Re: Hello Everyone

Tue Nov 03, 2020 11:20 am

I have more leaf sorting to do, but it is still damp out there. hope it will dry up a bit for the afternoon.
Taken Coco out and found out there is still a wind about.
David is driving me mad. he knows the car needs cleaning. is taking it down town, but will he listen when I tell him that he will have to queue the later he goes.
has no idea, so sits there with Coco.
Pauline hope it is not too damp for your to get out into the garden today. the sun is shining here
Rita hope you are fine.
Dian the hairdresser phoned me yesterday to say my appointment was off, will phone when it is on again.

Tue Nov 03, 2020 12:09 pm

Pauline hope your day is going along nicely.Not sure about your weather but was wild here this morning but has dried up a bit now Still a strong wind blowing
Jean so annoying when hairdresser cancels. Yes probably will be a queue for car washing.Good you got more leaves sorted
Rita hope your having a good day
Well wild this morning but has eased off a bit.........going to granddaughters for fish tea tonight so looking forward to that.Phoned the lady from my bowling club who had the same operation as me.She just could not walk one night so called an ambulance.......got the same op as me.......said if she had been frail would not have done op She said she had been playing bowls on the Tues and this happened on the Wed night. She is 83. She asked if I get numbness in legs and feet and I said yes so could not make it up how the two of us had the same op.......such is life....Have a good day ladies

Tue Nov 03, 2020 12:10 pm

Good Morning Everyone.

With regard to the leaves, after the strong winds the night before and again yesterday evening, not many left to come down, so will soon be able to clear them up and sweep them out of the backgate. Sunny now, but earlier a bit of rain and having checked the local weather forecast, looks as though it is going to be dry enough today and tomorrow to perhaps get a lot more done outside. I want to get all the remaining houseplants repotted and out of the way and decide where to site the shelving, hopefully out of the way of strong wind and well protected for the tender plants, but also giving them enough moisture and light through the garden fleece - difficult one that to get all of those requirements in one place in my garden, but will do my best. Household rubbish has been collected, so got to get that wheelie bin in after this post. Earlier I had a walk around the garden in the drizzle, with my first cup of coffee, to see how things were doing and the robin joined me, so had to get his and the other birds' breakfast out .

Yesterday Maria and I had a lovely time visiting Gennie and were with her for about 2 and half hours and left just as the carers called at lunchtime. Did a few jobs for her while we were there. Maria, the other lady who calls in with shopping for her, and at times puts the washing in and does some ironing (and gets paid for it too) really other than that isn't a lot of help because she isn't very organised and does dump things in odd places. There were some cardboard boxes that she had flattened down with some wrapping materials, that she said she needed for Christmas presents, but she had dumped them at the side of the unit on which the tv is and also the broadband connections, wifi, etc., and Gennie had lost the internet connection from her phone - of course all the weight of the cardboard was on the connecting cables and last time we were there, apparently one of the carers had knocked the router box down the back of that cabinet and I had a devil of a job to retrieve it and placed it on the floor at the side, so you could see the light flashing and know connections were okay. Anyway got it all sorted and placed on the floor so you could see the light flashing and know the internet connection was fine. Gennie tried her phone and rang mine and it was all okay again. I said to give the message to the other Maria and the carers to keep away from that corner and if they messed it up again I would come after them growling.....

After that sorted out the flattened cardboard, etc., and asked Gennie for a carrier bag, so I could put it all in one place and the carrier bags were all in one of the kitchen cupboards, but in a bit of a muddle, so found one that was suitable and Gennie said put that under the bed and I will tell her where her cardboard is. Set too then to sort out the carrier bags in sizes and get rid of any split ones, so they are all tidy now and in one bag.

Then Gennie asked me to get something out of the freezer - well what a mess, the entire small freezer was completely frozen up. I know what happens and pointed this out to the carers before (and the other Maria) - there is a crate between the freezer and the wall and at times the door catches on the front of the crate and unless they make sure it is shut properly, then everything freezes over. Set to and got cold water and a cloth and managed to shift the ice off of the front of the drawers and got them opening again, but just didn't have the time to get things out from the top that was one block of ice and make sure it was all defrosted properly, but what I did do was clear out that corner, get the steam cleaner in its box from behind the crate, shove the crate right back against the wall, put the steam cleaner box on top of that and a couple of other electrical things on top also and that was all nicely shoved back about a foot from where the door closes and that left the ironing board in front of the crate, but leaning against the wall and well away from the side of the freezer door. To clear that corner took me about 3 minutes, something that one of the carers could have done . I wish I had the time to go back up there with my freezer bags and get the entire fridge/freezer cleaned up for her, but need to get on here (but hopefully can find the time to do that for her next week) - the trouble is she did have another small freezer next to it, but that is now broken and of course, hoping that she can move soon it just isn't worth her buying a new one, but I think that once she has moved (hopefully sooner than later) what would be better for her is what I have - a tall frost free freezer and a separate fridge. Anyway at least I know now that the door closes without catching on anything.

