Re: Hello Everyone

Tue Nov 10, 2020 10:18 am

it is dull and damp out there. have put the rubbish out to find it was raining as well.
last night around 10pm on going to bed David fell down, I tried for an hour to get him up, as he cannot use his right arm that does not
help, so as Paul is on nights and I cannot contact him(he is allowed no phones inthe workplace) I rang for an ambulance.
some two hours later he managed to get up with my help(I knew nothing was broken) so I cancelled the ambulance, who said should
he get worse to call them again. this morning he has a lot of bruises due to the blood thinners and I could sleep for a week!!!

Tue Nov 10, 2020 11:02 am

Pauline good you can now catch up with your indoor crafting .Laughed at feeding all the wildlife yes they all learn fast for free food. Guess Xmas going to be different for everybody this year.Good carpeting all sorted and looking good
Jean well done in having your Xmas all sorted. Hope you and David plus Coco having a good day
Rita also wish you a good day and hope you are happy with your new washing machine
Another dull overcast morning and rain forecast for the afternoon.I am going out to post a letter and to get some cat food. Hoping to go to B&M
Have a good day ladies

Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:22 am

cannot find my last post on here David fell down Monday night I tried to get him up, an hour later sent for an ambulance which had not arrived after two hours
so managed to get him up at last(my back is reminding me) by that time he had been on the floor for three hours. luckily he has only a few bruises and a carpet burn
on his toe. cannot put shoes on.
good news about the vaccine.

Wed Nov 11, 2020 1:51 pm

Well that gif says it all for the weather here. So depressing
Jean so sorry to hear of David,s fall and you could not get any help. I am sure did not do you any good either Maybe he should have an alarm and someone will call right away if they have a fall.Hope you have both recovered
Pauline suppose no gardening for you but I am sure plenty of indoor chores to be finished
Rita hope your having a good day
Well it is a right cold wet miserable day here so I am pleased no need to venture out but plenty to keep me busy indoors. Have a good day ladies whatever you are doing

Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:15 pm

Hi Ladies. I had intended to do a bit of work out in the garden today because the weather looked okay for that, but looked around and decided that after all of the painting of the garden ornaments (and still more to do) that I needed a clear up again downstairs. Got that done and then Rachel phoned to say she was in the area delivering laptops again and would call in about 12.30 and have her lunch with me.

Just before she arrived I tried to get through to Gennie to let her know I would see her on Friday morning and had to leave a message and then Rachel arrived and I got the lunch ready and we were having a natter and my phone went and it was Heather calling (Gennie's daughter). I answered her and said I suppose she had some bad news for me and yes it was. Gennie was back in hospital and sadly very ill and hasn't much longer to live. Doctor reckons she will only be with us until Sunday at the longest. Apparently they will make special arrangements for anyone close to visit if they wish, but honestly I feel that the hospital staff have enough to cope with at the moment and don't want to put extra work on them and as I said to Heather, she knows my thoughts are with her Mum and I will speak to Heather every day to see how things are and Gennie is hardly conscious at all now. After getting that news Rachel said she would be happy to run me down to the hospital then and there, but special arrangements have to be made in advance and Rachel was worried about leaving me after getting that news, but said to her I would be okay, because I have been expecting that news for quite a while and did say that when you get to our ages, you do expect these things and learn how to cope with them. I have had to leave a message for Maria about it and will have to phone a few other people to let them know. As both you, Jean and Rita, know, there are the other ladies that used to enjoy our get-togethers for lunches and will have to let them know.

Anyway, weather has turned miserable and cold and I will stay indoors, make the phone calls and do a bit more painting. I should have done a few jobs in the garden yesterday, but had a bit of a headache - probably due to head hanging down while I was cutting and laying the carpet, so just got on with more painting and here are a few of them that have been brightened up:-

Back again because in the meantime Maria has just phoned and while she was on the phone Stephen rang on the mobile and he is going to phone back in a little while, so see if I can get this finished before he calls. Maria is obviously upset hearing the news about Gennie, but as she said, we were expecting that and have good memories of all the times we have spent together.

