Re: Hello Everyone

Mon Oct 26, 2020 3:45 pm

see you had a nice time at the dentist Dian and good that nothing needed doing. my teeth will have fallen out before I get an appointment.
Rita glad you got out and spoke to a neighbour. it is sad those buses are getting full and agree about you not going for a while.
Pauline thanks for the infor about arthritis tablets, will tell David but it is like talking to yourself mainly
Today we went to Lode, an olde worlde village near Cambridge, but on the way home, the motorway had a pile up and we managed
to get off it, otherwise would still be there now.
I hope you get that lock up lock sorted Pauline, strange that
Before that I went to the chemist to get my last batch of tablets, but they gave me some for David as well which I did not ask for
and put my blood pressure pills in with his. good job my brain is working a bit

Tue Oct 27, 2020 11:59 am

Hi Ladies. Chrysanths in the gif today as mine have just started opening. The one I potted on 2 years ago that started as a small lemon yellow, is opening again back to its natural golden yellow colour and the medium pink ones that Rachel and I bought (repotted mine after their first blooms this year) are turning back to a deep red colour by the look of the buds and am happy about that. Those 6 I bought the other day that were reduced, 1 of them is a pale pink and the others are a bronze pink colour, so will be interested to see what natural colour they return to next year. Don't think there is going to be any gardening for me today as the rain started about 7.30 and it is still drizzling. I have plenty to do indoors after bringing home that last load from the lock up - sorting through loads of bags (gift, carriers (medium and large), large black ones and the heavy duty bags for life), plus a lot of wrapping materials for china and ornaments and a roll of shrinkwrap. Plenty of hangers too and decided what to keep and some are already in the recycling. Recycling was collected this morning and will get that bin in and start filling it again.

The muddle over the lockup was sorted. I followed up the email with a phone call and arranged to meet Gemma from the office, at 1.30 by the poppy stall. Apparently they hadn't realised that I had left a key with them to undo our padlock and had sawn through it (not a problem as it was only a cheap one) and that was to check to see if the area was empty enough for the Poppy Fund men to store their items in at night time (and they started yesterday and will be there all week). Our few items had been left in there and Gemma arrived with a security man and had a quick chat with her and handed her the £50 (received a nice email later and will put a copy of that on here) and then the security man got the key for the new padlock from one of the Poppy Fund raisers and off we went. He didn't think that I would get everything in the trolley, but told him that I would work on the items in the corridor and would be okay, so he locked up and took the key back to Poppy Fund Stall (and I did buy my poppy yesterday and it was nice to know that the lockup was going to still be used for some good fundraising for a while).

I took the metal stand apart and the wooden slatted shoe rack and got that all in diagonally in the trolley along with the bed tray table, shoved a lot of the bags and wrappping items in the gaps and also put the long cardboard tube in another gap (and put the roll of shrinkwrap in that) and then hung a bag either side off of the metal stand legs and finally lodged a plastic white box on top (containing ring boxes) and then dumped the large grey crate on top of it all to hold it all secure with plastic over that in case it rained as I walked home. Also had my shopping bag and handbag hanging at the back on the handles and here are the photos.

Pauline the bag lady's trolley on its final trip - home at last :-

1 and 2 front and back with plastic cover on. 3 and 4 front and back with plastic off. 5 and 6 back and front with crate off. 7 some of the items unloaded and 8 looking down into the trolley ready for unloading. The metal stand was about 1ft x 1ft and 3ft tall and the wooden shoe rack about 2ft tall and 8 inches wide and once taken apart fitted in diagonally next to the bed tray with legs closed down, so got it all back in one go and I did walk home as thought I had better not inflict that lot on the bus

Copy of the email from the centre which was really nice to receive and can say that through all of our sales they have been really so helpful and we even received items to sell from Kevin and Manager and Louise, one of the ladies on the team who gave us all the action men (sold heaps of those and a few are now going into Hunter and Kylian's toybox and Gennie is having a few for some of her many godsons.

"Centre Admin 15:45
Hi Pauline,
Thank you for popping up today and for collecting everything, I hope you managed to get everything ok?
Thanks again for the final donation to our charity of the year fund, it is most appreciated.
It’s been lovely having you at the Centre these last few years, and you should be proud of all the great work you have achieved and donations that you made to ourselves and all the other charities you have helped over the years.
Take care of yourself, Send our well wishes onto Maria and hopefully we will see you in the Centre from time to time.
Kind regards
Gemma Brown,
Centre Administrator"

Now I have done that long message I am going to finish it and read all of your posts and then do one after that answering you all.

Tue Oct 27, 2020 12:35 pm

Back again and it has now gone midday after that long post previously. Been getting along well with bag and wrapping sorting and think next before any further sorting, that I might just put my clothes away in the wardrobe, that are still hanging on the 4 poster since I did the ironing and then the spare bedroom will be cleared again, Craft room is looking very full up and my bedroom needs bed stripped and a good dusting and vacuuming carried out. Now downstairs is still in a complete muddle with more sorting and repair to do, but as I am stuck in all day because of the rain, I might make a bit of headway. Got the Sainsburys delivery arriving too between 4 and 5.

