General Chat

It is incredibly muggy here. Eve and I managed to go for our exercise walk before the dark clouds came. I was looking forward to a good thunderstorm, but all we got was a few rumbles. There has been some rain, the ground is wet, but hardly a good downpour
They finally went out just after 2pm, so we have been cleaning ax best we can around all the clutter they leave. I can’t get into the study for half unpacked boxes which SIL has just abandoned since the removal men brought the rest of the stuff up on Monday. He is hopeless, I blame his mother, she spent her life walking round after him and his father, doing everything for them. He went into the garage to see if he could find the box with some of his clothes in so he could get his rain Mac, but he couldn’t get to it. He did come back in with a very large glass vase which he said was a bit precarious. It would be as he hadn’t done any more packing since my daughter did a lot of boxes last time she was down. The removal men were coming off the van carrying small bits and pieces which he hadn’t packed. They just dumped them and covered them with other stuff, so goodness knows what state it will be in when they move out. He put the vase on the edge of the kitchen worktop and just left it there. I am not moving it, I will point out the error of his ways when he gets back :-|

One good thing I have done is to go through all the surplus bedding we have. I have made up bedding bundles and labelled them ready to take them to the charity shop on Monday. I usually just wash and tumble the bedding and put it straight back on, I never iron bedding, so I just need one spare set for each of the beds. I also have a couple of sets of single bedding to use on the fold out emergency bed if needed. Once they move out, hopefully mid August, I am going to be absolutely ruthless and get rid of as much clutter from the cupboards as possible. OH is promising to have another go at the garage as well, he did have a prune a whole ago, but there is still lots of stuff which can go.

What an odd day it has been. It was reasonably cool when Eve and I went to the sports track to do our exercise this morning. I must be getting better at it as iI normally get one and a half times around the circuit in the thirty minutes of exercise time. This morning I did two complete circuits before the thirty minutes was up.

This afternoon was the town monthly litter pick and by then it was very sunny and far too hot. The litter wasn’t too bad, but between us we collected twenty two bags.

This evening, it has suddenly got very windy and it is so dark, that it is like the middle of the night. There had just been a heavy downpour, but it has stopped and is getting lighter, but according to the radar, there is a lot more rain on the way

Well the day here has been quieter with virtually no wind but warm at 18 degrees.

We have just been out to water the plants as they are all so dry. My carrots that I transplanted seemed to have taken ok and think all have grown a little lol.

Didn't make a dinner today as really didn't feel like it. Actually felt very lazy! All I have done is the ironing this morning, sorted out the last of the family tree paperwork so that's all sorted now.

Decided on ice cream and strawberries for my tea but maybe later I shall have some toast. Still trying to lose weight but have come to a bit of a standstill this week after losing 7 lbs.

My garden is full of flowers and like you Joan the roses are the best in 2 years as are the fuschias. A dahlia in a pot from last year looked dead but i talked to it and nurtured it and brought it back to life lol well i am a qualified first aider :-D :-D

My only problem is all the Alyssum bedding plants as most have died?? I had white and purple and all were split between many pots. Its a bit of a mystery as it normally looks beautiful as it spreads.

Hope everyone else looking in has had a good day.

Linda 22 bags is still a huge amount of rubbish...well done

Florence in the hebrides

Good morning one & all.

Goodness Linda you are certainly kept busy with that family of yours, looking after them all especially the grandchildren AND litter picking, so many bags each time, a thankless task even if you yourself feels better for doing it.

We have yet another lovely day, yesterday it was very warm after a wet start first thing, today started the same as yesterday, with some rain first thing but now it's sunny & rather warm once again & not much of a breeze !

We are having a quiet day today, no grandchildren coming over to disrupt everything, lol.

They are all going to the beach both daughters & their children, the beach is not at our side & so they have decided to give us a break from the children, save them travelling to ours with a collection of sand in their pockets etc,the peace & quiet will be nice, lol.

They all went Strawberry picking yesterday & brought back a good lot of them, the 2yr old apparently ate his weight of Strawberries, lol.

Hoping to get into the garden for a bit, depends on my hay Fever, some days it's not so bad but another day it can be a real nuisance, my eyes suffer the most.

I have a Rowan tree that needs clipping back before it gets too high for me to work on, however there is a baby pigeon in it's nest within the said tree !!
We had a nest & babies in the same tree last year & was a right pain, the tree is at the side of the garden gate which is directly across from the front door, & every time I use the door the parent flies away.