Well eventually got to the centre and Maria went straight home and I went into B & M and got a few things in there that I needed (and they now sell some of Max Factor products that I use and much cheaper, so got the foundation and creme puff in there), then to the bank and the wait wasn't too long to get in there and after that to The Card Factory and not too crowded, but of course, people having to get cards earlier than they intended and got the cards I need and the one for Stephen's brthday in January, so thinking well ahead. After that into Poundland for a few things and then to Tescos. Got what I needed in there - bread was okay, but here we go again, flour disappearing so picked up a couple of small bags as both Maria and I have promised to do some cake baking and I am going to try a coffee cake recipe made with sweetener instead of sugar, so that will be okay for Gennie - going to be coffee because she was given an extra jar of Asda coffee that she didn't need and I really wasn't that struck on it, so going to see what it is like in a cake - can but try and see what it turns out like.

Jean I saw your post and emailed you late last evening with the copy of the words from my post above about the Peace Lily. I see David couldn't move yesterday so you tried getting rid of some of the leaves and yes, that was quite a wind again yesterday - and as you can see from above, leaving mine until the last lot is down and sweeping them out of the back gate - fiddly job also picking them out from all of my planters, etc. I was thinking about Barry's son not being able to visit - can't he get himself registered in a support bubble, like Rachel added me to their family bubble (then he could visit him)? With regard to you and David enjoying Lorraine and Paul's visit yesterday, why don't you have a word with them and form a support bubble - easily enough done on the internet - then you would be able to continue to see them. The only problem there is if they have one formed already with Oscar's mum and dad, then it would exceed numbers allowed.

P.S I have taken so long with this post and just seen your post for today and see we are now on page 28 and you are still trying to clear the leaves today. David driving you mad and not getting going to get the car cleaned and as you have said to him, the later he leaves it, then there will be a longer wait to get it done. Also you got a phone call from the hairdresser yesterday to say your appointment was cancelled - so not good news for you.

Dian, yes, definitely fed up with all of the new lockdown rules and see you are hoping nothing gets worse in Scotland, so you can get your perm done. Hope you got the washing dry when you stripped the bed yesterday. Also fed up with all of the US election coverage. Did you see that it was mentioned that if Trump loses he might leave the country and head to Scotland and stick to golfing Better close the border . Glad to read you enjoyed the meal at your daughters and you also had dinner for last evening sorted, plus the good news that your gardener arrived and cut the grass front and back, plus cleared the leaves and will be back later in the month to cut back the shrubs, so bet you were happy about that.

P.S for you too Dian, as see you have got in with your today's post before I got sorted. Enjoy that fish supper tonight with your granddaughter and see it is a wild and windy day your way too. Speaking to that lady club member who had the same op as you, showed up that she has some of the same problems as you, with the numbness in the legs, but had to phone for an ambulance after not being able to move a day after playing bowls and certainly glad that hasn't happened to you. Perhaps you were wise to keep away from the bowling.

Rita, hope you are staying in the warm away from the cold wind and not getting too fed up with the latest lockdown rules and regulations - I have given up listening to a lot of the news because it certainly isn't cheerful.

Well I did start this early, but have had several phone calls and now the morning has gone, so better get a move on, wrap up warm, get that wheelie bin in before it rolls away in the wind and see what I can do outside. Try and enjoy your day ladies.

Tue Nov 03, 2020 10:08 pm

Hello ladies, I have had bother getting in here, and can hardly see what I am typing. Heyho its the.best I can do.

Pauline, you have worked a marathon in your garden and then all that sorting out of stuff for Gennie. It must be so frustrating for her to be so dependent on other people for keeping her house and personal things in order. She will see things that need doing but helpless to do it.

Jean, I see you are all set for Xmas getting all your presents wrapped, just as well with this lockdown as no more shopping to be done now.

Dian, what a good price for your specs, two pairs, other places must be making a huge profit. I am wearing my old specs as I'm just not comfortable in the ones I got from Boots. They said to make appointment and go back, but whenever would I get an appointment now.

It was noisy for Halloween I did not look out but in the morning saw orange coloured litter on the green opposite, who do they think is going to pick that up, dog walkers certainly will keep their dogs off it. Today I walked to the Budgens grocery store and got quite a lot and they delivered it for me later. I wanted to look round the shop hoping I can remember what they have when I order for delivery, it's a long walk for me now so I can just phone order in. I will not risk getting on buses to go to town shops, even though they are much cheaper..

My son came on Sunday, said he will get shopping for me if I want him too. He was going golfing for last time before lockdown. Daughter In Canada says husband 61 has finished work and now waiting for heart operation, Covid delayed. My neighbour did not go to Devon to her sister's funeral, still is upset, but family said it was rushed service, only 2O minutes as another lot waiting to go into the funeral chapel. I had Dentist appointment Friday, but of course cancelled now. I am OK, got to be thankful that I can cope on my own. Excuse any mistakes, but if I go back to correct I might lose the post

Wed Nov 04, 2020 4:17 pm

Do not know if the site or my comp but trouble getting in here.At least got here
Pauline Gennie would be so pleased sorted out her freezer So hard when she cannot do much herself Well bet you have got a lot more done in garden
Jean hope your day has gone along nicely
Rita so annoying with your specs when they are not right.That happened to me last year and I had gone back twice but like you did not go back which I should have Halloween passed here as though it did not exist thank goodness. Pity daughter,s husband having to wait for his op So annoying
Well it did stay dry so washing out and hopefully will not be too wet as for awhile a good breeze was blowing. Also washed cats bedding
I certainly enjoyed my fish tea last night Home for 8pm.Laughed at the greyhound as she welcomes me She just stands to get patted then nudges for more
Now will go and bring washing in.Fed up listening to Americas news about that twit Trump.I find it frightening that so many has voted for him scary Hope all has had a good day

