Genealogy Chat

Thank you, Dorothy Teresa


and a Happy New Year to you



sylvia

hi all
happy new year
your thread is allways great to read and friendly
dorothy teresa

Keep your snow please Sylvia....we certainly don't want it.


Our son's cat was put down on Monday because of a large tumour. It was 14 years old and had done very well. My son was shocked by the cost!


I have been multi tasking all day so am a bit frazzled.


Going to chill out by a quick browse around I think.

Love to all. Cx

Hi everyone


Anne ......... don't forget Kaikoura, 180 km north of Christchurch. Fabulous for whale and dolphin watching, and bird watching.

Also the wine areas ................... Hwkes Bay, Marlborough, Nelson etc

Hawkes Bay area also has one of the most perfectly preserved Art Deco towns, Napier which was almost completely destroyed in an earthwuake and rebuilt in 1931. Some fabulous buildings ..... and the wine is good!





We did get the threatened snow overnight!


It started to snow about 8:30 pm, and it was falling fast and furious when I last looked out just after midnight

However, it had turned to rain when I next looked out at about 5:30 am

I guesstimate that we got somewhere close to 10 cm, based on what is left on the grass.


OH was out shovelling our sidewalks (corner house, so he's got to do 33' x 120') by 7:30 am, then did the neighbour's across the street ..... Joe's in his late 80s. By the time he had finished, at least 3 other neighbours had been out and shovelled their 30' frontages!

The rain stopped by about 9 am, sun came out for a spell around 11 am


still lots of snow on the ground, but temp is about 6C, so it should be melting!

All in all ..... the side roads are a mushy mess!

And many of the sidewalks are the same ................ although there is a new by-law in effect that says ALL sidewalks have to be cleared of snow by 10 am, even in residential areas. It looks as though a lot of people haven't bothered!



On the good side .................. I can see one of the major roads into Vancouver from my kitchen window, and it was completely clear of snow by 5:30 am ............ ploughs were out as soon as snow started at about 8:30 pm



OH has been messing about at home this morning . He decided not to drive out to the university, he has to be out there from 4 -10pm for opera rehearsal, so he decided to stay home.

So far he has fixed a wonky door knob on our bedroom door, put some hooks on insides of new kitchen cupboards to hang some items like the nutmeg grater, vacuumed 2 rooms, found some way out-of-date cans and jars (soup and pasta sauce) and ditched the contents. He's having a ball!!


and I am keeping out the way!



sylvia
xxx

Thank you Josie - much appreciated

Hope its not too bad for you at the dentist - come back to us we can take away the pain

Sylvia - thank you for the sympathy - it still hurts just thinking about him - its like losing part of your family - must not start this again - especially at work - they will think i have gone mad crying over my keyboard.

Glad the heating is working

Take care all - will pop back later if I can

Hi Ann,
Hope this helps in sorting out a holiday for your client who has 2 weeks to spend in NZ.
best reccomendation is that they start in North Island with Rotorua our major thermal area and main tourist attraction, nearby there is Lake Taupo and Huka Falls. If they want to fish can go Trout Fishing here.

Then Head South to Wellington
Voted by Lonely Planet in 2010 as 'THE BEST LITTLE CAPITAL CITY IN THE WORLD'
in Wellington we Have 'Te Papa' [Maori for 'our place.] this is our Nation's Museum a very modern fun interactive place.

40 mins drive from the City Centre we Have 'southwards Car Museam' the largest private Car collection in the Southern Hemisphere.

As well we have An Iconic Cable car. A fabulous Botanical Garden, A Zoo.
and of course great Hotels , Restaurants, Cafes and Shopping. Not forgetting a Magnificent Harbor.
The main part of his 2 weeks should be spend in The South Island which has spectacular breathtaking Mountains and Lakes, Places worth Visiting Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers, Fiordland,
our main tourist area Queenstown where he can go Bungy Jumping, White Water Rafting or there are plenty more activities for those who are not into adventure tourism.
Christchurch is a beautiful City to visit, known as the England of the South while there has been major damage to a lot of old buildings in one section of the City
Christchurch's beautiful Cathedral is still standing Undamaged.
It's still a little shakey down there as they are still having 1 or 2 small aftershocks everyday.
But everything is perfectly okay in nearby Lyttleton the City's' Port. Where you can take a Harbour Cruise and encounter Hector Dolphins, the smallest Dolphin in the World.

