Good Afternoon Everyone.

Been out with my lad and his 3 little ones getting ice cream and feeding the fish and ducks.

My Halogen oven came this morning, it looks great, will have to test it out soon.
I've got this rabbit to cook, not sure which way to do it yet, in a pot, braised or roasted in the oven.

Looking forward to SCD tonight will record X-Factor for later.

Good evening all.
Hope you all had the lovely weather we have had here today.

Hicky...glad you got out and about with the littlies. We too have been out and about ,took the dog on the beach, and I had a capaccino on the seafront.
Hope you like the cooker as much as we like ours. We had jacket potoes in it earlier, and now daughter has put a pizza in it. no way could i eat a bunny though, I have a cute pet bunny.

Emptybox...still didn't get round to doing the vat.. .now will have a rush on next week.    Did you have a day off work today? Hope you have caught up with all the grass cutting by now.

We had a great night out last night at the Tom JOnes concert. Can't believe he is nearly 70, he had so much energy, and was on stage for 2 hours, and is doing 3 sell out concerts one night after another in cardiff alone.  What a great powerful voice he still has.

Hi Mollie.
Had a great day, gave my lad a Rabbit as well, forgot they have 2 house Rabbits, so he might have to eat it on his own.

Yep, Tom Jones is a fine singer, very powerful.

Just watching SCD then i'll watch X-Factor.
Amy Winehouse on.

Hicky

  fancy giving him rabbit to eat when they have house rabbits. but I guess he wont mind if he gets to eat it all himself.  
You will be busy with the tv if you are recording and watching tonight, because X factor is on for a whole 2 hours.
Enjoy your tv, I am enjoying X factor, some a lot better than  others. I like that girlgroup, MissFranks' voices, do you? Now to see who else I like.....

I didn't think about the rabbit until after I'd bought it

I like a few in X-Factor, all Girls of course.

you found my pic again, must remember to try and sort that out.

there is only 1 of the fellas I like singing so far. Lucy comes not far from where we live, and so does young Lloyd.

Am liking Stacey from Dagenham, a place I know well, Kandy Rain and Miss Franks, haven't seen the rest yet.

Hicky
my pic again...
I like Stacy too, she makes me laugh the way she doesnt use sentences, it all just comes out in one.  

My fave tonight was Danyl. a great voice, and by the reaction of the audience he was their fave too. But Danni was nasty with her personal comments to him, and I thought I liked Danni, not after that I dont. Poor Danyl looked so upset, they have just said on itv2 he is very upset. I think Danni could be in trouble with Simon for that.

at those twins with the awful singing voices.

Hicky... hope you enjoyed watching the rest of the show.

goodnight all.

Emptybox... if you call in later, hope you have had a good day. xx

Hi Hicky and Mollie.


I had a reasonably good day. It was quite nice weather wise.


I had a day off work, but spent the afternoon working in my own garden. It made a nice change.  


I don't watch X factor, but I like Merlin on a Saturday evening.


Hope you enjoy using your oven Hicky.
I wouldn't know what to do with a rabbit, even if I wanted to.

See you tomorrow.
Haven't used the oven yet, but I will.
Thin I should have roasted the Rabbit instead of stewing it.

Good morning all
raining here this morning, so me and OH did not take doggie on her usual Sunday morning long walk, but OH is going to treat me and daughter to brekkie in asda instead. Hopefully it will dry up later so we can take dog out.

Emptybox... glad to hear you enjoyed getting your own garden done for a change from doing other peoples.

Hicky.. do you have visitors for sunday lunch today?  Hope you enjoy using the new cooker, mind you dont burn yourself on the hot glass, and remember it does cook a lot faster than an oven, so you have to check you dont burn stuff. I think it is good you can see it cooking through the glass though.

Have a good day both, whatever you are doing.
I am off to Asda now..

Good Afternoon Everyone.

It's a lovely Sunny day here, a little wind.
We will have a few visitors but not for lunch, still haven't used the oven yet, waiting for the other accessories that I ordered, the stand for the hot top and the cook book.

Hi Hicky, Mollie and empty  I wonder who will go tonight on Xfactor am looking forward to it. Maybe the twins or the Glasgow boy... who knows
 It's nice and bright here but a cool wind. I still have cough and sore throat though much better than I was.We are just having pizza's today ( easy to just heat)
 I honestly feel fatigued. Hope to get some energy soon Hope you are all well

Hi GrannyG.
I think there's too much competition between the judges, think thats wrong, they should all be there for the acts, and that's not the case.
They are slagging each others acts off, no wonder the acts are slagging each other off.

