Genealogy Chat

Howdy Frank

You should be chuffed you took off when you did - bedlam & it spread to Germany, Belgium, France then us

I did check out your flight - nice feedback on KLM - have to admit i wouldn't give BA house room - i woudl never fly with them again if I could go with any other airline - I had two of the wrost flights in my life with them - Airline ok - just the crew each time - rude & idle the whole time.

I loved Virgin each time I went with them - haven't flown KLM but can't wait to try when I get some money one day.

Well back to the phones & the weather & the "my delivery hasn't arrived " or "I want to go to a top restaurant on Chritmas Eve or Christmas day & wonder why its full" It adds spice to your day

Trying to find a flight to Paris & not a thing in sight - Oh well here we go again - "Why can't I get a flight"

Keep up the good work Cynthia

Thank you for all the cards & good wishes - two more days at work

Keep warm (or cool) - Take care all

Hello again from sunny Washington............we made it!

Wonderful flight with no delays although by all accounts we just made it ahead of the bad snow which closed Schiphol Airport.
Of all the transatlantic flights we've done using US Airlines, Continental, Virgin, United Airlines, KLM, British Airways, only the last two are worth mentioning.
Virgin who always seemed well regarded were a great let down when we flew last year with tiny seats, legroom and a small glass of wine with the meal.
In comparison we've flown three times with KLM and I don't know if it's because they are Dutch but the staff just seem to make a huge effort to please and I am well aware as to how difficult it is serving the general public.
Hot towels,pre dinner nibbles, a lovely meal, two small bottles of wine and water, then an after dinner drink was offered which we declined.
Further into the flight ice cream and water.
Finally a hot snack or a cake and a cold drink, it just could not have been any better............well not unless you got Anne to book you into first class with one of her fancy clients ;)
Also at the galley was a selection of snacks, chocolate bars etc to which you could help yourself if you so wished....yum.

Anyway we got into Washington and it was snowing with a couple of inches having fallen and temperatures about -2c.
It's remained cold but dry and that's the immediate forecast for us so it 's quite pretty and nice for sight seeing so long as you are well wrappped up.

Young Sophia is advancing rapidly with four teeth and still crawling backwards.........she just swings around in reverse to get where she's going!

Hope all you Brits are surviving in the snowstorms.....good excercise for you Cynthia.
Our Southern friends are obviously envious of our cool christmas....not!!

Forgot how late it is with the time difference so you'll probably be all tucked up in bed with your horlicks by now,

Take care now form the other, other side of the world and good morning to the other side of the world.

I looked out of the window as we passed over Halifax, Canada but there was no sign of that dreaded rollingpin, guess Sylvia was still enjoying her train journey.

Do I have an American accent yet???

Goodness me, where does time go?

All this talk of good weather and pavlovas is very tempting indeed.

I am sick of this snow. Had to spend a while digging yesterday so that I could back the car onto the main road....very naughty but we live in trying times!

Went to Tesco and it took nearly an hour to come off the car park because of congestion. Oh the joys of the season!

My outside pipe is still freezing so I am still going out to give it a rap to knock the ice out!

Will try and post properly tomorrow, Night night all. Cx

Afternoon all - very quick visit

manic in the office - snow - flight delays etc etc

Could do with some of your warmth - i too feel like I could go for a Visit with Josie

I woudl love to experience an OZ Christmas at 37 degrees - it seems so very unreal.

We spent Christmas in Lanzerote in 1994 - very strange walking along the beach in T shirt & shorts - but nowhere near that sort of heat

One day when we make our fortune or win the lotto I will try a down under Christmas

Wrap up warm (or refridgerate) take care all

Hi,
just popped in to give us a quick nudge.
Heard on the news that the UK is experiencing the coldest Christmas in100 years.
Sending you all lots of Warm..m...... thoughts.
Josie

Good Morning everyone,
Just popped in to ask if I can spend Xmas at Josie,s the thought of home cooked ham and strawberries with pavlova and cream, oh what joy, what more could anyone wish for.
We had some snow overnight but the rain has washed most of it away now. One thing I loathe about this kind of weather is that we dont get any national newspapers or mail from the mainland, it seems there is some problem at the airport from which the papers and mail are dispatched, all arranged by the male species no doubt, a female would put the Mail and papers on the ferry, O K they would be late but at least we would be in touch with the world.
I still have presents to wrap also more presents to buy for Ron but am mostly well prepared for the big event.
A very dear friend of ours has just had a pacemaker fitted so we are hoping that he will be fighting fit in a few days he is not yer 60 so I am hoping he will be with us for many years bless him.
Time for coffee now so cheerio all, take care.
Love
Evelyn XX

Hi Everyone

Just a quick one as we are on our way out to a barbie,the first one over Chrissy ....really looking forward to it as I won't have to cook.

