General Chat

hi it is me back again I scolled back over the messages and mine was lost I wrote about halloween night at the family's place I went over for dinner we ate early about 4pm as bryan had a hockey game and then we set up for all the trick or treators Ian and Laura went out lindy went with laura and her girlfriend to keep an eye on the girls and Ian and one of his friends and a parent went with them I did the door about 115 chocolate bars went one each so the number of children was up this year and what great costumes they had on. so it was a great evening.

recieved an e-mail from my cousin re the burial of the ashes of my aunt and uncle they went in the mills family grave in bury in the cemetary off st peters road that makes 8 family members to-gether it has a very large head stone with the names engraved going back to the middle 1800's glad that is done
. will take bryan out next week for dinner belated birthday dinner his was in may but I was not driving then he has picked wild wings a chicken wings place a bit noisy but a fun place he has exams this week ok this is what I wrote the other day if the site deleted it not sure why bye again dorothy

Evening all,well its been wet and wild here today,and its likely to last all week.
Nice to hear from you Dorothy,I have written quiete a few messages which have gone into cyberspace,or maybe I just pressed the wrong button,which I know I have done once or twice,but sometimes they just do disaper.
Glad you had a good Halloween,ours was non existant no one came which was just as well, I did not buy any treats,in the pass few years I have bought stuff and no one came.
went out shopping with my sister today ,she wanted shoes.Saw lots of lovelly christmas stuff but not the sort of stuff I wanted to buy .My sister got her shoes and I got a lovelly dressing gown which i have been looking for for ages.!!Have a few other emails today before I watch my tv programme .Bones.!! Take care Brenda

Well it was wet and miserable again here today.still got out and went to myspanish class which i am enjoying.All but one "pupil"attended today which was good.
Must do some pratice on it at home more often.
went to bed about 10.45 but couldn't sleep so came on here to see what messages if any I had, found loads of junk stuff amd one message from my cousin.Will also be surfing shortly for a few items I am interested in.
I fancy one of those Wii fit console things but have found out how expensive they are,so am looking for them to see if they can be bought cheaper.!! My sister and her daughter think theirs is great.!!
Hope Fred and Liz are ok and not doing to much with the decorating.
How are you Dorothy,its Bonfire night tomorrow might do some hot dogs and get John some treacle toffoe,not keen on it myself,don't like bomfire night either or fireworks,!!!Hope Sylvia i doing ok as well.See you all soon Brendas

Hi Brenda,Dorothy,Sylvia and anyone else who drops in.
The window is finished and the room put straight ,and a little touching up seen to,now ,it's a couple of weeks doing just house work ,and the garden before i start the three doors that need doing before the festive season,once that is done ,the decorating is finished until spring.
I too Liz for an exray last week ,and it turns out that she has a severe viral infection,so she is on a two week course of a powerful anti biotic.
I had an exray this morning too ,to see wether i have arthritis in the right hip ,or wether it is something else.
Coming out of the walk in centre there is an Aldi right next door so we did as tad of shopping ,mainly veggies for soup making and some treats for the furry pest ,who is still following me everywhere,getting under my feet ,lol, which is what cats do best ,after all.
We are off to a B B Q at the eldest sons tonight after which it will be normal meals until early April when the gear comes out again.
I have managed to get hold of some Lancashire black pudding Brenda ,and i will have some over the next couple of days to see it it's any good.
By the by ,this morning we found a lovely bacon joint [smoked gammon] and brought a good sized piece ,which i will cook up over the weekend,and keep the stock for soup ,and Pease Pudding, the meat i will slice up and salt away in the freezer for the festive season.
Looks like i got the windows done just in time ,the council are starting to clear the flats out ,round the corner ,and will start demolition, in Jan' so there will be lots of noise and dust which would do Liz no good at all.
Hope everyone is going to have a good weekend .Fred

hi happy bonfire night too you all if you like it that is my mom always made parkin and my nana did the treacle toffee and we had potatoes in the bonfire, liz I hope that you get better soon and that the pills clear up things for you, fred as usual you are one busy guy do remember to have a bit of a rest. brenda just reading micheal connelly's new book reversal quite good so far. woke up this morning to rain but it is now turning into snow but it is not sticking at the moment thought we could get 5cm by days end but we are a kind of a bowl and sometimes when it blows in from the lake ( kempenfelt bay) it blows over us so fingers crossed, and the long range forecast shows double digit temps for next week. andrew had a nice surprise this week he had entered a draw at work after making a donation to one of the charitys the company supports and he won the grand prize which is a 3000 dollar yes that is right 3000dollars in the form of money to be used on airflights, they had planned on maybe a winter ski-ing holiday for the family in whistler british columbia but the children are voting for a holiday in a warmer place so we shall see. if they go to an all inclusive flight and place etc for a family of 5 they will have to put some to it but 3000 dollars goes quite a way. he was really please needless to say well I think that I am going to make another coffee curl up with the book and leave getting ready for the afternoon tea thing till later it is only 9-30am oh yes brenda and up date on anne she has finally recieved her reading glasses and is so happy so both surgeries on the eyes are now complete she has piles of books and hello magazine to read bye for now dorothy