Yesterday Jean sent me some photos, one of her front garden taken from upstairs and the other one of thatched property in the village of Lode, Cambs, where they visited yesterday:-

Jean thanks for those two lovely photos and it was a good job that you were able to divert from the motorway on the return journey because of that accident, otherwise you might have been stuck there for ages. Well you can only tell David about those Glucosamine Sulphate tablets helping with the joints, in the hope that he might take notice, but that is men for you. The only aversion to them that someone might have is if they are allergic to shell fish because that medication comes from them. You can pick them up at Savers, Wilkos, etc., and Savers are usually the lowest price. As you can see from the previous post, lock up all sorted and finally finished with. Good job your brain was working seeing as the chemists had muddled up yours and David's orders - that just shouldn't happen.

Dian, as you will read from my previous post, lockup all thankfully sorted and over and done with - well except for the sorting now being done at home . See it was a damp miserable morning yesterday for you and you got a taxi both ways to and from the dentist and good news there, that nothing needs doing. See you got the taxi to drop you off at the local shops and cafe and you got some shopping and enjoyed a snack and then home for a cuppa.

Rita, you can see that I gave you as much information as I could about Sainsbury's deliveries and some of them are quite expensive. Got my invoice through from them this morning and see there are two substitutions (both acceptable) and one missing item which is the deionised water I use for the steam iron, but can get that at Tescos and at times Wilkos stock that. Hope today is going well for you.

Well ladies I think it is lunch next for me and then on with the clearance. Have a good afternoon and evening.

.

Tue Oct 27, 2020 1:56 pm

Well it is a right wet miserable day and chilly too so certainly not venturing out today. Will maybe go and do some paperwork after I finish some work upstairs. Nothing new from yesterday except the same old depressing news. Ordered my pills
Pauline think you will be working inside
Jean hope you and David are fine and having a good day
Rita wishing you a good day too with no upsets
So depressing looking out the window. Everybody passing by with umbrellas and looking miserable. I thought it would maybe brighten up but no such luck

Tue Oct 27, 2020 8:19 pm

I thought that I had posted this morning then it said others posting at same time so lost it.
Jean, your garden looks huge, lots of sweeping up of leaves to do when the trees shed. Those cottages at Lode look quaint, never heard of that village, I bet it costs a fortune to live there.
Strange the mix up about your medication, should not happen.

Dian, you had successful visit to Dentist, all well, then a nice place for a cuppa. I have dentist appointment on 6th Nov. I have a Doctors appointment tomorrow afternoon in town surgery so will get taxi there and back from that.

Pauline, I am amazed that you managed to get so much packed into and onto your shopping trolley. It must have been such hard work managing to keep that load stable all the way home. You are a marvel! Now you have to find a place for everything, you certainly have patience.

I am pleased I swept the dry leaves yesterdsy and bin men collected today, it's teemed with rain today and even more leaves dropping

Tue Oct 27, 2020 8:29 pm

I hadn't quite finished that posting but it's gone, I hope it has posted and appeared on here.
I had not seen my next door neighbour and thought her friend further down street must be in hospital, but today saw Jan outside and Beryl had had slight stroke but had got help quickly been taken to hospital Bedford and then to Luton/Dunstable. She is home now and had been for walk with Jan. They had got bus for two stops to post office then walked back, Amazing.
Other neighbour is going to Devon on Friday to her sister's funeral , back here next day, .15 people allowed.

Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:31 am

Do not know what happened yesterday but your posts were not on when I posted so missed all you did on your busy day Pauline and Jeans was not there either Must have been some blip .Well you sure were very busy and amazed you got so much done That was a lovely letter you received for all your charity work from the centre. You did well in transporting what was left in lock up. Your flowers looked so nice as well so you must have been so pleased with how much you packed into that day.
Jean that did sound a really nice day out except for journey home but did well in getting off motorway Photos of garden really nice
Rita see you too had a busy day. Pleased your neighbour has recovered so well from her stroke .Think if they get attention right away can help a lot .Hope your visit to the doctors goes well. Good your son will get your shopping for you
Well another miserable wet day but has eased off a bit. Now going to get some housework done

Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:11 pm

thank you Pauline for putting the photos on here. my garden just looks bigger than it is.
the leaves are swirling round when I went out with COco today, it was cold too due to the wind.
Pauline the centre did appreciate you there and that is a nice letter they gave you. I am going round tescos
later, h0pefully not a lot there, shall go around 1.30pm but he has to watch the local news.......three times a day
David cannot walk around there now.......nothing from Barry he said he would phone.
see you are going to the dentist Rita, mine would not let me down there until this is over.......................
however did you drag that trolley Pauline?
Dian we nearly got killed on Monday by a lorry pulling in and then pulling out again and one or two other incidents
It made me think about going out. we use to do 300 miles like going to Derbyshire but David cannot do that now
his knee is playing up and he is having trouble with the clutch.....something has to be sorted

Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:53 pm

Hi Everyone, well it was an in and out day for me. First of all I went out and got the recycling bin in because by the time I remembered it yesterday it was getting too dark to slip and slide on the bank outside. Anyway that is now in and the indoor bin for recycling is already full so will empty that into the bin outside tomorrow. Then as it was sunny I got cracking and tackled that large sack of stuff waiting for composting and sat there and got all of that chopped up into smaller pieces and into the compost bin. Decided then that I needed to sieve some more earth and fibre, because the sacks of that already done, plus the composting, was getting quite low and will obviously need much more of that to get those old crates in use for other plants, to put in the corner I have been working on. Got ready to start and down came the rain, so in I came again and did some work on the computer and out again after half an hour and got cracking once again. Got about two thirds of a bag full and back came the rain and decided that it was going to be like that for the rest of the day, so it was going to be indoor jobs. One load of laundry just finished in the washing machine (and that was a lot of damp gardening clothes) and I have just put the second load in, including bedding and after posting on here I am going straight upstairs to make the bed before I get a nasty surprise when I want to go to bed.

Yesterday it was indoors all day because of the heavy rain and got all of the bag sorting finished, then started on the two stands, that I had brought home and put them together again and the wooden one well glued. After that decided that the kitchen end needed a good clear up. I have a good size piece of thick vinyl, which matches the kitchen flooring and that is placed in front of the cooker, the worktop where I prepare food and drinks and and running along to partly in front of the sink, the places where more things get splashed and spilt. Well that is bordered with thick wool type stitching and that had started to fray and was annoying me, so worked on removing that and it looks much better without it too. Anyway before I had finished that, knock on the door and Sainsburys earlier than scheduled. Got all of that sorted and put away and talk about one job leading to another. I keep the laundry and washing up liquids, etc., that are in use, in the cupboard next to the washing machine and sink, but keep any extras in a cupboard in the downstairs loo. Couldn't get the spare items all in that cupboard, so stepping stool out and had a good clear out and turn around of that. Decided after putting things in properly that I have enough reed defusers for a while and at the back of one of the sections were quite a few of the plug in type things that you could put the air fresheners in, but haven't used them for a very long time, after we were told they were dangerous and could cause fires, so they went into the recyling bin and that made more room. Got everything packed away and then went back to the removal of the remainder of the stitching and got that and the kitchen floor finished. After doing all of that work I went back to the computer work and as I knew the programmes I wanted to watch were recording upstairs and got interested in something on another channel while still downstairs, so sat there watching that and worked on getting all of the wallflower seeds out of their pods (fiddly job that).

Here are some photos of those 2 stands, so you can see why they needed taking apart to get into the trolley:-

I have already had an early bath and am sitting here in my pyjamas, so work for me this evening will be trying to do a bit more seed sorting and got the paper bags ready for putting them in while I was sorting bags yesterday. As I was up late yesterday, I did look at the new properties on the NPH site, but still nothing for Gennie out of the new ones listed after midnight - 11 properties - 10 flats and one 2 bedroom house, so fingers crossed for next week that a bungalow might appear in the area she would like. Also will phone Gennie in the morning and let her know and make arrangements to go and see her next week.

Dian I see it was a really wet and miserable day for you yesterday and strange our posts weren't showing up on here. See you planned to do some work upstairs and paperwork sorting (and that does pile up) and then order your pills. You were right, it was indoor jobs for me yesterday and mostly today and see you said about looking out of the window you could see people walking past with umbrellas up and looking miserable and no wonder, the news doesn't help and this evening we were told on our local news they have just said that although it was thought it was Nottingham going to Stage 3, it is now the entire county. Yes, I was really happy with that email from the centre and also with the fact that the lockup is finally cleared. I suppose the jobs I have to do around here now is what you call "collateral damage", but will gradually get through it. Reading your post from today, see the weather hadn't improved much and you were planning to do more housework.

Jean yes we were very happy with that email from the centre and you were right about it being a cold wind this morning when you were out with Coco and I guess the rain would have arrived before you got to Tescos. See you haven't heard from Barry yet although he said he would phone you and hope he is okay and hasn't got any worse. That trolley isn't one of the pull along ones, so didn't have to pull it - just slowly push it along and make sure that load didnt' shift, but I had packed it firmly. Glad to know you weren't involved in any accidents on Monday and managed to miss the accident and get off the motorway and not get stuck in the holdup. Does make you think about going anywhere at the moment, with David not being fit enough and you not being able to drive that far - frustrating for you because I know you love to get out, but better to be safe. Happy to get the photos on for you and I know you say the garden probably looked bigger than it is, but still plenty of work to do with regard to the leaves and my lawn is covered at the moment - easy enough I suppose to rake them up, but fiddly job getting them off of the planters and from the plants I have already got in them and the dug over beds

Rita, I hope the appointment at the doctors this afternoon went okay for you and you got the taxi there and one back without any trouble. It wasn't too bad pushing that trolley back home as it was packed very firmly and balanced well and you can see from those photos above that I couldn't have done that in one go if those stands had been in one piece, but got them apart easily and both of them are now back as they should be and the wooden one firmer than it ever was - used the wood glue on that. As you say, now got to make sure everything is sorted and stored out of my way and decisions to be made to perhaps selling some of it on Facebook Market Place or perhaps the Nextdoor site, if there is going to be a long time before the clubs or residents council get going again - because we thought that they might need a sale to raise funds for them, but looks as though it is going to be a long time before that happens. If I can sell some of the items, then the funds can be kept for them or perhaps another charity. Lucky you got the leaves swept up on a dry day ready for collection yesterday. Dian also had trouble yesterday on here and couldn't see any of our posts and then you lost an early one because you thought other people were posting and I know that has happened to me before.