Wed Nov 04, 2020 9:47 pm

Sorry ladies, it has been a long day and I am falling asleep over the keyboard, so will be back in the morning to reply and post. Have a restful night xx

Thu Nov 05, 2020 11:06 am

well Pauline you certainly had a clean up at Gennies, do hope she gets that bungalow soon.
Rita see you have been very busy as well.
Dian like you I had a fish supper last night.
Well David got around to taking the car for the clean then it would not start so had to be bumped started and went straight to the garage.
it turns out that the starter motor had broken(under gurantee) and now the clutch has to be sorted out as it is getting worn, so a very dear
car cleaning visit. mind you had we had gone out that would have been the RAC again
I shall have to look up about a support bubble on here thanks Pauline. Paul is terrified of breaking the rules not like me
went to Stratford on Avon yesterday in my car, lovely weather

Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:39 pm

I intended to get on here much earlier this morning, but Maria phoned and I have just phoned Rachel (and Stephen was there working from home, so had a word with him also) and the morning has nearly gone, but must get out in the garden soon to fleece things.

Yesterday I altered around shelving and got that in the places needed and put the plants that need shelter where I could protect them, but didn't have time to use the fleece and dashed out there late in the evening to drape some large black plastic sacks over them and good job too, because there was a frost this morning. I also have just 4 more indoor plants to repot and am sure they will go back in the same sized pots they have come out of, so all of the plant pot holders are now sorted and lined up ready to go back in the understairs cupboard and I actually managed to cross a few things off my list of jobs that got completed. Between sorting out the shelving I also managed to get a bit more work done on the corner under the tree and Henry had the grass sorted that grows out of the top of that old casing and he is now in that corner and brightens it up a bit. There are the larger pebbles in that section and it has been a nightmare shovelling them up and trying to get rid of all of the blackened earth and the leaves that come down from that tree and get the entire area cleaned again. Here are the photos of that corner - not pretty at the moment and the old recycling crates will need some painting when I have the time and that section of fence needs badlly staining again. I also managed to use the old grey crate that I brought home from the lockup to stand some of the shelving on, so another thing I found useful and worth the effort of bringing that home last week.

You can see what I mean by the state of the stones and still an area to do. That section used to have the old shed there and when it got taken down I used a lot of the bricks from the wall I had removed on the other side of the garden and covered the entire area with them, covered it with the black garden felt and put the large pebbles on top, but of course, they have got in a right old state with leaves from that tree, the sticky stuff that comes down from it and the earth that blows into them, so now a big sort out going on.

So happy with the chrysanths and here is the former lemon yellow one in full bloom with its now golden yellow flowers, one former pink one now deep red and really happy with the third one, which was pink like the other one, but not only is it now red, it has showing that lovely yellow centre (my grandfather used to grow them when I was younger, so good memories).

Rita, never bother about any mistakes, because I can always tidy your post up for you and put the colour and size in and we are just so happy to see you posting. Yes, very frustrating for Gennie and just hoping that she can get a bungalow near us and it will be so much easier for us to pop in and help keep things straight for her. I had the same with my glasses as I had to wait for them to arrive by post because of the last lockdown and then three more months before I could get an appointment to get the fit adjusted and what Boots were doing then after the last lockdown finished, was keeping sight tests, etc., on 4 days a week and reserving Fridays for alterations, etc. Fingers crossed that lockdown will stop on 2nd Dec, so perhaps it might be possible for you to get an appointment for this if you phone them and you should tell them that you are having to wear your old glasses because of the problem and need this urgently dealt with - see what they can do. Glad you managed to get the shopping from the local Budgens delivered to you, after your trip to their shop and will now order more things from them on the phone. Peter has also offered to get shopping for you, so it really won't be a problem not going to Sainsburys on their bus. I see that Peter was getting in his last game of golf before lockdown which started today and Leigh said that her husband has now stopped work and let's hope it isn't too long before he gets the heart op. Very upsetting for Mary over the death of her sister and not being able to attend the funeral, but with only a few people allowed and a short time slot for the service at the chapel, just not possible or worthwhile for her to travel all that long distance to Devon. Funnily enough I had an email from my dentists to say they were carrying on as normal (whatever normal means to them, because I haven't been able to get an appointment) and see that your dental appointment for tomorrow has been cancelled.

Dian glad you managed to post yesterday after the first lot of trouble getting in here. Yes managed to get more done outside yesterday in good weather and heading out there after this posting as it is lovely and sunny (but much colder). See you got some washing out and also Duke had his bedding washed and with a wind blowing yesterday, I hope it dried well for you. See you enjoyed your fish supper at your granddaughter's and the greyhound loves all the fuss he gets from you. It is scary that so many people voted Trump in last time (because as you say, what a twit) and look at the divisons he has caused and the trouble. He is dangerous and already the lawyers are lining up to contest the outcome, but thankfully it looks as though Trump is out of the door of the Whitehouse.

Jean, yes you and me both hoping that Gennie gets that bungalow soon - only 7 properties listed this week. Well that was an expensive clean of the car, leading to it not starting and then finding out the starter motor was at fault (although fairly new), plus clutch trouble also. At least you managed to get out yesterday in your car and visit Stratford-upon-Avon and make a break from the problems and expense in lovely weather. If Paul hasn't formed a family bubble, it is easy enough to do and Rachel soon got me attached to theirs.

