General Chat

We found it bitterly cold when we went out too. I couldn't believe my eyes when we got there as the chairs appeared to have had a lot of the seats reupholstered. Also the girl put us on a table for four so we had space for all the dishes. We both ordered the same, a skewer of chicken breast pieces wrapped in a little parma ham and roasted in the oven, a dish of roasted thin slices of vegetables including onion, parsnip, courgette, carrot, peppers and sweet potato and a dish of garlic mushrooms. OH decided he wanted garlic bread too, which I didn't think he'd manage as well, but neither of us could manage to eat everything, but it was nicely cooked and very tasty. No question of wanting any pud, neither of us are used to eating as much now. There were only two other couples there by the time we left, yet other years they have had parties arrive and were busy by the time we have gone. We popped to the shop on the way back and OH is having a rest now and reading his paper.

You both seem to be having one of those days of setbacks Mel and AnnG. Hopefully there won't be any more today..

Mandy I have decided to get some Marigold seeds this year. I want some short ones with single flowers, as in the pandemic those really attracted the orange butterflies. I'm still debating whether to keep my greenhouse when we revamp the back garden or to get a smaller one or use the plastic ones like yours that you can take down in the winter. The hotter summers we get mean more can be grown outside in tubs or pots anyway.

Mel it was good to get some casting done while you were in the mood! The cobwebs are back again aren't they and I swept some off the light fitting in the bedroom this morning and off the curtain pole when I was cleaning the windows.

Better get on with measuring and checking the ensuite drawing now! The new catalogue will be out next month and that's sure to mean prices will go up so I want the order to go in before then. :-)

Yes it was a bit aggravating and then wifi went down which meant not only no garden jobs but no working on the internet either. so I turned it all off and went and had a coffee and when I came back it was all OK again. sometimes I hate technology when it seems to be working against me.
the sun is shining here but it is still very cold outside and my hands are cold indoors.

so with faffing around with the Wifi which caused problems with google which then wanted me to sign in and then refused my password which I knew was correct, went round in circles there as well before it all came back on so I suspect it was all connected.

So nothing much done here today.

What a nuisance Jake was'nt starting today and now you have to wait till Monday. We make our plans and they always seem to get put back a few days.

You know I said Ade was coming tomorrow? well he turned up today. I went up the orchard and asked him what day it was and he said Tuesday, I said it was supposed to be Wednesday by the message I recieved this morning at 6.50am. He told me Lorna had sent the message last night!!! I know they have had trouble with their phones but thats rediculas 18 hurs for a message to get through. Anyway he cleared the rest of the wood out of the orchard and then went and did something outside the wall on the other tree oh had put out there 2 years ago.

Then the shopping arrived really early just as I had mixed up some plaster and I had to give him the box and rush back before it went off. Just managed to do it and went back to the door to say thank you and goodbye to the driver. There were no subs today which was good. Put it all away but never managed to have time to clean the fridge out before it all arrived so still have that to do.

Meantime the sun came out and its quite a lovely day but bitterly cold out. I will send it your way Mandy.

Good the appointment came through quickly and do have a lovely meal out and I hope you find some comfy chairs so you can enjoy your birthday meal.

Right better get some more moulds in as I am feeling like casting and I can put some in and then hoover. I also need to go round with the cobweb brush.

That's annoying it started raining just as you were all set to go out Mandy. Still there's always something needing doing inside as well.

I have hoovered and mopped the ensuite and bathroom floors and cleaned the inside of the patio door glass and lounge window and the glass splashback at the back of the cooker. I've also done a wash so that's those jobs done. A shower next and when we get back from lunch I can sit and check the measurements for the ensuite plan I did and decide on the flooring and walls. I might do a bit outside as well if I'm not too full! :-)

That's a shame Jake won't be starting today AnnG, but at least you've agreed a date when he can start. We have a lot of 'might come in handy' stuff in the shed to get rid of. Our tip is only a mile away, so I've suggested each time we travel that way (it's on the way to the surgery) we just take a couple of items that won't be heavy for either me or us to carry (thinking of his back!) and drop them off there or at the charity shop.

Well, slightly crossed wires today Jake is never clear when he says he is coming. He did get here just on 9am but actually it was just to check out all the jobs to do so that he could go away and do a quote. And they have another job today, he wanted to come either Wednesday or Thursday but I am out so he is coming next Monday now. I think it will take more than a day but we will see. He was quite happy with all the jobs and as usual managed to add another one to the list :-D Hopefully when he clears all the rubbish that T accumulated down the side of the house (the 'might come in useful' stuff, and they have made two new gates it will look a lot smarter down there. It is a tip at the moment.

enjoy your meal out Ann. good that the appointment has come through.

