A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

BitterAndTwisted

Byatt wrote: »

Rosanna, Henry Hoover wants to be close to you, so perhaps if you put a blanket on your seat when sitting on it, then try putting the blanket on the sofa? You probably have tried that, but thought I'd mention.

This is an entirely sensible suggestion. However you are discussing a feline and they are the least sensible animals it is possible to be in contact with. Single-minded, contrary and with their own very mysterious pusscat agendas doesn't quite cover it. My own feline, or rather the one who owns me, has a number of comfy beds littered about the place and rarely sleeps in any of them. Where is his favourite place? The cardboard carton the telly was shipped in, on top of plastic packs of those polystyrene packing-quaver-thingys. I was going to get shot of it but I haven't the heart. That's right, I'm his abject slave and dedicated hand-maiden.

Good news. Our landlord has sent the contractors round and hooked us up to the communal digital satellite aerial. Goodbye Freeview and the necessary phone line package from V!rg!n and hello 60 pence extra a week on the rent. I'm just waiting to see how much they are going to try and skelp me for, for just the broadband now. They had better not mess me about or it'll be another provider tout suite. They've had quite enough of my money over the years.

Contacted my lovely friend about the free/found boots. She hasn't seen them yet but is getting her very delighted hopes up. I do hope they fit and that she likes them, but "beggars can't be choosers" etcetera. There aren't any neighbours chucking out Jimmy Choos or Louboutins this week to my knowledge.

Byatt

Just when you think the support workers understand about the dog at my DD's...one of them insists DD takes pooch for a walk, which is fine, except today it rained as if for Noah's flood. Poor pooch was soaked through and cold. She is 12 and has cancer and needs to have her immune system in tip top condition. Irate me, writes calm letter. :mad:

B&T, yes, canines are the same. Mine had a gorgeous Jones bed along side numerous other blankets, throws and cushions but still always sat on my chair. :cool:

GQ, what an exciting life you lead! What were you doing in NZ? Well done on staying on the horse!

Dee, hope the OT's visit is helpful. My DD's OT has been fab and they do sometimes come up with things we haven't thought of.

grandma247

Quick hugs for all of you who are having a hard time just now and I hope all you poorly ones get better quickly.

On the first of the two bad winters we had our condenser pipe froze and water was dripping over the worktop. I worked out it was the pipe outside causing a backflow or something and spent an hour defrosting it with my hairdryer then wrapped it in tea towels and plastic carriers. It never froze again. It still has its wrapping on. I may get some proper insulation before this coming winter
It saved us the cost of getting the plumber out.

mardatha

Horrible wet day again. Chicken run looks like the Somme only far muddier. Am sitting watching my neighbour who is up on the hill, belting round a sodden field in a 4x4 with his collie. Not sure if the collie's in charge and leading the way -or if he's just trying to catch her but the collie's beating the Subarau by about 80mph. Sheep not bothered - probly too wet to get up!
So bloody wet, nothing planted in the ground yet and nearly the end of April. Look like a re-run of last year on the growing front.

SDG31000

Morning All

Well Leicester has blue skies at the moment, but I have no idea how long it will last. I've got one load of laundry on the line and another in the washing machine. Fingers crossed that the rain holds off while I'm at Knit and Natter. mardatha do you want me to have a go at knitting wooly hats for your chickens? I want to try felting, so they will be a bit more waterproof.
grandma247 we had the same problem with our boiler. The pipe is lagged with scarves at the moment, but they have done the trick.
Byatt I hope you read them the riot act. Poor dog.

I suppose I had better go and get dressed. My purple dressing gown is quite fetching, but not really suitable attire for the local library. I'm saving that for when I'm old enough to get away with being eccentric. It will go with the pink and purple hair I'm planning on having

Take care everyone xxx

short_bird

Morning, all: Just a quick mention of the TV series The 70's. Last night, it tackled (amongst other things) inflation, price rises and the introduction of credit cards. I think it's on Iplayer. The interviews on the price of tomatoes and soap are marvellous. The joys of doing French homework by candlelight... ah yes! I remember it well:D

BitterAndTwisted

Yes, so do I except is was going to work and having to do it by the light of a gas-light thingy. Gawd, I don't want to watch TV programmes about all that. Watching one's modest wage being eroded on an almost daily basis by increasing prices was very frightening and I'd rather not be reminded of it. Lunatics stockpiling lav-paper and causing shortages so none was available in the shops. The only up-side that I can think of was what we got up to in the evenings with no power. The pubs were fun too: no pumps, no juke-boxes, flattering candle-light and plenty of friendly chat with people you'd seen but never talked to before.

ginnyknit

Just been out and looked at my empty veg plot, thinking OMG I have to at lest turn all that soil over ready :eek: Then I remembered the 'garden claw' OH bought me years ago, so I dug it out of the darkest receess's of the shed and set too...I have done all the beds in 15 minutes and only a twinge in my back :j It actually looks ready now, just need some sun and Sherpa Tensing to fight his way through the massive seedlings in the greenhouse. I cannot believe how well my seeds have grown this year and soooo strong.

Have mince, veg and lentils in the slowcooker so we can have shepherds pie for tea.

Dd and partner are stripping their living room and we have decided to leave them to it(as requested) and just patch the walls for them when its done. After much worry about them moving a distance away they have decided to stay put. the landlord seems to have sorted out the damp problems and they cannot find a house any better than the one they have. Was just hoping they didnt get carried away and strip the ceiling - luckily common sense prevailed

shelley_crow

I've only just been able to get on here again, not sure if it was the site or my internet but either way my laptop wasn't playing ball! I felt so lost without you lot, funny isn't it.

I've finally managed to get an old kenwood chef at a reasonable price on ebay, I've been scouting the boot fairs with no joy, need to buy a bowl for it though.

Just got around to planting my aldi blackcurrant and blackberry bushes, along with the sole surviving strawberry plant. After 7 years of living here and many scorched plants later, I've realised our garden is south facing and that's why the plants were dying. Should have been very obvious but not to me.... Hoping these plants survive now they are in shade, gutted that the fig tree bit the dust. Might bug OH to make me some raised beds. He's agreed to getting more chickens so trying to sort out some housing, yay!

Hope everyone is ok, will have a read through the many pages I've missed.

Byatt

Shelley could you get on the internet ok, and was it just mse that was a problem? If so, I have the same problem at times, using FF so switch over to IE until it rights itself again. Very odd.

Yes, SDG, the riot act was read and their suggestion was to get a coat for pooch. Mmmmhhh, why didn't I think of that? (sarcasm...).

Pootled out to town to the bank and somehow accidentally found my way into a CS and have added a rechargeable lantern to my winter campaign, for £6. Was terribly tempted by a mushroom holder in terracota, but talked myself out of it. Especially as I'm decluttering big time! Also found a Lee Childs book, his latest, for £1.25 so snapped it up ready for holiday next week.

Isn't it funny how you can grow to love a town. I thought it was the pits once upon a time, but really love browsing around it now, and have become quite attached.

Still raining here.

I'm still recovering from fall, feel very shook up still and a bit fragile.

shortbird, forgot about the 70's programme. I have to say I loved the 70's, so will have a look on iplayer. I do remember the power cuts and 3 day weeks but don't remember the awfulness of it.

xxxxx