Just previewed my post and found that no colour or right size fonts were showing, so had to copy and switch to open another tab on the site and pasted and thankfully all now okay and must away to the garden as we are well into the afternoon. Hope it is a pleasant one for all of you.

Thu Nov 05, 2020 1:57 pm

Pauline well can see how much work you have done in your garden will make a big difference come next spring .Everything looking so nice and good to still have colour.It would help Gennie a lot if she could get a house near you and Maria........hope she does manage it
Jean pity about the car but great you managed a run out to Stratford and Avon.......keeps us sane
Rita hope your having a good day and good you got stocked up again
Well sun shining at the moment but it was a dull miserable morning .Very cold too.Now will go and do some ironing I have showered and set hair.Lynn taking me out tomorrow so looking forward to that.......have a nice afternoon ladies

Thu Nov 05, 2020 3:29 pm

Well no one else posting, daresay having problems getting in here.
Yesterday I set off to go to town to meet Muriel and I needed stuff at Boots, but I waited 55 minutes for a bus and then came home. Heard today that buses have gone back to original timetable, but there are also roadworks delaying. So no more trips to town during the month of lockdown.

It's a lovely day so swept up more leaves, still more to come down. Builders next door have equipment lying about at back, now covered in leaves. I wonder if they realised when they built so close to the woodland (trees almost overhang one of the bungalows) they would be so deeply covered in autumn leaves.

I must now look on computer to see which washing machine to buy as mine has broken down. It's been repaired some years back so got to get a new one _ but which one? Eh!
I hope you are all ok. Bye for now,,,,

Fri Nov 06, 2020 11:14 am

Hi Ladies.

Yesterday got another planter emptied from that corner and that had an ornamental grass in it - put that in a smaller planter by itself and that has now joined the containers in that awkward corner and then sieved through the fibre and earth that was in the one it came out of - that took a time because the excess of grass roots were so hard to dig out, but got that one cleared and a lot of the old roots chopped through and put in the compost, which leaves a fairly good size rectangular planter free and I already put a layer of compost at the bottom of that and some good sieved fibre on top with added plant food and that is ready to use today - probably for some of those reduced price chrysanths I bought. Also got a few more stones cleaned up and put down so gradually that section is getting completed.

At the edge of that area, keeping what was the rockery back, there is a small section between two lots of breeze blocks where there were a lot of montbretia corns, so they have all been dug up and I am thinking about removing the first lot of breeze blocks that originally held the rockery back and putting them on top of the existing ones next to the stone covered area (giving me a taller wall) and bearing in mind that the once rockery is now lowered, it will give me a larger area to put in the montbretia corms (plus those I have got up from other areas of the garden), but going to have a think about that. When I cut out the old lilac tree from further up the garden, there was one root I put in a large planter, well I might get that out from the planter and put it in that section next to the fence, but make sure it never gets too tall. By the time I have finished, parts of my garden will have been completely redesigned and hopefully much easier to manage and can now see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. but it has certainly taken a long time and perhaps a good job I didn't think about all of that before I started .

I really should have got on and put the winter fleece over that shelving, but still made use of the plastic bags, but must do that today and hopefully repot the last indoor plants. Problem is with those I have done is that I have now finally ended up with 4 Peace Lilies instead of 2 and 2 Caladium plants from 1 (which climb and grow at a speed) and two vases full of cuttings from that, which will root quickly and I will be stuck with them. I used to give them away to club members, but no clubs to attend at the moment. Here is the type of Caladium I am talking about:-

Jean I hope you can get that family bubble sorted and according to Rachel they are quite easy to set up, but then she added me to the one she had made, so didn't have the experience of doing that myself. Also hope the car repairs won't be too costly and it won't take too long - always something to pay out for.

Dian, hopefully the work I am doing will make a big difference in the Spring and also make it easier for me to work in. This week there were only 7 properties listed with NPH, although 2 of them were bungalows, but one in an area that is no good at all and the other one in a good area, but too far away and both of them just 1 bedroom and Gennie will need 2 bedrooms for when Heather is at home and perhaps any carer has to stay overnight, plus she needs the space to store the walking frame, two types wheelchairs and hopefully will get a mobility scooter when she has moved, so fingers crossed that something might appear next week on the list. See it started off a miserable morning yesterday your way, but sun came out later, although very cold and hope you got the ironing finished that you planned to do after you showered and set your hair. Enjoy the outing with Lynn today.

Rita I sent you that email last evening because I just couldn't understand that you managed to get in here and post, but said you couldn't see the other posts from all of us and we had all been in here before you and in my post yesterday I had commented on your previous post and mentioned the problem with your glasses and also saying I hoped it wouldn't be too long now before Leigh's husband got the heart op, plus some other things. I see from your post yesterday you had a right messed up time with regard to the buses and never did get into town to meet Muriel. The builder next door I see is going to have to retrieve some of his tools from under the piles of leaves and yes, those bungalows are going to need gutter clearing from falling leaves each year. Sorry to read that your washing machine has broken down and now you have to get a new one and make a decision on that. My last one I got was from Tescos when they had Tescos Direct and it was a cheap Candy and have had that several years now and it works very well.

Must away now ladies to the garden and hope you all have a good day.

