General Chat

I hope your cold gets better soon Ann.

I needed to go to the supermarket this morning to get the food for this week’s recipes, so for once OH came with me because I still feel ill To be honest, it would be quicker on my own, but he was keen to help.

He is itching to get outside to cut the grass, but it keeps raining so he can’t do it. He is hopeless at doing nothing, he likes to be doing jobs.

My daughters house move is going from bad to worse, they were supposed to be moving in in a couple of weeks, but now it looks like the whole thing might be off.
The house they are supposed to be buying is a barn conversion. The original farm was split into three properties. They share an access road which opens out into an area where the gates to the three new properties are. As well as the barn and garden, they also have a large outbuilding which was built in 2000. At the moment it is just storage, but they want to split it in half and make a home office. They also want to put solar panels on the roof. Their conveyancer noticed that according to the ordinance survey map that the boundary between their property and the one next door actually runs half way through this out building. How it wasn’t spotted when the current owners bought the property two years ago, I don’t know. I suspect it was, but the American couple just decided to ignore it. Normally you would take out an insurance policy against any claims, but they can’t because you can only do that if you don’t know who might make a claim. Obviously the neighbours could ask for money for that bit of land, so no insurance company will issue a policy. Also the conveyancer by law has to inform their mortgage company if any boundary dispute, so that might affect their mor offer.

It is a terrible mess, so now they are going to see another couple of properties in the area which are for sale chain free. Even so it will be quite a long time before a new sale will go through. Just when we were looking forward to getting our house back :-(

good morning. hope you soon feel back to normal Linda.
I returned from my week with son last Friday with a horrible heavy summer cold which has now morphed into a cough. Yesterday it was not too bad and last night I managed to sleep quite well. But since I got up I can't stop coughing which is pulling my stomach muscles. This is the first cold I have had since 2019 which is probably why it is worse. a shame as I had a lovely time at son's but I now feel ten times worse than before I went. And none of the family there had a cold/cough.

Happy Yorkshire Day, to me anyway :-D

I hope everyone is OK. I haven’t been feeling well this week, but have soldiered on regardless.

I wish summer would return, but listening to the weather forecast, that doesn’t seem likely. So playing mostly inside is the order of the day.

Oh dear Linda, I hope it is just a 24 hour one and that you will soon feel better.
Florence I did a test, of course, and was negative. There are a lot of colds around and with covid there are usually more symptoms but I tested to be on the safe side as DiL who I had been staying with needs to be avle to visit her Mum in a home.

Hope your cold is getting better Ann. I don’t feel well now, it seems to be the same thing the others have had, so presumably a virus. I feel sick and have a head ache and am generally aching. SIL had it first,he thought it might be food poisoning, but then my daughter got it, then me.
We had a good day out yesterday with the girls, we went to a large soft play centre which has a huge outside bit. They have lots of animals which we didn’t bother with. There is a fairground, large bouncing pillow, inflatable slide, sand pit etc. They also have a children’s entertainer who Esme loves. He does two funny magic shows during the day. This year they also have a foam party, we knew about it so had taken spare clothes. Esme absolutely loved that. It is outside on grass, so much safer than indoors where the floor gets really slippy. It is incredibly good value for money, even more so because I found a 20% discount code before I booked.
We usually take Eves friend with us, but she was on holiday, so Eve had no one to go on the more grown up rides with. She was very kind to Esme and took her on lots of the small rides. I rashly said that I would go on a sling shot ride with her. I was dreading it as I have always hated rides such as Waltzers, but I braved it and what a mistake that was. I was desperate to get off and thought that I was going to be sick. I probably was starting with this virus, so that didn’t help, but felt dreadful for the rest of the afternoon

Morning all
AnnG, hope you don't have Covid? Is it worth doing a test maybe?

Sunny here but black clouds are looming so am sure rain isn't far away.
Daughter back today so i no doubt will have plenty of washing to keep me busy!

Made a huge mistake with the card cellophane sleeves. I ordered 6x4 size but the cards are 7x5....very annoying but totally my fault so I shall now have to order some more.

Hope every one looking on today is well today

Florence in the hebrides

good morning all, bright and a bit sunny here and 17 degrees. I am under the weather as I brought a cold back from Milton Keynes. Strange that none of the family there seem to have it so I am assuming they are all immune to MK germs and I wasn't.

Better get on, despite not feeling great loads to do as I have next door to look after for three days again and two gardens to water.

Linda Hope all the family are better today.

Evening to anyone looking in.

Last night around 11.45 was just getting ready to lock up and go to bed when pooooft, the lights went off!!

For a minute, i couldnt get my bearings as wasnt sure where my phone was and then I realised it was infront of me and a glimmer of light was shining as the cover was closed. Thank goodness for the phone as the electric was off til after 4am.

All of the islands plus the isle of skye were effected. Anyway, got another LCD torch and then went round turning off tv plug, lamps etc.

This morning thinking i had done a good job from the night before of switching everything off,I realised the kitchen light was still on lol Oh well there is always one.