I'm surprised they build so close to the door, but there again we have a Swallows nest directly above the back porch door but even using using the said door all the time doesn't bother the adult Swallow either.

It's now time for a fly cup so I will say cheerio for now, have a lovely day everyone.

Joan.

Afternoon all

Ooh strawberry picking Joan, that brings back memories from the 70's when mum and i used to go and pick and yes, think I ate my weight too lol

Getting very thindery looking here and so still not a breath of wind. Thankfully, grass cutters came and its looking better after all the rain.

On lighteningmaps.org most of the thunder & lightening is up in Wick and heading to Orkney but a few rumbles I think Joan in Aberdeenshire, just hope it doesnt head over here!

Blue bin and organic bins tomorrow and so glad as both are full to capacity and grass cuttings just about got in today.

Postie delivered my crafty things I ordered on Saturday for xmas card making and the things are fab so can't wait to do them soon on a rainy day.

Joan you do have so much wildlife in your garden, what a joy to see. My robin hasn't been seen for months now so I do wonder what's happened to him.

Good grief, the heavens have opened and I need to shut the windows, back in a jiffy....

Oh I didnt see that coming as wasn't on the forecast but I wont need to water the flowers now lol

Well I have peace and quiet until Wed evening as daughter gone elsewhere and its actually quite nice having the place to myself.

Better see to the laundry and it will be the tumble dryer now the rain is on.

Hope everyone else having a good day

Florence in the hebrides

I used to make lots of jam in the past, so we always went strawberry picking. When we have the allotment, I had lots of Raspberries and Blueberries as well. I don’t make any now because it isn’t exactly Slimming World friendly :-(

I was out at 9.30 this morning doing my exercise with Eve. We did it in the cemetery this morning, the gate is only about fifty bards from the house. There is a path around the perimeter, so it is easy to do long circuits. She was then collected by her aunt and uncle and they have gone for a caravan holiday near Filey, she will be away until Friday. Esme thinks that she has gone in a school trip :-D There would be ructions if she knew the truth.

After she left, I did the weekly supermarket shop, but ended up popping back this afternoon as I forgot a couple of vital things. I was going to go and pick up a load of litter, but the rain has started, so it will have to wait

Afternoon everyone.

Of course it was going to be raining hard, I mean it was bin day today grrr never fails. Donned a waterproof jacket but still got wet and the wind blew my hood off!

When i was able to get to the supermarket Linda, i used to buy all the reduced strawberries and make pots of jam but now I haven't made any for awhile.

I have Tesco coming on Thursday and so glad, as I have never seen my fridge so empty. We were on a drive to use up everything lurking and now apart from some cheese and the veggie box, theres not much else.

I weighed myself today and lost another 2 lbs so dead chuffed. Just 1 more lb and then ive hit target 1. Best to plan targets in stages so you lose weight gradually. Not a fan really of these crash diets although the 5 -2 diet worked for me several years ago. Ive just stopped eating snacks really and cur down on bread, no pasta a little rice.

Jacket potato for tea tonight with cheese and baked beans and that's it.

All very quiet here and rain non stop all day, so far so quite depressing.

Hope all's well with everyone

Florence in the hebrides

We went out for a posh pub lunch today as it is our 53rd wedding anniversary. We went somewhere we have been before , so knew it would be nice. I don’t think that I will be losing any weight after that meal :-(

Afterwards we drove to a nice little market town near the pub and went for a walk around. We had taken our light weight rain tops just in case as it had been a bit drizzly. We were doing a circular walk and had got as far away from the car as possible when suddenly there was an almighty clap of thunder and the heavens opened. It was a torrential cloudburst and there was nowhere to shelter. Eventually we found a covered archway between two buildings and took shelter there, but by that time we were drenched. It eased off, but according to the radar, it wasn’t going to stop for an hour, so we decided to head for the car. Part way there, it got worse, so we found another archway. Luckily in Georgian towns, there are archways for carriages in the buildings. The water was just cascading down the streets, I was wearing my new sandals and the water was right over the soles, I was just plodging through it.
When we got back, we had to have a complete change of clothes. At least it was warm rain. The annoying thing is that when we got home, we found that it hasn’t rained here.

Oh LInda, poor things you and hubby!
Happy 53rd anniversary. At least you had a nice meal out <3

Nothing worse then getting caught in a downpour and getting drenched. I hate being wet fully closed, nothing worse.