When I was walking round the garden with Jake it was bitterly cold but the sun is coming up now and hopefully it will soon feel warmer.

Well that put pay to our going out in the garden as its raining and we didn't realise it was so cold again so it's indoor jobs .

Ann enjoy your birthday meals out today and I hope you can find the comfy seats lol

Morning All,

We slept well last night and I was awake just before the bin lorry arrived just before 7.00am.

OH was texted with his MRI appointment as promised and which will be next week, so that is quicker than we expected. It is at the private hospital too so easy to park free of charge near the entrance. They must have their own scanner, which we didn't realise. OH is ringing them today to see if he can prebook an appointment with the consultant the following Wednesday for the results.

Today we are going out to the Italian place with uncomfy seats we sometimes go to for our birthdays! We'll be early so we can do some seat swapping and there are some good options on the menu!

I hope Jake can get some of those jobs on your list done AnnG. The sun is coming out here and I ought to see if I can do a few minutes weeding or pruning.

I like to wipe the fridge out while it's got less in before a delivery too Mel. We can't get the twin lamb shank packs from them anymore which is a nuisance and they seem to have gradually have stopped stocking other things we liked too. It's the same with our Co-op who are stocking more and more curry and spicy foods as well as burgers. I suppose the shift in population and also young people's tastes are the reason. It will be good for you to get the rest of the tree taken away.

Better get on with some jobs now I am less of a zombie today. :-)

Morning all,

Nice bright morning here the suns out so we're hoping it keeps dry as we want to paint the front fence .

Ann hope you and OH had a better night's sleep .

Better get on just having a cuppa then we'll get sorted to go outside.

I had'nt read yesterdays posts and see our Gill is back. So nice to see you posting again and so sorry hubby has been unwell. Hope the MRI goes ok and he can have the op as soon as possible. It seems to me that we are all wearing outt on this thread.

Anng I am sure your Robin will stay on its nest as when we had one in oh's workshop years ago he was in and out all the time and the Robins did'nt mind at all. Hope that Jake can get some of your jobs done off your list.

Shopping comes today so I need to clean the fridge out before it arrives.

Morning Anng and all,

Cloudy skies and 6 degrees here pc says cold outside feels like -3. Needless to say iv'e not been out yet.

I had a message this morning at 6.55am to say that Ade is coming tomorrow to take the rest of the tree away. I had been up for the loo and was just laying there and thought it must be asda as they soemtimes message me at about 7 am.

good morning all. a bit chilly this morning at 4 degrees but so far dry. Hoping it stays that way as I have Jake coming this morning. Not sure if he is just seeing what needs doing or intending to start on the list. so I have to be prepared to 'go with the flow'.

Evening all,

Welcome back Gill lovely to see you posting again ,sorry to read about your OH having cancer ,it's good it was caught quickly and that he can have an op all the best to him.
You have still been busy in the garden and bungalow and have lots more to do but once its done you'll be able to sit back and enjoy all your hard work.
How is Sandra ?is she still in her flat with her boyfriend .

Best wishes to OH Ann I hope he's managed to enjoy his day after a bad night .
I bet he found a good book in the bookshop to add to his book shelf :-D

We went to Roys this morning as they had greenhouses on offer and we wanted to get another one as the zip was sticking a bit on the old one and a connection had split too .
We also got some wet and forget,weed and feed some paint for the front fence and two packets of seeds ,Tumbling Tom tomato seed and some of those little marigold seed .
Right I'm posting this now as I just typed this all out before and it just went

Sorry AnnG I missed your post. Thank you for your get well wishes and you Ann.

The Cancer was caught early, he's been on tablets which is helping but they said it would be better to have the operation when he was a bit older as the recovery would be better, not sure why though. It takes a year to recover from the operation so he won't be able to work. Hopefully he'll know when the operation is going to be once this next MRI is done as it's been over a year now. He's had to have blood tests every three months since the start which seem to be improving each time, he thinks it's down to the drugs he's on, but at least that's a positive.

How lovely to have a Robin nesting in your garden. We've noticed a Starling going in and out of the corner of our roof. Last year a blue tit was there so I was surprised to see a different bird this year.

I'll try and post more often and not leave it so long this time. I didn't realise how long it had been since I was last on here there's been so much going on, the time has passed so quickly.

