General Chat

Did you mean 91 Ann?! You said 19!!!!

It sounds like you had a great time at the beading today Anne. Did the pony end up safe in the end? I hope so.

I'm just watching the news, I missed some of it this morning and OH hasn't seen it at all, they're saying the death toll is 129 now and there's lots of people injured.
Going to bed when it's finished, so I'll say goodnight.

See you all tomorrow
Night Night

Night all.

Morning all and evening Kim,

Horrid day yet again. Dull overcast and raining so nothing new there.

How is everyone today? Did you all sleep well?

I had a couple of glasses of port last night and went out like a light.

Morning Mel, morning all

Dull but dry here today, the wind got up a lot last night and now there are quite a lot of apples on the lawn, shall have to pick them all up later.

I was like you Mel, the night we went to the garden centre, I had some mulled wine and slept like a baby that night lol.

I'm just about to wrap up all the Christmas presents I've bought so far. I'll do Sandra's later as she want to do the ones she's got for me, so she'll be in one room and I'll be in another, but first we are together in the living room where it's warm to wrap up her dad's and the other member's of the family's.

I didn't realise how much there is to do :-D :-D It'll keep us busy for the day. I want to get them all wrapped up and hidden before the boiler goes in on Friday. I didn't like the idea of them being all over the spare bed where they could be seen.

What's everyone else got planned for the day?

See you all later <3

Morning All

Ann it sounds like a great day was had yesterday at the Beading :-D..What a brilliant idea to make a 'posh poppy' for next year :-D..I hope that the Pony was caught and got back to where it had come from.Poor thing must have been very scared on the Carriageway with all that traffic.

I'm not sure I would fancy cleaning that Brass Lion.I got rid of any thing brass here lol

It was so windy in the night that it woke me up a few times when there was a big gust.
It's still blowing a gale now but at least we have no rain and it is very mild.

Anne I can imagine that you must worry about your Brother when he is away in these Major Cities.I worry sometimes about Hannah in London.But all we can do is hope that they will never be in the wrong place at the wrong time should somethnig like the Paris Attacks happen again.

Gill I could really make a start on wrapping a few Xmas Presents but don't think I will just yet.I always like to get my cards written and done first.Maybe I will start some this afternoon.

I have just realised Ihaven't cleaned my teeth yet and they are feeling all yucky so that is what I am going to do now.

Well, the plans for the order of wrapping up the presents has changed. Sandra couldn't wait to wrap mine up, so she's took herself off to her room and is happily wrapping. She had her eye on some Christmas paper she liked and didn't want it all used up on other people, so she's using that....to be fair she's not used it all and has left me a bit of the nice ones which I'm going to use on her presents. One of them is a Victorian one I found last year but never used, so I'm pleased she chose that one. I love anything Victorian.

I've just found a CD. It was a free one from a newspaper, I got years ago.....Frank Sinatra. I love his voice and it's lovely listening to the Christmas carols in the background....very Christmasy <3.
I will make a start on the Christmas card list after the presents are wrapped up if there's enough time, otherwise that'll be a job for another day.

I'd like to send you a Christmas card Anne and David if that's ok with you, but I would need your address to post them too. If you'd like me to send you both a card could you PM me your address's please. Don't put them on here as anyone can see them, so best to be careful and personal message me them instead.

I'm just listening to Silent Night, it's so lovely, I could listen to him all day, everyday <3 It's just gone onto the first noel and the CD has white Christmas on it too.
It's very Christmasy here :-) and very relaxing.

The sun has just come out, but it's still very windy here and there are a lot of clouds around, so I expect it might rain again later.

Well, I'd better get to the wrapping, our living room is full of presents and wrapping paper :-D :-D
BBL

I have to confess that I haven't given Xmas a seconds thought! It's much too early for me as I've never reckoned to get round to it till the first week in December, which is plenty soon enough for us as it can drag on a bit!!! We're not great ones for lots of presents, the girls have money now as they're of an age (15 and 12) when they are very definite about what they do or don't like!! which just leaves little boy. We adults only give token gifts, which for us is enough.
Very windy here, but dry and mild. Must get on and put the lunch on.

Afternoon all, Late on parade today.

I stayed up to watch Midsummer then Lewis, so it was after midnight before I went in. Saturday night Radio is all MODERN JAZ, which I can't stand, so I just get into bed and try to sleep. Ros was in before 1.00 am (which is a change) Apart for a wee trip I slept till after 9,00 am. Very late for me.

After my shower I put my dressing gown back on and did the veg for dinner tonight. Nice piece of PORK with apple sauce (we have plenty of that) lol lol.