Well ladies I must away now to make the bed and then settle down for the seed sorting after I have decided what I want for a meal. Hope you all have a restful evening.

Thu Oct 29, 2020 10:38 am

Barry phoned me last night. He seemed happy enough but no nurse has visited to check on him. His son should be coming from Glasgow on the 14th Nov.
and they have sorted out how they can speak and not meet.
David is having his feet done at the moment, she comes to the house now. so I am in here as cannot be in there.
it is terrible weather this morning, monsoon yet again. prefer the cold wind, at least can go out in that no dog walk today.
I have put the new pillows I got from Tesco yesterday they felt quite firm. before chucking out the others have to
see how they go.
Rita hope you were ok yesterday.
Dian you must have sent the rain down here
Pauline all that work you have done, here things seem never ending

Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:39 am

Such frustrating weather at the moment - cannot get on outside and got washing drying indoors getting in my way and indoor plants waiting to be repotted, but making a space and covering the area with plastic sheeting and getting out the paints, varnish and hot glue gun and going to work on trying to finish a lot of the garden ornaments that can go outside again and can put away the ones that have to be kept indoors and that will give me a bit more room to move in. I did get the bed made up again before I got too tired so that was something.

Jean, yes it is horrible weather this morning, so no walk for Coco and see that David is having his feet done so that confined you to another room. Agree with you, that with all the upheaval of decorating, carpet laying and getting things back into place and all the work I have been trying to get through, just seems never ending at the moment - you still haven't been able to find some items and I am trying like mad to reduce the amount that needs doing. Glad to read that Barry phoned and his son is arranging to visit him from Glasgow on 14th November, but still no further visit from a nurse, but seemed happy enough. Hope the new pillows are comfortable and you can get rid of the others.

Hi also to you Dian and Rita and I know it will be probably miserable weather with you also, but hope you all get a cheerful day. I am off to make a coffee first and then wield the artist's brushes .

Thu Oct 29, 2020 1:19 pm

Pauline good you can now get on with indoor work with the garden ornaments .Yes do think we are all getting wet miserable weather At least you will be comfortable working indoors
Jean yes wise to stay indoors with this miserable weather Good to hear from Barry He will be looking forward to his sons visit which will cheer him
Rita do hope all went fine at the Doctors and you are having a good day
Well just another wet miserable day but glad I lifted leaves yesterday .Got showered and set hair this morning .Son popped in yesterday for a quick visit The news is so depressing. Going to an Asda outside Glasgow for glasses tomorrow with daughter so hopefully will get something to suit at a better price than Spec Savers .Not good news here about this virus

Thu Oct 29, 2020 8:39 pm

Hi ladies. It's rained sll day. I left word that I would not go in the Sainsbrys bus sny more as it is so full have to sit next to one another and rules to sit apart, so I will just settle for local shop deliveries. Limited stock but I will not starve!!
Yesterday it was a new lady Doctor, she was lovely, have me medication and she will ohone me in a month. It was at a different surgery taxi there and back, £8.80 each way, off bus routes.
I have been invited out to tea tomorrow, just a walk up the road to friends house, will sit 6 feet apart. I hope rain stops, don't want to get soaked walking there, I walk slowly now.
I tried to take a photo of flowers , alstromeria, that I brought in from the rain, but I don't know how to work this iPad , jusy getting photos of myself!
I know you will have been busy whatever the weather Pauline.
Dian, I hope you got some suitable specs ay Aldi. I am not happy with mine from Boots.
Jean, good that chiropodist comes to house for David, do you do your own feet?..does Coco get restless when she Cannot go walkies this weather, from my window I see dogs with their little coats on and ow ners with big umbrellas all hurrying to the a Green opposite me.
I have just completed an order to Oakhouse frozen foods they will deliver here on Monday and as I'm not going to Sainsburys now, I like to have A few ready meals in for days when I don't feel like cooking.

Fri Oct 30, 2020 8:32 am

Yesterday I did manage to do a bit of garden ornament repair, but also needed to finish the new toy boxes for Hunter and Kylian and get them placed in the lounge, so got down to cleaning and sanitising all of the toys and making sure any small items that were okay for Hunter were out of the way because of Kylian. Hunter has a lot of new larger items, so that shouldn't bother him and sorted the right size toys for Kylian. That took a long time and also finished sorting and sanitising the items going to Gennie. Got the toy boxes placed in the lounge and then needed to straighten up that room, so that lot practically took all day. Washing eventually dried indoors so that is no longer in the way, but that has started the ironing pile once again .

