General Chat

Morning all

Well i have some time to myself as daughter decided on the spur of the moment to go away until Tuesday. I woke with a headache so actually having some peace & quiet will be fine.

I started tidying after she had gone and went to open the lounge window. I turned round and promptly tripped on her bean bag tray which she had left on the floor and I didnt see it. I went for a flyer but luckily fell onto the sofa! My poor left leg took the brunt and i burst into tears, partly with shock and partly with pain.

Oh my goodness. don't know what's happening with me lately, dropping things, knockings things and tripping up. Problem is, I cannot lift my left leg over obstacles as it doesn't bend so that's how I tripped over the tray.

So sitting for a bit just now as I was all shaky but I feeling better now.

Its dull and overcast and looking like rain soon so my plan to repot a plant is on hold for now. But it may clear up. At least it's not 40 degrees here, no way could I handle that!!

Linda, glad the birthday girl had a nice day. We always went to Pontins for our summer hols but thinking back, theres noway I would walk to the dining room in my pj's lol My mum made me enter the donkey derby and I fell off before it moved.

We went to Camber sands, Bracklesham Bay and others. I guess for the era..70's it's what you did with families back then but nowadays, not for me. It was very regimented with a daily programme of activities and we rarely left the camp to explore the local town etc.

Enjoy your peace & quiet whilst they are away though.

We have cleared the bookshelves and 5 boxes are sitting on the sofas full of books. The bookcases are now in daughter's room. Busy day on Monday as its bin day, grass cutters will be here at 10.30. Carpet fitters at 9.30 so an early rise for me.

Got lots more rosebuds about to open, about 20 so this year really "has been a good year for the roses"(Elvis Costello)

Well better go and see if the laundry is ready now.

Florence in the hebrides

Oh dear Florence, you are being accident prone, I hope your leg isn’t bruised.

They left at lunchtime, so I went to Tesco this afternoon, then I have been making three batches of soup for the freezer. I was using the stick blender on the last lot when it splashed out. Some of it landed on my eye just below my eyebrow. My glasses stopped it landing on my actual eyelid thank goodness. It is very sore, but it could have been worse.

I usually do the cleaning on a Friday, but I have left it until tomorrow, so I can have a really good go at it. I freeze any food left from the dinners I cook, so we are going to use them over the weekend. It will save me having to cook and free up some space it the freezer

I just got a text from my daughter, she said Esme is having a great time, but “Generally though it’s quite grim here, it’s definitely seen better days.The chalets are all made of wood and the one we’re in (which is the most expensive) definitely has rotting floor joists. It feels like a really ancient house with uneven floors”

Oh dear Linda, not so good for them.
Hope your eyebrow is ok. You were very lucky it didn't burn you. When soup splashes, its red hot, you have to be so careful.

Just sat all evening watching me soaps and Doc martin. Daughter already texting saying "they had a falling out." More worry for me but nothing I can do, but still worry for her as she is very vulnerable. She had a bad hypo at teatime as well but her bloods are settled now thank goodness.

I'm ok but feeling my left side of me ribs tonight, i probably pulled a muscle earlier.

Think an an early night for me as feeling quite tired tonight if only I could sleep the whole night!

Tomorrow is another day as they say.

Goodnight

Florence in the hebrides

I hope that your ribs are feeling better today Florence and that you haven’t broken one.

I have been cleaning and tidying up for most of the day. I need to buy yet another large plastic box to keep the toys tidy

Esme FaceTimed earlier, she has been having a great time. She did the Skyline dance class earlier and really enjoyed it. They went to the arcade as well and amazingly Esme won the jackpot twice. You get tickets from the machines when you win, they took a video of hers coming out, it took fifteen minutes. They had an enormous pile. You exchange them for prizes. She had a couple of reasonably decent things. Normally they lose money of course, but that is what arcades are for

I got a video tour of the apartment, it s a bit Hi-de-Hi, not quite Centre Parcs standard, but then it is far cheaper of course. As long as Esme is enjoying herself, they can put up with it for the weekend

Afternoon everyone
Glorious sunny day here and fairly warm at 17 degrees just a stiff breeze which is a pest as my long hair was all over the place and couldn't see where i was walking outside! But I didnt trip thank goodness.

Linda, I slept until 5am and drifted off til 9am and then got up. My side feels better today, def no cracked rib just a pulled muscle.

I have been working on my grandmothers family tree( her dad side) so difficult as her maiden name is spelt with many variations so taking longer to find births, marriages etc. But I have made some headway today.

Have no idea what to make for tea tonight. Yesterday, I made a mushroom carbonara, so quick and very tasty.

8 mushrooms sliced
1/2 onion finely chopped
1 tub of cream cheese(any)
spaghetti- However much you like.

I lightly fried the onions and mushrooms in some sesame seed oil with black pepper and some worcester sauce and some garlic puree(opt)
Added the cream cheese until melted.

Cook the spaghetti and drain
Put the cheese and mushroom mixture on top of spaghetti

Really tasty and enough for 2.

I think toasties will do me, not that hungry today.

