Good morning, what wonderful weather we're having.
Still waiting for the sweltering temperatures that the papers keep promising but the sun is shining enough to recharge my solar batteries so I shan't complain.

Please excuse me for a moment while I just shout -

ARSENAL WON THE CUP!!!!!

It doesn't get any easier supporting them I can tell you. After twelve minutes I was sitting with my head in my hands suffering from deja vu. When Gibbs cleared with his head off the line I was absolutely screaming at the tv.

Thankfully that seemed to spur them into action along with that screamer of a goal from Cazorla and as the time ticked down I grew more confident as you could see the Hull players tiring.

I have to applaud Hull, they played very well, which made me sad when their manager was churlish in his interview (not often I agree with 'Jeremiah' as Adrian Chiles is known in this house) saying he disputed the free kick and the corner that lead to our goals. While I agree it wasn't a corner it most definitely was a free kick and if I was him I'd be grateful that the referee seemed to be completely blind when it came to the penalty box. There were at least two clear penalties and could have been more. I've seen penalties given for less all season.

Anyway we WON, we are no longer 'potless' as we've been reminded everytime we play and that now means we've won the cup eleven times equaling Man Utd's record. Still I don't suppose that will stop the media from finding some new angle to attack us from lol.

To quote Sanogo on twitter, "So Jose how many trophies did you get this year?"

Hi nyannie, I'm so sorry that your foot is causing you so much pain again.
There's nothing more wearing than pain, it sucks the energy out of you.
I do hope you get to see someone soon who can do something to help you, in the mean time you should try and rest it as much as possible - I know - easy to say, not so easy to do. Sending you a big hug. { }

I'm afraid it would be all out war in my house if my o/h refused to let me get the washing machine fixed.

He quite simply wouldn't get his washing done, it would sit there piling up until he ran out of underwear and shirts and then I'd point him in the direction of the launderette.

My wonderful Mum did the 'tough love' bit with my sister when she was a young teenager. She had this habit of taking off her knickers and slinging them under the bed despite Mum telling her over and over again to put her washing in the basket. Fed up with having to crawl under the bed to retrieve them, Mum let them pile up until my sister went to the drawer and there were no knickers. Cured her once and for all.

We celebrate our thirty fifth wedding anniversary tomorrow, it's Coral apparently.
I was born obstinate (according to Mum) how have we made it this far, I wonder?

Happy Anniversary Lena and your o/h. Hope you have many more happy years.

O/H has finally admitted we need new controller but he is going to telephone the repair man direct - I have my fingers crossed that he doesn't antagonize them. He spent all weekend doing two loads of laundry and testing and re-testing - then he said he thought the repair man had broken the machine. He simply doesn't seem to understand that things break down more frequently than they did.

On another note, I forgot to add that Aviva had sent me a book about Back problems - very helpful for my feet.

Lena, every company uses BT for fibre optic. We are with John Lewis and the fibre optic supplier is BT. Don't know if they have a monopoly.

Well, best get going. Have to clean the house from top to bottom in anticipation of my cousin's visit. Tomorrow have to make the bed, make soup and prepare everything for potato salad. Thank goodness it is the Bank Holiday.

Hope everyone has a nice day.

Just popped in
to let you know, i haven't deserted you
just rushed of my feet
guests are still here, not leaving until Thursday
and its been birthday mayhem, both my boys and sister

hopefully i will get on tonight, and catch up on everyones news
keep safe and take care
Georgy x

P.s CONGRATS LENA A ARSENAL WIN

im glad arsenal won, it did have a few interesting refereeing decisions made didn't it!

I think I am going to change my home phone line, I am starting to get so tired of all the telesales calls we keep getting, as the phone is in my OH name, they refuse to talk to me, so I need to persuade him...

Nyannie how is the saga of the washing machine going? its is so frustrating when these things go wrong isn't. it.

Ive been so busy today, but its been one of those days where its hard to put my finger on exactly what ive been doing!! I think its actually busier on the days when I am not at work!!

What another fabulous day, but all change tomorrow it seems.

I know what you mean Augusta, some days just seem to run away and you wonder what you've done.

Can't believe it's Chelsea Flower Show time again. I love seeing all the show gardens but wonder how some of them would look in the average back garden lol.
I love the M and G garden by Cleve West, stunning.

