BEREAVEMENTUK SUPPORT FORUM

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Administrator on February 22, 2016, 07:52:21 PM

Title: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on February 22, 2016, 07:52:21 PM
Hello everyone!

Starting up a new thread, for general chit chat - pop in, have a little chat, for those days when we fancy a general chat about our day, what we're doing or watching etc. Just jump on in and start a conversation :-)

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Pauline Mc on February 22, 2016, 11:13:59 PM
Hi Dave
Like the new look
 ;D
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on February 22, 2016, 11:19:58 PM
Hi Dave, very posh here
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on February 23, 2016, 03:46:39 PM
Yep with this the way it is now Norma I don't think their will be any confusion of just where the right place to post will be and make modding the site a breeze compared to the other forum.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 23, 2016, 03:52:32 PM
So is it to replace the main site then ?  Its nowhere near as complicated to get around is it so that can only be good
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on February 23, 2016, 03:56:37 PM
Well if it works out better for everyone then yes it can only improve BUK, because most people use phones and pad to browse here so they will like it more this size and more manageable. x
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on February 23, 2016, 07:00:33 PM
Least this site is running faster than last night now   :D
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on February 23, 2016, 07:02:22 PM
Oh great, now I am waiting to be checked by a  moderator   ;D ;D ;D
Wonder how long it will  be lol
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 23, 2016, 07:02:36 PM
Hey jude trying to find way round it lol
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on February 23, 2016, 07:07:08 PM
Hurry up and find the key then lol
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 23, 2016, 07:14:30 PM
You must be okay because youve replied to my new topic
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on February 23, 2016, 07:16:32 PM
Looks like it Norma.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 23, 2016, 07:19:55 PM
What do you think jude
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 24, 2016, 09:49:22 PM
Hello!  :) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 24, 2016, 09:53:21 PM
Hiya Emz
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 24, 2016, 09:54:12 PM
Think you have to do a couple more hun
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 24, 2016, 09:57:15 PM
Yeay! Im approved :-D Hi norma :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 24, 2016, 10:01:19 PM
And for once I cant think of a single thing to type! Lol
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 24, 2016, 10:03:38 PM
What Emz lost for words lol xxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 24, 2016, 10:04:43 PM
I know! I'm just as surprised!  :-\
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 24, 2016, 10:08:43 PM
Sent you a private messge can you see it hun xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 24, 2016, 11:21:03 PM
Hopefully im back
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 25, 2016, 09:08:48 AM
Good morning all you lovelies, the suns shining up here in sheffield but bet its cold. Xxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 25, 2016, 09:27:20 AM
Good morning Norma. Its sunny but rather chilly here xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 25, 2016, 11:19:43 AM
Loving the profile pic norma :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 25, 2016, 04:22:40 PM
Thought it fitted me to a T lol xxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 25, 2016, 07:07:48 PM
Hello apologies for late arrival been having a bad week . awaiting approval hope no one gave Norma the key or I could be waiting a while (lol)
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 25, 2016, 08:14:58 PM
I found thebkey hun, think you gotbto do two more lol xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on February 25, 2016, 08:34:36 PM
Hello apologies for late arrival been having a bad week . awaiting approval hope no one gave Norma the key or I could be waiting a while (lol)

Karena just make another 3 blah blah blah posts so we get that out of the way, and you can start learning the mod ropes here,,looks easy enough at the moment.

When we have mastered this between us and sussed how it works, we will delete all these testing posts before we make this live for a trail run.  :D
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 25, 2016, 08:39:42 PM
Hiya, I'll set up another test post for splitting and moving practice :-)
Am sat here with ice on my leg in agony at the mo, my dog decided to run full speed round the garden and just ran boney head first into my shin  :o xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 25, 2016, 10:14:41 PM
Ouch don't you just love mad dogs
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on February 25, 2016, 10:20:42 PM
One more hun xxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 26, 2016, 07:36:13 PM
I'll add an ouch and mad dog to this thread! My insane animal decided to run around the garden at top speed last night, then run full speed, boney head first into my shin.  Was in agony!! Had to ice it then have heat on it, have been liberally applying arnica gel but it's so tender even jeans touching against it hurts a bit! Have a lovely big bruise now, and sure I'll have my own version of sunsets on my shin as it goes through stages lol!
Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on February 26, 2016, 10:05:42 PM
Ouch! well at least it's not broken just pretty by the sound of it.  :o

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 27, 2016, 08:03:33 AM
I can still walk,so am taking that as a good sign! :-)
Should keep a register of injuries, on me and him!! He's one clumsy dog!!  Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 29, 2016, 03:07:58 PM
May I just say I'm not liking Mondays right now!  Think we should ban them!  Have had a productive day so far, but work doesnt finish until 4:30 today and I've lost my motivation now!!

We should have 3 day weekends as standard, would be a much fairer split of the week! Lol xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 29, 2016, 09:23:27 PM
Argh! Got a new injury!  Now have a bruised colourful funger from playing tug with Raz. Doh!! Lol xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 11, 2016, 10:35:18 PM
Hello, is there anybody out there?

Just thought I'd drop by and say a hello to anyone around. After a really hectic week am having a restful eve.  Little bit enforced, as every time I feel a bit stressed/wound up I feel dizzy/heady - so think my body is telling me to slow down!

Had a huge box arrive in the post, decided to order myself a dressmaker dummy to help with some t-shirt adjusting I have in mind.  It was a great price, have always wanted one but now pondering where on earth it's going to live lol! And without scaring me if I come across it in the dark!! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 11, 2016, 10:50:03 PM
Hey what you like Emz xxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 13, 2016, 09:31:31 AM
It's Sunday, the sun is out and I've just had a lovely coffee.  A reasonable start to the day!

Kettles on for next visitor  :coffeetoast: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on March 15, 2016, 05:20:32 PM
I think the time has come now for the  update to the old board so fingers crossed but we have this forum to fall back on which takes the pressure off now. :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 15, 2016, 06:28:11 PM
Good Luck Dave xx
[/b]
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 15, 2016, 06:58:21 PM
Just went to check old board and it's down, so good luck Dave!  Yeay for new board!

How is everyone? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 16, 2016, 08:40:12 PM
Checking in from za where believe it or not it is raining torrentially.but at least its warm rain,back in Jo'burg now Kruger was amazing and 36 degrees.and amazingly I went with the notion of photographing bush babies extremely cute and notoriously shy so I didn't expect it was actually going to happen but on the last night it did,there were three as good as posing in the tree above my tent.
Bandwidths is bad here so I will wait until I get back to post them.
Hope everyone is OK especially you emz with your crazy dog.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 16, 2016, 09:46:39 PM
Fab to hear from you Karena! :-) looking forward to seeing the photos.
Raz is as crazy as ever, got a great funny photo the other day, will have to see if I can upload it.  Take care and have fun xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 19, 2016, 07:48:16 PM
Yay sun was out today and I finally look slightly less pallid shame I only have 2 days left.Discovered my daughter officially has THE mother in law from hell.I heard the rumours of course,I met her at their wedding and also saw what a manipulating cow she can be,but today took the biscuit.thankfully she lives in Korea most of the time,otherwise there may be another accidental shooting through the bathroom door trial in Pretoria,but I,m not an athlete and have two legs so might not get off quite so easily.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 19, 2016, 08:31:13 PM
Glad you are having some sun :-) , it's cold and dreary here. One of the weather forecasts even described it as dreary!
We popped out for some lunch, then have been relaxing at home.  Quiet time and did my nails :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 20, 2016, 09:22:38 PM
Not happy to hear I will be returning to dreary,although not entirely unexpected.not sure what's happening back there but from scrolling through fb it seems political panic has Brocken out.
Off to visit the cradle of mankind tomorow,then its off to the airport and the start of what's going to be a particularly long return trip.most of Tuesday will be spent at schipol,though I,m considering breaking the mould and being a bit daring maybe skip off into Amsterdam for a bonus jaunt before the final leg back to drearyness.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: missfrier on March 21, 2016, 08:57:31 AM
hi every one  hope  every is ok    im sorry nto been on  bradley poorly  so not  had  much time 
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 21, 2016, 05:08:13 PM
Hope Bradley is better soon, there seems to be so many bugs about!
Today's weather was more promising, with sunshine but I had to travel to London for a meeting and it was dreary/grey there! Typical I missed the sunshine lol! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on March 21, 2016, 07:53:12 PM
The sunshine  by passed Shropshire, it has been a cloudy, cold day. No fun when you are doing the dog  walk and feel the cold before you leave the house  :sad:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 23, 2016, 08:16:58 PM
Back home back to work it doesn't get much drearier than that.was stuck in the airport for 8 hours with all the security and some of the poor people who would have been going from Brussels being diverted it wasn't much fun.I had intended a jaunt into Amsterdam but the trains were cancelled.I,m not complaining given the circumstances but it makes you think yet again how precarious all our lives are. :sad:
Ben was happy to see me back.He was perfectly well looked after but he has changed.Used to be when we came back he would sulk for a couple of days to punish us but since Keith died he doesn't bother pretending just turns into a soppy tail wagging heap of fuss.perhaps I am crediting a dogs mind too highly but I wonder if it is that he remembers Keith not coming back.Either way I always feel guilty leaving him.

Hope bradly is feeling better
Spring is just around the corner and I,m sure we will be feeling warmer less dreary and more able to shake off the lurgys,but today I was cold,very cold.Got some sleep to catch up on too.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 23, 2016, 09:38:13 PM
Aw karena, this weather and work pretty rubbish after your lovely break! At least almost a long bank hol wkend!
Aww bless, i bet Ben loved seeing you.  Makes me smile with Raz, I only have to pop out 2 mins and I always get a big, wiggly bum, tail wagging greeting. Dogs certainly brighten up life, bless them.

How is Bradley now Lisa?
Juse, hope you're staying warm on those dog walks
Bet Norma is up to some mischief :-)

Ive had a good day.  Finally shaken off the weird dizziness I've been suffering from for about a week, my friend had her first baby and all went well.  Worked my socks off today, cleared loads of intense work and updated my projections which are all looking good.  Cooked a chilli whilst listening/singing along to a Richard Hawley cd, which was really tasty followed by a glass of red.  First time in quite a while have felt like this :-) so making the most of it

Hugs to all xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on March 23, 2016, 11:59:09 PM
Today I drove with Pip my dog to Llandudno as it would have been my husbands birthday today. Left Telford with cloud which lasted all the way to Llandudno. After  being there about an hour, the sun was trying to poke it way through the clouds, then suddenly the clouds disappeared had blue sky and wall to wall sunshine.
I did make a friend on the beach, will put a photo up tomorrow as it is so funny  :azn:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 26, 2016, 10:16:50 AM
Llandudno seems popular this weekend, a friend of mine has been there too this weekend :-)

Was so lovely to see sunshine and blue skies yesterday, makes such a difference to our moods.  Started yesterday with some ball play with Raz in the garden then had a nice trip to Chepstow for a stroll and explore. Had a lovely tapas lunch when we got home, selection of meats, fried halloumi, gluten free tomato+garlic flatbread, hummus, olives and feta. (Think the theme for this weekend will be food lol!) In the afternoon spent time sorting out the shed and utility room, with lots of time in the garden, refilling bird feeders and cleaning birdbath.  Raz loved it, wandering around with his ball and he was so tired by the eve :-)  can't wait for more sunshine filled days

How is everyone today?  What are you all up to?

Sending a hug to anyone who needs one xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 26, 2016, 10:42:26 AM
Hi, finally arrived home from a few days away, was stuck on M1 for 50 minutes not moving then 10 minutes at 5 mile an hour, there had been an accident so M1 north bound was closed  for an hour and an half, i just hope there were no fatalities or serious injury. Anyway im  doing nothing today my granddaughter has  walked my little legs  off for the past 3 days, oh to have the energy of a 22 year old again lol. Hope everyone has a Nice relaxing easter, but can soon pop the kettle on if anyone needs a chat or is at a loose end. 

(((Hugs))) to everyone
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 26, 2016, 11:07:40 AM
Pop those legs up norma and indulge in a film with some Popcorn or nibbles  :hug:  glad you've had good time xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 26, 2016, 05:59:07 PM
Just wondering what was tasty Emz the food or Richard Hawley . :laugh:
Norma I wish I had the legs of a 22 year old too but while I,m making the request I would like them longer as well.
Llandudno is a lovely place wish I lived in wales,that was our big plan,work a few more years and go live in a caravan,obviously not to be,but as the caravan park we were going too is no more we might have been in a bit of a mess.
I took my couch surfer shopping for stuff for his place.I don't think black wallpaper in the bathroom was ever going to work especially as it was not even the waterproof type paper.I talked him into tiles.
Another couple of weeks and I will have my house back.in some ways nice but I will miss having someone for a natter and a cup of tea.no doubt I will get used to it again.
Boys are coming for lunch tomorrow so got to hide easter eggs round the house for egg hunt.best do it in the morning or I will forget where I hid them.
Otherwise its garden or house diy for the rest of the weekend.hoping for garden weather as I,m moving a pond.the froggys were busy yesterday and filled the old one with frogspawn which means I have to sort the new one before it hatches or wait for winter.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on March 26, 2016, 06:51:07 PM
I had been told that a murmuration ( flock of starlings ) was not far from me. So Pip ( my dog )  and myself  decided that  yesterday afternoon we  would   go and see it.
Had a lovely walk around the nature reserve but when it was time for the murmuration the the birds were at the far end of the mere, so didn't really have a good close up of them   :sad:
And you can bet, if I was at the far end they would have been at the other end of the mere :grin:
Always this December/January to see it again.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 26, 2016, 07:03:54 PM
Wow Jude arent you the clever one know the correct term for a flock of starlings id never heard of it, but bad luck chuck, that would be me, only two ends but guarantee stand at the wrong end lol. Xxxx :angry:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on March 26, 2016, 09:57:21 PM
The only trouble with the other end, not sure if you are allowed to go there. Plus think you would have been better watching from another advantage point . Just need to find out where it would be, Running out of time as the end of March it finishes.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 27, 2016, 09:17:55 AM
Lol karena, the dinner was tasty but Richard Hawley aint bad himself! When I saw him at Colston Hall thought he had quite a 50s rocker look :-)

Such a shame you didnt get up close Jude, fingers crossed you find them again, I imagine it would be really impressive to watch.  I love it when i see little groups and they are flying and swooping together

Is anyone being naughty eating chocolate for breakfast? Lol xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on March 27, 2016, 05:21:10 PM
Its getting too late to see them again as they start to migrate February/ March  back to their breeding ground.
Thinking I will have to be better prepared to see them December/January  :azn:or I go to Aberystwth and know it will be a good show there.
I was given an egg off my friend but will it to my young, trying to give up treats, not even opened a packet of chocolate biscuits, they have been in the cupboard for the last week   :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 27, 2016, 06:15:00 PM
Jude I watched a murmuration last year,it was definitely worth the efforts to see and lasted a couple of hours (dress warmly) got one of my best shots as they flew right past a footpaths sign in the direction it was pointing in.but its worth it even more just for the experience.
All is quiet in the house now just having a rest before I tackle the washing up.After the easter egg hunt we attempted to go for a walk in the woods,the instant we did it started raining so it was a very short walk.Got home covered fire guard with wet coats and watched Bambi,(fast forwarding the sad bit) then the sun came out and so did the kites. We got to the field and the heavens opened and it started hailing.the wind got up and kites began twisting.This time complete changes of clothes were needed along with baths and hot chocolate.The house is now strewn with dripping clothes and wellies and 3 kites.The baby one is fine the  two small power kites will have to be re strung they twisted so much.Not a fun job.
Thank goodness I decided against the big one,we would be flying over the north sea somewhere by now.
I did think about selling that one on, it needs two people to take it out really, but the boys all love kiting and another couple of years the eldest will be able to handle it so I will keep it and see if they are still interested.It would be nice to still be flying with them for a while yet.
So that's my day.tomorrow will be somewhat quieter then its bank holiday over.Hope everyone else is OK.I,m off to put the kettle on (and yes Emz I imagine you are the only one who had chocolate for breakfast even I couldn't manage that and I,m an expert chocolate eater.)
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 27, 2016, 08:30:26 PM
I have a kite which my mum and her husband bought me, but I've never flown it, read the instructions and they scared me lol!! (Warnings about the strings when flying)

I was a good girl, no chocolate for my breakfast, I had a slice of toast and a banana :-)  went to favourite cafe for an awesome roast dinner, followed by a strawberry sundae.  Was sleepy after so came home, chucked on a blanket and watched Brides of Dracula.  Did some study this eve and now watching 'into the woods' and eating my lindt chocolate  bunny from my mum :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on March 27, 2016, 10:39:02 PM
Jude I watched a murmuration last year,it was definitely worth the efforts to see and lasted a couple of hours (dress warmly) got one of my best shots as they flew right past a footpaths sign in the direction it was pointing in.but its worth it even more just for the experience.

I sort of saw one about 2 years ago and at the time I was driving, plus it was in the distance and really didn't pay that much attention to it until I got home . Then thought  what !!!!! I missed something special .
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 29, 2016, 08:06:29 AM
Its definitely something special.So is Aberystwyth so a combination of the two has to be worthwhile.
And this the holiday over back to the grindstone today.(yuk)

Hope you enjoyed your Lindt Emz.What kind of kite did you get,I think the power ones are only dangerous if you fly them in the wrong conditions and don't have the weight to stay on the ground  or  crash them onto an innocent bystander or have them pulling a board ski/grass/surf which could also do some damage,but the kites themselves are very lightweight.You should have a go, any kind of kite is fun at any level but power kites are also a reminder that nature is stronger than humans.The baby kite is just a bog standard old style kite but so stable the little ones can easily fly it so we don't end up with tears.
Yesterday was a write off for gardening,it was just too cold,so I cleaned out the big aquarium and re arranged the stones and plants it took ages, the fish seemed bored but now is busy trying to undo my artistry.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 29, 2016, 07:16:12 PM
I know nothing about kites - here's s pic of it.  I read the instructions, got scared I'd do a Mary Poppins and its never been out of its bag! :-o xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 29, 2016, 07:25:46 PM
Your list of things to worry about worried me lol!  I guess its not being 100% sure I'll be in control of it which worried me.  The safety rules included 'tight lines cut through each other and are razor sharp' scared me and I worried for my fingers!

Hows your day been? Mine was ok, went quite fast.  A bit uninspired in general, but no disasters which is good!  Am off tomorrow, is my mums birthday so taking her out to lunch xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on March 29, 2016, 10:02:05 PM
We brought a kite for our sons, didn't take it for a test flight ( which we should have ) Took it all the way to France, on our second day there went to the filed with this kite only to watch it go up, come down with a thud and find that a piece was missing  :laugh:. The only problem was we were going to be in France for 5 weeks and couldn't  repair it to fly .
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 29, 2016, 11:05:41 PM
Can't see a size Emz but generally speaking you would need a 3 metre one to lift you off the ground a 2 metre one would but only in extreme conditions or if you wanted it too and might drag you a bit rather than lift you.I have never heard of anyone getting cut by the strings on them as long as they're strung properly and you hold the handles I don't see how it could happen.In Afghanistan they have serious competitions and use special strings to cut the strings off competitors kites but I doubt yours comes equipped with those.If you look on you tube there's plenty of videos on flying them you might find one for your model.The main thing to watch is wind speeds your instructions will give you the minimum and maximum recomendations .
Get your other half to go with you its easier with two as launching them yourself is an art form. you need a decent size open space with no overhead power lines.

Oh dear Jude hope your lads went too disappointed.I once took the boys for a picnic with the promise of a dinghy on the river,dragged it plus picnic all the way there blew it up with a footpump then discovered the bung was missing from the valve.Popular I was not.
It snowed quite a lot this morning and the hills are still white so I guess winter is still not behind us yet.
Been quiet at work a few people missing as there is a stomach bug going round deep joy.I am hoping the way my own is churning is down to being hungry or  psychological.sympathy rumbling.

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 30, 2016, 09:13:40 AM
Im going to put flying my kite on my list of things to do this year I think :-)

Hope you haven't picked up the bug, there's lots going around. My niece was in hospital for a week before easter with pnemonia, their whole little family have taken it in turns with a sickness bug :-/

Ive woken up quite dopey, remember lots of dreaming.  Going to have a coffee to wake up slowly!  How is everyone today? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on March 30, 2016, 10:03:44 AM
I know nothing about kites - here's s pic of it.  I read the instructions, got scared I'd do a Mary Poppins and its never been out of its bag! :-o xx

Bring it to Bristol Emz and pray for big wind. I can get a great shot of Norma doing a Mary Poppins over the river Severn  :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 30, 2016, 10:28:08 AM
No need to pick on me just because im the smallest and being the  oldest should be showing some respect,  but the kite would need strong ropes to get my weight of the ground, you know those similar to what hold the severn bridge up lol 

☂☂☂☂☂☂
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 30, 2016, 03:59:26 PM
Naughty Dave!! Lol
Im not tying my buddy to a kite and letting her fly off

My day is going well, after being dopey first thing, did some more nail art (sponging this time, and quite pleased with the effect).  Took my mum out for a bday lunch, and popped to a couple of shops.  Dropped her home afterwards, both quite sleepy from a big lunch.  Little bit of sun out so sat on the bench whilst Raz has his bone.  Time for a little bit of study now.  I love non working days!

How is everyone? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 30, 2016, 04:28:40 PM
working  (lol) allegedly.

Dave i am shocked that you would pick on poor Norma like that. hopefully she will give you a kick on the shins (all she can reach) by way of a greeting.
Being so tall myself i might punch your knee caps on her behalf. :laugh:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 30, 2016, 05:01:51 PM
Do you know ive been working all day from home doing accounts and Year end stuff, ive had my head down minding my own business, and i felt my ears burning, so thought its got to be my lovely friends on buk saying lovely things about me. Im glad some of my friends respect my great age and my diminishing size i was taller  but walked myself into the ground. Its a good job my back is broad and  i love you all to bits otherwise id be getting inferiority complex. Xxx

 :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 30, 2016, 07:11:15 PM
 The joys of financial year end!  I submitted my year end accruals yesterday so hoping all is accepted and ok, guess I will find out when I'm back to work tomorrow  :shocked: :undecided:

Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 31, 2016, 09:52:44 PM
Norma if we didn't love you we would be polite and demure. :hug:
What's with all this accountancy stuff sounds way too serious you both need a drink.

Spent my day  at the behest of my boss who is a trustee, so official work, but entirely unrelated to my job, editing application letters for funding the local festival and my goodness did they need editing.It won't have escaped the notice of anyone here that I can waffle on a bit ( well a lot really) but one of the letters was so jumbled, flowery and overstated I have reduced it by half and its still long enough to compete with war and peace.Mind you rather that than doing figures I don't do numbers I have number dyslexia.
I am getting new neighbours  i met them this morning It is going to be a second home, but she spent the morning putting notes on peoples cars parked outside and has commissioned my artist friend to write no parking notices for the windows.They don't actually have parking rights though.(how to win friends)

Meanwhile he seemed much more friendly as he informed me the lack of gutter on my coal shed is creating damp in theirs.(my coal shed is over 200 Years old and has never had guttering)and could I move the wheely bins from in front of it as they look untidy. I wonder where he would like me to move them too,I could come up with some suggestions about places the sun don't shine (but being polite and demure refrained from doing so).
Goodnight all.
(Exits whistling there may be trouble ahead under breath.)


Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on March 31, 2016, 10:35:08 PM
Had my last walk of the month up my local hill today, I try 3 -4 times per month walk up it. I know nearly every little dirt track going, prefer going that way than the main walking route. Trying to avoid people or dogs and missing out on the wild life, so far I have seen a Tree creeper, wild deer, Buzzards flying low over head and listening to the birds singing.
Also getting fit in the process too, my poor dog has never done so much walking in the countryside  :laugh:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on April 01, 2016, 07:36:01 AM
Karena re your new neighbours, oh dear..........
Its brought up the fact that I'll be getting new neighbours soon too. I live  in the bottom flat of a four  storey Victorian house. Immediately above me was a tenant, who's just moved out and yesterday an estate agent come round with two prospective buyers for it.  The house has a lovely large back garden belonging to said  first floor but which I've always looked after for the past 15 years. I have no rights to it though.The previous owner who is/was the freeholder was happy with this arrangement. Found I couldn't sleep last night thinking about what will happen. Hoping for a total disinterest on the part of any new buyer so that I can carry on as before but then read  your tale! As I said oh dear............
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on April 01, 2016, 10:55:58 AM
Just a little tip for our newbies regarding these long threads that you don't want to go back to the beginning of if you've read all the old posts. Just click on the orange icon (NEW) that appears on any new posts and it takes you straight to them  :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on April 01, 2016, 03:53:39 PM
Hi Dave I think I'm going blind or something but can't see an orange icon
And while you're here/there.............. I was also trying and failing to find info for the Bristol meet
Thanks
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on April 01, 2016, 03:55:51 PM
Ah .. Do you mean the one with new on it???
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on April 01, 2016, 06:04:36 PM
Sorry just reread your post... Got it.
I really should pay more attention
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on April 01, 2016, 06:09:19 PM
Hi Rosaleen please see the new thread about buk meet ups xxxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on April 02, 2016, 12:37:09 AM
Sorry just reread your post... Got it.
I really should pay more attention

No problem you had me going for a minute there Rosaleen lol.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 04, 2016, 09:33:44 PM
Hi all, how is everyone?

Compared to 4 day bank hol weekends normal 2 day ones are way too short! :-o. Anyone else counting down til Friday?!  Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on April 04, 2016, 10:03:52 PM
Im certainly counting down to bristol, but i have retired from my volunteer cook for the lunch club, hard to admit but was getting to much for me. So from this wednesday im a paying customer yeah how goid is that lol xxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 05, 2016, 01:27:03 PM
good Norma (except for the paying bit)
I agree Emz bring back the 3 day week -with full pay this time though. And while we are at it lets Ban group meetings especially on a monday,I worry about my own psychology after one of those -because while i am apparently taking copious amounts of notes and drawing story boards in reality i,m just doodling and yesterday i doodled lots of 3D boxes with little stick men inside pushing the walls with their little stick hands, trying to get out. :shocked: And that was in between watching one of the programmers trying to not fall asleep -such an amusing morning.
So today I,m suposed to be magiking up a new Ad, not sure exactly what its suposed to say, and i have no ideas whatsoever (except stick men in boxes) Perhaps i should "think outside the box" and have the strapline "think inside the box"and a product shot of a manual,inside the box, except we dont have them any more because its all electronic now.
This luddite is lacking inspiration  :wchair: perhaps i need a few days off. :grin:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 05, 2016, 01:43:33 PM
Good to have some balance and rest Norma :-)
Im sure you will do something fab karena - just a matter of getting that inspiration going. I dont have any tips for that, I can however tell everyone with confidence that there is such a thing as too much halloumi!!  (That'll teach me for being greedy  :undecided: ) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 05, 2016, 07:04:20 PM
Oh dear Emz,but it is yummy.When I was a kid I nicked a whole packet of custard creams from the kitchen cupboard for me and my friend to have on a bike ride.We had to finish them because a half empty packet would raise more questions than one my mum thought she put there but must have forgotten had already been eaten.To this day even the smell of custard creams makes me feel sick and from years later southern comfort does too.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Janka on April 12, 2016, 08:56:42 PM
Dave,

thank you for this thread!It put a smile on my face and others,too.I´m sure!

Janka


:smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 12, 2016, 09:44:42 PM
Welcome Janka :-)  thats the idea of this thread, general chit chat which can be just daily small talk or can get quite daft - welcome for all to join in :-D lovely to hear it has shared a smile xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 13, 2016, 03:06:29 PM
Hi Jenka -i dont know what Emz means there is no daftness here  :whistle:
Having an odd day -i,m sure there was something i was suposed to do ?phone? email? -whatever  -  i cant for the life of me think what it was.

speaking of daft (which we wernt) did anyone see the bbc programme on keeping young -there was an excercie on it used to calculate body -rather than year age, the test is to stand with your legs crossed then sit down without overbalancing or using your hands -then get up again - same rules. Does anyone here want to guess which batty old woman went and tried it -  :wchair: not to be repeated i think. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on April 13, 2016, 07:00:16 PM
Karena i cant believe you finished up on your back, ive just tried  that 'simples'  exercise i did it perfect, although how i crossed my legs is probably not how i was meant to do it lol, daftness never definately no daftness here perfectly sensible chit chat. Xxxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 13, 2016, 07:31:57 PM
Sorry I didn't make it clear sit down on the floor .But well done if you did that Maybe its just me i just tried again I can get close but my knees lock then I,m stranded and have to do a kind of roll backwards then end up in a heap.there isn't a hope I can stand back up again in the same position.getting up  require an undignified crawl to the sofa then kind of climbing up it.mind you the whole thing probably works on the premise that you didn't crash motorbikes when you were younger. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on April 13, 2016, 07:41:24 PM
 :rofl:omg Karena you have just described exactly me getting up off the floor, although that is an action i avoid at all costs anything that needs to be done lower than a slight bend of the knee is a nono these days lol, thought i must have got it wrong xxx

 :yahoo:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 13, 2016, 07:54:54 PM
Lol, I'm definitely not trying that, think it will be guaranteed to end in injury for me lol!  Ive torn the ligaments in both of my ankles over the years (one motorbike accident, the other a twisted ankle on way to school!) so think I'd do myself a mischief or end up with my legs tied in knots!  Will leave that to the whippersnappers! :-D

Have had a lovely day, started with bagel with cream cheese and salmon for brekkie, did some study then at lunchtime headed over to visit my friend (whilst also dropping my mum off to see my sister)  met my friends new little baby, then also had time to see my sister, nephew, niece and mum afterwards :-)

Pie and chips in the oven now xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 13, 2016, 08:09:51 PM
 :rofl:what a trio we make.problem is this was Angela rippon and she ain't no spring chicken.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on April 13, 2016, 08:21:24 PM
Yeah but shes got long legs and morecomb and wise learnt her to dance xx

 :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Dave Administrator on April 13, 2016, 09:46:10 PM
Dave,

thank you for this thread!It put a smile on my face and others,too.I´m sure!

Janka


:smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

Thank you Janka,, love hearing things like that.

I do believe we have our Emz to thank starting a thread like this in our old forum and it got sooooo big we had to start it all over again there. So to carry on here now and see it so liked is a real buzz for us all.  :grin:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 14, 2016, 12:42:41 AM
Yes Norma I concluded long legs is the key to this its further to the floor but maybe its in the crossing longer must make a more wide cross so is more stable whereas for us little legs it takes our entire legs and the base is still too narrow.  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on April 14, 2016, 01:40:03 AM
Sorry Karena agree with the little legs but cant agree that the base is too narrow not in my case anyway my base is rather large and as in the words of the song 'its all about the base' xxx

 :yahoo:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 14, 2016, 12:55:47 PM
 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: no treble.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 14, 2016, 08:32:36 PM
You two have really made me laugh, and that song is in my head now too :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 15, 2016, 12:49:37 PM
why do daft  songs do that - :yahoo: not only that why with all the music out there why do us dafties hone in on them, while most of the rest fades into a cacophony of noise ( omg. i sound like my mum ) :rofl:

ITS FRIDAY  :coffeetoast: plan for the weekend -more pond construction, steal next doors ladder and clear a gutter, cook a peanut butter, broccoli and chilli dish i just found the recipe for.Any more sugestions anyone ?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 15, 2016, 01:04:20 PM
Hooray for Friday!!!  Im having a bit of a focus on personal development today at work, so enjoying it. 

Im debating whether to suggest popping out for a curry tonight (we have an amazing local Indian restaurant).  Going to do some study tomorrow morning and in the eve a friend and I are going to see our friends 80's band. Think I'll also spend some more time doing some nail art xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 15, 2016, 07:53:22 PM
Nearest I ever came to nail art was using nail varnish to paint an old enamel lamp   :rofl: 
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 17, 2016, 09:36:19 AM
Lol Karena!
Well, yesterday pretty much went as planned.  Did some study, did daisies on my nails, watched a film in the afternoon then my friend and I went to see the band in the eve. Had a fun time and a few ciders :-)
Sky is clear blue this morning so definitely need to do some outdoor stuff!

