No T Words mentioned at all - a fresh start

hoglet121

Morning everyone :-)

SM - yes, you certainly have my sympathies, everything seems to happen together doesn't it! The glass incident happened the same week we make our 'extra' mortgage payment of the year (as we pay fortnightly), and just before my tax bill and our quarterly rates (council tax) are due. Wonderful timing! If it's any consolation our 'cheapest washing machine we could find' is still going strong after 7 years (she says touching A LOT of wood) despite 3 house moves and a 13,000 mile sea voyage, so your plan of buying a cheapy one may well be a very good one.

MLW - I do hope you're OK, and that the builders will be done soon.

Candlelight - our Socks loves to lie on the table, she knows she's not allowed to, and she also knows that I'm a pushover :-)

We had 2 lots of bad news from the extended family this weekend; a miscarriage on my side of the family and a cancer diagnosis on DH's. There is lots of positivity coming from both sides, but we really do feel for them both. I had craft club yesterday and I wasn't sure if my cousin would want to come so soon after losing her baby, but she did and I think it went very well. One of the other ladies is having some marital problems, so there was lots of sharing and support, and lots of laughter too which was lovely. They were with me for 7 hours so something must have been going well :-)

Here's a funny little story to end with... on Saturday I went to the market and thought I'd pop into the library to see if they had some particular books I was looking for (it's very small, so you never can tell). I knew I didn't have my library card but if they had what I wanted I'd come back later on once I'd got some work done at home. Found what I was looking for and duly returned later on in the afternoon, with my library card. Went to check out my books.... 'card cannot be read' - looked at it again - it was my free entry to Auckland museum card!!! What a shocker! Anyway, I went to see the librarian and asked if she could put my books to one side whilst I went to get my card.... she looked at her watch and said it was only an hour till closing and she didn't think I'd make it back in time (we live a whole 10 mins walk from the library which I had explained!) so if I had my driver's licence on me she would be able to issue them using that! What a great solution! I was very pleased (and just a little bit annoyed with myself that I hadn't asked in the morning) as it saved me a walk in the hot rain.

Well that's enough from me for today,

love to you all,

Hoglet x

candlelight_2013

Hoglet, I am sorry you have had bad news, there seems to be so much bad news at the moment. It sounds as though the craft club was just what your cousin needed and also to share her troubles with someone else.

I had a phone call this afternoon from the DD of our Commissionaire at the office where I worked. When he retired he moved down to Devon, and when we were on holiday a few years ago we went to see him. He was a lovely man and his DD phoned to say he had just died, he was 94. I know he missed his wife dreadfully, but she died a few years ago, and he really managed well since her death .

Sad, but he had a good life and we have many happy memories of him.

Candlelightx

hoglet121

Candlelight - that is sad, and as you say he had a good life and I think that is the best we can all wish for. What an incredible age to live to, and especailly managing well after his wife died. He sounds like he was a lovely man.

Hoglet x

[Deleted User]

Hi CANDLELIGHT I'm absolutely fine after slipping over, not even bruised. I do heal VERY quickly and find that unless I actually break the skin with a cut (and even that heals fast) I'm usually OK the next day, just a bit stiff and today you'd not know I'd done it! Builder is upstairs working and we've asked for an upstairs working loo by this evening and he's said he can do that. The work is going to take to the end of the week at least as he's not able to finish tiling until the shower is fully installed, and that seems not unreasonable. The guy is coming to fit the extractor fan this afternoon so that's another big job out of the way. I'm off on the 10.13 bus to town getting out of the way, Lyn xxx.

candlelight_2013

Good evening all,

Well I have sorted my wardrobe out. and it looks lovely inside. I had 3 bin bags full to throw away, and I have 2 coats to take to the hospice shop.

I have been ruthless, I don't know about you, but I tend to keep thngs "just in case", well just in case never comes about so they have been thrown. Out went a couple of cardigans which were going "bobbly", and then had good sort out of my undies drawer and camisoles. Out went old tee shirts and some old sweaters. Some looked really washed out, so they went. I am quite proud of myself and I usually buy new undies in the Spring, so this was just a little early.

We went shopping this morning for a few bits, washing is up to date and we just had scrambled egg with grated cheese on top and 2 rashers of bacon on toast for our meal this evening. I try to have one night a week where I am not cooking a full meal, and now that we are both retired we are not always very hungry.

It was a harsh frost this morning but then the sun came out, but we are promised heavy snow tomorrow evening, so we shall see, they have promised it before but nothing came of it.

I hope you are all well and hopefully warm

Take care all

Much love

Candlelightx

hoglet121

Morning everyone

Candlelight - I certianly could do with doing something similar with my wardrobe - I'm sure there are jumpers in there that havent been worn for over 2 years. Im terrible for hanging onto things 'just in case' and also sentimental things...

