General Chat

Pig face??? what strange plants you have down under.

I hope that your training session goes well Sue. I used to hate all the teacher training days we had to endure. We had so much to do and could have made really good use of the time, but had to endure endless talks by people who wouldn't survive five minutes in a classroom full of sixteen year olds.

We used to play bull s**t bingo to liven up the proceedings. We used to draw lots which were all the stupid in phrases that the speakers were likely to use, you know the sort of thing "running it up the flag pole etc. The person who had their phrase used first used to win the money.

On speech days when the children received the school prizes for their work during the year, the heads of each of the departments, science, maths, history etc, would go up on the stage and make a little speech while they announced the names and presented the prizes. Every year,a theme would be chosen and they used to try and cram as many references in as possible. One year we had tropical diseases for instance. They didn't just name them, they used to be incredibly inventive in running words together and slurring them to make the names up. the winner was obviously the one who got the most in. The other staff would stand down the sides of the hall, counting and desperately trying not to laugh. The pupils must have wondered what on earth was going on.


edit, Hello Allan,you posted while I was typing

Hello, Allan and Linda.

Linda, we have a social worker who gives a presentation and he has all the stock phrases that you would expect from a young and recently trained professional. He finishes most of his statements with "do you understand what I'm saying" and one group of people would call out "oh absolutely". It took almost to the end of the session before he realised that they were gently teasing him. He's now got 2 years under his belt and he generally makes fun of himself. He still insists on nodding constantly when you are speaking and then saying "I respect your opinion although I don't personally agree with what you're saying".

I don't know why the plants are called "pig-face" that's not what they look like. They're a succulent and I'm not sure what they are really called. Must look it up.

Sue xx

Good morning/evening everyone.

Linda, 'Pig-face' is the common name for Lampranthus aurantiacus - or 'ice plant'. Yes, we do have a few strange plants in Australia, but that isn't one of them. I have seen them in England and USA and I believe they are a native of South Africa. They are brightly coloured daisy-like flowers - good ground covers - and have cactus-like leaves, usually grey in colour. Often seen growing on embankments.

How is your Mum? Any sign of improvement since she was moved?

Allan, didn't you know that

it wasn't the cough that carried him off
'twas the coffin they carried him off in!

Sue - forgot to mention before that although I used all-purpose soil mixes for the garden and pots - I always bought reputable brands which had red ticks, etc. I never trusted the 'no names'.

Good morning, Berona

Now that phrase brought back memories.....my dad used to say it when I was a youngster. He died in 1983.

It's funny, he was the only one of my childrens' grandparents who they have ever met, but they were both too young to remember. All other g/parents had passed away before they were born

Allan

Good morning, Berona:)

My children grew up with 2 grandfathers and 1 grandmother although my daughter and eldest son do remember my mother-in-law. Youngest son was a baby when she passed away. My daughter's children have their grandparents both maternal and paternal and a great grandfather and 2 great grandmothers plus loads of great aunts and uncles and a couple of great great aunts and uncles. Having grown up with no relatives other than parents and siblings I'm very conscious of the importance of family. I'm happy to say that my daughter makes sure that the older generation see her children regularly and that there are photographs.

I shouldn't be on here as I'm supposed to be working:( See ya.

Sue xx

how odd Lampranthus aurantiacus is very common here, in fact my mother has loads of it growing around her garden wall. Dad brought it from a previous house and we had some too. the one we have is a purplish colour. Despite googling I can't find a common name for it here. I have no idea what we call it,apart from that daisy thing.

I won't dwell on mum, but she is much worse, her kidney and liver functions are very poor. She was moved to the excellent cardiac unit because she was having terrible pain in her abdomen/chest. The young stand in doctor who was on over the weekend, told her that she had had a heart attack based on the blood results, but the ward sisters are adamant she hasn't, they are putting the results down to the kidney failure. Anyway they went ballistic at the care she had been getting and between us, we tackled the other ward which she has now been returned to. They are now falling over them selves to provide first class care,though how long that will last I don't know.
The latest theory is that the pain may be caused by kidney or gall stones, but they can't do the necessary scan because they can't inject the dye because of her kidney function.

I know that she is not going to come out, it could be in a few days,but I think it will be more like a couple of weeks. My sister is coming up today to do a week of the care, she will be at the hospital all day every day despite the so called visiting times.

Oh Linda,

My heart goes out to you. I don't know what to say, whether to say I hope your Mum passes quickly so that her suffering (and yours) is over, or whether she keeps going so that you have more precious time with her.