I know it is fairly early, but it is dry at the moment and wondering if after I have posted this, whether I just might get a few more jobs done outside, because I want to get the rest of the plants repotted that need to come indoors, the shelving shifted that I want to fleece for protection of the tender plants and the fuchsias cut back for putting on that shelving - getting late into Autumn now and must get that protection done. So again flying from one job to another because the weather dictates and nothing finished. Stephen phoned yesterday and said that it was cold where he has the warehousing in Leicestershire - he has now got the nextdoor warehouse to his original one, but trouble is that there is no connectig doors, so shutters up on both warehouses as he takes things back and forth on the forklift and both warehouses getting cold inside. He said he hoped I wasn't working in the cold, but replied that at least I can wrap up against that, but it was the rain that I couldn't work in because of the type of jobs that needed doing and of course, it rained until late afternoon here.

Jean I reckon you just might be able to get a walk in with Coco early this morning while it is still dry out there, because there was certainly no walk for her yesterday.

Dian, see it was another wet, miserable day for you yesterday so you were glad that you had lifted some leaves the day before and nice that your son had also called in for a short while on Wednesday. It is really worrying to hear the latest news about the virus, because it seems to be getting such a grip again everywhere and with the hospitals starting to cope with other winter problems, they seem to be getting so full again. Anyway I do hope you get the specs sorted at Asda today when your daughter takes you there and you enjoy the outing.

Rita, well you have certainly sorted out the deliveries after deciding that you shouldn't be using the Sainsbury's bus again - sensible decision too as it is now crowded. As you say, limited stock at local shop, but reasonable delivery charges and see you have already ordered some ready meals from Oakhouse Frozen Foods. Good to read that the visit to the doctor went well and a new lady doctor saw you, got your medicaton from her and she is phoning you in a month. Reasonable taxi fare and that kept you dry for the visit there and back. Noted what you said about the alstromerias that you cut and brought in and same here, mine still blooming and a lot of other plants too. I will hate cutting back the fuchsias, because they are brilliant at the moment. Enjoy the visit for tea at your friend's house today and do hope it stays dry for you walking there.

Going to take the chance now and get in the garden and see how much I can achieve while it is still dry. Have a good day all of you.

Fri Oct 30, 2020 11:47 am

I went up the docs. today for a b12 jab. this time did not feel a thing. they usually fizz, which is they way they work.it is windy but had to stay outside the
amber door and wait for them to open up for me. you have to press the buzzer, last time I had to press it three times to get them to reply, this time I kept
my finger on it and that made them answer quicker.
Rita I have bought a little fleece for Coco to wear when we go out, but it has to be cold enough for this. I was stupid went down to get her some
toys and there it was at B & M. (we cannot find her favourite blue toy at the moment.....) when I put it on here will do a little snap. she does have two
other little coats, B & M is much cheaper than Pets R Us. I got her a £1 one for Xmas.
Hope your specs are cheaper at the moment Dian. do not think the Asda in Rushden does them here.
Pauline hope you managed to get into the garden.

Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:29 pm

Pauline well you certainly busy as ever and got lots finished The boys will like their new toy boxes. Maybe Stephen will get a connecting door between the warehouses
Jean good your injection all went well The coat will make it nice and cosy for Coco
Rita good all went well at the Doctors .Makes such a difference when you get someone who is pleasant .Nice to have the tea outing to look forward too
Well was a nice sunny morning so hung out small washing Daughter picked me up at 11oclock We went to a large shopping centre out of Glasgow 20mins on motorway.There was a large B&MS which I enjoyed going round then we had a nice snack.After that went to a large Asdas there.Got 2 pair of glasses for £260 and that was varifocal.lighter lenses and reactor glass and another item cant remember what but was pleased Get them in 2 weeks.Popped into Debenhams on way home to pay a bill and found cannot pay in store .Daughter phoned in for me so something else out the way also she will post letter to Australia for me.She also brought washing in for me.Now going to have something to eat but not really feeling hungry but know I must have something.

Sat Oct 31, 2020 8:49 am

Good Morning Ladies.

After posting yesterday I did go straight out into the garden and worked from 8.30 until 4.30 and got a lot sorted. All the geraniums are now potted up and indoors and the last begonia. Fuchsias cut back and repotted and now waiting for me to shift the shelving and winter fleece that, which hopefully I can achieve this morning as it has dried up again from the rain last evening (which started just after I got indoors). Not sure how long I can get away with working out there this morning because rain is forecast for today, but plenty to do indoors as I am now crowded out with plants and need to sort out the porch and get more plants in there, but ignoring that until I am rained in. Also got 3 house plants repotted and that three have now turned into 4 as the Peace Lily needed separating (whenever that happened before I was able to give away the extra plant to club members, but now stuck with that for the time being). Cleared more planters and sieved more contents and there was a pile of potting fibre and earth covered with plastic, which had been hidden behind the garden furniture which I left there a couple of months ago, but even that got shifted and I can now walk around most areas of the garden without bumping into something that needs doing (and yes there is still plenty that needs doing, but at last room to move), so pleased with how that day went.

