General Chat

Well thats me soup all ready and had to have a few spoonfuls to check it and....mmmmn was delicious. Cant wait til at least 5 to put on the crusty rolls and enjoy.

Florence in the hebrides

It has been very warm and sunny here this aft, it is still very humid now.

My next doo4 neighbour keeps giving me courgettes, so I have been making different types of veg soup to use them all up. The freezer is full now.

Yeah, school starts tomorrow, so we will have our days back, until 4 pm when Esme gets back. They had a good time in London and then in Filey for a long weekend in a caravan. They were lucky and got upgraded to a brand new top of the range static, it was incredibly posh. It must be filled with sand now. They brought a ton of washing and lots of towels and beach towels back with them, so I have made a start on that .

All your soups sound lovely, although I've not tried carrot with orange either.

My sister sometimes gets a plentiful courgette crop too. I remember that my mother made a tasty courgette cake, but I've no idea of the recipe, but I seem to recall that it froze well.

It is oh so quiet here without the girls.

This morning, I had dentist and hygienist appointments, al” was well

It is quite warm, but very humid, there has just been a heavy downpour

I have finished the large pile of washing and it is all put away apart from one lot in the tumble dryer. Once that is done, I will have a lazy afternoon before Esme comes back to pester me

Good afternoon peeps.
Although overcast, it is breezy but very warm at 19 degrees. I have been so busy that now I need to rest as I'm a bit out of breath and perspiring, something I rarely do.

So I ordered 3 bags of compost last week and yesterday my new pots arrived. So I covered the kitchen table with a large bin bag cut open and set to work. I had nearly 20 pots to empty and split the strawberry plants and also the pepper plants.

Oh my I worked like a trojan emptying, refilling, splitting the whole lot etc. I also took part of the mini greenhouse stand apart and transferred the racking to the top. That way the plants get more light and I have a storage area for spare pots and the compost underneath at the bottom.

All of that and the clearing up took me all morning but a job well done and all tidy once more. This afternoon, something a bit more gentle fort me, balancing the books and statements. A calm relaxing job with a coffee and some cake.

Because I'm a veggie, I make a good ratatouille using lots of courgettes, really is a glorified tomato stew but a good way of using up the courgettes. I also have heard of courgette cake too but never tried it.

Linda enjoy the peace and quiet! You can pop into town or out for a coffee anytime you choose without them there. Take up a new hobby maybe?


Will be finishing off my carrot and orange soup for tea with the last 2 crusty rolls, cant wait.

Hope everyone else looking in is well and ok.
Enjoy your Monday afternoon

Florence in the Hebrides

Well, it's a wet & windy Wednesday and not a pleasant day at all.

So, no going outside for fresh air today or feeing the birds im afraid. My Tesco delivery is coming between 5-6pm which is a good time. I shall wait for the goodies instead of snacking before 5pm lol

Has anyone else noticed how when you type, a blue line is now underlining grammatical errors and not just the red line for spelling errors?

I have not noticed this before and have not changed any settings on my PC so Genes must have changed something? I'm just finding it very annoying!

Feeling quite tired today even though I managed 5 hours solid sleep probably the heavy overcast sky I expect.

Daughter back on dry land but not back here until Friday so my tidy house will probably be a bombsite within 1/2 hour of her returning and the washing machine full up. We are hoping to go to town on Saturday by taxi there and back but the money from the sale of my dryer will go towards that so not so bad. I need a passport photo for the Blue Badge Application form asap and my bus pass too.

Joan did you get any flooding in your area? As I heard on the news there was quite a bit along the coast near Forfar etc although not sure if thats anywhere near you?
Anyway, hope all is well with everyone and take care

Florence in the hebrides

It is a lovely sunny afternoon here.

Having been to the dentist yesterday, it was the optician this morning. My glasses have been driving me mad all summer, it is like looking through a cloud. I have varifocals and also have an identical pair of varifocal sunglasses. Last year, I was finding it more difficult to read small print, so went for a check up. My prescription was practically the same, but they recommended that I get a pair of reading glasses. I did and they are really useful.