Just had a quiet day, listened to the funeral service on computer, first time for everything!

Made a few cards this afternoon but have run out of coloured card in pink & purple so ordered some more.

Mums flat isnt selling so we have had to drop the price again. Thats 30k now dropped since June. 2 viewings but no offer although said well decorated and spacious but not what they were looking for. We are now paying council tax again so its costing us money the longer its unsold!

Hope everyone else had a goo day

Florence in the hebrides

It isn’t very good here either Florence. Esme’s parents aren’t very well and this morning she didn’t wake up until after nine, which is highly unusual. She didn’t seem very well this morning which was worrying given the fact that I have bought the non refundable tickets for the play centre for tomorrow. She spent most of the morning in her bedroom playing on her own, then getting onto her bed to watch her iPad. That gave me an easy morning :-)
After lunch I went for a walk with Eve. The radar said no rain expected, so we set off without any coats. That meant the heavens opened of course and we got wet. It was warm though, so it wasn’t too bad.By the time we got back, Esme was downstairs, so I have spent a good hour playing schools. She has just gone for a lie down again, so I am having a quick coffee

Afternoon all

Well not a great day weatherwise as its windy, damp and coolish. A few showers here and there so no good for washing.

Tesco came and took awhile to put it all away and only thing wrong was a rotten mango which I handed back to the chappie. You think someone might have noticed when they picked the order!

Anyway replenished the baking cupboard, got new marvel so i can make things in the bread maker and a few other things I ran out of.

Some more craft supplies came today, different coloured card and Merry Xmas silver and gold stickers for the cards so I may make a few in a bit.

One of my tomatoes on the windowsill is nearly dark orange now so wont be long before we can sample our "reward."

Right better make a quick tuna roll as not had my lunch yet. As for tea, think a pizza with a few chips tonight will suffice.

Hope all ok with everyone looking in

Florence in the hebrides

It is sunny here as well, but breezy. I wanted to take the girls out today, but Esme was just screaming because she doesn’t want to go out. It will be different on Friday because we are going to her favourite soft play. It has a huge outdoor bit with fairground rides, sand, water, large bouncy cushions etc. The main draw is Dazzling Darren, the children’s entertainer who does two shows during the day. She was besotted with him last year and can’t wait yo go back again.
I have been playing on and off with Esme, but she keeps taking herself off to her bed to watch her iPad. I did get her out in the garden for a while this morning. I took Eve for a walk this afternoon as my tablets were ready to collect, we had a drink in a cafe while we were out.
I need to decide what to have for dinner, I usually plan the menus on Monday, but I wasn’t sure SIL would be here as they are getting a new car and he was due to collect it mid week. That seems to have been put off, so I have some mince which I will probably turn into a spicy bean and rice dish.

Afternoon peeps.
Yes Joan like you a lovely warm & sunny day here but breezy(as always lol) It was flat calm last night hence the midges but they are away now with the breeze.
Its always the evenings when the wind drops in summer which is too late to do any garden work.

I have stripped, washed, dried, ironed and remade daughters bed plus all the clothes ironing. My feet are quite sore so sitting with a well earned coffee for awhile.

Tomorrow we are in for some heavy rain so im not going to water the plants again today as did it last night anyway.

I may make chicken and rice tonight with a popadom. Its quick and very tasty and all in 1 pan so less dishes to wash lol.

Linda, I was watching a programme last night with Paul O Grady at Great Ormond St Hospital and one of the patients a little girl like Esme got Botox injections into her feet as she had Cerebal palsy but what a difference they made. She was running and riding her bike afterwards so i hope they help Esme too.

Right, I need to finalise Tesco order as its coming tomorrow between 11-3 and I have just remembered a couple of things not on the list.

Enjoy the sunshine if you have it :-D

Florence in the Hebrides

Ooh Linda, wonder if Esme caught an infection from the swimming pool water?

The whole experience sounds dreadful. Hope they never go back and maybe stick with centre parcs next time.

I think in general Butlins centres have had their day and the buildings are old and probably in need of redoing?

Hope the cream clears the rash up soon.

Went outside to water me plants with a few plastic jugs and didn't hang about as the dreaded midges are out....flat calm!

Florence in the hebrides

I suppose that they think you are going to attack their babies Joan. For several years, we had a nest in a shrub which covers the wall near the front door. The birds weren’t overly keen on us using the door. OH took the nest out and poked the twigs out when he saw them starting to build it again. They moved elsewhere which was a good thing given how many parcels we seem to get these days.

Day one of the school holidays is done only another five and a half weeks to go. We stayed at home today as Esme has an odd rash on her hip, it looks a bit like a fungal infection to me.My daughter rang for a phone appointment first thing and sent a photo in. The doctor rang back at lunchtime and cream which covers both bacterial and fungal infections. The prescription was supposed to go electronically straight to Boots, but OH had a problem getting it, as it hadn’t transferred. He ended up going between Boots and the doctors twice. In the end they had to write an old fashioned paper prescription and he finally got the cream. Hopefully, it will sort it out as it is spreading.