It is a case of ignoring indoor work and taking every chance to get more garden work done at the moment. When I got indoors had a bath straight away and then spoke to Gennie and arranged to see her on Monday, caught up with Maria and she said she might come with me to see Gennie on Monday and then returned a call to Mary (my Irish friend) who had left a message. She told me that Bob had an op 3 weeks earlier and is now much better than he has been, so everyone seemed okay. After that had to catch up on computer and a bit of paperwork, so a full up day

Thinking ahead for next week and the fact that Boris is considering another full lockdown, I also sorted out my shopping list (will go to the centre after visiting Gennie on Monday) and bearing in mind that all of the card shops had to close last time, I will be checking what special (relative) Christmas cards I still need, because I know there were a couple I couldn't get earlier in the year at the sales. Apparently a full lockdown is being thought about to try and "save Christmas" - so more depressing news. It is going to be a much quieter Halloween today and see the shops were still loaded up with things for that and on the internet yesterday the larger stores were trying to shift things quickly (particularly fancy dress). I did think that there was far too much stock in the shops for Halloween and thought they would all come unstuck with that one.

Rita, well if the weather your way was the same as here yesterday, then you would have managed the visit to your friends for tea without getting rained on and hope you enjoyed it.

Jean, good idea keeping your finger on the buzzer to get into the surgery and get the B12 jab yesterday. Well Coco certainly does have a choice of coats for the chilly weather and hope you managed to get a replacement for her favourite toy at B & M. Yes, as you can see from above, I was so happy to get a full day in the garden without rain.

Dian, I see it was well worth that 20 minute trip on the motorway to get to Asda and your daughter took you to a shopping centre outside of Glasgow and you both enjoyed walking around B & M, then a snack for you both and then to Asdas where you got the two pairs of glasses at a lower price than Specsavers. Our B & M is quite a good size as they took over the old Focus store that closed years ago and they have a garden centre too and also sell quite a bit of frozen food. The one in Rugby is nextdoor to Iceland, so they don't stock the frozen food, but earlier in the year Rachel and I went to one just outside Birmingham and that was better still, with a much larger choice of garden items, etc., and we both bought planters (type I hadn't seen in our local B & M) and she also managed to find the colour and size in a rug she had been after. That was a waste of time not being able to pay a bill in Debenham's store, but see your daughter sorted that out for you on the phone and got the washing in for you (nice that got dry on a sunny day while you were out) and was going to post a card to Australia for you, so a lot accomplished between you.

It has now just gone 8.45 and is still dry outside and I am going straight outside now and see what I can get done before any rain arrives. Enjoy your Hallloween Saturday Ladies.

Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:19 pm

Pauline well you certainly have got lots up to date in garden Wish I could say the same Yes that was an extra large B&M we were in and was surprised how much more they had rather than my local Mind you makes you buy more than you intended but did enjoy change of scenery They also had a large garden centre too though I did not go near that.Gennie will enjoy your visit on Monday and good if Maria goes too. Lucky you with some dry weather
Jean hope your having a good day with David
Rita do hope you got out for your tea and enjoyed it
Well it is raining cats and dogs here with high winds so will not be venturing out .Pleased got lots in yesterday so no shopping required. Do not think there will be anyone out tonight and do not think it is safe anymore Feel sorry for the shops with so much stock and no queues anywhere Even though carparks were full yesterday shops were not that busy .

Sat Oct 31, 2020 3:59 pm

have not been out all day. very windy, with the dreaded leaves flooding the garden too wet to pick up.
the dreaded football was on lunchtime, and again Tuesday night. so I watched a film with James Mason is my choice of film star when a teenager.
Paul and Lorraine are coming for dinner tomorrow. apparently there is news on tv about 4pm so shall be off to watch that

Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:34 am

Pauline I am sure you would have got more finished in garden if the rain stayed off. You must be so pleased so much now up to date in garden
Jean you will enjoy the visit from Paul and Lorraine. Yes the wet leaves are a nuisance now. Hard work keeping up with the news now as they keep changing the goal posts
Rita hope your having a nice day with no problems
Just got a phone call from daughter she will pick me up at 4am and going to her house for dinner so happy with that. Still weather quite wild here at the moment.See Sean Connery has died still he had a good long life. Must away and do some tiding. Have a good day all

Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:45 am

Two days running I have had to log in to get into here, but probably to do with a Windows update, interfering with things. Well here we go again, all of England in lockdown from Thursday, so when I get to the centre tomorrow, after visiting Gennie, will expect to see long queues again. According to a post on our local Nextdoor site, Tescos was completely out of bread and staple foods again.