Finnaly a visit to Dunedin NZ'S 4th largest City a University City Known as the Edinburgh of the South. Is Well worth it.

Check out the Amazing train journeys available there are 2 in the South Island and 2 in the North Island that he might be interested in.

Also plenty of Bus Tours or he can hire a campervan or rental Cars or Fly.
No shortage of options get from A to B.


Hope I have not bored the rest of you.
Going to have 3 teeth extracted tomorrow, so will not be feeling up to spending time on my Computer for a few days.

Take care everyone catch you all later. Josie

oh yes


the heating


eventually reached its target temperature by about 5 pm

same thing happened today



OH says he's going to call in "the man" to have a look at it.



s
xxx

Hi all

it was a physio day today


Matt physio has the same birth date as me ............ Jan 7


But his birthday lasted twice as long as mine!


He and his family went home to NZ for Christmas ........... birthday started in New Plymouth, then they got on the plane at 8:30 to return to Canada, landed in Vancouver at mid-day on Jan 7 .......... so he still had all afternoon and evening to continue celebrating!


he said he eventually called a halt because it had gone on for so long! :))))



It was a pretty nice day today ........... around 0C, some sun


now we're waiitng for the snow to start falling

snow warning out, around 15-20 cm expected overnight, turning to rain about rush hour Wednesday morning


nasty!



We have close friends who live in a suburb of Brisbane, one of the suburbs under threat of flooding. I emailed them last night ..... and got a reply back this morning.

They are worried, of course, but think they will be OK. They live in an old Queensland house, built up on stilts to allow air to circulate under the house (the original air conditioning!) ................ and were dry on the main floor in the last major floods in 1974. So they are hoping they will be dry this time as well.

BUT they had been exceptionally worried for a few hours earlier .... two of their grandchildren were staying with their other grandparents in Toowoomba when the surge of water went through there. Fortunately, they eventually made contact with the children, and they had not been in any danger.



Anne ........... sorry to hear about your furry friend.


I buy a lot of things on the internet ... but from "shops" such as Lands End etc. It's the painless way to buy some types of clothes! Haven't got my nerve up to try EBay ............... I just know that I would become addicted!





s
xxx

Cynthia - good news for your OH

Little bit warmer - but drizzly down here

Was going to send a message last night but was too drizzly myself & don't want to start myself off again now - so will wait till later & i am home. Had some very upsetting news about the Cat next door Burbury (my favourite) of my three (now down to two) furry visitors. the one who use to dangle over the keyboard stopping me doing my notes on the thread.

My neighbours have now got themselves a replacement - called PIXIE - my OH saw it yesterday - its very sweet aparently - a smooth haired Chihuahua puppy its about 12 weeks now. They also have a Dalmation called Dylan & the Chihuahua rules the house by the sound of things. No wonder the other cat comes to us more now as she hated Dylan & she is bigger than PIXIE & she is a very small cat - well thats what my OH says - he is the one who gossips with the neighbours.

Sue - those floods are terrible - thanks for the offer on the books - any help always appreciated.

Sylvia - hope the heating is ok - make sure you have a good fleece or two around.

Glad to hear Debbie is well - wonder what has happened to Catherine.

I know Evelyn is usually rushing around

Frank - are you any better

Josie - just doing a two week trip to NZ for one of my clients - really makes me want to visit - he wants to see special areas of natural beauty - whats best in two weeks? Thats all he can manage

Its nice to have robert with us now instead of in his shell.

Well better go back to the job

Take care all

Hi all - meant to pop in yesterday......full of good intentions.....but......ah well, I am here now.

I have been watching the floods in Oz and am horrified by what is happening. It must be unbearable for everyone involved. So, so dreadful.


My problem pipe has been sorted and now has it's new doofah with lots of lagging. I sent an email to the gas board re the cost and have received a very polite phone call offering me a discount of over £50 so I am very pleased.

