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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 22, 2021 9:33:43 GMT
Morning all, still Snow outside, and Daughter phoned me to say it was icy underfoot. Cancelled my Trip to the Surgery, the Boys, were not happy about it, and must admit neither was I. My Heart, does not like extreme Cold, or extreme Heat, so will have to wait till they come to me with the Vaccine. Got the OT coming to Measure the Bathroom, so a move in the right direction. Going to have to wash my Hair this Morning, I can just about manage it, could get the Carer to do it, but we both get covered in Water. As I said before, please ask any Questions you like about Life at the Convent, and will do my best to answer them. Will be back later. Have a good Day. love Tina x
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Post by irist on Jan 22, 2021 10:47:30 GMT
Morning folks. Cold morning here with showers but these are due to become wintry around lunchtime when we have our appointment for our Covid jabs. The surgery is not far from Bodmin moor so we are likely to encounter sleet, hail or snow. Oh joy. Can't complain when so many people have had their homes ruined in the floods or are coping with icy roads and snow. Good idea to stay indoors, Tina. Hope arrangements can be made soon for you to get your jab at home. I've got nothing specific planned for today after our return from the surgery. I am going to order some undercoat paint suitable for metal. The white radiator paint I used the other day did not "take" on the new copper pipe in the bathroom. It absolutely stank when the heating was on, turned a verdi gris colour and started peeling off So I've rubbed it down to bare metal again. Hey ho. I may finish the dusting I started yesterday but if I find something more interesting to do then it will be different story Hope you are all faring well and finding enjoyable activities to keep you occupied indoors. Seems as though we may still be in lockdown until May. I am gradually learning to slow down and stretch the jobs out but will be so glad when the Spring comes and we can get outdoors. Say safe.
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Post by brightspark on Jan 22, 2021 11:48:05 GMT
Morning!
Oh has had a call to have his vaccination tomorrow. I phoned to ask if I could also be included, as I take immunosuppressants, but no, not interested. We are only a year apart - wouldn't it make a lot of sense for both of us at the same time...?
Fine and sunny currently but OH needs to get the screen washer fixed on the car - it has been leaking, and winter is when it's needed of course, so we're hoping it doesn't rain or snow before he's finished!
We are still helping our nieces with dealing with SiL's problems. Yesterday they received a notification from the hospital - quite bizarre this - from the surgeon's secretary to say that their email of 29th September has been deleted and unread! Unread? Why delete it if unread? Why have they waited this long - or is it because nieces in that email had suggested the same treatment that SiL had last time she broke her arm - all that time ago, and they didn't want to do it.. I am really confused as to how this hospital department is still running, frankly.
I had some fabric from Hobbycraft yesterday - it is patterned with dinosaurs and other children's pictures - I'm thinking of making some more little games for children. Also, some labels - I saw on someone's blog about a challenge to create some 'pretty' labels, arty-style and one a day, while in lockdown. At the end of it, of course, I'd have a supply of labels ready-to-go.
We've been honoured with daily visits for the past couple of weeks by a group of egrets in the fields. Watching them from our windows, they can move very fast, they seem to be all over the fields, snacking - on what I'm not sure! Plus, while sitting at the laptop here, I can see all the birds on the feeder, which is very relaxing. Has anyone been watching Winterwatch this week? Some of the facts are quite amazing. In the visible spectrum, birds can see ultra-violet light which we cannot. Sloes are a useful food for some birds, and they know when they are ready to eat because in ultra violet light only, the berries glow when ripe - seeing them lit up with an orange-y purple glow was an amazing sight.