Hope Joan, AnnG & JustGinnie are all doing ok and anyone else

Florence in the hebrides

It isn’t sunny here :-( It has been raining heavily through the night and hasn’t stopped yet.
We went out for Sunday lunch using a voucher my daughter gave us last Christmas. It was for three courses, plus coffee at a country house hotel, the type with stags heads on the wall. The food was lovely, so I am over full. I dread to think what the scales will say tomorrow :-(

Oh that was nice Linda, glad you enjoyed.

Having a very quiet day today as got sad news this morning. A cousin who I was good friends with(but my ex's cousin) died suddenly last light in her kitchen aged 64! Cant get my head around it at all, just so very sad :-(

Florence in the hebrides

We have had a lovely warm day here a bit cloudy at times but no rain thanlfully as we had plenty yesterday. Been out in the garden tweaking plants and one of my new rose bushes has about fifteen blooms and some small buds as well , it is a really pretty deep pink but only a slight fragrance but can't have everything . When my sister died last year we brought some of her potted plants here and left them in a corner to wait to see what was in them, some have some pretty flowering plants and others different bulbs , daffs, tulips etc . Now I know I can decide where to put them as the ones that are toxic to pets will go in the front garden away from our dog who likes gardening . (digging )

Hope everyone looking in are having a good day .

It is nice to have plants which have been passed on. I have a bush which my dad moved twice to different houses, then I brought it here. I also have rhubarb which is a bit of a family heirloom. On the patio, I have some of my mums planters, she told me to take them away during her last illness, so I would remember her when I watered them.

It has been very quiet over the weekend while they have been away. They will be back late afternoon, they have to stop somewhere to buy “ pretty dresses” for the girls as they are going to a wedding next weekend. I don’t think Eve is keen on pretty dresses anymore, shorts and a t shirt are more her thing these days.

It is very windy and chilly here. I wore a thin dress to go to slimming world and miraculously had only put half a pound on. As soon as Ingot home, I changed into trousers and a jumper

Afternoon all

Just pottering about and tidied daughters room as she has gone this morning and wont be back until next week. The wake is on Thursday and funeral on Friday. Still finding it hard to get my head around. She was 66(not 64 as I thought) and far too young.

Daughter is not mentally coping as was very close to the lady so lots of mumma hugs been given over the weekend.

Aside from that sad news was outside looking at my plants and like you Joan & Linda, the roses are exceptional this year as our my fuchsias. They are beautiful and plentiful for a change. Deheaded a few flowers earlier so all look nice and tidy now. I hate a scruffy garden filled with dead flowers.

My carrots have grown hugely but unlike potatoes that have flowers how do I know when the carrots are ready??

Hall carpet all done yesterday and lady coming this afternoon at 4.30 for the old one so house is now back to normal thank goodness.

No more accidents ladies, still a bruise on my arm but that's taking ages to fade.

I finished making a birthday card for a friend next week and then have a few August birthdays and anniversaries but i'm organised for those already.

Joan, hope the swallows don't attack your hair. Take something in your hand, a stick to scare them off if they get too close to you. You will be glad to see them fly away.

Well last of the laundry done, I managed to hang out some....without falling lol Im doing well today!

Florence in the hebrides

I suppose that they think you are going to attack their babies Joan. For several years, we had a nest in a shrub which covers the wall near the front door. The birds weren’t overly keen on us using the door. OH took the nest out and poked the twigs out when he saw them starting to build it again. They moved elsewhere which was a good thing given how many parcels we seem to get these days.

Day one of the school holidays is done only another five and a half weeks to go. We stayed at home today as Esme has an odd rash on her hip, it looks a bit like a fungal infection to me.My daughter rang for a phone appointment first thing and sent a photo in. The doctor rang back at lunchtime and cream which covers both bacterial and fungal infections. The prescription was supposed to go electronically straight to Boots, but OH had a problem getting it, as it hadn’t transferred. He ended up going between Boots and the doctors twice. In the end they had to write an old fashioned paper prescription and he finally got the cream. Hopefully, it will sort it out as it is spreading.

She had a great time at Butlins, we have lots of videos and photos of her dancing at the shows. The others weren’t keen, I asked Eve if she preferred Butlins or Centre Parcs, she just looked at me as if I was mad and said. Centre Parcs. My daughter and SIL were very unimpressed by the standard of the place. They said that it was very poorly maintained. SIL got a stomach bug on the second day, so thinks it could have been food poisoning. The restaurants were very over priced and the food was poor.
They went to the big swimming complex on Sunday, but said that it had an awful smell, a bit like mould which they were trying to cover up with sprays.
It is a shame because Esme loved it and wants to go back, but they said that if ever did go back, they wouldn’t stay on site again.

Ooh Linda, wonder if Esme caught an infection from the swimming pool water?

The whole experience sounds dreadful. Hope they never go back and maybe stick with centre parcs next time.

I think in general Butlins centres have had their day and the buildings are old and probably in need of redoing?

Hope the cream clears the rash up soon.

Went outside to water me plants with a few plastic jugs and didn't hang about as the dreaded midges are out....flat calm!

