nothing, especially if I know there are jobs to do, but if I don't rest my foot it'll only get worse and I won't be able to do the jobs anyway, so I'm being a good girl and staying off my foot as much as I can.

I hope everyone had a good nights sleep last night, I think if it's to hot we don't sleep as good do we?

Glad you liked the two little jokes, I was having a silly moment. Sandra like the joke of the pink and blue fluff the best, I don't think she understood the one of which came first, the chicken or the egg.

Fancy the missing bit of the key turning up AnnG. Its good though as now you have two spares. Oh broke a pint beer glass on the kitchen floor once and we have that flotex carpet. He hoovered it all up but I could still see bits fro ages afterwards.

I have been busy all day. I washed all the front door inside and out and cleaned all the glass. You should have seen the cobwebs all over it on the outside.Did washing and tidied up lots of things that had been left out ( by you know who).

The new bands for the hoover arived and oh fitted one for me and the hoover goes great now but I think it makes more noise. So then I had to try it out and hoovered all the kitchen and dining area and sucked up all the spiders in the hall.

Done some washing and ironing so the pile is going down now.

Dead headed the sweet peas and picked a nice bunch for the house and a little vase fpr the bedroom.

Hope you all have a better nights sleep tonight and me too. I lay awake for ages last night and don't have a clock in the bedroom to watch but I just could'nt get comfy and tossed and turned.

:-D :-D :-D @ Gill

It's good that the workmen turned up again to put your flags back in place but I bet they were pleased to find you had done the job for them.

Oh dear Frank, shower not working again. You'll be glad to get that fixed so that you can be sure of a hot shower. It gives you a shock when it suddenly runs cold. Have you and Ros made up after your barney? I'm sure she was only thinking of your welfare.

I'm glad you found your car key AnninG but isn't it always the way that when you lose something it doesn't turn up again till after you have got a replacement. At least you have spares now. I can imagine the problems you had with that glass smashing. They always seem to break into a million little splinters. Do be careful if, like me, you walk around with bare feet. However careful you were cleaning up you might still have missed a sliver or two.

Your dil must have been pleased to have help with the school uniforms Mandy. It can work out very expensive if you have more than one child. It would be good if your son could be offered permanent employment at the school. It sounds as though he enjoys it and has done a good job there.

OH has just told me that he thinks that tomorrow morning he would like to do the errand he changed his mind about this morning. I have said firmly that I am happy to drive him but I will not be a happy bunny if he changes his mind again. He said he thinks he can probably drive himself so I needn't go with him. Well I've scotched that idea. He can try a short drive if he must but only if I am in the car with him to take over if he can't manage. He overdid it yesterday by trying to walk round the rec. at the bottom of our road and paid for it later.

I've just had a busy hour or two with phone calls. First our son rang and talked for best part of an hour telling me all about the renovations to his house. He's got tickets for the rugby at Twickenham at the weekend so is driving down from Yorkshire to London with his three girls (13, 17 and 19), going to the match and then driving all the way back. I think it's lovely to have a Dad and daughters outing like that.

Then my daughter rang to say she thought she would come and spend a few hours with us on Wednesday which will be lovely. Then I had a call from granddaughter Ellie in Cambridge saying she would like to drive over to see us, also on Wednesday. Really pleased about that as we don't see a lot of her with all her studying at uni and a part time job she has got. She stayed in Cambridge rather than going home for the summer break as she can do extra hours at her job during the holidays and it all helps with her expenses at uni.

OH has just wandered into the study saying "I just wondered where you were". Reading between the lines I think he is really saying "Are we going to have a cup of tea?" so I had better go and put the kettle on.

Sleep well everyone.

That made me smile Gill. :-D :-D

We had bindweed when we moved here, all of it had come from the neighbour's garden onto both the front and back garden and was strangling our plants. It's like spaghetti when you try to dig it up and breaks and regenerates as others have said. I tried all sorts to get rid of it including spraying it, but eventually DID get rid of it. What I did was untangle the runners and put as much as I could in polythene bags. Then I sprayed systemic weedkiller on the stems and leaves while they were in the bags so it didn't go on other plants. Then I tied the necks of the bags or put rubber bands round them and left them lying on the soil. The systemic weedkiller will go right down to the roots, even those in the neighbour's garden and will kill all the stems that are linked to the underground runners. A few treatments were needed as new bits came up but it did kill it all as we don't have any now.

After lunch we went to Nuneaton for OH to collect a book he got me to order him from Waterstones. Not only is he getting himself books now, he got one for me as well from The Works! He knew I would like it and he was right! It's called 'Unnatural Causes' and is about the life and many deaths of britain's top forensic pathologist and reduced from £20 to £6.

