Morning everyone..It's a new week...11/08/2014

First topic message reminder :

Yes I'll be in bed soon.......

I was 67 then also........this is "Which fascinator do I wear?"

Hi Marg ,I hope you are feeling better as the day goes on ,steady as you go .
Now I see the the new flower picture
I am watching a night of Allo Allo
That Vicky Michelle is still a very sexy lady

Sounds like the famous "Painted Ladies" in San Francisco>
A row of Victorian row houses each painted a different color.
It started in the 70s when color was the thing to have. 
As I told you, the inside of this house was painted all different colors.
Some a bit more garish than others. 
Once the hippies had left no one wanted them painted neutral again.
So they became one of the sights to see. 

Sorry to be late again but after having lost another nights sleep
My body emptied itself from goodness knows what. 
I was exhausted and tired and needed to do a quick clean up. 
I could only manage milky tea with honey yesterday and two slices of toast.
I had a soft boiled egg this morning and a Mini Bagel with nothing on it.
I have disinfected everywhere in the kitchen and and doing the bathroom next,
Done the bathtub and Toilet so its the shower stall next and the sink and countertop.
Washing machine was going over night.
Watched two premier match games this morning.  


Ian called first thing to see how I was doing and tell me that he and his wife have a tentative
date for 8-10 days on a Greek Island. (Of course, its all depending if something comes up that pays good
or gets him on the cast list, he may have to cancel.)
He still has one book left to record and a couple of auditions to go to.
I would be satisfied if I could sit outside at my patio table and take all the phones off the hook!
If I am together tomorrow, I will phone the Geek Squad about the mix up over the service
agreement. 

Suns trying to come out but it is still cloudy and 65F.
Last night they had to evacuate an outdoor arena when a thundercloud and lightning and Hail
stopped over the venue. We did not get a sausage here!
Its the days of these type isolated incidents that happen in the desert and cause dry creek
beds to flash flood. and wind strong enough to blast the paint off your car.
Then of course you get the tumbling tumble weeds as well.
Ground has dried out now so roots are loose. 
If you go out in the middle of any desert here, you can imagine the Cowboys and Indians
behind any rock still. 
I must away and finish what I started, then I can rest again.TTFN XXXX

They have houses here built as 3 stories, garage at street level and kitchen and masterbedroom.
.Living room is over the garage and extra bedrooms are a level below the street level.
so two sets of stairs. There are more hills in Manhattan Beach so lots are odd sizes. 
Its a prime place to live right now as it has a recording studio down by the beach.

Yes Carole that's the name of the flower,  we've got different colours.....I love it.

Ah but this isn't just an up side down house....steps on the outside of the house takes you to one patio,  then you go up more steps and though the kitchen  takes you to another patio,  then indoors to the lounge  and you can see Wales while you sit on the balcony.  Where Sue lives instead of going right as you get into Portbury to Susan & Matt's house you carry on straight up the lane and 4 houses were built the same.      We looked at some town houses in Leamington, of course the lounge is upstairs,  it was tastefully done out but I didn't want to go up and down every time you fancied a cuppa.

There you go Carole more colours.

Hi its still the lads with the cup
There used to be a house on the Longshoot with its lounge upstairs,if you went by on the bus early evenings you could see them in there watching TV
Sofas and standard lamps
It said to be another hot one tomorrow,
So tanning up for the holidays,it's Portugal second week in June ,it's the place that sounds like a hat kids TV program in Scotland where all the houses
are painted different colours,? Not Alvor I need to look at the tickets,is it Valamor?

Pretty is it an anemone Vicky ?
Glad your enjoying the nice weather

It's suppose to be a blue flower.

Susan and Matt went to a BBQ yesterday, friends who live near them....their lounge is up stairs, but though the guys were all in the garden, Sue and the girls had gone though the kitchen then up some outside steps and onto the patio, Susan said lovely house but so unusual ....they can see Wales from their lounge. Anyway everyone had a great time.

Good afternoon all,it has been lovely out with strong sunshine,the BBQ went well then just sat about reading,that sounds good Vicky I will have to look out for him but frankly with my readymade library arriving every couple of months I don't tent to look for books as I've never finished one lot before the next arrives .
By the way it's the avatar of the lads in green with the cup ,
Glad the sun's out over your side to Carole you can't beat a bit of sunshine
I suppose that's me to get the drinks then and a mint chocice on a stick

Afternoon......and it's lovely

I wasn't reading Carole and I was only out for  half an hour,   and yes I wear a big sun hat, had it for years.....love my sun hat.         said "I bet your temp dropped"  and I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't the problem.       I'm never out long.

