Hi Dita and all

[Penny]

Morning Dita and all, lovely and sunny but very cold again. Day started off well, now boiler starter has bust so we cannot get the heating on. Have to get out all the electric stuff now. Not my year. At least I can send hugs for doggie today with knowledge that a good walkies is on the cards, together with kisses for pussies who will be trying to keep warm today. OH has dental appointment this afternoon. Just preparing lunch, fingers are so cold. Take care all and keep warm. cheers Penny

[dita]

Hi Penny and all, Many hugs from little doggie to you Penny, its cold and how dare your boiler give up the ghost at such a time, I do hope it is sorted quickly. It was a dull morning but sun out now, quite nice for walkies and she loves those hugs of yours to help her on her way. The year is just starting Penny, just a blip I think, so do not feel apprehensive yet. The chimney that was the point of the fire has now gone, have yet to found out what other damage occurred that night. Keep your pecker up and keep warm. Take care too, and all.

[Andere Richtingen]

Hi, all. It's mizzly and drizzly here and very grey. Probably not great walkies weather . Weather forecaster said it would be "as warm as March" today so why is it I feel colder than I have all week, I wonder? Talking of which, hope you've got the boiler sorted out, Penny - funny how these things give up the ghost when you need them most, isn't it?

OH has gone off to Finchley for the day for some sort of Nerds' gathering. It's all something to do with vintage radio and TV - I've given up asking because the answers tend to be long and complicated. I'm rather enjoying the peace and quiet - odd how most things only take half the time when I'm on my own, too! Lucy K has occupied his usual chair to keep it warm for him and shows no sign of wishing to move.

The pasta sauce thingy the other night was delicious by the time I'd added some creme fraiche and grated some cheese on top. OH liked it so much he said can we have it again but, of course, the chances of me having exactly that mix of ingredients in future or remembering what I did with them are fairly remote.
I've been wondering how Viv is 'cos she was expecting the results of her scan yesterday, I think. (No, Viv, don't answer if you think I'm being nosy but have a anyway).
Have a good day all and keep warm.

[dita]

Good morning Penny, Andere and all. I was wondering about Viv too, hope all well. I've felt colder today too despite the weather forecast, it is very damp and not a pleasant walkies for doggie today, she really needs those hugs Penny to warm her up, think Lucy Katt has got the right idea. Hope you have warm fingers again Penny after your boiler let down, they always seem to let us down when needed most, odd isn't? Keep your chin up Penny take care Andere and all.

[Penny]

Morning Dita andall, hope everyone is wel and keeping warm. Bighugs on the way in case doggie gets cold again today. Warm kisses for puss, in the best place. Been a bit busy in the kitchen as usual but enjoyed our favourite today, liver with sweet onion. plus veg's of course. Keeping fingers crossed for Viv, lets hope she had such good results that she is off celebrating. Hubby managed to get the boiler on, seems the old timer/switch is on its last legs. Will get that sorted soon. So, do keep warm all and look after yourselves and hubbies. cheers Penny

[dita]

Hi Penny and all, pleased you got the boiler sorted without too much hassle, as long as timer lasts until warmer weather arrives. Hubby gone to breathing clinic today, a bit of peace and quiet for a while, Yippee. Nice and sunny for doggie walkies, big hugs are sent to you with a little tail wag today Penny. Not heard anything from Viv, do hope all well. Little sun for pussies, they may be out and about doing what they do best. Keep chin up Penny and all.

[Penny]

Hi Ditaand all, just back from weekly shop at Sainsburyand lunch with son. Had a shock at the price rises already. For instance, a bottle of shandy which I buy each week for OH, cost £1. Today is £1.30.Doesn't sound much like that but in the old money 30 p. was six shilling. Can't believe it. Pleased doggie managed an early walk with the change we have in weather, cold, dark and raining. Don't think pussies will be out much today, kisses on the way and extra hugs for clever doggie. Do hope hubby gets on O.K. Dita, it is a worry when they get poorly. Don't seem to be able to cope like ladies do. Good job they have us to take care of them. In the meantime, have a good rest and take it easy. Nearly forgot, might be late tomorrow, off for an eye check. Not sure if we are then going straight on to Cosco.. Have to see. cheers Penny

[vannin]

Hi, sorry to have kept you wondering - I was wondering too up till just now, a very slow turnaround among our 'clustered' hospitals - it has been nine days! But I knew I'd have been contacted if anything serious showed.

