General Chat

Afternoon All,

OH didn't have a great night again, but is much better now and he thinks the way he lies might be part of the problem. I suggested he hang upside down like a bat as he fidgets so much in bed or that I lash him down with restraints and that made him laugh! I've given him some of my knee gel to try now. He's out again tonight, but shouldn't be late.

We were up early enough to go to the garden centre but couldn't believe the long queue of traffic all through the village and beyond, fortunately for us coming the opposite way. We had a nice brekkie at the garden centre, reasonably priced and they will swap items, so I could avoid sausage by having an extra egg. No jigsaw though and no books OH fancied in The Works. Naturally It is full of Christmas themed things now. The decorations were not a patch on how they used to be and their Christmas village was rather pathetic.

Just after we got home my camera arrived and is black like I ordered so that's good and I've charged the battery and tried it, but some things are different to my previous camera but at least there's a little instruction book. I will get a spare battery once I know the camera works ok. I've also ordered the jigsaw online and was able to use a coupon that made it £2 cheaper so that was good. I've also ordered 2 books OH always has at Christmas and done a washing load that's on the airer and rads everywhere.

You've been busy Mel. I'm the same with the main bedroom window that's a square bay window and has builtin cupboards and drawers in front. I used to be able to stand on the sides of the lower drawers and reach everything but climbing up and balancing hurts now, so I'll have to use one of my flat ended mop things. Were the chickens pleased to see you with their supper this morning?

AnnG we are convinced we don't get letter post delivered every day now. It seems to be nothing for a couple of days, then a wad of envelopes the next day.

I think when people see the price of postage abroad some will probably send e cards next year instead Gwyn. It's a shame as cards look so festive and not everyone can use computers. I like to hear little children sing 'Away in a manger'. It seems to suit their little voices.

I think I might pop to our Factory Shop tomorrow and see if they still have any of those crystal things that absorb moisture Mandy and a good look round. OH won't be coming and hurrying me as he has a zoom meeting. The birds seem to love their fat balls too and we need some since the fat Squirrel polished some off. It sounds like you got a lot done today.

It looks as though they are not separating first and second class now then. Same as Mel's in fact everyone on the thread all cards would have been collected Monday at 0900.

Afternoon all,

No frost this morning and it's been sunny at times but there is some grey clouds about .
Your card arrived here this morning Anng thank you .

We went to the factory shop ,and to the farm shop to get eggs ,when I got home I walked to town and got our tablets from boots and into a few shops to get some Christmas presents so gradually getting there with the presents.

Oh Gwyn we miss hearing and seeing the little ones in the nativity plays ,we used to go into the church to see the grandchildren as the little school always do the nativity in the church and not in the school , I must remember to ask son if there's any raffle tickets for the school Christmas fayre on Friday.

Cards to go abroad are £2.80 wherever they are going, I think, whereas there used too be different rates for eg. Europe.
My 5 overseas ones went today and one went a couple of weeks ago tucked into a birthday card envelope, to save postage.
Now to make a start on my other cards.
Like you AnnG, having moved around the country quite a bit, I send cards all over UK.

School hall has a lovely decorated tall real Christmas tree and the stage has been set up ready for the Nativity play. Soon I'll be hearing the little ones singing their songs in readiness.

gosh that was quick Mel It would only have been collected at 0900 yesterday morning and second class. :-S

Back from town now and card to Iceland posted£2.80!! I was in town at 10 am and it was quiet then but was getting busy by the time I left to come home

Thanks for the lovely card Anng. I shall have to get my card strings out now.

Wiped two of the hall doors down inside and out so three to go of the solid dorrs and four glass ones. Still not got the spider that is hiding up the lights over the table but had a web down to the table again this morning and have had two deaad bodies fall onto the table but I WILL get it eventually.

Shopping not arrived yet.

Stripped the bed and washe dit now its on the line after a fight. Just got to wrestle with the bottom sheet and quilt cover and thats another job done. Dusted the hall and windowsills in the bedroom but need to clean the windows in there and thats hard for me as they are so high up. Oh used to do those for me as theres furniture under each of the two windows in there. Shall have to get the window thing out and see if I can reach with that.

Morning all,

Its 4 degrees here at the mo and the suns out so far today but there was a frost. Pc says mostly cloudy.

Slept like a log last night and got up at 7.58am for the loo and went back to bed as it was cold but only lay there a little while, got up to turn the heating on for a bit. Cars still covered in frost.