Went out today for 10 minutes,  I got bored sitting in the garden and today I was reading.

Oh Bond this book I'm reading, which Andrew Vincent wrote is very much  ex mi6,  but he's been pulled back into service  when 4 Russian's  tried to kill him but shot his 11 yr old son, but he killed all 4 and of course the police are asking him "How come?"    and he can't tell them. but leaving his son in hospital and his wife sitting by Ethen's bedside and his daughter being looked after by friends, he goes off to kill the guy who's out to kill him.      Really good.     Andrew's brother Paul went to school and was friends with Steve,     Susan invited Andrew to 2 of her birthday parties.    Their Mum Una was really stunning,  and her husband was jealous,      She was really lovely natured too,

Right I've got to    

Love this little flower.

11:10:22
Been back since 8am ,four bags $148
Ridiculous suns out temps rising 
but not clear blue skies yet ,but FEELS
fresh as all of the 2.34inches they are 
saying Bridgeport received yesterday 
has cleared a lot of the pollen away 
so not as much sniffs and sneezes today

I'll pop in later

New Avatar today
These are called "Turkey/Goose necks "
as they have tiny flowers that hang in the shape
of a Turkey's neck ,strange looking flowers and get
quite tall 2 to 3ft
I have found they SPREAD like WILDFIRE ,this
photo was from the old garden but I also have them
here on the other side of my deck and had last year
a job pulling up ALL the NEW SHOOTS as they were
even popping up in the grass

05:21:23
Morning Bond ,the patio set is looking good √
Well not such a good night as I had Saturday
so tried to stay in bed a few minutes longer this morning
The  ceased eventually sometime over night
and right now its just starting to get light and we will be
 and around 71f here on the shore...and NO
 ALL week
Atherstone looks the same ALL DRY the upcoming week

Yes the reason I asked Vicky that was I know myself having
sat outside in the  with nothing on my head and
especially if your head is down  when getting
up it can make your head SWIM
And the sun must be warm as you have said your already
turning red Bond  Don't you use a sunscreen  

I see you have your tickets for your holiday when and where again
are you going to
I will once again be going to either "backdecksville" or "in front of the ac ville"

I have no desire to travel ,have never really even when I was younger
that was what shocked my Mum when we traveled 3500miles over here
56 yrs ago ,she often said why could Gil have not found another job
in the UK ,but back then that was not an option

Any who I have to go  when they open at 7am
but right now just checking my  out, bank account etc
then will look at Face Book and get ready
Had a text at 10pm last night from my school mate Pat she does not
write as often now as she has inner ear something or other and also
problems with her eyes ,she HOPED she did not WAKE ME
but they were already into SUNDAY when she text so I said no problem
Her family are keeping her busy ever since she moved in with her
daughter Mandy after Mick her husband  died so that is good they made
a MIL unit onto their home she even has her own patio area she says
where she can potter around with her plants as her and Mick were like
Gil and I loving their garden

OK so here is hoping BOTH Vicky and Marge had good nights
I will check in later to see who has

BYE

Good morning from a bright morning here in Atherstone,it's looking like a bit of work outside then it's a BBQ time with a couple of burgers and sausage and just sit out I hope it's stopped raining over you Carole
,I have book five in my set of six of the American assassin, ready to start later
We now have our holiday tickets and our seat numbers so getting close
Breakfast and it's crumpets and maple syrup tea coffee and a large lemon and lime for later
Back later

Hi Carole,I see where you are going with hat a had my floppy hat on ,my arms and legs are red so the sun was a hot one
Last drinks

Well if it dont stop raining soon you better send
a
It's been coming down hard now since 10am ..

I heard from Marge as I try to text her every day
So hope she's feeling better
Vicky were you wearing anything on your head while
sitting out reading in the sun ?
As Bond said good job you had your phone on you

Just watching the almost two hour program on what
happened a year ago in Uvalde Texas where that gunman
killed 19 elementary children and two teachers .
it's showing the police officers standing around for 77min
before rushing the gunman ,so different to other mass shootings
that have happened since,where the police charge straight in
running towards the gun fire instead of away or standing around
They fired the police chief who held his men back down
Mathew McConnary ? was born in Uvalde and was seen at the
White House after this happened with a pair of green sneakers
that a little girl was wearing ,and that was all that identified
her after as the shooter was using an A17 rifle

It's SO UPSETTING ,may they all RIP

Good job you had your mobile phone with you Vicky,
Cup of tea and a digestive

Sorry you had a rough night Margaret.