Don't like this system at all, with each judge have 3 acts, not good fopr the acts, it may be for the judges, but the acts will be the losers.

I think it should be more like SCD where the judges just comment and are not looking after their own.

I agree with you Hicky  The judges  seemed to change last night They were trying to score points at the the contestants expense. It looks as though the Judges
 were put up to this as the producers ( whoever they are) think it's good for the show but I think it's a big mistake. I think they're heartless I really do

Hi Hicky, Mollie, Grannyg.

A nice day here, but a bit cold.

Hope your cough and sore throat are cured soon Grannyg.

Did your dog get her walk in the end Mollie?

I went into town this afternoon to get the stuff I wanted from Argos, but forgot they close at 4pm on a Sunday.
Missed them by 5 minutes.
Ah well! Better luck next weekend.

Good Morning Everyone.

It looks like some chilly weather coming, maybe frost overnight.

That was hard luck Emptybox, it shows you don't shop a lot on a Sunday.

I've ordered a Wireless Printer because I can't get my O/H's Lappy to print on my usb printer.
This one is the Dell 968 All in one, the one I have is the 964.

Just had Kippers and bacon for Brekkie.

My Accessories came this morning, a hight extension, a steamer plate, a frying plate, a toast rack and a stand for the lid, still waiting for the recipe book.

Went to Dentist, the pin I was feeling by one of my teeth, came out last night, he said it was a self tapper put in to hold a filling in place, he just smoothed the filling out for me.

Alison King's Unconventional Wedding

Today 12:30

Alison King wants an unconventional wedding.

The 'Coronation Street' actress - who is shortly to reprise her role as Carla King on the ITV soap - is keen to settle down with Adam Huckett, with who she has eight-month-old daughter Daisy May, in the future.

She explained: "Everyone asks me about getting married. Yes, one day. I can't see why not, he is the love of my life so yes. I don't know when. You definitely won't see a conventional wedding. I've got married so many times on screen, to have a big traditional wedding would feel like work."

She'll have manners - manners don't cost anything

Alison met Adam when he was working as a technician on 'Coronation Street'.

As soon as they started dating she knew she wanted to be with him forever, and is keen to expand their brood at some point in the future.

Discussing the couple's parenting plans, Alison told Britain's Hello! magazine: "She'll have manners - manners don't cost anything. We'll be laid back though.

"We'll work it out as we go along. We're quite relaxed and she's quite a happy, fun baby and we want to keep that. We'd like another child further down the line."

Good evening all

Emptybox.... oh no, how annoying to get to Argos just as it closed. That is the trouble with Sunday shopping, the shops all seem to close at different times. yes we did make it out with the dog, by the end of the day , the sun came out. We went a walk in the lovely grounds of a nearby country house hotel, so nice now the leaves are falling off the trees.

Hicky... wow, you have ordered a lot of accessories there. when we got ours, they only had the oven, you will have to let me know how you get on with the acessories, and maybe I can get some if they are usefull. I bet you enjoyed your kippers and bacon for brekkie.   Glad the dentist sorted you out ok. I have had a small piece of filling come out, so will have to go soon too. So annoying.

I was out in Cardiff all day today, my oldest lad had one of his OU computing exams. When we got home OH had a call to say  his job was going in 4 weeks.   No real surprse I guess, jobs disappearing everywhere now. Very worrying though because there is not much work out there. He said if he has to work away from home, he will have to.

Sorry to hear you have been unwell GrannyG.
Hope you feel better soon. there are a lot of colds around at the moment.

I agree about the X factor. I think it is so cruel to those poor nervous contestants.... they sing their hearts out on live tv to a huge tv audience, then those nasty judges say things like they are being arrogant, or dressed incorrectly.

Good Evening Mollie.

It was just that when you get stuff off Amazon you usually get offered stuff that goes with it, so I got the accessories as well.
The recipe book hasn't arrived yet, so don't know if it will be any help.

It's bad news about your O/H's job, hope he can find something.

I hope you are feeling better Grannyg.

And hope Tatty has had help sorting her pain out.

Alright?

Bad news about your OH's job Mollie.
Was his contract up or did it come out of the blue?
Hope he finds something not too far away.

Glad the dentist sorted you out Hicky.
I haven't any experience of using a wireless printer.
My printer is connected to my main computer, and sometimes it can be tricky getting the wireless computers to print to it, but it's usually possible with a bit of jiggery pokery.