When I was coming out of Morrisons yesterday I looked at who was on the tills and saw Kath who used to be on the ciggy counter so I went to her till. There was a lady there who was taking ages to get he shopping in the trolly she had her son with her who did'nt seem to do much but did lift all the bags in the trolly for her and there was 4 of us behind her. After waiting ages for her to get the shopping put in bags and then in the trolly she paid in CASH all new notes so lots of them had to go through the machine and that all takes time. I could hardly believe it there must have been hundreds there.

good morning all only 2 degrees this morning, what an up and down type of weather we have at the moment.

Hopefully going into town this morning to the post office to post a card to Iceland. Just don't want it to rain. didn't sleep as well as I have been last night. No idea why.

Ann it is always the way when looking for something particular. No doubt once you have bought it you will see it everywhere.
Vera hope your back isn't suffering too much after your busy day yesterday and hope that you managed to get to see your daughter and her partner as well.

Evening All,

We went to the garden centre at teatime instead of this morning as OH had a bad night with his back and also one of his headaches so had a lie in. No puzzle that I wanted so I may have to order online. OH's fine again now but was glad his meeting tonight was cancelled due to various illnesses. His Friday one about 100 miles round trip is cancelled as well now and he was pleased not to be travelling that far on a Friday with all the traffic. I thought he'd be glad of a rest, but no, he's going to another Friday meeting more local that he'd had to cancel before as it clashed!

AnnG poor Jake and what troubles some have to cope with, especially with four children to look after as well. It can't be easy for him so you can understand him being unable to come to you. Maybe he forgot to let you know with all he had on his mind. I must have another look for the bride and groom as I missed them!

I just looked at our gas and electric bill for the month to November 25th which includes the date the new boiler was fitted so lots of testing and running it that day. Our gas was £76.12 and electric £58.42, so a total of £134.54. I changed ours to a fixed rate in June that lasts till next June so might be why ours is a bit lower cost? Also a bungalow has no stairs and landing to heat and lower ceilings than a house, so less space to heat. Like you though we have cut down our use in various ways. If we get up and go straight out we don't put heating on and the conservatory, uti and ensuite have the radiators switched off. The shower is gas heated, but we keep them short! There's not a lot more that we can do. An old schoolfriend wears a fluffy onesie over her day clothes round the house to keep warm. :-)

I saw a skinny young Squirrel today on next door's feeders. The fat balls on ours are lasting longer now they are out of easy reach. The Blue Tits were getting a share in peace today. :

I see you have been busy Mandy and at least got your tree almost in position till your son helps level it. I was surprised today when we were out to see how many people have got wreaths on their doors and have put lights up already. I think we all need a bit of cheer after watching the news lately! :-)

You've had a busy day spending today at Bideford Mel. I bet you had more to show for your £ at Lidl! It sounds like you got a lot sorted though which is good. I so agree about the potholes in the dark and the bright headlights. It was dark when we got home too and I was saying to OH how the cat's eyes they used to have on most roads were much better than white lines that get covered in mud or wear off quickly. I bet the chickens will be pleased to see you in the morning! :-D

Got in just before it was really dark. Poor chickens went to bed with no corn but I expect they had plenty of pellets left from this morning as there's always a lot in there when I give them their corn.

I have been in Bideford all day. First I went to Morrisons and then on to Lidl. I spent £75 in M and £76 in Lidl but I now think I have all my Christmas presents and Christmas food and sweets. It was so nice to walk along the meat counter and choose my meat instead of having it just given to me with the shopping. I did'nt do the High St asI wanted to get home before dark as you can't see the potholes in the dark and I hit a large one on the way home and the lights are so bright coming towards you in the dark and some are super bright now too.

It 7 degrees here now and pc says mostly cloudy we have had a shower before I left and one tiny one while I ws out.

Got a nice bit of gammon a good size piece of beef and a pie for tonight with pots and purple sprouting broccoli.

Poor Jake must have been tearing his hair out with worry about his partner. He certainly did have a good excuse for not turning up.

Going to have a well earned cuppa now before cooking the dinner.

2 Dec 2024 16:33
My gas plus electricity bill for November was £172. don’t usually have the CH on between 10am and 4.30 pm and usually run it at about 16/degrees until I might turn it up to 18/19 around 7.30 pm. But we had some cold days in November when the heating was turned on earlier. Most cooking is done in the air frier but I did use the oven a couple of times.el prices have certainly increased.