What has everyone got planned for today? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 17, 2016, 01:02:42 PM
Well the pond is about dug so going to line it with old carpet then order a new pond liner.re using the old one is going to be too tricky so will use that later to make a bog area.Need to move climbing frame and slide and set up raised beds maybe not today its very cold,meanwhile watching. Documentary on animal rescue in za.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 17, 2016, 06:44:39 PM
Well done with the pond :-) I've not been quite as productive but I have managed to go through my jumble of scarves,  sorted them out and now have them tidily hanging from a scarf hanger, within my wardrobe. And had a sort through my shoes, have one pair to rehome (I can't kid myself any longer I'll ever be able to walk in them or have anywhere to wear them!)
Had nice play in the sunshine with Raz.  Now starving and wanting some dinner!
Hope everyone is getting some sunshine and blue skies xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 17, 2016, 07:57:23 PM
I have a pair of red and white platforms from the 70,s chances are I won't ever wear them again or be able to walk in them but they do stand out in the row of trainers and flip flops that take up the rest of my shoe space if only to remind me there was once a time I was young  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 20, 2016, 11:12:49 PM
Wear them to the Bristol meet Karena!! :-D

Well, over half way through the working week now, phew!  Today's funny story, working from home and think that I'll sit on the bench outside for a while during lunch, make the most of the sunshine whilst also giving my dog chance for a wander round.  Within a couple of minutes my dog decides to run over to pee on the side of the bench (despite my protests) and I had to jump up quick before he peed on me!! Cheeky monkey peed across the side on to the seat!  So was short lived sunshine for me after rinsing the bench!

Was feeling a bit flat earlier so popped to the shops to pick up some more hot choc, (I'm almost out and its fab hot chocolate, from lakeland) and ended up coming home with a couple small packets of thorntons chocolates, big box of yogurt sachets for my easiyo, and a tub of honey roasted seeds!!  Oops!  Oh well, could be worse I guess!

Hope the day has been kind to everyone, and nobody was peed on lol! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 20, 2016, 11:52:18 PM
No I can safely say I havnt been peed on,but my dog is sulking with me cos I got the vet to come and microchip him yesterday.I think the sulking is more a case of let's pretend to sulk and see what treats she comes out with.
Also feeling flat today can't blame the weather  though its been sunny and quite warm for a change,should have got chocolate too.Got a new kindle book so I think a bit of escapism is in order.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 21, 2016, 07:53:03 AM
How are you feeling today karena?  :hearts: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on April 21, 2016, 07:58:08 AM
Hi you lovely peeps, im off out for the day today, im going to say hello to some friends we made last year on our Birmingham meet, yes you've got it the owls, hope the weather today is as kind as it was to us last year when we were there. Xxxx

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Sparky on April 21, 2016, 09:39:13 AM
Hi All,
Obviously you will have missed me been very busy unfortunately the passed two Friday's pm been to two friend's mother's funerals - so emotions have been all over the place!  Busy in work and a lot on with my father in law and his care at the moment.  On-Line in work so not on long do get in and seen lots going on.  I am looking forward to the BUK Meet up in Bristol and meeting all those who I met in Liverpool in December and also new friends.  Emma great post about Sleep will take on board some of the tips - thanx - Norma have a lovely day today.  Take it one day at a time you lovely people and look after YOU!
John xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 21, 2016, 12:32:06 PM
I,m in plotting mode today Emz -need a distraction from boredom  :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 21, 2016, 01:31:55 PM
Have a great trip Norma. 
Hi there sparky!!  :hug: sorry to hear challenging times
Ooo karena, what have you plotted so far?! :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 21, 2016, 07:02:19 PM
Truly gutted to learn the legend Prince has died.  Gutted. So many years of memories associated with his music.  Sad times, so many legends lost in a short timescale :-( :-( xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 21, 2016, 08:59:13 PM
No hadn't heard that.This really is turning into a bad few months in the entertainment world,although being older I was more into Bowie's music than prince although prince was very talented too.

Plot isn't complete .all I can tell you is it might involve travel.

Meanwhile pond liner arrived and today was the last dry day forecast for a while and it needs rainwater in the pond so I spent this evening laying it.5x4 metres of pond liner in the wind on your own is fun.But I managed it and its now weighted down with stones and temporary fencing shoved up,because I know if it isn't full of water Ben will leave me a present in there,and it won't be the kind of present you want to find among your waterlillies.  :rofl:

Tonight  there is a bonfire up the hill for queens birthday,there is a tradition round here of lighting the old beacons when there is stuff like this,but I would be stuck looking at the beacon from the village I should be in  but had to leave and of course I should have been standing at that beacon with Keith,which makes me sad so I,m playing ostrich.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 21, 2016, 11:13:00 PM
Sending a hug karena  :hug: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on April 22, 2016, 10:20:15 AM
Ohhhh Karena the plot is getting very intriguing, i cant wait for the next episode eeks, ive got fingers and toes crossed here in anticipation lol. Good luck with the pond.

So dissapointed yesterday the owls have gone, and all that square isblocked off. Dont know what improvements are being made but certainly need to go back when the work and s completed, its not even a year ago yet that we were there but so much regeneration work has already taken place.

Lovely to hear from you Sparky but sorry to hear youve been having a rough time, Bristol is promising to be a really good meet up though.

Its Friday Emz so what lovely stuff you got planned for this weekend ??

Im going to Sheffield City Hall  tomorrow night, Roy Orbison 80th birthday tribute concert, rare outing with brother and sister in law.

Sunday ill be packing my 5p Asda carrier bag of clothes for 5 days in Llandudno, im taking 17 oldies from the lunch club for a holiday, whoops sorry i keep forgetting im an oldie as well. Ive already had to juggle coach seating around to split some of them up lol. Oh dear what have i let myself in for. Xx

 :rofl: :wchair: :yahoo:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 22, 2016, 12:09:11 PM
 :rofl: sounds more like a school trip Norma.
You arnt an oldie, youre way too young at heart to describe yourself that way.
My mind was blank yesterday when you said owls -now i get it - (wake up ) I got the impression they were part of a temporary exhibition there will probably be a new theme later in the year,thinking about it part of it was a section of the councils chelsea show garden entry, so maybe after thats over.

Now thats an event i would like to go too, bet their pond building skills are much better honed than mine though. :rofl:


Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 22, 2016, 08:50:14 PM
You're not an oldie norma  :hearts:
Ive had a lovely day. Morning in the office, had a nice chat with a colleague and this afternoon my friend and I had the afternoon off to go and visit another friend who has recently had her baby.  Lots of cwtches, yummy food (which we took over with us) and chat.  A good afternoon
Have just had pizza and time to chill now.  Hellllloooo weekend and freedom! :-)

Sending hugs to all  :hug: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 29, 2016, 09:07:21 PM
Have had an interesting insight today.  Been feeling on edge, a low level anxiety. Could not shake the unsettled feeling but couldn't put my finger on it either.  Came to around dinner time and suddenly realised how hungry I was. As I was eating dinner I felt myself relaxing.   Realised that I haven't eaten regularly today, meals where all over the place, so think it was down to lack of regular food.   Perhaps a little reminder that eating regularly /healthily helps alot of things. 
Next time I'm anxious I'll have a think to the last time I ate and  if it's been a while try a healthy snack

Dinner was great, grilled monkfish with garlic, lemon and herbs with chips :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 29, 2016, 10:53:49 PM
Yummy I envy your dinner nothing so lush for me,I had lentil soup wasn't even home made so tasted pretty indifferent.
Started off the day a bit of an emotional wreck one of those blip days, we have the radio on in the office and it seemed every song was specially selected to make me feel like crying.This afternoon i couldnt get up enthsiasm for anything i had pretty much decided just to shut the door and spend the entire weekend under a duvet,but cheered up a bit when I got home and found a box of plants in the porch.forgotten I ordered them as it was a while ago so  a surprise.(or was it divine intervention)
So anyway I have a rush,a grass some phlox. and a new variety of a red lupin currently sitting in the washing up bowl getting a good soak,and this means I have to go to a garden centre tomorrow because I need a pond basket and aquatic compost for the rush,and while I,m there I might have to buy my tomato and cucumber plants as its too late to grow them from seed.
Not that they will be going outside yet can't believe how much snow there was this morning. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 30, 2016, 08:33:17 AM
Big hugs karena  :hug:  :hug: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 30, 2016, 08:53:23 AM
Thanks Emz I have decided I,m going to look for a special anniversary plant today too and tomorrow I will plant it regardless of the weather.plus I,m going to prep a decent meal and buy a mini bottle of  wine chocolates and bubble bath to indulge in afterwards.No work Monday so no worries about the wine.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 30, 2016, 08:58:30 AM
That sounds like a really good plan  :hug: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 30, 2016, 06:38:06 PM
Oops might have gone Ott withe the indulging couldn't decide between a tin of g&t and tin of black current Pimms so bought both. :rofl:
Might have bought too much chocolate too (if there is such a thing) but I have shifted 8 paving slabs two sacks of gravel plus 2 compost so I guess I earned some calories back.did I mention the cream meruinge . hmm thought not oops.So tomorrow I,m going to finish the pond edges,and do the planting.

What has everyone else been up too.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jude M on May 01, 2016, 11:32:24 PM
Can I throw in that now instead of going to the local park to use the outdoor gym, I have brought myself a cross trainer.
The joys of watching a film on the laptop and  working out in comfort   :laugh:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on May 03, 2016, 11:15:29 PM
Well done Jude although for me fresh air is the motive for exercise,
Not that I will be doing any of that for a few days.Lifting gravel it turns out wasn't the best idea in the world.seem to have done some damage as I can barely walk and am on a codeine and ibuprofen diet.both cans of alcohol are in the cupboard :embarrassed:

The two littlys are on their first holiday .they're on the east coast nowhere exotic but I got a lovely phone call tonight.keian finally got to see a beach and was so excited he has been obsessing about going beach for a long time,I,m really glad he isn't disappointed,and Paul said granma for the first time,so I,m chuffed too.its the little things that keep me going. :coffeetoast:

Hope everyone else had a decent bank holiday. :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on May 06, 2016, 08:08:13 PM
I used to use my stepper whilst watching tv, keep forgetting to do it now though.  Need to get back into a routine again

I had a lovely bank holiday, had a few days down in Brixham, was a bit cold at the end of last week but in the main we were lucky and it did warm up. Went to an otter sanctuary and caught feeding time so managed to get some great photos. Great break but am also always pleased to get back to my own bed!

Today was beautiful weather, even managed to wear a summery dress. On leave all week so went out and about, did lots of walking, felt good to be outdoors but am acheing a bit from all the walking now though :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on May 07, 2016, 09:08:11 PM
Welcome to the world of ache. :hug:
Eldest grandson stayed over last night he is getting so grown up now but bless him he has carried some of the gravel through,a half bucket at a time and set the solar fountain up,it was going to be a waterfall but he wanted to see it working today .then he made a kind of plant island round it and it looks really good so that's how its staying He then anounces that now the rugby season is over he will be able to come up more on Sundays to help me,cos I,m getting too old.  :wchair: cheeky little monkey. :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on May 22, 2016, 08:41:34 AM
What a wonderful meet/weekend in Bristol, met a bunch of fabulous people.  There's been lots of chat, laughter and even singing.  Have had a lovely time and hoping the remaining peeps today have a good final day and end the weekend on a high note.  Miss you all already!  :hearts:

Im off to prep myself for a party full of 5 year olds now!! :-)

Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join i
Post by: Norma on May 23, 2016, 08:09:13 AM
Oh my what a brilliant weekend it was, fab people, good food and drink Bristol is a lovely place although it poured it down with rain on Saturday but nothing dampened our spirit we never even noticed the rain lol, much too busy sightseeing, chatting, laughing and as Emz said even the odd song lol xxxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 08, 2016, 10:54:21 PM
Hi, how is everyone this week? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 09, 2016, 01:01:41 AM
Hi Emz
still struggling a bit,but I enjoyed meeting others at Sheffield and tonight took myself for a walk there is a beautiful orange crescent moon which I attempted to photograph and the honeysuckle on my porch smells lovely at night.When I came back the fish who is getting bigger by the day had managed to get stuck between the filter and a light so had to shuffle everything around.Someone offered me a love bird.she had a love partner who died and she is lonely the owner is working long hours so not able to fill the gap.I almost caved,But I have a bit of a thing about birds flapping around in cages.Mind you there's a pair of turtle doves in my garden who are so thick they would be better off in a cage.Fred and Freda have built a nest high in a tree they arnt the most graceful birds when it comes to take off and landing but the nest is so high in the tree they'd trying to do it on the most bendy branches and keep falling out of the tree.It is quite funny but I,m worried the little fredlings might have inherited the genes or might think this is normal flying techniques.

Started a new futurelearn course this week.this one might be the culmination of all the others all the skills I have got from them.The project could become a real world project not just an academic exercise and it is something close to my heart.So I,m quite excited about it,will tell more if it comes off.
How is everyone else doing.?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 09, 2016, 08:22:28 AM
Love the turtle doves! Fingers crossed for the fredlings!!  I have a couple of doves that visit and they do make me laugh. A while ago one was trying to work out how to get on the feeder seed bowl, and he really struggled/so clumsy!!

I did a nutrition course on futurelearn recently, the 'food as medicine ' one.  Was really interesting.  Ooo look forward to hearing more! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on June 13, 2016, 08:17:35 PM
Hi how is everyone, ive had a  bit of a busy weekend but very enjoyable, thouroughly enjoyed Billy Elliot, although totally different music to the film, ive waited years to see it and wasnt disappointed,  Finished off with a day at the races today, another first,  after picking out the winning horse in the first race, which i chose purely for its name, i got excited when i saw it romping to the finish line, so can understand how people can get addicted, howevrr that was my only win, so i obviously wasnt  cheering loud enough. 

 :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 24, 2016, 06:49:00 PM
Hello all
How is everyone doing today?
I have been on leave this week, which has been fantastic.  So lovely to have a break.  Mostly been at home, which has also been nice.  Went out for the day to Cotswold Wildlife park today, which apart from the rainstorms was really lovely.  Started off with a cappuchino and a slice of very tasty chocolate cake.  Saw a pair of ducks with incredibly cute ducklings in the lemur enclosure lol
xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 24, 2016, 08:25:26 PM
House exchange Lemurs in the duck pond  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 27, 2016, 12:35:42 PM
Feeling a bit flat with the return to work routine so decided to have a 'treat' for lunch to cheer myself up a bit, so have treated myself to a chicken and bacon toastie and red berry smoothie. Certainly tasty and has helped, at least temporarily!

So, got me thinking, what do you all do to cheer yourselves up? Are there favourite snacks, meals or things that work for you? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 27, 2016, 08:16:42 PM
Here's the cute ducklings in the lemur enclosure :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 28, 2016, 01:52:48 PM
gardening - its one place i can forget i,m on my own and yet be on my own -which makes no sense,  :rofl:
but in the house i,m acutely aware of it, and going out even more so because the more people there are, yes you can walk in nature but there is always the chance some group of chatting walkers will come through or some loved up couple but the garden is my own space. gardening can completely absorb me and you arnt ever  on your own there because theres always life out there just going about its own business.You can just watch.It has no intentions towards you,it isnt thinking sad loner,it doesnt care what you wear,it doesnt think you should pull yourself together,and you dont have to behave in any way to appease it, but it has its own story. I reminds you that no matter how brocken you get you can revive and you can survive.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 20, 2016, 06:44:29 PM
Hi all
How is everyone getting on?  Its so hot at the moment, am hiding with the fan on in the lounge!
Am having to control my anxiety/panic at the moment, Raz (lurcher) managed to swallow a mini-milk lolly stick whole yesterday, and have been pretty terrified of complications since. I called the vet, and as advised have given him plenty of bulky food to try and help 'move' things along and hopefully should be ok.  Just terrified it might get stuck.  So keeping a close eye on him, no signs as of yet so trying to stay calm xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on July 21, 2016, 03:29:44 PM
Hi everyone, sorry to hear about Raz, i hope it manages to get through without much difficulty lol. Im dog sitting for two weeks at the moment, my sons springer spaniel, oh dear what have i let myself in for. Day one never slept a wink all night it was so hot he would not settle, walking round the bedroom panting, so put the fan on great he laid down, then i couldnt get to sleep for the noise, turn it off Alfie starts wandering again, finally gave up at 5.30 came downstairs and tracked my sons plane as it departed from Manchester and arrived at dubrovnik 2 and a half hours later, (how sad is that lol) irony of it all is if you could see Alfie now, laid out on settee on his back paws up in the air snoring for england, mind you i did tire him out, i bought a bubble tornado he didnt like it at first but hes been chasing round the garden like a mad man trying to catch them. I also bought a water pistol, ive been firing that at him lol. Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 21, 2016, 05:24:06 PM
well, so far so good - Raz is still eating ok and going to the toilet ok, so we appear to have avoided any obstructions - just hope it has passed through and all is ok now.  Will be keeping an eye on him
Ooo - sounds like fun at your house with the bubble machine and water pistol :-)   :yahoo: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on July 22, 2016, 11:16:27 AM
Day two, much better night, had a solid 6 hours, but unfortunately seems Alfies body  clock is still set to Neils getting up time. 5.45 grhhhh. But weathers still nice and it was lovely to sit in the garden in my pj's and a cuppa with only the sound of the birds singing, so i think as long as weather is nice ill accept his getting up time lol.

Hows Raz Emz any movement yet ? Xxx

I hope you havent got lost in your garden Karena, although doesnt sound too bad a prospect, but come back we need you lol xxx

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 22, 2016, 09:52:19 PM
Nice to find the nice part of an early awakening! :-) 
Everything is still 'moving' ok with raz, so am hoping all is ok and hoping the worry has passed now.  Going to keep an eye on him though
Im having a nice peaceful eve watching films.  Hope everyone is doing ok xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on July 22, 2016, 10:14:53 PM
Hope Raz is going to be OK Emz.
Norma it  sounds to me like Alfie won't want to go home he,s having so much fun.I also have spent nights tracking my daughters flights so perhaps not so sad after all.

I am just getting over a nasty lurgy that wiped me out completely last week and most of this one.I,m hoping I've seen the back of it now.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on July 23, 2016, 11:46:34 AM
Here i am day 2, another early morning but whose complaining, probably the foxes who must have only just got back into their den when Alfie started trying to get over the wall at the bottom of my garden to get to them lol.

Granddaughter coming to take him out for  the day today so ive just sprayed him with his doggy perfume and given him a good brush down, well i cant have him going out smelly can i.

Sorry to hear youve not been well Karena, bet it took it out of you, hope youre okay hun.  Im also tracking my sons  cruise, (nearest ill get now lol) they set sail from Dubrovnik Thursday evening spent yesterday at Sea, today theyve  docked in Malta.

Emz how is the handsome Raz, hope hes still doing okay.

Going to have a welcome   :coffeetoast: now

See you all later  xxx

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on July 23, 2016, 06:25:36 PM
Is there really such a thing as doggy perfume ?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 23, 2016, 06:35:43 PM
I do believe there is karena, I saw a programme on tele, following a dog hotel in america which launched a perfume range! I had turned over the channel and they were auditioning dogs to be on their promotion posters!! His and hers!!  :rofl:
I do have a spray for Raz as he is quite stinky sometimes, although he seems to have improved his preference recently, his usual favourite is fox poo but today after chasing him with the hose he then went and rolled in the container growing my mint lol!  Some of it is a bit crushed/squashed now but there was a lovely minty fragrance on the breeze for a bit afterwards lol!
So far he is still not showing any bad signs since he ate the lolly stick so am hoping we're all safe and clear now
Hope Alfie has behaved today Norma
Hope you feel better soon Karena, this hot weather doesnt help when feeling poorly :-o. Keep hydrated xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on July 23, 2016, 07:40:56 PM
Sorry i was joking when i said doggy perfume its actually a dry shampoo spray will be same as what you mentioned Emz,

Theyve brought him back hes shattered, been round the Dam, i actually missed him lol

Xxx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on July 25, 2016, 08:03:32 PM
Mint is very good at recovering,as is lavender which I used to plant next to the kids den in the hope of calming them down. :rofl:
Ben wouldn't go near a bath but he would come up and lie next too it,so I would quietly drop bubble bath on him .
Saw a blue staffie puppy today,it was beautiful,and my daughter has started fostering dogs,but I,m holding out and resisting temptation to get another.Think its making me even more reclusive though,going for a walk seems pointless now,so maybe I might consider fostering in time.

The old campervan passed her MOT today,bit of sill welding new wipers and an oil spray and hopefully another year ahead.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 25, 2016, 10:57:15 PM
I was being serious about the dog perfume Norma, there really was a programme where they were auditioning dogs for the promotion poster! :-o. And if you google 'dog perfume' or 'dog cologne' several come up in Google! Lol :-)   I just have a spray for Raz which has a fresh apple scent :-)

If you do feel up to fostering some time karena just remember you'd be sharing the love with dogs who havent hadnt had that love and I'm sure Ben would watch down and approve.  :hearts:

Xx

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 30, 2016, 08:50:38 AM
So, what's everyone up to today?  What's your weather like? I have blue skies and sun at the moment :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on July 30, 2016, 12:09:36 PM
Chilly here in Yorkshire- the sun keeps trying to shine but there black clouds too. Waiting for my daughter to visit at 1.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on July 30, 2016, 03:05:12 PM
Hi everyone, hope youre all doing okay, and got lots of fun things planned for this weekend.   ive still got my sons dog Alfie, hes becoming part of the furniture and hes certainly made my home his,weather over the past few days ( im in south yorkshire Julie) has been a bit  dismal, but this morning woke up to clear blue skies, but as the day has wore on the dark clouds are slowly appearing, Alfie goes home on Thursday, yeah ill miss him sort of got used to having him around, but im already planning a full day out on Friday yay  freedom lol. Xxx

 :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 30, 2016, 06:42:08 PM
Hope the sun broke through the clouds for you Julie.  Hope you had a lovely afternoon with your daughter  :hearts:

What have you planned for Friday Norma? And you'll have a whole sofa to yourself!

Ive had a nice day, I had a couple of friends over and I made us an afternoon tea.  Decorated up my summershed (its a cross between a shed and summerhouse lol) and was really nice.  Nice breeze and view of garden.  Time to relax a bit now then take Raz out for a run and play

Hope everyone is doing ok.  If you're having a bad day treat yourself to something nice xx

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on July 30, 2016, 06:50:11 PM
Thanks Em it is peeking through now and hasn't actually rained. It was lovely to see my daughter and her family, and her hubby mowed the lawn for me without me having to ask. I had an old fish tank in the lean-to and my granddaughter saw it and reminded her Mum and Dad that she'd always wanted goldfish- so they left with tank and accessories cursing me!
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 30, 2016, 09:48:32 PM
Sounds like a good afternoon :-) and hooray for the weather!

I hear it's supposed to be rainy tomorrow.  I have no set plans for tomorrow so will have to think on what to do, likely mostly indoors

Whats everyone up to tomorrow? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on July 31, 2016, 07:46:22 AM
Good morning peeps its 7.20 on a lovely sunny sunday morning here in Sheffield, i hope it lasts, Alfie is certainly keeping me active, hes very playful, but does my head in at times, like last night dont know what but something was unsettling him, he was trying to sit on my shoulders and get behind my head lol, this being a heavyweight springer lol. I know he doesnt like thunder or fireworks but i couldn't hear either, he wouldnt go out for his last toilet stop, just stood at the door quivering, maybe some experienced dog owners on here can advice me, anyway not long now, i had my sewing machine out yesterday, made a few alterations to holiday clothes, quite enjoyed it, I used to make some of my own clothes when i was a lot younger, but only use it now for alterations me being a tad on the small side lol. 
I hope its not raining for you Emz, not good having to spend our weekends indoors,  but youreca very resourceful young lady and im sure youll find something very interesting to do.
Are  you still holding out on the fostering Karena, mmmmm i bet youre finding it hard to resist, i hope you can make Leeds Karena itll be good to have a catch up.
Hi Julie lovely to have another member join in with this general everyday chat. Oh dear very popular lady with granddaughter not so popular with your daughter lol, but you always knew the fishtank would be needed again lol.
I see youre in yorkshire Julie would you consider meeting up in Leeds for the day  ?
It really is worth it.

Right time for mine and Alfies breakfast,    :coffeetoast:

Have a nice day everyone  xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 31, 2016, 09:38:04 AM
Hi Norma  :hug:
Sounds like something spooked Alfie. Raz has done that on occasions,  sometimes he's been asleep on his chair or his upstairs bed, then he's woken up and run full speed to sit on my lap for a cuddle, and theres been some occasions he's decided he's scared of his bed and totally refuses to go back in it. (I can only guess a moth or something has spooked him when he's been asleep)   
Only solution I've found is cuddles and let him sleep in a different location.  Dogs are funny aren't they!  And I'm 100% sure they think they are little chihuahuas and don't see the issue of a 30kg dog pretending to be a parrot!! Lol  :rofl:

So far have sunny blue skies outside! I best get some ideas going before it runs away!!

What are you all up to? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on July 31, 2016, 06:20:12 PM
Quote
I see youre in yorkshire Julie would you consider meeting up in Leeds for the day  ?
It really is worth it.


It's not something I feel up to tackling yet Norma- but it's not till October is it so who knows!  Your dogs sound such fun - was having a bad day and then my sister invited me for tea so that made all the difference. Going out somewhere with her tomorrow too. Managed to clean out the budgie cage, she's moulting at the moment and I know they say if you see a white feather then you've been visited by an angel but I don't think my hubby has quite worked it out yet- I got up to what looked like a massacre in the bird cage, floor covered in downy white feathers!
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Thoughtful on August 01, 2016, 03:49:20 PM
Hi Dave and all,

I've been away for a while and tried to login with my old details from the old forum , but couldn't so here I am, sort of starting over.

I lost my daughter, Evelyn, nearly ten years ago now. For many years your forum was a great help and here I am, approaching the tenth anniversary and feeling the need to touch base again.

Thanks for being here ... although I am a little lower than usual, BUK has helped me though so much and it is good to be dipping in again. Always so sad to learn of new losses, but heart warming to know that there is such a great deal of kindness and empathy out there,

Janice





Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on August 01, 2016, 05:31:06 PM
Welcome back Janice, sorry youre feeling low, dont think grief ever leaves us completely xx

 :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on August 01, 2016, 08:48:52 PM
Welcome back Janice  :hug: sorry you are feeling low just now but not suprising.I think there will always be times like that no matter how long ago we lost loved ones.

Janice October is some time away and you will know us better by then too through being here.

Norma springers are bonkers  :rofl: but dogs can hear a lot more than us so it could have been thunder or fireworks some distance away.I,m still holding out ....just,but latest fosterdog has been adopted by my daughter afte pleading by eldest grandson and his suposed to be forever family changed their minds about having him.He is an 8 month old whippet I keep wanting to call him Rudolph,realised today its because he looks like Santa's little helper off the Simpsons.

My weekend away turned into a bit of a nightmare van wise,
I,m sure it was divine intervention the airscoop came off when I arrived at the site which was one of Keith's favourites if it hadn't I wouldn't have seen the rust or that the radiator which rests on it had dropped,lucky there were friends to help out there. So we managed to cable tie it on.what convinces me even more was On the way home I was really stressing out having to drive really slowly and stopping at every layby.After the first few miles there was a smell I couldn't place thought it might be coolant spewing out but no sign of it when I stopped.Then my grandson who was with me realised it was an old dolphin air freshner .one that Keith bought and hadn't had any scent for years but I couldn't bring myself to part with that had suddenly magically decided to work again.
What shocked me was it passed MOT 4  days earlier ,you imagine it makes them safe but rust through was under the air scoop and they don't have to look under things.So now got to track down a new one and find someone who can weld it on and re bleed the whole system. :rolleyes:

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 06, 2016, 10:15:19 PM
How is everyone today?
I was feeling down this afternoon so when I got home I was wondering what to do about it. Took my dog in the garden, spent time trimming the dead rose heads, topped up the bird peanuts, cleaned the birdbath then sat in the garden in the sun blowing bubbles (had a pot of bubbles in the hallway cupboard), spending time in the sun, under the blue sky and then watching the bubbles - seeing the sun bouncing off them, colours shining and seeing how high they floated really cheered me up.  Proves to me that nature does help.  Maybe worth a try now and again when down  :hearts: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 14, 2016, 11:41:32 AM
Hi everyone
How are you all today?
Kettles on, coffee brewing. Who has the biscuits?  :coffeetoast:
Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on August 14, 2016, 05:04:45 PM
Hi emz
Been feeling generally low for about three weeks, different from the emotional waves of before. Just started on natural  anti depressant St Johns wort because of it.
  Luckily now the Olympics are on, George and myself were keen cyclists(I'm trying to keep it up) so obviously the cycling is top of the tv watching list. It's cheering me up no end, the British team men and women doing SO well. Looking forward to tonight with an all British sprint final, and then Cavendish in the omnium.
Mo Farah winning the 10,000 metre was a real bonus.
So that's me, glued to the box
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on August 14, 2016, 06:43:34 PM
Well I've really rocked it today- I've changed the bedding, washed the old ones. Sorted some stuff out, hoovered up after the budgie for the 3rd time today, made poached eggs on toast for my tea, had a shower so here I am!
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 14, 2016, 08:12:33 PM
Sending a hug Rosaleen  :hug:  glad the Olympics are helping
Mmm poached eggs, I had some of those for breakfast :-)
Ive had a good tidy round, had a bath, now time to watch a film xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on August 14, 2016, 08:29:19 PM
Well done Julie poached eggs are yummy.I had beans on toast for my tea.I,m stranded with no vehicle at the moment and the local spa is very sparese so I,m using the opportunity to use up what's kicking round.

Rosaleen I wish I liked sport I,m having to put up with adverts to avoid the Olympics at one point last night they were on three BBC channels.Not sure how many old episodes of midsummer murders I,he got through but it feels like a lot I think I,he already seen the one that's on just now.Just flicked through and found the second hobbit film not yet seen,so that's my night sorted.. :rofl:

Spent the day re rebuilding my pond its deeper now so hopefully less algae prone.It involved removing and replacing all the edge stones with replacing being done from in the water.Had a tete a tete with a frog who was not happy at being disturbed initially but got more curious as the day went on.He has been hiding out under a stone for weeks so now I,be built him a des red cave overlooking the pond but safe from predators and snug in winter.Literally lined with mud straw and leaves. I,m not mad honest. :rolleyes: :whistle:

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on August 20, 2016, 09:25:41 AM
Hi Karena,
 sorry to hear  you're  not into sports. As I said or tried to say the cycling helped to distract me. More importantly it  also became a good focal point for me to talk with George, conversations,  jokes and comments about different riders and their performances, something we always did when he was alive.
I read one of your posts from a longish while ago (on the old site?) how you still talk to your husband every day, five years after he passed away. That post really helped me take on a new perspective and gradually led me to talking with George every day. So thanks. I really appreciate it.
 
