The Tartan Lounge has arrived

Mmmm a roast! I'm thinking Roast Chicken!  We had macaroni cheese and honey glazed gammon with pickled red cabbage for hubby!
Diamonds think you did right by turning back after grasp of Winter gnarled at and around you. Winter is here  checks for White Walkers, Night King & Jon, Bron and Jamie

Sid wrote:
Off to do a roast dinner now  - never been so psyched for one in my life!

Hope your gravy was up to scratch Sid!

diamondsandpearls wrote:
3. Tried twitter but don;t have the charisma of our Sid, so Marian/Miranda/Sue Perkins et al didn't want to be my BFFs, which was my entire raison d'aitre of having an account.  Also, unlike Sid, I prefer to write a novel where ten words will do (I expect you may have noticed...) so the 140 character limit was excruciating.  Liek those answermachines which cut you off after a minute (I always have to ring back and carry on where I have left off...) So I deleted my twitter account.  It is their loss I feel...

4. I am an avid reader but am quite picky, and for every ten books I read there is probably only one that I even remember a few months later. I don't like deep, intorspective books with a message, but I don't like shallow books either.... I tend to hate all the ones that are up for various prizes.  Afraid I really didn't enjoy The Handmaid's Tale when I read it years ago, and have never read anything by her since.  I have just read a book in one sitting which left me feeling "is that it?".  It is The Fall Guy by James Lasdun. Two of the lovely library staff recommended it, but I was completely underwhelmed and wouldn't really recommend it.

5. What are you roasting Sid - and can I join you?!

Ha! More a case of Marian gradually being worn down by my unrelenting stalking
You ringing back answering machines to carry on where you left off actually made me fall off my chair!

I'm very much like you when it comes to books diamonds - very particular and hard to please. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed anything nominated for a Booker Prize or anything like that (feel those authors and books take themselves a bit too seriously). But I've just remembered "I Am Pilgrim" by Terry Hayes that I read last year and it was ridiculously good. Truly.

And we had roast chicken - with enough left overs for me to have it all over again for lunch just now

allsewnonbyhand wrote:
Hope your gravy was up to scratch Sid!

Twas tip top alls! *hides the gravy granules*

saxonsiren wrote:Mmmm a roast! I'm thinking Roast Chicken!  We had macaroni cheese and honey glazed gammon with pickled red cabbage for hubby!
Diamonds think you did right by turning back after grasp of Winter gnarled at and around you. Winter is here  checks for White Walkers, Night King & Jon, Bron and Jamie

I don't have enough macaroni cheese in my life! Love a bit of pickled red cabbage too.

Sax were you typing something? It seems to have got lost! How are you feeling today? X

Hi Alls yes I'd typed a post.  Bizarre as it kept disappearing and I even edited post.  As long as I don't walk fast,go up too many stairs, basically  walk dog I'm fine it is very frustrating. I  can' stay marooned in 4 walls and weekend away next week Nephews wedding in Hereford so need some stamina for weekend as hosting mom in law, Son's, Wives and Grandson in cottage for 3 nights too.
I' m agog re noone left the jungle last night to make up for Jack leaving. I so wanted a last minute guest ie Richard Madeley to shake things up

Oh I'm so glad you posted again - I was getting worried, thought you'd taken a turn for the worse
Yes it was weird having no one leave the jungle last night, seemed a bit of a damp,squib!
Hopefully you will recover lots during this week Sax, ready for the weekend - take it easy while you can! X

I always leave the jungle to get going for a few days before I watch it, but I forgot about it and now it's been on so long. Is it worth tuning in this year? I don't catching up a couple of days worth, but can't face a boxed set style binge...

Sax, you need to conserve all your energy for next weekend - a cottage with family for 3 nights, though lovely, is also very hectic! But I understand that you must be so tired of the same four walls.

For no reason whatsoever I have been feeling entirely lacking in energy, as if my batteries have run out. Yet, despite being shattered (I'm yawning as I type) I am not sleeping deeply or soundly. Again for no reason. I have tried to go for yomps and have ended up going for minor potters, punctuated by a tea room....

Maybe it's just the time of year

Diamonds do your limbs ache too? I had all of these symptoms for few months. Dr sent me for aVitamin D blood test. Rang me the next day levels very low and  7 week course given... Energy levels improved a little round week 4.. I stay on a maintenance course now. Worth asking for Vitamin D and B12 test and Thyroid...

Jungle ok they seem to get on.  Amir a little Jekyll  & Hyde but with a smile and laughter. Strawberry gate lol rolls on x

saxonsiren wrote:Diamonds do your limbs ache too? I had all of these symptoms for few months. Dr sent me for aVitamin D blood test. Rang me the next day levels very low and  7 week course given... Energy levels improved a little round week 4.. I stay on a maintenance course now. Worth asking for Vitamin D and B12 test and Thyroid...

