General Chat

Afternoon all,

Pouring down here now ,it did start off dry first thing and over night we only had a little drop of rain no heavy down pours as they predicted ,hubby did see one flash of lightening though and that was it !!

I see our William carn't keep away now :-D :-D go on William treat yourself to the N W bus we won't tell ;-) ;-) :-D

Thomas does look chilled out in the photo ,but i wonder why the photo's always come out sideways i had turn the laptop to see which way he was laying .

Mel !!! :-D :-D naughty girl it's about time you had a hoover round fancy finding tinsel from 6 months ago LOL :-D :-D
I might make some Jam next week ,i bought some peaches earlier in the week but they weren't very ripe so i thought i would bake some in the oven yesterday ,they came out lovely and soft and we had them with some ice cream .

Ann, hope MIL's feeling better today and that FIL has settled in now , i suppose it might be better to just ring and see how he's doing rather than go in and unsettle him ,he might think we've come to take him home !!

Bells are ringing so i expect there's a wedding , what weather to have to try and take photo's !!

Back in again before lunchtime, Mel, yes, I knew it was Ann's in-laws, maybe I didn't phrase it right. Hey, you can't have me absent for ages then expect me to come back word perfect ;-) - And, yes Mel, the little creatures are out in the rain tending the garden. In fact, when little Grace was here a few weeks back I let her help me take them out and place them where she wanted them to go.

Jane, you don't know how true that can be! Sneaky I know, but it's just human nature. We have to be careful with the boys toys. When we had the Time Machine model shop in Coventry and my friends ran it (they now run the West Wales Museum of Childhood - it's on the net) I used to come back with models after I'd told them to take the price label off! But on the reverse, sometimes I've been with Carmel, seen something I like but not the price tag, and I'd get her to go and haggle the price down. She loves a good haggle and would get away with what a known collector couldn't.

This morning I've been at my model cabinets doing a bit of work. I try to tier them up so the back ones can be seen and evolved a method of using strips of polystyrene. The only trouble is that often the tyres stick to the poly so I've got some dolls house brick paper and stuck that on top of the poly/ It looks good and solves a problem. Not only that, it doesn't cost much and preserves the models.

Off to lunch now, or at least a cup of coffee.

Yes to Frank, I now know how much I've missed you all. It's easy to get into the habit of popping on and writing a few words, and just as easy to have too much today to find a slot.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have just plugged my phone in to charge and found a piece of tinsel on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6 months after Christmas. Is that a record?

Did you enjoy your sandwich in the end Frank?

Anyone making anything at the mo?

I hav'nt started my jam yet as I forgot it is me on flower duty at the church again this week. Oh just reminded me. I am going up the shop for the paper and bits and then to the church and see how the flowers are fairing and if I need to do anything to them. It is so cool in the church they usually last the two weeks.

Morning my friends, evening Kim,

Three days running Will. I think you have missed us ;-) ;-)

Very wet night here, and it's still raining.

I slept better last night. I went in before 10.00 and had the radio on for a while. Got out about 3.00 which seems to be my time :-) :-) Then slept till 9.00 am.

I decided to cook myself sausages for a sandwich. All sliced up on the bread and I though "Brown Sauce" got it out and gave it a shake. The plastic top popped open and I shook sauce all over the worktop and my dressing gown. You can imagine the mess and the smell of "brown Sauce" All cleaned up now and dressing gown in the washing basket. :-D :-D :-D I can still smell it in the kitchen !!!

I have Trouping of the Colour on at the moment and it looks like London is dry.
We are the worlds best at this sort of thing. I know the amount of training that goes into Royal Engagements (I have done it myself)

Mel, I think KIM does have a look in from time to time, from what she says when we exchange emails.

Not a great photo of Thomas Jane !!! did he move, or was it your unsteady hand lol

I am sitting here like a zombie my head keeps drooping, so I think I will go back to bed for an hour or maybe a fresh shower will bring some life back to me.

See you later.

Morning/Evening All

What a horrible murky misty kind of day.We must have had some rain in the night but not that much .No thunder and lightening .It is so still outside it feels quite eerie .

