General Chat

Bright, sunny and breezy here today., which is a relief after yesterday, when it bucketed all day.

I've had to wash my raincoat this morning.
I was in town with a friend yesterday, and on our way home, as we were wet and cold, we decided to stop for a bowl of soup for lunch.
The place we intended to go to was full, so we went to a different cafe which we hadn't been to before. And I don't think I'll be going again!
The soup was very nice, and just what we needed on such a horrible day, but the whole place smelled very strongly of chip fat.
The smell lingered on my clothes for hours.
I'd hung my coat up to dry when I got home, and when I passed it on my way to bed I was hit by a waft of old chip smell, so I sprayed it with Febreze.
However, it was still smelly this morning, so I decided washing was the only option.
It's now out on the line, blowing about in the wind.

Good morning from a pleasant Yorkshire, although it is starting to get ominously dark.

Old chip fat, hmm, not the sort of perfume I go for :-D

It is just one more day until my daughter comes home thank goodness. Esme has actually been OK, although she played her daddy up yesterday morning and didn’t want to go on the school bus, so he drove her in.

Open Reach actually turned up this morning to move the master socket, so we no longer have wires trailing across the hall floor. Instead we have an ugly black cable running around the outside of the house and into the first floor bedroom we are using as a study. He has put the master socket in a more sensible place in that room as well because the telephone cable was running over the carpet and I kept tripping on it and disconnecting it.

There is lots of banging going on upstairs. OH is taking all of the tiles off in preparation for the new bathroom going in. They are going to take the old bath and shower out next week, we will need the wall skimming before the new one can go in.

Afternoon everyone looking in today.

Treehunter, lovely to see you posting. I do seem to remember your name from awhile back. I joined in 2008 so must have known you back then.

Good luck with your DIY, sounds fab.

Its sunny and dry today after yesterdays awful weather but its still very windy!

Think I shall leave my planters in my porch until after the weekend and hope the weather changes by then,

ArgyllGran, its horrid when your clothes smell like that. I hope the wind dries your coat quick and the smell has gone. Febreze is good for some things but chip fat is a very strong smell.

My nanna used to have a pulley over her stove to dry her clothes but they always stank of food!

Not sure what to do for the rest of the day as up straight with everything??

I'm sure I shall find something to do as there is always a cupboard or a drawer that needs emptying..

Linda, glad you got your new master socket sorted.

Hope Joan is doing ok as not seen her post for a bit.

Take care all

Florence in the hebrides

Good afternooon to everyone.

After several days of heavy rain today (at last) we have a lovely bright sunny & warm day.
I have been outside this afternoon & managed to do a bit more cutting back & lowering of the rather long hedging in the side gardem, it's not too difficult but it is very prickly (Rugosa) & the tiny prickly bits can be a pest, they even manage to get through my gloves so I have to be slow & careful.

After not doing very much outside so far this year I am not as "fit" as I was last year & I have to take several breaks, it will take some time to reduce the hedging to where I want it to be but I will get there eventually.

My late hubbys Private pension with the Royal Mail has at last beeen sorted, & I no longer have to survive on just my State Pension !

Bit of a hiccup with the Post Office union though, it started offf well, Jack had continued his membership & I was informed that I was entitled to a Death grant, not a huge ammount but very welcome all the same.
Anyway the rep came to the house & delivered the cheque in person, it was deposited into the bank last Friday & come Monday this week it BOUNCED !!

I couldn't believe it, however it was soon sorted, apparently the cheque should have had 2 signatures but there was only on, the rep was very apologetic.
Fingers crossed the next cheque will be in order.

Still not received the re-issued cheque for the I Tax over payment, it is supposed to be with me by the 17th of this month, just hope it is AND they have got my status correct this time (Mrs & not Dr ) as I really don't enjoy being on hold for an hour or more !!

I am still not very settled after losing Jack, I miss him soo much, I feel much older now that I am on my own.

