General Chat

Afternoon Everyone,

What a horrid, frightening experience you both had Vera. Thank goodness your friend asked to speak to you and didn't just assume your OH had drunk a bit too much wine! I wonder if he thought he was asking you for your date of birth in his confusion. It's good the medics acted quickly and established it was nothing serious and may never happen again which must have been reassuring for you both.

Yes I think the course (only three lessons) will be good as it covers things like peoples' posture and the way clothes hang in different positions which will hopefully help me improve a bit more Vera. I'm hoping there are still a few places left Mandy when I try to book up next. It's just 3 lessons and in the mornings which is when my eyes are best to see. I will no doubt want to try a painting afterwards, so Colin will get to see it if I do and it's ok! :-) Yes it's odd about the Pigeon liking to use that particular plant. No sign of him today, so I'll leave the cover on a couple of days and take it off and see what happens then! You have been busy with dusting, hoovering and window cleaning. I can never understand where all the dust comes from. I daren't look under the bed!

I hope AnnG's leg is getting better, also that there's been no vertigo. The two together are not ideal for keeping your balance. Hopefully her weather has been drier than ours so that SIL could mow the lawn.

Mel I wonder what has happened with your finger. Is there a thorn in it anywhere? Mum used to buy Nemesia plants when I was a little girl and plant them in a raised bed that was level with my chin then. I seem to remember they had a nice scent as well.

I'm pleased you are finding a bit more energy now Mandy. You have had a rough time and it's good to know you're feeling a bit better.

I love Nemesias Mel. I recently bought 2 packs of 6 plants which I've got in 2 troughs but I also have a pretty pink one in an old square stone planter which I've managed to keep going for a few years now. As for having a password book, all OH's passwords and a lot of mine are on an Excel spreadsheet on a USB which is locked in a safe if we are out of the house, but his mind yesterday wouldn't have allowed him to remember that. This Transient Global Amnesia is weird. The person affected knows his own identity and background, knows people he has dealings with regularly, can carry out normal tasks like driving or cooking but seems unable to remember recent events or make new memories. So, like someone with dementia, they may ask the same question over and over because they can't remember the answer you've given. In OH's case it wasn't so much asking me questions as keep going back to the issue of forgetting his password to open the computer. Apparently it usually resolves itself in 1-8 hours and never longer than 24. OH was pretty much back to normal in about 2 hours.

He did give me a fright a little while ago. I was near the front door when I heard him open the garage door and drive the car out. I was terrified that his mind had gone again and he was going to drive off somewhere so I rushed out to stop him. In fact his brain was working better than usual, lol. He had actually remembered that a week ago I booked an appointment to take a load of stuff down to the tip tomorrow and had got the car out to put the back seats down, clear the boot and load it up with all our waste.

I'm going to have a bit of a rest now. A combination of the stress, getting overheated in the hospital and missing a meal, a migraine trigger for me, meant I eventually went to bed at 1 am with a bad headache and didn't sleep well. I enjoyed my meat pie and veg at 1.30 but I am feeling droopy now.

Mandy you have been busy and it reminds me I have to do my windows as when the sun gets around to the front they look all misty and its not outside. You must be feeling better to get all that done.

It stopped raining this mroning after the first downpour but the wind is still up but the washing likes it. Sunshine and cloud now.

Afternoon all,

Oh gosh Vera that must have a real worry for you both, I'm glad he's back to normal now let's hope it never happens again ,as Mel said if your friend hadn't rung you might never have realised it had happened , sounds as if you were looked after well at the hospital with no waiting about and got home eventually in the taxi .

I've had a good morning I dusted and hoovered all the bedrooms and cleaned all the upstairs windows inside ,my goodness the bedrooms needed doing they were really dusty as I haven't done them for a week or two with having no energy .

Ann I wonder why the pigeon has decided he likes that plant ,I've had the birds pull out bits of the basket liners for their nests and they've scrapped soil out all over the slabs .
It will be good if you can get on the drawing course and then back to your paintings ,Colin keeps asking has Ann sent any of her paintings .

Anng hope your leg is getting easier and your cold too .

O Vera what a frightening thing to happen. Its just as well he answered the phone and then brought it to you to speak to your friend who informed you of what was going on with your oh. My first thought was that you may have put the pies in the oven and forgotten about them with all the worry and getting to the hospital. I do hope he is ok now and why hav'nt he got a book with all his passwords in? I have one cos I can never remember them all for the different places I need them. I have also told BIL where they are is case.........

