General Chat

I did watch it Gill...Blooming fantastic wasn't it :-D :-D..To see him looking so calm cool and collected giving the thumbs up with a big smile on his face.I got a bit emotional to be honest.All those school childen at The Science Museum were all so excited.I bet they will be difficult for the teachers now to get them back down to earth :-D :-D ;-)

Just off to Fitz now so will be back in a few hours.

Morning all, Evening Kim.

Thanks to everyone who has sent me a Christmas Card, Hope you are all well ,

just damp today, and fairly mild, which is much better than that heavy frost we had.


I went down in to town this morning to buy some Christmas bags, Jake , Katherines partner wants to start painting on canvas again so I got him some canvases and paint, brushes etc,and I needed a big christmas bag for those things
Jake is going up to Inverness to be with his family this year as his dad is very poorly so he felt he had to be with him ,
Katherine is working up till Wed 23 Dec so will be with us this Christmas, first Christmas they have been separated since they have been together in the last 6 years,

The grandkids had a great time in George square, Glasgow at the weekend, there is a fun fair and a undercovered ice rink which has been erected for Christmas, Sofia got the chance to skate or rather fall down whichever it was at the time, and Matteo got to play on the fun fair as children under 6 are not allowed on the ice.
They are getting really excited now for Christmas, school nativity's are over and Sofia has only got the school pantomime to go to on Thursday,

Coffee time I think :-D :-D

Afternoon all,

Well Doctor has checked me all over again this morning, and has ordered another blood test for Friday. Then I MUST speak to a doctor a few days later when the results are back. Hope there's nothing untoward.

He looked at my bitten legs, and just said carry ON WITH THE CREAM AND TABLETS. (bloo#y cap lock)

We have been to Earls Barton to Mum and Dads Grave and replaced the wreath and flowers. The Stone needs a good scrub down, So it the better weathers that will be a job for me, I went to get a watering can of water, so I could try to clean around the base. There were 5 cans last year on hooks by the tap. This year there is ONE without a handle !!! What do people do with them ???


The fog was very bad up there, and the damp just crept into your bones. We were glad to get back in the car and get warm.

I am just having a nice hot coffee.

We sat and watch the launch of the rocket. Within 62 seconds it was travelling at over 1,250 MPH and a little later was going ay over 5,000 MPH. What an experience. I was so pleased to see it go off without a hitch.

Someone has sent us something in the post that has to be collected from the depot, as they hadn't put enough postage on it £2.00. So if we want it we have to do a 20 mile round trip. I will try to catch out local postie, and see if he can collect it for us.

I'm doing nothing for the rest of the day other than keep warm and watch Nature programmes on Nat. Geo.

See you later.

Good afternoon everyone

I watched the rocket launch as well, it must have been very emotional for his family
I remember watching the moon landing all those years ago, at the time all three sons had chicken pox and I was applying calamine lotion to the spots.

I floss my teeth nearly everyday and use an electric toothbrush twice a day, I have had all my wisdom teeth out as they were impacted but other than that I have been lucky,

Gill your scenic village will look lovely you are clever to fit the lights in as well.

Good luck with your blood test Frank, I go on Thursday for the one the doctor wanted a review on re the shortage of sodium in the last one.

I hope you enjoyed your lunch with Fitz, Jane.

When Ann posted re sayings we don't here anymore it got me thinking of things that are said now which you wouldn't have heard then.

"Singing from the same hymn sheet"
"Thinking outside the box"
"Out of their comfort zone"

I am sure there must be many more.

It's raining again here and not at all cold, there was a heron by the pond this morning but as I saw it land I frightened it away before any harm was does.

Morning All,

Yes I watched the preparations and the rocket launch too. The film of the astronauts inside was so good and detailed this time. I remember a couple of years ago us going out at night to watch the space station go across the sky and marvelled at the fact people were up there in it!! The 3d film about the ISS was fantastic too.

Many thanks for your lovely Christmas card Ruby!