Josie I am the same as you,I lost my mum in 1981 and Christmas dinner was always at Mum and Dads.
I did it for a few years after for all the family but it got to big for me to do it all so we all go our own ways now with our own familes.
We all live to far away from each other anyway now

I still miss my Mum today after all these years and I always will

Mum always did a roast no matter how hot it was.....she would not change her English tradition for anyone .
I am doing a Roast Turkey dinner this year and cold meats and Salad for Boxing day.

Wel I had better get off or I will be late for the Barbie.
Stay warm and safe everyone see you tomorrow.

Suex

Hi Everyone,

Sitting here in 22c with 80% humidity, has been a very humid wet week more wet weather predicted for this coming week,
our farmers up north need it as they were already starting to suffer drought conditions.

Am waiting for my glazed ham to finish cooking.
As I have to work right through the Christmas period I make a monstrous Potato Salad and when I get home from work, the OH and my Son get Cold ham and Salad for tea.

quick and easy, they just love their ham.
I am not a big fan would rather Have Turkey or Roast Pork.

Was watching Gordan Ramsey on TV the other night as he showed us how to cook the Christmas Dinner he serves his family.

I was so inspired on how he does his Turkey, that I have got a small Turkey which I am going to cook up at New Year and will eat cold with salads and Pavlova with lots of cream and strawberries.

When I first got married I tried to replicate a full English Christmas Dinner.
A total disaster!!

Number one reason being it is far to hot and humid here to eat a massive roast followed by Christmas Pudding not to mention the mince pies , shortbread, nuts and mulled wine.

Finished my Christmas baking yesterday, And took some of it on plates wrapped up with cellophane and gold ribbon to Church today to give as gifts to some of the people who live alone.

Finnaly put up my Christmas tree this afternoon, only because my Brother and Sister in law have said they want to come over Christmas Eve to exchange gifts, so thought I Better make an effort.

I find Christmas very hard, My Father died on Friday the 17th Dec, 34 years ago this year,
It is crazy after all these years but I still suffer a period depression mid December, which means if I do not get organised at the beginning of Dec I can find myself incapable of undertaking Christmas tasks,

this year I was not quick enough to send Christmas cards so will be scrambling to try to sent out at least e cards before Friday.

Well my Ham is now ready so must sort it out.

Best wishes to you all, keep warm hopefully will get a chance in this busy week to pop in again.

Josie

Hi Everyone

Quiet today !! I suppose we are all very busy with Christmas Shopping..
I did a little more today ,I only have a gift for the OH's mother and I am finished..

The food is the next thing but I already have that planed.

I hope everyone is enjoying there hard erned holidays.

Another warm 32c today and a 38c for Christmas day,thunderstorms for Tuesday.

The news is full of stories of the snow stoms in the UK,I hope you all stay warm.

Talk tomorrow.

Suex

Hi Everyone

No Anne I am hear,I have been shopping all day.

It was 37c and My dau and I went to the Big smoke ...it is about 50 klm away to do a big shop and hopefully finish off the Christmas Shopping,I must admit I did get a lot done today and I can relax a bit now.

They are tellings us we are in for a hot Christmas Day about 37c,I don't much like it but there is nothing you can do to stop it.
We do have refridgerated aircon in the living areas so I can still have my Roast Turkey.