Fri Nov 06, 2020 11:47 am

Hi just a quick post to say I have ordered a washer and it will come this afternoon. Yesterday I spent ages looking at machines decided to order a Candy but could get no reply from Argos etc so This morning I phoned local shop from where I recently purchased my cooker snd they will deliver a Bosch this afternoon. It has a 2 year guarantee.

Regarding my postings, Somehow before I had been 'tuned' in to a previous lot and could not get up to date and had even thought of contacting Pauline to see if she was ok as I could not see her postings. Lol! Dunno how that happened. I think I am in right place now.

Fri Nov 06, 2020 3:00 pm

could not get on here with the laptop, so late reply. had Sainsburys delivery but they susbtitued a chicken which cost £4,50 with one costing £13. just not on.
have emailed them. also they did not take off the £10 they said...... back to tescos?
Not quite so cold here today. did not get pain in the lungs like yesterday. always can tell the weather whether inside of out, as I can feel it in my chest.
fed up already with the lock down. last time could get out and do the garden.
Rita who is fitting that washing machine for you?
cannot mention family bubble to Paul, David says it is her who will not do it. glad your dentist is working as usual, mine is not doing mine until the covid is over
and by then shall have no teeth.........
where are you going tomorrow Dian...

Fri Nov 06, 2020 6:12 pm

Pauline see you are still working hard in garden but making great progress. Do hope Gennie gets lucky and does manage to get her bungalow which would be a great help to her
Jean so annoying getting wrong items in your delivery from Sainsbury .Hope you feel a bit better tomorrow
Rita see you have ordered a new washing machine so annoying when they break down A Bosch is a good make so should not have any problem with it
Daughter picked me up at 10am and we went to shopping mall.I shopped in M&S then shopped in mall. Daughter did shopping too then we met up and went for a nice lunch at the nice hotel. Daughters friend joined us for lunch so did enjoy the chat After lunch visited granddaughter for a nice cuppa then daughter dropped me home. Daughter was saying she was talking to someone connected to people working with vaccine and said he thought they would have one for January. Only hope that is true as hear so many different stories.Time will tell

Sat Nov 07, 2020 11:07 am

Hi Ladies, I know it is Saturday and Remembrance Sunday is tomorrow, but this year it is not going to be the same as previous years and no public being allowed to attend the Cenotaph tomorrow but the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance is still being shown this evening on BBC as this was pre-recorded last month. Trouble is that the poppy sellers have had to stop collections (and glad I got mine early last week when I cleared the lockup for them), but apparently you can download a poppy poster from their site and donate on line, so that might help, but they feel they are going to be well down on contributions, but afraid that is the same with all of the charity appeals this year and during the first lockdown the charity shops having to close and the same has got to happen now, so any idea I had of turning out more items to them has to be put on hold. so cluttered up I will stay

Yesterday I still didn't fleece the shelves and just made do with the plastic bags for the time being, because there were more pressing things to do outside. I got that rectangular planter finished off and that now has three of those chrysanths in it. I then looked at the rest of the mess that had to be cleared from that stone pebbled corner and there was a heap of it I had shovelled up on a couple of pavers that are in that corner and just got to and shovelled the entire lot into two bags and then started work on sieving that lot and reclaiming the stones and getting rid of the leaves, but glad I did it, because I got some lovely rotted compost (where there had been rotting leaves and earth together) and that is great for the plants. Anyway the stones are now all down and I still have spare ones left (where before so many of them were buried in all of the mess that had arrived in that corner), so really pleased about that job and here are a couple of photos of it completed. I now need the rain to properly clean them off, which happened to the first lot laid and you can see how much lighter that lot are.

The third photo shows that section I was talking about between the two small retaining walls - I removed the long planter which you can now see against it - (take no notice of those old bricks next too it, because they are just temporarily on top of the breeze blocks (all found while digging) and it shows the earth between the first wall holding back what had been the rockery and the breeze blocks I put there a few years back, to hold back more dirt landing on those stones, but having looked at that first wall I have a feeling it just might be a properly built small wall, but will try and find out today by digging some of the earth away from it and seeing if it is in loose uncemented sections and then decide what to plant in that area. All of the montbretia corms are now cleaned and sorted ready for planting and during my adventures of sieving I have found a lot of other small bulbs and just don't know what that lot are, but will put them in one large pot and see what I get growing . Where that long planter is placed at the moment you can see the black on the pavers and believe me, they were painted with the garage floor red paint, but you can see the black sticky stuff that comes down from that tree. Nothing there looks very pretty at the moment, but a whole lot cleaner and tidier than before:-

Indoors at the kitchen end on the last picnic table I have up, I have got ready a lot of the garden ornaments, that once painted and varnished, can go outside again out of my way, so that job ready for when rain arrives and these days I give up looking at the forecast because it is said that in this area rain will arrive, but not before tomorrow evening, but they have been threatening it over the last few days and I have had sunshine and dry weather to work out in and looks the same today, so you know where I will be.

This might make you laugh, having repotted a lot of the houseplants (and before I do this I always cut off the leaves that are on the way out) some of the existing leaves then start protesting and I say to them "it is no good you sitting there looking sorry for yourself after all the work I have done - had to kill part of you to save your lives - so anything drooping and fading is going in the compost". Done that this morning with some of the leaves that are drooping to spite me - and they are all cut up and in that bag they have gone, along with the cut up banana skins, coffee grounds, broken eggshells, trimmed lettuce leaves, etc., and out to the compost bin they are going:-

Oh wicked me, but I am putting up with no nonsense from that lot - they should think themselves lucky I let them live with me .