Liz is right about my teeth being the same. I use the interdental brushes but haven't got an electric toothbrush.....well not yet anyway! :-) I don't have my teeth cleaned by the hygeinist now as they are too sensitive. The last time they were done at a previous dentist they put numbing gel on them. I have been told before though that I don't seem to get plaque on my teeth which is good, but they do get a bit stained (too much tea!). The gums haven't bled for years now and, as Liz says, the teeth tighten up once the gum inflammation goes. It's just my top teeth that are affected, that are like mum's were and she lost all her teeth in her early 50s.

I hope you feel a bit better soon Mel. I would send OH with a shopping list and put up with any wrong items he may get.

We had the fav carvery today so now I'm deskbound doing paperwork! I was going to be up early and go to the retail park at Grantham this morning, but OH kept me up late watching progs we'd recorded and I was too tired to get up early enough. I'm going to try again tomorrow. :-)

I hope you get your little village done today Gill. I bet Sandra loves it.

WELL I am all booked up to go to Tenerife from 8th to 15th January. I don't want any nasty remarks from you know who. I can't really afford it, but what the HELL. I might not be here next year. !!!! :-D :-D :-D ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) We fly out at 1.35 pm and arrive back at 11.10 on the 15th We are flying from East Midlands for the first time.

I am now looking for someone local to take us and fetch us back. It's only 50 odd miles and shouldn't take more than a hour. The arrival time back might be a bit off putting for anyone who likes an early light. :-( :-( :-(

Still very miserable here today. It's almost dark with all this mist and fog.

There's many more Anne, not all well meant, example not a full shilling.

When you get past a certain age and all your bills are paid and you have no
mortgage, do think it's a good idea raising sums of money on your home?
A world cruise for two and other indulgences are very expensive but not unattainable.
The heirs in my will already own their own homes so wouldn't lose out
Any ideas. Could I sell my half of this bungalow or would that be grossly unfair on E?
Just notions I entertain from time to time......

Filthy Filthy day here.Like you said Frank it gets into your bones.I had a lovely couple of hours down wth Fitz.His tree is as big as usual but seems to droop a bit on the branches on one side.It still looks lovely.I have taken a few pics doen there.Will have a look and see if they are worth forwarding on.We sat and looked through some old photos of our two families together when the children were young.Us grown ups look so old now !!!!!.It is scary LOL

Fiona that must have been great fun for Sofia and Matteo at the weekend.I love these pop up skating rinks .They have a good one at Beckworth Emporium here with Model Penguins for the young ones to hold on to while they try and skate :-D.

It is difficult for couples to split themselves between families at Chistmas time.The ideal thing is to spend one year with one family and the next with the other.This year Jess will be here again.James flatly refuses to go to her family this year as there is always some drama e.g. arguments .He says Xmas is not fun there.Jess is really looking forward to being here.I don't think her Mum is too happy about it though !!!.
Hey Ho! families eh!!!!!!

Frank that is a lovely holiday to look forward to.Especially at that time of year.It might not be boiling hot but it is going to be much better weather than here :-D.I have only flown from East Midlands once and that was to Edinburgh.it is a nice small airport.Not that far from our Ann.I bet you could get a reasonable price for a taxi or private car to get you home from there.

Ann I had numbing Gel last month at the Dental Hygienist as I was nearly going through the roof with sensitivity on a couple of my teeth.It worked a treat :-D
Liz I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed at the samt time.It was 2 weeks after i was married.We got back from Honeymoon and the next day I was in hospital to have a general anaesthetic to have them out.I looked like a Hamster for a couple of weeks. :-S :-S.Not a god look for a newly wed !!!!
I am trying to think of old sayings
Is don't give two hoots one?

Chris has just walked in so I better go and see how his lunch was.
BB Soon

You lucky old thing Frank! It'll be something nice to look forward to, and do you both good.
Shopping successful!! It's beautiful and I'm chuffed!! Nothing wanted in return apparently!!! Maybe OH is collecting brownie points for another day!!! I'm a bit suspicious!!!!!!
I agree with you Ann, I would certainly send OH off with a shopping list, and put up with any mistakes, or do it on line If I felt too tired or run down to go, else we'd go without!!!
It's quite dark here and raining, really miserable! Duck, smash and peas for supper, so not too much preparation or clearing!!