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 04, 2016, 06:52:04 PM
Hello everyone

How has your week been?  Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on November 04, 2016, 06:55:01 PM
Upsy Downy for me Emz, quite low at times but felt capable of pulling myself up a bit at times. Went to see The Trolls yesterday, enjoyed it for it's simplicity and happiness till they played a certain tune and I had tears rolling down my face! I bet I was the only person crying at the Trolls!
Signed my will today so I can cross that off the list- phew!
Hope you had some good times?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 04, 2016, 10:16:49 PM
Sending a hug Julie  :hug:   glad you enjoyed the Trolls, music is sneeky like that isnt it, really catches us off guard. At least cinemas are dark! I find music really powerful, I have several playlists on my mp3 based on moods, so different songs for if I'm sad, tired, happy etc

My weeks been a bit stressful, so am glad its the weekend. Have plans to keep myself busy planning the cake I'm making for my nieces birthday for next weekend.  Will do a trial cake this weekend for practice xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 05, 2016, 06:48:57 PM
Slightly unusual day today,I want to include some proper autumn leaves on my costume,so collected leaves and have been trying to fix them with hairspray and PVA,to see which if either works hoping its the hairspray as its quicker,but either is fiddly.
Tonight I will mostly be sewing,but waiting for the fireworks to finish.I used to stay in for the dog but I am as jittery as he was with them,I,already stuck a screwdriver into my hand as a result of a loud bang. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Niftysixty7 on November 06, 2016, 10:33:22 AM

Really down, had a duvet day yesterday, can't see a reason for this life, why bother, no joy, can't seem to work up any enthusiasm for anything, feed up with apologising to people when they ask how I am and I dont feel any better, if I'm honest I feel worse than when he died, l want some peace in my soul, l know and accept tat this is it, but I hate it. Think it's easier to draw the blinds and sit, it's 10.30 OK what shall l do now. Everyone else is living their lives is it too much to want mine back. The only "good" thing about being a widow is l shall NEVER go through it again. Reading this it's so wallowy? But that's just how l feel. This is not a life it's an existence to what end?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Brian71 on November 06, 2016, 07:03:15 PM
Sorry to hear how low you are feeling Niftysixty7,    but I do know exactly how you feel as I still have those sort of days too.
The reality of existing after they are gone of course is totally something else,  I know only too well how depressingly low some days can be,  but we have to try and carry on the best we can, and I know it's not easy...

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on November 06, 2016, 07:07:44 PM
Hello Nifty- how long ago did you lose your someone? What you are describing is so familiar to us all X
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on November 06, 2016, 08:58:05 PM
I'm so sorry to hear you are having a bad time st present nifty

 :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 01, 2016, 09:15:28 PM
What a mixed day  :undecided: 

How do we reconcile work and our minds?!?.  bad few days at work xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on December 02, 2016, 12:52:11 AM
That's the nature of the beast emz. Managers constantly want more for less. It makes them look good.

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on December 03, 2016, 09:45:42 PM
It makes them think they look good most of the time it actually makes them look desperate to validate their positions,and a lot of the time theyre frightened we are better at the job than them so putting us down is their defence.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 20, 2016, 06:34:40 AM
Oh marvelous, have woken extra early with a streaming cold. Now look like rudolph with a streaming nose and a dry cough which doesn't seem to be achieving much :-( what timing!

I was already off for several days twice in Nov with a cold (tried to go back too soon and fell ill again), so going to work from home. Feel awkward calling in sick again so soon :-(  work does not suit being human does it!

How is everyone else getting on? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on December 20, 2016, 04:31:12 PM
Oh dear just what you don't need Em, is your medicine box stocked! It's good you can work from home though because it is embarrassing to have to keep taking time off isn't it? :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on December 21, 2016, 04:06:03 PM
Well I've treated myself to a bottle of port and some chocolates. Alan used to love to buy me port and it's only something I drink at Christmas.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 21, 2016, 09:25:52 PM
Ooo i like port. I'll have to get some in soon. 
I like port or red wine along with some chocolate - maltesers go really well with red wine :-)
My nose has stopped streaming, but bunged up now.  Went to the cinema to see Fantastic beasts and where to find them, was really good apart from a couple of coughing fits i couldnt suppress :-o. Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on December 23, 2016, 08:17:18 PM
Quick call in from stormy Jo'burg.Hope your cold is better Emz.
For those of you struggling with Xmas,I send big hugs,it will soon be over.

Xmas here is very different and not just because of the weather,but very low key,which is a good thing as it would be obscene for it to be otherwise,when the supermarket car park guards are asking customers not for tips but bags of mealie maize to feed their famillys things arnt good,last years drought has upped the price of even this basic staple to an alarming premium.

My wilderness trip consisted mainly of huge thunderstorms,terror of heights,sore feet,Mozzie bites,and an a fall into a stream that made me look embarrassingly like a rigged sheep.Thankfully if there were snakes I was too knackered to see them.We didn't see a leopard but there was one around which was a bit scary if one needed a nighttime ablution.suffice to say pride went out the window,that wonderful long drop toilet was a good walk away through the trees,I decided a closer to shelter bush was preferable.On the last night everyone abandoned tents and moved into the hut as the thunderstorm was too much even for the hardy.Definitely not a sunbeds and pool type holiday,and I was by far the eldest person there.Speaking of pools though,our natural bath/shower was pretty lush if a little chilly.

Hope everyone has as decent Xmas as possible.will be sending virtual hugs on the day,and will be  back in 2017.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 23, 2016, 09:55:12 PM
Im at the congested stage, continually blow my nose and still bunged up. Quite tiring so I'll be off to bed soon.  But i did manage a nice afternoon with my mum, after morning at work we went to the book barn (huge place with lovely cafe and hundreds of books for £1 each), took flowers to my nan & gramps grave which is in a pretty little churchyard in the middle of a field.  Then we had a nice lunch at a local pub

Sending hugs to everyone too

Take care karena and have a lovely time xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on December 24, 2016, 12:05:04 PM
Goodness Karena- you sure know how to party!
Are you sat there with a tissue up your nostril Em?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 24, 2016, 02:03:20 PM
I feel like I have a whole toilet roll up my nostrils Julie :-D I'm at the stage where you can't hear properly and feel like your head is in a bucket  :huh:
Hope everyone else is well xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: pennyking on December 24, 2016, 08:27:33 PM
Hope your feeling better soon Emz.  I felt like that last week.  Still not got rid of it completely. 
Wishing everyone all the best for tomorrow.  It's not an easy time, but have to to get through the best we can for our loved ones.

Hugs and love to you all.

 :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on December 28, 2016, 08:27:47 PM
Well that's another one survived.Xmas is fairly low key here which suits me fine,although there is something a bit surreal about seeing people in shorts and t shirts next to a Xmas tree.
Had a surreal moment myself today.Went to pick and pay and halfway through the checkout my daughter realised she had forgotten something in another shop and took off leaving me to finish.When the stuff had gone through the girl asked for my picknpay card.I don't have one but I watched my daughter put it in the machine when we started so I told her this.She looked at me oddly,then said but madam you came here alone.No I didn't I said,my daughter was here,she was carrying a baby.So she consulted the girl doing the packing and being not particularly fluent in Zulu I didn't quite catch what was said,but I think the gesture for not right in the head is international.No madam,she said you are here alone no one is with you.By now there was a queue of interested on lookers so I decided further argument was futile established the card was just a loyalty card so not essential to make payment and went through.Next was the cigarette kiosk,where the till apparently wasn't working,but then suddenly sprung into life,then on the way out the security gate thing buzzed.The security guy looked at my receipt then waved vaguely at the trolley and said something here is buzzing.then waved me through anyway.
When I got outside my daughter wasn't there,and just for that split second I wondered if they were right I HD lost the plot.But I hadn't she turned up we checked the till roll and she had put the loyalty card through.But guess what.The thing that was buzzing,a security tag in a top I bought,which contains red ink that splats if you break it.So tomorrow I,m going to have to go back and get them to take the tag off.If someone knows the Zulu for "remember the nutcase yesterday who was hallucinating she had a daughter,well she is back hallucinating she paid for this top and you forgot to remove the security tag".please let me know ASAP. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on December 29, 2016, 12:44:59 PM
Oh my! And the best of luck with all that!  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on December 29, 2016, 10:17:51 PM
I think marching into the shop,pointing at the tag and shaking your fist with an angry scowl would break the language barrier Karena.  :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Deb63 on December 31, 2016, 01:18:54 PM
Good Afternoon everyone :)
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 31, 2016, 01:30:44 PM
Hi Deb, how are you doing? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Deb63 on December 31, 2016, 01:34:26 PM
Im ok thank you Emz, nursing a cold atm 😐 x
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 31, 2016, 07:32:36 PM
Me too, I seem to be in the last stages of my cold.  Started the Monday before Christmas, now I have a rough cough and sometimes a bit of a snuffly/runny nose.  Hope you feel better soon  :hug: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Deb63 on December 31, 2016, 07:35:49 PM
Had mine 3 days 😐..good to know yours is almost gone 🙂
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Deb63 on December 31, 2016, 07:36:50 PM
Hopefully mine is  on its way out lol  :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on December 31, 2016, 07:39:27 PM
Well don't sneeze on us you two!  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Deb63 on December 31, 2016, 07:41:03 PM
Ill try not to 😆..hope youre all having a nice evening 🙂
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on December 31, 2016, 07:56:04 PM
Well I'm on my own, but prefer it like that this year as it's my first without Alan- what are you doing?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Deb63 on December 31, 2016, 08:35:22 PM
I have my son hes 18 here , but ..you know teenagers and Ps4 s lol
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 31, 2016, 10:11:54 PM
I promise no sneezing :-)
Im sat watching Captain America: Civil War in my PJ's, with a cuppa and my dog cuddling me because fireworks have started xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Deb63 on January 01, 2017, 09:57:34 PM
HAPPY NEW YEAR ! 😊🤗 :hearts:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on January 02, 2017, 01:55:42 PM
And the same to you Debs- hope we can gain a springboard to better moments X
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on January 02, 2017, 02:53:49 PM
All the best
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Deb63 on January 02, 2017, 03:05:05 PM
Thank you both
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on January 02, 2017, 10:24:41 PM
I know its a bit late but id like to wish all you lovely peeps a happy new year and hope it brings you all good health and contentment. (((Hugs)))

 :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Deb63 on January 02, 2017, 10:44:00 PM
 :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on January 02, 2017, 10:46:04 PM
And you Norma.  :hug:

I hope you got a big umbrella for Christmas.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Brian71 on January 03, 2017, 12:56:33 AM
Thank you Norma,  I hope you too have a good 2017 full of contentment, and that applies to everyone on here,  we can only hope that 2017 brings a little relieve to those still grieving,  in truth I doubt we will ever stop grieving for our loved ones inside but maybe with time it becomes that little more bearable.  :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 05, 2017, 07:56:20 AM
A few days in, likely back to work now,  how are you all doing?

I'm still waking up in the morning feeling coldy, bit sniffly during the day but at least the hacking cough has passed now. Just need to get rid of this last bit. Back to work Tues, which wasn't too bad - although felt odd trying to sit still concentrating for that length of time, I had become too used to moving about & variety when I was off!

My non working day yesterday and had such a lovely day. A slow start, avocado + spinach on toast for a relaxing/not rushed breakfast. My mum came up for lunch then spent some time talking me through/showing me how to use my new sewing machine. :-) 
back to reality again today, but at least working from home today. 

My friend gave me a colouring diary for Xmas, I've decided to use it as a gratitude diary - each day I'm going to write a positive item I'm grateful for. It is scientifically proven this helps (gets our minds to focus on, and find, more positives)  we had a section on the old forum of writing down 5 positives a day, and it helped then too

Xx

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 05, 2017, 06:11:20 PM
 :hug: wishing you a peaceful new year Norma (but not too peaceful we need your lively personality)
Also back at work,still feeling a bit jetlagged and the cold is driving me mad,Keep forgetting its only January so perfectly normal.I started a walking and healthy diet campaign while I was away,but walking through flower meadows under bluegum trees is infinitely more desirable than walking in the dark and cold and  I have no opportunity to get food in until Saturday so its back to baked beans until then,but I,m being good and havnt unpacked the chocolates from my suitcase yet.Your breakfast sounds lovely Emz .

Still thinking about dog fostering which would force me to walk in all conditions,but it still feels a bit too soon after Ben,So I,m focussing my energy's on the house for now,thinking scandi/Nordic look for the kitchen.Something I can live with but can be neutral enough for future viewers.Watched a design programme last night and made a "mood board"  I also got drawing and writing books for Xmas so am thinking of new ways to fill them.I like your idea Emz.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on January 05, 2017, 10:50:39 PM
I'm back at work and getting over Christmas quite well.

I had to rush to take the decorations down tonight. I've just finished and the house looks really bare without the trees, lights and tinsel. It also looks like somebody has thrown a glitter grenade in. The vacuum is going to be doing overtime for weeks. Even the dog twinkles.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 06, 2017, 07:34:22 AM
I like the bare look after the decorations come down, always looks alot tidier :-) love that the dog is twinkling  :rofl: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on January 06, 2017, 01:58:54 PM
A twinkly dog! How glorious!  :rofl:   
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 06, 2017, 05:42:01 PM
Wonder how the dog will feel about being hoovered. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 06, 2017, 08:16:54 PM
That's a fab photo Julie!

How's everyone's day been?  We successfully completed another work week! Kettles on, everyone grab a biccie  :coffeetoast: :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 07, 2017, 07:55:44 PM
Been busy in the house,furniture moved but all drawers etc in a pile ready to be sorted through.samples of vinyl / laminate arrived for the kitchen,think I have decided on design but now to decide vinyl or laminate.I have fitted vinyl in the past but this would be a huge piece to handle and needs 35 cm cutting off all the way down the length.Typically smaller width is too small and there is no where to hide a join thats not a heavy wear area.
laminate is more manageable size but not sure how to cut and fit the edges,So sat on sofa with a hot water bottle to ease my aching back watching new BBC talent programme and prevaricating.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on January 12, 2017, 10:48:36 PM
I think they fit the laminate a bit rough to allow for expansion and hide the edges with a lengths of beading.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 13, 2017, 05:59:35 PM
Yes I think you're right.
My garden now looks like my house piles of debris everywhere after the wind the other night.I,m thinking of entering the lot into a London art exhibition and calling the piece " reflections of my life" If Tracy Emin can do it so can I.  :rofl:
Nice dusting of snow covering it now so apart from rescuing the bird feeders that's how it will stay for now while I focus on the inside.My grandson rang and asked if I had any earthquake aftermath photos for a school project,I was very tempted to take one. :rofl:
But anyway its Friday night treat night so I have a satay and chilli stirfry, bar of fruit,some logs for the fire and a choice of green tea health drink or G& T cans to drink from,everything else can wait until tomorow.


PS G&T threw itself out of the cupboard so that's settled then. :whistle:.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on January 16, 2017, 06:42:29 PM
Well new year project for me was to have a go at dressmaking  again, after at least 30 years, started by finding out the old machine, stripping it down and giving it a good overhaul, great 1st job done.

Next job buy a pattern and material, easier said than done, had to scour sheffield to find a shop that sold patterns, but success eventually, picked an easy pattern that said can be made up in 2 hours, brilliant how many sundresses do i need for my holiday lol.

But what the pattern didnt say is you need a masters degree in sorting out the pattern, been studying it for 2 days now, phew i give up.

 :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 16, 2017, 06:56:06 PM
Patterns do seem to be written in a different language! I think I'm finally getting to grips with mine. Haven't taken it out of the packet yet though, and still need to find some material! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 16, 2017, 08:24:07 PM
Both very brave.My one and only attempt to make a dress with a pattern was in the dreaded school needlework class (dreaded because if you made a mistake the old bat held it up in front of the whole class and took the Micky )
I did manage a couple of sundresses in later life Sheering elastic and straps. :rofl:
Meanwhile in the skills world I am revamping an old cabinet.I stripped it in summer then got disillusioned the wood underneath years of cak was awful, so now its going to be repainted and on trend.Primed it yesterday or most of it but I can't find the shelves.Love it when a plan comes together ....not.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on January 16, 2017, 10:32:22 PM
There used to be a program on telly about someone who did stuff up like that. She would hang around s tip and take things off people who were dumping it. Then she'd go off and give it to some people she knew along with hundreds of quids to fettle it and than take it off to a gallery in London and flog it for ridiculous amounts of money before taking the profit to the person who was dumping the stuff in the first place.

It was so contrived I found it hilarious.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 17, 2017, 09:34:08 PM
Hope you find your shelves Karena! :-)

So, i feel its time for some TV chat - is anyone here watching the latest Sherlock series?  xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Didi63 on January 18, 2017, 10:44:02 AM
No I'm not into Sherlock. It's just the usual Corrie, Emmerdale. I do love a good Catherine Cookson on Sunday's.
Super vet is brilliant, as are all the animal programmes.
Also been watching 'Still open all hours,' love all the old classics. Suppose it depends on what mood I'm in  :laugh: . Big ships is one of my many favourites.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on January 18, 2017, 02:05:55 PM
No didn't watch Sherlock but feel I may have missed out on something good there. I enjoy the dancing programmes, animal programmes, Eastenders etc. Can't concentrate on anything heavy or complicated- got to be light and fluffy for me at the moment, entertainment wise.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 18, 2017, 03:26:53 PM
Oh I do like Open all hours, havent seen Still open all hours yet.  There's something comforting in some of the old programmes/sitcoms :-)

What's everyones favourite old tv shows?  I had a soft spot for only fools and horses xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 18, 2017, 07:01:29 PM
I watched sherlock but missed the first one.The last one however had me literally sitting on the edge of my seat.
You do wonder though what sort of mind you must have to dream up that scenario. :rofl:

Also liked fools and horses,but the problem with a lot of sitcoms is they are so dated so not always as funny because they are out of context in the modern world.However An fab, vicar of dibley and if were going really old the good life and citizen smith.

Sunday nights should be lighter though really downtown,poldark,type stuff.
I do follow the. Soaps now but in the early days dropped them as the storylines can be too close to home,

My favourite though is wildlife documentary's.especially African ones.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on January 18, 2017, 07:15:23 PM
I liked The Good Life too, and Fawlty Towers.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 18, 2017, 10:02:42 PM
It was a good episode wasnt it karena, kept you guessing

I do love animal documentaries, have to be narrated by david Attenborough though, a legend!

I liked those too Julie.  Know what you mean Karena, not sure I could watch some of the old ones all the way through the series but the odd episode is certainly reassuring :-) Cant remember the name now, which is the one with Mrs Bucket  (liked to be called Bouquet).  That one reminds me of my nan enjoying it and makes me smile. Xx

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on January 19, 2017, 09:29:34 AM
Keeping Up Appearances-   :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 19, 2017, 08:36:09 PM
Yes that was funny I can't hear the word ratatouie without thinking of it ( I can't spell it either )  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 19, 2017, 08:39:05 PM
Well, today was the first day I felt I had a bit of energy back.  I don't know whether it is because I decided to try out a few new little things - when I woke I let myself stretch in bed for a moment before flinging myself out of it, and then did a Tai Chi move for a minute before I even put the light on  (I've had a Tai chi book for years and never quite got in the hang of actually trying/doing it).  But I certainly did seem to feel a bit more energetic, and I can't put it down to any more sleep as I, as usual, went to bed much too late.

Interestingly, I kept the energy levels through the morning and at lunch, having decided there was nowhere in the office I wanted to eat the soup I brought in, I found a bench outside in a little bit of sunshine, ate my soup then did a lap of the green in the sun.  I did get the typical energy slump after lunch and the lack of motivation kicked in, but do have a slightly optimistic feeling that I might be finding a bit more energy again

Will try the 'routine' again in the morning and see how it goes.  Maybe a little extra gentle movement is what is needed in these winter months?

How has everyones day been? xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on January 19, 2017, 10:25:45 PM
I've been a bit ' more of the same' again today.

Did a lot of 'half jobs' in work where I started doing things with the best intentions but got bored half way through and went off in search of more interesting hints to do only to repeat the process. It's a good job all the bosses were tied up in a meeting.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Didi63 on January 20, 2017, 03:29:44 PM
Emz I've always fancied trying Tai chi but never got round to it. Think I shall take myself into town tomorrow and look in the charity shops for a good Tai chi book.
My eldest son bought me a nice pair of Nordic walking poles last year, shall have to get back into walking again.
I did have the intentions of trying bike Joring with my beagle. It's a bit like sledding with huskies but on a bike/scooter with a single or two plus dogs pulling whilst human pedals.  :shocked:
Just need all the elbow and knee pads now   :rofl: .
Wouldn't mind but not really into speed and I have visions of my beagle seeing a rabbit or something and taking off after it. Flipping heck, when I have an idea, it's something huge or stupid  :rofl: .
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Julie Magson on January 20, 2017, 04:20:31 PM
Well you don't do things by halves do you!  :shocked:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 20, 2017, 04:32:35 PM
I darent do that with my lurcher, I'd be flying at the speed of light lol!!

After having some success with the tai chi book I ordered myself a dvd of tai chi from Amazon last night - bargain price of £2.44. Looking forward to trying/learning more (and seeing if I'm doing it correctly) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 20, 2017, 11:03:13 PM
 :rofl:funnilly enough my mind went straight to your bonkers dog too Emz.never tried tai chi I did yoga and enjoyed it and found I wasn't in agony next day,but no classes round here and I can never get motivated with DVD,s.
Tonight I started top coating the cabinet but discovered I must have picked up the wrong tin,thought I had grey shadow but turns out to be pebble,which currently looks more dirty white.Maybe it will look better in daylight.

Baby sitting tomorrow night ,when I say baby he is 8,So need to hide paint brushes and paint he has been known to decide to paint things in the past,and get something in for tea. I might let him make tea I,m thinking poormans shepherds pie (baked beans instead of mince , and cheese on top) It used to be a favourite with my girls.popcorn and TV talent show later we have our own marking system,he is very critical he is autistic so doesnt hold back ,makes simon cowell look like the nice guy.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 21, 2017, 09:12:54 AM
Haha, it would be carnage with Raz wouldnt it Karena!  :rofl:

Maybe a layered look will work well with the pebble paint, give it depth?

That sounds like a nice time planned. Like the sound of the poor mans shepherds pie :-)  xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 24, 2017, 11:42:03 AM
Good morning all

Well, I've continued my brief stretching before getting up, (just simple stretches/moves and just concentrating on how the muscles are feeling) and about a minute of doing tai chi movements as soon as I stand up out of bed and it does seem to be making a difference. I have been feeling a bit more energetic, bit more focused and positive, which has been lasting longer into the day.  So I'm going to continue giving that a try!

Ive also tried to make a point of being more mindful - so instead of going through several thoughts/memories when walking I've tried to focus on the environment around me, even if it is only for a few minutes at a time.  Is interesting, I've worked in the centre for many years and during a walk to a shop which i do sometimes I was focussing on details the other day and looked up and noticed a weathervane which had a ship at the top.  I dont recall seeing that before!  Does help to 'rest' your brain and just 'be', and sometimes learn something new :-)

How is everyones week going?   :coffeetoast: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 24, 2017, 06:27:16 PM
Wish I was that organised in a morning I went back to sleep this morning so the stretches involved in leaping up and running round  to get to work were far from gentle.On less rushed days I have done the mindfulness thing,of looking around rather than just in front,I got so used too it I once spotted an injured blackbird flapping around on the floor there were loads of people milling around some looking in the shop window but no one else had seen it right at their feet,until I started trying to stop it going back into the road.Don't know if its mindfulness or just that I,m geared up to wildlife where others more to humans,as we become more disassociated from the natural world.

If I,m honest I have become quite depressed again this week,I know why but not how to shake it off.Keith's kids want to scatter his ashes somewhere completely alien to my life with him, They havnt been in touch for years so i knew there was a reason .We have agreed to split them and I will keep half , so its not really that in itself but the fact that they have moved on new lives new relationships/careers etc etc which is as it should be, but I,m still stuck . Oh well  its been brewing awat for a few days but I,have said it now so maybe that will help clear the fog.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 29, 2017, 10:16:00 PM
How are you feeling now Karena? Sending a big hug  :hug:

I'm really appreciating technology today. Looking through an old photo album and found one of the photos was missing. One of me and my sister. I vaguely remember using the original in my scrapbook years ago obviously meaning to get a replacement printed but never did. This eve,  after locating the negative (which was the hardest part lol), it took me 20 minutes to scan in the negative, adjust the colours a bit in paintshop then print on my little photo printer.  Hey presto. I have replacement photo for my album,  and a spare (as it's one of my favourite :-))   so today I'm thankful for technology

Hope everyone is OK. I'm acheing after doing hours of walking yesterday, spent the day in London exploring. Was fabulous seeing all the Chinese new year decorations, and even managed to see a couple of lion dances which made my day xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 30, 2017, 07:12:44 PM
I am grateful for technology every day Emz.we could not be here without it and if I had to wait for the za post services to hear from my daughter I would be climbing the walls.
I would not be doing my job without it either ,but maybe that's less of a blessing.maybe I would have been a painter instead,or maybe done something more useful. :rofl:

Thankyou for the hug.
I am feeling better,I,m finally getting the kitchen sorted,and I have help.My neighbour ( the nice one) is between jobs and bored ,I had ordered some sample flooring and he took the parcel for me,so I asked his opinion about which one,which lead to a conversation about the whole kitchen problem.He can't fix the Rayburn but he,s putting the floor down and painting the walls and ceiling and his mate is a decorator so he is going to refurb the cupboards at mates rates,he also got paint and floor at trade price.I took it with a pinch of salt at first but then he came back round said its all organised clear the stuff and wash everything down over the weekend and I,all start monday,today is Monday and he has done loads while I have been at work.All a bit sudden but just the kick up the backside I needed.I think he's been watching DIY sos. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 30, 2017, 09:22:40 PM
Glad you're feeling better  :hug:

Aww that's really lovely about the kitchen :-)  always lovely when someone offers some help :-)  hope it all goes well 

Ive started a new future learn course on nutrition, have had some time to catch up with it this eve, finding it really interesting xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on January 31, 2017, 08:14:14 PM
I,m trying to do two at the moment they're like buses you wait ages then two come along at once.One is about smart technology  mostly for work it might help to understand the gist of what they bang on about at staff meetings.the other is about climate change and agriculture that's to add to my ever increasing collection of permaculture related subjects.

Actually nutrition would slot into that too,but I think two is enough for now,there is another work related one coming up as soon as the first one finishes about the internet of things. I,m starting to feel too old for all this technology :wchair: and now I sound like my granny but she was referring to video players. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on January 31, 2017, 11:01:39 PM
Sign up to it anyway so its in your course list, then do it later once you've done others :-D. Wont have the active comments, but can still read them :-D xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 02, 2017, 06:37:09 PM
Very quiet on here the last few days, how is everyone doing?

Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: pennyking on February 02, 2017, 08:43:03 PM
Having a few difficult few days, Birthday and Anniversary.  Hope your doing ok Emz? x
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on February 02, 2017, 09:56:03 PM
I'm not doing too bad emz. I know I've got a few rough ones coming up but I'm in a bit of a lull at the moment.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Didi63 on February 05, 2017, 10:16:54 AM
 :hug: to those that may need them.
I've been forcing myself to get out, mainly in town, community lunch and even to a crafty group.
At the crafty group, anything goes and I ended up playing Ludo, which I don't think I've ever played before!
Quite enjoyed it 😀.
Today is a down day, though I'm sure the weather doesn't help.
I'm sat here picking at my breakfast, porridge oats with a yogurt. Don't know about anyone else but I get fed up of having the same cereal breakfast.
Also in a bit of a food rut really. Does anyone else seem to buy the same foods each week/month?
I need to start eating healthier, especially now my new job is on the horizon, start 13th February and need to get into good feeding habits.
Been buying new blouses for job too. Going round the charity shops and been lucky to pick up a couple of blouses for £1 each and they look brand new!
What has everyone else been up to lately?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 05, 2017, 05:47:25 PM
 :hug: for everyone.just back from the weekend away/babysitting wedding thingy.got some rest when the boys were at the wedding but little darlings seemed to be under the impression 5am is an acceptable time to get up when on holiday.so i,m abit tire.got staff meeting tomorow with no prep done so i will be winging it. Just got home and found kitchen cupboards all finished and floor laid,looking very impressive.I saw a picture on fb of our Norma next to a police van with a burly officer either side.So I guess Birmingham meet went well. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on February 05, 2017, 09:05:52 PM
Birmingham was great Karena.
It had got me thinking that there should be a licence for buying Jaegerbombs though.

... and I should not have one.  :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 05, 2017, 10:35:23 PM
After asking how everyone was I went into a bit of a busy period and never managed to reply
Yeay for the kitchen Karena! :-D
Hope you're coping ok Penny  :hug:
Heehee for the jagerbombs hubby!  I havent had them often but they do certainly add some energy! :-)
Sounds like some great finds there Didi! :-)  I have a few favourites I've found in charity shops :-) the crafty group sounds a fantastic idea. What do you like to craft? Ive always found crafting enjoyable and relaxing, and being with people is good for us too.  I keep meaning to look into organising a games night - whether some of my friends would be interested or to find new people to create a new grouo, try to put more focus on a game and interacting instead of TV.  Not sure where to start though.

In answer to your food question, I do tend to fall into a routine with food sometimes just because its simple.  For example i know if I cook a certain meal it will be tasty and will also provide a couple of lunches too, so is efficient.  I am experimenting at the moment with soup though - trying to make a new flavour soup each week. Which is going well so far.  I do like to look through cook books, which I have lots of, but whether i try new recipes depends on how busy life is
This eve I have come to realise I may be trying to cram too much in (supported by a dear friends concern)  i dont have much planned this week so may specifically plan some 'downtime'
Hope everyone has a good night sleep.  What have you all got planned for this week? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on February 07, 2017, 10:47:09 PM
I can't wait for my new boiler to be up and running. I'm absolutely freezing. Lol.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on February 08, 2017, 08:28:17 AM
Hi
 Been off the grid for a little while, initially swamped by an email out of the blue of a new freeholder.
 I have a leasehold  on a flat, it's one of four in a Victorian house. He's planning on major repairs and maintenance, so big bill. I need a lease extension using up all and more of my savings  to then qualify for a life time mortgage to pay for everything now and then have access to money to top up my my limited monthly income
 overwhelmed,  stressed  panic anxiety, all the time,  gradually calmed down, and breathing again thinking how George would respond to this type of thing. "It's only money" "you just get on with it"
Taking on his mindset.
 This has really helped and I started to accept what's happening and put things into perspective. Yes money IS important but now I recognise I'm fortunate to have options even tho'  they're not of my choosing. And of course nothing, nothing, can ever be as bad as losing George

Now busy ploughing through it all,  but in a better frame of mind.
meeting up with three people I can now call  friends  who I met through group support sessions
. So looking forward to that ....
.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 08, 2017, 09:00:07 AM
Hope your boiler work hurries up hubby, not the time to have no heating  :undecided:  :shocked:

Oh Rosaleen, that sounds alot of stress.  Really well done for taking control and managing your mindset - its amazing how powerful our brains can be, and the power of different perspectives. Its often overlooked how powerful breathing techniques are in managing panic and anxiety.  Sending a hug  :hearts: don't forget some TLC for yourself

Thats fab about your new friends  :heart:

Today is my non working day, and I'm having a very restful day with no pressure on myself. Hope everyones day is kind to them xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on February 08, 2017, 06:56:10 PM
Thanks for the compliment  about taking control,  but I really feel it's George at my shoulder somehow passing on/welding his acceptance view of life to me.  His mindset not mine, but becoming  mine. I find myself thinking of  it as one of his many gifts to me.
 I do use breathing techniques I picked up in yoga years ago.

Hubby,  what a time to have boiler problems!
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 08, 2017, 07:37:12 PM
Rosaleen  :hug:I know what you mean about thinking how they would do,I do it myself its so easy to get into a panic when there is no one to sound off or ask what they think is best,but give yourself credit too love because you are the one tackling the paperwork etc and that's not easy either.

Hubby hope you are not sitting in the cold tonight its freezing already.If only you had that yaegerbomb license you could probably start a lovely bonfire with that stuff,(or alternatively drink it until you don't feel cold anymore.

Emz I recommend you don't start a games night with monopoly,it might end up with violence,but speaking of violence how about cluedo everyone could dress as one of the characters which might make it a good way to break the ice.