However.......the ignition doofah on my cooker has gone and won't be fixed until tomorrow - so I am having to just use the hob for now. I find cooking a hard enough chore at the best of times, but having to think of hob meals is more brain strain for me....lol


My OH went for his 6monthly Parkinsons Specialist check and he is still considered to be stable on his current meds. They may have to be increased later, but we are thankful for each day.


Josie....you sound addicted! I've looked at ebay but never had the courage to do any buying or selling. My hairdresser is addicted to it and is constantly on the lookout for what she can sell on there.


The temperature is rising slightly here, not as good as NZ or Oz of course, but at least well above freezing - so that's arelief. The sun is now shining brightly and I will soon be off to pick up the grandkids.


Robert, I do hope you wore a badge on your special day. My daughter wore her 40th badge to the supermarket when we went shopping!!


Hope Evelyn is okay.....I have had a message from Debbie who used to be on here...she is fine but sounds busy.

Love to all. Cx

Hi Susan,

No it is not lucky that I don't live in Scotland any more - we are only 70 miles South of the Border and we get as much snow here in the North East as they do in Scotland.

As they say "You can take the boy out of Scotland but you can't take Scotland out of the boy" (or in my case the "old Man")

Hi Everyone

Have you been watching the floods in Queensland ,it is so bad ,they have had record rain and a lot of people have died in the floods.

It is all over our TV at the moment so I am trying to keep up with it .

People are on there roofs as there is no where else to go the floods are so bad.

I will have a look in the bookstores today for you Anne as I don't buy books on OZ I am sure there will be a few around.

Robert I suppose you are lucky really that you don't live in Scotland anymore it did not sound a good place to be with all the snow you have had.
My rellies in Gloustershire are having rain so they tell me so it must be warming up there too.
My Aunt is improveing a bit but she will be in Hospitol for a long while yet she seems to out of danger but I am getting myself organised just incase.
My poor Uncle is beside himself with worry ..they are so close if one goes the other won't be long after.

I am off shopping today ,another hot one for us ,we could do with some of that Queensland rain it is so dry in WA,funny we are in a drought this side .
Catch you later.

Suex

Hi everyone



You're not alone Anne ........... but I am 8 hours behind you!!


Sorry that I can't help you with the book ...... we have a lot of super books on Austrlaia, but they're all several years old (some bought 35 years ago), so I think they will all be out of print now.


It is getting colder here this morning ....... it's below 0C outside, and cloudy

AND

the heating in the main part of the hosue seems to be on a go slow.

It's blown air from a gas furnace. OH turned the thermostat up to about 20C at about 7:30 am this morning, and now it is 11 am but the room temperature is only just over 16C

It should be registering about 21 or 22C

Warm air is blowing through the vents, just not as fast or as hot as it should be


The room where I have the computer is on a separate system ...... it has its own electric baseboard heater, plus I have a little box electric heater that blows out warm air if I need extra warmth. So I am nice and cozy in here.


OH said he'll have a look at the furnace and vents when he gets home mid-afternoon ........ although I hope it will have warmed up by then!


Warm sweaters to the rescue!!!!



s
xxx

Well well - its me again - talking to myself i see

Susan - I need your help
I need an all singing all dancing superdooper book on Australia - lots of lovely photos - but under £100 UK Sterling

Any ideas as I need to buy one for a client as a present - the internet is useless for this - it just wants me to book luxury travel to OZ -

If anyone know any well known OZ photographers who have books in print please let me know - all the ones I have found are out of print eg

Australia - images of a timeless land by Peter Lik - which looks wonderful - but I can only find used copies aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh

Well you know what happens when people talk to themselves -

THEY GET THE ANSWER THEY WANTED TO HEAR

Take care all - come back soon I'm lonley

Well poped back in - There is no harm in thinking yourself younger - in fact its what keeps us going these days

Must go its Lark Rise on now

Susan and Tabitha, I got several birthday cards with badges showing the big *0 and I feel I should be wearing one on my forehead.
How am I supposed to feel at this age, but I still feel 20 years younger!!

Susan, I don't live in Scotland any more but I did nip over the Border yesterday and the weather was beautiful although Edinburgh was badly hit by snow.

Tabitha, my visit to the Smoke was fine apart from the train running an hour late on the way down.

Well two days of good sleep & lie-ins seems to have improved OH no end - done me good too - first time I haven't worked a weekend for a while.