Welcome back Gill. It’s good to see you posting. I’m sorry to hear your OH has problems with his health and hope he gets the MRI scan soon and you don’t have to wait long for the results. It must have been difficult coping with all that while you were still trying to renovate your bungalow and garden. I hope you have kept well and not had too many migraines.

Poor OH, Annx. A bad night like that wasn’t a good start to his birthday but I hope he’s managed to enjoy his day. Please give G my best wishes. I hope you are both able to catch up with some sleep tonight.

I agree with you Gwyn. It is lovely when the garden wakes up from winter and puts on some colour. We have a bed full of an early daffodil called February Gold with lots of Tete A Tete mini daffs in front of them and looking at them always makes me smile.

Nothing in today’s weather to make me smile. The forecast first thing said it would get to 14 degrees with sunny periods. I’ve been up since 7.30 am and haven’t seen even a glimmer of sun and if it got to 14 degrees I’m the Queen of Sheba. Now the weather app is telling me it’s raining - no, it isn’t. I think we’ve skipped a day and got tomorrow’s weather.

I got 3 loads of washing on the line fairly early today and when I brought it in a short while ago it was still quite damp so It’s now hanging all round the house. I’ve also made a start on giving the conservatory a really good spring clean. I’ve been putting it off and saying it will take too long and I haven’t got time but today I decided I’ll do it a little bit at a time and eventually I will have cleaned it all. The higher parts of the roof will have to wait until son or grandson are here as I am not climbing up to the top of the big steps and I’m not keen on OH doing that either. I have some very sturdy kitchen steps and from those I can reach a little way along the roof struts and can reach the top of the windows

I’ve got a couple of phone calls to make so that’s my next job and then I am going to relax with my book for a while.

Sorry to hear about your OH Ann, at least going private is quicker which is good and the insurance will cover the cost. I hope things move along quickly and he's soon feeling much better. I think worrying about what might happen and not having the answers is the worse. I hope he's not to worried, or you either. How are you coping? Good luck with his MRI on Friday.

OH has his MRI this coming Sunday, he should of had it last month and after a lot of phone calls he finally got in touch with them and they sent a text with the date this month. Better late than never, although he should never have had to chase it up himself in the first place. He's not been able to have his blood test before the MRI as the next available blood appointment was the middle of next month which would of been to late. He's going to ask about it when he goes to the hospital on Sunday, hopefully he'll get an appointment in time for his consultation about the MRI results which is normally a few weeks later.

We've been busy trying to get our kitchen done the units are in but it still needs tiling. I'm trying to sort the walls out as there is something on them which prevents anything sticking to it and we don't know what it is. We had the same problem in the bathroom and ended up chiseling it all off. What a mess that was so if we can avoid doing that again we will. At the moment I'm sanding the walls in the hope that works. The problem is it's a very long job so I still haven't finished it yet. Never mind I'm sure it'll look lovely when it's finished.

We have had the lower bricks of the property sorted at they were all falling apart, we also had the path taken away at the same time, although we wished we hadn't of had the pathway done as we can't find anyone to put in a new grid so we can put the pathway back. We did have someone around last week to take a look, he said he'd be in touch with a quote but we haven't heard anything back. I rang him the other day and a woman answered his phone as he was in the shower, she said he'd ring me back but he hasn't, so we assume he doesn't want the job and now we're back to square one.

We have had the large tree taken down at the bottom of the garden which looks so much better and a stump grinded away on the other side of the garden, so apart from three small plants to take out the garden is cleared....finally :-) The big trees we left have lovely white blossom on them which the birds love eating. I hope they leave us some flowers to look at. lol

We're decorating the living room at the moment so we can finally use it. It's been used as a storage room since we moved in, so now it's cleared it looks much better. I bought some net curtains as the blinds were to expensive and I needed something at the windows. I need to shorten them slightly and then we can use the room without us feeling like we're in a gold fish bowl. OH has just finished painting the living room walls and I'm going to paper the chimney breast, then it's just the glossing to do and a carpet to buy, some furniture, plus a fire then it'll be done. So a little way to go yet.

So as you can see we're still very busy.

Going to add some people to my tree now, I've just made contact with a cousin I didn't know I had and she gave me some information.

Well, that is a nice surprise to see gill. I thought we had lost you for good.
I am sorry to hear that your OH has prostate cancer and hope he can soon get sorted with the MRI and chemo. Hopefully it has been caught early.
Gosh that is a big garden, best to work on a small area at a time. a pity that the fence became unstable in the storms, Maybe it need to be one with concrete posts to stay firm. It is good though to have a fence to keep your privacy.
I hope it won't be too long before you post again. I hope all goes well for your OH, Keep us in touch.