Anyway enough of me, everyone on the thread sounds to be busy with various things, I do like to read about what your are all doing.
As usual Linda you never seem to stop, what with the new house & all that's going on there & caring for your children you take my breath away. You take care.

Thanks to you all for being there, the GR boards & in particular THIS thread helps to keep me sane.

Joan.

hello Joan. so pleased that you have been able to get out in the garden today, it does make such a difference, as I know.

Also great to hear that hubby's pension is sorted and that the union have paid up as well.

As you, like myself, were together as a couple for so long, it is going to take much longer to get used to being 'just you'. It is hard, it is over three years for me now and I still have the feeling that he might walk through the door. And how I wish he could. The 'missing' does ease Joan but I am sure it will always be there. I think we should be grateful though that we had somebody we loved so much and who loved us that losing them is hard. It would be awful to have had such a sad wasted life that we didn't miss them at all. Keep doing what you are doing enjoy your garden and your family when you see them and you will get there. <3

Just popped on and so glad to see you posting Joan.
Even more pleased for you that the pension has finally been sorted and you will get a replacement cheque. the little from the Union is a nice surprise too. havent heard of a cheque bouncing since i worked in the bank years ago lol but yes it would need 2 signatures.

Although the horrid rain has gone, its now very very windy at over 50 mph so im guessing no ferries again and i have a delivery coming on Saturday but not as large as the last one.

I so want to get in my garden and pot up plants etc but still too cold. The weeds have grown in the empty pots again but the wind would blow me over!

Decided on a chicken bolognaise for tea as i don't eat meat and really looking forward to it. Still some Tzatziki from yesterday too to finish up.

I am so glad that this thread helps people especially when they find themselves on their own and need a place to chat or let off steam. Anyone is welcome to join whether that be daily, weekly or just whenever they feel like it.

I am glad Joan that we have all helped you and others. <3

Florence in the hebrides

I'm glad to hear that your money problems are sorted out , Joan - or soon will be. Worrying about money just makes any situation feel so much worse.

I find cutting back bushes is a very soothing occupation - and quite addictive!

It's good that your socket has been moved at last, Linda, without anyone having an accident with the trailing cables.
For electrical things, I use several extension leads permanently in different places, as the power sockets in this house aren't where I would choose to have them if starting from scratch. But the cables are all safely out of the way behind bits of furniture.

My coat now smells fresh and clean.
I've even ironed it with a cool iron, as the label recommends. Apparently that will restore its water repellent properties which sounds surprising, but I suppose the makers know best!

I'm sure you will have found something interesting to do this afternoon, Florence, and will now be thinking what to have for tea!

EDIT -
Oops, I've just read your last post, and see that you have already decided!

Lovely to see you posting Joan and I also am pleased to hear that the pension has been sorted now. Pleased you have been able to go out in your garden it makes a difference to the day when we are able to get outside and be productive . A little bit at a time and you will get it done and if sunny build up your Vitamin. D as well.

I have been out weeding the planters and potted up 3 bare root roses that I paid £2 each for at a Poundland shop. They have good roots on so hopefully they will grow well.
Also been to the dentist this morning thankfully all ok so hopefully the next visit will be in 6months. :-) :-)

Hope everyone enjoys some dry and warmer weather.

Ginnie

I am pleased that you are getting your finances sorted Joan.
I ent and got Esme up and ready for school this morning, she was tired, but is now in school and I am home My daughter should have been home by now, but she seems to be stuck in Schipol airport, so her plane must be delayed. That will be the last thing she needs as she will be really jet lagged.

The electricians are here, testing all the circuits, all is well so far. They will then put all the new light fittings up. I am looking forward to that as every room currently just has a length of wire with a bare bulb dangling from it

Hopefully, I can get into the garden later. I need to tie in some shrubs to the screening trellis on the decking.Inwas going to do it yesterday, but I couldn’t find the twine. It is in the bottom shed apparently, so I will search for it soon

Afternoon all.