Ros has been sorting all the material she has for these children's blankets. She recons she has enough for 30 yes 30 blankets. She has cleared the dinning room table of her Machine and box's. Now she is going to start more Jewellery.

Sixteen pages of the paper today taken up with the Paris disaster. How the people must be feeling today is anyone's guess. I think the time is shortly coming where the free world with take it upon themselves to really take action, to rid the world of all this trouble. (I bet that gets edited by GR) But that is not only my opinion

:-( :-( :-(

Black clouds all around today, but as yet no rain, but boy oh boy was that wind strong last night.!! I expect rain before too long.

How's Cassie and Thomas, and all the other pets (don't know names of all) coping with all this bad weather. Not wanting to go out no doubt :-D :-D They look out, and do an about turn. That's what mine use to do. ;-) ;-) ;-)

I haven't even thought about Christmas yet. Apart from getting some bits for when we invite friends round before they go off to Tenerife on the 10th Dec. I must ask Ros if I have a box of cards for all my friends. !!!

Hoovered through this morning with Henry. He does give me backache and just as I did the last bit his pipe fell off again. Iv'e a good mind to stick it in with glue.

Glad you had a good nights sleep Frank. Perhaps it was because Ros came in early and you could settle more.

Had our big breakfast and I am just about to start on the things again so I shall pop in later.

Mel I have 2 hoovers.The big heavy duty Dyson for downstairs and a light weight one for upstairs .The one upstairs is quite good but like yours the pipe bit keeps coming apart :-S..it is so annoying and frustratingand it brings out the bad language in me :-S :-S.

Frank Thomas is out and about at the moment.I let him out just before 6 and was surprised he went easily with all the wind blowing.Then he was back in just after 10 for a snack and a sleep.He has been gone now since 1.30.Still no rain .I don't think we are actually forecast any today,or if we are it won't be much.

That is going be a lot of lovely blankets for the children :-D.Well done Ros.

I have just had the cobweb brush out and gone around all the walls and ceilings in here.My goodness some of the ones I got out from behind one of the big units must have been almost a couple of feet long !!!!!!.The trouble with having light coloured walls ans ceiling is that you can't see the blooming things.In some places it was just a big covering of web :-| I think tomorrow will be doing more of the same in other rooms.
I will have to make sure Hannahs room is done as Janice is coming to stay for few days on Saturday.She is a lot more houseproud than me and probably thinks I'm a right old mucky pup lol
I can't see me doing any cards today.I need to be in the right frame of mind .I have got as far as finding the list of cards received last Xmas :-)
Chris has managed to get a bonfire done .It was just really loads of cardboard .Good job the incinerator has a proper lid otherwise sparks would have been flying in this wind.

I really don't know what the answer is as to how to deal with these crazy terrorists .I just hope to god that Intelligence (or whatever it is called ) can stay one step ahead whenthey have information and can prevent another massacre like in Paris.Sadly though I don't see that being possible :-(

I found myself watching so much coverage (it almost becomes a bit addictive) hearing more and more accounts from survivors I couldn't stop the tears so had to switch the TV off.

On a lighter note Get Me out of here starts tonight :-D..Chris groaned when he realised .He hates it.I do love to watch everyone go into the Jungle but then watch just bits and pieces of the series.I have a feeling there could be some big argy bargy's with some of this lot .I think a bit of lighthearted entertainment might just a be a good thing right now
:-D

Next door has been shooting.It is either them or 2 doors up.Normally we would have a Pheasant or 2 taking refuge in our garden but so far I haven't seen any.

Think it is time for a cuppa.

It's nice to hear you've had a good nights sleep Frank for a change, I bet you feel better for it. Yes I can imagine you have LOTS of apple sauce, like me now lol. I love pork and enjoyed the roast pork we had the other day.
That sounds like a lot of blankets Ros is making, she's going to be busy for a while I don't blame her for having a break and doing some jewellery

Glad to hear Thomas is ok with the weather, but then he spends a lot of time outside so is probably used to it, especially if he had to look after himself before he became part of your family Jane.

No rain here yet but it is very dark and the wind is terrible, so much so there are hardly anymore apples left on our big apple tree. I decided to leave them on the ground for now incase more fall off while I'm under the tree......don't fancy any falling on my head.

OH's presents are all wrapped up now and Sandra has wrapped up the one's she's got me (Out of sight from me of course lol) I'm going to make a start on everyone else's now while I watch the F1 race. They do a lot of talking at the beginning of the programme, so that should give me some time to put OH's presents away and bring the rest through to do.

They're doing a 1 minute silence in remembrance of all the victims of the Paris attacks on the F1 programme I'm watching.

