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Post by brightspark on Apr 2, 2022 18:39:14 GMT
Evening all,
Tina, I think arthritis is always worse when it is cold and wet - I imagine you're looking forward to the summer, but then we all are ! Sounds like you have had a full house today. No change with my nephew - my sister phoned me last night and was in tears (his Mum) - he is still unconscious, I think through sedation, and as he has Covid too, no-one is allowed to visit, so very frustrating for his partner and my sister.
OH has been working on a car today, with a part that he'd ordered and it is half a millimetre too large - can you believe it, so small, but he is frustrated in spending a few hours only to discover it doesn't fit!
Two wash-loads on the line today, and all dry, and smelling lovely from the fresh air. At the moment the sky seems to have darkened like we may have rain this evening, though it has been a lovely, but chilly day.
I have been cutting up some fabric ready to make another quilt block. Although there is a sense of achievement when a quilt is finished, I have more enjoyment making smaller things, and these 12" quilt blocks are a little different - firstly finding them on the internet, and then creating them.
This evening I am cooking some chicken wings, with some roasted vegetables. Anything leftover will make a super soup, roasted veggies in chicken stock - yes!
Have a good evening everyone, x
Edited later: My nephew died this evening.
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Post by irist on Apr 3, 2022 11:33:06 GMT
So sorry to learn of your loss, Val. Devastating for your family. Sending hugs.
Just a quick visit before I dish up our lunch.
Well the plough and the harrow have gone to new homes! Hooray - won't be climbing over them from now on in order to access other items and cupboards in the shed.
Beautiful day again but a hard frost last night which the sun has now burnt off. Going to be busy this afternoon as granddaughter and great gd are visiting daughter. It's gd's birthday so she's come home to celebrate while her partner is at work and to see her brother and his girlfriend who are back off to uni later today. Daughter has made a joint birthday cake for gd and grandson's girlfriend whose birthday it was yesterday. Doubtless we shall be summoned to see the family later or they'll all come here before they leave.
Max I've sent you a personal message. Please look at the blue bar on the top of the forum and you will be able to access it via the message heading.
Have a good rest of the day. Bye for now.
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maxh
Junior Member
Posts: 93
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Post by maxh on Apr 3, 2022 15:45:37 GMT
Afternoon all
I am so sorry for your loss, Val. You and your family must be devastated. Sending hugs.
We’re off to France on Wednesday (thankfully not from Dover😀) so today has been spent getting things down from the loft which need to go over, made apricot crumble slices and a fruit cake to take as well as a sourdough bread which I’ll freeze to take with us. OH has cut the lawn. We’ve helped d make gd an Easter bonnet for school - a Helter Skelter with chicks sliding down. I’ll just say it was an absolute pain getting the angle of the helter skelter right🤨. I’ve hand washed some jumpers as well - the forecast for N France is warmer than here but showery, but I’m not risking being without woollens just in case! I can’t bear being cold!
Gd’s party was yesterday and she loved it. Her class are lovely children so it was an absolute pleasure. I wore my heavy duty mask throughout as I really don’t want to catch covid this close to going away.
Iris, I’ve replied to your message.
Tina, arthritis is bad enough at the best of times, but this weather must be exacerbating it. The forecast is for milder weather from tomorrow, but as it will be showery I’m not sure if that will help you.
Take care all
Mx
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Post by brightspark on Apr 4, 2022 9:18:09 GMT
Good morning,
Thank you Iris and Max for your hugs. Much appreciated. That's two nephews within six months the family have lost. Very sad.
Iris, very good news that the plough and the harrow have gone. All we need now is our house sold !!
Tina, how do you use your new shears, that sounds very tricky.
We're off to France this week too, Max, how long are you staying in France on this occasion? We're hoping to meet up with potential purchasers. Wish us luck.
This morning it is a bit drizzly and dull, so I shall settle in my sewing room to take my mind to sewing only, although firstly I shall make some soup with my new chicken stock - the best bit of having chicken with bones in that can be boiled up for this delicious stock! Actually I have a yearning to make some bread this morning, so perhaps I'll do that too. Our honey cake has been a real surprise, as I didn't expect it to be so lovely and long-lasting. That will be on my list of regular cakes I think, along with lemon drizzle; carrot cake and cherry cake. With that thought, I need to buy some more honey to put in stock.
Hope you're okay Chris.