Jean, yes your post was there at the top of the new page we are now on and so sorry to read about the struggle you had trying to get David up after that fall and that long wait for the ambulance that in the end you cancelled as you managed by yourself. Good to know he has only got a few bruises, etc., and did no serious damage, but such a struggle for you and hope your back doesn't start playing up because of it. Yes good news about that vaccine.

Dian weather not good your way this week, but see you were hoping to get to B & M on Monday. I have to go out tomorrow shopping and collect the prescription and B & M will be the shop I go to first and then over to the shopping centre which is opposite. See you have plenty to keep you busy indoors and keep you dry away from all of the rain. Here it has been dry today, but still indoors after clearing up, Rachel visiting and getting that sad news and will do a bit more ornament painting early evening. Must wash and set the hair again this evening (set definitely not holding now, so will have to do that perming soon) so I look decent when I go out tomorrow.

Looking forward to hearing your news Rita and see what you have been doing this week and whether the washing machine has worked well for you.

Enjoy a restful evening ladies and I certainly did get this finished before Stephen got back on the phone again.

Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:27 pm

Well I will try again. Just lost another post. Patience is definitely needed. Have spent ages on computer trying to find and order a carpet sweeper. The handle on my electric lightweight sweeper broke off, my son glued it back but it came off eventuslly and what with that, my cooker, washing machine all having to be renewed I decided to have a trusty old fashioned carpet sweeper from Argos. Took ages to get that sorted on line, can't get a delivery until Sunday! Of course, I do have a good cleaner, but it is a bit heavy for me and a sweeper will be handy for quick clean ups.

Jean, I am sure it is hard trying to get David up off the floor and such an anxious time for you.

Dian, when you mentioned B&M I was surprised then realised they will be open as they sell food. Have you got lockdown in Scotland?

Pauline, it would be pleasant for you having the break of lunch with Rachel and I am glad you have plenty to keep busy with indoors.

With this Covid thing I doubt that you could visit Gennie in hospital, but she certainly knows you are her very dear friend.

It is a terrible shock about dear Gennie she has been so brave for such a long long time, always her lovely smile. Very sad, but I think all were aware that she is/was just clinging onto life. Bless her.

Thu Nov 12, 2020 11:20 am

Hi Ladies and good morning. Thought I would start off with a photo of Jean, Rita and Gennie when we were at the Mandarin restaurant quite a few years ago now, but good memory and see you Rita and Gennie were in fits about something. This morning I have been catching up with people who knew Gennie and giving them the news and now must get a move on and get out to collect my prescription and do some shopping.

Rita thank you for that lovely reply to my email and yes, I will badly miss that lovely friend of over 40 years. I have also emailed you Jean, too, beause I wanted to warn you about the situation with regard to Gennie, before you saw the news on here. When I get back from shopping I will phone Heather and get the up-to-date news on her Mum.

Rita, Heather is allowed to be with Gennie in the hospital and in fact they are prepared to make concessions for close friends and family, but honestly feel (and bearing in mind that Gennie is now unconscious most of the time) that it isn't fair to put more work and worry on the NHS staff who have enough to cope with at the moment, so I won't be going to the hospital (and also I have kept very well to guidelines with regard to safeguarding at my age and think that I am pushing my luck with regard to visiting Northampton General at this time). Heather understands that and I will phone her each day. See you have got to wait until the weekend to get the carpet sweeper delivered and like you, I am very happy with my vacuum cleaner, Henry, but must admit it is heavy to carry that up and down the stairs. Rachel was impressed with Henry that she bought herself one when she saw how well my one worked.

Expect you will post later Dian and Jean and hope the day is going well for all of you and now I must away to get that prescription and the shopping, while it is still lovely and sunny out there

Thu Nov 12, 2020 11:49 am

glad you put that photo of Gennie and us at the chinese dinner I remember having a great time that time. must think about that whilst being sad for Gennie.
I think we went twice. David of course would never venture there .....so it was a real treat.
David has a carpet burn on his toe, plus other bruises. he is trying to do what he can(cooked the meal last night)and is generally a very good patient.
He would not have a thing around his neck Dian as I am that...do not go out much now as all my acitivies are on hold.
I know there will be a next time and hope that the ambulance would come sooner as I would like him checked over...
Rita good idea about the carpet sweeper
today I have cleaned the inside of the porch with a sponge on a stick!!!

