No T Words mentioned at all - a fresh start

[Deleted User]

SM we had a phone line problem a couple of weeks ago, no one could ring in and we had a dead line here. We reported the fault and the engineer came out, no problem with our phone line, connections, handsets etc. no problem with the box in the road that supplies us, they finally traced it back to the Telephone exchange which is not big enough for the capacity of lines it has to service, not very well ventilated and our fault was due to an entire rank of connections in the exchange overheating and faulting out!!! Apparently it is a very common problem these days, wouldn't you think that they would maintain the infrastructure better than that with the amount they charge for using it???

We had the most wonderful weather down here and spent most of the weekend in the garden and polytunnel. We've got various lettuces developing nicely, french beans in the poly and planted outside now as well, some beetroot and basil planted in the poly and grow bags with tomatoes planted out in the greenhouse. He Who Knows has set the irrigation system up in the greenhouse and we'd like some rain now to refill all the water butts that we've been using for watering. He is going to put preservative on the Mini Barn today and give the empty butts a scrub out, I'm processing more rhubarb to go in the freezer and maybe making chutney as well, depends on how hot it gets. If it's too hot I'll dry some in the dehydrator instead, have a good break later on in the month, hope the strawberry scones turned out well too, Cheers Lyn xxx.

katep23

Morning everyone, hope you are well - where has summer gone?! Sounds like you have all been busy!!

FTM, thank you for asking, yes I have passed my exam, so pleased and I got a really good score as well so very happy.

Had two interviews a week ago, both went well but I wasn't sure about one job (too much management involved) so I withdrew from the process but the interviewer has (via recruitment agent) asked me to stay in the process until second interview and said that the role has changed so there is not as much management.

Was supposed to hear back about the second one yesterday but no call so will chase that up on Monday. Also been put forward for another role with a very well-known company who are supposed to be fantastic to work for and the agency can only submit 3 cv's so limited competition too. Feels quite positive!

Spent the bank holiday with my family in the west country which was lovely, sat out in the garden with a book, enjoying the sunshine.

Have washed a load of towels and got them on the line this morning to try and beat the rain but just noticed it is drizzlng out there. Ah well, they won't get any wetter!

It's our local gardening association plant sale today so am going to head over for that and see what I can pick up. My seedlings have done nothing this year apart from carrots in tubs and leeks in the greenhouse. Got a few courgettes and tomatoes I have picked up but need cucumbers, purple sprouting broccolli, sprouts etc.

scottishminnie

well the broadband and phone problems continue. Sometimes I get hours online, other times nothing for days. BT have very grudgingly replaced some cable on the roadside however that was only when 5 homes were affected. 3 now seem to be ok with 2 of us left unresolved so BT closed the fault down and are insistent this is unrelated and we must restart the process. I'm :mad::mad::mad:
and getting ready to blow a fuse. I've also had to buy a new broadband router at a cost of £60 as they told me they would not investigate the fault further until I could prove all my equipment was in working order and within guarantee periods.

My mood hasn't been helped by the atrociously cold weather and persistent rain we have had for the last two weeks. The only dry day was after the bank holiday when I'd returned to work. I've had to sow onions and celery in heavy rain and the weedkiller which I put down has made no impact whatsoever. We're going away for a break in about 10 days and I can't wait. I was so looking forward to sowing my veggies and enjoying my spring garden after last year's nightmare however it is like groundhog day.

Congrats on passing your exam Kate - great news. Bet you are glad to have that done and dusted. Good luck on the interview front.

MrsLM - I found the dried strawberries you mentioned and the scones were heavenly. I will certainly make them again. I also made a lime and coconut cake a few weeks back (Delia recipe) which proved so popular I've now made a further 3 for various people. Definitely a recipe for adding to my little handwritten book.

I'm off to darn the toes of several pairs of opaque tights - I don't think I will be wearing anything lighter any time soon!

Have a good week all.

[Deleted User]

Oh SM have some Hugs, how annoying that BT is being so difficult. I have to go to my DD1s house to be there when the BT engineer comes next week as she has lost both landline and Broadband and she lives in a fairly large city in the west country, I think, like every other big nationwide system that BT just haven't been putting the cash in to do proper maintenance and the whole thing is staggering along and falling to pieces. Makes for boiling blood doesn't it?

We are struggling a bit with the garden, miles behind where we normally are for the time of year, the polytunnel is the saving grace, but even that is late and we just haven't planted anything outside except 6 climbing french beans which are standing totally still - what can you do?

Glad you found the dried strawberries and the scones were good, my favourite in the urban fruit range is the dried cherries, oh my they are delicious, but very difficult to leave alone when you've had a couple. You have been warned, Stay warm, stay safe, Cheers Lyn xxx.

flowertotmum

Hello all...wow i have been so busy...hope your all ok and doing well..

MLW..hey hun you ok..how is the wedding planning going?
SM..hope you got BT sorted..
Katie..well done to you..congrats coming your way.