I lost my Mum nearly 8 years ago. I managed to see her the week before she died ( I lived 500+ kilometres away), but thought I would see her again, as I had arranged to come back 2 weeks after my visit, but she went earlier than we thought and there was no message from the hospital saying her death was imminent.

I'll say a little Prayer for you and your Mum, Linda.

Kind regards
Ali

Oh Linda - I wish I could give you the biggest hug. At least she is getting the care she deserves. Hopefully she will be comfortable and her passing will be peaceful. It's good that your sister is going to be there and you can have your break knowing that someone familiar is with your mum.

Sue xx

PS I wonder where our friend Tec is.

Hello Linda,
That's not good news about your Mum and her age in against her - but while there's life, there's hope - and we are all hoping that she is back home soon but if not, we are feeling for you and go ahead and let it all out on us, if that's what you want to do.

Did I sound well-informed about the Lampranthus Auantiarcus? Well, I have to be honest - I've never heard of that name before - I looked it up before posting! I couldn't remember the names - and there are a few for them - Mesembryanthemum, Livingstone Daisies, Ice Plants - and Pig Face. Take your pick which name you want to use. Out here, the last one is the better known name.

Berona that's right - Livingstone Daisies. I knew that but I just couldn't bring the name to mind.

Sue xx

Good evening/afternoon all:-))

Dear Linda...My heart goes out to you, sending over giant hugs xx

After reading all your posts on pig face, I went outside to have a good look at them. The main plant that I have growing has thick red stems with green fronds and fluorescent pink/purple flowers, which are just starting to bloom now.
I wish I could show you all a photo of them, because they are spectacular to look at. We have lots of sloping rock walls and these plants just seem to thrive here!!

Good night all Aussies:))
Enjoy your day pommies:))

Carole xx

Hi Everyone - whatever the time.

Linda.....I am so sorry that your mother is so unwell. Thank goodness she is getting better nursing care - I hope they can make her comfortable. My thoughts are with you and your mother - Take care.

The last few days have been hectic here. My daughter, and grand daughter arrived unexpectedly on Thursday. That was a lovely surprise, but we were in rather a pickle because I was carpet laying, which meant furniture was everywhere but where it should have been - chaos.
However, we made the best of it, and had lots of fun. They went back home today.

I have caught up on the posts since my absence - I also have the plant that has been discussed. The earlier posts on the matter amused me.
SueMaid quoted this on an earlier post..........
" Carole, I love Pigface"
That sent my quirky mind into overdrive...... I thought......

" Who is Pigface?"

Does he know of SueMaid's affection?
Is her passion reciprocated?
If so - does the conversation go like this.........

" I love you Pigface"
" I love you too Huggy Bear"
" Oh Pigface - You're such a squidgy piggy"

Yes - I know - but I hope to recover with medication.

Good Day everyone.

Tec.

Hi Tec:))

Welcome back!!!

I spit my coffee out all over the floor..
It was worth it:))))

Carole x

Hi Carole....

Sorry about the coffee.......and the floor!

I expect to get a thrashing from SueMaid when she gets to read it.

So I'd best get back in my cave and hide........

Hope you are well.

Tec.

Good morning/evening everyone:))

Tec, only you could think up something like that:)) I nearly sprayed my morning cuppa over the keyboard. I'm not going to give you a thrashing because I've missed you and am pleased to see you back:))

Carole, the pigface must look spectacular (no comment, Tec) the colours can be really bright or pretty like my lilac one. I think my plant may have to come out as it's an old plant and not looking it's best.

Linda, I hope your mum had a comfortable day. I'm thinking of you.

Sue xx

Hi all,

Linda, I am sorr to read the post regarding your mum: my thoughts are with you both

Tec, welcome back. I was beginning to think that you had been abducted by aliens...and we all know what that involves!!!

Good morning Sue, Berona, Alison and Carole. A nice mild morning here for the first day of Spring


Allan

Good morning, Allan:))

I don't even want to think about Tec being abducted by aliens - for the very same reason you were thinking, Allan:)))

Sue xx

Good Morning SueMaid,

I was sure I would get a thrashing - but it's nice to know you missed my sad and feeble mind - though titter ye not at the afflicted. My mother always blamed the bomb that blew me off the loo.

Anyway, it's good to be back. My pig face plant ( I can't believe you call it that) went rather woody, and ragged looking after a few years, so I dug it up, and took lots of cuttings that took very easily. Now I have several new plants.

Tec.