Sounds as though you're having a very busy time georgy, with birthdays and house guests. It's my sister's birthday at the end of the week, must remember to post her card.

Seems you've got a busy week too nyannie. So pleased to hear your o/h has given in on the washing machine lol.

Just watching Chelsea, I never knew Wanda Ventham is Benedict Cumberbatch mum. She always reminds me of my Aunt she even sounds like her.

Hi all

So sad to hear about the missing British sailors in the Atlantic. They sound like fine young men.

Sign the petition to re-start the search here >>>>>

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petition...nature_receipt

Lindy xx

Morning all

Well, I only have make beds and make potato salad and give a final vacuum once-over and dust! I am using our washer/dryer but with the back door and soap dispenser open. Thank goodness the new part has been ordered. Now all I have to do is try and find a roofer - I am at my wits end at the moment.

Made some watercress soup and unusually passed it through a sieve - it looks quite professional if I say so myself. Problem is there is only enough for two!

Lena, I too am pleased Arsenal won the cup. I too didn't realize Wanda was Benedict's mother. I am boycotting most of Chelsea as I dislike Monty Don - find him too preachy.

Augusta - contact the TELEPHONE PREFERENCE SERVICE (number should be in the front of the phone book). You fill out a form and submit it and after a few weeks you should find lots of the calls stopped. The service lasts about 6 months. We have an unlisted number but still get loads of calls - it is all those questionnaires and also the Motor Vehicle Department and some of the other big institutions sell lists. I cancelled my membership to the NT after I found they too sold lists - don't know if they still do.

What you need to do after you are registered and get a sales call is to ask who the Manager/Director of their company is and tell them you are registered with the service.
I also leave the phone off the hook for those recorded messages.

If you think it is bad now, wait until you turn retirement age - then you get the calls about loft insulation, stair lifts etc.

One thing I am most pleased about is that I can still manage stairs without pain. Once I have any pain in my knees or ankles - it is bungalow time for me - I will know I have then reached old age!!

Well, obviously I have reached old age then, nyannie!

My knees ( specifically the right one) are a bit better for some rest though. I know I'm going to need a knee replacement soon and am just trying to go on as long as possible without an operation. An op causes chaos, basically, doesn't it? Apart from the actual procedure itself.....

Seriously, I am of the view that old age is a state of mind. The trouble is, the mind is affected by the body and vice versa....

Meanwhile, back to de- cluttering ( good for mind and body lol ). I reckon it will take a year to sort ourselves out properly, even though we made a start two years ago when I first 'retired'.

Have a good day all

Lindy xx

right...we are officially registered with the telephone preference service, I thought we were...now I need to make a log of the time and the date I was called and the name of the company.

The number of calls has been getting to me though, my older daughter suggested just ignoring the phone, which I think I might do sometimes...trouble is I am almost conditioned to answering the stupid thing, and occasionally it is a nice phone call!!

just back from taking an injured dog to the vets, he damaged his paw, it wasn't that bad but I thought better safe than sorry...

Good for you. May I also suggest you note the date you joined. You have to remember to renew.

I remember having to fill out lots of forms for the people who were calling.

So sorry to hear about your dog. I almost freaked out when I heard what they charge for pet insurance.

Lindy, yes, age is a state of mind but what is the expression about the mind is willing. . .

Glad to hear you are decluttering. I still find things to get rid of - books, even wedding gifts - and 12 spatulas.

Best get on - need to finish the potato salad before tomorrow.

its wet and miserable today..........but the garden did need the rain..

We did a trip to Tesco today for them to tell us all about how food got from the farm to the store. it was fascinating...I had no idea that fruit was harvested one day, and then in the shops the next, and where the strawberries come from is almost entirely dependent on the time of year....

how are you all?

What's the deal with John and Josie tweeting each other then? Have they made friends? Really wish we saw more of John, do they still do twitcam? He could do one of those with his friends every so often for all the people that have supported him, would be nice to just get an update from him on his life at the moment.

I think I must have been asleep
uk_JohnJames_oz all received...thank you very very mucho xxxx

John James ‏@uk_JohnJames_oz May 20
@Josiestweet No dramas



John James has been tweeting loads....


mostly just friendly wishes to everyone. I wonder if this means he might come and visit us again this summer for BB?