Have a good day all, x
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Post by ambersparkle on Apr 4, 2022 18:36:32 GMT
Sorry not to have been on, but Iguess you will know by my previous Letters how bad I have been, and today, was worse than anything I have experienced for a long time, and to top it all, my Stomach is playing up as well. So sorry to hear your sad News Val, seems nothing but bad News lately. I have not been able to do anything but sit and Doze, as not getting much Sleep. Hope I have better News tomorrow. Love to all. Tina x
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Post by irist on Apr 4, 2022 18:59:46 GMT
Evening all. Sending you hugs, Tina. Sorry you have been feeling so poorly. Can only send you get well soon wishes. A miserable, cold and wet day here. I pottered doing odd jobs this morning, made some soup for lunch then went off shopping for fresh veg etc. That was a big mistake. The forecast said it would be drier this afternoon - it may have been somewhere but not in Newquay! I got soaked loading the shopping into the car after weaving my way through the crowds in the supermarket. I think some schools up country must have broken up already as there were lots of tourists around with their families. I couldn't wait to get home but the traffic was horrendous. Don't think the visitors will enjoy their holidays as we are due rain and cold for the next week Bon voyage Val and Max. Hope you are successful with your house sale, Val. Thanks for your message, Max. Bye for now.
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Post by ambersparkle on Apr 5, 2022 7:35:13 GMT
Morning all, although it is dark and raining, am feeling better in myself. I do not know yet whether I will be fit to have my usual Visitors this Afternoon. Am going to put a Pot of Soup on, so handy to have my Veg all chopped, and ready. Been reading on other Forums, how Panic has set in, with Families who were on the Breadline already, wondering where they could make cuts, when they had made them already. The Country is in a hell of a Mess. Next Xmas, is looming on People's Minds already, and you do need to start early. I am not giving to the Adults this Year, not a case of cannot afford to, just can't take the Hassle. Gave my big Grand Children, Money, and only the Little uns, will get Presents, same as last Year. Seems awful, thinking about Xmas, when we have not even had Summer! Away to get dressed, think this Rain is supposed to be with us all Day. Will be back later. love to all. Tina x ps, Bon Voyage, from me too, Val, and Max.xxx
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Post by paperman on Apr 5, 2022 9:15:02 GMT
Good morning Ladies on what is a damp and dismal looking morning although it isn’t actually cold. Val, I am so sorry to read about your nephew, I lost a cousin to this plague during the first lockdown so sort of identify with all of that. Just take care and everybody continue to exercise caution. I have said it before about masks, generally the common blue mask only prevents you spreading or exhaling the virus but won’t protect from breathing it in. The latest approved mask to protect both ways has FFP3 approval and are well worth the small extra cost and I seriously suggest if you are not already using these then change to them, if all else fails they can be bought on Amazon by following this link. Enough, end of lesson. It has been a busy few days, on Saturday we finally got down to Tiptree and met up with my daughter for lunch which was really enjoyable. Yesterday being Monday we had Tai Chi in the village hall which is getting really interesting and good as we progress, plus I had my follow up with the doctors regarding my annual check-up and that was all OK. Tomorrow the motorhome has to go in for an MOT and I am going to go over and pick it up from the farm a bit later this morning and get out of my cleaner ladies way. That’s it, please take care all xx
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Post by ambersparkle on Apr 6, 2022 11:27:04 GMT
Good News is, am feeling better, but my Daughter has Covid, and of course, nothing can be done, as am in contact with her all the Time. Will try to get some of those Masks from Amazon Chris, bit like shutting the Stable Door after the Horse has bolted. The Weather is much better, very windy, but dry, and with a bit of Sun, now and then. Took a ready made Dinner out of the Freezer, knew it would come in Handy, when Friend brought it. Well, am off to do a bit of shopping. Be back later, love Tina x
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Post by brightspark on Apr 6, 2022 13:13:41 GMT
Hi everyone,
Good to hear you're feeling better, Tina. Shame about your daughter though, but I'm guessing she is fully vaccinated, so hopefully she won't be too off-colour.
Chris, my nephew really died from heart disease, Covid happened to be with him at the time, which is really sad as no-one could visit him. I understand he was sedated so he wouldn't have known, I guess, but who knows. His two sons were with him when the machine(s) was/were switched off, the younger one being distraught - it's always those left behind, isn't it? When you meet up with your daughter at Tiptree, do you succumb to a scone with jam? Ensuring the motorhome is fit to be MOT'd is a really good idea - OH does the same - I get called out to watch the back lights when he pushes the brake pedal !
Interesting Iris that the schools in Cornwall have broken up already - our grandchildren in Berkshire break up on 8th for two weeks. You live in a beautiful part of the country, but saying that, you have to put up with tourists throughout the better weather! Pros and cons.
I hope Max is having a safe journey today, and also that the travel problems at the ports/airports have eased somewhat.
Starting a new quilt that I have wanted to make for my niece (who lives in Florida), is now going to have to be a rush job, as she will obviously travelling back to the UK for her brother's funeral. Heavens I hadn't realised just how many small bits of fabric will be required. I am thinking of taking my sewing machine with us so that I can get on with it - I'll see if we have room!
Have a good afternoon everyone, x
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Post by paperman on Apr 6, 2022 13:56:03 GMT
Good afternoon Ladies on what has been a ‘coolish’ brightly grey day so far, there was a light smattering of rain when I took Claris for her MOT but that quickly passed as did Claris with no advisories either. Not bad for a 30 year old motorhome, in fact I am feeling somewhere between relieved and smug….also looking forward to some forays as the year progresses.
Having said all that we are actually next week going up to Rutland Water and staying in a hotel for a couple of nights. We are very fond of Rutland, it ticks a lot of boxes for us.
Tina, hope you get the masks in time and of course that the horse hasn’t bolted especially as you are feeling good at the moment.
Val, my cousin also had underlying issues which he had actually gone in for and it is quite possible he acquired the infection in the hospital itself, who knows. Certainly the hospital would never admit to it, not that it would make much difference now anyway.
We have our annual parish meeting tonight but I am going to give it a miss; we are not taking unnecessary risks with the unmasked and unwashed. Frankly I expect ‘A’ and I will contract this thing sooner or later but if we can avoid or delay it so well and good. I had a text message overnight from NHS to advise that I should seek the next booster jab and linking to some places I can go for it but as our surgery will be starting their program at the end of the month I will wait till then.
I cooked us Smoked Haddock last night and made a cheese and mustard sauce to go with it. It’s a dish I really like and it is something also from when I was a kid as my mother used to do it for us.
Tonight is ‘A’s turn to cook and we are having another favourite of mine (from when I was a kid) Liver and Bacon with onion gravy.
My check up on Monday was interesting; I was expecting a litany of sins but apart from weight everything else was well within the supposed norms, so hallelujah it seems I will live a bit longer!!
That’s it Ladies, please take care xx
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Post by irist on Apr 7, 2022 10:06:21 GMT
Morning all. Glad you are feeling somewhat better, Tina. Onwards and upwards I hope! Wishing all those travelling a safe journey and an enjoyable time at your destination. The furthest I've been this week is to the Carers Club on Tuesday afternoon, the hairdresser yesterday and will be leaving soon for the branch surgery so OH can have his regular blood test. We'll have a sandwich at the little cafe which I've mentioned before at the venue. I'm also taking back all the books we've bought so we can top up with new ones from their charity book stall. It's a very windy day (the coastguard called it a stiff breeze !! but we're getting 40mph gusts) here so a line of washing is out held by rather a lot of pegs Sending lots of luck Val - fingers crossed you find a buyer for your house. Quite a stressful time for you. Keep up the bread/cake baking and fresh coffee aromas to entice those viewing Did you manage to squeeze your sewing machine into the car? Pleased to hear all went well for you at the hospital, Chris. A long standing friend phoned yesterday to say she's had the all clear from her breast cancer op. Is it our age that means we are hearing of more friends suffering various serious illnesses? Hope you had a good journey, Max. I've been working on the invitations for our get together later in the year. I am creating them on my laptop. I'm making A6 size cards which will be printed onto A4 card and folded into 4. All is going well except for one page, the printing on which I need to turn upside down to account for the folding. It's proving a bit of headache but I'm determined to sort it. It's good to exercise the grey matter! Wishing you all a good day.