Thomas came and miaowed beside the bed at 4.40 this morning...Bless him he needed to go out for a poo.He came straight in again but wouldn't really settle so I put him out at 5.30 and then went back to sleep(eventually )

LOL William .I can just see you rushing to the door when parcels arrive then tucking them away so Carmel doesn't see all :-D :-D :-D...Don't some women do that with new clothes :-D,,and then pretend that they have had whatever is it for ages ;-)....I have never done that ;-) ;-)

Well I need to go and get potatoes and veg so might as well go now.I have a feeling we are all going to feel laxidaisical today with this funny weather.I have the patio doors open and the back door as it is so stuffy.

BBL

Morning all and evening Kim,

I sometimes wonder if Kim still looks into the thread.

Not really a nice morning here but it is dry at this moment in time but how long it is going to stay like this, God only knows.

I see our absent poster has popped in again this morning. I always mean to write lists of jobs but never seem to get them done (lists that is).

Today I am going to make some strawberry jam. I just could'nt resist the smell of the ones they had in the shop yesterday when I went in for some ham. I usually make some each year as you can't beat homemade for taste and they are English strawbs.

Go on William you know you want all the trams and trolley buses and the N W bus. Treat yourself you deserve it. Have you got all your little friends out in the garden this year?

William it is Ann's hubbies parents.

Morning all - notice I didn't say 'good' as it's been bucketing all night and its still raining here.

I've had to back track several pages to catch up fully on Ann & her OH's current plight . What a predicament, my heart goes out to you both. You don't, as far as I can see, say if you have any other family members that can help out.The trouble is, we never know what's around the corner, do we? Things come out of the blue and I'm sure we've all experienced this at some time or another. The other thing that we've found, especially as you get as senior as we are, that when emergencies arise, it's a job to think straight and remember everything. Carmel gets a bit confused and mixed at times here now, especially if it's out of the routine, but so far I've been able to keep her on track. Now she worries about her brother over in Dublin who is trying to cope with his wife's increasing dementia coupled with all her other health problems. Luckily he has a good family support network, but being that he has had the bad health over the years, we worry what strain is being put on him. Like Ann's parents, the pair of them have been 'joined at the hip' over a long and happy marriage, and you mustn't dare mention the 'care home' words to him.

Well, what's to do on a rainy day eh? I think it will be catch up on some jobs around the home for a change. MUST DO - the top of the wardrobes need cleaning badly, I hate that job, why ever didn't we have units that went right up to the ceiling! I'll have to make up a list of jobs - indoor and out- and tick them off as I do them. I've caught up with outdoors for the time being and my planters are slowly coming into bloom. The pyracantha this year is going to be beautiful, it;s full of white flowers now whereas last year there were hardly any.

On my model front, I've put in a bid for the London trolley and a London tram, which were the predecessors of the trolleys where I lived, I have an old photo showing them at Chadwell Heath. The guy selling them on ebay has done me a combined postage deal, so they will be a little less. Jane, I'm still thinking about the N W bus, mustn't let Carmel see too many parcels coming at once!

Okay folks, I'm off to have an omelette and mushrooms now. Maybe look in later.

Thanks for the pic Jane!! That cat looks well ensconced!! We've just been watching Kate Humble. Fabulous programme with stunning scenery; Also seeing how the indigenous people lived their nomadic lives was fascinating. Next week she's in Mongolia which looks equally good.
Both heading for bed, after quite a tiring day!

No Jane there isn't anywhere around here I could go to, with or without Sandra. There is a carers place about 5 miles away that mum said she'd take me to but then she had problems with her heart and has to go for further tests so I never mentioned it again. I think she has enough on her plate without me bothering her.

Sounds like Thomas has made himself at home with you now if you're talking of micro chipping him, I knew you'd fall in love with him as soon as I saw the picture you sent, he looks a lovely cat and is very lucky having you to look after him.

I hope you get a better nights sleep tonight Frank. I bet it was lovely to see Alexander on Skype.....Modern Technology's wonderful isn't it?