Speaking of crafting I have a huge piece of wood if anyone wants to try carving.I have the wood due to not understanding inches and ordering away too much. :rofl:

I am sitting on the sofa surrounded by stuff.kitchen and hall contents are all piled up here,and its starting to look like one of the houses you see on LCD cleaners,unfortunately not theirs but the ones they visit.I,m hoping new tap and lights will arrive soon.also hoping I ordered the right sizes .Apparently tap won't work without half a bar of water pressure,not sure how I would go about finding that out but its a nice looking tap if it doesn't work I can carry water in a bucket from utility room and pretend I,m posh. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on February 08, 2017, 10:48:19 PM
Hooray. The heatings done and the blokes have gone  :yahoo:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 09, 2017, 07:29:29 AM
 :yahoo: :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 09, 2017, 08:11:37 PM
 :yahoo:just in time to see off the Siberian weather were looking forward too this weekend.
I,m up for an early night tonight,my eyes are tired,sadly my brain isn't,so what are the chances I actually do go early. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on February 10, 2017, 10:21:35 PM
Celebrations may be premature. The heating is great ... when I can work it. It's got a Hive controller that they advertise on telly. I didn't want it but it was free.

Last night I thought I put the heating on but after an hour the radiators were still cold. I figured it out and at bedtime I turned it off. This morning I woke up and the entire house was scorching. I might have to read the manual to find where I'm going wrong.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 11, 2017, 08:54:50 PM
Typical bloke.why is it men don't bother with instructions until the very last resort. :rofl:

Well today is the first time in about 4 years I havnt had to carry hot water into the kitchen in a bucket to do the washing up.I now have a working tap. :yahoo: hope I didn't speak too soon as well,that would be embarrassing.

Allegedly we are getting snow tomorrow so hopefully white is the new grey.if it is even though there are a trillion things I should be doing at home,I might go out with my camera for a while.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on February 11, 2017, 10:20:42 PM
men don't bother with instructions

That's because we don't need to generally. It's only in the case of poorly designed items that it becomes necessary  :coffeetoast:  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 11, 2017, 10:53:25 PM
We had some snow this morning but it only pitched briefly on the grass, then after a few hours all gone and just back to damp xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 12, 2017, 07:55:26 PM
Longedge nice try but I,m not convinced. :rofl:
Emz it has been snowing on and off all day here but not settling its also a very cold wind.I braved it to the shop and back and that was enough.

Today I have been putting stuff back in the kitchen but have refrained from shoving everything back in the cupboards and shutting the doors,I spent ages artfully arranging pots on the open shelves and even lined the glasses up in the glass front cupboard.I had a 1960,s tea set plain yellow tpot for 1 milk jug sugar bowl.the bowl and t pot  lid have a picture of a willow tree on.I,be always liked them so now they have taken pride of place on an open shelf along with a cup and saucer that I think were a christening present.the cup has a picture of a child on a tree swing.Totally impractical I should have put more utility stuff there but you never know one day I might get all posh and use them. :coffeetoast:.I can stick my pinky out along with the best of em. :rofl:


Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on February 12, 2017, 10:37:09 PM
I didn't need the instructions. I've figured out hat if I turn the knob right up it comes on and if I turn it right down it goes off. That's about as close to the on off switch I had in the old system as you can get without having an on off switch.  :yahoo:

I've only seen about five snowflakes. That's probably what they call a blizzard down south.

I like the sound of your kitchen Karena. Mine looks like a bombs hit it, much like the rest of the house.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 13, 2017, 08:22:57 PM
My lounge looks like a hoarders house all the stuff from kitchen and hall piled up in here that's why it would be tempting to just throw everything back in.Got a table and chairs today  thirty quid off sale or swap site.a saving which means new fridge freezer is a step closer.Mine is ancient and has been painted several times to cover the rust,but the seal is on its last legs . So today I was looking online and discovered the " smart fridge" apparently I could get one of those with an app,and the app will tell me if I ran out of something.
I can only think this is dependant on you putting designated objects in designated places which it then has sensors to calculate its gone,or it has a camera through which it examines the contents of its own stomach.
I think its a technological advance I can live without.Cos I,m a smart owner and I know if I look in the fridge and something isn't there I have run out. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on February 13, 2017, 08:40:53 PM
I didn't need the instructions.

I rest my case  :wink:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on February 13, 2017, 10:16:30 PM
I don't like the idea of a smart fridge. There's things in the dark corners of mine that I don't want to know are there.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 14, 2017, 07:45:27 AM
Me too!   I'd rather have a stupid fridge! It can't complain then! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 14, 2017, 07:49:59 PM
 :rofl:glad I,m not the only one.my boss and colleagues,with one exception think I,m a ludite because I don't appreciate the potential of these things.I think I will be the one laughing when the internet goes down in winter,and it does,every time there is a power cut here,so twice today,when they could potentially be locked out,unable to put the heating or lights on.I,all be the one laughing when I,m the only one with a candle. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 15, 2017, 09:14:59 AM
I have heard that there is a washing machine which is connected to WiFi and it can order your washing powder/liquid for you.  Mmmm.  I'd rather have the control and choice in my house thanks!

I know that life is busier than ever, with technology driving the pace, but moving towards computerised things doing things like that for us doesn't feel like the right answer (makes me think of the animation film wall-e! Where the humans are lazy and just sat around having robots do everything for them)  I think more focus needs to be put on enabling people to have more work life balance so people dont feel burnt out and they have time to order their fridge contents! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on February 15, 2017, 09:24:10 AM
Totally agree
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 15, 2017, 07:23:51 PM
I think there a danger that we will stop thinking for ourselves and doing for ourselves,already we have cars that we can't fix,so we end up relying on the big corporates for everything and having to buy new stuff every time it breaks down.I saw light fittings when I was looking for the kitchen that come with the bulbs integrated so you can't change the bulb you have to change the whole fitting,and technically if you're being legal get an electrician to do it.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on February 16, 2017, 11:00:36 PM
I spent hours today in work with a major power failure. All the networked stuff went offline as the network equipment didn't have an alternative supply and the entire job went to pot. I couldn't help thinking about how Karena Would have been standing there with her candle laughing at everyone running around like headless chickens.  Lol
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 17, 2017, 08:29:59 PM
 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:we used to have back up battery's but one by one they went flat and were not replaced.I don't have candles at work but the campervan is parked outside and I have torches,camping stove and kettle .But the only person getting  :coffeetoast:will be the one who doesn't think I,m a Luddite.
The rest will have to have virtual tea in their virtual world.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on February 18, 2017, 10:50:42 PM
We've got massive banks of backup supplies but, strangely, nobody thought to connect the main networking cupboard up to one. As a result all the main stuff was working but absolutely useless. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 19, 2017, 08:42:29 PM
 :rofl:love it when management plans come together.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 02, 2017, 01:39:02 PM
How is everyone doing today?  I'm at a cringeworthy work event, where teams have stalls and we have enforced networking to get to know each other. I'm at the point when I'm looking for an escape route!!!

Hope everyone is doing OK today xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on March 02, 2017, 02:03:59 PM
I'm at a cringeworthy work event, where teams have stalls and we have enforced networking to get to know each other.

Life is full of golden opportunities - this might just be one of them in disguise Emz  :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 02, 2017, 04:41:14 PM
I like your positivity!   Has been an odd day - the team of directors did a (very bad) rap on stage.   But on the plus side I did manage to chat to a couple of colleagues I havent seen in a long time, and as we finished early managed to zip to wilko's afterwards to stock up on bird food.  (my sparrows, blackbirds and doves have been guilt tripping me with their looks since I ran out earlier in the week!)

Looking forward to a quiet evening xx



Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 02, 2017, 06:08:13 PM
Feet up reflecting on the days events trying my best to keep calm and relaxed, xxx

 :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Bertie on March 02, 2017, 06:54:21 PM
Just managed to log in, like the purple !
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on March 02, 2017, 07:09:38 PM
(my sparrows, blackbirds and doves have been guilt tripping me with their looks since I ran out earlier in the week!)

I went and stocked up last weekend at The Range. Spent nearly £30 but I do like watching them. I draw the line at squirrels and wood pigeons coming and scoffing the lot though :evil: .

I've got ar least 3 different Robins that come and they spend a lot of time squaring up to one another. I also get a wren now and again, blue tits, coal tits long tailed tits, goldfinches, starlings, mistle and song thrushes and very occasionally a nuthatch. My favourites are the robins though.

I've got a bird box with a wireless camera in it but so far it's not been nested in. Last autumn a blue tit spent several weeks roosting in it overnight but that's all. I'm hoping that it might be taken into use this year. I've got a webcam link on my website to it for the family if it does get used.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 02, 2017, 08:29:01 PM
I love watching my birds when I'm home, feels good to help them :-)  I gained a robin recently, he's so brave, he landed down by my knee recently whilst I was crouched filling the peanut feeders :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 02, 2017, 08:38:05 PM
I had a blutit nest in a very old nesting box at the top of a very old bird table,completely ignoring new nest boxes.The wood legs are rotten and I had propped it up with a view to remodelling it but it was very precarious so I had to wait until the parents were off foraging and keep nipping out to try and make it more secure.It wouldn't have taken much for the wind or a child to topple it.They didn't seem to mind me hovering and the babies fledged safely.

Its way too cold and wet for outdoors recently,which is probably a good thing as I,m plodding away with inside stuff.but I,m keeping an eye out for frogspawn.I usually put it in a bucket indoors if its likely to freeze,then put it back in the pond later in spring.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on March 02, 2017, 08:51:59 PM
When choosing where to nest they do the funniest things.

I no longer hang washing out, it's tumble dryer all year round for me but one of Chris' old peg bags is still hanging by the washing line. I saw one of the Robins recently go into the bag obviously checking it out as a potential nest site  :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Hubby on March 05, 2017, 12:05:53 AM
I'm banned from feeding the birds in work but I did put up a nest box for robins on a tree this week.

I've got no idea when nesting season is though.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on March 05, 2017, 09:11:29 AM
I'm banned from feeding the birds in work

That's a shame. When I was still working, I was always the first one in the office(always got the best parking space) so I had half an hour or so in the mornings to do all the things that I had been banned from doing  :grin:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 05, 2017, 09:34:18 PM
Usually sometime in March in the north depending on the weather,so keep feeding them but try not to go too near the nest box.They will have three or even four broods,the females do the sitting the males keep feeding them for about 3 weeks after they fledge while she hatches the next lot.Poor things must be exhausted by the autumn.

Long edge I can't help wondering what you might have been up too that was banned.but I like the way you think. :rofl:

My eldest had her appendix removed this morning,She's fine and I know my son in law will look after her,but its times like this I hate being on the other side of the world.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 11, 2017, 10:07:09 AM
Longedge your comnent certainly  made me giggle to myself , had a mental picture of you skulking around in a morning feeding the birds while looking over your shoulder all the time lol. Xx

Karena i hope your daughter goes on okay, can feel for you not being there with her xx

Im dog sitting for a week, our Alfie hes a crazy springer spaniel, but love him to bits, and its so nice coming home to that doggy fuss being made of me,  but no Karena before you say anything im not going to have my own dog lol. Xx

Massive.  :hug: sent to you all xx


Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 11, 2017, 08:26:22 PM
I,m still holding out Norma,just,but I seem to have become unofficial foster mother to three part time dogs now.One thinks its funny to sit in the pond.So now I need fencing before he comes back as the frogs have been very busy today.Actually tomorrow at some point I,m going to have to get my wellies on and shift frogspawn into the deep end or it will freeze.Looks like a sago pudding on steroids in there. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Sazzylou on March 25, 2017, 01:34:18 AM
Hello.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 25, 2017, 10:56:46 AM
Hi Sazzylou welcome sending you a hug   :hug:

If you need any help finding your way around the site we are here to support you

Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on March 25, 2017, 11:28:27 AM
Hi Sazzylou - you've brought some sunshine with you (at least in my neck of the woods)  :yahoo:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 25, 2017, 11:35:34 AM
Plenty of sunshine where i am as well, certainly makes you feel different when tbe sun shines xx

 :cool:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on March 25, 2017, 11:43:36 AM
It certainly lifts my spirits together with the lengthening days. I've even started getting out of bed at a decent hour in the mornings just lately!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 25, 2017, 03:02:52 PM
Ive caught up with loads of jobs today, just making a cuppa then sit in the sun with my kindle, summer is on its way so any recommendation of  light hearted books to read, easy concentration is needed im afraid x

 :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on March 26, 2017, 06:18:23 PM
Hi Norma, not sure if it'll be your cup of tea but I remember I found Stephen Fry s Paperweight really funny some years ago.
I know there are others I liked,  all in the one  vein,   comics  and comedians
Some of Ben Elton's novels , autobiographies  Johnny Vegas  and. Paul Merton  (but for me not Victoria Wood's  unfortunately)
There are others, but can't think what they are..........
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Rosaleen on March 26, 2017, 06:21:36 PM
Oh yes Peter Kay's autobiography
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on March 26, 2017, 08:25:22 PM
I've enjoyed several books written by Alan Titchmarsh although I don't read, I only do listening  :smiley: and he does his own narration very well. Another 'Yorkshireman' whose books I've found to be worth a listen is an ex school inspector called Gervase Phinn who wrote a series of books about his professional life inspecting Dales Schools, they are full of glimpses of the past and moments of gentle humnour.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 26, 2017, 09:30:13 PM
Being a born and bred yorkshire lass i might look out for them Longedge, and yes Rosaleen i will read peter kays autobiography, thanks to you both forbyour suggestions s

 :hearts:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Norma on March 28, 2017, 06:22:26 PM
Just found an amazing book. Called 'Black Diamond'. Its the story of the Fitzwilliam family, whose home and estate  was Wentworth Woodhouse, Barnsley,  it had when build in the 17th century and still has today the longest facade of any stately home in europe, yet its not well known.

Back to my book x

 :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 23, 2017, 06:17:43 PM
I just read a parliament of rooks,which is set in Haworth but one of those that jumps between eras,so modern person buys house haunted by Bronte era ghost.It was really good lots of research on the historical facts but made into fiction.I seem to be going for this lately,so as a complete opposite feel good book,I finished a book called this morning called " the keeper of things "which was a real pleasure to read.I need something new for tonight now,but the Durells new series is back on ,so after that.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on May 25, 2017, 10:34:47 PM
How's everyone doing this eve?  Are you all melting from the sudden onset of summer too? Lol

I'm feeling a little bit sorry for myself this eve. After 2 weeks of oiling went to Drs for my ear to be syringed, went quite well but she wasn't able to fully clear it so another 2 weeks of oiling then back again  :undecided:.  That's not so bad that I have to go back but now it feels partially blocked and a bit weird, probably from all the swooshing water and it freaks me out potentially losing hearing for a while :-(  I know its minor in the scheme of things, but my mind doesnt seem to have registered that fact,  just dont know why it freaks me out so much. I guess being one of our main senses we really notice changes to it.   Fingers crossed its ok overnight

Hugs to all xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on May 29, 2017, 06:24:05 PM
Hope it sorts itself out Emz.
Just got back from a weekend camping with my grandson.We arrived late due to having to find an alternative route due to an accident.which was fun with no satnav or phone signal to get maps up.note to self get old fashioned printed road atlas.But quite impressed myself and him by negotiating country lanes based on sun direction and crossed fingers.Pretty sure the three cars that followed me might have been impressed too if they knew they were following someone who had no idea where she was going. :rofl:

Saturday we had massive thunderstorms.yesterday was beautiful wall to wall sunshine we walked up the hill behind the site and found a lovely grove of wild flowers and peregrines nesting on the cliffs.Also played swingball,badminton,football,cricket,threw balls for someone's dogs and divebombed a blow up sofa to bounce a row of kids off it.( at their request I have to add) Today everything ached and I had to pack away wet so everything is piled up in the kitchen waiting for a dry day.For my tea I,m having coldbag left overseas.crisps,cheese slices and potato salad.perhaps not the healthiest tea ,but it needs eating. :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 20, 2017, 09:32:07 PM
I was asked on Sunday if I would take in an injured collared dove,so I agreed and set up a cage and pen..When he ariived the collared dove turned out to be a feral pigeon that had been clipped by a car and rescued by a h big issue seller who saw it happen.,(now named Tink after the guy).
There were no obvious injury's and tink seemed pretty lively but lacked flying ability.I put him in the cage but he was pacing up and down and attacking the bars,which could have caused injury so I threw a blanket over the cage and he settled down.
Given the hot weather though it wasn't going to be the best idea to leave him like that all day today,so I got up at dawn and secured the pen checking there were no gaps and let him out of the cage before going to work.came home at lunchtime and he was strutting around hapilly,came home tonight and no sign of him,so I figured he would be in the bushes at the back of the pen,went in to get some feed mixed up,came back out and Tink is sitting on the patio.watching me.
He wasn't about to be reconfined either,and ran down the garden then across the shallow end of the pond and sat on the other side watching me.I was worried if I chased him further he would panic and go in the deep end so walked off and pretended to ignore him while I checked the pen to see where he could have got out,no gaps.

Meanwhile Tink has crossed the pond again but one of the resident collared doves attacked him,so I chased that off and chased Pedro back up to the pen.Within inches of the gate he decides he can fly a little bit after all Which explains how he got out of the pen.He is now under the bushes at the far side of the pond where I can't reach him.
I have shoved his food as close as I can get and concluded he is rejecting the hospitality of a nice safe warm  cage for the night.Fingers crossed theirs no cats around and he has the sense to stay out of sight of the gangster dove.
All this worry over a flipping pigeon,I must be bonkers. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 21, 2017, 08:16:22 AM
Awww its lovely to care, I guess tinks not quite understanding some caring lol  :rofl:   mind you, I don't suppose he's used to people being nice. Always believe in helping animals xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on June 21, 2017, 08:30:17 AM
I've got very mixed feelings about Pigeons on a par with Squirrels. They hoover my bird feeders clean as a whistle and have me jumping up and down and banging on the window on a regular basis  :angry: :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 21, 2017, 01:36:59 PM
 :rofl: thats good exercise you should be grateful to the pigeons much cheaper than gym fees. -I know what you mean though they are greedy beggars.I got a separate bird table for them as they prefer to eat from a platform also theyre good at disposing of food scraps  - but i noticed one crafty beggar on sunday trying to raid a seed feeder - it overbalanced and fell off the branch.shouldnt laugh but  :rofl:

I was always the kid who picked the sadest scruffiest donkey at the seaside -still a sucker for the underdog,but i do quite like them despite the greed.
Also in their favour the collared doves are soooo loved up most of the time theyre sweet but also funny -theyre i supose the UK equivalent of the hadeda -so clumsy and not very good at flying considering they are birds. They chose to build a nest in a tree they cant get into without a top down crash through the branches cartoon style -i guess- to hide it from predators -but not the easiest landing approach.

Another plus point the velux windows the not very nice new neighbours put in their not very nice extension to look over my garden are covered in guano and if they leave them open possibly the kitchen worktop will have a similar coating. :whistle:

So anyway I thought Tink had flown the garden this morning after careful searching through the bushes -then it started to rain heavilly so i went and stood under the gazebo (another achievement getting that up on my own this year) After a few minutes i noticed an odd shadow on one of the corners and realised i was looking at a wing shape - guess who.Either he is really brainy gradually making his way up to a high point for flying practice - or - really thick sitting out there in heavy rain.



Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 21, 2017, 03:49:38 PM
Reading that I have come to realise my dog probably has the brain/intelligence level of a pigeon!!  Had to pick him up a day early as he was really struggling with this heat and as a side effect being a real handful (pushed through her baby gate which keeps dog contained to half the house, pacing, whining from 5:30 and only sleeping about 5 hours).  Got him home and he's panting loads so got his paddling pool out, but after he had a bit of a paddle he decided to run around in the sun at top speed - getting even hotter!!  :huh: :undecided:
Finally have convinced him to lye on lounge floor in front of the fan and he's finally cool and asleep! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 21, 2017, 07:35:17 PM
Ben was like that.would lie next too the fire and singe if I didn't shift him,same with sun ,,I,d build him a shade put his bed there turn round and he would be sat back in full sun.I used to send him inside when it was scorching.
I think its going to thunder I have a headache which is always a sign.
Just seen the bridge over troubled water fundraiser for Grenfell tower. tears are  flowing again. :cray:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 03, 2017, 07:17:26 AM
Hows everyone doing? It appears a lurgie is trying to get me :-( had a sore throat yesterday, which I thought was due to a cough I'd developed, but this morning I have woken up with more of a coldy feeling and have a sneezy,  slightly runny nose to accompany the (slightly worse) cough and sore throat  :shocked:

Typical that it coincides with a booked day out! On my way to Kidderminster to the West Midlands Safari park so I'm going to try and ignore these symptoms and have a good day!!

Had a very active weekend, have started painting fence panels. Oh my they take forever!! And I have still got loads left to do, but do feel a sense of achievement with the ones completed so far :-)   

Sending everyone a hug xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: WOODY on July 03, 2017, 10:36:00 AM
Hi Emz,
Sorry to hear that you are feeling rough, have a good day at the Safari park.

 Have you thought about getting a spray gun and spray your fence panels, will be much quicker, but not on a windy day  :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 03, 2017, 04:22:46 PM
My nose and throat behaved reasonably well through today. On way home now and nose is streaming  :undecided: looking forward to getting back home so I can have a nap!
Wish I'd thought of that before I bought all the tins of paint! Ah well. Good exercise I suppose! Lol :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: WOODY on July 03, 2017, 05:37:12 PM
Hi Emz,
Pleased you had a good day, although suffering again now.
But, just think what you have got to look forward to................... All them fence panels to paint
Have fun
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 03, 2017, 07:33:14 PM
Argh, (wo)man down, (wo)man down!  Cold lurgie has gone full force now!  :embarrassed:  my nose is streaming since my nap and I'm all out of season doing a reindeer impression :-(   Have had to delay all my items on my eve to do list, going to be an eve of lying on the sofa with tv instead!

At least no more fence panels until the weekend! :-)Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: WOODY on July 03, 2017, 07:37:54 PM
Hi Emz,
Really sorry that you are feeling so rough, but as you say, laying on the sofa watching tv, sounds a very good remedy for your symptoms.

Hope you feel better soon  :cray:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 03, 2017, 07:39:55 PM
Thanks Woody  :hearts: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on July 03, 2017, 08:39:42 PM
Hope you feel better soon Emz,are you sure its not hay fever.
Despite your illness Emz I have been chuckling away at the last few posts.At the old house we had a long fence and I was painting away when some passing walker stopped to tell me all about the new wonderful spray guns for fences,We had brambles and nettles and all sorts on the grass verge side and this very garrolous friendly helpful chap even stepped back to show me how far back I would be able to stand to save my legs.I really didn't have the heart to mention it was a paling fence with large gaps between,and the likelihood of hitting the fence and not having a stripy lawn beyond it were fairly slim. :rofl:
Staff meeting day today (yawn) So I,be got my list of jobs and deadlines,and the company calendar this year is to be local events throughout the year.I,m so going to struggle to find 12 local events that don't involve jam and scones,and as my act of deviance in the work place is to always have a subtle reference to Johannesburg in this "local" calendar I can only hope someone did the lion king for  their village pantomime.All other suggestions welcome.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on July 03, 2017, 11:03:52 PM
Summer colds - yuchhh... - it's a good job you can't catch them by coming in here  :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 04, 2017, 02:41:49 PM
Am pretty certain it's a cold, have been going through various symptoms - started with a sore throat and cough, which then developed into a really funny nose,  now I'm delightfully enjoying the bunged up head phase - nose blowing and head bunged up like it has cotton wool in there  :cray: I blame our office, people insist on going in ill and with all the rules of holding the hand rail spread their bugs around :-(

With your fence story you've just reminded me that it's going to be interesting when I get to painting the 6ft trellis between me and next door  :huh:

How's everyones week going so far? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on July 04, 2017, 06:55:04 PM
That is going to be interesting.If it detaches relatively easily taking it down might be easier and safer.than a stepladder.

I know like me you're nearly six foot tall but even so. :rofl:

I,m tired and fed up of the pain in my shoulder,I had two wonderful weeks without and now its back to default state.

But on the plus side of life I saw my pigeon this morning.I knew it was him as he has a distinctive white mark on his wing.He seems to have decide country is better than town and found himself a country friend, but my goodness the resident thrush makes such a fuss when they appear I think because it chose to nest near the bird feeders the food is part of the territory.I am currently spending more on bird food than my own.
But it is getting to harvest time and this morning I treated myself too fresh raspberries and black current mash in Greek yogurt for breakfast.


Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 04, 2017, 07:20:35 PM
Maybe I could try stilts?!! Unfortunately for me the trellis panels are securely attached to stop my dog escaping.  Ah well, I'm always up for a challenge  :huh:

Hope your shoulder eases soon, ongoing pain like that can really get you down.  I know from my bunged up head/ringing ears I'm very grouchy (I have a little photo printer which chose today to mess me around - I threatened to throw it against the wall at one point but dont think it understood me lol!)

Aww thats cute about your pigeon!  Im sure my birds are calling me all sorts of names as I've run out of peanuts.  Only have the suet pellets left which I throw out in the morning whilst the kettle is boiling.
Enjoy your harvest! :-)  I may have some cherry tomatoes this year, other than that will just be mint and cooking apples for me.  After dad died alot of my plants died, including my blackcurrant bush which came from ribena and my raspberries.  I must replant some more.  This year I focussed on the bees - my cornflowers have been stunning :-) and my wild flowers in pots did pretty good too xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on July 04, 2017, 07:32:16 PM
Pain in the shoulder, fence painting, spending more on bird food than my own - this is my life going on in parallel somewhere else....  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 04, 2017, 09:16:49 PM
 :rofl: :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 14, 2017, 10:48:10 PM
How's everyone doing this eve?

Was just reading the earlier posts about the harvests - my tomatoes are coming along well, have two plants totally covered in little green tomatoes :-) no idea how long it will take for them to turn red though. Looking forward to picking the apples too.  Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on August 15, 2017, 07:54:13 AM
I've started saying the same as I do every year - "I'm not growing anything next year - everything is going to waste!" I think the family are avoiding coming here at the moment because they are fed up of cucumbers and courgettes. I did stick to my guns this year though and resisted the urge to plant tomatoes (although I did find a self-set in my bean row yesterday with small fruit on it).

Doesn't it make a world of difference if the sun is shining when you wake up? If others are like me, it's the only thing that makes me want to get out of bed  :smiley:.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 15, 2017, 12:51:58 PM
I said that last year as all my efforts were eaten by the slugs.  I gained the tomato plants, they were plonked onto my doorstep so thought I had better plant them. Surprised at how well they are doing!

It does make such a difference having the sun out, I have been finding the rain/greyness has been dragging my mood down xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 19, 2017, 06:58:12 PM
Does anyone know anything about tomatoes?  When are they likely to turn red?

Harvested some cooking apples and blackberries today and have stewed them ready for a crumble.  Unfortunately found my butter was a month out of date so have to wait until I pop and get some tomorrow before making a crumble! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on August 19, 2017, 08:00:03 PM
Tomatoes need sunlight to ripen but this year mine have got no further than flowering,I don't think there's is any hope for mine,but there is time for yours to go red yet.Last year I was still picking them in October.Everything is late here,plums still not ripe,courgettes still flowering,squashes not formed,beans only just starting to fill,purple broccoli not flowered.the only thing romping away is spinach,which I,m probably going to be eating by the ton for the next week,before it bolts.Today has been awful,been running in and outvto tie the gazebo down,finally gave up and collapsed it right down.rained more than not rained,and I have only just resisted lighting the stove.Duvet is back on the bed,I don't imagine its going to suddenly get warm again.
Enjoy your crumble tomorrow,my favourite pudding.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 21, 2017, 09:56:28 PM
Fingers crossed for my tomatoes!  There's about 20 on each plant!

I was thankful for simple dinners this eve, had a jacket potato with cheese & beans as I was fending for myself and wanted to get on with some study. Frozen jacket potatoes rule! 5 mins in the microwave and all ready  :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on August 22, 2017, 10:21:50 AM
i agree Emz although in the early days they were awful, they seem to have got better.Plus it makes no sense to me heat an entire oven for 1 potatoe.
I,m sure there is hope for your tomatoes, the plants sustain them even after it starts to look dead.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on August 22, 2017, 10:38:50 AM
Re the tomatoes, a little later on in the season you can remove green ones and put them on a sunny window sill. In the meantime it's best to stop (remove growing tip) the plants to force them to concentrate on the existing fruit and it's also good to remove lower leaves and let the light get at the fruit. I've always known the theory but I could never grow them succesfully myself  :rolleyes: :smiley:.

As far as simple meals go, I occasionally treat myself to my childhood favourite, open a tin of beans, fold a couple of pieces of dry bread and then sit and eat the beans out of the tin with an occasional bite of bread. I only buy tins with ring pull tops so I don't think it could get any simpler and after the feast -  :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 22, 2017, 01:21:01 PM
Will check the tomatoes themselves are in the sun (when the sun does appear lol!) 

Im glad I'm not the only one who likes cold beans from the can - although it has been quite a while since I did that :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on August 22, 2017, 09:32:27 PM
Ripening on the windowsill works I,he done that before,but they're better off on the plant for as long as possible.I think this year lack of sun has a part to play,yet my cucumbers in the same place did fine so it is an odd one.
I have been known to eat beans from the tin,but also rice pudding.For me its either homemade,which I havnt done for a long time,or cold tinned.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on August 22, 2017, 09:42:41 PM
My rice pudding used to come out of tins but now it comes out of the slow cooker  :yahoo:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 22, 2017, 09:58:14 PM
I love homemade rice pudding, always reminds me of my nan.  Back then we'd all compete for the 'skin', now I get it all to myself  :yahoo: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on August 23, 2017, 09:44:22 AM
me too,so you would have to share if i was there Emz.
Longedege i dont imagine you get skin with a slow cooker do you ?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on August 23, 2017, 10:51:56 AM
Yes quite a good skin but nowhere as good as the one my grandma's rice pudding used to have when it had been in the side oven of her living room fire.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on August 23, 2017, 07:15:40 PM
Nothing can beat those old style ovens.We had a Rayburn,in fact it still exists but doesn't work.Bottom oven was used for slow cooking,perfect meruinges,and occasionally warming tiny orphan lambs.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on August 29, 2017, 08:26:04 PM
Woohoo!! My tomatoes are starting to change colour!!  :yahoo: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on August 29, 2017, 08:31:48 PM
Yay you see patience pays off.mine have just started to form.All three of them. :rofl:They will be lovely for Xmas dinner.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on September 10, 2017, 08:34:04 PM
Here we are, another Sunday evening. How is everyone doing?

I've been feeling a bit down/stressed recently but have had an ok day today.  DIY type jobs can have quite a meditative effect sometimes. Spent some time this morning filling nail holes on the cladding on the inside of my summerhouse, the repetitive task was quite relaxing!  Spent a few hours emptying the bedroom in preparation for decorating starting tomorrow and then went out for lunch as a reward

My tomato plants are loaded with tomatoes. Picked a red one recently, which has gone into tonight's chilli, which is currently bubbling away.  Just harvested another one this eve, a little larger.  A large green one fell off earlier when the pot was blown over so have put on the windowcill to hope it ripens.  Does anyone know how long I should wait on the other green tomatoes on the plants?!   I'm considering looking up/learning how to do green tomato chutney!

Hugs to all xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on September 11, 2017, 07:35:11 PM
Monday evening - the only day in the week that has got any structure in it for me as it's the day my cleaning lady comes. I have to get out of bed at a decent time instead of just lying in listening to my audiobook.

I've got myself into a real rut to be honest and I'm beginning to understand how people can become agoraphobic. I just don't go out unless it's for a specific reason which is usually to shop for food. When I'm out, I take no pleasure in anything and just do what I have to and then come home and lock myself in. I'm sure that being able to do virtually everything online can be a bad thing  :rolleyes: :smiley: . I hurt my back last winter and had to do my food shopping online but after a couple of times I kicked it into touch because I realised that if I kept it up I would simply never go out. Ho-hum.....
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 11, 2017, 08:31:12 PM
Emz give the toms a bit longer yet,unless the plants are actually dead.I don't mean just yellow silty leaves but stalks drying and snapping.Sorry you've been a bit down odd how repetitive things requiring little thought can be therapeutic..
Long edge .Its natural to want to take refuge at home,and be out but on autopilot.One thing you could try is to seek out one positive thing you see when you're out.Whether its a baby smiling a helpful shop assistant a flower a bird singing,anything at all that lifts your heart just for a second.Walk slower look more and don't go home until you find one.Then write it down.The more you do it the more positive things you see and write down the more you look for that brighter side of things.Even if its blowing a gale or tipping it down,if you can't see something use other senses.odd things you overhear half a conversation that's funny because you only hear half.The smell of coffee,the feel of the wind.