Thu Nov 12, 2020 1:48 pm

Pauline such sad news about Gennie but she certainly put up a tough fight considering how much she suffered. So sad for her family and friends. She will be missed. So sad for her daughter
Hope you manage to get all your shopping done and get your prescription. Liked your paintwork on your garden ornaments
Jean David did well in preparing your dinner and always sad when we lose a friend
Rita hope your having a good day also hope you get your carpet sweeper
At least so far it is dry but overcast.I showered and set my hair and just hope we do not go on to lockdown 5 as then hairdressers will close Did a small washing but not worth hanging out. Daughter taking me out tomorrow so looking forward to that. Hope all have a good day

Thu Nov 12, 2020 10:10 pm

That is a lovely photo of Gennie, we may have been laughing about our choice of dessert, as we both loved our sweet 'afters' and may have shared one between us.
Gennie was a lovely lady, always cheery, so we'll remembered. God bless her.

Fri Nov 13, 2020 11:00 am

it was so gloomy when we got up. now the sun is shining and I feel more cheerful. have not yet taken Coco out as awaiting the leaves to be dryer.
loads of them all over the place and being wet will stay so.
not a lot to say today, so sad about Gennie

Fri Nov 13, 2020 3:10 pm

Finding it difficult today to see what I am typing. Last night I just felt like I had a cold coming on, but this morning, eyesight blurry, nose running and feels just like a hayfever attack, which I know you can get this time of the year, because there is still plenty of pollen about in this windy weather (and in particular from those large peculiar ivy blooms), so have just taken an antihistamine to see if that works and usually they work quickly, so by the time I have finished typing this, I just might be able to see what I have written.

Eventually got to bed too late last night by the time I had finished letting people know the sad news about Gennie and getting replies and comments on Facebook from what Aimie put on there (lovely words too) and last person I called was Anne, but she didn't answer and then got back to me quite late - she had been on the phone to friend in Cornwall. Anyway by the time we had finished our conversation it was then very late. Also slept in fits and starts and got up too early and went back to bed and of course, didn't wake up again until 10.45 this morning - which doesn't help a muzzy head like I have at the moment.

Got in touch with friend Margaret again (whose daughter Amanda died this year) and she gave me the info that Heather wanted about house clearance people and spoke to Heather with that info and arranged to go and give her a hand on Monday. While I was speaking to Margaret yesterday I asked her it they had an outcome about Amanda's death and there still has to be an inquest and that isn't scheduled until next March - just shows how behind the coroners' courts are with everything they have had to deal with this year. When I see Heather on Monday I will be able to find out more about the funeral and hope I will be able to attend, but we all know that attendance is limited at the moment.

Jean yes that was a good time we had at The Mandarin together and we did go there twice in the past. Hope David has now got over his fall and see he even cooked the meal the night before last and as you say, is usually a good patient. If and when that happens again (although I hope not) see you have decided to wait for the ambulance and get him off to hospital to be checked over and reckon that would be a wise thing to do and not for you to try and lift him and cause yourself problems. Had to laugh about you cleaning the inside of the porch with a sponge on a stick - there is always an inventive way of doing a job . Even though the sun is shining today, like you I am still feeling down about Gennie. Got a lot of the leaves off of my grass and outside back to the council bank, but there are loads that need to be shifted off of the plants and garden beds.

Dian, yes Gennie is going to be missed by all of us that knew her and there is definitely not going to be the room for all of the people who would like to attend the funeral and know that Heather has got a difficult job to do sorting things out. I did manage to get all of the shopping done yesterday and collected the prescription, but by the time I caught up with everyone again when I got home it turned into a really long day, but got everything done that was needed. Glad you liked the paintwork on the garden ornaments and that lot do look much brighter and more to do. See you got your hair washed and set again and do hope your hairdressers isn't affected by any lockdown and you get that perm in before Christmas. Hope you are enjoying the time out today with your daughter.