Sandra would never forgive me Liz if I left Christmas till December. I always make a start around this time of year and she gets so excited. I think it might be because the Christmas films have started, so it's got her in the mood. It's nice that she enjoys Christmas so much, it's like having a youngster here every year and keeps the magic of the season going.

I'll be putting the tree up on my birthday as I have nothing else planned, so that'll please her, although that is the end of November so not far off December. The boiler goes in three days before so I don't have to worry about workmen and mess everywhere, they'll be enough glitter and snow as it is.

I have a snow tree and normally put around 400 lights on it, so Sandra can't wait for the day to arrive and has already organised us with what CD's she wants putting on. She has a more Christmas party type one she likes to listen to when we decorate the property, so I don't think my quiet Frank Sinatra CD will do for that occasion.....So long as she's happy that's the main thing ;-) ;-) ;-) <3 <3 <3

Nothing would induce me to watch Get me out of here Jane!! OH would have a complete fit, and think I'd lost it!!
Will you still be moving Gill? or will you stay put now your boiler and insulation are being upgraded? Seems a pity to leave it for someone else.
I've.just got a Dyson Rollerball, which is now about 6 years old but still does the business very satisfactorily.
To be honest Gill, we could quite happily let Christmas pass us by these days and not bother at all. Maybe we'll feel differently nearer the time, but certainly not this early!

:-D :-D Liz I knew Get me out of here would be a big No No for you LOL
Chris always says I have lost it with the cr*p(his words) I watch....I don't just watch rubbish. :-D
So Gill it will soon be all go decorating your home and the tree :-D..Sandra will be beside herself with excitement .
I get the tree about 10 days to a week before Xmas.For years now it has been me and James who go and choose the tree.It has become the tradition.
When the children were younger we would put the Carols on pour a glass or 3 of Sherry and then set too decorating the tree.(Sherry for me and Chris :-) ) The children would help with the decorating having arguments as to where to hang the baubles then they would get fed up and it would be left to us 2.Happy days.
Now it seems to be left to me to decorate the tree after I have dragged Chris in to help get the lights on.That is just the worst bit and i find myself getting quite stroppy with all the fiddling about to get them all in the right place .
We have only had an artificial tree once and that was when Chester was a pup.But if I was to suggest having another artificial one I know it wouldn't go down well.We don't put other decorations up like in the old days with loads pinned into the ceiling .All the lantern ones with tassels .(Remember them?).Yards and yards of Paperchains too !!!.Then the glue would come unstuck on one and it was 'all fall down' :-S
Chris bought Crackers the other week with wind up Reindeer in .We had them last year and had great fun racing them across the dining table :-D

I better get cracking with dinner.Slow Roasted Rolled Beef Brisket ,Baby Turnips,and Carrots,Roated Charlotte Potatoes,Greens and maybe Yorkshire Pudd if I have any Aunt Bessies lurking in the freezer.Plus lots of gravy :-D.....No comments on me not making my own yorkshires :-P

I think this is it Jane, years ago when the children were little or even at home! my parents, and my two uncles were alive, my cousins and aunt living only living a few miles away, it was such a happy time, but now they're either dead, living the other side of the world, or miles away, Xmas hasn't the sparkle it once had! We always, when the children were young, went on an Xmas walk about a week before Xmas, to collect greenery and collect the tree. Like you we all helped decorate with the usual squabbling!! and always finished up doing it ourselves!! We don't put up a anything like the decs we used to year's ago. Memories of paperchains take me back!!!! also Santa's made out of loo rolls and cottonwool and the holy family complete with manger, donkey, angels, wise men, parents and baby Jesus, usually on a bedroom window sill, all homemade!!! Trouble is, for us it's not the same any more.

Jane we had those crackers last year I got them from Amazon they are fun and I have a drawer full of cracker bits from previous years so these made a good alternative.

Gill does Sandra put up any decorations in her bedroom?

I have never watched "Get Me Out Of Here" the only ones I watch are" Strictly" and the" Bake Off" but I'm not bothered if I miss them. I don't watch any of the soaps either.

We have our Sunday roast earlier as the girls go home about 5 they have just left now as Paul & Richard are off to Ice hockey and they drop them off on the way.
I bought a large joint of beef which they had on offer at Sainsbury it cost about £13.00 I cut it half and put one half in the freezer it was more than enough for the 4 of them and Amy and the cats shared what was over. I don't eat red meat but I could tell by the way it carved it was very tender. I have paid about that for a medium joint so it was a good saving, I really must sort out my freezer out as every week I have a struggle to get the new stuff in, I think I could probably miss a weeks shopping and still be o.k apart from the animal food and cleaning bits. Even then if I thought about it I could stock up. As the shopping is delivered it wouldn't be a problem. I intend to go to Aldi soon to get a couple of their Turkey crowns to keep by, we always have a fresh one for Christmas day but its handy to have a couple of spares in. I would get my fresh veggies from there if I gave Sainsbury delivery a miss

It so peaceful hear at the moment ,the cats have just had their tea, I heard he cat flap open so one of them has gone out.