It's a bit late for coffee, but that's coffee time now, with chocolate cake. Have a good day, ladies, x
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Post by Aly on Jan 22, 2021 12:00:17 GMT
Morning (almost) Went out early to the local market and bought four chickens......Bonnie is black, Carrie is brown, Winnie is white with a bit of black, and Dot is a beautiful soft grey. I love them already. Next doors cats have been out with me investigating. Bonnie, Carrie and Winnie are out in the run. Dot is sat in a nest box so maybe an egg will come today. Winnie is looking very submissive and sitting on the grass whilst Bonnie and Carrie are scratching about. It will take a few days to settle down but I suspect Carrie will be alpha female. This is the first time I have been without a cockerel so it will be interesting to see what happens. My red jersey fabric came today and I plan to make a sweatshirt dress. I have a pattern waiting to be used. Must finish the other bits I started first. Dry today and not so cold . Even had a bit of sunshine. Not much of January left now. No news about our vaccine yet but should be in the next couple of weeks. The vaccine station is not far just in Domfront where I went this morning. Many are refusing it which I do not understand as it seems the only way out of this. Fortunately we have plenty to do here and are happy to be home. Our plumbing problem remains. The plumber shifted the blockage some way but his contraption was not long enough. We have ordered a longer one. We are having to use the dishwasher for washing up and the cloakroom sink for draining things. Worse things happen at sea as they say. Off out to watch my new girls again
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 22, 2021 19:45:10 GMT
Great that you have your Chickens now Aly, will they give you enough Eggs for your needs, silly Question really, as you would have brought more of them, if not. Am glad Iopted out of going out tomorrow, the Forecast is dire. The OT , came and measured the Bathroom again, so things are moving in the right Direction. Son, brought me more Dinners, and made my Dinner today. He can't get away from Cooking, he misses Work, but he is now cooking for all of us. Daughter, is exhausted when she gets in from Work, so she is also a Beneficiary, keeps him happy, and certainly keeps me happy! I got my Seed Compost today, so will get some Sweet Peas in tomorrow. Went on Hobbycraft yesterday, and bought a load of Easter related things, bought some cute little Hats to decorate. Going to have an early Night, warmer under the Covers. Night, Night, love Tina x
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Post by terrier on Jan 22, 2021 23:28:27 GMT
Evening ladies. Weather very much the same here, we had flood warnings yesterday but when we checked the Gov website our little place showed as an island ina predicted river Ouse overflow, fortunately it didn’t come to that, but another warning on for the next 24 hrs.
Working again for last few days then crocheting on an evening, made a mistake on the hat, forgot a turn at the end of a row, and didn’t realise for several rows of pattern, didn’t mind really as I didn’t like the colour change that I’d gone for, so was happy to pull it all out, it’s just so easy with crochet .
Made a malt loaf yesterday, it’s a river cottage recipe and very nice apart from the glaze that they tell you to make, it’s sugar and water that you heat until hot then add milk and boil for a minute, both times I’ve made this it did the same thing and the milk split, I still used it as it does make for a nice sticky covering, the only other issue with it is that it does stick to the liner a bit. I’ve found I if you leave a few days, it does peel away easier, but hey, who can resist freshly baked cake. 😏
I will slice it tomorrow and freeze in batches
I’m glad to see some of are getting your COVID jab invites , I’m hoping Mikes comes soon, he’s 73 this year and they are saying all over 70s will be before Valentine’s Day. Fingers crossed. No work tomorrow or Sunday, so hoping to get a good walk in, a trip from our place in a little circuit is just over a mile and so gives my knee a good workout.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 23, 2021 9:35:39 GMT
Morning Gals, all Sunshine here, but bitterly cold. Clearing out my Workspace, always a messy Business, have reduced my enormous Box of Flowers, down to two small Ones, working to a different Style now, so don't need so many, especially the big Ones. My Friend will be so happy, she loves to rummage through my throw outs, and have your Envelope ready to post Val, just getting someone to post it. I am hoping my Hobbycraft Stuff comes today, always exciting to get a Delivery from them, especially a nearly forty pound one, but I always go mad, and have some Birthday Money left, so do not feel too guilty. No, don't feel guilty at all! Daughter's Birthday tomorrow tomorrow, will give her Money, but have also bought her some Bits and pieces that I still have to wrap, a lovely Gardening Apron, with Tools, Seed Bag, with lots of Seeds in, plus a Seed Bomb, with a mix of wild Flower Seeds in, and Chocolates, she loves Chocolate, but I could not give a toss about it, put that down to working at 'Payne's Poppets', in greater London, going past those boiling Vats of Chocolate, put me off forever. you could eat as many Chocolates as you liked inside, but instant dismissel, if you were caught leaving with any on your Person. Better make a start, have a good Day all. love Tina x
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Post by irist on Jan 23, 2021 10:34:39 GMT
Hello ladies. Good to catch up with you, Jan. I love malt loaf but have only made it once and was disappointed with the result so haven't tried again. I am 72 and I only had my Covid jab because OH is 82 and the surgery decided that as I am his carer and would be driving him to his appointment, they might as well include me. So I was lucky. Can't understand Val's surgery though with just 1 year age difference and her medical conditions. Strange world we live in.
The sun is shining here now and hopefully warming things up a little. Two lots of washing on the line and another waiting for us to go out and put up the replacement line across the lawn where the bedding will have a good blow. OH's back is playing up this morning so can't hurry him. I was up earlier this morning so I've already hoovered through. Going to take some Indian samosas and pakoras out the small freezer for lunch. I bought them in hopes of having the family round on Boxing Day for a buffet but obviously that was a no no. I'm gradually going through the freezer trying to reduce the contents so eventually I can turn it off and just rely on the upright one. Now we are not growing so much fruit and veg we don't really need the two running all year.