So tonight I was sat outside with my camera having just put the bird food out.I noticed a little mouse peeping out from behind a log.Then scruffy came down then another blackbird tried to muscle in.So they had a tiff and while they were distracted the mouse shot out grabbed some food and shot off again.This must have happened 3 or 4 times,before the pigeon swooped down and took over.Wished I had video mode.It was like an episode of a TV soap.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on September 11, 2017, 09:06:12 PM
The visitors seem to have forsaken my birdtable at the moment. I'm guessing that it's partly because there is a glut of other goodies available naturally and they'll be back when the weather gets colder. I did have a sad moment last week when I went down the garden and found one of 'my' robins lying dead on the path. No obvious signs of an attack so I think that it was just that his time had come. I was sitting with a cup of coffee a couple of weeks back when a Starling that was on the birdtable suddenly dived off the table and flew off across the garden closely followed by a streak of grey, a Sparrow Hawk I think. I'm going to re-site the table under one of my small trees to give more cover even though I won't have as good a view - perhaps it will give the birds some confidence back if that is what's keeping them away.

Karena, I have an old back injury that has left me with permanent sciatica and walking is a nightmare for me. I go everywhere by car, unfortunately they haven't invented drive through toilets yet  :laugh: . I think that the reason I so dislike being out on my own is that no matter where I go I end up thinking about "when we used to come here together". It's the downside to the fact that we were hardly ever apart for more than a few minutes after I retired from work some years ago. Perhaps it's just that I'm going through a bad patch - I don't know.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on September 11, 2017, 10:34:48 PM
It's so easy to slip into not going out, I know I have fallen into that a little when working from home for a couple of days before. When I have gone out initially it has felt very odd/strange and off putting.  It's easy to see how that can spread.  Also, when going through a rough patch it's quite natural to do, I know karena has described it like an animal and a cave before, which is a good analogy. But is good for us to ensure it doesn't endure for too long or develop into agoraphobia.

Is there somewhere not too far you could try which is new to you? Might help initially to get used to it.

Sorry to hear about your Robin. There seemed to be a reduction in birds in my garden too, my group of sparrows seemed to be absent but I gained a gang of young doves. I was pleased to see a bit of an increase in sparrows and other little brown birds over the weekend.  Love the story about scruffy and the mouse!

Thanks karena, I'll keep an eye on the tomatoes and hope for at least enough sun to colour them. So funny being so pleased about some tomatoes! Harvested some more apples today, will stew them tomorrow.

Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 12, 2017, 08:51:39 PM
That would make it more difficult to get around  :and of course you cant be looking at the scenery when driving.I know what you mean about going back too places .I was the same at first,but a!so the more i did it,the easier it got.One particular place,the place we went too every year as often as we could in Wales,and the place we had the mad plan to move too i didnt go back the first year.The second year i did but wasnt over happy,disapointed somehow because i thought he would be there in some way,but after that,once that expectation had gone i have felt really close too him there.hug: and hug for the robin too.

I think because of the late spring,the insects the birds normally eat didn't hatch.There have been a lot of comments at the hardware shop about the amount of bird seed they have sold this summer whereas normally it hardly shifts until winter.I agree it could be the position of the bird table,I had to move all my feeders the opposite way,out into the open and away from shrubs etc,after spotting a stoat in the garden.Which adds too my theory of something odd going on in the natural world,they normally are seen rarely in the fields,not bold as brass on the patio.

Emz I walked past a house with a greenhouse proper set up,and even his tomatoes are still very green.( nosy me )
Feeling frustrated had big plans to crochet a shawl,found the one on you tube at work,but for some reason you tube keeps returning to homepage and not playing anything.Have a feeling this tablet is breaking down one programme at a time.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 04, 2017, 08:50:12 PM
I realised today that my new summerhouse (which replaced my garage) is going to be perfect as a bird hide lol!  I was in there painting the walls today, on my way in I had thrown out the usual food for my birds and whilst in there I could see through the window and saw loads of birds :-)  It always surprises me to find how uplifting it is to see and watch the birds, and know I'm doing some good with the food :-) 

Ive gained another 2 red tomatoes and have 4 more on the windowsill starting to redden.  Think the rest may be beyond now given the damp windy weather. But think I managed to make it to double digits of tomatoes!  (Not bad for someone with no idea how to grow them and hadnt planned on having/didnt want any plants either!)

Hope everyone is doing ok xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 05, 2017, 11:54:16 AM
well done with the Toms Emz.
I agree watching the birds is fascinating and soothing, you will start to see characters and relationships the more you watch.
My poor scruffy blackbird got a shock this morning. I have rufus dog for two weeks,so this morning i checked before letting him out and scruffy was right outsie the door -so i knocked on it to warn her but she came towards the door instead of away from it -just as he dashed past me. Luckilly no harm done, the dog was too intent on having  pee to bother and scruffy hopped onto the bird feeder then continued to seek breakfast from her safe perch.
It was so lovely last night having a dog to cuddle up with,my resolve to not let him sleep upstairs dissolved in seconds with a look from big brown eyes when i tried to leave him so as long as he understands that it only happens at my house we,re good. If not i,m going to be in big trouble when he goes home  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on October 05, 2017, 12:29:12 PM
The practice run is over then Emz - next year you'll have perfect toms., that's what I told myself for years but I finally had to admit that somehow me and tomatoes just didn't get on - now cucumbers and runner beans are a different matter  :smiley: .

My birds still haven't come back for some reason, only my Robin keeps flitting down to pick up a mealworm or two. I've cleared the garden now and saved half a dozen of the best Sunflower heads, I dry them out well and then hang them out upside down near the birdtable. They usually attract spome visitors to get the seeds.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 05, 2017, 06:42:21 PM
Strange thing is where I used to live across the valley,it was higher up and colder but I had no problem with runner beans.courgettes coming out of my ears and tomato's thriving outside,but here runner beans are pathetic,The same breed of courgettes produce two if I,m lucky but this year rotted at the base,Even peas are not happy Not a chance of outdoor tomato's and I wouldn't have done cucumbers outside at either place.Leeks herbs spuds lettuce and spinach are the only guarantees.Butternut squash which i had high hopes for earlier are also now looking pathetic Rasberrys black currents rhubarb and plums do great but again not Strawberry's.

I can only conclude that the gods of nature know I don't have to produce as much food now and said gods also know that Strawberry's can only be eaten with cream ...by law,so are trying to preserve my sylph like figure.  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on October 05, 2017, 07:36:59 PM
According to my brother-in-law cream should be eaten with everything in fact his ideal pudding would be a dish of cream with cream on it  :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 05, 2017, 08:53:29 PM
I love hearing your Scruffy updates :-) lovely that you Rufus for a while.  It is lovely to have a dog around, especially after we've lost our own.  Have you considered something like borrowmydoggy for a regular visitor?   If you closer you could borrow Raz - he stinks this eve, like he's rotting from the inside  :shocked:

I failed with cucumbers last year.  They started off well, they were unusual round yellow ones. Just as they started getting somewhere the snails/slugs ate them all overnight :-(
 Hope your birds come back soon George!  Glad your robin still there.  They say a robin represents a loved one visiting ua.  I gained a robin, he's the first down for the suet pellets recently :-)

Ooo butternut squash. I made a butternut squash the other day, but the squash was so small it was only half the weight it should have been for the recipe.  Well, i adjusted the carrots etc, then forgot and put in the full volume of turmeric and black pepper.  So hot/spicy it blows your head off!  I later added some mashed sweet potato, but still a bit harsh on the back of the throat.  Need to think what else i can do to save it tomorrow!  I did however succeed with toasting the seeds, and they were ridiculously tasty!  Roasted them with a little olive oil, turmeric, black pepper and dash of salt - so yummy!  Will be doing those again!

All that talk of cream have me thinking of puddings now!!  Ok, so whats everyones favourite pudding? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on October 05, 2017, 10:42:56 PM
"favourite pudding" - Bread and Butter pudding, but it would have to be made by my grandma in her old side oven closely followed by a rice pudding made in the same way and either with a good dollop of cream  :yahoo:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 06, 2017, 11:56:46 AM
I think mine has to be raspberry pavlova :-)  closely followed by homemade rice pudding :-)   although I quite like apple crumble and custard too!
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 06, 2017, 02:27:19 PM
There are too many puddings in the world to pick a favourite one.But strawberry or blackcurrent crumble and meruingue based ones are up there on the list. Rice pudding would have to be done in the rayburn oven by my gran and would have to have a brown crust - but i,m not above eating it cold straight from the tin.Bread and butter pudiing i know can be very nice but just the name reminds me of school dinners -and it wasnt nice at all there.
When we used to go to camping meets with a jacobs join involved we used to stop and pick up a huge lime cheesecake from a shop in Cumbria on the way -i was always just a bit glad when there was some left,it never got left in the marque overnight like other food did. :rofl:

My work colleague, who is as thin as a rake watches bake off avidly and makes the stuff on it ,-i watched bake off once a couple of weeks ago just to see what all the fuss is about, and put weight on just thinking about it.

I never thought of roasting the butternut seeds Emz -will have to give that a go.

Scruffy should really have a name change -most of her feathers are back,its only when she turns her head you can still see a bit of bald neck,if it wasnt for the behaviour now i might not recognise her at all.I nipped home at lunchtime to let Rufus out and noticed the Autumn rasberrys are ripening -wouldnt mind betting the birds have noticed too and short of picking them in the dark tonight by the time i get too them they will be gone.never mind -its good to share. :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 06, 2017, 04:04:50 PM
Ive never tried a strawberry crumble, I shall have to add that to my 'food to try' list!  Do like apple & blackberry, or apple & rhubarb too :-)
Haha re bake off!!  :rofl:
I had never thought to roast the butternut squash seeds before.  Ive roasted pumpkin seeds, which were alot harder to remove & clean.  Removing the butternut squash seeds was a doddle.  They didnt last long, as they were really tasty and moreish!
Mmmm i do love raspberries.  I have some shop bought ones in the fridge, which go really nice with a fromage frais for a quick/small pudding :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Fleur on October 07, 2017, 09:30:27 AM
My favourite pudding is Eton Mess, made with fromage frais to keep the calories and fat content down and with strawberries or raspberries...or both!
 :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 07, 2017, 02:50:13 PM
Ooo I'll have to try fromage frais as a substitute :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Fleur on October 08, 2017, 10:54:03 AM
Oops! That should have been creme fraiche, sorry!  :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 08, 2017, 06:24:39 PM
What is the difference,I always get them confused. :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Fleur on October 08, 2017, 07:47:38 PM
Me too!
Its my understanding that creme fraiche is cream based and is lighter than fromage frais which is cheese based. I'm sure it would make a lot of difference to a tasty Eton Mess.  :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 09, 2017, 06:20:35 PM
Hmm cheese and merangue sound wrong until you think of cheesecake but I won't think of it or I might have to go out and get some. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Maria66 on October 12, 2017, 05:14:48 AM
well done with the Toms Emz.
I agree watching the birds is fascinating and soothing, you will start to see characters and relationships the more you watch.
My poor scruffy blackbird got a shock this morning. I have rufus dog for two weeks,so this morning i checked before letting him out and scruffy was right outsie the door -so i knocked on it to warn her but she came towards the door instead of away from it -just as he dashed past me. Luckilly no harm done, the dog was too intent on having  pee to bother and scruffy hopped onto the bird feeder then continued to seek breakfast from her safe perch.
It was so lovely last night having a dog to cuddle up with,my resolve to not let him sleep upstairs dissolved in seconds with a look from big brown eyes when i tried to leave him so as long as he understands that it only happens at my house we,re good. If not i,m going to be in big trouble when he goes home  :rofl:

My Lucy JR is my life saver. She has been with me as a pup since i got MS and always sleeps by my side she is 11 now.  My husbands favorite thing was sitting in the conservatory watching his beloved wild birds he always kept his bird book by his side just in case one of those rare visitors came along.   We have chickens well bantams, and every day several of the favored would pop in and sit on his lap lol and have a long discussion about life.  Its amazing what makes you feel good.  My girls as i call them all different breeds keep me sane.   

Ha your naughty letting the dog on the bed but I doubt it well tell its master it was spoilt  :laugh:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 12, 2017, 06:17:54 PM
I had a dog until last year.Sadly he died,,but he was such a comfort when my husband died but also missed him a great deal.Rufus is my daughters dog,also a rescue dog,is young and leggy so takes more energy to handle than poor old Ben did.Lucky you having bantams though.I don't think I will get another dog.I really miss it but its a big commitment,
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Maria66 on October 13, 2017, 05:37:38 AM
Morning Karena  yes dogs are a commitment that is for sure, but she is my life saver.  I had a dog called Ben a JR i got Lucy for him to be honest at first as he was going deaf and a bit blind towards the end and i thought a puppy would give him a new lease of life. He loved her to bits and they had two years together. He was 18 when he passed. My daughter did a painting of him which is amazing and he looks down on us all the time. He was such an amazing dog.   My bantams are nuts lol.   I have dutch ones which are about 7inches high full of attitude and they scare the big ones and chase them when they are in a bad mood, talk about napolean complex.   
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Fleur on October 14, 2017, 04:30:58 PM
Hi Everyone. Here we are in a weekend again which is usually a lonely time for me but this weekend will be different because I have been invited out for Sunday lunch and I am so looking forward to it.
You will all be in my thoughts and I hope this weekend brings a little happiness to you all.
 :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 14, 2017, 06:02:29 PM
Hi Fleur
Sunday lunch out sounds nice  :smiley:  are you going somewhere you've been before or somewhere new?
What is everyone up to today?  I popped to ikea to get a rug. Had a summerhouse installed recently and have finally finished the painting inside and electric/lights now installed so rug was the final step.  It's insulated so looking forward to using it as extra space xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Fleur on October 14, 2017, 06:27:46 PM
Hi Fleur
Sunday lunch out sounds nice  :smiley:  are you going somewhere you've been before or somewhere new?
What is everyone up to today?  I popped to ikea to get a rug. Had a summerhouse installed recently and have finally finished the painting inside and electric/lights now installed so rug was the final step.  It's insulated so looking forward to using it as extra space xx

I'm going to a friends home for lunch, I feel she is being very kind and I'm very grateful to her and her family.
Your summerhouse sounds idyllic, I hope you really enjoy it.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on October 14, 2017, 06:55:49 PM
Your summerhouse sounds idyllic,
I bet it's for use as a changing room - next to the hot tub. Will it have a fridge to store the lightly chilled chardonnay as well  :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 14, 2017, 10:00:34 PM
 :rofl:Bet the thought never occurred eh Emz.?
I have been on a secret mission.My daughter is away ( hence the dog being here ) and she has had real mobility problems recently so I went down too the house,re organised the kitchen so easier to reach cupboards have most common used things etc.Changed the beds,got storage boxes for the kids toys and organised them, installed new shower curtain and bathroom flooring.Her house is so damp she needs to move ASAP .the slugs/snails have been having a disco on the living room carpet so threw salt all over it.Dont know if it will work but cant put pellets down because of the dog.Will go back and finish it and get milk,bread etc in the fridge for when they get back.Then it will be back too me,two fish and the wild birds. :cray: But I,m going camping next weekend.Normally on this meet everyone walks a couple of miles too the beer festival on the Saturday,but have decided I,m having a rest.Its a really special campsiite to me anyway so happy just to have a sit in the stone circle and a walk through Autumn leaves on my own is just what i need.Just taking the basics.No awning,easy food, stove, kettle a couple of cans of G&T sleeping bag and a decent novel.

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on October 14, 2017, 10:20:53 PM
I'm just trying very hard to be frivolous. 2 years coming up very soon and what would have been our 49th anniversary Chris died 3 days before our 47th  :cray:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 14, 2017, 11:54:12 PM
No fridge but now got me thinking about a wine rack! ....... (Only no fridge as I drink red  :grin: ) 

That sounds lovely Fleur  :azn:

You've been productive Karena! Hope you have a lovely camping weekend - I love Autumn leaves, and sometimes some peaceful time in nature helps so much

Sending a big hug George  :hug: a difficult time but we are here for you

I'm off to bed now, I've been sneezing a bit and feeling a bit ugh, so am hoping a cold lurgie isn't winning xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 15, 2017, 07:19:35 PM
 :hug:Anniversary's are hard.Don't worry about being frivolous though,there is nothing wrong with creating a smile for others and yourself,because its important to smile too.

I am now wondering,given the weather forecast country file have just suggested for next weekend whether the notion of balmy sunshine and beautiful Autumn leaves fluttering down might have been a bit rose tinted,because the other feature of this campsite is the wind.The trees are flat topped and grow on a lean.There is no compromise it is either glorious sunsets and warm days,or an absolute howler.Have hookup,might add heater too my travel light list. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 15, 2017, 09:32:07 PM
Maybe need to ensure you take some ropes too karena, so no risk of you flying away and doing a mary poppins!

Being frivolous and a bit silly can certainly help sometimes, and we definitely have the capacity to be silly :-)   :hug:

I'm feeling the Sunday eve blues, so have decided on a glass of wine.  Unusually for me its a rose, but only because my neighbour gave me a bottle of rose after looking after her cat and it would be rude not to drink it! (Although I do like a rose now and again)

How was your lunch fleur?  What did you have?  I made a chilli tonight xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 16, 2017, 10:50:27 AM
 :rofl:I,m not entirely sure what i would tie the rope too if the trees are going to fly away maybe there are some loops for dog leads on the toilet block -iwill check it out.
Its very weird out this morning though first thing i noticed a swallow flying north -poor things will be scattered all over i guess. Then the sun turned red before completely disapearing and i got so dark it was like night came early -(which would have been ok =fast day at work.)
Hope you enjoyed the rose Emz.
I made courgette and brie soup it tastes ok but the brie didnt melt properly so looks a bit odd -i took the white outsides off so cant work out why
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on October 16, 2017, 11:20:08 AM
i took the white outsides off
Am I the only one who eats the rind? My family throw their hands up in horror at me especially when I put a thin coating of jam on my bread before adding the Brie, nice thick wedges preferably well matured and a bit runny. Not made any soups yet this year but I'm going shopping later, think I'll get a selection of veges and make some of my favourite "Bet you don't know what's in this" soup.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 16, 2017, 07:25:28 PM
Is brie rind like camembert rind?  I eat camembert rind :-)
Not that experienced with brie, have had it in sandwiches before but I've not usually prepared them

What a day - spent the entire day on a job application  :shocked:  there are so many things have to refer to, the wording in the advert, particular 'buzz words' they expect and each capability has around 8 points you also have to fulfil with your answer.  Its truly draining! Whilst everyone seems to have their own opinion too!

Hope Monday has been kind to everyone.  We had very yellow/orange heavy skies today, which was rather eerie and caused quite a few discussions at work today xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on October 16, 2017, 07:45:40 PM
Is brie rind like camembert rind?  I eat camembert rind

I tell everybody it's the best bit  :smiley:. The only rinds I don't eat are waxed e.g. Gouda and Edam (and though they don't taste good they won't hurt you  :smiley: )
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 16, 2017, 10:50:41 PM
And definitely don't eat the rind of babybel!  :rofl:  :hearts: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 17, 2017, 04:23:00 PM
only took the rind off because i thought it wouldnt melt down i do normally eat it.
also had the red sun and amber sky yesterday it did feel strange but then the day started with a swallow flying north so i knew something was odd. Then wind last night which is just dying down now. Opened the door this morning and the porch was full of leaves -which then blew through the open door behind me -guess i,m cleaning up tonight  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 22, 2017, 08:27:58 PM
Hiya, how is everyone this eve?

I popped out for lunch today and decided to be brave, to order something I've not had before.  Went for a brie, smoked bacon and cranberry sauce toasted sandwich - and it was absolutely delicious!!  I shall be having that again!  :-) 

Have had a nice relaxing day, when I went out first thing to put the food out for the birds a robin was my first visitor. Love to see them fly down, makes a much more positive start to the day

Didnt see much of the effects of the storm everyone had been warning about, although have noticed it is suddenly alot colder now xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 23, 2017, 07:32:07 PM
Evening.your toastie sounds good.I havnt seen scruffy for a couple of days but seem to have gained a robin.
I don't think the storm was a bad as predicted certainly not as bad as some of the more hysterical papers were saying,but the weekend wouldn't have been much fun if I had gone,from what I,be seen they were having to get towed off on Sunday,and the entire weekend took place in the pub,luxury for some but not really my thing,there,s only so long I can make a diet coke last. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on November 02, 2017, 01:10:11 PM
Good morning all,

The birds are back in force and this morning I've had Blackbirds, Robins, Blue Tits, Coal Tit (I think - got a very distinct orangey tinge to it's side and chest) and flocks of squabbling Sparrows. I'm beginning to think it's going to cost me as much to feed them as I spend on my own food  :smiley:.

I've now put the garden to bed and I'm hoping that I won't have to cut the lawns again this year - I think that should be "hoping against hope", I suspect the mower will have at least one more outing yet. When I was clearing my bean row I found some new plants that had grown from seed that had fallen out of overlooked pods. I didn't have the heart to pull them out but they've got no chance really.

Seond anniversary came and went recently and although I tell everyone "it's just another day", it did dredge up some very sad memories. I forced myself to push them out of my mind by deliberately thinking about and remembering our happy times.

p.s. forgot to mention also had a Nuthatch. I hope it sticks around.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 02, 2017, 08:11:27 PM
You have been busy.I suspect I already spend more on bird food than my own,but they're worth it.I havnt had the weather for putting the garden to bed.There is only the weekends when I am here in daylight.Maybe this weekend.Raised beds need sorting but spinach has found its second wind in one of them.The other has butternut squash but it was so late doing anything and already had frost a few times.I might try insulating them but like you with the beans have little hope.
 :hug: I know we tell ourselves its just another day,but it never really is.

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 02, 2017, 10:08:45 PM
I ran out of peanuts the other day so made a trip out to get more, ended up buying a big bag of fat balls too.  But do enjoy seeing the birds - i look forward to popping out in the morning to throw a handful of suet pellets. Something positive to start the day off :-)

Sending a hug, 2nd anniversaries are tough.  Hold those good memories close xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on November 02, 2017, 10:48:05 PM
I've found that my local "The Range" outlet is good for 'fat balls' I bought a large tub of them last year but they've all gone. Perhaps a reason to get out of the house tomorrow to get some more :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 03, 2017, 12:15:31 PM
I'm also not sure if I'm training the birds to come to my garden for food or if they are training me to keep bringing more food out. Often, if I'm at home during the day I then see doves turn up, lined up on the fence, which makes me go out to put more food out for them.  Or the sparrows guilt me too, if I'm out there with the dog later in the day they sometimes start flying over to the fence/flying to sit near where I am and giving me a look as if to say 'awww all this mornings food has gone.....'  lol! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 03, 2017, 08:39:43 PM
Oh I am pretty sure they know exactly what they are doing.I get guilt trips about going away now.I will spend a fortune in extra food  and fat balls to hang in multiple units all over the garden hoping they will ration them out ( and knowing they probably won't.Someone should invent a bird feeder with a daily release mechanism like they have for fish tanks.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 05, 2017, 08:20:22 AM
Yep, I'm pretty sure mine dont get the 'please ration your food, I cant top it up for a while' message either :-) (also known as putting out as much as I can!) :-)

This year I'd like to have a go at the Christmas bird feeder idea you do. Unfortunately world war 3 kicked off between my partner and my sister & her partner a few months ago so another blow to Christmas (Christmas used to be focused around dad and were the best ever, since then we've tried to keep it going at my sisters).  Looks like we'll be having separate Christmases now, so am trying to think of new things to introduce so we can feel it is different to a normal day but not totally Christmassy.  Have abandoned the present idea, and have jointly bought some board games for over that time instead. A friend and her mum are going to come over at some point to play a game too

Anyway - sorry for raising the C word :-o

It's chilly here but skies are quite clear and sun is out, so looks like it will be a nice crisp Autumn day.  Need to plant the hedging roses I bought (they turned up yesterday) and replant my rose in my little dog memorial garden into a bigger pot. (Decorative section with pebbles, slate, gravel etc - which has all the bunnies, hamsters from over the years and my dogs)
hope everyone is doing ok? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 05, 2017, 07:28:12 PM
Oh no,family fall outs are awful.but even more so when Xmas is involved.
it has been really cold here the last few days as in frost that didn't quite melt in the sun.I gave the grass a last Strim this afternoon but there is quite a bit more I should have done ,I came in,finally gave in and lit the stove.then made a pan of ministrone ish soup.Yesterday I started packing,but having spoken too my eldest tonight,where we are staying there are lots of little artisan shops,crafts art but also local made clothes.So I,m reckoning on a large half empty suitcase outwards which will be full on return.

This morning scruffy appeared first thing but a male blackbird has cottoned on too our relationship and muscled in.He isn't quite as tame as her,so he would chase her under the chair grab some of her food then disappear as soon as I stepped off the doorstep which gave her chance to get some.As soon as I stepped back he re appeared.So I thought I will throw some down separate for him.But he wasn't falling for that.Out witted by a blackbird I then spent quite a lot of time stepping on and off the doorstep as they took it in turns.Brings a whole new meaning too step aerobics. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on November 05, 2017, 07:59:00 PM
There were a number of thefts from parked cars in our area a while ago and I've gone way o.t.t. and fitted p.i.r. lights all around the house and security cameras. My new hobby in the mornings now is going through the previous nights videos. Up to now I've found out that there are 2 x cats that wander about my driveway on and off all night, Hedgehogs can run quite fast, I also have a Fox that hunts in my front garden, Blackbirds are early risers and our local Spar shop has a delivery at about 4:30am  :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 05, 2017, 09:33:59 PM
Your step aerobics made me laugh karena!  That is so something I would do!!  :rofl:

Ooo, I've only seen a hedgehog run once - they are so fast!  Years ago went to let my old dog out and she refused, I looked closer and found a little hedgehog in the porch (which used to be open at the back).  He/she ran off at quite a speed when they saw me
I've had foxes living at the end of my garden, one year they had made their home in next doors garden and would bring their cubs to play on the mound at the end of my garden.  I love wildlife :-)

Was feeling the sunday blues trying to settle in, so did my nails this eve.  I now have autumn nails, covered in sparkly leaves  xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 06, 2017, 06:41:04 PM
I think having CCTV would scare me more than not ,but i dont have to worry about my camper,it cant be started withoiut keys because it wont shift out of park unless its got the key in the ignition,and and its parked at work overnight so thieves are not likely to associate it with the house and break in for the keys.(plus a 22 year old rust heap is probably not high on the blags hit list ) but hadn't thought of using it for wildlife.I do own  a camera trap but it lives in za .There is a lovely video it caught of a porcupine,that can move fast too like their smaller cousins..I might retrieve it this trip and put it near a birds nest.
I envy you the fox though,most of my life in rural areas I have only caught the odd glimpse of one.

Emz your nails sound fantastic you put me to shame,mine are more the  chipped pink look.

Have been looking for shoes for this za wedding online.I,m not really a shoe person,but found a pair I was almost drooling over.decided if I use my old walking sandals for just one more year I can justify the price,then read in the reviews they are all narrow sizes.Oh well that's me out then,I will return to looking for what will probably be more boring ones tomorrow,my heart isn't in it now.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 06, 2017, 09:11:18 PM
Camera for wildlife sounds fab!

Awww sending a hug for your shoe disappointment  :hug:  that sucks.  theres a pair of awesome shoes stalking me - keep seeing them everywhere, but am holding back as I have plenty already and rarely wear heels now xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 08, 2017, 07:27:23 PM
How has the day been for everyone?
It's turned alot colder today, I had to pop up to the drs first thing and hadnt expected ice on the windscreen so i was almost late.  Was my non working day so I hid in the warmth of the house, after filling up all my bird feeders.  Had a list of things to do but have been feeling a bit overwhelmed so decided to relax a bit more instead, with a couple episodes of a series I'm watching and a film between a few short tasks. Do feel a bit better for doing that xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 09, 2017, 08:46:30 PM
 :hug: I never wear heels that's part of the problem normally I could just dig out something else which will "do".But the dress deserves better than that and its a bit on the long side but doesnt lend itself to being taken up,hence the need for at least a small heel.Might get chance to go too a shoe shop on Sunday otherwise amazon prime is my friend.
I think sometimes Emz we should actually take a day off  do relaxing things and ignore lists of things we should be doing instead.Hope you are feeling less out of sorts now.
It is cold and the s word was mentioned on the weather forecast for the weekend,admittedly referring to Scotland but its only a few hills away.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 11, 2017, 07:12:29 PM
I have a colleagues dog for the weekend.He is lovely and no trouble but 3 times I have tried to take him for a walk,in 3 different directions,but a few yards in he refuses to go any further.The first couple of times he just sat down.The third time it was dark and he slipped the lead and ran hell for leather back too the house. Thankfully mine not his own or i would have had a long run.
I knew he wasn't keen on walks in the dark so wasn't over surprised about that one but I have had him before and walked him before.He is perfectly happy mooching round the house and garden so its not that he is unhappy being left with me.
Before they got him he was going to be a gun dog but he wasn't cut out for it so was sold off cheap as a pet.It is shooting season so maybe he is hearing shots I am not.I know the nighttime walking paranoia started with fireworks a couple of years ago.
My only other theory is he thinks if he leaves the house his owners won't know where he is.Maybe a bit far fetched that one though.
So that's been my day mostly.I pruned the plum tree and tied up some raspberry canes that are still fruiting. it was lovely and sunny s but it got cold very quickly at 3pm so I came in and finished crocheting a shawl.Was going to fringe it but the tutorial for fancy fringing was YouTube and for some reason it won't let me in.Don't fancy computer frustration tonight so that's that idea out of the window.Time for TV and  :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 11, 2017, 11:25:29 PM
My dog can be random with walks sometimes - sometimes I let him choose which was he wants to go and now and again we end up only circling the house.  Maybe its the continuous fireworks - they always last weeks now so might unsettle them, so they expect it to happen

Its been raining all day here.  Zipped out for a bit earlier then have been home. Played a game then had a random spurt of energy and inspiration and finally cleared the study floor (one half of the room was gathering piles and boxes stacked) Feels good to have cleared it
This eve I finished another course I've been doing then decided to do my nails - I now have unicorns on my thumb nails and rainbows on another finger nail.

Sending hugs to everyone xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 12, 2017, 07:31:21 PM
I think its the guns,I got him to go out in the garden and play ball today,but I heard gunshots and he just looked at me and ran back in again.something obviously freaked him out in his past life.Anyway he is back home now,and I have a thank you cake sitting in the fridge.So much for dieting,I might cut it up and freeze the portions.to avoid temptation.
I am also being creative,I have a parka coat that has been in the "should really throw out " pile because the pockets are all frayed and it has a hole in it.But it would be perfect for za as its lightweight but windproof so I am sewing ribbon on the pocket edges and some left over Autumn leaves from last years steampunk costume.One to go over the hole the rest will just scatter.Might not work but have lost nothing if it doesn't.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Charm87 on November 16, 2017, 11:08:46 AM
Hi I don't know where to begin.. I lost my boyfriend 17 years ago and I'm still crying over him I can't stop I thought I've moved on but I haven't. I feel like I'm wearing a mask but deep inside I'm hurting. Any advice please
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 16, 2017, 03:46:38 PM
Hi charm, sending you a welcome hug  :hug:
When you're ready tell us a little more, you might find it helps to talk it through

Have you considered seeing your dr for some counselling too? Xc
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on November 21, 2017, 09:05:05 PM
Went out to fill up the bird feeders this morning and there was a sparrow fast asleep in one. At first I thought it had expired but then I could see it was just asleep with it's head under it's wing.