It would happen when you have that nice holiday booked once again in Vienna. I do so hope he is ok and he is in my prayers.

Em came round for eggs and had 2 dozen so that was good as they have been building up and I can only eat so many eggs.

I ordered some (6) Nemesia plugs in three different colours and they arrived this morning in a plastic box all taped up with extremly sticky tape. It took me ages to get that off and then they had clips on the box too. Got them out eventually and they look good little plants so now the next job is to pot then up but first I am going to give 6 pots a good wash. They should be good as they cost me £14.99.

Hallo ladies

It's not very warm today and is grey and cloudy with rain expected in a while. I won't be gardening today. I hope the weather is OK where you are AnnG so your daughter and SIL can get the grass cut for you.

I wonder if you hurt your finger when you were tying up your rose or trying to sort out your greenhouse Mel. I hope it feels better soon.

That drawing course sounds right up your street Annx. I've missed seeing your paintings and hope you do some more soon.

Well, we had a worrying evening yesterday. Around 6 pm OH was upstairs on the computer and I was just getting our meat pies ready to go in the oven when the phone went and OH answered it upstairs. It was a local friend ringing to thank us for her birthday present. After talking to OH for a couple of minutes she asked him to find me as she needed to chat to me and he brought the phone downstairs. The first thing she said to me was to ask if OH was alright as he seemed very confused and was saying a lot of nonsense about not being able to get into the internet and wanting to know her birthdate in case that was his password. Anyway I went to check on him and he was clearly very confused and fixated on his password that he'd put in wrongly so many times that he was locked out of his computer. I thought he might be having a TIA or mini-stroke so I rang 111. The helpful chap there spoke to both of us and said he would get an ambulance sent.

That arrived about 7 pm by which time OH was almost back to normal. The paramedics did tests and then took us to the hospital getting there about 8. The emergency department was packed and I thought we might be there most of the night but, as a possible stroke patient, OH was moved through fairly quickly. By now he seemed normal and felt he was there under false pretences but lots of checks were done and loads of blood taken and he saw the senior doctor on duty in Emergency. He talked to both of us about what had happened and what reactions I was getting from OH, thought he had a diagnosis but wanted it confirmed by someone else. He disappeared and came back in a while with another man who I think was a consultant neurologist. We went over all the same ground with him and were given the diagnosis of Transient Global Amnesia which is fairly rare, is very alarming but not serious, doesn't need any treatment and may never happen again. I was told I did the right thing getting help and if it happens again to get him back to the hospital quickly rather than assume it's just this TGA.

We then rang for a taxi to get us home and got a lovely young man but he must be the only taxi driver with 2 satnavs who still managed to get lost. He took a different route to the one we would normally use but it was a valid alternative route so we didn't say anything. At one point he ended up going through a tiny village some miles from us and then turning into this long, dark and very narrow country lane that we didn't know and had no idea where we were. Anyway eventually he came out to the main road again and we got home around 11.30 pm. Luckily I'd been given a firm price by the taxi company so he couldn't try to charge more for all the extra miles he drove. As it was it cost us nearly £40 to get home.

So it was an interesting evening to say the least and the local grapevine has worked overtime as the phone hasn't stopped ringing this morning. Now I am going to go and cook the dinner that we didn't get last night.

Morning all,

Windy and lashing rain thats what I have come out to this morning. I hope the little greenhouse stays up with my temp repair but if not I shall just have to take it down and buy a new one.

Hope you all slept well and are refreshed for the day ahead.

Hows he leg this morning Anng? improving with each day I hope. I don't know what I have done to my left index finger but it hurts like anything as if I have bruised the knuckly. Just old Arther I expect.

Evening All,

Some rain around lunchtime and the wind has got up a bit tonight. The pesky pigeon was back this morning and must have been up early wrenching away more of the plant for it's nest. It had decimated what was left so I have put an upturned humper over the remains with a brick on top. I can leave it like that for a few days without harming the plant and hopefully the pigeon will have finished it's nest by then! I've never known anything attack the plant before and it must have been there over 10 years.

We both did a short stint in the garden again and the bin is filling up nicely and quite heavy. I hope we don't get a complaint about the soil in there, but I can only get some of the more mossy weeds out with a trowel and the soil they are rooted in. OH had a bad back, so he started cutting back the bottle brush which died back badly in the winter instead of bending. We may get rid of it as the flowers we get now are very small and there won't be much left after the dead stuff has been cut out.