Goodness, David, I don't think anyone can advise you over matters of finance! I think you'd have to discuss it with your OH, and then take professional advice. I think most of us on here have children and grandchildren, so would probably look at things in a different light anyway.
Yes Jane, who goes where at Xmas can be difficult!! Years ago when our two were small we went to my parents on the day, aunt and uncle + cousins on boxing day, mil the day after that! Xmas day was always ok as we stayed, usually for two nights as we all did the same on boxing day. Mil used to get a bit peeved at times though as she never had Xmas day with us!! She did have four other grandchildren who she did turn about with on the two main days, and as my parents only had the two, old mil had to put up with it!!!

Frank how lovely to look forward to a trip to Tenerife re being able to afford it one of my friend's daughters said to her "mother there are no pockets in a shroud" this was when Margaret was thinking of going whale watching, She did go and really enjoyed it.

When we were first married we always had Christmas day at my parents, Peter's Mum worked at a hospital most Christmas's so we went there Boxing day, when we moved to Bracknell they use to come to us.

DAVID ..be very wary about doing something like that...My Aunty Betty did this .I might get confused now but this is the gist of what happened.
She had a fair amount of savings but didn't want to spend it as she thought she would leave it to me and my sister.So she took out this policy on her house where she was paid a couple of hundred pounds a month from a company who had an 'interest 'in her house.She believed that she still owned her house.On her death I was given one week to clear her house and hand all keys to this company !!!!!!!.....She had all her marbles but I believe was completely mislead by this company.I am just so glad she never knew that she had basically given up ownership to her own house.
I hope all that made sense.

Forgot to say Frank, good luck with your blood test, You're very good to keep an eye on your health, a stitch in time, and all that!!!
Heavens Jane, that surely is a salutary tale!!! Anything to do with finance, imo, you need to take proper advice from a reputable company or the Bank. Our ex DiL is a financial advisor for one of the big four, so we always get advice from her, but you do have to be very careful.
OH is trimming Cassies hair in readiness for tomorrow! This horrid weather, she gets so wet and muddy, so a hair cut is in order!!

Just spoken to John and the Temp out in Tenerife is 34 degrees today, so a little warmer than we have here :-D :-D

David, There are certain companies who offer loans against the house, BUT. I think the best person to speak with is your ex Mortgage Company. They would no doubt be pleased to rearrange a mortgage on your property at very reasonable rates. With a monthly payment that you and E would be able to afford, and you would not have to live in fear of a repossession if someone passed away. At the end of the day it's up to you and Ellen what you do. BUT PLEASE BE CAREFULL who you turn too.

It's now raining like there's no tomorrow (that's another old saying) So not an evening to be out (Ann's OH comes to mind) if he has a match on somewhere. ;-) ;-)

Pulled pork and roasted veg for tonight, followed by a sticky toffee pudding with cream.

Don't forget the space update tonight.

Evening all,

Been a murky day here and we've had a nasty drizzle all day ,by early afternoon it was more like night time and we've had the lights on here all day !!

We're off tomorrow for our christmas lunch with sister and BIL at least my cough has calmed down a bit during the day but i have coughing fits at night .

Hubby bought me a new phone today ,it's my christmas present ,my other phone was playing up and i need one for thursday as i will have to drop hubby off at the hospital and then try and park ,if i carn't park i need to be able to tell him so he can go in and then come and find me .
We weren't going to buy each other any thing as we want another dog in the spring and thought we would use the money for that .

David be very careful about raising money on your home ,i know some one who did that and it was a nightmare for her !!

Frank ,did you get the bargain price for the flights ? it will be lovely to get a bit of sun after christmas ,some thing to look forward too.

Oh dear Mel i hope the shopping trip wasn't to bad for you ,it's horrible to have to go shopping when your really not in the mind for it and when the shops are extra busy .