Tonight I'm going to cook a pork chow mein in oyster and spring onion sauce with stirfry veg. Just felt like ringing the changes a bit.
I love the way you have named your chickens already, Aly. I'm sure they will be pampered friends. Hope you can get your plumbing fixed asap.
Whatever you are doing for the rest of the day, have a good one and stay safe.
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Post by Aly on Jan 23, 2021 11:56:37 GMT
Morning Encouraged the girls out of the house this morning and put food on the ground which they immediately tucked into. When I went to check them a bit later they were all in again. Winnie is looking much more confident now which I am pleased about. We have put a tarpaulin over the top of the run to give the house some protection but also the chickens. I suspect they have been in a barn since hatching and will need some time to adjust to this new life. One day a time. Every time I go out Ziggy and Sooty ( the two barn cats from the empty house opposite) come to me and climb up me to be made a fuss of. They are both very soppy which is unusual for barn cats. I have to leave the dining room window open in the morning for my cats to go out and this morning Ziggy was sat on my dining table. She looked very at home. Hope you stay flood free Jan. The rain has been so heavy. The streams around us are running very high. Heard today that bars and restaurants are to remain shut at least until July and we could go into another lockdown very soon. This will probably mean filling in the attestation again when we go shopping. We still have a 6pm curfew. Also heard that we should all have had our vaccinations by August. Always fun dealing with the French website to find out what is happening. Focusing very much on the arrival of spring . Warmer weather always helps. Hoping the longer deblocker will arrive today as it is no fun washing up in a bowl them emptying the bowl down another sink. The dishwasher is small so cannot take a whole days worth. Had the new tyres fitted today so no more keep having to pump them up. The shock absorbers are here and the mobile mechanic is coming back next Wednesday or Thursday. P has ordered some new diff oil which will hopefully stop the whine then we should have a good car. Back to knitting I think.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 23, 2021 16:00:33 GMT
Well, surprise, surprise, I cancelled my Trip to the Surgury, for the Vaccination, because, did not feel it would be good for my general Health, among other Things, and was very surprised when I got a call Lunchtime, to ask me if I wanted the Doctor to come out, of course I did! So have also had my Jab.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 24, 2021 9:32:28 GMT
Morning Girls, Sun, has come out which is lovely, makes for a good Day sitting by the Window, Crafting. My Friend bought an old Farmhouse, which had not been lived in for two Years, I went with her to view it. There were 13 Feral Cats living in the big Barn.Another Friend, who is the SSPCA Rep for her Area, not the One which the Barn stands on, first Thing She did was get the Males neutered, not an easy Job, then her Husband made some Cat Kennels, with every mod Con, nice warm Blankets, sometimes I would go with her to feed them, they would not come near us of course, but as soon as we got back in the Car, they went for the Food. She had, wait for it, 13 Cats of her own! She went up every Day to feed them, even in Winter, and I would say, you don't need to go every Day, they have plenty of Food, but she would say, their Blankets might need changing, or Tigi, her Favourite, had a bit of a Cough, Tigi, was a small Black Cat, and always on the Lookout for the Car, and towards the end of her Life, would let my Friend stroke her. Anyway, it was fourteen Years, before the Colony died out, and N fed, and gave them fresh Water, every Day, that is so Heart warming, and she is not a young Woman, well into her seventies now. Gosh, got carried away there, must get dressed before the Carer comes. Be back later. have a good Day, all.
