Weekly Chat, Sunday 28 November 2010

Back at last!  Haven’t actually been anywhere, but OH has been all over study and into guestroom to install a new socket in wall instead of behind my craft desk!  When he went for local paper this morning, I sent the Ch Cards with him for posting as I got fed up with them hanging about here!  Never posted in first week of December before.  While he was busy this afternoon, I cleaned inside my shower room cupboard and drawers.  Did meal planning and shopping list this evening – will shop in Morrison’s after my hospital clinic appointment tomorrow, so want to make sure we don’t need to go there again till after Christmas.  Yes, ‘tis right, I have an o/p appointment on a Saturday – Sleep Clinic is so far behind that they are doing catch-ups!  Temp above freezing right now – had some wet stuff fall out of the sky, and some thawing of white stuff!  Supposed to be plus one degree all day tomorrow!

Lindy – unlikely to go to graduation!  When OH graduated, his mother assumed she would be there, and visitor places were limited, so he told her that if he went the two places would be for his wife and baby (me and Dau#1) – and he didn’t even go himself because he thought it was a waste of money to hire obligatory cap and gown.  First Dau didn’t go to uni in the end – she was married by then, and declined her place rather than be away from her OH.  He gained a professional Fellowship and she and his mother went to his in Manchester.  Second SiL had our Dau#2 and the two wee boys as his guests at Aberdeen, and she was recently a late graduate via Open University, and I think SiL and only one of the boys went to Glasgow for that one.  Son decided it was a waste of time and money to go south to Oxford to collect his!  I guess that if GSon is limited to two, it will be his Fiancé and our Dau#2!  Sorry it’s a long explanation!

 We believe we are to be invited to the wedding, although we may get struck off the list because Dau#2 was horrified when I said I would not be wearing a dress, and we would not stay overnight to watch them drinking!

Another lovely poem, for Tomasz!  Been thinking of you enjoying your first cuddle.

Wendy – pleased you found help when you were stuck in the world beyond!  I have been so hoping that landowners would be held responsible for deaths of protected species, so pleased you saw it in the paper.  If they actually instruct their gamekeepers, they should be prosecuted – and I hope there is also a penalty for ownership of illegal poisons where they are used.  Son phoned today – said the flat is almost too hot!  He’s had no more water in after putting up some bubble wrap, but I said he must speak to the landlord, as it could be worse at the next snowfall.

Alicat – so glad to know you had a better night – hope you can catch up on a bit more sleep tonight.

AQ – sorry you have such awful heat, and had a weary trudge back to the car.  Sorry GDau has let you down , and herself too – and worse part is probably that she lied about whether she had assignments to do.  So sensible to withdraw privileges and allow her brother to still have his friend round – maybe she’ll learn one day!  Some good new tech support stories again!

Lynette – it’s fine to copy my pics – they are only taken for pleasure, and it’s good to share them.  Realised today that I share them on here, but never remember to email to family, so sent one to Son today and he was well pleased.

Terry – sorry your precipitation has turned back to snow – stay safe!  Saw on news that two elderly people had been found dead in gardens in Cumbria.  Lovely bird count from you – we had just the common stuff – but lots of them – including a dozen arguing Blackbirds and three Robins who absolutely hate each other!

Just seen how long this is – sorry, it’s all that stuff about the graduation!  You don’t have to read it all!!

Good night.

Wendy, we went up Ben Rinnes in July, enjoyed it. Met an old boy with dog. So I probably looked down on your house??

Hi, Weather report from S/C Cumbria - it has been snowing all day , must have put down 3 or 4 inches. No wind so it has stuck on the trees. The birds are eating a lot, I went yesterday for more for them and it was out of stock. I have enough for a few days though. - hopefuly !

I like the techy bits people put on here - my brother was in IT support at one time and he could tell tales very similar, a favourite being the pc not switched on...

Glad to hear Wendy's news of landlords in Scotland to be prosecuted for wildlife crimes, I hope the same law can be brought in for the rest of the country soon.

Another tech support story. See Girlfriend 6.0 v Wife 1.0

Nocturnal ramblings again as seem to have a good nights sleep every other night,

TerryM: Quite possibly looked down on my cottage especially if you have brilliant eye sight! You are making me feel guilty as I like my walks and I have not been up yet. Been here 9 years and not been up but it is  a bit like most things if it is on your door step you sometimes ignore it.