This is when I miss England,very tired tonight so I will say goodnight dear friends.
Suex

Cynthia - you are not alone

Hope Frank got away ok - just heard Amsterdam Airport has shut down

London has SNOW - just had a message from the London office

Nothing here at the moment - just had free Christmas Sarnies from some hotels - Cheese & Chorizo? different Mozzerella,black pepper, tomato & basil & a few other unusual combinations, Fresh Juice - the odd Advent Cal to get on with - a little bag of christmas sweeties - candy canes & chocolate snowballs

Catch Cynthia

Wonder where the others are - I know

Frank is in Washington zzzzzzzzzzz,

Sylvia on the train to the other side of canada

Evelyn - trying to get Ron to get the decs out the attic

Susan - sitting by the pool - glass of wine in hand while looking at the
Christmas lights

Josie - dreaming of a White Christmas with the sun streaming through the kitchen window as she cooks the mince pies on the other side of the world

Robert - tucked up in his shell against the snow

Reese - take care we miss you

I need to go back to the sweets & goodies - new leaf next year - lose weight (so the consultant tells me ) my OH said that will be the day.

Keep in the warm - take care all

Oops, gonna be talking to my self I see!


Oh well. Yesterday we had a lovely meal out with two very old friends - I don't mean they are very old, we have just known them for a long time! We talked a lot and laughed a lot. At one stage it reminded me of an epidsode of New Tricks as the men discussed the medication they are on whilst my friend and I sorted many problems out!


Despite the forecast of snow, I am pleased to say that none has arrived as yet! I don't think it was particularly cold overnight either as the car windscreen only has a light film of ice on it.


I have swapped my broom for a hoe (ho ho ho), ready for when the outside pipe freezes again. It's slightly longer according to OH. We have had a letter from British Gas apologising for the delay in sending the required part etc. As we are 'priority' customers because of OH's health probs, it makes me wonder how on earth others are coping.


Out for another meal today - I can just about cope with that!


Hope someone pops in soon. Love. Cx

Have a wonderful time Frank and do keep in touch.

Love the advice from your firm Anne.........they really want you to turn in don't they??


I can relax and forget about cooking this year as we are going to our son's for Christmas lunch. Of course, if it snows........we could be snookered.


Meg, you got that rolling pin out too late......Frank's on his way abroad...!


Just chilling after a really busy day.


If the weather is okay, we are meeting friends from Yorkshire for lunch tomorrow but.........I guess we will have to wait and see what the morning brings.


Love to all. Cx

Safe journey Frank - I hope Amsterdam will be fine tomorrow - looks like rain on our weather forecast or a light snow shower early morning.
Have a fantastic time in Washington - i so want to go - any room for me in one of the bags?

See you on the other side - Ouija board at the ready eh Cynthia

Evelyn - your Ron sounds like me last year - i was depressed a year ago - mind you i nearly said the same this year - such a lot of hassel get the decs down - check they work - put them up - turn off - turn on etc - take them down sort - put away - back in the loft for another year.

Think its a case of the Bar Humbugs already

Well we are all battening down the hatches ready for the Siberian winter to hit - looks like we will get it again - must be this Ozone layer thingy as we use to escape with very little snow - now we get loads. We had the following helpful advice from our managers at work.

"Make sure that you leave home early in order to make it into work.
If you have to drive, make sure you leave your cars parked on main roads so that you can get in and out of Brighton more easily
If, historically, you live in an area that gets cut off meaning you can't get in, a hotel can be arranged overnight. Please let your Team Leader know
in time for us to get it booked.
Lastly, we are also able to arrange taxis for groups of people who cannot get here due to public transport stopping. We will be doing this again this
week.
Keep close to local tv and radio stations to keep abreast of your local situation

Please make every effort to get into work but by staying safe!!! """"""

Very friendly advice - We have so much fun here

Well better go back to the phones - work calls etc

Frank - i always have a Sherry or two when cooking Christmas dinner

Wrap up warm - keep safe - take care all

Hi Everyone

Frank I hope you have a wonderful holiday I will have a sherry or two.my Turley is ready but still frozen at present.
I do hope the snow does not interfear with your plans at all,they don't like taking off on runways if there is snow around do they.
Your wife sounds like me I pack far to much .
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU.

My lights have gone up well ,OH got up on the roof but he did not like it ,only the star to go.

I was just watching the news.... Ontario Canada is all snowed in ,I hope that is no where near where Sylvia is ,she was on a train from memory.

I hear the UK is in for an artic cold snap,that does not sound good,I hope you all stay safe over there and keep your central heating going,I really feel for you all but It will make it more like Christmas.