Started off ok but the clouds are turning darker and its very windy so not venturing outside. im feeling it quite chilly too.

Well I have finally finished my grandmothers family tree(dads mum). i had started it a few years ago but recently decided to horse on and this morning finished off writing it up. 10 A3 pages 1-1A. 2-2a etc. By comparison to the others this was a small tree lol.

Although some had 10 + children, many died young or in the war so fewer marriages and no more branches to continue the family.

Last nights chicken bolognaise was really tasty and there was some left over to do another meal another day. I had forgotten just how good it was.
As for tonight, I'm still full up tbh but think daughter has picked up a pizza to have with some salad so that's an easy tea.

Linda, that's good the electricians are in so hopefully, you can put some shades over the bulbs. Hope your daughter does get back sometime tonight!

JustGinnie, roses for £2.00, that's a real bargain. let us know how they grow.

I have sent a message to the seller of my Red Robin plants explaining they have dried up and withered. I just need to take a pic and maybe they will replace or refund even though its after a month but they were not cheap. It was new compost in the pots so no idea why the leaves are dry and fallen off and there are black spots on the leaves too??

Grand national tomorrow, anyone having a wee flutter?

Have a good day everyone

Florence in the hebrides

Your chicken bolognaise sounds tasty, Florence.
Do you mince the chicken?

I don't mince the chicken AG, I just cut the breasts into strips, chop a large onion and fry off in some sesame oil. Then add a little water, some seasoning, black pepper, paprika etc. once chicken is cooked, I add a jar of pasta sauce with chunky veg and then simmer for about 40 minutes so the chicken tenderises,

Boil a pan of spaghetti and drain. Pour the chicken mixture over the spaghetti and add some finely grated cheese et voila! 2 chicken breasts makes more than enough to freeze for another day.

Horrid evening as its even more windy now. heating on as really is chilly here.
my new red candles arrived today along with my missing toilet rolls!! So tomorrow may do some more table pieces,

Thanks, Florence. Sounds good!

Lashing rain here from about mid afternoon.
Got the car back today, so went to town to replenish food supplies.
There was a lot of water on the road on the way home, and a surprising amount of traffic. Not a very pleasant journey.

Morning everyone cloudy but sun trying to come out. :-)
Just putting door and light on unit and it’s done. <3
Then it’s putting everything back.

Going to go down to moaning coffee we have big lounge here so few times a week we have coffee morning but why I call it moaning coffee is cos that’s all they do and slag people off. When you think ages from 67 to 86. But it’s like being in a playground with a load of 13 yrs old bullies. That’s why I don’t go down much. If I want to be bullet I go back to my ex.

Well hope everyone’s has a good day and weather stays dry. <3

Morning everyone looking in today.
AG, glad you got the car back and hope it wasn't an unexpected huge bill?

Its not nice here still, wet, overcast and very dark but less windy....for now.

I'm waiting on Tesco coming between 11-3 today but not as big as last weeks order. I realised my laundry products were near to running out etc so needed to top up the cupboards.

Treehunter, oh dear me but you did make me laugh...moaning coffee!!

Although I am only 62, when I have been amongst seniors shall we say, they do up here moan a lot too! I guess, if they live on their own, then when they all meet up, they all want to vent their grievances and so the coffee morning is the ideal place to do that.

But I feel for you, as it should be an event to look forward to and exchange news etc. Is there a neighbour, you do get on with, that you could go with to the coffee morning maybe? Hope your units look good once you have put them together.

My nick name is the "flat pack queen." I built most of the units in my lounge, bathroom hall etc. You just need patience lol.

Right off to clear the kitchen before Tesco come as they put the crates on my kitchen table for me to unpack, its easier for me that way.

Have a good day all.