Pheasants don't just lurk in my garden but sneek into garage for shelter and into my shed to hoover up the floor of all the spilt bird food. They are the leftovers from when the local estate used to shoot in the woods behind but they have not bothered for the last 3 years.

Yes it is good news about the landlords being prosecuted when the new law is past. Lets face it the gamekeepers are put under pressure for shoots to be perfect so by inference they would be encouraged to do anything to protect there shooting grounds. Be hopeful down south as quite often Scotland does lead the way.

Evening all: Geez -  lots of snow there still. Was just looking at the BBC Lincolnshire website and people have sent in photos of what it's like in their neighborhoods: One wonderful photo shows the lower front legs of a large shaggy dog with a fat little robin sitting on the dog's foot just above the paw: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/lincolnshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9253000/9253920.stm   Maybe we should start knitting booties for birds?   Another story mentioned a Rough-legged buzzard that was being cared for by some Lincolnshire folks.

TerryM: Didn't know that about AMS.  I liked the book.

Was gone all day - has been a very busy week; haven't been home much and looks like the weekend is going to be busy too - and next week as well. Sigh. And then there's Christmas.  Oh my.

Managed to read posts - do hope all the sickies are feeling better. Stay safe and warm all you UK types!  Hallo to everyone else.  take care....  

Hello all and thanks for all the chat and pictures. Been a bit busy so haven’t posted for a while, sorry.

Congratulations Linda!!!! I am so happy for you! And what a beautiful boy Tomasz Adam is

Don’t have time to make a longer post now but wish everyone a nice Saturday

Good morning, people.

Only down to minus 2 here, and then was soon up to minus 1.  Sun coming though nicely, and positive figures forecast for today.  Need local road to be thawed by 11am for trip to hospital in Dumfries – main route is via A75 towards Stranraer ferries so that will be thawed by lorries passing through, and hill up to hosp is a bus route so expect that will be well gritted anyway.

Chrisy – birds here are all eating when they can find space between each other.  Blackbirds seem to waste a lot of energy fighting for territory – so silly.  Had bird strike on kitchen window yesterday – huge bang and wingspan imprint – could have been a Blackheaded Gull as they were being mobbed by Corvids.

Wendy – that used to be my Mum’s sleep pattern: one night on, one off – she always said the bad night didn’t bother her because she knew the next one would be good.  Any chance of Pheasant photos?

Annette – you’re rushing about again – take care!!

Auntie – you sound busy – hope you get some good time for yourself over the weekend.

Alicat - hope things are improving for you.

Diane - I keep hoping life is picking up for you too - look after yourself.

Morning, Everyone!     Such a busy day, yesterday---  we drove south, in a car laden with baby presents, whisky for Dad to celebrate & wet the baby's head, advent calendars, two bibs with "My First Christmas" and Winnie the Pooh embroidered on them, and a casserole for the freezer!  And of course flowers, balloons, congrats cards, presents from friends...etc etc.   Took us 1 3/4 hours to get there because of roadworks on the way.  Stayed just over an hour, then drove back - took over 2 hours to get home, in snow falling.

Of course, Baby Sweetpea is just the most beautiful baby ever born, and was most unimpressed by the fuss of his Grandma & Grandad!  Only opened his eyes as we were just leaving, and he was ready for a feed.  I had a lovely cuddle, & helped the new proud Dad to change him before his feed.  Both parents look tired, unsurprisingly, but all 3 of them are well and their house is cosy and warm. We were surprised to find that there was less snow in the Midlands than at home.  On the journey down, the trees looked magical by the roadside as the frosts had made them look like Christmas cards.

When we got home, we had less than a hour for a bite to eat, OH to wash & shave, then back in the car to go to the Christmas Concert which we attended last year.  This year it was sadly depleted (its only a small 'do' in a village hall) as the schoolchildren were unable to attend for some reason, so just a small quintet of brass band players & a man who kindly stepped in to play the organ so that we could all have Christmas Carols.  Not so many in the audience either, so we had to sing up!  Later back to a relatives house for cheese biscuits and a glass of wine.

Still cold here, keep warm everyone!