As soon as I touched it it shook it's feathers and flew away like a rocket


(http://uppertown.org/SLEEPY_SPARROW.jpg)
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 21, 2017, 10:06:13 PM
Awww thats sooo cute :-)  he/she must have felt quite safe there - or ate so many seeds couldn't fly away without a nap  :rofl:
I do love the birds.  I need to remember to go out to stock up my birds early tomorrow, have some work being done in the garden which starts tomorrow, so may not have easy access out there for a few days at least
How is everyones week going? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 23, 2017, 08:49:09 AM
Finally had the last day of work before Christmas and looking forward to having a break until returning in January

Still finding feeding my wild birds rewarding - last few days my robin has been the first for food each day when I throw some out. I even managed to identify a few birds during the week, recognised a great tit at the feeder the other day. (Usually I'm assuming they're all sparrows!)   And had to laugh when a group of sparrows appeared to come and bully me at the dining room window - making a racket until I went outside where they all gathered in the apple tree with extra birds expecting more food! (Which I of course took out!) :-)

Finished at lunchtime and had a lovely trip out yesterday, went to a book barn for a cuppa and cake with my mum before meeting up with my sister, nephew and niece.  Barn completely full of books, all mainly for £1 each! Had a lovely pub lunch then took flowers and wreaths to my nan and gramps grave. Such a beautiful little church in the countryside
Had a weird experience which made me think though. At the book barn I had a sudden intense pain in my chest, and more than anything I just worried it would worry my mum so I took a Rennie and hoped it would pass quickly.  I just worried about it worrying my mum.  So it made me think, when people say their loved ones passed when they had left the room/weren't there and it really upsets them, it is so likely they have waited until people have left the room as their loved ones are trying to protect them

Christmas will be different again this year following a family fall out, which is going to be strange/hard. I'm concentrating on making it different - already lost Christmas with my dad so am going to recreate it totally with new meaning this year.

Sending out big hugs to everyone - it's a tough time but you're not alone and it does get easier xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on December 23, 2017, 07:25:33 PM
 :hug:Hope your chest pain has subsided now.Perhaps it is all the stress you have been going through so try and fit some relaxation and me time into the Xmas break.You are right though I think my mum sent me home pretty much knowing the end was close.I am also reticent to mention any health scares too the girls.

I am still feeling the cold of returning to the UK and a dose of food poisening kicking off on the first flight plus delays at Schipol didn't help.I,m still being careful with food and zero alcohol which made for a dull work Xmas party.Also started taking vitamin D by the gallon  in an attempt to ward off the SAD
My robin is also first down and scruffy is no longer scruffy at all but still recognizable by her behaviour.

So this years holiday achievement was body boarding.Spent years wanting to have a go but always worried about the beached whale effect of a wetsuit.Once in the water I didn't even think about that.
The penguins were very cute .They mate for life and there were a few solicitous dads who seemed to be protecting the females from the wind with outstretched wings.Perhaps that was my imagination but that's how it felt.
The sad part was seeing the volume of plastic in the sea,we removed a lot from the beaches.The Capetown aquarium has a turtle that someone found.It had swallowed a huge amount but vets had saved it,and it will be released after Xmas.I found myself sitting eye to eye with it and felt like it was telling me something,like it was communicating a great sadness ( OK I know I,m weird) but in silent communication I found myself apologising for human behaviour and promising to try and do my part to stop it .So that's my mission for 2018 sorted then. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on December 23, 2017, 08:05:51 PM
Emz - what you said about people 'waiting' is just what my Mum did. She was comatose and receiving no liquid for days. We kept being told that there were only hours left and there was someone with her all the time. Finally after nearly a week, I was the one staying with her and I went out of the room to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. When I got back, she had gone and I new absolutely that she had waited to be on her own before 'letting go'.

Had to smile about a lot of birds being classified as Sparrows. I get a lot of Dunnocks and several different types of tit. There's plenty of useful info online to help distinguishing between them if you're interested. I didn't used to be allowed to have feeders near the house "because of the mess" but that's one of the things that I now get away with :smiley:. The family of Starlings that have been coming since they fledged earlier in the year are still the local bully boys and when they descend en masse the feed gets scattered all over the place.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 23, 2017, 10:07:26 PM
Seems to be better now Karena, hasn't happened since, which is a relief. I have very little planned now, having a quiet Christmas so am looking forward to the rest. Have my partners friend staying over this eve then no further plans

Sorry to hear you've been ill, hope you feel fighting fit again soon.  :hearts: Ive taken to taking Sambucol every day - its based on elderberries. After being really ill with a cold last Christmas I was determined to stay healthy this year and so far it's working. I've even managed to avoid colds caught by people around me and young nephew + niece

That is so sad about the plastic - I know the Blue Planet highlighted it recently, but i couldn't watch that part as it was too distressing. Its so sad what humanity is doing to the planet  :cry:

I have a little book which has different birds in it, I've never been very good at matching the birds to the book but I guess it takes practice.  Will have to try and watch them a bit more. (One excuse to 'stretch' your eyes/have a break from a computer screen!) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Scout72 on December 24, 2017, 01:15:58 AM
Hi, I’m scott
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 24, 2017, 09:22:58 AM
Hi Scott. How are you? xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on December 24, 2017, 04:52:44 PM
Hi Scott welcome.

Emz I might give that stuff a go,In this case though I think unwashed salad is to blame and even then not necessarily the restaurant as they have a serious water shortage with rationing so potentially went able to use running water.Luckily the family only had it for a couple of days,its just me that is prolonged.
I was aware of the plastic issues from the dolphin watching but because of the global flow of water there are concentrated areas.The one nearest the UK is quite far offshore so we see less of it,although we do contribute too it. Of course but what we see is often on its way out to sea rather than washed in.There is one closer to shore there.Its not all from land.Cargo falls off ships at quite a surprising rate.But a great deal of it is down too individual carelessness there too.
Long edge I often see Dunocks alongside the sparrows so it makes them easier to identify.I have noticed starlings hanging round this year more than ever before too.
My campervan is packed ready to leave in the morning for my daughters house and rather than the sofa or a bleak drive back again  tomorrow night I have been invited to stay on a friends barge which will be a novelty.I will be home boxing day though fully intending too rest.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 11, 2018, 02:58:38 PM
How is everyone doing today?  Have blue skies and sun here, although it is also really cold does feel a bit more promising that spring is finally on its way
Just got back from taking my dog for a walk and have possibly done a good deed. As walking back found a huge bumblebee on the path,  unable to fly and looking distressed.  So put the bag of dog treats in my pocket and used the empty fabric bag to gently pop the bumblebee in. Carried her home and made a makeshift home from an egg carton, weighed down in a sheltered part of the garden. Did some honey mix as recommended by a bumblebee website re grounded bees. Could be Queen who has come out too early and now too cold to fly.  I put some scrunched up kitchen roll in the carton and it did seem she was seeking warmth as she crawled into it straight away.
No idea how to check how long shes there for now though!! If I move the tissue in a day or so will disturb her or may be tending an empty egg carton lol! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 11, 2018, 05:42:48 PM
Well done with the bee even if you do end up tending an empty carton.
I braved the cold and went out to put the temporary dog fence round the pond as I am playing dog sitter again next week.while I was there I decided it is a good opportunity to clear some weed and debris before the frogs get busy and then I can't do it again until the tadpoles leave in summer so while I was there I did some cutting back and then while I was there I cut up the straw like stuff and stuffed it in a box for bird nesting mateial.At some point I also took a cup of tea out not because I had an urge for tea but an excuse to use the mug as a hand warmer.Gardening in the snow is madness but its feels like a long  time since i got a good dose of fresh air  I think I may have spent  too long out there as one little job lead too another and I think I am going to regret that as the cold wind has given me earache.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Gingey on February 11, 2018, 05:57:14 PM
Hi
That was indeed a good thing Emz with the bee. My husband kept honeybees for a couple of years before he became ill ans was really keen to help save the dwindling honey bees in this country.
Karena you put me to shame, I should have done something too in garden but I have had a down day, cant seem to shake of the lonlieness...I tend to overthink my situation and future.
We have had numerous snow showers here today, west of scotland, and it is bitterly cold out with more snow forecast. I hope this isnt the case as I hate and panic driving in snow!
Hope others having a better day :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 11, 2018, 06:47:35 PM
I do hope the bee is ok, I do love to see the bees around. I planted various wildflowers in the summer, along with cornflowers and was lovely to see them flying around, i purposefully leave the clover for them too.  I guess I'd rather tend an empty egg carton than find that she's perished in there. So fingers crossed! (Although now I'm pondering how should I maintain/service the egg carton?!?) 
I have been thinking for a while about getting or making one of those bee 'hotels' you can put in the garden. Not sure where to start though.   I did consider a hedgehog home too, but think you need to clean those at intervals and not sure I want to extend my housework to the garden!  I know hedgehogs have visited my garden before but dont know if I have any now. I leave a big patch at the end overgrown/natural for wildlife - I know I have slowworms :-)

Well done on the garden work karena! I played chase with Raz in the garden but then have hidden indoors again for the rest of the day, I cannot wait for the warmer weather!

Sending a hug Gingey  :hug: our minds are fantastic things but they do like to try and predict the future and make us worry, often about things that never actually happen in the end.  Do your best to try and bring your mind back to the present moment when its beginning to fret about the future.  :hearts:  Are there any changes you can make to help with the loneliness? Perhaps if you have a particular hobby you like find out if there's a group you could join? Many have online groups who also meet up locally too  xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 12, 2018, 01:44:46 PM
Home from work earlier than usual, and as it seems warmer decided to check on my bee, and can report that the bee is not there so I'm hoping that means good news, that she recovered ok and was able to set off on her way again.  That cheered up my day :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 12, 2018, 02:56:16 PM
Gingey i spent saturday indoors being completely energyless -and i think the weather does play a part too though as saturday was grey dark and miserable where as sunday was cold but bright.

Emz  i dont see how your bee can have disapered unless it was feeling better.
There are problems with bee hotels
Many of the commercial bee hotels have fixed tubes which means they cant be taken out to clean -which can be more harmful than good for the bees
Open tubes act as wind tunnels so unless they are against a wall the bees wont like it.
Bee hotels are not always deep enough and they become bird feeding stations but at the same time they are more difficult to clean if deep.
They also attract parasitic wasps and only takes a couple of bees with mites to create a nest of mites so increasing the danger not only too those bees in the hotel but too other bees as well as they spread.
Plastic or glass tubed ones allow you to see if there are mites or wasps in there but also create condensation -also not good for bees.
Different species like different hotels -solitary.leafcutter.bumble.Red mason.-so you would need different hotels of to know which are most dominant.

Solitary bees in the natural world will find a space but that isnt usually next too more bees.
I think the habitat problem for bees comes with tidy immaculate gardens, increased hard surface covering for patios car parkin etc and solid chemical soaked fencing with no cracks  -but bee hotels are not turning out to be the solution so far. Many solitary bees will happilly burrow into loose ground and you could for example build a mini dry stone wall they may crawl into the gaps which is where mine seem to go. Also any hollow stemmed plants you have, leave the upright stems over winter rather than cutting it all down in Autumn.

Hedgehog houses that are well made are fine but again some have created problems -by not having any venting -and being very difficult to clean -again a log pile or compost heap and plenty of leaves left in an undistrubed part of the garden is probably the best option for now Countryfile are currently doing a survey of hedgehog houses to try and determine which ones if any work best. Hedgehogs have been known to eat slowworms though so you might want to facilitate their passing through for an easier meal and drink- rather than actively encouraging them to move in.
feeding (never give them milk -they cant digest it ) You can get specialised food for them -or you can give them dog/cat food (non fish flavours) both moist and a few dry biscuits they also love mealworms  The dogs will also be attracted straight too dog food so maybe you could fence a corner off to keep them out. I used to dig a burrow with a tunnel from ground level so the hedgehog could go down but not a cat (or dog) -then a lid  Piece of flat heavy wood across the top that i could just lift  off to add a plate of food. Later  i used the wire top of a bird groundfeeder instead of the wood-again with the tunnel down and the feeder pegged down, but so i could see it was mrs tiggywinkle and not mr ratty that was eating the food.
They also need water so a dish of water is a help.
I am putting together a hedgehog emergency pack -heat pad carrier rehydration fluid so i,m not running round the next time some-one finds one and thinks i know what to do. :rofl:

The other thing i have found quite good habitat for all sorts of wildlife is a pallett stuffed with leaves,straw,etc with a piece of pond liner over the top -i have one near the pond with one end open too the shallow end which frogs  in particular like to sit in , It doubles as a person feet dabbling platform in summer too -or you can stand plants on them or even use the same methods as roof gardens to make them look more attractive.Just try and go for non creosoted or painted ones.

I has been snowing again on and off all morning but the last lot was very wet and it all seems to be thawing now.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 12, 2018, 04:21:08 PM
I did wonder on the tubes and the types of bees - and whether other insects would move in. Think I will stick to sharing my garden with nature, rather than planning specialist builds :-)   I have a corner at the end of the garden which is kind of overgrown/a mix of nettles and brambles, with some twigs/cuttings in there too - I leave that for nature and it attracts a lot of butterflies.  I know foxes have lived in it before, so perhaps there may be space for a hedgehog - I shall just let them have the option. 
I also leave my hedges really wide so the garden isnt mown to within an inch of its life :-)  xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on February 12, 2018, 06:35:39 PM
I went out this morning and gave the birds a good talking to -  I told them that they're having no more mealworms until they eat everything else up !! :grin:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on February 12, 2018, 09:16:28 PM
G
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on February 12, 2018, 10:08:23 PM
 :smiley: I'm a soft touch really Brian, I'll be out there again in the morning with the mealworms  :smiley:. I only wish that I had the range of wildlife here that you are privileged with! When I get down to the last half kilo I order again.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on February 12, 2018, 11:38:14 PM
S
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on February 13, 2018, 10:22:23 AM
Yes there are lots of squirrels around, not my favourites at all because they snaffle all the food if they can. I've tried to protect against them with 'chicken wire'. I've had to re-think my defences though as I found a hedgehog that had got itself trapped a couple of mornings ago. Suppose it's easy to simply hang everything out of reach but I do like to cater for the ground feeders as well. I was surprised to see one out and about this early. In the past my security camera has caught foxes, badgers, squirrels, hedgehogs as well as 2 cats that regularly go out on the tiles together - I think it's a normal urban mix of fauna really. We moved into this house about 45 years ago when Chris aunt and uncle moved away. If they came back they would hardly recognise the village from the amount of buildings that have gone up since then. We had open fields on two sides originally but now it's all houses. Amazing how the wild animals adapt.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on February 13, 2018, 03:14:24 PM
S
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 13, 2018, 03:50:26 PM
O got one of those camera traps for a trip to Kruger park -ooh i hear you say did you get leopards lions -no i got a grainy video of a porcupine and a shadow which could have been a leopard or could have been imagination -meanwhile the bushbabys i really wanted to capture were sitting in a tree behind the camera but between me and it so i couldnt get it.
Although to be fair the experience of actually seeing  them was worth a million photos.

I was laughing quietly too myself in the summer -we had a hedgehog in the work car park that was sitting in the sun (wow we had sun one day)  and not moving or curling up on being approached  -i decided it needed water, shade, and maybe a bit too eat rather than that it had been run over or anything -so put it in a cardboard box positioned on its side so it could get out if it wanted too, under a tree with a dish of water -but the only thing i had at home suitable for it to eat was the birds mealworms so nipped up and got them  -considering everyone lives in this rural area you could certainly tell from the horror a bag of dried mealworms brought too my colleagues faces  that they arent really rural people.  :rofl:Glad to say on this occasion the hedgehog had a rest and a drink, ate the lot, then trundled off on its route across a nearby field.

I think a mumuration is an amzing sight we had one a couple of years ago completely mesmerising.I couldnt believe when people started whining about the one down south somewhere the same year -the birds were too noisy and messy apparently  :evil: :evil: :evil:
 
Today i have finished working through the new software beginner guide for work and i can now draw a schematic using flow chart designer to create a timed array of different coloured LED display ligths on an arduino board - unfortunately where i shall ever use this new found skill in the real world remains a complete mystery. :rofl:
but never mind i shall now move on to finishing my course work on digital design for better user experience before going back to learning adobe after effects (which to be fair i may use in the real world at some point) have a peaceful evening everyone.  :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 13, 2018, 08:15:56 PM
Wildlife certainly does lift the mood :-)
There's squirrels here, just a couple of streets away there is a little woods area which has a path alongside and often see squirrels there. Love to see them bouncing around.  I did see a greater spotted woodpecker in my garden years ago, only managed to take a rubbish distant photo though.
I remember a few years ago my garden was full with a flock of birds, they looked a bit like huge/giant robins and were all feeding on the windfall apples - at the time we managed to work out it was a type of bird who were migrating to the UK, just passing through my garden for a snack.  Cant remember what the name was now though :-(  was so lovely to see/watch xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on February 13, 2018, 09:09:29 PM
H
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 25, 2018, 07:29:20 PM
Just found I hadnt replied to your photos!  I have a bad habit of replying in my head and forgetting to type it out lol!

I was feeling really down and agitated as the day crept into evening, and as I find cooking/baking calming I thought I'd multi task - has been 2 hours in the kitchen but I have made a chilli, a soup for the week, bircher for tomorrow morning and tomorrows lunch!  Do feel bit more relaxed now.  Time to put feet up and eat now!

How is everyone doing today? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 26, 2018, 10:49:32 AM
Freeeeezing. but invigorated after a trip too a budhist centre in cumbria - had lunch there with a friend, her daughter and grandson  which was lovely -everything -even a few crisps on the salad was home made.There are huge trees there in the woodlands which go down too a pebble beach. On the beach is a single crab apple tree -i thought it was special before when i went there because it is just so random. How does it pollinate -and how does the blossom survive in a wind which is almost constant even on a normal day and yet it had apples last time i came and is in bud now.
Then achieved a first on the way home yesterday -as the train i was suposed to catch didnt exist i ended up with an hour and a half to kill at Carnforth not a lot to do on a cold Sunday there -but there is a little museum at the station and a cafe - (the one they filmed brief encounter at) so having walked round the museum and then ventured onto the cold platform i was driven into the cafe sat in there and had coffee and cake -on my own - in a cafe.
(it seems i have eaten rather a lot of cake over the weekend as a whole  :rofl:) 
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 26, 2018, 09:12:23 PM
Its gone soooo cold.  Walking to work from the car park this morning my knees were freezing!!
The buddhist centre sounds fabulous
Well done on the cafe!  :hug:  The first time I ever ate alone when out it felt like such an achievement, have done it a few times since and it has felt quite exhilarating each subsequent time (after the first!).  When I was on my own studying in York I actually grew to look forward to dinner in the restaurant,  including pudding.  :-)   my next challenge is the cinema on my own xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 27, 2018, 10:20:01 AM
oooo lots of lovely snow today -only three of us made it into work so i might be manning the phones -hope no-one wants any technical answers or i will have to do my cleaner act -nah mate i,m just the cleaner -nah mate no one ere you,ll have to ring tomorow -its cos of the snow innit.
so far though the phone hasnt rung and the lads and i have been using the shed as snowball target practice -while the cats away and all that.

It was so cold last night though - i ended up going to bed early just to try and get warm  even though the stove was lit. problem is they draw cold air into the bottom to feed the flames and it seemed to be finding a lot of cold air last night that passes me on the way all not helped by me getting a cold so feeling shivery anyway.

made me think in that cafe -because its the one they filmed  brief encounter its all set up 1940,s style -but she must have gone too a cafe on her own back then, so it was ok to do that so at what point did it become a problem for me anyway.
Its a strange place divided into three the old original area which would have been the steam era -then on one side the west coast trains flying through with all the hurry of modernity -then the other side the local slow trains rambling off along the coast seems like a meeting place of such different lives -obviousely i had too much time to spare and started philosophising.(is that even a word  :rofl:)

oooh more snow coming down thick and fast -we already have a good 5 inches. best get a  :coffeetoast: before the electric goes.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 27, 2018, 06:11:20 PM
That's a good point, when did it start for it to feel we couldn't do certain things alone. I know my sister wants to get out walking more and feels self conscious about doing it alone. (I shared the camera tip with her)  I still need to tackle a cinema alone

I went to the theatre on my own a while back, was scared initially but loved it. And was quite liberating that after the show I was able to leg it out of the theatre before the crowds as it was easier scooting through the crowd alone. Was interesting as I mentioned it to a friend afterwards, that I'd really wanted to see the show, wasnt sure if anyone would fancy it so went alone (I've previously missed seeing a band as whilst waiting to see who wanted to go the tickets had sold out) and she was shocked and said 'aww if you want to go again let me know first!!'   Once I'd settled into the show I loved it - most of the time it's dark and everyone is concentrating on the show and not you.  (My second show I even braved getting up for a dance as it turned out to be a blues brothers band not a show)

I like the word philosophising - and maybe its good for us to have those times for our brains to wander and ponder! :-)

We seemed to get away with no snow, then looked out at 4:30 to a blanket of white! 

Keep warm everyone xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on February 28, 2018, 10:59:29 AM
plenty of snow here -it managed to put down a few inches more last night - and there are some quite big drifts around - i also made he interesting discovery this morning that snow on boots and wooden floors are a lethal combination.Lucky nothing brocken as getting airlifted to A&E isnt my idea of fun -Helicopters terrify me.
I would probably go too a show in a big annonymous theatre -but after going too a local one on my own a few years ago and feeling very much like Billy no mates i wouldnt repeat that -i guess if people know you and still dont speak too you because you dont fit in their clik its worse than total strangers ignoring you. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 28, 2018, 12:41:41 PM
Hope you're ok karena  :hearts: take care out there

I agree, being ignored by people you know is worse than being around strangers, as thats more intentional. In a way I'm lucky as the only theatre near me is large, so plenty of strangers xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 01, 2018, 10:07:13 AM
Nothing brocken Emz.  :hug:
Its crazy day today drifting everywhere and still snowing hard on top of the ice from yesterdays snow - -We are currently cut off in all directions but at least we still have electric for now anyway.  There are still only the three of us at work -i think they should give us an extra week off to make up for it. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 01, 2018, 12:57:19 PM
I've just received an email that my office is shutting at 1pm and will remain closed tomorrow.  Thankfully I'm working from home today. Although has made me laugh - they've also told us that our remote connectivity is now almost at capacity so only log on if you're on incident - yet the advice to everyone is work from home?!?  Not entirely sure what to do now given majority of my work is online so needs connection! Lol

Its stopped snowing at moment but is supposed to be coming back in and getting worse.  Am now wondering if my food shop will arrive tomorrow lol! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 02, 2018, 03:44:03 PM
seems like they have got their messages muddled a bit Emz
My grandson is not impressed as he thought he had a "snow day" -a snow week almost - now for me -and my children that meant a day off -to go out sledge make snow angels etc -but the school has contacted parents and told them to tell the kids to log in too their school accounts as they have set extra homework.Not only that but when he completed one lot and e-mailed it in thinking that now freed him for the rest of the day - the teacher sent him more. - yep he definitely is not impressed. :rofl:
Today is more reasonable last night was dreadful walking home i was sliding all over but the wind was taking my breath away not just strong but cold. The local shop is empty and the road still closed but  at some point in my life i turned into my grandma, and make sure i have always got emergency food rations and candles,i even keep a calor gas camping cooker under the stairs -so i,m not worried. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 02, 2018, 07:35:42 PM
My food shop was cancelled so wrapped up warm and walked down to asda with backpacks whilst it was still light. Food levels were reasonable but we were on our last loo roll lol, so had to be done. Had such a tasty snack when got home, just a packet of crisps, chunks of cheese and red grapes but tasted so good after the snow walk :-)

Have a curry bubbling away on the cooker now and going to watch the film thor ragnorok (is that how you spell it?!) film. Hope everyone is staying warm this eve  :hug: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 04, 2018, 07:13:27 PM
I have no idea how you say or spell it but hope you enjoyed it anyway.

Been an odd weekend. Done the usual house work then cleaned the fishtank out yesterday and when I had filled it back up suddenly realized the water heater had packed up.No chance of getting out of the snowdrift behind my campervan yet to get another. So I took the one out of the goldfish tank as they have more chance of surviving without one.Came down a few times in the night and at 5 am  poor Pushkin was not looking good at all sat on the bottom barely moving.I started siphoning water and replacing with warm water from the tap  but that was going to be a thankless task but then going through the cupboard looking for a thermometer found an old heater that was part of a filter that broke years ago.Sometimes I think Keith's hoarding of brocken down equipment has rubbed off on me for good reason. as luckily the heater part was still operational I shoved  that in his tank and gave the little one back too the goldfish who by now was wearing his little bobble hat and mittens.tapping on the glass and saying oy.( I made that bit up it doesn't have mittens)

Bizarley at some point this afternoon  the original heater kicked back in and started working again.I am monitoring it though and at least now I know I have a spare.( All this fuss for a flipping fish).Early night calls tonight. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Graecc on March 16, 2018, 11:39:24 AM
Hi everyone, I'm new here and honestly just didn't know where to go. Ive lost both grandparents within 4 weeks and I'm not coping to say the least. I'm a nurse so I don't have much of a social life and friends just seem to be collegues. I'm 26 and married but everyone seems to say the same thing 'Move on'.
I've had Heath problems for the last 11 years and am diagnosed with depression, but I had been handling it well. I currently can't get out of bed, eat, drink or sleep much. The pain I'm surreal. I've lost my best friends and don't know how to carry on as normal. I know it's hard to give advice but honestly I just felt like I needed to write it down.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 16, 2018, 05:33:10 PM
Sending you a welcome hug  :hug:
Its hard losing people, often those who have not lost anyone dont fully comprehend and then say stuff like 'move on' which is not helpful

Dont worry about putting things in the wrong place, the admins can help you with that and can move things if needed. When you go into the different sections you have option at the top to start a new topic, which will give you a 'thread' of your own, you can also reply to others on threads. Everyone here understands loss so its a friendly place

It really helps to talk with others, especially if they understand.  Talking helps us heal. Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 18, 2018, 07:18:35 AM
Argh!! We're back to snow here. Has come down quite evenly overnight and everything is white again. Thankfully no snow drifts blocking me in the house this time!
How is everyone today? Are you also surrounded by snow?
Stay warm peeps xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on March 18, 2018, 11:04:51 AM
For my part I don't need to worry about the snow, I don't have to go out until it's gone  :smiley:.  I just turn the thermostat up a degree - now if I lost my internet connection that would be an emergency!!

I was lying in bed listening to my latest audiobook earlier and I heard an odd noise outside. When I looked out my drive was clear. My neighbour has been round and cleared it completely. He's really kind and helpful so I'll thank him and tell him how much I appreciate it, which I do (the thought behind it) and I'll go back into my online shop for next Wed. and add a bottle of 'Johnnie Walker'.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on March 18, 2018, 11:31:14 AM
H
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 18, 2018, 04:57:14 PM
Brrrrr snowed in again.Actually I am guessing based on no tire tracks outside since yesterday.Decided to eat leftovers and stay inside today..Have not been idle though.Done some stencilling and am quite impressed by my first attempt..Only about 3quarters of the wall to do now. :rofl: It's backbreaking work and I was getting tired so thought better quit  or I will turn it into disaster.Cheap way of creating wallpaper from a plain painted wall though .If I am being honest  it doesn't actually fit the neutral theme I am supposed to be going for but never mind it's only a utility room and I am sick of neutral.Its bright and sunny now. :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 18, 2018, 07:43:02 PM
What a lovely neighbour George :-)
Enjoy your sun Brian :-) no sign of sun here today.  Walked to shops, was weird to see branches of a tree covered in blossom and snow
Sounds good Karena :-)  I've been 'crafty' today too. I had a go at piping icing with russian nozzles which make flowers - and I'm actually really pleased with how it went, my first success at piping cupcakes! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on March 18, 2018, 07:50:26 PM
E
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 18, 2018, 10:22:59 PM
 :rofl:  :rofl: hadn't thought of it that way lol! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 19, 2018, 12:29:56 PM
ssssshhhh you two -stop typing the R word on here -or we will all be wrapped in clingfilm -which totally messes up my plastic free year target (and isnt my best look either.)
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on March 19, 2018, 12:40:25 PM
в
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 19, 2018, 01:23:27 PM
You do know i work with some-one from the R country -who can tell me if that is from the R language -and more too the point what it says. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on March 19, 2018, 02:10:14 PM
O
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 19, 2018, 06:33:57 PM
Sorry, I cant seem to hear you both, my ears seem to be muffled - think it might be this cling film which has appeared  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on March 19, 2018, 06:42:13 PM
Y
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 19, 2018, 07:27:59 PM
But those (whispers 'R'..) nozzles make such pretty icing!!  Look!  (I am still soooo proud of my first cake icing attempt  :yahoo: )
xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on March 19, 2018, 07:47:10 PM
T
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 19, 2018, 09:56:33 PM
The flowers are totally normal, natural colour for buttercream.......  :whistle:

 :rofl: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on March 20, 2018, 01:57:08 PM
hmm blue butter -thats a new one on me - they are very pretty though -i might buy some of those nozzles myself -before the sanctions prevent such a shocking scheme. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 13, 2018, 06:19:25 PM
How is everyone doing?  Anyone else wondering what has happened to Spring and whether it's ever going to start?!

Big Friday hug to all  :hug: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on April 13, 2018, 08:56:41 PM
It's a big "Roll on Spring" from me too.

I finally got fed up of my leaky kettle recently and started looking round online for a replacement. I came across one I liked the look of but I can't afford it at Currys price though - £8,888.88  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 13, 2018, 11:03:50 PM
 :shocked:  :huh:  does that kettle do all your housework too?! Lol xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on April 13, 2018, 11:11:19 PM
F
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 14, 2018, 07:45:35 AM
I'm well, just waiting for spring to finally show itself! I'm getting bored of drizzly grey now!  Feel I need to be outside a bit more, and around more nature again.
I have some good news though, has been confirmed I still have a job! In a new role, and it is going OK so far.  Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on April 14, 2018, 09:50:38 PM
T
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 14, 2018, 10:42:08 PM
Breaking news! Blue sky and a weird bright shiny thing appeared after lunch today!  Had some time sat in the garden with a cuppa whilst my dog had a picnic :-)

Mmm that bowl doesnt look like it's going to hold much soup!
Hope you are ok and regain your mobility soon xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 16, 2018, 12:11:56 PM
Great news on the job front Emz. :yahoo:

On saturday that weird blue sky and shiny thing in the sky also appeared here -and even though it wasnt exactly sweltering it was warm enough to be outside without a coat.It even reappeared on sunday morning.

In a mad moment of longing for spring a few weeks ago - and i indulged in some on-line plant shopping -a bargain is never enough to fulfill an order -and when the contents of my basket of "bargains" (not forgetting the 40 free gladioli bulbs) reached 70 quid - I thought maybe thats a bit  (lot) much to spend on bargain plants -(not as expensive as a kettle though  :rofl:) I will be sensible and pause before i commit too this  (it was snowing at this point afterall so no rush)
Then i discovered another bargain from another retailer and figured out that by splitting the bargain, draw you into their trap items, between the two retailers i could now reduce that by half again. (i wasnt married too a yorkshireman for nothing  :rofl:)

Of course these plants arrived before i expected and the 72 lavendar plants that were going to make a Lavendar hedge to hide the raised beds (oh how beautiful vison of a lavendar lined potager had been) were actually so tiny they would in reality get trodden on long before anything even vaguely hedge like emerged - so I  had to pot them all indoors "with tweezers into tiny little cells" last weekend. final destination still to be decided  :whistle:

I also got a cherry tree -which was the opposite -much bigger than i expected for something that calls itself a "Dwarf cherry ideal for patio pots" -(some people must have very large patios but unfortunately i dont live at chatsworth house ) -so  it is now in a large pot under the plum tree -final location to be decided (if only i didnt need the centre of the bottom lawn to be left available for swingball - pesky kids - well actually  i have been known to play swingball by myself its cheaper than going to the gym but blaming the kids is a national pastime  :rofl:)

The red stemmed dogwood -that was going to "create a colourful focal point in winter"  I hadnt quite thought through -where the focal point was going to be - and how the position of it in relation to sunlight available (ever the optimist)  didnt quite match the plants requirements so they have kind of been planted elswhere (not somewhere i want an actual focal point) so could face being relocated shortly.

