Re: Hello Everyone

Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:10 am

the new chairs are coming this afternoon, so all outings postponed. things are nearly back to normal, but I still have not found the cushions.....
still eating raspberries from outside.
it is cold this morning.David still has wobbly legs and still awaiting that phone call from the docs he says if he does not hear by Wed. he will
phone up
could not get on here yesterday, was on laptop. would not let me sign in.
hopefully groceries arriving shortly
glad Gennie is better

Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:35 am

]Yesterday I got through a lot of work outside - got out all of the planters from the end bed and started cutting back the shrubs and plants there and of course, looking clearer, but now lacking colour. Also got more planters worked on for the winter and replaced them in the side bed, where there are a lot. Dug over more of the beds and put in compost and now there are four baskets finished and back in place and once the pansies in them take off, that will make a colour splash near the patio. Got more of the begonias cut back and repotted for indoors and want to finish them today and then start on the geraniums, so more colour will disappear today, but all looking tidier. Came in quite late as the daylight had almost gone, but I then had to water everything because the wind had been drying things out.

First of all with regard to the internet, I used the free version of Malwarebytes, but this has now been altered to 14 days free trial of their premium one and you have to keep on cancelling this out and getting the free trial again. Well first of all I am not paying out for any further protection and did find that the premium one just slowed everything down and it took ages to run and I couldn't get much done waiting for that to finish, so have removed that completely from the computer. Have my normal Eset Nod 32 that I pay for and have still kept the free Spybot. Also with regard to technology, I have the notification to download the NHS Test and Trace app onto my phone - still thinking about that one at the moment and will have a word with Rachel tomorrow (when she pops in as she is delivering laptops again in my area) and see what she thinks about that one. Apparently more than 10 million people have downloaded it since it was launched on Thursday, but I am still thinking about that one. Looked at the internet form for applying for a grant for the Green Homes grant, as despite having the double glazing replaced and the insulation in my home is fine, I still have that single brick porch that is cold and really would like that sorted out. Looking at the form there really isn't a section that fully covers what I want done, but there is a phone number, so will use that tomorrow and see what can be done. Always something to think about and I don't think there is ever a time when we can sit back and think all done for a while .

Dian I am hoping that Gennie being in hospital at the moment, won't hold up the bungalow application. because that is one of two new ones that have been constructed near Maria and would be ideal. Would mean that she could then possible get a mobility scooter and get to the centre again, because that isn't far from that bungalow. Yes, got through a lot of garden work, but still plenty to do and hopefully will get a lot more done today in the sunshine - yesterday was dull and cooler. As far as Nicola Sturgeon is concerned, I too cannot stand the woman, but got to be fair, I think she probably handled the corona virus issue better than the UK Government. Bright, but chilly morning for you yesterday and see you enjoyed the visit to Matalan and B & M with your daughterand got quite a few items in B & M (like me the other day - I can always find bargains to spend money on in there) and then off to a nice park where there is a garden centre and see that was very busy which meant driving round several times to get a parking space and then had a snack with a walk around after that. Sounded a really nice time out for both of you and see you are off on another trip today with your daughter and bet you will enjoy that too.

Rita it was cold and windy yesterday and I had to wrap up well, but it is sunny today and a bit warmer with no wind at the moment, so looking forward to getting in the garden again and I hope the weather will be nice in Cornwall for Peter and family, for their week's holiday. Yes, Gennie is a very patient person with regard to the amount of health problems she has, but she was very happy about the improvements in Northampton General and I am keeping fingers crossed that she gets that bungalow. Good idea to move your plants to a sheltered postion in the garden - problem for me is that I don't have many sheltered places to hide tender plants in, so have to use the garden fleece. Rachel is buying the fleece jackets for her two Oleander trees, because they won't survive any frost. See your daughter was visiting a friend in hospital, so they are allowing visits for normal wards in Canada in her area, but definitely no visitors in any wards allowed in Northampton General - I don't know what arrangements are made in other hospitals in the UK.

Jean no outing for you today as the chairs are arriving and things are nearly back to normal. Strange that those cushion inserts haven't turned up yet - would you have placed them under any other cushions on seating that you have around? Just a thought because I know that some of my thinner garden chair covers are hidden under my settee cushions and there are a couple under the cushion on the chair I use at the computer desk. Those raspberries of yours are still producing well, but see you are still waiting for a phone call from the doctor and David intends to chase that one up on Wednesday if you still haven't heard by then. Hope your groceries arrive on time today - mine are arriving on Wednesday, so got to be back from the Lockup before 3 to get them. Also got the boiler check on Wednesday morning, but gives me a Maria and few hours in between to get the lock up hopefully nearly cleared.