I did wonder if the cloudiness could be cataracts, but then I ruled it out because my vision was fine with both my sunglasses and reading glasses. I suspected that the lenses in my main glasses were bad because they are so scratched. This morning, the optician confirmed my suspicion. My prescription hasn’t changed, but she suggested getting new lenses to replace the scratched ones. She also suggested upgrading the type of varifocal lens to a newer type which should help my general reading without needing to put on the separate reading glasses.

I possibly could have had the new lenses put in the old frames, but I have had them for a long time, so I decided to go for new ones. I knew that was when the problems would start as I have such a complicated prescription which rules out the majority of frames in the shop. The senior dispenser always used to look after me. He knew the problem and would narrow things down to a couple of frames of the type I like. He also made sure that the edges of the lenses were shaved, so that the glass didn’t end up looking like bottle bottoms sticking out beyond the frame. Unfortunately he left a few months ago, so I ended up with a young woman who didn’t want to listen while I explained the problem to her. I could tell from her attitude that she thought I was a stupid old woman.

Of course having chosen some frames, she discovered that my prescription wouldn’t go in them, or in the other two pairs she had suggested. Instead of finding some frames herself, she ended up telling me to go and look at the frames myself and see if I could find some. How was that supposed to work??? OH was getting very annoyed with her by this point. It also doesn’t help that without my glasses, I can’t see what the new frames look like. They used to have a camera system, so you could actually see yourself, but she didn’t offer that.

In the end she discovered that she could get the prescription to fit in one of the pairs, so I went for those. Once she had measured them up, I pointed out to her and the young trainee who was shadowing her that I had warned them in the beginning, but they hadn’t listened. She had the good grace to blush.

So I have a pair of £99 frames which give me the second sunglasses frame for free. Of course my prescription is so bad that the lenses take two weeks to be made instead of the usual one week and oh yes, that will be a grand total of £456 !

It always costs a fortune, but I suppose averaged out over a few years, it isn’t too bad

Oh goodness Linda... What a lot of fuss and frustration which could have mostly been avoided. I do hate it when they won't listen. :-|
I remember having a problem, when my usual optician left the practice. I am short sighted and need lens to correct that, but as I don't drive, the previous optician recommended a slightly less strong correction, so that my general vision was OK, but I could see things close up too.
Would the new optician listen, when I said that we usually went for a compromise?.. Oh no. :-( They insisted I now needed stronger lens and eventually against my better judgement, I bought new glasses. They were dreadful. Every time I wanted to look at anything on the supermarket shelves, I had to take the glasses off to be able to see the prices. This was back in the days, when we used to pay by cheque... again, I'd have to take the glasses off to be able to see clearly when signing cheques.
I put up with it for about 12 days and then decided I couldn't live life like that, so went back to the opticians and explained the situation. I'd been going there for years with no problem and I'm not sure what was said behind the scenes, but they replaced the lens with some more suited to me, ie. compromise ones at no charge. I didn't need sharp distant vision at the expense of a lot of hassle for close reading.
That particular optician was not there long, so perhaps I was not the only one to have trouble with his opinions.

Another beautiful warm day in the south east after overnight rain It's warm too. Always such a bonus, when we have lovely bright sunshine in September and October. There are lots of lovely blackberries locally and the hips and haws are turning red, so autumn is on it's way though.

Oh ladies, what a hassle you had at the Opticians. I remember going about 10 years ago and the boss whom I always had as he was very efficient, patient and knew what you liked.
So this particular check- up, he was not there and I was given a very over bearing woman who thought she knew better than me as to what type of glasses I preferred.

At the end of the check- up she said, if you would like to choose from this selection over here and pointed over to a display of very expensive frames. I then asked her how my prescription had changed and she said well it hadnt much but my existing frames were very bent and out of shape and my lenses were badly scratched.
I asked if they could reglaze them as the boss had done this before for me but she was adamant they couldnt be done.

So as my eyesight had not changed, I told her, I would come back when I'm ready and actually need new glasses as the ones I had were perfectly ok and then I left.