YESSSSSSSS My Husbands family have gone

actually thats a little mean, but it's nice to have my home back
15 days was a little long

the house looks like a bomb has hit it, but never mind, going to have a day of rest
before i tackle it

hope all are good, going to read back now

good to be back

yes i saw that he was tweeting
missed it as usual

he seemed happy and friendly
sending wishes and luck every where

I don,t really know
not sure they are friends
perhaps just respectful
but who knows with those two

looks like more of the same weather today Augusta
wow that thunder and lightning, sure scared me

Tesco trip sounds interesting
i had now idea they were that fast getting the fruit into store
i,m just pleased it Cherry season
i devoured a very large bag yesterday, all to myself

pleased the dogs ok,
they always look so sad limping along

Don,t go to hard on the de-cluttering, keep resting that knee

a op really does cause mayhem
hope you can fend it off for a while

and p.s i hate to be the one to tell you........ but you never retired, you talked a good game
but never followed through lol

Yes, so pleased the part is now on order, you need a washing machine.

i can,t believe, you have still found no roofer, but i have heard its hard to get any
tradesmen to come in and do the small odd jobs, so if only a few tiles that might
be the reason.

i love soup, but haven,t had watercress for years, sounds lovely

our first home was a bungalow, very fond memories of it
and some days, no stairs sounds ........... soooooo good

take care of your ankles
same advice to you as lindy, don,t forget to rest them nyannie
good wishes xxx

Hey Georgy

Great to see you. Glad you've got a day off You work so hard when you have visitors.

Retirement, eh? Does anyone actually retire these days??

Thanks for the advice re the de-cluttering. I am taking it slowly, eg yesterday I sorted out my (small amount of) jewellery. Found a silver bracelet that was my mother in law's, and an old pocket watch my dad gave me, as well as gathering up my own stuff. Have now put things in three categories, lol, ie 1) old/ sentimental ; 2) nice but I never wear (like a diamond that OH bought me forty years ago ; and 3) currently worn (mainly costume jewellery). The remainder is going to the charity shop today.

This took hours and a few sentimental moments....but was very satisfying

Am off to the hairdressers today. Knee is so bad that I've had work out a strategy to get the 200 yards from the bus stop to the hairdressers. Ah well........

Got to go.

Have a good day all

Lindy xx

Good afternoon

Got back okay from the hairdressers despite wind, rain, and temperature of 12 degrees Bit different from last weekend, which was so lovely it inspired us to buy a Weber barbecue.......wonder when we'll get to use it?

Daughters are both away on holiday.....what shall I do with myself?!? Think I'll manage, plenty to do, friends round tomorrow for dinner, book to read, more de-cluttering, mum to see, etc etc

Have a good weekend all

Lindy xx

Haven't had time to read everything back but great to hear that John has tweeted.

He does sound happy. Hope he has found someone nice and is do ing something fulfilling in his work.

Cousins left about 1 pm today. Washer/dryer not great but at least clothes are coming out clean. Cannot wait for the new part.

Had a lovely time and chatted lots and caught up. Drank lots of fizz and had a barbecue on Wednesday evening. Cannot get over how much they ate!!!!! Hopefully I will see them in London this week.

Feet really bad and letter is being drafted about rotten service from Aviva Health. Sounds like a secret society as they don't give out names of who is in charge of the account, complaints team etc.

Off to see King Lear tomorrow if o/h feels OK. Want to see the new film starring Woody Allen. Cousins said it was terrific. Book of the Mormons has also been recommended.

Good to see you back georgy.

Hope we hear more news of John

Hi Georgy

Easiest recipe ever Lindy - buy the organic John something watercress (from Hampshire). I leave out the cream. You don't need it! I chop the watercress pretty finely after washing it and then I pass the soup through a sieve when it is cooked. Looks very professional and you can then put a swirl of cream or yoghurt or creme fraiche on it. I like it without the cream etc. The whole soup from start to finish takes about 25 minutes. Very very good - and it freezes well.

Thanks about resting georgy, it is almost impossible, but at least I have been referred to consultant.

Have a great weekend everyone.