Rita, good luck with the installation of the washing machine and I assume they are taking the old one away for you. I like the Bosch appliances -I had a good mower from them and that lasted years. Well that was weird that you could post, but not see the other posts, but all sorted and at least you got on here.

Jean that was so cheeky putting that much more expensive chicken in the delivery and also not allowing the £10 off, that they proimised. I bet that was a strong email you sent them and hope they sort it for you. Well at least with this current weather I am still getting outside to do the garden during this lockdown, but don't know how long I will be able to do that, but plenty lined up to do indoors, but of course, cannot get any clearing out done with the charity shops closed again . See if you can sort out the family bubble from your side and then you know that you have listed people safely who can visit you and you can then tell Paul and Lorraine that no rules are being broken.

Dian an enjoyable day out for you with your daughter and shopping first for both of you and then lunch when your daughter's friend joined you at that hotel you all like. Then off for a visit to your granddaughter and a cuppa and a natter before you got taken home. How lovely to be able to do that, all out for us in England at the moment. Rachel too heard that about the vaccine - she is a key worker in educaton and has a lot of contacts with different people in various jobs and she was told that possibly the lockdown could go on here until Christmas because a vaccine might be available early January. Well lets hope what Rachel and your daughter heard turns out to be true, because we need that vaccine as soon as possible.

Well ladies another long post from me - gives me a chance to sit still for a while - and one thing I am thankful for and I know Biden isn't that friendly toward Brexit or Boris, but won't it be such a relief to hear a more moderate and pleasant American voice, instead of that brainless twit that has been feathering his own nest for the past 4 years and doing his best to divide his country and the world. "Always look on the bright side of life d dm, d dm, d dm. d dm, d dm.... .

Sat Nov 07, 2020 1:23 pm

Pauline we can all see how hard you have worked and made such a difference. It will be fun to see what grows in the planter .As you know garden work never stops that is why I am so annoyed at myself not being able to work in garden. Still know now will need to empty some tubs with plants that have gone over not sure when that will be though
Jean do hope you and David are having a good weekend
Rita do hope your machine arrived and is installed and working for you
Surprised it is a dry day but chilly so now going to do some ironing then tidy upstairs......Have a good weekend ladies. .........thank goodness American Election nearly over and do hope Biden gets in. I actually think they are both too old

Sat Nov 07, 2020 2:54 pm

Dian both would be presidents are still battling it out. I do not like either of them but Biden mixes with IRA according to the paper photos of him with Gerry Adams
and Trump will do a trade deal and Biden will not. even David is putting the news on more often.
Cannot do a bubble and then inform Paul Pauline, he would not like that and I am not worried about it sholud they need me I am there
worried that I have not heard from Birmingham grandson, who had a sickness bug. the phone no. would not work so will email him again today
Rita hope that washing machine is ok

Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:02 pm

Hello. Strange times indeed. Changes worldwide. Here at home I just want to sleep. This morning walked with my trolley to shop and back, bought a newspaper, but have not read it yet. When I got home I had lunch then had to go and lie down, slept for three hours. I did the instructions for the washing machine first wash without load, then will have.to sit and peruse all the instructions. The machine is not my first choice but in this lockdown it was quicker and easier to get one locally. Someone had been to see me and left a note whilst I was in bed. I would have loved to see her.

Lockdown so I did not get to Dentist last week Jean. I think it's neuralgia that I have rather than toothache. More bangs fireworks going off outside, - money going up in smoke!

Pauline you do so well, I admire your get up and go.

Dian, I hope you are getting on ok now and feeling better. Likewise Jean and David.

I will try to walk to the shop again tomorrow, must get out and set eyes on someone. Remembrance Day too.

Sun Nov 08, 2020 11:23 am

Rita glad that washing machine is ok and going well.

Today here is was foggy and now it is trying to rain as well and very dull. the sunshine makes a lot of difference.

Dian envied you with that tea and outing with your daughter.

Heard from middle grandson yesterday he has met a new girlfriend. good. Finally heard from the one in Birmingham that he is ok. said he had emailed but that I obviously had not got it.

Sun Nov 08, 2020 1:54 pm

Hi Everyone. At least there is a poppy in my garden, although it is plastic and I used that for today's gif. Day is going quickly with some small jobs indoors and it is a murky, miserable, damp day in the garden and really cannot do much that is useful or productive out there in those conditions, but got on well yesterday and sorted out the section I had mentioned between the two walls and that first one was definitely a wall, so no moving that, but set to and sorted out the area between the two and managed to get the lilac tree out of the pot (and that took a lot of time and even found loads more of the Dutch Iris bulbs in there). Anyway dug away at the earth and the lilac bush (not going to let it grow to a tree size) in now planted with lots of plant food, near the fence and then following along from there I put in a load of the montbretia corms (still quite a few of those to plant) and a few more excess plants at the end near my Eucalyptus tree, so that lot is done. Also put the bulbs in two more planters and got them placed along that section next to the other boxes I had used. None of it looks pretty as you can tell by the photos, but improving and I wish there was a way I could actually get some sort of roof cover over that lot and still let light and rain through, but protect it from that awful tree and that sticky black mould it drops. Even after some rain this morning you can see in that photo the glimpse of red on those pavers which I had painted originally and you can see how black they have been turned.