Well its wet and very windy here today..but we are counting our blessings after the tornado that hit Oklahoma this week..
I have been totally re-organizing my home..i blame pinterest for it..but its o so good..my cupboards are all neat and tidy..the girls wardrobes have been condensed down..and all the big clothes have been put in storage for Iris..we had fun doing it..the girls now can choose their own clothes everyday..they love it..i donated two huge bags to the CS ..my son was impressed and has done his room too..he bought his own storage boxes and went through it all..it looks so grown up now and he can find stuff...
I an doing the airing cupboard later ...i am going to do a system..single sheets bound with a pink ribbon,doubles with a blue..so on and so forth..am looking forward to it i like a challenge..i know i did it not long ago but this way everyone will know the system..

I have been doing other stuff..i have recovered the girls school table in fablon 79p from Home Bargains..i had enough left to redo my table mats and coasters..looks nice and fresh..we made some big letters out of card board and covered them in different fabrics paper and wool..we spelt out R E A D..and hung them above the chalkboard..i went through my fabrics and made some lovely bunting for the garden and found some old jam jars and hung wire on them and put little battery operated candles in them to flicker at night its lovely to watch them.
We have been baking up a storm and re-filled the freezer with cakes,pies and tarts..
The garden is looking good too..got my lettuces going well..had one for lunch yesterday and it was so fresh..my toms are going great and my spuds have been moved outside..the allotment committee rang and we are 3rd on the list now..fingers crossed it won't be long..i do miss them..
Hubbys mouth is still an ongoing saga..he has had 2 lots of very strong antibiotics and its still there...he has seen the oral surgeon and was told the NHS won't pay for the specialist treatment he needs so we have too...its going to cost a lot i think..he is sending us a breakdown and price of it all..and hubby will need a month off work afterwards to heal 100%.. so frugal street here we come..but we will be so relieved its been done and he won't have anymore pain or antibiotics..honestly he rattles when he walks he has had that many of them.
Anyway i have to go my Fionna is on her way to us to collect her eggs for the week..and we can have a natter too...
love you all and hope your ok.
love
ftm

[Deleted User]

Hi FTM we're doing nicely thank you. Wedding is all but sorted, venue booked, registrar booked, ceileidh band booked, invitations sent, dress being altered to fit, prospective in laws met and approved, all that's left is to get the bridesmaids together in one place and find a dress that suits 3 very different sized and shaped persons. I've got an outfit, her best friend is making beautiful cup cakes for the dessert and I'm getting a big fruit cake as an alternative should anyone not like cup cakes. And the honeymoon is booked too phew, busy,busy,busy!!!

It sounds like you've all been busy,busy,busy too super news you're so close to the top of the allottment list, it really makes a difference to what you can produce with that much land to cultivate. The garden here is getting filled up, we're waiting for the last order to arrive and that was 10 Globe Artochoke plants, I love them, we've runner beans in, climbing french both in the poly and the garden, peas in the poly, leeks on the lottie and in the garden, multi lettuces in the poly, along with a cucumber and a courgette at opposite ends, some beetroot and basil and parsley in there too so it's all looking good though we could do with some warmth soon to bring it all along. Sorry to hear that your DH still has problems with his teeth, poor lad must be sick to death of it by now, rotten luck that the NHS won't pay for the work but I expect you'll be as relieved as he will be to see the end of it. I hope he's not too uncomfortable with it now, horrid!!! Look after yourselves and if, only if we get any nice weather get yourselves out into it for a little sun worship, will do us all good eh? Cheers Lyn xxx.

katep23

Hi all. FTM, sorry to hear hubby is still suffering. Hope it's sorted soon.

Mrs LW, sounds like wedding plans are all in hand, how lovely!

SM, hope the BT issues are resolved / get resolved soon.

Been doing more training, working at home. Keeps me in the work mindset and I shall be taking another exam and hopefully have another qualification to put on CV. Am getting quite into this studying malarkey, am thinking of starting an OU course in October, depending on work situation. Got quite a promising lead on a job for a company in the same industry I have worked in for 12 years and they like my CV and have 2 roles which I could be suitable for, fingers crossed I get an interview.

Had an unusual bird in the front garden, hoovering up all the dropped seeds from the bird table the last two days - a pheasant! He quite happily wanders around... The woodpecker who visits hammers the fat balls and loads of bits drop on the ground.

Grey and miserable here, think we will have a fire this evening. We're having fake takeaway tonight - chicken tikka masala, pilau rice, onion bhajees and naan bread, using up a few bits out of larder. I need to use up as much as possible as at some time in the next 2 months we will be having double glazing fitted (yay!) and I guess they will need to be able to get to the window in the larder to do so. Ho hum, will be fantastic once it is done, just need to clear a lot of stuff in a few rooms for them to be able to work.

Joined our local gym today, it's attached to the academy school. I don't do gyms really but I love swimming and it's only £23 a month each so if I swim twice a week it pays for itself. Need to get more active as haven't been able to do much in the garden so far this year...

I did however discover that clubcard points can be used for Dobbie's membership so as I have one a few miles away I have used a whole £4 of vouchers to do so. They have some nice looking brussels and PSB seedlings so once the veg patch is dug over I will be making a trip to buy some.