Don't know where the money for next months bills will come from if the OT is slow to apprear - but never mind - there is always a silver lining somewhere.

Lovely to have you back with us Reece

We seem to have lost Evelyn

Frank - hows the chest

Robert - you are so not an old man - how was the big smoke?

Cynthia - are you still out with your broomstick

Sylvia - hope you had a fun birhtday & thanks for the work experience

Josie - you addict you - I keep well away from those sites - I too could end up buying things

Sue- hope your auntie gets better soon - don't worry about the coat - we have loads here in the sales

Well off to make a big pot of chilli

In-laws are due to have the Christmas Present today from their grandson - (He who has more money than he can use & throws it around on people outside the family etc etc) bought them a helicopter trip. My FinL had to make a list of all the places he wanted to fly over on the southcoast & they will have a hour or so in the air.

Nice in one way - but I think he assumes he will be able to fly low - which he won't.

Well off to the kitchen - will try & look in again later

Take care all

Hi Everyone

Very quiet here at the moment,it is Sunday and I suppose we are all doing our own thing .

I will be going out soon to visit the dau and her OH.

Very hot again but no thunder storms so it is a little better weather wise,it looks like being this way all next week.

Reece it is nice to hear from you and I hope you and your family had a good Christmas.

I am still waiting on some new news of my Aunt ,I don't really want to go all the way to the UK on my own but if I have too so be it .
The weather there sounds allfall to me and cold so I don't know what to expect.
I really need a new coat but all our shops are full of Summer stuff so I don'T know where I can get a winter coat to take with me .

Robert as Reece said you should never call yourself an old man ,in my book you are as old as you feel,keep your mind young and you will be young.
I hope your weather in Scotland has improved for you Robert.

We are off to the Dau see you all later.
Suex

Hi Everyone,

Have been very busy on the Net this these last 2 weeks.

I should have been re -searching long dead ancestors instead I have had fun biding in online Auctions

Spending the money I had set aside for new spectacle frames on 'Nick Knacks' instead.

My Son has already accused me of having an addiction problem as I have been on this site at least twice a day for the last 2 weeks.

It's a NZ website called' TRADEME which runs on the same lines as EBAY It was created by a 21 year old who sold the site 2 years ago making him a Multi Millioner.

I decided to have a browse as I was bored
and I Could not help myself
Have been buying small pieces of Delft Ware [Dutch Blue and White china to add to some things I had, as well as small ornaments to fill a large Shadow Box I have decided I want to hang on the wall.

I am someone that hates going out shopping and rarely goes window shopping. I buy more from catalogs and online then I do in Shops.

Maybe it's because all my working live has been spent behind the counter in shops.

For the first time shopping has actually been enjoyable.
Its been cool receiving parcels over the last couple of days with 10 more still to come next week.
The new Frames are now on hold and I have spent to my limit so will have to stay away from this addictive site.

Away to serve up Dinner.
Take care, catch you all later. Josie

Hi everyone


Thank you very much for all your good wishes


The rain stopped mid-morning, and the sun is now trying to shine ............... and we're going out for dinner

It's just about lunchtime here, so you are in plenty of time Reece. Lovely ot hear from you.so it will be a good birthday.

Robert.... I may just be catching up to you ..... even if Ginny's heading to her thread is not quite correct!!!


I was lucky that I worked in professions where either promotion was on merit (teacher for 2½ years) OR I never had anyone who could be over me because I was the only one doing the work

........ I really did do my "own" thing for over 30 years at the Botanical Garden!

At first I was research technician for the then-Director, doing his laboratory work ..... we'd discuss what had to be done, then he'd leave me completely alone to do it. If I didn't ask, he assumed that I knew exactly what to do.

After he left, I moved to another area in the Garden, keeping the plant records. I did have to report to the Curator of Collections, a botanist who did have a fair idea of what the job entailed ............... but he'd listen to me, then tell me to carry on with what I was doing.

After he died in 1997, I reported to the Director of the Garden, a horticulturist who had not the slightest idea what the job required, used to doze off during our annual interviews ..... then tell me to carry on doing what I was doing!


Anne ............... I'm not quite sure whether I should keep my fingers crossed that you get the job or not!!


Take care everyone



s
xxx