Ann Ah, yes the consultancy obviously was better than the NHS, especially comparing it with my experience. I hope he hears soon of a date for the MRI anyway.
I walked down to Irene's with two bags of clothes for charity but I really need to have another go at the wardrobe as I am sure there must be more stuff.
Cheeky robin is still using that nest despite me going round there I suddenly saw a little head peeking out. The nest is level with my eyes so is quite low down. Cats couldn't get up there and magpies don't tend to fly in there. It is just humans. I am hoping they will become accustomed to me moving around. As long as I don't go to take anything from the shelves which is not likely.

Hi Gill,

It's lovely to see you posting as I was thinking of you at Christmas. I'm sorry to hear your OH has Prostate Cancer and can imagine that it has been a difficult time for you both and waiting for results is horrid. Hopefully his treatment will be started soon and fingers crossed he won't have to wait for long for the MRI. It sounds like he is getting pain with the rheumatism/arthritis in his spine too which can't be good when you have had such a big job renovating your bungalow and re-doing your garden.

My OH is waiting for an MRI scan too following back and neck pain that started last summer, but he also had a cardiac arrest at home 6 weeks ago. He's doing ok though and has a heart checkup on Friday.

I've passed on your kind birthday wishes to OH and he says to thank you all. :-)

No, private is being much quicker than the NHS in this case AnnG. The NHS waiting time just to see a consultant was 18 weeks and he saw someone privately in less than 2 weeks. He spoke to them at the private hospital earlier today and they needed to ask a lot of questions due to the cardiac arrest eg you can't have an MRI scan if you have a pacemaker as the scanner uses magnets. The lady he spoke to expects to ring him this afternoon or tomorrow with a date for his MRI scan. The scan for his spine, which will take 90 minutes, will cost £1,500!! With the cost of the consultations it will be just within what the small private insurance will cover, so that is good to know, It's 10 degrees here now and was really chilly earlier, but no rain so we stayed dry doing our errand. I have sorted a box in one of the top cupboards in here, some glass paints had solidified so can go and there was a box full of blank DVDs to record what you want on, some unopened. I'd forgotten I had them and don't seem to be able to play the few ones I had recorded on on W11. I was going to bin them but will check if they are in demand on Ebay first.

I'd better get a wash on now and help OH get the bins down our steepish drive as the recycling is full and heavy this time.

Hi All

Happy Birthday G, hope you have a lovely day

Sorry it's been so long since I was last on here, my OH has got Prostate Cancer so as you can imagine this past year or so has been really hard. He has another MRI at the end of this week so it's a bit of a worry until he gets the results.

He will have to have an operation at some point and chemo but he's not sure when yet. Hopefully they'll tell him on his next consultation after the MRI.

He started with a pain in his back on Christmas Day and thought the Cancer had spread. It hasn't and turned out to be two compressed vertebrae plus he has arthritis and rheumatism in his spine too.

We're still trying to sort this place out and have almost finished getting all the garden cleared, it's taken over 4 years but is looking much better even if it is full of building materials we've found in the garden which we're hoping to use. It's such a big garden 90 foot long and over 80 foot wide. We put a fence along the back where the fields are but it became wobbly with all the storms we had, so we might have to take it down and have another stronger one put up instead. We'll probably pay someone to do that though as it's to much for OH and I to do ourselves.

Sorry to be all doom and gloom. I haven't read any of the posts so I hope everyone is okay.

Happy birthday G.
Sorry you both had a bad night Ann. any idea when the MRI will materialise? Seems private is not a great deal better than NHS. Hope you both have a nice day for his birthday anyway.
we have had some very light rain, almost not worth mentioning except it is the first for a while. Temp is 8 with a high of 14 degrees expected.

I have showered and washed my hair and stripped the bed (not re-made yet though) and the bedding is in the drier. I have also done a bit of paperwork/admin and am now going to get a coffee.
Yes Gwyn the spring flowers are a welcome site and do re-pay the hard work. :-)

Morning all I overslept this morning.

Grey skies I'm afraid at the mo but it was brighter when I got up. Pc is teling me rain to stop but Iv'e not seen any this morning and its 12 degrees. Positively sweltering!!!

Sorry to hear you had a bad night Annx please give him my love for a lovely day.

Iv'e amended my asda order and had a wash and thats about it so far today. I want to get my hair washed today and thats always an ordeal.

The deer have eaten a lot of my crocus in the orchard but seem to have missed the ones further up the snowdrop patch, the original patches leaves have all got straiaght across ends to their leaves its either them or rabbits.