Evening all,Well its been drier today and a little milder,but now its a bit wetter ,but it has not stopped the fire works or the bonfires.
They are so expensive as well,the cheapest seems to be about £5.00!
Sparklers are £2 a packet of 5 according to all the adverts.Have not seen any parkin on sale but plenty of treacle toffee.
I also got a lot of veg to do soups fred and nearly bought a ham shank to do a pea and ham soup ,,but will do that next week.
Dorothy I have so many books to read I do not know where to start,\i have a lot on order at the library as well.
We are leaving our decorating till after christmas,it would be to much of a rush to do what we want to do with the holiday in the middle.
I am glad liz has now got some stronger medication which iam sure will sort her out,Hope your xray gets you sorted as well fred.By the way The Bury Black Pudding Company have a web site just google the name.and they do pon line orders as well!!Better go and sort out the washer now its stopped and see where I am getting it dried. Brenda

hi I guess you all are busy this week-end to-day (7th) is my sisters husbands 65th not sure if they are at the condo in calgary or in canmore perhaps he will celebrate by going on a hike in the mountains as they love doing this anyway I shall phone later and speak to him. nice sunny morning but about -1 so a bit chilly I thought about fred yesterday as I had time to do some cooking made myself a nice roast chicken baby spuds and yam it was very good. brenda I finished that book it was very good and then read jimmy carters book about his time in the white house it made interesting reading. john greshims new one is for to-day. going over to the family on tuesday celebrating Laura's 14th a day early it is a year on the 11th since her school friend hung herself and andrew and lindy have been keeping a close eye on laura she has been leading them quite a dance lately and it seems rachels death is on her mind a lot. so we shall see how it all turns out I think that she needs to talk to someone other than the family but there is a fine line between advice and interfering when you are a grand parent though andrew does call in for long talks with me re what to do. I do think that boys are easier to raise than girls but then I never had a girl especially in this day and age so much pressure on them well I hope that you all have had a good week-end bye for now dorothy

Just a quick one before i get cracking on the doors upstairs ,with the sander,before i start the painting tomorrow.
Take care all you peeps in the west country ,the weather forecast is looking horrendous wind ,wind ,and more wind ,tons of rain ,and maybe in places ,snow and sleet brrrrrrr,Fred is staying indoors methinks.
Liz is still improving ,and i reckon at this rate ,she should be back to normal [ for her ,he he ,ouch] by the time her med's are finished.
Just ordered online ,a new Silent Night mattress from Argos ,wonder if the name means the old girl won't snore so much [yeah ,right ] lol,but it was about time we settled for a new one.
Hi Ho ,Hi Ho Fred's off to work i go ,he he ,back later ,Fred.

hi gosh fred you are one busy man glad to hear liz is feeling better sorry to hear about the bad weather coming all over england according to the daily mail it is again another sunny day a little on the cold side but as long as the sun is shining it is ok. nothing much new at the moment jut catching up on some chores and putting to-gether a christmas list of cards etc going to phone some of the old rellies as it is cheaper for me to phone then pay the stamp price for overseas does not make sense but that is the way it is I remember whne phoning england cost a fortune and we used to get the egg timer out so as to not go over 3minutes how times have changed. the cat has not adjusted to the time change as yet quite noisy in the morning he is much more vocal now he is the only one in the house and requires much more attention but that is allright bye for now dorothy

