General Chat

Good morning all you people out there,where Fred has been up since 5 am.
I have had my morning cuppa sitting out back by the back door cuppa on the small patio table while i surveyed the work i did yesterday in the half light.
All the plants i put in look perky so i have high hopes of a load of colour before long.
Time now to get cracking out front with the remaining plants in the chalet ,about 45 assorted flowers plants in all,once i have cleared a few weeds out ,and trimmed the lawn edges.
I will hopefully start on the hedges this coming week once the promised rain has passed by,but i am doing well now and can concentrate more on the decorating while the weather is iffy.
Hi Sylvia ,nice to read about your boarders if the weather is good over there in the next few weeks you may well find they decide to raise yet another brood this year ,extending your enjoyment a while longer,my new nesting boxes are still empty as yet ,but there is still time for a couple of families to move in.
I did get a nice treat for a couple of minutes late yesterday afternoon when a couple of peacock butterflies landed on the kitchen window sill behind me,one larger one and one smaller one behind.
The smaller one was raising and lowering it's head ,and flickering it's wings ,so ,i can't help thinking it was a male flirting with the bigger one i took to be a female.
Of course ,i went and spoilt it by standing up very slowly with the intention of getting the camera ,but of course ,as i moved ,they flew off [b****r].i do it every time he he,one of these days i will remember to take the camera out with me,lol
Off for a look around the boards for a few minutes before putting my shoes on before i go out front to get cracking,have a nice day all ,catch you later Fred.

Hello everyone,just a few lines again today as I am in and out doing errands etc.
Bought two lovelly garden chairs from B&Q this morning(30%0off,) ready to sit out in the sun during the summer (I HOPE),now going to take the cardboard boxes to the container for them at Sainsburys and get some stuff fro there and Wickes ,also need to go to the market and get a present for a friend and this is the only place she tells me they are.!!
Hope the decorating goes ok Fred,we need to do some ,but once you start everywhere seems to need doing in this house!!,
Sylvia,glad you seem to be on the mend in one way but getting problems in other areas,could be a frozeb shoulder whichis not related to age.!!
Beter go or I will not get to the market,before it closes.
Brenda

Hi everybody,
What beautiful weather we are having albeit a nasty cold wind. I still have a jumper and winter coat on when I go out.
Our new additions to the family are still doing very well, judging by the number of times mum and dad have gone backwards and forwards to feed them. I didn't see any movement yesterday so though something was wrong but today full of action in the nest. It now looks as though they have fixed a curtain up across the little hole where they go in and out. I don't know what it is and don't want to disturb them by looking too near. They fly so fast that they are difficult to see but I think they are blue tits.
I went to the market again today but quite late for me. I went after my hairdresser had been at 12.00 noon.
I am having physiotherapy on my right shoulder as I cannot lift my right arm to fill a kettle or cut up anything, even ironing is painful.
Still trying to get used to wearing a mask to sleep at night. I found it on the floor again this morning so must take it off in the night and then go back to sleep again without waking up.
Getting old with the problems attached to old age I suppose.
Love syl xxx

Afternoon one and all ,what a gay day ,lol,this is the first time i have stopped since 7 this morning,what with decorating on the lower floor ,the kitchen nearly done ,and the hall to start ,then the bathroom ,toilet and summer bedroom upstairs to start too.no end to it is there ?
I was hoping to get a bit of a hand from my eldest son ,but he is having ongoing problems with his car ,so i will just have to do it all on my own,it will just take longer is all.
I put three new Fushia in the back garden this morning ,after the missus brought them at B & Q along with three large punnets of Lobelia ,Geranium,and Busy Lizzie.
I was also treated to a new orbital sander ,a hint to start sanding doors i reckon ,but she has had it this weekend ,i need a rest,and i have a load of plants to put out after she brought them all.
I have also found a couple of off unused corners in the veggie patch and have put in the rest of the red onion sets in there so we should be okay for salad stuff.
Have to go peeps ,the missus is whinging again because i have stopped work,humph, i could do with a holiday just to get away from the females of the house ,he he.
Catch you later ,Fred.