It looks like I've started something now with baking my cakes, what with the coffee and walnut cake and now your fruit and spice buns and small cake too Mel.

Signing out now I'm feeling a bit tired and think I'll have an early night

Sods Law, as I finished posting I went outside. The moment I did the heavens opened and it came down like stair rods.

Dr Martin is on and I think I have seen it, also Kate Humble. Will have a look round the channels, and if nothing I will do a Chris. with my book. I hope I get a good night tonight. My eyes are starting to shut already.

See you in the morning.

William ,you enjoy your collecting ...splash out on the NW BUS.You know you want to :-D.You have a wonderful collection.

Well all dishes stacked in the dishwasher now .Thomas is in and it looks like it has just started to rain(just a bit)

Watching Kate Humble now with the Nomads.
See you all in the morning.
Ann I hope you both get a good sleep tonight <3

Sky's looking really black here so i think the rains is on it's way.

It does feel a bit stifling doesn't it Frank.I think we will get it over night.
Would I kick the cat out LOL I had to carry him as he was comatose !!!!.He sleeps so much.I have seen him do a big wee but not the other.I know cats can hang on for ever.Yes he is a good boy :-D I love him to bits already.I think he is definitely here to stay.Chris was saying about getting a cat flap in the summerhouse and also a cat basket !!!.We will need one for when I take him to get microchipped and vaccinated .But I will still wait a few weeks just to make sure he is staying.

Chris has gone up to bed already with his laptop to watch Gardeners World..He has never done that before !!!!
James is on his way home from Northampton now after picking Jess up from the station.So their dinner is in the oven.....I think they have just arrived :-0.He says it poured with rain on the way back.Torrential ..so maybe it is heading this way :-S

That's me Frank, like buses - never one when you need it, then three come along at once :-)

BY GUM AIN'T IT HOT !!!

We have had a shower or two, but nothing to speak of. There is a lot up there so I think we will have a wet night.

I hope you don't mean it literally Jane KICK THE CAT OUT :-D :-D Is he being a good boy now.??

What's the latest on the in laws Ann. That sounds a lot of money for a two week stay. You could have a holiday in the sun for that. !!!

No sleep this afternoon, I sat reading and playing games on my Kindle. I will try to get an early night tonight.

Jan is going to Skype us later to show us Alexander. It's Kerry's birthday today so Jan is sending them out for the evening. She made us laugh when she said I hope he doesn't want a feed while Kerry is out. She is Breast feeding !!! I expect she will leave a bottle for him, should he need it.

The "pulled Pork" was smashing tonight, with new pots, carrots peas and cabbage (Broad Beans for Ros as an extra)

How's Cassie doing Liz, is she still enjoying her training. I bet Iain is at his best, when training, and he enjoys it also.

There's not a breath of air outside. I think I will have a sit on the patio while it's dry and the soaps are on.

Will, this is getting a habit with you. THREE TIMES IN TWO DAYS. Keep well old mate, and love to Carmel <3 <3 <3

Mel, I've pm' d you.

Afternoon everyone
Well the rain hasn't arrived YET.Just a few spots so far.if we do get it ,it is going to be later.it feels like it could be brewing though :-S

Frank have you managed to get a few forty winks this afternoon.Do you think sometimes that you get sleepless nights when you might be overtired from doing all the work in the garden?I don't know if that really makes sense.But just a thought.

Ruby I wouldn't cope in your hot summers.Is it humid as well as hot?That is what I couldn't bare.
Hannah's Hotel in San Antonio is right by the Riverwalk and just a few blocks from The Alamo :-D.I know she has mentioned the River walk.It looks really nice.I'm not sure what free time she will have during the day times because of the Conference.She will be there for 6 nights though so should be able to have a good bit of time to explore.
She is staying by the beach now at La Jolla in San Diego.