Evening all,think some of those winds have all ready got here Fred,was out at the dentst this morning and it was blowing then,as well as being grey and very wet ,thank god it did not rain as well.Had an old filling replaced so hope that stops the tooth being so sensitive.!!should have gone to town to meet my friend but just wanted to go home and lie down,mind you i did say it would depend on how I was feeling,
Anyway after an hour having a lie down and a cup of tea I wasn't as bad.and now feel a lot better.
Hope your new mattress is as good as the one we got last year its just bliss to sleep on!!! Must admit it was exspensive but that was due to it being a king size and having memory foam on the top,theonly thing I don't like is that it can not be" turned " like other matteressess and its not easy to put the fitted sheet on as it does not bend ,but to sleep on its great. I am aslo sorting out my cards for christmas want them reay when I go away I also understand about the costa of the stamps and phone calls.e

message comtinued: sorry about that got a bit distracted,anyway want to try and finish off my presents before the end of next week or the week after.Don't have many to get now but not sure what I am actually getting for these people.keep changing my mind.
will have to think about christmas menus only thing i have sorted is the beef for christmas dinner!!!
Fred just watch your self with those doors,and i am glad Liz is on the way to recovery.
Dorothy Hope your cat settles agin with the time change ours did but they are still together,was thinking of getting a rescue dog at weekend the local dogs home puts pictures in the local paper of the ones they think will be adopted ,and I really felt for them,but I have to be sensible and it would be too much again. time for Corrie ,take care.brenda

Just a quick message ,then I am out to the library ,they have a book in for John and one for me.Might nip to Sainsburys for milk ,but not sure as i will not come out with just milk!!
Might be back tonight think its football on tv again.
weater still wet but not to windy.We had to weight the plastic green house down with more bags yesterday it was almost blowing aawy even with being tied down and weighted down.!!
Take care Brenda

Hi All,whew ,time to sit down at last ,after a busy but rewarding day.
Managed to get the first coat of gloss on the three doors yesterday,using a lambswool roller ,to give a far better finish ,using cold paint ,a lot slower than a brush ,but a far better finish.
I have gotten two further coats on today ,leaving one for tomorrow,and then i can start the passage side of the same three doors,leaving only the frames to do .
Lizw as quite perky this morning ,so i let her loose in the second bedroom ,sorting all the gear to put back in the drawers,and deciding to leave that room till last ,closed the door of the room ,and started painting the toilet door ,and had to close that too ,there i was ,getting on great ,when i hear her voice " guess what ,ive found" ???????,now ,this was through two closed doors,who am i ,not Houdini .or Paul Daniels ,not having second sight or Supermans x-ray vision ,how in heck was i supposed to know what the daft woman had found he he,she wasn't too pleased when i replied " Derrrrrrr,ask me another ",she is getting better all right ,lol
I finished that coat of paint in time to start dinner arrangements ,eolled Lamb breast with stuffing ,cabbage ,roast tatties and onions drizzled in olive oil.
I did some oter stuff in the steamer too ,for use over the next couple of days which i can reheat in a mic ,cabbage,swede,carrot ,and mashed potatoes.and new potatoes ,just to save energy which is dear enough these days.
I have made a cheese pudding for tomorrows dinner ,which means i can do the whole meal in the mic' in one go ,good thinking Batman ,he he.
I have checked on line Brenda ,and will think about ordering some ,black ,and maybe some white pudding if this lancashire stuff is naff ,he he ,you have spoilt me for the stuff they produce locally.
The Tumble dryer has arrived ,and is already in place ,ready to go ,and it looks like none too soon ,the weather going from bad to worse.
My greenhouse is too important to me to chance it blowing away Brenda ,so i grouted it well down using resin anchors ,plus concreting the frame well down,it it goes walkies now ,half the patio will go as well .lol..
off to check my paintwork now ,be back later,Fred

goodmorning woke up to a heavy frost on the ground but it will warm up in the afternoon well Laura is 14 to-day we all went out for dinner last evening it was her choice and it was a japanese place sushi, well I have never seen so much food coming to the table platter after platter of who knows what I had no idea what I was eating, lots of small rolls of stuff but it was much too my surprise very good, I could at the end of the meal figure out what some of it was ie. spring rolls, deep fried scallops, crab pizza small pieces about the size of a pound coin, Ian tried the eel pizza and said it was good thank goodness andrew knew what to order for all of us, after that we went back home and opened presents and had ice cream birthday cake I am not going to think about all the calories I ate. fred it sounds like the painting is going well I also liked that kind of roller in my painting days it was great on scalloped ceilings as well. brenda hope that you are feeling better after the trip to the dentist, I have noticed that this gereration does not fear the dentist as much as ours did and does. Bryan was at the orthodontist yesterday to have his braces tightened and to quote him "piece of cake grandma" rather him than me. going to pop out to-day to see what I can pick up for xmas, and this evening there is a craft sale in the building so I shall pop in for a while, we are so far behind on corrie tyrone has just been told the wife is leaving him, read on line that jack died in mondays episode. I can go on line and get up dates on the episodes that you are watching but it is not the same bye for now dorothy