I was in the garden for half an hour, but when I got up to come in, Ooer had to sit down again, I had my mobile so phoned David  he was still in the house, anyway he came to hold my hand to come in.       Talk about odd.

I'm reading that book Andrew Vincent wrote, Sue aand him went to school together,   he wrote it during lockdown, I thought "Oh I'll get it"  but honest I'm enjoying it.    "The Secret of Haditha"  you'd like it Bond..

I took this avatar at Susan's other house.....baby Blackbird.

Hi Marg sorry you had a bad night as for not knowing what day it is that's a regular thing with me ,I was the same as we usually have Emmett on a Friday but we had him on a Thursday so yesterday must of been Saturday so your not on your own
Another tea

Sorry but I had one of "Those Nights' last night.
Ended up bunking in the computer room after
Tabbitha went to sleep. 
I was so mixed up about what day it was yesterday.
i thought it was Saturday yesterday!
Until I looked at my large calendar written on the
dry pen board I use. 
just having my first cup of tea with honey in it. 

Of course, the king would not say anything until it had all
been investigated. 
I think they were followed not chased.
They ended up at a Rent a Car place (these are the ones
sponsoring the award she got) 
They left the rental place in the cab but were told to come back as the
people who they were staying with showed up to drive them
back there. 
Its the 2 hour bit between leaving the place where the award was given
and the Hertz car rental place where the police were waiting that
is the mystery Mr. Toads Ride.
H cannot have been frightened that much as he continued filming everything on his
phone.
Their phones have been taken by the police to use with the CCTV footage to
work out at least part of their stupid plan. 
It seems that too many people think that what they see on TV is the right thing to do,
but its not. 
Thats all made up. In real life they should have found the nearest Police station.
New York is not the place to try out running anything. 
Out here, Yes! It's possible. Maybe they were California trained   

Manhattan is an Island. The only way out would have been across a bridge.
That was not mentioned. 
Better get dressed here as I don't know if or when the gardener will show up
to fix the stand pipe for the sprinkler.

Going to go easy on the food today and rest. I just need more fluid 
so as not to get dehydrated. TTFN XXXX

PS  Regular lilacs wont grow here but  a botanical garden has a hybrid that looks
the same but does not have much scent as the real ones.

Good evening I've just come in after spending all day outside in the fabulous sun ,so I did have my cricket umpire sat on my legs and arms are a little bit red ,it has been lovely out,
I've just had a cheese and red onion batch with a glass of Cider
I've just finished the fourth in the series of the Assassin books so lining up number 5
Lilac pinks and daffodils were about the first flowers I recognized as a kid as we had them in our garden every year

Morning.......and the  is out.

I love lilac bushes too.

Back later.

New avatar the Lilac bush I bought two years ago
that did not bloom at all last year
It now stands about 4ft tall and I cannot believe ALL
the BLOOMS its pushing out ...I LOVE IT
I left three GORGEOUS lilac bushes in my old garden
never thought I would be able to have another here but took
a chance and planted it the other side of my deck fence where
there seems to be a small amount of soil ,so that so far in this
3ft X 10ft long patch I now have growing ,this and a Rose of Sharon
bush {still to bloom that Fran gave me} two Roses and a BLEEDING HEART
that seems to get BIGGER every year so I am a happy girl
Only thing is it looks like Gil's Lemon Drop bush is not doing well at all this year
on the short side of the deck where in previous years its bloomed BEAUTIFULLY
It has such a strong scent when in bloom

06:10:39
Well good morning ,I woke at midnight went to the loo
and did not wake again until FIVE THIRTY am
THAT is the longest I have had in AGES
Must have been knackered

Looks like we had a few drops of rain ,but the biggest
amount is going to start around 11am when in some towns
they could get about 3" ,I think I saw here in Bridgeport they
were predicting about 1'8" still a nice amount to water the garden
so the shopping can wait until Sunday

I would like to FEEL as I did in my middle 50's ,back when I met and married
Gil again ,even though I did have to go through losing my boobs
in 2010 when I was 68 up until then I was in good health and again in 2013
when they found and removed my Thyroid in 2013 ,that was not a bad
operation just scary knowing I had the cancer again