I've managed to set up my HMRC account registration again now I have a passport, so I can access it again now to do some checks. I've also found a three day drawing people course online that I might sign up to tomorrow. It might get me back into painting again.

It sounds like the shop has some tasty treats to tempt you Mel! It does sound like you have hay fever with the sneezing, but OH only has to see the sun to start sneezing and his dad was just the same.

That's good you were ok on the journey home AnnG and I see you are getting the garden back under control already. I wonder if it might be your cold and blocked nose that has caused the vertigo and balance issue when you bend down? It's good the lawn will be mowed for you tomorrow, one less thing for you to do.

I'm glad you're home safe and sound Anng and that you did feel a bit better for the journey home. Just come in from the garden again and tied up the rose and got the cover sort of on the little greenhouse I just need a brick to lift the central pole up a bit that the only way I can use it for this year and then I'll have it taken down cos it won't last another winter and the plastic cover is getting a few tiny holes in it but its done well and provided shelter for toms and cues over the past few years.

Tired and thirsty now so I am giving up for today.

Hello all

We got home at about 1.30, uneventful journey, lots of traffic, lots of mph at 40, 50, 60 no hold ups or accidents.

I have felt fine today, well my leg is still painful and still got a blocked nose, I slept well and the vertigo didn’t bother me but, I discovered when shopping in local Tesco that if I bent my head down I almost lost my balance. And that continues when trying to sort out some of the garden, that was almost immaculate before I went away. It is a jungle over run by triffids. I have already one third filled the bin with huge sucker branches that had grown on the rambler. And daughter has strimmed the lawn edge, SiL
will mow it tomorrow for me.

Have you got a cold or hay fever Mel.

Iv'e been in the garden trying to tidy up the old Albertine rose and mend my little plastic greenhouse but after all the tying up of the rose bush I now have prickled hands all over and my back hurts so I came in for a rest and see what you lot have posted but see it only Vera keeping me company so far today. Hi to Vera you've got a lot done today so I'm not surprised your back is aching. I did do a bit of painting this morning before lunch and as I said before Iv'e been up the post van. Popped in the shop first to sample their new bakers wares. I bought some more of the rolls I had on Saturday as they were lovely and I have put those in the freezer for Saturday when BIL comes. I also bought a doughnut and a cream pecan cake like an Eclair with icing on the top and nuts. I shall have that tonight after my Cottage Pie. So 4 rolls seedy ones a doughnut and a cream cake cost me £6 exactly. The new stuff does look good and the sausage rolls are longer than the other from the old place and the meat inside is pink instead of grey. I did'nt know they were going to do cream cakes again as its years since they stocked those. I must admit it is very large this Eclair thing.

I now have to find a couple of blocks of wood to put under the central cane I have had to put in the little greenhouseas its not quite tall enough to keep the middle point up. I have had to tape two canes either side as the old metal frame had rotted off at the top and I have to tape the cross bar on to keep the sides out.

Where is everyone today? I hope you are all missing because you're busy and not because you are unwell. AnnG will have been travelling home and I hope her vertigo has gone. It's horrible having to sit in a car when you aren't feeling very well.

I spent a couple of hours in the garden this morning to make the most of some dry weather and then came in and did the ironing and I am paying for it now. My back is really sore but I can't just sit around and rest all the time so I just have to grit my teeth and get on with it. I'm sure you're all the same. We'd probably be better doing just a little each day but that's not possible in this country when you can't rely on the weather.

I've also washed the towels, done some general tidying up and also done some filing and admin, and prepared tonight's veg. It's a shop bought meat pie tonight.

I am sure there was something I was going to tell you but it's gone completely out of my head which is a bit like a sieve these days so instead I'll wander down to the post box with youngest granddaughter's 18th birthday card. Her birthday is on Sunday so I want her card to arrive by Saturday. I'll send it 1st class but it ought to go tomorrow. Our only collection from the box is before 9 am in the week. I doubt if I'll be out that early in the morning so I must get it in the box by tonight. At least as her birthday is on a Sunday she will have time to look at her cards and presents and won't have an A-Level exam that day..

Morning all,

A brightish morning with sun and cloud and blue sky. Pc is saying 14 degrees and partly sunny so I hope the day is better than yesterday.

I slept right through till 7. 49am and I think thats the first time for ages I have not had to get up in the night. I feel quite refreshed today but still sneezing and blowing my nose.

I have a little parcel to do up this morning and get down the post van so BBL.

Yes I had too laugh at that sub too. I think they just grab whateveris in front of them when they have missed something off the shelf.