Nice day here. Some sunshine, and really quite warm for a change.

I watched that new David Attenborough programme 'Life' in HD. Very good photography.

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►*♥*♥*  I hope you are all well this Morning *♥*♥*◄
►*♥*♥*  ------It looks like a cold day today  --------- *♥*♥*◄
►*♥*♥* ------ It's Happy Tuesday again -------*♥*♥*◄
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PLAYBOY BABE SET FOR JUNGLE

JUNGLE bosses plan to steam up our screens this winter with Playboy girl Bridget Marquardt.

The sexy model has been in talks with show bosses who are keen to grab her.

She caught the eye of producers after appearing in the US reality series Playboy Mansion: Girls Next Door.

Bridget was one of 83-year-old Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends but they have split up.  The beauty, 35, certainly won’t be shy about showing off her 34D jungle coconuts – she’s done plenty of naked photo shoots.    

The glamour model and actress, who has popped out in the cult TV show Entourage, has told pals she is up for some fun in the Aussie bush.

A pal said: “Bridget would love the challenge of the jungle and meeting new people. She’s a fun girl.”

Another beauty in the frame for the show is former Page 3 girl Samantha Fox, 43. I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, hosted by TV duo Ant and Dec, returns next month.

Coronation Street star Maggie Jones seriously ill after fall

Oct 13 2009

CORONATION Street actress Maggie Jones is seriously ill in hospital after major surgery, a spokeswoman has confirmed.

Ms Jones, 75, who plays battle-axe Blanche Hunt, had an operation on Saturday and remains in Hope Hospital, Salford, Greater Manchester.

She is said to be "seriously ill" but no details are being released on the type of operation.

Jones, who is a widow, has been written out of all immediate scenes, the spokeswoman said.

"We are all hoping and wishing the best for Maggie, who is much loved by everyone at Coronation Street," she said.

She was ruled out of filming for several weeks last April when she hurt her knee and shoulder during a fall.

Fellow Coronation Street veteran Bill Tarmey, who plays Jack Duckworth, said his thoughts are with the actress.

He said: "My beautiful Maggie. She is a delight, she is wonderful and I am just hoping she will be ok.

"We just sit and laugh together and I need her to get better otherwise I will be sitting on my own."

Famous for her withering put-downs and trademark scowl, Blanche is one of the show's most popular characters.

The veteran actress, who trained at Rada, won a gong for Best Comedy Performance at the British Soap Awards in 2005 and 2008 for the role.

Why the new 50p is a proper Flop

By JOEL TAYLOR - Tuesday, October 13, 2009

THE next time you look at the design on the back of a 50p coin and think 'a child could have done that', well, you'd be right.

A nine-year-old child, in fact. The new look is by Florence Jackson, who is the first child to design a British coin.

Her sketch of a London 2012 high jump athlete mid-Fosbury Flop beat 17,000 other entries in a Blue Peter competition to give her the chance to work with the Royal Mint on her design.

'I am so excited. I love drawing and I chose the high jump because I'd watched it on TV before and thought it looked fun,' said the youngster from Bristol.
--------------------
A nine year old girl designs the back of the new 50p.
Fancy being able to tell your teacher that, and you kids when she's grown up.
-----------------------

 

Alexandra wants world tour

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 02:27 PM

Alexandra Burke wants to go on a world tour.

The ‘Bad Boys’ singer – who last weekend returned to ‘The X Factor’, the show she won in 2008 – is desperate to sing for her fans across the globe.

Alex, 21, told Britain’s Daily Star newspaper: “It was the most terrifying moment going out there again on ‘The X Factor’ stage again. But once I got started, I was getting into it.

“I’ve been waiting all year for this moment. Now I’m like, ‘Come on, unleash the beast.’ ”

The beautiful star dazzled on the UK TV talent show with her performance of ‘Bad Boys’.

A string of celebrities turned out to watch her sing with American rapper Flo Rida, 29 – who raps on the track - including Girls Aloud stars Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh and Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

Alex recently admitted she is on the lookout for a boyfriend, although she is busy with her pop star career.

The London-born singer has been single for a year and revealed all her previous relationships have been a disaster.

She said: “I’m looking for a boyfriend. I’ve never been in love and I want to feel that. I’m ready for it.”

Good evening all

Hicky... thanks for the news items. Poor Blanche, nasty to have a fall like that at her age. I think she is a great actress on Corrie too.
It was a bit chilly here too this morning, but got very warm this afternoon. Don't need any heating on yet anyway, which is good with the price of it. Was it a work day for you today?

