General Chat

goodmorning fred I also would like to extended my deep sympathy's to you and liz and all of your nora's family. at a time like this having a close family does help the sadness. to-day is clear and very cold -16to -22 so I was going to go out and clear the car off from the snow we had but I think that I will wait till to-morrow I find it hard to breath when it is this cold and if I wear a scarf over my mouth it steams up the specs so in I stay. brenda glad to hear that you are feeling better any news on your op. anne who you met with me her oldest son who works in russia took his family over to a villa for new years and on new year's day quite early his wife had her appendix out in a russian cottage hospital a gp made a house call!!!! they apparently keep you in for 5-7 days they are due to fly home on monday so she should be ok by then . bye for now dorothy

Hi Everyone,Dorothy Glad Annes d.i.l is ok must have been a bit frightening for her really
Might get to Bury on saturday need some bits from the fish market.
Also want to look at some shoes.hopefuly in the sale!!
No word on my op yet.
Love to all Brenda.

Morning all from a very bemused Fred,who is sitting in the computer chair ,thinking to himself [iv'e been down this road before] ,and muttering dire threats to hibernate next november if things don't improve.
The engineer came out as promised yesterday afternoon,and found that the govenor on the meter wasn't working properly.
He duly changed the piping and govenor,and did a test that revealed there was a slight leak which turned out to be the shut off cock on the meter.
This was duly changed along with the pipe it was connected to.
Again the test meter showed a leak,down near floor level at the coupling that joins to the lead pipe leading back to the meter[no doubt disturbed whilst changing the other pipes],This coupling and pipe however are on the consumer side of the meter though ,and he is not allowed to touch them..He must have felt a little guilty though because he left a new coupling for my fitter to put in when he calls this evening,and in a way ,it's as well it happened when it did, while the gas board engineer was here to isolate the fault.
Only problem being ,the cupboard that i so lovingly rebuilt ,will now have to come down again [muffled sobs ensue] lol,along with the words ooooh ,bother [in Freds bestest Pooh Bear voice] he he.
So ,here Fred is ,sitting on the puter in Janurary with a portable gas fire going full blast[like last year]
No gas hob for the dinner meal like last year.
No hot water without a kettle [like last year.
And looking out of the window watching the snow[like last year ]
Never mind ,i have heat in the front room,and upstairs on the top landing for Liz bless her.
Fred is off now ,to sort out his wolly drawers he he.
See ya later.

goodmorning fred I guess you are feeling bemused (love that word) with the problems with the gas hope you get it fixed soon, so you have some snow I have been watching the british news to see how much you are going to get. at the moment no snow is fallin in my area but the sun is shining but it is fooling us at 9am this morning it was minus 31 and that is just the temp not counting the wind chill factor so it is another day inside for me. we are being warned how quickly you can get frost bite about 30 secs can do it if you are not covered up, brenda anne's daughter in law is feeling better and was to be transfered to the european hospital in moscow late yesterday, her husband was to start work again on the day the family were to fly home but he may have to come back with them I don't suppose she can manage 2 children and 4 suitcases so soon after an op, say hello to bury for me and I envy you a trip round the fish market say hi to the plaice for me I do enjoy that fish. the firemen are coming to day to do the final test on the new farm alarms so I had better get showerd and dressed by for now dorothy

Goodmorning All
Fred things can only improve with your heating problems Hope it is soon all sorted for you
BRRRRRR Dorothy keep warm while im trying to keep cool Yesterdays temp here reached 31C and the previous day we had 34C but today its cooled down cloudy and 13C at 7 30 am but no rain as yet Might just be a day for catching up on jobs that Margaret