Mel, I sympathise as I have the same trouble! I decided this morning to clean the bathroom and as soon as I started he wanted to come and trim his beard and shave bits, so that job got put on hold. He is always following me around to see what I am doing then starts chatting and I forget where I have put my secateurs etc or what order I need to do things in.Then he always wants me to come and see what he's been doing and so it goes on! I shall be quite glad when the schools go back and he has meetings to go to and a few football matches. It's good he likes being with me and chatting to me but you can sometimes have too much of a good thing!! ;-)

Oh Frank, what a shock it is when the shower runs cold! It will be good when Harvey gets and can fix the new one. I hope the dentist can sort out what's wrong with his tooth tomorrow. I wonder why Ros asked the question about your sleepers and what made you so cross? Yes, let someone else get the step cemented rather than risk a stumble.

Fancy you spotting the other bit of key AnnG! At least you will have plenty of keys now. Once when OH had parked behind me at my previous house. it snowed heavily and in the morning he went out to clear the snow off his windscreen. When he went to unlock it he couldn't find the keys, but swore he took them out with him. We must have looked stupid to the neighbours as we dug the snow from one side of the drive to the other, then shovelled it all back again plus the snow from that side. Still to no avail and my car was trapped in front of his so we had no transport. It was New Year's Eve and he had to get a taxi to the agent to get a key of some sort (manual). The keys eventually turned up when the snow melted. In sweeping the snow off the screen he had somehow flung them right to the bottom of the drive, almost on the footpath. What a mess with the glass and you are never sure you've got every bit up as it travels so far.

I forgot to say Mandy that I hope your son can get a permanent job at the school, especially as he likes it. I bet given the choice, they would sooner have him with the other chap being as you say.

I've just heard this joke and thought you would all like to hear it.

A man ordered a chicken and an egg to see which one came first

I thought it was funny and wanted to share it with you all. Hope it puts a smile on your face and makes you laugh. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Another one:

What do you call pink fluff........pink fluff of course lol

What do you call blue fluff.......pink fluff holding it's breath :-D :-D :-D

Pleased to hear your brother is home now Vera and there is someone there to help him along with the nurse. There's nothing like you own home is there?

Oh dear Frank, I bet you'll be glad when your shower is fixed, ice cold washes aren't very nice, even in hot weather. Sorry to hear you and Ros have had words, I hope all is okay with you both now.

It was the man who is helping me with my family tree AnnG who went to Gloucestershire and took the Church photo's. He just said he was going to the Ampney's. I hope you know where they all are, with not living in the area myself I am familiar with the names but not sure exactly where about in Gloucestershire they are. It's a beautiful place though. All the names you mentioned in Glos are on OH's tree, but like I said I couldn't tell you exactly where they are. Maybe one day I'll take a visit to the area and have a nosey around. I'm sure they'll be lots of OH's family buried around there, I'd just need to find out which graveyards they're buried in first.

I cut the hedge back about 18 inches along it's length so there is now a gap between the hedge and our fence, hopefully the bindweed will just go on the hedge and not climb over the fence towards our plants. If a few strands managed to climb the fence at least it'll be easier to get rid of it without having to use weed killer, as knowing my luck the weed killer will end up blowing onto my plants and kill them to.

Yes, I think you're right I don't like sitting around doing nothing for to long so try to keep myself busy as much as I can. With OH not being able to do much at the moment I seem to have lots more than usual to do, although to be fair OH has spent the day painting the front fence and the bottom of the side fence where the screening doesn't reach.

We've just heard back about the car and we're not getting it back until about Wednesday but no later than Thursday, hopefully by then my foot will feel better and I can nip to B&Q to buy the wire ready for when I need to put the screening up. Once that's done and some of plants re-potted into bigger pots, I shouldn't have as many jobs left to do, just a couple of little ones around the bungalow that can wait for now.

The workmen turned up today to put the flags down but OH told him I'd already done it. He seemed impressed by my work ethic and said not many women would do the jobs I do. I feel quite proud of myself now :-)

Guess what I just found on the floor in the back of my car when I was not even looking? Yep the missing key bit. OH has just glued it back in. I am still going to keep the one we ordered though, just in case.

Just got some stuff down for the dump tomorrow. Last thing OH brought down was an old coffee maker/percolator type, somehow the bag came open and the only thing in it that was glass fell out and hit the wall (just missing me) and smashed into little tiny slivers of thin glass. so that is what has taken up a good half hour, it was all over the landing and a pale carpet of course but a bit even got into my office. so it was dustpan and brush, hand and knees job then the cleaner. The trouble is it is where we walk with nothing on our feet. I had to do it because he couldn't walk across where the glass was to get his glasses and wouldn't be able to see it without as the pieces were so very tiny. That was NOT a fun half hour.