Enjoy your day ladies and I am off to the garden now.

Mon Sep 28, 2020 4:18 pm

Pauline no doubt your day has been busy Do hope Gennie gets home soon and fingers crossed gets a bungalow Great that you have managed to save flowers for next year
Jean pleased you are just about all ship shape again. Hope David hears from the Doctor
Rita good you heard from your daughter in Canada I am sure your son and his family will be enjoying a nice time in Cornwall They are so many lovely fishing villages to visit and gardens too
Well it has been a cold wet morning here .Daughter and granddaughter picked me up at 9am.We went to local shopping mall and I always grab a trolley to wander about with then we split up to do our own thing but met up 2 hours later for a nice snack then parted again for another hour.I enjoyed the ambling about but did not buy anything but a pair of earrings Dozed off for a little while when I got home but enjoyed it now off for something to eat not sure what I feel like.Hope all have had a good day

Tue Sep 29, 2020 9:37 am

glad Gennie is better and keeping fingers crossed for her. would seem ideal if she can get that bungalow.
the doctors rang last night, to say Davids bloods are ok, and when I asked(I took the call) about the doctor phoning she says there is nothing on the system
so I told her he still has the problem and would like the doctors to ring as promised, and this is now arranged fro THursday pm, but do not know in what year!!
It drives you nuts. things do not work. i.e. I tried to get an online account with Sainsburys but it would not accept my nectar no....45 minutes later
and it is time for dinner.
so it is raining today and we are taking some stuff to the charities. still no cushions still missing. probably in the garage cannot get to the car. it is still#
awaiting the puncture repair........
nearly finished.....

Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:18 pm

Pauline no doubt you will be busy as ever.Hope all going along smoothly for you.
Jean good someone did phone back for you so do hope you get your call on Thursday and David starts to feel a bit better soon. Hope you find your cushions
Rita hope your day is going along nicely for you with no problems
Well it is a nice bright morning so far so just catching up with myself. See more apples to pick up grrrr Wishing you all a good day

Tue Sep 29, 2020 5:10 pm

The sun didn't arrive here until about 2 in the afternoon, but through this morning there has been some rain, leaving it too damp to work out there and I really wanted to sieve through some more fibre from the planters I have been clearing (and did get through a lot of those yesterday), but that is slow and heavy work when the contents are too wet to sieve. I cut back and potted up a lot more begonias and some of the geraniums and they are now indoors, but about 5 more of each of those plants to see too. Also cleared out a long planter that got too crowded with English blue bells and managed to get half of them in a shorter planter, which leaves me another lot to do in a matching planter. Dug more compost in some of the beds I am clearing and am determined this year to empty each planter that has been cleared and clean all of those, plant pots and seed trays for storing - not like last year when I had to leave so many things hanging around and prepare for that double glazing installation and then couldn't deal with them this Spring because of the upheaval over the fence.

This morning have been sorting through a lot of toys and games that I got back here from the lock up, ready to deliver them off to Barnardos and DEBRA tomorrow. Seems I have a trolley load already, so Maria will have to put some of the items still in the lock up, in her trolley - that will be mainly childrens books that we have already sorted. I will aim to go back to the lock up and bring more things home to sort through. There are action men and jigsaws left to check through and another clothes rail that Rachel is going to have - handy when they do their loads of ironing and it is one that can be taken apart and stored. She is calling in this afternoon after she has sorted out the local office here in town and looking forward to a chat with her. I see this evening that the One Show has a section about Hillside and Benjy their white bull - He has been there since 2014 as he was showing no interest in mating with the cows and the farmer was sending him to slaughter and decided he was gay. Well Hillside took him in and he had the op to stop any mating at all and he lives happily with the cows and Bernie the other bull (who is sterile), so will watch that this evening and remember our visit there the other week.

Rachel has just left the office and phoned to say she will be here in about 15 minutes.

Dian see it was a cold wet morning for you yesterday, but you enjoyed the shopping trip with your daughter and granddaughter. Wandered around on your own with a trolley and managed to buy a pair of earrings and then all met up again for a snack and another amble around after that and then home. Nice bright morning for you today and you are catching up with things, but more apples to pick up - must seem never ending and you will be so glad when that harvest is over and done with.