Its blimmin cold here and I may haveto turn my little leccy oil filled rad on for this evening or put a blanket over my knees.

I've just checked again Mel and I've got your email and pics now, but it didn't arrive till 16.42pm so came after I asked Mandy to send them to me. Thank you and thank you Mandy for forwarding them. The tiny shrew would have been a surprise to see when you opened the door! I haven't seen one for years,

I know what you mean about missing your own veg you grew Vera, as I did the same. Even when I lived on my own I used to grow enough toms, lettuce, runners, black currants, goosegogs and rhubarb to supply mum and the ladies she looked after. I'm the same as you now and couldn't do it on that scale anymore, although my head says I'd like to! Fancy someone thinking sticky toffee puds would be a good alternative to veg! :-)

I am more or less ok now, just tired as I didn’ t get much sleep at all last night. Hopefully I will be fine tomorrow.

Mel your BiL is a real asset isn’t he? Bless him.

I think any travel pills I have will be out of date. I used to have the. In case I needed them for flying but that was 4 years ago.

Ann I did see your email and I had sent the mail with no pics attached first so sent them all again I don't know why you did'nt recieve the second one with pics attached as yours is always the first email I put on.

Well Janine came down for her eggs and then the man and van delivered a small thing I had ordered but I did'nt hear him com down in his big black van but I was having lunch and saw a dark green baseball cap go by the window. Went out the front door and could'nt see him at all so I called out and he came from behind the van. It was only rubbers for my air rifle as everytime BIL pulls the plug out after pumping it up he twists the plug and breaks the rubber washer.

Shopping came too this morning but later than usual and with the grumpy driver. No subs and nothing missing and it was quite a big order today for me.

Its rained here all day so far so I don't think it is going to stop now.

Anng so sorry to hear you feel so unwell and you have lots to do too. As Mandy said a travel pill could help a lot for the journey home. Hope you feel better soon.

Sorry to hear you’re not feeling too good and had a bad night AnnG. Try and get as much rest as possible and fingers crossed that the journey home won’t be too bad for you.

Mandy, I’m jealous of your beans. I love runner beans but don’t think I’ve had a decent one since we moved here and I had to start buying them from the supermarket. I’ve got used to it now but when we came here over 10 years ago I really missed our home grown veg. I had a big vegetable patch and grew nearly all my own. The disadvantage was that it was hard work and I wouldn’t be able to look after such a big patch now even if I had the space.

We’ve had a couple of really busy days. I wanted to get in the garden this afternoon but the weather has put paid to that. It’s been raining on and off all day and it’s not very warm at all and a bit breezy.. Maybe I can get out there tomorrow though the forecast isn’t good for the rest of the week. Right now I’m waiting for Tesco to arrive. I got the receipt by email this morning and there’s nothing missing and no subs so that’s good. When I was doing the order I came across something that made me laugh. Going through the lists of products I saw a pack of vegetables of some sort - I can’t remember what - and the text underneath said the product was out of stock and suggested we substituted with…….wait for it ………sticky toffee puddings :-S. I can just imagine what OH would say if I served him with a plate of meat, potatoes, sticky toffee pudding and gravy, lol.

Sent Mels photos Ann

Afternoon All,

Three scam emails yesterday and two today up to now.

It rained most of the morning here, but we braved the weather to go to the factory shop as I hadn't been for quite a while. We didn't buy anything even though we had a £5 off voucher. I saw a couple of things, but not in my size. They'd had a move around too so nothing was in it's usual place which doesn't help. The thatched pub that burnt down a year ago has re-opened and looked very smart from the outside.

Vertigo must be horrid AnnG and a bit scarey if it was worse than you've had before. I hope you have started to feel better now and will be ok to travel home. I hope your leg is improving too and that you are managing the stairs ok.

Those beans sound good Mandy and Mel, especially if they are nice long ones.

While we were having lunch I noticed a Pigeon pulling at a patch of golden leaved Candytuft in one of the island beds. The little devil seemed obsessed with it, tugging away at different bits till he got some in his beak and flew off over the bottom fence with it. Seconds later he was back, stamping all over the plant and pulling at other pieces till they broke off and he could carry them over the fence. OH saw him fly in the direction of the tree just behind our fence, so we think there must be nest building going on. I wondered if he liked the smell of it as it has quite a distinctive smell..........'room freshener for the nest!'

Mandy could you send me the pic of Mel's shrew please? I got the email but no pic was attached. I let her know, but I don't think she's seen my reply yet.