Hi Everyone,must be the time of yesr for things to go wrong,my car was back at the garage ,they said it was the same thing but did not charge me and that I should use it more.
The washer keeps stopping just beforre the last spin ,leaving it full of water and clothes.Managed to get it to spin and get the clothes out but don't know why its doing it.Will have to get the repair man out.(ano9ther £40.00)
The snow was coming down but not sticking at all today but it was really cold,not sure of the temp.
Speqk to you all tomorrow.brenda

hi margaret glad to hear that your temp is warmer than mine but when it gets to 31 plus in the summer I will try and not complain. brenda sorry about the car and the washer everything seems to go at once does it not, lindy is having problems with her washer also the stove the oven part they had to send the part away, it is a gas cooker one of the jenn air kind it came with the house to replace it would cost about 2500 dollars thats right 2500. hope the son and heir recieved a good bonus this year he may need it. it is about 7pm and quite warm -11 !!!!!!! but I have put the electric heating pad in to war m the bed. watched a new dalziel and pasco last night on bbcc called the houdini's ghost it was very good though I was amazed how the actor that plays pasco has aged we have not had the series on for a while, it was followe by new street law with john hannah he still looks great so I am off for now bye dorothy

Morning folks.
This Is My Island In The Suuuuuun Where-------------
Cor ,what a difference,the son in law of the lady next door came last night ,looked at the offending pipe and said,no way can that be repaired,too old and thin now,and if i try to repair it it will go somewhere nearer the floor.
To put a whole new pipe in would entail ripping up the floor ,putting new piping along to the cooker,putting a new pipe up the inner wall ,taking floorboards up ,whatever.
Then he says ,i see that you have an electric oven and only a gas hob,so how would you feel about going over to electric altogether and just using gas for the combi boiler,it would be tons cheaper,AND i could have the new pipe in within 45 minutes.
The wife looked at me ,and i looked at her ,and we both said together DONE go for it.
All it took ,was a hole bored through the brick partition on one side where the meter is ,to the other where the combi is,all to be hidden behind the cover that is already there.
Upshot is ,this morning i am in the bahamas ,shorts and tee shirt on ,enjoying a cuppa with the rooms at 21c ,and this is with the combi controls set way lower than before.
There is a bonus too ,the spare electric hob that is in the shed has now a new home,he he,i will be fitting it later this morning.,the gas one will be given to the youngest son,who believe it or not ,is going to convert it to run on calor gas ,and fit it to his B B q set up in the yard[should be quite something when done],his B B Q's are legendary in the family.
Liz is feeling musch better now we have a date for the funeral [next Thursday] and as she will be cremated at the crematorium as she wanted,and the crem being a lovely site overlooking the tyne valley ,where mum was laid to rest ,liz is happy in her mind at last,i have promised also to take her up there any time she likes to visit both of them.
Liz says thanks for the good wishes everyone ,it was a great help,but now ,with the funeral sorted out ,it's time to move on.
We will be going to the metro centre this afternoon to find Sean some warm waterproof clothing for his skiing ,have to watch out for him in case of spills you know lol.
When i showed him the temperatures that they were having in canada at the moment ,his eyes widened somewhat he he,and i said ,i will settle for the 1 to 5 below we get thank you ,you can stuff your 20 below .or worse i will stay indoors thank you.
Off now ,to get the hob out of the shed ready to fit into place.See ya later.Fred..

hi fred in your own tropical paradise how great for you and liz to have the problem with the gas solved at long last you must be very pleased, tell your son that if he is coming to ontario that we are supposed to have good weather next week a warming trend is on the way next wednesday it is supposed to be 10 above big differance from 31 below. to-day it is about 11 below so I will dress up and go and clean off the snow from the car though I am sure it will be frozen on but do need to go to the shops for bread etc. again glad to read your warm news bye dorothy

Not a very warm dasy here and the radiator in here has gone on strike,it keeps coming on and going off whenever,I think it needs bleeding but John sys it doesn't,mind you we have to move a large bookcase full of my Family history stuff to get to the valve.!! the hot water is playing up as well so i will be phoning the gas board to see whats what as I pay for maintenence cover on the boiler and as central heating.
Fred hope you looked in TK MAxx and either Lidl or Aldi as they all have sking stuff in.
Dorothy and Margaret i do not usually look at temp.but have started to do so,,even Johns mother has been saying its only 17 or it will be -5 etc.
dad changed his car and all seems well,
Hope to get my new shoes tomorrow ,amd maybe a ncie longline cardigan,
Brenda

goodmorning brenda hope you made it to bury market I am sitting here thinking about it one can have such a good time there, the fish place and that wonderful cheese stall makes my mouth water I cleaned off the car yesterday but after that came in and stayed in, off to-day to the library and to the grocery stall. the grandsons are playinghockey to-day and then I think that they are going snow boarding, have started back on doing the family research again I had put it down for a while just recieved some info fro the 1841 census that is going to be a big help hope you all have a good week-end has any one heard from sylvia she has been quiet for a while bye dorothy