Jean, at least you got one phone call from the docs to say that David's blood results were okay, but not the one you were expecting and they couldn't trace that on the system, but have arranged that for Thursday afternoon (hopefully this year ) and hope you get the answer to that one. What a long time to get that acount on line with Sainsburys and I must admit that when I was doing the order last week, their website did seem slower than normal. See the car is still in the way, waiting for the puncture repair and then you hope to find the cushions in the garage and off for you today to the charity shops with a lot of the clearance - you must be so happy that things are now almost back to normal again.

Rita, trust you are keeping well this week and wondering if you have any trips to town planned.

Well it is now 4.45 and Rachel has just left. Saw her earrings and they are really pretty and they both enjoyed the break in London. She had been sorting out the office ready for room between each client as all of those on the course in this area must get back to the office in town. One lady she called on was the only one who wasn't too happy about it and Rachel took her along to the office to show her where everyone would be and explained that the Government has said that all schools, universities and educational establishments must now be open and people attending them. Once that lady had seen how it was all sorted she said that she was looking forward to attending, so job well done Rachel and the members of staff who helped to alter everything around. She took a few games from here to use at the caravan next weekend while she is away with Beth, Ralph and Max the dog (the one her friend owns and I opted out of that one as I really must get this garden sorted) and I said to her that if she didn't want to keep the games don't bother to get them back to me, but just get them to a charity shop. Stephen is also missing out on that one, as he wants to do a few jobs at home as things have gone a bit quiet at the moment for his work - probably the lull before the storm when the pre Christmas rush of deliveries start.

Must away now ladies and phone Maria and let her know that my trolley is full up already, but will still phone her in the morning after the boiler check and help get her trolley packed with the items from the lockup. Enjoy your evening all of you.

Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:57 pm

Hi pleased to see you are all OK.it is quiet here I did not bother to go to town today, phoned Muriel and she didn't need anything in town as has shopping places nearer and Bedford is high Covid risk. When it stopped raining this afternoon I dug up a chrysanth plant and put it in a large plant pot which I will put out front to replace geranium.

Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:21 am

Well that fairy in the gif is posing nicely, but she isn't doing any work around my garden. Got John here at the moment who is taking a bit longer than expected as there is a slight blockage in the boiler that needs clearing and as soon as he has finished I will phone Maria and tell her I am on my way to the centre.

After dealing with the two charity shops I will bring home some more things to sort through and also want to buy a couple more things in B & M. I bought two nice bright green troughs to put in the porch to hold the plants I had brought in and am really pleased with them so going to try and get another four this morning.

Rita probably wise to stay away from town as Bedford is high risk and see that Muriel has shops near to her that she can get things from, so wasn't bothering with town either. I spoke to Rachel about that NHS tracking app and now have that on my phone and according to tha, Northampton is medium risk at the moment, but will also check out the shopping centre when I go in there this morning and see what the reading is on that. See you are doing what I am, digging up some plants and putting them in planters to replace others and hope your chrysanth likes its new home.

Hope you all have a good day and expect Dian and Jean will post later.

I am off to put a couple more things in the trolley - just about squeeze them in.

Wed Sep 30, 2020 1:45 pm

we have found the cushions at last. in the back of Davids car. there are also books in there which I am giving to the charity shop.
It is dark in here at around 2pm. hopefully nearly done now. never again.....
went and dealt with Crappy Carpets and told them what I thought of their fitters, and it was the fact that they could not do the job
they kicked up when the wardrobes had to have the carpet under and said those who sell the carpets do not understand how to do the job.
so not only the dog hairs under the bed that bugged them. told them it has cost them a load of money as my friends will not shop there
in case those cowboy fitters arrive.
Rita so sad we cannot get out and meet. see Johnson is telling us what we can and cannot do this afternoon. David will watch that.
the people they fine will not pay the fines and there are not that many prison places and they are laughing......

Dian see it is a nice bright morning for you

Wed Sep 30, 2020 3:14 pm

Pauline good the lock up just about cleared .Your troughs do sound smart You would have enjoyed the visit from Rachel. You certainly have cleared the garden for next spring. Afraid I just chuck them out as too much trouble to be saving in the winter as not got a place to store them.Yes winter coming in fast now as see the leaves now falling fast.I would really wish to do more but afraid not up to it at the moment which is so annoying.
Jean bravo the cushions have been found and bet the carpet shop were not pleased by your visit when you gave them some home truths.
Rita good to hear all is fine with you and wise not to be going to places where the virus is spreading.
Well it is a wet cold morning so glad swept back patio and got lots more apples in bin yesterday. Think the rain is affecting my back as so stiff today.I have not done much so need to give myself a shake and move.

Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:06 am

it is damp here but so far no rain although there was some earlier.....shortly out on dog walk.
the weekend does not look too good, not that I am going far, hopefully over to Pauls for dinner on Sunday
the news is driving me crazy all doom and gloom.they forget that they did not test so much in the early days
so of course there are more cases now.
David should hear from the docs today, shall believe it when I hear it.

Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:56 am

Hi Ladies. No gardening yesterday, because the day was full up with plenty of other things. Boiler check was okay, so all done for another year and in fact the virus lockdown in one way did me a favour - because Ideal agreed that their maintanance was guaranteed past the due month for the annual check, when the lockdown first started and that has actually given me an extra 5 months on the warranty and I don't have to get the annual check until September next year and not in April as it would have been.

After that I phoned Maria and told her I was heading to the centre, met her there and we sorted out things for her trolley with items for DEBRA (mine already being full for Barnados) and both went straight round to those shops and got rid of those loads. Stopped for a coffee and a chat in the centre and then she was going shopping in Tescos and I went to B & M and got more of the nice troughs to hold the plants in the porch, plus a bit more frozen food and then I went back to the lock up and managed to bring home 6 of the jigsaws. Did the usual hand scrubbing and disinfecting around and then got just a cup of coffee, as I had treated myself to a toasted cheese sandwich when we were at the restaurant and then caught up with things on the computer.

Sainsbury order arrived at 3.50 and got all of that away - just two substitutions and they were okay - one of those was on toilet rolls, so looks as though there is heavy buying on them starting again. Once that was all done I then sorted out the area under the boiler where I keep the microwave and got the things back that are kept on top of that (my two decorative rumpots fit in that space nicely when not in use) and the washing up liquid, etc., back in place near the sink, so kitchen end was all straight once more. I also used some of the plastic containers that I am now gradually emptying and put all the garden items that I am using, tidily in one of them and got the garden ornaments that are waiting for repair and painting, in one of the large ones, so dining room and into the kitchen end has now more space to move around in and everything looking tidier. Last week I also had a good sort out of the books that I still have to read and got all of them in author alphabetical order in the bookcase in the upper hall and cleared quite a few for the charity shops, so gradually things are leaving here and piles of items reducing, but still loads to sort through on any bad weather days.

Today although dull (bit of sunshine here and there), it is supposed to be dry with more rain arriving tomorrow afternoon and before I went out yesterday I did cover some of the planters that are waiting for sieving with a plastic cover, so hoping I can get some more of them cleared without it being such heavy work when it is damp. Aiming to finish the begonias and geraniums today and get the rest of them in.

Jean good to read you have found the cushions at last hidden in the car, so another job out of the way and you also found books in there which are going to the charity shop. Glad you got to the carpet people and told them what you thought about that first bunch of cowboys that came along - hopefully they might remove them from their list of contractors, because they should do. Yes it is damp here to today, but we didn't get the early rain like you, so at the moment it is drying out well and I will soon get out there. At least you have got the dinner at Paul's to look forward to over the weekend, because as you say, all doom and gloom on the news at the moment and don't know whether we are coming or going with all of the different rules and regulations. Fingers crossed that David does hear from the doc's today.

Dian the trouble is that a lot of those planters are large good ones (and hopefully won't use so many this year) and are too expensive to chuck out, plus the flower pots I am talking about are good size large ones too, so worth hanging onto. I know you are finding it annoying not being able to do as much as you used too and particularly with your back playing up again at the moment. Must admit that everything takes me double the time to get through. See you managed to sweep the patio yesterday even though it was cold and wet and there were more apples to clear up and get in the bin - this time of the year it does get so untidy and now facing more leaves falling and having to be cleared.

Rita I hope your week is going well and you have a break from the rain today.

Going to get a light early lunch and then off I must go to the garden - hope you all enjoy your day.

Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:59 pm

Pauline lock up must be nearly empty so another chore solved Good news about the boiler for another year .Great you got more of your troughs. Hope you got your gardening done today.
Jean hope David hears from his Doctor today .Nice to look forward to Sunday going out to Pauls for dinner.Hope you did get out for your walk with Coco
Rita hope your having a nice day.Think we are all so fed up with the news we are getting everyday
Surprised dry today so far so will hang out a small washing .Showered and hair washed and set also had a snack so will go and get some more work done.
Have a good day ladies

Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:37 pm

Not sure what is happening on here it seems I csnnot get up to date. Can hardly see what I am typing. I sm OK snd hope you too are all ok.

Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:50 pm

Hi Ladies, just got in here before midday so using a good morning gif, but it will be gone midday before I finish, so hoping you all have a good afternoon and evening.

Well certainly not the weather for any outdoor work today as it is raining again and am very pleased that I managed to get on with so much yesterday. Only two more begonias and the remaining geraniums to get in and those that are indoors seem to be happy in the new troughs in the porch. Having covered a lot of the containers to be sieved through, I managed to do a few more of these, including 2 more larger planters and also dug in a lot more compost and finished right along the bed edging the patio where a lot of the lupins and delphiniums are. 7 baskets done and 2 more to do, so getting there. At least with the rain there are milder temperatures and the chrysanths are full of buds, so waiting to see the blooms on them. There are several plants like the Himalayan Honeysuckle growing in planters, so when they are shifted outside that will clear another couple of planters (and putting 2 photos below of what that looks like) and I am going to get them outside to shield the section of new fencing that is a bit bare of plants and they grow tall and bushy:-

They keep their foliage through the winter and the flowers turn into berries that the blackbirds love.

Dian, yes lockup is almost finished - there is a case of good china and glass, plus the action men, an action man motor bike and a large toy lorry, a few more jigsaws and I will get that lot home here to sort through and make decisions on. The clothes rail for Rachel to come back here, plus some metal basket containers that I want and then it leaves the wrapping materials, coat hangers and bags, plus fancy gift bags to make decisons on. Probably 3 more trips by me might finish it all. With all of the depressing news getting us down, it is a case of keeping ourselves occupied with things and doing our best to stay cheerful and see you got a dry day, which was unexpected and got some washing done and out and you were planning some more work indoors. Hope the back pain has eased.

Jean I do hope that the phone call came through from the docs for David.

Rita, I had to log in this morning before I could post and see you were having trouble with getting up-to-date on here, but pleased to read you are okay.

Now 12.45 as I did get a short phone call while I was typing and think it is time for lunch and then the ironing to tackle and can then cross that off the list of indoor jobs for a while, until the next pile starts.

Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:46 pm

Tbyes

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I was very tired when I got home and I had no energy left to do anything. Don't exoect to see anyone until Sunday but looking forward to Sue coming for lunch. I have turkey joint in the freezer so I wll cook that, haha a Xmas lunch.! .
Pauline, that lock up is surely an Alladins cave, seems never ending it must have been packed full from floor to curling. What a relief when you can hand the keys over. Maria also has done well still helping whenever she coukd even though enduring chemo therapy and the ongoing worry of that. Do You think you wnill go to Stephens fir Xmas? Limited numbers still .then.
Dian, it's good that you are still getting out. And about, we must be careful here as town area is on high risk,
Jean, hurrah! You found them! Will you get the car fixed. Did David get word from the hospital? Is he any better.
Builders are still busy next door, putting up some fencing at the front, lots to do yet, on two bungalows, perhaps they will be finished by Xmas.
Just had post to say gas check up on the 14th then done for a year. On Wednesday the Smart meter was installed, it shows what's switched on and usage, not really a help to me as I don't waste, but it will save me having to read an outside meter when bills are due.
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Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:23 pm

it is monsoon today, so went to Currys to get a music centre, that is what they are called now.had to isolate outside Riverside, asked what I wanted, got in and they
did not nave any, so redirected to another store. got one there, had to queue again but this time I did get offered an umbrella. no wonder nobody shops.
yes the doc rang yesterday, and said all his bloods were fine. BUT when David told him about his wobbly legs he did not reply....so he still cannot do
much. I could have thumped the two of them.I am trying to get David to have a scooter.
the car should be fixed next week maybe...fed up with it all.
hope they finish those bungalows soon Rita and you have nice neighbours, wonder what we will get.
Pauline that garden should be prefect now. wish I could do mine more.
Dian glad you recovered from your outings.
Even Coco is tired, yesterday she fought with the magpie over her bone and she won. she is not afraid of it. it wants her bone.(lamb shank bone)

Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:28 pm

Good news lock up nearly empty Pauline. Loved your plants they did look impressive. You certainly worked hard in the garden yesterday Hope you got all your ironing finished
Jean laughed at Coco with the magpie over her bone. Good you managed to get your music centre Good David,s bloods were fine but sorry to hear how bad his legs are. A scooter sounds a good idea.
Rita that does sound a nice meal you will be making for Sue .Nice to look forward to her visit
Turned out a nice day though chilly in the morning. Daughter picked me up at 10am and we went to shopping mall.I shopped in M&S food hall then popped into Debenhams and got a nice long pink cardigan in sale then another 10% off it.Met up with my daughter again then we went to that nice hotel for lunch then home.There was going to be a wedding as piper was waiting in grounds. Would have liked to have seen the bride

Sat Oct 03, 2020 11:23 am

I see you got a bargain yesterday Dian and had the lunch out lovely
Pauline liked the look of those flowers and useful as the blackbirds love them
it is monsoon here today. Coco knows she is not going out in that
the dreaded football is on around 12pm shall retreat to the bedroom and watch
the red shoes.saw that many years ago with my mum
woke up with a pain down my right arm and shoulder blade. improving now
could not have used this earlier on

Sat Oct 03, 2020 1:51 pm

Pauline not sure if you will be gardening today but if weather is like it is here guess no gardening Hope your having a good day
Jean see your having miserable weather like me. enjoy your film
Rita hope your having a good day and better weather than here
Well a real miserable wet day here so just going to have a lazy day........still getting so many stupid calls Latest one your broadband going to be cut off ...grrrr
Got a phone call from D_I_L they will pick me up tomorrow to go out for lunch so looking forward to that. Have a good day all OOps just seen it has Friday on it not going to change as will get into a pickle

Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:30 pm

Well ladies, this is definitely monsoon weather and no let up yet and still more to come and Rachel is away in her friend's caravan at Skegness with Beth, Ralph and Max the dog - what awful weather for them and all I can say is that I am glad I refused that trip because I had so much to do - not that I can get on with anything outside in this weather, but I did get all of that ironing done yesterday and having hung all of that on the four poster, I think it is time that I went through the wardrobe again to see what can be shifted out to the charity shops so I can get the ironing away . I have also got a lot of seeds indoors that have dried and can get them out of their pods and store them in the paper bags I keep indoors over the winter, so plenty to keep me busy. All I can say about this weather is that the chrysanths are loving it and the buds are getting much larger.

I have done it again - there was a very good offer from Thompson and Morgan on potted shrubs at £4 each, so ordered some of them and three of them I had planned to buy anyway (to put in large planters and use mainly shrubs in that end bed) and here they are:-

The first one is a skimmia and I already have one of them and wanted a second one. Second photo is the golden conifer I wanted to brighten up the end bed and have got two of them coming - they can be fast growing, but intend to keep them clipped as far as height and width is concerned. Now that third photo shows the Goji berries and I have two of them coming. They will probably take a couple of years to produce fruit and are prickly shrubs, but used to dealing with that when I am harvesting the gooseberries. Also they didn't cost me anything, except a bit of work on surveys and paid for that lot with the money received from some of them, which was in the PayPal account.

Texted Rachel to see how they were getting on and just received a message back to say they were heading back to the caravan all wet and sandy after taking Max for a walk on the beach and going to clean and dry off and looking forward to a lunch. Bet Max enjoyed it all.

I started this lot just after midday and had a couple of phone calls come through and messaged and got back the reply from Rachel and since then have had a real problem getting this post on here, because each time I have previewed it, the colours and fonts weren't responding, then lost half of it and had to start again, so switched and opened up the site for a second time (after copying some of it and saving that on Wordpad) and will eventually get this posted 3 hours after starting it.