Its still drizzly here but lighter rain but dull and overcast so not a nice day.

Looking forward to a friend coming tomorrow at 11am for a coffee and catch up as haven't seen her for ages.

Hope you are dry now Linda and back indoors.

Florence in the hebrides

Morning everyone.
Belated Annivesary wishes to you Linda & huuby.

Well we have a dry day today, so far at least, the sun is trying it's best to come out but it's not trying hard enough, lol.
Yesterday was horrendous, rained almost all day, coming down in sheets, the water bowie was over flowing & I "bravely" stood out in the rain collecting a couple of watering cans full of what we would have lost from over flowing.

Our youngest daughter & her family went home to Lanark this morning so it was a tearful morning when they left, they had a good time whilst here & the weather wasn't too bad prior to yesterdays rain, they managed to get to the beach one day & some other place, the grandsons were really good, the 6yr old was on his best behaviour ( for a change, lol)

Not sure if I will go outside today, it's dry but windy, so maybe an indoors day plenty to do indoors after visitors.
Corned Beef hash for tea, easy peasy, & yummy.

Hope everyone is well & having a nice day.

Joan.

I am glad that you enjoyed your daughters visit Joan.
I am playing with Esme this morning, currently cafes. She has a hospital appointment this afternoon, so normally they would take her into school, then go back to pick her up at lunchtime. It is the Great Yorkshire Show for three days this week, the showground is just a mile from her school, so the traffic is horrendous. All the children are very late for school and by the time who ever took her got home, they would have very little time to do any work before they had to set off again, so she has taken the morning off as well. Unfortunately she has been awake since 5,20am, so she us very tetchy and keeps needing to go for a rest in her bed. She never sleeps during the day, so she watches her iPad. At least it is a respite from playing for me.
I am going out this afternoon with my neighbour. We are going to the Workhouse museum in Ripon. I have an annual family ticket and she has never been.I didn’t know Esme was going to be off when we arranged it, but it is the only day this week when she can go.

Afternoon all.
Hope you enjoyed your trip out Linda, sounded very interesting where you were going.

Rather peculiar day here. Was black and overcast but no rain and scorching hot. I decided to do a bit of weeding and tidying of my pots. Neighbour came out and I gave her some cuttings to fill some little pots so we chatted and potted.

Suddenly Tesco appeared and I thought oh my the time has gone very quick as it was between 12-1 they were coming. i looked at the clock and it was 11.30!!

Anyway shoved it all away and then went back outside and other neighbour was out so had a good chin wag with him and then carried on gardening.

Daughter went to town and said it was bucketing and in another village 6 miles away it was also chucking it down???

It is still black sky but dry & very warm. I had to come inside as was too hot for me at 2pm.

I even took my towels in which were nearly dry as thought it was going to pour...but it didnt. So def will have to spend and hour watering everything a bit later on.

Awhile ago, I was feeling my right lower arm sore and when I looked, there was a big lump and now a bruise :-S I have no idea how I got it as dont remember banging into anything. Anyway its sore and going purple!

I removed all the alyssum plants from various pots as they were dead as if there was a bug or disease, didn't want it affecting anything else, still baffled by it dying though.

So quick tea tonight, pizza and chips yay my fav.

Hope everyone ok
Florence in the hebrides

It is annoying when it rains nearby but you don’t get any. I hope that your arm is OK Florence.
I had a very nice afternoon with my friend at the museum. Esme was very good at her “ jelly belly” appointment this afternoon. She had a scan every three months as people with her condition are at more risk of childhood cancers. Thankfully she has been fine so far. She got four stickers for being good

Aw bless her Linda. Glad you enjoyed the museum.

The bruise is getting bigger! I still cannot recall hitting my arm at all!! Major senior moment me thinks :-S :-S

Still no rain, so daughter and I spent an age watering plants tonight and they were really dry despite the heavy rain last weekend.

Finally getting rid of the old lounge carpet. original lady pulled out so re advertised an hour ago and someone taking it tomorrow yay :-D :-D

Off to make me a coffee now.

Florence in the hebrides

Hi everyone,

Raining today so it's an indoor day for us, we had a good tidy up in the garden yesterday and pleased that we did it and didn't leave it for today.

My Asda shopping came today, I have subs for out of stock items as Asda have been pretty good at sending reasonable alternatives . Today though the cheese I ordered was out of stock but no alternative was sent, it was only a average size block of cheddar but they had no sub available apparently.