FTM - one of my family has a gardening/mowing business over here and he's certianly kept very busy. He works incredibly long hours, starts at 7 and in the summer we often see him driving to his next job after 8pm, and he's told me his tip is to always remember that the service he provides is one which most people could do themselves, so he can never allow his standards to slip or his customers will wonder why they pay him. He also recommends going after bigger jobs, as he loses a lot of time driving in between customers - I know he's managed to get regular income from pubs etc with large beer gardens. Not sure if that's a help but thought I'd pass it on.

We had a lovely evening last night - it was still so hot when I got home I was actually glad our garden doesn't get the evening sun. We sat out there all evening and had some drinks and nibbles (cherries mmmmmmm). We have a long weekend coming up, not sure what we're going to do, as we can't spend much money at the moment, but we might go to the blueberry pick your own farm. for about $20 we can get enough blueberries to see us through the year, and whilst that obviously is still spending money, it's not too bad for a day out for 2 people, with 2kg of bluberries to boot.

Sorry, I'm running a little late , must get one with some work,

have a lovely evening everyone,

love Hoglet x

scottishminnie

Hi all

It must be catching - I've also started the wardrobe declutter. I need to be more ruthless though. I grudgingly parted company with a knitted tunic which I hadn't worn for years and then recalled I'd bought it on a winter trip to the Rockies - that was in 1997:eek: I'm more of a hoarder than I thought!

It's been a pretty drastic week here weather wise. Hasn't been above freezing since Sunday and most mornings closer to minus 6. As I was heading into work this morning thinking my coat wasn't terribly warm I remembered I have a full length faux fur coat. It's a bit on the glamorous side - think Elizabeth Taylor however I think it will be coming out at the weekend:) I'm off to London tomorrow so I don't think it will be needed there.

The heating problem was water in the fuel which hubby managed to fix himself so hopefully that should be the end of the problem. I've ordered a replacement window vacuum too - fingers crossed thats the maintenance complete now other than fixing the garden damage.

Hubby is currently watching " The Resoration Man" where a couple are restoring a WWII air control tower in the Highlands. He says even as a derelict building it looks amazing so I'm off to watch.

Will return after my trip to the tropical South!

candlelight_2013

Hello all,

Another heavy frost this morning. I had a text from DGD2 to say she and her brither had missed the bus and could Himself take them to school please!! Of course I said yes, but they would have to give him a few minutes to clear the windscreen, but he managed to get them there on time. I know it isn't DGS fault, DGD2 loves her bed.

Did a bit of shopping and popped into see DD, she is fine, has physio again next Tuesday, and she says the new exercises are certainly helping.

I am at the hairdressers tomorrow, and DGD1 and her boyfriend are coming for tea on Sunday, so it will be good to catch up with all her news.

FTM thank you so much for the lovely card. Hope the girls are OK, and how is Sam? I hope he isn't too despondent about the job sitution. There must be something out there for him beause he is so willing.

Hoglet is it still hot and sunny in NZ?:) How are the tomatoes doing, I hope you haven't lost the whole crop.

Kate, how is the house going? Do you have at least 2 rooms where you can be comfy?

Lyn have a lovely weekend with the Zebra child and DD, and lots of cuddles.

SM I love Restoration Man, but my goodness some people have wonderful vision. I don't think I would, even when I was younger, would have the courage to take on some of the projects, although they look gorgeous when they are finished.

Have a good weekend everyone and try to stay warm

Much love
Candlelightx

candlelight_2013

Hello all,

Absolutely bitterly cold here today, we both have nasty colds, but I am almost over mine whereas Himself is suffering something dreadful:eek:

We had a lovely day yesterday because DGD1 and her boyfriend came for a meal and a chat, they are such lovely young people and of coure Flora loves to see them because they make such a fuss of her.

We took DD shopping this morning, and then she had an appointment in town, which turned out to be a waste of time. We had to park in a muti story car park, and take my word for it, it was fairly disgusting. Whilst she was at her appointment we went into a local pub for a spot of lunch, which was very nice, but Himself didn't feel well at all. He is now trying to have a sleep on the sofa, and I am still trying to get warm.

DD has physio early tomorrow morning, and after that hopefully we won't need to go out for the next few days. They do say it is going to be even colder, so I am seriously thinking of hibernating:rotfl:.

Lyn I am so pleased you had a lovely weekend with the Zebra child, and 8 teeth as well, he is a clever boy. I do hope the building and plumbing work is almost finished and you will have your home to yourselves again.

AOT are you OK and managing to stay safe and warm?

Not much happening here at Candlelight Towers, so have a good day everyone, try to keep warm and ROLL ON THE SPRING please.

Much love

Candlelightx

[Deleted User]

WOOHOO!!!! I have a working shower!!!