Rita see you got your Sainsburys shopping and wiped that all down and put away and then off to get the flu jab and got soaking wet coming back on Thursday and no wonder tired out after that lot. See you are looking forward to Sue arriving on Sunday for lunch and you are planning to roast that turkey joint - as you say, a pre-Christmas lunch. As I am in the family bubble I will be spending Christmas in Rugby. The problem we have is that normally I would have had a pre-Christmas get-together here during November (before Stephen gets too busy) and that would have involved all of the family from Rugby and Aimie and Sean with the children and Maria and myself (and in the past would have included Gennie) - well that can't take place this year and we are wondering if at least myself, Stephen and Rachel can get a meal booked to get together with Aimie and Sean and the children, but we are going to have to see what the rules are with regard to that. I am very thankful that I am getting to the end of the lockup clearance and when I first started clearing it before the lockdown, there was no way I was going to let Maria get involved because of her chemo just starting and I did get five big loads shifted before lockdown. After lockdown I spent time getting things sorted in there and bringing a lot home and it was so cold working at the back of that building and Maria couldn't work in temperatures like that. By the time the charity shops opened up again I had sorted quite a lot and it is only recently that I agreed to let Maria help with a couple of lighter loads, but thankfully near the end of it now and the last loads have to come home to me, so can do that by myself (that is when the weather improves ) and will try and remember to take a photo of it when it is emptied. See you have received a message to say gas checks up on 14th and then done for a year, plus you have the smart meter now installed and as you say, not much use to you as you aren't wasteful, except not having to read it, but perhaps it would be wise to check the readings against the bill your receive, because we are still hearing about so many hiccups with them. I am still not happy about them and won't accept one being installed here. Fencing going up at the front of the new bungalows next to you and builders still busy there and I hope that work is all over for you soon.

Jean, bit of a run around for you with regard to Currys and then after waiting outside at the Riverside branch you still had to go to another branch to get a music centre. I won't shop with them, because I don't like the attitude of the staff at that branch (which is nearest to me) and find all they want to do is sell you warranties - told them last time I had to go in there, that if they said one more word about insurance or warranties I was out of there. Well that wasn't a lot of help from the doc with the phone call - you already knew that the bloods were okay, but needed to know about David being so bad on his legs - bet you could have banged there heads together if that had been physically possible Would be good if you could talk David into getting a scooter and see the car will be finally fixed next week. Cannot say the garden is perfect yet, but getting there and pleased with the way the 2 Himalayan Honeysuckle plants have grown in the planters, so they will be good planted outside the fence and that leaves another couple of planters cleared. Just wish I could get on with more of the garden work, but no chance in this weather and you have had far too much to do indoors, so couldn't get much in yours done. Had to laugh about Coco's fight with the magpie over the bone and her winning - would have liked to have seen that battle. Hope pain in your shoulder and arm has eased now and you have enjoyed watching Red Shoes away from the dreaded football. See it is Spurs and Man U tomorrow which Stephen will be interested in.

Dian yes the ironing all got done and as you can see from above, I need to clear out more from the wardrobe to get that all put away. Those shrubs are impressive plants and will do the job well outside of the fence and the 2 that I had growing in the garden in planters have got on so well and won't take them long to get to a good size next year and shield the fence. As you can see from above I couldn't resist getting the new ones to fill the planters with again . See you were lucky with the weather yesterday and enjoyed the trip out with your daughter and shopped in M & S food hall and got a bargain cardigan in Debenhams (nice pink one). I am always happy with the cardigans in the Debenham's sales and buy most of mine in the sales from there - probably I have too many, but nice to have different colours to match different outfits. After the shopping you went to the nice hotel for lunch and pity you had to leave before you saw the bride arrive and see there was a piper waiting in the grounds for her arrival. Rain back for you today and as you can see from above, we have had monsoon weather for the last 2 days and threatened for the rest of the weekend, so no chance with gardening and see you were planning a nice lazy day, but keep getting interrupted with those scam calls - such a nuisance they all are. See you are looking forward to lunch out tomorrow with the family - all planned when your d-i-l phoned.

I have just checked this long post on preview and thankfully all colours and fonts seem okay, so posting it quickly before there is a hiccup. Enjoy the rest of the day everyone, despite the gloomy weather.

P.S see the president who thought he knew it all and thought he was so clever for not wearing a mask as often as he should have done, has now ended up in hospital and see her indoors in the White House and some of his entourage too, have now ended up with the virus. What a stupid bunch they are and what did they expect by flouting the advice that most of us are heeding .

Sat Oct 03, 2020 10:47 pm

i have tried to adjust size etc no result!
Have not seen anyone since Thursday but spoke on messenger to my daughter by video, how fortunate we are to be able to see our loved ones like that. My son and family returned from a few days in Cornwall having had decent weather but an awful journey home in the storm. We have had torrential rain since Thursday night.
Dian, is your shopping centre covered in? you say you have been to M&S , I do miss that shop which closed in Bedford, only Debenhsms remains now. I went there a few weeks ago and it seemed to me that the clothes rails ere too close together, I felt shut in.
When we go to Sainsburys we only have one hour to get EVerything and there is not much time to look at the clothes there or a t the market stalls outside.
Jean, I hope your pains have eased. Do you take any pain killers? I don't think i does much good unless taken non stop 4 times a day, and ibrufen n etc suits different people. I hope you a re all sorted out now and everything furniture etc put back in proper places
Pauline, I hope your shrubs arrive when it's a good time for you to plant them, Lol! they will not need watering in your ganrden will have been a picture this year and you not able to have your family and friends there to enjoy it. With all the latest lockdowns there will be no Christmas parties this year. It is nice that you will be at Stephens, but not with all others
I hope you all have a pleasant week ahead.