Vera, no need to apologise, I think of him most days anyway. I was last there many years go with my son, who needed special dental care. That of course bought back memories. I hope your brother makes steady recovery, and it must be nice for you to know that he has someone there for his every day needs.

So the OH is getting on your nerves Mel, At least you have plenty of room to be somewhere he isn't. Can you imagine us, small bungalow with no spare rooms to hide away. You can always go and sit with the GIRLS LOL LOL Ros has de-headed the poppies and has a tub full of seeds. I think Jan wants some down in Devon, and Carolyn too. So there is plenty to go round.

Nice warm sunny day here, I went to shower this morning and the blooming thing is playing up again. The water starts off warm and before you now it, it's ICE COLD. So a strip wash down for me this morning. I will be glad when the new one turns up at Harvey's, and he gets up to fit it.

I had a job lot of Jewellery turn up this morning, that I thought Ros could have for making other things. This lot were perfect, chains, necklaces, ear rings, bracelets. the whole lot was only a FIVER. So well pleased with the buy, and most of it wearable. I imagine a person has passed away, and someone made up the job lot. I must keep my eyes open for anymore BARGAINS.

How are the poorly, this beautiful day, have you been walkies Jane.?? DON'T OVER DO IT will you. ;-) ;-) ;-) NO dancing round the garden yet. lol lol

Ros has been in the garden again, de-heading and pulling up old wallflower plants. We do keep some from year to year, but then they just get beyond keeping, so we buy new ones for planting a bit later. I must see about getting some more DAFFS, as this year, a few came up with just the leaves. I can't remember the last time I had to buy bulbs.

The rain they promised didn't turn up again, but they do say we could get some this evening and in the morning. We will wait and see. !!!!

I am sorry if I set off sad memories of your Dad for you Frank. I imagine the old Royal London Hospital at Whitechapel was the original brick building that is there but I doubt if you would recognise it now. It's enormous. It seems to have been extended in every possible direction, mainly upwards. I think there are something like 15 floors now. Brother was on 13th.

I have spoken to him this morning and although he is in a fair bit of pain he is more comfortable and happier at home and already sounds stronger. He doesn't live alone Mel, he shares his home with another man who has been an absolute star over the last couple of years.

Well thats just men for you!! Whenever I decide what I am going to do during the day oh always finds me something else to do. I don't argue and just do it but it does annoy me. He never goes out lately so I don't have that problem, I just wish he would now and again and leave me on my own to do what I want to do. the only tim eI am on my own is when he is out mowing, which he is now so I am going to dead head the sweet peas and the poppies down the garden along the road to the bantams thne I may do some strimming.

Bantams need a sweep out too. I did the big girls yesterday afternoon so they are all nice and cklean now.

Vera I hope your brother is more comfortable now he is home and has the nurse coming daily. Does he live on his own?

Mel, once we have the second key it will be fine, we don't usually carry a spare if we are local. Might be tempting now though. Trouble is, they are so big these days.

Frank, maybe Ros has read something about when the tablets have to be taken and has been thinking about it for a while, maybe she is just worried about you falling again. When you are both in a good mood it might be as well to ask her what she meant in case it is important. Hope you can find somebody to do the step for you.

Annx, you saying about your neighbour and work being done. Well, our neighbour opposite and a couple of doors down the road has had people doing things in here house for about 2 months now. The pile of stuff to be disposed of on her drive gets bigger by the day. Besides the two large 'handybags' there are about four other piles of wood, cardboard polystyrene, you name it is is pprobably there. We think she must have had a new kitchen, bathroom and probably bedroom since Colin died!!

Vera, still no rain here but it does look a bit threatening. glad your brother is safely home, I hope he can relax and recover now.
You were very controlled then this morning, I'm afraid I would not have been able to keep my mouth shut. I do hate it when OH says what the plan is for the next day (he does love to have a plan) and then when he gets up he has either forgotten what he says, or he decides he wants to change it. :-(

Good morning everyone

I don’t want to hear about your blue skies and sunshine thank you as it’s grey and wet here. Yesterday was warm and dry but really muggy and it was a sticky night. I didn’t sleep much again last night so am a bit heavy headed this morning. Last night OH told me he wanted to go somewhere early today and, of course, at the moment I have to take him. So I got up before 7.30 am, made him a cup of tea and was ready by 8 am. Then he told me that he had changed his mind :-|. I bit my tongue and kept quiet but I could have throttled him. I could have had an extra hour in bed.

Gill, the gas people are very naughty not putting your flags back. I am sure they are supposed to. Don’t even think of offering to do Mr Grumpy’s. You have enough to do in your own place. I don’t want to depress you but if that is bindweed you were pulling up you won’t get rid of it that easily. It has really deep, strong roots and the thin vines can work their way over and under anything and through the tiniest crack. If it’s coming from your neighbour’s house would you be able to tell him that it’s invading your garden and ask him to deal with it. If that’s not possible the only other thing is to kill it with a herbicide that will go down to the roots but it will take several goes and you have to be careful not to let it get on any of your plants or it will kill them too. Good luck.