Frank I agree with you about modern Jazz, back in the 1980's we used to have 3 weekends of festivals at the Arts Centre one of them being Modern Jazz I could never tell the difference between performing and warming up. My favourite was the Folk festival, the third one was the Classical but a lot of that was in the Theatre or Recital room, One year to make use of the marquees they put on a real ale festival mid week which was a bit of a disaster as they ran out of Ale about 4 pm, :-D :-D

I,m not keen on Aunt Bessies yorkshire I prefer Morrisons ones. Thats only if I don't make them myself during the week with a small Lamb roast. I have a nice piece of shoulder of lamb which I must get out for tomorrow.

Just finished another one and made two more main pieces just one to go now.

The Christmas crackers sound great Jane, where did Chris get them from? Sandra would love them and I'd like to get them as a surprise for her. She'd enjoy racing them and it's something a bit different isn't it?

I've had an artificial tree for years and treated us to a really good snow one a couple of years ago. The snow only comes off a bit when we take it out of the box and put the lights on, but after that it's great.

Sandra and I have a little drink along with the music when we decorate the tree. I don't bother putting the decorations up on the ceiling, as like you said they fall down most of the time, plus they leave marks in the ceiling, but I do try and do all sorts of other things around the rooms, including putting a small fibre optic tree in Sandra's bedroom, which is decorated with baubles and tinsel, plus I have a small angel that she puts at the top. She had it last year and wants it again this year, so why not, if it makes her happy.

We both love lights and our place looks like a grotto by the time we've finished. It can take me weeks to get it just right.....I call it tweaking LOL, but it all looks lovely in time for the big day. I've not really had the Christmas spirit as much since Michelle left, but I know I have to make the effort for Sandra's sake and this year I feel a bit better than I did last year, so I'm starting to get into it now.

I've wrapped up all OH's present and helped Sandra wrap up her friends presents, so I'll have to finish mine off another day as I've had enough for one day and still have the rest of the family's to do.

I must admit I don't like I'm a celebrity either Liz, but do like it when they go down the water slide near the end of the show, it's the only bit I watch. It's being recorded in the other room, so OH and Sandra will watch it in there......it really isn't my kind of thing. All they do is eat horrible things, or have creatures crawling all over them, yuk. I used to watch it when it first came on as it wasn't to horrible to watch and quite funny in parts, but then it started getting a bit gross, so I went off it.

We still want to move Liz but until this place is sold I'm afraid we're stuck here, so we might as well get the jobs done and get the benefit ourselves until this place is sold, not that we get a choice with the boiler LOL and the insulation will put my mind at rest about the pipes freezing. Luckily, because we qualify for grants, it doesn't cost us anything and I assume the jobs will add more appeal and possible value for any potential buyers in the future...Well, let's hope so anyway.

I've just heard yet more fireworks, it's been almost every night, since before bonfire night. We saw a nice display of them last night, but if you can't see them it's just very noisy. I feel sorry for our neighbours dog, he doesn't like them and gets frightened.....bless him <3

Going to watch Strictly with Sandra now, we forgot we'd recorded it and it's back on again soon.

Cas has started picking up her teddy, quacker or whoever, running round with it groaning and grunting to herself!! OH has started doing it back to her and having quite a chat!!! I just touched my forehead and said 'little things!!!'
Countryfile on at the moment. Sometimes it's interesting, sometimes not!! but you always get a good weather forecast!

I agree with you Liz, the weather report on Countryfile is probably the nearest to the truth. They said we were going to get lots of rain today, but so far we've had none. I haven't seen the weather report on Countryfile, but I guess they probably got it right. Not that I'm complaining about no rain, but we tend to plan days out around the weather, so it's a good job we hadn't made any plans for today.

It sounds like Cas is having a great time with Quacker. I did laugh when you said little things :-D :-D :-D. How did Cass react when your OH started doing it back to her? I remember meowing to one of our cats, she was very vocal, not a quiet cat at all and the first time I did it, she shut up and looked quite confused.....I haven't a clue what I was saying to her, if anything, but at least we got a few minutes peace and quiet. She was a lovely cat though, such a character and when she passed away it was so quiet around the place :-(