Sun Oct 04, 2020 10:41 am

And still the rain continues, but at least it is light in this area with no wind and no flood warnings yet. So indoor jobs again today and yesterday I did manage to clear a few more things from the wardrobe and get the ironing away. I must get out tomorrow as I need a card for Hunter's 5th birthday and will get a small amount of shopping again and bring some more items home from the lockup and then after getting home with that lot, get along to Aimie and deliver Hunter's card with money for his birthday and also take the books along that I promised her for the children. Looking at the forecast it is supposed to be dry tomorrow morning until about midday, but as far as the garden is concerned it looks as though I might just be able to get out there again on Wednesday and the first job I want to do is get those plants dug in outside of the fence - should be ideal after all of the rain, for them to take.

It is getting to the stage where my hair is getting too long, but really don't want to perm it again yet, so today I will trim some off in the hope that the sets stay in that much longer and tackle the repair and painting of some of the garden ornaments and get some of them ready to go back in the garden out of the way, but some of them will have to stay indoors for the winter.

Rita I expect you are busy getting the meal ready for you and Sue today (and a roast one to look forward to). Good to read that Peter and family had some good days in Cornwall, but not a good journey home through that storm and see you have been catching up again with Leigh by video on Messenger. Yes that rain has been continual here since Thursday and made things gloomy and miserable. That hour really isn't enough time to look around when you get to Sainsburys, so expect you have to make sure you have a shopping list written out of everything you need. Yes it will be good weather to get the plants in when they arrive and all of the rain will have made the digging much easier to get the ones in that I want to shift outside of the fence. To be honest the garden has been a constant source of work this year, having not finished off things last year (getting ready for the double glazing installation) and then the fence coming down early this year, so really not being able to have people here during the first part of the lockdown, made it easier to tackle the untidy jobs and still it continues, because I am determined that when Spring does arrive next year, I will have made things that much easier to start again. Yes it will be nice to spend Christmas in Rugby, but a bit of a problem sorting something out for us to see Aimie and her family - will just have to see what the rules allow us to do in November with regard to perhaps a meal out for all of us.

Dian and Jean hope the day (despite any bad weather) goes well for you also and you both enjoy the lunches with your families.

Sun Oct 04, 2020 1:43 pm

It is horrible here. all wet and windy. no dog walk etc. went to see Oscar who is 7 today and full of it.
We usually go to Pauls for Xmas, there use to be 11 of us at one time. And of course I have the frocks bought for coach trips and no local dinners to
wear them.....
so far I have lost about 4 DVDs, no idea where they are. hope they turn up. as they are I Claudias , Zulu and Zulu dawn and others.
must be awful in the caravan Pauline, but you have to make the most of it. wet dog really smells... no dog when we lived in one.
Rita hope you get what you want in Sainsburys, it is hard to get everything done in the time.
Dian hopeyou are fine

Sun Oct 04, 2020 8:14 pm

Pauline certainly winning with the garden planting and all looking nice shrubs too.Think another week or 2 will need my hair cut and hope not a perm just yet How time flies as cant believe Hunter is 5 .Yes goodness knows what the plan will be come Xmas time
Jean my goodness see Oscar is 7 Hope you find your cds .Bet you enjoyed watching Red shoes
Rita good your son and family enjoyed their break but shame about the journey home.Yes it is great you can talk to your daughter on Messenger.I laughed today while having our meal out on the next table a baby about 6 months sitting watching a dvd but it was a baby .programme .Yes my shopping mall is covered in which is good on a wet day but need transport to get there You will be glad when the bungalows are finished
Started off a dull morning but did brighton up a lot and sun came out with nice blue skies. Thought we were going to local restaurant but it was a run to a coastal town called Girvan Really enjoyed the run there and back Dinner was lovely so really enjoyed it.Left at 1am got home after 5pm hope all enjoyed their weekend