BUT NO ONE can go BACK WARDS so ONWARD we all go and take
whats in store for us

Bond NO RAIN despite the dark clouds you say your seeing ,dry weather
straight through ,some partly sunny and a few cloudy days ahead
for Atherstone ,same for my sister who is going to be VERY HAPPY
temps in Plymouth ranging from 65/71f I am seeing she will be finding
to wash and

Well my sons are both and SO FAR Harry is not pestering his dad
to get out ,Buddy has returned to the little box under my

SO ALL IS WELL I will be BACK LATER

Good morning all from Atherstone it's a bright morning here but again black clouds around,
Yes I left my full time job at 60 and went self-employed working back in the private world and a different job each week and a bit more freedom,
But then thinking back I used to be out and about before then so maybe when I was 50 ,but ha ho we are not going back ,
Breakfast and it's cornflakes and cold milk coffee tea and a large lemon and lime for later
Back later

You know I'm the same.......maybe in my 60's

Avatar......when we went to have lunch with Santa. Steve, Rob and Sue.

Silly to say but I don't think I would like to get younger and younger, a little younger good

I thought you were going to say you feel younger and younger.  

The fire with holly added.....I don't know why I'm going on about Christmas. :

Hi , cheese straws it is then and a cuppa,
We  you have all been saying how you are feeling your age on some things ,well I've been doing the power washer once a year for the last four or five years but this year my wrists back and hips ache a bit today .so I'm thinking I'm getting older ,
It looks easy just waving a stick about but it dose pull muscles
Have you still got your Mrs Santa outfit

Oh cheese straws please and a cuppa.

Avatar......Christmas Day and Susan's and Matt's stockings. 2013

Good evening,well you look as snug as a bug in a rug there Vicky ,
They are saying over Carole that some of our food
Has gone up 100% in the he last couple of years with all the problems
Well it's looked like rain over here with dark grey clouds all around but you could of counted the spots there was so few ,
It must be time for drinks and the last of the cheese straws

It rained about 3-15pm though not for long.

Harry's going on about how his Father hasn't been in touch to see how they are ......well what does he expect, I suppose this will be stored for his next book.

Hope your knee doesn't play up Carole.

I fancy a meat spread roll Bond.

Avatar is 2013 boxing day. We were going off to Rob's and the Witch. and Matt and Laura.

12:31:18
Ok I'm back 
First off looks like the scattered showers I was seeing 
dried up ,so now it looks like plain   for the up coming week

Well I got to the chiropractor and Dr Drew ,the son who works on
me it seems has some health issues and was right now going
under an exploratory to see if what they can see in his kidney can
be fixed ,so his dad Dr Robert saw me and told me all this,Drew is such 
a nice young man ,so I'm hoping its nothing too serious
He had me on the stretch machine but that's it after I told him what 
happened Sunday,and he said being as I'd not had the pain like that 
since I tore the Meniscus in my left knee and they operated on it lets
leave it and see how it feels on my next appointment Monday 

So on the way home I ran into my   store picked up 
a 20 pack of Scott Tissue and picked up 5 of the Arizona 
Arnold Palmer ice tea  that Spencer drinks as they are
 on sale this week 2 for $6,instead of
$3:69 each ( before Covid they USED to be $1:99ea)
for some reason this one goes like wild fire so thought I'd 
pick them up rather than wait till Sunday when they could
be gone 
While there I got a few more packs of Temptations cat treats
these to have gone up from $1:50,to $2:99

I'll be back later

I think as the NY Police only have eyeball descriptions of the
car following them. CCTV footage can give them the license plate
on that car and they can determine who it belongs to.
I hear that H & M have new PR team members and it was them
that put out the stupid news release. 
Everything has to be blown up to make it juicy enough to get a 
front page! 
They do not realize that they are making it worse by pulling more 
and more stunts to, in their eyes taking the limelight from the Royal Family.
CNN had a full article on how things happened on my iPad.
It looks like the so called security team are going to get the blame 
for this. A police trained driver would have known what to do. 
It seems they changed cars a couple of times. 
As usual no real response or emotion from H. 