Yesterday I said I was going straight out in the garden, but first of all I got the plants, that I had brought in, placed and in plant holders that I can water them in and by the time I had done that the rain had arrived and lasted until early afternoon. Got to and continued with the indoor clear up and then Stephen and Rachel phoned and said they would call in during the afternoon as Rachel had a laptop to deliver in my area and make sure it was installed with the correct programmes. (back to online courses for some of their trainees). Had a cuppa and a natter for a couple of hours and Rachel went off for half an hour to deliver the laptop - woman made her stay outside so from the front doorstep she was having to give instructions of how to get programmes on the laptop and getting cold while she did it, Woman said to Rachel that she couldn't do anything after 20th because she had her 6 children arriving!!! Rachel said the course went on until 23rd so she would have to find a way to deal with it. Also arrangements had to be made for her to do some of the course in the morning and then again later in the afternoon as she had just got a job at the school near me for dealing with lunchtime meals - don't think that trainee is going to be much of a success and Rachel feels the same. She also asked Rachel what job she had as she was out delivering laptops on a Saturday and she replied that she was a director of that section of the company and it was a case of keeping trainees catered for and the company going with the training schemes and hopefully getting jobs for them at the end of the training. By the time she got back it had taken well over half an hour to deal with that one and she was cold and fed up . She said that there were more laptops to get out next week, but she had some days to take off and said she just might do that and just stick to the deliveries (because she was well and truly fed up with the amount of work she had to get through over the last couple of weeks) and would possibly call in again on Thursday - think she really does need a break.

We said that we really didn't know about a get-together with Sean, Aimie and the children here, because I had checked and although we thought that babies and toddlers weren't coming under the rule of 6, well they are and that would mean it would be 7 of us together at the least, so thought instead of me giving them money for the boys for Christmas, I could pay for a meal out for them with myself, Stephen and Rachel at the pub we went to in August, but that is now out - all hospitality, pubs, restaurants are to close, except for takeaways and deliveries, so that idea is out and cannot do that in December (if lockdown ends) because Stephen will be fully booked with getting items out and delivered to customers. Decision made, I am just putting up one Christmas tree for me this year, because usually do that early for the family get-together in November and that is well and truly out now. What a muddling and depressing time we are all going through.

The weather this morning started with rain and I did go outside to put some rubbish in the bin (household bin due for collection on Tuesday) and also empty some coffee grounds, broken down eggshells, shredded paper and bits off of indoor plants I had trimmed, into the compost bin, but did manage to stand there for a while in the drizzle and get all of the old blooms and buds off of those reduced price 6 chrysanths I bought and glad to say that there is new growth on all of them. I really am not sure what to do next because there are still indoor plants to repot and cannot get the plant holders away in the understairs cupboard or complete that, until I know what size plant holders I might need for them (might need larger ones than they are in at the moment) and if I take a couple of them outside to repot, then with my luck it will rain again (although at the moment the rain has stopped and it is windy with sunshine now and then). So very undecided what to tackle next.

Dian, must be so frustrating for you at the moment not being able to do all you want to do in the garden and I know by this time of the year you would be usually well and truly sorted with all of that. I agree with you, when we went to that B & M outside of Birmingham, I certainly bought more than I intended - The Range is another shop were that can happen . Good job you had plenty of shopping in as the weather was so bad your way yesterday and there was no Halloween groups about here (but the fireworks started already). Rachel said that on the estates where they live it had been suggested that people could display a poster or pumpkin and there would be no door knocking, but parents could go around with the children and have the sweets with them and when one of the children spotted a poster or a pumpkin, then the parents would give them a treat - not a bad idea that one. So much stock left in the shops and places like the card shops, The Works, etc., and now with another lockdown in England, only have a few days to sell that off quickly (as they won't be regarded as necessary shops) just miserable for everyone.

P.S Just went to post and site told me there was a new post and it was your one for today and that is good that you have your daughter picking you up this afternoon for a meal at her house, so something nice to look forward to and as you say, the way the goalposts keep altering it is hard to keep up with all we should and shouldn't do. You can see below that I mantioned that about Sean Connery to Jean. Great actor and no matter what part he played he never did try and alter that lovely Scots dialect of his - one of the few actors whose voice was instantly recognisable.

Jean, not good weather at all yesterday and then suddenly it got better in the afternoon, but no good for gathering up the leaves. If the rain keeps away I just might be able to rake the leaves off of the lawn and shoot them onto the council bank and give them back what belongs to them . I liked James Mason in films and think that was good idea of yours to watch one of his films, to get away from the football. That is three famous people we have lost in the last few days, Sean Connery (and enjoyed all of the films he was in) Bobby Ball and the footballer Nobby Stiles from the winning England World Cup Squad and Man U Player. Expect you are looking forward to having Paul and Lorraine there today for dinner.

Rita, I hope you have plenty of shopping in and can stay in the dry and warm today.

Making a cup of coffee and decision time as to what I will tackle next and hope all of you ladies can make the best of the day, despite the bad weather and bad news.

Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:11 pm

here we are off again with lockdown. James has phoned to ask if I wanted any shopping, because he is off work from Thursday yet again.
His mothers partner has been sent to the middle east and has to self isolate before he can start work there(something to do with government)
and then again on his return, so his Mother is staying with him at the moment.
Managed to get a shopping slot from Tescos here but not until 15th
most of the Xmas presents are wrapped up and ready now thank goodness. doubt if he will want to do it next year....taken him ages....
Rachel sure has a customer she could do without, having to stand outside all that time.
Rita hope you are ok and
Dian enjoyed outing with your daughter
Pauline can on put peace ililes outside

Mon Nov 02, 2020 9:44 am

Hi Everyone. What I have noticed with a lot of the images transferred to here, is that when they get on here, any animation is stopped. That water was moving in the original image and isn't now. Yesterday when I mentioned the planned get-together, I should have said that the rule of 6 is now out of the window for the time being, because we can no longer visit other family or friend's homes unless we are in the support bubble, so seeing Aimie, Sean and the children is totally out of the question now. At least I can get to Rugby for Christmas and Stephen and Rachel, etc., can visit me because we are in a family bubble. Good job we had arranged to visit Gennie this morning (and Maria will be with me too), because that will be banned from Thursday. Will definiely need to get the special Christmas cards that I need because I am sure that card shops will have to close as non necessary (like last lockdown) and expect to face long queues in the shopping centre today. Apparently it was very crowded late on Saturday and yesterday, with people getting things they needed for Christmas, because although it is said the lockdown will last until 2nd December, there are thoughts that it might go on longer. Talk about having to exercise your brain and think ahead.

Well I had thoughts of at least sifting the shelving outside yesterday, ready for fleecing that and protecting the tender plants, but when I stepped outside it did look as though I might get more time without the rain and thinking about the house plants that still needed repotting (and not being able to get the understairs cupboard sorted until I knew what plant holders I might need) I got the two largest plants from downstairs - one an indoor asparagus fern that cascades everywhere and the other is one of the umbrella variety that belonged to my Mum (and is taller than me) and managed to repot them, but had to be ruthless with the root system. The umbrella plant needed a larger planter, which thankfully fitted into the existing plant holder and the asparagus fern went back into the same size pot, having lost a load of roots, but it will survive to spite me!!. Then sorted the indoor bamboo and after that sieved a bit more fibre and did some more chopping up of things for composting and then came the rain, so a quick dash around to clear up and indoors to get another load of gardening clothes in the washing machine and by then it was about 4.30, so early bath and needed to shampoo and set my hair again - perm is going to be needed soon, but we are now into November and will hold on for another couple of weeks and get it done ready for Christmas. Having checked the other plants there are three from upstairs and 4 more that need doing from downstairs and think all of them will be okay in the same size planters and pot holders, plus there are a few cuttings that have now rooted and need potting, so might just be able to get things back in that cupboard and get it sorted and that will give me more room with not so many items hanging around taking up floor space.

Dian I expect you enjoyed the meal at your daughter's and Rita I hope your weekend was okay.

Jean expect you enjoyed having Lorraine and Paul there for lunch and that was good of James to phone and ask if you needed any shopping and as you say, here we go again with lockdown. I see you have a delivery slot booked with Tescos for 15th and hope they use the correct bags for you on that delivery. At last David has got the presents wrapped, but it might have taken him longer than you, but it saved you a job this year, but you reckon he won't offer again . You can put Peace lilies out in the garden, but in our climate they would have to come in for the winter, so really no point in planting them outside, because you would have to dig them up and repot them for indoors in the colder weather.

Must get a move on as I am meeting Maria at 10.30 at the bus stop and hope all of you have a good day - sun here at the moment after sudden rain at 7.30 and strong wind during the evening and night - one chair blown over and my two large chrysanth planters shifted in the wind, but all back in place now.

Mon Nov 02, 2020 11:47 am

David can hardly move today, so I am picking the leaves up outside, not making much progress as the wind keeps swirling around. Coco nearly got blown
away...so more leaves this afternoon.
We have just had a phone call and a message on the mobile and still David has not managed to see who it was...it is his hands.
Barry will be disappointed now he cannot see his son. shall ring him later
Pauline must have missed it but can I put the peace lily outside.
It was nice to see Paul and Lorraine yesterday, do not know when next we will see them. We do not appear to have a support bubble.....

Mon Nov 02, 2020 1:58 pm

Well guess everybody so fed up with more lockdown rules which keep changing from area to area enough to drive you to drink Pauline so annoying when trying to make arrangements with family as nobody sure when it will change grrrr. Pleased you got more plants attended too. Poor Rachel that was mean to keep her at the door and her trying to instruct the lady .Do not see her doing well. Christmas I think Ill give it a miss
Jean that is sad about Barry,s son He will be so disappointed. Well done David in finishing his wrapping. So annoying all the leaves which are blowing about The council used to be good at sweeping them up but think that is all stopped now
Rita hope all is fine at your end
Well rain to start the morning but has cleared up a bit.Before I went out yesterday the gardener appeared so front grass cut and back and all the leaves gone yipee.He will come back later in the month to trim back bushes and trees. Enjoyed my dinner and company also got dinner for tonight Think I will now go and change bed as to be dry on Wed. I am just hoping not a full lockdown in Dec as booked for my perm then Grrrr