Gladioli bulbs -(oh yes i still got my free bulbs) - planted a handful, then they kind of got re-dug up a bit when i relocated another plant too that area having forgotten about them. - Now on the to do list along with the "blue selection" of bulbs i forgot to plant last year.

Which leaves two ferns, quite large ferns -fortunately they arrived in pots so are not as urgent -just as well as the "fernery"  :whistle:  is still to tackle.

So by this weekend the only thing left too arrive is the 36 strawberry plants (which thankfully were delayed due to bad weather.) Naturally i have a cunning plan for these -I,m going to make a vertical planter from a pallet -(that,ll teach those pesky slugs) - and being a genius i figured watering would be more efficient if i included a soaker hose (additional cost)  - at this point i hadnt reckoned on the pallet having a dividing strip down the middle preventing this cunning plan -  but i,m sure the hose will be a useful addition to the veg garden.(like it ever stops raining long enough for it to be an issue there ).
I have it all planned how to do this - how hard can it be ?  i watched it on you tube it took no time at all ! -heavy duty staple gun bought(additional cost but  i needed one anyway  :whistle:) liner,(additioal cost) gravel and compost (additional costs) -check.
Saturday sunshine -brilliant -

Painting a pallett -takes about 3 hours because there is more too a pallet than just the 8 borads on the front, and painting it then moving it into situ - before its properly dry, isnt the best idea in the world. (price of new top to add to previous "additional costs") 
Gravel a good idea, helps drainage and prevents compost coming out of the bottom - but not if its pea gravel which then pours back out of the bottom slot as you pour it in. - bottom slot now has twigs stuffed in to prevent re-occurance.(hoping weight of compost on top will prevent gravel shift after twigs rot)

Luckilly at this point i did actually engage brain and realised the best way to actually plant it up would be to wait for the plants too arrive then layer them pushing roots through the slats filling compost too the next level then repeating -so went off and did some more jobs -returned back into the house in the evening when exhaustion took over for a well deserved bath and  :coffeetoast: -(by this point i was bent over and shuffling like a 100 year old) -and guess what delivery note through the front door - urgent -live plants. -how urgent ?-saturday night urgent -?
( put the lot, box and all, in the sink, add water, cross fingers, leave overnight urgent as it turned out)

I,m pleased to report i now have a fully planted home made (bargain) vertical planter and the rain timed it just right -and it does soak right through - so no soaker hose required.
The "fernery" -an even  bigger vertical pallet planter to make the neighbours wall less unsightly is next on the list.(note to self - wear already ruined top while painting said planter)

Now the desired "focal point"  I,m -going to have to find a "bargain" plant that actually loves shade -or a "bargain" non organic statue/feature that isnt also tacky
But there is a large (half a tree) next door (he might not miss it) and a chainsaw in the shed at work -chainsaw carving - new hobby ????  :coffeetoast: :rofl:

-and i still have the problem of hiding the raised beds and creating the "potager" illusion. -Willow weaving ( safer new hobby)  :rofl:

How i love my gardening.
   




 
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 16, 2018, 08:46:41 PM
 :rofl: love it!  That is so my style when combining planning and gardening - but oh so much fun when you get it all to work !  :hearts: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on April 16, 2018, 10:33:14 PM
B
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 17, 2018, 07:17:24 AM
Good luck with your next soup!   I love cooking in a wok,  I do most of my cooking in one now, it has much better space for making chilli, curry, bolognese and all sorts :-D only occasionally I make anything Chinese in it  :cheesy:

Like the sound of the owl boxes :-)

Ooo weather forecast said that mysterious shiny thing is going to return, and will be warming up - looks like all in good time for my week off next week! Looking forward to a week at home relaxing! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 17, 2018, 11:27:37 AM
Brian you are a genius -i have just been wondering whether irrigation isnt going to be a problem with the pallet planter (i know i have plenty of water but i,m always looking to transfer ideas too African projects so its a problem there. Being against a wall means there is some rainshadow too, but a vessel of some kind through which more rainwater could collect then drip could create shade above (important there) but not from the front where sun is needed to ripen them but still potentially reduce soil drying out.I was seriousely thinking should i drill holes in the gutter and add rain chains - but your idea is better because the vessel above is more growing space. In this case perhaps a trough rather than a basket -definitely food for thought.

I used to have a wok come to think of it i probably still have -but my electric oven rings take so long to heat up and it seems so wasteful  i started using a plug-in induction hob (that i bought for camping then discovered might blow the 12v hook up facility and take everyone elses out too so didnt ever dare try  :rofl:) -but the wok wasnt made from material that works on those -but perhaps it might be worth looking to see if i can get one that will -afterall with this alleged heatwave round the corner  :rofl: I might want to diversify from soup.

Emz a timely reminder -I made chilli last week in the slow cooker and froze half -which i was going to have for tea tonight -but i forgot to take it out of the freezer. :evil:

I dont know where my mind is these days -I,m designing a T shirt/CD cover for someone for a festival thats coming up - and he asked yesterday if it is nearly finished -luckilly it is so disaster averrted but it had gone completely out of my head. :embarrassed:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Tony07 on April 18, 2018, 02:23:19 PM
Managed to log in and touch base, although its been 6 years since Carolyn died I still feel the need sometimes to pop in as this place saved my bacon, when I was at my lowest it kept me going and I will always be grateful without the love and support from you nice people I would have gone under so big thanks. I am getting on with my life now and lots of the time enjoying it once again I never forget my Carolyn but life goes on. I am teamed up with a lovely lady who thinks the world of me and me of her, it's not a betrayal as nobody will replace Carolyn but I am just trying to receive and bring happiness to another soul along my way.  What happend to the chat room?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on April 18, 2018, 09:51:24 PM
B
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 19, 2018, 12:23:21 PM
very nice - and the wok lid =genius -i have a very large heavy glass (style lampshade) that i kept thinking -something garden-ish -more food for thought. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on April 19, 2018, 11:37:05 PM
G
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 20, 2018, 11:38:54 AM
Double glazing for bluetits -you spoil them Brian.Crows are very clever - i got a ground feeder a few years back with a steel grid top  so the bigger birds couldnt get in and steal all the food. It was quite heavy and pegged down -then i watched on morning as one pulled out the pegs and he and his mates lifted on side until it toppled over.
In the end keith came up with something they didnt like -a round plastic tray on a broom handle pole -when they landed on it the movement and the noise it made frightened them. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 20, 2018, 05:08:27 PM
Ooo Brian, the shiny warm thing has appeared again! I'll do my best to send some your way!  :cool: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 23, 2018, 11:24:48 AM
I got some of that  glowy thing on saturday -and half the plasterboards went up (but he miscalculated how many were needed so the job wasnt finished) Now that that dumping room has been cleared though i was pleasantly suprised tht the view over the garden is very nice -i can definitely see a good argument for 2nd kitchen area -with a breakfast bar at that end.
 I did get some stuff done in the garden and a bit carried away with optamism that spring is finally here.

Sunday was a right fiasco of a day -had to retrieve the plants i had put out to haden off -it was so cold, (see former optamism) Power kept going off, and everytime it did i had to reset the hub.At one point it was off for so long i was wondering how long before the fish tank went cold  ( i could tell the fish was thinking the same thing) and at what point to add hot water too the tank -knowing that once i had, the cistern would then add cold water into the hot water tank,so the hot water available would diminish rapidly.
Despite having a quorn chilli (one i made earlier in the month) defrosting, that i was going to have with Nachos,i ended up with just the nachos for tea as i couldnt heat the chilli. (Typically i had in an organised moment returned the portable gas stove too the campervan as winter, therefore powercuts, is over (haha) and i couldnt be bothered to walk to where its parked to retrieve it)
Washing machine meanwhile was so confused it decided to disco dance across the floor when the electric came back on at what must have been mid spin cycle. :yahoo:

To top it all off i had an epic nightmare about being kidnapped by russian terrorists who said (in Russian that i apparently understand and speak fluently ) they would let me go if i got 2 thousand pounds out of the cash machine (as if  :rofl:)  then shot by police as  the terrorist ran off and left me holding her gun -  (dont ask)
I seem to have woken up today with a stinking cold -thats been lurking for weeks -but has now decided to come out properly. :cray:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on April 23, 2018, 07:09:18 PM
T
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 24, 2018, 11:18:02 AM
wow Brian there is no end too your talent -multilingual now too. :rofl:

Actually a 10 foot ladder sounds brilliant - i bought a folding ladder, thinking it would do for getting in the loft and cleaning gutters etc -its an absolute nightmare because of the space you need to unfold it in -accessing the loft on it from my tiny landing without help is impossible -and because in reality my fear of heights isnt going to let me get anywhere near the gutters.
my daughter  borrowed it a long time ago and i havnt asked for it back. :rofl:
When i think i used to be able to haul myself up into the lofts from a chair,without a ladder it certainly reminds me of my age -i wouldnt attempt it now. :rofl: so tall step ladder might be the best solution - when i get round too it. :coffeetoast:

My cold is still drivig me mad -seems to have affected one eye which has got very sore - so i,m sat squinting at the screen like a pirate that lost his patch. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on April 24, 2018, 06:16:29 PM
A
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 24, 2018, 07:51:37 PM
Get well soon karena  :hug:
A sneaky cough has snuck up on me but I seem to be keeping any other bugs at bay at the moment xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 25, 2018, 11:38:11 AM
fingers and toes crossed xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on April 25, 2018, 08:14:48 PM
How are you feeling now karena?
I had a lovely daytrip to Stratford upon avon today. Started with a cream tea at a 40's themed cafe, and enjoyed a boat trip, first time I've been on a boat in a working lock
Hope everyone's day has been ok xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on April 26, 2018, 10:39:04 AM
I,m ok -ish thanks Emz  still eyes watering and sniffly -weather isnt helping
That shiny thing in the sky seems to have disapeared again -although last night the other shiny thing looked stunning with clouds scurrying acros it -very wuthering heights - if i was a wolf i might have taken to howling at it - as i,m not a wolf i dont have a fur coat - so it was too cold to howl at it for very long anyway. :rofl:
I have now retreievd my winter coat from upstairs and brought back in the plants i over optamistically put out to harden off -i dont think theyre hard enough for frost yet.Even the strawberrys have a special blanket to help them through the night -i do spoil them. :rofl:

I have a guest at the moment Misty -springer spaniel -she is very obedient and very comical, but gave me a few nasty moments this morning when i was about ready to leave for work and i couldnt find her  and wondered if she had sneaked past me through the front door - I found her under the table, i think she was hoping i wouldnt notice -as her treats and the fish food (which she was too interested in to leave where it was in the living room) are on there, and she doesnt get to stay in the kitchen without supervision, I discovered last time she is very good at emptying bins. :rofl:

Stratford on Avon sounds like a nice day out - i went there many years ago -saw Anne hathaways cottage and a midsummer nights dream -i was only about 10 so dont remeber much else about it. And i think i was more interested in how the walls were still up - i think they were wattle and daub. Be assured my interest wasnt in the study of historical archtecture -but whether i could line the den we were building with a wet mud version of it. :rofl:

I imagine the lock was interesting -i think i might be a bit nervous  -although i guess the drivers know what they are doing. I would certainly be even more nervous if i had to operate one myself.  :whistle:

Brian -i would have laughed too  :rofl: especially as you, being so young, should have been much quicker to dodge  :whistle:


 




Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on May 10, 2018, 11:04:17 PM
How's everyone doing?  Big hugs all round  :hug:

I'm still being bullied/harassed/trained by the birds in my garden.  Lol. Whenever I go out to sit on the decking they all fly down onto the fence next to me and fill the tree, looking cute, staring at me and singing loudly until I throw more food pellets out for them!  (Do like to watch them though! And it is lovely to sit and hear them whilst out there)
I'm a bit puzzled to see they dont seem to be feeding on the 2 peanut feeders though, I cant be sure but dont think they've been touched atall this week, but they usually clear them in a week or week and half...??  :shocked:

Foz cubs are venturing out now, discovered they are living in next doors garden and was able to watch 5 or 6 of them playing the other day.  So cute and looking pretty healthy.  My dog is not as convinced, and as he can smell/hear them he gives them a good bark in the eve which im sure the neighbours love!  Cheeky buggers did run off with the old washing up brush which I use to clean the birdbath though!! I'd left it in the sun to dry and forgotten to bring it in, now its gone  (They must play in our garden at night as they've also knocked over my solar light panel too!)  xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on May 11, 2018, 11:32:19 AM
maybe the foxes have taken over from the cleaning fairies, who i,m convinced must be on strike,judging by the layer of dust that i spotted in the lounge last night. :whistle:
How lovely to have foxes though.

Peanut feeders possibly less popular now that there is an alternative of worms and bugs, but also a lot of them are feeding babys now, so need something more easy to collect several pieces of in their beak in one go. peanuts are difficult because they have to peck and collect at the same time. Peanuts can choke the babys,so taking them out of the feeders isnt an option either,You might have to just dump the ones in there now or they will go mouldy also bad for them.
On the plus side the ones with small enough holes you can refill with the suet and fruit/mealworm pellets so they dont have to be redundant over the summer.

Scruffy and partner have a nest of babies in next doors garage -so its a quick hop over the roof when they hear the back door open -and they have no issues whatsoe- ever with continuous begging.
Overall the garden is looking quite good now - I,m halfway through planting up my second vertical pallet planter.The strawberry one is romping away very happilly. This one has the sole purpose
of further disguising the controversial neighbours wall, and is in a very shaded area so quite restricted in plant choice.- My genius idea was to use ferns - until i saw the price of ferns.I did buy 3 online, but theyre ridculousely small - so i have moved on to idea number 2 which is to mix them with  hostas -considerably cheaper - especially if it all goes wrong. I had two sitting in pots that have already gone in, They do look pretty good, so this weekend could be cheap hosta hunting on the cards. :rofl:

Meanwhile back in the house, ceiling is boarded -just needs plaster to skim over them and smooth walls into something mildly resembling flat then onto phase 2.The floor has huge yorkshire stone slabs, but its not looking like i,m going to be able to restore them too any decent standards, - so regrettfully they will probably have to be covered up again. I wont make them worse by sticking anything down though. perhaps in the future some-one with more money and skill might be able to sort them out.
Its so easy to ignore the house when there is the garden though -perhaps i really will get one of those eco camping cabins and then just buy a garden to move it into. :rofl:

 
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Tracey on May 26, 2018, 09:37:57 AM
I would just like to say hello to you all  :hearts:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on May 26, 2018, 04:29:47 PM
Hi Tracey  :hug:  how is your day going?

My weekend has started ok, I'm mostly over my chest infection and enjoying being able to breathe again! Although felt a little breathless earlier, mainly ok now. Popped to town for a wander, few shops and a bag of chips today.  Weather is a bit disappointing, had to stay out of the recent glorious weather due to the antibiotics, and now its grey and damp lol!

What's everyone up to?  I'm considering getting started on making some blinds for the 'lodge', but am pretty new to sewing and keep finding myself putting it off lol! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on May 26, 2018, 04:48:47 PM
H
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on May 27, 2018, 05:00:29 PM
Did you enjoy the WSB Brian? It puts the willies up me watching them when the bikes are squirming into the corners. Anybody who has ridden will understand that those blokes are superhuman in the way they have control of their machines  :smiley:.

I was looking over the garden the other day and noticed a Lilac that I planted about 25 years ago which is now quite large has suddenly thrown a sport ( a genetic mutation ) I thought it was unusual until I googled it and found that it's commonplace - so much for my claim to fame  :rolleyes:

Emz - I used to be a dabhand at putting up the Roman Blinds which Chris made in fact I renewed the cords on my bathroom blind not long ago. If you've got a good haberdashers nearby, you can get everything you need to make them. Much better than buying ready made 'coz you have the satisfaction of being able to stand back and admire your handywork  :yahoo:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on May 27, 2018, 05:32:20 PM
On the topic of gardens, I'm loving mine at the moment, just saw a damselfly (or dragonfly - I'm not entirely sure how to identify but think its the former), so pretty and electric blue.  Was trimming some of the garden at the edge to ensure my new roses are getting enough sun and it came across flying in front of me

And was so excited the other day, turns out the container I had thought was full of weeds actually has 3 large foxgloves :-D I had forgotten I had planted them last year - love having bees in the garden so am really pleased at the amount of flowers on them for the bees  :cheesy:

Time for a sit down and a cuppa.   :coffeetoast: kettles still warm if you want to grab one too :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on May 27, 2018, 07:41:21 PM
Scruffy backbird stole my sandwich today.I literally put the plate down walked back inside to get a glass of water came back out and there she is with my sandwich on the ground.It was cheese and marmite.I don't think she liked the marmite  noticed a lot of beak cleaning going on later.I am suffering from my usual frozen shoulder and twisted hip.I was supposed to go away this weekend camping.Neve mind I got a few jobs done slowly.  :rofl:
What happened to Sunday night to.No cheesy series I am watching a festival don't know which one but Paloma faith is supposed to be coming on.I quite like her.
Brian you are a cheeky monkey.Hope you enjoyed the motorbikes.
Emz hope you get back on form soon.Take your time with the blinds my lodge isn't built yet. :whistle:
Longedge I have two lilacs.One of them is a complete mutantPuts all it's energy into throwing up branches an spreading rather than flowers.The other has been amazing this year covered in flowers.
Hi Tracey.Welcome too the chat thread. :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on May 28, 2018, 09:24:37 AM
H
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on May 28, 2018, 09:33:50 AM
E
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on May 29, 2018, 10:27:38 AM
Damsel or dragon flys are something we rarely see here - i once saw a damsel fly hovering over my pond and that was the one and only time.Lots of cranefly though  -much more Yorkshire - dull and grim looking. :rofl:

Scruffy is a blackbird not a crow - i,m sure she would be mightly offended at being called a crow. :rofl:She started hanging round last year and had clearly had an encounter with a predator -as she had a bald neck - hence the name scruffy - so of course she got extra attention -and she has taken full advantage of that - got a handsome partner - despite not being the most attractive lady in the area,and he soon realised he was onto a good thing and became as tame as her. Her looks have improved considerably now her feathers are back - so double bonus for him. last night i was sat out, and he literally was a foot away head on one side singing (it appeared) just too me. It went something along the lines of

Mar mate ate marmite and it ruins the cheese
Next time you make a butty can you leave it off please.
Dont bother with the letttuce,Dont bother with a plate
just wholemeal bread and cheese will do, for me and mar mate.

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on May 29, 2018, 11:13:20 AM
I
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on May 29, 2018, 12:36:14 PM
I'm off birds at the moment, well to be exact Starlings. Early in spring I saw some workmen at a neighbours house 'foaming' a hole at the top of the soil stack where it goes through his roof tiles. We moved to this house about 45 years ago and the gap has always been there and Starlings always nested in there. I've watched their comings and goings with interest. Seen Magpies reaching in and taking the nestlings etc. Anyway, I jokingly shouted across to my neighbour about him evicting long term tenants.

The little b*****s have now found a gap at the bottom edge of my tiles into the roof space above my 'Sunroom' where I sit when I'm looking out over the garden. I've got french windows in there and the gap they are using is right above the windows which I am having to wash every day. They seem to have perfected a flight path into their 'entrance' the last part of which involves dropping a 'white bomb'  :rolleyes:. Come winter the bottom row of tiles will have to come up and some finger guard strip will be going in  :smiley:.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on June 02, 2018, 10:21:58 PM
Just watched "Nothing like a Dame" on BBC 2 and it's made me feel tremendously sad - I don't know why - anybody else see it?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on June 02, 2018, 10:56:07 PM
Didn't see it George........is it about Christopher Biggins?  he usually plays Dames in Panto's.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on June 03, 2018, 07:39:06 AM
Morning Brian - No, real Dames  :smiley: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright. I think that now I'm more used to being alone and spending most of my time sort of living in the past, mentally that is, it was sad to see the ravages of time particularly on Judi Dench (who I always found very attractive  :grin: ). For the same reason I hate seeing video/photos of myself except those taken when I was in my late teens/early 20's. The calendar says I'm 71 but my brain tells me I'm 19  :rofl:.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 03, 2018, 07:55:57 AM
I am feeling a bit of your starling problem with the foxes. At first very sweet and cute to watch them but now they are being so naughty. On different nights they have bitten through the wire for my solar lights, knocked over the dog poo bag bin and scattered them all over the garden, splitting one on the decking leaving a mess and have also poo'd on my decking - which has stained  :angry:

Grrrr!!!  Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 03, 2018, 07:27:32 PM
 :rofl: Sorry I shouldn't laugh but the idaa of the starlings coming in and releasing Whit bombs made me laugh.Do you think they employ a stool pigeon to watch for when you go and sit down so they can go in and take aim just to let you know they have the upper hand. :rofl:

As it's my 21st birthday again today i am relling myself that while the ravages of time is something that come too us all . But while shiny and new has it's merits we should never under estimate the value of an antique. :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on June 11, 2018, 12:02:33 PM
I had to give in and put a handful of mealworms out this morning after receiving a withering look from my Robin. It's currently got a couple of fledgelings following it around begging to be fed -
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 11, 2018, 12:47:55 PM
 :rofl: nice cartoon -I also got mobbed this morning by mr and mrs blackbird - the Starlings seem to have moved on though - i havnt sen them for a week or so.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 12, 2018, 08:29:06 PM
 :shocked: just realised think I missed your 21st bday karena! So sorry!  Hope you had a nice day and ate loads of cake!  Sending a belated birthday hug

Lol, love the cartoon and the robin! :-)   i pretty much get mugged every time I step outside now, have some little sparrows that line up on the fence then fly at me! :-)
Still having fox issues, they've dug up the corner of the gravel rose garden twice now and then dug into/flung soil from a pot on to my decking (likely scattering all the poppy seeds I had planted, now all over the decking/patio)  :undecided:  they are cute, I just wish they would stop trashing my garden now, has become tedious quickly :-( xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on June 12, 2018, 10:03:48 PM
H
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 12, 2018, 10:20:01 PM
Thanks Brian, I'll look into that.  Feels like I'm going through the teenage years with them acting up! Lol xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on June 12, 2018, 10:25:58 PM
a
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 13, 2018, 09:10:31 AM
Haha  :rofl: i meant the foxes are going through their teen years :-)
They dug up the corner of the gravel rose area again last night, grrrr! I need to have words with them, they're grounded!! Lol xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 13, 2018, 01:17:43 PM
grounding teenagers - ooo risky - the shouting and slamming of doors, then muttered but audible sarcasm,and surly resentment -isnt fun -  and then you find you,ve grounded yourself because if you go out, theyre going to ask all their mates round for a party - because theyre "not breaking the grounding rules" - and the mates arnt grounded. just get a tazer. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on June 13, 2018, 02:35:01 PM
S
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 14, 2018, 11:11:03 AM
I wasnt serious - ask my girls i didnt taser them (there were times when a cattle prod might have been useful though. :rofl:

According to the Trossachs national park site they are trying to create a grey squirel free buffer zone up there.Its a difficult dilemma i like the greys too -and its not as though theyre deliberately murdering the reds - but as increasingly wildlife habitat is vanishing everything is under pressure - i read a piece on FB last night about five mammals likely to become extinct -i worry about peoples comprehension levels when it came to the comments though.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on June 15, 2018, 10:29:06 PM
O
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 16, 2018, 08:37:47 AM
 :rofl: :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on June 22, 2018, 11:16:25 PM
G
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on June 23, 2018, 05:05:00 PM
Here's one i have just finished Emz  :smiley:  this one won't dig your garden for ya and neither will Karens Taser work on him  :rofl:
Cheers
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 24, 2018, 09:50:26 AM
That's beautiful! Love it!
I had a new camera for my birthday and I managed to get a lovely photo of one of the foxes,  I'll have to add it later (just need to adjust the size first) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on June 24, 2018, 10:58:26 AM
C
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 26, 2018, 10:14:38 PM
So is everyone melting or is anyone managing to stay cool in this extreme weather?  I'm not a big summer fan and am definitely looking forward to it cooling down a bit.

Am feeling for the wildlife, must be getting harder for them to find water.  Am trying to keep my birdbath fresh and full and have put a bowl out for any other critters.(many years ago I saw a hedgehog in my garden so hope there might still be one around)
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on July 26, 2018, 10:48:23 PM
T
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 27, 2018, 08:04:30 AM
Ooo watch out, karena is back!  :rofl:   
As for me, I am enjoying a nice cold raspberry cider in the eve  :cheesy: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 27, 2018, 10:53:28 PM
Foxes are really trying my patience now, just found they have been digging in another pot - tipping soil all over the gravel and have likely (can't see as it's too dark at the moment) killed/dislodged all the seedlings that were doing really well  :angry:  :undecided:
If they keep this up I will have to look into deterrents.  Didnt want to as would rather co-exist but they are really starting to destroy my garden now!! Not a happy bunny!!
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Kes1968 on July 28, 2018, 09:19:42 AM
Morning folks, we had rain here last night, I put my new bird bath outside the other day but must refill it today unless the rain has done it for me 😂, I bought two baths but filled the other one with wild bird seed mix and dried mealworms, most of that had gone yesterday when I looked, so I’ll refill them today. I’ve not seen any foxes here or hedgehogs 🦔. Easy day here, bit of tidying round and might get up in the loft with a few things, got some washing to do and must nip to Aldi for some mineral water and bread, have a good day all xx😊😊
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on July 28, 2018, 06:13:34 PM
We've had a few rain showers today, have actually been enjoying the coolness  :azn:  I'm hoping the rain has refilled my birdbath too so I can have a night off filling it  :grin:

Have felt a bit more energetic today, have sorted through some clothes, had a tidy round and changed the bedding (& washing machine on)  Will have that lovely fresh 'like Spring' new bedding feel tonight that helps you fall asleep :grin:  (that always subsides a bit after the first night!)  xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on July 29, 2018, 01:48:05 PM
It's ok you don't have to think me for bringing you some bad weather back. :rofl:Not that it was bad there maybe slightly cooler than you guys had it but it is the middle of their winter.Didnt prevent me snorkling though but having ensured I had thick soled surf shoes to guard against stonefish and urchins and speaking of tasering I had to do a quick exit from one of the tidal pools when I spotted an electric wray .I suspect their aim is better than mine although i suspect aim wouldn't matter in a pool of salt water. :rofl:I am the opposite to you Emz I love hot and sunny but Friday afternoons humidity was a bit much not helped by the impending thunderstorms which are predictable by a headache.
Pleasantly surprised that most of my plants survived.Cauliflowers bolted and having survived the heat depending on the water in the pond I stood them in I now have concerns the tomatoes might not appreciate the wind and wet feet so might have to bring them in and learn some window ledges.This afternoon meanwhile I need to do something with the massive bowl of blackcurrents.I think Jam is favourite.There are only so many crumbles a girl can eat and I have discovered you can make jam in a bread maker.Wish me luck I have visions of the chamber thing being filled with solid irremovable blackcurrent goo but here goes. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on July 29, 2018, 02:49:38 PM
"I have discovered you can make jam in a bread maker" - That got me thinking Karena and from the little bit of reading I've just done the advice seems to be that you should only do so if your bread maker has a "Jam" setting otherwise you're likely to boil it over onto the heating elements. If you've got a slow cooker, then that seems to be a better bet  :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on July 30, 2018, 11:15:21 AM
It did have a Jam setting - thats what got me thinking - it wasnt mine originally -  and i hadnt really taken much notice of the other things it could do  :rofl:until i thought about making my own bread  as i,m now (i hope temporarilly) without transport and village shop gets worse i need a re-think on food stocking-  So anyway i now have Jam. The recipe was from a book i picked up in a charity shop rather than from one specific too the machine,I used sugar with pectin already added (turned out to be cheaper than buying them separately anyway) -(who knew topping and tailing  900 grammes of blackcurrents would take 2 hours :evil:)- then discovered the recipe called for a tbsp of lemon juice ( how did i miss that) - anyway didnt have any so left it out.
Attempt 1 produced something Jamish -i.e Blackcurrents in liquid - so i added  a bit more sugar  ran the programme again and lo and behold i got jam. :yahoo:
 
Could have done it the old fashioned way of course - the whole familly around a jam pan style of my childhood - but not so much fun with no-one to take turns stirring - and much less mess than i recall  :rofl: -so this method worked pretty well in the end.

Half a bag of the sugar/pectin left - i,m waiting for the plums to ripen next.

Not too HP today though my friend who normally comes dolphin watching with me has declined this year - which means no accomodation share, and public transport -so i might not make it either - :cry:so between that and the kerputt campervan i,m starting to wish i hadnt come back.Not helped by the fact that last week i was frantically entering data into spreadsheets for a work meeting today - that turned out to not be today because today is not the first monday of the month as i had thought - confused.com  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on September 04, 2018, 07:54:40 AM
Hello autumn!  (even though I'm sure the temperature is getting hotter again!)
How is everyone? I know autumn has started,  I had to fight a giant spider (around 2.5 inches in length) for my bath last night.  Must have been sat on the inside side nearest me, as I was about to get in, swooping the water round with some cold water to get it to the right temp and suddenly there's this giant spider swimming around in my bath!!

The spider won the battle as I gave up on the bath - especially when it decided to do a water boatman impression and stand happily on top of the water!

On happier/lighter notes, I'm still making progress with my sewing, I made a skirt last week including an invisible zip! That was my first one, using a duvet cover as a practice material.  I'm now part way through making a skirt with some more expensive material - so fingers crossed it comes out ok again! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 04, 2018, 10:45:43 AM
Well done with the skirt Emz - have to say my level is somewhat lower and involes shiring elastic, 

I was thinking last night sat outside it was warm but there is a different kind of light in Autumn - a subtle change which was present- i am really hopin for an Indian summer though -grab as much vitamin D as i possible before the rerutn of the dark and having to take the pills instead. :sad:

Plus i really want to get a couple of week ends camping in - picking my new campervan up tomorow - :yahoo:
I was so heartbrocken to lose the other one - but despite my practical brain saying i should do something else - get a "sensible" car yawn I,ve gone and bougth another bongo.( I know its daft and its just a vehicle but it was like the last link of our lives together, house gone, dog gone, and now this - but they were so sweet at the place i took it too so they could break it for parts -so in a way carry on travelling just not in the same body perhaps as our loved ones do )  But they  had one in that they were selling which seemed a bit like fate was telling me something - agreed to part exchange and have even switched the passenger seat from my old one too this one so part of it will also travel on with me. 
how daft such sentimental drivel seems sometimes - but we cant help how we feel about things. :rolleyes:

Right now though i have to go to group meeting at work  and have nothing to say - so i need to make up some intelligent sounding questions quickly, which will indicate i have some ideas in the pipline ( i dont )   :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on September 04, 2018, 10:05:29 PM
I have found a book for beginners which is really helping my sewing (along with the odd youtube video for clarity!)  I've made 2 pairs of pj bottoms successfully too! Let me know if you want me to send you the name of the book :-)

I'm hoping for that too, last few years I've struggled a bit more in the winter.  Going to try and ensure I get out often during the days too, im sure that helps.  I am craving visiting a pebbly beach at the moment - really have to do that soon!

Congratulations on the camper!! And all you say makes so much sense to me.  Hope your new campervan behaves well and have many happy trips in it  :hearts: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 06, 2018, 12:58:43 PM
Well we didnt get off to the best start as the fuel filter was blocked so i had to limp back  to the supplier with hazards on at 10mph with black smoke everywhere - slightly humiliating (especially as my daughter was with me and my son in law works for the same company so of course eveyone at work has been taking the Micky about my vehicle choices today) - but actually ten minutes later new  filter in place and we raced off over the moors with no problems whatsoever.I know what the problem was and it is common with older vehicles and bio fuels they put in supermarket fuel to the maximum percentage allowed ( which is why its cheaper than a local independant) - have now topped it up with the local stuff so hopefully wont re-occur - but if it does i also now know how to change the filter. :rofl:

Emz i agree get outside as much as you can -even if it doesnt appear sunny - lack of vitamin D ia one of the causes of SAD so try and make sure you get enough in your diet or take supplements if needs be - its not a cure but i helps a bit.