Evening all,well I got to Bury Market and saw lots of shoes I liked but they where either not in the sale or not my size,I have very broad feet and find getting fashionable shoes at a decent price difficult to sy the least,I am ok with sandals as they can nearly always be adjusted,boots are not bad either ,but nice comfortable and stylish court shoe !!!!
Could not find a cardi either wanted a long line one to keep my back warm ,they all seem cut off at the waist these days.Did geta nice pull on hat,a few books and cotton tee shirt with elbow length sleeves for work.,that was half price.David has made me a brew so i had better go and get it ,I have a habit of forgetting its there and then its too cold.!!!
Brenda

Morning all,Poor Brenda ,we know how you feel up here,liz is only 5ft 3 [on a good day ] lol,and most of her gear has to come from the childs section ,such a hassle when looking for formal wear for a do,so i hope you get sorted okay.
We had some bother truying to fit the hob yesterday,all because i forced it ,more of less ,into the corner of the shed with a load of other gear leaning on it resulting in the wiring harness getting crushed.
Pooh bear came out to play again when i finally got it wired in ,lol,turned it on ,and ,FLASH,BANG ,ooooops ,ooooooh bother ,for want of a more succint word he he .
Taking the hob back out and turning it over ,it was easy to see that it was defunked,large scorch marks between the chassis and wires in a few places.
Never mind,Pooh resets the trips on the box ,collects Liz and goes to Comet,who happen to have a sale on.
Liz chose a nice new [black hob] with ceramic rings for £130 quite cheap really,any way we got it home and it went in easilly.and it's a lovely match .the whole unit ,hood ,cooker ,and the hob are black,easy to keep clean,and nice and neat.
It has one important advantage as well he he,Liz chose it herself ,and won't DARE to complaine for ANY reason in the future[chortle ,snigger] at last ,i have her at a dissadvsantage over something ,small as it is lol.
Today i am trying to make my mind up over where to put the new dishwasher ,up on the wall to leave all the bench space free underneath ?,because we only have limited space and mount the newmicrowave on another wall or mount the washer on the bench ,and the mic'over the top.
I think it will depend on the weight of the dishwasher,the old mic' is 20 kilos the dish washer is 22.5 kilos but i need to allow a little extra for the weight of a four place setting and water,say an extra 4 kilos,now ,the question is ,can i get some heavier arms to take the extra weight?,i may have to go for wall mountings such as they use in offices with adjustable arms screwed art multi point places,so be it.
I will awaken the household very shortly when i let lose with the kango hammer tool i used for years on site ,THAT will wake 'em all up har har.
Good job next door are away for the weekend ,i only have my lot to wake up he he..
See ya later .[i hope ] if the missus dosn't do for me.Fred.

hi brenda sorry that your shopping trip did not go as well as you hoped better luck next time I see you bought some books though, fred you are one busy man I don't know how you do it. to-day I am going to take down the xmas decorations I like to keep them up for a while, the place will look a little bare, had an amusing phone call from the vet's office yesterday when I took the boys in for the checkups in dec sasha had gained a half a pound over the year, so the call was re how was sasha doing on his diet!!!!! and had he lost any weight and would I weigh him and give them a call back with the results, well I ask you have you tried to weigh a cat on the bathroom scales enough said and I really don't have him on a diet just low fat food he weighs 7kg so that its it for me bye for now dorothy

