General Chat

Hi Everyone

Nothing really interesting - but to say that our cat Fluffy has made a miraculous recovery, his only problem was that he was losing his fur, but OH has made him a couple of knitted jumpers, at the moment he is asleep in his lilac one. Of course he hates it but he has to put up with it until his fur returns.

Our groups football teams are all progressing well, especially West Brom and West Ham and my team Arsenal are as usual near the top.

The weather in London is particularly mild at the moment and the rain has kept away most of the time (there has been some flooding elsewhere in the UK).

I have been busy on the family tree this week with Proom(e), Freeborough and Semmens branches, and last week whilst I was doing the Dry branch I discovered a murderer (he had killed his wife in 1917) - he had been sentenced to hang, but had his sentence commuted to Life imprisonment, following a petition of 20,000 names given to the Home Secretary - incidentally he must have been released in the 1930's as he remarried and had 4 more children!!

That all for now - great news on the twins Hazel - by the way great news GR are finally sending me notifications again.

Love to all, prayers for those that want them, keep warm
Gerard <3 :-)

Ann,

I do know that the French are trying to keep their money out of France. We have had 6 couples view our house which has been up for sale for just a couple of months. Four have been French, One was a couple who lived in two different countries and wanted a place to share. And the last was an English couple who visited yesterday.
The interesting point for me was that none of these people want to live here but want a holiday place! At the price our house is up for I am simply amazed that
1. All thought that the house is a reasonable price.
2. They all want to pay by cash.
3. If they decided to buy our house how quickly could we move.

We certainly could not pay cash for another home until we sell this one.......should I be surprised, I am not sure...I do know that in the 1970s many people took money out of England and stored it abroad from Europe to India,, is this happening now, I wonder?

A beautiful day here, everywhere is calm and still. I hope that the weather improves in the UK it looks rather bad from the news on TV.

I am going to finish my Christmas cake today, have all the ingredients now.

We have been asked if we could start our Film Nights again so I think we start next week, however I did suggest and it was agreed that we would only have one film rather than two, no one seemed to mind so we should be OK.

No other news, so wish every one a happy day and hope that someone or more adds to this thread today.

:-) :-) :-)

did I see something in the paper re France offering residency to people who buy property (I think it was France) and this is to encourage people back to buy?

I wonder, if they do, whether Spain will do the same.

What is the feeling of local people/ex pats of Catalina (I think) going for independence? I wonder, if that happens, whether the Canaries will do the same?

Hello e everyone.

Well I can hardly say that I am keeping my daily diary when I have not been on here for a few days, and neither has anyone else! The weather was dreadful for a few days but much improved now.
Last night we went out for a Christmas style meal called Turkey & Tinsel. It was delicious.

Lots of laughter, chatting, winning bits and pieces, just what everyone needed after the awful weather we have had.

Another couple came to look around today, I am surprised at the number of people looking to buy a second home when on TV the message is that most Europiean people are struggling. Oh well maybe people simply want to use their money before it slides away.

Hope that everyone is well, take care

Bridget ( who hopes that someone adds on here) :-)

Hazel, I decided last year not to colour my hair any longer, it grows so fast that it was costing a fortune. My hair has wide white hair on my right side and bits and pieces all over. Last week I went to the hairdresser who old me that she has clients who would love my silver colour and I was lucky to have it!!! She also suggested that I should have my parting going in the opposite way...well I thought that I would give it a try and the result is I shall keep it this way as the silver looks so good! Never to old to learn but old enough to be grey.
My mother was completely white by the age of 30 and my younger sister cannot remember her natural hair colour as she has dyed it since she was about 14!!! will not say how old she is now!

Re Twins. I keep hoping that one of my children have twins but it looks unlikely. Are your pair Identical, mine are and they had such fun!
Well this is the last of my computer for today going to watch the darts programme on TV with my Husband.

Night Night to you all

:-)

Hi Bridget Sian and Savannah were a year old 30th Setember.Growing up fast.

I am sitting here with a dry on my hair trying to get it all one colour :-), I dont have much grey so it not that i am trying to cover, Wish it would go grey would like it to be white be better. so i dont have to keep putting colour on it.

Bye for now

Take care everyone

Hazelx

Good morning it is 07.43 and the sky still looks rather ominous but no rain since yesterday so keeping my fingers and toes crossed that we have a dry day. It is even considerably warmer , haven't checked the barometer as really do not need to. The birds are twittering away and as you may all recall I simple delight listening to them.

As normal Jet & Joe are sound asleep as is OH. It make me wonder if males need more sleep?
Not sure what we will be doing today, I have nothing planned except to go to the shops for a wonder around to see if there are any bargains.


Tess, my goodness you are busy but obviously enjoying your self. What a lovely surprise to see your brother even if for a short while.

Hazel

How old are your twin grandchildren?