Well its only me again,we have some sunshine today and its dry,so makes you feel better ,been doing some washing and setting up the printer again on the pc,don't remember it taking so long last time.
We have managed to book a holiday ,its not when we had first wanted to go ,but seems a better time and the price was ok ,so we are off to Ibiza for a change.!!
Have been sat here what seems like hours so need to get a drink and my dinner.
See you all tomorrow I hope.
take care
Brenda xx

Hi all,well its dry and a bit grey here and at least it seems warmer than it has been,
Glad Dorothy has managed to get on for a message to us,hope th eresults are ok ,!!
Of to the library now to change my books and pick up some reservations,then have lunch with a couple of friends from there,just a sandwich and soup,have been eating for too much the last two weeks ,so its back (yet again )to the diet.Will need to get it of ,if only to get into my holiday clothes ,if we ever manage to find a holiday.
Take care ,Brenda

hi tues am I am home for a few hours then will be taken back to andrew's waiting to hear to-day re the tests feeling not bad but still some problems.the cats are pleased to see me though they are well looked after by the lady in the building. easter week-end was lovely weather wise but raining to-day, thanks brenda for the message I will keep in touch, fred hope that your trip to blackpool goes well I was telling the children on the week-end re the holidays my family had there when I was a child bye for now dorothy

Morning all,well just about,nice to hear from you Kathleen,sorry you havr had bother with the scatica,I am enjoying my retiremeny very wll ,just wish the weather was better.
Been trying to find a holiday for us ,but not had much luck ,we are getting a bit fussy as we get older!!
Will email you about your holiday and the possiblity of meeting up Fred.
Had a message from Dorothy who is not well at the moment awaitng some tests,so I wish her all the best.
Have to get to the post office before they close for lunch,forgot to go last week with a parcel to return!!.
Take care ,Brenda

Good morning all - a lovely sunny morning thankfully.

Sorry I have not been around much for some time, I did try a couple of weeks ago but found sitting on this chair too uncomfortable to stay for more than a few minutes. Problem with sciatica - it's a bit painful. About 8 weeks ago woken up in the night with what felt like a mouthful of jumping teeth in my leg.
Sounds daft but it is the best description I can think of for the pain. 10 days later it was no better so I phoned for a Doctor's appointment and was able to see him the following Tuesday. Sent for X-rays, blood tests, urine tests etc.
Fortunately nothing too serious showed, just some wear on the hip, spine showed some weekness in the bones and arthritis in my neck, arms and legs. Treatment painkillers and calcium tablets. Getting older just isn't any fun - thankfully my brain still works!!!!
It is all getting a bit easier, Doctor said the sciatica would go (he didn't say when!!)
Hope you are enjoying your retirement Brenda, you seem to be able to find enough to do to fill your days - makes you wonder how you found time to go to work doesn't it?
Fred, thank you for the Easter Card - it was brilliant. I like the tip about buying Charlottes to use for planting out. I love Charlottes they last well and taste so good, versatile as well. Would still like your recipe for corning beef please.
Dorothy hope you enjoyed your "pot luck" supper, sounds such a great idea. Trust you and your family are all keeping well
Sylvia, trust you are feeling a little better now, hopefully the weather will improve - a little bit of sunshine makes a lot of difference. We have all had enough of the cold and wet weather.

Sorry, must stand up and take a walk around. Too much sitting is not good - walking is better now but I can't stand for too long. Mustn't complain - I have been pretty lucky so far to have got to my age without too many problems.

Take care everyone
Love to you all
Kathleen

Hi there Brenda,it would seem we are the only ones home ,lol,all the others are either hiding in bed where it's warm ,or they are away in warmer climbs for the Easter break ,either way ,they are the sensible ones ,he he.
Wet here too ,and cool. for the time of year,my stuff out in the veggie garden are on strike ,refusing to grow at all ,hmmmmm,the only stuff showing any movement is the gear in the chalet,and all that is growing in therre is the hardy stuff like the Brassica,my poor tomato seeds are still too sensible to show through the compost.
Both of us are stopping at home with really bad colds and don't want to pass them to the kids ,so ,no easter egg deliveries as yet.
Three weeks to go to our holiday in Blackpool and surrounding towns and beach ,so i hope that A the colds are well and trully gone by then,and B, the weather is a lot better by then ,i can't imagine an amble along the new coastal defences in this plurry weather ,he he.I have really cheated with the meals over this holiday ,using all pre cooked meat from the freezer ,just adding the veggies on the day ,fresh cooked ,well ,after all ,that's what freezers are for.
I did freeze one product that the sis in law will enjoy,some nice Peas pudding ,two containers will be going down for her when we start off.
we did well enough for poultry and meat ,a whole breast of turkey,sliced ,home cooked ham ,and a few slices of home cured ,cooked corned beef ,a rare treat as what there is in the freezer has to last until December when I press the chalet into service to cure the next batches [the kitchen being too small] for two five kilo slabs of Scot's beef. to sit in for 8 to 10 days.
A nice simple dinner ,or tea today ,a slice of Lorne sausage each with two rashers of bacon ,and an egg ,done with baked beans or tinned plum tomatoes and cooked new potatoes cut into wedges and fried lightly in oil
I am ,at the moment up dating the Acer ready for the holiday ,so i think i had better get on with it before i start dinner.
Hope everyone has had a nice break ,even if the weather has been naff ,lol
Fred