Emptybox... we can print from our lapppys, but my son had to do a bit of fiddling to work out how to do it. Hope you can sort it out ok.

My OH's losing his job came out of the blue, He had recently renewed his contract, to agree with a 10% salary decrease to avoid job losses, and he has another 6 months left to run. Seems the new contract wasn't even worth the paper it was written on.   So annoying because when other agents have rung him recently, he has turned them away because he thought he was in contract for months to come. We think it will be hard to find something this time of year too.
Hope you managed to get some garden work done today. It is leaf cleaning up time again, for you I guess, isn't it?

Have you used the new cooker yet Hicky?  we still use ours each day.

Good Evening Mollie.

It's not looking good for Blanche, hope she can pull through.

It was pretty cold here as well, got heating on now as well for a couple of hours.

I was at work today, but was pretty busy, have been compiling quotes and sending them to a group of companies, some in Germany, but the work is here in Halewood.

Just made a nice Mince and onion dinner with home made mash.

Have put some Saltfish in a large casserole pan to soak for Brekkie.

It's not the best time to get work, in fact it's probably about the worst.
You can but try.

I used the new oven for heating a couple of dinner plates.
It came with a toast rack, tried it but didn't know what settings to put it on, it didn't seem to grill it though.

Tuesday, 13 October 2009

Coronation Street Weekly Update, October 12 2009

Before I start, I’d like to give a gazillion thanks to the merry band of guest updaters for the last few weeks of Corrie updates. Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding and raise your glasses to John Dean, Richard Whitbread and for stepping up the mantel in such a magnificent way at very short notice, Karen Jankel. And so, without any further ado, here we go with this week’s Coronation Street update.

It’s all lies, lies, lies when Kevin and Molly return from their pretend GlasGay fun run when they’d really been chasing each other around a bedroom in Chester. Sophie’s surprised she can’t find a picture of Kevin on the GlasGay website although Sally thinks she can see Kevin’s knees behind a couple of fellas dressed as hairy tomatoes. Or at least, she thinks they’re hairy tomatoes, you can never be too sure on a GlasGay fun run. Kevin fibs and says his pic’s not on the website as he didn’t finish the race and lies to both his missus and his daughter. I can’t watch this storyline any more and have to hide behind a cushion with my fingers in my ears every time Molly tries to lure Kevin with her “come here and get your meat pie” eyes. It’s like Kevin Webster’s a family member to me, he’s been popping into my living room at least three times a week for the past umpteen years and then he does… this? Well, he’ll not be getting one of me Tunnocks, that’s for sure.

Over in the Kabin, Norris sacks Sheila Wheeler after she won’t stop talking and gives him constant ear-ache. Knees apart, I thought Sheila Wheeler did a good job.

In the Rovers there’s a party for Ken Barlow’s 70th and some birthday of Emily’s but as she’s a lady of a certain age we won’t reveal that she’s 105. As they settle down for a round of cosy drinks, in comes Peter with some news to blow Ken’s British Home Stores socks off. He’s going to buy Turner’s Joinery on Viaduct Street and turn it into a trendy bar with Leanne. Blanche, as usual, has the right thing to say about this: “What? An alcoholic opening a bar with an arsonist? When was that a good idea?” Oh, come on Blanche, you’re forgetting Leanne’s got other skills, she could open a knocking shop in the back room.

Tony and Maria play happy families this week after they return from a Parisian break. Mammy and Daddy Connor fly in from Ireland for baby Liam’s christening and so Kirk packs up and moves out, all the way next door and back in with Fiz and Ches. I feel sorry for Kirk, he's got chilblains, you know.

And finally, there’s trouble for Lloyd when he gets drunk on tequila and ends up in bed with Teresa. Tequila, eh? I drank a lot of it one night, many years ago, and ended up hallucinating that my bedroom walls were melting. And not in a good way. Anyway, Lloyd’s feeling pretty bad about doing the dirty with Teresa especially when things are looking good for him to get back with Liz. She of course finds out about his fling with Ma Morton and flings Lloyd out of the pub after Teresa punches him in the face and he ends up with a bloodied face and a packet of Kleenex stuck up his nose.

And that’s just about that for this week. It’s great to be back.

Coronation Street writers this week were the powerhouse that is David Lane, Peter Whalley, Joe Turner and Stephen Russell.
Find out more about all the Corrie writers here.