Put those sticks along that section to stop the cats digging over the earth - you know how they love freshly turned earth that someone else has prepared . Now got to put some further excess plants in that long planter to finish it off. That prickly bush in the planter (lilac is hidden behind that) has still got to be attended to - I know it loses its lovely dark red foliage in the winter, but it should have a lot of berries on it and never has done that well, so obviously doesn't like to be in a planter and will have to decide where to put that directly in the garden. As far as the remainder of the sieving is going, I have one full recycling box, one cut down half recycling box, two small bags and a small container, one long planter and half a black planter (that the lilac came out of), left to sieve, so if the weather is good this week at last I might be able to finish that long boring job and I will definitely need some of the sieved treated earth and fibre for a couple more plants I want to put into planters.

Although I have been busy in the garden I have managed to do some cooking and last evening also went right through my freezer and wrote out a new list of what was in there and what should be used up next. There was one piece of steak (flat iron and I can remember Pat mentioning that as being a new cut) that Gennie had given me a while ago and I got that out on Thursday and cooked that on Friday in beef gravy with added veg and onions and used quite a bit of black pepper to make that warming and enjoyed one lot on Friday evening and will use the remainder for my meal this evening. At the moment I am cooking those part baked rolls you can buy and they are only £1 for two packs of 6 in Poundland and noticed that the last pack was nearing use by date, so going to enjoy those with cheese in a little while. Now I know I have been losing weight with all of the garden work, but can afford to indulge today as I think another few lbs and I will be back to where I was this time last year (yes I know, ready to put it back on over Christmas .)

After lunch I am determined to sort out the carpet for the bathroom and cut that to the required size and think the easiest way of doing that is make enough space in the kitchen end and get up the bathroom carpet which is getting a bit worn and use that as the pattern for cutting - that will be one thing out of the way that has been rolled up and lurking in the dining room end - Yippee, will have made some more floor space when that is done.

Dian, it will be interesting to see what comes up from those bulbs, but think a lot of them would be Dutch Iris and I got them in yesterday. I know, really the garden work never does stop and you are so frustrated at how much you cannot tackle yet, but give yourself time and gradually you will get through more next year. See it was a dry, but chilly day for you yesterday and you were going to stay indoors, tackle some ironing and do some more housework - all boring, but has to be done . As you say, thank goodness that US election is done with and I reckon Biden will only do one term because of his age and then it will be here we go again.

Jean I don't really care what the US presidents think of us, but do think that Biden has going to have most of his time taken up with coping with the Covid crisis and trying to heal the divisions in his own country and besides, like Obama he doesn't have a strong Democrat backing in the Senate, so still the Republicans will try and block his every move, same as they did with Obama. Shame you cannot persuade Paul and Lorraine to get that bubble formed, because that would be so helpful to them and you. Good to know you have now heard from your grandson in Birmingham and he is better and your middle grandson now has a new girlfriend, so things going okay for them.

Rita, strange times indeed as you say. Wasn't good to see Whitehall and the Cenotaph empty of the crowds and veterans and also the service last evening so spaced out and that virus has caused us to lose so many traditional and well loved things. Who would have thought back last year, that we would end up in the middle of a plague in the 21st century!!!. Hope the washing machine goes well with the first wash and reckon you will be pleased with a Bosch product. See you got out with your trolley yesterday and walked to the local shop and hope to do the same today and perhaps meet someone on the way. There are times when I wish my get and go would disappear for a while, but going to enjoy today working indoors out of the damp weather.

Enjoy your Sunday afternoon and evening ladies and I am off to try those cheese rolls.

Sun Nov 08, 2020 5:02 pm

Pauline well you are certainly winning in the garden and still busy with other work in house. You are certainly jack of all trades .Yes would have been hard work getting the lilac tree out of the pot.Years ago I had planted a small shrub in a bin and can remember how hard it was to dig out. Took me a week
Jean good all is fine with your grandsons and one has a new girlfriend Hope David is having a good day
Rita good you did get out and about as does us more good than anything Pleased to hear your machine is working too.
Another dull chilly day here but no rain so far .Enjoyed watching one of those corny Xmas films but did like it.So dark so early now do not like those dark nights .Thank goodness America,s election over but think there still more fireworks to come.Biden will have his work cut out in trying to unite America. Hope all having a good day

Mon Nov 09, 2020 8:41 am

Same as yesterday, misty, murky and damp and I would get in a real mess if I tried to do any outdoor work today and will do the same as yesterday and get on with indoor jobs.

Success, managed to deal with the carpet that came from Stephen and Rachel and finished laying it in the bathroom and there is enough left to do the downstairs loo, so hopefully will tackle that this morning. The carpet I had in the bathroom was left over from doing the stairs and halls and to be honest was large pieces that had been taped together, but never noticeable because of the bathroom mats that went down over the joins, so that was easy enough to cut up and get rid of. Same with the downstairs loo, that was the same carpet and two left over pieces (join hiden by pedestal mat) so that will go today. I would also like to start painting and varnishing some of the outdoor ornamanets, so I can get them out of my way and back in the garden.