What amiserable week end it has been weatherwise,really cold and wet in places,spring has sprung yet !!
Had a good night at a party at my sisters last night great to see all the family together again,she had hoped it was going to be warmer so people could go into the garden ,but it wasn't as warm as she hoped ,people only went out to smoke and then came back in.But we all had a good time,
Meeting a friend tomorrow,hope we can get to the cinema but will make do with a coffee and a chat if we do not .
Better go and see about the washing as it was raining earlier and it was put into the dryer!!.
Hope you all enjoy what is left of the holiday ,
Brenda

Hi all,been doing some more sorting out this time the cupbaords in the dining room and some of the drawers in the bedroom,had to put a lot of bits and peices in the rubbish bag and only a few in the charity bag,but havenearly a full drawer empty now and a full shelf in the cupboard.
Went to The Lowry center to day ,went with a friend who needs some new sandals for her sons wedding in two weeks!! but we did not have any joy.
She will go into Manchester for another look next week.
Fred we bought some seed potatoes at B&Q they were not dear,could not find the charlottes anywhere.John has done both the sacks and a tub,so we will see how they get on,have been looking at other things we might try .
weather back to winter like you said Fred,put my light weight mac on today but was a bit chilly.Might have to carry on with the old winter coat for some time yet.
Need to get to bed now ,eyes are starting to droop,
Take care ,Brenda

Good morning all ,from a rather chilly,wet Newcastle ,lol,back to a mini winter methinks .
If you havn't already got your seed potatoes Brenda ,i suggest going to any store ,and buying a bag of ordinary charlotte tatties ,and set some aside to chit [start shooting] before you bung them in.
Charlotte are pest resistant,rot resistant and if watered every week ,they will give you a heavy crop of good all round tatties,as in chippers ,roasties ,boilers whatever ,lol
Nice one with the strawberries too ,ours are in the huge tubs we have the apple an plum trees in ,and make nice eating,you could do a lot worse than growing a few odds and ends for yourself.
The wife and i love the black pudding slices as a treat with bacon ,egg,sausage ,beans ,which we have about once a month,it has even been known for us to go overboard and add a piece of sliced haggis.
Thank goodness the cat food was the dried sort ,or you would have had a right mess to clear up ,lol,know what you mean though ,i seem to be a bit accident prone at the minute.
I decided to get a builder in to do the gable end ,because the son is too busy to find the time ,but no matter ,i got a pal to see one of his chums ,who is used to roofs and brickwork.
The lads came early this morning to see what wanted doing,and gave me a price to strip off all the old cement off the edge ridges,and resettle the loose tiles and re point the lot,and they are going to reduce the chimney stack and re point that too ,replacing the pot and cowl.
The total cost is £300 and that is the whole house done,so i am well chuffed.
I made a big batch of pease pudding last night ,yum ,loads going in the freezer for my fish and chips and enough left in the pot for my fish supper tonight.
will have to take some down to the sis' in law ,in three weeks ,because she can't get it in Lancashire in either Manchester ,or Blackpool,disgusting i calls it ,he he ,loads of beutiful ham to be had ,and no pudding to go with it ,huuumph .
I see the government is interfearing with the media yet again ,i do think it's time for the public to stand as one and tell them we have had enough.
Now ,they want to do away with the fm am radio system and go digital,which means many more transmitters needed costing Billions which the tax payer will have to pay for ,and where pray ,are they going to find the extra land fill to dispose of all these old radios? anything but going green which is what they say is what we all have to do.
Digital radios and televisions use much more electricity too ,up to %10 more ,so much for reducing the carbon foot print,it's all a badly thought out ruse to screw the public for more money,bad crack Brown ,AND they wern't going to tell us until it was too late to stop it all.
Have to go now ,things to do ,catch you later Fred.

Hello all,I really thought I had put a message on the other day to say i was hoping to get to Bury on Saturday depending on the weather!!<well we got there bit chilly but dry,got a couple of cardigans on the indooor market,a bit dressy to wear instead of a jacket.Did not go all round the market and John did not fancy black pudding so we di not go near the stall.so do not know if its moved.
One of the presents I got for my retirement was a couple of potato sacks ,so we called at B&Q and got the compost etc on the way home they have been set up in the garden .Also was given strawberry bucket ,but have to set that up with a plastik frame just for now.
We had a brilliant night out on Saturday with my friends from the library,and my old friend came to lunch yesterday ,did a hot pot that went don really well,Hope your supper went well Dorothy. Might go to the cinema with my friend to see that film.,,,Have to do heaps of thank you letters etc and will be delivering a few boxes of biscuits to each of the libraries I worked at this week as a thank you for the collections they made and the lovelly presents I received.
See you all later ,Brenda