She had a great time at Butlins, we have lots of videos and photos of her dancing at the shows. The others weren’t keen, I asked Eve if she preferred Butlins or Centre Parcs, she just looked at me as if I was mad and said. Centre Parcs. My daughter and SIL were very unimpressed by the standard of the place. They said that it was very poorly maintained. SIL got a stomach bug on the second day, so thinks it could have been food poisoning. The restaurants were very over priced and the food was poor.
They went to the big swimming complex on Sunday, but said that it had an awful smell, a bit like mould which they were trying to cover up with sprays.
It is a shame because Esme loved it and wants to go back, but they said that if ever did go back, they wouldn’t stay on site again.

Afternoon all

Just pottering about and tidied daughters room as she has gone this morning and wont be back until next week. The wake is on Thursday and funeral on Friday. Still finding it hard to get my head around. She was 66(not 64 as I thought) and far too young.

Daughter is not mentally coping as was very close to the lady so lots of mumma hugs been given over the weekend.

Aside from that sad news was outside looking at my plants and like you Joan & Linda, the roses are exceptional this year as our my fuchsias. They are beautiful and plentiful for a change. Deheaded a few flowers earlier so all look nice and tidy now. I hate a scruffy garden filled with dead flowers.

My carrots have grown hugely but unlike potatoes that have flowers how do I know when the carrots are ready??

Hall carpet all done yesterday and lady coming this afternoon at 4.30 for the old one so house is now back to normal thank goodness.

No more accidents ladies, still a bruise on my arm but that's taking ages to fade.

I finished making a birthday card for a friend next week and then have a few August birthdays and anniversaries but i'm organised for those already.

Joan, hope the swallows don't attack your hair. Take something in your hand, a stick to scare them off if they get too close to you. You will be glad to see them fly away.

Well last of the laundry done, I managed to hang out some....without falling lol Im doing well today!

Florence in the hebrides

It is nice to have plants which have been passed on. I have a bush which my dad moved twice to different houses, then I brought it here. I also have rhubarb which is a bit of a family heirloom. On the patio, I have some of my mums planters, she told me to take them away during her last illness, so I would remember her when I watered them.

It has been very quiet over the weekend while they have been away. They will be back late afternoon, they have to stop somewhere to buy “ pretty dresses” for the girls as they are going to a wedding next weekend. I don’t think Eve is keen on pretty dresses anymore, shorts and a t shirt are more her thing these days.

It is very windy and chilly here. I wore a thin dress to go to slimming world and miraculously had only put half a pound on. As soon as Ingot home, I changed into trousers and a jumper

We have had a lovely warm day here a bit cloudy at times but no rain thanlfully as we had plenty yesterday. Been out in the garden tweaking plants and one of my new rose bushes has about fifteen blooms and some small buds as well , it is a really pretty deep pink but only a slight fragrance but can't have everything . When my sister died last year we brought some of her potted plants here and left them in a corner to wait to see what was in them, some have some pretty flowering plants and others different bulbs , daffs, tulips etc . Now I know I can decide where to put them as the ones that are toxic to pets will go in the front garden away from our dog who likes gardening . (digging )

Hope everyone looking in are having a good day .

Oh that was nice Linda, glad you enjoyed.

Having a very quiet day today as got sad news this morning. A cousin who I was good friends with(but my ex's cousin) died suddenly last light in her kitchen aged 64! Cant get my head around it at all, just so very sad :-(

Florence in the hebrides

It isn’t sunny here :-( It has been raining heavily through the night and hasn’t stopped yet.
We went out for Sunday lunch using a voucher my daughter gave us last Christmas. It was for three courses, plus coffee at a country house hotel, the type with stags heads on the wall. The food was lovely, so I am over full. I dread to think what the scales will say tomorrow :-(

Afternoon everyone
Glorious sunny day here and fairly warm at 17 degrees just a stiff breeze which is a pest as my long hair was all over the place and couldn't see where i was walking outside! But I didnt trip thank goodness.

Linda, I slept until 5am and drifted off til 9am and then got up. My side feels better today, def no cracked rib just a pulled muscle.

I have been working on my grandmothers family tree( her dad side) so difficult as her maiden name is spelt with many variations so taking longer to find births, marriages etc. But I have made some headway today.

Have no idea what to make for tea tonight. Yesterday, I made a mushroom carbonara, so quick and very tasty.

8 mushrooms sliced
1/2 onion finely chopped
1 tub of cream cheese(any)
spaghetti- However much you like.

I lightly fried the onions and mushrooms in some sesame seed oil with black pepper and some worcester sauce and some garlic puree(opt)
Added the cream cheese until melted.

Cook the spaghetti and drain
Put the cheese and mushroom mixture on top of spaghetti

Really tasty and enough for 2.

I think toasties will do me, not that hungry today.

Hope Joan, AnnG & JustGinnie are all doing ok and anyone else

Florence in the hebrides