Florence in the hebrides

Moaning coffee did make me smile. It perfectly describes a Thursday coffee meet I often go to. Similar age group to yours Treehunter. We all know each other well and there’s not much slagging people off or bullying but, boy, do they moan about their.ailments - who is most ill, who’s taking the most pills, whose doctor is the best or worst. Once I tried suggesting we put a ban on talking about medical matters but they only lasted about 10 minutes. From now on I’ll be going out for moaning coffee on a Thursday :-D

The car bill will be coming in the post. It will be big, but at least I've had 5 weeks to get used to the idea, as they told me what it would be when asking if I wanted to authorise the work.
It's costing more than the aged car would be worth as a trade-in, but they tell me it's still a good car, and now that the repairs have been done, it should last for a few more years. Fingers crossed!

The invoice for my shed's new roof also arrived this week, so it's an expensive time.
But the shed and car repairs were both necessary.


I have a neighbour who not only moans about her own ailments, but likes to find things wrong with other people.
You daren't say to her that you have a headache, or are feeling tired, as she will instantly have you at death's door.
A few days ago I met her by chance (well, yes, it was at a coffee morning!), and she said in concerned tones, "Oh dear, you're looking very thin and pale. Are you all right?"
I'm fine, and look the same as usual - ie - not particularly thin or pale!.

Hello all, just spent an hour and a half out in the garden still cutting back loads of Ivy which is intent on throttling a clematis and a rose. I have nearly filled the garden bin now but it will be emptied on Tuesday so I can start again.

Hazel, yes that made me chuckle as well but, thinking about it, because of where you are living I suspect most of them live on their own and it is the only opportunity they get to talk about their ailments and maybe get reassurance for any worries. You will have to get them all crocheting or knotting, didn't you used to run a group like that? I suspect it is difficult if you are the newbie in the group but it is a good idea to sort out one or two that you feel you could get on with. It must be quite stressful for you moving to somewhere new and making new friends.

Glad put smile on your faces we all need to laugh. Went down to moaning coffee wasn’t so bad today. We all live here by ourselves. But have one ring leader she says jump and rest of them say how high. But I won’t she don’t like it that’s why she picks on me snd another lady who won’t do as she tells use.

Well put unit all together now printer on top now to put paper and inks in. Got yo hoover with all the mess cutting box up to put down in recycling bins.

Yes I ran a cross stitching group well I still but someone has taken over now as hand too bad to do much. I have tried getting things going down the lounge but cos the boss don’t like it no one will come. They lost.

Well will have some lunch hope every one has the sun.

Afternoon all

Well Tesco were on the ball today as were here dead on 11am! was just about ready when I noticed them outside. Lovely chap today and stopped to chat for 10 minutes. All of the drivers are very friendly and most now I know.

So didnt take 5 minutes to put it all away as wasn't a huge shop but we forgot one thing....bin bags grrrrr. I realised after we emptied the non recyclable bin we only have 1 bin bag left so shall take care to try and not fill it too quickly!

Daughter is in the kitchen making a GF cheesecake and... a mess! The banging, crashing etc is giving me a sore head. I'm keeping out of the way but curious to know the state of things lol

Treehunter, I put together a printer workstation. It has a cupboard on one side and 2 shelves on the right and also is on 4 casters so it can be moved at anytime. My printer sits on top with my landline. I'm very impressed with it as wasn't too expensive and the wood was really heavy so good quality. Glad you managed to put yours together.

The sun is nowhere to be seen and we have had a few heavy showers, so depressing this weather and looking ahead to next week, the temp is going down to single figures!! Its dire for this time of year. Lets hope we get a good May as by the time the weather warms up, the flower season will be over :-(

I get fed up when people say I look pale and unwell as I am a natural pale skinned person like my grandmother was. It's like if you dont have rosy cheeks up here, you're not normal lol Only time my cheeks are red would be if i blushed and that's not very often :-D

Well I can hear daughter in the sink so she must be washing up and I shall now see if the kitchen needs my assistance,

Off to make a coffee now and later watch the Grand National. Had a wee flutter as did my daughter so hopefully one of us will get lucky.