I miss England at this time of the year.....but I do love OZ

Nice to hear from you Meg and do drop in whenever you get the chance.

Better start dinner.
Suex

Edite; Anne thankyou for the card,if I new how to do it myself I would send you one ,I did try ....did it work.

Cleared out the drawers (kitchen variety, not personal) last week. Found a rolling pin. Now what migtt I need that for?

Well hello girls,

Glad to see I've been missed but that's us all packed.

My dear wife started off with two large cases, two backpacks and two bags but after three hours of negotiation, squeezing, repacking etc I have got everything into the two cases.

......................phew !

We leave Glasgow at 7.00am Thursday so we'll be up at about 2.00am.....
Looks like we will just beat the snow on our departure for Amsterdam and hopefully it won't catch up with us before we leave for Washington as we have a six hour stopover.

Fingers and everything else crossed.

We don't have any decorations or a tree this year as it did seem like a waste of time and money.
It also saves me having to lug an eight foot tree down the hill from our local supplier............I'm not getting any younger and that blooming ferret usually disappears for days making his nest in the tree.

I'll be in touch from the other side but just in case I'd like to wish all you lovely ladies a wonderfull christmas.
Hopefully the present that your OH fretted over will be "acceptable", your turkey will be properly cooked and the roasties nice and crisp.

..................don't work too hard and go easy on the sherry !

Oooh, that coffee will be cold by now Evelyn....I would have loved one about then. It's so funny about Ron as my husband said almost the same thing about the decorations today. I gave him one of THOSE looks! I know I will be glad when it's all over but I feel we should make the effort.


Frank, have a lovely time wherever, whenever. Do you take your ferret with you?

Anne, my presents are all wrapped bar one and I intend to start on my daughter's birthday presents later this week.

Am not looking forward to the expected snow at the end of the week but it looks like we won't escape this time.

Night all. Cx

Hello Everyone,
Brr its cold here in Guernsey.
I have been for a hair cut as my hair was getting out of control again, I think they use fertiliser on it instead of mousse when they blow dry it.
Yes Anne there has been some movement on the Diane Macleod front, Viv is like a dog with a bone she just wont let go bless her she and lots of other kind people on here have been so helpful to me and I really do appreciate it very much.
Glad Beamish was a success, I really enjoyed our day there, I would love to work somewhere like that, I would gladly come out of retirement for that..
Our Xmas tree and decorations remain in the attic, Mr Grumpy cannot see the sense of putting them up as we are going to relatives for Xmas lunch, work that one out because I cannot, perhaps I should go and sit in the attic so I can see the decorations.
Have done some food shopping today then if it snows later in the week we wont have to go out in it.
Lets hope our Robert is snug in his shell,dont want him to be getting frostbite.
Frank take care when you are out and about, not sure about the date of your trip but enjoy every minute of it..
I hope Cynthia is keeping snug and looking after herself, she spends most of her time looking after everyone else so its time for her to have some treats for herself.
Going to have a coffee now, anyone want one.
Take care everyone
Evelyn X

Ok - where is everyone

Sylvia is now on the train (I guess) on her way to see the little one

Frank - not sure what day you are leaving - Safe trip in advance & Happy Christmas

Susan - Hope the christmas lights went up ok

Cynthia - too much christmas shopping? thanks for the PM

Evelyn - wonderful news on your thread - just been catching up

Well work is still manic - as long as the OT keeps going i will be happy - looking forward to a few days off over Christmas

I am getting so slack on my FT - i am just so tired when i get home - I think its the dark nights - dark when I get up - dark when i go to work (some days) - always dark when i leave work - think i work in the arctic sometimes -

I need a sledgehammer for Christmas - to break down a few brick walls - I am beginning to get quite annoyed with them - I just want to get a closure on them now. Trouble is once i do i won't have anything to do, & start moaning about that as well - can't please me

Wait for a comment from Frank on that one

Have to admit - i am quite worried about Frank

Frank my client loved "Two Fat ladies at the Buttery" said it was the best meal he had had in ages & he loved the restaurant - certainly a good tip if anyone is in the Glasgow area

Well i must go as I have a couple of calls to make

Take care all - keep in the warm - Siberian weather is on the way at the end of the week - so i hear