I hope you are feeling a bit steadier today Frank. Take it very carefully, we don’t want any more falls. Ros is very good doing all her gardening when she is in pain a lot of the time.

My brother was sent home by ambulance late yesterday afternoon. He is in quite a bit of pain but will probably be able to rest and relax better in his own home and the nurse will keep a watch on him in her daily visits. Which reminds me I said I would ring him about 11.30 and I see it is now 11.45 so I had better do that now.

Good morning all,

We had a right old "BARNY" last night. I went to bed at 9.00 pm for s read, tried to sleep around 10.30, with no luck, so got up again. Ros started on about my tablets I take, and said I shouldn't take my sleeper so soon after my main tablets. Why on earth she bought that up, I do not know. The long and short of it was she stormed off to bed, and I sat until 1.00 am. Went back to bed, but no way could I sleep. I clock watched again till after 6.00 am. I dropped off till 8.30 and got up.

I couldn't get my dad out of my mind all night long. He would be 133 not 131 on the 22nd.

No rain here yesterday evening or this morning. Considering we are not that far from Jane, it seems strange we didn't see any. Blue sky's and fluffy white clouds here at the moment.

Tony bought Val home yesterday afternoon. Ros saw him getting her out of the car, and into the bungalow. She looks really old. The Parkinson's isn't helping either. How he will cope with her I don't know.

We have the same trouble as you Gill. The bindweed grows onTony's side of the fence, snd creeps over into our bushes as well as the Lilac tree. Barry has been removing it the best he can, but as we all know it keeps coming back.

I do hope James finds a position soon, what does he actually do ?? I couldn't believe my ears, when I heard of that YOB who pushed that child of of the Tate. What on earth was going through his brain, to do that. :-( :-( :-(

AnninG, the area you live sounds about perfect. We class ourselves very lucky living where we do. Northampton is only 4/5 miles from us. The saving grace is the M1keeps the expansion of Northampton from getting out to us. We are only one and a half miles from JCN 15 of the M 1, so perfectly placed if and when we need to get to Toddington to see Harvey. Lewis is still in France, and is expected home sometime this week.

Conrad is back from their break, and back in his Villa. He is coming back to the UK sometime this week, and will no doubt pay us a visit. Simon has offered them a room at his house in Daventry, to save them the expense of a hotel room. But knowing him, he won't accept his offer.

Hows things with your brother Vera ?? I hope he is in recovery, and will be back to his old self shortly.

Madam is doing the ironing, I will try to find someone who could cement our steps in. I just can't see myself having the strength and energy to do them myself. Ros has bought a tub of ready made Mortar. So there will be no mixing sand and cement.

I was going back to bed to try to get some sleep, but instead, I will get showered and shaved, and get dressed. See you all later. xxxx

Morning all,

Gosh you have been busy posting and I had a lot to read.

I have two horrid flies flying around me this morning in the kitchen and they keep settleing on me. I hate that.

We have a nice bright morning and blue sky with big white clouds and its cooler than it has been so far today.

Yes Gill busy again I see. Let Mr Grumpy put his own pavers back down or get hte workmen to do it for him. Don't you do it or you will hurt your back again and we can't have that.

So you should have your spare key by Tuesday then and you will feel safe again going out in the car if you carry the spare with you.

Morning All,

Sunny here and a skip arrived at Mrs O's first thing so I expect there could be more noise soon. They redid both the front and back garden last year, have had wardrobe fitters, so maybe it's the kitchen or bathroom being done now! Just as the new neighbour next to them has finished the pneumatic drilling as well and have the fitted the window where the garage door was. At least they will be working inside now. Fair play to the skip driver as he managed to manoeuvre his lorry without using our drive. :-)

Oh yes AnnG,we are with Brittania too so they would get us home in that situation. I'm glad you mentioned it! We always take our spare key on holiday too. The trouble is they are so bulky and heavy in your bag. I know I was told years ago that a spare fob key would be £100+.

Mandy it must be a bit of a headache getting shoes for the children nowadays. I remember not having any say at all. All you could do was say they weren't comfy or rubbed if you didn't like what your mum had chosen. :-) lol. You often hear arguments and tantrums in shoe departments now though as children are much more aware than I was and grow up so fast. What are you crocheting at the moment? One of my beading friends keeps saying she will teach me to crochet properly as I tend to do it like I am knitting!! :-S

I hope you get your car back soon Gill so you can have a good shop! Sorry your ankle is so painful, but it does sound like a little rest might help it.

Mel, do the Swallows usually raise 2 broods?

The window cleaner is here so I'd better go and pay him.