Jungle ok they seem to get on.  Amir a little Jekyll  & Hyde but with a smile and laughter. Strawberry gate lol rolls on x

Nah, they don't ache at all. But they just become a bit jellyish when my mind says I am going to go out for a long walk and I find after 20 mins I just havenlt got the energy to go any further. If I don't tell them we're in for a long one but aim for a half hour wander they yomp away up the hills for a few hours. I think it is all in my mind! Lol!

But I think I do get Vitamin D deficiency at this time - there is so very little daylight and I do suffer. I might look into my diet and maybe some supplements. But the best thing is sunlight. I have considered getting one of those special lamps, but I am always brassic in the winter when I need to buy one - and never think about it inthe summer when I might have the money! They are quite expensive...

How are you feeling today? I htink you should take it gently and build up to the weekend :-) x

Today I have battled a Chinese Laundry day... Student crammed so much in washing machine barely spun and washing machine had a temperamental strop and leaked.  Tumble drying and drying by rads so many jeans etc... Then noted still had a half laundry bag so yes I've done that too...
He has had a "You're a naughty boy " & wraggle finger at when he came home but I'm sure I never called him Brian ... In between puffs of inhalor honestly this pale blue does nowt but I just suck it and see in a vain hope it helps....I've wheeze around. 

Brought brand new coat £89  not brought a coat for 6 years. Rural Hereford Church going to be cold. Better news it has a full faux fur hood so I can be Ygritte in my wildest dreams... 
Sunlight helps yes I'm sure Diamonds and I found supplement really helped tiredness and aching limbs.
I'l look forward to 2018 a healthier  year I hope

Would it it help your breathing to sleep more upright on a few pillows sax?

I do B4p always have done. I find its the going from cold to warm and warm to cold doesn't help me. I dislike the raw throat steroids giving me. Guess I'm just tired and bit fed up of it dragging on...
How are you feeling? Any better?
Forecast snow spells the weekend and we are in deepest rural Hereford!

Meant to ask you B4p have you tried contacting Creature of beauty and wonderment see 8f they are still about or willing hand reins over to exclusive member club

Thanks sax, I'm making slow but steady progress. Seeing the physio for a mauling next week! I have asthma too and find a scarf helps when I move from indoors to outside. It just warms the air up a bit before it hits my airways. Do you have a drink after your inhalers to wash the steroid powders away? It's easy to get oral thrush when you're run down.

I think either Twirlie or CC has contacted the mods recently to ask them to change the names on the Judges section on the main page. I don't think he had an answer. I wonder if the judges may change again next year? I hear Shirley's feeling a bit bashed with all the negative feedback, particularly from social media. For the main page, I think they'd be better to keep it simple i.e. not mention particular judges names but just call the slot judges. The same with the Presenters as there's so many names now e.g. Zoe, Tess, Claud, Gethin plus the odd (in more ways than one) guest presenter.

Ooh a good physio works wonders thou lots of homework and input too.My physio advised me he knew the patients who put 5he work in and those that assumed turning up to see him was enough!
Currently I only have light blue inhalor as dr's at hospital wanted month of steroids and then see specialist and have tests.. Oral thrush I had once horribly sore and foul... Drinking lots and now have vitam8n C however it's having a laxative affect as advised on tub arghhhhhhhhh!

(tiptoes in and scuttles into a dark corner to catch my bearings....I don't think I've ever been in the lounge before)

Sorry to hear you're still unwell Sax and B4P, hoping for a speedy recovery for both of you.

Just wanted to give you the heads up, I was watching the snooker today and Ronnie O'Sullivan said he'd like to do the jungle next year, or anything fun. I'd love it if he chose Strictly instead, but I think he'd do well in either show.

Hello Peeps  And a happy Sunday to you all!

Just checking in for health and energy levels (hope we are all feeling a bit more ticketty boo than this time last week), snow levels (hope they are high enough for good snow fun, but not high enough to cause chaos and misery) and Christmas madness/excitement levels (mine are still at zero - way too early for me.

Sax, I am hoping that you are enjoying your family get-together and that they are all fussing after and spoiling you. I have a vision of you in a cute cottage an idyllic rural village with snow powdering the rooftops and trees (but not cut off...  unless you have a shed-load of food and masses of wine and brandy ) Really hope the cold air isn't affedcting your chest too much - wrap up warm with a scarf over your face, or maybe just stay in by a raring log fire and direct proceedings from there...

Hoping you are also on the mend B4p and are recovering a little bit more mobility each day and that the asthma isn't too bad.

And hello Jingle!  I too only found this very, very recently.  It's quite comfy isn't is?  Bring your chair out of the corner and join us by the fire - mulled wine and mince pies should be served later :-)

We have a beautiful icing-sugar coating of snow at ground level, with the snow thickening as it reaches the higher ground, with the fell tops looking positively alpine.  A bit overcast, so not the sparkling, crisp, clear day we had on Friday, but I shall venture out for a bit of fresh air and see how far we go.  There is a lovely (flat ) walk along the river and the lake to a lovely artisan bakery with a trememndously popular cafe and a posh gift shop. The problem is, that for both scenery and destination reasons the walk is incredibly popular and so on a Sunday it is always heaving with both people and dogs.  ... And the odd mountain biker too. And there will be massive queues to sit in the tea-room...