I should be going tomorrow to get some food shopping for christmas if i can be up and about early ,we have been laying in lately , then i'll have to go next week for the last minute bits.

Gill i hope you have got the village all set up and lit up now ,it would be nice to see a photo ?

Looking forward to seeing the update about the rocket launch this morning ,i would love to be there to see one go up , the pictures were so clear and to see him smiling and putting his thumb up brought a lump to my throat .

Just about to watch the live show on Tim Peake and the rocket launch, so will catch up with the posts after that.

I've almost finished the village but I wish I'd ironed the material I used for the background as there are a few small creases right in the middle.

The agent rang before, we've got another viewing tomorrow, so I might iron it another day.
BBL

Frank..Shorts are probably needing packed for January if it is still 34 degs now :-D

Gill your house is going to look so lovely and festive for tomorrows viewing :-D.It might just make all the difference :-D

Mandy I am sure you wil still get your new Doggie in the spring :-D even if money has had to be spent on your new phone'pressie'.You can't keep one that is playing up :-S

How did we ever cope without mobile phones or even land line phones !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember back in the 60's before we had a phone at home we would have to go nearly a mile to the phone box with pennies.

I just rang my dear Primary School Teacher who is now in a care home.I said it must have been difficult for her leaving her home..........She said "well you come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing"...Another saying.
Bless her she actually sounds fine and when I asked about her son Charlie who is coming over from S Africa for Xmas,she said "you went on a date with Charlie once"
I did and that was when I was about 15 so ...46 yrs ago !!!!!!!!!!!.I don't know why we never had a second date :-S......I saw Charlie about 5 yrs ago and certainly didn't fancy him then LOL.He most probably thought the same about me :-D :-D

Just catching up now on the Space Station after the successful arrival :-D

All those miles away and the pictures were so clear, brilliant to see them all come through the hatch ,their families looked so happy to see them ,six months away is a long time .

Did any one watch The Back in Time for Christmas last night ? it was the 40's 50's and 60's and tonight it's the 70's 80's and 90's

It must be very hard for her Jane after being in her own home or so long ,just so long as she's happy that's the main thing .

Yes Mandy, I watched "Back in time for Christmas" last night, I'm just watching the second one now as I recorded it earlier. It's really interesting, but I only know the 70's, 80's, and 90's as I was to young to remember the 60's and I wasn't born before then, so definitely won't remember the 40's or 50's.

I decided to take my village apart so I could iron the backdrop, it looks much better, all I have to do now is try to figure out how I'm going to attach the white tinsel along the top to hide the lights. The wood is to hard to use drawing pins, so I might have to use sticky tape, I'll tie some string around the tinsel and stick the string to the top, so I don't ruin the tinsel. Hope it works :-S :-S

I still haven't had time to read all the posts yet, so will have to do it tomorrow as I'm off to bed shortly. I did notice yours Jane, yes this place does look very festive, we have lots of light up things all over the place. I'm hoping to take some photo's and email them to you all, if I can remember how to do it.
Sorry to hear about your old teacher, it must be very hard for her, although it does sound like she's "Taking it in her stride". Another saying I think ;-)

Signing out now, see you all tomorrow, the viewing is 11.30am so it'll be after that.
Night Night "Don't let the bed bugs bite" mum used to say that years ago :-D ;-)

Shopping was ok once I was out but it was pouring with rain when I left and there was loads of water on the roads. I got a nice parking space where I like to park in Bideford and went and got my LARGE pom pom maker oh is buying me for Christmas and two more too!! Also got myself a nice pair of slippers and something for oh too.

I think it is just the thought of shopping lately that depresses me but once I am out I seem ok.

I am waiting for those pics of Fitz Christmas trees Jane as I always enjoy seeing them.

Mandy thats soemthing nice to look forward to in the spring a lovely floppy new puppy. All cuddley and lively.

I know Cas will enjoy tomorrow as much as Ian Liz. Hope she dos'nt come home too muddy.

Frank you will enjoy the nice break in January and I hope you both have a nice rest and enjoy it.

Signing out now so see you in the morning.