Its more uphostery i am thinking of - although maybe  matching seat covers and pyjama bottoms could become a thing if i have some fabric left over. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on September 06, 2018, 11:19:58 PM
Regarding your pyjama bottoms......sew some seat belts to them so you don'y fall out of bed lol  clunk click every trip! lol
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 07, 2018, 12:01:20 PM
Good idea Brian i will pass it on to those members of the club who do get drunk.Hot chocolate doesnt have the falling out of bed effect - although i have discovered this one has an armrest the other didnt - not sure how it will fit in with the bed from seats arrangement i usually used, but i guess wedged in the upright position it could create a  pole so i would only half fall out.

I did once end up  being upside down - head in the front passenger footwell while trying to get out in the middle of the night to run to the loos, and discovering  some pratical joker had flicked the child lock on the sliding door at the back - so i had to climb into the front - unfortunately i was wearing a fancy dress rocky horror show outfit at the time, and could possibly have had one or two sips of wine. :rofl: Luckilly not enough sips that i couldnt rescue myself, and not to my knowledge witnessed by anyone - I came back from the loos and threw some bread crusts onto the persons roof ready for the seagulls to spot at daybreak. :whistle:  :rofl:

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on September 09, 2018, 09:38:58 PM
l
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 11, 2018, 11:17:38 AM
so are you saying it isnt normal to dress like Rocky horror show characters - in that case i,m off to change my wardrobe. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on September 11, 2018, 11:33:58 AM
They say "a picture is worth a thousand words" so it might be a good idea to post a few snapshots of you in your outfit/s and then we could make a better judgement Karena  :grin:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 12, 2018, 11:24:06 AM
 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I am rather hoping there arent any - i can be very good at avoiding cameras, I will stress though i wasnt dressed as Frankenfurter and no such type garments were involved. Although there was a steampunk one doing the rounds for a while - but i was well covered  - to the point i could deny it was me at all.

I finally overcame my nervous new camper owner driving last night, and had a proper and enjoyable drive home - now i,m busy working out how to build my conversion to my own specs -ao i can easilly lift it out and store it  when i need to use the van for multiple grandkid days out, or moving of furnishings.It mostly involves finding pre cut flat pack cubes the right size and adapting it,as my sawing skills  (and lack of tools and workbench) might result in something on the rather wonky spectrum if i start from scratch. :rofl:Need to act with more caution than when i prematurley bought the much too big decal based on rough estimates and photoshop  :rolleyes: I might be able to cut it down though so not yet a complete waste of money.
Could be a job for the weekend as its the annual 1940,s weekend and if i dont escape before 8 am i cant get out as they close the road - but if i do escape,  i cant get back in until after 6pm.If the weather forecast improves though i might just flee for the entire weekend - the seaside is calling.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on September 12, 2018, 05:40:07 PM
Glad it's going well in your new camper  :hearts:

Seaside sounds like a good plan!  I've had a longing to go to a pebbly beach for a while and as Im off this week we did a trip to the donkey sanctuary in Sidmouth (which was fab)  and then spent some time on the pebbly beach.  Loved it!  Even though it was a bit overcast and drizzling at times am feeling a bit better for it!   :cheesy: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 14, 2018, 02:05:04 PM
glad you managed to find that pebbly beach Emz - i loe the sea am convinced it has healing properties i even sleep better at the seaside and as i,m going to miss out on the dolphin watching this month am feeling even more bereft of it than usual. I live about as far from the sea as you can get in the UK. :sad: My campervan blinging plan though means it will have a surf/beach theme so at least i will be able to pretend. and it has a very modern elememnt of a cd player ( the other had a tape deck and i was down to my last playable tape) - so i reckon i just need a cd of waves and seagulls and its sorted. :rofl:-might start having my lunch in there at work for some de -stress therapy. :cool:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on September 15, 2018, 01:06:43 PM
Creating a lunch place idea sounds great to me - could have some sand in one of those shallow plastic underbed storage containers with a lid and can wheel it out to put your feet in  :cheesy: 

Maybe even rent it out to people for 15 min relaxation sessions! Could tour the country as a business! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 17, 2018, 01:37:38 PM
 :rofl: Ever the entrepeneur Emz  - quite liking the sand in a box idea though  :cool:-  I could create sand mandalas too. :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on September 17, 2018, 04:18:38 PM
Like one of those Japanese mini gardens, with mini rakes etc  :cheesy: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on September 18, 2018, 05:02:09 PM
 yep until the grandkids discover it - then it will be mini japanese garden all over the carpet, in the food, in the sleeping bags,in the clothes,- just like my old one was really, but without the sand actually being provided by me. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:( and actually i am as bad as them - my suitcase is full of sand from durban -how it got in there - who knows, as i still had my sandy beach clothes on when i got on the plane. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 28, 2018, 09:04:08 PM
How's everyone doing?  Some cold bugs appear to be getting me, gradually getting more and more snotty and sneezy  :undecided: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 29, 2018, 10:14:32 AM
been a bit sniffly and caughy (is that actually a word)  myself over the weekend to the point i took the precaution of buying lemsip and benylyn to go in the cupboard - but so far have survived with hot ribena and honey - i know people reckon it doesnt work (usually the companys selling the above mentioned articles)  but honey does seem to have the effect of keeping these things at bay - fingers crossed i wont need to use  the other stuff.
I have also brocken my cardinal rule and lit the stove before November -but it has been very cold over the weekend - today is lovely though - sunny but frosty and the robin singing away first thing cheered me up - so for a monday morning -i,m fine - no doubt some-one at work will find a way of wrecking that  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 29, 2018, 09:07:47 PM
Ive started taking sambucol at the first sign of sniffles and it seems to work most of the time. Its based on elderberries (I follow some people on instagram who say it's really easy to make your own by making a syrup from the berries, I might try that some time in the future)  I'm feeling a bit better this eve.   I dont bother with lemsip anymore, I use lemon juice and honey added to hot water, honey is antiseptic and seems to work wonders. Take along with a couple of paracetamol for what I suspect is a healthier version :-)

Today has been really cold, but has been an ok day.  Went to my tai chi class today, I'm getting a bit better at it - and it's surprising how much it works the muscles, really feeling it in my legs! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 30, 2018, 11:02:05 AM
i have an elder tree -  ( it was one of the things the new neighbours wanted me to remove -( yep i,m going to agree to that - because a 100 year old tree is nothing compared to your holiday cottage extension ) might be too late to grab this years berries though i usually leave them for the birds -( they might have to share next year (lol) - i did resort to the lemsip last night but drowned it with hot ribena and honey -cure all - not,  but i slept (lol) was very reluctant to get up this morning, however i have a deadline to meet and its looming large.

On a plus note though my Russian colleague just walked in and very kindly gave me a kindle fire he doesnt use any more - which means when i have worked it out, i will be able to get on the internet proper at weekends instead of relying on my unreliable phone.

Is Thai chi one of the gentler excercise classes - there wont be any here, but maybe something i could do via a dvd ?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on October 30, 2018, 09:11:59 PM
I'm not very good at identifying my plants, I think I have an elder!! Birds always have all the berries at mo.  If you google lizzie loves healthy elderberry she talks about the benefits and gives a free recipe to make the syrup

Thats good news re the kindle fire :-)  :yahoo:

Tai Chi is interesting, its slow movements which surprisingly work your muscles alot (my thighs in particular really ached after) , but it also has a meditative effect. Im really enjoying it.  Theres quite alot of variations, I think we're doing Tai Chi Chi Gung, so has 'forms' but also the meditative moves. (There are other versions which include weapons etc)  I just picked up a dvd from my class so I can practice in between (I forget the moves by the time I get home). If its a good instructional dvd I'll let you know, I could always get a copy for you :-)  otherwise I'm sure there are good dvds out there.  Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on October 31, 2018, 10:22:41 AM
I think the version with weapons might not be a good idea - might be tempted to use them  :rofl: but let me know about the DVD - i need something i can do at home.

Kindle fire was cursed last night - i cant set it up on my amazon acount without a code which they e-mail me  and i cant work out if you can have two things open so cant get my e-mail without closing amazon - so i get the code write it down go back to amazon and i,m back to the we need to send you a code screen - so they send you another code and the one you just wrote down is now the wrong one - something is missing some-where - but it could easilly be my brain cells. I will try again today on PC which has windows - so should eliminate this problem - maybe. -  :whistle:
last night though I decided to go back to my crochet its simpler - and keeps your knees warm - which is something you probably dont want a tablet or laptop to do. :rofl:

Elder would have had big  clusters of tiny white flowers on in the summer -then the flowers fade off and the berrys start to form on those cluster stems -the flowers can be used to make elder flower champagne - which is lovely (and not alcaholic) but then if you use them all for that,  you and the birds end up with no berrys - so there has to be a compromise .

 
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on October 31, 2018, 09:30:37 PM
M
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 01, 2018, 10:40:41 AM
30 - wouldnt know i,m only 21.  :whistle:

I got too many sweets in for trick or treat - same amount as  usual but not so many children around -  this place is turning into a second home resort increasingly rapidly  :sad:. But this now leaves me with a dilemma - what ever am i going to do with all these sweets  :whistle: Well they say to eat healthy you should have a rainbow of colour - so i think maybe cheesy whatsits for main course and Haribo for pudding for the next week or so. :coffeetoast:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 04, 2018, 09:28:23 PM
How is everyone doing?  :hug:

Found myself fondly remembering children tv programmes the other day. Recalled one cartoon based programme, where you traveled into the body and little characters carried out body functions, like immune system etc. It was fun but also learnt alot.  I found out what it was - 'once upon a time - life'  found it on YouTube :-)  tempted to watch it again!

Got me chatting to a colleague, and remembered getting up on weekends to watch 'the herb garden'  anyone else reminisce about programmes from their childhood? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on December 04, 2018, 10:18:25 PM
T
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 05, 2018, 07:22:54 AM
Parsley the lion and Dill the dog! I loved their individual introduction songs.  Probably being daft but I've ordered a dvd of the herb garden! Lol   

I remember the banana splits, only remember a bit though.

My dad and I would get up and watch cartoons together on a weekend to start the morning, loved doing that to start a morning   :azn: 

Do you remember when they used to play a cartoon before a film in the cinema? :-) xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on December 05, 2018, 11:42:47 AM
 :rofl: being such a young thing - i of course remember none of this stuff  :whistle: - actually we didnt have a tv until i was about 9 and then it was an ancient black and white ex rental that was being chucked out, and it didnt go on that often - magic roundabout, the news, then corrie, then emmerdale farm came along later -my gran was in charge of the button - and it was a button no remotes - you switched it on then waited five minutes for it to warm up (lol)
but when i got older and we got a better tv on a monday night i got to stay up until 9.30 to watch colditz with my mum - which was a mega treat -because it was rare time with her undivided attention (she worked hard)  -  i still remember the theme tune to that. 

but i wasnt totally tv deprived as a kid i had a mate down the road with one so watched theirs quite a bit - in fact i think quite a lot of kids did because the house was always full of kids and we certainly wernt the only ones with no tv  -but i was told never to eat any food there, because the chickens were literally kept in the kitchen and rats were not unheard of - naturally i obeyed -( not ) and never got to discover the joys of eating a (very fresh) fried egg on a ryvita.

 its a posh holiday house nowadays, but it was pretty rough back then -not just the kitchen the whole place - the back room had the tv and a massive sofa with the horse hair stuffing and springs, literally having to be stuffed back into what was left of the blue upholstery - The first rat i ever saw appeared on that sofa - we chased it outside with a broom  - that was it no other furnititure, no carpet, cushions on the floor to sit on when the settee was full - wallpaper hanging off - four kids of theirs plus three cousins who seemed to live there but never went to school, and every kid in the village who wanted to watch the tv filled it.The dad spent all his time in his workshop ( he was a joiner and part time minister - and we all thought he was joseph because he had a beard and wore an apron like we had seen in their picture bible  :rofl: ) The mum was always in the kitchen i dont remember ever seeing her any where else -she did a lot of baking and made jars full of lemonade - (which i am ashamed to say some of us avoided because we thought it looked like wee) there was a big range always lit but they didnt seem to have what we would call famiily meals, -  the kids -pretty much catered for themsleves dipping into the baking, un fettered by comments about sugar or spoiling your tea - but random dips into the pantry as well and just cooked whatever we wanted -  hence the fried eggs on ryvita :rofl:
 
When not watching the tv we pretty much ran riot round the house - it was the best house ever for hide and seek as nothing ever got thrown away - so there was plenty of stuff to hid behind and under - every social worker, and health visitors dream that house was (lol)  - and i,m pretty certain my mum never knew (beyond the chickens on the kitchen table she saw  when she walked past)  how filthy it was - but it was great fun for us.

Back to kids tv though I once had a look through my dvd collection and have to admit -the majority are kids ones - my excuse being the grandkids of course, but everything they watch has to be vetted by me - :whistle: cbeebies occasionally takes over my tv too - Bing is my absolute favourite but peppa pig is nice too.

The herb garden was cool but there was another called tales from the riverbank which as i remember it was centred round some rodents flying off in a hot air balloon - as an adult i dont really want to think about how they filmed that - did it involve dead rodents scattered all over the riverbank as they made a bid for freedom from the basket or was it camera trickery.

Anyway Emz go ahead and indulge yourself - i think with the exception of some of the US cartoons, generally it is so innocent it is good for us - stress free anyway.

I dont remeber dill being  particularly savage - even Parsley was a very friendly lion as he himself sang. sage the grumpy owl was my favourite of the animals - sir basil - anyone else see the similarity to Borris - but the gardener was cool -bayleaf the sciver - (and slight luddite)

you know what Emz i think its time i introduced the grandkids too it - they have missed out on that one - not entirely sure the 13 year old will appreciate it - but i can tie him too a chair or bribe him with biscuits - but the littlestboy  might - and babyAnna (who is three now) will be coming over in March. - hmm one to pop on the christmas presents to be kept at grandmas list. :whistle:
 
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on December 05, 2018, 12:08:04 PM
I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Trumpton yet...  Drew, Drew, Barnet McGrew..........
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on December 05, 2018, 12:37:38 PM
hugh pugh hes stuck in the loo -
windy miller followed through -   that one  :whistle:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on December 05, 2018, 01:25:06 PM
LOL Typical of you Karen LOL
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 05, 2018, 06:08:46 PM
What fab memories karena!  :hearts:
My dvd arrived today - so think I might indulge in an episode along with a cuppa + breakfast biccies in bed Friday morning!  That seems like it would be a good start to a day!

Any other bagpuss fans?
Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on December 05, 2018, 10:33:52 PM
I
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on December 05, 2018, 11:55:33 PM
Do any of you youngsters know about Muffin the Mule?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 06, 2018, 07:14:39 AM
I didnt watch it but i know of Muffin the Mule  :azn: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on December 06, 2018, 01:23:21 PM
D
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on December 06, 2018, 03:20:39 PM
I've often wonder if our very early memories are what we really remember or just what we've often talked or thought about over the years. Mine go back to when I was about 4 yrs old sitting on my grandmas knee curling her hair round my finger and listening (long time before people had TV's) to "Listen with mother".

I was looking at YouTube just now at all the old children's TV programmes - ahh.. to be young again  :rolleyes: .
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on December 06, 2018, 04:11:36 PM
I
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on December 06, 2018, 04:55:07 PM
i know nothing whatsoever about muffin the mule (except in passing - usually smutty referrences) but i think listen with mother was on -only it would have been listen with Nan for me - its very vague but was it on just before the archers we listened to something then i think - but the archers theme tune signalled the end of it - by strange co-incidence the archers co-incided with nap time. :rofl:

Bagpuss was lovely Emz but my kids watched that too ( i made them  :evil:)   :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on December 06, 2018, 05:00:28 PM
M
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on December 06, 2018, 07:21:04 PM
Garlic - first time I can remember any mention of it was when my Dad started taking garlic pills which he had heard were virtually the elixir of life, fortunately they didn't create any aroma that I was aware of. Nowadays I can't imagine cooking without garlic and also ginger. They both go in everything that I cook in my slow cooker  :smiley:.

"Did you get all your photos converted?" - Yes, just about, the count stands at slightly under 1,700 but there might still be an odd box or two in the loft that may never get done  :rolleyes:. I rather ran out of steam. I don't get out a deal mostly because of health issues and I now recognise that I'm living proof of the old saying about use it or lose it  :sad:. On top of that, the 3rd anniversary of Chris' death in the same week that would have been our golden wedding anniversary a while ago left me feeling very low and the dark afternoons and evenings just make things worse. Mobility/stability probs prevent me from using my cameras and I've considered selling most of the stuff I've got but up to now I've held off with that.

I was looking at a list of birds that are becoming rare recently and was amazed to see Starlings amongst them. Perhaps the whole british population has come to live in my garden!! As fast as I put food out, flocks of them swoop down and hoover it up.

My mind's wandering now - think I'll go back to YT for some more Trumpton or even Camberwick Green  :smiley:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: GHOST on December 06, 2018, 09:48:22 PM
 :
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on December 06, 2018, 11:58:56 PM
Oh I love how the different memories and associations spring to mind, like the garlic.  On the topic of wild garlic I have fond memories of a hill where I used to live in west wales which had wild garlic along the edge - love that smell

Sending a hug George, anniversaries are hard  :hearts:
This time of year doesnt help atall, I struggle more nowadays over the winter

Loving the critters! I get a few starlings in my garden, they're very fast at eating the suet pellets I throw out xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on December 07, 2018, 10:15:57 AM
Some years ago Chris and I together wih my brother-in-law and sister-in-law went to Blackpool for a weekend to see the illuminations. One evening we walked out to the end of the central pier to get a better view of the tower all lit up. Suddenly a black cloud appeared out of nowhere, swirling around the pier then out over the sea, back and forth, quite spectacular. After a minute or two the cloud just disappeared - we'd seen the Starlings coming in to roost on the ironwork under the pier. That was one of the most memorable moments of the weekend together with standing on the glass floor at the top of the tower looking straight down to the road  :smiley:. Memories are worth a fortune aren't they?
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on December 07, 2018, 12:06:25 PM
They certainly are - i watchd a starling murmuration a couple of years ago it was amazing - and for me there is nothing greater than a dolphin fin breaking the surface which is something me and keith shared - but by going back it is something that i havnt lost, and feeling him closer to me more than at any other time when logic said it would make me feel his loss more and feel even more alone is an unexpected bonus.
The natural world has so much to give through out grief something that we can still take so much from not only with out old memorys but in creating new ones. -We once spent nearly two hours freezing cold but fascinated by the way a flock of geese were organising themselves - practising take off and landing in formation with such precision like an RAF squad,but now many years later the sound of geese flying over even at night when i cant see them always brings a smile,  because what we in our daily lives might not have noticed or taken much notice of if we did becomes a continuation of what was shared with him and with the geese,  knowing it isnt a random act  as we might have assumed previousely but meaningful familly communication - the one loud one is the leader on a given flight, what appears to be one flight may be made up of two or three squads each with a squad leader, or there may be another squad just out of our range - the others on the outside of a single squad at night  are communicating their position too the leader, and so now i try to identify even when i cant see them who are the leaders how many squads there are.So something discovered together still remains something special if we allow it too and if that is something in nature where it can be repeated because it isnt dependant on human relationships - the friends who vanished, the couples who didnt but are still couples so you feel even more lonely, the rules of human life - nature doesnt give a damm about those rules it has its own and they continue and so help us to recall those special moments but also collect new ones because they are still special.   
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: CarolineL on February 20, 2019, 05:37:27 PM
After not talking to anyone about how I have felt over losing my husband, just saying, yeh I'm ok thanks, when anyone asks I am finding this forum such a release, its good to talk, thank you BUK  :hug:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on February 20, 2019, 09:16:41 PM
 :hug:

I too found this forum so supportive, having somewhere you could come and just be you, share what was on your mind or find others who understand was so valuable. No need to put on a brave face or have to explain beyond what you need to. Even somewhere you can have some every day chat
I would never have imagined it but have also made some good friends, some I have met in person too.  BUK is indeed a special place  :hearts: xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Sue Hewitt on March 11, 2019, 01:14:28 AM
Hi I’m sorry to ask but how do I introduce my self I’m new and just can’t do it
Thanks Sue
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on March 11, 2019, 10:01:48 PM
You never need to say sorry here Sue  :hug:
In the forum, when you're in one of the sections there is a 'new topic' button at the top - if you click there it will start what we call a 'thread'.  People can then reply to you.
Dont worry about putting it in the wrong place, we can move it if needed xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 15, 2019, 08:03:26 AM
Hows everyone holding up with all this torrential rain? Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on June 15, 2019, 09:06:55 AM
Nothing worse than a bucket on the floor in the kitchen which caught about 3 or 4 pints of water over two nights. I have a brilliant roofing company very close by and they found the problem so it's sorted now,

My heart goes out to those poor people who find themselves under several feet of water.  I can't imagine how people facing months and months of disruption cope.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 17, 2019, 10:53:48 AM
To be honest it has rarely got to being torrential up here, just a long period of dark and dismal days and a constant mizzle with some heavy showers in between although the river was looking pretty full over the weekend  it tends to move very fast through here then cause floods lower down where the land is much flatter.
 It must be so heartbreaking for those badly affected by flood water though.
Where i lived before we could literally opent the back door and the water would run through the kitchen and out of the front door - again we were vey lucky being on a slope it didnt linger so there wasnt too much mopping up - although putting anything on the kitchen floor was a waste of money and there were no kitchen units in there just a high breakfast bar - the cooker stood on a raised block we had a unit on wheels that could quickly be moved from under under the breakfast bar and the pans etc were all hung from the beams (looking back i sometimes wonder what tempted us to even consider renting that place - no heating except an open fire,single glazed rotting windows, no kitchen :rofl:)

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: longedge on June 17, 2019, 11:08:24 AM
Our next door neighbour when we first moved in was just like a scond mother to me. Everybody loved her, she was a kind, gentle lady and a great loss to us when she passed away. Her house stood lower than ours and she was always complaining that 'my water' was flooding her drive  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on June 17, 2019, 04:30:19 PM
It has been pretty torrential here - bit of respite today but think the rains back tomorrow.  My dog has not been impressed - he tends to stand in the doorway watching it and whining like its my fault! Xx
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 18, 2019, 10:47:51 AM
Ben hated rain, you had to literally drag him out - but snow was entirely different - he loved it - that erm frozen rain.  :rofl:

Sounds like a lovely lady Longedge but people can be funny - my neighbours are frankly a bit odd, its a second home but he is obsessed with the wheely bins. For starters theyre mine,techically on my land if i was pedantic -  he couldnt find his out the back when they bought it so i agreed they could share mine ( and have since discovered he is using the ones out the back as well which he has apprently now found - theyre just further away)

The brown bin i dont use at all as i compost everything and since the council started charging an annual fee for them (as well as putting council tax up)i was going to tell them to take it away but he decided he wanted to keep it and to pay for it -but  they dont have a garden. :whistle:  There are cobbles outside his house about the width and length of a car and he scrapes the moss off them occasionally and pops the odd stray leaf in - surely that doesnt warrant an entire wheely bin and a hefty fee  -

But the way they are obsessively lined up perhaps explains it - he must need three to make it work - all set the same distance apart and in a diagonal pattern, not a straight line of them  but again the same distance front to back.Obviousely they get moved - and to be honest in the early days when there was disputes about other things going on with them,  i and another neighbour who they upset did sometimes do it on purpose - but then he started getting to the point he drives up from Cheshire puts them straight then drives home again , the other neighbour has now gone  so i have decided he is obviousely ill and have stopped doing it ( for the sake of the environment as well  :rofl: )

Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Sandra61 on June 19, 2019, 01:26:18 AM
Never mind 'flaming June, it's more like raining June! I'm still waiting for the builder to start on replacing my roof too, so am emptying the buckets and bowls whenever it comes down!  :angry: Let's hope July is better!
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on June 19, 2019, 11:01:03 AM
 :hug: awful isnt it -and you just know that if it does improve some-one is going to say "we need the rain"  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 08, 2019, 11:57:17 AM
This place has been empty for a while - so anyway i have loads of news all based on the filling up of my house.

Firstly i am no longer a single resident  - my eldest grandson has moved in with me - he is a lovely lad - and we get on so well - always have - but he did really badly on his mocks and was potentially going off the rails over the summer  -so i sugested as i have more time i could take over homework etc and he could stay with me  in term time to make sure he went to school etc. 
So its a new experience having a teenage boy in the house - mine were girls - but i,m loving having some-one to get up for, to make breakfast and packed lunches and cook tea for - i worried it would be a bit too much now i have got used to my own little ways (remain in bed as long as possible skip breakfast and get to work late, go home  heat some soup and stick the telly on) -  but so far i,m loving it and it isnt all one way he gets the coal in and generally helps out around the house always has been my right hand man since aged seven he took my arm and offered to guide me across a field - (i didnt need guiding but i was cute  :rofl:) .
 He has had no negatives from school since he moved in so i guess i must be doing something right  ( i dont really rate it as bad behaviour when they can get a negative for  forgetting their lanyard or wearing the wrong colour shoe laces anyway - but i havnt expressed that too him  :rofl: )
He has joined junior fell rescue and loves that - works saturday morning in a local garage and is helping the boss there do up a rally car (takes after his grandad ) so his influences have changed for the better and  fingers crossed its going to carry on working out well for both of us.

second piece of news my daughter and grandaughter may be staging a permanant return to the UK next spring if her husband can get a visa (the house is really going to get full then until they find a place to live)

third and final my granson and i rescued a partridge - we had a dog staying at the time so were out walking when we spotted  this little one running along and trying to fly but failing - so brought him home - evicted  the dog out of his cage (he didnt mind ) kept it in there for a few days and it was eating bird food quite hapilly but still not using one of  its wings. - One of the new lads at work has parents who do a lot of wildlofe rescue on their small holding -  so he took it - the wing was dislocated not brocken so is back in place now - but its so tame  -we are guessing its been hand reared then released for shooting and escaped the guns, but not been able to forage for itself - it was half starved as well -so he/she is coming home too for the winter - The plan was to try and release it into the woodlands in spring so it stands more chance of survivng with available food - but honestly i dont know that it wont be too dependant by then  (or that i wont be too fond of it  :rofl:)
so anyway where do you keep a partridge -and i dont want to hear about cooking pots and herbs and red wine sauce -that definitely isnt an option :rofl:
Well maybe you get it some companions and keep them in a chicken coop with a lower floor -  inside a pollytunnel so that it can roam around freely during the day but have extra protection from the elements in winter, while it pulls up the weeds eats the slugs and fertilises the soil for you -  then in the spring when you dont want it to pull up seedlings and the polytunnel gets too hot, you relocate it all too a fruit cage full of rasberrys (too tall for foraging but not poisenous too them  if they picked some up)  and they do the same there - and partidge eggs are not very big but they are edible and partidges dont make as much racket as chickens for the neighbours to moan about -and all those extra people moving in means i need to grow more food -and if there are rescue hedgehogs as well they work at opposite ends of the day but get on fine anyway   
There is a bit of a theme going on here -  it appears i am possibly about to become hedgehog foster carer / very small premaculture  smallholder -(whatever happend to downsize and have a nice cosy quiet life  :whistle:) 
and all because of one very cute little partridge. :rofl:   
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jill on November 08, 2019, 05:35:39 PM
Hi Karena,  That's lovely to hear about your grandson and maybe your daughter and her family visiting you.  Glad to hear it is all going well.  Also good to hear the partridge is on the mend.  There used to be a lot more hedgehogs about when I was a child.  I don't even see them here out in the country.  But like to hear the owls and buzzards and cuckoos.  Good luck with it all.  Jill
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 11, 2019, 11:29:14 AM
well i am going to need it, -  because so far in clearing a space for the polytunnel yesterday i fell in the mud which with recent rains is currently my gardens default state and hurt my ankle and my arm (thankfully not too badly) so i am now considering putting the partridge winter quarters in the conservatery so i can access it to put food in without sliding down there over this winter and then cutting some steps into the slope before next.  :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jill on November 11, 2019, 12:25:42 PM
Yes this wet mud is as slippery as ice.  Sounds like a good idea keeping the partridge a bit closer by.  I have to drive very slowly in our little lane because you can slide all over the place!  At least we have had some sun here today so have been doing some outdoor jobs.  Hope you didn't hurt yourself too bad.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Emz2014 on November 11, 2019, 06:26:54 PM
Hope you feel better soon karena, take care  :hug:

The mud and leaves are becoming a bit treacherous. Keep safe everyone  :hearts:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 12, 2019, 10:29:43 AM
I,m fine just a bit battered but it is a warning (again) -i need to take better care i forget every so often that i am not 20 anymore.   :rofl:

snow forecast now - but didnt materialise this morning - much to the disapointment of my grandson as although he can walk to school the teachers come fom further afield so often ends up closed - he was looking longingly at pictures on his phone of this mornings snow in the cairngorms - had to point out that as it is the UK,s only  ski resort theyre going to get snow where most of the rest of us dont. :whistle:
To be fair despite the inconvenience i quite like it myself (but not being snowed in for 7 weeks and having to walk 4 miles each way through fields to work carrying shopping )  -white makes a nice change from grey in winter and on a clear day you get some fantastic sunsets.

So my focus has changed back to partridge cage that will fit in conservatory through the door or is collapsible = theres always a snag to the best laid plans - and meanwhile my colleague whose care he is in is being dictated too by siad partridge about which food he wants - apparently dried meal worms being the sweeties of the partridge world - and definitely something not available in the wild.

Outside i put the food out for the collared dove and Mr bent beak ( original rescued pigeon ) kicked him off the table  - and apparently he has a partner or child in tow judging by the apparent affection between him and the one that arrived straight after him - poor collared dove having been upsurped sat in the tree looking at me as if to say = what are you going to do about that then came to the back door and got his own dish of food. The day will come when i spend half the morning feeding wildlife and am late for work on a regular basis. :rofl:
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Jill on November 12, 2019, 11:51:45 AM
Hi Karena,  Reading your post reminded me of something I had forgotten.  When I was a child I had a siamese cat and she would only eat Paws cat food.  She would starve rather than eat anything else from a tin.  Used to drive my mum wild!!  Just like the fussy partridge.  Glad the collared dove got a look in.
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Sandra61 on November 14, 2019, 09:28:49 AM
My cat was like that too. If you offered her anything other than something she liked, she would rather starve! Funny how animals can be as particular as people about what they eat. At the opposite extreme, the cat that currently visits sometimes will eat anything that isn't locked away, even if it makes him sick! He's the greediest cat I have ever seen! Mind you, I have someone at work who's a bit like that too!
Title: Re: Everyday general chat, everyone welcome, just join in
Post by: Karena on November 14, 2019, 10:33:31 AM
 :rofl: sounds like the perfect colleague - poor patridge has gap worm theyre vile parasites if the bird doesnt die of starvation it dies of oxygen deprivation - unless you catch it in time. It goes through cycles so we reckon he has had it from his days in the breeding pens and survived one bout already but it accounts for why he was starved but having had loads of food between and built his strength up he stands a chance of surviving this round - medication wasnt easy to source as it tends to be for mass numbers but we have tracked some down and it should arrive today so there is hope for him.

meanwhile this morning a new pigeon has appeared it was literally staring in through the conservatory window i went out with some food because it is pitifully thin - but  then later there were pigeons fornicating on the roof - what is going on with them at this time of year i dont know. But maybe this one was trying to partner up with its reflection in the glass.

A friend was telling me today about a friend of his who is feeding squirels - not in a feeder -she leaves the kitchen window open and a bowl of nuts on the sill and they just come in and help themselves  :rofl: