Gran Chat!

[Gemini]

Good morning ladies.

A lovely sunny Saturday morning here. Very wet underfoot as it rained a lot last night.

I hope its fine for your trip to town Nan2.

Lizzie, that was so sweet of your GD to clean her sister's room. As teenagers DDs 1 and 2 (best friends now) did NOT get on. To be fair DD1 would have but DD2 appeared to despise her at that time. We can laugh about it all now!

Fingers crossed for a no mess chimney sweeping WG!

Aww, Oma Finn will love his book

Daisy, I hope you can have relaxing day today after your treatments. P was OK last night seeming chilled. M however was extremely anxious, darting about and spending a lot of time hiding under the reclining sofa. I think next year I will get a Feliway plug in the help calm him. We are in with them again tonight anyway.

OH is having her flu jab this morning. She hates going as she has had a few bad reactions in the past. I reminded her it was more important than ever to be protected now.
No other plans for now. I need to do the Minutes, and finish collecting photos for the calendar a friend always makes for us.
DD1 will be calling in at some point. Yesterday for some reason she went home with my glasses on her head!! When she got home and tried to read she couldn't - as they are distance ones, and mine! She said she would bring them back today. I need them to watch TV but luckily can wear my varifocals.

Happy Saturday everyone.

[Daisy]

Hello everyone, and happy Saturday.

Lizzie and Nanto, I'm sorry I didn't see your posts yesterday. Lizzie, I've enjoyed having a look round the water tower, and think it's stunning. It's hard to furnish circular rooms, but that bedroom/lounge area looks very good. I've 4 orchids, different varieties, and all on the kitchen window sills. An orchid growing expert said to under water rather than overwater, and let the water drain out before putting them back in their pottery pots. He also said commercial growing medium isn't great so feed on special orchid food through the spring and summer. I also mist them when I water them. He said they need to be in a light place, but not direct sunshine, and our kitchen windows face north and north east so seem to work well, and there are no radiators under those windows. Having said all that, they flower randomly all through the year - two are in bud at the moment, and one has just finished flowering, so not a spectacular display, but I like tending them.

WeeGranny, I'm fascinated by expert tasters, whether it's wine, tea, coffee or even everyday biscuits! I'm sure the two people do well with their business. I agree, chimney sweeping is very clean these days, so I hope yours has gone ok. It's good to get it done before the winter sets in as well. Santa will be delighted.

Nanto, it sounds like quite a lot of shopping, you'll have been ready for that cuppa with DS2. Did you get everything you wanted?

Gem, how did S's flu jab go? Although I suppose any reactions don't come out immediately. Fingers crossed she's ok. well done to P last night. I hope things are better for M tonight. I had to smile at your DD1 'wearing' your glasses on her head. But it's easily done. A friend of ours picked up my sister-in-law's sun glasses once, and my SIL had just had cataract surgery and really needed them. We searched the house from top to bottom before I thought of asking the friend!

Oma, have a lovely meal with Martin, Clare and Finn. I hope you had a rest after all that cleaning. Sometimes "clean enough" will do.

It's been a lovely day here, but the lawn was still soaking wet when it went dark. I did a little bit of housework this morning (nothing as strenuous as Oma), and after lunch Eva and I went for a long walk with our neighbour and her dog, Missy. Missy is still on lead walks after surgery so I kept Eva on lead as well. There were also a lot of cyclists on the path, and some of them have got no idea of giving a bit of space to dogs or children, or even slowing down slightly. Still, the sun was shining, and we had a good chat and catch up. OH has started to wash the outside of the caravan, much needed! It's a slow job though and he's hoping to get some more done tomorrow. He's shattered now so I've said I'll cook, and then that's me done for the day I think.

[Plantaholic]

Late to post again. Been out with GD1 and H, we went to JLewis, had lunch there, stopped and shopped at Waitrose for a few bits and then drove to GD2 house and had another hold of my new GGS, DS and Dil were there to take gifts and have a hold. He is gorgeous, so big, he isn’t into a proper routine yet. My DD and Sil are away and can’t wait to get back home to have a cuddle.

Lizzie, can’t say I would like your bike rides, we don’t see many cyclists here. How kind of your GD to clean her sister’s room.

Gemini, I hope your OH is okay with her flu jab.

Oma, sorry to read that after a stressful time with Mil you found your heating was off. At least we are having some very mild weather.

Nanto, busy time for you in town, shopping and lunching with DS.

WG, The Two Spoons gentlemen gave a talk to our WI, I think I still have one packet left. It is very expensive tea. Went past your house today going from home to Prestwood where GD2 lives. Had hold of GGS, he is so big and gorgeous.

Daisy, lovely day here too, your walk sounds lovely, apart from the cyclists.

[Gemini]

Daisy, the flu jab went fine and no after effects so far. Fingers crossed she will be fine tomorrow too as she's arranged to play golf!
Cyclists tend to be very vocal about drivers not being considerate to them (rightly so in some cases) They should be considerate to wildlife and humans!

Lovely to have had another baby hold Plant

I didn't do any of the things I planned, I will get to them tomorrow.
Instead DD brought my glasses back and stayed for a cuppa this morning. She also brought us each a slice of lemon drizzle cake from the very expensive local baker that we rarely go to!
Then we went to B&Q. OH wanted a couple of boring things and I wanted cyclamen. My friend M brought me some cream winter pansies when she came last week. I wanted something colourful to go with them in the tub near the front door.
I tried on a lot of shoes. I still didn't find the black patent leather ones I wanted, but have some nice red ankle boot style ones.
On the way back we had a farm shop café lunch. This afternoon we played Rumikkub then watched the latest Bridget Jones film which we had recorded a while ago.
Thus went the day!
We have heard a few bangs already and there will be more later. The cats are safely in for the night, and blinds and curtains closed.

[Nanto2girls]

Plant, lovely for you to see the new baby.

Oma, hope you enjoyed your tea out.

We had a good day out and the weather was lovely,plenty of sunshine.

I got a new window vac from Argos. Its another Karcher one.
Slighly different model,but they do change models over time.
I couldn't get all the things i wanted in Homebargains.
Didn't get a meat masher or a semi automatic whisk, so i have just ordered them from Amazon.
In fact Homebargains looked quite low on stock in the kitchen aisle.
Then we went into Currys to look at phones. I'm buying hubby one for Christmas.
His is well past its best. Tried to persuade him to let me get it today, but he said its not near enough to Christmas.
Had a cuppa and a natter with DS2, then went for more shopping.
We both enjoyed our dinner in the cafe.

[Daisy]

Nanto, you did a lot of shopping. I wonder why your OH didn't want to get his new phone today. Does he know what model he wants? My OH hates getting a new phone, and I think he regards it as some sort of alien listening device for ages. I can't ever remember hearing of a meat masher. It it for making mince? Your windows will be pleased you've got a new Karcher.

Gem, I think it's good to have days that don't go as planned, especially if it involves lemon drizzle cake. Your new boots sound very attractive, and nice and cheerful for dull winter days. Your cyclamen and pansies will look beautiful together. I hope the bangs aren't too loud and P and M are ok. It's quiet here tonight (thank goodness) and Eva has been fine.

Plant, how lovely to have cuddles with your new GGS. He's a very lucky baby to have such a caring Grant Grandmother on hand. I hope he soon gets into a bit of routine, or his poor mum and dadd are going to be exhausted. Our walk this afternoon was lovely - we parked at a place called Longslade Bottom and walked up on to the old railway track. This railway line across the Forest was many of the victims of the Beeching closures in the 60s, cutting off most of the Forest from the railway network. I think everybody now sees that as a huge mistake, but too expensive to reinstate. At least is gets well used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

[Lizzie48]

Good morning, Nanto, is this a meat masher?? igoods-igoods-vleeshamer-vleesvermalser-tenderizer.jpg

[Lizzie48]

I will get the rest answered now! Daisy the water tower will look fantastic when it is finished, I expect it will be difficult to furnish though.

Plant, it will be lovely to see your GGS growing, it goes far too fast!

Daisy you would enjoy your walk, we had a train station in our (small) village until Beeching came along, I remember the steam trains so well.

Oma, I hope that you enjoyed the tea and the chat!

Gem, you did well finding some boots, the shoes will be there one day.

I have some shopping to do later as both GD's are coming for a meal.

DS1 sent me a message, from New York, in the middle of the night. They are loving it and luckily the weather is good, rain forecast maybe today, but, you never know.

I will get myself showered and dressed, go to the gym for some exercise!

[Nanto2girls]

Good morning, and it's the start of new week.

No plans for us today.

Daisy, hubby is having the same phone as i have. He said because I'm buying it for his Christmas present, he doesn't want it until nearer Christmas.
He might be thinking if he has it now, he won't have anything to open at Christmas.


Lizzie, this is the meat masher i have ordered.

[Oma]

Morning Nanto, ladies.

Lizzie
I think the one you showed is called a tenderiser here,
The meat masher is as it says a meat masher😁
GD probably forgot the time difference when she text or didn't think you would look till this morning I bet.

Nanto
I think your hubby is putting off as long as he can isn't he ,
I must admit I hate changing phones,
My sister has just changed her phone the amount of odd texts and silent phone calls I have had this week is unbelievable,
Once she gets the hang of it she will be ok ,
She is even less techy than I am😁

Daisy
We have the same trouble here with a train track they closed down, it was very popular as well,
Now about 20 years later they are looking at ways to bring the metro through that spot.
It will cost millions I would imagine.
Sounds like a nice walk with Eva though.

Gem
Lucky you , lemon drizzle 😋
I had to laugh about your DDs hating each other when they were young,
Being 8 years between my two DD couldn't stand DS he was just a nuisance to her.
It changed as they became adults .
Unfortunately DD dislikes DIL intensely how she treated us ,so when her and DS do meet its strained.

I do like the sounds of your new boots , I have just bought two pairs of patent leather loafers from JD williams ,
They do wide fitting so I always buy from them.

Plant
You are so lucky to have your GGS and be part of his life ,
I wish MIL was as interested in her GC and GGC ,
Sadly she's too self centred and doesn't like when they get all the attention and she doesn't.

We had such a lovely tea out yesterday,
Finn is the most lovely funny polite little boy,
He talks for England,
I took him two Santa books and he insisted on bringing them along just incase he needed them,
When we got there he told all the waitresses we had bought them showed them the books then said I'm a lucky boy 😁
Well everyone was saying aww isn't he cute 🤣

It was lovely to catch up,
I had taken my insulin to use before we went to the restaurant,
Got it out of my bag and I hadn't taken a needle,
So I was careful what I had and used it when I got home , I was fine once in a while won't hurt.

Not doing much today I have a load of darks in the wash and then the towels will go in.
Apart from that I think a quiet day.

[Gemini]

Good morning everyone.

Finn sounds so cute Oma I looked up that Santa book you mentioned, but there is no opportunity to add glasses. Littles E's glasses are much a part of him, it wouldn't be believable as him without them!

Enjoy the meal with your GDs Lizzie.

Daisy, although there were several firework displays last night, none were anywhere near us, so a peaceful night for the kitties! We heard a few distant bangs, but nothing like the 5th and last night.

OH seems fine after her flu jab, which she is happy about! She is playing golf with one of her close golf friends and her OH later.
I have several things to get on with in the house today. Then at ten past four I am going to aqua - my 4th class of the week! This is a brand new class, deep water aqua. I did try a similar class at another pool many years ago, but felt it hurt my back so never tried it again. It will take all the pressure off my knees so I want to give it another go. Maybe I hadn't got the flotation belt in the best position before.

[Lizzie48]

Gem, make sure the belt is really tight before you get in the water!

[Lizzie48]

Oma, it was DS1 that texted, GD's are home, alone!!!

[Gemini]

I just had to go out in my pyjamas! I felt like those people Oma sees shopping in them

I was sitting here in my PJs, listening to the Archers omnibus on i player, doing my solitaire puzzles on my laptop when OH phoned from the golf club. She had left the battery for her electric trolley at home! She told me I had no time to dress, just put a coat on and leave straight away and meet her at the golf club or she would miss her time! Luckily I didn't have an accident and didn't have to get out of the car, so no one witnessed my journey in nightwear!

[Daisy]

Good Remembrance Sunday morning, everyone.

Lizzie, I love to see your early morning posts. I'm much more of a night owl, but I think larks like you get more out of the day, especially in the winter. DS1 always seems to enjoy visiting New York, doesn't he. It will be lovely to have your GDs round for a meal. What are you cooking for them?

Nanto, I can understand your hubby not wanting his Christmas present too early, and as it's the same as yours, you will be able to help him get used to it. My OH's phone is completely different from mine, and part of me would like him to have the same, but then I think he might be less keen to learn things on it, because he can always ask me. I can help him with some things on his phone, but sometimes I'm completely foxed. I think I'm being very thick about your meat masher, but do you use to make or break up mince?

Oma, what struck me about your post this morning is that your MIL is missing out so much with her grandchildren. Just think how much pleasure Plant has with her GC and GGCs, and Gem with her little, and not so little ones. Finn is a complete joy to you all, and he obviously charms everyone he meets. He's a real credit to M and C. What a shame you didn't have a needle for your insulin. I just assumed syringes came with needles attached, but I know there are different ways of delivering the medication these days. I think you need a quiet day, and if B isn't feeling too well you can both relax.

Gem, thinking about the Santa book for your GS3, I agree, it wouldn't be him without his glasses (it's the same for our GD2, even now when she's nearly 12). I remember reading a little news item about a young girl who had contacted publishers of something similar about there being no option for her particular needs (I can't remember what they were), and they produced one for her, and expanded their options for the next batch of books. Thank goodness P and M were ok last night, and fingers crossed tonight will be peaceful. OH must be pleased and relieved she has had no after effects from her flu jab and can go out enjoy her golf today. For some reason I'd assumed that aqua classes always involved deep water, for at least some of the time, but I can see how being out of your depth puts a different light on everything. The floatation belts sound a good idea. I hope you enjoy this afternoon's session. You will be getting very fit with all this exercise which is brilliant. Well done.

Today is much cloudier than yesterday, but at least it's not raining, so OH is pressing ahead with washing the caravan. It was very dirty and gets a lot of staining from the horse chestnut tree. We haven't been able to use it this year, so with that and the hose pipe ban it was left to suffer. Inside is fine. We keep a dehumidifier running all the time and it's perfectly dry. It will be nice to see it all sparkling clean again though, and we hope to get more use out of it next year, all being well. I'll take Eva out after lunch. I'm trying to make sure I get a long walk every day and even when I think I don't feel like it I love being out in the fresh air and the Forest, and Eva never says "no" to a walk.