Rita, that is what I reckoned that you and Gennie were having a laugh over the choice of deserts and knowing you too it would be one each and share half and half with one another . Thank you also for your kind remarks Rita.

Well honestly, think I am seeing things a bit clearer now the antihistamine is working, but to be honest I had intended to do a bit more sieving in the garden, but truthfully feeling whacked - got that exhausted feeling, but expect that was due to getting through everything I had to do yesterday and the contacts that had to be made and now it has really hit me today with regard to the loss of Gennie, but must get cracking and get a bit done.

Hope all of you can have a relaxed pleasant day and will catch up with you all tomorrow. xx

Fri Nov 13, 2020 4:29 pm

Hope you recovered from your hay fever attack which I did not think you could get at this time of year but you have been working a lot in the garden .Yes you will be feeling the loss of Gennie and she never seemed to complain. It does depress you when you loose a friend.....so final
Jean hope you have had a good day and pleased you got some sun......so sad and final about Gennie
Rita hope you have had a nice day
I did have a nice morning out with my daughter.We first visited The Range then we visited our shopping mall. I got a nice top in sale. After the shopping mall we visited the nice hotel for lunch which I always enjoy.Then it was home.Quite a chilly overcast dull day with bouts of rain.It will just be a snack for tea
Hope all have a good weekend

Sat Nov 14, 2020 8:53 am

Hi Everyone. In the end yesterday I didn't get anything done that took any job off of my list, but just rested and this morning feel much better for it. It is raining outside, so got 3 bananas turning nicely black and they will end up as banana bread this morning and last evening I washed my hair and just dried it and today the perm will get done, because I cannot put up with the state it is in any longer and now only 5 weeks to go before the start of the Christmas week, I reckon it will still be in good shape and no trimming needed before then. Got the washing done and that is now drying indoors, so looking forward to a full up day of jobs and keeping away from the rain.

Dian I am still getting the pollen blowing about from the ivy that edges the patio on its own frame. Usually I would have cut it back by now, but been concentrating on more urgent things in the garden. Now the other day I did notice some wasps around it and was a bit worried in case there was a nest there, but checked it out on the internet and also realised the worker bees and other insects were around it - apparently they are still collecting the pollen from those strange blooms and that is what gets at me. I get a dreadful hayfever attack anytime I tackle any form of ivy and that lot will have to go soon (when I put on a mask first). Here is a photo of the blooms I am talking about:-

See you enjoyed the trip out with your daughter yesterday. First to The Range and then your shopping mall and see you got a bargain top in the sale and then to the nice hotel for lunch. Bouts of rain yesterday your way and here it was lovely and sunny, but no energy to make the most of it and today we have the rain, so baking, perming and other jobs to do indoors for me. Thank you too for those kind words about Gennie and true it really does hit you when we lose friends we have known for so long.

Hope all of you ladies have a good start to the weekend.

Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:56 am

Licking my lips here - 2 banana breads now in the oven and I have scraped the bowl - yum yum and now for a cup of coffee and off to do the perming.

Sat Nov 14, 2020 11:49 am

I am looking out the window at the dreadful weather leaves falling wind blowing with rain. shall probably be stuck in here today
it is almost certain that my middle grandson has covid he lives in Birmingham. he sounded dreadful on the phone.will try
him later today. they arranged for a test for him. brought the stuff but he has to post if back. by the time it gets there this
being a weekend it will be too late maybe?
Pauline hope you feel better today possibly a reaction.I hate it when I have to sit there and cannot do much
Dian hopefully I will get to the range one day
Rita hope things are going well with you

Sat Nov 14, 2020 12:24 pm

Gi have spent ages doing a very long posting snd sudden,y it has gone. I sm ok hope you all are too.

Sat Nov 14, 2020 1:33 pm

What a horrible day. Well I am back again as I thought it was no good me going upstairs to start the perm while the banana bread was cooking and found a few more jobs to do downstairs and of course, the clearing up from the cooking, but after this post I am off upstairs to do that perm and that is definite.

Rita sorry you lost your post, but hope the weekend is going well for you, except for the weather .