As the GP surgery still hadn’t received the report back, I phoned the med sec of the C.T. Consultant who is based at S-Mandeville. She had the copy report in front of her – it seems Mr Huang is always slow but I have great luck with the secretaries there.

It says there is no colonic mass or diverticular disease. That is great but it still leaves me needing something prescribed for the abdominal pain. The tabs I have had for I.B.S. these 10/11 years are clearly not helping as this is not IBS. So I have to do the 8.30. a.m thing again to get appt tomorrow for prescription.

Viv

[Penny]

Well at least that is some good news Viv. Fingers crossed no for the rest. cheers Penny

[dita]

Relieved for you Viv, can only repeat what Penny has said

[Andere Richtingen]

And ditto from me. Such a relief that it's not bad news.

Hope everyone's OK and nobody's had to swim for it in this ridiculous weather. I was really tired last night and went to bed early, fell asleep almost immediately but was woken three different times by the sound of the rain battering on the windows. A couple of times this morning it's cleared and we've had about 15 minutes of bright blue sky and brilliant sunshine but then it just suddenly all goes black and rains some more. Lots of flooded roads and traffic chaos this morning; I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere. No prizes for guessing where Lucy K is!!

I know what you mean about supermarket price rises, Penny. I can't see how the 'official' reckoning says inflation is 2% when I reckon our grocery bills have increased by at least 25% in the last two years and it's not because we've suddenly developed a taste for caviar and fine champagne. I buy pretty much the same stuff every time so what's going on, I wonder?

[Penny]

Hi Dita and all, sorry your weather is so awful Andere, we are forecast the same for the weekend. Lovely and sunny today but very cold. Give puss a big kiss, certainly in the right place today. Hope doggie manages a walkies this morning Dita, sending extra hugs to keep out the cold. Just back from the opticians. Thank goodness, all o.k. Won't be looking for the second cataract operation for a long time yet. She was very pleased with my vision today. Off to Cosco later, running out of bird seed gain. Hope everyone is keeping well and warm, take care.Catch you later. cheers Penny

[dita]

Hi Penny, Andere and all, It does not sound nice out your way at all Andere, it is quite a good day here in Lincs. Good walkies for doggie despite the chill in the air Penny, lots of happy hugs are on their way. Pleased you had good news at the Opticians, you can relax as far as your eyes are concerned for a long while yet. Enjoy your visit to Cosco, hope you pick up a good bargain or too. The way prices are rising is making our shopping not such a pleasure these days, and we cannot avoid buying our basic needs and it is those that are going up, crafty lot aren't they? Keep warm and dry L Katt. Chin up Penny take care Andere and all.

[dita]

Good morning Penny and all. What a terrible day, was only a quick swift walkies today, just time for a toilet stop then sped back like a rocket for a quick belly rub with a dry towel, really looking forward to plenty welcome hugs now Penny. Just made some chocolate muffins, thought I'd give him a treat, he can have a munch while watching Poirot, what a load of rubbish on tv- unless you like snooker---. Bet I know where pussy is, who can blame her. Keep your chin up Penny and all.

[Andere Richtingen]

Sounds like you've got our cast-off weather from yesterday, Dita! My sympathies to you and to doggie.. It's merely grey and drizzly here today and quite cold; there are odd draughts everywhere even though it's not specially windy.
Yesterday was obviously Eye Test Friday: OH went for his annual test and also came back with a clean bill of health so he's happy. Not so happy today though when the postie brought him a reminder from DVLC that he's nearly 70 and needs to reapply for his driver's licence. I don't think there's any problem - he just doesn't like being reminded how old he is and I've been told in no uncertain terms that we are definitely not having a party or any sort of celebration to mark the Big 7-oh because "it's just another day". That's me in my place!
Lucy K is curled up in her own bed for a change. That's so unusual she must be sickening for something!