Oh Ann my heart goes out to you both. <3I remember too well what it was like with Mum and the tears both Janice and I had .We were called terrible names and told we were no daughters of hers when she realised that we weren't going to be taking her home and leaving her 'IN THIS PLACE' :-( :-(..it was heartbreaking at times but that sadly was just the way it had to be.Mum never settled and was always escaping and getting into any mans car ,and sometimes managing to get a taxi to take her home.
Several times the police had to be called when she went missing,and once she actually turned up at her bungalow .Rang the bell and just walked in asking the new owners what they were doing in her house !!!!!.She just sat down and refused to go .Eventually the lady went next door and asked Mary if she knew who the lady was in the sitting room.Mary went in and and said "Oh Hello Joyce,have you eaten?.Do you fancy going to the pub for some dinner?....That did the trick.Once they got there Mary rang the home and the manager came out to take Mum back again.I could write a book really on all the antics my lovely Mum got up to.
The main thing was though that I knew she was being looked after so well by the girls in the home and I no longer had to worry each time the phone rang (many times a day sometimes from Mum).Before she had to go in to Residential Care I was up and down to Plymouth like a Yoyo and it was exhausting Mentally and Physically.
Having my Sister was such a relief as we would often go together with me picking her up on the way.We had each other to lean on when things were difficult.
That was good as I didn't have to get Chris too involved.It did put a huge strain on our marriage though for a good couple of years.He would come in from a long day at the Surgery and on call and then have to hear me going on about Mum ,wittering and crying etc.Sometimes it was just too much.But we got through :-D,and the relief once Mum was in the home was huge.Life got back to normal once more.

Gill I think you are amazing the way you have been caring for Sandra all these years and not being able to have friends .Is there no where locally where you could go with Sandra and meet others in the same situation as yourself?

Yes Carers young and old deserve far more recognition .I am not sure how good I would be should I ever become a carer.If it was for Chris ...he would be a very difficult customer LOL

Must get something in the oven and kick the cat out :-D

Ann your both going through a very tough time at the moment and my heart goes out to you. It must have been quite a nasty shock for Gordon when his father shouted at him but he must be wondering where MIL is and can't understand why they are apart after being together all those years. <3

Back again - I now know what I've missed trolling through all your posts, and your friendship. Ruby, I'm glad you've got a hat too, that one in my photo was £1.50 in a charity shop but does a double job. It keeps the sun off my bald pate but the way it's made it lets the air circulate. The doc has told me to keep my napper covered in the sun so I don't mind obeying.
I'm a bit of hat fan anyway, I've got two trilby's, one from Coyle's in Dunlin and thicker one which I call my 'winter titfer'. I've got a denim style trilby I use for when I'm in the garden and a few baseball caps around too. Luckily, Carmel likes me in a trilby and says it makes me look 'distinguished ' (maybe she said extinguished!) but I aim to please.

I think most of you know that I collect model vehicles for a hobby. I've now collected a lot of model aircraft associated with my old RAF station at North Weald in Essex including the Meteors and Hunters that were there at mine time and which I worked on. I'm not sure if you saw the model bus that I adapted to suit my old home route at Chadwell Heath, Essex from my younger days there. If not I'll email them out. I also have the Green Line bus model that ran from Brentwood to Aldgate , which we would catch as an 'Express' to Stratford Broadway when we were off to see my Uncle & auntie and family. Now I'm on the hunt for a trolley bus model which terminated at Chadwell Heath and went back up to London. I'll have to change the destination blinds but I have all that info anyway.
I guess as you get older you tend to drawn back to memories of younger days, but I thought they would also be useful for my family to capture their Dad's roots with something tangible.
There is also a London Country bus on ebay which is the one I would catch if I was going back to camp by bus. It was a 3 bus trip so I would have had to get up early in the morning!). I had a sleeping out pass and also had my push-bike on camp, so I could be home to see my folks in an hour by bike, going through the Rodings, Abridge and Chigwell. I think Frank and Mel will know what I'm talking about. Nortth Weald was about 10 miles as the crow flies from my then home and during the war I probably watched 'dog fights' in the sky above which including Spitfires and Hurricanes from both North Weald and Hornchurch. Anyway, I'll probably end up coughing up for the N W bus and Carmel will once again want to know if I've lost my marbles!. Still, it's my hobby and where I get most of my pleasure.

Nuff for now, take care everybody.