I had a feeling that Jake was not going to make it today as I had not heard anything but he does have a good reason. I didn't know but his partner apparently has a brain tumour which she has had for three years she manages it but it does make her poorly sometimes and at the weekend she had a bleed so had to go to hospital and Jake had the four kids to look after with his partners Mum as well as visiting her in hospital. I get the impression she is home now but he understandably is exhausted and couldn't manage working today. (Just as well he is working with sharp tools I don't want an accident because he is so tired. anyway he is coming on Thursday now.

Trees in the stand but I think we need son to level it up we've tied it to the house wall but it doesn't seem to be upright enough ,doesn't help that the path along the front is on the slope anyway rain has stopped play so we've come in for coffee.

Quite nice here at the moment 8 degrees so not gone up much. I have the bedding in the washer and must re-make the bed. I have also got a couple of more decs out and also the stuff for doing the floral display. (all artificial).

Morning all,

A lot milder this morning and we have blue sky and sunshine ,a good morning for us to get the christmas tree up and the lights up outside .

I've done a few jobs already ,got some things out of the freezer,wrapped up the Christmas puddings and put them with the other two and emptied the dish washer .
Just having a cuppa and then we'll get outside and make a start must get my garden gloves on as the Christmas tree always makes me itch .

Good morning all fairly bright out there and 7 degrees. Riley said they would be back (providing he has found out where Jake was and all is OK) today around 12 so I shall see if that happens. Yes the photographer in the little models is great. You may not be able to see but I also like outside the church there is a bride and groom.

Morning all,

Nice morning and when I got up the sky to the east was pink bove the trees. What is it they say "Red sky in the morning a sailors warning". It was really lovely behind the fir trees but by the time I had boiled the kettle and made my coffee it has gone just as I went for the camera.

Tis 5 degrees out there and it looks very wet.

Hope you all had a good night.

Evening All,

Yes, first of the month and the start of our chocolate advent calendar and my turn today. :-)

Gwyn that sounded a nasty message and I would have reported it. If you get one again forward it to [email protected] as they take these sites down where they are trying to make you pay money. There are some lovely things at these Christmas fairs and it's tempting to buy things, but often expensive as they are one offs.

The cottages are lovely AnnG and like Vera I liked the photographer taking photos of the children visiting Santa, but it made me realise the days of sitting on Santa's knee are no more! I liked the children throwing snowballs at each other too. The red lights sounded a good buy for the tree. I hope you hear from Jake tomorrow.

Ah yes it was the boyfriend's one he hired that she borrowed from him now you have reminded me Vera. My brain must have been tired but it was an even better idea to wear it for the photo. On the subject of your and Gwyn's emails, the past few weeks I have had several unpleasant ones telling me women are waiting to hear from me, ie women in very provocative poses!!. I have never looked at any sites like that, so don't know what's prompted them starting to be sent to me!!

We often get our A5 week to view diaries from The Works Mel. Oops, the fireworks have started outside!! I wonder why?? Your Advent Ring looks great with all the different greens of the foliage with the red and white. It brightens up the church. I had to do the same when I applied for my last new driving licence. I was surprised they used the old photo though.

I think I would have liked the interesting Heritage tree too Mandy. It's a shame there were no real trees though to give out a lovely smell of pine. You've done well getting your christmas puddings all done now.

It's amazing thinking back to the decorations we used to see at Christmas when we were children like you say. Crepe paper cut into strips and twisted and pinned to the ceiling corners and light fitting in the middle and they were always falling down! Those tissue paper bells, christmas trees and balls that opened and had a flat metal bit you folded over to hold them open. The tiny tree had branches that looked as if it was made of brushes you clean bottles with and each branch was tipped with one red berry. Little mesh bags of chocolate coins covered in gold foil, to decorate it with as well as the baubles and obligatory fairy for the top. I don't remember seeing trees with stars on the top till I was older. I did see a pack of the sugar mice with string tails that I would always get at Christmas as a child at a garden centre recently.

I'd better get to bed now as we are up early tomorrow to see if The Works have one of those Gibson puzzles I want left. OH wants to come, but I think it's the Cafe there that's his main interest although he likes looking at the books. We might go on to the bigger garden centre with a bigger Works if there are none left.

Mel another lovely advent ring for the church they should be pleased with that .

It's been raining quite hard all the afternoon and been so dark we've had the lights on most of the day .
We had a lovely roast chicken tonight and like Vera everything cooked just as we liked them , we had the chicken, roasties ,roast parsnips and roast carrots, sprouts and green beans and cauliflower cheese , no pudding as we were both full.

Tomorrow I want to write my Christmas cards and we hope to get the tree in the stand outside and get the lights on .