Lettuce seedlings are in the ground, broad beans are doing well, potatoes in greenhouse are just about to flower as are the first of my (bought) tomato plants and courgette plant. Only doing this well as bought in lots of seedlings this year but at least it's something. Oh yes and my patio fruit trees are in blossom and one definitely has some fruit growing - first year this has happened!! Very excited at prospect of eating our own apples and pears.

scottishminnie

Evening all. I'm rather ashamed that I haven't been around much.

The BT problems continue - one of the engineers told me he is sure the problem is that much of the external wiring needs replaced however he said they will do everything they can to avoid I'm truly demented as I often work from home but can't do so without internet access. I'm in the hands of the BT "special care" team for problem cases but they refuse to escalate things as my fault was only opened on April 9th - apparently I can't escalate before July 9th:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Anyway - I've put it behind me and we've headed across the pond for a break so at least I can get internet access in my hotel rooms!! Great to get away for a bit however I had to get things planted in my raised beds before I left. Fingers crossed they will be ok while I'm gone.

I've planted - re onions, white onions, celery, romaine lettuce, garlic, carrots and 2 lots of potatoes. I have some parsnip and pumpkin seeds to sow when I get home.

I also bought another rhubarb plant and a red gooseberry bush so they were also settled in before I left.

You all sound so busy with weddings, gardening, exams and job interviews it makes me feel like a lazy besom:o

FTM - hope Mr FTM's mouth problems get better - I can't think of anything more miserable:(

Off out for some retail therapy and hubby has realised that the Fast and Furious 6 is showing at the movies - guess that's what I will be doing tonight!

katep23

Oh SM, sounds like a nightmare trying to get anything resolved with BT!

Am very happy, our neighbour has just delivered 2 tonnes of manure straight onto our veggie patch via a loader - we weren't sure if he could get through the gates but he managed to so that saved a lot of wheel barrow trips! Need to dig it in then get planting ASAP. Have 3 lovely courgette plants and one marrow ready to go out, will buy some brussels, leeks are looking good and mum is donating some purple sprouting broccoli, plus BIL might have some cabbage / caulis and tomatoes spare so hopefully will be well stocked this year.

Can't believe the difference in the weather today - we had such a lovely bank holiday weekend. Had a barbeque with the neighbours and friends yesterday, loads of food left over so we had leftovers for lunch (rolls, ham, dips, coleslaw and potato salad - home made) and will have roast lamb with LO jacket potatoes for dinner.

Just before the BBQ yesterday our cat brought us a present - a very young moorhen chick! We put it in a box in the garage with a heat lamp and our neighbour gave us some chick crumb. He seemed unhurt and was alive and well this morning so we drove about 30 miles to take him to a wildlife rescue centre for them to take care of. We will call next week and find out how he is doing - blooming cats!

Sat in my living room (at front of house) this afternoon and suddenly heard the ducks. Looked out of the window and the ducks have managed to get into the front garden! Not a problem but my lettuce plants are out the front and the fence between us and next door is wooden poles with about a foot and a half gap underneath so nothing to stop them getting out. We've put some wire fencing across the wooden fence and put chicken wire up around the veggie bed so hopefully that will stop them damaging my plants if they get in again!

flowertotmum

Hi all..wowsers isn't it lovely today..

MLW..o so glad the plans are going well...its going to be a great day for you all...i have just realized that i am the mother of the bride...omg..will have to have a nice dress...annie has chosen her dress and we have paid for it...she has chosen her flowers and table decorations..her sisters are paying for the cake as a gift..we have bought them both a gift..a weekend away at a posh hotel..bless them they weren't going to have a honeymoon as they can't afford it...the rings are bought and paid for so its pretty much on track...i have met the in-laws..my god how can 2 miserable so and so's have a wonderfully funny son..total opposite to his parents thankfully...they seem to think our family is crazy..we are not we just like to have a good time and try to see the funny side of things..better than being miserable..god help them at the wedding then..it will be a doom and gloom on one side and laughter and happiness our side...i reckon if they crack a smile they would feel better..but hey ho..

Katie..am so jealous of your manure..never thought i would be over a pile of s**t....i do hope the little moorhen is ok..and aha i knew your ducks would be like my chickens and be escape artists.

SM..blimey what on earth does problem cases mean..its a bloody phone line and internet..if it don't work fix it..honestly hun how you haven't hurt one of them yet i don't know..."special care team"..utter tosh..or do they mean your a "problem case"..coz you won't take their carp..i seriously hope you get it fixed...and i hope you enjoyed you retail therapy

Its all go here at flowertot mansions...i have done my airing cupboard..by eck its a thing of beauty..lol..
Only trouble is i have seen the most gorgeous paint that would look just perfect on my bathroom walls...hubby is refusing to paint it..so its up to yours truly..to try and then try again and hubby will give in and feel sorry for me and take over...love that man..
We have had the bill for the planned dental surgery...it ain't pretty..£456..plus a month off work...the price is if it all goes to plan..no complications..fingers crossed it does..haven't got the date yet we had to agree to pay before they set the date...
My one and only son has won an award from his college..excellence in joinery and carpentry and 100% attendance for 3 yrs..so proud of him...
So that me..for now..what are you all doing and being good i hope.
lots of love
ftm