My mother used to delight in taking my twin boys out when they were young, she sometimes took them separately and I took the other one just so they had their own space...unbelievelly they always bought the same small present...it was rather surprising at first but we soon learnt that this was normal for them. They have very different lives now BUT still if one is unwell then within the next 24 hrs some tipping similar will happen to the other. Last week I was thinking I have'nt heard from either of them for some weeks. One is in Wales and the other in Belfast......now...the one from Wales called first and whilst chatting I noted another person was calling so within a few minutes we said goodbye and I picked up th second call and Low and behold it was twin number two!! Neither had they spoken to each other for a week!

Bye for now

Bridget :-)

Hi All

Well i was going to stay in until i had to go to docs at 2,15 got a call telling me its now at 4.40. So went into Slough and got some tops for myself and few christmas gifts.

Got to doctors at 4.30 to be told doctor is running late. Got into see him at 5.10. Well been put on iron tablets now got to go back in few weeks time.

Well off to pick grand daughter Caitlin up from school tomorrow while mum is at hospital. Then Firday i am having my twin grand daughter for few hours. Then hope to come home and have weekend to myself as i had Caitlin all last weekend.

Looks like you all have been busy.

Bridget i have lefted a link to Essex record centre on my thread about its close for awhile for stocktaking.

Sorry havent been on here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~to you all

Hazelx

That all happened on Monday.

On tuesday I went to my exercise session. They are called extend and include some Tai Chi and some Relaxation. We have two different trainers, who take alternative weeks.
One of them seems to do a lot more movement than the other one.
This week it was the turn of the lady who does a lot more relaxation and breathing exercises as well as some movement and streaching.
So why do I ache like billy-o now?

I am really lucky though as the sessions are free and I use the special Ring & Ride to go there and back. A wonderful door- to- door service that is very cheap.

Today I was woken by my son who had finished his overnight shift (plus doing the breakfast) at the small residential home where he works.
That was when I found out that my brother was coming around.
It was lovely to see him even if it was a bit of a surprise.
Managed to get on the computer a few times, so was able to post on here.

I usually have someone coming in for two hours a week, to help me with the housework. It just stops me drowning under it all.
She is away for two weeks, so there is a little more for me to do. It takes me a lot longer than two hours to do all that she does for me.

Added to this, I am hoping to meet a cousin for the first time next week. He and his wife may actually come to my home.
By that time my helper will have missed two weeks. So I am going to be rather busy around the house till after the visit.

I am really looking forward to it, but need to sort out copies of all BMD certs. which might be of interest to him. Ditto old photos.
I know that I've all ready sent him some, but for the life of me just can't remember which.

Have now started to go to a six week Deaf Awareness Course, at the same place that I do the Exercises.
The only trouble is, The Ring & Ride don't have a bus available for us this week. (There are three of us that use the bus for this course).

Although not very far away, it is rather difficult to get there by public transport. Will try my best to get there on Friday as it is such a worthwhile course.

Tomorrow (Thursday) is the day to vote for our Police Commissioner.
Just hope that I remember. This is a new job, information is rather scarce, and I don't fully understand what the job entails. But I do intend voting.

I'm off to empty my dish washer (don't you love all these mod-cons?)

Might even sort out the next pile of washing for the washing machine. I wonder if it will be dry enough to get it dry on the washing line tomorrow? I certainly hope so.!

Well Tess, You have worn me out just reading about your day....!!!!! :-S

It has been a very wet day and sometimes the rain has been dreadful but hoping that it will stay dry tonight.

Now it may seem strange but whilst I am using my computer I am also watching the Darts on the TV. OH has gone to the bar to watch football with some of his mates but has said he will not be very late home!

A few minutes ago had a good chat with my daughter which we have not had for sometime...all is well and as she is so organized, just like her father, she has everything arranged for Christmas..........way ahead from me...........

The cooler weather is affecting my fingers already, as I said on here some time ago I am lucky to have all my fingers following a dreadful accident when very young. As a result my fingers go white rather quickly and become icy cold in cold weather......and we are having plenty of that!

Tess, You have been busy and more to come it seems,I hope you have a good nights sleep and feel rejuvenated in the morning.

Good night everyone, I will be back tomorrow.

Another quick visit to my computer while the potatoes are baking in the oven.

On monday I thought that I was going to have a quiet day, just able to potter around and do some stuff on the computer (including adding to this thread).
Got up late, and had started pottering (still in my night clothes), when I got a phone call from my son. He would be here in 15 mins, and if I was ready would take me to D---x to get some paint for the front room.
Although I hadn't even had a cup of coffee I agreed as a decorator is coming on 26th to decorate.

He was quicker than 15 mins. although I was dressed and had made a cup of coffee, there was no time to drink it!

Couldn't find my paint chart, or the piece of paper where I had written my choice of colours, so it took a little longer at the paint shop than I had thouhght.

At last, I could go home for my cup of coffee (and my breakfast), but no, I had saaaaaid a couple of weeks ago, that when he had egough time to drive to D----ms I would buy some curtains for his bedroom (that is the bedroom he uses at my house, he has Venitian Blinds up at the moment)

My son can take ages to make up his mind, and he did> Looking at many couols of curtauns and puting several of them in thr trolley.
Had to persuade him that curtains that (only just) filled the width of the space he wanted to cover, were NOT wide enough!