Florence in the hebrides

Afternoon peeps.
Yes Joan like you a lovely warm & sunny day here but breezy(as always lol) It was flat calm last night hence the midges but they are away now with the breeze.
Its always the evenings when the wind drops in summer which is too late to do any garden work.

I have stripped, washed, dried, ironed and remade daughters bed plus all the clothes ironing. My feet are quite sore so sitting with a well earned coffee for awhile.

Tomorrow we are in for some heavy rain so im not going to water the plants again today as did it last night anyway.

I may make chicken and rice tonight with a popadom. Its quick and very tasty and all in 1 pan so less dishes to wash lol.

Linda, I was watching a programme last night with Paul O Grady at Great Ormond St Hospital and one of the patients a little girl like Esme got Botox injections into her feet as she had Cerebal palsy but what a difference they made. She was running and riding her bike afterwards so i hope they help Esme too.

Right, I need to finalise Tesco order as its coming tomorrow between 11-3 and I have just remembered a couple of things not on the list.

Enjoy the sunshine if you have it :-D

Florence in the Hebrides

It is sunny here as well, but breezy. I wanted to take the girls out today, but Esme was just screaming because she doesn’t want to go out. It will be different on Friday because we are going to her favourite soft play. It has a huge outdoor bit with fairground rides, sand, water, large bouncy cushions etc. The main draw is Dazzling Darren, the children’s entertainer who does two shows during the day. She was besotted with him last year and can’t wait yo go back again.
I have been playing on and off with Esme, but she keeps taking herself off to her bed to watch her iPad. I did get her out in the garden for a while this morning. I took Eve for a walk this afternoon as my tablets were ready to collect, we had a drink in a cafe while we were out.
I need to decide what to have for dinner, I usually plan the menus on Monday, but I wasn’t sure SIL would be here as they are getting a new car and he was due to collect it mid week. That seems to have been put off, so I have some mince which I will probably turn into a spicy bean and rice dish.

Afternoon all

Well not a great day weatherwise as its windy, damp and coolish. A few showers here and there so no good for washing.

Tesco came and took awhile to put it all away and only thing wrong was a rotten mango which I handed back to the chappie. You think someone might have noticed when they picked the order!

Anyway replenished the baking cupboard, got new marvel so i can make things in the bread maker and a few other things I ran out of.

Some more craft supplies came today, different coloured card and Merry Xmas silver and gold stickers for the cards so I may make a few in a bit.

One of my tomatoes on the windowsill is nearly dark orange now so wont be long before we can sample our "reward."

Right better make a quick tuna roll as not had my lunch yet. As for tea, think a pizza with a few chips tonight will suffice.

Hope all ok with everyone looking in

Florence in the hebrides

It isn’t very good here either Florence. Esme’s parents aren’t very well and this morning she didn’t wake up until after nine, which is highly unusual. She didn’t seem very well this morning which was worrying given the fact that I have bought the non refundable tickets for the play centre for tomorrow. She spent most of the morning in her bedroom playing on her own, then getting onto her bed to watch her iPad. That gave me an easy morning :-)
After lunch I went for a walk with Eve. The radar said no rain expected, so we set off without any coats. That meant the heavens opened of course and we got wet. It was warm though, so it wasn’t too bad.By the time we got back, Esme was downstairs, so I have spent a good hour playing schools. She has just gone for a lie down again, so I am having a quick coffee

Evening to anyone looking in.

Last night around 11.45 was just getting ready to lock up and go to bed when pooooft, the lights went off!!

For a minute, i couldnt get my bearings as wasnt sure where my phone was and then I realised it was infront of me and a glimmer of light was shining as the cover was closed. Thank goodness for the phone as the electric was off til after 4am.

All of the islands plus the isle of skye were effected. Anyway, got another LCD torch and then went round turning off tv plug, lamps etc.

This morning thinking i had done a good job from the night before of switching everything off,I realised the kitchen light was still on lol Oh well there is always one.

Just had a quiet day, listened to the funeral service on computer, first time for everything!

Made a few cards this afternoon but have run out of coloured card in pink & purple so ordered some more.

Mums flat isnt selling so we have had to drop the price again. Thats 30k now dropped since June. 2 viewings but no offer although said well decorated and spacious but not what they were looking for. We are now paying council tax again so its costing us money the longer its unsold!

Hope everyone else had a goo day

Florence in the hebrides

good morning all, bright and a bit sunny here and 17 degrees. I am under the weather as I brought a cold back from Milton Keynes. Strange that none of the family there seem to have it so I am assuming they are all immune to MK germs and I wasn't.

Better get on, despite not feeling great loads to do as I have next door to look after for three days again and two gardens to water.

Linda Hope all the family are better today.

Morning all
AnnG, hope you don't have Covid? Is it worth doing a test maybe?

Sunny here but black clouds are looming so am sure rain isn't far away.
Daughter back today so i no doubt will have plenty of washing to keep me busy!

Made a huge mistake with the card cellophane sleeves. I ordered 6x4 size but the cards are 7x5....very annoying but totally my fault so I shall now have to order some more.

Hope every one looking on today is well today

Florence in the hebrides