Jean that was such a funny email you sent me and I had a good laugh with that video, but have tried to get it on here, but haven't found a way of doing that. I do hope your grandson will be okay and it isn't the virus he has caught. Rather defeats the object him having to take the test they brought him and then having to go out to post it back. I thought there was a way of posting the results on the internet with the NHS tracking app and perhaps he could do that. Know how you feel in this weather, not being able to get out and it certainly is a dismal day. Yes thanks, feeling much better today and it was also probably the reaction setting in after getting that news about Gennie. If you do manage to get to The Range, believe me it is well worth visiting and you will end up buying quite a bit.

Dian expect we will see a post from you later today and wondering if you have better weather than us at the moment.

Just got this through from the local alerts from Northants Police:-

"Officers out on Police off-road bikes from Weston Favell and Mereway were on patrol in the Goldings area of Northampton for only a matter of minutes when they identified a male who was wanted for Rape, Vehicle Crime and a Recall to Prison. Chief Inspector Rachael Handford said; “I am so proud of the work of my Neighbourhood teams, focussed on keeping our communities safe. On this occasion Sgt Lee Flavell led a team of PC and PCSO patrol riders targeting motorcycle nuisance and providing a reassuring police presence for our communities. Using their local knowledge they spotted this wanted male and quickly detained him after a failed attempt by him to outrun the bikes. The versatility of our off-road bikes led by the Neighbourhood Teams and the local knowledge they have enable us to effectively patrol off the beaten track; this goes to show the benefit of a diverse vehicle fleet”

Message Sent By
O'Sullivan Louise (Police, Neighbourhood PC, Northampton)"

That was good news and I can tell you that yesterday there was another accident at the bottom of the road next to me - one car going into another and as they were having an arguement about that, one of the police motorbike riders came round the corner and sorted that lot out and got the road unblocked. Makes a nice change for the police to be on hand when one of those regular accidents happens.

Try and enjoy your Saturday afternoon Ladies and I have just had a cup of coffee with a slice of the banana bread (both turned out well) and here I go - perm next.

Sat Nov 14, 2020 2:12 pm

Pauline good you enjoyed your banana bread and now ready to do your perm. That was good news about the police bike patrol catching the villains. Good the accident at the bottom of your road was sorted out quickly. Afraid the weather not good here either. Wet dull and overcast
Jean sorry to hear your grandson is ill so do hope he recovers soon. Think we are all having miserable weather
Rita so so annoying when you lose a long post......hope you have a good weekend
Miserable day with rain on and off.I must now go and do some work as have had a lazy morning. Think I have a cold working on me as nose is running .Now off to make something to eat........do not know what I feel like but I,m sure I will find something

Sun Nov 15, 2020 8:49 am

Good Morning Everyone and still it is raining and windy, so definitely indoor jobs being done today.

Perm went well, but didn't bother to set it, so must do that today. I also tried to sort out the craft room - it is so crowded because of all of the boxes of items that are being kept in case the clubs and residents council meetings can start off again and sales are needed to raise funds for them, but really fed up with the lack of room due to that, but have managed to get them all in there and of course, a lot of items crafted for Christmas will have to stay packed away for next year .

Dian that certainly made a nice change for the police to be in the right place at the right time when that accident happened outside my house (again) and in particular with the violent man they recognised and caught. See it was the same miserable weather for you yesterday and do hope a cold doesn't develop for you with the signs of one with the runny nose.

Rita, fingers crossed you don't lose a post today and hope you get better news Jean about your Grandson who has got the virus.

Wishing you all a pleasant day and hope this miserable weather bucks up and we get some sunshine back to make us all feel a bit more cheerful.