He was also looking for the cheapest buy, but when I asked him why he wanted curtains, he said to make his room warmer, I was able to persuade him to have thermal lined ones.

Next came the choice of pole. He was ready to have one that said "suitable for most weights of curtain" which Itold him means ... if the pole breaks because your curtains are heavy (or heavyish) it is your own fault
In the end he chose one that was only a little more expensive but looked a better quality and was much better looking!

By the time we got home it was 2pm. I was hungry, thisty and tired.
Had a quick bite to eat, a large cup of coffee and went back to bed.
Even missed the beginning of "Takes Two" (starting at 6.30pm) on the telly.

Was just too worn out to do much of anything on Monday evening.

It is now time I got the rest of the stuff ready to have with the jacket potatoes.
I really don't want to miss the start of "Takes Two " this evening.

Will be back with another episode later.

Tess

Bridget, glad to hear that you actually did enjoy the royal Festival of Remembrance on Saturday 10th. I love it when they have the bands playing, don't always like the singing and didn't like Rod Stewart this year, but did enjoy the Military wives choir.

Sounds as if your weather is much like ours, except that strangely the last few days have been dry. :-D

Have just been atching up with the last few postings.
Will be back later, got to do lunch for my son and my brother.

Meanwhile, there is a Birmingham History Site.
Called Birmingham History Forum (I think)

I will return.... :-)

Good morning everyone from a very wet, rainy day in my part of Spain! It was the noise of water cascading down our outdoors steps that first woke me this morning at about 05.20. It was so loud that I thought something awful was happening. Went into the study and all I could see was rain!! The pool looked grey rather than blue, no singing birds, and Jet & Joe were hiding under our bed!
This occurred about an hour ago, and thankfully the rain has stopped but the sky is still very dark and only a few birds singing.

Gerard, do you also have a tree on A....try? I have over the last 4 or 5 months added info etc to our shared part of my tree, just thought you would like to know.
I do hope that you and your wife are fine and healthy.

I have put some photos on people in my Genes tree and would like to copy them else where, can I do this from my genes tree, and if so please could someone tell me how to do this. Tried yesterday but no luck!

Well, I hope that someone adds on here today :-) :-)

Ann
Thanks for your question. I was talking about the programme on the evening of the 10th. I was halfway through when the brain clicked and I realised that this was to show just how the UK services are always serving across the world and has had some very young people die such as those who served in the Falklands,
So on reflection this was an excellent programme and I apologies to every one as I did not make this clear.

OH also made the same mistake as me.

OK, what are we all up to today?

I have done the washing it is dry and has been ironed, i find this quite therapeutic and relaxing. OH vacuumed the main part of the house and cleaned the open fire which we used for the first time since March. There is nothing nicer, in my view than having a good meal at home, with a good wine and a real fire. OH even set it again for tonight.

The weather is not looking very good dark blue sky, wind shaking the trees and some of the plants, Jet & Joe go outside and almost immediately come back in...so it must be cold!

I am also trying to help a friend with his family tree but on another site and his family come from Birmingham and there are just so many people with the surname Harris...it is making the work rather difficult...no response from anyone.
I wonder if there is a Family History site for Birmingham?

Well OH watching a Film, so I am to do some more research.

Best wishes to everyone

Bridget
:-)

Why did you think the festival of Remembrance was different Bridget? I didn't think so. I enjoyed it.

Thank you Ann. Now the day has arrived I feel fairly comfortable about it and as I said before, rather proud.

I wonder if any watched the programme last night. We found it somewhat different than usual and OH only enjoyed the last 15 to 20 minutes, but I on reflexion thought it was good.
The Royal Family looked quite relaxed and yet appropriate. The photos of the soldiers and other personnel in the services who died in the last 12 months and those who also died protecting and supporting them brought tears to my eyes.
My prayers to do will be for these families and the friends of this brave people.

Made me think again that I have been fortunate re my Army son......God Bless all the personal involved and their families.

I am sure you will be fine Bridget. Just be yourself.

NUDGE there must be someone who can add on here...please.
Remembrance day tomorrow and I am feeling a little nervous about being in charge and doing all the reading etc,,,but proud as well.

Good morning everyone.

Gerard, it is good just to know that you and your wife are well, so there is a reason for you to stay in touch with us all.

Berona, I know exactly what you mean, I am somewhat nosy when I see new headings but often have a quick look and think...'not for me'. As others are saying, I make sure that the threads I would wish to be notified off do not stay 'added as a Watched Thread'. For the last week I have made sure before I retire to check thar the tick has been done......then look in the morning as I did today and it is NOT marked.....

Gerard, how about adding a subject that we could debate, or something similar, then we could all be involved?

Have a good day everyone.

Just had a message and a direct family member has sent me a wonderful message about being able to buy reproductions for medals for the 1st and 2nd world wars. Guess what I want for Christmas.......I will add all the info on ANC......

If you want any info Gerard please email me.