I hope your arm isn't too sore Florence are you on blood thinners ? My sister was and a slight knock would leave her with a big bruise.

Good that you enjoyed the museum Linda , nice to have an afternoon doing something you enjoy.

Hope Joan, AnnG and all looking in have a good weekend.

Ginnie.

Good afternoon girls, what a shame about your rainy weather Ginnie, but you will be happy to have got the garden jobs done yesterday.

We have a dry day so far today, not very bright but not bothered about that so long as it stays dry for the rest of the day at least.

I have been outside doing some sweeping up, the flagstones & gravel were covered in little bits from the various trees,including small "cherries" that the birds pick at on the ornamental Cherry trees.
They make a real mess & not that easy to sweep up but & don't want them taking root in the gravel, lol.

Just waiting for my grandaughter to come over to help me do some clipping, Thankfully her broken collarbone has healed after several weeks of not being able to help me so lot's of clipping & lopping to catch up on, lol, she is also staying for her tea today, so that will be nice.

Linda. a day out to the museum in Ripon sounds lovely, I would enjoy doing that.

Bye for now, must get on.

Joan.

Afternoon everyone looking in.

Yay :-D :-D :-D The carpet has gone and i have back my space in the hall and no more tripping over it. The guy came on his own! I said I cant help lift that so luckily my neighbour was hanging out his washing and i said" yoohoo" lol and asked if he would spare a pair of hands and some muscle. Well he chuckled and and said " hands yes, not sure about the muscle." hes about 5ft 6 medium build.

Anyway he came over and within a couple of minutes all loaded and all away.

I decided I couldn't put off ironing the 2 duvet sets any longer at the bottom of the pile. I managed 1 the other day but had left 2 covers and a sheet. So all done now and Im sitting with a coffee to relax my legs.

Yesterday i did loads in the garden including taking some lobelia out of my large pots for my neighbour then helped her to repot them. They did wilt in the heat but overnight have perked up and now look very pretty.

Its forecasting heavy rain overnight, so hopefully the garden will get fed and watered well.

Joan so glad your grand daughter is recovering well. I had forgotten you mentioned her some time ago.

JustGinnie I'm sure your rain is heading towards us as the wind has suddenly picked up and the clouds are huge, probably filling up to downpour later tonight.

How annoying about your cheese. I would have been fuming as that's my fav food and surely, there are plenty of other cheddars they could have substituted with? I got 2 cucumbers instead of spring onions lol

Yes I am on blood thinners and do bruise easily, I just couldn't remember banging it. It came out and now is purple and yellow.

Tea tonight, no idea lol maybe just crumpets and my mint ice cream mmn

Florence in the hebrides

I am pleased that your trip hazard has gone Florence.

It has been raining all morning here, so I haven’t ventured out yet.

Son in law decided that he was going to make some extra hot chilli oil to put on noodles, another of his fads. It requires a huge number of ingredients, some of which he ordered on Amazon. When they arrived, he just abandoned them on the kitchen work tops. When I pointed out the error of his ways, he rammed them into various cupboards. Eventually this morning, he decided to make it, so,I have been scuttling round trying to find everything for him. Luckily for him, I had bought all the other ingredients the recipe mentioned. Eve is helping him, it involves heating oil up to a very high temperature in one of my good pans. They are toasting all sorts of spices and chillis, so the whole house is starting to smell. Eve is now wearing her swimming goggles :-S
Once they have made it, it goes into a Kilner jar and I guarantee that it will sit untouched in the fridge for months :-(

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Good morning, we have sunshine but it's also windy, hopefully the wet grass & various puddles will be dried up & we don't get any more rain at least for the weekend.

Oh my Linda,I would be climbing the walls if my family were using my kitchen & items in that manner !
You seem to have more patience that I would have, you won't know what to do with yourself when the family move out, you will of course miss the grandchildren but it will be nice for you to get some peace & normality back in your life..

I panic when my lot visit & want to use my kitchen etc, I usually end up doing for them instead, lol.

No plans for today, grandaughter & I got a lot such done tidying done outside yesterday, I am needing to get a few more plants for the borders but have to wait for our daughter to make time for me as she has totake me to the garden centre.

A simple meal today, Burgers in buns, hubby fancied that lol, I'm happy to oblige as it's easily put together.

Hope all is well with everyone, enjoy the weekend.

Joan.