Sun Nov 15, 2020 12:08 pm

Pauline good perm all done except for a set. See you have the miserable weather too but have lots to keep you busy indoors
Jean hope better news for your grandson.Hope your day goes well
Rita also hope your having a good day
Well another cold miserable depressing day.Going to do some much needed housework Have a good day ladies

Sun Nov 15, 2020 1:54 pm

the weather has been awful today. managed to get Coco out for her walk, she did not go yesterday. as I had her so I did not have to walk a dog.......she loves
going out
Pauline glad the perm went well. I have used a shampoo that Kaz got me by mistake and my hair looks like it has gone mad.
See Trumps hair has gone grey. probably was before and he coloured it
When I was Art school in my teens, we use to do pottery Wednesday afternoons. behind the curtain the big older student were draying a naked man
he had a a covering for his bits, and us girls had to wash our hands and look behind the curtain many times that afternoon

Mon Nov 16, 2020 12:31 pm

Pauline no doubt you will be busy as ever either in garden or out and about. Hope your weather a bit better today
Jean good you managed to get Coco her walk.See you enjoyed art school Jean
Rita hope your having a nice day with no problems
Well dry and good wind blowing so have hung small washing out. Must try and lift more leaves the ones jammed in corners.I was watching the blackbirds eating the apples which I have left on the ground also got a little robin so must put out his food.Do hope all have a good day

Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:39 pm

Hi Ladies. It has been a long hard day and not even going to bother to do the washing up, but going up for a bath now and a restful evening.

Went to see Heather and we set too with all of the paperwork - long day sorting through all of that with her, but we located the birth certificate, passport, old driving licence, etc., and put all of the other communications, banks, DWP, Council, Utilities, phone, etc., all in company order and Heather can now get on with a few more things. She has the items from the mobility centre being collected tomorrow, along with the special bed, but as far as clothes, bedding, curtains, etc., are concerned, a lot of them are bagged up and she is going to phone Air Ambulance because they are still selling on the internet, so hopefully they might be collecting. Cynthia Spencer Hospice will possibly collect also and might want the furniture. She is still waiting for the Death Certificate and once she has this she can contact the Registrar and fill in the form online and arrange the funeral, which will probably be only at the crematorium (no church service first). I did say to Heather that her Mum was in good company as Des O'Connor had joined her - he was well thought of in Northampton and often visited as he had been evacuated here during the war.

Maria had the scan today and now got to wait for the hospital doctor to see the results of this and get in touch with regard to future treatment.

Thankfully I got home just before the rain started again here and have managed to catch up with things on the computer, a few phone calls made and received, cooked my meal and eaten that, but don't think I even want to be bothered to do the washing up - that can wait until tomorrow.

Dian, set went well too and so pleased that is all over and done with and feel much better for it. I see it was another cold and miserable day for you yesterday and you just planned to get on with some housework. See it was a bit better weather for you today and not too bad here either, but rain is back this evening. Hope you got the wasing dry today and managed to lift some more leaves and see the blackbirds were enjoying the last of the apples and now you have a robin to feed too. Yesterday I did manage to bring in 4 more garden ornaments and given them a wash down, so probably tomorrow will get on and paint them, although I would love it if it was dry and I could get on with the actual work in the garden.

Jean I have just answered your email and see you were having trouble with your laptop and because of it, haven't managed to post on here today. I laughed about you using the shampoo that Kaz got you by mistake and your hair was going mad - before I set mine it looked as though I had stuck my finger in an electric socket - corkscrews hairstyle, but set turned out fine. Well Trump will still be getting a good pension, so should be able to keep up the hair colour and style (if you could call it that) and the fake suntan, plus plenty of time for golf. I could just picture you girls making excuses to wash your hands during pottery classes and have a peek at the barely clothed male who was modelling for the older students drawing him - naughty .

Rita hope you are okay and Maria said this evening that you had sent her a card with a lovely message and asked me to thank you for that.

Now I am off for a bath and a restful evening and I really cannot face that washing up - do that first job in the morning. Have a good evening all of you.

Tue Nov 17, 2020 9:18 am

Good Morning Everyone.

Well it is still dry although windy outside, but no forecast of rain today, so fingers crossed I might be able to get through quite a few jobs outside that are still necessary and off to get into the gardening clothes and wrap up warm.

I did find another photo of Gennie that I sent to Heather last evening and she has been back early this morning - she was up at 5.00 and going through a list of people to invite to the funeral, which is going to be difficult, because so many people knew her so well. This is the photo I found - again taken at The Mandarin Buffet and I cropped this so it just showed the photo of Gennie:-

Hope all of you have a good day and off I go to the garden.