Speaking of bikes, I brought mine back with me the other day (from the shed where it lives to a new shed here where it will live temporarily) I haven't ridden it since last January as the gears went doolally, but a combination of the cold and my housemate's boyfriend tweaking a little nut thing and it seems as right as rain now.  WHich means I wil have to go out for a proper twirl on it - if not today then soon.  I find cycling incredibly hard work - I would much rather run as you are only propelling your own weight and not that of the bike too. Also, I am SO rubbish on a bike that I can run almost the same pace as I can cycle (and I don't run fast either), so it doesn't save any time. But it makes a change and challenges a different set of muscles.

So that's my Sunday  What is everyone else up to?

diamondsandpearls wrote:Hello Peeps  And a happy Sunday to you all!

Just checking in for health and energy levels (hope we are all feeling a bit more ticketty boo than this time last week), snow levels (hope they are high enough for good snow fun, but not high enough to cause chaos and misery) and Christmas madness/excitement levels (mine are still at zero - way too early for me.

Ditto. I live alone so will be another quiet one for me. My shopping list - Bottles of whisky and cans of Irn Bru.

Bitterly cold but dry here in Edinburgh. It was -6 here this morning but no snow. Stay safe to everyone down south hit by snow.

Thank you diamonds. I'm plodding along quite well. The advantage of being a bit wobbly is I can have a tot and blame it on the knee! Unlike me, the asthma's usually well controlled.  
We had about 4" snow last night. I live in a small village on top of a plateau. It's not unusual to get snowed in. It can be crazy trying to get down the hill when it snows, or trapped by flooding further down the valley. A few years ago I had to walk to work in the snow and a 10 minute car drive became 90 minutes of slog through knee deep drifts. Today the family went sledging nearby, and built a snowman in the garden, complete with very realistic snow dog. Christmas decs are up and the tree dressed. Usually we have lots of folks for Christmas lunch, but this year will be low key with more chance to relax. A big roast dinner today, and the log burners on. As long as you don't have to worry about travelling for work, it's very picturesque.

*waves at everyone*
Glad to hear our invalids are on the mend - hope Sax had a lovely weekend away and continues to recover. Let us know when you're back Sax.
No snow down here - boo! Only wet and windy, now cleared and very chilly.
I've put the deccies up this weekend, I have one real tree in the living room - the family one with all the favourite deccies, and one artificial in the dining room which is mine, very colour coordinated and grown up. Although this year it is woefully bare as I haven't trusted my beautiful glass baubles with the kittens. So it has all,the lights and beads but no baubles
We also have some really tacky lights outside that are still going strong which are father Xmas and snowmen- we got them when the kids were little in homebase sale and they refuse to die! They have to go up every year. Actually I've noticed that all my old lights last much better than these so called improved LED ones - anyone else find that? I've had to replace loads of them after one or two years.

Apologies re lateness I've been snowed in. The Wedding in Hereford ran well save -1 in church as boiler broke down. Poor bride shivering. Singing O come all ye faithful with 8cey breath.We got marooned in rural barn for 2 days, no car as in field in venue in 10" snow. power cut, Sunday 5pm- Monday 12pm had cheese crackers and ham with 9ne candle and 2 torches only provided. no shop or pub....eek out supplies No taxi would come out to rural village. Today not able get car out sheer ice -9. Had to hire car to come home....phew and omg trapped with mom in law too... trying go to Hereford Friday for 3 Rd attempt get car.....

Oh and ran out of steroids none for 2 days

OMG Sax, you do it in style!!
It's the sort of weekend that will become family legend, but I'm sure it was a nightmare at the time. We had a similar wedding when my niece got married when we had all that snow in 2010, the church boiler wasn't working and it was blimming freezing. I'd had a really bad chesty cough leading up to it and I had to give my dad my coat to keep warm! We slithered down a hill in the cars on compacted snow to the tiny country church, slithered our way from the cars to the church. Made some fantastic photos with the bridesmaids sporting Uggs under their beautiful dresses!

I hope now you're home you have stocked up on steroids and have you're feet up!

Ty Alls yes home and restarted steroids after pharmacy advice. Lots of photos of wedding but not not snow on wedding day. Waiting for early Sunday am and then in day snaps of wedding party stuck in snow and walking 4 miles in 10" snow to emergency beds....

Feels weird we are home and not the car. Tomorrow we have excitement of bus to shop and taxi back.

Trying upload photo of our snowed in cottage how do I do it and supper by candlelight! .

saxonsiren wrote:

Trying upload photo of our snowed in cottage how do I do it and supper by candlelight! .

Go to the very  left of the you tube link above the text box- when you click on it you can choose where to get the pics from. I think that's how I did it!

Sorry in advance, I'm going to sound like a spoilt grumpy child here, but I suspect I may be getting a present of tour tickets......just seen Mollie isn't on the line-up, and now I've no interest at all.  Bah, humbug.