She glared at me in disbelief.

She was hell bent on getting a sale out of me that day for frames and lenses but she didnt get either as I was having none of it.

I only need them for reading, so now order or buy 10 pairs at £1.00 each from Poundland. I have 2 pairs left and in November hopefully when we go away, will get to Poundland to buy another 10 pairs .

Im sure just because we are older, they think they can bully us into buying things we dont want or like. Well Im very strong willed and stubborn and noone gets one over on me lol

Well Tesco came at 5 so a little earlier which was great. Got everything i ordered and a few bargains too. All away now .

Joan, glad you were not flooded out! Hope the new leaf blower is light enough for you, let us know when it comes. Did you find a good film for the afternoon?

I actually watched an old black and white one last week. It was really good and a thriller with a murder and a twist right at the end. Rather old fashioned and they did speak funny back then lol but it was a good watch, just cant remember what it was called though.

Midges are awful so I shut all the windows, the delivery man said they were evil tonight lol.

Off to make a coffee before me soaps start.

Masterchef has been hilarious with the drag queen called Kitty!

Florence in the hebrides

I also have a horrendous prescription, never been able to have fancy things like varifocals. I ordered a new spare pair just.before the first lockdown and they came in the post. A year ago I was having headaches so thought I’d better move to the newer ones. I really couldn’t see straight but thought it was the headaches. It was discovered that y centre spot didn’t match the lenses and to make it worse that opticians group no longer provide the strength I need. I have now got the right strength.

But frames styles and colours are awful. Why has everyone got to have huge frames. My lenses are so heavy I need smaller styles. An’t wait for when I need a new pair - not.

Good after noon peeps.
it's a beautiful Autumnal sunny day here. very pleasant with a small breeze.

I have not been feeling very well this week at all. I had a nasty pain lower back which was persistent and has kept me awake. Ive had it before and it then goes away? Did mention it once to the GP but they were not that worried!!

With the death of the Queen, I think my grief for my own mother all came out. I have been so busy dealing with things, I really haven't had time to stop and allow myself to grieve until now. I have obviously bottled it all up and being on my own last 2 weeks, I have felt very down.

I had a good cry and I think that has helped to relieve my emotions as today, I'm feeling brighter. Someone whom I knew died 2 days ago locally and that funeral is today. They were 48 and daughter is there so she won't now be back until early next week.

Normally, it doesn't bother me being on my own but not for this length of time especially when I rarely see anyone.
So I have been outside attended to my flowers etc, fed the birds and hung out a bit of washing. Keeping busy is the best thing.

Anyway, hope everyone else is well and keeping ok.
Long may this Autumn sunshine continue.

Forgot to say, there was a huge orange Harvest moon last night, lovely sight and at the same time at the back of the house another glorious sunset!

Florence in the hebrides

Afternoon peeps from a very blustery village.
Oh yes, the heavens opened, rumbles of thunder too and of course it would have to be....bin day!

Never blooming fails. Sadly, the nice chappie that always puts my bin back wasn't on duty today and although I was hovering with my stick in hand to take the bins back, the chap just smiled and left me in the rain & wind to deal with the 2 bins.

Anyway back indoors with a hot cup of coffee and so glad. Daughter rang to say she will be home late afternoon so looking forward to seeing her and hearing all the holiday stories and local news etc.

Was just looking for some xmas present ideas for my 2 nieces, one is doing hairdressing and the other is into Dr Who! I found 2 wonderful duvet covers that will suit them. One is of a blue Tardis(she will love that) and the other is pictures of a day in the life of a hairdresser from start to finish(just brill) I have saved them in my Amazon for now and will order them at a later date.So thats 2 ticked off my list.

Well hope everyone else is well and ok.
Im off to make a sandwich as not had lunch yet.

Florence in the hebrides

Oh dear Joan poor you! Hope you havent received any nasty bruises from your fall and to go and stand on a nail...oh my could have been very nasty.