Hi everyone,its been a sunny but cold day here,bit milder than it has been,but it was nice to see a bit of sunshine.
Decided to make a nice big beef casserole today as a change from havig a roast dinner,it was really good but we then found we did not have any red cabbage in ,so we had beetroot instead.
John would have liked a pie crust on it,but as we are cutting back on things like that he had some bread instead!!.
I have a number of weddings and "do's" coming up this year ,thats one of the reasons why I wanted I wanted the shoes,will try the Lowry shopping centre next week as there are two good shoe shops there..
We have been told by our vet to put the cats on a diet ,they are oriental cross (not sure what with !)and the vet said they should be slimmer ,being oriental,but as we don't know the other half of them we don't think they are overweight,we certainly do not overfed them.I suppose you could weigh yourself and then hold the cat and get weighed again Dorothy?? can't think of any other way unless you put him in a pillow case and put him in the big scales in the greengrocers!!!
Well done on the hob front Fred,my friend needs a new cooker but is on a very tight budget ,she saw a model she liked at a price sshe coud afford,in a newspaper advert, but finding it in a shop to actually see it is proving difficult,She needs to get one soon as there are only two rings working on the one she has and she can not put the grill on and the oven.!!
I've loads of stuff to put on my family tree and saved putting it on til now as I thought well I won't be going out much ,but it is so time consuming I had forgotten how much there was.
Have some ironing to do later before I settle down for the soaps.So I will see you all tomorrow.
Brenda

hello yes brenda thats what I did with sasha to get his weight anne has just phoned from bury she said she saw some long cardi's in M and S but maybe they were gone when you were up there, now get this her daughter in law is flying back from russia to-morrow with luggage and children and a helper, but on wednesday she is flying to turkey to have an op on her gallbaldder, when they transferred her to the european hospital in moscow they must have gone over her with a fine tooth comb, as to why turkey they have private insurance and they can get it done in another posh european hospital, anne is fit too be tied she does not think much of her having two anaesthetics in two weeks, plus she had that major op for a big tumour not long ago, then her son in law fell of a ladder to-day and has shattered his shoulder, not a good day for anne she also called me twice about it as she forgot she called me. hope you find some shoes at the other place it is fun going to weddings off to watch corrie on the computor bye for now dorothy

Hi ,just to let youi know I am having my pre op assessment on Friday 18th ,they will then tell me when the acrual op is (hopefully).
Brenda

hi its midnight here and I was just checking the site and saw your good news brenda hopefully as you say they will have a date for your op, I was over witht he children the afternoon and evening andrew is in ottawa for three days and lindy had a teachers meeting so I made the meal for the children, though laura helped and made a great salad it went great with the taco's. we have had some rain so it has washed some of the snow away and it is a little watme r11 above, I had a good look around my favourite book store to-day as I had three gift certs to spend but just looked to-day, the streets look a little dull as most people have turned off the out side christmas decorations, well I guess I shall pop off to bed bye for now dorothy

Afternoon folks,from a wet and windy manchester.The rain seems to be keeping everyone in but I expect we will be busy in a while when the schools come out,luckily we are only here til 5.
Might get back later.Brenda

Hi all,
Managed to find the site again. Thought for one awful moment that I was going dement.
The Xmas decorations are now packed away again for another year. Not without the usual little quarrel might I add. I had packed some boxes and then found Johan unpacking them. I was livid, to say the least. He thought I had packed some of his little plastic envelopes, but I hadn't. I took myself off to the shops and when I returned everything had been tidied up and put away. I treated myself to a beautiful bunch of 20 white roses and 10 pink tulips to brighten up the place.
The house always looks so dismal when the decorations are taken down.
I have my birthday to contend with now on Friday and have the usual visitors. However, Johan's youngest sister - my age - cannot come on Friday but is coming on Sunday with my niece. I then had a phone call from another sister asking if they could come on Saturday. I said "no" as it is too much for me. We start off with coffee and cake then lunch time there is soup with bread rolls etc. then evening meal. I cannot do this 3 days in a row. Those were the days!!!
Anyway, this sister is also coming on Sunday. I hope I can persuade my granddaughter to pick them up from the station. She can borrow our car!
See you tomorrow.
Sylvia xxx