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Post by Aly on Jan 24, 2021 10:18:46 GMT
Morning Sort of hoped to take the dogs to a park this morning but weather decided otherwise. Heavy snow but mixed with rain so did not lay. Very cold though. The chickens have settled in well and are going in and out of the coop happily. They are slowly eating more but prefer food thrown on the ground as are obviously not used to feeders. Will get it all sorted eventually. An extravagant morning as have ordered my overlocker. Really wanted the singer one but delivery costs from the UK were high with possible extra taxes and a long wait. Found it in a French shop at a reduced price, free delivery and here within four days. What is called a no brainer. Have been wanting one for ages for sewing stretch fabrics. As we are possibly going back into lockdown after next weekend it will be good to have. The sales finish next weekend too. I am very cynical. Putting together grandsons cardigan /jacket with just the collar to do and buttons to sew on. The meadow blanket kit has still not arrived yet so will probably get on with the aria whilst I wait. I need something wooly to get on with in the evenings. Have a builder coming next week to look at putting in a back door for us. This will have the cat flap in it and mean we can come and go through it keeping the mud out of the hall. With the ground so wet mud is inevitable. The next big thing is having a toilet installed in the downstairs bathroom. It is a French thing to have a separate toilet. The room that the back door is going in has a cloakroom we are taking out. We have another toilet upstairs. Then we will board off a section of the huge mezzanine to create a spare bedroom. That is all we plan to do apart from minor things like changing light fittings. A home day today I think. A lovely relaxed Sunday
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Post by brightspark on Jan 24, 2021 11:59:24 GMT
Morning ladies,Although OH had the invitation for the vaccination, and despite phoning to ask if I could accompany him as it made sense(!), it was denied. So, we decided to try anyway. We managed to get to talk to the Practice Manager and we explained, so she took my details and said to just go in there. I did. So, we have both been vaccinated with the first part. Now it is a waiting game for the second one.No discomfort from it, but an overwhelming tiredness - I even went to bed early last night - almost unheard of. This morning constant yawning, isn't it strange, I seem to be affected with the flu vaccine, too, yet OH doesn't have any effects whatsoever.We have about four inches of snow, and OH is out there at the moment with the snow plough clearing a walkway.I have two washloads on the go, but it'll be like a Chinese laundry here with washing hanging on airers etc, and some in the dryer.Aly, I love reading about your projects, all very exciting. Plus the animals - as a child we always had animals around us, but currently, a dog is our only one...:-(Good luck with the overlocker, and with your crocheting - I am making baby hats for the local baby unit at the moment, crocheted and knitted, nice little projects. Jan, I used to make malt loaf a lot, just love 'em, very more-ish.
So, Iris, you're now vaccinated too - I just can't wait to get back to being able to just pop along to our neighbour and sit and have a coffee while we sort out our current sewing issues and projects. It seems a long way off.
Tina, every time you have some memories - the cat lady, N - it is so interesting and I always wish you could tell us more. I know what you mean about sitting crafting and having the window to watch the world go by. We are so very lucky having the wonderful view we have all the way to the hills, and today, covered in snow, it is particularly beautiful. I took a photo, but it seemed that I'd taken it in black and white - the picture was devoid of any colouring.
Stay safe and stay well everyone, x
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Post by irist on Jan 24, 2021 12:32:57 GMT
Afternoon ladies. Very cold here but no snow - just hail and sleet showers. We are lucky as other places nearby have snow and black ice and there have been lots of accidents on the roads. Definitely a stay indoors day. I had to wake OH again today so we will be having a late lunch. I felt a bit tired after my jab but that's worn off now. My arm felt a bit bruised but that has sorted itself now.
You are going to busy again with house modifications, Aly. Your chickens haven't taken long to settle in and start producing. Sounds like you have lots of crochet and sewing projects to keep you busy if you go back into lockdown. I must look for some knitting to do. I'm trying to sort out our admin filing. I came across a folder of paperwork relating to my work in the NHS. Amongst the papers was my last job description. Did I really do all that all those years ago?! Made me ponder on the easy life I have now.
What a dedicated lady your friend is, Tina. I must admit I prefer dogs but we have had cats too. The last one (many years ago) was a pure black neutered tom from the RSPCA. He was really our son's. Bob as he was called was very independent. We used to leave the bathroom window open for him to come and go. However, when we had new windows fitted he refused to come indoors and disappeared one night. Despite leaving food out for him, searching, advertising his loss, etc he never did return. Son was very upset but as he was soon to go off to university we did not rehome another one. Later we did rescue a dog but she was a nightmare. She chewed the two doors into the kitchen, climbed on worktops smashing an antique plate amongst other things and frequently ran off. Despite OH taking her to training classes where she was very well behaved, at home she had a different character. Our daughter, SiL and 3 year old granddaughter came to live with us until their new home was completed and unfortunately Sophie bit our granddaughter's hand, drawing blood. She was very protective of OH and me (she would always position herself between either of us and anyone else in the house) so we had to get rid of her. We have been without a pet now for over 20 years. Couldn't have one now as OH is too unsteady on his feet. I do miss the company of an animal but needs must.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 24, 2021 19:38:38 GMT
Evening Ladies, it seems we were all vaccinated on the same Day! seems a bit strange, lol. I felt a bit hot around Lunchtime, and had a sore Back, which is rare, but am going to Bed early, as am more tired than usual. Have said all along Val, if you want to know about anything, just ask, will be pleased to answer. Have got a bit of a Headache at the Base of my Scull, so don't think I will be doing any Crosswords tonight. It is funny, there are usually about three Crosswords I can't manage, and after sleeping on it, when I go back to it the next Night, I can always get one of them, it is almost like I am switched off, but the Brain is'ent. Anyway, am having an early Night, so will say Goodnight. love Tina x
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