Oh yes lentil soup and a crusty loaf sounds like heaven mmmn. im not hungry today at all so think it will maybe be toast for tea and some fruit as appetite isnt great.

Just waiting on daughter and hope the heavens dont open again otherwise she will be soaked walking from the bus stop!

Joan rest and put your feet up after you have made the soup
Take care

Florence in the hebrides

I am glad that you didn’t do too much damage Joan.

Esme wasn't very well at school on Friday she had picked up a cold after only four days back. She was horribly snotty and whiny yesterday, so she wasn’t going to school today. My daughter had a bad night with her as she was more or less awake from 4.30 am . OH took Eve to school, she likes that because they go early and she can spend more time with her friends.
Of course come 7.30 am Esme was saying that she was better and wanted to go to school. We kept her off expecting her to be the same as yesterday, but she is much better, so can go tomorrow. It must only be a forty eight hour bug.

I did some baking with her this morning, we made some very nice Rocky Road, tha5 isn’t going to do my diet any good. :-(

It is gloom6 and autumnal here, so I am just staying put and playing

Fairly bright here and 17 degrees so not cold, feel a bit bored today, not been anywhere this week but have a hair appointment tomorrow and need to pick up my prescription and might be going out to a garden centre on Friday. Pleased that you don't seem to have dome more damage Joan. You must slow down a bit and be careful.
Linda typical of children isn't it? still best to keep her home in case she turned out to be poorly at school again. Pleased she is better anyway.
Florence do you really not feel hungry at all? even something light like a poached egg would be good.
I have spent a short time out in the garden filling up the garden bin. Lots of things to cut back before winter but I am getting there. The garden is not looking too bad anyway.

Only other things I have done is clean the bathroom and strip the bed, wash the bedding and re-make the bed. Once I have done that I am ready to crawl back into it!!

Afternoon peeps
Well daughter is back and was good to hear of her stories and news etc. Always good to hear of something new.

So washing machine has been going strong and I have spent more time washing up the dishes lol, so much more when there is 2 of you but she does seem to use every pot and plate going compared to me!

I have been online shopping today and just bought a few things for my stationery drawer like laminating pouches as it would appear we had used them all up! Typical when you haven't used something for awhile and then realise you have run out.

Anyway found a good deal on Amazon. I bought a cheap laminator from Tesco years ago for £10 and its still working fine. Daughter has booked a table for a craft fayre locally in November to sell her Avon and wanted to do some labels that looked better than hand written ones. So I suggested typing something on card and them laminating it, as it would look more professional.

Replenished my staple supply too as that has gone down a lot and more blue tack as always handy having that.

Its overcast, damp and misty today and still breezy so not venturing outside at all. Just been tidying up, chores and a bit of paperwork so nothing too taxing.

I may make a small pasta dish for later Ann it's just felt so down last week or so and my appetite just vanished. My little bro messaged last night to see how I was and then said, he was struggling to come to terms with mum's passing and is missing my support down south. I guess whilst I was there, I was in control and held everyone else together and now all apart from each other, it just much harder.

My lovely SIL has been cleaning and clearing out the flat with a few more bags for local charity shops and the hospice. They said they will take crockery too which is great as we didnt really want to just throw it all out when someone would be grateful of it. I just wish I could be there to help out.

Anyway, we plod on and try to remember happier times. It has dawned on me more now that I am the head of the family....eeek such a daunting thought as im not that old!!

Think I shall go and put together a huge pasta bake that will last for tomorrow as well and I do have some crusty rolls I found in the cupboard, the half baked ones. Think today calls for some comfort food.

Enjoy your soup Joan and glad you are ok.
Linda, hope Esme is better today and back at school.

Take care all
Florence in the hebrides

Esme went back to school on Tuesday and is fine now.
We have been having a bit of a break. My daughter bought us an overnight dinner bed and breakfast stay at Hazlewood Castle for Xmas. It is a genuine old castle, not far from us.
We visited Harewood House yesterday, we haven’t been there for years. Then we came to the hotel and had some coffee and cakes, not a single calorie in sight - honestly. Dinner last night and breakfast this morning were both excellent, it is nice to have a bit of luxury once in a while. We are just letting breakfast settle then are going to drive across to Filey where OH’s older sister lives. We haven’t seen her for a while and she has some family things which she wants to pass on to us. It is a bit of a long circular trip, but worth doing. Then it will be back to the normal routine

Hello all, I hope you are all well.