Dian I see you can appreciate how long it took me to get that lilac tree out of the planter, as you too had struggled in the past with the same sort of thing. Going to have the same trouble I expect with that Berberis and think I know where that is going in the garden. I would like to put it in the front, but not enough sun gets there, so it is going to have to be the back garden. See you watched one of those corny Christmas films and enjoyed it, but just the sort of weather to stay indoors and watch something like that and note that it was chilly your way - here temperatures were up a bit, but very wet everywhere. Yes, this US election is going to drag on - I had to laugh because here if we get a new Prime Minister, the removal vans are at No.10 the next day to start taking out the former PM's personal possessions.

Hope the weekend went well for all of you and wondering what you have planned for the start of the week. I am off to get my second cup of coffee and then on with the carpet laying and that was a much shorter post from me today (due to not getting through so many jobs yesterday and carpet laying and cutting being heavy work). Enjoy your day ladies.

Mon Nov 09, 2020 9:55 am

it is again a horrible rainy murky day. no outings of course....
that chicken being organic was horrible. tasted of nothing. Coco will have the rest.
See I have to order something else from Sainsburys to get the money back, but I have learnt never to accept it again. thought it would taste better.
No garden for you today Pauline but you have done really well with it.
like the idea of replacing the carpet in the bathroom and the loo. what matters if it is all taped up.
having been looking of photos of my huge alsation for Andrew, and whilst there some of Jill came up and the girls where we all went to
Wicksteed and had a good laugh. when I took Wolfie out people use to cross the road to avoid me....no need, gentle giant

Mon Nov 09, 2020 3:10 pm

Mondays seem to come round so quick these days
Pauline good you got your carpet laid and not worth working out in garden as it is too wet and miserable. Looking good for a vaccine I think
Jean you would have missed your Monday outing I,m sure At least Coco will enjoy the chicken Laughed when you had the trouble with your dog as We had the same problem with my Alsation (German shepherd) long time ago.
Rita hope all is going well with your washing machine
Well just in from having a nice morning and afternoon out with my son -in- law We went for lunch to the nice hotel then on to a new garden centre and enjoyed a wander round there then a nice cup of tea and cake We had to book both. also ended up buying a tub with winter arrangement which I liked. It was a nice surprise

Tue Nov 10, 2020 7:50 am

Hello Ladies. Another murky, damp start to the day, but forecast for here is that there may possibly be a couple of hours of sunshine during the day, so I intend to continue with indoor jobs, but if I get the chance and it has dried up a bit, might get a couple of outdoor jobs done.

Yesterday I did get the newer carpet in the downstairs loo, so the carpet job is out of the way and found the varnish and a couple of other items I needed from the back of my understairs cupboard and started the tidy up and got some items back in there out of my way - all plant pot holders sorted and back, plus a few good garden ornaments that I keep indoors during the winter, they are now stored and tools sorted and in their correct places. This morning I am going to start work on the garden ornaments that need painting and varnishing, that are okay back in the garden, to get more things out of my way indoors.

Spotted one of the hedgehogs still about and found out that the crows, magpies and blackbirds also like the dried cat food gets costly feeding the local wildlife.

While I remember, if any of you like the Glayva Whisky Liqueur, Asda have this on sale at £12 at the moment and it is usually £19 or the cheapest anywhere is £16, so good offer. Pity I am not closer to Asda, because Stephen likes that and I usually get him one of them for Christmas.

Jean, yes that is what Sainsburys do - I had to put in the last order to get a voucher for a substitution that cost more and now I have a £1 voucher for a replacement of full cost Muller Rice (as offer had run out), so next time I order on line from them I am going to make sure I put a remark that I don't want any substitutions. At the moment I am waiting to see if I get any further offers from them before I order again, as have received my Tesco Clubcard vouchers and will do my next shop there, which has got to be this week - probably on Thursday when my prescription is ready for collection at Boots. I bet Coco enjoyed the organic chicken, which you found tasteless. Those two areas of old carpet were fine taped together on the back and joins not showing because of the use of bathroom and pedestal mats, but both areas were done with the last of the carpet I used for the stairs and lower and upper halls to use up the odd bits. That carpet came from the house that Susi and Jay had near me, when they were renting and then moved to the one they were buying and they didn't want the carpet, so I got that up and used it. The carpet now in the bathroom and downstairs loo is that much lighter and makes a nice change. That brought back some good memories for you when you were looking for photos of Wolfie (your large alsation) - trouble is when you start looking through photos for a couple of things, you can get easily sidetracked and the time just goes looking at good times with past friends and family.

Dian, yes looking good for the vaccine. Was talking to Aimie yesterday (oldest granddaughter) and we said that whatever we had tried to arrange to see one another before Christmas, there was a spanner in the works, but would be nice if the vaccine was available early next year, then we could all get together again and celebrate, but as she said, at the moment keeping well and healthy is more important. Earlier this year Rachel and Stephen had talked about them spending part of this Christmas with them in Rugby (because they knew they would have the larger house by then), but that was before any of us knew about the pandemic and what that would cause. That was a nice surprise for you yesterday, going out with your son-in-law to the nice hotel for lunch and then to a new garden centre. Like the sound of that winter tub display you bought and see you enjoyed tea and cake while you were there.

Rita, I hope your week is going well and the washing machine works out to be a good buy. I have always been pleased with Bosch products, so reckon that will be easy to use.

Okay ladies, now for breakfast, scrambled eggs I reckon this morning and I am looking forward to brightening up those garden ornaments - haven't been able to do any type of crafting for quite a while, so will enjoy that. Hope all of you have a pleasant day.