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Post by ambersparkle on Apr 7, 2022 12:34:08 GMT
Morning all, it is very windy here, and we are all in for another Storm. Friend is coming after Work with a Test Kit, and will show me how it works for future use. I continue to improve in other ways, though not got a lot of Appetite, so decided to splash out on a nice piece of Sea Bass, I nearly handed it back to the Fishmonger, the Price was ridiculous, not sure whether to make a Sauce, or just fry in Butter, with plenty of Lemon. The Rain, has certainly brought the Herbs on, some very good Cuttings to be had, but, of course have only nipped out quickly, and they are near the back Door, like to get some to root on the Kitchen Windowsill. Am fed up with all these different Bits and Pieces from other Countries, in Masterchef, can't seem to get a decent Meal, with all the good British Food that we have. Why does everything have to be hot, or a Degree of. Absolutely sick of seeing different Versions of Curries. That feels better! Awa to sort out my Dinner, without any Curry Powder anywhere, just plain old Mash, with plenty of Butter, Sea Bass, fried in, ahem ! Butter, and a Green Vegetable. Love to all, Tina x
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Post by ambersparkle on Apr 8, 2022 8:31:42 GMT
Morning all, a beautiful Morning, but an icy cold Wind. Friend turned up with the Covid Kit, and showed me how to use it. By the time we had finished, I had totally gone off eating, so later on had a boiled Egg, and it will be Fish tonight. Am going to have to find a Project to concentrate on. Bit of a Burger when you are supposed to keep your Feet up. Everyone with a young Family is looking for cheap Recipes to feed them, wish I could give them the Knowledge I have, on making Ends meet, but could try and put some Recipes on here, on the Thread Sue started, does anyone know how she is keeping, I believe she has or had, a Blog. Saw this really easy, cheap Recipe I want to have a go at, not today, but am making a small Pot of Celery Soup, just for a change. The aforsaid Recipe, is called Italian Meat Balls, but contains very little Meat, especially mine, as only eat Chicken and Turkey. You take some stale Bread, soak for a bit in Milk and Water, then squeeze dry, feed the Chickens, if you have any, with it, well, easy enough to find a Chicken looking for a good Home. Then add any bits from the Fridge that look tasty, but unwanted, or not enough for a whole Meal, and squidge them into a Ball, with fried Onions, sounds 'orrible, but am assured that in a Tomato Base, they taste like the real thing. No definitely not doing them today, my Stomach is doing somersaults ! Better get a move on. have a good Day, hope you are settled Max, love to all, Tina x
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Post by brightspark on Apr 8, 2022 12:00:44 GMT
Having just typed a long post, I forgot to save it, and you've guessed - it disappeared.
Ho hum, it was probably boring anyway!
Safe to say that we have arrived safely, but a difficult journey yesterday, with road closures, delays ending up with us arriving around midnight, after leaving home at 7am. A very long day with severe winds, plus halfway through France, rain, all the way to here, and unpacking in the rain, too. A 'full English' this morning as our brunch was very welcome.
Tina, sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your tum again, it does sound as if you need to be very careful with your diet in an effort to avoid the problems, which is a shame. Regarding the meatballs, perhaps adding some herbs, or grated veggies e.g. carrot/courgette. In fact you've given me some ideas!
Iris, good luck with the invitations. With the technology, I have found we have to try several times before we get it right. I managed to make some into notelets to sell, using my paintings as the front cover, but it still took a while to create them. That was way back when...! Yes, I managed to fit in my sewing machine, and all my cut pieces and more fabric, I have placed into one of my new pizza boxes to keep them nicely flat, so I shall probably start later on. I also brought some yarn and OH was telling me about his old 100% wool beanie that he has had for many years (think 50+) which he wears when working outside, and through washing has become a little bit small. I had a skein of Jacob's fleece yarn in brown, so I have started knitting him a new one, though he would tell me not to bother if he knew I was making it!! Ha! Also some lighter yarn for making a few wristwarmers, easy to make and keeps my hands busy when watching tv in the evenings. I have also brought with me, my Ledgle (https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEDGLE-Rechargeable-Knitting-Adjustable-Brightness/dp/B01MTC84F3), which is great when working with darker yarn. (Plus, it is rechargeable!)
Chris, glad to hear of your annual review and that it went well. We will be having smoked haddock this evening, nice'n'light, and easy too. Have a great time at Rutland Water next week, your photos of it are lovely, so I can understand how much you enjoy the place.
Max, hope you arrived okay, and that your new oven is working well for you.
We have had an email from our potential purchaser with whom we had the viewing appointment, who has said that he has been found to have a health issue, requiring more tests, so have cancelled their viewing for now.
We are now awaiting the arrival of Storm Diego here - our neighbour (here) sent a text to me yesterday while we were on our way down France, that the weather is terrible. Perhaps we should've postponed our trip ...
Have a good day everyone, x
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