I have taken some time off the site due to being really busy sorting out my sisters affairs and funeral . Sadly she died suddenly, we knew she had health problems for some time but at her last check up all was well managed and she was still out and about going to various appointments and going to the shops etc. So it was completely unexpected. It fell to me to do all the arrangements and notify everyone. Not an easy task but am slowly getting through it all .It doesn't help that my mobility is so bad at the moment if I couldn't do most of the stuff on line or by phone I would be stuck. Fortunately a family member went to register the death and get the certs.
We had a small but lovely service for her, I think she would have liked what I arranged.

Take care
Ginnie

Afternoon folks
JustGinnie, my heart goes out to you and your family. It's always hard to lose a family member as I have recently but.... when it happens suddenly as with my mum and your sister, it's harder to deal with as was unexpected.

I am the oldest and most practical so it also was left to me to organise most of it including the service. There is all the paperwork to deal with too but it will all get done in time. I'm sure like my mum, your sister was watching and listening to the service and also appreciated what you arranged.

This morning I had more sad news as my best friend who took over my job, lost her MIL who lives next door. Last 2 weeks she had been a bit off colour but this was also unexpected, so sad for their family too.

It's a better day here with some brighter weather and a little sunshine and not cold either. I ventured out to look at my pots and they need watering so that's my job in awhile. Sadly Im feeling the steroid injections wearing off in my knees as getting up out of the chair earlier, I felt the pain and it was awful. Since getting the jabs, I have been pain free but they only last about 4 months. i cant get another until mid December now so will just have to plod on.

Linda, what a lovely break you had, sounded wonderful and glad you both enjoyed the time to yourselves.

Hope you are ok Joan and hubby too. Mind how you go sweeping the leaves. Did you get the leaf blower yet?

Ann, hope you were pleased with your hair being done.
Mine is getting out of control again and very long!

Take care everyone

Florence in the hebrides

I am sorry to read about your sister Ginnie, I guess we are at the age when sadly these things start happening to us.

My sister only has three more radiotherapy sessions to go now. She has coped well, but is starting to struggle now. There will be a break in the treatment before she has to have chemo.

My brother and sister in law are in the middle of a months interailing trip through Europe. They have really enjoyed it so far. Their daughter lives in Finland, so as part of the journey they have been to see her. They all stayed in a summer lodge by the sea. My sister in law went to the loo, late evening, which involved walking about fifty metres across some grass. When she didn’t come back, they went to look for her and found her collapsed on the grass. It seems she had stepped on an area where a post had been removed, it had grassed over, but gave way under her weight. She has broken both of her ankles. One is not a bad break, so is in a pot, but the other one needs an operation to pin two bones. Obviously she can’t walk at all, my brother is trying to sort things out with the travel insurance.

A few years ago, they did a trip to Lapland to see the Northern Lights.As part of that ,they did a dog sled trip. The sled tipped over onto my brothers leg and he broke his femur. They were as far up in the Artic circle as you can get, so that was a saga as well. The medical care was very good, so he had his operation there and flew back here on an air ambulance. He is trying to get my sister in law treated in Finland as well, rather than coming back here for her operation as the NHS is so poor at the moment.

I have been very busy this morning as it was the annual maintenance/ cleaning day at the cinema. As usual only a few stalwarts turned up, but we managed to get a lot done between us. We had to pop out for a short time to get our flu jab. They were very efficient, it took less than a minute. They also asked if we would like a heart check. That turned out to be a mini ecg where you just pressed your fingers onto a device for thirty seconds and a mobile phone took a heart trace. If they pick anything up, you get called back for a full ecg. Apparently ours were normal. My arm is starting to get sore which is annoying