Hi Glad you are all keeping busy and warm,its gone really cold here ,sunny but cold.Hope the craft fair is good Dorothy and so pleased you enjoyed the birthday meal.fred you put us to shame with your orginaisation!!.I did used to do something like you with meals when I worked Full time might try it again .I would do a couple of curries or casseroles in the same oven and freeze one and put the other in the fridge they would be more than one meal and we would have it over two days ,usually better the second night.!!
Better get the rice on for the tea now,See you all tomorrow
take care Brenda

hi hope that you all are keeping warm saw by the news this am. that snow and cold are coming to england in a big way please keep it over there, brenda the craft sale was quite good it is run by two sisters and they do a good job only bought one item a little xmas decoration, to-day is cold -2 but up to 12 this afternoon yesterday was a beautiful day I expect Ian went to school in shorts he is a child who does not feel the cold we are always telling him to put on more clothes. to-day is rememberance day so lots of parades and marching bands very emotional but it is always good to remember those brave men and woman of all wars. my brother phoned yesterday he is keeping well he is working in doncaster at the moment but will be home in scotland on the 23 for a few days well that is it for me bye for now dorothy

Hi everyone,well its certainly cold enougth for snow,but its very windy at the moment,the reports say snow on high ground ,but i don't know if we are high enougth hope not!!! Hope its not going freds way,either.
glad youenjoyed the craft fair.I used to like going to theones at the local schools but theydon't actually have crafts anymore just donated items.
I hope to go to the Christmas fairs in town in december they are great a bit pricey but good fun to walk round if its not wet!!.
There have been some services for rememberance day ,today but the main one will be on sunday.Most places held a two minute silence at 11am,There will be a national one on sunday.
If the weather is dry we hope to go up to Bury on saturday for a walk round the shops and a little walk on the Market,John wants a new watch and I said i would get it for christmas so we need to have a look at whats on offer..Going for a drink now.see you again,brendae

Morning all ,from a very cold ,very windy north of england ,where apart from some sleet ,no white stuff [apart from the paint].
I have to go ,but i wanted to come on quickly to let every one know we are fine ,and Liz is still improving.
I have tried many times over the last few days to add a message ,only to see it go whoosh as i was about to submit it ,despite trying three different computers ,so it ain't me ,lol
Seems like Gerty the genes gremlin is out of her cage yet again ,so i will have to find me whip ,lol.
See ya later all ,Fred.

Evening to Brenda,Dorothy and anyone else who happens by this evening.
Back in at last ,but not too cheerful this evening ,the call i had from the doc' saying he had the results of the ex-rays and wanted to chat with me turned out to be worse than i thought .lol.
I now find i have Arthritis in both hips ,and osteo-porosis in my lower back,hows that for a suprise ,he he.
He asked me if i wanted to be referred to the hospital ,and i said ,well ,when i can't get up and downstairs ,and when i can't potter in the garden or cut the lawns,or even do a little work in the house ,i will let you know ,so he knows what i think about it .
I have been coping okay for two years and feel i can do a few more before i panic
I only have one coat to do on the three doors now ,so i will do that tomorrow before i have a couple of days off from the smell of paint ,and then i will get the other three doors upstairs done before i pack all the gear away until the spring,
I think i will follow Brenda's example and go to the Christmas fair ,but i will buy two tickets on the coach and go to the Leeds one which is supposed to be very good,and is well known for shoes.
at least the snow held off ,and the weather has been fair all day ,but it looks like a frost tonight ,so i will get some hearty soup out for tea.
The fella to see about the loft insulation turned up at two fifteen and checked out the loft ,it seems we need another 60 mm added to bring it up to the proper standard,so we should be a good bit warmer this winter.
See you in the morning troops ,take care .Fred

hi well it is a foggy saturday morning the cold and heat are meeting up again and the fog drifts in from the lake 0 degree's at the moment but about 12 this afternoon and sunny, spoke to anne a few minutes ago and it is cold but sunny in bury so brenda if it stays that way you should have an ok. time at the market. sorry about the news re your x-rays fred but they do have some new meds over here that seem to be keeping my friends who have arthritis quite comfortable oh the joys of ageing not much fun at times, I think the fact that you keep yourself quite active will pay off in the long run.

I had a fun evening out with bryan at wild wing resturant he had a large basket of wings and I had fish and chips but we had garpar first that is onion rings deep fried and smothered in this parmasean cheese sauce very very good I shall remain fat free all week, we had nice chats and I got caught up on that is going on his life ie. hope and dreams for the future he really is a kind lad and thoughtful. to-day is a low key day off to the library 4 books in for me a loaf of bread from the bake shop and the saturday paper and that is it. have a good week-end one and all bye for now dorothy