I did make it to the Spectrum store in its new place, twice as big
as the other place they had.
Luckily it was a slow morning. 
The shopping malls are mad houses on Saturdays, all the workers
doing their shopping so you cruise around looking for an open space
and it can be a long walk. 
The Geek Squad is just a phone call. (It might be a long one)

The gardeners might show up today to fix the broken sprinkler standpipe.
Better make sure the timer is turned off in the garage. 
They can add it to my monthly bill at the end of the month. 

It is even more cloudy this morning than yesterday!
there could be rain showers and thunder and lightning out in the deserts.

My Cousins husband will be going to Wembley for Coventry's game.
He goes with a group of friends to all the games they can get to. 
He is kind of semi- retired from his job but is a consultant still.
He admits that in his younger days he was a troublemaker.
But age has slowed him down finally.
 
One thing I need to find is the paperwork from when we had the roof
redone. From that I can tell if a roofer will be able to tell me if the
leak can be fixed or is it time for a new roof. 
I do have extra shingles in the garage if it's a fix it job. 
The inside ceiling will have to be redone as well and it might even
need to replace the exhaust system altogether. 
I just like to be one step ahead of them. 
Time for breakfast here so i will say TTFN XXXXX

Good afternoon all and a very happy birthday to Rob
No I managed to get it all jet washed I may do the tarmac drive again later as you can't really see what you have done when it's all wet so it may be a bucket of miss killer and a yard brush
So no rain here it's warm and sunny now
Arr 2012 I see I'm reading the diary for 2016 ,I had a new phone back then and was taking a lot of photos,mrsb was still working at the shop on Mondays ,I was still doing a few jobs
A bit early for afternoon tea so back later

08:27:47!
Morning Vicky, sorry I'm still seeing light rain in Atherstone 
due its saying  around 2pm 
and just thought it a waste of TIME to power wash if its going to rain

Ok so 12 yrs ago that is making you what 79 coming up 

And a happy birthday then to Rob
Be back have to be at the Drs for 930

 Happy Birthday Rob.  

No  Carole so Bond would have been able to get the power washer out.....in fact the  is out and it's hot.

Right off out, just into the car.

Oh yes it was in 2012 just before Susan's wedding in 2013.

New Avatar
HALF of the deck furniture I managed to get put out
before asking Spencer to help with the other two chairs
table and umbrella the other day

According to our beloved Landlady the man whom she hired
to rebuild the deck ,and who was SUPPOSED to come back
the following spring to seal it ,will be coming THIS year
,well its BEEN TWO years now and its starting to
look tacky already as it NEEDS to be water sealed ,lets SEE
IF he turns up but IF he does his men can take every thing
OFF the deck as I cannot

05:20:56
Morning
TRIED to lie in today as only Spencer getting up at 6am
but all those "well laid plans of horses and men" or some such thing

Bond I would not bother getting the power washer out as there is an 80%
chance of arriving around 11am that will last until its looking
like 7pm today ,if your intent on doing it try Saturday ,or ANY of the next
8 days as they ALL look dry either cloudy or partly cloudy none with
100% but temps are saying in the upper 60's so to ME that says
MUGGY

I remember when you gave us a preview of "WHICH SHOULD I WEAR" Vicky

We are starting off warmer than it was yesterday and our much needed
should be here around mid morning Saturday ,hopefully it
will be over with by Sunday so I can do the but here as well
all next week its looking mostly and dry leading up to Memorial
weekend {can you believe THAT is the FIRST DAY of SUMMER already ?
I figured Spring would get lost SOMEWHERE along the way as THAT is MY favorite
time of the year when every thing is BURSTING with new growth }
Summer is normally or mostly TOO HOT ,Autumn I hate as even though
some like the colors I don't as it means everything is dying ,and WINTER
WELL we know what we can get with THAT season

Been seeing a few bad fires in our State of late watching one now
in Manchester CT one person has already been rushed to the hospital

Guess the vote is now over here that is the HIGHER risk
of dying than DRUGS was

Any way I shall be back later

MORNING VICKY .....{morning Marge }
BOND BOND put that power washer away

Good morning all from Atherstone bright morning here but clouds about so not as bright as yesterday yet ,
I did get the family power jet washer yesterday so that may be my job for later ,
Looking good Vicky what year was that ,
Breakfast and it's cornflakes and cold milk coffee tea and a large lemon and lime for later
Back later

Yes it's my wedding outfit for Susan's wedding......

Speak tomorrow.

Good night miss Vicky
Looking very posh
Night night

Yes I'll be in bed soon.......

I was 67 then also........this is "Which fascinator do I wear?"