goodmorning glad to hear brenda that you were treated to a great goodbye from the libraryand that you have enjoyed the dinner out sounds like retirement is starting of well, if you went to bury hope that you had a good afternoon,I see that the duke of gloucester was there on friday opening the bury black pudding place I assuming they have moved to new premises? been a bit chilly here the last 2 days to-day we are having a pot luck supper in the building I am bringing a desert , tennis is on starting to-morrow last night I watched the blind side on the tele I really enjoyed it a bit of a 2 hankie movie in parts.hope you all had a good week-end bye for now dorothy

hello everyone,well so far so good,had a really lovelly day at work on wednesday,had loads of flowers, cards and presents,with banners and balloons decoarating the library.
Had friends and family calling round and phoning in the evning,David was out at the match,so John made us a lovelly tea with some steak he got half price at Morrisons,with some mushrooms and onions,we also had a bottle of wine!!
Had a bit of a lie in on Thursday so was a bit out of my routine when i got downstairs ,forgot to unset the alarm ,which went of as I opened the curtains,then when I was opening a new bag of dried cat food, the bag spilt ,all over the floor,just as the door bell went ,luckily it was my brother and sister in law!! so it was abit of a memorable first day of retirement.
I am hope fully going to Bury tomorrow ,,hope its dry,and then to get some compost and seed potatos as one of my gifts was two potato growing sacks!!
In the evening I am going out for a meal and a drink with the people from work and John,whic promises to be good.On Monday I am having my girlfriends round to lunch,making hot pot and sandwiches for them,with a cream cake each for afters !!!the cakes will be bought not made by me.
I am so pleased you both seem to be ok with your check ups.
Have to have one next month myself ,had a colonoscopy five years ago and now need a check up to see all is well,.
I am sat trying to type with one of the cats on my knee and he keeps moving round so I am getting fed up with having to correct myself.
Better go and have a warm drink then back to bed,See you all tomorrow or sunday after the clocks have gone forward,
Take care,Brenda

HAPPY RETIREMENT TO BRENDA MAY YOU HAVE MANY HAPPY DAYS AHEAD OF YOU. goodmorning one and all from a cold but sunny barrie big weather change -15 last night yesterday afternoon I missed a call from the cardiac doc so I will have to try and catch up with him to-day he left me a message re his whereabouts for to-day mon and tues nice guy. he has my test results for me, glad you had a good check up fred you will be fitting fit for all the garden work ahead of you, now brenda I can't help wondering if you will be wondering around bury market to-morrow (sat) if so have a good time bye for now dorothy

Afternoon Brenda mwhat's the first thing you notice on the first day of retirement ,lol,bet you tried to roll over for a few more minutes in the warm only to find ,for the first time in many years ,you were wide awake ,he he ,it happens to us all i reckon.
Hope you get a few days to yourself over the next few days so thjat you can relax and recharge your batteries.
My ticker apointment went fine so i came home and pulled the paper off the door surrouind in the kitchen and applied a coat of damp seal to stop any moisture from the sink surround making the wall damp.
I will replaster that sunken area over the next two days ,recoat the repair with more paint,leave it for a week and then repaper,leaving the wall .and the rest of the kitchen walls ready for some new emulsion.
A nnice chicken curry for tea tonight ,with a few chips ,mmmmmmm,catch you all later ,Fred.

hi fred I can now understand why you change bedrooms great idea brenda good luck on your last day at work so much fun and good times ahead of you, I am wired up at the moment the monitor comes off at 12-30 so it isnot 24hrs of wearing it has not been too bad, another sunny day up to 14 but to-morrow it changes again I believe you put the clocks ahead this sat eve so we will be back to 5hrs apart. the building is having another pot luck supper on sunday they do go over well, not sure yet what I am taking probably a desert. bye for now dorothy

Evening all,not sure how much like Dixon of Dock Green I can sound!!
Weather very mixed today ,but as we were in work we did not really mind the rainuntil I had to go out with some rubbish for the bin,
Only tomorrow to work now ,not sure how I feel,sorry in one way for leaving a great bunch of people and glad to be able to take my time and do my own thing.
Been doing my car tax and looking for house insurance ,there is such a big difference in prices and what cover you get!!
ER fred you do sound posh with the summer bedroom etc but I had a neighbour who changed sitting rooms in the summer she was in the front room and winter in the back as it was smaller and easier to keep warm,made sense really.
Better get back downstairs and ready to watch my CSI programme.
Take care
Brenda