Hi Mollie and Hicky.

Your OH must be annoyed Mollie, and a bit worried at the same time.
Hope it turns out OK.

It was another dry mild day here, but cloudy.

I'm still in grass cutting mode, so I haven't raked any leaves up yet, but there are a few falling, right enough.
Having said that, I spent most of the day painting a client's gate and fence with cuprinol. I would have preferred to do it a bit later on after the grass cutting season was over, but this client is the kind that tells me what I am doing and when I am doing it, rather than the other way round, as I prefer.  

Talking of heating, I just ordered another dose of heating oil, just 2 months after I ordered my last lot.
That amounts to about £100 a month for heating and hot water.
Obviously it'll be much less in the summer, and more in the dead of winter, but that's bloomin' expensive.
Kerosene is about twice the price it was when we had the central heating installed about 12 years ago.

Hi Emptybox.

I think my grass has stopped growing and the leaves are falling heavy, cleared one lot up put another load has fell all ready, but think the bins full.

I'm not surprised the heating oil is expensive, but if you can't get gas then I don't now what other options you have, except for getting a wood burning system.

Yes, I think the grass has more or less stopped growing, but I've still got a lot of people to get round yet.

We can't get gas, so I don't have any other choice at the moment.
I could go back to an open fire, I suppose.

Hi Hicky, Mollie, emptybox and everyone else.
For some crazy reason this place wouldn't let me post, as the add comment box wasn't loading fully.
Seems fixed now though.
I've been staying at my girlfriends house quite a lot so wouldn't have been here much anyway, but hope everyone's good.

Good Morning Kev.
Wondered where you had got to, Strange it not letting you post, but it was playing up last week.
I'm sure your G/F's is a bigger attraction than here.
Pop in here when she needs a rest.

Glad everything is going well anyway.

Maggie Jones Improving

Today 12:30

Maggie Jones' condition is "improving".

The 75-year-old 'Coronation Street' star - who plays Blanche Hunt in the ITV soap - is recovering at Hope Hospital in Salford after undergoing an operation on Saturday (10.10.09) for an undisclosed condition.

A spokesperson for Granada TV, who make 'Coronation Street', said: "She seems to have turned a corner. There has been an improvement in Maggie's condition and we are all encouraged by this news."

Maggie is a delight. We sit and laugh together. I need her to get better or I will be sitting on my own.

Maggie is reportedly still in an intensive care unit, with pals saying the next few days are "crucial".

Reports she had ruptured her spleen in a fall have been denied.

She has been hastily written out of her forthcoming scenes in the soap until the New Year.

Her co-star Bill Tarmey, who plays Jack Duckworth, says he "needs" his pal to recover.

He said: "Maggie is a delight. We sit and laugh together. I need her to get better or I will be sitting on my own."

-------------------------

It's looking a lot better for her anyway, she's a tough nut.

Hi Hicky,Mollie Empty and Kev I'm so glad Blanche is on the mend (hopefully)
  Mollie I do hope your OH  gets work real soon. It's so disappointing when he was told he was safe for a while.Nothing is that secure at the moment

Good evening all

KingKev ... nice to see you call in here again.   Glad to hear you are still all loved up with the gf.       KEV    GF

GrannyG ..yes, it is good news that Blanche is improving. Thanks to Hicky for posting that, and the other Corrie news for us. Yes I agree, nothing is secure jobwise at the moment. But somehow I heard today, the bankers are still getting their bonuses.

Emptybox... a busy time for you with the end of the grass cutting and the falling leaves. Yes that is expensive heating for you, especially as you are on your own. But I know gas had gone up too, yet another way to rip the public off, so the gas/oil big companies can make big money.

See you can see I am still about how my OH has been treated, that is 2 moans in one post.
have you thought about perhaps getting a mini fan heater to take the chill off the room, and do you wear warm clothing at home?  I always wear a few layers in winter, so I dont need the heating on when OH is at work in the day. 
Hicky... do you think a calor gas heater woould work out any cheaper for Emptybox?  You said your BBQ gas jar lasted ages, and as he is on his own, he only needs to heat one room at a time.

Hicky....sounds like you are stil enjoying your saltfish. Have you used your cooker for anything else other than your plates yet?   My cheese and tomatoes on toast comes out delicious for my brekkie with my new cooker.

Does anyone watch Justin lee Collins on Sky tonight at 9pm?  he is quite good, He has a go at different things each week, last week he was high diving, this week he is ballroom dancing.